JP2019099179A - Emergency treatment method of electron ray sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an emergency treatment method of an electron ray sterilization device which can resume an operation at an early stage even in the case of emergency.SOLUTION: In an electron ray sterilization device including a conveyance path for conveying objects to be sterilized, an emergency treatment method of the electron ray sterilization device used in the case of emergency is provided. The conveyance path includes an upstream path, a sterilization path for performing sterilization by irradiation of electron ray while continuously conveying the objects to be sterilized, and a downstream path, from the upstream side. The emergency treatment method of the electron ray sterilization device includes a determination step 1 and a disposal step 4. In the determination step 1, in the emergency, supply of the objects to be sterilized to the upstream path from the outside is stopped (STEP10), and whether or not the irradiation of the electron ray is stopped is determined (STEP20). In the disposal step 4, in the case where it is determined that the irradiation of the electron ray is stopped in the determination step 1, irradiation of electron ray is resumed (STEP50), and by this resumption, the objects to be sterilized which have been sterilized are disposed of from the downstream path continuously (STEP60, 90), and in the case where it is determined that the irradiation of the electron ray is not stopped in the determination step, the objects to be sterilized which have been sterilized are disposed of from the downstream path continuously (STEP80, 90).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency measure method for an electron beam sterilization apparatus.

  The electron beam sterilization apparatus is an apparatus for sterilizing an object to be sterilized by irradiation of an electron beam, and as a merit thereof, the time for irradiating the object to be sterilized with an electron beam is relatively short. Taking advantage of this advantage, the electron beam sterilization apparatus is usually configured to sterilize an object to be sterilized while continuously transporting it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In general, the electron beam sterilization apparatus uses an upstream path through which a sterilization target is continuously supplied from an external (upstream) device, and irradiation of an electron beam while continuously transporting a sterilization target from the upstream path. It has a sterilizing route to be sterilized and a downstream route for continuously discharging an object to be sterilized from the sterilizing route to an external (downstream) device. This downstream route is in an aseptic environment as it carries the sterile objects to be sterilized.

Patent No. 4420237

  As described also in Patent Document 1, an emergency such as trouble may occur in the electron beam sterilization apparatus. In order to cope with such an emergency, all objects to be sterilized inside the electron beam sterilizer should be disposed of just in case, so that the downstream equipment is supplied with the object to be sterilized that is not sufficiently sterilized. I do not have to. However, in the process of discarding, the sterilization environment of the electron beam sterilization apparatus may be destroyed by the sterilization object that is not sufficiently sterilized. For example, in the case of the electron beam sterilization apparatus (electron beam sterilization apparatus 40) described in Patent Document 1, in an emergency (when an abnormality in electron beam irradiation itself occurs), FIGS. 7 and 8 of the Patent Document 1 concerned. As shown in the diagram, the sterilization target (plastic empty container P) is discarded by the removal unit 49 provided in the downstream path that is the path downstream from the electron beam irradiator (electron beam irradiation mechanism 43). Thus, as described in paragraph [0073] of Patent Document 1, the downstream device (post-process mechanism 11) is not supplied with the sterilization target (plastic empty container P) which is insufficiently sterilized. It is However, among the downstream routes from the electron beam irradiator (electron beam irradiation mechanism 43) kept in a sterile environment, the route to the removal unit 49 is contaminated with the sterilization target (plastic empty container P) which is insufficiently sterilized. It will be done. For this reason, in practice, it is necessary to sterilize the contaminated route with hydrogen peroxide gas or the like after discarding the object to be sterilized (plastic empty container P). Therefore, in the conventional electron beam sterilization apparatus, when an emergency occurs, the operation (decontamination) for restoring the aseptic environment which has been destroyed is required again, and the operation can not be resumed early. The

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for coping with an emergency of an electron beam sterilization apparatus that can resume operation early even if an emergency occurs.

In order to solve the above problems, the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention comprises an upstream route through which the object to be sterilized is continuously supplied from the outside, and a sterilization object from this upstream route continuously. When an emergency occurs in an electron beam sterilization apparatus provided with a sterilization route for sterilizing by irradiation of an electron beam while conveying periodically and a downstream route for continuously discharging an object to be sterilized from this sterilization route to the outside It is an emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization system to cope with,
A determination step of stopping supply of the sterilization object from the outside to the upstream path at the time of the emergency and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped;
If it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is resumed, and the sterilization target sterilized by the restart is continuously discarded from the downstream path, and the determination step is performed. And c. Discarding the sterilized object to be sterilized from the downstream route continuously if it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam is not stopped.
Is a method of providing

  In the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the second invention, in the disposal step of the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the first invention, the transportation of the sterilization object through the sterilization route is It is slower than normal, which is other than emergency.

  Further, according to the emergency coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus of the third invention, in the discarding process of the coping method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus of the first or second invention, the irradiation process of the electron beam is performed in the judgment step. If it is determined that the irradiation has been stopped, the object to be sterilized which is insufficiently sterilized due to the irradiation of the electron beam being stopped is transported in the reverse direction to the sterilization route or the upstream route, and then the irradiation of the electron beam is resumed. How to

  In addition, in the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the fourth invention, in the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the third invention, the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped before the discarding step. This is a method comprising a position identification step of identifying an object to be sterilized which is insufficiently sterilized.

In the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the fifth invention, in the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the object to be sterilized has an inner surface and an outer surface. Container-shaped body having
The sterilization route is a method having an outer surface sterilization route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container shape by irradiation of an electron beam, and an inner surface sterilization route for sterilizing the inner surface of the container shape by irradiation of an electron beam.

  According to the emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, since the sterilization object transported by the downstream route is sterilized even in emergency, the aseptic environment of the downstream route is not destroyed and the emergency occurs. You can even resume driving early.

It is a schematic side view which shows the normal time of the electron beam sterilization apparatus in the emergency management method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows the case where irradiation of an electron beam is stopped in emergency. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and the condition where irradiation is restarted and the object to be sterilized is conveyed after FIG. 2A. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the condition after FIG. 2B. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the case where irradiation of an electron beam is not stopped in emergency. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the condition which is conveying the sterilization object after FIG. 3A. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the condition after FIG. 3B. It is a flowchart in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, reverse conveyance of a sterilization object, when irradiation of an electron beam is stopped by emergency. Indicate the situation. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the condition which is conveying the sterilization object after FIG. 5A. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus, and shows the condition after FIG. 5B. It is a flowchart in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the normal time of the electron beam sterilization apparatus in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus based on the Example of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the internal surface sterilization part with which the electron beam sterilization apparatus is equipped. It is a flowchart in the emergency response method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus based on the Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

  First, an outline of the electron beam sterilization apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 sterilizes the objects to be sterilized O.sub.0 to O.sub.11 continuously supplied from the apparatus U on the upstream side by the irradiation of the electron beam E to the apparatus D on the downstream side. It is a device that discharges continuously. The electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 transports the transfer paths 101 to 103 for transferring the sterilization targets O0 to O11 and an electron beam E for irradiating the sterilization targets O0 to O11 transferred by the transfer paths 101 to 103. And a radiation irradiator 120.

  The transport paths 101 to 103 include an upstream path 101 in which the sterilization objects O0 to O11 are continuously supplied from the apparatus U on the upstream side, which is an external device, and the sterilization objects O0 to O11 from the upstream path 101. A sterilization route 102 for sterilizing by irradiation of the electron beam E while continuously transporting, and a downstream route for continuously discharging the sterilization objects O0 to O11 from the sterilization route 102 to the downstream device D which is an external device And 103. That is, the electron beam irradiator 120 is disposed at a position where the sterilization objects O4 to O7 of the sterilization path 102 are irradiated with the electron beam E.

  The sterilization targets O1 to O10 in the transport paths 101 to 103 are as follows. The sterilization targets O8 to O10 of the upstream route 101 are not sterilized because they are in the state before the electron beam E is irradiated. Since the sterilization targets O4 to O7 of the sterilization route 102 are transported while being irradiated with the electron beam E, the degree of sterilization is advanced toward the downstream side. The sterilization targets O1 to O3 of the downstream path 103 are sterilized because they are in the state after being irradiated with the electron beam E. Thus, the downstream path 103 is required to be in a sterile environment as it carries sterile objects to be sterilized O0-O11.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 2A to 2C, 3A to 3C and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when an emergency occurs in the apparatus U on the upstream side, the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 and / or the apparatus D on the downstream side, the sterilization target objects O1 to O1 inside the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 are generated. It is necessary to discard all O10. In order not to increase the sterilization objects O1 to O10 to be discarded more than necessary, the sterilization object O11 supplied from the upstream device U to the upstream path 101 is blocked by the stopper 110 or the like, and the upstream device U Supply of the sterilization object O11 to the upstream path 101 from Next, since the subsequent steps in the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 differ depending on whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped at this emergency time, the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 It is determined whether the irradiation has been stopped. 2A shows the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped, and FIG. 3A shows the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped.

  First, the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is stopped will be described based on FIGS. 2A to 2C.

  If transportation of the sterilization object O1 to O10 is continued in a state where the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, the sterilization object O5 to O10 is transported to the downstream path 103 without being sterilized, and the aseptic environment of the downstream path 103 Will be destroyed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the irradiation of the electron beam E by the electron beam irradiator 120 is resumed, and then the sterilization objects O1 to O10 are transported. Specifically, if the transportation of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 is stopped before the irradiation of the electron beam E is resumed, the transportation is restarted, and the transportation of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 is resumed. If it is not stopped, the transport is continued. As a result of this transfer, the sterilization target O4 with less irradiation of the electron beam E than in the normal time is transferred to the downstream path 103. However, such a sterilization object O4 does not destroy the aseptic environment of the downstream route 103, for example, when the normal transportation speed is low or when the time from the termination of the irradiation of the electron beam E to the restart is very short. If it is sterilized to a certain extent, no problems occur. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream path 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

  Next, the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped, that is, the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued will be described based on FIGS. 3A to 3C.

  If the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped (is continued), as shown in FIG. 3A, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 are sterilized by the sterilization route 102, and therefore the aseptic environment of the downstream route 103. Will not be destroyed. For this reason, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 are transported. Specifically, the transportation is resumed if the transportation of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 has been stopped, and if the transportation of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 is not stopped, the transportation is stopped. continue. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream path 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

  The emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 includes a determination step 1 and a discard step 4 as shown in FIG. The determination step 1 determines whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E has been stopped while stopping the supply of the sterilization object O11 from the device U on the upstream side, which is an external device, to the upstream path 101 in an emergency. . In the discarding step 4, when it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped in the determination step 1, the irradiation of the electron beam E is resumed, and the sterilization target objects O1 to O10 are sterilized including this restart. Are continuously discarded from the downstream path 103, and when it is determined in the determination step 1 that the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped, the sterilized objects to be sterilized O1 to O10 are continued from the downstream path 103. Dispose of

  Specifically, the determination step 1 includes a step of stopping supply of the sterilization object O11 to the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 (STEP 10), and a step of determining whether the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped ( And STEP 20).

  The discarding step 4 has a step (STEP 50) of resuming the irradiation of the electron beam E when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, and a step (STEP 60) of conveying the sterilization objects O1 to O10. Further, the discarding step 4 has a step (STEP 80) of transporting the sterilization objects O1 to O10 when the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped, that is, when the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued. . Further, the discarding step 4 continuously discards the sterilized object to be sterilized O1 to O10 from the downstream path 103 as a step following to the step of transporting the object to be sterilized O1 to O10 (STEP 60, STEP 80) (STEP 90) ).

  As described above, according to the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sterilized even in an emergency, The aseptic environment of the downstream path 103 is not destroyed and operation can be resumed early even if an emergency occurs.

  By the way, although the speed of conveyance (STEP60, STEP80) of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 in the discarding process 4 shown in FIG. 4 is not described in the first embodiment, it is slower than the conveyance at the normal time. preferable. Thereby, the sterilization objects O4 to O10 are sufficiently irradiated by the electron beam E, so that the sterilization objects O4 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sufficiently sterilized even in an emergency, The aseptic environment of the downstream path 103 is not destroyed and operation can be resumed early even if an emergency occurs. When the transport of the sterilization object O1 to O10 in the discarding step 4 is made slower than the transportation at the normal time, the electron beam does not damage the sterilization object O4 to O10 due to excessive irradiation of the electron beam E. The output of the electron beam E from the irradiator 120 may be controlled.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 5A to 5C and FIG.

  The emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is the emergency handling method as shown in FIG. 6 among the emergency handling methods of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. And the step of discarding the temporary object O1 to O10 (STEP 40). is there. Hereinafter, description will be given focusing on the position specifying step 3 and the step of temporarily reverse transporting the sterilization objects O1 to O10 (STEP 40) which are not in the first embodiment, and the same as the first embodiment. The same reference numerals will be assigned to the configuration of and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

  In the first embodiment, after the irradiation of the electron beam E shown in FIG. 2A is stopped, as shown in FIG. 2B, after the irradiation of the electron beam E is resumed, the transfer of the sterilization objects O1 to O10 is resumed. As a result, the sterilization object O4 with less irradiation of the electron beam E than usual is transported downstream. Here, if the object to be sterilized O4 is not sterilized to such an extent that the aseptic environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, such as when the transportation at normal time is high speed, that is, if the sterilization of the object to be sterilized O4 is insufficient There is. In this case, in the second embodiment, after the irradiation of the electron beam E shown in FIG. 2A is stopped and before the irradiation of the electron beam E is resumed, the position of the sterilization object O4 which is insufficiently sterilized is specified. As shown in FIG. 5A, such a sterilization object O4 is temporarily reversely transported to a position (sterilization path 102 or upstream path 101) where the electron beam E can be irradiated. The irradiation of the electron beam E by the electron beam irradiator 120 is resumed as shown in FIG. 5B while the reverse transportation is being performed or after the reverse transportation is stopped, and then the sterilization targets O1 to O10 are transported. As shown in FIG. 5C, the sterilization target objects O1 to O10 that have been sterilized and transported to the downstream path 103 are continuously discarded by the reject mechanism 190 or the like.

  By the way, when the irradiation of the electron beam E from the electron beam irradiator 120 is not stopped, that is, when the irradiation of the electron beam E is continued, it is the same as the first embodiment.

  The emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 includes a determination step 1, a position identification step 3 and a discard step 4 as shown in FIG. The determination step 1 is the same as the determination step 1 according to the first embodiment. The position specifying step 3 specifies the position of the sterilization object O4 which is insufficiently sterilized because the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped before the discarding step 4. In the discarding process 4, when it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped in the determining process 1 in the discarding process 4 according to the first embodiment, the sterilization is performed because the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped. After the insufficient sterilization object O4 is transported in the reverse direction to the sterilization path 102 or the upstream path 101, the irradiation of the electron beam E is resumed. Then, the sterilized objects to be sterilized O1 to O10 are transported in the positive direction and continuously discarded from the downstream path 103.

  Specifically, the position specifying step 3 has a step (STEP 30) of specifying the position of the sterilization object O4 which is insufficiently sterilized.

  The discarding step 4 is a step of temporarily reverse transporting the sterilization objects O1 to O10 (STEP 40) before the step (STEP 50) of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E in the discarding step 4 according to the first embodiment. Have.

  As described above, according to the emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, even in the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 in which the objects to be sterilized O 0 to O 11 are transported at high speed normally Also, since the sterilization objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream route 103 are sterilized, the aseptic environment of the downstream route 103 is not destroyed, and operation can be resumed early even if an emergency occurs.

  In the second embodiment, the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 is described as including the position specifying step 3. However, the position specifying step 3 may not be included. Even if the position specifying step 3 is not provided, the sterilization objects O1 to O10 transported by the downstream path 103 in the event of an emergency will be sterilized if the distance for temporarily reverse transporting is increased. . Of course, the provision of the position identification step 3 does not sterilize the sterilization target objects O1 to O3 which are sufficiently sterilized, that is, the reverse conveying distance becomes the minimum necessary, so that it is possible to proceed earlier even if an emergency occurs. You can resume driving.

  Hereinafter, an emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the embodiment more specifically showing the first and second embodiments will be described based on the drawings. The same components as those of the first and second embodiments in the present embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

  First, the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 will be described based on FIG. 7 and FIG.

  In this electron beam sterilization apparatus 100, the sterilization objects O0 to O11 are in the form of a container having an inner surface and an outer surface. Here, the container-shaped body having an inner surface and an outer surface is not only a container such as a PET bottle but also a preform, that is, a raw material before being formed into a PET bottle by blow molding and having a test tube shape (Including U-shaped longitudinal section). In the following, in order to simplify the description, the container will be described as an example of a container shape having an inner surface and an outer surface.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 is configured to receive an electron beam in a container O, which is continuously supplied from the chute of the upstream device U, in the outer surface sterilization chamber 20 and the inner surface sterilization chamber 50 (described in detail later). It is a device which sterilizes by irradiation of E and continuously discharges it to the star wheel of the downstream device D.

  The electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 generally has five chambers. These five chambers are, in order from the upstream side of the path of the container O to be transported, a supply chamber 10 to which the container O is supplied from the outside, and an outer surface sterilization chamber 20 for sterilizing the outer surface of the container O by irradiation of the electron beam E. An inner surface sterilization chamber 50 for sterilizing the inner surface of the container O by the irradiation of the electron beam E, and a shielding chamber 60 for preventing radiation generated by irradiating the container O with the electron beam E to the outside; The sorting chamber 70 continuously discharges the container O to the star wheel of the downstream device D and discards the inappropriate container O. The five rooms are made of materials whose floor, wall and ceiling shield X-rays.

  The supply chamber 10 is provided with a transfer start star wheel 11 for starting to transfer the container O continuously supplied from the chute of the apparatus U on the upstream side.

  The outer surface sterilization chamber 20 has an outer surface sterilization section 21 which receives the container O from the transfer start star wheel 11 and sterilizes the outer surface with the electron beam E. The outer surface sterilizing unit 21 transports the container O received from the transfer start star wheel 11 to the elliptical path, and the electron beam E to the outer surface of the container O transported by the elliptical path transport device 23. It has an external surface electron beam irradiator 22 (an example of the electron beam irradiator 120) that irradiates (a substantially rectangular cross section). The elliptical path transfer machine 23 spans over two outer surface sterilization star wheels 24 disposed near one end side and the other end side of the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 and these two outer surface sterilization star wheels 24. And an endless carrier band 25 for carrying the container O.

  The inner surface sterilization chamber 50 receives the container O from the elliptical path transfer machine 23 and transfers the container O to the circular path, and receives the container O from the diverting rotation table 51 and sterilizes the inner surface with the electron beam E And an internal sterilization unit 54. The inner surface sterilizing part 54 is provided on the inner surface sterilizing swivel table 55l for transporting the container O in a circular path, and provided on the inner surface sterilizing swivel table 55l at a predetermined central angle (for example, 18 ° or 0.1π rad) pitch. And a lifting device (not shown) capable of lifting and lowering O. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the same number of inner surface sterilizing parts 54 as the elevation devices are provided immediately above the containers O held by the elevation devices, and the electron beam E (cross section Has an inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 (an example of the electron beam irradiator 120) for emitting a substantially circular shape, and an inner surface sterilization synchronous table 55h on which the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 is disposed at the edge. Each of these inner surface electron beam irradiators 52 is provided with a nozzle 53 for irradiating the electron beam E downward from the lower end. The inner surface sterilizing synchronization table 55h pivots the inner surface electron beam irradiators 52 at the same swing speed as the lifting device so that the inner surface electron beam irradiators 52 are positioned immediately above the container O held by the corresponding lifting device. Let The lifting device inserts the nozzle 53 into the opening m of the container O by raising the container O, and withdraws the nozzle 53 from the opening m of the container O by lowering the container O in this state. When the nozzle 53 is pulled out of the opening m of the container O, as shown in FIG. 7, the container P can be received and delivered by the other turning tables 51 and 61.

  The shielding chamber 60 is a sterile pivoting table 61 which receives the container O from the pivoting table 55l for internal surface sterilization and transports the container O in a circular path, and a shielding wall (not shown) that shields the X-ray entering from the internal surface sterilization chamber 50. Equipped with

  The sorting chamber 70 receives a container O from the sterile swiveling table 61 and transports it in a circular path while sorting out the container O from the sorting swiveling table 71 and the container O from the sorting swiveling table 71 And a discharge turning table 72 which is transported to a circular path and discharged to the outside. On the floor of the sorting chamber 70, a waste port 90 for discarding an inappropriate container O is formed at a lower part of the circular path on the sorting and turning table 71. The sorting and turning table 71 is configured to drop the inappropriate container O at the waste port 90 when it is determined that the container O being transported by the circular path is inappropriate. The discharge pivot table 72 also discharges the appropriate container O to the star wheel of the downstream device D (e.g. a device for blow molding) which is an external device.

  By the way, at the edges of the turning and turning table 51, the turning table 551 for internal surface sterilization, the aseptic turning table 61, the sorting and turning table 71, and the discharging and turning table 72, a constant central angle (for example, 18 ° or 0.1π rad) A gripping tool 8 is provided which grips the container O at a pitch. These gripping tools 8 grip the neck portion of the container O at the position where the container O is received from the upstream side and transported in a circular path, and release the gripping at the position where the container O is delivered downstream. . Thereby, the reception and delivery of the container O from the upstream side to the downstream side are smoothly performed. The lifting device provided on the inner surface sterilizing table 551 can move the container O together with the holding tool 8.

  The electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 comprises position specifying means 30 for specifying the individual positions of the containers O transported continuously. The position specifying means 30 has a detector 31 provided in the supply chamber 10 and directed to the container O, and a measuring device 32 for measuring the number of containers O transported per unit time. The detector 31 is, for example, a camera or an inductive, optical (laser) or capacitive sensor. The measuring instrument 32 is transported per unit time based on, for example, the number of pulses of an encoder provided on the shaft of the transport start star wheel 11 or the number of rotations of a motor for driving the turning table. The number of containers O is to be measured.

  From the position where the container O is supplied from the chute of the upstream device U to the transfer start star wheel 11 in the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100, to the position where the container O is discharged to the downstream device D by the discharge turning table 72 Corresponds to the transport paths 101 to 103 in the first and second embodiments. Here, when focusing on the whole of the container O as sterilization of the container O (A), from the position where the electron beam E begins to be irradiated to the outer surface of the container O by the external surface electron beam irradiator 22, the internal electron beam irradiator 52 The position up to the point where the line E has been irradiated to the inner surface of the container O corresponds to the sterilization route 102 in the first and second embodiments. (B) When focusing on the outer surface of the container O as sterilization of the container O, from the position where the electron beam E begins to be irradiated to the outer surface of the container O by the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22, the electron beam E by the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 The position up to the point at which irradiation of the outer surface of the container O is finished corresponds to the sterilization path 102 in the first and second embodiments. (C) When focusing on the inner surface of the container O as sterilization of the container O, from the position where the electron beam E begins to be irradiated to the inner surface of the container O by the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52 The position up to the point at which the inner surface of the container O has been irradiated corresponds to the sterilization path 102 in the first and second embodiments. The two routes (B) and (C) described above may correspond to the sterilization route 102, respectively. Of the transport paths 101 to 103, the upstream side of the sterilization path 102 corresponds to the upstream path 101 in the first and second embodiments, and the downstream side of the sterilization path 102 is the downstream path in the first and second embodiments. It corresponds to 103. For this reason, regardless of how the container O is noted as sterilization of the container O, since the sorting chamber 70 is a part of the downstream path 103, the container O is dropped to the disposal port 90 formed in the sorting chamber 70. Discarding corresponds to discarding the container O from the downstream path 103.

  The sterilization route 102 is a route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container O shown in FIG. 7 by irradiation of the electron beam E from the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 and an inner surface electron beam irradiator for the inner surface of the container O. And an inner surface sterilization route 102i, which is a route for sterilization by irradiation of the electron beam E from 52. In this way, by separating the outer surface sterilization path 102o and the inner surface sterilization path 102i, it is difficult for the container O to be transported to the downstream path 103 in an emergency in which both the outer surface and the inner surface are not sufficiently sterilized. The aseptic environment of 103 is less likely to be destroyed.

  The emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 described above will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The emergency measure method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 includes a determination step 1 and a discarding step 4 and other steps as shown in FIG. Since the subsequent steps in the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 differ depending on whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped in the determination step 1, in the following, the steps when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, and the electron The steps will be described separately in the case where the irradiation of the line E is not stopped (is continued).

  First, as a step when the irradiation of the electron beam E is stopped, there is a step (STEP 31) of determining whether the irradiation of the electron beam E can be resumed. If the irradiation of the electron beam E can be resumed, the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP 51), the step of continuing the conveyance of the container O (STEP 61), the sterilized container O continuously from the waste opening 90 The step of discarding (STEP 90) is executed in the order. On the other hand, if the irradiation of the electron beam E is not restartable, the step of stopping the transportation of the container O (STEP 32), the step of performing an operation to solve the trouble that the irradiation of the electron beam E can not be resumed (STEP 33) It is performed in order of the step (STEP34) which determines whether the trouble was eliminated. In the step (STEP 34) of determining whether the trouble has been eliminated, the work for solving the trouble is continued until it is determined that the trouble has been eliminated. If it is determined in the step of determining whether the trouble has been eliminated (STEP 34), it is determined that the trouble has been eliminated, the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP 52), the step of restarting the transportation of the container O ( STEP 62), the step of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP 90) is executed in the order.

  Next, as steps in the case where the irradiation of the electron beam E is not stopped (continue), the step of stopping the transportation of the container O (STEP 70) and the step of determining whether or not there is a transportation trouble STEP 71). Here, since the irradiation of the electron beam E to the stopped container O is continued, if the stopping time exceeds a predetermined time, the container O may be over-irradiated with the electron beam E. The following steps are performed to avoid such overexposure. That is, in the step of determining whether or not there is the trouble (STEP 71), if it is determined that there is no trouble until a predetermined time elapses (STEP 72), the step of restarting the transportation of the container O (STEP 81) The steps for continuously disposing of the container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP 90) are executed. On the other hand, in the step (STEP 71) of judging whether or not there is the trouble, the step of stopping the irradiation of the electron beam E if it is judged that the trouble is still present until a predetermined time passes (STEP 72) STEP 73) A step of performing an operation for solving the trouble (STEP 74), and a step of judging whether the trouble has been eliminated (STEP 75). In the step (STEP 75) of determining whether the trouble has been eliminated, the work for solving the trouble is continued until it is determined that the trouble has been eliminated. If it is determined in the step (STEP 75) of determining whether the trouble has been eliminated, the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP 76) and the step of restarting the transportation of the container O STEP 81), the step of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP 90) is executed in order.

  Here, the discarding step 4 includes the step of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E (STEP 51, STEP 52), the step of continuing the conveyance of the container O (STEP 61), and the step of restarting the conveyance of the container O STEP 62, STEP 81), and a step of continuously discarding the sterilized container O from the disposal port 90 (STEP 90).

  The discarding step 4 may have a step (corresponding to STEP 40 in FIG. 6) for temporarily reverse transporting the container O immediately before the step (STEP 51, STEP 52) of restarting the irradiation of the electron beam E. In the emergency handling method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100, the position specifying means 30 is provided with the position of the container O which is insufficiently sterilized immediately before the step (corresponding to STEP 40 in FIG. 6) of reversely transporting the container O temporarily. You may comprise the position identification process 3 identified by this.

  As described above, according to the emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, even in the electron beam sterilization apparatus 100, the container O is transported at high speed normally to sterilize the outer surface and the inner surface of the container O. Even in an emergency, the container O transported by the downstream path 103 is sterilized, so that the aseptic environment of the downstream path 103 is not destroyed, and operation can be resumed early even if an emergency occurs.

  By the way, in the said Example, although the said waste port 90 demonstrated as formed in the sorting chamber 70, it is not limited to this. The waste port 90 may be formed on the downstream side of the outer surface electron beam irradiator 22 or the inner surface electron beam irradiator 52, that is, the downstream path 103, for example, the outer surface sterilization chamber 20 and the inner surface sterilization chamber 50. Alternatively, it may be formed in the shielding chamber 60.

  Further, the first and second embodiments and the examples are illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Among the configurations described in the first and second embodiments and the embodiment, the configuration other than the configuration described as the first invention in the "means for solving the problems" is an arbitrary configuration, and the configuration is appropriately deleted and changed. It is possible.

E Electron beam 100 Electron beam sterilizer 101 Upstream route 102 Sterilization route 103 Downstream route 110 Stopper 120 Electron beam irradiator 190 Reject mechanism

Claims (5)

An upstream route through which an object to be sterilized is continuously supplied continuously, a sterilization route for sterilizing by irradiation of an electron beam while continuously transporting a sterilization object from the upstream route, and an object to be sterilized from the sterilization route An electron beam sterilizer comprising: an electron beam sterilizer comprising:
A determination step of stopping supply of the sterilization object from the outside to the upstream path at the time of the emergency and determining whether or not the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped;
If it is determined in the determination step that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the irradiation of the electron beam is resumed, and the sterilization target sterilized by the restart is continuously discarded from the downstream path, and the determination step is performed. And c. Discarding the sterilized object to be sterilized from the downstream route continuously if it is determined that the irradiation of the electron beam is not stopped.
The emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus characterized by comprising.   2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the discarding step, the transfer of the sterilization object through the sterilization route is slower than usual, which is other than emergency.   In the discarding process, when it is judged in the judgment process that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped, the sterilization object which is insufficiently sterilized due to the irradiation of the electron beam being stopped is reversely directed to the sterilization route or the upstream route. The emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irradiation of the electron beam is resumed after being transported.   4. The electron beam sterilization apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a position identification step of identifying an object to be sterilized which is insufficiently sterilized due to the fact that the irradiation of the electron beam is stopped before the discarding step. When dealing with. The object to be sterilized is a container-shaped body having an inner surface and an outer surface,
The sterilization route comprises an outer surface sterilization route for sterilizing the outer surface of the container shape by irradiation of an electron beam, and an inner surface sterilization route for sterilizing the inner surface of the container shape by irradiation of an electron beam. The emergency measures method of the electron beam sterilization device according to any one of 1 to 4.