JP4174977B2

JP4174977B2 - Ozone sterilizer

Info

Publication number: JP4174977B2
Application number: JP2001171023A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 亮二高橋
Original assignee: IHI Corp
Current assignee: IHI Corp
Priority date: 2001-06-06
Filing date: 2001-06-06
Publication date: 2008-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-06
Also published as: JP2002360674A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、オゾン滅菌装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、各種医療用器具等は滅菌処理を行う必要があり、熱を加えても問題ない被滅菌物には蒸気等を用いた滅菌処理が行われるが、熱を加えると変形してしまうような被滅菌物にはオゾン（Ｏ₃）を用いた滅菌処理が行われている。
【０００３】
この種のオゾンを用いた滅菌装置としては、従来、例えば、特開平９−２７１５１２号公報に記載されたようなものが存在し、これは、圧力容器内に被滅菌物を入れた後、圧力容器内を減圧してオゾンを供給し、被滅菌物の滅菌を行うようにしたものである。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前述の如き従来のオゾン滅菌装置では、オゾンが菌を不活性化する際に水分が消費されるため、高い相対湿度が必要とされるが、通常、オゾンと菌との反応により水分が消費された場合、その周囲から拡散してくる水分により菌の不活性化が進むことになる。
【０００５】
しかしながら、従来の場合、図４に示される如く、滅菌処理温度を略一定に保持した状態でオゾンの供給による被滅菌物の滅菌を行うようにしているため、オゾンと菌との反応により水分が消費されると、滅菌に必要な相対湿度が図５に示されるように低下して維持できなくなり、特に、被滅菌物が内視鏡等の細管であったり或いは被滅菌物が滅菌バッグ（ガスは通すが菌は通さない袋）等の中に入れられているような場合、細管内や滅菌バッグの中にはその周囲から水分が拡散しにくくなり、次第に滅菌効果が低下してしまい、被滅菌物の滅菌を充分に行うことができなくなる虞があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、斯かる実情に鑑み、滅菌に必要な相対湿度を維持して滅菌効果の低下を防止し得、被滅菌物の滅菌を充分に行い得るオゾン滅菌装置を提供しようとするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
【０００８】
【０００９】
本発明は、被滅菌物が収納される処理容器と、
該処理容器内を滅菌処理温度範囲より高い温度に加熱した後、処理容器内の温度を下げて行き、該処理容器内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させる加熱装置と、
前記処理容器内を加湿する加湿装置と、
前記処理容器内にオゾンを供給するオゾン供給装置と
前記処理容器内の温度を検出する温度センサと、
前記処理容器内の湿度を検出する湿度センサと、
前記処理容器内のオゾン濃度を検出するオゾン濃度センサと、
オゾンを供給する前に処理容器内を減圧する減圧用ポンプと、
前記温度センサで検出される温度と、湿度センサで検出される湿度と、オゾン濃度センサで検出されるオゾン濃度とに基づき、前記処理容器内を滅菌処理温度範囲より高い温度に加熱した後、該処理容器内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の下限まで低下させる制御信号を前記加熱装置へ出力し、前記処理容器内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させる際にオゾンを供給する制御信号を前記オゾン供給装置へ出力し、オゾンを供給する前に処理容器内を減圧する制御信号を前記減圧用ポンプへ出力する制御装置と
を備え、
前記加熱装置にて処理容器内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させつつ前記オゾン供給装置からオゾンを供給することにより、処理容器内の飽和水蒸気量を温度の低下に伴って少なくし、相対湿度を上げるよう構成したことを特徴とするオゾン滅菌装置にかかるものである。
【００１０】
【００１１】
上記手段によれば、以下のような作用が得られる。
【００１２】
処理容器内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させつつオゾンを供給することにより、処理容器内の飽和水蒸気量は温度の低下に伴って少なくなり、相対湿度は上がる傾向となるため、オゾンと菌との反応により水分が消費されても、滅菌に必要な相対湿度が維持でき、たとえ、被滅菌物が内視鏡等の細管であったり或いは被滅菌物が滅菌バッグ等の中に入れられているような外部からの水分の供給が少ない場合でも相対湿度が維持できるため、滅菌効果が低下してしまうことが避けられ、被滅菌物の滅菌を充分に行うことが可能となる。
【００１３】
一方、オゾンを供給する前に処理容器内を減圧するため、オゾンや水分が細管内や滅菌バッグの中により入り込みやすくなり、被滅菌物の滅菌効果をより向上させることが可能となる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図示例と共に説明する。
【００１５】
図１は本発明を実施する形態の一例であって、基本的には、滅菌バッグ１の中に入れた被滅菌物２が収納される処理容器３と、該処理容器３内を滅菌処理温度範囲より高い温度に加熱した後、処理容器３内の温度を下げて行き、該処理容器３内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させるヒータ等の加熱装置４と、前記処理容器３内を加湿する加湿装置５と、前記処理容器３内にオゾンを供給するオゾン供給装置６とを備え、処理容器３内に被滅菌物２を入れ、該処理容器３内を加熱装置４によって滅菌処理温度範囲より高い温度に加熱し且つ加湿装置５によって加湿した後、処理容器３内の温度を下げて行き、該処理容器３内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させつつオゾン供給装置６からオゾンを供給し、被滅菌物２の滅菌処理を行うよう構成したものである。
【００１６】
本図示例の場合、前記処理容器３には、該処理容器３内の温度７を検出する温度センサ８と、処理容器３内の湿度９を検出する湿度センサ１０と、処理容器３内のオゾン濃度１１を検出するオゾン濃度センサ１２とを取り付ける一方、オゾンを供給する前に処理容器３内を減圧すると共に被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に処理容器３内のオゾンを排気するための減圧装置としての減圧用ポンプ１３と、被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に前記減圧用ポンプ１３の作動により排気される処理容器３内のオゾンを分解して無害化し大気放出するための触媒式等のオゾン分解装置１４と、被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に前記減圧用ポンプ１３の作動により処理容器３内のオゾンを排気する際に処理容器３内へ大気を導入するためのバルブ１５と、該バルブ１５の開放時に大気中に存在する菌が処理容器３内へ侵入することを防止するための滅菌フィルタ１６とを設け、更に、前記温度センサ８で検出される温度７と、湿度センサ１０で検出される湿度９と、オゾン濃度センサ１２で検出されるオゾン濃度１１とが入力される制御装置１７を設け、該制御装置１７において、前記温度７、湿度９、オゾン濃度１１といった検出信号に基づき、前記処理容器３内を滅菌処理温度範囲より高い温度に加熱した後、該処理容器３内の温度を滅菌処理温度範囲の下限まで低下させる制御信号１８を前記加熱装置４へ出力し、前記処理容器３内の温度７を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させる際にオゾンを供給する制御信号１９を前記オゾン供給装置６へ出力し、オゾンを供給する前に処理容器３内を減圧すると共に被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に処理容器３内のオゾンを排気する制御信号２０を前記減圧用ポンプ１３へ出力し、被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に前記減圧用ポンプ１３の作動により排気される処理容器３内のオゾンを分解して無害化し大気放出する制御信号２１を前記オゾン分解装置１４ヘ出力し、被滅菌物２の滅菌処理終了後に前記減圧用ポンプ１３の作動により処理容器３内のオゾンを排気する際に処理容器３内へ大気を導入すべく開放信号２２を前記バルブ１５へ出力するようにしてある。
【００１７】
又、本図示例の場合、前記オゾン供給装置６は、酸素を発生させる酸素発生装置６ａと、該酸素発生装置６ａから供給される酸素をオゾンに変換する放電式オゾン発生装置６ｂとから構成してあり、該オゾン供給装置６からのオゾン或いは酸素を加湿装置５を通して処理容器３内へ供給するようにしてある。
【００１８】
次に、上記図示例の作動を説明する。
【００１９】
先ず、滅菌バッグ１の中に入れた被滅菌物２を処理容器３内に収納すると、温度センサ８で検出される温度７と、湿度センサ１０で検出される湿度９と、オゾン濃度センサ１２で検出されるオゾン濃度１１とが制御装置１７へ入力され、該制御装置１７から出力される制御信号２０により減圧用ポンプ１３が作動してオゾンを供給する前に処理容器３内が所定圧以下（約１００［Ｔｏｒｒ］＝１００×１．３３３２２×１０²［Ｐａ］以下）となるまで減圧され、制御装置１７から出力される制御信号１８により加熱装置４が作動して処理容器３内が滅菌処理温度範囲（例えば、およそ３５〜４０［℃］程度）より高い温度（例えば、およそ５５［℃］程度）に加熱されると共に、制御装置１７から出力される制御信号１９によりオゾン供給装置６の酸素発生装置６ａが作動して、該オゾン供給装置６の酸素発生装置６ａからの酸素が放電式オゾン発生装置６ｂでオゾンに変換されずにそのまま加湿装置５を通して処理容器３内へ供給され、処理容器３内の加湿が行われる。
【００２０】
前記処理容器３内が大気圧に対して陽圧となる前に、前記オゾン供給装置６の酸素発生装置６ａからの酸素の供給が停止され、処理容器３内の温度が加熱装置４の調節により下げられて行き、該処理容器３内の温度が滅菌処理温度範囲の上限まで低下すると、制御装置１７から出力される制御信号１９によりオゾン供給装置６の酸素発生装置６ａ及び放電式オゾン発生装置６ｂが作動して、該オゾン供給装置６の酸素発生装置６ａからの酸素が放電式オゾン発生装置６ｂでオゾンに変換され加湿装置５を通して処理容器３内へ供給され、処理容器３内の温度７が滅菌処理温度範囲の下限に低下するまで被滅菌物２の滅菌処理が行われる。
【００２１】
前記被滅菌物２の滅菌に必要な時間が経過して滅菌処理が終了すると、制御装置１７から出力される開放信号２２によりバルブ１５が開放された状態で、制御装置１７から出力される制御信号２０により前記減圧用ポンプ１３が再び作動し且つ制御装置１７から出力される制御信号２１によりオゾン分解装置１４が作動して、処理容器３内のオゾンが分解されて無害化され大気放出され、処理容器３内の被滅菌物２が取り出される。尚、処理容器３内のオゾンの大気放出時には、バルブ１５の開放により大気が処理容器３内に吸い込まれる形となるが、大気は滅菌フィルタ１６を通過するため、大気中に存在する菌が処理容器３内へ侵入する心配はない。
【００２２】
前述のような操作を行った場合の温度変化は、例えば、図２に示すようになるが、処理容器３内の温度７を滅菌処理温度範囲の上限から下限まで低下させつつオゾンを供給することにより、処理容器３内の飽和水蒸気量は温度の低下に伴って少なくなり、相対湿度は上がる傾向となるため、オゾンと菌との反応により水分が消費されても、滅菌に必要な相対湿度が図３に示す如く維持でき、たとえ、被滅菌物２が内視鏡等の細管であったり或いは被滅菌物２が滅菌バッグ１等の中に入れられているような外部からの水分の供給が少ない場合でも相対湿度が維持できるため、滅菌効果が低下してしまうことが避けられ、被滅菌物２の滅菌を充分に行うことが可能となる。
【００２３】
一方、本図示例においては、オゾンを供給する前に処理容器３内を減圧するようにしているため、オゾンや水分が細管内や滅菌バッグ１の中により入り込みやすくなり、被滅菌物２の滅菌効果をより向上させることが可能となる。
【００２４】
こうして、滅菌に必要な相対湿度を維持して滅菌効果の低下を防止し得、被滅菌物２の滅菌を充分に行い得る。
【００２５】
尚、本発明のオゾン滅菌装置は、上述の図示例にのみ限定されるものではなく、加湿装置はオゾン供給装置から切り離して処理容器の外部に設置してもよいこと、オゾン供給装置は水を供給することによってオゾンを生成する電解式のものを使用してもよいこと等、その他、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲内において種々変更を加え得ることは勿論である。
【００２６】
【発明の効果】
以上、説明したように本発明のオゾン滅菌装置によれば、滅菌に必要な相対湿度を維持して滅菌効果の低下を防止し得、被滅菌物の滅菌を充分に行い得るという優れた効果を奏し得る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を実施する形態の一例の概要構成図である。
【図２】本発明を実施する形態の一例における温度変化とオゾン供給操作との関係を表わす線図である。
【図３】本発明を実施する形態の一例における相対湿度を表わす線図である。
【図４】従来例における温度変化とオゾン供給操作との関係を表わす線図である。
【図５】従来例における相対湿度を表わす線図である。
【符号の説明】
１滅菌バッグ
２被滅菌物
３処理容器
４加熱装置
５加湿装置
６オゾン供給装置
１３減圧用ポンプ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ozone sterilization apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, various medical instruments need to be sterilized, and sterilization using steam etc. is performed on the objects to be sterilized even if heat is applied, but they may be deformed when heat is applied. A sterilization process using ozone (O ₃ ) is performed on an object to be sterilized.
[0003]
Conventionally, as this type of sterilization apparatus using ozone, there is one as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-271512. The inside of the container is decompressed and ozone is supplied to sterilize the object to be sterilized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional ozone sterilization apparatus as described above, moisture is consumed when ozone inactivates the bacteria, so a high relative humidity is required. Usually, however, moisture is consumed by the reaction between ozone and bacteria. In this case, the bacteria are inactivated due to moisture diffused from the surroundings.
[0005]
However, in the conventional case, as shown in FIG. 4, since the sterilization object is sterilized by supplying ozone with the sterilization temperature maintained substantially constant, moisture is caused by the reaction between ozone and bacteria. When consumed, the relative humidity required for sterilization is lowered and cannot be maintained as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the object to be sterilized is a thin tube such as an endoscope, or the object to be sterilized is a sterilization bag (gas In a small tube or sterilization bag, it becomes difficult for moisture to diffuse from the surroundings, and the sterilization effect gradually decreases, and the There is a possibility that the sterilized product cannot be sufficiently sterilized.
[0006]
In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide an ozone sterilization apparatus capable of maintaining a relative humidity necessary for sterilization to prevent a decrease in sterilization effect and sufficiently sterilizing an object to be sterilized. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
[0009]
The present invention includes a processing container in which an article to be sterilized is stored,
A heating apparatus that heats the inside of the processing container to a temperature higher than the sterilization temperature range, lowers the temperature in the processing container, and lowers the temperature in the processing container from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range;
A humidifier for humidifying the inside of the processing container;
An ozone supply device for supplying ozone into the processing container;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the processing container;
A humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the processing container;
An ozone concentration sensor for detecting the ozone concentration in the processing container;
A decompression pump for decompressing the inside of the processing container before supplying ozone;
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, and the ozone concentration detected by the ozone concentration sensor, the inside of the processing container is heated to a temperature higher than the sterilization processing temperature range, A control signal for lowering the temperature in the processing container to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range is output to the heating device, and ozone is supplied when the temperature in the processing container is decreased from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range. A control device for outputting a signal to the ozone supply device, and outputting a control signal for decompressing the inside of the processing container to the decompression pump before supplying ozone ,
By supplying ozone from the ozone supply device while lowering the temperature in the processing container from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range by the heating device, the amount of saturated water vapor in the processing container decreases as the temperature decreases. In addition, the present invention relates to an ozone sterilization apparatus characterized by increasing relative humidity .
[0010]
[0011]
According to the above means, the following operation can be obtained.
[0012]
By supplying ozone while lowering the temperature in the processing container from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range, the amount of saturated water vapor in the processing container decreases as the temperature decreases, and the relative humidity tends to increase. Even if water is consumed due to the reaction between ozone and bacteria, the relative humidity required for sterilization can be maintained. For example, the object to be sterilized is a thin tube such as an endoscope, or the object to be sterilized is in a sterile bag. Since the relative humidity can be maintained even when there is little water supply from the outside as in the case, it is possible to prevent the sterilization effect from being lowered and to sufficiently sterilize the object to be sterilized. .
[0013]
Meanwhile, in order to depressurize the processing chamber before supplying ozone, ozone and moisture is easily enter the inside of the capillary in and sterile bag, it is possible to further improve the sterilization effect of the object to be sterilized.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Basically, a processing container 3 in which an object to be sterilized 2 put in a sterilization bag 1 is stored, and the inside of the processing container 3 is sterilized at a sterilization temperature. After heating to a temperature higher than the range, the temperature in the processing container 3 is lowered, and the heating apparatus 4 such as a heater for lowering the temperature in the processing container 3 from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range, and the processing container 3 is provided with a humidifying device 5 for humidifying the inside of the processing container 3 and an ozone supply device 6 for supplying ozone into the processing container 3, the object 2 to be sterilized is placed in the processing container 3, and the processing container 3 is heated by the heating device 4. After heating to a temperature higher than the sterilization treatment temperature range and humidifying by the humidifier 5, the temperature in the treatment vessel 3 is lowered, and the temperature in the treatment vessel 3 is lowered from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization treatment temperature range. Supply ozone from the ozone supply device 6, Those configured to perform sterilization sterilized 2.
[0016]
In the case of the illustrated example, the processing container 3 includes a temperature sensor 8 that detects the temperature 7 in the processing container 3, a humidity sensor 10 that detects the humidity 9 in the processing container 3, and ozone in the processing container 3. A pressure reducing device for attaching an ozone concentration sensor 12 for detecting the concentration 11 while reducing the pressure in the processing container 3 before supplying ozone and exhausting the ozone in the processing container 3 after the sterilization processing of the article 2 to be sterilized. As a depressurizing pump 13 and a catalytic type ozone for decomposing and detoxifying the ozone in the processing vessel 3 exhausted by the operation of the depressurizing pump 13 after the sterilization processing of the article to be sterilized 2 is released. A decomposition device 14; a valve 15 for introducing the atmosphere into the processing container 3 when the ozone in the processing container 3 is exhausted by the operation of the decompression pump 13 after the sterilization processing of the article 2 to be sterilized; And a sterilizing filter 16 for preventing bacteria present in the atmosphere from entering the processing container 3 when the gas sensor 5 is opened, and further, a temperature 7 detected by the temperature sensor 8 and a humidity sensor 10. The control device 17 to which the humidity 9 and the ozone concentration 11 detected by the ozone concentration sensor 12 are input is provided. In the control device 17, based on detection signals such as the temperature 7, the humidity 9, and the ozone concentration 11, After heating the inside of the processing container 3 to a temperature higher than the sterilization processing temperature range, a control signal 18 for lowering the temperature in the processing container 3 to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range is output to the heating device 4, and the processing container 3 The control signal 19 for supplying ozone when the temperature 7 in the temperature 3 is lowered from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range is output to the ozone supply device 6 and before the ozone is supplied, the processing container 3 And the control signal 20 for exhausting ozone in the processing container 3 is output to the decompression pump 13 after the sterilization process of the article 2 to be sterilized. A control signal 21 for decomposing and detoxifying the ozone in the processing container 3 exhausted by the operation and releasing it to the atmosphere is output to the ozone decomposing device 14, and after the sterilization processing of the sterilized object 2 is completed, the decompression pump 13 is operated. When the ozone in the processing container 3 is exhausted, an open signal 22 is output to the valve 15 in order to introduce the atmosphere into the processing container 3.
[0017]
In the case of the illustrated example, the ozone supply device 6 includes an oxygen generation device 6a that generates oxygen and a discharge type ozone generation device 6b that converts oxygen supplied from the oxygen generation device 6a into ozone. The ozone or oxygen from the ozone supply device 6 is supplied into the processing container 3 through the humidifier 5.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the illustrated example will be described.
[0019]
First, when the article to be sterilized 2 placed in the sterilization bag 1 is stored in the processing container 3, the temperature 7 detected by the temperature sensor 8, the humidity 9 detected by the humidity sensor 10, and the ozone concentration sensor 12. The detected ozone concentration 11 is input to the control device 17, and the pressure inside the processing container 3 is reduced to a predetermined pressure or lower before the depressurization pump 13 is activated by the control signal 20 output from the control device 17 to supply ozone ( The pressure is reduced until approximately 100 [Torr] = 100 × 1.33322 × 10 ² [Pa] or less), and the heating device 4 is activated by the control signal 18 output from the control device 17 so that the inside of the processing container 3 is sterilized. It is heated to a temperature (for example, about 55 [° C.]) higher than a temperature range (for example, about 35 to 40 [° C.]), and an ozone supply device is supplied by a control signal 19 output from the control device 17. The oxygen generator 6a of the apparatus 6 is activated, and oxygen from the oxygen generator 6a of the ozone supply device 6 is not converted into ozone by the discharge type ozone generator 6b but is supplied as it is into the processing container 3 through the humidifier 5 Then, the inside of the processing container 3 is humidified.
[0020]
Before the inside of the processing container 3 becomes positive with respect to the atmospheric pressure, the supply of oxygen from the oxygen generator 6 a of the ozone supply device 6 is stopped, and the temperature in the processing container 3 is adjusted by the adjustment of the heating device 4. When the temperature in the processing container 3 is lowered to the upper limit of the sterilization processing temperature range, the oxygen generator 6a and the discharge ozone generator 6b of the ozone supply device 6 are controlled by a control signal 19 output from the control device 17. Is activated, oxygen from the oxygen generator 6a of the ozone supply device 6 is converted into ozone by the discharge type ozone generator 6b and supplied into the processing vessel 3 through the humidifier 5, and the temperature 7 in the processing vessel 3 is increased. Sterilization of the article to be sterilized 2 is performed until the temperature falls to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range.
[0021]
When the time required for sterilization of the article to be sterilized has elapsed and the sterilization process is completed, a control signal output from the control device 17 in a state where the valve 15 is opened by an open signal 22 output from the control device 17. The decompression pump 13 is operated again by 20 and the ozone decomposing apparatus 14 is operated by the control signal 21 output from the control device 17, so that the ozone in the processing container 3 is decomposed and detoxified and released into the atmosphere. The article to be sterilized 2 in the container 3 is taken out. When the ozone in the processing container 3 is released into the atmosphere, the air is sucked into the processing container 3 by opening the valve 15. However, since the atmosphere passes through the sterilization filter 16, the bacteria present in the atmosphere are treated. There is no worry of entering the container 3.
[0022]
The temperature change when the operation as described above is performed is as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and ozone is supplied while lowering the temperature 7 in the processing container 3 from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range. As a result, the amount of saturated water vapor in the processing vessel 3 decreases as the temperature decreases, and the relative humidity tends to increase. Therefore, even if moisture is consumed by the reaction between ozone and bacteria, the relative humidity required for sterilization is reduced. As shown in FIG. 3, there is an external supply of moisture such that the sterilized object 2 is a thin tube such as an endoscope or the sterilized object 2 is placed in the sterilization bag 1 or the like. Since the relative humidity can be maintained even when the amount is small, the sterilization effect is prevented from being lowered, and the object to be sterilized 2 can be sufficiently sterilized.
[0023]
On the other hand, in the illustrated example, the inside of the processing container 3 is depressurized before supplying ozone, so that ozone and moisture can easily enter into the narrow tube and the sterilization bag 1 and sterilize the article 2 to be sterilized. The effect can be further improved.
[0024]
In this way, the relative humidity necessary for sterilization can be maintained to prevent a decrease in sterilization effect, and the object to be sterilized 2 can be sufficiently sterilized.
[0025]
In addition, the ozone sterilization apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above illustrated example. The humidification apparatus may be separated from the ozone supply apparatus and installed outside the processing container. The ozone supply apparatus supplies water. Of course, various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as the use of an electrolytic type that generates ozone by supplying it.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the ozone sterilization apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the relative humidity necessary for sterilization to prevent a decrease in sterilization effect, and to achieve an excellent effect of sufficiently sterilizing an object to be sterilized. Can play.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a temperature change and an ozone supply operation in an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram representing relative humidity in an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a temperature change and an ozone supply operation in a conventional example.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relative humidity in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilization bag 2 Object to be sterilized 3 Processing container 4 Heating device 5 Humidification device 6 Ozone supply device 13 Pump for pressure reduction

Claims

A processing container for storing an object to be sterilized;
A heating apparatus that heats the inside of the processing container to a temperature higher than the sterilization temperature range, lowers the temperature in the processing container, and lowers the temperature in the processing container from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range;
A humidifier for humidifying the inside of the processing container;
An ozone supply device for supplying ozone into the processing container;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the processing container;
A humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the processing container;
An ozone concentration sensor for detecting the ozone concentration in the processing container;
A decompression pump for decompressing the inside of the processing container before supplying ozone;
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, and the ozone concentration detected by the ozone concentration sensor, the inside of the processing container is heated to a temperature higher than the sterilization processing temperature range, A control signal for lowering the temperature in the processing container to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range is output to the heating device, and ozone is supplied when the temperature in the processing container is decreased from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization temperature range. A control device for outputting a signal to the ozone supply device, and outputting a control signal for decompressing the inside of the processing container to the decompression pump before supplying ozone ,
By supplying ozone from the ozone supply device while lowering the temperature in the processing container from the upper limit to the lower limit of the sterilization processing temperature range by the heating device, the amount of saturated water vapor in the processing container decreases as the temperature decreases. And an ozone sterilizer characterized by increasing relative humidity .