JP4791802B2 - Granules for excrement disposal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a granular material for excrement disposal such as domestic animals, pets or laboratory animals, and in particular, it can be laid on the toilet bed to easily and efficiently treat the excrement, and in particular has excellent deodorizing properties against urine. The present invention relates to a granular material for excrement disposal that can be easily treated after use.

  Conventionally, in order to dispose of excrement such as urination and defecation of pet animals or laboratory animals, a granular material for excretion treatment called so-called “cat sand” is laid on the toilet bed and excreted there. Later, it is common practice to remove the excretory particulate material that has hardened due to the water of manure, and to dispose of it in the toilet or to incinerate it as combustible waste. For this reason, the granular material for excrement disposal has a high water absorption capability for quickly absorbing urine excreted by pet animals, etc., a deodorization capability for deodorizing malodors resulting from excrement, and ease of treatment after use. Etc. are required.

  A product obtained by adding a binder such as bentonite powder to humic acid and granulating the resulting mixture into a porous granule as a product with improved deodorizing ability in the conventional granular material for treating excreta of this type (For example, refer to Patent Document 1), pumice with a reaction component such as citric acid that neutralizes the excrement odor component and a fine powder component having a swelling aggregation function, and bentonite granules at a predetermined ratio A mixed product (for example, see Patent Document 2) is known.

  However, in these products, urine is absorbed exclusively by a fine powder component (specifically, bentonite, etc.) having a binder and swelling aggregation function, and therefore neutralizes and deodorizes excrement odor components such as humic acid and citric acid. There were few opportunities for the component and urine to come into contact with each other, resulting in poor deodorization. Further, the latter has a problem that it cannot be incinerated as combustible waste because it is composed mainly of pumice and bentonite granules.

  On the other hand, as a technique capable of simultaneously imparting a high water absorption ability and a deodorizing ability, an acidic water absorbent resin in which a carboxylic acid having a solubility in 100 g of water of 0.1 to 11 g is added to a water absorbent resin is known ( For example, see Patent Document 3.) Therefore, the resin is applied to an organic fibrous material obtained from a papermaking process that can be poured into a toilet or incinerated as a combustible material, specifically a granulated material made of paper sludge, paper powder, and waste paper pulverized material. A spraying technique can be considered.

  However, organic fiber materials (ie paper sludge, paper powder, and waste paper pulverized materials) obtained from the papermaking process where neutral papermaking (strictly, papermaking under weakly alkaline conditions) has progressed from the viewpoint of resource recycling, etc. Contains a large amount of calcium carbonate added to the paper as an opacity improver. For this reason, the surface of the granular material granulated with this papermaking sludge is alkaline with a pH (hydrogen ion concentration) greater than 7, and when an acidic superabsorbent resin is sprayed on such granular material, There was a problem that the calcium carbonate and acid such as carboxylic acid in the acidic superabsorbent resin reacted to neutralize the acid while generating carbon dioxide, and the deodorizing ability of the acid was lost.

As described above, there is no conventional excrement disposal granular material that has all of high water absorption capability, deodorization capability, and ease of treatment after use at the same time.
JP-A-11-75597 (page 2-4) JP-A-10-117619 (page 2-5) JP-A-9-108317 (page 2-4)

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a granular material for excrement treatment that can easily and efficiently treat excrement such as pet animals, and is particularly excellent in deodorizing property with respect to urine and can be easily treated after use. That is.

The invention described in claim 1 is “acidified so that a weakly alkaline organic fibrous material obtained from the papermaking process is granulated, and at least its surface (14a) has a pH of 7 or less neutral or acidic. A core layer (14) to which an aqueous solution is added and a water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16) comprising an acidic superabsorbent resin (18) with high gel strength and covering the surface (14a) of the core layer (14). It is a granular material for excrement disposal (10) characterized by being configured.

In this invention, an acidic aqueous solution is added to at least the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) formed by granulating the weakly alkaline organic fibrous material obtained from the papermaking process, and the pH of the surface (14a) is 7 or less. Even if the water-absorbing deodorizing functional layer (16) is formed by adhering the acid superabsorbent resin (18) to the surface (14a) of the core layer (14). The acid (18b), which is the deodorizing component of the acidic superabsorbent resin (18), is not neutralized, and the deodorizing ability of the acid (18b) can be fully exhibited.

  In addition, most of the liquid excrement such as urine that comes into contact with the excrement disposal granular material (10) is retained in the water absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16). The probability of contact with a certain acid (18b) is high, and excellent deodorizing performance can be exhibited.

  The core layer (14) is granulated with an organic fibrous material obtained from the papermaking process, and the water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16) does not exhibit tackiness even when it absorbs water. Since it is made of resin (18), it is possible to dispose of the used excrement disposal granular material (10) by pouring it into the toilet, or to incinerate it as general combustible waste. Processing becomes extremely easy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the deodorizing capability of acidic superabsorbent resin adhering to the surface can fully be exhibited. In addition, liquid excretion such as urine that has come into contact with the excrement disposal granular material is mostly retained in the water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer. And can exhibit excellent deodorizing performance. And since the core layer is granulated with an organic fibrous material and the water-absorbing deodorizing functional layer is formed of a high gel strength acidic superabsorbent resin that does not exhibit tackiness even when it absorbs water, The excrement disposal granular material can be poured into a toilet and disposed of, or can be incinerated as ordinary combustible waste.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a granular material for excrement treatment that can easily and efficiently treat excreta, and is particularly excellent in deodorizing property with respect to urine and can be easily treated after use.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The excrement disposal granular material (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is used by laying on a toilet bed (12) for a pet animal (see FIG. 1), as shown in FIG. The core layer (14) and the water absorption and deodorization functional layer (16) are configured.

  The core layer (14) supports the water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16) formed on the surface of the core layer (14) and can also absorb excrement, particularly liquid excretion such as urine, and further stir in water after use. Therefore, it can be easily decomposed or dispersed, and can be incinerated in a general incinerator.

  This core layer (14) is made from paper sludge, dust collection powder and crushed waste paper obtained from the manufacturing process of paper pulp products, that is, the paper making process, from the viewpoint of economy and easy processing of the used granular material (10). An organic fibrous material having a large specific surface area such as is used as a raw material.

  In this way, the core layer (14) composed of organic fibers obtained from the papermaking process contains a large amount of calcium carbonate that neutralizes the acid, and pH tester pen (Nikken Co., Ltd.). The pH of the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) measured with a chemical laboratory (trade name: Astropen) is more than 7 alkaline. For this reason, at least the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) is added to the water-absorbing deodorizing functional layer (16) described later so as not to lose the ability of the acid (16b) to exert the deodorizing ability. The pH is set to be neutral or acidic below 7.

  The average particle diameter of the core layer (14) is preferably in the range of 5 to 10 mm when a cat is assumed. When the average particle diameter of the core layer (14) is less than 5 mm, the weight per grain of the excrement disposal granular material (10) becomes light. In addition, it is known that pets such as cats perform a so-called sand-shaking act of hiding excrement after excretion. Therefore, if the average particle size of the core layer (14) is less than 5 mm and the weight per particle of the excrement disposal granular material (10) is reduced, the granular material will be surrounded when cats or others perform a sanding action. This is because the granular material (10) adheres to the animal hair due to scattering or static electricity, and is easily taken out from the toilet bed (12) to contaminate the periphery of the toilet bed (12). Conversely, when the average particle size of the core layer (14) is larger than 10 mm, the specific surface area of the excrement disposal granular material (10) decreases, and the excretion absorption and deodorization efficiency decreases, This is because pet animals such as the above tend to dislike excretion on the granular material (10). In addition, when the use of small animals such as hamsters and guinea pigs is assumed, it is better to make the core layer (14) smaller (for example, 3 mm or less).

  In addition, the core layer (14) has an inorganic filler such as a water-absorbent resin, bentonite and clay, and a paste to adjust the water absorption, specific gravity, grain strength and disintegration in water as necessary. Etc. may be added.

  The water absorption and deodorization functional layer (16) absorbs and retains liquid excreta such as urine among animal excreta, and deodorizes excrement odor components (mainly urine odor). It is constituted by an acidic superabsorbent resin (18) obtained by adding an acid (18b) to the superabsorbent resin (18a). The thickness of the water absorbing / deodorizing functional layer (16) can be appropriately adjusted according to the target water absorption amount and deodorizing ability.

  The superabsorbent resin (18a) constituting the acidic superabsorbent resin (18) retains water several tens to several hundreds times its own weight and swells, and has high gel strength that does not exhibit adhesiveness during water retention. A starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer hydrolyzate, a starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer neutralized product, a crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose, a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, an acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer saponified product, Resins such as cross-linked isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymers and partially neutralized polyacrylate cross-links are preferred. In particular, a highly water-absorbent resin of a partially neutralized polyacrylate cross-linked product having a carboxyl group or the like as a reactive group is most preferable from the viewpoints of availability, water absorption performance and gel strength stability.

  In addition, the degree of neutralization of the superabsorbent resin (18a) is preferably in the range of 45 to 80 mol%, more preferably in the range of 55 to 75 mol%. When the degree of neutralization is less than 45 mol%, the number of reactive groups such as carboxyl groups in the highly water-absorbent resin (18a) is large, the water absorption amount and the gel strength both decrease, and the resin after water absorption. (18a) became sticky and sticky, and the excrement disposal granular material (10) that became sticky due to water absorption adhered to the animal's foot hair and was easily taken out from the toilet bed (12). This is because the area around the toilet bed (12) becomes dirty. Furthermore, if the used excrement disposal granular material (10) is poured into a flush toilet, the pipes become clogged. On the other hand, if the amount is more than 80 mol%, the gel strength is sufficiently high because the number of reactive groups such as carboxyl groups in the superabsorbent resin (18a) is small, but the water absorption ability is extremely high. This is because a large amount of the highly water-absorbent resin (18a) is required to cause the excrement disposal granular material (10) to exhibit the desired water-absorbing performance, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Further, the acid (18b) added to the acidic superabsorbent deodorizing functional layer (18), when added to the superabsorbent resin (18a), does not inhibit the water absorbency of the resin (18a) and is excreted. Neutralization reaction with the product odor component neutralizes the excrement odor component and deodorizes it. For example, a carboxylic acid having a solubility in 100 g of water at 30 ° C. of 0.1 g to 11 g is preferable. It is. If the solubility of the carboxylic acid is less than 0.1 g, the reaction rate with respect to the excrement odor component becomes slow, resulting in inferior deodorizing ability. Conversely, if the solubility is greater than 11 g, the reaction rate with respect to the excrement odor component. However, the fluctuation of pH (hydrogen ion concentration) is large and the carboxylic acid easily moves out of the water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16). This is because it becomes shorter. Examples of the carboxylic acid include glycolic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, phthalic acid, benzoic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, salicylic acid, pyruvic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and suberic acid. The acid (18b) is added in an amount of 0.001 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the superabsorbent resin. When the amount of acid (18b) added is less than 0.001 part, the amount of acid (18b) added is too small to expect a deodorizing effect, and conversely when the amount added exceeds 20 parts by weight. This is because not only does the deodorizing effect due to the acid (18b) reach its peak, but also the water absorption of the resulting acidic superabsorbent resin (18) decreases.

  When manufacturing the excrement disposal granular material (10) of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, "core layer forming step (S1)", "core layer neutralization treatment step (S2)", "water absorption The “deodorizing functional layer forming step (S3)” and the “drying / finishing step (S4)” are executed in this order.

  In the `` core layer forming step (S1) '', first, an organic fibrous material such as papermaking sludge obtained from the papermaking step, and a predetermined ratio are added to the organic fibrous material as necessary. Are mixed with a superabsorbent resin, an inorganic filler, a paste, and the like, and sufficiently stirred with a stirrer. Then, the sufficiently stirred mixture is put into a die having a large number of forming holes having a diameter of about 5 to 10 mm, pressed by a pressure member and extruded from the forming hole in a rod shape, and this is the extrusion surface of the die. The core layer (14) is formed by cutting and granulating every 5 to 10 mm in length with a cutter that moves along the die or a cutter provided under the die. Then, the molded core layer (14) is given to the next “core layer neutralization treatment step (S2)”.

In the “core layer neutralization treatment step (S2)”, an inexpensive acidic aqueous solution such as an aluminum sulfate aqueous solution is sprayed while mechanically stirring or rolling the core layer (14) on a tray, and dried simultaneously with the spraying. Then, calcium carbonate present on the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) reacts with an acidic aqueous solution such as an aluminum sulfate aqueous solution, whereby the calcium carbonate is decomposed to generate carbon dioxide and the acid is neutralized. Therefore, in this step (S2), when an acidic aqueous solution equal to or more than the equivalent amount of calcium carbonate present in the core layer (14) is sprayed on the core layer (14), the pH of at least the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) is reduced. 7 or less can be prepared neutral or acidic.
In the next “water absorption / deodorization functional layer forming step (S3)”, the core layer prepared so that at least the surface (14a) is neutral or acidic in the previous “core layer neutralization treatment step (S2)”. While stirring (14) mechanically or rolling on a tray, the core layer (14) is sprayed with an acidic superabsorbent resin (18) that has been gelled by adding water. Then, the water absorbing / deodorizing functional layer (16) made of the acidic superabsorbent resin (18) is formed so as to cover the surface of the core layer (14).

  In the “drying / finishing step (S4)”, the water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16) is dried so as to have a predetermined moisture content, whereby the excrement disposal granular material (10) is completed. The completed granular material (10) is subjected to steps such as classification and weighing, and is then subjected to predetermined packaging and finished as a product.

  In addition, each process mentioned above is only an example to which this invention is applied, and the following changes may be added. That is, in the above example, after the “core layer forming step (S1)”, a separate and independent “core layer neutralization treatment step (S2)” is provided, and at least the surface (14a) of the core layer (14) is neutral. Alternatively, it is prepared so as to show acidity, but when the material such as an organic fibrous material that becomes the core layer (14) in the `` core layer forming step (S1) '' is stirred with a stirrer, carbonic acid present in the material is present. You may make it stir in addition to this acidic aqueous solution more than the equivalent of calcium. By doing so, the core layer (14) as a whole can be neutralized or acidic at the same time as the molding of the core layer (14) is completed, and the separate `` core layer neutralization treatment step (S2) '' May not be provided.

  And in the "water absorption deodorant functional layer forming step (S3)", an example was shown in which the acidic superabsorbent resin (18) gelled with water was sprayed on the core layer (14). Spray about 1mm of acid superabsorbent resin powder (18) with water-soluble binder (20) powder and water (or water-soluble binder (20) dissolved in water). You may make it dry. In this way, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface (14a) of the core layer (14), the powdery acidic superabsorbent resin (18), and the powdery acidic superabsorbent resin (18). The water-absorbing deodorizing functional layer (16) is formed by bonding the two together with the water-soluble binder (20). In this method, since the acidic superabsorbent resin (18) is not gelled, the drying time of the water absorbing and deodorizing functional layer (16) can be shortened in the subsequent `` drying / finishing step (S4) ''. Manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

  When the excrement disposal material (10) of the present invention is laid on a toilet bed (12) for a pet animal (see FIG. 1) and the animal is urinated, the water absorption and deodorization functional layer (16) that is in contact with urine has high water absorption. Resin (18a) absorbs urine and swells. Then, the excretion odor component (mainly ammonia) in the urine comes into contact with the acid (18b) added in the acidic superabsorbent resin (18) and is immediately deodorized by the neutralization reaction.

  The acidic superabsorbent resin (18) absorbs urine and swells but does not exhibit tackiness. Therefore, the excrement disposal granular material (10) adheres to the animal's foot hair and is easily taken out of the toilet bed (12) to contaminate the toilet bed (12), and flows into the flush toilet. When this happens, there is no pipe clogging.

  And since the excrement disposal granular material (10) that absorbs urine swells and increases its volume, it can be easily distinguished from unused one that does not absorb urine, and excrement that has swollen after absorbing urine It is only necessary to remove the processing granular material (10) from the toilet bed (12) and to dispose it in the toilet or to process it as combustible waste, and the processing after use is simple and economical.

It is a perspective view which shows the usage condition of the granular material for excrement disposal of one Example of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the granular material for excrement disposal of one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the granular material for excrement disposal of one Example of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the granular material for excrement disposal of the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

(10) ... Granules for excrement disposal
(12)… Toilet
(14)… Core layer
(16)… Water absorbing and deodorizing functional layer
(18)… Acid superabsorbent resin
(18a) ... Superabsorbent resin
(18b)… Acid
(20)… Water-soluble binder

Claims (1)

A core layer formed by granulating a weakly alkaline organic fibrous material obtained from the papermaking process, and having an acidic aqueous solution added so that the pH of the surface is neutral or acidic at least 7 ;
A granular material for excrement treatment comprising an acidic superabsorbent resin having high gel strength and comprising a water-absorbing and deodorizing functional layer covering the surface of the core layer.

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