JPH1043279A - Sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a sterilizing gas from flowing out from the closed chamber of a sterilizing device and to enable continuous feeding of articles. SOLUTION: This device has an article feeding part 4 in which articles B are continuously fed by a conveyor 24, a sterilizing part 8 in which the articles B fed from the feeding part 4 are sterilized by hydrogen peroxide steam as they are continuously conveyed by the conveyor 52, and a delivery part 6 provided between the feeding part 4 and the sterilizing part 8 to deliver the articles B. Shutters 32, 34 that can be sealed are provided, respectively, at the entrance and exit of the delivery part 6. An article transfer means 30 for transferring the articles B from the feeding part 4 to an article stand 42 in the delivery part 6 and an article transfer means 48 for transferring the articles B from the delivery part 6 to the sterilizing part 8 are arranged in place. When the articles B is conveyed into the delivery part 6, the exit shutter 34 is closed and the entrance shutter 32 opened, and when the articles B is unloaded from the delivery part 6, the entrance shutter 32 is closed and the exit shutter 34 opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizer for sterilizing a large number of articles while continuously transporting the articles, and more particularly to a sterilizer for sterilizing the surface of the articles with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide vapor. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sterilizers for performing sterilization while continuously transporting a large number of articles have been known. For example,
The "food sterilization method and apparatus using hydrogen peroxide" described in JP-A-6-7669 is configured as follows. That is, preliminary rooms (front room 3 and rear room 4) are provided before and after the sterilization room 2, respectively, and the entrance door 14 is provided between the front room 3 and the sterilization room 2 and between the sterilization room 2 and the rear room 4 respectively. Exit door 1
Open and close by 5. In the sterilization room 2, the front room 3 and the rear room 4, there are conveyors 7, 16 and 17, respectively.
The two conveyors (16, 7, 17 in order from the upstream side) are continuously connected with the entrance door 14 and the exit door 15 interposed therebetween. Further, doors 20 and 21 for sending and receiving are provided at the entrance of the front room 3 and the exit of the rear room 4 respectively.

In the above-described conventional configuration, the doors 14, 15, 2
Conveyors 7, 16, 17 are arranged in each of the chambers 2, 3, 4 partitioned by 0, 21, respectively, and the foods 5 are placed on a spray-permeable container, for example, a net basket 6, and each of the conveyors 7, 1,
The food 6 is transported continuously on the doors 6 and 17, and the door is pushed open by the net basket 6 on which the food 5 is placed and sent to the next room. Therefore, the entrance doors 20 provided before and after the front room 3 are provided.
And the entrance door 14 may be simultaneously opened (the state shown in the figure of the above-mentioned publication), and the exit door 15 and the delivery door 21 provided before and after the rear chamber 4 may be simultaneously opened. In such a case, the mist of hydrogen peroxide in the sterilization chamber 2 flows out from the front chamber 3 or the rear chamber 4 to the outside.

Therefore, in the configuration of the sterilizing apparatus described in the above-mentioned publication, an exhaust pipe 22 is connected to each of the front chamber 3 and the rear chamber 4 so that the hydrogen peroxide flowing into the front chamber 3 and the rear chamber 4 can be appropriately discharged. The catalyst is discharged into a processing unit including a tank 23 containing water or the like mixed with a catalyst.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional configuration,
Although the hydrogen peroxide discharged into the front chamber 3 and the rear chamber 4 is discharged and treated by the processing machine, when hydrogen peroxide is atomized and sprayed for sterilization as described above. By evacuating the inside of the front chamber 3 and the rear chamber 4 constantly, it is possible to prevent the leakage of hydrogen peroxide to the outside to some extent. In the case of a configuration in which hydrogen is gasified and sprayed to perform sterilization, doors 20 and 14 provided at the entrance and exit of the front chamber 3 or doors provided at the entrance and exit of the rear chamber 4. When the openings 15 and 21 are opened at the same time, there is a problem that hydrogen peroxide cannot be prevented from passing through the front chamber 3 or the rear chamber 4 and flowing out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has as its object to provide a sterilization apparatus capable of preventing a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide vapor flowing out of a sterilizing section into a closed chamber before and after the sterilizing section from leaking outside. It is intended for.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization apparatus comprising: an article supply section in which a conveyor for continuously transporting articles is arranged; and a closed chamber provided continuously with the article supply section. A delivery unit on which a mounting table is arranged; a first shutter for opening and closing between the article supply unit and the delivery unit; and a first shutter for holding an article on a conveyor of the article supply unit and placing the article on the article placement table of the delivery unit. Transfer means, a conveyor for continuously transporting the articles is disposed in a closed chamber provided continuously on the downstream side of the delivery section, a sterilization section for sterilizing the articles being transported by the conveyor, and a delivery section A second shutter for opening and closing between the container and the sterilizing section, and second transfer means for holding the article on the article mounting table of the transfer section and placing the article on the conveyor of the sterilizing section.

[0008] The sterilization apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a sterilization unit in which a conveyor for continuously transporting the articles is disposed in a closed chamber, and a sterilizer for sterilizing the articles being transported by the conveyor.
A delivery section in which an article mounting table is arranged, a third shutter that opens and closes between the sterilization section and the delivery section, and a conveyor on the sterilization section, Third to hold the article and place it on the article placement table in the delivery section
Transfer means, provided on the downstream side of the delivery unit, an aeration unit in which a conveyor for continuously transporting articles is arranged,
A fourth shutter for opening and closing between the delivery section and the aeration section; and a fourth transfer means for holding an article on the article mounting table of the delivery section and placing the article on a conveyor of the aeration section. is there.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the overall configuration of a sterilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sterilizer includes a microwave heating device 2 and an article supply unit in order from the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1). 4, a first delivery section 6, a sterilization section 8, a second delivery section 10, an aeration section 12, a third delivery section 14, and a discharge section 16, and are provided with articles (for example, a resin container such as an infusion bag). ) Is continuously conveyed, and the surface thereof is sterilized by a sterilizing gas such as hydrogen peroxide vapor.

The microwave heating device 2 is provided with a microwave oscillator 18, and heats an article carried into the device 2 from the outside (sterilization preparation room) and conveyed by the conveyor 20, so as to heat the article. Temperature (for example, 36
C) and dehumidify. By heating and dehumidifying the article, sterilization with hydrogen peroxide vapor, which will be described later, is effectively performed. A supply unit hand 22 (shape is omitted in FIG. 1) is provided on the downstream side of the microwave heating apparatus 2, and the article conveyed by the conveyor 20 is grasped from above, and microwave heating is performed. It is delivered to an article supply unit 4 provided continuously on the downstream side of the device 2.

The article supply section 4 includes a transport conveyor 24 for continuously transporting articles.
The article delivered from the microwave heating device 2 by
It is transported to the next first transfer section 6. Compressed air is fed into the article supply unit 4 via a dehumidifier 26 and a heater 28 to keep the article heated by the microwave heater 2 warm. A first article transfer device 30 (illustrated in FIG. 1 whose shape is omitted) is provided near the downstream side of the article supply unit 4 so as to be able to move up and down and move forward and backward toward the downstream side. The article is held on the conveyor 24 and sent to the first delivery unit 6. This article supply unit 4
As described later, when the articles are carried into the first delivery section 6, hydrogen peroxide vapor slightly leaks from the first delivery section 6 side, so that the hydrogen peroxide is removed by a catalyst. Exhaust outside.

The first delivery section 6 to the third delivery section 14
Up to this point, there are isolator sections, each of which is configured as a closed chamber which is shielded from the outside, and the entrance and the exit of each closed chamber are sealable movable shutters 32 and 3.
It is opened and closed by 4,36,37,38,40. In the first, second, and third delivery units 6, 10, and 14, article placement tables 42, 44, and 46 each of which is a V-shaped holder that holds an article (infusion bag) are arranged. The articles held by the first article transfer device 30 arranged in the article supply section 4 are placed on the article placement table 42 of the first transfer section 6. When the article transfer device 30 moves and enters the first transfer section 6, the first movable shutter 32 provided at the entrance of the first transfer section 6 is opened, and the article transfer apparatus 30 is moved. After the article is placed on the mounting table 42 and retreated to the supply section 4 side, the shutter 32 closes to seal the entrance. When the shutter (second shutter) 34 on the outlet side is opened, the hydrogen peroxide vapor flows from the sterilizing unit 8 into the first transfer unit 6, and the hydrogen peroxide is removed by the catalyst. It is designed to be exhausted outside.

A second article transfer device 48 having the same configuration as that of the supply section 4 is also provided near the upstream section of the sterilization section 8 disposed downstream of the first transfer section 6. The article transfer device 48 can be moved up and down, and can move forward and backward toward the upstream side opposite to the first transfer device 30 of the article supply unit 4. 6 and holds the article on the article mounting table 42, then retreats and carries it into the sterilization unit 8. The first delivery unit 6 is also provided with a movable shutter 34 at its outlet, and opens and closes when the second article transfer device 48 transfers articles from the delivery unit 6 to the sterilization unit 8. The sterilizing section 8 is also formed of a closed chamber, and a hydrogen peroxide vapor generator 50 is connected to the closed chamber to feed pressurized hydrogen peroxide vapor.

In the sterilizing section 8, there is arranged a conveyor 52 which travels in a long section, and articles supplied from the article supply section 4 via the first transfer section 6 are continuously fed by the conveyor 52. Sterilization takes place during transport.
At the downstream end of the sterilization unit 8, a third article transfer device 54 that can move up and down and move forward and backward in the same manner as the article supply unit 4 is disposed. Is transferred to the next second delivery unit 10. In the sterilizing section 8, air is circulated and agitated so that the hydrogen peroxide vapor in the closed room has a uniform concentration.

The second delivery unit 10 is provided with the first delivery unit 6.
The third and fourth movable shutters 36 and 37 are provided at the entrance and the exit of the closed chamber, respectively, so as to open and close, and a plurality of articles are temporarily stored in the closed chamber. An article mounting table 44 to be on standby is arranged. When the third shutter 36 on the entrance side is opened,
Hydrogen peroxide leaked from the sterilization chamber 8 into the closed chamber is
It is removed by the catalyst and exhausted outside the room.

An aeration unit 12 is arranged following the second transfer unit 10. Aseptic air is blown into the aeration unit 12 composed of a closed chamber via a filter 56, and the air in the closed chamber is exhausted outside by removing hydrogen peroxide by a catalyst. The hydrogen peroxide attached to the article is removed by the sterilization process in the section 8. A long article transport conveyor 58 is arranged in the aeration unit 12, and aeration is performed while the articles are transported by the conveyor 58. Fourth and fifth article transfer devices 60 and 62 are arranged at the upstream end and the downstream end of the conveyor 58 of the aeration unit 12, respectively, similarly to the sterilization unit 8.
The articles are carried into the aeration unit 12 from the second transfer unit 10 by the fourth transfer unit 60 on the upstream side, and the articles on the conveyor 58 are transferred to the third transfer unit 14 by the fifth transfer unit 62 on the downstream side. I do.

At the downstream side of the aeration unit 12, a third
Is provided. This third delivery unit 1
4 also has the same configuration as the first and second transfer units 6 and 10. That is, the fifth and sixth movable shutters 38 and 40 are provided at the entrance and the exit of the closed chamber so as to be opened and closed, and the article mounting table 46 is disposed in the closed chamber. The hydrogen peroxide leaked into the closed room is removed by the catalyst and exhausted to the outside. The articles placed on the article placement table 46 of the third delivery section 14 are taken out by the sixth article transfer device 64 of the discharge section 16 provided on the downstream side, and sent to the next step such as assembly.

Next, the configuration of each part of the sterilizer will be described. A supply unit hand 22 that is provided between the microwave heating device 2 and the article supply unit 4 and that grips an article on the conveyor 20 in the microwave heating device 2 and places the article on the conveyor 24 of the supply unit 4 includes: As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a plurality of (in this embodiment, five in each of two rows) grippers 66 which can be opened and closed are provided. 2 and the article supply unit 4.

Each of the plurality of grippers 66 is composed of a pair of grip members 66a rotatable around a shaft 74 supported below a horizontal plate 72. When the upper portion is pulled by the spring 76, the lower portion is opened, and at the time of operation, the cam 78 is lowered and the pair of grip members 66a,
By being inserted between the upper portions of 66a, the lower portion is closed and the article (infusion bag) B is gripped.

The plate 72 to which the gripper 66 is attached is connected to the tip of an operating rod 68a of an air cylinder 68 fixed upright on an upper movable frame 80. Go up and down. A plurality of lifting rods 84 are fixed between the upper surface of the plate 72 and the upper plate 82 disposed above the movable frame 80, and are slidable in a guide tube 86 fixed through the movable frame 80. And guides the lifting and lowering of the gripper 66 by the operation of the cylinder 68. Movable frame 8
At 0, shock absorbers 88, 90 for ascending (downward) and descending (upward) are attached to regulate the limit of the vertical movement of the gripper 66 and the like and absorb the shock at the time of vertical movement. A slide block 92 fixed to the lower surface of the movable frame 80 slides on a pair of shafts 94 fixed from above the downstream portion of the microwave heating device 2 to above the upstream portion of the supply portion 4. The movable frame 80 is guided when the movable frame 80 moves forward and backward in the horizontal direction from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The conveyor 20 arranged in the microwave heating apparatus 2 has article supports 96 attached to an endless chain (not shown) at regular intervals, and these article supports 96 are provided at both ends of the infusion bag B. It transports while supporting the provided mouth portion and the like made of hard resin. The conveyor 24 of the article supply unit 4 includes a plurality of sprockets 98,
An article support 102 is provided at a fixed interval on an endless chain 100 looped around 104 (see FIG. 4 described later).
The infusion bag B is transported while supporting the mouth portions on both sides thereof. Then, the supply unit hand 22 descends and grips the plurality of infusion bags B transported to the downstream side by the conveyor 20 of the microwave heating device 2, and then ascends from the article support member 96 of the conveyor 20. Take out, then move horizontally toward the downstream side, stop above the upstream end of the conveyor 24 of the article supply unit 4 and then descend, place the infusion bag B on the article support 102 of this conveyor 24, and place the gripper 66 Open and release.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 to 7, the conveyer 24 of the article supply section 4 includes sprockets 98, which are respectively disposed above and below an upstream section and a downstream section in the supply section 4. An endless chain 100 looped around 104 and an article support 102 mounted on the endless chain 100 at predetermined intervals are provided. In this embodiment, three rows of endless chains 100 are arranged in parallel, and a center endless chain 100 (100
A) has article supports 102 attached to both sides thereof, and conveys articles (infusion bags) B in two rows. FIG.
The lower right sprocket 104 is fixed to the drive shaft 106, and includes a bevel gear 108, a bevel gear 110, and an intermediate shaft 11
2. The rotation of the motor 120 is transmitted through the bevel gear 114, the bevel gear 116, the rotating shaft 118, and the like to rotate.
The sprocket 98 (98A) at the upper right in FIG. 4 is independently rotatably supported by a short horizontal shaft 126 fixed to an upright plate 124 on an end plate 122 (see FIG. 5). ), Driven by the endless chain 100 running by the rotation of the driving sprocket 104.

The first article transfer device 30 which is provided inside the conveyor 24 of the article supply section 4 and transfers the infusion bag B from the supply section 4 to the next first transfer section 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 to 10. In this embodiment, the conveyor 24 transports the infusion bag B in two rows by the three rows of endless chains 100. In the two rows of transport routes,
An article holder 126 is arranged in each case. The infusion bag B is delivered from the supply unit 4 to the first delivery unit 6 by moving the article holder 126 up and down and moving forward and backward.

Machine frame 1 constituting the lower part of the entire sterilization apparatus
28 through the upper plate 128a (see FIG. 1)
The slide bushes 130 are fixed, and elevating rods 132 are supported in the slide bushes 130 so as to be vertically movable (see FIG. 9). A horizontal plate 134 is fixed to the upper ends of the lifting rods 132. In the frame 136 fixed on the horizontal plate 134, two horizontal guide rods 138 are arranged parallel to the transport direction of the infusion bag B. Each of these guide rods 13
8 are slidably fitted with sliding blocks 140 constituting a rodless cylinder, respectively.
Move forward and backward along 8. Also, two rails 142 are fixed in parallel on the upper part of the frame 136 supporting the two guide rods 138, and on each of these rails 142,
A slide cover 144 having one end fixed thereto is fitted on each of the sliding blocks 140.

A deflection preventing roller 148 supported by a horizontal shaft 146 is attached to both sides of each rail 142 near the tip (right end in FIG. 8) to prevent the slide cover 144 from bending. , The lower surface of the slide cover 144 that moves forward and backward. In addition, each rail 1
A direction guide roller 152 supported by a vertical shaft 150 is provided on the slide cover 42.
The inner surface of the side wall 44 is guided (see FIGS. 8 and 10).

The lower plate 1 is provided at the lower ends of the two lifting rods 132.
54 is fixed, and the upper plate 128a of the machine frame 128 is fixed.
Rod 15 of cylinder 156 fixed to the lower surface side of
The tip of 6a is connected. Therefore, this cylinder 1
When 56 operates, the upper horizontal plate 134 and the lower plate 154 fixed above and below the two lifting rods 132 move up and down integrally, and the article holder 126 moves up and down.
The side wall 128b and the bottom plate 128c of the machine frame 128 are provided with the downward and upward shock absorbers 15 respectively.
8, 160 are attached to regulate the ascending and descending limits of the ascending and descending portion, and absorb shock. The upper plate 128a of the machine frame 128 and the horizontal plate 1
Around the lifting rod 132 between the bellows 1 and
62 is mounted to prevent the sterilizing gas from flowing out of the sliding portion between the lifting rod 132 and the slide bush 130.

A first delivery section 6 following the article supply section 4
Is a chamber 164 sealed from the outside as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, and an inlet (article entrance) 165a is provided on the upstream wall 165 and the downstream wall 166 of the closed chamber 164, respectively. And exit (goods exit)
166a are formed. The entrance 165a and the exit 166a are opened and closed by a first movable shutter 32 and a second movable shutter 34 which can be moved up and down, respectively. In the closed chamber 164, an article mounting table 42 on which an infusion bag B conveyed from the article supply section 4 to the sterilization section 8 is temporarily mounted is arranged.

The entrance 165a of the closed chamber 164 of the transfer section 6
The first and second shutters 32 and 34 for opening and closing the outlet 166a and the outlet 166a are respectively arranged at positions close to the upstream side wall surface 165 provided with the inlet 165a and the downstream side wall surface 166 provided with the outlet 166a. It is supported by a rectangular frame 168 so as to be able to move up and down. Since the first shutter 32 on the entrance side and the second shutter 34 on the exit side have the same configuration, the respective parts other than the shutters 32 and 34 will be described with the same reference numerals. Square frame 168
Are side plates 169 on both sides, an upper plate 170 and a lower plate 171.
And a bottom plate 172 below the lower plate 171. The lower plate 171 is suspended and supported via a horizontal support shaft 174 fixed above the upper plate 170 between both side plates 169.

The upper plate 170 and the lower plate 1 of the square frame 168
71, two vertical axes 176 are fixed at intervals substantially equal to the width of the entrance 165a. Two upper and lower lifting blocks 178 are slidably fitted to these longitudinal axes 176, respectively. The shutters 32 and 34 are fixed to the front surface (the surface facing the opening of the entrance and the exit) of the four lifting blocks 178. These shutters 32 and 34 have widths slightly larger than the widths of the openings of the entrances 165a and 166a (see FIG. 14).
It has a height slightly larger than the height of the opening (FIG. 1).
1).

Plates 180 are fixed to the side surfaces of the upper and lower two lifting blocks 178, respectively, and a horizontal shaft 182 is fixed between the upper ends of the plates 180 on both sides. The distal end of an operating rod 184a of a cylinder 184 fixed vertically on a top plate 167 of the closed chamber 164 is connected to the horizontal shaft 182. When the operating rod 184a of the cylinder 184 is extended, the shutters 32, 34 are opened and closed by the entrances 165a, 1
When the operating rod 184a is contracted, it is pulled up above the openings of the entrances 165a and 166a (the state on the right side of FIG. 11). The operating rod 184a of the air cylinder 184 is inserted into the closed chamber 164 through a hole 167a formed in the top plate 167 of the closed chamber 164, and an external atmosphere enters the closed chamber 164 from the hole 167a. In order not to operate, the operating rod 185
A bellows 186 is mounted around a.

The rectangular frame 168 can be pressed at its lower side toward the upstream side wall surface 165 and the downstream side wall surface 166 where the openings of the entrances 165a and 166a are formed. 32,34
When the lower part of the frame 168 is pressed in a state in which the shutters 32 and 34 are lowered, the shutters 32 and 34 are opened and closed.
The inside of the chamber 164 can be sealed by closely adhering to a seal portion 188 provided on the peripheral surface of the opening 6a. When the shutters 32 and 34 are lifted to open the entrances 165a and 166a, the lower portion of the frame 168 is retracted into the closed chamber 164 (separated from the wall surfaces 165 and 166) to thereby release the shutter. It is possible to reduce the frictional force on the seal portion 188 when the 32, 34 moves up and down.

The structure for moving the lower portion of the rectangular frame 168 forward and backward toward the upstream side wall surface 165 and the downstream side wall surface 166 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The machine frame 12 forming the bottom surface of the closed chamber 164 of the delivery unit 6
A rotation shaft 194 is rotatably supported on the upper plate 128a of the base member 8 via a bearing 192 held in a holding body 190. At the upper end of the rotation shaft 194, the first lever 1
One end of 96 is fixed and rotates integrally, and to the other end of the first lever 196, a pressing plate 198 connected to the back side of the rectangular frame 168 is rotatably connected. Further, one end of a second lever 200 is fixed to the lower end of the rotation shaft 194, and rotates integrally with the second lever 200.
An operating rod 202a of an air cylinder 202 is connected to the other end of the lever 200 so as to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, when the operating rod 202a of the air cylinder 202 is extended, the second lever 200, the rotating shaft 194, and the first
When the lever 196 rotates integrally and the pressing plate 198 is advanced, the shutters 32 and 34 are pushed out toward the opening, and are brought into close contact with the seal portion 188 provided around the inlet 165a or the outlet 166b. Conversely, air cylinder 202
When the operating rod 202a is contracted, the first and second levers 196 and 200 and the rotating shaft 194 rotate in the opposite direction, and the shutters 32 and 34 are retracted to separate them from the openings of the entrances 165a and 166a.

The upper portion of the rectangular frame 168 is constantly pressed toward the upstream side wall surface 165 and the downstream side wall surface 166. The top plate 167 of the closed chamber 164 has a bearing 20 held in a holding body 204 so as to be located substantially above both ends of the shutters 32 and 34.
6, a vertical rotation shaft 208 is rotatably supported (see FIG. 17, which shows an enlarged portion S in FIGS. 11, 12, and 12). One end of each arm 210 is fixed to the upper end of each of the rotating shafts 208, and each arm 210 and the rotating shaft 208 rotate integrally. On the other hand, the other ends of the two arms 210 are connected to each other by a connecting member 211 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.
212 mounted around the shaft portion 211a
(The spring is omitted in FIGS. 11 and 16), and is always urged in the direction of arrow A in FIG. In addition,
The moving amount of the connecting member 211 is restricted by hitting the stopper 213.

Mounting plates 214 are fixed near the lower ends of the rotating shafts 208 on both sides (see FIG. 17 showing an enlarged S portion in FIG. 12). Further, the portion of each rotating shaft 208 extending downward from these mounting plates 214 is formed in two front-rear directions (left and right directions in FIG. 11) formed near both ends of one horizontal connecting plate 216. Each is loosely fitted in the long hole 216a. Also, the mounting plates 214 on both sides
A shaft 218 parallel to the rotation shaft 208 is fixed to a portion near the center of the closed chamber 164.
The horizontal direction formed on the horizontal connecting plate 214 (FIG. 1)
2 left and right directions). A thin plate 220 is fixed below the connecting plate 214 of the rotating shaft 208 and the parallel shaft 218. Accordingly, when the connecting portion of the two arms 210 is urged in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 13 by the spring 212 and the rotating shaft 208 rotates integrally, the mounting plate 214 is rotated about the rotating shaft 208.
And the parallel shaft 218 rotates. Rotary shaft 208 on both sides
Are simultaneously rotated in opposite directions, the mounting plates 214 also rotate in opposite directions, and the parallel shafts 218 on both sides are connected to the connecting plates 216.
In the direction of the upstream side wall surface 165 or the downstream side wall surface 166. Both ends of the connecting plate 216 are connected to a horizontal support shaft 174 fixed to the uppermost portion of the rectangular frame 168. Therefore, when the connecting plate 216 is extruded in the above direction, the upper part of the rectangular frame 168 is interposed between the front and rear wall surfaces 165 and 165 of the closed chamber 164 via the horizontal support shaft 174.
It is extruded in 166 directions.

The configuration of the delivery unit 6 described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17 is different from the first delivery unit 6 and the second delivery unit 10 shown in FIGS.
In the third delivery unit 14, the article placement table 46 can be moved up and down. The third delivery unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the shutter unit is the same as that of the first transfer unit 6, and a description thereof will be omitted. The article placement table 46 of the third delivery unit 14 is
It is provided on a support plate 222 arranged in the lateral direction,
This support plate 222 is supported on a pair of lifting rods 224. These lifting rods 224 are connected to a closed chamber 226.
Projecting downward through the bottom surface (upper plate of the machine frame) 128a, and the protruding portion is fitted into a slide bush 230 attached to the fixed plate 228 so as to be guided up and down. I have. A lower plate 232 is fixed to the lower ends of the protruding portions of both lifting rods 224, and an operation rod 234 a of a cylinder 234 mounted on the fixed plate 228 is connected to the lower plate 232. This cylinder 234
The article mounting table 46 is moved up and down by the operation of. In addition,
In this embodiment, since the height of the discharge unit 16 provided on the downstream side of the third delivery unit 14 is different from the height of the aeration unit 12, the article mounting table 46 can be moved up and down. It is not always necessary to raise and lower.

The operation of the sterilization apparatus having the above configuration will be described. An operator supplies an article (infusion bag) B onto the conveyor 20 of the microwave heating device 2. In this embodiment, the conveyor 20 transports the infusion bag B in two rows. These infusion bags B are heated to a predetermined temperature and dehumidified by the microwave oscillator 18 while being conveyed by the conveyor 20.

The infusion bag B that has reached the downstream end of the conveyor 20 of the microwave heating device 2 is carried into the article supply unit 4 by the supply unit hand 22. The supply unit hand 22
It descends at the position retracted to the microwave heating device 2 side on the upstream side, closes the gripper 66 and grips five infusion bags B in each of two rows. The supply unit hand 22 rises as it is and takes out the infusion bag B from the article support 96 of the conveyor 20. Thereafter, it advances to the downstream side (to the right in FIG. 1) and moves to above the upstream portion of the conveyor 24 of the article supply section 4. At this position, the supply unit hand 22 descends and places the infusion bag B on the support 102 of the conveyor 24 that is running continuously.

The infusion bag B placed on the conveyor 24 of the article supply unit 4 is continuously conveyed and reaches the downstream side (the right side in FIGS. 4 and 6). First article transfer device 30 arranged on the side
Is transferred to the next article placement table 42 of the first transfer section 6. The article holder 126 of the article transfer device 42 rises from below the conveyor 24 and lifts the infusion bag B on the conveyor 24. After that, the article holder 126 advances in the direction of the first transfer unit 6. The first shutter 32 on the entrance 165a side of the first delivery unit 6 is opened in accordance with the advance of the article holder 126. At this time, the second shutter 34 on the outlet 166a side of the first transfer section 6 is closed. First
The article holder 1 is moved from the entrance 165a where the shutter 32 is opened.
When 26 enters the closed chamber 164 of the first transfer section 6 and reaches above the article placement table 42, it descends and places the held infusion bag B on the article placement table 42. Article holder 12
When the shutter 6 moves backward and exits from the entrance 165a, the first shutter 32 descends, and further, the lower part of the rectangular frame 168 is pushed out toward the entrance 165a, and the shutter 32 comes into close contact with the seal portion 188 to open the entrance 165a. Seal.

The first shutter 32 at the entrance of the first transfer section 6
Is closed, the infusion bag B temporarily waiting on the article placement table 42 is taken out by the operation of the second article transfer device 48 provided in the sterilization unit 8. The article holder of the second article transfer device 48 moves toward the first delivery section 6 while maintaining the lowered position in the sterilization section 8. In synchronization with this movement, the second shutter 34 on the exit 166a side of the first transfer section 6 is raised and opened. The article holder enters the closed chamber 164 of the first transfer section 6 through the outlet 166a, and is located below the article mounting table 42 and then rises.
The infusion bag B on the article table 42 is lifted. Thereafter, the article holder holding the infusion bag B is moved out of the outlet 16.
It moves out of 6a and into the sterilization unit 8. As soon as the article holder comes out of the outlet 166a, the second shutter 34 on the outlet side.
Is closed, and the sealed chamber 164 of the delivery section 6 is sealed.
The shutter 32 and the outlet 166 at the entrance 165a of the delivery unit 6
Since one of the shutters 34a is always closed and not both open at the same time, the shutter 34 communicates from the sterilization unit 8 to the supply unit 4 via the first delivery unit 6, and the shutter in the sterilization unit 8 A large amount of hydrogen oxide vapor does not flow out of the isolator.

The infusion bag B taken out of the first delivery section 6 by the article holder of the article transfer device 42 is
On the conveyor 52. Hydrogen peroxide vapor is supplied into the sterilization unit 8 by the hydrogen peroxide vapor generator 50, and the surface of the infusion bag B is sterilized while being conveyed by the conveyor 52.

The infusion bag B sterilized in the sterilization section 8 is
When reaching the downstream end of the conveyor 52, the third article transfer device 54 provided at this position is operated, and the infusion bag B on this conveyor 52 is carried out to the next second delivery unit 10. The article holder of the third article transfer device 54 lifts the infusion bag B on the conveyor 52 and raises the second delivery unit 10.
When moving forward, the third shutter 36 on the entrance side of the second transfer unit 10 is opened. The article holder enters the second delivery section 10 from the opened entrance, and then descends to place the infusion bag B on the article mounting table 44. Article mounting table 44
When the article holder on which the infusion bag B is placed retreats from the entrance of the second delivery unit 10 to the sterilization unit 8 side, the third shutter 36 on the entrance side immediately descends to seal the entrance.

A fourth article transfer device 60 is also provided on the upstream side of the aeration unit 12 installed on the downstream side of the second transfer unit 10. The infusion bag B temporarily waiting on the article mounting table 44 of the delivery unit 10 is taken out. When the article holder of the article transfer device 60 moves toward the second delivery section 10, the fourth shutter 37 on the exit side of the second delivery section 10 is opened. The article holder enters the closed chamber of the second delivery section 10, lifts and removes the infusion bag B on the article mounting table 44, returns to the aeration section 12, and returns to the conveyor 58 thereof.
Transfer to the top. As soon as the article holder comes out of the outlet of the second delivery unit 10, the fourth shutter 37 on the outlet side closes to seal the closed chamber. As described above, in the second transfer unit 10, when one of the shutters 36 or 37 is opened, the other shutter 36 or 37 is always closed.
A large amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor in the sterilization unit 8 does not flow out to the aeration unit 12 side.

In this embodiment, the first shutter 32 provided at the entrance of the first transfer section 6 and the second transfer section 1
The third shutter 36 provided at the entrance of the first transfer unit 6 interlocks, and the second shutter 34 at the exit of the first transfer unit 6 and the fourth shutter 37 at the exit of the second transfer unit 10 open and close in conjunction with each other. In this case, the inlet (outlet 166a of the first transfer unit 6) and the outlet (inlet of the second transfer unit 10) of the sterilization unit 8 are simultaneously opened, and a large amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor flows out. Therefore, the article (infusion bag) B can be continuously transported from the article supply section 4 to the sterilization section 8 and the aeration section 12 while maintaining the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the sterilization section 8.

The infusion bag B placed on the conveyor 58 of the aeration unit 12 is continuously conveyed, and aeration is performed during that time. When the infusion bag B reaches the downstream end of the conveyor 58 of the aeration unit 12, the infusion bag B is carried out to the third delivery unit 14 by the fifth article transfer device 62 provided at this position, and the article mounting table provided therein. 46. The infusion bag B, which is placed on the article placement table 46 of the third delivery section 14 and is temporarily on standby, is discharged from the third delivery section 14 by the sixth article transfer device 64 on the discharge section 16 side, and is discharged to the next delivery section. Sent to the process.
Also at the time of transfer of the third delivery unit 14 to the article placement table 46 and discharge from the third delivery unit 14, similarly to the case of the first and second delivery units 6, 10, the article transfer device 6 is used.
In time with the movement of the 2,64 article holders,
Fifth shutter 38 at the entrance and sixth shutter 40 at the exit
Is opened and closed.

[0045]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the article supply section in which the conveyor for continuously transporting the articles is arranged, and the articles in the closed chamber provided continuously with the article supply section are provided. A delivery unit on which a mounting table is arranged; a first shutter that opens and closes between the article supply unit and the delivery unit; and a second shutter that holds an article on a conveyor of the article supply unit and places the article on the article placement table of the delivery unit. (1) a transfer means, a conveyor for continuously transporting the articles in a closed chamber provided continuously on the downstream side of the delivery section, and a sterilizing section for sterilizing the articles being transported by the conveyor; A second shutter for opening and closing between the section and the sterilizing section; and a second shutter for holding an article on the article mounting table of the transfer section and placing the article on a conveyor of the sterilizing section.
With this arrangement, the first shutter on the supply unit side and the second shutter on the sterilization unit side can be alternately opened and closed without simultaneously opening, so that the sterilizing gas is supplied to the outside of the closed chamber. It can be prevented from flowing out into the sterilization chamber, and the sterilization gas concentration in the sterilization chamber can be kept constant.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveyer for continuously conveying the articles in a closed chamber, a sterilizing section for sterilizing the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, and a sealing section provided continuously to the sterilizing section. A delivery unit in which an article mounting table is placed in the room, a third shutter that opens and closes between the sterilization unit and the delivery unit, and an article on the conveyor of the sterilization unit is held and placed on the article placement table of the delivery unit. A third transfer unit, an aeration unit provided downstream of the delivery unit, on which a conveyor for continuously transporting articles is arranged, a fourth shutter for opening and closing between the delivery unit and the aeration unit, and the delivery And a fourth transfer means for holding the article on the article mounting table of the section and placing the article on the conveyor of the aeration section, so that the third shutter on the sterilization section side and the fourth shutter on the aeration section side are the same. Since it is without releasing, to alternately open and close enough, it is possible to prevent the sterilizing gas flowing out of the sealed chamber, it is possible to maintain the sterilizing gas concentration in the sterilization chamber constant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a supply unit hand of the sterilization apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a configuration of an article supply section of the sterilization apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the article transfer device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a first delivery unit of the sterilization apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion Q in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion R in FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion S in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a third delivery unit of the sterilizer.

FIG. 19 is a side view of FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 B Article (infusion bag) 4 Article supply section 6 Delivery section (first delivery section) 8 Sterilization section 10 Delivery section (second delivery section) 12 Aeration section 24 Conveyor of article supply section 30 First transfer means 32 First shutter 34 Second Shutter 36 Third Shutter 37 Fourth Shutter 42 Article Placement Table (Article Placement Table of First Delivery Section) 44 Article Placement Table (Article Placement Table of Second Delivery Section) 48 Second Transfer Means 52 Sterilization Section Conveyor 54 Third transfer unit 58 Conveyor of aeration unit 60 Fourth transfer unit 164 Closed chamber (Closed chamber of first transfer unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kosuke Oshima 58 Koshizawa Ozuda Honmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Inside Shibuya Corporation

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An article supply section having a conveyor for continuously transporting articles disposed therein, a transfer section having an article mounting table disposed in a closed chamber provided continuously with the article supply section, and the article supply section. A first shutter that opens and closes between the container and the delivery unit, a first transfer unit that holds an article on the conveyor of the article supply unit and places the article on an article mounting table of the delivery unit, and a downstream side of the delivery unit. A conveyor that continuously conveys the articles is disposed in a continuously provided closed chamber, and a sterilizing unit that sterilizes the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, and a second shutter that opens and closes between the transfer unit and the sterilizing unit. And a second transfer means for holding the article on the article mounting table of the delivery section and placing the article on the conveyor of the sterilization section. 2. A conveyer for continuously transporting the articles in a closed chamber, a sterilizing section for sterilizing the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, and an article mounting table in a closed chamber provided continuously with the sterilizing section. , A third shutter for opening and closing between the sterilization unit and the delivery unit, and a third transfer means for holding an article on the conveyor of the sterilization unit and placing the article on the article mounting table of the delivery unit And an aeration unit provided downstream of the delivery unit and provided with a conveyor for continuously transporting articles; a fourth shutter for opening and closing between the delivery unit and the aeration unit; and an article placement table on the delivery unit. And a fourth transfer unit for holding the article and placing the article on a conveyor of an aeration unit.