Dehumidifying container

Abstract

To provide a dehumidifying container that comprises a functional agent and a liquefiable agent such as a deliquescent agent and thus can not only exhibit moisture absorption but also additional functions, where the dehumidifying container is easy to dispose of after use and, during manufacturing, solves problems of: inhalation of dust by a manufacturer; entrapment of powdered functional agents between the container and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet; and contamination of an outer surface of the container caused by scattering of powdered functional agents to the surroundings during a filling operation.SOLUTION: A dehumidifying container (120) includes a liquefiable agent (30), a container body (10) housing the liquefiable agent (30), and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet (20) covering an opening of the container body (10). A functional material (40) is housed in the container, the functional material (40) comprising a water-soluble base material (44) and a powdered functional agent (42) carried on the water-soluble base material (44).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifying container in which a liquefying agent and a functional material are accommodated inside.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dehumidifying container containing a deliquescent agent that absorbs and liquefies moisture in the air is known. The dehumidifying container is generally placed in an arbitrary space such as a storage space like a room or a closet. Also, a deodorizing dehumidifying container filled with activated carbon in the dehumidifying container is known in order to exhibit deodorizing properties against air along with moisture absorption.

[0003] Specifically, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a deodorizing dehumidifying container containing a deliquescent agent and activated carbon. FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 discloses a container having a middle shelf provided with a plurality of small holes inside, and a state in which granular deliquescent agent and granular deodorizing agent are accommodated on the middle shelf is illustrated. The same document explains that the deliquescent agent deliquesces into a liquid state, passes through the small holes in the middle shelf, and drips down to the lower part of the container body, while the deodorizing agent remains placed on the middle shelf.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The deodorizing and dehumidifying container disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above can exhibit not only dehumidifying but also deodorizing functions, but it has the following problems. That is, when the deodorizing and dehumidifying container is discarded after the end of the usage period, if the contents of the container are discarded through the drain port, the granular deodorant remaining inside the container may cause the drain port to become clogged. Therefore, it is necessary to separately discard the aqueous solution generated by deliquescence and the deodorant in advance, and there is a problem that the disposal work is troublesome. Such a problem may be simply referred to as a disposal issue below.

[0006] Regarding such a problem, if a deodorant such as activated carbon is made into powder, there is no risk of causing clogging of the drain port even if it is poured into the drain port together with the aqueous solution generated by deliquescence. However, there are the following problems when manufacturing a dehumidifying container filled with a powdery deodorant. First, there is a risk that an operator observing the operation of filling each container with the powdery deodorant in the production line will inhale the dust and suffer health damage (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 1). Also, in the process of covering the container filled with the powdery deodorant and the deliquescent agent with a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet, there is a risk that the powdery deodorant will be caught in the joint surface between the container and the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet, resulting in a decrease in the joint property of the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 2). Furthermore, since powders are likely to generate static electricity, there is a risk that the powdery deodorant scattered around during the filling operation will adhere to the outer surface of the container and cause the product to become dirty (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 3). When handling a powdery deodorant in this way, the occurrence of the problems described above is feared. Incidentally, Problems 1 to 3 described above may be collectively referred to as manufacturing issues.

[0007] The inventors of the present invention considered that the above-described disposal issues and manufacturing issues can occur not only when adding deodorizing performance to a dehumidifying container containing a liquefying agent such as a deliquescent agent, but also when using a functional agent that exhibits any other function in the dehumidifying container.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems and considerations. That is, the present invention is a dehumidifying container that includes a liquefying agent such as a deliquescent agent and a functional agent, and can exhibit other functions in addition to moisture absorption, and provides a dehumidifying container that can solve the above-described problems of disposal and manufacturing problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The dehumidifying container of the present invention is a dehumidifying container including a liquefying agent, a container body containing the liquefying agent, and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet covering an opening of the container body, wherein a functional material is contained in the dehumidifying container, and the functional material includes a water-soluble base material and a powdery functional agent supported on the water-soluble base material.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] The dehumidifying container of the present invention having the above configuration includes a liquefying agent such as a deliquescent agent and a functional agent, is a dehumidifying container that can exhibit other functions in addition to moisture absorption, and can solve the above-described problems of disposal and manufacturing problems.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] First, the outline of the present invention will be described. The dehumidifying container of the present invention includes a container body containing a liquefying agent and a functional material, and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet covering an opening of the container body. The functional material includes a water-soluble base material and a powdery functional agent supported on the water-soluble base material. In the dehumidifying container of the present invention, the liquefiable agent liquefies due to moisture absorption, generating moisture, and the moisture can dissolve the water-soluble base material constituting the functional material. As a result, the functional material disintegrates, and the powdery functional agent carried on the water-soluble base material disperses around. As a result, the function of the powdery functional agent can be fully exerted. Also, according to the present invention provided with the powdery functional agent, after the end of the use period, the content of the dehumidifying container of the present invention becomes an aqueous solution and a powdery functional agent. Therefore, even if the entire content is discarded into the drain, it is difficult for the problem of clogging of the drain to occur. Furthermore, in the present invention, instead of accommodating the powdery functional agent in the container in a powdery state, a functional material in which the powdery functional agent is carried on a water-soluble base material is accommodated in the container. Therefore, the occurrence of the above problems 1 to 3 feared in the production line is prevented.

[0013] The liquefiable agent and the functional material accommodated in the container body in the present invention may be accommodated in the same space adjacent to each other, may be independently accommodated in partitioned spaces, or may be a combination thereof. However, in the container body, when the liquefiable agent and the functional material are independently accommodated in partitioned spaces, it is important that the functional material is accommodated at a position where the aqueous solution generated by the liquefaction of the liquefiable agent can come into contact. That is, in the present invention, the functional material is accommodated in the container body so as to be in contact with the aqueous solution generated by the moisture absorption of the liquefiable agent.

[0014] For example, FIG. 1A shows an example in which a liquefying agent and a functional material are accommodated in the same space so as to be adjacent to each other. The dehumidifying container 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A includes a tank-shaped container body 10, a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20, and a sealing sheet 22. In the middle part in the vertical direction of the container body 10, a middle shelf 12 provided with a plurality of small holes is provided. On the middle shelf 12, the liquefying agent 30 and the functional material 40 are accommodated in a mixed state. By peeling off the sealing sheet 22 to expose the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20, the use of the dehumidifying container 100 is started. After the start of use, as the liquefying agent 30 absorbs moisture in the air and liquefies, the moisture generated gradually disintegrates the water-soluble base material 44 contained in the surrounding functional material 40, and the powdery functional agent 42 supported on the water-soluble base material 44 can be dispersed around. Note that FIGS. 3 is appropriately referred to for the water-soluble base material 44 and the powdery functional agent 42. In the present embodiment, the liquefying agent 30 and the functional material 40 are accommodated in a mixed state on the middle shelf 12. However, the liquefying agent 30 and the functional material 40 may be accommodated at the bottom of the tank-shaped container body in a mixed state without providing the middle shelf 12.

[0015] FIG. 1B shows an example in which the liquefying agent 30 and the functional material 40 are independently accommodated in partitioned spaces. The dehumidifying container 110 shown in FIG. 1B is configured in the same manner as the dehumidifying container 100 shown in FIG. 1A, except that the functional material 40 is accommodated at the bottom of the tank-shaped container body 10. In such a mode, the aqueous solution generated as the liquefying agent 30 accommodated on the middle shelf 12 absorbs moisture in the air and liquefies passes through the small holes of the middle shelf 12 and drips to the lower part of the container body to contact the functional material 40, whereby the water-soluble base material 44 contained in the functional material 40 is gradually disintegrated, and the powdery functional agent supported on the water-soluble base material 44 can be dispersed around.

[0016] The present invention will be described in more detail below. In the following description, FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A to 3D are used as appropriate. FIG. 2A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the dehumidification container 120 of the present invention at the start of use, and FIG. 2B shows the dehumidification container 120 after the end of the use period. FIGS. 3A to 3D are sectional views of the functional materials of a plurality of aspects in the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2A, the dehumidification container 120 in the present embodiment includes a container body 10 having an opening at the upper part, a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 covering the opening, a liquefiable agent 30 filled inside the container body 10, and a functional material 40. The tank-type container body 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a resin molded product having an appropriate thickness and maintaining a box shape from the start of use to the end of use, whereas the container body 10 in the present embodiment is different in that it is configured using a thin resin sheet. Since the container body 10 in the present embodiment is configured using a thin resin sheet, after filling the container body 10 with the liquefiable agent 30 and the functional material 40, it is easy to contract the lateral side surface 16 of the container body 10 in the vertical direction by degassing the internal air. In that state, by sealing the opening with the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 and a sealing sheet (not shown) covering the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 from above, a dehumidification container 120 with a reduced volume can be configured. The thin resin sheet only needs to have a strength sufficient to accommodate the contents and a thickness such that the lateral side surface 16 can be contracted by degassing. For example, a resin sheet with an average thickness of 400 μm or less is suitable. For details of the dehumidification container including the container body 10 made of the above resin sheet and the manufacturing method, reference is made to the technology disclosed in, for example, WO2022 / 196526A1. WO2022 / 196526A1 discloses a technology for manufacturing a container body by plug assist molding.

[0018] As described above, before use, the interior of the container body 10 of the dehumidifying container 120 is in a degassed state. By peeling off a sealing sheet (not shown) to expose the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20, the state shown in Fig. 2A is achieved and moisture absorption begins. As the liquefying agent 30 liquefies, a deliquescent liquid is stored inside the container body 10. As the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is pushed upward, the contraction of the lateral surface 16 that had been contracted in the vertical direction is gradually eliminated. Finally, as shown in Fig. 2B, the lateral surface 16 can be in a state where it is generally straight and extended in the vertical direction.

[0019] [Container body] The container body 10 in this embodiment is composed of a resin sheet as described above. The resin constituting the resin sheet is preferably a thermoplastic resin. Specifically, for example, one type of resin or a mixed resin of two or more types that can be used for general thermoforming, such as polyethylene-based resins, nylon-based resins, polypropylene-based resins, and polystyrene-based resins, can be mentioned. The resin sheet may be a single-layer sheet or a laminated sheet of two or more layers. As a preferred specific example of the resin sheet, for example, a laminated resin sheet having polyethylene-based resin layers on both outermost surfaces and other resin layers therebetween is preferable from the viewpoint of flexibility. Among them, a laminated sheet in which a polyethylene-based resin layer / nylon-based resin layer / polyethylene-based resin layer are laminated in this order is more preferable from the viewpoint of having both flexibility and pinhole resistance. In addition, the tank-type container body 10 shown in Fig. 1 can also be formed using the same resin as the above-described thermoplastic resin used for the container body 10 of this embodiment and using manufacturing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, and vacuum molding.

[0020] The resin constituting the container body 10 may be either a transparent resin or an opaque resin, but a resin having an appropriate transparency such that the contents of the container body 10 are visible is preferred. By configuring the container body 10 using a resin that exhibits appropriate transparency, it is possible to visually confirm that the functional material 40 is accommodated in the container body 10 together with the liquefying agent 30. Therefore, it is easy for the user to visually recognize that other functions than hygroscopicity are exhibited, and the user's expectation can be improved. In order to make it easier to visually confirm this added functionality, for example, it is preferable to configure the liquefying agent 30 and the functional material 40 in different colors. Specifically, for example, it is preferable to make the liquefying agent 30 white and color the functional material 40 in distinct colors such as black, blue, red, and pink. As another means to make it easier to visually confirm the added functionality, it is also effective to configure the average particle size of the functional material 40 to be approximately the same as the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30. Also, when the particle sizes of the average particle size of the functional material 40 and the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30 are significantly different, the two filled in the container body 10 are classified by vibrations during transportation and it is difficult to maintain a state where the two are mixed. On the other hand, when the particle sizes of the average particle size of the functional material 40 and the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30 are approximately the same, a state where the two are mixed well is maintained in the container body 10, it looks good, and it is desirable that the user can easily recognize that the functional material 40 is blended. Here, the average particle size of the functional material 40 and the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30 being approximately the same means that they are generally visually about the same. It is more preferable that the average particle size of the functional material 40 is 0.3 times or more and 2 times or less the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30, and even more preferably 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less. The average particle size of the functional material 40 and the average particle size of the liquefying agent 30 are obtained by randomly selecting 50 particles of each material, measuring the major axis of the selected material, and calculating the arithmetic mean of the measured values.

[0021] [Moisture Permeable and Waterproof Sheet] The moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is a sheet that covers the opening of the container body 10, and may be any sheet that has breathability and moisture permeability and can suppress the permeation of liquid. The moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is preferably, for example, a microporous resin sheet. The method for producing the microporous resin sheet is not particularly limited, but it can be produced, for example, by molding a thermoplastic resin sheet containing an inorganic filler and then stretching it. Examples of thermoplastic resins used to form the microporous resin sheet include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, polyester, nylon, and the like. Examples of commercially available moisture-permeable waterproof films made of the microporous resin sheet include "Celpore" manufactured by Sumika Sekisui Film Co., Ltd., "NF Sheet" manufactured by Tokuyama Corporation, "Breathlon" manufactured by Nitoms Corporation, and "Exepole" manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. As long as the moisture permeability of the microporous resin sheet is not impaired, the microporous resin sheet may be laminated with a nonwoven fabric or other porous film to form a multilayer sheet.

[0022] The moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is disposed so as to cover the opening of the container body 10. In this embodiment, the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is welded to the upper surface side of the flange 18 extending from the upper end of the container body 10, which serves as the bonding surface. Methods for bonding the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 to the flange 18 include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, and high-frequency welding. Generally, the moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is covered with a sealing sheet 22 before use, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] The sealing sheet 22 (not shown in FIG. 2) provided to cover the upper surface of the moisture-permeable and waterproof sheet 20 may be non-moisture-permeable (gas-barrier property) and may be transparent or opaque. Examples of the non-moisture-permeable sheet include resin-based sheets such as stretched polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylidene chloride-coated PET (K-PET), polyvinylidene chloride-coated OPP (K-OPP), silica-deposited PET, and alumina-deposited PET, as well as aluminum sheets. These non-moisture-permeable sheets may be used alone or in multiple layers by lamination.

[0024] [Liquefying agent] The liquefying agent 30 is a solid in any shape such as granular, and may be any agent that can be liquefied. Examples include deliquescent agents commonly used as moisture absorbents. The above-mentioned deliquescent agent widely includes agents that liquefy by absorbing moisture. Specific examples include deliquescent substances such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, and potassium acetate. Among the above-mentioned deliquescent substances, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are particularly preferred in terms of moisture absorption ability and price. The deliquescent agent is composed of one or more known deliquescent substances. For example, the deliquescent agent is formulated into granules by using one or more of the above-mentioned deliquescent substances and a dropping granulation method or an air-cooling granulation method.

[0025] [Functional material] The functional material 40 is composed of a water-soluble base material 44 and a powdery functional agent 42 supported on the water-soluble base material 44. Some embodiments of the functional material 40 are illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D. Since the functional material 40 includes the water-soluble base material 44, the functional material 40 can collapse triggered by the moisture generated by the liquefaction of the liquefying agent 30, thereby dispersing the powdery functional agent 42 supported on the water-soluble base material 44 around. At the start of use of the dehumidifying container 120, the functional material 40 is granular as shown in FIG. 2A and is clearly visible together with the liquefying agent 30. On the other hand, when the use period of the dehumidifying container 120 is coming to an end, as shown in FIG. 2B, the liquefying agent 30 liquefies and an aqueous solution 32 is stored in the container body 10. At this time, at the bottom 14 of the container body 10, the powdery functional agent 42 released from the disintegrated functional material 40 as described above precipitates in a dispersed state (i.e., in a powdery state). Alternatively, in the case of the powdery functional agent 42 having a small specific gravity, it may float on the surface of the aqueous solution 32 or in the aqueous solution 32. Thus, after the end of the use period, the dehumidifying container 120 has a liquid and powder in the container body 10, so that the contents can be directly drained through the drain port without the trouble of disposal.

[0026] The mode in which the powdery functional agent 42 is supported by the water-soluble base material 44 is not particularly limited as long as the powdery functional agent 42 can form a granular functional material 40 together with the water-soluble base material 44. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the functional material 40 may be composed of a core agent 50 made of a water-soluble base material 44 which is a granular material, and a coating layer 52 formed using a powdery functional agent 42 having an average diameter smaller than the average particle diameter of the water-soluble base material 44 of the granular material (hereinafter, also referred to as mode I). In mode I, the peripheral surface of the water-soluble base material 44 which is a granular material is coated with the powdery functional agent 42. The coating layer 52 may be provided to cover the entire circumference of the core agent 50, or may be provided to cover a part of the surface of the core agent 50. According to mode I, the function of the powdery functional agent 42 located on the outermost surface side of the coating layer 52 is exerted before the liquefying agent 30 liquefies, and the powdery functional agent 42 located on the core agent 50 side rather than the outermost surface side is exposed due to the disintegration of the functional material 40, so that its function can be further exerted. Therefore, mode I is preferable in that the function of the powdery functional agent 42 can be exerted from the start of use and the function can be continuously exerted over time.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the functional material 40 may be a mode (hereinafter also referred to as Mode II) obtained by granulating a mixed material of a water-soluble base material 44 and a powdery functional agent 42 as shown in FIG. 3B. According to Mode II, as the functional material 40 disintegrates, the powdery functional agent 42 is gradually exposed and dispersed around it. Therefore, Mode II is preferable in that the function is gradually exerted from the start of use and the function can be sustained for a long period.

[0028] In yet another aspect, the functional material 40 may be a mode (hereinafter also referred to as Mode III) including a foaming layer 58 composed of a foaming agent 56 and a coating layer 52 composed of a powdery functional agent 42 on the peripheral surface of a nucleating agent 50 made of a water-soluble base material 44 that is a granular material as shown in FIG. 3C. According to Mode III, the foaming agent 56 constituting the foaming layer 58 can be triggered by moisture to foam, thereby promoting the disintegration of the functional material 40. In FIG. 3C, a mode in which the foaming layer 58 is provided between the nucleating agent 50 and the coating layer 52 is illustrated, but Mode III is not limited to this, and for example, a mode in which the coating layer 52 is provided between the nucleating agent 50 and the foaming layer 58 is included.

[0029] Furthermore, the functional material 40 may be configured by combining the above-described Modes I to III. For example, FIG. 3D illustrates a mode of the functional material 40 formed by combining Mode I and Mode II. That is, FIG. 3D shows a mode in which a coating layer 52 made of a powdery functional agent 42 having an average diameter smaller than the average particle diameter of the water-soluble base material 44 is provided on the peripheral surface of a granular material (see FIG. 3B) obtained by granulating a mixed material of the water-soluble base material 44 and the powdery functional agent 42. By combining a plurality of such modes in this way, a functional material 40 having the advantages of each mode can be obtained.

[0030] [Water-soluble base material] The water-soluble base material 44 may be any material that can be dissolved by the water generated by the liquefaction of the liquefying agent 30. A compound that exhibits good water solubility at normal temperature and 1 atmosphere is preferred. A compound having a solubility in water of 5 g / 100 g H2O or more at 20°C and 1 atmosphere is preferred, a compound having a solubility of 20 g / 100 g H2O or more is more preferred, and a compound having a solubility of 30 g / 100 g H2O or more is even more preferred. For example, sodium chloride and / or magnesium sulfate are harmless to the human body and are preferred because they are safe even when these liquefied compounds adhere to the human body during disposal. In addition, sodium chloride and magnesium sulfate are crystalline and have an appropriate particle size, so they are easy to use as the nucleating agent 50 constituting the above-described Mode I. In addition, by pulverizing sodium chloride and / or magnesium sulfate into a small-diameter or powdery form, they can also be used as the water-soluble base material 44 constituting the above-described Mode II or Mode III. The present invention includes a mode in which the water-soluble base material 44 is composed of a member different from the member constituting the above-described liquefying agent 30, a mode in which a deliquescent substance such as calcium chloride cited as an example of the liquefying agent 30 is used as the water-soluble base material 44, and a mode in which these are combined.

[0031] [Powdery functional agent] The powdery functional agent 42 may be any agent that exhibits a preferable function in the dehumidifying container. Such functions include deodorizing property, odor eliminating property, aromatic property, insect repellent property, mildew proofing property, etc. Deodorants, odor eliminating agents, aromatic agents, insect repellents, mildew proofing agents, etc. that exhibit these functions, and compounds that can be powdered can be used as the powdery functional agent 42. The above-described powdery functional agent 42 can be appropriately selected from conventionally known agents or components within the range where it exhibits the desired function and can be prepared in a powdery form. For example, not only the powdery functional agent 42 prepared from a functional agent that is solid at normal temperature, but also the powdery functional agent 42 prepared by supporting or impregnating a liquid functional agent on a powdery carrier such as silica or calcium silicate, or by microencapsulating it can be selected. In the present invention, the powdery functional agent refers to a powdery agent capable of exhibiting a desired function, and it only needs to have dimensions such that it will not cause clogging of the drain even when poured into the drain. For example, it is preferably in the range where the average particle size measured by the method conforming to JIS Z 8815-1994 is 1000 μm or less, and more preferably in the range of 500 μm or less.

[0032] In particular, the dehumidifying container 120 is often arranged in a closed space such as a closet or a warehouse. Since such a closed space is likely to trap odors, it is preferable to add deodorizing, odor-eliminating, or aromatic properties to the dehumidifying container 120.

[0033] As the powdery functional agent 42 exhibiting deodorizing properties, examples of suitable ones include carbon-based deodorants containing carbon such as white charcoal, black charcoal, sawdust charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, open-hearth charcoal, retort charcoal, bamboo charcoal, soybean charcoal, briquette charcoal, etc., or activated carbon obtained by activating these, and one or more mixed materials selected from the group consisting of inorganic deodorants such as zinc oxide, aluminosilicate, and titanium oxide.

[0034] Many of the compounds exhibiting deodorizing properties are porous bodies, and odor components are adsorbed into a large number of pores.

[0035] As the powdery functional agent 42 exhibiting odor-eliminating properties, for example, one or more mixtures selected from polyphenols such as catechins, tannins, anthocyanins, rutin, and isoflavones can be mentioned, but it is not limited thereto.

[0036] As the powdery functional agent 42 exhibiting aromatic properties, it can be appropriately selected from various materials used as fragrances. For example, specifically, plant-based fragrances such as orange oil, grapefruit oil, and lemongrass oil, animal-based fragrances, artificial fragrances, etc. can be mentioned. These fragrances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] Examples of the powdery functional agent 42 exhibiting insect repellency include agents containing components that exhibit an insect repellent effect against clothing pests such as clothes moths, casemaking clothes moths, lesser cabinet beetles, and drugstore beetles, grain pests such as rice moths, dust mites, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bedbugs, and cockroaches. Specifically, for example, pyrethroid insect repellents, plant essential oils having an insect repellent effect, naphthalene, camphor, paradichlorobenzene, and mixtures of one or more selected from the group consisting of terpene-based insect repellent components such as terpineol can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

[0038] Examples of the powdery functional agent 42 exhibiting antifungal properties include compounds containing one or more components selected from the group consisting of allyl isothiocyanate, isopropylmethylphenol, thymol, α-bromocinnamic aldehyde, parachlorometaxylenol, orthophenylphenol, 3-iodo-2-propylbutylcarbamate, N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide, N-dichlorofluoromethylthio-N',N'-dimethyl-N-phenylsulfamide, etc., which are wasabi components, but are not limited thereto.

[0039] The blending ratio of the powdery functional agent 42 in the functional material 40 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of achieving a balance between the retention of the powdery functional agent 42 and the exhibition of its functions, in the functional material 40, the powdery functional agent 42 is preferably blended in the range of 0.1% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less, and more preferably in the range of 0.7% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less.

[0040] [Foaming agent] From the viewpoint of making the functional material 40 more easily disintegrate and making it easier to disperse the powdered functional agent 42 around due to such disintegration, it is preferable that the functional material 40 contains a foaming agent 56. For the functional material 40 containing the foaming agent 56, even with the addition of a small amount of moisture, the functional material 40 can be disintegrated well. Also, even when the powdered functional agent 42 is firmly supported on the water-soluble base material 44 using a binder or a solvent to be described later, by blending a foaming agent in the functional material 40, it is possible to easily disintegrate the functional material 40 with a small amount of moisture.

[0041] As the above-mentioned foaming agent 56, it is preferably one that generates gas by reacting with moisture, and more preferably a carbon dioxide gas generator containing a basic component and an organic acid. Carbon dioxide gas can be generated by reacting the basic component, the organic acid, and the moisture generated by the liquefaction of the liquefying agent. Also, the foaming agent 56 is not limited to those that generate gas by the reaction of a basic component, an acid component, and moisture. For example, a hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen when a metal hydride compound such as sodium borohydride comes into contact with water can also be used as the foaming agent 56.

[0042] (Basic component) As the above-mentioned basic component, the basic component refers to a component showing basicity, and examples thereof include carbonates and / or bicarbonates. More specifically, it includes one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and sodium sesquicarbonate, and alkaline earth metal salts.

[0043] The blending ratio of the basic component in the functional material 40 is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of generating carbon dioxide gas well and making it easier to disperse the powdered functional agent 42 around, in the functional material 40, the basic component is preferably blended in the range of 1% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, more preferably 3% by weight or more and 25% by weight or less.

[0044] (Organic acid) Examples of the organic acid used as the carbon dioxide generating substance include one or more mixtures selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, and the like. Among them, as the organic acid, succinic acid alone, a mixture of fumaric acid and succinic acid, a mixture of malic acid and fumaric acid, etc. are preferable. As succinic acid, in addition to succinic acid made from conventional petrochemical raw materials, biosuccinic acid made from non-fossil raw materials such as plant-derived raw materials can also be used. In addition, from the viewpoint of generating carbon dioxide better and making it easier to disperse the powdery functional agent 42 around, the weight ratio of (organic acid) / (basic component) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, still more preferably 0.5 or more, even more preferably 1 or more, and particularly preferably 1.5 or more. Also, the upper limit of the weight ratio of (organic acid) / (basic component) is preferably, for example, 35 or less, and more preferably 30 or less. In addition, in the functional material 40, the total blending ratio of the organic acid and the basic component is preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 10% by weight or more, and still more preferably 15% by weight or more.

[0045] (Binder) When mixing and granulating the water-soluble base material 44 and the powdery functional agent 42 as in the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 3B, or when manufacturing a granulated product having the above-described water-soluble base material 44 and the foaming layer 58 containing the foaming agent 56 as shown in FIG. 3C and using it as the nucleating agent 50 in FIG. 3C, etc., a binder can also be used to sufficiently adhere the materials to be mixed and granulate a granular material having a certain strength. In this specification, the granulated product refers to a granulated granular material.

[0046] Examples of the binder include one or more mixtures selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, paraffin wax, and the like. The polyethylene glycol used as a binder has a structure in which ethylene glycol is polymerized and refers to a compound having a molecular weight of 20,000 or less. From the viewpoint of solubility, it is preferable to use polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 15,000 or less as the binder, and more preferably polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 10,000 or less. On the other hand, the polyethylene glycol used as the binder is preferably solid at room temperature, and since polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of less than 2000 is in a paste or liquid state and is not suitable as a binder, it is preferable to use polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 2000 or more. As the binder, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 3000 or more and 8500 or less is most preferably used.

[0047] The blending amount of the binder is preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 7% by weight or more, and still more preferably 9% by weight or more based on 100% by weight of the obtained granulated product. Further, from the viewpoint of sufficiently fulfilling the function of the binder and sufficiently ensuring the exhibition of the function of the functional material 40, the blending amount of the binder is preferably 20% by weight or less, more preferably 17% by weight or less, and still more preferably 14% by weight or less based on 100% by weight of the granulated product.

[0048] [Manufacturing method of functional material] The manufacturing method of the functional material is not particularly limited, and conventionally known granulation methods, coating methods, etc. can be appropriately selected and implemented.

[0049] (Example of the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3A) For example, for the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3A, first, a water-soluble base material 44 having an appropriate particle size is prepared as a nucleating agent 50, or a nucleating agent 50 obtained by granulating a water-soluble base material 44 having a small diameter is prepared. Next, by putting the nuclear agent 50 obtained as described above and the powdery functional agent 42 into a stirring device and stirring them, the functional material 40 of Mode I shown in Fig. 3A in which the surface of the nuclear agent 50 is coated with the powdery functional agent 42 can be produced. At this time, it is desirable to use one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of ester oils such as 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, paraffin, squalane, perfume, oil-soluble vitamins, and fatty acid esters, etc., because the powdery functional agent 42 can be firmly supported on the peripheral surface of the nuclear agent 50 to form the coating layer 52. When using the above solvent, for example, first, a dispersion liquid in which the powdery functional agent 42 is dispersed in the solvent is prepared, and a mode in which the dispersion liquid and the water-soluble base material 44 (nuclear agent 50) are stirred and mixed can be mentioned. As another mode, the powdery functional agent 42 and the water-soluble base material 44 are mixed in advance to prepare a mixture, and the above-mentioned solvent is added to the mixture and stirred and mixed to produce the functional material 40 provided with the coating layer 52 formed by coating the peripheral surface of the nuclear agent 50 with the powdery functional agent 42.

[0050] (Example of the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3B) Also, the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3B can be produced, for example, by mixing the water-soluble base material 44 with a small diameter and the powdery functional agent 42 to prepare a mixture, and granulating the mixture into granular materials of a desired shape.

[0051] (Example of the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3C) Also, the functional material 40 shown in Fig. 3C can be produced, for example, through a first coating step of providing a foaming layer 58 on the peripheral surface of the nuclear agent 50, and a second coating step of providing a coating layer 52 made of the powdery functional agent 42 on the peripheral surface of the granular material provided with the foaming layer 58. The first coating step includes an input step of putting a composition containing the nuclear agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the above-mentioned binder into a stirring device, and a granulation step of stirring the composition put into the stirring device and granulating the composition in an environment where the temperature inside the stirring device is lower than the melting point of the binder. According to the first coating step, a nucleating agent 50 having a foaming layer 58 can be obtained in a simple process of merely charging the required composition into a stirring device and stirring it, without requiring heating equipment or the like. The first coating step will be described in more detail below.

[0052] <First coating step> Charging step: The charging step in the first coating step is a step of charging a composition containing the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder described above into a stirring device. The charging step may be carried out independently of the granulation step described later, or a part of the charging step may be carried out in duplicate with the granulation step.

[0053] Granulation step: The granulation step in the first coating step is a step of stirring the composition charged into the stirring device and producing a granular material in which the nucleating agent 50 and the foaming agent 56 are adhered by the binder. In the granulation step, by charging the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder into the stirring device and stirring, it is possible to produce a granular material in which the foaming agent 56 adheres around the nucleating agent 50 by the binder at a temperature below the melting point of the binder inside the stirring device. Therefore, it is not necessary to install heating equipment for melting the binder. Such granulation is presumably due to frictional heat. Although the mechanism of this granulation is not clear, as the internal temperature of the stirring device gradually rises due to the friction generated by stirring, a local temperature rise (flash temperature) due to friction occurs, and it is presumed that the softened binder adheres the nucleating agent 50 and the foaming agent 56 to form a granular material. Such a temperature rise due to friction occurs remarkably when the nucleating agent 50 is contained in the composition charged in the charging step, and the granulated material is produced in about 20 minutes to several hours from the start of stirring. Since granulation is realized in an environment where the temperature inside the stirring device is below the melting point of the binder, stirring at a high temperature can be avoided, and the manufacturing safety is also excellent.

[0054] The stirring device used in the first coating step may be any device that has stirring blades inside the container and can stir the composition containing the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder. However, from the perspective of effectively utilizing the frictional heat generated during stirring, a stirring device that can stir at high speed is preferred. Preferred commercially available stirring devices include, for example, FM1500 manufactured by Nippon Coke & Engineering Co., Ltd. In addition, in order to check the temperature inside the stirring device, it is preferable that a thermometer is installed inside the stirring device. The stirring speed in the granulation step can be appropriately determined according to the composition used and the size of the stirring blades. However, from the perspective of effectively utilizing the heat generated by friction for softening the binder, the rotation speed in the granulation step is preferably adjusted in the range of, for example, 80 rpm or more and 800 rpm or less. Also, for example, in a stirring device with a stirring blade length of about 20 cm to about 130 cm, it is preferable to stir at a stirring speed of 6 m / sec or more and 10 m / sec or less. Here, the length of the stirring blade refers to the length of the diameter of the circle drawn by the tip of the stirring blade when it rotates around the axis of rotation of the stirring.

[0055] Furthermore, from the perspective that it is easy to exhibit the binding action by softening with frictional heat and the flash temperature locally generated together with the frictional heat, the melting point of the compound used as the binder is preferably 60°C or more and 80°C or less, and more preferably 60°C or more and 70°C or less.

[0056] <Second Coating Step> In the second coating step, a coating layer 52 made of a functional agent 42 is further formed on the nucleating agent 50 having a foaming layer 58 on its peripheral surface, which is obtained in the first coating step. The second coating step can be carried out in the same manner as the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 3A described above, except that, for example, the nucleating agent 50 provided with the foaming layer 58 and the powdery functional agent 42 are used. At this time, a solvent such as 1,3-butylene glycol described above may also be used.

[0057] (Manufacturing Method of Functional Material 40 Shown in FIG. 3D) The functional material 40 shown in FIG. 3D can be manufactured by first producing the functional material 40 of Embodiment II shown in FIG. 3B, and then providing a coating layer 52 on the peripheral surface of the nucleating agent 50 by the same method as the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 3A using this as the nucleating agent 50.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and appropriate modifications can be made within the scope that does not inhibit the object and effects of the present invention. For example, although Embodiment III was described using FIG. 3C as an example of an embodiment using the foaming agent 56, the use of the foaming agent 56 is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in Embodiment II shown in FIG. 3B, in addition to the small-diameter water-soluble base material 44 and the powdery functional agent 42, a foaming agent 56 is added, and these are mixed to prepare a mixture. To this mixture, the above-described binder is added and further mixed, and the mixture is granulated into granules of a desired shape to produce a functional material 40 containing the foaming agent 56.

[0059] The present invention described above includes the following technical ideas. (1) A dehumidifying container comprising a liquefying agent, a container body containing the liquefying agent, and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet covering the opening of the container body, wherein a functional material is accommodated in the dehumidifying container, wherein the functional material comprises a water-soluble base material, and a powdery functional agent supported on the water-soluble base material. A dehumidifying container characterized by the above. (2) The dehumidifying container according to (1) above, wherein the functional material further contains a foaming agent. (3) The dehumidifying container according to (2) above, wherein the foaming agent is a carbon dioxide gas generator containing a basic component and an organic acid. (4) The dehumidifying container according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the water-soluble base material is a granular material, the average diameter of the powdery functional agent is smaller than the average particle diameter of the granular material, and the peripheral surface of the water-soluble base material which is the granular material is coated with the powdery functional agent. The dehumidifying container according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the powdery functional agent is a porous deodorant.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 100, 110, 120 ··· dehumidifying container 10 ··· container body 14 ··· bottom 16 ··· side surface 18 ··· flange 20 ··· moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 22 ··· sealing sheet 12 ··· middle shelf 30 ··· liquefiable agent 40 ··· functional material 42 ··· powdery functional agent 44 ··· water-soluble base material 50 ··· nucleating agent 52 ··· coating layer 56 ··· foaming agent 58 ··· foaming layer

Claims

1. A dehumidifying container comprising a liquefying agent, a container body containing the liquefying agent, and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet covering the opening of the container body, wherein a functional material is contained in the dehumidifying container, the functional material comprises a water-soluble base material, and a powdery functional agent supported on the water-soluble base material, characterizing the dehumidifying container.

2. The dehumidifying container according to claim 1, wherein the functional material further contains a foaming agent.

3. The dehumidifying container according to claim 2, wherein the foaming agent is a carbon dioxide gas generator containing a basic component and an organic acid.

4. the water-soluble base material is a granular material, the average diameter of the powdery functional agent is smaller than the average particle diameter of the granular material, and the circumferential surface of the water-soluble base material which is the granular material is coated with the powdery functional agent, the dehumidifying container according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The dehumidifying container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powdery functional agent is a porous deodorant.

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