JPH11267635A - Filter cartridge for improving shower water quality - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter cartridge which can be fitted to a position within a dimensionally-limited part of a shower head and has a sufficient water purification function and a sufficient water quality adjustment function and is capable of fulfilling the purposes such as washing of skin and hair. SOLUTION: This cartridge C consists of a housing 1 and a filter 2 inserted into the housing 1 and is fitted to the inside of a grip of a shower head and used for subjecting water fed through a hose to purification treatment and transferring the treated water to a nozzle of the shower head. In the cartridge C, the filter 2 comprises a filter component 2a for water purification treatment, that consists of metallic fiber and calcium sulfite enclosed within a nonwoven fabric, and a filter component 2b for water quality adjustment, that contains tourmaline, which filter components 2a and 2b are placed in that order along the water stream flowing from the hose side to the nozzle side of the shower head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a filter cartridge for improving the quality of shower water. More specifically,
The present invention relates to a filter cartridge which is mounted in a holding portion of a shower head, purifies water sent from a hose, adjusts the quality of the purified water, and sends the water with improved water quality to a blowing portion of the shower head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a filter cartridge for purifying tap water heated by means such as a water heater and the like, and purifying the tap water to a state suitable for shampooing and washing the body, and then sending the water to a shower outlet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called shower device for blowing hot water conveyed from a water heater through a shower head as shower-like hot water through a hose has become widespread and has become an indispensable necessity for bathing and hair washing. . In such a shower device, tap water is generally heated to a temperature of about 50 ° C. by a water heater and used. However, tap water is required to be sterilized with chlorine according to the water supply law, and according to this law, at least 0.0
It is specified that 1 ppm of chlorine must be detected. Furthermore, tap water contains many impurities such as various bacteria and molds that could not be sterilized and iron from a water pipe. In addition, with the recent progress of water source pollution, the amount of chlorine input to tap water has increased, and even if such a large amount of chlorine is input, a large amount of impurities are mixed in the tap water. Is the current situation.

[0003] Shower-like hot water blown from a shower head heated with tap water in this manner is mainly applied intermittently directly to the skin or hair for the purpose of washing or washing the body. As described above, chlorine inevitably contained in tap water has a very high reactivity and has strong irritation to skin and hair. That is, it is said that chlorine has a function of destroying proteins, and is capable of destroying about 150,000 cells at the moment when a finger is inserted into, for example, 180 ml of tap water. It is also said that chlorine binds to proteins of skin and hair and causes split ends, cut hair, dander, dry skin and the like.

Therefore, it is difficult to apply such polluted water containing a large amount of chlorine directly and intermittently to skin and hair.
It is not only a serious problem for patients suffering from dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis, but also a serious problem for healthy people. Also, unlike ordinary water purifiers for beverages, such shower devices require existing hot water supply equipment installed in bathrooms and shower rooms, etc. Was difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a filter is inserted directly into the holding portion or the blow-out portion of the shower head or a filter cartridge having the filter portion inserted therein is attached, and the hot water conveyed from the water heater is purified by the filter or the filter cartridge. A shower water purification system has been proposed.

However, these shower water purification systems have a dimensional limitation that the filter or the filter cartridge must be contained within the length of the shower blowout portion or the grip portion of the showerhead, and are actually used as a shower. For this purpose, it is necessary to pass hot water with a water stream of a certain level or more, so that it has been impossible to remove chlorine and the like to a sufficient level, to perform deodorization, dust prevention, and the like. Further, in the shower water purification system, for example, when activated carbon or the like which is generally used as a filter member for performing water purification treatment is used, a water flow used is as strong as about 8 liters / minute, so that the filter member such as activated carbon is broken and the shower is broken. There has been a problem that the head hole causes clogging.

[0006]

The water blown out from the shower device in the form of a shower is specialized for the purpose of directly applying to and washing the skin and hair, so that it is suitable for washing skin and hair. Thus, it is desired to adjust the water quality such as pH. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a water purifying function that can be installed in a limited area such as the inside of a shower head, such as dechlorination, deodorization, dust removal, sterilization, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a filter cartridge for improving water quality of a shower, which is applied directly to skin or hair having a water quality adjusting function such as adjustment of water, and is suitable for washing.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, a water purification filter section made of a specific material and a water purification filter section made of a specific material have been developed. When a filter cartridge is constructed by installing a filter unit consisting of a filter unit and a filter unit, it performs sufficient water purification functions such as dechlorination, deodorization, and dust removal even if water is supplied at a suitable flow rate, and has a water quality adjustment function such as pH. The inventors have found that the present invention can be exerted, and have reached the present invention.

That is, the present invention comprises a housing and a filter portion inserted into the housing, is mounted in a holding portion of the shower head, purifies water sent from a hose, and sends the water to a blowing portion of the shower head. A filter cartridge for improving water quality of a shower, wherein the filter portion is a water purification treatment comprising metal fibers and calcium sulfite sealed in a non-woven fabric along a flow of water from a hose side to a blowing portion side of a shower head. And a filter portion for controlling water quality including tourmaline.

In the filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention, it is preferable that the metal fibers are copper fibers. Further, in the filter cartridge for improving the quality of shower water according to the present invention, the water quality adjusting filter may further include gamma alumina. Further, in the filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention, the filter section for water purification is formed by laminating a metal fiber formed into a sheet shape and a nonwoven fabric enclosing calcium sulfite and winding it into a roll shape. Thus, it is possible to dispose the roll-shaped material so that the axial direction of the roll-shaped material and the direction of flow of water coincide with each other. Still further, in the filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention, the filter section for water purification is formed by winding a non-woven fabric containing calcium sulfite into a roll to form a roll. May be arranged so that the axial direction of the roll and the direction of flow of water coincide with each other.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a state in which a filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention is attached to a shower head, and FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a filter section for water purification treatment in a filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a filter unit for water purification treatment, and FIG.
5 shows another example of a configuration of a filter unit for water purification treatment.

A filter cartridge C for improving the quality of shower water according to the present invention has a housing 1 as shown in FIG.
And a filter section 2a for water purification in the housing 1.
And a filter section 2 composed of a filter section 2b for adjusting water quality. Housing 1
The lower end of the housing 1 is provided with a water introduction hole 3 for introducing water from the hose 8 into the filter unit 2, and the upper end of the housing 1 is used to shower water with improved water quality from the filter unit 2. A water discharge hole 4 for feeding to the head is provided. The material of the housing 1 is not particularly limited as long as it does not elute harmful components such as a plasticizer when using hot water of about 50 ° C., preferably up to about 60 ° C., and is made of, for example, a heat-resistant ABS resin. be able to. The shape of the cartridge is determined in consideration of the water purification capacity of the filter unit, the ease of holding the gripping unit, and the like. Generally, the diameter is 20 to 30 mm, preferably 25 to 30 mm, and the height is 130 to 160 mm. Preferably, it has a cylindrical shape of 150 to 160 mm.

The filter section 2 inserted into the housing 1 is a water purification treatment comprising metal fibers and calcium sulfite sealed in a non-woven fabric according to the flow direction of water from the hose side to the blow-out section side of the shower head. Filter section 2a and a filter section 2b for adjusting water quality including tourmaline. The metal fibers used in the filter section 2a for water purification have a function of removing chlorine in tap water and a function of sterilizing bacteria such as Escherichia coli contained in tap water. The metal used in the filter section for the water purification treatment is not particularly limited as long as it has the above function, and examples thereof include metal fibers formed of a metal such as copper or silver into a fibrous form, Preferably it is a copper fiber, more preferably copper 9
It is a copper fiber consisting of 9.9999%. Specifically, a copper fiber consisting of 99.9999% copper sold by Esco Corporation under the trade name of Kaplon can be mentioned.

Further, the filter section 2a for water purification treatment is provided.
Use calcium sulfite as a filter member. Calcium sulfite is a compound approved as a food additive, and has the function of reacting with chlorine in water to remove chlorine as calcium chloride. When the above-mentioned calcium sulfite is directly used, a large amount of calcium chloride is mixed in water blown out in a shower. Calcium chloride is not harmful to the human body, but it is not preferable because a large amount of calcium chloride causes discomfort when mixed in water. In addition, this may cause clogging of the blow-off portion of the shower head, and furthermore, calcium sulfite is eluted quickly, so that there is a problem in terms of life. Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that calcium sulfite is enclosed in a nonwoven fabric and used. The method for enclosing calcium sulfite in the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to provide a plurality of enclosing portions parallel to the width direction of the nonwoven fabric and enclose calcium sulfite therein. By using calcium sulfite enclosed in a non-woven fabric in this way, the amount of calcium chloride reacted with chlorine to elute into shower water is reduced, clogging with calcium sulfite or calcium chloride is eliminated, and the life of the filter is reduced by about It is extended about three times. Activated carbon powder can be introduced into the nonwoven fabric in addition to calcium sulfite.

As described above, the filter section 2a for water purification is composed of metal fibers and calcium sulfite sealed in a non-woven fabric.
The configuration is not particularly limited as long as the configuration has a sufficient water purification function such as dechlorination, deodorization, and dust removal for the hot water sent from the water heater with the water flow used for the shower. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a metal fiber is formed into a sheet, the formed metal fiber and a non-woven fabric containing calcium sulfite are laminated on the sheet, and wound into a roll to form a filter section for water purification. 2a. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3b, first, a nonwoven fabric containing calcium sulfite is wound into a roll to form a roll, and the roll is covered with metal fibers formed into a sheet to form a water purification filter portion 2a. Is configured. It is preferable to dispose the filter portion 2a thus configured in the housing 1 such that the axis of the component member wound in a roll shape and the direction of the water flow coincide.

The ratio between the metal fibers and the calcium sulfite encapsulated in the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited. Further, the water purification filter section 2a may be provided directly on the housing 1, or may be provided via a porous plate or the like. When water passes from the water heater to the filter unit 2a for water purification treatment configured as described above through a hose, water purification treatment such as dechlorination, deodorization, dust removal, and sterilization is performed, and includes tourmaline described below. It is sent to the filter part 2b for water quality adjustment. The filter unit 2b for water quality adjustment containing tourmaline is disposed on the water purification filter unit 2a thus configured and disposed. The tourmaline used in the filter part 2b for water quality adjustment is a granular material mainly composed of fine powder of tourmaline, and a granular material having a diameter of about 3 mm is usually used. The tourmaline used in the present invention is basically a silicate mineral containing boron, also called tourmaline.
₃ Al ₆ (BO ₃ ) ₃ Si ₆ O ₁₀ (OHF) ₄ (where X
Are Mg, Fe, Li, etc.).
When water is passed through the granular material containing tourmaline as a main component, (1) the hydrogen ions in the water are attracted to the cathode, receive electrons, become active hydrogen, become hydrogen gas, and are diffused from the water, so that the pH rises. (2) hydroxide ions attracted H ₃ O ₂ to the anode of the water ^- next, a slight surface activity, (3) by decomposing water clusters at high voltage activated water, (4) Hydrolysis of chlorine dissolved in water to C
The l ₂ HOCl, OCl ^- has a property such as to be reduced to such.

The filter part 2b for adjusting water quality is formed by using the granular material containing tourmaline. According to the method of forming the filter part 2b for adjusting water quality, the granular material of tourmaline flows out and the shower head is formed. There is no particular limitation as long as it is configured so as not to cause clogging of the blowout portion.
For example, a granular body containing tourmaline is directly laid on the filter section 2a for water purification treatment, and a porous plate is fitted on the housing 1 as a lid to form a filter section 2b for water quality adjustment. Alternatively, a granular material containing tourmaline may be inserted into a case that can be fitted to the housing 1 whose upper and lower surfaces are made of porous material, and this is inserted into the housing 1 to adjust the water quality. Filter part 2b
May be configured.

In the filter part 2b for adjusting the water quality of the filter for improving the shower water quality according to the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned granular material containing tourmaline, another filter member which gives good results to the skin may be provided. It is. For example, it is preferable that a porous plate made of gamma alumina is fitted as a cover material on the granular material containing tourmaline so as to prevent the granular material containing tourmaline from flowing out together with shower water. Further, a porous plate made of gamma alumina may be configured to be in close contact with the wall surface of the housing 1. This gamma alumina has a function of lowering the oxidation-reduction potential to reduce irritation to skin hair.

The filter unit 2b for water quality adjustment containing tourmaline thus constructed is provided with a filter unit 2a.
The hot water which has been purified by water is passed through, but the water cluster is decomposed by tourmaline to activate the water, the water quality is adjusted to the optimum pH for the skin and hair, and the filter 2a cannot remove the water. Chlorine and the like in the treatment are removed.

The filter unit 2 thus constructed
Is inserted into the housing 1 to form a filter cartridge. Hereinafter, a method for mounting the filter cartridge for shower water treatment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower part of the filter cartridge is fitted to the lower part of the grip 5 of the shower head S, and the upper part of the grip 5 of the shower head S is
Then, the lower end of the grip 5 of the shower head S is connected to the hose 8 via an adapter 7 for connecting the hose 8 to the hose 8. When the filter cartridge C for shower water treatment according to the present invention is mounted on the shower head in this manner, for example, hot water at 40 ° C.
Even if a shower device is used at a flow rate of about 1 liter, it has dechlorination, deodorization, and dust removal effects, and can adjust the pH of the water to a slightly alkaline pH suitable for washing skin and hair. .

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a filter cartridge which is mounted in a holding portion of a shower head portion and purifies water sent from a hose and sends water to a blowing portion of the shower head, wherein the filter cartridge is closer to the blowing portion of the shower head than the hose side. The filter cartridge for shower water treatment characterized by containing at least a filter section in which a copper fiber layer, an activated carbon layer and a tourmaline layer are laminated, has sufficient dechlorination and deodorization in a limited area such as a shower head. In addition, it has a dust removing effect and a water quality adjusting function such as adjustment of pH of water and adjustment of clusters.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a filter cartridge for shower water purification treatment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a state where a filter cartridge for shower water purification treatment is attached to a shower head.

3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a filter section for water purification processing in a filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to the present invention. FIG. 3a shows an example of a configuration of a filter section for water purification processing, and FIG. Shows another example of the configuration of the filter unit for water purification treatment.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing a state in which a conventional filter cartridge for shower water purification treatment is attached to a shower head.

[Explanation of symbols]

C: Filter cartridge for shower water purification treatment S: Shower head 1 ... Housing 2 ... Filter part 2a ... Filter part for water purification treatment 2b ... Filter part for water quality adjustment 3. .. Water introduction hole 4 ... Water discharge hole 5 ... Shower head gripping part 6 ... Shower blowing part 7 ... Adapter 8 ... Hose

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI C02F 1/50 531 C02F 1/50 531F 540 540E 550 550B 560 560B 560E 560Z 1/58 1/58 L 1/68 510 1/68 510H 520 520N 520S 530 530B 540 540A 540G 540H 540Z 1/70 1 / 70Z

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A shower water quality improvement comprising a housing and a filter portion inserted into the housing, mounted in a grip portion of a shower head, purifying water sent from a hose and sending the water to a blowing portion of the shower head. A filter cartridge for
Along with the flow of water from the hose side to the shower head outlet side, a filter section for water purification consisting of metal fibers and calcium sulfite sealed in a nonwoven fabric, and a filter section for water quality adjustment including tourmaline particulates And a filter cartridge for improving the quality of shower water. 2. The filter cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the metal fibers are copper fibers. 3. The filter cartridge for improving water quality of a shower according to claim 1, wherein the water quality adjusting filter further contains gamma alumina. 4. The filter section for water purification treatment is formed by laminating a metal fiber formed into a sheet shape and a non-woven fabric enclosing calcium sulfite and winding the roll into a roll shape, and forming a shaft of the roll-shaped material. 4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction of the center and the direction of flow of the water coincide.
The filter cartridge for improving shower water quality according to any one of the above. 5. The filter section for water purification treatment is formed by winding a nonwoven fabric enclosing calcium sulfite into a roll to form a roll, and coating the roll with metal fibers. 4. The filter cartridge for improving water quality of a shower according to claim 1, wherein the axial direction of the roll-shaped material and the flowing direction of the water are arranged so as to coincide with each other.