Methods and compositions for controlling flow in clay-based materials
AssigneeChurch & Dwight Co., Inc.
InventorSteven T. Adamy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods for controlling swelling of a clay when in contact with an aqueous medium. The methods may include contacting clay with a content of an ionic liquid sufficient to modify one or more transport properties of water through the clay. In particular, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides clay-based animal litter compositions having controlled flow and clump shape, and a related method. The animal litter can include a clay-based liquid absorbing material and at least one ionic liquid.
Claims15
A method for controlling swelling of a clay when in contact with an aqueous medium, the method comprising contacting clay with a content of an ionic liquid sufficient to modify one or more transport properties of water through the clay,
- wherein the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium ethylsulfate, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium acetate, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium diethylphosphate, and combinations thereof.
An animal litter composition comprising:
- a clay-based liquid absorbing material;
- and
- at least one ionic liquid,
- wherein the animal litter further comprises a filler comprising one or both of a non-absorbent, non-soluble substrate and an absorbent substrate, or wherein the animal litter further comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of clumping agents, de-dusting agents, fragrances, bicarbonates, binders, and preservatives.
A method of preparing an animal litter composition having modified flow properties, the method comprising forming an animal litter composition as a mixture of at least a clay-based liquid absorbing material and at least one ionic liquid,
- wherein the mixture further comprises a filler comprising one or both of a non-absorbent, non-soluble substrate and an absorbent substrate, or wherein the mixture further comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of clumping agents, de-dusting agents, fragrances, bicarbonates, binders, and preservatives.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.