JPH11226326A - Filter and air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter for air purification having a long life and durable storage stability. SOLUTION: This filter 10 is made of a fibrous base material 11 and microcapsules 12 in which an anti-bacterial substance is enclosed are deposited on the base material 11. Until the walls of microcapsules 12 are broken, the anti-bacterial substance, which is the content of the microcapules 12, is scarcely released to the outside. The filter is provided with a anti-bacterial function by releasing the content of the anti-bacterial agent by breaking the microcapsules 12 based on the necessity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a filter,
In particular, the present invention relates to a filter for removing and purifying dust and the like.
The present invention also relates to an air purifying apparatus for purifying contaminated air by passing the air through a filter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A general configuration of an air purifying apparatus for purifying indoor air is to suck indoor contaminated air with a fan or the like.
This air is passed through a filter made of, for example, a fibrous non-woven fabric to filter and remove dust and the like, and is further deodorized by a deodorizing filter such as activated carbon and then exhausted.
Further, in a cleaner (vacuum cleaner) or the like, a filter is mounted at a subsequent stage so that sucked air and dust are stored in a garbage bag and further fine dust is not discharged.
Further, the refrigerator is equipped with a filter for removing bacteria, mold spores, and the like floating in the refrigerator.

[0003] Dust caught by these filters carries spores such as fungi and mold, and these spores such as fungi and mold grow and propagate on the filters using the dust as a nutrient source. When fungi grow on the filter, the filter for removing the pollutant becomes a source of the pollutant, and the bacteria and mold are released into the room, and the odor is generated. There's a problem.

[0004] To cope with such a problem, it is known to impregnate an antibacterial agent into a filter. Such a filter is configured to obtain an antibacterial, bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect by impregnating a fiber surface with a bactericide or a chemical bactericide based on a natural polyphenol such as catechin.

However, these antibacterial agents are generally solid at room temperature in order to prevent evaporation after coating on the filter. For this reason, if dust adheres to the fiber of the filter,
The surface of the antibacterial agent is also covered, and its effect is attenuated. In addition, the antibacterial agent is easily degraded by oxygen in the air passing through the filter, so that it is difficult to maintain the effect.

[0006] Even if an antibacterial agent which is solid at normal temperature is used, the effect of the antibacterial agent decreases with time because it evaporates little by little to obtain the effect of the antibacterial agent. For this reason, these filters generally need to be replaced in a matter of months to at most one year. However, there is a demand from users for further extending the life of these filters.

The dust removal performance of a filter or the like can be dealt with to some extent by increasing the area of the filter. However, with regard to antibacterial properties, the amount of antibacterial agent that can be directly supported on the filter is limited, and if a large amount of antibacterial agent is initially attached, substances harmful to the human body will be released into the air. Therefore, the effect of extending the life itself is small. In addition, generally used chemical antibacterial agents have a large effect, but also have a bad effect on the human body, so that there is a problem that the concentration cannot be made too high. Conversely, natural antibacterial agents have a mild effect and little adverse effect on the human body, but have a drawback that they are easily oxidized by oxygen or the like in the air and thus lack the stability of the effect.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a long-life, highly-safe filter for air cleaning and an air cleaning device equipped with the filter. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary filter in which molds, fungi, and the like are less likely to propagate, and an air purifier equipped with the filter.

[0009]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, a filter of the present invention has a first surface and a second surface, and a base material having a path communicating between the first surface and the second surface; A microcapsule supported by a material and in which a liquid antimicrobial substance is sealed in a use state. As the base material, for example, a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric may be used. It is preferable that the antibacterial substance encapsulated in the microcapsule is in a liquid state in a use state. Here, the liquid state in the state of use means that the liquid state is, for example, at room temperature when used, or liquid, for example, when used in a refrigerator. By doing so, when the microcapsules are broken, the antibacterial substance held inside flows out to the base material, and an antibacterial effect can be given. In addition, since the antibacterial substance is encapsulated in the microcapsules, even if it is in a liquid state, the microcapsules are in a sealed state before the microcapsules are broken, and the rate of dissipation from the base material can be suppressed to an extremely low level.

The base material has an average diameter, a thickness, a constituent material,
A plurality of types of microcapsules having different types of antibacterial agents or different concentrations of the antibacterial agents may be carried. According to such a configuration, the strength of the microcapsule, the effect of the antibacterial agent can be adjusted in a complex manner, and the life of the filter,
The intensity and duration of the effect can be adjusted.

Such a microcapsule may be directly bonded to the base material without a binder material, or may be bonded to the base material with a binder agent or the like.

As the antibacterial substance, for example, a substance which is liquid at normal temperature may be used. In addition, if a natural organic substance is used as the antibacterial substance, adverse effects on the human body can be avoided, and waste disposal after use becomes easy. Here, the natural organic substance is a substance derived from a natural product such as an organic substance extracted from a plant.

The air purifying apparatus of the present invention has a first surface and a second surface.
A substrate having a path communicating between the first surface and the second surface, and a microcapsule encapsulated with an antibacterial substance carried on the substrate. It is characterized by comprising a sheet-like filter and means for releasing the antibacterial substance enclosed in the microcapsules. A base material having a first surface and a second surface, having a path communicating between the first surface and the second surface; and an antibacterial substance carried on the base material. And a sheet-like filter having microcapsules enclosed therein,
A first roll for supplying the filter, a second roll for winding the filter, and means for releasing the antibacterial substance disposed in the vicinity of the first roll and enclosed in the microcapsules May be provided. This air purifying device removes contaminants such as dust, dust, fungi, and mold by ventilating the filter of the present invention as described above. In the air cleaning device of the present invention,
Since the microcapsules encapsulating the antibacterial agent as described above are supported on the base material, the antibacterial substance can be discharged to the base material side by breaking the microcapsules as needed.

Means for releasing the antibacterial substance include, for example, a vibrator for vibrating the filter, a pressure roll for crushing the microcapsules with the filter interposed therebetween, or a brush for crushing the microcapsules by rubbing the filter surface. it can. Further, the microcapsules may be destroyed by vibration of a fan for ventilating the filter, vibration of the filter by ventilated air, or the like. When the microcapsules are broken and the enclosed antibacterial substance is released, for example, dust, bacteria, mold, and the like captured by the filter can be sterilized.

As the filters included in the air purifying apparatus of the present invention, various filters of the present invention as described above may be used.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a structure of a filter of the present invention.

The filter 10 has a fibrous base material 11.
The substrate 11 carries a microcapsule 12 in which an antibacterial substance is encapsulated. Here, a nonwoven fabric filter is used as the base material 11, and the average diameter of the fibers is about 10 μm. The microcapsules 12 contain a liquid antibacterial agent (eucalyptus oil) extracted from eucalyptus, and are based on gelatin, having an average particle size of about 10 microns and an average wall thickness of about 1 micron. . In this example, this microcapsule 1
The base material 11 was immersed in the slurry in which No. 2 was dispersed, and was subjected to a drying treatment to support the microcapsules on the base material 11. In this manner, about 10 billion microcapsules 12 / m ² could be supported on the substrate 11. The amount of the microcapsules 12 supported on the base material 11 may be adjusted as needed.

Generally, this eucalyptus oil is known as a herb having a strong antibacterial property. For example, by spraying an aqueous solution containing a trace amount of such an antibacterial substance into a room, antibacterial activity in the room can be performed. Moreover, since eucalyptus oil is a natural component, it has high safety for the human body and can be used with confidence. However, as described above, when such a liquid antimicrobial agent is directly carried on a substrate,
There is a problem that it evaporates in a short time, and the effect is instantly lost. Also, since eucalyptus oil has a strong aromatic character, when supported on a substrate as it is,
Some users of the filter dislike the smell.

In the filter of the present invention, the antibacterial agent which is liquid under the conditions of use is encapsulated in a microcapsule made of gelatin, and the microcapsule is supported on a base material. Is hardly released to the outside.
Therefore, by destroying the microcapsules as necessary and allowing the antibacterial agent as a content to flow out, the antibacterial action can be effectively given to the filter at an appropriate timing. Moreover, since this antibacterial agent is in a liquid state, even if dust or the like adheres to the filter surface, the antibacterial agent spreads on the base material so as to cover the dust, so that the antibacterial effect increases, and for a certain period of time, An antibacterial effect can be continuously provided. In general, antibacterial agents such as herbal oils are easily oxidized and unstable, but the filter of the present invention can prevent oxidation and deterioration because it is enclosed in microcapsules.

Further, since the antibacterial agent of the filter of the present invention is covered with the microcapsules when left unattended, its antibacterial effect is almost preserved. Therefore, it is not necessary to store in a highly airtight storage bag. Normally, antibacterial filters consisting of antibacterial agents with sustained release and carriers containing them must be placed in sealed bags made of laminated films that are highly gas-barrier, expensive and difficult to recycle, and are harmful to the environment. In the filter of the present invention, it is not necessary to use such a film having a high gas barrier property, and a normal inexpensive and environmentally friendly bag made of polyethylene or the like may be used.

Although an example using microcapsules made of gelatin has been described here, microcapsules of any material may be used as long as they contain the antibacterial agent as described above and have sufficient retention. For example, resin materials such as urea formalin resin, melamine formalin resin, polylactic acid, and methacrylic resin may be used. In particular, urea-formalin resin has better sealing properties of antibacterial agent than gelatin, and has the property that the wall is slightly brittle, so that microcapsules are broken by vibration, friction, or pressure to release the contents. The filter of the present invention can be suitably used.

The antibacterial agent to be encapsulated in the microcapsules may be any liquid as long as it is in a liquid form. However, in consideration of adverse effects on the human body, it is preferable to use a natural antibacterial agent. As such a natural antibacterial agent, besides eucalyptus, for example, tea tree, pine, bitter orange and the like can be used as required. Further, a plurality of these antibacterial agents may be mixed and used.

Although one type of microcapsule is used in this example, a plurality of types of microcapsules having different materials, thicknesses and sizes of microcapsules may be carried on the same base material. Also, a plurality of types of microcapsules in which the type and concentration of the antibacterial agent to be enclosed are changed may be used. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a filter of the present invention in which microcapsules having different sizes are supported on a base material.

The filter 10b is made of a fibrous substrate 1
The substrate 11 carries a microcapsule 12 in which an antibacterial substance is encapsulated. Here, a nonwoven fabric filter is used as the base material 11, and the average diameter of the fibers is about 10 μm. And on this base material 11,
Two types of microcapsules 12a and 12b having different diameters and (shell) film thicknesses are carried. Further, a plurality of types of microcapsules may be supported.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to compound a resistance to a stimulus to the microcapsules such as friction, pressure, and vibration. For this reason,
The timing at which the microcapsules are broken and the internal antimicrobial agent flows out to the substrate can be varied in various ways. Further, not only can the life of the filter be extended, but also the life can be controlled more easily.

(Embodiment 2) Here, a method for supporting the microcapsules 12 containing the antibacterial agent on the base material 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of supporting microcapsules on a base material.

First, for example, an antibacterial agent such as eucalyptus oil is charged into a microcapsule material such as gelatin and emulsion-polymerized to form a microcapsule 12 containing the antibacterial agent.
(FIGS. 3A and 3B). A slurry in which the microcapsules 12 thus obtained are dispersed in a polar solvent such as water is prepared, and the filter base material 11 such as a nonwoven fabric is immersed in the slurry (FIG. 3).
(C)) Then, the microcapsules 12 can be supported on the base material 11 by drying (FIG. 3).
(D)). Further, in this example, gelatin is used as a constituent material of the shell of the microcapsule 12, so the surface layer of the shell of the microcapsule 12 contains moisture, and the polymerization of the resin is immature or is in a slightly dissolved state. Thus, it was possible to adhere to the fibers of the substrate 11 without using a binder. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the microcapsules 12 are directly bonded to the base material 11.
Thus, the microcapsules 12 were directly and firmly bonded to the fibrous base material 11 after drying, and hardly slipped off or scattered from the base material 11 even when vibration was applied.

When a plurality of types of microcapsules having different average diameters, shell thicknesses, or constituent materials are to be supported on the same base material, a plurality of types of microcapsules are prepared in advance and these microcapsules are prepared. The base material may be immersed in the slurry in which the capsules are dispersed.

In this example, the example in which the microcapsules are supported on the substrate by immersion (dipping) has been described. However, any other method can be used as long as the microcapsules are supported on or contained in the substrate. May be used. For example, the microcapsules may be dispersed in a liquid and sprayed on a substrate, or flow impregnation in which the liquid in which the microcapsules are dispersed flows over the substrate may be performed.

In the above description, an example in which a nonwoven fabric filter is used as a base material of the filter has been described.
For example, paper, a porous inorganic material, or the like may be used. Further, the shape of the filter is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a honeycomb shape, for example, if necessary.

Further, in the filter of the present invention manufactured as described above, the slurry obtained by mixing the microcapsules 12 with the untreated nonwoven base material 11 is supported by dipping. 11
It was confirmed that, by supporting on the base material, the eyes of the base material 11 became slightly clogged and the efficiency of collecting dust and the like was improved. This is considered to be because the surface area of the filter is increased by supporting the microcapsules 12 on the base material 11. As described above, according to the filter of the present invention, the efficiency of collecting dust and the like is improved, and the purification ability can be increased.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a configuration of an air cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure in the AA direction of the air cleaning apparatus.

In this air purifying apparatus, the above-described filter 10 of the present invention is provided in a flow path between an air inlet 21 and an air outlet 22 in a housing 20. In this example, the filter 10 is wound in a roll shape, and is disposed between the supply roll 23 and the take-up roll 24 so as to straddle the flow path. Supply roll 23, take-up roll 2
The filter 10 wound around 4 can be exchanged into a cassette. Further, a fan 25 is provided in the flow path, and by rotating the fan 25 by the motor 26 to allow the air to flow through the filter 10, dust and the like in the air can be removed. In this example, in order to collect relatively large cotton dust and the like, the filter 1 is used.
A pre-filter 27 is provided at the front of the filter 10, and an activated carbon filter 28 is provided at the rear of the filter 10 to deodorize and adsorb chemical substances in the air.

The air purifying apparatus of the present invention has a pair of pressure rolls as a mechanism for artificially breaking the microcapsules 12 in order to break the microcapsules 12 carried on the base material 11 of the filter 10. 30a, 30b
Is provided. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a pressure roll for breaking the microcapsules 12 carried on the base material 11 of the filter 10. That is, the air cleaning device includes a pair of pressure rolls 30 a, 3, which are arranged near the supply roll 23 so as to sandwich the filter 10 from both sides.
0b is provided, and the pressure rolls 30a, 30b
By adjusting the gap between the microcapsules 12, the microcapsules 12 supported on the base material 11 are crushed when the filter 10 passes through, so that the antibacterial substance as the content flows out to the base material 11 side. . Therefore, the filter 10 is provided with antibacterial properties, and can prevent the growth of mold, fungi, and the like.

Also, for example, the microcapsules 12 carried on the filter 10 can be destroyed by the vibration, tension and the like caused by the rotation of the supply roll 23, so that the antibacterial effect can be exhibited. Alternatively, a brush may be provided in place of the pressure roll 30, and the microcapsules may be broken by rubbing the filter 10 with the brush. Further, a supply roll 23, a take-up roll 24
The microcapsules may be broken by placing a vibrator near the filter and vibrating the filter as appropriate. Also, by rotating the fan and passing the air through the filter, the filter 10 is finely vibrated and the microcapsules are broken, so that an antibacterial effect can be exhibited.

A plurality of such various types of microcapsule breaking means may be used in combination. In particular, a plurality of microcapsules having different sizes, shell thicknesses, and the like are broken by different destruction means and an antibacterial agent is discharged in a multi-step manner, so that a timing for imparting an antibacterial effect on a filter, The duration of action and the like can be adjusted.

By adopting such a configuration, the antibacterial agent can be sealed in the microcapsule 12 until a predetermined area of the filter 10 is actually used.

For example, the filter of the present invention taken out of a storage bag is set in a ventilation channel of an air purifying device,
During operation, the microcapsules are gradually destroyed by the vibration of ventilation, and begin to exhibit an antibacterial effect. Moreover, since the antibacterial substance is in a liquid state, even if dust or the like adheres to the filter surface, the substance is diffused so as to cover the dust, so that the antibacterial effect is large. When the air purifier is not used, the microcapsules are hardly destroyed. Therefore, the antibacterial effect can be exhibited only when necessary, and the duration of the antibacterial effect can be extended, which is very economical.

In general, natural herbal oils are easily oxidized and unstable, but in the filter and air purifier of the present invention, the antibacterial agent is encapsulated in microcapsules so that oxidation is prevented and deterioration is prevented. Can do it.

[0042]

As described above, according to the filter of the present invention, since the antibacterial substance is encapsulated in the microcapsules and supported on the base material, the contents are maintained until the shell wall of the microcapsules is broken. Antimicrobial substances are hardly released to the outside. Therefore, antimicrobial action can be given to the filter by breaking the microcapsules as needed.

Further, according to the filter of the present invention, since the antibacterial substance which is easily oxidized and unstable is encapsulated in the microcapsule, the oxidation and deterioration of the antibacterial substance can be prevented. Further, in the filter of the present invention, the antibacterial effect of the antibacterial agent can be preserved by the microcapsules until the time of actual use. Therefore, it is not necessary to store in a dedicated storage container having high hermeticity, and handling can be facilitated. Therefore, the life of the filter can be extended.

Further, according to the filter of the present invention, microcapsules having different average diameters, thicknesses, constituent materials, kinds of antibacterial agents, or different concentrations of antibacterial agents are supported on the base material. And the effect of the antibacterial agent can be adjusted in a complex manner. Therefore, adjusting the filter life, effect strength, duration, etc.,
Can be. In addition, the thickness, size,
By mixing different materials, it is possible to adjust the timing of developing the antibacterial property and the duration of the antibacterial property. Therefore, by making these different, the persistence of the effect can be increased. As described above, according to the filter of the present invention, the antibacterial filter, which has conventionally had a short service life and lacked safety, can have a longer service life, improved storage stability, and improved safety.

According to the air purifying apparatus of the present invention, the antibacterial substance is held in the microcapsule, and the microcapsule is destroyed as necessary and flows out to the base material, thereby imparting an antibacterial effect to the filter. be able to. In addition, since the antibacterial effect can be maintained before use and during non-operation, the life of the filter can be extended.
In addition, it is possible to prevent the effect from attenuating with time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a filter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the configuration of the filter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a method of supporting microcapsules on a base material.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which microcapsules are directly bonded to a base material.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an air cleaning device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of the air cleaning device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a pressure roll for breaking microcapsules.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Filter 11 Base 12 Microcapsules 12a and 12b Microcapsules 20 Casing 21 Inlet 22 Outlet 23 supply roll 24 take-up roll 25 fan 26 motor 27 pre-filter 28 activated carbon filter 30a, 30b pressurization roll

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first surface and a second surface;
A substrate having a path communicating between the surface and the second surface; and a microcapsule supported by the substrate and enclosing a liquid antimicrobial substance in a used state. Features filter. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a fiber. 3. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are directly bonded to the substrate. 4. A plurality of types of microcapsules having different average diameters, thicknesses, constituent materials, types of antibacterial agents, or different concentrations of antibacterial agents are carried on the substrate. The filter according to claim 3. 5. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the antibacterial substance is a natural organic compound. 6. A semiconductor device having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface
A sheet-like filter having a base having a path communicating between the second surface and the second surface, and a microcapsule in which an antibacterial substance carried on the base is encapsulated; Means for releasing the antibacterial substance enclosed in the air purifier. 7. The filter according to claim 2, wherein:
The air purifying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filter is the filter according to any one of (1) to (6).