Water-absorbing treatment material and method for producing same

Abstract

Provided are: a water-absorbing treatment material in which the color of a discolored granular material is easily conspicuous even over time; and a method for producing the water-absorbing treatment material. The water-absorbing treatment material (1) is a water-absorbing treatment material that absorbs a liquid. A water-absorbent treatment material (1) is provided with a water-absorbent granular body (10). The granular body (10) contains a water-absorbent polymer that changes color when absorbing a liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-absorbing treatment material for absorbing liquids and a method for manufacturing the same. Background Art

[0002] As a conventional water-absorbing treatment material, for example, there is a material described in Patent Document 1. The water-absorbing treatment material described in this document includes a plurality of granular bodies that absorb liquids. A part of the plurality of granular bodies has a granular core portion and a covering portion that covers the core portion. In the covering portion, in addition to the adhesive material, a pigment material that reacts with moisture is also contained.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-153372 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the above-described water-absorbing treatment material, when the liquid is absorbed, the granular body (the granular body having the covering portion) changes color. Thus, it is possible to visually distinguish between the used granular body and the unused granular body. However, if some time has passed after absorbing the liquid, there is a problem that the pigment material dries out and the color of the discolored granular body becomes inconspicuous.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water-absorbing treatment material and a method for manufacturing the same in which the color of the discolored granular body is easily noticeable even over time.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The water-absorbing treatment material of the present invention is a water-absorbing treatment material for absorbing liquids, characterized by including granular bodies having water absorption, and the granular bodies contain a water-absorbing polymer that changes color when the above liquid is absorbed.

[0011] In this water-absorbing treatment material, granular bodies containing a water-absorbing polymer that changes color when the liquid is absorbed are provided. Therefore, it is possible to change the color of the granular body when the liquid is absorbed. Moreover, the water-absorbing polymer has the property of retaining the liquid for a long time. Thus, it is possible to maintain the color of the discolored granular body for a long time.

[0012] In addition, the method for manufacturing the water-absorbing treatment material of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a water-absorbing treatment material for absorbing liquids, characterized by including: a preparation step of preparing a water-absorbing polymer that changes color when the above liquid is absorbed; and a granular body formation step of forming granular bodies having water absorption and containing the water-absorbing polymer.

[0013] In this manufacturing method, granular bodies containing a water-absorbing polymer that changes color when absorbing a liquid are formed. Therefore, in the water-absorbing treatment material after manufacturing, the granular bodies can change color when absorbing a liquid. Moreover, the water-absorbing polymer has the property of retaining the liquid for a long time. Thus, the color of the granular bodies after color change can be maintained for a long time.

[0014] Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, a water-absorbing treatment material and a manufacturing method thereof can be realized in which the color of the granular bodies after color change is easily noticeable even over time. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the water-absorbing treatment material of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic view showing the granular bodies 10. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the water-absorbing treatment material of the present invention. The water-absorbing treatment material 1 is a water-absorbing treatment material that absorbs a liquid to be treated. The water-absorbing treatment material 1 is an excrement treatment material that absorbs excrement (mainly urine). The excrement treatment material can be an animal excrement treatment material for absorbing the excrement of animals such as cats and dogs, or a human excrement treatment material for absorbing human excrement. The water-absorbing treatment material 1 includes a plurality of granular bodies 10. The water-absorbing treatment material 1 is used, for example, in a state where a plurality of granular bodies 10 are laid in a box-shaped toilet.

[0020] Each granular body 10 has water absorption and treats the liquid by absorbing it. That is, each granular body 10 takes the liquid into its interior and retains it. In order for the granular body 10 to have water absorption, the water absorption rate measured by the following test needs to be 40% or more. First, 50 g of the granular body 10 (sample) is placed in a sieve having an inner diameter of 10 cm and a mesh size of 1 mm. An empty beaker is placed below the sieve. Then, for the sample, 30 ml of water is dropped using a syringe (Terumo Corporation 60 ml syringe) having an outer cylinder inner diameter of 3 cm and a cylinder tip inner diameter of 4 mm over 10 seconds. After leaving it for 1 minute, the amount of water in the beaker is measured. The ratio of the value obtained by subtracting the measured amount of water from the dropped amount of water (30 ml) to the dropped amount of water is defined 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 body 10 has water absorption.

[0021] Each granular body 10 is granular. Examples of the shape of the granule include a sphere, a cylinder, or an ellipsoid. The particle size of each granular body 10 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Here, the particle size of the granular body 10 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can enclose the granular body 10. Each granular body 10 preferably has an organic substance as the main material. Here, the main material of the granular body 10 refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight ratio in the granular body 10 among one or more materials (core materials) constituting the granular body 10. Each granular body 10 may be composed only of an organic substance, or may be composed of an organic substance and an inorganic substance.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing the granular body 10. Each granular body 10 has a core portion 12 and a covering portion 14. The core portion 12 is granular. Specifically, the core portion 12 is a granulated product formed into a granular shape. The core portion 12 has a function of absorbing and retaining a liquid. The core portion 12 contains a water-absorbing material. The core portion 12 has a water-absorbing material as the main material. Here, the main material of the core portion 12 refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight ratio in the core portion 12 among one or more materials (core materials) constituting the core portion 12. The core portion 12 may be composed only of a water-absorbing material, or may be composed of a water-absorbing material and other materials. The water-absorbing material is preferably an organic substance. Examples of the organic water-absorbing material include paper, plants, plastics, or organic sludge.

[0023] Paper refers to a material mainly composed of pulp. As paper, for example, in addition to ordinary paper (paper powder), short fiber pulp, paper from vinyl chloride wallpaper (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of vinyl chloride wallpaper), paper from gypsum board (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of gypsum board), or paper from sanitary products (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of sanitary products containing paper) can also be used. Examples of sanitary products containing paper include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, urine pads, or toilet paper (paper towels, toilet paper, paper handkerchiefs, etc.). As plants, for example, wood powder, sawdust, or plant residues (tea residues, bean curd residues, etc.) can be used. As plastics, for example, in addition to ordinary plastics, plastics from vinyl chloride wallpaper (plastics generated during the manufacture or classification of vinyl chloride wallpaper), or plastics from sanitary products (plastics generated during the manufacture or classification of sanitary products containing plastics) can also be used. Examples of sanitary products containing plastics include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, urine pads, or surgical masks. As organic sludge, for example, papermaking sludge or pulp sludge can be used.

[0024] The covering portion 14 covers the core portion 12. The covering portion 14 may cover the entire surface of each core portion 12 or may cover only a part of the surface of each core portion 12. The covering portion 14 contains an adhesive material and has a function (block-forming function) of bonding the granular bodies 10 that have absorbed liquid to each other to form a block during use. The covering portion 14 is also mainly made of a water-absorbing material. Here, the main material of the covering portion 14 refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight ratio in the covering portion 14 among one or more materials (covering materials) constituting the covering portion 14. The water-absorbing material contained in the covering portion 14 is preferably an organic substance.

[0025] The granular body 10 contains a water-absorbing polymer 16. The water-absorbing polymer 16 is configured to change color when it absorbs liquid. Here, "changing color" is not limited to the case where the hue of the water-absorbing polymer 16 changes before and after absorbing liquid, and also includes cases where the shade of the same hue changes, such as changing from light blue to dark blue. In addition, the case where the colored area in the water-absorbing polymer 16 changes (for example, the area that was not colored before liquid absorption becomes colored after absorption) is also included in "changing color".

[0026] The water-absorbing polymer 16 contains a pigment material that reacts with moisture. The pigment material reacts with moisture to exhibit a specified color (such as blue, red, green, etc.). Thus, the water-absorbing polymer 16 changes color to this color. The pigment material is contained in the granular body 10 in a state of being supported on the water-absorbing polymer 16 and is not directly contained in the part of the granular body 10 other than the water-absorbing polymer 16. The weight ratio of the pigment material in the water-absorbing polymer 16 is preferably 1% or more and 10% or less. As the pigment material, for example, dyes or pigments can be used. The weight ratio of the water-absorbing polymer 16 in the granular body 10 is preferably 1% or more and 10% or less.

[0027] In this embodiment, the water-absorbing polymer 16 is contained only in the covering portion 14 among the core portion 12 and the covering portion 14. The water-absorbing polymer 16 corresponds to the above-mentioned adhesive material. As the water-absorbing polymer 16, for example, an acrylic acid-based water-absorbing polymer such as sodium polyacrylate can be used. In addition to the water-absorbing polymer 16, the granular body 10 may or may not contain a normal water-absorbing polymer (a water-absorbing polymer that does not change color when it absorbs liquid). Further, the granular body 10 may or may not contain an adhesive material other than the water-absorbing polymer (the water-absorbing polymer 16 and the normal water-absorbing polymer). Examples of such an adhesive material include starch, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), or dextrin.

[0028] Next, as an embodiment of the manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material of the present invention, an example of the manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material 1 will be described. This manufacturing method includes a preparation step and a granular body forming step.

[0029] The preparation step is a step of preparing the water-absorbent polymer 16. In the preparation step, the water-absorbent polymer 16 can be formed by containing a coloring material in a normal water-absorbent polymer, or a water-absorbent polymer previously containing a coloring material can be supplied as the water-absorbent polymer 16.

[0030] The granule formation step is a step of forming the granules 10. The granule formation step includes a core formation step and a coating formation step. The core formation step is a step of forming the core 12. In the core formation step, the core material is granulated using a granulating device to form a plurality of granulated products that become the core 12. As the granulating device, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. Before granulation, pretreatment such as pulverization, kneading, and water addition of the core material is performed as needed.

[0031] The coating formation step is a step of forming the coating 14. In the coating formation step, a powdery coating material is attached to the surface of each core 12 using a coating device or the like, thereby forming the coating 14. The coating material contains the water-absorbent polymer 16 prepared in the preparation step. Attachment of the coating material can be performed, for example, by scattering or spraying. Then, post-treatment such as sieving (classifying) and drying is performed as needed. Through the above operations, the water-absorbing treatment material 1 composed of a plurality of granules 10 is obtained.

[0032] The effects of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, granules 10 containing a water-absorbent polymer 16 that changes color when absorbing a liquid are formed. Therefore, in the water-absorbing treatment material 1, the granules 10 can change color when absorbing a liquid. Moreover, the water-absorbent polymer has the property of retaining a liquid for a long time. Thus, the color of the granules 10 after color change can be maintained for a long time. Therefore, a water-absorbing treatment material 1 and a manufacturing method thereof in which the color of the granules 10 after color change is easily noticeable even over time are achieved.

[0033] When the content of the water-absorbent polymer 16 is large, the color change of the granules 10 is easily seen. From this aspect, the weight ratio of the water-absorbent polymer 16 in the granules 10 is preferably 1% or more. On the other hand, if the content of the water-absorbent polymer 16 is large, it will lead to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the water-absorbing treatment material 1. From this aspect, the weight ratio is preferably 10% or less.

[0034] Each granule 10 has a core 12 and a coating 14. In this case, the core 12 and the coating 14 can perform different functions. In fact, in the present embodiment, the core 12 mainly undertakes the water absorption / retention function, and the coating 14 undertakes the agglomeration function.

[0035] The water-absorbing polymer 16 is only contained in the coating portion 14 of the core portion 12 and the coating portion 14. In this way, by not providing the water-absorbing polymer 16 in the core portion 12 that is not easily recognizable from the outside of the granular body 10, the usage amount of the water-absorbing polymer 16 can be saved.

[0036] The water-absorbing polymer 16 contains a pigment material that reacts with moisture. Thus, it is possible to easily realize a water-absorbing polymer 16 that changes color when absorbing a liquid.

[0037] When the content of the pigment material is large, the color change of the water-absorbing polymer 16 is easily seen. From this aspect, the weight ratio of the pigment material in the water-absorbing polymer 16 is preferably 1% or more. On the other hand, if the content of the pigment material is large, it will lead to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the water-absorbing treatment material 1. From this aspect, the weight ratio is preferably 10% or less.

[0038] When using a dye as the pigment material, it is possible to easily realize a pigment material that easily reacts with moisture.

[0039] When each granular body 10 is mainly made of an organic substance, a granular body 10 suitable for incineration treatment can be obtained. This helps to facilitate the treatment of the used granular body 10. Especially when each granular body 10 is composed only of an organic substance, a granular body 10 more suitable for incineration treatment can be obtained.

[0040] When the water-absorbing treatment material 1 is an excrement treatment material for absorbing the excrement of an animal, sometimes the animal will excrete on the water-absorbing treatment material 1 when the user (such as the owner of the animal) does not see it. At this time, the user usually notices this situation some time after the excretion. Therefore, a water-absorbing treatment material 1 in which the color of the granular body 10 after color change is also easily conspicuous even over time is particularly useful.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be variously modified. In the above-described embodiments, the case where the water-absorbing polymer 16 contains only one pigment material is illustrated. However, the water-absorbing polymer 16 may also contain two or more pigment materials. For example, the pigment material may contain a first pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a first color and a second pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a second color different from the first color. The hues of the first color and the second color are different. In this way, when the water-absorbing polymer 16 contains the first pigment material and the second pigment material, the water-absorbing polymer 16 that has absorbed a liquid can exhibit a mixed color of the first color and the second color. For example, when the first color and the second color are blue and red respectively, their mixed color is purple. Thus, it is possible to easily realize a water-absorbing polymer 16 whose hue changes before and after absorbing a liquid.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the case where each granule 10 has a multilayer structure (double-layer structure) composed of a core portion 12 and a coating portion 14 is illustrated. However, it is not essential to provide the coating portion 14. That is, each granule 10 may also have a single-layer structure composed only of an uncoated granulated product (core portion 12). In this case, since a coating material is not required, the manufacturing cost of the water-absorbing treatment material 1 can be reduced.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the water-absorbing treatment material 1 is an excrement treatment material is illustrated. However, the water-absorbing treatment material 1 may also be a vomit treatment material for absorbing vomit, or a food waste treatment material for absorbing food waste (moisture contained in food waste).

[0044] Symbol Explanation

[0045] 1 Water-absorbing treatment material

[0046] 10 Granule

[0047] 12 Core portion

[0048] 14 Coating portion

[0049] 16 Water-absorbing polymer

Claims

1. An absorbent treatment material, which is an absorbent treatment material for absorbing liquids, Characterized in that, It has granular bodies with water absorption properties, The granular bodies contain a water-absorbent polymer that changes color when absorbing the liquid.

2. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 1, Wherein, The weight ratio of the water-absorbent polymer in the granular bodies is 1% or more and 10% or less.

3. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 1, Wherein, The granular bodies have a granular core part and a covering part covering the core part.

4. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 3, Wherein, The water-absorbent polymer is contained only in the covering part of the core part and the covering part.

5. The absorbent treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Wherein, The water-absorbent polymer contains a pigment material that reacts with moisture.

6. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 5, Wherein, The pigment material includes: a first pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a first color; and a second pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a second color different from the first color.

7. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 5, Wherein, The weight ratio of the pigment material in the water-absorbent polymer is 1% or more and 10% or less.

8. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 5, Wherein, The pigment material is a dye.

9. The absorbent treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Wherein, The granular bodies are mainly made of organic matter.

10. The absorbent treatment material according to claim 9, Wherein, The granular bodies are composed only of organic matter.

11. The absorbent treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Wherein, This absorbent treatment material is an excrement treatment material for absorbing the excrement of animals.

12. A method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material, which is a method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material for absorbing liquids, Characterized in that, It includes: A preparation process for preparing a water-absorbent polymer that changes color when absorbing the liquid; And A granular body formation process for forming granular bodies with water absorption properties and containing the water-absorbent polymer.

13. The method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material according to claim 12, Wherein, In the granular body formation process, the granular bodies are formed in such a way that the weight ratio of the water-absorbent polymer in the granular bodies is 1% or more and 10% or less.

14. The method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material according to claim 12, Wherein, The granular body formation process includes: a core part formation process for forming a granular core part; and a covering part formation process for forming a covering part covering the core part.

15. The method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material according to claim 14, Wherein, In the core part formation process, the core part that does not contain the water-absorbent polymer is formed, In the covering part formation process, the covering part that contains the water-absorbent polymer is formed.

16. The method for manufacturing an absorbent treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 15, Wherein, In the preparation process, the water-absorbent polymer containing a pigment material that reacts with moisture is prepared.

17. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to claim 16, wherein, the pigment material includes: a first pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a first color; and a second pigment material that reacts with moisture to exhibit a second color different from the first color.

18. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to claim 16, wherein, the weight ratio of the pigment material in the water-absorbing polymer is 1% or more and 10% or less.

19. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to claim 16, wherein, the pigment material is a dye.

20. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, in the granule forming step, the granule mainly made of an organic substance is formed.

21. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to claim 20, wherein, in the granule forming step, the granule composed only of an organic substance is formed.

22. The manufacturing method of the water-absorbing treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, the water-absorbing treatment material is an excrement treatment material for absorbing the excrement of animals.

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