Duct cleaning equipment

Abstract

To provide a duct cleaning device that can clean dirt such as oil, soot, and dust that accumulates every day, and contributes to preventing fires in exhaust ducts. The device is equipped with a sprayer 1 that generates foamy cleaning agent Q. It is provided with a cleaning body 2 made of an elastic material that slides inside a duct P. It is provided with an operating rod 3 connected to the cleaning body 2. The foamy cleaning agent Q is attached to the operating rod 3 to clean the inside of the duct P. The cleaning body 2 is made of urethane resin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a duct cleaning device and cleaning method suitable for cleaning smoke exhaust ducts installed in, for example, yakiniku tables and kitchens in yakiniku restaurants. [Background technology]

[0002] As a device for cleaning kitchen ducts, a pipe cleaning device has been proposed as described in Patent Document 1. This cleaning device is configured to include a flexible shaft 12, a cleaning unit 20, and a motor box 40.

[0003] In this cleaning device, the rotation of the brush 26 causes friction with the inner surface of the duct 62, and the resulting heat heats the cleaning liquid 38, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the cleaning liquid 38.

[0004] Meanwhile, Patent Document 2 describes a pipe cleaning tool that removes dirt such as oil, soot, and dust accumulated in smoke exhaust ducts installed on yakiniku tables in yakiniku restaurants. This tool is configured to scrape off dirt such as firmly accumulated oil, soot, and dust with a metal wire brush 6 while sucking it up with a nozzle 5. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3117085 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6402146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the pipe cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, the cleaning liquid 38 is heated by frictional heat between the brush 26 and the inner surface of the duct 62, thereby achieving a cleaning effect.

[0007] However, there is a risk that the cleaning liquid 38 supplied to the inner surface of the duct 62 will splash while the brush 26 rubs against the inner surface of the duct 62 until the cleaning liquid 38 warms up. As a result, the time that the cleaning liquid 38 remains on the solidified grease and other contaminants is limited, making it difficult to remove the solidified grease and other contaminants.

[0008] Furthermore, in a configuration such as the pipe cleaning tool described in Patent Document 2, in which oil and the like accumulated inside the pipe 10 is scraped off with a metal wire brush 6 while being sucked up with a nozzle 5, there is a risk of damaging the inner surface of the pipe 10. Furthermore, new dirt will penetrate deep into the scratched inner surface, which may reduce the cleaning effect from the next time onwards.

[0009] Exhaust duct fires are thought to be caused by ignition of grease and oil stains adhering to the inner walls of the exhaust duct. Therefore, removing the adhering grease and oil stains as soon as possible helps prevent exhaust duct fires. For example, in the exhaust ducts of a yakiniku restaurant, grease accumulates to a thickness of about 0.4 mm every 2-3 business days, so it is desirable to clean the exhaust duct every business day. Therefore, a cleaning device that is easy to operate is desired.

[0010] Therefore, if a metal wire brush 6 is used for daily cleaning work, the damage to the pipe 10 may become even greater.

[0011] Therefore, this invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a duct cleaning device that can reliably remove even solidified grease and other dirt without damaging the duct, and that also makes cleaning operations extremely easy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The first means in this invention to achieve the above-mentioned object is to comprise a spray 1 that generates foamy cleaning agent Q, a cleaning body 2 made of an elastic material that slides inside the duct P, and an operating rod 3 connected to the cleaning body 2, and is configured so that the generated foamy cleaning agent Q adheres to the surface of the operating rod 3 to clean the inside of the duct P.

[0013] The cleaning body 2 of the second means is made of urethane resin.

[0014] The operating rod 3 of the third means comprises a fixed rod 3A that passes through and fixes the cleaning body 2, and a flexible operating body 3B that is connected to the fixed rod 3A and operates the cleaning body 2 from outside the duct P.

[0015] The foamy cleanser Q of the fourth means is produced from a cleanser that combines an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant.

[0016] The foamy detergent Q of the fifth means is produced from a detergent that combines a surfactant and a glycol-based solvent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As in the present invention, the inside of the duct P is cleaned with the cleaning body 2 to which the foamy cleaning agent Q is attached, making the cleaning work extremely easy. Therefore, it can be done very easily even in places where daily cleaning work is desired.

[0018] Furthermore, the foamy cleaning agent Q of this invention can effectively break down oil, so even solidified oil and grease stains can be removed reliably without damaging the duct.

[0019] As a result, it will be possible to clean the oil, soot, dust and other dirt that accumulates daily, such as in the exhaust ducts of a yakiniku restaurant, every business day, which will help prevent fires in the exhaust duct. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the cleaning device of the present invention in preparation for use. [Figure 3] 1(a) and 1(b) are cross-sectional side views of the main part showing an embodiment of a cleaning method. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the cleaning body of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The cleaning device of this invention is a device that cleans oil stains inside a duct P with a foamy cleaning agent Q. The main components of this device are a spray 1, a cleaning body 2, and an operating rod 3. The foamy cleaning agent Q released from the spray 1 adheres to the surface of the cleaning body 2, cleaning the inside of the duct P.

[0022] The sprayer 1 is a device that generates a foam detergent Q (see Figure 1). In the illustrated example, the sprayer 1 is of the type in which detergent diluted with water is placed in a bottle 1A of the sprayer 1 and pressurized electrically to generate foam. Alternatively, the sprayer 1 can be manually pressurized.

[0023] The cleaning body 2 is an elastic member that adheres the foamy cleaning agent Q generated by the spray 1 to its surface (see Figure 1). This cleaning body 2 uses urethane resin or the like, and by sliding against the inner surface of the duct P with the foamy cleaning agent Q attached, it cleans the inside of the duct P and absorbs some of the dissolved oil and grease stains. Moreover, by using urethane resin or the like, there is no risk of damaging the inner wall of the exhaust duct.

[0024] If the cleaning body 2 is made of urethane resin, the foamy cleaning agent Q adheres to the recesses on the surface of the cleaning body 2, allowing it to be formed with an outer diameter that fits tightly against the inner surface of the duct P. If the cleaning body 2 is made of another elastic material, it can be formed so that a gap is created between the cleaning body 2 and the inside of the duct P, allowing the foamy cleaning agent Q to remain on the surface when the cleaning body 2 is inserted deep inside.

[0025] An operating rod 3 is provided to operate this cleaning body 2 from outside the duct P. In the illustrated example, a retainer 2A and a stopper 2B are placed on top of each other above and below the cleaning body 2, and the operating rod 3 is fixed to the center of the cleaning body 2 (see Figure 1).

[0026] This operating rod 3 comprises a fixed rod 3A that passes through the cleaning body 2 and fixes it in place, and a flexible operating body 3B that is connected to the fixed rod 3A and operates the cleaning body 2 from outside the duct P.

[0027] The fixed rod 3A is, for example, a hard pipe-like member that passes through the axial center of the cleaning body 2. On the other hand, the operating body 3B is a flexible member, such as a rubber hose, connected to the end of the fixed rod 3A. The material and shape of the fixed rod 3A and operating body 3B can be changed as desired.

[0028] When the foamy detergent Q is applied to the cleaning body 2, it adheres to the peripheral surface of the cleaning body 2 (see Figure 2). In particular, by using a urethane resin for the cleaning body 2, the foamy detergent Q applied to the cleaning body 2 penetrates into the interior, minimizing dripping during cleaning. Furthermore, it is possible to form irregularities on the surface of the cleaning body 2 in advance.

[0029] Furthermore, the thickness (height) of the cleaning body 2 can be adjusted depending on whether the duct P is a straight type or a modified type. For example, if the duct P is a straight type with a diameter of 200 mm, the cleaning body 2 is formed to be about 80 mm (see Figure 2). On the other hand, if the duct P is a modified type, the cleaning body 2 can be formed to be about 40 mm, which makes it easier to operate inside the modified duct P (see Figure 4). However, the dimensions, shape, and material of the cleaning body 2 can be changed as desired.

[0030] To use this device, first spray foamy detergent Q onto the surrounding surface of the cleaning body 2 with a spray 1 (see Figure 2). Next, insert this cleaning body 2 into the duct P and clean the inside (see Figure 3(A)). If the dirt, such as oil, is particularly severe, move the cleaning body 2 up and down, or spray foamy detergent Q onto the cleaning body 2 again to repeat the cleaning process (see Figure 3(B)).

[0031] When inserting the cleaning body 2 into the duct P for operation, the operating body 3B is held and operated (see Figure 3). This makes it possible to easily operate the cleaning body 2 even in places where the space between the table and the duct is narrow, such as an exhaust duct placed on a table in a yakiniku restaurant.

[0032] Next, we will explain the foam detergent Q used in this invention. The foam detergent Q of this invention uses a cleaning agent that combines an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant. This combination makes it easy to generate foam from the cleaning agent.

[0033] It also contains a chelating agent and a solvent as auxiliary ingredients. The chelating agent used is an organic chelating agent, which has the effect of capturing metal ions in dirt, making it easier to remove the dirt.

[0034] Furthermore, the foam detergent Q of the present invention allows for viscosity adjustment by using a detergent that combines a surfactant and a glycol-based solvent.

[0035] As a result, it is possible to maintain the durability of the produced foamy detergent Q. Moreover, the solidified oils and fats are emulsified and dispersed by the alkaline component, which swells and softens the oils and fats, while the surfactant improves the wetting and penetration of the oils and fats, enhancing the effectiveness of the alkaline component.

[0036] In this invention, one example of foam detergent Q contains sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide as alkaline components. The surfactants used are nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants, and the chelating agent is an organic chelating agent. A glycol-based solvent is used to adjust the viscosity.

[0037] It should be noted that the configurations of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples, and the configurations of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] P duct Q Foaming cleaner 1 spray 1A Bottle 2 Cleaning body 2A Clamp 2B fastener 3 Operation rod 3A fixed rod 3B Operating body 3C Connector

Claims

1. A duct cleaning device comprising: a spray that generates a foamy cleaning agent; a cleaning body made of an elastic material that slides inside the duct; and an operating rod connected to the cleaning body, and configured to clean the inside of the duct by attaching the generated foamy cleaning agent to the surface of the operating rod.

2. 2. The duct cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning body is made of urethane resin.

3. 2. The duct cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the operating rod comprises a fixed rod that passes through and fixes the cleaning body, and a flexible operating body that is connected to the fixed rod and operates the cleaning body from outside the duct.

4. 2. The duct cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the foamy cleaning agent is produced from a cleaning agent that combines an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant.

5. The duct cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the foamy cleaning agent is produced from a cleaning agent that combines a surfactant and a glycol-based solvent.

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