Excrement treatment material and method for producing same

Abstract

Provided are: an excrement treatment material having a high degree of freedom of selection of a pH indicator; and a method for producing the excrement treatment material. The excreta treatment material is provided with a granular body (10) that absorbs urine from an animal. The granular body (10) contains an additive (12) and an indicator (14). The additive (12) is dissolved in urine of an animal and changes the pH of the urine. The indicator (14) changes color in accordance with the pH of the urine in which the additive (12) is dissolved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an excrement treatment material and a manufacturing method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a conventional excrement treatment material, for example, there is an excrement treatment material described in Patent Document 1. The excrement treatment material described in this document is composed of a plurality of granular bodies that absorb animal urine. Each granular body contains, in addition to a nonwoven fabric powder and a paste, a pH indicator. Therefore, in this excrement treatment material, the granular bodies change color depending on the pH of the animal urine.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-333547 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] Thus, in order to cause the granular bodies to change color depending on the pH of the animal urine, a pH indicator is contained. Therefore, the pH indicator has a limitation that the pH of the urine of an animal (a subject animal) using the excrement treatment material must be included in the color change region. This limitation is a main cause of reducing the degree of freedom in selecting the pH indicator in the conventional excrement treatment material.

[0008] The present application has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object to provide an excrement treatment material having a high degree of freedom in selecting a pH indicator and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The excrement treatment material of the present application is characterized by comprising granular bodies that absorb urine of an animal, the granular bodies containing: an additive that dissolves in the urine to change the pH of the urine; and a pH indicator that changes color depending on the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved.

[0011] In this excrement treatment material, the granular bodies containing an additive that dissolves in the urine to change the pH of the urine are provided. In this case, the pH indicator is sufficient as long as the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved is included in the color change region, even if the pH of the original urine (the urine before the additive is dissolved) is not included in the color change region. Thus, it is possible to avoid the limitation that the pH of the urine of the subject animal must be included in the color change region.

[0012] Further, the excrement treatment material manufacturing method of the present application is characterized by including a granular body forming step of forming a granular body that absorbs urine of an animal, and in the granular body forming step, forming the granular body that contains an additive that dissolves in the urine to change a pH of the urine, and a pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved.

[0013] In this manufacturing method, the granular body containing the additive that dissolves in the urine to change the pH of the urine is formed. In this case, it is sufficient that the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved is included in the color change region, even if the pH of the original urine is not included in the color change region. Thus, it is possible to avoid the limitation that the pH indicator must include the pH of the urine of the target animal in the color change region.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present application, it is possible to realize an excrement treatment material and a manufacturing method thereof in which the degree of freedom in selection of a pH indicator is high. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of the excrement treatment material of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the granular body 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the description of the drawings, the same reference signs are assigned to the same elements throughout the drawings, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of the excrement treatment material of the present application. The excrement treatment material 1 is an excrement treatment material for treating excrement (mainly urine) of animals such as cats and dogs. The excrement treatment material 1 has a plurality of granular bodies 10. The excrement treatment material 1 is used, for example, in a state in which the plurality of granular bodies 10 are laid in a box-shaped litter box.

[0020] Each of the granular bodies 10 has water absorbency, and absorbs urine of an animal. That is, each of the granular bodies 10 takes in and holds urine to the inside thereof. In order for the granular bodies 10 to have water absorbency, the water absorption rate as measured by the following test needs to be 40% or more. First, 50 g of the granular bodies 10 (sample) are put into a sieve having an inner diameter of 10 cm and a mesh of 1 mm. An empty beaker is placed below the sieve. Then, 30 ml of water is added dropwise to the sample using a syringe (Teflon-made 60 ml syringe) having an inner diameter of 3 cm of the outer cylinder and an inner diameter of 4 mm of the front end of the cylinder for 10 seconds. After 1 minute, the amount of water in the beaker is measured. The proportion of the value obtained by subtracting the measured amount of water from the added amount of water (30 ml) with respect to the added amount of water is taken as the water absorption rate. That is, if the amount of water in the beaker is 18 ml or less, the water absorption rate is 40% or more, and thus it can be said that the granular bodies 10 have water absorbency.

[0021] Each of the granular bodies 10 is in a granular shape. As the shape of the granular shape, for example, a sphere, a cylinder, or an ellipsoid can be given. The particle diameter of each of the granular bodies 10 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Here, the particle diameter of the granular bodies 10 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can accommodate the granular bodies 10. Each of the granular bodies 10 is preferably made of an organic substance as a main material. Here, the main material of the granular bodies 10 means a material that has the largest proportion by weight among the materials that constitute the granular bodies 10 in the granular bodies 10. As the main material of the granular bodies 10, for example, paper, plant, plastic, or organic sludge can be given.

[0022] The paper refers to a material mainly composed of paper pulp. As the paper, for example, in addition to the usual paper (paper powder), paper pulp, paper from vinyl chloride wallpaper (paper generated at the time of manufacturing or sorting of vinyl chloride wallpaper), paper from plasterboard (paper generated at the time of manufacturing or sorting of plasterboard), or paper from sanitary products (paper generated at the time of manufacturing or sorting of sanitary products containing paper) can be used. As the sanitary products containing paper, for example, paper diapers, sanitary napkins for menstruation, urine pads, or toilet paper (towels, toilet paper, paper handkerchiefs, and the like) can be given. As the plant, for example, wood powder, sawdust, or plant residues (tea leaves, tofu residue, and the like) can be used. As the plastic, for example, in addition to the usual plastic, plastic from vinyl chloride wallpaper (plastic generated at the time of manufacturing or sorting of vinyl chloride wallpaper), or plastic from sanitary products (plastic generated at the time of manufacturing or sorting of sanitary products containing plastic) can be used. As the sanitary products containing plastic, for example, paper diapers, sanitary napkins for menstruation, urine pads, or sanitary masks can be given. As the organic sludge, for example, papermaking sludge or paper pulp sludge can be used.

[0023] Figure 2is a schematic view showing the granular body 10. Each granular body 10 contains an additive 12 and an indicator 14. The additive 12 dissolves in urine, changing the pH of the urine. That is, the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved (a solution in which the urine is a solvent and the additive 12 is a solute) is different from the pH of the original urine (the urine before the additive 12 is dissolved). In the present embodiment, the pH of the aqueous solution of the additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine. As the additive 12, for example, borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) can be used. The additive 12 is contained in the granular body 10 in a solid state. That is, in the granular body 10 before use (before the urine is absorbed), the additive 12 is not dissolved in a liquid and is in a dry state. It is preferable that all of the additive 12 contained in the granular body 10 be in a solid state.

[0024] The indicator 14 is a pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved. The indicator 14 includes the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved in the color change region. The indicator 14 can or can not include the pH of the original urine in the color change region. In the present embodiment, the indicator 14 contains a natural pigment that changes color according to the pH. As the indicator 14, for example, turmeric powder or butterfly pea powder can be used. The turmeric powder and the butterfly pea powder contain curcumin and anthocyanin, respectively, as natural pigments.

[0025] The additive 12 can change the pH of the urine in such a manner that the indicator 14 is in a first color when the pH of the urine is a normal value, and the indicator 14 is in a second color when the pH of the urine is an abnormal value. The amount of change in the pH can be adjusted by the kind, content, or the like of the additive 12. The second color is different from the first color. The first color and the second color are preferably different in hue, as in the case where, for example, the first color is yellow or orange and the second color is red.

[0026] As a specific example, consider a case where the target animal of the excrement treatment material 1 is a cat and the indicator 14 is turmeric powder. The normal value of the pH of cat urine is 6.0 or more and 6.8 or less. In addition, the turmeric powder (curcumin) changes color to red when the pH is about 8.5 or more. Therefore, it is sufficient to contain the additive 12 in such a manner that the pH of the urine after the change at the pH of 6.8 of the original urine is about 8.5. Thus, the indicator 14 is yellow or orange when the pH of the original urine is the normal value of 6.8 or less, and the indicator 14 is red when the pH of the original urine is the abnormal value of more than 6.8.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the granular body 10 is composed of only the above-described main material, the additive 12, and the indicator 14. The weight proportions of the main material, the additive 12, and the indicator 14 in each granular body 10 are, for example, 80% or more and 95% or less, 0.1% or more and 5% or less, and 1% or more and 20% or less, respectively. The specific composition of the granular body 10 is, for example, 89% by weight of paper pulp, 1% by weight of borax (additive 12), and 10% by weight of turmeric powder or butterfly pea powder (indicator 14).

[0028] Each granular body 10 is a granulated material whose surface is not coated. In detail, each granular body 10 is a granulated material obtained by granulating a granulation material (a material constituting each granular body 10). Each granular body 10 is not provided with a coating layer (a layer covering a part or the entirety of the surface of the granulated material). Therefore, each granular body 10 has a single-layer structure composed of a homogeneous granulated material.

[0029] In the excrement treatment material 1, when an animal urinates, its urine is absorbed by the granular body 10. Then, the additive 12 dissolves in the urine absorbed by the granular body 10, and the pH of the urine changes. Then, the indicator 14 changes color according to the pH of the changed urine, and thus the granular body 10 also changes color. Thus, the user (a person who raises the animal, etc.) can confirm the color development of the indicator 14.

[0030] Next, as one embodiment of the manufacturing method of the excrement treatment material of the present application, one example of the manufacturing method of the excrement treatment material 1 will be described. The manufacturing method includes a granular body forming process.

[0031] The granular body forming process is a process of forming the granular body 10. The granular body forming process includes a granulation process of forming a granulated material constituting the granular body 10. In the granulation process, a granulation material (main material, additive 12, and indicator 14) is granulated by using a granulation device, and a granulated material is formed. In the present embodiment, the granulation material is granulated without water. That is, water is not added to the granulation material throughout the granulation. As the granulation device, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. Before the granulation, the granulation material is subjected to a pretreatment such as pulverization, kneading, or the like, as necessary. In addition, after the granulation, a post-treatment such as sieving (granulation), drying, or the like is performed, as necessary. Through the above operations, the excrement treatment material 1 composed of a plurality of granular bodies 10 is obtained.

[0032] The effects of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the granular body 10 containing the additive 12 that changes the pH of urine upon dissolving in the urine is formed. In this case, it is sufficient for the indicator 14 to include the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved in the color change region, even if the pH of the original urine is not included in the color change region. Thus, it is possible to avoid the restriction that the indicator 14 must include the pH of the urine of the target animal in the color change region. Therefore, a feces treatment material 1 in which the degree of freedom of selection of the indicator 14 is high and a method of manufacturing the same are achieved.

[0033] In detail, the pH of the original urine cannot be controlled. Therefore, if the color change region of the pH indicator is to be matched with the pH of the original urine, the range of selection of the pH indicator naturally becomes narrow. In contrast, with respect to the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved, as described above, it is possible to control the amount of change in the pH by the additive 12. Therefore, if the color change region of the pH indicator is to be matched with the pH of the changed urine, it is possible to expand the range of selection of the pH indicator. This is the reason why the degree of freedom of selection of the indicator 14 is high in the feces treatment material 1.

[0034] In a case where the indicator 14 is the first color when the pH of the urine is a normal value, and the indicator 14 is the second color when the pH of the urine is an abnormal value, it is possible to easily determine the abnormality of the urine from the difference in coloration of the indicator 14. In this way, in a case where the indicator 14 is made to be different colors depending on whether the pH of the urine is a normal value, the feces treatment material 1 contributes to grasping the health state of the target animal.

[0035] However, it is not necessary for the indicator 14 to be different colors depending on whether the pH of the urine is a normal value. As long as the indicator 14 changes color when the granular body 10 absorbs urine, it is possible to visually distinguish between the used granular body 10 (the granular body 10 that has absorbed urine) and the unused granular body 10 (the granular body 10 that has not absorbed urine), regardless of whether the pH value is a normal value. This contributes to selectively removing the used granular body 10 from a large number of granular bodies 10.

[0036] The additive 12 is contained in the granular body 10 in a solid state. In this case, the additive 12 reacts with the indicator 14 for the first time after dissolving in the urine. Thus, it is possible to avoid the case where the indicator 14 changes color before the granular body 10 is used.

[0037] In the granulation process, the granulation material is granulated without adding water. Thus, it is possible to easily form the granular body 10 containing the additive 12 in a solid state.

[0038] The pH of the aqueous solution of the additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine. In this case, it is possible to make the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved higher than the pH of the original urine. Thus, even if the original urine is acidic, it is possible to use a pH indicator having a color change region in an alkaline region as the indicator 14.

[0039] Borax has a property that the pH does not greatly change even if the concentration of the aqueous solution changes. For example, the pH of the aqueous solution of borax (20°C) is 9.3 at a concentration of 0.1%, 9.2 at a concentration of 1.0%, and 9.2 at a concentration of 2.0%. Thus, in the case where borax is used as the additive 12, there is an advantage that it is easy to finely adjust the amount of change in the pH of the urine.

[0040] The indicator 14 contains a natural pigment that changes color according to the pH. The natural pigment has a property that it is difficult to revert once it changes color, compared to a synthetic reagent such as a BTB solution. Thus, it is easy to confirm the color development of the indicator 14 even after a long time (for example, about 8 hours) has passed after the animal urinates. Since the urination of the animal is also often performed when the user is out or is sleeping, it is useful to be able to confirm the color development of the indicator 14 even after a long time has passed.

[0041] When the content of the indicator 14 is large, it is easy to visually confirm the color development of the indicator 14. From this viewpoint, the weight ratio of the indicator 14 in the granular body 10 is preferably 1% or more. On the other hand, if the content of the indicator 14 is too large, it is possible to impair the original function of the granular body 10, that is, the water absorption. From this viewpoint, the above weight ratio is preferably 20% or less.

[0042] In the case where the granular body 10 is mainly made of an organic substance, it is possible to obtain a granular body 10 that is suitable for incineration treatment. This contributes to the convenience of disposal of the used granular body 10.

[0043] In the case where the granular body 10 is mainly made of paper, since the main material is white or a color close to white, there is an advantage that it is easy to recognize the color development of the indicator 14.

[0044] The granular body 10 is a granulated material whose surface is not covered. In this case, since the entire surface of the granulated material (the granular body 10) is exposed, it is easy to visually confirm the color development of the granulated material (the color development of the indicator 14).

[0045] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. In the above-described embodiments, a case where borax is used as the additive 12 is exemplified. However, as the additive 12, calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, or sodium phosphate can be used.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the case where the pH of the aqueous solution of the additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine is exemplified. However, the pH of the aqueous solution of the additive 12 can be lower than the pH of the original urine. In this case, it is possible to make the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 is dissolved lower than the pH of the original urine.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the case where the indicator 14 contains a natural pigment is exemplified. However, as the indicator 14, a synthetic reagent such as a BTB solution, a phenolphthalein solution, or the like can be used.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the case where the granular body 10 has a single-layer structure composed of only the uncoated granulated material is exemplified. However, the granular body 10 can have a multi-layer structure (a double-layer structure) composed of the granulated material and a coating layer. That is, the surface of the granulated material can be coated as long as the color development of the indicator 14 can be visually confirmed.

[0049] Symbol Explanation

[0050] 1 Excrement treatment material

[0051] 10 Granular body

[0052] 12 Additive

[0053] 14 Indicator (pH indicator)

Claims

1. An excrement treatment material, characterized in that: It has granules that absorb animal urine. The granules contain: an additive that dissolves in the urine and shifts the pH of the urine; and A pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved.

2. The excrement disposal material according to claim 1, wherein The additive changes the pH of the urine such that the pH indicator exhibits a first color when the pH of the urine is at a normal value, and exhibits a second color different from the first color when the pH of the urine is at an abnormal value.

3. The excrement disposal material according to claim 1, wherein The additive is contained in the granular body in a solid state.

4. The excrement disposal material according to claim 1, wherein The pH of the aqueous solution of the additive is higher than the pH of the urine before dissolving the additive.

5. The excrement disposal material according to claim 1, wherein The additive is borax.

6. The excrement disposal material according to claim 1, wherein The weight ratio of the additive in the granular body is not less than 0.1% and not more than 5%.

7. The excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The pH indicator contains a natural pigment that changes color according to pH.

8. The excrement disposal material according to claim 7, wherein The natural pigment is curcumin or anthocyanin.

9. The excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The weight ratio of the pH indicator in the granules is not less than 1% and not more than 20%.

10. The excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The granular body is mainly made of organic matter.

11. The excrement disposal material according to claim 10, wherein The granular body is mainly made of paper.

12. The excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The granules are granulated materials whose surfaces are not coated.

13. A method for producing an excrement treatment material, characterized in that: The process includes forming granules to absorb the urine of animals. In the granule forming step, the granules are formed, and the granules contain: an additive that dissolves in the urine and changes the pH of the urine; and a pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved.

14. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 13, wherein: In the granule forming step, the granules are formed containing the additive, which changes the pH of the urine in the following manner: when the pH of the urine is a normal value, the pH indicator shows a first color, and when the pH of the urine is an abnormal value, the pH indicator shows a second color different from the first color.

15. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 13, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body containing the additive in a solid state is formed.

16. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 15, wherein: The granular body forming step includes a granulation step of forming granulated materials constituting the granular body. In the granulation step, the granulated material is granulated without adding water to form the granulated product.

17. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 13, wherein: The pH of the aqueous solution of the additive is higher than the pH of the urine before dissolving the additive.

18. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 13, wherein: The additive is borax.

19. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 13, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body is formed so that the weight ratio of the additive in the granular body is 0.1% or more and 5% or less.

20. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: The pH indicator contains a natural pigment that changes color according to pH.

21. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 20, wherein: The natural pigment is curcumin or anthocyanin.

22. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body is formed so that the weight ratio of the pH indicator in the granular body is 1% or more and 20% or less.

23. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body containing organic matter as a main material is formed.

24. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to claim 23, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body is formed using paper as a main material.

25. The method for producing an excrement disposal material according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein: In the granular body forming step, the granular body is formed, and the granular body is a granulated material whose surface is not coated.

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