JPS5897362A - Steam pasturizer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention protects against extremely dangerous bacteria (such as yellow fever, Lassa fever, Aargrug disease, Ebola disease, and Congo hemorrhagic fever) that can cause infection and loss of life just by coming into contact with the body. In steam sterilizers that sterilize contaminated medical instruments, materials, clothing, futons, etc., bacteria may be scattered in the air when the sterilization chamber of the sterilizer is evacuated, or may remain attached to the inside of the vacuum pump, or may remain under pressure. A steam sterilizer is constructed so that it does not remain in the tube or other piping where the meter is installed and can sterilize each part with steam.

If the sterilization chamber or piping of a steam sterilizer is contaminated with this type of dangerous bacteria that can be transmitted by contact, it may cause damage to the people using the sterilizer,
There is a risk that workers may become infected with this bacteria when, for example, removing pipes for repairs or the like. This invention was made with the aim of providing a steam sterilizer free of such dangers.

A steam sterilizer is a device that seals a sterilization chamber containing objects to be sterilized, then evacuates it, and then blows steam to kill bacteria attached to the objects to be sterilized. No consideration was given to dangerous bacteria that could be transmitted through contact.

As traffic with other countries becomes more frequent these days, there is an opportunity for these dangerous bacteria to enter the country.

There is a need for a steam sterilizer that can handle such bacteria. This invention was made for this purpose.

The present invention will be explained below according to the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steam sterilizer.

The can body 1 has a double wall like a normal steam sterilizer (this embodiment uses a double wall can, but this invention can also be applied to a single wall can), and a sterilization chamber 1a. steam jacket)
It is divided into b.

In the sterilization room 1&, unprocessed objects to be sterilized are stored through an entrance provided with a pressure resistant n (not shown), and sterilized objects are taken out from an exit provided with a similar door. . The inlet and outlet open into separate chambers to prevent the outlet chamber from being contaminated by bacteria falling into the inlet chamber. 2 is a steam inlet connected to a steam source; when the sterilizer is used, when the steam source valve 3 is manually opened, the steam passes through a pipe 5 equipped with a strainer 4 for removing dust, and then an electric valve (electrically operated (collectively refers to solenoid valves, motor valves, etc. that can be controlled remotely according to a program) 6. Enters the steam jacket 1b through a check valve 7, and branches from a pipe 8 before the electric valve 6 through an electric valve 9. The sterilization chamber 1a is entered through a pipe 10. A pipe 14 having a filter 11 for separating bacteria, a check valve 12, and an electric valve 13 is connected to the pipe 10.

The water supply 15 is connected to a water-seal vacuum pump 20 through a pipe 19 having a main valve 16 that is manually opened when using the sterilizer, a strainer 17 for removing dust, and an electric valve 18 that is opened and closed according to each sterilization process. Immediately after passing through the strainer 17, a pipe 21 branches from the pipe 19 and communicates with a tank 24 via an electric valve 22 and a check valve 23. An exhaust pipe 25 is connected to the top of the tank 24, and a drain pipe 26 leading to a device for safely treating waste water is connected to the bottom.

The side of the sterilization chamber 1a is connected by a pipe 27 to a discharge pipe 29 via a motorized valve 28, and the bottom of the sterilization chamber is connected to a motorized valve 31 by a pipe 30.
, a steam trap 33 , and a check valve 34 to communicate with the exhaust pipe 29 .

The bottom of the steam jacket) lb is connected to a manual valve 38 by a pipe 37.
On the one hand, it communicates with the exhaust pipe 29 via a steam trap 39, and on the other hand, it communicates with the exhaust pipe 29 via an electric valve 41 by a pipe 40 branched from the pipe 37. The discharge pipe 29 communicates with the tank 24 via a check valve 42 . 4'3.44.4
5 is a pressure gauge, 46, 47 is a safety valve, 48 is a steam trap connected to the pipe 5 through which the papermaking steam passes through a pipe 50 having a valve 49, and the other end of the pipe 50 is a check valve 42 connected to the discharge pipe 29. It is communicated upstream. The base of the pressure gauge 45 communicates with the discharge pipe 29i through a pipe 52 by switching a three-way valve 51, and the outlet of the safety valve 46 communicates with the discharge pipe 29 through a pipe 53. The outlet of the safety valve 47 is also communicated with the discharge pipe 29 in the same manner. The discharge side of the vacuum pump 20 is connected to the discharge pipe 29 via a check valve 55 via a pipe 54, and the suction side is connected to an electric valve 56.
FIG. 2 shows the operation of the steam sterilizer constructed as above and shows the pressure changes in the sterilization chamber la. This will be explained according to the diagram.

First, the objects to be sterilized are placed in the sterilization chamber 1&, and after closing the entrance and exit, the sterilization operation is performed through the following steps.

1) Preparation step Open the steam source valve 3, water supply source valve 16, and valve 38 of the tube 37. Also, the electric valve 6 is opened and steam is passed through the steam jacket (1b) to preheat the sterilization chamber 1a.

The steam supply to the steam jacket (11) is carried out throughout the entire sterilization operation.

Water condensed within the steam jacket is separated from pipe 37 through valve 38 by trap 39 and discharged to discharge pipe 29.

Also, the electric valve 28 is opened to discharge the air expanded in the sterilization chamber la through the pipe 27 to the discharge pipe 29. Other valves are closed.

After performing this preparatory step until the sterilization chamber is sufficiently warmed, the electric valves 13 and 28 are closed and the vacuum step is started.

2) Vacuum stroke Steam is blown into the sterilization chamber 1a until a little before time t.

The pressure inside the sterilization chamber gradually increases as shown by line A in FIG. 2, reaches the supply vapor pressure, and becomes saturated. This initial steam injection is to preliminarily sterilize the object to be sterilized, killing bacteria adhering to the surface of the object to prevent live bacteria from being sucked out by the vacuum pump.

At time t, the electric valve 28 is opened to discharge the steam in the sterilization chamber to the exhaust pipe 29. No living bacteria are discharged with this vapor. The pressure inside the sterilization chamber drops like BIII.

At time t3, the motorized valve 28 is closed, the motorized valve 18 is opened, and the vacuum pump 20 starts exhausting the sterilization chamber. At the same time, open the electric valve 22 to allow water to flow into the tank 24.
Residual steam from the sterilization chamber flowing into the chamber is condensed and discharged through pipe 26.

The evacuation by the vacuum pump 20 is interrupted between time t4 and ``-H, and continues from time t to 1.During this interruption, the electric valve 9 is opened to blow steam into the sterilization chamber.The stiffness sterilizes the chamber. The pressure in the room changes as Q, 11SFim.

By evacuating while applying steam pressure in pulses in this way, the air contained in the object to be sterilized can be effectively exhausted.

During this time period t to t6, the motor-operated valve 56 is open to continue evacuating the sterilization chamber 1a. When the vacuum pump 2° is stopped, that is, when not evacuating, the electric valve 18 is closed.

3) From sterilization process time t6 to 1. Until then, open the electric valve 9 to close the sterilization chamber 1.
Steam is passed through a to sterilize the object to be sterilized. Since the air inside the object to be sterilized is exhausted by the vacuum step in the previous stage, the steam penetrates deep into the object to be sterilized, and sterilization is performed satisfactorily. Electric valve 3 for discharging condensed water generated in the sterilization chamber
1 is to open after sterilization is complete or after sterilization has proceeded and there is no longer any possibility of live bacteria being discharged to prevent bacteria from adhering to the steam trap 33 or piping. .

4) During the exhaust stroke time t, to t, the electric valve 9 is closed to stop blowing steam into the sterilization chamber 1a, and the electric valve 28 is opened to allow the steam in the sterilization chamber to escape. The pressure inside the sterilization chamber drops like a G line.

5) Close the motorized valve 28 during the drying process time t8 to tu, and close the motorized valve 56.
18 is opened and the inside of the sterilization chamber is evacuated by the vacuum pump 2o. The pressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced like an H line, and moisture due to steam is removed from the object to be sterilized (vacuum drying). In the meantime, the time is 7-t. During time tll-t, 3, the motorized valve 18 is closed and the motorized valve 13 is opened to temporarily allow clean air that has passed through the filter 11 to enter the sterilization chamber. As a result, the pressure in the sterilization chamber increases and decreases as shown in the order of 5 to 10 Lls, and by increasing and decreasing the pressure in a pulse manner in this way, the objects to be sterilized can be dried well (mixed drying).

6) Open the electric extraction valve 13 to allow the inside of the sterilization chamber to pass through the filter 11 to the atmosphere, and close each valve except for the electric valve 28.6 and change the pressure in the sterilization chamber like an M line (Y). Finally, after reaching atmospheric pressure (-), open the exit door and take out the sterilized object.

FIG. 3 shows the change in the sterilization chamber pressure by simplified operation C2, which changes the sterilization chamber pressure without using a vacuum pump, and prepares it by blowing steam into the Kaesong seedling chamber 1& at times t and ~t2. Sterilize and time t2-t.

During time 1, the electric valve 28 is opened to allow steam in the sterilization chamber to escape. -1. Increase the pressure in the sterilization chamber by blowing steam up to
After closing the electric valve 28 to end the exhaust, the process moves to the sterilization process, the electric valve 31 is kept open from time t6 to t14, and after time t, the electric valve 41 is opened to exhaust the steam jacket 1b. The temperature and therefore the internal pressure of the sterilization chamber are gradually lowered, and after time t14, the electric valves 13 and 28 are opened to vent the sterilization chamber to the atmosphere and take out the objects to be sterilized.

The above is an example in which the can body 1 is a double-walled can and a steam jacket is provided, but in the case of a single-walled can, pipes, valves, steam traps, etc. related to the steam jacket are omitted.

As seen in the above embodiment, in the sterilizer according to the present invention, a check valve is provided at the end of the pipe connecting the drain pipe 29 and the sterilization chamber 1. This allows steam to be passed through the vacuum pump 20, the sterilization chamber 1a, and the exhaust pipe system to sterilize them while only the steam supply circuit is open and the other valves are closed. It is possible to prevent the adhesion and propagation of these substances.

This allows bacteria attached to the objects to be sterilized to be killed in the sterilization room, and also to prevent bacteria from entering the vacuum pump or exhaust system.

In addition, steam can be passed through each pipe to sterilize the product during and after sterilization to prevent bacteria from escaping, allowing work such as parts replacement to be carried out safely.
In addition, it is possible to eliminate the risk of contamination of the objects to be sterilized due to residual contamination, and it is effective as a steam sterilizer with increased safety. It is something.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the steam sterilizer of the present invention, Fig. 2
The figure is a line diagram showing pressure changes in the sterilization chamber during sterilization operations.
The figure is a diagram showing pressure changes in the sterilization chamber when different operations are performed. 1: can body, la: i [seedling room, 1b: steam jacket,
2: Steam inlet, 3: Steam source valve, 4' strainer, 5:
Pipe, 6: Electric valve, 7: Check valve, 8: Pipe, 9: Electric valve, 1
0: Pipe, 11: Filter, 12: Check valve, 13: Electric valve, 14: Pipe, 15: Water supply inlet, 16: Main valve, 17: Su,
Trainer, 18: Electric valve, 19: Pipe, 20: Vacuum pump, 21: Pipe, 22: Electric valve, 23: Check valve, 24: Tank, 25: Exhaust pipe, 26: Drain pipe, 27; Pipe, 28 ; Electric valve, 29: Discharge pipe, 30; Pipe, 31: Electric valve, 33:
Steam trap, 34: Check valve, 37: Pipe, 38: Valve, 3
9: Steam trap, 40: Pipe, 41: Electric valve, 42: Check valve, 43.44.45: Pressure gauge, 46.47: Safety valve, 48: Steam trap, 49: Valve, 5o: Pipe, 51: Three-way valve, 52.53.54: pipe, 55: check valve, 56: electric valve, 57: pipe.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Sterilization room where a pressure-resistant field is provided to allow objects to be sterilized to enter and exit - (1a)
is connected to the inlet (2) by a passage through pipes (5), (8), and (1o) provided with an electric valve (9), which on the one hand has a filter (11), a check valve ('12), an electric valve(
A pipe (14) equipped with a motor-operated valve (56) is connected to the atmosphere through a pipe (14), and a water ring vacuum pump (20) is connected through a pipe (57) equipped with an electric valve (56).
20) is connected to the water supply inlet (15) through a pipe (19), and the sterilization chamber (1a) is connected to an electric valve (28) through a pipe (27).
) to the discharge pipe (29) and the sterilization chamber (1a).
The lower part of the drain pipe (29) is connected to the discharge pipe (29) through a pipe (30) equipped with an electric valve (31), a steam trap (33), and a check valve (34). Valve (42)
The discharge port of the safety valve (46) leading to the sterilization chamber (1a) is connected to the discharge pipe (29) by a pipe, and the pipe connecting the sterilization chamber and the pressure gauge (45) is connected near the pressure gauge (45). A pipe (52) connects to the discharge pipe (29) through a three-way valve (51) connected to the safety valve (46) which leads to the sterilization room.
A steam sterilizer configured by communicating the outlet of ) with the discharge IP (29) through a pipe (53).