COMPOSITION FOR REMOVING DUST

Abstract

 A subject of the present invention is to provide a powdery composition, dispersion or solution, a spray and a sheet, for removing dust, which effectively enable removal of indoor dust. The present invention relates to a powdery composition for removing dust comprising a layered silicate, a dispersion or solution for removing dust, a spray for removing dust comprising a spray container filled with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution and a sheet for removing dust comprising a sheet material impregnated with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution, and can be used for removal of indoor dust.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a powdery composition, dispersion or solution, a spray and a sheet, for removing dust, which are used for removal of indoor dust.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In a room, there are various kinds of house dust such as flocks. In general, the room is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or the like. However, fine house dust such as those entwined to carpets, sofas, beddings or the like cannot be sufficiently removed by simply vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner or the like. Therefore, various compositions have been developed for the purpose of increasing an effect of removing house dust.

[0003] There have been known, for example, a powdery composition for carpet treatment, which contains an inorganic salt and/or organic salt carrier powder as a main component, and further contains an antistatic agent or the like (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 58-80398); a powdery composition for indoor treatment containing the above composition and further containing a germicidal agent or a bacteriostatic agent (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 59-196802); and the like.

[0004] However, these compositions have not yet been satisfactory in their effects of removing house dust, in particular, an effect of removing dust.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a powdery composition, dispersion or solution, spray and sheet, for removing dust, capable of effective removal of indoor dust.

[0006] Specifically, the present invention relates to:

[1] a powdery composition for removing dust, comprising a layered silicate;

[2] the powdery composition for removing dust according to the above [1], wherein the layered silicate is hectorite;

[3] the powdery composition for removing dust according to the above [1] or [2], further comprising a deodorant component;

[4] a dispersion or solution for removing dust, comprising a layered silicate;

[5] the dispersion or solution for removing dust according to the above [4], wherein the layered silicate is hectorite;

[6] the dispersion or solution for removing dust according to the above [4] or [5], further comprising a deodorant component;

[7] a spray for removing dust comprising a spray container filled with the dispersion or solution as defined in any one of the above [4] to [6]; and

[8] a sheet for removing dust comprising a sheet material impregnated with the dispersion or solution as defined in any one of the above [4] to [6].

[0007] According to the powdery composition for removing dust or the like of the present invention, since the dust can be aggregated to increase its removal effect, indoor dust can be efficiently removed by, for example, using the composition or the like during cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] 

Figure 1 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) of standard dust.

Figure 2 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where the standard dust is mixed with water.

Figure 3 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (hectorite concentration: 0.2% by weight) of Example 1 is sprayed to the standard dust.

Figure 4 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (hectorite concentration: 0.02% by weight) of Example 2 is sprayed to the standard dust.

Figure 5 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (hectorite concentration: 0.002% by weight) of Example 3 is sprayed to the standard dust.

Figure 6 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (sodium sulfate concentration: 0.2% by weight) of Comparative Example 1 is sprayed to the standard dust.

Figure 7 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (sodium citrate concentration: 0.2% by weight) of Comparative Example 2 is sprayed to the standard dust.

Figure 8 is a stereo micrograph (magnification: 50 folds) showing a state of standard dust in a case where a test solution (sodium hydrogencarbonate concentration: 0.2% by weight) of Comparative Example 3 is sprayed to the standard dust.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] One of the significant features of the powdery composition, dispersion or solution, spray and sheet, for removing dust according to the present invention resides in that each comprises a layered silicate.

[0010] It has been found in the present invention that a layered silicate can surprisingly exhibit an especially excellent effect in adsorption or aggregation of dust, as compared to components which have been used as active ingredients in conventional compositions having similar applications to the powdery composition or the like of the present invention. The present invention has been accomplished thereby. It is presumed that the above effect exhibited by a layered silicate is attributed to the properties owned by the silicate, such as adsorbability, film formability, and antistatic effect. According to the powdery composition or the like of the present invention, there is exhibited an excellent effect such that indoor dust can be effectively removed during cleaning, and it is thought that this effect is exhibited because dust is aggregated to be in an easily removable state due to the adsorption and aggregation effect of dust exhibited by the layered silicate.

[0011] The term "dust" as used herein refers to dust generated in houses, household articles or the like.

[0012] The powdery composition, dispersion or solution, spray and sheet, for removing dust of the present invention will be explained in order hereinbelow.

(1) Powdery Composition

[0013] The layered silicate contained in the powdery composition of the present invention refers to a silicate taking a layered structure such as smectite, vermiculite, or mica, and cations such as Na⁺, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺, and water are incorporated between layers due to the presence of a hydroxyl group on the surface of a unit layer, so that the silicate generally has hydrophilicity. The silicate is usually in a powdery state having a white, light brown, light gray, or other color. It is preferable that the silicate is a white powder. The layered silicate is not particularly limited, and hectorite, which is a water-containing silicate of magnesium and lithium in the form of white powder, is preferably used because of its excellent adsorption or aggregation effect of dust.

[0014] The layered silicate can be prepared according to a known method (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. Hei 6-234516 and Hei 10-36112). For example, hectorite is obtained in the form of a white powder by reacting salts of sodium, magnesium and lithium with sodium silicate under appropriate blending conditions, keeping the obtained amorphous precipitates at a high temperature to allow crystallization, and subjecting the obtained crystals to filtration, washing, drying and the like. As the layered silicate, those that are commercially available may be used if available.

[0015] The average particle size of the layered silicate is, but not particularly limited to, preferably 500 nm or less, more preferably 100 nm or less, from the viewpoint of increasing the adsorption or aggregation effect of dust. The lower limit of the average particle size of the layered silicate is usually about 10 nm. The average particle size of the layered silicate can be determined with, for example, a particle size distribution analyzer (manufactured by Beckman Coulter). The average particle size of the layered silicate can be readily adjusted by, for example, appropriately pulverizing the obtained layered silicate, or classifying the obtained layered silicate with a sieve.

[0016] In the powdery composition of the present invention, the layered silicate can be used alone or in admixture of two or more kinds.

[0017] The content of the layered silicate in the powdery composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. The content is preferably from 0.1 to 100% by weight, and more preferably from 1 to 99% by weight, from the viewpoint of exhibiting satisfactory effect of removing dust.

[0018] It is preferable that the powdery composition of the present invention further contains a deodorant component. Since the powdery composition contains the component, the powdery composition can also exhibit an effect of removing, for example, odors derived from human sebum and sweat.

[0019] The deodorant component is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, extracts from plants such as green tea, persimmon, bamboo, camellia, rose, chrysanthemum, pine, cedar, plantain, and sugar cane; essential oils of plants such as rose oil, lavender oil, bergamot oil, bitter almond oil, cananga oil, cassia oil, cedar wood oil, cinnamon oil, citronella oil, lemon oil, lime oil, nutmeg oil, peppermint oil, abies oil, pine oil, star anise oil, turpentine oil, vetiver oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, and hinoki cypress oil; components derived from essential oils of plants such as anethol, citronellal, citral, limonene, cineole, α-pinene, and terpinolene; and deodorant components such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, ethyl pyruvate, pyruvic esters, dimethyl maleate, and betaine; and the like. The extracts from plants such as green tea, persimmon, and bamboo are preferred because of their excellent effect of removing odor as mentioned above.

[0020] The content of the deodorant component in the powdery composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. The content is preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight, and more preferably from 1 to 5% by weight, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a satisfactory effect of removing odors.

[0021] In addition, in the composition of the present invention, other ingredients, for example, insecticide, miticide, repellent, bactericide, mildewproof antiseptic agent, stabilizing agent, flavor, surfactant, oil or the like, which is known, may be properly contained. The contents of the other ingredients are not particularly limited, as long as the desired effects of the present invention would not be hindered. Additionally, an extender such as sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate may be contained.

[0022] As the powdery composition of the present invention, for example, a composition comprising a layered silicate in an amount of from 1 to 99% by weight, a deodorant component in an amount of from 1 to 5% by weight, other ingredients in an amount of from 0 to 5% by weight, and optionally an extender as the balance of the composition is especially preferable.

[0023] The powdery composition of the present invention is obtained by appropriately mixing each of the above-mentioned ingredients. The composition is preferably prepared in the form of a white powder.

(2) Dispersion or Solution

[0024] The dispersion or solution of the present invention can be used as it is, or the dispersion or solution may be preferably used for the preparation of a spray or a sheet as described below.

[0025] The layered silicate contained in the dispersion or solution may be the same one as that in the above-mentioned powdery composition, and a preferred embodiment thereof is also the same as that described above. The content of the layered silicate is not particularly limited. The content is preferably from 0.0001 to 5% by weight, and more preferably 0.02 to 1% by weight, from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient dispersibility or solubility of the layered silicate in a solvent, and exhibiting a satisfactory effect of removing dust.

[0026] A preferred range of the average particle size of the layered silicate used in the dispersion or solution is also the same as that of the layered silicate used in the above-mentioned powdery composition. As long as the average particle size of the layered silicate falls within this range, the adsorption or aggregation effect of dust is enhanced, and the stability of the dispersion when dispersing the layered silicate in a solvent can also be enhanced.

[0027] In addition, it is preferable that the dispersion or solution further comprises a deodorant component. The deodorant component is also the same as that in the above-mentioned powdery composition, and a preferred embodiment thereof is also the same as that described above. The content of the deodorant component is not particularly limited. The content is preferably from 0.01 to 10% by weight, and more preferably from 0.05 to 2% by weight, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a satisfactory effect of removing odor.

[0028] As the solvent used in the dispersion or solution of the present invention, water is preferable. The water is not particularly limited, and there may be used, for example, tap water, underground water, ion-exchanged water, ultrapure water or the like. The water occupies the balance of each of the ingredients in the dispersion or solution. As a solvent, an alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol may be used besides water.

[0029] Also, in addition to those exemplified as ingredients used in the above-mentioned powdery composition, the other ingredient, for example, a pH adjusting agent or the like may be properly contained in the dispersion or solution of the present invention. The content of the other ingredient is not particularly limited, as long as the desired effects of the present invention would not be hindered.

[0030] As the dispersion or solution of the present invention, for example, a dispersion or solution containing a layered silicate in an amount of from 0.02 to 1% by weight, a deodorant component in an amount of from 0.05 to 2% by weight, other ingredients in an amount of from 0.01 to 5% by weight, ethanol in an amount of from 10 to 70% by weight and water as the balance of the components is especially preferable.

[0031] The dispersion or solution of the present invention is obtained by properly mixing each of the above-mentioned ingredients. When hectorite which is suitably used as a layered silicate is dispersed or dissolved in water, the hectorite sometimes solidifies in water, thereby making it difficult to disperse or dissolve. In this case, the hectorite can be easily dispersed or dissolved in water by adding the hectorite to water under rapid stirring, or keeping stirring while raising a temperature of the water to 40° to 50°C or so. As the dispersion or solution of the present invention, it is especially preferable that the dispersion or solution is prepared and used in the form of a solution in which a layered silicate is dissolved.

(3) Spray

[0032] The spray of the present invention comprises a known spray container filled with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution, and more preferably a spray container filled with a dispersion or solution of a preferred embodiment.

[0033] The above-mentioned spray container is not particularly limited. A spray container with triggering system, a pump spray container, an accumulator spray container or the like is preferably used from the viewpoint of convenience of use. The capacity of the container is not particularly limited. Usually, the capacity of the container from 50 to 1000 mL or so is preferable.

[0034] The spray container can be filled with the above mentioned dispersion or solution according to a known method.

(4) Sheet

[0035] The sheet of the present invention comprises a known sheet material impregnated with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution, and more preferably a sheet material impregnated with a dispersion or solution of the preferred embodiment.

[0036] The content of ethanol in the especially preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned dispersion or solution is described as 10 to 70% by weight. However, when the above-mentioned dispersion or solution is used for the preparation of a sheet, the content of ethanol in the especially preferred embodiment is from 1 to 70% by weight.

[0037] The shape of the sheet is not particularly limited. Usually, a sheet having a length of 150 to 200 mm or so, a width of 200 to 300 mm or so, and a thickness of 0.05 to 1 mm or so is preferable. The sheet may be formed in a single layer or laminated with layers made of the same material or different materials.

[0038] The above-mentioned sheet material is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, paper and the like. The nonwoven fabric is preferable from the viewpoint of its high strength, low cost and easy adjustment of the basis weight. These sheet materials can be produced in accordance with known methods. In addition, commercially available products may be used if available.

[0039] For example, the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric suitably used as a sheet material can be produced by a known method such as chemical bond method, thermal bond method, span lace method, span bond method, or needle punch method. In addition, the material therefor is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, acryl, rayon, cotton, pulp and the like. As the material for the nonwoven fabric, the rayon or pulp is preferred from the viewpoint of facilitation of the impregnation of the dispersion or solution, and the polyethylene or polyester is preferred from the viewpoint of keeping the strength. Further, from both viewpoints, a blended fabric in which ones exemplified as the preferred materials are blended in a proper ratio is more preferable.

[0040] The nonwoven fabric having a basis weight, i.e., a weight of fabric per unit area, of usually from 30 to 80 g/m² or so is preferable.

[0041] The sheet material can be impregnated with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution in accordance with a known method. For example, in a case where a sheet material comprising a nonwoven fabric having a basis weight within the above-mentioned preferred range is impregnated with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution, it is preferable that the sheet material is immersed in the above-mentioned dispersion or solution having a volume of two or three times larger than the basis weight of the sheet material to impregnate the sheet material with the above-mentioned dispersion or solution. Specifically, when the basis weight is 50 g/m², it is preferred that the sheet material comprising a nonwoven fabric is impregnated with 100 to 150 g of the above-mentioned dispersion or solution, per 1 m² of the sheet material.

[0042] The powdery composition, dispersion or solution, and spray of the present invention described above may be applied upon use by, for example, sprinkling or the like to interior carpet, sofa, bedding or the like, which is an object to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. In this case, immediately after the application, or preferably after allowing the object to stand as it is for a period of from several minutes to several hours, the above object is cleaned in a usual manner with a vacuum cleaner, so that the effect of removing dust increases, whereby indoor dust can be effectively removed. In addition, for example, the powdery composition or the like of the present invention may be applied upon use to bedding or the like before airing out the bedding or the like in the open air. In this case, after a given period of airing, dust can be effectively removed by beating the bedding with a duster or hand before taking in the bedding indoors. Usually, adhered dust is finely pulverized upon beating of aired bedding or the like, so that the adhered dust is less likely to come off. However, if the powdery composition or the like of the present invention is applied in advance, the dust is aggregated, so that the dust can be effectively removed.

[0043] Since the dispersion or solution is not easily sprinkled or the like, it is preferable that the dispersion or solution is used in a spray form. In the case of a spray, since the object, a part to be applied is wet upon its application, it is preferable that the object is allowed to stand for a given period of time after the application to adequately dry the object, and thereafter the dried object is cleaned. In addition, when the powdery composition or the like of the present invention comprises a deodorant component comprising an extract from a plant such as green tea, persimmon or bamboo, not only the dust can be effectively removed, but also the odor as mentioned above can be effectively removed.

[0044] On the other hand, the sheet of the present invention is preferably used for wiping a part in which dust is accumulated, for example, a surface of bedding or the like, a shade to an interior electric light, a window frame, floor or the like. Usually, when the part is wiped with a damp cloth, the dust merely gets wet but it is still difficult to wipe off the dust. According to the sheet of the present invention, the dust can be aggregated to be removed effectively. In addition, if the deodorant component as described above is contained, the odor as mentioned above may be removed effectively.

[0045] Further, according to the powdery composition, dispersion or solution, spray and sheet of the present invention, since each is used in the manner as described above, allergens existing in a living environment of human can also be positively removed. The living environment as referred to herein includes all sorts of situations related to human, such as human bodies, houses, automobiles, pets, fabric articles, furniture and the like.

[0046] The allergens existing in the living environment of human include mite allergens and pollens. The mite allergens include, for example, allergens derived from mite belonging to Dermatophagoides spp., more specifically allergens mostly contained in dead body or feces of mites. The pollens include, for example, pollens of cedar and cypress. Since these allergens cause allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema, or hives, it is desirable that these allergens are positively removed from the living environment of human.

[0047] These allergens are removed usually with a vacuum cleaner, by laundry or the like. However, those having mingled into fiber articles such as clothes and carpets are still difficult to be removed.

[0048] According to the powdery composition or the like of the present invention, dust is aggregated, so that the effect of removing the dust can be increased, whereby the dust can be efficiently removed. Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned fiber articles, dust is aggregated, for example, by spraying the spray of the present invention before putting on clothes or before airing out a carpet, so that the dust can be efficiently removed. Although the detailed reasons why the allergens can be removed by the powdery composition or the like of the present invention remain unclear, it is considered that since the above mentioned allergens generally are present together with the dust, allergens are also taken in to be simultaneously removed when the dust is removed. Therefore, according to the present invention, a highly excellent hygienic environment can be realized.

[0049] Specifically, according to the present invention, another embodiment can provide a powdery composition for removing dust further comprising a layered silicate for removing an allergen, a dispersion or solution for removing dust further comprising a layered silicate for removing an allergen, a spray for removing dust further comprising a spray container filled with the dispersion or solution for removing an allergen, and a sheet for removing dust further comprising a sheet material impregnated with the above mentioned dispersion or solution for further removing an allergen. In these embodiments, the layered silicate is preferably hectorite, and a deodorant component may further be contained.

EXAMPLES

[0050] The present invention will be explained hereinbelow by means of examples, without intending to limit the present invention only to these examples.

Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative examples 1 to 3

[0051] Each ingredient was mixed in accordance with the compositions shown in Table 1, to give each of test solutions (Examples 1 to 3). In each of Examples, hectorite was used as a layered silicate. Also, each ingredient was mixed in accordance with the compositions shown in Table 2, to give each of test solutions (Comparative Examples 1 to 3). Sodium sulfate, sodium citrate or sodium hydrogencarbonate used in each of Comparative Examples is the active ingredient of the powdery composition for indoor use disclosed in Patent Publication 2 mentioned above.

[0052] Hectorite was dissolved in water by adding the hectorite little by little to water at a room temperature under rapid stirring.

Table 1

Composition	Ex. 1	Ex.2	Ex. 3
Hectorite	0.2 g	0.02 g	0.002 g
(% by weight)	(0.2)	(0.02)	(0.002)
Water	99.8 g	99.98 g	99.998 g
Total	100 g	100 g	100 g

Table 2

Composition	Comp. Ex. 1	Comp. Ex. 2	Comp. Ex. 3
Sodium Sulfate	0.2 g	-	-
(% by weight)	(0.2)
Sodium Citrate	-	0.2 g	-
(% by weight)		(0.2)
Sodium Hydrogencarbonate			0.2 g
(% by weight)			(0.2)
Water	99.8 g	99.8 g	99.8 g
Total	100 g	100 g	100 g

Test Example

[0053] The test solutions of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were evaluated for the effects of adsorption and aggregation of dust by the following method.

[0054] As dust, 10 mg of standard dust [Cotton linter, Japan Air Cleaning Association] was placed in a plastic petri dish having a diameter of 9 cm, and 0.7 mL of a spray comprising a commercially available hand spray container filled with each of the test solutions of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was sprayed aiming at the standard dust, and dried at room temperature. Thereafter, each of the sprayed dust was microscopically observed with a stereo microscope (manufactured by Nikon Corporation, magnification: 50 times) to observe the extent of adsorption and aggregation of the standard dust. As controls, a standard dust simply placed in the plastic petri dish, and a standard dust which was placed in a plastic petri dish and then sprayed with water in place of the test solution were observed in the same manner. Microscopic images of each case are shown in Figures 1 to 8. The effects of adsorption and aggregation of dust were evaluated by observing the aggregated states of the standard dust wherein the controls were considered to have no effects of adsorption and aggregation of dust.

[0055] It can be seen from Figures 3 to 5 that the effects of adsorption and aggregation of the standard dust are improved in a hectorite concentration-dependent manner when the test solutions of Examples 1 to 3 were used. It can be seen that there are respectively exhibited the equivalent effects of adsorption and aggregation of the standard dust in the case where the hectorite concentration is 0.02% by weight and the case where the sodium sulfate concentration is 0.2% by weight from the comparison of Figure 4 and Figure 6; in the case where the hectorite concentration is 0.002% by weight and the sodium citrate concentration is 0.2% by weight from the comparison of Figure 5 and Figure 7; and in the case where the hectorite concentration is 0.002% by weight and the sodium hydrogencarbonate concentration is 0.2% by weight from the comparison of Figure 5 and Figure 8.

[0056] As described above, hectorite used in each of Examples 1 to 3 has highly excellent effects of adsorption and aggregation of dust as compared to those of active ingredients used in a conventional composition. Therefore, according to the powdery composition or the like of the present invention, satisfactory effects of adsorption and aggregation of dust can be exhibited with a very low concentration (for example, about 0.2% by weight for a dispersion or solution) of active ingredients as compared to that in a conventional composition (for example, 60 to 99% by weight in the composition of Patent Publication 2), and the effects can be even more improved by increasing its concentration.

Example 4

[0057] Each ingredient was mixed in accordance with the composition shown in Table 3, to obtain a solution containing hectorite as a layered silicate and a green tea extract as a deodorant component, and thereafter a commercially available hand spray was filled with the solution, to give a spray for removing dust.

Table 3

Composition
Hectorite	0.2 g
(% by weight)	(0.2)
Green Tea Extract	0.2 g
Ethanol	40.0 g
Water	59.6 g
Total	100 g

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0058] According to the present invention, a powdery composition, dispersion or solution, spray or sheet, for removing dust, which is capable of effectively removing indoor dust, can be provided.

Claims

1. A powdery composition for removing dust, comprising a layered silicate.

2. The powdery composition for removing dust according to claim 1, wherein the layered silicate is hectorite.

3. The powdery composition for removing dust according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a deodorant component.

4. A dispersion or solution for removing dust, comprising a layered silicate.

5. The dispersion or solution for removing dust according to claim 4, wherein the layered silicate is hectorite.

6. The dispersion or solution for removing dust according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a deodorant component.

7. A spray for removing dust, comprising a spray container filled with the dispersion or solution as defined in any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. A sheet for removing dust comprising a sheet material impregnated with the dispersion or solution as defined in any one of claims 4 to 6.

Drawing