Tick trap

Abstract

To provide a mite trap that attracts mites with a mite attractant to guide the mites into a nonwoven fabric bag and make them stay there, where the mites are dried and killed with silica gel, while their dead bodies are prevented from getting out of the bag.SOLUTION: A mite trap includes B-type crushed silica gel having a mite attractant carried thereon, the silica gel accommodated in a nonwoven fabric container. The B-type crushed silica gel contains 50 mass% or more of particles with a particle size of 180-850 μm. The nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of 10-50 g / m2.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mite trap that attracts house dust mites, such as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, which cause allergies, into a container made of nonwoven fabric and then dries them out to death inside the container. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, homes have become more airtight, and heating and cooling systems have been used to maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity throughout the house. The ideal environment for dust mites to thrive is a temperature of 20-30°C and a humidity of 60% or higher, which often overlaps with the temperature and humidity experienced by humans in their everyday lives. This has led to dust mites appearing and breeding in homes, bedding, rugs, tatami mats, and other areas, regardless of the season.

[0003] Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae are known to be common dust mites in homes. Although these dust mites do not directly harm humans by sucking blood or biting, their live bodies, droppings, and dead bodies have all been known to cause allergic diseases. Furthermore, chigger mites, which feed on dust mites, multiply, resulting in bites and injuries to humans. Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate these dust mites from the living environment as much as possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-308706 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-206834 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-247410 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional countermeasures against dust mites include spraying insecticides, washing, using adhesive mite trapping sheets, and vacuuming to remove the mites.

[0006] When using chemicals such as insecticides, widespread treatment is required because mites are widespread in living environments, and there is a possibility of direct contact between humans and the chemicals, or absorption through the respiratory system due to evaporation of residual chemicals, which can cause health problems. In reality, it is difficult to apply these chemicals to bedding and rugs where mites frequently live.

[0007] Because mites are susceptible to heat and dryness, it is recommended to wash all bedding, but this is difficult to do frequently due to the time and expense involved. Also, if bedding is not completely dried after washing, there is a risk that the remaining moisture will increase the number of mites.

[0008] Some mite trapping sheets use an attractive odor to attract mites and trap them with adhesives. However, because mites are small and light, they cannot be captured with the adhesives used in standard adhesive tapes. Therefore, specialized, soft adhesives are required, but they are prone to problems during use, such as adhesive leakage and bleeding, making them difficult to handle. Furthermore, even mites sense and avoid adhesives; few mites are captured by adhesives themselves, making them inefficient. Another problem with adhesive products is that they gradually lose their adhesiveness as dust and other particles accumulate during use. Some commercially available sheets emit strong odors from their attractants. If the odor transfers to bedding or rugs, not only will the odor continue to linger in those areas even after the sheet is removed, but they may also continue to attract mites.

[0009] Although vacuuming is an effective method, the suction power only reaches the surface of bedding and rugs, and it is known that mites present on the surface cling to the fibers and resist the suction power. The suction power does not reach mites, carcasses, or feces in deeper layers, making it an incomplete solution despite the effort required.

[0010] Furthermore, no effective measures have been taken to inhibit the proliferation of mites that are collected in the dust storage area inside the vacuum cleaner after being sucked up by the vacuum cleaner.

[0011] Dust mites are naturally common in ordinary homes, and the number of mites in bedding and rugs is usually not large enough to cause problems. However, even in such homes, a considerable number of mites live in the dust storage area of vacuum cleaners, which is a dust accumulation area.

[0012] Some say that mites die from the impact when they are sucked into a vacuum cleaner, but in reality, they are sucked in along with the dust. The mites cling to the dust, which acts as a cushion for them to survive, and they survive and reproduce well by feeding on food scraps, human skin, and nails contained in the dust.

[0013] The dust storage section of a vacuum cleaner is not sealed due to its structure, so when the vacuum cleaner is not in use, the mites that have been sucked in and captured escape from the dust storage section entrance, exhaust section, and other openable parts, and move outside the dust storage section and even outside the vacuum cleaner.

[0014] Unless the proliferation of mites inside the vacuum cleaner is suppressed, the allergen droppings and dead bodies will continue to increase in or near the dust storage area. These will break down into small pieces due to drying, vibration, and the air currents sucked in, and will be scattered throughout the living environment as allergens.

[0015] Although suctioning and removing mites with a vacuum cleaner is an effective method for removing allergens from inside a house, it is preferable to quickly kill mites trapped in a dust storage area along with dust and prevent them from being released outside.

[0016] In the field of vacuum cleaner dust collection bags, a method is known in which foamed resin containing an attractant is used as an attractant, which is then scattered indoors and then sucked up, as described in Patent Document 1. This attracts mites over a wide area indoors and then sucks them up with a vacuum cleaner, but it is necessary to wait until the mites are attracted to the attractant scattered indoors, which causes problems such as making the room unusable during that time.

[0017] In addition, Patent Document 2 proposes installing a vacuum cleaner dust bag with silica gel fixed inside the vacuum cleaner. This involves fixing the silica gel to the inner surface of the dust bag using a resin as a binder, but this reduces the breathability of the dust bag and reduces suction power. Furthermore, because it does not have the effect of attracting mites, it is unable to retain mites inside the dust bag and is not effective in preventing mites from escaping. The detailed description of the invention in Patent Document 2 also mentions, as an example, inserting a small bag containing silica gel powder wrapped in cloth or synthetic fiber to prevent spillage into the dust bag. However, if a single dust bag contains both mites and small bags containing silica gel, the mites will not approach the silica gel unless some kind of attractant is added. Therefore, even if the silica gel has a dehydration-killing effect on nearby mites, the effect will not extend to the entire dust bag.

[0018] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a method in which benzyl propionate, geranyl acetate, and nerolidol are supported on silica gel or the like and sprayed to attract mites, which are then sucked up and exterminated with a vacuum cleaner. However, no ingenuity is found in the method for containing the mites in a specific nonwoven fabric to prevent them from scattering.

[0019] As described above, all of the conventional methods have had some room for improvement. The object of the present invention is to provide a mite trap that uses a substance that attracts mites, leads them into a nonwoven fabric container, and dries and kills them with silica gel inside the container, while preventing the mite carcasses from escaping from the nonwoven fabric container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] A mite trap in which B-type crushed silica gel carrying a mite attractant is housed in a nonwoven fabric container, the B-type crushed silica gel containing particles having a particle diameter of 180 to 850 μm in an amount of 50 mass % or more, and the nonwoven fabric is made of 10 to 50 g / m 2 The above problem is solved by a mite trap with a basis weight of 1.

[0021] It is preferable that the mite trap is of a size that can be installed in the dust storage section inside the vacuum cleaner, and that by installing it in the dust storage section, it prevents the proliferation of mites or the spread of their droppings or dead bodies. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mite trap that uses a substance that attracts mites, leads them into a nonwoven container where they remain, dries the mites to death using silica gel inside the nonwoven container, and prevents the mites from escaping from the nonwoven container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the mite trap of the present invention will now be described.

[0024] The mite trap of the present invention is a mite trap in which B-type crushed silica gel carrying a mite attractant is housed in a nonwoven fabric container, the B-type crushed silica gel containing 50 mass % or more of particles having a particle diameter in the range of 180 to 850 μm, and the nonwoven fabric is made of 10 to 50 g / m 2 In this specification, the range of particle size is determined by a sieving method using a mesh (sieve).

[0025] Although there are no particular limitations on mite attractants (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as attractants), neryl propionate or geranyl propionate are particularly useful. These mite attractants have a floral scent. Some mite attractants have a fishy smell or other scents that are unpleasant to humans, but these mite attractants are preferred because they are less likely to cause unpleasant feelings when smelled by humans. Furthermore, the above mite attractants are also preferred in terms of their excellent mite attracting properties and long-lasting effects.

[0026] When neryl propionate or geranyl propionate is used as an attractant, it is preferable to contain at least one of neryl propionate and geranyl propionate. That is, each may be used alone or in combination. It is also possible to use them in combination with other attractants. Note that nerol and geraniol, which are the bases of the above-mentioned neryl propionate and geranyl propionate, only exhibit weak attractant effects when used alone, and only function effectively as long-lasting attractants when combined with propionic acid.

[0027] To support an attractant on silica gel, for example, a liquid containing the attractant is brought into contact with silica gel, which is a solid porous body. As a result, the attractant is supported in the pores of the silica gel. In this case, the amount of attractant is preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of silica gel to be supported. The concentration of the attractant in the liquid is not particularly limited, but can be 90 to 100% by mass.

[0028] The silica gel is required to carry the fragrance as an attractant and at the same time deprive the mites of moisture. For this purpose, crushed type B silica gel with a particle size in the range of 180 to 850 μm is suitable, and crushed type B silica gel with a particle size in the range of 350 to 850 μm is even more suitable.

[0029] Depending on the manufacturing process, type B crushed silica gel may contain particles outside the 180-850 μm particle size range. From the perspective of drying and killing Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, type B crushed silica gel containing 50% by mass or more of particles with a particle size range of 180-850 μm as determined by a sieving method is used. It is more preferable to use type B crushed silica gel containing 80% by mass or more of particles with a particle size range of 180-850 μm, more preferably to use type B crushed silica gel containing 90% by mass or more of particles with a particle size range of 180-850 μm, and even more preferably to use type B crushed silica gel containing 94% by mass or more of particles with a particle size range of 180-850 μm. The upper limit of the content of particles with a particle size range of 180-850 μm is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 100% by mass or less. If it is difficult to completely separate particles outside the 180-850 μm particle size range, it may be 98% by mass or less.

[0030] Suitable silica gels that can be used include, for example, Fuji Silica Gel B type crushed silica gel (20 to 40 mesh, 30 to 80 mesh) manufactured by Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd., and B type crushed silica gel (20 to 40 mesh, 30 to 80 mesh) manufactured by Toyoda Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

[0031] Generally, mites are organisms that retain a lot of moisture in their bodies, and depriving them of that moisture can relatively easily lead to their death by dehydration. Compared to type A silica gel, type B silica gel has a higher moisture absorption capacity in high-humidity environments. This allows it to further dehydrate mites, which already contain a lot of moisture, even in high-humidity environments. Furthermore, because type B silica gel has moisture absorption and desorption properties, it releases moisture into the environment after dehydrating mites, allowing for repeated use without further intervention. Examples of desiccants used include type A silica gel, calcium oxide, and calcium chloride. These quickly absorb moisture, but do not release moisture without artificial processing, and once saturated, they have no effect even if mites are nearby.

[0032] In addition, crushed silica gel is particularly selected in this invention. The sharp cross-section of this silica gel damages the mite's body as it moves through the silica gel, making it easier for the mite to lose moisture. Mites generally have the ability to burrow into narrow spaces and form clusters in such places, so they tend to gather in the gaps between silica gel particles. Dust mites have a body length of approximately 100 to 400 μm, and crushed silica gel with a particle diameter of 180 to 850 μm forms gaps large enough for mites to easily burrow into, making it preferable for mites to remain in the gaps in the silica gel. If the silica gel is smaller than 180 μm, there are no gaps for mites to burrow into, reducing the effectiveness of drying and killing them. Furthermore, if the silica gel is larger than 850 μm, the gaps become too large, reducing the effectiveness of drying and killing them.

[0033] Spherical silica gel has a smaller surface area than crushed silica gel of the same weight, so it is less effective at depriving mites of moisture and does not damage the surface of the mites' bodies, making it less effective for this purpose.

[0034] Nonwoven fabric: 10 to 50 g / m 2 Examples of nonwoven fabrics that can be used include spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and thermally bonded nonwoven fabrics made by thermally fusing fibers, chemically bonded nonwoven fabrics in which fibers are bonded with a binder, and spunlaced nonwoven fabrics in which fibers are entangled with a high-pressure water jet, and these may be used alone or in combination, or different materials may be combined with the nonwoven fabric.

[0035] The nonwoven fabric described above is made by bonding and holding the contact points of randomly overlapping fibers together using heat, binders, or friction between the fibers, forming a three-dimensional structure with the fibers. Mites can penetrate the interior by forcing their way through the maze-like fibers or by choosing places where they can pass through, but dead mites are blocked by the fibers and have difficulty escaping.

[0036] Here, if the basis weight of any nonwoven fabric is too small, the distance between fibers becomes too large and the fabric becomes coarse, making it impossible to retain silica gel. On the other hand, if the basis weight is too large, the fiber density becomes too high, making it difficult for dust mites to enter. For this purpose, a weight of 10 to 50 g / m 2 A weight of 15 to 30 g / m is suitable. 2 is a more preferable range.

[0037] When using nonwoven fabric to create a container for storing silica gel, a bag-shaped one is most suitable, but there are no particular limitations on the size or shape of the bag. For example, when installing a trap in the dust storage section of a vacuum cleaner, if a square bag with a side length of 5 cm or less is formed, the trap can be sucked through the suction port of the vacuum cleaner and settled in the dust storage section, thereby suppressing mite proliferation there. The lower limit of the side is not particularly limited, but can be 2 cm or more due to operational constraints in the heat sealing process. In addition, when applied to a wide range of areas such as bedding and carpets, it can be processed to A4 size or newspaper size. The size of the nonwoven fabric container can be changed depending on the usage situation, and the mite attracting and killing effect of the present invention can be utilized.

[0038] Furthermore, conventionally known methods for making bags can be used, and there are no particular limitations on the methods, including ultrasonic processing, heat sealing, and pasting with adhesives or glue.

[0039] Needle-punched nonwoven fabrics and stitch-bonded nonwoven fabrics are generally thick and have dense fibers, so they may be less resistant to dust mites. [Example]

[0040] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0041] B-type crushed silica gel (A) containing 95% by mass of the following B-type crushed silica gel particles of 350 to 850 μm, with the remainder being particles of other particle sizes; B-type crushed silica gel (B) containing 95% by mass of the following B-type crushed silica gel particles of 180 to 550 μm, with the remainder being particles of other particle sizes; or B-type spherical silica gel (C) containing 95% by mass of the following 1 to 3 mm B-type spherical silica gel particles, with the remainder being particles of other particle sizes; A liquid preparation (A) containing the following neryl propionate, or By mixing with the liquid agent (B) containing geranyl propionate described below, the liquid attractant was supported in the pores of the B-type crushed silica gel to obtain an attractant. The particle size mentioned above was determined by sieving.

[0042] The liquid preparation (A) containing neryl propionate is manufactured by Inoue Perfumery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and its product name is neryl propionate, with a neryl propionate content of 98% by mass or more.

[0043] The liquid preparation (B) containing geranyl propionate is manufactured by Inoue Perfumery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and its product name is Geranyl Propionate, and the content of geranyl propionate is 96% by mass or more.

[0044] When mixing the B-type crushed silica gel with the liquid agent, 100 parts by weight of the B-type crushed silica gel was mixed with 10 parts by weight of each liquid agent.

[0045] Weight 30g / m 2 A 4 x 4 cm square nonwoven bag was prepared from the spunbond nonwoven fabric, and 1 g of each attractant prepared by the above method was placed inside and sealed with a heat sealer to prepare the mite traps according to Examples 1 to 3. The combinations of nonwoven fabric, silica gel, or attractant (fragrance) used in the mite traps of Examples 1 to 3 are as follows:

[0046] [Example 1] Nonwoven fabric: spunbond nonwoven fabric 30g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type crushed silica gel (A) 350-850 μm Fragrance: Neryl propionate solution (A)

[0047] [Example 2] Nonwoven fabric: spunbond nonwoven fabric 30g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type crushed silica gel (B) 180-550 μm Fragrance: Neryl propionate solution (A)

[0048] [Example 3] Nonwoven fabric: spunbond nonwoven fabric 30g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type crushed silica gel (A) 350-850 μm Fragrance: Geranyl propionate solution (B)

[0049] Weight 30g / m 2 Spunbond nonwoven fabric or basis weight 70g / m 2 A 4 x 4 cm square nonwoven bag was prepared from the needle-punched nonwoven fabric, and 1 g of each attractant prepared by the above method or crushed B-type silica gel not carrying fragrance was placed inside, and the bag was sealed with a heat sealer to prepare the mite traps according to Comparative Examples 1 to 3. The combinations of nonwoven fabric, silica gel, or attractant (fragrance) used in the mite traps of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are as follows:

[0050] [Comparative Example 1] Nonwoven fabric: spunbond nonwoven fabric 30g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type spherical silica gel (C) 1-3 mm Flavoring: Liquid containing neryl propionate (A)

[0051] Comparative Example 2 Nonwoven fabric: needle-punched nonwoven fabric 70g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type crushed silica gel (A) 350-850 μm Flavoring: Liquid containing neryl propionate (A)

[0052] Comparative Example 3 Nonwoven fabric: spunbond nonwoven fabric 30g / m 2 Silica gel: B-type crushed silica gel (A) 350-850 μm Fragrance: None

[0053] [Test 1] The test used Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mites bred in a laboratory. The mite traps according to Examples 1 to 3 were placed on a sheet of paper, and 0.1 g of the medium-mite mixture (equivalent to approximately 1,000 mites) was placed 40 cm apart. After 72 hours, the bags were collected and the number of mites that had invaded the bags was counted.

[0054] [Table 1]

[0055] Test 2 In four monitor households, the mite traps according to Example 1 or Comparative Example 1 were placed under futons or carpets for one month, and the number of trapped mites was counted.

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] Test 3 In four monitor households, the mite traps according to Example 1 and Comparative Example 3 were simultaneously sucked into the same vacuum cleaner, and the number of mites captured in the dust storage section of the vacuum cleaner was counted.

[0058] [Table 3]

[0059] The results of Test 3 show that the mite trap of the present invention can efficiently capture mites by installing it in the dust storage section of a vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, as can be seen from the results of Tests 1 and 2, it can also be installed in places where dust tends to accumulate, such as under bedding or rugs where mites are abundant, behind furniture, or in corners of rooms. Thus, the mite trap of the present invention contributes to inhibiting the proliferation of mites and the spread of mite allergens in homes, thereby reducing and preventing mite allergies.

Claims

1. This is a mite trap that contains B-type crushed silica gel carrying a mite attractant in a nonwoven fabric container. The B-type crushed silica gel contains 50% by mass or more of particles having a particle diameter in the range of 180 to 850 μm, The nonwoven fabric has a density of 10 to 50 g / m 2 A mite trap with a mesh size of .

2. The mite trap of claim 1 is of a size that can be installed in a dust storage section inside a vacuum cleaner, and when installed in the dust storage section, prevents the proliferation of mites or the spread of their droppings or dead bodies.

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