JP4781201B2 - Kitchenware sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a kitchenware sterilizer, and more particularly to a kitchenware sterilizer that sterilizes kitchenware by attaching silver ions to the kitchenware.

  Conventionally, kitchenware sterilizers are designed to sterilize tableware and bacteria in the washing tank by irradiating ultraviolet rays in the washing tank, and wash kitchenware using water in which silver ions, which are antibacterial ions, are dissolved. Some of them are sterilized.

  In the dishwasher described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-364825 (Patent Document 1), an ultraviolet lamp is provided in the washing tub, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the dishes and food leftovers at the bottom of the washing tub, and bacteria on the tableware are removed. Sterilize or delay the decay of food leftovers in the washing tank.

In addition, in the dishwasher described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-340281 (Patent Document 2), antibacterial activity is exerted on the tableware itself by adding silver ions to the water for washing the tableware and attaching silver ions to the tableware. Give.
JP-A-4-364825 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-340281

  However, as in the dishwasher described in JP-A-4-364825 (Patent Document 1), when ultraviolet rays are used, there is a problem that the resin of the tableware and the cooking utensils deteriorates or fades. .

  Moreover, when adding silver ion like the dishwasher described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-340281 (patent document 2), when it is going to acquire sufficient bactericidal effect by addition of silver ion, the silver ion to consume The amount increases.

  In addition, when sterilizing by rinsing or drying at high temperature, there is a problem that the resin of tableware and cooking utensils deteriorates or deforms.

  Cooking utensils such as chopping boards are susceptible to bacterial contamination because they come into contact with ingredients that have not been washed or cooked. In particular, when the cooking utensil is made of resin, the resin is oleophilic and the surface is easily damaged by a knife or the like, so that the bacteria may not be sufficiently removed by conventional cleaning.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus that can effectively sterilize kitchenware without causing deterioration or deformation of the kitchenware without increasing the amount of silver used. is there.

A kitchenware sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention has an inner wall including a ceiling, a cleaning tank that houses the kitchenware inside, a water supply unit that supplies water to the cleaning tank, and water supplied by the water supply unit A silver ion addition unit that has a silver electrode immersed in water, elutes silver ions into water by electrolysis at the silver electrode, and adds the eluted silver ions to water supplied by the water supply unit ; Light irradiation means arranged on the ceiling of the inner wall of the tank, and the silver ions added to the kitchenware by the water added with silver ions by the silver ion addition unit in the cleaning tank is attached to the kitchenware, and The kitchen utensils to which silver ions are attached are sterilized by irradiating the kitchen utensils with visible light by means of light irradiation means, by the interaction between silver ions and visible light .

The bactericidal action can be improved by further irradiating the kitchenware to which silver ions are adhered with visible light . By doing so, without heating the kitchenware to be sterilized, not always necessary to dry, it can be improved only by bactericidal action irradiated with visible light in the kitchenware with attached silver ions it can. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a sufficient sterilizing action with a simple process without damaging the kitchenware to be sterilized. Further, as compared with a sterilization method in which silver ions are simply attached to kitchen utensils, the kitchen utensil sterilization apparatus of the present invention can obtain a predetermined sterilizing action with a small amount of silver used. When the light irradiated to the kitchen utensils includes visible light, the sterilizing action can be further improved, and the kitchen utensils can be prevented from being damaged by yellowing, yellowing, fading and the like.

In the kitchenware sterilizer according to the present invention, the light irradiation means is preferably movable.

By moving the light irradiation means, it is possible to irradiate more parts with light even if the kitchen utensils do not move in the cleaning tank. By doing in this way, kitchenware can be sterilized more effectively.

The kitchenware sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes light reflecting means for reflecting the light irradiated by the light irradiating means, and the light reflecting means is preferably movable.

Since the kitchenware sterilization apparatus includes the light reflecting means and the light reflecting means is movable, it is possible to irradiate more parts with light without moving the kitchenware in the cleaning tank. By doing in this way, kitchenware can be sterilized more effectively.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a kitchenware sterilizer that effectively sterilizes kitchenware without increasing the amount of silver used and without damaging the kitchenware.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are vertical sectional views showing an overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the kitchenware sterilizer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the kitchenware sterilizer 100 includes a cleaning tank 2, a water supply path 30 as a water supply unit, a circulation path 40, a rotary nozzle 50, a heater 6, The control apparatus 7, the silver ion elution unit 80 as a silver ion addition part, the light source 9 as a light irradiation means, and the air blower 10 (FIG. 2) are provided.

  Inside the cleaning tank 2, a basket 11 for placing the kitchen utensil 200 is disposed. The collar 11 can be slid in the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). The front door (not shown) of the cabinet 1 is opened, and the basket 11 is slid and pulled out of the cleaning tank 2, and the kitchen utensil 200 can be placed on the basket 11 or taken out from the basket 11. Here, the kitchen utensil 200 includes articles used for work in the kitchen, such as cooking utensils such as cutting boards and kitchen knives, and cloths, in addition to tableware.

  The water supply path 30 includes a water supply pipe 31, a water supply connection portion 32, a water supply valve 33, and a water supply port 34. The water supply pipe 31 is connected to the water supply outside the kitchenware sterilizer 100 by a water supply connection portion 32 that is one end of the water supply pipe 31. The tap water is supplied into the kitchenware sterilizer 100 from the water supply connection portion 32 through the water supply pipe 31. The amount of water supplied is adjusted by the water supply valve 33. A water supply port 34 which is the other end of the water supply pipe 31 is connected to the cleaning tank 2. A silver ion elution unit 80 is arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe 31.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the silver ion elution unit 80. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the direction of water flow, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the direction of water flow orthogonal to FIG. 3A.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the silver ion elution unit 80 has a case 81 formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. Inside the case 81 is a plate-like silver. The electrodes 82a and 82b are arranged so as to be substantially parallel with a distance of about 5 mm. The silver electrode is, for example, about 20 mm × 50 mm in size and about 1 mm in thickness. Connection terminals 83a and 83b are integrally formed on the silver electrodes 82a and 82b, respectively. The connection terminals 83a and 83b are connected to the control device 7 by wiring (not shown). The case 81 is provided with an inflow port 84 through which water flows in and an outflow port 85 through which water flows out. Water flows from the inflow port 84 into the case 81, and water flows out of the case 81 from the outflow port 85. Can be spilled. That is, water flows in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the silver electrodes 82a and 82b.

A voltage is applied between the silver electrodes 82a and 82b by the control device 7 in a state where the silver electrodes 82a and 82b are immersed in water. At the silver electrode on the anode side, a reaction of Ag → Ag ⁺ + e ⁻ occurs, and silver ions (Ag ⁺ ) are eluted in water. If silver ions (Ag ⁺ ) continue to elute, the silver electrode on the anode side will wear out. Silver ions eluted from the silver electrode 82a or the silver electrode 82b exhibit an excellent bactericidal and antifungal effect. Therefore, silver ion water acts as antibacterial water having antibacterial properties. The antibacterial or sterilization here includes not only sterilization and antibacterial bacteria and fungi but also inactivation of viruses. The fact that the virus is inactivated by silver ions is described in “Silver-ion water LA Criskey New Japan Foundry Association (Publishing Association) 1993”.

On the other hand, in the silver electrode on the cathode side, a reaction of H ⁺ + e ⁻ → 1 / 2H ₂ occurs, hydrogen is generated, and calcium contained in water acts as a scale of calcium compounds such as calcium carbonate on the surface of the silver electrode. Precipitate. In addition, silver chloride and sulfide, which are components of the electrode, are generated on the surface. Therefore, when used for a long time, scales such as calcium carbonate, chloride, and sulfide are deposited thickly on the electrode surface, preventing the elution of silver ions. For this reason, the elution amount of silver ions becomes unstable, and the electrode wear becomes uneven. Therefore, the control device 7 periodically reverses the polarity of the applied voltage between the silver electrodes 82a and 82b of the silver ion elution unit 80, so that the scale adheres to the silver electrodes 82a and 82b. Only one silver electrode is prevented from being consumed.

  The electrode need not be pure silver as long as it contains silver and can elute silver ions.

  Further, other metal ions may be eluted together with silver ions. For example, an alloy of copper, zinc or the like and silver may be used. Copper ions or zinc ions have an antifungal effect, and both effects can be obtained by using an alloy of these metals and silver.

Further, one of the electrodes may be an electrode that elutes silver ions, and the other may be an electrode that does not elute silver ions. When the electrode configuration is composed of two or more electrodes, all of them may be electrodes that elute silver ions, or one of them is an electrode that elutes silver ions, and the other electrode does not elute silver ions. (For example, a titanium electrode, a platinum electrode, a carbon electrode, a conductive plastic electrode, etc.) may be used.

  The elution of silver ions is controlled at a constant current so that the current value is constant. Constant current control is control to maintain a constant current value regardless of the resistance value change between the electrodes, but the generation of bubbles on the electrode surface, the change in the distance between the electrodes due to electrode vibration, etc. Since the resistance value between the electrodes always changes, it is difficult to make it completely constant, and some current fluctuation occurs. In addition, since the resistance value is extremely high, a constant current may not flow at a voltage within the allowable range of the circuit, and the current may decrease. Here, even if such a situation occurs, the voltage is changed in response to the change in the resistance value between the electrodes. When the resistance value generally increases, the voltage is increased, and when the resistance value decreases, the voltage is decreased. Control for stabilizing the current value between them is referred to as constant current control.

  The silver ion concentration of silver ion water can be controlled by the amount of electricity flowing between the electrodes and the amount of water. For example, in order to obtain 90 ppb of silver ion water, in the silver ion elution unit 80, the amount of water may be 20 L / min and the current may be 29 mA. Further, in order to obtain 600 ppb of silver ion water, the amount of water may be 3 L / min and the current may be 29 mA. The elution amount of silver ions is approximately proportional to the amount of electricity (C) = constant current value (A) × time (sec), except in the low current region. If the amount of water is constant, there is a correlation between the amount of electricity and the silver concentration of the resulting silver ion water. For this reason, the silver ion water of a desired density | concentration can be obtained by adjusting an electric current value, the amount of water, and electricity supply time.

  Thus, a desired silver ion concentration can be obtained by flowing a predetermined current through the silver electrodes 82a and 82b at a constant flow rate. Further, since the flow rate can be substantially fixed by the structure of the water supply valve, a substantially constant silver ion water can be generated by supplying a constant current. In order to obtain silver ion water having various concentrations, it is preferable to previously obtain a combination of current value and time by experiment.

  Further, in the silver ion elution unit 80, elution / non-elution of silver ions can be selected depending on whether or not voltage is applied, and the elution amount of silver ions is controlled by controlling the current and voltage application time as described above. You can also.

  As the silver ion elution unit 80, a silver ion-containing substance having a structure capable of gradually releasing or dissolving silver ions by immersing in water may be used in addition to the one by electrolysis. Specific examples of the silver ion-containing substance include zeolite, silica gel, glass, calcium phosphate, zirconium phosphate, silicate, titanium oxide, whisker, ceramics, etc., which carry silver ions, or resins containing these substances. Or fiber.

  The circulation path 40 includes a residue filter 41, a suction pipe 42, a cleaning discharge pipe 43, a pump 44, a motor 45, a drainage discharge pipe 46, and a casing 47. The pump 44 is disposed inside the casing 47. The casing 47 is connected to the suction pipe 42, the cleaning discharge pipe 43, and the drainage discharge pipe 46, and a switching valve is provided at a connection portion between the casing 47 and each pipe. The drainage discharge pipe 46 is connected to one end of the drainage pipe 49. The other end of the drain pipe 49 is connected to the drain port 48.

  Two rotary nozzles 50 are arranged inside the cleaning tank 2. A plurality of jet nozzles 51 for jetting water at a predetermined angle are formed on the upper surface of the rotary nozzle 50.

  The heater 6 is disposed at a lower portion in the cleaning tank 2 and is disposed at a position where the water is immersed in the cleaning tank 2 when water accumulates to a predetermined depth. The heater 6 heats the water stored in the cleaning tank 2 to a predetermined temperature. Moreover, the gas in the washing tank 2 is heated and the kitchenware 200 is dried.

  The control device 7 is disposed below the bottom wall of the cleaning tank 2. The control device 7 receives an operation command input from the operation panel by the user and a control signal from sensors (a water level sensor, a temperature sensor, a front door open / close sensor, etc. in the cleaning tank 2), and the water supply path 30 Control signals are sent to the circulation path 40, the heater 6, the silver ion elution unit 80, and the light source 9.

  As the light source 9, a fluorescent lamp, a light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or the like can be used. The light source 9 includes a light source mainly including ultraviolet light such as a germicidal lamp and an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, a light source mainly including near ultraviolet light such as a black light that irradiates near ultraviolet light, and a halogen heater. It may be a light source that mainly contains light in the infrared region, such as fluorescent light, incandescent light, light emitting diodes (LEDs such as white, blue, red, and green), visible light such as visible light lasers, etc. It is preferable to use a light source containing mainly.

  As described above, the light applied to the kitchen utensil 200 includes visible light, so that the sterilizing action can be further improved, and the kitchen utensil 200 is prevented from being damaged by yellowing, yellowing, fading and the like. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the blower 10 sucks gas from the suction port 12 and blows gas from the blower port 13 into the cleaning tank 2. The gas sucked from the suction port 12 is heated by the heater 6.

  Next, the operation of the kitchenware sterilizer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 according to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control-related configuration of the kitchenware sterilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 7 receives control signals from the operation panel 14, the temperature sensor 16, and the water level sensor 18, and controls the light source 9, the motor 45, the silver ion elution unit 80, the water supply valve 33, and the blower 10. Send. The control device 7 transmits and receives control signals to and from the timer unit 17.

  FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 are flowcharts sequentially showing control processing of the kitchenware sterilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following steps, the main body that performs the predetermined determination is the control device 7.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially showing the overall control processing steps of the kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a cleaning process is performed in step S100.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the control process of the cleaning process.

  First, the user opens the front door of the cabinet 1, slides the basket 11 and pulls it out of the washing tub 2, and places kitchen utensils 200 such as tableware and chopping boards on the basket 11. After placing, the basket 11 is pushed into the cleaning tank 2 and a detergent is put into the cleaning tank 2. Close the front door and press the start key on the operation panel to start the cleaning process.

  When the cleaning process is started, the control device 7 opens the water supply valve 33 and controls the tap water to flow into the water supply pipe 31 in step S101. The supplied water flows into the cleaning tank 2 through the water supply port 34 and fills the cleaning tank 2 from the bottom to a predetermined water level.

  At this time, the water used for cleaning passes through the silver ion elution unit 80 before entering the cleaning tank 2. However, no voltage is applied to the electrode and silver ions are not eluted.

  In step S102, the control device 7 receives a control signal from the water level sensor 18, and checks whether or not the water level in the cleaning tank 2 has reached a predetermined water level. If the water in the washing tank 2 has reached the predetermined water level, the process proceeds to step S103, and the control device 7 controls to close the water supply valve 33, and proceeds to step S104. If the water in the washing tank 2 has not reached the predetermined water level, the process returns to step S102.

  In step S104, the control device 7 controls the motor 45 to rotate forward. When the motor 45 rotates forward, the pump 44 discharges the water mixed with the detergent sucked through the suction pipe 42 from the cleaning discharge port 43. Water discharged from the cleaning discharge pipe 43 is distributed to the two rotary nozzles 50. Each rotary nozzle 50 injects water obliquely upward from the jet outlet 51 and rotates like a sprinkler by its reaction. The water sprayed from the rotary nozzle 50 collides with the kitchen utensil 200 placed on the basket 11 and cleans the kitchen utensil 200. The water after cleaning falls to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, is mixed with the accumulated water, and is again sucked into the suction pipe 42 by the suction of the pump 44. Although the food residue adhering to the kitchenware 200 is mixed in the water which cleaned the kitchenware 200, this food residue is collected by the residue filter 41, and the water sucked in the pump 44 contains a food residue. I can't. The circulation through which the water that has passed through the residue filter 41 is again sucked into the suction pipe 42 by the pump 44, is sprayed from the rotary nozzle 50, and flows down to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2.

  In step S105, it is confirmed whether use of the heater 6 is selected by the user. The user can select whether or not to wash with the heated water using the heater 6 through the operation panel 14. Moreover, it can select from two types, a high temperature washing | cleaning process and a low temperature washing | cleaning process, with the grade of the heating of the water by the heater 6. FIG.

  In the low temperature cleaning step, energy for raising the temperature can be suppressed by cleaning at a low temperature. Moreover, the damage given to the resin etc. which form the kitchenware 200 when it becomes high temperature can be suppressed. In a later step, silver ions are attached to the kitchen utensil 200 and further irradiating light improves the sterilizing effect, so that a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained even at low temperatures.

  If the use of the heater 6 is not selected by the user, the process proceeds to step S109. If the use of the heater 6 is selected, in step S106, the control device 7 controls the heater 6 to be energized, and the timer 17 starts measuring the elapsed time from the start of energization of the heater 6.

  When the heater 6 is energized in step S106, the water circulating in the kitchenware washing apparatus 100 is heated. By applying a high temperature to the physical cleaning power of the water sprayed from the rotary nozzle 50 and the cleaning action of the detergent, the dirt is easily separated, dissolved and decomposed, and the kitchenware 200 is effectively cleaned.

  In step S <b> 107, the control device 7 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the energization of the heater 6 by transmission / reception with the timer unit 17. If the predetermined time has elapsed, in step S108, the control device 7 performs control so as to stop energization of the heater 6, and ends the cleaning process. In this embodiment, the energization of the heater 6 is stopped when the energization time of the heater 6 reaches a predetermined time. However, the temperature sensor 16 detects that the water temperature has reached the set temperature, and the heater 6 is detected. The energization to may be stopped and the cleaning process may be terminated.

  In step S <b> 109, the control device 7 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the forward rotation of the motor 44 by transmission and reception with the time measuring unit 17. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S109. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the cleaning process is terminated.

  Then, it progresses to the drainage process of step S200.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the control process in the drainage process.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S201, the control device 7 controls the motor 45 to reversely rotate, drains the water in the cleaning tank 2 from the drain discharge pipe 46 through the drain pipe 49, and proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the water level sensor 18 detects the water level in the cleaning tank 2, and the control device 7 receives a control signal from the water level sensor 18 to check whether the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level. If the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is not below the predetermined water level, the process returns to step S202. If the water level in the washing tank 2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined water level, the draining process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S300 in FIG.

  In step S300 of FIG. 5, a rinsing process is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the control process of the rinsing process.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in step S <b> 301, the control device 7 opens the water supply valve 33 and performs control to introduce rinse water into the cleaning tank 2.

  In step S302, the water level sensor 18 detects the water level in the cleaning tank 2, and confirms whether the water level in the cleaning tank 2 has reached a predetermined water level. If the water level in the cleaning tank 2 has not reached the predetermined water level, the process returns to step S302. If the water level in the washing tank 2 has reached the predetermined water level, the process proceeds to step S303, and the water supply valve 33 is closed.

  In step S <b> 304, the control device 7 controls the motor 44 to rotate in the forward direction and ejects rinse water from the rotary nozzle 50. The water sprayed from the rotary nozzle 50 collides with the kitchen utensil 200 and rinses the kitchen utensil 200.

  At this time, the water used for rinsing passes through the silver ion elution unit 80 before entering the cleaning tank 2. At this time, silver ions are eluted by energizing the electrodes. Silver ions mixed in the rinsing water sterilize the inside of the kitchenware 200 and the cleaning tank 2 and the water circulation path 40.

  In step S305, it is confirmed whether use of the heater 6 is selected by the user. The user can select whether to rinse with water heated using the heater 6 through the operation panel 14. Moreover, it can select from two types, a high temperature rinse process and a low temperature rinse process, with the grade of the heating of the water by the heater 6. FIG.

  In the low temperature rinsing process, rinsing at a low temperature can suppress energy for raising the temperature. Moreover, the damage given to the resin etc. which form the kitchenware 200 when it becomes high temperature can be suppressed. In this rinsing process, silver ions are attached to the kitchenware 200. In a later step, the kitchen utensil 200 to which silver ions are adhered is further irradiated with light to improve the sterilizing effect, so that a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained even at a low temperature.

  If the use of the heater 6 is not selected by the user, the process proceeds to step S309. If the use of the heater 6 is selected by the user, the process proceeds to step S306, and the control device 7 performs control so that the heater 6 is energized. The timer unit 17 starts measuring the elapsed time from the start of energization of the heater 6.

  In step S <b> 307, the control device 7 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of energization of the heater 6 by transmitting and receiving a control signal to and from the time measuring unit 17. If the predetermined time has elapsed, in step S308, the control device 7 performs control so as to stop energization of the heater 6, and ends the rinsing process. In this embodiment, the energization of the heater 6 is stopped when the energization time of the heater 6 reaches a predetermined time. However, the temperature sensor 16 detects that the water temperature has reached the set temperature, and the heater 6 is detected. The rinsing process may be terminated by stopping energization.

  In step S <b> 309, the control device 7 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the forward rotation of the motor 44 by transmission and reception with the time measuring unit 17. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S309. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the rinsing process is terminated.

  Then, it progresses to the drainage process of step S400 of FIG. The draining process of step S400 is the same process as the draining process of step S200 shown in FIG.

  After the first rinsing step, the second rinsing step is entered across the drainage step. The rinsing process and the draining process are repeated a predetermined number of times. When the rinsing process is repeated many times in this manner, elution of silver ions may be limited to the final rinsing process. By doing in this way, the consumption of silver ion can be decreased compared with the case where silver ion is eluted in all the rinsing steps. Moreover, the heating of water by the heater 6 may be limited to the final rinsing process to reduce power consumption.

  When the rinsing process and the draining process are completed a predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to the drying process in step S500 of FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the control process of the drying process.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step S <b> 501, the control device 7 controls the air blower 10 to be driven to send outside air into the cleaning tank 2 from the air blowing port 13. The gas in the cleaning tank 2 is exhausted from an exhaust port (not shown) provided near the front door.

  In step S <b> 502, the control device 7 intermittently energizes the heater 6, heats the gas in the cleaning tank 2, and controls to increase the temperature of the kitchen utensil 200 and the cleaning tank 2. At this time, the user can select from a high temperature drying process and a low temperature drying process depending on the degree of gas heating by the heater 6 through the operation panel 14.

  In the low temperature drying step, energy for raising the temperature can be suppressed by drying at a low temperature. Moreover, the damage given to the resin etc. which form the kitchenware 200 when it becomes high temperature can be suppressed. Since the sterilizing action is improved by further irradiating light to the kitchenware 200 to which silver ions are adhered in the rinsing process in the next step, a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained even when dried at a low temperature.

  In step S <b> 503, the control device 7 drives the light source 9 and controls the light source 9 to irradiate the cleaning tank 2 with light. The timer 17 starts measuring the elapsed time from the start of light irradiation.

  By irradiating light in the drying step, water does not exist in the cleaning tank 2, so that the kitchenware 200 and the cleaning tank 2 in the cleaning tank 2 can be efficiently irradiated with light.

  In this way, the sterilizing action can be improved by further irradiating the kitchen utensil 200 to which silver ions are adhered. By doing in this way, it is not necessary to heat the kitchen utensils to be sterilized, and it is not always necessary to dry the kitchen utensils, and the sterilizing action can be improved only by irradiating the kitchen utensils with silver ions attached thereto. . Therefore, it is possible to obtain a sufficient sterilizing action with a simple process without damaging the kitchenware to be sterilized. Further, as compared with a sterilization method in which silver ions are simply attached to kitchen utensils, the kitchen utensil sterilization apparatus of the present invention can obtain a predetermined sterilizing action with a small amount of silver used.

  In step S504, the control device 7 transmits and receives control signals to and from the time measuring unit 17, and checks whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of light irradiation. If the predetermined time has not started from the start of light irradiation, the process returns to step S504. If a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of light irradiation, the process proceeds to step S505, and light irradiation is stopped. Subsequently, the energization of the heater 6 is stopped in step S506, the drive of the blower 10 is stopped in step S507, and all the processes are completed.

  After drying, silver crystals remain on the surface of the kitchen utensils and the inner surface of the washing tank, and the antibacterial effect is exhibited after that.

  In this embodiment, light is irradiated in the drying process, but light may not be irradiated in the drying process, and light may be irradiated after the drying process is completed.

  Since water does not exist in the washing tank 2 during the drying process or after the drying process is completed, the kitchenware 200 and the washing tank 2 in the washing tank 2 can be efficiently irradiated with light. In addition, you may irradiate light in processes other than a drying process, for example, a rinse process.

  Further, in this embodiment, the silver ion elution unit 80 is not driven in the rinsing process, and the silver ions are attached to the kitchen utensil 200. However, it is possible to select the rinsing process in which the silver ions are not attached. It may be. When a rinsing process in which silver ions are not attached is selected, the light source 9 is not driven and light is not irradiated in the drying process.

  If silver ions are not attached to the kitchen utensil 200, the bactericidal effect cannot be obtained even if the kitchen utensil 200 is irradiated with light. Therefore, when a rinsing process in which silver ions are not attached is selected, power consumption can be reduced by not driving the light source 9 and irradiating light in the drying process. In addition, since the light irradiation process is eliminated, the time required for the entire process can be shortened.

  FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the kitchenware sterilizer 110 is different from the kitchenware sterilizer 100 in that the inner wall of the cleaning tank 2 is formed of a material that reflects light.

  By doing so, the light emitted from the light source 9 is reflected when it hits the inner wall of the cleaning tank 2, so that it is possible to irradiate more parts of the kitchenware placed in the cleaning tank 2. By doing in this way, it can sterilize more effectively.

  FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizer as yet another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the kitchenware sterilizer 120 is different from the kitchenware sterilizer 100 in that a light reflecting means 19 is provided in the upper part of the cleaning tank 2.

  The light reflecting means 19 is a panel for reflecting the light emitted from the light source 9. The light reflecting means 19 can be moved to a position indicated by a one-dot chain line or a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11 by driving a motor.

  As described above, since the light reflecting means 19 is movable, more portions can be irradiated with light without moving the kitchen utensil 200 in the cleaning tank 2. By doing in this way, it can sterilize more effectively.

  FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing the overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as still another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the kitchenware sterilizer 130 is different from the kitchenware sterilizer 100 in that the light reflection means 19 is provided in the upper part of the cleaning tank 2. The inner wall of the kitchenware sterilizer 130 is made of a material that reflects light.

  The light reflecting means 19 is a panel for reflecting the light emitted from the light source 9. The light reflecting means 19 moves to a position indicated by a one-dot chain line or a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. By doing in this way, the light emitted from the light source 9 or the light emitted from the light source 9 and reflected by the inner wall of the cleaning tank 2 can easily hit the light reflecting means 19, and the light is reflected in various directions.

  As described above, since the light reflecting means 19 is movable, more portions can be irradiated with light without moving the kitchen utensil 200 in the cleaning tank 2. By doing in this way, it can sterilize more effectively.

  The light reflecting means 19 may be made of a bimetal, a shape memory alloy, or the like that is deformed depending on the temperature, and the position thereof may be changed by heat from warm air.

  FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as still another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the kitchenware sterilizer 140 includes a light reflecting means 19 in the cleaning tank 2 as a difference from the kitchenware sterilizer 100. The light reflecting means 19 is attached to the air blowing port 13 in the cleaning tank 2.

  The light reflecting means 19 is a panel for reflecting the light emitted from the light source 9. The wind generated by the blower 10 flows into the cleaning tank 2 through the blower port 13, and hits the light reflecting means 19 when this wind passes through the blower port 13. The light reflecting means 19 can move to a position indicated by a one-dot chain line or a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  As described above, since the light reflecting means 19 is movable, more portions can be irradiated with light without moving the kitchen utensil 200 in the cleaning tank 2. By doing in this way, it can sterilize more effectively.

  Moreover, the light source 9 of the kitchenware sterilizer 100 to 140 may be movable by a motor or the like.

  By moving the light source 9, even if the kitchen utensil 200 does not move in the cleaning tank 2, it is possible to irradiate more parts with light. By doing in this way, it can sterilize more effectively.

  In order to confirm the sterilizing effect of the kitchenware sterilizing apparatus of the present invention, polyester is used as an example of a substance constituting the kitchenware to be sterilized, and silver ions are attached to the polyester and then irradiated with various kinds of light. The presence or absence of the bactericidal effect was examined.

  Specifically, the antibacterial effect was tested after irradiating the sample with silver ions attached thereto.

  The sample used for this test was obtained by attaching silver ion water to a flat polyester and drying it. Silver ion water was produced by eluting silver ions into water by electrolysis from a silver electrode using tap water from Yao City.

The light irradiation conditions were three conditions of white fluorescent lamp, black light, and no light irradiation, and the silver adhesion amount on the surface of the sample was 0 (no silver ion water adhesion treatment), 5, 10, 20 ng / cm ² . . The antibacterial test was conducted by the light irradiation film adhesion method of the Antibacterial Product Technical Council. In this method, a bacterial solution containing about 1.0 × 10 ⁵ CFU of bacteria is attached to a sample, and the number of bacteria after 24 hours is measured. As a bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus was used. A white fluorescent lamp with a power of 20 W was used, and the sample was placed at a distance where the brightness (illuminance) in the vicinity of the sample was 5000 lux. Similarly, a black light of 20 W was used, and the distance between the light source and the sample was the same as that of the white fluorescent lamp.

  The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG. Table 1 shows the relationship between each light irradiation condition and the number of bacteria after the test (unit: CFU) for each silver adhesion amount. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of silver adhering to the sample and the number of bacteria present in the sample. The graph is drawn assuming that the number of bacteria when the measured value of the number of bacteria is not more than the lower limit (10 CFU) is 10 CFU.

As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 14, a sufficient bactericidal action was observed when the silver adhesion amount was 20 ng / cm ² without irradiation with light. In this sample, it is considered that the evaporation residue of silver ion water adhered to the surface and dissolved again when the bacterial solution was dropped, and the bactericidal action by silver ions was exhibited.

Moreover, it turns out that the bactericidal action is improving by irradiating light. In the sample with a silver adhesion amount of 10 ng / cm ² , the bactericidal action is improved by irradiation with black light and white fluorescent lamp. However, under the condition that the silver adhesion amount is small such as 5 ng / cm ² , It was confirmed that the sterilization effect was improved by irradiating a white fluorescent lamp containing visible light to a black light containing mainly near-ultraviolet light.

  In this test method, evaluation is performed by adding water in the form of a bacterial solution to the dried sample as described above. Therefore, the evaporation residue of silver ion water adhering to the surface is dissolved to become silver ions, and it is considered that the bactericidal action is improved by irradiating the silver ions with light.

  Basically, the bacteria are killed under completely dry conditions (for example, conditions where the water activity is 0.5 or less). However, in a general environment, it is not so dried.

  For example, even kitchen utensils sufficiently dried by a drying process or the like contain moisture on the surface or inside. Therefore, even if it is not a particularly humid environment, the bacteria live everywhere in the general environment. In particular, if it is dried at a low temperature, the moisture contained in such a form is larger.

  Therefore, adding water as a method for evaluating the bactericidal action in a dried sample is a general method performed in JIS Z2801, JIS L1902, and the like, and is not an inappropriate method. In addition, even if the dried product in the present invention is an object to be sterilized, moisture is present in an environment where bacteria can survive, and thus the effect confirmed in this test is also exhibited. If the environment is completely dry to the extent that the bacteria cannot survive, there is no need to sterilize and there is no problem.

  Moreover, even if such a bactericidal action irradiates light to the sample which silver ion water has adhered without drying, silver ion contains silver ion similarly to this test condition. Therefore, it is considered that the same improvement in bactericidal action can be obtained. Therefore, sterilization can be improved even if light is applied to kitchen utensils immersed in silver ion water. For example, kitchen utensils in which silver ion water is adhered in the rinsing process or silver ion water adheres. It is considered that the sterilization effect can be improved even if light is applied to the members of the kitchenware sterilization apparatus such as the washing tank.

Further, in the above test, when the sample with a silver adhesion amount of 5 ng / cm ² was irradiated with a white fluorescent lamp mainly containing visible light and its illuminance (lux) was changed, the number of bacteria after the test ( The change in unit (CFU) was examined. The result is shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the illuminance of the white fluorescent lamp and the number of bacteria present in the sample.

As shown in FIG. 15, the number of bacteria when there is no light irradiation is 8.0 × 10 ⁴ CFU, whereas the number of bacteria when the illuminance is 1000 lux is 3.20 × 10 ³ CFU, The number of bacteria when the illuminance was 5000 lux was about 10 CFU or less. Thus, a change was recognized in the bactericidal action by the method of the present invention depending on the light intensity (illuminance). It can be seen that the bactericidal action can be further improved by irradiating the substance to which silver ions are adhered with at least a predetermined illuminance.

  Moreover, when it read from a graph, it was around 1900 lux that the number of bacteria decreased by 2 digits with respect to no light irradiation. In the light irradiation film contact method implemented this time, the presence or absence of the antibacterial effect is determined by whether or not the number of bacteria has decreased by two digits. The fact that the number of bacteria decreases by two digits is also used in JIS Z2801 and JIS L1902, and is a general criterion for antibacterial effect. Therefore, from the viewpoint of improving the bactericidal action, it is desirable to irradiate light with a predetermined illuminance or higher, but it is more desirable if the illuminance at the irradiation target position is 1900 lux or higher.

  It should be considered that the embodiments and examples disclosed above are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiments and examples but by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications and variations within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizer as an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizer as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of a silver ion elution unit. It is a block diagram which shows the control relevant structure of the kitchenware sterilizer concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows in order the process of the whole control processing of the kitchenware sterilizer as one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control process of a washing | cleaning process in order. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing in a drainage process in order. It is a flowchart which shows the control process of a rinse process in order. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of a drying process in order. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of a kitchenware sterilizing apparatus as another embodiment of the present invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing the whole composition of a kitchenware sterilizer as another embodiment of the present invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing the whole composition of a kitchenware sterilizer as another embodiment of the present invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing the whole composition of a kitchenware sterilizer as still another embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the silver adhesion amount to a sample, and the number of microbes which exist in a sample. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the illumination intensity of a white fluorescent lamp, and the number of microbes which exist in a sample.

Explanation of symbols

2: Washing tank, 9: Light source, 19: Light reflecting means, 30: Water supply device, 80: Silver ion elution unit, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140: Kitchenware sterilizer.

Claims (3)

A washing tub having an inner wall including a ceiling and containing kitchen utensils therein;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the cleaning tank;
A silver electrode immersed in water supplied by the water supply unit is provided, silver ions are eluted into water by electrolysis at the silver electrode, and the eluted silver ions are supplied by the water supply unit A silver ion addition part to be added to water ;
Light irradiation means disposed on the ceiling of the inner wall of the cleaning tank,
In the washing tank, the silver ions are added to the kitchen utensil when the water to which the silver ions are added by the silver ion addition unit comes into contact with the kitchen utensil .
A kitchenware sterilizer for sterilizing kitchenware by the interaction of silver ions and visible light by irradiating the kitchenware to which silver ions are adhered with visible light by the light irradiation means .   The kitchenware sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation means is movable. A light reflecting means for reflecting the light irradiated by the light irradiating means;
The kitchenware sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting means is movable.

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