Moss-growing resin

Abstract

To provide a moss-growing resin that allows moss to be grown on its surface and disintegrates over an extended period, and a resin product using the moss-growing resin.SOLUTION: A moss-growing resin comprises Okara (bean curd lees) having an average particle diameter of 5 mm or less and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the mass of the Okara is 10% or more and 60% or less relative to the mass of the moss-growing resin. In one example, the pH of the okara is 4.0 or more and 6.5 or less. A resin product using the moss-growing resin allows moss growth and observation of time-dependent changes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moss-growing resin on which moss can grow on the surface of a resin.

Background Art

[0002] When moss grows, there are various advantages. For example, it brings a unique appearance and natural beauty, maintains humidity, becomes a habitat for insects and small organisms, absorbs carbon dioxide to improve air quality, protects the soil from wind and rain, and is utilized as part of a garden or landscape design. Conventionally, to grow moss, a sheet or net was laid at the place where moss was to be grown. When the sheet or net was made of resin rather than natural fiber or the like, moss did not grow on the surface of the resin, and the sheet or net for growing moss was not decomposed in nature and remained in its original shape.

[0003] Prior art document 1 discloses a cured body for growing moss that includes fine aggregate and a resin binder and has recesses on the surface. Since the porous recesses hold soil and moisture and moss grows there, moss does not grow on the fine aggregate or the resin binder, and the resin contained in the cured body for growing moss is not decomposed in nature and remains in its original shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a moss-growing resin on which moss grows on the surface of the resin and disintegrates after a long time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The moss-growing resin is a moss-growing resin containing okara with an average particle size of 5 mm or less and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the mass of the okara is 10% or more and 60% or less based on the mass of the moss-growing resin.

[0007] The method for producing the moss-growing resin includes an adjusted okara production step and a kneading step of heating and kneading the adjusted okara and the thermoplastic resin. The adjusted okara production step includes a pulverization step of making the average particle size of the raw okara 5 mm or less and a drying step of drying the raw okara at a surface temperature of 260°C or less to a moisture content of 0.1% or more and 20% or less.

[0008] The moss-growing method for growing moss on the moss-growing resin is to bring at least a part of the moss-growing resin into contact with the soil, and water is supplied to the moss-growing resin or the soil with which the moss-growing resin is in contact.

[0009] In the moss-growing method, moss or moss seeds may be planted in the moss-growing resin or the soil with which the moss-growing resin is in contact.

[0010] With the resin product using the moss-growing resin, moss can be grown on the surface of the resin product to observe the change over time.

[0011] With the model using the moss-growing resin, moss can be grown on the surface of the model to observe the change over time.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] The moss-growing resin of the present invention can grow moss on the surface of the moss-growing resin. The moss grown on the surface decomposes the okara contained in the moss-growing resin, so that the moss-growing resin will disintegrate over a long period of time and has a low environmental impact.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples of the following embodiments.

[0015] The moss-growing resin of the present invention contains okara with an average particle size of 5 mm or less and a pH of 4.0 or more and 8.0 or less, and a thermoplastic resin. The mass of the okara is 10% or more and 60% or less based on the mass of the moss-growing resin. The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited. As an example, it is at least one of a biodegradable resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. and There is.

[0016] The type of okara is not particularly limited. As an example, it is biomass produced by food manufacturing companies and the like when manufacturing foods such as tofu. The okara contained in the moss-growing resin has an average particle size of 5 mm or less. If the average particle size of the okara exceeds 5 mm, the okara may fall off from the moss-growing resin. The mass of the okara contained in the moss-growing resin is 10% or more and 60% or less based on the mass of the moss-growing resin, and preferably 10% or more and 40% or less. When the mass of the okara is less than 10%, it becomes difficult for moss to grow on the surface of the moss-growing resin. When the mass of the okara exceeds 60%, the strength of the moss-growing resin decreases, and it becomes difficult to use it as a raw material for resin products and the like. As an example, the pH of the okara contained in the moss-growing resin is 4.0 or more and 6.5 or less. This is because moss grows using okara as a nutrient, and when the pH is outside the above range, it becomes difficult to grow moss.

[0017] The moss-growing resin of the present invention can have other raw materials added thereto as long as the effects of the present invention are not inhibited. The other raw materials are selected and added, for example, from among plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, lubricants, release agents, antistatic agents, fillers, colorants, foaming agents, flame retardants, cellulose nanofibers, etc., one or more kinds.

[0018] Next, a method for manufacturing the moss-growing resin will be described.

[0019] The method for manufacturing the moss-growing resin of the present invention includes a step of manufacturing adjusted okara and a kneading step of heating and kneading the adjusted okara and a thermoplastic resin. The adjusted okara manufacturing step includes a pulverizing step of reducing the average particle size of raw okara, which is a raw material for the moss-growing resin, to 5 mm or less, and a drying step of drying the raw okara, which is a raw material for the moss-growing resin, at a surface temperature of 260°C or less so that the moisture content is 0.1% or more and 20% or less.

[0020] The adjusted okara manufacturing step is a step of making the raw okara easy to knead with the thermoplastic resin and adjusting it to a state suitable for the moss-growing resin, and includes a pulverizing step and a drying step. The raw okara is biomass produced when a food manufacturing company or the like manufactures foods such as tofu, and it is not necessary to use okara that has been processed for human consumption.

[0021] The pulverizing step is a step of pulverizing the average particle size of the raw okara to 5 mm or less. Since okara produced as biomass may contain impurities such as soybean skins, the average particle size is made 5 mm or less so as to be suitable for heating and mixing with the thermoplastic resin. For example, when there are large particles with a particle size exceeding 10 mm mixed in the adjusted okara, there is a risk that the large particles will fall off from the resin when the moss-growing resin is manufactured. The pulverizing method is not particularly limited, and a general method may be used. As an example, after pulverization, it is sieved to make it below the desired particle size.

[0022] The drying process is a process for drying raw okara. Since okara produced as biomass may contain a large amount of moisture, the moisture content is adjusted to 0.1% or more and 20% or less so as to be suitable for heating and mixing with a thermoplastic resin. The drying method is not particularly limited, and a general method may be used. As an example, a hot air drying method can be used. During drying, the surface temperature of the raw okara is set to 260°C or lower. If the raw okara is dried with its surface temperature exceeding 260°C, the components of the raw okara will be denatured due to burning, etc., and when cultivating resin is manufactured, there is a risk that it will be difficult to cultivate moss. The lower limit of the temperature of the hot air is not particularly limited, and as an example, it is about 80°C. By performing the drying process after the pulverization process, the drying efficiency can be increased.

[0023] The adjusted okara manufacturing process may include, as an example, a pH adjustment process for adjusting the pH of the raw okara to 4.0 or more and 6.5 or less. The pH adjustment process is a process for adjusting the pH of the raw okara to 4.0 or more and 6.5 or less. Okara produced as biomass may have its pH become too low due to oxidation or become too high due to the mixing of alkaline substances, etc. If the raw okara is used in cultivating resin with a pH less than 4.0, there is a risk that it will be difficult to cultivate moss. Also, if it is used in cultivating resin with a pH exceeding 6.5, it will also be difficult to cultivate moss. The method for adjusting the pH is not particularly limited, and a general method may be used. As an example, methods such as adding acids such as citric acid and malic acid or adding alkalis such as sodium bicarbonate and ammonia can be used.

[0024] When adding other raw materials such as plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, lubricants, release agents, antistatic agents, fillers, colorants, foaming agents, flame retardants, etc., as an example, they are kneaded together when kneading the adjusted okara and the thermoplastic resin. Since all the raw materials can be put into a kneading extruder at once and kneaded, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0025] The kneading step is a step of heating and kneading adjusted okara and a thermoplastic resin. The adjusted okara is mixed with the thermoplastic resin so as to be 10% or more and 60% or less with respect to the mass of the moss-growing resin, and then heated and kneaded. As for the method of heating and kneading, general machines and methods may be used. As an example, a Henschel mixer, a Banbury mixer, a single-screw extruder, a multi-screw extruder, a conical kneader, etc. are used. As for the conditions of heating and kneading, general conditions may be used, and a temperature and a rotation speed suitable for the thermoplastic resin are used.

[0026] Next, a moss-growing method using the moss-growing resin of the present invention will be described.

[0027] At least a part of the moss-growing resin of the present invention is brought into contact with the soil, and water is supplied to the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin, whereby moss is grown on the moss-growing resin.

[0028] The soil in contact with the moss-growing resin is not particularly limited as long as it is soil on which moss can grow. As an example, soil in the vicinity where moss is growing, soil for plant cultivation, etc. are used.

[0029] As an example, by planting moss or moss seeds in the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin, the growth of moss can be promoted. The method of planting moss or moss seeds is not particularly limited, and methods such as placing moss or moss seeds on the moss-growing resin or the soil are used.

[0030] The method of supplying water to the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin and the amount of water supplied are not particularly limited, and it may be in a state suitable for the growth of moss.

[0031] The shape of the moss-growing resin is not particularly limited, and it is made into a desired shape according to the place where moss is to be grown. As an example, it is at least one of pellet shape, plate shape, rod shape, net shape, cylindrical shape, box shape, or block shape.

[0032] The method of bringing the moss-growing resin into contact with the soil is not particularly limited and is selected according to the place where moss is to be grown. As an example, in the case of pellets, they are scattered on the surface of the soil, and in the case of plates, rods, or nets, they are placed on the surface of the soil, so that moss can be grown on the surface of the soil and on the surface of the moss-growing resin placed on the soil. When moss grows in a natural environment, it brings richness to the forest floor and rock surfaces, complementing the natural landscape.

[0033] In the case of a cylindrical shape, as an example, by embedding it in the soil with the central axis of the cylinder in a substantially vertical direction, moss can be grown on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface protruding from the soil of the moss-growing resin.

[0034] In the case of a box shape, as an example, by putting soil inside the box-shaped body, moss can be grown on the outer surface of the box-shaped body. As an example of the box-shaped body, it is a flowerpot or a plant-growing pot, with soil put inside and plants cultivated. By watering the plants, moss grows on the outer surface of the flowerpot or plant-growing pot for moss-growing resin, resulting in a special appearance (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0035] In the case of a block shape, as an example, by placing it on the ground or partially burying it, moss can be grown on the outer surface of the block-shaped body. By making the shape of the block into a desired shape, three-dimensional objects of various shapes with moss grown on the surface can be created.

[0036] Next, resin products using the moss-growing resin of the present invention will be described.

[0037] Since moss can grow on the surface of the resin product using the moss-growing resin, the surface of the resin product is covered with moss, having a natural and special appearance, and the change over time in the growth range of moss can be observed.

[0038] The resin products using the moss-growing resin are not particularly limited as long as it is desired that the surface of the resin product be covered with moss. As an example, there are stone floors, garden stones, wooden ornaments, flower pots, planters, garden sculptures, lanterns, garden lights, roofs, walls, doors, fences, bird baths, aquariums, terrariums, etc. By growing moss on these, a special atmosphere can be created.

[0039] The moss-growing resin of the present invention can be used as a resin model on the surface of which moss can grow and the change over time can be observed. The model is not particularly limited and is not particularly limited as long as it can create a unique atmosphere due to the growth of moss. As an example, dioramas can be made of the world views of buildings such as castles and shrines and temples, and animations and novels in which moss appears.

[0040] The moss-growing resin of the present invention can be used for resin products that are difficult to recover and are left in nature. Moss and the like that grow on the surface of the moss-growing resin of the present invention decompose the okara contained in the moss-growing resin, so the moss-growing resin will disintegrate after a long time and will not remain in its original shape. As an example, there are toy gun balls and bullets such as model guns used in survival games.

[0041] Next, examples will be given to explain the present invention, but the present invention is not restricted by these examples at all.

[0042] A container using the moss-growing resin of the present invention was made. First, in order to make the average particle size of the raw okara with a pH of about 5.5 less than 5 mm, it was finely pulverized. Next, hot air of about 280°C to 300°C was generated and the surface temperature of the finely pulverized okara was heated to about 80°C to 130°C to dry the moisture content to about 8% to obtain adjusted okara. The adjusted okara and polypropylene were mixed so that the mass ratio was 30:70, and then kneaded using a heating and kneading extruder, made into pellets, and then molded into a cup-shaped container. A photograph of the molded container is shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] A commercially available cyclamen seedling was planted in the above container. The soil used was gardening soil purchased at a home center. Thereafter, water was given in the same way as in the general method of growing cyclamen. A photograph taken about 4 months after planting the cyclamen is shown in Fig. 2.

[0044] From around about 16 months after planting the cyclamen, moss began to grow on the surface of the soil in the container and under the container. A photograph taken about 18 months after planting the cyclamen is shown in Fig. 3.

[0045] Thereafter, when water was continuously given, the growth area of the moss continued to expand. A photograph taken about 36 months after planting the cyclamen is shown in Fig. 3.

[0046] As described above, the moss-growing resin of the present invention was able to grow moss on the surface.

Claims

1. A moss-growing resin containing okara with an average particle size of 5 mm or less and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin is at least one of a biodegradable resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene, and the mass of the okara is 10% or more and 60% or less based on the mass of the moss-growing resin. Moss-growing resin.

2. The pH of the okara is 4.0 or more and 6.5 or less. The moss-growing resin according to Claim 1.

3. A method for producing the moss-growing resin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, including an adjusted okara production process and a kneading process of heating and kneading the adjusted okara and the thermoplastic resin, wherein the adjusted okara production process includes a pulverization process of making the average particle size of the raw okara 5 mm or less and a drying process of drying the raw okara at a surface temperature of 260°C or less to a moisture content of 0.1% or more and 20% or less. A method for producing a moss-growing resin.

4. Bringing at least a part of the moss-growing resin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 into contact with soil, and watering the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin, to grow moss on the moss-growing resin. A moss-growing method.

5. Bringing at least a part of the moss-growing resin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 into contact with soil, planting moss or moss seeds in the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin, and watering the moss-growing resin or the soil in contact with the moss-growing resin, to grow moss on the moss-growing resin. A moss-growing method.

6. A resin product using the moss-growing resin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein moss can be grown on the surface of the resin product to observe changes over time.

7. A model using the moss-growing resin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein moss can be grown on the surface of the model to observe changes over time.

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