US Patent:
20070169710, Jul 26, 2007
Inventors:
Zhen Wang - Hoffmann Estates IL, US
Vincent J. Losacco - Geneva IL, US
Mick Velder - Belle Fourche SD, US
Bala Nathan - Wheaton IL, US
Bart Becherer - Arlington Heights IL, US
Jerald W. Darlington - Marengo IL, US
Assignee:
AMCOL INTERNATIONAL - Arlington Heights IL
International Classification:
A01K 29/00
Abstract:
A particulate clumping animal litter composition is disclosed. The composition comprises water-swellable smectite clay particles bound to magnetically-attractable metal particles such that substantially all particles of the animal litter composition are attracted to a magnetic surface. The animal litter composition exhibits favorable properties such as absorbency, resiliency, homogeneity, clump strength, and particle size. Methods of production for clumping animal litter compositions are also disclosed that employ sufficient shear to bind the water-swellable smectite clay particles to the magnetically-attractable metal particles such that the animal litter compositions exhibit favorable properties. A method and apparatus for the collection of magnetically-attractable animal litter particles are also disclosed.