Abstrict A hydrating cat litter which solidifies upon contact with liquids
to encapsulate pet waste matter. The litter comprises a mixture
of a granulated, organic base material, which is susceptible to
decomposition, a gluten containing material, such as ground wheat,
and may include a fragrance carrier. In a preferred mixture, the
base comprises a quantity of coarse ground agricultural grains,
pulse crops or agricultural by-products or mixtures thereof, which
support in suspension a quantity of semolina.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An animal litter composition comprising a non-hydrated admixture
of selected quantities of:
a) a base comprising a granular liquid permeable organic particulate;
and
b) a substantially starch free, gluten media, wherein the granularity
of the gluten media is selected to provide a substantially homogeneous
suspension of the gluten media within said base, and wherein said
composition reacts in the presence of liquid containing animal waste
to bind the animal waste into hardened, biodegradable clumps of
animal waste, base and media.
2. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base
comprises cracked wheat.
3. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gluten
media comprises middlings of hard wheat.
4. A litter composition as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hard
wheat comprises durum wheat.
5. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gluten
media is sized in the range of a 20 to 80 mesh.
6. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base
comprises an agricultural material selected from a class including
whole grained or ground wheat, rice, barley, corn, beans, sunflower,
oats, flax and alfalfa.
7. A litter composition as set forth in claim 6 wherein the class
of base materials includes by-products of agricultural processing
including hulls, husks, shells, peels, and cobs.
8. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base
comprises a material selected from a class including paper and agricultural
by-products, namely corn cob, peanut shells, orange peels, grasses,
hulls, and husks.
9. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein a concentration
ratio in the range of 1 to 6 parts of base to the gluten media is
provided.
10. A litter composition as set forth in claim 1 including a deodorizer.
11. An animal litter composition comprising a non-hydrated admixture
of selected quantities of:
a) a base comprising ground hard wheat sized in the range of an
8 to 80 mesh; and
b) durum wheat middlings sized in the range of a 20 to 80 mesh,
wherein the wheat middlings are mixed with the base to a substantially
homogeneous suspension, and wherein said composition reacts in the
presence of liquid containing animal waste to bind the animal waste
into hardened, biodegradable clumps of animal waste, base and media.
12. A litter composition as set forth in claim 11 wherein a concentration
ratio in the range of 1 to 6 parts of base to wheat middlings is
provided.
13. An animal litter composition comprising a non-hydrated admixture
of selected quantities of:
a) a base comprising an agricultural grain sized in the range of
a 12 to 80 mesh;
b) a substantially starch free wheat based media, wherein a concentration
ratio in the range of 1 to 6 parts of base to wheat based media
is provided, wherein the granularity of the wheat based media is
selected to admix with said base and provide a substantially homogeneous
suspension of the media within said base, and wherein said composition
reacts in the presence of liquid containing animal waste to bind
the animal waste into hardened, biodegradable clumps of animal waste,
base and wheat based media.
14. A litter composition as set forth in claim 13 wherein said
wheat based media comprises middlings of wheat sized in the range
of a 20 to 80 mesh.
15. A litter composition as set forth in claim 13 wherein said
base comprises cracked hard wheat.
16. A litter composition as set forth in claim 15 including sodium
bicarbonate and a deodorizer.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cat litters and, in particular,
to an improved scoopable litter.
Pet owners and particularly urban cat owners have numerous concerns
pertaining to the care and maintenance of pets. An ever present
problem is collecting and disposing of animal wastes. A secondary
problem is masking any odor, pending disposal.
For cat owners, the predominate mechanism for collecting and disposing
of the wastes is a so called "cat litter". Typically,
the cat litter is contained within an appropriate container that
is placed about the residence of the pet owner and where the cat
overtime becomes accustomed to urinating or defecating. The liquids
of the feces and urine are absorbed by the cat litter, which is
periodically cleaned or discarded.
Commonly used cat litters may comprise a clay based particulate,
sand or gravel mixture, sawdust or wood chips. Deodorants or masking
scents can be added to the base particulate material to mask the
odor, pending collection. Such deodorizers can be added directly
to the particulate or impregnated into an absorbent carrier. Depending
upon the aroma and, if the cat is being trained to use an odoriferous
mixture, the cat may either accept or reject the litter. Rejection
is indicated by undesired messes at other than preferred locations
about the household.
Another litter is a so called "scoopable" litter which
has been recently introduced to the pet owner market. Such litters
typically are comprised of a clay based particulate and to which
a deodorizer is added, along with a hydrophilic material. The hydrophilic
material reacts with the water in the urine and fecal matter to
coalesce and produce clumps of litter where the animal has urinated
or defecated. These clumps can be scooped from the container and
disposed of along with any solid feces. A difficulty encountered
with currently available litters is that a relatively soft clump
of waste matter is formed with the hydrophilic action.
With subsequent use of the container by the same or multiple cats,
the cats can cause the clumps to break-up and remix with the litter,
unless the pet owner regularly cleans the litter container. With
any remixing of the fecal matter, the pet owner is faced with the
same problems as with a non-scoopable litter. Should the cats have
worms or other digestive tract parasites, the released parasites
can be spread amongst the cats and even possibly to other pets.
Another difficulty is that cats tend to exhibit a preference for
certain litters. Once trained to use one litter, a cat may reject
another, even if offering improvements.
A further difficulty of clay based litters arises from disposal
by pet owners into community sewer systems. That is, many pet owners
flush the used litter or clumped fecal matter into their toilet.
Because the clay is not susceptible to decomposition, the particles
over time can collect and obstruct the system conduits. The problem
is of special concern in large municipalities or metropolitan areas.
Preferably, all of the litter ingredients should comprise materials
which decompose in a relatively short time.
Accordingly, applicant has sought to develop a litter mixture which
produces relatively hard clumps that encapsulate the waste and do
not break up with continuing use by one or more cats. Desirably,
the additive is also biodegradable and presents no undesired health
problems to the cat.
The litter may include an attractant to minimize rejection of the
litter by the cat. Moreover, the active ingredients of the mixture
can be commercially sold as an additive mixture for use with commercially
available non-scoopable litters. A non-scoopable litter upon mixing
with the additive can thus be converted to a scoopable litter. As
significant, any modified litter will be of a type familiar to the
pet and not readily rejected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to
provide a biodegradable cat litter mixture including a decomposable
base material and a decomposable hydrophilic media, which produces
a stableclump upon exposure to urine and fecal matter to encapsulate
same.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cat litter
including a biodegradable, hydrating media having a relatively high
gluten concentration capable of encapsulating animal waste, particularly
urine, into a permanently hard clump.
It is a further object to suspend the hydrating media in a liquid
permeable, biodegradable base material or mixture, such as whole
or coarse ground agricultural materials.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrating
media comprising a granular, wheat based additive.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrating
media comprising purified middlings of hard wheat, such as durum
wheat and commonly known as semolina.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a mixture
including sodium bicarbonate and ground corn cob which is impregnated
with a moisture released masking deodorizer.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide an attractant
fragrance having "cat nip" qualities.
Various of the foregoing objects and advantages are achieved in
a biodegradable cat litter mixture of the present invention. In
a presently preferred form, the active clumping ingredient comprises
quantities of semolina of a 20 to 80 mesh size. Quantities of sodium
bicarbonate and ground corn cob, impregnated with a moisture released,
masking and/or attractant fragrance may be added as desired. The
fragrance is mixed with an oil derived from materials to which cats
demonstrate an attraction, such as "catnip" type fragrances.
The additive composition is biodegradable and digestible and not
harmful to the animal's health.
The semolina is suspended in an organic, base material or mixture
of base materials of an 8 to 80 mesh size, for example, whole or
coarse ground grains, pulse crops or grasses (e.g. wheat, corn,
barley, rice, sunflower, beans) or by-products of agricultural processes
(e.g. corn cob, orange peels, peanut shells, hulls, husks, wood)
or shredded and dried matter (e.g. paper). In combination, a biodegradable
scoopable litter is obtained which is capable of decomposition upon
disposal.
Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention
will become more apparent from the following description with respect
to the appended drawings. Variously considered modifications and
improvements are described as appropriate. The invention should
not be strictly construed from the disclosure, but should be interpreted
in view of the following appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing showing a cat in relation to a typical
container containing the inventive cat litter composition.
FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram for preparing the biodegradable cat
litter of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 depicts a cat 2 which is shown in relation to a typical
container 4 for a cat litter 8. Such containers can be of any construction
or shape so long as they are liquid impermeable. The container 4
is normally sized in a range of 14 to 20 inches by 20 to 32 inches
and provides a sidewall height sufficient to accommodate a nominal
and minimal litter depth of two to four inches. The volume of the
container 8 is sized to contain a sufficient quantity of litter
material to accommodate the normal cycle between cleanings. Additional
sidewall clearance is desired to permit the cat to partially cover
the waste matter by pawing adjacent litter 8 over the waste, without
creating undue spillage onto the surrounding floor.
In the case of the present invention, the additional mechanical
mixing by the pet facilitates the formation of hardened, encapsulated
clumps of waste matter 6. These clumps are stable and readily removed
with periodic cleaning and straining of the litter 8. The clumps
6 are preferably removed to a plastic bag or the like and disposed
of with the household garbage.
Unfortunately, many urban or rural pet owners dispose of the encapsulated
waste by flushing the material away in their toilets. Because most
commercially available litters include a clay based particulate,
the relatively heavy, liquid impermeable clay base particulate then
typically collects as sediment in the pet owner's or community waste
system. Over time, the sediment can create blockages or obstructions
that can damage the pet owner's waste system or home in the event
of a sewer backup.
In response, many municipalities have enacted ordinances banning
such disposal. An acute need therefore exists for biodegradable
litters. The litter of the present invention particularly satisfies
this need with an organic mixture of agricultural based ingredients.
U.S. Pat. No. 5216980 discloses predecessor litter mixtures of
applicant which include a semolina active ingredient, a granulated
clay base and fragrance containing particulates.
With attention to FIG. 2 the base material 10 of the presently
improved litter 8 preferably comprises a liquid permeable, biodegradable
material, such as an organic material. The decomposition period
of the material desirably should be relatively short. Economics
also suggest that the material should be available in quantity at
relatively low cost. Wood chips, shavings and saw dust have been
used in the past with acceptable results. Presently considered materials,
which are believed to offer advantages, are agricultural based materials,
for example, whole or coarse ground grains, pulse crops or grasses
(e.g. durum wheat, hard red spring wheat, corn, barley, rice, sunflower,
flax, alfalfa and beans) and shredded or chopped and dried materials
or by-products of processors of agricultural based materials (e.g.
peanut shells, orange peelings, corn cob, alfalfa, flax and other
grasses, husks and hulls, and recycled paper).
In a presently preferred litter mixture the base material 10 comprises
whole or cracked durum wheat, red spring wheat or corn, which has
been separated to a particulate size in the range of 8 to 80 mesh.
The base material 10 may include conventional additives to prevent
mold or kill bugs or the like which might normally occur in the
base material. Alternatively, the pet owner may, as necessary, apply
commercial flea and tick killers to the litter to remove any undesired
contaminants.
Mixed with the base material is an additive or active hydrating
composition 12. The additive 12 principally consists of a quantity
of a gluten based media 14 along with sodium bicarbonate or baking
soda 16 and a deodorizer 18 comprising impregnated ground or shredded
corn cob pieces. The gluten based media 14 may, however, be used
alone.
Preferably, the gluten based media 14 comprises a wheat derivative.
Although flours of such grains provide desirable hydrophilic and
adhesive or hydrating properties, they do not readily mix with the
base material 10 and tend to settle to the bottom of the container
4. Grain flours can also contain bugs and become moldy over time,
unless appropriate additives, as discussed above, are included or
added to the mixture 8.
In appreciation of the foregoing deficiencies of ground flours,
gluten based materials having a larger particulate size and granular
consistency are desired. Preferred media 14 exhibit a consistency
that permits ready mixing with the base material 10 and also provides
an aesthetically pleasing coloration, such as middlings of hard
wheat. Ideally, the gluten based media 14 should remain in suspension
in the base material 10. For a base material 10 having a particulate
size in the range of an 8 to 80 mesh, the gluten media 14 is processed
to a size in a nominal range of a 20-80 mesh. The mesh rating is
determined in relation to grain processor industry standard sizes.
A preferred gluten containing media 14 is a hard wheat, such as
durum wheat, which is commonly used to make pasta, and which is
sold under the common name of semolina. Semolina is more grainy
than various wheat flours and at the above mesh sizes tends to remain
in suspension in the base particulate 10.
By maintaining a homogeneous suspension of the gluten based media
14 within the base particulate 10 a faster acting hydration or
coalescence is achieved with the animal waste matter. This action
also prevents the liquid from seeping through to the bottom of the
container 4 where clumping and/or hardening to the container bottom
can create difficulties during periodic cleanings of the litter.
Appreciating the desire to maintain the suspension of the gluten
based media 14 and the foregoing relative particle sizes, tests
have shown relative concentration ratios in the range of 1 to 6
parts of base particulate 10 to semolina 14 provide acceptable results.
A 1:2 ratio or intermediate ratios provide faster clumping actions,
but at greater cost.
A quantity of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda 16 may be added
to the active composition 12 to facilitate the clumping action and
to neutralize odors from the waste matter. A relative mixture range
of this material to semolina 14 might comprise 1-5% bicarbonate
to semolina. Settling of the bicarbonate is partially prevented
by the semolina, which fills voids between the particles of base
material 10.
To further neutralize any waste matter odors and provide a masking
scent, the active composition 12 may include a quantity of impregnated
ground corn cob pieces 18. If used, the corn cob particulate is
impregnated with a biodegradable and digestible deodorizer or neutralizer.
In particular, the corn cob pieces are soaked in a liquid material
sold under the trade name NILOSORB which includes a desired fragrance
oil. The NILOSORB is a water activated material which upon exposure
to waste liquids releases the bound fragrance to mask the waste
odors.
The NILOSORB has an inherent fragrance which acts like a "cat
nip" or attractant and to which test animals have shown a definite
preference. It is believed that the cause of this attraction is
an amyl acetate oil base of the NILOSORB. Still other oils derived
from mint plants can be added to the basic deodorizer or neutralizer.
The impregnated corn cob is mixed with the semolina 14 in a concentration
range of 1-5% corn cob to semolina 14.
The attractant qualities of the NILOSORB deodorizer/neutralizer
also reduces the likelihood of rejection. In test cases, cats have
shown a defined preference to litters improved with the active composition
12.
The active gluten based composition 12 is preferably combined with
the biodegradable base material 10 as discussed above. The composition
12 however, can be mixed with a clay particulate litter base or
alternatively, the composition 12 can be added to other non-scoopable,
commercially available cat litters to provide the desired clumping
function. For those instances where a pet has become accustomed
to one particular cat litter 8 such flexibility enables the pet
owner to obtain the desired clumping, with a litter familiar to
the cat and which is not likely to be rejected.
As regards the clumping action, the principal active ingredient
is the gluten containing semolina 14. Within the relatively liquid
impermeable environment of a clay base, the semolina 14 demonstrates
a hydrophilic action to the liquid waste matter, which dominates
over any absorption which occurs at any deodorant impregnated corn
cob. The more porous corn cob, however, does advantageously retain
the waste liquids closer to the surface of the litter 8 for a period
of time which allows the liquids to react with the semolina 14.
The biodegradable, liquid permeable base material 10 of the presently
preferred litter 8 similarly acts to retain the liquids close to
the container surface. Although not as absorbant as wood or paper,
the larger concentration of liquid permeable agricultural base materials,
whether or not deodorant impregnated corn cob particulate is present,
enhance the liquid retention property. Depending upon the concentration
ratio of semolina 14 to the base particulate 10 most typically
the litter mixture ingredients are selected and provided at concentrations
which produce clumping within the first 1/2 to 1 inch layer of litter
material. Depending upon the type of base material 10 the degree
of liquid absorption will vary, with the base absorbing greater
or lesser amounts of liquid. Over time, the retained liquid is leached
away by the semolina 14 even if initially, partially absorbed by
the base material 10. Although more of the base material 10 may
be encapsulated into the clumps 6 the quantity of bagged litter
8 can be adjusted.
Depending also upon cost and availability of base material ingredient
10 one or more types of base ingredients may be used. The relative
concentrations of such materials are adjusted to provide the desired
moisture retention and encapsulation. Although numerous base material
ingredients 10 have been suggested, it is to be appreciated many
other materials can be substituted. The type of material can be
selected to be the most cost effective in relation to the locale
where the litter 8 is prepared.
Upon exposure to liquids, the presently improved litter 8 or commercial
litters improved with the additive composition 12 produce rock-hard
clumps 6. After approximately thirty minutes of exposure to liquid
wastes, clumps are formed which can be broken only with great difficulty
and especially not from subsequent use of the litter container 14
by the pet 2. Moreover, the clumps encapsulate the waste matter,
such that any parasites contained within the waste matter are less
likely to be integrated into the litter container 4 and distributed
to other pets which may be using the same container 4.
The invention has been described with respect to a basic, preferred
biodegradable cat litter mixture which includes a base material
of organic agricultural materials and a gluten based additive composition
including wheat middlings. The ingredients may be mixed to various
concentrations and the basic litter may include other ingredients
to facilitate pet use, useable life, storage life and clean-up.
Various modifications and improvements thereto have also been suggested.
It is to be appreciated, however, that still other equivalent compositions
and mixtures may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is contemplated the invention should be interpreted
to include all those equivalent compositions within the spirit and
scope of the following claims. |