Granular Malodor Adsorbent Selective Pore Size Litter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal litter compositions face challenges in effectively controlling malodor without increasing fragrance intensity, as strong malodor adsorbents often interact with fragrances rather than odors, leading to inefficient malodor masking and fragrance reduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a granular malodor adsorbent with a specific pore size (0.4 nm to 2.0 nm) and surface area (100 m2/g to 1500 m2/g) that effectively adsorbs malodor while excluding fragrance, allowing for improved malodor control without reducing fragrance perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If strong malodor adsorbents such as powdered activated carbon are added to improve malodor control, then malodor adsorption is enhanced, but the fragrance intensity is reduced because the adsorbent preferentially absorbs the fragrance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying particular pore size ranges (0.5-2.0 nm) and surface area ranges (100-1500 m2/g) for the adsorbent material. These localized physical properties create selective adsorption zones that target malodor molecules while excluding fragrance molecules, resolving the contradiction between malodor control and fragrance retention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the adsorbent material, specifically transitioning from powdered to granular form and controlling pore size and surface area within specific ranges. These parameter changes enable the adsorbent to differentiate between malodor and fragrance molecules based on their size and chemical properties, allowing effective malodor adsorption without fragrance loss
2Reliability
If physical separation of fragrance and malodor adsorber is implemented, then fragrance compatibility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials with specifically engineered pore sizes (0.5-2.0 nm) that act as molecular sieves. The pore structure provides inherent physical separation at the molecular level, allowing malodor molecules to enter and be adsorbed while blocking larger fragrance molecules, thereby achieving fragrance compatibility without complex separation structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining granular adsorbent with controlled pore structure and surface area properties. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (adsorption, size exclusion, surface interaction) into a single material component, eliminating the need for separate fragrance containment structures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves significant malodor reduction while maintaining fragrance perception, providing a more effective and consumer-friendly litter composition that reduces malodor intensity and maintains fragrance intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a granular malodor adsorbent... wherein the granular malodor adsorbent substantially adsorbs malodor
Implementation Method 2
has a pore size from about 0.4 nm to about 2.0 nm... wherein the granular malodor adsorbent substantially adsorbs malodor and substantially excludes the fragrance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are compositions and methods comprising a fragrance and from about 0.5 weight % to about 5.0 weight % of a granular malodor adsorbent which can be used to eliminate malodor in animal waste. The granular malodor absorbent can be granular molecular sieves or granulated activated carbon and has a pore size from about 0.4 nm to about 2.0 nm and a total surface area from about 100 m2/g to about 1500 m2/g.