Continuous decontamination equipment

Abstract

Provided is a continuous decontamination device which uses a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide, which has been widely used in recent years, without using a high-priced electron accelerator, and is capable of achieving treatment in a short amount of time while achieving a uniform decontamination level at each section and thus is capable of batch treatment of articles to be decontaminated. This continuous decontamination device is provided with a device body that has a decontamination region and an aeration region, a conveyance means that conveys an article, a mist supply means, and an aeration means. The conveyance means changes the section at which the article is supported inside the decontamination region when supporting and conveying the article fed from a feed opening to a discharge opening. The entire outer surface of the article can thus be decontaminated. The mist supply means is equipped with an ultrasonic atomizer that converts the decontamination agent into a decontamination agent mist, and causes the decontamination agent mist to act on the article conveyed inside the decontamination region concentrating on the outer surface of the article. The aeration means removes the decontamination agent mist remaining on the outer surface of the article with clean gas.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous decontamination device that continuously decontaminates the outer surface of an article with a decontaminating agent mist and transports the decontaminated article to a work room in a sterile environment. [Background technology]

[0002] For convenience in medical settings, pre-filled syringes and pre-filled vials are manufactured, which are filled with pharmaceuticals in advance. The process of filling these syringes and vials with pharmaceuticals is carried out in a filling workroom (hereinafter referred to as the "sterile workroom") under a sterile environment. The syringes and vials used in this process are small, and a large number must be processed. Therefore, these syringes and vials are sterilized at each manufacturing stage using gamma ray irradiation, electron beam irradiation, EOG (ethylene oxide gas), etc., and then a predetermined number of them are sterilized and packaged before being transported to the sterile workroom.

[0003] An example of such a package is the medical device package proposed in Patent Document 1 below or described as prior art (P in Figure 1). These packages are generally called peel-open packages and include a plastic tab (P1 in Figure 1) molded to fit the shape of the medical device, such as a syringe or vial, to be stored inside, and a gas-permeable top seal (P2 in Figure 1). This top seal is generally made of Tyvek (trademark), a nonwoven fabric made of high-density polyethylene ultrafine fibers, and the fine pores in Tyvek (trademark) allow gas to pass into the plastic tab, but prevent the entry of microorganisms.

[0004] The package thus constructed is further wrapped in a packaging bag before distribution and transportation. However, during distribution and transportation, or when the package is removed from the packaging bag for transport into the sterile workroom, the outer surfaces of the plastic tab and top seal become contaminated. Therefore, the package cannot be transported into the sterile workroom unless these contaminated outer surfaces are decontaminated. Therefore, the outer surfaces of the plastic tab and top seal are decontaminated using a decontamination device connected to the sterile workroom before the package is transported to the sterile workroom. In the sterile workroom, the top seal is peeled off from the plastic tab, and the sterilized syringes or vials inside are filled.

[0005] Decontamination equipment for decontaminating containers before they are transported into sterile workrooms typically employs a variety of methods, including ethylene oxide gas (EOG), hydrogen peroxide (gas or mist), ozone gas, plasma, gamma ray irradiation, ultraviolet irradiation, and electron beam irradiation, depending on the purpose. Among these, one of the most common methods uses hydrogen peroxide (gas or mist). Hydrogen peroxide has a strong decontaminating effect, is inexpensive and readily available, and is an environmentally friendly decontaminant that ultimately decomposes into oxygen and water. However, hydrogen peroxide methods have the drawback of requiring a long time to achieve the required level of decontamination. Another drawback is the additional time required for aeration, which removes the hydrogen peroxide film condensed on the surface of the container after decontamination.

[0006] On the other hand, in decontamination equipment that needs to process a large number of containers per unit time, such as in the manufacture of prefilled syringes, a method that can achieve high decontamination effectiveness in a short period of time is desired. Therefore, the following Non-Patent Document 1 introduces a decontamination equipment incorporating a low-energy electron accelerator, which can achieve a high decontamination effect compared to equipment that uses general decontamination agents such as hydrogen peroxide, and is also a safe equipment with high productivity and no residual substances.

[0007] This decontamination equipment is actually used to process packages containing prefilled syringes. The packages containing pre-decontaminated syringes have their outer surfaces decontaminated with electron beams and are then transported by conveyor to an aseptic workroom. This equipment uses three low-energy electron accelerators (56, 57, 58 in Figure 2) arranged at 120-degree angles to irradiate all surfaces of the packages with electron beams from irradiation windows (56a, 57a, 58a) on three sides.

[0008] In this device, the dose of the electron beam can be controlled to efficiently decontaminate the plastic tab and the top seal. According to Non-Patent Document 1 below, this device can process as many as 3,600 syringes per hour, achieving high productivity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4237489 [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] Radiation Application Promotion Association, Radiation Application Technology Database, Data Number: 010306 (Created: 2007 / 10 / 03, Masayuki Sekiguchi) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] In the decontamination device of Non-Patent Document 1, in order to decontaminate the entire outer surface of the medical instrument package, electron beams are simultaneously irradiated onto the outer periphery of the medical instrument package being transported in the transport direction from three low-energy electron accelerators arranged at angles of 120 degrees each (see Figure 2).

[0012] This method is sufficient to irradiate the outer surfaces (top, bottom, and left and right side surfaces) of the medical instrument package with electron beams. However, the distance between the front and back side surfaces in the transport direction of the medical instrument package is insufficient for electron beam irradiation. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high reliability and safety of the decontamination effect. Therefore, when irradiating the front and back side surfaces of the medical instrument package with electron beams from the outer periphery, the distance from the irradiation window of each electron accelerator becomes large, so it is necessary to enlarge the irradiation window of each electron accelerator to adjust the irradiation angle and increase the acceleration voltage of each electron accelerator to increase the irradiation intensity.

[0013] Generally, low-energy electron accelerators, which have a wide irradiation area and can increase the acceleration voltage, are expensive per unit. Furthermore, if the acceleration voltage is increased, the electron accelerator's usage limit (lifespan) based on the accumulated usage time becomes shorter, and the maintenance costs for replacement become expensive. Therefore, operating three expensive devices simultaneously raises the problem of high initial costs and maintenance costs for the devices.

[0014] On the other hand, if the irradiation intensity of each electron accelerator is increased to sufficiently decontaminate the front, rear, and side surfaces of the medical instrument package, the irradiation intensity will vary depending on the part of the medical instrument package, and parts close to the irradiation window of the electron accelerator will be irradiated with excessive electron beams, causing damage to the medical instrument package.In addition, there is a problem that the decontamination level of each part will differ due to the different distances between each part of the medical instrument package and the irradiation window of each electron accelerator.

[0015] As such, methods using decontamination agents such as hydrogen peroxide, which have been widely used in recent years, are known to be highly effective, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly, but they have problems with the long processing time and the need to treat large quantities of medical instrument packages.Meanwhile, methods using electron accelerators are effective for decontaminating medical instrument packages, which require large quantities of treatment, but they have problems with high equipment and maintenance costs, and the decontamination level differs for each part.

[0016] Therefore, the present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems by providing a continuous decontamination device that employs a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide, which has been widely used in recent years, without using an expensive electron accelerator, that can perform treatment in a short time, achieves a uniform decontamination level in each part, and is capable of treating a large amount of items to be decontaminated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors conducted extensive research and developed the present invention by converting a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide solution into a fine decontamination agent mist using an ultrasonic atomization device, and concentrating this decontamination agent mist on the surface of the object to be decontaminated inside the decontamination device.

[0018] That is, according to claim 1, the continuous decontamination apparatus of the present invention comprises: Sterile work room (2 0) The outer surface of the item (P) is sprayed with decontamination agent mist (4 1) and a continuous decontamination device (1) that decontaminates the article and transports the article to the inside of the sterile work room. 0) In Decontamination area (1 1) and aeration area (1 2) The main body of the device (10 a) and a conveying means (3) for conveying the article. 0) and mist supply means (mist discharge device), and aeration means (5 0) and The device body has a carry-in entrance (1) through which items before decontamination are carried into the decontamination area. 3) and a discharge port (1) for discharging the decontaminated items from the aeration area. 4) and The conveying means is an article transport device (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) for transporting articles within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and a support changing device (32) for changing a portion for supporting the article; The article transport device has a first rolling conveyor (31a) that transports articles in an upward direction from the first decontamination area portion (11a(1)) to the second decontamination area portion (11a(2)), and a second rolling conveyor (31b) that transports articles in a downward direction inside the aeration area from the second decontamination area portion via the third decontamination area portion (11a(3)), and transports a plurality of articles carried in from the carry-in entrance into the inside of the sterile work room from the carry-out exit, the support transfer device removes an item from the first rolling conveyor within the second portion of the decontamination area and re-supports the item on the second rolling conveyor; The mist supplying means is an ultrasonic atomizing device that converts the decontamination agent into the decontamination agent mist and supplies the decontamination agent mist into the decontamination area. (40) Equipped with The ultrasonic atomization device is a disk-type atomization device equipped with a piezoelectric vibrator and a porous vibration plate having a plurality of micropores penetrating the front and back of the plate, which atomizes hydrogen peroxide solution by vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator.The decontamination agent mist is concentrated on the outer surface of the article being transported within the decontamination area by the transport means, The aeration means is characterized in that it uses clean gas to remove the decontamination agent mist remaining on the outer surface of the article transported by the transport means from the decontamination area.

[0019] According to claim 2, the present invention provides a continuous decontamination apparatus (10) according to claim 1, the first rolling conveyor includes a plurality of first support bars that support articles from both sides, and the second rolling conveyor includes a plurality of second support bars that support articles from both sides; The support changing device is A pushing device or a gripping device provided in the second part of the decontamination area removes the article supported on both sides by the first support bar at the top of the first rolling conveyor, and supports the article on both sides by the second support bar at the top of the second rolling conveyor, thereby changing the position where the article is supported. It is characterized by:

[0021] The present invention also provides the following claims: 3 According to the description in claim 1 or 2 The continuous decontamination apparatus according to claim 1, The items to be decontaminated are sterilized medical instruments such as syringes and vials. Ingredients It is characterized by being a storage body that stores the [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the above configuration, the continuous decontamination apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus main body consisting of a decontamination area and an aeration area, a transport means for transporting objects, a mist supply means, and an aeration means. The apparatus main body includes an inlet through which objects to be decontaminated are carried into the decontamination area, and an outlet through which decontaminated objects are carried out from the aeration area. The transport means supports the objects carried in through the inlet and changes the position that supports the objects within the decontamination area as it transports them through the interiors of the decontamination and aeration areas to the outlet. This allows the entire outer surface of the objects to be decontaminated.

[0023] The mist supplying means includes an ultrasonic atomizer that converts the decontamination agent into a decontamination agent mist and supplies it into the decontamination area. The mist supplying means concentrates the decontamination agent mist on the outer surfaces of the articles being transported through the decontamination area by the transporting means. The aeration means uses clean gas to remove any decontamination agent mist remaining on the outer surfaces of the articles transported from the decontamination area by the transporting means.

[0024] In this way, with the above configuration, it is possible to provide a continuous decontamination device that can process a large amount of items to be decontaminated, without using an expensive electron accelerator, by adopting a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide, which has been widely used in recent years, and which can perform processing in a short time with a uniform decontamination level at each part.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the transport means comprises an item transport device that transports items within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and a support changing device that changes the location where the items are supported. The item transport device continuously transports multiple items carried in through the carry-in entrance in either the up or down direction within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and carries them out through the carry-out exit. The support changing device removes the items from the item transport device within the decontamination area and supports the items again on the item transport device. This makes it possible to more specifically achieve the above-mentioned effects.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the transport means comprises an item transport device that transports items within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and a support changing device that changes the location where the items are supported. The item transport device continuously transports multiple items carried in through the carry-in entrance in a horizontal direction within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and carries them out through the carry-out exit. The support changing device removes the items from the item transport device within the decontamination area and supports the items again on the item transport device. This makes it possible to more specifically achieve the above-mentioned effects.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the object to be decontaminated may be a container that contains sterilized medical instruments such as syringes and vials, etc. This makes it possible to more specifically exhibit the above-mentioned effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a container (package) to be decontaminated by the continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of an electron accelerator in the continuous decontamination apparatus of Non-Patent Document 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal state in the front view of the vertical continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing a state in which the rolling conveyor of the first embodiment carries a package P. FIG. [Figure 5] 5C is a front view and FIG. 5D is a side view showing a state in which the package P has been transferred from the rolling conveyor of FIG. 4 by a support transfer device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal state of the horizontal continuous decontamination apparatus according to the second embodiment in a front view. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing a state in which a hanging conveyor of a second embodiment carries a package P. FIG. [Figure 8] 5C is a front view and FIG. 5D is a side view showing a state in which a package P has been transferred from the hanging conveyor of FIG. 4 by a support transfer device. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are front and side views showing a state in which a package P is held by support claws instead of support bars as a modified example of each embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In this invention, the term "mist" is broadly interpreted to include droplets of decontamination agent suspended in the air in fine particles, a mixture of decontamination agent gas and droplets, and a state in which the decontamination agent repeatedly undergoes phase changes of condensation and evaporation between gas and droplets. The particle size is also broadly interpreted to include mist (sometimes defined as 10 μm or less), fog (sometimes defined as 5 μm or less), and droplets (in a fine state), which are finely classified in some cases. In this invention, the ultrafine particles are homogenized by the action of an ultrasonic atomizer, and it is believed that a high level of decontamination effect can be achieved even in a short period of time.

[0030] The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to each embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to only the following embodiments. In the continuous decontamination apparatus according to each embodiment described below, hydrogen peroxide is used as a decontamination agent. First, an article to be decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide will be described. In each embodiment, the article to be decontaminated is a container (package) containing medical instruments such as syringes and vials. Note that in the present invention, the article to be decontaminated is not limited to these containers (packages), and any article that is continuously decontaminated and transported to a sterile work room is eligible.

[0031] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a container (package) to be decontaminated by the continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment. However, in the present invention, the shape of the container is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the package P has a polyethylene tab P1 and a top seal P2 made of Tyvek (trademark). In the first embodiment, a large number of sterilized syringes to be used in the filling operation of prefilled syringes are stored inside the package, and the package is decontaminated in a sealed state.

[0032] Next, the continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal state in a front view of the vertical continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment. The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment comprises an apparatus main body consisting of a decontamination area and an aeration area, a conveying device for conveying packages P, a mist supplying device, and an aeration device (a supply and exhaust device for clean air for aeration). The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the first embodiment is a vertical continuous decontamination apparatus that conveys packages P in an up-and-down direction in the decontamination area and the aeration area.

[0033] 3, the apparatus main body 10a of the continuous decontamination apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is surrounded by an outer wall made of a stainless steel metal plate and placed on the floor, connected to the side wall 21 of the isolator 20. The apparatus main body 10a is divided into a decontamination area 11 and an aeration area 12. The decontamination area 11 is further divided into a decontamination area main body 11a and an introduction area 11b. One wall of the introduction area 11b is provided with an inlet 13 for carrying packages P into the continuous decontamination apparatus 10. The aeration area 12 is divided into an aeration area main body 12a and an outlet area 12b. One wall of the outlet area 12b is provided with an outlet 14 for carrying packages P out, which communicates with the side wall 21 of the isolator 20.

[0034] In this first embodiment, the device capacity (area length) is varied between the decontamination area main body 11a and the aeration area main body 12a of the device main body 10a. Specifically, in Fig. 3, the decontamination area main body 11a is composed of a decontamination area first portion 11a(1) (left side in the figure) adjacent to the introduction area 11b, a decontamination area second portion 11a(2) (upper side in the figure) at the top of the device, and a decontamination area third portion 11a(3) (approximately the upper half of the right side in the figure) adjacent to the aeration area main body 12a. In contrast, the aeration area main body 12a is composed of the portion between the decontamination area third portion 11a(3) and the discharge area 12b.

[0035] The reason why the decontamination area main body 11a has a larger device capacity than the aeration area main body 12a is as follows: In the present invention, a fine hydrogen peroxide mist is efficiently used to ensure a uniform and reliable decontamination level, and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide mist is used, resulting in good aeration efficiency. Therefore, although the decontamination area main body 11a has a larger device capacity than the aeration area main body 12a, overall it is possible to process a large amount of items to be decontaminated, even with a capacity equivalent to or smaller than that of conventional devices.

[0036] A conveying device 30 for conveying packages P is disposed inside the apparatus main body 10a. This conveying device 30 is composed of an article conveying device 31 and a support changing device 32. The article conveying device 31 also has a rolling conveyor 31a that conveys packages P in an upward direction (from bottom to top) from the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) to the second decontamination area portion 11a(2), and a rolling conveyor 31b that conveys packages P in a downward direction (from top to bottom) inside the aeration area main body 12a from the second decontamination area portion 11a(2) via the third decontamination area portion 11a(3).

[0037] Furthermore, the article transport device 31 includes a roller conveyor 31c that transports the package P from the inlet 13 of the introduction region 11b to the bottom of the first decontamination region portion 11a(1), and a roller conveyor 31d that transports the package P from the bottom of the aeration region main body 12a to the outlet 14 of the discharge region 12b. Meanwhile, the support replacement device 32 is provided in the second decontamination region portion 11a(2), removes the package P from the top of the rolling conveyor 31a, and supports it on the top of the rolling conveyor 31b. In the present invention, the operating mechanism of the support replacement device 32 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a pushing device (pusher) that pushes the package P, or a gripping device (gripper) that grips and replaces the package P. In the first embodiment, a pusher 32 is used. The operation of the pusher 32 will be described later.

[0038] The type of conveying device for conveying the package P is not particularly limited. It is possible to use a combination of conveyor devices such as roller conveyors and mesh conveyors that convey the bottom wall of the article, or supporting devices such as timing belts, timing lifts, rolling conveyors, and shuttle conveyors that support the side portions.

[0039] Here, the structure and operation of the rolling conveyor employed in this first embodiment will be described. The rolling conveyors 31a and 31b have the same structure, and only the rolling conveyor 31a will be described. In FIG. 3, the rolling conveyor 31a has two sets of carriers with the same structure to carry the package P from both sides. In FIG. 3, only one of the carriers is shown, with the other carrier hidden behind the drawing.

[0040] Each carrier is composed of two drive shafts 33a and a plurality of support bars 34a arranged across the drive shafts (see FIG. 3). The two drive shafts 33a each comprise a loop-shaped chain arranged vertically from the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) to the second decontamination area portion 11a(2), and are rotated vertically by a drive mechanism (not shown). As the two drive shafts 33a rotate vertically, the plurality of support bars 34a also rotate vertically along with them.

[0041] The rotating support bars 34a support the packages P from both sides and transport them upward (from bottom to top) inside the first decontamination area portion 11a(1). Note that the rolling conveyor 31b, which has a similar structure, is rotated in the opposite direction by a drive mechanism and transports the packages P downward (from top to bottom) inside the third decontamination area portion 11a(3) and the aeration area main body 12a.

[0042] Next, a state in which the support bars 34a support the package P from both side surfaces will be described. FIG. 4 shows (A) a front view and (B) a side view illustrating a state in which the rolling conveyor 31a of the first embodiment supports the package P. Note that FIG. 4 only illustrates the support bars 34a, and the drive shaft 33a is omitted. In FIG. 4, the support bars 34a support the first shoulders P3a of the package P from both side surfaces. In this state, the package P is transported by the rolling conveyor 31a in an upward direction (from the bottom to the top) within the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) (see FIG. 3). Note that the package P has a second shoulder P3b below the first shoulder P3a. The function of this second shoulder P3b will be described later.

[0043] The internal state and decontamination operation of the continuous decontamination apparatus 10 with this configuration will be described below. In Fig. 3, an operator (not shown) in an external environment places multiple packages P on the driven roller conveyor 31c. The packages P are carried into the introduction area 11b through the carry-in opening 13 of the introduction area 11b while placed on the driven roller conveyor 31c.

[0044] Next, the package P is carried into the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) and supported by the rolling conveyor 31a. Here, the roller conveyor 31c and the rolling conveyor 31a alternately operate intermittently. Specifically, while the rolling conveyor 31a is stopped, the roller conveyor 31c operates to transport the package P to the bottom of the rolling conveyor 31a and then stop. Next, while the roller conveyor 31c is stopped, the rolling conveyor 31a operates to transport the package P one step upward within the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) with the support bars 34a of the rolling conveyor 31a supporting the first shoulder portion P3a from both sides and then stop. In this way, the roller conveyor 31c and the rolling conveyor 31a alternately operate intermittently to transport the package P from the bottom to the top of the first decontamination area portion 11a(1).

[0045] A plurality of mist supply devices 40 (six in FIG. 3) are arranged on the sidewall surfaces of the first decontamination area portion 11a(1) and the second decontamination area portion 11a(2), and release a hydrogen peroxide solution mist 41 from the side toward the packages P being transported on the rolling conveyor 31a. This allows the hydrogen peroxide solution mist 41 to uniformly fill the entire interior of the decontamination area main body 11a, continuously decontaminating the multiple packages P as they are transported. The mist supply devices 40 will be described later.

[0046] In this way, the package P in a decontaminated state inside the decontamination area main body 11a is carried into the inside of the decontamination area second portion 11a(2) through the top of the decontamination area first portion 11a(1). Here, the pusher 32 is actuated to remove the package P from the top of the rolling conveyor 31a and support it on the top of the rolling conveyor 31b.

[0047] Here, the operation of the pusher 32 will be described. In Figure 3, the pusher 32 has a cylinder 32a that extends and retracts horizontally inside the second decontamination area portion 11a(2). The package P at the top of the rolling conveyor 31a is pushed out by the extension of the cylinder 32a of the pusher 32, and is removed by sliding it from the top of the rolling conveyor 31a. Next, as the cylinder 32a extends further, the package P is supported on the top of the other rolling conveyor 31b. When the pusher 32 is in this operating state, both the rolling conveyors 31a and 31b are stopped.

[0048] 5C is a front view and FIG. 5D is a side view showing the state in which the package P has been transferred from the rolling conveyor 31a to the rolling conveyor 31b by the pusher 32. Note that in FIG. 5, only the support bar 34b is shown, and the drive shaft 33b is omitted. In FIG. 5, the support bar 34b supports the second shoulder portion P3b of the package P from both side surfaces.

[0049] Here, we will explain the reason for changing the portion of the support bar that supports the package P from the first shoulder P3a to the second shoulder P3b. When the package P is supported on the rolling conveyor 31a, its first shoulder P3a contacts the support bar 34a. Therefore, the hydrogen peroxide mist does not come into sufficient contact with this portion during the decontamination process, and a uniform thin film of hydrogen peroxide cannot condense in this portion, which may reduce the decontamination effect. Therefore, by changing the support portion from the first shoulder P3a to the second shoulder P3b, the entire outer surface of the package P can be completely decontaminated.

[0050] Next, the package P supported on the top of the rolling conveyor 31b is transported downward (from top to bottom) within the third decontamination area portion 11a(3) as the rolling conveyor 31b operates intermittently. In this state, a uniform thin film of hydrogen peroxide condenses on the outer surface of the package P, and decontamination is taking place. In this way, the package P remains inside the decontamination area main body 11a for a preset time while being transported by the rolling conveyors 31a and 31b, thereby uniformly decontaminating the entire outer surface.

[0051] Next, the package P is conveyed downward while supported by the rolling conveyor 31b and carried into the aeration area main body 12a. The package P carried into the aeration area main body 12a is aerated as it is conveyed downward inside the aeration area main body 12a. Specifically, clean air is supplied into the aeration area main body 12a by the air supply device 50 of the aeration device. Additionally, the air (including vaporized hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide water mist) inside the aeration area main body 12a is forcibly exhausted by the exhaust device (not shown) of the aeration device. Additionally, the hydrogen peroxide in the forcibly exhausted air is decomposed into oxygen and water by the hydrogen peroxide decomposition device 51.

[0052] The amount of clean air supplied and exhausted and the aeration time during the aeration operation are set to predetermined conditions. In this way, the package P is aerated while being transported inside the aeration area body 12a, and the thin film of hydrogen peroxide condensed on the surface is removed, completing the decontamination operation.

[0053] Next, the package P is placed from the rolling conveyor 31b onto the roller conveyor 31d at the bottom of the aeration area main body 12a. Here, the rolling conveyor 31b and the roller conveyor 31d alternately operate intermittently. Specifically, while the roller conveyor 31d is stopped, the rolling conveyor 31b operates to transport the package P to the bottom of the rolling conveyor 31b and then stops. Next, while the rolling conveyor 31b is stopped, the roller conveyor 31d operates to remove the package P from the support bar 34b of the rolling conveyor 31b, place the package P on the roller conveyor 31d, and transport it into the isolator 20 through the discharge opening 14 of the outlet area 12b.

[0054] In this way, after the decontamination operation is completed and the package P is carried into the isolator 20, the top seal P2 is peeled off from the package P inside the isolator 20, and the sterilized syringes and vials inside are filled.

[0055] Next, the mist supply device 40 will be described. In this first embodiment, an ultrasonic atomization device 40 is used as the mist supply device 40. This ultrasonic atomization device 40 is arranged on the side wall surface of the decontamination area main body 11a, and emits hydrogen peroxide water mist 41 from the side toward the package P being transported on the rolling conveyor 31a (see FIG. 3). Note that hydrogen peroxide water is supplied to the ultrasonic atomization device 40 from a hydrogen peroxide water tank 42 arranged outside the decontamination area main body 11a. By controlling the supply amount (consumption amount) of this hydrogen peroxide water, the outer surface of the package P can be appropriately decontaminated.

[0056] The present invention does not impose any particular limitations on the structure of the ultrasonic atomizer 40. For example, an immersion-type ultrasonic atomizer can be used, which atomizes hydrogen peroxide by immersing a piezoelectric vibrator in the solution. Alternatively, a disk-mesh atomizer may be used, which includes a piezoelectric vibrator and a porous vibration plate with multiple microscopic holes penetrating the front and back of the plate, which atomizes hydrogen peroxide by vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator. In the first embodiment, a disk-mesh atomizer is used, in which hydrogen peroxide is supplied from one side of the porous vibration plate, and the hydrogen peroxide mist released from the other side is supplied into the decontamination area main body 11a.

[0057] As described above, the hydrogen peroxide mist generated by the ultrasonic atomization device 40 becomes mist, fog, and fine particles containing minute droplets, which float uniformly inside the decontamination area main body 11a. As a result, the hydrogen peroxide mist condenses over the entire outer surface of the package P moving upward or downward inside the decontamination area main body 11a, forming a uniform, thin film of hydrogen peroxide. This thin film of hydrogen peroxide repeatedly undergoes phase changes of condensation and evaporation between hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide gas, thereby achieving a high level of decontamination effect on the package P.

[0058] Furthermore, the uniform, thin film of hydrogen peroxide condensed over the entire outer surface of the package P repeatedly re-evaporates and condenses, thereby increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the hydrogen peroxide mist and enabling efficient decontamination with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, because efficient decontamination is possible with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, the efficiency of aeration of the hydrogen peroxide film remaining on the surface of the package P is improved, enabling the decontamination operation to be completed in a shorter time.

[0059] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a continuous decontamination device that can process a large amount of items to be decontaminated without using an expensive electron accelerator, by adopting a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide that has been widely used in recent years, and that can process in a short time with a uniform decontamination level at each part.

[0060] Second Embodiment The second embodiment relates to a horizontal continuous decontamination apparatus, in contrast to the vertical continuous decontamination apparatus of the first embodiment. The container (package) to be decontaminated is the same package P as in the first embodiment.

[0061] The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal state in a front view of the continuous decontamination apparatus according to the second embodiment. The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the second embodiment comprises an apparatus main body consisting of a decontamination area and an aeration area, as in the first embodiment, a conveying device for conveying packages P, a mist supplying device, and an aeration device (a supply and exhaust device for clean air for aeration). The continuous decontamination apparatus according to the second embodiment is a horizontal continuous decontamination apparatus that conveys packages P horizontally in the decontamination area and the aeration area.

[0062] 6, the apparatus main body 110a of the horizontal continuous decontamination apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment is surrounded by an outer wall made of a stainless steel metal plate and placed on the floor, connected to the side wall 121 of the isolator 120. The apparatus main body 110a is divided into a decontamination area 111 and an aeration area 112. The decontamination area 111 is further divided into a decontamination area main body 111a and an introduction area 111b. One wall of the introduction area 111b is provided with an inlet 113 for carrying a package P into the continuous decontamination apparatus 110. Meanwhile, one wall of the aeration area 112 is provided with an outlet 114 for carrying the package P out, which is in communication with the side wall 121 of the isolator 120.

[0063] A transport device 130 that transports packages P is disposed inside the apparatus main body 110a. This transport device 130 is composed of an item transport device 131 and a support changing device 132. The item transport device 131 has a hanging conveyor 131a that transports packages P horizontally inside the decontamination area main body 111a, a roller conveyor 131b that transports packages P horizontally from the carry-in opening 113 of the introduction area 111b to the introduction section of the decontamination area main body 111a, and a roller conveyor 131c that transports packages P horizontally from inside the aeration area 112 to the carry-out opening 114. Meanwhile, the support changing device 132 is provided midway through the decontamination area main body 111a, removes packages P from the hanging conveyor 131a, changes the support section, and supports them again on the hanging conveyor 131a.

[0064] The type of conveying device for conveying the package P is not particularly limited. It is possible to use a combination of conveyor devices such as roller conveyors and mesh conveyors that convey the bottom wall of the article, or supporting devices such as timing belts, timing lifts, rolling conveyors, and shuttle conveyors that support the side portions.

[0065] Here, the structure and operation of the hanging conveyor employed in this second embodiment will be described. In Figure 6, the hanging conveyor 131a has two sets of carriers with the same structure to carry packages P from both sides. In Figure 6, only one of the carriers is shown, with the other carrier hidden behind the drawing.

[0066] Each carrier is composed of two drive shafts 133a and a plurality of support bars 134a arranged on each of the drive shafts (see FIG. 6). The support bars 134a are L-shaped bars that hang downward from the drive shafts 133a. Each of the two drive shafts 133a is made of a loop-shaped chain arranged horizontally in the decontamination area main body 111a and rotates horizontally (left and right in the figure) by a drive mechanism (not shown). As the two drive shafts 133a rotate horizontally, the plurality of support bars 134a also rotate horizontally along with them. These rotating support bars 134a support the package P from both sides and transport it horizontally (to the right in the figure) inside the decontamination area main body 111a.

[0067] Next, a state in which the support bars 134a support the package P from both side surfaces will be described. FIG. 7 shows (A) a front view and (B) a side view illustrating a state in which the hanging conveyor 131a of the second embodiment supports the package P. Note that FIG. 7 only illustrates the support bar 134a, and the drive shaft 133a is omitted. In FIG. 7, the support bar 134a supports the first shoulders P3a of the package P from both side surfaces. In this state, the package P is transported horizontally inside the decontamination area main body 111a by the hanging conveyor 131a (see FIG. 6). Note that the package P has a second shoulder P3b below the first shoulder P3a. The function of this second shoulder P3b will be described later.

[0068] In this configuration, the internal state and decontamination operation of the continuous decontamination apparatus 110 will be described. In Fig. 6, an operator (not shown) in an external environment places multiple packages P on the driven roller conveyor 131b. The packages P are carried into the introduction area 111b through the carry-in opening 113 of the introduction area 111b while placed on the driven roller conveyor 131b.

[0069] Next, the package P is carried into the decontamination area main body 111a and is supported by the hanging conveyor 131a from the roller conveyor 131b. Note that the operation of transferring the package P from the roller conveyor 131b to the hanging conveyor 131a is performed by alternating intermittent operation of the roller conveyor 131b and the hanging conveyor 131a, as in the first embodiment. The package P supported by the hanging conveyor 131a is transported horizontally inside the decontamination area main body 111a. Multiple mist supply devices 140 (three in FIG. 6) are arranged on the upper wall surface of the decontamination area main body 111a, and emit a hydrogen peroxide solution mist 141 from above toward the package P being transported by the hanging conveyor 131a.

[0070] As a result, the inside of the decontamination area main body 111a is uniformly filled with hydrogen peroxide mist 141, which continuously decontaminates multiple packages P as they are transported. The mist supply device 140 will be described later. In this way, the packages P remain inside the decontamination area main body 111a for a preset time while being transported by the hanging conveyor 131a, thereby uniformly decontaminating the entire outer surface.

[0071] In this way, the package P in a decontaminated state inside the decontamination area main body 111a is transferred on the hanging conveyor 131a by the operation of the support changing device 132 midway through the decontamination area main body 111a. The support changing device 132 may have any structure. In the second embodiment, the same pusher 132 as in the first embodiment is employed. In FIG. 6, the direction of travel of the decontamination area main body 111a is shown as a straight line. However, this is not limited to this, and the direction of travel of the decontamination area main body 111a may be changed at the position of the support changing device 132. For example, by changing the direction by 90°, the decontamination area main body 111a becomes a horizontal L-shape, which can address restrictions on the installation location of the horizontal continuous decontamination apparatus 110.

[0072] 8C and 8D are front and side views, respectively, showing the state in which the package P has been transferred on the hanging conveyor 131a. Note that in FIG. 8, only the support bar 134b is shown, and the drive shaft 133b is omitted. In FIG. 8, the support bar 134b supports the second shoulder P3b of the package P from both side surfaces. Note that the reason for changing the portion of the support bar that supports the package P from the first shoulder P3a to the second shoulder P3b is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0073] Next, the package P that has reached the end of the decontamination area main body 111a is carried into the aeration area main body 12a and is supported by the hanging conveyor 131a and the roller conveyor 131c. In this state, a thin film of hydrogen peroxide is still condensed on the outer surface of the package P that has been carried to the introduction section of the aeration area 112 by the hanging conveyor 131a.

[0074] Next, the package P carried into the aeration area 112 is aerated while being transported horizontally inside the aeration area 112. Specifically, clean air is supplied to the inside of the aeration area 112 by the air supply device 150 of the aeration device. In addition, the air (including vaporized hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide water mist) inside the aeration area 112 is forcibly exhausted by the exhaust device (not shown) of the aeration device. In addition, the hydrogen peroxide in the forcibly exhausted air is decomposed into oxygen and water by the hydrogen peroxide decomposition device 151.

[0075] The amount of clean air supplied and exhausted and the aeration time during the aeration operation are set to predetermined conditions. In this way, the package P is aerated while being transported inside the aeration area 112, and the thin film of hydrogen peroxide condensed on the surface is removed, completing the decontamination operation.

[0076] Next, the package P is carried into the isolator 120 through the carrying-out port 114 of the aeration area 112 while being placed on the roller conveyor 131c.

[0077] In this way, after the decontamination operation is completed and the package P is carried into the isolator 120, the top seal P2 is peeled off from the package P inside the isolator 120, and the sterilized syringes and vials inside are filled.

[0078] Next, the mist supply device 140 will be described. In this second embodiment, the same ultrasonic atomization device 140 as in the first embodiment is used as the mist supply device 140. This ultrasonic atomization device 140 is arranged on the upper wall surface of the decontamination area main body 111a, and emits hydrogen peroxide water mist 141 from its upper surface toward packages P being transported on the hanging conveyor 131a (see FIG. 6). Note that hydrogen peroxide water is supplied to the ultrasonic atomization device 140 from a hydrogen peroxide water tank 142 arranged outside the decontamination area main body 111a. By controlling the supply amount (consumption amount) of this hydrogen peroxide water, the outer surfaces of the packages P can be appropriately decontaminated.

[0079] There is no particular limitation on the structure of the ultrasonic atomization device 140. In the second embodiment, the same disk mesh type atomization device as in the first embodiment is used.

[0080] As described above, the hydrogen peroxide mist generated by the ultrasonic atomization device 140 becomes mist, fog, and fine particles containing tiny droplets, which float uniformly inside the decontamination area main body 111a. As a result, the hydrogen peroxide mist condenses over the entire outer surface of the package P moving horizontally inside the decontamination area main body 111a, forming a uniform, thin film of hydrogen peroxide. This thin film of hydrogen peroxide repeatedly undergoes phase changes of condensation and evaporation between hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide gas, thereby achieving a high level of decontamination effect on the package P.

[0081] Furthermore, the uniform, thin film of hydrogen peroxide condensed over the entire outer surface of the package P repeatedly re-evaporates and condenses, thereby increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the hydrogen peroxide mist and enabling efficient decontamination with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, because efficient decontamination is possible with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, the efficiency of aeration of the hydrogen peroxide film remaining on the surface of the package P is improved, enabling the decontamination operation to be completed in a shorter time.

[0082] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a continuous decontamination device that can process a large amount of items to be decontaminated without using an expensive electron accelerator, by adopting a decontamination agent such as hydrogen peroxide, which has been widely used in recent years, and which can process in a short time with a uniform decontamination level at each part.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as follows. (1) In each of the above embodiments, the package P is supported by the support bars of a rolling conveyor or a hanging conveyor. However, this is not limited to this, and the package P may be supported by support claws instead of support bars. This state is shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, the shoulders of the package P are supported at the points at the tips of the two support claws. This prevents the decontamination state from deteriorating even at the supported parts (points). (2) In each of the above embodiments, a pushing device (pusher) is used as a mechanism for transferring the package P. However, this is not limited to this, and a gripping device (gripper) may be used to transfer the package P while it is being gripped by the gripper. Note that when a gripper is used, the package P can also be transferred while rotated 90 degrees. (3) In each of the above embodiments, the package P is transferred by a pushing device (pusher) midway through the decontamination area main body. However, this is not limited to this, and a mechanism for transferring the package P at each step of the rolling conveyor that moves upward while intermittently operating may be employed. Similarly, a mechanism for transferring the package P at each step of the hanging conveyor may also be employed. (4) In each of the above embodiments, the package P is transferred between the first and second shoulders on the same side of the package P. However, this is not limited to this, and the package P may be transferred between the first and second shoulders on other sides. (5) In each of the above embodiments, the package P is transferred between the first and second shoulder portions on the same side of the package P. However, this is not limited to this, and the package P may be transferred between the shoulder portion and the bottom portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10, 110... continuous decontamination apparatus, 10a, 110a... apparatus main body, 11, 111... decontamination area, 11a (11a(1), 11a(2), 11a(3)), 111a... decontamination area main body, 11b, 111b...introduction area, 12, 112...aeration area, 12a... aeration region main body, 12b... discharge region, 13, 113...Carry-in port, 14, 114...Carry-in port, 20, 120... isolator; 21, 121... side wall; 30, 130... conveying device; 31a, 31b...Rolling conveyor, 131a...Hanging conveyor, 31c, 31d, 131b, 131c... Roller conveyor, 32, 132...Support changing device (pusher), 32a...Cylinder, 33a, 34b, 133a, 134b...drive shaft, 34a, 34b, 134a, 134b, 234a…support bar, 234c...support claw, 40, 140... Mist emission device, 41, 141... Hydrogen peroxide water mist, 42, 142...Hydrogen peroxide tank, 50, 150...Air supply device, 51, 151...Hydrogen peroxide decomposition device, P...Package, P1...Tab, P2...top seal, P3...side shoulder, P3a...first shoulder, P3b...second shoulder.

Claims

1. A continuous decontamination device that is connected to a sterile work room, decontaminates the outer surface of an object with a decontamination agent mist, and transports the object into the sterile work room, The apparatus comprises a main body including a decontamination area and an aeration area, a conveying means for conveying an article, a mist supplying means, and an aeration means, The apparatus body includes an entrance for carrying pre-decontamination items into the decontamination area and an exit for carrying decontaminated items out of the aeration area, the transport means comprises an article transport device that transports articles within the decontamination area and the aeration area, and a support changing device that changes a portion that supports the articles; the article transport device has a first rolling conveyor that transports articles in an upward direction from the first decontamination area portion to the second decontamination area portion, and a second rolling conveyor that transports articles in a downward direction inside the aeration area from the second decontamination area portion via the third decontamination area portion, and transports a plurality of articles that have been transported from the transport entrance into the inside of the sterile work room from the transport exit; the support transfer device removes an item from the first rolling conveyor within the second portion of the decontamination area and re-supports the item on the second rolling conveyor; The mist supplying means includes an ultrasonic atomizing device that converts the decontamination agent into the decontamination agent mist and supplies it into the decontamination area, the ultrasonic atomizing device being a disk mesh type atomizing device that includes a piezoelectric vibrator and a porous vibration plate having a plurality of fine holes that penetrate the front and back of the plate and atomizes the hydrogen peroxide solution by vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the decontamination agent mist is concentrated and acts on the outer surface of the item being transported inside the decontamination area by the transporting means, A continuous decontamination apparatus characterized in that the aeration means removes the decontamination agent mist remaining on the outer surface of the article transported from the decontamination area by the transport means with clean gas.

2. The first rolling conveyor has a plurality of first support bars that support articles from both sides, and the second rolling conveyor has a plurality of second support bars that support articles from both sides, The continuous decontamination apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the support changing device is a pushing device or a gripping device provided in the second part of the decontamination area, which removes an item supported on both sides by the first support bar at the top of the first rolling conveyor, and supports an item on both sides by the second support bar at the top of the second rolling conveyor, thereby changing the location where the item is supported.

3. 3. The continuous decontamination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be decontaminated is a container that contains sterilized medical instruments such as syringes and vials.

Images