JPH0343331A - Packing of articles sterilized under high hydrostatic pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the secondary contamination of sterilized articles by delivering a hydraulic medium and articles sterilized under high hydrostatic pressure through a delivery pipe, by sealing a packaging medium so that a hydrostatic medium and sterilized articles are contained in the packaging medium, by removing the hydrostatic medium from a packing body, and by sealing a medium-removing hole and an air vent hole. CONSTITUTION:By means of a sterilizing apparatus 1 using a high hydrostatic pressure, a high pressure is applied to a hydrostatic medium (a) and sterilized object (b) under specified pressure conditions and the hydrostatic medium and sterilized object are delivered from a delivery pipe 16 after a specified period of time. The delivered hydrostatic medium (a) and sterilization object (b') are supplied with a packaging medium 21 from a packaging-medium feeder 2 along the delivery pipe 16 and sealed by a heat sealer 3. From a packing body, in which the hydrostatic medium (a) and sterilized object (b') are contained, the hydrostatic medium(a) is removed by a dehydrating pump 4 and then the inside of the packing body is evacuated by a vacuum pump 5. After the air has been drawn from the inside of each packing body, removing holes for dehydration and for evacuation are sealed by the heat sealer 3.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is directed to pressurizing a hydrostatic medium (the medium is not limited to water, but also alcohol etc.) to a high pressure. The present invention relates to a packaging method that sterilizes various articles in a hydrostatic medium under high pressure conditions and effectively prevents secondary contamination (recontamination) of the sterilized articles.

(Prior art) It has been known for a long time that microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, viruses, etc.) are inactivated (quiet, sterilized) under high pressure. It is also becoming clear that it is possible to process, sterilize, and preserve foods and fruit juices.

Sterilization technology using high-pressure liquid is based on the following process. Taking protein as an example, the texture and flavor are completely different when the protein is heat-denatured and when it is pressure-denatured. This is because during thermal denaturation, weak bonds (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds), i.e., non-covalent bonds, are destroyed due to the intense molecular motion of proteins, and at the same time, covalent bonds may also be broken down or formed. , the original pressure change of several thousand atmospheres is due to the difference that only non-covalent Fi bonds are affected. Under the latter condition of pressure denaturation ('t), the delicate balance of non-covalent bonds of the molecules that make up microorganisms is destroyed, and life activities cease, that is, sterilization and insecticide ('protein Nucleic acid enzyme J VoL34
．． No. 2.1989, pp. 119-123; "Food and Science J February 1989 F'r (voL31.No.
, 2), pp. 1-5>.

As is well known, when sterilizing foodstuffs, fruit juices, etc.
There are various methods such as thermal denaturation, copper ray irradiation, and chemical methods, but all of them lead to quality deterioration.

In order to improve the problem of quality deterioration mentioned above, a sterilization method and sterilization device using high-pressure liquid was developed in Machima 62-66.
862 bow, proposed in 62-69969@.

However, these sterilization techniques using high-pressure liquids
This method lacks consideration for secondary contamination (recontamination) after sterilization, which becomes an extremely serious problem when the object to be sterilized is a medical tool (for example, various surgical tools).

(Problem to be solved by Zatmei) The present invention is a sterilization method that effectively prevents secondary contamination (re-contamination) of various sterilized articles in sterilization technology 11.i using high-pressure liquid. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new packaging method for treated items.In particular, the present invention uses high-pressure liquid to prevent secondary contamination (re-contamination) of sterilized items, and to prevent subsequent use and storage. The object of this invention is to provide a method for packaging these sterilized products in a form convenient for management.

(Means for Solving the Problems) To summarize the present invention, the present invention provides a method for packaging a sterilized product using high hydrostatic pressure, (1) Sterilization treatment using high hydrostatic pressure 'Mft with 1f of static water
A step of supplying a medium and an object to be sterilized through a supply pipe, 01> A step of generating high hydrostatic pressure in a sterilization treatment device using a high hydrostatic pressure consisting of a pressure generator and a pressure-resistant container, 611) Sterilization using a high hydrostatic pressure A step of discharging the hydrostatic medium and the sterilized product that has been sterilized under high hydrostatic pressure from the processing device through a discharge pipe, (v) sealing a packaging material such that the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product are contained; (vi) from a package containing the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product; It consists of a step of removing the hydrostatic pressure medium from the package using a dehydration/vacuum device and evacuating the inside of the package, and a step of sealing the vent hole for removing the hydrostatic pressure medium and the air vent hole for vacuuming. The present invention relates to a packaging method for processed products sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure.

Hereinafter, the @ precept of the present invention will be explained in detail.

In the method for packaging products sterilized under high hydrostatic pressure according to the present invention, the hydrostatic medium subjected to high pressure h0 is mainly water, but is not limited thereto. Particularly, as will be described later, when the object to be sterilized is a medical tool (syringe, various surgical tools, etc.), alcohol or the like may be used to double as a disinfectant.

Further, in the present invention, the object to be sterilized with high hydrostatic pressure is a non-liquid object. Conventionally, this type of high-pressure liquid has been used for sterilization, mainly for liquid foods, fruit juices, and other similar products. In contrast, the present invention (in this case, the hydrostatic pressure medium and the object to be sterilized are treated in a solid state (after the system is subjected to high pressure treatment, the hydrostatic pressure medium is separated and removed to retain the shape)). Because only the sterilized products are packaged, the first object to be sterilized is non-liquid.

In the present invention, the object to be sterilized is any object as long as it is non-liquid, does not dissolve or elute to a large extent in the hydrostatic medium during high-pressure treatment, and is solid with shape retention. This is something that is very worrying. Examples include medical tools (syringes, various surgical tools), solid shape-retaining foods (meat, vegetables, fish, cheese), etc.

In the present invention, any pressure conditions may be used as long as the pressure applied to the hydrostatic pressure medium is bacteriostatic and sterilizes bacteria (E. coli, Staphylococcus, E. nella, etc.).

However, when the pressure exceeds io, ooo atmospheric pressure, if the hydrostatic pressure medium is water, water solidifies, so pressurization becomes less meaningful. Pressurization conditions are usually 500 to 10,000 atm, preferably 500 to 6,000 atm.

In addition, in the present invention, the purpose of pressure modification may extend to sterilization as well as other purposes (for example, food processing, preservation, etc.) due to differences in the objects to be treated and differences in applied pressure. That is, the term sterilization treatment in the present invention should be understood to include the latter case.

Next, an embodiment for packaging processed products sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that what is shown in the drawings should be interpreted as an example and does not limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet for packaging processed products that have been sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, a sterilization treatment device (1) that utilizes high hydrostatic pressure can be roughly divided into a pressure generating device (11) such as a hydraulic pump, a pressure container (12), and a sterilization device (1). Ru. The pressure generating device (11) hydraulically drives a piston that is disposed in the syringe and consists of a large-diameter piston and a small-diameter piston. On the other hand, the pressure vessel (12) is a hydrostatic medium (a
) and the sterilization processing chamber (13) and upper lid (14) that accommodate the sterilization target (b), and the hydrostatic pressure medium (a) and the sterilization target (b).
) to the sterilization chamber (13).
, hydrostatic pressure medium (a) and high pressure treated sterilized material (bo
) from the sterilization chamber (13).
16).

Then, in order to apply high pressure to the sterilization processing chamber (13),
A small diameter piston is inserted from the lower part of the sterilization processing chamber (13), and a large hydrostatic pressure inversely proportional to the commercial volume ratio of the large diameter piston is applied to the sterilization processing chamber (13) by driving the pressure generator (11) (Ura 11 pump). ) is applied to

Using the above-mentioned sterilization treatment using high hydrostatic pressure (1), high pressure is applied to the hydrostatic pressure medium (a) and the object to be sterilized (b) under predetermined pressure conditions, and after a predetermined time, the discharge pipe is removed. (16)
Emit more. In this process, the sterilizing object (b) is subjected to a pressure change to the object to be sterilized (b''). Needless to say, it is also possible to install a sterilizer and carry out sterilization under constant temperature conditions.

In addition, although Fig. 1 shows a batch type sterilization device (1) with one unit, it is also possible to connect many of these in parallel and sterilize the object (b) semi-continuously. good.

The hydrostatic pressure medium (a) and the sterilized material (bo) discharged from the extraction tube (16) as described above are transferred from the packaging material feeder (2) to the packaging material [21 ) is supplied along the outlet pipe (16), and the heat sealing device (
3) is sealed.

By heat sealing by the heat sealing device (3), the individual packages are connected at the heat sealing part, but in FIG. 1, the packages are cut at the heat sealing part and the individual packages are separated. The situation is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, it goes without saying that another packaging material feeder (2°) may be used in combination to supply the packaging material (21). Also, although not shown,
If the sterilized object (bo) is a plurality of surgical tools of the same type (for example, scalpels), a stock area may be provided in the middle of the discharge pipe (16), and the items may be counted and packaged sequentially from there. Yes, it goes without saying.

In the present invention, as a packaging material, heat sealing tst is
For example, synthetic resin sheet materials such as P[T, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., or sterilized materials (BO) are preferable. In order to prevent xj, etc., sheets made by combining these with aluminum foil are used.

In the step of packaging the sterilized product that has been sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure according to the present invention, as described above, the hydrostatic pressure medium (a
) and the sterilized product (bo) are first packaged together, and then the hydrostatic pressure medium (n) is removed in the next step. Such a packaging process may cause secondary contamination (re-contamination) of the sterilized product (bo)! Moreover, it is a sterilized product (bo
) is a prerequisite for easy packaging.

FIG. 1 shows the hydrostatic pressure medium (a) obtained by the above process.
A mode is shown in which the hydrostatic pressure medium (a) is removed from a package containing the sterilized product (bo) using a dehydration pump (4), and then the inside of the package is evacuated using a vacuum pump (5). . The device for dehydrating or vacuuming the inside of each package is preferably one that can perform these operations continuously. After evacuating the inside of each package, the holes for dehydration and the holes for vacuuming are installed using a heat sealing device (3°
), and a package (6) in which the sterilized product (bo) is packaged in a vacuum pack is manufactured.

(Effect of Explanation) According to the present invention, various articles in a hydrostatic pressure medium are sterilized by applying high pressure to the hydrostatic pressure medium, and each sterilized rod discharged from the pressurized system is The product is packaged to prevent secondary contamination (re-contamination).

In particular, various articles that have been sterilized using high-pressure liquid according to the present invention can be efficiently packaged to avoid secondary contamination (re-contamination) as described above. The material can be sterilized and stored on Mars in advance for later use, and the storage location is a sterile room with a silent germ lamp in consideration of secondary contamination (re-contamination). This defense has excellent effects, such as eliminating the need for rhinoceroses and reducing the need for preservation and storage of Chomei.

An additional effect of the present invention is that when disposing of items that cannot be reprinted, such as medical equipment such as injection needles or damaged syringes, high-pressure liquid can be used instead of packaging them. All you have to do is sterilize it. That is, the present invention provides i, a sterilization treatment apparatus using high hydrostatic pressure,
It is something that can improve the work ability of the 2TL Tsuguya family.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart 1 showing a method of packaging a processed product subjected to fC flash embedding under high hydrostatic pressure according to the present invention. 1... Sterilization processing device using high hydrostatic pressure 11... Pressure generation device 12... Pressure resistant container 13... Sterilization processing chamber 14. ...Coat 15 ... Supply pipe 16 ... Discharge pipe a ... Hydrostatic pressure medium b ... Sterilization object b - ... Sterilized product 2, 2°...Packaging material feeder 3.3゛...Heat sealing device 4...Dehydration pump device 5...・・・Vacuum pump device 6・・・・・・Packaging body (finished product) Owner-owned applicant
Tokyo Ohtake Trading Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for packaging processed materials that have been sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure, including (i) supplying a hydrostatic medium and objects to be sterilized to a sterilization device that uses high hydrostatic pressure through a supply pipe; (ii) generating high hydrostatic pressure to a sterilization device that utilizes high hydrostatic pressure, which is comprised of a pressure generator and a pressure-resistant container; a step of discharging the medium and the sterilized product that has been sterilized under high hydrostatic pressure through a discharge pipe; (iv) a step of supplying a packaging material along the discharge pipe so as to package the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product; v) sealing the packaging material so that the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product are contained; (vi) packaging the package containing the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product using a dehydration/vacuum device; (vii) sealing a vent hole for removing the hydrostatic pressure medium and an air vent hole for vacuuming; A packaging method for processed products that have been sterilized using high hydrostatic pressure. 2. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrostatic medium is water. 3. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrostatic pressure medium is alcohol. 4. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material for packaging the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product is made of a plastic sheet. 5. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging material for packaging the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product is composed of a plastic sheet and aluminum foil. 6. Claim 1, wherein the packaging material is sealed by heat sealing so that the contents include the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product.
Packaging method as described in Section. 7. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein after the packaging material is sealed to contain the hydrostatic pressure medium and the sterilized product, the individual packaging bodies are cut and separated. 8. The packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the high hydrostatic pressure generated by the sterilization treatment device that utilizes high hydrostatic pressure is 500 to 10,000 atmospheres. 9. The packaging method according to claim 8, wherein the high hydrostatic pressure generated by the sterilization treatment device that utilizes high hydrostatic pressure is 500 to 6,000 atmospheres.