JPH03112594A - Antimicrobial washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts fungi, etc., from growing on the surface and interior of plastic components of a washing machine by dispersedly mixing 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole as an antimicrobial substance for suppressing the growth of microorganisms in the material for the plastic components of the washing machine. CONSTITUTION:Polypropylene 22 as a main material for washing machine components contains 10% of talc 23 for improving the rigidity of the components. To the total amount of the talc 23 and the polypropylene resin 22 is added 0.1-2.0weight% of 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole of storing antimicrobial property and excellent heat resistance. As inorganic substance for increasing volume, reinforcement, etc., granular inorganic substance such as calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, and mica, or further fibrous inorganic material such as glass fibers may be mixed by any amount according to requirement.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is an antibacterial washing machine, and more specifically, an antimicrobial washing machine that suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as mold, yeast, and bacteria on the surface and inside of washing machine components. Discoloration and material deterioration of the washing machine component parts,
In addition to preventing bad odors caused by microbial growth and contamination of laundry with microorganisms, antibacterial substances are kneaded into synthetic resin materials that are often used as components of washing machines and are injection molded. The present invention relates to an antibacterial washing machine in which antibacterial substances do not discolor due to thermal effects even due to variations in heating temperature when starting up an injection molding machine, and the yield of products can be improved.

[Conventional technology]

Among the structural members of electric washing machines, thermoplastic resins mainly composed of polypropylene are often used for the main members that come into contact with the cleaning liquid, such as the washing tub and stirring blades.

By the way, if you use an electric washing machine for a long time,
It is known that the parts that come into contact with the cleaning liquid, such as the above-mentioned washing tub and stirring blades, turn a so-called dull color, such as black or brown. The reason for this is that microorganisms specific to washing machines, such as Penicillium, Mucor, Cubularia, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Humicola, are present on the surfaces and inside of the washing machine components. It is already known that this is due to the proliferation of mold, yeast, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

Regarding vinyl chloride resin, please refer to the Japanese Society of Antibacterial and Mildew Prevention (i') r Antibacterial and Mildew J Vo Q, 4. N
As described in QIO (1976) T478-T488, the effect of preventing material deterioration by adding antibacterial substances has been confirmed. That is, as an example of dispersing and blending an antibacterial substance into a thermoplastic resin, an example is known in which an antibacterial substance is dispersed and blended into piping components made of hard or soft polyvinyl chloride resin. This is because the melting temperature of the resin during injection molding is relatively low at approximately 140°C compared to polypropylene, so antibacterial substances with low heat resistance can be easily blended into the polyvinyl chloride resin. As a result, a wide antibacterial spectrum can be obtained6 [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, the above-mentioned polypropylene, which is widely used as a component of washing machines, that is, polypropylene with excellent solvent resistance, cannot be injection molded. To do this, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the polypropylene molding resin to a high temperature of approximately 200°C or higher.However, there are few antibacterial substances that can withstand high temperatures of approximately 200°C or higher, and conventionally, antibacterial substances that can withstand high temperatures of approximately 20°C or higher are For reasons such as the fact that no antibacterial substances have been confirmed to have the effect of suppressing the proliferation of microorganisms that are likely to propagate, this product is used to suppress the propagation of bacteria on washing machine component parts such as polyolefin resins such as polypropylene. Application examples of dispersing and blending substances have not yet become known.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-15874 discloses a fully automatic washing machine having a self-cleaning function. Sunarichi, a fully automatic washing machine, differs from a two-tank washing machine in which a washing tub and a dehydrating tub are installed side by side, in that a water receiving tank is placed around the outer periphery of the washing and dehydrating tub (rotating tub). If a fully automatic washing machine is used for a long period of time, soap scum, fiber debris, etc. will adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the single-turn tub and the inner circumferential surface of the water tank, and especially to the corners of the inner circumferential surface of the water tank. It is known that the amount of adhesion increases.

According to the fully automatic washing machine described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 15874/1983, which is equipped with a self-cleaning function, that is, a washing process in which a rotary tank is rotated while water is supplied and stored in a water receiving tank, the growth of microorganisms is prevented. If the deposited layer of deposits such as metal soap or fiber waste is thick,
The deposits can be removed relatively effectively.

However, according to an experiment conducted by the inventors,
If the deposited layer of deposits described above is thin, it is difficult to remove the deposits, and in such cases,
Microorganisms easily propagate using deposits such as metal soap as a nutrient source, and microbial contamination spreads to the rotating tank, water tank, and even the stirring blades mainly through the cleaning solution, causing the parts to become black, brown, and dull. In addition to the yellow color and material deterioration, if the washing machine user neglects regular self-cleaning operations, the deposits will peel off during rinsing, resulting in a dark color. A problem arises in that colored contaminants containing microorganisms are dispersed in the rinse water, resulting in dirty laundry. Furthermore, as a result of analyzing the rinse water after the inventors intentionally neglected the self-cleaning operation described above, a large amount of mold was detected, and this mold can also be the cause of allergic diseases, for example. There is no need to explain again that it is undesirable from a sanitary standpoint.

The present inventors conducted masterbatch mixing and injection molding of polypropylene, which is often used as a component of washing machines, that is, polypropylene with excellent solvent resistance.
We found an antibacterial substance that can withstand high temperatures, even when the temperature of the polypropylene molding resin reaches a high temperature of about 200°C or higher. Based on this result, we have developed washing machine components obtained by mixing antibacterial substances for their uses. , extremely practical (il
We fully recognize that the Ii value is large, and provide an antibacterial washing machine based on this, and the purpose is to do so without specifically adding a mechanical self-cleaning function to the washing machine itself. Due to the action of antibacterial substances eluted from the components of the washing machine itself, mold grows on the surface and inside of the components of the washing machine.

It suppresses the propagation of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria, prevents discoloration and material deterioration of the washing machine component parts, prevents bad odors caused by microbial proliferation, and also prevents microorganisms such as mold from being removed from the washing machine component parts in the rinsing water during rinsing. It disperses into the laundry and contaminates the laundry, causing problems such as allergic diseases.

It is superior in terms of durability and hygiene, and can eliminate the problems that normally occur in washing machines that keep clothes clean. When kneading antibacterial substances into injection molding, the antibacterial substances do not discolor due to thermal effects, even if the heating temperature varies when the injection molding machine is started up.
An object of the present invention is to obtain an antibacterial washing machine that can improve product yield.

In addition, the Utility Model No. 62-2571 titled "Drain Hose"
No. 7 is designed to prevent the drainage function from being impaired when draining condensed water from air conditioners, in other words, to prevent slime (agar-like substance) from forming due to the proliferation of iron bacteria, etc., and clogging the drain hose. As mentioned above, a technique of mixing an anti-slime agent into the synthetic resin material such as vinyl chloride that forms the drain hose has been disclosed, but the above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 62
The technology described in No. 25717 is strictly related to preventing clogging of drain hoses, and when rinsing during washing, microorganisms such as mold are dispersed from the washing machine components into the rinsing water, contaminating the laundry. The present invention attempts to solve problems caused by, for example, problems in which the cause of allergic diseases lies in the washing machine that originally keeps clothes clean, without specifically adding a mechanical self-cleaning function to the washing machine itself. It's completely different.

[Means to solve the problem]

The purpose is to remove mold, yeast, and bacteria from the synthetic resin components of the washing machine, at least in the parts to which the washing liquid adheres during the washing operation, in an electric washing machine that removes dirt by agitating the laundry stored in the washing tub. Microorganisms consisting of etc.! This is achieved by dispersing and blending 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole as an antibacterial substance that suppresses AM.

[Effect]

In other words, during the washing process, the parts of the washing machine components that come in contact with the washing liquid are exposed to various types of dirt in the washing liquid, such as fat and protein removed from clothing (typically fat and protein from the human body). (organic dirt), inorganic dirt such as mud and sand, textile waste from clothing, synthetic detergents and soaps, and even metal salts in the surfactant components contained in these substances. The agitation of the rinsing liquid during the rinsing process alone will not completely remove the residue, so repeat the washing process repeatedly.

It gradually accumulates on the surfaces of washing machine components. Note that these stains serve as nutrients for various microorganisms such as mold, yeast, and bacteria, and since the internal environment of the washing machine is relatively humid, microorganisms can easily breed. Among the microorganisms, especially molds, many of them take on a dark color due to their spores as they multiply and increase in density, and when these spores are dispersed in the rinsing liquid, they become a factor that contaminates the laundry. On the other hand, in the present invention, mold is formed in the synthetic resin washing machine components at least in the parts to which the washing liquid is attached during the washing operation.

2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole is dispersed and blended as an antibacterial substance that suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria, and according to the present invention, the washing machine itself has a mechanical self-cleaning function. The action of antibacterial substances eluted from the washing machine components itself suppresses the propagation of microorganisms such as mold, yeast, and bacteria on the surface and inside of the washing machine components, without the need for any special addition. It prevents discoloration and material deterioration of machine components, prevents bad odors caused by microbial growth, and eliminates the problem of mold and other microorganisms dispersing from washing machine components into the rinse water and contaminating laundry during rinsing. .

Note that when injection molding a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, it is necessary to change the heating temperature of the resin depending on the size and shape of the molded product.

That is, for example, the dimensions are large, such as the rotating tank, water tank, and stirring blade of a fully automatic washing machine.

Alternatively, when resin molding a member having a complicated shape such as a rib, it is necessary to increase the heating temperature of the resin to be injection molded to lower the viscosity of the resin and improve its flowability.

To explain this in more detail, as mentioned above, when molding parts with large dimensions or complex shapes such as ribs, if the heating temperature of the injection molded resin is not raised sufficiently, The viscosity of the resin does not decrease sufficiently, its flowability is poor, and the injected resin hardens early in the part farther from the gate where the resin is injected into the mold, making it impossible to obtain the desired shape. A so-called seam shot phenomenon or even a so-called sink mark often occurs, causing molding defects.

For this reason, when injection molding synthetic resin materials such as polypropylene, it is necessary to change the heating temperature of the resin depending on the dimensions and shape of the molded product. When resin molding parts such as rotating tubs, water receiving tanks, and stirring blades of washing machines that have large dimensions or complex shapes such as ribs, antibacterial substances 1 (for example, 2, 4, 5.6) are added to the parts. When injection molding is performed by kneading 2,3,5.6tetrachloro-4(methylsulfonyl)pyridine, etc., when starting up the injection molding machine (i.e., when the heating temperature is still constant), If the temperature exceeds the set value (when the temperature does not reach a stable state and there are large fluctuations in the vertical direction), the antibacterial substance mixed in the molten resin will become discolored as if it has been burnt, and the resin will eventually deteriorate. The entire surface was also found to have a dull appearance.

Although the above-mentioned phenomenon occurs only when the opposing molding machine is started up, if this problem is solved, the product yield will be improved.

In other words, the antibacterial substance mixed into the synthetic resin material is
It is desirable that the material is resistant to sublimation, bicomponent decomposition, etc. even due to temperature variations when the injection molding machine is started up, and has sufficient heat resistance.

Under these circumstances, the inventors repeatedly conducted experiments and found that among imidazole compounds that are generally said to have low heat resistance, 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole is superior to other imidazole compounds. It has particularly excellent heat resistance compared to chemical compounds, and when mixed into the synthetic resin materials that make up the rotating tub, water tank, stirring blades, etc. of a fully automatic washing machine, it gives the washing machine itself a special mechanical self-cleaning function. Due to the action of antibacterial substances that are eluted from the washing machine components themselves without being added to the washing machine.

Mold or yeast on the surface or inside of the washing machine components.

Suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, prevents discoloration and material deterioration of the washing machine component parts, prevents bad odors caused by microbial growth, and furthermore, during rinsing, microorganisms such as mold are dispersed from the washing machine component parts into the rinse water. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the problem 1 caused by contaminating laundry, such as the fact that the cause of allergic diseases lies in the washing machine that originally keeps clothes clean. It is excellent in terms of durability and hygiene, and in addition, the antibacterial substance does not change color due to thermal effects even if the heating temperature varies when starting up the injection molding machine, and the product yield can be improved. It was confirmed.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 1 while referring to FIG. 2, taking as an example the case where the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the fully automatic washing machine.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a rotating tub of a fully automatic washing machine, and this rotating tub 1 has nine functions as a washing and dehydrating tub. A mounting seat 5 into which a flange 4 for mounting the stirring blade 2 to the shaft 3 is fitted is formed at the center of the bottom of the outer surface of the rotating tank 1, and an annular rib 6 is formed concentrically with the mounting seat 5. Further, radial ribs 7 are formed in the radial direction of the mounting seat 5 so as to intersect with each other. On the outer peripheral side of the rotating tank 1, there are horizontal ribs 8 running horizontally and vertical ribs 9 running vertically.
are formed by crossing each other, and the basket 1
A groove 11 in which a balance weight 10 is housed is formed at the periphery of the upper opening.

On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the rotating tank 1, each of the ribs 6.7°8.9
Numerous dehydration holes 13.13 in areas that do not interfere with
... has been drilled. On the other hand, the rotating tank 1 is rotatably supported within a water receiving tank 15 built into the outer frame 14 of the washing WI machine. A clutch portion 17 is provided at the bottom of the water receiving tank 15 to transmit rotation from the motor 16 to the shaft 3 of the stirring blade 2 . In addition, the water receiving tank 15 has a hanging rod 18 attached to the outer frame 14.
, 18, and is elastically suspended and supported via springs 19, 19. In Fig. 2, 20 is the outer frame cover 21
indicates the operation panel.

In FIG. 2, the components of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1 include a rotary tub 1. Polypropylene resin 22, which is used for the agitating blades 2 and the water tank 15 and is the main material of the washing machine components in FIG. 1, contains talc in order to further improve the rigidity of the washing machine components. 23 is blended at 10%, and this talc 23 and polypropylene resin 2
2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole 24, which has excellent heat resistance and a large antibacterial effect compared to the total amount of 24
However, it is blended in a weight ratio of 0.1% to 2.0%. In addition to talc 23, inorganic materials used for the purpose of increasing the amount and increasing the rigidity of washing machine components include:
Calcium carbonate.

Particulate inorganic materials such as barium sulfate and mica, and further fibrous inorganic materials such as glass fibers can be blended in any amount as required. Further, in addition to the above-mentioned materials, additives such as an antioxidant 2 dispersant may be added, and furthermore, coloring by adding a pigment is also possible.

As already mentioned, when injection molding a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, it is necessary to change the heating temperature of the resin depending on the size and shape of the molded product.

That is, 1. For example, a rotating tub of a fully automatic washing machine shown in the illustrated embodiment. When resin molding parts that are large in one dimension, such as the water receiving tank 15 and the stirring blade 2, or have complicated shapes, such as ribs, the heating temperature of the resin to be injection molded is raised to lower the viscosity of the resin. It is necessary to improve its flowability.

To explain this in more detail, as mentioned above, when molding parts with large dimensions or complex shapes such as ribs, if the heating temperature of the injection molded resin is not raised sufficiently, The viscosity of the resin does not decrease sufficiently, its flowability is poor, and the injected resin hardens early in the part farther from the gate where the resin is injected into the mold, making it impossible to obtain the desired shape. A so-called short shot phenomenon or even a so-called sink mark often occurs, resulting in molding defects.

For this reason, when injection molding synthetic resin materials such as polypropylene, it is necessary to change the heating temperature of the resin depending on the dimensions and shape of the molded product. Tank 1. When resin-molding parts such as the water receiving tank 15 and stirring 'R2, which have large dimensions or complex shapes such as ribs, antibacterial substances such as 2,4,5.6 (tetrachloroisophthalate) are added to the resin. When injection molding is performed by kneading nitrile) or 2,3,5.6tetrachloro4(methylsulfonyl)pyridine, etc., when starting up the injection molding machine (in other words, the heating temperature has not yet reached a certain stable state), If the temperature exceeds the set value (when the temperature is higher than the set value), the antibacterial substance mixed in the molten resin will become discolored as if it has been burnt, and the entire resin surface will also become dull. It was found that it had a similar appearance.

Although the above-mentioned phenomenon occurs only when the opposing molding machine is started up, if this problem is solved, the product yield will be improved.

In other words, the antibacterial substance mixed into the synthetic resin material is
It is desirable that the material is resistant to sublimation, single decomposition, etc. even due to temperature variations when starting up an injection molding machine, and has sufficient heat resistance.

Under these circumstances, the inventors repeatedly conducted experiments and found that among imidazole compounds that are generally said to have low heat resistance, 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole is superior to other imidazole compounds. It has particularly excellent heat resistance compared to compounds, and this is demonstrated by the rotary tub 1 of a fully automatic washing machine shown in the illustrated embodiment, for example. If it gets mixed into the synthetic resin material constituting the water receiving tank 15 and the stirring blades 2, etc., the action of antibacterial substances eluted from the washing machine components itself will cause the washing machine to have no mechanical self-cleaning function. , suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as mold, yeast, and bacteria on the surface and inside of the washing machine components, prevents discoloration and material deterioration of the washing machine components, prevents bad odors caused by microbial growth, and further improves rinsing. Problems caused by microorganisms such as mold dispersing from the washing machine components into the rinsing water and contaminating the laundry.For example, the cause of allergic diseases is the washing machine that originally keeps clothes clean. It can be eliminated. It is excellent in terms of durability and hygiene, and in addition, the antibacterial substance does not change color due to thermal effects even if the heating temperature varies when starting up the injection molding machine, and the product yield can be improved. It was confirmed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention is as described above, and as is clear from the description of the above embodiments, in the present invention, mold, yeast, 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole is dispersed and blended as an antibacterial substance that suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, and according to the present invention, the washing machine itself is specially equipped with a mechanical self-cleaning function. Due to the action of antibacterial substances that are eluted from the washing machine components themselves without being attached to them, mold and mildew can grow on the surfaces and inside of the washing machine components! It suppresses the growth of microorganisms such as 9MA bacteria, prevents discoloration and material deterioration of the washing machine component parts, prevents bad odors caused by microbial growth, and also helps to rinse microorganisms such as mold from the washing machine component parts during rinsing. It is possible to eliminate problems caused by dispersion in water and contamination of laundry, such as problems where the cause of allergic diseases is in the washing machine, which originally keeps clothes clean. It is excellent in terms of both durability and hygiene, and in addition, when injection molding is performed by kneading antibacterial substances into the synthetic resin material that is often used as a component of washing machines, the heating temperature at the time of startup of the injection molding machine is It is possible to obtain an antibacterial washing machine in which the antibacterial substance does not discolor due to thermal influence even if there is a variation in the temperature, and the yield of the product can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially detailed view of a component of an antibacterial washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a fully automatic washing machine. 1... Rotating tank, 2... Stirring blade, 15... Water receiving tank,
22... Polypropylene resin, 23... Talc, 24... 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole. 1st Figure 22...Polypropylene resin 23...Talc 24...2-(4-thiazolyl) imidazole-pents Figure 1...Rotating tank 2...Agitation blade 15...Water tank

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an electric washing machine that removes dirt by agitating the laundry stored in the washing tub, mold or mildew is present in the synthetic resin washing machine components at least in the parts to which the cleaning liquid is attached during the washing operation. ,
An antibacterial washing machine characterized by containing 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole dispersed therein as an antibacterial substance that suppresses the propagation of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. 2. In an electric washing machine that uses a motor to rotate an agitation blade to create a water flow to wash laundry, mold, yeast, An antibacterial washing machine characterized by containing 2-(4-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole dispersed therein as an antibacterial substance that suppresses the propagation of microorganisms such as bacteria. 3. An antibacterial washing machine according to the invention as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the synthetic resin material of at least the portion to which the cleaning liquid is attached during the washing operation is a thermoplastic resin. 4. The antibacterial washing machine according to the invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic resin at least in the portion to which the washing liquid adheres during the washing operation is a resin whose main material is polypropylene. 5. In the invention described in claim 4, the resin mainly composed of polypropylene is made by blending an inorganic filler with polypropylene, and the inorganic filler is
An antibacterial washing machine containing at least one of calcium carbonate, talc, glass fiber, mica, and barium sulfate. 6. In the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, the washing machine components to which at least the cleaning liquid adheres during the washing operation include a rotating tank, a water receiving tank, and an agitation tank of a fully automatic washing machine. Antibacterial washing machine that is a wing.