Abstrict A cat litter product is provided and includes manufacture primarily
from modified corn starch which is processed through mash distillation.
The litter product is pelletized via an extrusion technology process
so as to form particles the size of wheat grain. The litter product
provides, collectively, a non-toxic and naturally safe, biodegradable,
odor-eliminating, scented, anti-bacterial litter that clumps in
a convenient size for easy disposal and which has little dust and
reduces tracking by cats.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A method of sorbing an aqueous liquid utilizing spent distillers'
grain substantially removed of starch, said method comprising the
steps of: adding modified starch such that the spent distiller's
grain and modified starch combination form particles tending to
agglomerate when wetted; adding yucca schidegira to inhibit urease
enzyme from converting urine to ammonia, thereby neutralizing ammonia
production; and adding zeolite for binding ammonia and water, thereby
neutralizing ammonia production and mildew formation.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adding
a density increasing agent.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said density increasing agent
comprises calcium carbonate.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of extruding
and pelletizing to form granules, wherein said granules form particles
tending to self reduce in size to a size that remains acceptable
for use in absorption and clumping of animal waste without further
mechanical size reduction.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said spent distillers grain is
selected from the group consisting of wheat, corn, rice, barley,
and a combination of said grains.
Cat litter descriptionRELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/264223 filed on Oct. 03 2002 which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/405872 filed on Aug. 26
2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to cat litter and,
more particularly, to a cat litter possessing anti-odor and anti-microbial
agents which is biodegradable and provides easy cleanup and lessens
cat tracking.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The cat litter industry is filled with a variety of litters
that provide, collectively, a non-toxic and naturally safe, biodegradable,
odor-eliminating, scented, anti-bacterial litter that clumps in
a convenient size for easy disposal and which has little dust and
reduces tracking by cats. Many litter formulas offer some combination
of the aforementioned qualities, however, no litter offers each
of these advantages in one litter formula.
[0006] Accordingly, a need has arisen for an improved cat litter
formula offering the aforementioned advantages in one comparably
priced formula. The development of the improved cat litter fulfills
this need.
[0007] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that
read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the
following references were considered related.
[0008] The following patents disclose mushroom spawn formulations:
U.S. Pat. No. 6073388 issued in the name of Kananen et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 6029394 issued in the name of Kananen et al.; and U.S.
Pat. No. 6041544 issued in the name of Kananen et al.
[0009] The following patents disclose litterbox fillers: U.S. Pat.
No. 4721059 issued in the name of Lowe et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5230305 issued in the name of House; U.S. Pat. No. 6216634
B1 issued in the name of Kent et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5690052
issued in the name of Sladek.
[0010] The following patents disclose alcohol production and recovery
processes: U.S. Pat. No. 5416245 issued in the name of MacGregor
et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4309254 issued in the name of Dahistrom
et al.
[0011] The following patents disclose a process of supplying methionine
to a ruminant: U.S. Pat. No. 3968253 issued in the name of Bertram
et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4044169 issued in the name of Bertram
et al.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5730371 issued in the name of Dongieux,
Jr. et al. discloses a device and a process for delumping pasty
masses in waste materials from paper manufacture.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5770138 issued in the name of Yoder discloses
a method of making enhanced non-clay granules made from pulp or
paper sludge.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4015026 issued in the name of Burkwall,
Jr. et al. discloses a process for preparing a moist pet food additive,
and a resultant pet food.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4560527 issued in the name of Harke et
al. discloses a method of making agglomerated cellulosic particles
using a substantially horizontal rotating drum.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. Re 28700 issued in the name of Berger discloses
an antibiotic which is active against gram-positive and gram-negative
bacteria and produces growth stimulation and increased feed efficiency
in poultry.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5003995 issued in the name of Kersey discloses
compositions and articles for stimulating taste receptors.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5360823 issued in the name of Griffel,
Jr. et al. discloses an anionic salt formulation for milk fever.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5250182 issued in the name of Bento et
al. discloses a membrane-based process for the recovery of lactic
acid and glycerol from a corn thin stillage stream.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5242292 issued in the name of Wenger discloses
an extruder apparatus for producing sterile pelleted feed product.
[0021] And, U.S. Pat. No. 4828846 issued in the name of Raco
et al. discloses a human food product produced from dried distillers
spent cereal grains and solubles.
[0022] Consequently, a need has been felt for a cat litter possessing
anti-odor and anti-microbial agents which is biodegradable and provides
easy cleanup and lessens cat tracking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that is non-toxic and naturally safe.
[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that is biodegradable.
[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that is odor-eliminating.
[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that is scented.
[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter having anti-microbial agents.
[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that clumps in a convenient size for easy
disposal and which has little dust and reduces tracking by cats.
[0029] It is another object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter which includes manufacture from modified
corn starch.
[0030] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present
invention, an improved cat litter is provided and includes manufacture
from modified corn starch, Yucca Schidigera, anti-microbial agents,
anti-odor agents, zeolite, distilled dried grains, and sodium bicarbonate
for improving the litter density and for improving cost production.
[0031] Modified corn starch is a polysaccharide, which are the
most common agents used in providing the cohesiveness, or clumping,
of litter when used. Among the suitable agents that may additionally
be used for clumping are dextrins, maltodetrins, flours, cellulosics,
hemicellulosics, and the many varieties of starches.
[0032] Yucca Schidigera is a plant typically found in the desert
regions of Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Mexico. Among its
many properties, the Yucca Schidigera's ability to bind and neutralize
ammonia is relevant to the cat litter formula. Natural saponins,
which are emulsifying or foaming agents, are found in the leaves
of the Yucca Schidigera and are the chemicals responsible for binding
and neutralizing the annoying and harmful odors associated with
the ammonia formed in the litter after the breakdown of urea, which
is found in cat urine. The natural saponins may also act to neutralize
the odors associated with cat feces, as Yucca Scutigera is also
used in animal foods to help neutralize feces odor within the intestinal
tract of an animal so that when the feces are passed the odor is
less objectionable. In addition to the natural saponins from Yucca
Scutigera, additional anti-odor agents may be added to further curb
the smell generated from waste deposited in the cat litter.
[0033] Anti-microbial agents are also added to help curb the initiation
and development of microbes that may be harmful to cat and cat owner,
such as molds. The anti-microbial agents may come from among sodium
propionate, calcium propionate or other known chemicals. In addition
to the agents suggested, additional anti-microbial compounds may
be included with those already suggested so as to provide maximum
protection against the formation of microbes, bacteria or molds.
[0034] The general method of manufacture of the cat litter formula
is comprised of a mash distillation process and an extrusion technology
process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] A. Composition
[0036] An improved cat litter is provided, according to the present
invention, comprised of a composition which includes the following
ingredients: polysaccharide (modified corn starch); zeolite; yucca
schidegira; distillers dried grains; salt compound (sodium bicarbonate);
and anti-microbial agents. The distillers dried grains utilized
in the improved cat litter is manufactured via a mash distillation
process to be described in greater detail below.
[0037] Each of the aforementioned ingredients may have one or more
sub-components. For example, the salt compound is preferably sodium
bicarbonate, however, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate
are envisioned as being selected alone or in combination.
[0038] Yucca schidegira, as a natural saponin, is an emulsifying
or foaming agent which functions to inhibit urease enzyme action
and to prevent the formation of NH.sub.3 (ammonia), thereby binding
and neutralizing annoying and harmful odors associated therewith.
Yucca schidegira further serves to help neutralize feces odor.
[0039] The anti-microbial agents, preferably including sodium propionate
and calcium propionate, facilitate protection against the formation
of microbes, bacteria, or molds.
[0040] Zeolite is a natural mineral consisting of silica and alumina.
Zeolite has a unique interconnecting lattice structure arranged
to form a honeycomb framework of consistent diameter interconnecting
channels and pores. Negatively-charged alumina building blocks and
neutrally-charged silica building blocks are stacked thereby producing
an open, three dimensional honeycomb framework. Odors and gases
such as ammonia are attracted to and trapped within the zeolite
crystalline structure. Zeolite also adsorbs and desorbs water, thus
eliminating and preventing mildew formation.
[0041] Modified corn starch is a polysaccharide which serves in
the production of alcohol and provides cohesiveness, or clumping
of litter. While other cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and
rye may be selected, modified corn starch is preferred. In addition,
other suitable agents facilitating occlusivity or clumping may include
a mixture of detrins, maltodetrins, flours, and arabinoxylans.
[0042] B. Method of Manufacture
[0043] In practicing the present invention, the general method
of manufacture is comprised of a mash distillation process which
includes grinding corn into a coarse modified flour called meal.
The meal is mixed with water and a malt enzyme, preferably alpha-amylase,
and is passed through cookers where starch is liquefied. Heat is
applied to enable liquefaction using cookers with a high temperature
stage and a lower temperature holding period, wherein a mash product
is produced. The high temperature stage facilitates reduced bacteria
levels in the mash product. The mash product is then cooled and
an additional malt enzyme is added to convert liquefied starch to
fermentable sugars. The additional malt enzyme selected includes
gluc amylase and beta-amylase, however, gluc amylase is preferred.
Yeast, preferably saccharomyces cerevisiae, is then added in order
to ferment the sugars to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Saccharomyces
cerevisiae is the preferred yeast species because it facilitates
quick, efficient production of alcohol and possesses a high alcoholic
concentration tolerance. Fermented mash results and is sent to distillation,
wherein ethanol is extracted, leaving spent mash. The spent mash
is centrifuged, where liquid is separated therefrom. The liquid,
or stillage, is reintroduced into the cooking system and sold as
livestock feed, or is partially dehydrated into a syrup. The aforementioned
mash distillation process is executed under controlled pH being
adjusted and readjusted in a suitable manner as is commonly practiced
in such industry.
[0044] The mash distillation process creates two main co-products
in the production of ethanol, namely carbon dioxide and distillers
grains. The distillers grains are rich in protein, fat, minerals,
vitamins, and amino acids, and thus serve as a highly valued livestock
feed ingredient.
[0045] Next, centrifuged spent mash (distillers dried grains) is
suitably dried into a powder to which the following ingredients
are added to form a litter product: modified corn starch, zeolite,
yucca schidegira, sodium bicarbonate, and anti-microbial agents.
The litter product is suitably dried to a powder and is processed
through a pelletizer via an extrusion technology process so as to
form particles each having a size approximating the size of a grain
of wheat. The particles are then bagged and sealed.
[0046] C. Example
[0047] The following example represents the general formulation
for the improved cat litter of the present invention.
1 INGREDIENTS COMPOSITION BY WEIGHT Polysaccharide 19.5-21%, preferably
20.00% (Modified Corn Starch) Zeolite 4.5-5.5%, preferably 5.00%
Yucca Schidegira 0.15-0.25%, preferably 0.20% Distillers Dried Grains
71.50-71.75%, preferably 71.70% Sodium Bicarbonate 2.95-3.05%, preferably
3.00% Anti-microbial Agents 0.085-0.105%, preferably 0.10%
[0048] D. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
[0049] To use the present invention, user simply opens the improved
cat litter from its sealed packaging and pours a suitable volume
thereof within a container fabricated of a material specifically
adapted for use as an animal litter storage receptacle.
[0050] Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate
the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit
the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled
in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings,
would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that
are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions
of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope
of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following
Claims. |