Enzyme bath stirring device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an enzyme bath stirring device with which it is possible to easily stir organic matter in an enzyme bath. [Solution] An enzyme bath stirring device (10) is characterized by comprising: a helical spiral screw part (12b) that is helical and that is capable of rotating so as to raise organic matter that is accommodated in a bath tank (2) and that produces heat by fermentation; a zigzag blade part (12a) that is installed at the top of the spiral screw part (12b) and that has a disk part (12f) having a plurality of through holes (12e) for charging rice bran or rice bran powder and water from above, and blade parts (12g) provided such that adjacent blades extend in opposite directions from the edge of the disk part (12f); a body (14) capable of applying a rotational force so that the spiral screw part (12b) and the zigzag blade part (12a) rotate; a rail part (16) that can be provided spanning across the frame part of the bath tank (2) and that is for guiding the body (14) to a prescribed position above the bath tank (2); and a handle part (18) for operating the body (14) so as to move on the rail part (16).

Description

Stirring device for enzyme bath

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring device for an enzyme bath.

[0002] In recent years, enzyme baths have become popular for reasons such as being beneficial for beauty and health. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a stirring device for food ingredients, which has a stirring container for holding food ingredients, a stirrer for stirring the food ingredients in the stirring container with a stirrer, and a stirrer support member for supporting the stirrer. The stirrer support member includes a set of support rods for supporting the stirrer above, a pedestal for fixing the support rods, a support arm for fixing the stirring container and enabling the stirring container to move up and down, and lifting means for lifting and lowering the support arm. The stirrer includes a rotating main shaft for applying a rotational force to the stirrer and a geared motor for controlling the rotational speed of the rotating main shaft and placed on the upper end of the support rod.

[0003] Further, in Patent Document 2, there is disclosed a stand for a hand mixer, which has a bowl for putting cooked food on a detachable pedestal, a mixer holding part rotatably provided on a rotating shaft provided on the upper part of the pedestal for detachably holding the hand mixer main body, and a rotation restricting part for restricting the rotation operation of the mixer holding part. The rotation restricting part includes a rotating plate integrally provided on the mixer holding part, a stand switch capable of moving forward and backward toward the inside of the pedestal, and a switch shaft integrally provided on the stand switch. On the outer peripheral part of the rotating plate away from the rotating shaft, there are provided a closing fixing part for fixing the mixer holding part in the closed position so that the beater attached to the hand mixer main body is positioned in the bowl by engaging with the switch shaft, and an opening fixing part for fixing the mixer holding part in the open position so that the beater retreats from the bowl.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-245375, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-148061

[0005] Enzyme baths are popular, especially among women, for their beauty and health benefits. However, it is necessary to stir the organic matter in the enzyme bath at set intervals. While it is possible to stir it manually using stirring equipment, it is time-consuming and hard work.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an enzyme bath stirring device that enables easy mixing of organic matter in the enzyme bath.

[0007] The enzyme bath stirring device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a spiral screw section that is rotatable to raise organic matter contained in the bathtub and which generates heat through fermentation; a zigzag wing section installed above the spiral screw section and having a disc section with a plurality of through holes for introducing rice bran or sawdust and water from above, and a wing section provided such that adjacent blades extend in opposite directions from the ends of the disc section; a main body section capable of applying rotational force to cause the spiral screw section and the zigzag wing section to rotate; a rail section that can be mounted on the frame of the bathtub and guides the main body section to a predetermined position on the bathtub; and a handle section for operating the main body section to move on the rail section.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for stirring an enzyme bath using the enzyme bath stirring device according to the present invention is a method for stirring an enzyme bath using an enzyme bath stirring device comprising: a spiral screw section rotatable to raise organic matter contained in the bathtub and generating heat through fermentation; a zigzag wing section installed above the spiral screw section and having a disc section with a plurality of through holes for introducing rice bran or sawdust and water from above, and a wing section provided such that adjacent blades extend in opposite directions from the ends of the disc section; a main body section capable of applying rotational force to the spiral screw section and the zigzag wing section to rotate; a rail section that can be mounted on the frame of the bathtub and guides the main body section to a predetermined position on the bathtub; and a handle section for operating the main body section to move on the rail section, characterized in that the device is set to a position where the through holes are exposed when the zigzag wing section rotates, and the stirring is performed in this manner.

[0009] According to the present invention, organic matter in the enzyme bath can be easily stirred.

[0010] This is a front view of an enzyme bath stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a bottom view of an enzyme bath stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the stirring section of an enzyme bath stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the stirring of organic matter in an enzyme bath using an enzyme bath stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements in all drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In addition, in the descriptions within the text, reference numerals previously mentioned will be used as necessary.

[0012] Figure 1 is a front view of the enzyme bath stirring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the enzyme bath stirring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 shows the stirring section 12 of the enzyme bath stirring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(a) is a side view of the zigzag blade section 12a of the stirring section 12, Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the zigzag blade section 12a of the stirring section 12, and Figure 3(c) is a side view of the stirring section 12.

[0014] Figure 4 shows the process of stirring the organic matter 4 in the enzyme bath tub 2 using the enzyme bath stirring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The enzyme bath stirring device 10 is a device for stirring the organic matter 4 contained in the enzyme bath tub 2. The enzyme bath stirring device 10 comprises a stirring section 12 having a zigzag blade section 12a and a spiral screw section 12b, a main body section 14, a rail section 16, a trolley section 17, and a handle section 18. The tub 2 is described as being made of a material such as cypress, but of course, it may be made of other materials.

[0016] An enzyme bath is a type of bathing that uses organic materials such as sawdust from cypress trees or rice bran, to which an enzyme solution, extracted from wild plants, is added. It utilizes the natural fermentation heat generated by the activity of microorganisms, without using artificial heat sources such as electricity or gas. Enzyme baths are expected to promote blood circulation, have detoxifying effects, and improve skin condition.

[0017] The fermentation heat generated by the enzymes can reach temperatures of around 70 degrees Celsius at its highest, but the temperature actually felt through the cushion of cypress sawdust and rice bran is around 50 degrees Celsius.

[0018] Maintaining the quality of the enzymes requires careful handling. Specifically, this involves carefully checking the condition of the sawdust and rice bran, adjusting the moisture content and other materials, stirring to promote fermentation, and raising the fermentation temperature.

[0019] The stirring unit 12 is a rotatable component that stirs the organic matter 4 contained in the bathtub 2, which generates heat through fermentation. The stirring unit 12 comprises a zigzag blade section 12a and a spiral screw section 12b.

[0020] The zigzag wing section 12a is installed on the upper part of the spiral screw section 12b. The zigzag wing section 12a comprises a disc section 12f and a wing section 12g.

[0021] The disc portion 12f is a disc member having a predetermined thickness. The disc portion 12f has a through hole 12d in the center for inserting the rotating shaft portion 12c, and four through holes 12e are arranged circumferentially around this through hole 12d. The four through holes 12e are formed to allow sawdust and water to be added to the enzyme bath from above when performing maintenance to maintain the quality of the enzyme bath.

[0022] In the zigzag wing portion 12a, multiple blade portions constituting the wing portion 12g extend from the outer peripheral end of the disc portion 12f in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the disc portion 12f. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), each blade portion constituting the wing portion 12g is arranged in a zigzag pattern such that adjacent blade portions extend in opposite directions.

[0023] The rotating shaft portion 12c is the shaft member that serves as the axis of rotation and extends downward from the main body portion 14. A zigzag wing portion 12a is provided at the lower part of the rotating shaft portion 12c, and a spiral screw portion 12b is provided at the lower part of the zigzag wing portion 12a.

[0024] The spiral screw section 12b is equipped with a blade section 12h that is spirally mounted on the rotating shaft section 12c. The blade section 12h is rotatably mounted to raise the organic matter 4, which is contained in the bathtub 2 and generates heat through fermentation.

[0025] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the blade portion 12h is provided from top to bottom, rotating continuously around the rotating shaft portion 12c like a spiral slide. The blade portion 12h is formed in a spiral direction to lift the organic matter 4 as the rotating shaft portion 12c rotates. As a result, when the rotating shaft portion 12c rotates, the spiral blade portion 12h rotates, and the organic matter 4 present around it is carried upward.

[0026] The main body 14 is a device capable of applying rotational force so that the spiral screw section 12b rotates around the rotating shaft section 12c. The main body 14 has an electric motor that rotates using power supplied from the commercial power supply, and can rotate the zigzag blade section 12a and the spiral screw section 12 which are connected to the output shaft.

[0027] The main unit 14 operates, for example, with single-phase AC 50Hz / 60Hz and a voltage of 100V, and the motor is configured to include a single-phase series-wound commutator motor, with a rotational speed of 0 to 1,200 min⁻¹. －１ (times / minute).

[0028] The rail section 16 can be installed on the convex-shaped frame sections 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2 and is a rail for guiding the main body section 14 to a predetermined position on the bathtub 2. The rail section 16 can be constructed from a material with appropriate strength, such as stainless steel.

[0029] The rail section 16 has a length that spans the width direction of the bathtub 2, and as shown in Figure 2, two rails extend parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. At both ends of the rail section 16, there is a pair of frame wheel sections 16a and 16b that are provided to sandwich the frame sections 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2.

[0030] Since the rail section 16 is composed of two rails, the pair of frame wheel sections 16a and 16b are provided for each rail. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the pair of frame wheel sections 16a and 16b are equipped with a central shaft section that extends downward from the two rails, and a wheel section provided below the central shaft section that rotates around the central shaft section and can contact the frame sections 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the rail section 16 has a length adjustment mechanism that allows its length to be adjusted according to the width of the bathtub 2 (not shown).

[0032] The trolley section 17 is provided so as to be movable on the rail section 16, and the main body section 14 is connected to it. The trolley section 17 has a space in the center for installing the main body section 14, and as shown in Figure 2, it has a roughly square shape in plan view.

[0033] The bogie section 17 has a width wider than the distance between the two rails of the rail section 16, and has a pair of rail wheel sections 17a and 17b that are provided to sandwich both ends of the rail section 16 in the width direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the pair of rail wheel sections 17a and 17b each include a central shaft section extending downward from the bogie section 17 and a wheel section located below the central shaft section that rotates about the central shaft section and can contact the rail section 16.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, two rail wheel units 17a are rotatably mounted on the outside of one rail, and two rail wheel units 17b are rotatably mounted on the outside of the other rail.

[0036] The handle portion 18 is an operating handle for moving the main body portion 14 along the rail portion 16. As shown in Figure 1, the handle portion 18 comprises an extension portion that extends from the main body portion 14 along the extension direction of the rail portion 16, and a grip portion formed on the extension portion that can be grasped by the user's hand.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the spiral screw portion 12b can be moved to the right by pushing the handle portion 18 when it is positioned at the left end. In other words, the main body portion 14 can be moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 4 using the handle portion 18.

[0038] Next, the operation of the enzyme bath stirring device 10 with the above configuration will be explained. In recent years, enzyme baths have been attracting attention, which use organic matter 4 made by adding a liquid extracted from wild grasses and other plants called enzyme solution to cypress sawdust (sawdust) or rice bran, and utilize the natural fermentation heat generated by the activity of microorganisms.

[0039] However, enzyme baths require regular maintenance, such as adding sawdust or rice bran, water, and air, stirring it to promote fermentation, and raising the fermentation temperature.

[0040] Traditionally, this type of maintenance involved stirring the organic matter 4 (enzymes) using stirring equipment, but this was a laborious process. The present invention demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in this type of maintenance.

[0041] First, prepare the enzyme bath stirring device 10 and install the rail section 16 on the bathtub 2 so that the frame sections 2a and 2b of the bathtub 2 are sandwiched between the pair of frame wheel sections 16a and 16b. Next, plug the power outlet of the main unit 14 into a commercial power outlet and operate the main unit 14.

[0042] At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the zigzag blade portion 12a of the stirring section 12 is set to a height that is exposed from the ceiling surface of the organic matter 4 that constitutes the enzyme bath. Then, as the electric motor of the main body 14 rotates, the rotating shaft portion 12c rotates, and this causes the zigzag blade portion 12a and the spiral screw portion 12b to rotate. At this time, as the blade portion 12g of the zigzag blade portion 12a rotates, a wall is formed on the outer surface of the zigzag blade portion 12a, so the through hole 12e is exposed, and when sawdust or rice bran, water and air are put in, these can be sent downward through the through hole 12e.

[0043] Furthermore, the rotation of the rotating shaft 12c causes the spiral screw section 12b, that is, the helical blade section 12h, to rotate together with the zigzag blade section 12a, thereby carrying the organic matter 4 present around it upwards. As a result, the sawdust, rice bran, moisture, and air discharged from the through-hole 12e are efficiently mixed by the rotation of the blade section 12g below the zigzag blade section 12a and the rotation of the upper part of the blade section 12h, while the organic matter 4 is carried to the upper part of the spiral screw section 12b. Consequently, the nutrients, oxygen, and moisture necessary for the microorganisms in the organic matter 4 are efficiently mixed, resulting in a pleasant texture and the remarkable effect of being able to perform maintenance such as raising the fermentation temperature.

[0044] 2 Bathtub, 2a, 2b Frame section, 4 Organic material, 10 Agitator for enzyme bath, 12 Agitator section, 12a Zigzag blade section, 12b Spiral screw section, 12c Rotating shaft section, 12d Through hole, 12e Through hole, 12f Disc section, 12g Blade section, 12h Blade section, 14 Main body section, 16 Rail section, 16a, 16b Wheel section for frame, 17 Trolley section, 17a, 17b Wheel section for rail, 18 Handle section.

Claims

1. An enzyme bath stirring device comprising: a spiral screw section rotatable to raise organic matter contained in the bathtub and generating heat through fermentation; a zigzag wing section installed above the spiral screw section and having a disc section with multiple through holes for introducing rice bran or sawdust and water from above, and wing sections provided such that adjacent blade sections extend in opposite directions from the ends of the disc section; a main body section capable of applying rotational force to cause the spiral screw section and the zigzag wing section to rotate; a rail section that can be mounted on the frame of the bathtub and guides the main body section to a predetermined position on the bathtub; and a handle section for operating the main body section to move along the rail section.

2. A method for stirring an enzyme bath using an enzyme bath stirring device comprising: a spiral screw section rotatable to raise organic matter contained in the bathtub and generating heat through fermentation; a zigzag wing section installed above the spiral screw section and having a disc section with multiple through holes for introducing rice bran or sawdust and water from above, and wing sections provided such that adjacent blade sections extend in opposite directions from the ends of the disc section; a main body section capable of applying rotational force to cause the spiral screw section and the zigzag wing section to rotate; a rail section that can be mounted on the frame of the bathtub and guides the main body section to a predetermined position on the bathtub; and a handle section for operating the main body section to move on the rail section, characterized in that the device is set to a position where the through holes are exposed when the zigzag wing section rotates, and the device is stirred in this manner.

Images