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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 1 of 24
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`
`Exhibit 11
`Exhibit 11
`
`
`Page 1
`
`OWTEx. 2140
`Tennant Company v. OWT
`IPR2021-00625
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`Satoh et al.
`
`USOO6251259B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,251,259 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PRODUCING ELECTROLYZED WATER
`
`(75) Inventors: Fumitake Satoh; Kazuyoshi Arai;
`Tomoyuki Yanagihara; Tatsuya
`Naitoh, all of Kanagawa-ken (JP)
`(73) Assignee: MIZ Co., Ltd., Fujisawa (JP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/284.483
`(22) PCT Filed:
`May 27, 1998
`(86) PCT No.:
`PCT/JP98/02324
`S371 Date:
`Apr. 22, 1999
`S 102(e) Date: Apr. 22, 1999
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO99/10286
`PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 4, 1999
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Aug. 27, 1997 (JP) ................................................... 9-246060
`(51) Int. Cl." ............................. C25B 15700; CO2F 1/461
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 205/744; 205/746; 204/229.6;
`204/252
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 204/252, 282,
`204/253,229.6, 257; 205/742, 746, 744
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4.908,109 * 3/1990 Wright ............................. 205/744 X
`5,015,354 * 5/1991 Nishiki et al. ................... 204/282 X
`5,304.289 * 4/1994 Hayakawa ........................ 205/744 X
`5,853,562
`12/1998 Eki et al. ...................... 204/229.6 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7-331475
`12/1995 (JP).
`8-74082
`3/1996 (JP).
`9-28769
`2/1997 (JP).
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Donald R. Valentine
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin
`& Kahn, PLLC
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An electrolytic cell capable of controlling the pH and the
`ORP independently to each other, comprising an electrolytic
`chamber (113) to which subject water to be electrolyzed are
`supplied, membranes (115, 115) provided on the both side
`walls of the electrolytic chamber, a pair of electrode plates
`(116, 117) respectively provided inside the electrolyzed
`chamber and outside the electrolytic chamber Sandwiching
`the membrane therebetween, and wherein the electrode plate
`(116) is provided outside the electrolytic chamber in contact
`with the membrane (115) or leaving a slight space.
`
`10 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 2 of 24
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`113
`
`111
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
`
`FG
`
`
`
`12
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 3 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
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`
`
`16
`
`113
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 4 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 3 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 5 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F. G. 4
`
`12
`
`FFL)=
`
`;---|-|----
`
`T
`
`
`
`
`
`DS, NOEN (NOEN) NOENOEVOEN, VNC:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`118
`
`116
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 6 of 24
`
`DNS-N-N-N-IN-EN-'N-KW-N-NOEN
`
`«) • ?
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
`
`N
`
`| ||||
`
`|-
`
`
`
`|
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 7 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 6 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F.G. 6
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`
`
`
`
`
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 8 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 7 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F G. 7
`
`example 1
`
`comparative example 1
`
`O
`
`2O
`
`4O
`
`6O carrying out time (min.)
`
`F. G. 8
`
`- - - -
`comparative example 1
`
`W
`
`(nW)
`ORP
`+ 3OO
`
`
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 9 of 24
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`O
`
`2O
`
`4O
`
`6O carrying out time (min.)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 10 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
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`
`
`Electrolyzed water
`
`.
`l t
`
`a
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 11 of 24
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`2
`
`subject water
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 Of 13
`
`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F. G.
`
`(/)
`
`OD
`
`
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 12 of 24
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`----------===
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 11 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F. G.
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`2
`
`
`
`FG.
`
`3
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 13 of 24
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 12 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F. G.
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`16
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 14 of 24
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`115
`
`117
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2001
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`Sheet 13 of 13
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`F.G. 5
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`
`
`116
`
`118AO
`
`113A
`
`116A
`
`118A
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`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 15 of 24
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`111A
`
`

`

`US 6,251,259 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PRODUCING ELECTROLYZED WATER
`
`This application is a 371 of PCT/JP98/02324, May 27,
`1998.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell and an
`apparatus for producing reducing electrolyzed water and
`other electrolyzed water favorable to be used as potable
`water, drip Solutions and other injections.
`
`2
`tively provided inside Said electrolytic chamber and
`Outside Said electrolytic chamber Sandwiching a mem
`brane therebetween; and the electrolytic cell,
`wherein the electrode plate outside Said electrolytic cham
`ber is provided in contact with the membrane or leaving
`a slight Space.
`In the electrolytic cell of the present invention, a pair of
`electrode plates Sandwiching a membrane therebetween are
`respectively provided inside and outside the electrolytic
`chamber, and one of the electrode plates is provided outside
`the membrane being in contact with the membrane or
`leaving a slight Space therebetween. Electrolysis is carried
`out by flowing a current to the pair of electrode plates, while
`feeding the Subject water to the electrolytic chamber.
`Here, between the pair of electrode plates Sandwiching the
`membrane, especially between the electrode plate outside
`the electrolytic chamber and the membrane, lies Subject
`water due to water content characteristics of the membrane
`and capillarity between the electrode plate and the
`membrane, So that a current flows between the electrode
`plates.
`The chemical reaction at this time will be explained in a
`case where the electrode plate inside the electrolytic cham
`ber is an anode and the electrode plate outside the electro
`lytic chamber is a cathode.
`First, when a direct current (DC) voltage is applied to the
`pair of electrode plates, the reaction of
`
`2H2O+2e->2OH +H,
`(1)
`arises on the Surface of the cathode plate inside the electro
`lytic chamber. And the reaction of
`
`HO-2e->2H+%-O,
`(2)
`arises on the Surface of the electrode plate outside the
`electrolytic chamber over the membrane, that is, between the
`electrode plate and the membrane.
`In the electrolytic cell of the present invention, Since the
`membrane and the electrode plate (anode) outside the elec
`trolytic chamber are almost in contact with each other, Hion
`(actually, existing in the form of Oxonium HO) in the
`above formula (2) generated between them strongly react
`against on the anode plate. Therefore, relatively large elec
`tric power is applied in the membrane direction. As a result,
`the H ion passes the membrane as being permeated in the
`Same, and a part of the H" ion receives electrone from the
`cathode plate, becomes hydrogen gas as in the formula (3)
`below, and dissolved into the produced electrolyzed water
`on the cathode Side.
`
`(3)
`2H+2e->H,
`AS a result, the electrolyzed water produced on the
`cathode side (that is, inside the electrolytic chamber) has a
`lower oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) than ordinary
`cases (which is the electrolyzed water having a minus ORP
`of a high absolute value, and hereinafter also referred to as
`electrolyzed reducing water).
`Note that the residual H" ion passed through the mem
`brane is reduced to water by reacting with OH ion in the
`electrolytic chamber (2H+OH->HO), so that the pH of
`the electrolyzed reducing water produced in the electrolytic
`chamber becomes a little close to neutral.
`2) In the electrolytic cell of the present invention, when
`the membrane and a pair of electrode plates are provided at
`least two sets, at least two electrode plates are provided
`inside the electrolytic chamber, thus, the reaction of the
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`It has been reported that electrolyzed alkaline water
`derived by electrolyzing Subject water produces the medical
`effects that extraordinary Zymosis and indigestion in the
`Stomach and intestines, diarrhea and gastric hyperacidity are
`Suppressed. The medical effects have been considered to be
`produced principally by Such mineral components contained
`in electrolyzed alkaline water and present as cations as
`calcium, Sodium, magnesium and potassium. Electrolyzed
`alkaline water used for obtaining Such medical effects is
`exclusively defined being Subjected to metal ions contained
`therein and the pH, and produced by electrolyzing Subject
`water to which calcium, and the like are added until the pH
`reaches about 9 or more.
`However, disease is mainly caused by the damage of
`biomolecules within an organism resulting from oxidation of
`the biomolecules with active oxygen formed therein, and
`Such active oxygen can be reduced with hydrogen to form
`non-toxic water. By promoting the reaction, higher medical
`effects can be obtained, and the applicants of the present
`application found through their Study that it is preferable to
`use electrolyzed water of a minus oxidation-reduction poten
`tial (ORP) and the absolute value is large (for example the
`ORP is
`300 mV or less).
`When using electrolyzed water having a reducing prop
`erty of this kind as potable water, drip Solutions, injections,
`dialysis Solutions, etc., it is desired that the pH is maintained
`to be as neutral as possible. The conventional apparatus for
`producing electrolyzed water, however, was not able to
`produce electrolyzed water having a neutral pH and an
`oxidation-reduction potential in minus a little. Namely,
`when electrolyzing Subject water by the conventional appa
`ratus for producing electrolyzed water, a pH and an ORP
`correlationally changed. When the pH was heighten to about
`10, the ORP fell to about -500 mV, while in the case of
`electrolyzed water having a pH close to neutral, Such as 6 to
`8, the ORP fell only to about
`150mV even at minimum. Namely, in the conventional
`apparatus for producing electrolyzed water, the pH and
`the ORP were not able to be controlled independently to
`each other.
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`15
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`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`The present invention has been made in consideration of
`the above problem of the related art and has as an object
`thereof to provide an electrolytic cell and apparatus for
`producing electrolyzed water capable of controlling a pH
`and an ORP independently to each other.
`1) To attain the above object, an electrolytic cell of the
`present invention, comprising:
`an electrolytic chamber to which Subject water is
`Supplied, and at least a pair of electrode plates respec
`
`60
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`65
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`

`3
`above formula (1) is proceeded also between the electrode
`plates of the same polarity. Accordingly, comparing with the
`case of providing a pair of electrode plate Sandwiching the
`membrane therebetween, the electrolysis reaction area per
`unit volume increases. Therefore, the efficiency of the elec
`trolysis improves and the electrolytic cell can be configured
`to be compact.
`Also, in the electrolytic cell of the present invention, the
`membrane and the electrode plate (anode) outside the elec
`trolytic chamber are provided being almost in contact with
`each other and only the water lies between the membrane
`and the electrode plate outside the electrolytic chamber
`becomes conductive medium. Therefore, the oxygen gas
`generated in the above formula (2) is emitted into the air as
`it is. Accordingly, comparing with a So-called non
`membrane type electrolysis, dissolved oxygen content in the
`produced electrolyzed water becomes remarkably Small,
`and, furthermore, the Oxidation-reduction potential becomes
`low.
`At the same time, when the H" ion and oxygen gas on the
`right side of the equal sign in the above formula (2) are
`discharged from between the membrane and the electrode
`plate outside the electrolytic chamber, there is a tendency
`that the reaction in the right direction of the formula (2)
`becomes active in terms of chemical balancing. As a result,
`an electron Supplying capacity from the cathode plate to
`water molecules H2O and an electron receiving capacity to
`receive water molecules HO of the anode plate are
`activated, So that the conductive capacity is not reduced even
`when the electrolysis is carried out for a long time and
`stabilized electrolyzed water can be obtained.
`In the electrolytic cell of the present invention, when the
`membrane and a pair of electrode plates are provided at least
`two sets, at least one of the electrode plates outside the
`electrolytic chamber provided at least two is preferably
`provided in the Second electrolytic chamber. Electrolysis is
`carried out by respectively flowing a current to the respec
`tive two pairs of electrode plates while Supplying the Subject
`water (electrolyte may be added in accordance with need) to
`the Second electrolytic chamber and Supplying the same to
`the above original electrolytic chamber (hereinafter, also
`referred to as a first electrolytic chamber for convenience).
`Here, a case where the electrode plate in the first elec
`trolytic chamber is a cathode plate and the electrode plate
`outside the first electrolytic chamber is anode plate will be
`explained as an example. In the electrolysis carried out
`between the anode plate provided inside the Second electro
`lytic chamber and the corresponding cathode plate making a
`pair, Since Sufficient Subject water is Supplied to both the
`electrolytic chambers, the pH rises, the ORP lowers, and
`furthermore, mineral components are condensed in the elec
`trolyzed water produced near the cathode plate.
`Contrary to this, in the electrolysis carried out between the
`other anode plate and the corresponding cathode plate
`making a pair, Since the chamber provided with the anode
`plate is open to the air, although the pH of the electrolyzed
`water produced near the cathode plate does not rise much
`and the mineral components are unchanged, the ORP
`reduces due to the reasons above.
`Generally, since an ORP of electrolyzed water can be
`made lower more easily, when a pH is higher, it is advan
`tageous to make the pH higher when producing electrolyzed
`water having a larger reduction potential is desired.
`Since a pair of electrode plates having different property
`values exist within one electrolytic chamber for producing
`electrolyzed water, by properly controlling the pair of elec
`trode plates in accordance with need, a pH and an ORP can
`
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`15
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`4
`be controlled without being affected by difference of water
`quality (the pH and ORP) of the subject water.
`In this case, a degree of free combination of a pH and an
`ORP can be heightened by providing an electrolytic cell,
`comprising: a first electrolytic cell having a first electrolytic
`chamber and a second electrolytic chamber filled in by
`Subject water and Separated by a membrane and at least a
`pair of electrode plates Sandwiching the membrane therebe
`tween respectively provided in the first electrolytic chamber
`and the Second electrolytic chamber; a Second electrolytic
`cell having a third electrolytic chamber to which electro
`lyzed water produced in the first electrolytic chamber of the
`first electrolytic cell, at least a pair of electrode plates
`Sandwiching a membrane therebetween respectively pro
`vided inside of the third electrolytic chamber and outside of
`the third electrolytic chamber; and the electrolytic cell
`wherein the electrode plate outside of the third electrolytic
`chamber is provided in contact with the membrane or
`leaving a slight Space.
`3. It is not limited to the electrolytic cell of the present
`invention, however, as a reverse descaling method, for
`example, it is preferable that the power Source circuit has a
`reverse electrolysis descaling circuit for carrying out a first
`reverse electrolysis descaling by applying a Voltage of either
`one of an anode or a cathode to one of the electrode plates
`provided outside of the electrolytic chamber, and Simulta
`neously applying a Voltage of the other one of the anode or
`the cathode to the other one of the electrode plates, and
`thereafter, carrying out a Second reverse electrolysis descal
`ing by reversing the polarity of the applying Voltage to the
`electrode plates. At this time, it is not specifically limited,
`however, it is preferable that a Voltage is not applied to the
`electrode plate outside the electrolytic chamber during the
`first and Second reverse electrolysis descaling.
`An ordinary method of reverse electrolysis descaling is to
`Simply reverse the applying polarity, and an anode polarity
`is applied to the electrode plate, to which a Scale is adhered
`by being applied a cathode polarity till then, in order to
`electrically flow out the adhered Scale. Accordingly, Such a
`method of reverse electrolysis descaling can be adopted to
`the above electrolytic cell of the present invention.
`However, even during the reverse electrolysis descaling,
`Scale adheres to the electrode plates which is being applied
`a cathode polarity. In the above electrolytic cell of the
`present invention, it is difficult to remove the once adhered
`Scale because the Subject water is not Supplied to the
`electrode when transferred to the regular electrolysis, and
`the anode polarity is applied to the electrode. Therefore, by
`using the at least two electrode plates provided in the first
`electrolytic chamber, the Scale adhered to the electrode
`plates is removed by flowing a current for reverse electroly
`sis descaling only to these electrode plates.
`In this way, Scale is not adhered to the electrodes provided
`outside the first electrolytic chamber and the reverse elec
`trolysis descaling can be conducted by flowing a current
`only to the electrode plates provided inside the first electro
`lytic chamber. Therefore, half amount of power becomes
`Sufficient, or the duration for reverse electrolysis descaling
`can be reduced to half with the same amount of current.
`4The above electrolytic cell of the present invention can
`be used independently, however, it may be configured as an
`apparatus for producing electrolyzed water, comprising: a
`plurality of electrolytic cells, a water Supply System for
`letting in the Subject water in parallel to the respective
`electrolytic chambers of the electrolytic cell, and a water
`Sluice System for letting out in parallel the electrolyzed
`water generated in the respective electrolytic chambers.
`
`

`

`S
`In the electrolytic cell and an apparatus for producing
`electrolyzed water of the present invention, electrode plates
`outside the electrolytic chamber are provided being in
`contact with the membrane or leaving a slight Space. This
`idea includes forming the electrode plates on the Surface of
`the membrane.
`The membrane used in the electrolytic cell and an appa
`ratus for producing electrolyzed water of the present inven
`tion is not Specifically limited, however, a porous
`membrane, an ion-exchange membrane (cation-exchange
`membrane or anion-exchange membrane) etc. can be raised.
`To Sum up, the membrane of the present invention may be
`anything as far as it has porous characteristics and water
`content characteristics to allow water molecules to pass
`through it.
`Also, in the electrolytic cell and an apparatus for produc
`ing electrolyzed water of the present invention, other con
`ductor and Semiconductor can be Stacked on the principal
`Surface facing to the membrane of the electrode plates. The
`electrode plates of the present invention also includes these.
`Purpose for using the electrolyzed water produced by the
`electrolytic cell and an apparatus for producing electrolyzed
`water of the present invention is not specifically limited, and
`can be applied for a wide range of various fields of medical
`treatment, foods, agriculture, industry, etc. in addition to
`potable water and medical use.
`Note that the electrolyzed water obtained by the electro
`lytic cell and an apparatus for producing electrolyzed water
`of the present invention is characterized in that the value of
`the oxidation-reduction potential does not depend on a pH.
`Therefore, in the present Specification, the electrolyzed
`water produced by the cathode side will be referred to as
`electrolyzed reducing water not as alkaline electrolyzed
`water and the electrolyzed water produced by the anode side
`will be referred to as electrolyzed oxidizing water not as
`acidic electrolyzed water.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIGS. 2 and 3 are croSS-Sectional views for explaining a
`reverse electrolysis descaling method of the first embodi
`ment,
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a view of the system of a third embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a graph showing the change of a pH value with
`respect to the continuous operation time;
`FIG. 8 is a graph showing the change of an ORP with
`respect to the continuous operation time;
`FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an electrolytic
`cell of the related art used as a comparison example,
`FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of specific
`example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another
`Specific example of the fourth embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fifth
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a view of the system of a sixth embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an another example
`of the membrane and the electrode according to the present
`invention; and
`
`CASE 0:20-cv-00358-ECT-HB Doc. 80-9 Filed 06/10/21 Page 18 of 24
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`US 6,251,259 B1
`
`6
`FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example
`of the second embodiment.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`Below, the preferred embodiment of the present invention
`will be explained based on the drawings.
`First Embodiment
`FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first embodi
`ment of the present invention which shows the basic con
`figuration of the electrolytic cell of the present invention.
`In the electrolytic cell 11 of the present invention, an inlet
`111 for letting in the original water and an outlet 112 for
`letting out the electrolyzed water are formed and an elec
`trolytic chamber 113 is formed between the inlet 111 and the
`outlet 112. In the electrolytic cell 11 of the present example,
`the inlet 111 is formed in order that the subjected water flows
`in the Vertical direction with respect to the illustrated paper
`surface at the bottom of a casing 114, and the outlet 112 is
`formed in order that the electrolyzed water is sluiced out in
`the vertical direction with respective to the illustrated paper
`Surface at the top Surface of a casing 114.
`Also, porous films 115 are provided on the right and left
`side walls of the electrolytic chamber 11, and electrode
`plates 116 are respectively provided for the porous films 115
`outside the electrolytic chamber in a contact State. The other
`electrode plates 117 are provided inside the electrolytic
`chamber 113 in order that the primary surfaces respectively
`face to each of the electrode plates 116.
`The two sets of electrode plates 116 and 117 are connected
`with a direct current (DC) power source 12. An anode
`polarity is applied to one of the one pair of mutually facing
`electrode plates 116 and 117 Sandwiching the membrane 115
`therebetween and a cathode polarity is applied to the other
`electrode plate. For example, when generating electrolyzed
`reducing water in the electrolytic chamber 113, as shown in
`FIG. 1, the cathode of the DC power source is connected to
`the electrode plate 117 provided in the electrolytic chamber
`113, and the anode is connected to the electrode plate 116
`provided outside the electrolytic chamber 113.
`Note that when generating electrolyzed oxidizing water in
`the electrolytic chamber 113, the anode of the DC power
`Source may be connected to the electrode plate 117 provided
`inside the electrolytic chamber 113 and the cathode may be
`connected to the electrode plate 116 provided outside the
`electrolytic chamber 113.
`The membrane 115 used in the present embodiment is
`preferably has characteristics that it easily permeates the
`water flowing into the electrolytic chamber 113, at the same
`time, the permeated water is hard to drip. Namely, in the
`electrolytic cell 11 of the present embodiment, during the
`electrolysis, a water film is formed in the membrane 115
`itself and in the slight space S between the membrane 115
`and the electrode plate 116, and the current flows to both the
`electrode plates 116 and 117 via the water film. Accordingly,
`it becomes important for improving the electrolysis effi
`ciency that the water composing this water film is Succes
`Sively exchanged. Also, if the water permeated in the
`membrane 115 leaks from between the membrane 115 and
`the electrode plate 116, processing to deal with it is required.
`Therefore, it is preferable that the membrane 115 has water
`content characteristics to a degree that the permeated water
`does not leak.
`As one example of the membrane 115, a porous film
`formed by unwoven polyester or polyethylene Screen as a
`core part and chlorinated ethylene or poly-fluorinate byni
`lyden and titanium oxide or poly-Vynil chloride as film
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`US 6,251,259 B1
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`materials, having the thickness of 0.1 to 0.3 mm, an average
`diameter of the porous being 0.05 to 1.0 lum, and the
`permeable water amount of not more than 1.0 cc/cm2 min.
`can be raised as an example.
`On the other hand, a distance between a pair of mutually
`facing electrode plates 116 and 117 arranged to sandwich the
`membrane 115 is 0 mm to 5.0 mm, more preferably, 1.5 mm.
`Here, the distance between the electrode plates 116 and 117
`being 0 mm indicates the case of using a Zero gap electrode,
`for example as shown in FIG. 14, wherein the electrode films
`are directly formed respectively on both primary Surfaces of
`the membrane 115, and it means that substantially there is a
`distance of the thickness of the membrane 115. In the Zero
`gap electrode, electrode may be formed only on one primary
`Surface of the membrane 115. Also, when adopting Such a
`Zero gap electrode, it is preferable that holes or a Space is
`provided on the electrode plates 116 and 117 for letting out
`the gas generated on the electrode Surfaces to the back Side
`which is the opposite of the membrane 115.
`The distance between the electrode plates 117 and 117
`provided inside the electrolytic chamber 113 is not specifi
`cally limited, however, it is 0.5 mm to 5 mm, more
`preferably, 1 mm.
`When generating electrolyzed reducing water by using
`such an electrolytic cell 11, first, the cathode (-) of the DC
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`power source 12 is connected to the two electrode plates 117
`and 117 provided inside the electrolytic chamber 113, the
`anode (+) of the DC power source 12 is connected to the
`electrode plates 116 and 116 outside the electrolytic chamber
`113, and a Voltage is applied to two pairs of the mutually
`facing electrode plates 116 and 117 sandwiching the mem
`brane 115. Then, when water, Such as tap water, is Supplied
`from the inlet 111, the tap water is Subjected to electrolysis
`in the electrolytic chamber 113, and the reaction of the above
`formula (1) occurs on the surface of the electrode plates 117
`and the around. The reaction of the above formula (2) occurs
`on the surface of the electrode plate 116 outside the elec
`trolytic chamber 113 over the membrane 115, that is,
`between the electrode plates 116 and the membrane 115.
`This H" ion passes the membrane 115 as being permeated
`therein, and a part of it receives the electron e from the
`cathode plate 117 to become hydrogen gas and dissolved in
`the generated electrolyzed water on the cathode Side. Due to
`this, the electrolyzed water generated on the cathode side
`(that is, inside the electrolysis chamber 113) becomes elec
`trolyzed reducing water having a lower oxidation-reduction
`potential (ORP) than ordinary cases.
`Since the residual H" ion passed through the membrane
`115 reacts with OH ion in the electrolytic chamber 113 and
`is reduced to water, the pH of the electrolyzed reducing
`water generated in the electrolytic chamber 113 becomes a
`little close to neutral. Namely, electrolyzed reducing water
`having a not very high pH and a low ORP can be obtained.
`In this way, the electrolyzed reducing water including the
`generated hydroxide ion is Supplied from the outlet 112.
`When continuing the electrolysis by using tap water as
`electrolyzing Subject water, calcium ion and magnesium ion
`included in the tap water precipitate on the Surface of the
`cathode plate 117, becomes a Scale and causes deterioration
`of the electrolysis efficiency. Therefore, so called reverse
`electrolysis descaling is carried out to remove the Scale
`precipitated on the cathode plate 117 after performing elec
`trolysis for a certain period of time. In the electrolytic cell
`11 of the present embodiment, the reverse electrolysis des
`caling is carried out in certain intervals.
`As the simplest method of the reverse electrolysis
`descaling, it is considered to Simply reverse the polarity
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`applied hithereto. Namely, to explain in the above case of
`generating the alkaline electrolyzed water, while, connecting
`the anode (+) of the DC power source 12 to the two electrode
`plates 117 and 117 provided inside the electrolytic chamber
`113, connecting the cathode (-) of the DC power source 12
`to the electrode plates 116 and 116 provided outside the
`electrolysis chamber 113, and a Voltage is applied to the two
`pairs of mutually facing electrode plates 116 and 117 sand
`wiching the membrane 115. As a result, at the electrode
`plates 117 being adhered by Scale due to the application of
`cathode, the adhered plus metal ion is flown out in the tap
`water by being applied an anode and discharged from the
`outlet 112.
`In the electrolytic cell of the present invention, the
`explained reverse electrolysis descaling method can be of
`course adopted, as well, however, when applying a cathode
`to the electrode plate 116 provided outside the electrolytic
`chamber 113, Scale is precipitated on the electrode plate 116
`during the reverse electrolysis descaling. Therefore, in the
`electrolytic cell having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, it
`becomes difficult to remove the Scale precipitated on the
`electrode plate 116 during the regular electrolysis performed
`next. If this is continued, the Scale precipitated on the
`electrode plate 116 gradually increases to bring a fear that
`the electrolysis efficiency declines.
`Therefore, the reverse electrolysis descaling of the present
`embodiment is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, carried out by
`applying a Voltage only to the two electrode plates 117 and
`117 provided inside the electrolytic chamber 113 to remove
`the scale. Namely, as shown in FIG. 2, the polarity of one of
`the two electrode plates 117 and 117 provided inside the
`electrolytic chamber 113 (the electrode plate 117 on the left
`here) is kept to be minus, while the polarity of the other (the
`electrode plate 117 on the right here) is reversed to be
`applied a plus Voltage first. As a result, a current flows
`between the two electrode plates 117 and 117 insid