JP7473038B2 - Drainage section structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drainage structure that is less susceptible to mold and other stains around the corner formed by the drain outlet of the water receiving body and a member used in contact with the surface of the drain outlet.

The connection between the water receiving body and the drain pipe of a water-related device is generally made by connecting a cylindrical drain outlet formed on the bottom surface of the water receiving body to the drain pipe via a drain connection member (member) such as a drain flange. As a drain connection member, for example, a configuration having an outer end portion that abuts against the surface of the drain pipe is known (for example, JP 2014-214518 A (Patent Document 1)). In addition, in order to prevent hair and large solid objects from getting into the drain pipe, a member called a hair catcher is also placed in abutment against the inner surface of the drain outlet, and such a member also has an outer end portion that abuts against the surface of the drain outlet.

In a component whose outer end abuts against the inner peripheral surface of such a drain, sewage is likely to accumulate in the corner between the outer end and the inner peripheral surface of the drain. When sewage accumulates in the corner between the inner peripheral surface of the drain, bacteria are generated and multiplied by the sewage. When bacteria are generated and multiplied, a biofilm is formed, and this biofilm causes mold to grow and multiply. As a result, there is a risk that the corner will become blackened and produce a foul odor due to black mold.

As a method for suppressing the proliferation of bacteria and mold in such inside corners, it has been proposed to apply an antibacterial agent with antibacterial properties to the surface of the component (JP Patent Publication 2011-72868 (Patent Document 2)). However, it has been observed that while this can suppress the proliferation of bacteria and mold on the component side (component surface) of the inside corner, it is not sufficient to suppress the proliferation of bacteria and mold on the drain side (drain surface) of the inside corner.

In order to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold on the component side and the drain side in the inside corner, it is also possible to apply an antibacterial agent with antibacterial properties to the surface of the drain. However, applying an antibacterial agent with antibacterial properties to the surface of the entire water receiving body leads to increased costs, and care must be taken to apply the agent evenly to the entire surface of the water receiving body without detracting from the appearance of the plumbing equipment.

JP 2014-214518 A JP 2011-72868 A

The inventors have found that a component that is installed with its outer end abutting the surface of a drain can effectively prevent the proliferation of bacteria not only on the component side of the corner but also on the drain side of the corner, even when water accumulates in the corner between the outer end and the inner surface of the drain, without the need to apply an antibacterial agent with antibacterial properties to the water receiving body. The present invention is based on this finding.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a drainage structure that includes at least a water receiving body with a drain outlet and a member that is used with its outer end abutting the surface of the drain outlet, and that effectively prevents the growth of bacteria and mold on the surface of the drain outlet around the corner formed by the drain outlet and the outer end.

The drainage structure according to the present invention is as follows:
A receiving body having a drainage outlet;
A drainage structure comprising a member having an outer end portion extending in a circumferential direction and used in a state in which the outer end portion is in contact with a surface of the drainage outlet,
The drain outlet and the outer edge portion form an inside corner,
The member having the outer end portion is formed from a resin containing a substance having an antibacterial effect, and the substance having an antibacterial effect is characterized in that it is eluted onto the surface of the resin.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the effect of the antifouling properties of the drainage structure of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of the contact area between the surface of the drainage outlet formed in the water-receiving body and a member having an outer end portion. 2 is an enlarged view of an inside corner 4 formed by a member having an outer end and a surface 3 of a drainage opening 2 formed in a receiving body in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a washbasin 100 equipped with a drainage structure according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a drainage structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a drainage structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drainage flange in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the drainage flange in FIG. 3 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a test situation in antifouling evaluation test 2.

The plumbing equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention exhibits antifouling properties. The plumbing equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises at least a water receiving body made of thermosetting resin or ceramic having a drain outlet, and a member used with its outer end in contact with the surface of the drain outlet. In one embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the drain outlet located upstream of the outer end has a gradient that slopes downward toward the outer end, and at least the outer end is formed of a resin containing a substance having antibacterial properties.

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the effect of the antifouling properties of a plumbing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of the contact point between the surface of a drain formed in a water receiving body and a member having an outer end in a plumbing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the details of which will be described later. In Figure 1, the outer end (brim) 1 is shown in contact with the surface 3 of the drain in a water receiving body 2 such as a bowl. In one embodiment of the present invention, an inside corner 4 is formed between these two members. Furthermore, as will be described later, the surface 3 of the drain located upstream of the brim 1 has a gradient that slopes downward toward the outer end 1.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the surface 3 of the drain located upstream of the outer end 1 is configured to have a gradient that slopes downward toward the outer end 1, so that water is less likely to accumulate in the inside corner 4. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, even if water accumulates in the inside corner 4, a substance having antibacterial properties is dissolved from the resin into the accumulated water. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of this antibacterial effect. As shown in Figure 2, even if water 5 accumulates in the inside corner 4, a substance having antibacterial properties is dissolved from the resin into the accumulated water 5. This substance having antibacterial properties can effectively prevent the growth of bacteria and mold not only on the surface of the outer end 1, but also on the surface of the drain around the outer end 1 where the water accumulated in the inside corner 3 comes into contact, that is, in the area shown as region 6 in Figure 2. As a result, efficient anti-fouling can be achieved for both the surface of the drain and the member used in a state in which the outer end abuts against the surface of the drain. This effect can be sustained for a long period of time. In addition, the outer end of the flange 1 that forms the inside corner is inclined downward as it moves away from the drain that forms the inside corner. In other words, the outer end of the flange 1 that forms the inside corner is inclined downward as it moves toward the center of the drain hole. Therefore, the water 5 that has accumulated in the inside corner spreads out more, and the contact area with the outer end of the flange 1 becomes larger. This makes it easier for the antibacterial substance that has dissolved on the surface of the outer end of the flange 1 to dissolve more into the water 5 that has accumulated in the inside corner. As a result, more efficient anti-fouling can be achieved for both the surface of the drain and the member that is used with its outer end abutting against the surface of the drain.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the component used with its outer end abutting the surface of the drain includes not only the drain flange described below, but also components such as hair catchers that are merely placed so that their outer end abuts the surface of the drain, but are not firmly fixed.

A preferred embodiment of the drainage section structure FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a washbasin 100 equipped with a drainage section structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a water receiving body 110 that is a bowl section, a water faucet device 120 that discharges water into the bowl section 110, and a drainage outlet 130 formed on the bottom surface 111 of the bowl section 110. The drainage section structure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to the drainage outlet 130 of the bowl section 110 and is integrated to connect the drainage outlet 130 and the drainage pipe 150. The bowl section 110 is made of a thermosetting resin or ceramic and does not contain an "antibacterial substance" to be described in detail later. In the present invention, a bowl section 110 containing an "antibacterial substance" at a concentration of 0.001% by mass or less in the entire bowl section 110 is also defined as being "not containing an antibacterial substance". In addition, for example, in the embodiment of the bowl section 110 of the present invention, at least the surface of the drainage outlet 130 is not provided with an "antibacterial substance". This embodiment also corresponds to bowl portion 110 of the present invention which does not contain any substance having antibacterial activity.

4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the drainage structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the drainage structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the drainage port 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a part of the bottom surface 111 of the bowl portion 110 concave downward. The inner peripheral surface 131 of the drainage port 130 is smoothly inclined from the top to the bottom, and is gradually narrowed. In other words, the radius of the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 131 is narrower than that of the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 131. A drain plug 140 is provided above the drainage port 130. The drain plug 140 is permanently installed at the drainage port 130, and can open and close the drainage port 130 by raising and lowering in the vertical direction. A cylindrical drainage flange 160 as a drainage connection member for connecting the bowl portion 110 and the drain pipe 150 is fixed to the drainage port 130 by a nut-shaped fastening member 170.

The drain flange 160 as a drain connection member has an outer end 161 formed by expanding radially from its upper part, and a tip surface 161a which is the outer surface of the flange portion 161 and contacts the inner surface of the drain port 130. In this specification, the outer end and the flange portion are used in the same sense. Furthermore, although not essential for the present invention, it preferably has a groove 162 recessed radially inward from the tip portion 161a, and an O-ring 180 is attached to this groove 162 as an annular packing that stops water between the drain port 130 and the drain flange 160. In this embodiment, an O-ring with a circular cross section is used as the annular packing, but this is not limited to this, and other cross-sectional shapes such as an X-ring may also be used.

The drain flange 160 is inserted from above the drain outlet 130 and fixed to the drain outlet 130. When fixed to the drain outlet 130, the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 of the drain flange 160 abuts against the inner peripheral surface 131 of the drain outlet 130. In addition, the outer peripheral surface 160a of the drain flange 160 below the flange portion 161 is threaded to screw into the fastening member 170. In other words, the fastening member 170 is connected to the flange portion 161 so that the flange portion 1 abuts against the surface of the drain outlet 130.

When the drain flange 160 is attached to the drain outlet 130, a space S is formed between the underside of the flange portion 161, the inner peripheral surface 131 of the drain outlet 130, and the outer peripheral surface 160a of the drain flange.

The fastening member 170 is a cylindrical nut, and is provided to fix the vertical position of the drain flange 160. The fastening member 170 has a threaded inner circumferential surface, and is screwed into a thread groove formed on the circumferential surface of the drain flange 160. The fastening member 170 is also screwed into the drain flange 160 up to a position where it abuts against the lower surface of the drain port 130.
The fastening member 170 is provided with an extension portion 171 that is formed so as to hang down downward.
The outer periphery of the extension portion 171 is threaded, and by screwing it into a threaded groove formed in the drain pipe 150, the drain pipe 150 can be fixed to the drain outlet 130 of the bowl portion 110.

The drain pipe 150 is connected to the drain outlet 130 of the bowl portion 110 by screwing into the fastening member 170, which always fixes the drain pipe 150 in the same position. Therefore, even if the fixing position of the drain flange 160 to the inner peripheral surface 131 changes, the drain pipe 150 can always be fixed in the same position. The drain pipe 150 is, for example, a trap portion (tailpiece) for forming a water seal.

Next, the drain flange 160 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, the flange portion 161 of the drain flange 160 is formed so that the thickness of the flange portion 161 increases as it moves radially outward. In other words, the flange portion 161 is formed so that the tip 161c is thicker than the base 161d, so that it is easy to gradually elastically deform from the base of the flange portion. Therefore, when a load is applied to the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 from the outside to the inside in the radial direction, the flange portion 161 can be reduced in diameter in the radial direction of the drain flange 160. As a result, the drain flange 160 can be inserted to a position where the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 can abut against the inner circumferential surface 131 without any gaps while suppressing local deformation of the flange portion 161.

When inserting the drain flange 160, the flange portion 161 can be gradually deformed from the base 161d to abut against the drain outlet, so the tip surface 161a can be abutted against the inner surface 131 without significantly deforming the shape of the tip 161c, making it difficult for a gap to form between the drain outlet 130 and the flange portion 161.

It is preferable that the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 is inclined toward the radial inside of the drain flange 160 so as to abut against the inner peripheral surface 131. In other words, the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 is inclined to match the inclination of the inner peripheral surface 131 of the drain outlet 130, so that the inner peripheral surface 131 and the tip surface 161a can be abutted without a gap regardless of the dimensions of the drain outlet 130. The upper surface 161b of the flange portion 161 is inclined downward toward the radial center and smoothly connected to the inner peripheral surface 160b of the drain flange 160. Therefore, the drainage does not accumulate on the upper surface 161b of the flange portion 161, and the drainage can be guided to the inner peripheral surface 160b of the drain flange 160. In one embodiment of the present invention, even if water remains in the corner between the tip surface 161a of the flange portion 161 and the inner peripheral surface 131, substances with antibacterial and antifungal properties are eluted from the resin that constitutes the flange portion 161, effectively preventing the growth of bacteria and mold in this vicinity, particularly on the inner peripheral surface 131.

In this embodiment, preferably, when the drain flange 160 is not attached to the drain port 130, the O-ring 180 is such that, in a side view, more than half of the O-ring 180 is inserted into the groove 162, and a portion of the O-ring 180 protrudes radially outward from the tip surface 161a. In other words, the O-ring 180 is attached such that a portion of the O-ring 180 protrudes from the groove 162, leaving a gap above and below the groove 162.

When the drain flange 160 is attached to the drain outlet 130, the O-ring 180, whose portion protruding from the tip surface 161a of the O-ring 180, comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 131 of the drain outlet 130, is elastically deformed, and is crushed, thereby more completely sealing off the water between the drain outlet 130 and the drain flange 160. In addition, in this embodiment, when the drain flange 160 is attached to the drain outlet 130, friction acts on the O-ring 180 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction into the drain flange 160, that is, from below to above, so that the O-ring 180 is elastically deformed and crushed so that the upper gap in the groove 162 is filled in the groove 162. Therefore, when the drain flange 160 is attached to the drain outlet 130, the capillary phenomenon makes it difficult for wastewater to penetrate below the upper end of the tip surface of the flange portion, and it is possible to more reliably suppress the growth of mold and the generation of blackening and foul odors. In addition, the drain flange 160 tends to move upward due to the reaction force of the elastic deformation of the O-ring 180, but because it is fixed by the fastening member 170, the upward movement of the drain flange 160 is prevented, and the watertight state can be maintained.

The "resin containing a substance having antibacterial activity" constituting the drain flange 160 has a lower strength (rigidity) than the "resin not containing a substance having antibacterial activity" because the substance having antibacterial activity is mixed into the resin. On the other hand, in the drain structure in the embodiment of the present invention, the drain pipe 150 is connected to the fastening member 170 so as to cover at least a part of the fastening member 170 from below. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the flange 1 of the "member (drain flange 160) formed of a resin containing a substance having antibacterial activity" which has a weak strength. As a result of being able to suppress deformation of the flange 1 in this way, the inside corner designed to be inclined downward as it moves away from the drain outlet 130 forming the inside corner can be maintained in the shape intended by the designer. This makes it possible to reliably maintain the effect of "making it easier for the substance having antibacterial activity dissolved on the surface of the end of the flange 1 to dissolve more easily in the water accumulated in the inside corner" without compromising it.

Resin In one embodiment of the present invention, the member used with its outer end abutting against the surface of the drain outlet, for example, the drain flange 160 or the hair catcher 141 in the figure, may be made of resin, and the resin may be either a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin. When the resin molded body is large and requires high strength and heat resistance, it is preferable to use a thermosetting resin, and when the resin molded body is small and has a complex shape, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin.

In the present invention, the thermosetting resin may be one or more selected from urea resin, melamine resin, phenolic resin, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, and silicone resin.

In the present invention, the thermoplastic resin may be one or more selected from polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polystyrene resin (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), polyamide resin (PA), polyether ether ketone resin (PEEK), polytrimethylene terephthalate resin (PTT), polycarbonate resin (PC), and polytetrafluoroethylene tetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE).

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is more preferable to use one or more types selected from PP, PE, POM, PBT, PVC, ABS, PPS, PET, PMMA, PA, and PC as the thermoplastic resin. Of these, even more preferable is one or more types selected from PP, POM, and ABS.

The substance having antibacterial activity used in the present invention means an agent having a MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) against bacteria, as described in the Dictionary of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents - Active Substances Edition - (Journal of the Japanese Society of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents, 1998, Vol. 26).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the substance having antibacterial activity is preferably contained in the resin in an amount of 0.2% by mass to 5.6% by mass. This makes it possible to impart antibacterial properties to the resin. More preferably, the substance having antibacterial activity is contained in an amount of 0.4% by mass to 5.6% by mass, and even more preferably, 0.7% by mass to 5.6% by mass. It is also preferable that the substance having antibacterial activity is contained in the resin in an amount of 0.2% by mass to 4.5% by mass. More preferably, the substance having antibacterial activity is contained in an amount of 0.4% by mass to 4.5% by mass, and even more preferably, 0.7% by mass to 4.5% by mass.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the substance having antibacterial activity is preferably contained in the resin at 0.03% by mass or more and 0.7% by mass or less, and more preferably at 0.2% by mass or more and 0.7% by mass or less.

This allows for good moldability during heat molding and also makes it possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold over the long term.

The amount of antibacterial substances contained in the resin can be determined using analytical techniques.

Analysis methods for obtaining the amount of antibacterial substances contained in a resin include gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/OES, ICP-MS), etc., and can be selected appropriately depending on the type of inorganic antibacterial agent. These can be selected appropriately depending on the type of antibacterial substance.

The substance having antibacterial activity used in one embodiment of the present invention may be either an organic antibacterial and antifungal agent or an inorganic antibacterial agent.

Organic antibacterial and antifungal agent In the present invention, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent means an organic agent having a MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) against bacteria and fungi as described in the Dictionary of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents - Active Substances Edition - (Journal of the Japanese Society of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents, 1998, Vol. 26).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent may be, for example, one or more selected from alcohol-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, aldehyde-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, imidazole-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, ester-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, chlorine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, peroxide-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, carboxylic acid-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, carbamate-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, sulfamide-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, quaternary ammonium salt-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, biguanide-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, phenol-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, iodine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, and triazole-based antibacterial and antifungal agents.

Specific examples of organic antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used in the present invention include the following:

As an alcohol-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from ethanol, isopropanol, propanol, trisnitro (trishydroxymethylnitromethane), chlorobutanol (1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol), and bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol) can be used.

As the aldehyde-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and BCA (α-bromocinnamaldehyde) can be used.

As the thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from OIT (2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), MIT (2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), CMI (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one), BIT (1,2-benzisothiazolone), and n-butyl BIT (N-n-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolone-3) can be used.

The structural formula of OIT is shown in Formula 1.

The structural formula of MIT is shown in Formula 2.

The structural formula of CMI is shown in Formula 3.

The structural formula of BIT is shown in Formula 4.

As the imidazole-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from TBZ (2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole) and BCM (methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate) can be used.

Ester-based antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used include lauricidin (glycerol laurate).

As the chlorine-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from triclocarban (3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide), halocarban (4,4-dichloro-3-(3-fluoromethyl)-carbanilide), 2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile, sodium hypochlorite, dichloroisocyanuric acid, and trichloroisocyanuric acid can be used.

As the peroxide-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and peracetic acid can be used.

As the carboxylic acid-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from benzoic acid, sorbic acid, caprylic acid, propionic acid, 10-undecylenic acid, potassium sorbate, potassium propionate, calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, magnesium dihydrogen bismonoperoxyphthalate, and zinc undecylenate can be used.

Carbamate-based antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used include sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate.

As the sulfamide-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from dichlofluanid and trifluanid can be used.

Quaternary ammonium salt-based antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used include one or more selected from 4,4'-(tetramethylenedicarbonyldiamino)bis(1-decylpyridinium bromide), benzalkonium chloride, benzothonium chloride, acetylammonium bromide, N,N'-hexamethylenebis(4-carbonyl-1-decylpyridinium bromide), and cetylpyridinium chloride.

As biguanide antibacterial and antifungal agents, one or more selected from chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, polypyguanide hydrochloride, and polyhexamethylenepyguanide can be used.

As pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, one or more selected from sodium pyrithione, zinc pyrithione (ZPT: bis(2-pyridithio-1-oxide) zinc), densil (2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine), and copper pyrithione (bis(2-pyridithio-1-oxide) copper) can be used.

The structural formula of ZPT is shown in Formula 5.

As the phenol-based antibacterial and antifungal agent, one or more selected from thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), biosol (3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol), OPP (orthophenylphenol), phenol, butylparaben (butyl-p-hydroxybenzoate), ethylparaben (ethyl-p-hydroxybenzoate), methylparaben (methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate), propylparaben (propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate), metacresol, orthocresol, paracresol, sodium orthophenylphenol, chlorophene (2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol), and chlorocresol (2-methyl-3-chlorophenol) can be used.

As iodine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents, one or more selected from Amical 48 iodine (diiodomethyl-p-tolyl-sulfone), polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine, p-chlorophenyl-3-iodopropargyl formal, 3-bromo-2,3-diiodo-propenyl ethyl carbonate, and 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbonate can be used.

Triazole-based antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used include tebuconazole ((±)-α-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol).

In the present invention, it is possible to use two or more organic antibacterial and antifungal agents. This makes it possible to further inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold.

In the present invention, it is possible to use two or more organic antibacterial and antifungal agents with different dissolution rates. This makes it possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold for an even longer period of time.

In the present invention, when two organic antibacterial and antifungal agents are used, the resin contains a first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent and a second organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. The first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent preferably has a dissolution rate of 10-9 g/cm2/h or more, more preferably 10-8 g/cm2/h or more. The dissolution rate of the second organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is preferably 5 times or more, more preferably 10 times or more, than the dissolution rate of the first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. This allows the second organic antibacterial and antifungal agent to dissolve quickly on the resin surface, making it possible to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold when the resin is first used. In addition, since the first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent dissolves at a slower rate than the second organic antibacterial and antifungal agent, it is possible to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold for a long period of time.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use one or more selected from thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agents and pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents as the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. This makes it possible to further inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold in areas around water. It is even more preferable to use thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agents and pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agents as the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent.

In the present invention, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent can be supported on an inorganic compound. This improves the heat resistance of the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent, making it possible to suppress the generation of gas during heat molding. In addition, the rate at which the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent elutes from the resin can be controlled, making it possible to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold over the long term.

As the inorganic compound, one or more selected from zeolite, glass, talc, silica gel, silicate, mica, and sepiolite can be used. Of these, it is preferable to use one or more selected from zeolite, talc, and glass.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is preferably contained in the resin in an amount of 0.2% by mass to 4.9% by mass. This makes it possible to impart antibacterial and antifungal properties to the resin. More preferably, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is contained in the resin in an amount of 0.4% by mass to 4.9% by mass, and even more preferably, in an amount of 0.6% by mass to 4.9% by mass. It is also preferable that the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is contained in the resin in an amount of 0.2% by mass to 3.9% by mass. More preferably, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is contained in the resin in an amount of 0.4% by mass to 3.9% by mass, and even more preferably, in an amount of 0.6% by mass to 3.9% by mass.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is preferably contained in the resin in an amount of 0.03% by mass or more and 0.7% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 0.7% by mass or less.

This allows for good moldability during heat molding and makes it possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold over the long term.

Analysis methods for determining the amount of organic antibacterial and antifungal agent contained in the resin include, among those mentioned above, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), and can be appropriately selected depending on the type of antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Inorganic antibacterial agent In the present invention, the inorganic antibacterial agent means an inorganic agent having at least a MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) against bacteria, as described in the Dictionary of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents - Active Substances Edition - (Journal of the Japanese Society of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents, 1998, Vol. 26).

In the present invention, the inorganic antibacterial agent can be one or more selected from silver-based antibacterial agents, zinc-based antibacterial agents, and copper-based antibacterial agents. This can impart an antibacterial effect to a wide variety of bacteria, making it possible to inhibit the formation of biofilms produced by the proliferation of bacteria. This can also inhibit the proliferation of mold that attaches using the biofilm as a foothold.

In the present invention, the inorganic antibacterial agent may be one or more selected from silver ions, zinc ions, and copper ions supported on an inorganic compound. The inorganic compound may be one or more selected from zeolite, glass, talc, silica gel, silicate, mica, and sepiolite. When using multiple ion species, each ion may be supported on the same inorganic compound. Specifically, an inorganic antibacterial agent in which silver ions and zinc ions are supported on glass may be used. When using multiple ion species, each ion may be supported on a different inorganic compound. Specifically, an inorganic antibacterial agent in which silver ions are supported on glass and an inorganic antibacterial agent in which zinc ions are supported on zeolite may be used.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a complex of silver and an inorganic oxide other than silver as the silver-based antibacterial agent. Specifically, it is possible to use one or more selected from silver-zirconium phosphate (AgxHyNazZr2(PO)4)3) (x+y+z=1), silver chloride-titanium oxide (AgCl/TiO2), silver-calcium zinc phosphate (Ag-CaxZnyAlz(PO)4)6 (x+y+z=10), and silver zinc aluminum silicate (mixture) M2/n.Na2O.2SiO2.xH2O (M:Ag,Zn,NH4)).

In the present invention, zinc oxide-silver/zirconium phosphate (ZnO, AgxHyNazZr2(PO)4)3) can be used as a zinc-based antibacterial agent.

In the present invention, it is possible to use N-stearoyl-L-glutamic acid AgCu salt as a copper-based antibacterial agent.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a silver-based antibacterial agent as the inorganic antibacterial agent. It is even more preferable to use a complex of silver and an inorganic oxide other than silver. This makes it possible to suppress excessive elution of silver onto the resin surface, thereby making it possible to suppress the growth of bacteria for a long period of time.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the resin preferably contains 0.03% to 0.73% by mass of inorganic antibacterial agent, more preferably 0.06% to 0.73% by mass, and even more preferably 0.09% to 0.73% by mass. The resin also preferably contains 0% to 0.59% by mass of inorganic antibacterial agent, more preferably 0.06% to 0.59% by mass, and even more preferably 0.09% to 0.59% by mass.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the resin preferably contains 1.0 x 10-4 mass% or more and 3.8 x 10-3 mass% or less of an inorganic antibacterial agent, and more preferably 1.5 x 10-3 mass% or more and 3.8 x 10-3 mass% or less.

This makes it possible to inhibit bacterial growth over a long period of time and suppress the formation of biofilms.

Analysis methods for determining the amount of inorganic antibacterial agent contained in the resin molded body include, among those mentioned above, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/OES, ICP-MS), and can be selected appropriately depending on the type of inorganic antibacterial agent.

In the present invention, the dissolution rate of the inorganic antibacterial agent in the resin is preferably 1/5 or less, more preferably 1/10 or less, of the dissolution rate of the first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. In other words, it is preferably 5 times slower, more preferably 10 times slower, than the dissolution rate of the first organic antibacterial and antifungal agent. As a result, since the dissolution rate is slower than the first and second organic antibacterial and antifungal agents, the dissolution of the inorganic antibacterial agent continues even after the dissolution of the first and second organic antibacterial and antifungal agents has progressed on the surface of the resin. This makes it possible to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold for a long period of time.

The amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent in the resin and on its surface can be obtained by the method described below.

Analysis methods can be used to obtain the amount of inorganic antibacterial agents and organic antibacterial and antifungal agents in the resin and on its surface. Analytical methods include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), glow discharge optical emission spectrometer (GD-OES), glow discharge mass spectrometer (GD-MS), and attenuated total reflection infrared absorption method (ATR-IR). Appropriate methods can be selected depending on the type of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial and antifungal agent.

The amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent on the surface of the resin can be obtained by using the amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent contained in the resin determined by analytical methods. The rate at which the inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent elutes from the resin is measured. The amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent on the surface of the resin can be determined from the amount of inorganic antibacterial agent and organic antibacterial/antifungal agent contained in the resin and their respective elution rates.

Addition of other components to the resin In the present invention, the resin may optionally contain other components, examples of which include additives such as silicone compounds, talc, glass fibers, carbon fibers, cellulose fibers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbers, and colorants. When design is taken into consideration, inorganic pigments and organic pigments may be included as colorants. Examples of inorganic pigments that can be used include titanium oxide, talc, and silica. Examples of organic pigments include Pigment Yellow 83, Pigment Red 48:2, Pigment Red 48:3, Pigment Violet 23, Pigment Blue 15, Pigment Blue 15:1, Pigment Blue 15:2, Pigment Blue 15:3, Pigment Green 7, and Pigment Green 36. The optional components are described below.

Silicone Compound In the present invention, the resin may contain a silicone compound. This can improve the water repellency of the resin surface and prevent residual water and dirt from adhering.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the resin preferably contains 0.1% to 10% by mass of a silicone compound, more preferably 0.1% to 5% by mass, and even more preferably 2% to 4% by mass. This makes it easier for the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent or inorganic antibacterial agent to remain on the surface of the resin together with the silicone, thereby suppressing the growth of bacteria and mold over the long term.

Reactive silicone In one embodiment of the present invention, reactive silicone can be used as the silicone compound. As the reactive silicone, a silicone resin in which one end of the molecular chain is blocked with one selected from a dimethylvinylsiloxane group, an acryloyl group, and a methacryloyl group can be used. Specifically, one-end modified acrylic silicone, one-end modified methacrylic silicone, etc. can be mentioned.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reactive silicone is preferably used as a silicone graft resin in which the reactive silicone is graft-polymerized onto a resin. This allows the reactive silicone to be fixed onto the resin, making it possible to maintain water repellency for a long period of time.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the silicone graft resin can be obtained by bonding, to the main chain of a resin, a silicone resin in which one end of the molecular chain is blocked with one group selected from a dimethylvinylsiloxane group, an acryloyl group, and a methacryloyl group. Specific manufacturing methods are known, and can be obtained, for example, in accordance with the description in JP-A-8-127660.

For example, when silicone-grafted polypropylene is used as the silicone-grafted resin, the silicone-grafted polypropylene is commercially available and can be used in the present invention. Examples of commercially available silicone-grafted polypropylene include X-22-2101 (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and BY27-201 (Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reactive silicone is preferably contained in the resin in an amount of 0% by mass to 10% by mass, more preferably 0% by mass to 4% by mass, and even more preferably 1% by mass to 4% by mass.

Non-reactive silicone oil In one embodiment of the present invention, the resin may contain a non-reactive silicone oil as a silicone compound. The non-reactive silicone oil is preferably a compound represented by the general formula R3SiO-(R2SiO)n-SiR3 (wherein R represents an alkyl group which may be the same or different, preferably a C1-6 alkyl group).

As the non-reactive silicone oil, one or more selected from the group consisting of dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, alkyl modified silicone oil, fluorosilicone oil, polyether modified silicone oil, and fatty acid ester modified silicone oil can be used. Silicone oils generally have a viscosity of 0.5 cSt to 1,000,000 cSt, but in one embodiment of the present invention, a viscosity of 10 to 1,000 cSt is preferred in consideration of the bleeding of non-reactive silicone. This makes it easier for the non-reactive silicone oil to bleed onto the surface of the resin, making the resin surface water-repellent.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-reactive silicone oil is preferably contained in the resin in an amount of 0% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the silicone compound may be a reactive silicone or a non-reactive silicone, or both.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a resin is processed into a desired structure to form a member having an outer end, and this member can be used in a plumbing device. Examples of plumbing devices include a hand washing basin installed in a toilet space, a wash basin installed in a washroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the following are examples of specific water-related components that can be used in the water-related equipment described above.

Examples of components used in hand washing basins include drain flanges in hand washing basins.

Components used in washbasins include hair catchers in washbasins, drain flanges, and traps.

Components used in the kitchen include sink traps, drain flanges, water tanks, drain covers, and strainers.

Components used in bathrooms include traps, drain flanges, water seals, drain lids, and strainers that are connected to the bathtub drain, as well as traps, drain flanges, water seals, drain lids, and strainers that are connected to the drain installed on the washing area floor.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1
100 g of polyacetal resin was heated and melted at 200°C. This was mixed with 1.5 g of a thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT) and 0.5 g of a pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing zinc pyrithione (ZPT) to produce pellets. These pellets were injection molded at 200°C to obtain a drain flange having an outer end and the shape shown in Figure 6. At this time, OIT and ZPT were contained in the resin at 0.25 mass%.

Example 2
100 g of polyacetal resin was heated and melted at 200°C. 1.5 g of a thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing OIT, 0.5 g of a pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing ZPT, and 2.0 g of a silicone compound were mixed with the resin to prepare pellets. The pellets were injection molded at 200°C to obtain a drain flange having an outer end and the shape shown in Figure 6. At this time, the OIT and ZPT were contained in the resin at 0.25 mass%. Also, at this time, the silicone compound was contained in the resin at 1.9 mass%.

Example 3
100 g of polyacetal resin was heated and melted at 200°C. 1.5 g of a thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing OIT, 0.5 g of a pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing ZPT, 0.3 g of a silver-based antibacterial agent, and 2.0 g of a silicone compound were mixed with the resin to prepare a pellet. The pellet was injection molded at 200°C to obtain a drain flange having an outer end and a shape shown in FIG. 6. At this time, OIT and ZPT were contained in the resin at 0.25% by mass. Furthermore, at this time, the silver ions contained in the silver-based antibacterial agent (inorganic antibacterial agent) were contained in the resin at 1.4×10−3% by mass. That is, at this time, the substance having an antibacterial effect composed of the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent and the silver-based antibacterial agent (inorganic antibacterial agent) was contained in the resin at 0.25% by mass. Furthermore, at this time, the silicone compound was contained in the resin at 1.9% by mass.

Comparative Example 1
100 g of polyacetal resin was heated and melted at 200° C. to prepare pellets. The pellets were injection molded at 200° C. to obtain a drainage flange having an outer end and the shape shown in FIG.

Antifouling evaluation test 1
The following tests were carried out using the drain flanges of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1. The drain flange was attached to the drain outlet of the bowl of the washstand shown in Figures 3 to 5. It was confirmed that an inside corner was formed by the drain outlet and the outer end of the drain flange. A fixed amount of simulated wastewater was periodically poured into the bowl. The condition of the inside corner three weeks after the start of the test was evaluated according to the following criteria.

The adhesion of dirt to the inside corners and the growth of black mold were visually confirmed. The results are shown in Table 1.
Adhesion of dirt ○: No adhesion ×: Adherence of black mold formation ○: No formation ×: Formation

Examples 4 to 10
The amount of polypropylene resin shown in Table 2 was heated and melted at 180°C. This was mixed with a thiazoline-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT), a pyridine-based antibacterial and antifungal agent containing zinc pyrithione (ZPT), and a silver-based antibacterial agent, all of which are shown in Table 2, to produce pellets. These pellets were injection molded at 200°C to obtain a plate-shaped plate.

Comparative Example 2
The amount of polypropylene resin shown in Table 2 was heated and melted at 180° C. to prepare pellets, which were then injection molded at 200° C. to obtain plates.

Antifouling evaluation test 2
The following tests were carried out using the plates of Examples 4 to 10 and Comparative Example 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the plates of Examples 4 to 10 and Comparative Example 2 were attached to a plate-shaped base plate (made of polypropylene resin). The base plate and each plate were inclined at an inclination angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal. It was confirmed that the base plate and the outer ends of each plate formed an inside corner. A fixed amount of simulated wastewater was periodically flowed into the inside corner formed by the base plate and the outer ends of each plate and in the vicinity of the inside corner. The evaluation range A on the surface of the base plate two weeks after the start of the test was evaluated according to the following criteria.
The evaluation range A is the range within a distance of 20 mm from the outer end of each plate on the surface of the base plate, and is the range where the simulated sewage is thought to stagnate when it flows into the corner.

The degree of dirt adhesion in the evaluation area A was confirmed by measuring the amount of dirt. The amount of dirt was measured by wiping the evaluation area A with a cotton swab or the like, and measuring the ATP value of the dirt attached to the wiped cotton swab by the ATP measurement method. The results are shown in Table 3.
Dirt level: Very low (ATP value per 60 square mm wiping area: 50,000 or less)
○: Low (ATP value per 60 square mm of wiping area: 50,000 to 70,000)
×: High (ATP value per 60 square mm of wiping area: 11,000 or more)

Claims (6)

A receiving body having a drainage outlet;
A drainage section structure comprising a member having an outer end portion extending in a circumferential direction and used in a state in which a portion of the outer end portion on the side of the receiving water body is in contact with a surface of the drainage outlet,
The receiving water body does not contain an antibacterial or antifungal agent,
the member having the outer end portion is formed of a resin containing an antibacterial and antifungal agent,
The drain outlet and the outer end of the member form an inside corner;
At the inside corner, the member having the outer end portion has the resin exposed on a surface,
This drainage structure is characterized in that the antibacterial and antifungal agent is capable of dissolving into water from the resin surface at a predetermined rate, and the antibacterial and antifungal agent dissolved into the water accumulated in the inside corner exerts an antibacterial effect on the area of the receiving water body that comes into contact with the water. The drainage structure according to claim 1, wherein the resin contains 0.2% by mass or more and 5.6% by mass of the antibacterial and antifungal agent. The drain structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the member having the outer end is a drain flange that connects the drain outlet to a drain pipe. The drainage structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the member having the outer end is a hair catcher. The drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antibacterial and antifungal agent is an inorganic antibacterial agent. The antibacterial and antifungal agent is an organic antibacterial and antifungal agent,
The drainage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the organic antibacterial and antifungal agent is a pyridine-based or thiazoline-based agent.