Abstract: A moisture absorbing material (i) having has (a) a first state in which the moisture absorbing material is capable of absorbing moisture, and (b) a second state in which the moisture absorbing material releases the moisture absorbed in the first state, and (ii) has a property of changing from the first state to the second state in response to an external stimulus and returning from the second state to the first state when the external stimulus disappears, the moisture absorbing material includes: first through fourth moisture absorbing bodies which have respective different stimulus response levels and are provided in order of stimulus response level so as to be in contact with one another.

Abstract: Provided is a dehumidification apparatus with good energy efficiency. A moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24), which absorbs moisture and swells at a temperature not higher than a predetermined temperature sensitive point, while shrinking and releasing condensed water at a temperature higher than the temperature sensitive point as a result of phase transition, is formed so as to be divided into a plurality of segments which are made apart from each other during dehydration. A rotation motor (21) is used to move the moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24) between a moisture absorption region (14a) and a dehydration region (14b). In the dehydration region (14b), the moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24) is heated by the heater (25).

Abstract: A dehumidifying device configured such that a dehumidifying material having absorbed moisture can efficiently release moisture. The dehumidifying device carries out dehumidification with a polymeric moisture-absorbing material that (i) exhibits hydrophilicity in a temperature range equal to or lower than a temperature sensitive point which is a given temperature and (ii) exhibits hydrophobicity in a temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point.

Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprising: a moisture absorption unit including a base material rotatable about a rotation shaft and a macromolecular moisture absorbent provided in a layer on an outer periphery of the base material; and a heat source partially heating the moisture absorption unit, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a hydrophilic state capable of absorbing moisture in the air and a hydrophobic state which releases the moisture sorbed in the hydrophilic state, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a nature such that when temperature rises, the macromolecular moisture absorbent changes from the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state, and when the temperature falls, the macromolecular moisture absorbent returns from the hydrophobic state to the hydrophilic state, requires small thermal energy and can efficiently control humidity.

Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprises: a moisture absorbent (1) made of a macromolecular gelated moisture absorbing material which takes a first state being capable of absorbing moisture and a second state releasing in a liquid state the moisture absorbed in the first state, and which has a nature to change from the first state to the second state when a definite level of temperature or higher is attained, and return to the first state when the definite level of temperature or higher is no longer attained; and an energy converting particle (2) which is disposed so as to be buried inside the moisture absorbent and has a nature to generate heat when it is exposed to an external stimulus factor which is at least one of light, electric waves and a high frequency magnetic field.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a water collecting device and a water collecting method each of which makes it possible to efficiently extract water absorbed as moisture in a polymeric moisture-absorbing material. The object is achieved by a water collecting device including: a stimulus applying section for applying an external stimulus which is intended to decrease the affinity with water of a polymeric moisture-absorbing material; and a vibration section for providing vibration to the polymeric moisture-absorbing material having a decreased affinity with water and thereby causing water to be released from the polymeric moisture-absorbing material.

Abstract: Provided is a dehumidifying device configured such that a dehumidifying material which has absorbed moisture can efficiently release the moisture. The dehumidifying device (1A) carries out dehumidification with use of a polymeric moisture-absorbing material (23) that (i) exhibits hydrophilicity in a temperature range equal to or lower than a temperature sensitive point which is a given temperature and (ii) exhibits hydrophobicity in a temperature range higher than the temperature sensitive point.

Abstract: Provided is a dehumidification apparatus with good energy efficiency. A moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24), which absorbs moisture and swells at a temperature not higher than a predetermined temperature sensitive point, while shrinking and releasing condensed water at a temperature higher than the temperature sensitive point as a result of phase transition, is formed so as to be divided into a plurality of segments which are made apart from each other during dehydration. A rotation motor (21) is used to move the moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24) between a moisture absorption region (14a) and a dehydration region (14b). In the dehydration region (14b), the moisture absorbing material (polymeric moisture absorbing material 24) is heated by the heater (25).

Abstract: Provided is a moisture absorbing material, a dehumidifying device, and a dehumidifying method each of which makes it possible to efficiently release absorbed moisture without use of a large quantity of heat. A moisture absorbing material (22) (i) having (a) a first state in which the moisture absorbing material (22) is capable of absorbing moisture and (b) a second state in which the moisture absorbing material (22) releases the moisture absorbed in the first state and (ii) having a property of changing from the first state to the second state in response to an external stimulus and returning from the second state to the first state when the external stimulus disappears, the moisture absorbing material (22) including: first through fourth moisture absorbing bodies (22a) through (22d) which have respective different stimulus response levels and are provided in order of stimulus response level so as to be in contact with one another.

Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprising: a moisture absorption unit including a base material rotatable about a rotation shaft and a macromolecular moisture absorbent provided in a layer on an outer periphery of the base material; and a heat source partially heating the moisture absorption unit, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a hydrophilic state capable of absorbing moisture in the air and a hydrophobic state which releases the moisture sorbed in the hydrophilic state, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a nature such that when temperature rises, the macromolecular moisture absorbent changes from the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state, and when the temperature falls, the macromolecular moisture absorbent returns from the hydrophobic state to the hydrophilic state, requires small thermal energy and can efficiently control humidity.

Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprises: a moisture absorbent (1) made of a macromolecular gelated moisture absorbing material which takes a first state being capable of absorbing moisture and a second state releasing in a liquid state the moisture absorbed in the first state, and which has a nature to change from the first state to the second state when a definite level of temperature or higher is attained, and return to the first state when the definite level of temperature or higher is no longer attained; and an energy converting particle (2) which is disposed so as to be buried inside the moisture absorbent and has a nature to generate heat when it is exposed to an external stimulus factor which is at least one of light, electric waves and a high frequency magnetic field.

Abstract: An air blower including a motor 2 having output shafts 21, 21 on both sides in the axial direction and two impellers 3, 3 mounted on the respective output shafts 21, 21, and two ducts 5, 5 that individually allow passage of the air blown out by rotation of each of the impellers 3, 3 in the same direction and discharge the air to the outside are included. At a part or the whole of each of the ducts 5, 5, a laminar flow section that makes the flowing air laminar flow. An ion generating section is arranged at each laminar flow section so that ions generated by the ion generating section can effectively be included in the air, increasing the ion concentration of ions discharged in a room together with the air.

Abstract: An ion generation apparatus includes: an air blower including a motor and two impellers attached to the output shafts projecting respectively from both sides of the motor; and two ducts through which air sent through rotation of the two impellers is individually allowed to flow in the same direction, for emitting the air outside. A part of whole of each of the ducts is provided in the laminar flow section where a flow of the air is changed into a laminar flow. Since an ion generating section is provided in each of the laminar flow sections, ions generated by the ion generating section can be efficiently involved in the air, so as to increase a concentration of the ions emitted to inside of a room together with the air.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ion generating apparatus including a housing that is configured to be capable of specifically setting the positional relationship between the ion generating apparatus and an object from which adhering odors are to be removed. The ion generating apparatus is capable of directionally emitting ions toward the object.

Abstract: An ion generation apparatus includes: an air blower including a motor and two impellers attached to the output shafts projecting respectively from both sides of the motor; and two ducts through which air sent through rotation of the two impellers is individually allowed to flow in the same direction, for emitting the air outside. A part of whole of each of the ducts is provided in the laminar flow section where a flow of the air is changed into a laminar flow. Since an ion generating section is provided in each of the laminar flow sections, ions generated by the ion generating section can be efficiently involved in the air, so as to increase a concentration of the ions emitted to inside of a room together with the air.

Abstract: An air blower including a motor 2 having output shafts 21, 21 on both sides in the axial direction and two impellers 3, 3 mounted on the respective output shafts 21, 21, and two ducts 5, 5 that individually allow passage of the air blown out by rotation of each of the impellers 3, 3 in the same direction and discharge the air to the outside are included. At a part or the whole of each of the ducts 5, 5, a laminar flow section that makes the flowing air laminar flow. An ion generating section is arranged at each laminar flow section so that ions generated by the ion generating section can effectively be included in the air, increasing the ion concentration of ions discharged in a room together with the air.

Abstract: In a front surface leather portion of a cover 10, there are formed a display surface opening portion 14 for exposing a display screen of a display of a mobile communication terminal 90, an operating surface opening portion 15 for exposing an operating surface of an input device of the terminal 90, and a fitting opening portion 16 for fitting this cover 10 to the terminal 90. Accordingly, even when the cover 10 is fitted, it is possible for the user both to check the display screen of the terminal 90 from the portion 14 and to actuate the input device of the terminal 90 from the portion 15. Due to this, it is possible to implement a cover for a mobile communication terminal which, along with maintaining a good operating feeling and serving as cushioning material in the case of shock, can also impart a soft texture and a sense of high quality.

Abstract: In a front surface leather portion of a cover 10, there are formed a display surface opening portion 14 for exposing a display screen of a display of a mobile communication terminal 90, an operating surface opening portion 15 for exposing an operating surface of an input device of the terminal 90, and a fitting opening portion 16 for fitting this cover 10 to the terminal 90. Accordingly, even when the cover 10 is fitted, it is possible for the user both to check the display screen of the terminal 90 from the portion 14 and to actuate the input device of the terminal 90 from the portion 15. Due to this, it is possible to implement a cover for a mobile communication terminal which, along with maintaining a good operating feeling and serving as cushioning material in the case of shock, can also impart a soft texture and a sense of high quality.