Excrement treatment material and excrement deodorizing method using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides an excrement treatment material and an excrement deodorization method that excel in comprehensive deodorization, by providing an excrement treatment material that is characterized by including a fibrous component obtained by using microwaves to heat a woody portion and / or leaves of a tree under reduced pressure and dessicating at least a portion of the same, and an excrement deodorization method that is characterized by said excrement treatment material being brought into contact with excrement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an excrement treatment material, and more particularly to an excrement treatment material used to treat excrement from pets, particularly cats and dogs, and a method for deodorizing excrement using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Various pet waste disposal materials have been proposed to make it easy to dispose of pet waste. Known pet toilets for disposing of pet waste such as cats and dogs have a toilet body that is divided into upper and lower sections by a porous member called a drainboard, with waste disposal material laid in the upper section (upper part) and urine absorption material made of, for example, water-absorbent resin, vegetable fiber, pulp, etc. laid in the lower section (lower part) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2: these are called system toilets).

[0003] In these pet toilets, the waste treatment material laid in the upper layer quickly passes the urine excreted by pets, allowing the passed urine to fall into the lower layer through the liquid-permeable holes in the toilet tray, where it is actively absorbed by urine absorbing materials such as urine absorbing mats placed in the lower layer (this is called water-repellent waste treatment material).

[0004] These water-repellent excrement treatment materials are disclosed as using pulp, wood chips, etc. as a base material, and are made water-repellent by blending synthetic resins or waxes or by applying a water-repellent coating to the surface.

[0005] Furthermore, excrement treatment materials made from soybean pulp, zeolite, bentonite, or pulp are laid over trays where animals excrete, allowing the excrement to be absorbed. The absorbed materials are then bonded together to form a solid mass, allowing the material to be removed as a single mass, making it convenient and hygienic. Furthermore, from the perspective of convenience, if the absorbed excrement treatment material could be disposed of in the same way as normal excrement, a treatment material that can be flushed down a flush toilet has also been proposed (this is called a water-absorbing excrement treatment material). Patent Document 5 discloses wood pellets that are made by uniformly mixing ground coniferous wood and ground coniferous leaves and molding them to self-disintegrate upon absorbing water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-84909 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180182 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-158253 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-17096 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-252783 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, all types of excrement treatment materials have a low deodorizing function for excrement such as urine and feces, and also a low antibacterial function for preventing the generation of bad odors caused by the proliferation of various bacteria present in urine, feces, etc., and therefore have a low overall deodorizing effect.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an excrement treating material that has excellent comprehensive deodorizing properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of extensive research into excrement treatment materials with excellent comprehensive deodorizing properties, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by excrement treatment materials containing fibrous components obtained by heating the wood and / or leaves of trees with microwaves under reduced pressure and drying at least a portion of them, which led to the present invention.

[0010] That is, the present invention is an excrement treatment material characterized by containing a fibrous component obtained by heating the wood and / or leaves of a tree with microwaves under reduced pressure and drying at least a portion of the wood and / or leaves.

[0011] The present invention also provides a water-repellent excrement treating material, which comprises the excrement treating material described above and a synthetic resin and / or wax.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a water-absorbing excrement treating material, which comprises the excrement treating material described above and a binder.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for deodorizing excrement, which comprises contacting the excrement treating material with the excrement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, an excrement treating material having excellent comprehensive deodorizing properties can be realized. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The trees used in the excrement treatment material of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the treatment material of the present invention") to obtain the fibrous component obtained by heating the wood and / or leaves of the tree with microwaves under reduced pressure to remove at least a portion of the essential oils and water are not particularly limited, but examples include, but are not limited to, genus Chamaecyparis of the Cupressaceae family, genus Arborvitae of the Cupressaceae family, genus Juniperus of the Cupressaceae family, genus Cedar of the Cupressaceae family, genus Abies of the Pinaceae family, genus Cedar of the Pinaceae family, genus Picea of ​​the Pinaceae family, genus Picea of ​​the Pinaceae family, genus Larix of the Pinaceae family, genus Tsuga of the Pinaceae family, genus Eucalyptus of the Myrtaceae family, genus Sciadopitys of the Vermilionaceae family, genus Kaya of the Taxaceae family, and genus Thujopsis of the Cupressaceae family.

[0016] Examples of trees in the Cupressaceae family, including cypress, Taiwan cypress, Japanese cypress, Lawson cypress, banyan cypress, sawara, peacock cypress, Scutellaria orbicularis, Suillus thunbergii, Scutellaria sieboldii, Scutellaria barbata, Scutellaria chinensis, Scutellaria chinensis, and Himurosugi, etc. Examples of trees in the Cupressaceae family, including Thuja occidentalis and Juniperus edulis. Examples of trees in the Cupressaceae family, including Juniperus sieboldii, Juniperus japonicus, Juniperus pentaphylla, and Okinawan juniper. Examples of trees in the Cupressaceae family, including Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese cedar, Japanese red cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese twisted cedar, Scutellaria japonica, Japanese red cedar, and Midorisugi, etc.

[0017] Examples of trees in the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae include Abies sachalinensis, fir, Abies salicina, Abies mariesii, Abies veitchii, Abies veitchii, balsam fir, Mitsumine fir, white fir, Amabilis fir, Abies sachalinensis, California red fir, grand fir, noble fir, etc. Examples of trees in the genus Picea of ​​the family Pinaceae include Picea glehnii and Picea abies. Examples of trees in the genus Pinus of the family Pinaceae include Pinus densiflora, Pinus grandis, Pinus strobus, Pinus pumila, etc. Examples of trees in the genus Larix of the family Pinaceae include Japanese larch, etc. Examples of trees in the genus Tsuga of the family Pinaceae include Tsuga, etc.

[0018] Examples of trees of the genus Eucalyptus in the family Myrtaceae include eucalyptus, silverleaf eucalyptus, camaldolensis, and lemon eucalyptus.

[0019] Examples of trees of the genus Sciadopitys in the family Sciadopitys include Sciadopitys umbellata.

[0020] Examples of trees of the genus Torreya of the family Taxaceae include Torreya.

[0021] Examples of trees of the genus Thujopsis of the Cupressaceae family include hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata), hinoki thujopsis, and narrow-leaved thujopsis.

[0022] Among the above-mentioned trees, the genus Chamaecyparis of Cupressaceae, the genus Cedrus of Cupressaceae, the genus Abies japonica of Cupressaceae, the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae, the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae, the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae, and the genus Thujopsis of Cupressaceae are preferred, and since they are widely distributed in Japan and are easy to obtain, the cypresses of the genus Chamaecyparis of Cupressaceae, such as Taiwan cypress, Japanese thuja, Japanese cedar of the genus Cedrus of Cupressaceae, Abies sachalinensis and fir of the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae, eucalyptus of the genus Eucalyptus of Myrtaceae, Sciadopitys serrata of the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae, and Thujopsis japonica of the genus Thujopsis of Cupressaceae are more preferred, and Abies sachalinensis and fir of the genus Abies japonica of Pinaceae are particularly preferred. A combination of multiple species of these trees may also be used.

[0023] The method of drying at least a portion of the wood and / or leaves of the above-mentioned trees, preferably the wood and leaves, by heating them with microwaves under reduced pressure is called vacuum drying. This vacuum drying method utilizes the property of microwaves to directly heat water molecules, thereby removing the moisture and essential oils originally contained in the material.

[0024] This reduced pressure drying method can be carried out using, for example, a microwave distillation apparatus described in International Publication WO2010 / 098440. In this reduced pressure drying method, the pressure inside the distillation tank is set to 10 to 95 kPa, preferably 20 to 80 kPa, and particularly preferably 30 to 60 kPa. In this case, the vapor temperature will be 40 to 100°C.

[0025] After the wood and / or leaves of the tree are heated by microwaves under reduced pressure to remove at least a portion of the essential oils and moisture using the reduced pressure drying method, it is preferable to carry out a drying step to remove moisture at normal pressure. The drying temperature and drying time are not particularly limited, but may be carried out, for example, at 50 to 80°C for about 1 to 5 hours. The remaining essential oil components are 0.01 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass. The remaining moisture is 1% by mass or less.

[0026] The fibrous component obtained in this way is solid and exhibits excellent deodorizing and antibacterial effects. Although much remains unknown about the reason why the fibrous component exhibits deodorizing and antibacterial effects, it is currently presumed that, in view of the structure of wood in which cellulose is fixed by lignin and essential oils, sites capable of adsorbing malodors are generated in the lignin structure or cellulose structure after a portion of the essential oils is removed.

[0027] Furthermore, although the moisture has been almost entirely removed from this fibrous component, the essential oil components have not been completely removed; rather, some of the essential oil components contained in the wood and / or leaves of the tree have been removed, with some of the essential oil components remaining in the fibrous component.

[0028] The essential oil remaining in the fiber components is preferably low-volatile and / or non-volatile. This is because the lower the volatility, the longer the essential oil's functions (e.g., deodorizing and / or fragrance functions) are exhibited. Furthermore, it is preferable that the essential oil components contain components with relatively large molecular weights. This is because the higher the molecular weight, the less likely it is to volatilize. When essential oils are extracted from the wood of trees, etc., essential oils with smaller molecular weights and / or greater volatility are preferentially extracted, so that essential oils with lower volatility and / or larger molecular weights tend to remain in the material. It is preferable that the essential oil components remaining in the material contain less monoterpenes and more sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, or tetraterpenes. A high proportion of terpenes with large molecular weights, such as sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, allows for long-term deodorizing and / or fragrance effects, as well as deodorizing effects against various malodors caused by acidic, alkaline, and neutral malodorous substances. Examples of the malodorous substances include ammonia, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, methyl sulfide, methyl disulfide, trimethylamine, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, normal butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, normal valeraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, isobutanol, ethyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, styrene, xylene, propionic acid, normal butyric acid, normal valeric acid, and isovaleric acid.

[0029] Since the deodorizing properties of the fiber component last for a long period of time, it is preferable that the fiber component contains a low-volatility essential oil and / or a non-volatile essential oil, and it is preferable that the fiber component contains an essential oil with a large molecular weight.

[0030] The fibrous component preferably contains essential oils such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, such as α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, tricyclene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, bornyl acetate, δ-3-carene, terpinolene, and limonene.

[0031] Examples of sesquiterpenes include β-caryophyllene and sabinene.

[0032] It is preferable that the essential oil remaining in the fibrous component contains a small amount of monoterpenes and a large amount of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and / or tetraterpenes. If the proportion of terpenes with large molecular weights, such as sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, is high, the fibrous component can maintain excellent deodorizing properties for a long period of time.

[0033] Furthermore, by subjecting the fibrous components to the above-mentioned drying treatment, the essential oil components contained inside the fibrous components in the state of raw leaves or raw wood are exuded to the surface of the fibrous components, and the deodorizing and antibacterial effects of the remaining components are exhibited to a greater extent than in the state of raw leaves or raw wood.

[0034] The amount of fibrous components in the treatment material of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is 0.01 to 50% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 40% by mass.

[0035] The treatment material of the present invention may contain only the above-mentioned fibrous component, but it is preferable to contain it in combination with a substrate.

[0036] Examples of substrates that can be used in the treatment material of the present invention include paper (pulp), plastic, clay minerals such as bentonite, water glass, activated clay, activated carbon, silica gel, hydrotalcite, titanium oxide, starch, soybean pulp, cornstarch, green tea leaves, coffee bean husks, ground pulp, paper sand, wood chips, etc. These substrates can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] The treatment material of the present invention contains the above-mentioned fibrous component and the above-mentioned substrate, and further contains synthetic resins, waxes, binders, etc. to form various types of waste treatment materials. If necessary, these can be combined with other optional ingredients such as inorganic materials, deodorizers, fungicides, antibacterial agents, and fragrances to form various types of waste treatment materials. The inclusion of synthetic resins, waxes, binders, etc. to form various types of waste treatment materials improves the durability of the pellets of the treatment material of the present invention and makes it less likely for the container to retain the odor of urine. Furthermore, the inclusion of inorganic materials, among the optional ingredients, increases the specific gravity, thereby preventing the treatment material of the present invention from scattering when pets throw sand in it.

[0038] Examples of inorganic materials include zeolite, diatomaceous earth, silica gel, talc, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium carbonate, aluminum sulfate, copper sulfate, silver nitrate, feldspar, and tectosilicic acid. These inorganic materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, calcium carbonate is preferred from the viewpoints of its high specific gravity, improved pellet durability, and cost. The amount of inorganic material in the treatment material of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is 1 to 50% by mass, preferably 5 to 45% by mass.

[0039] Examples of deodorizing agents include activated carbon, binchotan charcoal, synthetic aluminosilicates such as synthetic zinc aluminosilicate, vermiculite, perlite, silica gel, wood vinegar, bamboo vinegar, roasted coffee bean extraction residue, used tea leaves, zeolite, bentonite, catechins, chalcones, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, flavanonols, flavanols, isoflavones, anthocyanins, and reburned sintered ash. These deodorizing agents can be used alone or in combination. Among these, synthetic aluminosilicates are preferred, and synthetic zinc aluminosilicate is more preferred. The amount of deodorizing agent in the treatment material of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is 0.01 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass.

[0040] Examples of the antifungal agent include phenolic compounds such as isopropylmethylphenol, thiazoline compounds such as isothiazolone, imidazole compounds, organic nitrogen compounds, etc. These antifungal agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] Examples of antibacterial agents include table salt, sorbic acid or its salts, didecylmethylammonium, chloroacetamide, benzalkonium chloride, polyphenols, calcium propionate, sodium hypochlorite, benzoic acid or its salts, silver, copper, etc. These antibacterial agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0042] Examples of fragrances include l-carvone, p-cresol, p-methylacetophenone, α-pinene, β-naphthyl methyl ether, γ-undecalactone, acetylcedrene, anethole, allyl amyl glycolate, methyl anthranilate, ambroxan, ionone, isobutylquinoline, undecyl aldehyde, undecylenic aldehyde, eugenol, octyl aldehyde, orange, galaxolide, caranal, calone, and camphor, which are particularly effective against pet odors. , Coumarin, Cumin Oil, Grapefruit, Geraniol, Geranyl Nitrile, Isobornyl Acetate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate, Styrallyl Acetate, Cedryl Acetate, Terpinyl Acetate, Benzyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Amyl Salicylate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate, Sandalmysolk, Cis-3-Hexenol, Cis-Jasmone, Citral, Citronellal, Citronellol, Cineole, Methyl Dihydrojasmonate, Dihydromyrcenol, Diphenyl Oxide, Cinnamic Alcohol, Cedarwood, Geranium, Terpineol, Dinascone, Damascone, Damascenone, Thymol, Dimetol, Decyl Aldehyde, Dodecyl Aldehyde, Triplal, Nonyl Aldehyde, Bacdanol, Basil, Patchouli, Vanillin, Habanolide, Phenylethyl Alcohol, Fructose, Phloropal, Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde, Peppermint, Heliotropin, Helional, Bergamot, Benzyl Alcohol Examples of fragrances include chol, benzaldehyde, poalenate, maltol, mandarin, mucenone, methyl ionone, methyl nonylacetaldehyde, methyl phenyl acetate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, menthol, eucalyptol, lime, lauryl aldehyde, ethyl butyrate, raspberry ketone, lavandin, labdanum, lavender, linalool, linalool oxide, limonene, lyral, lilial, lemon, rose oxide, rosemary, etc. These fragrances can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0043] The shape of the treatment material of the present invention may be any of the shapes of conventionally known excrement treatment materials, such as granules, pellets, etc. The size is also not particularly limited, but for example, in the case of a pellet shape, the length is 1 to 20 mm, preferably 5 to 15 mm, and the diameter is 1 to 10 mm, preferably 3 to 7 mm.

[0044] The treating material of the present invention can be produced using the above components by any of the various types of conventionally known methods for producing excrement treating materials.

[0045] Specifically, when the treatment material of the present invention is to be a water-repellent excrement treatment material, the excrement treatment material may contain the above-mentioned excrement treatment material and synthetic resin and / or wax for repelling liquids during use.

[0046] Examples of synthetic resins include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, and vinyl resins. Polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferred because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to process. These synthetic resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0047] The wax may be, for example, a natural wax or a synthetic resin wax, and these waxes may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0048] Examples of natural waxes include petroleum-derived waxes, mineral waxes, vegetable waxes, and animal waxes. Examples of petroleum-derived waxes include paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax. Examples of mineral waxes include montan wax. Examples of vegetable waxes include carnauba wax and Japan wax, and examples of animal waxes include beeswax (beeswax). Examples of synthetic resin waxes include polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax.

[0049] In addition to the synthetic resins and / or waxes, the treatment material of the present invention may contain adhesives such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and polymeric compounds such as starches. Specific examples of starches include potato starch, corn starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch, sweet potato starch, waxy starch, and rice starch. Polymeric compounds that may be included include binders such as sodium alginate, pullulan, gelatin, dextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium polyacrylate.

[0050] In the case of a water-repellent excrement treatment material, it is preferable to use wood chips (sawdust) as the substrate. Although there are no particular restrictions on the trees that can be used, it is preferable to use sawdust from conifers, particularly from the cedar, pine, or cypress families, from the viewpoints of moldability and deodorizing properties.

[0051] When the treatment material of the present invention is intended to be a water-repellent excrement treatment material, the contents of the above-mentioned base material, fibrous component, synthetic resin and / or wax are not particularly limited, but for example, the base material is 60% by mass to 99% by mass, preferably 85% by mass to 97% by mass, the fibrous component is 0.1% by mass to 30% by mass, preferably 0.5% by mass to 15% by mass, and the synthetic resin and / or wax is 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass, preferably 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass.

[0052] The water-repellent excrement treatment material can be produced by a conventionally known method, such as molding a mixture of the above components into a predetermined shape using an extruder (see, for example, JP 2017-79622 A and JP 2013-153678 A).

[0053] The water-repellent excrement treatment material produced in this way is effective for so-called system toilets that allow urine to pass through.

[0054] Specifically, when the treatment material of the present invention is to be a water-absorbing type excrement treatment material, it is sufficient to include a binder to adhere the excrement treatment material and the water-absorbing treatment material that has absorbed liquid during use together to form a mass.

[0055] Examples of binders include starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium alginate, wheat flour, corn starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), pullulan, casein, gelatin, guar gum, saponified copolymers of vinyl esters and ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof, graft polymers of starch and acrylic acid, crosslinked polyacrylic acids such as sodium polyacrylate, copolymers of vinyl alcohol and acrylic acid, partial hydrolysates of polyacrylonitrile, crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose, salts of chitosan, and high molecular weight absorbent polymers such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). These binders can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0056] In the case of a water-absorbing excrement treatment material, it is preferable to use soybean lees and wood chips (sawdust) as the base material. Soybean lees are generated when soybeans are processed into tofu. While there are no particular restrictions on the trees used, it is preferable to use coniferous sawdust, particularly from the cedar, pine, or cypress families, from the viewpoint of moldability and deodorizing properties.

[0057] When the treatment material of the present invention is an absorbent excrement treatment material, the contents of the base material, fibrous component, and binder are not particularly limited, but for example, the base material is 40% by mass to 90% by mass, preferably 50% by mass to 70% by mass, the fibrous component is 0.1% by mass to 30% by mass, preferably 0.5% by mass to 10% by mass, and the binder is 0.1% by mass to 40% by mass, preferably 10% by mass to 30% by mass.

[0058] The water-absorbing type excrement treating material can be produced by a conventionally known method, but can also be produced by molding into a predetermined shape using an extruder, similar to the water-repellent type.

[0059] The water-absorbing excrement treatment material produced in this manner is of a type that absorbs water, disintegrates, etc., and hardens, and can be disposed of as is or flushed down the toilet.

[0060] The excrement treatment material of the present invention as described above can deodorize excrement by contacting the excrement, and is particularly effective in deodorizing cat excrement.

[0061] The excrement treating material of the present invention can enhance the deodorizing effect when used in part with a commercially available excrement treating material of the same type. [Example]

[0062] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way.

[0063] Manufacturing Example 1 Manufacturing of fiber ingredients: 90 kg of Abies sachalinensis branches with leaves attached were crushed to approximately 10-20 mm using a crushing crusher (KYB Corporation) and then placed in the distillation tank of a microwave distillation apparatus (described in International Publication WO2010 / 098440). The pressure inside the distillation tank was then maintained at a reduced pressure of approximately 15 kPa, and microwave irradiation was performed for approximately 1 hour. The generated vapor (oil and water) was removed from the distillation tank by a vacuum pump, and the treated Abies sachalinensis product was obtained as the residue.

[0064] The resulting treated fir was dried with stirring in a low-temperature dryer (Yokoyama Engineering Co., Ltd.) at 60 to 70°C for 2.5 to 3 hours, and then classified using a rotary sieve classifier (16 mesh, sieve opening 1.0 mm) to obtain a coarse powder.

[0065] The obtained coarse powder was put into a jet mill (a supersonic jet mill manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Mfg. Co., Ltd.) and pulverized for about 4 hours (about 81 kg) to obtain a fibrous component with an average particle size of 8 μm (maximum particle size less than 100 μm). This fibrous component was used in the following examples.

[0066] Example 1 Water-repellent waste disposal material: The ingredients were blended in the amounts shown in Table 1 below and mixed until uniform. After blending, water was added in an amount equivalent to approximately 5% by mass of the total amount of the resulting mixture (100% by mass), and further mixed. The resulting mixture was extruded through a die with an opening of 5 mm diameter and a plate thickness of 18 mm using a disk-type extrusion device, Disc Pelleter F-5 model (power: 200V 3.7kW 4P, shaft rotation speed 120 rpm), manufactured by Dalton Co., Ltd., to obtain water-repellent excrement treatment material (Invention Product 1) in the form of cylindrical pellets with a diameter of 3 to 7 mm and a length of 5 to 20 mm.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] When water was sprayed onto the water-repellent excrement treatment material of invention product 1, it repelled water but did not crumble.

[0069] Test Example 1 Deodorization test: The above-obtained invention product 1 and comparative product 1 were subjected to a deodorizing test according to the following procedure.

[0070] <Ammonia test method> 200 mL of each product of the present invention was placed in a 500 mL cup (volume), and 150 mL of 0.35% ammonia water was added. The mixture was then immediately filtered and placed in a 10-liter air bag with a stopcock, which was then sealed. After leaving the mixture to stand for 30 minutes, the stopcock of the air bag was opened and the odor intensity and pleasantness / unpleasantness were evaluated by direct sniffing according to a six-point odor intensity rating system and a nine-point pleasantness / unpleasantness rating system. Ten evaluators evaluated the sensory deodorizing effect of each test piece. The arithmetic mean of the evaluations of the test pieces was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0071] (Odor evaluation) 0···It was odorless. 1...It was a smell that I could finally detect. 2. It was a smell that I could tell what it was. 3. It was an easily detectable smell. 4. It had a strong smell. 5. It had a strong smell. (pleasantness / unpleasantness) -4: Extremely uncomfortable -3: Very uncomfortable -2: Unpleasant -1: Slightly uncomfortable 0: Neither pleasant nor unpleasant +1: Somewhat comfortable +2: pleasure +3: Very comfortable +4: Extremely comfortable

[0072] <Hydrogen sulfide test method> A 500 ml cup containing 200 ml of each product of the present invention was placed in a 10-liter air bag with a cock, which was then sealed. 6 ml of hydrogen sulfide was then added, and the ammonia deodorization test was carried out in the same manner as described above. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0073] [Table 2]

[0074] <Chemical deodorization test> 200 ml of the present invention product and comparative product (volume: 500 ml cup) were placed in a 10-liter air bag equipped with a cock, and hydrogen sulfide was added. The bag was then filled with odorless air to adjust the initial hydrogen sulfide concentration to 100 ppm. An air bag containing only hydrogen sulfide without the present invention product or comparative product was also prepared, and the initial concentration was similarly adjusted to 100 ppm (blank). The hydrogen sulfide concentration was measured over time with a detector tube at room temperature (approximately 20°C). The concentrations of odorous components in the blank and the bag containing present invention product 1 and comparative product 1 were measured over time, and the 90% removal time (τ0.1) was calculated. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0075] [Table 3]

[0076] It can be seen that the comparative product 1 did not have any deodorizing effect, whereas the product 1 of the present invention exhibited a deodorizing effect.

[0077] Example 2 Water-repellent waste disposal material: The ingredients were blended in the amounts shown in Table 4 below, and water-repellent excrement treating materials (Products 2 to 4 of the present invention) were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The numbers in the table are mass %.

[0078] [Table 4]

[0079] Test Example 2 Deodorization test: A deodorizing test for hydrogen sulfide was carried out in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

[0080] [Table 5]

[0081] Test Example 3 Deodorization test: The above-obtained invention product 2 was subjected to a deodorization test for artificial feces odor according to the following procedure.

[0082] <Test method for simulated feces odor> A 500 ml cup containing 200 ml of each product of the present invention (volume) was placed in a 10-liter air bag with a cock, which was then sealed. Two drops of artificial feces odor were placed on a filter paper and the bag was then placed inside the bag, and the same evaluation method as in Test Example 1 was used. The results are shown in Table 6.

[0083] [Table 6]

[0084] Example 3 Water-repellent waste disposal material: The ingredients were blended in the amounts shown in Table 7 below, and a water-repellent excrement treating material (Product 5 of the present invention) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The numbers in the table are in mass %.

[0085] [Table 7]

[0086] Test Example 4 Deodorization test: The above-obtained invention product 5 was subjected to a deodorizing test according to the following procedure.

[0087] <Test method for simulated feces odor> 100 mL of each product of the present invention was placed in a 500 mL cup, and a pleated filter paper was placed on top of it. Three drops of the malodorous liquid were then dropped into the filter paper, which was then placed in a 10-liter air bag with a cock and sealed. The malodor was evaluated after 5 minutes, 6 hours, and 24 hours using the same method as in Test Example 3. The results are shown in Table 8.

[0088] [Table 8]

[0089] <Chemical deodorization test> A deodorizing test was carried out in the same manner as in Test Example 1. The results are shown in Table 9.

[0090] [Table 9]

[0091] Test Example 5 Antibacterial testing: The above-obtained invention product 5 was subjected to an antibacterial test according to the following procedure.

[0092] <Antibacterial test> 1.5 g of the water-repellent excrement treatment material of present invention Product 5 was added to 3.5 ml of 1 / 500 normal bouillon medium, dispersed using a vortex mixer, and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. After dispersing again using a vortex mixer, 0.1 ml of bacterial solution was added dropwise and the mixture was cultured at 37°C for 24 hours. 20 ml of reaction stopper was added, and the viable cell count (X) was confirmed. The viable cell count (Y) was also confirmed in the same way for a control group without present invention Product 5, and the antibacterial activity value was calculated according to the instructions below. An antibacterial activity value of 2.0 or higher was considered to be effective. The results are shown in Table 10.

[0093]

number

[0094] [Table 10]

[0095] Example 4 Absorbent and disintegrating excrement treatment material: 63% by mass of cypress wood chips and 15% by mass of dried soybean pulp were mixed with 15% by mass of corn starch as a binder, 3% by mass of CMC, 4% by mass of sodium polyacrylate as a high-molecular-weight absorbent polymer, and 1 part by weight of the fibrous component produced in Production Example 1, and dispersed and mixed at room temperature using a cone blender. This mixture was fed into a twin-screw extruder (manufactured by Nippon Steel Corporation) with a screw diameter of 47 mm. The temperature at the point where the mixture was fed from the hopper was set to approximately 90°C, and the mixture was extruded while water was being fed from the hopper along with the mixture, yielding a water-absorbent, disintegrating pet waste treatment material with a diameter of 2-3 mm and a length of 8 mm (Product 6 of the present invention). A commercially available product (DrKERES: manufactured by SHENZHEN YOUTONG TRADING CO., LTD.) based on soybean pulp was used as Comparative Product 3.

[0096] When water was sprayed onto the water-absorbing excrement treatment material of invention product 6, it absorbed the water, disintegrated and solidified.

[0097] Test Example 6 Deodorization test: The invention product 6 and the comparative product 3 were subjected to an ammonia deodorization test, which is one of the deodorization tests, in the same manner as in Test Example 1. The results are shown in Table 11.

[0098] [Table 11]

[0099] The invention product 6 was found to have a superior ammonia deodorizing effect compared to the comparative product 3.

[0100] Example 5 Absorbent and disintegrating excrement treatment material: The ingredients were blended in the amounts shown in Table 12 below, and excrement treatment materials of the water-absorbing and disintegrating type (Products 7 and 8 of the present invention) were obtained in the same manner as in Example 4.

[0101] [Table 12]

[0102] The obtained invention products 7 and 8 and comparative product 3 were subjected to a deodorizing test in the same manner as in Test Example 3. Note that a pseudo-feces odor was used as the malodor. The results are shown in Table 13.

[0103] [Table 13]

[0104] All of the products of the present invention were found to have a superior deodorizing effect against the artificial feces odor compared to Comparative Product 3.

[0105] Example 6 Water-repellent waste disposal material: A mixture of 96.0 parts by weight of cypress wood chips, 1.5 parts by weight of fibrous component, and 2.5 parts by weight of paraffin wax was used, and a water-repellent excrement treatment material (Invention Product 9) was obtained using the same manufacturing method as in Example 1.

[0106] Test Example 7 Cat excrement deodorization test: The product of the present invention 9 was used by two cat owners as monitors, and a questionnaire was conducted from the following perspectives. The results are shown in Table 14. Each monitor used the system toilet.

[0107] <Q1 Deodorizing effect> 5: Very satisfied 4: Somewhat satisfied 3: Neither 2: Somewhat dissatisfied 1: Very dissatisfied

[0108] <Q2 Did you feel the fragrance of the fibrous component?> 5: Felt very strongly 4: Felt somewhat 3: Can't say either way 2: Didn't feel much 1: Didn't feel at all

[0109]

Table 14

[0110] Test Example 8 Monitor test: A monitor test was conducted on the products of the present invention 7-8. The products of the present invention 7-8 were used by 9-11 monitors respectively, and after 3 days, the following items were evaluated according to the following criteria, and the average value was calculated. The results are shown in Table 15. Each monitor used a single-layer toilet.

[0111] (1) Preference for the smell of cat litter Very satisfied ··· 5 Satisfied ··· 4 Can't say either way ··· 3 Not very satisfied ··· 2 Not at all satisfied ··· 1 (2) Deodorizing effect of urine Very satisfied ··· 5 Satisfied ··· 4 Can't say either way ··· 3 Not very satisfied 2 Not satisfied at all...1 (3) Deodorizing effect of feces Very satisfied ···5 Satisfied ···4 Neither one nor the other...3 Not very satisfied 2 Not satisfied at all...1 (4) Odor after excretion (overall, after urination, after defecation) Very smelly...1 Slightly smelly...2 I can't say...3 Not much smell...4 No odor at all ···5

[0112] [Table 15]

[0113] From the above results, it can be seen that the product of the present invention has a high level of satisfaction with its deodorizing effect.

[0114] Example 7 Partial use of the excrement treatment material of the present invention: The excrement treatment material of the present invention was used in an amount of about 10% of the amount of a commercially available excrement treatment material of the same type. In this way, even when only a portion of the excrement treatment material of the present invention was used, it was still effective in deodorizing excrement.

[0115] Prescription example 1 Absorbent and disintegrating excrement treatment material: Water-absorbing and disintegrating excrement treating materials were produced in the same manner as in Example 4, using the blending amounts shown in Table 16 below. The numbers in the table are mass %.

[0116] [Table 16]

[0117] Example 8 Water-repellent waste disposal material: The ingredients were blended in the amounts shown in Table 17 below, and a water-repellent excrement treating material (Product 10 of the present invention) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The numbers in the table are in mass %.

[0118] [Table 17]

[0119] Test Example 9 Monitor Test: A monitor test was conducted on product 10 of the present invention. Six monitors, A to F, were asked to use product 10 in a commercially available toilet, and after about one week, they evaluated the following items using the following indices. The results are shown in Tables 18 to 20.

[0120] Monitor Attributes A: System toilet (dome type) user B: System toilet (dome type) user C: System toilet (open type) user D: System toilet (open type) user E: System toilet (open type) user F: Regular toilet user

[0121] [Table 18]

[0122] [Table 19]

[0123] [Table 20]

[0124] All of the monitors stated that they would prefer to use product 8 of the present invention over the cat litter they had previously used, due to its high deodorizing effect on excrement (especially feces) and other reasons. [Industrial Applicability]

[0125] The excrement treating material of the present invention can be used to deodorize excrement.

Claims

1. A water-repellent excrement treatment material characterized by containing a fibrous component obtained by heating the wood and / or leaves of a tree with microwaves under reduced pressure and drying at least a portion of the fibrous component, and synthetic resin and / or wax.

2. 2. The water-repellent excrement treating material according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate.

3. 3. The water-repellent excrement treatment material according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is one or more materials selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, clay minerals, water glass, activated clay, activated carbon, silica gel, hydrotalcite, titanium oxide, starch, soybean pulp, cornstarch, green tea leaves, coffee bean husks, crushed pulp, paper sand and wood chips.

4. 4. The water-repellent excrement treatment material according to claim 1, wherein the tree is of the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae.

5. The substrate is 60% by mass to 98% by mass, The fiber component is 0.1% by mass to 30% by mass, The synthetic resin and / or wax is 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass. The water-repellent excrement treatment material according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. 3. The water-repellent excrement treating material according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is wood chips.

7. A method for deodorizing excrement, comprising contacting the water-repellent excrement treating material according to any one of claims 1 to 5 with excrement.

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