ANIMAL SANITARY GRANULES

Abstract

The present invention provides a litter for animals capable of sufficiently inhibiting occurrence of bad odor.　A litter (3) for animals according to the present invention comprises a plurality of granular objects. Each of the plurality of granular objects contains an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent, and further contains silica gel in a content amount of 0.0-2.5 mass%.　In addition, the litter (3) for animals according to the present invention is characterized in that: the area of water droplet marks on each of the plurality of granular objects after a colored water drop test is less than 12.6 mm2; the pH of ion exchanged water from the plurality of granular objects after a liquid passage test is lower than 7.62; or the litter has water repellency and an uneven structure having a plurality of projecting portions.

Description

1 / 46 Animal Sanitary Granules for Field Use

[001] The present invention relates to an animal sanitary granule used as a substrate material in litter boxes for animals, such as dogs and cats. BACKGROUND

[002] Conventionally, litter boxes for animals such as dogs and cats, kept indoors, are known to comprise a box-shaped container with an open top; and a litter composed of a plurality of granules contained within the litter box container. In addition, as a type of litter box for animals, litter box systems are known that comprise an upper container having a liquid-permeable lower surface; and a lower container located below the upper container and containing a liquid-absorbing element. The upper container of such a litter box system contains sanitary litter, and an animal's urine passes between the granules contained in the upper container to be absorbed by the liquid-absorbing element in the lower container.

[003] The sanitary granules contained in the upper container of the animal litter box system have a predetermined liquid permeability that allows the animal's urine to move quickly to the lower container. At the same time, the sanitary granules have a predetermined absorbency that allows urine to remain on the surface of each granule to be absorbed, thus suppressing the generation of bad odor due to urine remaining on the surface of each granule.

[004] Therefore, the sanitary granules used in the litter box system for animals must exhibit permeability and absorption of liquids. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 7 / 66 2 / 46 of them. From this point of view, several sanitary granule options have been proposed. For example, PTL 1 proposes an animal sanitary granule comprising a plurality of granules, each of which comprises a group of particles composed of an inorganic porous material, silica gel, and an inorganic binder that integrally binds the group of particles and the silica gel. LIST OF QUOTES PATENT LITERATURE PTL 1 Publication of Unexamined Japanese Patent (Kokai) No. 2009-125000 SUMMARY TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[005] Conventional animal litter, which uses a porous inorganic material as its main raw material, uses a solidifying agent, such as cement, as a binder. However, solidifying agents, such as cement, generate calcium hydroxide through a hardening reaction, and therefore the pH is high. As a result, when the animal litter comes into contact with urine, the decomposition of the urea contained in the urine is accelerated, with the risk of generating ammonia, which causes bad odor. Therefore, in an animal litter such as that of PTL 1, silica gel is mixed into each granule to suppress the increase in pH of each granule.

[006] However, even in an animal litter such as that of PTL 1, silica gel can adsorb an odorous substance from the surrounding environment before the animal litter is used, and there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance. In addition to odorous substances that may be present in the space of a breeding environment, odorous substances that may be present in Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 8 / 66 3 / 46 spaces in the manufacturing environments of silica gel and animal sanitary granules are considered odorous substances. Furthermore, even after silica gel adsorbs an odorous substance generated from excrement, such as urine, there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance.

[007] In addition to the bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed onto such silica gel, conventional animal sanitary granules can still generate bad odor due to various causes, and further improvements related to odor suppression are needed.

[008] The present invention was made with the above issues in mind and aims to provide an animal sanitary granule that can sufficiently suppress the generation of bad odor. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[009] The present invention includes the following aspects. Aspect 1

[0010] An animal sanitary pellet comprising a plurality of pellets, wherein each of the plurality of pellets comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a content of 0.0% by mass or greater and 2.5% by mass or less and wherein the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test is less than 12.6 mm2.

[0011] Animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 1 hereof do not contain silica gel or, even if they contain silica gel, contain a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed onto the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed onto the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules according to Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 9 / 66 4 / 46 present Aspect 1 can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on silica gel.

[0012] In conventional animal litter, after a plurality of granules adsorb an odorous substance generated from excrement, such as urine, there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance. Furthermore, in conventional animal litter, there is also a risk that an unpleasant ammonia odor will be generated, produced by the evaporation of urine remaining on the surface of each granule. In the animal litter according to Aspect 1, the area of ​​the mark of a drop of water after a colored water drop test is less than 12.6 mm² and the absorption area of ​​each granule is small. Thus, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule.As a result, in the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 1 hereof, urine does not easily remain on the surface of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea contained in the urine is not easily generated.

[0013] As described above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 1 herein can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 2

[0014] An animal sanitary pellet comprising a plurality of pellets, wherein each of the plurality of pellets comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a proportion of 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less and wherein the pH of the water treated by Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 10 / 66 5 / 46 ion exchange after a liquid passage test for the plurality of granules is 7.62 or less.

[0015] The animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 2 herein also do not contain silica gel or, even if they contain silica gel, they contain a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 2 herein can also suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel.

[0016] In conventional animal litter, even when using silica gel, the pH of multiple granules sometimes cannot be controlled within a suitable range, and there is a risk of ammonia generation, which causes bad odor. In the animal litter according to Aspect 2 of this Aspect, the pH of the ion-exchange treated water after a liquid passage test for multiple granules is 7.62 or less, and therefore, even when the animal litter comes into contact with urine, ammonia, which causes bad odor, is not easily generated. As a result, the animal litter according to this Aspect 2 can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia.

[0017] As described above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 2 herein can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on silica gel and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 3 Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 11 / 66 6 / 46

[0018] An animal sanitary pellet comprising a plurality of pellets, wherein each of the plurality of pellets comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and has water repellency, and wherein each of the plurality of pellets further comprises silica gel in a proportion of 0.0% by mass or greater and 2.5% by mass or less and has an irregular structure comprising a plurality of convex portions.

[0019] The animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 3 herein also do not contain silica gel or, even if they contain silica gel, they contain a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 3 herein can also suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel.

[0020] In conventional animal litter, after a plurality of granules adsorb an odorous substance generated from excrement, such as urine, there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance. Furthermore, in conventional animal litter, there is also a risk that an unpleasant ammonia odor will be generated, produced by the evaporation of urine remaining on the surface of each granule. In the animal litter according to Aspect 3, since each of the various granules has water repellency and an irregular structure, the urine passes between the granules without being absorbed by each granule further. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 12 / 66 7 / 46 easily compared with those that have water repellency and without an irregular structure. As a result, in the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 3, urine does not easily remain on the surface of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea contained in the urine is not easily generated.

[0021] As described above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 3 can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent odor suppression effect. Aspect 4

[0022] Animal sanitary granules conforming to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of granules has a surface coated with a water-repellent agent.

[0023] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 4 hereof, since the surface of each granule is coated with a water-repellent agent, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in urine is not easily generated.

[0024] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to this Aspect 4 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 5 Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 13 / 66 8 / 46

[0025] Animal sanitary pellets according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of pellets has a surface coated with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0026] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 5, since the surface of each granule is coated with an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in urine is not easily generated.

[0027] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 5 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia and bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 6

[0028] Animal sanitary granules according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of granules has a surface coated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0029] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 6, since the surface of each granule is coated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and EVA, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by the plurality of granules and, therefore, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in urine is not easily generated.

[0030] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to this Aspect 6 can better suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed in each Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 14 / 66 9 / 46 granules, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia, and may demonstrate a more excellent odor suppression effect. Aspect 7

[0031] Animal sanitary pellets in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein each of the plurality of pellets comprises a water-repellent particle on at least one surface of each of the plurality of pellets.

[0032] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 7, since each granule comprises a water-repellent particle at least on its surface, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated.

[0033] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to this Aspect 7 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 8

[0034] Animal sanitary pellets in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of pellets has an Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) of 0.26 µm or more and 0.95 µm or less.

[0035] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 8 hereof, since each granule has an Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) of a predetermined range, urine passes through easily Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 15 / 66 10 / 46 between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated.

[0036] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to this Aspect 8 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. Aspect 9

[0037] Animal sanitary pellets in accordance with any of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of pellets has an Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of 20 sqm or more and 25 sqm or less.

[0038] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 9, since each granule has an Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of a predetermined range, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, urine is less likely to come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in urine is not easily generated.

[0039] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 9 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 16 / 66 11 / 46 Aspect 10

[0040] Animal sanitary pellets according to Aspect 3, wherein the irregular structure comprises a particle that constitutes the animal sanitary pellets.

[0041] In animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 10, since the irregular structure of each granule comprises constituent particles of granules that are resistant to plastic deformation, there is little deformation of the irregular structure even during the use of the animal sanitary granules, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, it is less likely that the urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the effect of ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine not being easily generated can be maintained.

[0042] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to Aspect 10 can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0043] According to the present invention, an animal sanitary granule can be provided that can sufficiently suppress the generation of bad odor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is an oblique view that schematically shows a configuration of a sand box system 1 in which an animal sanitary granule 3 is used, which is the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 2 is a SEM image of the surface of a grain Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, p. 17 / 66 12 / 46 null that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 which is the first embodiment of the present invention whose surface has been treated with a water repellent agent.

[0046] Figure 3 is a SEM image of the surface of a granule that constitutes animal sanitary granules 3, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, whose surface has been treated with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0047] Figure 4 is a SEM image of the surface of a granule constituting animal sanitary granules 3, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, whose surface has been treated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0048] Figure 5 is a SEM image of the surface of a granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 which is the first embodiment of the present invention, whose surface has not been treated. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES

[0049] Preferred embodiments of animal sanitary granules according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the various numerical ranges in this descriptive report refer to ranges that include the maximum and minimum limit values ​​thereof, unless otherwise specified.

[0050] To achieve the above objective, the present inventors conducted intensive studies focusing on the causes of odor generation and, as a result, discovered that the generation of a plurality of odors with different causes can be suppressed by means of the following techniques. Specifically, the present inventors discovered that the generation of a plurality of odors with different causes can be suppressed by at least one of the following techniques: reduction of silica gel content in Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 18 / 66 13 / 46 each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules and decrease in the absorption area of ​​each granule; and reduction of the silica gel content in each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules and control of the pH after the liquid passes through a plurality of granules within an appropriate range.

[0051] The present invention was completed based on these findings and includes the following embodiments. First Mode

[0052] An animal sanitary granule 3 according to the first embodiment, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to Figure 1.

[0053] Figure 1 is an oblique view that schematically shows a configuration of a sand box system 1 in which an animal sanitary granule 3 is used, which is the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the sand box system 1 comprises a lid 2; the animal sanitary granule 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention; a container for storing sanitary granules 4; a disposable sheet for excrement disposal 5; and a container for storing the sheet for excrement disposal 6.

[0054] The lid 2 is an element that limits the entry and exit points of an animal, such as a cat, and forms an outer wall that serves as an enclosure to prevent the dispersion of excrement and animal sanitary granules 3. The excrement storage container 4 is a container for storing the animal's excrement 3 and comprises a bottom part (e.g., a grid) that has a structure (e.g., a porous structure or a mesh structure) through which the animal's excreted urine can pass. The excrement disposal plate 5 is a disposable absorbent liquid plate, placed below the bottom part of the container. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 19 / 66 14 / 46 excrement storage container 4 to absorb and retain urine that has passed through the animal sanitary granules 3 and the bottom. The excrement storage container 6 is a container for storing excrement from the excrement disposal plate 5 and is a container installed below the excrement storage container 4 to be easily removed and inserted.

[0055] The sand box system 1 shown in Figure 1 is configured so that when an animal excretes urine inside the lid 2, the urine passes through the animal sanitary granules 3 and is absorbed and retained by the excrement disposal plate 5 located below the animal sanitary granules 3. When the urine passes through the animal sanitary granules 3, it is absorbed little by little by a plurality of granules that constitute the animal sanitary granules 3, while passing between the granules and flowing downwards.

[0056] The sand trap system 1 is configured so that the spread of foul odor caused by urine can be suppressed by absorbing and retaining the urine within the animal sanitary granules 3 and the excrement disposal plate 5 and by the animal sanitary granules 3 covering the inner space of the storage container of the excrement disposal plate 6 which contains the excrement disposal plate 5. Therefore, in the sand trap system 1, the animal sanitary granules 3 have predetermined liquid permeability and liquid absorption and have a predetermined adsorption property that allows an odorous substance generated from excrement to be adsorbed.

[0057] The animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment are animal sanitary granules comprising a plurality of granules, each of which comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent. In the present embodiment, each of them further comprises silica gel in a content of Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 20 / 66 15 / 46 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less, and the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test for each of them is less than 12.6 mm².

[0058] In this descriptive report, it also includes silica gel at a content of 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less means not including silica gel or, even if it includes silica gel, including it at a content of 2.5% by mass or less.

[0059] The animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment do not contain silica gel or, even if they contain silica gel, they contain a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released adsorbed on the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel.

[0060] As mentioned earlier, in conventional animal litter, after a granule adsorbs an odorous substance generated from excrement, such as urine, there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance. Furthermore, in conventional animal litter, there is also a risk that an unpleasant ammonia odor will be generated by the evaporation of urine remaining on the surface of each granule. In animal litter 3 according to the present embodiment, the area of ​​the mark of a water droplet after a colored water droplet test is less than 12.6 mm² and the absorption area of ​​each granule is small. Thus, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule. As a result, in animal litter 3 Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 21 / 66 16 / 46 according to the present embodiment, the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea contained in urine is not readily generated.

[0061] As described above, the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the means for defining the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test on each granule to less than 12.6 mm² are not particularly limited and any known means for adjusting water absorption in the relevant field may be adopted. Specific examples include adjusting the composition of the components constituting each granule; and / or coating the surface of each granule with a surface treatment agent, such as a water repellent, and adjusting the amount and shape of the coating thereof. Method for Measuring the Area of ​​a Water Drop Mark After a Colored Water Drop Test

[0063] The area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test can be measured as follows. (1) First, using a micropipette, 5μI of blue-colored water are measured and dropped onto a sample of granules to be measured. (2) Next, using filter paper manufactured by ADVANTEC, any water droplets present in the granule are wiped away. (3) The size of the remaining water droplet on the surface of the granule is measured. At this point, the water droplet is considered an ellipse and the lengths of the sections corresponding to the major axis (mm) and the minor axis (mm) are measured. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 22 / 66 17 / 46 (4) The area (mm2) of the water drop mark is calculated according to the following formula: Area of ​​a water droplet mark = (major axis / 2) χ (minor axis / 2) x 3.14

[0064] The granules that make up animal sanitary granules 3 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. Granule Components

[0065] In the present embodiment, each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent, and does not contain silica gel or, even if the animal sanitary granules contain silica gel, it contains a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. These components will be described below. Inorganic Porous Material

[0066] The inorganic porous material, which is a component of each granule, is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised, and any inorganic porous material that can be used as a component of an animal sanitary granule can be used. Examples of such inorganic porous materials include zeolite, sepiolite, attapulgite, diatomaceous earth, and diatomaceous shale.

[0067] The particle size of the inorganic porous material is not particularly limited and, for example, is 400 µm or less, preferably 300 µm or less and, more preferably, 200 µm or less.

[0068] The content of porous inorganic material in each granule is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised, and any content may be adopted according to the desired effect and intensity of odor suppression. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 23 / 66 18 / 46 Examples of this content include a content of 50 to 98% by mass. The content of porous inorganic material in each granule is preferably 50 to 95% by mass, and more preferably 60 to 90% by mass. Note that the content of porous inorganic material in each granule means a mass proportion of the porous inorganic material contained per particle of the granule. Solidifying Agent

[0069] The solidifying agent, which is a component of each granule, is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised, and any solidifying agent that can be used as a component of an animal sanitary granule can be used. Examples of such solidifying agents include cement-based solidifying agents and non-cement-based solidifying agents. Cement-based solidifying agents and non-cement-based solidifying agents can be used individually or can be mixed for use.

[0070] A cement-based solidification agent is a solidification agent consisting primarily of calcium silicate that reacts with water (hydrates) to harden. Examples of cement include Portland cement and white cement. By using this cement as a solidification agent, the strength of each granule that makes up the animal sanitary pellets can be increased.

[0071] Low-alkalinity cement can be used as a cement-based solidification agent. Low-alkalinity cement is cement that has low alkalinity and a pH around 11, in which the content of alkali metals (Na, K) in the cement is adjusted to a predetermined or low level. By using low-alkalinity cement as a solidification agent, the pH of the granules that make up the animal sanitary pellets can be reduced. Quan Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 24 / 66 19 / 46 because the pH of the granules is reduced, ammonia, which causes bad odor, is not easily generated, even when each granule is placed in contact with urine, and therefore the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia can be suppressed.

[0072] A non-cement-based solidification agent is a solidification agent that differs from a cement-based solidification agent and is not primarily composed of calcium silicate. Examples of non-cement-based solidification agents include dolomite, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, and magnesium oxide. In particular, when a mixture of a cement-based solidification agent and a non-cement-based solidification agent is used as a solidification agent, the strength of each granule can be increased, while the pH of the granules can be reduced and the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia can be more reliably suppressed.

[0073] As a non-cement-based solidification agent, a hydraulic solidification agent composed primarily of calcium sulfate and magnesium oxide can be used. Such hydraulic solidification agents exhibit nearly neutral properties. In addition, the magnesium hydroxide generated during the hardening of the solidification agent exhibits low basicity. Therefore, when using such a hydraulic solidification agent as a non-cement-based solidification agent, the pH of the granules can be reduced and the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia can be more reliably suppressed.

[0074] In the hydraulic solidifying agent, composed mainly of calcium sulfate and magnesium oxide, the calcium sulfate content is preferably 50 to 95% by mass and the magnesium oxide content is preferably 5 to 50% by mass. The calcium sulfate content is the content when converted to anhydride. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 25 / 66 20 / 46

[0075] The solidifying agent content in each granule is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised, and any content may be adopted according to the desired effect and intensity of odor suppression. Examples of such content include a content of 5 to 30% by mass. The solidifying agent content in each granule, from the point of view of the effect and intensity of odor suppression, is preferably 10 to 25% by mass. Silica Gel

[0076] As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 does not contain silica gel or, even if it contains silica gel, it contains a low content of 2.5% by mass or less. Specifically, silica gel is an optional component of each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the silica gel that can be used as a component of each granule is not particularly limited as to type or structure, provided that the content is 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less, and any silica gel that can be used as a component of an animal sanitary pellet can be used. Examples of such silica gel include commercially available silica gels such as type A silica gel, type B silica gel, and type C silica gel.

[0078] The silica gel content in each granule, as mentioned above, is 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less. When the silica gel content in each granule is within this range, there is no odorous substance adsorbed onto the silica gel, or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed onto the silica gel is small, and therefore the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules 3 Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 26 / 66 21 / 46 according to the present embodiment can also suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on silica gel. Additional Components

[0079] In the present embodiment, each granule constituting the animal sanitary granules 3 may also comprise any additive component, in addition to the inorganic porous material, the solidifying agent and the silica gel. Such additive component is not particularly limited and includes, for example, various functional components, such as fragrance components and antibacterial components, test reagent components, hydrophilic components, hydrophobizing components, other deodorizing components, preservative components, germicidal components, antifungal components and coloring components. These functional components may be used independently or in combination of two or more.

[0080] The fragrance component is not particularly limited, provided that it contains a compound that has aromatic properties and includes, for example, alcohols such as geraniol, citronellol, citral, eugenol, phenethyl alcohol, thymol, linalool, chapas alcohol, menthol and benzyl alcohol; aldehydes such as hexyl cinnamaldehyde; and oils. The fragrance component may further comprise a dispersant for dispersing the compound that has aromatic properties in water. Examples of the dispersant include glycols, which are liquids at room temperature (25°C), and polymers thereof.

[0081] The antibacterial component is not particularly limited, as long as bacterial proliferation can be suppressed and, for example, any antibacterial agent, such as an organic, metal-based, inorganic, photocatalyst-based or natural agent, can be used. Furthermore, considering that the proliferation Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 27 / 66 22 / 46 Bacterial contamination can be suppressed even after each granule has absorbed excrement, such as urine; the use of an organic surfactant-type antibacterial agent is preferable.

[0082] The component of the test reagent is not particularly limited, as long as the health condition of an animal can be detected and, for example, a reagent that changes color according to a component in the urine, such as a pH test reagent, a protein test reagent, a glucose test reagent, an occult blood test reagent or a urobilinogen test reagent, can be used.

[0083] The hydrophilic component is not particularly limited, provided that each granule can be hydrophilized and, for example, surfactants can be used. Furthermore, the hydrophobizing component is not particularly limited, provided that each granule can be hydrophobized and, for example, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, a silicone resin, a fatty acid or a metallic salt thereof, a polyglycol, a fatty acid ester, a wax, a low molecular weight polyolefin or a fluororesin can be used.

[0084] The other deodorizing components are not particularly limited, provided that the components are not the above inorganic porous material and silica gel and have a deodorizing effect and, for example, include those that neutralize the odor of ammonia, such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.

[0085] Each granule that constitutes animal sanitary granules 3 may contain activated charcoal instead of the aforementioned silica gel. Specifically, each granule may contain activated charcoal in addition to the inorganic porous material and the solidifying agent. When each granule contains such activated charcoal, an odorous substance may be adsorbed by the activated charcoal and the activated charcoal may be gradually oxidized to reduce the pH of the granules, thus preventing the generation Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 28 / 66 23 / 46 easily absorbs ammonia, which causes bad odor. Surface Coating

[0086] In the present embodiment, each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 may have its surface coated with any surface treatment agent, such as a water repellent agent or an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0087] Each granule constituting the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment preferably has its surface coated with a water-repellent agent. When the surface of each granule is coated with a water-repellent agent, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule, making it less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated. Therefore, the animal sanitary granules 3 consisting of such granules can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia, and can demonstrate an even more excellent odor suppression effect.

[0088] The water-repellent agent that can be used in animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited and any water-repellent agent that can be used in animal sanitary granules can be used. Examples of such water-repellent agents include waxes, such as paraffin, silicone resins and fluororesins.

[0089] Each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment may have its surface coated with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). When the surface of each granule is coated with EVA, it is less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and ammonia will not be absorbed. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 29 / 66 24 / 46 produced by the decomposition of urea in urine is not easily generated. Therefore, animal sanitary granules 3 consisting of such granules can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia and the bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule and can demonstrate an even more excellent odor suppression effect.

[0090] Each granule constituting the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment may have its surface coated with a mixture of the above water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). When the surface of each granule is coated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and EVA, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by the plurality of granules, making it less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea contained in the urine is not easily generated. Therefore, the animal sanitary granules 3 constituted by such granules can better suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule, and bad odor caused by ammonia.

[0091] Figures 2 to 4 are SEM (scanning electron microscope) images of the surfaces of the granules that constitute the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment, whose surface was treated with a water-repellent agent, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, respectively. Figure 5 is a SEM image of the surface of a granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment, whose surface was not treated. When compared with the granule surface shown in Figure 5, the surfaces of the granules Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 30 / 66 25 / 46 shown in Figures 2 to 4 are rough. In particular, it is observed that the granule whose surface was treated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in Figure 4 exhibits a particularly irregular structure, and the presence or absence of a surface treatment affects the irregular state of a granule's surface.

[0092] The surface treatment agent used in coating the surface of each granule may further comprise any inorganic powder or additive component in addition to the water-repellent agent and EVA. Examples of such inorganic powder include talc, mica, kaolin, calcium carbonate, and aluminum oxide. The additive component is not particularly limited and, for example, includes the same functional components as the additive components above in each granule, specifically, various functional components such as fragrance components and antibacterial components, test reagent components, hydrophilic components, hydrophobizing components, deodorizing components, preservative components, germicidal components, antifungal components, and colorant components. These functional components may be used independently or in combination of two or more.

[0093] The means for coating the surface of each granule with the above surface treatment agent are not particularly limited and any means of application may be adopted. Examples of such means of application include a means of applying a surface treatment agent onto the surface of each granule by spraying; and a means of immersing each granule in a surface treatment solution.

[0094] When the surface of each granule is coated with the surface treatment agent, the amount of coating is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 31 / 66 26 / 46 The coating is not compromised, and any amount of coating can be adopted according to the desired effect and intensity of odor suppression. Such a coating amount, for example, is 0.01 to 5.00% by mass, preferably 0.05 to 3.00% by mass, and more preferably 0.10 to 1.00% by mass relative to the mass of each granule.

[0095] The method of individually coating a plurality of granules is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised. The entire surface of an individual granule may be coated with a surface treatment agent, or only a portion of the surface of an individual granule may be coated with the surface treatment agent. In a plurality of granules, the surfaces of all granules may be coated with a surface treatment agent, or only the surfaces of some of the granules may be coated with the surface treatment agent.

[0096] The plurality of granules that constitute the animal sanitary granules 3 according to the present embodiment each has a substantially cylindrical external shape; however, the shape of each granule is not limited to such a shape. For example, any external shape, such as a substantially spherical shape or an irregular granular shape, may be adopted for the shape of each granule. However, from the point of view of reducing the dispersion of the granules during the use of the animal sanitary granules, it is preferable that the shape of each granule be substantially cylindrical.

[0097] The size of each granule is not particularly limited, provided that the effect of the present invention is not compromised, and any size may be adopted according to the desired effect and intensity of odor suppression. Examples of such granule sizes include a particle size in the range of 3.0 to Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 32 / 66 27 / 46 8,0mm.

[0098] The particle size of each granule is preferably within the range of 3.5 to 6.0 mm. When the particle size of each granule is within this range, spaces are easily formed between the granules and urine passes easily between them in the plurality of granules. Therefore, animal sanitary granules consisting of such granules, each with this particle size, can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule and the bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule. In addition, there is the advantage that each granule has a particle size in the specific range above, which prevents such granules from easily getting stuck in the paw pads of animals such as cats.Therefore, even if an animal that has stepped on the cat litter walks around a room, the litter does not easily spread throughout the room, and the spread of the bad odor associated with such litter can also be suppressed.

[0099] The particle size of each granule is determined by a sieving method, i.e., by the mesh openings of a sieve. Specifically, the particle size of each granule means the particle size (mm) that corresponds to the average mass, i.e., the particle size at 50% by mass determined from the particle size distribution obtained by a sieving method. The particle size distribution can be obtained by sieving granules of a predetermined mass (e.g., 150g) for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 3min) using a vibrating sieve machine (e.g., AS-200 manufactured by Retsch GmbH) comprising a plurality of sieves with different mesh openings and calculating the mass percentage (%) based on the mass (g). Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 33 / 66 28 / 46 of the remaining granules in each sieve.

[00100] The plurality of granules that constitute the animal sanitary pellets of the present invention can be obtained by granulating the components of each granule comprising the inorganic porous material and the solidifying agent above using any granulator. The granulator used in granulating the components in each granule is not particularly limited and includes, for example, compression granulators, such as disc pelletizers, briquette machines and tablet presses; and extrusion granulators. When the surface of each granule after granulation is coated with the surface treatment agent above, the surface treatment agent is applied to the surface of each granule after granulation using any application method. Second Mode

[00101] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described, namely, the second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment above only in terms of the pH characteristics after the passage of the liquid. Note that, since the points, in addition to the pH characteristics after the passage of the liquid, that constitute the difference in relation to the first embodiment above are basically the same according to the first embodiment above, the description of these will be omitted.

[00102] The animal sanitary granules according to the second embodiment of the present invention are also animal sanitary granules comprising a plurality of granules, each of which comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a content of 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less. In the present embodiment, the pH of the water treated by ion exchange after a liquid passage test for the plurality of granules is less than 7.62. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 34 / 66 29 / 46

[00103] The animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment also do not contain silica gel or, even if they do, contain a low silica gel content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can also suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel.

[00104] As mentioned above, in conventional animal litter granules, even when using silica gel, the pH of a plurality of granules sometimes cannot be controlled within a suitable range, and there is a risk of ammonia generation, which causes bad odor. In the animal litter granules according to the present embodiment, the pH of the water treated by ion exchange after a liquid passage test for a plurality of granules is less than 7.62 and, therefore, even when the animal litter granules are placed in contact with urine, ammonia, which causes bad odor, is not easily generated. As a result, the animal litter granules according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by ammonia.

[00105] As described above, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on silica gel and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[00106] In the present embodiment, the means for adjusting the pH of water treated by ion exchange after a liquid-to-granule passage test to less than 7.62 are not particularly limiting. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 35 / 66 30 / 46 tados and, for example, include adjusting the composition of the components that make up each granule; and / or coating the surface of each granule with the above surface treatment agent and adjusting the amount and form of coating thereof. Method for Measuring the pH of Water Treated by Ion Exchange After a Liquid Passage Test

[00107] The pH of water treated by ion exchange after a liquid-to-granule passage test can be measured as follows. (1) First, the interior of a cylinder with an inner diameter of 84 mm and a depth of 30 mm is filled with a sample of granules to be measured. (2) Next, from a height of 2cm above the sample of granules inside the cylinder, approximately 20g of ion-exchange treated water, with the mass (g) previously measured, is poured in. (3) The ion-exchange treated water that passes through the cylinder and flows out from under the cylinder is collected and its mass (g) is measured. (4) The mass of the ion-exchange treated water after passing through the cylinder is divided by the mass of the ion-exchange treated water before falling and then multiplied by 100 to calculate the liquid permeability (%) of the granules. (5) The pH of the ion-exchange treated water after passing through the cylinder is measured using any pH meter (for example, a compact LAQUAtwin pH-22 pH meter manufactured by HORIBA, Ltd.). The pH value measured in this way is the pH of the ion-exchange treated water after a liquid-to-granule test.

[00108] The animal sanitary pellets of the present invention may be animal sanitary pellets in a combined form of the first and second embodiments above. Specifically, the pellets Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 36 / 66 31 / 46 animal sanitary product in this combined form is an animal sanitary granule comprising a plurality of granules, wherein each of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a proportion of 0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less. In the present embodiment, the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test for each of the plurality of granules is less than 12.6 mm². Furthermore, the pH of the ion-exchange treated water after a liquid passage test for the plurality of granules is less than 7.62.

[00109] The animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can produce the effects of the first and second embodiments mentioned above. Specifically, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, as well as the bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia. Third Modality

[00110] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described, namely, the third embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment above only in that each granule has water repellency and an irregular structure. Note that, since the points, in addition to water repellency and irregular structure, that constitute differences in relation to the first embodiment above are basically the same according to the first embodiment above, their descriptions are omitted.

[00111] The animal sanitary granules according to the third embodiment of the present invention are also animal sanitary granules comprising a plurality of granules, wherein each Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, p. 37 / 66 32 / 46 of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent, and further comprises silica gel in a proportion of 0.0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of granules has water repellency and an irregular structure comprising a plurality of convex portions. In this descriptive report, each granule having an irregular structure refers to the case where each granule has an Arithmetic Mean Roughness (Ra) of 0.20 µm or more and an Average Width of Profile Elements (Rsm) of 20 µm or more, measured according to this descriptive report.

[00112] The animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment also do not contain silica gel or, even if they do, contain a low silica gel content of 2.5% by mass or less. Since there is no odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel or the amount of odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel is small, the amount of odorous substance released from the silica gel can be reduced. As a result, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can also suppress the generation of bad odor caused by the release of an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel.

[00113] In the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, each of the granules has water repellency. In this descriptive report, each granule with water repellency means that the angle of contact with water of the surface of each granule is 90° or greater. The means of imparting water repellency to each of the granules are not particularly limited and any known means of adjusting water repellency in the relevant area may be adopted. Specific examples include adjusting the composition of the components constituting each granule; and / or coating the surface of each granule with a surface treatment agent. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 38 / 66 33 / 46 cie, as a water-repellent agent and adjusting the quantity and shape of the coating.

[00114] The angle of contact of the water on the surface of each granule can be measured as follows. (1) In a thermostatic-hygrostatic chamber at a temperature of: 20 ± 5°C and relative humidity of: 65 ± 5%RH, prepare an aluminum ring (outer diameter: 430mm, inner diameter: 400mm, height: 50mm) and a granule dried at 120°C for 60min, then leave it to stand for 24h. (2) A granule is compacted uniformly within the aluminum ring and the granule with the aluminum ring is compressed for 1 min at a pressure of 3 MPa using a press with a flat bottom to smooth the surface of the granule. (3) The water contact angle of the compressed granule is measured in accordance with JIS R 3257:1999 Test Method for Wetting Capacity of Glass Substrate, 6. Sessile Drop Method. The contact angle measuring devices include an automatic contact angle meter, model CA-V, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd. The water contact angle refers to a value 200ms after the drop of deionized water. (4) The water contact angle is measured in 20 different samples and the average value is adopted.

[00115] In order to impart water repellency to each of the granules, when adjusting the composition of the components that constitute each granule, it is preferable that each granule contain a water-repellent particle at least on its surface. The water-repellent particle can be mixed into the raw material of each granule or can be dispersed on the surface of each granule during the granule formation stage. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 39 / 66 34 / 46

[00116] Water-repellent particles are not particularly limited and include, for example, those of tetrafluoroethylene resins (hereinafter referred to as PTFE), pitch fluoride, graphite fluoride, silicone powder, methyl silicone powder, and PTFE solvent dispersion ions. As water-repellent particles, those of a particulate fluororesin are preferred, and as a particulate fluororesin, PTFE is particularly preferred. Furthermore, the water-repellent resin need only exhibit water repellency and may be composed of particles of any of the preferred thermoplastic resins listed below.

[00117] When adopting PTFE as water-repellent particles, the adjustment method is not particularly limited. Since PTFE has a high water-repellent effect and mixes satisfactorily with a solidifying agent, a low molecular weight PTFE is preferable, specifically with an average molecular weight of 500 to 5000.

[00118] The average size of the primary particles of water-repellent particles is preferably from 0.05 µm to 60 µm and, more preferably, from 0.05 µm to 30 µm.

[00119] In animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, when each granule comprises a water-repellent particle at least on its surface, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, it is less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated.

[00120] According to the above, in animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, when each granule comprises a water-repellent particle, the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor cau Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 40 / 66 35 / 46 sated by the urine that remains on the surface of each granule and the bad odor caused by ammonia can be suppressed more reliably and an even more excellent odor suppression effect can be demonstrated.

[00121] When treating the surface of each granule in order to impart water repellency to each one, it is preferable that the surface of each granule be coated with a surface treatment agent, such as a water repellent agent. In order to adjust the amount and form of the coating, any of those mentioned in the above description of Surface Coating may be adopted, provided that the contact angle of the surface of each granule with the water is 90° or more.

[00122] In the animal sanitary pellets according to the present embodiment, each of the pellets exhibits an irregular structure comprising a plurality of convex portions. The method of forming the irregular structure in each pellet is not particularly limited. For example, a mold with an irregular structure on the inside can be filled with the raw material of each pellet and then heated to solidify; or, after the raw material of each pellet is heated to solidify, a physical impact can be applied to each pellet to dislodge a portion of the particles constituting the animal sanitary pellets, forming a plurality of concave portions and generating a plurality of convex portions in different portions of the plurality of concave portions in each pellet.

[00123] As mentioned earlier, in conventional animal litter, after a plurality of granules adsorb an odorous substance generated from excrement, such as urine, there is a risk that an unpleasant odor will be generated by the gradual release of the adsorbed odorous substance. Furthermore, in conventional animal litter, there is also the risk of Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 41 / 66 36 / 46 that an unpleasant ammonia odor is generated, produced by the evaporation of urine remaining on the surface of each granule. In the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, since each of the various granules has water repellency and an irregular structure, the urine passes between the granules without being absorbed by each granule even more easily compared to those with water repellency and no irregular structure. As a result, in the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, the urine does not easily remain on the surface of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of the urea contained in the urine is not easily generated.

[00124] As described above, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[00125] As described in the first embodiment above, the irregular structure can also be formed on the surface of each granule by means of a surface treatment. In particular, the noticeable irregular structure is observed on the surface of each granule treated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, since it is considered that, as the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer is a thermoplastic resin, when the raw material of each granule is molded and then heated under agitation to solidify, a particle dislodged by the collision of one granule with another granule will likely adhere again to the surface of the granule.

[00126] From the point of view of facilitating the formation of the irregular structure on the surface of each granule, each granule that constitutes the Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 42 / 66 37 / 46 Animal sanitary granules may also comprise a thermoplastic resin, in addition to the inorganic porous material, the solidifying agent and silica gel. The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited and includes, for example, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymers; block and random homopolypropylene; propylene-α-olefin copolymers and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. For example, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer may refer to a block copolymer or a random copolymer of propylene and α-olefin. The α-olefin component may be exemplified by ethylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene and 4-methyl-1-pentene.The melting point of the thermoplastic resin, from the points of view of ease of molding, ease of exhibiting water repellency and odor suppression effect of the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, for example, is 50 to 135°C and is preferably 60 to 120°C.

[00127] The Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) of each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, from the point of view of allowing urine to pass easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule, is 0.20 pm or more and, preferably, 1.0 pm or less and, more preferably, 0.26 pm or more and 0.95 pm or less.

[00128] In animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, since each granule has an Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) of a predetermined range, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, it is less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated.

[00129] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules of Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 43 / 66 38 / 46 according to the present embodiment can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[00130] The Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of each granule that constitutes the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, from the point of view of allowing urine to pass easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule, is 20pm or more and preferably 30pm or less and, more preferably, 20pm or more and 25pm or less.

[00131] In animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, since each granule has an Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of a predetermined range, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, it is less likely that urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine is not easily generated.

[00132] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[00133] Note that, in this descriptive report, when measuring the Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) and Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of each granule, a laser displacement (model: KS-1000) manufactured by Keyence Corporation was used, the roughness Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 44 / 66 39 / 46 of the surface area in the longitudinal direction of the granule was measured at 10 different locations under the following measurement conditions, and the average value was adopted. Measurement range: X-axis 500 µm, Y-axis 5000 µm Measurement steps: X-axis 10 sqm, Y-axis 10 sqm Speed ​​of movement: 500 m / s

[00134] In animal sanitary pellets according to the present embodiment, the irregular structure of each pellet preferably comprises particles that constitute the animal sanitary pellets. The particles that constitute the animal sanitary pellets, as mentioned above, mean the inorganic porous material, the solidifying agent, the silica gel and any additive components.

[00135] In animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment, since the irregular structure of each granule comprises constituent particles of granules that are resistant to plastic deformation, there is little deformation of the irregular structure even during the use of the animal sanitary granules, urine passes easily between the granules without being absorbed by each granule and, therefore, it is less likely that the urine will come into contact with the interior of each granule and the effect of ammonia produced by the decomposition of urea in the urine not being easily generated can be maintained.

[00136] According to the above, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can more reliably suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on each granule, bad odor caused by urine that remains on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia and can demonstrate an even more excellent bad odor suppression effect.

[00137] The animal sanitary granules of the present invention may be animal sanitary granules in a combined form of the third Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 45 / 66 40 / 46 ra embodiment above and of the first embodiment or second embodiment above. Specifically, the animal sanitary granules in this combined form are animal sanitary granules comprising a plurality of granules, wherein each of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent, further comprising silica gel in a content of 0% by mass or more and 2.5% by mass or less, having water repellency and having an irregular structure comprising a plurality of convex portions. In the present embodiment, the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test for each of the plurality of granules is less than 12.6 mm², or the pH of the ion-exchange treated water after a liquid passage test for the plurality of granules is less than 7.62.

[00138] The animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can produce the effects of both the third embodiment above and the first or second embodiment. Specifically, the animal sanitary granules according to the present embodiment can suppress the generation of bad odor caused by an odorous substance adsorbed on the silica gel and on each granule, as well as the bad odor caused by urine remaining on the surface of each granule and bad odor caused by ammonia.

[00139] The animal sanitary granules of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above and the Examples described below, and appropriate combinations, substitutions and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention, provided they do not depart from the objective or spirit thereof. Note that, in this descriptive report, ordinal numbers, such as first and second, serve to distinguish items to which such ordinal numbers are assigned and do not indicate the order, priority or importance of each item. EXAMPLES Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 46 / 66 41 / 46

[00140] The present invention will now be described more specifically by means of Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to such Examples alone. Production of Animal Sanitary Granules

[00141] 80% by mass of zeolite powder (produced in Ayashi, Miyagi Prefecture, 60 mesh product, average particle size of 150 µm, moisture content of 7% or less) and 20% by mass of white cement (manufactured by Taiheiyo Cement Corporation) were mixed by stirring with a Logige mixer. The resulting mixture was compressed and granulated in a disc pelletizer (manufactured by Dalton Corporation). For the disc outlet opening dimensions, the diameter was 5.5 mm, the disc thickness was 35 mm, and the effective length was 12 mm.

[00142] The various granular materials obtained in this way were left to stand at room temperature of 20°C for 72 hours to allow the cement solidification reaction to occur. The various granules were then dried in a rotary kiln dryer until the final moisture content was 10% or less.

[00143] A surface treatment agent composed of a mixture of 50% by mass of a wax-based resin (TH-44, manufactured by Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a water-repellent agent and 50% by mass of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer was applied to a plurality of dry granules in an amount of 1.00% by mass relative to the mass of the granules. During application, the surface treatment agent was sprayed with a sprayer while the plurality of dry granules was mixed by agitation.

[00144] The plurality of granules with their surfaces coated with the above surface treatment agent was sieved using Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 47 / 66 42 / 46 a sieve that has 10mm x 10mm mesh openings to remove granules larger than a predetermined size and was then sieved again with a sieve that has 5mm x 10mm mesh openings to remove granules and powder smaller than a predetermined size to obtain a plurality of granules that have a size within a predetermined range.

[00145] Thus, the animal sanitary granules from Example 1 were obtained.

[00146] Except for the composition and surface coating (type of surface treatment agent) of each granule, which have been altered to those indicated in Table 1 below, the animal sanitary granules of Examples 2 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. For the silica gel, a commercially available type C silica gel (produced in Qingdao, China) was used.

[00147] Regarding the animal litter resulting from Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10, the area of ​​the water droplet mark after the above colored water droplet test, the liquid passage rate, and the pH of the ion-exchange treated water after a liquid passage test were measured. Furthermore, regarding the animal litter from the Examples and Comparative Examples, the surface roughness Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) and Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) were measured, and the presence or absence of water repellency and the presence or absence of irregular structures were confirmed. Additionally, according to the following Urine Odor Sensory Evaluation Method, a sensory evaluation was performed regarding the odor suppression effect on urine for the animal litter from each of the Examples and Comparative Examples. These measurement and sensory evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below.Regarding the presence or absence of water repellency and the presence or absence of... Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 48 / 66 43 / 46 of irregular structures, presence is indicated as Yes and absence is indicated as No. Urine Odor Sensory Evaluation Method (1) The interior of a cylinder with an internal diameter of 84 mm and a depth of 30 mm, placed on a grid, was filled with a sample of the animal sanitary granules to be evaluated. (2) 20 mL of real urine (cat urine) were dripped three times onto the sample of animal sanitary granules filled in the cylinder. The total amount dripped was 60 mL. (3) The sample after the drop of actual urine was placed in a sealable container with a capacity of 700mL. (4) The odor of the sample in the container was aspirated and evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria: intensity of urine odor and level of pleasant / unpleasant character. During the evaluation, the average score of 20 evaluations was adopted. Criteria for Evaluating Urine Odor Intensity 1: Almost imperceptible odor or no odor at all. 2: Odor at a level that allows the odor to be identified. 3: Easily detectable odor 4: Strong odor 5: Very strong odor Criteria for Evaluating the Level of Agreeable / Unagreeable Character 1: Very pleasant 2: Pleasant 3: Neither pleasant nor unpleasant 4: Unpleasant 5: Very unpleasant Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 49 / 66 44 / 46 Table 1 OI, OAQBJBdLOOQ O|dLUBX3 O m O o CXl O LO φ . <r Λ φ ro S C w -i—« fh —j J h 73 -S’ ΐ co m CD co 6 OAqBJBdwog oídwexg LO co o o CXl LO co Nenhum CM IO CO co m CO co co cd 8 OAqBJBdwog oídwexg LO Co o o CXl LO co EVA CO cm m co CD o 2 OAqBJBdwog oídwexg LO co o o CXl LO co 1 . 5 δ £ s φ § £ φ 3 73 -δ5 O) S CD co 9 OAqBJBdwog oídwexg LO co o o CXl LO co Λ Φ ro S C > Π) —J j> & £ ϕ 73 -S' f cm CXI in CD 6.95 g OAqBJBdwog oídwexg LO oo CXl LO CXl Nenhum co m co CD co 5- cd OAqBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 LO C oos CXw9 E LO oo CXl LO cm φ Λ Φ Φ φ Φ- C ® π) & £ Φ -Φ <ί O) CD s CD mg 0|dwBX3 LO oo CXl LO cm Water repellent agent +EVA cm co in CD oox C oXd C OGwoB oAqBJ No one with 5CD cd 0|dwBX3 LO cd or CXl LO or φ A Φ φ ϕ Q.C g 3, & £ Φ -Φ <ί σ> co in CD CO m 8 0|dwBX3 LO cd oo CXl LO o Water repellent + EVA cm in CD mo 3 OAqBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 oo CO oo CXl O o None ο co co co co CO oo I, OAqBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 oo CO oo CXl O o < LU co cm co co CD In co 3 0|dwBX3 oo CO oo CXl oo Water repellent CD co in CD CXI φ I, 0|dwBX3 oo CO oo CXl oo Water repellent + EVA Cxi o co CD CD co Inorganic porous material (% by mass) Solidifying agent (% by mass) Amount of silica mixture (% by mass) Surface coating (type of treatment agent) Surface area) Area of ​​the water drop mark after the colored water drop test (mm2) Liquid passage rate (%) pH of water treated by ion exchange after liquid passage test O|nuej6 op OBÒisodwog. Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pages 50 / 66 45 / 46 01, OAIlBJBdLUOQ O|dLUBX3 CO O) o” 20.69 E ώ E ώ O CN co” O 00 co” 6 OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg CO o” 31.07 O iro z O iro z O CO co” OO) co” 8 OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg LO CN o” σ> 3 o iro z E ώ O co” o 00 co” 2 OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg CO CO o” 21.37 E ώ E ώ o CO co” o co” 9 OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg CO O) o” 20.69 E ώ E ώ o C\1 co” o co co” g OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg CO o” 31.07 O iron z O iron zo co” o LO co” OAiiBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 LO CN o” σ> 3 o iron z E ώ o 00 c\T o C\1 co” 9 0|dwBX3 CO CO o” 21.37 E ώ E ώ o LO c\T 2.95 g 0|dwBX3 CO O) o” 20.69 E ώ E ώ o CO c\T 2.95 8 OAiiBJBdwog oídwexg 00 o” 31.07 O iro z O iro zoo co” O LO co” 0|dwBX3 CO CO o” 21.37 E ώ E ώ o LO c\TOO) c\T 8 0|dwBX3 CO O) o” 20.69 E ώ E ώ oc\T 2.75 3 OAiiBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 00 o” 31.07 O iro z O iro zoo co” O LO co” 1, OAiiBJBdwog 0|dwBX3 LO CN o” σ> 3 o iro z E ώ o 00 c\TO co” 3 0|dwBX3 CO CO o” 21.37 E ώ E ώ o CO c\T oo co” 1, 0|dwBX3 CO O) o” 20.69 E ώ E ώ oc\T 2,175 Ra (Arithmetic mean roughness) (mm) Rsm (Average width of profile elements) (pm) Water repellency Irregular structure Urine odor intensity Pleasant / unpleasant character level ΘΙ0 -ipedns θρ epepisoBny |BIJ0SU9S 0BÒBI|BAV, Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 51 / 66 46 / 46

[00148] As shown in Table 1, it was found that the animal sanitary granules of Examples 1 to 6 according to the present invention presented low evaluation scores in relation to the intensity of urine odor and level of pleasantness / unpleasantness, being able to sufficiently suppress the generation of bad odor. However, it was found that Comparative Examples 1 to 10 presented high evaluation scores for at least one of the following aspects: intensity of urine odor and level of pleasantness / unpleasantness, being unable to sufficiently suppress the generation of bad odor. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS sand box system lids animal sanitary granules container for storing sanitary granules excrement disposal plates container for storing excrement disposal plates Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 52 / 66

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Animal sanitary granules (3) comprising a plurality of granules, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a content of 0.0% by mass or greater and 2.5% by mass or less, and in which the area of ​​a water drop mark after a colored water drop test is less than 12.6 mm2.

2. Animal sanitary granules (3) comprising a plurality of granules, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and further comprises silica gel in a content of 0.0% by mass or greater and 2.5% by mass or less, and in which the pH of the water treated by ion exchange after a liquid passage test for the plurality of granules is 7.62 or less.

3. Animal sanitary granules (3) comprising a plurality of granules, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules comprises an inorganic porous material and a solidifying agent and has water repellency, and wherein each of the plurality of granules further comprises silica gel in a content of 0.0% by mass or greater and 2.5% by mass or less and has an irregular structure comprising a plurality of convex portions.

4. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules has a surface coated with a water-repellent agent.

5. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, page 53 / 66 2 / 2 one of the plurality of granules has a surface coated with an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

6. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules has a surface coated with a mixture of a water-repellent agent and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

7. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules comprises a water-repellent particle on at least one surface of each of the plurality of granules.

8. Animal sanitary pellets (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of the plurality of pellets has an Ra (Arithmetic Mean Roughness) of 0.26pm or more and 0.95pm or less.

9. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each of the plurality of granules has an Rsm (Average Width of Profile Elements) of 20pm or more and 25pm or less.

10. Animal sanitary granules (3), according to claim 3, characterized in that the irregular structure comprises a particle that constitutes the animal sanitary granules (3). Petition 870250076375, dated 08 / 28 / 2025, pp. 54 / 66

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