JP2013133152A - Electron beam cap sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the inside of a chamber 2 from being polluted by a cap 4 in case that the sterilization of this cap 4 is incomplete due to abnormal radiation of an electron beam.SOLUTION: The cap 4, which is carried within a sterile room 12 by a cap chute 6, is irradiated with an electron beam from an electron beam radiator 8 to sterilize it. The cap chute 6 has a free carriage section 6c, in which the cap 4 is carried while being rotated, and a regulated carriage section 6b, in which it carries the cap 4 while being regulated by a star wheel 24 on its upstream side, and it is provided with a downstream stopper means 34 on the downstream of the free carriage section 6c, and further provided with a removal means 36, which removes the cap 4, on its downstream side. When there is abnormality in the radiation of an electron beam, the stopper means 34 stops the cap 4, and then, when the radiation of the electron beams returns to its normality, the cap 4 in stoppage is irradiated with an electron beam, and then it is removed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electron beam cap sterilizer that sterilizes a cap being transported by a transport means by irradiating it with an electron beam.

  2. Description of the Related Art A cap sterilizing device that sterilizes a cap that is continuously conveyed by a conveying means by irradiating an electron beam from an electron beam irradiating device has been known. In such an electron beam cap sterilizer, if the electron beam irradiation is excessive, there is a risk of deformation or discoloration, and an abnormality has occurred in the electron beam irradiation device such as discharge or reduced vacuum pressure. If the irradiation of the rays is insufficient, there arises a problem that the sterilization of the cap becomes incomplete. Then, the sterilization apparatus which monitors the irradiation state of an electron beam and the conveyance state of a cap, and can detect this when abnormality arises in the sterilization of a cap is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1). .

  The cap sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can detect this when there is an abnormality in sterilization, but does not include a mechanism for discharging a cap with insufficient sterilization. Therefore, a cap that is not completely sterilized flows downstream in the transport path, and the downstream guide and space are contaminated by the bacteria attached to the cap. Furthermore, there is a problem that it takes time to recover from the contaminated state.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes an apparatus for rejecting a sterilization failure container that rejects a container sterilized by an electron beam sterilization apparatus when the container is determined to be sterilization failure. In the electron beam sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 2, after the container whose neck is gripped by the gripper is irradiated with the electron beam by the electron beam irradiation apparatus, the sterilization quality detector detects the sterilization quality, and the sterilization failure When the container count device determines that the sterilization failure target container signal is sent to the control device, when the container reaches the evacuation position, the gripper is opened and dropped into the evacuation container receiving box to be evacuated. .

JP 2008-189355 A JP 2011-219158 A

  In the configuration of the invention described in Patent Document 2, since the container that has been sterilized insufficiently due to insufficient irradiation of the electron beam is discharged into the sterilization chamber in a contaminated state, the space in the sterilization chamber is contaminated. The problem of being done occurs. In addition, the gripper holding the container that has not been sterilized moves to the electron beam irradiation device again and moves in the aseptic chamber until it is sterilized. There was a problem that.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in an electron beam cap sterilization apparatus that sterilizes a cap by irradiating an electron beam while the cap is continuously conveyed, the inside is maintained at a positive pressure. A chamber, a transport path through which the cap passes, an electron beam irradiation means for irradiating the cap transported through the transport path, an operation of the electron beam irradiation means, and an electron beam A control means for detecting the irradiation abnormality of the nozzle, a downstream stopper means for preventing the cap from being transported downstream of the electron beam irradiation range of the transport path, and an exclusion means for removing the cap from the transport path downstream of the downstream stopper means. The control means, when detecting an irradiation abnormality of the electron beam, instructs the downstream stopper means to block the conveyance of the cap, and when the electron beam irradiation means can be normally irradiated, Irradiating an electron beam to the cap in a state where the flow stopper means is blocked the transport of the cap, thereafter, is released with the downstream stop means, it is characterized in eliminating the cap from the conveying path by the removing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transport path is composed of a plurality of guide rods, and is inclined downward so that the inner side of the cap is lateral. The downstream stopper means prevents the cap from being conveyed by protruding the stopper into the conveyance path, and the exclusion means conveys the cap by retracting the guide rod at the exclusion position. It is characterized by being excluded from the route.

  Furthermore, a third invention is the invention described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a transfer means for sending a cap to the downstream side is provided in the upstream part of the electron beam irradiation range of the transport path, and the downstream part. A cap chute that is inclined downward and rolls the cap is provided, an upstream stopper means is provided upstream of the transfer means, and the control means activates the transfer means when detecting an irradiation abnormality. When the electron beam irradiating means can be normally irradiated, the transfer means is restarted with the release of the downstream stopper means in a state where the conveyance of the cap is blocked by the upstream stopper means. Is.

  In the electron beam cap sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the electron beam irradiation, the cap is stopped by the stopper means provided at the downstream end of the electron beam irradiation range, and the electron beam irradiation means returns to normal. After that, after sterilizing the cap stopped by the downstream stopper means by irradiating with an electron beam, it is excluded from the transport path by the exclusion means, so that the contaminated cap is not sent in the sterile space, This space can be prevented from being contaminated. Further, since each part in the chamber such as the transfer path is not contaminated, the return time after the stop due to the occurrence of abnormality can be shortened.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along a cap conveyance path of an electron beam cap sterilizer. Example 1 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the transport path within the electron beam irradiation range.

  A chamber in which the internal pressure is maintained at a positive pressure higher than the external pressure, a transport path provided in the chamber, through which the cap passes, and a cap transported through the transport path are irradiated with an electron beam An electron beam cap sterilization apparatus comprising an electron beam irradiation means and a control means for controlling the operation of the electron beam irradiation means, and when the control means detects an abnormality of the electron beam irradiated from the electron beam irradiation means, The operation of the electron beam irradiation means is controlled according to the detection result. In addition, a downstream stopper means for preventing the cap from being transported is provided in the downstream portion of the irradiation range that receives the electron beam irradiation from the electron beam irradiation means in the transport path, and further, the transport is carried to a position downstream of the downstream stopper means. Cap removal means for removing the cap that has been transported from the path from this transport path is provided, and when the control means detects an abnormal irradiation of the electron beam, it immediately sends a command to the downstream stopper means to prevent the cap from being transported. When the electron beam irradiating means returns to a state where it can irradiate the electron beam normally, the electron beam irradiating means irradiates the electron beam while the cap stopped within the electron beam irradiation range is stopped by the downstream stopper means. After irradiating and sterilizing the cap completely, the downstream stopper means is released and the exclusion means is activated to remove the cap from the transport path. Since the way, by eliminating the irradiation of the electron beam is insufficient sterilization will send incomplete cap to the downstream side of the chamber, to achieve the purpose of preventing contamination of the sterile space. Moreover, the objective of shortening the return time of the apparatus stopped by abnormality generation | occurrence | production of electron beam irradiation is achieved.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. In this electron beam cap sterilization apparatus, a transport path 6 for transporting the cap 4 is disposed in the aseptic chamber 2 partitioned into a plurality of chambers, and the electron beam irradiation means 8 ( After sterilizing by irradiating an electron beam from (see FIG. 2), it is sent to a capper (not shown).

  The aseptic chamber 2 is located on the most upstream side, a front chamber 10 into which the cap 4 is introduced from the outside, a sterilization chamber 12 in which a rotary transfer means and an electron beam irradiation means 8 described later are disposed, and a sterilization chamber It is divided into a rear chamber 14 installed on the downstream side of the chamber 12. Further, a capping chamber 16 in which a capper (not shown) is installed is connected to the downstream side of the rear chamber 14. Such a chamber 2 is composed of a lead plate and shields X-rays (braking X-rays) generated by electron beams or electron beam irradiation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 6 for sequentially transporting the cap 4 in each of the chambers 10, 12, 14, and 16 is composed of four guide bars 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D (top, bottom, left, and right) (FIG. 1). In the figure, only the upper and lower guide rods 6A and 6B are shown, and the left and right guide rods 6C and 6D are not shown.) The cap chute is basically inclined from the upper side to the lower side. The upper and lower guide bars 6A and 6B are arranged at a slightly larger interval than the diameter of the cap 4, and the left and right guide bars 6C and 6D are larger than the height of the cap 4 (the distance between the top surface 4a and the opening 4b). Are arranged at slightly larger intervals so that the cap 4 to be transported can be securely held and the cap 4 can smoothly roll. An opening 2Aa through which the cap conveying path 6 by the guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D can be inserted is formed on the introduction side wall surface 2A of the front chamber 10 located on the most upstream side of the chamber 2, The conveyance path 6 passes through a partition wall 2B that partitions the front chamber 10 and the sterilization chamber 12, a partition wall 2C that partitions the sterilization chamber 12 and the rear chamber 14, and a partition wall 2D that partitions the rear chamber 14 and the capping chamber 16, respectively. Openings 2Ba, 2Ca, 2Da are formed.

  In the sterilization chamber 12, air supply ports 12 a and 12 b are formed on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively, and sterile air is introduced from the outside through a filter (not shown). It is maintained at a positive pressure. The front chamber 10 located on the upstream side of the sterilization chamber 12 has an exhaust port 10a, and is maintained at a positive pressure lower than that of the sterilization chamber 12 by the air flowing from the sterilization chamber 12. An exclusion box 20 is attached to the downstream side of the sterilization chamber 12 via a discharge passage 18 formed facing downward. An exhaust port 20 a is formed in the exclusion box 20 and is maintained at a positive pressure lower than that of the sterilization chamber 12 by the air flowing from the sterilization chamber 12. Further, the rear chamber 14 disposed on the downstream side of the sterilization chamber 12 is provided with an air supply port 14a, and is maintained at a positive pressure higher than that of the sterilization chamber 12 by aseptic air introduced from the outside. The capping chamber 16 connected to the downstream side of the rear chamber 14 is maintained at a higher pressure than the rear chamber 14 by introducing aseptic air from an air supply port (not shown). Therefore, each of the continuously connected chambers 10, 12, 14, 16 has the highest pressure in the capping chamber 16 on the most downstream side, and the rear chamber 14, the sterilization chamber 12, and the front chamber 10 in this order toward the upstream side. The indoor pressure is controlled to be low. The exclusion box 20 is also maintained at a positive pressure lower than that of the sterilization chamber 12. The front chamber 10 having the lowest pressure among these chambers 10, 12, 14, and 16 is also maintained at a positive pressure whose pressure is higher than the outside, so that the external atmosphere does not enter.

  Conveying path (cap chute) 6 constituted by four guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and inclined from above to below is arranged between these guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D. The cap 4 held in a state in which the top surface 4a and the opening 4b are oriented in the horizontal direction, that is, in a sideways state, falls while rotating by its own weight, and as a rotary transfer means to be described later And a restricted conveyance section that conveys while restricting free movement according to the inclination of the conveyance path by the star wheel.

  In the upstream portion of the sterilization chamber 12, a star wheel (rotary transfer means) 24 that rotates in a vertical plane around a horizontal rotation shaft 22 is disposed. On the outer peripheral portion of the star wheel 24, a contact portion 24a that comes into contact with the cap 4 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction is provided so as to protrude, thereby forming a plurality of pockets (cap accommodation portions) 24b. The abutment portion 24a separates the cap 4 which has been continuously conveyed in a state where the upstream free conveyance section 6a is in close contact with the front and rear, at a constant interval, and the abutment portion 24a is capped at the front in the conveyance direction. 4 is brought into contact with the cylindrical portion 4c so as to restrict the free movement of the cap 4 and is sent out downstream. Therefore, the cap chute 6 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the star wheel 24, and the arc-shaped portion 6b having a diameter substantially coincident with the outer diameter of the star wheel 22 following the free transfer section 6a having the downwardly inclined surface on the upstream side. Is formed. The arcuate portion 6b constitutes the restricted conveyance section in which the cap 4 is conveyed while being regulated by the star wheel 24. Further, a downstream free transport section 6c having substantially the same inclination as the upstream free transport section 6a is provided following the regulation transport section 6b. The downstream free transfer section 6 c extends as it is and extends to the rear chamber 14 and the capping chamber 16 that follow the sterilization chamber 12. In the restricted conveying section 6b, the cap 4 is conveyed at a speed slower than the conveying speed of the downstream free conveying section 6c by being restricted by the star wheel 24. In addition, the free conveyance area described in the claim is the free conveyance area 6c on the downstream side.

  An electron beam irradiation means 8 for irradiating the cap 4 being conveyed with an electron beam from the lower side of the star wheel 24 to the downstream side of the cap chute 6 is provided. The electron beam irradiation means 8 is not shown in FIG. 1, but a range indicated by a broken line in the drawing is an electron beam irradiation range 26, and a downstream side free transport section 6c and an upstream side thereof. Part of the regulated transport section 6b. Electron beam irradiation means 8 is provided corresponding to the electron beam irradiation range 26 indicated by the broken line. The operation of the electron beam irradiation means 8 is controlled by a control means (not shown). Further, this control means monitors the irradiation state of the electron beam, and detects this when there is an irradiation abnormality.

The cap 4 to be sterilized in this embodiment is transported in the cap chute 6 sideways (the top surface 4a and the opening 4b face the horizontal direction), as shown in FIG. The irradiation window 8 a of the electron beam irradiation means 8 is disposed so as to face the opening 4 b of the cap 4. A plurality of magnets 28 are arranged at a predetermined interval on the opposite side of the electron beam irradiation means 8 with the cap chute 6 interposed therebetween. These magnets 28 irradiate the electron beam irradiated from the opening 4b side of the cap 4 by deflecting it with a magnetic field and wrapping around the top surface 4a side (see the electron beam indicated by the broken line 30 in FIG. 2). . Therefore, the magnet 28 extends to the upper side (the state shown in FIG. 2) or the lower side of the cap 4 so that the electron beam that has passed through the outside of the cylindrical portion 4c of the cap 4 wraps around the top surface 4a of the cap 4. It is arranged in the state. As the magnet 28, a magnet that generates a strong magnetic force, such as a neodymium magnet or a samarium cobalt magnet, is used. When the magnet 28 is extended above the cap 4, the upstream side in the transport direction is the N pole and the downstream side is the S pole. The magnets 28 are arranged as poles, and a magnetic field is generated between the magnets 28 from the upstream side to the downstream side. As a result, the electron beam is electromagnetically deflected so as to move circularly from above to below, and is irradiated toward the top surface 4 a of the cap 4. Further, when each magnet 28 is extended below the cap 4, the upstream side in the transport direction is arranged as an S pole and the downstream side as an N pole, and a magnetic field is generated between the magnets 28 from the downstream side to the upstream side. . As a result, the electron beam is electromagnetically deflected so as to move circularly from below to be irradiated toward the top surface 4 a of the cap 4.

  Upstream stopper means 32 is provided at the downstream end of the free transport section 6a on the upstream side of the transport path 6 (connection to the arc-shaped restricted transport section 6b). Further, a downstream stopper means 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the electron beam irradiation range 26 provided in the downstream free conveyance section 6c. These stopper means 32 and 34 have stoppers 32a and 34a that can be moved into and out of the cap chute 6 and air cylinders 32b and 34b that move the stoppers 32a and 34a forward and backward, respectively.

  Further, on the downstream side of the downstream stopper means 34, an excluding means 36 for excluding the cap 4 conveyed in the cap chute 6 is provided. This exclusion means 36 is configured such that a part 36a of the lower guide rod 6B among the four guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D can be separated and moved by the air cylinder 36b. 36a can be moved forward and backward by the air cylinder 36b between a position where the lower guide rod 6B is continuous upstream and downstream and a retreat position where the cap 4 is dropped out of the position of the lower guide rod 6B. It has become. In this embodiment, the cap 4 is dropped by moving the exclusion guide rod 36a to the front of the paper surface by the air cylinder 36b.

  An exclusion box 20 is attached via a discharge passage 18 below the position where the exclusion means 36 is provided at the downstream end of the sterilization chamber 12, and the exclusion guide rod 36a of the exclusion means 36 is moved. When the caps 4 are dropped, the caps 4 are dropped into the exclusion box 20 and removed.

  The operation of the electron beam cap sterilizer according to the above configuration will be described. The cap 4 introduced from the outside into the front chamber 10 of the electron beam cap sterilization apparatus by the cap chute 6 has the top surface 4a and the opening 4b oriented in the lateral direction and the cylindrical portion 4c on the lower guide rod 6B. The upper and right guide rods 6A and the left and right guide rods 6C and 6D are guided by the upper and left and right guide rods 6C and 6D, respectively, and the upper and lower caps 4 are in close contact with each other while rotating the upstream free transport section 6a. It is conveyed in the state.

  The cap 4 rolling in the free conveyance section 6 a on the upstream side of the cap chute 6 passes through the position of the upstream stopper means 32 in a state where the stopper 32 a is retracted from the cap chute 6, and each pocket of the star wheel 24. Each of the caps 6 is engaged with each other in the arc 24a of the cap chute 6 and is conveyed according to the rotation of the star wheel 24. At this time, the cap 4 is conveyed while rotating in the pocket 24b because the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4c is in contact with the lower guide rod 6B.

  The cap 4 that has been transported through the regulated transport section 6b of approximately ¼ circumference while being regulated by the star wheel 24 is released from the pocket 24a of the star wheel 24 when entering the free transport section 6c on the downstream side of the cap chute 6. Then, the lower guide rod 6B is guided by the upper and left and right guide rods 6A, 6C, 6D and is rotated and conveyed in the free conveyance section 6c on the downstream side. The cap 4 that has been transported in close contact with the upstream free transport section 6a in the front-rear direction is separated by the star wheel 24 at intervals between the pockets 24a, and is sent to the downstream free transport section 6c at regular intervals. Then, it is transported in the free transport section 6c. In the regulated transport section 6b, the rotational speed of the star wheel 24 is controlled to transport the cap 4 at a speed slower than the cap transport speed in the downstream free transport section 6c.

  The transport path 6 side of the range (electron beam irradiation range 26) from the lower side of the star wheel 24 (the latter half of the arc-shaped restricted transport section 6b of the cap chute 6) to the middle of the free transport section 6c on the downstream side. An electron beam irradiation means 8 is arranged on the side, and the cap 4 is irradiated with an electron beam within the irradiation range 26. In this electron beam irradiation range 26, it is transported at a predetermined speed by the restriction of the star wheel 24 in the restricted transport section 6 b, and is sterilized by irradiating the electron beam mainly on the inner surface of the cap 4 over a necessary time, and then downstream. In the free transfer section 6c on the side, the caps 4 are not brought into contact with each other by being transported at a certain distance or more, so that the electron beam is deflected by the inner surface of the cap 4 directly irradiated with the electron beam and the magnet 28. The irradiated top surface 4a side and all the outer surfaces of the cylindrical portion 4c through which the electron beam passes are uniformly irradiated with the electron beam and sterilized. Thus, by irradiating the electron beam from one direction, the entire surface of the cap 4 can be irradiated with the electron beam and sterilized. At this time, since the cap 4 is transported while rotating on the lower guide rod 6B in both the regulated transport section 6b and the free transport section 6c, the electron beams are blocked by the guide bars 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. Since the locations to be changed are changed, the entire inner and outer surfaces of the cap 4 can be irradiated with an electron beam. When the electron beam irradiated from the electron beam irradiation means 8 is normal, the sterilized cap 4 is conveyed while rolling in the cap chute 6 as it is, passed through the rear chamber 14 and sent to the capping chamber 16. The capping is performed by a capper (not shown).

  While the electron beam irradiating means 8 normally irradiates the cap 4 transported in the cap chute 6 as described above, the upstream stopper means 32, the downstream stopper means 34, and the exclusion means 36 are The cap 4 is continuously conveyed and irradiated with an electron beam without being operated. However, when an abnormality such as occurrence of discharge or a decrease in vacuum pressure occurs in the electron beam irradiation device 8 and a sufficient electron beam is not irradiated, the control means detects this abnormality, and the downstream stopper means 34 is instructed to prevent the cap 4 from being conveyed, and a stop command for the star wheel 24 is output. The cap 4 that was in the electron beam irradiation range 26 when the electron beam irradiation abnormality occurred is stopped by the stopper 34 a protruding into the cap chute 6 by the air cylinder 34 b of the downstream stopper means 34 and the star wheel 24. . Subsequently, the upstream stopper means 32 is also operated to stop the cap 4 in the upstream free transport section 6a from flowing into the arc-shaped regulation transport section 6b.

  Thereafter, when the trouble of the electron beam irradiation means 8 is resolved and normal electron beam irradiation is possible, the electron beam irradiation is performed while the upstream stopper means 32, the downstream stopper means 34 and the star wheel 24 are stopped. . Since the cap 4 that may have an electron beam irradiation abnormality and may not be completely sterilized is stopped in the electron beam irradiation range 26 by the downstream stopper means 34 and the star wheel 24, normal electron beam irradiation is performed here. And sterilized.

  The cap 4 that has been stopped in the electron beam irradiation range 26 is sterilized by irradiating it with an electron beam, and then the downstream stopper means 34 is released and the driving of the star wheel 24 is restarted and conveyed again. Furthermore, the exclusion means 36 is operated. The air cylinder 36b of the exclusion means 36 is operated to move the exclusion guide rod 36a so that the cap 4 can be dropped. The cap 4 which has been stopped in the electron beam irradiation range 26 by opening the downstream stopper means 34 rolls on the downstream free transport section 6c of the cap chute 6 and falls from the position where the guide rod 36a of the removing means 36 is retracted. Then, it is put into the exclusion box 20 through the discharge passage 18. As described above, even when there is the cap 4 that is not completely sterilized due to the abnormal irradiation of the electron beam, the electron beam irradiation means 8 that has returned to normal again irradiates the electron beam, completely sterilizes it, and then discharges it. Since it did in this way, there is no possibility that the downstream guide rod 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and the space in the aseptic room 12 may be contaminated. In addition, since the space is not contaminated, the recovery time from the occurrence of an abnormality can be shortened.

  Further, in the apparatus according to this embodiment, since the section for transporting the cap 4 while being regulated by the star wheel 24 is provided in the electron beam irradiation range 26, it can be transported at a constant speed slower than the free transport section 6c. In addition, the irradiation distance can be shortened while the inside of the cap 4 that directly contacts the contents of the container after capping can be sterilized over a sufficient amount of time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the electron beam irradiation means 8 and the size of the entire apparatus. In addition, the sterilization time can be easily adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the star wheel 24. Further, in the subsequent free transport section 6c, the cap 4 is transported at an interval in the front-rear direction, so there is no contact between the caps 4 and the electron beam is uniformly applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4c of the cap 4. Can be sterilized by irradiation. Further, by providing the deflecting means to deflect the electron beam, the entire inner and outer surfaces of the cap 4 can be irradiated and sterilized by the single electron beam irradiating means 8.

2 Chamber 4 Cap 6 Transport route (cap chute)
8 Electron beam irradiation means 34 Downstream stopper means 36 Exclusion means

Claims (3)

In the electron beam cap sterilization device that sterilizes the cap by irradiating the electron beam while continuously transporting the cap,
A chamber in which the inside is maintained at a positive pressure, a transport path through which the cap passes through the chamber, an electron beam irradiation means for irradiating the cap transported through the transport path with an electron beam, and an operation of the electron beam irradiation means A control means for detecting an abnormal irradiation of the electron beam, a downstream stopper means for preventing the cap from being transported downstream of the electron beam irradiation range of the transport path, and a cap from the transport path downstream of the downstream stopper means. And an exclusion means for eliminating
The control means instructs the downstream stopper means to block the conveyance of the cap when detecting an abnormal irradiation of the electron beam, and when the electron beam irradiation means can be normally irradiated, the downstream stopper means prevents the cap from being conveyed. The electron beam sterilizing apparatus is characterized in that the downstream stopper means is released and the cap is removed from the transport path by the removing means.   The transport path is composed of a plurality of guide rods, and is arranged to be inclined downward, and includes a cap chute that rolls the inside of the cap to the side, and the downstream stopper means includes the transport path. 2. The electron beam cap sterilization according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is protruded to prevent the conveyance of the cap, and the exclusion means retracts the guide rod at the exclusion position to exclude the cap from the conveyance path. apparatus.   A transfer means for sending the cap to the downstream side is provided in the upstream portion of the electron beam irradiation range of the transport path, and a cap chute that is arranged inclined downward and rolls the cap is provided in the downstream portion, and the transfer An upstream stopper means is provided on the upstream side of the means, and the control means stops the operation of the transfer means upon detecting an irradiation abnormality, and when the electron beam irradiation means can be normally irradiated, the upstream stopper means conveys the cap. 3. The electron beam sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the transfer unit is resumed in accordance with the release of the downstream stopper unit in a state in which blocking is prevented.

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