JP2021065860A - Cleaning and sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning and sterilization device capable of preventing a processed product placed in a treatment tank from being taken out still in an untreated state.SOLUTION: A cleaning and sterilization device includes a treatment tank 3 that is openable and closable with a door 2 and accommodates a target object to be treated, treatment means for cleaning or sterilizing the target object in the treatment tank 3, notification means 4 for providing notification with display and/or sound, and control means for controlling the treatment means and the notification means 4. When detecting opening of the door 2 or an instruction on the same without starting or finishing cleaning or sterilization treatment after closing the door 2, the control means provides a notification to the effect that the object has not been untreated through the notification means 4. Preferably, notification by the notification means 4 is made when the opening of the door 2 or an instruction on the same is detected after elapse of a preset time from closing of the door 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus for cleaning or sterilizing an object to be treated.

Conventionally, various cleaning / sterilizing devices such as a vacuum boiling cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below and a steam sterilizing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 below are known. In this type of device, the object to be processed is housed in the processing tank, and the object to be processed is cleaned or sterilized with the door of the processing tank closed. After the treatment, the door of the treatment tank is opened, the object to be treated is taken out of the treatment tank, and the object to be treated is discharged to the place of use. The fact that the processing was performed was processed by being housed in the processing tank together with the information on the recording paper output from the device (graphs and numerical values of the temperature and pressure in the processing tank during operation, etc.) and the object to be processed. You can know by the indicator.

However, for example, if a worker A puts an object to be processed in the processing tank but forgets to press the start button for operation or the operation is not accepted due to poor contact even if the start button is pressed, there is an inconvenience. May occur. That is, another worker B may mistakenly think that the operation has been completed and take out the object to be processed from the processing tank. Of course, if you check the chart paper and the indicator, you can see that it is unprocessed, but if you neglect to check it, there is a risk that the unprocessed object will be discharged.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-10509 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-24418

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus capable of preventing an object to be treated placed in a treatment tank from being taken out untreated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 has a processing tank that can be opened and closed by a door and contains an object to be processed, and a processing tank in the processing tank. A processing means for cleaning or sterilizing an object, a notification means for notifying by display and / or sound, and a control means for controlling the processing means and the notification means are provided, and the control means cleans after closing the door. Alternatively, the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus is characterized in that when the opening of the door or an instruction thereof is detected without starting or ending the sterilization process, the notification means notifies that the process has not been performed.

According to the invention of claim 1, when the opening of the door or the instruction thereof is detected without starting or ending the cleaning or sterilizing process after the door is closed, it is possible to notify that the process has not been performed. it can. By such a warning, it is possible to prevent the object to be treated, which has been put into the treatment tank, from being taken out without being treated.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed when the door is opened or an instruction thereof is detected after a set time has elapsed from the closing of the door. It is a cleaning / sterilizing device.

The object to be processed may be stored in the processing tank in a plurality of times, but it may be troublesome to be notified that the processing has not been performed each time the door is opened. However, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when a set time elapses from the closing of the door and an opening of the door or an instruction thereof is detected, a notification is given. Therefore, when the object to be processed is put into the processing tank in a plurality of times before the start of operation, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness without notifying that the object has not been processed.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means opens the door on condition that a predetermined consent operation is performed after the notification by the notification means. The cleaning / sterilizing device described in 1.

According to the invention of claim 3, when the notification that the processing has not been performed is given, the door is opened on condition that the predetermined consent operation is performed. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the object to be treated from being taken out without being treated.

The invention according to claim 4 is the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presence or absence of notification by the notification means can be switched.

According to the invention of claim 4, since it is possible to switch the presence / absence of notification by the notification means, for example, by stopping the notification function at the time of maintenance, smooth work can be performed.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the processing tank is provided with a carry-in side door and a carry-out side door, and when the carry-in side door is closed, the carry-in side door is also closed and then washed or sterilized. The cleaning / sterilization according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the opening of the carry-out side door is instructed without starting or ending the process, the user is notified that the process has not been performed. It is a device.

According to the invention of claim 5, even in the double-door type device including the carry-in side door and the carry-out side door, it is possible to prevent the object to be processed from being taken out from the processing tank without being treated. ..

According to the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the object to be treated placed in the treatment tank from being taken out untreated.

It is a schematic front view which shows the washing and sterilizing apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the door opening process of the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of FIG.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, although an example of the steam sterilizer is shown in appearance, the present invention can be similarly applied to other sterilizers and cleaning devices as described below.

The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a processing tank 3 that can be opened and closed by a door 2 and houses an object to be processed, and a processing means for cleaning or sterilizing the object to be processed in the processing tank 3 (illustrated). (Omitted), a notification means 4 for notifying the operator by display and / or sound, and a control means (not shown) for controlling the door 2, the processing means, the notification means 4, and the like. Further, in this embodiment, the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 is provided with an operation panel 5, and various settings, displays, and the like can be input / output by the operation panel 5. Then, the operation panel 5 can be used as the notification means 4.

The processing tank 3 is a hollow container in which an object to be processed is housed, and can be opened and closed by a door 2. Closing the door 2 typically involves the operation C1 of arranging the door 2 in the opening of the processing tank 3 and then the processing tank 3 and the door (such as by pressing packing against the door 2 from the processing tank 3 side). The operation C2 for sealing the gap with 2 is included. On the contrary, opening the door 2 includes an operation O1 for releasing the seal between the processing tank 3 and the door 2, and then an operation O2 for moving the door 2 from the opening of the processing tank 3. Therefore, closing the door 2 means the operation of C1 or further C2, and opening the door 2 means the operation of O1 or further O2. However, the packing operation (C2, O1) may not be required depending on the device, for example, an ultrasonic cleaning device.

The configuration of the treatment tank 3 is typically as follows. That is, when the cleaning / sterilizing device 1 is a steam sterilizing device, a gas sterilizing device, or a shower cleaning device, the processing tank 3 has an opening on the front surface as shown in the illustrated example, and the opening is opened and closed by the door 2. It is possible. On the other hand, when the cleaning / sterilizing device 1 is a dipping cleaning device or a vacuum boiling cleaning device, the processing tank 3 has an opening on the upper surface, and the opening can be opened and closed by the door 2. However, even if the cleaning / sterilizing device 1 is a dipping cleaning device or a vacuum boiling cleaning device, the treatment tank 3 has an opening on the front surface, and the opening can be opened and closed by the door 2 as in the shower cleaning device and the like. In some cases.

The door 2 is a shutter type in the illustrated example, but may be a hinged door, a sliding door, or the like. In this embodiment, the door 2 can be automatically opened and closed by the door opening / closing mechanism. As described above, this opening / closing operation includes operations O1 and O2 at the time of opening and operations C1 and C2 at the time of closing.

The processing means (not shown) is set according to the method of washing or sterilization. For example, when the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 is a steam sterilizing apparatus, a depressurizing means for decompressing the inside of the processing tank 3, a depressurizing means for introducing outside air into the decompressed processing tank 3, and steam being supplied into the processing tank 3. It is provided with a steam supply means for discharging steam, a drain discharge means for discharging condensed water of steam from the inside of the treatment tank 3, an exhaust means from the inside of the treatment tank 3 pressurized by steam supply, and the like. When the cleaning / sterilizing device 1 is a gas sterilizing device, it is provided with means for supplying sterilizing gas into the processing tank 3 in addition to (or instead of some means) each means of the steam sterilizing device.

On the other hand, when the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 is a shower cleaning apparatus, a cleaning nozzle for injecting a liquid onto the object to be processed is provided in the processing tank 3, and a liquid storage unit is provided in the inner bottom of the processing tank 3. Then, as the processing means, a water supply means to the liquid storage part, a drainage means from the liquid storage part, a circulation means for supplying the liquid of the liquid storage part to the cleaning nozzle, and the like are provided.

When the cleaning / sterilizing device 1 is an immersion cleaning device, it includes a means for supplying water to the inside of the treatment tank 3, a means for draining water from the inside of the treatment tank 3, and a means for heating the stored liquid. In particular, in the case of an ultrasonic cleaning device, an ultrasonic vibrator is further provided. On the other hand, when the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 is a decompression boiling cleaning apparatus, the decompression means for depressurizing the inside of the treatment tank 3 in addition to the water supply means to the treatment tank 3, the drainage means from the treatment tank 3, and the heating means for the stored liquid. A liquid phase air supply means for introducing outside air into the liquid phase portion under reduced pressure, a gas phase air supply means for introducing outside air into the gas phase portion under reduced pressure, and the like are provided. In this case, the object to be treated includes an operation of supplying air to the liquid phase portion and / or the gas phase portion in a state where the inside of the treatment tank 3 is depressurized (and / or the stored liquid is heated) to boil the stored liquid. To wash. In addition, an ultrasonic vibrator may be further provided.

The operation panel 5 is a device that performs various types of input / output. In this embodiment, the operation panel 5 includes a touch panel 6, an operation switch 7, and operation buttons 8 to 11, and each is connected to a control means. A printer 12 is provided at the bottom of the operation panel 5, and a recording paper is output as the operation is performed. For example, a graph (and / or numerical value) of the temperature and pressure in the processing tank 3 during operation is output on this recording paper.

As is well known, the touch panel 6 is configured by incorporating an input device such as a touch pad on the screen of a display device such as a liquid crystal display. Then, various displays are performed on the display device, and when the display button on the screen is pressed, it is detected, and various settings or operations can be performed while appropriately changing the screen display. In this embodiment, the touch panel 6 functions not only as a setting device for operating conditions, but also as a notification means 4 when the door is opened.

In addition to the operation switch 7, in this embodiment, a door opening button 8, a door closing button 9, a start button 10, and a stop button 11 are provided as operation buttons. The operation switch 7 is a power switch, the door open button 8 is a button for instructing the door 2 to be opened (the operation O1 + O2), and the door close button 9 is a button for instructing the door 2 to be closed (the operation C1 + C2). The start button 10 is a button for instructing the start of operation, and the stop button 11 is a button for instructing the stop of operation.

The control means is a controller (not shown) that controls the door 2, the processing means, and the operation panel 5 (including the notification means 4). Specifically, the control means controls the opening and closing of the door 2 and controls the processing means to clean or sterilize the object to be processed in the processing tank 3 based on the instruction from the operation panel 5. Further, when the door 2 is instructed to be opened, the control means executes the door opening process described later.

The control by the control means is generally as follows. That is, when the door opening button 8 is pressed while the operation switch 7 is turned on and the device is activated, the door 2 is opened. As a result, the object to be processed can be taken in and out of the processing tank 3. After that, when the door closing button 9 is pressed, the door 2 is closed. When the start button 10 is pressed while the object to be processed is housed in the processing tank 3 and the door 2 is closed, the object to be processed in the processing tank 3 is washed or sterilized according to a predetermined procedure. When the cleaning or sterilization process is completed (or the stop button 11 is pressed), the process ends. Then, when the door opening button 8 is pressed, the door 2 can be opened and the object to be processed can be taken out from the processing tank 3. However, in this embodiment, when the door 2 is to be opened, a predetermined door opening process is performed so that the object to be processed is not taken out from the processing tank 3 without being washed or sterilized. Be done. Hereinafter, an example of the door opening process by the control means will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the door opening process of the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

When the door opening button 8 is pressed (YES in S1), it is determined whether or not the set time has elapsed since the door was closed (S2). The starting point of the set time is the time when the door is closed most recently, but in some cases, it may be the time when the object to be processed is first put into the empty processing tank 3 (when the door is closed for the first time). The closing of the door 2 can be grasped from one or more of the information such as the detection of pressing the door closing button 9 or the detection of the door 2 at the fully closed position by the sensor.

If the set time has not passed since the door was closed (NO in S2), the door 2 is opened (S6). The object to be processed may be stored in the processing tank 3 in a plurality of times at intervals, and the door 2 is opened and closed each time, but before the set time elapses from the closing of the door 2, before the set time elapses. When the door opening button 8 is pressed, the door 2 is opened without giving a notification described later, so that the work of adding the object to be processed into the processing tank 3 can be smoothly performed.

By making it possible to change the set time using the operation panel 5, it is possible to perform an operation according to the site. That is, since it is known to some extent in advance how much time the object to be processed may be added, the time may be set accordingly. Then, when the door opening button 8 is pressed within the set time, the door 2 is immediately opened to ensure usability, while when the door opening button 8 is pressed beyond the set time, if necessary. By performing the notification described later, it is possible to prevent the unprocessed object to be processed from being taken out.

If the set time has passed since the door was closed (YES in S2), the cleaning or sterilization operation has not started (or the cleaning / sterilization process has not been completed (due to a stop due to an error even if it starts)). Whether or not it is determined (S3). Whether or not it is in the unstarted state can be grasped by whether or not the start button 10 is pressed (after the door is closed). When the start button 10 is pressed and the operation is not in the unstarted state (or the cleaning / sterilizing process is not in the incomplete state) (NO in S3), the door 2 is opened (S6). Of course, in consideration of safety and the like, the door 2 may be opened after satisfying a predetermined condition (for example, after checking the pressure in the processing tank 3). On the other hand, if the start button 10 is forgotten to be pressed, or if the start button 10 is pressed but not accepted due to poor contact (or the cleaning / sterilization process is not completed) (YES in S3), the operation has not started. As a state (or a processing incomplete state), the notification means 4 notifies that the processing has not been completed (S4). For example, a message such as "Please note that it may not be processed" is displayed on the touch panel 6. It is good to display a button saying "OK" on this screen.

When the touch panel 6 is displayed to the effect that it has not been processed, the door 2 is opened on condition that a predetermined consent operation has been performed (S5, S6). The consent operation is, in the present embodiment, pressing down the "OK" button displayed on the touch panel 6. If the "Cancel" button is also prepared on the touch panel 6, if the door opening button 8 is accidentally pressed, the "Cancel" button can be pressed to cancel the opening instruction of the door 2.

According to the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the door 2 is instructed to open without starting (or ending) the cleaning or sterilizing process after the door 2 is closed, it means that the process has not been performed. It can be notified. By such a warning, it is possible to prevent the object to be treated, which has been put into the treatment tank 3, from being taken out without being treated. Moreover, in consideration of the case where the object to be processed is put into the processing tank 3 in a plurality of times before the start of operation, the notification is sent only when the set time elapses from the closing of the door 2 and the opening instruction of the door 2 is received. be able to.

Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described. A plurality of the above-described examples and the modified examples can be used in combination.

In the above embodiment, after the door 2 is closed, basically, when the door 2 is instructed to open without "starting" the cleaning or sterilization process, the notification means 4 notifies that the door 2 has not been processed. Although the notification may be made, the notification may be made not in the operation unstarted state but in the operation incomplete state. That is, as shown in parentheses in the explanation of step S3 of FIG. 2, when the door 2 is instructed to open without "terminating" the cleaning or sterilizing process after the door 2 is closed, the process is unprocessed. The fact may be notified by the notification means 4.

In the above embodiment, when the door opening button 8 is pressed in the state where the operation has not been started (that is, before the actual opening of the door 2), the notification that the processing has not been performed is performed, but the actual opening of the door 2 is performed. When it is detected, it may be notified. For example, the fully open position of the door 2 may be monitored by a sensor such as a limit switch, and the door 2 may be notified in a predetermined case based on the sensor opening the door 2.

In the above embodiment, when the door open button 8 is pressed in the operation not started state, a message is displayed on the touch panel 6 to notify that the processing has not been performed, but the notification method is not limited to the output to the touch panel 6. .. For example, lighting of a lamp, output from a buzzer or a speaker may be used. Further, a plurality of these means may be used in combination.

In the above embodiment, the presence / absence of notification by the notification means 4 may be switched. That is, when the door opening button 8 is pressed, it may be possible to switch whether or not to execute the door opening process of FIG. For example, it may be possible to set the stop of the notification function (execution of the door opening process of FIG. 2) on the maintenance screen by a predetermined operation of the touch panel 6. Then, by stopping the notification function at the time of maintenance, the maintenance work can be smoothly performed. Even when the notification function is stopped, it is preferable that the stop of the notification function is reset by turning off the power switch so that the notification function is enabled at the next startup.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the processing tank 3 has one door 2 (so to speak, the following carry-in side door and carry-out side door are shared and carry-in and carry-out are shared by one door) is shown. However, there may be a plurality of doors 2 of the processing tank 3. For example, the processing tank 3 has openings in the front and rear, and each opening can be opened and closed by the door 2. One door 2 is a carry-in side (general side) door that opens when the object to be processed is carried into the processing tank 3, and the other door 2 is to move the object to be processed after cleaning or sterilization to the outside of the processing tank 3. It is said to be the carry-out side (clean side) door that opens when carrying out. Operation panels 5 are provided on the carry-in side and the carry-out side, respectively. However, the operation panel 5 on the carry-out side may be simpler than the operation panel 5 on the carry-in side. For example, the operation panel 5 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the carry-in side, while the touch panel 6 and the operation switch 7 (and, in some cases, the start button 10 and the stop button 11) are omitted on the carry-out side operation panel 5. It may be the one that has been used. The carry-in side door is opened and closed by the carry-in side door open / close buttons 8 and 9, and the carry-out side door is opened and closed by the carry-out side door open / close buttons 8 and 9.

In the case of such a double-door type device, the carry-in side door can be opened with the carry-out side door closed, and the object to be processed can be accommodated in the treatment tank 3. Then, when the opening of the carry-out side door or the instruction thereof is detected without starting (or ending) the cleaning or sterilization process after closing the carry-in side door, it is sufficient to notify that the process has not been performed. At that time, as in the above embodiment, the carry-in side door may be notified on condition that the set time has elapsed from the closing, or the carry-out side door may be opened on condition that a predetermined consent operation has been performed. If the door is not started, the door on the carry-in side may be opened when the door open button 8 on the carry-in side is pressed, without requiring a special consent operation.

Further, as in the above embodiment, the notification can be performed by the touch panel 6 on the carry-in side, or instead of or in addition to this, the touch panel 6 can be provided on the carry-out side and can be performed by the touch panel 6. .. Alternatively, the carry-out side (and / or the carry-in side) may notify the operator by other display and / or sound.

The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment (including modified examples) and can be appropriately modified. In particular, (a) a processing tank 3 that can be opened and closed by the door 2 and accommodates the object to be processed, (b) a processing means for cleaning or sterilizing the object to be processed in the processing tank 3, and (c) indication. And / or a notification means 4 for notifying by sound, and (d) a processing means and a control means for controlling the notification means 4, and (e) the control means starts a cleaning or sterilizing process after closing the door 2. Alternatively, if the door 2 is opened or its instruction is detected without ending, the other structure can be appropriately changed as long as the notification means 4 notifies that the door 2 has not been processed.

For example, in the above embodiment, the door 2 of the processing tank 3 is opened and closed automatically, but one or both of the opening and closing of the door 2 may be manually performed. Even when the door 2 is opened and closed manually, the opening and closing of the door 2 can be detected by a sensor and controlled in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

Further, in FIG. 2, step S2 may be omitted in some cases. Similarly, in FIG. 2, step S5 may be optional.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of application to a steam sterilizer, a gas sterilizer, a shower cleaning device, a dipping cleaning device or a vacuum boiling cleaning device is shown, but the same can be applied to other cleaning devices and sterilization devices. is there. The processing means may be changed according to the method of washing or sterilization.

1 Cleaning / sterilization device 2 Door 3 Processing tank 4 Notification means 5 Operation panel 6 Touch panel 7 Operation switch 8 Door open button 9 Door close button 10 Start button 11 Stop button 12 Printer

Claims (5)

A processing tank that can be opened and closed at the door and houses the object to be processed,
A processing means for cleaning or sterilizing the object to be processed in this processing tank,
Notification means that notifies by display and / or sound,
The processing means and the control means for controlling the notification means are provided.
When the control means detects the opening of the door or an instruction thereof without starting or ending the cleaning or sterilization process after closing the door, the control means notifies by the notification means that the process has not been performed. Characterized cleaning and sterilization equipment. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed when the door is opened or an instruction thereof is detected after a set time has elapsed from the closing of the door. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means opens the door on condition that a predetermined consent operation is performed after the notification by the notification means. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presence / absence of notification by the notification means can be switched. The processing tank is provided with a carry-in side door and a carry-out side door.
When the carry-in side door is closed and the carry-out side door is closed, and then the cleaning or sterilization process is not started or ended, and the carry-out side door is instructed to open, it is notified that the process has not been performed. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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