JP5011249B2 - Sterilization apparatus and sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method for sterilizing an object to be treated such as a rubber stopper for sealing a pharmaceutical container such as a syringe sealing material and a vial.

  As is well known, in the production of component parts of medical supplies such as rubber stoppers for sealing pharmaceutical containers such as syringe seals and vials, bacteria and viruses adhere to these component parts. It is common practice to assemble or wear as a medical product after sterilization to prevent contamination.

When sterilizing the sealing material of these syringes or rubber stoppers of pharmaceutical containers, for example, wash water from the bottom of the cleaning container and wash it while overflowing and bubbling. After cleaning, move to the sterilizing container and supply steam. Sterilized, moved to a drying device after sterilization and dried.
Moreover, as what performs washing | cleaning, sterilization, and drying as a series of processes, the technique as shown to the rubber stopper washing | cleaning of patent document 1 is disclosed, for example.
JP 2007-319799 A

  However, when cleaning, sterilization, and drying are performed in different containers, a device suitable for cleaning, sterilization, and drying can be applied. However, a space for installing three devices is required, and the object to be processed is placed between these devices. There is a problem that the object to be treated may be contaminated when moving by the above-mentioned method, and there is a problem that the working efficiency is lowered by the handling work.

  In addition, when washing, sterilization, and drying are performed using the sterilization apparatus disclosed above, the object to be sterilized is not sufficiently stirred by bubbling, and the washing efficiency is low and washing spots are likely to occur. When the apparatus disclosed above is sterilized and dried, a large space and energy are required to invert the container while supplying steam or hot air.

  In addition, when the processing object positioned below in the container is not sufficiently heated by steam, spots are likely to occur in the sterilized state, and it is required to heat the processing object at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. There is a problem that complicated management is required for quality assurance.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and when the object to be processed is sterilized by being contained in a container, it is possible to efficiently sterilize by suppressing the occurrence of sterilization spots on the object to be processed. An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization method capable of performing the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following means.
The invention according to claim 1, a sterilizing apparatus, houses the processing object, a container ing a cylindrical body that is positionable approximately horizontally is closed by both ends walls, said container A supporting motor for supporting, a vibration motor having a rotating shaft extending in a direction connecting the both end portions, and causing the processing object to jump up by vibrating the container, and the processing object to move around in the container ; Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container, steam supply means for supplying steam into the container, processing liquid discharge means for discharging the liquid used for cleaning or sterilization from the container,
E Bei a processing object discharging unit for discharging the processing object out of the container, and the container in a closed state, the device sterilization heating by supplying steam to the vessel, processed in said container A cleaning step in which the container is vibrated by the vibration motor, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply unit to clean the processing object, and the processing liquid is discharged by the processing liquid discharge unit after cleaning. And a sterilization step in which the container is vibrated by the vibration motor, steam is supplied from the steam supply means for a predetermined time to heat and sterilize the object to be processed, and after the sterilization, the steam drain is discharged by the processing liquid discharge means When, characterized that you are configured to perform a drying step of drying the processed object is vibrated by the vessel said vibrating motor.

Invention of Claim 5 is a sterilization method, Comprising: The container which both ends were obstruct | occluded by the wall part and the container formed in the cylindrical shape is made into a sealing state, and supplies the vapor | steam in the said container, and heats and sterilizes it The vibration object accommodates the processing object in the container, and the rotation shaft is arranged in a direction connecting both ends of the container, and the processing object jumps up to move the processing object around in the container. The container is vibrated to supply the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply means to clean the object to be processed , and after the cleaning, the processing liquid is discharged by the processing liquid discharge means, and the container is vibrated by the vibration motor and steam is put into the container. To heat and sterilize the object to be treated,
Vapor drain is discharged by the processing liquid discharge means after sterilization, and the processing object is dried by vibrating the container by the vibration motor while decompressing the inside of the container.

According to the sterilization apparatus and the sterilization method according to the present invention, the object to be processed is vibrated, so that the object to be processed is sufficiently agitated and a gap is frequently formed between the objects to be processed, so that the object to be processed is a cleaning liquid. Fully exposed to steam, etc.
In addition, when the object to be processed is vibrated by the vibration motor, the object to be processed is moved in a direction along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and cleaning and sterilization are efficiently performed while suppressing collision between the objects to be processed. Or can be dried.
As a result, the processing object can be efficiently cleaned, sterilized and cleaned.
In addition, since cleaning, sterilization, and drying can be performed in the same container, there is no need to move the object to be processed, and a series of operations can be performed hygienically and efficiently.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the sterilization apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the cleaning liquid supply means includes a cleaning liquid ejecting member that ejects the cleaning liquid into the container.

  According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is jetted into the gap between the processing objects formed by vibration, and the cleaning liquid sufficiently contacts the surface of the processing object, so that the processing object is efficiently cleaned. be able to.

Invention of Claim 3 is a sterilization apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2, Comprising: The pressure reduction means in a container which pressure-reduces the inside of the said container at least in either the said washing | cleaning process and the said drying process is provided. It is characterized by.

According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning liquid remaining between the objects to be processed and the condensed vapor are evaporated from the object to be processed and removed from the object to be discharged out of the container by vibrating the container while reducing the pressure. Can be dried.
Further, when the inside of the container is depressurized during cleaning and sterilization, it becomes possible to easily allow the cleaning liquid and vapor to enter between the deposited processing objects, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of the cleaning and sterilization. .

Invention of Claim 4 is a sterilization apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 3, Comprising: By making the axis line of the said cylindrical body incline with respect to horizontal , the said process target object, process A tilting means for allowing the liquid to be discharged out of the container is provided.

According to the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, since the tilting means for tilting the axis of the container with respect to the horizontal is provided, the work efficiency is improved by tilting the container and discharging the processing object and the processing liquid. Can do.
Further, by tilting the container to discharge the processing object and the like, it becomes possible to perform cleaning and sterilization while supplying the cleaning liquid and steam, thereby improving work efficiency.
Further, by tilting while vibrating, the occurrence of unevenness (spots) in cleaning, sterilization, or drying is suppressed depending on the position in the container.

  Invention of Claim 6 is a sterilization method of Claim 5, Comprising: Before starting a series of operation | work, it supplies a vapor | steam in a container, and it is a vapor | steam or vapor | steam drain via a process target object discharge part. It is characterized by discharging.

  According to the sterilization method of the present invention, steam is supplied into the container prior to a series of sterilization operations, and this steam is discharged as steam or steam drain via the processing object discharge unit, so that sterilization of the container or the like is efficient. And the contamination of the object to be treated in a series of sterilization operations can be suppressed.

According to the sterilization apparatus and sterilization method of the present invention, the object to be treated can be sufficiently stirred by vibrating the container, so that the quality and efficiency of a series of sterilization operations can be improved.
Further, since a series of sterilization operations are performed in the same container, it is not necessary to move the object to be processed in the sterilization operation, and contamination of the object to be processed can be suppressed and work efficiency can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and reference numeral 1 indicates a sterilization apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilizer 1 includes a sterilizer base 2, a container 20 that accommodates the processing object W, support members 31 and 32 that support the container 20, and an expansion and contraction that allows the container 20 to tilt. A member (tilting means) 40, a vibration motor (vibration source) 50 that vibrates the container 20, a cleaning liquid injection member (cleaning liquid supply means) 60, a processing liquid discharge means 65, a vapor supply pipe 70, a decompression unit (container) And the support members 31 and 32 are provided on the sterilizer stand 2.
In this embodiment, the processing object W is, for example, a rubber stopper for sealing a pharmaceutical container such as a syringe sealing material or a vial.

  2 and 3, the container 20 is formed in a cylindrical body (tubular body) whose outer shape and inner surface are substantially cylindrical, and the wall portion 21A is provided on one side in the axis C direction of the cylindrical body, It is in a sealed state with a wall portion 21B on the side and closed at both ends of the cylindrical body, and is installed with the axis C substantially horizontal.

  In the lower part of the container 20, a plurality of through-holes are formed, and a processing object holding plate 23 for stably holding the processing object W and discharging a processing liquid such as a cleaning liquid downward is provided substantially horizontally. The inner peripheral surface of the container 20 and the processing object holding plate 23 are made of, for example, SUS316L, and can suppress the occurrence of rust and corrosion due to chemicals and steam used in cleaning.

  Further, openings 24 and 25 are formed in the upper part of the container 20 in the direction of the axis C, and lid members 24A and 25A are provided in the openings 24 and 25 so as to be opened and closed, and the lid members 24A and 25A are closed. Thus, the openings 24 and 25 are sealed.

A jacket 26 is formed on the outer periphery of the container 20, and a heating medium such as warm water or steam or a cooling medium such as cooling water is circulated in the jacket 26 from a path (not shown) formed on the outer periphery of the container 20. The temperature of the processing object W at the time of cleaning can be adjusted by heating or cooling the processing object W and the cleaning liquid.
In this embodiment, the jacket 26 is formed on the outer periphery of the container 20, but the wall portions 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B may be provided with a jacket, or the jacket 26 may not be provided.

  In addition, the wall 21A on one side of the container 20 in the direction of the axis C communicates with the inside and the outside of the container 20, and a processing object discharge section 27 that can be opened and closed by a slide valve 28 or the like of the wall section 21A. It is formed near the lower end, and the processing object discharge part 27 is opened, so that the processing object W can be discharged out of the container 20.

A finished product container A is disposed below the processing object discharge unit 27, and the processing object discharge unit 27 is connected to the finished product container A by, for example, an extendable bellows hose and discharged from the processing object discharge unit 27. The processed object W is stored in a finished product container A.
A tank 29 is provided below the finished product container A so that the processing liquid and the steam drain can be received and discharged out of the sterilizer 1.

  The vibration motor 50 is provided near the center in the direction of the axis C of the container 20 on the outer lower side portion of the container 20, and has an eccentric weight formed eccentrically from the center of the rotation axis on the rotation axis. When the eccentric weight rotates together with the rotating shaft, a circular vibration is generated in a plane orthogonal to the rotating shaft, and the processing object W vibrates in the container 20 and rotates. The vibration motor 50 can be driven by appropriately setting the number of rotations and the frequency of vibration according to the type of the processing object W to be cleaned.

  The support members 31 and 32 are constituted by four column members that are vertically erected on the upper part of the sterilizer gantry 2 and can be adjusted to the same length, and both sides of the axis C direction with the vibration motor 50 interposed therebetween. In this case, the container 20 is supported from below on both the left and right sides when viewed from the direction of the axis C. Further, the support members 31 and 32 can be adjusted to the same length by expanding and contracting.

  The support member 31 has a pair of upper support members 31A connected to the lower part of the container 20, and a lower support member 31B corresponding to the upper support member 31A, and between the upper support member 31A and the lower support member 31B. Is provided with an expansion / contraction member (tilting means) 40 that expands and contracts in the vertical direction. When the expansion / contraction member 40 of the support member 31 contracts, the wall 21A on one side moves downward, and when the expansion / contraction member 40 expands, the other wall The container 20 can be inclined with the portion 21B facing downward.

  Similarly to the support member 31, the support member 32 includes a pair of upper support members 32A connected to the lower portion of the container 20, and a lower support member 32B corresponding to the upper support member 32A. An elastic member 40 that expands and contracts in the vertical direction is provided between the member 32A and the lower support member 32B. When the elastic member 40 of the support member 32 contracts, the elastic member 40 expands downward on the other wall 21B. Then, the container 20 can be tilted with the wall portion 21A on one side downward.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the expansion member 40 has an air storage member 44 made of an elastic material such as rubber and capable of storing a fluid such as air therein. The container 20 can be tilted by moving the support members 31A and 32A in the vertical direction.

The storage member 44 is provided with an annular pressing member 44A so as to surround the outer periphery of the storage member 44 in the upper part and the lower part. The upper pressing member 44A is provided on the upper support mounting plate 45, and the lower pressing member 44A is provided on the lower part. Each of the support mounting plates 46 is fixed by a bolt 47.
The telescopic member 40 has an upper support member 31A, 32A fixed to the upper support members 31A, 32A and a lower support member 46 fixed to the lower support members 31B, 32B with bolts 43, respectively. And the lower support members 31B and 32B are connected to each other.

  A through hole 45A is formed in a substantially central portion of the upper support mounting plate 45, the heads of the bolts 41A of the upper support members 31A and 32A are inserted, and the periphery of the through hole 45A is covered with a cover 45B so that the air storage member The inside of the air storage member 44 is prevented from flowing through the through hole 45 </ b> A, and the inside of the air storage member 44 is kept airtight.

  In addition, an air supply hole 46A that connects the inside of the air storage member 44 and the air supply path 42A of the lower support members 31B and 32B is formed in a substantially central portion of the lower support attachment plate 46.

  An annular packing 48 is provided near the outer periphery between the upper support mounting plate 45 and the upper support members 31A and 32A and near the outer periphery between the lower support mounting plate 46 and the lower support members 31B and 32B. The member 40 communicates with the air supply path 42A of the lower support members 31B and 32B and is airtight with the external space.

Further, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided in the air supply path 42A of each of the lower support members 31B and 32B so that the air pressure in the air storage member 44 can be measured. .
In addition, the air storage member 44 constituting the telescopic member 40 is connected to an air source such as an air compressor (not shown) via the air supply path 42A, and the control unit supplies the storage member 44 with the air pressure detected by the pressure sensor. By controlling the supply / discharge of air, the posture of the container 20 can be inclined to a horizontal state and a desired angle.

  The cleaning liquid supply means includes, for example, a cleaning liquid ejecting member 60 that is connected to a water supply source on the upstream side and provided inside the container 20. The processing object W is bounced by vibration and separated from the processing object holding plate 23. The cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the processing object W by being arranged above the region on the side. Further, the cleaning liquid ejecting member 60 has cleaning liquid ejecting nozzles 62 arranged in the direction of the axis C.

The processing liquid discharge means 65 includes a processing liquid discharge pipe 65A and a steam drain pipe 65B. The processing liquid such as the cleaning liquid supplied to the container 20 and the vapor drain are supplied to the container 20 for cleaning the processing object W. It is designed to discharge outside.
The steam supply means is configured by a steam supply pipe 70 whose upstream side is connected to, for example, a clean steam source via the steam valve 71 and whose downstream side is opened into the container 20 via the lid member 24A. Steam is supplied into the container 20 by opening.

The decompression unit 75 includes, for example, a vacuum pump 76, a drain tank 77, and a suction hose 78, and the suction hose 78 is connected to the inside of the container 20 via the valve 79 on the upstream side via the lid member 25 </ b> A on the container 20. Has been.
The drain tank 77 discharges the fluid (air, steam, cleaning liquid mist, etc.) sucked by the vacuum pump 76, and separates the moisture contained in the sucked fluid from the air and drains the condensed steam. It can be discharged as.

Next, cleaning and sterilization of the processing object W by the sterilizer 1 will be described.
Hereinafter, the apparatus sterilization, cleaning, sterilization, and drying will be described in this order. In this specification, the series of sterilization operations refers to a series of necessary steps including cleaning and sterilization in addition to operations performed in the order of device sterilization, cleaning, sterilization, and drying. It is good also as a structure except it, and it can set freely regarding the order of apparatus sterilization, washing | cleaning, sterilization, and drying.
<Device sterilization>
1) First, before the processing object W is charged, the openings 24 and 25 are closed by the lid members 24A and 25A so that the container 20 is sealed.
2) Next, steam is supplied from the steam supply pipe 70, and the inside of the container 20 is heated and sterilized.
3) At this time, the telescopic member 40 on the support member 32 side is expanded to incline the processing object discharge part 27 side of the container 20 downward as shown in FIG. 6A, and the slide valve 28 is opened. The supplied steam is circulated and discharged as steam and steam drain S into the finished product container A through the processing object discharge unit 27, and the product discharge unit 27 and the finished product container A are sterilized.
In addition, you may perform discharge | emission of the vapor | steam to the finished product container A via the process target object discharge part 27 after the supply of the vapor | steam into the container 20 is completed.
<Washing>
1) First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the processing object W is introduced through the openings 24 and 25. When the processing object W is introduced, the openings 24 and 25 are closed by the lid members 24A and 25A, and the container 20 is sealed.
2) Next, the vibration motor 50 is driven, and the container 20 is vibrated by rotating the rotating shaft in the arrow T direction, for example.
The vibration by the vibration motor 50 at this time is caused by, for example, the cleaning liquid ejecting member 60 with the processing object W jumping up below the cleaning liquid ejecting member 60 of the processing object holding plate 23 and sandwiching the axis C as shown in FIG. It is preferable to vibrate so as to move around in the opposite direction.
In addition, for example, when a minute recess or hole is formed in the processing target W and it is necessary to easily enter the cleaning liquid into the recess or hole, the vibration W 50 is driven before the vibration motor 50 is driven. The decompression unit 75 may be driven together with the motor 50 to depressurize the inside of the container 20 to a predetermined pressure, and the air in the recesses and holes may be removed.
If necessary, the cleaning liquid may be supplied from the cleaning liquid ejecting member 60 into the container 20 to store the cleaning liquid to a predetermined liquid level.
3) While the processing object W is being cleaned, the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle of the cleaning liquid spraying member 60 as necessary.
Note that steam may be supplied from the steam supply pipe 70.
4) In cleaning, the expansion member 40 on the support member 31 side is inflated as necessary, and the container 20 is placed horizontally with the treatment liquid discharge means 65 side downward as shown in FIG. 6B. And the valves 66A and 66C are opened to allow the processing liquid discharge pipe 65A to flow and the processing liquid is discharged out of the container 20. When using steam, the valve 66B is opened as necessary to discharge the steam drain.
5) When the cleaning of the processing object W is completed, the processing liquid is sufficiently discharged out of the container 20 from the processing liquid discharge pipe 65A.

<Sterilization>
The sterilization is performed while the cleaned processing object W is stored in the container 20.
1) First, steam is supplied from the steam injection pipe 70.
The vapor | steam at this time shall be 0.15 MPa (125 degreeC) in the state supplied in the container 20, for example, pressurizes the container 20 and the process target W, and heats it.
2) Next, the vibration motor 50 is driven, and the container 20 is vibrated by rotating the rotating shaft in the direction of arrow T as shown in FIG. 5B, for example.
3) Vibration by the vibration motor 50 and supply of steam from the steam injection member 70 into the container 20 are performed for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) by a timer.
4) For sterilization, the elastic member 40 on the support member 31 side is expanded as necessary, and the container 20 is placed horizontally with the treatment liquid discharge means 65 side downward as shown in FIG. 6 (B). And the valves 66A, 66B, and 66C are opened to allow the treatment liquid discharge pipe 65A to flow and the vapor drain is discharged out of the container 20.
At this time, the elastic member 40 on the support member 32 side is expanded as necessary, and the container 20 is inclined downward on the processing object discharge portion 27 side as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the steam drain may be circulated to sterilize the finished product container A or the like again.
The discharge of the processing liquid and the vapor drain is performed while maintaining the pressure in the container 20 through a back pressure valve (not shown) arranged in the processing liquid discharge means 65 or by intermittently opening the valves 66A, 66B, 66C. It is.
5) When the sterilization of the processing object W is completed, the processing liquid discharge pipe 65A and the steam drain pipe 65B are opened, and the steam drain is sufficiently discharged out of the container 20.

<Dry>
Drying is performed subsequent to sterilization, and the sterilized processing object W is transferred while being stored in the container 20.
1) The respective elastic members 40 are controlled to have the same pressure, for example, so that the axis C of the container 20 is horizontal as indicated by 6 (C).
2) Next, the decompression unit 75 is driven to decompress the inside of the container 20 to a predetermined pressure.
3) Next, the vibration motor 50 is driven to vibrate the processing object W in the container 20.
Note that the processing object W may be dried by supplying hot air into the container 20 instead of or under reduced pressure in the container 20. At this time, for example, the hot air having a temperature at which the temperature of the dried processing target W is 70 ° C. is used.
4) When drying is completed, the processing object discharge portion 27 on the wall portion 21A side is opened by turning the handle of the slide valve 28, the expansion member 40 on the support member 32 side is inflated, and the axis C of the container 20 is shown in FIG. The processing object W is discharged from the container 20 to the finished product container A by being inclined as shown in FIG. At this time, the processing object W may be discharged by its own weight or by applying vibration.
In a series of sterilization operations, a heating heat medium such as warm water or steam or a cooling heat medium such as cold water may be circulated through the jacket 26 so that the processing object W in the container 20 is adapted to the characteristics of the material. .

  As described above, according to the sterilization apparatus 1, the processing object W accommodated in the container 20 is sufficiently stirred in the container 20 by vibration, and a gap is easily formed between the processing objects W. Thus, the quality of sterilization can be improved and a series of sterilization operations can be performed efficiently.

According to the sterilization apparatus 1, since the processing object W can be handled manually in a series of sterilization operations, the sterilization operation can be performed efficiently.
Further, since no manual intervention is performed during the sterilization operation, the processing object W is hardly damaged, and the processing object W is prevented from being contaminated.
In addition, by tilting the container 20 with respect to the horizontal so that the axis C is on the side of the processing liquid discharge means 65, the processing liquid, steam drain, etc. can be easily removed from the container 20 while performing a series of sterilization operations. It can be discharged efficiently.

  In addition, by tilting the container 20 with respect to the horizontal so that the axis C is on the processing object discharge unit 27 side, high-temperature steam drain is easily supplied to the finished product container A via the processing object discharge unit 27. Therefore, the processing object discharge unit 27 and the finished product container A can be efficiently sterilized.

  In addition, since each of the support members 31 and 32 that support the container 20 is provided with the expansion / contraction member 40 that expands and contracts by air, the vibration imparted to the container 20 is attenuated from propagating to the floor and is supported. The impact on the members 31 and 32 is alleviated and the support members 31 and 32 are prevented from being damaged.

In addition, about the technical matter described in said embodiment, it is possible to add a various change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.
In the above embodiment, the case where the rotation axis of the vibration motor 50 is arranged in the direction along the axis C of the container 20 to vibrate has been described. For example, the container 20 is arranged in a direction connecting both ends of the container 20. You may arrange | position in the direction which cross | intersects the axis C of this.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where a cleaning liquid supply means was provided with only the cleaning liquid injection member 60 was demonstrated, it replaces with the cleaning liquid injection member 60, or supplies a cleaning liquid into the container 20 with the cleaning liquid injection member 60, for example. It is good also as a structure provided with washing | cleaning liquid supply piping.
Further, the supply of the cleaning liquid into the container 20 by the cleaning liquid supply means may store the cleaning liquid in the container 20 before cleaning, or the cleaning liquid ejecting member continuously or intermittently regardless of whether the cleaning liquid is stored in advance. The cleaning liquid may be supplied into the container 20 from 60 or the cleaning liquid supply pipe.

  Further, the container 20 may be vibrated while the cleaning liquid is stored in the container 20, and the processing object W may be cleaned by bubbling in the cleaning liquid. For example, in cleaning, the stored cleaning liquid may be discharged from the processing liquid. Instead of the pipe 65A or with the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 65A, it may be configured to be discharged out of the container 20 by overflow.

  In addition, regarding the supply of the heat medium to the cleaning liquid supply means, the vapor supply means, the decompression of the container 20 by the decompression unit 75, the treatment liquid discharge means 65, and the jacket 26, it is possible to freely set the implementation and timing.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the axis C of the container 20 was comprised so that inclination was possible was demonstrated, it is good also as a structure which does not tilt the container 20. FIG.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the tilting means was made into the expansion-contraction member 40 which can be expanded-contracted by the air storage member 44, and these were provided in each of the support members 31 and 32, and demonstrated the case where the container 20 was inclined. However, it is good also as a structure which provides the expansion-contraction member 40 only in any one of the supporting members 31 and 32, and inclines the desired side of the container 20 below.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the control unit controls the air pressure of the expansion / contraction member 40 by operating the air supply / discharge means based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor has been described. It may be configured not to be provided. Instead of the control by the pressure sensor and the control unit, air may be manually supplied / discharged so that the measured value of the pressure sensor becomes a desired pressure value, or instead of the pressure sensor. In addition, the tilt state of the container 20 may be detected using a sensor such as an optical sensor or a limit switch.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the supply and discharge of air to and from the expansion and contraction member 40 is performed using the air supply / discharge means via the air supply path 42A has been described. However, the expansion and contraction member 40 is not controlled. The air supply path and the discharge path may be configured as separate paths.

  Further, instead of disposing the air storage member 44 on the support members 31 and 32, for example, a drive source such as an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a motor, an electric actuator, or a tilting means configured by combining these with a link or the like is used. In such a case, it may be connected to a part other than the support members 31 and 32.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the processing target object holding | maintenance board 23 etc. which are arrange | positioned in the container 20 and the container 20 were formed of SUS316L was demonstrated, well-known material which can endure washing | cleaning, such as SUS304, for example It goes without saying that is applicable.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the container of the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the side. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the axial direction. It is a figure which shows the detail of the expansion-contraction part member of the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container seen from the axial direction for demonstrating the effect | action of the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the state which the sterilizer is stationary, (B) is a sterilizer. It is a figure which shows the state which is vibrating. It is a schematic side view explaining the effect | action of the sterilizer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the state of apparatus sterilization, (B) is the state which inclined the container in washing | cleaning and sterilization, (C) is (D) is a figure which shows the state which tilted the process target object discharge | emission part side downwards, after a series of work is completed, in the state which maintained the container horizontal in drying.

Explanation of symbols

C Container axis 1 Sterilizer 20 Container 21A, 21B Wall 30, 31, 32 Support member 40 Telescopic member (tilting means)
50 Vibration motor (vibration source)
60 Cleaning liquid injection member (cleaning liquid supply means)
65 Treatment liquid discharge means 65A Treatment liquid discharge piping (treatment liquid discharge means)
70 Steam supply piping (steam supply means)
75 Pressure reducing unit (pressure reducing means in the container)

Claims (6)

Containing processed object, a container ing a cylindrical body having both ends are positionable approximately horizontally is closed by a wall,
A support member for supporting the container;
A vibration motor that has a rotation shaft extending in a direction connecting the both end portions, and causes the processing object to jump up by vibrating the container to move the processing object around in the container ;
Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container;
Steam supply means for supplying steam into the container;
Treatment liquid discharge means for discharging the liquid used for cleaning or sterilization from the container;
E Bei and a processing object discharging unit for discharging the processing object out of the container,
An apparatus sterilization step of sealing the container and supplying steam to the container for heating;
After the processing object is put into the container, the container is vibrated by the vibration motor to supply the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply means to clean the processing target, and after the cleaning, the processing liquid discharge means performs processing. A cleaning process for discharging the liquid;
A sterilization step of vibrating the container by the vibration motor to supply steam from the steam supply means for a predetermined time to heat and sterilize the object to be processed, and to discharge steam drain by the processing liquid discharge means after sterilization,
Sterilization apparatus according to claim that you are configured to perform a drying step of drying the processed object by vibrating the container by the vibration motor. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1,
The cleaning liquid supply means includes
A sterilizing apparatus comprising a cleaning liquid ejecting member that ejects the cleaning liquid into the container. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A sterilization apparatus comprising an in-container decompression means for decompressing the interior of the container in at least one of the washing step and the drying step . The sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A sterilizing apparatus comprising tilting means for allowing the processing object and processing liquid to be discharged out of the container by tilting the axis of the cylindrical body with respect to the horizontal. A container formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends closed by walls is sealed, and sterilized by supplying steam to the container and heating it,
Containing the object to be treated in the container ;
A rotating shaft is arranged in a direction connecting both ends of the container, and the container is vibrated by a vibration motor that causes the object to be bounced up and moves around the container to supply the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply means. And cleaning the object to be processed ,
After cleaning, discharge the processing liquid by the processing liquid discharge means,
The container is vibrated by the vibration motor and steam is supplied into the container to heat and sterilize the object to be processed.
Vapor drain is discharged by the treatment liquid discharge means after sterilization,
A sterilization method comprising drying the object to be processed by vibrating the container with the vibration motor while decompressing the inside of the container.   6. The sterilization method according to claim 5, wherein the steam is supplied into the container before starting a series of operations, and the steam or steam drain is discharged through the processing object discharge unit. Method.

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