JP2000139993A - Thermal material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal material capable of being stably fitted to any position of a human body and rarely causing a low-temperature burn or a rash by fixing an exothermic bag at one end section in the expansion direction of an expansible sheet member so that nonwoven fabrics are located on the same face side, and fixing a fastener at the other end section. SOLUTION: This thermal material is constituted of an exothermic bag 100, a one-way expansible sheet member 110 and a hook-and-loop fastener 120, the exothermic bag 100 stores an exothermic agent 103 in a bag-like section formed with an air-permeable film 101 and an air-nonpermeable film 102, and nonwoven fabrics 104, 105 are provided on the outside of the films 101, 102. Nonwoven fabrics 113, 114 are provided at least on one face of an expansible film 111 having many vent holes 112 not to hinder the expanding property of the film 111 to form the expansible sheet member 110. Fibers of the nonwoven fabrics 113, 114 are extended in the direction perpendicular to the A-A' direction, the cross section is formed into a corrugated shape or a trapezoidal shape, for example, thereby the sheet member 110 has an expanding property.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heating material, and more particularly to a heating material such as a disposable body warmer, a heat generating sheet, etc. which can be attached to various parts of a human body and which is less likely to cause low-temperature burns.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various heating materials have been widely used as simple treatment tools for stiff shoulders, neuralgia, muscle pain and the like.
Such a heating material is configured such that a heating agent that generates heat upon contact with air is covered with a film having a predetermined ventilation rate, and the heating agent and the air gradually react to maintain heat generation for a predetermined time, and are usually formed of an adhesive. It is used by sticking it to the skin etc. with an agent.

[0003] The method of attaching and fixing the heat generating bag to the human body by using an adhesive as described above can be applied at any site, is versatile, and has a sufficient heating effect. Although it has the advantage, if it is used repeatedly on the same site for a long time, it may cause heat accumulation on the skin surface and cause low-temperature burns such as redness and pain. Furthermore, the adhesive may cause skin rash or exfoliation of the stratum corneum. In addition, there is a problem that movable parts such as knees and shoulders are easily peeled off, and the sweating promotes the peeling.

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the fixing method using an adhesive, the present inventor has proposed a method using a conventionally known mounting tool such as a bag-like net, various woven fabrics,
The method of fixing the heating bag to the affected area using a nonwoven fabric or a supporter was reviewed. It was found that the method of fixing the bag-like net to the human body and inserting the heat generating bag into the human body has a poor mounting property and does not fit the heat generating bag and the skin surface of the human body, so that a sufficient heating effect cannot be obtained. Further, in the method of winding and fixing the heat generating bag with a mounting tape made of a woven or nonwoven fabric tape, the heat generating bag is easily displaced, and there is a problem that the heat generating bag falls particularly when used for a movable portion. In order to avoid this, if it is wrapped strongly a plurality of times, problems such as impaired motor function and congestion occur. Furthermore, it has been found that the method of winding and fixing these tapes has a problem that low-temperature burns such as redness and pain easily occur when used for a long time. It has been found that the use of stretchable woven or non-woven fabric improves the wearability but is not sufficient, and the problem of low-temperature burns also occurs. The present invention has been completed based on such findings while studying a more secure method of fixing the heating bag.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a versatile heating material which can be stably mounted at any part of the human body in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional heating material.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly safe heating material which does not easily cause low-temperature burns such as redness or rash even when used repeatedly for a long time.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The heating material of the present invention comprises a sheet-like heating bag in which a heating element is sandwiched between a breathable film whose surface is covered with a nonwoven fabric and a non-breathable film, and a plurality of ventilation holes. A stretchable sheet member having a nonwoven fabric formed on at least one surface of a stretchable film having the same, and a hook-and-loop fastener engaging with the nonwoven fabric, wherein the heat generating bag is provided at one end of the stretchable sheet member in the stretch direction. Are fixed so that the nonwoven fabric is on the same surface side, and the hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the other end on the surface opposite to the nonwoven fabric side surface. Further, the stretchable sheet member has a thickness of 1.2 to 1.6.
It is characterized in that the thickness at the time of double extension is equal to or less than the thickness before extension.

In the heating material of the present invention, since the sheet-like heating bag and the elastic sheet member for attaching and fixing the heating bag to the human body are integrally formed as described above, the heating member such as a knee or an elbow is movable. It has the feature that it is unlikely to shift or fall even if it is attached to the part.

Further, since at least one surface of the heat generating bag and the stretchable sheet member is formed of a non-woven fabric, any portion of this surface can be engaged with the hook-and-loop fastener so that the stretchable sheet member can be properly fitted. The heating bag can be fixed by adjusting the elongation and the restoration strength. That is, since the heat generating bag can be fixed with an appropriate force, it is possible to obtain the original sufficient heating effect of the heat generating bag while preventing blood stasis without inhibiting the motor function.

In the present invention, it is preferable that both sides of the heat generating bag and the elastic sheet member are made of non-woven fabric, and that a surface fastener is provided at one end of the heat generating bag opposite to the sheet member. As a result, the heat generating bag is fixed at two places, so that the fit to the human body is further improved, and a higher mounting property and a higher heating effect can be obtained.

[0010] Further, the feature of the heating material of the present invention is that, unlike the case where the mounting bag made of a woven or non-woven fabric alone is wrapped to fix the heating bag, there is little problem of low-temperature burn even after long use. is there. That is, since the length of the stretchable sheet member of the present invention is determined to be a predetermined length in relation to the elongation, a plurality of stretchable sheet members may be provided on the heating bag depending on the diameter of the mounting portion or individual differences. May be repeated. However, even in this case, while the conventional mounting tapes overlap, low-temperature burns are likely to occur, whereas the use of the stretchable sheet member of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of low-temperature burns. Have. The details of this reason are not clear at present, but we think as follows.

In the hyperthermia treatment, the blood generated by the heating material is supplied to the affected area to warm it, thereby promoting blood circulation, stiff shoulders,
It relieves muscle pain and chronic pain. The heat generated in the sheet-shaped heating bag maintains the skin surface temperature within a predetermined temperature range by a balance between heat transmitted to the skin side for use in thermal treatment and heat dissipated from the upper surface of the heating bag to the outside. Designed to be.

However, if the conventional heating tape is used to fix the heat generating bag, the mounting tape covers the heating element, preventing heat from being radiated from the upper surface of the heat generating bag, disturbing the heat balance and accumulating heat. It is considered that the skin surface temperature rises due to use of time, and symptoms such as low-temperature burns appear. Therefore, the present inventors have studied the causes of low-temperature burns when using the mounting tape, and those that easily cause low-temperature burns, the fibers gather in the center when pulled and stretched, and the tape width is narrow. It has been found that, as it becomes, the wave as a whole increases and the thickness increases. In other words, when the heating bag is strongly wound and fixed using a conventional mounting tape or the like, the thickness increases. This was the same regardless of the woven or non-woven fabric, and with or without stretch. That is, it is considered that the mounting tape or the like covering the heat generating bag becomes thicker, and the air layer stays between the heat generating bag and the tape and acts as a heat insulating material. As a result, heat storage proceeds, and low-temperature burns are likely to occur.

On the other hand, the stretchable sheet member of the present invention has a nonwoven fabric formed on a stretchable film having a large number of air holes so as to be easily stretchable in one direction. Unlike the nonwoven fabric which is stretched and thickened like a single nonwoven fabric, it is stretched and thinned, and the air permeability is sufficiently secured, so that no stagnant air layer is formed.
Therefore, even if the heat generating bag is covered with the elastic sheet member, the heat radiation is hardly hindered, the heat balance is maintained, and the heat storage on the skin surface can be prevented, and as a result, the low-temperature burn can be prevented. From this, for example, when mounting on a place with a large diameter such as the waist, it is mounted without covering the heat generating bag, and when mounted on the neck, knees, etc., it will be rolled and mounted multiple times, In each case, the same shrinkage strength can be obtained, and a sufficient heating effect can be obtained while preventing low-temperature burns.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the heating material of the present invention, and the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The heating material mainly includes a heat generating bag 100, a one-way elastic sheet member 110, and a hook-and-loop fastener 120. In FIG.
(A), (b) is a schematic plan view of the heating material and A
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
2 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a stretchable sheet member 110. FIG.

In the heat generating bag 100, a heat generating agent 103 is sandwiched between a gas permeable film 101 and a gas non-permeable film 102, and nonwoven fabrics 104 and 105 are provided outside these films, and a periphery 106 is sealed with a hot melt seal or the like. Have been. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 104 is a hook-and-loop fastener 12.
0 can be engaged.

Here, as the breathable film, a porous film such as a polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyfluorinated ethylene film is suitably used, and the pore size is determined according to the required air permeability. The ventilation rate is designed in accordance with the required exothermic agent according to the required calorific value and temperature. The exothermic agent
Any material may be used as long as it generates heat upon contact with air.For example, a known material obtained by adding an auxiliary agent such as a saline solution or activated carbon to a main agent such as iron powder is used. The amount is determined. A film having a thickness of about 20 μm to 1 mm is preferably used.

The non-breathable film may be any film that does not substantially transmit oxygen. Examples thereof include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin such as polybutadiene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, polyether, polysulfone, and polyamide. Made
Those having a thickness of about 20 μm to 1 mm are used.

As the non-woven fabric, for example, non-woven fabrics such as polyethylene, polyester, rayon, cotton, pulp and the like, and mixtures and combinations thereof are used. The thickness of the nonwoven fabric is usually about 100 μm to 1 mm. The nonwoven fabric used on the breathable film side has a strength and an engagement strength capable of engaging with the hook-and-loop fastener and resisting the contraction force of the elastic sheet member.

The stretchable sheet member 110 is formed such that the nonwoven fabric does not hinder the stretchability of the film on at least one surface (the surface engaging with the hook-and-loop fastener 120) of the stretchable film 111 having a large number of air holes. . In the example of FIG. 1, the vent hole 1 is formed in a unidirectional elastic film (for example, a polyethylene film produced using a metallocene catalyst) 111.
12 (approximately 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter), for example, non-woven fabrics 113 and 114 are formed on both sides of the fiber so that the fibers are perpendicular to the AA ′ direction and the cross section is, for example, corrugated or trapezoidal. , With elasticity. As described above, since the film 111 has a large number of ventilation holes, it has a configuration in which the outside air and the ventilation are ensured and heat storage can be prevented. Further, by adopting such a configuration, the thickness does not increase even in the stretched state, and heat dissipation can be ensured.

In the elastic sheet member, it is not always necessary to provide the nonwoven fabric 114 on the side that comes into contact with the skin, but from the viewpoint of improving the feel to the skin, it is preferable to provide the nonwoven fabric on both sides. In the example shown in the figure, a three-layer structure is shown; however, a structure having four or more layers may be used. Also,
The elongation percentage of the sheet member is determined from the viewpoints of wearability and versatility.
Preferably, it is about 1.2 to 1.6 times.

The stretchable film 111 may be a material having sufficient strength even when expanded and contracted and having good heat transfer. In connection with this, the material, thickness, hole diameter and the like are appropriately determined. As the material, for example, a synthetic resin film such as a polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be suitably used. The thickness of the film is determined by the relationship between the strength for fixing the heat transfer and the heating bag and the diameter of the vent hole.
It is preferably about 100 μm. In this range, the mounting property and the heat radiation property are secured, and a sufficient heating effect can be obtained. The diameter of the vent is preferably 0.5 to 3 mm from the viewpoints of heat dissipation, film stretchability and strength. The holes are preferably arranged regularly, for example, in a staggered arrangement. The non-woven fabric used for the elastic sheet member is
The same material as the above-mentioned heat generating bag can be used. As described above, a material which is formed so as not to hinder the elasticity of the elastic film, or a material in which the nonwoven fabric itself has elasticity may be used.

The heating material shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which one hook-and-loop fastener that engages with the nonwoven fabric is provided to fix the heating bag. However, the hook-and-loop fastener is not limited to one location. As shown in (1), a hook-and-loop fastener 120 'may be provided on the end of the heat generating bag opposite to the sheet member. In this case, the hook-and-loop fastener 120 'is also provided on the side opposite to the hook-and-loop fastener 120 (the air-permeable film side), and it is necessary that the hook-and-loop fastener 120 side of the stretchable sheet member is also a nonwoven fabric. With the above configuration, the fitting property of the heating material and the heating effect are further improved.

Next, an example of a method of connecting the elastic sheet member and the heat generating bag will be described. Any connection method may be employed as long as the characteristics of the heating material of the present invention are not impaired. For example, the following may be performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a heat generating agent 103 is sandwiched between a composite film of a gas-permeable film 101 and a non-woven fabric 104 having a predetermined shape and a composite film of a non-air-permeable film 102 and a non-woven fabric 105. Seal by thermocompression. At this time, about 5 to 20 mm from the edge of the side connected to the elastic sheet member is not pressed. Next, the stretchable sheet member is sandwiched between the two uncompressed portions of the composite film, and this portion is fixed by thermocompression bonding or an adhesive.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a heat generating agent 103 is sandwiched between a non-air permeable film 102 and a composite film of a gas permeable film 101 and a non-woven fabric 104 having a predetermined shape, and the periphery is sealed by thermocompression or the like. After that, it is fixed on the elastic sheet member 110 using an adhesive or the like.

[0026]

The present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to examples.

(Example 1) Iron powder (45.0 parts), activated carbon (3.0 parts), NaCl (2.0 parts), water (39.9 parts)
And Sunfresh ST571 (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical) (7.0
Parts) and diatomaceous earth (3.1 parts) were stirred and mixed to prepare a heating agent. Next, a polyethylene breathable film covered with a polyester nonwoven fabric and a non-breathable polyethylene film covered with a polyester nonwoven fabric having the shape shown in FIG. The pieces were heat-sealed and bonded together, and 15 g of the above-mentioned exothermic agent was put therein, and the remaining unsealed portion was heat-sealed to encapsulate the exothermic agent.

A stretchable polyethylene film (30 μm) in which holes having a diameter of 0.5 mm are arranged in a zigzag pattern at a pitch of 2 mm.
A polyester nonwoven fabric (26 g / m ² ) was attached to both sides of m) to prepare a stretchable sheet member. At this time, the flow direction of the fibers of the nonwoven fabric was perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction of the sheet member. Next, one end of the elastic member is sandwiched between unsealed portions of the heat generating bag and heat-sealed with a width of 10 mm.
m, a hook-and-loop fastener with a length of 73 mm (3M hook tape KJ-5476H03),
Heat sealing was performed with a width of mm. As described above, a heating material having the shape shown in FIG. 5 was produced.

The prepared heating material was applied to three subjects (A, B,
In the knee part of C), heat treatment was performed while fixing the concave part of the heating bag so as to fit into the knee. The circumference of the subject's knees is about 230, 270, and 380 mm, respectively. When the stretchable sheet member of this example is extended about 1.2 times, the heating bag is fixed and held with good exercise function and feel, and the heating material shifts even when walking. There was no. In the state where the heat generating bag is stretched about 1.2 times, the surface ratio of the heat generating bag is about 100% and 55%, respectively, by the sheet member.
%, 0%.

When a heat treatment was performed for 8 hours under these conditions, all subjects felt comfortable heat. After the elapse of 8 hours, the heating material was removed and the skin surface was observed. There was no particular change in the skin surface, and no symptoms of low-temperature burns, which would be a problem with long-term use of the heating material, were observed. During the thermal treatment, for the subjects A and C, a thermocouple (ST-50 manufactured by RKC) was attached between the heating material and the skin, and the skin surface temperature was measured.
° C and this temperature lasted about 8 hours. On the other hand, in the case of the subject C, the maximum temperature was 40 ° C.

Comparative Example 1 A nonwoven fabric (EW20 manufactured by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) was used instead of the elastic sheet member of Example 1.
Example 1 except that a mounting tape consisting of only 70) was used.
A heating material having the same configuration as that of the test subject (A,
B and C) were similarly attached to the same part of the knee in a stretched 1.2 times state. In the case of the subject B, the mounting tape covered the surface of the heat generating bag by 52% in terms of area ratio in a state of being stretched 1.2 times. The smaller value of about 52% as compared with the first embodiment is due to the reduced width.

Similarly, when the heat treatment was performed for 8 hours,
Although the same warm feeling as in Example 1 was obtained, in the case of the subject A, when the heating material was removed after 8 hours, the skin surface became reddish, indicating an initial state of low-temperature burn. As a result of the temperature measurement, the skin temperature of the subject A was 45
In ° C., this temperature was found to last for about 7 hours.

As is clear from the above, when the fixing tape made of only the nonwoven fabric of the present comparative example is used, a high temperature of 45 ° C. is maintained for a long time depending on the method of use, so that the possibility of causing a low-temperature burn increases. I understood that. That is, the elastic sheet member of Example 1 exhibits extremely excellent heat radiation characteristics as compared with the conventional fixing member, reduces the temperature rise when the heating bag is entirely covered, and is less likely to cause low-temperature burns. I have.

(Experimental Examples) Hereinafter, examples of experiments performed in the course of completing the present invention will be described with respect to the relationship between the elongation, thickness, and skin surface temperature of various heating bag fixing members. The fixing member used here was the same elastic sheet member as in Example 1 (Sample 1), the non-woven fabric of the sheet member of Sample 1 formed on only one side (Sample 2), and the non-woven fabric alone (Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) EW2050) (Sample 3) and the same fixing member (Sample 4) as Comparative Example 1.

(1) Relationship between Elongation and Thickness of Fixing Member The elongation (= the length of the central portion at the time of extension / the length of the central portion before the extension (50 mm)) and the thickness of the various heating bag fixing members. The size of each sample shown in the table showing the results measured for the relationship
The length was set to 0 mm or 100 mm, and the length was set to 250 mm, and both ends of 20 mm were sandwiched between gum tapes to serve as holding portions for pulling. The thickness is 6.3m using a micrometer.
The measurement was carried out with a pressurizer of m and 30 mm so as to apply a load of 90 g. The tensile force was applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the nonwoven fabric (longitudinal direction).

Table 1 shows that a sample having a width of 50 mm and a length of 250 mm was used.
It is the result of having measured as.

[Table 1]

In Table 1, the thickness of each nonwoven fabric layer of Samples 1 and 2 before expansion and contraction is 72 μm. Indicates the value at the center of each sample, and indicates the value at a position 83 mm from the longitudinal end of the sample. Samples 1 and 2 were 1.6 times larger and samples 3 and 3
4 (nonwoven fabric alone) was 1.4 times, and the resilience was reduced. Before being stretched, the interval was 50 mm, but after stretching 1.6 times, 55 mm for samples 1 and 2, 65 mm for sample 3,
Sample 4 became 67 mm.

As can be seen from Table 1, the thickness of Samples 1 and 2 decreased as the elongation force was applied, whereas the thickness of Samples 3 and 4 of the nonwoven fabric alone increased. Also, the numerical value in parentheses in each column is the width of each sample at the time of stretching, and it can be seen that the width of the nonwoven fabric alone decreases extremely as the length increases. From the above, it is considered that, in Samples 3 and 4 of the nonwoven fabric alone, the force of pulling the elongation force inward in the vertical direction at the time of elongation acts greatly, and this pulls the yarn from the side to increase the thickness. On the other hand, Samples 1 and 2 are bonded to a stretchable polyethylene film to reduce the pulling force inside the non-woven fabric, reduce the yarn pulling in from the side, and reduce the thickness by stretching the polyethylene. Is more effectively expressed, and the thickness of the sample is reduced as a whole with respect to the elongation force.

Table 2 shows the results obtained by using a sample having a width of 100 mm and a length of 250 mm (sample 1) with the pressurizer of a micrometer having a diameter of 6.3 mm and 30 mm. In Table 2, R and L are thicknesses measured at points 20 mm from ends of the sample in the width direction, respectively.

[Table 2] As shown in Table 2, when any of the pressurizing elements was used,
It was found that the thickness tended to decrease with elongation.

(2) Relationship between elongation of fixing member and heat storage In order to examine how the degree of elongation of the fixing member affects the state of heat storage, an experiment was conducted using a simple system as follows. As a heat source, to maintain a constant heat generation state,
Iron heater (35mmx4
0 mm × 1 mm) in a bag made of polyester nonwoven fabric. The surface temperature of this heating element is room temperature 26 ° C.
Then, when a predetermined electric power (6.45 V, 56.6 mA) was supplied, the temperature was maintained at approximately 41 ° C. Further, as the fixing member, the same member as (i) sample 1 and (ii) sample 4 was used.
One cut to a length of 250 mm was used. Heat the styrofoam block (180mm x 60mm x 450m
m), and the fixing member was wound and fixed at a predetermined elongation. At this time, in order to measure the temperature, a thermocouple (ST manufactured by RKC) was placed on the (A) styrofoam surface and (B) the surface of the fixing member.
-50) was set.

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show the relationship between the elongation and the temperature of each part for samples 1 and 4, respectively. In addition,
An elongation of 1.0 is a state in which the fixing member is placed on the surface of the heating element and pressed lightly. As shown in the figure, the temperature of the styrofoam surface of the member of Sample 1 decreased as the elongation increased, whereas the temperature of the member of Sample 4 increased conversely.

[0042]

According to the heating material of the present invention, since the heat generating bag and the elastic member for fixing the heat generating bag are integrated, the heat generating bag has good fit to the human body and is unlikely to be displaced. It is possible to stably perform thermal treatment. Further, since the hook-and-loop fastener is used for fixing the elastic member and can be engaged with any part of the heating element and the elastic member, it is possible to fix the elastic member with an appropriate strength, without disturbing the motor function and without discomfort. Has excellent wearability. Furthermore, since the elastic member has excellent heat dissipation even when it is extended, it is possible to provide a very safe heating material that does not cause low-temperature burn due to heat storage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a heating material of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of the heating material of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing another example of the heating material of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another example of the heating material of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a heating material of Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between elongation of a fixing member and temperature.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 heating bag, 101 breathable film, 102 non-breathable film, 103 heating agent, 104, 105 nonwoven fabric, 110 stretch sheet member, 111 stretch film, 112 ventilation hole, 113, 114 nonwoven fabric, 120, 120 'surface fastener .

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A non-woven fabric is provided on at least one surface of a sheet-like heating bag in which a heating element is sandwiched between a breathable film whose surface is covered with a nonwoven fabric and a non-breathable film, and a stretchable film having a plurality of ventilation holes. The heat generating bag is fixed to one end of the stretchable sheet member in the direction of expansion and contraction so that the nonwoven fabric is on the same surface side. A heating material, wherein the surface fastener is fixed to the other end on the surface opposite to the surface on the nonwoven fabric side. 2. The stretchable sheet member according to claim 1, further comprising:
The heating material according to claim 1, wherein the thickness at the time of the 6-fold extension is equal to or less than the thickness before the extension.