JP2009291423A - Method of manufacturing liquid separator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent drying within a housing after sterilization while preventing detachment of a member to close a liquid port during the sterilization process in the process of manufacturing a liquid separator. <P>SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing the liquid separator 1 includes a step S1 for filling the housing with a liquid; a step S2 for forming the internal space on the inner side of a closing member by relatively shallowly fitting an inner plug member into the liquid port of the housing and closing the liquid port with the closing member attached to the liquid port from outside, and making the inside of the housing communicate with the internal space of the closing member through a passage formed in the inner plug member; a step S3 for heating and sterilizing the housing; and a step S4 for plugging the liquid port by relatively shallowly fitting the inner plug member into the liquid port, closing the passage in the inner plug member and blocking communication between the inside of the housing and the internal space of the closing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid separator that separates a predetermined object from a liquid.

  For example, a virus remover that removes viruses from blood products or a blood purifier that removes unwanted substances from blood during dialysis, etc., conventionally allows liquids such as blood products to pass through and separates predetermined products from the liquid. A liquid separator is used. For example, the liquid separator is provided with a hollow fiber inside the housing, and a liquid is allowed to flow from a primary-side liquid passage port formed in the housing, a specific object is separated by the hollow fiber, and the liquid is separated from the secondary side. The liquid is flowing out from the fluid inlet.

  By the way, in the manufacturing process of the liquid separator, sterilization is performed before shipping. This sterilization process is performed, for example, by exposing the liquid separator to a high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time in a state in which the housing is filled with water and each liquid inlet is closed. The reason for filling the water and closing each fluid inlet is to prevent the inside of the housing from being dried after sterilization and to maintain sterility, and to maintain the wettability of the hollow fiber until the liquid separator is used. This is for maintaining the separation performance of the hollow fiber sufficiently from the start of use.

  As described above, since the sterilization process is performed under high temperature and high pressure, water and gas in the housing expand at this time. In order to cope with the expansion of water and gas in the housing, it is proposed to use a rubber plug as a buffer material for the member that closes the liquid inlet of the liquid separator and to use a gas-permeable material for the rubber plug Thus, the gas can be released to the outside while absorbing the expansion of water in the liquid separator with the rubber plug, so that the rubber plug can be prevented from coming off due to the internal pressure.

JP 2003-245329 A

  However, in the above-described case, the expandable material such as a rubber plug has almost a minute gas permeability, so that there is a possibility that the gas permeates even after sterilization. For this reason, it is considered that the water inside the housing is volatilized and discharged out of the housing before the liquid separator is shipped and actually used. As a result, there is a possibility that water in the housing of the liquid separator is reduced and a part of the housing and the hollow fiber is dried.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in the manufacturing process of the liquid separator, the inside of the housing after sterilization is dried while preventing the member that closes the liquid passage port from being removed during sterilization. Its purpose is to prevent.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing provided therein with a separating material for allowing a liquid to pass therethrough and separating a predetermined target, a liquid passage port for allowing the liquid to flow into or out of the housing, A method for producing a liquid separator, comprising: a closing member that can be attached to a liquid passing port and can close the liquid passing port; and an inner plug member that can be fitted into the liquid passing port and can close the liquid passing port. And filling the liquid into the housing; fitting the inner plug member into the liquid passage port of the housing relatively shallowly; attaching the closing member to the liquid passage port from the outside; and closing the liquid passage port A step of forming an internal space inside the closing member and communicating the inside of the housing with the internal space of the closing member through a passage formed in the inner plug member; and heating the housing. Destroyed And pressing the inner plug member from the outside of the closing member, fitting the inner plug member relatively deeply into the liquid opening, closing the passage of the inner plug member, and A step of blocking the internal space of the closing member and closing the liquid passage port. Note that the “predetermined target” includes a specific substance (including both a single substance and a mixture), a solid, and the like, and is an object to be separated based on the separation function of the separating material, for example, the size of the pores. Is decided.

  According to the present invention, the liquid or gas expanded in the housing during the sterilization process can flow out to the internal space of the closing member through the passage of the inner plug member. Thereby, the expansion | swelling of the liquid at the time of a sterilization process can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the closing member from being detached due to the expansion of the liquid or gas. In addition, after the sterilization process, the inner plug member is fitted deeply to close the liquid passage port, so that after the sterilization process, the liquid in the housing is vaporized and discharged to the outside through the closure member, and a part of the housing is dried. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the housing from being dried after the sterilization process while preventing the closing member from being removed from the liquid passage port during the sterilization process.

  The closing member may be formed in a deformable film shape that protrudes outward from the liquid passage port. The closing member may have gas permeability. In this case, since the gas can be discharged to the outside due to the air permeability of the closing member, the closing member can be prevented from coming off due to the expansion of the liquid or gas.

  The inner plug member has a pushing portion that allows the inner plug member to be pushed into the liquid passing port from the outside of the closing member in a state where the closing member is attached to the liquid passing port. You may form in the convex shape which protrudes toward the direction away from the said liquid flow port. Since the pushing portion is convex, a load (deformation amount, input for deformation) for deforming the closing member when pushing from the outside of the closing member can be reduced, and damage to the closing member is prevented. be able to.

  The passage is formed in a groove shape along the fitting direction on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the liquid passing port, and from the tip of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, You may form to the position between a front-end | tip and a rear end. In such a case, the liquid separator can have a simple structure that facilitates coexistence of the function in the step of communicating with the internal space and the function of sealing the internal space in the step of closing.

  An annular ridge protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, and the protruding portion is located behind the passage of the fitting portion of the inner plug member. It may be formed on the end side. In such a case, since the contact pressure at the contact portion with the inside of the liquid flow port of the housing can be increased by the protruding portion, it is possible to achieve a high level of holding of the seal after closing.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, another ridge portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is formed, and the other ridge portion is the passage of the fitting portion of the inner plug member. It may be formed in a section where is formed. In such a case, the state in which the inner stopper member is fitted shallowly during the step of communicating with the inner space can be suitably maintained by the contact pressure at the contact portion between the inner stopper member and the inside of the liquid passage port of the housing.

  The separating material may be a hollow fiber. In the case of a separator having a hollow fiber in the housing, the present invention is particularly useful because a sterilization process by high temperature and high pressure is often required.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drying in the housing after a sterilization process can be prevented, preventing that the member which closes a liquid flow port at the time of a sterilization process removes.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a liquid separator 1 used in the method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to the present embodiment.

  The liquid separator 1 includes, for example, a cylindrical housing 10 whose both ends in the longitudinal direction are closed as shown in FIG. 1, and a plurality of the liquid separators 1 that are provided in the housing 10 for flowing in and out of the housing 10, for example, There are four liquid inlets 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. For example, the liquid passage ports 11 a and 11 b are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, and the liquid passage ports 11 c and 11 d are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion of the housing 10.

  A large number of tubular hollow fibers 12 are provided in the housing 10. The hollow fiber 12 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and extends from the vicinity of one end of the housing 10 to the vicinity of the other end. Support members 13 for supporting the hollow fibers 12 are provided near both ends in the longitudinal direction in the housing 10. The support member 13 is formed in, for example, a disk shape that conforms to the internal shape of the housing 10, and supports the end portion of the hollow fiber 12 while opening the space A (fluid ports 11 a and 11 b on the outside of each support member 13. Space) and the space B inside the two support members 13 are blocked. Both ends of the hollow fiber 12 are opened in a space A communicating with the liquid flow ports 11a and 11b, respectively. Therefore, for example, the liquid that has flowed in from the liquid flow port 11 a or the liquid flow port 11 b passes through the inside of the hollow fiber 12, and the liquid that has passed through the side wall of the hollow fiber 12 flows out into the space B between the two support members 13. It has become. When passing through the side wall of the hollow fiber 12, a predetermined object is separated from the liquid.

  The liquid passage ports 11 c and 11 d communicate with the space B between the two support members 13. Therefore, for example, the separated liquid that has passed through the hollow fiber 12 can be discharged from the liquid ports 11c and 11d.

  The liquid passage ports 11c and 11d are formed in a circular tube shape as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and an annular flange portion 20 is formed at the open end of the tip. In addition to the flange, ferrules, nipples, screws, and the like can be used. The liquid flow ports 11 c and 11 d have a tapered shape that gradually decreases as the inner diameter approaches the body portion of the housing 10.

  A closing member 30 can be attached to the liquid flow ports 11c and 11d. The closing member 30 is formed in a balloon-like film shape that protrudes outward from the liquid inlets 11c and 11d, and an internal space 30a can be formed inside. The closing member 30 can be hermetically fixed to the flange portion 20 of the liquid inlets 11c and 11d using, for example, a fixing ring 31 or the like. The closing member 30 is made of rubber, for example, and is formed to be freely expandable / contractable. Moreover, the closing member 30 may have air permeability. The material of the closing member 30 is preferably a heat-resistant rubber, and for example, silicon rubber or fluororubber is preferable.

  The inner plug member 40 can be fitted into the liquid passage ports 11 c and 11 d of the housing 10. The inner plug member 40 is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a fitting portion 40a, a head portion 40b, and a pushing portion 40c in this order from the tip side. The inner plug member 40 is made of elastic rubber, for example. The material of the inner plug member 40 is preferably a heat-resistant rubber, such as silicon rubber or fluorine rubber.

  The fitting portion 40a has a diameter that matches the inner diameter of the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d. On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a, a groove-shaped passage 50 is formed along the fitting direction. The passage 50 is formed from the front end of the fitting portion 40a to a position between the front end and the rear end. As shown in FIG. 3, when the passage 50 is shallowly fitted into the liquid inlets 11 c and 11 d, the vicinity of the upper end of the passage 50 opens into the internal space 30 a of the closing member 30, and the inside of the housing 10 and the internal space are passed through the passage 50. 30a is formed to communicate. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the passage 50 is deeply fitted into the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, the passage 50 completely enters the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, and the housing 10 and the internal space 30a are shut off. It is formed so that. For example, the passage 50 is formed to have a length of, for example, about two thirds of the length from the front end to the rear end of the fitting portion 40a. Moreover, the channel | path 50 is formed in two places where the fitting part 40 mutually opposes, as shown, for example in FIG.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, two annular protrusions 51 that protrude outward and contact the inner peripheral surfaces of the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d are formed. These protrusions 51 are formed, for example, in a section without the passage 50 on the rear end side from the passage 50 of the fitting portion 40a. Thereby, when the fitting portion 40a is deeply fitted into the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, the airtightness on the rear end side from the passage 50 of the fitting portion 40a is improved, and leakage of liquid and gas through the passage 50 can be prevented. .

  Further, for example, three other ridges 52 are formed in a section of the passage 50 on the distal end side of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a. These other protrusions 52 are formed in an approximately annular shape, and only a portion of the passage 50 is cut away. As a result, the friction between the inner plug member 40 and the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d increases, so that it is possible to prevent the inner plug member 40 from coming off due to the internal pressure of the housing 10 when the inner plug member 40 is shallowly fitted.

  The head portion 40b is formed on the rear end side of the fitting portion 40a and has a diameter larger than that of the fitting portion 40a. When the inner plug member 40 is fitted deeply into the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, the head portion 40b comes into contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 20, and the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d are also closed.

  The pushing portion 40c is formed on the rear end side of the head portion 40b, and is formed in a convex shape protruding in a direction away from the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d. The pushing portion 40c has, for example, a length that is one quarter or more of the entire length of the internal space 30a of the closing member 30 in the direction away from the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d (the vertical direction in FIG. 2).

  Next, the manufacturing method of the liquid separator 1 concerning this Embodiment is demonstrated. This manufacturing method includes a manufacturing process performed immediately before the shipment of the liquid separator 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the manufacturing method.

  In the final manufacturing stage of the liquid separator 1 after the housing 10 is manufactured, first, the housing 10 of the liquid separator 1 is filled with a liquid, for example, water (step S1 in FIG. 6). At this time, for example, the liquid inlets 11a and 11b are closed. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner plug member 40 is shallowly fitted into the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, and the closing member 30 is attached from the outside. At this time, the internal space 30a is formed inside the closing member 30, and the inside of the housing 10 and the internal space 30a of the closing member 30 communicate with each other through the passage 50 of the fitting portion 40a of the inner plug member 40 (see FIG. 6). Step S2).

  Next, the entire liquid separator 1 is heated under high pressure and sterilized (step S3 in FIG. 6). At this time, water or residual gas in the housing 10 expands, flows from the housing 10 into the liquid passage ports 11 c and 11 d, flows into the internal space 30 a of the closing member 30 through the passage 50 of the inner plug member 40. For example, when there is much water flowing into the internal space 30a, the closing member 30 bulges and the volume of the internal space 30a is expanded. Further, the gas flowing into the internal space 30 a is released to the outside through the closing member 30. In this way, the expansion of water or gas in the housing 10 is absorbed by the closing member 30.

  After the sterilization is completed and the expansion of water or gas is restored by, for example, cooling, the pushing portion 40c of the inner plug member 40 is pressed from the outside of the closing member 30 as shown in FIG. It is deeply fitted into the liquid ports 11c and 11d. Thus, the passage 50 is closed, the interior of the housing 10 and the internal space 30a are disconnected, and the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d are closed (step S4 in FIG. 6).

  According to the above embodiment, the inner plug member 40 and the closing member 30 are double attached to the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d of the housing 10, and the inner plug member 40 is shallowly fitted into the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d. The water or gas expanded in the housing 10 during the sterilization process can flow into the internal space 30a of the closing member 30 through the passage 50 of the inner plug member 40. Thereby, the expansion | swelling of the water at the time of a sterilization process can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the closing member 30 from coming off due to the expansion of water or gas. In addition, after the sterilization process, the pushing portion 40c of the inner plug member 40 is pushed from the outside of the closing member 30 to deeply fit the inner plug member 40, thereby closing the passage 50 of the inner plug member 40, and the inside of the housing 10 and the closing member. The liquid passage ports 11c and 11d are closed with the internal space 30a of 30 being closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water in the housing 10 from being vaporized and discharged to the outside after the sterilization process, so that a part of the housing 10 is dried. Therefore, drying in the housing 10 after the sterilization process can be prevented while preventing the closing member 30 from being detached from the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d during the sterilization process.

  Since the closing member 30 is formed in a deformable film shape that protrudes outward from the liquid flow ports 11c and 11d, it can sufficiently absorb the inflowing water while forming the internal space 30a.

  The inner plug member 40 has a push-in portion 40c, and the push-in portion 40c is formed in a convex shape that protrudes in a direction away from the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d. 40c can be pushed in suitably.

  Further, the passage 50 of the inner plug member 40 is formed in a groove shape along the fitting direction on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a of the inner plug member 40. From the front end of the fitting portion 40a, between the front end and the rear end. To the position. For this reason, the inner plug member 40 is shallowly fitted into the liquid inlets 11 c and 11 d, whereby the inside of the housing 10 and the inner space 30 a of the closing member 30 can be suitably communicated by the passage 50.

  Since the protruding portion 51 is formed on the rear end side from the passage 50 on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a, when the inner plug member 40 is deeply inserted, the protruding portion 51 is located on the rear end side of the passage 50. Therefore, it is possible to improve the airtightness of the inner plug member 40 by contacting the inner peripheral surfaces of the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d.

  Further, since the other protrusions 52 are formed in the section where the passage 50 on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 40a is formed, the friction between the inner plug member 40 and the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d increases. It is possible to prevent the inner plug member 40 from being detached due to the internal pressure of the housing 10 when the inner plug member 40 is shallowly fitted.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the ideas described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the inner plug member 40 and the closing member 30 are attached to the liquid passage ports 11c and 11d, but may be attached to other liquid passage ports 11a and 11b. In the above embodiment, there are four liquid passage ports. However, the present invention can also be applied to liquid separators having other numbers of liquid passage ports. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, although it was the liquid separator 1 in which the hollow fiber 12 was provided in the housing 10, this invention is applicable also to what is provided with the other separating material.

It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of a liquid separator. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the liquid inlet vicinity of a liquid separator. It is an expanded sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid inlet port in a state where the inner plug member is shallowly fitted. It is an expanded sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid passage opening in a state where the inner plug member is deeply fitted. It is the top view which looked at the inner plug member from the front end side. It is a flowchart which shows the main processes of the manufacturing method of a liquid separator. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the inner stopper member was pushed in from the outer side of the closing member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid separator 10 Housing 11a-11d Flow-through port 12 Hollow fiber 13 Support member 20 Flange part 30 Closure member 30a Internal space 31 Fixing ring 40 Inner plug member 40a Insertion part 40b Head part 40c Push-in part 50 Passage 51, 52 Projection Part

Claims (8)

A housing provided with a separating material for allowing a liquid to pass therethrough and separating a predetermined object, a liquid inlet for inflow or outflow of liquid into the housing, and the liquid inlet that can be attached to the liquid inlet A liquid separator comprising: a closing member capable of closing the liquid closing port; and an inner plug member capable of being fitted into the liquid passing port and capable of closing the liquid passing port,
Filling the housing with a liquid;
The inner plug member is fitted relatively shallowly into the liquid passage port of the housing, the closing member is attached to the liquid passage port from the outside thereof, and the liquid passage port is closed to form an internal space inside the closing member. And communicating the inside of the housing and the internal space of the closing member through a passage formed in the inner plug member;
Heating and sterilizing the housing;
The inner plug member is pressed from the outside of the closing member, the inner plug member is fitted into the liquid passage port relatively deeply, the passage of the inner plug member is closed, and the inside of the housing and the closing member are closed. And a step of closing the liquid passage port. The method for producing a liquid separator is characterized in that:   The method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the closing member is formed in a deformable film shape that protrudes outward from the liquid passage port.   The method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the closing member has gas permeability. The inner plug member has a pushing portion that allows the inner plug member to be pushed into the liquid passage port from the outside of the closing member in a state where the closing member is attached to the liquid passage port.
The method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the push-in portion is formed in a convex shape protruding in a direction away from the liquid passage port.   The passage is formed in a groove shape along the fitting direction on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the liquid passing port, and from the tip of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, The method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid separator is formed up to a position between a front end and a rear end. On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, an annular ridge portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is formed,
6. The method of manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion is formed on a rear end side of the passage of the fitting portion of the inner plug member. On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the inner plug member, another ridge portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is formed,
The method of manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 6, wherein the other protrusion is formed in a section in which the passage of the fitting portion of the inner plug member is formed.   The method for manufacturing a liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator is a hollow fiber.

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