AU2012101506A4

AU2012101506A4 - Animal Bedding & Litter Cellulosic Products

Info

Publication number: AU2012101506A4
Application number: AU2012101506A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Megan Ruth Pike
Original assignee: Animal Bedding Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Animal Bedding Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-04
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-04

Abstract

An animal bedding and litter product, comprising plant material from lemongrass (Cymbopogon). The lemongrass harvested during the leaf straightening phase when the plant has no seeds. The product having been pelletised and moulded via heat and adhesive.

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2012101506 There are nine pages of the description only ANIMAL BEDDING AND LITTER CELLULOSIC PRODUCTS Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to animal bedding and litter cellulosic products 5 which comprise plant material from Cymbopogon. The present invention also relates to processes for producing such cellulosic products. Background of the Invention The reference in this specification to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be 10 taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Animal bedding, such as hay, straw, sand and wood chips have become increasingly 15 important in animal husbandry industries. Such products may be used in applications for animals ranging from housed, stabled, confined, captive (e.g. zoos), domestic, feed lots, abattoirs, live export or animals in husbandry care. Part of the appeal of the animal bedding and litter cellulosic products is that these products may be more cost effective, less labour intensive, have better odour reduction and possible aid to the medical and general 20 health of animals. The materials used to make animal bedding and litter products typically come from recycled paper, alternative crop fibres such as hay, straw rye or wheat or trees by product, such as radiata pine, and these trees can take decades to grow to a size where they can be 25 harvested. Plantation timber operations therefore usually require large amounts of land so that trees may be continually harvested. This represents a large investment, not only in the land required, but also in running costs as machinery needs to be transported across a large area. 30 These products all compete with alternative uses for example paper, wood products, bio base products and in production of ethanol. The current demand for products such as sawdust is exceeding supply and resulting in increasing prices.

There is a need to provide animal bedding and litter products from a material that grows quickly to a size where it can be harvested and which can be effectively used in the manufacture of such products. 5 Summary of the Invention The present invention is predicated in part on the discovery that plant material from lemongrass (Cymbopogon) may be used to produce various animal bedding and litter products. Lemongrass grows quickly and can be harvested a number of times each year. Furthermore lemongrass is fibrous, especially when it becomes more mature, which makes 10 it suitable for use in the manufacture of animal bedding and litter products. Lemongrass is suitable for recycling into a soil enhancer or fertiliser after use and requires less recycling processes to achieve that outcome compared to conventional animal bedding and litter products. It will add the warmth and comfort of animals, may enhance digestive 15 times and may also lower the stress levels of animals. Lemongrass appears to not extract nitrogen from the soil and does not require the addition of other products for use as a soil enhancer or additive. It is hydrophobic and hydrophilic which means it has enhanced properties over other substances to remain dry on the outside 20 and absorb moisture on the inside and therefore is exceptional for use in animal bedding and litter products. Description of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention relates to an animal bedding and litter cellulosic 25 product, comprising plant material from Cymbopogon. The term "Cymbopogon" refers to any plant from the genus Cymbopogon. This includes Cymbopogon ambiguus, Cymbopogon bombycinus, Cymbopogon casesius, Cymbopogon commutatus, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon citriodora, Cymbopogon excavatus, 30 Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon goeringii, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon obtectus, Cymbopogon pendulus, Cymbopogon procerus, Cymbopogon proximus, Cymbopogon refractus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus and Cymbopogon winterianus. In one embodiment, the Cymbopogon plant species is selected from Cymbopogon ambiguus, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon 35 flexuosus, Cymbopogon nardus, and Cymbopogon refractus; especially selected from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon nardus; and most especially Cymbopogon citratus. Other names for Cymbopogon plants include lemongrass, Camel's Hay, citronella, geranium grass, cochin grass and serah. The animal bedding and litter cellulosic product may comprise one member of the genus Cymbopogon or a 5 combination of members. The Cymbopogon plant grows from the inside out. In a juvenile stage, the Cymbopogon plant has a series of layers of ring structures in the stem, and at this stage the plant is often harvested for culinary purposes or to collect the essential oil, citral, which is principally 10 present in the uppermost third of the plant. At this stage the Cymbopogon plant has a high amount of leaf relative to stem. However, as the Cymbopogon plant matures the leaf starts to straighten and stand up, and the stem becomes firmer. Following this, the leaf extends and becomes straighter and the centre of the stem forms a single thick absorbent resilient fibrous layer. This stem is kinetic in strength, insulative and appears to have cellular 15 memory attributes. The Cymbopogon plant may be used to produce animal bedding and litter cellulosic products at any stage of its growth cycle. However, in some embodiments, the Cymbopogon plant material does not include seeds, and the Cymbopogon plant especially 20 is harvested at a time when the plant does not comprise seeds. In other embodiments, the Cymbopogon plant material does not comprise flowers, and the Cymbopogon plant especially is harvested at a time when the plant does not comprise flowers or seeds. In further embodiments, the Cymbopogon plant is harvested during a leaf straightening phase or at a time when the plant comprises flowers or seeds, especially during a leaf 25 straightening phase. The term "leaf straightening phase" refers to a time in the growth of the Cymbopogon plant in which the leaves stand or straighten, growing taller in height, and a firmer stem forms. In this leaf straightening phase, the stem initially is made of a series of layers, and the stem 30 forms a single fibrous layer. It is believed that during or after the leaf straightening phase the Cymbopogon plant material is particularly well suited for use in animal bedding and litter cellulosic products. There is generally a higher relative amount of stem in the Cymbopogon plant when the plant is in the leaf straightening phase, compared to before this phase. Flowers and seeds are not present in the leaf straightening phase. 35 The plant material used in the animal bedding and litter cellulosic product may comprise any part of the Cymbopogon plant except for the root system. Typically, the Cymbopogon plant is harvested approximately 15 cm above ground level. 5 In one embodiment, the Cymbopogon plant material comprises leaves and stems of the Cymbopogon plant. In some embodiments, the Cymbopogon plant material consists essentially of leaves or consists essentially of stems, and the Cymbopogon plant material especially consists essentially of leaves. The relative amount of leaves and stems used depends on the desired animal bedding and litter cellulosic product. 10 In one embodiment, the cellulose in the animal bedding and litter cellulosic product comprises plant material from Cymbopogon and at least one other source of cellulose, such as radiata pine. In another embodiment, the cellulose in the product consists essentially of plant material from Cymbopogon. In a further embodiment, the cellulose in the product 15 consists of plant material from Cymbopogon. The animal bedding and litter cellulosic product is product which comprises Cymbopogon plant material and which can be used as a substitute for animal bedding or litter, for example, in stabling. In one embodiment, the animal bedding and litter cellulosic product 20 is in pellet form. In another embodiment, the animal bedding and litter cellulosic product is chopped fibre. These products are typically suitable for use in a wide range of applications including, for example, as bedding or litter for animals ranging from housed, stabled, confined, captive 25 (e.g. zoos), domestic, feed lots, abattoirs, live export or animals in husbandry care Advantageously, engineered cellulosic products comprising Cymbopogon plant material may be lighter in weight than analogues made from existing materials. Exemplary animal bedding and litter cellulosic products include plant material as a 30 mulched medium. The dimensioned bedding analogue may be made from pieces of bound together Cymbopogon stem greater than 40mm long, especially greater than 60mm, 80mm, 100mm, 120mm, 140mm, 160mm, 180mm, 200mm 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm or 500mm long, more especially from 80 to 300mm long, most especially from 100 to 250mm long. 35 The animal bedding and litter cellulosic product may also include water and / or bonding agent/s to hold the cellulosic product together. However, inclusion of an additive may not be necessary for all animal bedding and litter cellulosic products. The animal bedding and litter cellulosic product may also include other additives. 5 In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of producing an animal bedding and litter cellulosic product. The method comprises the steps of (i) processing plant material from Cymbopogon, and (ii) moulding or packaging the processed plant material. 10 In one embodiment, the method further comprises harvesting the plant material prior to processing. The Cymbopogon plant may be harvested by cutting the stems off the plant approximately 15 cm above the ground. Some plants, such as Cymbopogon Nardus, can grow to a size of about 3 m high and 3 m wide and can be harvested 3 to 4 times a year. Harvesting also promotes a mass growth period (shock growth) that can be as much as 25 15 mm per day. Each harvest can yield around 15 to 20 kg of Cymbopogon plant material per plant clump, and the entire harvest may be used to produce animal bedding and litter cellulosic products. It is estimated that one plant of Cymbopogon nardus, harvested 4 times, would give a similar return in usable product as one tree grown and used for saw dust. 20 After the Cymbopogon plant material has been harvested, the harvested product may be stored before processing, for example, for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks, or for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months. Processes for the production of a variety of animal bedding and litter products are known, 25 and similar processes may be used for the production of animal bedding and litter cellulosic products comprising plant material from a Cymbopogon plant. The steps involved in processing the Cymbopogon plant material in the method of the invention will vary depending on the animal bedding and litter cellulosic product that is to 30 be produced. In one embodiment, the processing comprises cutting the Cymbopogon plant material to produce smaller plant pieces, for example by mulching or chipping the plant material. The plant material may be washed and dried before this step. 35 The size of the plant pieces after this cutting step will vary depending on the product that is to be produced. For example, for horse bedding the plant material may be cut into lengths of greater than 5mm long, 40mm long, especially greater than 60mm, 80mm, 100mm, 120mm, 140mm, 160mm, 180mm, 200mm 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm or 5 500mm long, more especially from 80 to 300mm long, most especially from 100 to 250mm long. Alternatively, for pelletised product the plant material is cut into fine particles. Longer pieces of plant material may be used large animal applications and exemplary pieces of plant material in these boards are from 2 to 400mm long, especially from 3 to 300mm long, or from 5 to 200mm long, most especially from 5 to 60mm long, or 10 from 40 to 120mm long, or from 40 to 200mm long. The processing may comprise, after the cutting step, washing the plant material and then optionally drying the plant material. In some embodiments, either this washing step or the optional washing step prior to cutting the plant material may be conducted with water, 15 especially at an elevated temperature, such as at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 'C. In some embodiments, the processing also comprises removing citronella or citral from the plant material, especially substantially removing the citral from the plant material. This may involve steam distillation. The citronella or citral obtained may be sold separately as 20 an essential oil. In some embodiments, after removing the citronella citral from the plant material the plant material is cut further, which may involve, for example, blending or mulching the material. In one embodiment, the processing comprises contacting the Cymbopogon plant material 25 with at least one other source of cellulose (such as radiata pine) and optionally blending the plant material with the at least one other source of cellulose. In another embodiment, the sole source of cellulose used in the method of the invention is from the Cymbopogon plant. In other embodiments, the processing includes producing a pulp, for example, when 30 ground down to a powder or small particles and then squashed into a pellet form, ground down fibre to a powder, adding a binder to help stick together, it may also not require the use of a binding aspect, or can be treated and compressed and manufactured in your standard pelletizing formation. 35 After processing, the plant material is moulded/compressed, for example in the manufacture of a pellet. In some embodiments, the moulding step comprises heating the plant material to a temperature greater than 100 C. For example, the moulding step may include baking the plant material in an oven or over a fire. Exemplary heating 5 temperatures include from 100'C to 200'C, especially from 100'C to 180'C, more especially approximately 100'C, 120'C, or 180'C. The moulding step may also comprise compressing the plant material. In some embodiments, the moulding step comprises applying a force to the plant material that is 10 equivalent to a weight from 200kg to 800kg, especially from 300kg to 700kg, more especially from 400kg to 600kg, most especially about 500kg. In some embodiments, the moulding step comprises drying the compressed plant material. For example, the moulding step may comprise drying the compressed plant material in an 15 oven or over a fire. Exemplary drying temperatures include from 100'C to 200'C, especially from 100'C to 180'C, more especially approximately 100'C, 120'C, or 180'C. The plant material may be compressed and subsequently dried one, two, three or four or more times to provide the desired shape. 20 In one embodiment, after moulding the engineered cellulosic product is sized to the desired dimensions. Advantageously, the Cymbopogon plant is hardy and generally requires little to no assistance between establishing the seedling and harvest. Typically pesticide treatment is 25 not required. The plants are generally drought resistant and therefore do not need to be grown in prime agricultural land or require extensive irrigation. Furthermore, Cymbopogon plants, especially Cymbopogon nardus, possess an extensive root system that is capable of stabilising soil in any weather condition. Propagation of Cymbopogon plants may also be achieved by splitting an established plant, or by growing from seed. 30 Cymbopogon plants grow in a wide variety of geographical areas, including Australia, Southeast Asia, southern India, Sri Lanka, Central Africa, Brazil, Guatemala, the United States of America and the West Indies. Plants from the Cymbopogon genus also have antifungal and/or antibacterial properties. 35 Products made from Cymbopogon plant material may also be resistant to fungi and/or to bacteria, and such products may also have inherent resistance to termite and parasitic attack. It is believed that these properties may be enhanced if the citral/citronella is retained in the plant material used to make the animal bedding and litter cellulosic products. 5 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 10 Throughout the specification and the claims which follow, the phrase "consist essentially of', and variations such as "consists essentially of' and "consisting essentially of', is understood to imply that the recited integer or step or group of integers or steps are essential. The phrase allows for the presence of other non-recited integers or steps or 15 group of integers or steps which do not materially affect the characteristics of the invention, but excludes additional unspecified elements which would affect the basic characteristics of the product. The invention will now be described with reference to the following Examples which 20 illustrate some aspects of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that the particularity of the following Examples is not there to supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention. Examples 25 Example 1: 5 - 100mm Mulched Bedding Cymbopogon nardus plants in a leaf straightening phase were harvested by securing the plant material together with a rope, and then cutting the secured plant material with a chain saw approximately 15cm above ground level. The harvested plant material was dried as a 30 cut plant for about 3 to 4 weeks in a variety of locations including undercover on an open deck, in a open paddock, inside a colour bond shed and laid out on a gravel driveway. The dried plant material was mulched by feeding the plant material stem-first into a semi commercial garden chip shredder mulcher, and collecting the mulched plant material in a 35 trailer. This reduced the size of the plant material to pieces approximately 5 mm to 100mm long. This example is of general application of the animal bedding and litter cellulosic products. 5 Example 2: 5 - 50mm Mulched Bedding 5 to 50mm fibres were produced in the same way as in Example 1 however used more intensive mulching. The mulched material is more suitable for mid-sized animals such as pigs and goats. 10 Example 3: 5 - 30mm Mulched Bedding 5 to 30mm fibres were produced in the same way as in Example 1 however used more intensive mulching. The mulched material is more suitable for large sized animals such as horses or in any application that currently uses products such as sawdust. 15 Example 4: 5 - 20mm Mulched Bedding 5 to 20mm fibres were produced in the same way as in Example 1 however used more intensive mulching. The mulched material is more suitable for small sized animals such as chickens. 20 Example 5: 0.1 - 20mm Mulched Bedding For Pellet Manufacture Further product was produced in a similar way as in Example 1 with extensive mulching and grinding. This is considered to be the precursor to pellet manufacture. A similar product was also made from Cymbopogon nardus plants harvested in a leaf 25 straightening phase. This product was made from only the skin of the stem of the harvested plant material. The skin was shaved from the outside and then processed as for Example I to 5. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to 30 variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 35

Claims

1. An animal bedding and litter product, comprising plant material from Cymbopogon. 5

2. The product according to claim 1, wherein the Cymbopogon plant is selected from the species Cymbopogon ambiguus, Cymbopogon bombycinus, Cymbopogon casesius, Cymbopogon commutatus, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon citriodora, Cymbopogon excavatus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon goeringii, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon nardus, 10 Cymbopogon obtectus, Cymbopogon pendulus, Cymbopogon procerus, Cymbopogon proximus, Cymbopogon refractus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus and Cymbopogon winterianus, or a combination thereof.

3. The product according to claim 2, wherein the Cymbopogon plant species is selected from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon 15 nardus.

4. The product according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the Cymbopogon plant species is Cymbopogon citratus.

5. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plant material from Cymbopogon is harvested at a time when the plant does not comprise seeds. 20

6. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plant material from Cymbopogon is harvested during a leaf straightening phase.

7. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cellulose in the product consists essentially of plant material from Cymbopogon.

8. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the product includes 5 25 to 100mm or 5 to 500mm or 5 to 30mm or 5 to 20mm or 0.1 to 20mm sections of the plant material.

9. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the product further comprises a bonding agent or added medium.

10. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the product further 30 comprises the addition of mint or other herbs.

11. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a hydrophilic substance.

12. A method for producing an animal bedding and litter product, comprising: (i) processing plant material from Cymbopogon; and 35 (ii) pressing the processed plant material.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the processing comprises cutting the plant material to produce smaller plant pieces.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the Cymbopogon plant is selected from the species Cymbopogon ambiguus, Cymbopogon bombycinus, Cymbopogon 5 casesius, Cymbopogon commutatus, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon citriodora, Cymbopogon excavatus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon goeringii, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cymbopogon martini, Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon obtectus, Cymbopogon pendulus, Cymbopogon procerus, Cymbopogon proximus, Cymbopogon refractus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus and 10 Cymbopogon winterianus, or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the Cymbopogon plant species is selected from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon nardus.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the Cymbopogon plant species is 15 Cymbopogon citratus.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the method further comprises harvesting the plant material.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the plant material from Cymbopogon is harvested at a time when the plant does not comprise seeds. 20

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the plant material from Cymbopogon is harvested during a leaf straightening phase.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the cellulose in the product consists essentially of plant material from Cymbopogon.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the product is 25 selected from animal bedding, animal litter, and pelletised animal bedding or litter.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the processing comprises removing citral from the Cymbopogon plant material.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the processing comprises binding the plant material together with an additive. 30

24. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein the moulding comprises heating the plant material to a temperature greater than 1 00 0 C.

25. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein the moulding comprises compressing the plant material.