Apparatus for producing electrolyzed water

Abstract

An apparatus for electrolyzing water has an electrolytic cell, a pipe having nozzles for admitting water into the cell, at least one anode plate disposed in the cell along a vertical plane, at least one cathode plate disposed in the cell substantially in parallel to the anode plate and facing it, and a pipe for letting out electrolyzed water from the cell. The cathode plate has many through holes. The anode and cathode plates have therebetween a small distance defining a narrow passage therebetween. Water issuing from the nozzles flows into the passage through the holes of the cathode plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water from water or an aqueous solution, comprising: 
 an electrolytic cell;    an inlet pipe for forcing water or an aqueous solution into the cell;    at least one anode plate disposed substantially along a vertical plane in the cell;    at least one cathode plate disposed in the cell substantially in parallel to the anode plate and facing it, the cathode plate having at least 10 through holes;    an outlet pipe through which electrolyzed water produced in the cell is let out therefrom; and    means for deflecting the water or the solution to direct the water or the solution from the inlet pipe to the holes of the cathode plate;    wherein the cathode and anode plates have therebetween a distance of 3.0 mm or less and define therebetween a flow passage extending along the vertical plane; and    the means cause the water or the solution to flow through the holes into the flow passage, so that the water or the solution flows upward through the flow passage.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet pipe has at least one portion inserted in the cell and having a plurality of nozzles for jetting out the water or the solution toward the holes of the cathode plate, the nozzles defining the means.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein one of the nozzles correspond in position to at least the lower end of the cathode plate and the outlet pipe is open at an upper position than the top of the cathode plate in the cell.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 another cathode plate having at least 10 through holes and disposed in the cell substantially in parallel to the anode plate and facing it, and defining one of a pair of cathode plates;    wherein the another cathode plate and the anode plate have therebetween a distance of 3.0 mm or less and define therebetween another flow passage extending along the vertical plane, the anode plate is interposed between the cathode plates, the anode and cathode plates define an electrode unit.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water from water or an aqueous solution, comprising: 
 two electrode units defined in claim  4 ;    wherein one of the cathode plates in one of the electrode units faces one of the cathode plates in the another electrode unit in a mutually spaced apart relation.    
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water from water or an aqueous solution, comprising: 
 an electrolytic cell;    an inlet pipe for forcing water or an aqueous solution into the cell;    at least one anode plate disposed along a inclined plane in the cell;    at least one cathode plate disposed in the cell substantially in parallel to the anode plate and facing it, the cathode plate having at least 10 through holes;    an outlet pipe through which electrolyzed water produced in the cell is let out therefrom; and    means for deflecting the water or the solution to direct the water or the solution from the inlet pipe to the holes of the cathode plate;    wherein the cathode and anode plates have therebetween a distance of 3.0 mm or less and define therebetween a flow passage extending along the inclined plane; and    the means cause the water or the solution to flow through the holes into the flow passage, so that the water or the solution flows obliquely upward through the flow passage.