Patent US4721059A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4721059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nonclay catbox filler
Assignee: Kadant Fibergen Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-27
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Granted: 1988-01-26
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Expires: 2006-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A clay-like filler material formed from treated paper sludge or other fibrous slurries and a method of treating the sludge to form the filler which includes the physical properties of clay fillers. The method involves adding materials to the shredded slurry to control color, bacteria, fungi, absorbency, pests, and fragrance. The slurry is then formed into granules and dried prior to being packaged.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Edward Lowe
- 👤 Ricky L. Yoder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of producing a filler material comprising the steps of: (a) providing quantity of a plant fiber slurry; (b) adjusting the moisture content of said slurry until the slurry is shredable; (c) reducing the fiber size of said slurry; (d) adjusting the physical properties of said slurry to predetermined standards; (e) agglomerating said slurry by growth agitation procedures into granules which mimic the appearance of naturally occurring clay; and (f) drying said granules until they have no more than 10% moisture content.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of producing a filler material comprising the steps of: (a) providing quantity of a plant fiber slurry; (b) adjusting the moisture content of said slurry until the slurry is shredable; (c) reducing the fiber size of said slurry; (d) adjusting the physical properties of said slurry to predetermined standards; (e) agglomerating said slurry by growth agitation procedures into granules which mimic the appearance of naturally occurring clay; and (f) drying said granules until they have no more than 10% moisture content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 and a step of flattening said granules after step (e) and before step (f).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes drying said slurry at 150° F. in a tray dryer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) includes agglomerating said slurry in a pinmill.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) includes agglomerating said slurry in a roller with added water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) includes adding a dye to adjust the color of said slurry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step (d) includes adding a biocide to said slurry to control bacteria and fungi.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein step (d) includes adding a fragrance to said slurry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing a quantity of primary process paper sludge having 75%-99% fibers by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 and an additional step (g) of packaging said filler material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes providing a quantity of de-inked paper sludge having 40%-80% fibers by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) includes shredding said slurry to a fiber size of 1 mm-10 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) includes adding filler from the group of materials which consists of kaolin clay, titanium dioxide, and barytes to increase the density of said filler material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A filler material comprising paper sludge treated according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A filler material for use in a cat litter box, said filler material comprising plant fiber granules, formed by growth agitation procedures, said filler material having an appearance which resembles that of naturally occurring clay, said granules possessing the physical and chemical properties of a naturally occurring clay based substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A filler material for use in a cat litter box, said filler material comprising plant fiber granules, formed by growth agitation procedures, said filler material having an appearance which resembles that of naturally occurring clay, said granules possessing the physical and chemical properties of a naturally occurring clay based substance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The filler material of claim 15 wherein said filler material is formed of one of the group of materials which consists of tree fibers, citrus pulp, sugar cane, sugar beets, grain, potatoes and paper sludge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The filler material of claim 16 and a pesticide incorporated into said filler material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The filler material of claim 16 wherein said granules include added kaolin clay or barytes whereby density of the granules is increased to that of natural clay.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filler material of claim 15 and an incorporated biocide for controlling bacteria and fungi normally found in said filler material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The filler material of claim 15 wherein said filler material includes granules of a size ranging from 6 to 60 mesh size.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The filler material of claim 20 wherin the majority of said filler material granules ranges from 8 to 20 mesh size.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-25 | 1991-07-27 | 1992-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-25 | 1995-07-27 | 1996-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-25 | 1999-07-27 | 2000-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |