JP3028092B2 - Denture washer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a denture cleaner, and more particularly, to a denture cleaner used for cleaning dentures with cleaning water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for cleaning dentures, a method of deodorizing and disinfecting the dentures simply by immersing the dentures in water containing a cleaning agent, or using a special denture cleaner recently marketed recently. There is a way to do that.

[0003]

However, dentures can be easily removed by sticky dirt from bread, rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, etc., or various kinds of fine dirt when eating. Absent. For this reason, the method of deodorization and sterilization only by immersing dentures is inadequate, and it is necessary to pre-clean it with a toothbrush or the like. Most of the dedicated denture cleaners also use ultrasonic cleaning methods, and the cleaning effect is low and unsatisfactory. Therefore, what is simple in structure and use and has a higher cleaning effect is desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a denture cleaner which is simple in structure and use and has a sufficient cleaning effect.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a denture cleaner according to the present invention includes a cleaning tank for storing dentures and cleaning the dentures, and a cleaning water in the cleaning tank. A holder that is located in the storage area and can rotate while holding the dentures in the washing water and a rotating mechanism that rotates the holder; the holder is located below the full water level of the washing tank; A space is provided between the lid of the tank and the lid of the holder, and between the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank and the peripheral wall of the holder, and a hole for passing the cleaning water is provided on the lid and the peripheral wall of the holder. One feature is that a partition wall that rises from the bottom wall and has a width that does not traverse the holding tool is provided substantially in the center of the.

In such a configuration, the dentures are held by the holder positioned in the washing water storage area of the washing tank, and the holder is driven to rotate by the rotating mechanism, so that the lid of the washing tank and the lid of the holder are closed. During, between the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank and the peripheral wall of the holder, in the cleaning tank having a space in each, the dentures held in the holder having a hole through which the cleaning water passes through the lid and the peripheral wall,
Since it rotates while immersing in washing water below the full water level,
The dentures vigorously and strongly come into contact with the flow of the wash water in a form that disturbs the wash water, and the deposits on the surface demonstrate the properties of the wash water and the detergent used in it well. In this way, various deposits on the dentures can be sufficiently washed in a short time. Moreover, the structure is simple and easy to use. In addition, the retainer can open and close the dentures easily by opening the lid, and the dentures can be immersed in washing water through a large number of cages while holding the inserted dentures so that they do not fall off by closing the lid. This is advantageous for cleaning because it is possible to prevent a surface or a part that is not immersed in the cleaning water from being generated as in the case of grasping. Further, the movement of the dentures is regulated by the partition wall, and the cleaning effect can be further enhanced by stirring the cleaning water entering the holder. In addition, the lid of the cleaning tank can prevent the cleaning water from splashing to the outside during the cleaning, and preventing the odor from escaping around in the dark.

[0007] A space is provided between the bottom wall of the cleaning tank and the bottom wall of the holder, and a hole is provided in the bottom wall of the holder for allowing washing water to pass therethrough. The lower side of the space provided between the lower wall and the bottom wall shall be reduced to a size substantially corresponding to the bottom wall of the holder. Can be connected to each other.

[0008] Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a typical embodiment of a denture cleaner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with the embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
A washing tank 3 containing washing water 1 and washing dentures 2;
The denture 2 is located in the washing water storage area 3a in the washing tank 3.
Holder 4 that can hold and rotate while being immersed in washing water 1
And a rotation mechanism 5 for rotating the holder 4, the denture 2 is held by the holder 4 located in the washing water storage area 3 a of the washing tank 3, and the holder 4 is driven to rotate by the rotation mechanism 5. Thereby, the denture 2 held by the holder 4 is rotated while being immersed in the washing water 1. Moreover, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the holder 4 is located below the water level of the cleaning tank 3, between the lid 38 of the cleaning tank 3 and the lid 36 of the holder 4, and with the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank 3. A space is provided between each of the tool 4 and the peripheral wall, and a cage 4b, which is a hole through which washing water is passed, is provided between the lid 36 and the peripheral wall of the holder 4. Cleaning tank 3
A space is also provided between the bottom wall of the holder 4 and the bottom wall of the holder 4, and a cage 4 b is provided on the bottom wall of the holder 4. Furthermore, cleaning tank 3
A space is also provided between the bottom wall of the
The lower side of this space is narrowed to a size substantially corresponding to the bottom wall of the holder 4.

With such a simple and easy-to-use structure, the dentures 2 vigorously and strongly come into contact with the flow of the washing water 1 in such a manner that the dentures 2 disturb the washing water 1. However, while making good use of the properties of the washing water 1 and the cleaning agent used therein, the sticky stains such as bread, rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, etc. adhered to the dentures 2 when eating. Alternatively, various kinds of fine stains can be sufficiently cleaned in a short time.

As an example, the washing tank 3 is integrally formed with a container 11 made of synthetic resin having an open lower part, and a lower opening 12 is closed by attaching a metal bottom plate 13 applied thereto from below with screws 14. In. The lower surface of the bottom plate 13 is provided with a leg portion 15 which is expanded downward by press working or the like, or a separate member such as a rubber member is retrofitted with a screw or the like, and greatly extends downward at the bottom of the washing tank 3. Bearing cylinder 16
Also, it has a simple structure in which the holding member 4 is rotatably supported by being integrally formed and bearing the rotation shaft 17 of the holding member 4. However, the present invention is not limited to these configurations, and the body 11 may be divided at any part, the number of divisions is arbitrary, and the material used is not particularly limited. A bearing metal 18 is accommodated in the bearing cylinder 16, and the rotating shaft 17 can be rotated by the bearing metal 18. Bearing cylinder 16
An oil seal 19 is fitted between the upper end of the rotary shaft 17 and the rotating shaft 17 to prevent the cleaning water 1 in the cleaning tank 3 from reaching the bearing. Such a bearing structure and a seal structure can be freely designed.

In this embodiment, the rotating mechanism 5 uses an electric motor 21, and a reinforcing plate 23 is applied to a metal supporting plate 22 mounted thereon together with the bottom plate 13, and the motor 21 is mounted thereon. Has been installed. The lower end of the rotating shaft 17 and the lower end of the motor shaft 24 project into a space 25 between the bottom plate 13 and the support plate 22, and a transmission belt 28 is stretched between pulleys 26 and 27 attached to the projecting ends. Motor 2
1 constitutes a simple deceleration mechanism 29 for decelerating and driving the rotating shaft 17 and the holder 4 supported by the rotating shaft 17, and realizes a rotation speed that is not too short or too short for cleaning the dentures 2. However, it goes without saying that a motor with a speed reduction mechanism may be used, or any other speed reduction mechanism or rotation mechanism may be used.

In the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism 5 has a drive circuit 31 provided with forward / reverse switching control means 32,
Is alternately driven in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. As a result, the denture 2 becomes the holder 4
The direction of disturbance of the washing water 1 when it is held and rotated is sequentially switched in the forward and reverse directions, so that the movement of the washing water 1 and the contact with the denture 2 can be made more complicated and stronger, and the washing effect is improved. I do.

When the rotating mechanism 5 is driven for a time set by a timer from the start of driving, the disadvantage that the denture 2 can be continuously washed for a long time can be avoided. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, for example, a hard timer 33 is provided on the upper surface of the body 11 which is easy to operate, and the power is turned on / off and the time is set by an operation knob 33a as a timer setting means. The power is turned off. Thereby, an appropriate time according to the material and structure of the denture 2 or the degree of contamination can be set, and the desired cleaning of the denture 2 can be performed in a minimum necessary time.

The forward / reverse switching control function, the timer function, and the timer setting means may have any circuit configuration and structure. For example, those functions may be used as internal functions of the microcomputer, and signals for the timer setting operation may be transmitted. You may make it input. When the timer is set by inputting a timer setting operation signal to the control circuit in this way, continuous setting can be performed by setting the steps in three hours, six hours, and nine hours as one embodiment. Unnecessary fine adjustments and variations as in the case can be prevented, and it becomes easy to use. Further, the microcomputer can easily control the rotation speed in conjunction with or in conjunction with the setting of the timer time, and control to drive the motor for 10 minutes every hour during the set time.

The holder 4 of the present embodiment is made of synthetic resin, and is integrally formed with a boss 4a which is fitted to the upper end of the rotary shaft 17 so as to be detachable therefrom.
To be rotated. When the holder 4 is supported by the rotating mechanism 5 so as to be detachable, the holder 4 and the cleaning tank 3 can be easily washed without disturbing each other. However, various structures such as a spline structure, a half-moon-shaped shaft and hole fitting structure, and the like can be adopted as the structure for attaching and detaching the holder 4 to and from the rotation mechanism 5.

The holder 4 of the present embodiment is a basket having a relatively large cage 4b on the peripheral wall and the bottom wall, and a lid 36 is provided at the upper opening 4c. As a result, the denture 2 can be easily taken in and out, and the denture 2 can be immersed in the washing water 1 through a large number of cages 4b while holding the inserted denture 2 so as not to fall off by closing the lid 36. This is advantageous for cleaning because it is possible to prevent a surface or a part that is not immersed in the cleaning water 1 from being generated as in the case of grasping the denture 2. The lid 36 is the holder 4
In this embodiment, the holder 4 is pivotally supported by a part of the opening edge of the holder 4 so that the holder 4 can be opened and closed.
Further, the cage 4b is provided to easily immerse the dentures 2 in the washing water 1, and the movement of the washing water 1 is not easily disturbed, so that the washing effect is enhanced. A hook 36a is integrally formed with the free end of the lid 36, and is elastically engaged with a locking portion 4e provided at an opening edge of the holder 4 to prevent the lid 36 from being opened carelessly. However, various methods can be adopted for the opening / closing structure of the lid 36, such as making the separate lid 36 detachable with a screw or a helicoid.

However, the size and number of the cages 4b can be variously designed as required. For example, when a guide surface 4d such as a fin 37a or an opening edge of the cage 4b as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 2 is provided, the washing water 1 around the holder 4 is removed in one direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the holder 4. Then, the cleaning water 1 in the holding tool 4 is scraped into the holding tool 4, and the cleaning water 1 in the holding tool 4 is caused to flow to the outside by the negative pressure generated by the fin 37a.
Since the surrounding cleaning water 1 is positively passed through the inside of the holder 4 as a basket, the cleaning effect is enhanced. A partition wall 4f is vertically formed integrally at the center of the holder 4 so that the movement of the denture 2 is easily regulated. Partition wall 4
f also serves to enhance the cleaning effect by stirring the cleaning water 1 entering the holder 4. A commercially available cleaning agent may be used for the cleaning water, and examples thereof include Polydent (trade name).

Further, in this embodiment, a lid 38 is provided in the opening 3c at the upper end of the cleaning tank 3. Thus, it is possible to prevent the washing water 1 from scattering to the outside during the washing, and to prevent the odor from radiating around in the dark.
The lid 38 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has an opening 3 of the cleaning tank 3.
c is provided with a structure that can be hermetically sealed by screws 39, helicoids, or the like, so that leakage of the cleaning water 1 to the outside can be reliably prevented. However, the opening / closing structure and the closing structure of the lid 38 can employ various methods as needed. The cover 38 is provided with a knob 38a, and is integrally formed in this embodiment.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment in which the operation is controlled using a microcomputer 41. A start signal from a start key 43, a stop signal from a stop key 44, and a timer from the operation panel 42 are shown. A setting signal from a timer setting key 45 as a setting means is input to the microcomputer 41, and operation control after the initial setting in FIG. 4 is started by a start signal after power is turned on. The operation control is stopped by the interrupt control.

The operation signal from the timer setting key 45 is a three-hour setting lamp 45a and a six-hour lamp each time the timer setting key 45 is operated until the next input for a predetermined time, for example, three seconds, from the previous signal. The setting lamp 45b and the 9-hour setting lamp 45c are sequentially turned on in a rotary manner,
While displaying the timer setting state, the display time currently lit when there is no next input for the predetermined time is set by the timer.

The operation control example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Initial setting is performed when the power is turned on. In the initial setting, the timer setting time is set to, for example, 3 hours as a standard. Next, input / output processing is performed to set the timer, etc., and when there is a start signal, operation control is started. When the timer setting operation is not performed or the time is set to 3 hours, the corresponding counter C3 is set to +1. Move to the processing line. If the time is set to 6 hours, the corresponding counter C6 is set to +
Move to one processing line. If the time is set to 9 hours, the processing shifts to the processing line for incrementing the corresponding counter C9 by +1.

In the processing line for incrementing the counter C3 by +1
After 30 minutes of high-speed forward and reverse driving and strong washing,
Energy-saving weak cleaning with surface activity and decomposition of the denture surface by driving forward and reverse at low speed for a minute
It repeats until the counter C3 becomes 3 corresponding to 3 hours set by the timer, and when it reaches 3, 3 hours have passed.
The counter C3 is reset and the cleaning is completed.

In the processing line for incrementing the counter C6 by +1
After 30 minutes of high-speed forward and reverse driving and strong washing,
The counter C6 is stopped for 6 minutes and the power saving process for reducing the surface activity and decomposition of the denture surface is repeated until the counter C6 reaches 6 corresponding to 6 hours set by the timer. As a result, the counter C6 is reset to complete the cleaning, and if there is a halfway stoppage time, the timer setting time is long, so that a process with a higher cleaning effect than the above case can be performed while saving power. ing.

In the processing line where the counter C9 is incremented by 1,
After performing strong washing by forward and reverse high-speed driving for 20 minutes,
The counter C9 is repeatedly stopped until the counter C9 reaches 9 corresponding to 9 hours set by the timer, by stopping for a minute and performing the power saving process for the surface activity and decomposition of the denture surface, etc., longer than the case of 6 hours. , 9, 9 hours have passed, so the counter C9 is reset and the cleaning is terminated. If there is a longer stop time than in the middle, the timer set time is longer, and the 6-hour setting is performed while saving power. A process with a higher cleaning effect than in the case can be performed.

[0027]

According to the denture washer of the first aspect, the denture is held by the holder located in the washing water storage area of the washing tank, and the holder is rotated by the rotating mechanism to clean the tooth. Between the lid of the tank and the lid of the holder, and between the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank and the peripheral wall of the holder, in the cleaning tank having a space in each of them, the lid and the peripheral wall had holes through which washing water was passed. The dentures held in the holder are rotated while immersed in the washing water below the full water level, so that the dentures vigorously and strongly contact the flow of the washing water in a form that disturbs the washing water and adhere to the surface. The attached matter can sufficiently wash the various kinds of attached matter on the denture in a short time while sufficiently exhibiting the properties of the washing water and the cleaning agent used therein.
Moreover, the structure is simple and easy to use. In addition, the retainer can open and close the dentures easily by opening the lid, and the dentures can be immersed in washing water through a large number of cages while holding the inserted dentures so that they do not fall off by closing the lid. This is advantageous for cleaning because it is possible to prevent a surface or a part that is not immersed in the cleaning water from being generated as in the case of grasping. Further, the movement of the dentures is regulated by the partition wall, and the cleaning effect can be further enhanced by stirring the cleaning water entering the holder. In addition, the lid of the cleaning tank can prevent the cleaning water from splashing to the outside during the cleaning, and preventing the odor from escaping around in the dark.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a denture cleaner showing one example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder for holding a denture used in the denture washer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation control sequence of the control circuit of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing water 2 Denture 3 Washing tank 3a Washing water storage area 3c, 4c Opening 4 Holder 4a Boss part 4b Basket 4f Partition wall 5 Rotating mechanism 11 Body 17 Rotating shaft 21 Motor 31 Drive circuit 32 Forward / reverse switching control means 33 Hard timer 33a Operation knob 36, 38 Lid 37 Hinge pin 39 Screw 41 Microcomputer 42 Operation panel 45 Timer setting key

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A cleaning tank for storing dentures for cleaning the dentures, a holder positioned in a cleaning water storage area in the cleaning tank and rotatable while holding the dentures immersed in the cleaning water; A rotation mechanism for rotating the holder, wherein the holder is located below the water level of the cleaning tank, and between the lid of the cleaning tank and the lid of the holder, between the peripheral wall of the cleaning tank and the peripheral wall of the holder. A space is provided in each of the spaces, a hole is provided in the lid and the peripheral wall of the holder for allowing washing water to pass therethrough, and a partition wall that rises from the bottom wall in a width that does not cross the holder is provided almost in the center of the holder. Characteristic denture cleaner. 2. The denture cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a space is provided between the bottom wall of the cleaning tank and the bottom wall of the holder, and a hole is provided in the bottom wall of the holder for allowing washing water to pass therethrough. 3. A cleaning tank for storing dentures for cleaning the dentures, a holder positioned in a cleaning water storage area in the cleaning tank and capable of holding and rotating the dentures while being immersed in the cleaning water; A rotation mechanism for rotating the holding tool, the holding tool is located below the water level of the washing tank, between the lid of the washing tank and the holding tool, between the peripheral wall of the washing tank and the peripheral wall of the holding tool, Are provided with holes for passing washing water on the peripheral wall and the bottom wall of the holder, and the lower side of the space provided between the bottom wall of the cleaning tank and the bottom wall of the holder is a bottom wall of the holder. A denture washer characterized in that the denture washer was reduced to a size substantially corresponding to that of the above, and a motor was made to face the outside of the reduced space in parallel with the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism and both were connected.