Sterilization water production device

Abstract

To sufficiently reduce production cost of sterilization water.SOLUTION: A sterilization water production device includes a cylinder 3 which pressurizes a stock solution Xa in a reservoir part 4 while allowing carbon dioxide gas G to move to a connection part 13 by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas G introduced from the connection part 12. The device is configured such that, when the stock solution Xa in the reservoir part 4 is pressurized by the cylinder 3, the resultant pressure causes a check valve 5a to transition to a closed state and a check valve 5b to transition to an open state to move the stock solution Xa toward the connection part 13, and when the pressurization of the stock solution Xa in the reservoir part 4 by the cylinder 3 is stopped, the check valve 5b transitions to a closed state and the check valve 5a transitions to an open state as the pressure in the reservoir part 4 decreases, thereby causing a new stock solution Xa to flow from the connection part 11 into the reservoir part 4. The device is further configured such that the carbon dioxide gas G flowing in via the cylinder 3 and the stock solution Xa discharged from the reservoir part 4 merge to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration of the stock solution Xa, and the resultant is mixed with water W to produce diluted sterilization water Xb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilizing water producing device configured to adjust a stock solution for producing sterilizing water to a hydrogen ion concentration within a predetermined range and to produce sterilizing water diluted to a predetermined concentration. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the following patent document discloses a hypochlorous acid water generator (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "generator") that is configured to generate hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution and to send the generated hypochlorous acid water to other equipment (equipment that uses hypochlorous acid water). This generator is configured to include an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes a chloride aqueous solution to generate hypochlorous acid water, a storage tank that can store the hypochlorous acid water sent from the electrolytic cell, a water supply unit that can adjust the hydrogen ion concentration index (pH) while diluting the hypochlorous acid water stored in the storage tank with tap water and send it to other equipment outside the device, and a control unit that controls each unit.

[0003] In this case, in this generating device, a water supply pipe is arranged on the bottom surface of the housing of the storage tank, and a water stop valve provided on this pipe is opened by the control unit to supply hypochlorous acid water from the storage tank to the water supply unit. Note that the following patent document discloses that a water distribution means such as a drainage pump can be provided in consideration of the inability to supply water due to a malfunction of the water stop valve.

[0004] In addition, in this generating device, the water supply unit is equipped with a dilution tank, a pH adjuster tank, a pump, etc., and is configured to mix the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the storage tank, the tap water introduced from the water pipe, and the pH adjuster in the pH adjuster tank in the dilution tank to dilute the hypochlorous acid water to a desired concentration while adjusting the pH, and then the adjusted hypochlorous acid water can be sent outside the device (supplied to other equipment) by the pump.The following patent document discloses that the pH can be adjusted by blowing a gas such as carbon dioxide gas into the hypochlorous acid water in the dilution tank instead of a pH adjuster (liquid). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-051018 A (Pages 3-14, Figures 1-2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the generating device disclosed in the above patent document has the following problems to be solved. Specifically, the above manufacturing device employs a configuration in which, when hypochlorous acid water generated in an electrolytic cell and stored in a storage tank is sent to a water sending section, the control section opens a stop valve provided in a pipe connecting the storage tank and the water sending section (dilution tank), thereby allowing the water to be sent.

[0007] In this case, the generating device adopts a configuration in which the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank flows into the dilution tank through the piping by its own weight.Therefore, the amount of hypochlorous acid water sent from the storage tank to the dilution tank while the stop valve is shifted to an open state varies depending on the water pressure applied to the piping, that is, the amount of hypochlorous acid water stored in the storage tank.Specifically, when the amount of hypochlorous acid water stored in the storage tank is small, the water pressure applied to the piping is low, so that the amount of water sent per unit time when the stop valve is shifted to an open state is small.In addition, when a large amount of hypochlorous acid water is stored in the storage tank, the water pressure applied to the piping is high, so that the amount of water sent per unit time when the stop valve is shifted to an open state is large.

[0008] Therefore, in this generator, in order to treat hypochlorous acid water so that the dilution rate with tap water in the dilution tank and the degree of pH adjustment with the pH adjuster are in a desired state, it is necessary to arrange a water level sensor in the dilution tank and for the control unit to control the opening and closing of the stop valve so that a specified amount of hypochlorous acid water is sent from the storage tank to the dilution tank. For this reason, this generator requires an expensive water level sensor and a control unit capable of executing a complicated process of controlling the stop valve according to the detection result of the water level sensor, making it difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. In addition, in a configuration in which hypochlorous acid water is sent from the storage tank to the dilution tank by its own weight, it is necessary to arrange the storage tank above the dilution tank. For this reason, there is also the current situation that the degree of freedom in designing the generator is low, making it difficult to significantly change the arrangement of each tank.

[0009] On the other hand, as described above, by adopting the "configuration of pumping from the storage tank to the dilution tank" disclosed in the same patent document, the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the storage tank and the dilution tank is increased, and it is possible to transfer a specified amount of hypochlorous acid water by adjusting the operation time of the pump regardless of the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank. Although this may eliminate the need for a water level sensor, it is still difficult to reduce manufacturing costs due to the installation of an expensive pump. In addition, since power is required for the pump to transfer the liquid, the running costs are also high.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its main object to provide a sterilizing water producing apparatus capable of sufficiently reducing the cost of producing sterilizing water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1 is configured to adjust a stock solution for producing sterilizing water to a hydrogen ion concentration within a predetermined range and produce sterilizing water diluted to a predetermined concentration, and includes a liquid introduction section for introducing the stock solution, a storage section for storing the stock solution introduced from the liquid introduction section, a gas introduction section for introducing carbon dioxide gas, a discharge section for discharging the stock solution and the carbon dioxide gas, and a first control section for allowing / regulating the inflow of the stock solution from the liquid introduction section to the storage section. the exhaust section is configured to be connectable to a first container body containing dilution water for diluting the stock solution; the third valve mechanism is provided with a cylinder that opens a flow path of the carbon dioxide gas by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas introduced from the gas introduction section to allow the carbon dioxide gas to move to the exhaust section and pressurizes the stock solution in the storage section; The first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are each configured as a check valve such that, when the stock solution in the storage unit is pressurized by the cylinder, the first valve mechanism transitions to a closed state due to the pressure of the stock solution and the second valve mechanism transitions to an open state, thereby moving the stock solution toward the discharge section, and when pressurization of the stock solution in the storage unit by the cylinder is stopped, the second valve mechanism transitions to a closed state as the pressure of the stock solution in the storage unit decreases and the first valve mechanism transitions to an open state, thereby allowing new stock solution to flow from the liquid introduction section into the storage unit. The carbon dioxide gas flowing in through the cylinder and the stock solution discharged from the storage unit via the second valve mechanism are joined together and discharged from the discharge section into the first container body, whereby the hydrogen ion concentration of the stock solution is adjusted by the carbon dioxide gas, and the stock solution and the dilution water are mixed in the first container body to produce the sterilizing water in the first container body.

[0012] The sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 2 is the sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid introducing section is configured to be connectable to a second container body in which the undiluted liquid is stored.

[0013] Furthermore, the sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 3 is the sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas introduction section is configured to be connectable to a third container body containing the carbon dioxide gas. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1 comprises a liquid introduction section, a storage section, a gas introduction section, a discharge section, a first valve mechanism, a second valve mechanism and a third valve mechanism, the third valve mechanism having a cylinder that opens a flow path of carbon dioxide gas by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas introduced from the gas introduction section to allow the carbon dioxide gas to move to the discharge section and pressurizes the stock liquid in the storage section, the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism having a cylinder that pressurizes the stock liquid in the storage section when the stock liquid in the storage section is pressurized by the cylinder, the first valve mechanism transitions to a closed state by the pressure of the stock liquid and the second valve mechanism transitions to an open state to move the stock liquid toward the discharge section and When the pressurization of the concentrate in the storage section by the valve is stopped, the second valve mechanism transitions to a closed state as the pressure of the concentrate in the storage section decreases, and the first valve mechanism transitions to an open state, allowing new concentrate to flow into the storage section from the liquid introduction section.The carbon dioxide gas flowing in through the cylinder and the concentrate discharged from the storage section via the second valve mechanism are joined together and discharged into the first container body from the discharge section, and the hydrogen ion concentration of the concentrate is adjusted by the carbon dioxide gas and diluted sterilizing water is produced by mixing with the dilution water in the first container body.

[0015] Therefore, according to the sterilizing water producing apparatus of claim 1, the stock solution can be reliably transferred at a liquid amount according to the sliding amount of the cylinder and the diameter of the cylinder when carbon dioxide gas is introduced, so that an expensive water level sensor is not necessary, and there is no need to provide a pump for transferring the stock solution, so that the manufacturing cost of the sterilizing water producing apparatus can be sufficiently reduced. In addition, unlike a configuration in which the stock solution is moved by its own weight, the arrangement of the liquid introduction section, the storage section, the discharge section, etc. can be freely specified, so that the degree of freedom in designing the sterilizing water producing apparatus can be sufficiently increased. Furthermore, unlike a configuration in which the stock solution is transferred by a pump, the amount of power consumed to transfer the stock solution is extremely small or nonexistent, so that the running cost can be sufficiently reduced. This allows the manufacturing cost of sterilizing water to be sufficiently reduced. In addition, by configuring the discharge section so that the first container body capable of containing sterilizing water can be connected, it is possible to remove the first container body containing the generated sterilizing water from the discharge section and transport it to any desired place of use, so that it is possible to easily sterilize using the sterilizing water at a place away from the place where the sterilizing water was generated (the installation place of the sterilizing water producing apparatus).

[0016] In the sterilizing water producing apparatus of claim 2, a liquid introduction section is configured so that a second container body containing the stock solution can be connected. Also, in the sterilizing water producing apparatus of claim 3, a gas introduction section is configured so that a third container body containing carbon dioxide gas can be connected. Therefore, according to the sterilizing water producing apparatus of claims 2 and 3, unlike the sterilizing water producing apparatus being used by being fixedly connected to a supply pipe through which the stock solution is supplied or a pipe through which carbon dioxide gas is supplied, the sterilizing water producing apparatus can be transported to any location and sterilized water can be produced at the transport destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another external perspective view of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 with the rear cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sterilizing water producing device 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. [Figure 6] 4 is another cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sterilized water manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is an example of a "sterilizing water producing apparatus" and is configured to produce sterilizing water Xb (an example of "sterilizing water": a liquid with an effective chlorine concentration in the range of about 10 ppm to 80 ppm, within a range of about pH 5.0 to pH 6.5: an example of a liquid with an effective chlorine concentration of about 10 ppm to 80 ppm, within a range of about pH 5.0 to pH 6.5; a liquid with an effective chlorine concentration of about 40 ppm, within a range of about pH 6.0) by adjusting a stock solution Xa, which is an example of a "stock solution for producing sterilizing water (a liquid with an effective chlorine concentration in the range of about 40,000 ppm to 120,000 ppm: as an example, about 60,000 ppm)" such as a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution, to a hydrogen ion concentration within a predetermined range and diluting it to a predetermined concentration.

[0020] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the sterilized water producing device 1 includes a solenoid valve 2, a cylinder 3, a storage section 4, check valves 5a, 5b, an operation section 6, and a control section 7. In this sterilized water producing device 1, a raw material liquid pouch P (an example of a "second container body containing raw material liquid") containing raw material liquid Xa, a carbon dioxide gas cartridge C (an example of a "third container body containing carbon dioxide gas") containing carbon dioxide gas G, and a sterilized water bottle B (an example of a "first container body") containing water W (tap water, purified water, etc.: an example of "diluted water") for diluting the raw material liquid Xa are connected, and the raw material liquid Xa in the raw material liquid pouch P and the carbon dioxide gas G in the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C are discharged into the sterilized water bottle B, thereby making it possible to adjust the raw material liquid Xa to a desired hydrogen ion concentration by the carbon dioxide gas G and to produce sterilized water Xb in the sterilized water bottle B, which is diluted to a desired concentration by mixing the raw material liquid Xa with the water W in the sterilized water bottle B.

[0021] The solenoid valve 2 constitutes a "third valve mechanism" in cooperation with the cylinder 3, and as described later, according to the control of the control unit 7, allows / restricts the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G from a carbon dioxide gas cartridge C connected to a cartridge connection unit 12 (an example of a "gas introduction unit for introducing carbon dioxide gas"). The cylinder 3 is an example of a "cylinder", and as shown in FIG. 5, is slid in the direction of the arrow A2a by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas G introduced from the cartridge connection unit 12 to open the flow path of the carbon dioxide gas G, allowing the movement of the carbon dioxide gas G to the bottle connection unit 13 (an example of an "exhaust unit for discharging the concentrate and carbon dioxide gas"), and is arranged to be able to pressurize the concentrate Xa in the storage unit 4. The storage unit 4 is an example of a "storage unit", and is configured to be able to store the concentrate Xa introduced from the pouch connection unit 11 (an example of a "liquid introduction unit for introducing the concentrate": see FIG. 6). The cylinder 3 is constantly biased in the direction of the arrow A2b by a spring shown in FIG. 5.

[0022] The check valve 5a is an example of a "first valve mechanism" and, as shown in Fig. 6, allows / restricts the inflow of the concentrate Xa from the pouch connection part 11 to the storage part 4. The check valve 5a is constantly biased in the direction of the arrow A4a by a spring shown in the figure. The check valve 5b is an example of a "second valve mechanism" and allows / restricts the discharge of the concentrate Xa from the storage part 4. The check valve 5b is constantly biased in the direction of the arrow A4b by a spring shown in the figure. These check valves 5a, 5b are arranged so that when the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 is pressurized by the cylinder 3, as described below, the pressure of the concentrate Xa causes the check valve 5a to close and the check valve 5b to open, thereby moving the concentrate Xa toward the bottle connection section 13, and when the pressurization of the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 by the cylinder 3 stops, the check valve 5b causes the check valve 5a to close and the check valve 5a to open as the pressure of the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 decreases, allowing new concentrate Xa to flow from the pouch connection section 11 into the storage section 4.

[0023] The operation unit 6 includes an operation switch (not shown) for instructing the start of production of sterilizing water Xb, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the switch operation to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 generally controls the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. Specifically, when the control unit 7 is instructed to start production of sterilizing water Xb by a switch operation on the operation unit 6, the control unit 7 controls the solenoid valve 2 to allow the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C via the cartridge connection unit 12. Furthermore, as an example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G was allowed, the control unit 7 controls the solenoid valve 2 to restrict the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C via the cartridge connection unit 12.

[0024] In this case, the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example is configured to be able to operate not only in an operation mode where it operates by obtaining power from commercial AC, but also by obtaining power from a battery (primary battery or secondary battery) because its power consumption is extremely low. This makes it possible to produce sterilizing water Xb not only in places where it is possible to connect to commercial AC, but also in places where it is not possible to connect to commercial AC.

[0025] When producing sterilized water Xb using this sterilized water producing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid body on the back of the casing (housing) is removed, the raw material liquid pouch P containing the raw liquid Xa is connected (attached) to the pouch connection part 11, and the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C containing carbon dioxide gas G is connected (attached) to the cartridge connection part 12, and at the same time, as shown in FIG. 5, the sterilized water bottle B is connected (attached) to the bottle connection part 13.

[0026] In this case, as described later, the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example employs a configuration in which a single production start instruction operation on the operating unit 6 accurately discharges a predetermined amount of stock solution Xa and carbon dioxide G from the bottle connecting part 13 into the sterilizing water bottle B, producing a predetermined amount of sterilizing water Xb in the sterilizing water bottle B. Therefore, according to the concentration required for the sterilizing water Xb produced by the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 and the amount of stock solution Xa discharged from the bottle connecting part 13, an appropriate amount of water W is stored in advance in the sterilizing water bottle B so that the stock solution Xa is diluted to a desired dilution rate.

[0027] Next, the operating unit 6 is operated to instruct the start of production of sterilizing water Xb. In response to this, the control unit 7 controls the solenoid valve 2 to allow the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C connected to the cartridge connection unit 12. At this time, the valve body of the solenoid valve 2 is slid in the direction of arrow A1a shown in Figure 5, so that the carbon dioxide gas G flows from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C into the front chamber 3a of the cylinder 3 via the gas piping 12p (see Figure 6). As a result, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas G in the front chamber 3a increases, and the cylinder 3 is slid in the direction of arrow A2a.

[0028] At this time, the blockage of the gas flow path by the cylinder 3 is released, and as shown by the arrow A3 in the figure, the carbon dioxide gas G in the front chamber 3a is caused to flow toward the bottle connection part 13, and the slid cylinder 3 causes the concentrate Xa in the rear chamber 3b to flow toward the reservoir 4. The rear chamber 3b and the reservoir 4 are mutually connected, and the concentrate Xa introduced from the raw material solution pouch P during the previous use is contained therein. Therefore, the concentrate Xa in the reservoir 4 is pressurized by the concentrate Xa flowing from the rear chamber 3b.

[0029] Furthermore, as the pressure in the storage section 4 rises, the check valve 5b is slid in the direction of arrow A4a against the biasing force of the spring to open as shown in Fig. 6, and the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 is caused to flow toward the bottle connection section 13 as shown by arrow A5 in Figs. 5 and 6. Note that the check valve 5a is biased by the spring in the direction of arrow A4a to close, so that the concentrate Xa is prevented from flowing back from the storage section 4 toward the pouch connection section 11 (inside the raw material liquid pouch P).

[0030] Here, the amount of the stock solution Xa discharged from the storage section 4 is equal to the amount of stock solution Xa caused to flow from the front chamber 3a into the storage section 4 by the sliding of the cylinder 3. For this reason, in the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example, a volume of stock solution Xa equal to the volume obtained by multiplying the sliding amount of the cylinder 3 caused by the inflow of the carbon dioxide gas G into the front chamber 3a by the diameter of the cylinder 3 (the volume corresponding to the bore × stroke of the cylinder 3) is discharged from the storage section 4. As a result, in the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example, a fixed amount of stock solution Xa is discharged from the storage section 4 and caused to flow toward the bottle connection section 13 every time the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas G is permitted in response to an instruction to start the production of sterilizing water Xb.

[0031] Moreover, the hydrogen ion concentration of the stock solution Xa discharged from the storage section 4 is gradually changed by contacting the carbon dioxide gas G flowing from the front chamber 3a with the sliding of the cylinder 3 as described above, and is mixed with the water W in the sterilizing water bottle B flowing in from the bottle connection section 13 to be diluted to a predetermined concentration, and the hydrogen ion concentration is adjusted to a target pH value. As a result, sterilizing water Xb diluted to a predetermined concentration with a predetermined hydrogen ion concentration is produced in the sterilizing water bottle B.

[0032] On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control unit 7 controlled the solenoid valve 2 to permit the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas G from the cartridge connection unit 12, the control unit 7 controls the solenoid valve 2 to restrict the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas G. At this time, the valve element of the solenoid valve 2 is slid in the direction of the arrow A1b shown in Fig. 5, thereby stopping the inflow of the carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C to the front chamber 3a of the cylinder 3. As a result, with a decrease in the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas G in the front chamber 3a, the cylinder 3 is slid in the direction of the arrow A2b by the biasing force of the spring.

[0033] As a result, the gas flow path is again blocked by the cylinder 3, stopping the flow of carbon dioxide gas G (flow from the front chamber 3a toward the bottle connection portion 13) as shown by arrow A3 in the figure, and the slid cylinder 3 causes the concentrate Xa in the storage portion 4 to flow into the rear chamber 3b (the concentrate Xa in the storage portion 4 is sucked into the rear chamber 3b).

[0034] At this time, as the pressure in the storage section 4 drops, the check valve 5a slides in the direction of the arrow A4b against the biasing force of the spring to open, as shown in Fig. 6, and the concentrate Xa in the raw material liquid pouch P flows into the storage section 4 via the pouch connection section 11 (the concentrate Xa is sucked from the raw material liquid pouch P to the storage section 4). The check valve 5b slides in the direction of the arrow A4b due to the pressure drop in the storage section 4 and the biasing force of the spring to close. This restricts the flow of the concentrate Xa from the storage section 4 toward the bottle connection section 13.

[0035] At this time, the amount of the stock solution Xa flowing from the raw material solution pouch P to the storage section 4 is equal to the amount of the stock solution Xa flowing from the storage section 4 to the rear chamber 3b by the sliding of the cylinder 3. Therefore, in the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example, the stock solution Xa of an amount equal to the volume obtained by multiplying the sliding amount of the cylinder 3 with the diameter of the cylinder 3 due to the stop of the inflow of the carbon dioxide gas G into the front chamber 3a, that is, the stock solution Xa of an amount equal to the amount of the stock solution Xa discharged from the storage section 4 during the production of the sterilizing water Xb, is newly introduced from the raw material solution pouch P to the storage section 4. As a result, in the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 of this example, it is possible to return to a state in which the stock solution Xa is filled in the storage section 4 and the rear chamber 3b, similar to the state before the start of the production of the sterilizing water Xb. In this manner, the production of the sterilizing water Xb by the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 is completed.

[0036] In this manner, the sterilized water producing apparatus 1 includes the solenoid valve 2, the cylinder 3, the storage section 4, the check valves 5a, 5b, the pouch connection section 11, the cartridge connection section 12 and the bottle connection section 13, and the cylinder 3 is configured to open the flow path of the carbon dioxide gas G by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas G introduced from the cartridge connection section 12 to allow the carbon dioxide gas G to move to the bottle connection section 13 and to pressurize the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4, and the check valves 5a, 5b are configured such that, when the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 is pressurized by the cylinder 3, the check valve 5a transitions to a closed state by the pressure of the concentrate Xa and the check valve 5b transitions to an open state, thereby moving the concentrate Xa toward the bottle connection section 13. In both cases, when pressurization of the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 by the cylinder 3 stops, the check valve 5b transitions to a closed state and the check valve 5a transitions to an open state as the pressure of the concentrate Xa in the storage section 4 decreases, allowing new concentrate Xa to flow from the pouch connection section 11 into the storage section 4. The carbon dioxide G that has flowed in via the cylinder 3 and the concentrate Xa discharged from the storage section 4 via the check valve 5b are joined together and discharged from the bottle connection section 13 into the sterilized water bottle B, and the hydrogen ion concentration of the concentrate Xa is adjusted by the carbon dioxide G and mixed with the water W in the sterilized water bottle B to produce diluted sterilized water Xb.

[0037] Therefore, according to this sterilizing water producing apparatus 1, the stock solution Xa can be reliably transferred at a liquid amount according to the sliding amount of the cylinder 3 and the diameter of the cylinder 3 when the carbon dioxide gas G is introduced, so that an expensive water level sensor is not required, and there is also no need to provide a pump for transferring the stock solution Xa, so that the manufacturing cost of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 can be sufficiently reduced. Also, unlike a configuration in which the stock solution Xa is moved by its own weight, the arrangement of the pouch connection part 11, the storage part 4, the bottle connection part 13, etc. can be freely specified, so that the degree of freedom in designing the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 can be sufficiently increased. Furthermore, unlike a configuration in which the stock solution Xa is transferred by a pump, the amount of power consumed to transfer the stock solution Xa is extremely small, so that the running cost can be sufficiently reduced. This allows the manufacturing cost of the sterilizing water Xb to be sufficiently reduced. Furthermore, according to this sterilized water producing apparatus 1, a "discharge section (in this example, the bottle connection section 13)" is configured to be connectable to a sterilized water bottle B capable of containing sterilized water Xb, so that the sterilized water bottle B containing the produced sterilized water Xb can be removed from the bottle connection section 13 and transported to any desired place of use. This makes it possible to easily sterilize the sterilized water Xb using the sterilized water Xb at a place away from the place where the sterilized water Xb was produced (the installation place of the sterilized water producing apparatus 1).

[0038] Moreover, in this sterilizing water producing apparatus 1, a "liquid introduction section (in this example, a pouch connection section 11)" is configured so that a raw material liquid pouch P containing the stock solution Xa can be connected. Also, in this sterilizing water producing apparatus 1, a "gas introduction section (in this example, a cartridge connection section 12)" is configured so that a carbon dioxide gas cartridge C containing carbon dioxide gas G can be connected. Therefore, according to this sterilizing water producing apparatus 1, unlike when the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 is fixedly connected to a supply piping through which the stock solution Xa is supplied or to a piping through which the carbon dioxide gas G is supplied, the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 can be transported to any location and sterilized water Xb can be produced at the transport destination.

[0039] The configuration of the "sterilizing water producing apparatus" is not limited to the above-mentioned example of the configuration of the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1. For example, the configuration in which the raw liquid Xa is introduced from the raw liquid pouch P and the carbon dioxide gas G is introduced from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C (the raw liquid pouch P containing the raw liquid Xa is connected to the pouch connection part 11 as the "liquid introduction part" and the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C containing the carbon dioxide gas G is connected to the cartridge connection part 12 as the "gas introduction part") has been described as an example, but instead of such a configuration, a configuration in which a "raw liquid supply pipe" is connected to the "liquid introduction part" and the raw liquid Xa is introduced into the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 via the "raw liquid supply pipe" or a configuration in which a "carbon dioxide gas supply pipe" is connected to the "gas introduction part" and the carbon dioxide gas G is introduced into the sterilizing water producing apparatus 1 via the "carbon dioxide gas supply pipe" can be adopted.

[0040] Also, the configuration including the solenoid valve 2 that operates according to the control of the control unit 7 has been described as an example, but instead of the solenoid valve 2, a configuration in which a manual on-off valve is provided to permit / restrict the introduction of carbon dioxide gas G from the carbon dioxide gas cartridge C can be adopted (not shown). By adopting such a configuration, the amount of power consumed during the production of sterilizing water Xb can be made zero. In addition, the configuration in which water W, which is an example of "diluted water", is stored in the sterilizing water bottle B, which is an example of the "first container body", and the stock solution Xa and carbon dioxide gas G are discharged therein to dilute to a desired concentration has been described as an example, but a configuration in which a "water source" such as a water storage tank or a waterworks piping capable of storing the "diluted water" can be connected and the "sterilizing water production device" pours the "diluted water" from the "water source" into the "first container body" can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Sterilized water production equipment 2. Solenoid valve 3 Cylinder 3a Antechamber 3b Posterior chamber 4. Storage section 5a, 5b Check valve 6 Control section 7 Control section 11 Pouch connection part 12 Cartridge connection 12p Gas piping 13 Bottle connection B. Sterilized water bottle C Carbon dioxide cartridge G Carbon dioxide P Raw material liquid pouch Xa Stock Solution Xb sterilized water W water

Claims

1. A sterilizing water producing apparatus configured to adjust a stock solution for producing sterilizing water to a hydrogen ion concentration within a predetermined range and to produce sterilizing water diluted to a predetermined concentration, A liquid introduction part for introducing the stock solution; a storage section for storing the stock solution introduced from the liquid introduction section; A gas introduction section for introducing carbon dioxide gas; an exhaust section for exhausting the concentrate and the carbon dioxide gas; a first valve mechanism that allows / restricts an inflow of the concentrate from the liquid introduction portion to the storage portion; a second valve mechanism that allows / restricts the discharge of the concentrate from the reservoir; a third valve mechanism that allows / restricts the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas from the gas inlet, The discharge section is configured to be connectable to a first container body containing dilution water for diluting the concentrate, the third valve mechanism includes a cylinder that opens a flow path of the carbon dioxide gas introduced from the gas inlet by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to allow the carbon dioxide gas to move to the outlet and pressurizes the stock solution in the storage portion, the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are each configured as a check valve such that, when the stock liquid in the storage portion is pressurized by the cylinder, the first valve mechanism transitions to a closed state due to the pressure of the stock liquid and the second valve mechanism transitions to an open state, thereby moving the stock liquid toward the discharge portion, and, when pressurization of the stock liquid in the storage portion by the cylinder is stopped, the second valve mechanism transitions to a closed state as the pressure of the stock liquid in the storage portion decreases and the first valve mechanism transitions to an open state, thereby allowing new stock liquid to flow from the liquid introduction portion into the storage portion; The sterilizing water manufacturing device is configured such that the carbon dioxide gas flowing in through the cylinder and the concentrate discharged from the storage section via the second valve mechanism are joined together and discharged from the discharge section into the first container body, thereby adjusting the hydrogen ion concentration of the concentrate by the carbon dioxide gas, and the concentrate and the dilution water are mixed in the first container body to produce the sterilizing water in the first container body.

2. 2. The sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid introduction section is configured so that a second container body containing the undiluted liquid can be connected to the liquid introduction section.

3. 3. The sterilizing water producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet is configured so that a third container body containing the carbon dioxide gas can be connected to the gas inlet.

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