Functional material

Abstract

To provide a functional material that enables more appropriate expression of the function of a functional agent, and that allows a predetermined function to be significantly exerted, through foaming of a foaming agent, particularly using moisture as a trigger.SOLUTION: A functional material (40) comprises a substrate (44), a powdery functional agent (42) supported on the substrate (44), and a foaming agent (56) that foams in the presence of moisture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a functional material carrying a functional agent.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, functional agents that exhibit various functions such as aromaticity, deodorization, odor elimination, antifungal properties, and insect repellent properties have been known, and these are used in various applications in appropriate forms.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a mite repellent in which a drug is supported on an inorganic porous substance.

[0004] Regarding the animal toilet for pets or the simple toilet for humans kept indoors, in order to solve the problem of unpleasant odor during excrement treatment, aromatic components such as fragrances may be used in the animal toilet sand or the simple toilet. Specifically, Patent Document 2 proposes an aromatic excrement treatment agent in which a porous body such as zeolite or bentonite is filled as a base material in a container encapsulating an aromatic substance, and a trace amount of the aromatic component is adsorbed and held on the base material. The same document describes that such an aromatic excrement treatment agent exhibits an excellent inhibitory effect against unpleasant odors caused by excrement of pets or humans.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the acaricide described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, the drug is carried not only in the pores on the surface of the inorganic porous material but also in the internal pores. However, only the drug carried in the pores on the surface can volatilize, resulting in loss of the drug. Therefore, there is a problem that more drug is required to obtain the desired effect. Furthermore, since the effect can only be exerted from the limited surface area of the granular carrier, there is also a risk that the volatilization rate will be slow.

[0007] To address such problems, if the functional material is made into powder, the surface area increases, the problem of the volatilization rate can be solved, and the desired effect can be obtained without loss of the drug. However, there are the following problems when manufacturing various products filled with the powdered functional material in a container. First, there is a risk that workers observing the operation of filling each container with the powdered functional material on the production line will inhale the dust, causing health hazards (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 1). Also, in the process of covering the container filled with the powdered functional material with a breathable sheet, there is a risk that the powdered functional agent will get caught in the joint surface between the container and the breathable sheet, reducing the bondability of the breathable sheet (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 2). Furthermore, since powder is prone to generating static electricity, there is a risk that the powdered functional material scattered around during the filling operation will adsorb to the outer surface of the container, causing contamination of the product (hereinafter also referred to as Problem 3). When handling the powdered functional material 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 challenges.

[0008] When the aromatic excrement treatment agent described in Patent Document 2 mentioned above is mixed with animal toilet sand and used, not only when the animal excretes, but also aromatic components are generated from the ordinary time. As a result, there is a risk of giving discomfort or a sense of incongruity to humans and animals. In addition, since aromatic components are constantly generated from the aromatic excrement treatment agent, there are cases where the period during which the aromatic property is exhibited becomes short, or since aromatic components are generated before the start of use, the aromatic components volatilize during distribution, and it is also possible that almost no aromatic components remain at the start of use. Therefore, it is desirable that as much aromatic components as possible are generated at the time of excretion. That is, it is required that the function of the functional material is significantly exhibited as much as possible during use.

[0009] The problems related to Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are an example of the problems in the use of functional agents. However, as described above, although the functional agent itself has a confirmed significant function, there were various problems in actual use.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to more appropriately generate the function of a functional agent, and in particular, to provide a functional material capable of significantly exhibiting a predetermined function using moisture as a trigger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The functional material of the present invention is characterized by including a base material, a powdery functional agent supported on the base material, and a foaming agent that foams with moisture.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] The functional material of the present invention having the above configuration aims to more appropriately generate the function of the functional agent, and in particular, it is possible to provide a functional material capable of significantly exhibiting a predetermined function using moisture as a trigger. For example, the functional material of the present invention can solve the above-described manufacturing problems and can also significantly exhibit the function of the functional material as much as possible during use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The functional material of the present invention includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base material 44, a powdery functional agent 42 supported on the base material 44, and a foaming agent 56 that foams with moisture. Since the present invention having such a configuration includes a foaming agent 56 that foams with moisture, the foaming agent 56 supported on the base material 44 foams using the moisture imparted by any means as a trigger, and the powdery functional agent 42 supported on the base material 44 by this foaming can be dispersed around. That is, the functional material 40 of the present invention fully exhibits the function of the powdery functional agent 42 supported using moisture as a trigger. Incidentally, the powdery functional agent 42 may be abbreviated as the functional agent 42 hereinafter. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1 first.

[0015] As an aspect in which the functional agent 42 is supported on the base material 44, the functional material 40 may be an aspect (hereinafter also referred to as aspect A) 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 composed of a granular base material 44 as shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A shows aspect A in which the coating layer 52 is provided on the outer surface side rather than the foaming layer 58, but the present invention includes an aspect configured in the same manner as the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 1A except that the foaming layer 58 is provided on the outer surface side rather than the coating layer 52. According to this aspect A, the foaming agent 56 constituting the foaming layer 58 foams using moisture as a trigger, thereby promoting the dispersion of the powdery functional agent 42 contained in the functional material 40 around.

[0016] 1B, the functional material 40 may be an embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as embodiment B) obtained by granulating a mixed material of a base material 44, a functional agent 42, and a foaming agent 56. In embodiment B, the functional agent 42 is in the form of small particles. According to the embodiment B, the functional agent 42 is exposed and dispersed to the surroundings as the functional material 40 collapses due to the foaming of the foaming agent 56. Therefore, in the embodiment B, the exertion of the function of the functional agent 42 supported inside the functional material 40 is suppressed in the state before water is added, and by disintegrating the functional material 40 using water as a trigger, it is possible to fully exert the function of the functional agent 42 supported inside at a desired timing.

[0017] The functional material 40 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as a modified example of embodiment A shown in FIG. 1A, a foaming agent 56 can be mixed into a coating layer 52 composed of a powdered functional agent 42. As shown in Fig. 1B, in the embodiment A shown in Fig. 1A, a foam layer 58 made of the foaming agent 56 is formed on the peripheral surface of the nucleating agent 50, so that the moisture acting as a trigger and the foaming agent 56 can easily come into contact with each other, rather than mixing the foaming agent 56 into the granulated material as shown in Fig. 1B. Therefore, the embodiment A is preferable from the viewpoint that only a small amount of the foaming agent is required, or the foaming agent can function even with a small amount of water. In this specification, the granulated material refers to a granular material obtained by granulation.

[0018] [Base material] The substrate 44 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the powdered functional agent 42 and the foaming agent 56, and examples of the substrate 44 include water-insoluble substrates such as metal particles such as stainless steel, aluminum, and sodium borohydride, and granular porous bodies such as inorganic porous substances such as silicate compounds, silica gel, zeolite, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and phosphate compounds. The substrate 44 may be a water-soluble substrate 44 (water-soluble substrate) that dissolves and disintegrates with moisture, which triggers foaming, and is preferably water-soluble from the viewpoint of promoting dispersion of the powdered functional agent 42 and, depending on the application, from the viewpoint of disposal after completion of use.

[0019] The water-soluble base material 44 may be any compound that can be dissolved by water applied by any means. A compound having a solubility in water of 5 g / 100 g H2O or more at 20°C and 1 atm 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. Also, 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 embodiment A. Moreover, by pulverizing sodium chloride and / or magnesium sulfate into a small-diameter or powder form, it can also be used as the water-soluble base material 44 constituting the above-described embodiment B. Furthermore, a deliquescent substance such as calcium chloride can also be used as the water-soluble base material 44. However, the base material 44 is not limited to the above-described water-soluble base material. For example, by including a functional agent different from the powdery functional agent 42 as the nucleating agent 50, a function different from that of the powdery functional agent 42 can be added, or the function of the powdery functional agent 42 can be complemented.

[0020] [Powdery functional agent] The functional agent 42 may be any agent that exhibits a preferable function suitable for various applications. Such functions include deodorizing properties, odor eliminating properties, aromatic properties, insect repellent properties, mildew proofing properties, etc. Deodorants, odor eliminators, fragrances, insect repellents, mildew proofing agents, etc. that exhibit these functions, and compounds that can be powdered or granulated can be used as the functional agent 42, and can be appropriately selected from agents that can exhibit conventionally known desired functions. 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 and retaining it by microencapsulation can be selected. In the present invention, the powdery functional agent 42 refers to a powdery agent capable of exhibiting a desired function, which can be supported on a base material and has a small particle size that can be dispersed around by the foaming of a foaming agent, including small granular agents. The powdery functional agent 42 used in the present invention preferably has an average particle size in the range of 3000 μm or less, more preferably in the range of 1000 μm or less, and even more preferably in the range of 500 μm or less, as measured by a method conforming to JIS Z 8815-1994.

[0021] Examples of the functional agent 42 exhibiting deodorizing properties include carbon-based deodorants containing carbon such as white charcoal, black charcoal, sawdust charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, open-hearth charcoal, retort charcoal, bamboo charcoal, bean 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.

[0022] Many of the compounds exhibiting deodorizing properties are porous bodies, and odor components are adsorbed in a large number of pores.

[0023] Examples of the functional agent 42 exhibiting odor-eliminating properties include, but are not limited to, one or more mixtures selected from polyphenols such as catechins, tannins, anthocyanins, rutin, and isoflavones.

[0024] The functional agent 42 exhibiting aromaticity can be appropriately selected from various materials used as fragrances. For example, specifically, plant fragrances such as orange oil, grapefruit oil, and lemongrass oil, animal fragrances, artificial fragrances, etc. can be mentioned. These fragrances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0025] Examples of the functional agent 42 exhibiting insect-proof properties include agents containing components that exhibit insect-proof effects against clothing pests such as clothes moths, casemaking clothes moths, lesser cabinet beetles, and Japanese spider beetles, cereal pests such as rice stem borers, and sanitary pests such as dust mites, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bedbugs, and cockroaches. Specifically, pyrethroid-based insect repellents, plant essential oils having insect-proof effects, naphthalene, camphor, paradichlorobenzene, and mixtures of one or more selected from the group consisting of terpene-based insect-proof components such as terpineol can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

[0026] Examples of the functional agent 42 exhibiting mold-proof 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-propyl butylcarbamate, N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide, N-dichlorofluoromethylthio-N',N'-dimethyl-N-phenylsulfamide, etc., which are wasabi components, but are not limited thereto.

[0027] The blending ratio of the functional agent 42 in the functional material 40 is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of achieving a balance between the retention of the functional agent 42 and the exhibition of its functions, in the functional material 40, the 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.

[0028] [Foaming agent] As described above, in addition to the base material 44 and the functional agent 42 described above, the functional material 40 of the present invention further contains a foaming agent 56. By foaming the foaming agent 56 by adding moisture, it is possible to easily disperse the functional agent 42 around. Further, when the base material 44 is water-soluble, such foaming can promote the disintegration of the base material 44 and make it easier to disperse the functional agent 42. Since the functional material 40 contains the foaming agent 56 that foams with moisture, the functional material 40 can be well disintegrated even with the addition of a small amount of moisture. Further, even when the functional agent 42 is firmly supported on the base material 44 using a binder described later, the foaming agent 56 is blended in the functional material 40, so that the functional agent 42 can be easily dispersed with a small amount of moisture.

[0029] The foaming agent 56 is preferably a gas generator that reacts with moisture to generate gas and contains a base component and an acid component. Gas can be generated by reacting the base component, the acid component, and the moisture imparted to the functional material 40. The shape of the foaming agent is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a particle size that can be supported on the base material 44, and examples include, but are not limited to, powder form, small particle form, granular form, etc. The gas to be generated is not particularly limited as long as it is not a gas harmful to the human body, and examples include carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, and the like. However, the foaming agent 56 in the present invention is not limited to those that generate gas by the reaction of a base component, an acid component, and moisture. For example, a hydrogen generator in which hydrogen is generated when a metal hydride compound such as sodium borohydride comes into contact with water can be used as the foaming agent 56.

[0030] (Base component) The above base component refers to a component capable of exerting the function of a base. For example, when assuming carbon dioxide gas such as carbon dioxide as the generated gas, carbonates and / or bicarbonates can be mentioned. More specifically, 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 sesquicarbonate of sodium, and alkaline earth metal salts, etc. can be mentioned.

[0031] The blending ratio of the base 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 functional agent 42 around, in the functional material 40, the base 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.

[0032] (Acid component) The above acid component used as the gas generating substance refers to a component capable of exerting the function of an acid. For example, when assuming carbon dioxide gas such as carbon dioxide as the generated gas, organic acids can be mentioned. More specifically, one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, etc. can be mentioned. 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 gas better and making it easier to disperse the powdery functional agent 42 around, the weight ratio of (acid component) / (base component) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, further 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 (acid component) / (base component) is preferably, for example, 35 or less, and more preferably 30 or less. In addition, in the functional material 40, preferably, the total blending ratio of the acid component and the base component is 5% by weight or more, more preferably 10% by weight or more, and even more preferably 15% by weight or more.

[0033] [Binder]

[0034] When granulating the functional material 40 by mixing the base material 44, the powdery functional agent 42, and the foaming agent 56 as shown in FIG. 1B, or when manufacturing a granulated product including the nucleating agent 50 composed of the base material 44 and the foaming layer 58 composed of the foaming agent 56 and using it as the nucleating agent 50 as shown in FIG. 1A, etc., a binder can also be used to sufficiently adhere the materials to each other and granulate particulate matter having a certain strength.

[0035] Examples of the binder include one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, paraffin wax, and the like. The polyethylene glycol used as the 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 2,000 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 2,000 or more. As the binder, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 3,000 or more and 8,500 or less is most preferably used.

[0036] 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.

[0037] [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.

[0038] (Example of the manufacturing method of the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 1A) For the functional material 40 shown in FIG. 1A, first, a base material 44 with an appropriate particle size is prepared as a nucleating agent 50, or a nucleating agent 50 obtained by granulating a base material 44 with a small diameter is prepared. At this time, it is preferable to use a water-soluble compound as the base material 44. Next, it can be manufactured through a first coating step of providing a foamed layer 58 on the peripheral surface of the nucleating agent 50, and a second coating step of providing a coating layer 52 formed of a powdery functional agent 42 on the peripheral surface of the granular material provided with the foamed layer 58. The first coating step includes an input step of putting a composition containing the nucleating 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 provided with a foamed layer 58 can be obtained by a simple step of putting the necessary composition into a stirring device and stirring it, and without requiring heating equipment or the like. The first coating step will be described in more detail below.

[0039] <First coating step> Input step: The charging process in the first coating stage is a process of charging a composition containing the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder described above into a stirring device. Here, the foaming agent 56 constituting the foaming layer 58 may have a particle size such that it can be supported on the peripheral surface of the nucleating agent 50. The charging process may be carried out independently of the granulation process described later, or a part of the charging process may be carried out overlapping with the granulation process.

[0040] Granulation process: The granulation process in the first coating stage is a process of stirring the composition charged into the stirring device and producing granular materials in which the nucleating agent 50 and the foaming agent 56 are adhered by the binder. In the granulation process, by charging the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder into the stirring device and stirring, it is possible to produce granular materials 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. Although such granulation is considered to be due to frictional heat, the mechanism of this granulation is not clear. However, 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 granular materials. Such a temperature rise due to friction occurs significantly because the composition charged in the charging process contains the nucleating agent 50, and granulated products are 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 above binder, stirring at high temperatures can be avoided, and it is also excellent in manufacturing safety.

[0041] The stirring device used in the first coating stage may be any device that has stirring blades inside the container and can stir a composition containing the nucleating agent 50, the foaming agent 56, and the binder. However, from the viewpoint of being able to effectively utilize the frictional heat 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 process can be appropriately determined according to the composition used and the size of the stirring blades employed. However, from the perspective of effectively utilizing the heat generated by friction for softening the binder, the rotation speed in the granulation process is preferably adjusted within a range of, for example, 80 rpm or more and 800 rpm or less. Further, for example, in a stirring device where the length of the stirring blades is 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 blades refers to the length of the diameter of the circle drawn by the tip of the stirring blades when rotating around the axial rotation part of the stirring.

[0042] Furthermore, from the perspective that it is easier 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.

[0043] <Second coating stage> In the second coating stage, a coating layer 52 made of a functional agent 42 is further formed on the nucleating agent 50 having a foamed layer 58 on its peripheral surface, which is obtained in the first coating stage. The second coating stage can, for example, produce the functional material 40 in the form shown in Fig. 1A in which the functional agent 42 coats the surface of the nucleating agent 50 by charging the nucleating agent 50 having the foamed layer 58 obtained as described above and the functional agent 42 into a stirring device and stirring them. At this time, one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of esters such as 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, paraffin, squalane, perfume, oil-soluble vitamins, and fatty acid esters can be used. By using such a solvent in this way, it is possible to firmly support the functional agent 42 on the peripheral surface of the nucleating agent 50 having the foamed layer 58 and obtain the functional material 40 with the coating layer 52 formed, which is desirable. 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 the dispersion liquid and the nucleating agent 50 having the foaming layer 58 are put into a stirring device and stirred and mixed. Another mode is to mix the powdery functional agent 42 and the nucleating agent 50 having the foaming layer 58 in advance to prepare a mixture, add the above-mentioned solvent to the mixture, and stir and mix to coat the circumferential surface of the nucleating agent 50 having the foaming layer 58 with the functional agent 42 to obtain a functional material 40 having a coating layer 52. Furthermore, it is also possible to manufacture the functional material 40 by simultaneously putting the nucleating agent 50 having the foaming layer 58, the functional agent 42, and the solvent into a stirring device. However, from the viewpoint of uniformly coating the circumferential surface with the functional agent 42, the manufacturing method of preparing the dispersion liquid in advance as described above is desirable. Also, a method of mixing the functional agent 42 and the nucleating agent 50 having the foaming layer 58 on the circumferential surface to prepare a mixture, adding the above-mentioned solvent to the mixture, and stirring and mixing can preferably manufacture the functional material 40.

[0044] The functional material of the present invention described above can be used for various applications suitable for the functions of the contained functional agents, provided that the foaming agent is foamed by adding moisture by any means. Some examples of using the functional material of the present invention will be described below, but these do not limit the uses of the functional material of the present invention in any way.

[0045] [First Embodiment] The functional material of the present invention can be preferably used, for example, together with a liquefying agent. The liquefying agent mentioned here is a solid substance in any shape such as granular, and any agent that can be liquefied is acceptable. For example, deliquescent drugs widely used as hygroscopic agents can be mentioned. The above 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 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 by means of a dropping granulation method, an air-cooling granulation method, etc.

[0046] (Dehumidifying container) For example, as an example of the use of the functional material, there is provided a dehumidifying container 100 in which the functional material 40 of the present invention and the liquefying agent 30 described above are housed in the container body 10 shown in FIG. 2. The dehumidifying container 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a tank-shaped container body 10 and a moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20, and a middle shelf 12 provided with a plurality of small holes in the middle part in the vertical direction of the container body 10. The liquefying agent 30 is housed on the middle shelf 12, and the functional material 40 is housed at the bottom of the container body 10. The moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 20 is covered with a moisture-impermeable sealing sheet 22, and the use of the dehumidifying container 100 is started by peeling off such a sealing sheet 22. According to such a dehumidifying container 100, the liquefying agent 30 absorbs and liquefies the indoor moisture, and the moisture generated thereby can be dropped downward through the small holes of the middle shelf 12 and brought into contact with the functional material 40. As a result, the foaming agent 56 contained in the functional material 40 foams, and as the functional material 40 gradually collapses, the functional agent 42 supported on the base material 44 is dispersed around, whereby the function of the functional agent 42 is favorably exhibited. For example, if the functional material 40 uses a fragrance as the functional agent 42, as the dehumidifying progresses in the dehumidifying container 100 described above, the fragrance components are dispersed in the container, and a good fragrance can be released outside the container. Thus, in the container in which the liquefying agent 30 is housed, the dehumidifying container 100 in which the functional material 40 is disposed at a position where it can contact the moisture generated by the liquefaction of the liquefying agent 30 is suitable as the use of the functional material 40 of the present invention. Incidentally, when the functional material 40 is used in the dehumidifying container 100, the base material 44 is preferably the water-soluble base material 44 described above. Since the functional agent 42 is supported on the water-soluble base material 44, not only does the foaming agent 56 foam due to the moisture generated by the liquefaction of the liquefying agent 30, but also the water-soluble base material 44 dissolves, so that the collapse of the functional material 40 can proceed rapidly. Further, in the dehumidifying container 100 whose use period has ended, since the powdery functional agent 42 and moisture remain, it is easy and preferable to discard the contents of the container. Note that the liquefiable agent 30 and the functional material 40 accommodated in the container body 10 in this embodiment may be in a mode where each is independently accommodated in a partitioned space as shown in FIG. 2, or may be in a mode where they are accommodated in the same adjacent space (not shown), or a combination thereof. However, when the liquefiable agent 30 and the functional material 40 are independently accommodated in partitioned spaces within the container body 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is important that the functional material 40 is accommodated at a position where the aqueous solution generated by the liquefaction of the liquefiable agent 30 and the fine droplets generated on the peripheral surface of the liquefiable agent 30 can come into contact with the functional material 40. That is, in this embodiment which is the dehumidifying container 100, the functional material 40 is accommodated in the container body 10 so as to be able to come into contact with the aqueous solution generated by the moisture absorption of the liquefiable agent 30. More specifically, for example, a mixture of the liquefiable agent 30 and the functional material 40 can be accommodated on the middle shelf 12, or as shown in FIG. 2, the liquefiable agent 30 can be accommodated on the middle shelf 12 and the functional material 40 can be accommodated at the bottom of the tank-type container body 10. It is also possible to accommodate a mixture of the liquefiable agent 30 and the functional material 40 at the bottom of the container body 10 without providing the middle shelf 12.

[0047] [Second Embodiment] [Deodorant for Pet Toilet] For example, as an example of the use of the functional material, there is the functional material 40 used together with the toilet sand 60 filled in the toilet case 210 in the pet toilet 200 shown in FIG. 3. In this usage mode, as the functional agent 42 contained in the functional material 40, a deodorant and / or a fragrance is preferable. In the pet toilet 200, toilet sand 60 that generally absorbs the urine of pets is used. By mixing the toilet sand 60 and the functional material 40 and using them in the pet toilet 200, the moisture in the urine of the pet can be absorbed and the foaming agent 56 contained in the functional material 40 can be foamed. Due to such foaming, the deodorizing and / or aromatic functional agent 42 carried on the base material 44 is dispersed around, and the deodorizing function and / or the aromatic function can be exhibited well. In addition, when the base material 44 is water-soluble, the functional material 40 absorbs the moisture in the urine of the pet, and not only foams but also the water-soluble base material 44 dissolves, causing the functional material 40 to disintegrate. As a result, the functional agent 42 carried on the water-soluble base material 44 can be more favorably dispersed and the function can be better exhibited. According to the usage mode described above, the function of the functional material 40 can be exhibited using the urine of the pet as a trigger. However, the first and second embodiments described above are merely examples of the use of the functional material of the present invention and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0048] The present invention described above encompasses the following technical ideas. (1) A functional material comprising a base material, a powdery functional agent carried on the base material, and a foaming agent that foams with moisture. (2) The functional material according to (1) above, wherein the foaming agent is a gas generating substance containing a base component and an acid component. (3) The functional material according to (2) above, wherein the base material is a granular material, and a foaming layer containing a foaming agent is provided on the peripheral surface of the base material. (4) The functional material according to (2) or (3) above, wherein the weight ratio (acid component) / (base component) of the acid component and the base component in the foaming agent is 0.1 or more, and the total blending ratio of the acid component and the base component in the functional material is 5% or more. (5) The functional material according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the base material is a water-soluble base material. (6) The functional material according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which is used together with a liquefying agent.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 10 ··· Container body 12 ··· Middle shelf 20 ··· Moisture-permeable waterproof sheet 22 ··· Sealing sheet 30 ··· Liquefying agent 40 ··· Functional material 42 ··· Powdery functional agent 44 ··· Base material 50···Nuclear agent 52···Coating layer 56···Blowing agent 58···Foam layer 60···Toilet sand 100···Dehumidifying container 200···Pet toilet 210···Toilet case

Claims

Claim 1 a base material, a powdery functional agent supported on the base material, and a foaming agent that foams with moisture, A functional material characterized by comprising: Claim 2 The functional material according to claim 1, wherein the foaming agent is a gas generating substance containing a base component and an acid component. Claim 3 The functional material according to claim 2, wherein the base material is a granular material, and a foaming layer containing a foaming agent is provided on the peripheral surface of the base material. Claim 4 The functional material according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the weight ratio (acid component) / (base component) of the acid component and the base component in the foaming agent is 0.1 or more, and the total of the blending ratios of the acid component and the base component in the functional material is 5% or more. Claim 5 The functional material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base material is a water-soluble base material. Claim 6 The functional material according to claim 1 or 2, which is used together with a liquefying agent.

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