A device for maintenance of floor cover material present on an animal-shed floor in an animal shed, and including: a pick-up mechanism, a press, a moisture collector, and a moisture supply mechanism. The pick-up mechanism is configured to pick up floor cover material from the animal-shed floor and supply it to the press, the press is configured to press the supplied floor cover material and to supply moisture which has been squeezed out to the moisture collector and to convey pressed floor cover material to the animal-shed floor. The moisture supply mechanism is configured to supply moisture to the floor cover material which has been picked up.

A method of making absorbent granules can include mixing activated carbon with a liquid and a binder to form a slurry; applying the slurry to particles of absorbent core material to at least partially coat the particles of the core material with a first distinct layer containing the activated carbon; and applying a clumping agent to the first distinct layer to at least partially coat the first distinct layer with a second distinct layer containing the clumping agent. The absorbent granules can be used as a deodorizer and/or a pet litter, and each of the absorbent granules can include an absorbent core, a first distinct layer containing activated carbon, and a second distinct layer containing a clumping agent such that the first distinct layer is between an outer surface of the absorbent core and an inner surface of the second distinct layer.

A composition comprising a physical blend of discrete particulates such that the liquid absorbency is greater than the individual components and is greater than the expected absorbency based on the rule of mixtures. A composition comprising diatomaceous earth which may have a clump strength greater than 75% and in which the thy density may be less than 880 kg/m.sup.3(55 lb/ft.sup.3). The compositions exhibit synergistic absorbance, light density, high clump strength, low dustiness, and are suitable for industrial and household absorption and solidification, animal litter, and soil amendment.

Provided is a bedding and a bedding product that in addition to having good hygroscopicity and cushioning characteristics are suited to the hole-digging behavior of animal pets and that can be manufactured at low cost without the need to carry out molding into special shapes. It comprises a plurality of fragments 11 of deciduous hardwood pulp sheeting; both faces of fragments 11 have convexities and concavities produced by indentation and cracking; sectional faces of fragments 11 are covered by pulp fibers that protrude from the fragment interior; density of bedding 1 is 0.03 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.06 g/cm.sup.3; and the constitution is such that fragments 11 within bedding 1 display a particular size distribution.

An excrement treatment material is composed of a plurality of grains that are piled in a box-shaped toilet and have a water absorbing property. The plurality of grains include a first grain and a second grain. The first grain and the second grain absorb urine excreted in the toilet. The water absorption rate of the second grain is smaller than the water absorption rate of the first grain.

Technology is disclosed for a cat litter that can be used to diagnose feline medical conditions. A cat litter contains an additive, e.g., a chemical agent, such as a natural and/or synthetic agent, that changes in color when it comes in contact with cat urine or feces. Based on the color it can be determined whether the cat has a medical condition, such as particular illness. For example, if the litter turns yellow when it comes in contact with the urine, it can indicate that the cat is healthy. If the litter turns to a color other than yellow, e.g., green, it can indicate that the cat has some illness. The cat then be taken to a veterinary doctor for further diagnosis. The chemical agent aids in detection and diagnosis through interaction of materials that change colors to indicate reactions with specific chemicals, cells, molecules, DNA and/or materials. The technology can be implemented for medical diagnosis and detection—for humans and/or animals.

A process for making an animal litter from a woody biomass starting material is described, with the performance amendments substantially located entirely on the outside surface of the woody biomass particles. The process may include the steps of densifying the biomass starting material, crumbling the densified biomass material; screening the densified biomass material for size; optionally adding a zeolite containing a scent; spray coating the sized, densified biomass particles with a surface adhesion agent; and powder dosing the sized, densified biomass particles and zeolites with a performance amendment comprising equal parts bentonite and guar gum.

There is disclosed biodegradable hygienic granules, with high liquid absorption properties for use in the retention of urine and domestic cat waste. The present disclosure also relates to the manufacture process of the granules.

A method, system and machine for cold processing extruded starch-containing pellets by cold particle size reducing pellets of a size greater than a particle size reduction setting size enabling particle size reduction to be performed without compacting or compression any size reduced particle while doing so without heating them during particle size reduction thereby preserving their pores, internal liquid absorbing voids and starch matrix optimizing granular sorbent performance. Such a method, system and machine is selectively controllable enabling not only control of how many and a ratio of fines produced relative to the final product providing real time control of fines production but also is able to provide particle size distribution control as well. A preferred particle size reduction machine is a roll granulator that breaks larger size pellets into smaller sized particles and/or fines without compressing or compacting them with the spacing between the rolls selectively variably in a manner that regulates how much of different sized particles and/or particles falling within certain size ranges are produced advantageously enabling real time control of particle size distribution to be achieved during extruder line operation.

Litter compositions comprising a blend of compacted granules comprising expanded perlite fines and coated granules, each coated granule comprising a non-agglomerated particle and a coating comprising a clumping agent on an outer surface of the particle are disclosed herein.