Detergent composition, kit, and cleaning method

Abstract

This method is for cleaning a body by using a shower detergent composition. The shower detergent composition contains the following (A) and (B) components, which are: (A) a nonionic surfactant that exhibits an HLB of 12-19 when used alone or when two or more types thereof are mixed; and (B) an anionic surfactant. The mass proportion [(A) / (B)] of (A) component with respect to (B) component is not less than 0.5. The shower detergent composition is stored in a storage body provided to a shower head. The method comprises: a step for mixing, in a mixing chamber provided to the shower head, water and the shower detergent composition stored in the storage body to obtain a detergent solution; and a step for spouting the detergent solution to the body from a discharge port of the shower head.

Description

Cleaning composition, kit and cleaning method

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning composition, a kit, and a cleaning method.

[0002] A known cleanser composition is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a skin cleansing liquid composition that contains (A) a surfactant and (B) an amphiphilic ester and is used for cleansing without applying physical friction to the skin.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-7305

[0004] Regarding the composition disclosed in Patent Document 1, since various problems exist depending on the part of the user's body, such as dryness or difficulty in removing stains, a composition that has improved detergency and exhibits good detergency against stains is desired. Also, improved detergency is desired so that stains can be removed from parts of the body that are difficult for the user to remove by themselves, such as the back, without friction with the fingers, etc.

[0005] The present invention is a technology completed based on the above circumstances, and relates to providing a detergent composition (also referred to as a shower detergent composition), a kit (also referred to as a shower cleaning product kit), and a cleaning method (also referred to as a method for cleaning the body using a shower detergent composition) that can improve detergency.

[0006] The method of the present invention is a method for washing a body using a shower detergent composition, wherein the shower detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; (B) an anionic surfactant; the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more; the shower detergent composition is contained in a container provided in a shower head; and the method includes the steps of: mixing the shower detergent composition contained in the container with water in a mixing chamber provided in the shower head to obtain a cleaning liquid; and spraying the cleaning liquid onto the body from a discharge port of the shower head.

[0007] The kit of the present invention is a shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a mixing unit detachable from a shower head, wherein the mixing unit comprises: a storage chamber capable of storing the detergent composition; and a mixing chamber capable of mixing the detergent composition with water, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 or more and 19 or less when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; and (B) an anionic surfactant, and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more.

[0008] The kit of the present invention is a shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a storage chamber detachable from a shower head, wherein the storage chamber is configured to be detachable from a mixing unit provided in the shower head, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 or more and 19 or less when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; (B) an anionic surfactant; and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more.

[0009] The cleaning composition of the present invention is a shower cleaning composition containing the following components (A) and (B), wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more, and the shower cleaning composition is contained in a container provided in a mixing unit detachable from a shower head and is mixed with water and discharged for use: (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; and (B) an anionic surfactant.

[0010] The cleaning composition of the present invention contains the following components (A) and (B), in which the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more: (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less when used alone or in combination of two or more; and (B) an anionic surfactant.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a detergent composition, kit, and cleaning method that can improve both detergency and foam breaking properties and also produce good foam quality.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an evaluation of the cleaning power of the shower and foam (a diagram showing a photograph after dirt has been cleaned and its evaluation); 2 is a diagram showing an evaluation of foam quality (a diagram showing a photograph of foam and its evaluation); 3 is a perspective view of the mixing unit; 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mixing unit; 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing unit in a supplying state; 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing unit in a non-supplying state; 7 is a perspective view showing the mixing unit connected to a shower hose and a shower head; and 8 is a partially enlarged view showing an enlarged portion of the mixing unit.

[0013] <Embodiments> The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The detergent composition, kit, and cleaning method described below are intended to embody the technical concept of the present invention, and unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0014] The cleaning composition of this embodiment contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant, either alone or in combination of two or more of which has an HLB of 12.0 or more and 19.0 or less; and (B) an anionic surfactant.

[0015] HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) indicates the molecular weight of the hydrophilic group portion in the total molecular weight of a surfactant, and can be calculated using the following Griffin formula (1): HLB = 20 × (M Ｈ / M) ... (1) where M Ｈ is the molecular weight of the hydrophilic group portion of the compound, and M is the molecular weight of the entire compound. The HLB of a mixed surfactant composed of two or more nonionic surfactants is the phase arithmetic average of the HLB values ​​of each nonionic surfactant based on their blending ratio, and can be calculated by the following formula (2): Mixed HLB = Σ (HLBx × Wx) / ΣWx (2) Here, HLBx is the HLB value of nonionic surfactant X, and Wx is the mass (g) of nonionic surfactant X having the value of HLBx.

[0016] The HLB of component (A) may be 12.5 or more, 13.0 or more, 13.5 or more, 14.0 or more, or 14.5 or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of detergency and foam-breaking ability, the HLB of component (A) is preferably 15.0 or more, more preferably 15.5 or more, even more preferably 16.0 or more, still more preferably 16.5 or more, and preferably 18.8 or less, more preferably 18.3 or less, even more preferably 17.8 or less, and still more preferably 17.5 or less. Furthermore, the HLB of component (A) may be 12.5 or more and 19.0 or less, 13.0 or more and 19.0 or less, 13.5 or more and 19.0 or less, 14.0 or more and 19.0 or less, or 14.5 or more and 19.0 or less. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of detergency and foam breaking ability, the HLB of the component (A) is preferably 15.0 or more and 18.8 or less, more preferably 15.5 or more and 18.3 or less, even more preferably 16.0 or more and 17.8 or less, and even more preferably 16.5 or more and 17.5 or less.

[0017] Component (A) may also include one or more compounds selected from POE alkyl ethers (polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers; hereinafter, "polyoxyethylene" may be abbreviated as "POE"), POE sorbitan fatty acid esters (polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters), alkyl glyceryl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, POE hydrogenated castor oil (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil), alkyl alkanolamides, and alkyl polyglucosides. Component (A) may also be a compound containing at least one of a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms and a polyoxyethylene skeleton having an average number of added moles of 10 to 50. Component (A) may also be a compound containing at least one of an ether bond, an ester bond, an amide bond, and a glucoside bond.

[0018] As the POE alkyl ether, those represented by the following general formula (3) can be used: RO—(CH ２ CH ２O)n-H ... (3) (wherein R represents a linear hydrocarbon group, and n represents an integer) With respect to R in the above formula (3), the linear hydrocarbon group may be a linear hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, or may be a linear hydrocarbon group having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, and from the viewpoint of foam quality and foam ejection stability, a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms is preferred, and a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 carbon atoms is more preferred. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of detergency and foam-breaking ability, the number of n (sometimes referred to as the "average number of added moles") in the above formula (3) is from 6 to 95, preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 15 or more, still more preferably 20 or more, preferably 50 or less, more preferably 45 or less, even more preferably 40 or less, still more preferably 35 or less, even more preferably 30 or less, even more preferably 25 or less, and still more preferably 22 or less. From the viewpoint of detergency and foam-breaking ability, the number n in the above formula (3) is preferably 8 or more and 50 or less, more preferably 10 or more and 45 or less, even more preferably 15 or more and 40 or less, still more preferably 20 or more and 35 or less, even more preferably 20 or more and 30 or less, still more preferably 20 or more and 25 or less, and still more preferably 20 or more and 22 or less.

[0019] As the POE alkyl ether, POE(n) lauryl ether (n is the average number of moles added; the same notation will be used hereinafter) in which R is a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 carbon atoms in the above formula (3), or POE(n) myristyl ether (n is the average number of moles added; the same notation will be used hereinafter) in which R is a linear hydrocarbon group having 14 carbon atoms in the above formula (3) can be used. The POE alkyl ether may be one or more selected from POE (6) lauryl ether (HLB 12.5) (a polyoxyethylene lauryl ether in which the number n is 6 and has an HLB of 12.2; hereinafter the same notation applies), POE (9) lauryl ether (HLB 14.2), POE (12) lauryl ether (HLB 15.3), POE (16) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2), POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 17.0), POE (41) lauryl ether (HLB 18.3), POE (47) lauryl ether (HLB 18.6), and POE (85) myristyl ether (HLB 19.0). Among these, as the POE alkyl ether, it is preferable to use one or more selected from POE (12) lauryl ether (HLB 15.3), POE (16) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2), POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 17.0), POE (41) lauryl ether (HLB 18.3), and POE (47) lauryl ether (HLB 18.6), and it is more preferable to use POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 17.0).

[0020] Examples of POE sorbitan fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate such as Polysorbate 20; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate such as Polysorbate 40; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate such as Polysorbate 60; and polyoxyethylene monooleate such as Polysorbate 80. Among these, from the viewpoints of low-temperature stability and foam ejection stability, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate is preferred, and Polysorbate 20 (HLB 17.5) is more preferred.

[0021] The alkyl glyceryl ether is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include monolauryl glyceryl ether, monomyristyl glyceryl ether, monocetyl glyceryl ether, monostearyl glyceryl ether, and monobehenyl glyceryl ether.

[0022] The polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is preferably one in which the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group constituting the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is 10 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14, and one in which the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is preferably 10 to 24, more preferably 8 to 18, and even more preferably 10 to 14. Specifically, the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is preferably a polyethylene glycol laurate having an average number of moles added of 10 to 14, and more preferably a polyethylene glycol laurate having an average number of moles added of 12 (PEG-12 laurate (HLB 15.7)).

[0023] The alkyl polyglucoside may have an alkyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms and an average degree of condensation of the glucoside units of 1 to 7. Specific examples of alkyl polyglucosides include octyl polyglucoside, 2-ethylhexyl polyglucoside, decyl polyglucoside, lauryl polyglucoside, myristyl polyglucoside, palmityl polyglucoside, isostearyl polyglucoside, stearyl lauryl polyglucoside, oleyl polyglucoside, and behenyl polyglucoside. Preferred alkyl polyglucosides have an alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms. Among these, lauryl polyglucoside (HLB 12.2) is more preferred from the viewpoints of low-temperature stability and foam ejection stability. Lauryl polyglucoside is also sometimes referred to as alkyl (8-16) polyglucoside.

[0024] Specifically, as such component (A), from the viewpoints of detergency, foam quality, and foam breaking ability, one or more of POE (6) lauryl ether (HLB 12.5), POE (9) lauryl ether (HLB 14.2), POE (12) lauryl ether (HLB 15.3), POE (16) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2), POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 17.0), POE (41) lauryl ether (HLB 18.3), POE (47) lauryl ether (HLB 18.6), POE (85) myristyl ether (HLB 19.0), polysorbate 20 (HLB 17.5), lauric acid PEG-12 (HLB 15.7), and lauryl polyglucoside (HLB 12.2) can be used. Among these, POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2) is preferred as component (A) from the viewpoints of detergency, foam quality, and foam breaking ability. POE (21) lauryl ether is also known as "EMULGEN 121, manufactured by Kao Corporation" ("EMULGEN" is a registered trademark). The weight-average molecular weight of POE (21) lauryl ether is 1113. A commercially available product can be used as component (A).

[0025] The content of component (A) in the detergent composition is preferably 0.14 mass% or more, more preferably 0.3 mass% or more, and even more preferably 0.7 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of detergency. Furthermore, the content of component (A) is preferably 19.7 mass% or less, more preferably 12.8 mass% or less, and even more preferably 8.5 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of foam-breaking ability and foam ejection stability. Furthermore, the content of component (A) is preferably 0.14 mass% or more and 19.7 mass% or less, more preferably 0.3 mass% or more and 12.8 mass% or less, and even more preferably 0.7 mass% or more and 8.5 mass% or less. In this embodiment, the "mass%" of each component refers to the proportion of the mass of each component to the entire detergent composition, where the mass of the entire detergent composition is taken as 100 mass%.

[0026] A detergent composition containing the above-described component (A) can improve detergency. It also enables the detergent composition to have improved foam quality and foam breaking ability. Breaking of generated foams further improves detergency. Furthermore, improved foam quality makes it easier for the foam-like detergent composition to adhere to skin or hair, allowing the detergent composition to optimally exhibit its foam breaking ability and detergency at the area to be cleaned by the user. Furthermore, a detergent composition with such detergency can adhere to skin or hair to spontaneously remove dirt (provide a spontaneous cleansing effect), thereby enabling the body to be washed without subjecting the skin or hair to friction with solid objects such as fingers, a sponge, or a brush. Meanwhile, such a detergent composition can provide good foam rinse-off, which facilitates post-rinsing disposal of the detergent composition and makes it practical.

[0027] The anionic surfactant of component (B) is not particularly limited as long as it is contained in a typical cleanser composition used for skin or hair. For example, the anionic surfactant may include one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl methyl taurines, salts of linear fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and internal olefin sulfonates. Among these, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates are more preferred from the viewpoints of detergency, foam quality, and foam breaking ability. Salts of these compounds may include those of alkali metals such as sodium and potassium; alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium; and ammonium. Of these, it is preferable to include one or more selected from sodium, potassium, and ammonium from the viewpoint of low-temperature stability. Commercially available products of these anionic surfactants can be used.

[0028] Examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates include those represented by the following general formula (4): ２ O-(CH ２ CH ２ O) m-SO ３M...(4) (wherein, R ２ represents a linear hydrocarbon group, m represents an integer, and M represents the above salt. ２ Regarding the formula (I), the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of foam quality and foam ejection stability, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 10 or more, and more preferably 12 or more. From the same viewpoints, the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is preferably 15 or less, more preferably 13 or less, and even more preferably 12 or less. From the same viewpoints, the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is preferably 10 to 15, more preferably 12 to 13, and even more preferably 12. The number of m is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of low-temperature stability, it is preferably 1 or more. From the same viewpoints, the number of m is preferably 10 or less, more preferably 5 or less, and even more preferably 3 or less. The number of m is preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 5, and even more preferably 1 to 3.

[0029] Specifically, such polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates may be one or more of POE(1-2) alkyl ether sulfates such as POE(1) lauryl ether sodium sulfate (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sodium sulfate where the number m is 1; hereinafter the same notation applies), POE(1) lauryl ether ammonium sulfate, POE(1) myristyl ether sodium sulfate, POE(2) lauryl ether sodium sulfate, and POE(2) myristyl ether sodium sulfate. Among these, POE(2) lauryl ether sodium sulfate is preferred from the viewpoint of foam quality and foam discharge stability.

[0030] Examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates include those represented by the following general formula (5): ３ O-(CH ２ CH ２ O) p-CH ２ COOM...(5) (wherein, R ３ represents a linear hydrocarbon group, p represents an integer, and M represents the above salt. ３Regarding the formula, the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of foam quality and foam ejection stability, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 10 or more, and more preferably 12 or more. From the same viewpoints, the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is preferably 15 or less, more preferably 13 or less, and even more preferably 12 or less. From the same viewpoints, the number of carbon atoms in the linear hydrocarbon group is preferably 10 to 15, more preferably 12 to 13, and even more preferably 12. The number of p is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of low-temperature stability, it is preferably 1 or more, and more preferably 2 or more. From the same viewpoints, the number of p is preferably 10 or less, and more preferably 7 or less. The number of p is preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 2 to 7.

[0031] Specific examples of such polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sodium acetates include POE(4) lauryl ether sodium acetate (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sodium acetate in which the number m is 4; hereinafter the same notation applies), POE(5) lauryl ether sodium acetate, POE(6) lauryl ether sodium acetate, etc. Among these, POE(4) lauryl ether sodium acetate is preferred as the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sodium acetate from the viewpoints of foam quality and foam discharge stability.

[0032] The acyl glutamate, acyl sarcosinate, and acyl methyl taurate may be sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, or sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, respectively. The salt of a straight-chain fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms may be one or more of potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, and potassium stearate.

[0033] The internal olefin sulfonate is a sulfonate obtained by sulfonating a raw material, for example, an internal olefin (an olefin having a double bond inside the olefin chain) having from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, followed by neutralization and hydrolysis. As the internal olefin sulfonate, for example, sodium internal olefin sulfonate can be used.

[0034] From the viewpoints of detergency, foam quality, and foam-breaking property, it is preferable to use one or more compounds selected from POE (2) lauryl ether sodium sulfate, POE (4) lauryl ether sodium acetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl sarcosine, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium stearate, and sodium internal olefin sulfonate as the (B) component, and it is more preferable to use POE (2) lauryl ether sodium sulfate. From the viewpoint of detergency, the content of the (B) component is preferably 0.06% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.23% by mass or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoints of detergency and foam-breaking property and foam discharge stability, the content of the (B) component is preferably 15.3% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 6.6% by mass or less. The content of component (B) is preferably from 0.06% by mass to 15.3% by mass, more preferably from 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass, and even more preferably from 0.23% by mass to 6.6% by mass.

[0035] The mass ratio of the (A) component to the (B) component [(A) / (B)] is preferably 0.5 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and even more preferably 2.5 or more, from the viewpoint of detergency, foam quality, and foam breaking property. Also, the mass ratio of the (A) component to the (B) component [(A) / (B)] is preferably 6 or less, more preferably 3.5 or less, from the viewpoint of foam quality. Also, the mass ratio of the (A) component to the (B) component [(A) / (B)] is preferably 0.5 or more and 6 or less, more preferably 1.5 or more and 3.5 or less, and even more preferably 2.5 or more and 3.5 or less.

[0036] The total amount of the (A) component and the (B) component [(A) + (B)] in the entire detergent composition is preferably 0.4% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.8% by mass or more, and still more preferably 6% by mass or more, from the viewpoints of detergency, foam quality, and foam ejection stability. Furthermore, the total amount of the (A) component and the (B) component [(A) + (B)] is preferably 23% by mass or less, more preferably 18% by mass or less, and even more preferably 13% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of foam breaking ability. Furthermore, the total amount of the (A) component and the (B) component [(A) + (B)] is preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 23% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 18% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.8% by mass or more and 13% by mass or less.

[0037] The detergent composition may further contain a polyhydric alcohol as component (C). The polyhydric alcohol is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include one or more of dihydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, isoprene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol; trihydric or higher alcohols such as glycerin, diglycerin, triglycerin, tetraglycerin, hexaglycerin, decaglycerin, and trimethylpropanol; and sugars or sugar alcohols such as erythritol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, glucose, mannose, galactose, sucrose, fructose, maltose, maltitol, xylitol, inositol, sorbitan, and sorbitol. Among these, from the viewpoints of low-temperature stability and usability, it is preferable to use at least one of diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol as the polyhydric alcohol, more preferably to use at least one of propylene glycol and sorbitol, and even more preferably to use propylene glycol and sorbitol. The preferred content of component (C) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and even more preferably 1% by mass or more, from the viewpoints of low-temperature stability and foam ejection stability. Furthermore, from the same viewpoint, the preferred content of component (C) is preferably 70% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 50% by mass or less. Furthermore, the preferred content of component (C) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more to 70% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more to 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or more to 50% by mass or less.

[0038] The mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (C) [(A) / (C)] is preferably 0.03 or more, more preferably 0.35 or more, even more preferably 0.70 or more, and particularly preferably 0.88 or more, from the viewpoint of detergency, foam quality, and foam-breaking ability. Furthermore, the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (C) [(A) / (C)] is preferably 1.30 or less, more preferably 1.15 or less, and even more preferably 0.98 or less, from the viewpoint of foam quality. Furthermore, the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (C) [(A) / (C)] is preferably 0.03 or more and 1.30 or less, more preferably 0.35 or more and 1.15 or less, even more preferably 0.70 or more and 1.15 or less, particularly preferably 0.70 or more and 0.98 or less, and particularly preferably 0.88 or more and 0.98 or less.

[0039] From the viewpoint of achieving both low-temperature stability and a good feel when used, the polyhydric alcohol component (C) preferably contains a polyhydric alcohol (C1) that is liquid at 20°C, and more preferably a polyhydric alcohol (C1) that is liquid at 20°C in combination with a polyhydric alcohol (C2) that is solid at 20°C. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol (C1) include dihydric alcohols such as diethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and trihydric alcohols such as glycerin. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol (C1) include sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and xylitol, and sugars such as maltose. A preferred combination of these polyhydric alcohols is (C1) one or more selected from dihydric alcohols and trihydric alcohols that are liquid at 20°C, and (C2) a sugar alcohol that is solid at 20°C. From the viewpoint of low-temperature stability, the content of the polyhydric alcohol (C1) that is liquid at 20°C is preferably greater than the content of the polyhydric alcohol (C2) that is solid at 20°C. From the same viewpoint, the mass ratio (C1) / (C2) is preferably greater than 1 and 10 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 7 or less, and even more preferably 1.5 or more and 5 or less.

[0040] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the detergent composition of this embodiment may contain components used in ordinary liquid detergents, such as surfactants other than those mentioned above, water (e.g., ion-exchanged water, distilled water), water-soluble polymers, oil components, moisturizers, pH adjusters, viscosity adjusters, disinfectants, anti-inflammatory agents, preservatives, chelating agents, salts, pearlizing agents, scrubbing agents, fragrances, cooling agents, colorants, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, plant extracts, etc.

[0041] The cleanser composition of the present embodiment is a shower cleanser composition to be added to shower water and may be used on skin or hair. Regarding foam properties, a non-gas type foamer container is preferred as the foamer container from the viewpoint of convenience and ease of production.

[0042] Any non-gas-type foamer container can be used as long as the detergent composition filled therein can be mixed with air and discharged as a foam. Examples of non-gas-type foamer containers include pump foamer containers in which the pump head is pressed to pressurize the air chamber cylinder and the detergent composition cylinder, thereby mixing the detergent composition with air and discharging the foam; and squeeze foamer containers in which the pressure-deformable body of the container is pressed to deform the container, thereby discharging the detergent composition as a foam. From the viewpoint of adjusting the foam quality, it is preferable that a porous membrane filter such as a mesh be provided in the discharge flow path of the detergent composition in the foamer container. Specific examples of non-gas-type foamer containers that can be used include foamer containers described in JP-A-7-315463, JP-A-8-230961, JP-A-2005-193972, etc. Furthermore, as a further specific example of a non-gas type foamer container, a discharge container can be used that includes a container body that can contain liquid and air, and an attachment cap that can be attached to the mouth of the container body, wherein the attachment cap has a mixing chamber that mixes liquid and air to generate foam, a liquid flow path that allows the liquid contained in the container body to flow into the mixing chamber, an air introduction hole that allows the air contained in the container body to flow into the mixing chamber, and a nozzle that can discharge the foam generated in the mixing chamber forward.

[0043] The configuration of a shower in which the shower cleaner composition is used is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a unit structure (mixing unit) that is connected to a shower hose and a shower head, mixes the cleaning composition with water supplied from the shower hose to produce a cleaning liquid, and supplies the produced cleaning liquid to the shower head. Specific examples of such showers include the showers described in JP-A-6-209873 and the like.

[0044] The mixing unit according to the present invention includes, for example, a storage chamber capable of storing a cleaning agent composition, a mixing chamber capable of mixing the cleaning agent composition and water to produce a cleaning liquid, and a first flow path configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose or a faucet, the first flow path being capable of supplying the water flowing in from the shower hose or the faucet to the mixing chamber, a second flow path being capable of supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber to a shower head or a shower hose, and a third flow path being capable of supplying the cleaning agent composition stored in the storage chamber to the mixing chamber; and when the supply amount of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path to the shower head or the shower hose is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the content of a surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head or the shower hose can be 0.09 mass% or less, and when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the content [mass%] of the surfactant can be 0.025 or more.

[0045] The mixing unit may be a mixing unit that is connected to a shower hose and a shower head, mixes a liquid agent with water supplied from the shower hose to generate a liquid, and supplies the generated liquid to the shower head.

[0046] The mixing unit may have a total area of ​​water spray holes of 10 mm ２ More than 15 mm, preferably ２ More than 30 mm ２ Less than 25 mm, preferably ２The showerhead can be suitably used for the following showerheads: Note that the "total area of ​​the nozzle holes" refers to the total area of ​​the nozzle holes that spray the cleaning liquid out of the multiple nozzle holes formed in the showerhead.

[0047] 3 to 7 , the mixing unit 1 includes a mixing section 100 capable of mixing the cleaning agent composition and water, and a storage section 200 capable of storing the cleaning agent composition. As will be described later, the mixing section 100 is configured to be connectable to a shower hose 2 and a shower head 3. The storage section 200 is configured to be detachable from the mixing section 100.

[0048] In this specification, when the mixer 100 is connected to the shower hose 2 and the shower head 3 (as shown in FIG. 7 ), the direction in which the shower hose 2 is located (downward in FIG. 7 ) is referred to as "downward," and the direction in which the shower head 3 is located (upward in FIG. 7 ) is referred to as "upward." That is, in this specification, the upstream side of the water flow from the shower hose 2 to the shower head 3 is referred to as "downward," and the downstream side of the water flow is referred to as "upward." Also, in this specification, the direction in which the storage unit 200 is attached to the mixer 100 (leftward in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is referred to as "forward," and the direction in which the storage unit 200 is detached from the mixer 100 (rightward in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) is referred to as "rearward." However, the up-down direction and front-rear direction in this specification do not necessarily correspond to the up-down direction and front-rear direction in actual use.

[0049] In this specification, the mixing unit 100 is described as being connectable to the shower hose 2 and the shower head 3, but is not limited to this. For example, the mixing unit 100 may be connectable to a water faucet (not shown) and the shower hose 2, or may be connectable to multiple shower hoses 2.

[0050] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the mixing section 100 has a long cylindrical section 110 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of clamping sections 120 extending rearward from the upper end of the cylindrical section 110, a holding section 130 extending rearward from the lower end of the cylindrical section 110, an upper connecting section 140 provided above the cylindrical section 110, and a lower connecting section 150 provided below the cylindrical section 110, and is formed into a generally L-shaped cross section as a whole (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0051] The tubular portion 110 has a cylindrical internal space 111 extending from the upper end to the lower end of the tubular portion 110, and is formed into a cylindrical shape that is open at the top and bottom as a whole. The portion rearward of half or approximately half of the tubular portion 110 in the longitudinal direction has a trapezoidal or approximately trapezoidal cross section along the front-to-rear direction, with long and short sides. On the other hand, the portion forward of half or approximately half of the tubular portion 110 has a semicircular or approximately semicircular cross section along the front-to-rear direction. The internal space 111 of the tubular portion 110 is formed across the front and rear portions of the tubular portion 110. The internal space 111 of the tubular portion 110 may have a prismatic shape or another shape.

[0052] The portion forward of half or approximately half of the cylindrical portion 110 has a shape in which the diameter tapers toward the center in the vertical direction, and the cylindrical portion 110 is formed in an hourglass shape when viewed from the front. Since the portion forward of half or approximately half of the cylindrical portion 110 has a shape in which the diameter tapers toward the center in the vertical direction, there is an advantage that the user can easily grip the mixing unit 1 when using it.

[0053] The rear half or approximately half of the cylindrical portion 110 has a recess 112 formed in the center in the vertical direction, recessed from both ends in directions perpendicular to the vertical and front-to-rear directions toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 110. Having the recess 112 in the rear half or approximately half of the cylindrical portion 110 has the advantage that it is easier for a user to grip the mixing unit 1 when using it.

[0054] The inner circumferential surface portion 113 of the cylindrical portion 110 includes an upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a extending downward from the upper end of the inner circumferential surface portion 113, a first intermediate portion 113b extending outward from the tip of the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a second intermediate portion 113c extending downward from the tip of the first intermediate portion 113b, a third intermediate portion 113d extending outward from the tip of the second intermediate portion 113c in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and a lower inner circumferential surface portion 113e extending downward from the tip of the third intermediate portion 113d. The upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a is formed to slope inward and downward from the upper end of the inner circumferential surface portion 113 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The connection between the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a and the first intermediate portion 113b is formed to have a curved surface.

[0055] The clamping portion 120 is a pair of clamping pieces that extend rearward from both ends of the cylindrical portion 110 in directions perpendicular to the up-down and front-rear directions near the top of the cylindrical portion 110. Furthermore, the tip portion 121 of the clamping portion 120 is formed by being bent inward of the clamping portion 120. The clamping portion 120 having the above configuration is configured to be able to clamp the storage portion 200. Specifically, the clamping portion 120 is configured to be able to clamp the storage portion 200 by engaging the tip portion 121 with an engagement recess 213a of the storage portion 200, which will be described later.

[0056] The holding portion 130 is formed at the lower end of the tubular portion 110, extending rearward from the entire rear end of the tubular portion 110. The holding portion 130 has a trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal cross section along the front-rear direction, with long and short sides. The holding portion 130 also has an insertion recess 131 formed in the center of the holding portion 130 in the vertical direction and in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, recessed from the tip to the base end of the holding portion 130. The insertion recess 131 has a circular cross section in the vertical direction and in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and is configured to allow insertion of an insertion protrusion 215 (described later) of the accommodating portion 200. The holding portion 130 having the above configuration is configured to hold the accommodating portion 200. Specifically, the holding portion 130 is configured to hold the accommodating portion 200 by inserting the insertion protrusion 215 into the insertion recess 131.

[0057] The upper connecting portion 140 is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 110. The upper connecting portion 140 has an annular bottom portion 141 extending outward in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction from the upper end of the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a, a wall portion 142 extending upward from the periphery of the bottom portion 141, and a thread groove 143 formed along the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 142, and is formed as a whole in a generally bottomed cylindrical shape with the top and the center of the bottom portion 141 open.

[0058] The upper connecting part 140 having the above configuration is configured to be connectable to the shower head 3. Specifically, the upper connecting part 140 is configured to be connectable to the shower head 3 by threading a thread groove 143 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the wall part 142 into a thread (not shown) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the shower head 3. Note that the configuration for connecting the upper connecting part 140 and the shower head 3 is not limited to this. For example, the upper connecting part 140 and the shower head 3 may be connected by fitting a recess formed by the bottom part 141 and the wall part 142 into the lower end of the shower head 3. Alternatively, the upper connecting part 140 may have a shape that protrudes upward from the upper end of the cylindrical part 110, and the upper connecting part 140 and the shower head 3 may be connected by threading a thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper connecting part 140 into a thread groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the shower head 3, or the upper connecting part 140 may be connected to the shower head 3 by fitting the upper connecting part 140 into the shower head 3. Furthermore, the upper connecting part 140 and the shower head 3 may be connected via various known joint members.

[0059] The lower connecting portion 150 is provided at the lower end of the tubular portion 110. The lower connecting portion 150 has a cylindrical protrusion 151 that protrudes downward from the lower end of the tubular portion 110 and a screw thread 152 formed along the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 151, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0060] Lower connector 150 having the above configuration is configured to be connectable to shower hose 2. Specifically, lower connector 150 is configured to be connectable to shower hose 2 by threading thread 152 formed on the outer surface of convex portion 151 into a thread groove (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the upper end of shower hose 2. Note that the configuration for connecting lower connector 150 and shower hose 2 is not limited to this; for example, lower connector 150 and shower hose 2 may be connected by fitting convex portion 151 into shower hose 2. Alternatively, the lower connecting part 150 may be recessed upward from the lower end of the tubular part 110, and a thread groove formed on the inner surface of the lower connecting part 150 may be threadedly engaged with a thread formed on the outer surface of the upper end of the shower hose 2 to connect the lower connecting part 150 and the shower hose 2, or the shower hose 2 may be connected by fitting the shower hose 2 into the lower connecting part 150. Furthermore, the lower connecting part 150 and the shower hose 2 may be connected via various known joint members.

[0061] The mixing section 100 also has an inner cylindrical section 160 provided inside the cylindrical section 110, a detergent introduction flow path 170 that can flow detergent from the storage section 200 toward the internal space 111 of the cylindrical section 110, an air introduction flow path 180 that can flow air from the outside of the mixing section 100 into the internal space 111, and a hole section 190 formed along a direction perpendicular to the detergent introduction flow path 170 and the air introduction flow path 180.

[0062] The inner cylindrical portion 160 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is open at the top and bottom and tapers upward. The inner cylindrical portion 160 is configured to be detachable from the cylindrical portion 110. Specifically, the inner cylindrical portion 160 is configured to be detachable from the cylindrical portion 110 by being inserted into a space defined by the first intermediate portion 113b, the second intermediate portion 113c, the third intermediate portion 113d, and the lower inner circumferential surface portion 113e within the internal space 111 of the cylindrical portion 110. The detachable configuration of the inner cylindrical portion 160 from the cylindrical portion 110, i.e., the inner cylindrical portion 160 being a separate member from the cylindrical portion 110, has the advantage of making it easier to adjust the separation distance between the end of the first flow path 500 on the second flow path 600 side, which will be described later, and the end of the second flow path 600 on the first flow path 500 side. Although the inner cylindrical portion 160 has been described as being configured to be detachable from the cylindrical portion 110, this is not limitative, and for example, the inner cylindrical portion 160 may be configured to be non-detachable from the cylindrical portion 110. In other words, the inner cylindrical portion 160 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 110, or may be formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 110.

[0063] The cleaning agent introduction channel 170 is formed to extend in a direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the extension direction (up-down direction) of the internal space 111. Specifically, the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 is a through-hole formed from the second intermediate portion 113 c of the tubular portion 110 to an insertion recess 131 (described later) of the holding portion 130, and communicates with the internal space 111. Furthermore, the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 is configured to communicate with a cleaning agent supply channel 217 (described later) of the storage unit 200 when the storage unit 200 is attached to the mixing unit 100.

[0064] The air introduction flow path 180 is formed to extend from the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170 in the same direction as the extension direction (up-down direction) of the internal space 111. Specifically, the air introduction flow path 180 is a through-hole formed to extend downward from the center of the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170. That is, one end of the air introduction flow path 180 in the extension direction communicates with the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170, and the other end of the air introduction flow path 180 in the extension direction is connected to the outside of the mixing section 100.

[0065] The hole 190 is a through-hole formed to extend from the center in the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 toward a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 and the extension direction (up-down direction) of the air introduction channel 180. In other words, the hole 190 is configured to separate the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 into a channel on the internal space 111 side and a channel on the cleaning agent supply channel 217 side.

[0066] The hole 190 has a small hole 191 extending from the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the cleaning agent introduction channel 170 and the extension direction of the air introduction channel 180 (the up-down direction), and a large hole 192 having a larger opening area than the small hole 191. The small hole 191 has a rectangular or approximately rectangular cross section along the up-down direction. The large hole 192 is formed at both ends of the small hole 191 in the extension direction, and has a circular cross section along the up-down direction.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 110, the clamping portion 120, the holding portion 130, the upper connecting portion 140, and the lower connecting portion 150 are formed by integral molding using a material such as ABS or PC. The inner cylindrical portion 160 is also formed by integral molding using a material such as ABS or PC. The molding material and molding method of the mixing portion 100 are not limited to these, and various known molding materials such as metal materials and various known molding methods can be used.

[0068] [Configuration of Storage Section] As shown in Figures 3 to 7 , the storage section 200 has a storage body 210 that can store the cleaning agent composition and a lid 220 that can be attached to the storage body 210, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0069] The storage body 210 has a semicircular top plate 211, a front wall 212 extending downward from the linear edge of the top plate 211, a rear wall 213 extending downward from the curved edge of the top plate 211, and a bottom plate 214 that closes the lower side of the storage body 210, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The top plate 211, the front wall 212, the rear wall 213, and the bottom plate 214 are each formed in a plate shape.

[0070] The top plate 211 has a circular opening 211a in the center thereof. The opening 211a is a through-hole formed from the upper surface to the lower surface of the top plate 211. The top plate 211 also has a pair of shaft holders 211b near the front end of the top plate 211. The shaft holders 211b are formed to extend upward from the upper surface of the top plate 211, and have a semicircular or approximately semicircular cross section along the vertical direction. An insertion hole 211c is formed at the upper end of each shaft holder 211b, through which the shaft 230 can be inserted.

[0071] The front wall 212 has an upper front wall 212a extending downward from the front end of the top panel 211, an intermediate front wall 212b extending rearward from the lower end of the upper front wall 212a, and a lower front wall 212c extending downward from the rear end of the intermediate front wall 212b, and is formed in a stepped shape as a whole. When viewed from the front of the front wall 212, the upper front wall 212a, the intermediate front wall 212b, and the lower front wall 212c each have a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. In addition, the connecting portion between the upper front wall 212a and the intermediate front wall 212b and the connecting portion between the intermediate front wall 212b and the lower front wall 212c are each formed in a curved shape.

[0072] The rear wall 213 is formed in a curved shape that curves from one end to the other end in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the front wall 212. The rear wall 213 also has an engagement recess 213a at the front end of the rear wall 213 that can engage with the tip 121 of the clamping unit 120 of the mixing unit 100. The engagement recess 213a has a shape that matches the tip 121 of the clamping unit 120.

[0073] The bottom plate 214 is formed from the inner surface of the lower front wall 212c to the inner surface of the rear wall 213, and has a semicircular or approximately semicircular shape when viewed from above. The bottom plate 214 is also formed to be inclined from the inner surface of the rear wall 213 toward a cleaning agent supply passage 217 (described later). Because the bottom plate 214 is formed to be inclined toward the cleaning agent supply passage 217, the cleaning agent contained in the storage main body 210 naturally flows into the cleaning agent supply passage 217, eliminating the need for a component for causing the cleaning agent to flow into the cleaning agent supply passage 217. This has the advantages of simplifying the structure of the storage unit 200 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0074] The storage main body 210 has an insertion convex portion 215 that can be inserted into the insertion concave portion 131 of the holding portion 130 of the mixing section 100, at the center of the lower front wall portion 212c in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. The insertion convex portion 215 has a circular cross section in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and is formed to extend forward from the outer surface of the lower front wall portion 212c. An annular sealing portion 216 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion convex portion 215 at the center in the extension direction. The sealing portion 216 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion convex portion 215 has the advantage of preventing leakage of the cleaning agent when the cleaning agent is supplied from the storage section 200 to the mixing section 100.

[0075] Furthermore, the storage main body 210 has a detergent supply channel 217 that allows the detergent to flow from the storage main body 210 toward the detergent introduction channel 170 of the mixing section 100 when the storage section 200 is attached to the mixing section 100. The detergent supply channel 217 is a through-hole that is formed from the front surface of the insertion convex section 215 to the inner surface of the lower front wall section 212c, and communicates with the internal space of the storage main body 210. Furthermore, the detergent supply channel 217 is configured to communicate with the detergent introduction channel 170 of the mixing section 100 when the storage section 200 is attached to the mixing section 100.

[0076] The cleaning agent supply flow path 217 has a small flow path 217a and a large flow path 217b having a flow path area larger than that of the small flow path 217a. The small flow path 217a is formed from the center or approximately the center in the extension direction of the insertion convex portion 215 to the inner surface of the lower front wall portion 212c. The large flow path 217b is formed from the center or approximately the center in the extension direction of the insertion convex portion 215 to the front surface of the insertion convex portion 215.

[0077] In this specification, the term "flow path area" refers to the projected area of ​​the opening of the flow path in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction (axial direction) of the flow path.

[0078] Furthermore, an annular sealing portion 218 is provided inside and above the storage body 210. This makes it possible to prevent the cleaning agent from leaking from the inside of the storage body 210 to the outside.

[0079] The lid portion 220 has a shape and size capable of closing the opening 211a of the top plate portion 211. Specifically, the lid portion 220 is placed on the upper surface of the top plate portion 211 and includes a closing portion 221 that closes the opening 211a, an insertion portion 222 that extends downward from the center of the closing portion 221 and is inserted into the opening 211a, multiple peripheral wall portions 223 that extend upward from the center of the closing portion 221, and a roof portion 224 that closes the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 223. The lid portion 220 has a generally cross-shaped cross section overall. The lid portion 220 also has a cylindrical opening that extends from the center of the lower end of the insertion portion 222 to the center near the upper end of the closing portion 221. Furthermore, an annular sealing portion 225 is provided between the insertion portion 222 and the top plate portion 211. This prevents the cleaning agent from leaking from the inside of the storage body 210 to the outside.

[0080] The closing portion 221 has, in its center, a plurality of air passage holes 221a formed therein, which allow air to flow from the outside of the storage main body 210 into the inside thereof and air to flow from the inside of the storage main body 210 to the outside thereof, and an insertion hole 221b formed therein, into which a check valve 226 can be inserted, which allows air to flow through the air passage holes 221a and prevents the outflow of cleaning agent from the inside of the storage main body 210 to the outside. That is, the check valve 226 is attached to the closing portion 221. The check valve 226 may be provided in the top plate 211 or in the storage main body 210.

[0081] The cover 220 having the above configuration makes it possible to replace the air inside the storage body 210 when supplying the cleaning agent to the mixing chamber 400 (described later), while preventing the cleaning agent from flowing out from the inside to the outside of the storage body 210 by the check valve 226. Furthermore, the roof 224 makes it possible to prevent water from flowing from the outside to the inside of the storage body 210 through the air passage holes 221 a.

[0082] The lid portion 220 is configured to be connectable to the storage main body portion 210 by the shaft portion 230. In other words, the lid portion 220 is configured to be attached to the storage main body portion 210 by being connected to the storage main body portion 210 by the shaft portion 230.

[0083] The lid 220 is configured to be changeable between a closed state in which the opening 211a of the top plate 211 is closed and an open state in which the opening 211a of the top plate 211 is open. Specifically, the lid 220 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 230, thereby being changeable between the closed state and the open state. In this way, in the storage unit 200, the lid 220 closes the opening 211a of the top plate 211, which has the advantages of preventing leakage of the detergent and being hygienic. Furthermore, because the lid 220 is configured to be changeable between the closed state and the open state, it has the advantage of being easy to refill the detergent.

[0084] While the storage unit 200 has been described as having the lid 220, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the storage unit 200 may not have the lid 220, and the cleaning agent may be refilled by replacing the storage unit 200 or a cartridge that stores the cleaning agent, etc. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the storage unit 200 may be configured so that the closed state and the open state can be changed by rotating the lid 220 that is threaded onto the top plate 211, or the closed state and the open state can be changed by attaching and detaching the lid 220 that is fitted into the opening 211 a of the top plate 211, or the lid 220 may be configured so that the closed state and the open state cannot be changed.

[0085] The storage unit 200 having the above configuration is configured to be detachable from the mixing unit 100. Specifically, the storage unit 200 is configured to be attached to the mixing unit 100 by inserting the insertion convex portion 215 of the storage main body portion 210 into the insertion concave portion 131 of the holding portion 130 of the mixing unit 100 and being clamped by the clamping portion 120 of the mixing unit 100, and is configured to be detached from the mixing unit 100 by performing the opposite operation. Configuring the storage unit 200 to be detachable from the mixing unit 100 has the advantage of facilitating replacement of the mixing unit 100 or the storage unit 200 or cleaning of the storage unit 200 in the event that the mixing unit 100 or the storage unit 200 is damaged or if dirt accumulates in the storage unit 200, for example. Although the description has been given assuming that the storage section 200 is clamped by the clamping section 120 of the mixing section 100, this is not limited to this. For example, the mixing section 100 may not have the clamping section 120, and the mixing section 100 and the storage section 200 may be fixed using a detachable fixing means such as a magnet, thereby making the storage section 200 detachable from the mixing section 100.

[0086] Here, the storage unit 200 has been described as being configured to be detachable from the mixing unit 100, but this is not limited to this, and the storage unit 200 may be configured to be non-detachable from the mixing unit 100.

[0087] The top plate 211, front wall 212, rear wall 213, bottom plate 214, and insertion protrusion 215 are integrally molded using materials such as PP, PE, and PET. The lid 220 is integrally molded using materials such as PP, PE, and PET. The molding material and molding method for the storage unit 200 are not limited to these, and various known molding materials and molding methods can be used. In the first embodiment, the sealing unit 216 is formed using various known rubber materials such as fluororubber and silicone rubber.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the mixing unit 1 having the above configuration includes: a storage chamber 300 that can store a cleaning agent composition; a mixing chamber 400 that can produce a cleaning liquid by mixing the cleaning agent composition and water; a first flow path 500 that is configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose 2 or a faucet and can supply the water flowing in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet to the mixing chamber 400; a second flow path 600 that can supply the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2; and a third flow path 700 that can supply the cleaning agent composition stored in the storage chamber 300 to the mixing chamber 400.

[0089] The storage chamber 300 is a space defined by the storage body 210 and the lid 220. The viscosity of the cleaning agent composition stored in the storage chamber 300 at 30°C is preferably 200 mPa·s or less, and more preferably 100 mPa·s or less, from the viewpoint of enabling the cleaning agent to be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 by the pressure difference between the mixing chamber 400 and the storage chamber 300.

[0090] The mixing chamber 400 is a space defined by the first intermediate portion 113b and the second intermediate portion 113c within the internal space 111 of the mixing part 100. The mixing chamber 400 is configured to mix water supplied from the first flow path 500 with the cleaning agent supplied from the third flow path 700. In a supply state in which a cleaning agent composition contained in a storage chamber 300 (described later) can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400, the mixing chamber 400 is configured to mix the water supplied from the first flow path 500, the cleaning agent supplied from the third flow path 700, and air supplied from the fourth flow path 900. In a non-supply state in which a cleaning agent composition contained in a storage chamber 300 (described later) cannot be supplied to the mixing chamber 400, the mixing chamber 400 is configured to mix the water supplied from the first flow path 500 with the air supplied from the air introduction flow path 180 and the second communication path 812.

[0091] The first flow path 500 is a space defined by the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 160. A portion of the first flow path 500 is disposed within the mixing chamber 400. When the inner cylindrical portion 160 is attached to the cylindrical portion 110, the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 160 is positioned within the mixing chamber 400, and thus a portion of the first flow path 500 is disposed within the mixing chamber 400.

[0092] The second flow path 600 is a space defined by the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a within the internal space 111 of the mixing section 100. The second flow path 600 is arranged along the same direction as the axial direction (up-down direction) of the first flow path 500. Specifically, the second flow path 600 is arranged so as to be coaxial with the first flow path 500.

[0093] The first flow path 500 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the second flow path 600, and the second flow path 600 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the first flow path 500. That is, in the mixing unit 1 according to this embodiment, the first flow path 500 and the second flow path 600 form a so-called Venturi tube flow path structure.

[0094] 8, the minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is preferably larger than the minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500 from the viewpoint of making it easier for the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to flow into the second flow path 600 and ensuring the supply amount of the cleaning liquid to the shower head 3. Specifically, the minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is +0.3 mm relative to the minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500. ２ More than +6.3mm ２ Preferably, it is equal to or less than +0.8 mm. ２ Above +4.5mm ２ Furthermore, the minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is preferably +1.09 to +1.70 times the minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500, and more preferably +1.20 to +1.60 times.

[0095] The minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500 is set to 3.1 mm from the viewpoint of making the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 smaller than that in the storage chamber 300 and the outside air. ２ Over 9.6 mm ２ Preferably, it is 4.1 mm or less. ２ Over 8.1 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0096] The minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is set to 3.4 mm from the viewpoint of making it easier for the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to flow into the second flow path 600 and ensuring the supply amount of the cleaning liquid to the shower head 3. ２ Over 15.9 mm ２ Preferably, it is 4.9 mm or less. ２ Over 12.6 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0097] The flow path length of the second flow path 600 is preferably 4.2 mm or more, and more preferably 6.5 mm or more, from the viewpoints of reducing pressure loss that accompanies a sudden expansion of the flow path area of ​​the second flow path 600 and increasing the efficiency of suction of water, cleaning agent, and air. The flow path length of the second flow path 600 is the linear length in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a.

[0098] The distance D between the end of the first flow path 500 on the second flow path 600 side and the end of the second flow path 600 on the first flow path 500 side is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 0.8 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring a space for mixing water, cleaning agent, and air while making the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 lower than that of the storage chamber 300 and the outside air. Note that the distance D between the end of the first flow path 500 on the second flow path 600 side and the end of the second flow path 600 on the first flow path 500 side is the linear distance in the vertical direction from the lower end of the upper inner circumferential surface portion 113a to the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 160.

[0099] The third flow path 700 is a flow path configured by the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170, a cleaning agent communication path 811a of the switching unit 800 (described later), and a cleaning agent supply flow path 217. The third flow path 700 is arranged along a direction intersecting the axial direction (up-down direction) of the first flow path 500 and the second flow path 600. Specifically, the third flow path 700 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (up-down direction) of the first flow path 500 and the second flow path 600.

[0100] The third flow path 700 has a flow path area of ​​0.2 mm 2 from the viewpoint of adjusting the amount of cleaning agent supplied to the mixing chamber 400. ２ More than 2.0 mm ２ It is preferable that the thickness of the periphery ... is 0.3 mm or less. ２ More than 1.5 mm ２ In the first embodiment, the small flow path 217a of the cleaning agent supply flow path 217 has the above flow path area. Note that the small flow path 217a does not necessarily have to have the above flow path area. For example, the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170 may have the above flow path area, the large flow path 217b of the cleaning agent supply flow path 217 may have the above flow path area, a cleaning agent communication path 811a of the switching unit 800 (described later) may have the above flow path area, or the entire third flow path 700 may have the above flow path area.

[0101] In addition, the third flow path 700 has a flow path area of ​​0.2 mm 2 from the viewpoint of adjusting the amount of cleaning agent supplied to the mixing chamber 400. ２ More than 2.0 mm ２The flow path area is 0.7 mm downstream of the part where ２ Over 7.1 mm ２ It is preferable that the flow passage has a section with a flow passage area of ​​1.7 mm or less. ２ Over 4.9 mm ２ It is more preferable that the cleaning agent communication passage 811a of the switching section 800, which will be described later, has the above-mentioned flow path area.

[0102] With the mixing unit 1 having the above configuration, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 can be 0.09 mass% or less. The surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is more preferably 0.07 mass% or less, and even more preferably 0.05 mass% or less. The surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 may be less than 0.01 mass% if the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid ejected from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more, but is preferably 0.001 mass% or more, and more preferably 0.005 mass% or more. If the flow velocity is less than 2.0 m / s, the surfactant content is preferably 0.04 mass% or more, and more preferably 0.05 mass% or more. As will be described later, in the mixing unit 1, the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 becomes lower than the pressure in the storage chamber 300 due to a pressure drop caused by an increase in the flow rate of water from upstream to downstream in the first flow path 500, causing the cleaning agent to flow from the storage chamber 300 into the mixing chamber 400 via the third flow path 700. The flow rate of water flowing through the first flow path 500 is caused by the inflow rate of water flowing into the first flow path 500 from the shower hose 2 or the faucet. Therefore, it can be said that the supply amount of cleaning agent supplied from the third flow path 700 to the mixing chamber 400 is caused by the inflow rate of water flowing into the first flow path 500 from the shower hose 2 or the faucet. In other words, there is a correlation between an increase or decrease in the supply amount of water supplied to the mixing chamber 400 and an increase or decrease in the supply amount of cleaning agent. Therefore, regardless of whether the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the content of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 can be 0.09 mass% or less.

[0103] In the mixing unit 1 having the above configuration, when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content [mass %] can be 0.025 or more, more preferably 0.02 or more. Furthermore, when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2 m / s or more and 6 m / s or less, the mixing unit 1 preferably satisfies these numerical ranges.

[0104] In this specification, the "flow rate of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head" may be an actual measurement value or a calculated value. When a calculated value is used, the spray rate [g / min] of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is multiplied by the total area [mm ２ ] can be used.

[0105] The mixing unit 1 further includes a switching section 800 that can switch between a supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 and a non-supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 cannot be supplied to the mixing chamber 400, and a fourth flow path 900 that can supply air to the third flow path 700.

[0106] The switching section 800 has an elongated switching body 810 and a pair of restricting sections 820 provided at both longitudinal ends of the switching body 810, and is formed in an elongated shape as a whole.

[0107] The switching main body 810 has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross section along the short side direction, and is configured to be able to slide in the hole 190 of the mixing section 100 when inserted into the hole 190 of the mixing section 100. When inserted into the hole 190 of the mixing section 100, the switching main body 810 has a first communication passage 811 that communicates with the flow path on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170, the flow path on the cleaning agent supply flow path 217 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170, and the air introduction flow path 180, and a second communication passage 812 that communicates with the flow path on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow path 170 and the air introduction flow path 180.

[0108] The first communication passage 811 and the second communication passage 812 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the switching main body 810. Specifically, the first communication passage 811 is arranged at a position where, when one of the pair of restricting portions 820 abuts against an inner wall portion 193 (described later), the first communication passage 811 communicates with the flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170, the flow passage on the cleaning agent supply flow passage 217 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170, and the air introduction flow passage 180 of the mixing section 100. Furthermore, the second communication passage 812 is arranged at a position where, when the other of the pair of restricting portions 820 abuts against the inner wall portion 193 (described later), the second communication passage 812 communicates with the flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170 and the air introduction flow passage 180 of the mixing section 100.

[0109] The first communication passage 811 has a detergent communication passage 811a that communicates with the passage on the internal space 111 side of the detergent introduction passage 170 and the passage on the detergent supply passage 217 side of the detergent introduction passage 170, and an air communication passage 811b that is formed extending from the axial center of the detergent communication passage 811a in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the detergent communication passage 811a and communicates with the air introduction passage 180 of the mixing section 100, and the cross section along the short side direction of the switching main body 810 as a whole is formed in a substantially T-shape. Furthermore, the detergent communication passage 811a and the air communication passage 811b communicate with each other via a communication hole 811c formed in a wall portion that constitutes the detergent communication passage 811a.

[0110] The detergent communication passage 811a has a flow path area smaller than the flow path area of ​​the detergent introduction passage 170. The air communication passage 811b has a flow path area smaller than the flow path area of ​​the air introduction passage 180.

[0111] The cleaning agent communication passage 811a is configured to function as the third flow path 700. The air communication passage 811b is configured to function as the fourth flow path 900.

[0112] The second communication passage 812 is formed in a generally L-shape as a whole and communicates with the flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170 and the air introduction flow passage 180 of the mixing section 100. The second communication passage 812 is configured to supply air supplied from the air introduction flow passage 180 to the mixing chamber 400 via the flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170.

[0113] Two annular sealing portions 813 are provided at each of the short-side ends of the switching body 810. Specifically, the sealing portions 813 are embedded in the switching body 810 at a position coaxial with the detergent communication passage 811a of the first communication passage 811 and a position coaxial with the passage of the second communication passage 812 that communicates with the detergent introduction passage 170. The presence of the sealing portions 813 makes it possible to prevent leakage of the detergent.

[0114] The restricting portions 820 have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape. One of the pair of restricting portions 820 is configured to be detachable from the switching body 810, and is configured to be attached to the switching body 810 when the switching body 810 is inserted into the hole 190 of the mixing portion 100.

[0115] Furthermore, the restricting portion 820 is configured to restrict the sliding of the switching main body portion 810 relative to the hole portion 190. Specifically, the restricting portion 820 is configured to restrict the sliding of the switching main body portion 810 relative to the hole portion 190 by abutting against the inner wall portion 193 of the mixing portion 100 formed by the difference in opening area between the small hole portion 191 and the large hole portion 192 of the hole portion 190. The restricting portion 820 restricting the sliding of the switching main body portion 810 has the advantage of preventing the switching portion 800 from falling off the mixing portion 100.

[0116] The switching unit 800 having the above configuration is configured to be able to switch between a supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400, and a non-supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 cannot be supplied to the mixing chamber 400. Specifically, the switching unit 800 is configured to switch between the supply state and the non-supply state by sliding the switching main body 810 relative to the hole 190 to switch between a state in which the first communication passage 811 is connected to a flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170, a flow passage on the cleaning agent supply flow passage 217 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170, and the air introduction flow passage 180 of the mixing unit 100, and a state in which the second communication passage 812 is connected to a flow passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction flow passage 170 and the air introduction flow passage 180 of the mixing unit 100.

[0117] That is, in the supply state, water, cleaning agent, and air are flowing into the mixing chamber 400, and in the non-supply state, only water and air are flowing in.

[0118] The switching main body 810 and one of the restricting portions 820 are formed by integral molding using a material such as PP or POM. The other restricting portion 820 is formed by integral molding using a material such as ABS or PC. Note that the molding material and molding method of the switching portion 800 are not limited to these, and various known molding materials and molding methods can be used.

[0119] The fourth flow path 900 is a flow path formed by the air introduction flow path 180, and the air communication path 811b and communication hole 811c of the switching unit 800. The minimum flow path area of ​​the fourth flow path (the opening area of ​​the communication hole 811c) is set to 0.8 mm from the viewpoint of stably supplying the cleaning agent to the mixing chamber 400 through the third flow path 700 and foaming the cleaning liquid appropriately. ２ Over 3.1 mm ２ Preferably, it is 0.9 mm or less. ２ Over 1.8 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0120] [Cleaning method]

[0121] The cleaning method according to the present invention is a cleaning method using a mixing unit including: a storage chamber capable of storing a cleaning composition; a mixing chamber capable of mixing the cleaning composition and water to produce a cleaning liquid; a first flow path configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose or a faucet, the mixing chamber being configured to allow the water flowing in from the shower hose or the faucet to be supplied to the mixing chamber; a second flow path capable of supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber to a shower head or a shower hose; and a third flow path capable of supplying the cleaning composition stored in the storage chamber to the mixing chamber. It is preferable that the cleaning composition is stored in the storage chamber, water is supplied from the first flow path to the mixing chamber, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the shower head toward the object so that the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid [m / s] is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, and the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the content [mass %] of the surfactant is 0.025 or more.

[0122] The cleaning method according to the present invention is generally a cleaning method using a mixing unit 1 including: a storage chamber 300 capable of storing a surfactant-containing cleaning agent; a mixing chamber 400 capable of mixing the cleaning agent and water to produce a cleaning liquid; a first flow path 500 configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose 2 or a faucet and capable of supplying the water flowing in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet to the mixing chamber 400; a second flow path 600 capable of supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2; and a third flow path 700 capable of supplying the cleaning agent stored in the storage chamber 300 to the mixing chamber 400. A cleaning agent composition is stored in the storage chamber 300, and water is supplied from the first flow path 500 to the mixing chamber 400, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the shower head 3 toward a target object such that the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less. The cleaning liquid may be sprayed from the shower head 3 toward the object so that the value obtained by multiplying the flow rate [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content [mass %] is 0.025 or more. Such a cleaning method will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0123] First, the cleaning agent composition is placed in the storage chamber 300. Then, as shown in Fig. 7 , the thread groove 143 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 142 of the upper connecting portion 140 of the mixing portion 100 is threadedly engaged with the thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the shower head 3, and the thread 152 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 151 of the lower connecting portion 150 of the mixing portion 100 is threadedly engaged with the thread groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end of the shower hose 2, thereby connecting the mixing unit 1 to the shower hose 2 and the shower head 3.

[0124] 5, the switching body 810 of the switching part 800 is slid relative to the hole 190 of the mixing part 100, so that the first communication passage 811 of the switching part 800 is brought into communication with the passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170, the passage on the cleaning agent supply passage 217 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170, and the air introduction passage 180 of the mixing part 100. In other words, the mixing unit 1 is brought into a supply state.

[0125] When a user operates a water faucet (not shown) connected to the lower end of the shower hose 2, water flows into the mixing chamber 400 via the shower hose 2 and the first flow path 500. Here, the flow path area of ​​the first flow path 500 decreases toward the second flow path 600, and the flow rate of water increases from upstream to downstream of the first flow path 500, so the pressure decreases from upstream to downstream of the first flow path 500 (Bernoulli's principle).

[0126] When the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 becomes lower than that in the storage chamber 300 and the outside air, the cleaning agent flows from the storage chamber 300 into the mixing chamber 400 via the third flow path 700, and air flows into the mixing chamber 400 via the fourth flow path 900 and the third flow path 700. In addition, the water, cleaning agent, and air are mixed in the mixing chamber 400 to produce a cleaning liquid.

[0127] The cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 is supplied to the shower head 3 via the second flow path 600 and sprayed toward the user from the shower head 3. Therefore, the user can wash their body with the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3.

[0128] In particular, in the mixing unit 1, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the showerhead 3 is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the showerhead 3 is preferably 0.09 mass% or less. Therefore, the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid is less than the amount of surfactant contained in general cleaning agents, thereby reducing the environmental impact and user costs. Furthermore, when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the showerhead 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content [mass%] is 0.025 or more. Therefore, even though the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid is small, an excellent cleaning effect can be achieved by the synergistic effect with the water pressure of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the showerhead 3. Furthermore, because the cleaning liquid sprayed from the showerhead 3 can wash the hair, face, and body all at once, the cleaning process and cleaning time can be shortened compared to conventional cleaning methods (methods in which the hair, face, and body are washed individually using hands or cleaning tools).

[0129] 6 , when the switching body 810 of the switching part 800 is slid relative to the hole 190 of the mixing part 100 to place the second communication passage 812 of the switching part 800 in communication with the passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170 and the air introduction passage 180 of the mixing part 100, that is, when the mixing unit 1 is changed from the supply state to the non-supply state, air flows into the mixing chamber 400 via the air introduction passage 180, the second communication passage 812, and the passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170. Furthermore, water and air are mixed in the mixing chamber 400.

[0130] The aerated water mixed in the mixing chamber 400 is then supplied to the shower head 3 via the second flow path 600 and sprayed out from the shower head 3 toward the user, allowing the user to wash away any cleaning solution adhering to their body.

[0131] In addition, when the user operates the faucet connected to the lower end of the shower hose 2 again, the supply of water to the mixing chamber 400 via the shower hose 2 and the first flow path 500 is stopped, and the spray of cleaning liquid or water containing air from the shower head 3 toward the user is stopped.

[0132] The mass ratio of water to the shower cleaner composition in the cleaning solution (water / shower cleaner composition) is preferably 200 or more and 1,800 or less, more preferably 300 or more and 1,500 or less, and even more preferably 400 or more and 800 or less.

[0133] As described above, the mixing unit 1 includes a storage chamber 300 capable of storing a cleaning agent composition, a mixing chamber 400 capable of mixing a cleaning agent and water to produce a cleaning liquid, a first flow path 500 configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose 2 or a faucet and capable of supplying the water flowing in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet to the mixing chamber 400, a second flow path 600 capable of supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2, and a third flow path 700 capable of supplying the cleaning agent stored in the storage chamber 300 to the mixing chamber 400. When the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the content of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 0.09 mass % or less, and when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow rate [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the content [mass %] of surfactant is 0.025 or more.

[0134] With the mixing unit 1 having this configuration, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid from the second flow path 600 to the showerhead 3 or shower hose 2 is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the showerhead 3 or shower hose 2 is 0.09 mass% or less. When the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the showerhead 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity (m / s) of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content (mass%) is 0.025 or more. Therefore, even when the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the showerhead 3 or shower hose 2 is small, excellent cleaning results can be achieved by combining the water pressure of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the showerhead 3. Furthermore, the high surfactant dilution ratio provides the advantage of being gentle on the user's skin. Furthermore, the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid is lower than the amount of surfactant contained in typical cleaning agents, thereby reducing environmental impact and user costs. In addition, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 can be used to wash the hair, face, and body all at once, which has the advantage of shortening the cleaning process and time compared to conventional cleaning methods (methods in which the hair, face, and body are washed separately using hands or cleaning tools).

[0135] The mixing unit 1 includes a storage chamber 300 capable of storing a cleaning agent composition, a mixing chamber 400 capable of mixing the cleaning agent composition and water to produce a liquid, a first flow path 500 configured to allow water to flow in from a shower hose 2 or a faucet and capable of supplying the water flowing in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet to the mixing chamber 400, a second flow path 600 capable of supplying the liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to a shower head 3 or a shower hose 2, and a third flow path 600 capable of supplying the cleaning agent composition stored in the storage chamber 300 to the mixing chamber 400. The second flow path 600 is arranged along the same direction as the axial direction of the first flow path 500, the first flow path 500 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the second flow path 600, and the second flow path 600 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the first flow path 500, the third flow path 700 is arranged along a direction intersecting the axial directions of the first flow path 500 and the second flow path 600, and the minimum flow path area of ​​the second flow path 600 is larger than the minimum flow path area of ​​the first flow path 500.

[0136] According to the mixing unit 1 having such a configuration, the flow path area of ​​the first flow path 500 decreases toward the second flow path 600, and the pressure decreases from upstream to downstream of the first flow path 500, making the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 lower than that of the storage chamber 300. Therefore, without providing a component such as a motor for supplying the cleaning agent to the mixing chamber 400, the cleaning agent can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 by the pressure difference between the mixing chamber 400 and the storage chamber 300, which has the advantages of reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs of the mixing unit 1 and simplifying the structure of the mixing unit 1.

[0137] In the mixing unit 1, a portion of the first flow path 500 is disposed within the mixing chamber 400. According to the mixing unit 1 having such a configuration, the pressure in the mixing chamber 400 is lower than that in the storage chamber 300, which has the advantage that the cleaning agent can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 by the pressure difference between the mixing chamber 400 and the storage chamber 300.

[0138] Furthermore, the mixing unit 1 further includes a switching unit 800 that can switch between a supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400, and a non-supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 cannot be supplied to the mixing chamber 400. The mixing unit 1 configured as described above has the advantage of being highly convenient because it can easily switch between a state in which the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the shower head 3 and a state in which only water is sprayed from the shower head 3.

[0139] The mixing unit 1 further includes a fourth flow path 900 that can supply air to the third flow path 700. The mixing unit 1 having such a configuration has the advantage that the cleaning liquid can be foamed, thereby creating a feeling of cleanliness.

[0140] [Second embodiment] Next, a kit according to a second embodiment will be described. In the description of the kit according to the second embodiment, only the components different from the above kit will be described, and the components common to the above kit will not be described.

[0141] The mixing unit according to the second embodiment has, for example, a nozzle hole with a total area of ​​30 mm ２ More than 35mm, preferably ２ More than 50 mm ２ Less than 45 mm, preferably ２ It can be suitably used in the following shower heads.

[0142] The minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500 is 4.5 mm ２ Over 16.0 mm ２ Preferably, it is 7.0 mm or less. ２ Over 12.6 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0143] The minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is +0.3 mm relative to the minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500. ２ or more +10.0 mm ２ Preferably, it is equal to or less than +0.8 mm. ２ Above +8.0mm ２Furthermore, the minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is preferably +1.07 to +3.22 times the minimum flow path area A1 of the first flow path 500, and more preferably +1.17 to +2.78 times.

[0144] Specifically, the minimum flow path area A2 of the second flow path 600 is 4.80 mm ２ Over 26.0 mm ２ Preferably, it is 7.8 mm or less. ２ Over 20.6 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0145] The third flow path 700 has a flow path area of ​​0.2 mm ２ More than 2.0 mm ２ It is preferable that the first portion (small flow path 217a, etc.) has a flow path area of ​​0.2 mm or less. ２ More than 2.0 mm ２ Furthermore, the third flow path 700 has a flow path area of ​​0.7 mm or less downstream of the first portion. ２ Over 7.1 mm ２ It is preferable that the second portion (e.g., the cleaning agent communication passage 811a) has a flow path area of ​​1.7 mm or less. ２ Over 4.9 mm ２ More preferably, it is:

[0146] According to the mixing unit 1 of the second embodiment having the above configuration, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 5000 g / min or more and 9000 g / min or less, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is 0.05 mass% or less. Furthermore, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is more preferably 0.04 mass% or less. Furthermore, the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 may be less than 0.01 mass% if the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more, but is preferably 0.001 mass% or more, and more preferably 0.005 mass% or more. If the flow velocity is less than 2.0 m / s, the surfactant content is preferably 0.04 mass% or more, and more preferably 0.05 mass% or more.

[0147] In the mixing unit 1 according to the second embodiment having the above configuration, when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content [mass %] is 0.025 or more, and more preferably 0.03 or more. Furthermore, in the mixing unit 1 according to the second embodiment, when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is 2 m / s or more and 6 m / s or less, it is preferable that these numerical ranges are satisfied.

[0148] [Advantages of the mixing unit according to the second embodiment] As described above, the mixing unit 1 according to the second embodiment includes the storage chamber 300 capable of storing the cleaning agent composition, the mixing chamber 400 capable of mixing the cleaning agent composition and water to produce a cleaning liquid, the first flow path 500 configured to allow water to flow in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet and capable of supplying the water flowing in from the shower hose 2 or the faucet to the mixing chamber 400, the second flow path 600 capable of supplying the cleaning liquid produced in the mixing chamber 400 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2, and the third flow path 600 capable of supplying the cleaning agent composition stored in the storage chamber 300 to the mixing chamber 400. and a third flow path (700), and when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path (600) to the shower head (3) or the shower hose (2) is 5000 g / min or more and 9000 g / min or less, the content of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head (3) or the shower hose (2) is 0.05 mass % or less, and when the flow velocity of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head (3) is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, the value obtained by multiplying the flow velocity [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the content [mass %] of surfactant is 0.025 or more.

[0149] The mixing unit 1 according to the second embodiment having such a configuration can achieve the same effects as the mixing unit 1. Furthermore, the mixing unit 1 according to the second embodiment has the advantage that the amount of cleaning liquid supplied from the second flow path 600 to the shower head 3 or the shower hose 2 is greater than that of the mixing unit 1, and the amount of cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head 3 is greater than that of the mixing unit 1, thereby improving the shower experience.

[0150] [Other Modifications] The mixing unit according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0151] For example, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that a portion of the first flow path 500 is disposed within the mixing chamber 400, that the first flow path 500 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the second flow path 600, and that the second flow path 600 is configured so that the flow path area decreases toward the first flow path 500. However, this is not limited to this, and a portion of the first flow path 500 may not be disposed within the mixing chamber 400, or the flow path area of ​​the first flow path 500 may not decrease toward the second flow path 600, or the flow path area of ​​the second flow path 600 may not decrease toward the first flow path 500. In other words, instead of supplying the cleaning agent to the mixing chamber 400 by a pressure difference between the mixing chamber 400 and the storage chamber 300, the cleaning agent may be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 by a component for supplying the cleaning agent to the mixing chamber 400, such as a motor.

[0152] In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning device is described as having the switching unit 800 that can switch between a supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 can be supplied to the mixing chamber 400 and a non-supply state in which the cleaning agent composition contained in the storage chamber 300 cannot be supplied to the mixing chamber 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration that does not include the switching unit 800 may also be used.

[0153] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the switching unit 800 is described as being configured to slide the switching main body 810 relative to the hole 190 to switch between a state in which the first communication passage 811 is connected to the passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170, the passage on the cleaning agent supply passage 217 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170, and the air introduction passage 180 of the mixing section 100, and a state in which the second communication passage 812 is connected to the passage on the internal space 111 side of the cleaning agent introduction passage 170 and the air introduction passage 180 of the mixing section 100, thereby switching between the supply state and the non-supply state. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the switching unit 800 may be configured to have only the first communication passage 811, and a valve may be provided in the first communication passage 811, and the supply state and the non-supply state may be switched by opening and closing the valve provided in the first communication passage 811.

[0154] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fourth flow path 900 capable of supplying air to the third flow path 700 has been described as being provided, but this is not limiting and a configuration without the fourth flow path 900 is also possible. Also, the fourth flow path 900 has been described as supplying air to the mixing chamber 400 via the third flow path 700, but this is not limiting and a configuration in which air is supplied to the mixing chamber 400 without passing through the third flow path 700 is also possible.

[0155] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the mixing unit 1 is described as being configured to be connectable to the shower hose 2 and the shower head 3, but this is not limited to this, and the mixing unit 1 may be configured as an integral part of either or both of the shower hose 2 and the shower head 3.

[0156] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the flow path area of ​​the third flow path 700 and the flow path area of ​​the fourth flow path 900 are adjusted to adjust the amounts of cleaning agent and air supplied to the mixing chamber 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the amounts of cleaning agent and air supplied to the mixing chamber 400 may be adjusted by using a valve such as a check valve.

[0157] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the container and mixing chamber for storing the shower detergent that the shower head is equipped with are defined as a container and mixing chamber that are part of a mixing unit connected to the shower head, but the container may be provided in a detachable manner on the mixing unit, and the mixing chamber may be a separate member from the container or may be integrated with the shower head.

[0158] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0159] The detergent composition is intended to be used for washing the body without applying friction to the skin or hair caused by a solid (for example, fingers, a sponge, a brush, etc.). The cleaning method of this embodiment also includes using the above-described detergent composition to wash the body without applying friction to the skin or hair caused by the solid. In such a detergent composition or cleaning method, when the detergent composition is filled in the foamer container, the foamed detergent composition discharged from the foamer container may be applied to the skin or hair, thereby removing dirt. When the detergent composition is used in the shower, the unit structure may include a shower head that sprays a cleaning liquid containing the detergent composition mixed with water supplied from a shower hose, and the sprayed cleaning liquid is then applied to the skin or hair, thereby removing dirt.

[0160] In relation to the above-described embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following techniques.

[0161] <1> A cleanser composition containing the following components (A) and (B), wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more, and the cleanser composition is used to cleanse the body without applying solid friction to the skin or hair. (A) A nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or in a mixture of two or more types. (B) An anionic surfactant. <2> The cleanser composition according to <1>, wherein component (A) includes one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides. <3> The cleanser composition according to <1> or <2>, which is a cleanser composition filled in a foamer container or added to shower water and is used on skin or hair. <4> The cleanser composition according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the content of component (A) is 0.14 to 19.7 mass%. <5> The cleaning composition according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the component (A) is one or more of polyoxyethylene (6) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (9) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (16) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (21) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (41) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (47) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (85) myristyl ether, polysorbate 20, PEG-12 laurate, and lauryl polyglucoside. <6> The cleaning composition according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the component (A) has an HLB of 15.0 or more and 18.8 or less. <7> The cleaning composition according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the content of the component (B) is 0.06% by mass or more and 15.3% by mass or less.<8> The detergent composition according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the component (B) is one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether acetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium stearate, and sodium internal olefin sulfonate. <9> The detergent composition according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more and 6 or less. <10> The detergent composition according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the total mass of component (A) and component (B) [(A) + (B)] is 0.4% by mass or more and 23% by mass or less. <11> The cleanser composition according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the content of the component (C) is 0.1% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less. <12> The cleanser composition according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the component (C) is at least one of diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol. <13> A washing method comprising washing the body without applying solid friction to the skin or hair with a cleanser composition containing the following components (A) and (B), wherein the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more: (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or in a mixture of two or more types; and (B) an anionic surfactant.

[0162] In addition, with respect to the above-described embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following technology. <1A> A method for washing a body using a shower detergent composition, wherein the shower detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or in a mixture of two or more types; and (B) an anionic surfactant; the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more, the shower detergent composition is contained in a container provided in a shower head, and the method includes the steps of mixing the shower detergent composition contained in the container with water in a mixing chamber provided in the shower head to obtain a cleaning liquid, and spraying the cleaning liquid onto the body from a discharge port of the shower head. <2A> The cleaning method according to <1A>, wherein the mass ratio of water to shower detergent composition in the cleaning liquid (water / shower detergent composition) is 200 to 1,800. <3A> The washing method according to <1A> or <2A>, wherein the step of obtaining the detergent comprises a step of mixing air introduced from outside with the detergent. <4A> The method for washing a body according to any one of claims <1A> to <3A>, wherein the shower detergent composition contains, as component (A), one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides. <5A> The method for washing a body according to any one of <1A> to <4A>, wherein the shower detergent composition uses, as component (A), one having an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less. <6A> The method for washing a body according to any one of <1A> to <5A>, wherein the content of component (A) in the shower detergent composition is 0.14% by mass or more and 19.7% by mass or less.<7A> A shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a mixing unit detachable from a shower head, wherein the mixing unit comprises: a storage chamber capable of storing the detergent composition; and a mixing chamber capable of mixing the detergent composition with water, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 or more and 19 or less, either alone or in a mixture of two or more types; and (B) an anionic surfactant, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more. <8A> A shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a storage chamber detachable from a shower head, wherein the storage chamber is configured to be detachable from a mixing unit of the shower head, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or in a mixture of two or more types, and (B) an anionic surfactant, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more. <9A> The shower cleaning product kit according to <7A> or <8A>, wherein the shower detergent composition includes component (A) which is one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides. <10A> The shower cleaning product kit according to any one of claims <7A> to <9A>, wherein the shower cleaner composition uses component (A) having an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less. <11A> The shower cleaning product kit according to any one of claims <7A> to <10A>, wherein the content of component (A) in the shower cleaner composition is 0.14% by mass or more and 19.7% by mass or less. <12A> A shower cleaner composition comprising the following components (A) and (B), wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more, and the shower cleaner composition is contained in a container provided in a mixing unit detachable from a shower head, and is used by mixing with water and discharging.(A) A nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19, when used alone or in a mixture of two or more types. (B) An anionic surfactant. <13A> The shower detergent composition according to <12A>, wherein the component (A) includes one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides. <14A> The shower detergent composition according to <12A> or <13A>, wherein the component (A) has an HLB of 15.5 to 18.8. <15A> The shower detergent composition according to any one of <12A> to <14A>, wherein the content of the component (A) is 0.14% by mass or more and 19.7% by mass or less. <16A> The shower detergent composition according to any one of <12A> to <15A>, wherein the nonionic surfactant (A) is a nonionic surfactant represented by the following general formula (1): RO-(CH. ２ CH ２O)n-H (1) (wherein R represents a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 carbon atoms, and n represents a number from 13 to 80.) <17A> The shower cleaner composition according to any one of <12A> to <16A>, wherein component (B) includes one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl methyl taurines, linear fatty acid salts having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and internal olefin sulfonates. <18A> The shower cleaner composition according to <17A>, wherein component (B) includes one or more selected from polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether sodium sulfate, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether sodium acetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium stearate, and sodium internal olefin sulfonate. <19A> The shower cleaner composition according to any one of <12A> to <18A>, further comprising a polyhydric alcohol as component (C). <20A> The shower cleaner composition according to any one of <12A> to <19A>, further comprising a polyhydric alcohol (C1) that is liquid at 20°C and a polyhydric alcohol (C2) that is solid at 20°C, as component (C).

[0163] Specific examples of the present invention are shown below, but the present invention is not limited to these. Unless otherwise specified, the numerical values ​​in each table mean mass %.

[0164] The components used in the production of the detergent composition are listed below along with the names of the raw materials and the manufacturers. Component (A) POE (5) lauryl ether (HLB 11.7) (Emulgen 106, Kao Corporation. "Emulgen" is a registered trademark. The same applies below.) POE (6) lauryl ether (HLB 12.5) (Emulgen 108, Kao Corporation) POE (9) lauryl ether (HLB 14.2) (Emulgen 109P, Kao Corporation) POE (12) lauryl ether (HLB 15.3) (Emulgen 120, Kao Corporation) POE (16) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2) (Emulgen 116, Kao Corporation) POE (21) lauryl ether (HLB 17.0) (Emulgen 121, Kao Corporation) POE (41) lauryl ether (HLB 18.3) (Emulgen 130K, Kao Corporation) POE (47) lauryl ether (HLB 18.6) (Emulgen 150, Kao Corporation) POE (100) lauryl ether (HLB 19.3) (Nonion K-2100W, NOF Corporation) POE (85) myristyl ether (HLB 19.0) (Emulgen 4085, Kao Corporation) Polysorbate 20 (HLB 17.5) (Rheodol TW-L120, Kao Corporation; "Rheodol" is a registered trademark) PEG-12 laurate (HLB 15.7) (Emanon 1112, Kao Corporation; "Emanon" is a registered trademark) Alkyl polyglucoside (HLB 12.2) (AG-124, Kao Corporation) Component (B) POE (2) sodium lauryl ether sulfate (EMAL 227-PH11K2, Kao Corporation, "EMAL" is a registered trademark) POE (4) sodium lauryl ether acetate (Akipo LM-26SD, Kao Corporation, "Akipo" is a registered trademark) Sodium cocoyl glutamate (PUJI YG02-25B, Shapuji Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate (SOYPON SCE, Kawaken Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., "SOYPON" is a registered trademark) Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (DIAPON K-SF, NOF Corporation, "DIAPON" is a registered trademark) Sodium internal olefin sulfonate (PELEX DH-60, Kao Corporation, "PELEX" is a registered trademark)

[0165] Examples 1-1 to 4-7, Comparative Examples 1-1 to 2-3 Cleaning compositions were produced according to the formulations shown in Tables 1 to 4. The resulting cleaning compositions were added to shower water and sprayed, or foamed from a foamer container, to evaluate their detergency, foam breaking ability, and foam quality. The results are also shown in Tables 1 to 4.

[0166] (Production Method) Each component was mixed and dissolved in ion-exchanged water to produce a cleaning composition. The resulting cleaning composition was added to shower water in the Examples and Comparative Examples shown in Tables 1 and 3, and filled into a foamer container in the Examples and Comparative Examples shown in Tables 2 and 4. The cleaning composition was added to shower water using a unit structure (mixing unit) connected to a shower hose and a shower head, which mixed (diluted) the cleaning composition with water supplied from the shower hose to produce a cleaning liquid, and then supplied the produced cleaning liquid to the shower head. The foamer container used was one described in Japanese Patent No. 5608433 (foam-discharging container 10).

[0167] (Evaluation Method) "Evaluation of Shower Cleansing Power" Model sebum (dirt) colored with 2% NIPex160 IQ POWDER (ORION Engineered Carbons GmbH) was applied to three 3 cm square areas on the inside of one forearm, each 20 μL in volume. The cleaning solution, which was approximately 40°C and had a water volume of approximately 2.9 L / mL, was sprayed from the shower so that the detergent composition was diluted at a dilution ratio of approximately 563 times. The dirt was rinsed by spraying the solution alternately from the wrist side to the elbow side and then from the elbow side to the wrist side, for one second each way. After 15 seconds, the dirt removal was visually evaluated (scored) on the following five-point scale, and the average value of the scores for the three areas was taken as the shower cleansing power (see Figure 1). 1: Not removed at all; 2: Slightly removed; 3: Approximately half removed; 4: Almost completely removed; 5: Completely removed. The cleansing power of the shower (average of the three areas) was also evaluated according to the following criteria: ⊚: 4.5 or higher. Extremely high detergency ◯: 4 or more but less than 4.5. High detergency △: 3 or more but less than 4. Detergency present ×: Less than 3. No detergency

[0168] "Evaluation of Foam Cleansing Power" Model sebum (dirt) colored with 2% NIPex160 IQ POWDER (ORION Engineered Carbons GmbH) was applied to three 3 cm square areas on the inside of one forearm, each 20 μL in size. One pump of foam was applied to one stain, and the same was done to the other two stains. The inner sides of both forearms were then placed facing each other and left to stand for 2 minutes. Tap water (approximately 40°C) was then applied to the arm, running down the stain for 10 seconds, avoiding direct contact with the stain. As with the "Evaluation of Shower Cleansing Power" above, the stain removal rate after rinsing was visually evaluated (scored) on the following 5-point scale for each of the three stains, and the average of the three scores was used to determine the cleansing power of the foam (see Figure 1). 1: Not removed at all; 2: Slightly removed; 3: Approximately half removed; 4: Almost completely removed; 5: Completely removed. The cleansing power of the foam (average of the three scores) was also evaluated according to the following criteria. ◎: 4.5 or more. Extremely high detergency. ◯: 4.0 or more but less than 4.5. High detergency. △: 3.0 or more but less than 4.0. Detergency is good. ×: Less than 3.0. No detergency.

[0169] "Evaluation of Foam Breaking Property" 100 mL of an aqueous solution of the detergent composition diluted 500 times with tap water (about 24°C) was poured entirely into a 500 mL separatory funnel. The funnel was covered with a lid and vigorously shaken up and down, and then the cock was opened and the water was drained for 20 seconds. The cock was closed, and 100 mL of tap water was poured into the funnel. The funnel was covered with a lid and vigorously shaken up and down, and then the cock was opened and the water was drained for 20 seconds. The cock was closed, and the distance from the top of the foam remaining in the separatory funnel to the cock was measured, and the foam breaking property was evaluated according to the following criteria. ⊚: The distance from the top of the foam remaining in the separatory funnel to the cock was less than 5 cm. ◯: The distance from the top of the foam remaining in the separatory funnel to the cock was 5 cm or more but less than 5.5 cm. △: The distance from the top of the foam remaining in the separatory funnel to the cock was 5.5 cm or more but less than 6 cm. ×: The distance from the top of the foam remaining in the separatory funnel to the cock was 6 cm or more.

[0170] "Evaluation of Foam Quality" 1 mL of the cleanser composition was dropped onto the palm of a hand lightly wetted with tap water (about 24°C), and the hands were rubbed back and forth 50 times. The state of the resulting foam was observed by touch and visually, and the foam quality was evaluated according to the following criteria (see Figure 2). ◎: The bubbles were small, the entire foam appeared white, and it was bulky. ○: The bubbles were small, the entire foam appeared white. △: Many bubbles were slightly larger, and the entire foam was not very white. ×: Many bubbles were large, and the palm of the hand was visible through the foam.

[0171]

[0172]

[0173]

[0174]

[0175] Formulation Examples 1 and 2 Formulation Example 1 (Table 5) and Formulation Example 2 (Table 6) as shower cleanser compositions are shown below. In the following formulation examples, the number "21" in (21E.O.) represents the average number of moles added (n in general formula (1), m in general formula (4), and p in general formula (5)), and "E.O." represents ethylene oxide. For example, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (21E.O.) is synonymous with POE (21) lauryl ether.

[0176]

[0177]

[0178] Formulation Examples 3 and 4 Formulation Example 3 (Table 7) and Formulation Example 4 (Table 8) as foamer detergent compositions (foam detergent compositions) are shown below.

[0179]

[0180]

[0181] [Preparation of Examples C1 to C3] Mixing units according to Examples C1 to C3 were prepared based on the mixing unit according to this embodiment. In the mixing units according to Examples C1 to C3, the flow path area of ​​the first flow path 500, the flow path area of ​​the second flow path 600, the flow path area of ​​the third flow path 700, the surfactant content of the cleaning agent, and the viscosity of the cleaning agent were adjusted so that the flow rate of the cleaning liquid and the surfactant content of the cleaning liquid were as shown in Table 9.

[0182] [Cleaning conditions] (1) Water supply rate: 6,800 g / min for Example C1, 4,200 g / min for Example C2, and 6,800 g / min for Example C3. (2) Water temperature: Approximately 40°C. (3) Cleaning agent: The following cleaning agent (b) was used. (b): A cleaning agent containing sodium polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether sulfate (ES, average ethylene oxide addition mole number 2.0) (3 mass%), polyoxyethylene (16) lauryl ether (HLB 16.2) (9 mass%), and ion-exchanged water (88 mass%) (hereinafter referred to as "cleaning agent 2"). (4) Surfactant content in the cleaning agent: 2.70 mass% for Example C1, 1.69 mass% for Example C2, and 3.38 mass% for Example C3. (5) Viscosity of cleaning agent at 30°C: 10 mPa s or less for Example C1, 10 mPa s or less for Example C2, and 10 mPa s or less for Example C3. The viscosity of the cleaning agent was adjusted using a BM-type viscometer (Model TVB-10H, rotor M1, rotation speed 60 rpm). (6) Supply rate of cleaning liquid: 6810 g / min for Example C1, 4216 g / min for Example C2, and 6821 g / min for Example C3. (7) Flow rate of cleaning liquid sprayed from showerhead 3: The flow rate was set to the value shown in Table 9.

[0183] [Evaluation of Detergency] First, 20 μL of model comedo sebum soil (98% by mass) and carbon black (2% by mass) were dropped onto three randomly selected locations (each within a 3 cm × 3 cm area) along the longitudinal direction of an arm, and allowed to dry for at least 5 minutes. Then, the mixing units according to Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were attached to a shower hose (manufactured by SANEI Corporation, model number PS3086TXW) and a shower head (manufactured by TOTO Corporation, model number THY731HR), and cleaning was carried out according to the following procedure. After that, the detergency was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria, as well as the environmental impact and user costs, and an overall evaluation was carried out based on these evaluation results.

[0184] The components of the model comedo sebum stain are as follows: squalene: 7.94% by mass, wax (myristyl myristate): 13.89% by mass, cottonseed oil: 7.14% by mass, cholesterol: 11.90% by mass, cholesterol ester: 3.97% by mass, lauric acid: 0.79% by mass, myristic acid: 6.35% by mass, palmitic acid: 24.6% by mass, stearic acid: 4.76% by mass, oleic acid: 18.65% by mass.

[0185] [Cleaning Procedure] Step 1: With mixing unit 1 in a non-supply state, water was applied back and forth once to the area on the arm where the model comedo sebum soil had adhered. Step 2: With mixing unit 1 in a supply state, the cleaning solution was applied back and forth five times to the area on the arm where the model comedo sebum soil had adhered. Step 3: With mixing unit 1 in a non-supply state, water was applied back and forth five times to the area on the arm where the model comedo sebum soil had adhered.

[0186] [Criteria for assessing cleanliness] 5: Dirt is removed completely 4: Dirt is mostly removed, but dirt remains on the skin texture 3: Dirt is removed somewhat 2: Dirt is hardly removed at all 1: Dirt is not removed at all Mixing units that achieved a rating of 3 or more were assessed as having good cleansing power (rating ◯). On the other hand, mixing units that achieved a rating of 2 or less were assessed as having poor cleansing power (rating ×).

[0187]

[0188] As shown in Table 9, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head is 4000 g / min or more and 7000 g / min or less, the surfactant content contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head is 0.09 mass % or less, and when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, Example C2 in which the value obtained by multiplying the flow rate of the cleaning liquid [m / s] by the surfactant content [mass %] is 0.025 or more was revealed to exhibit excellent cleaning effects even when the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid was small.

[0189] Furthermore, as shown in Table 9, when the supply rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head is 5000 g / min or more and 9000 g / min or less, the surfactant content contained in the cleaning liquid supplied to the shower head is 0.05 mass % or less, and when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower head is 2.0 m / s or more and 10 m / s or less, Examples C1 and C3, in which the value obtained by multiplying the flow rate [m / s] of the cleaning liquid by the surfactant content [mass %] is 0.025 or more, also demonstrated excellent cleaning effects even when the amount of surfactant contained in the cleaning liquid was small.

[0190] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Mixing unit 2: Shower hose 3: Shower head 100: Mixing portion 110: Cylindrical portion 111: Internal space 112: Recess 113: Inner peripheral surface portion 113a: Upper inner peripheral surface portion 113b: First intermediate portion 113c: Second intermediate portion 113d: Third intermediate portion 113e: Lower inner peripheral surface portion 120: Clamping portion 121: Tip portion 130: Holding portion 131: Insertion recess 140: Upper connecting portion 141: Bottom portion 142: Wall portion 143: Thread groove 150: Lower connecting portion 151: Convex portion 152: Thread 160: Inner cylindrical portion 170: Cleaning agent introduction channel 180: Air introduction channel 190 : Hole 191 : Small hole 192 : Large hole 193 : Inner wall 200 : Storage section 210 : Storage main body 211 : Top plate 211a : Opening 211b : Shaft holding section 211c : Insertion hole 212 : Front wall 212a : Upper front wall 212b : Middle front wall 212c : Lower front wall 213 : Rear wall 213a : Engagement recess 214 : Bottom plate 215 : Insertion protrusion 216 : Sealing section 217 : Cleaning agent supply flow path 217a : Small flow path 217b : Large flow path 218 : Sealing section 220 : Lid 221 : Closing section 221a : Air passage hole 221b : Insertion hole 222: Insertion portion 223: Peripheral wall portion 224: Roof portion 225: Sealing portion 226: Check valve 230: Shaft portion 300: Storage chamber 400: Mixing chamber 500: First flow path 600: Second flow path 700: Third flow path 800: Switching portion 810: Switching main body portion 811: First communication path 811a: Cleaning agent communication path 811b: Air communication path 811c: Communication hole 812: Second communication path 813: Sealing portion 820: Restricting portion 900: Fourth flow path

Claims

1. A method for washing the body using a shower detergent composition, wherein the shower detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; (B) an anionic surfactant; the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or greater; the shower detergent composition is contained in a container provided in a shower head; and the method for washing the body comprises the steps of: mixing the shower detergent composition contained in the container with water in a mixing chamber provided in the shower head to obtain a cleaning liquid; and spraying the cleaning liquid onto the body from a discharge port of the shower head.

2. The cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of water to the shower cleaner composition (water / shower cleaner composition) in the cleaning liquid is 200 or more and 1,800 or less.

3. The cleaning method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of obtaining the cleaning agent includes a step of mixing the cleaning agent with air introduced from the outside.

4. A method for washing the body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shower cleanser composition contains component (A) which contains one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides.

5. The method for washing the body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shower cleanser composition uses, as component (A), a composition having an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less.

6. A method for washing the body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of component (A) in the shower cleanser composition is 0.14% by mass or more and 19.7% by mass or less.

7. A shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a mixing unit detachable from a shower head, wherein the mixing unit comprises a storage chamber capable of storing the detergent composition and a mixing chamber capable of mixing the detergent composition with water, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 or more and 19 or less when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; and (B) an anionic surfactant, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more.

8. A shower cleaning product kit comprising a shower detergent composition and a storage chamber detachable from a shower head, wherein the storage chamber is configured to be detachable from a mixing unit provided in the shower head, and the detergent composition contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 or more and 19 or less when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; (B) an anionic surfactant; and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more.

9. A shower cleaning product kit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the shower cleaning composition contains component (A) which comprises one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides.

10. A shower cleaning product kit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the shower cleaning composition uses, as component (A), an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less.

11. A shower cleaning product kit according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the content of component (A) in the shower cleaning composition is 0.14 mass% or more and 19.7 mass% or less.

12. A shower detergent composition comprising the following components (A) and (B), wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is 0.5 or more, and the shower detergent composition is contained in a container attached to a mixing unit detachable from a shower head, and is mixed with water and discharged for use: (A) a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 12 to 19 when used alone or when two or more types are mixed; and (B) an anionic surfactant.

13. A shower cleaner composition according to claim 12, wherein component (A) comprises one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and alkyl polyglucosides.

14. A shower cleaner composition according to claim 12 or 13, in which component (A) has an HLB of 15.5 or more and 18.8 or less.

15. A shower cleaner composition according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the content of component (A) is 0.14 mass% or more and 19.7 mass% or less.

16. The shower cleaner composition according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the nonionic surfactant (A) is a nonionic surfactant represented by the following general formula (1): RO-(CH ２ CH ２ O)n-H (1) (wherein R represents a linear hydrocarbon group having 12 carbon atoms, and n represents a number from 13 to 80) 17. The shower cleaner composition according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein component (B) comprises one or more selected from polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl methyl taurines, salts of linear fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and internal olefin sulfonates.

18. The shower cleaner composition according to claim 17, wherein component (B) comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium polyoxyethylene (2) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether acetate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl sarcosine, sodium cocoyl methyl taurate, potassium laurate, potassium myristate, potassium palmitate, potassium stearate, and sodium internal olefin sulfonate.

19. The shower cleaner composition according to any one of claims 12 to 18, further comprising a polyhydric alcohol as component (C).

20. A shower cleaner composition according to any one of claims 12 to 19, comprising, as component (C), a polyhydric alcohol (C1) that is liquid at 20°C and a polyhydric alcohol (C2) that is solid at 20°C.

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