ODOR ADSORBING PET PAD WITH A BIO-ENZYMATIC ODOR REDUCER

Abstract

An odor adsorbing pet pad includes an adsorbent mat with a nonwoven hydrophobic fabric; and a bio-enzymatic odor reducer with bacillus in spore form which is applied to the adsorbent mat. In particular, the bacillus in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer is activated when animal waste interacts with the adsorbent mat of the odor adsorbing pet pad.

Claims

1. An odor adsorbing pet pad comprising: an adsorbent mat comprising a nonwoven hydrophobic fabric; and a bio-enzymatic odor reducer comprising bacillus in spore form, said bio-enzymatic odor reducer being applied to said adsorbent mat, such that said bacillus is activated when animal waste interacts with said adsorbent mat.

2. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said adsorbent mat further comprises a waterproof backing beneath said nonwoven hydrophobic fabric.

3. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 2, wherein said waterproof backing comprises one of polyethylene and waterproof plastic material.

4. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said bacillus comprises one or more of B. angloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis and B. pumilus.

5. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said adsorbent mat comprises a needle punch polyester and polypropylene blend.

6. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said nonwoven hydrophobic fabric has a density between approximately 250 grams per square meter (gsm) and approximately 700 gsm.

7. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said bio-enzymatic odor reducer further comprises at least one odor counteractant and an emulsifier.

8. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said bio-enzymatic odor reducer comprises approximately 20,000,000 colony forming units (CFU) of said bacillus per square inch.

9. The odor adsorbing pet pad of claim 1, wherein said odor adsorbing pet pad is machine washable.

10. A method of use for an odor adsorbing pet pad, comprising: providing an adsorbent mat; and applying a bio-enzymatic odor reducer comprising bacillus in spore form to said adsorbent mat, such that said bacillus is activated when animal waste interacts with said adsorbent mat.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising washing said adsorbent mat.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising reapplying said bio-enzymatic odor reducer to said adsorbent mat after washing said adsorbent mat.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of washing said adsorbent mat includes using a strong bleach solution and soap.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said adsorbent mat further comprises a waterproof backing beneath said nonwoven hydrophobic fabric.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said waterproof backing comprises polyethylene.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said bacillus comprises one or more of B. angloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis and B. pumilus.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said adsorbent mat comprises a needle punch polyester and polypropylene blend.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said bio-enzymatic odor reducer further comprises at least one odor counteractant and an emulsifier.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said bio-enzymatic odor reducer comprises approximately 20,000,000 colony forming units (CFU) per square inch.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of applying said bio-enzymatic odor reducer comprises soaking said adsorbent mat in said bio-enzymatic odor reducer and allowing said adsorbent mat to dry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an odor adsorbing pet pad with a bio-enzymatic odor reducer;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the odor adsorbing pet pad of FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a method of use for the odor adsorbing pet pad of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present odor adsorbing pet pad with a bio-enzymatic odor reducer is generally designated 10, and includes an adsorbent mat 12 made of a non-woven hydrophobic fabric 14. A bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16, which includes bacillus 18, is applied to the adsorbent mat 12. It is preferred that the bacillus 18 is provided in spore form. Additionally, the bacillus 18 in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 is activated when the adsorbent mat 12 interacts with animal waste (not shown). Accordingly, when a pet (not shown) either urinates and/or defecates on the odor adsorbing pet pad 10, the bacillus 18 transitions from a dormant state to an active state and consumes the animal waste. After the animal waste has been completely consumed, the bacillus 18 returns to its dormant state. In particular, the present inventors surprisingly found that the bacillus 18, when used in conjunction with the adsorbent mat 12, effectively consumes the odor causing proteins that are present in animal waste.

[0020] While there are many different species of bacillus 18 which are appropriate for the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16, it is preferred that the bacillus 18 is B. angloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 optionally includes at least one odor counteractant 20 and/or an emulsifier 22. The odor counteractant 20 reduces the odor of the animal waste while the bacillus 18 in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 consumes the odor causing proteins in the animal waste. Further, the emulsifier 22 is optionally included to bind the ingredients of the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16. It is preferred that the emulsifier 22 is a bio-surfactant, but other emulsifiers are contemplated as are known in the art.

[0021] An important feature of the present disclosure is the amount of bacillus 18 which is present in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16. Specifically, the bacillus 18 is preferably provided in spore form, and the amount of bacillus 18 present depends on the number of colony forming units (CFU) applied to the adsorbent mat 12. In particular, the preferred concentration of bacillus 18 present on the adsorbent mat 12 is approximately 20,000,000 CFU per square inch of the adsorbent mat 12. However, it is understood that there exists a wide range of potential CFU per square inch of the bacillus 18 present on the adsorbent mat 12 which are appropriate for the present odor adsorbing pet pad 10, and the concentration may vary to suit the application.

[0022] Additionally, the non-woven hydrophobic fabric 14 of the adsorbent mat 12 is preferably made of a needle punch polyester and polypropylene blend. However, it is understood that any non-woven hydrophobic fabric 14 is appropriate for use in the adsorbent mat 12. Importantly, the non-woven hydrophobic fabric 14 keeps the liquid portion of the animal waste open to the atmosphere. As a result, the liquid portion of the animal waste evaporates, thereby improving the usable life of the odor adsorbing pet pad 10. Additionally, the bacillus 18 effectively consumes the odor causing proteins in the animal waste when used with the adsorbent mat 12.

[0023] It is preferred that the density of the nonwoven hydrophobic fabric 14 is between approximately 250 grams per square meter (gsm) and approximately 700 gsm. The density of the nonwoven hydrophobic fabric 14 is adjustable depending on the preferred fabric used in the adsorbent mat 12 as is known in the art.

[0024] Optionally included is a waterproof backing 24 beneath the nonwoven hydrophobic fabric 14 of the adsorbent mat 12. In particular, the waterproof backing 24 is optionally provided so that the animal waste does not seep through the adsorbent mat 12. Moreover, the waterproof backing 24 improves the durability of the odor adsorbing pet pad 10. While it is preferred that the waterproof backing 24 include polyethylene, it is understood that any durable and hydrophobic material is appropriate for use as the waterproof backing 24.

[0025] Another important feature of the present odor adsorbing pet pad 10 is the fact that it is reusable. In particular, the odor adsorbing pet pad 10 is machine washable. Importantly, including the waterproof backing 24 extends the usable life of the adsorbent mat 12, especially when the odor adsorbing pet pad 10 is washed frequently. Moreover, it is preferred that the odor adsorbing pet pad 10 is washed using a strong bleach solution and soap, to remove the previously applied bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 before reapplying a fresh coat of the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16.

[0026] Another important feature of the present disclosure is a method of use 30 for the odor adsorbing pet pad 10. In particular, the method 30 includes a step 32 of providing the adsorbent mat 12, and a step 34 of applying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16, which includes bacillus 18 in spore form, to the adsorbent mat 12. In a preferred embodiment, the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 is applied to the adsorbent mat 12 by soaking the adsorbent mat 12 in the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 and allowing the adsorbent mat 12 to dry. Spraying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 on the adsorbent mat 12 is also contemplated. Other methods for applying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 to the adsorbent mat 12 are contemplated as is known in the art.

[0027] Additionally, the method of use 30 optionally includes a step 36 of washing the adsorbent mat 12. It is preferred that the step 36 of washing the adsorbent mat 12 is carried out by machine washing with a strong bleach solution and soap. However, any suitable method for washing the adsorbent mat 12, and removing the previously applied bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16, is contemplated as is known in the art. Finally, the method of use 30 optionally includes a step 38 of reapplying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 to the adsorbent mat 12 after the step 36 of washing the adsorbent mat 12. In this way, the present odor adsorbing pet pad 10 is reusable, thereby decreasing the cost and difficulty in reducing the odor caused by animal waste.

[0028] It is also contemplated that the step 38 of reapplying the bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 is optionally performed without the step 36 of washing the odor adsorbing pet pad 36. In particular, a user of the odor adsorbing pet pad 10 optionally applies additional bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 without washing the adsorbent mat 12. This is particularly the case when a large amount of animal waste is applied to the odor adsorbing pet pad 10. Alternatively, if the pet urinates and/or defecates in a particular spot of the odor adsorbing pet pad 10, the pet owner optionally applies additional bio-enzymatic odor reducer 16 to that spot.

[0029] While a particular embodiment of the present odor adsorbing pet pad has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.