Pet Litter Composition Using 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Dioxolane-4-Methanol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pet litters fail to effectively attract pets to eliminate within the litter, leading to undesirable out-litter elimination behaviors, and existing attractants are often not scientifically tested or specific to urine and fecal elimination.

Innovation Solution

A pet litter composition incorporating 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol as an in-litter pet elimination promoter, combined with an odor-inhibiting agent like alkyl thiophosphoric triamide, which is attractive to pets while reducing waste odor, and can be in a solution or microencapsulated form, applied to absorbent materials like clays or silica gels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional pet litter formulations are used, then the litter can absorb urine and fecal matter, but pets will reject the litter and eliminate outside the litter box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepet acceptance for eliminationVSAvoidout-litter elimination behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces L-Felinine as an intermediary substance that mediates between the pet and the litter. This compound specifically attracts cats to eliminate in the litter by mimicking natural feline pheromones, thereby resolving the rejection issue without requiring changes to the absorbent litter material itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameter of the litter by incorporating L-Felinine at specific concentrations (0.01-5% w/w). This parameter change transforms the litter from an unacceptable substrate to an attractive elimination site for cats

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If existing attractant products are added to litter, then pets may be attracted generally, but these products are not scientifically tested for specific urine and fecal elimination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepet attraction to litterVSAvoidscientific validation for elimination purpose
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs L-Felinine, a substance that naturally occurs in feline secretions, allowing the litter to attract pets through biologically relevant signals rather than synthetic attractants. This self-referential approach ensures reliability for elimination purposes by using substances pets naturally respond to in elimination contexts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes scientifically controlled studies with multiple cat subjects to validate the effectiveness of L-Felinine. The feedback loop involves testing, measuring elimination behavior, and confirming statistical significance (p<0.05) to ensure reliable attraction for urine and fecal elimination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If more attractant substances are added to promote in-litter elimination, then pet elimination in litter increases, but waste odor and ammonia production may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvein-litter elimination frequencyVSAvoidammonia odor from waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines L-Felinine attractant with odor-control agents in a single litter formulation. This merging allows simultaneous achievement of increased in-litter elimination (through attraction) and reduced ammonia odor (through chemical neutralization), resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11767307B2Litter for promoting pet's in-litter elimination
Publication Date: 2023.09.26 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention concerns a pet litter comprising a composition comprising 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol. The present invention further relates to methods and uses of a composition comprising 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol in pet litters, in particular for promoting in-litter elimination by pets.