JPH09131391A - Variable-shape molding - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and simply recognize the decrease of an aqueous solution from the outside by providing a nonwoven fabric containing water absorbing gel fibers, and changing the shape in response to the absorbed moisture quantity in a variable-shape molding absorbing the moisture containing a volatile component such as a deodorizing/aromatic agent to change its shape. SOLUTION: A volatile component diverging device 10 is provided with a container 11 storing an aqueous solution 14 containing a volatile component such as a deodorizing/aromatic agent and a variable-shape molding 15 connected to the container 11. The variable-shape molding 15 is provided with a nonwoven fabric containing water absorbing gel fibers, and its thickness is changed in response to the absorbed moisture quantity. When the aqueous solution 14 in a container main body 11 a infiltrates into the variable-shape molding 15 through a fiber-like core body 19 in use, the variable-shape molding 15 is expanded. When the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 is consumed and the moisture in the variable-shape molding 15 is decreased, the variable-shape molding 15 is shrunk to visibly indicate that the deodorizing/aromatic function is lost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shape-variable molded article which changes its shape by absorbing water containing a volatile component such as a deodorant and aromatic agent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, most of deodorant / fragrance products are deodorant /
The mainstream is a container containing an aqueous solution containing a volatile component such as an aromatic. Recently, an aqueous solution containing a volatile component has been developed as a jelly-like or gel-like substance, and the jelly-like or gel-like substance is placed in a container to prevent spilling and extend the effect. These include gum arabic, gelatin, agar, polyvinyl alcohol,
This is prepared by mixing carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylic acid salt and the like with a deodorant / aromatic agent, and further mixing a curing agent if necessary to prepare an aqueous solution, which is then gelled in an aqueous solution state.

[0003]

However, these gel-like products have a problem that it is difficult to know when the amount of the aqueous solution is decreased, that is, when the performance is deteriorated. Furthermore, since conventional gels generally have low gel strength, it is difficult for the water-absorbent gel itself to maintain its shape. In this case, it is possible to confirm the decrease of the aqueous solution by using a shape-variable molded body whose shape is variable according to the amount of absorbed water and absorbing an aqueous solution containing a volatile component in this shape-variable molded body. It is convenient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shape-variable molded article having a design property in which a decrease in an aqueous solution can be easily and easily recognized from the outside. And

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a shape-variable molded article comprising a non-woven fabric containing water-absorbent gel fibers, the shape of which is variable according to the amount of absorbed water.

According to the present invention, when water penetrates into the shape-variable molded body, the shape of the shape-variable molded body changes.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a shape-variable molded body according to the present invention, in which the shape-variable molded body has a variable shape according to the amount of absorbed water.

That is, the shape-variable molded body 15 is provided with a nonwoven fabric containing water-absorbing gel fibers as shown in FIG. 1, and the water-absorbing gel fibers are made of polyacrylate or the like.

For example, the shape-variable molded body 15 can be made from a nonwoven fabric containing 10% to 80% of water-absorbent gel fiber and pulp or polyester (trade name: Bell Oasis Kanebo Co., Ltd.). The shape of such a water-absorbent gel fiber changes according to the amount of water, and when the water is absorbed, the thickness of the shape-variable molded body 15 becomes h1. h2. In addition,
The shape-variable molded body 15 may be configured to extend in the longitudinal, lateral, or both directions when absorbing moisture.

The shape-variable molded body 15 as described above is used alone or laminated to another plastic film.

As will be described later, the shape-variable molded body 15 is
A wetness indicator which can absorb water containing a volatile component and whose color changes in accordance with the amount of water may be included.

Further, the shape-variable molded body 15 may contain a colorant.

Next, application examples of the variable shape molded body according to the present invention will be described. First Example of Application FIG. 2 is a diagram of a volatile component emission apparatus showing a first example of application of the shape-variable molded article according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the volatile component emission device 1
0 is a container 11 in which an aqueous solution 14 containing a volatile component such as a deodorant / fragrance is stored, and a soft connector 17 is attached to the container 11.
And a shape-variable molded body 15 according to the present invention, which is connected via a variable shape and whose shape is variable according to the amount of water.

Of these, the container 11 is a container body 11a having an open upper end, and a lid 11 for covering the upper end opening of the container body 11a.
and a lid 11b is provided with a spout 12 for filling the aqueous solution. The spout 12 is sealed by a gap 13, and the aqueous solution 1 in the container 11
When 4 disappears, the cap 13 is removed from the spout 12 and the aqueous solution is replenished from the spout 12. Further, inside the container body 11a, there is provided a fibrous core body 19 fixed to the holding portion 18 of the lid body 11b and sucking up the aqueous solution 14 therein. In addition, this core body 1
9 may be made of porous ceramic or the like.

The soft connecting body 17 is composed of a wire 17a and a water absorbent non-woven fabric 17b wound around the wire 17a. The upper end of the non-woven fabric 17b is connected to the variable shape forming body 15 and the lower end of the non-woven fabric 17b is formed. It is connected to the core body 19. Further, the lower end of the wire 17a of the soft connecting body 17 is
While being held by the core body 19, the upper end of the wire 17a is connected to the variable shape molded body 15 to support the variable shape molded body 15.

The container 11 and the variable shape molded body 15
Is placed on a support body 21, and the container 11 and the variable-shape molded body 15 are covered by a transparent plastic cover body 20 having a vent hole 20a as a whole.

As the deodorant / fragrance agent contained in the aqueous solution 14, for example, deodorant / fragrance agents such as rose, jasmine, lavender, lilac, orange and lemon can be used. In this case, a synthetic deodorant / fragrance or a natural deodorant / fragrance can be used. Such deodorants and fragrances are used alone or as a mixture of plural kinds, and are dissolved or finely dispersed in water.

The aqueous solution 14 may contain a water / alcohol mixed solution or a surfactant in order to appropriately disperse the deodorant / fragrance agent. In this case, the water / alcohol mixed solution or the surfactant is added in an amount of 1 to 5 with respect to 100 parts by weight of water.
0 parts by weight are added.

Furthermore, a wetness indicator may be included in the aqueous solution 14 in advance, and the wetness indicator may be introduced into the shape-variable molded body 15. In this case, the shape of the shape-variable molded body 15 is changed according to the amount of water, and the color of the shape-variable molded body 15 is changed, and the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 disappears from the shape and color of the shape-variable molded body 15. This can be easily recognized by the outside.

The wetness indicator may be of any type as long as it can change its color when it is wet and when it is dry. For example, malachite green, crystal violet, rhodamine B, auramine B, cobalt chloride, fluorescein. Sensodium and the like are considered.

Incidentally, such a wetness indicator may be kneaded in advance in the shape-variable molded body 15 without being contained in the aqueous solution 14. Further, other preservatives or coloring agents may be mixed in the aqueous solution 14.

Next, the operation of the first application example having such a configuration will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, a container 11 consisting of a container body 11a and a lid 11b is filled with an aqueous solution 14 containing a volatile component such as a deodorant / aromatic agent through a spout 12, and then a pouring process is performed. The outlet 12 is closed by a cap 13. Container 11, soft connector 17 and variable shape molded body 1
5 is installed on the support 21 and the container 11,
A transparent cover 20 is provided on the support 21 so as to cover the soft connector 17 and the shape-variable molded body 15.

In this case, the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 penetrates from the core 19 into the shape-variable molded body 15 through the nonwoven fabric 17b of the soft connector 17. When the aqueous solution 14 penetrates into the shape-variable molded body 15, the shape of the shape-variable molded body 15 becomes large and heavy, the soft connecting body 17 bends, and the shape-variable molded body 15 descends (solid line position in FIG. 2). At the same time, the deformable molded body 15 exhibits a specific color due to the wetness indicator.

Next, the deodorant / aromatic agent in the shape-variable molded body 15 scatters together with the water, and the ventilation hole 20a of the transparent cover 20.
Is gradually released to the outside, and thus exerts a deodorant / aroma function to the environment outside the transparent cover 20.

Next, when the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 is exhausted, the water content in the shape-variable molded body 15 is reduced, and the shape-variable molded body 15 is reduced in shape and weight. In this case, the soft connecting body 17 stands in the vertical direction and the shape-variable molded body 15 rises (the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2). At the same time, the color of the shape-variable molded body 15 changes depending on the wetness indicator.

According to this application example, it can be easily judged from the size, position and color of the shape-variable molded body 15 that the aqueous solution in the container 11 is exhausted and the deodorizing and aroma function is lost. . When the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 is used up, the cap 13 of the spout 12 is removed and the aqueous solution 14 is replenished from the spout 12. Second Example of Application FIG. 3 is a diagram of a volatile component emission apparatus showing a second example of application of the variable shape molding according to the present invention.

The second application example shown in FIG. 3 is different only in the shape of the shape-variable molded body 15, and the other is the first application shown in FIG.
Is almost the same as the application example of. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those of the first application example shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, a holding portion 18 is provided on the lid 11b of the container 11, and the holding portion 18 has a container body 11a.
A core body 19 extending inward is fixed. Also the lid 11b
On top of this, a combination of the thin plate-shaped variable molded body 15 and a plastic film 23 attached to the lower surface of the thin plate-shaped variable molded body 15 is placed. Further, the shape-variable molded body 15 of the combined body 15, 23
Are connected to the core body 19 by a connecting body 24 made of non-woven fabric or the like.

The shape-variable molded body 15 is adapted to expand and contract in the vertical direction with respect to the lid body 11b according to the amount of water. Therefore, when the aqueous solution 14 is contained in the container 11, the shape-variable molded body 15 extends in the longitudinal direction, whereby the combination 1
5 and 23 extend straight on the lid 11b (solid line positions in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, when the aqueous solution 14 in the container 11 is exhausted, the shape-variable molded body 15 shrinks (the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3).

As the plastic film 23, a water-insoluble resin film having a thickness of 10 to 100 μm, for example, polyester, vinyl chloride, polyolefin, nylon or the like can be used.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, when water permeates into the shape-variable molded body, the shape of the shape-variable molded body changes. The change in shape of the variable molded body can be confirmed from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to easily and easily determine that the variable shape molded body has run out of water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a variable shape molded body according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a volatile component emission device showing a first application example of the variable shape molding according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a volatile component emission device showing a second application example of the shape-variable shaped article according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Volatile Component Dispersion Device 11 Container 12 Spout 13 Cap 14 Aqueous Solution 15 Shape Changeable Molded Body 17 Soft Linked Body 19 Core Body 20 Cover Body 23 Plastic Film

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A shape-variable molded article comprising a non-woven fabric containing water-absorbent gel fibers, the shape of which is variable according to the amount of absorbed water. 2. The shape-variable molded article according to claim 1, which absorbs water containing a volatile component. 3. The shape-variable molded article according to claim 2, further comprising a wetness indicator whose color changes according to the amount of water. 4. The shape-variable molded article according to claim 2, further comprising a colorant.