HK1235625B - Device and method for vaporizing/discharging chemical agent - Google Patents

Description

Medicament volatilization device and medicament volatilization method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a medicine volatilization device and a medicine volatilization method for volatilizing a volatile medicine into the air.

Background Art

To repel pests, a device for volatilizing a pesticide that volatilizes into air to repel or kill pests has been commercialized. For example, there is a device that holds a volatile pesticide in a diffusion member (pesticide holder) and drives the diffusion member (pesticide holder) via a drive mechanism, thereby volatilizing the volatile pesticide into the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a device that configures the diffusion member in the shape of a fan to increase the volatility of the pesticide and heats the diffusion member to increase the amount of pesticide volatilized.

Furthermore, there are devices that use a honeycomb structure having a plurality of through cells with a cell size of 2 to 5 mm as a drug-holding carrier (drug holder) (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 describes that the honeycomb structure of the drug-holding carrier ensures a wide drug holding area, thereby reducing resistance to air flow through the drug-holding carrier.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-68459

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-92303

Problems to be solved by the invention

Chemical volatilization devices are often used indoors, but due to recent changes in housing conditions, the spaces in which they are used have tended to become larger. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for chemical volatilization devices to be used not only in the living rooms of ordinary homes but also in larger spaces such as offices, shops, and factories, and even outdoors.

Regarding this point, the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not envision use in large spaces or outdoors. The drug holder used in Patent Document 1 records use in a space of the size of a living room in a typical house (see paragraph 0029 of the specification of Patent Document 1). The drug holder of Patent Document 2 shows a pest control test in a living room of 6 tatami mats as an example (see paragraph 0032 of the specification of Patent Document 2). As such, the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are both used in the living rooms of ordinary houses, and therefore, if used in a larger space or taken outdoors, the volatilization effect of the drug may not be fully exerted.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drug volatilization device and a drug volatilization method that can efficiently volatilize and fully diffuse a drug from a drug holder even when used in a large space or outdoors.

Solutions to Problems

The drug volatilization device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that it comprises: a drug holder having a drug holding layer with a gap formed therein for holding a volatile drug and a ventilation layer with a gap larger than the gap; and a rotation drive unit for rotating the drug holder, wherein the drug volatilization device sets the shape and size of the drug holder and the rotation speed of the rotation drive unit so as to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) during the rotation of the drug holder.

In order to improve the volatilization efficiency of the volatile medicine held by the medicine holder, countermeasures such as rotating the medicine holder to generate airflow as described in Patent Document 1, or blowing the wind from a fan to the medicine holder as described in Patent Document 2 are generally adopted. In the known technology, for example, in the case of Patent Document 1, it is believed that the centrifugal force acting on the medicine holder needs to be increased. However, according to the recent research results conducted by the present inventors, it is clear that in order to improve the volatilization efficiency of the volatile medicine from the medicine holder, it is not limited to simply increasing the rotation speed and wind force of the medicine holder, or increasing the size of the medicine holder to increase the centrifugal force acting on the medicine holder. It is important to make various adjustments in a way to obtain an appropriate centrifugal effect in the medicine holder. Therefore, the above-mentioned structure is adopted as the medicine volatilization device in the present invention.

According to the drug volatilization device of this structure, since the drug holder has a drug holding layer with a gap formed to hold the volatile drug and a ventilation layer with a gap larger than the gap, the volatile drug held in the gap of the drug holding layer moves to the gap of the ventilation layer and becomes easily volatilized into the air. In this state, when the rotary drive unit rotates the drug holder, the volatile drug volatilizes into the air. At this time, the shape and size of the drug holder and the rotation speed of the rotary drive unit are set in such a way as to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) in the drug holder. Therefore, the volatile drug held by the drug holder can be efficiently volatilized into the air and fully diffused. Therefore, according to the drug volatilization device of this structure, the effect of the volatile drug can be fully exerted even when used in a larger space or outdoors.

In the drug volatilization device of the present invention, the drug retaining body is preferably set so that the ratio (P=A/B) of the thickness (A) of the ventilation layer to the thickness (B) of the drug retaining layer is greater than 1.5 and less than 50, and the rotational speed of the rotational drive unit is set so that the centrifugal volatility index (T=G/P) obtained by dividing the centrifugal effect (G) by the ratio (P) is greater than 1.1 and less than 22.

According to the chemical volatilizing device of this configuration, since the ratio (P = A/B) of the thickness of the ventilation layer (A) in the chemical retainer to the thickness of the chemical retaining layer (B) and the centrifugal volatilization index (T = G/P) in the rotary drive unit are set within appropriate ranges, the volatile chemical retained in the chemical retainer can be more efficiently volatilized and fully diffused into the air. Therefore, the chemical volatilizing device of this configuration can reliably exert the effects of the volatile chemical even when used in larger spaces or outdoors.

In the drug volatilizing device of the present invention, the drug holding body is preferably formed by laminating the drug holding layer and the ventilation layer, and the drug holding layer is arranged on one side or both sides of the ventilation layer in the lamination direction.

According to the drug volatilizing device of this configuration, the drug retaining layer and the ventilation layer are appropriately laminated to form the drug retaining body. Therefore, the volatile drug retained by the drug retaining layer can be efficiently volatilized and reliably diffused into the air while maintaining the air permeability of the ventilation layer.

In the drug volatilizing device of the present invention, the drug holder preferably includes a shape maintaining layer for maintaining the shape of the ventilation layer at a position adjacent to the ventilation layer.

According to the chemical volatilizing device of this configuration, since the shape of the ventilation layer is maintained by the shape-maintaining layer disposed adjacent to the ventilation layer, sufficient ventilation of the chemical retainer can be ensured. Therefore, the chemical volatilizing device can be used until substantially all of the volatile chemical retained by the chemical retainer has evaporated into the air and disappeared.

In the drug volatilizing device of the present invention, the drug holding body is preferably configured in a disk shape perpendicular to the rotation axis.

According to the drug volatilizing device of this configuration, the drug holder is formed into a disk shape perpendicular to the rotation axis, thereby reducing the thickness of the drug holder. Therefore, a drug volatilizing device with excellent portability can be configured.

In the drug volatilizing device of the present invention, the drug holding body is preferably configured in a hollow cylindrical shape parallel to the rotation axis.

According to the drug volatilizing device of this configuration, the drug holder is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape parallel to the rotation axis. This allows the distance from the rotation axis to the drug holding layer to be uniform in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the centrifugal effect acting on the volatile drug is substantially uniform at all locations in the drug holding layer. As a result, a substantially uniform drug volatilization effect can be achieved throughout the entire circumference of the drug holder.

In the drug volatilizing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the drug holding body is housed in a rotary cassette connected to the rotation drive unit.

According to the drug volatilizing device of this configuration, since the drug holder is rotated by the rotation drive unit while being housed in the rotary cassette, deformation of the drug holder due to centrifugal force is suppressed. As a result, uneven centrifugal effect during rotation of the drug holder can be reduced.

In the chemical volatilization device of the present invention, the volatile chemical preferably comprises a pyrethroid compound having a vapor pressure of 2×10 ⁻⁴ to 1×10 ⁻² mmHg at 30°C.

According to the chemical volatilization device of this configuration, since a pyrethroid compound having a moderate vapor pressure is used as the volatile chemical, the pyrethroid compound can be efficiently volatilized into the air and sufficiently diffused by the centrifugal effect of the chemical holder.

The characteristic structure of the drug volatilization method of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is that the drug volatilization method rotates a drug holder holding a volatile drug, thereby volatilizing the volatile drug into the air, wherein the drug volatilization method includes a rotation adjustment step of adjusting the rotation speed of the drug holder to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G).

According to the chemical volatilization method of this configuration, the same excellent effects as those of the chemical volatilization device of the present invention described above can be achieved.

Specifically, during the rotation adjustment step for adjusting the rotational speed of the medicine holder, the shape and dimensions of the medicine holder and the rotational speed of the rotation drive unit are set to achieve a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) within the medicine holder. This allows the volatile medicine held by the medicine holder to be efficiently volatilized into the air and sufficiently diffused. Therefore, by implementing the medicine volatilization method of this configuration, the effectiveness of the volatile medicine can be fully exerted even when used in larger spaces or outdoors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic perspective view of a medicine holding member used in the medicine volatilizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the drug volatilization device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a chemical volatilization device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes the first embodiment of the present invention. The drug volatilization method of the present invention is also described in conjunction with the description of the drug volatilization device. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments or the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings.

The drug volatilizing device of the present invention comprises a drug holder and a rotation drive unit as basic components. For ease of explanation, the drug holder and the volatile drug held therein will be described first, followed by the drug volatilizing device of the present invention.

[Medicine Retention Body]

FIG1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a drug holder 50 used in the drug volatilization device of the present invention. The enlarged circle in FIG1 is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacking surface of the drug holder 50. The drug holder 50 includes a drug holding layer 10 and a ventilation layer 20, and further includes a shape maintaining layer 30 as an optional structure. A gap 11 capable of holding a volatile drug, which will be described later, is formed in the drug holding layer 10. The drug holding layer 10 can absorb the volatile drug through the capillary phenomenon of the gap 11 and hold it inside the drug holding layer 10. A gap 21 capable of air circulation is formed in the ventilation layer 20. The gap 21 of the ventilation layer 20 is set to a size larger than the gap 11 of the drug holding layer 10. As a result, the volatile drug held in the gap 11 of the drug holding layer 10 is moved to the gap 21 of the ventilation layer 20 and becomes a state that is easy to volatilize into the air.

The agent retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 are suitable for using a fiber structure such as a mesh fiber sheet, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, or braid, but a porous body such as a porous sheet or a porous membrane can also be used. The agent retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 can be made of the same raw material or different raw materials. In the case where the agent retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 are made of the same raw material, a agent retaining layer 10 with a gap 11 and a ventilation layer 20 with a gap 21 made of the same raw material are prepared respectively, and the agent retaining body 50 is formed by joining the agent retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 to each other. Alternatively, the agent retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 can be formed into an integrated fiber structure or porous body, and the fiber gaps in the fiber structure on the ventilation layer 20 side or the pore size in the porous body are provided with a stepped structure or an inclined structure that is larger than the fiber gaps in the fiber structure on the agent retaining layer 10 side or the pore size in the porous body. When the drug-retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 are formed of different materials, for example, a woven fabric can be used as the drug-retaining layer 10, and a mesh fiber sheet can be used as the ventilation layer 20, with the two being joined together as a fiber structure. In this case, the fibers used in the drug-retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 are selected to enable the retained volatile drug to volatilize stably and maintain a good volatilization state. Examples of raw materials (fibers) for the fiber structure include natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk; semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon; synthetic fibers such as polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.), nylon, acryl, vinylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, aramid, and polyphenylene sulfide; and inorganic fibers such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber, and metallic fiber. Of these fibers, polyester and nylon are preferred. The fibers listed above may be used alone or in combination.

Furthermore, when the drug-retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 are stacked to form the drug-retaining body 50, as shown in FIG1 , the drug-retaining layer 10 may be positioned only on one side of the ventilation layer 20, or on both sides of the ventilation layer 20. Furthermore, the drug-retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 may be alternately stacked, typically in this order, to form a structure of three or more layers. Furthermore, as long as this does not impair the drug-retaining capacity or strength of the drug-retaining layer 10, ventilation holes may be appropriately provided in the drug-retaining layer 10 to improve drug volatility.

However, when a fiber structure such as a three-dimensional mesh fiber sheet is used for the ventilation layer 20 of the drug holder 50, it is necessary to ensure good air permeability of the drug holder 50, and therefore it is necessary to prevent the fiber gaps (voids 21) in the ventilation layer 20 from collapsing. Therefore, in the drug holder 50, as shown in FIG1 , a shape maintenance layer 30 is preferably provided at a position adjacent to the ventilation layer 20. The shape maintenance layer 30 functions by weaving the fibers constituting the ventilation layer 20 to maintain the voids 21 of the ventilation layer 20. Thus, the drug holder 50 can fully ensure air permeability. As a result, the volatile drug held by the drug holder 50 can be used until it is almost completely volatilized into the air and disappears. In addition, the air permeability of the raw material of the drug holder 50 is preferably set so that the air permeability measured in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS L 1096) is in the range of 200 to 500 cm ³ /cm ² /second. When the air permeability of the raw material is within the above-mentioned range, a good capillary phenomenon is brought about, and the volatile chemical moves smoothly, leading to efficient volatilization.

The drug retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 constituting the drug retaining body 50, as well as the shape maintaining layer 30 of the optional structure, are each set to an appropriate thickness. The drug retaining layer 10 is set to 0.05 to 3 mm, preferably 0.2 to 1 mm. When the thickness of the drug retaining layer 10 is less than 0.05 mm, the capacity for retaining the volatile drug is insufficient, and it is difficult to fully and continuously exert the effect of the volatile drug. When the thickness of the drug retaining layer 10 exceeds 3 mm, the retention force of the volatile drug possessed by the drug retaining layer 10 is too large, so that a part of the volatile drug remains in the drug retaining layer 10, and it is difficult to volatilize it efficiently. Moreover, the drug retaining layer 10 is large in volume, so it is difficult to process it into various shapes. The ventilation layer 20 is set to 0.5 to 6 mm, preferably 1 to 5 mm. When the thickness of the ventilation layer 20 is less than 0.5 mm, the ventilation layer 20 is excessively moistened by the volatile agent, and the wind force (stirring airflow) generated by the ventilation layer becomes weak, making it difficult to efficiently volatilize the volatile agent. When the thickness of the ventilation layer 20 exceeds 6 mm, the thickness of the agent retaining layer 10 has to be thinned due to the limitation on the thickness of the agent retaining body 50. As a result, the agent retaining ability of the agent retaining layer 10 is hindered, or the ventilation resistance of the ventilation layer 20 increases, making the volatilization state of the volatile agent unstable. The shape maintenance layer 30 is set to 0.2 to 1 mm. If the thickness of the shape maintenance layer 30 is within the above range, it is possible to maintain the shape of the agent retaining body 50 for a long time while ensuring the air permeability of the agent retaining body 50.

[Volatile Potion]

The volatile agent retained by the agent retainer 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is an agent with normal volatility at room temperature. In addition, the retention amount of the volatile agent in the agent retainer 50 can be adjusted in the range of 40 to 2000 mg according to conditions such as the intended use or effective duration. Examples of volatile agents that can be used in the present invention include: volatile pyrethroid compounds, insecticides, acaricides, repellents, antibacterial agents, insect repellent fragrances, deodorants, etc. Among them, volatile pyrethroid compounds are preferably used because they are volatile agents with excellent insect repellent and insecticidal effects. In particular, pyrethroid compounds having a vapor pressure of 2× ^1-4 to 1× ^10-2 mmHg at 30°C are more preferably used because they have a good balance between volatility and persistence. Examples of useful volatile pyrethroid compounds include 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate (transfluthrin), 4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate (4-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-propen ... 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-propenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate)(Methoxyfluthrin), 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-propenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate)(Methoxyfluthrin), 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-propenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate(Methoxyfluthrin), 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate These include pyrethroid compounds (e.g., pyrethroid 4-propargyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), pyrethrin, and the like. Although the above-mentioned pyrethroid compounds include compounds having various isomers, in this case, a single compound consisting of only one of the isomers can be used, or a mixture of isomers in any ratio can be used. Furthermore, two or more pyrethroid compounds listed above can be appropriately selected to adjust volatility, resulting in a formulation that can withstand long-term use.

Among the volatile pesticides other than the pyrethroid compounds listed above, insecticides include neonicotinoid insecticides such as dinotefuran, organophosphorus insecticides such as fenitrothion, and carbamate insecticides such as propoxur. Acaricides include methyl 5-chloro-2-trifluoromethanesulfonamide benzoate, phenyl salicylate, and 3-iodo-2-propynylbutyl carbamate. Repellents (repellent ingredients) include DEET, dimethyl phthalate, and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol. Examples of the antimicrobial agent (antimicrobial component) include hinokitiol, tetrahydrolinalool, eugenol, and allyl isothiocyanate. Examples of insect repellent fragrances include citronella oil, orange oil, lemon oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, jasmine oil, hinoki oil, green tea essential oil, limonene, α-pinene, citronellal, terpineol, linalool, geraniol, phenylethyl alcohol, amylcinnamic aldehyde, cuminaldehyde, and benzyl acetate. In addition to deodorants, leaf alcohol and leaf aldehyde, known as "green fragrances," are also useful.

Volatile chemicals can be used as is, diluted with various solvents, or added with various additives. Examples of solvents include hydrocarbon solvents such as normal paraffins and isoparaffins; glycols with 3 to 6 carbon atoms such as propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and hexylene glycol, as well as their glycol ethers; ketone solvents; and ester solvents. The volatile chemical is appropriately diluted with the aforementioned solvents and retained by the chemical retainer 50. Examples of additives include stabilizers such as BHT, BHA, 2,2'-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, and mercaptobenzimidazole. Furthermore, various components such as ultraviolet absorbers, ultraviolet scatterers, brighteners, anti-inflammatory agents, antiperspirants, moisturizers, surfactants, dispersants, and fragrances may be added as needed.

[Pharmaceutical volatilization device]

Next, a description will be given of the chemical volatilization device of the present invention, comprising a chemical retainer configured as described above. The chemical volatilization device of the present invention is used to control flying pests such as mosquitoes, midges, and small flies, and crawling pests such as cockroaches, ants, centipedes, and spiders by volatilizing a volatile chemical, such as an insecticide or repellent, into the air. Two representative embodiments of the chemical volatilization device of the present invention will be described below.

<First embodiment>

FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the drug volatilization device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of the drug volatilization device 100, and (b) is a transverse sectional view of the drug volatilization device 100 at the A-A' position. The drug volatilization device 100 has a drug retainer 51 and a rotation drive unit 60 as a basic structure. The drug retainer 51 is formed by stacking a drug retaining layer 10 and a ventilation layer 20. In addition, a shape maintaining layer 30 is provided at a position adjacent to the ventilation layer 20. In the drug volatilization device 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG2(b), a member processed into a disc shape is used as the drug retainer 51. That is, this is a member obtained by molding the sheet-like drug retainer 50 composed of the stack of the drug retaining layer 10, the ventilation layer 20, and the shape maintaining layer 30 shown in FIG1 into a circular shape. In this case, the dimensions of the drug holder 51 are set to a diameter R1 of approximately 4 to 8 cm, and a thickness D1 of approximately 1 to 7 mm, including the drug holding layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20. Using this disc-shaped drug holder 51 reduces the thickness of the drug holder 51, thereby enabling a highly portable drug volatilizing device 100.

The disc-shaped drug holder 51 is used while being housed in a rotating cartridge 70. The rotating cartridge 70 includes a shaft 71 and a case 72, and is fixed in a state where the shaft 71 passes through the center of the drug holder 51. In order to allow the volatile drug to evaporate efficiently from the drug holder 51, an opening (not shown) is appropriately provided in the case 72 of the rotating cartridge 70. The shaft 71 of the rotating cartridge 70 is connected to the rotation drive unit 60. The rotation drive unit 60 has a built-in power supply 61 and a drive motor 62, which can rotate the rotating cartridge 70 containing the drug holder 51 at a set rotation speed. In this way, if the drug holder 51 is rotated by the rotation drive unit 60 while being housed in the rotating cartridge 70, the deformation of the drug holder 51 due to centrifugal force can be suppressed, thereby reducing the unevenness of the centrifugal effect (the centrifugal effect will be described later) during the rotation of the drug holder 51. The power source 61 of the rotation drive unit 60 can be a DC power source or an AC power source. However, when the drug volatilization device 100 is portable, batteries such as alkaline batteries, manganese batteries, rechargeable batteries, and solar cells are suitable. The battery capacity can be appropriately selected according to usage and dosage. For example, when the drug volatilization device 100 is used as a portable volatilization device or a volatilization device for indoor use, it is preferred to use AA batteries to AA batteries. When it is used as a large volatilization device for a large space, it is preferred to use multiple AA batteries to AA batteries. The drive motor 62 is not particularly limited as long as it is a generally used motor. For example, a brushed motor or a brushless motor can be mentioned. In particular, a brushless motor is suitable as the drive motor 62 of the drug volatilization device 100 due to its excellent durability and usability. The rotation speed of the drive motor 62 (i.e., the rotation speed of the drug holder 51) is set to 500 to 2000 rpm, preferably 700 to 1600 rpm. If the rotation speed is less than 500 rpm, sufficient drug volatilization may not be achieved. If the rotation speed exceeds 2000 rpm, the battery power supply 61 will be depleted quickly, making it difficult to use for a long time. Furthermore, the rotation drive unit 60 may be provided with an on-off switch, an indicator light (pilot lamp) to indicate the end of use, or the like. If an indicator light is provided, the surface temperature of the rotation drive unit 60 will rise slightly due to heat generation, and this heat can be used to increase the volatility of the volatile drug held by the drug holder 51.

When the rotary drive unit 60 is driven, the drug holder 51 and the rotary cartridge 70 become one body and rotate about the axis (rotation axis) X of the shaft 71. At this time, the centrifugal force caused by the rotation acts on the drug holder 51, and as the rotation occurs, a stirring airflow is generated around the drug holder 51, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2(a). As a result, the volatile drug held by the drug retaining layer 10 evaporates from the ventilation layer 20 into the air, where it diffuses and exerts an insect repellent and insecticidal effect around the drug volatilizing device 100.

<Second embodiment>

FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a drug volatilization device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of the drug volatilization device 200, and (b) is a transverse sectional view of the drug volatilization device 200 at position B-B'. The drug volatilization device 200, like the drug volatilization device 100 according to the first embodiment, includes a drug retainer 52 and a rotation drive unit 60 as basic components. The drug retainer 52 is formed by laminating a drug retaining layer 10 and a ventilation layer 20. Furthermore, a shape maintaining layer 30 is provided adjacent to the ventilation layer 20. In the drug volatilization device 200 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG3(b), a member processed into a hollow cylindrical shape is used as the drug retainer 52. That is, this is a member obtained by rolling a sheet-like drug retainer 50 composed of a laminate of the drug retaining layer 10, the ventilation layer 20, and the shape maintaining layer 30 shown in FIG1 into a cylindrical shape with the drug retaining layer 10 facing inward. In this case, the dimensions of the drug holder 52 are set to an inner diameter R2 of approximately 6 to 10 cm, a thickness D2 (including the drug holding layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20) of approximately 1 to 7 mm, and a height T1 of 3 to 10 cm. With this hollow cylindrical shape, the distance from the central axis (the rotation axis described later) to the drug holding layer 10 is uniform in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the centrifugal effect (described later) acting on the volatile drug is approximately equal at all locations in the drug holding layer 10. As a result, a roughly uniform drug volatilization effect can be achieved throughout the entire circumference of the drug holder 52.

The hollow cylindrical drug holder 52 is used while housed in a rotary cartridge 70. The rotary cartridge 70 includes a shaft 71, a housing 72, and a locking piece 73. The drug holder 52 is inserted into the gap between the housing 72 and the locking piece 73 and secured thereto. To efficiently volatilize the volatile drug from the drug holder 52, an opening (not shown) is appropriately provided in the housing 72 of the rotary cartridge 70. The shaft 71 of the rotary cartridge 70 is connected to a rotary drive unit 60 that includes a power supply 61 and a drive motor 62. The configuration of the rotary drive unit 60 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the rotary drive unit 60 is driven, the agent holder 52 and the rotary cartridge 70 rotate integrally about the axis (rotation axis) X of the shaft 71. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation acts on the agent holder 52, and as the rotation progresses, a stirring airflow is generated around the agent holder 52, as indicated by the arrows in FIG3(a). The volatile agent retained by the agent retaining layer 10 then volatilizes from the ventilation layer 20 into the air, where it diffuses and exerts an insect repellent and insecticidal effect around the agent volatilizing device 200.

[Centrifugal effect in a drug volatilization device]

In the drug volatilizing device 100 of the first embodiment and the drug volatilizing device 200 of the second embodiment, it is important to set the device so that an appropriate centrifugal effect is obtained during the rotation of the drug holder 50 (51, 52). Here, the centrifugal effect (G) is an indicator of the strength of the centrifugal force of the rotating body and is a numerical value expressed by the following formula (I): G = m/ ^s² .

Centrifugal effect (G) = R × N ² / 894… (I)

[R: rotation radius (m), N: rotation speed (rpm)]

The present inventors have discovered that by setting the shape and size of the drug holder 50 (51, 52) so as to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) during the rotation of the drug holder 50 (51, 52), and adjusting the rotation speed of the rotation drive unit 60, the volatile drug can be efficiently volatilized and fully diffused from the drug holder 50 (51, 52). If the centrifugal effect is less than 10 (G), there is a possibility that the volatilization performance of the drug volatilization device 100, 200 is insufficient, and the insect repellent and insecticidal effects of the volatile drug cannot be fully obtained. If the centrifugal effect exceeds 150 (G), there is a possibility that the volatile drug held by the drug holder 50 (51, 52) will be scattered around, and the insect repellent and insecticidal effects cannot be fully obtained. In addition, the volatile drug may be scattered in a liquid state and contaminate the surrounding area. When the chemical volatilization method of the present invention is implemented using the chemical volatilization device 100 or 200, by adjusting the rotation speed of the chemical holder 50 (51 or 52) so as to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) (rotation adjustment step), the volatile chemical held by the chemical holder 50 (51 or 52) can be efficiently volatilized into the air and fully diffused. Therefore, even when the chemical volatilization device 100 or 200 is used in a larger space or outdoors, the insect repellent effect and insecticidal effect can be fully exerted.

Furthermore, regarding the volatilization performance of the drug volatilizing devices 100 and 200, it is believed that since the gaps 21 of the ventilation layer 20 are larger than the gaps 11 of the drug retaining layer 10, the agitating airflow generated by the rotation of the drug retaining members 50 (51, 52) affects the volatilization of the volatile drug. The present inventors conducted further research and found that, within the range of achieving the aforementioned centrifugal effect (G), the drug retaining layers 10 and the ventilation layer 20 constituting the drug retaining members 50 (51, 52) are set to an appropriate thickness ratio, thereby enabling the drug volatilizing devices 100 and 200 to effectively exhibit their volatilization performance. Here, assuming the thickness of the ventilation layer 20 is A and the thickness of the drug retaining layer 10 is B, it is preferable to set the thickness ratio (P) {P = A/B} to a value greater than 1.5 and less than 50. When the thickness ratio (P) is less than 1.5, the thickness (A) of the ventilation layer 20 is insufficient relative to the thickness (B) of the drug retaining layer 10, making it difficult to stably volatilize the volatile drug retained by the drug retaining layer 10. Moreover, the stirring airflow brought by the ventilation layer 20 becomes weak, so the volatilization efficiency of the volatile drug is reduced. On the other hand, when the thickness ratio (P) exceeds 50, the thickness (A) of the ventilation layer 20 is too large relative to the thickness (B) of the drug retaining layer 10, so most of the volatile drug retained by the drug retaining layer 10 is quickly volatilized, making it difficult to obtain a sustained effect of the volatile drug. Moreover, when the drug retaining body 50 (51, 52) is stored in the rotating box 70, the sum of the thicknesses of the drug retaining layer 10 and the ventilation layer 20 is limited, so the thickness of the drug retaining layer 10 becomes relatively thinner. As a result, the amount of volatile drug retained becomes less, making it difficult to exert the effect of the volatile drug for a long time.

Furthermore, the present inventors have conducted detailed research on the relationship between the centrifugal effect (G) and the thickness ratio (P). As a result, they have found that the centrifugal volatility index (T) is defined as the value (G/P) of the centrifugal effect (G) divided by the thickness ratio (P). If the centrifugal volatility index (T) is set within an appropriate range while taking into account factors such as the rotational load, the chemical volatilization device 100 or 200 can more effectively exhibit its volatilization performance. In the present invention, it is effective to set the rotational speed of the chemical holder 50 (51, 52) (i.e., the rotational speed of the rotary drive unit 60) so that the centrifugal volatility index (T) is greater than 1.1 and less than 22. In this case, the volatile chemical held by the chemical holder 50 (51, 52) is more effectively volatilized into the air and diffused fully. Therefore, even when the chemical volatilization device 100 or 200 is used in a larger space or outdoors, it can reliably exhibit its insect repellent and insecticidal effects.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the drug volatilizing device 200, the drug holder 52 is hollow cylindrical. Therefore, compared to the disc-shaped drug holder 51 of the first embodiment, it is generally larger and subject to a higher rotational load. On the other hand, the hollow cylindrical drug holder 52 can increase the surface area of the drug retaining layer 10 compared to the disc-shaped drug holder 51. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the thickness of the drug retaining layer 10 can be reduced to offset the increased rotational load.

Example

In order to confirm the insect repellent and insecticidal effects when the chemical volatilization device of the present invention is used, outdoor efficacy confirmation tests (Examples 1, 2, and 3) and indoor efficacy confirmation tests (Examples 4 and 5) were carried out.

<Example 1>

A drug-retaining layer (thickness: 0.3 mm) made of twisted polyester fibers and a ventilation layer (thickness: 1.6 mm) made of polyester fibers were layered and joined. A shape-maintaining layer (thickness: 0.2 mm) made of polyester fibers was placed adjacent to the upper portion of the ventilation layer to form a disc-shaped drug-retaining body (thickness: 2.1 mm, outer diameter: 4.5 cm). The thickness ratio (P) of the ventilation layer to the drug-retaining layer in this drug-retaining body was 5.3. Next, the drug-retaining body was housed in a polycarbonate rotary cassette (thickness: 8 mm, outer diameter: 5.2 cm). A solution of 40 mg of metofluthrin dissolved in 0.07 mL of kerosene was evenly dripped onto the drug-retaining body as a volatile drug, retaining the metofluthrin within the drug-retaining body. The rotary cassette was then connected to a rotary drive unit, thereby forming the drug-volatilizing device of Example 1.

In the chemical volatilization device of Example 1, when the rotary drive unit was rotated at 1200 rpm (in this case, the chemical retainer also rotated at 1200 rpm), the centrifugal effect (G) acting on the chemical retainer was 36.2 (G), and the centrifugal volatility index (T), obtained by dividing the centrifugal effect (G) by the thickness ratio (P), was 6.8. While in this rotational state, the chemical volatilization device was worn around the waist of a subject and used outdoors for a total of 120 hours. The subject was not bothered by unpleasant insect pests such as mosquitoes throughout the entire test period. Thus, the excellent insect repellent effect achieved by the volatilization of the volatile chemical was confirmed in the chemical volatilization device of Example 1.

<Example 2>

Two disc-shaped drug holders formed in Example 1 were stacked and housed in a polycarbonate rotary cassette similar to that used in Example 1. A volatile drug solution consisting of 60 mg of metofluthrin dissolved in 0.08 mL of kerosene was evenly dripped onto the drug holders to retain the metofluthrin. The rotary cassette was then connected to a rotary drive unit, thereby forming the drug volatilization device of Example 2.

In the chemical volatilization device of Example 2, the same operation as in Example 1 was carried out, and the insect repellent effect was effective for 240 hours.

<Example 3>

A flat-plate-shaped fiber three-dimensional structure (thickness: 4.5 mm) composed of polyester fibers is directly used as a drug holder. Therefore, in this drug holder, the drug holding layer (thickness: 0.3 mm), the ventilation layer (thickness: 3.9 mm) and the shape maintenance layer (thickness: 0.3 mm) exist integrally. The thickness ratio (P) of the ventilation layer to the drug holding layer in this drug holder is 13. Next, a drug solution prepared by dissolving 1.2 g of transfluthrin in 1.2 mL of kerosene is evenly dripped onto the drug holder as a volatile drug, so that transfluthrin is retained in the drug holder. Then, the drug holder is wound into a cylindrical shape and formed into a hollow cylindrical shape, which is then housed in a rotary box made of polycarbonate (diameter: 8 cm, height: 5 cm). The rotary box is then connected to the rotary drive unit to form the drug volatilization device of Example 3.

In the chemical volatilization device of Example 3, when the rotary drive unit was rotated at 1000 rpm (in this case, the chemical retainer also rotated at 1000 rpm), the centrifugal effect (G) acting on the chemical retainer was 44.7 (G), and the centrifugal volatility index (T), obtained by dividing the centrifugal effect (G) by the thickness ratio (P), was 3.4. The chemical volatilization device was set up outdoors in this rotational state and used for a total of 960 hours. During the entire test period, no flying pests, such as mosquitoes, approached within a radius of approximately 5 meters around the chemical volatilization device. Thus, the chemical volatilization device of Example 3 confirmed the excellent insect repellent effect achieved by the volatilization of the volatile chemical.

<Example 4>

Following the procedures of Example 1, a disc-shaped drug holder holding a volatile drug was formed and housed in the same polycarbonate rotary cartridge as in Example 1. The rotary cartridge was then connected to a rotary drive unit to form the drug volatilization device of Example 4. However, the drug volatilization device of Example 4 was designed for 240 hours of use, so the thickness of the disc-shaped drug holder was approximately twice that of Example 1. The holding amount of the volatile drug, metofluthrin, was 60 mg per drug holder. In Example 4, multiple drug holders with different diameters (R1) and thickness ratios (P) of the ventilation layer to the drug holder layer were prepared. The effectiveness of the volatile drug was examined by varying the drug holder rotational speed (N), centrifugal effect (G), and centrifugal volatility index (T) (Test Nos. 1 to 41 in Table 1). Specifically, the pesticide volatilization devices of Test Nos. 1 to 41 were set up in the center of a 6-tatami-meter room (25 m ³ ) and released 100 female adult Culex pipiens pallens. The insecticidal efficacy of the volatilized pesticide was confirmed. The insecticidal efficacy was evaluated using the KT50 scale, with a score of [◎] indicating a time of 5 minutes or longer to less than 30 minutes for knocking down 50% of the Culex pipiens pallens; a score of [○] indicating a time of 30 minutes or longer to less than 60 minutes; a score of [△] indicating a time of 60 minutes or longer to less than 90 minutes; and a score of [×] indicating a time of 90 minutes or longer for knocking down 50% of the Culex pipiens pallens.

【Table 1】

Table 1 shows that setting the diameter (R1) and rotational speed (N) of the agent holder so that the centrifugal force (G) acting on the agent holder falls within the range of 10 to 150 (m/ ^s² ) can achieve a certain insecticidal effect. It also clearly shows that setting the thickness ratio (P) to a value greater than 1.5 and less than 50, and setting the centrifugal volatility index (T) to a value greater than 1.1 and less than 22, can achieve even better insecticidal effects. In contrast, as shown in Tests 18 and 23, agent holders with a small agent-retaining layer thickness (B) and a thickness ratio (P) exceeding 50 may hinder the insecticidal effect due to insufficient agent retention capacity within the agent holder. Furthermore, as shown in Tests 22 and 27, agent holders with a small ventilation layer thickness (A) and a thickness ratio (P) of less than 1.5 show a tendency for reduced volatilization efficiency of the volatile agent due to the weakened stirring airflow generated by the ventilation layer.

<Example 5>

Following the procedures of Example 3, a hollow cylindrical agent holder containing a volatile agent was formed and housed in the same polycarbonate rotary cassette as in Example 3. The rotary cassette was then connected to a rotary drive unit, thereby constructing the agent volatilization device of Example 5. In Example 5, multiple agent holders with varying inner diameters (R2) and thickness ratios (P) of the ventilation layer to the agent holding layer were prepared. The effectiveness of the volatile agent was tested by varying the agent holder rotational speed (N), centrifugal force (G), and centrifugal volatility index (T) (Test Nos. 42 to 81 in Table 2). The test methods and insecticidal efficacy evaluation methods for the efficacy confirmation test were the same as those of Example 4, except that the test was conducted in a 25-tatami-meter room (105 m ³ ).

【Table 2】

Table 2 shows that setting the inner diameter (R2) and rotational speed (N) of the agent holder so that the centrifugal force (G) acting on the agent holder falls within the range of ¹⁰ to 150 (m/s²) can achieve a certain insecticidal effect. It also clearly shows that setting the thickness ratio (P) to a value greater than 1.5 and less than 50, and setting the centrifugal volatility index (T) to a value greater than 1.1 and less than 22, can achieve even better insecticidal effects. In contrast, as shown in Tests 59 and 64, agent holders with a small agent-retaining layer thickness (B) and a thickness ratio (P) exceeding 50 may hinder the insecticidal effect due to insufficient agent retention capacity in the agent holder. Furthermore, as shown in Tests 63 and 68, agent holders with a small ventilation layer thickness (A) and a thickness ratio (P) of less than 1.5 show a tendency for reduced volatilization efficiency of the volatile agent due to the weakened stirring airflow generated by the ventilation layer.

The drug volatilization device and drug volatilization method of the present invention can be used to repel or kill flying pests such as mosquitoes, blackflies, midges, flies, midges, and clothes moths, and can also be used to prevent and control crawling pests such as cockroaches, ants, centipedes, and spiders.

Description of Reference Numerals

10: Medicine retention layer

11: Gap

20: Breathing layer

21: Gap

30: Form maintenance layer

50 (51, 52): Medicine holder

60: Rotation drive unit

70: Rotating box

100, 200: Chemical volatilization device

Claims (9)

1. A pharmaceutical evaporation device, comprising: A drug holder comprising a drug holding layer having gaps formed to hold volatile drugs, a venting layer having pores larger than the gaps, and a shape maintaining layer for maintaining the shape of the venting layer; and A rotary drive unit that keeps the pharmaceutical body rotating, wherein... The shape-maintaining layer is formed at a position adjacent to the ventilation layer by weaving the fibers that constitute the ventilation layer. The drug evaporation device sets the shape and size of the drug holder and the rotation speed of the rotation drive unit in such a way that a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G) is obtained when the drug holder is rotated. 2. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1, wherein, The drug retainer is configured such that the ratio (P = A/B) of the thickness of the venting layer (A) to the thickness of the drug retaining layer (B) is greater than 1.5 and less than 50. The rotational drive unit sets the rotational speed such that the centrifugal volatile index (T = G/P) obtained by dividing the centrifugal effect (G) by the ratio (P) is a value greater than 1.1 and less than 22. 3. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 2, wherein, The drug holder is set such that the ratio (P) is a value of 3 or more and 24 or less. The rotational drive unit sets the rotational speed such that the centrifugal volatility index (T) is 1.14 or higher and 21.9 or lower. 4. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The agent holder is formed by stacking the agent holding layer and the ventilation layer, wherein the agent holding layer is disposed on one or both sides of the ventilation layer in the stacking direction. 5. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The drug holder is configured as a disk shape orthogonal to the axis of rotation. 6. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The drug holder is configured as a hollow cylindrical shape parallel to the axis of rotation. 7. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The drug holder is housed in a rotating box connected to the rotating drive unit. 8. The pharmaceutical evaporation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The volatile agent contains pyrethroid compounds with a vapor pressure of 2× ^10⁻⁴ to 1× ^10⁻² mmHg at 30°C. 9. A method for evaporating a pharmaceutical agent, wherein a pharmaceutical agent holder is rotated to evaporate a volatile pharmaceutical agent into the air, the pharmaceutical agent holder comprising an agent holding layer having gaps capable of holding the volatile pharmaceutical agent, a ventilation layer having pores larger than the gaps, and a shape maintaining layer for maintaining the shape of the ventilation layer, the shape maintaining layer being formed by weaving fibers constituting the ventilation layer at a position adjacent to the ventilation layer, wherein... The method for evaporating the agent includes a rotation adjustment step of adjusting the rotation speed of the agent holder to obtain a centrifugal effect of 10 to 150 (G).