JPH0965789A - Small animal toilet sand - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a toilet sand for small animals, comprising a molding of a composition containing a clay mineral, etc., consisting essentially of montmorillonite, capable of preventing malodor from emitting and simply and sanitarily carrying out the disposal and excellent in water absorptivity and gelation characteristics. SOLUTION: This toilet sand for small animals comprises a molding of a composition containing a clay mineral consisting essentially of montmorillonite such as bentonite and an activated clay. Furthermore, one or more of a sodium salt, sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide and/or one or more of a magnesium salt, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide in an amount of 3-7 pts.wt. based on 100 pts.wt. total amount of the clay mineral and the activated clay are preferably blended in the composition and the activated clay in an amount of 3-50 pts.wt. based on 100 pts.wt. clay mineral is preferably blended therein.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a toilet sand for pet animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to a small animal litter containing a highly water-absorbing, gelling granule that completely wraps small animal excrement into a solid mass.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of treating excrement of pet animals represented by cats, a method of laying paper such as newspaper or toilet sand on the toilet has been used. In the case of paper, if it is soiled with excrement, it is discarded together with the excrement and replaced, but if it is not replaced frequently, bad odors and hygiene problems occur.
Also, paper is not a preferred material for animals that have the habit of filling and concealing excrement.

[0003] In the case of toilet sand, there are mainly two types: one that is reused after washing excrement with water and dried, and one that discards only the portion of the excreted water that has absorbed water because the sand solidifies. . In both cases, crushed particles of natural stone are mainly used, zeolite is used for reuse and bentonite is used for solidification and disposal. With regard to zeolite, excrement is present as it is due to its poor absorbency, which causes an offensive odor. Further, there is a problem that it takes time to wash and dry for reuse.
On the other hand, bentonite is a type of litter that is not reusable but is excellent in the ease of disposal and is also preferred by animals that have the habit of concealing excrement. But,
Moisture absorption and solidification performance are not yet sufficient, and there is also a problem with deodorizing effect. When the animal digs back every time it is excreted, the grains of sand are broken, and the grains gradually become finer and more likely to scatter.

[0004]

Therefore, the present invention is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a litter for small animals, which absorbs water excreted by small animals and easily forms a strong lump, which is excellent in absorbability and deodorant property.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies in view of the above problems, the present inventors have found that a molded product of a composition in which a predetermined amount of activated clay is contained in a clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component is excellent. They found that they have water-absorbing and gelling properties, and have completed the present invention based on this finding. That is, the present invention comprises (1) a molded sand of a composition comprising a clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component and activated clay, and (2) a sodium salt in the composition. , At least one of sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide and / or a magnesium salt, and at least one of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide (1). And (3) The litter for small animals according to (1) or (2), wherein the clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component is bentonite.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The litter for small animals of the present invention comprises:
A composition containing a clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component and activated clay is used. The clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component is not particularly limited as long as it contains montmorillonite as a main component, and may be a natural product or a synthetic product. Specifically, for example, calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite, saponite, hectorite and activated bentonite obtained by exchanging calcium ions with sodium ions can be used, and natural calcium bentonite is particularly preferable.

In the present invention, it is necessary to use activated clay, and the purpose cannot be achieved with simple clay (acid clay). The activated clay used in the present invention is obtained by treating acid clay with an acid to improve its properties such as adsorptivity. Various activated clays can be obtained by combining raw materials and acid treatment. In the present invention, it is preferable to use activated clay obtained by treating acidic clay with sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. The amount of the activated clay to be used is 1 to 400 parts by weight, preferably 2 to 100 parts by weight, and more preferably 3 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component. If the amount of activated clay is too large, gelation will be weakened and the caking strength will be reduced, so that a strong lump cannot be obtained. If the amount is too small, the water absorption is lowered and the amount used is increased, which may be economically unfavorable.

The composition used in the present invention may further contain one or more of sodium salt, sodium hydroxide, sodium oxide, magnesium salt, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide. The sodium salt is particularly preferably sodium carbonate, and the magnesium salt is preferably magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate. The total amount of the sodium salt, sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide (hereinafter referred to as sodium compound) used is 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component and the activated clay. It is preferably 3 to 7 parts by weight,
The total amount of magnesium salt, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide (hereinafter referred to as magnesium compound) is also 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 3 to 7 parts by weight.
By using a sodium compound and / or a magnesium compound, the water absorption and gelling properties are further improved, but if the amount of these used is too large, the water absorption worsens or the lumps when solidified become soft. It may get lost. Further, when the pH is high, the deodorizing power with respect to amine odor may be reduced. The sodium compound and / or the magnesium compound may be added as powder before water addition and kneading, or may be added as an aqueous solution at the time of water addition. Alternatively, it is also possible to prepare each as an aqueous solution, mix and react them, and then add them at the time of water addition.

The litter for small animals of the present invention can be produced by kneading the above composition and then granulating it into a suitable shape. The kneading can be carried out by a commonly used method, and as the kneading device, for example, an Erich mill, a Spartan Luzer, a ribbon mixer or the like can be used. The water content after kneading and during molding varies depending on the amounts and types of sodium compounds and magnesium compounds used, but usually 10 to 5 both after kneading and during molding.
It is 0% by weight, preferably 25-40% by weight. The granulation and molding may be carried out by a usual method, and for example, an apparatus such as a horizontal granulator, a preliminary granulator, a disk pelleter or the like can be used. The particle shape after granulation is preferably spherical, cylindrical, flake-shaped, or corrugated, but is not limited thereto. The particle size is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.7 to 5 mm. The smaller the particle size, the better the solidifying ability and deodorizing power when absorbing water,
If it is too small, the sand tends to scatter when the animal is dug up or discarded. On the other hand, if the particle size is too large, the water absorbency deteriorates and the state of solidification also deteriorates. Since the total surface area is small, the deodorizing effect is also reduced. After granulation, it is dried until the water content is preferably 1 to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 2 to 10% by weight, to obtain a highly water-absorbing, gelled granule. For drying, for example, a fluidized bed dryer, a rotary dryer, a midget dryer or the like can be used.

In addition to the highly water-absorbing and gelling granules thus obtained, the small animal toilet sand of the present invention is mixed with a deodorant, an antibacterial agent, zeolite, wood powder, paper powder, etc., if necessary. Good.

The reason why the water absorption and gelation properties are improved in the present invention is not yet clear, but by using a predetermined amount of activated clay with a clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component, the urine of a small animal can be rapidly increased in quantity. It is presumed that the water absorption, the gelling property and the deodorizing power are improved by the function of absorbing the amount of water and increasing the solidification force of the clay minerals.

[0012]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The highly water-absorbing and gelling litter for small animals of the present invention not only has excellent water-absorbing property, deodorizing property and gelling property, but also completely encloses animal excrement. Since the solid mass is quickly solidified and dried, it is possible to prevent an offensive odor from occurring and to dispose of it easily and hygienically.

[0013]

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. Example 1 Calcium bentonite (Kunimine Industry Co., Ltd., trade name
5 parts by weight of activated clay (manufactured by Mizusawa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) to 95 parts by weight of Kunibond to make 100 parts by weight, 4 parts by weight of soda ash and 30 parts by weight of water are added, and the mixture is kneaded with a kneader and granulated. Particle size 3m using a machine (disc pelleter)
Granulated into a cylindrical shape of m. The water content after granulation was 30.2% by weight. Water content is 3.7 with a midget dryer.
Dry to weight%, crush and crush to 6 mesh (opening 3.36
(mm) sieve, and the granulated product remaining on the 16-mesh (mesh opening 1 mm) sieve was designated as Sample 1.

Example 2 To 90 parts by weight of the same bentonite as in Example 1 was added 10 parts by weight of the same activated clay as in Example 1 to make 100 parts by weight, and 4 parts by weight of soda ash and 30 parts by weight of water were added thereto. Mixing and kneading were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 to granulate to a particle size of 3 mm. The water content after granulation was 30.8% by weight. This is Example 1
In the same manner as above, the sample was dried to a water content of 2.7%, crushed, passed through a 6-mesh sieve, and left as a granulated product on the 16-mesh sieve as Sample 2.

Example 3 To 80 parts by weight of the same bentonite as in Example 1 was added 20 parts by weight of the same activated clay as in Example 1 to make 100 parts by weight, and 4 parts by weight of magnesium chloride and 30 parts by weight of water were added thereto. Mixing and kneading were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 to granulate to a particle size of 3 mm. The water content after granulation was 29.7% by weight. This was dried in the same manner as in Example 1 to a water content of 2.7%, crushed, passed through a 6-mesh sieve, and the granulated product remaining on the 16-mesh sieve was designated as Sample 3.

Example 4 90 parts by weight of activated bentonite (Kunimine Industry Co., Ltd., trade name Neokunibond) was added to 10 parts by weight of the same activated clay 10 as in Example 1.
Then, 30 parts by weight of water was added thereto, mixed and kneaded with a kneader, and then molded into a thickness of 0.6 mm using a three-roll mill. Water content after molding is 29.8.
% By weight. This was dried in the same manner as in Example 1 to a water content of 3.2%, crushed, passed through a 6-mesh sieve,
The flake product remaining on the 16-mesh sieve was designated as Sample 4.

Example 5 90 parts by weight of the same bentonite as in Example 1 was added with 10 parts by weight of the same activated clay as in Example 1 to make 100 parts by weight, and 2 parts by weight of soda ash, 2 parts by weight of magnesium chloride and 3 parts of water were added to this.
Add 0 parts by weight, mix and knead as in Example 1,
Granulated to a particle size of 3 mm. The water content after granulation was 30.1% by weight. The water content is 2.8 in the same manner as in Example 1.
%, Dried and crushed, passed through a 6-mesh sieve, and the granulated product remaining on the 16-mesh sieve was designated as Sample 5.

Comparative Example 1 100 parts by weight of the same bentonite as in Example 1 was added to 4 parts of soda ash.
Parts by weight and 30 parts by weight of water were added, mixed and kneaded in the same manner as in Example 1, and granulated to a particle size of 3 mm. This was dried, crushed and passed through a 6-mesh sieve in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain 1
The granulated product remaining on the 6-mesh sieve was designated as Comparative Sample 1.

Comparative Example 2 30 parts by weight of water was added to 100 parts by weight of the same bentonite as in Example 1, mixed and kneaded in the same manner as in Example 1, and granulated to a particle size of 3 mm. This is dried in the same manner as in Example 1,
The granulated product that had been crushed and passed through a 6-mesh sieve and remained on the 16-mesh sieve was designated as Comparative Sample 2.

Comparative Examples 3 to 5 Among the commercially available bentonite companion animal litters, three kinds of A (crushed granulated product), B (extruded granulated product) and C (rolling granulated product) are comparative samples. It was set to 3-5.

For the samples obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples,
The following physical properties and performance tests were conducted. The results are shown in Table 1. Hardness test 1 kg of the sample was put into the ball A of the apparatus shown in FIG.
Device shown in (using Shibata burette, adjust nozzle so that 20 ml of saline solution flows out in 5 seconds in advance)
Then, 20 ml of 2% saline solution was poured in, and after about 30 seconds, the saline solution was absorbed and the solidified portion was taken out by hand. This was put in the container D of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and 1 minute later, water was added to the container D at a rate of about 4 liters per minute. At this time, the lump of the sample is observed, and when the lump cracks or collapses, the pump P
Then, the injection of water was stopped, the total weight of the container D containing the lump and water and the piston E was measured, and this value was defined as the hardness (g).

Weight test Similar to the hardness test, 20 ml of 2% saline was poured into the sample,
The lump was taken out after about 30 seconds and its weight (g) was measured.

Permeability test Similar to the hardness test, 2% per 1 kg of sample using the apparatus of FIG.
20 ml of saline was poured, and after about 30 seconds, the lump was taken out, its diameter D (mm) and height H (mm) were measured, and the permeation rate (%) was determined from the following formula. Penetration rate (%) = (H / D) x 100

[0024]

[Table 1]

From the results shown in Table 1, the litter for small animals of the present invention is superior to the comparative examples in any of the tests, and absorbs animal excrement in a small amount, wraps it, and forms a quick and solid mass. I know there is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus used for saline injection in a test example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus used for measuring hardness in a test example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ball D container E piston P pump

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A litter for small animals, comprising a molded product of a composition containing clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component and activated clay. 2. The composition comprises at least one of sodium salt, sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide and / or at least one of magnesium salt, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide. The litter for small animals according to claim 1. 3. The litter for small animals according to claim 1, wherein the clay mineral containing montmorillonite as a main component is bentonite.