EP2339914A1 - Animal litter and method of producing it - Google Patents
Animal litter and method of producing itInfo
- Publication number
- EP2339914A1 EP2339914A1 EP09778648A EP09778648A EP2339914A1 EP 2339914 A1 EP2339914 A1 EP 2339914A1 EP 09778648 A EP09778648 A EP 09778648A EP 09778648 A EP09778648 A EP 09778648A EP 2339914 A1 EP2339914 A1 EP 2339914A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- animal litter
- hydrocolloid
- carrier material
- clay mineral
- ionic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 42
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000000416 hydrocolloid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 239000012876 carrier material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000002734 clay mineral Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 229920002907 Guar gum Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000665 guar gum Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 235000010417 guar gum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 11
- 229960002154 guar gum Drugs 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000378 calcium silicate Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229910052918 calcium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- OYACROKNLOSFPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium;dioxido(oxo)silane Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-][Si]([O-])=O OYACROKNLOSFPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000440 bentonite Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910000278 bentonite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N bentoquatam Chemical compound O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000004356 hydroxy functional group Chemical group O* 0.000 claims description 3
- -1 hydroxy- butyl Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000002768 hydroxyalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000213 tara gum Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000010491 tara gum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- GAWIXWVDTYZWAW-UHFFFAOYSA-N C[CH]O Chemical group C[CH]O GAWIXWVDTYZWAW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000008886 Ceratonia siliqua Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000013912 Ceratonia siliqua Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000161 Locust bean gum Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004113 Sepiolite Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001938 Vegetable gum Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229960000892 attapulgite Drugs 0.000 claims description 2
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000004029 hydroxymethyl group Chemical group [H]OC([H])([H])* 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000711 locust bean gum Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000010420 locust bean gum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004570 mortar (masonry) Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052625 palygorskite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010451 perlite Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019362 perlite Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052624 sepiolite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019355 sepiolite Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 description 19
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 18
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 18
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 7
- 210000002700 urine Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 6
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008953 bacterial degradation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007515 enzymatic degradation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920002134 Carboxymethyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920013818 hydroxypropyl guar gum Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- GJCOSYZMQJWQCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 9H-xanthene Chemical compound C1=CC=C2CC3=CC=CC=C3OC2=C1 GJCOSYZMQJWQCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920002261 Corn starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 244000303965 Cyamopsis psoralioides Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000019759 Maize starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- VJHCJDRQFCCTHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetic acid 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal Chemical compound CC(O)=O.OCC(O)C(O)C(O)C(O)C=O VJHCJDRQFCCTHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[Ca+2] BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000292 calcium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Inorganic materials [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001768 carboxy methyl cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010948 carboxy methyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008112 carboxymethyl-cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007385 chemical modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007596 consolidation process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000013872 defecation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006735 deficit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008367 deionised water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000000265 homogenisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006115 industrial coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000027939 micturition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012266 salt solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012239 silicon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001285 xanthan gum Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/015—Floor coverings, e.g. bedding-down sheets ; Stable floors
- A01K1/0152—Litter
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/015—Floor coverings, e.g. bedding-down sheets ; Stable floors
- A01K1/0152—Litter
- A01K1/0154—Litter comprising inorganic material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/015—Floor coverings, e.g. bedding-down sheets ; Stable floors
- A01K1/0152—Litter
- A01K1/0155—Litter comprising organic material
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an animal litter comprising a preferably porous carrier material coated with a clay mineral, and a method of producing it.
- the absorption rate of the carrier material is often extremely high, which results in a surface that dries very quickly when wetted with water.
- the time window for a sufficiently moistened surface is often too short to ensure a stable bond between the carrier material and the clay mineral.
- the hydrocolloid layer between the core (carrier material) and coating (clay mineral) tends not to act as a bonding layer, but instead leads to disintegration and the separation of the carrier material and clay mineral. This of course results in a sharp reduction in the aggregation performance.
- the amount and viscosity of the non-ionic hydrocolloid can be selected such that, during the coating process, it penetrates the loose particle association of the clay mineral and thus leads to a consolidation of the particle association.
- the non-ionic hydrocol- loid may additionally be chemically modified, preferably by introduction of an hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group. The chemical modification should not change the non- ionic character of the hydrocolloid, as such non-ionic character is essential for the invention as explained in more detail below.
- the carrier material comprises calcium silicate, foam mortar, sepiolite, attapulgite, zeolite and/or perlite, preferably calcium silicate.
- the carrier material comprises calcium silicate, foam mortar, sepiolite, attapulgite, zeolite and/or perlite, preferably calcium silicate.
- all granulated carrier materials are conceivable.
- Mineral carrier materials are, however, preferred for reasons of particle stability.
- the carrier material is present in the form of granules.
- the clay mineral is selected from the group of three-layer clay minerals, and preferably comprises bentonite.
- a further embodiment of the invention can provide that the non-ionic hydrocolloid is selected from the group of vegetable gums, preferably guar gum, tara gum, locust bean grain, carob gum or mixtures thereof.
- the non-ionic hydrocolloid is a chemically modified hydrocolloid.
- the chemically modified hydrocolloid is modified by introduction of an hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group.
- the chemically modified hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxymethyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl guar gum or hydroxybutyl guar gum. It is also preferred that the hydrocolloid(s) is/are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 2.0 % by weight in the animal litter, based on the total amount of animal litter.
- the animal litter comprises 50 to 75, preferably 60-65 parts by weight of the carrier material and/or 25 to 50, preferably 30-35 parts by weight of the clay mineral, based in each case on the total amount of animal litter.
- the carrier material is granules with particle sizes of less than 10.0 mm, preferably less than 5.0 mm.
- the clay mineral is applied on the carrier material in a layer thickness of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
- the second problem of the invention is solved by a method of producing animal litter comprising the steps of: (i) moistening carrier material with an aqueous solution containing non-ionic, optionally chemically modified hydrocolloid(s); (ii) blending the moistened carrier material with clay mineral; and (iii) drying the mixture obtained.
- This process leads to distinct three-layer particles consisting of the carrier material, an intermediate layer of non-ionic hydrocolloid and the clay mineral as a top coat.
- the aqueous solution in step (i) contains 0.1 to 5.0 per cent by weight of hydrocolloid(s) based on the total weight of the aqueous solution.
- the viscosity of the liquid phase for moistening the carrier material can be increased in order to slow down the absorption process. This slower absorption ensures a sufficiently long time window for a successful industrial coating process.
- the stickiness of the hydrocolloids increases the strength of the bond between the carrier material and the clay mineral and of the clay mineral particles among one another.
- non-ionic hydrocolloids such as guar gum or tara gum for example, these hydrocolloids do not exhibit any reaction vis-a-vis elevated salt contents in the animal's urine, which ensures a good aggregation performance.
- non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloids are used, additionally a better resistance to bacterial and/or enzymatic degradation is achieved.
- a non-ionic chemically modified hydrocolloid is hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG).
- additives may optionally be added to the animal litter of the invention, such as dyes or odour-inhibiting substances for example.
- Fig. 1 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter when an anionic, chemically non- modified hydrocolloid is used
- Fig. 2 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter when an anionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid is used
- Fig. 3 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter, when a non-ionic hydrocolloid is used.
- Fig. 4 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter, when a non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid is used. Production process for Examples 1 to 6:
- the hydrocolloid solution was blended in a mixing container, and calcium silicate hydrate granules with a diameter of less than 5.0 mm were prepared in a rotary intensive mixer. Then, the hydrocolloid solution was added to the granules with the mixer running, the mixture was homogenised for 30 seconds, then bentonite powder was added and mixed for a further 90 seconds for coating. After that the mixer was emptied and the product obtained was dried to 3 % residual moisture, e.g. in a fluidised bed dryer.
- Example 5 non-ionic hydrocolloid. technical grade guar gum
- Example 6 non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid. hydroxypropyl guar (HPG)
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to an animal litter comprising a preferably porous carrier material coated with a clay mineral, wherein at least one non-ionic, optionally chemically modified hydrocolloid is present at least between the carrier material and the clay mineral; and a method of producing it.
Description
Animal litter and method of producing it
The present invention relates to an animal litter comprising a preferably porous carrier material coated with a clay mineral, and a method of producing it.
Animal litter and methods of producing it have been known for a long time in the art. DE 28 32 194 Al, for example, describes a method of producing calcium silicate granules or powders with a micropore structure by reacting silicon dioxide with calcium oxide, homogenising the components in water and moulding, curing in an autoclave, comminuting and drying. The calcium silicate granules or powder produced can be used as animal litter. It is likewise known to use an animal litter comprising a calcium silicate carrier material coated with bentonite in order to give the animal litter swelling and agglomerating properties, see DE 10 2004 008 019 Al and DE 195 09 747 Al .
From DE 195 09 747 Al, for example, in a method for the production of animal litter, it is known to moisten calcium silicate with an aqueous solution in which a cold-swelling starch, preferably a maize starch, is dissolved, whereupon it is coated with bentonite.
In the prior art methods for the production of animal litter, the absorption rate of the carrier material, especially calcium silicate, is often extremely high, which results in a surface that dries very quickly when wetted with water. For an industrial process, the time window for a sufficiently moistened surface is often too short to ensure a stable bond between the carrier material and the clay mineral.
Furthermore the wide range of the composition of cat urine and the influence of any faecal bacteria present places surprisingly high demands on the litter used, which will be described in the following.
Cats can concentrate their urine considerably, which results in an increased ion concentration (e.g. up to about 633 mmol/1 Na+, 188 mmol/1 K+, 1.7 mmol/1 Ca2+, 382 mmol/1 Cl", 141 mmol/1 PO4 3', 63 mmol/1 SO4 2"). In the known cat litter, it has become apparent that these ions can interact with hydrocolloids (e.g. carboxymethyl cellulose or cold-swelling starches), which considerably impairs the viscosity and stickiness of the hydrocolloids. With such high salt concentrations, the hydrocolloid layer between the core (carrier material) and coating (clay mineral) tends not to act as a bonding layer, but instead leads to disintegration and the separation of the carrier material and clay mineral. This of course results in a sharp reduction in the aggregation performance.
Animals, especially cats, use their animal or cat lavatories for urination and defecation. These faeces are a constant source of bacterial activity inside the cat lavatory. Since most hydrocolloids are organic in nature, they are subject to bacterial and/or enzymatic degradation. This degradation can result in an impairment of the aggregation performance of the animal litter in the course of time if the bonding layer between the carrier material and the clay mineral is gradually destroyed.
It is therefore one problem of the present invention to provide an animal litter that overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art and, in particular, which prevents a hydrocolloid layer present between the carrier material and the clay mineral from being destroyed by high salt concentrations, which impairs the aggregation performance of the animal litter.
It is a further problem to provide a method of producing such an animal litter.
This problem is solved in that at least one non-ionic hydrocolloid is present at least between the carrier material and the clay mineral. According to the invention, the amount and viscosity of the non-ionic hydrocolloid can be selected such that, during the coating process, it penetrates the loose particle association of the clay mineral and thus leads to a consolidation of the particle association. The non-ionic hydrocol-
loid may additionally be chemically modified, preferably by introduction of an hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group. The chemical modification should not change the non- ionic character of the hydrocolloid, as such non-ionic character is essential for the invention as explained in more detail below.
In this connection, it is preferred that the carrier material comprises calcium silicate, foam mortar, sepiolite, attapulgite, zeolite and/or perlite, preferably calcium silicate. In principle, however, all granulated carrier materials are conceivable. Mineral carrier materials are, however, preferred for reasons of particle stability.
Particularly preferably, it is provided that the carrier material is present in the form of granules.
In addition, it may be provided that the clay mineral is selected from the group of three-layer clay minerals, and preferably comprises bentonite.
A further embodiment of the invention can provide that the non-ionic hydrocolloid is selected from the group of vegetable gums, preferably guar gum, tara gum, locust bean grain, carob gum or mixtures thereof.
Alternatively, the non-ionic hydrocolloid is a chemically modified hydrocolloid.
Specifically, the chemically modified hydrocolloid is modified by introduction of an hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group.
Preferably, the chemically modified hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxymethyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl guar gum or hydroxybutyl guar gum.
It is also preferred that the hydrocolloid(s) is/are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 2.0 % by weight in the animal litter, based on the total amount of animal litter.
In addition, it is preferred that the animal litter comprises 50 to 75, preferably 60-65 parts by weight of the carrier material and/or 25 to 50, preferably 30-35 parts by weight of the clay mineral, based in each case on the total amount of animal litter.
Even more preferably, it can be provided that the carrier material is granules with particle sizes of less than 10.0 mm, preferably less than 5.0 mm.
Most preferably, it is provided that the clay mineral is applied on the carrier material in a layer thickness of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
The second problem of the invention is solved by a method of producing animal litter comprising the steps of: (i) moistening carrier material with an aqueous solution containing non-ionic, optionally chemically modified hydrocolloid(s); (ii) blending the moistened carrier material with clay mineral; and (iii) drying the mixture obtained. This process leads to distinct three-layer particles consisting of the carrier material, an intermediate layer of non-ionic hydrocolloid and the clay mineral as a top coat.
Finally, it can be provided that the aqueous solution in step (i) contains 0.1 to 5.0 per cent by weight of hydrocolloid(s) based on the total weight of the aqueous solution.
It has surprisingly been found that, for the animal litter of the invention, first of all by providing a corresponding hydrocolloid, the viscosity of the liquid phase for moistening the carrier material can be increased in order to slow down the absorption process. This slower absorption ensures a sufficiently long time window for a successful industrial coating process. In addition, the stickiness of the hydrocolloids increases the strength of the bond between the carrier material and the clay mineral
and of the clay mineral particles among one another. Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that, when non-ionic hydrocolloids are used, such as guar gum or tara gum for example, these hydrocolloids do not exhibit any reaction vis-a-vis elevated salt contents in the animal's urine, which ensures a good aggregation performance. Finally, it has likewise surprisingly been found that when non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloids are used, additionally a better resistance to bacterial and/or enzymatic degradation is achieved. One example of such a non-ionic chemically modified hydrocolloid is hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG).
Further additives may optionally be added to the animal litter of the invention, such as dyes or odour-inhibiting substances for example.
Further features and advantages of the animal litter of the invention and of the process in accordance with the invention can be seen from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, with reference to examples. Using the enclosed drawing, in which
Fig. 1 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter when an anionic, chemically non- modified hydrocolloid is used;
Fig. 2 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter when an anionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid is used;
Fig. 3 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter, when a non-ionic hydrocolloid is used; and
Fig. 4 shows the aggregation capacity of cat litter, when a non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid is used.
Production process for Examples 1 to 6:
First of all, the hydrocolloid solution was blended in a mixing container, and calcium silicate hydrate granules with a diameter of less than 5.0 mm were prepared in a rotary intensive mixer. Then, the hydrocolloid solution was added to the granules with the mixer running, the mixture was homogenised for 30 seconds, then bentonite powder was added and mixed for a further 90 seconds for coating. After that the mixer was emptied and the product obtained was dried to 3 % residual moisture, e.g. in a fluidised bed dryer.
The aggregation stability was evaluated subjectively in a test group of cat owners (employees of the Applicant's) for a period of 7 to 14 days, using a 10-point scale (1 = very bad to 10 = very good) or according to the marking system used in German schools (1 = very good to 6 = inadequate).
Comparative Example 1 (no hydrocolloicD
Within the homogenisation time of 30 seconds, the surface of the granules already dried to such an extent that there was no bentonite adhesion worth mentioning.
Comparative Example 2 (use of bentonite to increase viscosity)
Instead of an organic hydrocolloid solution, an 18 % bentonite slurry was added as the liquid phase. A good coating result was achieved after mixing, but the coating was almost completely detached as a result of the mechanical load in the dryer.
Comparative example 3 (anionic, chemically non-modified hydrocolloid. xanthan)
As the liquid phase, a 1% solution of an anionic, chemically non-modified hydrocolloid in water was used. The aggregation behaviour in the trial with cats is illustrated in Figure 1.
Comparative Example 4 (anionic hydrocolloid, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC))
As the liquid phase, a 2 % solution of an anionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid (CMC) in water was used. A good coating result was achieved both after mixing and after drying. Laboratory studies with water as an alternative to cat urine showed a good aggregation capacity. In the trial with cats, on the other hand, the aggregation behaviour was very poor (illustrated in Figure 2). Subsequent tests with an adapted alternative solution to cat urine (increased salt content compared to the deionised water used previously) confirmed these results.
Example 5 (non-ionic hydrocolloid. technical grade guar gum)
As the liquid phase, a 1 % solution of a non-ionic hydrocolloid was used. A good coating result was achieved both after mixing and after drying. Laboratory studies with an alternative to cat urine (salt solution, approx. 2 %) showed a good aggregation capacity. In the trial with cats, a satisfactory aggregation behaviour was found (80 % of the aggregates were intact and firm). The results of the aggregation capacity are shown in Figure 3.
Towards the end of the test period (14 days), a slight trend to softer aggregates could be observed. This trend indicates the bacterial/enzymatic degradation of the hydrocolloid.
Example 6 (non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid. hydroxypropyl guar (HPG))
As the liquid phase, a 1 % solution of a non-ionic, chemically modified hydrocolloid (HPG) was used. A good coating result was achieved both after mixing and after drying. Laboratory studies with an alternative to cat urine showed a very good aggregation capacity. In the trial with cats, a good to very good aggregation behaviour was found (95 % of the aggregates were intact and firm). Furthermore, no distinct trend towards a declining aggregation capacity could be observed with the increasing length of the test period. The results are shown in Figure 4.
The features of the invention disclosed in the above description and in the claims can be essential to implementing the invention in its various embodiments both individually and in any combination.
Claims
1. An animal litter comprising a preferably porous carrier material coated with a clay mineral, characterised in that at least one non-ionic hydrocolloid is present at least between the carrier material and the clay mineral.
2. The animal litter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the carrier material comprises calcium silicate, foam mortar, sepiolite, attapulgite, zeolite and/or perlite, preferably calcium silicate.
3. The animal litter as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the carrier material is present as granules.
4. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clay mineral is selected from the group of three-layer clay minerals, and preferably comprises bentonite.
5. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the non-ionic hydrocolloid is selected from the group of vegetable gums, preferably guar gum, tara gum, locust bean grain, carob gum or mixtures thereof.
6. The animal litter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the non-ionic hydrocolloid is a chemically modified hydrocolloid.
7. The animal litter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chemically modified hydrocolloid is modified by introduction of an hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group.
8. The animal litter as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the chemically modified hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypro- pyl guar gum, hydroxymethyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl guar gum or hydroxy- butyl guar gum.
9. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hydrocolloid(s) is/are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 2.0 % by weight in the animal litter, based on the total amount of animal litter.
10. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the animal litter comprises 50 to 75, preferably 60-65 parts by weight of the carrier material and/or 25 to 50, preferably 30-35 parts by weight of the clay mineral, based in each case on the total amount of animal litter.
11. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier material is granules with particle sizes of less than 10.0 mm, preferably less than 5.0 mm.
12. The animal litter as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clay mineral is applied on the carrier material in a layer thickness of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
13. A method of producing animal litter comprising the steps of:
(i) moistening carrier material with an aqueous solution containing non- ionic, optionally chemically modified hydrocolloid(s);
(ii) blending the moistened carrier material with clay mineral; and (iii) drying the mixture obtained.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the aqueous solution in step (i) contains 0.1 to 5.0 per cent by weight of hydrocolloid(s) based on the total weight of the aqueous solution.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE200810048736 DE102008048736B4 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2008-09-24 | Animal litter and method for its production |
| PCT/EP2009/006826 WO2010034457A1 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-09-22 | Animal litter and method of producing it |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP2339914A1 true EP2339914A1 (en) | 2011-07-06 |
Family
ID=41668243
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP09778648A Withdrawn EP2339914A1 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-09-22 | Animal litter and method of producing it |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2339914A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2009296313B2 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102008048736B4 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2010034457A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA3171794A1 (en) | 2011-06-15 | 2012-12-20 | Oil-Dri Corporation Of America | Cat litter product |
| JP5899023B2 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2016-04-06 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Animal toilet sand, animal toilet |
| DE102013013078B4 (en) | 2013-08-06 | 2017-07-06 | Xella Baustoffe Gmbh | Lump-forming hygienic granules and process for its preparation and its use |
| AT14198U1 (en) * | 2013-12-12 | 2015-05-15 | Keramost A S | Lightweight for the detection of liquid faults |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2832194C3 (en) | 1978-07-21 | 1981-08-27 | Minora, Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft für organische und anorganische Baustoffe mbH, 3040 Soltau | Process for the production of calcium silicate granules or powders with a micropore structure |
| FR2664603B1 (en) * | 1990-07-10 | 1994-04-29 | Roquette Freres | METHOD FOR THE ION PERMUTATION OF IONIZED STARCHES AND IONIZED STARCHES THUS OBTAINED. |
| DE19509747A1 (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1996-09-19 | Paul Wueseke Kalksandsteinwerk | Highly porous granules for use as animal litter and process for the production of the granules |
| DE102004008019A1 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2005-02-17 | S&B Industrial Minerals Gmbh | Clay mineral-based round granules, used as a litter absorbing liquid animal wastes, comprise clay mineral core coated with a powdery clay mineral absorbent |
| EP1614345A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-11 | Nestec S.A. | Coated clumping litter |
| DE102004050058A1 (en) * | 2004-10-14 | 2006-04-27 | S&B Industrial Minerals Gmbh | Process for the preparation of a particular liquid animal waste absorbing bedding agent for pets |
| US7331309B2 (en) * | 2005-02-01 | 2008-02-19 | Nature's Earth Products, Inc. | Clumping animal litter composition and method of producing the same |
-
2008
- 2008-09-24 DE DE200810048736 patent/DE102008048736B4/en not_active Revoked
-
2009
- 2009-09-22 AU AU2009296313A patent/AU2009296313B2/en active Active
- 2009-09-22 EP EP09778648A patent/EP2339914A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-09-22 WO PCT/EP2009/006826 patent/WO2010034457A1/en not_active Ceased
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| None * |
| See also references of WO2010034457A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2010034457A1 (en) | 2010-04-01 |
| AU2009296313A1 (en) | 2010-04-01 |
| DE102008048736A1 (en) | 2010-04-01 |
| AU2009296313B2 (en) | 2013-05-02 |
| DE102008048736B4 (en) | 2012-08-23 |
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