JPH03186130A - sterile humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a humidifier that is used to increase indoor humidity by emitting minute water droplets, and more specifically, to a humidifier that generates water droplets by giving vibration to water. Use a humidifier like this.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, devices have been proposed and commercially available that increase the indoor temperature by spraying atomized water droplets formed by applying vibrations to water indoors. However, in this type of device, the temperature of the water stored inside the device rises due to the vibration energy, causing microorganisms to grow. l! This creates a suitable environment for breeding. As a result, when operated for a long period of time, microorganisms grew in the stored water, creating a foul odor. As a countermeasure for this, there is a method of deodorizing the water by adding plant extract components to the water (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-298366), and an electrode is installed in the device to add jjj to the water. A method of sterilizing by electricity (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 101725/1983) has been disclosed [The problem that the invention seeks to solve] However, none of the above methods has sterilizing and deodorizing properties. It could not be said that the points were sufficient. Furthermore, with home humidifiers, there are many physically weak people such as sick people and young children, and the microorganisms in the water droplets ejected from the humidifier can cause bacterial infections such as humidifier fever. In addition, the microorganisms that have grown inside the humidifier will cause bad odors, the release of carcasses, and water stains in areas where water accumulates! There was a first-class problem. There has been a demand for a humidifier that solves these problems with simple equipment that does not require much maintenance.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an antibacterial substance-containing sheet between the water storage part and the vibration part of a vibrating humidifier, thereby easily sterilizing sprayed water droplets. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sterile humidifier which can prevent allergy by preventing the generation of bad odor and filtering out dead microorganism carcasses.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the measures as described in the claims above, and its effects are as follows.

[Effect] The antibacterial substance contained in the antibacterial substance-containing sheet prevents the growth of microorganisms in the water reservoir. If the water in the water storage section contains dead microorganisms, the sheet 2 separates the dead microorganisms as the water travels from the water storage section to the vibrating section.

Therefore, only water droplets that are sterile and do not contain the dead bodies are sprayed from the vibrating section.

[Example] The drawings showing the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

In the vibrating humidifier shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a water storage section, which generally takes the form of a water tank, and has a water outlet 2 at the bottom. Reference numeral 3 indicates water stored in the water storage section 1. A water receptacle 3 is provided below the water storage section 1. The relationship between the water receiver 4 and the water storage part l is such that the water outlet 2 is located at a predetermined height within the water receiver 4, and a certain amount of water is stored in the water receiver 4. . Reference numeral 5 indicates the water surface of the water stored in the water receiver 4. Reference numeral 6 indicates a vibrating section disposed at a lateral position within the water receiver 4, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator is used. Reference numeral 7 denotes an antibacterial substance-containing sheet installed between the water storage section 1 and the vibrating section 6, which is installed in the water receiver 4 at a place between the rows of the water outlet 2 and around it. It is. Next, 8 is a duct for discharging mist water droplets.
One end communicates with the water receiver 4, and the other end serves as a spray port 9 that opens into the atmosphere. IO indicates atomized water droplets, 11
indicates a mechanical part, which is equipped with well-known members for operating the vibrating part 6 and a well-known mechanism for sending air to the duct 8 for deriving water droplets.

In the case of L illumination, the water in the water storage part l comes out from the water outlet 2 and is collected in the water tray 1. Among the accumulated water, the water on the vibrating part 6 is given vibration from the vibrating part 6, and the water becomes fine water 41110. The water droplet 10 is in the duct 8
It passes through the spray nozzle 9 and is emitted from the spray nozzle 9.

When the humidifier operates as described above, vibration energy from the vibrating part 6 is applied to the water in the water tray 4, so the temperature of the water rises (for example, 30 to 35 degrees Celsius). =
The increase in water provides a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms in the water. However, the sheet 7 installed therein is immersed in the water in the water tray 4. In this state, sheet 7
The antibacterial substance contained in the water container 4 prevents microorganisms from multiplying in the water within the water tray 4. In addition, the water in the water tray 4 is
It is connected to the water 3 in the water reservoir l through the water outlet 2.

Therefore, the antibacterial substance also prevents the growth of microorganisms in the water 3.

As a result of preventing the growth of microorganisms as described above, the water storage area l
This prevents water scale from adhering to water retention parts such as the water tray 4 and the water tray 4. In addition, since water is sprayed without the growth of microorganisms, in other words, it is sterile, so no bad odor (musty odor, rotten odor) is generated. Furthermore, even if there are dead bacteria in the water in the water storage section 1, the water is filtered by the sheet on its way to the vibrating section 6. and the carcass is removed. Therefore, water droplets containing the carcass are not sprayed, and the occurrence of allergic diseases due to the spraying of the carcass is prevented.

Next, the antibacterial substance-containing sheet as described above may also be placed inside the water reservoir l as shown by the reference numeral 12, thereby further inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in the water within the water reservoir l. This can be prevented even more effectively.

In this case, the sheet +2 may be suspended in water 3 as shown, or may be submerged in water as shown at 12°.

An example of the structure of the antibacterial substance-containing sheet 7 is shown in the second example.
This will be explained based on the diagram and FIG. The performance sheet 7 is the base material 1
5 to which an antibacterial substance is attached. As the base material 15, a fiber aggregate is used as an example. Third
In the figure, 16 is the fiber that constitutes the * separation union, 17 is an antibacterial substance, and using adhesive 18, a! Attach it to I+NO.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of different structures of the antibacterial substance-containing sheet 7. The sheet 7 in this example is made by adding an antibacterial substance to the foam 20 of a polymer compound.
1. As shown in FIG. 5, the one-size-fits-all state is shown in FIG. 7 is attached by adhesive 18.

Next, further explanations will be added for each item.

Examples of the antibacterial substances include silver, copper, zinc, mercury,
Metal ions such as lead, tin, bismuth, cadmium or thallium and their compounds, stabilized chlorine, hypochlorite,
Halogen compounds such as chloramine and ethylene iodide, alcohols, phenols, ethers, guanidines,
Examples include organic compounds such as thiazoles, quaternary ammonium salts, thiocarbamates, and surfactants, and porous carriers that support them in a more stable form, preferably from the point of safety when imprinted on the human body. A porous carrier supporting silver or copper ions or a compound thereof is more suitable.

Here, the porous carrier that supports silver ions, etc. supports antibacterial substances through adsorption, binding, ion exchange, etc., and the antibacterial substances can stably exhibit sterilizing power without dissolving or decomposing in water. , ■Used for the purpose of adsorbing malodorous components. Porous N carriers include activated carbon, porous glass, β-alumina, zirconium phosphate, various fIN-like substances such as graphite intercalation materials, silica gel, crystalline aluminosilicate (synthetic or natural), amorphous aluminosilicate, activated Examples include white clay, sepialite, clay materials, etc., but they are porous;
In addition, graphite intercalation materials and crystalline aluminosilicate (zeolite) are preferable because they have a strong affinity with silver ions or silver compounds and can be supported in a stable form.

The above-mentioned "graphite interlayer material" is a material in which electron transfer occurs between graphite planar layered crystals made of carbon having a spacing of 3 to 35 people and a bonding material present in each layer, and the crystals are strongly bonded to each other. Examples of the binding substance include metal halides such as silver chloride and silver arsenate, and oxides such as chromium oxide. As a method for supporting an antibacterial substance on a graphite interlayer material, finely ground graphite powder is added to a solution in which an antibacterial substance is dissolved, and 5
It is obtained by stirring at 0 to 120°C for 15 to 48 hours.

Note that the reaction at a temperature of 95° C. or higher is carried out in a pressurized reactor such as an autoclave.

As the above-mentioned "zeolite", both natural zeolite and synthetic zeolite can be used. Zeolite is generally an aluminosilicate having a three-dimensional skeleton structure, and has the general formula:
Displayed on SI02/ZH20. Here, M represents an ion exchangeable ion and is usually a 1 or 2i metal ion. n is the valence of the (metal) ion. X and Y
indicates the respective metal oxide and silica coefficients, and Z indicates the number of crystal water. Specific examples of zeolites include 8-type zeolide, x-type zeolide, Y-type zeolide, T-type zeolide, high silica zeolite, sodalite, mordenite, analcyme, clinoptilolite, chabasite, erionite, etc. can be mentioned. However, it is not limited to these. The ion exchange capacity of these exemplary zeolites is A-type zeolite)
7meq/g, X-type zeolide 6.4meq/g,
Y-type zeolide noodles eq/g, T-type zeolide 3.4
meq/H, Sodalite +1.5 meq/g, Mordenite 2.6 meq/g, Analcyme 5■eq/g,
Clinoptilolite 2.6 seq/g, Chabasite 5
meq/8 and erionite 3.8 meq/g, both of which have sufficient capacity for ion exchange with silver ions and copper ions. As a method for incorporating an antibacterial substance into zeolite, a conventionally known ion exchange reaction method can be applied.

For example, there is a method shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-265809.

Among the antibacterial substances, silver ion is 0.2 to 50 g/m2. Copper ion is 0.4~
A value of 50 g/m2 is appropriate from the viewpoint of exhibiting excellent bactericidal power.

the above! 1! Seat containing antibacterial substances installed in a bacterial humidifier 1-
11 Polymer compound foam) or not! a@
It can be obtained by impregnating or adhering to substrates such as paper, felt, wire fibers, etc., gold aggregates, etc. with an adhesive. Examples of the polymer compound serving as the base material include polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester, melamine resin, epoxy resin, and ABS resin.
For example, polyacrylic acid ester, epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber,
A good example is styrene rubber, but any adhesive may be used, and water-absorbing resins, pigments, crosslinking agents, etc. can also be added to the adhesive. Among these, adhesives in which a water-absorbing resin is mixed are preferred from the viewpoint of being able to produce a sheet with a high water retention capacity and exhibiting stable antibacterial activity. As the water-absorbing resin, any conventionally commercially available resin can be used.

For example, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. Sumikagel, Kao Co., Ltd. Wonder Gel (polyacrylic acid type), Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd. Sunwet (all starch type), BIJ Keye Co., Ltd. CLD, Hercules Co., Ltd. Aqualon (all cellulose type) can be mentioned.

The sheet has a water retention capacity of 800 g/m2 or more, which means that the antibacterial substance contained in the sheet frequently comes into contact with microorganisms and tends to exert an anti-N effect, and also removes dust such as dead microorganisms. If the water retention amount is less than this, which is preferable from the viewpoint of filtration, the time for the antibacterial substance to come into contact with microorganisms will be too short and sufficient antibacterial activity will not be exhibited.

As a method for incorporating an antibacterial substance into a sheet, many methods that are commonly used can be applied, such as attaching inorganic powders such as pigments and fillers to polymeric compound foams and tIA Usui collection aggregates. .

The amount of antibacterial substance contained in the sheet is 20 to 90 parts by weight, preferably 40 to 60 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the sheet.
From the viewpoint of antibacterial activity, it is appropriate to express the amount in parts by weight.

The above-mentioned humidifier may be an ultrasonic vibration type, a low vibration type, or any other type of vibration type humidifier, and any humidifier of any structure can be sterilized by installing the sheet between the water storage part and the vibration part. You can get a humidifier.

The above-mentioned sterile humidifier can be used not only for home use but also for humidification equipment in hotels, public buildings, housing complexes, hospitals, etc.

Next, the antibacterial substance-containing sheet and the sterile humidifier using the same will be explained in more detail, including its manufacture and testing.

Reference example 1 (Preparation of sheet containing I lead interlayer material) Nitric acid u5
00g was dissolved in 30ml of water, 10kg of fine graphite powder (particle size 7.9μm) was added thereto, and 800ml of 1mol/hydrochloric acid solution was added while stirring. This solution was placed in an autoclave reactor and heated to 110°C under pressure.
The reaction was carried out for 40 hours. The mixture was filtered while cooling, washed with water, and then dried under vacuum at 80°C.

9.0 kg of silver chloride impregnated graphite (containing 2.3% silver) was obtained.

The tin chloride-impregnated graphite powder obtained in the above procedure was mixed with 10 parts by weight of chloroprene rubber (Toso Skyprene R-22), 10 parts by weight of water-absorbing resin (Sumitomo Chemical, Sumikagel 5P-520), and 80 parts by weight of toluene. 451 parts of the mixture was added and mixed thoroughly to make it homogeneous.

This suspended Ili liquid was applied to foamed polyurethane having a basis weight of 17 g/m2 and a thickness of 0.8 mm using an immersion saturator to obtain a sheet to which 200 g/m2 of tin chloride-impregnated graphite powder was adhered.

Reference Example 2 (Preparation of zeolite-containing sheet) Zeolite is commercially available 8-type zeolite) (Na20/Al2O3: 1
．． 9si02.
．． l5i02・XH2O: 2I with average particle size of 0.7μ
Type I was used.

A as a salt to provide each ion for ion exchange
8 Table 1 using two types of gNO3 and C1(NO3)2
shows the type of zeolite used in producing each sample v4 and the type and concentration of salt contained in the ion exchange solution. N
Three types of antibacterial substance-containing zeolite samples, 2-1 to 2-3, were obtained.

The preparation of each sample was as follows. For each sample,
Add water to 1 kg of powder heated and dried at 110°C,
．． After that, it was stirred and degassed, and further added with am 0.5N nitric acid solution and water to adjust the pH to 5-7.
A-conditioned, and the entire volume was made into a 1.8 J slurry. Next, for ion exchange, an aqueous H31 solution of a specified salt at a specified concentration was added to bring the total volume to 4.8C, and this slurry liquid was maintained at 40 to 60°C and stirred for 10 to 718 hours to reach an equilibrium state. kept in condition. After completing the ion exchange I, the zeolite phase was filtered and washed with room temperature water or hot water until the excess iron or copper ions in the zeolite phase disappeared.

Next, the sample was heated and dried at 110°C. Table 1 shows data regarding each sample obtained.

Remove the silver or copper-containing olide powder obtained by the above procedure.
10 parts by weight of IO Blen rubber (Toso Skyprene R-22), water-absorbing resin (TT Yukagaku Co., Ltd., Sumikagel 5P-52)
0) 10 parts by weight and 70 parts by weight were added to 80 parts by weight of toluene and thoroughly mixed to make it homogeneous. This suspension has a basis weight of 3
0g/m2, thickness 0.4mm non-polyester! 320g of the powder was applied to 41 cloth with a dipping satu 1 noter.
/m2 was obtained. The water retention data for the obtained sheet is shown in Table 2. As Comparative Example 2, antibacterial substance-containing zeolite No. 2-1 was applied to a polyethylene plate with 20 parts by weight of chloroprene rubber and 80 parts by weight of toluene. 70,111 parts mixed and applied, that is, a sheet containing antibacterial substances with a low water retention capacity.Manufacturing a bacterial humidifier. Antibacterial material-containing sheets were installed.

Test Example 1 (Bactericidal power test) For each of the above humidifiers, put tap water into the water tank,
Operated for 8 hours a day, spraying 11120cm3/day, and the number of viable bacteria in the spray water was on an ordinary agar medium; 37℃,
The results were measured after culturing for 48 hours and are shown in Table 2 (Examples 1 and 2-1 to 2-3). As Comparative Example 1, the same type of humidifier without a sorting device was also subjected to a similar test. Further, as Comparative Example 2, a similar VC test was conducted on a humidifier of the same type equipped with a plate containing interstitial substances with a low water retention capacity. For each: j (the test results are shown in Table 2).

vN Test Example 2 (Elution Test) The elution amount of the antibacterial substance used in each test water used in Test Example 1 was measured. Silver and mlk were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results are shown in Table 3.

Test Example 3 (Odor Prevention Test) For each humidifier used in Test Example 1, the generation of malodor was evaluated by conducting a sensory test on the odor at the spray nozzle.The results are shown in Table 3.

[Effects of the Invention] As shown in L above, the sterile humidifier of the present invention can: (1) convert water droplets sprayed over a long period of time into seedlings; (2) prevent the generation of bad odors;
It has a number of effects, including: - Filtering out dead microorganisms and preventing their eruption; - Highly safe to imprint on the human body; - Easy to install and requires almost no maintenance.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present application, and Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vibrating hole humidifier, Fig. 2 is a partial diagram of an antibacterial material-containing sheet,
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a different antibacterial substance-containing sheet, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. l... Water storage part, 6... Vibration part, 7... Antibacterial substance-containing sheet. Figure 3 Figure 5 Procedure 1Qti JE (spontaneous) Director General of the Licensing Agency 1, Indication of the case Patent application No. 1-324690 2゜Invention 0 Name Voice volume humidifier 3゜Amendment as a cheater case Seki 1 applicant product j Fuel Co., Ltd. (1 idiot) 4゜ Agent 5-chome Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya! No. 1-14 (Hanaguruma Hill) Telephone (052) 58G-2300 (Main) 5, Date of amendment order 1 inch Date of Heisei 6 degrees Subject of amendment 7, Contents of amendment (1) Mei 5iit page 13 In the fifth line, the statement "Ra is appropriate." shall be amended as follows. Next, in a vibrating humidifier, a deionized substance 22 may be installed between the water storage part l and the antibacterial substance-containing sort 7, as shown in Figure N46. The water used for the container, such as tap water, often contains a small amount of hard components (Ca, Mg) and other dissolved components, and in that case, these may adhere to the surface of the antibacterial material-containing sheet 7 or cause the growth of microorganisms. However, by installing the deionized substance 22 as described above, a stable sterile state can be maintained for a long time by removing these ionic substances.Furthermore, there is no need to discharge these components into the room. , it can prevent white powder from adhering to furniture, etc.The method for installing the above-mentioned deionized material is to install it between the water storage part of the vibrating humidifier and the antibacterial substance-containing sort. The deionized substance is preferable because it prevents the adhesion of hardness components (Ca, gate G) and other dissolved components and exhibits a stable antibacterial effect. Because it takes a relatively long time to remove water, it is desirable to use a method that allows for long-term contact with stored water. Methods such as 1 method in which overflow water is passed through the vibrating section can be mentioned. As the deionizing substance, any conventionally known substance having ion exchange properties can be used. For example, a sulfonic acid group cation exchange method can be used. lJ4 N11, ion exchange resins such as carboxylic acid group cation exchange resin, phosphonic acid group cation exchange resin, phosphinic acid group cation exchange resin, quaternary ammonium anion exchange resin, amine anion exchange resin, zeolite, montmorillonite, seviolite, etc. Natural inorganic ion exchangers, hydrous oxides, synthetic inorganic ion exchangers such as zirconium phosphate, etc. can be mentioned.The shape of the deionizing material is fibrous, membrane, etc., which have as large a surface area as possible to easily remove ionic substances. condition,
Honeycomb shapes, porous shapes, foam shapes, etc. are desirable. In FIG. 6, parts that are functionally the same or equivalent to those in the previous figure are designated with the same reference numerals as in the previous figure.
Repeated explanations have been omitted. (2) Specification page 19, No. 13
The line "Figure 5, enlarged view." should be amended to the following J. "Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a vibrating humidifier that uses a deionized substance." (3) Separate claims! (1) Amend as stated. (4) Addition of Figure 6 of the drawing. Attachment (1) Claim 1: A sterile humidifier in which an antibacterial material-containing notebook is installed between the water storage part and the vibrating part of the vibrating 7SIts. 2. Install antibacterial material-containing sheets inside the water storage area.
Claim: A sterile humidifier according to claim 1. 3. The antibacterial material-containing sheet has a water retention capacity of 80 m (117 m).
The sterile humidifier according to claim 1, which is a foam or a fibrous aggregate according to item 1-4, and the sterile humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial substance-containing sort is mixed with a water-absorbing resin. . 5. The sterile humidifier-0-Fig.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sterile humidifier in which a sheet containing an antibacterial substance is installed between the water storage part and the vibrating part of the vibrating humidifier. 2. The sterile humidifier according to claim 1, wherein an antibacterial substance-containing sheet is also installed within the water reservoir. 3. The sterile humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial substance-containing sheet is a foam or fiber aggregate with a water retention capacity of 800 g/m^2 or more. 4. The sterile humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial substance-containing sheet is mixed with a water-absorbing resin.