JP2019058654A - Sterilization method and sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sterilization method and a sterilization device capable of effectively sterilizing a sterilization target having an irregular shape composed of recesses and projections.SOLUTION: A sterilization method and a sterilization device 1 are individually configured to irradiate a sterilization target 10 having an irregular shape 16 composed of recesses 12 and projections 14, with ultraviolet light. The sterilization method and the sterilization device individually include a plurality of light sources 20 having LED elements that emit ultraviolet light. With the sterilization target 10 arranged at a predetermined irradiation location facing the plurality of light sources 20, the ultraviolet light simultaneously emitted from each of the plurality of LED elements reaches the sterilization target 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a sterilizing method and a sterilizing apparatus used for sterilizing a container containing food.

  As a technique for sterilizing an object to be disinfected (container or the like) by ultraviolet light, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a technology of irradiating ultraviolet light using a mercury lamp.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-116536

A mercury lamp is used for continuous lighting because the life becomes short if the lighting and extinguishing operations are repeated, but it is possible to perform sterilization if the ultraviolet light is irradiated only when the sterilization target is transported to the irradiation area. Therefore, continuous lighting is a waste of power. In addition, when the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light becomes long, the resin etc. existing around the device may be deteriorated.
Therefore, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, with respect to the configuration in which the ultraviolet light is irradiated using the mercury lamp, the mercury lamp is irradiated to the sterilization target only when the sterilization target is transported. In order to do so, a technique for providing a shutter mechanism has been proposed. However, application of the technique of providing a shutter mechanism has a problem that the shape and manufacture of the device become complicated.

This problem is solved by using an LED to emit ultraviolet light instead of a mercury lamp, since there is no need to provide a shutter mechanism, and the shape and manufacture of the device can be simplified.
However, when the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the sterilization target object having the concavo-convex shape formed by the concave portion and the convex portion using the LED, the ultraviolet light is sufficiently applied to the shadowed area formed by the convex portion. As a result, the problem of insufficient sterilization occurs.
The present invention was made focusing on the conventional unsolved problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing method and a sterilizing apparatus capable of effectively sterilizing a sterilizing object having a concavo-convex shape. Do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the sterilization method according to one aspect of the present invention, ultraviolet light is emitted from each of a plurality of light sources having LED elements to a sterilization object having a concavo-convex shape formed by a recess and a protrusion. It is the sterilization method to irradiate. The sterilizing method includes a conveying step of the object to be sterilized, a positioning step, and an ultraviolet irradiation step. In the positioning step, the sterilization target is stopped at a position where ultraviolet light is emitted from a plurality of light sources. In the ultraviolet irradiation step, the object to be disinfected is irradiated with ultraviolet light multiple times from at least one light source disposed at a position where the irradiation intensity to the concave portion is maximum.

  Moreover, the sterilizer which concerns on the other aspect of this invention is a sterilizer which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray with respect to the sterilization target which has the uneven | corrugated shape formed of the recessed part and the convex part. The sterilizer comprises a plurality of light sources for emitting ultraviolet light. Each of the plurality of light sources has an LED element that emits ultraviolet light. In a state where the sterilization target disposed at the irradiation position set in advance and the plurality of light sources face each other, the ultraviolet light simultaneously irradiated from each of the plurality of LED elements reaches the sterilization target.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently apply the ultraviolet light to the region to be shaded formed by the convex portion in the sterilization object, so the sterilization object having the uneven shape is effective. It is possible to provide a sterilizing method and apparatus capable of sterilizing in a controlled manner.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet-ray with respect to the sterilization object. It is an illuminance distribution map showing the relationship between the intensity | strength and direction of the light which LED element radiate | emits. In the sterilizer provided with the conventional structure, it is a figure which shows the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet-ray with respect to sterilization object. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a range enclosed by a circle V in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the sterilization method. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on the modification of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an XI line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on the modification of 3rd embodiment of this invention. In the Example of this invention, it is a graph which shows the relationship between the number of LED elements with which one irradiation unit is equipped, and the logarithmic reduction value per unit time.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings referred to in the following description, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between thickness and planar dimensions, thickness ratio, etc. is different from the actual one. Therefore, specific thicknesses and dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is needless to say that parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios are also included among the drawings.
Furthermore, the embodiments described below illustrate the configuration for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention includes the material of the component, the shape, the structure thereof, and the like. The arrangement etc. are not specified to the following. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims. Further, the directions of “left and right” and “upper and lower” in the following description are merely definitions for convenience of description, and do not limit the technical idea of the present invention. Thus, for example, if the paper is rotated 90 degrees, "left and right" and "up and down" are read interchangeably, and if the paper is rotated 180 degrees, "left" is "right" and "right" is "left". Of course it will be.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
The configuration of the first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 to 3.
The sterilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray with respect to the disinfection target object 10 which is mounted on the moving part 2 (belt) with which a conveying apparatus (for example, belt conveyor) is equipped, and is conveyed. In addition, in FIG. 1, the positional relationship of the movement part 2 and the sterilization object 10 is shown as a typical relationship.
Further, the sterilizing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of light sources 20, a proximity sensor 30, a position control unit 40, and an irradiation control unit 50.

In the first embodiment, as an example, a case where the sterilizer 1 includes two light sources 20a and 20b will be described. In the description in the drawings and the following description, the light source 20 disposed upstream of the direction in which the object to be sterilized 10 is conveyed (shown as "conveying direction" in FIG. 1) is defined as the light source 20a. The light source 20 disposed in the above is defined as a light source 20 b.
The sterilization object 10 has a concavo-convex shape 16 formed by the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 14 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the sterilizing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for irradiating the sterilization object 10 having the concavo-convex shape 16 formed by the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 14 with ultraviolet light. In addition, in FIG. 2, sectional drawing of the sterilization object 10 which made the cutting plane the center line along a conveyance direction is shown.

In the first embodiment, as an example, the case where the object to be sterilized 10 is a plug that closes an opening of a container that contains an article will be described.
Examples of the stopper include a lid of a container (such as a glass bottle) for containing a seasoning of powder, and a cap of a container (PET bottle) for containing drinking water.
The case where the stopper is a cylindrical member having a cylindrical portion 10a and a bottom portion 10b will be described. One end of a cylindrical portion 10a formed in a cylindrical shape is closed by a plate-like bottom portion 10b, and the other end of the cylindrical portion 10a is open.
Therefore, the recessed part 12 and the convex part 14 are formed in the bottom face part 10b (bottom face of the sterilization object 10).
The convex portion 14 is an annular protrusion formed in the bottom surface portion 10 b at a position spaced apart from the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 10 a.
The concave portion 12 is an annular groove formed between the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 10 a and the convex portion 14 in the bottom surface portion 10 b.

(light source)
Each light source 20 emits ultraviolet light.
In the first embodiment, as an example, the case where the ultraviolet light irradiated by the light source 20 is an ultraviolet C wave (UVC) will be described.
The light source 20 a and the light source 20 b are capable of irradiating ultraviolet light, and have at least LED elements (not shown) capable of emitting light in the main emission direction.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the intensity of light emitted from the LED element 22 is defined by the relationship between the intensity and direction of light emitted from the LED element 22. FIG. 3 is an illuminance distribution chart showing the relationship between the intensity of light emitted from the LED element 22 and the direction (angle). Moreover, in FIG. 3, the outline of the area | region which represents distribution of illumination intensity is represented by the dotted line DL. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the vertical axis indicates the intensity of light emitted from the LED element 22 as “NORMALIZED INTENSITY.A.U”.
Note that "light intensity" includes, for example, luminance, illuminance, luminous flux, and luminous intensity.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the light that emits the strongest light is the light that is emitted in the direction (0 [°]) perpendicular to the LED element 22. In FIG. 3, light emitted in a direction perpendicular to the LED element 22 is indicated by an arrow LF.
The main emission direction MRa of the LED element of the light source 20a and the main emission direction MRb of the LED element of the light source 20b are directed to different positions on the sterilization object 10 disposed at the irradiation position which is a preset position. . That is, the LED elements of at least one of the light sources 20 (the light source 20a) and the LED elements of the other light sources 20b (the light source 20b) have different directions of irradiating ultraviolet light, respectively. . The “irradiation position” will be described later.

Further, “the directions of UV irradiation do not match each other” means that a plurality of light sources (light source 20 a and light sources) in a state where the sterilization target 10 disposed at a preset irradiation position and the plurality of light sources 20 face each other. When ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated from 20 b), the main emission directions of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the plurality of light sources reach different positions of the object 10 to be disinfected.
Therefore, “the directions of irradiation of the ultraviolet rays do not match each other” means that the vectors of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the plurality of light sources are the same, and the main emission directions of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the plurality of light sources are parallel. The main emission directions of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source 10 reach the different positions of the object 10 to be disinfected.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the main emission direction MRa is directed to the first irradiation position 12a which is a portion of the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16 located on the upstream side in the transport direction . In addition to this, the main emission direction MRb is directed to the second irradiation position 12 b which is a portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction in the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16.
That is, the main emission direction MR of the LED element included in at least one of the light sources 20 (the light source 20 a and the light source 20 b) faces the recess 12.
In addition, since the sterilization object 10 is a stopper of cylindrical shape, the 1st irradiation position 12a and the 2nd irradiation position 12b have shown the different position of the recessed part 12 which is the same structure.

Further, the plurality of light sources 20 are arranged at equal intervals from each other along a true circle (virtual true circle) opposed to the annular recess 12. That is, the first irradiation position 12a and the second irradiation position 12b are arranged at equal intervals (180 [°] intervals) along the circumferential direction of the recess 12 in the recess 12 formed in a cylindrical shape.
Therefore, the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 included in the irradiation unit are respectively disposed on the circumference of a virtual perfect circle facing the sterilization object 10.
Therefore, in a state where the sterilization object 10 disposed at the irradiation position set in advance and the plurality of light sources 20 face each other, the ultraviolet rays simultaneously irradiated from each of the plurality of LED elements reach different positions of the sterilization object 10 Become.

In addition, at least one of the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 is disposed so that the direction of the light beam having the largest light intensity is directed to the recess 12 and the ultraviolet light is emitted.
When the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light by the light source 20 is defined as “t” and the log reduction value per unit time is defined as “LRV”, the log reduction value LRV is generally proportional to the irradiation time t. Therefore, if the bactericidal effect rate of the light source 20 is defined as “α”, it is considered that the bactericidal effect rate α in a certain time region is theoretically constant.
However, the number of LED elements constituting the light source 20 is not necessarily in proportion to the bactericidal effect ratio α, and even if the number of LED elements constituting the light source 20 is doubled, the bactericidal effect ratio α in a given time is doubled There are many things that do not become.

Therefore, for example, if it is desired to double the bactericidal effect of the light source 20, it is possible to achieve the purpose by doubling the irradiation time, but if the irradiation time is not changed, the light source 20 is configured. It is necessary to double the number of LED elements to be
In addition, within the limited area, as the number of high-output LED elements disposed is smaller, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the heat radiation property of the LED elements, and the junction temperature in the LED elements increases. It is possible to suppress the accompanying decrease in LED output.

(Proximity sensor)
The proximity sensor 30 is formed, for example, using a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, or the like, and detects the presence of the sterilization object 10 in a region set in the direction of the moving unit 2. The proximity sensor 30 that detects the presence of the sterilization object 10 is an information signal indicating that the presence of the sterilization object 10 has been detected (in the following description, it may be described as “the object detection signal”), It is output to the control unit 40 and the irradiation control unit 50.

(Position control unit)
The position control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls the operation of the moving unit 2.
Further, when receiving the input of the object detection signal from the proximity sensor 30, the position control unit 40 stops the operation of the moving unit 2 so that the position of the sterilization object 10 becomes the irradiation position.
Here, the “irradiation position” is a position at which the main emission direction MRa is directed to the first irradiation position 12 a and the main emission direction MRb is directed to the second irradiation position 12 b. The time for stopping the operation of the moving unit 2 is set, for example, according to the output of the light source 20, the shape, the material, and the like of the sterilization object 10.
The position control unit 40 that has stopped the operation of the moving unit 2 emits an information signal indicating that the operation of the moving unit 2 has been stopped (in the following description, it may be described as a “transfer stop signal”). Output to the control unit 50.

(Irradiation control unit)
The irradiation control unit 50 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls the operation of the light source 20.
Further, the irradiation control unit 50, upon receiving the input of the object detection signal from the proximity sensor 30, and upon receiving the conveyance stop signal from the position control unit 40, causes the ultraviolet light C to be emitted from the light source 20a and the light source 20b. . The time for irradiating the ultraviolet C wave is set, for example, according to the output of the light source 20, the shape, the material, and the like of the object 10 to be disinfected.
In the first embodiment, as an example, a case where ultraviolet light C waves are simultaneously irradiated from the light source 20a and the light source 20b will be described.

(Method of sterilization)
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a sterilization method for sterilizing the object to be sterilized 10 performed using the sterilization apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described using FIG. 6.
The sterilization method is a sterilization method which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray from each of a plurality of light sources 20 which have LED elements to sterilization object 10 which has concavo-convex shape 16 formed of crevice 12 and convex part 14.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the sterilization method includes a plurality of transport steps, a plurality of positioning steps, and a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation steps. In the first embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 6, a case will be described in which the sterilization method includes three transport steps, three positioning steps, and three ultraviolet irradiation steps.

(Transporting process)
The transfer step is a step of transferring the object to be sterilized 10 placed on the moving unit 2 from the light source 20 to a region where the ultraviolet C wave can be irradiated.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the 2nd conveyance process (step S4) which is a 2nd conveyance process is performed as a process after the 1st ultraviolet irradiation process (step S3) which is a 1st ultraviolet irradiation process. Similarly, the third conveyance step (step S7), which is the third conveyance step, is performed as a step subsequent to the second ultraviolet irradiation step (step S6), which is the second ultraviolet irradiation step.

(Positioning process)
The positioning step is a step of arranging the sterilization target 10 placed on the moving unit 2 and being transported to an irradiation position where ultraviolet light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 20.
Thereby, in the positioning step, the sterilization object 10 is disposed at a position where the main emission direction MRa is directed to the first irradiation position 12a and the main emission direction MRb is directed to the second irradiation position 12b.
Further, in the positioning step, when the ultraviolet light is irradiated for 1 second from the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 included in the irradiation unit, the average dose amount to the bottom region of the recess 12 is 0.1 mJ / cm ² or more, preferably The object to be disinfected 10 is stopped at a position of 5 mJ / cm ² or more.

(UV irradiation process)
The ultraviolet irradiation step is a step of irradiating the sterilization object 10 with ultraviolet light from a plurality of light sources 20.
In the ultraviolet irradiation step, ultraviolet light is irradiated to the sterilization object 10 from each of the plurality of light sources 20 having LED elements.
Specifically, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the main emission direction MRa of the LED element of at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 (the light source 20a) and the main of the LED elements of the other (the light source 20b) of the plurality of light sources 20 The emitting direction MRb is directed to different positions of the object 10 to be disinfected. Furthermore, ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated from the light source 20a and the light source 20b to different positions of the sterilization object 10 disposed at the irradiation position.

Thereby, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the sterilization object 10 is obtained from the LED element which at least one of the light sources 20 (the light source 20a) has and the LED element which the other of the light sources 20 (the light source 20b) has. Irradiate ultraviolet light to different positions.
In addition to this, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the LED element of the light source 20a and the light source 20b have the main emission direction MRa directed to the first irradiation position 12a and the main emission direction MRb directed to the second irradiation position 12b. UV light is emitted from the LED element.
Thereby, in an ultraviolet irradiation process, an ultraviolet-ray is irradiated from the at least 1 light source 20 arrange | positioned in the position where the irradiation intensity to the recessed part 12 becomes the largest among the sterilization objects 10. FIG. Further, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, ultraviolet light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 20 toward the recess 12 a plurality of times.

Furthermore, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the direction of the light beam having the maximum light intensity is directed from the at least one of the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 toward the recess 12 plural times.
Further, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the ultraviolet irradiation is performed a plurality of times at a plurality of different positions.
In the ultraviolet irradiation step, different positions (first irradiation positions 12 a) of the sterilization target 10 from the LED elements 22 included in at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 and the LED elements 22 included in the other of the plurality of light sources 20. The second irradiation position 12b) is irradiated with ultraviolet light.

(Operation / action)
The operation and action of the first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 4 and 5 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
When sterilizing the object to be disinfected 10 using the sterilizer 1, after placing the object to be disinfected 10 carried on the moving part 2 to the irradiation position, the light source 20a and the light source 20b irradiate ultraviolet light. Do.
As described above, the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 14 are formed on the bottom surface of the sterilization object 10.

  For this reason, in the structure of the sterilizing apparatus provided with the conventional structure, ie, the structure which sterilizes the sterilization object 10 by the ultraviolet-ray irradiated only from one light source 20, as shown, for example in FIG. Occur. In FIG. 4, the main emission direction of the LED element of one light source 20 is indicated by a symbol “MR”. Similarly, the emission direction of light emitted from the LED elements of one light source 20 in a direction other than the main emission direction MR is indicated by a symbol “SR”. In addition, in FIG. 4, as in FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the sterilization object 10 is shown with the center line along the transport direction as a cutting line.

That is, in the sterilizing apparatus having the conventional configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, an area where the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 20 is hard to hit is generated due to the area where the convex portion 14 forms a wall and becomes a shadow. In FIG. 5, the emission direction of the light emitted from the LED element of one light source 20 in a direction other than the main emission direction MR is indicated by a symbol “SR”. Moreover, in FIG. 5, the area | region where the convex part 14 forms a wall and becomes a shadow is shown by code | symbol "SE."
Therefore, in the sterilizer having the conventional configuration, the region SE which is formed by the convex portion 14 is not sufficiently irradiated with the ultraviolet light, so that the problem of insufficient sterilization and the problem of long time to sterilization are realized. Occurs.

On the other hand, in the sterilization apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the main emission direction MRa of the LED element of the light source 20a and the main emission direction MRb of the LED element of the light source 20b I'm facing.
For this reason, in the sterilizing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, it becomes possible to efficiently apply the ultraviolet light to the shadowed area SE formed by the convex portion 14, and the sterilizing apparatus provided with the conventional configuration In comparison, the efficiency of sterilization can be improved. Moreover, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for sterilization.
The above-described first embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described first embodiment, and the embodiment according to the present invention is applicable to any form other than this embodiment. Various modifications can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical concept.

(Effect of the first embodiment)
The sterilization method of the first embodiment can provide the effects described below.
(1) In the positioning step, the sterilization object 10 is stopped at a position where ultraviolet light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 20. Furthermore, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the object to be sterilized 10 is irradiated with ultraviolet light a plurality of times from at least one light source 20 disposed at a position where the irradiation intensity to the concave portion 12 is maximum.
For this reason, it becomes possible to apply an ultraviolet-ray efficiently with respect to the recessed part 12 among the sterilization objects 10, and it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization.
As a result, it is possible to provide a sterilization method capable of effectively sterilizing the sterilization object 10 having the uneven shape 16.
In addition to this, it is possible to shorten the time required for sterilization, so it is possible to reduce power consumption and to prolong the life of the LED element. In addition, it is possible to reduce the heat generated from the LED element.

(2) A plurality of irradiation units provided with a plurality of light sources 20 are arrayed along the transport direction of the object 10 to be disinfected. A plurality of transport processes, positioning processes, and ultraviolet irradiation processes are provided. Furthermore, the multiple irradiation of ultraviolet light is performed at a plurality of different positions.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the variation in the irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light to the bottom surface portion 10 b and the uneven shape 16, and it is possible to effectively sterilize the sterilization object 10 having the uneven shape 16.

(3) The LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 included in the irradiation unit are disposed on the circumference of a virtual perfect circle facing the sterilization object 10, respectively.
For this reason, compared with the case where ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated to one sterilization object 10 from all the light sources 20 included in one irradiation unit, the number of the light sources 20 which irradiate ultraviolet rays to one sterilization object 10 is reduced. It becomes possible.
As a result, the output of the light source 20 can be efficiently irradiated to the recess 12.
In addition, since it becomes possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays in multiple stages to regions where light beams emitted from the light sources 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other, it is possible to increase the amount of energy consumption without increasing it. It is possible to increase the irradiation time of Furthermore, the configuration of the heat dissipation device provided in the light source 20 can be simplified.

(4) In the positioning step, the average dose amount to the bottom region of the recess 12 is 0.1 mJ / cm ² or more when ultraviolet light is irradiated for 1 second from the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 included in the irradiation unit. The object to be sterilized 10 is preferably stopped at a position of 5 mJ / cm ² or more.
As a result, it becomes possible to irradiate the ultraviolet light of the quantity required for sterilization to a bottom part field of crevice 12 for a short time.

(5) In the ultraviolet irradiation step, ultraviolet light is applied to different positions of the sterilization object 10 from the LED element 22 of at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 and the LED element 22 of the other of the plurality of light sources 20 Irradiate.
As a result, it becomes possible to apply ultraviolet rays efficiently toward the recess 12 and it is possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization.

(6) The ultraviolet C wave is irradiated as the ultraviolet light.
As a result, it is possible to improve the bactericidal power as compared with the case where the ultraviolet ray is an ultraviolet ray A wave or an ultraviolet ray B wave.

(7) The object to be sterilized 10 is a plug for closing the opening of the container for containing the article.
As a result, in view of the adhesion to the container and the ease of opening and closing the plug, many plugs having the concavo-convex shape 16 are opposed to the shaded area SE formed by the convex portion 14 in the sterilization object 10 Therefore, it becomes possible to apply ultraviolet rays efficiently, and it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization.
In particular, it is possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization with respect to a stopper that is required to be clean in order to store food and drink, such as a stopper for a container for containing a beverage.

(8) The stopper, which is the object to be sterilized 10, includes the cylindrical portion 10a closed at one end by the bottom portion 10b and open at the other end. In addition to this, the convex portion 14 is an annular projection formed at a position spaced from the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 10a in the bottom portion 10b, and the concave portion 12 is a portion of the cylindrical portion 10a in the bottom portion 10b. It is an annular groove formed between the inner diameter surface and the convex portion 14.
As a result, it is possible to effectively sterilize the sterilization object 10 having the circular uneven shape 16.

(9) The plurality of light sources 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the circle facing the annular recess 12, and ultraviolet light is emitted from the plurality of light sources 20 toward the recess 12.
As a result, it becomes possible to suppress the variation in the irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light to the annular recess 12, and it becomes possible to effectively disinfect the sterilization object 10 having the circular uneven shape 16.
Moreover, if it is the sterilizer 1 of 1st embodiment, it will become possible to show the effect described below.

(10) A plurality of light sources 20 for emitting ultraviolet light are provided, and each of the plurality of light sources 20 has an LED element for emitting ultraviolet light. In addition to this, the ultraviolet light simultaneously irradiated from each of the plurality of LED elements reaches the sterilization object 10 in a state where the sterilization object 10 disposed at the irradiation position set in advance and the plurality of light sources 20 face each other.
For this reason, it becomes possible to apply an ultraviolet-ray efficiently with respect to area | region SE which becomes a shadow formed of the convex part 14 among the sterilization objects 10, and it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization.
As a result, it is possible to provide the sterilization apparatus 1 capable of effectively sterilizing the sterilization object 10 having the uneven shape 16.
In addition to this, it is possible to shorten the time required for sterilization, so it is possible to reduce power consumption and to prolong the life of the LED element. In addition, it is possible to reduce the heat generated from the LED element.

(11) At least one of the LED elements 22 included in the plurality of light sources 20 is disposed so that the direction of the light beam having the largest light intensity is directed to the recess 12 and the ultraviolet light is emitted.
As a result, it becomes possible to apply ultraviolet rays efficiently toward the recess 12 and it is possible to improve the efficiency of sterilization.

(Modification)
(1) In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the LED element of the light source 20 emits light in the direction in which the recess 12 is directed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the direction in which the LED element of the light source 20 emits light is a direction along the bottom of the recess 12, and through the light guide tube 70 that transmits and guides ultraviolet light. Alternatively, ultraviolet light may be irradiated toward the recess 12.
The light guide tube 70 is formed, for example, using an optical fiber or the like, and one end 70 a of the light guide tube 70 is disposed toward the recess 12. Furthermore, the light source 20 is disposed at a position where the direction in which the LED element emits light is directed to the other end 70 b of the light guide tube 70.
With this configuration, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in arranging the light source 20.

(2) In the first embodiment, the main emission direction MRa of the light source 20a is directed to the first irradiation position 12a, and the main emission direction MRb of the light source 20b is directed to the second irradiation position 12b, as shown in FIG. However, it is not limited to this.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the LED elements of the light sources 20 a and the light sources 20 b arranged in parallel direct the light emitting direction to the recess 12. Furthermore, an optical member 80 may be disposed between the light source 20a and the light source 20b and the sterilization object 10, for converting the light emitted from the LED elements of the light source 20a and the light source 20b into parallel light.
The optical material 80 is formed, for example, using a lens or the like. Then, the optical material 80 is emitted from the LED elements of the light source 20 a and the light source 20 b and is disposed at a position where it becomes parallel light by the optical material 80 and is irradiated to the bottom region of the recess 12.
With this configuration, it is possible to improve the positional deviation tolerance for arranging the plurality of light sources 20.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
The configuration of the second embodiment will be described using FIGS. 9 to 11 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above except for the configurations of the light source 20 and the irradiation control unit 50.
The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so the description will be omitted.

(light source)
Each light source 20 emits ultraviolet light.
In the second embodiment, as an example, a case where the sterilizer 1 includes four light sources 20a to 20d will be described. In the description of the drawings and the following description, the light source 20 disposed upstream of the direction in which the object to be sterilized 10 is conveyed (shown as "conveying direction" in FIGS. 9 and 10) is defined as the light source 20a. A light source 20 disposed downstream in the direction is defined as a light source 20b.
Similarly, the light source 20c is disposed between the light source 20a and the light source 20b, and is disposed above the light source 20a and the light source 20b in the vertical direction (shown as "vertical direction" in FIGS. 9 and 11) Specify. Further, the light source 20 disposed between the light source 20a and the light source 20b and located below the light source 20a and the light source 20b is defined as a light source 20d.
In addition, in FIG. 10, sectional drawing of the sterilization object 10 which made the cutting plane the center line in alignment with the conveyance direction is shown. Moreover, in FIG. 11, sectional drawing of the sterilization object 10 which made the central line along the up-down direction a cutting line is shown.

Each light source 20 emits ultraviolet light.
The main emission direction MRa, the main emission direction MRb, the main emission direction MRc of the LED element of the light source 20c, and the main emission direction MRd of the LED element of the light source 20d are in the sterilization object 10 disposed at the irradiation position It is turned to a different position.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the main emission direction MRa is directed to the first irradiation position 12a located on the upstream side in the transport direction in the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16 . In addition to this, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the main emission direction MRb is directed to the second irradiation position 12b located on the downstream side in the transport direction, of the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, the main emission direction MRc is located above the first irradiation position 12a and the second irradiation position 12b in the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16 It is directed to the third irradiation position 12c which is a part. In addition to this, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the main emission direction MRd is located downward between the first irradiation position 12a and the second irradiation position 12b in the concave portion 12 forming the concavo-convex shape 16. It is directed to the fourth irradiation position 12d which is a portion located.
As in the first embodiment described above, since the sterilization object 10 is a cylindrical stopper, the first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c, and the fourth irradiation position 12d are The different positions of the recess 12 of the same construction are shown. The first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c, and the fourth irradiation position 12d are arranged at equal intervals in the concave portion 12 formed in a cylindrical shape.

The plurality of light sources 20a to 20d are arranged at equal intervals from each other along a circle (virtual circle) opposed to the annular recess 12.
That is, the first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c, and the fourth irradiation position 12d are equally spaced along the circumferential direction of the recess 12 in the recess 12 formed in a cylindrical shape (90 °] spaced apart.
Therefore, the first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c and the fourth irradiation position 12d are the centers of the surfaces of the sterilization object 10 facing the respective light sources 20 (the center of the bottom portion 10b). The quadrants divided as a reference are arranged at different positions.

(Irradiation control unit)
When the irradiation control unit 50 receives an input of a target detection signal from the proximity sensor 30 and then receives an input of a conveyance stop signal from the position control unit 40, the irradiation control unit 50 causes the light source 20a and the light source 20b to emit ultraviolet C waves. Then, after the irradiation of the ultraviolet C wave from the light source 20a and the light source 20b is stopped, the ultraviolet C wave is irradiated from the light source 20c and the light source 20d.
Therefore, at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 (the light source 20a, the light source 20b) and the other of the plurality of light sources 20 (the light source 20c, the light source 20d) irradiate ultraviolet light at different timings.
Moreover, the position where the main radiation | emission direction MR of the LED element which the light source 20 which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray with mutually different timing has turned to is arrange | positioned at equal intervals on the surface where the ultraviolet-ray of sterilization object 10 is irradiated.

(Method of sterilization)
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, FIG.9 to FIG. 11, the sterilization method which disinfects the object 10 to be disinfected performed using the sterilizer 1 of 2nd embodiment is demonstrated.
The sterilization method comprises a transfer step, a positioning step, and an ultraviolet irradiation step. In addition, since a conveyance process and a positioning process are the same as that of 1st embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

(UV irradiation process)
The ultraviolet irradiation step is a step of irradiating the sterilization object 10 with ultraviolet light from a plurality of light sources 20.
Moreover, the ultraviolet irradiation process in 2nd embodiment is equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation pre-process and an ultraviolet irradiation post-process which is a process after an ultraviolet irradiation pre-process.
In the ultraviolet irradiation front step, the LED element of the light source 20a and the LED element of the light source 20b with the main emission direction MRa directed to the first irradiation position 12a and the main emission direction MRb directed to the second irradiation position 12b From the UV radiation.

In the ultraviolet irradiation post-stage step, firstly, the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray from the light source 20 (the light source 20a and the light source 20b) which is emitting the ultraviolet ray in the ultraviolet irradiation front-stage process is stopped.
Thereafter, with the main emission direction MRc directed to the third irradiation position 12c and the main emission direction MRd directed to the fourth irradiation position 12d, ultraviolet light is emitted from the LED element of the light source 20c and the LED element of the light source 20d. Irradiate.
That is, in the ultraviolet irradiation step in the second embodiment, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated at different timings to positions where quadrants divided on the basis of the center of the surface of the sterilization object 10 facing the light source 20 are different.

(Operation / action)
The operation and action of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. In addition, the description may be abbreviate | omitted about the operation | movement and effect | action similar to 1st embodiment mentioned above.
When sterilizing the object to be disinfected 10 using the sterilizer 1, first, after placing the object to be disinfected 10 carried on the moving part 2 to the irradiation position, from the light source 20a and the light source 20b Irradiate with ultraviolet light.
Then, after stopping irradiation of the ultraviolet-ray from the light source 20a and the light source 20b, an ultraviolet-ray is irradiated from the light source 20c and the light source 20d.

As described above, since the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 14 are formed on the bottom surface of the sterilization object 10, the structure of the sterilization apparatus having the conventional configuration has a problem that the sterilization becomes insufficient, or sterilization The problem of taking time occurs (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
On the other hand, in the sterilizer 1 according to the second embodiment, the main emission direction MRa to the main emission direction MRd are directed to different positions of the object 10 to be disinfected.
For this reason, with the sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to efficiently apply ultraviolet light to the shadowed area SE formed by the convex portion 14, and a sterilizer having a conventional configuration In comparison, the efficiency of sterilization can be improved. Moreover, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for sterilization.

Furthermore, in the sterilizing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, the ultraviolet light is emitted from the light source 20a and the light source 20b, and after the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the light source 20a and the light source 20b is stopped, the ultraviolet light is emitted from the light source 20c and the light source 20d Do. That is, in the sterilizing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment, at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 and the other of the plurality of light sources 20 emit ultraviolet rays at different timings from each other to form multiple stages (two stages Irradiate with UV rays).
For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the number of the light sources 20 which irradiate an ultraviolet-ray simultaneously compared with the case where an ultraviolet-ray is simultaneously irradiated from all the light sources 20a-20d.
Furthermore, since it becomes possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays in multiple stages to regions where light emitted from each light source 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other, it is possible to increase the amount of energy consumption without increasing it. It is possible to increase the irradiation time of In addition to this, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the heat dissipation device provided in the light source 20.

Moreover, in the sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment, the position where the main emission direction MR of the LED element included in the light source 20 that emits the ultraviolet light at different timings is the surface to which the ultraviolet light of the sterilization object 10 is irradiated. , Are arranged at equal intervals.
For this reason, it becomes possible to irradiate an ultraviolet-ray efficiently with respect to the area | region where the lights radiate | emitted by directions other than main radiation | emission direction MR from each light source 20 mutually overlap in multiple steps.
The above-described second embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described second embodiment, and the embodiment according to the present invention is applicable to any form other than this embodiment. Various modifications can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical concept.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
The sterilizing method of the second embodiment can provide the effects described below.
(1) Ultraviolet rays are emitted at different timings from at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 (the light source 20a and the light source 20b) and the other of the plurality of light sources 20 (the light source 20c and the light source 20d).
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of light sources 20 that simultaneously emit ultraviolet light as compared with the case where ultraviolet light is simultaneously emitted from all the light sources 20.
As a result, the output of the light source 20 can be reduced, and the energy consumption can be reduced.
In addition, since it becomes possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays in multiple stages to regions where light beams emitted from the light sources 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other, it is possible to increase the amount of energy consumption without increasing it. It is possible to increase the irradiation time of Furthermore, the configuration of the heat dissipation device provided in the light source 20 can be simplified.

(2) Ultraviolet rays are irradiated at different timings to positions where quadrants divided on the basis of the center of the surface of the sterilization object 10 facing the light source 20 are different.
As a result, it is possible to efficiently emit ultraviolet light in multiple stages to regions where light beams emitted from the light sources 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other.

(Modification)
(1) In the second embodiment, the first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c, and the fourth irradiation position 12d are the centers of the surfaces of the sterilization object 10 facing the light sources 20. Although the quadrant divided as a standard was arranged in a different position, it is not limited to this.
That is, the quadrants obtained by dividing the first irradiation position 12a, the second irradiation position 12b, the third irradiation position 12c, and the fourth irradiation position 12d on the basis of the center of the surface of the sterilization object 10 facing each light source 20 are the same. It may be arranged at a position.

Third Embodiment
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
The configuration of the third embodiment will be described using FIGS. 12 and 13 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.
The sterilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 12 is an apparatus which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray from the some irradiation unit 60 with respect to the some sterilization target object 10 mounted and conveyed by the movement part 2 with which a conveying apparatus is equipped. In addition, in FIG. 12, the positional relationship of the movement part 2 and the sterilization object 10 is shown as a typical relationship.
In addition, the sterilizer 1 includes a plurality of irradiation units 60.

In the third embodiment, as an example, a case where the sterilizer 1 includes two irradiation units 60a and 60b will be described. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the case where the two irradiation units 60a and 60b irradiate ultraviolet rays to the two sterilization objects 10U and 10D carried on the moving unit 2 and transported will be described.
Further, in the description in FIG. 12 and the following description, the sterilization target object 10 disposed upstream in the transport direction is defined as the sterilization target object 10U, and the sterilization target object 10 disposed downstream in the transport direction is the sterilization target object 10D Specify. Similarly, the irradiation unit 60 disposed upstream in the transport direction is defined as the irradiation unit 60a, and the irradiation unit 60 disposed downstream in the transport direction is defined as the irradiation unit 60b.

The irradiation unit 60a and the irradiation unit 60b are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the adjacent sterilization object 10U and the sterilization object 10D along the transport direction of the sterilization object 10.
Each irradiation unit 60 includes a light source 20, a proximity sensor 30, a position control unit 40, and an irradiation control unit 50. In addition, since the structure of the proximity sensor 30 and the position control part 40 with which each irradiation unit 60 is equipped is the same as that of 1st embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

(light source)
Each light source 20 emits ultraviolet light.
In the third embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIG. 13, the case where the irradiation unit 60a includes two light sources 20a and 20b and the irradiation unit 60b includes two light sources 20c and 20d will be described.
The light source 20 a is a light source 20 disposed above the center of the object to be disinfected 10.
The light source 20 b is a light source 20 disposed below the center of the sterilization object 10.
The light sources 20a and the light sources 20b are arranged at equal intervals (180 [°] intervals) along a circle (virtual circle) opposed to the annular recess 12.

The main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20a and the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20b are directed to different positions in the sterilization object 10U (see FIGS. 9 and 10).
The light source 20c is a light source 20 disposed upstream of the direction in which the object to be sterilized 10 is transported (shown as "transport direction" in FIGS. 12 and 13).
The light source 20 d is a light source 20 disposed downstream in the transport direction.
The light sources 20c and the light sources 20d are arranged at equal intervals (180 [°] intervals) along a circle (virtual circle) opposed to the annular recess 12.
The main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20c and the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20d are directed to different positions in the sterilization object 10D (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

Accordingly, the light sources 20a and 20b included in the irradiation unit 60a and the light sources 20c and 20d included in the irradiation unit 60b are arranged to complement each other, as shown in FIG. 13 (c). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13C, the light sources 20a to 20d are arranged at equal intervals from each other along a circle facing the annular recess 12.
That is, the sterilizer 1 of the third embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of irradiation units 60 including a plurality of light sources 20 along the transport direction of the object 10 to be sterilized. In addition to this, the LED elements included in the light sources 20 included in the plurality of irradiation units 60 are disposed on the circumference of a circle having the same distance from the center of the surface of the sterilization object 10 facing the light source 20 to the outer diameter. doing.

(Irradiation control unit)
The irradiation control unit 50 receives an object detection signal from the proximity sensor 30, and then receives an input of a conveyance stop signal from the position control unit 40, the light source 20a and the light source 20b to the sterilization object 10U. Irradiate ultraviolet C wave. In addition to this, the ultraviolet light C wave is irradiated from the light source 20c and the light source 20d to the sterilization object 10D.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, a plurality of irradiation units 60 including a plurality of light sources 20 are arranged at the same interval as the interval between adjacent sterilization targets 10U and 10D along the transport direction of the sterilization target 10. In addition to this, when the sterilization objects 10U and 10D are moved to the irradiation positions set in advance, ultraviolet light is simultaneously applied to the sterilization objects 10U and 10D at the irradiation positions from the plurality of light sources 20 provided in the irradiation units 60a and 60b. Irradiate.

(Method of sterilization)
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, a sterilization method for sterilizing an object to be sterilized 10, which is performed using the sterilizer 1 of the third embodiment, will be described.
The sterilization method comprises a transfer step, a positioning step, and an ultraviolet irradiation step. In addition, since a conveyance process is the same as that of 1st embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Positioning process)
The positioning step is a step of disposing the object to be disinfected 10U and the object to be disinfected 10D, which are placed on the moving unit 2 and transported, to the irradiation position.
Thereby, in the positioning step, the sterilization object 10U is disposed at a position where the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20a and the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20b face different positions on the sterilization object 10U. Do. In addition to this, in the positioning step, the sterilization object 10D is moved to a position where the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20c and the main emission direction of the LED element of the light source 20d face different positions on the sterilization object 10D. Deploy.

In the positioning step initially performed on the plurality of sterilization targets 10, only one sterilization target 10U placed on the moving unit 2 and transported is disposed at the irradiation position. (UV irradiation process)
The ultraviolet irradiation step is a step of irradiating the sterilization object 10 with ultraviolet light from a plurality of light sources 20.
In the ultraviolet irradiation step, first, the main emission direction MRa is directed to the first irradiation position 12a of the sterilization object 10U, and the main emission direction MRb is directed to the second irradiation position 12b of the sterilization object 10U. In addition to this, in the ultraviolet irradiation step, the main emission direction MRc is directed to the third irradiation position 12c of the sterilization object 10D, and the main emission direction MRd is directed to the fourth irradiation position 12d of the sterilization object 10D. And an ultraviolet-ray is irradiated from the LED element which the light source 20a has, the LED element which the light source 20b has, the LED element which the light source 20c has, and the LED element which the light source 20d has.

That is, in the ultraviolet irradiation process in the third embodiment, when the sterilization targets 10U and 10D move to the irradiation positions set in advance, the irradiation positions are disinfected from the plurality of light sources 20a to 20d provided in the two irradiation units 60a and 60b. Ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated to the objects 10U and 10D.
In the ultraviolet irradiation step performed first on the plurality of sterilization targets 10, when only one sterilization target 10U is moved to the irradiation position, the irradiation positions of the plurality of light sources 20a and 20b included in the irradiation unit 60a are The ultraviolet light is irradiated to the sterilization object 10U.

(Operation / action)
The operation and action of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. In addition, the description may be abbreviate | omitted about the operation | movement and effect | action similar to 1st embodiment mentioned above.
When sterilizing the object to be disinfected 10 using the sterilizer 1, first, after placing the objects to be disinfected 10U and 10D carried on the moving part 2 to the irradiation position, the light source 20a and the light source Ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated from the light source 20c, the light source 20c and the light source 20d.
For this reason, if it is the sterilizer 1 of 3rd embodiment, an ultraviolet-ray will be simultaneously irradiated from the light source 20a-the light source 20d. That is, in the sterilizing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment, at least one of the plurality of light sources 20 and the other of the plurality of light sources 20 simultaneously emit ultraviolet rays at different positions from each other. At the stage), UV irradiation is performed.

For this reason, compared with the case where it is set as the structure provided with four light sources 20 in one irradiation unit and irradiates an ultraviolet-ray simultaneously to one sterilization object 10 from four light sources 20, an ultraviolet-ray is irradiated to one sterilization object 10 It is possible to reduce the number of light sources 20 that
Furthermore, since it becomes possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays in multiple stages to regions where light emitted from each light source 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other, it is possible to increase the amount of energy consumption without increasing it. It is possible to increase the irradiation time of In addition to this, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the heat dissipation device provided in the light source 20.

Further, in the sterilizing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, the position where the main emission direction MR of the LED element of the light source 20 having the ultraviolet light is different from each other is the surface to which the ultraviolet light of the sterilization object 10 is irradiated. , Are arranged at equal intervals.
For this reason, it becomes possible to irradiate an ultraviolet-ray efficiently with respect to the area | region where the lights radiate | emitted by directions other than main radiation | emission direction MR from each light source 20 mutually overlap in multiple steps.
The above-described third embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described third embodiment, and the embodiment according to the present invention is a form other than this embodiment. Various modifications can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical concept.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
The sterilizing method according to the third embodiment can achieve the effects described below.
(1) A plurality of irradiation units 60 including a plurality of light sources 20 are arrayed along the transport direction of the object to be sterilized 10. In addition to this, the LED elements included in the light sources 20 included in the plurality of irradiation units 60 are disposed on the circumference of a circle having the same distance from the center of the surface of the sterilization object 10 facing the light source 20 to the outer diameter. Do.
For this reason, compared with the case where ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated to one sterilization object 10 from all the light sources 20 included in one irradiation unit, the number of the light sources 20 which irradiate ultraviolet rays to one sterilization object 10 is reduced. It becomes possible.
As a result, the output of the light source 20 can be reduced, and the energy consumption can be reduced.
In addition, since it becomes possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays in multiple stages to regions where light beams emitted from the light sources 20 in directions other than the main emission direction MR overlap each other, it is possible to increase the amount of energy consumption without increasing it. It is possible to increase the irradiation time of Furthermore, the configuration of the heat dissipation device provided in the light source 20 can be simplified.

(2) A plurality of irradiation units 60 including a plurality of light sources 20 are arranged at the same intervals as the intervals between adjacent sterilization targets 10U and 10D along the transport direction of the sterilization target 10. In addition to this, when the sterilization objects 10U and 10D move to the irradiation positions set in advance, the plurality of light sources 20 provided in the irradiation units 60a and 60b simultaneously irradiate ultraviolet rays to the sterilization objects 10U and 10D at the irradiation positions Do.
For this reason, compared with the case where ultraviolet rays are simultaneously irradiated to one sterilization object 10 from all the light sources 20 included in one irradiation unit, the number of the light sources 20 which irradiate ultraviolet rays to one sterilization object 10 is reduced. It becomes possible.
As a result, the output of the light source 20 can be reduced, and the energy consumption can be reduced.

(Modification)
(1) In the third embodiment, the irradiation unit 60a includes the two light sources 20a and 20b, and the irradiation unit 60b includes the two light sources 20c and 20d. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the irradiation unit 60a may include three light sources 20e to 20g, and the irradiation unit 60b may include three light sources 20h to 20j.
In this case, the three light sources 20e to 20g are arranged at apexes of an equilateral triangle, looking at the bottom of the object 10 to be disinfected. The three light sources 20h to 20j are arranged at the apex of an equilateral triangle, looking at the bottom of the sterilization object 10, and the main emission directions of the three light sources 20h to 20j are between the main emission directions of the light sources 20e to 20g. Place on

That is, the light sources 20e to 20g are arranged at equal intervals (120 [deg.] Intervals) along a circle (virtual circle) opposed to the annular recess 12. Similarly, the light sources 20h to 20j are arranged at equal intervals (120 [deg.] Intervals) along a circle (virtual circle) opposed to the annular recess 12.
Further, one of the three light sources 20e to 20g (light source 20e) and one of the three light sources 20h to 20j (light source 20h) are disposed in parallel along the transport direction.
Accordingly, the light sources 20e to 20g included in the irradiation unit 60a and the light sources 20h to 20j included in the irradiation unit 60b are arranged to complement each other, as shown in FIG. 14 (c). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14C, the light sources 20e to 20j are arranged at equal intervals from each other along the circle facing the annular recess 12.

  Then, after receiving the input of the object detection signal from the proximity sensor 30, the irradiation control unit 50 receives the input of the conveyance stop signal from the position control unit 40, the light sources 20e to 20g to the sterilization object 10U. , Irradiate the ultraviolet C wave. In addition to this, the ultraviolet light C wave is irradiated from the light sources 20h to 20j to the sterilization object 10D.

The sterilizers of Examples 1 to 5 and the sterilizers of the comparative example will be described with reference to the first to third embodiments and the examples described below.
Example 1
The sterilizing apparatus of Example 1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, that is, two light sources are provided, and the main emission directions of the LED elements of each light source are arranged at equal intervals in the annularly formed recess. The configuration is directed to the two irradiation positions (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
Furthermore, the sterilizer of Example 1 is equipped with the structure which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray simultaneously from two light sources.

(Example 2)
The sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment includes four light sources, and the main emission directions of the LED elements included in each light source are directed to four irradiation positions arranged at equal intervals in the annularly formed recess. A configuration is provided (see FIGS. 9 to 11).
(Example 3)
The sterilizing apparatus of the third embodiment includes six light sources, and the main emission directions of the LED elements included in each light source are directed to six irradiation positions arranged at equal intervals in the annularly formed recess. It has composition.

(Example 4)
The sterilizing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes eight light sources, and the main emission directions of the LED elements included in each light source are directed to eight irradiation positions arranged at equal intervals in the annularly formed recess. It has composition.
(Example 5)
The sterilizing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment includes five light sources, and the main emission directions of the LED elements included in the four light sources of the five are four irradiation positions arranged at equal intervals in a recess formed in an annular shape. With the configuration facing In addition to this, the sterilizing apparatus of the fifth embodiment has a configuration in which the main emission direction of the LED element included in the remaining one of the five light sources is directed to the center of the bottom portion.

(Comparative example)
The sterilization apparatus of the comparative example has a configuration in which only one light source is provided, and the main emission direction of the LED element included in only one light source is directed to the center of the bottom (see FIG. 4).
(Performance evaluation (simulation))
By performing sterilization using the sterilizer of Example 1 to Example 5 and the sterilizer of the comparative example, a simulation on the irradiation performance of ultraviolet light was performed.
The performance evaluation for the irradiation performance is performed by measuring incoherent irradiance (hereinafter referred to as “irradiance”) for the cross sections of the concave portion 12 and the convex portion 14 forming the uneven shape 16 of the sterilization object 10 I did it. The output of the LED element was set to 20 [mW].

Furthermore, the performance evaluation with respect to the sterilization performance was performed by performing the irradiation method of an ultraviolet-ray and performing sterilization with respect to the sterilizer of Example 2 to Example 4, respectively.
Specifically, the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light was 5 [s], and the performance evaluation for the sterilization performance was performed by calculating "LRV / s" which is a logarithmic decrease value (LRV value) per unit time.
First, an irradiation apparatus configured to include a plurality of LED elements for one sterilization target was defined as one irradiation unit. The several LED element with which each irradiation unit is equipped was circumferentially installed at equal intervals with respect to one sterilization object.

And the relationship between the number of LED elements with which one irradiation unit is equipped and the logarithmic decrement per unit time was detected. The detection result is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, although the sterilization performance improves as the number of LED elements provided in one irradiation unit increases, it is confirmed that the logarithmic reduction value per unit time and the number of LED elements are not proportional. The In FIG. 15, the horizontal axis represents the number of LED elements provided in one irradiation unit (indicated as “the number of LEDs per unit” in the drawing). Further, in FIG. 15, the vertical axis represents a logarithmic decrease value per unit time (shown as “LRV / s” in the figure).

That is, when a plurality of high-output LED elements are disposed in a limited area, the heat dissipation property of the heat generated by the LED elements is reduced, and the junction temperature in the LED elements is increased, so that the output of the LED elements is reduced.
And, if an irradiation device configured to include a plurality of LED elements for one sterilization object is defined as one irradiation unit, the number and unit of LED elements arranged at equal intervals on the circumference in the irradiation unit Looking at the relationship with the log reduction value per hour (LRV / s), the proportionality factor is 1.0 or less.

Based on this result, the performance evaluation about Example 2 to Example 4 was performed.
The evaluation of the bactericidal performance of the sterilizing apparatus of Example 2 was performed by the two types of measurement A1 and A2 shown below.
A1. We measure the irradiance at the time of irradiating ultraviolet rays from four light sources at the same time.
A2. Of the four light sources, ultraviolet light was irradiated in two stages by irradiating the ultraviolet light at two different timings from the two light sources that irradiate the ultraviolet light to the two irradiation positions not adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction and the remaining light sources. Measure the irradiance of the case.

The evaluation of the bactericidal performance of the sterilizing apparatus of Example 3 was performed by two types of measurement B1 and B2 shown below.
B1. The six light sources are classified into two sets of three light sources that irradiate ultraviolet light to three irradiation positions disposed at the apex of a regular triangle looking at the bottom of the sterilization object 10. And by measuring the irradiance in the case of performing the irradiation of the ultraviolet light in two steps by irradiating the ultraviolet light at different timing from each other by two sets of light sources.
B2. The six light sources are classified into three sets of two light sources that emit ultraviolet light to two irradiation positions disposed on a straight line passing through the center of the bottom surface of the sterilization object 10. And, by irradiating ultraviolet rays at different timings from each other by three sets of light sources, we measure the irradiance in the case of irradiating ultraviolet rays in three steps.

Evaluation of the bactericidal performance with respect to the sterilizer of Example 4 was performed by three types of measurement C1, C2, and C3 shown below.
C1. Measure the irradiance when ultraviolet light is irradiated simultaneously from eight light sources.
C2. By irradiating the ultraviolet light from the eight light sources at different timings, we measure the irradiance in the case of irradiating the ultraviolet light in two steps.
C3. By irradiating the ultraviolet light from the eight light sources at different timings from each other, we measure the irradiance when the ultraviolet light is irradiated in four steps.

(Evaluation results)
-Irradiation performance As a result of measuring the irradiance with respect to the sterilizer of Example 1 to Example 5 and the sterilizer of Comparative Example, Example 1 to Example 5 emits radiation to the recess 12 as compared with the comparative example. It was confirmed that the illuminance was high.
Thereby, it was confirmed that the sterilizer of Example 1 to Example 5 has high irradiation performance compared with the sterilizer of a comparative example.

-Sterilization performance With respect to the sterilizer of Example 2, as a result of measuring the irradiance by changing the irradiation method of ultraviolet light, LRV / s becomes 0.65 in the measurement of B1, and LRV / s is 0 in the measurement of B2. It became .70.
For the sterilizer of Example 3, as a result of measuring the irradiance by changing the irradiation method of the ultraviolet light, LRV / s becomes 0.90 in the measurement of C1, and LRV / s becomes 1.05 in the measurement of C2. became.
For the sterilizer of Example 4, as a result of measuring the irradiance by changing the irradiation method of the ultraviolet light, LRV / s becomes 1.1 in the measurement of A1, and LRV / s becomes 1.30 in the measurement of A2. , A3 measured LRV / s of 1.40.

(Verification of multistage irradiation)
The number of LED elements required to satisfy a log reduction value per unit time (LRV / s) of 3 was simulated, where the irradiation time of ultraviolet light for one sterilization target was 1 [s].
As a result, in the configuration in which the number of LED elements included in one irradiation unit is two, LED elements included in nine irradiation units are required, that is, eighteen LED elements are required.
Further, in the configuration in which the number of LED elements included in one irradiation unit is four, LED elements included in five irradiation units are required, that is, twenty LED elements are required.
Further, in a configuration in which the number of LED elements included in one irradiation unit is eight, LED elements included in three irradiation units are required, that is, 24 LED elements are required.

As described above, the sterilization efficiency can be improved by arranging a plurality of irradiation units configured to include a small number of LED elements along the transport direction of the sterilization object, and performing multi-stage irradiation with ultraviolet light from the LED elements. Was confirmed.
Thereby, it was confirmed that the structure which performs irradiation of an ultraviolet-ray in multiple steps has high sterilizing performance compared with the structure which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray simultaneously from all the light sources with which one irradiation unit is equipped.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that the sterilization performance is higher as the number of stages of ultraviolet irradiation is higher.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sterilizer, 2 ... Moving part, 10 ... Sterilization object, 10a ... Cylindrical part, 10b ... Bottom part, 12 ... Recess, 12a ... 1st irradiation position, 12b ... 2nd irradiation position, 12c ... 3rd irradiation position , 12d: fourth irradiation position, 14: convex portion, 16: uneven shape, 20: light source, 22: LED element, 30: proximity sensor, 40: position control unit, 50: irradiation control unit, 60: irradiation unit, 70 ... light guide tube, 80 ... optical material, MR ... main emission direction, DL ... outline of area indicating distribution of illuminance, LF ... light emitted in a direction perpendicular to the LED element 22, SE ... convex portion 14 is a wall Areas that form a shadow

Claims (12)

It is a sterilization method which irradiates an ultraviolet-ray from each of a plurality of light sources which have a LED element to a sterilization subject which has a concavo-convex shape formed of a crevice and a convex part,
The sterilizing method includes a conveying step of the object to be sterilized, a positioning step, and an ultraviolet irradiation step.
In the positioning step, the sterilization target is stopped at a position where ultraviolet light is emitted from the plurality of light sources,
At the said ultraviolet irradiation process, the sterilization method which irradiates the said ultraviolet-ray with respect to the said sterilization object in multiple times from the at least 1 said light source arrange | positioned in the position where the irradiation intensity to the said recessed part becomes the largest. A plurality of irradiation units provided with the plurality of light sources are arranged along the transport direction of the sterilization object,
A plurality of the transport step, the positioning step, and the ultraviolet irradiation step;
The sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of irradiations are performed at a plurality of different positions.   The sterilizing method according to claim 2, wherein the LED elements included in the plurality of light sources included in the irradiation unit are disposed on the circumference of a virtual perfect circle facing the object to be disinfected. In the positioning step, the average dose amount to the bottom area of the recess is 0.1 mJ / cm ² or more when the ultraviolet light is irradiated for 1 second from the LED elements of the plurality of light sources included in the irradiation unit. The sterilization method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sterilization object is stopped.   In the ultraviolet irradiation step, the ultraviolet light is irradiated to different positions of the sterilization object from the LED element included in at least one of the plurality of light sources and the LED element included in another of the plurality of light sources The sterilization method as described in any one of Claims 1-4.   A plurality of irradiation units provided with the plurality of light sources are arranged at the same interval as the interval between the adjacent sterilization objects along the transport direction of the sterilization object, and the sterilization object is moved to the preset irradiation position The sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultraviolet light is simultaneously irradiated to the sterilization object at the irradiation position from the plurality of light sources provided in the plurality of irradiation units at the same time.   The sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an ultraviolet ray C wave is irradiated as the ultraviolet ray.   The sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sterilization target is a plug that closes an opening of a container for storing an article. The plug comprises a cylindrical portion which is closed at one end by the bottom and is open at the other end,
The convex portion is an annular protrusion formed at a position where a gap is formed between the bottom surface portion and the inner diameter surface of the cylindrical portion,
The sterilization method according to claim 8, wherein the concave portion is an annular groove formed between the inner diameter surface and the convex portion in the bottom surface portion. The plurality of light sources are arranged at equal intervals from each other along a circle facing the annular recess,
The sterilization method according to claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the plurality of light sources toward the concave portion. It is a sterilizer which irradiates an ultraviolet ray to a sterilization subject which has a concavo-convex shape formed of a crevice and a convex part,
A plurality of light sources for emitting the ultraviolet light;
Each of the plurality of light sources has an LED element that emits ultraviolet light,
The sterilizer with which the said ultraviolet-rays simultaneously irradiated from each of these LED elements reach | attain the said sterilization object in the state which the said sterilization object arrange | positioned in the irradiation position set up beforehand and the said several light source face-to-face.   12. The light source according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the LED elements included in the plurality of light sources is disposed to direct the direction of a light beam having the highest light intensity to the recess and irradiate the ultraviolet light. Sterilizer.

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