ULTRAVIOLET STERILIZATION APPARATUS AND PACKAGING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem with a sterilization apparatus used for medical purposes and for foods, etc., which utilizes the bactericidal action of excited oxygen atoms produced by absorption of a 254-nm ultraviolet ray into ozone generated by a 185-nm ultraviolet ray emitted from a low pressure mercury lamp, that the 185-nm ultraviolet ray emitted from the low pressure mercury lamp is not strong enough to achieve an effective sterilization process within a short time. SOLUTION: The sterilization apparatus is adapted for sterilizing medical instruments, nursing implements, or toys, using an excimer lamp as a light source which produces an ultraviolet ray with a center wavelength of 172 nm, 146 nm or 126 nm. A packaging apparatus is adapted for automatically achieving packaging and sealing using a sheet-or bag-shaped packaging material subjected to sterilization using an excimer lamp as a light source which produces an ultraviolet ray with a center wavelength of 172 nm, 146 nm or 126 nm.