Porous animal litter
AssigneeWestern Aggregates, Inc.
InventorsMaurice G. Pattengill, Jerry D. Glynn, Martin A. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A waterproof receptacle for use in the disposal of animal waste products. The litter receptacle contains a layer of porous expanded shale. The porous shale has a porisity of at least 10% by volume for reducing bulk density of the porous shale and an ability to absorb liquid waste upwardly. Advantageously, the porous structure allows a portion of the liquid to flow to the bottom of the receptacle for subsequent upward absorption. Most advantageously, a screen size of at least +50 mesh (300 microns) is maintained to limit dusting. Optionally, 5 to 25% by weight ammonia absorbing zeolite may be added for odor control.
Claims19
A waterproof litter receptacle for use in disposal of animal waste products, said litter receptacle containing a layer of porous expanded shale, said porous shale having a porosity of at least 10% by volume for reducing bulk density of said porous shale and said porous shale having an ability to absorb liquid waste upwardly from said bottom of said receptacle.
A waterproof litter receptacle for use in disposal of animal waste products, said litter receptacle containing a layer of porous expanded shale, said porous shale having a porosity of at least 10% by volume for reducing bulk density of said porous shale to a level below at least 1 g/cm.sup.3, (62.4 lb/cu.ft.) said porous shale having an ability to absorb liquid waste upwardly from said bottom of said receptacle and said porous shale having a structure that allows a portion of urine originating from an animal to flow to the bottom of said litter receptacle for subsequent upward absorption.
A method of controlling disposal of animal waste comprising the steps of:
- providing a litter container capable of holding liquids without leaking,
- introducing a layer of porous expanded shale into said container, said porous shale being capable of upwardly absorbing liquid animal waste, and said shale having a porosity of at least 10% by volume, and
- collecting liquid animal waste with said layer of porous expanded shale by absorbing said liquid animal waste with said porous shale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.