Excrement treatment material and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a waste disposal material that is less likely to roll around on the floor, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Solution] The excrement treatment material 1 comprises granular material 10 for treating excrement. The granular material 10 is in the shape of a curved cylinder. Here, a curved cylinder shape refers to a shape obtained by curving a cylinder such that the central axis of the cylinder forms a curve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an excrement treatment material and a method for manufacturing 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 same document is an excrement treatment material for animals and is composed of a plurality of granular bodies that absorb urine. Each granular body has a cylindrical shape. This excrement treatment material is used in a state where a plurality of granular bodies are laid in a box-shaped toilet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When laying the above-mentioned granular bodies in a toilet, the granular bodies may spill outside the toilet. Also, even after laying, the granular bodies may be scraped out by animals and spill outside the toilet. Since the granular bodies have a cylindrical shape, they are likely to roll on the floor. Therefore, in the conventional excrement treatment material, there is a problem that the granular bodies spilled outside the toilet scatter over a wide area.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an excrement treatment material that is difficult to roll on the floor and a method for manufacturing the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The excrement treatment material according to the present invention includes granular bodies for treating excrement, and the granular bodies have a curved cylindrical shape obtained by curving a cylinder so that the central axis of the cylinder describes a curve.

[0007] In this waste disposal material, the granular material is curved cylindrical in shape. In this case, since at least a portion of the central axis of the granular material is curved, the granular material is less likely to roll on the floor compared to when the entire central axis is straight.

[0008] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing the excrement treatment material according to the present invention includes a granular body forming step for forming granular bodies for treating excrement, and in the granular body forming step, the granular body is formed in the shape of a curved cylindrical body, which is obtained by curving a cylinder so that the central axis of the cylinder forms a curve.

[0009] In this manufacturing method, the granular material is formed in a curved cylindrical shape. In this case, since at least a portion of the central axis of the granular material is curved, the granular material is less likely to roll on the floor compared to when the entire central axis is straight. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a waste disposal material that is less likely to roll around on the floor, and a method for manufacturing the same, are realized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the waste treatment material according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the structure of the longitudinal cross-section of the granular material 10. [Figure 3] This figure shows the cross-sectional structure of the granular material 10. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the angle α between the line L1 and the line L2. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for forming granular material 10. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for forming 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 perspective view 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 excrement (mainly urine). The excrement treatment material 1 may be an animal excrement treatment material used for treating the excrement of animals such as cats and dogs, or it may be a human excrement treatment material used for treating human excrement.

[0014] The waste treatment material 1 comprises granular material 10 for treating waste. In this embodiment, the waste treatment material 1 comprises a plurality of granular material 10. However, in Figure 1, only one granular material 10 is shown. The waste treatment material 1 is used, for example, when a plurality of granular material 10 are laid in a box-shaped toilet. The particle size of each granular material 10 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Here, the particle size of the granular material 10 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can contain the granular material 10.

[0015] Each granular material 10 is absorbent and processes excrement by absorbing it. That is, each granular material 10 takes in and holds excrement inside. For a granular material 10 to be considered absorbent, the liquid pass-through rate, as measured by the following test, must be less than 60%. First, place 50g of granular material 10 (sample) into a sieve with an inner diameter of 10cm and a mesh opening 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 liquid pass-through rate is calculated as the ratio of the measured amount of water to the amount of water added (30ml). That is, if the amount of water in the beaker is less than 18ml, the liquid pass-through rate is less than 60%, and therefore the granular material 10 can be said to be absorbent.

[0016] Each granular body 10 is preferably made mainly of an organic substance. Here, the main material of the granular body 10 refers to the material with the largest weight ratio in the granular body 10 among one or more materials constituting the granular body 10. Each granular body 10 may consist only of an organic substance or may consist of an organic substance and an inorganic substance.

[0017] Each granular body 10 has a curved cylindrical shape. Here, the curved cylindrical shape refers to a shape obtained by curving a cylinder so that the central axis of the cylinder describes a curve. In this specification, "cylinder" shall include elliptical cylinders. The central axis of the cylinder is a virtual straight line passing through the centers of both bottom surfaces of the cylinder. It is sufficient that at least a part of the central axis C1 of each granular body 10 is a curve. The minimum radius of curvature of the central axis C1 is preferably 2 cm or less, and more preferably 1 cm or less. Here, the minimum radius of curvature is defined as the radius of curvature at the location where the radius of curvature of the central axis C1 is the smallest.

[0018] The granular body 10 has a bottom surface 12 (first bottom surface), a bottom surface 14 (second bottom surface), and a side surface 16. The shapes of the bottom surface 12 and the bottom surface 14 are circular or elliptical. The bottom surface 12 and the bottom surface 14 are in a non-opposing positional relationship. The side surface 16 connects the bottom surface 12 and the bottom surface 14. The side surface 16 is entirely composed of a curved surface.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the longitudinal section of the granular body 10. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the cross section of the granular body 10. The longitudinal section is equal to the cut surface when the granular body 10 is cut by a plane (specific plane) including the entire central axis C1. The cross section is a section perpendicular to the central axis C1. At the location where the central axis C1 is a curve, the cross section perpendicular to the tangent line at that location is the cross section. The tangent line is a straight line within the specific plane. At any location of the central axis C1, the shape of the cross section is circular or elliptical. The central axis C1 extends from the center 12a of the bottom surface 12 to the center 14a of the bottom surface 14 through the centers of each cross section.

[0020] The angle α formed by the straight line L1 and the straight line L2 (see Fig. 4) is preferably 15° or more and 60° or less, and more preferably 30° or more and 45° or less. The straight line L1 passes through the center 12a of the bottom surface 12 and is perpendicular to the bottom surface 12. The straight line L2 passes through the center 14a of the bottom surface 14 and is perpendicular to the bottom surface 14. The straight line L1 and the straight line L2 intersect with each other inside the granular body 10.

[0021] The granular body 10 has a core part 22 and a coating part 24. The core part 22 is granular. Specifically, the core part 22 is also curved and cylindrical like the granular body 10. The core part 22 has a function of absorbing and retaining excrement. The core part 22 contains a water-absorbing material. The core part 22 is mainly made of a water-absorbing material. Here, the main material of the core part 22 refers to the one with the largest weight ratio in the core part 22 among the one or more materials (core materials) constituting the core part 22.

[0022] The core part 22 may consist only of a water-absorbing material or may consist of a water-absorbing material and other materials. The water-absorbing material is preferably an organic substance. Examples of the water-absorbing material that is an organic substance include papers, plants, plastics, or organic sludges. The core part 22 may or may not contain an adhesive material. Examples of the adhesive material include a water-absorbing polymer, starch, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), or dextrin. As the water-absorbing polymer, for example, an acrylic-based water-absorbing polymer such as sodium polyacrylate can be used.

[0023] Paper refers to materials primarily composed of pulp. Examples of paper include, for example, ordinary paper (paper dust), 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 plastics). 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.

[0024] The covering portion 24 covers the core portion 22. The covering portion 24 covers the entire surface of each core portion 22. The covering portion 24 has the function of adhering the granular bodies 10 that have absorbed excrement together to form a solid mass (solidification function) when in use. The covering portion 24 is also mainly made of a water-absorbing material. Here, the main material of the covering portion 24 refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight percentage of the one or more materials (covering materials) that make up the covering portion 24. It is preferable that the water-absorbing material contained in the covering portion 24 is also organic. The covering portion 24 contains an adhesive material.

[0025] Next, as one embodiment of the method for manufacturing the excrement treatment material according to the present invention, an example of a method for manufacturing the excrement treatment material 1 will be described. This manufacturing method includes a granular body formation step.

[0026] The granular body formation process is a process for forming granular bodies 10. The granular body formation process includes a core formation process and a coating process. The core formation process is a process for forming cores 22. In this embodiment, multiple cores 22 are formed. In the core formation process, multiple granules that will become cores 22 are formed by granulating the core material using a granulation device. As the granulation device, for example, an extruder granulator can be used. For example, by using the die 30 shown in Figure 5, a curved cylindrical granule can be formed. The die 30 has a through hole 32. The through hole 32 is obliquely cut cylindrical. Here, obliquely cut cylindrical refers to a shape obtained by cutting one end of a cylinder with an oblique plane (a plane that intersects obliquely with respect to the central axis of the cylinder). As shown in Figure 6, when the core material 22a is extruded from the through hole 32, it curves toward the side of the through hole 32 that is relatively shorter (the left side in the figure). As a result, a curved cylindrical core 22 is obtained simultaneously with granulation. Prior to granulation, the core material undergoes pretreatment such as crushing, kneading, and hydration as needed.

[0027] The coating portion formation process is the process of forming the coating portion 24. In the coating portion formation process, the coating portion 24 is formed by attaching a powdery coating material to the surface of each core portion 22 using a coating device or the like. The coating material can be attached, for example, by scattering or spraying. After that, post-processing such as sieving (separation) and drying is performed as necessary. As a result, an excrement treatment material 1 consisting of a plurality of curved cylindrical granular bodies 10 is obtained.

[0028] The curved cylindrical granules 10 may also be formed by applying an external force to a cylindrical granule after it has been formed, causing it to curve. This external force may be applied before or after the formation of the coating portion 24.

[0029] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. In this embodiment, the granular material 10 is formed in a curved cylindrical shape. In this case, since at least a part of the central axis C1 of the granular material 10 is curved, the granular material 10 is less likely to roll on the floor compared to when the entire central axis C1 is straight. Therefore, a waste disposal material 1 that is less likely to roll on the floor and a method for manufacturing the same have been realized.

[0030] The greater the degree of curvature of the granular material 10, the less likely it is to roll on the floor. From this viewpoint, the minimum radius of curvature of the central axis C1 of the granular material 10 is preferably 2 cm or less, and more preferably 1 cm or less. On the other hand, if the degree of curvature is too great, it may become difficult to form the granular material 10. From this viewpoint, the minimum radius of curvature of the central axis C1 is preferably 5 mm or more.

[0031] The larger the angle α between the straight line L1 and the straight line L2, the less likely the granular material 10 is to roll on the floor. From this viewpoint, α is preferably 15° or more, and more preferably 30° or more. On the other hand, if α is too large, it may become difficult to form the granular material 10. From this viewpoint, α is preferably 60° or less, and more preferably 45° or less.

[0032] The granular material 10 has water-absorbing properties. In this case, by trapping the excrement inside the granular material 10, it is possible to suppress the spread of foul odors generated from the excrement into the surrounding area.

[0033] The granular material 10 has a core portion 22 and a covering portion 24. In this case, the core portion 22 and the covering portion 24 can be assigned different functions. In fact, in this embodiment, the water absorption and water retention function is mainly assigned to the core portion 22, and the clumping function is assigned to the covering portion 24.

[0034] 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. In particular, when the granular material 10 consists solely of organic matter, it is possible to obtain granular material 10 that is even more suitable for incineration.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which each granular body 10 has a multilayer structure (two-layer structure) consisting of a core portion 22 and a coating portion 24. However, providing the coating portion 24 is not essential. That is, each granular body 10 may have a single-layer structure consisting of an uncoated granule (core portion 22). In that case, the coating material and coating process are unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost of the waste treatment material 1 can be reduced.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the case in which each granular material 10 has water absorption properties was illustrated. However, each granular material 10 may also be hydrophobic. For a granular material 10 to be hydrophobic, the liquid permeability measured by the above test must be 60% or more. When such hydrophobic granular material 10 is used, the excrement passes through the gaps between the granular materials 10. In this case, by guiding the excrement downwards in the toilet, it is possible to suppress the leakage of foul odors generated from the excrement from the top of the toilet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Waste disposal material 10 Granules 12 Base (First base) 12a center 14. Base (Second base) 14a center 16 Side view 22 Core 22a Core material 24 Covering part 30 dice 32 Through holes C1 center axis

Claims

1. Equipped with granular material for processing excrement, The excrement treatment material is characterized in that the granular material has a curved cylindrical shape, which is obtained by curving a cylinder so that the central axis of the cylinder forms a curve.

2. In the waste treatment material according to claim 1, The excrement treatment material wherein the minimum radius of curvature of the central axis of the granular material is 2 cm or less.

3. In the waste treatment material according to claim 2, The excrement treatment material has a minimum radius of curvature of 1 cm or less.

4. In the waste treatment material according to claim 1, The first straight line is defined as a straight line passing through the center of the first bottom surface of the granular material and perpendicular to the first bottom surface. When the second straight line is defined as a line passing through the center of the second bottom surface of the granular material and perpendicular to the second bottom surface, An excrement treatment material wherein the angle between the first straight line and the second straight line is 15° or more and 60° or less.

5. In the waste treatment material according to claim 4, An excrement treatment material wherein the angle between the first straight line and the second straight line is 30° or more and 45° or less.

6. In the waste treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is a waste treatment material that has water absorption properties.

7. In the waste treatment material according to claim 6, The granular material is an excrement treatment material having a core and a covering portion that contains an adhesive material and covers the core.

8. In the waste treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is a hydrophobic waste treatment material.

9. In the waste treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is an excrement treatment material consisting of uncoated granules.

10. In the waste treatment material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The granular material is a waste treatment material mainly composed of organic matter.

11. In the waste treatment material according to claim 10, The granular material is a waste treatment material consisting solely of organic matter.

12. The process includes a granular material forming step for forming granular material for processing excrement, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, characterized in that, in the granular body formation step, a curved cylindrical granular body is formed, which is obtained by curving a cylinder such that the central axis of the cylinder forms a curve.

13. In the method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein in the granular body formation step, the granular body is formed such that the minimum radius of curvature of the central axis of the granular body is 2 cm or less.

14. In the method for manufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 13, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein in the granular body formation step, the granular body is formed such that the minimum radius of curvature is 1 cm or less.

15. In the method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 12, The first straight line is defined as a straight line passing through the center of the first bottom surface of the granular material and perpendicular to the first bottom surface. When the second straight line is defined as a line passing through the center of the second bottom surface of the granular material and perpendicular to the second bottom surface, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein in the granular body formation step, the granular body is formed such that the angle between the first straight line and the second straight line is 15° or more and 60° or less.

16. In the method for manufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 15, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein in the granular body formation step, the granular body is formed such that the angle between the first straight line and the second straight line is 30° or more and 45° or less.

17. In a method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 16, The method for producing an excrement treatment material that forms granular bodies having water absorption properties in the granular body formation step.

18. In the method for manufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 17, The method for producing an excrement treatment material includes a step of forming a core and a step of forming a covering portion that contains an adhesive material and covers the core, wherein the granular body forming step is a step of forming a core.

19. In a method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 16, The method for producing a waste treatment material that forms hydrophobic granules in the granular body formation step.

20. In a method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 16, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein the granular body formation step involves forming the granular body consisting of uncoated granules.

21. In a method for producing an excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 12 to 16, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein the granular body formation step involves forming the granular body, the granular body being mainly composed of organic matter.

22. In the method for producing an excrement treatment material according to claim 21, A method for producing an excrement treatment material, wherein the granular body formation step involves forming granular bodies consisting solely of organic matter.

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