ES2353773T3 - SAND FOR ANIMALS. - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal sand (13) for a dual structure sand container that uses both sand (13) and layer (14) to absorb excreted liquid substances passing through the sand, the animal sand comprises a plurality of materials (13) granular in which the plurality of granular material comprises: a first granular material having water drainage properties; and a second granular material having liquid absorbent properties, in which in each of the first granular material and the second granular material a deodorant is added to neutralize the smell of excreted substances, in which the percentage of liquid passage of the complete plurality of granular materials is 50% or more.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to animal sand used as material that is thrown into animal sand containers such as cats and dogs.

RELATED TECHNIQUE

Box-shaped plastic containers covered with the so-called "cat litter", sand that is composed of granular materials, are used as sand containers for animals such as cats and dogs that are kept indoors. Excreted substances, such as urine excreted by an animal, are absorbed by such sand. The pet owner removes the dirt soiled by urine and feces from the container along with the feces and the like and fills it with new sand according to the amount removed. However, cats usually move the sand with their paws after excretion, and therefore, a large amount of dirty sand with urine and feces can stick to the cat's paws. In addition, due to such cat movements, dirty sand spreads, and it is difficult to completely remove only dirty parts.

In such sand containers, mineral sand based on zeolite and river sand, bentonite that hardens after absorbing liquids, and cellulose formed by solidification of soil and the like in grains is used. However, zeolite and river sand do not absorb urine, and bentonite and pulp not only have little absorbency but also do not have deodorant power. In addition, the urine of animals, of cats in particular, has a very disgusting smell that floods the entire room in which the sand container is and cleaning the sand container implies displeasure.

As sand that solves such issues, a water-resistant porous silicon gel having strong deodorant and absorbent power (for example, the one referred to in reference patent 1) has been used. In addition, a sand made of material having water drainage properties that suppresses the generation of odors has been employed by the combined use of moisture absorbing liquid sheets such as urine (for example, the one referred to in reference patent 2 ).

Reference patent 1: Japanese patent number 2766632

Reference patent 2: Japanese patent pending publication number 10229768.

However, the particle diameter of the sand described in reference patent 1 is small, from 2 mm to 6 mm, to reduce the surface area of the sand and the space between it reducing the particle diameter and absorbing the orna effectively. In addition, to increase the absorption rate and the maximum amount of liquid absorbed by adjusting low moisture content, the sand is adjusted to a moisture content of 3% by weight or less after drying at a temperature of 90 ° C to 120 ° C. Thus, this sand has a high absorption rate and can quickly absorb excreted and similar urine. However, it is unhygienic because the silicon gel that has absorbed large amounts of urine is left in the sand container, and also causes the generation of disgusting odor.

In addition, because the granular materials that make up the sand described in reference patent 2 have no property of liquid absorption, in case the urine remains on the surface of the granular materials without transferring them, the urine that remains It breaks down and generates disgusting odors. Also, due to the moisture in the stool, the amount of moisture that passes is not large enough to flow, it cannot pass through the sand, and the smell of the stool can remain. Therefore, it is necessary to discard the land part of the sand each time the pet excretes or completely replace the sand at the rate of once every one or two weeks. In addition, not only the sand but also the liquid absorbent layer must be exchanged for a fresh layer, and therefore, a large amount of garbage is generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above issues. Therefore the objective is to provide an animal sand for a dual structure sand container that uses both sand and liquid absorbent layer, and the animal sand has liquid passage properties to transfer most of the liquid excreted substances to the layer of absorbent liquid and absorbency to allow moisture that cannot pass to be absorbed in the sand over time. The dual structure makes the sand capable of being used for long periods of time.

More specifically, the present invention provides the following:

(1) an animal litter comprising a plurality of granular materials in which the plurality of granular material comprises:

a first granular material that has water drainage properties; and a second granular material that has liquid absorption properties.

According to the invention in (2), by adjusting that the content of the first granular material is greater than the content of the second granular material, it becomes difficult for the moisture to remain on the surface of the sand, and it is easier to maintain a more state dry. The percentage of content of the first granular material is preferably 90% or less (by volume), and more preferably 50% or greater. In case the percentage of content is 50% or greater, the liquid absorbing part is in contact with the water draining part, making it difficult for the liquid to remain.

(3)

the sand for animals according to (1) or (2) in which the surface area of the second granular material is larger than the surface area of the first granular material.

According to the invention in (3), by adjusting that the surface area of the first granular material is larger than the surface area of the second granular material, it becomes difficult for the moisture to remain on the surface of the sand, and it is easier to Maintain a drier state. This is because a dry state cannot be maintained in the event that the area of the first granular material, in which the water drainage process has not been carried out, is larger, since the liquid is absorbed if it passes to through him. In addition, the shape of the first granular material is preferably spherical, ball-shaped, or tablet type (pill form) and preferably has a diameter (length) of 4 mm to 14 mm in size.

(4)

animal sand according to any of (1) to (3) that is used in combination with a liquid absorbent sheet having liquid absorbent properties.

According to the invention in (4), using a combination of sand and liquid absorbent layer and allowing rapid liquid absorption of the substances excreted in the absorbent liquid layer, it becomes possible to suppress the generation of odors and, in addition, the sand is maintained In a dry state. This liquid absorbent layer is for absorbing liquids that have passed through the sand according to the present invention and remain at the bottom of the sand container surface. The sand container used for combined use of sand and liquid absorbent layer such as this has a dual structure of a part that stores sand to store sand and a part that stores liquid absorbent layer to place the liquid absorbent layer, and preferably, The surface part of the bottom of the part that stores sand has a plurality of holes.

(5)

The sand for animals according to any of (1) to (4) in which the proportion of liquid passage of all the granular materials is 50% or greater.

According to the invention in (5), by adjusting that the liquid passage rate of the granular materials is 50% or greater, the moisture of the excreted substances passes through the sand more easily, and this is particularly effective while the sand for animals be used in combination with the liquid absorbent layer. In addition, the liquid passage rate of the granular materials is preferably 80% or greater.

Liquid pass ratio test method. "Proportion of liquid passage" in the present specification is, for example, the values measured in procedures 1) to 6), described below.

one)

As shown in Figure 1, a weight A of a layer 503 is measured

pet grooming (preferably having the properties

described below; for example "Deo is preferably used

sheet ”:

brand registered, product from Uni-Charm Petcare

Corporation);

2)

A cylinder 501 is filled (for example, a cylinder is prepared with a

diameter of 75 mm and a depth of 30 mm to fill the

sand 13 to a depth of 30 mm) is filled to the top

with sand 13 and it is labeled;

3)

20.0 g of 404 saline solution is dripped with a 502 funnel

from a position of 30 mm above the center of the arena

13 in 10 seconds;

4)

After dripping, sand 13 and cylinder 501 are removed (when

removed, a plastic lid is placed on top of the

cylinder and the cylinder and the pet grooming layer of

so that unnecessary moisture transfer does not take place

between the sand 13 and the pet grooming layer 15, and then

remove the sand 13 and the cylinder 501);

5)

The weight B of the pet grooming layer 503 is measured;

6)

100 x (B - A) / 20 = proportion of liquid passage.

As shown in Figure 2, it is preferred to use a pet grooming layer 503 in which, the length w of 5 ml of saline solution flowing thereon is not longer than 100 mm, when the layer is placed at along a ramp 504 with an angle of 45 degrees and drip the 5 ml of saline solution from a height of 5 cm in a second on the layer. In addition, it is preferred to use a layer product that has a water retention value of 200 g or greater assuming that the layer product is 45 cm x 34 cm in size, when the water retention value is calculated by subtracting its weight before of dehydrating for 90 seconds by means of a hydro-extractor (90G) of its weight after dehydrating in which the layer product has been soaked in saline solution for ten minutes, then removed, hung to drain the water before it is drained dehydrate

Because the sand is normally used with a pet grooming layer, it is laid under a drain board that holds the sand, the percentage of previous liquid can be measured using a drain board filled with 30 mm of sand, in which The drainage board is created so that the drained fluid is more optimal according to the size of the granular materials.

As described above, the animal sand according to the present invention has many liquid passage properties, and the liquid that remains can be absorbed over time. Therefore, it is easy to keep the sand in the state it had at the beginning of use, and the generation of disgusting odor from excreted substances can be avoided.

In addition, the animal litter of the present invention can be used repeatedly for a long period of time, and thus, the amount discarded is less, cleaning involves little work, and is cost effective, too.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the method of measuring the liquid passage.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the method of measuring the amount of water retention in a selection of pet grooming layers.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the sand in use according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a drawing of the cut of the partial section of the sand container shown in Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

The present invention is described in more detail below.

"Animal" according to the present invention includes so-called pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, in addition to tiger pups, lions and the like. In addition, "sand" means a group of granular materials in the form of spheres, spheroids, or polyhedra and the main material is preferably a silicon gel. "Liquid" is excreted by an animal and includes all the moisture that can pass through the sand according to the present invention. In addition, "liquid passage" means the passage of liquid through a certain point in the sand. Therefore, the greater the amount of liquid flowing through the perimeter of the granular materials, the better the liquid passing properties.

Manufacture of the first granular material.

The first granular material according to the present invention has water drainage properties. The water drainage properties are obtained by performing the water drainage process on the surface of the base material that has liquid absorption properties. Although the methods of performing the water drainage process are not particularly limited, the water drainage process can be performed in which conventional methods (for example, processed with solutions of organic solvents such as acrylic resin, urethane resin, resin silicone and the like, after applying water drainage agent) are made on one or more types of base material selected from a group having liquid absorption properties comprising silicon gel, bentonite, crushed pulp, sand paper , and wood shavings.

In addition, water drainage properties can also be obtained using materials that originally have water drainage properties. With regard to materials that originally have water drainage properties, resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, glass and the like is used. These materials that have been processed in granular form can be used.

Manufacture of the second granular material.

The second granular material according to the present invention has liquid absorption properties. Specifically, one or more types of base material selected from the group comprising silicon gel, bentonite, crushed pulp, sand paper, and wood chips formed in granular form are employed. The base material for the second granular material may be the same as the base material of the first granular material. For example, when silicon gel is used for the second granular material, it is manufactured as follows: first, the initial silicon gel powder is made uniform powder by a grinding machine; then, with the concentrated solution of silicon (SiO2) as the main ingredient, adhesive is formed by combining water and other materials (for example polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)); subsequently, the silicon gel powder is placed in a machine that molds balls, mixes with the adhesive and is molded into balls with a diameter of 4 to 14 mm; and finally, these silicon gel spheres are placed in a dryer at a temperature of 100 to 140 ° C and dried. In addition, the material that originally has water drainage properties can be used as the base material, and to this can be added material that has liquid absorption properties such as silicon gel, bentonite, crushed pulp, sand paper, wood chips and liquid absorbent polymer.

Deodorant can be added to these granular materials to neutralize the smell of excreted substances. Deodorants include agents that neutralize the smell of ammonia that causes the smell of urine, and that suppresses the breakdown of urine and reduces the rotten smell of urine. More specifically, organic acids, such as aliphatic carboxylic acid and artificial enzymes, such as metal phthalocyanine, are used as neutralizing agents. In addition, as a deodorant that suppresses the decomposition of urine, thiazoline, organic halides, and zeolite-Ag antibacterial agents and the like are employed.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the sand for animals of the embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a partially enlarged diagram of the sectional cut of the sand container shown in Figure 3 storing the sand 13 for animals and the liquid absorbent layer 14 in the XX direction.

The sand for animals according to the present invention as shown in Figure 3 (A), is constructed with a box-shaped container 10 that stores sand for storing sand comprising a first granular material and second granular material, a container 11 which stores the liquid absorbent layer to store the liquid absorbent layer 14 that is located under the storage container 10 and is mounted to be inserted and removed at will, and a side surface cover 12 that is placed to cover the lateral surfaces on the sand storage container 10 as the main components. The part 102 of the lower surface of the sand storage container 10 has a plurality of holes 104. These holes 104 are preferably of a size that the sand 13 will not sneak.

As shown in Figure 3 (B), no less than 10 mm in thickness of the sand 13 is laid on the top surface of the part 102 of the inner surface of the sand storage container 10. In addition, the thickness of the sand 13 is preferably not less than 20 mm in the case that the animal in question is a cat, since the cat will try to hide the excretion by digging in the sand 13. In addition, the layer 14 is placed liquid absorbent in the liquid absorbent layer storage container 11.

Figure 4 shows the sectional view of the sand container that stores sand 13 and the liquid absorbent layer 14 of the present invention. When an animal is excreted, the liquid 15 first passes between the sand 13, passes through the holes 104 placed in the part 102 of the lower surface of the sand storage container 10, and is absorbed by the liquid absorbent layer 14 which it is in the storage container 11 of the liquid absorbent layer. Then the liquid 15 that remains in the sand 13 is absorbed by the sand 13 over time.

Example.

A liquid step experiment was carried out using sand according to the present invention. The test was carried out as follows: first, sand according to the present invention (sample 1), commercial sand (sample 2), and sand in which the entire surface is water draining (sample 3), they were cast with a thickness of 30 mm inside containers whose bottoms had throat plates as sinks; then, the containers containing the previous samples were placed on layers of pet grooming, the weight of which had been previously measured; then, 20 ml of saline solution was dripped from a height of approximately 30 mm for approximately 10 seconds in each container; After it was left for 15 seconds, the weights of the pet grooming layers that had absorbed the liquid were measured. In addition, the amount of liquid that passed was also calculated.

The results are shown in table 1. As it is made clear in table 1, in sample 1 and sample 3, the amount of liquid passage increased by approximately 5%, compared to sample 2. However, on the sand of Sample 3 remained drops of water. In sample 1, although the amount of liquid passage remained with the rate of increase of 2 to 4%, it showed that the residual water drops were minimal.

Table 1.

First time

Second time

Sample 1

94.10% 91.80%

Sample 2

89.50% 88.20%

Sample 3

94.50% 95.20%

Claims (3)

9 1. An animal sand (13) for a dual structure sand container that uses both sand (13) and layer (14) to absorb excreted liquid substances passing through the sand, the animal sand comprises a 5 plurality of granular materials (13) in which the plurality of granular material understands: a first granular material that has water drainage properties; Y a second granular material that has liquid absorbent properties, in which in each of the first granular material and the second material 10 granular is added a deodorant to neutralize the smell of excreted substances, in which the percentage of liquid passage of the complete plurality of granular materials is 50% or more. 2. The animal sand according to claim 1 wherein the content of the first granular material is greater than the content of the second granular material. 3. The animal sand according to claim 1 wherein an area of the surface of the second granular material is greater than an area of the surface of the first granular material.