Animal Litter Encapsulating Solid Waste Odor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal litters are inadequate in preventing odor emission from solid waste, as they primarily rely on desiccation, odor absorption, and masking agents, failing to create a physical barrier that blocks odor release and keeps waste intact for easy scooping.
Innovation Solution
The development of an animal litter that incorporates performance-enhancing actives which, upon contact with moisture, forms a shell around solid waste and urine clumps with a thickness of at least 1 mm, physically blocking odor emission and maintaining the waste in one piece for easier removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing animal litters use desiccation, odor absorption, and masking agents, then odor control is partially achieved, but no physical barrier is formed to block odor emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system comprising absorbent particles (clay, silica gel, or organic material) combined with binding agents and odor-controlling agents. This composite structure enables the formation of clumps with internal cavities that physically trap waste, creating a barrier against odor emission while maintaining litter functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The litter forms clumps with internal cavities and porous structures that physically enclose waste material. These porous formations act as physical barriers, preventing direct contact between odor sources and the environment while allowing the litter to maintain breathability and functionality.
2Ease of operation
If existing litters rely on odor absorption and masking, then some odor control is achieved, but waste breaks apart making scooping difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The composite litter structure combines absorbent particles with binding agents that create cohesive clumps. The internal cavity structure of these clumps allows waste to be enclosed and held together, making it easy to scoop out as a single unit while maintaining odor control benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The litter system creates distinct clump segments that encapsulate waste separately from the surrounding clean litter. This segmentation allows for easy removal of soiled clumps while leaving the rest of the litter intact and functional.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a physical barrier shell is formed around waste to block odor, then odor emission is reduced, but the litter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The litter material automatically forms encapsulating clumps with internal cavities when it contacts waste material. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external devices or complex structures to create the barrier, as the litter itself performs the encapsulation function through its inherent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The litter undergoes parameter changes when contacting waste, transforming from loose particles to cohesive clumps with specific structural properties. This phase transition and structural reorganization occur automatically, creating the physical barrier without requiring complex external systems.
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 effectively minimizes odor release and keeps the waste cohesive, making it easier to scoop, while providing antimicrobial benefits and improved cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one performance-enhancing active upon contact with moisture creates a shell of animal litter having a thickness of at least 1 mm that substantially encapsulates the waste and/or clump. The shell physically blocks the emanation of odor from the waste and/or clump.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for encapsulating solid animal waste with animal litter to eliminate the odor that emanates from the waste material. An additional benefit is that encapsulation hides the solid waste from view. The encapsulated waste resembles a urine clump in the litter box. Performance-enhancing actives are incorporated in the litter composition to provide this benefit.