US5000115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animal dross absorbent and method
Assignee: Amcol International Corp
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Filing: 1989-01-13
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Granted: 1991-03-19
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Expires: 2009-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A composition and method of absorbing animal dross. Discrete particles of a composition comprising a water-swellable bentonite clay absorb animal dross and related liquids, and simultaneously agglomerate into a sufficiently large and stable mass therefore permitting physical separation and removal of the wetted mass of particles from unwetted particles of the composition. Removing the wetted and agglomerated composition particles from the remaining unwetted composition reduces or eliminates offensive odors produced by dross-soaked particles.
Inventors
- 👤 John Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A litter box comprising a water-impermeable receptacle having disposed therein an absorbent composition capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box, said absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A litter box comprising a water-impermeable receptacle having disposed therein an absorbent composition capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box, said absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is selected from the group consisting of Montmorillonite, Beidellite, Nontronite, Hectorite, Saponite, Attapulgite and Sepiolite; or combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is non-calcined water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay fines have a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the absorbent composition comprises at least 90% by weight of the water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the absorbent composition comprises at least 65% by weight of the water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The litter box of claim 1 wherein the absorbent composition further comprises sand, wood chips, wood shavings, shredded paper, a perfume, a deodorant, an odor absorbent, an antimicrobial agent, a disinfectant, a colorant or a pesticide; or combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A litter box absorbent composition consisting essentially of particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the clay has a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and includes a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A litter box absorbent composition consisting essentially of particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the clay has a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and includes a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The litter box absorbent composition of claim 8 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is non-calcined water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The litter box absorbent composition of claim 8 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay fines have a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A litter box absorbent composition having essentially no water-swellable organic polymeric material comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the bentonite clay has a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and includes a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
A litter box absorbent composition having essentially no water-swellable organic polymeric material comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the bentonite clay has a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and includes a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising contacting an absorbent composition in the litter box with the liquid animal dross, wherein the absorbent composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising contacting an absorbent composition in the litter box with the liquid animal dross, wherein the absorbent composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of selectively removing liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-absorbent bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate; contacting the water-absorbent bentonite clay in the litter box with the liquid animal dross thereby producing an agglomerated mass comprising the absorbent composition and the liquid animal dross that is of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to be removed from the litter box; and removing the agglomerated mass from the litter box thereby removing the liquid animal dross from the litter box.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of selectively removing liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-absorbent bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate; contacting the water-absorbent bentonite clay in the litter box with the liquid animal dross thereby producing an agglomerated mass comprising the absorbent composition and the liquid animal dross that is of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to be removed from the litter box; and removing the agglomerated mass from the litter box thereby removing the liquid animal dross from the litter box.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the liquid animal dross includes urine, vomit or blood; or combinations thereof.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross comprising contacting the liquid animal dross with an absorbent material consisting essentially of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross comprising contacting the liquid animal dross with an absorbent material consisting essentially of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of cleaning an animal litter box and reducing litter box odors comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising a water-swellable bentonite clay that is capable of agglomerating upon contact with a liquid animal dross to form an agglomerated mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to allow physical removal of the agglomerated mass from the litter box, said clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate; contacting the absorbent composition with the liquid animal dross to form the agglomerated mass of the absorbent composition; and removing essentially only the agglomerated mass from the litter box.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of cleaning an animal litter box and reducing litter box odors comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising a water-swellable bentonite clay that is capable of agglomerating upon contact with a liquid animal dross to form an agglomerated mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to allow physical removal of the agglomerated mass from the litter box, said clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate; contacting the absorbent composition with the liquid animal dross to form the agglomerated mass of the absorbent composition; and removing essentially only the agglomerated mass from the litter box.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
97 words
A receptacle for receiving animal dross comprising a water-impermeable floor member having integral, water-impermeable upstanding wall means for retention of an absorbent composition above the floor member, wherein the composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the mass from the receptacle, said clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
A receptacle for receiving animal dross comprising a water-impermeable floor member having integral, water-impermeable upstanding wall means for retention of an absorbent composition above the floor member, wherein the composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the mass from the receptacle, said clay having a particle size ranging from about 50 microns to about 3350 microns, and having a sufficient amount of fine particles such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
A litter box comprising a water-impermeable receptacle having disposed therein an absorbent composition capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box, said absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the entire range of from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
A litter box comprising a water-impermeable receptacle having disposed therein an absorbent composition capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box, said absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the entire range of from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The litter box of claim 18 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is selected from the group consisting of Montmorillonite, Beidellite, Nontronite, Hectorite, Saponite, Attapulgite and Sepiolite; or combinations thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The litter box of claim 18 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is a non-calcined water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
A litter box absorbent composition consisting essentially of particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the clay has a particle size over essentially the entire range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
A litter box absorbent composition consisting essentially of particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the clay has a particle size over essentially the entire range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The litter box of claim 21 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is selected from the group consisting of Montmorillonite, Beidellite, Nontronite, Hectorite, Saponite, Attapulgite and Sepiolite; or combinations thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The litter box of claim 21 wherein the water-swellable bentonite clay is a non-calcined water-swellable bentonite clay.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
98 words
A litter box absorbent composition having essentially no water-swellable organic polymeric material comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the bentonite clay has a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns such that upon wetting and partial drying, a substantial quantity of the clay is agglomerated and the agglomerated clay has sufficient strength for physical removal from a litter box as an agglomerated mass.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
98 words
A litter box absorbent composition having essentially no water-swellable organic polymeric material comprising particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay capable of agglomerating upon wetting into a mass of sufficient size and cohesive strength for physical removal of the agglomerated mass from a litter box wherein the bentonite clay has a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns such that upon wetting and partial drying, a substantial quantity of the clay is agglomerated and the agglomerated clay has sufficient strength for physical removal from a litter box as an agglomerated mass.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising contacting an absorbent composition in the litter box with the liquid animal dross, wherein the absorbent composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of agglomerating liquid animal dross to facilitate removal of the liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising contacting an absorbent composition in the litter box with the liquid animal dross, wherein the absorbent composition comprises particles of a water-swellable bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, such that upon wetting, a substantial quantity of the clay will agglomerate.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of selectively removing liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-absorbent bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, contacting the water-absorbent bentonite clay in the litter box with the liquid animal dross thereby producing an agglomerated mass comprising the absorbent composition and the liquid animal dross that is of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to be removed from the litter box; and removing the agglomerated mass from the litter box thereby removing the liquid animal dross from the litter box.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of selectively removing liquid animal dross from a litter box comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising particles of a water-absorbent bentonite clay having a particle size over essentially the full range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, contacting the water-absorbent bentonite clay in the litter box with the liquid animal dross thereby producing an agglomerated mass comprising the absorbent composition and the liquid animal dross that is of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to be removed from the litter box; and removing the agglomerated mass from the litter box thereby removing the liquid animal dross from the litter box.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of cleaning an animal litter box and reducing litter box odors comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising a water-swellable bentonite clay that is capable of agglomerating upon contact with a liquid animal dross to form an agglomerated mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to allow physical removal of the agglomerated mass from the litter box, said clay having a particle size over essentially the entire range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, contacting the absorbent composition with the liquid animal dross to form the agglomerated mass of the absorbent composition; and removing essentially only the agglomerated mass from the litter box.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of cleaning an animal litter box and reducing litter box odors comprising: adding to a litter box an absorbent composition comprising a water-swellable bentonite clay that is capable of agglomerating upon contact with a liquid animal dross to form an agglomerated mass of sufficient size and of sufficient cohesive strength to allow physical removal of the agglomerated mass from the litter box, said clay having a particle size over essentially the entire range from about 600 microns to about 3350 microns, contacting the absorbent composition with the liquid animal dross to form the agglomerated mass of the absorbent composition; and removing essentially only the agglomerated mass from the litter box.
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) | 1994-03-18 | 1994-09-17 | 1995-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-18 | 1998-09-17 | 1999-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-18 | 2002-09-17 | 2003-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |