JP2021000605A - Water purification filter, water purification cartridge and pot type water treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for a water purification cartridge which has a sufficient flow rate even when applied to a pot type water purifier, for example, and contributes to reducing inflow of a fallen activated carbon into a raw water storage part.SOLUTION: A water filter includes an activated carbon molded body having a cylindrical shape through which raw water flows in a radial direction of the cylindrical body, and a non-woven fabric containing thermal bonding short fibers on the side of the activated carbon molded body where the raw water flows in.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a water purification filter, a water purification cartridge and a pot type water purifier.

Conventionally, a water purification filter containing a cylindrical activated carbon molded body is known. As the water purification filter, a non-woven fabric is provided on the outer peripheral side surface and the inner peripheral side side surface in a cylindrical shape in order to prevent the activated carbon of the activated carbon molded body from partially falling off and being mixed with the purified water. ..

As the water purification filter, for example, the inner peripheral layer and the outer peripheral layer of the cylindrical body are each made of a non-woven fabric, and the layer between the inner peripheral layer and the outer peripheral layer is made of a mixed paper made of activated carbon fibers and heat-meltable fibers. In a water purification filter in which both ends of a cylindrical body are fixed with a thermoplastic resin, the fibers constituting the non-woven fabric include fibers having a fiber diameter of 10 to 50 μm and fibers having a fiber diameter of 0.5 to 3 μm, and 65. A water purification filter characterized by containing fibers having an equilibrium moisture content of 5% or more at% RH and 20 ° C. is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the water purification filter, it is said that the activated carbon fibers are prevented from falling off from the water flow direction, and the water flow is high from the initial stage of water flow even when used at a low water pressure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-239214

By the way, as a water purifier equipped with a water purification cartridge, a so-called pot type is known. This pot-type water purifier has a structure in which a water purification cartridge is interposed between a raw water storage section located on the upper side and a purified water storage section located on the lower side. The raw water stored in the raw water storage section flows to the purified water storage section through the water purification cartridge by its own weight, and is purified in the water purification cartridge.

Since the raw water passes through the water purification cartridge by its own weight, the pot-type water purifier has a lower water pressure than the automatic ice maker or water heater of the refrigerator, which is the application assumed in Patent Document 1. Then, the present inventors have learned that when the water purification cartridge of Patent Document 1 is applied to a pot-type water purifier, the flow rate may not be sufficient and it may take time to purify the water.

Further, the pot type water purifier is provided with a raw water storage portion on the upper side of the water purification cartridge as described above, and the present inventors have described the activated carbon of the activated carbon molded body from the side surface on the side where the raw water of the cylindrical water purification filter flows in. I learned that if the activated carbon falls off, the activated carbon that has fallen off will float on the surface of the raw water reservoir, making users of pot-type water purifiers uncomfortable.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems and contributes to reducing the inflow of the activated carbon that has fallen off into the raw water storage portion while having a sufficient flow rate even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, for example. The main issue is to provide technology related to water purification cartridges.

As a result of examination by the present inventors, the pressure loss in the non-woven fabric arranged on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows is reduced in order to have a sufficient flow rate when applied to a pot type water purifier. I learned that it is effective. However, in the water purification cartridge of Patent Document 1, the present inventors have made the density of the non-woven fabrics arranged as the inner peripheral layer and the outer peripheral layer of the cylindrical body low in order to increase the flow rate in the case of a pot type water purifier. Then, it was found that the leakage of activated carbon from the side surface on the side where the raw water flows into the raw water storage area tends to increase. That is, when applied to a pot-type water purifier, it was found that having a sufficient flow rate and reducing the leakage of activated carbon to the raw water storage section are in a trade-off relationship.

Then, as a result of further studies by the present inventors in order to solve the above problems, a non-woven fabric made of heat-sealing short fibers is arranged on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows. By doing so, it was found that, for the first time, even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, for example, it has a sufficient flow rate and can reduce the inflow of the fallen activated carbon into the raw water reservoir. The present invention is an invention completed by further studying based on these findings.

That is, the present invention provides the inventions of the following aspects.
Item 1. A water purification filter having a cylindrically shaped activated carbon molded body through which raw water is passed in the radial direction in the cylindrical shape, and heat-sealing short fibers on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows. A water purification filter with a non-woven fabric containing.
Item 2. Item 2. The water purification filter according to Item 1, wherein the heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers is a polyester resin.
Item 3. Item 2. The water purification filter according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the activated carbon molded body contains heat-sealing short fibers.
Item 4. Item 2. The water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to ³ , wherein the apparent density calculated from the thickness and basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is 0.08 to 0.30 g / cm ³ .
Item 5. Item 2. The water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the nonwoven fabric contains at least one selected from the group consisting of ion exchange fibers, cellulosic fibers and animal fibers.
Item 6. Item 2. The water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the non-woven fabric contains inorganic fibers.
Item 7. Item 2. The water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein the activated carbon constituting the activated carbon molded body is fibrous activated carbon.
Item 8. A water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier including the water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to 7.
Item 9. Item 2. The purified water according to any one of Items 1 to 7, which has a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion from which purified water flows out, and a tubular casing housed inside the casing and for filtering the raw water. The water purification filter includes a filter, and the water purification filter is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity as well as being elastic, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively. The first cover portion that covers the first surface of the water purification filter, the second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and the side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided. The cover portion is formed with a first contact portion that periodically contacts the first surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity portion and presses the water purification filter in the axial direction to elastically deform the second contact portion. The cover portion is formed with a second contact portion that periodically contacts the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity portion and presses the water purification filter in the axial direction to elastically deform the water purification filter. Is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the raw water flowing in from the inflow portion of the casing passes through the first cover portion. , Flows into the cavity of the water purification filter, passes through the water purification filter radially outward, flows out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall of the casing, and flows out from the outflow portion to the outside. A water purification cartridge for pot-type water purifiers that is configured to be discharged into the water.
Item 10. A pot-type water purifier including the water purification filter according to any one of Items 1 to 7.

According to the present invention, a technique relating to a water purification cartridge that has a sufficient flow rate even when applied to a pot-type water purifier and contributes to reducing the inflow of dropped activated carbon into the raw water storage portion is provided. Can be provided.

External perspective view of the water purification filter. External perspective view of the in-out type cartridge. External perspective view of the casing and the water purification filter. Front view of the cartridge. Rear view of the cartridge. Top view of the cartridge. Bottom view of the cartridge. Right side view of the cartridge. Left side view of the cartridge. Sectional drawing of in-out type cartridge. Right side view of the casing. BB sectional view of FIG. 5A. Right side view of the casing. FIG. 5C is a sectional view taken along line DD. Right side view of the casing. FIG. 5F is a sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. 5E. FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of water in an in-out type cartridge. External perspective view of an out-in type cartridge. Sectional drawing of out-in type cartridge. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of water in an out-in type cartridge. Schematic diagram of a cross section of a pot-type water purifier in which an in-out type cartridge is used. Schematic diagram of a cross section of a pot-type water purifier in which an out-in type cartridge is used.

The water purification filter of the present invention includes an activated carbon molded body having a cylindrical shape, and is a water purification filter through which raw water is passed in the radial direction in the cylindrical shape, and is on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows. It is characterized by comprising a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers.

For example, in FIG. 1, the water purification filter 3 is formed on the activated carbon molded body 35 having a cylindrical shape, the non-woven fabric 36 arranged on the inner peripheral side of the activated carbon molded body 35 in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral side of the activated carbon molded body 35 in the radial direction. It includes a non-woven fabric 37 to be arranged. In FIG. 1, the water purification filter 3 has a hollow portion inside.

In the water purification filter of the present invention having a cylindrical shape, there are two types of raw water and purified water in the water flow direction, an in-out type and an out-in type. Explaining with reference to FIG. 1, in the in-out type, raw water flows into the cavity of the water purification filter 2, and the non-woven fabric 36, the activated carbon molded body 35, and the non-woven fabric 37 are in this order toward the radial outer peripheral side of the cylindrical shape. It is purified by passing through, and purified water is discharged to the outer surface side of the non-woven fabric 37 (the surface side of the non-woven fabric 37 opposite to the contact surface with the activated carbon molded body 35). Then, to explain based on FIG. 1, the "side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows in" in the water purification filter of the present invention is the contact of the activated carbon molded body 35 with the non-woven fabric 36 in the case of the in-out type. The non-woven fabric 36 corresponding to the surface needs to be a non-woven fabric made of heat-sealing short fibers.

Further, the out-in type has a water flow direction opposite to that of the in-out type, and the raw water is on the outer surface side of the non-woven fabric 37 (the surface side of the non-woven fabric 37 opposite to the contact surface with the activated carbon molded body 35). Purified by passing through the non-woven fabric 37, the activated carbon molded body 35, and the non-woven fabric 36 in this order in the radial center direction of the cylindrical shape, and the purified water is discharged to the cavity. Then, to explain based on FIG. 1, the "side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows in" in the water purification filter of the present invention is the contact of the activated carbon molded body 35 with the non-woven fabric 37 in the case of the out-in type. The non-woven fabric 37 corresponding to the surface needs to be a non-woven fabric made of heat-sealing short fibers.

<Non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows in>
The water purification filter of the present invention includes a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows. As a result, it is possible to provide a technology related to a water purification cartridge that has a sufficient flow rate even when applied to a pot-type water purifier and contributes to reducing the inflow of fallen activated carbon into the raw water storage section. it can.

Specifically, the present inventors have stated that, for example, long-fiber non-woven fabrics such as spunbonded non-woven fabrics have a large number of long-fiber axial directions arranged in the plane direction, so that the pressure loss is relatively large especially when they are arranged on the inflow side of raw water. It was found that the flow rate was inferior when applied to a pot-type water purifier. Then, the present inventors diligently studied, and by forming a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers, the short fibers are randomly arranged three-dimensionally, and further heat is applied to the heat-sealing fibers to generate heat. As a result of the fused fibers being present in the non-woven fabric in a relatively hard state and a state in which the fiber axial direction is partially oriented in the thickness direction, a sufficient flow rate is obtained even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, for example. It was found that the inflow of the fallen activated carbon into the raw water reservoir can be reduced.

The heat-sealing short fibers contain a heat-sealing component. As the heat-sealing component, a melting point (a softening point having no melting point, the same applies hereinafter) is preferably 80 to 170 ° C, and more preferably 80 to 140 ° C. Specific examples of the heat-sealing component include polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyester-based resins such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate in which a copolymerization component such as isophthalic acid is copolymerized. Above all, heat is relatively high and has better water compatibility, so that the flow rate when applied to a pot-type water purifier, especially the flow rate at the start of use as a water purification filter, is further improved. The hydrophilic component is preferably polyester-based, and more preferably polyethylene terephthalate in which isophthalic acid is copolymerized. In the present invention, the melting point is defined as a temperature that gives an extreme value of a melting absorption curve measured at a heating rate of 20 ° C./min using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC7 manufactured by PerkinElmer).

The heat-sealing short fibers are a Zen'yu type composed of only a single heat-sealing component, or a heat-sealing component in the sheath and a melting point in the core, preferably 20 than the melting point in the sheath. Examples thereof include a core-sheath type heat-sealing short fiber in which a synthetic resin component having a temperature higher than ° C., more preferably 30 ° C. or higher is arranged. Above all, from the viewpoint of further increasing the strength of the water purification filter, particularly the strength of the water purification filter when the activated carbon molded body described later contains fibrous activated carbon, it is possible to use a core-sheath type heat-sealing short fiber. preferable. In the case of a core-sheath type heat-sealing short fiber, the core component is not particularly limited, but for example, the melting point is 150 to 300 ° C., more preferably 200 to 300 ° C., and the melting point is higher than the melting point of the sheath portion. Also includes synthetic resin components having a temperature higher than 20 ° C. Specific examples of the synthetic resin component include polyethylene terephthalate.

Specific examples of the fiber length of the heat-sealing short fibers include, for example, 1 to 100 mm, preferably 10 to 80 mm. Further, as the fiber diameter of the heat-sealing short fiber, for example, 1 to 30 μm is mentioned, and 10 to 25 μm is preferably mentioned. The fineness of the heat-sealing short fiber is, for example, 0.1 to 20 dtex, more preferably 1 to 10 dtex.

In the water purification filter of the present invention, the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows can be made of only the heat-sealing short fibers. As a result, the strength of the water purification filter, particularly the strength of the water purification filter when the activated carbon molded body described later contains fibrous activated carbon, can be further increased. On the other hand, the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers can contain components other than the heat-sealing short fibers. The content of the heat-sealing short fibers in the nonwoven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers provided on the side surface of the activated charcoal molded product on the side where the raw water flows in is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 5 to 100% by mass. 20 to 100% by mass, and 30 to 100% by mass.

Examples of the components other than the heat-sealing short fibers include inorganic fibers. Examples of the inorganic fiber include glass fiber, carbon fiber, fibrous activated charcoal, chelate fiber, rock wool, alumina fiber, titania fiber and the like. The fibers function as an aggregate in a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers, and contribute to further improving the bulkiness of the non-woven fabric. Among the inorganic fibers, fibrous activated carbon is preferable. In the case of fibrous activated carbon, the mesopore ratio is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 6% or less, and the specific surface area is preferably 1000 m ² / g or less, more preferably 900 m ² / g or less. When activated carbon is used, the strength of the activated carbon is increased, and the function as an aggregate is further enhanced.

In the present invention, the pore volume refers to the pore volume calculated by the QSDFT method (quenching solid density functional theory). The QSDFT method is an analysis method that can calculate the pore size distribution from about 0.5 nm to about 40 nm, targeting the pore size analysis of geometrically and chemically irregular microporous and mesoporous carbon. .. In the QSDFT method, the influence of the roughness and non-uniformity of the pore surface is clearly taken into consideration, so that the accuracy of the pore diameter distribution analysis is greatly improved. In the present invention, the nitrogen adsorption isotherm is measured using "AUTOSORB-1-MP" manufactured by Quantachrome, and the pore size distribution is analyzed by the QSDFT method. By applying N2 at 77K on carbon [slit pore, QSDFT equilibrium model] as the Calcation model to the nitrogen desorption isotherm measured at a temperature of 77K, the pore size distribution is calculated to reduce the specific pore size range. The hole volume can be calculated. The total pore volume (m ² / g) of the activated carbon was measured by the above-mentioned QSDFT method, and specifically, with respect to the measured nitrogen desorption isotherm, N2 at 77K on carbon [slit pore, QSDFT equilibrium] was used as a calculation model. Model] is applied to calculate the pore size distribution for analysis. Similarly, for the pore volume (m ² / g) having a pore diameter of 2 nm or less and the pore volume having a pore diameter of 50 nm or less, the horizontal axis Pore Wide of the pore diameter distribution map is 0 by the above QSDFT method. Obtained from the reading of Cumulative Poros Volume (cc / g) at .65 nm. Then, the mesopore ratio is calculated by subtracting the total pore volume having a pore diameter of 2 nm or less from the pore volume having a pore diameter of 50 nm or less to calculate the pore volume having a pore diameter of 2 to 50 nm. The mesopore ratio (%) is obtained by dividing the pore volume having a pore diameter of 2 to 50 nm by the total pore volume and multiplying by 100. The specific surface area of the activated carbon is calculated from the measurement point of the relative pressure of 0.1 by the BET method from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77K using "AUTOSORB-1-MP" manufactured by Quantachrome.

In addition, as the component other than the heat-sealing short fiber, one or more selected from the group consisting of ion exchange fiber, cellulosic fiber and animal fiber can be mentioned. These fibers contribute to improving the hydrophilicity of the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers, and contribute to increasing the flow rate when applied to a pot-type water purifier. Examples of cellulosic fibers include cotton, hemp fibers such as linen and ramie, regenerated fibers such as viscose rayon and copper ammonia rayon, and solvent-spun cellulose fibers such as lyocell. Examples of animal fibers include wool, angora, cashmere, silk, alpaca and the like. Of these, ion exchange fibers are preferable. The ion exchange fiber is preferably a weak acid type, and examples thereof include a polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber in which the terminal functional group is replaced with Ca or Na.

The form of the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers is not particularly limited, but the bulkiness is further increased, and even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, the flow rate is increased and the raw water of the activated carbon that has fallen off is increased. From the viewpoint of further reducing the inflow to the storage portion, it is preferable to use a needle punched non-woven fabric.

The texture of the non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers is from the viewpoint of increasing the flow rate and further reducing the inflow of the fallen activated carbon into the raw water storage section even when applied to a pot-type water purifier. preferably ^{10~100g / m 2, 20~80g / m} 2 is more preferable. In addition, the thickness of the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers increases the flow rate and further reduces the inflow of the fallen activated carbon into the raw water storage section even when applied to a pot-type water purifier. From the viewpoint, 0.05 to 1.0 mm is preferable, and 0.08 to 0.6 mm is more preferable. The apparent density of the non-woven fabric containing the heat-bondable short fibers, which is calculated from the basis weight and the thickness, is preferably 0.05 to 0.4 g / cm ³ , preferably 0.08 to 0.3 g / cm. ³ is more preferable. The apparent density is calculated as follows.
Apparent density (g / cm ³ ) = basis weight (g / m ² ) / thickness (mm) / 1000

<Non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where purified water is discharged>
The water purification filter of the present invention may be provided with a non-woven fabric on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged. The non-woven fabric may be a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers similar to the above-mentioned non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows. It can also be a non-woven fabric made of long fibers or continuous fibers. From the viewpoint of relatively high tear strength and excellent handleability and workability, it is preferable to use a non-woven fabric made of long fibers or continuous fibers as the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged. ..

The non-woven fabric made of long fibers or continuous fibers is not particularly limited, but a spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferable. As the long fibers or continuous fibers constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric, a synthetic resin having a heat-sealing component in the sheath and a melting point of 20 ° C. or higher, more preferably 30 ° C. or higher higher than the melting point of the sheath in the core. Examples thereof include core-sheath type heat-sealing fibers in which components are arranged. The core portion of the core-sheath type heat-sealing fiber has, for example, a synthetic resin component having a melting point of 150 to 300 ° C., more preferably 200 to 300 ° C., and a melting point higher than the melting point of the sheath portion by 20 ° C. or more. More specifically, polyethylene terephthalate can be mentioned. Examples of the sheath portion of the core-sheath type heat-sealing fiber preferably have a melting point of 80 to 170 ° C., more preferably 80 to 140 ° C., and more specifically, polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like. Examples thereof include olefin resins and polyester resins such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate in which copolymerization components such as isophthalic acid are copolymerized. Among them, polyolefin-based resins are preferable, and polyethylene is more preferable, from the viewpoints of being excellent in flexibility and heat-sealing property to an activated carbon molded body, and excellent in handleability and processability.

The basis weight of the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the purified water is discharged is preferably 10 to 100 g / m ² from the viewpoint of increasing the flow rate and suppressing the outflow of the activated carbon that has fallen off. 80 g / m ² is more preferable. The thickness of the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the purified water is discharged is preferably 0.05 to 1.0 mm from the viewpoint of increasing the flow rate and suppressing the outflow of the activated carbon that has fallen off. More preferably 0.08 to 0.6 mm. The apparent density calculated from the basis weight and the thickness of the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the purified water is discharged is preferably 0.05 to 0.4 g / cm ³ , preferably 0.08 to 0. .3 g / cm ³ is more preferred.

<Activated carbon molded body>
The water purification filter of the present invention includes an activated carbon molded body having a cylindrical shape. Examples of the activated carbon contained in the activated carbon molded body include granular activated carbon and / or fibrous activated carbon. Even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, the activated carbon contained in the activated carbon molded body is a fibrous activated carbon from the viewpoint of increasing the flow rate and further reducing the inflow of the dropped activated carbon into the raw water reservoir. It is preferable that the material contains only fibrous activated carbon.

The activated carbon contained in the activated carbon molded body is a volatile organic compound such as trihalomethane even when the wall thickness of the activated carbon molded body is made as thin as possible in order to increase the flow rate when applied to a pot-type water purifier. From the viewpoint of facilitating the removal performance of the above, the mesopore ratio is preferably 5 to 60%, more preferably 10 to 60%, still more preferably 20 to 60%. From the same viewpoint, the specific surface area of the activated carbon, preferably ^{1000~1800m 2 / g, 1000~1600m 2 /} g is more preferable. On the other hand, when the activated carbon contained in the activated carbon molded body is an activated carbon having a mesopore ratio range, particularly a fibrous activated carbon having a mesopore ratio range, relatively large pores are increased. The strength of the activated carbon itself tends to be relatively low, and the activated carbon tends to fall off easily. However, in the water purification filter of the present invention, since the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers is provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows, the activated carbon molded body is provided with the activated carbon having the mesopore ratio. Even when applied to a pot-type water purifier as a inclusion, the inflow of fallen activated carbon into the raw water reservoir can be reduced. In other words, in the water purification filter of the present invention, when the activated carbon molded product is applied to the pot type water purifier as containing the activated carbon having the mesopore ratio, it is on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows. It can be said that the technical significance of providing the non-woven fabric containing the heat-bondable short fibers becomes greater.

In the water purification filter of the present invention, the activated carbon molded body can contain components other than activated carbon. Examples of the other components include heat-sealing short fibers. By incorporating heat-sealing short fibers in the activated carbon molded body, the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface on the side where the raw water of the activated carbon molded body flows in and the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface on the side where the purified water of the activated carbon molded body is discharged. The heat-sealing property with and is further improved. In the activated carbon molded body containing the heat-sealing short fibers, the activated carbon is melt-bonded to each other by the heat-sealing component to maintain its shape. As the heat-sealing component contained in the heat-sealing short fiber, one having a melting point of 80 to 170 ° C. is preferable, and one having a melting point of 80 to 140 ° C. is more preferable. Specific examples of the heat-sealing component include polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyester-based resins such as copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate in which a copolymerization component such as isophthalic acid is copolymerized. Further, as the heat-sealing short fibers that can be contained in the activated charcoal molded body, a Zen'yu type composed of only a single heat-sealing component, or a heat-sealing component in the sheath and a melting point in the core are sheathed. Examples thereof include a core-sheath type heat-sealing short fiber in which a synthetic resin component having a temperature higher than the melting point of the portion is preferably 20 ° C. or higher, more preferably 30 ° C. or higher. Above all, from the viewpoint of further increasing the strength of the water purification filter, particularly the strength of the water purification filter when the activated carbon molded product contains fibrous activated carbon, it is preferable to use core-sheath type heat-sealing short fibers. In the case of a core-sheath type heat-sealing short fiber, the core component is not particularly limited, but for example, the melting point is 150 to 300 ° C., more preferably 200 to 300 ° C., and the melting point is higher than the melting point of the sheath portion. Also includes synthetic resin components having a temperature higher than 20 ° C. Specific examples of the synthetic resin component include polyethylene terephthalate. Further, the heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers contained in the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows in, and the heat of the heat-sealing short fibers contained in the activated carbon molded body. It is preferable that the fusing component is of the same type. Here, the same type means, for example, that if one is a Polysell system, the other is a Polysuel system.

In addition, as a component other than activated carbon in the activated carbon molded body, pulp can be mentioned. Pulp contributes to further improving the mechanical strength of the activated carbon molded product. Examples of the pulp have a drainage degree of 1 to 300, preferably 10 to 200. The fiber length of the pulp is 0.1 to 3 mm. Specific examples of pulp include acrylic pulp, polyolefin pulp, aramid pulp, wood pulp, hemp pulp and the like.

Further, as a component other than the activated carbon in the activated carbon molded body, an ion exchange fiber can be mentioned. The ion exchange fiber is preferably a weak acid type, and examples thereof include a polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber in which the terminal functional group is replaced with Ca or Na.

The form of the activated carbon molded body is not particularly limited as long as it has a cylindrical shape, but for example, a wet-molded activated carbon molded body, or a dry non-woven fabric containing activated carbon or a wet non-woven fabric is molded in a wound state. The body is mentioned.

Specifically, as a specific example of the wet-molded non-woven fabric, a slurry containing activated carbon is prepared, and the slurry is poured into a molding mold having a large number of small suction holes and sucked through the small suction holes. Examples thereof include an activated carbon molded body produced by a method of filtering the preformed body to obtain a preformed body and drying the preformed body (wet molding method or slurry suction method) (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “slurry suction molded body”). .). In this case, examples of the obtained activated carbon molded product include those in which the activated carbon is entangled with the above-mentioned pulp to maintain its shape.

Further, in an activated carbon molded body in which a dry non-woven fabric containing activated carbon or a wet non-woven fabric is molded in a wound state, the dry non-woven fabric is a non-woven fabric made of a short fiber structure obtained by an airlaid or card method (card web method). In addition, a needle punched nonwoven fabric in which the nonwoven fabric is subjected to needle punching and laminated and integrated can be mentioned. As a wet non-woven fabric, a solution containing a fibrous carbon material is mixed and sheared using an apparatus such as a pulper, a beater, or a refiner to prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry, and the obtained slurry is poured onto a wire. , A wet papermaking non-woven fabric obtained by dehydration and drying.

The density calculated from the mass (g) and volume (= (1/2) × π × {(outer diameter) ^2- (inner diameter) ² } × height) of the activated carbon molded body is 0.10 to 0. 55 (g / cm ³ ) is mentioned, and 0.15 to 0.5 (g / cm ³ ) is preferably mentioned.

<Water purification filter>
With reference to FIG. 1, the water purification filter of the present invention is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the activated carbon molded body 35 in the radial direction of the non-woven fabric 36, the activated carbon molded body 35, and the activated carbon molded body 35 arranged on the inner peripheral side in the radial direction. Examples of specific combinations of the non-woven fabric 37 include the following.
-In-out type non-woven fabric 36: Non-woven fabric / non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers 35: Non-woven fabric containing activated charcoal or wet non-woven fabric molded in a wound state 37: Heat Non-woven fabric containing short-sealed fibers 36: Non-woven fabric containing heat-sealed short fibers / activated carbon molded body 35: Dry-type non-woven fabric containing activated charcoal or wet non-woven fabric molded in a wound state / non-woven fabric 37: Non-woven fabric made of long fibers or continuous fibers, out-in type non-woven fabric 36: Non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers / activated carbon molded body 35: Dry non-woven fabric or wet non-woven fabric containing activated charcoal is molded in a wound state. Activated carbon molded body / non-woven fabric 37: Non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers 36: Non-woven fabric composed of long fibers or continuous fibers / Activated carbon molded body 35: Dry non-woven fabric or wet non-woven fabric containing activated charcoal is wound. Molded activated charcoal molded body / non-woven fabric 37: Non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers

The height (length) of the water purification filter in a cylindrical shape is preferably 10 to 250 mm, preferably 20 to 150 mm. The outer diameter of the cylindrical shape is 20 to 100 mm, preferably 30 to 65 mm. The inner diameter of the cylindrical shape is 5 to 90 mm, preferably 10 to 55 mm.

The method for producing the water purification filter of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, when the activated carbon molded body is a dry non-woven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon or an activated carbon molded body in which a wet non-woven fabric is wound, it can be produced as follows. First, a columnar core whose surface has been subjected to a mold release treatment is prepared. Next, the non-woven fabric 36 arranged on the inner peripheral side in the radial direction of the activated carbon molded body 35 is wound around the core once or a plurality of times so as to have a predetermined thickness. Next, the dry non-woven fabric or the wet non-woven fabric containing the fibrous activated carbon and the heat-sealing short fibers to be the activated carbon molded body 35 is wound once or a plurality of times on the non-woven fabric 36 so as to have a predetermined thickness. Then, the non-woven fabric 37 arranged on the outer peripheral side in the radial direction of the activated carbon molded body 35 is wound once or a plurality of times so as to have a predetermined thickness. Then, a non-woven fabric 36, a dry non-woven fabric or a wet non-woven fabric containing fibrous activated carbon as an activated carbon molded body, and a non-woven fabric 37, which are wound around the above-mentioned core in this order, are placed in a furnace. By performing heat treatment to melt the heat-sealing components of the heat-sealing short fibers, cooling the fibers, and pulling out the core, the non-woven fabric 36, the activated carbon molded body 35, and the non-woven fabric 37 are removed from the cavity toward the outer periphery. A water purification filter can be obtained.

<Water purification cartridge for pot type water purifier>
The water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier of the present invention includes the water purification filter of the present invention described above.

(A. in-out type)
Hereinafter, the in-out type of the water purification cartridge according to the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as the first embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the water purification cartridge (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a cartridge) 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4A is a front view of FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction of FIG. 4A is referred to as "up and down", the horizontal direction of FIG. 4A is referred to as "left and right" or "horizontal", and the paper direction of FIG. 4A is referred to as "front and back". I do.

<1. Overview of water purification cartridge>
The cartridge 1 is mainly used in a pot type (server type) water purifier in which raw water passes through the cartridge 1 by its own weight. FIG. 11A shows an example of a water purifier. As shown in the figure, the water purifier 100 includes a housing 101 having an opening S1 at the top. The housing 101 has a tank 102 having an open top inside. The tank 102 is a portion for storing raw water, and raw water can be poured into the tank 102 through the upper opening S2. An opening S4 is formed at the bottom of the tank 102, and the cartridge 1 is attached together with the packing 104 so as to seal the peripheral edge of the opening S4. The raw water in the tank 102 flows into the cartridge 1. Since the opening S2 is formed smaller than the opening S1, the opening S1 is divided into the opening S2 and the opening S3.

After passing through the inside of the cartridge 1, the raw water flows out as purified water from below the cartridge 1 and is stored in the server space 103 below the tank 102. The opening S3 functions as an outlet for taking out purified water from the server space 103.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment has a tubular shape as a whole, and typically has a substantially cylindrical appearance. The cartridge 1 includes a casing 2 and a substantially cylindrical water purification filter 3 housed inside the casing 2. In the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the raw water that has flowed into the hollow portion of the water purification filter 3 passes through the water purification filter 3 radially outward, and enters the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3 and the side wall portion of the casing 2. It is an in-out type cartridge that flows out. In FIGS. 2 to 11B, the activated carbon molded body 35 having a cylindrical shape in the water purification filter 3, the non-woven fabric 36 arranged on the inner peripheral side in the radial direction of the activated carbon molded body 35, and the activated carbon molded body 35 in the radial direction. The non-woven fabric 37 arranged on the outer peripheral side is not shown.

The water purification filter 3 is a member for filtering raw water into purified water. As shown in FIG. 3, the water purification filter 3 has a hollow portion 34 having a substantially circular top view in the center, and has a first surface 31 and a second surface 33 at both ends in the axial direction, respectively. The portion of the water purification filter 3 that is continuous with the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 and extends in the axial direction is referred to as a side peripheral portion 32. The water purification filter 3 is housed in the casing 2 so that the first surface 31 faces upward and the second surface 33 faces downward. This state is called a containment state. The outer diameter of the water purification filter 3 is configured to be smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall portion 21 of the casing 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, an annular space 230 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3 and the side wall portion 21 of the casing 2 in the accommodation state.

The first cover portion 20 has a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 200 and an inflow portion 207 surrounded by the side wall portion 200. The inflow portion 207 is a portion that communicates the tank 102 with the inside of the cartridge 1. That is, the raw water in the tank 102 flows into the inside of the cartridge 1 through the inflow portion 207. As shown in FIG. 5, the inflow portion 207 is formed in the shape of a flat-bottomed container continuous from the side wall portion 200 and recessed downward, and has a surface 203 facing the internal space of the casing 2. The first cover portion 20 in the housed state can be brought into close contact with the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 on the surface 203. In particular, the water purification cartridge according to the present invention is described in a state in which the water purification filter 3 is elastically deformed by the pressing force of the first contact portion of the first cover portion 20 and the second contact portion of the second cover portion 22, as will be described later. It is housed inside the casing 2. With this configuration, the raw water that has flowed into the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3 without an elastic member between the water purification filter and the casing and the lid is allowed to flow into the gap between the first surface 31 and the first cover portion 20 and the first cover portion 20. It is possible to prevent the raw water from passing through the gap between the two surfaces 33 and the second cover portion 22, and it is possible to promote the raw water from passing through the water purification filter 3. A circular through hole 207a for allowing raw water to flow into the cartridge 1 is formed in the center of the surface 203. In the housed state, the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3 is located substantially directly below the through hole 207a, and the raw water flows into the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3 from the through hole 207a.

The side wall portion 200 is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction from the position where the surface 203 is formed. A flange 204 is formed on the outside of the side wall portion 200 and above the through hole 207a for attaching the cartridge 1 to the peripheral edge portion of the opening S4. Further, a groove 210 extending in the circumferential direction is formed at the center of the flange 204 in the vertical direction. The groove 210 is a portion for fitting the packing 104 that seals the gap between the cartridge 1 and the peripheral edge of the opening S4 when the cartridge 1 is attached to the peripheral edge of the opening S4.

A vent 205 is formed at a position below the flange 204 of the side wall portion 200 and above the surface 203. The vent 205 communicates the server space 103 with the inside of the casing 2. When the raw water flows into the cartridge 1, the air inside the cartridge 1 (casing 2) is discharged through the vent 205, so that the movement of the water passing through the cartridge 1 becomes smoother. The vent 205 is arranged so as to be located outside the tank 102 in a state where the cartridge 1 is attached to the peripheral edge of the opening S4 and above the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a thin region R having a thickness of the side wall portion 200 thinner than the other portions is formed at a position outside the side wall portion 200 and below the vent 205. On the thin-walled region R, a plurality of substantially quadrangular claw portions 206 protruding outward in the radial direction are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The claw portion 206 makes it possible to connect the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 by engaging with the window portion 222 of the second cover portion 22, which will be described later. The connecting means by the claw portion 206 and the window portion 222 is given as an example of the connecting means between the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion, and the connecting means is not particularly limited to this. Examples of the above are, for example, connection by welding or adhesion, connection by screw fitting, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the surface 203 of the first cover portion 20, an annular first protrusion 208 projecting from the surface 203 toward the internal space of the casing 2 is formed. In the housed state, the first protrusion 208 contacts the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in a ring shape so as to surround the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3, and presses the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction to elastically deform it. In this case, the first protrusion 208 contacts the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and becomes the first contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. obtain. In the water purification cartridge of the present invention, the surface 203 may not have a protrusion. For example, the surface 203 can be flat. In this case, the surface 203 may be in contact with the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and may be the first contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 208 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a substantially triangular shape, a substantially quadrangular shape, a substantially semicircular shape, and a substantially semi-elliptical shape. The corners having a substantially triangular shape or a substantially square shape may be rounded.

The second cover portion 22 has a bottom portion 227 and a side wall portion 220 that continuously rises from the bottom portion 227, and has a substantially cylindrical appearance as a whole. As shown in FIG. 4D, a plurality of through holes 223a for discharging purified water to the outside of the cartridge 1 are formed on the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 227 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of through holes 223a are collectively referred to as an outflow portion 223. As shown in FIG. 5, in the accommodating state, the through holes 223a are formed so as to be located substantially directly below the space 230 between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3 and the side wall portion 21 of the casing 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second cover portion 22 in the housed state can come into contact with the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 on the surface 221. In particular, in the water purification cartridge according to the present invention, as will be described later, the water purification filter 3 is housed inside the casing 2 in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The raw water that has flowed into the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3 between the filter, the casing, and the lid without an elastic member enters the gap between the first surface 31 and the first cover portion 20, and the second surface 33 and the second surface 33. 2 It is possible to prevent the raw water from passing through the gap with the cover portion 22, and it is possible to promote the raw water from passing through the water purification filter 3. Here, the surface 221 is the surface of the bottom portion 227 facing the internal space of the casing 2. An annular second protrusion 224 is formed on the surface 221 so as to project from the surface 221 toward the internal space of the casing 2. In the housed state, the second protrusion 224 contacts the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3, and presses the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction to elastically deform it. .. In this case, the second protrusion 224 is in contact with the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and becomes a second contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. obtain. Further, in the water purification cartridge of the present invention, the surface 221 may not have a protrusion. For example, the surface 221 can be flat. In this case, the surface 221 may be in contact with the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and may be a second contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the second protrusion 224 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a substantially triangular shape, a substantially quadrangular shape, a substantially semicircular shape, and a substantially semi-elliptical shape. The corners having a substantially triangular shape or a substantially square shape may be rounded.

The side wall portion 220 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as the side wall portion 200 of the first cover portion 20. At the upper portion of the side wall portion 220, window portions 222, which are substantially quadrangular openings, are formed in the same number as the claw portions 206 at positions in the circumferential direction corresponding to the claw portions 206. As a result, when the thin-walled region R is inserted into the inside of the second cover portion 22 from the upper side of the second cover portion 22 and the claw portion 206 and the window portion 222 are engaged with each other in a one-to-one correspondence, the first cover portion 20 is engaged. And the second cover portion 22 can be connected to each other. In the connected state, the side wall portion 200 and the side wall portion 220 are substantially flush with each other, and both form the side wall portion 21 of the casing 2. The second cover portion 22 can be removed from the first cover portion 20 by disengaging the window portion 222 and the claw portion 206. That is, the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 can be detachably connected to each other, or can be detachably connected to each other.

Examples of the material of the first cover portion 20 include plastic. The plastic is made of ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), AS resin (acrylonitrile styrene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PLA (polylactic acid) resin. .. More specifically, it is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The hardness of the first cover portion 20 is 95 to 100, which is higher than the hardness of the water purification filter 3 described later. The hardness of the ABS resin is 95, the hardness of polypropylene is 100, and the hardness of the polyethylene terephthalate resin is 97.

Examples of the material of the second cover portion 22 include plastic. The plastic is made of ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), AS resin (acrylonitrile styrene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PLA (polylactic acid) resin. .. More specifically, it is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The hardness of the second cover portion 22 is 95 to 100, which is higher than the hardness of the water purification filter 3 described later. The hardness of the ABS resin is 95, the hardness of polypropylene is 100, and the hardness of the polyethylene terephthalate resin is 97.

If the hardness of the first cover portion 20 is higher than the hardness of the water purification filter 3 and the hardness of the second cover portion 22 is higher than the hardness of the water purification filter 3, the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 May be formed from the same material or may be formed from different materials. The hardness in the present specification is measured by the TECLOCK hardness meter GS701G by the method specified in JIS S 6050 "Plastic eraser", and the average value at N = 5. Is the measured value.

As described with reference to FIG. 6, at least one of the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 may be provided with ribs 240 and 241 for positioning the water purification filter 3 on the inner wall surface. 6A is a right side view of the casing 2, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 6A. 6C is a right side view of the casing 2, and FIG. 6D is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 6C. As shown in FIG. 6B, ribs 240 are formed on the inner wall surface of the first cover portion 20 so as to project toward the internal space of the casing 2 and extend in the vertical direction (axial direction of the water purification filter 3). As shown in FIG. 6D, four ribs 240 are formed on the inner wall surface of the first cover portion 20 and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rib 240 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D is merely an example. The position where the rib 240 is formed, the shape of the rib 240, the number of the rib 240, and the like are not limited to the modes shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D, and can be appropriately changed.

6E is a right side view of the casing 2, and FIG. 6F is a sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. 6E. As shown in FIG. 6B, ribs 241 projecting toward the internal space of the casing 2 and extending in the vertical direction (axial direction of the water purification filter 3) are formed on the inner wall surface of the second cover portion 22. As shown in FIG. 6F, four ribs 241 are formed on the inner wall surface of the second cover portion 22, and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. FIG. 6G is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. 6E in the housed state. As shown in FIG. 6G, the rib 241 positions the water purification filter 3 so that the center of the water purification filter 3 is substantially aligned with the center of the casing 2 in the housed state. The ribs 241 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6F are merely examples. The position where the rib 241 is formed, the shape of the rib 241 and the number of ribs 241 are not limited to the modes shown in FIGS. 6B and 6F, and can be appropriately changed.

The ribs 240 and 241 are provided with a space 230 between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3 and the side wall portion of the casing 2 in the housed state, and the water purification filter 3 is provided so that the center of the water purification filter 3 is substantially aligned with the center of the casing 2. Position. By positioning the water purification filter 3 at an appropriate position with respect to the casing 2, the relative positions of the cavity 34, the inflow portion 207 and the outflow portion 223 are appropriately maintained, and the space 230 for water purification is appropriate. Is secured in. As a result, water moves uniformly in the cartridge 1, so that the efficiency of water purification is maintained.

<2. Water purification filter ＞
As described above, the water purification filter 3 is a member for filtering the raw water by passing the raw water in the cavity 34 outward in the radial direction through the side peripheral portion 32 to purify the raw water. The water purification filter 3 has a first surface 31 and a second surface 33 at both ends in the axial direction, respectively. The water purification filter 3 is preferably formed of an elastic material. As a result, the water purification filter 3 can be brought into close contact with a harder object such as the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22.

The distance L1 (see FIG. 2) between the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 in the state before the water purification filter 3 is housed in the casing (that is, the state before the water purification filter 3 is elastically deformed by pressing in the axial direction) is It is preferable that the surface 203 of the first cover portion 20 and the surface 221 of the second cover portion 22 are formed so as to be equal to or slightly shorter than the distance L2 (see FIG. 5) in the connected state.

Further, the distance L1 between the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 in the state before the water purification filter 3 is housed in the casing (that is, the state before the water purification filter 3 is elastically deformed by pressing in the axial direction) (see FIG. 2). ) Is the distance L3 between the tip portion 209 of the first protrusion 208 and the tip portion 225 of the second protrusion 224 in the connected state (that is, the distance L3 between the first contact portion and the second contact portion). , See FIG. 5). As a result, on the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in the housed state, the first protrusion 208 bites into and engages with the radial outer region of the cavity 34, and a force for axially compressing the water purification filter 3 is applied. It joins the water purification filter 3 and blocks between the first surface 31 and the surface 203 of the first cover portion 20. Similarly, in the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in the housed state, the force of the second protrusion 224 biting into and engaging with the radial outer region of the cavity 34 to compress the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction. Is added to the water purification filter 3 to block between the second surface 33 and the surface 221 of the second cover portion 22. As a result, the passage of water through the surfaces at both ends of the water purification filter 3 is suppressed, and the raw water in the cavity 34 and the purified water in the space 230 are separated. That is, the first protrusion 208, which is the first contact portion, contacts the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and presses the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction to elastically deform it. The second protrusion 224, which is the second contact portion, contacts the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and presses the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction to elastically deform it. As a result, the raw water that has flowed into the hollow portion of the water purification filter can flow into the gap between the first surface 31 and the first cover portion and the second surface 33 without the need for an elastic member between the water purification filter and the casing and the lid. It is possible to prevent the raw water from passing through the gap between the and the second cover portion, and it is possible to promote the raw water from passing through the water purification filter 3.

The compression ratio (that is, the state before the water purification filter 3 is accommodated in the casing (that is, the state before the water purification filter 3 is axially pressed and elastically deformed) is the length L1 of the water purification filter 3 between the contact portions in the accommodating state. L3 / L1 × 100 (%)) is preferably 98% or less, more preferably 96 to 98%, and more preferably 97 to 98%. Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the area of the contact portion and increasing the pressure for elastically deforming the water purification filter 3 in the accommodating state, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are annular first protrusions. The compression ratio (L3 / L1 × 100 (%)) between the first and second contact portions of the length L1 of the water purification filter 3 in the contained state of the portion 208 and the second protrusion 224 is within the above range. The surface 203 of the first cover portion 20 in the state of being connected to the length L1 of the water purification filter 3 in the state before the water purification filter 3 is housed in the casing (that is, the state before the water purification filter 3 is elastically deformed by pressing in the axial direction). The ratio of the distance L2 (L2 / L1 × 100 (%)) between the surface and the surface 221 of the second cover portion 22 is, for example, 98% or more, preferably 98 to 101%, and 99 to 101%. Is more preferably mentioned.

From the viewpoint of more reliably blocking the passage of water, it is preferable that at least one of the first surface 31 of the water purification filter and the second surface 33 of the water purification filter is coated with a sealant. Further, it is more preferable that the sealant is applied to both the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 of the water purification filter. In the present embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 as a sealing agent. Examples of the main component of the hot melt adhesive include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), olefin, and rubber. The coating thickness of the sealant may be 10 μm to 1000 μm, and the coating amount may be 1 to 100 (mg / cm ² ). The sealant may be applied and solidified in advance before the water purification filter 3 is housed in the casing 2.

The main flow of water passing through the inside of the cartridge 1 is represented by the arrow shown in FIG. First, the raw water flows into the cartridge 1 through the first cover portion 20, that is, the inflow portion 207. The raw water that has flowed into the cartridge 1 flows into the cavity 34 and is temporarily stored. Here, the first protrusion 208 and the second protrusion 224 are engaged with the upper peripheral edge and the lower peripheral edge of the cavity 34, respectively, to press the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction and elastically deform it. Therefore, the raw water does not flow out to the space 230 through the first surface 31 and the second surface 33. The raw water stored in the cavity 34 passes radially outward through the side peripheral portion 32 and flows out to the space 230 as purified water. Subsequently, the purified water is discharged from the space 230 to the outside of the cartridge 1 via the outflow portion 223.

When the activated carbon molded body contains fibrous activated carbon, the water purification filter 3 is more likely to have elasticity. The hardness of the water purification filter 3 is preferably lower than the hardness of the first cover portion 20 and the hardness of the second cover portion 22. The hardness of the casing 2 is harder than that of the water purification filter 3, and the hardness of the water purification filter 3 is preferably 86 or less, more preferably about 50 to 80. The hardness is measured by the method specified in JIS S 6050 "Plastic Eraser", and the average value at N = 5 is taken as the hardness.

<5. Features>
At the time of manufacturing the cartridge 1, the distance (length of the water purification filter 3) L1 between the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 is the surface 203 and the second cover portion of the first cover portion 20 in the connected state. It is preferably formed so as to have the same value as the distance L2 from the 22nd surface 221 or slightly shorter. Further, the length L1 of the water purification filter 3 is preferably longer than the distance L3 between the tip portion 209 of the first protrusion 208 and the tip portion 225 of the second protrusion 224 in the connected state. As a result, on the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in the housed state, the first protrusion 208 bites into and engages with the radial outer region of the cavity 34, and a force for axially compressing the water purification filter 3 is applied. It joins the water purification filter 3 and blocks between the first surface 31 and the surface 203 of the first cover portion 20. Similarly, in the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3 in the housed state, the force of the second protrusion 224 biting into and engaging with the radial outer region of the cavity 34 to compress the water purification filter 3 in the axial direction. Is added to the water purification filter 3 to block between the second surface 33 and the surface 221 of the second cover portion 22. As a result, the passage of water through the surfaces at both ends of the water purification filter 3 is suppressed, and the raw water in the cavity 34 and the purified water in the space 230 are separated.

Further, since the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 themselves are sealed with the sealant, the raw water flowing into the cartridge 1 is bypassed to the space 230 via the first surface 31 and the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3. This can be more reliably blocked and the above effects can be further enhanced.

When the activated carbon molded body of the water purification filter 3 contains fibrous activated carbon, it becomes easier to have elasticity. As a result, even if a force that is compressed in the vertical direction is applied through the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22, the cover is less likely to collapse and fragments are less likely to be generated. That is, the possibility of contaminating the water in the cartridge 1 is low, and the quality of purified water is maintained. Further, since the water purification filter 3 has elasticity, when the protrusions 208 and 224 of the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 are engaged with the water purification filter 3, the water purification filter 3 is moved to the protrusions 208, respectively. It can be deformed to follow the shape of 224. That is, the protrusions 208 and 224 can be brought into close contact with the water purification filter 3. Thereby, the above-mentioned blocking effect of raw water can be further improved.

On the other hand, for example, a water purification filter containing only granular activated carbon without containing fibrous activated carbon is less likely to be elastically deformed by the pressing force of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. If a pressing force is applied to such a water purification filter, a part of the granular activated carbon may collapse and the water purification filter may not function. Further, even if a pressing force is applied, no repulsive force is generated, and it is difficult for both end surfaces of the water purification filter to adhere to the first and second cover portions. Therefore, in order to prevent the raw water flowing into the cavity of the water purification filter from passing through the gap between the first surface and the first cover portion and the gap between the second surface and the second cover portion, the above-mentioned A separate elastic member is required to seal the gap between the two.

The cartridge 1 is characterized in that the filtration rate of water is faster than that of an out-in type cartridge having the water purification filter 3 having the same configuration. Further, since it is not necessary to secure the liquidtightness of the outer peripheral surface of the casing 2, the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 can be detachably configured, and the water purification filter 3 can be easily replaced. Become.

(B. out-in type)
Hereinafter, the out-in type of the water purification cartridge according to the present invention (hereinafter, may be referred to as the second embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the water purification cartridge (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a cartridge) 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction of FIG. 9 is referred to as "up and down", the horizontal direction of FIG. 9 is referred to as "left and right" or "horizontal", and the paper direction of FIG. 9 is referred to as "front and back". I do.

The water purification cartridge according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the casing 2. More specifically, in the cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the raw water that has flowed into the gap between the side wall portion of the casing 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3 passes through the water purification filter 3 from the outer side to the inner side in the radial direction. , An out-in type cartridge that flows out as purified water from the cavity of the water purification filter 3. Hereinafter, the same components will be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

<1. Casing ＞
The casing 2 has a first cover portion that covers the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3, a second cover portion that covers the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter 3. Be prepared. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the casing 2 has a first cover portion 20 that covers the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 and a second cover portion 22 that covers the second surface 33 of the water purification filter 3. The side wall portion is composed of a side wall portion of the first cover portion 20 and a side wall portion of the second cover portion 22, which will be described later. Hereinafter, the state in which the second cover portion 22 is connected to the first cover portion 20 is referred to as a connected state. In the connected state, a space for accommodating the water purification filter 3 is formed inside the casing 2.

The first cover portion 20 is composed of a part of an upper cover portion 20a and a lower cover portion 20b integrally connected to the lower end of the upper cover portion 20a. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper cover portion 20a has a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 231 and a substantially circular upper surface portion 232 continuous with the side wall portion 231. A plurality of through holes 207a for flowing raw water into the cartridge 1 are formed on the peripheral edge of the upper surface portion 232 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of through holes 207a are arranged in an annular shape as a whole. Is formed. A flange 204 is formed on the outer upper portion of the side wall portion 231 for attaching the cartridge 1 to the peripheral edge portion of the opening S4 of the water purifier. Further, a groove 210 for fitting the packing 104 is formed at the center of the flange 204 in the vertical direction. An example of a water purifier is shown in FIG. 11B. Since the water purifier 100 shown in FIG. 11B is the same as that shown in FIG. 11A except for the configuration of the cartridge 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

The lower cover portion 20b has a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 233 and a substantially circular surface portion 203 ′ formed inside the side wall portion 233. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of through holes 234a are formed at positions corresponding to the through holes 207a forming the inflow portion 207 on the peripheral edge of the surface portion 203'with a circumferential interval, and the inside and outside of the casing 2 are formed. Communicate. The surface of the surface portion 203 ′ facing the internal space of the casing 2 is referred to as a surface 203. An annular first protrusion 208 is formed on the surface 203 so as to be surrounded by the plurality of through holes 234a. That is, the first protrusion 208 is formed radially inward with respect to the inflow portion 207a. In the housed state, the first protrusion 208 is in circular contact on the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 and on the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 so as to surround the cavity 34 of the water purification filter 3, and the water purification filter 3 Is elastically deformed by pressing in the axial direction. In this case, the first protrusion 208 contacts the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and becomes the first contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. obtain. In the water purification cartridge of the present invention, the surface 203 may not have a protrusion. For example, the surface 203 can be flat. In this case, the surface 203 may be in contact with the first surface 31 of the water purification filter 3 in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity 34, and may be the first contact portion that elastically deforms the water purification filter 3 by pressing it in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 208 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a substantially triangular shape, a substantially quadrangular shape, a substantially semicircular shape, and a substantially semi-elliptical shape. The corners having a substantially triangular shape or a substantially square shape may be rounded.

On the side of the surface portion 203 ′ facing the upper surface portion 232, a ventilation passage 235 having a quadrangular cross section extending in the front-rear direction is formed. The ventilation passage 235 communicates with the ventilation port 205 having a quadrangular cross section formed on the side wall portion 233. Since the ventilation passage 235 is defined by two substantially parallel side surfaces rising from the lower surface 203'and an upper surface continuous with the two side surfaces, the ventilation passage 235 is isolated from the water flow path passing through the inside of the cartridge 1.

The second cover portion 22 has a bottom portion 227 and a side wall portion 220 that continuously rises from the bottom portion 227, and has a substantially cylindrical appearance as a whole. The side wall portion 220 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as the side wall portion 231 and the side wall portion 233. An outflow portion 223 for draining purified water to the outside of the cartridge 1 is formed in the central portion of the bottom portion 227. The outflow portion 223 has a circular through hole 223a. The surface of the bottom 227 facing the internal space of the casing 2 is referred to as a surface 221. An annular second protrusion 224 is formed on the surface 221 at a position on the outer side in the radial direction of the outflow portion 223 so as to surround the outflow portion 223.

In the present embodiment, the upper cover portion 20a and the lower cover portion 20b, and the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 are connected so that the connecting portions thereof maintain liquid tightness. As shown in FIG. 8, in the connected state in which the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 are connected, the side wall portion 231 and the side wall portion 233 and the side wall portion 220 are substantially flush with each other, and both of them are the side wall portions of the casing 2. 21 is formed. The upper cover portion 20a and the lower cover portion 20b, and the first cover portion 20 and the second cover portion 22 are connected by, for example, ultrasonic bonding.

In the housed state, the outer diameter of the water purification filter 3 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the side wall portion 21 of the casing 2. As a result, as in the first embodiment, in the accommodation state, an annular space 230 is formed in the gap between the side peripheral portion 32 and the side wall of the casing 2.

Hereinafter, the flow path of water passing through the cartridge 1 will be described more specifically. The main flow of water in the cartridge 1 is represented by the arrows shown in FIG. First, raw water flows from the tank 102 into the cartridge 1 through the inflow portion 207, that is, the first cover portion 20. The raw water that has flowed in from the inflow portion 207 passes through the through hole 234a and is temporarily stored in the space 230. The raw water stored in the space 230 passes through the side peripheral portion 32 of the water purification filter 3 from the outside to the inside in the radial direction, and flows into the cavity 34 as purified water. The purified water is discharged from the cavity 34 to the outside of the cartridge 1 from the outflow portion 223.

<2. Features>
The configurations of the water purification filter 3, the surface 203, the surface 221 and the first protrusion 208, and the second protrusion 224 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the features of these configurations are as described in the description of the first embodiment. In the following, features specific to the second embodiment will be described.

In the cartridge 1, water is filtered from the radial outside to the inside of the side peripheral portion 32 of the water purification filter 3. Therefore, another type of filter such as a hollow fiber membrane can be further arranged in the hollow portion 34, which is an area where purified water exists. By arranging another type of filter in the cavity 34, it is possible to provide a compact water purification cartridge having higher filtration performance without increasing the volume of the cartridge 1.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

(Example 1)
(1) Manufacture of water purification filter A water purification filter was manufactured as follows so that the type of raw water and purified water in the water flow direction would be an in-out type.

(1-1) Preparation of Non-woven Fabric Containing Heat-Fusible Short Fibers Provided on the Side Side of the Activated Charcoal Molded Body on the Inflow Side First, polyethylene terephthalate copolymerized with isophthalic acid as a heat-sealing component is sheathed. A heat-sealing short fiber in which polyethylene terephthalate was arranged in the core portion was prepared. The heat-sealing short fibers had a melting point of 110 ° C. in the sheath portion, a melting point of 260 ° C. in the core portion, a fiber length of 51 mm, a fiber diameter of 12 μm, and a fineness of 2.2 dtex. The short fibers are carded to form a thin web, and the web is subjected to needle punching, heat-treated and cooled at a temperature of 175 ° C., so that the short fibers are randomly arranged in three dimensions and the fibers are entangled with each other. A non-woven fabric A containing heat-sealing short fibers was obtained, which was heat-sealed and provided on the side surface of the activated charcoal molded product on the side where the raw water flowed in. The weight of the non-woven fabric was 50 g / m ² , the thickness was 0.18 mm, and the apparent density was 0.28 g / cm ³ .

(1-2) Preparation of non-woven fabric to be used as an activated carbon molded body (1-2-1) Preparation of raw materials The following raw materials were prepared for producing a non-woven fabric to be used as an activated carbon molded body.
-Fibrous activated carbon (trade name "W-10" manufactured by Ador Co., Ltd., mesopore ratio 27%, specific surface area 1100 m ² / g)
-Weak acid type polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber (Ca-substituted polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber manufactured by Unitica Co., Ltd .: trade name A-02CAU)
・ Heat-sealing short fibers (polyethylene terephthalate copolymerized with isophthalic acid as a heat-sealing component in the sheath and polyethylene terephthalate in the core, heat-sealing short fibers, the melting point of the sheath is 110 ° C, core melting point 260 ° C, fiber length 51 mm, fiber diameter 12 μm, fineness 2.2 dtex)

(1-2-2) Production of Wet Nonwoven Fabric Containing Activated Carbon 78 parts by mass of the above fibrous activated carbon, 10 parts by mass of ion exchange fibers, 12 parts by mass of heat-sealing short fibers, 100 parts by mass in total, and pulper. To prepare a uniformly dispersed slurry. The basis weight was adjusted by flowing the obtained slurry on a wire at a predetermined flow rate and dehydrating it. Then, the sheet was dried by the dryer part via the press part, the surface of the sheet was smoothed by the calendar part, and then wound on a reel. Then, the sheet was hot-pressed at 110 ° C. with a hot press roller to obtain a wet non-woven fabric B.

(1-3) Preparation of non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated charcoal molded product on the side where purified water is discharged Spunbond non-woven fabric C (trade name Elves (registered trademark) S0303WTO manufactured by Unitika Ltd., the core is made of polyester resin. A spunbonded non-woven fabric made of continuous fibers whose sheath is a core-sheath-type composite fiber made of a polyolefin resin, and the deposited continuous fibers are partially pressure-bonded by thermal embossing to be integrated. , The texture of the non-woven fabric was 30 g / m ² , the thickness was 0.23 mm, and the apparent density was 0.13 g / cm ³ ).

(1-4) Manufacture of water purification filter An iron cylindrical pipe having an outer diameter of 23.7 mm is prepared as a core, and the non-woven fabric A is wound around the core so as to have a predetermined thickness, and then the non-woven fabric A is wound. A wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon as an activated carbon molded body is wound on the non-woven fabric A so as to have a predetermined thickness, and a spunbonded non-woven fabric C is predetermined on the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon. It was wound so that it would be as thick as. Then, the non-woven fabric A, the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon, and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C were placed in a furnace in a wound state, heat-treated at an atmospheric temperature of 150 ° C. for 2 hours, and then naturally cooled. Then, after removing the core, it was cut to a length of 92 mm with a cutting machine to obtain the water purification filter of the present invention. The height (length) L1 of the water purification filter was 92 mm, the outer diameter was 40 mm, and the inner diameter was 22.4 mm. Further, the hardness of the water purification filter measured by a JIS S 6050 compliant durometer hardness meter (manufactured by Teclock Co., Ltd.) was 62, which was elastic. The activated carbon molded body in the water purification filter has an outer diameter of 39.5 mm, an inner diameter of 22.8 mm, and a mass of 18.2 g, and is a heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers contained in the activated carbon molded body. , Heat-sealing property of non-woven fabric A The heat-sealing component of short fibers and the polyolefin resin of the composite fiber constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric C are melted to form the non-woven fabric A and the activated carbon molded body, and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C and the activated carbon molding. The body was fused.

(2) Manufacture of water purification cartridge The water purification cartridge of the present invention including the obtained water purification filter was manufactured. The water purification cartridge was manufactured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the casing material was ABS resin, and the hardness was 95. The casing L2 was 92.0 mm and L3 was 89.2 mm. That is, the water purification filter includes a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion through which purified water flows out, and a water purification filter housed inside the casing for filtering the raw water. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having elasticity and a cavity, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively, and the casing covers the first surface of the water purification filter. A first cover portion, a second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided, and the first cover portion includes the outer periphery of the cavity portion. A first contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the first surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The second cover portion has an outer periphery of the cavity portion. A second contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The water purification filter has the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The raw water, which is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the contact portion and has flowed in from the inflow portion of the casing, flows into the cavity portion of the water purification filter via the first cover portion. Then, it is configured to pass through the water purification filter outward in the radial direction, flow out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall portion of the casing, and be discharged to the outside from the outflow portion. , Obtained a water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier.

(3) Manufacture of Water Purifier The above water purification cartridge was attached to a water purifier as shown in FIG. 11A to obtain a pot-type water purifier of the present invention.

(Example 2)
(1) Manufacture of water purification filter A water purification filter was manufactured as follows so that the type of raw water and purified water in the water flow direction would be an in-out type.
(1-1) Preparation of non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the inflow side (1-1-1) Preparation of raw materials In manufacturing the above-mentioned non-woven fabric, the following The raw materials were prepared.
-Heat-fused short fibers (prepared in Example 1, heat-fused short fibers used for the non-woven fabric containing the heat-fused short fibers provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows in are prepared. did.)
-Fibrous activated carbon (trade name "A-7" manufactured by Ador Co., Ltd., mesopore ratio 4%, specific surface area 850 m ² / g)
-Weak acid type polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber (Ca-substituted polyacrylate-based ion exchange fiber manufactured by Unitica Co., Ltd .: trade name A-02CAU)
(1-1-2) Production of Nonwoven Fabric Containing Heat-Fusible Short Fibers A total of 100 parts by mass of 35 parts by mass of the heat-bondable short fibers, 20 parts by mass of fibrous activated carbon, and 45 parts by mass of ion exchange fibers are mixed. Then, by carding to form a thin web, the web is subjected to needle punching, heat-treated at a temperature of 110 ° C., and cooled, short fibers are randomly arranged in three dimensions, and the fibers are entangled with each other to generate heat. A non-woven fabric D containing heat-sealing short fibers provided on the side surface of the fused activated charcoal molded product on the inflow side was obtained. The non-woven fabric had a basis weight of 70 g / m ² , a thickness of 0.42 mm, and an apparent density of 0.17 g / cm ³ .

(1-2) Preparation of Non-woven Fabric as Activated Carbon Molded Body The same non-woven fabric B as the activated carbon molded body as in Example 1 was prepared.

(1-3) Preparation of non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged The same as in Example 1, the non-woven fabric C (spun bond) provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged. Non-woven fabric) was prepared.

(1-4) Manufacture of water purification filter An iron cylindrical pipe having an outer diameter of 23.7 mm is prepared as a core, and the non-woven fabric D is wound around the core so as to have a predetermined thickness, and then the non-woven fabric D is wound. A wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon as an activated carbon molded body is wound on the non-woven fabric D so as to have a predetermined thickness, and a spunbonded non-woven fabric C is predetermined on the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon. It was wound so that it would be as thick as. Then, the non-woven fabric D, the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon, and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C were placed in a furnace in a wound state, heat-treated at an atmospheric temperature of 150 ° C. for 2 hours, and then naturally cooled. Then, after removing the core, it was cut to a length of 92.0 mm with a cutting machine to obtain a water purification filter of the present invention. The height (length) L1 of the water purification filter was 92.0 mm, the outer diameter was 40.0 mm, and the inner diameter was 22.4 mm. Further, the hardness of the water purification filter measured by a JIS S 6050 compliant durometer hardness meter (manufactured by Teclock Co., Ltd.) was 62, which was elastic. The activated carbon molded body in the water purification filter has an outer diameter of 39.5 mm, an inner diameter of 23.2 mm, and a mass of 17.2 g, and is a heat-sealing component of heat-sealing short fibers contained in the activated carbon molded body. , Heat-sealing property of non-woven fabric D The heat-sealing component of short fibers and the polyolefin resin of the composite fiber constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric C are melted to form the non-woven fabric D and the activated carbon molded body, and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C and the activated carbon molding. The body was fused.

(2) Manufacture of water purification cartridge The water purification cartridge of the present invention including the obtained water purification filter was manufactured. The water purification cartridge was manufactured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the casing material was ABS resin, and the hardness was 95. The casing L2 was 92.0 mm and L3 was 89.2 mm. That is, the water purification filter includes a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion through which purified water flows out, and a water purification filter housed inside the casing for filtering the raw water. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having elasticity and a cavity, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively, and the casing covers the first surface of the water purification filter. A first cover portion, a second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided, and the first cover portion includes the outer periphery of the cavity portion. A first contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the first surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The second cover portion has an outer periphery of the cavity portion. A second contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The water purification filter has the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The raw water, which is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the contact portion and has flowed in from the inflow portion of the casing, flows into the cavity portion of the water purification filter via the first cover portion. Then, it is configured to pass through the water purification filter outward in the radial direction, flow out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall portion of the casing, and be discharged to the outside from the outflow portion. , Obtained a water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier.

(3) Manufacture of Water Purifier The above water purification cartridge was attached to the water purifier in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain the pot-type water purifier of the present invention.

(Comparative Example 1)
(1) Manufacture of water purification filter A water purification filter was manufactured as follows so that the type of raw water and purified water in the water flow direction would be an in-out type.
(1-1) Preparation of non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows in The same as the non-woven fabric prepared as the non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the purified water is discharged. Nonwoven fabric C (spunbonded non-woven fabric) was prepared.

(1-2) Preparation of Non-woven Fabric as Activated Carbon Molded Body The same non-woven fabric B as the activated carbon molded body as in Example 1 was prepared.

(1-3) Preparation of non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged The same as in Example 1, the non-woven fabric C (spun bond) provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where purified water is discharged. Non-woven fabric) was prepared.

(1-4) Manufacture of water purification filter An iron cylindrical pipe having an outer diameter of 23.7 mm is prepared as a core, and the non-woven fabric C is wound around the core so as to have a predetermined thickness, and then the non-woven fabric C is wound. A wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon as an activated carbon molded body is wound on the non-woven fabric C to a predetermined thickness, and another spunbonded non-woven fabric C is placed on the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon. Was wound so as to have a predetermined thickness. Then, the non-woven fabric C, the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon, and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C were placed in a furnace in a wound state, heat-treated at an atmospheric temperature of 150 ° C. for 2 hours, and then naturally cooled. Then, after removing the core, it was cut to a length of 92.0 mm with a cutting machine to obtain a water purification filter of Comparative Example. The height (length) L1 of the water purification filter was 92.0 mm, the outer diameter was 40.0 mm, and the inner diameter was 22.4 mm. Further, the hardness of the water purification filter measured by a JIS S 6050 compliant durometer hardness meter (manufactured by Teclock Co., Ltd.) was 62, which was elastic. The activated carbon molded body in the water purification filter has an outer diameter of 39.5 mm, an inner diameter of 22.9 mm, and a mass of 18.3 g, and is a heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers contained in the activated carbon molded body. By melting the polyolefin-based resin of the composite fiber constituting the spunbonded nonwoven fabric C, the spunbonded nonwoven fabric C on the inner layer side and the activated carbon molded body were fused, and the spunbonded nonwoven fabric C on the outer layer side and the activated carbon molded body were fused. ..

(2) Manufacture of water purification cartridge A water purification cartridge of a comparative example including the obtained water purification filter was manufactured. The water purification cartridge was manufactured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the casing material was ABS resin, and the hardness was 95. The casing L2 was 92.0 mm and L3 was 89.2 mm. That is, the water purification filter includes a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion through which purified water flows out, and a water purification filter housed inside the casing for filtering the raw water. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having elasticity and a cavity, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively, and the casing covers the first surface of the water purification filter. A first cover portion, a second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided, and the first cover portion includes the outer periphery of the cavity portion. A first contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the first surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The second cover portion has an outer periphery of the cavity portion. A second contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The water purification filter has the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The raw water, which is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the contact portion and has flowed in from the inflow portion of the casing, flows into the cavity portion of the water purification filter via the first cover portion. Then, it is configured to pass through the water purification filter outward in the radial direction, flow out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall portion of the casing, and be discharged to the outside from the outflow portion. , Obtained a water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier.

(Comparative Example 2)
(1) Manufacture of water purification filter A water purification filter was manufactured as follows so that the type of raw water and purified water in the water flow direction would be an in-out type.

(1-1) Preparation of Non-woven Fabric as Activated Carbon Molded Body The same non-woven fabric B as the activated carbon molded body as in Example 1 was prepared.

(1-2) Preparation of non-woven fabric provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where purified water is discharged The same as in Example 1, non-woven fabric C (spun bond) provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where purified water is discharged. Non-woven fabric) was prepared.

(1-3) Manufacture of water purification filter An iron cylindrical pipe having an outer diameter of 23.7 mm is prepared as a core, and a wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon as an activated carbon molded body is provided on the core so as to have a predetermined thickness. The spunbonded non-woven fabric C was wound on the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon so as to have a predetermined thickness. Then, the wet non-woven fabric B containing activated carbon and the spunbonded non-woven fabric C were placed in a furnace in a wound state, heat-treated at an atmospheric temperature of 150 ° C. for 2 hours, and then naturally cooled. Then, after removing the core, it was cut to a length of 92.0 mm with a cutting machine to obtain a water purification filter of Comparative Example. The height (length) L1 of the water purification filter was 92.0 mm, the outer diameter was 40.0 mm, and the inner diameter was 22.5 mm. Further, the hardness of the water purification filter measured by a JIS S 6050 compliant durometer hardness meter (manufactured by Teclock Co., Ltd.) was 62, which was elastic. The activated carbon molded body in the water purification filter has an outer diameter of 39.5 mm, an inner diameter of 22.4 mm, and a mass of 18.3 g, and is a heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers contained in the activated carbon molded body. , The polyolefin resin of the composite fiber constituting the spunbonded nonwoven fabric C was melted, so that the spunbonded nonwoven fabric C on the outer layer side and the activated carbon molded body were fused.

(2) Manufacture of water purification cartridge A water purification cartridge of a comparative example including the obtained water purification filter was manufactured. The water purification cartridge was manufactured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, the casing material was ABS resin, and the hardness was 95. The casing L2 was 92.0 mm and L3 was 89.2 mm. That is, the water purification filter includes a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion through which purified water flows out, and a water purification filter housed inside the casing for filtering the raw water. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having elasticity and a cavity, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively, and the casing covers the first surface of the water purification filter. A first cover portion, a second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided, and the first cover portion includes the outer periphery of the cavity portion. A first contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the first surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The second cover portion has an outer periphery of the cavity portion. A second contact portion is formed in which the water purification filter is annularly contacted with the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the water purification filter, and the water purification filter is axially pressed to elastically deform. The water purification filter has the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The raw water, which is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the contact portion and has flowed in from the inflow portion of the casing, flows into the cavity portion of the water purification filter via the first cover portion. Then, it is configured to pass through the water purification filter outward in the radial direction, flow out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall portion of the casing, and be discharged to the outside from the outflow portion. , Obtained a water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier.

(3) Manufacture of water purifier The above water purification cartridge was attached to the water purifier in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a pot-type water purifier of Comparative Example.

(4) Evaluation (4-1) Flow rate The filtration flow rate was measured and calculated according to JIS S 3201 2017 6.1 Filtration flow rate test c) 1).
(4-2) Evaluation of inflow of dropped activated carbon into the raw water storage section With water accumulated in the raw water storage section, the presence or absence of the dropped activated carbon was visually confirmed.
(4-3) Presence or absence of leak The presence or absence of leak was confirmed by passing free residual chlorine having an initial concentration of 2 mg / L through each of the water purification cartridges according to Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Further, regarding the water purification cartridges according to Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the water purification filter was taken out from the casing after passing water, and the portion that was in contact with the first contact portion (first protrusion) of the casing and the second portion. The distance L4 between the two contact portions (second protrusions) and the portion in contact was measured, and the degree of elastic recovery of the water purification filter was evaluated from the ratio W (%) of the distance L4 to the length L1.

The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

As shown in Table 1, the water purification filters of Examples 1 and 2 include an activated carbon molded body having a cylindrical shape, and are water purification filters through which raw water is passed in the radial direction in the cylindrical shape of the activated carbon molded body. Since a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers is provided on the side surface on the side where the raw water flows in, it has a sufficient flow rate even when applied to a pot-type water purifier, and the activated carbon that has fallen off is stored in the raw water. It was intended to reduce the inflow to the section.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows was not provided with the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers, but was provided with the spunbonded non-woven fabric made of continuous fibers. The flow rate was not sufficient and it took time to purify the water.

Further, in Comparative Example 2, since the non-woven fabric containing the heat-sealing short fibers was not provided on the side surface of the activated carbon molded body on the side where the raw water flows, the fallen activated carbon flows into the raw water storage portion. Was recognized.

1 Cartridge 2 Casing 3 Water purification filter 20 1st cover part 21 Side wall part 22 2nd cover part 31 1st surface 32 Side peripheral part 33 2nd surface 34 Cavity part 35 Activated carbon molded body 36 Inner peripheral side in the radial direction of the activated carbon molded body Non-woven fabric arranged in 37 Non-woven fabric arranged on the outer peripheral side in the radial direction of the activated carbon molded body 203 Surface 207 Inflow part 208 First protrusion (first contact part)
221 Surface 223 Outflow part 224 Second protrusion (second contact part)
230 space 300 seats

Claims (10)

A water purification filter having a cylindrically shaped activated carbon molded body through which raw water is passed in the radial direction in the cylindrical shape.
A water purification filter comprising a non-woven fabric containing heat-sealing short fibers on the side surface of the activated carbon molded product on the side where the raw water flows. The water purification filter according to claim 1, wherein the heat-sealing component of the heat-sealing short fibers is a polyester resin. The water purification filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activated carbon molded body contains heat-sealing short fibers. The water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to ³ , wherein the apparent density calculated from the thickness and basis weight of the non-woven fabric is 0.08 to 0.30 g / cm ³ . The water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-woven fabric contains at least one selected from the group consisting of ion exchange fibers, cellulosic fibers and animal fibers. The water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-woven fabric contains inorganic fibers. The water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the activated carbon constituting the activated carbon molded body is a fibrous activated carbon. A water purification cartridge for a pot-type water purifier including the water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a tubular casing having an inflow portion into which raw water flows in and an outflow portion through which purified water flows out, and a tubular casing housed inside the casing and for filtering the raw water. The water purification filter includes a water purification filter, and the water purification filter is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity as well as being elastic, and has first and second surfaces at both ends in the axial direction, respectively. A first cover portion that covers the first surface of the water purification filter, a second cover portion that covers the second surface of the water purification filter, and a side wall portion that covers the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter are provided. In the 1 cover portion, a first contact portion is formed in which the first surface of the water purification filter is annularly contacted so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity portion, and the water purification filter is pressed in the axial direction to be elastically deformed. The 2 cover portion is formed with a second contact portion that periodically contacts the second surface of the water purification filter so as to surround the outer periphery of the cavity portion and presses the water purification filter in the axial direction to elastically deform the water purification filter. The filter is housed inside the casing in a state of being elastically deformed by the pressing force of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the raw water flowing in from the inflow portion of the casing passes through the first cover portion. Then, it flows into the hollow portion of the water purification filter, passes the water purification filter outward in the radial direction, flows out into the space between the outer peripheral surface of the water purification filter and the side wall portion of the casing, and flows out from the outflow portion. A water purification cartridge for pot-type water purifiers that is configured to be discharged to the outside. A pot-type water purifier including the water purification filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7.