Animal litter

Abstract

To provide animal litter capable of allowing a granular material to form a small lump having high strength in an early stage while appropriately absorbing urine.SOLUTION: The animal litter includes a granular material containing bentonite as a main component. The granular material contains 80 mass% or more of the granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The clump strength of the clump of the granular material after 1 minute from the addition of 20 cc of 0.9 mass% saline to the animal litter is 8.0N or more.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to animal litter, and more particularly to animal litter containing bentonite as a main component. [Background technology]

[0002] Animal litter used in animal (pet) toilets is known. Known animal litter includes granular material whose main component is bentonite. Granular material whose main component is bentonite absorbs excreted urine, swells, and adheres to each other to form clumps. By removing the clumps of granular material, granular material soiled by urine can be easily removed, and the hygiene of the animal litter can be maintained in good condition.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses animal litter consisting of multiple granules made primarily of bentonite. The granules in the animal litter include small granules with a particle size of 0.8 mm or more and less than 2 mm, and large granules with a particle size of 2 mm or more and less than 10 mm. The animal litter contains 25% to 45% by weight of the small granules compared to the large granules.

[0004] The animal litter contains small-diameter granules, which can prevent excreted urine from penetrating too deeply, resulting in the formation of long clumps of granules in the depth direction, and can also prevent urine from reaching the bottom of the litter box.The animal litter contains large-diameter granules, which can prevent the granules from scattering when the animal scratches the animal litter with its feet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6029333 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Granules containing bentonite as a main component absorb excreted urine, swell, and adhere to each other to form clumps, but it takes some time for the clumps to form with sufficient strength. If the clumps are not sufficiently solidified and have insufficient strength, animals may scratch the clumps with their paws after urinating, causing the clumps to crumble and become difficult to remove, or the crumbled clumps may soil the litter box. It is desirable for the granules to absorb urine appropriately and quickly form clumps with sufficient strength.

[0007] Furthermore, the granular masses are discarded by the user outside. In this case, if the size of each mass is small, the effort required to discard the mass can be reduced. It is therefore desirable to reduce the volume of each mass.

[0008] In particular, automatic animal litter boxes have become increasingly popular in China in recent years. Even when animal litter is used in automatic litter boxes, the above-mentioned problems can arise. In automatic litter boxes, clumps of granular material that have absorbed urine are collected a short time (e.g., one minute) after the animal urinates and leaves the litter box. Therefore, it is preferable to form clumps of granular material with sufficient strength early before collection, as this makes clump collection easier. Furthermore, the collected clumps are temporarily stored in a dust box, and the user disposes of the clumps from the dust box outside. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the volume of the clumps, as this reduces the effort required to dispose of the clumps.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide animal litter that allows the granular material to absorb urine appropriately while quickly forming small clumps with high strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is animal litter comprising granular material whose main component is bentonite, wherein the granular material contains 80% by mass or more of granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and wherein the clumping strength of the granular material clumps is 8.0 N or more one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide animal litter in which the granular material can adequately absorb urine while quickly forming small clumps with high strength. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present embodiment relates to the following aspects. [Aspect 1] Animal litter comprising granular material whose main component is bentonite, the granular material containing 80% by mass or more of granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the clumping strength of the granular material clumps is 8.0 N or more one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter.

[0013] This animal litter contains 80% or more by mass of granular material with a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. This animal litter is composed of relatively small granular material. This results in narrow gaps between the granular material and a large specific surface area for each granular material. This narrow gap allows liquids, such as urine, to move quickly through the gaps due to capillary action and remain in the gaps. Furthermore, the large specific surface area of ​​each granular material increases the volume of the gaps in which liquid can be retained, increasing the volume of the granular material that can absorb liquid. Furthermore, because the gaps between the granular material are narrow, when the granular material absorbs liquid and swells, the granular material can easily adhere to itself, increasing the area of ​​adhesion. This results in strong bonds between the granular material, and the clump strength after 1 minute of adding 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline is 8.0 N or more. These synergistic effects allow the animal litter to quickly absorb more liquid with fewer granules and quickly solidify the granules that swell upon absorbing the liquid. Therefore, when the animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and liquids such as urine are excreted, the granules can quickly solidify into shallower particles in the depth direction, smaller particles in the horizontal direction, and more solid particles. This means that the granules can properly absorb urine while solidifying more quickly, smaller, and more solidly. Even if an animal tampers with the granules after excretion, the clumps are less likely to break down, and they are less likely to stain the walls and bottom of the animal litter box, making it easier to maintain hygienic conditions. Furthermore, the effort required to dispose of the clumps can be reduced.

[0014] [Aspect 2] The animal litter according to aspect 1, wherein the animal litter is used in an automatic cat litter box.

[0015] In this animal litter, the granules solidify into small, firm clumps in a short time. Therefore, when this animal litter is used in an automatic cat litter box, when the automatic litter box starts to collect the excrement (clumps of granules) a certain time (e.g., 1 minute) after the animal leaves the litter box, the granules can form firm clumps early before collection. This makes the clumps less likely to crumble during collection, preventing the walls and bottom of the automatic litter box from becoming soiled, making it easier to keep the litter box hygienic. Furthermore, when collecting the clumps of granules, the volume of each clump can be reduced. This reduces the effort required to dispose of the clumps.

[0016] [Aspect 3] 3. The animal litter according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein when 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, the thickness of the clumps of granules is 40 mm or less.

[0017] When 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to this animal litter, the thickness (depth dimension) of the granular clumps can be kept to 40 mm or less. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granular material can be clumped shallowly in the depth direction. In other words, the granular material can be clumped into smaller clumps while properly absorbing urine. Furthermore, because the clumps are not too long in the depth direction, they can be prevented from crumbling from the deeper parts when removed, reducing the effort required to dispose of the clumps.

[0018] [Aspect 4] The animal litter according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the volume of the clumps of granules is 20cc / 20cc to 50cc / 20cc one minute after 20cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter.

[0019] With this animal litter, the volume of the clumps of granules can be 20cc / 20cc to 50cc / 20cc one minute after 20cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the volume of the clumps of granules can be reduced. In other words, the granules can be made to clump smaller while properly absorbing urine. Furthermore, because the clumps are small, they are less likely to crumble when removed, and because the clumps are of a certain size, they can be easily separated from unsoiled litter and disposed of.

[0020] [Aspect 5] The animal litter according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is 70 meq / 100 g or more.

[0021] In this animal litter, the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is high, at 70 meq / 100 g or more. Therefore, the granules contain a large amount of montmorillonite, which strengthens the bonds between the granules that absorb liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is laid in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granules that absorb the urine and swell can be more firmly clumped together. In other words, the granules can properly absorb urine while forming clumps with greater strength.

[0022] [Aspect 6] Aspect 6. The animal litter according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the bentonite in the granules has a pH of 9 to 11.

[0023] This animal litter has a high pH of 9 to 11, which is an index of the Na (sodium) content of the bentonite in the granules. Therefore, the high Na (sodium) content of the bentonite increases the viscosity of the granules when they absorb liquid. This strengthens the bonds between the granules that have absorbed the liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granules that have absorbed the urine and swelled can be more firmly clumped together. This means that the granules can properly absorb urine while forming clumps with greater strength.

[0024] [Aspect 7] 7. The animal litter according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the granules have a swelling degree of 16 or more.

[0025] The swelling index of the granules in this animal litter is high, at 16 or higher. This allows the granules to absorb more liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, a large amount of urine can be absorbed with a small amount of granules. In other words, the granules can form shallower, smaller clumps while properly absorbing urine.

[0026] [Aspect 8] Aspect 8. The animal litter according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, further comprising a fragrance, at least a portion of which is embedded within the granules.

[0027] This animal litter further contains a fragrance, at least a portion of which is embedded within the granules (bentonite). Because the fragrance is gradually released from within the granules, the scent of the fragrance can be maintained even over extended periods of use. Therefore, the urine odor that arises when the urine-absorbing granules are moved by animals or users can be masked for a long period of time. This allows users to feel a sense of cleanliness for a long period of time.

[0028] [Aspect 9] Aspect 9. The animal litter of any one of aspects 1 to 8, further comprising an antimicrobial agent.

[0029] This animal litter further contains an antibacterial agent, which can prevent bacteria from growing in the granular material that has absorbed urine and in animal excrement. As a result, this animal litter is less likely to produce a foul odor, giving users a feeling of cleanliness.

[0030] [Aspect 10] Animal litter described in any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 5 minutes after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter and is the same as or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 1 minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter.

[0031] In this animal litter, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 5 minutes after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is equal to or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 1 minute after addition. In other words, the clumping strength does not decrease either 1 minute or 5 minutes after addition of saline solution. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, if clumps of granular material with high strength are formed 1 minute after, the clumps can maintain their high strength even after 5 minutes have passed. In this way, because the clumps of granular material can maintain their high strength over time, they are less likely to crumble and are easier to dispose of, even when a certain amount has accumulated and is then discarded outside.

[0032] [Aspect 11] Animal litter according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the clumping strength of the granular material clumps one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter and is 80% or more of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps five minutes after the addition of 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution to the animal litter.

[0033] In this animal litter, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is at least 80% of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps five minutes after the addition of saline solution. In other words, the clumping strength reaches a sufficiently high value just one minute after the addition of saline solution. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, clumps of granular material with sufficiently high strength can be formed just one minute after the addition of saline solution. In this way, the clumps of granular material reach a high strength in a short time, and are therefore difficult to crumble and easy to handle, even when moved or discarded immediately after clumping.

[0034] [Aspect 12] 12. The animal litter according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the dust content of the animal litter is 0.50% by mass or less.

[0035] The animal litter has a powder content of 0.50% by mass or less. Therefore, the animal litter produces little dust, which makes it less likely for powder to scatter around the litter box or its surroundings, making it easier to clean. Furthermore, the low dusting can also help prevent electronic devices, such as automatic toilets, from breaking down.

[0036] The animal litter according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0037] The animal litter according to this embodiment is animal litter comprising granular material whose main component is bentonite, the granular material containing 80% by mass or more of granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and the clumping strength of the clumps of the granular material is 8.0 N or more one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter. This will be explained in detail below.

[0038] This animal litter contains granular materials whose main component is bentonite. Here, "main component" means a component that accounts for more than 50% by mass of all constituent components. The proportion of bentonite in the granular materials is preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more. A high proportion of bentonite ensures that excreted urine is absorbed more reliably and prevents excessive penetration in the depth direction.

[0039] The granular material is not particularly limited as long as it contains bentonite as the main component, and any form of granular material can be used. Examples of such granular materials include granular materials obtained by crushing bentonite raw ore using a Raymond mill or the like and then rounding the corners, granular materials obtained by granulating finely crushed bentonite raw ore as the main component and further mixing with other materials, and granular materials obtained by further crushing the granulated granules (granules).

[0040] The animal litter may contain other materials in addition to the granular material primarily composed of bentonite. Examples of other materials include inorganic materials such as zeolite and silica gel; various additives such as fragrances, antibacterial agents, and colorants; and solidification accelerators such as sodium carbonate. These other materials may be contained in the granular material primarily composed of bentonite, or may be separate from the granular material primarily composed of bentonite (e.g., separate granular material). However, from the viewpoint of maintaining the viscosity of the granular material after absorbing urine, the proportion of other materials in the animal litter is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 3% by mass or less.

[0041] In this animal litter, the granular material contains 80% by mass or more of granular material with a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. Having 80% by mass or more of the granular material have a particle size of 0.5 mm or more can prevent the animal litter from becoming dusty, and can prevent the granular material from scattering when the animal scratches the animal litter with its feet. Having 80% by mass or more of the granular material have a particle size of 1.5 mm or less can narrow the gaps between the granular material and increase the specific surface area of ​​each granular material. The granular material in the animal litter preferably contains 84% ​​by mass or more of granular material with a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, and more preferably 88% by mass or more.

[0042] In the present animal litter, among the granular materials having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, there are no particular restrictions on the mass ratio of granular materials having a particle size in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm to granular materials having a particle size in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 mm. The mass ratio ((granular materials having a particle size in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 mm) / (granular materials having a particle size in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm)) can be, for example, 1.0 to 2.0, and preferably 1.1 to 1.9. This is from the viewpoint of achieving a balance between suppressing dusting and scattering (large particle size) and narrowing gaps and increasing the specific surface area (small particle size).

[0043] In the present animal litter, the shape of the granules is not particularly limited. Examples of shapes include crushed shapes, roughly spherical shapes, roughly cylindrical shapes, and roughly polygonal prism shapes. The crushed shape refers to the shape of granules obtained by crushing granules of bentonite ore or its finely crushed product, or the shape of crushed granules with the corners rounded. In this embodiment, the shape is crushed (corner rounded).

[0044] In this animal litter, the clumping strength of the granules is 8.0 N or more one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter. Having a clumping strength of 8.0 N or more means that the clumps are less likely to crumble even if an animal tampers with the granules after excreting, making it less likely for the walls and bottom of the animal litter box to become soiled and making it easier to maintain a hygienic environment for the animal litter box. Furthermore, because the clumps are less likely to crumble during disposal, they can be easily disposed of. The clumping strength is preferably 9.0 N or more, and more preferably 10.0 N or more.

[0045] <Method for measuring particle size distribution (particle size) of granular matter> The particle size distribution of the granular material is measured by the following sieving method. In the sieving method, the size range of the granular material is determined by the sieve openings. The particle size distribution of the granular material can be obtained by sieving a predetermined mass (e.g., 150 g) of granular material for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 minutes) using a vibrating sieve machine (e.g., Retsch AS-200 model) equipped with multiple sieves with different openings, and calculating the mass percentage (%) from the mass (g) of the granular material remaining on each sieve. Examples of the multiple sieves with different openings include sieves with openings of 0.15 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 2.5 mm. Therefore, for example, granular material with a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less refers to granular material that passes through a sieve with an opening of 1.5 mm but does not pass through a sieve with an opening of 0.5 mm.

[0046] <Method for measuring the agglomeration strength, mass and thickness of granular materials> The agglomerate strength and thickness of the granule agglomerates are measured by the following method. (1) Place the granular material in a container to a depth of at least 10 cm. (2) 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is placed in a separatory funnel with a capacity of 100 ml (manufactured by Shibata Scientific Co., Ltd.). The predetermined first device is a device that drips saline solution onto the surface of granular material in a container, and is pre-adjusted so that the drip rate of the saline solution is 20 cc / 10 seconds. (3) Drip salt water onto the surface of the granular material in the container. (4) After the dripping has finished and a predetermined time has passed (e.g., 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes), place all of the granular material in the container onto a tray and remove the granular material clumps from there. (5) Measure the depth (vertical) dimension (thickness) (mm) of the lump and its mass (g), where thickness is measured as the distance between the top and bottom of the lump in the vertical direction. (6) Place the lump on a horizontal surface, which is the top surface of a plastic box, with the surface of the granules onto which the salt water has been dripped (the top surface of the lump) facing downward. (7) A 12 mm diameter terminal attached to a digital force gauge (FGP-5 manufactured by Nidec-Shimpo Corporation) is pressed vertically onto the top surface of the mass at a speed of 400 mm / min, applying a load to the mass (top surface). (8) The maximum load measured before the terminal reaches the horizontal surface is taken as the mass strength (N) of the granular material mass.

[0047] As described above, the granular materials in this animal litter contain 80% by mass or more of granular materials with a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. In other words, this animal litter is composed of relatively small granular materials. Therefore, compared to conventional litter, the gaps between the granular materials are narrower, and the specific surface area of ​​each granular material is larger. Therefore, mainly due to the narrow gaps between the granular materials, liquids such as urine can move quickly through the gaps due to capillary action and are less likely to leak out of the gaps, making them more likely to remain in the gaps. Furthermore, mainly due to the large specific surface area of ​​each granular material, the volume of the gaps in which liquid can be retained is increased, and the volume of the granular materials that can contribute to liquid absorption is increased. Furthermore, because the gaps between the granular materials are narrow, when the granular materials absorb liquid and swell, the granular materials can easily stick to each other, and the area of ​​adhesion is also increased. As a result, the granules bond together more strongly, and after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added, the clumps exhibit a clumping strength of 8.0 N or greater one minute later. These synergistic effects allow this animal litter to quickly absorb more liquid with fewer granules and quickly and firmly clump together the granules that swell upon absorbing the liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is laid in an animal litter box and liquids such as urine are excreted, the granules can quickly clump together, becoming shallower in depth and smaller in planar dimensions. This allows the granules to properly absorb urine while clumping more quickly, smaller, and more firmly. Furthermore, even if an animal tampers with the granules after excretion, the clumps are less likely to break down, and they are less likely to stain the walls and bottom of the litter box, making it easier to maintain hygienic conditions. This also reduces the effort required to dispose of the clumps.

[0048] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the animal litter is used in an automatic cat litter box. After a short time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the cat excreted urine into the litter box and left the litter box, the automatic cat litter box automatically collects clumps of granular material formed by absorbing the urine from the litter box. For example, the clumps are separated from the litter box and stored in a special tray.

[0049] In this animal litter, the granules solidify into small, firm clumps in a short time. Therefore, when this animal litter is used in an automatic cat litter box, when the automatic litter box starts to collect excrement (clumps of granules) a certain time (e.g., 1 minute) after the animal leaves the litter box, firm clumps of granules can be formed early before collection. This makes the clumps of granules less likely to crumble during collection, making the walls and bottom of the automatic litter box less likely to get soiled, making it easier to keep the litter box hygienic. Furthermore, when collecting clumps of granules, the volume of each clump can be reduced. This reduces the effort required to dispose of the clumps. Note that the automatic litter box does not have to be for cats; it can be used for other animals.

[0050] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, when 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, the thickness (depth) of the granular mass is 40 mm or less. With a mass thickness of 40 mm or less, the mass is not too long (too large) in the depth direction, and the deeper parts of the mass are less likely to break. The mass thickness is more preferably 36 mm or less. There is no particular lower limit for the thickness of the granular mass, but it is preferably 5 mm or more, and more preferably 8 mm or more. With a mass thickness of 5 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the mass from being too thin and breaking.

[0051] The thickness of the granular mass is as explained above in <Method for measuring the mass strength, mass and thickness of granular mass>.

[0052] When 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to this animal litter, the thickness (depth dimension) of the granular clumps can be kept to 40 mm or less. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granular material can be clumped shallowly in the depth direction. In other words, the granular material can be clumped into smaller clumps while properly absorbing urine. Furthermore, because the clumps are not too long in the depth direction, they can be prevented from crumbling from the deeper parts when removed, reducing the effort required to dispose of the clumps.

[0053] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the volume of the clumps of granules one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter is 20 cc / 20 cc to 50 cc / 20 cc. The unit " / 20 cc" means "per 20 cc of saline solution absorbed," and therefore, the "clump volume" in this case refers to the volume of the clumps formed one minute after 20 cc of saline solution is absorbed into the animal litter. A clump volume of 20 cc / 20 cc or more ensures that the clumps are not too small and are easily separated from granules that have not absorbed saline. A clump volume of 50 cc / 20 cc or less ensures that the clumps are not too large and are easily discarded. The clump volume is preferably 25 cc / 20 cc to 45 cc / 20 cc.

[0054] <Method for measuring the volume of a granular mass> The volume of the granular mass is measured by the following method. (1) Perform steps (1) to (5) of <Method for measuring the clump strength, clump mass, and thickness of granular material>. (2) Calculate the volume of the lump using the following formula. Lump volume (cc) = (mass of the lump (g) - 20 (mass of salt water: g)) / bulk density (g / cc) However, the bulk density is calculated by dividing the total mass (g) of the granular material before absorbing salt water when it is filled to the brim in a specified container of a certain volume (e.g., 1000cc (1L)) by the volume of the specified container.

[0055] With this animal litter, the volume of the clumps of granules can be 20cc / 20cc to 50cc / 20cc one minute after 20cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the volume of the clumps of granules can be reduced. In other words, the granules can be made to clump smaller while properly absorbing urine. Furthermore, because the clumps are small, they are less likely to crumble when removed, and because the clumps are of a certain size, they can be easily separated from unsoiled litter and disposed of.

[0056] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, when 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, the lengths of the long and short sides of the granular material clump are 60 mm or less. However, the long and short sides of the clump are the lengths of the long and short sides of the rectangle that can enclose the projection of the clump onto a plane perpendicular to the depth direction with the smallest area. By having the lengths of the long and short sides of the clump be 60 mm or less, the clump is not too large in the plane perpendicular to the depth direction, and the ends of the clump in the plane direction are less likely to crack. The short side of the clump is more preferably 55 mm or less.

[0057] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is 70 meq / 100 g or more. However, the unit " / 100 g" means "per 100 g of granules," and therefore, in this case, the "cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules" refers to the cation exchange capacity per 100 g of granules. When the cation exchange capacity is 70 meq / 100 g or more, the granules can be said to contain a large amount of montmorillonite, which can enhance the swelling and viscosity of the granules when absorbing liquid. The cation exchange capacity is more preferably 75 meq / 100 g or more. There is no particular upper limit to the cation exchange capacity, but it can be set to, for example, 100 meq / 100 g.

[0058] <Method for measuring the cation exchange capacity of bentonite> The cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is measured by the following method. The cation exchange capacity is measured as the saturated absorption (unit: g) of methylene blue per 100 g of bentonite in water. (1) Equipment, etc. Burette Grade A, conforms to the requirements of GB / T12805. Magnetic Stirrer Electronic balance, sensitivity 0.001g (2) Reagents, etc. Sodium pyrophosphate solution, analytical grade 1% by weight Methylene blue solution (0.002 g / ml): Accurately weigh out 2,000 g of methylene blue (methylene blue trihydrate, relative molecular weight 373.9), dissolve in distilled water, dilute to the mark with running water in a 1,000 ml measuring flask, mix well to make a homogeneous solution, and store in a brown glass bottle. (3) Procedure (i) 2.000±0.001 g of dried bentonite sample was placed in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and moistened with 50 ml of distilled water. Next, 20 ml of 1% sodium pyrophosphate solution was added and shaken well. The mixture was then heated to a boil using an electric heater for 5 minutes and cooled to room temperature in the air. (ii) Use a buret to drop the methylene blue solution into the sample solution. When titrating, add approximately 2 / 3 of the expected amount the first time, shake, and allow to react completely for 1 minute, then drop 1-2 ml each time, shake for 30 seconds, and then dip a glass rod into the medium-speed quantitative filter paper and dip a drop of the test solution into it. Observe whether a light blue halo appears around the dark blue spot on the filter paper. If not, continue dropping the methylene blue solution. (iii) When the light blue halo begins to appear, continue shaking the test solution for 2 minutes, then use a glass rod to dip a drop of the test solution into a medium-speed quantitative filter paper and observe whether a light blue halo appears. If no light blue halo appears, it means that the endpoint has not been reached, so continue adding methylene blue solution (0.5 ml to 1 ml each time). (iv) If a clear light blue halo (halo width 0.5 mm to 1 mm) remains after 2 minutes of shaking, this indicates that the test endpoint has been reached and the determined volume is recorded. (4) Calculation MB=c V / m×100 MB: Absorption amount, unit per 100g (g / 100g) c: Concentration of methylene blue solution (g / ml) V: Titration volume of methylene blue solution (ml) m: mass of sample (g) 100: The factor that converts the absorption capacity of 1 gram of bentonite into the absorption capacity of 100 grams of bentonite.

[0059] In this animal litter, the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is high, at 70 meq / 100 g or more. Therefore, the granules contain a large amount of montmorillonite, which strengthens the bonds between the granules that absorb liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is laid in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granules that absorb the urine and swell can be more firmly clumped together. In other words, the granules can properly absorb urine while forming clumps with greater strength.

[0060] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the pH of the bentonite in the granules is 9 to 11. In this way, the high pH of 9 to 11 allows the bentonite in the granules to + It can be said that the bentonite contains a large amount of sodium ions. This gives the granules high swelling and viscosity. The pH of the bentonite in the granules is preferably 9.5 to 10.5.

[0061] <Method for measuring the pH of bentonite> The pH of the bentonite in the granules is measured by the following method. The pH of bentonite is measured as the pH value of the solution or suspension. (1) Equipment, etc. pH meter Measuring cylinder - 100ml Glass beaker - 250ml electronic balance (2) Reagents, etc. standard buffer solution Distilled or deionized water (3) Procedure Calibrate the pH meter as follows: (i) Switch on the pH meter and allow it to preheat for 30 minutes. (ii) Calibrate the pH meter with a buffer solution. (iii) Weigh out 6.25 g of the sample and slowly add it to a beaker containing 100 ml of distilled water, then stir for 5 minutes. (iv) Measure the pH of the suspension until the reading remains constant. (Note that the pH is measured at room temperature.)

[0062] This animal litter has a high pH of 9 to 11, which is an index of the Na (sodium) content of the bentonite in the granules. Therefore, the high Na (sodium) content of the bentonite increases the viscosity of the granules when they absorb liquid. This strengthens the bonds between the granules that have absorbed the liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, the granules that have absorbed the urine and swelled can be more firmly clumped together. This means that the granules can properly absorb urine while forming clumps with greater strength.

[0063] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the swelling degree of the granules is 16 or more. As such, in this animal litter, the swelling degree of the granules is high at 16 or more, which makes it easier for the granules to absorb more liquid. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, a large amount of urine can be absorbed with a small amount of granules. In other words, the granules can appropriately absorb urine while forming shallower, smaller clumps.

[0064] <Method for measuring swelling degree of granular material> The swelling degree of the granules is measured by the following method. The swelling degree of the granules is measured by the volume expansion when the bentonite absorbs water. (1) Equipment, etc. electronic balance 100ml measuring cylinder (2) Reagents, etc. Distilled water Bentonite samples for testing (3) Procedure (i) Weigh out 2.0 g of sample (bentonite with a moisture content of 8-12%). (ii) Fill a 100 ml graduated cylinder with distilled water up to the 100 ml mark. (iii) Add bentonite to the water surface in small amounts from the top of the measuring cylinder. NOTE: The amount of each addition is 50-100 mg, and the addition rate is 6-10 minutes per addition. (iv) Wait until the bentonite is completely soaked and repeat the previous steps until all the bentonite is gone. (v) If the surface of the expanded object is uneven when approximately 1 g of sample is added, rotate the measuring cylinder 180 degrees before continuing the addition. (vi) After leaving it for 24 hours, measure the apparent volume of the fully expanded bentonite, which is the self-expanding volume (degree of expansion).

[0065] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the moisture content of the granules is 1 to 20% by mass. The moisture content of the granules is preferably 2 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 12% by mass. Because the moisture content of the granules is low, at 20% by mass or less, the granules are able to absorb a larger amount of liquid. When the moisture content of the granules is 1% by mass or more, dusting is reduced. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box, dusting is suppressed, and when urine is excreted, a larger amount of urine can be absorbed with a smaller amount of granules. In other words, the granules can appropriately absorb urine while forming shallower, smaller clumps.

[0066] <Method for measuring moisture content of granular materials> The moisture content of the granules is measured by the following method. The moisture content of granular materials is measured based on the weight lost due to evaporation of water. When a sample is heated to the boiling point of water (100°C), the free water (i.e., non-chemically bound water) adsorbed in the material evaporates. The weight loss is then evaluated and the moisture content of the material is calculated. (1) Equipment, etc. electronic balance Oven / Mettler Moisture Analyzer Desiccator (2) Reagents, etc. sample (3) Procedure (i) Oven test method (i-1) The oven temperature is maintained at 105°C. (i-2) Weigh out 10.0 g of the sample and dry it in an oven for at least 3 hours. (i-3) The dried sample is cooled to room temperature in a dryer and weighed. Moisture (%) = {(mass before drying - mass after drying) / (mass before drying)} x 1000 (ii) Moisture meter test (ii-1) Set the heating temperature of the moisture meter to 105°C. (ii-2) For heterogeneous substances, weigh out approximately 10 g of sample. For homogeneous powdery substances, weigh out 7 to 8 g and place it in the moisture meter. (ii-3) When the moisture meter stops operating, the moisture content of the sample is automatically displayed.

[0067] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the animal litter further comprises a fragrance. At least a portion of the fragrance is embedded within the granules. That is, in the animal litter, the fragrance is contained in the granules. For example, the fragrance is embedded between adjacent montmorillonite unit layers in the bentonite. The fragrance can then be released little by little from between the unit layers.

[0068] The fragrance is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alcohols such as geranol, citronellol, citral, eugenol, phenethyl alcohol, thymol, linalool, leaf alcohol, menthol, and benzyl alcohol, and aldehydes such as hexylcinnamaldehyde. These fragrances can suppress the odor of excreted urine and feces. The fragrance can be adsorbed and contained in the granules by spraying the fragrance alone or dissolved in an organic solvent such as ethanol onto the granules.

[0069] This animal litter further contains a fragrance, at least a portion of which is embedded within the granules (bentonite). Because the fragrance is gradually released from within the granules, the scent of the fragrance can be maintained even over extended periods of use. Therefore, the urine odor that arises when clumps of urine-absorbing granules are moved by animals or users can be masked for a long period of time. This allows users to experience a sense of cleanliness for a long period of time.

[0070] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the animal litter further comprises an antibacterial agent. The antibacterial agent may be separate from the granules (bentonite), present on the surface of the granules, or embedded within the granules. For example, if the antibacterial agent is embedded between adjacent montmorillonite unit layers within the bentonite, it may be gradually released from between the unit layers, resulting in a long-lasting effect. Furthermore, if the antibacterial agent is mixed into the animal litter alone or supported on a carrier such as zeolite, the amount of antibacterial agent in the animal litter can be easily adjusted.

[0071] The antibacterial agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include organic, inorganic metal, photocatalytic, and natural antibacterial agents. Examples of antibacterial agents include cationic antibacterial agents, and other examples include isothiazolinone antibacterial agents. Examples of cationic antibacterial agents include guanidine antibacterial agents, biguanide antibacterial agents, and quaternary ammonium salts. Examples of guanidine antibacterial agents include polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG). Examples of biguanide antibacterial agents include polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), also known as polyaminopropyl biguanide. Examples of quaternary ammonium salts include benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride. Examples of isothiazolinone antibacterial agents include methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and octylisothiazolinone. These antibacterial agents may be used alone or in combination. The use of these antibacterial agents can inhibit the growth of bacteria and the like. The antibacterial agent can be adsorbed onto the granules by spraying it alone or dissolved in an organic solvent such as ethanol onto the granules. Alternatively, the antibacterial agent can be adsorbed onto another granule, such as zeolite or silica gel, by spraying it alone or dissolved in an organic solvent such as ethanol onto the granules. The other granules are added in a predetermined amount to the bentonite granules. A preferred antibacterial agent is a mixture containing methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and benzalkonium chloride.

[0072] This animal litter further contains an antibacterial agent, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria caused by clumps of urine-absorbed granules and animal excrement, making the animal litter less likely to produce a foul odor and providing a clean feeling to the user.

[0073] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 5 minutes after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter box, and is the same as or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 1 minute after addition. However, the method for measuring the clumping strength 5 minutes and 1 minute after addition of the saline solution is as described above in <Method for measuring the clumping strength, clump mass, and thickness of granular material clumps>.

[0074] In this animal litter, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps five minutes after adding saline solution is equal to or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps one minute after adding saline solution. In other words, the clumping strength does not decrease either one minute or five minutes after adding saline solution. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, if clumps of granular material with high strength are formed one minute after adding saline solution, the clumps can maintain their high strength even after five minutes have passed. In this way, the clumps of granular material can maintain their high strength over time, so that even when a certain amount of the clumps accumulates and is then discarded, they are less likely to crumble and are easier to dispose of.

[0075] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter is at least 80% of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps five minutes after the addition of the saline solution. The clumping strength after one minute is preferably at least 85% of the clumping strength after five minutes after the addition of the saline solution. However, the method for measuring the clumping strength of the clumps five minutes and one minute after the addition of the saline solution is as described above in <Method for measuring the clumping strength, clump mass, and thickness of granular material clumps>.

[0076] In this animal litter, the clumping strength of the granular material clumps one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is at least 80% of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps five minutes after the addition of saline solution. In other words, the clumping strength reaches a sufficiently high value just one minute after the addition of saline solution. Therefore, when this animal litter is spread in an animal litter box and urine is excreted, clumps of granular material with sufficiently high strength can be formed just one minute after the addition of saline solution. In this way, the clumps of granular material reach a high strength in a short time, and are therefore difficult to crumble and easy to handle, even when moved or discarded immediately after clumping.

[0077] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the dust content of the animal litter is 0.50% by mass or less. Thus, the dust content of this animal litter is 0.50% by mass or less. Therefore, the animal litter produces little dust, which makes it less likely for dust to scatter around the litter box or its surroundings, making it easier to clean the litter box or its surroundings. Furthermore, the low dust content can help prevent electronic devices, such as automatic toilets, from breaking down.

[0078] <Method for measuring the powder content of animal litter> The dust content of animal litter is measured by the following method. The dust content of animal litter is measured by vibrating the test sieve by hand or with a vibrating sieve machine, allowing dust particles of 250 μm or less to pass through the sieve holes, and after the sieve reaches the end point, the weight of the sample remaining on the sieve is weighed to calculate the dust content of the cat litter sample. (1) Equipment, etc. Standard-compliant 60-mesh test sieve (250 μm) Electronic balance (0.02g) Vibration sieve machine (vibration frequency 100-300 times / min, amplitude 1mm-4mm) (2) Reagents, etc. Measurement sample 500g (3) Procedure (i) Place 500 g of sample on a 60 mesh test sieve and close the sieve lid. (ii) Measurement (ii-1) Hand Screen Method The test sieve is vibrated by hand with an amplitude of approximately 0.1 m, a frequency of approximately 120 times / minute, and a sieving time of 5 minutes. After leaving it to stand for 3 minutes, the weight of the sample remaining on the sieve is weighed and taken as M, which is calculated according to the following formula. (ii-2) Shaker method The test sieve containing the sample is fixed to a vibrating sieve machine, and the sieving time is set to 5 minutes with an amplitude of 1 mm and a frequency of 120 times / minute. After leaving it to stand for 3 minutes, the weight of the sample remaining on the sieve is weighed and taken as M, and calculated according to the following formula. (iii) Calculation formula Powder content = {(500-M) / 500}×100 Those with a dust content of 0.5% by mass or less were rated as passing (OK), and those with any other content were rated as failing (NG).

[0079] The animal litter of this embodiment can be suitably used in general animal litter boxes and automatic animal litter boxes. However, the animal litter of this embodiment is not limited to these and can also be used as bedding for breeding cages, livestock barns, etc. Furthermore, the animal litter of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment or the following examples and can be modified or combined as appropriate within the scope of the object and spirit of the present invention. [Example]

[0080] EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in more detail below by way of examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0081] (1) Sample The samples of the examples and comparative examples are as follows. (a) Granules of Examples 1 and 2 Sodium carbonate and water were added to the crushed bentonite ore and mixed. After mixing, the mixture was dried in a dryer to obtain granules. The obtained granules were classified using a vibrating sieve to obtain the granules of Examples 1 and 2. (b) Granules of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 The granular materials (animal litter) in Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were commercially available products. Specifically, the product in Comparative Example 1 was Blue Label manufactured by ARM & HAMMER, the product in Comparative Example 2 was Deodorizing Natural Green Sand manufactured by NetEase, and the product in Comparative Example 3 was DeoSand Pee-Scented Sand (Natural Green Scent) manufactured by Unicharm Corporation.

[0082] (2) Evaluation The samples of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were evaluated for the following properties. ·Granular materials: particle size distribution, bulk density, powder content, cation exchange amount, pH, degree of swelling, moisture content. - Cement: Strength, volume, thickness (depth), short side length, long side length, mass, and the ratio of the granules' cement strength 1 minute after the salt water is added to the cement strength 5 minutes later (strength (1 minute) / strength (5 minutes) (%)). The methods for measuring these properties are as described above.

[0083] The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3 below. In each table, Example 1 and Example 2 refer to Example 1 and Example 2, respectively, and Ratio 1, Ratio 2, and Ratio 3 refer to Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Table 1 shows the particle size distribution, which indicates the mass percentage (%) of granules of each particle size, as well as the bulk density and dust content of the granules. Regarding the particle size distribution of Comparative Example 3, the values ​​listed are based on the product package values: 70.0% by mass or more for 2 mm or more, 25.0% by mass or less for 1 to 2 mm, 3.0% by mass or less for 0.15 to 1 mm, and 0.15% by mass or less for 0.15 mm or less. Table 2 shows the agglomeration characteristics of the granules. The "1 min." and "5 min." columns show the agglomeration characteristics of the granules 1 minute and 5 minutes after adding 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution to the granules. Table 3 shows the cation exchange capacity, pH, swelling degree, and moisture content of the granules (which are essentially the cation exchange capacity, pH, swelling degree, and moisture content of bentonite). It also shows the ratio of the strength of the granules after 1 minute to the strength after 5 minutes when 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the granules.

[0084] [Table 1]

[0085] [Table 2]

[0086] [Table 3]

[0087] The samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the requirement that 80% by mass or more of granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less be contained (84.92% by mass, 89.38% by mass). Furthermore, the samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the requirement that the clump strength of the granular material clumps be 8.0 N or more one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution was added to the animal litter (10.5 N, 10.9 N). On the other hand, of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the sample of Comparative Example 1 did not satisfy the above particle size and strength requirements, the sample of Comparative Example 2 did not satisfy the above strength requirement, and the sample of Comparative Example 3 did not satisfy the above particle size requirement.

[0088] The samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the thickness (depth) of the granular masses was 40 mm or less when 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution was added to the animal litter (35.6 mm, 32.5 mm: 5 min.). Furthermore, the samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the volume of the granular masses was 20 cc / 20 cc to 50 cc / 20 cc one minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution was added to the animal litter (41.8 cc / 20 cc, 40.9 cc / 20 cc). On the other hand, of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the sample of Comparative Example 1 satisfied the above thickness (depth) and volume conditions, the sample of Comparative Example 2 did not satisfy the above volume condition, and the sample of Comparative Example 3 did not satisfy the above thickness (depth) and volume conditions.

[0089] The samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules was 70 meq / 100g or more (78.9 meq / 100g, 77.7 meq / 100g). Furthermore, the samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the pH of the bentonite in the granules was 9 to 11 (10.47, 10.45). Furthermore, the samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the swelling degree of the granules was 16 or more (18.0, 19.0). On the other hand, among Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the sample of Comparative Example 1 did not satisfy the above conditions for cation exchange capacity, pH, and swelling degree, the sample of Comparative Example 2 did not satisfy the above conditions for cation exchange capacity, pH, and swelling degree, and the sample of Comparative Example 3 did not satisfy the above conditions for cation exchange capacity, pH, and volume.

[0090] The samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 5 minutes after 20 cc of saline solution was the same as or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 1 minute after 20 cc of saline solution was added to the animal litter box. Furthermore, the samples of Examples 1 and 2 satisfied the condition that the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 1 minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution was 80% or more of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps 5 minutes after 20 cc of saline solution was added to the animal litter box (80.8%, 89.3%). Meanwhile, among Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the samples of Comparative Examples 2 and 3 satisfied the above two conditions, but the sample of Comparative Example 1 did not.

Claims

1. An animal litter comprising granular material mainly composed of bentonite, The granular material contains 80% by mass or more of granular material having a particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, and one minute later, the clump strength of the granules is 8.0 N or more. Animal litter.

2. The animal litter is used in an automatic cat litter box. The animal litter according to claim 1.

3. When 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, the thickness of the granular mass is 40 mm or less. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

4. One minute after 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline solution is added to the animal litter, the volume of the granular mass is 20 cc / 20 cc to 50 cc / 20 cc. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The cation exchange capacity of the bentonite in the granules is 70 meq / 100 g or more. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The pH of the bentonite in the granules is 9 to 11. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The swelling degree of the granules is 16 or more. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Further comprising a fragrance, At least a portion of the flavoring agent is embedded in the interior of the granules. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

9. further comprising an antimicrobial agent; The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The clumping strength of the granular material clumps after 5 minutes from the addition of 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline to the animal litter is equal to or greater than the clumping strength of the granular material clumps after 1 minute. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

11. the clumping strength of the granular material clumps after 1 minute from the addition of 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline to the animal litter is 85% or more of the clumping strength of the granular material clumps after 5 minutes from the addition of 20 cc of 0.9% by mass saline; The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The powder content of the animal litter is 0.50% by mass or less. The animal litter according to claim 1 or 2.

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