Manufactured products

Abstract

To propose a product in which reduction in generation efficiency of fine bubbles due to a relative direction in which fluid flows can be suppressed more.SOLUTION: A product is used in a state in which at least a part thereof is in contact with liquid. Irregularity is formed in a defined portion in the part being in contact with the liquid. Ten-point average roughness Rz of the irregularity satisfies a condition of being within a range of 5 to 500 μm. The product is, for example, a tabular member having a predetermined angle of elevation with respect to a direction in which the liquid flows, or, for example, a tabular member in which a negative pressure is applied to at least one surface of an upper and lower surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article of manufacture. [Background technology]

[0002] Microbubbles, more specifically, microbubbles or nanobubbles, generated in liquids such as water ultimately generate free radicals with strong oxidizing power. These free radicals have strong bactericidal properties, and liquids containing microbubbles, such as water, are therefore used for sterilizing food ingredients. It is also known that the zeta potential generated on the surface of microbubbles allows immiscible substances in the liquid in which they reside to remain mixed stably for a long period of time. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines microbubbles as bubbles with a diameter of 1 to 100 μm. While the precise definition of nanobubbles varies depending on the application field and generation method, they are generally defined as bubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or less.

[0003] Such fine bubbles are attracting attention for various applications. There is also a demand for a method for easily generating fine bubbles so that they can be more easily used for various applications. In order to easily generate fine bubbles, convex portions are formed on the surface of a product that comes into contact with a liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7169612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The formation of protrusions on the surface of a product is premised on the supply of a water flow along the surface. However, the environment in which such a water flow is supplied is actually very limited. If the direction of the water flow is not along the surface, the efficiency of generating microbubbles tends to decrease significantly. For this reason, it is important not only to make it possible to easily generate microbubbles, but also to further suppress the decrease in the efficiency of generating microbubbles due to the relative direction of the water (fluid) flowing relative to the component.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention proposes a product that can further suppress the decrease in the efficiency of generating fine bubbles depending on the relative direction of fluid flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The article of manufacture of one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: Fluids capable of generating microbubbles at least Partial contact The condition is met on the assumption that the surface is used in a fluid-contacting manner, and that irregularities are formed in a predetermined portion of the portion that comes into contact with the fluid, and that the 10-point average roughness Rz of the irregularities is within a range of 5 to 500 μm. The region where the irregularities are formed has a portion that has a predetermined angle of attack with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the present invention, it is possible to further suppress a decrease in the efficiency of generating fine bubbles depending on the relative direction of fluid flow. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hand blender in which a product according to an embodiment of the present invention is adopted; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a blender cutter, which is a product according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of images of irregularities formed in an irregularity forming portion. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of containers in which a product according to an embodiment of the present invention is employed. [Figure 5]3 is a view showing a cross section AA' of a cutter blade for cutting a material provided in the blender cutter shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a blender cutter. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a cross section of a blender cutter. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a cross section of a blender cutter. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a cross section of a blender cutter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, including modifications, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this. Various modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hand blender in which a product according to an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. Hand blender 1 is a tool used to liquefy or crush ingredients such as vegetables or fruits, or to mix multiple ingredients. As shown in FIG. 1, hand blender 1 is configured with a main body 2 that houses a motor and other components (not shown), and a mixer unit 3 that can be attached to and detached from main body 2. To avoid confusion, the objects to be mixed by hand blender 1 will be referred to as "ingredients" hereafter. Because some ingredients cannot be cut, such as fluids such as water or oil, we will assume that hand blender 1 is used to mix ingredients.

[0012] The main body 2 is the part that serves as the handle when in use, and has an overall cylindrical shape. The main body 2 is provided with a power switch 4 for turning the power on and off. The blender unit 3 includes a detachable part 5 for attaching to the main body 2, a hood 6 that is open at the bottom, and a communication pipe 7 that connects the detachable part 5 and the hood 6 and, when connected, enables power from the main body 2 to be transmitted to the blender cutter inside the hood 6. The product according to this embodiment is realized as a blender cutter that is used as a part of the hand blender 1.

[0013] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a blender cutter, which is a product according to an embodiment of the present invention, from below the hood 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the blender cutter 20 is formed with a mounting portion 21 for mounting within the hood 6. A hole 211 having an overall rectangular shape is formed in the mounting portion 21. A protrusion matching the shape of the hole 211 is provided within the hood 6. The blender cutter 20 is mounted to the hood 6 by inserting the protrusion into the hole 211 and then fixing it with a screw or the like. Power is transmitted to the protrusion from the main body 2. Therefore, the blender cutter 20 rotates around the protrusion as an axis.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the blender cutter 20 has a pair of first cutter blade 22 and second cutter blade 23 on either side of a hole 211. Each of the pair of first cutter blades 22 is generally flat and plate-shaped, and has a cutting edge 221 formed over the entire front end in the expected rotation direction. This cutting edge 221 can cut shaped materials such as food ingredients. The other pair of second cutter blades 23 has a plate-like shape with the end portion farther from the hole 211 bent downward, for example. In each pair of second cutter blades 23, a cutting edge 231 is formed over the entire end portion that is on the front side in the expected rotation direction. By having a bent shape, the pair of second cutter blades 23 enables more efficient stirring or mixing.

[0015] The flat portions of the pair of first cutter blades 22, excluding the cutting edges 221, are formed with irregularities for generating microbubbles. In Fig. 2, the irregularity-forming portions 222 where the irregularities are formed are indicated by hatching. The reason why the portions avoiding the cutting edges 221 are designated as the irregularity-forming portions 222 is to prevent the cutting sharpness of the cutting edges 221 from decreasing due to the irregularities.

[0016] The unevenness may also be formed on the back side, avoiding the blade portion 221, as viewed from the perspective of FIG. 2. The unevenness may also be formed only on the back side. However, the hand blender 1 is typically used with the lower side of the hood 6 pressed against the material. As a result, the fluid, such as water, comes into contact with the opposite side more than the side facing the material. For this reason, if unevenness is to be formed on only one side, it is better to form it on the opposite side. The unevenness may also be provided on the second cutter blade 23.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image of the irregularities formed in the irregularity forming portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the unevenness is formed by alternating convex and concave portions. There are several indices that represent the surface roughness due to unevenness. In this embodiment, when the index is expressed using Rz (10-point average roughness) defined in the JIS B 0601:2001 standard, Rz is formed to satisfy the following conditions. Such unevenness can be formed, for example, by blasting abrasives, thermal spraying in which a coating material is heated, melted, and sprayed, or cutting. Note that the applicable processing method for unevenness varies depending on the material of the product, etc. The shape of the unevenness that is actually formed also changes depending on the processing method used. 5μm≦Rz≦500μm

[0018] Such unevenness can be formed by, for example, blasting an abrasive, spraying a coating material that is heated, melted, and sprayed, or cutting. The applicable processing method for unevenness varies depending on the material of the product. There are no particular restrictions on the processing method as long as it satisfies the above conditions. This condition was determined by checking the amount of microbubbles (mainly nanobubbles) generated. However, the amount of microbubbles generated depends on the fluid (mainly water) that generates the microbubbles, the relative orientation between the direction in which the unevenness-forming portion 222 moves and the direction in which the fluid flows, and the assumed speed between them. Therefore, it is desirable to comprehensively consider all of these factors and determine the actual Rz of the unevenness within the range of the above condition.

[0019] 3, multiple arrows pointing from one side toward the convex portions and concave portions are shown, and each arrow indicates the hypothetical flow direction of a fluid in which a vortex flow can be formed. Even for the relative flow of fluid in one direction, the unevenness increases the range of the flow direction that can be affected, as shown in Fig. 3. As the range of the direction increases, the length that affects the fluid flow in the direction in which the unevenness is formed, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the unevenness-forming portion 222, also increases.

[0020] As a result, compared to conventional techniques for forming convex portions (see, for example, Patent Document 1), the degree of vortex generation due to the relative direction of fluid flow is prevented from decreasing. Vortex flows generate microbubbles. Therefore, compared to conventional techniques, the decrease in the efficiency of microbubble generation due to the relative direction of fluid flow is also prevented. In fact, the efficiency of microbubble generation due to the relative direction of fluid flow can be made higher overall than conventional techniques.

[0021] By generating microbubbles, if the material is food, it is expected to improve hygiene through sterilization. Also, if the material contains synthetic resin, it is possible to stably maintain an emulsion state in which the synthetic resin particles are uniformly dispersed in water without using an emulsifier. In addition to these, generating microbubbles has various other advantages.

[0022] The uneven portion 222 corresponds to a defined portion of the portion that comes into contact with the liquid in this embodiment. In this embodiment, unevenness is formed over the entire uneven portion 222 so as to satisfy the above conditions, but this is not necessarily required. Since the unevenness that satisfies the above conditions can effectively generate fine bubbles, the above conditions may be satisfied only partially. However, it is desirable that the proportion of the unevenness that satisfies the above conditions be 10% or more, regardless of differences in application, usage, or purpose.

[0023] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a blender cutter 20 used as a component in a hand blender 1. Components to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to components such as the blender cutter 20. The present invention can be widely applied to any component that comes into contact with at least a portion of a fluid capable of generating microbubbles. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to products rather than components.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a container in which the product according to the embodiment of the present invention is used. This container is, for example, for putting a beverage in it and drinking it. When the present invention is applied to a container, the entire inner surface that comes into contact with the beverage may be unevenly formed, or the unevenness may be formed only on a part of it. Figure 4 shows an example in which the entire inner surface is unevenly formed. The entire inner surface is shown with a dotted line, and the range in which the unevenness is formed is indicated by the dotted line.

[0025] Like the part, the container may be any container that contains a fluid capable of generating microbubbles. The present invention may also be applied to products other than containers if they are used in contact with such a fluid. Therefore, like the part, the present invention is widely applicable to any product that comes into contact with at least a portion of a fluid capable of generating microbubbles. Such a product may be manufactured using a part to which the present invention is applied.

[0026] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a view showing an AA' cross section of the cutter blade 22 for cutting a material provided in the blender cutter 20 shown in Fig. 2. That is, Fig. 5 is a cross section of the cutter blade 22 along the flow direction of a liquid (e.g., water) supplied to the cutter blade 22.

[0027] As shown in the figure, the cutter blade 22 in this example has a predetermined angle of attack relative to the direction of liquid flow, and when attaching the cutter blade 22 to the blender cutter 20, the attachment part 21 is adjusted to set the predetermined angle of attack.

[0028] This angle is set by measuring the amount of fine bubbles generated, as described below, and determining the angle at which the largest amount of fine bubbles is generated.

[0029] 5, the cross section of the cutter blade 22 in this example is streamlined, with the upper portion 22' of the leading portion 22 being thicker and gradually thinner toward the rear. With this configuration, as shown in the figure, the speed of the liquid flowing above the cutter blade 22 increases and the pressure at the top decreases, generating fine bubbles. Then, fine nanobubbles are generated in the liquid flowing behind the cutter blade 22.

[0030] Meanwhile, pressure increases below the cutter blade 22 and the liquid flows along the underside of the cutter blade 22 .

[0031] In the above description, the set angle and shape of the cutter blade 22 of this embodiment have been described, but the surface of this cutter blade 22 may also be formed with the aforementioned irregularities.

[0032] That is, as shown in Figure 3, convex and concave portions are formed alternately, and there are multiple indices that express the surface roughness caused by these concave and convex portions. For example, when the index is expressed using Rz (10-point average roughness) defined in the JIS B 0601:2001 standard, Rz is formed to satisfy the following conditions. 5μm≦Rz≦500μm

[0033] Therefore, by configuring in this manner, the degree of vortex generation caused by the relative direction of fluid flow is prevented from decreasing compared to conventional techniques that form convex portions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Vortex flows generate microbubbles. Therefore, compared to conventional techniques, the decrease in the efficiency of generating microbubbles caused by the relative direction of fluid flow is further prevented.

[0034] Furthermore, although the cutter blade 22 described above has a streamlined shape, it is not limited to this shape and may be any plate-like member that applies negative pressure to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces.

[0035] For example, FIG. 6 shows an example of this, and both are diagrams showing the cross-sectional structure of the cutter blade 22a. In the figure, the leading edge of the cutter blade 22a is thick and has an elevation angle, which increases the speed of the liquid flowing above the cutter blade 22a and reduces the pressure above, generating microbubbles. Then, microbubbles of nanobubbles are generated in the liquid flowing behind the cutter blade 22a.

[0036] 7 has a configuration in which the shaded area in FIG. 6 is omitted, and as in the above, the speed of the liquid flowing above the cutter blade 22b increases, causing the pressure above to decrease, generating microbubbles. Then, microbubbles of nanobubbles are generated in the liquid flowing behind the cutter blade 22b.

[0037] 8 has a shape in which the leading edge of the blade is tilted downward at a predetermined angle, and the cutter blade 22c has an elevation angle, and the cutter blade 22d in FIG. 9 has a shape in which the leading edge of the blade is tilted upward at a predetermined angle. In this case, too, the speed of the liquid flowing above the cutter blades 22c and 22d increases, and the pressure above them decreases, generating fine bubbles. Then, fine nanobubbles are generated in the liquid flowing behind the cutter blades 22c and 22d.

[0038] In the explanation of FIGS. 5 to 9, all of the cutter blades 22, 22a to 22d have an elevation angle, but they may be set to have no elevation angle.

[0039] Furthermore, the cutter blades 22, 22a to 22d may be configured so that the above-mentioned irregularities are provided on the upper and lower surfaces thereof, or the cutter blades 22, 22a to 22d may be configured so that the above-mentioned irregularities are provided on one of the upper or lower surfaces thereof, or further the cutter blades 22, 22a to 22d may be configured so that the above-mentioned irregularities are provided on a portion of the upper or lower surface thereof.

[0040] The shapes of the cutter blades 22, 22a to 22d configured as above are merely examples, and any plate-like member on which negative pressure is applied to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the cutter blade 22 can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 hand blender, 20 Blender Cutter, 22 cutter blades, 22a~22d Cutter blades, 221 Blade, 222 Concave and convex forming part.

Claims

1. A product that generates microbubbles, which is used in a state where at least a part of the product is in contact with a fluid capable of generating microbubbles, Concaves and convexes are formed in a predetermined portion of the part that contacts the fluid, The 10-point average roughness Rz of the unevenness satisfies the condition of being in the range of 5 to 500 μm, A manufactured product characterized in that the region in which the unevenness is formed has a portion having a predetermined angle of attack with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid.

2. 2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the product is a plate-like member to which negative pressure is applied to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces at the predetermined angle of attack.

3. 3. The product according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the irregularities that satisfy the condition is 10% or more.

4. 3. The product according to claim 1, wherein the product is a member for mixing a material into the liquid that is the fluid.

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