WO2007058441A1

WO2007058441A1 - Apparatus for washing baby bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2007058441A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gi-Wha Cheon
Original assignee: Gi-Wha Cheon
Priority date: 2005-11-17
Filing date: 2006-11-06
Publication date: 2007-05-24

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus for washing a baby bottle including a main body having a washing chamber in which washing liquid is sprayed and a cleaning unit including a cleaning shaft with a shape insertable into a bottle-shaped cleaning object to spray the washing liquid inside the cleaning object. The apparatus also includes a holder for holding the cleaning object so that the cleaning shaft maintains the inserted position inside the cleaning object and means for rotating the cleaning shaft or the holder to rotate the cleaning shaft with respect to the cleaning object. This allows uniform washing and sterilization of different parts of the bottle body and nipple, stably and easily fixing the cleaning object, thereby enabling convenient use and improved cleaning effects.

Description

APPARATUS FOR WASHING BABY BOTTLE

Technical Field

[I] The present invention relates to an apparatus for washing a baby bottle which automatically washes a baby bottle composed of a bottle body and a nipple, by injecting high-pressure jets of washing liquid. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for washing a baby bottle which can stably hold the bottle body and the nipple so as to prevent play thereof by the high-pressure jets of washing liquid, and can rotate the bottle body and the nipple during the washing to maximize the cleaning effects.

[2]

Background Art [3] Conventionally, a user manually cleans a baby bottle with water and detergent using a scrubbing cloth or a simple instrument to clean the interior of the baby bottle. [4] There is a dish washer for cleaning dishes and utensils, but the baby bottle having a deep inner space is not cleaned effectively with a typical dish washer. Thus, usually the user has to manually clean the interior of the baby bottle despite the inconveniences. [5] To overcome such inconveniences, there has been suggested 'A Washing Device for a Baby Bottle' in Korea Patent No. 0450977, which is configured to automatically wash a baby bottle. [6] The conventional washing device for a baby bottle will now be explained hereunder with accompanying drawings. [7] FlG. 1 is a front view illustrating the conventional washing device for a baby bottle, and FlG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the conventional washing device for a baby bottle, cut along line A-A of FlG. 1. [8] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional washing device for a baby bottle includes a main body 10 having a washing chamber 30 therein, a door 20 disposed openable and closeable on top of the main body 10 and a drive unit (not shown) installed in a portion excluding the washing chamber 30 within the main body 10. [9] Inside the washing chamber 130 of the main body 10, an ultraviolet lamp 13 is installed for sterilizing the baby bottle, controlled by a control unit 12 to be turned on for a predetermined extent of time to perform sterilization. [10] In addition, a viewing window 11 is installed on a front side of the main body 10, made of a material that allows viewing the interior of the washing chamber 30.

[II] Moreover, the nozzle tube 40 includes a first nozzle tube 41 which is connected to a pump of the drive unit, and installed in the center of the inclined surface of the washing chamber 30; second nozzle tubes 42 which are connected to the pump of the drive unit and installed to be disposed at lower portions of front and rear surfaces of the washing chamber 30; third nozzle tubes 43 which are connected to the pump of the drive unit and installed to be disposed at upper portions of the front and rear surfaces of the washing chamber 30; injection nozzle for bottle bodies 44 which protrude vertically upwardly from the first nozzle tube 41 and inject the washing liquid into the bottle bodies B; injection nozzles for nipples 45 which are installed on inward surfaces of the second nozzle tubes 42 at a predetermined interval along the length thereof so as to inject the washing liquid; and injection nozzles for nipple caps 46 which are installed on inward surfaces of the third nozzle tubes 43 at a predetermined interval along the length thereof so as to inject the washing liquid.

[12] The nozzle tube 40 can inject the washing liquid by installing the plurality of injection nozzles or by forming a plurality of holes in the nozzle tube itself without employing any injection nozzles.

[13] In the meantime, a nipple cap mount means 60 can be caught in and supported by the nipple cap mount means catching portions 34 provided in the washing chamber 30 by fitting nipple cap fixing members 61 for enclosing and receiving nipple caps X around a nipple cap fixing member supporting bar 62 to be arranged at a predetermined interval thereon. The nipple cap mount means 60 presses down the bottoms of the inverted bottle bodies W to prevent play of the bottle bodies upon washing thereof.

[14] A nipple mount means 70 is installed for mounting the nipple in a position opposed to the injection nozzles for the nipples 45.

[15] To wash a baby bottle, the washing device for the baby bottle is first coupled to the water faucet (or water supply line) and electrically connected to the power supply. Then, the door 20 is opened and respective bottle bodies B of the baby bottles are placed over the injection nozzles for bottle bodies 44 and thus supported by bottle body supporting members 147. Next, the nipple caps X are accommodated in the nipple cap mount means 60, which in turn is installed by fitting the hanger support portion of the nipple cap fixing members supporting bar 62 into the nipple cap mount means catching portions 34 as shown in FlG. 2. Then, either Nuke-type nipples Y or Avent-type nipples Z are fitted into the nipple mount means 70, opposed to the injection nozzles for the nipples 145. Next, the door 20 is closed and the set/start button of the control unit 12 is manipulated to select the detergent washing or water washing. When the operation is completed, if it is determined that the washing process is insufficient, additional washing can be conducted by separately manipulating respective buttons.

[16] As described above, the conventional washing device for a baby bottle has an advantage of convenient use by automatically washing and sterilizing.

[17] However, in the conventional washing device, each of the nozzle tubes and nozzles for injecting the washing liquid and sterilizing ultraviolet lamps 13 are configured to target only a certain portion of the bottle bodies B, nipple caps X and nipples Y or Z. Thus, the washing liquid is sprayed and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated on only certain portions of the parts of the baby bottle, hindering uniform washing or sterilization of the baby bottle.

[18] In addition, in the conventional washing device for a baby bottle, the cleaning objects are fixed by a complex configuration and with weak strength so that when the washing liquid is injected at high pressure, the items may be shaken or moved, hindering adequate cleaning.

[19] Further, the conventional washing device does not include a configuration for heating the water injected onto the surfaces of the baby bottle, thus requiring a separate device for heating the water when the baby bottle is need to be cleaned with hot water. Moreover, it lacks a configuration for adjusting the injection pressure of the water for cleaning the baby bottle, thus resulting in inadequate washing when the pressure of the water supplied to the washing device is too low.

[20]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[21] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems of the prior art and therefore an object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for washing a baby bottle which can uniformly clean and sterilize parts of a baby bottle such as a bottle body and a nipple, stably fix the parts of the baby bottle, and heat up and increase the pressure of the water for more effective washing of the parts of the baby bottle, thereby improving cleaning effects.

[22]

Technical Solution

[23] According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, there is provided an apparatus for washing a baby bottle comprising: a main body having a washing chamber in which washing liquid is sprayed; a cleaning unit including a cleaning shaft with a shape insertable into a bottle-shaped cleaning object to spray the washing liquid inside the cleaning object, and a holder for holding the cleaning object so that the cleaning shaft maintains the inserted position inside the cleaning object; and means for rotating the cleaning shaft or the holder to rotate the cleaning shaft with respect to the cleaning object.

[24] In addition, the holder is coaxially fitted about the cleaning shaft, and has a thread part threadly engaged with an opening of the cleaning object and has at least one drain hole for draining the washing liquid flown into the cleaning object. [25] In addition, the holder may comprise at least two protruding bars each having a fastening protrusion threadly engaged with an opening of the cleaning object.

[26] Moreover, the holder may comprise at least two resilient bars made of a flexible material to be tightly fitted around an opening of the cleaning object, the resilient bars each having a fixing protrusion formed thereon to be in contact with a portion of an opening of the cleaning object.

[27] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle may further comprise an exterior sterilization lamp provided in the washing chamber to irradiate sterilizing beams onto an exterior surface of the cleaning object; and an interior sterilization lamp provided on the cleaning shaft to irradiate sterilizing beams onto a interior surface of the cleaning object.

[28] In addition, the holder may comprise a saw teeth formed at a lower part thereof, the saw teeth having a rotation axis identical to a central axis of the cleaning shaft, and the rotation means comprises a rotation gear mated to the saw teeth to rotate the holder and a motor for rotating the rotation gear to rotate the holder.

[29] Moreover, the holder may have a lower portion thereof embedded in a floor portion of the washing chamber, and has an escape preventing protrusion laterally protruded from the lower portion thereof embedded inside the floor portion of the washing chamber.

[30] In addition, the cleaning unit of the apparatus may comprise a first cleaning means for cleaning a bottle body; and a second cleaning means for cleaning a nipple.

[31] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle may further comprise means for heating the washing liquid; and means for applying pressuring to the washing liquid.

[32] The heating means may comprise a heater for heating the washing liquid to a high temperature, and the pressure-applying means may comprise a pump for supplying the washing liquid heated to a high temperature to the cleaning shaft.

[33] The heating means may comprise a steam generator for generating the washing liquid steam, and the pressure-applying means may comprise a high-pressure air supplier which generates high-pressure air evenly mixed with the washing liquid steam and supply the mixed washing liquid steam to the cleaning shaft.

[34] In addition, the washing device for a baby bottle may further comprise a check valve for preventing back flow of the washing liquid steam.

[35]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[36] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [37] FlG. 1 is a front view illustrating a conventional washing device for a baby bottle;

[38] FlG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the conventional washing device for a baby bottle, cut along line A-A of FlG. 1 ; [39] FlG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention; [40] FlG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [41] FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [42] FlG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the first cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [43] FlG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a rotation means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention; [44] FlG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a first holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [45] FlG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the first holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [46] FlG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a first holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [47] FlG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the first holder according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and [48] FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views illustrating the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention including a heating means and a pressure- applying means. [49]

Mode for the Invention [50] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [51] FlG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention. [52] As shown in FlG. 3, the washing device for a baby bottle includes a main body 100 having a washing chamber 110 for cleaning the exterior of the baby bottle, first cleaning means 200 for cleaning a bottle body and second cleaning means 300 for cleaning a nipple and a control unit 130 for controlling the operation of each of the components. [53] The main body 100 has a door 120 which is installed on a front side thereof and made of transparent material to allow the user to be able to view inside the washing chamber 110. The washing chamber 110 has exterior injection nozzles 400 for injecting washing liquid and water and an exterior sterilization lamp 500 provided on an inner wall thereof for irradiating sterilizing beams. The exterior sterilization lamp 500 installed provided on the inner wall of the washing chamber 110 is for cleaning and sterilizing the exterior of the baby bottle seated inside the washing chamber 110. This configuration is generally known in connection with conventional dish washers, etc., and thus no further explanation is provided on such a configuration. In this embodiment, the exterior injection nozzles 400 are formed on three walls of the washing chamber 110, and the door 120 is provided on the remaining side. But the door 120 may be installed on an upper part of the main body 100 so that the exterior injection nozzles 400 may be installed on all four walls of the washing chamber 110. In addition, the main body 100 is connected to a water supply hose 140 for water supply needed for cleaning and a drain hose 150 for draining waste water after cleaning the baby bottle. The water supply hose 140 has a fastening part 142 for connecting to the water faucet (or water supply line).

[54] A cleaning unit includes the first cleaning means 200 for cleaning the bottle body B and the second cleaning means 300 for cleaning the nipple C.

[55] The first cleaning means 200 includes a first cleaning shaft 210 having a shape insertable into the bottle body B to inject washing liquid inside the bottle and a first holder 220 for holding the bottle body B so that the first cleaning shaft 210 maintains the inserted position inside the bottle body B. In addition, the second cleaning means 300 includes a second cleaning shaft 310 having a shape insertable into the nipple C to inject the washing liquid inside the nipple cap and a second holder 320 for holding the nipple C so that the second cleaning shaft 310 maintains the inserted position inside the nipple C.

[56] Now, the configurations and operations of the first cleaning means 200 and the second cleaning means 300 will be explained with accompanying drawings.

[57]

[58] FlG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a usage example of the first cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention, FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a usage example of the second cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention, and FlG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the usage example of the first cleaning means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention.

[59] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first cleaning shaft 210 has a plurality of first injection holes 212 for injecting the washing liquid, and a second cleaning shaft 310 has a plurality of second injection holes 312 for injecting the washing liquid. The first and second cleaning shafts 210 and 310 also have first exterior sterilization lamps 214 and second exterior sterilization lamps 314 for sterilizing inside the bottle body B and the nipple C, respectively. Here, each of the first injection holes 212 and the second injection holes 312 may have a nozzle installed therein for adjusting the injection mode or injection pressure of the washing liquid.

[60] The first cleaning shaft 210 is coaxially assembled into the first holder 220, and the second cleaning shaft 310 is vertically assembled into the second holder 320. The first and second holders 220 and 320 are fitted about lower portions of the first and second cleaning shafts 210 and 310, respectively. When assembling the bottle body B to the first cleaning means 200, the bottle body B is placed upside down so that the first cleaning shaft 210 is inserted inside the bottle body B and an opening of the bottle body B is engaged with the first holder 220. When assembling the nipple C to the second cleaning means 300, the nipple C is placed such that the second cleaning shaft 310 is inserted inside the nipple C.

[61] In general, a baby bottle has a structure in which the bottle body B and the nipple C are detachable from each other. Here, in order for thread engagement of the bottle body B and the nipple C, the bottle body B has threads S formed on an outer surface of an opening thereof and the nipple C has corresponding threads (not shown) formed on an inner surface of an opening thereof. Therefore, the first holder 220 has first threads 222 formed on an inner upper surface thereof for engagement with the threads S of the bottle body B, and the second holder 320 has second threads 322 formed on an outer upper surface thereof for engagement with the threads of the nipple C.

[62] With the thread engagement of each of the bottle body B and the nipple C with the holder as described above, the bottle body B and the nipple C are more stably fixed than in the prior art. Thus, even with strong jets of washing liquid, the bottle body B and the nipple C are not shaken or moved out of place. Further, the apparatus according to the present invention is capable of sterilization in addition to cleaning the interior of the bottle body B and the nipple C.

[63] As shown in FIG. 6, the first holder 220 has a lower portion embedded in a floor portion of the washing chamber 110 to more stably hold the bottle body B. Also, a first escape preventing protrusion 226 (see FIG. 7) is formed at the embedded lower portion, to prevent detachment from the floor portion of the washing chamber 110 even if external force is applied. In addition, the first holder 220 has at least one drain hole 224 formed at a side surface thereof for draining the washing liquid flown into the bottle body B.

[64] At this time, the second holder 320 also has a second escape preventing protrusion

326 and a second drain hole 324 for the same purpose described above. The second cleaning means 300 differs from the first cleaning means 200 only in the length and location of the cleaning shaft, and has rest of the configurations identical to the first cleaning means 200. Thus, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[65]

[66] FlG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the rotation means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention.

[67] Each of the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310 has the plurality of first injection holes 212 and second injection holes 312, but each of the holes has a limited range of injection and thus there is a limitation in uniformly injecting the washing liquid on an entire inner surfaces of the bottle body B and the nipple C. In order to uniformly spray the washing liquid on an entire surface of the bottle body B and the nipple C, supposedly the first injection holes 212 and the second injection holes 312 may be formed densely throughout an entire outer surface of the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310 or the spray angle of the washing liquid may be increased. However, densely forming the first injection holes 212 and the second injection holes 312 results in too complex inner configurations of the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310. Also, increasing the injection angle of the washing liquid results in decreased injection pressure of the washing liquid, hindering effective cleaning.

[68] To solve such a problem, the apparatus for washing a baby bottle is configured to have the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310 fixed in position while the first holder 220 and the second holder 320 disposed rotatable. With this configuration, the first injection holes 212 and the second injection holes 312 are fixed in a position while the bottle body B and the nipple C rotate, allowing injection of the washing liquid on entire inner surfaces of the bottle body B and the nipple C, thereby resulting in greater cleaning effects. Here, each of the holders 220 and 320 has an opening221 at the bottom end so that each of the cleaning shafts 210 and 310 is inserted into the holder.

[69] To rotate the first holder 220 and the second holder 320 as described above, the first holder 220 has a first saw teeth 228 with its rotation axis the same as an axis of the first cleaning shaft 210. Also, the rotation means 600 includes a rotation gear 610 meshed with the first saw teeth 228, and a motor 620 for rotating the rotation gear 610 to rotate the first bolder 220. Here, the rotation gear 610 may be provided in plural to adjust the rotation ratio of the motor 620 and the first holder 220.

[70] The first saw teeth 228 is formed at a lower surface of the first holder 220, but is not limited thereto. The first saw teeth 228 may be freely modified in its shape and location as long as its structure allows transmitting rotation power of the motor 620.

[71] Likewise with the first holder 220 disposed rotatable, the second holder 320 may also be disposed rotatable with a second escape preventing protrusion 326 and a second saw teeth formed therewith. Here, the shape and operation of the second escape preventing protrusion 326 and the second saw teeth are identical to those of the first escape preventing protrusion 226 and the first saw teeth 228, thus omitted in detailed explanation.

[72] Further in this embodiment, the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310 are fixed while the first holder 220 and the second holder 320 are rotated to rotate the bottle body B and the nipple C. Conversely, however, the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention may also be configured to have the first holder 220 and the second holder 320 fixed and the first cleaning shaft 220 and the second cleaning shaft 320 disposed rotatable. The structure in which the first cleaning shaft 210 and the second cleaning shaft 310 inject high-pressure jets of water while rotating, is known in the art in connection with various injection apparatuses, and thus a detailed explanation is omitted.

[73]

[74] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a first holder of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the second example of the first holder of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[75] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first holder 220 may have at least two protruding bars 223 each with a fastening protrusion 225 threadly engaged with the threads S formed on an outer surface of the opening of the bottle body B. With this configuration of the first holder 220, the area of the threads S concealed by the first holder 220 is significantly decreased, allowing more effective cleaning and sterilization of the threads S.

[76] Here, it is preferable that the fastening protrusions 225 formed respectively on the protruding bars 223 have heights decreasing in a predetermined interval along with the sloped root patterns of the threads S. The number of the protruding bars 223 may be adjusted greater or smaller according to various conditions such as the pressure of the washing liquid or the rotation power of the first holder 220.

[77]

[78] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a first holder of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the first holder of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[79] The first holder 220 may be made of a material having flexibility, tightly fitted a round the opening of the bottle body B, and may have at least two resilient bars 223a for holding the bottle body B. In addition, to more stably hold the bottle body B, each of the resilient bars 223a may have a fixing protrusion 225a formed at an upper inner surface. The fixing protrusions 225a are fitted in the roots between the crests of the threads S.

[80] With the first holder 220 having the plurality of resilient bars 223a with the fixing protrusions 225a, the user can fix the bottle body B in its position by pressing the bottle body into the first holder 220 instead of rotating the bottle body B, which also allows easier detachment of the bottle body B from the holder.

[81] Here, the resilience of the resilient bars 223a or the shape of the fixing protrusions

225a may be suitably determined according to the height and shape of the threads S.

[82] The structure of the first holder 220 having the protruding bars 223 or the resilient bars 223a may also be applied to the second holder 320. In the case of the second holder 320 having the protruding bars 223 or the resilient bars 223a, the difference is only the protruding direction of the fastening protrusion 225 or the fixing protrusion 225a, and the rest of the configurations and operations are identical to those of the protruding bars 223 or the resilient bars 223a applied to the first holder 220, and thus a detailed explanation is omitted.

[83]

[84] FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views illustrating the interiors of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention including a heating means and a pressure-applying means.

[85] The cleaning effect of a baby bottle is greater with higher-temperature washing liquid than using lower-temperature washing liquid. Thus, it is preferable that the apparatus for washing a baby bottle according to the present invention has a heating means for heating the washing liquid injected on the surfaces of the bottle body or the nipple cap.

[86] In the meantime, when supplying water to each of the cleaning shafts at the water pressure of the public water pipe, the water being injected does not have much pressure, and thus it is difficult to remove dregs clinging to the surfaces of the bottle body or the nipple. The injection holes formed in the cleaning shaft may be modified to adjust the pressure of the water injected to the bottle body or the nipple cap, but raising the pressure of the water is limited since the public water supply has a set water pressure. Therefore, it is preferable to additionally provide a means to apply pressure to the water being supplied to increase the pressure of the water injected onto the surfaces of the bottle body or the nipple.

[87]

[88] Now, examples of the heating means and the pressure-applying means of the apparatus for washing a baby bottle will be explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[89] The heating means may be provided as a heater 710 for heating the water supplied, to inject hot water through the first cleaning shaft 210, as shown in FIG. 12. As shown in this embodiment, the heater 710 may be configured to surround the water supply line feeding to the first cleaning shaft 210, or as an alternative, may have a separate heating tank. At this time, it is preferable that the pressure-applying means is provided as a pump 810 which compresses and supply the water heated by the heater 710 so that the water heated to a high temperature by the heater 710 is injected to the bottle body B at higher pressure.

[90] Using the apparatus for washing a baby bottle with the heater 710 and the pump

810 provided as above, hot water is injected onto the surface of the bottle body B at high pressure, thereby further enhancing the cleaning effects.

[91]

[92] In the meantime, when dregs are clinging to the inner surface of the bottle body B or dirt is built up on the surface of the bottle body B, even the high-temperature and high-pressure washing liquid provided as shown in FlG. 12 may not be good enough for perfect cleaning. Thus, the apparatus may need to be configured to inject the washing liquid at higher temperature and pressure than proposed in FlG. 12.

[93] That is, as shown in FlG. 13, the heating means may be provided as a steam generator 720 which makes the washing liquid into steam, and the pressure-applying means may be provided as a high-pressure air supplier 820 which generates and mix high-pressure air with the washing liquid to supply to the cleaning shafts.

[94] The steam generator 720 is configured to heat up a washing liquid supply line to make the washing liquid into steam. At this time, the washing liquid supply line may be made of highly conductive material such as copper to more quickly heat up the washing liquid inside. Also, to increase the surface in contact with heat, i.e., to increase the length of the washing liquid supply line, the line may be provided in the form of a spiral. The steam generating device 720 may have any configuration as long as capable of generating high-temperature, high-pressure steam by heating the washing liquid by various types of energy(fuel, electricity, etc.). The device for heating to make steam from liquid is known in the prior art, and thus a detailed explanation is omitted.

[95] In addition, the high-pressure air supplier 820 is provided to generate high-pressure air to be ejected through the first cleaning shaft 210, and may be provided for example as an air compressor. The high-pressure air generated from the high-pressure air supplier 820 is mixed with the washing liquid steam provided by the steam generator 720 while being supplied to the first cleaning shaft 210. Thus, the washing liquid steam and the high-pressure air are injected together into the bottle body B.

[96] With the washing liquid steam and the high-pressure air mixed and injected into the bottle body B, the dregs and built-up dirt are easily removed by the strong collision of the high-pressure air, and then the bottle body B is cleaned by the washing liquid, maximizing the cleaning effects of the bottle body B. [97] The washing liquid turned into steam by the steam generator 720 may flow back due to the increasing pressure, and thus it is preferable that the steam generator 720 may additionally include a check valve 722 for preventing back flow of the washing liquid steam.

[98]

[99] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate configurations in which the heating means and the pressure-applying means are provided around the washing liquid supply line connected to the first cleaning shaft 210. In the same manner, the heating means and the pressure- applying means are also provided around the washing liquid supply line to the second cleaning shaft 310. The configuration for providing the heating means and pressure- applying means around the washing liquid supply line to the second cleaning shaft 310 is identical to those for the first cleaning shaft 210. Thus, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[100] In addition, the heating means and the pressure-applying means are provided inside the main body but are not limited to such a location and may be freely opted by the user. That is, the heating means and the pressure-applying means may be attached to an external side of the main body or made separately from the main body and connected only to the washing liquid supply line.

[101]

[102] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to the present invention allows uniform cleaning and sterilization of the cleaning objects including various parts of the baby bottle such as the bottle body and the nipple, stably and simply fixing the cleaning objects for convenient use, and effectively removing dried up dregs or built- up dirt.

[103] While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for washing a baby bottle comprising: a main body having a washing chamber in which washing liquid is sprayed; a cleaning unit including a cleaning shaft with a shape insertable into a bottle- shaped cleaning object to spray the washing liquid inside the cleaning object, and a holder for holding the cleaning object so that the cleaning shaft maintains the inserted position inside the cleaning object; and means for rotating the cleaning shaft or the holder to rotate the cleaning shaft with respect to the cleaning object.

[2] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holder is coaxially fitted about the cleaning shaft, and has a thread part threadly engaged with an opening of the cleaning object and has at least one drain hole for draining the washing liquid flown into the cleaning object.

[3] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least two protruding bars each having a fastening protrusion threadly engaged with an opening of the cleaning object.

[4] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least two resilient bars made of a flexible material to be tightly fitted around an opening of the cleaning object, the resilient bars each having a fixing protrusion formed thereon to be in contact with a portion of an opening of the cleaning object.

[5] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, further comprising: an exterior sterilization lamp provided in the washing chamber to irradiate sterilizing beams onto an exterior surface of the cleaning object; and an interior sterilization lamp provided on the cleaning shaft to irradiate sterilizing beams onto a interior surface of the cleaning object.

[6] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a saw teeth formed at a lower part thereof, the saw teeth having a rotation axis identical to a central axis of the cleaning shaft, and the rotation means comprises a rotation gear mated to the saw teeth to rotate the holder and a motor for rotating the rotation gear to rotate the holder.

[7] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a lower portion thereof embedded in a floor portion of the washing chamber, and has an escape preventing protrusion laterally protruded from the lower portion thereof embedded inside the floor portion of the washing chamber.

[8] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises: a first cleaning means for cleaning a bottle body; and a second cleaning means for cleaning a nipple cap. [9] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 1, further comprising: means for heating the washing liquid; and means for applying pressuring to the washing liquid. [10] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 9, wherein the heating means comprises a heater for heating the washing liquid to a high temperature, and the pressure-applying means comprises a pump for supplying the washing liquid heated to a high temperature to the cleaning shaft. [11] The apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle according to claim 9, wherein the heating means comprises a steam generator for generating the washing liquid steam, and the pressure-applying means comprises a high-pressure air supplier which generates high-pressure air evenly mixed with the washing liquid steam and supply the mixed washing liquid steam to the cleaning shaft. [12] The washing device for a baby bottle according to claim 11, further comprising a check valve for preventing back flow of the washing liquid steam.