JP7308159B2 - Water absorption treatment material and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a water absorbing material that absorbs liquid and a method for producing the same.

As a conventional water absorbing treatment material, there is one described in Patent Document 1, for example. The water-absorbing treatment material described in the document is an animal excrement treatment material, and is composed of a large number of water-absorbing granular bodies. Each granule has a granulated core and a covering that covers the core. The covering part has a function of adhering the granules that have absorbed liquid during use. As a result, a mass of used granules is formed.

JP 2007-190026 A

The coating contains an adhesive material that contributes to clumping of the used granules. In order to increase the aggregate strength of the used granules, it is preferable that the amount of the adhesive material contained in the coating portion is large. However, adhesive materials are relatively expensive materials. Therefore, when the amount of the adhesive material used increases, the manufacturing cost of the water absorbing material increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a water-absorbing treatment material that can sufficiently ensure the strength of a lump of used granules while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs, and a method for manufacturing the same. intended to

A water-absorbing material according to the present invention has a granular first core and a first coating containing a first adhesive material and covering the first core, and is a liquid-absorbing first core. 1 granules, a granulated second core, and a second coating containing a second adhesive material and covering the second core, wherein the liquid-absorbing second and granules, wherein the weight ratio of the second adhesive material in the second covering portion is smaller than the weight ratio of the first adhesive material in the first covering portion. Characterized by

In this water absorbing material, first and second granular bodies are provided. The first granules have a first coating containing a first adhesive material. Also, the second granules have a second coating containing a second adhesive material. The weight percentage of the second adhesive material in the second coating is less than the weight percentage of the first adhesive material in the first coating. By reducing the weight ratio of the second adhesive material in this way, the amount of the adhesive material (second adhesive material) used can be saved. Further, the adhesive action of the first adhesive material contained in the first granules extends to the second granules surrounding the first granules. Therefore, even if the weight ratio of the second adhesive material is small, it is possible to ensure sufficient clumping strength with respect to clumping of the used granules (first and second granules).

In addition, the method for producing a water absorbing material according to the present invention comprises: a first granule forming step for forming first granules for absorbing liquid; a second granule for forming second granules for absorbing liquid; a body forming step, wherein the first granular body forming step comprises a first core forming step of forming a granular first core; and a first covering portion forming step of forming a first covering portion covering the core portion of the second granular material forming step includes a second core portion forming step of forming a granular second core portion and a second covering forming step of forming a second covering containing a second adhesive material and covering the second core, wherein the second covering forming step comprises , the second coating such that the weight percentage of the second adhesive material in the second coating portion is smaller than the weight percentage of the first adhesive material in the first coating portion; It is characterized by forming a part.

In this manufacturing method, first and second granules are formed. The first granules have a first coating containing a first adhesive material. Also, the second granules have a second coating containing a second adhesive material. The weight percentage of the second adhesive material in the second coating is less than the weight percentage of the first adhesive material in the first coating. By reducing the weight ratio of the second adhesive material in this way, the amount of the adhesive material (second adhesive material) used can be saved. In addition, in the manufactured water-absorbent treatment material, the adhesive action of the first adhesive material contained in the first granules extends to the second granules surrounding the first granules. Therefore, even if the weight ratio of the second adhesive material is small, it is possible to ensure sufficient clumping strength with respect to clumping of the used granules (first and second granules).

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water-absorbing treatment material which can fully ensure the lump strength of a used granular material, and its manufacturing method are implement|achieved, suppressing the rise in manufacturing cost.

1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a water-absorbing treatment material according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a granular material 10; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a granular material 20; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the manufacturing method which concerns on one Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the water-absorbing treatment material according to the present invention. The water absorbing material 1 is a water absorbing material made up of a plurality of granules, and includes granules 10 (first granules) and granules 20 (second granules). The absorbent material 1 is an excrement treatment material that absorbs animal or human excrement. The absorbent material 1 is used, for example, in a state in which the granular bodies 10 and 20 are laid in a box-shaped toilet.

Each granular material 10, 20 has water absorbency and absorbs the liquid to be treated. The particle size of each granular material 10, 20 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. Here, the particle size of the granular material 10 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can contain the granular material 10 . The same applies to the grain size of the granular material 20 . The particle size of the granular material 10 and the particle size of the granular material 20 are substantially equal to each other. A plurality of granular bodies 10 and a plurality of granular bodies 20 are provided. In the water absorbing material 1, these granular bodies 10 and 20 are mixed. The number of granules 10 is preferably 30% or more and 70% or less of the total number of granules 10 and 20, and more preferably 40% or more and 60% or less.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the granular material 10. As shown in FIG. The granular material 10 has a core portion 12 (first core portion) and a covering portion 14 (first covering portion). The core part 12 is formed in a granular shape. Examples of such granular shapes include spheres, cylinders, ellipsoids, and the like. The core 12 has the function of absorbing and retaining liquid. The core 12 contains a water absorbent material. The core part 12 is mainly made of a water absorbing material. Here, the main material of the core portion 12 means the material constituting the core portion 12 that accounts for the largest weight ratio in the core portion 12 . The core portion 12 may be made of only the water-absorbing material, or may be made of the water-absorbing material and other materials. The absorbent material is preferably organic. For example, papers, used tea leaves, plastics, or soybean curd refuse can be used as organic water-absorbing materials. In this embodiment, core 12 does not contain an adhesive material.

Paper refers to materials mainly composed of pulp. Examples of paper include, in addition to ordinary paper, classified vinyl chloride wallpaper (paper obtained by classifying vinyl chloride wallpaper), fluff pulp, paper sludge, pulp sludge, and the like. As plastics, for example, classified paper diapers (plastic obtained by classifying paper diapers) may be used. The okara is preferably dried okara.

The covering portion 14 covers the core portion 12 . The covering portion 14 covers the entire surface of the core portion 12 . The covering portion 14 has a function of adhering the particles 10 and 20 together to form a mass during use (when the water-absorbent treatment material 1 absorbs the liquid to be treated). The covering portion 14 contains a water absorbent material and an adhesive material 32 (first adhesive material). The covering portion 14 is also mainly made of a water absorbing material. The definition of the main material of the covering portion 14 is the same as the definition of the main material of the core portion 12 described above. The water absorbing material contained in the covering portion 14 is also preferably organic. As the adhesive material 32, for example, a water-absorbent polymer (including a superabsorbent polymer; hereinafter the same), starch, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), or dextrin can be used. The weight ratio of the covering portion 14 to the granular material 10 is, for example, 10% or more and 20% or less.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the granular material 20. As shown in FIG. The granular material 20 has a core portion 22 (second core portion) and a covering portion 24 (second covering portion). The core portion 22 is shaped like a granule. The core 22 has the function of absorbing and retaining liquid. The core 22 contains a water absorbent material. The core part 22 is mainly made of a water absorbing material. The definition of the main material of the core portion 22 is the same as the definition of the main material of the core portion 12 described above. The core portion 22 may be made of only the water-absorbing material, or may be made of the water-absorbing material and other materials. The absorbent material is preferably organic. In this embodiment, core 22 does not contain an adhesive material. The core portion 22 is made of material having substantially the same composition as the core portion 12 . Also, the core portion 22 has substantially the same shape and size as the core portion 12 .

The covering portion 24 covers the core portion 22 . The covering portion 24 covers the entire surface of the core portion 22 . The thickness of the covering portion 24 is approximately equal to the thickness of the covering portion 14 . The covering portion 24 has a function of bonding the granules 10 and 20 together to form a mass when in use. The covering portion 24 contains a water absorbent material and an adhesive material 34 (second adhesive material). The covering portion 24 is also mainly made of a water absorbing material. The definition of the main material of the covering portion 24 is the same as the definition of the main material of the core portion 12 described above. The water absorbing material contained in the covering portion 24 is also preferably organic. Adhesive material 34 can be, for example, a water-absorbent polymer, starch, CMC, PVA, or dextrin. The weight ratio of the covering portion 24 to the granular material 20 is, for example, 10% or more and 20% or less.

The weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in the covering portion 24 is smaller than the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 in the covering portion 14 . When the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 in the coating portion 14 is A%, and the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in the coating portion 24 is B%, it is preferable that B≦0.8A, and B≦0. 0.5A is more preferred. A is a value that satisfies, for example, 10≦A≦30. B is a value that satisfies, for example, 5≦B≦24. The weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 to the whole granules 20 is also smaller than the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 to the whole granules 10 .

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the water absorbing material 1 will be described as an embodiment of the method for manufacturing the water absorbing material according to the present invention. This manufacturing method includes a first granule forming step and a second granule forming step.

The first granule forming step is a step of forming granules 10 . This step includes a first core portion forming step and a first covering portion forming step. The first core forming step is a step of forming the core 12 . In this step, the core 12 is formed by granulating the core material (one or two or more materials forming the core 12) using a granulator. In this embodiment, a plurality of cores 12 are formed. As a granulator, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. Prior to granulation, the core material is subjected to pretreatment such as pulverization, kneading, adding water, etc., as required.

The first covering portion forming step is a step of forming the covering portion 14 . In this step, the coating portion 14 is formed by applying a powdery coating material (material forming the coating portion 14) to the surface of each core portion 12 using a coating device or the like. This covering material contains an adhesive material 32 . Application of the coating material can be carried out, for example, by spraying or spraying. Thereby, a plurality of granules 10 are obtained.

The second granule forming step is a step of forming the granules 20 . This step includes a second core portion forming step and a second covering portion forming step. The second core portion forming step is a step of forming the core portion 22 . In this step, the core 22 is formed by granulating the core material (one or two or more materials forming the core 22) using a granulator. In this embodiment, a plurality of cores 22 are formed.

The second covering portion forming step is a step of forming the covering portion 24 . In this step, the coating portion 24 is formed by applying a powdery coating material (material forming the coating portion 24) to the surface of each core portion 22 using a coating device or the like. This covering material contains an adhesive material 34 . At this time, the covering portion 24 is formed so that the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in the covering portion 24 is smaller than the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 in the covering portion 14 . Thereby, a plurality of granules 20 are obtained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the manufacturing method according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the second core forming step and the first core forming step are performed simultaneously using the same device (step S41). That is, the first and second core forming steps are performed as one step. In this step, a common core material is granulated using a granulator to form a plurality of granules that will become the core 12 and the core 22 . After that, a dividing step is performed (step S42). The dividing step is a step of dividing the plurality of granules into a first group and a second group at a predetermined ratio. The granules divided into the first group serve as the core portion 12 , and the granules divided into the second group serve as the core portion 22 .

In the first covering portion forming step (step S43), the covering portion 14 is formed on the granules classified into the first group. In the second covering portion forming step (step S44), the covering portion 24 is formed on the granules classified into the second group. The first covering portion forming step and the second covering portion forming step may be performed simultaneously or sequentially. In the latter case, the first covering portion forming step may be performed prior to the second covering portion forming step, or the second covering portion forming step may be performed prior to the first covering portion forming step. good too.

The mixing step (step S45) is a step of mixing the granular bodies 10 formed in the first granular body forming process and the granular bodies 20 formed in the second granular body forming process. In this step, it is preferable to mix the granules 10 and the granules 20 so that the number of the granules 10 is 30% or more and 70% or less of the total number of the granules 10 and the granules 20. Further, it is more preferable to mix the granules 10 and the granules 20 so that the number of the granules 10 is 40% or more and 60% or less of the total number of the granules 10 and the granules 20 . In this step, it is preferable to stir the mixed granules 10 and 20 . Thereafter, post-treatments such as sieving and drying are performed as necessary. As described above, the water absorbing treatment material 1 in which the granular bodies 10 and the granular bodies 20 are mixed is obtained.

Effects of the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, granules 10 and 20 are formed. The grain 10 has a coating 14 containing an adhesive material 32 . The granules 20 also have a covering portion 24 containing an adhesive material 34 . The weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in the covering portion 24 is smaller than the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 in the covering portion 14 . By reducing the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in this way, the amount of the adhesive material (adhesive material 34) used can be saved. In addition, in the manufactured water absorbent material 1 , the adhesive action of the adhesive material 32 contained in the granular bodies 10 also extends to the granular bodies 20 surrounding the granular bodies 10 . For this reason, even if the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 is small, it is possible to ensure sufficient clumping strength with respect to clumping of the used granules 10 and 20 . Therefore, the water absorbing material 1 and the method of manufacturing the same are realized, which can sufficiently ensure the strength of the lumps of the used granules 10 and 20 while suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost.

As the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 is reduced, the amount of adhesive material used can be saved. From this point of view, when the weight ratio of the adhesive material 32 in the covering portion 14 is A% and the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 in the covering portion 24 is B%, it is preferable that B≦0.8A. , B≦0.5A. On the other hand, if the weight ratio of the adhesive material 34 is too small, the adhesion action of the adhesive material 34 will be insufficient, which may hinder the formation of lumps of the used granules 10 and 20 . From this point of view, it is preferable that B≧0.1A.

In order to save the amount of adhesive material used, it is advantageous for the proportion of the granular material 10 in the entire water absorbent treatment material 1 to be small. From this point of view, the number of granules 10 is preferably 70% or less of the total number of granules 10 and 20, and more preferably 60% or less. On the other hand, if the proportion of the granules 10 is too small, the adhesion action of the adhesive material 32 is insufficient, which may hinder the formation of lumps of the used granules 10 and 20 . From this point of view, the number of granules 10 is preferably 30% or more of the total number of granules 10 and 20, and more preferably 40% or more.

Both the granules 10 and the granules 20 are provided with coating portions (coating portions 14 and 24). As a result, since the covering portions are bonded between the used granules 10 and 20, compared to the case where only one of the granules 10 and 20 is provided with the covering portion, the granules 10 , 20 can be stably formed.

The core portion 12 and the core portion 22 are made of materials having substantially the same composition. Thereby, the core material used for forming the core part 12 and the core material used for forming the core part 22 can be made common. Moreover, the core portion 12 and the core portion 22 have substantially the same shape and size. Thereby, the granulator used for forming the core part 12 and the granulator used for forming the core part 22 can be shared.

In this way, when the core 12 and the core 22 are made of materials of substantially the same composition and have substantially the same shape and size, these cores 12 and 22 can be simultaneously processed using the same device. can be formed. In fact, in this embodiment, the first and second core forming steps are performed simultaneously using the same apparatus. As a result, the water absorbing material 1 in which the granular bodies 10 and the granular bodies 20 are mixed can be efficiently manufactured. This also leads to a reduction in manufacturing cost of the water absorbing material 1 .

In the first and second core forming steps, a plurality of granules to be the cores 12 and 22 are formed by granulating the core material using a granulator. Then, a dividing step is performed after that, and these granules are divided into a granule group (first group) that will be the core portion 12 and a granule group (second group) that will be the core portion 22. divided into As described above, each granule formed in the first and second core forming steps is determined to be either the core 12 or the core 22 only after the dividing step is performed. Therefore, at the stages of the first and second core forming steps, it is not necessary to distinguish between the granules that will become the core 12 and the granules that will become the core 22 . For this reason, in the present embodiment, although two types of granules (the granules 10 and 20) are formed, one type of granules is formed by using the first and second core forming steps as one step. It can be performed in the same way as when only the body is formed.

Core 12 and core 22 do not contain an adhesive material. As a result, the amount of adhesive material used can be saved, and the manufacturing cost of the water absorbent material 1 can be further reduced.

The thickness of the covering portion 24 is approximately equal to the thickness of the covering portion 14 . Thereby, the grain size of the grains 20 can be made substantially equal to the grain size of the grains 10 . Making the grain sizes of the granular bodies 10 and the granular bodies 20 uniform in this manner is advantageous in enhancing the appearance of the water-absorbent treatment material 1 .

Since the water-absorbent polymer has the property of swelling when it absorbs liquid, the covering portion 14 containing the absorbent polymer deforms so as to spread around the granular material 10 when liquid is absorbed. Similarly, the covering portion 24 containing the absorbent polymer deforms so as to spread around the granules 20 when liquid is absorbed. As a result, the covering portion 14 and the covering portion 24 involve the surrounding granular materials 10 and 20 to form lumps of the granular materials 10 and 20 . Therefore, a water-absorbing polymer can be particularly preferably used as the adhesive materials 32,34.

When the core portion 12 and the covering portion 14 are mainly made of organic matter, the granules 10 suitable for incineration disposal can be obtained. Similarly, when the core portion 22 and the covering portion 24 are mainly made of organic matter, the granules 20 suitable for incineration disposal can be obtained. If the granules 10 and 20 are suitable for incineration disposal in this way, the used water-absorbing treatment material 1 can be disposed of as combustible waste, which improves convenience for the user.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, the case where the first and second core forming steps are performed simultaneously using the same device is exemplified. However, the first and second core forming steps may be performed simultaneously using different equipment. Also, the first and second core forming steps may be performed in sequence using the same or different devices. In that case, the first core forming step may be performed prior to the second core forming step, or the second core forming step may be performed prior to the first core forming step. good.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the core portion 12 and the core portion 22 are made of materials having substantially the same composition is exemplified. However, core 12 and core 22 may be made of materials with different compositions. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the case where the core portion 12 and the core portion 22 have substantially the same shape and size is exemplified. However, the core portion 12 and the core portion 22 may differ in shape or size.

In the above embodiment, the case where neither the core portion 12 nor the core portion 22 contains an adhesive material is exemplified. However, at least one of core 12 and core 22 may contain an adhesive material.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the covering portion 14 and the covering portion 24 have approximately the same thickness is exemplified. However, the covering portion 14 and the covering portion 24 may have different thicknesses.

In the above embodiment, the case where the water absorbing material is the excreta treating material is exemplified. However, the water-absorbing material may be a vomit-treating material that absorbs vomit or a garbage-treating material that absorbs garbage (moisture contained in garbage).

1 Water absorption treatment material 10 Granules (first granules)
12 core (first core)
14 covering part (first covering part)
20 granules (second granules)
22 core (second core)
24 covering part (second covering part)
32 adhesive material (first adhesive material)
34 adhesive material (second adhesive material)

Claims (24)

a liquid-absorbing first granule having a first granule core and a first coating containing a first adhesive material and covering the first core;
a second granule that absorbs liquid, having a granulated second core and a second coating containing a second adhesive material and covering the second core; ,
A water absorption treatment material, wherein the weight ratio of the second adhesive material in the second covering portion is smaller than the weight ratio of the first adhesive material in the first covering portion. In the water absorbing material according to claim 1,
When the weight percentage of the first adhesive material is A% and the weight percentage of the second adhesive material is B%,
A water-absorbing material wherein B≦0.8A. In the water absorbing material according to claim 2,
A water-absorbing treatment material in which B≦0.5A. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of the first and second granular bodies are provided in the water absorbing treatment material. In the water absorption treatment material according to claim 4,
The water absorbing material, wherein the number of the first granules is 30% or more and 70% or less of the total number of the first and second granules. In the water absorption treatment material according to claim 5,
The water absorbing material, wherein the number of the first granules is 40% or more and 60% or less of the total number of the first and second granules. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first core part and the second core part are water-absorbing treatment materials made of materials having substantially the same composition. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The first core portion and the second core portion are water absorbing treatment materials having substantially the same shape and size. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The first and second cores are water-absorbent treatment materials containing no adhesive material. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The water-absorbing treatment material, wherein the thickness of the second covering portion is substantially equal to the thickness of the first covering portion. In the water absorbing material according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A water-absorbing treatment material in which the first and second adhesive materials are water-absorbing polymers. a first granule forming step of forming first granules that absorb liquid;
a second granule forming step of forming second granules that absorb liquid;
The first granule forming step includes a first core forming step of forming a granular first core, and a first granule containing a first adhesive material and covering the first core. A first covering portion forming step of forming a covering portion,
The second granule forming step includes a second core forming step of forming a granular second core, and a second core containing a second adhesive material and covering the second core. A second covering portion forming step of forming a covering portion,
In the second covering portion forming step, the weight ratio of the second adhesive material in the second covering portion is higher than the weight ratio of the first adhesive material in the first covering portion. A method for producing a water-absorbing treatment material, characterized in that the second covering portion is formed so as to be small. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 12,
In the second covering portion forming step, when the weight ratio of the first adhesive material is A% and the weight ratio of the second adhesive material is B%, B≤0.8A A method of manufacturing a water-absorbing treatment material in which the second covering portion is formed so as to be. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 13,
In the method of manufacturing a water absorbing treatment material, the second covering portion is formed such that B≦0.5A in the second covering portion forming step. In the method for manufacturing a water absorbing material according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
In the first granular body forming step, a plurality of the first granular bodies are formed,
In the second granule-forming step, a method for manufacturing a water-absorbing treatment material in which a plurality of the second granules are formed. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 15,
A method of manufacturing a water absorbing treatment material, comprising a mixing step of mixing the plurality of first granular bodies and the plurality of second granular bodies. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 16,
In the mixing step, the first and second granules are mixed such that the number of the first granules is 30% or more and 70% or less of the total number of the first and second granules. A method for producing a water absorbing treatment material to be mixed. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 17,
In the mixing step, the first and second granules are mixed so that the number of the first granules is 40% or more and 60% or less of the total number of the first and second granules. A method for producing a water absorbing treatment material to be mixed. In the method for manufacturing a water absorbing material according to any one of claims 12 to 18,
The method for producing a water-absorbent treatment material, wherein the first core forming step and the second core forming step are performed simultaneously using the same apparatus. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 19,
In the first and second core forming steps, a plurality of granules to be the first and second cores are formed by granulating the core material using a granulator. A method of manufacturing treated materials. In the method for producing a water absorbing material according to claim 20,
A dividing step of dividing the plurality of granules into a first group and a second group;
In the first covering portion forming step, the first covering portion is formed for the granules divided into the first group,
In the second coating portion forming step, the method of manufacturing a water absorbing treatment material, wherein the second coating portion is formed on the granules divided into the second group. In the method for manufacturing a water absorbing material according to any one of claims 12 to 21,
In the first and second core forming steps, the method of manufacturing a water absorbing treatment material, wherein the first and second cores containing no adhesive material are formed, respectively. In the method for manufacturing a water absorbing material according to any one of claims 12 to 22,
In the method of manufacturing a water absorbing treatment material, the second covering portion forming step includes forming the second covering portion having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the first covering portion. In the method for manufacturing a water absorbing material according to any one of claims 12 to 23,
The method for producing a water-absorbing treatment material, wherein the first and second adhesive materials are water-absorbing polymers.

Images