Absorbent Pad for Animal Waste Displaying a Fluorescent Attractant

Abstract

An animal attractive absorbent pad comprising an absorbent pad that displays at least one fluorescent compound; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluorescent compound fluoresces in the absence of urine, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound is detectable on the absorbent pad when the absorbent pad is exposed to ultraviolet light; and wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts animals such as cats and dogs to eliminate on the absorbent pad.

Claims

1. An animal attractant absorbent pad comprising an absorbent pad and at least one fluorescent compound, wherein the absorbent pad does not contain urine; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the absence of urine, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound visibly glows when the absorbent pad is exposed to ultraviolet light; and wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts the animal to eliminate on the absorbent pad.

2. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the UV, violet and blue spectra.

3. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises anionic diamino stilbene or distyryl biphenyl derivatives.

4. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 3, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4,4-diamino-2,2-stilbenedisulfonic acid.

5. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 3, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4,4-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene or 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

6. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 2, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4-(2H-Naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

7. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 2, wherein the absorbent pad has a polymer top layer; and wherein the at least one fluorescent compound is applied as a coating, applique, adhesive-backed laminate on the polymer top layer of the absorbent pad.

8. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 7, wherein the polymer top layer is translucent or transparent and the at least one fluorescent compound is embedded in the polymer top layer.

9. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 8, wherein the polymer top layer has a translucent or transparent coating containing at least one fluorescent compound.

10. A washable animal attractant absorbent pad comprising an absorbent pad and at least one fluorescent compound, wherein the absorbent pad does not contain urine; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the absence of urine, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound visibly glows when the absorbent pad is exposed to ultraviolet light; and wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts the animal to eliminate on the absorbent pad.

11. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 10, wherein the pad has a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the top layer is an absorbent fabric and the bottom layer is water-impermeable.

12. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the UV, violet and blue spectra.

13. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 11, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises anionic diamino stilbene or distyryl biphenyl derivatives.

14. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4,4-diamino-2,2-stilbenedisulfonic acid.

15. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4,4-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene or 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

16. The washable animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound comprises 4-(2H-Naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

17. An animal attractant absorbent pad comprising an absorbent pad and at least one fluorescent compound, wherein the absorbent pad has a water-permeable top layer, an absorbent middle layer, and a water-impermeable bottom layer; wherein the absorbent pad does not contain urine; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the absence of urine, feces, blood, and other bodily fluids; wherein the at least one fluorescent compound visibly glows when the absorbent pad is exposed to ultraviolet light; and wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts the animal to eliminate on the absorbent pad.

18. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 17, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound fluoresces in the UV, violet and blue spectra.

19. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 17, wherein the polymer top layer has a translucent or transparent coating containing at least one fluorescent compound.

20. The animal attractant absorbent pad of claim 17, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound is selected from the group consisting of 4,4-diamino-2,2-stilbenedisulfonic acid, 4,4-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene, 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), and 4-(2H-Naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0015] The animal attractive absorbent pad comprises an absorbent pad displaying at least one fluorescent compound. The absorbent pad can be of any well-known shape or size. Typically, the absorbent pad has a water-permeable polymer top layer, an absorbent middle layer, and a water-impermeable bottom layer. The middle layer may be a super absorbent polymer. Washable absorbent pads may have an absorbent top layer and a water-impermeable bottom layer. The top layer may be a microfiber fabric that absorbs and holds liquids.

[0016] Displayed on the absorbent pad is at least one fluorescent compound. The fluorescent compound must not be harmful to animals or the environment. Fluorescent whitening agents, called optical brighteners, are fluorescent materials that can absorb UV light and emit visible (blue-violet). When exposed to white light, they can also emit some UV light. Preferably, they are hydrophilic water-soluble compounds, and are mainly anionic diamino stilbene (DAS) or distyryl biphenyl (DSBP) derivatives displaying a low aquatic toxicity. The most common classes of compounds with this property are the stilbenes, e.g., 4,4-diamino-2,2-stilbenedisulfonic acid. The compounds 4,4-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene and 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) are also intensely fluorescent and used as optical brighteners. A commercially available dry optical brightener powder is KEYFLUOR WHITE OB sold by Millikin. The fluorescent compound present in the optical brightener is 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), cas #7128-64-5, and is not water soluble. A water soluble optical brightener is Pylaklor White S-15A, Pylaklor White S-15A made by Pylam Dyes, and contains 4-(2H-Naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

[0017] Typically the coating or the polymer top layer contains from about 0.01 to about 10.0 wt. % fluorescent material. More preferably, the amount of fluorescent material is from about 0.05 to 5.0 wt. % on the coating or the polymer. The amount of fluorescent material needed must be sufficient that, when ultra violet light is shown on the absorbent pad, the fluorescent material visibly glows.

[0018] The at least one fluorescent compounds of the present invention are not limited to optical brighteners. However, it is well know that animal urine is a fluorescent material, and animal urine is not included in the fluorescent compounds of the present invention. Additionally, the compounds contemplated in this invention fluoresce in the absence of urine, blood, feces or other bodily fluids that are known to activate fluorescence in compounds such as luminol.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the fluorescent compound is applied to the absorbent pad as a coating, or a partial coating applied in a decorative manner. Fluorescent paints can be applied to the absorbent pad. In a preferred embodiment, the fluorescent compound is blended with a translucent or transparent paint and applied to the surface of the absorbent pad. In another embodiment, the fluorescent compound is applied as an applique, or as an adhesive-backed laminate.

[0020] In another embodiment, the fluorescent compound is blended into a polymer before the polymer forms the top, bottom or side of the absorbent pad. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer is a translucent or a transparent polymer.

Examples of the InventionAn Animal Attractant Absorbent Pad

[0021] Example 1An absorbent pad has paint applied to its perimeter. The paint is a fluorescent paint with a transparent base and contains a 5% UV fluorescent compound. The fluorescent compound is a dry optical brightener powder is KEYFLUOR WHITE OB sold by Millikin. The fluorescent compound present in the optical brightener is 2,2-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), cas #7128-64-5 and is not water soluble. When ultra violet light is shown on the absorbent pad, it visibly glows a blue-white color.

[0022] Example 2An absorbent pad is painted around its perimeter with fluorescent paint. The fluorescent paint has a transparent base and contains a 5% UV fluorescent compound. The fluorescent compound is a water soluble optical brightener is Pylaklor White S-15A, Pylaklor White S-15A is made by Pylam Dyes, and contains 4-(2H-Naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt. When ultra violet light is shown on the absorbent pad, the perimeter visibly glows a blue-white color.

[0023] Example 3Fluorescent adhesive tape is applied to the perimeter of an absorbent pad. ViVViD DECO65 glow in the dark permanent adhesive craft vinyl tape is used. When ultra violet light is shown on the absorbent pad, the perimeter visibly glows a blue color.

[0024] The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.