US4494482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animal litter composition
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1983-11-01
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Granted: 1985-01-22
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Expires: 2003-11-01
Abstract
Abstract Solid absorbent materials, having adsorbed thereto from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat, when used as animal litter products, effectively prevent the development of urine odors. Absorbent pads having adsorbed thereto from about 5000 ppm to about 30,000 ppm of the bacteriostat when used as liners in litter boxes likewise effectively control odor development.
Inventors
- 👤 Nancy L. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/01; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/20; A61L15/42; A61L15/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
A solid absorbent material useful as an animal litter, having adsorbed thereto from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solid absorbent material useful as an animal litter, having adsorbed thereto from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The solid absorbent material of claim 1 wherein the halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat is water soluble.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solid absorbent material of claim 1 wherein the amount of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat is from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The solid absorbent material of claim 1 wherein the bacteriostat is selected from the group consisting of: p-chloro-m-cresol; hexachlorophane; 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether; trichlorocarbanilide; 2,4-dichloro-m-xylenol; 3,4,5-tribromosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',4'-tetrachlorosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',5'-tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfide; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The solid absorbent material of claim 1 wherein the bacteriostat is 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A flexible absorbent structure comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and discrete particles of a water-insoluble hydrogel, in a fiber/hydrogel ratio of from about 30:70 to about 98:2, said absorbent structure having a density of from about 0.15 to about 1 g/cm 3 , and having absorbed thereto from about 5000 ppm to about 30,000 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A flexible absorbent structure comprising a mixture of hydrophilic fibers and discrete particles of a water-insoluble hydrogel, in a fiber/hydrogel ratio of from about 30:70 to about 98:2, said absorbent structure having a density of from about 0.15 to about 1 g/cm 3 , and having absorbed thereto from about 5000 ppm to about 30,000 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flexible absorbent structure of claim 6 wherein the bacteriostat is selected from the group consisting of: p-chloro-m-cresol; hexachlorophane; 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether; trichlorocarbanilide; 2,4-dichloro-m-xylenol; 3,4,5-tribromosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',4'-tetrachlorosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',5'-tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfide; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible absorbent structure according to claim 6, having a fiber/hydrogel ratio of from about 50:50 to about 95:5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible absorbent structure according to claim 6, having a density of from about 0.15 to about 0.6 g/cm 3 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flexible absorbent structure according to claim 6 wherein the hydrophilic fibers are wood pulp fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flexible absorbent structure according to claim 6 wherein the water-insoluble hydrogel is selected from the group consisting of hydrolized acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, polyacrylates, copolymers of isobutylene and maleic anhydride, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A liner for use in a litter box comprising (a) a liquid impervious backsheet; (b) a hydrophobic topsheet; and (c) an absorbent structure according to claim 6, said structure being placed between the backsheet and the topsheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The liner of claim 12 which is encased in nylon screen.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for preparing an animal litter product from a solid absorbent material, comprising the steps of: (a) dissolving from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat in a suitable solvent; (b) soaking the solid absorbent material in the bacteriostat solution; and (c) drying the solid absorbent material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for preparing an animal litter product from a solid absorbent material, comprising the steps of: (a) dissolving from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm of a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon bacteriostat in a suitable solvent; (b) soaking the solid absorbent material in the bacteriostat solution; and (c) drying the solid absorbent material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 14, wherein the solid absorbent material is a clay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as described in claim 14, wherein the bacteriostat is water soluble and the solvent is water.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as described in claim 14, wherein the amount of bacteriostat is from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as described in claim 14, wherein the bacteriostat is selected from the group consisting of: p-chloro-m-cresol; hexachlorophane; 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether; trichlorocarbanilide; 2,4-dichloro-m-xylenol; 3,4,5-tribromosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',4'-tetrachlorosalicylanilide; 3,5,3',5'-tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfide; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as described in claim 14, wherein the bacteriostat is 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether.
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) | 1988-01-22 | 1988-07-23 | 1989-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-22 | 1992-07-23 | 1993-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-07-23 | 1997-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |