Excrement treatment material and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide an excrement treatment material having a high degree of freedom in selecting a pH indicator, and manufacturing method thereof.SOLUTION: An excrement treatment material includes granular bodies 10 for absorbing urine of an animal. Each granular body 10 contains an additive 12 and an indicator 14. The additive 12 dissolves in the urine of the animal to change the pH of the urine. The indicator 14 changes the color thereof depending on the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 dissolved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an excrement treatment material and a method for producing the same.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional excrement treatment material, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The excrement treatment material described in the document is composed of a plurality of granular bodies that absorb animal urine. Each granular body contains a pH indicator in addition to non-woven fabric pulverized matter and an adhesive. Therefore, in this excrement treatment material, the granular body changes color according to the pH of animal urine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the pH indicator is contained in order to change the color of the granular body according to the pH of animal urine. Therefore, there is a restriction that the pH indicator must be one that includes the pH of the urine of the animal (target animal) using the excrement treatment material within the color change range. Such a restriction has been a factor that reduces the degree of freedom in selecting the pH indicator in conventional excrement treatment materials.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an excrement treatment material with a high degree of freedom in selecting a pH indicator and a method for producing the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The excrement treatment material according to the present invention comprises granular material that absorbs animal urine, wherein the granular material contains an additive that dissolves in the urine and changes the pH of the urine, and a pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive has dissolved.

[0007] This waste treatment material includes granular material containing an additive that dissolves in urine and alters the pH of the urine. In this case, the pH indicator does not need to include the pH of the original urine (urine before the additive dissolves) in its color change range; it is sufficient if the pH of the urine after the additive has dissolved is included in its color change range. This eliminates the constraint that the pH indicator must include the pH of the target animal's urine in its color change range.

[0008] Furthermore, the method for producing the excrement treatment material according to the present invention includes a granular body forming step in which granular bodies that absorb animal urine are formed, and in the granular body forming step, the granular bodies are formed which contain an additive that dissolves in the urine and changes the pH of the urine, and a pH indicator that changes color according to the pH of the urine in which the additive has dissolved.

[0009] In this manufacturing method, granular material containing an additive that dissolves in urine and alters the pH of the urine is formed. In this case, the pH indicator does not need to include the pH of the original urine in its color change range; it is sufficient if the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved is included in the color change range. This eliminates the constraint that the pH indicator must include the pH of the target animal's urine in its color change range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a waste treatment material with a high degree of freedom in selecting the pH indicator, and a method for manufacturing the same, are realized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the waste treatment material according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the granular material 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the excrement treatment material according to the present invention. The excrement treatment material 1 is an excrement treatment material used for treating the excrement (mainly urine) of animals such as cats and dogs. The excrement treatment material 1 comprises a plurality of granular bodies 10. The excrement treatment material 1 is used, for example, when the plurality of granular bodies 10 are laid out in a box-shaped toilet.

[0014] Each granular material 10 is absorbent and absorbs animal urine. That is, each granular material 10 takes in and retains urine inside. For a granular material 10 to be considered absorbent, its water absorption rate, as measured by the following test, must be 40% or higher. First, place 50g of granular material 10 (sample) into a sieve with an inner diameter of 10cm and a mesh size of 1mm. Place an empty beaker below the sieve. Then, using a syringe with an outer cylinder inner diameter of 3cm and a tip inner diameter of 4mm (Terumo 60ml syringe), dropwise add 30ml of water to the sample over 10 seconds. After standing for 1 minute, measure the amount of water in the beaker. The water absorption rate is calculated as the ratio of the amount of water added (30ml) minus the measured amount of water to the amount of water added. That is, if the amount of water in the beaker is 18ml or less, the water absorption rate is 40% or higher, and therefore the granular material 10 is considered absorbent.

[0015] Each granular body 10 is granular. Examples of such granular shapes include spheres, cylinders, or ellipsoids. The particle size of each granular body 10 is, for example, 5 mm to 30 mm. Here, the particle size of the granular body 10 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can contain the granular body 10. It is preferable that each granular body 10 is mainly made of organic material. Here, the main material of the granular body 10 refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight percentage of the granular body 10 among the materials constituting the granular body 10. Examples of organic material that is the main material of the granular body 10 include paper, plants, plastics, or organic sludge.

[0016] Paper refers to materials primarily composed of pulp. Examples of paper include, for example, ordinary paper (paper dust) and pulp, as well as fluff pulp, paper derived from vinyl wallpaper (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of vinyl wallpaper), paper derived from gypsum board (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of gypsum board), or paper derived from sanitary products (paper generated during the manufacture or classification of sanitary products containing paper). Examples of sanitary products containing paper include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, or sanitary paper (tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.). Examples of plant materials include wood powder, sawdust, or plant residues (tea leaves, okara, etc.). Examples of plastics include, for example, ordinary plastics, as well as plastics derived from vinyl wallpaper (plastics generated during the manufacture or classification of vinyl wallpaper), or plastics derived from sanitary products (plastics generated during the manufacture or classification of sanitary products containing plastic). Examples of sanitary products containing plastic include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, or sanitary masks. Examples of organic sludges that can be used include papermaking sludge or pulp sludge.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing granular material 10. Each granular material 10 contains an additive 12 and an indicator 14. The additive 12 dissolves in urine and changes the pH of the urine. That is, the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 has dissolved (a solution with urine as the solvent and the additive 12 as the solute) is different from the pH of the original urine (urine before the additive 12 dissolves). In this embodiment, the pH of the aqueous solution of the additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine. For example, borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) can be used as the additive 12. The additive 12 is contained in the granular material 10 in a solid state. That is, before use (before absorbing urine), the additive 12 in the granular material 10 is not dissolved in liquid and is in a dry state. It is preferable that all of the additive 12 contained in the granular material 10 is in a solid state.

[0018] Indicator 14 is a pH indicator and changes color according to the pH of the urine in which additive 12 is dissolved. Indicator 14 includes the pH of the urine in which additive 12 is dissolved in its color change range. Indicator 14 may or may not include the pH of the original urine in its color change range. In this embodiment, indicator 14 contains a natural pigment that changes color according to pH. For example, turmeric powder or butterfly pea powder can be used as indicator 14. Turmeric powder and butterfly pea powder contain curcumin and anthocyanin as natural pigments, respectively.

[0019] The additive 12 may alter the pH of the urine such that the indicator 14 displays a first color when the pH of the urine is normal, and a second color when the pH of the urine is abnormal. The amount of pH change can be adjusted by the type and amount of additive 12. The second color is different from the first color. Preferably, the first and second colors have different hues, for example, the first color is yellow or orange and the second color is red.

[0020] As a specific example, consider the case where the target animal of the excrement treatment material 1 is a cat and the indicator 14 is turmeric powder. The normal value of the pH of cat urine is 6.0 or more and 6.8 or less. Also, turmeric powder (curcumin) changes color to red when the pH becomes about 8.5 or more. Therefore, the additive 12 may be contained so that the pH of the urine after variation becomes about 8.5 when the pH of the original urine is 6.8. By doing so, when the pH of the original urine is within the normal value of 6.8 or less, the indicator 14 exhibits yellow or orange, while when the pH of the original urine is an abnormal value exceeding 6.8, the indicator 14 exhibits red.

[0021] <00OO088>In the present embodiment, the granular body 10 consists only of the above-described main material, additive 12, and indicator 14. The weight ratios of the main material, additive 12, and indicator 14 in each granular body 10 are, for example, 80% or more and 95% or less, 0.1% or more and 5% or less, and 1% or more and 20% or less, respectively. The specific composition of the granular body 10 is, for example, 89% by weight of pulp, 1% by weight of borax (additive 12), and ⒑% by weight of turmeric powder or butterfly pea powder (indicator 14).

[0022] Each granular body 10 is a granulated product whose surface is not coated. Specifically, each granular body 10 is a granulated product obtained by granulating a granulation material (the material constituting each granular body 10). A coating layer (a layer covering a part or the whole of the surface of the granulated product) is not provided on each granular body 10. Therefore, each granular body 10 has a single-layer structure composed of a homogeneous granulated product.

[0023] In the excrement treatment material 1, when an animal urinates, the urine is absorbed by the granular body 10. Then, the additive 12 dissolves in the urine absorbed by the granular body 10, and the pH of the urine varies. And the indicator 14 changes color according to the pH of the urine after variation, and thereby the granular body 10 also changes color. Thereby, the user (such as the owner of the animal) can confirm the color development of the indicator 14.

[0024] Subsequently, as an embodiment of the method for manufacturing an excrement treatment material according to the present invention, an example of the method for manufacturing the excrement treatment material 1 will be described. This manufacturing method includes a granular body forming step.

[0025] The granular body formation process is a process for forming granular bodies 10. The granular body formation process includes a granulation process for forming granules that constitute the granular bodies 10. In the granulation process, granules are formed by granulating the granulation material (main material, additive 12, and indicator 14) using a granulation apparatus. In this embodiment, the granulation material is granulated without the addition of water. That is, no water is added to the granulation material before or after granulation. As the granulation apparatus, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. Prior to granulation, the granulation material is subjected to pre-treatment such as crushing and kneading as necessary. After granulation, post-treatment such as sieving (separation) and drying is performed as necessary. As a result, an excrement treatment material 1 consisting of a plurality of granular bodies 10 is obtained.

[0026] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. In this embodiment, a granular body 10 containing an additive 12 that dissolves in urine and changes the pH of the urine is formed. In this case, it is sufficient for the indicator 14 to include the pH of the urine in which the additive 12 has dissolved within its color change range, even if the pH of the original urine is not included within its color change range. This eliminates the constraint that the indicator 14 must include the pH of the target animal's urine within its color change range. Therefore, an excrement treatment material 1 and a method for manufacturing the same are realized, which offer a high degree of freedom in selecting the indicator 14.

[0027] To elaborate, the original pH of the urine cannot be controlled. Therefore, if one tries to match the color change range of the pH indicator to the original pH of the urine, the range of pH indicators to choose from will naturally be narrowed. In contrast, the pH of the urine with additive 12 dissolved in it can be controlled by adjusting the amount of pH change caused by additive 12, as described above. Therefore, by matching the color change range of the pH indicator to the pH of the urine after the change, the range of pH indicators to choose from can be broadened. This is why there is a high degree of freedom in selecting the indicator 14 in the excrement treatment material 1.

[0028] If indicator 14 exhibits a first color when the urine pH is normal and a second color when the urine pH is abnormal, the difference in the color of indicator 14 makes it easy to identify abnormalities in the urine. In this way, if indicator 14 exhibits different colors depending on whether the urine pH is normal or not, the excrement treatment material 1 is useful for understanding the health status of the target animal.

[0029] However, it is not essential that the indicator 14 exhibits a different color depending on whether the urine pH is within the normal range or not. Regardless of whether the pH is within the normal range or not, if the indicator 14 changes color when the granular material 10 absorbs urine, it is possible to visually distinguish between used granular material 10 (granular material 10 that has absorbed urine) and unused granular material 10 (granular material 10 that has not absorbed urine). This is useful for selectively removing used granular material 10 from among a large number of granular material 10.

[0030] The additive 12 is contained in the granular material 10 in a solid state. In this case, the additive 12 reacts with the indicator 14 only after it has dissolved in urine. This prevents the indicator 14 from changing color before the granular material 10 is used.

[0031] In the granulation process, the granulation material is granulated without the addition of water. This makes it easy to form granular bodies 10 containing the additive 12 in a solid state.

[0032] The pH of the aqueous solution of additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine. In this case, the pH of the urine after the additive 12 has dissolved can be made higher than the pH of the original urine. This makes it possible to use a pH indicator 14 that has a color change range in the alkaline region, even if the original urine is acidic.

[0033] Borax has the property that its pH does not change significantly even when the concentration of the aqueous solution changes. For example, the pH of an aqueous solution of borax (at 20°C) is 9.3 when the concentration is 0.1%, 9.2 when it is 1.0%, and 9.2 when it is 2.0%. Therefore, when borax is used as additive 12, there is an advantage in that the amount of change in urine pH can be easily fine-tuned.

[0034] Indicator 14 contains a natural pigment that changes color depending on the pH. Compared to synthetic reagents such as BTB solution, the natural pigment is less prone to fading once it has changed color. Therefore, it is easy to confirm the color change of indicator 14 even after a long period of time (for example, about 8 hours) has passed since the animal urinated. Since animal urination often occurs while the user is out or asleep, being able to confirm the color change of indicator 14 even after such a long period of time is useful.

[0035] A higher content of indicator 14 makes the color change of indicator 14 easier to see. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the weight ratio of indicator 14 to granular material 10 be 1% or more. On the other hand, if the content of indicator 14 is too high, the water absorption function, which is the original function of granular material 10, may be impaired. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the weight ratio is 20% or less.

[0036] When the granular material 10 is mainly composed of organic matter, it is possible to obtain granular material 10 suitable for incineration. This contributes to the convenience of disposing of used granular material 10.

[0037] When the granular material 10 is mainly made of paper, the main material is white or close to white, which has the advantage of making the color of the indicator 14 easier to see.

[0038] The granular material 10 is a granulated material whose surface is not coated. In this case, the entire surface of the granulated material (granular material 10) is exposed, making it easy to visually observe the color of the granulated material (the color of the indicator 14).

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiments, the case in which borax is used as additive 12 is illustrated. However, calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, or sodium phosphate may be used as additive 12.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the case where the pH of the aqueous solution of additive 12 is higher than the pH of the original urine was illustrated. However, the pH of the aqueous solution of additive 12 may be lower than the pH of the original urine. In that case, the pH of the urine after the additive 12 has dissolved can be made lower than the pH of the original urine.

[0041] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the indicator 14 contains a natural pigment. However, synthetic reagents such as BTB solution and phenolphthalein solution may be used as the indicator 14.

[0042] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the granular body 10 has a single-layer structure consisting only of uncoated granules. However, the granular body 10 may have a multi-layer structure (two-layer structure) consisting of granules and a coating layer. That is, the surface of the granules may be coated as long as the color change of the indicator 14 is visible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1. Waste disposal material 10 Granules 12 Additives 14. Indicators (pH indicators)

Claims

1. A granular material for absorbing animal urine is provided, The granular material is an additive that dissolves in the urine absorbed in the granules to change the pH of the urine; a pH indicator that changes color depending on the pH of the urine in which the additive is dissolved, The additive is characterized in that it fluctuates the pH of the urine so that the pH indicator exhibits a first color when the pH of the urine is normal and a second color different from the first color when the pH of the urine is abnormal.

2. The excrement treatment material according to claim 1, The excrement treating material is such that the additive is contained in the granular material in a solid state.

3. The excrement treatment material according to claim 1, The excrement treating material has an aqueous solution of the additive having a pH higher than the pH of the urine before the additive is dissolved.

4. The excrement treatment material according to claim 1, The excrement treatment material is an additive, which is borax.

5. The excrement treatment material according to claim 1, The weight ratio of the additive to the granules is 0.1% or more and 5% or less.

6. The excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The pH indicator is an excrement treating material containing a natural pigment that changes color depending on the pH.

7. The excrement treatment material according to claim 6, The excrement treating material, wherein the natural pigment is curcumin or anthocyanin.

8. The excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The weight ratio of the pH indicator to the granules is 1% or more and 20% or less.

9. The excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is an excrement treatment material whose main material is organic matter.

10. The excrement treatment material according to claim 9, The granular material is an excrement treatment material whose main material is paper.

11. The excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is an excrement treating material in the form of granulated material whose surface is not coated.

12. a granule forming step of forming granules for absorbing animal urine; In the granule forming step, the granules are formed to contain an additive that dissolves in the urine absorbed in the granules to change the pH of the urine, and a pH indicator that changes color depending on the pH of the urine in which the additive has dissolved, A method for manufacturing excrement treatment material, characterized in that in the granular formation process, the granular material is formed containing the additive that fluctuates the pH of the urine so that the pH indicator shows a first color when the pH of the urine is normal and a second color different from the first color when the pH of the urine is abnormal.

13. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, In the granular material forming step, the granular material contains the additive in a solid state.

14. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 13, The granular body forming step includes a granulation step of forming a granulated material that constitutes the granular body, In the granulation step, the granulated material is formed by granulating a granulation material without adding water.

15. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, A method for producing an excrement treating material, wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the additive is higher than the pH of the urine before the additive is dissolved.

16. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, The method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein the additive is borax.

17. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, In the granular material forming step, the granular material is formed so that the weight ratio of the additive in the granular material is 0.1% to 5%.

18. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 17, The pH indicator contains a natural pigment that changes color depending on the pH.

19. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 18, The method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein the natural pigment is curcumin or anthocyanin.

20. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 17, In the granular material forming step, the granular material is formed so that the weight ratio of the pH indicator in the granular material is 1% or more and 20% or less.

21. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 17, In the granular material forming step, the granular material is formed from an organic material as a main material.

22. 22. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 21, In the granular material forming step, the granular material is formed from paper as a main material.

23. The method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 17, In the granular material forming step, the granular material is formed as granular material having an uncoated surface.

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