JP2006271962A - Steam heating instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam heating instrument for giving relaxation to a user. <P>SOLUTION: The steam heating instrument includes a heating part, so as to supply steam which is generated from the heating part under a situation where the instrument is abutted on a body surface by holding a sheet between the heating part and the body surface. The sheet includes at least a ventilation part having the moisture permeability of 150-2,000g/(m<SP>2</SP>×24hr). The heating part of the steam heating instrument has a steam generating function of maximizing the evaporation amount of the steam per unit time in 0.5-25 minutes from the start of heat generation. It is preferable that the heating part of the steam heating instrument has the steam generating function of allowing the cumulative evaporation amount of the steam in 30 minutes from the start of heat generation to be the range of 0.1-0.5g per 1g of the heat generating part. The sheet is 0.05-1.5mm in total thickness, including a function of controlling the amount of air supply to the heat generating part and a function of transmitting the heat of the steam heating part to the body surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam heating device.

  In recent years, with the advancement of IT in the office, pains in the waist, shoulders, neck, eyestrain, etc. have become problems. Hyperthermia has attracted attention as one method for improving these symptoms. For example, in order to relieve back pain and the like, a heating element (so-called disposable body warmer) containing an oxidizable metal is attached to the waist and the like to warm the part, and it is actively performed on an individual level.

  In this connection, the present applicant has previously proposed an eye mask-like shape visual acuity improvement device and meibomian gland function improvement treatment device that supplies water vapor to and around the eyes (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). ). These treatment tools supply water vapor below the eyes and around the eyes to a temperature that does not interfere with the body, thereby restoring and improving the relaxation of the regulatory muscles, improving visual acuity, and improving the function of the meibomian glands It is something to let you. Since these treatment devices are intended to be applied to the eyes and the surroundings of the eyes, the application time of water vapor is a short time that does not affect the body and is at most several tens of minutes. According to these treatment tools, visual acuity and meibomian gland function can be improved. However, each of the above-mentioned patent documents does not describe whether or not the user can feel a sense of relaxation with these treatment tools.

JP 2002-65714 A JP 2002-78727 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam heating device that can give a relaxed feeling to the human body.

The present invention has a heat generating portion using chemical energy, and supplies water vapor generated from the heat generating portion in a state where a sheet is interposed between the heat generating portion and the body surface and is in contact with the body surface. A steam heating device,
The sheet includes at least a breathable portion having a moisture permeability (JIS Z0208, 40 ° C., 90% RH) of 150 to 2000 g / (m ² · 24 hr),
The heat generating part of the steam heating device has a water vapor generating ability that the transpiration amount of water vapor per unit time becomes maximum in 0.5 to 25 minutes from the start of heat generation,
The sheet interposed between the heat generating part and the body surface has a function of controlling the supply amount of air to the heat generating part and a function of transferring heat of the steam heating tool to the body surface, and the total thickness of the sheet This object is achieved by providing a steam heating tool having a thickness of 0.05 to 1.5 mm.

  According to the present invention, when the steam heating device of the present invention is applied to the body, the sympathetic nerve activity of the user is suppressed, the parasympathetic nerve activity becomes dominant, and a comfortable and relaxing feeling accompanied with warmth can be given.

  The steam heating tool of the present invention is applied to the body surface of a human body. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in an application site | part, It can apply to desired sites, such as a waist | lumbar part, an abdomen, a neck part, a shoulder part, and a joint of various places. The steam heating tool is applied in contact with the body surface. The contact and application means that the steam heating tool is brought into contact with the body surface through a sheet that also functions as a spacer capable of transmitting water vapor or a sheet that also functions as a fixture.

  The steam heating device is characterized in that it has a heat generating part that applies steam to the body surface of the user to make the user's autonomic nerve dominant to the parasympathetic nerve. In particular, steam heating devices are characterized in that the duration of water vapor generation is long compared to the treatment devices that apply water vapor to the eye as described in the background section. In the following description, heat accompanied by water vapor applied to the body surface is referred to as wet heat. In contrast to wet heat, heat that does not involve water vapor applied to the body surface, for example, heat generated from a commercially available disposable body warmer is referred to as dry heat.

  The heat generating part in the present invention uses chemical energy. The chemical energy that can be used in the present invention includes heat of oxidation caused by oxidation reaction of oxidizable metals, heat of neutralization of acid and alkali, inorganic salts (calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, zeolite, etc.) Examples include heat of hydration. In particular, a heat generating part using an oxidation reaction of an oxidizable metal is preferably used. The exothermic part using the oxidation reaction of the oxidizable metal is a pseudo-solid, has good handling properties such as maintaining the thickness of the exothermic part uniformly, has a relatively large calorific value, is portable and compact. This is because it is easy. It is preferable that the exothermic part using the oxidation reaction of the oxidizable metal includes an oxidizable metal, a water retention material, water, an electrolyte, and a reaction accelerator.

  In the visual acuity improvement treatment device and the meibomian gland function improvement treatment device described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the fever temperature is controlled by the ventilation amount or moisture permeability of the ventilation sheet. However, as a result of the examination by the present inventors, it has been found that the method of rising the temperature is largely caused by the heat generation characteristics of the heat generating portion, rather than the control of the air flow rate and moisture permeability of the air permeable sheet. Therefore, in the present invention, the heat generation characteristics of the heat generating portion of the steam heating device are as follows. Specifically, the heat generating part of the steam heating device of the present invention has the ability to generate water vapor so that the amount of water vapor per unit time becomes maximum in 0.5 to 25 minutes from the start of heat generation. By applying to the body surface such a steam heating device provided with a heat generating part having the ability to generate water vapor, a user can feel a sense of relaxation as exemplified in the examples described later. In order to make the parasympathetic nerve dominant, it is necessary to set the steam heating device to a temperature that does not stimulate the thermal stimulation receptor that causes vasoconstriction by high temperature. It takes a long time and it is difficult to realize satisfaction.

  The amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time of the heat generating part is an index of the ease of generation of water vapor from the steam heating tool. Here, the exothermic part includes a mixture of powder and a molded sheet such as a papermaking sheet. The amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time is measured by the following method. Remove the heating element from the steam heater. The heating part is placed on a heating temperature measuring device (JIS S 4100). An exotherm is initiated under conditions of 20 ° C. ± 2 ° C. and 50 ± 10% RH. Steam is generated by heat generation, so that the steam heating device decreases in weight over time. A value obtained by subtracting the weight after the elapse of a predetermined time from the weight of the steam heating tool at the start of heat generation corresponds to the amount (integrated amount) of water vapor generated so far. In this way, a curve representing the relationship between the amount of water vapor (integrated amount) and time is obtained. A curve obtained by differentiating this curve with respect to time represents the amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time of the heat generating portion. An example is shown in FIG. The weight is measured with an electronic balance.

  In the heat generating part of the steam heating device of the present invention, the amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time becomes maximum after a predetermined time elapses from the start of heat generation. As a result of the study by the present inventors, when the time during which the amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time is maximum is in the range of 0.5 to 25 minutes, the same temperature is applied to a general disposable body warmer that generates less water at the same temperature. It was found that the circulation of the whole body was promoted and the peripheral temperature increased as compared with the case where the region was warmed (that is, compared with the case where the region was warmed with dry heat). It was also found that the temperature increase continued for several tens of minutes after the heating was stopped. As a result, it has been found that the user can feel relaxed. When the present inventors examined this reason, it turned out that wet heat has high heat conductivity and can raise not only the skin surface temperature of an application site | part but the temperature of the deep part of a human body. It is presumed that when the temperature in the deep part of the human body becomes high, the thermal center is stimulated, whereby the autonomic nerve becomes parasympathetic dominant. In a steam heating device using a heat generating part in which the amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time is maximum within 0.5 minutes, the oxidizable metal has high reactivity and is not practical to be applied to the human body. On the other hand, when a steam heating tool using a heat generating part using a heat generating part in which the amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time exceeds 25 minutes is applied to the human body, it tends to give the user a feeling of being warm and not being warm.

  For example, as illustrated by the examples described later, by applying the steam heating device to the lumbar region and the abdomen of the human body, the miosis rate and the electrocardiogram RR are compared with the case where dry heat of the same condition is applied. Significant differences occur in the evaluation of the interval fluctuation analysis value, total hemoglobin amount, and the like. These evaluations are widely recognized in the field of physiology as an index for determining whether the autonomic nerve is parasympathetic or sympathetic. Thermal therapy using dry heat has been performed for a long time, but it is possible to relax the user by using wet heat and supplying wet heat with the steam heating device having the above-mentioned parasympathetic superiority means. The present inventors have found that a feeling can be given.

  The amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time in the heat generating part of the steam heating device is appropriately controlled according to the specific type of heat generating part. For example, when the exothermic part uses an oxidation reaction of an oxidizable metal, the amount of the reactant to be reacted in the exothermic part, when the reactant is a granule, its particle size, the supply amount of the reactant The reaction rate is adjusted by appropriately changing etc., and the transpiration amount of water vapor is controlled by these.

  As a result of the study by the present inventors, it has been found that the ratio of the water-retaining material and water in the heat generating part greatly affects the transpiration amount of water vapor. When a large amount of water is contained in the heat generating part, the amount of transpiration of water vapor tends to increase. However, if water is contained in an excessively large amount, the heat generating part becomes excessively wet, and heat generation is inhibited, and conversely, water vapor is hardly generated. Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to containing a large amount of water in the heat generating portion, a water retaining material is also included, and the water added in a large amount is retained by the water retaining material, so that the heat generating portion itself is in an excessively wet state. Is preventing. As a result, the amount of transpiration of water vapor can be increased without inhibiting heat generation. According to the study by the present inventors, the total amount of water retaining material / water weight ratio in the heat generating part is preferably 0.26 to 0.60, more preferably 0.30 to 0.50, and still more preferably 0.00. It was found that the time when the transpiration amount of water vapor per unit time is maximum within the range is within the above range when it is 30 to 0.45.

  It has been found that the transpiration amount of water vapor is also affected by the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal and the reaction accelerator in the heat generating part. Specifically, when the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator is preferably 2 to 25, more preferably 3 to 20, and more preferably 3 to 12, the amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time is maximized. Time easily falls within the above range. This is because it is considered that the reaction accelerator is attached around the oxidizable metal, a battery is locally formed, and the oxidation reaction is promoted. If the weight ratio of oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator is within the above range, the duration of heat generation is sufficiently long, and the rise of heat generation is moderately quick.

  In the heat generating part of the steam heating tool of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time, the total amount of water vapor transpiration from the start of heat generation to 30 minutes is preferably 0. It is 1-0.5g, More preferably, it is 0.1-0.3g. When the integrated transpiration amount is within this range, an effect of making the user's autonomic nerve dominant to the parasympathetic nerve is exhibited. The method for measuring the integrated transpiration rate is the same as the method for measuring the transpiration rate per unit time described above. The method for bringing the integrated transpiration amount within the above range is the same as the transpiration amount per unit time.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of the steam heating device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the steam heating device of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. The steam heating tool 1 shown in FIG. 3 has a flat rectangular shape, and includes a heat generating portion 2 and a housing 3 for housing the heat generating portion 2. The container 3 has a flat bag shape, and a plurality of sheet materials are bonded together to form a hollow bag shape. The container 3 is a breathable part at least part of which has moisture permeability.

  The heat generating part 2 can generate heat by contact with air. For this purpose, the heat generating part 2 contains an oxidizable metal, a water retaining material, water, an electrolyte and a reaction accelerator. When the heat generating part 2 comes into contact with air, an oxidation reaction of an oxidizable metal contained therein occurs, and heat is generated. With this heat, water contained in the heat generating part 2 is heated to become water vapor having a predetermined temperature, and is discharged to the outside through the container 3. The water vapor is released from the breathable portion of the container 3 to the outside.

  The heat generating part 2 can take various forms. For example, it can take the form of a sheet or powder. What kind of form the heat generating part 2 is to be formed may be appropriately determined according to the specific application of the steam heating device 1. For example, in the case of an application in which the bias of the oxidizable metal during use of the steam heating tool 1 is a concern, it is preferable to use the sheet-like heat generating portion 2 rather than the powder.

  Examples of the oxidizable metal contained in the heat generating part 2 include powders and fibers of iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and the like. Among these, iron powder is preferably used in terms of handleability, safety, and manufacturing cost. When the oxidizable metal is a powder, the particle size is preferably 0.1 to 300 μm because the fixability to a water retaining material such as a fibrous material and the control of the reaction are good. For the same reason, it is also preferable to use a material having a particle size of 0.1 to 150 μm containing 50% by weight or more.

  The water retention material is not particularly limited as long as it can retain water. As the water retaining material, an appropriate material is used according to the form of the heat generating portion 2. For example, when the heat generating part 2 has a sheet shape, it is preferable to use a fibrous material as the water retention material. This is because the fibrous material has both a function as a water retention material and a function in which the heat generating portion 2 maintains the sheet form. As a result, the oxidizable metal is less likely to be biased, and the heat generating portion 2 has a uniform heat generation temperature distribution. On the other hand, when the heat generating portion 2 is made of powder, it is preferable to use a highly absorbent polymer, vermiculite, calcium silicate, silica gel, silica-based porous material, alumina, wood powder, or the like as the water retaining material.

  When a fibrous material is used as a water retention material that also has a function of maintaining the sheet form, a natural or synthetic fibrous material can be used without particular limitation as the fibrous material. Examples of natural fibers include cotton, kabok, wood pulp, non-wood pulp, peanut protein fiber, corn protein fiber, soy protein fiber, mannan fiber, rubber fiber, hemp, manila hemp, sisal hemp, New Zealand hemp, rabu hemp, Plant fibers such as eggplant, igusa and straw are listed. Further, animal fibers such as wool, goat hair, mohair, cashmere, alkapa, Angola, camel, vicuuna, silk, feathers, down, feather, algin fiber, chitin fiber, and casein fiber can be mentioned. Furthermore, mineral fibers, such as asbestos, are mentioned. On the other hand, examples of the synthetic fibrous material include semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon, viscose rayon, cupra, viscose rayon, cupra, acetate, triacetate, oxide acetate, promix, chlorinated rubber, and hydrochloric acid rubber. In addition, synthetic polymer fibers such as nylon, aramid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, acrylic, polyethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane and the like can be mentioned. Furthermore, metal fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, etc. can also be used. These fibers can be used alone or in combination. Among these, wood pulp, cotton, polyethylene fiber, polyester from the standpoints of fixability with oxidizable metals and reaction accelerators, flexibility of the heat generating part 2, oxygen permeability, sheet shape maintenance function, production cost, etc. Fiber is preferably used. In addition, wood pulp and cotton have a function of supporting and fixing a solid material such as iron powder.

  As the reaction accelerator, it is preferable to use one having a function as an oxygen retention / supply agent for the oxidizable metal. For example, activated carbon (coconut shell charcoal, charcoal powder, calendar bituminous coal, peat, lignite), carbon black, acetylene black, graphite, zeolite, perlite, vermiculite, silica and the like can be mentioned. Among these, activated carbon is preferably used because it has a water retention ability in addition to an oxygen supply ability and a catalytic ability. The particle size of the reaction accelerator is preferably 0.1 to 500 μm from the viewpoint that it can effectively contact the oxidizable metal. For the same reason, it is also preferable to use a material containing 50% by weight or more of 0.1 to 200 μm.

  Examples of the electrolyte include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or transition metal sulfates, carbonates, chlorides or hydroxides. Among these, chlorides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or transition metals are preferably used from the viewpoint of excellent conductivity, chemical stability and production cost, and particularly sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, chloride. Ferrous and ferric chloride are preferably used.

  The exothermic part 2 has a marked difference from the exothermic material in that the amount of water contained in the exothermic part 2 is very large compared to the amount of water contained in the exothermic material in a general disposable body warmer. Specifically, the amount of water contained in the heat generating part 2 is preferably 30 to 60% by weight, more preferably based on the weight of the heat generating part 2 excluding the weight of water and electrolyte from the weight of the heat generating part 2. The level is as high as 32 to 45% by weight. The reason that the amount of water contained in the heat generating part 2 is at a high level is to generate a sufficient amount of water vapor within a predetermined time from the start of heat generation. A general disposable body warmer is intended to supply dry heat, and is not intended to generate water vapor, that is, to supply wet heat, so the amount of water is at a low level.

  The weight ratio of the water retaining material / water in the heat generating part 2 and the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator are as described above, and it is sufficient that the blending ratio of each of these materials is as follows. From the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient exothermic temperature and generating a sufficient amount of water vapor. The blending ratio of the water retaining material is preferably 5 to 20% by weight, more preferably 6 to 15% by weight with respect to the weight of the heat generating portion 2. The blending ratio of the oxidizable metal is preferably 40 to 60% by weight, more preferably 50 to 56% by weight. The mixing ratio of the reaction accelerator is 1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 2 to 6% by weight.

  Additives usually used in papermaking, such as a flocculant, a sizing agent, a colorant, a paper strength enhancer, a yield improver, a filler, a thickener, a pH control agent, a bulking agent, etc. A thing can also be added without a restriction | limiting in particular.

  As a manufacturing method of the heat generating part 2, an appropriate method is adopted according to the form. In the case where the heat generating portion 2 is, for example, in the form of a sheet, for example, a wet papermaking method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-102761 or an extrusion method using a die coater according to the earlier application of the present applicant may be used. it can. In this case, a sheet-like heat generating portion 2 is obtained by first forming a molded sheet containing an oxidizable metal, a water retention material and a reaction accelerator by a wet papermaking method, and adding an aqueous electrolyte solution to the molded sheet. . The obtained sheet-like heat generating part 2 may be used alone, or a plurality of sheets may be used in an overlapping manner. Alternatively, one heat generating part 2 may be folded and a plurality of folded heat generating parts 2 may be used in an overlapping manner.

  On the other hand, when the heat generating part 2 is made of powder, the powder heat generating part 2 can be obtained by uniformly mixing the constituent materials. In particular, first, a water-retaining material such as a superabsorbent polymer and an oxidizable metal are uniformly mixed, and an aqueous electrolyte solution is added thereto to adhere the oxidizable metal to the surface of the water-retaining material. It is preferable to add a reaction accelerator as a material. By preparing the exothermic part 2 in this way, the rise time of the oxidation reaction is accelerated, and the time during which the amount of water vapor per unit time is maximized easily falls within the above range.

  In a state where the amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time in the heat generating part 2 is maximized, the amount of transpiration is 0.01 to 0.1 g / min, particularly 0.02 to 0.07 g per oxidizable metal. / Min is preferable from the viewpoint of giving a sufficient amount of moist heat to the user and making the autonomic nerve dominant to the parasympathetic nerve. In order to set the transpiration amount within this range, the blending ratio of the oxidizable metal, water, water retaining material, etc. may be set within the aforementioned range.

The steam heating tool 1 is characterized by having a long duration of steam generation in addition to having the transpiration amount of steam described above. The duration of water vapor generation is preferably controlled by the moisture permeability of the container 3 (JIS Z0208, 40 ° C., 90% RH, hereinafter referred to as a value measured by this method when referred to as moisture permeability). In the present embodiment, the moisture permeability of the breathable portion of the container 3 is set to 150 to 2000 g / (m ² · 24 hr), preferably 400 to 1000 g / (m ² · 24 hr). . By controlling the moisture permeability within this range and setting the amount of water contained in the heat generating part 2 to the range described above, water vapor can be stably generated over a long period of time. As a result, the steam heating tool 1 has a duration of steam generation of preferably 3 to 10 hours, more preferably 5 to 8 hours. In addition, the steam heating tool 1 has a body surface temperature of 38 ° C. or higher and lower than 42 ° C., particularly 38 ° C. or higher and lower than 41 ° C., for 3 to 10 hours, particularly 5 to 8 hours, in a state where it is in contact with the body surface. It is preferable to have heat generation capacity and water vapor generation capacity that can be maintained. By setting the moisture permeability of the breathable portion of the container 3 within this range, the function of mainly controlling the amount of air supplied to the heat generating portion of the steam heating device is given to the portion. The control referred to here is control in the sense that the amount of air supplied to the heat generating portion is limited to an appropriate range. This control makes it possible to generate stable water vapor over a long period of time.

The body surface temperature is measured by the following method. The measurement environment was 20 ° C. and 40% RH. Under this environment, a steam heating tool held by the holder shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B described later was attached to the subject. The test subject was a healthy person whose armpit temperature was 35 to 37 ° C and the waist surface temperature was 31 to 35 ° C. The tightening tension of the holder was 4 to 6N. Furthermore, the subject was equipped with a measuring device and allowed to rest for 30 minutes. Measurement was performed with the subject wearing a clo having a clo value of 0.3 to 1.5 so that the measurement environment would be constant. The clo value is an index indicating the heat insulation and heat retention of clothing. According to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), “A standard male person who sits in a chair and rests in an atmosphere with a humidity of 50% RH, a wind speed of 10 cm / s, and a temperature of 21.2 ° C. The thermal insulation value of clothing necessary to continue a comfortable state with an average skin temperature of 33 ° C. is defined as “1 clo”. 1 clo is 0.18 ° C. m ² h / kcal (= 0.155 ° C. m ² / W).

  The body surface temperature is measured at a position immediately below the heating element and a position 2 cm outside from the edge of the heating element in the steam heating device attached to the body (for example, the waist) of the subject. A body temperature monitor (Core Temp CM-210: manufactured by Terumo Corporation, body surface temperature probe: PDK161) is used to measure the body surface temperature immediately below the heating element. The body surface temperature 2 cm outside the heating element is measured using LTST08-12 (Thermistor type surface temperature measuring instrument manufactured by Gram).

For the same reason as above, the air permeability (JIS P8117, hereinafter referred to as a value measured by this method) of the air-permeable portion of the container ³ is 8000 to 15000 s / 100 cm ^3. Is preferable, and it is still more preferable that it is 9000-12000 s / 100cm < ³ >. By setting the air permeability of the breathable portion of the container 3 within this range, the function of mainly controlling the amount of air supplied to the heat generating portion of the steam heating device is given to the portion. The control referred to here is control in the sense that the amount of air supplied to the heat generating portion is limited to an appropriate range. This control makes it possible to generate stable water vapor over a long period of time.

  In addition, as described below, the breathable portion of the container 3 includes a moisture permeable film 3a and a nonwoven fabric 3c. Among these materials, the moisture permeable film 3a has a smaller moisture permeability value and a larger air permeability value than the non-woven fabric 3c, so that the above moisture permeability and air permeability are mainly determined by the moisture permeable film 3a. The Here, a large value of air permeability means that air is more difficult to pass through.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the steam heating device 1, the container 3 is formed in a flat bag shape by joining the peripheral edges of the moisture permeable film 3 a and the hardly moisture permeable film 3 b to each other. That is, the moisture-permeable film 3a and the hardly moisture-permeable film 3b constitute a part of the container. In the container 3, one side of the container 3 has a moisture-permeable film 3a, and the other side has a moisture-impermeable film 3b. The moisture permeable film 3a allows water vapor generated from the heat generating sheet 2 to pass through. However, the moisture-impermeable film 3b is difficult to pass water vapor. That is, water vapor is released to the outside only from one side of the container 3, that is, the moisture permeable film 3 a side. The moisture permeability and air permeability of the moisture permeable film 3a are in the ranges described above. As a result, the steam heating tool 1 has the desired water vapor generation capability.

  As described above, in the steam heating tool 1 of the present embodiment, the water vapor is released mainly from one side of the container 3, that is, from the moisture permeable film 3 a side. At the same time, air is supplied mainly from one side of the container 3, that is, from the moisture permeable film 3 a side. As a result, the steam heating device 1 of the present embodiment is supplied with air from the peripheral edge toward the center. Therefore, the steam heating device 1 of the present embodiment generates heat from the peripheral edge toward the center. With such a configuration, the steam heating device 1 according to the present embodiment can stably generate water vapor for a long time.

  As the moisture permeable film 3a, a film that allows water vapor to permeate but hardly permeates water is used. Examples of such a film include a polyolefin film having fine pores. Since the water vapor is released to the outside through the moisture permeable film 3a as described above, the steam heating device 1 of the present embodiment is mounted so that the moisture permeable film 3a side faces the human body. Therefore, from the viewpoint of enhancing the wearing feeling, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a non-woven fabric 3c such as an air-through non-woven fabric which is a sheet material having a good texture may be arranged on the outer surface of the moisture-permeable film 3a. This nonwoven fabric 3c also constitutes a part of the container. The nonwoven fabric 3c has air permeability that does not hinder the passage of water vapor. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 3c has water repellency in terms of (1) not inhibiting the passage of water vapor and (2) not inhibiting the inflow of air due to the non-woven fabric becoming wet. It is preferable.

  As described above, the steam heating tool 1 of the present embodiment has a sheet interposed between the heat generating portion 2 and the body surface so that the steam heating tool 1 is brought into contact with the body surface in a state where the steam heating tool 1 is in contact with the body surface. Supply. In this embodiment, the members corresponding to this sheet are the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c. These members have a function of controlling the amount of air supplied to the heat generating part 2 of the steam heating tool 1 and a function of transmitting heat generated by the steam heating tool 1 to the body surface. In the present embodiment, the total thickness of the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c is 0.05 to 1.5 mm from the viewpoint of stable supply of air and efficient propagation of heat to the skin (body surface). preferable. In particular, by setting the total thickness of the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c within this range, the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c are mainly provided with a function of transmitting the heat of the steam temperature heating device to the body surface. On the condition that the total thickness falls within this range, the thickness of the moisture permeable film 3a is preferably 0.01 to 0.1 mm, and the thickness of the nonwoven fabric 3c is preferably 0.03 to 0.5 mm. . The thickness conforms to JIS L1906 and / or JIS L1096, and a sample that is easily deformed by a load is measured under a load of 2 kPa, and a sample that is not easily deformed by a load is measured under 10 kPa.

  On the other hand, as the hardly moisture permeable film 3b, a film that hardly allows water vapor or water to pass therethrough, for example, a polyolefin film or a polyester film that does not have micropores is used. As shown in FIG. 3, a non-woven fabric 3d such as an air-through non-woven fabric may be laminated on the outer surface of the hardly moisture permeable film 3b for the purpose of improving the texture of the steam heating device 1.

  As is clear from the above description, the sheet constituting the outwardly facing surface of the container 3 has a moisture permeability value higher than that of the sheet interposed between the heat generating portion of the steam heating device and the body surface. Or the value of the air permeability is larger than that of the sheet interposed between the heat generating portion of the steam heating device and the body surface. In the present embodiment, the moisture permeability and air permeability of the sheet constituting the outward facing surface are the entire moisture permeability and air permeability of the hardly moisture permeable film 3b and the nonwoven fabric 3d. The moisture permeability and air permeability of the sheet interposed between the heat generating part of the steam heating device and the body surface are the entire moisture permeability and air permeability of the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c in the present embodiment.

The steam heating device 1 is further characterized by a large amount of accumulated water discharge. Specifically, the cumulative amount of water vapor released from the start of heat generation until 3 hours is preferably 0.5 to 12 mg / (3 hr · cm ² ), more preferably 4 to 9 mg / (3 hr · cm ² ). In order to set the cumulative amount of water vapor released to such a high level, the amount of water contained in the heat generating portion 2 may be set to the range described above. The cumulative amount of water vapor released refers to the total amount of water vapor released until 3 hours have passed since the oxidation reaction was generated in the heat generating part 2 of the steam heating device 1. The total amount of water vapor released is measured by the following method. In a closed system with a volume of 54,000 cm ³ (length 30 cm x width 50 cm x depth 36 cm) at a temperature of 20 ° C and a humidity of 40% RH, the steam heating tool 1 is allowed to stand so that water vapor can evaporate, thereby causing an oxidation reaction. Let And the humidity of the air in the said closed system is measured with a hygrometer, and the amount of water vapor | steam generated after an oxidation reaction start is calculated | required. And the integrated value until 3 hours passes is set as the integrated discharge amount.

The heat generating part 2 is housed in the housing 3 to form the steam heating tool 1. It is preferable that the steam heating tool 1 is sealed in a packaging bag made of an oxygen barrier material to form a packaging bag containing the steam heating tool as the final product. When the steam heating tool 1 is used, the steam heating tool 1 is taken out of the packaging bag so that the oxidizable metal contained in the steam heating tool 1 reacts with oxygen in the air, and heat generation starts and steam is generated. To do. As an oxygen barrier material, for example, the oxygen permeability coefficient (ASTM D3985) is 10 cm ³ · mm / (m ² · day · MPa) or less, particularly 2 cm ³ · mm / (m ² · day · MPa) or less. Such a thing is preferable. Further, it is preferable that its oxygen permeability (JIS K7126B, 20 ° C., 0% RH) is 10 cc / (m ² · 24 h · atm) or less. Specific examples include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and polyacrylonitrile.

  It is preferable that the packaging bag for packaging the steam heating tool 1 is labeled with an indication that the steam heating tool 1 is used for relaxing the human body. For example, it is possible to attach a display indicating that a comfortable and relaxing sensation with a sense of warmness is generated by applying the steam heating device 1 to the waist or abdomen. Accordingly, it is possible to inform the consumer that the effect of imparting a relaxed feeling that could not be produced by a conventional disposable hand warmer is achieved by the present invention. Thus, the consumer will readily recognize the full value of the improved performance of the present invention. The display includes any information means that can convey the improved performance of the present invention to the consumer, such as symbols and graphics as well as characters. In addition, the display can include information indicating that the present invention is superior to other products. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of attaching the above indication to the packaging bag, an instruction including the indication may be put in the packaging bag together with the steam heating device 1. Or you may attach | subject the said display to the steam heating tool 1 itself.

  The steam heating tool 1 according to the present embodiment is held by a belt-like holder 10 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, and the holder 10 is fixed to a human body, so that the steam The heating tool 1 can be applied to the waist and abdomen of a human body. Moreover, it can also apply to an arm part, a leg part, and a shoulder part by using the holder of another form. In the case of such a usage pattern, the sheet interposed between the heat generating portion 2 and the body surface in the steam heating device 1 is provided in the moisture permeable film 3a and the nonwoven fabric 3c and the holder 10 described above. It is the holding sheet | seat (not shown) of the steam heating tool 1 which is. Accordingly, the total thickness of these members is preferably 0.05 to 1.5 mm for the reason described above. On the condition that the total thickness falls within this range, the thickness of the holding sheet (not shown) of the steam heating tool 1 provided in the holder 10 is preferably 1.4 mm or less.

  As another method for attaching the steam heating tool 1 to the human body, the steam heating tool 1 can be brought into direct contact with the body surface. In that case, as shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive N is applied to the surface of the steam heating tool 1 on the side of the hardly permeable film 3 b, and the steam heating tool 1 is applied to the skin facing surface of the holder 10. Adhere. And the holder 10 to which the steam heating tool 1 adheres is wound around the body and fixed. Or instead of making it adhere to the holder 10, you may adhere the adhesive N in the steam heating tool 1 to a user's underwear.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such examples. Unless otherwise specified, “%” means “% by weight”.

[Example 1]
(1) Preparation of heat generating part of powder Iron powder (manufactured by Dowa Iron Mining Co., Ltd., trade name “RKH”), superabsorbent polymer, and vermiculite are uniformly mixed, and then 4.5% chloride An aqueous sodium solution was added and mixed more uniformly. Furthermore, activated carbon (Nippon Enviro Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name “Carborafine”) was added and mixed uniformly to obtain a heat generating part of the powder. The composition is as follows. The weight ratio of the water retaining material / water was 0.44, and the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator was 20.
・ 41% iron powder
・ Super absorbent polymer 10%
・ Vermiculite 7%
・ Active carbon 2%
・ Sodium chloride 1.8%
・ Water 38.2%

(2) Production of steam heating device Polyethylene moisture permeable film containing calcium carbonate (moisture permeability 800-1200 g / (m ² · 24 hr), air permeability 10000 ± 2000 s / 100 cm ³ , thickness 0.05 mm), linear The bag-shaped container shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3 was produced using the low-density polyethylene hardly moisture-permeable film and an air through nonwoven fabric (thickness 0.13mm). The powder heating part was accommodated in this, and the steam heating tool shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3 was obtained. The total thickness of the sheet on the water vapor discharge surface side was 0.18 mm.

(3) Control As a control for the steam heating tool of Example 1, a dry heat warmer with almost no generation of water vapor was prepared. Cairo was designed so that the heat generation temperature was the same as that of the steam heating tool of Example 1. Specifically, the following components were mixed to obtain a heating part. The weight ratio of the water retaining material / water was 1.75, and the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator was 5.
・ Iron powder 55%
・ Super absorbent polymer 1%
・ Vermiculite 20%
・ Activated carbon 11%
・ Sodium chloride 1%
・ Water 12%

^{2 using a} moisture-permeable film made of polyethylene containing calcium carbonate (moisture permeability of 1000 g / (m ² · 24 hr), air permeability of 10,000 s / 100 cm ³ ), a low-density moisture-permeable film made of linear low-density polyethylene, and an air-through nonwoven fabric. And the bag-shaped container shown in FIG. 3 was produced. The powder heating part was accommodated in this, and the steam heating tool shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3 was obtained.

(4) Evaluation The transpiration amount of water vapor per unit time and the integrated transpiration amount from the start of heat generation to 30 minutes in the heat generating part of the obtained steam heating device were measured by the method described above. As a result, in Example 1, the transpiration amount became maximum 3.5 minutes after the start of heat generation. The amount of transpiration at that time was 0.055 g / min per gram of iron powder. The integrated transpiration amount was 0.2 g per 1 g of the heat generating part. In the steam heating device, steam was generated over 5 hours, and the body surface temperature was maintained at 39 ° C. In addition, the effect of imparting a feeling of relaxation of the steam heating device was verified by the following method using a dry heat warmer as a control. The steam heating tool was held in the holder 10 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and applied to the abdomen of the subject as shown in FIG. At this time, the steam heating tool was applied so that the steam discharge surface side of the steam heating tool faces the abdomen of the subject. The same applies to dry heat warmers. The thickness of the holding sheet of the steam heating tool in the holder 10 was 0.8 mm. The test subjects were five cold-female adult women. The evaluation items were the following (A) to (C). As described above, these evaluation items are widely recognized in the field of physiology as an index for determining whether the autonomic nerve is parasympathetic or sympathetic. In each evaluation, the test subject was acclimated for 30 minutes, and then a steam heating tool and a warmer were respectively attached for 60 minutes and then desorbed. The numerical values shown in Table 1 below are relative displays (%) based on the acclimatization time. The numerical values shown in Table 1 are displayed as an average value ± standard error.

(A) Pupil diameter D1 before light stimulation, pupil diameter change D2 after light stimulation, miosis ratio CR
The pupil diameter D1 (mm) before the light stimulation indicates that the smaller the value, the more dominant the parasympathetic nerve. The larger the value of the pupil diameter change amount D2 (mm) after the light stimulation, the greater the parasympathetic nerve. The miosis ratio CR is calculated from D2 / D1, and the greater the value, the greater the parasympathetic nerve.

(B) Electrocardiogram RR interval variation analysis Frequency analysis of the time between peaks when the heart ventricle contracts. The values of LF and HF are measured by frequency analysis. HF is an index of parasympathetic nerve activity, and the larger the value, the more dominant the parasympathetic nerve. LF / HF is an index of sympathetic nerve activity, and the larger the value, the more sympathetic nerve is dominant.

(C) Total hemoglobin amount The total hemoglobin amount of the fingertip is measured by near-infrared spectroscopy using near-infrared light of two wavelengths (780 nm and 830 nm). The fingertip is a part of the body where sympathetic innervation is high. It shows that sympathetic innervation is suppressed, so that the total amount of hemoglobin is large.

  As is apparent from the results shown in Table 1, it can be seen that according to the steam heating device of Example 1 in which wet heat is generated, the parasympathetic nerve is superior in any evaluation item as compared to the dry heat warmer. . Of particular note is that the parasympathetic predominance continues even after the steam heater has been removed. The reason for this is considered to be that the deep temperature of the human body rises due to wet heat, whereby the promotion of blood flow is maintained even after desorption.

[Example 2]
(1) Preparation of sheet-like heat generating part Iron powder (manufactured by Dowa Iron Mining Co., Ltd., trade name “RKH”), activated carbon (manufactured by Nippon Enviro Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name “Carborafyn”) NBKP, manufacturer: Fletcher Challenge Canada, trade name “Mackenzie”), using a slurry with a solids concentration of 0.3% by weight, and making paper wet at a line speed of 15 m / min. A molded sheet was prepared. The molded sheet was sandwiched with felt and dehydrated under pressure, and passed through a heating roll at 140 ° C. as it was to dry. As a result of measuring the composition of the molded sheet using a thermogravimetric measuring device (TG / DTA6200, manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc.), it was 75% iron powder, 10% activated carbon, and 15% pulp. The basis weight of the sheet was 180 g / m ² .

  The obtained molded sheet was cut into 80 mm × 100 mm, six sheets were stacked, and 60 parts by weight of 5% sodium chloride aqueous solution was injected with respect to 100 parts by weight of the molded sheet. As a result, a sheet-like heat generating portion was obtained. The weight ratio of the water retaining material / water was 0.44, and the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator was 7.5.

(2) Production of Steam Heating Tool The obtained sheet-like heating part was housed in the same container as in Example 1 to produce the steam heating tool shown in FIGS.

(3) Control The same one as in Example 1 was used.

(4) Evaluation Same as Example 1. The amount of transpiration of water vapor per unit time in the heat generating part of the steam heating device became maximum 10 to 12 minutes after the start of heat generation. The amount of transpiration at that time was 0.052 g / min per gram of iron powder. The integrated transpiration amount 30 minutes after the start of heat generation was 0.1 to 0.4 g per 1 g of the heat generating sheet. In the steam heating device, steam was generated over 5 hours, and the body surface temperature was maintained at 39 ° C. Moreover, the following (D) was also added to the evaluation items (A) to (C). The subjects were five healthy adult men.
(D) Electrogastrogram The stomach movement and intestinal movement were measured. The stomach movement was 3 cpm (3 movements per minute) and the intestine movement was 6 cpm (6 movements per minute). Higher values indicate parasympathetic nerve dominance.

  As is clear from the results shown in Table 2, according to the steam heating tool of Example 2 in which wet heat is generated, as with the steam heating tool of Example 1, in any evaluation item, compared to the dry heat warmer The parasympathetic nerve is dominant, and it is understood that the parasympathetic nerve is sustained even after the steam heater is detached.

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the time course of the amount of water vapor transpiration per unit time. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the steam heating device of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state where the steam heating device shown in FIG. 2 is applied to the waist, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state where the steam heating device is applied to the abdomen. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to FIG. 3) showing another embodiment of the steam heating device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam heating tool 2 Heat generating part 3 Container 10 Holder

Claims (7)

It has a heat generating part using chemical energy, and is configured to supply water vapor generated from the heat generating part in a state of being in contact with the body surface with a sheet interposed between the heat generating part and the body surface. A steam heating device,
The sheet includes at least a breathable portion having a moisture permeability (JIS Z0208, 40 ° C., 90% RH) of 150 to 2000 g / (m ² · 24 hr),
The heat generating part of the steam heating device has a water vapor generating ability that the transpiration amount of water vapor per unit time becomes maximum in 0.5 to 25 minutes from the start of heat generation,
The sheet interposed between the heat generating part and the body surface has a function of controlling the supply amount of air to the heat generating part and a function of transferring heat of the steam heating tool to the body surface, and the total thickness of the sheet A steam heating tool having a thickness of 0.05 to 1.5 mm.   The heat generating part of the steam heating device has a water vapor generating ability in which an integrated transpiration amount of water vapor from the start of heat generation to 30 minutes is in a range of 0.1 to 0.5 g per 1 g of the heat generating part. Steam heating equipment.   The heat generating part utilizes an oxidation reaction of an oxidizable metal, and the heat generating part is accommodated in a container provided with the breathable part, and the heat generating part includes an oxidizable metal and a water retaining material. The steam heating tool according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a material, water, an electrolyte, and a reaction accelerator, wherein the weight ratio of the water retaining material / water is 0.26 to 0.60.   The steam heating tool according to claim 3, wherein the weight ratio of the oxidizable metal / reaction accelerator is 2 to 25.   The steam heating tool according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the heat generating part is a sheet formed by papermaking.   The steam heating tool according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the heat generating portion is made of powder. The steam heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the steam heating device is placed in a package with an indication that it is used to relax a human body.

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