JPH1024092A - Container inside sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container inside sterilizing device in which an ultraviolet ray is introduced to the inside of a container to irradiate the container from the inside. SOLUTION: A container inside sterilizing device includes an ultraviolet lamp 1 to form an ultraviolet source, a convergence device 3 to radiate light from the lamp 1 to a specific surface, and a photoconducting body 4 of which input end surface is provided on the specific surface to radiate inputted light outward, so it is inserted from the other end side of the photoconducting body 4 into a container 8 as a subject to cleaning to radiate an ultraviolet ray to the inside of the container 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizing device for sterilizing an inside of a container by irradiating the inside of the container with ultraviolet rays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry, sterilization in containers has been mainly performed by chemicals or heating. In recent years, in the field of sterilization, although the effectiveness of ultraviolet light has been recognized, since appropriate means for irradiating ultraviolet light into the container has not been obtained, it has been carried out only to the extent that an ultraviolet lamp can be inserted into the container. Only examples were seen.

[0003]

When an ultraviolet lamp is inserted into a container, when the ultraviolet lamp is an electrode type,
There are also problems such as electric wires and electrodes, making it difficult to make the whole thin and cannot be used for containers with small entrances. When using an electrodeless lamp that emits ultraviolet rays by microwaves, if the general relationship between the microwave generator and the lamp is followed, the wall of the container is located between the microwave generator and the electrodeless lamp. It cannot be used for containers made of materials that cannot use microwaves.

[0004] Even in containers that can use microwaves, the efficiency of microwave energy transmission is reduced by the walls. In addition, a rise in the temperature of the container due to microwaves is inevitable. It cannot be used for containers made of synthetic resin that cannot withstand high temperatures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a container interior sterilizing apparatus in which ultraviolet rays are introduced into a container to irradiate the container from the inside.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sterilizing an inside of a container, comprising: an ultraviolet lamp forming an ultraviolet light source; and a condensing device for applying light from the lamp to a specific surface. And a light guide that is provided with an input end face on the specific surface and radiates input light outward, and inserts into the container to be cleaned from the other end side of the light guide to clean the inside of the container. It is configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet light source includes a magnetron, a waveguide in which an antenna of the magnetron is inserted at one end and an output of the magnetron is coupled, and an output of the magnetron coupled to the waveguide at the other end of the waveguide. And an electrodeless lamp that receives the output antenna in the central cavity of the double tubular transparent container and is excited by microwaves from the antenna to emit ultraviolet light. In the sterilizing device inside the container, the conductive antenna may be tubular, another thin tube may be provided inside, and a flow passage for flowing a fluid inside and outside the thin tube may be provided. In the sterilizing device inside the container, the light guide is made of a material transparent to ultraviolet rays, and the outer surface is a rod-like body, and irregularities can be provided on the surface.

[0006]

According to the above construction, the light guide is inserted into a target container, ultraviolet rays are generated, and the light is introduced into the container via the light guide, whereby the inside of most containers can be sterilized. Since the material is introduced into the inside of the container via the light guide, the material of the container does not matter. Further, ultraviolet irradiation can be performed without increasing the temperature.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings and the like. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a basic configuration of a sterilizing device inside a container according to the present invention. An ultraviolet ray source (ultraviolet lamp 1) that generates ultraviolet rays receives energy from a power supply 2 and generates ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet rays are condensed on a specific region on a specific surface by a condensing device constituted by the reflector 3. The end face 5 of the light guide 4 is located at the condensing position. The light guide 4 is a container 8 to be sterilized.
It is supported so that it can be inserted inside. The thickness and length of the light guide 4 are determined according to the dimensions of the container to be sterilized. The light guide 4 is formed of a transparent material, such as quartz, for ultraviolet light, has end faces 5 and 6, and emits ultraviolet light received from the end face 5 mainly from the side surface 7 at various angles in the lateral direction. Thereby, the inner wall surface 9 of the container is irradiated.

The positional relationship between the ultraviolet lamp 1 and the end face 5 of the light guide 4 is such that light from the ultraviolet lamp 1 is transmitted to the end face 5 of the light guide 4 by the reflecting mirror 3 provided inside the ultraviolet lamp 1. It is determined so that the end face 5 is irradiated with a beam diameter corresponding to the size. Ultraviolet rays entering from the end face 5 are radiated to the inner surface 9 of the container 8 from the end face 6 and the side face 7 of the light guide 4.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus in a container according to the present invention. At a position near one end of the rectangular waveguide 10, a magnetron (microwave oscillator) 12 having an antenna 11 is fixed via a metal packing 13. At this time, the antenna 11 is inserted into the rectangular waveguide 10, and the output of the magnetron 12 is coupled to the waveguide. The magnetron 12 is operated by a proper electric circuit.

[0010] In the rectangular waveguide 10, a conductive antenna 14 that receives microwaves from the magnetron antenna 11 is provided apart from the magnetron antenna 11. The conductive antenna 14 is made of copper or the like having high electric conductivity. The conductive antenna 14 extends to the outside of the rectangular waveguide 10 through a central hole of an insulating plate 15 made of ceramic or synthetic resin. The conductive antenna 14 is provided on the rectangular waveguide 10.
By providing an opening 16 which is larger than the cross section of FIG. The insulating plate 15 is fixed to the rectangular waveguide 10 with screws or the like.

An electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 made of quartz glass has a hollow portion 19 having a double cylindrical body and an opening 18,
An enclosure 20 in which a substance that emits ultraviolet light by being excited by receiving a microwave, for example, a small amount of mercury, is enclosed.
With. The enclosing part 20 is sealed. The hollow portion 19 is provided concentrically with the enclosing portion 20 in the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17, and has an inner diameter large and deep enough for the conductive antenna 14 to be inserted. The electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is mounted on the insulating plate 15 by a suitable means such as a screw.
It is fixed to.

The portion of the conductive antenna 14 that is inside the rectangular waveguide 10 is held by the rectangular waveguide 10 via an insulating bush 21. The insulating bush 21 is fixed to the rectangular waveguide 10 by a suitable means such as a screw or an adhesive on the metal cap 22. Metal cap 22
Are in contact with a rectangular waveguide 10 made of metal. The conductive antenna 14 is tubular and has an inner tube 23 made of a thin tube therein.

The outer diameter of the inner tube 23 is sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the conductive antenna 14, and a fluid passage 24 is formed between the inner tube 23 and the conductive antenna 14. The open end 25 of the inner tube 23 is spaced apart from the closed end 26 of the conductive antenna 14 and the fluid passage 2 formed inside the inner tube 23.
7 is connected. The inner tube 23 extends to the end of the metal cap 22 and connects to the fluid inlet 28. The fluid flow passage 24 penetrates through the insulating bush 21, extends partway through the metal cap 22, and is connected to a fluid outlet 29 provided in the metal cap 22.

The electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is covered with the reflecting mirror 3. The thickness and length of the light guide 4 are determined according to the dimensions of the container 8 to be sterilized. The light guide 4 has end faces 5 and 6 and side faces 7. Ultraviolet rays from the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 are received at the end face 5 of the light guide 4, and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the other end face 6 and the side face 7.

The positional relationship between the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 and the end face 5 of the light guide 4 is such that light from the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is reflected by the reflector 3 provided with the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 inside. 4 is determined so as to irradiate the end face 5 with a beam diameter corresponding to the size of the end face 5. Ultraviolet rays entering from the end face 5 are irradiated to the inner surface 9 of the container 8 from the end face 6 and the side face 7 of the light guide 4.

The light guide 4 can be realized by various methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, by providing the prismatic irregularities 30 on the side surface 7, the ultraviolet rays entering from the surface 5 can be effectively emitted outside the side surface 7. By providing a translucent reflective film on the end face 6, a part of the ultraviolet light is emitted from the end face 6, but a part of the ultraviolet light is reflected and returns to the inside of the light guide 4, and exits from the side face 7 or returns to the end face 6. You can also

In the above embodiment, the magnetron 12
Is driven, a microwave is emitted from the magnetron antenna 11, and the conductive antenna 14 receives the microwave inside the rectangular waveguide 10 and radiates it to the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 outside the rectangular waveguide 10. The light emitting material sealed in the sealing portion 20 of the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is excited to emit ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light from the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is condensed on the end face 5 of the light guide 4 by the reflecting mirror 3, and emits ultraviolet light from the side face and the end face 6 of the light guide 4.
For sterilization. There is no temperature rise.

The conductive antenna 14 and the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 are heated by microwaves and light, and the temperature rises. Fluid inlet 2 provided in metal cap 22
When a cooling fluid, for example, cooling water, is introduced from the inside 8, the cooling water passes through the fluid flow passage 27 inside the internal pipe 23 and passes through the open end 2.
5 through a fluid flow passage 24 to a fluid outlet 29. Thereby, the conductive antenna 14 and the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 are cooled. When the light emitting substance in the electrodeless ultraviolet lamp 17 is mercury, when the temperature is maintained at about 45 degrees, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 254 nm, which is most effective as a sterilizing ray, can be specifically emitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a sterilizing device inside a container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of the first embodiment of the container internal sterilization apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a light guide, which is a main component of the sterilizing apparatus inside a container according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultraviolet light source (lamp) 3 Reflecting mirror 4 Light guide 5 End face of light guide 6 End face of light guide 7 Side face of light guide 8 Container 9 Inner surface of container 10 Rectangular waveguide 11 Magnetron antenna 14 Conductive antenna 17 Electrodeless UV lamp 23 Inner tube

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ultraviolet lamp forming an ultraviolet light source, a light condensing device for irradiating light from the lamp to a specific surface, and an input end surface provided on the specific surface to radiate input light outward. A sterilizing device inside a container, comprising: a light guide that is inserted into the container to be cleaned from the other end side of the light guide to irradiate the inside of the container with ultraviolet light. 2. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light source includes: a magnetron; a waveguide having an antenna of the magnetron inserted at one end and coupled to an output of the magnetron; An output antenna made of a conductive material that is coupled to the waveguide at the other end of the antenna to take out the output of the magnetron; and that the output antenna is received in the center cavity of the double tubular transparent container to convert the microwave from the antenna. An interior sterilization device for a container, comprising an electrodeless lamp that emits ultraviolet light when excited. 3. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conductive antenna is formed in a tubular shape, another thin tube is provided inside, and a flow passage for flowing a fluid inside and outside the thin tube is provided. The container inside sterilizer. 4. The container interior sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is a rod-shaped body made of a material transparent to ultraviolet rays, and the surface has irregularities.