JPH01297192A - Apparatus for preventing terminal of flow passage from contamination - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the title apparatus preventing the propagation of bacteria in the vicinity of a spigot, low in cost and having durability by providing a cap to the bottom part of the spigot in a detachable manner. CONSTITUTION:A cylindrical cap 10 closed at one end surface thereof is provided to the bottom part of the spigot 2 in a detachable manner. That is, a ring-shaped groove 1 is provided to a nut 4 and the cap 10 is mounted to the nut 4 by engaging the protruding part 10a of the cap 10 with said groove 11. By this method, the open air is blocked by the cap 10 and bacteria in air become hard to enter the water remaining in the spigot 2 by a temp. change and there is also no convection of air and, therefore, the propagation possibility of bacteria can be eliminated. Since no sterilizing agent is used as is conventional and the cap 10 may be provided merely, cost is low and, since the cap is not violently consumed at specific temp. and the effect thereof is not lowered, said cap has good durability and it is unnecessary to replace the same.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] This invention relates to a contamination prevention device at the end of a flow path, including a shower or faucet that discharges sterile water.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention provides a flow path end contamination prevention device that includes an ultraviolet germicidal lamp and a faucet provided at the end of the flow path to which ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp are irradiated. This prevents the growth of bacteria by blocking the air near the bottom (outlet) of the faucet.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, so-called sterilized water used for washing hands during surgery, cleaning medical instruments, etc. is produced by flowing untreated water such as tap water around an ultraviolet germicidal lamp in a treatment device and irradiating it with ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 254 nm, for example. Water is discharged from the shower faucet or faucet (hereinafter referred to as faucet) while being sequentially sterilized.

In the above example, as long as water continues to be sprayed, the inner surface and tip of the faucet are also cleaned, so there is almost no problem. However, once water is stopped, the sterilized water inside the faucet is replaced with air, and the There is a drawback that sterilization enters and adheres to the inside of the faucet along with the air, contaminating the faucet.

To avoid this, it is known to install a separate ultraviolet germicidal lamp that constantly irradiates the inner surface of the faucet, but in this example, multiple germicidal lamps are used, which makes the device complicated and expensive. There was a drawback that it was not possible to prevent contamination of the tip, especially the outer circumferential surface.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed a contamination prevention device that can simultaneously sterilize water at the end of a flow path and the inner and outer surfaces of a faucet using a common ultraviolet germicidal lamp.

Figure 3 shows the main part, and in the figure, (1)
is a U-shaped ultraviolet germicidal lamp, below which a faucet (2) and an end straight pipe (3) connected to its side wall (2a) are arranged. The side wall (2a) of the faucet is made of stainless steel, and the lid plate (2b), the shower plate (2C) with many small diameter holes, and the straight pipe (3) are made of fluororesin that transmits ultraviolet rays. It is watertightly joined to the side wall. Further, (4) and 15) are fixing nuts, respectively. The sterilizing lamp (1), the faucet (2), and the straight end pipe (3) are surrounded by a jacket (6) of appropriate material and shape, and each is connected to an external power source via a ballast or electromagnetic valve (not shown). Or connected to a water supply pipe.

In addition, in order to increase the irradiation efficiency of the germicidal lamp (1), the outer cover (6
) has an ultraviolet reflector on its inner surface, and a germicidal lamp (1
) The upper part of the outer cover (6) can be opened and closed for inspection, etc.

To explain the operation of this device, the ultraviolet germicidal lamp (1
) is always on, and since the cover plate (2b), shower plate (2c), and end straight pipe (3) are UV #FA transparent, both the inside and outside surfaces of the faucet (2) and the end straight pipe (3) The inner surface of the tube is constantly irradiated with ultraviolet light from the germicidal lamp (1) and is not contaminated by germicidal agents.

When the solenoid valve is opened under the control of a foot switch or a photoelectric proximity switch (both not shown), water flows through the solenoid valve into the terminal straight pipe and flows through the straight pipe (3) and the faucet (2). In the meantime, it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the germicidal lamp (1) to be sterilized, and flows out through the large number of small-diameter through holes of the shower 4fi (2c) to be used for the aforementioned hand washing and the like. When the solenoid valve is closed after washing hands, etc., air replaced with sterile water enters the inside of the faucet (2), but the faucet (2) is not contaminated by sterilization as in the case before the solenoid valve is opened.

Note that the faucet side wall (2a) may be made of rigid resin and may be UV transparent.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the case of the conventional device having the configuration as shown in Fig. 3, since the shower plate (2C) is in contact with the air, bacteria in the air can easily enter the water remaining in the faucet (2) due to temperature changes. There was a risk that bacteria would further multiply due to air convection.

In order to prevent this faucet contamination, there is a conventional method of attaching a lid containing a bactericidal substance, such as an oxidizing agent such as a chlorine agent or an iodine agent, to the inside of the purified water outlet (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 171593/1983).
There is a method of attaching a container made of porous ceramic granules containing a sterilizing agent to the sterile water sampling part of a sterile water production system (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 14956/1983), but all of these methods are expensive and require a specific temperature, e.g. When used under warm water of approximately 2°C to 43°C, the disinfectant is rapidly consumed and the disinfectant must be replaced in a short period of time.

In addition, using such disinfectants at faucets may cause a chemical reaction that may pose a risk of personal injury, and it is important to check when the disinfectant you are using has lost its effectiveness. There was no way to do this, and the lids and containers containing such sterilizers had the disadvantage of being blown away by the pressure during steam sterilization tests at the factory.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and durable end-of-flow contamination prevention device that can reliably prevent the growth of bacteria near the faucet.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides an apparatus for preventing contamination at the end of a flow path, which includes an ultraviolet germicidal lamp (1) and a faucet (2) provided at the end of the flow path to which ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp (1) is irradiated. (2) A removable cap (
10).

[Effect]

A cap (10) is removably provided at the bottom (outlet) of the faucet (2). This blocks outside air and prevents air from entering the water remaining in the faucet (2) and causing bacteria to grow. In addition, since the cap (10) is simply attached, it is easy and inexpensive, and since no disinfectants are used, there is no harm to humans and there is no skin.
Also, since it is not affected by temperature, it can be used forever and does not need to be replaced.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, a cylindrical camp (10) with one end closed is removably provided at the bottom (outlet) of the faucet (2).

That is, a ring-shaped groove (11) is provided in the nand (4),
The protrusion (10a) of the cap (10) is fitted onto this to attach it. As a result, outside air is blocked by this cap (10), and bacteria in the air are removed from the faucet (10) due to temperature changes.
It becomes difficult for the water remaining in the 2+ to enter, and since there is no air convection, there is no possibility of bacteria multiplying. This camp (10) is made of a material that is easy to attach and detach, such as rubber, resin, or metal. Forming this material into a fine-mesh filter has the effect of releasing pressure, which is particularly advantageous in steam sterilization tests, and reduces the chance of the cap (10) flying off due to pressure.

Further, a reflecting plate (12) such as a one-way mirror may be provided on the inner wall of the cap (10). As a result, the ultraviolet cotton from the sterilizing lamp (1) is reflected by this reflector (12), increasing the sterilizing effect. Further, the cap may be transparent.

In addition, a germicidal lamp (1) that generates ozone may be used, which synergistically turns the air inside the cap (10) covering the shower plate (2c) into ozone, resulting in an even more sterilizing effect. come out.

Furthermore, if a chain or the like of a predetermined length is connected to the outside of the cap (10) and the other end is attached to a fixed part (not shown), there is no risk of losing the removed cap (10).

In addition, in Fig. 2, a shower plate (2) with many small holes is shown.
c) is used, but instead of this shower plate (2c), an ultraviolet-transparent faucet plate (2d) having a single opening as shown in FIG. 2 may be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the bottom of the faucet (
A removable cap is installed on the outlet (outlet), so the outlet is isolated from the outside air, making it difficult for bacteria from the air to enter the water remaining near the outlet due to temperature changes, and preventing air convection from growing. Ru. In addition, the cost is low because it is sufficient to simply provide a cap without using a disinfectant as in the past, and it is durable and does not need to be replaced because it does not suffer from severe wear and tear at a certain temperature as in the past. Furthermore, there is no danger of harm to humans due to chemical reactions as in the conventional method. Historically, by using the material of the cap in the form of a fine-mesh filter, steam sterilization is possible, and even in experiments, it does not fly away due to pressure, and the cap used at the factory can be used as is by the user, and the cap can be made for the user. There is no need to repair it.

Additionally, in the past, there was no way to confirm when the disinfectant had lost its effectiveness, but since this invention uses an ultraviolet germicidal lamp, it is possible to visually confirm whether the disinfectant is effective or not by looking at the ultraviolet light. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another example of a part of the main part of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional example. . (1) is an ultraviolet germicidal lamp, (2) is a faucet, (2c) is a shower plate, and (10) is a cap.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a flow path end contamination prevention device having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp and a faucet provided at the end of the flow path where the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet germicidal lamp are irradiated, a removable cap is provided at the bottom of the faucet. Features a contamination prevention device at the end of the flow path.