JPH1170371A - Washing and sterilizing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and simultaneously carry out washing and sterilization with a simple operation by loading a water tank, which is provided with an anode, a cathode and a water flow generating means, with an object to be washed, applying d.c. current between the anode and the cathode, and generating water flow while electrolyzing water. SOLUTION: Blades 2 for generating water flow are installed upward in the center of the bottom of a water tank 1 as to generate whirling water flow and the blades 2 are made rotatable in mutually counter directions in proper cycles. Electrode units 5 provided with anodes 3 and cathodes 4 are installed in both side parts in the bottom face of the water tank 1. Each of the electrode unit 5 is covered with a cover in which a large number of slit are formed and an anode and a cathode 4 are installed in the inside of the unit 5. Tap water is supplied through a water supply inlet 26 to fill the water tank 1 with, the tank is loaded with object matter to be washed, and while water flow being generated by the rotation of the blades 2, d.c. current is applied to the electrode units 5 to electrolyze water, so that the object matter can simultaneously be washed and sterilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to cleaning and sterilization of foods, dishes, medical instruments, sanitary materials, and other objects to be cleaned by utilizing washing using a water flow and sterilizing action brought about by electrolysis of water. The present invention relates to a cleaning / sterilizing method and apparatus devised so that they can be carried out efficiently in parallel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vegetables, fruits, and marine products such as seafood and seaweed often have various foreign substances attached to them when they are taken in. Need to be Therefore, usually, the method of immersing in water and rubbing or hand-washing with a water flow from a tap is adopted.However, in industries dealing with a large amount of foodstuffs, not only extremely large labor is required but also the cleaning degree is Individual differences arise. Such washing work, in addition to ingredients,
This also poses a problem when washing sanitary materials such as tableware, cooking utensils, and squeezers in restaurants and hotels.

Therefore, in order to simplify the cleaning operation by mechanizing the cleaning and to improve and stabilize the cleaning degree, an apparatus for directly spraying shower-like water onto the object to be cleaned for cleaning, or a pipe material in water. And the like have been proposed for cleaning by directly spraying water on foodstuffs. However, these devices cannot always reliably wash an object to be cleaned to every corner. Also,
Some washing methods are also practiced in which the object to be washed is loaded into a drum-shaped basket and rotated in water, but depending on the object to be washed, the object to be washed is hurt by collision between the objects to be rotated. The problem of inferior transformation is inevitable.

[0004] On the other hand, a method of eliminating obstacles caused by bacteria that may adhere to the object to be treated has also been advanced. For example, the object to be cleaned is diluted with diluted water in which chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, or the like is dissolved. There has been proposed a method of dipping or a method of dipping foods in acidic water having a pH of about 3 or less obtained by electrolysis. However, in the former method, residual chlorine may have an adverse effect on the human body.In the latter method, it may deteriorate or discolor when applied to green-yellow vegetables and the like. It has also been pointed out that corrosion may occur.

[0005] Conventionally, for foods such as vegetables and seafood, cleaning and sterilization are performed as separate operations, so that they are irrational and work efficiency is poor.・ Discoloration cannot be neglected.

[0006]

The present inventors have paid attention to the above-mentioned circumstances, and (1) cleaning and sterilization of an object to be cleaned have been carried out in parallel. (3) Eliminate bacteria, especially food poisoning bacteria, attached to the items to be washed, (4) Easy and safe washing and sterilization operations, etc. Research has been conducted with the aim of developing a method and apparatus that can satisfy all requirements.

[0007] These objects and problems will be described in more detail. First, in order to simultaneously and efficiently perform cleaning and sterilization of an object to be cleaned, the sterilization efficiency is reduced due to cleaning, or the cleaning efficiency is reduced due to sterilization. Is not going to decrease,
In addition, a sufficient cleaning effect and sterilization effect can be ensured according to the degree of contamination of the object to be washed, and no harmful substances are attached to the object after washing and sterilization before cooking, and the object to be washed is damaged or deteriorated. Without having to achieve a sufficient degree of cleaning.

[0008] For sterilization, it is necessary to ensure a high sterilization efficiency while elucidating the mechanism and taking into account the water quality that changes depending on the region and the season. Also,
In order to implement the method on a practical scale, it is desirable that the operation can be performed safely with a simple operation in consideration of the amount of cleaning and sterilization of an object to be cleaned per operation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which satisfy the above-mentioned demands and which can efficiently and simultaneously perform washing and sterilization with simple operations.

[0010]

According to the method of the present invention, which can solve the above-mentioned problems, an object to be cleaned is charged into a water tank provided with an anode and a cathode and provided with a water flow forming means. There is a gist in that a direct current is passed between the cathodes to form a water flow while performing electrolysis of water, and cleaning and sterilization of an object to be cleaned are performed in parallel. As a means for forming a water flow when performing this method, a method of forming a vortex by an impeller provided in the apparatus is exemplified as a highly practical method. At this time, the direction of vortex formation by the impeller is clockwise. In addition, it is preferable to change the pitch at an arbitrary pitch in the counterclockwise direction, since the water flow can be uniformly applied to the entire object to be cleaned, and the cleaning / sterilizing efficiency can be further improved.

It is also effective to use a jet of washing water as another preferable means for forming a water stream.

The object to be cleaned can be washed and sterilized by directly loading it into the water tank. However, if the object to be cleaned is placed in a basket so that it can be taken in and out of the water tank, the object to be cleaned can be obtained. This facilitates the loading and unloading of water, or draining during unloading, and eliminates the danger that the object to be cleaned will be crushed or damaged by direct contact with water flow forming means such as an impeller provided in the water tank. preferable.

The washing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An apparatus preferably adopted when performing the above-mentioned cleaning / sterilization method, comprising a water tank provided with a water supply means and a drainage means and provided with a water flow forming means, and an anode and a cathode for electrolysis provided in the water tank. It has a gist where it has.
If an impeller of variable rotation speed is used as the water flow forming means provided in the apparatus, the cleaning efficiency can be appropriately increased by changing the rotation speed and adjusting the water flow speed according to the degree of contamination of the object to be cleaned. It is preferred. Further, if the rotation direction of the impeller is configured to be changeable at an arbitrary pitch in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, the cleaning efficiency can be further increased even at the same rotation speed.

If the current flowing between the anode and the cathode for electrolysis can be changed stepwise or steplessly, the type and amount of bacteria adhering to the object to be cleaned,
Further, it is possible to obtain an optimum sterilization efficiency according to a target sterilization degree. Furthermore, also in this apparatus, if the foodstuff storage basket is provided detachably in the water tank, and the object to be cleaned can be put in this basket and put in and out of the water tank,
This facilitates the loading and unloading or draining of the object to be cleaned, and also eliminates the possibility that the object to be cleaned is crushed or damaged by direct contact with the water flow forming means such as an impeller provided in the water tank. preferable.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the method of the present invention, an object to be cleaned is charged into a water tank provided with an anode and a cathode and provided with a water flow forming means as described above, and the object to be cleaned is immersed in water in the water tank. In the state
Washing and sterilization of the object to be washed by forming a water flow while performing electrolysis of water by passing a direct current to the anode and the cathode, washing the object to be washed using the water flow in the water tank, A sterilization effect is generated in parallel by applying a direct current to the anode and the cathode provided in the water tank to perform electrolysis, thereby efficiently performing cleaning and sterilization.

At this time, in order to carry out washing efficiently, an impeller is used as a water flow forming means, and this is mounted upward at substantially the center of the bottom of the water tank so that a spiral water flow can be formed. It is preferable to configure the vehicle so that it can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise at appropriate periods in the forward and reverse directions. This is because, if the configuration is such that the rotation is possible in the normal and reverse directions, the cleaning effect on the object to be cleaned can be significantly improved as compared with the case where the cleaning is performed only by rotating in one direction. Further, as another preferable water flow forming means, a method of using a circulation type jet flow forming pump, forming a water flow and injecting circulating water toward the object to be cleaned, and washing while stirring the object to be cleaned is also preferable. Recommended as a method.

The object to be cleaned, which is placed in the water tank and cleaned and sterilized, is placed in a basket which is removably disposed in the water tank, immersed in the water in the tank, and formed into a water flow. It is desirable not to make direct contact with the impeller or the like which is the means. However, if the object to be washed is placed in the basket and immersed in the water in the layer, the object to be washed may be crushed or damaged by directly contacting the water flow forming means such as an impeller. In addition, the foreign matter detached from the object to be cleaned in the cleaning step goes out through the stitches of the basket. And after washing and sterilization,
By pulling up the basket from the water tank, foreign matters can be easily separated together with drainage from the object to be cleaned.

The impeller, which is preferably used as a water flow forming means, is capable of changing its rotation speed stepwise or steplessly by any means, and changes the rotation speed according to the type of object to be cleaned and the state of contamination. Detergency can be adjusted arbitrarily,
Alternatively, if necessary, the rotation speed can be changed between the first half and the second half of the cleaning.

In the present invention, at the same time as the cleaning of the object to be cleaned by the water flow, a direct current is applied to the anode and the cathode provided in the water tank to electrolyze the water, and sterilization by the electrolysis is performed in parallel. This bactericidal action is exerted by radicals generated by electrolysis, hypochlorous acid (sodium hypochlorite when using saline or the like as washing water), metal ions or battery formation. Can be considered.

Bactericidal action by radicals A radical is a free atom or molecule having a strong oxidizing action, and a typical radical generated by electrolysis of water is a hydroxy radical (OH.). The oxidation potential (electrode potential) is about 2.8 eV, which is about twice as high as about 1.4 eV of chlorine, and the radicals are harmful by-products and pollutants after stabilizing by exerting a bactericidal action. There is no cause. The bactericidal action by radicals is caused by the reaction of electrically neutral free atoms and free molecules.
It is thought to be caused by the degradation of proteins that are components of bacterial cell walls and cell membranes. As will be described in detail later, when a water tank is filled with water and a direct current is applied to the electrode unit, a reduction reaction occurs on the cathode side, and metal ions such as positive ions Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ are transferred to the electrodes by transfer of electrons to the electrodes. The metal adheres and precipitates as a metal, generating hydrogen gas. At this time, in water, a hydroxyl radical is generated from a hydroxyl ion (OH ⁻ ) generated by a reaction represented by the following formula. ^{_{4H 2 O + 4e - → 4OH}} - + 2H 2 ↑

Meanwhile, oxidation reaction occurs on the anode side, Cl is a negative ion ^{_{-, SO 4 2-, NO 3}} 2- , etc. increases, the oxygen gas is generated is oxidized as shown in the following formula, the Sometimes, hydrogen ions in water increase. _{^{4OH - → 2H 2 O + O}} 2 ↑ + 4e -

Sterilization with hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite When electrolysis of tap water is performed in a water tank, Cl ions present in a trace amount of water are oxidized and the following reaction occurs, and Cl ⁻ + H ₂ O ^{→ ClO - + 2H + + 2e} - generated ClO ^- and 2H ⁺ hypochlorous acid by reaction (HClO) is produced. Hypochlorous acid is also generated by the following reaction by disproportionation decomposition of chlorine generated on the anode side. The oxidation potential of the hypochlorous acid is about 1.5 eV, and exhibits the function of destroying bacterial cells. _{Cl 2 + H 2 O → HClO} + H + + Cl -

When a saline solution is used as the washing water,
The following reaction occurs by electrolysis, and the produced sodium hypochlorite exhibits a bactericidal effect. In addition, sodium hypochlorite is recognized as a food additive and has a high bactericidal action, so that it is extremely effective. Moreover, according to this method, the highly active sodium hypochlorite generated by electrolysis in the washing step is used for sterilization each time, so that the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the washing solution does not excessively increase, Excellent sterilization effect is exhibited stably even at relatively low concentrations. Cl ₂ + 2NaOH → NaOCl + NaCl + H ₂ O

Sterilization with metal ions Another factor related to sterilization is metal ions in water. That is, when water is electrolyzed in a water tank, metal ions move due to the transfer of electrons, and positive ions such as Mg ²⁺ and Ca ²⁺ move toward the cathode while NO ₃ moves.
² and Cl ^- negative ions such as to move towards the anode. At this time, when live bacterial cells and metal ions meet, electron transfer occurs between the cells and metal ions, oxygen and redox reactions in the cells occur, and cell activity decreases,
It is likely that he will eventually die. Conventionally, the bactericidal action expected of silver ions and the like is considered to be based on this theory, and although there is some difference in the oxidation-reduction potential that reduces the activity depending on the type of bacteria, generally, it is +0.5 eV to 1.0.
It is considered that an anode potential of about 0 eV is necessary.

Disinfection by formation of a battery When live bacterial cells are located between the anode and the cathode, an electric force causes a polarization phenomenon in the cells. At this time, the size of the normal bacteria is less than 10 μm. It is considered that bacteria in water are electrically pulled on the surface of the electrode, and if the electric energy is received for a long time, an electrolytic reaction proceeds between the electrode and the bacteria and eventually death occurs.

That is, when a food is washed by a water flow while performing electrolysis by flowing a direct current between an anode and a cathode in the water tank, the sterilizing action shown in the above items 1 to 3 is obtained in addition to the cleaning effect of foreign substances by the above-mentioned washing. Are performed simultaneously and in parallel, and the cleaning and sterilization of the object to be cleaned can be efficiently performed in a relatively short time. At this time, it is preferable that the current flowing between the anode and the cathode can be changed as appropriate, because the degree of the sterilizing action can be controlled according to the degree of contamination of the object to be cleaned.

Next, the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention, which is preferably used when performing the above method, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing one specific example.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention, in which 1 is a water tank, 8 is a liquid surface, 23 is a control panel, 25 is a water supply pipe, and 29 is a drain pipe. The auxiliary equipment is housed in the casing C to adjust the product form.

FIG. 2 is a sectional explanatory view of the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a plan explanatory view. A water tank 1 is mounted in a casing C, and an impeller for forming a water flow is provided at the bottom center of the water tank 1. The shaft 2 is connected to the drive motor 30 via a pulley 32 and a belt 31. An electrode unit 5 having an anode 3 and a cathode 4 is provided on both sides of the bottom surface of the water tank 1. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4A, the electrode unit 5 is covered with a cover 24 having a large number of slits 37 opened therein. Inside the cover 24, the sectional view of FIG. The anode 3 and the cathode 4 are provided as shown in the partially cutaway view of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 35 denotes an anode holder.

The material of the electrode is not particularly limited, but as the material of the anode, it is desirable to use a material having a low chlorine overpotential which greatly contributes to the sterilization efficiency. In order to further promote the electrolytic reaction with the anode, it is preferable to use a water tank. Attaching the cathode member also to the inner wall is recommended as a preferred embodiment.

The shape and structure of the impeller 2 are not limited at all, as long as it can form a vortex and exert a cleaning force on the object to be cleaned which is loaded into the water tank 1. For example, one having a shape and structure as shown in FIG. That is, the impeller 2 has a plurality of blades 2a, 2a,... Gently protruding in the direction of the center of rotation, and rotates water in the protruding direction of each blade 2a as the impeller 2 rotates. It is configured to form a water flow in a lifting direction to enhance the cleaning effect on the object to be cleaned, and both sides of each blade 2a are formed substantially symmetrically, and the impeller 2 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction. Approximately the same eddy current is formed even when

The vortex generated by the impeller 2 and the cleaning effect accompanying the vortex are based on the size (diameter L and height H) of the impeller 2 with respect to the capacity of the water tank 1, the elevation angle (θ), the elevation shape, and the like. These are different depending on the tank 1
The size may be appropriately set in consideration of the size, depth, type of the object to be cleaned, and the like.

In the illustrated apparatus, the impeller 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the mounting step 20 so that the water flow generated by the rotation is easily formed above the water tank, and the object to be cleaned is stopped when the apparatus is stopped. It is devised so that the contaminants washed off from the pile do not accumulate on the impeller 2. If a protective fence 6 is provided so as to cover the impeller 2 as shown in FIG.
The object to be cleaned directly loaded into the water tank 1 or the piece of the object to be washed out of the basket 7 is preferably prevented from directly contacting the impeller 2 and being crushed.

Then, tap water is supplied into the water tank 1 from the water supply pipe 25 through the water supply valve 17 through the water supply port 26 and filled with water, and an object to be cleaned is charged therein and the impeller 2 is rotated. When a direct current is supplied to the electrode unit 5 while forming a water flow to perform electrolysis of water, cleaning and sterilization of the object to be cleaned proceed simultaneously. At this time, as shown in the figure, a basket 7 is removably mounted on the upper part of the water tank 1 so that the object to be cleaned can be inserted into and taken out of the basket 7 to handle and drain the object to be cleaned. This is preferable because the work and the like become easy.

The basket 7 has, for example, a lid 7a openably and closably attached to an upper opening thereof as shown in FIG. 6, and puts an object to be cleaned into the basket 7, closes the lid 7a and puts the basket 7 into the water tank 1. At this time, it is desirable to ensure that the object to be cleaned is immersed beneath the surface of the water in the water tank 1.

2 and 3, reference numeral 18 denotes a drain valve, 19 denotes a water level sensor provided as required, 28 denotes a drain plug, 2
7 is an overflow pipe, 29 is a drain pipe, 33 is a drain port,
Reference numeral 21 denotes a control box, 22 denotes a power supply unit, and 23 denotes an operation panel.

FIGS. 7 and 8 exemplify an electric control system diagram used when operating the above-described apparatus. The operation of the impeller 2, the water supply valve 17, the drain valve 18, the water level sensor 19 and the like, and the operation of the electrode unit 5 are described. The control of the applied voltage to the (anode 3 and the cathode 4), the switching of the cleaning / sterilization time, and the like can all be performed automatically. In each of these examples, the inner wall side of the water tank 1 is also used as a cathode to promote the electrolytic reaction. Among these, in the example of FIG. 7, the rotation speed of the impeller 2 is configured to be switched in a stepwise manner, and the voltage applied to the electrode unit 5 and the cleaning / sterilization time are configured to be switched in a stepwise manner. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the number of rotations of the impeller 2, the voltage applied to the electrode unit 5, the cleaning / sterilization time, and the like can all be controlled steplessly. Is controlled so that necessary and sufficient cleaning / sterilization performance can be performed in the shortest time.

When these control systems are employed, optimal cleaning and sterilization conditions corresponding to the object to be cleaned are determined in advance, and the rotation speed of the impeller 2, the amount of electricity to the electrode unit 5, the processing time, the water supply / It is possible to automatically control all drainage, etc., or to display the rotation speed of the impeller 2, the amount of electricity to the electrode unit 5, and the processing time on the display panel, and visually observe the actual cleaning status. It is also possible to manually switch each condition. In addition, electrolysis efficiency and sterilization efficiency vary considerably depending on the processing temperature,
By installing heating and cooling means in appropriate places in the water tank and installing a thermometer so that the processing is performed while maintaining the processing temperature constant, stable washing and cleaning can be performed even if the water temperature or ambient temperature changes in summer or winter. It is preferable because a bactericidal effect can be obtained.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show another embodiment of the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention, in which the cleaning water is injected into the water tank by a circulating pump to form a water flow while the water in the water tank 1 is formed. Electrolysis is performed by an electrode unit 5 provided in a lower part, and a method of performing washing and sterilization in parallel is adopted.

That is, in FIGS. 9 and 11 (all are plan views) and FIGS. 10 and 12 (all are schematic cross-sectional views), the circulating pump P is used to supply the washing water to the water supply pipe 40, the water tank 1, and the water absorption pipe 41.
The water supply pipe 40 is connected to an injection nozzle member 42 provided on the inner wall surface of the water tank 1, and the cleaning water is injected from the injection nozzle member 42. The circulating water flow is formed by successively absorbing water from the water absorbing member 43 provided in the above to the water absorbing pipe 41. An anode 3 similar to that shown in FIG.
And an electrolysis unit provided with a cathode plate 4 so as to perform electrolysis, and a net shelf 44 (a part of which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 11) above the electrolysis unit installation position. ) Is provided so that the object to be cleaned does not contact the electrode unit.

9 and 10, the injection nozzle member 42
As an example, there is shown an example in which a diffusion injection type having a large number of injection holes in the radial direction is adopted, and two such injection holes are provided on the bottom portion and on both side walls of the water tank 1, respectively. In the above, an example is shown in which a single injection type in which a large number of injection holes are provided on the side walls of a pipe closed at both ends is adopted, and one is provided on each of the bottom portion and both side walls of the water tank 1, respectively.
There is no particular limitation on the structure, the number of attachments, the attachment positions, the number of injection holes, and the like of these nozzle members 42, and they can be arbitrarily changed according to the size and shape of the water tank 1.

When using such a washing / sterilizing apparatus,
For example, it is preferable to provide a filter in the middle of the water absorption pipe 41 so that contaminants generated by washing and sterilization can be sequentially removed, and that the filter can be appropriately replaced as a detachable cassette type. Recommended as a form.

FIG. 13 exemplifies an electric control system diagram used when operating the apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, and shows the operation of the circulation pump P and the operation of the electrode unit 5 (the anode 3 and the anode 3).
The control of the voltage applied to the cathode 4), the switching of the cleaning / sterilization time, and the like can all be performed automatically. Also in these examples, the inner wall side of the water tank 1 is also used as a cathode to promote the electrolytic reaction, and further, the cleaning / sterilization time can be appropriately switched according to the contamination state of the non-cleaning object.
The electric current for electrolysis and the remaining time for cleaning and sterilization can be displayed on the operation / display box so that the cleaning / sterilization status can be easily checked.

It should be noted that the specific configuration of the apparatus and the auxiliary equipment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 8 to 12, or FIGS.
The control system as shown in FIG. 3 merely shows a typical embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, and can be adapted to the spirit of the preceding and following examples. Of course, it is also possible to change the design appropriately within the range, or to attach ancillary equipment as needed and put it to practical use.

Next, a description will be given of a preferred embodiment to be considered when implementing the present invention.

As for the constituent material of the electrode unit, in order to suppress the chlorine overvoltage which is most effective for sterilization and to increase the sterilization efficiency, a ferrite-based electrode should be used rather than a normal electrolytic electrode in which titanium is plated with platinum. Is desirable. In other words, the ferrite-based electrode has a much lower chlorine overvoltage than the platinum-plated titanium material, and when compared with the sterilization efficiency when compared with the same amount of electricity, the ferrite-based electrode has more than doubled the sterilization efficiency and the same surface area. The current value for obtaining the same sterilization efficiency can be reduced to about 20%. Also, the present inventors have confirmed that when a titanium material is plated with platinum and an electrode further subjected to iridium plating is used, a sterilizing effect equivalent to the case of using a ferrite-based electrode can be obtained. I have confirmed.

Since the current density of the electrode has the greatest influence on the sterilization efficiency by electrolysis, it is preferable to increase the current flowing per unit area of the electrode and use an electrode having a large specific surface area. As described above, it is extremely effective to use a part of the inner wall of the water tank 1 as a cathode to increase the electrode area.

Regarding the water quality of the washing water, water containing mineral components such as Ca and Mg should be used in order to improve the electrolysis efficiency by increasing the electric conductivity and to enhance the sterilization effect accompanying the generation of metal ions. In some cases, it is also effective to improve the electrolysis efficiency by adding a small amount of salt or the like to the washing water and dissolving the same to increase the conductivity.

The amount of electricity to be supplied for the electrolysis cannot be determined uniformly because it varies depending on the kind of the object to be washed, the kind of bacteria, the target sterilization level, and the like.
In the present invention, the electrolysis is performed by directly energizing the electrode unit in the water tank. If the energization amount is too large, there is a risk of causing an electric shock problem.
It is better to keep it to about V or less. In addition, direct contact with the electrode may cause an electric shock during electrolysis.Therefore, the electrode should be covered with an insulating material, and it is desirable that the electrode installation site be grounded to prevent leakage. It is. Furthermore, depending on the case, it is conceivable that a metal piece or the like may be mixed in as a foreign substance, causing a short circuit between the anode and the cathode.Therefore, when designing the actual equipment, install a fuse or overcurrent protection circuit for safety. It is desirable to keep.

The type of the object to be cleaned which is applied to the cleaning / sterilizing method and apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, vegetables and fruits such as leafy vegetables, root vegetables, fruits and vegetables, stem vegetables and the like, ingredients such as marine products such as seafood and seaweed, or tableware and cooking utensils, etc. Cleaning and sanitary materials
It can be widely used for sterilization, cleaning and sterilization of medical instruments used in hospitals, surgical gowns and coverings, and clothing for patients.

Next, the effects of the present invention will be proved by giving examples in which actual cleaning / sterilization experiments are applied to cleaning / sterilization of foodstuffs.

EXAMPLE A washing / sterilizing apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 (water tank size: vertical)
42cm x 42cm x 25cm in depth, content 44 lit
E. coli NIHJ strain in 1.2 × 10 ⁷ cfu
Tap water 30 inoculated / ml (12 million per cc)
Liter and 200g lettuce in a basket
After immersion in the impeller, rotate the impeller at a speed of 300 rpm for 10 seconds.
While rotating the electrode unit forward and backward alternately every time, 1.
Wash and sterilize by applying 5A current and after 10 minutes treatment
And the remaining number of Escherichia coli after the treatment for 20 minutes was determined by the plate dilution method.
I checked.

The results are as follows, and it was confirmed that most of the Escherichia coli could be sterilized by the treatment for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes: 6.0 × 10 (6 pieces in 1cc) ⁰ cfu / ml (bactericidal activity:
99.99995%) After 20 minutes: 5.0 × 10 ⁰ cfu / ml (5 per 1 cc) (bactericidal activity:
99.99996%)

In the same apparatus as above, 2 g of NaCl was dissolved and Vibrio parahaemolyticus Wild strain 4.5 × 10 ⁵ (1 cc)
30 liters of tap water inoculated with 450,000)
After dipping 260 g of porridge in a basket and immersing it in the water tank, a current of 3.5 A is passed through the electrode unit for washing while rotating the impeller alternately forward and backward every 10 seconds at a speed of 300 rpm. And the number of remaining Escherichia coli after the treatment for 10 minutes and 20 minutes was examined by a plate dilution method.

As a result, in each of the cases after 10 minutes and 20 minutes, the number of remaining bacteria was 0 × 10 ⁰ cfu / ml.
% Bactericidal effect was confirmed.

[0056]

The present invention is constituted as described above. Food is charged into a water tank provided with an anode and a cathode and provided with a water flow forming means, and a direct current is supplied between the anode and the cathode to supply water. By forming a water flow while performing the electrolysis of the above, it is possible to efficiently perform cleaning and sterilization of an object to be cleaned such as foodstuffs and tableware. In particular, if a vortex is formed using an impeller as a water flow forming means, and the vortex forming direction is changed at an arbitrary pitch in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, the water flow can be uniformly applied to the entire workpiece. This is preferable since the washing / sterilization efficiency can be further enhanced. Further, if a basket is removably arranged in the above-mentioned water tank, and the object to be cleaned is inserted into the basket and immersed, the crush or damage of the object due to direct contact with the water flow forming means. Not only can be avoided, but also the handling of the object to be treated and draining can be facilitated, and the workability can be improved.

Further, the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention basically has only to include a water tank, a water flow forming means and an electrode unit. The size design is simple, and it is easy to fully automate the operation including energization of the operation source of the water flow forming means and the electrode unit, etc., and efficiently clean and sterilize the object to be cleaned in a short time. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional explanatory view illustrating a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating an electrode unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a preferred structure of an impeller used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sketch illustrating a basket preferably used in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an example of a control system diagram when operating the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another control system diagram when operating the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view illustrating another cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention.

10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view illustrating still another cleaning / sterilizing apparatus used in the present invention.

12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a control system diagram when operating the cleaning / sterilizing apparatus shown in FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 18 drain valve 19 level sensor 21 control box 22 electrode unit 23 operation panel 25 water supply pipe 26 water supply port 27 overflow pipe 28 drain plug 29 drain pipe 30 motor 31 belt 32 pulley P circulation pump 40 water supply pipe 41 water absorption pipe 42 injection nozzle member 43 Water absorbing member 44 Net shelf

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B08B 3/02 B08B 3/02 A 3/04 3/04 Z

Claims (11)

[Claims] An object to be cleaned is loaded into a water tank having an anode and a cathode and having a water flow forming means, and a direct current is passed between the anode and the cathode to form a water flow while performing electrolysis of water. Cleaning and sterilization method for cleaning and sterilizing an object to be cleaned. 2. The cleaning / sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the vortex is formed by a water flow forming means. 3. The cleaning / sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein the vortex forming direction is changed clockwise and counterclockwise at an arbitrary pitch by the water flow forming means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is placed in a basket that is detachably disposed in a water tank and immersed in the basket to prevent direct contact with the water flow forming means. The cleaning / sterilizing method described in Crab. 5. The cleaning / sterilizing method according to claim 1, wherein a jet of cleaning water is used as the water flow forming means. 6. A cleaning / sterilizing apparatus comprising: a water tank provided with a water supply means and a drain means; and a water flow forming means, and an anode and a cathode for electrolysis provided in the water tank. 7. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the water flow forming means is an impeller whose rotation speed is variable. 8. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the impeller is configured to be able to change the rotation direction clockwise and counterclockwise at an arbitrary pitch. 9. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the water flow forming means is a cleaning water injection nozzle provided on the inner wall surface side of the water tank. 10. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the current flowing between the anode and the cathode for electrolysis can be changed stepwise or steplessly. 11. The cleaning / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a basket for storing an object to be cleaned is detachably provided in the water tank.