Animal litter filler

Abstract

An animal litter filler for use in animal litter including, a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler material, at least one second 5 granular litter filler material and at least one third granular litter filler material. 20 25 20 26 80 16 A pr 2 02 5 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 6 8 0 1 6 A p r 2 0 2 5

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION 5          The present invention relates to litter filler for animals and method of using the litter filler. In particular, the present invention relates, but is not limited, to litter filler with effective odour control and antimicrobial effect for animals including cats. Reference to the litter filler with effective odour control and antimicrobial effect for cats is provided by way of example but the invention is not limited to this use. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is a general instinct for animals including cats to defecate in dirt or sand, they would then use the dirt or sand to cover their own excrement including urine and faeces in order to hide their scent. For household animals, a caretaker typically 15 uses a litter container lined with litter filler for the animal. Litter filler is a loose, granular material that generally helps to absorb the moisture from the urine and faeces. The loose, granular form of the litter filler also satisfy the animal’s instinctive desire to cover their own excrement. Accumulation of the animal’s excrement in the litter container or improper 20 maintenance of the litter container can result in unpleasant odour in the household. In addition, animals’ excrement may include pathogens including viruses, bacteria and parasites. Exposure to poorly managed animal excrement can cause pathogenic infection. Constant cleaning of the litter container and replacing the litter filler can help to reduce the odour and exposure to the animals’ excrement. 25 However, it is time consuming to clean the litter container and can be costly to frequently replacing the litter filler. Unpleasant odour may be reduced by the type of litter filler material used. Litter filler are generally made of five different types of materials, including clay, paper, wood, sodium silicate, and plant-based material. Depending on the type of 30 materials, litter filler can achieve deodorisation by physical adsorption. However, clay, paper and wood generally have a limited absorption ability and is not effective in reducing odour. Sodium silicate and plant-based material typically further included a chemical deodorising agent for odour control. However, chemical deodorising agent generally relies on strong artificial fragrance to mask the odour instead of 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 eliminating the odour. Animals are generally sensitive to and is driven away by the strong fragrance smell. The strong fragrance smell may also mix up with the odour from the animal excrement and can produce an even worse odour. Chemical deodorising agent may also be toxic to the animals due to skin contact and or 5 accidental ingestion. Depending on the type of materials, litter filler can adhere to and wrap around faecal matter. This aids in the containment of the faecal matter and can trap odours. However, in practice faecal matter is rarely fully coated and odours are still produced. 10 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the disadvantages or problems with litter filler for animals described above and / or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial alternative. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in animal litter filler for use in animal litter including, a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler 20 material, at least one second granular litter filler material and at least one third granular litter filler material. In a preferred embodiment, the animal litter filler includes at least one treatment solution. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first granular litter filler material is 25 between 15% to 45% by weight of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the at least one first granular litter filler material is approximately 33% by weight of the granular material mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one second granular litter filler material is between 10% to 30% by weight of the granular material mixture. 30 Preferably, the at least one second granular litter filler material is approximately 20% by weight of the granular material mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one third granular litter filler material is between 25% to 65% by weight of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the at 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 least one third granular litter filler material is approximately 47% by weight of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the at least one first granular litter filler material includes a plantbased material. More preferably, the at least one first granular litter filler material 5 includes a soluble plant-based material. Preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one first granular litter filler material which acts as a binder. Preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one first granular litter filler material includes but is not limited to one or more of the following ingredients: okara, soybean pulp, pea dreg / fiber, oat bran, wheat bran, and Calcium carbonate. More preferably, the plant- 10 based material is oat bran. In one non-preferred embodiment, the plant-based material of the at least one first granular litter filler material is Calcium carbonate. Preferably, the at least one second granular litter filler material includes a plant-based material. Preferably, the at least one second granular litter filler material includes a starch. Preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one second 15 granular litter filler material includes but is not limited to one or more of the following ingredients: cassava starch, puffed millet flour, potato starch, wheat starch, and corn starch. More preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one second granular litter filler material is wheat starch. Preferably, the cassava starch, potato starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch and / or corn starch are raw. 20           Preferably, the at least one third granular litter filler material includes a plant based material. More preferably, the at least one first granular litter filler material includes an insoluble plant-based material. Preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one third granular litter filler material includes but is not limited to one or more of the following ingredients: oat hull / husk, wheat husk, faba bean hull, pea hull, 25 durian shell, macadamia shell, and coconut shell. More preferably, the plant-based material of the at least one third granular litter filler material is oat hull / husk. Preferably, the oat hull comprises 45% by weight fibre, 30% by weight oat bran and 35% by weight starch. Preferably, the oat hull is in the forms of pellets. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first granular litter filler material is 30 a mixture of fibre, oat bran, and starch. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises between 20% to 70% by weight fibre. More preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises approximately 45% by weight fibre. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 Preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises between 20% to 40% by weight oat bran. More preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises approximately 30% by weight oat bran. 5           Preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises between 20% to 50% by weight starch. More preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material comprises approximately 35% by weight starch. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one first granular litter filler material 10 comprises 9-parts of fibre to 6-parts of oat bran to 7-parts of starch. Preferably, the oat bran is a mixture of oats and Beta-glucan. Preferably, the mixture of oat bran comprises between 5% to 15% by Beta-glucan. Preferably, the Beta-glucan reduces the stickiness of the oat bran mixture. Preferably, the animal litter filler does not contain aflatoxins. 15          Preferably, the animal litter filler does not contain heavy metals, such as lead or potassium. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one second granular litter filler material is a mixture of puffed millet flour, wheat starch, and peas dreg. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material 20 comprises between 20% to 60% by weight puffed millet flour. More preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises approximately 40% by weight puffed millet flour. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises between 20% to 60% by weight wheat starch. More preferably, the 25 mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises approximately 40% by weight wheat starch. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises between 5% to 30% by weight peas dreg. More preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises approximately 15% by 30 weight peas dreg. Preferably, the mixture of the at least one second granular litter filler material comprises 8-parts of puffed millet flour to 8-parts of wheat starch to 3-parts of peas dreg. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 Preferably, the granular material mixture has a pH value between 4.0 and 8.0. More preferably, the granular material mixture has a pH value of approximately 6.5. Preferably, the treatment solution includes a deodorising agent. Preferably, the treatment solution includes an antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the treatment 5 solution includes an antimicrobial and deodorising agent. Preferably, the treatment solution can achieve substantial deodorisation by reducing odour gases generated from animal excrement. Preferably, the odour gases include but not limited to ammonia, trimethylamine and hydrogen sulfide. In one embodiment, the deodorising agent is fragrance-free. 10          Preferably, the treatment solution can achieve substantial antimicrobial effect against bacteria in animal excrement includes but not limited to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Preferably, the treatment solution is a natural treatment solution. Preferably, the treatment solution is a natural organic and plant-based treatment solution. 15 Preferably, the natural organic and plant-based treatment solution includes but is not limited to one or more of humic acid, rosemary oil, sesamin, Artemisia vulgaris extract, Tussilago farfara extract, Sasa extract, cherry blossom extract, Nelumbonaceae extract, and mineral water. Preferably, the natural organic and plant-based treatment solution is produced 20 from components including but not limited to deposited marine substances (shells, organic matters, deposited minerals), mineral substances from volcanic ash, rosemary, sesamin, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), plants derived from Sasa, cherry blossom, plants derived from Nelumbonaceae, humic acid, plant-based aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria, and soil-based 25 aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. Preferably, the treatment solution has a concentration of 0.1 to 20% w / v of active ingredients. Preferably, the treatment solution has a concentration of substantially 10% w / v of active ingredients. Preferably, the treatment solution has a concentration of 10 to 200 mg / ml of active ingredients. Preferably, the treatment 30 solution has a concentration of substantially 100 mg / ml of active ingredients. Preferably, the treatment solution is non-toxic to animals. The treatment solution is preferably a bio-enzymatic solution. Preferably the bio-enzymatic solution has a deodorising effect. Preferably the bio-enzymatic solution has an antimicrobial effect. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 Preferably, the granular material mixture is modified to enhance water absorption capacity. In one embodiment, the modification is a chemical modification. In one embodiment, the modification includes introducing hydrophilic groups. In one embodiment, the fibres and / or starches of the granular material mixture are modified 5 to enhance water absorption through strong hydrophilicity capacity by carboxymethylation. In one embodiment, the fibres and / or starches of the granular material mixture are modified to provide improved water solubility and hygroscopicity by hydroxyethylation. In one embodiment, the fibres and / or starches of the granular material mixture are modified to increase stability and water retention by 10 hydroxyethylation. In another embodiment, the modification includes increasing the surface area of the fibres and / or starches of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the animal litter filler contains 0.1 to 10 ml of the at least one treatment solution per gram of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the litter 15 filler contains substantially 0.5 ml of the at least one treatment solution per gram of the granular material mixture. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a granular diameter of between 1 to 3 mm. More preferably, the animal litter filler has a granular diameter of between 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Even more preferably, the animal litter filler has a granular diameter of 20 substantially 1.8 mm. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a granular length between 10 to 100 mm, more preferably between 30 to 80 mm. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a granular length between 50 to 60 mm. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a liquid absorption capacity, measured as the weight of liquid to the dry weight of the animal litter filler, of between 100% to 25   600%. More preferably, the animal litter filler has a liquid absorption capacity, measured as the weight of liquid to the dry weight of the animal litter filler, of between 250% to 500%. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a liquid absorption capacity, measured as the weight of liquid to the dry weight of the animal litter filler, of approximately 450%. 30           Preferably, when the animal litter filler absorbs liquid the animal litter filler forms clumps. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a clump rate, measured as time taken for the animal litter filter to form clumps when a predetermined amount of a liquid solution is applied to the animal litter filter, of between 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 More preferably, the animal litter filler has a clump rate, measured as time taken for the animal litter filter to form clumps when a predetermined amount of a liquid solution is applied to the animal litter filter, of approximately 1 second. Preferably, the liquid solution is 0.1 mol / L sodium chloride solution at a temperature of 36 to 40 5 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the predetermined amount of a liquid solution is 20mL. Preferably, the clumps have an average clump strength, measured as the weight of a clump before a drop from a predefined distance to the weight of the clump after the drop from the predefined distance, of between 95% to 99% weight retention after the drop. Preferably, the clumps have an average clump strength, 10 measured as the weight of a clump before a drop from a predefined distance to the weight of the clump after the drop from the predefined distance, of substantially 98% weight retention after the drop. Preferably, the predefined distance is 500mm to 700mm. Preferably, the animal litter filler has an odour control efficacy, measured as 15 the percentage difference between a measurable amount of ammonia concentration of the animal litter filler which has absorbed ammonia and an ammonia sample after a predetermined period of time, of between 97% to 99%. Preferably, the animal litter filler further includes sodium bicarbonate. Preferably, the concentration of the sodium bicarbonate in the animal litter filler is 20 between 0.5% to 2.5% w / w. Preferably, the concentration of the sodium bicarbonate in the animal litter filler is substantially 1% w / w. Preferably, the litter filler further includes activated charcoal. Preferably, the concentration of the activated charcoal in the animal litter filler is between 0.01% to 1% w / w. Preferably, the concentration of the activated charcoal in the animal litter 25 filler is substantially 0.1% w / w. Preferably, the litter filler further includes Nepeta cataria. Preferably, the concentration of the Nepeta cataria in the animal litter filler is between 0.2% to 1.5% w / w. Preferably, the concentration of the Nepeta cataria in the animal litter filler is substantially 0.5% w / w. It will be appreciated that Nepeta cataria is also commonly 30 referred to as catnip and catmint. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in animal litter filler for use in animal litter including, 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler material, at least one second granular litter filler material and at least one third granular litter filler material, wherein the at least one first granular litter filler material includes oat bran; 5          wherein the at least one second granular litter filler material includes wheat starch; and wherein the at least one third granular litter filler material includes oat hull. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a system of collecting animals’ excrement, the system includes, 10          the animal litter filler as described herein, and an animal litter container. Preferably, the animal litter filler is added to the animal litter container to cover at least 3 cm over the bottom of the animal litter container. Preferably, the animal litter filler is added to the animal litter container to cover substantially 5 cm over the 15 bottom of the animal litter container. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of manufacturing an animal litter filler, the method including, mixing one or more ingredients of a first granular litter filler material to form a first mixture; 20          mixing one or more ingredients of a second granular litter filler material to form a second mixture; mixing one or more ingredients of a third granular litter filler material to form a third mixture; mixing the first mixture, second mixture and third mixture to form a granular 25 material mixture; and forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler. In one embodiment, one or more ingredients of the first granular litter filler material is a coarse fibre material. Preferably, the coarse fibre material has a 30 particle size of 60 to 80 mesh. In one embodiment, one or more ingredients of the first granular litter filler material is a soluble fibre material. Preferably, the soluble fibre material has a particle size of 30 to 80 mesh. Preferably, the first mixture has a particle size of 30 to 80 mesh. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 Preferably, the third mixture has a particle size of 60 to 80 mesh. Preferably, the method includes adding an effective amount of at least one treatment solution as described herein to at least one litter filler granular material. Preferably, the method includes processing the granular material mixture to 5   30 to 80 mesh with a super-micro-particle (air flow) pulverizier. More preferably, the method includes processing the granular material mixture to 40 to 60 mesh with a super-micro-particle (air flow) pulverizier. Preferably, the method includes adding water to the granular material mixture. Preferably, the method includes adding activated charcoal to the granular 10 material mixture. Preferably, the method includes adding Nepeta cataria to the granular material mixture. Preferably, the method includes adding activated charcoal and Nepeta cataria to the granular material mixture at the same time. 15          Preferably, the method includes adding at least one treatment solution to the granular material mixture. In one embodiment, the method includes adding an enzyme to the granular material mixture. In one embodiment, the step of adding an effective amount of at least one treatment solution is carried out before the step of mixing one or more ingredients to 20 form the first mixture. In one embodiment, the step of adding an effective amount of at least one treatment solution is carried out before the step of mixing one or more ingredients to form the second mixture. In one embodiment, the step of adding an effective amount of at least one treatment solution is carried out before the step of mixing one or more ingredients to form the third mixture. In another embodiment, 25 the step of adding an effective amount of at least one treatment solution is carried out before forming and drying the granular material mixture. Preferably, the method further includes a step of mixing the at least one treatment solution with the granular material mixture. Preferably, the method includes pelletising the granular material mixture. 30         In one embodiment, the step of forming and drying the granular material mixture includes heating the granular material mixture to a temperature between the range of 50 degrees Celsius to 90 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the granular material mixture is heated for a predetermined period of time. Preferably, the step of heating the granular material mixture is at a temperature below 80 degrees Celsius. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 Preferably, the step of heating the granular material mixture is at a temperature of substantially between 50 degrees Celsius to 80 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the step of heating the granular material mixture is at a temperature below 60 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the step of forming and drying the granular 5 material mixture includes compressing the granular material mixture under high pressure to produce the animal litter filler. Preferably, the step of compressing the granular material mixture is at a compression ratio of 5:1 to 10:1. Preferably, the step of compressing the granular material mixture is at a compression ratio of substantially 6:1. In another embodiment, the step of forming and drying the animal 10 litter filler includes compressing the granular material mixture at a compression ratio of substantially 6:1 and heating the granular material mixture at a temperature of substantially 80oC for a predetermined period of time to produce the animal litter filler. In one embodiment, the step of forming and drying the granular material 15 mixture to produce the animal litter filler further includes drying the animal litter filler with heat. Preferably, the step of drying the animal litter filler includes drying the animal litter filler at or below 60 degrees Celsius. More preferably, the step of drying the animal litter filler includes drying the animal litter filler at or below 50 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the step of forming and drying the granular 20 material mixture to produce the animal litter filler further includes drying the animal litter filler with a dehumidifying technique. In another embodiment, the step of forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler further includes drying the animal litter filler with heat and with a dehumidifying technique. 25         Preferably, the method further includes a step of adding sodium bicarbonate to the animal litter filler. Preferably, the sodium bicarbonate is added after the step of forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler. Preferably, the concentration of the sodium bicarbonate in the animal litter filler is between 0.5% to 2.5%. Preferably, the concentration of the sodium bicarbonate in 30 the animal litter filler is substantially 1%. Preferably, the animal litter filler has a pH value of 9 or below after the addition of the sodium bicarbonate. Preferably, the method further includes a step of shaping the animal litter filler to a suitable size. Preferably, the step of shaping the animal litter filler is carried out 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 after the step of forming the animal litter filler. Preferably, the step of shaping the animal litter filler to a suitable size includes granulising the animal litter filler. In another embodiment, the step of shaping the animal litter filler to a suitable size includes pelletising the animal litter filler. In one embodiment, the method 5 includes the step of subjecting the pelletised granular material mixture to vibration to break down the pellets into smaller pieces. Preferably, a high-frequency vibration machine is used to break down the pellets into smaller pieces. Preferably, the pellets are broken down to have a diameter between 2mm and 20mm. More preferably, the pellets are broken down to have a diameter between 5mm and 10  10mm. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of subjecting the granular material mixture to a coating process. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of subjecting the granular material mixture to a negative de-dusting process. Preferably, the negative de-15 dusting process reduces the dust rate to below 3 / 1,000. Preferably, the method includes the step of subjecting the granular material mixture to a first negative dedusting process and a second negative de-dusting process. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of coating one or more clay cores with the granular material mixture. Preferably, each of the one or more clay 20 cores is substantially spherical. In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of manufacturing an animal litter filler, the method including, mixing one or more ingredients of a first granular litter filler material to form a first mixture; 25          mixing one or more ingredients of a second granular litter filler material to form a second mixture; mixing one or more ingredients of a third granular litter filler material to form a third mixture; mixing the first mixture, second mixture and third mixture to form a granular 30 material mixture; and forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler, wherein the at least one first granular litter filler material includes oat bran; 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 wherein the at least one second granular litter filler material includes wheat starch; and wherein the at least one third granular litter filler material includes oat hull. In another aspect, the invention resides in a method of manufacturing an 5 animal litter filler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method including the steps of mixing one or more ingredients of the first granular litter filler material to form a first mixture; mixing one or more ingredients of the second granular litter filler material to 10 form a second mixture; mixing one or more ingredients of the third granular litter filler material to form a third mixture; mixing the first mixture, second mixture and third mixture to form a granular material mixture; 15         adding an amount of the at least one treatment solution to the granular material mixture; and forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler. The animal litter filler is preferably usable as cat litter filler. 20          In another aspect, the invention resides in an animal litter filler for use in an animal litter container including, a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler material, at least one second granular litter filler material and at least one third granular litter filler material; 25          wherein the at least one first litter filler granular material includes oat bran; wherein the at least one second granular litter filler material includes wheat starch; wherein the at least one third litter filler granular material includes oat hull, wherein the at least one first granular litter filler material is approximately 33% 30 by weight of the granular material mixture, the at least one second granular litter filler material is approximately 33% by weight of the granular material mixture and the at least one third granular litter filler material is approximately 33% by weight of the granular material mixture. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an animal litter filler for use in an animal litter container including, a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler material, at least one second granular litter filler material and at least one third 5 granular litter filler material. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is further described by the following preferred embodiment of an animal litter filler. The animal litter filler includes a granular material mixture. The granular 15 material mixture comprises a first granular litter filler material, a second granular litter filler material and a third granular litter filler material. The animal littler filler further includes a treatment solution. The first litter filler granular material includes fiber which enhances water retention and storage, and provides the animal litter filler with overall structural 20 stability, maintaining its integrity after liquid absorption. The first litter filler granular material further acts as a binder or base, helping the litter form cohesive clumps. The first litter filler granular material includes oat bran. Oat bran contains beta-glucan, which reduces clump stickiness, preventing litter from excessively adhering to surfaces, and therefore making cleaning easier. The first granular litter 25 filler material is approximately 33% by weight of the granular material mixture. The second granular litter filler material includes starch to provide fast and enhanced clumping because starch forms a sticky network when combined with water. The second granular litter filler material includes a mixture of 40% by weight 30 puffed millet flour, 40% by weight potato starch, and 15% by weight peas dreg. The second granular litter filler material is approximately 20% by weight of the granular material mixture. The second granular litter filler material improves absorption capacity and helps solidify the litter clumps quickly. The second granular litter filler 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 material works in synergy with the first litter filler granular material to reinforce lump cohesiveness and minimize disintegration. The third litter filler granular material provides a porous, sponge-like network can take up significant amounts of liquid (water, urine, etc.). The internal structure of 5 the third litter filler granular material has a significant surface area due to the pore, thus substances (like odors) or support chemical / enzymatic treatments can be trapped within the third litter filler granular material. When mixed with moisture or a binder, the porous fibers can help form stronger clumps because the liquid is drawn into the pore network, causing the fibers to stick together. 10           The third litter filler granular material includes oat hull. The third granular litter filler material is approximately 47% by weight of the granular material mixture. The animal litter filler further includes sodium bicarbonate and activated carbon for enhancing liquid absorption and odour control. The treatment solution is a natural organic and plant-based treatment solution 15 that includes humic acid (CAS No. 1415-93-6), rosemary oil (CAS No. 8000-25-7), sesamin (CAS No. 607-80-7), Artemisia vulgaris extract (CAS No. 84775-45-1), Tussilago farfara extract (CAS No. 84625-50-3), Sasa extract, cherry blossom extract, Nelumbonaceae extract, and mineral water. The treatment solution is produced from ingredients including deposited marine substances (shells, organic 20 matters, deposited minerals), mineral substances from volcanic ash, rosemary, sesamin, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), plants derived from Sasa, cherry blossom, plants derived from Nelumbonaceae, humic acid, plantbased aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria, and soil-based aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. 25          The treatment solution is known to have deodorising effect. Specifically, laboratory test has been conducted on the effect of the treatment solution on three type of odour gases including ammonia, trimethylamine and hydrogen sulfide. To test the deodorising effect, 0.5 ml of the treatment solution is added to 1 g of polyester cotton. The polyester cotton is then placed in a sealed sample bag that 30 contains 2000 ml of odour gas. A gas detector is used to determine the odour gas concentration at time intervals of 0, 10, 30, 60 and 180 minutes. The treatment solution can substantially reduce at least 80% of ammonia and at least 80% of trimethylamine generated from the animal excrement in substantially 10 minutes, and at least 5% of hydrogen sulfide generated from the animal excrement in 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 substantially 30 minutes. The laboratory test results show that 0.5 ml of the treatment solution can remove substantially 85% of ammonia and 98.5% of trimethylamine in 10 minutes, and substantially 6.3% of hydrogen sulfide can be removed by the treatment solution in 30 minutes. The treatment solution is further 5 shown to remove 100% of trimethylamine in 30 minutes, and 98% of ammonia and 20% of hydrogen sulfide can be removed after 180 minutes. The treatment solution is also known to have antimicrobial effect. Specifically, laboratory test has been conducted on the effect of 100mg / ml of the treatment solution on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. 10 The treatment solution can substantially reduce at least 15% of Staphylococcus aureus, at least 95% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and at least 45% of Escherichia coli in the animal excrement in substantially 0.5 hour. It is shown that the treatment solution can reduce 17.5% of Staphylococcus aureus, 99.6% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 48.7% of Escherichia coli in 0.5 hour, and 26.8% of Staphylococcus 15   aureus, 99.9% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 84.8% of Escherichia coli in 1 hour. The animal litter filler is tested to ensure that the properties of granular diameter, liquid absorption capacity, clumping rate, clump strength, odour control efficacy and pH value are within preferred ranges. The testing procedures for liquid absorption capacity, clumping rate, clump strength, and odour control efficacy are 20 described below. The testing procedure for liquid absorption capacity including submerging a test sieve into an enamel or stainless steel pan filled with deionized water until the water level is 5mm above the sieve. After 1 minute, removing the sieve, tilting the sieve at a 30 degree angle, and letting the sieve stand for 10 minutes. Weighing the 25 sieve with an electronic scale and record its weight. Accurately weigh 100g of a animal litter filler sample that has been dried in an oven at (105± 5) degrees Celsius. Spread the animal litter filler sample evenly on approximately half the wet sieve's surface. Slowly immerse the animal litter filler sample and sieve into water. After 5 minutes, remove the sieve, tilt the sieve at a 30° angle, let the sieve stand for 10 30 minutes, and weigh the sieve and animal litter filler sample. Calculating liquid absorption capacity according to the following formula: 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 xl()()% 111] Where oo is the liquid absorption capacity, mo is the mass of the sieve after water absorption, m1 is the mass of the dry animal litter filler sample before water absorption and m2 is the mass of the animal litter filler sample and sieve after water 5 absorption. The testing procedure for liquid clumping rate includes spreading an appropriate amount of animal litter filler evenly in a container with a minimum horizontal dimension of 150mm. Ensuring the height of the animal litter filler layer is between 50mm to 60mm. Filling a burette or syringe with 20mL of 0.1 mol / L sodium 10 chloride solution at a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Position the burette or syringe approximately 30mm above the animal litter filler surface and injecting the solution. Ensuring that the entire solution is uniformly applied to the surface of the cat litter within 10 ± 1 seconds. Immediately after injecting the solution, commence timing. Observing the water absorption process 15 until the litter fully absorbs the liquid and forms clumps. Record the time required from the start to the complete formation of clumps. The testing procedure for liquid clump strength includes spreading an appropriate amount of animal litter filler evenly in a container with a minimum horizontal dimension of 150mm. Ensuring the height of the animal litter filler layer is 20 between 50mm to 60mm. Filling a burette or syringe with 20mL of 0.1 mol / L sodium chloride solution at a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. Positioning the burette or syringe approximately 30mm above the animal litter filler surface and begin injecting the solution. Ensuring the entire solution is uniformly applied to the surface of the animal litter filler within 10 ± 1 seconds. At time 25 intervals of 90 seconds, 4 hours, and 12 hours after solution injection, selecting and weighing sample clumps. Lifting the clumped samples to a height of 600mm (measured from the bottom of the clump to the testing surface) and allowing the samples to drop freely, ensuring no lateral interference, to let them strike a hard surface directly. Measuring the sample clumps after the drop. Calculating the clump 30 strength as the maximum weight of the sample clump after the drop over the weight of the sample clump before the drop. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 The testing procedure for odour control efficacy includes preparing a 0.5% ammonia solution as the odour source. Maintaining the temperature between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius. Weighing 100g of animal litter filler and placing it with a container in a sealed box (300x200x100mm or similar volume). 5 Positioning an ammonia meter 10 cm away from the container. Pipetting 10 mL of the ammonia solution to the center of the container. Ensuring full contact between the odor source and the animal litter filler. Seal the box and record the ammonia concentration readings at 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes. Conducting a blank test under the same conditions without adding the animal litter filler and recording the 10 corresponding ammonia concentrations. Calculating the deodorization performance according to the following formula: m = 1--^ x 100% c \       7 Where uin is the odour control efficacy, Cn is the Ammonia concentration after n minutes of the animal litter filler test and C0n is the Ammonia concentration after n 15 minutes in the blank test. An example of an animal litter filler with properties within preferred ranges is provided below. The example animal litter filler has a granular diameter of substantially 1.8 mm. The 1.8 mm diameter provides a soft feeling for the animal’s paw and is safe to 20 walk over the animal litter filler. The example animal litter filler has a liquid absorption capacity of 468%. The example animal litter filler has clumping rate of 1 second. The example animal litter filler has clump strength 97.8%. The example animal litter filler has odour control efficacy 98.7%. 25          The example animal litter filler has a pH value of 6.4. A pH of below 9 is beneficial for the deodorising and antimicrobial activity of the treatment solution. In use, the animal litter filler is added to an animal litter container that covers substantially 5 cm over the bottom of the animal litter container. The method for producing the animal litter filler includes 30           preparing pea fibre of the first granular litter filler material; 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 adding the treatment solution to the first granular litter filler material; mixing the puffed millet flour, the potato starch, and the peas dreg to form the second granular litter filler material; preparing oat hull of the third granular litter filler material; and 5           mixing the first granular litter filler material, second granular litter filler material and third granular litter filler material to form a granular material mixture. The treatment solution is added to the animal litter filler by a method that retains the deodorising and antimicrobial effect. The granular material mixture is compressed at a compressing ratio of 6:1 10 and heated at 80 degrees Celsius for 0.1 to 0.2 seconds to form the animal litter filler. The animal litter filler is then dried at below 50 degrees Celsius in combination with a dehumidifying technique. Sodium bicarbonate is then added to the litter filler granular material to a final 15 concentration of 1% such that the animal litter filler has a pH of below 9. Activated charcoal is also added to the animal litter filler to a final concentration of 0.1%. The animal litter filler undergoes a negative de-dusting process to reduce the dust rate to below 3 / 1,000. 20          The animal litter filler is shaped into pellets. The pellets are then subjected to vibration to break down the pellets into pieces with diameters between 5mm and 10mm. ADVANTAGES 25         An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative animal litter filler. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative animal litter filler that can be easily and safely disposed of. 30         Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative animal litter filler that can be used in an animal litter container for a prolonged period without replacing the animal litter filler. 2025202680   16 Apr 2025 A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative animal litter filler that is not toxic to animal through skin contact or accidental ingestion. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention 5 includes providing an alternative animal litter filler that is not irritating to the animal. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing an alternative animal litter filler that has a soft foot-feeling for cats and is safe for the cat to step on. 10 VARIATIONS While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and 15 ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An animal litter filler for use in animal litter including, a granular material mixture comprising at least one first granular litter filler5 material, at least one second granular litter filler material and at least one third granular litter filler material2. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first granular litter filler material is approximately 33% by weight of the granular material10 mixture, the at least one second granular litter filler material is approximately 20% by weight of the granular material mixture, and the at least one third granular litter filler material is approximately 47% by weight of the granular material mixture.

3. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one 15 third granular litter filler material is oat hull, the oat hull being a mixture comprising a 45% by weight fibre, 30% by weight oat bran and 35% by weight starch.

4. An animal litter filler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second granular litter filler material is wheat starch.

205. An animal litter filler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the animal litter filler includes at least one treatment solution.

6. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 5, wherein the treatment solution is a 25 bio-enzymatic solution.

7. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the at least one treatment solution is derived from one or more of the following: deposited marine substances, mineral substances from volcanic ash, rosemary, sesamin, mugwort30 (Artemisia vulgaris), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), plants derived from Sasa, cherry blossom, plants derived from Nelumbonaceae, humic acid, plant-based aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria, and soil-based aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria.2025202680   16 Apr 20258. An animal litter filler as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the treatment solution has a deodorising effect9. An animal litter filler as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the 5 treatment solution is a natural organic and plant-based treatment solution.

10. An animal litter filler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the animal litter filler includes sodium bicarbonate.10   11. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 10, wherein the concentration of thesodium bicarbonate in the animal litter filler is between 0.5% to 2.5% w / w.

12. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the animal litter filler includes activated charcoal.1513. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 12, wherein the concentration of the activated charcoal in the animal litter filler is between 0.01% to 1% w / w.

14. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 3, wherein the oat bran is a mixture of 20 oats and Beta-glucan.

15. An animal litter filler as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mixture of oat bran comprises between 5% to 15% by Beta-glucan.25   16. A method of manufacturing an animal litter filler as claimed in any one of thepreceding claims, the method including,mixing one or more ingredients of the first granular litter filler material to form a first mixture;mixing one or more ingredients of the second granular litter filler material to 30 form a second mixture;mixing one or more ingredients of the third granular litter filler material to form a third mixture;mixing the first mixture, second mixture and third mixture to form a granular material mixture; and2025202680   16 Apr 2025forming and drying the granular material mixture to produce the animal litter filler.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of forming and drying the granular material mixture includes heating the granular material mixture to a 5 temperature between 70 degrees Celsius to 90 degrees Celsius.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, further including the step of adding activated charcoal to the animal litter filler at a concentration of between 0.01% to 1% w / w.1019. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, further including the step of forming the granular material mixture into pellets, and then vibrating the pellets into pieces with diameters between 5mm and 10mm.15   20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, further including the stepof subjecting the granular material mixture to a negative de-dusting process to reduce the dust rate to below 3 / 1,000.