JP3693079B2 - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus, for example, a sterilization apparatus suitable for use in sterilizing a cap.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a sterilizer for sterilizing a cap before being attached to a container is known. In such a conventional cap sterilization apparatus, the cap is sterilized by the sterilizing liquid in the zone on the inlet side where the cap is supplied, and the sterilizing liquid is washed out by washing the cap with water in the downstream zone. The cap is dried by hot air or the like in the zone.
In addition to the above-described three processing zones for sterilizing the cap, a sterilizing apparatus that sterilizes the cap with steam in the upstream zone and then dries the cap in the downstream zone has also been proposed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional general cap sterilization apparatus described above, it is necessary to change the design according to the length of the sterilization time and the type of the sterilization medium.
An apparatus having a plurality of units each including a cylindrical casing and a conveying screw provided therein, and connecting the plurality of units is also known (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-74566). Publication). According to the apparatus of this publication, the number of units to be installed can be increased or decreased according to the size of the installation place, so that it is not necessary to redesign according to the difference in conditions.
However, in the apparatus disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-74566, the casing of the unit has a cylindrical shape, and it has not been assumed that the article is processed with a different processing medium.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In view of such circumstances, the present invention includes a plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other, and each of the units includes an introduction port through which an article is introduced, an exhaust port through which the article is discharged, and the introduction port. And a plurality of wheels arranged in a zigzag shape for conveying articles downstream from the position, and the plurality of wheels are provided at the position of the introduction port. An inlet wheel that conveys the article downstream, and a discharge wheel that is provided at the position of the outlet and discharges the article downstream from the outlet, and when the units are arranged adjacent to each other Is connected to the outlet in one unit and the inlet in the other unit, and the outlet wheel in one unit and the inlet wheel in the other unit are linked to It is configured so that the article can be delivered from the wheel to the entrance wheel, and when the above units are arranged adjacent to each other, a plurality of processing zones are provided for processing the article with different processing media, Further, the present invention provides a sterilizer provided with a conduit for supplying a processing medium into each processing zone and causing the processing medium to act on an article in each processing zone.
[0005]
[Action]
According to such a configuration, the sterilization apparatus can be disposed without any special design change by changing the number of units in accordance with a change in conditions such as a difference in sterilization time or a difference in processing medium. it can. In addition, since a plurality of zones with different processing media can be provided, the article can be processed with different processing media. Therefore, a series of sterilization steps can be performed on the article with a single sterilization apparatus.
[0006]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a sterilizer for sterilizing the cap 2. The sterilizer 1 includes an inlet unit U1, an intermediate unit U2, and an outlet unit U3. It is configured by connecting in a straight line.
The inside of the sterilizer 1 includes a housing 3 configured by connecting casings C1, C2, and C3 of the units U1, U2, and U3 at adjacent positions. The inside of the housing 3 is roughly divided into four regions by a first partition wall 4, a second partition wall 5, and a third partition wall 6.
That is, the region between the wall 3a on the left side of the housing 3 and the first partition 4 is a supply zone 7 for supplying the cap 2 into the housing 3, and the first partition 4 and the second partition A region between 5 is a sterilization zone 8 for sterilizing the cap 2. The region between the second partition wall 5 and the third partition wall 6 is a cleaning zone 11 for washing away the sterilizing liquid adhering to the cap 2, and the third partition wall 6 and the wall surface 3 b on the right side of the housing 3 The area between the two is a drying zone 12 where the cap 2 is dried.
From the position of the supply zone 7 in the housing 3 to the drying zone 12, twelve conveying wheels 13 are arranged in a staggered manner, and the cap 2 passes through each of the partition walls 4, 5, 6. A possible opening is formed.
Therefore, when the cap 2 is supplied from the supply port 14 provided in the supply zone 7 to the wheel 13 in the supply zone 7, the cap 2 is sequentially transported downstream by each wheel 13 and is supplied to each zone 8, 11, 12. Is configured to pass through. The cap 2 passing through the sterilization zone 8 is sterilized by a sterilizing liquid sprayed from a conduit 15 provided in the sterilization zone 8.
Next, the cap 2 passing through the cleaning zone 11 is washed away with the sterilizing liquid by the aseptic water sprayed from the conduit 16 provided in the cleaning zone 11.
The cap 2 passing through the drying zone 12 is dried by hot air ejected from a conduit 17 provided in the drying zone 12, and thereafter, the casing 3 is discharged from the outlet 18 by the wheel 13 on the most downstream side. It is designed to be discharged to the outside.
Thus, the inlet unit U1 includes a casing C1 and four transport wheels 13 therein. Note that the right side (downstream side) wall portion of the casing C1 is an opening portion 21 that is fully open, and in the state of the inlet unit U1 alone before connection, the wheel 13 positioned at the right end portion is connected. Part is exposed to the outside of the casing C1 through the opening 21.
The wheels 13 in the casing C1 are arranged in a staggered manner, and the wheels 13 at adjacent positions are configured to be linked to each other. The front end of the supply port 14 for supplying the cap 2 to the wheel 13 is positioned on the side of the leftmost (upstream side) wheel 13 in the casing C1.
All the wheels 13 have the same configuration and the same dimensions. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical member 22 is fixed in the vertical direction at the bottom of the casing C <b> 1, and a rotating shaft 23 on the wheel 13 side is rotatably supported on the cylindrical member 22. Thereby, the wheel 13 can rotate on a horizontal plane.
A large-diameter gear 24 is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 23. The gears 24 of the respective wheels 13 at adjacent positions are meshed with each other, and the gear 24 of the most upstream wheel 13 is meshed with a motor-side gear (not shown). Therefore, when this motor is rotated, each wheel 13 is configured to rotate in synchronization.
A semi-circular engaging recess 13a is formed in the outer peripheral portion of each wheel 13 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the side surface of the cap 2 is engaged with the engaging recess 13a. Further, a conventionally known guide member 25 and a pair of upper and lower support members 26 are provided along the outer periphery of the wheel 13 in the vicinity of the outer periphery.
The cap 2 supplied to the supply zone 7 from the supply port 14 is first supported between the upper and lower support members 26 and is positioned inward of the guide member 25, and the cap 2 side in this state The engaging recess 13a of the rotating wheel 13 is engaged with the part, and the cap 2 maintained in a horizontal state as the wheel 13 is rotated is conveyed downstream.
Further, except for the wheel 13 of the supply port 14, a pair of upper and lower pipes P each having a C shape are arranged at positions adjacent to the three wheels 13 on the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 5, both ends of the pipe P are expanded in a flange shape, and the pipes P at adjacent positions are liquid-tight by the coupling 27 in a state where the adjacent ends are in contact with each other. Hold and connect. In this way, the pipes P at the positions of the three wheels 13 are connected, thereby constituting the conduit 15. The upstream end of the conduit 15 formed by connecting the pipes P is closed by a closing member, while the downstream end of the conduit 15 is left open without being closed. It can be connected to a pipe P on the intermediate unit U2 side described later.
Conduit 28 for supplying a sterilizing liquid is connected to the middle of the pipe P at the position of the second and fourth wheels 12 counted from the supply port 14, and ends of these conduits 28 are not shown. Connected to the source. In addition, a plurality of holes are formed at positions facing the cap 2 that the wheel 13 conveys at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pipes P. Therefore, when the sterilizing liquid is supplied into the conduit 15 from the supply source of the sterilizing liquid through the conduit 28, the sterilizing liquid is ejected from a large number of holes provided in the pipe P and is injected into the cap 2. . As the sterilizing solution, chemical solutions such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, ozone water and oxonia are used. As the sterilizing medium, steam can be used instead of the above-described chemical solution.
As described above, in this embodiment, the arc-shaped pipes P can be attached to the positions of the respective wheels 13 as necessary, and the pipes P at adjacent positions can be connected to each other as described above. The end portion which becomes the opening side without being connected can be closed by a closing member as necessary.
Next, the intermediate unit U2 is provided with a casing C2. The casing C2 has openings on the entire upstream and downstream wall surfaces, which serve as openings 31 and 32, respectively. Four wheels 13 are arranged in a staggered manner in the casing C2. Since the configuration of the wheel 13 is the same as the wheel 13 of the inlet unit U1 shown in FIG. 4, a detailed description of the configuration is omitted.
In addition, pipes P can be provided at the positions of the wheels 13 of the intermediate unit U2 as required, as in the case of the inlet unit U1. A pipe P is provided at the position of the leftmost wheel 13 of the intermediate unit U2. The downstream end of the pipe P is closed, while the upstream end is left open. When connecting the inlet unit U1 and the intermediate unit U2, the end of the pipe P opened in the intermediate unit U2 and the end of the downstream pipe P opened on the inlet unit U1 side are connected. I am doing so.
Further, pipes P are also provided at the positions of the most downstream side wheel 13 and the adjacent upstream side wheel 13 in the intermediate unit U2, and the pipes P at the adjacent positions are connected as described above. And the conduit | pipe 16 is comprised by the two pipes P connected in this way. Both ends of the conduit 16 are closed, and a plurality of holes are formed at positions facing the cap 2 at equidistant positions in the longitudinal direction of the conduit 16. Another conduit 33 is connected in the middle of the conduit 16, and the other end of the conduit 33 communicates with a source of sterile water (not shown). Accordingly, when sterilized water is supplied from the water supply source into the conduit 16 through the conduit 33, the sterilized water is jetted from the hole of the conduit 16 toward the cap 2 so that the cap 2 is washed. Yes.
Further, as can be understood from FIG. 1, in a single state before assembly, a part of the wheel 13 on the most upstream side in the intermediate unit U2 and a part of the pipe provided at that position are exposed from the opening 31 to the outside. It is sticking out. Similarly, a part of the most downstream side wheel 13 in the intermediate unit U2 and a part of the pipe P provided at the position protrude from the opening 32 to the outside.
The intermediate unit U2 is configured as described above, and in the present embodiment, only one intermediate unit U2 is provided. However, the installation conditions such as the size of the installation place where the sterilizer 1 is installed and the type of sterilizing liquid are provided. A plurality of intermediate units U2 can be arranged in accordance with the fluctuations.
Next, the outlet unit U3 is provided with a casing C3. The casing C3 has an upstream wall surface opened as an opening 34. Four wheels 13 are provided in a staggered manner in the casing C3. Since the configuration of the wheel 13 is the same as the wheel 13 of the inlet unit U1 shown in FIG. 4, a detailed description of the configuration is omitted.
A pipe P similar to the case of the inlet unit U1 can be provided at the position of each wheel 13 as required. In this embodiment, pipes P are provided at the positions of two adjacent wheels 13 on the center side, and these pipes P are connected as described above. The two pipes P connected together constitute the conduit 17, and both the downstream end and the upstream end of the conduit 17 are closed by a closing member. Each pipe P constituting the conduit 17 is also provided with a large number of holes at positions facing the cap 2. Further, another conduit 35 is connected to a predetermined portion of the conduit 17. The other end of the conduit 35 communicates with a hot air supply source (not shown). Accordingly, when hot air is supplied from the hot air supply source into the conduit 17 through the conduit 35, the hot air is blown from the hole of the conduit 17 toward the cap 2, thereby drying the cap 2. . Note that aseptic air may be supplied to the conduit 17 in place of the hot air as a drying medium to drain and dry the cap 2.
Further, a discharge port 18 is provided close to the position of the most downstream wheel 13 in the outlet unit U3. The discharge port 18 penetrates the wall surface 3b of the casing C3 and protrudes outward. Yes.
Each unit U1, U2, U3 is configured as described above, and these units are arranged as shown in FIG. 1, and the opening 21 of the casing C1 of the inlet unit U1 and the opening 31 of the casing C2 of the intermediate unit U2 Are brought into contact with each other so that the parts are connected together. Further, by connecting in this way, the gear of the wheel 13 on the most downstream side of the inlet unit U1 and the gear 24 of the wheel 13 on the most upstream side of the intermediate unit U2 are engaged with each other. Further, the pipe 15 is formed by connecting the pipes P at the positions of the both wheels 13. Further, the first partition 4 is attached in the casing C1 so as to intersect with the center of the most upstream wheel of the unit U1 connected in this way and to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the casing C1. Further, the second partition wall 5 is mounted in the casing C2 so as to intersect with the center of the wheel 13 at a position where the pipe P in the intermediate unit is not provided and to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the casing C2. Thereby, the supply zone 7 and the sterilization zone 8 are partitioned.
Further, the opening 34 in the casing C3 of the outlet unit U3 is brought into contact with and connected to the downstream opening 32 in the casing C2 of the intermediate unit U2. As a result, the casings C1, C2, and C3 of the three units U1, U2, and U3 are integrally connected. As described above, the casing 3 is configured by these.
Accordingly, the wheel 13 on the most downstream side of the intermediate unit U2 and the wheel 13 on the most upstream side of the outlet unit U3 are interlocked with each other. Then, the third partition wall 6 is mounted in the casing C3 so as to intersect with the center of the most upstream side wheel 13 where the pipe P is not provided in the wheel 13 of the outlet unit U3 and to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the casing C3. ing. The third partition 6 divides the cleaning zone 11 and the drying zone 12 at the adjacent positions.
Since the sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is specially adapted according to the installation conditions such as the variation of the processing medium for sterilizing the cap 2 supplied into the sterilization zone 8 and the size of the installation location. The sterilizer 1 can be disposed by increasing or decreasing the intermediate unit U2 without making a design change.
Moreover, since a plurality of zones 8, 11, and 12 with different processing media can be provided in the sterilizing apparatus 1, the cap 2 conveyed by each wheel 13 can be processed with different processing media. Become. In other words, a series of sterilization steps can be performed on the cap 2 by the single sterilization apparatus 1.
Further, since each of the above-described conduits 15, 16, and 17 is configured to connect a plurality of pipes P as described above, the length of each of the conduits 15, 16, and 17 can be easily set according to installation conditions. Can be changed.
In addition, when supplying steam as a sterilization medium in the sterilization zone 8, the intermediate unit 2 can be omitted.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that the sterilization apparatus can be disposed without performing a special design change according to the difference in installation conditions. Moreover, the effect that the article can be processed with a plurality of different processing media can be obtained. Furthermore, the effect that a series of sterilization steps can be performed on an article with a single sterilization apparatus is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view in which a ceiling of a casing is omitted according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which a part of the main part in FIG. 2 is omitted. FIG. Sectional view [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilizer 2 Cap 8 Sterilization zone 11 Washing zone 12 Drying zone 13 Wheel U1 Inlet unit U2 Intermediate unit U3 Outlet unit

Claims (3)

A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other, and each unit is provided with an introduction port through which an article is introduced, a discharge port through which the article is discharged, and an article provided from the position of the introduction port to the position of the discharge port. And a plurality of wheels arranged in a zigzag shape to convey the flow toward the downstream side,
The plurality of wheels are provided at a position of the introduction port and convey an article downstream, and are provided at a position of the discharge port and a discharge wheel that discharges the article from the discharge port to the downstream side. With
When the units are arranged adjacent to each other, the outlet in one unit and the inlet in the other unit are connected, and the outlet wheel in one unit and the inlet wheel in the other unit are linked. And is configured to allow delivery of articles from the discharge wheel to the inlet wheel,
Further, when the units are arranged adjacent to each other, a plurality of processing zones for processing the article with different processing media are provided, and the processing media are supplied into the processing zones to supply the processing media. A sterilization apparatus, characterized in that a conduit for allowing a treatment medium to act on the article is provided. Each adjacent processing zone is separated by a partition having an opening through which articles can pass,
The processing zone located on the most upstream side among the processing zones is a sterilization zone for sterilizing articles, and is configured so that a processing medium for sterilization is supplied into the sterilization zone via the conduit. And
Further, the processing zone located on the most downstream side among the processing zones is a drying zone for drying the articles, and is configured so that a processing medium for drying is supplied into the drying zone via the conduit. The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein Each conduit in the processing zone is configured by connecting a plurality of arc-shaped pipes arranged along the outer periphery of the wheel at a predetermined position,
The pipes that are adjacent to each other are configured such that one end and the other end thereof can be connected by coupling, and the ends of the pipes that are not connected can be closed by a closing member. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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