JP2003000474A - Finger sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a finger sterilizer by which the finger can be sterilized and dried satisfactorily quickly and which does not have a possibility of an adverse effect on the skin. SOLUTION: This finger sterilizer has a water tank 1, a spraying means 2, a far-infrared radiator 3, and a blowing means 4, the water tank 1 is filled with a salt solution having a concentration of <=1% salt, the salt solution is sprayed by the spraying means 2 to be applied to the finger, the finger is irradiated with a far-infrared ray by the far-infrared radiator 3, and the air from the blowing means 4 is blown to the finger. Especially, a heater 5 for heating the salt solution and a heater 6 for heating the air is provided, and a halogen heater or a carbon heater is preferably employed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a finger sterilizer which can efficiently sterilize fingers in a short time and does not require post-treatment after sterilization.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, toilets in public facilities, hotels,
Restaurants and other equipment are equipped with devices that sterilize and dry hands that have been wet after washing. That is, when a finger is inserted into the device, ultraviolet rays are emitted with the blowing of wind, water on the surface of the finger is drained by the wind force, and sterilized by ultraviolet rays. Further, in order to enhance the sterilization / drying effect, it is known that a heater is installed and hot air is blown, or far-infrared rays are emitted, instead of merely blowing air.

[0003]

However, in the case of sterilization / drying of fingers, it is not possible to raise the blast temperature too much because it is necessary to prevent burns. Therefore, the conventional sterilization / drying device not only takes a long time to dry but also sterilizes it. Was also inadequate. Especially, the user needs only a short time, so even if sterilization /
Even if a drying device is used, the current situation is that the hands are finally wiped with a handkerchief or the like.

Further, since ultraviolet rays are harmful when they irradiate the skin, weak ultraviolet rays have to be used, and the bactericidal effect is weakened accordingly. On the other hand, even when using far-infrared rays, the bactericidal effect was insufficient because it had to be weakened in consideration of prevention of burns.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a finger sterilizer that can sterilize and dry fingers in a short time that the user can be satisfied and that does not have a bad influence on the skin.

[0006]

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its gist is to provide a water tank, a spraying means, a far infrared radiator, and a blowing means. A hand sterilizer having a finger, in which a liquid is put in a water tank, the liquid atomized by a spraying means is attached to the finger, and a far infrared ray radiator irradiates the finger with far infrared rays. The present invention relates to a hand sterilizer that blows flowing air onto fingers.

[0007] Preferably, the liquid is saline, and a heater for heating the saline and a heater for heating the air are provided, and the far-infrared radiator is a halogen heater or a carbon heater, and an inner surface of an insertion port of a finger. Relates to a hand sterilizer which is a far infrared ray reflector. Moreover, if the oxygen concentration in the insertion port of the finger is increased by the oxygen cylinder, it is more effective for sterilization.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The hand sterilizing apparatus of the present invention has a water tank, a spraying means, a far infrared radiator, and a blowing means. Here, the water tank stores the liquid that first wets the fingers, and as the liquid, it is possible to use a non-chemical liquid that does not have a sterilizing effect on the liquid itself so as not to harm the fingers. preferable. For example, saline is non-chemical, does not adversely affect the skin, is easily available and inexpensive, and has the effect of promoting the killing of Escherichia coli and the like by salt, and has a good far-infrared absorption rate. Have.

The salt solution will be described in detail. It is preferable that the salt concentration is 1% or less. The reason is that the refreshing feeling after drying is taken into consideration while maintaining the above characteristics. That is, when the salt content increases to the level of seawater (a typical example of the salt content is 3.4%), the salt content remaining on the skin after drying becomes conscious, and discomfort is generated as it is. On the other hand, if the salt concentration is 1% or less, it will be close to body fluid (salt concentration is 0.9%) or sweat (salt concentration is 0.5%). Of.

The skin sensation is very sensitive, and if one recalls after bathing in the sea, and considering that physiological saline is clearly distinguished from other saline, the value of salt concentration is 1% or less. It is clear that it has critical significance.
On the other hand, even if the lower limit of the salt concentration is not specified, it is obvious that the content is more than 0% as long as it is saline, so the invention is clear.

Next, the spraying means takes the wettability of the liquid into consideration, and by atomizing the liquid, the liquid can be uniformly attached to the fingers. Specifically, it may be atomized using an ultrasonic transducer and blown onto the fingers by fan blowing, or sprayed using a spray nozzle.

By the way, it is preferable that the liquid be heated to some extent and then sprayed. Especially when saline is used as the liquid, when heated, the water vaporizes to increase the salt concentration, which not only promotes the death of Escherichia coli and the like, but also increases the osmotic pressure due to the increase in the salt concentration. This is because it can be expected to bring dehydration to the bacterium and kill it. In addition, heat can be transferred to the bacteria from the surface of the sprayed finger even if it is not saline, and promotion of heat damage can be expected.

As described above, the heating of the liquid is effective for sterilization, but it is necessary that the heating of the liquid is such that the liquid does not become hot when attached to the fingers. Therefore, the temperature of the liquid is preferably in the range of 60 to 80 ° C. Optimal temperature for sterilization and atomization,
Also, the surface temperature of the fingers is only about 40 ° C. A heater or the like may be used to heat the liquid, but the heater may be provided in the water tank, the spraying device, or the insertion port of the finger, and the point is to heat the liquid itself. Alternatively, the ambient temperature may be raised so that the liquid is heated before it is attached to the fingers.

The far-infrared radiator transmits heat from the inside of the epidermis of the finger by far-infrared radiation, and heat-damages Escherichia coli etc. by conduction heating. In addition, heat transfer to air can also cause heat damage to bacteria. That is, since far infrared rays bring good heat conduction to fingers and is not hot as a warm feeling, it is very effective for sterilization. Then, heat from the inside of the epidermis and heat from the outside (heat from the air and the heat of the saline solution) are transferred to the bacteria from inside and outside, and the heat and heat sandwich the bacteria, causing heat damage to the bacteria and killing them. Will be done. In addition, since moisture is vaporized by heat transfer, it also has a drying effect on wet fingers. In addition, when the liquid is saline, it can be expected that the killing of the bacteria is promoted as the salt concentration increases.

As the far-infrared radiator, one having a high temperature rising rate is preferable, and it is preferable to use a heater which heats up in 3 to 5 seconds, for example, a halogen heater or a carbon heater. Further, in order to prevent burns caused by skin contact, it is preferable to attach a cover made of stainless steel or aluminum mesh having a far infrared ray reflecting effect. If the surface temperature of the heater is set to about 600 ° C, the surface temperature of the fingers can be set to about 60 ° C. The rise time of far infrared rays by the halogen heater is as short as about 3 seconds.

Further, in order to irradiate the fingers with far infrared rays uniformly, it is preferable that the inner surface of the insertion opening of the fingers is made of a far infrared ray reflecting material. For example, a reflection mirror is installed in the insertion opening, or the insertion opening is formed of a stainless steel or aluminum box.

The blower means is for cooling the fingers by far infrared rays so as not to heat them more than necessary, and for drying the fingers wet by spraying the liquid. In addition, if a heater that heats the air is installed and heated to warm air, not only will drying be promoted, but also heat transfer from the surface of the fingers will cause heat damage to the bacteria, and in the case of saline solution, moisture will be absorbed. It increases the salt concentration and promotes the killing of bacteria.

As the blowing means, for example, a dryer or a fan can be used, and it is preferable that the temperature and the air volume can be adjusted. In addition, it is preferable to attach a filter to prevent adhesion of dust and the like.

If the oxygen concentration in the insertion port of the finger is increased by using an oxygen cylinder, the sterilization becomes more effective.

As described above, according to the present invention, the synergistic effect of the atomized liquid and the far infrared rays can effectively sterilize without damaging the skin. Further, even if it is dried as it is by blowing air, no discomfort occurs. Particularly, if the saline solution is heated and hot air is sent, sterilization and drying are completed in a shorter time.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the hand sterilizer of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the sterilizer seen from the front side.
(B) is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the sterilizer seen from the right side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B),
The hand sterilizer is provided with a water tank 1, a spraying means 2 of a spray nozzle, a far-infrared radiator 3 of a far-infrared halogen heater, and a fan blowing means 4 inside a housing 20. Further, a heater 5 is attached inside the water tank 1, and a heater 6 is also attached near the blower 4. Further, a HEPA filter 9 is attached to the outside air intake side of the blowing means 4.

Next, a sterilizing operation using the finger sterilizing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the housing 20
Extend your finger into the insertion opening 7 that opens in the front of the and insert it into your wrist. Then, the photoelectric tube switch 12 operates and the water tank 1
A saline solution having a salt concentration of 0.5% heated to 70 ° C. by a heater 5 therein is automatically sent out by a plunger pump 10 and sprayed while being atomized from a spraying means 2 of a spray nozzle. The spraying continues for 3 to 5 seconds, and the saline solution is uniformly attached to the surface of the finger.

During this time, the surface temperature of the finger becomes about 40 ° C., and E. coli is heated by heat transfer from the surface of the finger,
The heat damage of the bacteria is promoted and some of them die. In addition, the water vaporizes to increase the salt concentration, and some of the bacteria die.
Furthermore, the osmotic pressure rises, the bacteria become dehydrated, and some of the bacteria die. Therefore, the death of E. coli begins at this stage.

Simultaneously with the end of spraying the saline solution, the far infrared radiator 3 of the halogen heater starts emitting far infrared rays to the fingers. At the same time, the fan blowing unit 4 is activated to start blowing air to the fingers. The rising time of far infrared rays is as short as about 3 seconds, and the surface temperature of the halogen heater reaches about 600 ° C.

Then, the surface temperature of the finger is raised to about 60 ° C. by irradiation heating with far infrared rays, and heat is transferred from the inside of the epidermis of the fingers by far infrared radiation, and the conductive heating from the inside and the air heat transfer from the outside. E. coli was heat-damaged,
Most of the bacteria die with the increase in salt concentration due to evaporation of water. The set time from the rise of far infrared rays to the end of irradiation heating is about 10 seconds, and since the insertion port 7 is formed of a stainless box, the far infrared rays are evenly applied to the fingers.

During this time, the air blowing means 4 remains activated, and the fingers are cleaned by the HEPA filter 9,
The warm air heated by the heater 6 is blown.
The blast temperature is constantly monitored by the temperature sensor 11, and has a role of cooling the surface temperature of fingers so as not to exceed 60 ° C. and heat damage of Escherichia coli due to conduction heating and an increase in salt concentration due to vaporization of water. It plays a role in promoting death.

It should be noted that since heating with far infrared rays is not hot as a warm feeling, if the surface temperature of the fingers is up to about 60 ° C., there is no discomfort and no burns. Further, when the skin directly contacts the halogen heater used as the far-infrared radiator 3, the halogen heater is burned. Therefore, the halogen heater is provided with a stainless mesh cover.

Then, the process moves to the drying stage by irradiation with far infrared rays, and the blowing is stopped. Irradiation with far-infrared rays in the drying stage is for 1 to 2 seconds, and the moisture is vaporized even in the heating stage, so that the fingers are sufficiently dried. Drying completely kills the E. coli and the sterilization is completed. Further, since the salt concentration of saline is 0.5%, which is about the same as that of sweat, there is no discomfort after drying.

Therefore, in the hand sterilizer of the first embodiment,
It takes about 15 seconds from the start of spraying saline solution to the end of drying fingers, and spraying saline solution, irradiating far infrared rays, and blowing warm air each have a sterilizing effect, so complete sterilization can be accomplished in a short time. It is possible and does not cause discomfort after sterilization.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the finger sterilizing apparatus of the present invention. That is, FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the sterilizer viewed from the front, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the sterilizer viewed from the right side.

The hand sterilizer of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an ultrasonic vibrator and a fan are used as the spraying means 2 and an oxygen cylinder 8 is added. Even if the spraying means 2 is composed of an ultrasonic vibrator and a fan, the salt solution is uniformly attached to the surfaces of the fingers. Further, if the oxygen concentration in the insertion port 7 of the finger is increased by the oxygen cylinder 8, it is more effective for sterilization.

[0033]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The hand sterilizer of the present invention can be efficiently sterilized without damaging the skin by the synergistic effect of atomized saline and far infrared rays, and sterilization and drying can be completed in an extremely short time. No discomfort after sterilization and drying.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a hand sterilizer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the hand sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Water tank 2 ... spraying means 3 Far infrared radiator 4 ... Blower means 5: heater 6 heater 7: Insertion port 8 ... Oxygen cylinder 9 ... Filter 10 Plunger pump 11 Temperature sensor 12 ... Phototube switch 20 ... Case

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihito Okuma             3-1-1 Nakatsuma Bridge, Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture             Ncycle Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C058 AA29 BB04 BB06 BB07 BB09                       CC07 JJ07 JJ24 KK05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A water tank (1), spraying means (2),
A finger sterilizer having a far-infrared radiator (3) and a blowing means (4), wherein a liquid is put in a water tank (1) and the liquid atomized by the spraying means (2) is used. A finger sterilizer characterized by being attached to a finger, irradiating the finger with a far infrared ray by a far infrared radiator (3), and blowing air flowing from a blowing means (4) to the finger. 2. The hand sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is saline. 3. A far infrared ray radiator (3) is a halogen heater or a carbon heater, comprising a heater (5) for heating saline solution and a heater (6) for heating air. The finger sterilizer according to 2. 4. The finger sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the finger insertion port (7) is a far infrared ray reflecting material. 5. The oxygen concentration in the insertion opening (7) of the finger is increased by the oxygen cylinder (8).
The hand sterilizer according to any one of items 1 to 4.