JP6902458B2 - Emergency response method for electron beam sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an emergency coping method for an electron beam sterilizer.

The electron beam sterilizer is a device that sterilizes an object to be sterilized by irradiating the object to be sterilized, and has an advantage that the time for irradiating the object to be sterilized with an electron beam is relatively short. Taking advantage of this advantage, an electron beam sterilizer is usually configured to sterilize an object to be sterilized while continuously transporting it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Generally, an electron beam sterilizer is provided by irradiation with an electron beam while continuously transporting an upstream route in which a sterilized object is continuously supplied from an external (upstream) device and an object to be sterilized from this upstream route. It has a sterilization route for sterilization and a downstream route for continuously discharging the sterilized object from this sterilization route to an external (downstream) device. This downstream route carries a sterilized object to be sterilized, so it is in a sterile environment.

Japanese Patent No. 4420237

As described in Patent Document 1, an emergency such as a trouble may occur in the electron beam sterilizer. As a countermeasure in the event of such an emergency, by discarding all the sterilized objects inside the electron beam sterilizer just in case, the sterilized objects with insufficient sterilization are supplied to the downstream device. You don't have to. However, in the process of disposal, the sterile environment of the electron beam sterilizer may be destroyed by the sterilized object that is insufficiently sterilized. For example, in the case of the electron beam sterilizer (electron beam sterilizer 40) described in Patent Document 1, in an emergency (when an abnormality of the electron beam irradiation itself occurs), FIGS. 7 and 8 of the patent document 1 As shown in the above, the sterilization object (empty plastic container P) is discarded by the removing unit 49 provided in the downstream path, which is the downstream path from the electron beam irradiator (electron beam irradiation mechanism 43). As a result, as described in paragraph [0073] of Patent Document 1, the device on the downstream side (post-process mechanism 11) is not supplied with the sterilized object (empty plastic container P) that is insufficiently sterilized. I'm done. However, of the downstream routes from the electron beam irradiator (electron beam irradiation mechanism 43) in a sterile environment, the route to the removal unit 49 is contaminated with a sterilized object (plastic empty container P) that is insufficiently sterilized. Will be done. Therefore, in reality, it is necessary to dispose of the object to be sterilized (empty plastic container P) and then sterilize the contaminated route with hydrogen peroxide gas or the like. Therefore, in the conventional electron beam sterilizer, when an emergency occurs, work (decontamination) for re-sterilizing the destroyed aseptic environment is required, so that the operation cannot be restarted at an early stage. It was.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an emergency coping method for an electron beam sterilizer capable of resuming operation at an early stage even if an emergency occurs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the first invention is a continuous upstream route in which the sterilized object is continuously supplied from the outside and a sterilized object from the upstream route. In the case of an emergency, an electron beam sterilizer equipped with a sterilization route that sterilizes by irradiating an electron beam while transporting the sterilized object and a downstream route that continuously discharges the sterilized object from this sterilization route to the outside. It is an emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer to deal with.
In the emergency, the determination step of stopping the supply of the sterilized object from the outside to the upstream route and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped.
When it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is restarted, and the sterilized object sterilized by this resumption is continuously discarded from the downstream route, and the determination step is performed. When it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam has not been stopped, the sterilized object to be sterilized is continuously discarded from the downstream route.
Equipped with
In the disposal step, conveying the sterile objects in the sterilization path is slower der Ru method than normal is other than emergency.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the second invention is a continuous upstream route in which the sterilized object is continuously supplied from the outside and a sterilized object from the upstream route. In the case of an emergency, an electron beam sterilizer equipped with a sterilization route that sterilizes by irradiating an electron beam while transporting the sterilized object and a downstream route that continuously discharges the sterilized object from this sterilization route to the outside. It is an emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer to deal with.
In the emergency, the determination step of stopping the supply of the sterilized object from the outside to the upstream route and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped.
When it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is restarted, and the sterilized object sterilized by this resumption is continuously discarded from the downstream route, and the determination step is performed. When it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam has not been stopped, the sterilized object to be sterilized is continuously discarded from the downstream route.
Equipped with
In the disposal step, if the irradiation of the electron beam in the determining step is determined to have been stopped, the insufficient sterilization objects sterilized by irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, until the sterile pathway or upstream path This is a method of resuming the irradiation of the electron beam after transporting the electron beam in the opposite direction.

In addition, in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the third invention, in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the second invention, the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped before the disposal step. Therefore, it is a method including a position specifying step for identifying a sterilized object whose sterilization is insufficient.

Further, in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the fourth invention, in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to any one of the first to third inventions, the sterilization target is the inner surface and the outer surface. It is a container-shaped body having
The sterilization route is a method having an outer surface sterilization route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container shape by irradiation with an electron beam and an inner surface sterilization route for sterilizing the inner surface of the container shape by irradiation with an electron beam.

According to the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer, since the sterilized object transported by the downstream route is sterilized even in an emergency, the aseptic environment of the downstream route is not destroyed and an emergency occurs. However, the operation can be resumed at an early stage.

It is a schematic side view which shows the normal time of the electron beam sterilization apparatus in the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows the case where the electron beam irradiation is stopped in an emergency. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation where irradiation is restarted after FIG. 2A, and the sterilized object is carried. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation after FIG. 2B. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the case where the electron beam irradiation is not stopped in an emergency. It is a schematic side view for explaining the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation which the sterilized object is carried after FIG. 3A. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation after FIG. 3B. It is a flowchart in the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and when the electron beam irradiation is stopped in an emergency, the sterilization object is carried back. Indicates the situation. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation which the sterilized object is carried after FIG. 5A. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer, and shows the situation after FIG. 5B. It is a flowchart in the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the normal time of the electron beam sterilization apparatus in the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the internal sterilization part provided in the electron beam sterilizer. It is a flowchart in the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the outline of the electron beam sterilizer will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electron beam sterilizer 100 sterilizes the sterilization objects O0 to O11 continuously supplied from the upstream device U by irradiation with the electron beam E, and causes the downstream device D to sterilize. It is a device that continuously discharges. The electron beam sterilizer 100 irradiates the transport paths 101 to 103 for transporting the sterilization objects O0 to O11 and the sterilization objects O0 to O11 transported through the transport paths 101 to 103 with the electron beam E. It is provided with a ray irradiator 120.

The transport paths 101 to 103 include an upstream path 101 in which sterilization objects O0 to O11 are continuously supplied from an external device U on the upstream side, and sterilization objects O0 to O11 from the upstream path 101. A sterilization route 102 that is sterilized by irradiation with an electron beam E while being continuously transported, and a downstream route that continuously discharges sterilization objects O0 to O11 from the sterilization route 102 to a device D on the downstream side, which is an external device. It has 103 and. That is, the electron beam irradiator 120 is arranged at a position where the electron beam E is irradiated to the sterilization objects O4 to O7 of the sterilization path 102.

The sterilization objects O1 to O10 in the transport paths 101 to 103 are as follows. The objects O8 to O10 to be sterilized in the upstream route 101 are in a state before being irradiated with the electron beam E, and are not sterilized. Since the objects O4 to O7 to be sterilized in the sterilization route 102 are transported while being irradiated with the electron beam E, the degree of sterilization is higher toward the downstream side. The objects O1 to O3 to be sterilized in the downstream route 103 are in a state after being irradiated with the electron beam E, and are therefore sterilized. Therefore, the downstream route 103 carries the sterilized objects O0 to O11, so that a sterile environment is required.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, FIGS. 3A to 3C, and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when an emergency occurs in the upstream device U, the electron beam sterilizer 100 and / or the downstream device D, the sterilization object O1 to the inside of the electron beam sterilizer 100 It is necessary to discard all O10. In order not to increase the number of sterilization objects O1 to O10 to be discarded more than necessary, the sterilization object O11 supplied from the upstream device U to the upstream path 101 is blocked by a stopper 110 or the like, and the upstream device U is used. The supply of the sterilized object O11 to the upstream route 101 is stopped. Next, since the subsequent steps in the electron beam sterilizer 100 differ depending on whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped in this emergency, the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 Determine if the irradiation has been stopped. FIG. 2A shows a case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped, and FIG. 3A shows a case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped.

First, the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C.

If the sterilized objects O1 to O10 are continuously transported while the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, the sterilized objects O5 to O10 are transported to the downstream route 103 without being sterilized, so that the sterile environment of the downstream route 103 is achieved. Will be destroyed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the irradiation of the electron beam E by the electron beam irradiator 120 is restarted, and then the sterilization objects O1 to O10 are conveyed. More specifically, if the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 is stopped before the irradiation of the electron beam E is restarted, the transport is restarted and the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 is restarted. If is not stopped, the transportation is continued. By this transport, the sterilized object O4, which is less irradiated with the electron beam E than in the normal state, is transported to the downstream path 103. However, such a sterilized object O4 does not destroy the sterile environment of the downstream route 103, such as when the normal transport is slow or when the time from stopping the irradiation of the electron beam E to restarting is very short. If it is sterilized to a certain degree, no problem will occur. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream route 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

Next, a case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped, that is, a case where the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

If the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped (continued), as shown in FIG. 3A, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 are sterilized by the sterilization route 102, so that the sterile environment of the downstream route 103 Is not destroyed. Therefore, the objects to be sterilized O1 to O10 are transported. Specifically, if the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 has been stopped, the transport is restarted, and if the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 is not stopped, the transport is performed. continue. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream route 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

The emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 includes a determination step 1 and a disposal step 4. In the determination step 1, the supply of the sterilization object O11 from the device U on the upstream side, which is an external device, to the upstream path 101 is stopped in an emergency, and it is determined whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped. .. In the disposal step 4, when it is determined in the determination step 1 that the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam E is restarted, and the sterilized objects O1 to O10 including this restart are restarted. Is continuously discarded from the downstream route 103, and when it is determined in the determination step 1 that the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 are continuously discharged from the downstream route 103. Discard.

Specifically, the determination step 1 includes a step of stopping the supply of the sterilization object O11 to the electron beam sterilizer 100 (STEP 10) and a step of determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped (STEP 10). STEP20) and.

The disposal step 4 includes a step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP50) and a step of transporting the sterilized objects O1 to O10 (STEP60) when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped. Further, the disposal step 4 includes a step (STEP80) of transporting the objects to be sterilized O1 to O10 when the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped, that is, when the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued. .. Further, in the disposal step 4, as a step following the steps of transporting the sterilized objects O1 to O10 (STEP60, STEP80), the sterilized sterilized objects O1 to O10 are continuously disposed of from the downstream route 103 (STEP90). ).

As described above, according to the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sterilized even in an emergency. The sterile environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, and the operation can be resumed at an early stage even if an emergency occurs.

By the way, in the first embodiment, the speed of transporting the sterilized objects O1 to O10 (STEP60, STEP80) in the disposal step 4 shown in FIG. 4 has not been described, but it may be slower than the normal transport. preferable. As a result, the electron beams E are sufficiently irradiated to the sterilized objects O4 to O10, so that the sterilized objects O4 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sufficiently sterilized even in an emergency. The sterile environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, and the operation can be resumed at an early stage even if an emergency occurs. When the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 in the disposal step 4 is slower than the normal transport, the electron beam is not damaged by the over-irradiation of the electron beam E to the sterilized objects O4 to O10. The output of the electron beam E from the irradiator 120 may be controlled.

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, an emergency coping method for the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C and FIG.

The emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the second embodiment is an emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is provided with a position specifying step 3 for identifying the position of the sterilized object O4 which is insufficiently sterilized, and the disposal step 4 has a step (STEP40) of temporarily reverse-transporting the sterilized object O1 to O10. is there. Hereinafter, the position identification step 3 and the step (STEP40) of temporarily reverse-transporting the sterilized objects O1 to O10, which are not included in the first embodiment, will be described, and the same as the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations of the above, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

In the first embodiment, after the irradiation of the electron beam E shown in FIG. 2A is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam E is restarted as shown in FIG. 2B, and then the transport of the sterilized objects O1 to O10 is restarted. By doing so, the sterilized object O4, which is irradiated with less electron beam E than usual, is transported to the downstream side. Here, when the sterilized object O4 is not sterilized to the extent that it does not destroy the aseptic environment of the downstream route 103, such as when the transportation in a normal state is high speed, that is, when the sterilized object O4 is insufficiently sterilized. There is. In this case, in the second embodiment, after the irradiation of the electron beam E shown in FIG. 2A is stopped and before the irradiation of the electron beam E is restarted, the position of the sterilized object O4 having insufficient sterilization is specified. , As shown in FIG. 5A, the sterilization object O4 is temporarily reverse-transported to a position (sterilization route 102 or upstream route 101) where the electron beam E can be irradiated. While performing the reverse transfer or after stopping the reverse transfer, as shown in FIG. 5B, the irradiation of the electron beam E by the electron beam irradiator 120 is restarted, and then the sterilization objects O1 to O10 are conveyed. As shown in FIG. 5C, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream route 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

By the way, when the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped, that is, when the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued, it is the same as the first embodiment.

The emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 includes a determination step 1, a position identification step 3, and a disposal step 4. The determination step 1 is the same as the determination step 1 according to the first embodiment. The position specifying step 3 identifies the position of the sterilized object O4, which is insufficiently sterilized because the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped before the disposal step 4. In the disposal step 4, when it is determined in the determination step 1 that the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped in the disposal step 4 according to the first embodiment, the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped and the sterilization is performed. The insufficiently sterilized object O4 is conveyed in the reverse direction to the sterilization route 102 or the upstream route 101, and then the irradiation of the electron beam E is restarted. Then, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 are conveyed in the forward direction and continuously discarded from the downstream path 103.

Specifically, the position specifying step 3 includes a step (STEP30) of identifying the position of the sterilized object O4 which is insufficiently sterilized.

The disposal step 4 is a step of temporarily reverse-transporting the sterilization objects O1 to O10 (STEP40) before the step (STEP50) of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E in the disposal step 4 according to the first embodiment. Has.

As described above, according to the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the second embodiment, even in the electron beam sterilizer 100 in which the sterilization objects O0 to O11 are normally conveyed at high speed, in an emergency. Since the sterilized objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sterilized, the sterile environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, and the operation can be resumed at an early stage even if an emergency occurs.

By the way, in the second embodiment, the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 has been described as including the position specifying step 3, but the position specifying step 3 may not be provided. Even if the position identification step 3 is not provided, if the reverse transport distance is temporarily increased, the sterilized objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 will be sterilized even in an emergency. .. Of course, by providing the position identification step 3, the sterilized objects O1 to O3 that are sufficiently sterilized are not sterilized, that is, the reverse transport distance is the minimum necessary, so that even if an emergency occurs, it is earlier. Operation can be resumed.

Hereinafter, an emergency coping method for the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the embodiment in which the first and second embodiments are shown more concretely will be described with reference to the drawings. The same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments in this embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

First, the electron beam sterilizer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the electron beam sterilizer 100, the objects O0 to O11 to be sterilized are formed into a container shape having an inner surface and an outer surface. Here, the container shape having an inner surface and an outer surface is not only a container such as a PET bottle, but also a preform, that is, a raw material body before being molded into a PET bottle by blow molding, and has a test tube shape (the upper end is open). (U-shaped vertical cross section) is also included. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, a container will be described as an example of a container shape having an inner surface and an outer surface.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this electron beam sterilizer 100, the container O continuously supplied from the chute of the device U on the upstream side is subjected to electron beams in the outer surface sterilization chamber 20 and the inner surface sterilization chamber 50 (details will be described later). It is a device that is sterilized by irradiation with E and continuously discharged to the star wheel of device D on the downstream side.

The electron beam sterilizer 100 has roughly five chambers. These five chambers are a supply chamber 10 to which the container O is supplied from the outside in order from the upstream side of the path of the container O to be transported, and an outer surface sterilization chamber 20 for sterilizing the outer surface of the container O by irradiation with an electron beam E. An appropriate internal sterilization chamber 50 for sterilizing the inner surface of the container O by irradiation with an electron beam E, and a shielding chamber 60 for preventing radiation generated by irradiating the container O with the electron beam E from leaking to the outside. The sorting chamber 70 continuously discharges the container O to the star wheel of the device D on the downstream side and discards the inappropriate container O. The floor, walls, and ceiling of each of the five chambers are made of a material that shields X-rays.

The supply chamber 10 includes a transport start star wheel 11 that starts transporting the container O continuously supplied from the chute of the device U on the upstream side.

The outer surface sterilization chamber 20 has an outer surface sterilization unit 21 that receives the container O from the transport start star wheel 11 and sterilizes the outer surface of the container O with an electron beam E. The outer surface sterilization unit 21 conveys the container O received from the transfer start star wheel 11 to the elliptical path carrier 23, and the electron beam E on the outer surface of the container O conveyed by the elliptical path carrier 23. It has an external electron beam irradiator 22 (an example of an electron beam irradiator 120) that irradiates (the cross section is substantially elliptical). The elliptical path carrier 23 spans two outer surface sterilization star wheels 24 arranged near one end side and the other end side of the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 and these two outer surface sterilization star wheels 24. It has an endless transport band 25 for transporting the container O.

The inner surface sterilization chamber 50 receives the container O from the elliptical path transfer machine 23 and conveys it to the circular path, and receives the container O from the turning swivel table 51 and sterilizes the inner surface by the electron beam E. It is provided with an internal sterilization unit 54. The inner surface sterilization unit 54 is provided on the inner surface sterilization swirl table 55l for transporting the container O in a circular path and the inner surface sterilization swirl table 55l at a predetermined central angle (for example, 18 °, that is, 0.1πrad) pitch. It has an elevating device (not shown) capable of elevating and lowering O. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner surface sterilization unit 54 is further provided in the same number as the elevating device directly above the container O held by these elevating devices, and an electron beam E (cross section) is provided on the inner surface of the container O. It has an inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 (an example of an electron beam irradiator 120) that irradiates the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 (an example of an electron beam irradiator 120), and an inner surface sterilization synchronous table 55h in which these inner surface electron beam irradiators 52 are arranged at an edge. Each of these inner surface electron beam irradiators 52 is provided with a nozzle 53 that irradiates the electron beam E downward from the lower end portion. The internal surface sterilization synchronous table 55h rotates the internal electron beam irradiator 52 at the same swirling speed as the elevating device so as to be located directly above the container O held by the corresponding elevating device. Let me. In the elevating device, the nozzle 53 is inserted into the opening m of the container O by raising the container O, and the nozzle 53 is pulled out from the opening m of the container O by lowering the container O in this state. As shown in FIG. 7, the state in which the nozzle 53 is pulled out from the opening m of the container O is a state in which the container O can be received and delivered by the other swivel tables 51 and 61.

The shielding chamber 60 includes a sterile swivel table 61 that receives the container O from the swivel table 55l for internal sterilization and conveys it to a circular path, and a shielding wall (not shown) that shields the X-rays that have entered from the internal sterilization chamber 50. To be equipped.

The sorting chamber 70 receives the sorting swivel table 71 that receives the container O from the aseptic swivel table 61 and sorts it appropriately or inappropriately while transporting it in a circular path, and receives the appropriate container O from the sorting swivel table 71. It has a discharge swivel table 72 that is transported to a circular path and discharged to the outside. On the floor of the sorting chamber 70, a disposal port 90 for discarding an inappropriate container O is formed below a part of the circular path of the sorting swirl table 71. The sorting and swirling table 71 is configured to drop the inappropriate container O into the waste port 90 when it is determined that the container O transported by this circular path is inappropriate. The discharge swivel table 72 also discharges the appropriate container O to the star wheel of the downstream device D (for example, a device for blow molding) which is an external device.

By the way, a constant central angle (for example, 18 °, that is, 0.1πrad) is formed on the edges of the above-mentioned turning swivel table 51, the swivel table for internal sterilization 55l, the aseptic swivel table 61, the sorting swivel table 71, and the discharge swivel table 72. A gripping tool 8 for gripping the container O at a pitch is provided. These gripping tools 8 grip the neck portion of the container O at a position where the container O is received from the upstream side and conveyed by a circular path, and release the grip at a position where the container O is delivered to the downstream side. .. As a result, the container O is smoothly received and delivered from the upstream side to the downstream side. The lifting device provided on the internal sterilization swivel table 55l can raise and lower the container O together with the gripping tool 8.

The electron beam sterilizer 100 includes a position specifying means 30 for specifying an individual position of a container O that is continuously conveyed. The position specifying means 30 includes a detector 31 provided in the supply chamber 10 and directed toward the container O, and a measuring instrument 32 for measuring the number of containers O transported per unit time. The detector 31 is, for example, a camera or an induction type, optical type (laser) or capacitance type sensor. The measuring instrument 32 was conveyed per unit time, for example, based on the number of pulses of the encoder provided on the shaft of the transfer start star wheel 11 or the number of rotations of the motor for driving the swivel table. The number of containers O is measured.

In the electron beam sterilizer 100, from the position where the container O is supplied to the transport start star wheel 11 from the chute of the device U on the upstream side to the position where the container O is discharged to the device D on the downstream side on the discharge swivel table 72. Corresponds to the transport paths 101 to 103 in the first and second embodiments. Here, (A) when focusing on the entire container O as sterilization of the container O, the electron beam irradiator 52 starts to irradiate the outer surface of the container O with the electron beam E from the position where the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 starts to irradiate the outer surface of the container O. The position up to the position where the line E finishes irradiating the inner surface of the container O corresponds to the sterilization route 102 in the first and second embodiments. (B) When focusing on the outer surface of the container O as sterilization of the container O, the electron beam E is emitted by the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 from the position where the electron beam E starts to be irradiated to the outer surface of the container O by the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22. Corresponds to the sterilization route 102 in the first and second embodiments. (C) When focusing on the inner surface of the container O as sterilization of the container O, the electron beam E is emitted by the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 from the position where the electron beam E starts to be irradiated to the inner surface of the container O by the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52. Corresponds to the sterilization route 102 in the first and second embodiments. The two routes (B) and (C) described above may correspond to the sterilization route 102, respectively. Of the transport routes 101 to 103, the upstream side of the sterilization route 102 corresponds to the upstream route 101 in the first and second embodiments, and the downstream side of the sterilization route 102 corresponds to the downstream route in the first and second embodiments. Corresponds to 103. Therefore, no matter how the container O is focused on as sterilization of the container O, since the sorting chamber 70 is a part of the downstream route 103, the container O is dropped into the waste port 90 formed in the sorting chamber 70. Disposal corresponds to disposing of the container O from the downstream route 103.

The sterilization route 102 includes an outer surface sterilization route 102o, which is a route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container O shown in FIG. 7 by irradiation with an electron beam E from the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22, and an inner surface electron beam irradiator for the inner surface of the container O. It has an internal sterilization route 102i, which is a route for sterilization by irradiation with an electron beam E from 52. As described above, since the outer surface sterilization route 102o and the inner surface sterilization route 102i are separate, it is difficult for the container O, which is insufficiently sterilized on both the outer surface and the inner surface, to be transported to the downstream route 103 in an emergency. The sterile environment of 103 is less likely to be destroyed.

The emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 includes a determination step 1, a disposal step 4, and other steps. In the determination step 1, the subsequent steps in the electron beam sterilizer 100 differ depending on whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped. Therefore, in the following, the step when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped and the electron. The steps will be described separately from the step when the irradiation of the line E is not stopped (continued).

First, as a step when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, there is a step (STEP31) of determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E can be resumed. If the irradiation of the electron beam E can be resumed, the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP51), the step of continuing the transportation of the container O (STEP61), and the sterilized container O are continuously discharged from the disposal port 90. The step of discarding (STEP 90) is executed in this order. On the other hand, if the irradiation of the electron beam E cannot be restarted, the step of stopping the transportation of the container O (STEP32), the step of solving the trouble that the irradiation of the electron beam E cannot be restarted (STEP33), the above. The steps (STEP34) for determining whether or not the trouble has been resolved are executed in this order. In the step (STEP34) of determining whether or not the trouble has been resolved, the work for resolving the trouble is continued until it is determined that the trouble has been resolved. In the step of determining whether or not the trouble has been resolved (STEP34), when it is determined that the trouble has been resolved, the step of resuming the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP52) and the step of resuming the transportation of the container O (STEP52). STEP62) and the step of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP90) are executed in this order.

Next, as a step when the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped (continued), a step of stopping the transport of the container O (STEP70) and a step of determining whether or not there is a trouble in the transport (STEP70). There is STEP71). Here, since the stopped container O is continuously irradiated with the electron beam E, if the stop time exceeds a certain period of time, the container O may be over-irradiated with the electron beam E. To avoid such over-irradiation, the following steps are performed. That is, in the step of determining whether or not there is the trouble (STEP71), until a certain time elapses (STEP72), if it is determined that there is no such trouble, the container O is sterilized until the step of restarting the transportation (STEP81). The steps (STEP 90) of continuously discarding the container O from the disposal port 90 are executed in this order. On the other hand, in the step of determining whether or not there is the trouble (STEP71), until a certain time elapses (STEP72), if it is determined that the trouble remains, the step of stopping the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP72). STEP73), a step of performing work for solving the trouble (STEP74), and a step of determining whether or not the trouble has been solved (STEP75) are executed in this order. In the step (STEP75) of determining whether or not the trouble has been resolved, the work for resolving the trouble is continued until it is determined that the trouble has been resolved. In the step of determining whether or not the trouble has been resolved (STEP75), when it is determined that the trouble has been resolved, the step of resuming the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP76) and the step of resuming the transportation of the container O (STEP76). STEP81) and the step of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP90) are executed in this order.

Here, in the disposal step 4, the above-described step of resuming the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP51, STEP52), the step of continuing the transfer of the container O (STEP61), and the step of resuming the transfer of the container O (STEP61). STEP62, STEP81) and a step (STEP90) of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90.

The disposal step 4 may include a step (corresponding to STEP 40 in FIG. 6) of temporarily reverse-transporting the container O immediately before the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP 51, STEP 52). In the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilizer 100, immediately before the step of temporarily reverse-transporting the container O (corresponding to STEP 40 in FIG. 6), the position of the container O with insufficient sterilization is determined by the position identifying means 30. The position specifying step 3 specified by the above may be provided.

As described above, according to the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer 100 according to the present embodiment, even in the electron beam sterilizer 100 in which the container O is normally transported at a high speed to sterilize the outer surface and the inner surface of the container O. Since the container O transported by the downstream route 103 is sterilized even in an emergency, the sterile environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, and the operation can be resumed at an early stage even in the event of an emergency.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the waste port 90 is formed in the sorting chamber 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. The waste port 90 may be formed on the downstream side of the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 or the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52, that is, on the downstream path 103. For example, the outer surface sterilization chamber 20 and the inner surface sterilization chamber 50. Alternatively, it may be formed in the shielding chamber 60.

Further, the first and second embodiments and the examples are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Of the configurations described in the first and second embodiments and the embodiments, the configurations other than those described as the first invention in "Means for Solving the Problem" are arbitrary configurations, and are appropriately deleted and modified. It is possible.

E Electron beam 100 Electron beam sterilizer 101 Upstream route 102 Sterilization route 103 Downstream route 110 Stopper 120 Electron beam irradiator 190 Reject mechanism

Claims (4)

An upstream route in which the sterilized object is continuously supplied from the outside, a sterilization route in which the sterilized object is sterilized by irradiation with an electron beam while continuously transporting the sterilized object from this upstream route, and a sterilization object from this sterilization route. It is an emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer which copes with an emergency in an electron beam sterilizer equipped with a downstream path which continuously discharges
In the emergency, the determination step of stopping the supply of the sterilized object from the outside to the upstream route and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped.
When it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is restarted, and the sterilized object sterilized by this resumption is continuously discarded from the downstream route, and the determination step is performed. When it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam has not been stopped, the sterilized object to be sterilized is continuously discarded from the downstream route.
Equipped with
In the disposal step, conveying the sterile objects in the sterilization path, emergency Action of electron beam sterilization apparatus according to claim slow der Rukoto than normal is other than emergency. An upstream route in which the sterilized object is continuously supplied from the outside, a sterilization route in which the sterilized object is sterilized by irradiation with an electron beam while continuously transporting the sterilized object from this upstream route, and a sterilization object from this sterilization route. It is an emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilizer which copes with an emergency in an electron beam sterilizer equipped with a downstream path which continuously discharges
In the emergency, the determination step of stopping the supply of the sterilized object from the outside to the upstream route and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped.
When it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is restarted, and the sterilized object sterilized by this resumption is continuously discarded from the downstream route, and the determination step is performed. When it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam has not been stopped, the sterilized object to be sterilized is continuously discarded from the downstream route.
Equipped with
In the disposal step, if the irradiation of the electron beam in the determining step is determined to have been stopped, the insufficient sterilization objects sterilized by irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, until the sterile pathway or upstream path An emergency coping method for an electron beam sterilizer, which comprises transporting the electron beam in the opposite direction and then restarting the irradiation of the electron beam. The emergency electron beam sterilizer according to claim 2 , further comprising a position-identifying step of identifying an object to be sterilized that is insufficiently sterilized because the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped before the disposal step. When to deal with it. The object to be sterilized is a container-shaped body having an inner surface and an outer surface.
A claim characterized in that the sterilization route has an outer surface sterilization route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container shape by irradiation with an electron beam and an inner surface sterilization route for sterilizing the inner surface of the container shape by irradiation with an electron beam. An emergency coping method for an electron beam sterilizer according to any one of 1 to 3.

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