Method for imparting anti-mite function to textile products, and agent for imparting anti-mite function

Abstract

To provide a method for controlling mite and simultaneously imparting and treating anti-mite ingredient to fiber not by high-temperature heating such as fumigant or electrical transpiration type formulation but by moderately warm air treatment in a domestic environment.SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM: Provided is a method in which a fan-and-heater-generated warmly heated air is applied to a carrier containing an anti-mite ingredient-containing anti-mite function-imparting agent to generate an anti-mite ingredient-containing airflow, and the airflow is brought into contact with a fiber product to impart anti-mite function to a fiber product.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for imparting an anti-mite function to textile products.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to changes in the living environment, indoor dust mites such as house dust mites, dermatophagoides farinae, and cheyletiella yasguri have occurred in large numbers indoors, causing not only discomfort but also problems such as allergic asthma and skin rashes. Therefore, indoor anti-mite agents for treating bedding such as pillows, futons, and cushions have been developed (Patent Document 1). When using such agents indoors, it is necessary to consider the selection of more highly safe agents because of the influence of the odor of the agent and the fact that there are many situations where it comes into direct contact with the skin, and the current situation does not fully satisfy all requirements.

[0003] Apart from such chemical agent treatments, since mites are said to die at temperatures of 50°C or higher (see Non-Patent Document 1), it is said that effective temperature settings for mite control are possible with household futon dryers (see Non-Patent Document 2). However, the anti-mite effect at this time is transient during the treatment, and the sustainability of the effect of preventing mite intrusion like chemical agent treatment cannot be expected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The inventors of this application considered that in a home environment, it would be effective to exterminate mites using moderate warm air treatment, rather than high-temperature heating such as fumigants or electric vaporizing agents, while simultaneously imparting mite-repellent components to fibers. Conventional household mite control measures have not been thoroughly studied in terms of the use of mite-repellent agents, nor have mite-repellent components been considered. Therefore, finding the conditions under which mite-repellent components can be imparted to fibers using warm air, and identifying mite-repellent components suitable for heat impartmentation, are unknown and important challenges.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method, a device, or an agent for imparting mite-repellent properties to clothing and bedding that kills mites with hot air, while simultaneously imparting mite-repellent properties to clothing and bedding with mite-repellent components to prevent subsequent reproduction and establishment of mites. In this invention, mite-repellent properties include mite killing, mite repellent, mite invasion prevention, and mite behavior inhibition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention has found that the following configuration is highly effective in solving the above-mentioned problems. [1] A method for imparting mite-repellent functionality to textile products by applying warm air generated by a fan and heater to a carrier containing a mite-repellent agent containing a mite-repellent component, thereby generating an airflow containing a mite-repellent component, and bringing the airflow into contact with the textile product. [2] A method for imparting mite-repellent function to a textile product according to [1], wherein at least one of the mite-repellent components has a boiling point in the range of 220°C to 400°C. [3] A device for imparting mite-repellent functionality to textile products, comprising at least a fan, a heater, and a carrier containing a mite-repellent function imparting agent containing a mite-repellent component. [4] A mite-repellent agent containing a mite-repellent component, which is contained in a carrier to generate an airflow containing a mite-repellent component by applying hot air generated by a fan and heater to a carrier containing a mite-repellent component, and to impart a mite-repellent function to a textile product by bringing the airflow into contact with the textile product. [5] The mite-repellent agent according to [4], wherein at least one of the mite-repellent components has a boiling point in the range of 220°C to 400°C.

[0009] The hot air generating device used in this invention consists of a heater as a heat source and a fan for blowing air. No special functions are required for either component, as long as they achieve the effects of the present invention. Warm air is generated when the airflow produced by the fan comes into contact with the heater and passes through it. The airflow volume of the warm air is, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 m³. 3 Within the range of / min, the fan performance, flow path design, intake port and exhaust port opening width, and opening ratio should be set so that the airflow velocity of the delivered hot air is within the range of 10 to 50 [m / sec]. The temperature of the delivered hot air should preferably be 40°C to 90°C, and more preferably 60°C to 80°C, considering use in a typical household.

[0010] The carrier containing the mite-repellent agent, which contains mite-repellent components, can be in various shapes, including plate-like, sheet-like, film-like, mesh-like, granular / bead-like, powder-like, and gel-like with various gelling agents. The material of the carrier can contain the mite-repellent agent by various methods such as dropping, coating, immersion, or kneading, and is required to have appropriate agent retention and sustained release properties, but is not particularly limited as long as the contained mite-repellent component can be released by exposure to hot air. Specifically, examples include various plant-based powders such as wood flour and wheat flour, base fabrics such as paper, woven or nonwoven fabrics, wood pulp boards, wood pulp granules, porous organic molded bodies such as porous cellulose particles (product name: Viscopearl), kaolin, talc, calcium silicate particles (product name: Fluorite), calcium carbonate particles, silica, silica sand, and ceramics; films or solid or fibrous molded bodies made from polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene / methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMMA), styrene-based diblock polymer, styrene-based triblock polymer, thermoplastic resin elastomers (TPE, TPO), etc.; and silicone rubber or silicone-based resins. Sheet-like carriers containing resin films may be used that have numerous continuous or intermittent porous voids. Among these materials for the carrier, porous cellulose particles, wood pulp boards, wood pulp granules, calcium silicate particles, silicone rubber with a hardness of 60 degrees or less, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene / methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMMA), woven fabrics made from various natural fibers, woven fabrics made from synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or nonwoven fabrics are preferred. Examples of methods for imparting mite-repellent components to these carriers include, depending on the type of carrier, methods such as spraying, dropping, dispensing, immersion, coating, or kneading a mite-repellent function imparting agent containing the mite-repellent component to the carrier, or embedding it together with paraffin wax. If the carrier is silicone rubber, one method is to place a mite-repellent function imparting agent containing the mite-repellent component and untreated silicone rubber in a sealed container and leave it for a certain period of time to average the concentration of the mite-repellent component throughout the silicone rubber. The drug carrier can be placed directly, or in a suitable breathable resin case, nonwoven fabric bag, or mesh bag, between the hot air vents or near the air outlet.

[0011] The chemical carrier installed in the airflow path or at the air outlet of the hot air supply unit, upon receiving the hot air, becomes hot air containing mite-repellent components. When the air outlet is set inside a futon, the hot air containing mite-repellent components is sent to the futon, sheets, and pillows, killing mites with the hot air and imparting mite-repellent properties to the fibers through contact with the mite-repellent components. Alternatively, by introducing the air outlet into a chest of drawers, closet, or wardrobe, the same mite-repellent effect can be imparted to clothing, stuffed animals, and other textile products inside. Furthermore, it is also effective to send hot air from the air outlet directly to clothing hanging on hangers, or to send hot air from the air outlet into the inside of hanging clothing storage covers where clothing is stored.

[0012] The mite-repellent component used in this invention has a boiling point in the range of 220°C to 400°C at 1 atmosphere. Preferably, it is a compound of the mite-repellent component having a boiling point in the range of 240°C to 380°C, more preferably in the range of 260°C to 350°C.

[0013] Specific examples include cinnamyl acetate, menthyl acetate, citronellol, eugenol, perillaldehyde, anisaldehyde, p-menthane-3,8-diol, methyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, hexyl salicylate, cyclohexyl salicylate, amyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, hexyl benzoate, cyclohexyl benzoate, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate, and Examples include benzyl bisulfate, diethyl sebacate, dipropyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, diisopropyl sebacate, diethyl adipate, dipropyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diamyl phthalate, dibutyl succinate, dibutyl maleate, farnesylacetone, and hexyl cinnamaldehyde. If optical or geometric isomers exist, all isomers and possible mixtures of isomers are included in the present invention. Alternatively, natural essential oils such as peppermint oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, eucalyptus oil, and lavender oil containing mite-repellent components with a boiling point of 220°C to 400°C may also be used. Among these, benzyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, diisopropyl sebacate, and dibutyl phthalate are preferred, as are cinnamyl acetate, p-menthane-3,8-diol, benzyl salicylate, dibutyl sebacate, diisopropyl sebacate, and benzyl benzoate, which are derived from natural plant components and are preferred in terms of safety. In particular, p-menthane-3,8-diol, benzyl salicylate, dibutyl sebacate, diisopropyl sebacate, and benzyl benzoate are more preferred. The effects of the present invention are achieved by incorporating one or more of these into a drug carrier.

[0014] In addition to the above-mentioned anti-mite components, other components such as anti-mold agents, antibacterial agents, bactericides, antiviral agents, fragrances, deodorants, flavorings, stabilizers, antioxidants, etc. can be incorporated into the anti-mite functional agent as long as they do not affect the effects of the present invention. Further, if necessary, the anti-mite functional agent can be dissolved and incorporated into various solvents such as petroleum solvents, aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, alcohol solvents, glycol ether solvents, etc. as appropriate for inclusion in the carrier of the anti-mite component. Particularly, when no solvent or other components are used, the anti-mite component itself becomes the anti-mite functional agent.

[0015] The amount of the anti-mite functional agent to be incorporated into the drug carrier may be appropriately determined according to the size, material, treatment location, usage period, etc. of various carriers such as resin bodies, mats, sheets, and beads. For example, in the case of wood pulp particles, by incorporating 0.5 g or more, preferably 0.5 - 5 g of the above-mentioned anti-mite component per 5 g, a useful and highly practical anti-mite function can be imparted.

[0016] The mites to be controlled in the present invention are indoor dust mites such as house dust mites, dermatophagoides farinae, dust mites, cheyletiella mites, etc., and a practical control effect can be imparted. Further, a repellent effect is also exhibited against various pests such as silverfish, dried bonito bugs, cockroaches, booklice, cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, mosquitoes, black flies, midges, flies, fruit flies, ticks, etc.

[0017] Next, based on specific examples, the method for imparting an anti-mite function to textile products of the present invention will be described in more detail. However, the present invention is an example of a test and is not limited thereto.

Example

[0018] <Drug treatment method, method for producing sample (test cotton cloth)> To 5 g of wood pulp particles (manufactured by Nippon Paper Papiria), the following compounds known as anti-mite components were incorporated in amounts of 0.8 g, 1.6 g, and 2.4 g at 3 concentrations so as to be uniform. (Test anti-mite component: boiling point within parentheses) Cinnamyl acetate (263 °C), p-menthane-3,8-diol (268 °C), benzyl salicylate (320 °C), phenyl salicylate (304 °C), dibutyl sebacate (345 °C), benzyl benzoate (323 °C), dibutyl phthalate (340 °C), diisopropyl sebacate (318 °C), menthol (212 °C), mentone (207 °C), phenothrin (444 °C) The total amount of wood pulp particles containing acarid repellent components was placed in a bag (89 mm × 125 mm) made of non-woven fabric (PE / PP) and heat-sealed to produce a drug carrier. The drug carrier was fixed to the entire surface of the air outlet (80 mm × 110 mm) of a ceramic fan heater (EH-N21812: 300 W, PTC heater). Next, a 20 cm diameter and 20 cm high acrylic cylinder was placed in a lying state, and a cotton cloth (No. 3 gold cloth) with a diameter of 40 mm was suspended and installed at a position 10 cm from the front of the opening surface and 10 cm high inside the cylinder. After covering both opening surfaces of the acrylic cylinder with non-woven fabrics (rayon, PE / PP), a ceramic fan heater was installed so that the air outlet to which the drug carrier was fixed was in contact with the position of one of the opening surfaces of the cylinder, and the non-woven fabric on the opening surface of the acrylic cylinder closer to the installation of the ceramic fan heater was cut to the size of the drug carrier. Then, the ceramic fan heater was operated for 60 minutes so that warm air passed through the cylinder and the air flow was exposed to the cotton cloth, and a test cotton cloth was produced. The temperature near the air outlet at this time was about 60 °C to 80 °C, and the wind speed was 9 to 14 m / sec. Also, the ceramic fan heater was operated for 60 minutes in a blowing mode without heating the heater so that the air flow was exposed to the test cotton cloth in the same way even in a blowing state without operating the heater, and a test cotton cloth was produced.

[0019] <Acarid Repellent Efficacy Test> The test cotton cloth prepared as described above was subjected to an intrusion prevention test in accordance with JIS L1920 "Test Method for Dust Mite Resistance of Textile Products". The test cotton cloth was placed in a 45 mm outer diameter petri dish, with 0.05 g of attractant culture medium placed in the center, which was designated as the treatment group. The untreated cotton cloth was placed in a 45 mm outer diameter petri dish, with 0.05 g of attractant culture medium placed in the center, which was designated as the untreated group. A culture medium containing approximately 10,000 mites was uniformly spread in a 90 mm outer diameter petri dish, with the 45 mm petri dish (either the treatment group or the untreated group) placed in the center. The container was then filled with saturated saline solution, sealed, and stored in the dark at 25°C. The mite repellent effect was evaluated by counting the number of mites that had entered the 45 mm petri dish after 24 hours and calculating the repellency rate. The repellency rate was calculated using the following formula, based on JIS L1920:2007 "Test Method for Dust Mite Resistance of Textile Products". Repellency rate (%) = [1 - {(Number of untreated mites entering - Number of treated mites entering) / Number of untreated mites entering}] × 100 The judgment was based on the calculated repellency rate, with the following classifications: repellency rate less than 30%: -, repellency rate 30-50%: +, repellency rate 50-70%: ++, and repellency rate 70% or higher: +++. The results of the mite repellent efficacy test are shown in Table 1.

[0020] [Table 1]

[0021] While simple airflow without heating does not impart mite-repellent properties to fibers, it was confirmed that for mite-repellent components with a specific boiling point range of 220°C to 400°C (Tests 1-8), hot air treatment can impart mite-repellent properties to the fibers. Of the mite-repellent components tested, p-menthane-3,8-diol, benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, and diisopropyl sebacate were effective in terms of repellent effect. Among these, p-menthane-3,8-diol was considered particularly effective as it has no odor and does not pose a risk of odor transfer. [Industrial applicability]

[0022] This invention can be used not only for indoor dust mites but also in a wide range of pest repellent applications.

Claims

1. A method for imparting anti-mite functionality to textile products by directing hot air generated by a fan and heater at a carrier containing an agent that imparts anti-mite functionality, including anti-mite components, to generate an airflow containing the anti-mite components, and then bringing the airflow into contact with the textile products.

2. A method for imparting anti-mite functionality to a textile product as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the anti-mite components is an anti-mite component having a boiling point in the range of 220°C to 400°C.

3. A method for imparting anti-mite functionality to a textile product as described in claim 1, wherein the anti-mite component is at least one selected from the group consisting of p-menthane-3,8-diol, benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate, and diisopropyl sebacate.

4. An anti-mite function imparting agent containing an anti-mite component, which is contained in a carrier to impart anti-mite functionality to a textile product by directing hot air generated by a fan and heater onto a carrier containing the anti-mite component to generate an airflow containing the anti-mite component, and then bringing the airflow into contact with the textile product.

5. An anti-mite function-imparting agent as described in claim 4, wherein at least one of the anti-mite components is an anti-mite component having a boiling point in the range of 220°C to 400°C.