Animal litter, process for preparing animal litter, and method for removal of animal waste

Abstract

Disclosed are animal litters, processes for preparing animal litters, and methods for removal of animal waste. The disclosed litters are made from ingredients including plant meal, grain germ, citrus residue, and grain bran, usually in combination with a cohesiveness agent and a microbial inhibitor. The litters are provided in the form of discrete plural articles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An animal litter comprising; 
 a first sorbent, said first sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, and mixtures thereof;    a discrete second sorbent, said second sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a grain bran, a citrus residue, and mixtures thereof;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.    
     
     
         2 . An animal litter according to  claim 1 , said first sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said second sorbent.  
     
     
         3 . An animal litter according to  claim 1 , said second-sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said first sorbent.  
     
     
         4 . An animal litter according to  claim 1 , said first sorbent comprising corn germ.  
     
     
         5 . An animal litter according to  claim 4 , said first sorbent comprising spent corn germ.  
     
     
         6 . An animal litter according to  claim 1 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus residue.  
     
     
         7 . An animal litter according to  claim 6 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus peel residue.  
     
     
         8 . An animal litter according to  claim 7 , said citrus peel residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         9 . An animal litter according to  claim 7 , said citrus peel residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         10 . An animal litter according to  claim 1 , said litter further including a cohesiveness agent in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.  
     
     
         11 . An animal litter according to  claim 10 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         12 . An animal litter according to  claim 11 , said litter further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         13 . An animal litter according to  claim 12 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         14 . An animal litter according to  claim 11 , said litter further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         15 . An animal litter according to  claim 14 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . A process for preparing an animal litter, comprising compacting a mixture of ingredients into discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said mixture of ingredients comprising: 
 a first sorbent, said first sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, and mixtures thereof;    a discrete second sorbent, said second sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a grain germ, a citrus residue, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 16 , said first sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said second sorbent.  
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 16 , said second sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said first sorbent.  
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 16 , said first sorbent comprising corn germ.  
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 19 , said first sorbent comprising spent corn germ.  
     
     
         21 . A process according to  claim 20 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising unspent corn germ.  
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 16 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus residue.  
     
     
         23 . A process according to  claim 22 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus peel residue.  
     
     
         24 . A process according to  claim 23 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         25 . A process according to  claim 23 , said citrus peel residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         26 . A process according to  claim 16 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a cohesiveness agent in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.  
     
     
         27 . A process according to  claim 26 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         28 . A process according to  claim 27 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         29 . A process according to  claim 28 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         30 . A process according to  claim 27 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         31 . A process according to  claim 30 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         32 . A process according to  claim 16 , said compacting comprising pelletizing said mixture of ingredients.  
     
     
         33 . A method for removal of animal waste, comprising; 
 providing a container including an animal litter, said animal litter comprising: 
 a first sorbent, said first sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, and mixtures thereof;  
 a discrete second sorbent, said second sorbent being selected from the group consisting of a grain germ, a citrus residue, and mixtures thereof,  
 said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted;  
   allowing an animal to excrete waste into said litter, whereby liquid present in said container as a result of said waste causes at least a portion of said litter to agglomerate into at least one clump; and    removing said clump from said container.    
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33 , said animal being selected from the group consisting of a mammal and a bird.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , said animal comprising a bird and said container comprising a bird pen.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 33 , said first sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said second sorbent.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 33 , said second sorbent being present in said litter in an amount relatively greater than said first sorbent.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 33 , said first sorbent comprising corn germ.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 33 , said first sorbent comprising spent corn germ.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 33 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus residue.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 40 , said second sorbent comprising a citrus peel residue.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41 , said citrus peel residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 41 , said citrus peel residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 33 , said litter further including a cohesiveness agent in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 44 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , said litter further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 33 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 33 , further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 48 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         50 . An animal litter comprising: 
 a mixture of at least two discrete sorbents selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, citrus residue, and mixtures thereof, and a cohesiveness agent;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         51 . An animal litter according to  claim 50 , including whole ground corn and a citrus residue.  
     
     
         52 . An animal litter according to  claim 51 , said citrus residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         53 . An animal litter according to  claim 51 , said citrus residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         54 . An animal litter according to  claim 50 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         55 . An animal litter according to  claim 50 , further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         56 . An animal litter according to  claim 55 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         57 . An animal litter according to  claim 50 , said animal litter further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         58 . An animal litter according to  claim 57 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         59 . A process for preparing an animal litter, comprising compacting a mixture of ingredients into discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said mixture of ingredients comprising: 
 a mixture of at least two discrete sorbents selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, citrus residue, and mixtures thereof, and    a cohesiveness agent;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         60 . A process according to  claim 59 , said mixture of ingredients including whole ground corn and a citrus residue.  
     
     
         61 . A process according to  claim 60 , said citrus residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         62 . A process according to  claim 60 , said citrus reside comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         63 . A process according to  claim 59 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         64 . A process according to  claim 63 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         65 . A process according to  claim 64 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         66 . A process according to  claim 57 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         67 . A process according to  claim 66 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         68 . A process according to  claim 59 , said compacting comprising pelletizing said mixture of ingredients.  
     
     
         69 . A method for removal of animal waste, comprising: 
 providing a container including an animal litter, said animal litter comprising; 
 a mixture of at least two discrete sorbents, said sorbents being selected from the group consisting of a plant meal, grain germ, citrus residue, and mixtures thereof, and  
 a cohesiveness agent, said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles;  
   allowing an animal to excrete waste into said litter, whereby liquid present in said container as a result of said waste causes at least a portion of said litter to agglomerate into at least one clump; and    removing said clump from said container.    
     
     
         70 . A method according to  claim 69 , said animal litter including whole ground corn and a citrus residue.  
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 70 , said citrus residue comprising a citrus peel residue.  
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 71 , said citrus residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 71 , said, citrus residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 69 , said animal litter further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 74 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 69 , said animal litter further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 76 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         78 . An animal litter comprising: 
 a citrus residue sorbent, and    a cohesiveness agent,    said litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         79 . An animal litter according to  claim 78 , said residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         80 . An animal litter according to  claim 78 , said residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         81 . An animal litter according to  claim 78 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         82 . An animal litter according to  claim 81 , said animal litter further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         83 . An animal litter according to  claim 82 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         84 . An animal litter according to  claim 78 , said animal litter further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         85 . An animal litter according to  claim 84 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         86 . A process for preparing an animal litter, comprising compacting a mixture of ingredients into discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said mixture of ingredients comprising a citrus residue sorbent and a cohesiveness agent, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles, 
 said litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         87 . A process according to  claim 86 , said residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         88 . A process according to  claim 86 , said residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         89 . A process according to  claim 86 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         90 . A process according to  claim 89 , said animal litter further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         91 . A process according to  claim 90 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         92 . A process according to  claim 86 , said animal litter further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         93 . A process according to  claim 88 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         94 . A process according to  claim 86 , said compacting comprising pelletizing said mixture of ingredients.  
     
     
         95 . A method for removing animal waste, comprising providing a container including an animal litter, said animal litter comprising: 
 a citrus residue sorbent; and    a cohesiveness agent, said litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said cohesiveness agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles;    allowing an animal to excrete waste into said litter, whereby liquid present in said container as a result of said waste causes at least a portion of said litter to agglomerate into at least one clump; and    removing said clump from said container.    
     
     
         96 . A method according to  claim 95 , said animal being selected from the group consisting of a mammal and a bird.  
     
     
         97 . A method according to  claim 96 , said animal comprising a bird and said container comprising a bird pen.  
     
     
         98 . A method according to  claim 95 , said residue comprising a citrus pellet residue.  
     
     
         99 . A method according to  claim 95 , said residue comprising a pectin peel residue.  
     
     
         100 . A method according to  claim 95 , said cohesiveness agent comprising a starch.  
     
     
         101 . A method according to  claim 100 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a supplemental cohesiveness agent.  
     
     
         102 . A method according to  claim 101 , said supplemental cohesiveness agent comprising sodium chloride.  
     
     
         103 . A method according to  claim 95 , said mixture of ingredients further comprising a microbial inhibitor.  
     
     
         104 . A method according to  claim 103 , said microbial inhibitor comprising an inhibitor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         105 . An animal litter comprising; 
 ground whole corn, said ground whole corn being present in an amount of at least 30% by weight;    corn germ, said corn germ being present in an amount of at least 3% by weight; and    starch;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said starch being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         106 . A method for removal of animal waste, comprising providing a container including an animal litter, said animal litter comprising: 
 ground whole corn, said ground whole corn being present in an amount of at least 30% by weight;    corn germ, said corn germ being present in an amount of at least 3% by weight; and    starch;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural compacted particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said starch being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles;    allowing an animal to excrete waste into said litter, whereby liquid present in said container as a result of said waste causes at least a portion of said litter to agglomerate into at least one clump; and    removing said clump from said container.    
     
     
         107 . A method according to  claim 106 , said animal being selected from the group consisting of a mammal and a bird.  
     
     
         108 . A method according to  claim 106 , said animal comprising a bird and said container comprising a bird pen.  
     
     
         109 . An animal litter comprising: 
 ground corn, said ground corn being present in an amount of at least 30% by weight;    spent corn germ, said spent corn germ being present in an amount of at least 3% by weight;    a citrus residue, said citrus residue being present in an amount of at least 10% by weight; and    starch;    said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted, said starch being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles.    
     
     
         110 . A method for removal of animal waste, comprising: 
 providing a container including an animal litter, said animal litter comprising: 
 ground corn, said ground corn being present in an amount of at least 30% by weight;  
 spent corn germ, said spent corn germ being present in an amount of at least 3% by weight;  
 a citrus residue, said citrus residue being present in an amount of at least 10% by weight; and  
 starch;  
   said animal litter being in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when melted, said starch being present in an amount effective to enhance the intraparticle cohesion of said particles;    allowing an animal to excrete waste into said litter, whereby liquid present in said container as a result of said waste causes at least a portion of said litter to agglomerate into at least one clump; and    removing said clump from said container.    
     
     
         111 . A method according to  claim 110 , said animal being selected from the group consisting of a mammal and a bird.  
     
     
         112 . A method according to  claim 111 , said animal comprising a bird and said container comprising a bird pen.