초록 ▼

The instant invention is directed towards a method of preparing a clumping animal litter comprising a combination of a high molecular weight polymer, a gum, and cellulosic components. The invention particularly relates to a method of preparing a clumping animal litter that comprises a homogenous mix

The instant invention is directed towards a method of preparing a clumping animal litter comprising a combination of a high molecular weight polymer, a gum, and cellulosic components. The invention particularly relates to a method of preparing a clumping animal litter that comprises a homogenous mixture of anionic polyacylamide, a guar gum, grist and optionally cellulosic fines in combination with one or more sources of cellulosic material, thereby providing a litter with enhanced absorption, clumping size and hardness.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A clumping animal litter composition for forming substantially solid clumps upon contact with an aqueous solution comprising in combination: at least one absorbent polymer in amounts between about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; at least

What is claimed is: 1. A clumping animal litter composition for forming substantially solid clumps upon contact with an aqueous solution comprising in combination: at least one absorbent polymer in amounts between about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; at least one gum in amounts between about 5.0% to about 20.0% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; and a grist; wherein said at least one absorbent polymer, said at least one gum and said grist are supplied in amounts sufficient to form a homogenous mixture. 2. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 1, wherein each said at least one absorbent polymer contains an anionic polyacrylamide comprising an acrylamide and an anionically charged co-monomer, wherein said anionically charged co-monomer includes at least one salt of acrylic acid. 3. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 1, wherein each said absorbent polymer contains an anionic polyacrylamide with an average molecular weight of about 5,000,000 to about 30,000,000. 4. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 3, wherein said anionic polyacrylamide has an average molecular weight of about 10,000,000. 5. The clumping animal litter composition according to any one of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said anionic polyacrylamide is provided in amounts of about 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture. 6. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 1, wherein said grist is obtained from at least one source of softwood. 7. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 6, wherein said softwood is at least one selected from the group consisting of yellow pine, lodge pole pine, cedar and combinations thereof. 8. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one gum is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar, xanthan gum, and locust bean gum, including derivatives and combinations thereof. 9. The clumping animal litter composition according to any one of claim 1, or claim 8 wherein said gum is provided at about 10.0% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture. 10. The clumping animal litter composition according to claim 1 wherein said mixture further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, antimicrobial, deodorants, disinfectants, colorants, fragrance, oxidizer and combinations thereof. 11. A clumping animal litter composition for forming substantially solid clumps upon contact with an aqueous solution comprising in combination: at least one absorbent polymer in amounts between about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; at least one gum in amounts between about 5.0% to about 20.0% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; cellulosic fines in amounts up to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture; and a grist; wherein said at least one absorbent polymer, said at least one gum and said grist are supplied in amounts sufficient to form a homogenous mixture. 12. A process for producing a clumping animal litter composition for forming solid clumps upon contact with a liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) drying at least one source of cellulosic material to a uniform moisture content; (b) grinding said cellulosic material in a mill to form a grist; (c) forming at least a portion of said grist into pellets; (d) separating said pellets from any cellulosic fines; (e) combining said cellulosic fines in amounts between about 0% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture, grist in amounts between about 30% to about 100% concentration based on the total composition of the mixture, said at least one gum in amounts between about 5% to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture, and said at least one absorbent polymer in amounts between about 0.1% to about 1% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture utilizing a low-shear mixer; whereby a clumping animal litter is formed. 13. The process according to claim 12, wherein said separating step further comprises screening said cellulosic fines through at least one 10-mesh screen. 14. The process according to claim 12, wherein said combining step includes the addition from about 30% to about 70% by weight of said cellulosic fines based on the total weight of said mixture. 15. The process according to claim 12, wherein said low-shear mixer is selected from the group consisting of a ribbon blender, tumble blender cement mixer, auger mixer, fluid bed mixer, spray tower, vibrating bed mixer. 16. The process according to claim 12, wherein an additive selected from the group consisting of a biocide, anti-microbial, deodorant, disinfectant, colorant, fragrance, oxidizer and combinations thereof, is added along any step (a) to (e). 17. The process according to claim 12, wherein said at least one gum is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar, xanthan gum, and locust bean gum, including derivatives and combinations thereof. 18. The process according to claim 12, wherein said at least one absorbent polymer contains an anionic polyacrylamide comprising an acrylamide and an anionically charged co-monomer, wherein said anionically charged co-monomer includes at least one salt of acrylic acid.