JP4953594B2 - Allergen removal filter, composite filter and filter element - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter used in an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a home air cleaner, and in particular, inactivates allergen substances derived from mites, pollen and the like that cause allergies. The present invention also relates to an allergen removal filter to be removed, and a composite filter including an allergen removal filter and a filter having another function. The present invention also relates to a filter element in which an allergen removal filter or a composite filter is pleated.

  In recent years, anti-allergy measures have become an urgent issue due to an increase in the frequency of tick with the increase in airtightness of houses and a significant increase in hay fever due to the mass occurrence of cedar pollen. There is a wide demand for a technique for inactivating or removing allergens derived from mites, pollen and the like. As a technique for removing these allergen substances, it is possible to remove allergen substances in indoor air by installing a filter for removing allergen substances in an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a domestic air cleaner. It is considered valid.

  As such a filter, Patent Document 1 adsorbs a protein allergen substance and attaches to the filter an allergy inactivating agent comprising a tea extract component that inactivates the allergic activity of the adsorbed protein allergen substance. Discloses an anti-allergen filter that can adsorb and remove protein allergen substances and inactivate allergic activity of the adsorbed protein allergen substances. Tea polyphenols are epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, (+) catechin and their attributes, free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate A, theaflavin monogallate B and theaflavin gallate. It is shown to be at least one substance selected from

  Patent Document 2 discloses an allergen-inactive filter comprising a non-woven filter for trapping allergen, a stainless steel surface heating element disposed on one side of the non-woven filter, and a heater for heating the stainless steel surface heating element. It is disclosed. The same document also discloses an allergen-inactive filter in which a non-woven fabric filter is held with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin or a strongly basic anion exchange resin. Furthermore, the same document describes an allergen-inactive filter for holding an enzyme (protease / peptidase), which has a first support having a mesh smaller than the diameter of the water-absorbing polymer, and the first support. An allergen comprising a second support having a mesh smaller than the diameter of the water-absorbing polymer disposed on one side, and a water-absorbing polymer layer disposed between the first support and the second support. An inert filter is also disclosed.

  As described above, various proposals have been made as filters for removing allergen substances. However, allergen substances are derived from various substances including mites and pollen, and allergic symptoms due to the allergen substances are also various. Moreover, although the technique of removing the above allergen substances is also known, it cannot respond to all these various allergen substances, and the effect cannot be said to be sufficient. Therefore, various techniques for removing allergen substances are required in addition to the technique for removing allergen substances as described above.

JP 2000-5553 A JP 2003-33612 A

  The present invention relates to a filter used in an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a home air purifier, in order to answer the above request, and originates from ticks or pollen that cause allergies. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel allergen removal filter that inactivates or removes allergen substances.

The solution relating to the composite air filter of the present invention includes a dust removing filter medium for removing dust, a gas removing filter medium containing gas removing particles and removing harmful gases, and mites or pollen that cause allergies. An allergen removal filter that inactivates or removes allergen substances derived from it is a composite air filter that is arranged in this order from the air inflow side, and the allergen removal filter comprises astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine An astilbine substance containing 5% by mass or more of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of bottles and taxifolin adheres to the fiber substrate with an area density of 0.01 g / m ² or more. And the adhesion rate of the astilbine substance is 0.1% with respect to the surface density of the fiber substrate. A composite air filter comprising ˜30% . Moreover, solutions according to the composite air filter of the present invention, the composite air filter is a filter element which is characterized by comprising a folding process pleats.

  According to the present invention, a filter used in an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a home air purifier is used to inactivate allergen substances derived from ticks or pollen that cause allergies, or It has become possible to provide a novel allergen removal filter for removal. In addition, it is possible to provide a composite air filter integrated with the allergen removal filter. It is also possible to provide a filter element in which the allergen removal filter or the composite air filter is pleated.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an allergen removal filter, a composite air filter, and a filter element according to the present invention will be described in detail.

  The allergen-removing filter of the present invention is an astilbine substance comprising 5% by mass or more of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin Is attached to the fiber substrate. The “astilbine substance” is a substance containing 5% by mass or more of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin. The content is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and still more preferably 20% by mass or more. For example, when astilbine and taxifolin are combined to make the astilbine substance 100% by mass, the content in the astilbine substance occupies 5% by mass or more.

  In the present invention, the astilbine substance can also contain substances other than astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine or taxifolin. For example, when an astilbine substance is to be extracted from a plant, the astilbine substance may contain other substances. In the present invention, the astilbine substance thus extracted from a plant is also possible. In the present invention, the astilbine substance may be obtained by chemical synthesis, and the astilbine substance includes a compound selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin. There is no particular limitation.

  The astilbine substance contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin, and these compounds have the chemical structure shown in Chemical Formula 1. Astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine and neoisoastilbine are dihydroflavonol glycosides which are in stereoisomeric relation to each other. (Hereinafter, these stereoisomer groups are referred to as astilbine isomer groups). Taxifolin is an aglycone part obtained by hydrolyzing an astilbine isomer group with an acid or an enzyme according to a conventional method for glycoside hydrolysis. For example, an extract obtained when an astilbine isomer group is extracted from jaundice or the like. There may be a small amount in the product.

Astilbine isomers are included in the leaves of the evergreen Takagi-Yellow (Engelhardtiachrysolepis H _ANCE = E. roxburgiana L _INDL . = E. formosana H _AYATA ) belonging to the walnut family, ), Senlorus glber, Smilax glabra, Astilbe micro-phylla, Astilbe odontophylla, etc. When extracted with a polar organic solvent, lower alcohol or water (a mixture thereof may be used), elution occurs.

  The yellow oak leaves give an extract having a particularly high content of the astilbine isomers, so that the extract can be used as it is as an astilbine substance in the present invention. Twilight leaves have long been used as a kind of sweet tea in southern China or are blended with ordinary tea, and can be advantageously applied to the allergen-removing filter of the present invention in that there is no problem with safety. According to, for example, hot water extraction, the content (%) of the astilbine isomer group in this extract (astilbine substance) is 3.87% in the order of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, and neoisoastilbine. It is 28%, 0.81%, 2.71%, and it is known that the total is 9.67%. Further, for example, according to ethanol extraction, the order of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine is 13.11%, 1.20%, 0.96%, 1.01%, for a total of 16.28%. It is known that there is.

  An extract obtained by subjecting this extract to any purification treatment such as liquid-liquid partition extraction, chromatography, ion exchange resin treatment, etc. to increase the content of the astilbine isomer group (hereinafter referred to as an astilbine extract) Then, an allergen-removing action that is more excellent and easy to use can be obtained. In addition, such an astilbine extract contains 10% by mass or more of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin. Astilbins can be easily obtained.

In the present invention, the astilbine substance adheres to the fiber base material with a surface density of 0.01 g / m ² or more, and the adhesion ratio of the astilbine substance is 0.1% with respect to the fiber substrate surface density. ~ 30%. The fiber base material is in the form of a sheet or mat composed of fibers, and is not particularly limited as long as it has air permeability. For example, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a net, or a nonwoven fabric can be applied. Among these, if it is a non-woven fabric, in collecting dust containing allergens, the total area of the fiber surface can be used widely and efficiently, and since it has many small voids formed by fibers, in particular, preferable. In addition, it is particularly preferable for adhering an astilbine substance since the total area of the fiber surface can be used widely and efficiently.

  The nonwoven fabric (hereinafter referred to as the nonwoven fabric substrate) as the fiber substrate is not particularly limited, and the structure of the nonwoven fabric substrate is typically a fiber length of 15 to 100 mm and a crimp number of 5 to 30 / inch. Generally called a dry method, in which a fiber called a staple fiber is formed on a fiber web using a card machine or an air array device, and then the constituent fibers are bonded together using an adhesive fiber or an adhesive. There is a nonwoven fabric obtained by a manufacturing method. Since the nonwoven fabric by the dry method has many fibers oriented in the thickness direction, there is an advantage that the thickness is large and the thickness is not easily crushed. In addition, the staple fiber is crimped so that it can be opened by a card machine or the like, so that it becomes a bulky nonwoven fabric base material and has an advantage of excellent repulsive force in the thickness direction against compression. is there.

  Moreover, the nonwoven fabric formed not only by a dry method but by the manufacturing method of arbitrary nonwoven fabrics, for example, a wet method, a spun bond method, a melt blow method, an electrostatic spinning method, a flash spinning method etc. is applicable. In the case of the wet method, for example, from a slurry containing fibers made of thermoplastic resin using a paper machine of a horizontal long net method, an inclined wire type short net method, a circular net method, or a long net / circular net combination method. A method of rolling up the fiber sheet can be employed. Specifically, there is a method in which constituent fibers are bonded to a fiber sheet after paper making using an adhesive. Alternatively, there is a method in which adhesive fibers made of a thermoplastic resin are mixed in a slurry, and after the paper making, the constituent fibers are bonded to each other using the adhesive fibers.

  In the case of the spunbond method, for example, a fiber made of a thermoplastic resin is spun from a nozzle to form a fiber fleece made of a long fiber, and then the fiber fleece is pressed between a heating roll having irregularities and a smooth roll. However, there is a method of forming a nonwoven fabric base material in which fibers made of a thermoplastic resin are partially fused. Further, for example, there is a method in which a fiber made of a thermoplastic resin is spun from a nozzle to form a fiber fleece made of a long fiber, and then the constituent fibers are bonded together using an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin. Alternatively, there is a method in which core-sheath type long fibers made of two kinds of resin components having different melting points are spun from a nozzle, and then the constituent fibers are bonded by bonding using a low melting point sheath component as an adhesive component. Also, when a fiber made of thermoplastic resin is spun from a nozzle to make a fiber fleece made of a long fiber, an adhesive staple fiber made of a thermoplastic resin is blown into the fiber fleece in which the long fiber and the short fiber are integrated. Then, there is a method of bonding the constituent fibers by bonding. In the case of a nonwoven fabric substrate using staple fibers, since many fibers are oriented in the thickness direction, there is an advantage that the thickness is large and the thickness is not easily crushed. In addition, there is an advantage of excellent repulsive force in the thickness direction against compression.

  In the case of electrostatic spinning or flash spinning, for example, a fiber made of a thermoplastic resin is spun from a nozzle into a fiber fleece, and then the constituent fibers are bonded using an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin. There is a way to join.

  Moreover, in these nonwoven fabric manufacturing methods, it is also possible to use a method in which fibers are entangled with each other by the action of a needle or a water flow to bond the fibers to the formed fiber web, fiber sheet, or fiber fleece. Moreover, it is also possible to use together the method of couple | bonding fibers by heat sealing | fusion entirely or partially using a heating roll.

  The fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric substrate are not particularly limited, and synthetic fibers made of thermoplastic resin, semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon, natural fibers such as cotton and pulp fibers, or inorganic fibers such as metals can be applied. Although it is possible, in view of durability and workability, it is preferable to include fibers made of a thermoplastic resin. The fibers made of thermoplastic resin include synthetic fibers that are generally used in the production of nonwoven fabrics. For example, polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide fibers such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, polypropylene, and polyethylene. And the like, polyolefin fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, acrylic fibers such as polyacrylonitrile, and polyvinyl alcohol fibers. Moreover, when further improving the filtration performance of a filter, it is preferable to apply polyolefin fiber excellent in charging property among these fibers.

  Further, the fiber made of a thermoplastic resin can be a heat-adhesive fiber. Examples of heat-bondable fibers include fibers composed of a single resin component that has a lower melting point than other fibers and can be bonded to other fibers, and other fibers that have a lower melting point than other fibers. There are composite fibers having low melting point components that can be made on the fiber surface. Such composite fibers include, for example, core-sheath type and side-by-side type composite fibers having a low melting point component on the fiber surface, and the material thereof is, for example, copolymer polyester / polyester, copolymer There are composite fibers made of a combination of fiber-forming polymers such as polypropylene / polypropylene, polypropylene / polyamide, polyethylene / polypropylene, polypropylene / polyester, and polyethylene / polyester. In addition, the ratio which occupies for the whole nonwoven fabric base material of the said heat bondable fiber becomes like this. Preferably it is 100 to 5 weight%, More preferably, it is 100 to 50 weight%, More preferably, it is 100 to 75 weight%.

  Moreover, 0.1-30 decitex is preferable and the average fineness of the fiber in the said nonwoven fabric base material has 0.5-20 decitex being more preferable in order to attach an allergen and inactivate the adhering allergen, 1-10 Decitex is more preferred.

  In addition, the said fiber base material is a composite fiber base material by laminating | stacking with other raw materials, such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a net | network, and integrating as needed for the purpose of reinforcement | strengthening etc. Is also possible.

Preferably the surface density of the fiber base material is 5 to 1000 g / ^{m 2,} more preferably from 10 to 500 g / ^{m 2,} and still more preferably from 10 to 300 g / ^{m 2.} Moreover, it is preferable that the thickness of the said fiber base material is 0.03-100 mm, It is more preferable that it is 0.05-75 mm, It is still more preferable that it is 0.1-50 mm. In consideration of applying pleating, it is preferably 0.03 to 10 mm, more preferably 0.05 to 8 mm, and further preferably 0.1 to 5 mm. If it is less than 0.03 mm, the amount of allergen deposited may be reduced. On the other hand, if it exceeds 5 mm, when pleating is performed, there is an increase in the portion that does not contribute to the filtration of the gas or the contribution is extremely small (hereinafter referred to as dead space), and on the contrary, the amount of allergen adhesion decreases. The effect of removing allergens may not be obtained.

In the present invention, an astilbine substance is attached to the fiber base material with a surface density of 0.01 g / m ² or more, and the attachment ratio of the astilbine substance is relative to the surface density of the fiber base material. 0.1 to 30%. The method of adhesion can be a method of adhering to the fiber base material with an adhesive made of a synthetic resin, for example, but when the astilbine substance is soluble in a polar solvent such as water, these polar solvents It can be attached in a diluted state. When an adhesive or the like is used in combination, the inactive action due to the astilbine substance may be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to attach the astilbine substance directly or diluted in a polar solvent.

  Also, the adhesion method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include impregnation using a padder, application using a spray device, application using a coater, and the like. According to the application using a spray device or a coater, it can be easily attached to one side of the fiber base material, and the form attached to one side is one of the preferred embodiments. That is, by attaching to the air outflow side of the fiber base material, the air inflow side collects most of the allergen, and the allergen that could not be collected on the air inflow side is collected and inactivated. Therefore, it is possible to make the astilbine substance act very effectively, and the allergen removal efficiency is excellent, which is a preferable mode.

An astilbine substance adheres to the fiber base material with an area density of 0.01 g / m ² or more, preferably an area density of 0.02 g / m ² or more, and more preferably an area density of 0. 05 g / m ² or more is adhered. In the case of adhesion with an areal density of less than 0.01 g / m ² , there is a problem that the action of allergen removal or allergen inactivation is not sufficiently performed. Moreover, the adhesion rate of astilbine substance is 0.1-30% with respect to the surface density of a fiber base material, Preferably, it is 0.5-20%, More preferably, it is 1-10%. is there. In the case of adhesion less than 0.1%, there is a problem that allergen removal or allergen inactivation is not sufficiently performed.

  The allergen removal filter of the present invention may be in the form of a composite air filter that is laminated with a dust removing filter medium for removing dust and integrated as necessary. In the case of this composite air filter, a dust removing filter medium is arranged on the air inflow side, and most of the allergen is collected by the dust removing filter medium, and the allergen that could not be collected is collected by the allergen removing filter. In addition, since it is possible to inactivate the substance, it is possible to cause the astilbine substance to act very effectively, and the allergen removal efficiency is excellent. If the allergen removal filter is placed on the air inflow side, many dusts containing allergens may adhere to the astilbine substances adhering to the allergen removal filter, which may hinder the inactivation effect. It is.

  Moreover, the allergen removal filter of the present invention has a gas removal particle layer containing gas removal particles, and is laminated with a gas removal filter medium having an action of removing harmful gas, and is integrated as necessary. It can also be in the form of a filter. In the case of this composite air filter, it becomes possible to remove or inactivate allergens in the air and remove harmful gases in the air, so that both the allergen removing action and the harmful gas removing action are effective. In addition, it has an effect of preventing allergic symptoms due to the interaction between allergen and harmful gas, which is one of preferred embodiments. In the case of this embodiment, it is preferable to dispose the gas removing filter medium on the air inflow side, and there is an effect of preventing many allergen-containing dusts from adhering to the allergen removing filter disposed on the downstream side.

  In addition, the allergen removal filter of the present invention may be in the form of a composite air filter that is laminated with the dust removal filter medium and the gas removal filter medium and integrated as necessary. In the case of this composite air filter, it is preferable to dispose the dust removing filter medium, the gas removing filter medium, and the allergen removing filter in this order from the air inflow side. As an advantage of this form, as described above, most of the allergen can be collected by the filter medium for dust removal, and the allergen that could not be collected can be collected by the allergen removal filter and inactivated. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the astilbine substance act very effectively, and it has the effect of being excellent in allergen removal efficiency. Furthermore, since it is possible to remove or inactivate allergens in the air and remove harmful gases in the air, it not only makes both the allergen removing action and the harmful gas removing action effective, but also the allergen. It has the effect of preventing allergic symptoms caused by the interaction of toxic gases and can be a multi-functional filter.

  In the composite air filter, the dust removing filter medium laminated with the allergen removing filter and the filtering performance of the allergen removing filter preferably function as a coarse dust removing filter. Specifically, ASHRAE 52.1-1992. In the test method prescribed in the above, it is preferable that the particle collection average efficiency is 50 to 99% when the test condition is a wind speed of 0.25 m / sec when evaluated by a mass method using SAE FINE dust. The collection average efficiency is preferably 60 to 99%, and the particle collection average efficiency is more preferably 70 to 99%. When the particle collection average efficiency is less than 50%, coarse dust removal is insufficient, and when the particle collection average efficiency exceeds 99%, the pore diameter of the allergen removal filter becomes too fine, and allergens immediately In some cases, the pressure loss before and after the removal filter reaches its limit and the service life becomes short, and it cannot be used as a filter for removing coarse dust. SAE FINE dust is dust that conforms to the test dust specified in A2 (fine) of ISO12103-1 (1997).

  In addition, as for the filtration performance in case an allergen removal filter is an allergen removal filter laminated | stacked on the outflow side of the said composite air filter, it is preferable that the particle collection average efficiency is lower than the above-mentioned efficiency. The reason is that dust particles containing most allergens are already collected on the inflow side, and the allergen removal filter on the outflow side collects allergens that are not collected by the filter material for dust removal on the inflow side. In addition, it has an inactivating action. Therefore, the allergen removal filter on the outflow side does not necessarily have a high particle collection average efficiency, and there may be a demerit that the pressure loss becomes high when an allergen removal filter having a high particle collection average efficiency is disposed. Considering such effects, the filtration performance when the allergen removal filter is an allergen removal filter laminated on the outflow side of the composite air filter is, for example, that the particle collection average efficiency is 3 to 90%. Preferably, the average particle collection efficiency is preferably 5 to 80%, and more preferably 10 to 70%.

  Further, when the allergen removal filter is subjected to pleat folding, the initial pressure loss of the allergen removal filter is preferably 50 Pa or less, more preferably 30 Pa or less, and more preferably 20 Pa or less when the test condition is a wind speed of 0.1 m / sec. Further preferred.

  As described above, it is preferable that the filter material for dust removal laminated with the allergen removal filter in the composite air filter and the filtration performance of the allergen removal filter function as a filter for coarse dust removal. In order to further improve the performance and to have filtration performance that can be evaluated not only by the colorimetric method but also by the counting method, there is a method of electretizing the constituent fibers by subjecting the dust removing filter medium and the allergen removing filter to electrification processing. . In addition, when performing an electrification process on an allergen removal filter, an astilbine substance can also be made to adhere after performing an electrification process to a fiber base material.

  The filtration performance after the dust removal filter medium or allergen removal filter is charged is preferably functioning as a fine dust removal filter. Specifically, the test specified in ASHRAE 52.1-1992 In the method, when SAE FINE dust is used and evaluated by a mass method, when the test condition is a wind speed of 0.25 m / sec, the particle collection average efficiency is preferably 50 to 99%, and the particle collection average efficiency is It is preferably 60 to 99%, and the particle collection average efficiency is more preferably 70 to 99%. When the particle collection average efficiency is less than 50%, coarse dust removal is insufficient, and when the particle collection average efficiency exceeds 99%, the pore diameter of the allergen removal filter becomes too fine, and allergens immediately In some cases, the pressure loss before and after the removal filter reaches its limit and the service life becomes short, and it cannot be used as a filter for removing coarse dust. Further, in the test method defined in JIS B9908 Type 1, when the evaluation is performed by a counting method using atmospheric dust of 0.3 μm, the particle collection average efficiency is 5 to 5 when the test condition is a wind speed of 0.1 m / sec. It is preferably 50%, the particle collection average efficiency is preferably 10 to 50%, and the particle collection average efficiency is more preferably 20 to 50%.

  As described above, the allergen removal filter can be in the form of a composite air filter that is laminated with the dust removal filter medium and the gas removal filter medium and integrated as necessary. However, as a preferable specific example of the composite air filter, the allergen removal filter and the gas removal filter medium are laminated and integrated, and the allergen removal filter is formed from the gas removal filter medium. There is a composite air filter having a function as a cover material for preventing the removal of gas removal particles, and a specific example is shown below.

  As a form of the composite air filter, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a composite air filter (13) in which gas removal particles (3) are sandwiched by a breathable cover material (5). More specifically, the gas-removable particles (3) and the gas-removed particle layer (8) composed of the resin bodies (10) and (10 ′) connecting the gas-removed particles (3) have air permeability on both sides. There is a composite air filter (13) in which a cover material (5) is laminated and integrated. In this example, the gas removal particles (3) are connected by a resin body (10 ′) made of heat-adhesive fibers to form a sheet-like gas removal filter medium (4) on one side or both sides of the resin body (10). The air-permeable cover material (5) is bonded together. In the present invention, one or both of the air-permeable cover material (5) can be used as the allergen removal filter.

  In order to obtain the gas removal particle layer (8) having such a structure, for example, the gas removal particles (3) are held on a mat-like material made of a resin component having air permeability and heat adhesion, Preferably, it can be obtained by adhering the gas removal particles (3) to the mat-like material thereafter by heat treatment. Examples of such a mat-like material having air permeability include porous materials such as nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, membranes, filter papers, sponges, etc. Among them, nonwoven fabrics are preferable because they have high air permeability. In the case of a non-woven fabric, for example, a non-woven fabric including an adhesive fiber composed of one component having a melting point of 160 ° C. or lower, or an adhesive composite fiber composed of two or more components including a low melting point component of 160 ° C. or lower can be applied. . In the present invention, the mat-like material is a resin body that connects the gas removal particles.

  As another form of the composite air filter, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a gas removing particle (3) and a resin body (hereinafter referred to as a connecting portion) for connecting the gas removing particle (3) (1) , (1 ′), (10), and (10 ′) and agglomerated resin bodies (hereinafter referred to as “resin agglomerated portions”) (2) and (2 ′) are formed on both surfaces of the gas removal particle layer 8. There is a composite air filter (13) in which the protective cover materials (5) and (5 ') are laminated and integrated. In this example, the gas removal particles (3) are connected to the resin body (1), (1 ′), (10), or (10 ′) to pass through the gas removal filter medium (4) formed into a sheet shape. Cover materials (5) and (5 ') are laminated and integrated. More specifically, the gas-removed particles (3) are formed on one surface of the web composed of the connecting part (1) made of hot melt resin and the resin agglomerated part (2) via the resin agglomerated part (2). Is fixed. In the present invention, one or both of the breathable cover materials (5) and (5 ') can be used as the allergen removal filter.

  As still another form of the composite air filter, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a resin body connecting the gas removal particles (3) and (3 ′) and the gas removal particles (3) and (3 ′). Gas removal comprising (1), (1 ′), (1 ″), (10), (10 ′) and (10 ″) and aggregated resin bodies (2), (2 ′) and (2 ″) There is a composite air filter (13) in which breathable cover materials (5) and 5 ′ are laminated and integrated on both surfaces of the particle layer 8. In this example, the gas removal particles (3) and (3 ′) The gas removal filter media (4) and (4 ′), which are connected by the resin bodies (1), (1 ′), (1 ″), (10), and (10 ′) to form a sheet, are laminated. Further, in this laminate, breathable cover materials (5) and (5 ′) are resin bodies (1), (1 ′), (10), and (10 ′ ) And agglomerated resin bodies (2), (2 ′) and (2 ″). More specifically, it is composed of a plurality of lamination units (4), and the lamination unit (4) Gas removal particles (3) are fixed to one surface of a web composed of a connecting portion (1) made of hot melt resin and a resin agglomerated portion (2) via a resin agglomerated portion (2), The other surface of the web is fixed to the gas removal particles (3 ′) constituting the other laminated unit (4 ′) through the resin agglomerated portion (2 ″). In the present invention, one or both of the breathable cover materials (5) and (5 ') can be used as the allergen removal filter.

  Moreover, as a method for obtaining a gas removal filter medium having such a structure, for example, when the lamination unit (4) has two or more layers as shown in FIG. 3, gas removal is performed on the surface of the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10). After arranging the particles (3), a resin agglomerated part (2) is formed at the part where the hot melt nonwoven fabric and the gas removing particles are in contact with each other by heat treatment, and the resin agglomerated part (2) and the hot melt resin are connected A first step of forming a web composed of the portion (1), and a second step of forming the laminated unit (4) by leaving only the gas removal particles fixed to the web among the gas removal particles. Then, the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ″) is laminated in contact with the gas removal particles (3) of the lamination unit (4), and then the gas removal particles (3 ′) are arranged on the surface of the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ″). After the first step and the second There is successively carried out method and steps. In addition, instead of the hot-melt nonwoven fabrics (10) and (10 ′) serving as both surfaces of the gas removal particle layer 8, a sheet in which the hot-melt nonwoven fabric is attached to the cover materials (5) and (5 ′) is used. The composite air filter (13) in which the breathable cover materials (5) and (5 ′) are laminated and integrated can be obtained.

  As another form of the composite air filter, for example, gas-removable particles are joined to each other by a heat-fusible resin body to form a sheet-like gas-removable particle layer, and a breathable cover material is laminated and integrated. There is a combined air filter. In order to obtain the gas removal particle layer having such a structure, for example, there is a method in which the gas removal particles and the heat-fusible resin powder are mixed, and then sandwiched between cover materials to form a composite air filter by heat treatment. is there. In the present invention, one or both of the breathable cover materials can be the allergen removal filter.

  In the case of the above-described configuration shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the gas removal particle surface can be effectively used with a particularly low pressure loss, and thus excellent gas removal efficiency can be exhibited. Moreover, the composite air filter having such a structure has an advantage that pleating is easy.

The gas removal particles applied to the present invention are used for removing unpleasant odorous substances in living environment, or remove gaseous pollutants contained in air or atmosphere in semiconductor or liquid crystal production facilities or clean rooms. For this purpose, it is a solid particle that can adsorb a gaseous substance or change the gaseous substance into an easily adsorbable substance. Examples of such gas removal particles include activated carbon, impregnated carbon obtained by adding various chemical components capable of removing acid gas or basic gas, zeolite, various chemical adsorbents, ion exchange resins, photocatalysts, and the like. There are catalysts and the like, and one or more of them can be appropriately selected from these. Of these, for example, when activated carbon is selected, a porous surface having a specific surface area of 200 m ² / g or more is preferable, and a specific surface area of 500 m ² / g or more is more preferable. The deodorized particles preferably have an average particle size of 0.150 mm (100 mesh) or more and 1.7 mm (10 mesh) or less in order to achieve both high efficiency and low pressure loss. Is more preferably 0.212 mm (70 mesh) or more and 0.85 mm (20 mesh) or less. If deodorized particles having an average particle size smaller than 0.150 mm (100 mesh) are used, the initial gas removal efficiency can be increased, but the problem of increased pressure loss may occur.

  The thickness of the composite air filter is preferably 0.3 to 5 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 3 mm, and preferably 0.7 to 2 mm in consideration of pleating. Further preferred. If it is less than 0.3 mm, the function as a composite air filter may not be sufficiently exhibited. On the other hand, when it exceeds 5 mm, when pleating is performed, there are many portions that do not contribute to the filtration of the gas or the contribution is extremely small (hereinafter referred to as dead space), and the function as a composite air filter is sufficient. It may not be demonstrated.

  In the filter element of the present invention, the allergen removal filter is formed by pleat folding, or the composite air filter is formed by pleat folding. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the filter element of the present invention is a filter in which the filter (21) is pleated and the pleated shape is held by the shape-retaining member (22 a). Element (20). FIG. 4 also illustrates an example in which the shape retaining member (22b) is mounted in the direction of arrow A on the end face of the pleated filter (21) that intersects the pleated ridgeline direction. The pleating process of the filter is not limited as long as the filter is folded in a zigzag shape, and the folding method is a method using a pleating machine such as a reciprocating type or a rotary type, or a method of pressing with a stamping die formed in a zigzag shape. and so on.

  The shape-retaining member is not particularly limited as long as the pleated shape can be maintained. For example, a sheet-like material such as a woven or knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a synthetic resin sheet, a foamed sheet, paper, a metal material, or a composite thereof. Can be applied. Of these, non-woven fabrics are particularly preferable because they are excellent in strength, excellent in cushioning properties when the filter element is attached to the rigid frame, and excellent in sealing performance with the rigid frame. Specifically, these sheet-like materials can be attached to an end surface intersecting with the pleated ridge line direction by heat-sealing or adhering via an adhesive or an adhesive sheet. The shape-retaining member is not limited to a sheet-like member, and can be formed by foaming by attaching a foamable resin or the like. Further, the shape retaining member can be mounted not only on the end face intersecting with the pleated line direction but also on an end face parallel to the pleated line direction.

  Before or after the pleating process, as illustrated in FIG. 4 or 5, the filter (21) is linearly spaced in parallel to the pleated peak direction in the direction intersecting the pleated line direction. It is also preferable to provide a separator (24) to which resin is adhered to prevent the slope of the pleat mountain from coming into contact and forming a dead space. As shown in these figures, it is preferable that the linear resin is intermittently provided at the peak of the pleat peak and not at the valley of the pleat, and is also provided on both sides of the allergen removal filter. This is also a preferred embodiment.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the filter element preferably has a large number of pleats (23). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5-150 mm is preferable, 8-100 mm is more preferable, 15-50 mm is still more preferable. Moreover, 1-20 mm is preferable, as for the pitch P of a pleat (23), 2-15 mm is more preferable, and 3-10 mm is still more preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that ratio P / H of pitch P (mm) and height H (mm) is 0.05-0.7, it is preferable that it is 0.05-0.5, 0.05 More preferably, it is -0.3. If P / H is less than 0.05, the angle of the pleat becomes too small, and the angle of the pleat spreads by the wind pressure and adheres to the adjacent pleat, resulting in a dead space, and the dust holding capacity may be reduced. is there. Moreover, when P / H exceeds 0.5, the number of pleats decreases, the area of the entire filter medium decreases, and the dust holding capacity may decrease. Further, if the height of the pleats is less than 5 mm, the number of pleats increases so that the initial cost may become very high. If the height of the pleats exceeds 150 mm, the angle of the pleats becomes too small, and the angle of the pleats spreads due to the wind pressure and adheres to the adjacent pleats, resulting in a dead space, which may reduce the dust holding capacity. .

  The overall size of the filter element is such that the dimension of one side of the air inflow surface is 80 to 500 mm in the case of a filter element that is used by being mounted on an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a home air cleaner. Is preferable, 100 to 400 mm is more preferable, and 150 to 300 mm is still more preferable. The depth is preferably 5 to 100 mm, more preferably 10 to 50 mm, and still more preferably 15 to 30 mm. In addition, in the case of filter elements used as coarse dust removal filters such as package filters, fan coil units, and central air conditioning filter units in air purifiers installed in buildings, factories, offices, etc., the air inflow surface The dimension of one side is preferably 200 to 1500 mm, more preferably 300 to 1000 mm, and still more preferably 400 to 700 mm. Moreover, 10-500 mm is preferable, 20-400 mm is more preferable, and 30-300 mm is still more preferable.

  When the filter element is applied to an air conditioner, the filter element can be used by being mounted on a rigid frame. The rigid frame is not particularly limited as long as it is a rigid material, and wood, metal, plastic, or the like is applied, and wood is preferable when incinerated and discarded after several washing and regeneration.

When the filter element functions as a filter for removing coarse dust, specifically, it is evaluated by a mass method using SAE FINE dust in a test method defined in ASHRAE 52.1-1992. Then, when the dimension of at least one side of the air inflow surface is 80 to 500 mm, when the test condition is an air volume of 550 m ³ / hr, the particle collection average efficiency is preferably 50 to 99%, and the particle collection average efficiency Is preferably 60 to 99%, and the particle collection average efficiency is more preferably 70 to 99%. When the particle collection average efficiency is less than 50%, coarse dust removal is insufficient, and when the particle collection average efficiency exceeds 99%, the pore diameter of the allergen removal filter becomes too fine, and allergens immediately In some cases, the pressure loss before and after the removal filter reaches its limit and the service life becomes short, and it cannot be used as a filter for removing coarse dust. In addition, when the dimension of all the sides of the air inflow surface exceeds 500 mm, the air volume of 1100 m ³ / hr can be adopted as the test condition.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a filter used by being mounted on an air conditioner in a living environment such as an automobile or a home air cleaner is derived from ticks or pollen that cause allergies. It has become possible to provide a novel allergen removal filter that inactivates or removes allergen substances. In addition, it is possible to provide a composite air filter integrated with the allergen removal filter. It is also possible to provide a filter element in which the allergen removal filter or the composite air filter is pleated.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but these are only suitable examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents of these examples.

(Sugi pollen allergen inactivation test)
Sugi pollen allergen solution (purified cedar pollen antigen Cryj1 1 ng / mL) obtained by cutting a sample to be tested (fiber substrate) into a size of 8 mm ² , placing it on the bottom of a 48-well plate, and dissolving 300 μL per well in PBS (−) Was added and shaken at room temperature for 2 hours and 4 hours. After shaking, 100 μL was collected, and the cedar pollen allergen concentration present therein was quantified by sandwich ELISA. Further, when the allergen concentration of a test sample (filter) that does not use an agent that inactivates allergens is B and the allergen concentration of the test sample (fiber substrate) is A, the formula C = 100 × (B− The value of C obtained from A) / B was defined as the allergen inactivation rate (%).

(Filter filtration performance test method-mass method)
In the test method defined in ASHRAE 52.1-1992, after supplying SAE FINE dust at a wind speed of 0.25 m / sec until the pressure loss reaches 200 Pa, the particle collection average efficiency (%) and the filtration life ( Dust collection amount (g / m ² ) is determined. The initial pressure loss (Pa) is a value measured at a wind speed of 0.1 m / sec.

(Filter filtration performance test method-counting method)
In the test method stipulated in JIS B 9908 Type 1, 0.3 μm of atmospheric dust is supplied at a wind speed of 0.1 m / sec to determine the particle collection average efficiency (%).

(Gas removal performance test)
In the test method specified in DIN 71460 Part II, after adjusting the test air so that the toluene concentration becomes 80 ppm, the test air is supplied at a wind speed of 0.1 m / sec, and the initial removal efficiency of toluene ( %) To determine the gas removal efficiency.

(Raw material adjustment 1)
Astilbin extract A (10% aqueous solution) obtained by purifying an ethanol extract from twilight leaves was prepared. The dried product of this astilbine extract contains astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine, and taxifolin, and the content ratio of the substance obtained by combining these six compounds with respect to the dried product is 16% by mass. %Met.

Example 1
Astilbine extract A obtained in raw material preparation 1 on a spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyester fiber having a fiber diameter of 10 to 30 μm, an areal density of 20 g / m ² , a thickness of 0.12 mm, and a pressure loss of 1.0 Pa (wind speed of 10 cm / s) After being impregnated, it was dried to attach an astilbine substance having a surface density of 1 g / m ² to the spunbonded nonwoven fabric to obtain an allergen removal filter. Let this allergen removal filter be the cover material B for obtaining a composite air filter.

(Raw material adjustment 2)
Cover material B obtained by raw material preparation 2 immediately after melt spinning a thermoplastic polyamide-based resin (melt index at 190 ° C .: 80) to form a spider web-shaped hot melt nonwoven fabric with an area density of 20 g / m ² Laminated on top. The hot melt nonwoven fabric was cooled and adhered to the cover material B at the same time to obtain a cover material C having a surface density of 40 g / m ² to which the hot melt nonwoven fabric was adhered.

(Raw material adjustment 3)
A thermoplastic polyamide-based resin (melt index at 190 ° C .: 80) is melt-spun to form a spider web-shaped hot melt nonwoven fabric with a surface density of 20 g / m ² , and immediately, a fiber diameter of 10 to 30 μm and a surface density of 20 g. / M ² , thickness 0.12 mm, pressure loss 1.0 Pa (wind speed 10 cm / s) attached to a spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyester fiber, and hot melt nonwoven fabric adhered to a cover material D having a surface density of 40 g / m ² Got.

(Example 2)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, on the surface of the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10) of the cover material C having a surface density of 41 g / m ² to which the hot melt nonwoven fabric prepared in the raw material preparation 2 is adhered, the particle size is 0.3 to 0.5 mm. The commercially available activated carbon particles (3) classified in the above are sprayed so that the surface density is 130 g / m ² . Subsequently, a steam treatment of about 5 Kg / cm ² is performed for about 7 seconds from the cover material (5) side (hot melt nonwoven fabric (10) side), and the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10) is plasticized and melted. The activated carbon particles (3) were fixed to the web composed of the connecting portion (1) and the resin agglomerated portion (2), via the resin agglomerated portion (2). Subsequently, there were almost no activated carbon particles other than the fixed activated carbon particles. However, by removing the activated carbon particles other than the fixed activated carbon particles just in case, the activated carbon particles (3) are changed according to the respective particle sizes. A first layered unit (4) adhered and adhered to the cover material (5) was obtained. Further, a hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ″) having a surface density of 20 g / m ² is stacked on the stacked unit (4) in this state, and activated carbon particles (3 ′) are sprayed and steam treatment is performed so that the surface density is 140 g / m ^2. In addition, as a precautionary measure, the activated carbon that has not been fixed is removed to form a second layered unit (4 ′).
Next, cover material D (5 ′) having a surface density of 40 g / m ² to which the hot melt nonwoven fabric prepared in raw material preparation 3 is adhered is placed so that the hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ′) side is in contact with the laminated unit (4 ′). Layered on the laminated unit (4 ′), and subjected to steam treatment at about 5 Kg / cm ² for about 7 seconds from the sheet material (5 ′) side (hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ′) side), and hot melt nonwoven fabric (10 ') Is plasticized and melted, and the activated carbon particles (3) are connected to the web composed of the connecting portion (1') and the resin agglomerated portion (2 ') made of hot melt resin via the resin agglomerated portion (2'). ') Was fixed to obtain a composite air filter (13).
This composite air filter is a composite air filter (13) formed by laminating and integrating a gas removing filter medium composed of laminated units (4) and (4 ') and a cover material (5') and an allergen removing filter (5). The allergen removal filter (5) serves as a cover material (5) for preventing the gas removal particles (3) and (3 ′) from falling off from the gas removal filter media (4) and (4 ′). It was the composite air filter (13) which also has a function.

(Raw material adjustment 4)
A melt blown nonwoven fabric made of a polypropylene resin having a fiber diameter of 3 to 30 μm, a surface density of 20 g / m ² , a thickness of 0.5 mm, and a pressure loss of 2 Pa (wind speed of 10 cm / s) was obtained by a melt blow method. Further, charging processing by corona charging was performed to obtain a dust removing filter medium E having a counting method efficiency of 20% (atmospheric dust 0.3 to 0.5 μm, wind speed 10 cm / s).

(Example 3)
The dust removing filter medium E obtained by the raw material adjustment 4 was laminated on the cover material (5 ′) side of the composite air filter (13) obtained in Example 2. Next, the laminate is passed between a pair of rolls consisting of a heated embossing roll having unevenness and a heating roll having a smooth surface, and is subjected to thermocompression bonding, thereby having a partial fused portion on the surface of the dust removing filter medium E. A composite air filter was obtained.
The thickness of this composite air filter was 1.3 mm, the surface density was 391 g / m ² , and the pressure loss at a surface wind speed of 0.5 m / sec was 25 Pa. The composite air filter is a composite air filter in which an allergen removing filter, a gas removing filter medium, and a dust removing filter medium are laminated and integrated.
Table 1 shows the filtration performance and evaluation results of cedar pollen allergen inactivation of the obtained composite air filter. In the performance evaluation, the air outflow side was measured as an allergen removal filter. Moreover, the allergen removal filter obtained in Example 1 was used for evaluation of allergen inactivity.

Example 4
Using the composite air filter obtained in Example 3, as shown in FIG. 4, the dimensions of the filter element (21) are as follows: the width W is about 230 mm, the length L is about 220 mm, and the pleat height H is about 27 mm. After forming the pleats so that the pleat crest spacing is about 6 mm, prepare a frame material (24) in which a hot melt resin sheet is bonded to one side of the non-woven frame material (24). A frame member (24) was fixed in the direction of arrow A shown in Fig. 4 to obtain a filter element of the present invention.

(Comparative Example 1)
A comparative filter was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the astilbine extract A obtained in the raw material preparation 1 was not impregnated. The comparison filter is a cover material B ′ for obtaining a comparison composite air filter.

(Comparative Example 2)
In the raw material preparation 2, a cover material having a surface density of 40 g / m ² to which the hot melt nonwoven fabric is adhered is the same as the raw material preparation 2 except that the cover material B ′ obtained in Comparative Example 1 is used instead of the cover material B. C 'was obtained. Next, in Example 2 and Example 3, a comparative composite air filter was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 and Example 3 except that the cover material C ′ was used instead of the cover material C. Table 1 shows the filtration performance and evaluation results of cedar pollen allergen inactivation of the obtained comparative composite air filter. Note that the comparative filter obtained in Comparative Example 1 was used for evaluation of allergen inactivity.

Table 1

  As is clear from Table 1, the composite air filter of Example 2 has a cover material that prevents the removal of the gas removal particles from the gas removal particle layer containing the gas removal particles. It was a composite air filter that also served as an allergen removal filter, and this allergen removal filter had a high allergen inactivation rate of 70%.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows an example of the composite air filter which comprises the filter element of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows another example of the composite air filter which comprises the filter element of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows another example of the composite air filter which comprises the filter element of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the filter element of this invention. In addition, it is a diagram illustrating a mode in which the shape retaining member is mounted in the direction of arrow A. It is a principal part enlarged view of the filter element of this invention. It is a schematic cross section of the filter element of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,1 ', 1 "connecting part (resin body)
2,2 ', 2 "resin agglomerated part (resin body)
3, 3 'Gas removal particles 4, 4' Stacking unit 5 Cover material (allergen removal filter)
5 'cover material 8 gas removal particle layer 10, 10', 10 "hot melt resin (hot melt nonwoven fabric) (resin body)
13 Composite Air Filter 20 Filter Element 21 Allergen Removal Filter (Composite Air Filter)
22a Shape retaining member 22b Shape retaining member 23 Fold 24 Separator

Claims (4)

An allergen that inactivates or removes allergen substances derived from mites or pollen that cause allergies, and a filter medium for removing dust that contains gas removal particles and removes harmful gases. A removal filter is a composite air filter arranged in this order from the air inflow side, wherein the allergen removal filter is made of a compound selected from the group consisting of astilbine, neoastilbine, isoastilbine, neoisoastilbine and taxifolin An astilbine substance containing 5% by mass or more in combination of one or two or more is attached to a fiber substrate with an area density of 0.01 g / m ² or more, and the adhesion ratio of the astilbine substance is A composite airflow comprising 0.1 to 30% of the surface density of the fiber base material Yilta. The composite air filter according to claim 1, wherein the astilbine substance is extracted from a plant . The allergen removal filter and the gas removal filter medium are laminated and integrated, and the allergen removal filter has a function as a cover material for preventing the removal of gas removal particles from the gas removal filter medium. The composite air filter according to claim 1 or 2 . A filter element, wherein the composite air filter according to claim 1 is pleated.

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