JP5473149B2 - Excrement disposal material for pets - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pellet-shaped excrement disposal material for pets. More specifically, the present invention relates to an excrement disposal material used in a pet system toilet in which an excrement disposal material is spread on an upper layer of a two-layered container divided vertically by a slat and a urine absorption sheet is installed in the lower layer.

As a pet toilet for processing the excrement of pets such as cats and dogs, an excrement disposal material such as sand is spread in a container. The excrement disposal material used for such applications is required to have water absorbency that absorbs urine and fecal moisture. As the excrement disposal material, it is lighter than sand and excellent in water absorption, so that a material mainly composed of plant fibers formed with a binder into a pellet form is used. Yes.
In addition to absorbability, the above excrement disposal material is used as it is for a certain period of time, so it suppresses the odor of urine and feces excreted by pets, and excretes in the indoor space where the toilet is installed. The deodorizing property which does not emit the odor originating from is calculated | required. Moreover, since it is directly exposed to urine, durability against disintegration by urine is required. Furthermore, due to hygiene problems, anti-fungal properties that prevent the excrement disposal material from being scattered easily when sanding when pets act as habits after excretion and anti-fungal properties that suppress the generation of mold due to urine adhesion are required.
In order to solve one or more of the above-described problems, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an animal excrement treatment / deodorant material composed of a waste material containing vegetable fibers and a vegetable bonding agent. Yes. Patent Document 2 discloses an excrement treatment material comprising a water-absorbing granular material containing organic fiber as a main component and hydro-compressed and granulated by adding liquid oil or wax or the same silicone to the main component. . Patent Document 3 discloses an animal litter containing a palm oil residue and at least one absorbent selected from the group consisting of whole pulverized grain, used embryo, unused embryo, seed meal and viscosity. ing. Patent Document 4 discloses an animal excrement treating agent containing wood flour, dried okara, an adhesive, and an inorganic filler.

In recent years, system toilets have been proposed and put on the market as pet toilets. As a standard system toilet for indoor use, a pellet-like excrement disposal material (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as a pellet) is spread on the upper layer of a two-layered container divided up and down by a slat, and urine is absorbed in the lower layer. What installed the seat is known. In such a system toilet, excreted excrement remains on the pellet, and most of excreted urine passes through the pellet and is absorbed by the urine absorbent sheet installed in the lower layer portion. The system toilet has advantages such that pellets can be used for a relatively long period (for example, several weeks to two months), and the burden on the owner and the economic burden and the burden of cleaning the system toilet container are reduced by reducing the replacement frequency.
The pellets used in the system toilet are required to have deodorant properties, durability, anti-scattering properties, and antifungal properties, similar to the pellets used in conventional pet toilets (those with a single layer). When conventional pet toilet pellets are directly applied to a system toilet, various problems arise due to their high water absorption. For example, when the animal excrement disposal / deodorant disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used in the system toilet, the excrement disposal / deodorant tends to collapse due to urine absorption, and the replacement frequency increases. Moreover, since the collapsed material accumulates in the entire container, odor derived from excrement tends to adhere to the container. In addition, mold is easily generated by urine absorption. In the case of the excrement disposal material disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the excrement disposal material is easily collapsed by urine, the collapsed material falls to the lower layer part and impairs the function of the system toilet. The frequency increases. Furthermore, when the system toilet is cleaned, the collapsed material may accumulate in the entire container, and odor is likely to adhere to the container. Also, mold is easily generated by urine absorption. In the case of the animal litter disclosed in Patent Document 3, the excrement disposal material is easily disintegrated by urine absorption, and the excrement disposal material is frequently replaced. Cause. Moreover, since the plant-derived pulverized material accounts for the majority, mold is likely to occur. Furthermore, the excrement disposal material is lightly scattered easily by pet sandbrushing. In the case of the animal manure treatment agent disclosed in Patent Document 4, since it is agglomerated by inhaling urine, it is unsuitable for a system toilet because it causes clogging of slats. In addition, as described above, there is a problem that mold is generated and odor is likely to adhere to the container.
In response to these problems, pellets for system toilets have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 5 discloses a pet excrement treating agent that uses a pulverized material derived from a plant as a main constituent base material and specifies the water absorption rate. Patent Document 6 discloses animal litter made of a plurality of granules obtained by solidifying zeolite, sepiolite, or attapulgite particles with polyvinyl alcohol. Further, it is disclosed that each particle material is subjected to a water repellent treatment.

JP 10-271931 A JP 2008-136454 A Special table 2009-539382 JP 2010-17096 A JP 2006-204249 A JP 2006-246797 A

However, according to the study by the present inventors, even in the case of pellets as disclosed in Patent Documents 5 to 6, when actually applied to a system toilet, the problem that mold tends to occur in the pellets, and the pellets directly There is a problem that urine-derived odor tends to be attached to the container in contact.
The addition of an antifungal agent can suppress the occurrence of mold, but the addition of an antifungal agent is not preferred in view of the fact that the pet is in direct contact with the pellet. Therefore, the pellets laid on the upper layer of the system toilet are required to have sufficient antifungal properties even if they do not contain antifungal agents. In addition, from the viewpoint of comfort of the breeding environment and reduction of the burden of cleaning the container, it is also required that the container does not easily have odor derived from urine.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a pet excrement disposal material that is laid on the upper layer of a two-layer container and constitutes a system toilet, and does not include an antifungal agent. It aims at providing the excrement disposal material for pets which has antifungal property and can also suppress adhesion of urine-derived odor to the container.

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have caused the odor of the container to disintegrate the pellet due to urine absorption, the disintegrated matter adheres to the container, or the urine is not absorbed into the pellet. It has been found that the fact that the urine remains on the surface and adheres to the container is a cause of the smell of urine derived from the container. For example, in the case of the pet excrement treating agent disclosed in Patent Document 5, it swells and collapses due to urine absorption, and the collapsed substance adheres to the container. In addition, the fact that it is easy to suck urine also causes mold. Furthermore, the pet excreta treating agent has a problem of being easily scattered. In the case of animal litter sand disclosed in Patent Document 6, when water repellent treatment is not performed, the same problem as the pet excrement treating agent of Patent Document 5 occurs. When water-repellent treatment is applied, generation of mold due to urine absorption can be suppressed, but urine is not absorbed and a residual urine pool is formed on the surface. The odor will come on. Moreover, mold | fungi will generate | occur | produce in the part in which the urine pool was formed.
This invention is made | formed based on the said knowledge, and has the following aspects.
[1] containing (a) wood flour, (b) calcium carbonate and / or calcium sulfate, (c) paraffin wax having a melting point of 40 ° C. or higher, and (d) a binder,
The total amount of the component (c) and the component (d) is 3 to 30% by mass, and the mass ratio represented by the component (c) / the component (d) is 0.17 to 1.1. A certain pellet-like excrement disposal material for pets.
[2] The total amount of the component (c) and the component (d) is 3 to 20% by mass, the content of the component (a) is 40 to 50% by mass, and the component (b) Content of 40-50 mass% (however, the total amount of said (a) component and said (b) component is 97 mass% or less), The excrement disposal material for pets of [1] description.

  According to the present invention, it is a pet excrement disposal material that is laid on the upper layer of a two-layer container and constitutes a system toilet, and has sufficient antifungal properties even if it does not contain an antifungal agent. It is possible to provide a feces disposal material for pets that can also prevent urine-derived odor from adhering to the animal.

It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the structure of an example of a system toilet. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the box for odor evaluation used for evaluation of deodorant power in the Example.

  The pet excrement disposal material of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as excrement disposal material) contains the following components (a) to (d).

[(A) component]
The component (a) is wood flour. Examples of the wood powder include wood chips, wood or bark pulverized materials, mixtures thereof, and the like generated when wood is cut, shaved, or cut. Wood chips are preferably used from the viewpoint of the color tone of the pellet wood powder.
The kind of wood or bark used as a raw material is not particularly limited, and it may be a softwood or a hardwood, or a combination thereof. Examples of coniferous trees include cypress, Japanese cypress, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar , Inamaki and the like. Examples of broad-leaved trees include eucalyptus, camphor, sendan, and manuka.
The wood flour used as the component (a) may be one type alone or two or more types. Among these, from the viewpoint of deodorizing power against feces and urine, cypress, cedar or pine family wood flour is preferred, cypress family wood flour is more preferred, and cypress wood flour is particularly preferred.
(A) The shape of a component is not specifically limited, Any may be granular, needle shape, etc.
As the component (a), wood powder having a particle diameter of 1000 μm or less is preferable, and wood powder having a particle diameter of more than 20 μm and 710 μm or less is more preferable. When the particle diameter is 1000 μm or less, the moldability of the pellets is good, the durability is improved, and the container is less likely to get urine odor. When it exceeds 20 μm, the handleability is good.
For the same reason, the average particle size of the component (a) is preferably 200 to 600 μm, more preferably 30 to 500 μm.
Here, the particle size distribution of the component (a) is obtained by sieving. For example, a wood powder having a particle size of 1000 μm or less means a wood powder that passes through a sieve having an opening of 1000 μm, and a wood powder having a particle size of more than 20 μm and 710 μm or less passes through a sieve having an opening of 710 μm, The wood flour that remains on top. The average particle diameter means a 50% particle diameter calculated from the particle size distribution by sieving. Details of the method of measuring the average particle size will be described later.
The content of the component (a) in the excrement disposal material is preferably 30 to 60% by mass and more preferably 40 to 50% by mass with respect to the total mass of the excrement disposal material. When the content of the component (a) is 30% by mass or more, urine odor is hardly attached to the container. Moreover, the deodorizing power with respect to the excrement which the pet excreted is also favorable. On the other hand, when the amount is 60% by mass or less, absorption of liquid such as urine is suppressed, durability is improved, and the excrement disposal material is less likely to collapse during use. Since the collapsed material adheres to the container of the system toilet and causes odor, the odor can be prevented from adhering to the container by suppressing the collapse. Moreover, since the specific gravity of the excrement disposal agent becomes small, it is difficult to scatter during pet sanding action.

<Measurement method of average particle diameter>
The average particle diameter can be measured by a classification operation using a 6-stage sieve having openings of 1000 μm, 710 μm, 500 μm, 250 μm, 180 μm, and 44 μm and a tray. In the classification operation, a sieve with small openings is stacked on a tray in the order of a sieve with large openings, and a sample of 100 g / time is placed on the top 1000 μm sieve, and a lid is put on a low-tap sieve shaker (stock) (Made by Iida Seisakusho Co., Ltd., tapping: 156 times / minute, rolling: 290 times / minute) After shaking for 10 minutes, the sample remaining on each sieve and the saucer was collected for each sieve, Measure the mass. Then, the mass frequency of the tray and each sieve is integrated, the opening of the first sieve where the integrated mass frequency is 50% or more is “a μm”, and the opening of the sieve that is one step larger than a μm is “b μm”. ”, The integrated value of the mass frequency from the tray to the sieve having an aperture of a μm is“ c% ”, and the mass frequency on the sieve having an aperture of a μm is“ d% ”. The average particle diameter (mass 50% diameter) is obtained from these values a to d and the following formula (1), and is defined as the average particle diameter of the sample.

[Component (b)]
The component (b) is calcium carbonate and / or calcium sulfate.
(B) By containing a component, durability of the pellet of excrement disposal material improves, and it becomes difficult for the container to get odor of urine. Moreover, since specific gravity becomes heavy, the scattering of the excrement disposal material at the time of pet sanding action can be suppressed.
(B) A component may use only calcium carbonate, may use only calcium sulfate, or may use them together.
(B) What is marketed can be used as a component. For example, as the calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate NN # 500, NS # 100 manufactured by Nitto Flour Chemical Co., Ltd. can be used. As calcium sulfate, anhydrous, 0.5 hydrate, and dihydrate are commercially available, and any of them can be suitably used. For example, FT-2, D-101A, P-52B manufactured by Noritake Company Limited can be used. These calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The content of the component (b) in the excrement disposal material is preferably 30 to 60% by mass and more preferably 40 to 50% by mass with respect to the total mass of the excrement disposal material. (B) When content of a component is 30 mass% or more, durability is favorable and it can suppress the adhesion | attachment of odor by disintegrating at the time of urine exposure and the disintegration thing adhering to a container. Further, the specific gravity is sufficiently large, and scattering during pet excretion is suppressed. When the amount is 60% by mass or less, a sufficient amount of the component (a) can be contained, so that the deodorizing effect on odor of urine and feces is good. In addition, since the excrement disposal material has a certain level of urine absorption, urine is unlikely to remain on the surface of the excrement disposal material during urination, and odors can be prevented from adhering to the container.

[Component (c)]
The component (c) is a paraffin wax having a melting point of 40 ° C. or higher, and is solid at a temperature of about room temperature.
When the excrement disposal material contains the component (c), the excrement disposal material hardly absorbs urine, and durability is improved. Thereby, the collapse | disintegration at the time of urination is suppressed and it becomes difficult for the container to get odor of urine.
(C) Melting | fusing point of a component is 40 degreeC or more, 40-75 degreeC is preferable and 50 degreeC-65 degreeC is more preferable. When the melting point is less than 40 ° C., the excrement disposal material is inferior in durability, and the container of the system toilet is likely to get odor. In addition, the antifungal property decreases. On the other hand, when the melting point exceeds 75 ° C., it is necessary to heat above the melting point for uniform mixing of each component during pellet production, and (a) due to volatilization of deodorant components (such as essential oil components) contained in the component, There is a possibility that the deodorizing effect and antifungal property may be lowered.
In the present specification and claims, the melting point of paraffin wax is measured in accordance with the melting point test method (5.3) prescribed in JIS K2235-1991-in the case of paraffin wax (5.3.1). Is the value to be
(C) As a component, what was isolate | separated from petroleum is used normally.
(C) As a component, what is marketed can be used. Specific examples of commercially available paraffin wax include SP-0110 (melting point: 44 ° C.), SP-0145 (melting point: 62 ° C.), SP-0160 (melting point: 71 ° C.) manufactured by Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd. Can be mentioned. Among these, SP-0145 having a melting point of 62 ° C. is preferable.
(C) A component may be used individually by 1 type, or may use 2 or more types together.
The content of the component (c) in the excrement disposal material is preferably 0.5 to 15% by mass and more preferably 1.7 to 6.1% by mass with respect to the total mass of the excrement disposal material. When the content of the component (c) is less than 0.5% by mass, the durability becomes insufficient, and the container may be easily odor-induced. On the other hand, when it exceeds 15% by mass, the excrement disposal material becomes soft and durability is lowered, and there is a risk that the urine odor is likely to adhere to the container.

[Component (d)]
The component (d) is a binder.
The component (d) is mainly used to improve the durability of the component (a), the component (b), and the component (c) by increasing their binding properties.
Examples of the binder include polymer 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.
Examples of polymer compounds other than starches include sodium alginate, pullulan, gelatin, dextrin, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium polyacrylate, and the like.
Among these components (d), starches are preferable, and corn starch and tapioca starch are more preferable because they are hardly affected by temperature and humidity and have excellent binding power.
(D) What is marketed can be used as a component. For example, as commercially available corn starch, Shikishima Starch Co., Ltd., trade name: corn starch (Y) and the like are listed. As tapioca starch, Nippon Shokuhin Kako Co., Ltd., trade name: Solar Eclipse MT-01, etc. are listed. It is done.
The content of the component (d) in the excrement disposal material is preferably 1.6 to 24% by mass and more preferably 4.2 to 11.5% by mass with respect to the total mass of the excrement disposal material. When the content of the component (d) is less than 1.6% by mass, the binding property is weak, the durability is insufficient, and there is a possibility that urine odor is likely to be attached to the container. On the other hand, if it exceeds 24% by mass, the excrement disposal material becomes soft and the durability is lowered, and there is a possibility that urine odor is likely to be attached to the container.

In the present invention, the total amount of the component (c) and the component (d) in the excrement disposal material (hereinafter sometimes referred to as (c) + (d)) is 3 to 30% by mass, The mass ratio represented by component (c) / component (d) (hereinafter also referred to as (c) / (d)) is 0.17 to 1.1. (C) + (d) is preferably 7 to 15% by mass. (C) / (d) is preferably 0.3 to 0.7.
By satisfying the above range of (c) + (d) and the range of (c) / (d), it is possible to achieve antifungal property and difficulty in odoring the container.
If (c) + (d) is less than 3% by mass, the binding property of the excrement disposal material is insufficient, so durability cannot be obtained, and the collapsed material adheres to the container of the system toilet, and the container has odors. It becomes easy to stick. On the other hand, when (c) + (d) exceeds 30% by mass, the binding property can be obtained, but the excrement disposal material can easily absorb urine, the durability is lowered, and the collapsed material adheres to the container. The container is likely to get odors.
In addition, when (c) / (d) is less than 0.17, the excrement disposal material pellet absorbs too much water, which causes mold. Moreover, durability falls and a collapsed substance adheres to a excrement container, and it becomes easy to attach odor to a container. On the other hand, when (c) / (d) exceeds 1.1, it becomes difficult for the excrement disposal material to suck urine, so that urine remains on the surface of the excrement disposal material during urination, causing mold generation. Further, urine remaining on the surface of the excrement disposal material adheres to the container, and the container is likely to get odor.
In the excrement disposal material, the total amount of the component (a) and the component (b) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as (a) + (b)) is 97% by mass or less, preferably 93% by mass or less. . Further, (a) + (b) is preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 85% by mass or more.
Moreover, in the excrement disposal material, the total amount of the components (a) to (d) is 100% by mass or less, preferably 70 to 100% by mass, more preferably 90 to 100% by mass, and particularly preferably 100% by mass. . That is, the excrement disposal material is particularly preferably composed of the components (a) to (d).

  The excrement disposal material may contain components other than the components (a) to (d) as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. As optional components other than the components (a) to (d), known components that are generally used as a pet excrement treating agent can be used. For example, a base material having a deodorizing function such as fragrance, activated carbon, organic acid, Examples thereof include water-insoluble inorganic compounds such as zeolite, silica and clay minerals, colorants, surfactants, chelating agents and the like.

The excrement disposal material of the present invention is in the form of pellets. Pellets are those hardened with a molding machine. The shape of the pellet is not particularly limited, but a cylindrical shape is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of production and usability.
The size of the excrement disposal material of the present invention is not limited as long as the excrement disposal material does not pass through the slats when laid on the slats of the system toilet. For example, when it is cylindrical, the diameter is preferably 3 to 7 mm, more preferably 5 to 6 mm. The length is preferably 5 to 20 mm, more preferably 10 to 15 mm. Within this range, the pet recognizes it as sand for excretion and can smoothly defecate and urinate. In addition, it can be used satisfactorily without being caught between pet paws.

The excrement disposal material of the present invention can be produced by solidifying a mixture of the above components with a molding machine. Moreover, you may further grind | pulverize what was hardened with the molding machine.
The mixing of the above components may be performed by powder mixing or by adding a liquid component such as water. It is preferable to add water at the time of mixing from the point of moldability (it is easy to arrange the shape of a pellet).
Although it does not specifically limit as a shaping | molding machine, A rolling granulator, a stirring granulator, a compression granulator, an extrusion granulator, a crushing granulator, etc. are mentioned. From the viewpoint of ease of production and shape, an extrusion granulator is preferred.

1.8-2.3 are preferable and, as for the specific gravity of the excrement processing material of this invention, 2.0-2.2 are more preferable. When the specific gravity is 1.8 or more, urine odor is hardly attached to the container, antifungal property is good, and scattering of the excrement disposal material during sanding action after urination of the pet is suppressed. When the specific gravity is 2.3 or less, odor of urine is hardly attached to the container, and the deodorizing effect on odor of urine and feces is good.
The specific gravity of the excrement disposal material is a value measured according to the description of the mercury intrusion method (5.2.2) of JIS K1150-1994.
The specific gravity of the excrement disposal material can be adjusted by the content of each component, the production method, and the like. For example, the specific gravity decreases as the content of the component (a) increases, and the specific gravity increases as the content of the component (b) increases.

The excrement disposal material of the present invention is used for a pet system toilet. That is, it is used as the excrement disposal material of a system toilet in which a pellet-like excrement disposal material is laid on the upper layer of a two-layered container divided into upper and lower portions by a slat and a urine absorption sheet is disposed on the lower layer.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an example of a system toilet. The system toilet 1 of this example includes a container 2 composed of a lower layer tray 2a and an upper layer tray 2b placed thereon, a pellet-like excrement disposal material 3 laid in the upper layer tray 2b, and a lower layer tray. And a urine absorbing sheet 4 installed on the bottom surface of 2a. The bottom surface of the upper tray 2b is composed of slats that allow urine to pass but not pass through the excrement disposal material 3.
The system toilet 1 is generally installed indoors and is used for processing pet excrement (urine and feces). Although it does not specifically limit as a pet to which the system toilet 1 is applied, For example, a cat, a small dog, etc. are mentioned. Especially suitable for cats.
When the pets excrete on the excrement disposal material 3 of the system toilet 1, the feces stay on the excrement disposal material 3 as it is, and most of the urine passes through the bottom surface of the excrement disposal material 3 and the upper tray 2b. The urine absorption sheet 4 installed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 2a is absorbed.
By using the excrement disposal material of the present invention as the excrement disposal material 3 of the system toilet 1, a deodorizing effect for suppressing the odor emission from pet urine and feces adhering to the excrement disposal material can be obtained. The urine odor can be prevented from sticking to the container 2. This is because the excrement disposal material of the present invention has high durability and is difficult to disintegrate when exposed to urine, and the excrement disposal material of the present invention has a certain level of liquid absorption. This is thought to be due to the difficulty of urine collection. Moreover, the excrement disposal material of the present invention hardly generates mold even without the addition of an antifungal agent. Furthermore, scattering when the pet performs sand scraping which is a habit after excretion is suppressed. Therefore, it can be used for a long time (for example, several weeks to 2 months), and there are hygiene problems during use (occurrence of odor and mold, scattering of excrement disposal materials with urine and feces, etc.) and cleaning burdens. Few.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
The raw materials and measurement methods used in the following examples are shown below.

<(A) component>
(A) -1: Hinoki sawdust, manufactured by Hinoki Co., Ltd. (trade name: Hinoki sawdust), particle size distribution of 20 μm to 1000 μm is 100%, average particle diameter is 400 μm (mass 50% diameter, measurement method is as described above).
<(B) component>
(B) -1: Calcium carbonate, manufactured by Nitto Flour Industry Co., Ltd. (trade name: NN # 500).
(B) -2: Calcium sulfate, manufactured by Noritake Company Limited (trade name: FT-2 (half water gypsum)).

<(C) component>
(C) -1: Paraffin wax (melting point: 44 ° C.), manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. (trade name: SP-0110).
(C) -2: Paraffin wax (melting point: 62 ° C.), manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. (trade name: SP-0145).
(C) -3: Paraffin wax (melting point: 75 ° C.), manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. (trade name: SP-0160).
(C) -4 (comparative product): liquid paraffin (melting point less than 0 ° C.), manufactured by Sanko Chemical Co., Ltd. (product name: liquid paraffin, industrial type, No. 30).

<(D) component>
(D) -1: Cornstarch, Shikishima Starch Co., Ltd. (trade name: Cornstarch (Y)).
(D) -2: Tapioca starch, manufactured by Nippon Shokuhin Kako Co., Ltd. (trade name: Solar Eclipse MT-01).
(D) -3: Gelatin, manufactured by Nitta Gelatin Co., Ltd. (trade name: RBM11 BML).
(D) -4: Sodium polyacrylate, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (trade name: Aquaric IH)

<Measurement method of specific gravity>
The specific gravity of the pellet (pet excrement disposal material) was measured according to the description of the measurement by the mercury intrusion method (5.2.2) of JIS K1150-1994. However, the measurement was carried out immediately after performing the pretreatment of placing the evaluation sample (one pellet) under vacuum (1500 Pa or less) for 12 hours at 20 ± 2 ° C.

<Measuring method of melting point of paraffin wax>
The melting point of the paraffin wax was measured in accordance with the melting point test method (5.3) of JIS K2235-1991-in the case of paraffin wax (5.3.1).

<Examples 1 to 25 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8>
Each component which shows content (mass%) in Tables 1-4 is put into a 70-L polyethylene plastic bag (Iwai Kasei Co., Ltd., brand name: FHD-70) so that the total amount may become 3 kg according to each content. Then, each component was mixed by hand for 2 minutes so that the components were uniform (components not described in content were not used). After mixing, an amount of water corresponding to 5.7% by mass was added to the total amount (100% by mass) of the obtained mixture, and the mixture was further mixed for 2 minutes. The obtained mixture was subjected to a disk pelleter F-5 type (power: 200 V 3.7 kW 4P, shaft rotational speed 120 rpm) of a disk type extruder manufactured by Dalton Co., Ltd., and a die having a diameter of 5 mm and a plate thickness of 18 mm. And a cylindrical pellet (pet excrement disposal material) having a diameter of 3 to 7 mm and a length of 5 to 20 mm was obtained.

In each of the above examples, spontaneous heat was generated by pressure load during extrusion granulation with a disk pelleter. When the surface temperature of the pellet immediately after extrusion granulation was measured with an infrared thermometer (trade name: Combo radiation thermometer / center thermometer, manufactured by MK Scientific Co., Ltd.), Examples 1-4 and Example 6 were used. The surface temperature of the pellets of ˜25 and Comparative Examples 1-8 was 67 ° C., and the surface temperature of the pellets of Example 5 was 80 ° C.
The water added at the time of mixing each component was evaporated by the heat generated during the extrusion granulation, and did not remain in the pellets immediately after production. That is, as a result of measuring the moisture content of the single raw material and the moisture content of the pellets immediately after production with an infrared moisture meter (Model: FD-600, manufactured by Kett Science Laboratory), no significant difference was observed between the two. Thus, it was confirmed that the water (5.7% by mass) added during mixing was completely evaporated during extrusion granulation. Measurement conditions with an infrared moisture meter: The sample surface temperature was set at 105 ° C. for 10 minutes, and the moisture content per 5 g of the sample was measured.
The following evaluation was performed using the pellets obtained in each example. The results are shown in Tables 1-4.

<Evaluation of deodorizing ability of urine>
As a container for pet toilets, a commercially available one (made by Unicharm Co., Ltd., trade name: 1 week deodorant / antibacterial deo toilet, made of polypropylene, size (outside dimensions): length 540 mm x width 420 mm x height 130 mm) Prepared. Similar to the container 2 shown in FIG. 1, this container has a two-layer structure divided up and down by a slat.
In addition, human urine of adult males was prepared as an alternative to pet urine (model urine). The urine immediately after excretion was stored refrigerated (5 ° C.), and the temperature was adjusted to 38 ± 2 ° C. before use.
Moreover, the thing of the structure shown in FIG. 2 was prepared as an odor evaluation box. The odor evaluation box is a box made of a plastic plate having a thickness of 5 mm, and has a size of 650 mm in length, 650 mm in width, and 1300 mm in height. Two openings (sample insertion port 11 and odor evaluation port 12) are provided on one of the four side surfaces, and a lid that can be opened and closed is attached to each opening. The sample insertion port 11 is provided at the lowermost end of the side surface, and its dimensions are 300 mm long and 550 mm wide. The odor evaluation port 12 is provided near the center of the side surface, and its dimensions are 350 mm in length and 350 mm in width.

3.5 L of pellets were weighed with a hard glass graduated cylinder (trade name: graduated cylinder, volume 2 L, manufactured by Oyo Co., Ltd.), laid on the upper layer of the container and subjected to the following operations.
120 mL of model urine was weighed with a graduated cylinder made of hard glass (trade name: graduated cylinder, volume: 200 mL) and sprinkled over the entire pellet from the top of the laid pellet. The mixture was stirred with rubber gloves (manufactured by Showa Grove Co., Ltd., trade name: New Nitrile Ultrathin).
The above operation is repeated once a day for one week, and then the container containing the used pellets is inserted from the sample insertion port 11 of the odor evaluation box, the inlet is closed, and the container is left at 25 ± 2 ° C. for 30 minutes. did. Thereafter, the odor evaluation port 12 of the odor evaluation box was opened, and the odor intensity of urine was evaluated by the 10 panelists according to the following evaluation criteria. The average score of 10 persons was calculated, and the deodorizing ability against urine odor was determined from the average value according to the following criteria (◎ · ○ was accepted and Δ · x was rejected).

[Evaluation criteria for urine odor intensity]
5 points: Strong smell.
4 points: Strong smell.
3 points: Smell that can be easily detected.
2 points: A weak smell that tells what smell it is.
1 point: The smell that can finally be detected.
0 point: odorless.
[Criteria for deodorizing power of urine]
A: 0.0 point to 0.9 point.
○: 1.0 to 1.9 points.
Δ: 2.0 points to 2.9 points.
X: 3.0 point-5.0 point.

<Evaluation of deodorizing power of feces>
100 mL of pellets in a hard glass measuring cylinder (manufactured by Oyo Co., Ltd., trade name: measuring cylinder, capacity 100 mL) and a glass bottle with a lid of 1.8 L (manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Kogyo Co., Ltd., trade name: 1.8 L of honey) ). On top of that, 1 g of cat feces was placed and covered to seal the inside of the glass bottle. After leaving at room temperature (20 to 26 ° C.) for 1 day, the lid of the glass bottle was removed, and the odor intensity of feces was evaluated by the following panelists based on the following evaluation criteria. The average value of the scores of 10 people was calculated, and the deodorizing power against feces odor was determined from the average value according to the following criteria (◎ and ○ were accepted, and Δ and × were rejected). The feces excreted by adult cats were used within 2 days of collection.

[Evaluation criteria for fecal odor intensity]
5 points: Strong smell.
4 points: Strong smell.
3 points: Smell that can be easily detected.
2 points: A weak smell that tells what smell it is.
1 point: The smell that can finally be detected.
0 point: odorless.
[Judgment criteria for deodorizing power of feces]
A: 0.0 point to 0.9 point.
○: 1.0 to 1.9 points.
Δ: 2.0 points to 2.9 points.
X: 3.0 point-5.0 point.

<Difficulty with odors in pet urine containers>
The container after the urine deodorant evaluation is tilted by 90 ° to 180 °, and the pellets in the container are placed in a plastic bag (Iwai Kasei Co., Ltd., trade name: FHD-70) so that no odor is produced. Sealed plastic bag. Thereafter, 10 panelists brought their noses close to 20 cm on the drainboard of the container from which the pellets were removed, and evaluated the urine odor intensity according to the following evaluation criteria. The average score of 10 persons was calculated, and the deodorizing ability against urine odor was determined from the average value according to the following criteria (◎ · ○ was accepted and Δ · x was rejected). The odor intensity was evaluated within 5 minutes after removing the pellets.

[Evaluation criteria for urine odor intensity]
5 points: Strong smell.
4 points: Strong smell.
3 points: Smell that can be easily detected.
2 points: A weak smell that tells what smell it is.
1 point: The smell that can finally be detected.
0 point: odorless.
[Criteria for deodorizing power of urine]
A: 0.0 point to 0.9 point.
○: 1.0 to 1.9 points.
Δ: 2.0 points to 2.9 points.
X: 3.0 point-5.0 point.

<Difficult to scatter pellets>
3.5 L of pellets were weighed with a hard glass graduated cylinder (trade name: graduated cylinder, volume: 2 liters manufactured by Oyo Co., Ltd.) and used in the pet system toilet container (in the above evaluation of deodorizing power of urine) The same thing) was laid on the upper layer of slats and used to treat the excrement of a 13-year-old Japanese cat (female). After the end of excretion 12 times, the number of pellets scattered out of the container was counted, and from the result, the difficulty of scattering was determined according to the following criteria (◎ · ○ was accepted and Δ · x was rejected).
[Judgment criteria for difficulty in scattering]
A: 15 or less / day (the number of scattered items is felt to be small).
○: 16 to 30 pieces / day (the number of scattered pieces is felt to be slightly less).
(Triangle | delta): 31-45 pieces / day (The scattered number is felt a little more).
X: 46 or more / day (a large number of scattered objects can be felt).

<Durability of pellets>
10 g of pellets and 50 mL of distilled water adjusted to 25 ± 2 ° C. were placed in a 100 mL capacity glass bottle (manufactured by Tanuma Glass Industrial Co., Ltd., trade name: PS-No. 11) and left for 6 hours. Thereafter, the degree of disintegration of the pellets in the glass bottle was visually observed, and the durability of the pellets was determined according to the following criteria (◎ and ○ were accepted, and Δ and × were rejected).
[Durability criteria]
(Double-circle): A pellet does not collapse at all, it maintains the pellet shape completely, and the durability is extremely good.
○: Pellets are almost undisintegrated and almost in the shape of pellets, and durability is good.
(Triangle | delta): The pellet has collapsed a little, the pellet shape has collapsed a little, and durability is a little insufficient.
X: Most of the pellet collapses, most of the pellet shape collapses and the durability is insufficient.

<Anti-fungal property>
3.5 L of pellets were weighed with a hard glass graduated cylinder (trade name: graduated cylinder, volume: 2 liters manufactured by Oyo Co., Ltd.) and used in the pet system toilet container (in the above evaluation of deodorizing power of urine) The same operation was performed on the upper slats and the following operations were performed.
120 mL of model urine (same as that used in the above urine deodorant evaluation) was weighed with a hard glass graduated cylinder (Oyo Corporation, trade name: graduated cylinder, capacity 200 mL), After sprinkling all over the pellets from above, the pellets were agitated by hands wearing rubber gloves (trade name: New Nitrile ultra-thin).
The above operation was repeated once a day for a maximum of 60 days until mold was observed. After stirring, the container containing the pellets was stored in a temperature-controlled room at 25 ° C. and 60% humidity until the next time the model urine was sprinkled. The presence or absence of mold was confirmed by visual observation.
Antifungal properties were determined according to the following criteria based on the number of days from the start of applying the model urine until the mold was observed (◎ and ○ were accepted, and Δ and × were rejected).
[Criteria for antifungal properties]
A: Mold is not observed even after 60 days from the start of applying model urine.
○: Mold is observed within 40 to 59 days from the start of applying model urine.
Δ: Mold is observed within 15 to 39 days from the start of applying model urine.
X: Mold is observed within 14 days from the start of applying model urine.

As shown in the above results, the pellets of Examples 1 to 25 are less likely to get odors on the container, the scattering is suppressed, the durability is high, and the antifungal agent is not included but has good antifungal properties. Had.
On the other hand, the comparative example 1 which does not contain the component (b) was likely to have odor on the container, easily scattered, and poor in durability and mold resistance. This is thought to be due to the fact that the specific gravity was reduced by not including the component (b). In Comparative Example 2 not containing the component (a), the container was likely to have odor, and the deodorizing power was poor for both urine and feces. The antifungal property was also poor. (C) + (d) is 2 mass% comparative example 3, 32 mass% comparative example 4, (c) / (d) is 1.20 comparative example 5, (c) / (d) is 0. In each of Comparative Examples 6 and 14, the container was likely to have odor, and durability and antifungal properties were poor. In Comparative Examples 7 to 8, in which liquid paraffin was blended in place of the component (c), the container was likely to have odor, the durability was poor, and the antifungal property was poor.

  1 ... Pet toilet, 2 ... Container, 3 ... Excrement treatment agent, 4 ... Urine absorption sheet

Claims (2)

(A) containing wood flour, (b) calcium carbonate and / or calcium sulfate, (c) paraffin wax having a melting point of 40 ° C. or higher, and (d) a binder,
The total amount of the component (c) and the component (d) is 3 to 30% by mass, and the mass ratio represented by the component (c) / the component (d) is 0.17 to 1.1. A certain pellet-like excrement disposal material for pets.   The total amount of the component (c) and the component (d) is 3 to 20% by mass, the content of the component (a) is 40 to 50% by mass, and the content of the component (b) is The pet excrement disposal material according to claim 1, which is 40 to 50 mass% (however, the total amount of the component (a) and the component (b) is 97 mass% or less).

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