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US5014650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Animal litter
Assignee: Nestle Purina PetCare Co
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Filing: 1989-12-28
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Granted: 1991-05-14
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Expires: 2009-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an animal litter comprising a porous, inert solid substrate and a dry, particulate cellulosic ether. When animal urine contacts the animal litter there are produced gelled agglomerates containing the animal urine, polymer, and solid substrate. The gelled agglomerates have sufficient mechanical integrity to be conveyed as discrete entities thereby permitting animal urine to be physically removed from the litter box.
Inventors
- 👤 Cynthia W. Sowle
- 👤 Stephen W. Tobey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:22
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0155; A01K1/0154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An animal litter capable of agglomerating animal urine to facilitate removal of the animal urine from the litter box containing the animal litter, said animal litter comprising: (a) a particulate, porous, inert solid substrate; and (b) a dry, particulate, cellulosic ether having sufficient intrinsic gel-forming capability sufficient to and being present in an amount sufficient to agglomerate animal urine deposited in the litter box and thereby form a gelled agglomerate having sufficient mechanical integrity to be conveyed from the litter box as a discrete entity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An animal litter capable of agglomerating animal urine to facilitate removal of the animal urine from the litter box containing the animal litter, said animal litter comprising: (a) a particulate, porous, inert solid substrate; and (b) a dry, particulate, cellulosic ether having sufficient intrinsic gel-forming capability sufficient to and being present in an amount sufficient to agglomerate animal urine deposited in the litter box and thereby form a gelled agglomerate having sufficient mechanical integrity to be conveyed from the litter box as a discrete entity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether comprises from about 0.1 to about 5.0 percent by weight based upon the weight of the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether comprises from about 0.2 to about 2.0 percent by weight based upon the weight of the substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether comprises from about 0.5 to about 1.5 percent by weight based upon the weight of the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether is methylcellulose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The animal litter of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic ether is hydroxybutyl methylcellulose.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4315761A
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US4657881A
Cited
US4494482A
Cited
US4506628A
Cited
US4517919A
Cited
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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) | 1994-05-13 | 1994-11-12 | 1995-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-13 | 1998-11-12 | 1999-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-13 | 2002-11-12 | 2003-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |