ANIMAL LITTER
An animal litter with increased moisture retention and accelerated absorbency, a method of manufacture and method of use for indoor urine and feces disposal. An animal litter with a greater surface area and higher moisture retention intended for animals as small as mice, gerbils and hamsters, as well as larger domestic animals. The animal litter is a paper and wood composition treated with a surfactant, which increases moisture retention four to five times its weight.
1 . An animal litter comprising a pelletized composition comprising:
a) a finely divided wood material;
b) a finely divided paper material; and
c) a surfactant.
2 . The animal litter of claim 1 , further comprising a deodorant to reduce odor.
3 . The animal litter of claim 1 , further comprising a buffered acid to acidify the pH of the animal litter.
4 . The animal litter of claim 1 , further comprising a dye, a pigment or mixtures thereof.
5 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided wood material is a sawdust.
6 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided wood material is a wood shaving.
7 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided wood comprises 15% to 40% by weight of dry ingredients.
8 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided paper material is less than ¾ inches in length.
9 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided paper material is ¾ inches to 1½ inches in length.
10 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the finely divided paper comprises 60% to 85% by weight of dry ingredients.
11 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a polyoxyalkylene glycol.
12 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic polyether, a polyoxyethylated compound, a polyoxypropylated compound, and mixtures thereof.
13 . An animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is an ethylene oxide compound, a propylene oxide compound, and mixtures thereof.
14 . The animal litter of claim 1 , wherein the deodorant is a sodium bicarbonate.
15 . A method of manufacturing the animal litter of claim 1 , comprising:
a) milling a paper material into finely divided paper;
b) processing a wood material into finely divided wood;
c) combining the finely divided paper and the finely divided wood with a surfactant;
d) optionally, adding a deodorant;
e) optionally, adding a dye, a pigment or mixture thereof;
f) optionally, adjusting the pH;
g) mixing the composition and pelletizing to form granules; and
h) optionally sieving the composition to select granules of a target size range.
16 . The method of manufacturing the animal litter of claim 1 , further comprising placing said animal litter in a bulk container to facilitate use in an automatic bedding dispenser.
17 . The method of manufacturing the animal litter of claim 1 , further comprising placing said animal litter in a disposable litter container with a fixedly connected cover for storage prior to use.
18 . The method of manufacturing the animal litter of claim 17 , further comprising a resealable adhesive cover fixedly connected to the disposable litter container to facilitate sanitary disposal of the animal litter.
19 . The method of manufacturing the animal litter of claim 17 , wherein the disposable litter container is made of materials selected from the group containing paper, cardboard, fiberboard and plastic.
20 . A method of use of the animal litter of claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
a) placing the animal litter in an animal cage or a litter box to receive urine and feces from animals;
b) collecting litter containing urine and feces from animal cage or litter box.