A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner walls of baby bottles. The plasma jet tube module comprises an array of multiple plasma jet tubes, which are expanded and collapsed in an umbrella-like manner by an umbrella-like extension structure. Each PTFE rigid tube of an airway is connected to a corresponding plasma jet tube via a flexible hose. The umbrella-like extension structure slides on the outer surface of the airway tube, driving the multiple plasma jet tubes to expand and collapse. Each plasma jet tube has a high-voltage electrode, a stainless steel needle electrode fixed in the middle of its inner cavity, and a copper ring disposed on its outer surface as a ground electrode. The electrodes are connected to a power supply module. A high-voltage electric field is formed between the high-voltage and ground electrodes, and gas flowing out of the airway tube is generated by the high-voltage electric field into a plasma flow. The present invention allows the plasma jet tube to be deeply inserted into the baby bottle, generating plasma that can quickly and efficiently sterilize the interior of the baby bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of plasma technology, and in particular to a plasma sterilizing device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle. Background Art

[0002] Milk residue in feeding bottles provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, allowing them to thrive under favorable conditions. Newborns, however, have low immunity and limited resistance to bacteria, making them highly susceptible to bacterial damage. If used feeding bottles are not sterilized promptly, bacteria can easily grow inside. Upon reuse, these bacteria can enter the baby's body along with the milk, potentially harming their health. Therefore, timely sterilization of feeding bottles is crucial.

[0003] Existing baby bottle sterilization technologies primarily include high-temperature sterilization, steam sterilization, microwave sterilization, and ultraviolet sterilization. Each of these sterilization methods has several drawbacks. For example, steam sterilization requires draining after sterilization, which can easily lead to secondary contamination; high-temperature sterilization can easily damage bottles that are not heat-resistant; and ultraviolet radiation has weak energy, requiring a long time to achieve the desired sterilization effect. Furthermore, existing baby bottle sterilization devices are large, time-consuming, and lack portability and flexibility. With improved living standards, mothers and babies often go out to play. Existing baby bottle sterilization technology cannot achieve a good sterilization effect in the short term under outdoor conditions, necessitating the development of a new type of baby bottle sterilization device.

[0004] Plasma, the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas, is a novel sterilization method rich in active components such as high-energy electrons, ions, excited atoms, and free radicals. Atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma is a non-equilibrium plasma generated by gas discharge at atmospheric pressure. Because the electron temperature in the system is much higher than that of heavy particles, it can achieve high chemical activity while maintaining a gas temperature close to room temperature. It has been applied to the surface treatment of heat-sensitive materials such as organic thin films, medical devices, and biological tissues.

[0005] The device and method disclosed in prior art publication number CN 106742368 A places a container below a plasma jet nozzle and effectively sterilizes the container's inner wall by raising and lowering the jet source. However, its complex structure makes it unsuitable for sterilizing baby bottles, and its lack of portability makes it unsuitable for outdoor use.

[0006] Atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma is rich in a large number of active particles, thermal radiation, electromagnetic fields, etc. Among them, a large number of high-energy particles such as reactive oxygen particles ROS and reactive nitrogen particles RNS can react with the bacteria in the baby bottle to inactivate the bacteria, thereby achieving an effective sterilization effect. Summary of the Invention

[0007] 1. Technical problems to be solved:

[0008] In response to the characteristics of existing sterilization devices such as low sterilization efficiency, long sterilization cycle, and lack of portability, the present invention designs a plasma source based on the needle-ring jet structure that has stable discharge, low power consumption, and high reaction activity. The retractable structure is designed to make it small in size and portable, thereby enabling rapid and efficient sterilization of baby bottles in different scenarios.

[0009] 2. Technical solution:

[0010] A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle comprises a plasma jet tube module, an air pipeline, and a power module. The device is characterized in that the plasma jet tube module comprises an array of multiple plasma jet tubes, and an umbrella-shaped extension structure is used to realize the umbrella-shaped expansion and closure of the multiple plasma jet tubes.

[0011] A plurality of PTFE hard tubes are arranged inside the gas pipeline, and each hard tube is connected to the corresponding plasma jet tube through a hose; the outer shell of the gas pipeline is a cylindrical outer shell.

[0012] The umbrella-shaped extension structure includes a circular push ring, a spring, a circular fixed base, and a push rod; the push rods are evenly distributed around the lower part of the push ring, and the push ring is rotatably connected to the top of the push rod; the push ring is movably sleeved on the outer surface of the air pipeline; the fixed base is fixed to the outer side of the air pipeline outer shell; a spring is arranged between the push ring and the fixed base, so that the push ring can move within a preset range along the outer surface of the air pipeline; the tail end of the push rod is provided with a through hole for passing through the jet tube.

[0013] The lower end of the gas pipeline shell is sleeved with the jet tube fixed base; the PTFE hard tube of the gas pipeline extends downward and is connected to the plasma jet tube through a hose, and the plasma jet tube is connected to the push rod through a through hole set on the surface of the jet tube fixed base.

[0014] The plasma jet tube is a quartz tube, and its output end passes through the through hole at the tail end of the push rod. When the push ring is pushed, the push ring moves downward along the gas pipeline, and the fixed base remains stationary, driving the tail ends of the push rods to open outward, driving the flexible tube between the PTFE hard tube and the plasma jet tube to deform, thereby driving the plasma jet tube to extend outward.

[0015] The high-voltage electrode of each plasma jet tube is a stainless steel needle electrode fixed in the middle of its tube cavity, and the ground electrode is a copper ring fixed to the outer wall of the plasma jet tube; the electrodes are connected to the power module; a high-voltage electric field is formed between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode, and the gas flowing out of the gas pipeline is transformed into a plasma flow by the high-voltage electric field and flows out from the outlet of the plasma jet tube.

[0016] Furthermore, there are five plasma jet tubes, one of which is located at the middle axis position, and the remaining four are connected to the umbrella-shaped extension structure to achieve expansion centered on the middle jet tube.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the fixed base is 30~35mm and the outer diameter is 45~50mm; the outer shell of the gas pipeline is 50~90mm long; the hose of the gas pipeline is 15~20mm long and has a diameter of 2~4mm; the outer diameter of the plasma jet tube is 2~4mm and the inner diameter is 1~2mm; the diameter of the stainless steel needle electrode is 0.8~1.2mm and the length is 10~15mm.

[0018] Furthermore, the stainless steel needle electrode is fixed by a tetrafluoroethylene tube sleeved around it; the tetrafluoroethylene tube is provided with an air hole coaxial with the stainless steel electrode.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes an air pump arranged in the air pipeline; the input end of the air pump is connected to the outside air, and the output end is connected to the input end of the PTFE hard tube; a power module is set at the end of the air pipeline.

[0020] Furthermore, the power module housing integrates a charging circuit, a rechargeable battery, a voltage stabilizing circuit, a voltage boosting circuit, a pulse generator, a switching tube, a transformer and a high-voltage output circuit; the voltage stabilizing circuit, the voltage boosting circuit, the pulse generator, the switching tube and the transformer can convert the DC voltage in the rechargeable battery into a high-voltage pulse or a high-voltage high-frequency AC voltage with an amplitude of 0~10kV and a frequency of 100Hz~10kHz; the charging circuit is used to charge the rechargeable battery.

[0021] 3.Beneficial effects:

[0022] (1) The present invention proposes a plasma device for efficient and rapid sterilization of baby bottles. The device adopts a needle-ring jet structure, generates low-temperature plasma by ionizing air, and inserts the plasma jet tube deep into the baby bottle. The plasma generated by the device can achieve rapid and efficient sterilization of the inside of the baby bottle. In addition, the device is compact and portable, and can be sterilized outdoors.

[0023] (2) The plasma device of this scheme is designed to be long and narrow in shape according to the slender structure of the baby bottle. By adopting an umbrella-shaped extension structure, the plasma device can be extended into the inner cavity of the baby bottle when it is contracted. Then, the contraction rod is pushed by pushing the push ring. The end of the contraction rod opens, thereby driving the array jet tube to expand, thereby sterilizing the inner wall. This not only meets the needs of baby bottles of different calibers, but also increases the plasma processing space.

[0024] (3) The plasma device of this scheme adopts low-temperature plasma air jet discharge technology, does not use expensive inert gas, and uses air as the working gas, which reduces the overall volume and cost of the device and improves the economy of bottle sterilization.

[0025] (4) In the plasma device of this solution, a small air pump is used in the air path to transport the active particles in the plasma directly into the interior of the bottle, thereby increasing the contact surface with the inner wall of the bottle and improving the efficiency of the generation and transmission of active particles in the low-temperature plasma. At the same time, the speed of the air generated by the air pump is adjustable and can be adjusted by the user as needed.

[0026] (5) This device uses a portable rechargeable high-voltage power supply for excitation. By optimizing the parameter matching between the high-voltage power supply and the reactor unit, the device is made portable and reliable.

[0027] In summary, the device is easy to operate, has high sterilization efficiency, is small in size, has good portability, and will not damage baby bottles made of heat-sensitive materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is an external view of the device in a specific embodiment when unfolded;

[0029] Figure 2 is an external view of the device when it is collapsed in a specific embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the plasma jet tube and electrodes in this application;

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the umbrella-shaped extension structure in this application;

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a jet tube fixing base in this application;

[0033] Figure 6 A perspective view of the gas pipeline in this application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an external view of the power module in this application;

[0035] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the working circuit of the power module in this application;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a working diagram of the device in a specific embodiment;

[0037] Figure 10 A top view of the device in a specific embodiment when unfolded;

[0038] Figure 11 This is an enlarged view of the tetrafluoroethylene tube in this application.

[0039] Figure numerals: plasma jet tube 1, gas pipeline 2, PTFE hard tube 21, hose 22, gas pipeline shell 23, power module 3, power switch 31, charging socket 32, umbrella-shaped extension structure 4, push ring 41, spring 42, annular fixed base 43, push rod 44, through hole 441 at the tail end of the push rod, bayonet button 45, jet tube fixed base 5, through hole 51 on the surface of the jet tube fixed base, support frame 52, stainless steel needle electrode 6, copper ring 7, air pump 8; tetrafluoroethylene tube 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Specific embodiment: as shown in the attached Figure 1 To the attached Figure 7 、 Figure 10 The present device is described by taking five plasma jet tubes as an example.

[0042] A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle comprises a plasma jet tube module, an air pipeline 2, and a power module 3. The device is characterized in that the plasma jet tube module comprises an array formed by a plurality of plasma jet tubes 1, and an umbrella-shaped extension structure 4 is used to realize the umbrella-shaped expansion and closure of the plurality of plasma jet tubes.

[0043] In this device, low-temperature plasma directly contacts and sterilizes the inner wall of the baby bottle. The plasma sterilization device in the prior art is used to sterilize the inner wall of the container. The device is large in size and is not conducive to the portability of the baby bottle for outdoor use.

[0044] As attached Figure 6 As shown, a plurality of PTFE hard tubes 21 are provided inside the gas pipeline, and each hard tube is connected to the corresponding plasma jet tube through a hose 22; the outer shell 23 of the gas pipeline is a cylindrical outer shell.

[0045] As attached Figure 4As shown, the umbrella-shaped extension structure includes a circular push ring 41, a spring 42, a circular fixed base 43, and a push rod 44; the push rods are evenly distributed around the lower part of the push ring, and the push ring and the top of the push rod are rotatably connected; the push ring is movably sleeved on the outer shell surface of the air pipeline; the fixed base is fixed to the outer side of the air pipeline outer shell; a spring is arranged between the push ring and the fixed base, so that the push ring can move along the outer shell surface of the air pipeline within a preset range; the tail end of the push rod is provided with a through hole for passing through the jet tube.

[0046] The lower end of the gas pipeline shell is sleeved with the jet tube fixed base 5; the PTFE hard tube of the gas pipeline extends downward through a hose to be connected to the plasma jet tube, and the plasma jet tube is connected to the push rod through a through hole set on the surface of the jet tube fixed base.

[0047] As attached Figure 5 The figure shows a jet tube fixing base, wherein 51 is a through hole on the surface of the jet tube fixing base for passing a hose connecting the jet tube and the hard tube, and 52 is a support frame for supporting the jet tube.

[0048] As attached Figure 3 As shown, the plasma jet tube is a quartz tube, and its output end passes through the through hole 441 at the tail end of the push rod; when the push ring is pushed, the push ring moves downward along the gas pipeline, and the fixed base does not move, driving the tail end of the push rod to open outward, driving the flexible tube between the PTFE hard tube and the plasma jet tube to deform, thereby driving the plasma jet tube to extend outward.

[0049] The high-voltage electrode of each plasma jet tube is a stainless steel needle electrode 6 fixed in the middle of the tube cavity, and the ground electrode is a copper ring 7 fixed to the outer wall of the plasma jet tube. The electrodes are connected to the power module. A high-voltage electric field is formed between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode. The gas flowing out of the gas pipeline is generated by the high-voltage electric field into a plasma flow, which flows out from the outlet of the plasma jet tube. The external view of the power module is shown in the attached figure. Figure 7 shown.

[0050] As attached Figure 1 、 2 The following are the external views of the device when it is unfolded and folded. When using it, first fold the umbrella-shaped extension structure, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 , making it convenient to extend into the interior of the feeding bottle; after extending into the feeding bottle, press the bayonet button 45, push the push ring, and expand the jet tube to the position of the feeding bottle wall. At this time, the plasma jet ejected from the jet tube realizes direct or large-area contact with the feeding bottle wall, thereby improving the sterilization level.

[0051] Furthermore, there are five plasma jet tubes, one of which is located at the middle axis position, and the remaining four are connected to the umbrella-shaped extension structure to achieve expansion centered on the middle jet tube.

[0052] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the fixed base is 30~35mm and the outer diameter is 45~50mm; the outer shell of the gas pipeline is 50~90mm long; the hose of the gas pipeline is 15~20mm long and has a diameter of 2~4mm; the outer diameter of the plasma jet tube is 2~4mm and the inner diameter is 1~2mm; the diameter of the stainless steel needle electrode is 0.8~1.2mm and the length is 10~15mm.

[0053] Furthermore, the stainless steel needle electrode is fixed by a tetrafluoroethylene tube sleeved around it; Figure 11 As shown, the tetrafluoroethylene tube is provided with an air hole coaxial with the stainless steel electrode.

[0054] Furthermore, it also includes an air pump 8 arranged in the air pipeline; the input end of the air pump is connected to the outside air, and the output end is connected to the input end of the PTFE hard tube; a power module is set at the end of the air pipeline.

[0055] As attached Figure 1 、 2 As shown, the device is long and narrow, with the power module located at the outermost end. The outer shell can be cylindrical, which not only facilitates charging but also eases operation during use. The air pump is located in the airway after the power module. During use, the air pump is located at the outer end of the bottle to provide sufficient air. Next is the rigid hose in the airway. During use, the rigid hose is adjusted to the length of the bottle, with a portion extending into the bottle. The innermost part is the jet tube. The overall length of the outer shell of the device is between 50 and 90 mm. This design has a reasonable center of gravity and is easy to operate.

[0056] Furthermore, the power module housing integrates a charging circuit, a rechargeable battery, a voltage stabilizing circuit, a voltage boosting circuit, a pulse generator, a switching tube, a transformer and a high-voltage output circuit; the voltage stabilizing circuit, the voltage boosting circuit, the pulse generator, the switching tube and the transformer can convert the DC voltage in the rechargeable battery into a high-voltage pulse or a high-voltage high-frequency AC voltage with an amplitude of 0~10kV and a frequency of 100Hz~10kHz; the charging circuit is used to charge the rechargeable battery.

[0057] As attached Figure 8 Shown is the circuit schematic diagram of this application:

[0058] The whole device is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, which is connected to the high voltage module after the switch and provides it with a 7.4V DC voltage. Figure 8After the working principle is shown, the 7.4V DC voltage is converted into a high-voltage pulse or high-voltage high-frequency AC voltage with an amplitude of 0~10kV and a frequency of 100Hz~10kHz to power the discharge electrode. At the same time, the lithium battery powers the air pump. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, 32 is a charging socket.

[0059] like Figure 9 The following is a flowchart for using this device. Insert the plasma rotating jet device deep into a feeding bottle. Push the push ring to expand the four plasma jet tubes in the retracted array. Pressing the power switch 31 activates the air pump, and the needle-ring jet tubes discharge simultaneously, generating atmospheric-pressure low-temperature plasma to sterilize the inner wall of the feeding bottle. The air pump accelerates the diffusion of active particles, improving sterilization efficiency. The device can be manually rotated and raised to treat the inner wall of the feeding bottle, improving treatment uniformity. When sterilizing a nipple, the jet tube at the bottom of the plasma rotating jet device sterilizes the inside of the nipple.

[0060] Although the present invention has been disclosed above in terms of preferred embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle, comprising a plasma jet tube module, an air pipeline, and a power supply module; characterized in that: The plasma jet tube module includes an array formed by a plurality of plasma jet tubes, and the umbrella-shaped expansion structure is used to realize the expansion and closure of the plurality of plasma jet tubes; A plurality of PTFE hard tubes are arranged inside the gas pipeline, and each hard tube is connected to a corresponding plasma jet tube through a hose; the outer shell of the gas pipeline is a cylindrical outer shell; The umbrella-shaped extension structure includes a circular push ring, a spring, a circular fixed base, and a push rod; the push rods are evenly distributed around the lower part of the push ring, and the push ring is rotatably connected to the top of the push rod; the push ring is movably sleeved on the outer surface of the gas pipeline; the fixed base is fixed to the outer side of the gas pipeline outer shell; a spring is provided between the push ring and the fixed base, so that the push ring can move along the outer surface of the gas pipeline within a preset range; the tail end of the push rod is provided with a through hole for passing through the jet tube; The lower end of the gas pipeline housing is sleeved with the jet tube fixed base; the PTFE hard tube of the gas pipeline extends downward and is connected to the plasma jet tube through a hose, and the plasma jet tube is connected to the push rod through a through hole provided on the surface of the jet tube fixed base; The plasma jet tube is a quartz tube, and its output end passes through the through hole at the tail end of the push rod. When the push ring is pushed, the push ring moves downward along the gas pipeline, and the fixed base does not move, driving the tail ends of the push rods to open outward, driving the flexible tube between the PTFE hard tube and the plasma jet tube to deform, thereby driving the plasma jet tube to extend outward. The high-voltage electrode of each plasma jet tube is a stainless steel needle electrode fixed in the middle of its inner cavity, and the ground electrode is a copper ring fixed to the outer wall of the plasma jet tube. The electrodes are connected to a power module. A high-voltage electric field is formed between the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode. The gas flowing out of the gas pipeline is generated by the high-voltage electric field into a plasma flow, which flows out from the outlet of the plasma jet tube. The stainless steel needle electrode is fixed by a tetrafluoroethylene tube sleeved around it. The tetrafluoroethylene tube has an air hole coaxial with the stainless steel electrode. There are five plasma jet tubes, one of which is located at the middle axis, and the other four are connected to the umbrella-shaped extension structure to achieve expansion with the middle jet tube as the center; The inner diameter of the fixed base is 30-35 mm and the outer diameter is 45-50 mm; the outer shell of the gas pipeline is 50-90 mm long; the hose of the gas pipeline is 15-20 mm long and has a diameter of 2-4 mm; the outer diameter of the plasma jet tube is 2-4 mm and the inner diameter is 1-2 mm; the diameter of the stainless steel needle electrode is 0.8-1.2 mm and the length is 10-15 mm.

2. A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an air pump arranged in the air pipeline; the input end of the air pump is connected to the outside air, and the output end is connected to the input end of the PTFE hard tube; a power module is set at the end of the air pipeline.

3. A plasma sterilization device suitable for sterilizing the inner wall of a feeding bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power module's housing integrates a charging circuit, a rechargeable battery, a voltage-stabilizing circuit, a voltage-boosting circuit, a pulse generator, a switching tube, a transformer, and a high-voltage output circuit; the voltage-stabilizing circuit, the voltage-boosting circuit, the pulse generator, the switching tube, and the transformer are capable of converting the DC voltage in the rechargeable battery into a high-voltage pulse or a high-voltage, high-frequency AC voltage with an amplitude of 0 to 10 kV and a frequency of 100 Hz to 10 kHz; the charging circuit is used to charge the rechargeable battery.

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