WO2017065177A1

WO2017065177A1 - Sterilization system

Info

Publication number: WO2017065177A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/080261
Authority: WO
Inventors: 東山堅一; 冨永健太; 平山裕二; 芳原和希; 飯塚利昭; 守家智士
Original assignee: サントリーホールディングス株式会社
Priority date: 2015-10-13
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Also published as: JPWO2017065177A1; JP6843056B2

Abstract

A sterilization system (100A) that comprises a plasma sterilization means (120) that generates plasma and uses the obtained plasma to sterilize an object to be sterilized (80). Water vapor is supplied to the plasma sterilization means (120), and the plasma sterilization means (120) discharges a sterilizer that includes the generated plasma and active oxygen that is generated as a result of the plasma reacting with the supplied water vapor. In addition to the plasma sterilization means (120), another sterilization means (130), which sterilizes the object to be sterilized (80) by means of a different method than the plasma sterilization means (120), is also provided on a transport line (110) that transports the object to be sterilized (80).

Description

Sterilization system

The present invention relates to a sterilization system for sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as a cap of a container.

As a method for sterilizing a cap of a container such as a PET bottle as an example of an object to be sterilized, a sterilization method described in JP2013-28398A (Patent Document 1) is known. Patent Document 1 describes a method of sterilizing a container by blowing a sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide into the container or its cap.

When a sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide is used as in the sterilizing method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to subsequently clean the sterilizing agent so that it does not remain on the cap. However, it is difficult to remove all the disinfectant by washing, and there is a risk that the disinfectant remains in the cap. Further, in the sterilization method of Patent Document 1, since the sterilizing agent spray and the subsequent cleaning are mainly performed at a high temperature, excessive heat shrinkage or deformation is caused in a PET bottle cap formed of a resin material that causes heat shrinkage. In order to prevent this, the sterilization process has various restrictions.

JP 2013-28398 A

It is desired to realize a sterilization system for sterilizing an object to be sterilized without causing a residue of the sterilizing agent on the object to be sterilized such as a cap attached to a bottle and excessive heat shrinkage or deformation of the object to be sterilized.

The sterilization system according to the present invention is
Plasma sterilization means for generating plasma and sterilizing the object to be sterilized with the obtained plasma,
The plasma sterilizing means is supplied with water vapor,
The plasma sterilizing means discharges a sterilizing agent containing the generated plasma, and active oxygen generated by the reaction between the supplied water vapor and the plasma,
In addition to the plasma sterilization means, another sterilization means for sterilizing the article to be sterilized by a method different from the plasma sterilization means is provided on a conveyance line for conveying the article to be sterilized.

Since active oxygen disappears with time, it does not remain, and sterilization using active oxygen does not need to give heat to the object to be sterilized so as to cause heat shrinkage. Therefore, by using the plasma sterilizing means for discharging the sterilizing agent containing plasma and active oxygen, it is possible to avoid the above-described problems of the sterilizing agent residue and the thermal contraction / deformation of the sterilized object.

However, since the sterilization method using a sterilizing agent containing plasma and active oxygen is a novel sterilization method, there is a problem that a desired sterilization effect can be actually obtained when newly introduced into equipment. . Therefore, in the above configuration, in addition to the plasma sterilization means, for example, the sterilization efficiency and operation reliability (whether to operate without defects) that have already been introduced into the facility have been demonstrated by a method different from the plasma generation means. Even if the desired sterilization effect cannot be obtained by the plasma sterilization means, other sterilization means for sterilizing the sterilized material can be provided on the transport line for transporting the sterilized material. The object to be sterilized can be sterilized reliably.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the sterilization system according to the present invention will be described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described below.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means can be switched to sterilize the article to be sterilized.

That is, even if a desired sterilization effect is obtained by the plasma sterilization means, when the plasma sterilization means, which is a new sterilization method, is introduced into the equipment, since the introduction record is lacking, the operation is actually performed with the equipment. This includes risks such as an operation that stops due to an unexpected error or a malfunction of the equipment. Therefore, according to this configuration, even if some trouble occurs in the plasma sterilization means having the above risk, if the sterilization of the sterilized object is switched from the plasma sterilization means to another sterilization means, the object to be sterilized continuously. Can be sterilized.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in parallel on the transport line.

According to this configuration, since the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are arranged on separate lines, the sterilizing agent when the other sterilization means is sterilizing is the plasma sterilization means. It is possible to effectively suppress the situation that the gas flows back into the plasma sterilization means.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in series on the transfer line.

When the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in parallel, the object to be sterilized can only be sterilized by any one of the sterilization means, but according to this configuration, the plasma can be obtained by stopping one of the operations. In addition to sterilizing only one of the sterilizing means and the other sterilizing means, it is also possible to perform sterilization in a flexible form, such as being able to sterilize both by operating both It becomes.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in the same aseptic chamber.

According to this configuration, since both sterilization means are provided in the same aseptic chamber, it is possible to save space compared to providing both sterilization means in separate aseptic chambers.

As one aspect, when only the other sterilizing means is sterilizing, it is preferable that the plasma sterilizing means is provided with a control unit that ejects air for preventing backflow from the discharge port of the sterilizing agent. .

When both sterilization means are provided in the same aseptic chamber, other sterilization agents when other sterilization means are sterilizing may reach the plasma sterilization means and flow back into the plasma sterilization means. . On the other hand, according to this structure, it can suppress effectively that other sterilizing agents flow backward in a plasma sterilization means with the air for backflow prevention.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the plasma sterilizing means is provided with a contracting means for contracting the article to be sterilized.

As described above, sterilization using active oxygen does not need to give heat to the object to be sterilized so as to cause heat shrinkage. Therefore, sterilization by plasma sterilization means hardly causes heat shrinkage to the object to be sterilized. On the other hand, conventionally used sterilization means (for example, sterilization using the above-described sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide) is one in which shrinkage occurs in an object to be sterilized. Then, the size of the object to be sterilized that has been sterilized only by the plasma sterilizing means and the object to be sterilized only by the other sterilizing means vary depending on the difference in shrinkage. On the other hand, according to this configuration, the object to be sterilized is contracted by the contraction means, so that variation in the size of the object to be sterilized can be effectively suppressed.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the contraction means is a heating means for heating the article to be sterilized.

As means for shrinking the article to be sterilized, it is conceivable to heat the article to be sterilized and to irradiate the article to be sterilized with an electron beam. It is easier to prepare a device for heating the device, and the device cost can be reduced.

Schematic configuration diagram of a plasma sterilizer that performs sterilization using active oxygen Device configuration block diagram of a plasma sterilizer that performs sterilization using active oxygen Schematic of the sterilization system in the first embodiment The elements on larger scale of the plasma sterilization means in 1st Embodiment Schematic of the sterilization system in the second embodiment Schematic of the sterilization system in the third embodiment Partial enlarged view of plasma sterilization means in the fourth embodiment

[First Embodiment]
A sterilization system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The sterilization system 100A of this embodiment sterilizes a cap 80 of a container such as a PET bottle as an example of an object to be sterilized. And sterilization system 100A is provided with plasma sterilization means 120 which has a plurality of plasma sterilization devices which generate plasma and sterilize cap 80 with the obtained plasma. The plasma sterilizer 1 is supplied with water vapor, and the supplied water vapor and the plasma react to generate active oxygen (Reactive Oxidizing Species (ROS), for example, OH radical or single oxygen). The plasma sterilization apparatus 1 then sterilizes the cap 80 by discharging a sterilizing agent containing the generated plasma and the generated active oxygen. Therefore, first, the apparatus configuration of the plasma sterilization apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the sterilization apparatus 1) for performing sterilization using active oxygen will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a mechanism for generating active oxygen by the sterilizer 1. The sterilizer 1 has a nozzle 10 that generates active oxygen and discharges (irradiates) a sterilizing agent 70 containing active oxygen to the cap 80. The nozzle 10 includes a plasma generation unit 11 that generates plasma, a discharge port 12 that discharges a bactericide 70 containing plasma and active oxygen, and a relay unit 13 between the plasma generation unit 11 and the discharge port 12. Prepare. FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the sterilizer 1 directly discharges the sterilizing agent 70 containing active oxygen to the cap 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the cap 80 may be sterilized indirectly, such as by discharging the sterilizing agent 70 into the chamber through which the cap 80 passes and sterilizing the cap 80 with the sterilizing agent 70 filled in the chamber.

This nozzle 10 generates so-called atmospheric pressure plasma as plasma in the apparatus. By using atmospheric pressure plasma, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus without requiring a vacuum vessel or the like necessary for generating low-pressure plasma, and the work efficiency is high because continuous processing is possible. Moreover, since it can produce | generate also under low temperature, there also exists an advantage that it does not need to expose a to-be-processed object to high temperature. Hereinafter, generation of atmospheric pressure plasma (hereinafter simply referred to as plasma) by the nozzle 10 and generation of active oxygen using the plasma will be described.

The plasma generator 11 has a known structure and includes an internal electrode 11a and an external electrode 11b. In the plasma generation unit 11, an electric field is generated in the plasma generation unit 11 by applying a high voltage (for example, an effective voltage of 20 kV at a frequency of 14 kHz) between the internal electrode 11 a and the external electrode 11 b by the AC power supply 20. . And plasma is produced | generated by supplying gas with the air (air) in the plasma production | generation part 11, and making gas generate | occur | produce in the generated electric field. The generated plasma is sent to the relay unit 13. In the present embodiment, oxygen (O ₂ , oxygen) is supplied as an example of gas into the plasma generation unit 11, and the plasma generation unit 11 generates oxygen plasma containing ozone as plasma. Specifically, oxygen radicals and ozone (O ₃ ) are generated by the plasma, and these are sent to the relay unit 13.

The relay unit 13 is connected to an evaporator 40 (an example of a water vapor supply unit, which will be described in detail later), and further water vapor is sent to the relay unit 13. Thereby, in the relay part 13, the plasma (oxygen radical and ozone) sent from the plasma production | generation part 11 and the water vapor | steam (vapor) sent from the evaporator 40 react, and active oxygen is produced | generated. In this embodiment, by reacting oxygen plasma (oxygen radicals and ozone) with water vapor, hydroxy radicals (.OH) that are particularly reactive among active oxygens are mainly generated.

More specifically, when water vapor and plasma react, hydrogen radicals (.H) and hydroxy radicals are generated from H ₂ O as shown in the following formula (1).

H ₂ O → H + OH (1)

Further, the hydrogen radical reacts with ozone to generate a hydroxy radical and oxygen (O ₂ ) as shown in the following formula (2).

・ H + O ₃ → OH + O ₂ (2)

(1) and (2) can be combined into the following (3).

H ₂ O + O ₃ → 2.OH + O ₂ (3)

That is, by reacting oxygen plasma with water vapor, the reaction of the above formula (3) can be caused to generate hydroxy radicals (.OH) efficiently. As a result, the generated active oxygen mainly contains hydroxy radicals. In particular, a high bactericidal effect can be achieved by mainly including highly reactive hydroxy radicals. Then, the generated active oxygen, water vapor, and unreacted plasma are discharged from the discharge port 12 to the sterilized object 80 as the sterilizing agent 70, and the sterilized object 80 is sterilized.

Next, the device configuration of the sterilizer 1 that performs sterilization using the active oxygen shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The sterilizer 1 includes a generator 21 and a transformer 22 that constitute an AC power source 20 in addition to the nozzle 10, a gas supply device 30 that supplies various gases to the nozzle 10 and the evaporator 40, an evaporator 40 that sends water vapor to the relay unit 13, and an evaporator 40. And a chiller 60 for supplying cooling water to the nozzle 10.

Generator 21 generates an alternating current. For example, in this embodiment, the frequency is 14 kHz, the effective voltage is 300 V, and the effective current is 11 A. The voltage of the alternating current supplied from the generator 21 is increased from 300 V to 20 kV by the transformer 22. Thereby, a high voltage of 20 kV is applied between the internal electrode 11a and the external electrode 11b in the plasma generation unit 11.

The gas supply machine 30 sends oxygen (O ₂ ) to the nozzle 10 together with air. Further, the air for supplying the water vapor generated by the evaporator 40 to the relay unit 13 is supplied to the evaporator 40. The gas supply machine 30 has a control panel 31. By operating the control panel 31, the supply amount of various gases to the target can be adjusted. In this embodiment, by operating the control panel 31, for example, air is sent to the nozzle 10 at 6 L / min and oxygen is sent at 3 L / min, and air is sent to the evaporator 40 at 3 L / min. is there.

The evaporator 40 heats a built-in heating wire (not shown) to 300 ° C., and heats water supplied from the pump 50 by the heating wire to generate water vapor. And water vapor is mixed with the air supplied from the gas supply machine 30, and water vapor is supplied to the relay part 13 with air. In the present embodiment, for example, the pump 50 supplies water to the evaporator 40 at 1.2 mL / min.

The chiller 60 cools the nozzle 10 that generates heat when high voltage is applied by supplying cooling water to the nozzle 10.

In the sterilization apparatus 1 configured as described above, oxygen supplied together with air from the gas supply device 30 to the nozzle 10 is turned into plasma by the plasma generation unit 11 of the nozzle 10, and the generated oxygen plasma is generated in the relay unit 13. It reacts with water vapor supplied together with air from the evaporator 40 to continuously generate active oxygen mainly composed of hydroxyl radicals. Then, the active oxygen, water vapor, and unreacted plasma continuously generated in the relay unit 13 are continuously discharged from the discharge port 12 as the sterilizing agent 70, thereby enabling continuous processing of the cap 80. . In this embodiment, for example, the bactericide 70 containing plasma and active oxygen is discharged from the discharge port at a temperature of 50 to 80 ° C. and a flow rate of 50000 mm / sec.

The following advantages are obtained by sterilization using active oxygen. When a sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide is used, it is necessary to wash the sterilizing agent afterwards so that the sterilizing agent does not remain on the object to be sterilized. However, it is difficult to remove all the sterilizing agent by washing, and there is a risk that the sterilizing agent remains on the article to be sterilized. In addition, since the sterilizing agent spray and the subsequent cleaning are mainly performed at a high temperature, when the material to be sterilized is a material that causes heat shrinkage such as a resin material, various sterilization processes are performed in order to prevent excessive heat shrinkage and deformation. There will be constraints. On the other hand, active oxygen does not remain because it disappears with the passage of time, and sterilization using active oxygen does not need to give heat to the object to be sterilized so as to cause heat shrinkage. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned problem of the sterilizing agent residue and the heat shrinkage / deformation of the sterilized material.

Next, the configuration of the sterilization system 100A according to this embodiment will be described. In the sterilization system 100A according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the plasma sterilization means 120, another sterilization means 130 that sterilizes the cap 80 by a method different from the plasma sterilization means 120 conveys the cap 80. On the transfer line 110. In the sterilization system 100 </ b> A according to the present embodiment, the plasma sterilization unit 110 and the other sterilization unit 130 are provided in parallel on the transport line 110. Next, the configuration of each part of the sterilization system 100A will be described.

The conveyance line 110 is constituted by, for example, a conveyor. Then, the first branch line 112 and the second branch line 113 are branched at the first switching point 111. Plasma sterilizing means 120 is provided on the first branch line 112, and other sterilizing means 130 is provided on the second branch line 113. In addition, at the first switching point 111, the cap 80 conveyed from the upstream side can be switched between the first branch line 112 and the second branch line 113. Further, the first branch line 112 and the second branch line 113 merge at the second switching point 114, and the second switching point 114 is connected to either the first branch line 112 or the second branch line 113 downstream thereof. The connection to the line 115 on the side can be switched. That is, in the sterilization system 100A, it is possible to switch between the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 to sterilize the cap 80. In addition, the downstream 112a of the plasma sterilization means 120 of the first branch line 112, the downstream 112a of the plasma sterilization means 120 of the first branch line 112, the second switching point 114, and the downstream of the second switching point 114. Since the sterilized cap 80 is conveyed with the line 115, it is aseptic environment. Further, the line switching between the first switching point 111 and the second switching point 114 may be a manual or automatic remote operation such as one performed by a switch operation at a control center or one automatically performed by a computer. It is also conceivable that a person switches directly on site. However, since the second switching point 114 needs to be an aseptic environment, switching by remote operation such as switch operation by a remote controller is preferable.

In the plasma sterilization means 120, a plurality of plasma sterilization apparatuses 1 are arranged along the first switching line 112 (in FIG. 3, only the nozzle 10 is shown by omission). In addition, since the cap 80 needs to be sterilized in an aseptic environment, the plasma sterilization means 120 includes the aseptic chamber 121, and the cap 80 is sterilized in the aseptic chamber 121.

In the other sterilization means 130, the cap 80 is sterilized by a method different from that of the plasma sterilization means 120. As a different method, a method that has been conventionally used and that has already been generally used and has proven its sterilization efficiency and operation reliability (whether it operates without defects) is preferable. Examples include sterilization with hydrogen peroxide, sterilization with electron beam irradiation, and sterilization with a peracetic acid-based sterilizer. The other sterilizing means 130 also has a sterile chamber 131, and the cap 80 is sterilized in the sterile chamber 131.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the plasma sterilization means 120 includes a hot air nozzle (heating means) as a contraction means for contracting the sterilized cap 80 on the first switching line 112 on the downstream side of the plasma sterilization apparatus 1. 122) is provided. That is, the sterilization using active oxygen by the plasma sterilization unit 120 does not need to apply heat to the cap 80 so as to cause thermal shrinkage. Therefore, the sterilization by the plasma sterilization unit 120 is unlikely to cause thermal contraction in the cap 80. On the other hand, conventionally used sterilization means (for example, sterilization using a hydrogen peroxide-containing sterilizing agent) performed by the other sterilization means 130 is one in which the cap 80 contracts. For this reason, the size of the cap 80 may vary between the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130. Therefore, by blowing the hot air 123 from the hot air nozzle 122 into the cap 80, the sterilized cap 80 can be heated, and the (heat) shrinkage of the cap 80 can be caused. Thereby, the variation in the size of the cap 80 after sterilization between the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 is effectively suppressed. Further, when dust or dust adheres to the cap 80, it can be removed.

The sterilization system 100A according to the present embodiment is effective in the following cases. In other words, when introducing a new sterilization method using active oxygen, which is a new sterilization method, due to lack of track record of introduction, operation is actually stopped due to an unexpected error. Or the risk that the equipment will malfunction. Therefore, in the sterilization system 100A, it is possible to switch between the plasma sterilization unit 120 that performs sterilization using active oxygen and the other sterilization unit 130 to perform the sterilization of the cap 80. Even if any trouble occurs in the plasma sterilization means 120 having the above risk during the sterilization by the above, if the sterilization of the cap 80 is switched from the plasma sterilization means 120 to another sterilization means 130, it will continue. The cap 80 can be sterilized.

Therefore, as an operation method of the sterilization system 100A according to the present embodiment for that purpose, the following can be specifically considered. First, the first and second switching points 111 and 114 are set on the first branch line 112 side in order to perform sterilization using active oxygen. Then, the operation of the other sterilization means 130 is stopped, only the plasma sterilization means 120 is operated, and the plasma sterilization means 120 sterilizes the cap 80 using active oxygen. Thereafter, if no problem occurs, the operation is continued while maintaining this state. However, if any trouble occurs in the plasma sterilization means 120, the first and second switching points 111 and 114 are connected to the second branch line. The operation is switched to the 113 side to stop the operation of the plasma sterilization means 120 and the operation of the other sterilization means 130 is started, and the cap 80 is sterilized by the other sterilization means 130. After that, when the trouble of the plasma sterilization means 120 is resolved, the first and second switching points 111 and 114 are switched to the second branch line 113 side again, and the operation of the other sterilization means 130 is stopped, The operation of the plasma sterilization means 120 is started, and the plasma sterilization means 120 again sterilizes the cap 80 using active oxygen.

Further, according to the sterilization system 100A according to the present embodiment, the plasma sterilization means 110 that performs sterilization using active oxygen and the other sterilization means 130 that performs sterilization by other sterilization methods are arranged on

separate lines

112 and 113. Therefore, when the other sterilizing means 130 is sterilizing, the sterilizing agent in the other sterilizing means 130 reaches the plasma sterilizing means 120 and flows back into the plasma sterilizing means 120. Is suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the sterilization system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the plasma sterilizing means 120 and the other sterilizing means 130 on the transfer line 110 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, differences between the sterilization system 100B according to the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described. Note that the points not particularly specified are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the sterilization system 100B of this embodiment, the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 are provided in series on the transport line 110. In this embodiment, the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 have

separate sterilization chambers

121 and 131, respectively, and perform sterilization in the

chambers

121 and 131. In the sterilization system 100B of the present embodiment, the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 are operated without switching the line as in the sterilization system 100A of the first embodiment, so that the plasma The cap 80 can be sterilized only by the sterilizing means 120, or the cap 80 can be sterilized only by the other sterilizing means 130. Thus, for example, in order to preferentially perform sterilization using active oxygen, basically, the operation of the other sterilization means 130 is stopped, only the plasma sterilization means 120 is operated, and the cap only by the plasma sterilization means 120 is used. If any trouble occurs in the plasma sterilization means 120 while performing the sterilization of 80, the operation of the plasma sterilization means 120 is stopped and the operation of the other sterilization means 130 is started instead. An operation of sterilizing the cap 80 can be performed.

It is also possible to sterilize the cap 80 with the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 by operating both the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130. Thereby, the bactericidal effect with respect to the cap 80 can also be improved. At this time, if any trouble occurs in the plasma sterilization means 120, the operation of the plasma sterilization means 120 may be stopped and only the other sterilization means 130 may be operated for sterilization. In particular, in the present embodiment, the plasma sterilization means 120 is disposed upstream of the other sterilization means 130, and the other sterilization means 130 is also used as a preliminary and supplemental sterilization means for sterilization by the plasma sterilization means 120. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the sterilization system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The sterilization system 100C of this embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the plasma sterilization means 120 and other sterilization means 130 perform sterilization in the same aseptic chamber 140. Hereinafter, differences between the sterilization system according to the present embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described. Note that points not particularly specified are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sterilization system 100C of this embodiment performs sterilization in a sterilization chamber 140 in which a sterilization chamber 140a on the plasma sterilization means 120 side and a sterilization chamber 140b on the other sterilization means 130 side are integrated. It is configured. Thereby, space saving can be achieved compared with providing both sterilization means in a separate aseptic chamber. Even in this case, similarly to the sterilization system 100B of the second embodiment, by operating only one of the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130, the cap 80 is sterilized only by the plasma sterilization means 120, or The cap 80 can be sterilized only by the other sterilization means 130. It is also possible to operate both the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 and sterilize the cap 80 with the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130.

However, if both sterilization means 120 and 130 are in the same sterilization chamber 140, when only the other sterilization means 130 is operating, the sterilizing agent used in the other sterilization means 130 is up to the plasma sterilization means 120. There is a possibility that the plasma sterilization means 120 may flow back into each plasma sterilization apparatus 1. Therefore, when only the other sterilization means 130 is sterilizing, the sterilization system 100C of this embodiment is used for preventing backflow from the discharge port 12 of the sterilizing agent 70 to each plasma sterilization apparatus 1 in the first plasma sterilization means 120. A control unit (not shown) for ejecting the air is provided. When only the other sterilizing means 130 is sterilizing, the plasma sterilizing means 120 is jetted with air for preventing backflow, and the sterilizing agent of the other sterilizing means 130 flows back into the plasma sterilizing apparatus 1. It is deterring.

[Fourth Embodiment]
As a fourth embodiment of the sterilization system according to the present invention, a modified example of the plasma sterilization means will be described with reference to FIG. In the sterilization systems 100A to 100C of the first to third embodiments, the configuration in which the plasma sterilization means 120 is provided in the

sterilization chambers

121 and 140a is shown. However, as shown in FIG. The disinfectant provided with the plasma disinfection means 120 and the discharge port 12 connected to the aseptic chamber 121, disinfecting the disinfectant 70 into the aseptic chamber 121 through which the cap 80 passes, and filling the aseptic chamber 121. The cap 80 may be sterilized indirectly by 70.

[Other Embodiments]
Finally, other embodiments of the sterilization system according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.

(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the plasma air sterilizing unit 120 is provided with the hot air nozzle 122 as a contracting unit that contracts the cap 80 after sterilization has been described as an example. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is not limited to the hot air nozzle 122 but may be other heating means such as steam, and is not limited to sterilizing the cap 80 by heating, and other contraction means such as electron beam irradiation may be used. Further, the position where the contracting means is provided is not limited to the downstream side of the plasma sterilization apparatus 1 but may be disposed upstream of the plasma sterilization apparatus 1 so that the cap 80 before sterilization is contracted. In addition, it is good also as a structure which does not use a contraction means.

In the above embodiment, the contraction means is described as an example of the configuration provided in the plasma sterilization means 120 separately from the other sterilization means 130, but the present invention is not limited to this. As in the second and third embodiments, the plasma sterilization means 120 and the other sterilization means 130 are provided in series, and the other sterilization means 130 may be sterilized by heating or electron beam irradiation. As a possible contraction means, the sterilization system may be provided with a contraction means in addition to the plasma sterilization means 120. That is, the sterilization system includes plasma sterilization means for generating plasma and irradiating the obtained plasma to sterilize an object to be sterilized. The plasma sterilization means is supplied with water vapor, and the plasma sterilization means Is for discharging a sterilizing agent containing the generated plasma and active oxygen generated by a reaction between the supplied water vapor and the plasma to the object to be sterilized. In addition to the means, a sterilization system provided with contraction means for contracting the article to be sterilized is also conceivable. In this case, the contraction means may be provided at an arbitrary location on the transport line, for example, adjacent to the sterilization means or provided downstream or upstream thereof. Further, the contraction means may be intended only for contraction of the article to be sterilized.

(2) In the second and third embodiments, the configuration in which the plasma sterilizing unit 120 is arranged on the upstream side of the other sterilizing unit 130 is shown. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the plasma sterilization means 120 may be arranged downstream of the other sterilization means 130.

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration using the cap 80 as the article to be sterilized is shown. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and other things can be used as sterilized items.

Regarding other configurations as well, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object to be sterilized such as a cap.

12 Discharge port 70 Disinfectant 80 Object to be sterilized 110 Transport line 120 Plasma sterilization means (plasma sterilization means)
122 Hot air nozzle (heating means, shrinking means)
130 Other sterilization means 140 Aseptic chamber

Claims

Plasma sterilization means for generating plasma and sterilizing the object to be sterilized with the obtained plasma,
The plasma sterilizing means is supplied with water vapor,
The plasma sterilizing means discharges a sterilizing agent containing the generated plasma, and active oxygen generated by the reaction between the supplied water vapor and the plasma,
A sterilization system in which, in addition to the plasma sterilization means, another sterilization means for sterilizing the article to be sterilized by a method different from the plasma sterilization means is provided on a conveyance line for conveying the article to be sterilized.
The sterilization system according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization means can be switched by either the plasma sterilization means or the other sterilization means.
The sterilization system according to claim 2, wherein the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in parallel on the transfer line.
The sterilization system according to claim 2, wherein the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in series on the transfer line.
The sterilization system according to claim 4, wherein the plasma sterilization means and the other sterilization means are provided in the same aseptic chamber.
6. The sterilization system according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit that causes the plasma sterilization unit to eject air for preventing backflow from the discharge port of the sterilant when only the other sterilization unit performs sterilization.
The sterilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plasma sterilization means is provided with contraction means for contracting the article to be sterilized.
The sterilization system according to claim 7, wherein the contraction means is a heating means for heating the article to be sterilized.