JP2011067578A - Internal illumination type chopsticks - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide chopsticks adopting an illumination effect or a sterilizing effect with internal illumination type beams of light as a design method or a sanitary management means. <P>SOLUTION: The chopsticks 10 are formed of a light transmitting material or a light passing structure, and LED light sources L1 and batteries B are charged inside the chopsticks 10. Beams of light from the LED light sources L1 are guided into optional parts of the chopsticks through the light transmitting material or the light passing structure to emit light. A possibility of a new design with light as a design element is developed in a field of chopsticks difficult to strike a new form. Further, light sources emitting the wavelength of an ultraviolet region exhibiting bactericidal action are used as the LED light sources L1 to add a self-cleaning sterilizing function to the chopsticks. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a chopstick that includes an LED light source therein and can exhibit a bactericidal effect in some aspects in addition to a very original illumination effect.

  Chopsticks are traditionally refined and simple food products that have little room for material and structural ingenuity or design. Therefore, the chopsticks manufacturing industry is struggling with a device for differentiating its products from those of other companies. Moreover, even if a new entry into this industry is planned, there is no other way than simply to make a low price for sale.

  Design Registration No. 1312915   JP-A-4-215712   JP-A-11-216057

  The proposed examples shown in the above-mentioned patent documents 1 to 3 show examples of differentiating own products from the viewpoint of design mainly in the field of chopsticks. Further, as a differentiation example from a functional standpoint, a known method using a chopstick paint containing a bactericidal substance such as tourmaline, titanium oxide, silver chloride or the like is known. However, there are many proposals of this kind, and it can be said that these differentiating means have already lost the differentiation function of their own products.

  The present invention is designed with light in the field of chopsticks where it is difficult to launch new innovations due to the limited structure, shape, and size due to the new idea of incorporating internal lighting that has not been attempted before. The purpose is to open up new design possibilities as elements and to add a sterilizing function of light of a specific wavelength.

  The present invention adopts the following configuration as means for achieving the above object.

  The internally-illuminated chopsticks of the present invention are formed of a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure, and at least an LED light source at an arbitrary position at the base end portion of the chopsticks or an intermediate portion of the chopsticks. A battery that serves as a power source is loaded, and an operation switch that is consciously operated by the user or a touch switch that operates by detecting the touch of the user's finger is provided. It is characterized in that light is emitted by being guided to an arbitrary portion of the chopsticks through a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure.

  When the chopsticks are formed of a light transmissive material, characters and designs can be engraved in the light transmissive material by a laser engraving method.

  About the LED light source in the structure of the said invention, the LED light source has the light emission function of multiple colors, or is equipped with several LED with different luminescent color as an LED light source, and can change emission color with an operation switch or a touch switch. Can be.

  Moreover, about the said invention which can switch luminescent color, the control circuit which switches the luminescent color of a LED light source automatically with a predetermined repetitive pattern or at random can be provided.

  Furthermore, in any of the above inventions, the LED light source can be configured to emit ultraviolet rays having a bactericidal action.

  The significance of each configuration of the internally illuminated chopsticks and the action or function derived from each configuration are as follows.

  In internally illuminated chopsticks, the chopsticks themselves are formed of a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure. The light transmissive material is, for example, a highly transparent non-crystalline resin such as acrylic, or a crystalline resin such as PET resin, which is transparently molded under molding conditions that do not crystallize, and crystals Resin materials that are milky-white molded under the molding conditions to be converted, and other transparent and colorless semi-transparent, colored transparent or colored translucent resin materials that can be used for tableware under legal regulations It is intended to include materials widely.

  On the other hand, the light-transmitting structure means a structure that allows light to pass through the inner space of a chopstick-shaped tapered outer cylinder or pipe-like body, one on the end surface or outer peripheral surface of the cylinder or pipe-like body. It is the meaning including what formed the above through-hole. It is also possible to combine a light-transmitting material and a light-transmitting structure.

  The LED light source in the internally illuminated chopsticks is loaded together with the battery at an arbitrary position at the base end portion of the chopsticks or the middle portion of the chopsticks. At this time, the base end portion of the chopsticks means the end portion on the side held by the hand. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in LED to be used, It is a grade that it is preferable to use a high-intensity, high illumination thing if possible. As for the battery, it is necessary to replace the inside of the chopsticks in a replaceable manner, and it is preferable to use a coin-type or single-type lithium ion battery. Further, an operation switch or a touch switch for turning on the LED light source is provided at the base end portion of the chopsticks or the middle portion of the chopsticks.

  Internally-lit chopsticks are used when the user consciously operates the operation switch when using the chopsticks, or when the user's finger touches the touch switch when using the chopsticks, the internal LED lights. Based on the illumination effect that is unique to lighting, it is possible to create an appearance that is rich in change according to each of the above-described configurations.

  For example, when the chopsticks are formed as a pipe-like light-transmitting structure that emits light only from the tip, the light from the LED light source matches the cooking at the tip of the chopsticks with the movement of the chopsticks. The radiation mode is such that it is illuminated at a pinpoint. In addition, when the chopsticks are configured in a pipe shape having innumerable through holes on the outer peripheral surface, a novel radiation mode such as a starry sky in which light leaks to the outside from innumerable through holes is realized. .

  When chopsticks are made of a light-transmitting material and characters and designs are engraved in the light-transmitting material by laser engraving, the light from the LED light source interferes with the characters and designs and scatters. In addition, a light emission mode in which characters and designs are drawn with light is realized.

  The LED light source has a light emitting function of multiple colors, or has a plurality of LEDs with different light emitting colors as the LED light source, and the light emission color can be switched by an operation switch or touch switch. You can enjoy changing the color of the chopsticks while changing or whenever your fingertip interferes with the touch switch.

  Also, those equipped with a control circuit that automatically switches the light emission color of the LED light source in a predetermined repetitive pattern or at random, has a surprising light emission state in which the color of the chopsticks changes regardless of the user's meal operation. Can be realized.

  The LED light source that emits light in the ultraviolet region that has a bactericidal action is guided to a certain range on the tip of the chopsticks and radiated intensively, so that the tip of the chopsticks that are likely to become unsanitary over time Can be kept clean.

  The internally-lit chopsticks of the present invention are formed of a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure, and an LED light source and a battery are loaded inside the chopsticks, and light from the LED light source is used when using the chopsticks. The basic structure that guides the light to any part of the chopsticks through a light-transmitting material or light-transmitting structure and emits light, because the structure, shape, and size are limited for that purpose. In the field of difficult chopsticks, the company has succeeded in cultivating new design possibilities with light as a design element and adding the sterilization function of light of a specific wavelength.

  It is a perspective view which shows embodiment of the internally illuminated chopsticks of this invention.   It is a perspective view of the components in the said embodiment.   It is sectional drawing of the principal part in the said embodiment.   It is a structure conceptual diagram of the electric system in the said embodiment.   It is explanatory drawing of the control pattern of the LED light source in the said embodiment.   It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the internally illuminated chopsticks of this invention.   It is sectional drawing of the principal part in the said embodiment.   It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the internally illuminated chopsticks of this invention.   It is a perspective view of the principal part which shows other embodiment of the internally illuminated chopsticks of this invention.

  Embodiments of internally illuminated chopsticks according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the two chopsticks 10 are one at a time, and the two chopsticks 10 have the same configuration, so the following description will be made on only one of them. However, the present invention is not intended to intentionally exclude the combination of two chopsticks 10 having different configurations.

  An outline of the configuration of the chopsticks 10 is shown. The chopsticks 10 are tapered as a whole (FIG. 1). The thinner side is the tip end side 1A of the chopsticks 10, and the thicker side is the base end side 1B of the chopsticks 10. The chopsticks 10 are not formed of a uniform material as in general chopsticks, but the base end side 1B of the chopsticks 10 is formed by an electrical component 2 itself including LED light sources L1,. The overall structure is formed by connecting the chopstick body 1 to the electrical component 2 and forming the tip side 1A of the chopstick 10.

  The electrical component 2 in the chopsticks 10 (FIGS. 1 and 3) includes a battery case 2C for housing three coin-type lithium ion batteries B inside a light metal outer case 2A formed in a cylindrical shape, and a light emitting color. Are loaded with a circuit board 2B mounted with three LED light sources L1... L3 and operation switches 2S, male screw blocks 2F, etc., which are sandwiched by screw caps 2D and fixed flange caps 2J from both ends of the outer case 2A. Thus, the positioning is performed.

  The electrical component 2 will be described in more detail. The male screw block 2J is made of a transparent acrylic resin, and the male screw part is connected to the distal end 1A of the chopsticks 10 through a through hole formed at the center position of the flange base 2J. It is attached with the posture which projects toward The circuit board 2B is composed of a horizontal part facing the axial direction of the chopsticks 10 and a disk-shaped part facing the radial direction (FIGS. 2 and 3). The three LED light sources L1. Are attached to the disc-shaped portion of the chopsticks 10 with the front end 1A facing the disc-shaped portion. In addition, the control circuit RC which controls the lighting mode of LED light source L1 ... L3 is mounted in the circuit board 2B.

  The rear end surface of the male screw block 2J is formed in a plane parallel to the disk-shaped portion of the circuit board 2B, and faces the LED light sources L1,. The operation switch 2S mounted on the circuit board 2B is a micro switch for the board, and is positioned corresponding to the push button 2H having a water proof structure provided on the outer case 2A. The three batteries B... Can be replaced by removing the screw cap 2D that is loaded in the battery case 2C and connected to the circuit board 2B via the spring plate electrode 2P and becomes a negative electrode (FIG. 1, FIG. 1). FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, the chopstick body 1 connected to the electrical component 2 and forming the tip 1A of the chopstick 10 is made of a hard transparent acrylic resin. The connecting method of the electrical component 2 and the chopstick body 1 is a method of screwing using the male screw portion of the male screw block 2F protruding from the flange base 2J of the electric component 2 (FIG. 3).

  The external shape of the chopstick body 1 is a general external shape that gradually changes in shape from a rounded chamfered square cross-sectional shape toward the tip end side 1A of a circular cross-sectional shape. Further, the tip side 1A of the chopstick body 1 has an uneven surface finish with a thread pattern for irregularly reflecting light (FIG. 1). The uneven surface finish also serves as a non-slip material for food.

  The internally-illuminated chopsticks 10 configured as described above closes the operation switch 2S via the push button 2H appearing on the surface of the exterior case 2A of the electrical component 2, and supplies the current from the battery B to the control circuit RC. By supplying, the LED light sources L1... L3 can be controlled to be turned on according to the function of the control circuit RC (FIG. 4).

There are various control modes for the three LED light sources L1... L3. For example (FIG. 5), only a certain lighting period T1: L1 in one cycle period T is lit, then only T2: L2 is lit, T3: L3 Only the lighting, T4: L1 and L2 are lit simultaneously, T5: L2 and L3 are lit simultaneously, T6: L1 and L3 are lit simultaneously, T7: L1 ... L3 It can be set as the controlled mode. Moreover, the control mode by the control circuit RC may be a mode in which the LED light source L1 point L3 is switched randomly so as not to get bored.

  In any of the above control modes, the light emitted from any of the lit LED light sources is transmitted through the inside of the male screw block 2F and the chopstick body 1 and has a rugged surface finish on the tip side 1A. Diffusely reflected and emitted outside. In other words, only the front end portion 1A of the chopstick body 1 has a light emission mode that remarkably shines. In addition, the light emission color on the distal end side 1A of the chopstick 10 automatically changes according to the function of the control circuit RC. At this time, the portions other than the tip portion of the chopsticks 10 function to guide the tip portion 1A to the tip portion side 1A without radiating light to the outside like the optical fiber. However, the appearance of light passing through the chopstick body 1A is observed from the outside as a color change of the chopstick body 1A.

  The internally-illuminated chopsticks 10 of the present invention can be configured to emit light not only from the distal end side 1A but also from the proximal end side 1B (FIG. 6). A base end member 3 made of a transparent acrylic resin that constitutes the base end portion of the chopsticks 10 is attached to the opposite side of the electrical component 2 to which the chopstick body 1 is attached. The end face 3L of the base end member 3 is cut into multiple faces. The chopstick body 1 and the base end member 3 in this embodiment are connected by a structure that is screwed directly into the exterior case 2A of the electrical component 2, and the electrical component 2 is positioned on the base end 1B of the intermediate portion of the chopsticks 10. is doing.

  The electrical equipment part 2 is substantially the same as the above embodiment (FIG. 7). The difference is that the battery case 2C is of an open / close type with a brown tube structure, and one LED light source L1, L2 having a different emission color is attached to the center of the end face. The end surfaces of the chopstick body 1 and the base end member 3 face the LED light sources L1 and L2. The batteries B and B can be replaced by removing the base end member 3 from the electrical component 2 and taking out the battery case 2C and opening the battery case 2C.

  The lighting control in the case of two LED light sources L1, L2 is basically alternate lighting and simultaneous lighting. In addition, blinking control or the like can be employed. However, in the case of such a simple configuration, the control circuit RC and the circuit board 2B are omitted by using a two-circuit selector switch for the operation switch 2S and manually controlling the lighting of the two LED light sources L1 and L2. In addition, the cost can be reduced.

  The internally-illuminated chopsticks 10 of the above-described form can also emit light at the base end side 1B of the chopsticks 10, so that the design freedom of the chopsticks 10 can be further expanded. In the chopsticks 10 of this embodiment as well, two or more LED light sources can be provided on each end surface of the battery case 2C.

  The chopstick body 1 in the internally-illuminated chopsticks 10 can be made of a metal thin taper drawn pipe such as stainless steel or titanium (FIG. 8). The tip of the pipe chopstick body 1 is cut off, and the tip 5 is embedded in this part. Innumerable small holes 1H... Are formed in the middle part of the chopstick body 1. The arrangement of the small holes 1H is a random arrangement. The inside of the chopstick body 1 is filled with a colorless or colored transparent resin in order to prevent food from entering. The electrical component 2 is provided with a capacitance detection type touch switch 2T.

  The chopsticks 10 of the above form exhibit a unique illumination effect such that light leaks from the tip 5 and the countless small holes 1H. When the base member 3 is made of a black translucent acrylic resin and the chopstick body 1 is painted and finished, it has sufficient quality and luxury, and can be adapted to formal events such as weddings.

  The small holes 1H... In the middle part of the chopstick body 1 in the above embodiment may be omitted and light may be emitted only from the tip chip 5. In this case, there is no problem even if the inside of the chopstick body 1 remains hollow. It is possible to make the chopsticks 10 light and easy to use due to being lightweight.

  In the internally-illuminated chopsticks 10, characters and designs can be engraved in a light transmissive material by a laser engraving method. For example, the initial 3T of the name of the user of the chopsticks 10 is shown (FIG. 9). The laser engraving technique is known as a technique for precisely engraving an arbitrary three-dimensional figure by three-dimensional control of laser light inside a light transmissive material. The figure or the like processed by this method is observed from the outside without turning on the LED light source L2, but can be clearly revealed by illuminating with the LED light source L2.

  The LED light source L1 used for the internally-lit chopsticks 10 has two or more sets of anodes and cathodes in one LED, so that one element can be used by switching between multiple colors. The type can be used. Such LED elements are substantially a plurality of elements, which is convenient when it is necessary to install a large number of LED elements in a narrow installation space.

  Moreover, what emits the light of the ultraviolet region which has a bactericidal action can be used for LED light source L1 ... used for the internally-illuminated chopsticks 10. When this type of LED light source is applied to the chopsticks 10 (FIGS. 1 and 6) in which the light from the LED light source is scattered at the tip of the chopsticks 10, a substantially effective cleaning effect can be exhibited. it can. In this case, it can be said that the material of the chopstick body 1 is preferably selected from a resin material having durability against ultraviolet deterioration. In this regard, acrylic resins are a class resistant to ultraviolet rays.

10 Chopsticks L1 LED light source L2 LED light source L3 LED light source B Battery 2S Operation switch 2T Touch switch RC control circuit

Claims (5)

The chopsticks are formed of a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure, and at least an LED light source and a battery serving as a power source of the LED light source are loaded at an arbitrary position of the base end portion of the chopsticks or the intermediate portion of the chopsticks, and the user An operation switch that is consciously operated or a touch switch that operates by sensing the touch of the user's finger,
An internally-illuminated chopstick that emits light from the LED light source through a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting structure to an arbitrary portion of the chopstick when the chopstick is used.   2. The internally illuminated chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein characters and designs are engraved in the light-transmitting material by a laser engraving method.   The LED light source has a light emission function of a plurality of colors, or includes a plurality of LEDs having different light emission colors as the LED light source, and the light emission color can be switched by the operation switch or the touch switch. Alternatively, the internally illuminated chopsticks according to claim 2.   The internally illuminated chopsticks according to claim 3, further comprising a control circuit that automatically switches a light emission color of the LED light source in a predetermined repetitive pattern or at random.   The internally illuminated chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the LED light source emits light in an ultraviolet region having a bactericidal action.

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