Sterilization device

Abstract

To improve a sterilization performance of a sterilizer.SOLUTION: A sterilizer 1 includes a sterilization container 11, a disinfectant supply part 12, and a heating part 43. The sterilization container 11 has a sterilization chamber 11a inside thereof for housing an object 100 to be sterilized. The disinfectant supply part 12 reduces a pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a so as to vaporize a liquid disinfectant, and supplies the vaporized disinfectant to the sterilization chamber 11a. The heating part 43 is housed in the sterilization chamber 11a. The heating part 43 heats the object 100 to be sterilized housed in the sterilization chamber 11a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a sterilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] A sterilization device is known in the art that reduces the pressure in a sterilization chamber in a sterilization cabinet, sucks a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution into the sterilization chamber while vaporizing it, and sterilizes objects to be sterilized contained in the sterilization chamber with the vaporized sterilizing agent. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-007422 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It would be beneficial for this type of sterilization device to be able to improve the sterilization performance. One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification etc. aim to solve is to improve the sterilization performance of the sterilization device. However, the problems solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification etc. are not limited to the above problems. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sterilization cabinet having a sterilization chamber therein for accommodating objects to be sterilized, a sterilization agent supply unit that vaporizes a liquid sterilization agent by reducing the pressure inside the sterilization chamber and supplies the vaporized sterilization agent to the sterilization chamber, and a heating unit that is accommodated in the sterilization chamber and heats the objects to be sterilized accommodated in the sterilization chamber. At least one heating / vaporization unit for promoting vaporization of the sterilizing agent by heating the liquid sterilizing agent; a shelf housed in the sterilizing chamber and on which the object to be sterilized is placed; Equipped with The heating and vaporizing unit is disposed below the shelf in the vertical direction of the sterilization cabinet. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplarily showing the configuration of the sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view exemplarily showing a part of the sterilization chamber in the sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment, and shows a part other than the door of the sterilization chamber. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view exemplarily showing the main shelf of the sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view exemplarily showing a part of the heating / vaporizing unit of the sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment, and shows a part other than the upper wall. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross-section along line V-V of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a part of the cross-section along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view exemplarily showing the main shelf of the sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross-section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 together with the heating / vaporizing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view exemplarily showing a part of the heating / vaporizing unit of the sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment, and shows a part other than the upper wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

[0008] The following embodiments include similar components. The similar components are given common reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. The drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element may differ from reality. The drawings may also include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, parts, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0009] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sterilization apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization apparatus 1 includes a sterilization processing unit 2 and a control unit 3. The sterilization processing unit 2 vaporizes a liquid sterilizing agent and sterilizes the object to be sterilized 100 with the vaporized sterilizing agent. That is, the sterilization processing unit 2 can kill bacteria. In other words, the sterilization processing unit 2 sterilizes. That is, the sterilization processing unit 2 can reduce bacteria. The liquid sterilizing agent is, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The object to be sterilized 100 is, for example, a medical device such as an endoscope, but may be another object. The control unit 3 controls the sterilization processing unit 2. The sterilization apparatus 1 is also called a sterilization apparatus.

[0010] The sterilization processing section (sterilization processing section) 2 comprises a sterilization cabinet (sterilization cabinet) 11 and a sterilizing agent supply section (sterilizing agent supply section) 12. A sterilization chamber (sterilization chamber) 11a that contains an object to be sterilized 100 is provided inside the sterilization cabinet 11, and the sterilizing agent supply section 12 supplies a sterilizing agent (sterilizing agent) to the sterilization chamber 11a. The sterilization chamber 11a is also referred to as a chamber.

[0011] In this embodiment, for convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined. The X direction corresponds to the rear of the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the sterilization chamber 11, the Y direction corresponds to the width direction of the sterilization chamber 11, and the Z direction corresponds to the upper side of the up-down direction (height direction) of the sterilization chamber 11. Hereinafter, the width direction of the sterilization chamber 11 will also be referred to as the left-right direction.

[0012] Sterilizing agent supply section 12 includes cartridge 31, liquid phase pump 32, concentrator 33, solenoid valve 34, distributor 35, heating / vaporizing unit 36, vacuum pump 37, solenoid valve 38, and vacuum gauge 39. Cartridge 31, liquid phase pump 32, concentrator 33, solenoid valve 34, distributor 35, and heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​configure a fluid circuit. Heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​is an example of a unit.

[0013] The vacuum pump 37 sucks gas from within the sterilization cabinet 11, i.e., the sterilization chamber 11a, the heating / vaporization unit 36, and the distributor 35, reducing the pressure within each space to create a vacuum state (a state in which the space is filled with gas at negative pressure, which is a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure). The vacuum state is also called a negative pressure state.

[0014] The cartridge 31 contains a liquid germicide (undiluted liquid). The liquid phase pump 32 sucks the liquid germicide from the cartridge 31 and discharges, i.e., supplies, the sucked liquid germicide to the concentrator 33. The liquid phase pump 32 is a tube pump capable of metering the amount of the germicide sucked in and discharged.

[0015] Concentrator 33 heats the liquid sterilant to concentrate the liquid sterilant. Specifically, concentrator 33 vaporizes the water in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by heat, thereby increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

[0016] The solenoid valve 34 is provided between the concentrator 33 and the sterilization chamber 11a. When the solenoid valve 34 opens, the sterilizing agent from the concentrator 33 is supplied to the sterilization chamber 11a if the sterilization chamber 11a is under negative pressure.

[0017] Distributor 35 is provided between concentrator 33 and sterilization chamber 11a. Distributor 35 divides the liquid sterilant that flows in from solenoid valve 34 by negative pressure into four parts according to Pascal's law, and distributes equal amounts to four vaporizers 42, which will be described later.

[0018] The four vaporizers 42 vaporize the liquid sterilant and supply the gaseous sterilant into the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0019] The solenoid valve 38 can be switched between an open state, which connects the inside and outside of the sterilization chamber 11a, and a closed state, which blocks the communication between the inside and outside of the sterilization chamber 11a. When the solenoid valve 38 is in the open state, the sterilization chamber 11a returns from a reduced pressure state to atmospheric pressure. The vacuum gauge 39 measures the degree of vacuum in the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a front view showing an example of a part of the sterilization chamber 11 in the sterilization apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, showing the part of the sterilization chamber 11 other than the door 22. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a sterilization chamber 11a is provided inside the sterilization chamber 11. An object to be sterilized 100 (Fig. 1) is accommodated in the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0021] The sterilization chamber 11 has a substantially rectangular box shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction and the transverse direction being the width direction. The sterilization chamber 11 has a main body 21 and a door 22. The sterilization chamber 11 is also referred to as a housing.

[0022] The main body 21 has an upper wall 21a, a lower wall 21b, a right wall 21c, a left wall 21d, and a rear wall 21e. The upper wall 21a and the lower wall 21b extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap in the vertical direction. The right wall 21c and the left wall 21d extend in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap in the width direction. The rear wall 21e extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and connects the rear ends of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, and the left wall 21d.

[0023] A sterilization chamber 11a is provided inside the main body 21. The sterilization chamber 11a is surrounded by an upper wall 21a, a lower wall 21b, a right wall 21c, a left wall 21d, and a rear wall 21e.

[0024] The door 22 is rotatably supported at the front end of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, or the left wall 21d, and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 21. When the door 22 is closed, it extends in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and overlaps with the front ends of the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, and the left wall 21d, thereby closing the sterilization chamber 11a. When the door 22 is opened, the sterilization chamber 11a is opened forward. The rear wall 21e may be configured as a door that can be opened and closed like the door 22. That is, both the door 22 and the rear wall 21e may be openable and closable.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, an outer heater 25 is superimposed on the outer surfaces of the door 22, the upper wall 21a, the lower wall 21b, the right wall 21c, the left wall 21d, and the rear wall 21e. Note that Fig. 1 shows only a part of the outer heater 25. The outer heater 25 heats the inside of the sterilization chamber 11, i.e., the sterilization chamber 11a, from outside the sterilization chamber 11. The outer heater 25 has a heat source such as a sheet heater. Hereinafter, the temperature of the sterilization chamber 11a during sterilization (sterilization) may be referred to as the sterilization temperature (sterilization temperature).

[0026] 2, the sterilization chamber 11a accommodates two main shelves 23, two sub shelves 24, and two heating and vaporizing units 36. The main shelf 23 is also referred to as a first shelf, and the sub shelves 24 are also referred to as a second shelf. The main shelf 23 is an example of a shelf.

[0027] The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelves 24 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The lower main shelf 23 of the two main shelves 23 is arranged above the lower wall 21b, the lower sub-shelf 24 of the two sub-shelves 24 is arranged above the lower main shelf 23, the upper main shelf 23 of the two main shelves 23 is arranged above the lower sub-shelf 24, and the upper sub-shelf 24 of the two sub-shelves 24 is arranged above the upper main shelf 23. Each of the main shelves 23 and the sub-shelves 24 is detachably supported by supports 21f and 21g provided on the right wall 21c and the left wall 21d. The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelves 24 can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the sterilization cabinet 11. The two main shelves 23 and the two sub-shelves 24 can each hold the object to be sterilized 100.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the main shelf 23 of the sterilization device 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the main shelf 23 is a net-like structure having a plurality of openings 23c. Specifically, the main shelf 23 has a plurality of rod-shaped first members 23a and a plurality of rod-shaped second members 23b. The plurality of first members 23a extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction. The plurality of second members 23b extend in the width direction and are arranged at intervals from each other in the front-rear direction. The plurality of first members 23a and the plurality of second members 23b are connected to each other. A net 26 is superimposed on the lower side of the main shelf 23. For example, the net 26 is welded to the main shelf 23 and integrated with the main shelf 23. The specific heat of the net 26 is lower than that of the main shelf 23. The net 26 is provided with a plurality of openings. The net 26 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0029] The two heating / vaporizing units 36 are disposed below the two main shelves 23, respectively. In detail, the two heating / vaporizing units 36 are disposed directly below the two main shelves 23, respectively. Directly below means that the vertical distance between the upper end of the heating section 43 included in the heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​and the upper end of the main shelf 23 is less than half the vertical height of the space on the main shelf 23 capable of accommodating the objects to be sterilized 100 (hereinafter also referred to as the on-shelf storage space). In this embodiment, the lower end of the on-shelf storage space on the main shelf 23 coincides with the upper end of the main shelf 23, and the upper end of the on-shelf storage space coincides with the lower end of the sub-shelf 24 above the main shelf 23, which is adjacent to the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction. The vertical distance between the upper end of the heating section 43 and the upper end of the main shelf 23 may be less than ¼ or less than 1 / 10 of the vertical height of the on-shelf storage space on the main shelf 23.

[0030] 2, the upper one of the two heating / vaporization units 36 is detachably supported by supports 21h provided on the right wall 21c and the left wall 21d. The lower one of the two heating / vaporization units 36 is detachably supported by the bottom wall 21b.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a plan view illustratively showing a part of the heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​of the sterilizer 1 of the first embodiment, showing a part other than the upper wall 41a. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustratively showing a part of a cross section taken along line VV in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustratively showing a part of a cross section taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 4.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​has a case 41, two vaporizers 42, a heating section 43, and a temperature sensor 44.

[0033] The case 41 has an upper wall 41a (FIGS. 4 and 5), a lower wall 41b, a right wall 41c (FIG. 4), a left wall 41d (FIG. 4), a rear wall 41e (FIG. 4), and a front wall 41f (FIG. 4). The case 41 is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0034] The upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b each extend in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap therebetween in the up-down direction. The upper wall 41a is provided with an opening 41aa (FIGS. 5 and 6). The opening 41aa is a through-hole that penetrates the upper wall 41a in the up-down direction. The right wall 41c and the left wall 41d each extend in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap therebetween in the width direction. The rear wall 41e and the front wall 41f each extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, two carburetors 42 are arranged in case 41 with a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction, which is a direction intersecting the up-down direction. Each carburetor 42 has two plates 45, 46. Thus, two sets 47 of two plates 45, 46 are provided, and these sets 47 are arranged in case 41 with a gap therebetween in the front-rear direction. Note that the number of sets 47 is not limited to the above. For example, the number of sets 47 may be one, or three or more.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the two plates 45, 46 are disposed below the main shelf 23 in the sterilization chamber 11a. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the plates 45, 46 are flat. The two plates 45, 46 extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and are disposed parallel to each other with a gap therebetween in the vertical direction. The two plates 45, 46 are also referred to as parallel flat plates. The plate 46 is disposed below the plate 45. The plate 45 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall 41a by fasteners 51 such as screws in a state in which the opening 41aa of the plate 45 covers a part of the opening 41aa of the upper wall 41a. That is, the plate 45 is supported by the upper wall 41a. The plate 46 is disposed between the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b and is fixed to the inner surfaces of the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b by the fasteners 51. That is, the plate 46 is supported by the upper wall 41a and the lower wall 41b. The plate 46 has a facing portion 46a (FIGS. 5 and 6) and a protruding portion 46b. The facing portion 46a faces the plate 45 in the up-down direction. The protruding portion 46b is connected to the facing portion 46a and protrudes from the plate 45 in a width direction intersecting with the up-down direction. A plate 50 is provided between the plate 46 and the lower wall 41b. The plate 50 is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the vaporizer 42 is provided with a supply port 42b and an outlet 42c (Fig. 6). The supply port 42b is provided in the approximate center of the plate 46. That is, the supply port 42b is provided on the inside of the outer edge portion 46c of one of the two plates 45 and 46. The liquid sterilant is supplied to the supply port 42b from the distributor 35 via the tube 48. The supply port 42b supplies the liquid sterilant to the gap 42a between the two plates 45 and 46. The gap 42a is a passage for the sterilant. The gap 42a is included in the opening 41aa of the upper wall 41a. The tube 48 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The tube 48 is configured such that, for example, a stainless steel tube and a heat-resistant silicon tube are connected. The silicon tube is provided in a portion adjacent to the heating unit 43. The tube 48 is also called piping.

[0038] The outlet 42c is spaced from the supply port 42b in the width direction intersecting with the up-down direction. The outlet 42c is formed by an outer edge portion 42d of the two plates 45, 46 that is open to the outside in the gap 42a between the two plates 45, 46. The outlet 42c is also connected to the protruding portion 46b. The disinfectant between the two plates 45, 46 flows out of the gap 42a between the two plates 45, 46 from the outlet 42c.

[0039] 4, the temperature sensor 44 is provided in the case 41 and is located between the two vaporizers 42. The temperature sensor 44 is, for example, a thermocouple.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the heating section 43 is disposed below the main shelf 23 in the sterilization chamber 11a. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the heating section 43 is provided around the two plates 45, 46 of each of the two sets 47. The heating section 43 is a sheath heater that is bent. The heating section 43 has a plurality of first extensions 43a, a plurality of second extensions 43b, a plurality of third extensions 43c, and one fourth extension 43d. The plurality of first extensions 43a all extend in the width direction and are provided parallel to each other with a gap in the front-rear direction. The vaporizer 42 is disposed between the two first extensions 43a. The plurality of second extensions 43b all extend in the front-rear direction and are provided with a gap in the front-rear direction. The second extension 43b connects the right ends of the two first extensions 43a adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. The third extensions 43c all extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The third extensions 43c connect the left ends of two first extensions 43a adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. The second extensions 43b and the third extensions 43c are arranged alternately. The fourth extension 43d extends rearward from the left end of the first extension 43a that is located at the frontmost side among the first extensions 43a.

[0041] The control device 3 shown in FIG. 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). That is, the control device 3 is a computer. The CPU reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM or the like. The RAM temporarily stores various data used when the CPU executes the program and performs various arithmetic processing. The control device 3 also controls the outer heater 25, the liquid phase pump 32, the concentrator 33, the solenoid valve 34, the heating unit 43, the vacuum pump 37, the solenoid valve 38, and the like. The control device 3 is also connected to a vacuum gauge 39, a temperature sensor 44, and the like.

[0042] Next, the operation of the sterilizer 1 will be described. The following operation is controlled by the control device 3. In the following operation, the outer heater 25 is operating and heats the sterilization chamber 11a from outside the sterilization chamber 11a. With the solenoid valve 34 closed, the sterilizer 1 reduces the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a and in the space in the fluid circuit between the sterilization chamber 11a and the solenoid valve 34 by the vacuum pump 37. When the pressure in the sterilization chamber 11a drops to a specified pressure, the sterilizer 1 opens the solenoid valve 34. As a result, the sterilant discharged from the concentrator 33 advances toward the sterilization chamber 11a and is caused to flow into each heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​by the distributor 35. In each heating / vaporization unit 36, the sterilant advances from the supply port 42b to between the two plates 45, 46 and is heated by the heating section 43 between the two plates 45, 46. As a result, the sterilant expands thermally between the two plates 45, 46, is drawn into a vacuum, and spreads concentrically, instantly increasing the contact area between the two plates 45, 46. At this time, the heating unit 43 heats the sterilant to promote vaporization of the sterilant. As a result, the sterilant instantly evaporates to the saturated water vapor pressure between the two plates 45, 46. That is, the sterilant vaporizes between the two plates 45, 46. This suppresses the time difference between the vaporization of the water molecules in the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution and the vaporization of the hydrogen peroxide molecules. Here, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water in the vaporized sterilant (gas) is 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water, or a value close to that.

[0043] The gaseous sterilant flows out from the outlet 42c into the sterilization chamber 11a outside the two plates 45, 46. The gaseous sterilant that has entered the sterilization chamber 11a flows upward and comes into contact with the object 100 to be sterilized placed on the main shelf 23. This sterilizes the object 100 to be sterilized. In this manner, the sterilant is vaporized in the vaporizer 42 directly below the main shelf 23, and the vaporized sterilant reaches the object 100 to be sterilized on the main shelf 23. Therefore, the sterilant vaporized in the vaporizer 42 can reach the object 100 to be sterilized in a relatively short time and over a short distance. Therefore, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and water in the gas that reaches the object 100 to be sterilized is likely to be maintained at or close to 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water.

[0044] At this time, the heating unit 43 heats (warms) the object 100 to be sterilized. That is, the heating unit 43 heats the object 100 to be sterilized when the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 supplies the sterilizing agent to the sterilization chamber 11a. Specifically, the heating unit 43 heats (warms) the object 100 to be sterilized with radiant heat. The heating unit 43 is controlled by the control device 3 so that the temperature inside the case 41 detected by the temperature sensor 44 is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 55°C ± 5 percent). As an example, the heating unit 43 is controlled so that the temperature of the case 41 becomes a predetermined temperature during the sterilization process or heating (warming), and is controlled so that the temperature of the case 41 becomes 55°C during standby (when sterilized). This temperature during standby is the same as the temperature at a location relatively far from the case 41 inside the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0045] As described above, the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water in an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is 60% hydrogen peroxide and 40% water, or close to that ratio, for the following reason: An aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is provided in a solution with a concentration of, for example, about 60% (actually 59%), which is composed of 60% hydrogen peroxide molecules and 40% water, and hydrogen peroxide has a high affinity with water, so it exists as an aqueous solution without reacting or bonding.

[0046] When such a hydrogen peroxide solution evaporates, there is a high probability that the water will evaporate first and the hydrogen peroxide will evaporate later. This is simply due to the mass of the molecule (H 2 O=18, H 2 O 2 =34), and this tendency does not change whether it is vacuum evaporation or thermal evaporation. Due to this tendency, in the early stage of vaporization of the hydrogen peroxide solution, water vaporizes and hydrogen peroxide vaporizes late. For this reason, in the case of sterilization of the object 100 to be sterilized, the water that has vaporized first tends to reach the object 100 to be sterilized first and form a water film, and hydrogen peroxide tends to reach the object 100 to be sterilized late. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide that has arrived at the object 100 to be sterilized is diluted by the water film that has arrived at the object 100 to be sterilized first, so there is a risk that the sterilization effect is not large. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the sterilant is instantly vaporized between the two plates 45, 46, so that the time difference between the vaporization of water and the vaporization of hydrogen peroxide in the hydrogen peroxide solution is suppressed, and the difference in the arrival time of hydrogen peroxide and water at the object 100 to be sterilized is likely to be small. Therefore, the sterilization effect of hydrogen peroxide is likely to be large.

[0047] Next, the vaporization phenomenon of hydrogen peroxide solution will be explained. First, the vaporization phenomenon will be explained when an evaporation dish heated to about 80°C is placed under a vacuum of about 100 Pa and a few milliliters of 60% hydrogen peroxide solution is dropped onto the evaporation dish. In this case, it is thought that when hydrogen peroxide solution is dropped onto the evaporation dish, the hydrogen peroxide solution will evaporate instantly. In reality, like a drop of water dropped onto an object such as a frying pan, a few milliliters of hydrogen peroxide solution will continue to move in a part that splashes and a part that dances, while slightly dividing and gradually reducing in volume, and finally evaporating completely. If this evaporation phenomenon is stopped midway and the concentration of the remaining hydrogen peroxide solution is measured, it is measured to be higher than about 60%. In addition, the phenomenon that the hydrogen peroxide concentration is higher in the middle stage than in the early stage and in the late stage than in the middle stage of the evaporation phenomenon is confirmed. This means that the heated hydrogen peroxide solution evaporates preferentially from the water molecules over time, and the cause of this is the molecular weight. It is believed that the smaller the molecular weight, the easier it is to vibrate and evaporate, so that water molecules evaporate before hydrogen peroxide molecules. This tendency in the order of evaporation is thought to be inevitable since it is thought to be caused by the molecular weight, but it is thought that the order of evaporation can be practically ignored if the evaporation phenomenon itself is completed in an extremely short time. In this embodiment, based on the above idea, two plates 45, 46 are provided as described above, and the hydrogen peroxide solution is instantly vaporized between these plates 45, 46.

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, the sterilization apparatus 1 comprises the sterilization chamber 11, the sterilizing agent supply unit 12, and the heating unit 43. The sterilization chamber 11 is provided therein with a sterilization chamber 11a that accommodates the object to be sterilized 100. The sterilizing agent supply unit 12 vaporizes the liquid sterilizing agent by reducing the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 11a, and supplies the vaporized sterilizing agent to the sterilization chamber 11a. The heating unit 43 is accommodated in the sterilization chamber 11a. The heating unit 43 heats the object to be sterilized 100 accommodated in the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0049] With this configuration, it is possible to sterilize the object 100 with vaporized sterilizing agent while the object 100 is heated by the heating section 43, and therefore the sterilization performance of the sterilization device 1 can be improved compared to a configuration in which the object 100 is sterilized only with vaporized sterilizing agent without heating the object 100.

[0050] In this embodiment, the heating unit 43 heats the liquid sterilant to promote vaporization of the sterilant.

[0051] According to this configuration, the vaporization of the sterilizing agent is promoted by the heating unit 43, so that the time required for the vaporization of the sterilizing agent can be shortened. In other words, the sterilizing agent can be vaporized efficiently. Therefore, the time required for sterilizing the object 100 to be sterilized can be shortened.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sterilization device 1 is housed in the sterilization chamber 11a and includes a main shelf 23 (shelf) on which the objects to be sterilized 100 are placed. The heating unit 43 is disposed below the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction of the sterilization cabinet 11.

[0053] According to such a configuration, the heating section 43 is disposed below the main shelf 23, and therefore the heating section 43 can be easily disposed near the main shelf 23. Therefore, the amount of heat applied to the object 100 by the heating section 43 can be easily increased.

[0054] In this embodiment, the sterilizing agent supply unit 12 is disposed below the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction of the sterilizing cabinet 11 in the sterilizing chamber 11a, and has two plates 45, 46 that face each other in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween. The sterilizing agent supply unit 12 is provided with a supply port 42b that supplies a liquid sterilizing agent between the two plates 45, 46, and an outlet 42c that is spaced apart from the supply port 42b in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and through which the sterilizing agent between the two plates 45, 46 flows out to the outside of the space between the two plates 45, 46. The heating unit 43 is provided around the two plates 45, 46. The sterilizing agent is vaporized between the two plates 45, 46.

[0055] According to this configuration, the gaseous sterilant is sprayed between the two plates 45, 46 (for example, a gap with a fixed interval), so that the gaseous sterilant can be uniformly dispersed. Also, the liquid sterilant supplied between the two plates 45, 46 from the supply port 42b spreads between the two plates 45, 46, so that the heat of the heating unit 43 is easily transmitted to the sterilant. Therefore, the sterilant can be vaporized in a relatively short time. Also, since the two plates 45, 46 are disposed below the main shelf 23, the gaseous sterilant coming out of the outlet 42c rises and reaches the object 100 to be sterilized on the main shelf 23. Therefore, the gaseous sterilant can be easily supplied to the object 100 to be sterilized relatively quickly.

[0056] Here, for example, in a configuration in which the vaporizer is disposed outside the sterilization chamber, the distance from the vaporizer to the object to be sterilized becomes long, and the concentration may decrease because the sterilant condenses in a relatively low-temperature portion, such as the inside of a pipe leading from the vaporizer to the sterilization chamber, and hydrogen peroxide molecules are taken away. In contrast, in this embodiment, the vaporizer 42 (two plates 45, 46) is housed in the sterilization chamber 11a, so the vaporized sterilant can reach the object to be sterilized 100 in a relatively short time and over a short distance. Therefore, the temperature of the sterilant is unlikely to decrease before it reaches the object to be sterilized 100. This makes it easier to suppress crystallization of the vaporized sterilant.

[0057] In this embodiment, the supply port 42b is provided on one of the two plates 45, 46, on the inside of an outer edge portion 46c of the plate 46. The outlet 42c is formed by an outer edge portion 42d of the two plates 45, 46 in the gap 42a between the two plates 45, 46, which is open to the outside.

[0058] According to such a configuration, it is easy to increase the distance between the supply port 42b and the outlet 42c, so that a larger amount of the sterilant can be vaporized between the two plates 45, .

[0059] In this embodiment, the sterilizing agent supply section 12 is equipped with a heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​(unit). The heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​has a heating section 43, two plates 45, 46, and a case 41 that houses the heating section 43 and supports the two plates 45, 46, and is disposed below the main shelf 23 in the vertical direction of the sterilizing chamber 11.

[0060] According to this configuration, the heating section 43 and the two plates 45, 46 are included in the heating / vaporization unit 36, so that it is easier to install the heating section 43 and the two plates 45, 46 in the sterilization chamber 11a than in a configuration in which the heating section 43 and the two plates 45, 46 are separate.

[0061] In this embodiment, the sterilization device 1 includes a plurality of pairs 47 of two plates 45, 46 spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction of the sterilization chamber 11.

[0062] With this configuration, for example, one end of the tube in the object to be sterilized 100 having a tube (inner cavity) open at both ends can be placed on one of multiple sets 47 of two plates 45, 46, and the other end of the tube can be placed on another one of the multiple sets 47 of two plates 45, 46, making it easy for gaseous sterilant to enter the tube.

[0063] In this embodiment, the heating unit 43 is a single sheath heater provided around the plurality of sets 47 .

[0064] According to such a configuration, the number of parts of the sterilization apparatus 1 can be easily reduced, compared to a configuration in which a heating section 43 (sheath heater) is provided for each group 47.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heating section 43 heats the object 100 to be sterilized when the sterilizing agent supply section 12 is supplying the sterilizing agent to the sterilization chamber 11a.

[0066] With this configuration, the object 100 is subjected to two processes simultaneously: vaporized sterilizing agent and heating by the heating section 43. This shortens the sterilization time required for the object 100 to reach a predetermined sterilized state.

[0067] In this embodiment, the one plate 46 is the lower plate 46 in the vertical direction of the sterilization chamber 11 among the two plates 45, 46. The one plate 46 has a protruding portion 46b that protrudes in a direction intersecting the vertical direction relative to the other plate 45 of the two plates 45, 46. The outlet 42c is connected to the protruding portion 46b.

[0068] According to this configuration, the downward movement of the disinfectant flowing out from outlet 42c is restricted by overhanging portion 46b, so that the downward movement of the disinfectant flowing out from outlet 42c relative to main shelf 23 is suppressed.

[0069] Here, the heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​is at a high temperature of about 80°C during sterilization, and it takes time for the temperature to drop to a temperature (for example, 60°C) that an operator can touch after sterilization. In contrast, in this embodiment, the main shelf 23 is provided with a net 26 having a lower specific heat than the main shelf 23. Since the net 26 has a lower specific heat than the main shelf 23, its temperature is lowered more easily than that of the main shelf 23. Therefore, when an operator pulls out the main shelf 23 to take out the object 100 to be sterilized after the sterilization operation by the sterilizer 1 is completed, the operator can pull out the main shelf 23 through the net 26 whose temperature has dropped compared to the main shelf 23. This allows the operator to pull out the main shelf 23 without directly touching the high-temperature heating / vaporizing unit 36 ​​or the case 41. The net 26 is a safety fence to prevent the operator's fingers from touching the heating / vaporizing unit 36.

[0070] <Second embodiment> Fig. 7 is an exemplary plan view of the main shelf 23 of the sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a part of a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 together with the heating / vaporization unit 36. Fig. 9 is an exemplary plan view of a part of the heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​of the sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment, showing a portion other than the upper wall.

[0071] 7 and 8, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a guide wall 61 is provided on the main shelf 23. The guide wall 61 is disposed on the inside of the outer edge of the main shelf 23. The guide wall 61 is cylindrical and extends in the up-down direction. Specifically, the guide wall 61 is formed, for example, in a rectangular cylindrical shape with the longitudinal direction as viewed from above. The guide wall 61 is disposed on the inside of the outer edge of the main shelf 23, and guides the disinfectant flowing out from the outlet 42c to the upper side of the main shelf 23.

[0072] In this embodiment, the carburetor 42 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction when viewed from above.

[0073] According to this configuration, by placing the object 100 to be sterilized above the inside of the guide wall 61 of the main shelf 23 , the gaseous sterilant can be directed to the center of the object 100 to be sterilized by the guide wall 61 .

[0074] In the above-described embodiments, the heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​is disposed below the main shelf 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heating / vaporization unit 36 ​​may be placed on the right wall 21c, the left wall 21d, or the upper wall 21a above the heating / vaporization unit 36.

[0075] Although some embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0076] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to improve the sterilization performance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 1...sterilization apparatus, 11...sterilization cabinet, 11a...sterilization chamber, 12...sterilant supply section, 23...main shelf (shelf), 36...heating / vaporization unit (unit), 41...case, 42a...gap, 42b...supply port, 42c...outlet, 43...heating section, 45, 46...plate, 46c...outer edge, 47...set, 61...guide wall, 100...object to be sterilized.

Claims

1. A sterilization cabinet having a sterilization chamber therein for accommodating objects to be sterilized; a sterilization agent supply unit that vaporizes a liquid sterilization agent by reducing the pressure inside the sterilization chamber and supplies the vaporized sterilization agent to the sterilization chamber; A heating unit that is accommodated in the sterilization chamber and heats the object to be sterilized accommodated in the sterilization chamber; at least one heating and vaporizing unit for heating the liquid germicide to promote vaporization of the germicide; A shelf that is contained in the sterilization chamber and on which the object to be sterilized is placed; Equipped with The heating / vaporization unit is arranged below the shelf in the vertical direction of the sterilization cabinet, Sterilization equipment.

2. The sterilizing agent supply unit is housed in the sterilizing chamber, is disposed below the shelf in the vertical direction, and has two plates opposed to each other in the vertical direction with a gap therebetween, The sterilizing agent supply unit supplies the sterilizing agent in a liquid state between the two plates, and the sterilizing agent between the two plates flows out to the outside of the space between the two plates, The heating portion is provided around the two plates, 2. The sterilizer of claim 1, wherein the sterilant is vaporized between the two plates.

3. A sterilization device as described in claim 2, wherein the sterilant supply section is provided with a supply port for supplying the liquid sterilant between the two plates, and an outlet spaced from the supply port in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and through which the sterilant between the two plates flows out from between the two plates.

4. The supply port is provided on one of the two plates on the inside of an outer edge of the plate, The sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein the outlet is constituted by outer edges of the two plates that are open to the outside in the gap between the two plates.

5. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the heating / vaporization unit has the heating section, the two plates, and a case that houses the heating section and supports the two plates.

6. The sterilizer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising a plurality of pairs of the two plates arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

7. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the heating unit is a single sheathed heater provided around the plurality of pairs of two plates.

8. The sterilization device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a guide wall that is provided on the shelf, has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and guides the sterilant flowing out from the outlet to an upper side of the shelf in the vertical direction.

9. The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating section heats the object to be sterilized when the sterilizing agent is being supplied to the sterilization chamber by the sterilizing agent supply section.

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