Composite clumping cat litter

Abstract

An economical process that combines bentonite, or similar clays, that form a clump when in contact with cat urine, with waste cellulosic fibrous materials, preferably paper mill sludge, to form a light weight scoopable (clumping) cat litter product. In the process, paper mill cellulose waste is combined with bentonite clay (preferably sodium bentonite) in a mixing auger in varying percentages depending upon the desired end weight of the finished product, transferred to a secondary rotating drum mixer, then to a rotating drum dryer, and from the dryer to a screening process. The finished product is a granule weighing between 20 lbs./cubic foot and 50 lbs./cubic foot. The granule is highly absorbent and capable of forming a distinct clump that can be separated from the surrounding granules without falling apart. A unique characteristic of the process is the combination of heavy clay particles with light weight cellulose particles to form a new composite particle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.