JP7296288B2 - UV sterilization equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilization facility for sterilizing objects such as containers by irradiating them with ultraviolet rays.

In recent years, as equipment for continuously sterilizing containers and the like, equipment for irradiating continuously transported containers and the like with ultraviolet rays or electron beams has become widespread. Such equipment is advantageous in that there is no possibility that the sterilizing agent will remain in the sterilized container, since the sterilizing agent is not put in the container or the like. In particular, equipment for irradiating ultraviolet rays has the advantage of being simpler than equipment for irradiating electron beams.

Equipment that sterilizes by irradiating ultraviolet rays, that is, ultraviolet sterilization equipment, is conventionally known, and there is one that can reduce the locations where sterilization of containers is insufficient (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ultraviolet sterilization equipment is provided with an irradiation bar that can be raised and lowered to be inserted into the container being conveyed, and among the ultraviolet light emitting elements attached to this irradiation bar, those positioned inside the container are irradiated with ultraviolet rays. is configured to

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-104028

However, in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment described in Patent Document 1, when inserting the vertically movable irradiation bar into the container, it is necessary to stop the conveyance of the container and then lower the irradiation bar toward the container. For this reason, the efficiency of sterilization by irradiation of ultraviolet rays becomes insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet sterilization facility capable of improving the efficiency of sterilization by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the first invention includes continuous conveying means for continuously conveying the sterilization target from the upstream side to the downstream side,
A plurality of ultraviolet light sources arranged along the direction in which the object to be sterilized is conveyed by the continuous conveying means and each having an ultraviolet irradiation range, which is a range for irradiating ultraviolet rays;
a detector for detecting an object to be sterilized being conveyed by a continuous conveying means in the ultraviolet irradiation range or a location upstream from the ultraviolet irradiation range;
a control device for irradiating an object to be sterilized being conveyed with ultraviolet light by an ultraviolet light source determined to be within an ultraviolet irradiation range based on the results detected by the detector ;
a base having a surface parallel to the direction in which the object to be sterilized is conveyed by the continuous conveying means;
and an inclined protrusion having a surface inclined in the direction and projecting from the parallel surface
with
multiple ultraviolet light sources
a side ultraviolet light source disposed on the parallel surface of the base and emitting ultraviolet light from the parallel surface;
an ultraviolet light source for front and rear surfaces disposed on a surface inclined in the direction of the inclined protrusion and emitting ultraviolet rays from the surface inclined in the direction;
The side ultraviolet light source and the front and rear ultraviolet light source are ultraviolet LEDs,
The ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source for front and rear surfaces is different from the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source for side surfaces.

In the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the second invention, the control device in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the first invention determines that the object to be sterilized is not within the ultraviolet irradiation range from the results detected by the detector. It stops the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light source.
In the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the third invention, the control device in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the first or second invention is the object to be sterilized and the ultraviolet light source determined that the object to be sterilized is within the ultraviolet irradiation range. The amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source to the object to be sterilized is controlled according to the distance from the sterilization object.

In the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the fourth invention, when the continuous conveying means in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to the first invention stops conveying the object to be sterilized, a signal for stopping the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet light source is generated. It is to be sent to the control device.

According to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment, the objects to be sterilized are sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet rays while being conveyed, and over-irradiation of ultraviolet rays is suppressed, so that the efficiency of sterilization by irradiation with ultraviolet rays can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view of the ultraviolet sterilization equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the same ultraviolet sterilization equipment. It is a top view which shows concretely the control apparatus of the same ultraviolet sterilization equipment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the object to be sterilized shown in FIG. 3 being further conveyed and entering the ultraviolet irradiation range of the upstream ultraviolet light source; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the object to be sterilized shown in FIG. 4 being further conveyed and entering the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source on the downstream side; It is a top view which also shows the additional structure of the same ultraviolet sterilization equipment. It is an enlarged plan view mainly showing a plurality of ultraviolet light sources provided in the same ultraviolet sterilization equipment. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 9; 11 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 11; FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the intensity of ultraviolet rays from a plurality of ultraviolet light sources is differentiated; FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view mainly showing an ultraviolet light source with an inclined ultraviolet light emitting surface and an ultraviolet light source with an uninclined ultraviolet light emitting surface; 15 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 14; FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 16; FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which objects to be sterilized are further conveyed from the state shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization facility that sterilizes the lower surface of an object to be sterilized; FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 19;

[Ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An ultraviolet sterilization facility according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 includes a continuous transport means 11 for continuously transporting the sterilization target O from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the continuous transport means 11 for transporting the sterilization target O. It has a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 arranged along the direction of transport (hereinafter referred to as transport direction C). Here, "along the conveying direction C" is not necessarily limited to being parallel to the conveying direction C, but also includes being inclined in the conveying direction C. Each of the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 has a range for irradiating ultraviolet rays UV (hereinafter referred to as an ultraviolet irradiation range). The ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 further includes a detector 13 that detects the sterilization object O being conveyed by the continuous conveying means 11 at a location on the upstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation range. Note that the detector 13 may be arranged in an ultraviolet irradiation range, although not shown. In addition, the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 is transported by the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 determined that the sterilization object O is within the ultraviolet irradiation range from the result detected by the detector 13. It further comprises a control device 14 for irradiating ultraviolet rays UV to the .

The object to be sterilized O is not particularly limited as long as it requires sterilization by irradiation with ultraviolet rays UV, and is, for example, a container for eating, drinking or medical use.

The continuous conveying means 11 is not particularly limited as long as it conveys the objects O to be sterilized continuously. For example, the continuous conveying means 11 is a continuous conveying machine that continuously conveys the sterilization target O by mechanical operation, or continuously slides and conveys the sterilization target O placed on the upper surface by its own weight. Inclined sliding boards and the like. Examples of said continuous conveyors are belt conveyors, starwheels or moving grippers or bars. The continuous transfer machine is configured to transmit an external signal to the control device 14 to urgently stop the irradiation of the ultraviolet UV by the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 when the transfer of the sterilization target O is stopped due to trouble or the like. preferably. The inclined sliding plate is inclined so that the upstream side is higher and the downstream side is lower so that the objects to be sterilized O can be continuously slid on the upper surface thereof by its own weight. Here, conveying the objects O to be sterilized continuously means conveying a plurality of objects O to be sterilized by one conveying means. In order to convey the objects O to be sterilized continuously, it is not necessary that the intervals between adjacent objects O to be sterilized be constant, and the speed at which each of the plurality of objects O to be sterilized is conveyed is different. may For example, even if the object to be sterilized O is transported intermittently (with a temporary stop), or if the transport speed is changed in the middle, a plurality of objects to be sterilized O are transported by one transport means. For example, it can be said that the objects to be sterilized O are continuously conveyed.

The ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 are arranged along the transport direction C, and if the sterilization target object O transported by the continuous transport means 11 can be placed in the ultraviolet irradiation range, that is, the sterilization target object It is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate O with ultraviolet rays UV. For example, the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 are ultraviolet UV lamps or ultraviolet LEDs. The ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 are preferably ultraviolet LEDs in terms of ease of control by the control device 14 . Further, the ultraviolet rays UV irradiated by the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 are not particularly limited, but in order to increase the efficiency of sterilization, UV-C or deep ultraviolet UV (wavelength range of 100 to 280 nm) is further preferred. preferable. A plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 may be provided, but FIGS. 1 and 2 (also FIGS. 3 to 5 described later) show an example in which there are two ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 . Each of the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 constituting the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 may be composed of one ultraviolet LED or ultraviolet lamp, or may be composed of two or more ultraviolet LEDs or ultraviolet lamps. good.

The detector 13 is not particularly limited as long as it detects the presence or absence of the sterilization target O being conveyed by the continuous conveying means 11 at a location on the upstream side from the ultraviolet irradiation range. For example, the detector 13 is a sensor using light, sound wave, magnetic field, or the like, or a camera. Preferably, the detector 13 can detect not only the presence or absence of the object O to be sterilized, but also the distance between the detector 13 and the object O to be sterilized.

The control device 14 uses the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 determined to be within the ultraviolet irradiation range based on the results detected by the detector 13 to apply ultraviolet light to the conveyed sterilization object O. It is not particularly limited as long as it irradiates UV. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, among the plurality (two) of the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54, the ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side contains the sterilization object O within the ultraviolet irradiation range, so the control device 14 An ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side irradiates ultraviolet rays UV. As a more detailed example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 14 has an external input section 41 , an arrival time calculation section 42 , a presence/absence determination section 43 , and an irradiation instruction section 45 . The external input unit 41 inputs the distance Dn (D1, D2) between the detector 13 and each ultraviolet irradiation range, and the speed of the sterilization object O conveyed by the continuous conveying means 11 (hereinafter referred to as the conveying speed V and ) is input from the outside. From the distance Dn (D1, D2) between the detector 13 and each ultraviolet irradiation range and the conveying speed V, the arrival time calculation unit 42 calculates the distance from the detection of the sterilization object O by the detector 13 to each ultraviolet ray. Each time Tn until reaching the irradiation range (hereinafter referred to as arrival time Tn) is calculated. The presence/absence determination unit 43 receives information on the presence/absence of the sterilization target O detected by the detector 13 from the detector 13 . The irradiation instructing unit 45 causes the object to be sterilized O to be irradiated with the ultraviolet light UV by the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 determined to have been present on the object O to be sterilized before the arrival time Tn. That is, when the sterilization target object O determined by the presence/absence determination unit 43 via the detector 13 to be present is conveyed to the ultraviolet irradiation range on the upstream side/downstream side (detection by the detector 13), the irradiation instruction unit 45 ), the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 on the upstream side/downstream side irradiate the object O to be sterilized with ultraviolet rays UV. In addition, the irradiation instruction unit 45 irradiates the sterilization object O with the amount of ultraviolet UV (for example, UV intensity and irradiation time) may be controlled. The number of ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 whose irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays UV is controlled by the control device 14 may be one or plural.

The operation of the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the continuous conveying means 11 continuously conveys the sterilization target O from the upstream side to the downstream side. The transported sterilization target O is detected by the detector 13 when passing in front of the detector 13 . As shown in FIG. 4, the ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side determined that the object to be sterilized O is within the ultraviolet irradiation range from the result detected by the detector 13 irradiates the object to be sterilized O with ultraviolet UV. be done. After that, as shown in FIG. 5, from the result detected by the detector 13, it is determined that the object to be sterilized O is within the ultraviolet irradiation range. is irradiated.

In the example of the control device 14 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, information on the presence/absence of the object O to be sterilized detected by the detector 13 is received by the presence/absence determination unit 43 . On the other hand, the distance Dn (D1, D2) between the detector 13 and each ultraviolet irradiation range and the conveying speed V are input to the external input unit 41 from the outside. From the distance Dn (D1, D2) and the conveying speed V, the arrival time calculator 42 calculates the arrival time Tn. When the irradiation instructing unit 45 determines that the object to be sterilized O was present before the arrival time Tn, the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 that put the object to be sterilized in the ultraviolet irradiation range emit ultraviolet UV to the object to be sterilized. to irradiate. That is, the object to be sterilized O is irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV from the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 when the arrival time Tn has elapsed after being detected by the detector 13 . In other words, since the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 that do not include the sterilization object O within the ultraviolet irradiation range do not irradiate the ultraviolet rays UV, overirradiation of the ultraviolet rays UV is suppressed.

As described above, according to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10, the object to be sterilized O is sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet UV while being conveyed, and over-irradiation of ultraviolet UV is suppressed, so the efficiency of sterilization by irradiation with ultraviolet UV is improved. can be improved.

In addition, since the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 that do not include the object O to be sterilized do not irradiate the ultraviolet light UV, the irradiation of the ultraviolet light UV by the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 is shortened. As a result, the lifetime of the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 can be extended, so maintenance costs can be reduced.

On the one hand, the UV sterilization installation 10 may comprise a transfer device 17, a recording device 18 and/or a reject device 19, as shown in FIG.

The moving device 17 shown in FIG. 6 moves the sterilization objects O that are continuously transported in the upstream side from the ultraviolet irradiation range in the direction of aligning them. The moving device 17 is, for example, a guide 71 that guides the object to be sterilized O being conveyed in the direction, or a pusher that pushes the object to be sterilized O in the direction (not shown). According to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 provided with the moving device 17, in addition to the above-described effects, the continuously conveyed sterilization objects O are aligned, so the efficiency of sterilization by ultraviolet UV irradiation can be improved. .

The recording device 18 shown in FIG. 6 records information in the control device 14 in order to ensure traceability which is important in the sterilization process. According to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 having the recording device 18, in addition to the above effects, traceability is ensured, so quality control of sterilization can be improved.

The reject device 19 shown in FIG. 6 discharges an insufficiently sterilized object O to the outside. The reject device 19 has, for example, a movable reject guide 91 that guides the insufficiently sterilized sterilization object O to the discharge route, and a discharge port 90 that constitutes the discharge route. As a factor for insufficient sterilization, the interval between the sterilization objects O adjacent to each other in the conveying direction C is too small, so that the adjacent sterilization objects O enter the shadow of the ultraviolet UV caused by the sterilization objects O. and so on. In addition, there is a case where the object to be sterilized O is over-irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV due to a trouble of the continuous conveying means 11 or the like. According to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 provided with the reject device 19, in addition to the above-described effects, the sterilization target object O with insufficient sterilization is discharged to the outside, so that sterilization quality control can be improved.

In addition, since there are a plurality of ultraviolet light sources, the number is not limited to two as described above, and may be three as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12. FIG. 7 to 12 show an example in which two adjacent ultraviolet light sources among the three ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 may irradiate ultraviolet rays UV at the same time.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, three ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 are arranged parallel to the conveying direction C. As shown in FIGS. These ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 are an ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side, an ultraviolet light source 53 on the midstream side, and an ultraviolet light source 54 on the downstream side, and each have an ultraviolet irradiation range. Incidentally, in FIGS. 8 to 11, the ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 emitting ultraviolet rays UV are indicated by hatching.

As shown in FIG. 7, none of the ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 emits ultraviolet rays UV because the objects to be sterilized O conveyed by the continuous conveying means 11 are not included in the respective ultraviolet irradiation ranges. After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side emits ultraviolet rays UV because the sterilization object O has entered the ultraviolet irradiation range, and irradiates the sterilization object O with the ultraviolet rays UV. . Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the object O to be sterilized enters not only the ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side but also the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source 53 on the midstream side. Thereby, the ultraviolet light source 52 on the upstream side and the ultraviolet light source 53 on the midstream side irradiate the sterilization object O with the ultraviolet light UV by emitting the ultraviolet light UV. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the sterilization target object O is out of the ultraviolet irradiation range of the upstream ultraviolet light source 52, but not only the midstream ultraviolet light source 53 but also the ultraviolet irradiation range of the downstream ultraviolet light source 54. An object O to be sterilized enters. Thereby, the ultraviolet light source 53 on the midstream side and the ultraviolet light source 54 on the downstream side irradiate the object O to be sterilized with the ultraviolet light UV by emitting the ultraviolet light UV. After that, as shown in FIG. 11, the sterilization object O is removed from the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source 53 on the midstream side. Thereby, the ultraviolet light source 54 on the downstream side irradiates the sterilization object O with the ultraviolet light UV by emitting the ultraviolet light UV. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the object to be sterilized O is out of the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source 54 on the downstream side. As a result, none of the ultraviolet light sources 52-54 emit ultraviolet rays UV. Whether or not the object O to be sterilized is in the ultraviolet irradiation range of each of the ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 is determined from the distance Dn between the detector 13 and the ultraviolet irradiation range of each of the ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 and the transport speed V. , is determined by the controller 14 .

According to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, in addition to the effects described above, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 simultaneously irradiate the sterilization object O with ultraviolet UV, so the efficiency of sterilization by ultraviolet UV irradiation is improved. can be improved.

Further, in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the ultraviolet intensity from each of the ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 was not explained, but as shown in FIG. 13, the ultraviolet intensity may be differentiated. Specifically, among the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 that put the sterilization object O in the ultraviolet irradiation range, the ultraviolet intensity (an example of the output) from the ultraviolet light source 53 closest to the sterilization object O is be lower than the intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 of the . As a result, the amount of irradiated ultraviolet rays UV is reduced on the side surfaces of the object to be sterilized O that are likely to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV (between the upstream surface and the downstream surface). Therefore, according to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 shown in FIG. 13, the overirradiation of the ultraviolet ray UV to the sterilization object O is suppressed, and the amount of the ultraviolet ray UV irradiated to the sterilization object O is the same as the upstream and downstream surfaces. Since the side surfaces are nearly uniform, the efficiency of sterilization by ultraviolet UV irradiation can be improved.

Further, although FIGS. 1 to 13 show that the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 52 to 54 are arranged in parallel with the transport direction C, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the plurality of ultraviolet light sources 57 and 58 includes an ultraviolet light source 57 (hereinafter referred to as a side ultraviolet light source 57) that outputs ultraviolet light UV from a surface parallel to the conveying direction C, An ultraviolet light source 58 (hereinafter referred to as front and rear surface ultraviolet light source 58) may be provided from a surface inclined in the conveying direction C. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the side ultraviolet light source 57 and the front and rear ultraviolet light source 58 are preferably composed of ultraviolet LEDs 61 to 66 having the same performance. In this case, ultraviolet LEDs 63 and 64 are arranged on a base 67 as the side ultraviolet light source 57 , and separate ultraviolet LEDs 61 , 62 , 65 and 66 are disposed on the inclined protrusion 68 provided on the base 67 as the front and rear ultraviolet light source 58 . placed. The surface of the base 67 on which the ultraviolet LEDs 63, 64 (side ultraviolet light source 57) are arranged, and the ultraviolet LEDs 61, 62, 65, 66 (front and rear ultraviolet light sources 58) of the inclined projecting portion 68 provided on the base 67. is not parallel to the plane on which is placed. Therefore, if the surface of the ultraviolet light source 57 for side surfaces from which ultraviolet rays UV are emitted is parallel to the conveying direction C, the surface from which ultraviolet light sources 58 for front and rear surfaces emit ultraviolet rays UV is inclined in the conveying direction C. The ultraviolet LEDs 61 to 66 are, for example, a first ultraviolet LED 61 to a sixth ultraviolet LED 66 in order from the upstream side. The first ultraviolet LED 61 and the second ultraviolet LED 62 are arranged on the inclined protrusion 68 on the upstream side, and the fifth ultraviolet LED 65 and the sixth ultraviolet LED 66 are arranged on the inclined protrusion 68 on the downstream side. That is, the first ultraviolet LED 61, the second ultraviolet LED 62, the fifth ultraviolet LED 65, and the sixth ultraviolet LED 66 correspond to the ultraviolet light source 58 for front and rear surfaces. On the other hand, the third ultraviolet LED 63 and the fourth ultraviolet LED 64 are arranged on the base 67 and correspond to the side ultraviolet light source 57 .

Although not shown, if the sterilization target object O does not enter the ultraviolet irradiation range of the first ultraviolet LED 61 to the sixth ultraviolet LED 66, the emission of the ultraviolet UV from the first ultraviolet LED 61 to the sixth ultraviolet LED 66 is stopped, and the sterilization target The object O is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV. After that, the sterilization object O is irradiated with ultraviolet UV by the first ultraviolet LED 61 (see FIG. 14), and then irradiated with ultraviolet UV by the second ultraviolet LED 62 and the third ultraviolet LED 63 (see FIG. 15). Then, the sterilization object O is irradiated with ultraviolet UV by the third ultraviolet LED 63 and the fourth ultraviolet LED 64 (see FIG. 16), and then irradiated with ultraviolet UV by the fourth ultraviolet LED 64 and the fifth ultraviolet LED 65 (see FIG. 17 reference). Next, after the sterilization object O is irradiated with ultraviolet UV by the sixth ultraviolet LED 66 (see FIG. 18), although not shown, if it is out of the ultraviolet irradiation range of the sixth ultraviolet LED 66, the first ultraviolet LED 61 to the sixth ultraviolet The emission of the ultraviolet rays UV from the LED 66 is stopped, and the object O to be sterilized is not irradiated with the ultraviolet rays UV.

As is clear from FIGS. 14, 15, 17 and 18, the front and rear surface ultraviolet light sources 58 sufficiently irradiate the upstream surface and the downstream surface of the object O to be sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. 16, the side ultraviolet light source 57 sufficiently irradiates the side surface (between the upstream surface and the downstream surface) of the object O to be sterilized with ultraviolet light UV. Therefore, according to the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the overirradiation of the ultraviolet ray UV to the sterilization object O is suppressed, and the amount of the ultraviolet ray UV irradiated to the sterilization object O is increased on the upstream and downstream sides. Since the surfaces and the side surfaces are uniformly close to each other, the efficiency of sterilization by ultraviolet UV irradiation can be improved. 15 and 17, when the ultraviolet light source 57 for the side surface and the ultraviolet light source 58 for the front and rear surfaces irradiate the object O to be sterilized, the ultraviolet light source 58 for the front surface and the object O for sterilization is greater than the distance between the lateral ultraviolet light source 57 and the object O to be sterilized. In this case, the amount of ultraviolet rays UV emitted from the ultraviolet light source 58 for front and rear surfaces (for example, the intensity of ultraviolet rays) may be made larger than the amount of ultraviolet rays UV emitted from the ultraviolet light sources 57 for side surfaces.

Further, the ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 provided in the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 were described as being arranged on one side of the sterilization object O being conveyed, but they may be arranged on both sides, or above or below may be placed in The ultraviolet light sources 52 and 54 may be arranged on the inner wall surface of a tunnel through which the sterilization objects O being conveyed pass. The tunnel is preferably formed such that the inner wall surface conforms to the outer shape of the object O to be sterilized.

Furthermore, the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims. Of the configurations described in the above embodiments, the configuration other than the configuration described as the first invention in "Means for Solving the Problems" is an arbitrary configuration, and can be deleted and changed as appropriate.
[Ultraviolet sterilization equipment for sterilizing the lower surface]

It is difficult for the ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 (hereinafter referred to as the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10) to sterilize the lower surface of the object O to be sterilized if the continuous conveying means 11 is in contact with the lower surface. For this reason, it is preferable that an ultraviolet sterilization facility for sterilizing the lower surface (hereinafter referred to as a second ultraviolet sterilization facility) is provided upstream and/or downstream of the first ultraviolet sterilization facility 10 .

In order to sterilize the lower surface of the object to be sterilized O, a configuration is conceivable in which the object to be sterilized O is held and rotated so that the lower surface of the object to be sterilized O faces the direction in which the ultraviolet rays are irradiated. However, such a configuration is necessarily complicated.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-203340, while hydrogen peroxide gas is being supplied from above to PET bottles that are being continuously transported from a gas injection nozzle, a high-pressure mercury lamp is applied from below. A configuration of irradiating ultraviolet rays (UV-A) as a light source is known. This configuration, as described in the column of [Effect of the Invention] in JP-A-2018-203340, is irradiation of ultraviolet rays including a wavelength range that penetrates the PET material, which has no sterilizing effect alone, and peroxide. It is intended to produce a synergistic effect of sterilization when used in combination with hydrogen. The ultraviolet rays that pass through the PET material are ultraviolet rays (UV-A) with a wavelength range of 315 to 400 nm, as described in paragraph [0020] of JP-A-2018-203340. Even if such ultraviolet rays (UV-A) are irradiated from the lower surface of the PET bottle, the lower surface is not sufficiently sterilized. Rather, the structure sterilizes the interior by the synergistic effect of the ultraviolet rays (UV-A) transmitted through the lower surface and reaching the interior of the PET bottle and the hydrogen peroxide gas supplied to the interior. Therefore, the lower surface is not sterilized.

Therefore, there is a demand for an ultraviolet sterilization facility (second ultraviolet sterilization facility) that can sufficiently sterilize the lower surface of the object O to be sterilized with a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, such second ultraviolet sterilization equipment will be described based on the drawings. In addition, in order to distinguish the configuration in the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 and the configuration in the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment, the continuous conveying means 11 and the ultraviolet light sources 51 to 58, which are the configurations in the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10, Hereinafter, they are referred to as the first continuous conveying means 11 and the first ultraviolet light sources 51-58.

As shown in FIG. 19, the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 includes a second continuous transport means 21 that continuously transports the sterilization target O, and the sterilization target transported by the second continuous transport means 21. A fixed fixing plate 22 having a plurality of holes 23 formed therein, and a second ultraviolet light source 25 for irradiating ultraviolet rays upward from the fixing plate 22 through the plurality of holes 23, the fixing plate 22 being in contact with the object O on the upper surface. .

The second continuous conveying means 21 is not particularly limited as long as it continuously conveys the objects O to be sterilized. Note that the first continuous transport means 11 may also serve as the second continuous transport means 21 .

The fixing plate 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is in contact with the object to be sterilized O being conveyed by the second continuous conveying means 21 and has a plurality of holes 23 formed therein. The hole portion 23 of the fixing plate 22 does not necessarily need to be penetrated, and it is sufficient that it is opened upward to irradiate ultraviolet rays upward. The opening of each hole 23 is preferably smaller than the lower surface of the object O to be sterilized so as not to interfere with the transportation of the object O to be sterilized. Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of holes 23 are arranged in a staggered manner in the transport direction C. As shown in FIG. As a result, on the lower surface of the object to be sterilized O, the area passing above the hole 23 is increased (preferably the entire lower surface), and the area irradiated with ultraviolet rays on the lower surface is increased (preferably the entire lower surface). It is from. In addition to the plurality of holes 23 arranged in a zigzag pattern shown in FIG. A plurality of grooves (slits) whose longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to C, a pattern in which a plurality of holes 23 are arranged irregularly in plan view, or the entire lower surface of the sterilization object O being conveyed. A pattern or the like in which a plurality of holes 23 are regularly arranged in plan view so as to be irradiated may be used. The shape of each hole 23 is not limited to the rectangular shape shown in FIG. 19, but may be a circular shape such as a perfect circle or an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape. In the case where the second continuous conveying means 21 is an inclined sliding plate that continuously slides and conveys the sterilization target O placed on the upper surface by its own weight, this inclined sliding plate can also serve as the fixed plate 22. is.

The second ultraviolet light source 25 is not particularly limited as long as it irradiates ultraviolet rays from the plurality of holes 23 above the fixing plate 22. For example, the first ultraviolet light sources 51 to 58 have been described as examples. Same as configuration. The second ultraviolet light source 25 may be arranged inside the hole 23 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, or may be arranged below the through hole 23 (not shown).

The second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 is provided with a cooling device 24 for cooling the second ultraviolet light source 25 as required. This cooling device 24 is preferably in contact with the second ultraviolet light source 25 in order to efficiently cool the second ultraviolet light source 25 . Further, the cooling device 24 is not particularly limited as long as it cools the second ultraviolet light source 25, and for example, it absorbs heat with a liquid or gas cooling medium.

The operation of the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 19, the second continuous conveying means 21 continuously conveys the sterilization target O from the upstream side to the downstream side while being in contact with the upper surface of the fixing plate 22 . The lower surface of the object to be sterilized O is sterilized by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the second ultraviolet light source 25 when passing above the plurality of holes 23 formed in the fixing plate 22 .

In this way, according to the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20, the lower surface of the sterilization object O is irradiated with ultraviolet rays while the sterilization object O is continuously conveyed, so the sterilization object O can be sufficiently sterilized with a simple structure. be able to.

By the way, the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 was described as being provided upstream and/or downstream of the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10, but it may be provided in the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 itself. good. In this case, the first continuous conveying means 11 doubles up to the second continuous conveying means 21 . The second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 may be an independent equipment for sterilizing the lower surface of the object O to be sterilized instead of being provided in the first ultraviolet sterilization equipment 10 .

In addition, the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 is not limited to the above-described content, and as a minimum configuration, a second continuous conveying means 21 for continuously conveying the sterilization target O, and this second continuous A stationary fixing plate 22 in which a plurality of holes 23 are formed and which is in contact with the sterilization target object O being conveyed by the conveying means 21, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated above the fixing plate 22 from the plurality of holes 23. The second ultraviolet light source 25 may be provided.

Furthermore, the second ultraviolet light source 25 provided in the second ultraviolet sterilization equipment 20 was described as being arranged below the sterilization object O being conveyed, but it may be arranged on one side or both sides. , or may be positioned above. The second ultraviolet light source 25 may be arranged on the inner wall surface of a tunnel through which the transported sterilization target O is passed. The tunnel is preferably formed such that the inner wall surface conforms to the outer shape of the object O to be sterilized.

O Object to be sterilized V Conveyance speed 10 Ultraviolet sterilization equipment 11 Continuous conveying means 13 Detector 14 Control device 52 Upstream ultraviolet light source 54 Downstream ultraviolet light source

Claims (4)

Continuous conveying means for continuously conveying the object to be sterilized from the upstream side to the downstream side;
A plurality of ultraviolet light sources arranged along the direction in which the object to be sterilized is conveyed by the continuous conveying means and each having an ultraviolet irradiation range, which is a range for irradiating ultraviolet rays;
a detector for detecting an object to be sterilized being conveyed by a continuous conveying means in the ultraviolet irradiation range or a location upstream from the ultraviolet irradiation range;
a control device for irradiating an object to be sterilized being conveyed with ultraviolet light by an ultraviolet light source determined to be within an ultraviolet irradiation range based on the results detected by the detector;
a base having a surface parallel to the direction in which the object to be sterilized is conveyed by the continuous conveying means;
and an inclined protrusion having a surface inclined in the direction and projecting from the parallel surface
with
multiple ultraviolet light sources
a side ultraviolet light source disposed on the parallel surface of the base and emitting ultraviolet light from the parallel surface;
an ultraviolet light source for front and rear surfaces disposed on a surface inclined in the direction of the inclined protrusion and emitting ultraviolet rays from the surface inclined in the direction;
The side ultraviolet light source and the front and rear ultraviolet light source are ultraviolet LEDs,
The ultraviolet sterilization equipment, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source for front and rear surfaces is different from the ultraviolet irradiation range of the ultraviolet light source for side surfaces. 2. The ultraviolet light according to claim 1 , wherein the control device stops the irradiation of the ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet light source when it is determined that the object to be sterilized is not within the ultraviolet irradiation range based on the result detected by the detector. Sterilization equipment. A control device controls the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source to the object to be sterilized according to the distance between the object to be sterilized and the ultraviolet light source determined to be within the ultraviolet irradiation range of the object to be sterilized. The ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a 2. The ultraviolet sterilization equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the continuous conveying means transmits a signal for stopping irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light source to the control device when conveyance of the sterilization target is stopped. .

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