Abstract: A natural non-toxic ant-repelling gel or tape is created by combining certain fatty acids with a thickening agent. The gel or tape has the surprising ability to be used safely around food, children and pets, because it is derived from an edible source. Over time, the gel composition hardens to become less tacky, thicker and more resilient and resistant to wear and tear. The gel or tape is applied to permanently block or repel ants. Since this is an oil-based gel composition, it is also long-lasting and water-proof, so it can be used outside. One particular use is to block the path of ants attempting to access a hummingbird feeder or nectar bird feeder.

Abstract: Safety is one of the most desired attributes of an algae control agent for ornamental water features, since the water is often consumed by wildlife and pets, and children sometimes come in contact with the water. The present invention safely prevents the growth of algae in ornamental water features, and does not add chemicals to the water, but controls algae by using insoluble adsorbents to remove essential micronutrients necessary for algal growth. The invention can be used in still or recirculating water features of all types, including bird baths, water fountains, artificial streams, ornamental waterfalls, and small ponds. Since no compounds are being released into the water, the algae control is very long-lasting, and is also maintenance-free, with no action necessary on the part of the user even when evaporation or removal of debris requires refilling the feature.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an absorbent material with powdered activated carbon which is substantially light-colored without using color masking agents or hiding. This invention addresses the need in the field for an absorbent material with improved odor-controlling properties, that maintains such properties for longer periods of time and where the absorbent material maintains a light-colored appearance without the addition of color-masking agents. Suitable methods for creating the absorbent materials include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a pan agglomeration process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a dry blending process, a spray coating process, an extrusion process, a pelletizing process and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: Composite particles and methods for making the same. An absorbent material is formed into a particle. An optional performance-enhancing active is coupled to the absorbent material before, during, or after the particle-forming process, homogeneously and/or in layers. Additionally, the composite absorbent particle may include a core material. Preferred methods for creating the absorbent particles include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a mix muller process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a batch tumble blending mixer process, an extrusion process, and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: There is a need to protect the health of hummingbirds by preventing the rapid microbial spoiling of sugar nectar used in hummingbird feeders, without using artificial preservatives. The invention is a method, composition and kit, for naturally preventing spoilage of sugar nectar liquid food by using a transition metal salt, an optional acidifying agent, and an optional functional additive. Certain transition metal salts, such as copper sulfate are surprisingly effective in protecting sugar nectar even at micronutrient levels, below the level consumed by hummingbirds in their natural diet. The invention prevents the formation of unhealthy microbial growth, reduces the need for frequent changing, and keeps the sugar nectar fresh and healthy.

Abstract: There is a need to protect the health of hummingbirds by preventing the rapid microbial spoiling of sugar nectar used in hummingbird feeders, without using artificial preservatives. The invention is a method, composition and kit, for naturally preventing spoilage of sugar nectar liquid food by using a transition metal salt, an optional acidifying agent, and an optional functional additive. Certain transition metal salts, such as copper sulfate are surprisingly effective in protecting sugar nectar even at micronutrient levels, below the level consumed by hummingbirds in their natural diet. The invention prevents the formation of unhealthy microbial growth, reduces the need for frequent changing, and keeps the sugar nectar fresh and healthy.

Abstract: Composite particles and methods for making the same. An absorbent material is formed into a particle. An optional performance-enhancing active is coupled to the absorbent material before, during, or after the particle-forming process, homogeneously and/or in layers. Additionally, the composite absorbent particle may include a core material. Preferred methods for creating the absorbent particles include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a mix muller process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a batch tumble blending mixer process, an extrusion process, and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: There is a need to protect the health of hummingbirds by preventing the rapid microbial spoiling of sugar nectar used in hummingbird feeders, without using artificial preservatives. The invention is a method, composition and kit, for naturally preventing spoilage of sugar nectar liquid food by using a transition metal salt, an optional acidifying agent, and an optional functional additive. Certain transition metal salts, such as copper sulfate are surprisingly effective in protecting sugar nectar even at micronutrient levels, below the level consumed by hummingbirds in their natural diet. The invention prevents the formation of unhealthy microbial growth, reduces the need for frequent changing, and keeps the sugar nectar fresh and healthy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for encapsulating solid animal waste with animal litter to eliminate the odor that emanates from the waste material. An additional benefit is that encapsulation hides the solid waste from view. The encapsulated waste resembles a urine clump in the litter box. Performance-enhancing actives are incorporated in the litter composition to provide this benefit.

Abstract: Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for encapsulating solid animal waste with animal litter to eliminate the odor that emanates from the waste material. An additional benefit is that encapsulation hides the solid waste from view. The encapsulated waste resembles a urine clump in the litter box. Performance-enhancing actives are incorporated in the litter composition to provide this benefit.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an absorbent material with powdered activated carbon which is substantially light-colored without using color masking agents or hiding. This invention addresses the need in the field for an absorbent material with improved odor-controlling properties, that maintains such properties for longer periods of time and where the absorbent material maintains a light-colored appearance without the addition of color-masking agents. Suitable methods for creating the absorbent materials include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a pan agglomeration process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a dry blending process, a spray coating process, an extrusion process, a pelletizing process and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, composition and kit for preventing spoilage of feed in a bird feeder by use of a spoilage reducing composition that comprises an effective amount of a moisture absorbing material, an optional support material, and an optional functional additive that are formed into a shaped body that is combined with an bird feeder, bird feed and/or bird seed to effectively absorb water and water vapor thereby reducing spoilage of feed.

Abstract: Composites and methods for making the same. A mixture of clay material and a light-weighting material is formed into a composite particle. An optional performance-enhancing active is coupled to the composite particle material before, during, or after the particle-forming process, homogeneously and/or in layers. Preferred methods for creating the composites include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a mix muller process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a batch tumble blending mixer process, an extrusion process, and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: A system for detecting protein in mammalian urine is disclosed herein. Phloxine B buffered between pH 2-2.5 undergoes a color change from colorless to red in the presence of protein. Disclosed herein are animal litter compositions and additives comprising Phloxine B and a protein-sequestering agent buffered at a pH below about 3 which detect the presence of protein at levels indicative of ill-health in feline urine.