JP2008113750A - Carbon dioxide generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carbon dioxide generator, which can be handily used at home, exerting a superior hyperthermia effect, and improving symptoms such as fatigue, lassitude, leadenness, swelling and chill on the lower limbs of a human body. <P>SOLUTION: This carbon dioxide generator 1 is provided with a footrest part 2 for mounting the feet with the soles coming into contact therewith, an agent storage part 3 for storing carbon dioxide generating agent and steam generating agent, and a lower limb cover part 5 forming a space for surrounding and covering the lower limbs or the insteps of the feet; and is so constituted as to dispose the footrest part 2 in the lower part inside the lower limb cover part for connecting them to each other, generate the carbon dioxide and steam inside the agent storage part 3, and make the carbon dioxide and the steam rise from the lower part of the footrest part 2 to the inside of the lower limb cover part 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide generator capable of easily taking a foot bath at home or the like.

  Many women and people who work while standing are suffering from symptoms such as fatigue, dullness, weight, swelling and coldness in the lower limbs. Foot baths are attracting attention because of the improvement of such symptoms and the comfort of warming feet, and the number of places having foot bath facilities in hot spring facilities is increasing. In addition, as a footbath device that can be used at home, a foot bath that uses hot water in a device that generates bubbles is commercially available.

  Furthermore, a blood circulation promoting device that can be used at home or the like has been proposed for the purpose of promoting blood circulation in the lower limbs of the human body or improving cooling. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a blood circulation promoting device that includes a hot tub, a steam generating unit that supplies steam and carbon dioxide to the hot tub, and a carbon dioxide generating unit. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a blood circulation promoting device having a cover body that is attached to a local portion of the human body surface and forms a sealed space portion together with the human body surface, and means for supplying carbon dioxide gas and steam to the sealed space portion. ing.

  However, since the blood circulation promoting device described in Patent Document 1 generates steam by heating water with an electric heater and generates carbon dioxide by electrolysis, the steam generator and the carbon dioxide generator The structure is complicated, and since it uses electricity, it is inferior in portability. Patent Document 2 does not specifically describe means for supplying carbon dioxide and steam.

JP 2006-34613 A JP 7-171189 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide generator that can be easily used at home, has an excellent thermal effect, and can improve symptoms such as fatigue, dullness, weight, swelling and coldness of the lower limbs of a human body. There is.

  The present invention forms a footrest portion on which a foot can be placed in contact with the sole, an agent storage portion for storing a carbon dioxide generating agent and a steam generating agent, and a space surrounding and covering the lower limb or the instep of the foot A lower limb covering part, and the footrest part is disposed and joined to the lower inside of the lower limb cover part, and carbon dioxide gas and steam are generated in the agent storage part, and the carbon dioxide gas and steam are placed on the footrest. The above object is achieved by providing a carbon dioxide generator that is raised from the lower part into the lower limb cover.

  According to the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention, carbon dioxide and steam can be generated by simple means, and sufficient and sufficient carbon dioxide and steam can be brought into contact with the lower limbs of the human body. The thermal effect of steam can improve symptoms such as tiredness, dullness, weight, swelling and coldness of the lower limbs, and can give the comfort of warming the lower limbs like footbaths.

Hereinafter, the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention in a state where the carbon dioxide generator is attached to a lower limb.
The carbon dioxide generator 1 of the present embodiment includes a footrest 2 that can be placed on a foot with the sole contacted, an agent storage portion 3 provided below the footrest 2, and the footrest 2 and a box-like body 4 that stores the agent storage unit 3 therein, and a lower limb cover 5 that is provided above the footrest 2 and forms a space that surrounds and covers the lower leg or the instep of the foot. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the footrest 2 includes a footrest plate 21 on which the feet of both feet are brought into contact with each other, and four struts 22 that support the footrest plate 21. It is composed of The foot placement plate 21 has a top surface, which is a sole contact surface, and has a number of protrusions 23 extending over one surface of the top surface to form an uneven shape. The four struts 22 are respectively provided at the four corners of the footrest plate 21 so that a space in which the agent storage part 3 can be placed is formed at the lower center of the footrest plate 21.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the agent storage unit 3 is a box body that can store a carbon dioxide gas generating agent and a steam generating agent 7 and that has an opening on the top surface. It is provided in the inside so as to be freely accessible from the side. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes a rail for allowing the agent storage unit 3 to enter and exit.

The footrest portion 2, the agent storage portion 3, and the box-like body 4 are made of plastic so that the footrest portion 2 and the agent storage portion 3 can be arranged in the box-like body 4 as shown in FIG. Is formed. That is, the footrest portion 2 is formed so that the footrest plate 21 can be disposed so as to cover the opening of the box-shaped body 4, and the agent storage portion 3 is placed inside the box-shaped body 4. It is formed so that it can be arranged below the center of the plate 21. Carbon dioxide gas and steam generated in the agent storage part 3 are formed so that gaps are formed between the front end part, the rear end part and the side part of the foot placement plate 21 and the inner wall surface of the box-like body 4. However, it rises in the lower limb covering part 5 through these gaps.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the box-like body 4 has a stepped portion 42 at the outer periphery of the periphery of the opening.

  The lower limb covering portion 5 is a plastic-made cylindrical object, and as shown in FIG. 1, an annular connector 51 fitted to the step 42 on the outer peripheral edge of the opening of the box-like body 4 The periphery of the lower opening is joined to the periphery of the opening of the box-like body 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower limb cover 5 is provided with a fixing band 52 for fixing the lower limb cover 5 to the lower limb of the human body at the periphery of the upper opening.

  In using the carbon dioxide generator 1 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the footrest part 2 and the agent storage part 3 are arranged in the box-like body 4, and then as shown in FIG. The peripheral edge of the lower opening of the lower limb cover 5 is joined to the peripheral edge of the opening of the box-like body 4 by an annular connector 51.

  Next, for example, while sitting on a chair or the like, both feet are put into the lower limb covering portion 5 from the upper opening of the lower limb covering portion 5, and both feet are placed on the foot placing plate 21 of the foot placing portion 2. Next, the lower limb cover 5 is pulled up, and as shown in FIG. 1, the periphery of the upper opening of the lower limb cover 5 is fixed to the thigh by a fixing band 52 provided on the periphery. As a result, a sealed communication space 6 is formed across the agent storage part 3, the footrest part 2, and the lower limb cover part 5. In general, the communication space 6 is preferably formed to have a size of about 16 to 20 L. Within that range, the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent containing the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent are generated. It is preferable to appropriately adjust the size according to the performance or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the agent storage unit 3 is pulled out from the box-like body 4, and a carbon dioxide generator and a steam generator 7 that generate carbon dioxide and steam by adding water are placed in the agent storage unit 3. Next, water 9 put in a cup 8 or the like is poured into the agent storage unit 3. After pouring water, the agent storage part 3 is returned into the box-shaped body 4. As a result, the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent 7 react with the water 9 to collapse, and carbon dioxide and steam are generated.
In the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator 7 are integrated agents that generate carbon dioxide and steam by the addition of water, and are two types of tablets 7a and 7b that have different disintegration properties when water is added. Is used. The details of the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator 7 will be described later.

  Carbon dioxide gas and steam generated in the agent storage unit 3 flow out from the opening of the agent storage unit 3 and, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, the front end portion, the rear end portion, and the side surface portion of the foot placement plate 21. And the inner wall surface of the box-shaped body 4 rise into the lower limb cover 5 from a gap formed between them. Since the top surface of the footrest plate 21 has a concavo-convex shape due to a large number of protrusions 23, the soles of both feet are not in full contact with the footrest plate 21, and the soles of both feet and the footrest plate A gap is formed between the two. Therefore, a part of the carbon dioxide gas and the steam that has risen in the lower limb covering portion 5 enters the gap between the soles of both feet and the foot placement plate 21, so that the carbon dioxide and steam come into contact with the soles of both feet. Can be made. Further, since the top surface of the footrest plate 21 has an uneven shape, that is, a heat transfer buffer structure, the soles of both feet are not excessively heated due to heat generated when steam is generated. Further, by arranging the protrusions 23 in accordance with the positions of the soles on the soles, a sole stimulation effect can be provided.

  The rise of carbon dioxide and steam from the inside of the agent storage part 3 to the lower limb cover part 5 is such that the carbon dioxide concentration in the lower limb cover part 5 is 1% or more, particularly 20 to 100%, and the steam generation rate is 0.05 g / L. As mentioned above, it is preferable from a viewpoint of the thermal effect with respect to skin, etc. to raise carbon dioxide gas and steam so that it may become 0.2-10 g / L especially.

The size of the gap formed between the front end portion, rear end portion and side surface portion of the footrest plate 21 and the inner wall surface of the box-shaped body 4 is not particularly limited, but the carbon dioxide concentration described above In order to obtain the steam generation ratio, the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator 7 cannot generally be said to have a carbon dioxide gas and the ability to generate steam. It is preferable that the ratio (A / B) with the area B of the mounting plate 21 is 1.05 to 3, particularly 1.1 to 2. Further, the distance between the lower surface of the footrest plate 21 and the ridgeline of the upper opening of the agent storage unit 3 is not particularly limited, but from the same viewpoint, it is 5 to 200 mm, particularly 10 to 50 mm. Preferably there is.
Further, the height of the protrusion 23 provided on the top surface of the footrest plate 21 is 1 to 15 mm, particularly from the viewpoint of easiness of carbon dioxide and steam to enter the sole and the thermal effect on the sole. It is preferable that it is 1.5-7 mm.
In the present embodiment, the A / B ratio is 1.3, the distance between the lower surface of the footrest plate 21 and the ridgeline of the upper opening of the agent storage unit 3 is 25 mm, and the height of the protrusion 23 is 1. 5-7 mm.

As the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent 7 used in the apparatus of the present invention, an integrated agent that generates carbon dioxide and steam by adding water is preferable from the viewpoints of simplicity and safety. This monolithic agent contains a exothermic substance that generates heat and generates steam by a hydration reaction, and a carbonate and an organic acid that generate carbon dioxide gas by adding water.
Examples of the exothermic substance include inorganic salts such as calcium oxide, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and aluminum chloride, activated zeolite, and the like. These pyrogens are polyethylene glycol (PEG), dextrin, xanthan gum, starch, guar gum, carrageenan, agar, mannan, gelatin, collagen, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, casein, alginic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylate, soluble Those that have been surface-treated with a water-soluble polymer such as starch, albumin, alginate, etc. in a conventional manner are preferred.
Examples of the carbonate include sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and the like, and examples of the organic acid include fumaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and the like. An acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, etc. are mentioned. These carbonates and organic acids can also be surface treated with a water-soluble polymer in the same manner as the exothermic substance.

  The integrated dosage form may be a tablet, powder, sheet, etc., or may be used alone, or a plurality of the same dosage form or a combination of different dosage forms. It can also be used.

  The integrated agent has a carbon dioxide gas concentration and a steam generation ratio in the lower limb cover 5 within the above-described ranges (carbon dioxide concentration is 1% or more, steam generation ratio is 0.05 g / L or more) for 3 to 30 minutes, It is preferable to generate carbon dioxide and steam so that it can be maintained for 5 to 20 minutes. As such an integrated agent, it is preferable to use two or more kinds of tablets having different disintegration properties upon addition of water. Tablets with fast disintegration at the time of water addition generate heat immediately, and tablets with slow disintegration at the time of water addition gradually generate heat. By using two or more kinds of these different disintegration tablets, steam warmth can be obtained. The calorific value can be controlled so that it feels immediately and lasts. The disintegration property of the tablet can be appropriately adjusted depending on the tablet formulation, tableting pressure and the like.

  The integral agent usually has a content of the exothermic substance of 3 to 600 g, preferably 20 to 120 g, a content of the carbonate of 5 to 80 g, preferably 10 to 40 g, and a content of the organic acid. 8 to 120 g, preferably 20 to 60 g. In addition, when using tablets with different disintegration properties that are rapidly disintegrating when water is added and tablets that are slowly disintegrating when water is added, the disintegrating tablet when adding water has a content of the above pyrogen. 3 to 300 g, preferably 10 to 60 g, the carbonate content is 1 to 20 g, preferably 3 to 10 g, and the organic acid content is 2 to 40 g, preferably 4 to 16 g. The tablet with slow disintegration is 3 to 300 g, preferably 10 to 60 g, the carbonate content is 4 to 80 g, preferably 10 to 30 g, and the organic acid content. Is 8 to 120 g, preferably 15 to 45 g.

A preferable example of a tablet having a fast disintegration property upon addition of water and a tablet having a slow disintegration property upon addition of water are shown below.
<Tablets that disintegrate quickly when water is added>
Prescription: baking soda 5.7g
8.4 g of fumaric acid
Calcium oxide 30.0g
Tableting pressure: 16MPa
Tablet size: Diameter 49mm x Height 19mm
The amount of carbon dioxide generation of this tablet is about 2 L (the carbon dioxide concentration is about 7% when the volume of the lower limb covering portion is 20 L), and the amount of steam generation is about 10 g (the steam generation ratio is about 0.1 when the volume of the lower limb covering portion is 20 L). 5 g / L).
<Slow disintegrating tablets when added with water>
Prescription: baking soda 19.4g
28.7 g of fumaric acid
Calcium oxide 30.0g
Tableting pressure: 4MPa
Tablet size: Diameter 49mm x Height 28mm
The amount of carbon dioxide generated in this tablet is about 6 L (the carbon dioxide concentration is about 21% when the volume of the lower limb covering portion is 20 L), and the amount of steam generated is about 10 g (the steam generation ratio is about 0.1 when the volume of the lower limb covering portion is 20 L). 5 g / L).

  These tablets are used by storing them in an agent-containing bag made of gauze or the like that is permeable to water, carbon dioxide and steam to facilitate handling of the residue of the tablets after use and use. It is preferable to do.

  The amount of water added to the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent 7 is 0.3 to 3 times the mass of the carbon dioxide generating agent (mass basis, the same shall apply hereinafter), with respect to the steam generating agent. Is preferably 0.3 to 3 times the amount, and 0.3 to 3 times the amount is preferred for the integrated agent in which the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator are combined.

  As mentioned above, although the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention was explained based on the preferred embodiment shown in Drawing 1-Drawing 5, the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various changes are carried out. Is possible. In short, the footrest portion 2 only needs to be able to place the foot with the sole in contact, and the agent storage portion 3 only needs to be able to store the carbon dioxide generating agent and the steam generating agent. 5 may be anything that can form a space that surrounds and covers the lower limbs or the instep of the foot, and the footrest portion 2, the agent storage portion 3, and the lower limb cover portion 5 include the lower limb cover portion 5. The footrest part 2 is disposed in the lower part of the footrest, and is configured so that carbon dioxide gas and steam generated in the agent storage part 3 can be raised into the lower limb cover part 5 from below the footrest part 2. Just do it. For example, in the present embodiment, the footrest portion 2 is configured by the footrest plate 21 and the four columns 22 that support the footrest plate 21, but the footrest portion 2 is configured by only the footrest plate 21, Instead of providing the column, a locking portion may be provided on a part of the inner peripheral wall of the box-shaped body 4 so that the footrest plate 21 is supported by the locking portion. Further, the footrest 2 and the box-like body 4 may be integrally formed. Further, in the present embodiment, the lower limb cover 5 and the box-shaped body 4 are joined by the annular connector 51. However, the peripheral edge of the lower opening of the lower limb cover 5 or the vicinity of the peripheral edge and the box-shaped body 4 are used. You may integrally join the periphery of this opening part, or the vicinity of this periphery.

  Further, from the viewpoint of heat transfer buffering, the footrest plate 21 may be a multilayer structure in which an air layer or a heat storage liquid layer is provided therein, or may be a closed cell structure such as urethane foam. Further, a heat shield plate may be provided under the foot placement plate 21 so that heat generated when steam is generated in the agent storage unit 3 is not directly transmitted to the lower surface of the foot placement plate 21.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower limb covering portion 5 is made of a plastic-made cylindrical material, but as shown in FIG. 6, it may be a box 5 ′ formed of a plastic plate or the like. The box 5 'has an insertion port 5a for both legs on the upper surface thereof, and a lower part of a plastic film cylinder 5b having a fixing band 52 on the periphery of the upper opening at the periphery of the insertion port 5a. The periphery of the opening is joined.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the box 5 ′ has a fixing band 52 at the periphery of the opening of the box 5 ′ and at the periphery of the upper opening instead of the upper surface having the insertion openings 5 a of both legs. It is good also as a structure which joined the periphery of the lower opening part of the cylindrical product 5c made from a plastic film.

  Further, the box 5 'and the box-shaped agent storage unit 3 can be improved in storage and portability when not in use, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Further, the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the form applied to both feet, and may be applied to one leg as shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the box-like body 4 that houses the footrest 2 and the agent storage 3 and the lower limb cover 5 are integrally formed in a boot shape for each leg. The structure of the footrest portion 2 and the agent storage portion 3 in the embodiment is the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 except that the foot placement plate 21 of the footrest portion 2 is a size and shape for one foot placement. The structure of the footrest 2 and the agent storage 3 in FIG. Although FIG. 9 shows a right foot and a left foot, the shape may be a shape that allows the use of the right foot and the left foot without specifying the shape of the right foot or the left foot.

It is a perspective view shown in the state where one embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator of the present invention was attached to a leg. It is a perspective view which shows the footrest part used in embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an agent storage unit 3 used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out from a box-like body 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is a perspective view which shows the state which accommodated the footrest part 2 and the agent storage part 3 in the inside of the box-shaped body 4. FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is a perspective view which shows the state which adds water to the carbon dioxide gas generating agent and steam generating agent which were accommodated in the agent accommodating part. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator of this invention in the state with which the lower leg was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows another embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator of this invention in the state with which the lower leg was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the box body of the folding structure used with the carbon dioxide generator of this invention by a mode that it folds. It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator of the one leg another type of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carbon dioxide generator 2 Foot rest part 3 Agent storage part 4 Box-shaped body 5 Lower limb cover part 6 Communication space 7 Carbon dioxide gas generating agent and steam generating agent 21 Foot placement board

Claims (8)

A footrest that can be placed with the sole in contact with the foot, an agent storage that stores the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator, and a lower limb cover that forms a space that surrounds and covers the lower limbs or the instep of the foot And
The footrest portion is disposed and joined to the lower inside of the lower limb cover portion, carbon dioxide gas and steam are generated in the agent storage portion, and the carbon dioxide gas and steam are introduced into the lower limb cover portion from below the footrest portion. A carbon dioxide generator that can be raised. The footrest portion has a footrest plate on which a foot can be placed in contact with the sole, the lower limb cover portion is provided above the footrest portion, and the agent storage portion is It is provided inside the box-shaped body having an opening on the upper surface, provided below the placing portion,
The foot placement plate is disposed so as to cover the opening of the box-shaped body, the agent storage portion is disposed in the lower portion of the foot placement plate inside the box-shaped body, and the lower limb covering portion is The carbon dioxide generator according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral edge of the lower opening or a vicinity of the peripheral edge is connected to a peripheral edge of the opening of the box-like body or the vicinity of the peripheral edge.   A closed communication space is formed across the agent storage portion, the footrest portion, and the lower limb cover portion except for the upper portion of the lower limb cover portion, and the carbon dioxide gas and steam generated in the agent storage portion are The carbon dioxide generator according to claim 2, wherein the carbon dioxide generator is raised to the communication space.   The carbon dioxide generator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the footrest plate is supported by a plurality of supports or a part of an inner peripheral wall of the box-like body.   The carbon dioxide generator according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the footrest plate has a heat transfer buffer structure.   The said agent storage part is a carbon dioxide generator in any one of Claims 2-5 provided in the said box-shaped body so that entrance / exit is possible freely from the side part.   The carbon dioxide generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein water is added to the carbon dioxide generator and the steam generator to generate carbon dioxide and steam.   The carbon dioxide gas and the steam are raised from the inside of the agent storage portion into the lower limb covering portion so that the carbon dioxide concentration in the lower limb covering portion is 1% or higher and the steam generation rate is 0.05 g / L or higher. The carbon dioxide generator according to any one of the above.

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