Abstract: The invention provides a clumpable animal litter mixture having about 5 to 50 weight percent bentonite, about 0.1 to 25 weight percent gum-containing clumping agent and balance filler particulate. The gum-containing clumping agent is formed from a plant selected from the group consisting of the Plantago and Cydonia families. The clumpable animal litter mixture is pourable into a litter box and agglomerates into a clump upon contact with urine. The clump of the agglomerated bentonite, gum-containing clumping agent, filler particulate and urine is capable of removal with a perforated scoop after as little as one minute of formation. The clumpable mixture is formed by introducing the gum-containing clumping agent into a foam. The gum-containing mixture is mixed into the foam to distribute the clumping agent throughout the foam. The mixed gum-containing clumping agent and foam is then added to solid particulate to adhere the gum-containing clumping agent to the solid particulate.

Abstract: A chipseal overlay coating having in situ deicing properties. An absorbent material such as lightweight aggregate, is mixed with oil, asphalt and/or concrete to form a thoroughfare chipseal overlay. Deicing materials are applied to the overlay or to the absorbent material prior to the mixing process. Due to the highly absorbent nature of the chipseal overlay, the deicing material is absorbed. During icing and snow conditions, the impregnated material reacts with the ice and snow to cause them to melt.

Abstract: The invention provides a waterproof litter receptacle for use in disposal of animal waste products. The litter receptacle contains a mixture of non-smectitic, hydrophilic shale aggregate. The mixture of non-smectitic hydrophilic shale has a fraction of coarse material with a size less than about 5 mesh (4000 microns). The mixture has the property of agglomerating into a clump upon contact with urine. The agglomerated clump of shale and urine is removable with a perforated scoop. A substantially dust-free distribution of shale of greater than 50 mesh (300 microns) is capable of clumping without additives. Optionally, the shale may contain up to 10 weight percent clumping agent selected from the group of water absorbent polymers, corn starch, gelatin, gluten and dried plants of the Plantago family. In addition 5 to 25 wt % ammonia absorbing zeolite may be added for odor control.

Abstract: A waterproof receptacle for use in the disposal of animal waste products. The litter receptacle contains a layer of porous expanded shale. The porous shale has a porisity of at least 10% by volume for reducing bulk density of the porous shale and an ability to absorb liquid waste upwardly. Advantageously, the porous structure allows a portion of the liquid to flow to the bottom of the receptacle for subsequent upward absorption. Most advantageously, a screen size of at least +50 mesh (300 microns) is maintained to limit dusting. Optionally, 5 to 25% by weight ammonia absorbing zeolite may be added for odor control.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of controlling foaming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels (e.g. diesel fuel and jet fuel) by inclusion therein of certain siloxane polyoxyalkylene copolymer as antifoam agents. The copolymers have an average molecular formula such that oxyalkylene groups of the copolymer provide from about 25% to about 65% by weight of the copolymer. Preferred copolymers are according to the general formulaMe.sub.3 SiO(Me.sub.2 SiO).sub.x (MeR'SiO).sub.y SiMe.sub.3in which each Me represents a methyl group, each R' represents a group according to the general formulaQ(OA).sub.n OZin which Q represents a divalent group attached to the silicon atom, each A represents an ethylene group, n has a value from 10 to 15, Z represents a hydrogen atom or a group OCR" in which R" represents a monovalent group and the ratio x:y lies in the range 1:1 to 11:1, more preferably in the range 3:1 to 7:1.