JP2005312488A - Disinfecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disinfecting apparatus for disinfecting cleaning instruments for the oral cavity such as a toothbrush by generating a disinfecting liquid by using an inexpensive material which can be easily obtained. <P>SOLUTION: The disinfecting apparatus of this invention is provided with an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water containing chloride or with an electrolysis auxiliary agent added, and disinfects the cleaning instruments for the oral cavity by using electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic cell. The disinfecting apparatus is provided with a preservation container for putting water in and a part of the water inside the preservation container is sent to the electrolytic cell and electrolyzed. Then, the disinfecting apparatus discharges the generated electrolytic water toward the cleaning instrument for the oral cavity and disinfects it. Since city water contains the chloride and salt can be used for the electrolysis auxiliary agent, by the disinfecting apparatus of this invention, the disinfecting liquid is generated by using the inexpensive material which can be easily obtained in a household and the cleaning instrument for the oral cavity is disinfected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing oral cleaning devices such as toothbrushes.

  When toothbrushing is performed, dirt such as eating residue and protein adheres to the flocked portion of the toothbrush placed in the mouth. Moreover, the toothpaste used for toothpaste adheres to a toothbrush. For this reason, it is common for the user to wash the toothbrush with water after brushing. However, it is very difficult to completely remove eating residue and dirt adhering to the vicinity of the proximal end of the flocked hair bundle by washing with water. Moreover, there are few people who spend a sufficient amount of time washing the toothbrushes carefully, and most of the toothbrushes are used continuously with scum and dirt attached.

  On the other hand, toothbrushes are often stored in a wash basin after being washed with water. However, since the toothbrush is stored in a wet state, the humidity of the wash basin is high, and the wash basin is poorly ventilated, so that the wash basin is in a very suitable environment for bacterial growth. From the above, eating waste and dirt become nutrients, and bacteria that exist in the oral cavity and bacteria that exist in tap water and air are actively propagated in the flocked part of the toothbrush. .

  When a toothbrush in which a large number of bacteria are propagated is used, there is a risk of causing diseases such as an oral cavity and a tooth. In addition, since a plurality of toothbrushes used at home are generally stored close to each other, bacteria move between these toothbrushes. Therefore, the toothbrush may be a medium for transmitting infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia and hepatitis.

In recent years, the necessity of sterilization of toothbrushes has been strongly recognized, and various sterilization means have been proposed. One of them is a toothbrush sterilizer using ultraviolet rays (see Patent Document 1). This type of sterilization apparatus is characterized by irradiating the tip of a toothbrush with ultraviolet rays generated by an ultraviolet lamp and sterilizing the toothbrush using the sterilization action of the ultraviolet rays. In addition, disinfectants for oral cleaning devices such as toothbrushes have been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-325442 A JP 2001-10904 A

  Since ultraviolet rays have a negative effect on the human body, it is necessary for a sterilization device such as the one described above to have a structure that does not leak ultraviolet rays to the outside, but it is extremely difficult to produce a sterilization device that does not leak ultraviolet rays at all. It is difficult to. Further, when the hair bundle is deformed as it is used, there is a problem that it is difficult for ultraviolet rays to reach the vicinity of the proximal end of the hair bundle, even though it is an area where sterilization is most required. Moreover, it is troublesome to regularly purchase such a disinfectant, and it is considered that there are very few people who continuously disinfect toothbrushes using a disinfectant.

  The present invention solves the above problems, and provides a sterilization apparatus that generates a sterilization solution using an inexpensive material that can be easily obtained and sterilizes oral cleaning devices such as a toothbrush. To do.

  The sterilization apparatus of the present invention includes an electrolytic tank that electrolyzes water containing chlorine or added with an electrolysis auxiliary, and uses the electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic tank to sterilize oral cleaning devices. Do. Furthermore, the sterilization apparatus of the present invention includes a storage container for containing the water, and a part of the water in the storage container is sent to the electrolytic cell for electrolysis. Furthermore, in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, when the water exceeds a predetermined amount and is sent to the electrolytic cell, the excess of the water is returned from the electrolytic cell to the storage container.

  Since tap water contains chlorine and salt (sodium chloride) can be used as an electrolysis auxiliary agent, according to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, it can be easily obtained at home using inexpensive materials. Electrolyzed water used as a sterilization solution can be generated to sterilize oral cleaning devices such as toothbrushes. Moreover, since the electrolytic solution produced in this manner has a function of decomposing eating waste and dirt, it can be cleaned at the same time in addition to the sterilization of the oral cleaning device. Furthermore, by providing a water storage container in the cleaning device, it is not necessary to supply water to the sterilization device each time the oral cleaning device is sterilized.

  When sterilization is performed by discharging electrolyzed water toward the oral cleaning device, the consumption of the electrolyte can be reduced. When the sprayer is used to discharge the electrolyte in the form of a mist, when the electrolyte is attached to the diaphragm and scattered, when the electrolyte is blown off with an air flow, or when the electrolyte is discharged as a vapor, Since many droplets adhere, the sterilization of the oral cleaning device is surely performed. In particular, in the case of a toothbrush, such droplets reach the vicinity of the proximal end of the hair bundle, and the sterilization of the flocked portion is reliably performed. Furthermore, when the light emitting part is provided in the cleaning device, visual inspection of the discharged electrolyzed water becomes easy. In addition, you may disinfect by providing a processing tank in a washing | cleaning apparatus and immersing the cleaning tool for oral cavity in the electrolyzed water stored in this processing tank.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilization apparatus (1) for an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front part of the sterilization apparatus (1) is inclined relatively gently downward from the top, and in the vicinity of the lower end of the front part, a hole (2) into which a branch of the electric toothbrush (21) is inserted Are provided vertically. The inner surface of the hole (2) is provided with a guide projection (3) vertically, while the branch of the electric toothbrush (21) has a guide groove (22 ) Are formed along the longitudinal direction. By fitting the convex part (3) into the groove (22), the electric toothbrush (21) is positioned so that the hair bundle of the flocked part (tip part) faces the front part of the sterilizer (1). And attached to the sterilization apparatus (1).

  On the bottom surface of the hole (2) into which the branch of the electric toothbrush (21) is inserted, a connector (4) electrically connected to a charge control circuit (34) described later is disposed. Also, a battery (not shown) is built in the branch of the electric toothbrush (21), and the battery is electrically connected to a plug (not shown) provided at the rear end of the branch. Yes. When the branch of the electric toothbrush (21) is inserted into the hole (2) of the sterilization device (1), the plug of the electric toothbrush and the connector (4) are combined, and the electric toothbrush (21 ) Starts to be charged.

  The side surface of the sterilizer (1) is provided with an inlet (5) used for injecting tap water into the inside. The tap water poured into the inlet (5) is stored in the storage container (6). The storage container (6) is made of a transparent material, and a part of the wall of the storage container (6) constitutes the front surface of the sterilization apparatus (1). Thus, the user can visually confirm the amount of tap water stored in the storage container (6).

  An electrolytic cell (7) is provided above the storage container (6). Various operation buttons and switches are provided on the front side, and when one of the start buttons (8) is pressed, tap water is sent from the storage container (6) to the electrolytic cell (7). Electrolyzed. The sterilization apparatus (1) sterilizes and cleans the electric toothbrush (21) using the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolysis as a sterilization liquid. The electrolyzer (7) is made of a transparent material, and like the storage container (6), the amount of the sterilization solution produced or stored in the electrolyzer (7) can be visually confirmed. It has become. The generation of the sterilization liquid may be started when the electric toothbrush (21) is attached to the sterilization apparatus (1). Further, the sterilization apparatus (1) of the present embodiment includes a changeover switch (9) for switching a sterilization method between spraying and immersing of the sterilization solution, and operates the changeover switch (9). By this, generation | occurrence | production of the disinfection liquid may be started.

  Near the upper end of the front surface of the sterilization apparatus (1), a spray head (43) of a sterilization liquid provided with a sprayer (41) (see FIG. 2) is arranged. The sterilizing solution generated in the electrolytic cell (7) is discharged in the form of a mist from the spray head (43) toward the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21). Then, a microdroplet of a sterilizing solution adheres to the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21), and the sterilization and cleaning are effectively performed to every corner. It is preferable that the distance between the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21) and the spray head (43) be a sufficient distance to make the disinfectant liquid minute. A light emitting section (44) is provided above the spray head (43), and the light emitting section (44) emits light for irradiating the emitted mist-like sterilizing solution.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the internal structure of the sterilization apparatus (1) of the present embodiment. The sterilization apparatus (1) includes a plug (31) for obtaining AC power from a commercial AC power source of 100V, and the plug (31) converts the voltage in the sterilization apparatus (1) through a cord. Connected to the vessel (32). The supplied AC power is converted into DC power by the voltage converter (32) and used to drive the control unit (33). The control unit (33) includes a microcomputer, performs various controls of the sterilization apparatus (1), and supplies power to various components of the sterilization apparatus (1). A charge control circuit (34) is connected to the control unit (33), and when the electric toothbrush (21) is attached to the sterilization apparatus (1), the charge control circuit (34) is connected to the connector (4). Power is supplied to the battery of the electric toothbrush (21) electrically connected via Since the cleaning device (1) charges the battery in parallel with the sterilization process of the electric toothbrush (21), after the sterilization process is completed, the user can remove the fully-charged electric toothbrush (21). Can be used.

  A tap water storage container (6) is disposed above the voltage converter (32), the control unit (33) and the like with a waterproof wall (35) interposed therebetween. The sterilization apparatus (1) is provided with a first pump (36) that sends tap water from the storage container (6) to the electrolytic cell (7). When the start button (8) is pushed, the control unit (33) opens the valve (37) provided in the flow path between the first pump (36) and the electrolytic cell (7) from the closed state to the open state. The first pump (36) is driven. A part of the tap water stored in the storage container (6) is pumped up by the first pump (36) and pushed out to the electrolytic cell (7). When a predetermined time elapses after the first pump (36) starts driving, the valve (37) is closed and the first pump (36) is stopped. Note that one end of a pipe (38) connecting the electrolytic cell (7) and the storage container (6) is connected to the upper part of the electrolytic cell (7), and tap water exceeding a predetermined amount enters the electrolytic cell (7). When flowing in, excess tap water is returned to the storage container (6) using the pipe (38).

  When tap water is stored in the electrolytic cell (7), the control unit (33) applies a predetermined voltage to the anode plate (39) and the cathode plate (40) provided in the electrolytic cell (7). Electrolysis of tap water is performed. As is well known, since tap water contains chlorine, electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid used as a sterilizing solution is generated in the electrolytic cell (7) by electrolysis. The hypochlorous acid concentration (free chlorine concentration) of the generated electrolyzed water is preferably 20 ppm or less. Electrolyzed water may be generated by electrolyzing water containing chlorine other than tap water.

  The sterilization apparatus (1) includes a sprayer (41) that discharges the sterilization liquid in the electrolytic cell (7) in a mist form. The sprayer (41) includes a second pump (42) and a spray head (43 ) And piping connecting them. The control unit (33) applies a voltage to the anode plate (39) and the cathode plate (40) for a predetermined time, and then turns on the light source (45) constituting the light emitting unit (44) and the second pump (42). Drive. The second pump (42) sucks the electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell (7), that is, the sterilizing solution, and pushes it out to the spray head (43). Then, the sterilization liquid atomized by the spray head (43) is emitted toward the hair transplantation part of the electric toothbrush (21) while being illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting part (44). The controller (33) terminates the release of the sterilization solution after releasing the sterilization solution for a predetermined time or after releasing all the sterilization solution in the electrolytic cell (7). For example, an LED is used for the light source (45), and a transparent adjustment plate (46) for adjusting the spread of the emitted light beam is disposed on the tip side so as to properly illuminate the sterilized liquid to be emitted. Has been. Of the metal parts used in the electric toothbrush (21), parts to which the sterilizing solution may adhere are formed of a metal such as titanium having high corrosion resistance, or by being subjected to titanium coating or the like. It is preferable that the corrosion resistance is improved.

  The sterilization apparatus (1) of the present embodiment can be sterilized and cleaned by immersing the electric toothbrush (21). Referring to FIG. 1, a treatment tank (51) for performing sterilization washing by soaking is provided on the side surface of the sterilization apparatus (1). The treatment tank (51) is connected to one end of a pipe (52) of a flow path connecting the treatment tank (51) and the electrolytic cell (7), and with the changeover switch (9) selected to be immersed, When the start button (8) is pressed, the sterilization liquid generated in the electrolytic cell (7) is sent to the treatment tank (51) through the pipe (52) and the like. When a predetermined amount of the sterilization liquid is sent to the treatment tank (51), the user immerses the hair transplant portion of the electric toothbrush (21) in the sterilization liquid stored in the treatment tank (51) and leaves it for an appropriate time. Thereby, sterilization and washing of the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21) are performed.

  Further, the storage container (6) can be dipped and used for sterilization washing by changing the hair transplantation part of the electric toothbrush (21) so that it can be inserted inside. For example, an insertion port is provided in the wall portion of the storage container (6) that constitutes the front surface portion of the sterilization apparatus (1), and the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21) passes through the insertion port and the storage container (6 ) Is inserted inside. Thereafter, when the start button (8) is pressed, the tap water is electrolyzed while circulating the tap water between the electrolytic cell (7) and the storage container (6). As a result, the sterilization liquid is stored in the storage container (6), and the electric toothbrush (21) is immersed and sterilized.

  The sterilization apparatus (1) of the example performs sterilization and washing of the electric toothbrush (21) by spraying the sterilization liquid sent out by the second pump (42) onto the hair transplantation part of the electric toothbrush (21). For example, by attaching a sterilization solution to an ultrasonically vibrating vibrator and vibrating the vibrator to disperse the sterilization liquid, the sterilization liquid is released toward the hair transplant portion of the electric toothbrush (21). May be. It is also possible to provide a blower in the sterilization apparatus (1), blow an air flow toward a filter-like member impregnated with electrolyzed water, and blow off the electrolyzed water toward the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the disinfection and washing | cleaning may be performed by applying the vapor | steam of a disinfection liquid to the hair transplant part of an electric toothbrush (21). The sterilization apparatus (1) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 comprises a tap water storage container (6), an electrolytic cell (7), etc., similar to the sterilization apparatus (1) of the previous embodiment. Furthermore, a mechanism (not shown) for generating vapor of the sterilizing solution generated in the electrolytic cell (7) is provided. The vapor | steam of the produced | generated disinfection liquid is discharge | released outside from the exhaust port (61) provided in the one side part of the disinfection apparatus (1). The electric toothbrush (21) is mounted in a standing state on the side of the sterilization apparatus (1) so that the flocked portion is disposed above the exhaust port (61). When the vapor of the sterilizing solution is discharged from the exhaust port (61), the vapor rises and is applied to the hair transplanted portion of the electric toothbrush (21), and the sterilization and cleaning are performed.

  By providing the sterilization apparatus (1) with a discharge port for the sterilization liquid, the generated sterilization liquid can be used outside the sterilization apparatus (1). The disinfecting solution may be transferred to a cup, and the brushed part of the electric toothbrush is inserted into the cup, so that the soaking and disinfecting cleaning may be performed. Furthermore, sterilization and washing may be carried out by immersing an object other than the electric toothbrush in, for example, a denture in a sterilization solution in the cup. By transferring the sterilization solution to a spray bottle, the spray solution may be sprayed onto the flocked portion of the electric toothbrush (21) using the spray spray, or the sterilization solution is sprayed on things other than the electric toothbrush (21). The sterilization and washing may be performed.

  When the produced sterilization solution is transferred to a glass and used as a mouthwash, sterilization of dental caries and the like in the oral cavity can be removed to prevent various diseases such as tooth decay and influenza, and also prevent bad breath. Since the sterilization effect of electrolyzed water tends to decrease due to the reaction with organic substances, gargle with the electrolytic solution, that is, the sterilizing solution, is preferably performed after brushing. In addition, it is preferable that the sterilization apparatus (1), more specifically, a side cup of the sterilization apparatus (1) is detachably provided with a cup used for gargle, soaking and sterilization cleaning.

  The sterilization device (1) of the above embodiment is a cleaning device for an electric toothbrush having a charging function, but the cleaning device of the present invention is not limited to sterilization and cleaning of an electric toothbrush. May be used with any toothbrush. For example, a hole for mounting such a toothbrush may be provided in the sterilization apparatus (1) of the above embodiment. In addition, the cleaning device of the present invention may be configured so that a plurality of toothbrushes are attached and these are simultaneously sterilized and cleaned.

  The sterilization apparatus (1) of the above example generates a sterilization solution by electrolyzing tap water in an electrolytic cell (7) using a non-diaphragm method, but an anode plate (39) and a cathode plate By providing an ion exchange membrane between (40), water may be electrolyzed using the diaphragm method. In this case, the storage container (6) is injected with water in which an electrolytic auxiliary agent such as salt is dissolved (not necessarily tap water), and the acidic electrolytic solution generated on the anode plate (39) side is supplied. Used as disinfectant. For example, when a salt is used as an electrolysis auxiliary agent, electrolyzed water containing sodium hypochlorite is generated on the anode plate (39) side, and the electrolyzed water is used as a sterilizing solution.

  The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. Each part configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric toothbrush sterilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the sterilization apparatus for electric toothbrushes which is 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the sterilizer for electric toothbrushes which is 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Disinfection device
(6) Storage container
(7) Electrolyzer
(21) Electric toothbrush
(41) Nebulizer
(44) Light emitter

Claims (7)

It has an electrolyzer that electrolyzes water containing chlorine or added electrolysis auxiliary,
A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an oral cleaning device using electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic bath.   The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage container for containing the water, wherein a part of the water in the storage container is sent to the electrolytic cell and electrolyzed.   The sterilization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the water exceeds a predetermined amount and is sent to the electrolytic cell, the excess of the water is returned from the electrolytic cell to the storage container.   The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrolyzed water is discharged toward the oral cleaning instrument to sterilize the oral cleaning instrument.   The electrolyzed water is sprayed using a sprayer, and the diaphragm with the electrolyzed water attached is vibrated to scatter the electrolyzed water. The electrolyzed water is sprayed on the member impregnated with the electrolyzed water. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sterilization apparatus is blown away or the electrolyzed water is discharged as steam.   6. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a light emitting unit that irradiates the discharged electrolyzed water with light.   The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a treatment tank that immerses the oral cleaning instrument in the electrolytic water.

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