JP4064211B2 - Article delivery apparatus and delivery method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article delivery apparatus and delivery method. More specifically, a rubber part having a complicated shape having an air vent hole such as a rubber stopper with a foot for stoppering or a rubber stopper for infusion used as a stopper of a glass bottle filled with a medicine such as an injection, The present invention relates to a delivery device and delivery method for articles that can be safely accommodated in a receiving tank without exposing highly molded small molded articles such as small molded parts such as plastic joints for blood circuits to the external environment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a method of cleaning a small molded article that requires a high degree of cleanability, such as a rubber stopper fitted to a medical bottle filled with a medicine such as an injection or a plastic joint for medical use, an article to be cleaned (hereinafter, Stirring washing method that immerses and stirs the article in water), jet washing method that sprays high pressure jet on the article, and pulsation washing method that generates pulsation of air from a double mesh structure disperser In addition, an ultrasonic cleaning method in which an article is housed in an ultrasonic cleaner and cleaned by ultrasonic waves has been generally employed.
[0003]
However, with the enforcement of the validation in 1996, the verification of the removal of foreign matters and the like for these small molded articles has become more severe, and the above-described cleaning method may not always cope with satisfaction. The present applicant has developed various cleaning apparatuses such as JP-B-62-39030, JP-B-62-39031, and JP-B-1-34105, but the cleaning effect is effective regardless of the specific gravity of the article. A washing tank that is high in structure, simple in structure, sterilized and dried in the same tank and excellent in operability has been newly developed. Japanese Patent Application No. 7-142527 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-257519), Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-174635 A patent application was filed as JP-A-2001-347234.
[0004]
These cleaning tanks are described in detail in the above specification, but will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, 40 is a washing tank, 41 and 42 are lids that can seal the washing tank, 41 is an upper lid having a washing fluid outlet 43, and 42 is fixed to a cylindrical side wall portion 44 such as a bolt. A lower lid that is tightened with a tool. Reference numeral 45 denotes a guide tube, which is fixed to the cylindrical side wall portion by a support 46 with screws or the like. 47 is a partition plate, 48 is a conical low wall portion, and a jet nozzle 49 having a jet port in a plate-like valve body is provided at the top of the cone.
[0005]
The valve body is not particularly limited, and may be a normally used valve body such as a butterfly valve or a three-way valve. The lower ferrule of the jet nozzle is fastened to an elbow pipe 51 by a clamp joint 50 that can be easily attached and detached. The pipe is connected to a cleaning fluid inlet pipe 53 by a swivel joint 52. When taking out the object to be cleaned from the cleaning tank, after removing the clamp joint 50, the elbow pipe 51 is rotated around the axis of the swivel joint 52 as a rotation axis, and a product container or the like is placed in the lower part of the cleaning tank. A space can be provided. Reference numeral 54 denotes a cleaning fluid outlet pipe.
[0006]
The cleaning fluid inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are assembled through the inside of the tank overturning hollow shaft so that the entire cleaning tank can be overturned. In addition, the washing tank is configured to be able to swing in a direction in which the tank can be rotated in an upright or inverted state. The article is put into this washing tank, and is washed, sterilized and dried according to the procedures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-257519 and taken out from the washing tank. Articles that have been subjected to a series of operations such as cleaning are delivered to the receiving tank. As described above, the clamp joint 50 and the elbow pipe 51 are removed and the articles are taken out from the cleaning tank.
[0007]
According to this cleaning tank, there is no generation or mixing of foreign matters, and a high cleaning effect is achieved by the synergistic action of the jet flow from the jet nozzle provided at the cleaning fluid inlet and the guide tube provided in the cleaning tank. Can be obtained. Further, since the washing tank is configured to be able to fall, it can be washed regardless of the specific gravity of the article, and sterilization and drying can be performed uniformly and without fusing the article.
[0008]
However, when the article is taken out after being cleaned, sterilized, and dried using the cleaning tank, the piping at the lower part of the cleaning tank is opened, so that the article is exposed to the environment of the working room. In actual work, the inside of the washing tank is kept at a positive pressure, and clean air is flown uniformly in a single direction to prevent the article from being contaminated from the environment. Is low, but there is a risk of contamination. Therefore, there is a need for a cleaning device that is free from contamination from the cleaning to the removal of the article, that is, capable of performing a series of operations from the cleaning of the article to the removal from the external environment.
[0009]
The inventors of the present invention have developed a cleaning apparatus and an article delivery method that satisfy this requirement, and previously filed a patent application as Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-317529. The article cleaning apparatus and article delivery method disclosed herein are composed of two detachable valve bodies, and use a discharge valve that can be rotated 90 degrees or more downward. More specifically, after an article is put into a washing tank having a closed valve body and washed, sterilized and dried, the valve body on the washing tank side and the valve body on the receiving tank side are closed. The attached valve pair is rotated downward to connect the washing tank and the receiving tank, the article is accommodated in the receiving tank, and then the bonded valve body is rotated upward to form both valve bodies. Is a method of separating. According to this method, the article after being washed, sterilized and dried can be accommodated in the receiving tank without being exposed to the external environment.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to carry out such a method, each receiving tank needs to be provided with a rotatable valve body to be attached to the valve body on the washing tank side. Usually, a large number of such receiving tanks are prepared. There is a need. However, the rotatable valve body to be attached to the cleaning tank side valve body has a more complicated mechanism than the cleaning tank side valve body, and it takes a long time to manufacture a receiving tank equipped with it. Become high. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rational article delivery apparatus and article delivery method that can accommodate articles in a receiving tank at low cost without being exposed to the external environment.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors diligently studied and found that the above-mentioned problems can be achieved by using a transit box having a valve body that can be opened and closed, and the present invention has been achieved. That is, the present invention is at least 90 degrees downward and upward from the closed position on the cleaning tank (A) having a valve body (a) detachably attached to the article discharge port, and the upper and lower portions of the box. in delivery device rotatably valve body (b) and (c) transit comprising a box (B), and articles constructed from the receiving vessel (C) having a universal valve body detachable (d) to the article receiving opening is there.
[0012]
Another invention of the present invention is that the article is put into a washing tank (A) having a closed valve body (a), cleaned, sterilized and dried, and then closed with the valve body (a). The upper valve body (b) of the transit box is joined, and the lower valve body (c) of the closed transit box and the valve body (d) of the closed receiving tank are joined together, and then the valve body (a ) And the valve body (b) are turned downward in the transit box, and the valve body (c) and valve body (d) are turned together and turned upward in the transit box. After the articles in the washing tank are stored in the receiving tank, the joined valve body (c) and valve body (d) are rotated downward in the transit box to separate both valve bodies, and the transit box side This is a method for delivering an article in which the valve body (c) and the valve body (d) on the receiving tank side are closed. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a delivery device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a washing tank, 2 and 3 are flanges containing jet nozzles, 4 and 5 are clamps for fixing the pipes, 6 is an elbow pipe for flowing a fluid for washing, sterilizing and drying the articles, Reference numeral 7 denotes an outlet for goods. (A) is a detachable valve body on the washing tank side, which is fixed by a set screw 8. 9 is a knuckle joint and fastens the washing tank and the transit box 10.
[0014]
(B) and (c) are openable and closable valve bodies provided at the upper and lower portions of the transit box, respectively, and turn 90 degrees or more about the shafts 11 and 12, respectively. The alternate long and short dash line indicates the rotated state. 13 is a set screw for fixing the detachable valve body (d) provided in the receiving tank 15, and 14 is a knuckle joint for fastening the transit box and the receiving tank.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the junction between the transit box and the receiving tank, 20 and 21 are packings, and 22 is a core for aligning the valve body (c) and the valve body (d).
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a transit box, and 30 and 31 are handles for opening and closing the valve bodies (b) and (c), respectively, and are fixed by fixing pins 32. Reference numerals 33 and 34 denote hoses, which are connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) for joining the valve bodies (a) and (b) and the valve bodies (c) and (d), respectively.
[0017]
Next, the delivery method of the articles | goods of this invention is demonstrated. The article is first washed, sterilized and dried in a washing tank and then stored in a receiving tank. The shape of the cleaning tank is not particularly limited in size, but can use a variety of algae, 0.1 m ³ to 2 m ³ approximately is easy to handle those, it is practical. Moreover, the filling rate of articles | goods is normally used in 30 to 60% of range. In addition, it is preferable in terms of work that a viewing window is provided in the cleaning tank because the cleaning state inside can be confirmed.
[0018]
The side wall of the cleaning tank is usually a cylinder, but it may be a slightly deformed cylinder. Further, the side wall portion is not cylindrical, but may have a shape in which a conical bottom wall portion continues to the top of the tank. The bottom wall is preferably a perfect cone, but may be any cone as long as it is conical. Usually, distilled water, UF water, RO water or the like is used as a cleaning fluid, but steam is used for sterilization and air is used for drying. It is also effective to heat the cleaning liquid in order to increase the cleaning effect. As the washing tank, as shown in FIG. 4 as described above, the whole tank can be turned over and the tank can be swung, so that the washing effect is high regardless of the specific gravity of the article. This is preferable because it can be sterilized and dried in the tank.
[0019]
In the state where the article is washed, sterilized and dried, a blind plate (not shown) is mounted outside the valve body (a) on the washing tank side, and is fixed by a stationary ring (not shown). After finishing drying, remove the blind plate and stationary ring. Next, the transit box sterilized in advance is placed on a transport vehicle with an elevator (not shown), transported to a predetermined position below the washing tank, and the transit box is lifted by the elevator to close the valve body (b) Is brought into close contact with the valve body (a) on the washing tank side. The washing tank and the transit box are fastened by a pair of knuckle joints attached to the transit box.
[0020]
Similarly, a sterilized receiving tank and a transit box are fastened by a knuckle joint, and the closed valve body (c) and the valve body (d) are brought into close contact with each other. Preferably, the space between the valve bodies is bonded by vacuum so that the valve bodies (a) and (b) and the valve bodies (c) and (d) do not come off.
[0021]
As described above, after the cleaning tank, transit box and receiving tank are fastened and the set screw is loosened, the upper handle and the lower handle attached to the transit box are rotated by about 90 degrees, and the valve body (a) With the valve body (b) and the valve body (c) and the valve body (d) joined together, the washing tank, the transit box and the receiving tank are communicated. Next, the jet nozzle provided in the cleaning tank is rotated and opened, and the cleaned article is discharged into the receiving tank. If necessary, the discharge speed is adjusted by appropriately adjusting the opening of the discharge valve. It is preferable to provide a viewing window in the receiving tank because it can be carried out while confirming the discharge amount of the article.
[0022]
After storing a predetermined amount of articles in the receiving tank, the jet nozzle is closed, and the valve bodies (c) and (d) attached together by operating the handle are rotated downward, the set screw is tightened, and then the vacuum Is released to separate the valve bodies (c) and (d). The knuckle joint is released, the receiving tank containing the article is cut off, placed on a transporter and transported to the next process. The operations described above may be repeated as many times as necessary. When all the articles have been discharged, the receiving tank is first cut out in the same procedure as above, then the transit box is cut off, and then the blind body is attached to the valve body (a) of the washing tank in order to wash the next article. And fasten with a fixed ring.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, at least a cleaning tank (A) having a detachable valve body (a) at an article discharge port, and a transit box having valve bodies (b) and (c) that can be opened and closed at the top and bottom of the box, respectively. (B) and the delivery device of the goods comprised from the receiving tank (C) which comprises the valve body (d) which can be attached or detached at the goods receiving port can be provided.
According to the delivery device of the present invention, in the washing tank, the articles after being cleaned, sterilized and dried can be taken out consistently and efficiently without being exposed to the external environment, and the process of transporting the receiving tank to the next process Since the contents are not exposed to the external environment, the apparatus is suitable as an apparatus for delivering articles such as a rubber plug for pharmaceuticals after washing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an article delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a junction between the transit box and the receiving tank of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a transit box of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a cleaning tank used in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
(A) Cleaning tank side valve element (b) Transit box upper valve element (c) Transit box lower valve element (d) Receiving tank side valve element 1 Cleaning tank 2 Flange 3 Flange 4 Clamp 5 Clamp 6 Elbow piping 7 Ejection of goods Exit 8 Set screw 9 Knuckle joint 10 Transit box 11 Shaft 12 Shaft 13 Set screw 14 Knuckle joint 15 Receiving tank 20 Packing 21 Packing 22 Core 30 Handle 31 Handle 32 Fixing pin 33 Hose 34 Hose 40 Washing tank 41 Upper lid 42 Lower lid 43 For washing Fluid outlet 44 Cylindrical side wall 45 Guide tube 46 Support body 47 Partition plate 48 Conical bottom wall 49 Jet nozzle 50 Clamp joint 51 Elbow piping 52 Swivel joint 53 Cleaning fluid inlet piping 54 Cleaning fluid outlet piping

Claims (5)

At least a washing tank (A) having a detachable valve body (a) at the article discharge port, and a valve body that can be rotated 90 degrees or more downward and upward from the closed position at the top and bottom of the box ( An article delivery device comprising a transit box (B) having b) and (c), and a receiving tank (C) having a detachable valve body (d) at the article receiving port. The washing tank (A) is composed of a sealable lid having a washing fluid outlet, a conical bottom wall portion having a washing fluid inlet, and a cylindrical side wall portion. has a diameter and the guide tube, the jet nozzle is provided in the cleaning fluid inlet, cistern is falling capable configured delivery device of claim 1 Symbol placement of the article.   A transit box having valve bodies (b) and (c) which can be rotated 90 degrees or more downward and upward in the transit box from the closed position on the upper and lower sides of the box, respectively.   An article is put into a washing tank (A) having a closed valve body (a), and after washing, sterilization and drying, the valve body (a) and the upper valve body (b) of the closed transit box Then, the lower valve body (c) of the closed transit box and the valve body (d) of the closed receiving tank are joined, and then the valve body (a) and the valve body (b) are joined. Rotate downward in the transit box while wearing, rotate upward in the transit box with the valve body (c) and valve body (d) attached, and receive articles in the washing tank The valve body (c) and the valve body (d) that are joined together are rotated downward in the transit box to separate both valve bodies, and the valve body (c) on the transit box side and the receiving tank side are separated. The delivery method of the articles | goods which each closes the valve body (d). The delivery method of the articles | goods of Claim 4 by which a valve body (a) and a valve body (b) and / or a valve body (c) and a valve body (d) are united by a vacuum.

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