Abstrict A hydrating additive and improved cat litter including same which
solidifies upon contact with liquids to encapsulate pet waste matter.
The litter comprises a mixture of granulated clay particles, finely
ground wheat based particulates and a fragrance carrier. In a preferred
mixture, quantities of semolina are included with a moisture released
masking fragrance consisting substantially of an attractant oil
which is impregnated into ground, corn cob.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A non-hydrated cat litter composition comprising:
a) a liquid impermeable, granular particulate; and
b) a granular, gluten containing, hydrophilic media, wherein the
granularity of the media is selected to upon mixing with the granular
particular provide a substantially homogeneous suspension of the
media relative to the granular particulate, and wherein said composition
reacts in the presence of liquid containing animal waste to bind
the animal waste into permanently hard clumps of animal waste, granular
particulate and media.
2. A composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gluten containing
media comprises middlings of hard wheat.
3. A composition as set forth in claim 2 wherein said hard wheat
comprises durum wheat.
4. A composition as set forth in claim 1 including a liquid absorbent
particulate.
5. A composition as set forth in claim 4 wherein the liquid absorbent
particulate comprises ground corn cob.
6. A composition as set forth in claim 5 wherein the absorbent
particulate is impregnated with a moisture released deodorizer.
7. A composition as set forth in claim 6 wherein said deodorizer
includes amyl acetate.
8. A composition as set forth in claim 7 wherein said deodorizer
includes oils of mint.
9. A cat litter additive comprising a non-hydrated composition
consisting essentially of:
a) a granular, gluten containing wheat based media, wherein the
granularity of the media is selected to maintain a substantially
homogeneous suspension of the media relative to a granular cat litter
upon mixing;
b) sodium bicarbonate; and
c) a liquid absorbent particulate impregnated with amyl acetate
oil.
10. A cat litter composition comprising:
a) a granular clay particulate;
b) durum wheat middlings, wherein the granularity of the wheat
middlings is selected to maintain a substantially homogeneous suspension
of the middlings relative to the clay particulate upon mixing;
c) sodium bicarbonate; and
d) corn cob particulate impregnated with a moisture released deodorizer
consisting substantially of amyl acetate oil.
11. A cat litter additive composition comprising:
a) durum wheat middlings, wherein the granularity of the wheat
middlings is selected to maintain a substantially homogeneous suspension
of the middlings relative to an existing litter upon mixing;
b) sodium bicarbonate; and
c) a corn cob particulate impregnated with a moisture released
deodorizer consisting substantially of amyl acetate oil.
12. A cat litter comprising a non-hydrated composition consisting
essentially of:
a) a liquid impermeable, granular particulate;
b) a granular, gluten containing wheat based media, wherein the
angularity of the wheat based media is selected to upon mixing the
provide a substantially homogeneous suspension of the media relative
to the liquid impermeable granular particulate, and wherein said
composition reacts in the presence of liquid containing animal waste
to bind the animal waste into hardened clumps of animal waste, granular
particulate and wheat based media; and
c) a liquid absorbent particulate impregnated with a moisture released
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 sand or gravel mixture,
sawdust, wood chips or a clay based particulate. 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 form of litter of which applicant is aware 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 such commercially
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 also be easily 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.
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 nonscoopable 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 cat litter mixture including a hydrophilic media which
produces a stable, relatively hard clump upon exposure to urine
and fecal matter and encapsulates 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 the feces and particularly
the urine into a permanently hard clump.
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 drum
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 and advantages are particularly achieved
in a preferred cat litter mixture and litter additive provided by
the present invention. In a presently preferred form, the additive
composition comprises quantities of semolina, sodium bicarbonate
and ground corn cob, impregnated with a moisture released, masking
and attractant fragrance. 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.
In another composition, the additive is combined with clay based
particulates or other commercially available cat litters. In combination,
a scoopable litter is thereby obtained.
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 improved 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 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 is sized to contain a sufficient quantity of 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 over the waste
product, without creating undue spillage onto the surrounding floor.
In the case of the present invention, the additional mechanical
mixing by the pet also facilitates the formation of hardened, encapsulated
clumps of waste matter 6. These clumps are readily removed with
periodic cleaning and straining of the litter. The clumps 6 are
typically removed to a plastic bag or the like and disposed of with
the household garbage.
With further attention to FIG. 2 the base litter particulate 8
may comprise a variety of materials from sand to sawdust to wood
shavings to clay particles. Mixed with the particulate 8 is an additive
composition 10. The additive 10 consists of a quantity of gluten
based media, along with sodium bicarbonate or baking soda and ground
or shredded corn cob pieces.
Preferably, the gluten based media comprises a wheat derivative.
Although flours of such grains provide desirable hydrophilic and
adhesive or hydrating properties, they do not readily mix with the
litter particulate; specifically, they tend to settle. Preferably,
the gluten based media should remain in suspension. Grain flours
can also contain bugs and become moldy over time, due to their biodegradable
qualities.
In appreciation of the foregoing deficiencies, gluten based materials
with a larger particulate size and granular consistency are desired.
Particularly preferred media exhibit a consistency that permits
ready mixing with the granular clay particulate and also provides
an aesthetically pleasing coloration, such as purified middlings
of hard wheat.
One particular granulation of durum wheat, commonly used to make
pasta, is sold under the common name of semolina. Semolina is more
grainy than various wheat flours and thus tends to remain in suspension
with a clay particulate litter base. By maintaining a homogeneous
suspension of the gluten based media closer to the exposed surface
of a relatively liquid impermeable base particulate, a faster acting
hydration or coalescence is achieved with the waste matter. This
action also prevents the liquid from seeping through to the bottom
of the container where clumping and/or hardening to the container
bottom can create difficulties during periodic cleanings of the
litter.
Appreciating the need to maintain the suspension of the granular,
gluten based media, such as semolina, within the base particulate,
tests have shown relative concentration ratios in the range of 1
to 6 parts of a clay particulate to the semolina provide the desired
results. A 1:2 ratio provides a fast clumping action, although a
1:6 ratio reduces the cost per mixing.
A quantity of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is also added to
the mixture to activate the clumping action and to neutralize odors
from the waste matter. A relative mixture range of this material
to the purified semolina might comprise 1-5% bicarbonate to semolina.
Settling of the bicarbonate is partially prevented by the fine grained
semolina.
To further neutralize any waste matter odors and provide a masking
scent, the present litter 8 includes a quantity of ground corn cob
pieces. The corn cob particulate is impregnated with a biodegradable
and digestible deodorizer or neutralizer. In particular, Applicant
soaks the corn cob 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.
Otherwise, the impregnated corn cob is mixed with the semolina in
a concentration range of 1-5% corn cob to semolina.
Taken alone, the composition mixture 10 of semolina, sodium bicarbonate
and impregnated corn cob can be used as an additive with a clay
particulate litter base. Alternatively, the composition 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, 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. Moreover,
the attractant qualities of the NILOSORB deodorizer/neutralizer
reduce the likelihood of rejection. In test cases, cats have shown
a defined preference to litters improved with the invention.
Relative to the clumping action, the active ingredient predominantly
comprises the semolina. Within the liquid impermeable environment
of a clay particulate base, this material demonstrates a faster
acting hydrophilic action to the liquid waste matter, than the corn
cob. The corn cob, however, provides some absorption which holds
the liquids and prevents the settling of the waste matter into the
litter container. The use of ingredients, such as clay particles,
semolina and ground corn cob, which exhibit comparable relative
grain sizes also facilitates the desired homogeneous suspension
profile.
Otherwise, upon exposure to liquids, the litter 8 or litters improved
with the additive mixture composition 10 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 not with subsequent use of the litter container by the pet.
Moreover, the clumps encapsulate the waste matter, such that any
parasites contained within the fecal matter are less likely to be
integrated into the litter container and distributed to other pets
which may be using the same container. Depending too upon the concentration
ratio of semolina to the base particulate, and for the above mentioned
concentration ratios, most typically the clumping occurs within
the first 1/2 to 1 inch layer of litter material.
The invention has been described with respect to the basic concept
of using a digestible and biodegradable gluten based additive composition
10 such as containing wheat middlings with various other specific
constituents. 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. |