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US4949672A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Boron-based odor control animal litter

Assignee: Clorox Co
•
Filing: 1988-06-17
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2008-06-17
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to an clay-based animal litter to which has been applied a liquid carrier containing a boron-containing compound in an odor-controlling effective amount. The boron-containing compound acts by antimicrobial action, controlling urease, or a combination of these mechanisms when the litter is used by the animal.

Inventors

  • 👤 Steven D. Ratcliff
  • 👤 Randy L. Wood
  • 👤 Donald K. Swatling
  • 👤 Peter C. Arbogast

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 20:43
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0154; A01K1/0155

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 67 words
An odor control animal litter comprising: particles of an absorbent clay substrate, said particles being contacted with a liquid carrier containing an odor-controlling-effective amount of a boron - containing material having an equivalent boron level of a least 0.06%, said material comprising boric acid present in an amount of from 0.06% to about 50% by weight and said liquid carrier comprising an alkali metal hydroxide in solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 67 words
An odor control animal litter comprising: particles of an absorbent clay substrate, said particles being contacted with a liquid carrier containing an odor-controlling-effective amount of a boron - containing material having an equivalent boron level of a least 0.06%, said material comprising boric acid present in an amount of from 0.06% to about 50% by weight and said liquid carrier comprising an alkali metal hydroxide in solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 1 wherein the absorbent substrate is a clay selected from the group consisting of Georgia White clay, bentonite, montmorillonite, expanded perlites, zeolites and gypsum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 3 wherein the amount of sodium hydroxide in solution varies from about 1.0 to 20.0%, in a ratio of less than 10:1 boric acid: sodium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 1 further comprising an adjunct selected from the group consisting of dyes, further germicides, chemical deodorants, fragrances, pigments, dedusting compounds, adhesives, thickening agents, suspending agents, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 5 wherein said fragrance is selected from the group consisting of non-coated and encapsulated fragrances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 6 further comprising a suspending and adhesive agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 7 wherein said suspending and adhesive agent is a natural resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 8 wherein said natural resin is xanthan gum.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 63 words
A method of controlling odor formation in animal litter when said litters are used by animals, comprising applying to particles of an absorbent litter substrate a liquid carrier containing an odor-controlling-effective amount of a boron containing material having an equal boron level of at least about 0.06%, said material comprising boric acid and said liquid carrier comprising an alkali metal hydroxide in solution.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 63 words
A method of controlling odor formation in animal litter when said litters are used by animals, comprising applying to particles of an absorbent litter substrate a liquid carrier containing an odor-controlling-effective amount of a boron containing material having an equal boron level of at least about 0.06%, said material comprising boric acid and said liquid carrier comprising an alkali metal hydroxide in solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the amount of sodium hydroxide in solution varies from about 1.0 to 20.0%, in a ratio of boric acid: sodium hydroxide of less than 10:1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of adding an adjunct selected from the group consisting of dyes, further germicides, chemical deodorants, fragrances, pigments, dedusting compounds, adhesives, thickening agents, suspending agents and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising adding a suspending and adhesive agent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said suspending and adhesive agent is a natural resin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said natural resin is xanthan gum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 10 words
The method claim 10 carried out as a batch process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 10 carried out as a continuous process.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 76 words
An odor control animal litter substantially free of cellulose materials comprising: (a) a portion of clay particles having a particle size range from 50 to 5600 microns; and (b) a liquid carrier containing a boron-based odor control agent intimately contacting said clay particles, said agent being boric acid present at a level of at least 0.06% equivalent boron, said liquid carrier being alkali metal hydroxide in solution which is substantially adsorbed/absorbed by said particles of (a).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 76 words
An odor control animal litter substantially free of cellulose materials comprising: (a) a portion of clay particles having a particle size range from 50 to 5600 microns; and (b) a liquid carrier containing a boron-based odor control agent intimately contacting said clay particles, said agent being boric acid present at a level of at least 0.06% equivalent boron, said liquid carrier being alkali metal hydroxide in solution which is substantially adsorbed/absorbed by said particles of (a).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The odor control animal litter of claim 19 wherein said agent is evenly distributed throughout the litter.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-08-20 1994-02-19 1994-08-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-08-20 1998-02-19 1998-08-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-08-20 2002-02-19 2002-08-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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