Dehumidifiers and dehumidifier containers

Abstract

To provide a dehumidifier in which usages of plastics and the like can be reduced considerably in consideration of an environment to suppress transportation costs and storage costs, and a container for the same.SOLUTION: A dehumidifier uses a tablet and a dedicated container in combination. The tablet is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in which a deliquescent substance is pressurized and compressed. The dedicated container comprises a storage container for deliquescent liquid, a lid, and a rack on which the tablet is placed. The storage container for deliquescent liquid has an engagement part for arranging the rack on which tablet is placed, at a given height position from a bottom surface therein, and can store deliquescent liquid in the tablet. The lid can secure robust connection thereof to the storage container for deliquescent liquid with the rack on which the tablet is placed being intervened therebetween, which has an opening part on an upper surface thereof, where the opening part is sealed with a permeable film. The rack on which the tablet is placed has, at least at a lower side thereof, a hole through which the deliquescent liquid in the tablet is flown down into the storage container for deliquescent liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] To provide a dehumidifier and its container for use in closets, chests of drawers, shoe cabinets and other storage spaces, which absorbs moisture in the air with a deliquescent moisture absorbent to reduce and maintain low humidity in the space. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the mainstream dehumidifier is a so-called tank type, which is a container with an opening on the top, partitioned into an upper space and a lower space by a tray placed at a mid-height portion within the container. The upper space contains a granular deliquescent moisture absorbent, and the deliquescent liquid of the deliquescent moisture absorbent drips through a drip hole in the tray and is stored in the lower space. Tank-type dehumidifiers are configured to seal the opening by adhering or welding a moisture-permeable film that is impermeable to liquids but permeable to gases to prevent the deliquescent liquid from spilling if the dehumidifier is accidentally tipped over. Furthermore, since it is important to ensure a large contact area between the deliquescent moisture absorbent and the air in order to improve the moisture absorption performance of the dehumidifier, a common configuration is one in which the tray is shaped with multiple protrusions, and the granular deliquescent moisture absorbent is stored in the upper space thus formed (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-78865 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As shown in Fig. 9, the tank-type dehumidifier described in Patent Document 1 is configured to include a container body 4 having an upper opening, a tray-like receptacle 5 disposed in a raised portion of the container body 4 and dividing the container body 4 into an upper space N and a lower space M, a moisture-permeable but water-impermeable moisture-permeable film 6 that closes the upper opening, and a sealing sheet 7. This tank-type dehumidifier is provided with a detachable lid 8 that protects the moisture-permeable film 6 and the sealing sheet 7 on the upper opening of the container body 4. In the tank-type dehumidifier configured in this manner, a granular deliquescent moisture absorbent C is stored in the upper space N within the container body 4, and when a consumer (user) uses the dehumidifier, they peel the sealing sheet 7 off of the moisture-permeable film 6, allowing moisture in the air to pass through the moisture-permeable film 6 and flow into the container body 4, where it is absorbed by the deliquescent moisture absorbent. When the deliquescent moisture absorbent deliquesces and is completely consumed, the moisture-permeable film 6 attached to the top opening can be peeled off to drain the accumulated deliquescent liquid, and the container can be discarded. As a result, used tank-type dehumidifiers require the entire container to be replaced with a new one, resulting in high costs and a waste of resources. This issue is not limited to cost and resource waste; it also creates problems for consumers, such as the hassle of purchasing and transporting large, bulky products and the space required to store stock. As mentioned above, the containers are naturally large due to the required specifications, which require a sufficient contact area between the deliquescent moisture absorbent and the air. In addition to the volume of the upper and lower spaces, the containers also require the transport and storage of air due to the multi-stage protrusions. Furthermore, this poses a serious problem not only for consumers but also for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, as it requires significant transportation capacity and space for product transportation and warehousing, imposing significant transportation and storage costs on companies. On the other hand, calls for companies to take on sustainability initiatives have been heard for some time now, and companies are constantly being watched closely for their development of sustainable materials and how they can build systems to prevent the waste of resources.

[0005] The present invention addresses these problems and aims to provide a dehumidifier and its container that are environmentally friendly, significantly reduce the amount of plastic used, and reduce transportation and storage costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides 1 piece A dehumidifier using a combination of a tablet and a dedicated container, wherein the tablet is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a state where a deliquescent substance is pressurized and compressed, the dedicated container comprising a deliquescent liquid storage container, a lid, and a tablet-mounting shelf, the deliquescent liquid storage container having an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-mounting shelf at a predetermined height position from the bottom surface inside and capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablet, the lid ensuring a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-mounting shelf interposed therebetween, The above-mentioned problem was solved by a dehumidifier characterized in that it has an opening on its top surface, which is sealed with a moisture-permeable film, and the tablet-placing shelf has a hole at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablet to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and the overall shape is concave and has a depth sufficient to store the tablet, but the shelf portion on the bottom is configured so that when one tablet is placed on it, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablet are closely spaced. The present invention also provides 2 piecesA dehumidifier using a combination of a tablet and a dedicated container, wherein the tablet is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a state where a deliquescent substance is pressurized and compressed, the dedicated container comprising a deliquescent liquid storage container, a lid, and a tablet-mounting shelf, the deliquescent liquid storage container having an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-mounting shelf at a predetermined height position from the bottom surface inside and capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablet, the lid ensuring a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-mounting shelf interposed therebetween, The above-mentioned problem was solved by a dehumidifier characterized in that it has an opening on its top surface, which is sealed with a moisture-permeable film, and the tablet-placing shelf has a hole at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and the overall shape is concave and has a depth sufficient to store the tablets, but the shelf portion on the bottom is configured so that when two tablets are placed on it, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablets are closely spaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned characteristics, it is possible to provide a dehumidifier that allows the container to be reused, thereby significantly reducing the amount of plastic used and reducing transportation and storage costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1(a) is a front view of a deliquescent liquid storage container with a lid attached via a shelf for placing tablets thereon, FIG. 1(b) is a top view of the same state, FIG. 1(c) is a top view of the container with only the lid removed, FIG. 1(d) is a photograph of refill tablets contained in an airtight bag, and FIG. 1(e) is a photograph of the container with the lid removed and tablets placed on it. [Figure 2] 2(a) and 2(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a deliquescent liquid storage container in a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2(a) is a top view, FIG. 2(b) is a front view, FIG. 2(c) is a view from above with FIG. 2(a) rotated 45 degrees, and FIG. 2(d) is a view of FIG. 2(c) from the front. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are explanatory views showing a lid of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a top view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing a tablet-placing shelf in a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 4A being a top view and FIG. 4B being a front view. [Figure 5] 1 is a graph comparing the moisture absorption performance of the first embodiment and a granular type moisture absorbent when used in a container sealed with a moisture-permeable film. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are explanatory diagrams showing a deliquescent liquid storage container in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6(a) is a top view, FIG. 6(b) is a front view, FIG. 6(c) is a view from above with FIG. 6(a) rotated 45 degrees, and FIG. 6(d) is a view of FIG. 6(c) from the front. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing a tablet-placing shelf in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 7A being a top view and FIG. 7B being a front view. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph comparing the moisture absorption performance of the second embodiment and a granular type moisture absorbent when used in a container sealed with a moisture-permeable film. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional tank-type dehumidifier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are created for the purpose of explanation, and for the sake of clarity, some components not necessary for the explanation may be intentionally omitted. Furthermore, some components may be intentionally enlarged or small for the purpose of explanation, and the drawings are not drawn to an exact scale.

[0010] First Embodiment (Overall configuration of the dehumidifier) Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1(a) is a front view of a deliquescent liquid storage container with a lid attached via a tablet-placing shelf, Figure 1(b) is a top view of the same state, Figure 1(c) is a top view of the container with only the lid removed, Figure 1(d) is a photograph of refill tablets, and Figure 1(e) is a photograph of the container with the lid removed and tablets placed on it.

[0011] The dehumidifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a dehumidifier that uses a combination of a refill tablet and a dedicated container. The refill tablet T is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a compressed state, specifically, a tablet-shaped calcium chloride. It is produced by filling the inside of a 50-ton press (tablet press) with powdered calcium chloride and then extruding the molded product. The tableted calcium chloride can achieve a density of 1.63 g / ml simply by adjusting the pressure, ensuring sufficient strength for practical use. Magnesium chloride tablets can also be used as an alternative to calcium chloride. The refill tablet T is stored in an airtight transparent bag, as shown in FIG. 1(d). This bag is a transparent bag with water vapor barrier properties, such as made of oriented polypropylene or polyvinylidene chloride, to prevent deliquescence of the moisture absorbent, but it does not have to be transparent. It may also be laminated, for example, by bonding a nylon film, aluminum foil, or aluminum vapor deposition to polyethylene. Regarding the lamination method, four-sided seal, three-sided seal (palm seal), standing pouch, blister packaging, etc. can be appropriately adopted. Furthermore, instead of bags, boxes and cans can also be used as storage containers as long as they have water vapor barrier properties.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(c), the dedicated container comprises a deliquescent liquid storage container 1, a lid 2, and a tablet placement shelf 3. The deliquescent liquid storage container 1 is configured to be able to store the deliquescent liquid of refill tablets T. The lid 2 ensures a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 with the tablet placement shelf 3 interposed therebetween. Specifically, it is configured as a screw cap or a twist cap.

[0013] From the front view of Fig. 1(a), the side of the lower body 11 and the lid side surface 22 can be seen. From the top view of Fig. 1(b), it can be seen that an opening 212 (not shown) on the top surface of the lid 2 is sealed by welding a moisture-permeable film F. On the other hand, from Fig. 1(c), which shows the state with the lid 2 removed, it can be seen that the tablet-mounting shelf 3 is disposed by supporting a flange portion 33 on the edge 13 (not shown) of the opening of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. By supporting the flange portion 33 on the edge 13 (not shown), the tablet-mounting shelf 3 is disposed at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1(c), the tablet-placing shelf 3 has bottom holes 311 formed in its shelf bottom 31 for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets T to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. Since the refill tablets T have an inherent thickness, the top surfaces of the refill tablets T are also located at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1, as shown in Fig. 1(e).

[0015] (Configuration of deliquescent liquid storage vessel) Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a deliquescent liquid storage container in a dehumidifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 2(a) is a top view, Figure 2(b) is a front view, Figure 2(c) is a view from above with Figure 2(a) rotated 45 degrees, and Figure 2(d) is a view of Figure 2(c) from the front.

[0016] The deliquescent liquid storage container 1 is a composite container made up of a lower main body 11 with four chamfered sides of a rectangular parallelepiped, and an upper main body 12 which is a cylindrical portion connected to the lower main body 11. When a tablet placing shelf 3 (not shown) is disposed, the area of the lower main body 11 partitioned by the underside of the tablet placing shelf 3 (not shown) has a volume sufficient to accommodate the deliquescent liquid generated when one refill tablet T is completely deliquesced, and in the first embodiment, this volume is set to 550 cc. The upper main body 12 as a cylindrical portion is connected to the top of the lower main body 11 so as to be concentric with the central axis of the lower main body 11. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the lower main body 11 are located at the four corners around the upper main body 12, as shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0017] A male thread portion 121 is formed on the outer periphery of the upper body 12, which is screwed into a female thread portion 221 (not shown) of the lid 2. The screw is preferably a multiple-start screw so that it can be opened and closed with a small number of turns, and although a double-start screw is used in the first embodiment, a four-start screw may also be used.

[0018] The top edge 13 of the upper part of the main body 12 functions to support the flange portion 33 of the tablet placing shelf 3 (neither shown), so that the tablet placing shelf 3 (not shown) is positioned at a predetermined height from the internal bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1.

[0019] Two triangular protrusions 122 and two bulging portions 123 are arranged at positions every 90 degrees near the boundary where the top surface of the lower body 11 and the upper body 12 are joined. Due to the triangular protrusions 122 and the bulging portions 123, the operator feels an increase in torque resistance as the tightening operation of the lid 2 is about to finish, and finally feels a click, allowing the operator to confirm that the lid has been securely closed.

[0020] (Lid configuration) FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a lid of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 3(a) being a top view and FIG. 3(b) being a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3(a). The lid 2 generally comprises a lid top surface 21 and a lid side surface 22, with a circular opening 212 provided in the center of the lid top surface 21. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3(b), a peripheral edge 211 of the lid top surface 21 is set to be one step higher than the lid top surface 21, and a moisture-permeable film F (see FIG. 1) is heat-sealed to this peripheral edge 211. A hanging edge 222 hangs downward from the outer periphery of the opening 212 and is sized to abut against the upper surface of a flange portion 33 (not shown) of a tablet-mounting shelf 3 when the lid 2 is attached to a deliquescent liquid storage container 1 (not shown). That is, a certain gap exists between the lid top surface 21 and the flange portion 33 (not shown).

[0021] The dedicated container in the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment is configured such that when the lid 2 is closed, the moisture-permeable film F allows gas to pass through but not liquid. Due to the difference in height between the lid top surface 21 and the rim 211, the moisture-permeable film F is positioned slightly away from the lid top surface 21. Therefore, in addition to the area of the opening 212, the area between the outer periphery of the opening 212 and the inner edge of the rim 211 (i.e., the area shown as the lid top surface 21 in FIG. 3(a)) also contributes to the passage of gas, thereby providing advantageous moisture absorption performance. The moisture-permeable film must be strong enough to withstand repeated use. Therefore, a two-layer moisture-permeable film is preferably used, in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated to a porous film made of stretched polyethylene or polypropylene containing an inorganic filler. Alternatively, a three-layer moisture-permeable film may be used, in which a nonwoven fabric, a porous film, and another nonwoven fabric are laminated together to provide even greater strength.

[0022] A typical desiccant is made by applying a moisture-proof film over a moisture-permeable film, so the moisture-proof film must be adhered to the container. Furthermore, since the moisture-proof film must be peeled off when the desiccant is used, it must be easy to peel off without damaging the porous film layer. When a moisture-proof film is directly applied to a porous film made of stretched polyethylene or polypropylene containing inorganic fillers, it is difficult to easily peel off the porous film layer without damaging it. To solve this problem, porous films are often laminated with nonwoven fabric. This nonwoven fabric complements the strength of the porous film without impairing its moisture permeability as much as possible. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric must also be heat-sealable to facilitate adhesion to containers and moisture-proof films. For this reason, a sheath-core structure of PE and PET fibers is used for the nonwoven fabric. In the first embodiment, since a moisture-proof film is not required, the nonwoven fabric (at least one side of the nonwoven fabric in the case of a three-layer structure) does not need to be heat-sealed, and therefore cheaper PP or PET nonwoven fabric can be used instead of the expensive sheath-core nonwoven fabric. The inner periphery of the lid side surface 22 is formed with a female thread portion 221 that threads onto a male thread portion 121 (not shown) formed on the outer periphery of the upper body 12 of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. The thread is preferably a multiple-start thread so that it can be opened and closed with fewer turns. In the first embodiment, a double-start thread is used, but a four-start thread may also be used. Alternatively, instead of the female thread portion 221, a lug (claw) may be provided on the inner periphery of the lid side surface 22 to form a cap that is tightened around the male thread portion 121, a so-called twist cap. As described above, near the end of the tightening operation of the lid 2, the operator feels an increase in torque resistance and finally a click, allowing them to confirm that the lid is securely closed. In addition, because the top surface shape of the lid 3 is the same shape (chamfered rectangular) as the lower body 11 of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 (both not shown), the operator can visually confirm that the lid is closed. In other words, the operator only needs to check whether the shapes are aligned.

[0023] (Configuration of the tablet placement shelf) Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a tablet placing shelf in a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 4(a) being a top view and Figure 4(b) being a front view. Tablet placing shelf 3 has a shelf bottom surface 31, shelf side surfaces 32, and a flange portion 33. As shown in Figure 4(b), the overall shape is a truncated cone in which shelf bottom surface 31 is smaller than the upper side where flange portion 33 is located.

[0024] The shelf bottom surface 31 is provided with bottom holes 311. The bottom holes 311 function to allow the deliquescent liquid of the refill tablets T to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. The bottom holes 311 are arranged at predetermined intervals so that multiple arc-shaped holes are positioned along multiple concentric circles arranged at different radii. As shown in FIG. 4(a), four holes are arranged at the innermost circumference, followed by eight holes, and twelve holes are arranged at the outermost circumference. Note that the shape of the holes may be any appropriate shape, such as elongated holes instead of arc-shaped, as long as the desired performance for allowing the deliquescent liquid to flow down can be exhibited.

[0025] The shelf side surface 32 is provided with side holes 321. The side holes 321 also contribute to allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets T to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. The side holes 321 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the periphery of the shelf side surface 32 so that eight rectangular holes (when viewed from the front; more precisely, the upper and lower edges of the rectangle are curved along the shelf side surface) are positioned. Any suitable shape can be adopted for the hole as long as it can achieve the desired performance of allowing the deliquescent liquid to flow down. Furthermore, if the bottom hole 311 alone can achieve sufficient deliquescent liquid flow performance, the side holes 321 can be omitted. Since the flow performance of the deliquescent liquid varies depending on the usage environment due to factors such as the frequency of recrystallization, it is conceivable to vary the specifications depending on, for example, the sales region.

[0026] The edge 13 (not shown) of the opening of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 is sized to be a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. The flange portion 33 of the tablet storage shelf 3 is also appropriately sized from the bottom surface of the tablet storage shelf 3. Since the tablet T has a specific thickness, the upper surface of the tablet T is located at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. As a result, the distance between the upper surface of the tablet T and the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film F facing it above is close and approximately predetermined at the start of use. This distance is set to be closer than the distance between the moisture-permeable film and the granular moisture absorbent in conventional tank-type dehumidifiers by setting the dimensions of the hanging edge 222 of the lid 2 as described above, which contributes to moisture absorption performance. This will be described later.

[0027] (How to use a dehumidifier) A method of using the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. (1) Prepare the dedicated container before use and the refill tablets T stored in a transparent bag. (2) The lid 2 attached to the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 is turned in the opening direction to remove the lid 2. The tablet-mounting shelf 3 is already attached to the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 from which the lid 2 has been removed. If this is not the case, the tablet-mounting shelf 3 is attached to the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 by placing the flange portion 33 of the tablet-mounting shelf 3 on the edge 13 of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. (3) Open the refill tablet T. (4) The removed refill tablets T are placed inside the tablet placement shelf 3. (5) Turn the lid 2 in the closing direction relative to the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 until the torque resistance increases, a clicking sensation is felt, and it is confirmed that the shape of the lid 2 overlaps with the shape of the lower part 11 of the main body of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1, and then the cap is tightened. (6) Place the dehumidifier in the space you want to dehumidify, such as a closet, dresser, or shoe cabinet, and dehumidify the space. (7) When all the tablets T have been deliquesced and the dehumidifying performance has decreased, the lid 2 and the tablet placement shelf 3 are removed and the deliquescent liquid accumulated in the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 is discarded by pouring it out. In addition, the inside of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1 and the tablet placement shelf 3 are cleaned as necessary. After (8), the process returns to (2) above, and new refill tablets T can be used for reuse.

[0028] (Dehumidifier moisture absorption performance) Based on the inventors' research, it appears that tablet-type moisture absorbents have been used overseas. However, there is no special container or other device for this purpose; the tablets are simply placed in a suitable container via a sieve and used. As mentioned above, to improve the moisture absorption performance of a dehumidifier, a large contact area between the deliquescent moisture absorbent and the air must be ensured, so granular moisture absorbents tend to be preferred. In fact, when experiments were conducted to confirm the difference in moisture absorption performance using equal volumes of granular and tablet-type moisture absorbents, a clear and significant difference in moisture absorption performance was observed. It goes without saying that tablets are easier to handle, but granular moisture absorbents are overwhelmingly used overseas as well. This is likely due to the emphasis on moisture absorption performance.

[0029] As mentioned above, tablets are placed in a suitable container with a sieve in between, and then used. However, this suitable container does not have a moisture-permeable film that is moisture-permeable but water-impermeable. One of the purposes of using a moisture-permeable film is to prevent the deliquescent liquid from spilling into a dresser or other place if the dehumidifier is accidentally turned upside down. Thus, the moisture-permeable film is a feature unique to Japanese products that emphasize ease of use, but such considerations are not given in other countries.

[0030] The present inventor also conducted moisture absorption performance experiments on the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a dehumidifier in which refill tablets T are placed in a dedicated container. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a comparative test was conducted on the relationship between the number of days elapsed and the amount of moisture absorbed when the first embodiment and a conventional tank-type dehumidifier were placed in an atmosphere with a temperature of 25±2°C and a humidity of (80±5)%. The objective of the present invention is to significantly reduce the amount of plastic used and to reduce transportation and storage costs. The inventors had thought that some sacrifice in moisture absorption performance was unavoidable, but the results were surprising. As shown in FIG. 5, the first embodiment was confirmed to have moisture absorption performance that was in no way inferior to the conventional tank-type dehumidifier. The reason for this is believed to be as follows: When comparing the deliquescence speed of a deliquescent substance of the same weight and concentration in a "multiple granules" form and a "single tablet" form without using a moisture-permeable film, the granule form, with its larger surface area, is superior. However, in a dehumidifier equipped with a moisture-permeable film, it is presumed that the "flow rate of water vapor drawn into the container via the moisture-permeable film" is determined by the "performance of the moisture-permeable film," the "area of the opening of the lid and the top of the container," the "surface area of the deliquescent material," and the "distance between the deliquescent material and the moisture-permeable film," based on the structure of the dehumidifier. In the first embodiment, these parameters can be easily adjusted, and in particular, it is possible to set the distance between the deliquescent material and the moisture-permeable film to a close distance with high precision.

[0031] As shown in Figure 9, which explains a conventional tank-type dehumidifier, in the upper space where the granular moisture absorbent is stored, a certain amount of space is left between the granular moisture absorbent and the moisture-permeable film. This is based on the requirement that it is preferable not to pack the granular moisture absorbent too tightly in order to ensure a large contact area. Originally, the present invention aimed to make the device more compact from the perspective of cost reduction, so the distance between the moisture-permeable film and the refill tablets was set to be close, but this resulted in an unexpected effect.

[0032] Second Embodiment The dehumidifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment in that it is a dehumidifier that uses a combination of refill tablets and a dedicated container, and that it uses refill tablets T stored in a transparent bag with water vapor barrier properties and reuses the dedicated container. However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses two refill tablets T and, therefore, the sizes of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A and the tablet placement shelf 3A are larger. However, the same lid 2 as in the first embodiment is used.

[0033] (Configuration of deliquescent liquid storage vessel) Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a deliquescent liquid storage container in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 6(a) is a top view, Figure 6(b) is a front view, Figure 6(c) is a view from above with Figure 6(a) rotated 45 degrees, and Figure 6(d) is a view of Figure 6(c) from the front.

[0034] The deliquescent liquid storage container 1A is a composite container made up of a lower main body 11A having four chamfered sides of a rectangular parallelepiped, and an upper main body 12A which is a cylindrical portion connected to the lower main body 11A. When a tablet-mounting shelf 3A (not shown) is disposed, the area of the lower main body 11A partitioned by the underside of the tablet-mounting shelf 3A (not shown) has a volume sufficient to accommodate the deliquescent liquid generated when two tablets T are completely deliquesced, and in the second embodiment, this volume is set to 1000 cc. The upper main body 12A as a cylindrical portion is connected to the top of the lower main body 11A so as to be concentric with the central axis of the lower main body 11A. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the lower main body 11A are located at the four corners around the upper main body 12A, as shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0035] A male thread portion 121A is formed on the outer periphery of the upper body portion 12A, which is screwed into a female thread portion 221 (not shown) of the lid 2. The screw is preferably a multiple-start screw so that it can be opened and closed with a small number of turns, and although a double-start screw is used in the second embodiment, it may also be a four-start screw.

[0036] The top edge 13A of the upper main body portion 12A functions to support the flange portion 33A (neither shown) of the tablet placing shelf 3A, so that the tablet placing shelf 3A (not shown) is positioned at a predetermined height from the internal bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A.

[0037] Two triangular protrusions 122A and two bulging portions 123A are arranged at 90-degree intervals near the boundary where the top surface of the lower body 11A and the upper body 12A are joined. Due to the triangular protrusions 122A and the bulging portions 123A, the operator feels an increase in torque resistance as the tightening operation of the lid 2 is about to finish, and finally feels a click, allowing the operator to confirm that the lid has been securely closed.

[0038] (Configuration of the tablet placement shelf) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a tablet placing shelf in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 7(a) being a top view and Figure 7(b) being a front view. Tablet placing shelf 3A has a shelf bottom surface 31A, shelf side surfaces 32A, and a flange portion 33A. As shown in Figure 7(b), the overall shape is a truncated cone in which shelf bottom surface 31A is smaller than the upper side where flange portion 33A is located.

[0039] The shelf bottom surface 31A is provided with bottom holes 311A. The bottom holes 311A function to allow the deliquescent liquid of the tablets T to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A. The bottom holes 311A are arranged at predetermined intervals so that multiple arc-shaped holes are positioned along multiple concentric circles arranged at different radii. As shown in FIG. 7(a), four holes are arranged at the innermost circumference, followed by eight holes, and twelve holes are arranged at the outermost circumference. Note that the shape of the holes may be any appropriate shape, such as elongated holes instead of arc-shaped, as long as the desired performance for allowing the deliquescent liquid to flow down can be exhibited.

[0040] The shelf side surface 32A is provided with side holes 321A. The side holes 321A also contribute to allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets T to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container 1. The side holes 321 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the outer periphery of the shelf side surface 32 so that eight rectangular holes (when viewed from the front; more precisely, the upper and lower edges of the rectangle are curved along the shelf side surface) are positioned. Any appropriate shape can be adopted for the hole shape as long as it can exhibit the desired performance of allowing the deliquescent liquid to flow down. Furthermore, if sufficient deliquescent liquid flow performance can be exhibited by the bottom hole 311A alone, the side holes 321A can be omitted.

[0041] The edge 13A (not shown) of the opening of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A is sized to be at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A. The flange portion 33A of the tablet storage shelf 3A is also sized appropriately from the bottom surface of the tablet storage shelf 3A. Since the refill tablets T have a specific thickness and the height (thickness) of two refill tablets T is also a predetermined, specific value, the upper surfaces of the refill tablets T are located at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container 1A. As a result, the gap between the upper surface of the refill tablets T and the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film F facing above it is a predetermined, predetermined size. This gap is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore, for the reasons explained above, the moisture absorption performance is excellent. However, if the deliquescence of the two refill tablets T progresses, the interval becomes larger than that in the first embodiment, which is undeniably a slight disadvantage in terms of deterioration of moisture absorption performance over time. However, the second embodiment is more advantageous than the first embodiment in that it can extend the period of use.

[0042] (How to use a dehumidifier) The method of using the dehumidifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention is not significantly different from that of the first embodiment. The only difference is that a refill tablet T containing two tablets in a transparent bag is prepared. Of course, if this is not possible, two bags of refill tablets T containing one tablet may be prepared. Two refill tablets T are placed in the dehumidifier, and the deliquescent liquid for the two tablets is discarded, allowing the dehumidifier to be reused in units of two tablets.

[0043] (Dehumidifier moisture absorption performance) As shown in Figure 8, a comparative test was conducted on the relationship between the number of days elapsed and the amount of moisture absorption when the tank-type dehumidifiers of the second embodiment and the conventional example were placed in an atmosphere of temperature 25±2°C and humidity (80±5)% at the start of use. As shown in Figure 8, the second embodiment showed results that slightly exceeded the moisture absorption performance of the conventional tank-type dehumidifier.

[0044] The dehumidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, and its structure has been explained. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes within the scope of the present invention are also included. For example, the rectangular shape common to the deliquescent liquid storage container and the lid may be circular. Although the visual confirmation function for lid closure completion is lost, the operator can sense completion of the operation simply by the increased torque resistance due to the triangular protrusions and bulges and the tactile click sensation. Furthermore, regardless of whether the shape is rectangular or circular, if a twist cap is used, the triangular protrusions and bulges can be omitted. This is because a twist cap is tightened by feeling resistance due to lugs (claws) on the inner periphery of the lid.

[0045] In the embodiment, the engagement portion for positioning the tablet-mounting shelf is the edge of the top surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container, and the tablet-mounting shelf is a flange portion, but other engagement means may be used as long as the tablet-mounting shelf can be properly set at a predetermined height position, such as a configuration in which a recess provided on the inner surface of the container engages with a protrusion provided on the tablet-mounting shelf.

[0046] In the embodiment, the shape of the tablet placement shelf is a truncated cone, but it may also be cylindrical. Similarly, the refill tablets T are preferably truncated cone or cylindrical in shape in order to efficiently fit them on the middle shelf, but they may also be spherical, and the shape is not particularly limited as long as they fit on the middle shelf. For the reasons explained in the section on the moisture absorption performance of the dehumidifier, moisture absorption performance may be somewhat sacrificed, but since the objective of the present invention is to reuse resources and reduce transportation and storage costs, a decrease in moisture absorption performance does not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0047] As mentioned above, the size and shape of the bottom and side holes can be appropriately selected as long as they perform their intended functions. However, it is also possible to prepare separate types for summer and winter and spring and autumn, and use them interchangeably depending on the season. In seasons with large temperature differences (cold and hot), it is advantageous to use larger hole sizes because the holes are prone to clogging due to recrystallization. Conversely, if the container is intended for use in seasons when recrystallization is less likely, the bottom holes can be made small enough to prevent granular moisture absorbents from passing through, making the granular type suitable for refilling, and creating a container that can be used for both tablet and granular types. Compared to conventional dehumidifiers, which require users to peel off the moisture-permeable film and discard the entire container, the ability to reuse the container without discarding it contributes to cost reduction. Thus, from the perspective of the invention of a dehumidifier container, even if a granular moisture absorbent is used, it does not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Deliquescent liquid storage vessel 11 Bottom of the main body 12 Top of the main body 121 Male thread 122 Triangular process 123 Bulge 2 lid 21 Lid top surface 211 Periphery 212 Opening 22 Lid side part 221 Female thread 222 Drooping edge 3 Tablet shelf 31 Bottom of shelf 311 Bottom hole 32 Shelf side 321 Side hole 33 Flange 1A Deliquescent liquid storage vessel 11A Bottom of the main body 12A Upper part of the main body 121A Male thread part 122A Triangular protrusion 123A Bulge 3A Tablet shelf 31A Shelf bottom 311A Bottom hole 32A Shelf side 321A side hole 33A flange T Tablets (refill tablets)

Claims

1. A dehumidifier that uses a combination of one tablet and a dedicated container, The tablet is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a compressed state of a deliquescent substance, The dedicated container comprises a deliquescent liquid storage container, a lid, and a shelf for placing tablets, the deliquescent liquid storage container has an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-placing shelf at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface, and is capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets; the lid ensures a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-placing shelf interposed therebetween, has an opening on its top surface, and the opening is sealed with a moisture-permeable film; The tablet-placing shelf has holes at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and has a concave overall shape, and has a depth sufficient to store the tablets, while the shelf portion on the bottom is set so that when one tablet is placed on it, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablet are closely spaced from each other. A dehumidifier characterized by:

2. A dehumidifier that uses a combination of two tablets and a dedicated container, The tablet is a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a compressed state of a deliquescent substance, The dedicated container comprises a deliquescent liquid storage container, a lid, and a shelf for placing tablets, the deliquescent liquid storage container has an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-placing shelf at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface, and is capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets; the lid ensures a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-placing shelf interposed therebetween, has an opening on its top surface, and the opening is sealed with a moisture-permeable film; The tablet-placing shelf has holes at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and has a concave overall shape. The shelf has a depth sufficient to accommodate the tablets, and the shelf portion on the bottom is configured so that when two tablets are placed on the shelf, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablets are spaced closely together. A dehumidifier characterized by:

3. The engaging portion is an edge of the upper surface of the deliquescent liquid storage container, and the engaged portion of the tablet-placing shelf is a flange provided on the tablet-placing shelf.

3. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A dehumidifier container that can be used as a dehumidifier by storing one tablet as a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a compressed state of a deliquescent substance, The deliquescent liquid storage container includes a lid and a shelf for placing tablets. the deliquescent liquid storage container has an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-placing shelf at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface, and is capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets; the lid ensures a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-placing shelf interposed therebetween, has an opening on its top surface, and the opening is sealed with a moisture-permeable film; The tablet-placing shelf has holes at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and has a concave overall shape, and has a depth sufficient to store the tablets, while the shelf portion on the bottom is set so that when one tablet is placed on it, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablet are closely spaced from each other. A dehumidifier container characterized by:

5. A dehumidifier container that can be used as a dehumidifier by storing two tablets as a deliquescent moisture absorbent in a compressed state of a deliquescent substance, The deliquescent liquid storage container includes a lid and a shelf for placing tablets. the deliquescent liquid storage container has an engaging portion for arranging the tablet-placing shelf at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface, and is capable of storing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets; the lid ensures a robust connection with the deliquescent liquid storage container with the tablet-placing shelf interposed therebetween, has an opening on its top surface, and the opening is sealed with a moisture-permeable film; The tablet-placing shelf has holes at least at the bottom for allowing the deliquescent liquid of the tablets to flow down into the deliquescent liquid storage container, and has a concave overall shape. The shelf has a depth sufficient to accommodate the tablets, and the shelf portion on the bottom is configured so that when two tablets are placed on the shelf, the lower surface of the moisture-permeable film and the upper surface of the tablets are spaced closely together. A dehumidifier container characterized by:

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