Uses of hydrophobic aggregates and methods for performing those uses

Abstract

A method of collecting a urine sample including appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. Use of the hydrophobic sand including providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; and collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine.

Claims

1. A method of collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating a layer of hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample wherein a hydrophobic top layer of said layer of hydrophobic sand causes the urine to form into a globule that rests on a top surface of the layer of hydrophobic sand; and collecting the urine sample from said globule resting on said top surface of the layer of hydrophobic sand.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic sand is located in a litter box.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collecting comprises using a syringe.

4. Use of hydrophobic sand comprising: providing a barrier to urine in the form of a hydrophobic top layer of a layer of said hydrophobic sand, the hydrophobic top layer causing the urine to form into a globule that rests on a top surface of the layer of the hydrophobic sand; and collecting a urine sample from said globule of urine resting on the top surface of the layer of said hydrophobic sand.

5. The use of claim 4, wherein collecting a urine sample entails using the hydrophobic sand as animal litter or a component of the litter.

6. The use of claim 4, wherein the collecting comprises using a syringe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a use of hydrophobic aggregates of the present invention as a barrier to help control the expansion of tree roots; and

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a use of hydrophobic aggregates of the present invention for collection of a urine sample and as cat litter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) Tree roots, and the roots of other plants, typically spread out in order to find a water source. However, without restriction as to the mechanism, placement of a layer or layers of the aggregates to form a hydrophobic barrier can provide an excellent and convenient barrier for root growth and spreading. None-the-less, while the hydrophobic sand will control the growth and/or direction of growth of many plants and trees, certain roots are particularly rigorous with the capability of travelling relatively great distances in search of nourishment, and will even penetrate hard barriers such as cement walls.

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary placement of two hydrophobic sand layers 1 for blocking or containing several roots 2 of a tree 3 from reaching objects to be protected, exemplified by an underground pipe 4, and underground electrical cable 5, a sidewalk 6 and a building 7. It should be understood that the hydrophobic sand layer 1 can be placed in more than one essentially vertical layer(s) or angled layer(s) (e.g. all around the tree 3) and in an essentially horizontal layer (e.g. under the tree 3).

(6) In accordance with particular embodiments of the invention, hydrophobic aggregate layers 1 are disposed inside any of porous panels, fabric, and the like in order to ease installation/application. In other embodiments, hydrophobic aggregate layers 1 comprise a plant or root growth inhibitor.

(7) Advantages of the aforementioned use and method include that they protect objects from root damage in a manner that is cost effective, convenient and are environmentally friendly. Further, there are no other inhibiting effects on the roots 2 and control of root spread can be used to influence the size and shape of the canopy 8 of the tree 3. This is particularly useful for orchards and trees near buildings. In addition, the sand layer 1 is particularly useful for containing and/or diverting irrigation water and nutrients in the area of the roots in order to conserve water and reduce costs. In some embodiments, oil based additives such as root inhibitors can be added to the sand for slow release of the additive in situ.

(8) Man-made hydrophobic sand is coated to repel water. According to some embodiments, chemical(s), in particular aluminum compounds, for example aluminum oxides, silicates or hydroxides, are added to that coating. Roots, such as tree roots 2, react strongly to even very low concentrations of aluminum dioxide, and the addition of such chemicals will tend to reduce the amount of hydrophobic sand, for example in sand layer 1, that is required.

(9) It should be noted that the hydrophobic sand of the hydrophobic sand layer 1 has a relatively low coefficient of friction as it is dry. As such, the sand layer 1 does not provide a good medium for the anchoring or roots 2. Roots tend to seek soil with good anchoring characteristics to stabilize the tree against wind and heavy rain. This is one of the major reasons that roots tend not grow into the hydrophobic sand layer 1.

(10) Further, the hydrophobic sand layer 1 does not provide a friendly environment for micro-organisms, upon which roots depend. This is another reason that the roots 2 do not tend to grow into the hydrophobic sand layer 1.

(11) In addition, most of the vital materials for the tree 3 are drawn to the proximity of roots 2 via normal osmosis in soil. Since hydrophobic sand is completely dry, no such osmosis occurs and consequently, the roots may starve unless turning to seek for normal soil.

(12) In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a use of a hydrophobic aggregate, e.g. sand, for the collection of a urine sample, in particular from a cat; and a use of a hydrophobic aggregate as cat litter.

(13) Referring to FIG. 2, the hydrophobic sand 10 is placed a cat's litter box 12 whose urine is to be tested. When the cat urinates in the box 12 (i.e. on the sand 10), the hydrophobic top layer causes the urine to form into an easily collectible globule 14 on the surface of the sand. Urine from the globule 14 can be conveniently collected, for example, by a syringe or similar utensil (not shown). In accordance with particular embodiments of the invention, hydrophobic sand 10 comprises an anti-bacterial agent for the suppression of smells.

(14) According to another aspect of the invention, related to the aforementioned use, there is provided a method of collecting a urine sample, in particular from a cat, comprising placing at least a layer of hydrophobic sand 10 in a cat litter box 12, or using the sand as cat litter; and, after a cat whose urine is to be sampled has urinated on the hydrophobic sand, collecting a sample of the urine, for example, by a syringe or the like.

(15) Advantages of the aforementioned use and method include that they are non-invasive, cost effective, convenient, mitigate stress of the cat and owner, an existing litter box can be used, cats will be attracted to urinate on the aggregates as in nature this is generally their medium of choice, the hydrophobic aggregates can be used instead of regular cat litter allowing the advantage of a permanent and continuous observation of the cat's health by the pet owner, if not needed for an analysis sample, the urine globule may be lifted easily removed from the surface of the hydrophobic sand by absorbing with an absorbent cloth or paper (e.g. toilet paper) and discarded, feces on the aggregates can be scooped and disposed of in the usual manner, and the hydrophobic aggregates inhibit the growth of bacterial odors without the use of chemical means, as hydrophobic aggregates do not provide a friendly environment for bacteria.

(16) In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention provides for use of hydrophobic aggregates for the containment and/or collection and/or remediation of non-polar contaminants such as hydrocarbons that have been spilled or leaked. The hydrophobic aggregates adsorb onto hydrocarbons even in a moist or wet environment as the aggregates do not attract the water, rather repel water, due to their hydrophobic nature. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic aggregates are placed in locations vulnerable to leaks, for example under storage tanks and along pipelines, as a preventative measure for to mitigate the spread of any leak and for containment.

(17) Thus, such contaminants can be adsorbed and the sand used to encapsulate an area that has contaminated soil and halt the spread of the contaminant. This allows time for bio-remediation to take place or alternatively allowing for the excavation, transportation and storage of the contaminated soil.

(18) According to a particular embodiment, the hydrophobic aggregates can be impregnated with bio-remediation bacteria, for example a type that remains inert until contact with the hydrocarbons.

(19) The method entails placing one or more layers of hydrophobic aggregates in the path of (or surrounding) the polluted soil. The layers of hydrophobic aggregates can be placed vertically, horizontally or at an angle. According to a specific embodiment, the hydrophobic aggregates can be placed in bags, for example geo-textile bags, which are buried in the soil. These bags can be removed when saturated and replaced with new bags of hydrophobic aggregates.

(20) In order to enhance the absorption process, water can be added to the affected area after the placement of the hydrophobic aggregates.

(21) In this regard, according to further embodiments, the sand is particularly useful in cleaning (adsorbing) oils spills on road surfaces, in particular wet road surfaces, for example, after a traffic accident. One of the advantages with using the hydrophobic sand is that the non-polar contaminant tends to strongly adsorb so that there is no further contamination by dripping or run-off from the sand, and it is convenient to use.

(22) A major advantage of the use and method of this embodiment is that the hydrophobic aggregates are an effective adsorption and barrier material even in wet environments, and poses no collateral detriment to the soil or environment.

(23) According to another embodiment, there is provided a use of hydrophobic aggregates as a fire extinguishing material. Without limitation, this use is particularly applicable to extinguishing burning hydrocarbons (e.g. oil), on a water surface. Such a phenomenon may occur at sea, lakes and ponds, and on road surfaces, for example. The use is accomplished by spreading the hydrophobic sand on the fire, which adsorbs to the hydrocarbon fuel and thus separates it from oxygen to thereby extinguish the fire. Typically this occurs by as a result of the hydrophobic sand with the adsorbed hydrocarbon(s) sinking below the water whereby the fire/combustion becomes oxygen starved. According to some embodiments, the hydrophobic aggregates comprise a fire retardant.

(24) Again, the aforementioned use and method provide a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution to the problem.

(25) It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments may be used separately or in any suitable combination; or the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.