KR20210125200A - Automatic Cleaning Apparatus for Mask - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic cleaning apparatus for a mask, comprising: a case; a mask input unit located at one side of the case; a mask transfer unit capable of leading in or discharging the mask inserted through an inlet into or out of the apparatus; a hot air spraying unit using hot air to shake off dust and the like attached to the mask, drying the mask, and performing primary disinfection; an energy irradiation unit for conducting a sterilization or disinfection process by irradiating energy; a power supply unit for supplying power to the apparatus; and a control unit for controlling a mask cleaning and regeneration process. The automatic cleaning apparatus for a mask has the advantages of not only restoring static electricity of the mask filter, but also not deforming the structure of the mask filter even after washing 10 times or more due to excellent durability of the mask filter.

Description

Automatic Cleaning Apparatus for Mask

The present invention relates to an automatic mask washing machine, and more particularly, to a mask automatic washing machine including a case, a mask input unit, a mask transfer unit, a hot air spray unit, an energy irradiation unit, a power supply unit and a control unit.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, a mask crisis occurred around the world, and the price of one mask soared to 200,000 won. Although the number of deaths due to Corona 19, MERS, yellow dust, ultrafine dust, and various harmful substances from China is increasing, the reality is that the shortage of masks and expensive prices by accident, season, and price are still unresolved.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly severe air pollution forced consumers to purchase masks almost every day. However, since the masks purchased in this way are used only once and thrown away, they not only caused another environmental pollution, but also placed a considerable burden on the households on the people.

Due to the above-mentioned problem, the number of consumers who wash and use the mask is increasing. 78.1% of domestic fine dust mask wearers reuse or wash the fine dust mask after use. The number of times of reuse is 2 times: 48.1%, 3 times 22.8%, and the number of users more than 4 times is over 29.1%.

However, washing the mask is not allowed because static electricity is weak against moisture, so when it comes into contact with water, the static electricity disappears, and hand washing destroys filter particles. In other words, when exposed to moisture or organic substances, the charge is lost and the ability to remove dust is lost.

On the other hand, electrostatic filters used for masks and the like have developed rapidly in just 2-3 years. Various studies are being conducted to continuously maintain static electricity and to increase the organic matter capture rate even after washing. In particular, by using ultra-fine filters made of metal materials such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and aluminum (Al) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethyl), ultra-fine particles are not destroyed and the charge can be maintained for a relatively long time. There are filters that are about to be commercialized.

However, the above-described electrostatic filter has a disadvantage in that the electric charge is continuously dissipated after being manufactured for the first time, and its function is lost after washing 2-5 times.

Looking at the patent literature related to the reusable mask, in KR Patent Application No. 10-2019-0061835 (title of the invention: reusable fine dust antibacterial mask), a mask unit, a sealing member fixed to the inner surface of the mask unit, and the A fine dust filter paper positioned between the inner surface of the mask unit and the face, wherein the fine dust filter paper is partially fixed to the inner surface of the mask and/or the sealing member, and the non-fixed portion moves according to breathing, and the mask unit is non-antibacterial Disclosed is a fine dust mask characterized in that it is a triple-woven antibacterial mask made of an upper knitted fabric, a lower knitted fabric including fibers containing copper components, and a vertical knitted fabric including monofilament yarn fibers.

However, even in the case of the above-described mask, the problem that almost all of the static electricity of the mask filter is lost when washing 3-5 times could not be solved.

Numerous papers and patent documents are referenced throughout this specification and their citations are indicated. The disclosure contents of the cited papers and patent documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to more clearly describe the level of the technical field to which the present invention pertains and the content of the present invention.

The inventors of the present invention not only restore the static electricity of the mask filter even after washing and use, but also have excellent durability of the mask filter, so that the structure of the mask filter is not deformed even after washing 10 times or more. Research efforts were made to develop it. As a result, when a mask equipped with a filter coated with fluororesin particles is used in a mask washing machine equipped with a metal drum and UV generator to restore static electricity, the static electricity of the mask filter is restored and the durability of the mask filter is excellent. The present invention was completed by discovering the fact that the structure of the mask filter is not deformed even when washed 10 times or more.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic mask cleaning apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mask for an automatic mask cleaning apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, claims and drawings.

The present invention provides a mask cleaning apparatus.

The inventors of the present invention not only restore the static electricity of the mask filter even after washing and use, but also have excellent durability of the mask filter, so that the structure of the mask filter is not deformed even after washing 10 times or more. Research efforts were made to develop it. As a result, when a mask equipped with a filter coated with fluororesin particles is used in a mask washing machine equipped with a metal drum and UV generator to restore static electricity, the static electricity of the mask filter is restored and the durability of the mask filter is excellent. It was confirmed that the structure of the mask filter is not deformed even when washed 10 times or more.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a case, a mask input unit located on one side of the case, a mask transfer unit capable of introducing or discharging the mask inserted through the inlet into the device, and attaching to the mask using hot air. The hot air spraying unit for removing dust, drying the mask, and performing primary disinfection, the energy irradiation unit for sterilization or sterilization by irradiating energy, the power supply unit for supplying power to the device, and the cleaning and regeneration process of the mask It provides an automatic mask cleaning device comprising a control unit for controlling.

As used herein, the term 'fluororesin' may mean a resin containing fluorine in a molecule.

As used herein, the term 'plasma' may refer to a state in which a gas is heated to an ultra-high temperature state and separated into electrons and ions having a positive charge.

As used herein, the term 'microwave' may mean a radio wave having a frequency of 300-30000 megacycles and a wavelength of 1 m or less.

As used herein, the term 'dust collection efficiency' may mean a rate at which the mask filters small foreign substances when air is inhaled.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the automatic mask washing apparatus of the present invention may further include an electrostatic restoring unit for restoring static electricity of the mask, which has been first cleaned, preferably by using the hot air.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the static electricity restoration unit of the present invention may be to restore static electricity using a drum made of a metal material, preferably hollow.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the static electricity restoration unit of the present invention may be to restore static electricity by rotating a drum, preferably made of a hollow metal material, and rubbing it with the mask.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the energy irradiation unit of the present invention may be preferably selected from the group comprising a UV irradiation device, a plasma generator, a microwave generator, and a mixture thereof,

More preferably, the energy irradiation unit may be selected from the group comprising a UV irradiation device, a plasma generator and a microwave generator,

More preferably, it may be a UV irradiation device or a microwave generator,

Most preferably, it may be a UV irradiation device.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the energy irradiating unit of the present invention is preferably a UV irradiating device, and sterilization or sterilization may be performed by irradiating UV to the mask dried by hot air in the hot air emitting unit.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the mask of the present invention may include an electrostatic filter for filtering foreign substances using static electricity.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic filter of the present invention may be preferably coated with a nanomaterial.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the nanomaterial of the present invention may be preferably a nano fluororesin.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the mask of the present invention may preferably exhibit the following characteristics: (a) dust collection efficiency: 80% or more; (b) Inspiratory depression in the face: 60 pa or less; (c) Leakage rate: 25% or less; and (d) electrostatic recovery rate: 80% or more.

The features and advantages of the present invention are summarized as follows:

(a) The present invention provides a case, a mask input unit located on one side of the case, a mask transfer unit capable of introducing or discharging the mask inserted through the inlet into the device, and dust attached to the mask using hot air to shake off It includes a hot-air spraying unit for first sterilizing, drying the mask, an energy irradiation unit for sterilizing or sterilizing by irradiating energy, a power supply unit for supplying power to the device, and a control unit for controlling the mask cleaning and regeneration process It provides an automatic mask cleaning device that does this.

(b) The mask brake and cleaning device of the present invention provides the advantage that the static electricity of the mask filter is restored, and the mask filter has excellent durability, so that the structure of the mask filter is not deformed even after washing 10 times or more.

1 shows the appearance of the mask automatic washing apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the mask automatic cleaning apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a side cross-section of the mask automatic cleaning apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the use of the mask automatic washing apparatus of the present invention.
5 shows a state of the mask manufacturing apparatus used in the automatic mask cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

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

1 to 4 are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a state diagram of a mask automatic cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

1 to 4, the mask automatic cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case, a mask input unit, a mask transfer unit, a hot air injection port, an energy irradiation unit, a static electricity restoration unit, a power supply unit, and a control unit.

Experimental example

Experimental Example 1: Measurement of dust collection efficiency

With 6 mask products, 3 as they are, and the remaining 3 left at 38 ± 2.5 degrees Celsius and 85 ± 5 %RH for 24 ± 1 hour in advance were used as test specimens. The facial part of the specimen was placed in an automatic filter inspection device, and sodium chloride aerosol was passed through the facial part at a flow rate of 95 L per minute, and the concentration before and after passing the facial part was measured. The measured value at this time was the average value obtained between 30 ± 3 seconds, and was measured within 3 minutes after the start of the test.

Experimental Example 2: Measurement of facial inspiratory resistance

With 6 mask products, 3 as they are, and the remaining 3 left at 38 ± 2.5 degrees Celsius and 85 ± 5 %RH for 24 ± 1 hour in advance were used as test specimens. _{The water column (mmH 2} O) [or differential pressure (Pa)] when the face of the test specimen was put on the test pharynx and then air was passed at a continuous flow rate of 30 L per minute was measured.

Experimental Example 3: Leak rate measurement

With 10 mask products, 5 as they are, and the remaining 5 left at 38 ± 2.5 degrees Celsius and 85 ± 5 %RH for 24 ± 1 hour in advance were used as test specimens. After dissolving the sodium chloride reagent in distilled water to make a 2% sodium chloride solution, sodium chloride aerosol was generated using an aerosol generator, and the average concentration of sodium chloride aerosol entering the chamber was 8 ± 4 mg/m3. At this time, the particle size distribution is 0.02 μm-2 μm, and the average particle diameter is about 0.6 μm so that the sodium chloride aerosol enters the top of the chamber as much as possible, and the velocity flows directly over the subject's head at a speed of at least 0.12 m per second. It was measured so that

Experimental Example 4: Measurement of static recovery rate

The static electricity recovery rate was measured using a mask in which static electricity has been exhausted. The initial static electricity of the mask product was measured, left at 38 ± 2.5 degrees Celsius and humidity of 85 ± 5 for 72 hours, followed by washing and drying processes, and then static electricity was measured. Thereafter, static electricity was restored using a cleaning device and then static electricity was measured.

Experimental Example 5: Measurement of Tensile Strength of Joints

Experiments were conducted using the completed mask. The maximum load (N) was measured when the adhesive part of the headband and the mask was cut by fixing the tension tester in a natural state without wrinkles and pulling it at a speed of 20 cm/min. The average value for 5 samples was calculated.

Claims (10)

case,
A mask input unit located on one side of the case,
a mask transfer unit capable of introducing or discharging the mask inserted into the inlet into the device;
A hot air spraying unit that uses hot air to shake off dust, etc. attached to the mask, dries the mask, and performs primary disinfection;
Energy irradiation unit that conducts sterilization or sterilization process by irradiating energy;
a power supply that supplies power to the device; and
Including a control unit for controlling the mask cleaning and regenerating process
Mask automatic washing machine.
The method of claim 1,
The mask automatic cleaning apparatus further comprises a static electricity restoration unit for restoring static electricity of the mask on which the primary cleaning has been completed by using the hot air.
3. The method of claim 2,
The static electricity restoration unit is an automatic mask cleaning device, characterized in that it restores static electricity using a hollow metal drum.
4. The method of claim 3,
The static electricity restoration unit rotates a hollow metal drum and rubs against the mask to restore static electricity.
5. The method of claim 4,
The energy irradiator is an automatic mask cleaning device, characterized in that selected from the group comprising a UV irradiation device, a plasma generator and a microwave generator.
6. The method of claim 5,
The energy irradiation unit is a UV irradiation device, and the mask automatic cleaning device, characterized in that the sterilization or sterilization process is carried out by irradiating UV to the mask dried by hot air in the hot air spraying unit.
7. The method of claim 6,
The mask automatic mask cleaning device, characterized in that it includes an electrostatic filter for filtering foreign substances using static electricity.
8. The method of claim 7,
The electrostatic filter is an automatic mask cleaning device, characterized in that the nanomaterial is coated.
9. The method of claim 8,
The nanomaterial is an automatic mask cleaning device, characterized in that the nano-fluororesin.
10. The method of claim 9,
The mask is a mask automatic cleaning device, characterized in that as follows:
(a) Dust collection efficiency: 80% or more;
(b) Inspiratory depression in the face: 60 pa or less;
(c) Leakage rate: 25% or less; and
(d) Electrostatic recovery rate: 80% or more.

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