METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTION USING REDUCED PRESSURE AND NORMAL PRESSURE JOINTLY

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for disinfection using reduced pressure and normal pressure jointly where disinfection gas is permeated to even the inside of a thin tubular matter for disinfection and the gas can be discharged completely or nearly completely after disinfection. SOLUTION: A pressure-proof container is connected to the disinfection cabinet of a gas disinfection apparatus through a first conduit having a first valve and a vacuum pump and a second conduit having a second valve. A disinfectant is evaporated in advance in the disinfection cabinet. Then, the first valve is opened to eject air in the pressure-proof container into the disinfection cabinet with the vacuum pump to vacuum the inside of the pressure-proof container, and the first valve is closed. Thereafter, the second valve is opened to introduce the disinfection gas into the pressure-proof container, and the second valve is closed and its state is held for a prescribed time for disinfection. Next, the first valve is opened to eject the disinfection gas in the pressure-proof container in the disinfection cabinet with the vacuum pump to vacuum the inside of the pressure-proof container, and the first valve is closed. Next, the second valve is opened to introduce the disinfection gas into the pressure-proof container, and the second valve is closed and its state is held for a prescribed time for disinfection. Thereafter, those are repeated similarly. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI