JP2008044640A - Sterilizer and sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilizer capable of uniformly sterilizing a container at a higher level. <P>SOLUTION: A sterilizer 10 comprises a supporting member 31 for supporting a container 1 that can be rotated together with the container, a discharging electrode 20 that can be inserted into the container supported by the supporting member, enclosure members 26, 27 partially enclosing from outside the container supported by the supporting member and counter electrodes 22a, 22b covering from outside at least a part of the enclosure members. In order to generate an atmospheric pressure plasma, a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharging electrode and the opposing electrode. The enclosure members have a contour along a part of arc centering a rotation axis L3 at a sectional surface of the supporting member orthogonal to the rotation axis L3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method for sterilizing an object to be sterilized using atmospheric pressure plasma, and more particularly to a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method capable of sterilizing an object to be sterilized at a high level evenly.

  In general, beverages, foods, pharmaceuticals, herbal medicines, cosmetics, feeds, fertilizers, and other filling materials made of liquids, solids, or combinations of liquids and solids are filled in packaging containers (packaging materials) in an aseptic environment, Thereafter, the packaging container is sealed in an aseptic environment. Prior to the filling process, the inner and outer surfaces of the packaging container are sterilized, thereby preventing bacteria from being brought into the filling process.

  Various research and development have been made on sterilization devices and sterilization methods to be sterilized, which are not limited to those applied to sterilization of packaging containers, and are made of resin or the like. In recent years, a sterilization method and sterilization apparatus using atmospheric pressure plasma at normal temperature and normal pressure because a drug or the like does not remain inside and a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained without affecting a sterilization target. Is being developed. (For example, patent document 1).

In particular, in the field of sterilizing containers having a three-dimensional outer shape, the sterilization method using atmospheric pressure plasma is used because the drug tends to remain inside and it is difficult to sterilize uniformly. Interest is very high.
JP 2004-359307 A

  However, under the present circumstances, the sterilization technique using atmospheric pressure plasma has not reached a level at which a sterilization target having, for example, a three-dimensional outer shape can be uniformly sterilized at a sufficiently high sterilization level. For this reason, sterilization using atmospheric pressure plasma has not yet spread widely commercially.

  Moreover, in order to realize the commercial spread of sterilization using plasma, it is necessary to consider the apparatus cost and the processing efficiency.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method capable of sterilizing a sterilization target, particularly a container, at a high level without unevenness. Moreover, it is convenient if the sterilization apparatus can be manufactured at low cost and the sterilization target can be sterilized efficiently.

  A first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is a support member that supports a container to be sterilized, a support member that can rotate together with the supported container, and a discharge that can be inserted into the container supported by the support member. An electrode, an enclosure member arranged to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside, and a counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure member from the outside, and generates an atmospheric pressure plasma. And an opposing electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the electrodes, and the enclosing member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the rotation axis in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis of the support member It is characterized by having.

  According to the first sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the gas existing between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is turned into plasma, and the container can be sterilized. In particular, when the support member is rotated together with the container, the container can be sterilized evenly. Further, since the enclosure member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the rotation axis in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis of the support member, the plasmaized gas is effectively transferred to the container. The containers can also be sterilized at a high level by contact.

  In the first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the enclosure member may have a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the container in a cross section along the rotation axis of the support member. According to such a sterilization apparatus, plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container, and the container can be sterilized uniformly at a high level.

  Further, in the first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the surrounding member can move together with the counter electrode around the container supported by the support member along the arc around the rotation axis of the support member. You may make it be. According to such a sterilizer, the surrounding member can be moved relative to the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode, and the relative position of the counter electrode with respect to the discharge electrode can be changed. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  Furthermore, in the first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member arranged so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode includes: A first counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the first enclosure member from the outside and a second counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the second enclosure member from the outside may be included. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, the first enclosing member and the second enclosing member can swing about axes parallel to each other, swing in opposite swing directions, and can be deployed so as to be separated from each other. You may do it. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member can surround a wide region of the container supported by the support member, and the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung. As a result, the area where the container is to be supported can be greatly opened. For this reason, while being able to sterilize uniformly at a high level, the delivery of the container to a support member and the receipt of the container from a support member can be performed easily.

  Further, the first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention further includes an enclosure disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member between the enclosure member and the counter electrode is at least a part of the enclosure member. May be included, and a second counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure from the outside may be included. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, the support member is movable in synchronization with the discharge electrode, the enclosure member and the first counter electrode, and the enclosure is disposed along a movement path of the support member. You may do it.

  Furthermore, in the first sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the discharge electrode may be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the support member. According to such a sterilizer, when the discharge electrode is rotated, the surface area of the discharge electrode facing the counter electrode can be changed. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  A second sterilization apparatus according to the present invention includes a support member that supports a container to be sterilized, a discharge electrode that can be inserted into a container supported by the support member, and a container supported by the support member. And a counter electrode that covers at least a part of the cover member from the outside, and a counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode to generate atmospheric pressure plasma, The surrounding member is capable of moving around the container supported by the support member around an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode.

  According to the 2nd sterilizer by this invention, the gas which exists between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode can be turned into plasma, and a container can be sterilized. In particular, when the enclosure member is moved relative to the container and the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode, the container and the discharge electrode can be sterilized without unevenness. Further, the relative movement of the counter electrode with respect to the container makes it possible to effectively bring the plasmad gas into contact with the container and sterilize the container at a high level.

  In the second sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the surrounding member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. You may make it have. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container to sterilize the container at a high level.

  Moreover, the 2nd sterilizer by this invention WHEREIN: You may make it the said enclosure member have the outline corresponding to the outer outline of the said container in the cross section along the insertion direction of the said discharge electrode. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container to sterilize the container at a high level.

  Further, in the second sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member arranged so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode includes: You may make it include the 1st counter electrode which covers at least one part of the said 1st enclosure member from the outside, and the 2nd counter electrode which covers at least a part of the said 2nd enclosure member from the outside. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, the first enclosing member and the second enclosing member can swing about axes parallel to each other, swing in opposite swing directions, and can be deployed so as to be separated from each other. You may do it. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member can surround a wide region of the container supported by the support member, and the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung. As a result, the area where the container is to be supported can be greatly opened. For this reason, while being able to sterilize uniformly at a high level, the delivery of the container to a support member and the receipt of the container from a support member can be performed easily.

  Furthermore, in the second sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the discharge electrode may be rotatable about an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. According to such a sterilizer, when the discharge electrode is rotated, the surface area of the discharge electrode facing the counter electrode can be changed. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  A third sterilization apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotatable support member that supports a sterilization target, and a discharge electrode and a counter electrode that are disposed so as to sandwich the sterilization target supported by the support member. A discharge electrode and a counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied in order to generate plasma are provided.

  According to the third sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the gas existing between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is turned into plasma, and the sterilization target can be sterilized. In particular, when the support member is rotated together with the sterilization target, the sterilization target can be sterilized evenly at a high level.

  A fourth sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is a support member for supporting a container to be sterilized, a support member that can rotate together with the supported container, and a discharge that can be inserted into the container supported by the support member. An electrode, an enclosure member arranged to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside, and a counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure member from the outside, and generates an atmospheric pressure plasma. And a counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the electrodes.

  According to the 4th sterilization apparatus by this invention, the gas which exists between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode can be turned into plasma, and a container can be sterilized. In particular, when the support member is rotated together with the container to be sterilized, the container can be sterilized evenly at a high level.

  In the first to fourth sterilization apparatuses according to the present invention, the support member may be substantially flat and rotatable about an axis substantially orthogonal to the plate surface. In the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the support member may have a substantially flat plate shape, and an insertion direction of the discharge electrode may be along a direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the support member. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the sterilization target can be easily supported.

  In the first to fourth sterilization apparatuses according to the present invention, the support member supports the object to be sterilized on one surface, and generates atmospheric pressure plasma on at least a part of the other surface of the support member. A support portion counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode may be provided. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the part which faces the support member of a container can be sterilized with a high sterilization level.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth sterilization apparatuses according to the present invention, a through hole is formed in a portion of the support member facing the sterilization target, and the suction member is connected to the through hole, and the support member A suction mechanism for sucking the sterilization object toward the support member through the through hole may be provided. According to such a sterilization apparatus, the sterilization target can be easily and quickly fixed to the support member with a simple apparatus and simple control. Alternatively, in the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, a holding mechanism for holding the object to be sterilized may be provided. Even with such a sterilization apparatus, the container can be easily and quickly fixed to the support member with a simple apparatus and simple control.

  Furthermore, the first to fourth sterilization apparatuses according to the present invention include a high voltage pulse application device that is connected to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode and applies a high voltage pulse between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. You may make it provide further.

  The first sterilization method according to the present invention includes a step of supporting a container to be sterilized by a rotatable support member, a step of inserting a discharge electrode into the container, and the discharge electrode inserted into the container. An enclosure member disposed so as to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside, and a contour along a part of an arc centered on the rotation axis in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis of the support member A step of applying a high voltage pulse between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode to generate atmospheric pressure plasma between the counter electrode and the counter electrode that at least partially covers the enclosure member having the outer side. In the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, the support member is rotated together with the container.

  According to the first sterilization method of the present invention, the gas existing between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is turned into plasma, and the sterilization target can be sterilized. In particular, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the support member is rotated together with the sterilization target, so that the container can be sterilized evenly at a high level. In this first sterilization method, either the step of supporting the container and the step of inserting the discharge electrode may be performed first, or two steps are performed in parallel. Also good.

  In the first sterilization method according to the present invention, the enclosure member may have a contour corresponding to an outer contour of the container in a cross section along the rotation axis of the support member. According to such a sterilization method, plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container, and the container can be sterilized uniformly at a high level.

  Further, in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma of the first sterilization method according to the present invention, the surrounding member is moved around the container along the arc around the rotation axis of the support member together with the counter electrode. You may make it move. According to such a sterilization method, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the surrounding member moves relative to the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode, and the relative position of the counter electrode with respect to the discharge electrode changes. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  Furthermore, in the first sterilization method according to the present invention, the enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode includes: Including a first counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the first enclosure member from the outside and a second counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the second enclosure member from the outside, and generating the atmospheric pressure plasma. A high voltage pulse may be applied between the discharge electrode and both the first counter electrode and the second counter electrode. According to such a sterilization method, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, in the step of supporting the container by the support member, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are oscillated in mutually opposite oscillating directions about axes parallel to each other and separated from each other. The container may be arranged on the support member in a state where it is unfolded. According to such a sterilization method, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member can surround a wide region of the container supported by the support member, and the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung. As a result, the area where the container is to be supported can be greatly opened. For this reason, while being able to sterilize uniformly at a high level, the delivery of the container to a support member and the receipt of the container from a support member can be performed easily.

  Furthermore, in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma of the first sterilization method according to the present invention, the support member supports the first counter electrode that at least partially covers the enclosure member and the enclosure member. A high voltage pulse may be applied between both of the second counter electrodes that at least partially cover the enclosure that is disposed so as to sandwich the container, and the discharge electrode. According to such a sterilization method, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, together with the container, the support member is moved in synchronization with the discharge electrode, the enclosure member, and the first counter electrode, and the container is moved along the movement path of the enclosure member and the support member. The high voltage pulse may be applied between the discharge electrode, the first counter electrode, and the second counter electrode.

  Furthermore, in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma in the first sterilization method according to the present invention, the discharge electrode may be rotated about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the support member. According to such a sterilization method, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the discharge electrode rotates and the surface area of the discharge electrode facing the counter electrode changes. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  The second sterilization method according to the present invention includes a step of supporting a container to be sterilized by a support member, a step of inserting a discharge electrode into the container, the discharge electrode inserted into the container, and the support. A high voltage pulse is applied between a counter electrode that at least partially covers the enclosure member disposed so as to surround the container supported by the member from the outside, and the discharge electrode and the counter electrode; A step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma between, and in the step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma, the enclosing member together with the counter electrode is disposed around the axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. It is characterized by moving around.

  According to the second sterilization method of the present invention, the gas existing between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is turned into plasma, and the sterilization target can be sterilized. In particular, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the enclosure member can move relative to the container and the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode, so that the container and the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly. Further, the relative movement of the counter electrode with respect to the container makes it possible to effectively bring the plasmad gas into contact with the container and sterilize the container at a high level. In the second sterilization method, either the step of supporting the container and the step of inserting the discharge electrode may be performed first, or two steps are performed in parallel. Also good.

  In the second sterilization method according to the present invention, the surrounding member has a contour along a part of an arc centering on the axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. You may make it have. According to such a sterilization method, plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container to sterilize the container at a high level.

  In the second sterilization method according to the present invention, the surrounding member may have a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the container in a cross section along the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. According to such a sterilization method, plasmaized gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container to sterilize the container at a high level.

  Further, in the second sterilization method according to the present invention, the enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member arranged so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode includes: Including a first counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the first enclosure member from the outside and a second counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the second enclosure member from the outside, and generating the atmospheric pressure plasma. A high voltage pulse may be applied between the discharge electrode and both the first counter electrode and the second counter electrode. According to such a sterilization method, the region where plasmad gas can be generated is expanded and dispersed. Thereby, a container can be disinfected uniformly at a higher level. In this case, in the step of supporting the container by the support member, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are oscillated in mutually opposite oscillating directions about axes parallel to each other and separated from each other. The container may be arranged on the support member in a state where it is unfolded. According to such a sterilization method, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member can surround a wide region of the container supported by the support member, and the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung. As a result, the area where the container is to be supported can be greatly opened. For this reason, while being able to sterilize uniformly at a high level, the delivery of the container to a support member and the receipt of the container from a support member can be performed easily.

  Furthermore, in the second sterilization method according to the present invention, in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, the discharge electrode may be rotated about an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. According to such a sterilization method, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the discharge electrode rotates and the surface area of the discharge electrode facing the counter electrode changes. Thereby, the discharge electrode can be sterilized evenly by the plasmatized gas generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode.

  According to a third sterilization method of the present invention, a sterilization target is supported by a rotatable support member, and between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode arranged so as to sandwich the sterilization target supported by the support member. Applying a high voltage pulse to the discharge electrode and generating the atmospheric pressure plasma between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, and rotating the support member together with the sterilization target in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma. It is characterized by that.

  According to the third sterilization method of the present invention, the gas existing between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is turned into plasma, and the sterilization target can be sterilized. In particular, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the support member is rotated together with the sterilization target, so that the sterilization target can be sterilized evenly at a high level.

  A fourth sterilization method according to the present invention includes a step of supporting a container to be sterilized by a rotatable support member, a step of inserting a discharge electrode into the container, and the discharge electrode inserted into the container. A high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode between the counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure member that is disposed so as to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside. And a step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma between them, and in the step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma, the support member is rotated together with the container.

  According to the 4th sterilization method by this invention, the gas which exists between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode can be turned into plasma, and a container can be sterilized. In particular, when the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, the support member is rotated together with the container, so that the container can be sterilized evenly at a high level. In the fourth sterilization method, either the step of supporting the container and the step of inserting the discharge electrode may be performed first, or two steps are performed in parallel. Also good.

  In the step of supporting the sterilization target by the support members of the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the sterilization target may be arranged on one surface of the support member having a flat plate shape. Further, in the step of supporting the container by the support member, the container to be sterilized has the bottom facing the opening into which the discharge electrode is inserted facing one plate surface of the support member, You may make it arrange | position on a supporting member. According to such a sterilization method, the sterilization target can be easily supported.

  Further, in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma in the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the flat support member may be rotated about the direction orthogonal to the plate surface. Alternatively, in the step of inserting the discharge electrode of the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the insertion direction of the discharge electrode may be along the direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the support member having a flat plate shape. . According to such a sterilization method, the sterilization target can be easily supported.

  Furthermore, in the step of supporting the sterilization target by the support member of the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the sterilization target is arranged on one surface of the flat support member to generate the atmospheric pressure plasma. In the step of causing the high voltage pulse to be applied between the discharge electrode and both the counter electrode and the counter electrode that cover at least a part of the other surface of the flat support member. Good. According to such a sterilization method, the portion facing the support member to be sterilized can be sterilized at a high level.

  Furthermore, in the step of applying the atmospheric pressure plasma in the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the sterilization target may be sucked toward the support member and adsorbed and held on the support member. . According to such a sterilization method, the sterilization target can be easily and quickly fixed to the support member with a simple device and simple control. Alternatively, in the step of applying the atmospheric pressure plasma in the first to fourth sterilization methods according to the present invention, the sterilization target may be held and held by the support member. Also by such a sterilization method, the sterilization target can be easily and quickly fixed to the support member with a simple device and simple control.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 14 are views showing an embodiment of a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method according to the present invention.

  Among these, FIG. 1 is a figure which shows the schematic process from shaping | molding of a container to filling of the contents, FIG. 2 is a top view which shows schematic structure of a sterilizer, FIG. 3 is the inside in the sterilizer based on the processing content. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a method for attaching a liquid to an outer surface of a container and an attaching unit, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a method for introducing steam into the container and a schematic configuration of an introducing unit. 6 is a view for explaining a method of introducing steam into the container, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the enclosing member, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a discharge electrode, and FIG. 11 is a diagram taken along line XI-XI in FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line, and FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a high-voltage pulse applying device. A diagram, Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of FIG. 2, FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a sterilization method.

<Sterilization target>
In the following embodiments, an opening 1a provided at the upper end, a side 1b including a neck that gradually increases in thickness from the opening 1a, and an opening 1a provided below the side 1b The example which sterilizes the container 1 which has the bottle shape provided with the facing bottom part 1c as sterilization object is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, such sterilization is performed after the container 1 is formed and before the container 1 is filled with the contents.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sterilization target sterilized using the sterilization apparatus and sterilization method according to the present invention only needs to be composed of various materials other than metal. Therefore, the container to be sterilized is not limited to a container having a bottle shape, and various known types of containers such as a cup-shaped container, a tray-type container, and a box-type container can be used.

<Sterilizer>
〔overall structure〕
First, the container sterilizer 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the sterilizing apparatus 10 includes a chamber 12, a first rotating body 24 that is rotatable around a rotation axis L <b> 1, and a container that is a sterilization target conveyed by the first rotating body 24. An attaching means 86 for attaching a predetermined liquid to the outer surface of the first liquid, an introducing means 70 for introducing a vapor obtained by evaporating the predetermined liquid into the container 1 conveyed by the first rotating body 24, and a rotating shaft L2. A second rotating body 45 that is rotatable as a center, a support member 31 that is provided on the second rotating body 45 and supports the container 1 to be sterilized, and linearly within the container 1 supported by the support member 31. The discharge electrode 20 that can be inserted, the enclosure members 26 and 27 disposed so as to partially surround the container 1 supported by the support member 31 from the outside, and at least a part of the enclosure members 26 and 27 are covered from the outside. Counter electrode 21 and discharge It includes a high-voltage pulse application unit 57, the application of a high voltage pulse between the electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21.

  In the present embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the support member 31 is rotatably supported by the second rotating body 45. In the present embodiment, the support means 30 is configured by the support means 31 and the second rotating body 45. The support means 30 supports the container 1 to be sterilized in the chamber 12 so as to be rotatable and movable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sterilizer 10 further includes a sterilizing agent supply unit 11 that communicates with the chamber 12 and supplies the sterilizing agent into the chamber 12. In the present embodiment, hydrogen peroxide is used as a sterilizing agent, and the sterilizing agent supply means 11 mixes hydrogen peroxide water and pressurized air by a two-fluid spray, and forms a chamber 12 as hydrogen peroxide mist. It is designed to send in. Further, the sterilizing agent supply means 11 can also feed normal temperature or heated air into the chamber 12. The chamber 12 is provided with one or a plurality of exhaust ports 11a corresponding to the supply of the sterilizing agent into the chamber 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in such a sterilization apparatus 10, the container 1 to be sterilized is fed into the chamber 12 from the carry-in port 14 a by the carry-in means 15 a and is sent to the first rotating body 24 through the delivery wheel 16. Delivered. The container 1 delivered to the first rotating body 24 is delivered to the support means 30 via the delivery wheel 16 while being subjected to predetermined processing. Thereafter, the container 1 is transferred to the unloading means 15b or the unloading means 19a via the transfer wheel 16, and is carried out of the chamber 12 via the unloading port 14b or the defective product unloading port 19.

  Further, the downstream process side including the inside of the chamber 12 can be set to a positive pressure from the inlet 14a. Therefore, during the operation of the sterilizer 10, an airflow from the inside of the chamber 12 to the outside of the chamber 12 can be formed at the carry-in port 14a, thereby preventing bacteria from being brought into the carry-in port 14a. It can be done. Further, as will be described in detail later, the passage path of the container 1 after being transferred to the support means 30 is separated from other regions in the chamber 12 as a processing space 5a. In the chamber 12, the processing space 5 a can be maintained at a positive pressure as compared with a region other than the processing space 5 a. Therefore, in the chamber 12, an air flow from the processing space 5a toward an area other than the processing space 5a can be created.

[First Rotating Body, Adhering Means and Introducing Means]
First, the first rotating body 24 and the attaching means 86 and the introducing means 70 for processing the container 1 conveyed by the first rotating body 24 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

  The first rotating body 24 is rotatable about a rotation axis L1 via a driving means (not shown) such as a motor, and is also sterilized by the conveying means 15a conveyed via the delivery wheel 16. The containers 1 are sequentially received. As shown in FIG. 2, the 1st rotary body 24 hold | maintains the container 1 at equal intervals on the periphery centering on the rotating shaft L1. And the 1st rotary body 24 conveys the hold | maintained container 1 along the periphery centering on the rotating shaft L1 by rotating centering on the rotating shaft L1.

  The adhering means 86 sprays a predetermined liquid toward the container 1 conveyed by the first rotating body 24 and adheres the liquid to the outer surface of the container 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the attaching means 86 includes a plurality of two-fluid sprays 87 arranged along a predetermined section of a moving path of the container 1 conveyed by the first rotating body 24, and a tube. An air supply means 82 that communicates with the two-fluid spray 287 via 89a, and a liquid tank 88 that communicates with the two-fluid spray 87 via the pipe 89b and communicates with the air supply means 82 via the pipe 89c. is doing.

  The air supply means 82 is configured to send air having a predetermined pressure and a predetermined flow rate to the two-fluid spray 87 via the pipe 89a.

  A predetermined liquid is accommodated in the liquid tank 88. The liquid tank 88 communicates with liquid supply means (not shown). The liquid supply means supplies the liquid to the liquid tank 88 so that the amount of liquid stored in the liquid tank 88 is always within a certain range. The end of the pipe 89b in the liquid tank 88 extends into the liquid adjusted to a predetermined amount. On the other hand, the end of the pipe 89c in the liquid tank 88 does not extend into the liquid stored in the liquid tank 88, that is, is not immersed in the liquid. Then, air is sent from the air supply means 82 into the liquid tank 88 through the pipe 89c, and the pressure in the liquid tank 88 increases. As the pressure in the liquid tank 88 rises, the liquid is sent from the liquid tank 88 to the two-fluid spray 87 via the pipe 89b. The air supply means 82 is configured to send air to the liquid tank 88 so that the pressure in the liquid tank 88 becomes a predetermined pressure value, whereby a predetermined flow rate and a predetermined pressure are supplied to the two-fluid spray 87. Liquid is sent in.

  Each element is provided with an appropriate instrument such as a flow meter or a pressure gauge, which makes it possible to confirm that each of the above-described pressures and flow rates is at a constant value. Yes.

  With such a configuration, liquid and air having a predetermined flow rate and pressure are fed into the two-fluid spray 87, and the liquid is sprayed (sprayed) as a mixture with air on the container 1 being conveyed. ing.

  Here, as the predetermined liquid, water, particularly pure water containing no impurities is suitable. When pure water is used, the supply amount thereof may be such that the outer surface of the container 1 is clouded, and the attached droplets are preferably fine particles having a diameter of about several μm. For example, when the container 1 is a resin bottle having a capacity of 240 mL (milliliter), it is preferable to attach pure water in a range of 0.01 g to 10 g to the outer surface of the container 1.

  As long as the sterilizing effect can be improved, an organic aqueous solution containing ethanol or acetone, an inorganic aqueous solution containing an electrolyte, or the like may be supplied instead of water (pure water). Further, instead of the air supply means, for example, a gas supply means for supplying a gas containing at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, air, argon, and helium may be used. it can. In addition to monitoring by an instrument, it is also preferable to provide some means for inspecting the state of liquid adhesion to the outer surface of the container 1. As such means, a laser beam irradiator that irradiates a laser beam from one of the containers 1 to which a liquid is attached, a laser beam measuring instrument that measures the transmission amount of the laser beam irradiated from the other of the container 1, Means having can be used.

  Next, the introduction means 70 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the introducing means 70 introduces a vapor mixed gas obtained by mixing a vapor obtained by evaporating a predetermined liquid and a predetermined gas into the container 1 conveyed by the first rotating body 24. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, such introduction means 70 includes a plurality of introduction pipes 75 provided corresponding to positions where the container 1 of the first rotating body 24 should be held, and a plurality of introduction pipes. 75, a plurality of valves 79 that open and close the introduction pipe 75, a loop-shaped manifold 73 connected to the plurality of introduction pipes 75, a liquid tank 90 that stores a predetermined liquid, and a liquid tank 90 Gas supply means 78 for supplying a predetermined gas to the pipe, a pipe 71 for communicating the liquid tank 90 and the manifold 73, a heater 81 for heating the pipe 71, a pipe 71 after the heater, the manifold 73, and the introduction pipe 75. A wound tape heater (ribbon heater) 77. The end of each introduction tube 75 extends directly above the opening 1 a of the container 1 held by the first rotating body 24 or to the inside of the container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the manifold 73 has a circular shape and is centered on the rotational axis L1 of the first rotating body 24 so as to extend along the circumference centered on the rotational axis L1. Is arranged as. The introduction pipes 75 extend from the manifold 73 along the radial direction (radial direction) centered on the rotation axis L1, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis L1.

  The liquid tank 90 communicates with a liquid supply means (not shown). The liquid supply means supplies the liquid to the liquid tank 90 so that the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid tank 90 is always within a certain range. The end of the pipe 71 in the liquid tank 90 is above the liquid tank 90 and does not extend into the liquid stored in the liquid tank 90, that is, not immersed in the liquid. On the other hand, the gas supply means 78 feeds a predetermined gas into the liquid tank 90 from below the liquid tank 90, and the supplied gas passes through the liquid in the liquid tank 90 and above the liquid in the liquid tank 90. It has come to be collected.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a temperature adjusting device 91 that adjusts the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid tank 90 is provided. The temperature adjusting device 91 includes a heating mechanism 91b disposed in the liquid in the liquid tank 90, a thermocouple 91c for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the liquid tank 90, and an adjustment control connected to the heating mechanism 91b and the thermocouple 91c. Part 91a. The adjustment control unit 91a turns on and off the heating mechanism 91b based on the liquid temperature measurement result by the thermocouple 91c, and keeps the temperature of the liquid in the liquid tank 90 constant.

  With such a configuration, a vapor mixed gas having a predetermined humidity, a predetermined temperature, and a predetermined pressure is generated and stored above the liquid in the liquid tank 90. Then, the vapor mixed gas is fed into the introduction pipe 75 where the valve 79 is opened via the pipe 71 and the manifold 73, and the vapor mixed gas is introduced into the container 1 from the introduction pipe 75.

  Each element is provided with an appropriate instrument such as a flow meter or a pressure gauge, which makes it possible to confirm that each of the above-described pressures and flow rates is at a constant value. Yes.

  Here, as the predetermined liquid, water, particularly pure water containing no impurities is suitable. When pure water is used, the supply amount thereof may be such that the inner surface of the container 1 is clouded. For example, when the container 1 is a resin bottle having a capacity of 240 mL (milliliter), 0.01 g to 10 g of the container 1 is contained in the container 1. It is preferable that about a pure water is introduced. Note that an aqueous solution containing ethanol, acetone, or the like may be supplied in place of water (pure water) as long as the sterilizing effect can be improved. The predetermined liquid here is not necessarily the same as the liquid ejected from the attaching means 86 described above.

  Further, as the predetermined gas, at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, air, argon, and helium can be used. The use of these gases is preferable in that various effects such as a decrease in dielectric breakdown voltage when a high voltage pulse is applied and an increase in the amount of active oxygen species generated can be expected. Further, two or more kinds of gases selected from the above group may be mixed and supplied. In addition, various gases can be used as long as they contribute to plasma generation. Further, the predetermined gas referred to here is not necessarily the same as the gas ejected together with the liquid from the attaching means 86 described above.

  In addition to monitoring by the instrument, it is also preferable to provide some means for inspecting the liquid adhesion state to the outer surface of the container 1. As such means, a laser beam irradiator that irradiates a laser beam from one of the containers 1 to which a liquid is attached, a laser beam measuring instrument that measures the transmission amount of the laser beam irradiated from the other of the container 1, Means having can be used.

  By the way, the constituent elements of the adhering means 86 and the introducing means 70, especially the pipes, may be communicated with the above-described disinfectant supplying means 11 through a valve or the like so as to be freely opened and closed. In this case, it is preferable that the adhering means 86 and the introducing means 70 can be sterilized before use with the sterilizing agent from the sterilizing agent supply means 11.

[Supporting means]
Next, the support means 30 for supporting the container 1 to be sterilized in a rotatable and movable manner will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 7 to 9.

  In the present embodiment, the support means 30 supports a plurality of containers 1 to be sterilized, a rotation mechanism that rotates the supported containers 1, and conveys the supported containers 1 along a predetermined movement path. It functions as a moving mechanism. As shown in FIG. 2, the support means 30 includes a second rotating body 45 that can rotate around the rotation axis L <b> 2 and a plurality of supporting members that are rotatably supported by the second rotating body 45. And a plurality of support members 31 that support from below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the second rotating body 45 is disposed so as to surround a shaft 49 extending on the rotation axis L2, and is driven via a driving means (not shown) such as a motor. It is freely rotatable around the rotation axis L2. That is, the support means 30 includes the driving means (not shown), the second rotating body 45, and the like as a moving mechanism, and is supported by the second rotating body 45 by the driving means rotating the second rotating body 45. The support member 31 and the container 1 on the support member 31 are moved along a circumferential track.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second rotating body 45 includes disk-shaped first to fourth tables 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d arranged in order from above so as to be orthogonal to the rotation axis L2, and a rotation axis. A connecting portion 46 extending along L2 and connecting the first to fourth tables 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d. That is, the first to fourth tables 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d are rotationally driven in synchronization.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, in the present embodiment, the support member 31 is formed of a substantially circular plate that supports the container 1 on one surface, specifically, on the upper surface. As will be described in detail later, the lower (other) surface of each support member 31 is covered with the counter electrode 21. As shown in FIG. 8, each support member 31 is connected to a columnar shaft member 32 on the lower surface thereof. Note that the columnar shaft member 32 and the disk-shaped support member 31 are connected so that their center axes are aligned. The shaft member 32 has an inner portion 32a made of an insulating material and an outer portion 32b made of a conductive material. The outer portion 32b is electrically connected to the counter electrode 21.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the fourth table 47d of the second rotating body 45 is provided with a plurality of bearing members 33 arranged at equal intervals on the circumference around the rotation axis L2. ing. The shaft member 32 described above is supported by each bearing member 33. That is, the support members 31 and the corresponding shaft members 32 are rotatably supported by the fourth table 47 d of the second rotating body 45 through the bearing members 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of support members 31 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference around the rotation axis L <b> 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a driving means 35 for rotating the support member 31, for example, a motor is provided on the lower surface of the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45. The drive means 35 is connected to a pulley 34a provided on the shaft member 32 via a drive transmission means 34b made of, for example, a transmission belt.

  In such a configuration, when the driving means 35 rotationally drives the shaft member 32, the disk-shaped support member 31 connected to the shaft member 32 is rotationally driven about an axis L3 parallel to the perpendicular to the plate surface. It has come to be. That is, in the present embodiment, the support means 30 includes the drive means 35, the pulley 34a, the drive transmission means 34b, the shaft member 32, the support member 31 and the like as the rotation mechanism, and the drive means 35 is the shaft member 32. The container 1 supported on the support member 31 is rotated by being driven to rotate together with the support member 31.

  Here, if the rotational speed of the support member 31 is too high, the container 1 cannot be stably supported on the support member 31. Moreover, if the rotational speed of the support member 31 is too slow, it will not be possible to enjoy the effect of rotation described in detail later. Considering this, the rotation speed of the support member 31 can be set to 10 to 3000 rpm, for example.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each support member 31 and the shaft member 32 connected to the support member 31 do not face the support member 31 of the shaft member 32 from the portion of the support member 31 facing the container 1. A through hole 37 extending to the end face on the side is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each through-hole 37 communicates with a suction mechanism 41 disposed inside or outside the chamber 12. Each through hole 37 includes a rotary coupling 40 attached to the shaft 49 below the second rotating body 45, and a coupling 38 and a cup attached to the end face of the shaft member 32 on the side not facing the support member 31. Communication is made through a connecting pipe 39 extending from the ring 38 to the rotary coupling 40.

  In such a configuration, the suction mechanism 41 can suck gas from any through hole 37 by opening and closing a valve 39 a provided in each connecting pipe 39. Therefore, when the container 1 is disposed on the support member 31, the container 1 is stabilized on the support member 31 by operating the suction mechanism 41 to suck and hold (suck) the container 1 to the support member 31. Can be supported. That is, in the present embodiment, the support means 30 includes the suction mechanism 41, the through-hole 37, the support member 31 and the like as the support mechanism. By operating the suction mechanism 41, the container 1 is supported by the support member 31. The container 1 is adsorbed on the top and stably supports the container 1.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the wall portion of the chamber 12 is disposed outside the third table 47c extending from the connecting portion 46 of the second rotating body 45 so as to face the third table 47c. A lower table 12c extending from the lower table 12c is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower table 12c is formed with holes corresponding to the outer contour of the third table 47c so as to surround the third table 47c. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower table 12c has a substantially flat plate shape and is disposed on the same plane as the third table 47c. An annular gap 6c having a substantially constant width is formed between the lower table 12c and the third table 47c (see FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the above-described support member 31 is disposed above the third table 47c, and the shaft member 32 passes through the gap 6c between the lower table 12c and the third table 47c. As shown in FIG. 2, the central locus of the gap 6 c is aligned with the movement locus of the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the shaft member 32 that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the second rotating body 45. The width of the gap 6c is set to such an extent that the shaft member 31 can rotate without any trouble.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wall portion of the chamber 12 is disposed outside the second table 47b extending from the connecting portion 46 of the second rotating body 45 so as to face the second table 47b. An upper table 12b extending from the upper table 12b is provided. The upper table 12b is formed with a hole corresponding to the outer contour of the third table 47c so as to surround the second table 47b, similarly to the lower table 12c described above. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper table 12b has a substantially flat plate shape and is disposed on the same plane as the second table 47b. An annular gap 6b having a substantially constant width is formed between the upper table 12b and the second table 47b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the central locus of the gap 6 b between the upper table 12 b and the second table 47 b is the rotation of the shaft member 31 that moves in synchronization with the rotation of the second rotating body 45. It is aligned with the movement locus of the axis L3. As will be described in detail later, the discharge electrode 20 is inserted into the gap 6b. Therefore, the width of the gap 6b is set so that the discharge electrode 20 can be inserted without any problem.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the space surrounded by the wall of the chamber 12, the upper table 12b and the lower table 12c, and the connecting portion 46, the second table 47b, and the third table 47c of the second rotating body 45. The container 1 conveyed by the support means 30 passes through the (processing space). Further, as will be described in detail later, atmospheric pressure plasma is generated in this space. Then, as described above, during the sterilization process, the processing space 5a is kept at a positive pressure, and the gas that may contain bacteria may be prevented from entering the processing space 5a from outside the processing space 5a. It is supposed to be. Therefore, the width of the gap 6b between the upper table 12b and the second table 47b and the width of the gap 6c between the lower table 12c and the third table 47c are set narrow as long as the above-described conditions are satisfied. Preferably it is.

(Enclosure member)
Next, the enclosing members 26 and 27 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 to 9. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the enclosing members 26 and 27 in the cross section along the line IX-IX in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the enclosure member provided for each support member includes a first enclosure member 26 and an enclosure member 27 shown in FIG. 2 arranged so as to sandwich the support member 31 therebetween. Yes. As shown in FIG. 2, the first surrounding member 26 is disposed on the front side in the movement direction of the support member 31. On the other hand, the second surrounding member 27 is disposed on the rear side in the moving direction of the support member 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, in the present embodiment, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are formed to be symmetrical. In FIG. 8, the second surrounding member 27 is not shown, and only the first surrounding member 26 is shown from the view from the rear side in the moving direction of the support member 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the present embodiment, the first surrounding member 26 includes a main portion 26a that can at least partially surround the container 1 supported on the support member 31, and both sides of the main portion 26a. And a pair of side collars 26b provided on the side, and an upper collar 26c provided above the main part 26a. Similarly, the second surrounding member 27 includes a main portion 27a that can at least partially surround the container 1 supported on the support member 31, and a pair of side collar portions 27b provided on both sides of the main portion 27a. And an upper collar portion 27c provided above the main portion 27a. The thickness of each enclosure member 26, 27 is constant.

  The flange portions of the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 do not expose the counter electrode 21 to the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 on the support member 31 for the reason described in detail later. Have been placed. In addition, you may make it provide the further collar (lower collar part) below the main part 27a corresponding to this objective.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the surrounding members 26 and 27 are disposed on a support base 96 having a ring shape. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support base 96 is fixed on the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45 via the support block 97. As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft member 32 described above extends through the center hole of the support base 96, and the support base 96 prevents the rotation of the shaft member 32 and the support member 31 from being interfered with. .

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the surrounding members 26 and 27 further includes shaft portions 26 d and 27 d that penetrate the support base portion 96 in a rotatable manner and extend in parallel with the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the support member 31. ing. Then, the shaft portions 26d and 27d rotate around the axis lines L4a and L4b, so that the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in the open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 9 and the closed position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. And can be swung between. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shaft portions 26d and 27d are connected to driving means 98a and 98b such as a motor fixed on the third table 47c of the second rotating body 45, respectively. As a result, the swinging of the shaft portions 26d and 27d is driven by the driving means 98a and 98b.

  The support base 96 serves to stabilize the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 in the closed position, but can be omitted.

  As shown by a solid line in FIG. 9, each of the shaft portions 26 d and 27 d extends downward from one end of the main portions 26 d and 27 d of the surrounding members 26 and 27 on the radially inner side of the second rotating body 45. It extends. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the surrounding members 26 and 27 swing in different swing directions, the region where the container 1 on the support member 31 is to be disposed is the radius of the second rotating body 45. It opens greatly toward the direction outward.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in the closed position, the outline of the main portions 26 a and 27 a of the surrounding members 26 and 27 is determined by the rotation of the support member 31. In an arbitrary cross section orthogonal to the axis L3, it is along only a part of an arc centered on the intersection of the cross section and the rotation axis L3. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in the closed position, the outlines of the main portions 26 a and 27 a of the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in a cross section along the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the support member 31. This corresponds to the outer contour of the container 1 supported by the support member 31. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the outline of the main portions 26a, 27a of the surrounding members 26, 27 is such that the support member 31 is centered on the rotation axis L3 in the cross section along the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31. The container 1 supported on the support member 31 is rotated to follow the outer contour of the rotating body.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in the closed position, the main portions 26a and 27a of the surrounding members 26 and 27 are such that the support member 31 rotates about the rotation axis L3. By doing so, the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is configured to be separated from the rotating body that is defined by a substantially constant distance. Furthermore, in other words, the main portions 26a and 27a of the respective enclosure members 26 and 27 are rotating bodies in which the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is defined by the support member 31 rotating about the rotation axis L3. The outer contour is substantially similar to the outer contour.

  On the other hand, even when the surrounding members 26 and 27 are in the closed position, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the container 1 supported on the supporting member 31 has the first and second surrounding members 26 and 2. The enclosing member 27 is not completely surrounded. In other words, a gap is provided between the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 without being sealed. That is, the space between the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 is open to the outside.

  As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the surrounding members 26 and 27 are at least partially covered by the counter electrode 21 from the outside, like the support member 31. For this reason, the size of the surrounding members 26 and 27 is such that the region surrounded by the surrounding members 26 and 27 is defined by the container 1 supported on the supporting member 31 when the supporting member 31 rotates about the rotation axis L3. It is preferable that the size is such that a slight margin is added to the minimum size that can accommodate the rotating body to be made. If the area surrounded by the enclosure members 26 and 27 is made larger than necessary, the distance between the counter electrode 21 covering the enclosure members 26 and 27 and the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 is unnecessarily increased. As a result, the stability of the discharge phenomenon may be impaired.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, such first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 function as a dielectric of the counter electrode 21. Similarly, the support member 31 described above also functions as a dielectric of the counter electrode 21. For the enclosure 25 and the support member 31 that function as a dielectric, various dielectric materials such as acrylic resin, ceramics, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, fluorine resin, and methylpentene resin can be used. However, since the entire chamber 12 may be sterilized before the container 1 is sterilized, it is preferable that the dielectric has resistance to the chemicals and heat used at this time. Further, it is desirable that the dielectric has a light-transmitting property so that a discharge phenomenon occurring in the region surrounded by the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31 can be observed from the outside. . Furthermore, since the ultraviolet rays are slightly generated in accordance with the discharge phenomenon, it is preferable that the dielectric has UV resistance.

  Note that the thicknesses of the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31 as dielectrics are appropriately set within a range in which stable discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21. can do.

[Discharge electrode and counter electrode]
Next, mainly using FIG. 2, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 supported by the support means 30, and the discharge electrode inserted into the container 1 The counter electrode 21 arranged with respect to 20 via the container 1 will be described.

  First, the discharge electrode 20 will be described. The discharge electrode 20 is formed by forming a conductive material such as stainless steel into a rod-shaped member (for example, a round bar) having a thickness that can be inserted into the container 1. A plurality of discharge electrodes 20 are provided corresponding to the plurality of support members 31 supported by the second rotating body 45. As shown in FIG. 7, each discharge electrode 20 is supported by the second rotating body 45 such that the longitudinal direction line (axis line) thereof is aligned with the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the support member 31 and the shaft member 32. Specifically, each discharge electrode 20 is supported via a connection support member 48b by an air cylinder 48a provided between the first table 47a and the second table 47b of the second rotating body 45.

  With such a configuration, the discharge electrode 20 disposed immediately above the support member 31 rotates and moves in synchronization with the support member 31 as the second rotating body 45 rotates. Each of the discharge electrodes 20 linearly moves in the vertical direction along the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31 via the corresponding air cylinder 48a. As shown in FIG. 8, when the elongated discharge electrode 20 is moved downward, the gap 6b between the second rotating body 45 and the chamber 12, the first surrounding member 26, It passes through the opening 1 a of the container 1 supported on the support member 31 and the gap with the second enclosure member 27, and is inserted into the container 1. During this time, the positional relationship between the discharge electrode 20 and the support member 31 continues to be maintained so that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the discharge electrode 20 and the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31 and the shaft member 32 are aligned. ing.

  As will be described later, a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21, and atmospheric pressure plasma is generated between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21. Therefore, if the thickness of the discharge electrode 20 is set to be thick enough to be inserted into the container 1, the distance between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 can be shortened to efficiently discharge with as little energy as possible. On the other hand, if the thickness of the discharge electrode 20 is too thick, the gap 6b between the second rotating body 45 and the chamber 12 must be set wide. It is preferable to set the thickness of the discharge electrode 20 in consideration of these matters.

  The length of the discharge electrode 20 may be determined so that it can be inserted into the container 1 with a necessary and sufficient depth. The insertion amount (length) of the discharge electrode 20 into the container 1 is preferably set in a range of 1/10 to 9/10 of the total height of the container 1. If the amount of insertion of the discharge electrode 20 is less than 1/10 of the total height of the container 1, the amount of discharge in the container 1 is insufficient, and if the amount of insertion exceeds 9/10, the discharge toward the bottom 1c side of the container 1 is concentrated. This is because the bottom portion 1c of the container 1 may be thermally deformed and a sufficient sterilizing effect may not be obtained on the side portion 1b side of the container 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, a single spiral thread 20a is formed in the entire insertion range of the discharge electrode 20 into the container 1, whereby the discharge electrode 20 is inserted. Irregularities are provided over almost the entire range. The unevenness is provided in this manner in order to cause the discharge phenomenon to occur uniformly over almost the entire length of the insertion range of the discharge electrode 20 into the container 1 without concentrating the discharge phenomenon on the tip 20b of the discharge electrode 20. . That is, in the discharge electrode 20, the electric field concentrates at a sharp point and discharge occurs. Therefore, by providing unevenness throughout the entire range of insertion of the discharge electrode 20 into the container 1, the discharge electrode 20 is not limited to the tip 20 b of the discharge electrode 20. The discharge can be uniformly generated from the apex of the screw thread 20a, and a uniform sterilizing action can be generated in each part of the container 1. On the other hand, it is desirable that the tip 20b of the discharge electrode 20 be formed as flat as possible to avoid concentration of discharge in this portion.

  The pitch P of the threads 20a formed on the discharge electrode 20 is preferably in the range of 0.01 mm to 10 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm. When the pitch P is less than 0.01 mm, the interval between the irregularities may be too narrow to obtain a uniform discharge. On the other hand, when the pitch P exceeds 10 mm, the projections are sparsely distributed and the discharge density Decrease. The apex angle θ of the thread 20a is preferably in the range of 5 ° to 60 °, and more preferably in the range of 10 ° to 45 °. This is because when the apex angle θ is less than 5 °, the strength of the thread 20a may be insufficient, and when the apex angle θ exceeds 60 °, the discharge from the top of the thread 20a may be weakened.

  Next, the counter electrode 21 will be described in detail. As described above and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the present embodiment, the counter electrode 21 includes the enclosure counter electrodes 22 a and 22 b that cover at least a part of the enclosure members 26 and 27 from the outside. And a support portion counter electrode 23 that covers at least a part of the support member 31 from the outside. The surrounding portion counter electrode includes a first surrounding portion counter electrode 22a that covers the main portion 26a of the first surrounding member 26 from the outside, and a second surrounding portion counter electrode 22b that covers the main portion 27a of the second surrounding member 27 from the outside. And. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the counter electrode 21 includes a first enclosure counter electrode 22 a that opposes a part of the side 1 b of the container 1 across the first enclosure member 26, and a second enclosure member 27. A second enclosure counter electrode 22b that opposes a part of the side 1b of the container 1 with the support member 31 interposed therebetween, and a support counter electrode 23 that opposes the bottom 1c of the container 1 with the support member 31 interposed therebetween.

  In the present embodiment, the upper ends of the first and second enclosure counter electrodes 22a and 22b extend above the upper end of the container 1 supported on the support member 31, and the first and second enclosure counter electrodes 22a, The lower end of 22 b extends below the lower end of the container 1 supported on the support member 31. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the container 1 is supported on the support member 31 by rotating the support member 31 around the rotation axis L3 in a cross section along the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31. Are covered from the upper end to the lower end by the surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b and the supporting portion counter electrode 23 formed in a shape substantially similar to the outer contour of the rotating body.

  However, it is not essential to configure the counter electrode 21 in this manner, and the counter electrode 21 is enclosed with the counter electrodes 22a and 22b and the support unit in consideration of the shape of the container 1 to be processed, the required sterilization level, and the like. You may comprise only any one of the electrodes 23, and you may make it the surrounding part opposing electrodes 22a and 22b extend only to a position somewhat higher than the lower end of the container 1. FIG.

  The counter electrode 21 can be formed of a plate or net made of a conductive material (for example, a metal such as stainless steel). It is desirable that the counter electrode 21, particularly the first enclosure counter electrode 22a and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b have translucency so that the discharge phenomenon in the region surrounded by the counter electrode 21 can be observed. That is, it is preferable to form the first enclosure counter electrode 22a and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b from a metal mesh, for example, because the discharge phenomenon can be confirmed through the mesh. In the present embodiment, the first enclosure counter electrode 22a and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b are made of a metal net, and the support counter electrode 23 is made of a metal plate that covers the other surface of the support member 31. .

  Further, such a counter electrode 21 can be formed by depositing a conductive material on desired outer surfaces of the surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31. In this case, by optimizing the vapor deposition conditions, the counter electrode 21 can be configured to be thin, and the counter electrode 21 can be provided with a light-transmitting property that allows the discharge phenomenon in the region surrounded by the counter electrode 21 to be observed. As a material to be deposited for forming the counter electrode 21, metal materials such as copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, and other various conductive materials can be used. Further, instead of vapor deposition, the counter electrode 21 can be formed by applying a conductive paint to desired outer surfaces of the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31.

[High voltage pulse application device]
Next, the configuration relating to the application of the high voltage pulse including the high voltage pulse applying device 57 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 2, 7 and 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, the high voltage pulse applying device 57 in the present embodiment is grounded to a high voltage pulse power source 57a, a high voltage side rail 59 to which a high voltage pulse is applied. And a grounding rail 58. The high voltage side rail 59 and the ground side rail 58 in the present embodiment are formed in a substantially ring shape, and the ring center of each rail 59, 58 coincides with the rotation axis L2 that is the rotation center of the second rotating body 45. Are arranged as follows.

  The high voltage side rail 59 is fixed to the upper surface of the first table 47 a of the second rotating body 45 of the support means 30. On the other hand, the ground side rail 58 is fixed to the lower surface of the fourth table 47 d of the second rotating body 45 of the support means 30. With such a configuration, the high voltage side rail 59 and the ground side rail 58 rotate together with the second rotating body 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 7, the high voltage pulse power source 57a and the high voltage side rail 59 are connected via a slidable slider 55a made of a conductive material. The slider 55 a is held so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the high voltage side rail 59 and is urged toward the high voltage side rail 59. By this slider 55a, the rotating high voltage side rail 59 and the high voltage pulse power source 57a can be reliably connected. Each discharge electrode 20 is electrically connected to the high voltage side rail 59 via a high voltage switching contact 54. The high voltage switching contact 54 is operated by a control means (not shown), and when the discharge electrode 20 and the container 1 in which the discharge electrode 20 is inserted are moving in a discharge region A6 (see FIG. 3) described later, The discharge electrode 20 and the high voltage side rail 59 are electrically connected.

  Similarly, the ground side rail 58 is also grounded via a slider 55b having the same configuration as the slider 55a described above. With the slider 55b, the grounding side rail 58 can be reliably conducted even when the grounding side rail 58 is rotating.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, in the sterilization apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the support member 31 that passes through a predetermined section (see discharge region A6, FIG. 3) along the moving path of the second rotating body 45. A high voltage pulse is applied between the plurality of discharge electrodes 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the above. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the number of ground-side rails 55 corresponding to the number of electrodes to which high voltage pulses are simultaneously applied (four in FIG. 12) is provided. . In the present embodiment, all the ground side rails 55 are formed in a substantially ring shape. The first enclosure counter electrode 22 a, the second enclosure counter electrode 22 b, and the support counter electrode 23 corresponding to one support member 31 can be simultaneously applied with a high voltage pulse and can be applied to different support members 31. The first enclosure counter electrode 22a, the second enclosure counter electrode 22b, and the support counter electrode 23 are connected to a separate ground-side rail 58.

  The support portion counter electrode 23 that can rotate together with the support member 31 is electrically connected to the ground-side rail 58 by using the slider 55c having the same configuration as the slider 55a described above. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the support portion counter electrode 23 and the outer portion 32 b made of the conductive material of the shaft member 32 are electrically connected, and the outside of the shaft member 32 is also connected. A slider 55c electrically connected to the ground side rail 55 is in contact with the side portion 32b. As a result, the support portion counter electrode 23 is electrically connected to the ground-side rail 58 via the shaft member 32 and the slider 55c.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the high voltage pulse applying device 57 has an equivalent circuit section 51 connected to a high voltage pulse power source 57a. The equivalent circuit unit 51 includes a resistor 52b having a resistance value substantially the same as the resistance value between the discharge electrode 20 inserted into one container 1 and the counter electrode 21 facing the discharge electrode 20, and a resistor 52b. A circuit in which an equivalent circuit 52 having circuit switching contacts 52a connected in series is connected in parallel by the same number as the number of electrodes (four in FIG. 12) to which the high voltage pulse can be simultaneously applied. Contains. Among these, the circuit switching contact 52a is connected to control means (not shown) for controlling the opening and closing of the high voltage switching contact 54. If the container 1 is not disposed between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 to be moved within the discharge region A6 (see FIG. 3) and to which a high voltage pulse is to be applied, the control means is configured to discharge the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21. Instead of applying a high voltage pulse in between, the circuit switching contacts 52a of the equivalent circuit 52 as many as the number between the electrodes 20 and 21 are closed, and the resistor 52b of the equivalent circuit 52 as many as the number 20 and 21 between the electrodes. A high voltage pulse is applied to the.

  The high voltage pulse power supply 57a of the high voltage pulse applying device 57 configured as described above is, for example, opposed to the discharge electrode 20 with a high voltage pulse having a voltage of 38 to 80 kV and a frequency of 100 to 3000 Hz (or pps (pulse per sec)). It can be applied between the electrodes 21. However, the performance of the high voltage pulse power source 57a can be appropriately set according to the size of the container 1 to be sterilized and the capacity of the treatment tank 20.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, the sterilizer 10 further includes a discharge power monitoring unit 60 that monitors a load state of the discharge power by the high voltage pulse applying device 57. The discharge power monitoring means 60 has a high voltage probe 63 for measuring the voltage of the applied high voltage pulse, and a current probe 62 for measuring the current generated with the application of the high voltage pulse. ing. In the present embodiment, the high voltage probe 63 is connected to the high voltage side rail 59 and the ground side rail 58 via connection lines 63a and 63a, and is connected to the digital oscilloscope controller 61 via a signal line 63b. ing. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, a current probe 62 is provided for each ground-side rail 58 and connected to, for example, a digital oscilloscope controller 61 via a signal line 62a. Therefore, the current flowing during the discharge can be monitored for each individual container 1. With such a configuration, the discharge voltage and discharge current can be monitored via the digital oscilloscope controller 61. Further, according to the present embodiment, if there is an abnormality in the load state of the discharge power, an abnormality signal is transmitted from the digital oscilloscope controller 61.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, the sterilizer 10 further includes discharge light monitoring means 65 for monitoring the generation state of the discharge light. The discharge light monitoring means 65 detects the discharge light generated by the atmospheric pressure plasma and converts the intensity of the discharge light into an electric signal, and receives the electric signal from the discharge light detection section 67 and receives the intensity of the discharge light. And a determination unit 66 that determines whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. The discharge light detection unit 67 can be composed of a photodiode, an emission spectrum monitor, a CCD camera, or the like, and is not particularly limited as long as it can detect light and convert the intensity of the light into an electric signal. In the present embodiment, if there is an abnormality in the discharge light generation state, an abnormality signal is transmitted from the determination unit 66. The determination unit 66 is not particularly limited as long as it can determine whether or not the electrical signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 66 is configured by an analog comparator.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the sterilizer 10 further includes a determination unit 53 connected to the digital oscilloscope module 61 of the discharge power monitoring unit 60 and a determination unit 66 of the discharge light monitoring unit 65. . The determination unit 53 receives signals from the digital oscilloscope module controller 61 and the determination unit 66, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the sterilization process for the containers 1 supported on each support member 31 based on the signals. ing. Based on the determination result, the determination unit 53 discharges the container 1 as a non-defective product from the sterilization apparatus 10 via the carry-out port 14b, or discharges the container 1 as a defective product from the sterilization apparatus 10 via the defective product discharge port 19. Or come to decide.

[Temperature control means and temperature detection means]
Next, mainly using FIG. 13, the discharge electrode 20 extracted from the container 1 after sterilization is treated, in other words, the discharge electrode 20 before being inserted into the container 1 before sterilization. A means for performing the processing will be described.

  The sterilizer 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a temperature adjusting means 94 for adjusting the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 before being inserted into the container 1 and a temperature measuring means 95 for measuring the temperature of the discharge electrode 20. (See FIG. 13). The temperature adjusting means 94 in the present embodiment includes an air source 94a that supplies air having a predetermined temperature, and a discharge nozzle 94b that communicates with the air source 94a and discharges air having a predetermined temperature. The air discharge nozzle 94b is arranged along the movement path of the discharge electrode 20, and blows air at a predetermined temperature toward the discharge electrode 20 that is moving. On the other hand, the temperature measuring means 95 can be composed of, for example, a radiation thermometer that can measure the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 in a non-contact manner. However, such temperature control means 94 and temperature detection means 95 are merely examples, and various known means can be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the temperature adjusting means 94 and the temperature detecting means 95 perform processing on the discharge electrode 20 that is extracted from the container 1 and pulled up to the outside of the processing space 5 a. Therefore, the temperature adjusting means 94 and the temperature detecting means 95 are arranged above the processing space 5a.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 13, a shielding member 13 that shields the gap 6 b is provided above the gap 6 b between the second table 47 b of the second rotating body 45 and the upper table 12 b of the chamber 12. ing. The shielding member 13 is provided so as to shield the gap 6b between the second table 47b and the upper table 12b in a region where the discharge electrode 20 is disposed outside the processing space 5a. In the present embodiment, the shielding member 13 is supported by the upper table 12b of the chamber 12, and is provided in a region A9 and a region A3 (see FIG. 3) in which the discharge electrode moves in a raised state.

  This shielding member 13 makes it possible to maintain the sterility of the processing space 5a at a high level. In addition, after the discharge electrode 20 rises and until the container 1 is discharged from the processing space 5a, the sterilized container 1 exists immediately below the discharge electrode 20, but the shielding member 13 It is also possible to effectively prevent bacteria from entering the sterilized container 1.

<Sterilization method>
Next, a method for sterilizing the container 1 using the sterilization apparatus 10 having such a configuration will be described.

[Sterilization of sterilizer]
First, prior to the sterilization treatment of the container 1, the above-described sterilization apparatus 10 itself is sterilized with a sterilizing agent (hydrogen peroxide mist in the present embodiment). In this case, first, the inside of the chamber 12 is heated by blowing the warm air of about 30 ° C. to about 50 ° C. into the chamber 12 by the sterilizing agent supply means 11. Next, a disinfectant is blown into the chamber 12. Thereafter, room temperature air is blown into the chamber 12 to cool the chamber 12 and the remaining hydrogen peroxide component is discharged from the chamber 12. Each of these three steps is performed for about 30 minutes, and the inside of the chamber 12 is sterilized. Further, as described above, since the exhaust port 11a is provided in the chamber 12, the gas in the chamber 12 is exhausted from the exhaust port 11a while hot air, hydrogen peroxide mist, and air are sequentially supplied. While the pressure in the chamber 12 is kept constant, the atmosphere in the chamber 12 is efficiently replaced.

  After the sterilization process in the chamber 12 is completed, the inside of the chamber 12 is kept at a positive pressure from the outside, and the inside of the processing space 5a of the chamber 12 is kept at a positive pressure than the region other than the processing space 5a of the chamber 12. . Thereby, an air flow directed from the inside of the processing space 5a to the outside of the processing space 5a in the chamber 12 and an air flow directed from the inside of the chamber 12 to the outside of the chamber 12 are created. Therefore, the bacteria contained in the gas can be prevented from entering the inside from the outside of the chamber 12 and entering the inside from the outside of the processing space 5a.

[Outline of container sterilization method]
Next, the container 1 is sterilized.

  First, the outline of the sterilization method will be described with reference to FIG.

  The containers 1 are sequentially brought into the chamber 12 through the carry-in port 14a by the carry-in means 15a. The brought-in containers 1 are sequentially delivered to the first rotating body 24 via the delivery wheel 16. The container 1 delivered to the first rotating body 24 is processed while moving as the first rotating body 24 rotates. Next, the container 1 is sequentially transferred from the first rotating body 24 to the second rotating body 45 via the delivery wheel 16. The transferred container 1 is processed while moving as the second rotating body 45 rotates. The sterilized container 1 is transferred to the unloading means 15b through the transfer wheel 16, and passes through the unloading port 14b by the unloading means 15b, and is conveyed to the next filling step (see FIG. 1). However, the container 1 having an abnormality in the sterilization process is transferred to the defective product carrying-out means 19 a and discharged from the chamber 12 through the defective product carrying-out port 19. According to such a sterilization method, it is possible to sterilize a large number of containers 1 sequentially and efficiently.

  In addition, you may make it provide the rinsing process by the aseptic water rinser and the aseptic air rinser for the purpose of the foreign material removal in the container 1 between the sterilization process and the filling process.

[Area A1]
Next, processing steps performed on the container 1 as the first rotating body 24 and the second rotating body 45 are rotated will be described in detail.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the container 1 delivered to the first rotating body 24 via the delivery wheel 16 is held by the first rotating body 24 and moves as the first rotating body 24 rotates. . At this time, a large number of containers 1 are sequentially fed into the first rotating body 24. The containers 1 that have been fed in are spaced at equal intervals along the circumference around the rotation axis L1. It is held by one rotating body 24.

  In the area A1 shown in FIG. 3, the liquid is ejected from the two-fluid spray 87 of the attaching means. Therefore, as the first rotating body 24 rotates, the container 1 passing through the region A1 is sprayed with liquid on the outer surface, and the liquid adheres to the outer surface of the container 1. As described above, the flow rate of liquid supplied to the two-fluid spray 87 and the flow rate and pressure of air are adjusted to be constant. Therefore, a substantially constant amount of liquid adheres to the outer surface of each container 1.

[Area A2]
The container 1 having the liquid attached to the outer surface then passes through the region A2 as the first rotating body 24 rotates. As described above, the end of the introduction pipe 75 of the introduction means 70 is disposed immediately above the container 1 held by the first rotating body 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). When the container 1 enters the region A2, the valve 79 of the introduction means 70 is opened, and the vapor mixed gas is injected from the introduction pipe 75. As described above, a vapor mixed gas having a predetermined humidity, a predetermined temperature, and a predetermined pressure is sent from the liquid tank 90 to the pipe 71. Moreover, since the pipe line from the liquid tank 90 to the inside of the container 1 is heated by the heater 81 and the ribbon heater 77, the liquid once vaporized does not recondense. Further, the area A2 is wide enough for a predetermined number of containers 1 arranged at equal intervals to enter (pass through). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of open valves 79 is always a constant number. In the example shown in FIG. 6, six introduction pipes 75 and valves 79 are provided, and any two of these valves 79 are open.

  For these reasons, the vapor mixed gas fed into the container 1 from the introduction pipe 75 becomes a constant amount. For this reason, a certain amount of steam can be introduced into the container 1. In addition, since the gas introduced together with the steam becomes a certain amount, the introduction of this steam mixed gas can surely replace the atmosphere in the container 1 with a gas other than air.

  The container 1 that has passed through the area A2 is then delivered to the support means 30 via the delivery wheel 16. The container 1 was then formed between the second table 47b of the second rotating body 45 and the upper table 12b of the chamber 12, and the third table 47c of the second rotating body 45 and the lower table 12c of the chamber 12. It moves within the processing space 5a.

[Area A3 to A5]
Next, the process performed with respect to the container 1 supported by the support means 30 is demonstrated mainly using FIG. 14 and FIG. In addition, FIG. 14 is a figure for demonstrating the sterilization method. In FIG. 14, in order to facilitate understanding of the sterilization method, the positional relationship of the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 with respect to the other components does not match the positional relationship described in the other drawings. .

  As can be understood from FIGS. 14 and 3, in the chamber 12, the second rotating body 45 of the supporting means 30 is driven to rotate, and the supporting member 31 supported by the second rotating body 45 sequentially moves to the area A <b> 3. Come on. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 corresponding to the support member 31 moving to the region A3 are opposite to each other about the respective swing axes L4a and L4b. Oscillating in the direction and being separated from each other. That is, the region where the container 1 on the support member 31 is to be disposed is in a state of being largely opened toward the outer side in the radial direction of the second rotating body 45 as shown in FIGS.

  And as shown in FIG. 14, the container 1 conveyed by the 1st rotary body 24 is arrange | positioned on the support member 31 which moves sequentially in area | region A3. In the present embodiment, the container 1 is placed on the support member 31 so that the bottom 1c faces the support member 31 having a disk shape. As described above, the region in which the container 1 on the support member 31 is to be disposed is largely open toward the outside in the radial direction of the second rotating body 45 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. The container 1 can be easily and quickly arranged on the support member 31. If the container 1 to be sterilized has an outer contour as a rotating body, such as a commonly used beverage bottle, or if the container has a shape that is rotationally symmetric at a specific angle, the container It is preferable that the container 1 is placed on the support member 31 so that the central axis of the first member is aligned with the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31 and the shaft member 32.

  Further, the valve 39a (see FIG. 7) for opening and closing the through hole 37 formed in the support member 31 and the shaft member 32 passing through the region A3 is opened. Thereby, the suction mechanism 41 communicates with the through hole 37, and the suction mechanism 41 sucks the container 1 from the end of the through hole 37 opened to the end surface (support surface) of the support member 31. As a result, the container 1 placed on the support member 31 is stably supported by the support means 30 while being sucked and held toward the support member 31.

  In addition, the control means which is not illustrated memorize | stores the support member 31 which passed the area | region A3 for some reason, such as the container 1 not being carried in from the delivery wheel 16 without mounting the container 1. Yes. In other words, the control means can grasp whether or not the support member 31 moving with the rotation of the second rotating body 45 supports the container 1.

  Thereafter, as the second rotating body 45 rotates, the support member 31 and the container 1 supported on the support member 31 pass through the region A4. In the region A4, the discharge electrode 20 supported so that the longitudinal direction thereof is aligned with the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31 is lowered by the air cylinder 48a. The lowered discharge electrode 20 is inserted into the container 1 through the opening 1a.

  Further, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 swing around the swing axes L4a and L4b so as to approach each other from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the main part 26a of the first enclosure member 26 and the first enclosure counter electrode 22a covering the main part 26a are arranged corresponding to the outer contour of the container 1 supported on the support member 31. Encloses partly. Similarly, the main part 27a of the second enclosure member 27 and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b covering the main part 27a are arranged corresponding to the outer contour of the container 1 supported on the support member 31, and the container 1 Partially encloses

  Next, the container 1 that is supported by the support member 31 and into which the discharge electrode 20 is inserted passes through the region A5. In the area A5, the drive means 35 connected to the shaft member 32 via the drive transmission means 34b operates. Accordingly, the support member 31 is driven to rotate together with the container 1 sucked and held by the support member 31 by the driving unit 35.

  At this time, since the container 1 is adsorbed and held by the support member 31, it remains stably supported by the support means 30. In particular, when the container 1 to be sterilized has a contour as a rotating body or when the container has a shape that is rotationally symmetric at a specific angle, as described above, the central axis of the container 1 is the support member 31 and The container 1 is preferably placed on the support member 31 so as to be aligned with the rotation axis L3 of the shaft member 32. In this case, the container 1 is supported on the support member 31 very stably.

[Area A6]
The container 1 supported on the support member 31 then moves in the area A6. When the support member 31 and the container 1 enter the region A6, the high voltage connection contact 54 corresponding to the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 is closed, and the high voltage side rail 59 connected to the high voltage pulse power source 57a is closed. And the discharge electrode 20 are electrically connected (conducted). As a result, a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode 20 and the grounded counter electrode 21 at normal temperature and pressure, and between the enclosure counter electrodes 22a and 22b and the discharge electrode 20, and between the support member 31 and the discharge. Atmospheric pressure plasma is generated between the electrode 20 and ionized gas is generated. As a result, the ionized gas having a bactericidal action comes into contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1, the first and second enclosure members 26 and 27, and the discharge electrode 20, and the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1 and the enclosure 25 The inner surface and the discharge electrode 20 are sterilized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, liquid adheres to the outer surface of the container 1 disposed between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21, and vapor exists inside the container 1. Thereby, the generation of plasma is stabilized, and active oxygen species having a strong sterilizing ability are generated. In addition, in the introduction of the vapor mixed gas in the above-described region A2, the atmosphere in the container 1 can be replaced with a gas suitable for sterilization. As described above, in the region A6, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1, the inner surface of the enclosure 25, and the portion of the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 are efficiently and stably sterilized at a high level. .

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, the two enclosing members 26 and 27 covered with the enclosing portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b are provided. Therefore, the area where the atmospheric pressure plasma is generated can be widened by enlarging the area of the surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b.

  The main portions 26a and 27a of the enclosure members 26 and 27 and the enclosure counter electrodes 22a and 22b are defined by the container 1 supported on the support member 31 when the support member 31 rotates about the rotation axis L3. The rotating body is configured to be separated from the rotating body by a substantially constant distance. In other words, the main portions 26a, 27a of the respective enclosure members 26, 27 are the rotating bodies in which the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is defined by the support member 31 rotating about the rotation axis L3. The shape is substantially similar to the outer contour. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently generate atmospheric pressure plasma and save power. Moreover, the plasma-ized gas can be brought into contact with the container 1 quickly. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the gasified plasma from flowing out of the region surrounded by the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31. From these things, the container 1 can be effectively sterilized at a high level.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the container 1 rotates in a region surrounded by the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 together with the support member 31 that supports the container 1. Accordingly, the side portion 1b of the container 1 has a region surrounded by the surrounding members 26 and 27 and the surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b, and an outside not surrounded by the surrounding members 26 and 27 and the surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b. And the area that is open to the direction. Therefore, all the side parts 1b of the container 1 can pass through the area | region enclosed by the surrounding members 26 and 27 and the surrounding part counter electrodes 22a and 22b, and can be effectively disinfected at the high level mentioned above. That is, all the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1 can be sterilized at an evenly high level.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1 can be sterilized uniformly at an extremely high level.

  In addition, each collar part of the 1st and 2nd surrounding members 26 and 27 is the 1st and 2nd surrounding part counter electrode 22a with respect to the discharge electrode 20 inserted in the container 1 on the support member 31. It arrange | positions so that 22b may not be exposed. The support portion counter electrode 23 is disposed with the support member 31 interposed between the discharge electrode 20 and the support portion counter electrode 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a spark from occurring between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21. Thereby, atmospheric pressure plasma can be generated stably.

  Further, as described above, the processing space 5a in which the sterilization process using the atmospheric pressure plasma is performed is maintained at a positive pressure as compared with the region other than the processing space 5a. Therefore, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 7 and 14, an air flow from the inside of the processing space 5a to the outside of the processing space 5a is formed in the gap 6b and the gap 6c that connect the inside of the processing space 5a and the outside of the processing space 5a. Is done. For this reason, it is possible to prevent bacteria from being brought into the processing space 5a from the outside of the processing space 5a, and thus, the container 1 can be kept in a state of being uniformly sterilized at a high level.

  2, 3, and 12, a plurality of containers 1 respectively supported by a plurality of adjacent support members 31 move simultaneously in the region A <b> 6, and the plurality of containers 1 are simultaneously It is designed to be sterilized. Therefore, many containers 1 can be sterilized sequentially and efficiently.

  Further, if the container 1 is not supported on the support member 31 for some reason, for example, at the start of operation or at the end of operation, the resistance between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 is determined. The value is significantly smaller than when the container 1 is arranged. As a result, the value of the current flowing between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 is significantly increased, and at the same time, between the other discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 to which a high voltage pulse is applied. The value of the current flowing between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 supporting the container 1 becomes small. On the other hand, if a high voltage pulse is not applied between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 on which the container 1 is not supported, another discharge electrode to which a high voltage pulse should be applied simultaneously. The value of the current flowing between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 supporting the container 1 between the electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 increases, and the container interposed between the electrodes 20 and 21. There is a risk that problems such as deformation of 1 may occur.

  However, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the control means (not shown) grasps the support member 31 on which the container 1 is not supported, and the support on which the container 1 is not supported. When the member 31 passes through the region A6, the control means keeps the high-voltage switching contact 54 of the discharge electrode 20 corresponding to the support member 31 open as shown in FIG. At the same time, the control means closes the circuit switching contact 52 a of the equivalent circuit 52 of the equivalent circuit unit 51. More specifically, when the support member 31 that does not support the container 1 moves to the region A6, the circuit switching contact 52a is closed instead of the high-voltage connection contact 54 of the discharge electrode 20 corresponding to the support member 31. It has become. Therefore, when one or more support members 31 on which the container 1 is not supported pass through the region A6, the equivalent circuit 52 is supported instead of the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31. A high voltage pulse is applied to the equivalent circuit section 51 connected in parallel by the number corresponding to the number of members 31. As described above, each equivalent circuit 52 supports the resistance value between the discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 and the counter electrode 21 opposed to the discharge electrode 20 with the container 1 interposed therebetween, that is, the container 1. The resistance value is the same as the resistance value between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the supporting member 31. For this reason, the electric current which flows between each discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 which are passing through area | region A6 becomes substantially constant, and it can prevent malfunctions, such as deform | transforming the container 1. FIG. In addition, the application condition of the high voltage pulse is constant among the many containers 1 to be sterilized, and a highly reliable sterilization process can be performed stably.

  Further, while the high voltage pulse is being applied, the discharge is performed by checking the voltage of the applied high voltage pulse and the generated current through the high voltage probe 63 and the current probe 62 of the discharge power monitoring means 60. The power load status is monitored. Further, the discharge light monitoring means 65 monitors the generation state of the discharge light by confirming the intensity of the discharge light generated by the atmospheric pressure plasma. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the monitoring result of the discharge power load situation and the monitoring result of the discharge light generation situation are transmitted to the determination means 53. Moreover, the determination means 53 determines the presence or absence of abnormality of a sterilization process about the container 1 supported on each support member 31. FIG.

[Area A7 and Area A8]
The container 1 sterilized in the area A6 then moves in the area A7. In the area A7, the drive means 35 connected to the shaft member 32 via the drive transmission means 34b stops. Accordingly, the rotation of the container 1 and the support member 31 and the shaft member 32 that support the container 1 are stopped. In this case, for example, a braking unit that can come into contact with the shaft member 32 may be provided, and the rotation of the support member 31 and the shaft member 32 may be positively stopped by the braking unit.

  Thereafter, the container 1 moves in the region A8. In the region A8, the discharge electrode 20 is raised by the air cylinder 48a and pulled out from the container 1. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the extracted discharge electrode 20 is disposed between the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27, and above the second table 47 b of the second rotating body 45 and the chamber 12. It passes through the gap 6b between the table 12b and is disposed outside the processing space 5a. That is, the discharge electrode 20 is disposed above the second table 47 b of the second rotating body 45 and the upper table 12 b of the chamber 12. Thereafter, the discharge electrode 20 moves above the support member 31 at this height level in synchronization with the support member 31 by the rotation of the second rotating body 45.

  Further, the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 corresponding to the support member 31 passing through the region A8 together with the first and second surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b are respectively centered on the axes L4a and L4b. Swings in opposite directions from the closed position to the open position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 are swung apart so as to be separated from each other, and the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is the second rotating body. Is greatly opened outward in the radial direction.

[Area A9]
Next, the container 1 supported by the support member 31 moves in the region A9. In the region A9, the valve 39a for opening and closing the through hole 37 formed in the support member 31 and the shaft member 32 in which the container 1 is disposed is closed. Thereby, the adsorption | suction with respect to the container 1 is cancelled | released. The container 1 released from the adsorption is discharged from the chamber 12 through the delivery wheel 16. In this case, the discharge destination of the container 1 varies depending on the determination result by the determination means 53.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 1 determined by the determination means 53 that there is no abnormality in the sterilization treatment is transferred to the carry-out means 15 b via the delivery wheel 16. Then, the container 1 is discharged | emitted from the chamber 12 of the sterilizer 10 through the carrying-out port 14b, and is brought into the filling process (refer FIG. 1) which is the next process. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 1 determined by the determination unit 53 to have an abnormality in the sterilization process is transferred to the defective product unloading unit 19 a via the delivery wheel 16. Thereafter, the container 1 is discharged from the chamber 12 of the sterilizer 10 through the defective product discharge port 19 as a defective product that has not been sufficiently sterilized. On the other hand, the support member 31 from which the container 1 has been removed moves again to the region A3.

  In parallel with the processing in the processing space 5a as described above, the following processing is also performed on the discharge electrode 20 disposed above the processing space 5a. As described above, the discharge electrode 20 is disposed above the processing space 5a and moves in synchronization with the corresponding support member 31 disposed in the processing space 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the region A <b> 9, the discharge electrode 20 passes along the discharge nozzle of the temperature adjustment means 94. Further, air at a predetermined temperature is discharged from the discharge nozzle 94b of the temperature adjusting means 94. Therefore, the discharge electrode 20 is adjusted to a desired temperature range by blowing air at a predetermined temperature. By adjusting the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 in this way, the sterilization process can be performed under certain conditions. In addition, the amount of moisture adhering to the discharge electrode 20 can be adjusted, whereby the discharge electrode 20 can be sterilized at a high level.

  At this time, the temperature measuring means 95 monitors the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 and determines whether or not the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 is within a desired temperature range. Further, when the temperature measuring means 95 determines that the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 is not within the desired temperature range, the temperature of the air discharged from the discharge nozzle 94b is appropriately changed. As a specific example, the discharge electrode 20 is heated with warm air in the initial operation of the sterilizer 10, and the discharge electrode 20 is cooled with cold air after the middle operation period in which the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 rises due to intermittent discharge in the region A6 You may make it do.

  Further, when the temperature measuring means 95 determines that the temperature of the discharge electrode 20 has not been adjusted within the desired temperature range, this information is transmitted to the determination unit 53. And the determination part 53 discharges | emits from the defective product discharge port 19 the container 1 by which the discharge electrode 20 by which the said temperature control was not made appropriately was inserted and sterilized.

  Further, simultaneously with the transmission to the determination unit 53, information that the discharge electrode 20 has not been adjusted within a predetermined temperature range may be transmitted to a control means (not shown). In this case, the control means may close the circuit switching contact 52a of the equivalent circuit 52 instead of closing the high voltage switching contact 54 corresponding to the discharge electrode 20 in the region A6.

  As described above, in the region A9, the gap 6b between the second table 47b of the second rotating body 45 and the upper table 12b of the chamber 12 is covered with the shielding member 13 (see FIG. 13). ). Therefore, the sterility of the processing space 5a can be maintained at a higher level, and as a result, the sterility of the sterilized container 1 can be maintained.

  The discharge electrode 20 that has been temperature-controlled and temperature-detected in this way moves above the processing space 5a until it falls in the above-described region A4.

  As described above, the containers 1 are sequentially sterilized.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the container 1 that is the sterilization target is rotated in the step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma. Therefore, the rotation of the container 1 allows the plasmaized gas to be brought into uniform contact with the container 1 immediately after generation. Thereby, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1 can be sterilized evenly at a high level.

  In particular, according to this embodiment, while partially surrounding the container 1 to be sterilized, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 1 can be uniformly sterilized, and the processing tank body, the processing tank lid, This eliminates the need to sterilize each container individually in a treatment tank having Therefore, the trouble of sequentially storing the containers in the treatment tank main body and the trouble of attaching the treatment tank lid to the treatment tank main body containing the containers can be saved, and the container 1 can be sterilized efficiently. . Moreover, since the discharge abnormality resulting from the position shift of the processing tank main body and the processing tank cover body at the time of opening and closing of a processing tank can be excluded, it can sterilize stably. Furthermore, it is not necessary to consider the wear of the treatment tank main body and the treatment tank lid due to the collision when the treatment tank is opened and closed. Further, when the object to be sterilized having a different shape is sterilized, replacing the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 and the support member 31 to correspond to the shape of the next object to be sterilized is the treatment tank body and the treatment. Compared to replacing the tank lid, this can be done much more easily.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are contours along a part of an arc centered on the rotation axis L3 in the cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31. have. Therefore, excessive diffusion of the plasma gas can be suppressed, the plasma gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container, and the container can be sterilized at a high level. Similarly, the first surrounding member 26 and the second surrounding member 27 have a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the container 1 in a cross section along the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the support member 31. Therefore, excessive diffusion of the plasma gas can be suppressed, the plasma gas can be effectively brought into contact with the container, and the container can be sterilized at a high level.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 are arranged so as to sandwich the container 1 supported by the supporting member 31, and the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 are arranged. Enclosure counter electrodes 22a and 22b are respectively provided. Therefore, according to such a sterilization apparatus 10, the area | region where the gas converted into plasma can be produced | generated is expanded and disperse | distributed. Thereby, the container 1 can be sterilized uniformly at a higher level.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are in the closed position (indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. ) And an open position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 9), and can be swung in directions opposite to each other and separated from each other. Therefore, when the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are in the closed position, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 surround a wide area on the outer surface of the container 1 supported by the support member 31. Can do. Further, when the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are in the open position, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 greatly open a region on the support member 31 where the container 1 is to be supported. be able to. For this reason, the container 1 can be sterilized evenly at a high level, and the delivery of the container 1 to the support member 31 and the reception of the container 1 from the support member 31 can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the support means 30 has the support member 31 that is rotatable about the axis L3 that is formed in a flat plate shape and is substantially orthogonal to the plate surface. The container 1 is sucked and held on the support member 31 such that the bottom 1c facing the opening 1a into which the discharge electrode 20 is inserted faces one plate surface of the support member 31. Yes. Therefore, the container 1 can be easily fixed to the support member 31. Further, when the container 1 is made of a rotating body or has a shape that is rotationally symmetric at a specific angle, such as a normally used bottle for storing liquid, the attitude of the container 1 during rotation Can be made extremely stable.

  Furthermore, according to this Embodiment, the container 1 which is supported and moved by the support member 31 can be sequentially sterilized at a high level evenly and efficiently. In particular, according to the present embodiment, a high voltage pulse is simultaneously applied between the plurality of discharge electrodes 20 and the counter electrode 21 respectively corresponding to the plurality of adjacent support members 31. Accordingly, the plurality of containers 1 respectively supported on the plurality of support members 31 can be sterilized at the same time, whereby a large number of containers 1 can be efficiently sterilized sequentially. .

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the container 1 is not supported by one or more support members 31 among the support members 31 passing through the region A6 to which the high voltage pulse is applied, the container 1 is supported. Instead of between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the unsupported support member 31, the resistance between the one discharge electrode 20 inserted into the container 1 supported on the support member 31 and the counter electrode 21. A high voltage pulse is applied to a circuit 51 in which an equivalent circuit 52 having a resistance value equal to the value is connected to the number of support members 31 passing through the region 6 without supporting the container 1. Yes. Therefore, when the support member 31 that does not support the container 1 moves to the region A6 to which the high voltage pulse is applied, the equivalent circuit is replaced between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31. A high voltage pulse is applied to 52. Since the equivalent circuit 52 has a resistance value substantially equal to the resistance value between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to one support member 31 that supports the container 1, the high-voltage pulse power source 57a The total resistance value connected to is substantially the same. Therefore, the value of the current flowing between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the support member 31 that supports one container 1 is prevented from becoming too high, and the container 1 is stabilized at a certain level under certain conditions. And can be sterilized. This is particularly useful at the start of the sterilization process or at the end of the sterilization process, and the first container 1 and the final container 1 to be put into the sterilization apparatus 10 can be handled as non-defective products, thereby improving the yield. It can be improved significantly.

<Modification>
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention with respect to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of a modification will be described. In the following description, FIGS. 15 to 26 will be referred to. In FIGS. 15 to 26, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. Detailed description is omitted.

[Modification 1]
In the embodiment described above, the support portion counter electrode 23 is provided on the other surface of the support member 31, the first enclosure portion counter electrode 26 a is provided on the main surface 26 a of the first enclosure member 26, and the second enclosure member 27. Although the example in which the second surrounding portion counter electrode 27a is provided on the main surface 27a is shown, it is not limited thereto. Along with the shapes of the support member 31, the first surrounding member 26, and the second surrounding member 27, the configuration of the counter electrode 21 can be variously changed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 at least partially surround the support member 31 from the other (lower) surface side. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the first and second surrounding members 26 and 27 surround the container 1 from above, from the side, and from below. And in the example shown in FIG. 15, the 1st enclosure part counter electrode 22a covers the 1st enclosure member 26 from the side and the downward direction. The second enclosure counter electrode 22b covers the second enclosure member 27 from the side and from below. As a result, the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is surrounded by the counter electrode 21 from the side and below by the first enclosure counter electrode 22a and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b.

  In addition, FIG. 15 has shown a part of modification of the sterilizer 10 in the cross section along the XV-XV line | wire of FIG.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 are supported on the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45 via the support base 96 and the support block 97. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first surrounding member 26 and the second surrounding member 27 may be directly supported on the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45.

[Modification 3]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which only the support member 31 rotates about the rotation axis L3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The enclosure members 26 and 27 rotate around the rotation axis L3. More precisely, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27 support along the arc of the support member 31 around the rotation axis L3. You may make it move the circumference | surroundings of the container 1 supported by the member 31. FIG. In this case, the first enclosure counter electrode 22a provided on the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b provided on the second enclosure member 27 are also centered on the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31. It becomes possible to move around the container 1 supported by the support member 31 along the circumference.

  FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of such a modification. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the support base 96 is supported from below by a second shaft member 132 having a through hole 137. A support bracket 130 is provided on the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45. The support bracket 130 is attached to the lower surface of the third table 47c, extends directly below the support member 31, and extends outward in the radial direction of the second rotating body 45. A bearing member 133 is provided immediately below the support member 31 on the support bracket 130. The second shaft member 132 described above is rotatably supported by the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45 via the bearing member 133 and the support bracket 130. In the illustrated example, the rotation axis of the second shaft member 132 coincides with the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31 (in this embodiment, the insertion axis of the discharge electrode 20 and the axis of the discharge electrode 20). .

  By the way, the second shaft member 132 is formed with a through-hole 137 extending along the rotation axis L3 of the support member 31. Similarly, the support bracket 130 is also formed with a hole 130 a centering on the rotation axis L <b> 3 of the support member 31. The shaft member 32 that supports the support member 31 rotatably passes through the through hole 137 of the second shaft member 132 and the hole 130a of the support bracket 130, and as described above, the shaft member 32 is inserted into the first through the bearing member 33. It is rotatably supported by the fourth table 47d of the two-turn body 45 (see FIG. 7).

  In the illustrated example, a driving means 135, for example, a motor, for rotating the second shaft member 132 and the surrounding members 26 and 27 is provided on the lower surface of the third table 47c of the second rotating body 45. The drive unit 135 is connected to a pulley 134a provided on the second shaft member 132 via a drive transmission unit 134b made of, for example, a transmission belt. In such a configuration, when the driving means 135 rotates the second shaft member 132, the support base 96 connected to the second shaft member 132 rotates together with the surrounding members 26 and 27 and the surrounding portion counter electrodes 22a and 22b. It is driven to rotate about the axis L3.

  By the way, the drive means 98a and 98b connected with the shaft parts 26d and 27d of each enclosure member 26 and 27 can be supported on the support table 132c provided in the 2nd shaft member 132 in the example to show in figure. In such a configuration, for example, similarly to the power feeding to the discharge electrode 20, the rails and the slider that slides with respect to the rails are used, and power is supplied to the driving means 98 a and 98 b that rotate with the second shaft member 132. Can be supplied.

  When the container is sterilized using such a sterilization apparatus 10, the first enclosure member 26 and the second enclosure member 27, and the first enclosure portion counter electrode 22 a and the second enclosure portion counter electrode 22 b are used as the discharge electrode 20. The relative movement can be made. Then, by changing the relative positions of the first enclosure counter electrode 22a and the second enclosure counter electrode 22b with respect to the discharge electrode 20, the entire surface of the discharge electrode 20 can be sterilized evenly.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, the support base 96 and the second shaft member 132 may be formed integrally or may be formed separately.

  When the surrounding members 26 and 27 are rotated as in this modification, the support member 31 and the surrounding members 26 and 27 may be rotated at different rotational speeds or directions, or the same. You may make it rotate with a rotational speed and a rotation direction. Further, when the surrounding members 26 and 27 are rotated, the support member 31 may be fixed to the second rotating body 45 without rotating the support member 31.

[Modification 4]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the discharge electrode 20 is stopped after being inserted into the container 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 17, the discharge electrode 20 may be rotated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, the bracket 109 is attached to the connection support member 48b described above. The bracket 109 supports a driving unit 110 made of, for example, a motor. The driving means 110 rotatably supports the discharge electrode 20 via the insulating member 111. Note that the rotation axis of the discharge electrode 20 is along the axis of the discharge electrode 20, and in this example coincides with the rotation axis L3 of the support member. The bracket 109 supports a slider 55d configured in the same manner as the slider 55a described above. The slider 55d is electrically connected to the high-voltage switching contact 54 and is in contact with the rotatable discharge electrode 20 from a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis L3.

  With such a configuration, a high voltage pulse can be applied between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 in a state where the discharge electrode 20 is rotated using the driving unit 110. When generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, when the discharge electrode 20 is rotated, the surface area of the discharge electrode 20 facing the counter electrode 21, particularly the enclosure counter electrodes 22 a and 22 b, can be changed. As a result, the discharge electrode 20 can be sterilized evenly by the plasma gas generated between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21.

[Modification 5]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the swingable two surrounding members 26 and 27 are provided for each support member 31 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, one enclosure member 126 may be provided for each support member 31.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, the support member 126 can be configured in substantially the same manner as the first surrounding member 26 described above. That is, the support member 126 includes a main portion 26a that can at least partially surround the container 1 supported on the support member 31, a pair of side collar portions 26b provided on both sides of the main portion 26a, and a main portion. And an upper collar portion 26c provided above the upper portion 26a. The main portion 26a of the enclosing member 126 is covered by the enclosing portion counter electrode 22a from the outside.

  On the other hand, unlike the first surrounding member 26 described above, the surrounding member 126 in this example does not have the shaft portion 26d. As shown in FIG. 19, the surrounding member 126 is fixed on the third table 47 c of the second rotating body 45. As shown in FIG. 20, the surrounding member 126 is disposed radially inward of the second rotating body 45 with respect to the support member 31 and the container 1 supported on the support member 31. Therefore, the region on which the container 1 on the support member 31 is to be arranged is always open toward the radially outer side of the second rotating body 45 (see FIG. 20).

  When performing sterilization using such a sterilizer 10, as can be understood from FIGS. 20 and 21, the container 1 is delivered onto the support member 31 by the delivery wheel 16 without opening and closing the enclosure member. In addition, the container 1 can be received from the support member 31 by the delivery wheel 16. Therefore, the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the sterilizer 10 can be significantly reduced. Here, FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 14, and shows an example of a sterilization method by the sterilization apparatus shown in FIGS. 18 to 20.

  In such an example, the surrounding member 126 may be fixed to the second table 47b of the second rotating body 45, or the surrounding member 126 may be fixed to the second table 47b and the third table of the second rotating body 45. You may fix with respect to both of 47c. A plurality of adjacent enclosing members 126 may be connected to each other via a connecting portion.

[Modification 6-1]
Further, in the fifth modification described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21, the enclosure member 126 may move around the support member 31 and the container 1 on the support member 31 as in the third modification described above. Good.

  An example of such a modification is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the surrounding member 126 is fixed to the support base 96 supported by the second shaft member 132. In the configuration shown in the drawing, when the driving means 135 rotates the second shaft member 132, the support base 96 connected to the second shaft member 132, the enclosure member 126, and the enclosure counter electrode 22a are centered on the rotation axis L3. As a rotational drive.

  When the container is sterilized using such a sterilization apparatus 10, the enclosure member 126 and the enclosure counter electrode 22 a can be moved relative to the discharge electrode 20. And the whole surface of the discharge electrode 20 can be disinfected uniformly by changing the relative position with respect to the discharge electrode 20 of the enclosure part opposing electrode 22a.

  When the enclosure member 126 is rotated as in this modification, the support member 31 and the enclosure member 126 may be rotated at different rotation speeds or directions, or may be the same rotation speed and rotation. You may make it rotate in a direction. Further, when the surrounding member 126 is rotated, the support member 31 may be fixed to the second rotating body 45 without rotating the support member 31.

[Modification 6-2]
Moreover, the sterilization apparatus of the modification 5 demonstrated using FIG. 18 thru | or FIG. 21 arrange | positions so that the container 1 supported by the supporting member 31 may be pinched | interposed between the surrounding members 126, as shown in FIG. 23 thru | or FIG. The enclosure 127 may be further provided.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the enclosure 127 extends along the moving path of the support member 31 as the second rotating body 45 rotates over the entire area A6. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the enclosure 127 includes a main portion 127a that can at least partially surround the container 1 supported on the support member 31, and an upper collar portion 127c provided above the main portion 127a. And have.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the main portion 127 a of the enclosure 127 has a contour corresponding to the outer contour of the container in a cross section orthogonal to the movement path of the support member 31. More specifically, the main portion 127a of the enclosure 127 rotates in a cross section orthogonal to the movement path of the support member 31 so that the container 1 supported on the support member 31 is defined by the rotation of the support member 31. It has a contour along the outer contour of the body. The enclosure 127 can be made of the same material as the enclosure members 26, 27, 126 and the support member 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, in the present embodiment, the second counter electrode 22c is provided on the outer surface of the main portion 127a of the enclosure 127 so as to cover the main portion 127a. The counter electrode 22c can be configured in the same manner as the enclosure counter electrodes 22a and 22b described above.

  According to such a modified example, while the support member 31 passes through the region of the movement path where the enclosure 127 and the second enclosure counter electrode 22c are disposed, the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode A high voltage pulse can be applied between In this case, at least a part of the enclosure 127 arranged so as to sandwich the container 1 supported by the support member 31 between the first enclosure portion counter electrode 22a that at least partially covers the enclosure member 126 and the enclosure member 126. The atmospheric pressure plasma can be generated between both of the second enclosure counter electrode 22 c that covers the discharge electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 20. Therefore, since the area | region which can generate the plasma-ized gas can be enlarged, the container 1 can be sterilized at a high level. Moreover, since the area | region which can generate the plasma-ized gas can also be disperse | distributed, the container 1 can be sterilized more uniformly by a high level.

  Further, when the container 1 is sterilized while being moved, the enclosure 127 need not be configured to be movable. Therefore, the configuration of the sterilizer 10 may be simple, and the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the sterilizer 10 can be kept low.

  In this example, current flows from the plurality of discharge electrodes 20 into the second enclosure counter electrode 22c covering the enclosure 127. Therefore, in this example, the above-described current probe 62 may be disposed between the discharge electrode 20 and the high-voltage switching contact 54, or only the current value on the first enclosure counter electrode 22a side is measured. You may do it. In these cases, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the sterilization treatment can be determined for each individual container 1 from the current value specified based on the current probe 62 for each individual container 1 to be sterilized.

  Further, the second surrounding portion counter electrode 22 c may be divided along the moving direction of the support member 31. Further, the enclosure 127 may be divided along the moving direction of the support member 31.

[Modification 7]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the support means 30 includes the second rotating body 45, and the container 1 is moved along the circumference by the rotation of the second rotating body 45, and a number of containers 1 are sequentially sterilized. Although some examples have been shown, this is not restrictive. In relation to the space in which the sterilizer 10 is to be disposed, for example, the support means 30 moves the container 1 along a movement path along a straight line, and the container 1 moves along the linear movement path. The container 1 may be sterilized.

[Modification 8]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the support unit 30 has the suction mechanism 41 as a support mechanism for supporting the container 1, and the suction mechanism 41 sucks and holds the container 1 on the support member 31. However, it is not limited to this.

  For example, the support unit 30 may stably support the container 1 by fixing the container 1 to the support member 31 by a clamp mechanism (clamping mechanism) provided on the support member 31. Such an example is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 26, the support means 30 includes a holding mechanism (clamp mechanism) 42 having a holding member 43 that holds the container 1 as a support mechanism. The holding member 43 in this example is slidably disposed on the support member 31. And this clamping member 43 can be contacted / separated with respect to the container 1 mounted on the support member 31 using the air cylinder etc. which are not shown in figure. In the example shown in FIG. 26, the sandwiching member 43 is disposed so as to sandwich the container from both sides. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three sandwiching members 43 may be provided.

  Further, as another example of the method for supporting the container 1, when the discharge electrode 20 is lowered, a contact member that contacts the opening 1a of the container 1 is provided above the discharge electrode 20, and the contact member and the support are supported. The support unit 30 may support the container 1 stably by holding the container 1 between the members 31.

[Modification 9]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the container 1 is sterilized while being rotated while the bottom 1a of the container 1 is disposed below and the opening 1a of the container 1 is disposed above is shown. However, the posture of the container 1 at the time of sterilization and the rotation direction of the container 1 are not limited to such a mode.

[Modification 10]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the container 1 is first supported by the support unit 30 and then the discharge electrode 20 is inserted into the container 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the order of the process of supporting the container 1 and the process of inserting the discharge electrode 20 may be reversed, or these processes may be performed in parallel.

[Modification 11]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the discharge electrode 20 is first inserted into the container 1 and then the container 1 is rotated by the support means 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. . For example, the order of the process of rotating the container 1 and the process of inserting the discharge electrode 20 into the container 1 may be reversed, or these processes may be performed in parallel.

[Modification 12]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which liquid is first attached to the outer surface of the container 1 and then steam is introduced into the container 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and liquid is applied to the outer surface of the container 1. And the process of introducing steam into the container 1 may be reversed in order, or these processes may be performed in parallel. Further, instead of introducing the steam into the inner surface of the container 1, the liquid may be ejected onto the inner surface of the container 1 to adhere the liquid to the inner surface of the container 1. Furthermore, as the liquid to be adhered to the outer surface of the container 1, not only the above-mentioned type of liquid but also hydrogen peroxide solution or hydrogen peroxide mist can be used. In this case, the outer surface of the container 1 can be sterilized more reliably.

[Modification 13]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 53 determines whether there is an abnormality in the sterilization process based on the monitoring result of the discharge power monitoring unit 60, the monitoring result of the discharge light monitoring unit 65, and the temperature adjustment result of the discharge electrode 20. Although the example which determines this is shown, it is not restricted to this. For example, whether or not there is an abnormality in the sterilization process is determined based on any one or any two of the monitoring result of the discharge power monitoring unit 60, the monitoring result of the discharge light monitoring unit 65, and the temperature adjustment result of the discharge electrode 20. You may make it determine. Further, instead of or in addition to these, the presence / absence of an abnormality in the sterilization treatment is determined based on the state of liquid adhesion to the outer surface of the container 1 or the state of introduction of steam into the container 1. May be. Further, the digital oscilloscope module controller 61 of the discharge power monitoring unit 60 or the determination unit 66 itself of the discharge light monitoring unit 65 may be used as the determination unit 53.

[Modification 14]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the equivalent circuit portion 51 of the high voltage pulse applying device 57 is equivalent to the resistance value between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to one support member 31 that supports the container 1. Although an example having the equivalent circuit 52 including the resistor 52b having a resistance value has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the resistor 52b of each equivalent circuit 52 is between the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to one support member 31 that supports the container 1 that has not been abnormal in the previous process of being supported on the support member 31. It may have a resistance value equivalent to the resistance value. In this case, when the high voltage pulse application unit 57 applies a high voltage pulse between the electrodes 20 and 21 corresponding to the plurality of support members 31, one or more support members 31 among the plurality of support members 31 are applied. In addition to the case where the container 1 is not supported, the container 1 that is determined to have an abnormality in the previous process of being supported on the support member 31 in one or more of the plurality of support members 31 is provided. Even when supported, the container 1 determined to have the abnormality is replaced by the discharge electrode 20 and the counter electrode 21 corresponding to the supporting member 31 that is supported, and the container determined to have the abnormality. High voltage pulses may be applied to the same number of equivalent circuits 52 as the number of support members 31 on which 1 is supported. Here, as a process before being supported on the support member 31, in the above-described embodiment, for example, a process of attaching a liquid to the outer surface of the container 1 in the region A1, or a vapor in the container 1 in the region A2. The process which introduce | transduces mixed gas is mentioned. In addition, for example, when a predetermined amount of liquid cannot be adhered to the outer surface of the container 1 in the region A1, when a predetermined amount of steam cannot be introduced into the container 1 in the region A2, Alternatively, when the atmosphere replacement gas cannot be introduced in a predetermined amount into the container 1 in the region A2, there is an abnormality in the process before being supported on the support member 31 in the above-described modification. Applicable if Then, the resistance value between the electrodes 20 and 21 corresponding to the support member 31 on which the container 1 having an abnormality in the previous process placed on the support member 31 is supported is supported by the container 1 having no abnormality. There is a possibility that the resistance value between the electrodes 20 and 21 corresponding to the supported support member 31 is different. In such a case, the current value flowing between the electrodes 20 and 21 corresponding to the other support members 31 that support the container 1 that has no abnormality and that is simultaneously applied with the high voltage pulse is as follows: Deviate from the desired range. According to the present modification, such a problem can be eliminated, and thereby a constant bactericidal effect can be expected under a constant high voltage pulse application condition. The presence / absence of abnormality in the process before being supported on the support member 31 is, for example, the above-described means for determining the presence / absence of abnormality based on the amount of transmitted laser light, or each instrument of the introducing means 70 and the attaching means 87, etc. The control means (not shown) may operate the high voltage switching contact 54 and the circuit switching contact 52a of each equivalent circuit 52 in response to the determination result.

[Modification 15]
Furthermore, although the example which sterilizes the container 1 which has the opening part 1a, the side part 1b, and the bottom part 1c was shown in embodiment mentioned above, it is not restricted to this. The shape of the container 1 as a sterilization target is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to sterilizing objects other than containers, particularly sheets and the like.

[Modification 16]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of the sterilization apparatus by this invention and the sterilization method and some modifications have been demonstrated, naturally, it is also possible to apply a some combination suitably. Therefore, for example, there may be a mode in which the surrounding member rotates while the discharge electrode 20 rotates.

  A sterilization apparatus in which the above-described modification 5 was applied to the sterilization apparatus of the above-described embodiment was produced, and the sterilization ability was evaluated.

(Bottle for sterilization evaluation)
As a sterilization evaluation bottle, a 240 ml capacity PET bottle was used as a sterilization target container. A predetermined amount of Bacillus subtilis was uniformly adhered to the inner surface of the PET bottle to obtain a first bactericidal effect evaluation bottle. Further, a predetermined amount of black mold spores were uniformly attached to the inner surface of the PET bottle to obtain a second sterilization effect evaluation bottle.

(Discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation)
As the discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation, an electrode made of a stainless steel round bar was used. The first discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation was prepared by attaching 10 drops of Bacillus subtilis suspension so that it was dispersed almost uniformly within a range of 100 mm from the tip of the stainless steel round bar, and naturally drying the attached suspension. Was made. In addition, 10 drops of black mold spore suspension is attached so as to be distributed substantially uniformly within a range of 100 mm from the tip of the stainless steel round bar, and the attached suspension is allowed to dry naturally, thereby allowing the second sterilization. A discharge electrode for evaluation was produced.

(Discharge condition and water condition)
Discharge electrode: The discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation was installed such that the tip was positioned 20 mm above the bottom of the bottle made of a stainless steel round bar.

Counter electrode: formed from a stainless steel wire mesh. The stainless steel wire mesh was attached to the enclosure member and the support member from the outside so as to cover the side and the lower side of the container.

Enclosing member: In the cross section orthogonal to the moving direction of the container, the separation distance between the enclosing member and the container at the closed position was about 8 mm. The thickness of the enclosure member and the support member was 3 mm.

Pulse application condition: voltage 75 kV, frequency 700 Hz (pps), discharge time 6 seconds or less Internal steam introduction condition: Using the introduction means shown in FIG. 5, gas is supplied from the gas supply means at a flow rate of 120 L / min. A vapor mixed gas composed of water vapor from which pure water was evaporated was introduced into the container in the treatment tank for 0.5 seconds. As a gas supplied from the gas supply means, a mixed gas composed of argon, nitrogen and oxygen was used. The amount of pure water introduced into the interior was approximately 0.1 g. The amount of pure water introduced was measured by measuring the weight of the container before and after the adhesion treatment and taking the difference.

Others: Evaluation of the sterilization effect of the sterilization evaluation bottle and evaluation of the sterilization effect of the discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation were performed separately. That is, when evaluating the bactericidal effect of the bottle for bactericidal evaluation, a stainless steel round bar without bacteria was used as a discharge electrode. On the other hand, when evaluating the sterilization effect of the discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation, a PET bottle having a capacity of 240 ml without bacteria was used as a sterilization target container.

(Culture method)
Bottle for sterilization evaluation: After completion of discharge, the bottle was taken out of the apparatus, poured about 20 ml of tryptosome broth culture solution into the bottle, shaken well with a cap sterilized in advance, and cultured at 30 ° C. for 10 days.

Discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation: After the end of discharge, the sterilized cotton swab moistened with sterile water was used to sufficiently wipe off the microbial site, and only the sterilized cotton swab was wiped off. The wiped portion thus cut out was immersed in about 5 ml of tryptosome broth culture solution in a test tube and cultured at 30 ° C. for 10 days.

(Evaluation results)
The sterilization effect on the inner surface of the first sterilization evaluation bottle (Bacillus subtilis) that had been sterilized was 5.5D. The sterilization effect on the inner surface of the second sterilization evaluation bottle (black mold) subjected to the sterilization treatment was 6.0D. The sterilizing effect of the first discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation (Bacillus subtilis) was 6.0D. The disinfection effect of the second discharge electrode for sterilization evaluation (black mold) was 6.0D.

The bactericidal effect D value is defined by the following formula 1.
Bactericidal effect D value = -log (number of surviving bacteria / number of initial bacteria) Formula 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic process from molding of a container to filling of contents. FIG. 2 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of one embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing division based on the processing contents in the sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a method and an attaching means for attaching a liquid to the outer surface of the container in the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a method and an introduction means for introducing steam into the container in the sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of introducing steam into the container. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an enclosure member included in the sterilizer shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a discharge electrode included in the sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a high voltage pulse applying device included in the sterilizing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XIII in FIG. FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an embodiment of the sterilization method according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 8, and is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the sterilizer. FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 and showing another modified example of the sterilizer. FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 and showing still another modification of the sterilizer. FIG. 18 is a view corresponding to a part of FIG. 2 and showing still another modification of the sterilizer. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 14, and is a diagram for explaining an example of a sterilization method using the sterilizer illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 19 and showing still another modification of the sterilizer. FIG. 23 is a view corresponding to FIG. 18 and showing still another modification of the sterilizer. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing still another modification of the sterilizer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 10 Sterilizer 12 Chamber 20 Discharge electrode 21 Counter electrode 22a 1st enclosure counter electrode 22b 2nd enclosure counter electrode 22c 2nd enclosure counter electrode 23 Support part counter electrode 25 Enclosure member 26 1st enclosure member 27 2nd Enclosure member 31 Support member 37 Through hole 41 Suction mechanism 43 Holding mechanism 45 Second rotating body 57 High voltage pulse applying device 122a First enclosure counter electrode 122b Second enclosure counter electrode 126 Enclosure member 127 Enclosure

Claims (30)

A support member for supporting a container to be sterilized, the support member being rotatable together with the supported container;
A discharge electrode insertable into a container supported by the support member;
An enclosure member arranged to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside;
A counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure member from the outside, and is provided with a counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode in order to generate atmospheric pressure plasma,
The sterilizing apparatus, wherein the enclosure member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the rotation axis in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis of the support member.   The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure member has a contour corresponding to an outer contour of the container in a cross section along the rotation axis of the support member.   3. The enclosure member is movable along with the counter electrode along the arc around the rotation axis of the support member, around the container supported by the support member. The sterilizer described in the above. The enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member arranged so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member,
The counter electrode includes a first counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the first enclosure member from the outside, and a second counter electrode that covers at least a portion of the second enclosure member from the outside. The enclosure member as described in any one of 1-3.   The first enclosing member and the second enclosing member are swingable about axes parallel to each other, swing in opposite swing directions, and can be deployed so as to be separated from each other. The sterilizer according to claim 4. An enclosure that is disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member between the enclosure member;
The said counter electrode contains the 1st counter electrode which covers at least one part of the said enclosure member from the outside, and the 2nd counter electrode which covers at least one part of the said enclosure from the outside. 2. The sterilizer according to 2. The support member is movable in synchronization with the discharge electrode, the enclosure member and the first counter electrode,
The sterilizer according to claim 6, wherein the enclosure is disposed along a movement path of the support member.   The sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the discharge electrode is rotatable around an axis parallel to a rotation axis of the support member. A support member for supporting the container to be sterilized;
A discharge electrode insertable into a container supported by the support member;
An enclosure member surrounding the container supported by the support member from the outside;
A counter electrode that covers at least a part of the enclosure member from the outside, and is provided with a counter electrode to which a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode in order to generate atmospheric pressure plasma,
The enclosure member is capable of moving around the container supported by the support member around an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode together with the counter electrode.   10. The enclosing member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. The sterilizer described.   The sterilizer according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the enclosing member has a contour corresponding to an outer contour of the container in a cross section along the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. The enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member arranged so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member,
The counter electrode includes a first counter electrode that covers at least a part of the first enclosure member from the outside, and a second counter electrode that covers at least a part of the second enclosure member from the outside. The sterilizer according to any one of claims 9 to 11.   The first enclosing member and the second enclosing member are swingable about axes parallel to each other, swing in opposite swing directions, and can be deployed so as to be separated from each other. The sterilizer according to claim 12.   The sterilizer according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the discharge electrode is rotatable about an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode.   The sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 9 to 14, wherein the support member is movable in synchronization with the discharge electrode, the enclosure member, and the counter electrode. .   The high-voltage pulse applying device that is connected to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode and that applies a high-voltage pulse between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is further provided. The sterilizer according to claim 1. A step of supporting a container to be sterilized by a rotatable support member;
Inserting a discharge electrode into the vessel;
An enclosure member disposed so as to surround the discharge electrode inserted into the vessel and the vessel supported by the support member from the outside, wherein the rotation axis in a cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis of the support member A high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. Generating atmospheric pressure plasma, and
In the step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma, the support member is rotated together with the container.   The sterilization method according to claim 17, wherein the enclosure member has a contour corresponding to an outer contour of the container in a cross section along the rotation axis of the support member.   The step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma moves the surrounding member together with the counter electrode along the arc around the rotation axis of the support member. The sterilization method according to 18. The enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode has at least a part of the first enclosure member from the outside. A first counter electrode that covers, and a second counter electrode that covers at least a part of the second enclosing member from the outside,
20. The high-voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and both the first counter electrode and the second counter electrode in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma. The sterilization method as described in any one of these.   In the step of supporting the container by the support member, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung in directions opposite to each other about axes parallel to each other and separated from each other. 21. The sterilization method according to claim 20, wherein the container is arranged on the support member in a developed state.   In the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, a first counter electrode that at least partially covers the enclosure member, and an enclosure disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member between the enclosure member and The sterilization method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein a high voltage pulse is applied between both of the second counter electrodes that at least partially cover the discharge electrode.   The support member is moved together with the discharge electrode and the enclosure member and the first counter electrode in synchronization with the container, and the container is disposed along a movement path of the enclosure member and the support member. The high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode, the first counter electrode, and the second counter electrode when being between the enclosure and the enclosure. Sterilization method.   The sterilization method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, the discharge electrode is rotated about an axis parallel to a rotation axis of the support member. . A step of supporting the container to be sterilized by the support member;
Inserting a discharge electrode into the vessel;
A high gap between the discharge electrode inserted into the container and a counter electrode that at least partially covers the enclosure member arranged to surround the container supported by the support member from the outside. Applying a voltage pulse to generate atmospheric pressure plasma between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, and
In the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, the sterilization method is characterized in that the surrounding member together with the counter electrode is moved around the container around an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode.   26. The enclosing member has a contour along a part of an arc centered on the axis parallel to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode in a cross section orthogonal to the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. The sterilization method as described in 1 ..   27. The sterilization method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the enclosing member has a contour corresponding to an outer contour of the container in a cross section along the insertion direction of the discharge electrode. The enclosure member includes a first enclosure member and a second enclosure member disposed so as to sandwich a container supported by the support member, and the counter electrode has at least a part of the first enclosure member from the outside. A first counter electrode that covers, and a second counter electrode that covers at least a part of the second enclosing member from the outside,
28. In the step of generating atmospheric pressure plasma, a high voltage pulse is applied between the discharge electrode and both the first counter electrode and the second counter electrode. The sterilization method as described in any one of these.   In the step of supporting the container by the support member, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member are swung in directions opposite to each other about axes parallel to each other and separated from each other. 29. The sterilization method according to claim 28, wherein the container is disposed on a support member in a developed state.   30. The sterilization according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein in the step of generating the atmospheric pressure plasma, the discharge electrode is rotated about an axis parallel to an insertion direction of the discharge electrode. Method.

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