Animal Litter with Resin-Coated Pulp Particulates

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional animal litter made from pulp particulates faces issues with scattering and deep urine absorption, leading to contaminated containers and difficulty in removing aggregates.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of long and short pulp particulates with a core of pulp and a covering layer of highly absorbent resin, where the short particles have a higher resin content than the long particles, to control aggregate formation and prevent scattering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the grain size of the particulates is increased to prevent scattering, then scattering is reduced, but urine soaks down too much and aggregates become deep and difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescatteringVSAvoidease of aggregate removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating two distinct types of particulates with different properties: long particles (4-10mm) with high resin content for structural integrity and scattering prevention, and short particles (4-10mm) with lower resin content for filling gaps and controlling absorption depth. This local differentiation allows each particle type to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining pulp with highly absorbent resin in specific ratios for different particle types. The long particles contain 15-30% resin while short particles contain 5-20% resin, creating a composite structure that balances scattering prevention with controlled absorption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the grain size of the particulates is reduced to prevent deep urine absorption, then aggregate depth is reduced, but scattering increases when the container is lined and when pets agitate the litter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaggregate depth controlVSAvoidscattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating two distinct types of particulates with different properties: long particles (4-10mm) with high resin content for structural integrity and scattering prevention, and short particles (4-10mm) with lower resin content for filling gaps and controlling absorption depth. This local differentiation allows each particle type to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining pulp with highly absorbent resin in specific ratios for different particle types. The long particles contain 15-30% resin while short particles contain 5-20% resin, creating a composite structure that balances scattering prevention with controlled absorption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If conventional pulp particulates are used, then the litter is lightweight and easy to handle, but the particulates scatter easily and aggregates become deep and difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelitter weightVSAvoidscattering and aggregate formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the physical characteristics of pulp particulates through resin coating. The resin content, particle length, and particle shape are adjusted to achieve optimal performance: long particles (4-10mm) with 15-30% resin content provide scattering resistance while maintaining lightweight properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining pulp with highly absorbent resin in specific ratios for different particle types. The long particles contain 15-30% resin while short particles contain 5-20% resin, creating a composite structure that balances scattering prevention with controlled absorption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This solution prevents deep aggregate formation upon urine absorption, reduces scattering, and facilitates easy removal of soiled litter, maintaining a sanitary state.

Implementation Method 1

when excreted urine is absorbed by the particulates, the highly absorbent resin constituting the covering portion swells and sticks to adjacent particulates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the highly absorbent resin constituting the covering portion swells and sticks to adjacent particulates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS9538722B2Animal litter

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

Provided is an animal litter that is less liable to scatter and in which the depth of the solids is less liable to increase when a liquid such as urine has been absorbed. An animal litter composed of a plurality of particulates having water absorbency, wherein the particulates contain: long grains having a granularity of 4 mm or more and less than 10 mm, and a length that is greater than the diameter; and short grains having a granularity of 4 mm or more and less than 10 mm, and a length that is no more than the diameter. The long grains are provided with a core part primarily composed of pulp, and a coating layer containing highly water-absorbent resin and used for coating the core part. The weight ratio of the short grains in total of the long grains and the short grains is 10%-50%, inclusive.