US3923005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alfalfa-based animal litter, including starch
Assignee: Clorox Co
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Filing: 1974-01-25
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-01-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides an expanded alfalfa-based composition having particular use as an animal litter, and a process for the production of this composition. Dried alfalfa is admixed with a starch-containing material, and the admixture is treated by a conventional extrusion cooking process to yield an expanded low density pelletized product having improved rate of absorbency, lower odor and better water-stability characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J Fry
- 👤 Michael W Andreasen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:08
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
A HOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITION USEFUL AS AN AMINAL LITTER COMPRISING AN ADMIXTURE OF COOKED ALFALFA AND GELATINIZED STARCH UNIFORMALLY DISTRIBUTED ONE THROUGHOUT THE OTHER TO FORM SAID HOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITION IN AN EXPANDED FORM.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A HOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITION USEFUL AS AN AMINAL LITTER COMPRISING AN ADMIXTURE OF COOKED ALFALFA AND GELATINIZED STARCH UNIFORMALLY DISTRIBUTED ONE THROUGHOUT THE OTHER TO FORM SAID HOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITION IN AN EXPANDED FORM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
The composition of claim 1, further comprising sodium phosphate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An expanded pellet for use as an animal litter comprising a homogeneous dispersion of cooked alfalfa particles bound together with gelatinized starch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An expanded pellet for use as an animal litter comprising a homogeneous dispersion of cooked alfalfa particles bound together with gelatinized starch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The pellet of claim 3, wherein the pellet further comprises sodium phosphate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pellet of claim 4, wherein the expanded pellet has a density of about 23 lbs/cu.ft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process for the treatment of liquid animal wastes comprising contacting said wastes with a homogeneous composition comprising an admixture of cooked alfalfa, gelatinized starch and an inorganic phosphate uniformally distributed one throughout the other to form said homogeneous composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process for the treatment of liquid animal wastes comprising contacting said wastes with a homogeneous composition comprising an admixture of cooked alfalfa, gelatinized starch and an inorganic phosphate uniformally distributed one throughout the other to form said homogeneous composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for the production of a homogeneous expanded alfalfa-based animal litter composition comprising: preparing an admixture comprising dehydrated alfalfa and a starch source; extrusion cooking said admixture to form said homogeneous composition with said alfalfa and said starch uniformally distributed one throughout the other; and drying the finished product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for the production of a homogeneous expanded alfalfa-based animal litter composition comprising: preparing an admixture comprising dehydrated alfalfa and a starch source; extrusion cooking said admixture to form said homogeneous composition with said alfalfa and said starch uniformally distributed one throughout the other; and drying the finished product.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
The process of claim 7, wherein the production of the expanded pellets comprises: moistening said admixture to a moisture content of from 20% to 60% by weight; working said admixture into a uniform dough with said alfalfa and said starch uniformally distributed therethroughout and conveying it through the extrusion cooker at a cooking temperature; elevating the temperature of the dough to convert the dough from an amorphous to a colloidal structure in the final section of the extrusion cooker; extruding the dough to expand the same while sizing and shaping the extrudate; cutting the sized and shaped expanded extrudate to the desired particle size; and drying the resultant expanded particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the admixture further comprises sodium phosphate and the starch source comprises wheat middlings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 9, wherein the temperature of the dough in the final section of the extrusion cooker is elevated from about 150*C to about 170*C, and the dough is extruded at a pressure of from about 500 psi to about 600 psi.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 10, wherein the dough is sized to a diameter of from about 5/64 to about 14/64 inches, and cut to a length of from about 9/64 to about 3/4 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as in claim 8, wherein the dehydrated alfalfa and the starch source are each in comminuted form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 12, including as an added step after said drying: aerating said expanded particles to decrease their characteristic odor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |