JP7623552B2 - Infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agents, and hygiene and daily living products using them - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner for the purpose of "self-medication" or "personal care", as well as daily necessities, clothing, and personal items that use the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner that prevents the invasion of infectious disease-causing pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses into the human body, so that people can keep themselves clean and healthy in their daily lives without having to go to a medical institution, as well as daily necessities, clothing, and personal items that use the same. In particular, the present invention relates to an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for cleaning kitchen utensils, toilet utensils, etc., intended to prevent food poisoning, contamination, etc. caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses, as well as sanitary products such as towels and rags using the same; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for protecting the hands, face, nose, mouth, throat, eyes, etc., intended to prevent pneumonia, influenza, etc., caused by bacteria and viruses, as well as sanitary products such as masks and eye patches using the same; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the hands, feet, and genitals clean, intended to prevent tinea and candidiasis, etc., caused by fungi and bacteria, as well as sanitary products such as gauze and absorbent cotton using the same; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the vagina and external genitalia of the internal genitalia of healthy adult female reproductive organs clean, intended to prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria and fungi, as well as sanitary products using the same, and other infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaners that can be used in a wide range of fields, as well as daily necessities using the same. The present invention also extends to clothing and personal items in which the above-mentioned infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner, which can prevent infection and odor, is attached to underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, sports uniforms, etc. In principle, the names of products in this invention are based on the Japanese Design Classification (effective May 1, 2019), but are not strictly classified.

In developed countries, once people's material needs are satisfied, they begin to demand a clean and healthy living environment, that is, a living environment protected from invisible fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Currently, it is not uncommon to see antibacterial products that claim to be antibacterial, such as household and kitchen utensils, food containers and packaging materials, clothing, stationery and toys, electrical and electronic products, housing and building materials, vehicles and aircraft. In particular, due to the spread of coronavirus infection, disinfectants such as electrolytic water and alcohol that have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activity are now installed at the entrances and exits of not only public facilities such as hospitals and schools, but also general stores and offices (for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this specification, "antibacterial" means to suppress or prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria, or to kill or damage them, and "antiviral" means to inactivate viruses.

Food is an essential part of daily life, and ensuring food safety is an extremely important issue. Even now, outbreaks of food poisoning caused by norovirus, salmonella, enterohemorrhagic E. coli such as O157, and other pathogens occur in the summer (bacteria) and winter (viruses), and there is still a strong demand for hygiene products to prevent this (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, there is a problem with food in developed countries, where materially rich foods are over-distributed and in surplus. In other words, foods with expiration dates and expiration dates cannot be reused like durable consumer goods such as home appliances, furniture, and automobiles, or semi-durable consumer goods such as clothing and bags, and there is also the problem that about 1.3 billion tons of food, which is one-third of the world's production, and about 17 million tons of food waste per year in Japan, are discarded without being touched. In particular, foods with short expiration dates such as bento boxes and salads are discarded as they are if they are not sold, and a large amount of edible food is lost almost every day, so even extending the expiration date by just one day can significantly reduce food waste. From this perspective, there is also a need to protect food from fungi and bacteria (for example, Non-Patent Document 3).

On the other hand, working women today are experiencing more severe physical and immune declines due to overwork and stress, as well as more severe imbalances in female hormones (e.g., decreased estrogen secretion), and are becoming more susceptible to endogenous infections caused by the disruption of the balance of bacterial flora present in the vagina, or iatrogenic infections that arise as a result of medical procedures. There is a demand for infection prevention and deodorizing cleansers that can prevent these infections without the need for medical care, keep the internal vagina and external genitalia clean, and also provide a feeling of cleanliness.

Until now, antibacterial products have meant woven fabrics and various molded products made of fibers and plastics to which organic or inorganic antibacterial agents have been fixed, which are used everywhere in household and kitchen utensils, food containers and packaging materials, clothing, stationery and toys, electrical and electronic products, housing and building materials, vehicles and aircraft, etc. (for example, non-patent documents 1 and 2).

However, recently, due to the spread of coronavirus infection, many sanitary products have been sold on the market, including hanging or stationary sanitary products that utilize the antibacterial and antiviral activities of chlorine dioxide, sanitary products that directly spray hypochlorous acid water, slightly acidic electrolyzed water, alcohol, and liquids in which inorganic or organic antibacterial agents are dispersed or dissolved, and sanitary products such as masks, diapers, tissues, napkins, and panty liners that are impregnated with woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc., containing hypochlorous acid water, slightly acidic electrolyzed water, alcohol, and liquids in which inorganic or organic antibacterial agents are dispersed or dissolved (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 and Non-Patent Document 4).

On the other hand, to prevent tinea and vaginal infections caused by fungi and bacteria, it is still necessary to acquire the habit of keeping the body, home environment, and genitals clean in daily life, but rather than prevention, infections have often been treated with local and oral antifungal or antibiotic therapy (e.g., Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6).

However, antibiotic vaginal tablets such as chloramphenicol or antimicrobial vaginal tablets such as metronidazole or clindamycin cream, which are inserted into the vagina for local treatment of vaginal infections, reduce the activity of Döderlein's bacillus and may cause side effects such as skin symptoms such as rash, itching, redness, irritation, and erosion, as well as shock and anaphylaxis (dyspnea, generalized flushing, angioedema, hives, etc.). In addition, washing the vagina with sterile distilled water, saline, benzalkonium chloride solution, or povidone-iodine solution to enhance the therapeutic effect may result in a significant hindrance to the vagina's self-cleaning function, as it excretes Döderlein's bacillus.

The antimicrobial agent metronidazole tablets, or the penicillin antibiotics ampicillin capsules or amoxicillin capsules used in the oral treatment of vaginal infections have not been established, and metronidazole tablets in particular have side effects such as diarrhea, rash, tongue coating, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, abnormal taste, peripheral neuropathy, central nervous system disorder, and aseptic meningitis, and are prohibited from being administered to pregnant women. Penicillin antibiotics have side effects such as rash, itching, fever, diarrhea, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, abnormal taste, liver damage, and kidney damage, and can also reduce the activity of Döderlein's bacillus.

Therefore, for vaginal infections in particular, preventive measures such as oral preparations of lactic acid bacteria, vaginal preparations containing lactic acid oligomers, and vaginal washes containing lactic acid, as well as sanitary products for washing the vagina and external genitalia of the female reproductive system, have been provided (for example, Patent Documents 4 to 6 and Non-Patent Document 7).

First, vaginal infection is a dangerous disease, as follows, and is a problem that cannot be ignored in today's society with a declining birthrate, and it is thought that the purpose of this is to avoid this problem. When bacteria that grow in vaginal infection pass through the cervix, they can develop endometritis, salpingitis, pelvic peritonitis, etc. These pelvic inflammatory diseases are dangerous infections that are not only accompanied by inflammation, lower abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and adhesions of organs, but can also lead to aftereffects such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. When a pregnant woman suffers from bacterial vaginosis, it can cause chorionitis and the associated puerperal endometritis, which are thought to be the cause of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight babies, and when the fetus is infected, it can not only cause neonatal pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, and sepsis, but can also cause periventricular leukomalacia and chronic lung disease. Thus, even though there are no noticeable symptoms, vaginal infections are dangerous diseases that further reduce birth rates and have a negative impact on offspring, so there is a growing awareness that it is necessary to take great care on a daily basis (for example, non-patent documents 5 and 6).

Secondly, the above preventive measures aim to improve the vaginal environment (for example, Patent Documents 4-6 and Non-Patent Documents 5-7). In the vagina of a healthy woman, 75-95% of the vaginal flora is accounted for by Döderlein's bacillus (discovered by German obstetrician A. Döderlein). Due to the presence of Döderlein's bacillus, glycogen that is peeled off and shed from the surface of the vaginal epithelial cells is broken down to produce lactic acid, which maintains a strong acidity of pH = 3.5-4.5, preventing the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, and when a normal balance of the vaginal flora is maintained, the woman will not suffer from vaginal infections. The causes of the destruction of this normal balance of vaginal flora are a decrease in the amount and activity of Döderlein's bacillus and the amount of glycogen shed from the surface of vaginal epithelial cells due to a decrease in physical strength and immunity caused by overwork or stress, and an imbalance in female hormones (e.g., a decrease in estrogen secretion), as well as adverse effects on the self-cleaning function caused by overuse of antibiotics, menstrual regulation, vaginal douching, and the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs). In other words, the above preventive measures are intended to protect the vaginal flora mechanism from destruction caused by these causes and to improve the vaginal environment.

Meanwhile, in recent years, deodorizers for clothes, curtains, etc. have become necessities in daily life, but in the current climate where we are threatened by viral infections, there is a strong demand for cleaning agents that not only have a deodorizing effect but also have an infection prevention effect that is safe for the human body for daily necessities such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, as well as clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms.

As described above, attention has been focused on infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners and hygiene products using the same for the purpose of "self-medication" or "personal care" - or more broadly, infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners and daily necessities, clothing, and personal items using the same that prevent the invasion of infectious disease-causing pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses into the human body in order to keep oneself clean and healthy in daily life without having to go to a medical institution. However, no infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner has been found that is active against various microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, has a deodorizing function, is sufficiently effective, can be used safely, and can be applied to a wide range of daily necessities, clothing, and personal items.

For example, there are many hanging and stationary air purifiers on the market that claim to disinfect and sterilize viruses and bacteria floating in the air and to deodorize them by utilizing the disinfecting and sterilizing action and deodorizing function of chlorine dioxide as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. However, there are problems with reports of chemical fever of the skin when wearing the hanging type. In addition, stationary types have problems such as the strong chlorine odor and the inability to stay in the room in which they are installed, the problem that chlorine dioxide may corrode metals and therefore cannot be placed near electrical appliances and metal products, and the problem that it cannot be denied that contact with the human body is harmful. Therefore, chlorine dioxide water cannot be applied to hygiene products such as masks, diapers, tissues, napkins, and panty liners that are soaked in woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc.

There has been a report of a wet towel containing a liquid in which an organic antibacterial agent, believed to be polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, a cationic surfactant described in Non-Patent Document 4, has been dissolved. This is an improvement over the toxicity and drug-resistant bacteria production problems of conventional wet towels containing triclosan and oxacillin, and although there is a description that it has activity against bacteria, there is no description of its activity against viruses. In addition, there are problems with the thermal stability and chemical stability against light, water, and air, which are well known for organic antibacterial agents, as well as safety issues for the human body. As for the safety issue, particular attention must be paid to the fact that there is no chemical bond between the organic antibacterial agent and the woven or nonwoven fabric of the wet towel, and therefore it is possible that it will leak into the human body.

As an organic antibacterial agent that has improved the problem of organic antibacterial agents leaking out, a silicon compound having a quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxysilane with antibacterial and antiviral activity, as described in Patent Document 3, has been developed, and there have been reports of wet tissues using this. However, this does not solve the other problems of organic antibacterial agents mentioned above.

There are also sanitary products that contain silver particles and alcohol, which are typical examples of inorganic antibacterial agents, but they are not active against viruses and cannot be applied to a wide range of daily necessities, including those that can fight influenza, norovirus, etc.

On the other hand, for vaginal infections, oral medications, vaginal medications, and vaginal washes that improve the vaginal environment have been reported.

As described in Non-Patent Document 7, oral preparations for improving the vaginal environment include tablets containing lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus helveticus, which act in a similar manner to bifidobacteria that improve the intestinal environment, and help increase Döderlein's bacillus, improving the vaginal environment. However, while the optimal pH for growth of lactic acid bacteria is said to be in the range of 5.0 to 8.0, the lactic acid produced by Döderlein's bacillus has a strong acidic pH of 3.5 to 4.5, and it has been reported that only Lactobacillus acidophilus can survive in such a strong acidic environment (e.g., Non-Patent Document 8). Therefore, this is thought to indicate an essential problem with administering lactic acid bacteria.

A pharmaceutical composition consisting of a lactic acid oligomer and a mucoadhesive has been proposed as a vaginal preparation for improving the vaginal environment (Patent Document 4). It is described that this is effective by releasing lactic acid from the lactic acid oligomer over time, and it is believed that the lactic acid oligomer releases lactic acid by hydrolysis in an acidic environment. However, the hydrolysis does not occur in the lactic acid monomer units that make up the lactic acid oligomer, and the final product is not necessarily lactic acid. Even if the final product becomes lactic acid, it is believed to have a long life. As for the form of sanitary products, creams, liquids, soaps, tablets, etc., as well as a method of soaking a tampon and inserting it into the vagina, and a method of injecting it into the vagina with a syringe are also described.

On the other hand, a vaginal cleanser with activated carbon dispersed therein has been proposed as a vaginal cleanser for improving the vaginal environment, and a method has been described in which the cleanser is soaked into gauze, cotton balls, tampons, etc. and inserted into the vagina (Patent Document 5). However, while activated carbon has an excellent function of absorbing odors, which are low molecular weight substances, its ability to absorb fungi and bacteria is limited, and the fungi and bacteria that can be absorbed are also limited (Non-Patent Document 9). Furthermore, no study has been conducted on the adsorption of viruses.

Furthermore, an internal orifice injection device that is thought to be used to inject a cleansing agent into the vagina has been disclosed, which is characterized by having an instrument body with a filling space for filling the internal space of a cylindrical pipe-shaped insert with a liquid agent, and a delivery rod for delivering the liquid agent from the injection hole, in which a sealing plug integrally connected to a detachable operating piece attached to the injection hole vacuum-seals the filling space, and a partition piece that allows the liquid agent to move only toward the injection hole when the vacuum-sealed state is released by operating the detachable operating piece is interposed between the filling space and the delivery rod (Patent Document 6). The liquid agent contains lactic acid as a pH adjuster, and is thought to be a cleansing gel that is gentle on the vaginal environment, as it is adjusted to the vagina, which is kept at a strong acidity of pH = 3.5 to 4.5 by the lactic acid produced by Doderlein's bacillus (Non-Patent Document 10). Although the amount of liquid used is small, it still expels and removes dirt, menstrual residue, and odors from the vaginal opening, just like washing with sterile distilled water or saline, and there are concerns that it may have a negative impact on the self-cleaning function of vaginal washing.

As described above, in daily life, infection prevention agents and deodorizing cleaners that can be applied to "self-medication" or "personal care" to keep oneself clean and healthy and prevent the invasion of infectious disease-causing pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses into the human body vary in the fields of sanitary products, baby products, nursing care products, and sanitary products, and there are no infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners that can be commonly applied across a wide range of fields, and their properties also differ. Accordingly, countless infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners in different forms and sanitary products using them continue to be produced in large quantities. In addition, if there was an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner that had all of the following activities, antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity, it would be possible to impart infection prevention and deodorizing effects to daily necessities such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, and clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, simply by spraying it.

Patent No. 6586652 Patent No. 5593423 International Publication No. 2010/073825 Special Publication No. 2015-526413 JP 2009-96755 A JP 2018-57574 A Patent No. 3829640 Patent No. 4430877

Yasushi Kikuchi, "Current Status and Issues of Antibacterial Metal Materials", Materia, Vol. 39 (2000), No. 2, pp. 146-150 Keiichiro Hiyama, "Antibacterial Treatment of Plastic Products", Journal of the Society of Textile Products Consumption Science, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 576-584 (1999) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Food Industry Bureau, Biomass Environmental Resources Division, Food Industry Environmental Measures Office), "Toward Food Loss Reduction ~ Let's get back the 'Mottainai'! ~", September 2013, [online], [Retrieved November 21, 2020], Internet, <https://www. maff. go. jp/Kinki/syouhi/mn/iken/attach/pdf/30nendo-8.pdf> Takumi Kajiura, "The 3rd Tokyo Health Care University Graduate School Overseas Conference," Healthcare-associated Infection, Vol. 4, No. 2, December 2011, pp. 116-118 Hiroshi Tsutsumi, "I. Bacterial Infections, 10 Bacteria encountered in cytology in gynecology, urology and ophthalmology", Atlas of Infectious Disease Pathology, pp. 38-41, [online], [Retrieved November 22, 2020], Internet, <https://pathos223. com/atlas/pdf10. pdf> Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, "Part 2 Disease-specific Diagnosis and Treatment, 8. Bacterial Vaginosis", Sexually Transmitted Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines-2008 Edition, Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Vol. 19, No. 1, Suppl., 2008, pp. 77-80, [online], [Retrieved November 22, 2020], Internet, <http://jssti. umin. jp/pdf/guideline2008/02-8. pdf> Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., "Ingredients that support the increase of good bacteria (Döderlein's bacillus) in the vagina", [online], [searched on November 22, 2020], Internet, <https://rosell1152.jp/02/> Fumio Yamada, Katsuma Ueda, Haruyoshi Nagata, Hiroshi Kaji, Koji Kurozumi, Toru Hamada, "Experience of using live bacteria Doderlein vaginal capsule for various vaginitis", Sanfu Shinpo, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 141 (61)-145 (65), 1969, [online], [Retrieved November 22, 2020], Internet, <https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/sanpunoshinpo1949/21/2/21_2_141/_pdf> Kim, Ju-Yeong, Sugiura, Norio, Fushimi, Satoshi, Inamori, Yuhei, Nishimura, Osamu, Sudo, Ryuichi, "Bacterial adhesion ability and high-concentration substrate decomposition characteristics on biological activated carbon", Journal of the Japanese Society of Water Treatment Biology, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 49-56 (1994) Hanamisui Co., Ltd., "Inclear", [online], [searched on November 23, 2020], Internet, <https://hanamisui.jp/inclear/> Nobuyuki Kato, "Antibacterial Action of Alcohols", Konan Women's University Research Bulletin (15), pp. 189-198, 1978, [online], [Retrieved November 23, 2020], Internet, <https://konan-wu. repo. nii. ac. jp/> Takeaki Iida, Kazuhiko Yamaoka, Seiji Nojiri, Hiroshi Nozaki, "The process of crystallization of titanium oxide by hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride and its physical properties", Journal of Industrial Chemistry, Vol. 69, No. 11, 1966, pp. 2087-2095 Hiroshi Konan, Fumiaki Otani, "Introduction to electrochemical measurement - basics and know-how on photocatalytic adjustment methods", Electrochemistry and Industrial Physical Chemistry (Denki Kagaku), 1998, Vol. 66, No. 10, pp. 996-1003 Takashi Saji, "Generation, Properties and Applications of Condensed Phosphoric Acid", Industrial Chemistry Journal, 1963, Vol. 66, No. 5, pp. 528-537 Toyosuke Tanaka, "Chemistry of Organic Boron Compounds", Organic Synthesis Chemistry, Vol. 22, No. 10, 1964, pp. 806-815 Tokuo Fukuda, "Polylactic acid gel", [online], [searched on November 30, 2020], Internet, <http://www. aichi-inst. jp/other/up_docs/z_no06_04. pdf> Ayaka Fujita, "Development of a new highly water-absorbent polymer with biodegradability and its performance evaluation", [online], [searched on November 30, 2020], Internet, <http://www.fbi-award.jp/sentan/jusyou/2011/4.pdf> Yuichi Oya, Koji Nagahama, "Biodegradable Polymer Materials", Drug Delivery System, 2008, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 618-626

As explained in the Background Art, different infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners have been required according to their respective applications, such as infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners for cleaning kitchen utensils and toilet utensils, etc., intended to prevent food poisoning and contamination caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses; infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners for protecting the hands, face, nose, mouth, and throat, etc., intended to prevent pneumonia and influenza caused by bacteria and viruses; infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners for keeping the hands, feet, and genitals clean, intended to prevent tinea and candidiasis caused by fungi and bacteria; and infection prevention and deodorizing cleaners for keeping the vagina and external genitalia of the internal genital organs of healthy adult females clean, intended to prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Therefore, infection prevention agents and deodorant cleaners that can be used in daily life as "self-medication" or "personal care" to keep oneself healthy by keeping one's body clean and taking care of it vary not only in substance but also in properties depending on the field, such as sanitary products, baby products, nursing care products, and menstrual products, and countless hygiene products in different forms are being sold in large quantities to suit each category.

The excessive production of such numerous sanitary products is wasteful, increases product costs, and is an obstacle to consumers' continuous long-term use of "self-medication" or "personal care" in their daily lives. However, if there are infection prevention agents and deodorant cleansers with substances and properties common to each of the above fields and can be stored at home, they can be used to prevent various fungal, bacterial, and viral infections by spraying them on the hands and feet, or by soaking masks, diapers, tissues, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, tampons, etc. in an appropriate amount. They can also be soaked into woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc. of a material and shape suitable for the method of use, and pasted together with masks, diapers, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, etc. for appropriate use. They can also be fully absorbed into tampons and used as vaginal cleansing products to prevent vaginal infections. Furthermore, by simply spraying it on daily necessities such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, as well as clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, infection prevention and deodorizing effects can be imparted, making it possible to continue "self-medication" or "personal care" that is closely related to daily life for a long period of time.

That is, the present invention aims to provide an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner that has a preventive effect for any of the following purposes and can be commonly used: an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for cleaning kitchen utensils and toilet utensils, etc., intended to prevent food poisoning and contamination caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for protecting the hands, face, nose, mouth, throat, etc., intended to prevent pneumonia and influenza caused by bacteria and viruses; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the hands, feet, and genitals clean, intended to prevent tinea and candidiasis caused by fungi and bacteria; and an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the vagina and external genitalia of the internal genital organs of healthy adult females clean, intended to prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria and fungi. The company also aims to provide cleaning and hygiene products, such as sanitary products, baby products, nursing care products, and sanitary products, using the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner, as well as daily necessities, including curtains, rugs, and bedding, as well as clothing and personal items, such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms.

The inventor recognized that titanium phosphate-based compounds have antifungal and antibacterial activity against fungi and bacteria, and also have deodorizing activity to suppress odors (e.g., Patent Documents 7 and 8). Furthermore, the inventor discovered that a dispersion in which titanium phosphate-based compounds are forcibly dispersed as particles in pure water, rather than used as a film, has even higher antibacterial activity and antiviral activity that kills various viruses, leading to the present invention. The reason for such increased antibacterial and antiviral activity is unclear, but it is thought to be due to the microparticulation effect, i.e., the specific surface area of the titanium phosphate-based compound particles is significantly increased compared to the specific surface area of the titanium phosphate-based compound film.

That is, the present invention is an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent characterized in that titanium phosphate compound particles are dispersed in pure water or electrolytic water.

The pure water may be any of the well-known ion-exchanged water, distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and Elix pure water, but distilled water, reverse osmosis water, and Elix pure water that do not contain organic substances are preferable, and from an economical standpoint, distilled water is even more preferable.

The electrolytic water is preferably any of weakly acidic electrolytic water, slightly acidic electrolytic water, and electrolytic hypochlorous water, which are not strongly acidic or strongly alkaline, have excellent safety, and are approved as a food additive. Slightly acidic electrolytic water, which is hypochlorous acid water, which has activity against the widest range of fungi, bacteria, and viruses, is more preferable. Therefore, the electrolytic water dispersion of titanium phosphate compound particles has better antibacterial and antiviral activity than the pure water dispersion of titanium phosphate compound particles because electrolytic water has activity against fungi, bacteria, and viruses that pure water does not have, and because the titanium phosphate compound particles and electrolytic water exert a synergistic effect.

The cleaning agent of the present invention preferably further contains an alcohol that dissolves in water, because, like electrolytic water, this has a synergistic effect with the titanium phosphate compound particles and enhances antibacterial properties. Examples of such alcohol include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, and 1-pentanol.

In particular, the water-soluble alcohols methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol are commonly used because the alcohol aqueous solution concentration at which they exert antibacterial properties in a short time is about 70% by weight (in the case of ethanol), which is considered to be the concentration at which they form a large amount of alcohol clusters that exert antibacterial properties. However, when the alcohol concentration is about 8-20% by weight, about 20-40% by weight, about 40-80% by weight, and about 80-100% by weight, it has been reported that the time until bacteria are killed is about 30 minutes to 48 hours, about 10 minutes to 30 minutes, about 5 minutes or less, and about 10 minutes to 30 minutes, respectively, but since the effect is achieved by long-term contact treatment and titanium phosphate compound particles are also included, it is preferable to determine the appropriate concentration depending on the application.

On the other hand, it has been reported that the antibacterial effect of alcohol increases with an increase in the number of carbon atoms (Non-Patent Document 11). In the present invention, it has been found that even when a small amount of alcohol with low solubility in water is added, it has an effect equal to or greater than that of the water-soluble alcohol. 1-butanol, which has a solubility in water of about 6 g, and 1-pentanol, which has a solubility in water of about 2 g, are preferred, and it is particularly preferred to add about 6% and about 2% by weight of the solvent, respectively.

An infection prevention and deodorant cleanser in which titanium phosphate compound particles are dispersed in such pure water or electrolytic water, or in pure water or electrolytic water containing alcohol, has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activity, and can be used as is to prevent various fungal, bacterial, and viral infections by spraying it on hands and feet, or by soaking a mask, diaper, tissue, socks, bandage, napkin, panty liner, tampon, etc. in an appropriate amount. This cleanser can also be soaked into woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc. of a material and shape suitable for the method of use, and then pasted together with a mask, diaper, socks, bandage, napkin, panty liner, etc. for appropriate use. Furthermore, it can be fully absorbed into a tampon and used as a vaginal cleansing product as a countermeasure against vaginal infections.

In this way, the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention is used, and in order for the titanium phosphate compound particles to maintain dispersion stability in the cleaner for a long period of time, it is preferable that polysaccharides and/or alkali metal salts of polysaccharides are contained as dispersants. In addition, polysaccharides and/or alkali metal salts of polysaccharides not only function as dispersants for titanium phosphate compound particles, but also can adjust the viscosity of the cleaner to an appropriate level according to the application, and the titanium phosphate compound particles are firmly attached to hands and feet, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc., and the infection prevention and deodorizing functions are maintained for a long period of time. In addition to such sanitary products, the agent can be spread on daily necessities including curtains, rugs, bedding, etc., as well as on clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, and the infection prevention and deodorizing functions are exhibited for a long period of time.

In particular, it is preferable that the solvent contains one or more selected from cellulose derivatives, microcrystalline cellulose, gum arabic, alginic acid, alginic acid derivatives, guar gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, karaya gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum, succinoglycan, tamarind seed gum, pectin, agar, glucomannan, starch, and polysaccharides such as modified starch, as well as cellulose derivatives, gum arabic, alginic acid, alginic acid derivatives, carrageenan, karaya gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum, succinoglycan, agar, and alkali metal salts of modified starch. Since the dispersion stability and viscosity vary depending on the type, molecular weight, and amount of modification of the polysaccharide and/or alkali metal salt of the polysaccharide used, it is desirable to determine them appropriately depending on the application, but from the viewpoint of the dispersion stability of the titanium phosphate compound particles of the infection prevention and deodorant and the impregnation into the above-mentioned various absorbents, it is preferable that the solvent contains about 0.1 to 30% by weight.

It is even more preferable that the composition contains a polymer and/or a surfactant having a quaternary ammonium base that has the same function as the polysaccharide and/or the alkali metal salt of the polysaccharide and further has antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, and antiviral activity.

In particular, from the viewpoint of dispersion stability, it is preferable that the polymer having a quaternary ammonium base is one or more selected from an acrylic polymer having a quaternary ammonium salt, a vinyl polymer having a quaternary ammonium salt, and a polysaccharide derivative having a quaternary ammonium salt, and that the surfactant having a quaternary ammonium salt is a saturated hydrocarbon compound having a quaternary ammonium salt and/or a polyalkylene glycol having a quaternary ammonium salt. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the polymer and surfactant having a quaternary ammonium salt are contained in an amount of about 0.1 to 30% by weight of the solvent.

Among these, in order to obtain dispersion stability, adjust viscosity, and allow titanium phosphate compound particles to adhere firmly to hands and feet, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, absorbent cotton, gauze, etc., while maintaining a skin-friendly moisturizing state for a long period of time and retaining infection prevention function, it is most preferable that the compound having a quaternary ammonium salt is polyvinyl alcohol having a quaternary ammonium salt, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, or hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate.

When using the above quaternary ammonium salt compounds, particularly surfactants having quaternary ammonium salts, it is preferable that polysaccharides are further contained in order to set a wide range of viscosities, and polysaccharides that do not have anionic functional groups and are not ionically cross-linked with quaternary ammonium salts, such as alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, guar gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, tamarind seed gum, pectin, glucomannan, and starch, are suitable. In the case of polysaccharides having anionic functional groups, when mixed with a quaternary ammonium compound, they may gel and become difficult to use. In this case, the amount of polysaccharide added is preferably about 0.1 to 30% by weight of the solvent from the viewpoint of impregnation into the various absorbents.

In particular, when the agent is absorbed into napkins, panty liners, and tampons and used as external and internal vaginal cleansing products, it is preferable that the infection prevention and deodorant cleanser contains about 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of lactic acid in order to adjust the pH to 3.5 to 4.5, which is the acidity level in the vagina maintained by lactic acid produced by Doderlein's bacillus. This makes the infection prevention and deodorant cleanser suitable for the female genitals. Since the infection prevention and deodorant of the present invention is not intended for use on infected individuals, it is preferable to wash the vaginal cavity in a manner that does not destroy the balance of the vaginal bacterial flora by washing the vaginal cavity excessively. It is therefore preferable to insert a tampon that has been sufficiently absorbed with the cleanser of the present invention once a week for a day and a night, but as there are individual differences, it is desirable to wash the vaginal cavity according to the situation.

On the other hand, titanium phosphate compound particles are characterized by being made _of a titanium phosphate compound represented by the chemical formula Ti(OH) _x ( _PO4 ) _y ( _HPO4 ) _z ( _H2PO4 ) _m (OR) _n (R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, x, y, z, m, and n are each a number equal to or greater than 0, and x≧1, y+z+m≧1, and x+3y+2z+m+n=4 are satisfied). The required amount of such titanium phosphate compound particles varies depending on various factors such as the application and method of use, but in order to exhibit antibacterial and antiviral activity, at least 0.001 to 30% by weight is required relative to the dispersion medium containing the various additives described above. In order to be more effective, 0.01 to 30% by weight is more preferable, and 0.1 to 30% by weight is even more preferable.

In order _to produce the titanium phosphate compound particles as particles made of a titanium phosphate compound represented by Ti(OH) _x ( _PO4 ) _y ( _HPO4 ) _z ( _H2PO4 ) _m (OR) _n (R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, x, y, z, m and n are each a number equal to or greater than 0 , and x≧1, y+z+m≧1 and x+3y+2z+m+n=4 are satisfied), a method of reacting titanium tetrachloride with a mixed solvent of water and an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and then reacting it with phosphoric acid is preferred, but the method is not limited to this.

Titanium phosphate compound particles inherently have antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity, but to further enhance the deodorizing activity, it is preferable to mix at least one of titanium silicate compound particles and titanium borate compound particles.

In particular, from the viewpoint of deodorizing activity, the titanium silicate compound particles are preferably made of a titanium silicate compound prepared by reacting silicon tetrachloride with water or alcohol, or a mixed solution of water and alcohol, and adding titanium tetrachloride to the resulting reaction solution, and more preferably have a chemical composition of TiO _{2.SiO 2.} Similarly, the titanium borate compound particles are preferably made of a titanium borate compound prepared by dissolving boric acid in water or alcohol, or a mixed solution of water and alcohol, and adding titanium tetrachloride to the resulting boric acid solution, and more preferably have a chemical composition of TiO _{2.B 2} O ₃ .

The titanium phosphate compound particles are mixed in a weight ratio of 100:50 to 100:10 with the titanium silicate compound particles and/or titanium borate compound particles so that the deodorizing effect of the titanium silicate compound particles and/or titanium borate compound particles is significantly exhibited. However, they are mixed appropriately depending on the application of the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner, and it is not necessary to mix the titanium silicate compound particles and/or titanium borate compound particles. In addition, when both the titanium silicate compound particles and the titanium borate compound particles are mixed, the mixing ratio is preferably 100:10 to 100:50 by weight in order to enhance the deodorizing effect.

As already explained, the titanium phosphate-based compound particles, titanium silicate-based compound particles, and titanium borate-based compound particles used in the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention are characterized in that they are all dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium as particles and used, and the antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity are significantly improved. This is similar to the idea that the specificity of nanoparticles is partly due to the size of the specific surface area associated with the miniaturization of the particle diameter, and is due to the fact that the specific surface area is larger when the form of these compounds is particulate rather than film-like. Therefore, the smaller the average particle diameter of these compound particles, the more difficult it is to disperse them into primary particles, and once dispersed into primary particles, the more agglomerates are generated, and the poor dispersion stability. For this reason, the polysaccharides and/or alkali metal salts of polysaccharides, or polymers and/or surfactants having quaternary ammonium bases are contained, and the average particle size of the titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles is preferably 5 to 100 nm, more preferably 10 to 90 nm, and even more preferably 20 to 80 nm.

Next, we will explain the manufacturing method of titanium phosphate compound particles having such antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity, and in particular titanium silicate compound particles and titanium borate compound particles having excellent deodorizing activity.

First, titanium phosphate-based compounds are produced using titanium tetrachloride and phosphoric acid as the main raw materials. They are produced through the following steps: a first step in which titanium tetrachloride is mixed into a mixed solution of water and an aliphatic alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms to cause a reaction; a second step in which phosphoric acid is added to the reaction solution produced in the first step to produce a water/alcohol dispersion of titanium phosphate-based compound particles; and a third step in which the titanium phosphate-based compound particles are isolated and washed.

In the first step, the water/alcohol mixed solution contains 30-70% by volume of water, and the amount of titanium tetrachloride added is in the range of 0.01-30 parts by volume per 100 parts of the water/alcohol mixed solution. The reaction temperature and the relative humidity of the environment when titanium tetrachloride is mixed with the water/alcohol and reacted are 0-35°C and 10-80%, respectively. In this step, hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reactions of titanium tetrachloride proceed, producing nanoscale particulate aggregates. If the reaction temperature is too high, the aggregates will become large, and in order to make the average particle size of the final product 5-100 nm, a reaction temperature of 0-20°C is more preferable (Non-Patent Documents 12 and 13).

In the second step, the reaction solution produced in the first step is diluted 10 to 500 times with a solvent such as a water/alcohol mixed solution, and then phosphoric acid is added to cause a reaction. Here, the amount of phosphoric acid added is in the range of 8 to 500 parts by volume per 100 parts of the reaction solution. When phosphoric acid is added to this reaction solution at a temperature of 0 to 35°C, a reaction occurs immediately, titanium phosphate compound particles are produced, and a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium phosphate compound particles can be obtained. Here, a dehydration condensation reaction of phosphoric acid occurs, and titanium tetrachloride is hydrolyzed and fused with the dehydration condensate (Non-Patent Document 14), but the effect on the particle size is not significant.

In the third step, the aqueous/alcoholic solution of the titanium phosphate compound produced in the second step is isolated by a method such as centrifugation, drying at normal pressure, or drying under reduced pressure, and is taken out as a solid. The aqueous/alcoholic dispersion of the titanium phosphate compound produced in the second step is transparent, and in appearance, the titanium phosphate compound appears to be dissolved, but the titanium phosphate compound fused to the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation product of titanium tetrachloride by the dehydration condensation reaction of phosphoric acid maintains the nanoparticles formed by the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation of titanium tetrachloride, and when the solvent is removed, titanium phosphate compound particles are obtained. The obtained titanium phosphate compound particles are then washed with pure water and/or a solvent to remove by-products, etc., and become a product preferable as an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent.

Secondly, titanium silicate compound particles are produced using silicon tetrachloride and titanium tetrachloride as the main raw materials. They are produced through a first process in which silicon tetrachloride is mixed into a mixed solution of water and an aliphatic alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms to cause a reaction, a second process in which titanium tetrachloride is added to the reaction solution produced in the first process to produce a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium silicate compound particles, and a third process in which the titanium silicate compound particles are isolated and washed.

In the first step, the water/alcohol mixed solution contains 30-70% water by volume, and the amount of silicon tetrachloride added is in the range of 0.01-30 parts by volume per 100 parts of the water/alcohol mixed solution. The reaction temperature and the relative humidity of the environment when silicon tetrachloride is mixed with water/alcohol and reacted are 0-35°C and 10-80%, respectively. In this step, hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reactions of silicon tetrachloride proceed, producing nanoscale particle aggregates. As with titanium tetrachloride, if the reaction temperature is too high, the particle size will become large, and a reaction temperature of 0-20°C is more preferable in order to achieve an average particle size of 5-100 nm in the final product.

In the second step, 8 to 100 parts by volume of titanium tetrachloride is added to 100 parts of the reaction solution produced in the first step, and the reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature of 0 to 35°C and a relative humidity of the environment of 10 to 80%, respectively, to obtain a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium silicate compound particles. In this step, the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction of titanium tetrachloride proceeds, and the titanium tetrachloride is fused with the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction product of silicon tetrachloride to produce a titanium silicate compound. However, if the reaction temperature is too high, the aggregates become large, so in order to make the average particle size of the final product 5 to 100 nm, a reaction temperature of 0 to 20°C is more preferable (Non-Patent Documents 12 and 13).

In the third step, the water/alcohol dispersion of the titanium silicate compound particles produced in the second step is isolated by a method such as centrifugation, normal pressure drying, or reduced pressure drying, and is taken out as a solid. The produced titanium silicate compound is a compound having a chemical composition of _TiO2.SiO2 . The water/alcohol dispersion of the titanium silicate compound particles produced in the second step is transparent, and in appearance, the titanium _silicate compound appears to be dissolved, but the titanium silicate compound fused to the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation product of silicon tetrachloride by the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction of titanium tetrachloride forms nanoparticles, and when the solvent is removed, the titanium silicate compound particles are obtained. The obtained titanium silicate compound particles are washed with pure water and/or a solvent to remove by-products, etc., and become a product preferable as an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent.

Thirdly, titanium borate-based compounds are produced using boric acid and titanium tetrachloride as the main raw materials. They are produced through the following steps: a first step in which boric acid is mixed into a mixed solution of water and an aliphatic alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms to cause a reaction; a second step in which titanium tetrachloride is added to the reaction solution produced in the first step to produce a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium borate-based compound particles; and a third step in which the titanium borate-based compound particles are isolated and washed.

In the first step, the water/alcohol mixed solution contains 30-70% by volume of water, and the amount of boric acid added is in the range of 0.01-30 parts by volume per 100 parts of the water/alcohol mixed solution. The reaction temperature and the relative humidity of the environment when mixing and reacting boric acid with the water/alcohol are 20-50°C and 10-80%, respectively. The alkyl borate produced from the boric acid and alcohol undergoes hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reactions, producing nanoscale particle aggregates of the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation product (Non-Patent Document 15).

In the second step, titanium tetrachloride is added in a volume ratio of 8 to 100 parts to 100 parts of the reaction solution produced in the first step, and the reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature of 0 to 35°C and a relative humidity of the environment of 10 to 80%, respectively, to produce titanium borate compound particles, and a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium borate compound particles can be obtained. In this step, the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction of titanium tetrachloride proceeds, and the titanium borate compound is fused with the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction product of the alkyl borate to produce a titanium borate compound. However, if the reaction temperature is too high, the particle size will become large, so in order to make the average particle size of the final product 5 to 100 nm, a reaction temperature of 0 to 20°C is more preferable (Non-Patent Documents 12 and 13).

In the third step, the water/alcohol dispersion of the titanium borate compound particles produced in the second step is isolated by a method such as centrifugation, normal _pressure drying, or reduced pressure drying, and is taken out as a solid. The produced titanium borate compound is a compound having a chemical composition of _TiO2.B2O3 . The water/ _alcohol dispersion of the titanium borate compound particles produced in the second step is transparent, and in appearance, the titanium borate compound appears to be dissolved, but the titanium borate compound fused to the alkyl borate hydrolysis and dehydration condensation compound by the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reaction of titanium tetrachloride forms nanoparticles, and when the solvent is removed, the titanium borate compound particles are obtained. The obtained titanium borate compound particles are washed with pure water and/or a solvent to remove by-products, etc., and become a product preferable as an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent.

The mixture of titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles thus produced is dispersed in pure water, a mixed solvent of pure water and alcohol, a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol, and a pure water, a mixed solvent of pure water and alcohol, and a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol in which polysaccharides, an alkali metal salt of polysaccharides, a polymer having a quaternary ammonium salt, and a surfactant having a quaternary ammonium salt are dissolved, to produce an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner. The method is not particularly limited, and a general air disperser and liquid disperser can be used, but a liquid disperser is preferable. For example, a high-speed rotating shear type agitator such as a disperser, a medium agitation mill such as a ball mill, a sand mill, and an attritor, a colloid mill represented by a homogenizer and a roll mill, and an ultrasonic disperser are selected and used depending on the viscosity of the medium.

The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner, which is prepared by dispersing a mixture of titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles in pure water, a mixed solvent of pure water and alcohol, a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol, and a mixed solvent of pure water, pure water and alcohol, and a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol in which polysaccharides, alkali metal salts of polysaccharides, polymers having quaternary ammonium salts, and surfactants having quaternary ammonium salts are dissolved, contains a component that prevents the proliferation of microorganisms, and it is preferable to add water-soluble preservatives such as sodium benzoate, calcium sorbate, p-oxybenzoic acid alkyl esters, sodium propionate, and calcium propionate, and water-soluble antioxidants such as L-ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, and citric acid.

The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention has been described above, but there are a wide variety of combinations of cleaners, and they can be used in a variety of forms depending on the method and purpose of use.

For example, the above-mentioned dispersion, which is an infection prevention and deodorant cleanser, can be stored and used. In this case, it can be impregnated directly into woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent polymer, or a composite of two or more selected from woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent polymer, and used by pasting it onto masks, diapers, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, etc., or it can be used directly as wet tissues and wipes, etc., for washing hands and feet, or as cleaning sheets for toilets and kitchen utensils, etc. It can also be absorbed into masks, diapers, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, etc., and used, or it can be fully absorbed into a tampon and used as a vaginal cleanser.

In particular, for use in preventing infections caused by various fungi, bacteria, and viruses, an effective infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner is one in which a mixture of titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles is dispersed in electrolytic water or a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol in which a polymer containing a quaternary ammonium salt has been dissolved.

Furthermore, when used as sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, and other sanitary products, an infection prevention and deodorizing cleanser in which a mixture of titanium phosphate-based compound particles, titanium silicate-based compound particles, and titanium borate-based compound particles is dispersed in a mixed solvent of electrolytic water or a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol in which a polymer containing a quaternary ammonium salt has been dissolved and an appropriate amount of lactic acid is mixed is even more effective.

This method of using the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention is extremely convenient for use at home. By simply storing this infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner in a spray bottle, it can be sprayed directly onto the hands and feet, or by simply spraying it onto daily necessities including curtains, rugs, bedding, etc., as well as onto clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, it is possible to impart infection prevention and deodorizing functions against fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

However, instead of storing it as an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent, it is also possible to store and use it as a mixture of titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles. In this case, the mixture of titanium phosphate compound particles, titanium silicate compound particles, and titanium borate compound particles is put into pure water, electrolytic water, a mixed solvent of pure water and alcohol, or a mixed solvent of electrolytic water and alcohol, and dispersed with a simple stirrer. Immediately after that, the mixture is impregnated into woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent resin, and a composite of two or more selected from woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent resin, and can be used by pasting it with masks, diapers, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, etc., or can be used as it is as wet tissues and wipes, etc., for washing hands and feet, and as cleaning sheets for toilets and kitchen utensils, etc. It can also be absorbed into masks, diapers, socks, bandages, napkins, panty liners, etc., and can also be fully absorbed into a tampon and used as a vaginal cleanser.

The infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention can be impregnated into woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent polymer, or a composite of two or more selected from woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent polymer, and then stored in a packaging material that can block outside air, such as polyolefin film, polyethylene vinyl acetate copolymer film, and polyethylene terephthalate film, or a laminate of these films with a metal foil such as aluminum or a metal vapor deposition film and polyvinyl alcohol, etc., for use as appropriate or for supply as a product.

In particular, for wet tissues, towels, diapers, napkins, panty liners, tampons, etc., it is preferable from the viewpoint of safety and hygiene to package woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, superabsorbent polymer, etc., impregnated with the infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention, or a composite of two or more selected from woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, superabsorbent polymer, etc.

On the other hand, since the woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent resin impregnated with the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent of the present invention are disposable consumables, in order to realize environmental conservation and a sustainable recycling-based society in recent years, it is preferable to use biodegradable materials. Gauze and cotton are often made from biodegradable natural cellulose fibers, but the woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, sponge, and superabsorbent resin used in masks, diapers, sanitary products, etc. are often made from synthetic polymers as raw materials.

The sanitary products impregnated with the infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaning agent of the present invention are characterized in that the woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, sponge, and superabsorbent resin that constitute them are made from biodegradable polymers such as those listed below.

Preferred biodegradable polymers are poly(L-lactide) (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene terephthalate succinate (PETS), polyglycolide (PGA), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), as well as cellulose derivatives such as acetyl cellulose and starch derivatives.

Woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, gauze, and cotton are made from processed fibers of these polymers, and sponges are made by processing these polymers together with foams such as carbon dioxide.

However, since the superabsorbent resin does not absorb moisture sufficiently when the biodegradable polymer is used as is, the sanitary product of the present invention is characterized by using the following biodegradable superabsorbent resin.

First, there are superabsorbent resins that are aggregates of PLA, PHB, PHBH, PBS, PBSA, PBAT, PETS, PGA, and PCL, as well as fine particles of cellulose derivatives and starch derivatives, gelled with water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacrylamides, and polyalkylene glycols, as well as alkali metal salts of cellulose derivatives and polysaccharides. These have excellent water absorption properties because they are porous and only require about 1 to 10% by weight of water-soluble polymers. In particular, when gelling fine particles of biodegradable polymers, it is most preferable to use biodegradable superabsorbent resins that are crosslinked with cellulose derivatives using 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic dianhydride and then produced as alkali metal salts, because the water-soluble polymers themselves are absorbent but do not dissolve and are biodegradable (Non-Patent Documents 16 and 17).

The second type is a superabsorbent resin that is a cross-linked copolymer particle of PLA, PHB, PHBH, PBS, PBSA, PBAT, PETS, PGA, and PCL monomers with alkylene glycol and glycerin (Non-Patent Document 18).

Thirdly, it is a biodegradable superabsorbent resin manufactured by dispersing particles of PLA, PHB, PHBH, PBS, PBSA, PBAT, PETS, PGA, and PCL in the aqueous solution polymerization or reversed suspension polymerization method for manufacturing conventional superabsorbent crosslinked particles of polyacrylate, polyacrylate, polysulfonate, maleic anhydride, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene oxide.

The amount of water absorbed by the biodegradable superabsorbent polymers described above can be controlled by the composition and manufacturing method, so it is preferable to use a superabsorbent polymer that is appropriate for the application.

The infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention has antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity, and exhibits excellent infection-preventing and deodorizing effects as an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for cleaning kitchen utensils and toilet utensils, etc., intended to prevent food poisoning and contamination caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for protecting the hands, face, nose, mouth, and throat, etc., intended to prevent pneumonia and influenza caused by bacteria and viruses; an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the hands, feet, and genitals clean, intended to prevent tinea and candidiasis caused by fungi and bacteria; and an infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaner for keeping the vagina and external genitalia of the internal genital organs of healthy adult females clean, intended to prevent vaginal infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Therefore, it is suitable for "self-medication" or "personal care" in daily life, where one keeps one's body clean and healthy, and can be widely used as a hygiene product in the fields of sanitary products, baby products, nursing care products, and sanitary products. Moreover, it can be sprayed directly on the hands and feet to prevent infection, and can also be sprayed on daily necessities such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, as well as clothing and personal items such as underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, to provide fungal, bacterial, and viral infection prevention and deodorizing functions.

In particular, the sanitary products of the present invention are composed of woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, gauze, cotton, sponges, and superabsorbent resins, etc., impregnated with the infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaning agent of the present invention, and because these materials are manufactured using biodegradable polymers as raw materials, they provide sanitary products that meet the demands of modern society for environmental conservation and the realization of a sustainable recycling-based society.

This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a hygiene product according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a biodegradable superabsorbent resin impregnated with an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent and contained in a biodegradable nonwoven bag is attached to the pocket of a biodegradable mask to prevent infections such as pneumonia and influenza caused by bacteria and viruses. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a baby diaper, illustrating a method of impregnating the cotton-like pulp of a typical baby diaper with an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent and using the same, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sanitary napkin used as a vaginal cleansing product, in which a typical applicator-type tampon is impregnated with an infection prevention and deodorant cleanser according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In order to more clearly and specifically explain the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention, and the daily necessities, clothing, and personal items using the same, an example of the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner will be described below, and examples in which the cleaner is applied to sanitary products such as masks, diapers, and tampons will be described as representative examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following example, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is limited only by the technical ideas described in the claims.
<Preparation of titanium phosphate compound particles>

The titanium phosphate compound was produced through a first step of mixing titanium tetrachloride with a mixed solution of water and propyl alcohol to cause a reaction, a second step of adding phosphoric acid to the reaction solution produced in the first step to produce a water/alcohol dispersion solution of titanium phosphate compound particles, and a third step of isolating the titanium phosphate compound particles.

In the first step, the water/alcohol mixed solution had 50% water by volume, the amount of titanium tetrachloride added was in the range of 10 parts by volume relative to 100 parts of the water/alcohol mixed solution, and the reaction temperature and the relative humidity of the environment when titanium tetrachloride and water/alcohol were mixed and reacted were 0° C. and 50%, respectively. In the second step, the reaction solution produced in the first step was diluted 250 times with a solvent such as a water/alcohol mixed solution, and then 250 parts by volume of phosphoric acid was added to 100 parts of this reaction solution and reacted to produce titanium phosphate compound particles. Then, in the third step, the titanium phosphate compound particles were separated by centrifugation of the water/alcohol dispersion solution of the titanium phosphate compound particles produced in the second step, and the titanium phosphate compound particles were isolated by drying under reduced pressure. Furthermore, the titanium phosphate compound particles were produced by washing three times with a water/propyl alcohol mixed solvent and then drying under reduced pressure. The average particle size of this titanium phosphate compound was about 50 nm by electron microscope observation.
<Adjustment of infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent>

A water/alcohol mixed solvent was prepared by dissolving 15 g of 1-butanol in 485 g of distilled water, and then 4 g of cationic polyvinyl alcohol, Gohsenex (registered trademark) K-434 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), was dissolved in 96 g of the mixed solvent to prepare a dispersion medium for titanium phosphate compound particles.

5 mg of the prepared titanium phosphate compound particles was added to 95 g of this dispersion medium and dispersed using a homogenizer to obtain the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner of the present invention. The dispersion stability of the titanium phosphate compound particles was good, and no settling occurred for more than one month.

The above infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner is one example, and when a stronger deodorizing effect is required, the titanium phosphate compound particles can be mixed with titanium silicate compound particles and/or titanium borate compound particles in a predetermined weight ratio in the range of 100:50 to 100:10. In addition, when both titanium silicate compound particles and titanium borate compound particles are mixed, it is preferable that the blend ratio by weight is 100:10 to 100:50.

In addition, from the viewpoint of antibacterial and antiviral activity, it is preferable to use electrolyzed water, particularly slightly acidic electrolyzed water, instead of distilled water, and the alcohol can be selected from methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-pentanol, but it is more preferable to add a small amount of 1-pentanol.

Furthermore, in order to improve the dispersion stability and antibacterial and antiviral activity of the titanium phosphate-based compound particles, titanium silicate-based compound particles, and titanium borate-based compound particles, polysaccharide derivatives and surfactants having quaternary ammonium salts can be used instead of polyvinyl alcohol having quaternary ammonium salts, but it is particularly preferable to use guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride and hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, which are polysaccharide derivatives having quaternary ammonium salts.

Although not included in the above examples, when used as a vaginal cleansing product, it is more preferable to add lactic acid at about 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of the infection prevention and deodorant cleanser in order to adjust the pH to 3.5 to 4.5, which is equivalent to the vaginal environment.

Additionally, a water-soluble preservative and/or a water-soluble antioxidant may be added in an amount of 0.01% to 1.0% by weight of the anti-infective and deodorant cleaner.
<Production of sanitary products>

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the appearance of a hygiene product according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a biodegradable superabsorbent resin 13 impregnated with an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent and contained in a biodegradable nonwoven bag is attached to a pocket 12 of a biodegradable mask 1 to prevent infections such as pneumonia and influenza caused by bacteria and viruses. It should be noted that the mask 1 and the superabsorbent resin 13 are not necessarily limited to being biodegradable, and may be a mask and superabsorbent resin made of non-biodegradable fibers.

The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner thus prepared is impregnated into a biodegradable superabsorbent resin 13 contained in a biodegradable nonwoven bag, and the bag is then placed in a pocket 12 on the mask 1, thereby preventing bacteria and viruses from entering the nose and mouth and causing infections such as pneumonia and influenza.

Figure 2 shows a method according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the surface material 23, such as nonwoven fabric, which comes into contact with the bottom of a typical disposable baby diaper 2, is impregnated with an infection prevention and deodorizing detergent to protect the soft bottom of an infant or small child wearing the disposable baby diaper 2 from microorganisms that may grow on the bottom. Not only the surface material 23, but also the absorbent paper 211, cotton-like pulp 212, and superabsorbent resin 213 may be impregnated with the infection prevention and deodorizing detergent to the extent that it does not inhibit urine absorption.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sanitary product according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a tampon 31 of a typical applicator-type tampon 3 is impregnated with an infection prevention and deodorant cleanser and used as a vaginal cleansing product.

In this way, by regularly washing the inside of the vagina with a vaginal cleansing product in which the infection prevention and deodorant cleanser is impregnated into the tampon 3, it is possible to prevent vaginal infections caused by the invasion of various fungi and bacteria, and also to maintain the balance of the vaginal bacterial flora and prevent vaginal infections. In this case, it is particularly preferable to use the infection prevention and deodorant cleanser containing lactic acid in an amount of about 0.1 to 9.0% by weight.
<Evaluation>

Evidence has already been obtained that titanium phosphate-based compounds alone have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activity. As in the above examples, various evaluations of masks, diapers, and tampons as preventive hygiene products using infection prevention and deodorants are ongoing, and due to the impractical nature of the time required for patent applications, priority was given to filing the application. However, the effectiveness of the deodorant activity has already been confirmed by sensory evaluation by subjects.

The infection-preventing and deodorizing vaginal cleanser of the present invention and the hygiene products using the same have antifungal activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, and deodorizing activity, and can be applied to infection-preventing and deodorizing cleansers for the purpose of "self-medication" or "personal care", as well as to daily necessities, clothing, and personal items using the same. More specifically, the infection-preventing and deodorizing cleansers can be used to prevent the invasion of infectious disease-causing pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses into the human body, and hygiene products using the same, in order to keep one's body clean and healthy in daily life without having to go to a medical institution. In particular, the present invention can be used in a wide range of fields, such as an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner for cleaning kitchen utensils and toilet utensils, and sanitary products such as towels and rags using the same, an infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner for protecting hands, face, nose, mouth, throat, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the like, and the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner for keeping hands, feet, and genitals clean ... the vagina and external genitalia of the internal genitalia of healthy adult females clean, and the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner for preventing vaginal infections caused by bacteria and fungi, and the like, and the sanitary products such as napkins and tampons using the same.

However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be used in everyday items such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, underwear, socks, hats, T-shirts, and sports uniforms, as well as clothing and personal items such as shoes, bags, and accessories, as well as hobby and recreational items such as pet mats, toilets, and clothing, and athletic equipment such as gloves and masks for various sports. Furthermore, it is thought that the present invention can be used as an antibacterial and antiviral agent in cosmetics, buildings, electronic devices, pools, sewage treatment plants, etc., and the industrial applicability of the present invention is extremely great.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Biodegradable mask 11 Ear loops 12 Pocket 13 Biodegradable nonwoven bag containing biodegradable superabsorbent resin 2 Baby disposable diaper 21 Absorbent material 211 Absorbent paper 212 Cotton-like pulp 213 Superabsorbent resin 22 Waterproof material 23 Surface material 24 Leak-preventing three-dimensional gathers 25 Tape A Buttocks 3 Applicator-type tampon 31 Tampon 32 Removal string 33 Outer tube for insertion 34 Inner tube for pushing out 35 Grip

Claims (14)

A dispersion medium containing polyvinyl alcohol having a quaternary ammonium salt and/or hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate as a dispersant in a solvent of slightly acidic electrolyzed water or pure water in an amount of 0.1 to 30% by weight of the solvent,
The _infection -preventing and deodorizing cleaner is characterized in that 0.001 to 30% by weight of the dispersion medium is dispersed with titanium phosphate compound particles having an average particle size of 5 to 100 nm and made of a titanium phosphate compound represented by Ti(OH _{) x ( PO4} ) y ( _HPO4 ) _z ( H2PO4 ) _m (OR) _n (R is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, x, y, z, m and n are each a number of 0 or more, and x≧1, y+z+m≧1 and x+3y+2z+m+n=4 are satisfied) . The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more selected from methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol are added to the solvent of the slightly acidic electrolyzed water or the pure water at a concentration of 8 to 20% by weight. The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that 1-butanol at a concentration of 6% by weight or 1-pentanol at a concentration of 2% by weight is added to the solvent of the slightly acidic electrolyzed water or the pure water. The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to any one of claims ₁ to 3, characterized in that the titanium phosphate compound particles are mixed with titanium silicate compound particles made of a titanium silicate compound represented by _TiO2.SiO2 and having an average particle diameter of 5 to 100 nm and/or titanium borate compound particles made of a _titanium borate compound represented by _TiO2.B2O3 and having an average particle diameter of 5 to 100 _nm in a weight ratio of (the titanium phosphate compound particles):(the titanium silicate compound particles and/or the titanium borate compound particles)=100:50 to 100:10. The infection-preventing and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 4, characterized in that the titanium silicate-based compound and the titanium borate-based compound particles are mixed in a weight ratio of (the titanium silicate-based compound):(the titanium borate-based compound particles)=100:10 to 100: 50 . 4. The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 1 , wherein the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent contains 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of lactic acid. 5. The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner according to claim 4 , characterized in that the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaner contains 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of lactic acid. 6. The infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 5 , characterized in that the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent contains 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of lactic acid. A sanitary product comprising a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent polymer, and a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent polymer, impregnated with the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A sanitary product in which the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 4 is impregnated into a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent polymer, as well as a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent polymer. A sanitary product in which the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 5 is impregnated into a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent polymer, as well as a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent polymer. A sanitary product in which the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 6 is impregnated into a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent polymer, as well as a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent polymer. A sanitary product in which the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 7 is impregnated into a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent resin, as well as a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent resin. A sanitary product in which the infection prevention and deodorizing cleaning agent according to claim 8 is impregnated into a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, gauze, cotton, a sponge, and a superabsorbent polymer, or a composite of two or more selected from the woven fabric, the nonwoven fabric, the gauze, the cotton, the sponge, and the superabsorbent polymer.

Images