JPH11128153A - Tableware drier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tableware drier whose bactericidal function is increased so that it can completely kill bacteria including the pathogenic colon bacillus O-157. SOLUTION: A sterilization means 11 is assembled into the bottom face part of a main body container part 2. The sterilization means 11 serves also as a hot air blower means 5 for drying dishes in the main body container part 2 and can be switched to a drying mode in which is feeds hot air achieving drying temperature (around 45 deg.C) and to a bacteriocidal mode in which it feeds hot air so that the temperature inside the main body container part 2 is held at 75 deg.C or higher. A temperature indicating part with a temperature-indicating paint applied thereto is formed on a front cover 3. The temperature indicating part is designed to show the letters 'STERILIZING' when the front cover 3 is heated above a predetermined temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dish dryer, and more particularly, to a dish dryer having an enhanced sterilizing function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a dish dryer is a device in which dishwashers, kitchen knives, kitchen knives and the like which have been washed are housed inside and blown by hot air to automatically dry them. Such a dish dryer is very sanitary because it can not only save labor but also sufficiently dry the dishes.

In particular, in recent years, food poisoning due to pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 and the like has occurred, and the importance of food hygiene has been recognized again. Therefore, in order to completely sterilize, it is important not only to wash dishes well, but also to remove moisture, which is a hotbed of various bacteria, that is, to dry them. Against this background, tableware dryers have been in high demand.

[0004] Here, an outline of the configuration of a general dish dryer will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view of FIG. As shown in the figure, a tableware dryer 10 includes a tableware basket 1 for storing tableware and a main body container 2 for storing the tableware basket 1.
And a lid 3 attached to the main body container 2 so as to be openable and closable.

[0005] A warm air blowing means 5 is provided on the bottom of the main body container 2.
(Shown by a dotted line) is incorporated therein, so that warm air is blown into the main body container 2 from a warm air outlet formed on the inner bottom surface of the main body container 2. The warm air blowing means 5 is generally composed of a blower for blowing air sucked from an air inlet, and a heater for heating the air blown from the blower. Further, a timer switch 7 for operating the hot air blowing means 5 is provided on a front portion of the main body container portion 2. Further, the lid 3 is formed of a dome-shaped transparent resin material having an arcuate curved surface portion.

[0006]

By the way, the drying temperature of a conventional dish dryer is usually set at around 45 ° C. The tableware dryer prevents the growth of various bacteria by sufficiently drying the tableware at such a drying temperature. However, although the above temperature is sufficient for drying the dishes, it has been difficult to completely kill bacteria such as pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157. In particular, pathogenic E. coli O-
157 has a high killing temperature and is 10 times lower than other bacteria.
It is known to be transmitted in an amount of 0 to 1 / 10,000. Therefore, from the viewpoint of improving hygiene, there has been a long wait for a tableware dryer having an enhanced sterilization function.

However, when the drying temperature is increased in order to enhance the sterilizing function, the dish dryer itself becomes very hot. Therefore, it has been an issue to improve safety during use in a dish dryer having an enhanced sterilization function.

[0008] In order for bacteria such as pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 to proliferate, three conditions of water, nutrient and temperature are required, and a cloth is one that can easily satisfy such conditions. Therefore, frequent sterilization of the cloth is very effective in preventing food poisoning. Therefore, a device that can easily sterilize a cloth has been desired.

The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and an object thereof is to enhance a sterilizing function capable of completely sterilizing bacteria including pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157. An object of the present invention is to provide a dish dryer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dish dryer which can ensure high safety even when the equipment itself becomes hot.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dish dryer which can efficiently sterilize a cloth.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a main body container portion capable of storing tableware, and an opening is formed in the main body container portion,
An openable and closable cover is attached to the opening, and a dish dryer provided with a hot air blowing means for blowing hot air into the main body container portion.
The above is characterized by the provision of a sterilizing means for continuing for one minute or more.

[0013] In the first aspect of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the sterilizing means can reduce the temperature in the main body container to 75 degrees.
By continuing the treatment at a temperature of at least 1 ° C. for at least 1 minute, it is possible to completely kill bacteria including pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tableware dryer according to the first aspect, the sterilizing means is constituted by the hot air blowing means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the sterilizing means is constituted by the hot air blowing means, there is no need to provide the sterilizing means independently, and the configuration can be simplified.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the above-mentioned tableware dryer, a sterilization time period in which the sterilization operation is performed by the sterilization means is set at an initial stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware.

[0017] In the invention according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the sterilization time zone is set at the initial stage of the dish drying operation, the time from the end of the sterilization operation to the end of the dish drying operation is extended. Can be taken. Therefore, the temperature of the tableware at the end of the drying operation is almost equal to the drying temperature, and the time required for the tableware to cool to room temperature is short. as a result,
The tableware can be safely removed from the main container in a short time after the tableware drying operation is completed.

The invention according to claim 4 is the first or second invention.
The tableware dryer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sterilization time period in which the sterilization operation is performed by the sterilization means is set at an end stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware.

In the above-mentioned invention, since the sterilization time zone is set at the final stage of the tableware drying operation, the tableware in the main body container has risen to the drying temperature when the sterilization operation starts. . Therefore, when raising the temperature in the main body container to the sterilization temperature, it is much more efficient to raise the temperature from a somewhat high drying temperature to the sterilization temperature than to raise the temperature from room temperature to the sterilization temperature. Therefore, the temperature inside the main body container can be raised to the sterilization temperature in a short time.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The tableware dryer according to the above, characterized in that a sterilization time period during which the sterilization operation is performed by the sterilization means is set at a middle stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure, the sterilizing time zone is set at the middle stage of the tableware drying operation. You can combine the effects. That is, it is possible to quickly take out the tableware after the tableware drying operation and to raise the temperature of the inside of the main body container to the sterilization temperature.

The invention according to claim 6 is the first or second invention.
3. The dish dryer according to 3, 4 or 5, further comprising a blower for forcibly discharging warm air in the main body container,
The air blower is configured to operate after the sterilization operation by the sterilizer is completed.

In the invention according to the sixth aspect, since the blowing means operates after the sterilization operation is completed, the warm air in the main body container is forcibly discharged, and the temperature in the main body container which has risen to the sterilization temperature is sharply reduced. Can be lowered. Therefore,
The temperature of the dish dryer itself drops, and there is no danger of burns, etc., even when carelessly touching the equipment, and high safety can be ensured.

[0024] The invention according to claim 7 is based on claims 1, 2,
In the dish dryer according to 3, 4, 5, or 6, at least one of the main body container portion and the cover includes:
A temperature indicating portion for displaying a temperature or characters according to the temperature in the main body container portion is formed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the tableware dryer according to the seventh aspect, the temperature indicating portion is configured to be applied to a temperature indicating paint.

According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, the temperature indicating portion formed on at least one of the main body container and the cover displays a temperature or characters according to the temperature in the main body container. Therefore, when the temperature inside the main body container is high, the temperature display or the character display corresponding to the temperature can be visually checked. Therefore, a warning can be given to a person near the dish dryer, and safety is improved.

In particular, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the temperature indicating portion can be easily constituted by applying the temperature indicating paint. Therefore, safety can be improved at low cost.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there are provided the first and second aspects.
3. The dish dryer according to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the main body container and the cover are covered by a net cover.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the net cover covers the main body container and the cover, it is possible to prevent a person near the dish dryer from directly touching the main body container and the cover. Can be. Since the net cover usually has a high heat radiation property, there is no danger of burns even if it is touched, and safety can be improved.

The invention according to claim 10 is the first or second invention.
3. The dish dryer according to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein at least one of the main body container portion and the cover is provided with a cloth hanger for hanging a cloth.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by applying a cloth to the cloth hanger, many cloths can be efficiently sterilized.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of a dish dryer according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same members as those of the conventional example shown in FIG.
Description is omitted.

(1) First Embodiment [Configuration] The first embodiment includes the inventions of claims 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, and FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a graph showing a temperature change in the main body container portion 2 when the tableware drying operation is performed in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sterilizing means 11 is incorporated in the bottom of the main container 2. The sterilizing means 11 also serves as hot air blowing means 5 for drying the dishes in the main body container portion 2. Therefore, the sterilizing unit 11 includes the hot-air blowing unit 5 having the blowing fan 5a and the heater 5b, the temperature detecting unit 8, and the timer 9. The maximum output of the hot air blowing means 5 is set to blow out hot air of 75 ° C. Such a sterilizing unit 11 switches the heating temperature of the heater to send out hot air for achieving a drying temperature (around 45 ° C.) and a hot air to maintain the temperature in the main body container unit 2 at 75 ° C. or more. And a disinfection mode for sending out.

In the sterilization mode, the temperature of the inside 2 of the main body container is 7
The temperature is set to 5 ° C. or higher and the state is set so as to continue for 1 minute or more. Further, when the first embodiment performs the dish drying operation, the sterilizing means 11 is configured to be in the sterilizing mode at an initial stage of the table drying operation, and then to be in the drying mode (see the graph of FIG. 2).

Further, in the first embodiment, a temperature indicating portion 12 on which a temperature indicating paint is applied is formed on a front portion of the lid 3. The temperature-indicating paint is a so-called reversible thermopaint, and is made of a mercury iodide complex salt or the like, and the wavelength of the reflected light changes with a change in temperature. When the temperature of the lid 3 approaches 75 ° C., the temperature indication portion 12 is made to have a large character “Sterilizing”. In addition, since the reversible thermopaint is used, when the front cover 3 returns to a predetermined temperature or lower, the word “disinfecting” disappears.

[Effects] In the first embodiment having the above configuration, when the dish drying operation is performed, the sterilizing means 11 is used.
Is first in the sterilization mode at the initial stage of the dish drying operation. Therefore, the temperature in the main body container part 2 becomes 75 ° C. or more, and this state continues for one minute or more. Thereby, even if bacteria, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157, exist in the main body container part 2, these bacteria can be completely sterilized. Then, when the sterilization mode ends, the sterilization means 11 switches to the drying mode, and the temperature in the main body container 2 is reduced to 45 ° C.
Before and after, the tableware in the main body container part 2 can be dried.

According to the first embodiment, an excellent bactericidal effect can be exerted such that pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 can be completely sterilized. Moreover, sterilization means 1
1 and the hot air blowing means 5 are not separately provided, which can contribute to simplification of the configuration.

Further, in the sterilizing means 11 of the first embodiment, since the sterilizing mode is set at the initial stage of the dish drying operation, the time from the end of the sterilizing mode to the end of the dish drying operation is increased. be able to. Therefore, the temperature of the tableware at the time when the drying operation is completed is substantially equal to the drying temperature, and the time required for the tableware to cool to room temperature is short. As a result, the tableware can be taken out of the main body container part 2 in a short time after the tableware drying operation is completed.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the temperature of the lid 3 approaches 75 ° C. when the temperature in the main body container section 2 is high and the temperature in the main body container section 2 is high, the temperature indicating section 12 indicates “during sterilization”. Is displayed. Therefore, the main body container part 2
Can be recognized by character display. Such an indication may alert a person near the dish dryer and may draw attention to the dish dryer. As a result, the safety is improved without inadvertently touching the dish dryer. In addition, since the temperature indicating section 12 can be configured only by applying the temperature indicating paint, it can be realized at low cost.

(2) Second Embodiment [Structure] A second embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 4, and FIG. 4 shows a main body container in the case of performing dish drying work in the second embodiment. 6 is a graph showing a temperature change in a section 2.

When the second embodiment performs the dish drying operation, the sterilizing means 11 is configured to continue the drying mode first, and finally to the sterilizing mode (see the graph of FIG. 4). That is, in the second embodiment, the sterilizing unit 11 is set to be in the sterilizing mode at the end of the dish drying operation.

[Operation and Effect] In order to raise the temperature in the main body container portion 2 from room temperature to 75 ° C. or more which is the sterilization temperature, the temperature difference is about 50 ° C. or more. It takes time to reach 75 ° C. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the sterilization mode is set to the final stage of the dish drying operation, so that the tableware in the main body container unit 2 rises to around 45 ° C. at the start of the sterilization mode. . That is, in order to increase the temperature from about 45 ° C. to 75 ° C. or more, only a temperature increase of about 30 ° C. is required. Therefore, the temperature in the main body container portion 2 can reach 75 ° C. in a short time, the sound raising efficiency is high, and power consumption can be reduced.

(3) Third Embodiment [Structure] A third embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 5, and FIG. 5 shows a main body container portion in the case of performing dish drying work in the third embodiment. 3 is a graph showing a temperature change in the second example. Note that the basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

When the third embodiment carries out the dish drying operation, the sterilizing means 11 is set to the drying mode first, then to the sterilizing mode, and finally to the drying mode again (see the graph of FIG. 5). reference). That is, in the third embodiment, the sterilizing means 11 is set to be in the sterilizing mode in the middle stage of the dish drying operation.

[Effects] In the third embodiment described above, the drying mode is set first, and then the mode shifts to the sterilization mode.
It is only necessary to raise the internal temperature from about 45 ° C., which is the drying temperature, to 75 ° C. or more, and the sterilizing temperature can be reached with high efficiency.

At the same time, the drying mode is set from the end of the sterilization mode to the end of the dish drying operation. The temperature becomes almost equal to the temperature, and the tableware can be safely removed from the main body container portion 2 in a short time after the drying operation. That is, in the third embodiment, by setting the sterilization mode to the middle stage of the dish drying operation, it is possible to combine the functions and effects of the first and second embodiments.

(4) Fourth Embodiment [Structure] The fourth embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 6, and the sterilization means 11 is configured so as to also serve as the blower means according to claim 6. The feature is that it is done. As described above, the sterilizing means 11 includes the blower fan 5a and the heater 5b.
However, in the fourth embodiment, after the sterilization mode ends, the heater is turned off for a certain period of time, and only the blower is operated to perform natural ventilation.

[Operation and Effect] In the fourth embodiment, since the sterilizing means 11 performs the natural ventilation after the end of the sterilizing mode, the warm air in the main body container 2 can be forcibly discharged. The temperature in the container part 2 can be rapidly lowered. Therefore, even if the tableware dryer is inadvertently touched, there is no risk of burns and the like, and high safety can be ensured.

(5) Fifth Embodiment [Structure] A fifth embodiment corresponds to the ninth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a net cover 13 is provided on the main body container 2 and the lid 3. (Shown by dotted lines).

[Operation and Effect] In the fifth embodiment, since the net cover 13 is put on the main body container 2, the front cover 3 and the rear cover 4, a person near the dish dryer can be used. 2 and the covers 3 and 4 are not directly touched. Since the net cover 13 has a high heat radiation property, there is no danger of burns even if touched, and high security can be secured.

(6) Sixth Embodiment [Structure] The sixth embodiment corresponds to the tenth embodiment, and as shown in FIG.
The configuration is characterized in that a cloth hanger portion 14 on which a cloth 15 is applied is provided.

[Effects] In the seventh embodiment, by applying the cloth width 15 to the cloth hanger portion 14, many cloth widths can be efficiently sterilized. Therefore, even if bacteria such as pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 adhere to the cloth 15, they can be completely sterilized.

(7) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the form displayed on the temperature display unit 12 is not limited to characters, but may be a numeral indicating a temperature. It may be. Also,
As shown in the front view of FIG. 8, by using two types of reversible thermopaints having different display temperatures, the characters “dry mode” are displayed when the temperature of the front cover 3 is around 45 ° C., and when the temperature of the front cover 3 is around 75 ° C. An embodiment in which the temperature indicating portion 16 on which the characters "dry mode" is displayed is also included.

[0055]

As described above, according to the dish dryer of the present invention, a pathogenic Escherichia coli O-157 is provided by providing a sterilizing means for maintaining the temperature in the main body container at 75 ° C. or more for 1 minute or more. And other bacteria can be completely sterilized, and an excellent sterilizing effect can be exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a temperature change in a main body container portion 2 when a dish drying operation is performed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temperature change in the main body container portion 2 when performing a dish drying operation in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a temperature change in the main body container portion 2 when performing a dish drying operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a general tableware dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tableware basket 2 ... Main body container part 3 ... Lid 5 ... Hot air blowing means 5a ... Blower fan 5b ... Heater 7 ... Timer switch 8 ... Temperature detecting means 9 ... Timer 10 ... Tableware dryer 11 ... Sterilizing means 12,16 … Temperature display 13… Net cover 14… Clothing hanger 15… Clothing

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A main body container portion capable of accommodating tableware is provided, an opening is formed in the main body container portion, and an openable and closable cover is attached to the opening portion, and warm air is blown into the main body container portion. A dish dryer provided with a hot air blowing means for blowing air, wherein a sterilizing means for maintaining the temperature in the main body container at 75 ° C. or more for 1 minute or more is provided. 2. A dish dryer according to claim 1, wherein said sterilizing means comprises a hot air blowing means, a temperature detecting means, and a timer. 3. The tableware dryer according to claim 1, wherein a sterilization time period in which the sterilization operation is performed by the sterilization means is set at an initial stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a sterilization time period in which the sterilization means performs the sterilization operation is set at a final stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware. 5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a sterilization time period during which the sterilization operation is performed by the sterilization means is set at a middle stage of the tableware drying operation for drying the tableware. 6. A blower for forcibly discharging warm air in the main body container portion, wherein the blower is configured to operate after the sterilization operation by the sterilizer is completed. ,
The dish dryer according to 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. A temperature indicating portion for displaying a temperature or a character according to a temperature in the main body container is formed on at least one of the main body container and the cover. Item 7. The dish dryer according to item 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. 8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein said temperature indicating portion is formed by applying a temperature indicating paint. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body container and the cover are covered by a net cover.
The dish dryer according to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. 10. A cloth hanger for applying a cloth to at least one of the main body container and the cover.
The dish dryer according to 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9.