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.

Extruded granular sorbent formed of sorbent granules each being or including an extruded pellet containing water soluble binder sufficient to self-clump when wetted producing clumps of granules each having a clump retention rate of at least 90% and which shrink after clump formation during drying producing a nonstick clump that condenses pulling away from any contacting solid surface minimizing adhesion therebetween. Such clumps preferably also have a crush strength of at least 15 PSI when dry. Pellets preferably contain cold water-soluble amylopectin binder that not only solubilizes when wetted to facilitate clumping but which also opens the interior of the pellet improving absorption capacity. Sorbent well suited for use as litter is formed of granules or pellets having sizes falling within a plurality of different size ranges with the smaller sized fines causing the clumps to form on top of the litter extending generally horizontally along the litter.

The present disclosure provides methods for controlling swelling of a clay when in contact with an aqueous medium. The methods may include contacting clay with a content of an ionic liquid sufficient to modify one or more transport properties of water through the clay. In particular, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides clay-based animal litter compositions having controlled flow and clump shape, and a related method. The animal litter can include a clay-based liquid absorbing material and at least one ionic liquid.

A device suitable for recycling horse bedding, the device including a shaker table with a receiving surface arranged to receive the bedding; a duct having an inlet and an outlet; a first airflow generator arranged to lift bedding elements from the horse bedding upwards towards the duct inlet; a second airflow generator arranged to transport the bedding elements within the duct, the duct being shaped to define an inlet transportation region in which the second airflow causes the bedding elements to be drawn from the duct inlet, along a portion of the duct; a suspension region in which the second airflow causes the bedding elements to be suspended within the suspension region of the duct; and an outlet transportation region in which, in the absence of the second airflow, the bedding elements fall due to gravity towards the duct outlet; and one or more UV light sources arranged within the duct to emit UV radiation into the suspension region.

A method and system reprocess soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. In one aspect the soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance of the manure to a holding tank. In another aspect the bedding is cleaned, rinsed and color is restored. The bedding material is subsequently dried and a bedding product, fertilizer product, and/or compacted product is formed. Alternatively, said bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product. In yet another aspect, the steps of separation, cleaning, rinsing and/or color restoration may be omitted.

An animal litter product comprising a foam polymer, wherein the foam polymer is compressible, resilient and has a density in the range of about of about 325 to 650 kg/m.sup.3, wherein the foamed polymer has limited compressibility and returns to approximately its original volume, wherein, optionally, the foam polymer is blended with other animal litter components, such as clays or other absorbent materials.

A heating mat system is presented for use with livestock. The heating mat system includes a heating layer positioned between an upper support pad and a lower support pad. The heating layer includes a conductive microfilm that has a generally planar shape extending between a front edge, a rear edge, and opposing side edges. In one or more arrangements, the conductive microfilm includes a layer of graphene. In one or more arrangements, the heating mat system has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that are connected to the conductive microfilm. When a voltage difference is applied between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, current flows through the conductive microfilm, thereby generating heat to the heating mat system and heating livestock positioned on the system.

An animal toilet has a front-rear direction, a right-left direction and an up-down direction that intersect each other. The animal toilet is provided with an upper container that is provided with a plurality of holes through which urine passes below, a lower container that is positioned below the upper container and has formed an insert hole on a front face, and a tray that is housed from the insert hole into the lower container in a manner being allowed to be pulled out forward, and made to receive and store the urine that falls through the holes of the upper container. A front part of the tray is not protruding in front of the front face of the lower container when seen from the right-left direction. The front part of the tray has an exposed portion. An upside and a downside of the exposed portion are exposed to an outside space. An upper part and a lower part of the exposed portion are respectively provided with a geometrically deformed portion having a shape changed from a surrounding portion.

An animal toilet has a front-rear direction, a right-left direction and an up-down direction that intersect each other. The animal toilet is provided with an upper container that is provided with a plurality of holes through which urine passes below, a lower container that is positioned below the upper container and has formed an insert hole on a front face, and a tray that is housed from the insert hole into the lower container in a manner being allowed to be pulled out forward, and made to receive and store the urine that falls through the holes of the upper container. A front part of the tray is not protruding in front of the front face of the lower container when seen from the right-left direction. The front part of the tray has an exposed portion. An upside and a downside of the exposed portion are exposed to an outside space. An upper part and a lower part of the exposed portion are respectively provided with a geometrically deformed portion having a shape changed from a surrounding portion.

A clumpable animal litter comprises composite particles of filler materials, such as limestone and sand, and sodium bentonite. The filler materials have a lower bulk density as compared to a granular mixture of the same percentage of filler and sodium bentonite clay and contain up to eighty-five percent less clay.