JP6990546B2 - Vacuum packaging device and sterilization method in vacuum packaging device - Google Patents

Description

In the present invention, the inside of the chamber is depressurized to degas the inside of the packaging bag in a state where the packaging bag for storing the packaged object is housed, and the packaged object input port of the packaging bag is sealed in this state to cover the packaged object. The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging device for vacuum-packing packages and a method for disinfecting the inside of the vacuum packaging device.

Conventionally, vacuum packaging is known as one of the packaging methods for packaging an object to be packaged such as food. In vacuum packaging, a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged is housed in the chamber of the vacuum packaging device, the inside of the chamber is depressurized to deaerate the inside of the packaging bag, and in this state, the packaged object input port of the packaging bag is opened. It is sealed by heat sealing or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4945272

By the way, in a vacuum packaging device used for food packaging work, it is necessary to pre-sterilize and clean the inside of the chamber (specifically, the inside of the chamber in which the packaging bag containing food is stored) before the packaging work. Suitable. Therefore, it is conceivable to wipe the inside of the chamber with a disinfectant sheet or the like before the packaging work, but if there is a complicated uneven structure in the chamber, it is difficult to wipe the inside of the chamber to every corner to disinfect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum packaging device that easily disinfects every corner of the chamber and a method for disinfecting the inside of the vacuum packaging device. Is.

The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and the one according to claim 1 is a chamber for accommodating a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged, and a packaging bag in which the inside of the chamber is depressurized. In a vacuum packaging device provided with a vacuum pump for degassing the inside and a sealing device provided in the chamber for sealing the opening of the packaging bag.
An outside air introduction path that introduces outside air into the chamber in the atmosphere opening process that opens the inside of the chamber to the atmosphere.
It is provided with an ion generator that is provided in communication with the outside air introduction path and generates ions having a sterilizing action.
It is a vacuum packaging apparatus characterized in that the ions are supplied to an outside air introduction path and introduced into a chamber together with the outside air in the atmosphere opening step to sterilize the inside of the chamber .

The vacuum packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the outside air introduction path is provided with an ion storage unit capable of storing ions generated by the ion generator. ..

The vacuum packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vacuum packaging device according to claim 3 is provided with an ion release device that discharges the ions to the outside of the vacuum packaging device.

The fourth aspect of the present invention comprises at least a control device for controlling the ion generator and the ion release device.
The vacuum packaging device according to claim 3, wherein the control device includes an ion emission reservation driving means for driving the ion generation device and the ion emission device according to a preset drive schedule.

In the case of claim 5, the inside of the chamber is depressurized in a state where the packaging bag for storing the packaged object is housed, the inside of the package bag is degassed, and the packaged object input port of the package bag is sealed in this state. It is a sterilization method in a vacuum packaging device that stops and vacuum-packs the object to be packaged.
This is a method for sterilizing a vacuum packaging device, which comprises introducing ions having a sterilizing action into the chamber together with outside air to sterilize the inside of the chamber when the chamber is opened to the atmosphere under reduced pressure.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained.
According to the first and fifth aspects of the invention, by introducing ions into the chamber in the depressurized state (degassed state) together with the outside air, the inside of the chamber can be returned to atmospheric pressure, and at the same time, the ions can be released. It can be evenly and sufficiently dispersed throughout the chamber, and it is easy to sterilize every corner of the chamber. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a special movement mechanism for the movement (introduction) of ions into the chamber, and it is possible to prevent the structure for realizing sterilization in the chamber from becoming complicated. Further, the sterilization in the chamber can be completed immediately before the end of the vacuum packaging work, and it is possible to save the trouble of sterilizing the inside of the chamber in the preparation before the next vacuum packaging work.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, ions can be generated and stored in advance from the ion generator before the chamber is opened to the atmosphere. As a result, it is not necessary to align the drive timing of the ion generator with the timing of opening to the atmosphere in the chamber, and the degree of freedom in the operation setting of the vacuum packaging device can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sterilization can be performed by using the vacuum packaging device even in the vicinity of the place where the vacuum packaging device is installed. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a device for disinfecting the periphery of the vacuum packaging device separately from the vacuum packaging device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to carry out sterilization of the surrounding area by using the vacuum packaging device even during the time period when the vacuum packaging operation is not performed.

It is a schematic diagram of a vacuum packaging apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a vacuum packaging apparatus. It is a timing chart of a vacuum packaging device. It is explanatory drawing of the vacuum packing apparatus provided with an ion emission apparatus, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a block diagram which shows a part of a control system. It is a timing chart of the disinfection operation in a chamber in a vacuum packaging apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum packaging device 1 has a chamber 2 for accommodating a packaging bag B containing an object to be packaged and a degassing chamber 2 for degassing the inside of the packaging bag B by reducing the pressure inside the chamber 2. A gas such as nitrogen gas is blown into the air device 3, the sealing device 5 provided inside the chamber 2 and closing and sealing the opening (the package input port) of the packaging bag B, and the packaging bag B. It is configured to include a gas filling device 6 and a control device 7 for controlling the vacuum packaging device 1.

The chamber 2 is a pressure-resistant container composed of a main body portion 2a on which the packaging bag B can be placed on the upper surface and a lid portion 2b that closes the main body portion 2a from above, and the lid portion 2b is rotated in the vertical direction. It is configured to be openable and closable, and a sealing material 10 is provided at the contact portion between the lid portion 2b and the main body portion 2a so that the airtightness in the chamber 2 can be maintained. Further, an intake port 12 is provided in the main body 2a and connected to the degassing device 3, and when the degassing device 3 is driven, the air in the chamber 2 is sucked from the intake port 12 and the inside of the chamber 2 is depressurized. Has been done. Then, on the upper surface of the main body 2a, the space between the intake port 12 and the sealing device 5 is set as a mounting location of the packaging bag B, and a flat plate-shaped spacer 13 is mounted on the mounting location as needed. It is configured so that it can be placed and the height (number of laminated sheets) of the spacer 13 can be adjusted so that the upper and lower positions of the opening of the packaging bag B and the sealing device 5 can be aligned.

Further, the sealing device 5 provided in the chamber 2 includes a horizontally long square member-shaped lower heater block 15 fixed to the main body 2a side and a horizontally long square member provided inside the lid portion 2b in a state where it can be raised and lowered. The upper heater block 16 is provided, and the upper heater block 16 can be raised and lowered by the expansion and contraction drive of the closing air bag 17, and the packaging bag B is placed between the lower heater block 15 and the upper heater block 16 in the lowered state. Is configured to close the opening of the packaging bag B by sandwiching the. Then, the closing airbag 17 and the degassing device 3 are connected by the inlet closing drive flow path 18, and the inlet closing drive flow path 18 is connected to the inlet closing electromagnetic wave composed of a three-way valve. One of the connection ports of the valve 19 is connected, one of the remaining connection ports is connected to a part of the degassing device 3, and the other is open to the atmosphere. Then, by operating the inlet closing electromagnetic valve 19, the closing airbag 17 and the degassing device 3 are communicated with each other, and the closing airbag 17 is sucked by the degassing device 3 and contracted. When the closing airbag 17 lowers the upper heater block 16 and presses it against the lower heater block 15 and opens the inside of the closing airbag 17 to the atmosphere to return to expansion, the upper heater block 16 moves to the lower heater block 15. It is configured to be separated upward from. The present invention is not limited to using the closing airbag 17 as a drive source for the sealing device 5 that closes the opening of the packaging bag B. In short, any drive source may be used as long as the opening of the packaging bag B can be closed. For example, a pneumatically driven cylinder may be used as a drive source for the sealing device 5.

Further, a seal heater 20 is provided on the upper heater block 16 side (upper part) and the lower heater block 15 side (lower part) of the upper heater block 15 of the lower heater block 15, respectively, and the upper heater block 16 and the lower heater block 16 are provided. When the sealing heater 20 is energized with the packaging bag B sandwiched between the packaging bag B, the heater 20 is heat-bonded (heat-welded) with the opening of the packaging bag B closed to be sealed. There is.

The degassing device 3 includes a vacuum pump 25 and an intake flow path 26 that connects the vacuum pump 25 and the chamber 2 in a communicable state, and a vacuum is provided in the middle of the intake flow path 26. A vacuum electromagnetic valve (vacuum valve) 27 for allowing or closing the communication between the pump 25 and the chamber 2 is provided. Further, a closed branch port 28 and a vacuum break branch port 29 are provided in a portion of the intake flow path 26 located between the vacuum electromagnetic valve 27 and the vacuum pump 25, and the closed branch port 28 has an input port. One of the connection ports of the closing electromagnetic valve 19 is connected, the vacuum breaking valve 30 is connected to the vacuum breaking branch port 29, and the vacuum breaking valve 30 is operated to operate the vacuum breaking valve 27 in the intake flow path 26. It is configured so that the vacuum state (decompression state) between the vacuum pump 25 and the vacuum pump 25 can be released.

Further, an outside air introduction path 33 is branched at a portion of the intake flow path 26 located between the vacuum solenoid valve 27 and the chamber 2, and a vacuum interlocking with the vacuum break valve 30 is provided in the middle of the outside air introduction path 33. An open valve (outside air introduction valve) 34 is connected to the end of the outside air introduction path 33 on the opposite side of the vacuum release valve 34 from the chamber 2 (the open end to the atmosphere, which is the lower end in FIG. 1). The ion supply unit 36 is provided. Then, when the vacuum release valve 34 is opened, the outside air (specifically, the air around the vacuum packaging device 1) is introduced into the chamber 2 through the ion supply unit 36 and the outside air introduction path 33, and the inside of the chamber 2 is introduced. Is configured to be able to return to atmospheric pressure from a decompressed state (open to the atmosphere).

The ion supply unit 36 includes an ion generator 37 capable of generating ions having a sterilizing action, and an ion storage unit 38 capable of storing the ions generated by the ion generator 37 in a state of being suspended in the air. It is composed of. Then, the open end of the outside air introduction path 33 is connected to the ion storage section 38 to communicate the inside of the ion storage section 38 with the outside air introduction path 33, and the connection point of the outside air introduction path 33 in the ion storage section 38 is The outside air intake port 38a is provided at different locations, and the outside air intake port 38a is provided with a silencer (silencer) 39 with a dust removing filter. The ions generated by the ion generator 37 may have at least any structure as long as they have a sterilizing action. For example, nanoe, plasmacluster ion, picoion (all registered trademarks), etc., which charge oxygen and moisture (fog) in the air to ionize and float and disperse in the air (suspended solids in the air). ) May be. Further, it may have an action different from the sterilizing action (for example, a dust removing action and a deodorizing action). Further, the ion storage unit 38 may have any principle and configuration as long as these ions can be temporarily stored.

The gas filling device 6 for filling the packaging bag B with gas includes a gas nozzle 42 supported by a bracket 41 in the chamber 2, a gas cylinder 43 for storing gas, and a gas supply path 44 connecting the gas nozzle 42 and the gas cylinder 43. In the middle of the gas supply path 44, a gas electromagnetic valve 45 for allowing or stopping the supply of gas from the gas cylinder 43 to the gas nozzle 42 is connected. Further, the gas nozzle 42 is arranged in the chamber 2 on the side opposite to the spacer 13 with the sealing device 5 interposed therebetween, and the tip of the gas nozzle 42 extends between the upper heater block 16 and the lower heater block 15. The gas nozzle 42 and a part of the bracket 41 are covered with the opening of the packaging bag B, and in this state, gas is ejected from the gas nozzle 42 to fill the packaging bag B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 7 manages the one-chip microcomputer 50 that controls the vacuum packaging device 1, the interface circuit 51 that performs input / output processing of each signal, and the operation timing of the vacuum packaging device 1. It is composed of a timer (seal timer, seal cooling timer, etc. (see FIG. 3)) 52 and the like. The interface circuit 51 includes a power switch 54 provided on the operation panel (not shown) of the vacuum packaging device 1, a pressure and time setting switch 55, and a switch for driving and stopping the ion generator 37 (not shown). Various operation switches such as the ion generator switch) 56, a pressure sensor (vacuum sensor) 57 that detects the pressure in the chamber 2, a gas sensor 58 that detects the gas supplied from the gas filling device 6 into the chamber 2, and a lid. A signal from the lid open / close detection sensor 59 that detects the open / closed state of the unit 2b is input. Further, from the interface circuit 51, a vacuum pump 25, a vacuum solenoid valve 27, a solenoid valve for closing the inlet 19, a vacuum release valve 34, a vacuum break valve 30, a seal heater 20, a gas solenoid valve 45, and various alarm sounds. A control signal is output to the buzzer 60 that emits the light and the display 61 that displays various states.

Next, a procedure for vacuum-packing the object to be packaged in the vacuum-packing device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. In the state before the start of vacuum packaging (normal state), the vacuum pump 25 and the ion generator 37 are not driven, and all the connection ports of the vacuum solenoid valve 27 and the input port closing solenoid valve 19 are closed and the vacuum is broken. The valve 30 and the vacuum release valve 34 are opened. Further, it is assumed that the pressure in the inlet closing drive flow path 18 and the closing airbag 17 is not reduced, and the upper heater block 16 is raised.

First, a setting process (preparation process) is performed in which the packaging bag B containing the object to be packaged is set in the chamber 2. In the setting process, the worker sets the power switch 54 of the vacuum packaging device 1 to ON, and with the lid 2b open, the packaging bag B is placed on the main body 2a (specifically, the spacer arranged on the main body 2a). 13) and the opening of the packaging bag B is placed on the lower heater block 15 so that the gas nozzle 42 faces the inside of the opening of the packaging bag B. After setting the packaging bag B, when the lid portion 2b is closed by hand, the lid open / close detection sensor 59 detects the closed state of the lid portion 2b and sends a signal to the control device 7 of the vacuum packaging device 1. If the vacuum packaging device 1 is supplied with power (the power switch 54 is on), the ion generator 37 will be driven by turning on the ion generator switch 56 at any timing. Start (in other words, ions start to be stored in the ion storage unit 38). In the timing chart shown in FIG. 3, the worker is executing the on operation of the ion generator switch 56 together with the on operation of the power switch 54. As a result, the ion supply unit 36 starts to store ions in the ion storage unit 38 from the start of vacuum packaging (start of use of the vacuum packaging device 1).

When the control device 7 receives the detection signal of the closed state of the lid portion 2b, the process proceeds to the decompression step. In the depressurizing step, the control device 7 controls the depressurizing operation in the chamber 2. Specifically, the vacuum electromagnetic valve 27 between the chamber 2 and the vacuum pump 25 is opened, the vacuum release valve 34 and the vacuum break valve 30 are closed, and the vacuum pump 25 is driven in this state to reduce the pressure in the chamber 2. Is started, and the inside of the packaging bag B is degassed.

The pressure inside the chamber 2 is continuously reduced, and when the pressure detection sensor 57 detects that the inside of the chamber 2 has been reduced to a predetermined pressure set in advance, the process proceeds to the sealing step. In the sealing step, the control device 7 closes the vacuum solenoid valve 27 opened during the depressurization step to maintain the depressurized state in the chamber 2. When the preset hold time elapses after the vacuum solenoid valve 27 is closed, the gas solenoid valve 45 is opened for the preset gas filling time, and gas is ejected from the gas nozzle 42 into the packaging bag B. Fill. Then, when the gas filling time elapses, the inlet closing solenoid valve 19 is opened, the closing airbag 17 is contracted to lower the upper heater block 16, and the upper heater block 16 and the lower heater block 15 are formed. The packaging bag B is sandwiched between the two to close the opening. When the opening of the packaging bag B is closed, each sealing heater 20 is energized in this state, and the opening is heated in the closed state for heat sealing (sealing).

When the heat sealing of the opening of the packaging bag B is completed, the energization of each sealing heater 20 is stopped, and the holding state by the sealing device 5 is maintained until the preset sealing cooling time elapses. Then, after the seal cooling time has elapsed, the control device 7 ends the sealing step and executes the opening step to the atmosphere. In the air opening step, the vacuum opening valve 34 and the vacuum breaking valve 30 are opened to open the inside of the chamber 2 and the inside of the intake flow path 26 to the atmosphere. At this time, in the outside air introduction path 33 and the ion supply unit 36 for introducing the outside air into the chamber 2, the outside air (air) is generated due to the pressure difference between the inside of the chamber 2 in the depressurized state and the atmospheric pressure around the vacuum packaging device 1. It flows into the ion storage unit 38 through the silencer 39. Then, the ions stored in the ion storage unit 38 are introduced into the chamber 2 together with the outside air via the outside air introduction path 33. As a result, even if the concavo-convex structure such as the sealing device 5 is complicatedly arranged in the chamber 2, the inside of the chamber can be returned to the atmospheric pressure, and at the same time, the ions having a sterilizing action can be transferred to the entire chamber 2. It is possible to disperse the cells evenly and sufficiently, and it is easy to sterilize the inside of the chamber 2 to every corner. Further, it is not necessary to provide a special movement mechanism for the movement (introduction) of the ions into the chamber 2, and it is possible to prevent the structure for realizing the sterilization in the chamber 2 from becoming complicated. Further, the sterilization in the chamber 2 can be completed immediately before the end of the vacuum packaging work, and it is possible to save the trouble of sterilizing the inside of the chamber 2 in the preparation before the next vacuum packaging work.

Further, since the outside air introduction path 33 is provided with an ion storage unit 38 (ion supply unit 36), ions can be generated and stored in advance from the ion generator 37 before opening to the atmosphere in the chamber 2. As a result, it is not necessary to align the drive timing of the ion generator 37 with the timing of opening to the atmosphere in the chamber 2, and the degree of freedom in the operation setting of the vacuum packaging device 1 can be increased.

After the preset air opening time elapses after the vacuum release valve 34 and the vacuum break valve 30 are opened (in other words, after the air opening process is started), the control device 7 sets the inlet closing solenoid valve 19 Is operated to raise the upper heater block 16 to separate it from the lower heater block 15 by opening the inside of the closing airbag 17 to the atmosphere, and release the holding of the package bag B in the sealed state. Further, a notification sound is generated from the buzzer 60 to notify the end of the vacuum packaging, and when the worker opens the lid portion 2b and the lid open / close detection sensor 59 detects the open state of the lid portion 2b, the control device 7 opens / closes the lid. The operation control of the vacuum packaging device 1 is terminated based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 59.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the ion storage unit 38 is provided and the ion generator 37 can store the generated ions, but the present invention is not limited to this. In short, any configuration may be adopted as long as ions can be introduced into the chamber 2 together with the outside air to sterilize the inside of the chamber 2 when the chamber 2 is opened to the atmosphere. For example, the ion generator may be directly connected to the outside air introduction path without the ion storage unit, and the ion generator may be driven to supply ions to the outside air introduction path at the start timing of the atmospheric opening process. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ions generated by the ion generator 37 are used only for sterilization in the chamber 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the vacuum packaging device of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure is provided to release ions to the outside of the vacuum packaging device, and the inside of the chamber is provided. The difference is that not only sterilization but also sterilization around the vacuum packaging device can be performed. Specifically, the vacuum packaging device 1'of the second embodiment has a chamber 2 on the upper surface of the housing 65 which is the base of the vacuum packaging device 1'as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Is arranged, and the degassing device 3, the gas filling device 6, the control device 7, the ion release device 66, and the like are housed in the housing 65.

The ion emission device 66 includes an ion emission port 67 provided on both left and right sides of the housing 65, an ion emission fan 68 arranged in each ion emission port 67, each ion emission port 67, and an ion storage unit 38. It is configured to include an ion discharge path 69 that communicates with the ion release path 69 and a release path on-off valve 70 provided in the middle of the ion release path 69. Then, when the release path on-off valve 70 is opened to drive the ion release fan 68, the ions in the ion storage unit 38 are passed through the ion release path 69 and discharged from the ion discharge port 67 to the outside of the vacuum packaging device 1'. When the ion discharge fan 68 is stopped, the discharge path on-off valve 70 is closed and the outside air enters the ion storage unit 38 from the ion discharge port 67 (in other words, the outside air does not pass through the silencer (dust removal filter) 39). It is configured to prevent entry into the ion storage unit 38 and the chamber 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the ion emission fan 68 and the emission path on-off valve 70 are connected to the interface circuit 51 of the control device 7 so that they can be driven based on the drive signal from the control device 7. .. The control device 7 is provided with an ion emission reserved drive timer 71, which is a kind of timer 52, and based on the action of the ion emission reserved drive timer 71, the ion generator 37, the ion emission fan 68, and the emission path on-off valve 70. Is configured to be able to be driven according to a preset drive schedule.

In the vacuum packaging device 1'of the second embodiment having such a configuration, ions are emitted from the ion ejection port 67 during the vacuum packaging work or outside the vacuum packaging work time based on the operation of the setting switch by the worker. It can be discharged to the outside of the vacuum packaging device 1'. For example, when ions are discharged from the ion discharge port 67 during the vacuum packaging work, the worker operates the setting switch 55 and the ion generator switch 56 at a desired timing to input an ion release instruction signal to the control device 7. do. Then, based on this signal, the control device 7 executes the drive of the ion generator 37 (continuation of drive if already driven), the opening operation of the release path on-off valve 70, and the drive of the ion release fan 68 to generate ions. Is discharged to the outside of the vacuum packaging device 1'through the ion discharge path 69 and the ion discharge port 67. Then, when the worker operates the setting switch 55 and the ion generator switch 56 at a desired timing to input an ion emission stop instruction signal to the control device 7, the control device 7 drives the ion generator 37 based on this signal. Stop (do not stop if the ion storage operation in the ion storage unit 38 is instructed by a separate signal), close the release path on-off valve 70, and stop the ion release fan 68. , Stops the emission of ions.

Further, when the ions are discharged from the ion discharge port 67 outside the vacuum packaging work time, the worker operates the setting switch 55 to drive the scheduled drive schedule of the ion generator 37 and the ion release device 66, in other words, the ion release. Enter the desired execution schedule (waiting time before execution, continuation of execution, start time of execution, end time of execution, etc.), and keep the power switch 54 of the vacuum packaging device 1'on to continue the power supply state. Then, the control device 7 stores the input drive schedule (desired execution schedule) in the ion emission reservation drive timer 71 and stands by. Then, when the ion emission start condition based on the scheduled drive schedule (for example, the lapse of the execution standby time or the arrival of the execution start time) is satisfied, the control device 7 functions as the ion emission reservation driving means in the present invention to generate ions. The device 37 is driven (driving is continued if it is already being driven), the release path on-off valve 70 is opened, and the ion release fan 68 is driven, and ions are passed through the ion release path 69 and the ion discharge port 67. Discharge to the outside of the vacuum packaging device 1'. Further, when the ion emission end condition based on the scheduled drive schedule (for example, the lapse of the execution continuation time or the arrival of the execution end time) is satisfied, the control device 7 (ion emission reserved driving means) stops driving the ion generator 37 (for example, the ion emission reservation driving means). When the ion storage operation in the ion storage unit 38 is instructed by a separate signal, the drive is not stopped), the release path on-off valve 70 is closed, and the ion release fan 68 is stopped. Stop the release of.

In this way, if the vacuum packaging device 1'is provided with the ion release device 66, the vacuum packaging device 1'is also used to sterilize the periphery of the place where the vacuum packaging device 1'is installed. be able to. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a device for disinfecting the periphery of the vacuum packaging device 1'separately from the vacuum packaging device 1'. Further, if the ion generator 37 and the ion emission device 66 are configured to be driven based on a preset drive schedule, the vacuum packaging device 1'can be used even during the time when the vacuum packaging work is not performed. It can be used to perform eradication of the surrounding area.

In the second embodiment, the ion release device 66 provided with the ion release fan 68 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In short, any configuration of the ion emitting device may be used as long as the ions generated by the ion generating device can be released to the outside of the vacuum packaging device. For example, a blower may be provided instead of the ion emission fan, and the blower may be configured to emit ions on the air flow generated by the blower.

Further, in the second embodiment, ions are generated from one ion generator 37 to sterilize the inside of the chamber and the periphery of the vacuum packaging device 1', but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an ion generator that generates ions introduced into the chamber and an ion generator that generates ions emitted to the outside of the vacuum packaging device may be separately provided. If a plurality of ion generators having different uses (disinfection targets) are provided in this way, even if the vacuum packaging work is opened to the atmosphere when the ions are released from the ion releasing device during the vacuum packaging work, the vacuum packaging work is performed. , The inconvenience that both the amount of ions introduced into the chamber and the amount of ions released from the ion release device are insufficient (that is, the sterilization in the chamber and the sterilization around the vacuum packaging device become insufficient. Inconvenience) can be suppressed.

By the way, in the vacuum packaging devices 1 and 1'of each of the above embodiments, sterilization in the chamber 2 by dispersion of ions is performed in the air opening step of the vacuum packaging work, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, based on the timing chart shown in FIG. 5, an operation of only sterilizing the inside of the chamber 2 without performing the vacuum packaging work (in-chamber sterilization operation) may be executed. Specifically, in the in-chamber sterilization operation, the worker first sets the power switch 54 and the ion generator switch 56 of the vacuum packaging device 1, 1'on, and operates the setting switch 55 to operate the chamber. Set the execution of internal sterilization operation. Next, when the worker closes the lid portion 2b by hand, the lid open / close detection sensor 59 detects the closed state of the lid portion 2b and sends a signal to the control device 7.

When the control device 7 receives the detection signal of the closed state of the lid portion 2b, the process proceeds to the ion introduction preparation step (decompression step). In the ion introduction preparation step, the control device 7 opens the vacuum electromagnetic valve 27 between the chamber 2 and the vacuum pump 25, closes the vacuum release valve 34 and the vacuum break valve 30, and drives the vacuum pump 25 in this state. Start depressurization in chamber 2.

The pressure inside the chamber 2 is continuously reduced, and when it is detected by the pressure detection sensor 57 that the inside of the chamber 2 is reduced to a predetermined pressure set in advance, the process proceeds to the iontophoresis step. In the iontophoresis step, the control device 7 closes the vacuum solenoid valve 27 opened during the iontophoresis preparation step, and opens the vacuum release valve 34 and the vacuum break valve 30 to open the inside of the chamber 2 and the intake flow path 26 to the atmosphere. Ions are introduced into the chamber 2 together with the outside air through the ion supply unit 36 and the outside air introduction path 33. Then, the vacuum release valve 34 is closed again before the inside of the chamber 2 returns to the atmospheric pressure, and the closed state of the vacuum release valve 34 is maintained until the preset sterilization hold time elapses. Then, the closed state of the lid portion 2b is maintained due to the pressure difference between the pressure inside the chamber 2 (the pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure) and the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber 2, and the ions are confined in the chamber 2. As a result, the ions are evenly dispersed throughout the chamber 2, and the inside of the chamber 2 can be sufficiently sterilized.

When the sterilization hold time elapses, the control device 7 executes the air opening step, opens the vacuum release valve 34 again, and opens the inside of the chamber 2 to the atmosphere. At this time, ions are again introduced into the chamber 2 together with the outside air via the ion supply unit 36 and the outside air introduction path 33, and additional sterilization treatment in the chamber 2 is performed. Therefore, the inside of the chamber 2 can be further sterilized. Then, when the preset air opening time elapses from the start of the air opening process, the control device 7 generates a notification sound from the buzzer 60 to notify the end of the sterilization operation in the chamber, and the vacuum packaging device 1, The operation control of 1'is terminated. In the chamber sterilization operation, since the worker does not take out the packaging bag, there is no inconvenience even if the chamber sterilization operation is completed with the lid 2b closed. Therefore, the generation of the notification sound from the buzzer 60 ends after a lapse of a predetermined time regardless of the opening / closing of the lid portion 2b (regardless of whether or not the detection signal is generated from the lid opening / closing detection sensor 59).

If the vacuum packaging apparatus 1, 1'can perform the sterilization operation in the chamber in this way, the sterilization treatment in the chamber 2 can be performed even when the vacuum packaging operation is not performed. For example, after the vacuum packaging work of one day is completed, if the worker operates the execution of the sterilization operation in the chamber as one of the cleanup work, the vacuum packaging device in which the chamber 2 has been sterilized on the next work day. 1,1'can be used immediately and is suitable. Further, in order to prevent the sterilized chamber 2 from being inadvertently opened, the chamber 2 may be provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the lid portion 2b.

When the chamber 2 is provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the lid portion 2b, the closed state of the lid portion 2b is maintained by using the lock mechanism during the vacuum packaging operation and the sterilization operation in the chamber. You may. If the closed state of the lid 2b is maintained by the lock mechanism, the lid 2b may be inadvertently opened during the vacuum packaging work or the sterilization operation in the chamber. Furthermore, the opened lid 2b and the main body 2a It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the outside air invades from the gap between the two and the outside air and the amount of the outside air and ions introduced from the outside air introduction path 33 decreases by the amount of the invaded outside air. In other words, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the sufficient dispersion of ions in the chamber 2 is hindered.

And it should be considered that the above-described embodiment is exemplary in all respects and is not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is shown by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1,1'Vacuum packaging device 2 Chamber 2a Main body 2b Lid 3 Degassing device 5 Sealing device 6 Gas filling device 7 Control device 10 Sealing material 12 Intake port 13 Spacer 15 Lower heater block 16 Upper heater block 17 Closed Air bag 18 Input port closed drive flow path 19 Input port closing electromagnetic valve 20 Seal heater 25 Vacuum pump 26 Intake flow path 27 Vacuum electromagnetic valve 28 Closed branch port 29 Vacuum break branch port 30 Vacuum break valve 33 Outside air Introduction path 34 Vacuum release valve 36 Ion supply unit 37 Ion generator 38 Ion storage unit 38a Outside air intake 39 Silencer 41 Bracket 42 Gas nozzle 43 Gas bomb 44 Gas supply path 45 Gas electromagnetic valve 50 One-chip microcomputer 51 Interface circuit 52 Timer 54 Power switch 55 Setting switch 56 Ion generator switch 57 Pressure detection sensor 58 Gas sensor 59 Lid open / close detection sensor 60 Buzzer 61 Display 65 Housing 66 Ion emission device 67 Ion emission port 68 Ion emission fan 69 Ion emission path 70 Emission path opening / closing Valve 71 Ion emission reserved drive timer B Packaging bag

Claims (5)

A chamber for accommodating a packaging bag containing an object to be packaged, a vacuum pump for depressurizing the inside of the chamber to degas the inside of the packaging bag, and a sealing provided in the chamber to seal the opening of the packaging bag. In a vacuum packaging device equipped with a device,
An outside air introduction path that introduces outside air into the chamber in the atmosphere opening process that opens the inside of the chamber to the atmosphere.
It is provided with an ion generator that is provided in communication with the outside air introduction path and generates ions having a sterilizing action.
A vacuum packaging device characterized in that the ions are supplied to an outside air introduction path and introduced into a chamber together with outside air in the atmosphere opening step to sterilize the inside of the chamber . The vacuum packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the outside air introduction path is provided with an ion storage unit capable of storing ions generated by the ion generator. The vacuum packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an ion release device that discharges the ions to the outside of the vacuum packaging device. A control device for controlling at least the ion generator and the ion release device is provided.
The vacuum packaging device according to claim 3, wherein the control device includes an ion release reserved drive means for driving the ion generator and the ion release device according to a preset drive schedule. The inside of the chamber is depressurized while the packaging bag for storing the packaged object is housed, and the inside of the package bag is degassed. It is a sterilization method in the vacuum packaging device for packaging.
A method for sterilizing a vacuum packaging device, which comprises introducing ions having a sterilizing action into the chamber together with outside air to sterilize the inside of the chamber when the chamber is opened to the atmosphere under reduced pressure.

Images