Method for generating sterilizing wash water and a portable apparatus thereof

• US 6,926,819 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2002
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omega S.A. (The Swatch Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Omega S.A. (The Swatch Group AG)
• Inventors: Fukuzuka, Kunihiko, Miyashita, Masaki, Nakamura, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Phasge, Arun S.
• Application Number:
  US10/153,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20030062267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 205/701, 205/742, 205/556, 204/275.1, 204/272, 204/274, 295/921
• US Class Current: 205/701
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/035 Electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/026 Treating water for medical or cosmetic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection

Abstract

In a method and an apparatus for generating a portable sterilizing water that can be easily used at, for example, hospitals, cafeterias of nursing facilities, restaurants, hair salons or homes, an electrolyzer is structured such that a tubular-shaped ferrite anode and a cathode are arranged alternately in a concentric manner with an inter-electrode distance, and integrated with a pressurizable solution container containing halogen ions and a power control apparatus so that it can be carried and operated by one hand.

Claims

1. A method for generating sterilizing wash water, the method comprising:

storing a solution containing halogen ions in a pressurizable solution container,

applying air pressure or inert gas pressure to the container,

feeding the solution containing halogen ions to an electrolyzer,

electrolyzing the solution, and discharging, by the air or inert gas pressure, electrolyzed solution as sterilizing wash water that is a product of the electrolysis from a sterilizing wash water exit hole.

2. The method for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer is structured such that an anode comprising a ferrite pipe or rod, or a conductive metal pipe or rod that is thermal sprayed with a ferrite and a cathode comprising a conductive metal pipe are concentrically arranged with an inter-electrode distance of 1.1 to 9 mm, and in the electrolyzing the solution, the solution containing halogen ions flows and is electrolyzed between the the anode and the cathode.

3. The method for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer is made by steps comprising filling a soft conductive low-melting point metal or mercury into a ferrite rod with a long hole, placing a conductive rod terminal body in the long hole to create a terminal, and overlaying concentrically a conductive anti-corrosive metal pipe thereon to create a cathode.

4. The method for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 1, wherein, the pressurizable solution container is detachable from the electrolyzer.

5. The method for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 1, wherein an air pump or inert gas feeding means can be attached to an inlet of the pressurizable solution container.

6. The method for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 1 wherein, a chloride or bromide of potassium or sodium is used individually or mixed as the solution containing halogen ions, and its combination, ratio or concentration thereof is changed depending on a purpose of use of the sterilizing wash water.

7. A portable apparatus for generating sterilizing wash water comprising:

a solution container in which pressure is applied,

an electrolyzer connected to a sterilizing wash water exit hole with a ferrite anode,

a battery, and

a power control apparatus comprising a direct power board, and a control board that controls the electrolysis time.

8. The portable apparatus for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 7, wherein a spray nozzle is attached to the sterilizing wash water exit hole and electrolyzed sterilizing wash water is sprayed to a target with the pressure of the solution container.

9. The portable apparatus for generating sterilizing wash water according to claim 7, wherein a solution of inorganic acid such as a hydrochloric acid or organic acid such as acetate is filled in to the solution container, an inert gas or air is filled in the solution container, the solution container is attached to a feed hole of the electrolizer, so that deposits deposited on a cathode is removed.

10. A method for removing deposits on a cathode of electrolyzer, the method comprising:

filling a solution of inorganic acid such as a hydrochloric acid or organic acid such as acetate into a pressurizable solution container, filling an inert gas or air in the solution container, attaching the solution container to a feed hole of the electrolizer, and removing deposits such as hydroxide metals deposited on the cathode.