Compressible Granular Animal Litter

Abstract

Compressible and elastic, with a density of approximately 81 to 650 kg / m 3 wherein the foamed polymer has limited compressibility and recovers to 70% of its original volume. Optionally, the foamed polymer may be mixed with other animal litter ingredients, such as clay or absorbent materials.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 17 / 981,173, filed November 4, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not applicable. appendix Not applicable.

[0002] The present invention relates to animal litter, and more particularly to a compressible animal litter. Small containers are inexpensive to ship and easy to store on shelves. The compressible litter comprises a foam polymer of appropriate density that is compressible and resilient. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventional animal litter, pet litter and cat litter are well known in the art. Desirable animal litter properties are absorbency, clumping and odor control.

[0004] None of the references listed below disclose animal litter that can be compressed for shipping purposes. Shipping pet litter can be a significant portion of the cost of the final product. Reducing the volume of the product can reduce shipping costs. The product also needs to be resilient, meaning that the foam will return to approximately its original volume after the compression force is released. Furthermore, the product needs to have an appropriate density for use by animals such as cats.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,765,371 discloses the use of foamed plastic particles in cat litter. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,765,371 also discloses cleaning and reusing the foamed plastic. The plastic materials disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,765,371 have a high surface area and are capable of effectively absorbing urine or feces. These foamed plastics have a low weight per absorbed volume, thereby minimizing shipping weight and, therefore, shipping and distribution costs. However, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,765,371 does not mention resilient, compressible foams or the need to minimize shipping volume. The foams listed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,765,371 include (rigid) polyvinyl chloride foam, (rigid) polystyrene foam (also known as Styrofoam®), (rigid) cellulose acetate resin foam, (rigid) phenolic resin foam, and polyurethane foam, but does not mention compressible or resilient foams. Of the foams listed, only polyurethane foam is known to be usable as both an elastic foam and a rigid foam. However, in Patent Document 1, since the other four foams are all rigid, polyurethane foam is also considered to be intended for use as a rigid foam. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not show any consideration for reducing shipping volume. Such rigid foams have neither compressibility nor elasticity.

[0006] Patent Document 1 does not disclose the density of the foam. It states that the foam is lightweight, thereby saving transportation costs, but does not specify what density constitutes lightweight. The present invention relates to compressible and resilient animal litter, and density is an important factor. Foam with too low a density in an uncompressed state cannot function as a cat litter box, causing the cat's paws to sink to the bottom, resulting in an uncomfortable walking experience. Cats prefer a surface that supports their paws and does not sink. Furthermore, when a cat scratches to hide its feces, low-density foam either flies out of the box or sticks to the cat's paws, failing to cover the excrement. On the other hand, foam with too high a density cannot be compressed sufficiently.

[0007] Patent Document 2 (International Publication No. WO2008 / 007963) discloses cat litter containing rigid protein-based foams and other rigid foams. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] None of the above references disclose or suggest the application of compressible and resilient foam polymers to animal litter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Density of approximately 81 to 650 kg / m 3 The claimed animal litter comprises a compressible and resilient foam in the range of 1 kg / 4 cm. The claimed animal litter does not compress excessively, so that an animal (e.g., a cat) does not sink its paws too deeply into the litter when using it. Limited compressibility is necessary, otherwise the animal will avoid using it due to discomfort caused by sinking. A preferred resilient foam polymer has a compressibility of about 1 kg / 4 cm in the uncompressed state. 2 The granular litter is compressed to less than about 10% or more by volume under a pressure of 7.94 cm. Preferably, the compression rate (percent volume loss) is about 4 to 10% by volume. 2 When tested at a force of 0.936 kg over an area of ​​about 100 mm, the granular animal litter has a compressibility of about 4 to 30% by volume. Preferably, the granular animal litter has a compressibility of about 5 to 25% by volume.

[0010] The foam polymer is preferably mixed with other animal litter ingredients such as clay or other absorbent materials. To prevent particle separation after mixing or storage, the ratio of foam density to the density of other animal litter ingredients should be in the range of about 1:10 to about 1:1.

[0011] Further application fields of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be noted that the detailed description and specific examples are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following description of the preferred embodiments is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention, its scope or applications in any way.

[0013] The compressible and resilient foam has a compressibility of about 81 to 650 kg / m 3 The upper density limit of the foam affects its compressibility. 3 Foams with densities above 81 kg / m lose their compressibility under the desired conditions. 3 If it is less than this, the foam will be overly compressed and the animal's feet will sink too deeply into the foam, making walking difficult. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the foam has a density of about 325 to 550 kg / m 3 is.

[0014] The foam mentioned above has a compressibility of approximately 1 kg / 4 cm from the uncompressed state. 2 When compressed by a force of 1.0 kg, the volume is compressed to about 30% or less. This compression can be measured as indentation force deflection. In this embodiment, this was determined based on the point compression of a typical domestic cat weighing about 4 to 5 kg. The compression force of a four-legged animal is about 1.0 kg, and the approximate footprint area is 4 cm. 2 It is desirable that the cat's paws do not sink too much and that the cat litter does not scatter outside the litter box, so the uncompressed foam is 1.0 kg / 4 cm 2 It is desirable for the compression to be about 30% or less at a pressure of 1000 psi. In a preferred embodiment, the compression is about 5% to 25% by volume. Most preferably, the compression is less than 20%.

[0015] The second method for measuring the indentation force deflection for granular litter is to apply a 0.936 kg pressure to a 7.94 cm 2 The test involves adding the litter to an area of ​​100 mm. The litter is held in a container having a depth of at least 5.8 cm, which is the typical depth of litter in a cat litter box. Compressibility is determined as the ratio of the height of the litter under weight divided by the height of the litter before weight is added. Preferably, the compression under these test conditions is less than 50%. More preferably, the compression is less than 30%. Most preferred is a compression of about 5 to 25%. The resilience of the granular foam is also measured by this test. After 4 hours, the height of the litter is measured and the percentage recovery of the uncompressed height, i.e., the percentage recovery of the height, is determined. Preferably, the recovery is at least 70% of the uncompressed height. More preferably, the recovery is at least 90% of the uncompressed height. Most preferably, the recovery is about 100% of the uncompressed height.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the foam has a three-dimensional polygonal shape. More preferably, the polygonal shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. This shape allows the foam to generally align when cat litter is placed in the litter box, preventing excessive compression of the foam. Compared to irregularly shaped shredded foam pieces, polygonal foam has a lower weight of approximately 1.0 kg / 4 cm. 2 The polygonal shape is less compressible under pressure. Preferably, the polygonal shape has dimensions less than 1.27 cm, and more preferably less than about 0.952 cm. Most preferably, the polygonal shape is a rectangle measuring about 0.318 cm x 0.318 cm x 0.636 cm. Round or spherical foams are not preferred because they cause movement and splashing when a cat steps into the litter box. In one embodiment, the foam is not absorbent.

[0017] The compressible and resilient foam is preferably a closed-cell polyurethane foam. Open-cell polyurethane foams are too compressible. An example of a preferred polyurethane foam is a polyurethane foam with a density of 333 kg / m. 3Poron 4701-40-20125 soft001 (unsupported type) and density 519 kg / m 3 Comcast Urethane is one example.

[0018] In another embodiment, the preferred resilient foam is polyethylene foam. The foam is extruded into the desired shape. The foam is a closed-cell foam. In a preferred embodiment, the polyethylene foam is produced using an isobutane blowing agent. Extruded foam has advantages over crushed foam due to its superior structural properties and uniformity.

[0019] The resilient, compressible foams used in the present invention (as claimed) do not include rigid foams such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, rigid polystyrene foam, rigid cellulose acetate resin, rigid phenolic foam, and rigid polyurethane foam. Furthermore, the resilient, compressible foams used in the present invention (as claimed) do not include rigid foams such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, rigid polystyrene foam, rigid cellulose acetate resin, rigid phenolic foam, and rigid polyurethane foam. 3 Sponge cellulose (98% cellulose) is also not included in the claimed resilient compressible foam.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the animal litter made from the claimed resilient compressible foam is completely dust-free.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the compressible foam animal litter is enclosed in a flexible, airtight container, compressed, excess air removed, and the container vacuum sealed. To use the animal litter, the container is opened to allow air in and the litter is placed in the desired container, such as a cat litter box.

[0022] In one embodiment, the foam is produced by cutting or chopping a larger foam block to the desired size. Alternatively, foam pieces can be extruded or injection molded. In a more preferred embodiment, the foam particles are produced by spray drying a polyol / isocyanate mixture (the components that form polyurethane foam) to form roughly spherical polyurethane foam particles. In a preferred embodiment, the foam is an extruded foam.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the foams of the present invention are used in combination with other known non-foaming animal litter ingredients, such as liquid-absorbent clay materials, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, with the weight ratio of foam to non-foaming animal litter ingredients ranging from about 10:1 to 1:10.

[0024] To prevent particle separation after mixing or storage, the ratio of foam density to the density of other litter components should be in the range of about 1:10 to 1:1.

[0025] Suitable absorbent clays include, but are not limited to, bentonite (e.g., sodium bentonite), attapulgite, montmorillonite, diatomaceous earth, Georgia white clay, sepiolite, slate, pumice, tobermorite, marl, kaolinite, halloysite, smectite, hectorite, fuller's earth, zeolite, and mixtures thereof. These clays generally have a saturation of about 800 to 2000 kg / m. 3 In addition to clay, fillers such as limestone, sand, calcite, dolomite, recycled waste, zeolite, and gypsum can be used with the clay.

[0026] Other absorbent materials are contemplated by the present invention, including, but not limited to, rice, nut shells, recycled cardboard, by-products and pulp, barley, wheat, corn, tofu, wood, paper, other plant-derived materials, and silica gel.

[0027] Other materials include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial agents, deodorants / odor control agents, binders, fragrances, health indicators, nonstick release agents, superabsorbent materials, and mixtures thereof. Antimicrobial actives include boron-containing compounds such as borax pentahydrate, borax decahydrate, boric acid, polyborates, tetraboric acid, anhydrous sodium metaborate, boron moieties in polymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0028] Odor-absorbing / suppressing actives include water-soluble metal salts of silver, copper, zinc, iron, and aluminum, as well as mixtures thereof. Effective compounds include zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, zinc maleate, zinc salicylate, zinc sulfate, zinc ricinoleate, copper chloride, copper gluconate, and mixtures thereof. Other deodorizing actives include metal oxide nanoparticles. Additionally, cyclodextrin, zeolite, activated carbon, acidic substances, salt-forming substances, and mixtures thereof are also included as additional deodorizing / suppressing actives. The deodorizing active may be calcium bentonite, which is added to reduce buildup in cat litter boxes.

[0029] The deodorizing active agent may also include a binder such as water, lignin sulfonate (solid), polymeric binder, fibrillated Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE), and combinations thereof. Useful organic polymerizable binders include, but are not limited to, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and its derivatives and metal salts, guar gum cellulose, xanthan gum, starch, lignin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, styrene-butadiene resin (SBR), and polystyrene-acrylic acid resin. Water-stable particles can also be produced by crosslinking polyester networks obtained by reacting polyacrylic acid or citric acid with various polyols such as glycerin, polyvinyl alcohol, lignin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0030] Dust suppressants can also be added to the particles to reduce dust levels. Many of the binders listed above function as effective dust suppressants when applied to the outer surface of the composite absorbent particles. Other dust suppressants include, but are not limited to, gums, resins, water, and other liquid or liquefiable materials.

[0031] Example

[0032] Foam samples of sponge cellulose (Comparative Example 1), Poron 4701-40-20125 soft001 (unsupported) (Example 1), and Comcast urethane (Example 2) were tested for density, compressibility, and resilience as follows.

[0033] Density Testing - A sample of each foam polymer was measured and weighed. Density was calculated as mass / volume, kg / m 3 The results were recorded in units. See Table 1.

[0034] Compressibility Test - For the samples of Comparative Example 1, Example 1, and Example 2, compressibility was tested by taking a 2 cm x 2 cm x 1.2 cm sample of the uncompressed foam polymer and measuring the height using a caliper gauge. A weight of approximately 1.0 kg was placed on the sample and the height was measured again. The difference in height was calculated to determine the percent volume loss. See Table 1 for the results.

[0035] Resilience Test - Resilience was determined by measuring the foam height again 24 hours after removing the weight in the compressibility test. See Table 1 for results.

[0036] Table 1 - Foam sample test results

[0037] [Table 1]

[0038] Comparative Example 1 had a density significantly lower than the animal litter of the present disclosure and did not exhibit compressibility or elasticity, whereas Examples 1 and 2 had the desired density, compressibility, and elasticity.

[0039] Example 2 was confirmed to function effectively in cat litter boxes when used by cats as cat litter.

[0040] Examples 3 and 4 are 7.94 cm 2 The test was performed by applying a 0.936 kg weight to a granular litter measuring 1.5 m in area. The litter was held in a container with a depth of at least 5.8 cm. The compressibility was determined by dividing the height of the litter under load by the height before loading. See Table 2 for results.

[0041] Table 2 - Foam sample test results

[0042] [Table 2]

[0043] Examples 3 and 4 were tested by cats in a cat litter box. Both samples were effective cat litters, but the cats preferred Example 4, which had lower compressibility and smaller particle size.

[0044] These embodiments have been chosen and described to most clearly convey the principles of the present invention and its practical applications to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that various changes, modifications, and substitutions can be made to the above-described exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the contents of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings should not be interpreted as limiting, but should be understood as merely illustrative. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. An animal litter comprising a granular foam polymer, the foam polymer is a compressible and resilient foam; 81 to 650 kg / m ３ and has a density of The compressibility is less than 30% when a load of 1.0 kg is applied. recovers to at least 70% of its original volume when the load is removed; Animal litter consisting of non-spherical particles having a length of 1.27 cm or less.

2. A load of 0.936 kg is 7.94 cm ２ 2. The animal litter of claim 1, wherein the compressibility when applied to an area of ​​100 to 25% is 5 to 25%.

3. 3. The animal litter of claim 2, wherein the foam polymer is compressed to less than 20% of its volume.

4. 4. The animal litter of claim 3, wherein the foam polymer is a mixture of foam polymers.

5. 5. The animal litter of claim 4, wherein the foam polymer is a closed-cell polyurethane foam.

6. 6. The animal litter of claim 5, wherein the foam polymer is processed by cutting, chopping, extrusion, injection molding, or spray drying to lengths of less than 1.27 cm.

7. 7. The animal litter of claim 6, wherein said foam polymer is an extruded polyethylene foam.

8. 8. The animal litter of claim 7, wherein the foam polymer is a rectangular polygonal particle of 0.925 cm or less.

9. 1. An animal litter comprising a granular foam polymer and a non-foam component, the foam polymer is compressible and resilient; 81 to 650 kg / m ３ and has a density of Limited compression when a load of 1.0 kg is applied Upon removal of the load, the material recovers to approximately 70% of its original volume; is less than 1.27 cm in length; The animal litter, wherein the weight ratio of the foam polymer to the non-foam component is in the range of 10:1 to 1:

10.

10. The non-foaming component contains a liquid-absorbing clay, and has a liquid-absorbing capacity of 800 to 2000 kg / m ３ 10. The animal litter of claim 9, having a density of

11. A load of 0.936 kg is applied to a container of at least 7.94 cm with the animal litter held in a container of at least 5.8 cm depth. ２ 11. The animal litter of claim 10, wherein the foam polymer compresses by less than 20% in volume when applied to an area of

12. 11. The animal litter of claim 10, wherein the foam polymer volume is compressed in the range of 5 to 25%.

13. 13. The animal litter of claim 12, wherein the foam polymer does not include a rigid foam selected from the group consisting of rigid polyvinyl chloride, rigid polystyrene foam, rigid cellulose acetate resin, rigid phenolic foam resin, and rigid polyurethane foam.

14. 14. The animal litter of claim 13, wherein the foam polymer is selected from the group consisting of closed-cell polyurethane foam and extruded closed-cell polyethylene foam.

15. 15. The animal litter of claim 14, wherein the foam polymer is processed by cutting, chopping, extrusion, injection molding, or spray drying into non-spherical shapes less than 1.27 cm in length.

16. The animal litter according to claim 15, wherein isobutane is used as a foaming agent during extrusion of the polyethylene foam.

17. 17. The animal litter of claim 16, wherein the foam polymer is cut into rectangular polygons of 0.925 cm or less.

18. 1. An animal litter comprising a foamed polymer, The foam polymer It is granular, It is compressible It has elasticity, 325 to 550 kg / m ３ and has a density of When a load is applied, it is compressed to a limited extent, restores approximately 90% of its original volume when the load is removed; The load is set to 0.936 kg, and the area where the load is applied is set to 7.94 cm ２ The compression ratio is less than 30% when Animal litter that has been processed into non-spherical shapes less than 1.27 cm in length by cutting, shredding, extrusion, injection molding, or spray drying.

19. 20. The animal litter of claim 18, wherein the foam polymer is compressed in volume by 5 to 25% and is polygonal in shape.

20. 20. The animal litter of claim 19, wherein said foam polymer is a rectangular polygon of 0.2 cm to 0.952 cm.

Images