Additive for water in humidifier

Abstract

The present invention provides an additive capable of enhancing various effects by a humidifier. Provided is an additive to be added to water used in a humidifier (100). The additive contains trehalose.

Description

Humidifier water additive

[0001] The present invention relates to an additive that is added to the water that is replenished in a humidifier.

[0002] Various types of humidifiers have been known for some time. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-156021 (Patent Document 1) discloses a tank tip-prevention structure for a humidifier. According to Patent Document 1, this humidifier comprises a humidifier main body incorporating heating devices such as a heater, and a water supply tank detachably attached to the humidifier main body. The water supply tank has a handle at the center of the bottom side and a water supply port on the side of the bottom that opens and closes via a cap equipped with a valve mechanism. The water supply tank is formed into a hollow box shape by an outer casing member made of a transparent resin material and having a concave cross section, and a bottom member provided with the handle and the water supply port. A mirror partition plate with mirrored front and back surfaces is vertically disposed in the center of the thickness direction of the hollow box-shaped outer casing, and multiple tank chambers are defined within the outer casing through the mirror partition plate, allowing communication within the outer casing.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-156021

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an additive that can enhance various effects of a humidifier.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additive for addition to water utilized in a humidifier, the additive comprising trehalose.

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides an additive that can enhance various effects of a humidifier.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a humidifier according to a first embodiment; 2 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to the first embodiment; 3 is a front view of a base unit according to the first embodiment; 4 is an upper perspective view of a head unit according to the first embodiment; 5 is an image diagram showing the introduction of an additive into an aluminum pouch according to the first embodiment; 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a humidifier according to the first embodiment; 7 is a graph showing the effect of a photocatalyst according to the first embodiment; 8 is a front view of an aluminum pouch according to the first embodiment; 9 is a rear view of an aluminum pouch according to the first embodiment; 10 is an image diagram showing an active ingredient contained in an additive according to the first embodiment; 11 is a diagram showing experimental results for a first user when using the additive according to the first embodiment; 12 is a diagram showing experimental results for a second user when using the additive according to the first embodiment; 13 is a diagram showing experimental results for a third user when using the additive according to the first embodiment; 14 is a front view of a humidifier according to a fourth embodiment; 15 is a front view of another type of humidifier according to the fourth embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. [First embodiment] <Overall configuration of humidifier>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a humidifier 100 that uses an additive according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0010] The exterior of the humidifier 100 is mainly composed of a main body cover 101 , a base portion 110 , and a head portion 120 .

[0011] A spray pipe 104 is provided inside the main body cover 101. A water supply tank 102 is housed inside the main body cover 101 from above.

[0012] The water supply tank 102 is configured to be removable from the main body cover 101 and the base part 110. A water supply valve 103 is provided at the bottom end of the water supply tank 102, and water is continuously supplied so that the amount of water in the sterilization tank 109 (described later) is always constant.

[0013] The spray pipe 104 is configured integrally with the main body cover 101. The lower end of the spray pipe 104 is connected to the upper opening of the sterilization tank 109, and sends the water vapor generated in the sterilization tank 109 to the head part 120.

[0014] A control board 111 is housed inside the lower part of the base part 110. The control board 111 is equipped with an LED light 112, a microcomputer (described later), and the like.

[0015] A sterilization tank 109 for temporarily storing water from the water supply tank 102 is provided on the upper part of the base part 110 in a portion located inside the main body cover 101 .

[0016] An LED light 112 covered with glass or resin is arranged on the bottom surface of the sterilization tank 109 facing upward.

[0017] In the sterilization tank 109 , a photocatalytic plate 113 is placed directly above the LED light 112 .

[0018] An ultrasonic element 114 is also disposed on the bottom surface of the sterilization tank 109 .

[0019] A blower fan 115 is provided below the sterilization tank 109. The blower fan 115 is disposed near the lower end of the spray pipe 104.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a power key 131, a spray key 132, an intermittent operation key 133, an indicator 134, and the like are arranged on the front surface of the base portion 110.

[0021] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a head portion 120 is detachably attached to the upper end of the main body cover 101 .

[0022] A smart head 121 serving as a steam outlet is provided in the head unit 120 directly above the spray pipe 104. The smart head 121 is configured to be rotatable up, down, left, and right within a range of about 30 degrees, allowing the steam to be sprayed from the spray pipe 104 in the direction desired by the user.

[0023] 4, the head portion 120 is provided with an aroma tray 122. An aroma felt 123 can be placed on the aroma tray 122, and the aroma desired by the user can be impregnated into the steam.

[0024] Returning to Figs. 1 and 2, with this configuration, a user can use the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment in the following manner.

[0025] First, the user removes the head unit 120 and pulls out the water supply tank 102 from the main body cover 101. The user turns the water supply tank 102 upside down, removes the water supply valve 103, and pours water into the tank.

[0026] At this time, the user can add an additive for the humidifier into the water supply tank 102, as shown in Figure 5. The additive will be described later.

[0027] 1 and 2 , the user closes the water supply valve 103, turns the water supply tank 102 upside down, and stores it inside the main body cover 101. This supplies a certain amount of water into the sterilization tank 109. When the user presses the power key 131, the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115 are driven. The LED light 112 is turned on, causing sterilization on the surface of the photocatalyst plate 113. At the same time, the ultrasonic element 114 is driven, causing the water in the sterilization tank 109 to turn into steam, which begins to accumulate at the top of the sterilization tank 109. The blower fan 115 is driven, causing the steam to rise inside the spray pipe 104, and steam containing the additive is sprayed out from the smart head 121.

[0028] Next, the functional configuration of the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The humidifier 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a microcomputer 111X on a control board 111, an LED light 112, an ultrasonic element 114, a blower fan 115, a power key 131, a spray key 132, an intermittent operation key 133, and an indicator 134.

[0029] The microcomputer 111X controls each part of the humidifier 100 in accordance with a control program. For example, the microcomputer 111X turns the LED light 112 on and off, switches the intensity of the ultrasonic element 114, controls the rotation speed of the blower fan 115, and controls the display of the indicator 134 in response to operation commands from the power key 131, the spray key 132, the intermittent operation key 133, and the like.

[0030] Specifically, when the power key 131 is pressed, the microcomputer 111X turns on the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115. This starts sterilization by photocatalysis in the sterilization tank 109, and the water in the sterilization tank 109 turns into steam, which begins to be blown out from the head unit 120. When the power key 131 is pressed again, the microcomputer 111X turns off the LED light 112, the ultrasonic element 114, and the blower fan 115.

[0031] Each time the spray key 132 is pressed, the microcomputer 111X switches the intensity of the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115 between weak, medium, and strong in this order. For example, the spray rate at weak is 30 milliliters per hour, the spray rate at medium is 50 milliliters per hour, and the spray rate at strong is 70 milliliters per hour.

[0032] When the intermittent operation key 133 is pressed, the microcomputer 111X intermittently drives the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115. For example, the microcomputer 111X drives the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115 for six seconds, and then stops the ultrasonic element 114 and the blower fan 115 for six seconds. During this time, the microcomputer 111X may keep the LED light 112 constantly on.

[0033] Additionally, during operation, the microcomputer 111X lights or flashes the indicator 134 in a color or manner that matches the current operating state.

[0034] As described above, the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment humidifies while sterilizing using a photocatalyst in the sterilization tank 109, making it possible to spray hygienic water vapor. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , experiments have shown that the water in the sterilization tank 109 of the humidifier 100 according to this embodiment has significantly lower bacterial infectivity than water in a normal humidifier (one without a photocatalyst). Experiments have also shown that the longer the operating time of the humidifier 100, i.e., the longer the LED light 112 is turned on, the weaker the infectivity of the water in the sterilization tank 109 becomes. <Additives>

[0035] Next, an additive for use in the humidifier 100 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the additive according to this embodiment is commercially available in an aluminum pouch 150. The aluminum pouch 150 according to this embodiment is filled with 10 milliliters of additive. The pouch 150 has a narrow output section 151 formed at the top. By cutting off the output section 151, the user can easily add the additive to the water supply tank 102, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0036] In particular, the additive according to this embodiment contains trehalose, a water-soluble vitamin C derivative, vitamin B12, etc. as main active ingredients, as shown in FIG.

[0037] The trehalose content is preferably 10% by weight or more, more preferably 20% by weight or more, and even more preferably 25% by weight or more.

[0038] The water-soluble vitamin C derivative is preferably 1% by weight or more, and more preferably 2% by weight or more.

[0039] The vitamin B12 content is preferably 0.001% by weight or more, more preferably 0.003% by weight or more, and even more preferably 0.005% by weight or more.

[0040] By adding such an additive to the water tank 102 of the humidifier 100, the water in the water tank 102 will contain trehalose at a concentration of about 0.1% to several% by weight. As a result, when the humidifier 100 is in operation, water vapor containing trehalose at a concentration of about 0.1% to several% by weight is constantly sprayed.

[0041] More specifically, since the additive according to this embodiment contains 2.7% by weight of trehalose per 10 milliliters, when the water tank 102 of the humidifier 100 is 250 milliliters and one pouch 150 of additive is poured into the water tank 102 which is full of water, the water in the water tank 102 will contain approximately 1% by weight of trehalose. In other words, when one pouch 150 is used, the smart head 121 will always spray water vapor containing approximately 1% by weight of trehalose.

[0042] When the additives in the two pouches 150 are poured into the water supply tank 102, which is full of water, the water in the water supply tank 102 will contain approximately 2% by weight of trehalose. In other words, when two pouches 150 are used, water vapor containing approximately 2% by weight of trehalose will be sprayed.

[0043] When the additives in the three pouches 150 are poured into the water supply tank 102, which is full of water, the water in the water supply tank 102 will contain approximately 3% by weight of trehalose. In other words, when three pouches 150 are used, water vapor containing approximately 3% by weight of trehalose will be sprayed.

[0044] In summary, when the volume of the pouch 150 is X milliliters, the trehalose contained in the pouch 150 is Y weight percent, and the volume of the water tank 102 of the humidifier 100 is Z milliliters, it is preferable to determine the volume of the pouch 150, the concentration of trehalose, etc. so that the following equation (1) holds: X × Y ≈ Z (1)

[0045] It is preferable that the concentration Y of trehalose contained in the pouch 150 falls within the following range: 0.9×X / Z≦Y≦1.1×X / Z (2)

[0046] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the concentration Y of trehalose contained in the pouch 150 falls within the following range: 0.95×X / Z≦Y≦1.05×X / Z (3) <Experimental Results>

[0047] In clinical trials, it was confirmed that the effects depended on the concentration when one pouch (concentration 1%), two pouches (concentration 2%), and three pouches (concentration 3%) were used. For example, the amount of water in tears, the amount of oil in the eyes, and the stability of water and oil improved as the concentration of the active ingredient in the water supply tank 102 and the sterilization tank 109 increased.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the effects were confirmed for a woman in her 40s by operating the humidifier 100 for 20 minutes using one pouch (1% concentration), two pouches (2% concentration), and three pouches (3% concentration). As a result, it was confirmed that adding one pouch of additive to the water tank 102 and operating the humidifier 100 for 20 minutes improved the pupillary lipid layer thickness (LLT). It was confirmed that adding two pouches of additive to the water tank 102 and operating the humidifier 100 for 20 minutes further improved the pupillary lipid layer thickness (LLT). It was confirmed that adding three pouches of additive to the water tank 102 and operating the humidifier 100 for 20 minutes further improved the pupillary lipid layer thickness (LLT).

[0049] Furthermore, it was confirmed that tear stability (NIBUT) improved when one pouch of additive was placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated. It was confirmed that tear stability (NIBUT) improved even more when two pouches of additive were placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated. It was confirmed that tear stability (NIBUT) improved even more when three pouches of additive were placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated.

[0050] Furthermore, it was confirmed that the tear height (TMH) between the cornea and eyelids improved when one pouch of additive was placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated. It was also confirmed that the tear height (TMH) between the cornea and eyelids improved when two pouches of additive were placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated. It was confirmed that the tear height (TMH) between the cornea and eyelids improved further when three pouches of additive were placed in the water tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated.

[0051] 12, the effects were also confirmed for a woman in her 30s by operating the humidifier 100 with one pouch (concentration 1%), two pouches (concentration 2%), and three pouches (concentration 3%). As a result, it was confirmed that when the additive was added to the water supply tank 102 and the humidifier 100 was operated, the pupil lipid layer thickness (LLT) improved compared to when the additive was not added.

[0052] It was also confirmed that tear stability (NIBUT) improved as the amount of the above additives added increased.

[0053] It was also confirmed that the tear height (TMH) between the cornea and eyelids improved as the amount of the above additives added increased.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, it was confirmed that the addition of the additive to a male in his 40s improved the pupillary lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear stability (NIBUT), and tear height between the cornea and eyelid (TMH). [Second embodiment]

[0055] In the above embodiment, the capacity of one pouch 150 is 10 milliliters, but this is not particularly limited, and the capacity of one pouch 150 may be more or less than 10 milliliters. [Third Embodiment]

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the additive is sold in a pouch 150. However, the additive may be stored in a bottle. In this case, it is preferable that the bottle has markings such as 10 milliliter increments. [Fourth embodiment]

[0057] The humidifier into which the additive is added is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be used in humidifiers having different shapes and functions, such as those shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0058] Furthermore, the humidifiers to which the additives are added are not limited to those that use photocatalysts. For example, even when added to a regular humidifier, it is easily predicted that the thickness of the lipid layer (LLT), tear stability (NIBUT), and tear height (TMH) of the user's eyes will improve. [Summary]

[0059] In the above embodiment, an additive is provided for adding to water utilized in a humidifier, the additive comprising trehalose.

[0060] Preferably, the additive contains 10% by weight or more of trehalose.

[0061] Preferably, the humidifier includes a photocatalyst and a light for irradiating the photocatalyst with light.

[0062] Preferably, the additive comprises a water-soluble vitamin C derivative.

[0063] A pouch filled with the above additive is provided.

[0064] A bottle containing the additive is provided.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0066] 100: Humidifier 101: Main body cover 102: Water supply tank 103: Water supply valve 104: Spray pipe 109: Sterilization tank 110: Base part 111: Control board 111X: Microcomputer 112: LED light 113: Photocatalytic plate 114: Ultrasonic element 115: Blower fan 120: Head part 121: Smart head 122: Aroma tray 123: Aroma felt 131: Power key 132: Spray key 133: Intermittent operation key 134: Indicator 150: Pouch 151: Output part

Claims

1. An additive for addition to water utilized in a humidifier, the additive comprising trehalose.

2. The additive according to claim 1, which contains 10% by weight or more of trehalose.

3. The additive according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier comprises a photocatalyst and a light for irradiating the photocatalyst with light.

4. The additive of claim 1, comprising a water-soluble vitamin C derivative.

5. A pouch filled with the additive according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A bottle containing the additive according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images