JP2005336337A - Apparatus for dissolution treatment of sanitary goods - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for the treatment of sanitary goods such as diaper and feminine protection product capable of remarkably decreasing the quantity of materials disposed as wastes. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is provided with an alkaline water forming device, a dissolution tank having an alkaline water storing part, a sanitary goods charging port, a discharging port and an undissolved material collecting part, and a stirring device. Sanitary goods composed at least partly of a resin soluble in an alkaline water are stirred together with alkaline water in the dissolution tank to dissolve the sanitary goods in the alkaline water, the dissolved liquid is discharged from the discharging port and the undissolved material is collected by the undissolved material collecting part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a hygiene article dissolution treatment apparatus.

Diapers and sanitary products are incinerated as garbage or landfilled. Considering the current situation in which the use of diapers for adults has increased dramatically due to the arrival of an aging society, the disposal of diapers and sanitary products as garbage is the earliest limit from the viewpoint of acquiring incineration facilities and landfills. It seems to be approaching.

Recently, alkaline water-soluble resins that are soluble in alkaline water having a relatively low alkalinity of pH 9 to 10 have been developed (for example, US Pat. Nos. 6,534,610 and 6,288,184). The present invention has been made in view of the development of an alkaline water-soluble resin, and a sanitary product processing apparatus capable of dramatically reducing the amount of sanitary products such as diapers and sanitary products that are treated as garbage. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, an alkaline water generator, a dissolution tank having an alkaline water storage part, a sanitary product input port, a discharge port, and an undissolved substance capturing unit, and disposed in the dissolution tank A sanitary product made of at least a part of an alkaline water-soluble resin and alkaline water are stirred in a dissolution tank to dissolve the sanitary product in alkaline water, and the solution is discharged from the outlet. The sanitary article dissolution treatment apparatus is characterized in that an undissolved material is captured by an undissolved material capturing section.
Dissolving the portion of the sanitary product made of the alkaline water-soluble resin in alkaline water and discharging it to the toilet or the like dramatically reduces the amount of parts treated as sanitary product waste.
Undissolved parts of sanitary products and alkaline water non-dissolvable materials that are accidentally put into the sanitary product dissolution processing device are captured by the undissolved material capture unit and are not discharged from the dissolution tank. There is no risk of clogging of the lysate discharge pipe extending from.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the undissolved matter capturing part is a filter that covers the discharge port of the dissolution tank.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a recess is formed in the bottom wall of the dissolution tank, a discharge port is formed in the upper part of the side wall of the recess, and the undissolved material capturing part is a portion below the discharge port of the recess.
Undissolved substances can be effectively captured by a filter covering the discharge port or a recess formed in front of the discharge port.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanitary article dissolution treatment apparatus includes an undissolved substance detection apparatus.
By detecting the undissolved material, it is possible to prompt the user to remove the undissolved material.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the undissolved substance detection device is an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part provided in a dissolution tank.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the undissolved substance detection device is a weight sensor provided in the dissolution tank.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the undissolved substance detection device is a transparent window provided in the dissolution tank.
Undissolved matter can be detected by an optical sensor, a weight sensor or a transparent window provided in the dissolution tank.

The sanitary product dissolution treatment apparatus according to the present invention is a method of dissolving the portion of sanitary products made of alkaline water-soluble resin in alkaline water and discharging it to a toilet or the like, so that the amount of the site treated as sanitary product waste Can be drastically reduced.
The sanitary product dissolution treatment apparatus according to the present invention captures an undissolved part of a sanitary product or an alkaline water non-dissolvable material accidentally charged into the sanitary product dissolution processing apparatus by an undissolved material capturing unit and discharges it from the dissolution tank. As a result, the solution discharge pipe extending from the toilet piping and the sanitary ware dissolving treatment device does not clog.

A sanitary article dissolution treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary ware dissolution treatment apparatus A includes an alkaline water generation apparatus 1, a dissolution tank 2, a dissolution liquid pumping apparatus 3, and a control apparatus 4 that controls the operation of these devices. .
The alkaline water generator 1 is connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) via a water supply valve 5 and also connected to a dissolution tank 2.
The dissolution tank 2 is connected to the alkaline water generator 1 and is connected to the pressure feeder 3.
The pumping device 3 is connected to the dissolution tank 2 and connected to a discharge pipe 7 extending from the toilet bowl B via a pipe 6.
An acidic water discharge pipe 8 extending from the alkaline water generator 1 is connected to the pipe 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the alkaline water generator 1 includes an electrolytic cell 11, at least a pair of an anode plate 12 and a cathode plate 13 disposed in the electrolytic cell 11, and a diaphragm 14 disposed between both electrode plates. And a DC power supply 15 for applying a voltage between the anode plate 12 and the cathode plate 13. Tap water flowing through water passages 16, 17 formed between the diaphragm 14, the anode plate 12, and the cathode plate 13 is electrolyzed, acid water is generated by the water passage 16, and alkaline water is generated by the water passage 17. The The water passage 16 is connected to the acidic water discharge pipe 8. A tap water conductivity detection device (not shown) is disposed in the electrolysis apparatus or in the vicinity of the electrolysis apparatus. The tap water electrical conductivity detection device detects the electrical conductivity of tap water supplied to the electrolytic cell 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dissolution tank 2 has a tank body 21. In the upper part of the side wall of the tank body 21, a sanitary product input port 21b that is opened and closed by a single door 21a is formed.
An alkaline water supply valve 22 is attached to the upper portion of the side wall of the tank body 21 so as to face the opening 21b. The alkaline water supply valve 22 is connected to the water passage 17 of the alkaline water generator 1 via a pipe.
A crushing device 23 composed of a plurality of blades and a solubility detection device 24 composed of a light emitting portion 24 a and a light receiving portion 24 b are attached to the lower portion of the side wall of the tank body 21. The solubility detection device 24 detects the undissolved residual amount of the sanitary product in the solution and the turbidity of the solution from the ratio between the light emission amount of the light emitting unit 24a and the light reception amount of the light receiving unit 24b, and the solubility of the sanitary product is detected. Is detected. The solubility detector 24 also functions as an undissolved substance detector.
A stirring device 25 is disposed in the tank body 21. The stirring device 25 has a stirring blade 25a disposed opposite to the crushing device 23, a drive shaft 25b of the stirring blade 25a, and a drive motor 25c attached to the bottom wall bottom surface of the tank body 21. .
A weight sensor 26 is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the tank body 21.
A discharge port 27 and a filter 28 that covers the discharge port 27 are disposed on the bottom wall of the tank body 21. The discharge port 27 is connected to a drain valve 29. The drain valve 29 is connected to the solution feeding device 3 via a pipe.

The operation of the sanitary product dissolution treatment apparatus A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
A sanitary product at least partially made of an alkaline water-soluble resin is introduced into the tank body 21 of the dissolution tank 2 through the inlet 21b, the door 21a is closed, and a start switch (not shown) of the sanitary article dissolution processing apparatus A is provided. When turned on (S1), the control device 4 recognizes the input amount of sanitary goods based on the detection signal of the weight sensor 26. When the input amount is too small, the control device 4 displays an alarm on an alarm device (not shown) for a predetermined time and prompts further input of sanitary goods (S2 to S5).

When the input amount has reached a predetermined value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the alarm, the control device 4 recognizes the input amount of the sanitary product based on the detection signal of the weight sensor 26 and stores the sanitary product stored in advance. The target value of alkaline water pH, alkaline water supply amount, and agitation time is determined based on the correlation data between the amount of water introduced and the appropriate value of alkaline water pH, the appropriate amount of alkaline water supply, and the appropriate agitation time To do.
The control device 4 opens the water supply valve 5 to supply tap water to the electrolytic cell 11 of the alkaline water generator 1, and suppresses the remaining hydroxide ions based on the detection signal of the tap water electrical conductivity detector. carbonate (H2CO3) is the pH buffering substance which, bicarbonate ion (HCO3 ^-) recognizes the tap water concentration, to calculate a target current value required to generate alkaline water target pH, the current target value It flows between the electrode plates 12 and 13 of the electrolytic cell 11 (S6).
The control device 4 determines the target current value by executing the electrolytic current value determination subroutine. In the case of ordinary tap water, taking into account that the carbonic acid concentration is low and almost constant regardless of the region, correlation data between the electric conductivity of each region and the bicarbonate ion concentration, and consequently the electric conductivity of each region The correlation data between the pH buffer substance concentration and the control buffer 4 is stored in advance. When the control device 4 receives the detection signal of the tap water conductivity detection device, the control device 4 calculates the pH buffer substance concentration from the correlation data, and generates alkaline water having the target pH when the pH buffer substance concentration is zero. Calculate the sum of the required current value and the current value required to generate hydroxide ions at a concentration proportional to the pH interference concentration consumed by the pH buffer material, and use the sum as the target current value. (S61 to S63). The electrical conductivity can be obtained from the voltage applied between the electrode plates and the current value flowing between the electrode plates. You may utilize the electrode plates 12 and 13 of the electrolysis apparatus 1 as an electrode plate.

The control device 4 opens the alkaline water supply valve 22 to supply a target amount of alkaline water having a target pH (pH 9 to 10) to the tank body 21 of the dissolution tank 2 (S7).
The acidic water generated in the electrolytic cell 11 is discharged to the discharge pipe 7 through the acidic water discharge pipe 8 and the pipe 6.
Next, the control device operates the agitating device 25 over the target time t0, crushes the sanitary product and the alkaline water while crushing the sanitary product with the crushing device 23, and stirs the sanitary product crushing piece. Dissolve in alkaline water (S8-S9).

The control device 4 recognizes the solubility of the sanitary product based on the detection signal of the solubility detection device 24 after elapse of t0 from the start of stirring, and when the solubility reaches a predetermined value, stops the stirring device 25 and sets the drain valve 29 to the drain valve 29. It opens and discharges dissolution water from the dissolution tank 2 (S10, S11, S14). If the solubility does not reach the predetermined value even after the elapse of a predetermined time Δto from the time t0 after the start of stirring, the control device 4 indicates that an undissolved material exceeding an appropriate amount remains in an alarm device (not shown). Is displayed, the stirring device 25 is stopped, the drain valve 29 is opened, and the dissolved water is discharged from the dissolution tank 2 (S10 to S14).
The solubility of the hygiene product changes depending on how the sanitary product is folded, how the sanitary product floats in the dissolution tank 2, and the amount of filth in the sanitary product, so use the target amount of alkaline water at the target pH in the target time. Even if stirred, the hygiene product does not always dissolve to the desired extent. Therefore, it is important to stir while confirming the dissolved state. When the solubility of the sanitary product increases, the turbidity of the solution increases, so that the solubility of the sanitary product can be detected based on the turbidity of the solution. Since the turbidity of the solution can be detected from the light transmittance, the solubility can be detected using the solubility detector 24.
Residues that are broken pieces of sanitary goods and are not dissolved are captured by the filter 28. Therefore, the undissolved residue is not discharged from the dissolution tank 2.
Next, the control device 4 operates the pump of the solution pressure feeding device 3 for a predetermined time, and discharges the solution of sanitary goods to the discharge pipe 7 through the pipe 6 (S15).

Next, the control device 4 executes a dissolution tank cleaning subroutine. The control device 4 opens the alkaline water supply valve 22 to supply a predetermined amount of alkaline water to the tank body 21, operates the agitator 25 for a predetermined time t <b> 1 to clean the inside of the tank body 21, and The undissolved residue adhering to the surrounding wall of the main body 21, the crushing device 23, and the stirring device 25 is washed away (S <b> 16 to S <b> 18), the stirring device 25 is stopped, the drain valve 29 is opened, and the pump of the solution pump 3 Is operated to discharge the cleaning wastewater into the discharge pipe 7 (S19 to S20).

The sanitary article dissolution process is thus completed. When a start switch (not shown) of the sanitary ware dissolving treatment apparatus A is turned off, the operation of the control apparatus 4 is stopped, the water supply valve 5, the alkaline water supply valve 22, and the drain valve 29 are closed, and the alkaline water generating apparatus 1, the dissolution tank 2. The power supply to the solution feeding device 3 is stopped, and the operation of the sanitary product dissolution processing device A is stopped.

If an alarm indicating that the undissolved residue remaining in excess of the proper amount is not displayed on the undissolved residue or the alkaline water insoluble material accidentally charged into the dissolution tank 2 captured by the filter 28 is displayed, hygiene Immediately after the operation of the article dissolution processing apparatus A is stopped, if not, it is periodically removed manually through the insertion port 21b.

If the sanitary product dissolution treatment apparatus A is used, the portion of the sanitary product made of alkaline water-soluble resin is dissolved in alkaline water and discharged to the discharge pipe 7, so that the part to be treated as sanitary product waste can be obtained. The amount decreases dramatically.
Since the sanitary product dissolution treatment apparatus A captures undissolved residues and alkaline water insolubles with the filter 28 and does not discharge the dissolution tank 2, the discharge pipe 7 and the pipe 6 extending from the pumping apparatus 3 are clogged. There is no fear.
Since the hygiene article dissolution treatment apparatus A detects the undissolved material using the solubility detection device 24, it is possible to prompt the user to remove the undissolved material.

In place of the filter 28, as shown in FIG. 5, a recess 21c is formed in the bottom wall of the tank body 21, a discharge port 27 is formed in the upper portion of the side wall of the recess 21c, and a portion below the discharge port 27 of the recess 21c. Undissolved materials or alkaline water insoluble materials may be captured.
Instead of detecting the undissolved residue using the solubility detector 24, the undissolved residue may be detected from the detected weight of the weight sensor 26 after discharging the solution. In this case, a warning that there is an undissolved residue exceeding an appropriate amount will be displayed after discharging the solution.
An undissolved residue may be detected by combining the solubility detector 24 and the weight sensor 26. By combining the two, it is difficult to detect depending on the shape and remaining position of the undissolved matter, the disadvantage of the solubility detection device 24, the amount of water content of the undissolved matter, or the non-discharge caused by the clogging of the filter 28, etc. The accuracy of detecting the undissolved residue can be improved by compensating for the defect of the weight sensor 26 in which the detection amount changes depending on the amount of the dissolved solution.
Instead of the solubility detection device 24, as shown in FIG. 6, a transparent window 21d is formed in the lower part of the side wall of the tank body 21, and the dissolution liquid is visually observed through the transparent window 21d. You may comprise so that it may detect. In this case, the solubility is visually detected and judged, and stirring is stopped and the drain valve 29 is opened. In addition, the amount of undissolved residue is detected and judged visually, and the undissolved residue is removed from the tank body 21.
In addition to the solubility detector 24, a transparent window 21d may be provided. In this case, the sanitary article is dissolved in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Since the amount of undissolved residue can be confirmed visually, there is an advantage that undissolved residue can be reliably removed at an appropriate timing.

In the above embodiment, the alkaline water supply amount, the alkaline water pH, and the stirring time were controlled according to the amount of sanitary products, but the alkaline water supply amount and / or alkaline water pH was controlled, and the stirring time was a predetermined value. Alternatively, the stirring time may be controlled by fixing the supply amount of alkaline water and the pH of alkaline water to predetermined values.
The alkaline water generator 1 is not limited to an electrolyzer. An apparatus that generates alkaline water by adding an alkaline substance to tap water may be used.
The pumping device 3 may be abolished and the solution may be discharged to the discharge pipe 7 using gravity from the discharge port 27 of the dissolution tank.
The rotating shaft 25a of the stirring device 25 in the first embodiment may extend vertically or horizontally.
The stirring device 25 is not limited to a stirring blade. As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 27 ′ is formed in the bottom wall of the tank body 21, a filter 28 ′ covering the opening 27 ′ is provided, and alkaline water sucked from the opening 27 ′ through the pump 30 is supplied to the tank. You may inject from the nozzle 31 provided in the side wall of the main body 21, and may form the swirling flow of alkaline water. The tank body 21 may be rotated.
In order to improve the dissolution capacity of alkaline water, a device for heating alkaline water may be disposed in the dissolution tank 2 or heated tap water may be supplied to the electrolysis device 1.

The present invention can be used for the treatment of sanitary goods, at least partially comprising an alkaline water-soluble resin.

It is a block diagram of a sanitary goods dissolution treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the alkaline water production | generation apparatus with which the sanitary goods melt | dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention is provided. It is structural drawing of the dissolution tank with which the sanitary goods dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention is provided. (A) is an external perspective view, (b) is a sectional view. It is a flowchart of the action | operation of the sanitary goods melt | dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the dissolution tank with which the sanitary goods dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention is provided. It is sectional drawing of the dissolution tank with which the sanitary goods dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention is provided. It is structural drawing of the dissolution tank with which the sanitary goods dissolution processing apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention is provided. (A) is sectional drawing, (b) is a bb arrow line view of (a).

Explanation of symbols

A Sanitary Goods Dissolution Treatment Device B Toilet 1 Alkaline Water Generation Device 2 Dissolution Tank 3 Pumping Device 4 Control Device 5 Water Supply Valve 6 Pipe 7 Discharge Pipe 8 Acidic Water Discharge Pipe 21 Tank Body 21c Recess 21d Transparent Window 24 Solubility Detector 26 Weight Sensor 28 filters

Claims (7)

An alkaline water generator, a dissolution tank having an alkaline water storage part, a sanitary product input port, a discharge port, and an undissolved substance capturing part, and a stirring device disposed in the dissolution tank, at least partly alkaline Stir hygiene products made of water-soluble resin and alkaline water in a dissolution tank to dissolve the hygiene products in alkaline water, discharge the solution from the discharge port, and trap the undissolved material in the undissolved material trap. Sanitary article dissolution treatment apparatus characterized by the above. The hygienic article dissolution treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the undissolved matter capturing part is a filter that covers the discharge port of the dissolution tank. The concave portion is formed in the bottom wall of the dissolution tank, the discharge port is formed in the upper portion of the side wall of the concave portion, and the undissolved material capturing portion is a portion below the discharge port of the concave portion. Sanitary article melting treatment equipment. The hygienic article dissolution treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an undissolved substance detection device. The hygienic article dissolution treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the undissolved substance detection device is an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part provided in the dissolution tank. The hygienic article dissolution treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the undissolved substance detection device is a weight sensor provided in the dissolution tank. The undissolved matter detection device is a transparent window provided in the dissolution tank, and the sanitary article dissolution processing device according to claim 4.

Images