WO2008092243A1

WO2008092243A1 - Animal litter

Info

Publication number: WO2008092243A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Beaudoin; Mario Royer
Original assignee: Industries Guimont Inc.; 2966-5858 Quebec Inc.; Denault, Charles
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-25
Publication date: 2008-08-07

Abstract

An animal litter having waste treatment, odor control and reusable litter material comprises an enclosure having an opening for allowing access to an animal, a receptacle mounted in the enclosure for receiving hydrophobic materials therein and having a top opening for further receiving the animal and an opposite partially opened bottom for allowing draining liquid waste produced by the animal in the receptacle, a reactor mounted in the enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the receptacle for receiving the liquid waste therefrom and for the treatment of the liquid waste, and an airflow circulator mounted to the enclosure for forcing air from the animal- receiving area, defined between the receptacle and the enclosure on the side opposite the reactor, into the reactor. Since the material used in the receptacle is hydrophobic and since the airflow circulator contributes to the drying of solid wastes, the solid wastes are easily removable form the animal litter according to the present invention which makes the material reusable. The material can be periodically rinsed and disinfected as needed.

Description

TITLE

Animal Litter

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to animal litters and more specifically to an animal litter for domestic animal such as cats.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many types of litter boxes are known for cats or other small domestic animals. However, known litter boxes from the prior art are tedious to clean since they include litter material which clumps around liquid waste and keep the litter material damp. This further causes the solid wastes sticky. Moreover, the dirty litter tends to be scattered and spread around as the animal moves in and out of the litter. Also, since both the solid and liquid waste stick on the litter material, the litter, including the one that is scattered and spread out of the litter box, generates unpleasant odors and potentially spreads germs.

[0003] Another drawback of conventional animal litters is that they pollute since the litter material has to be changed often, without mentioning the litter material that has to be thrown with the animal waste when the litter is cleaned up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] In the appended drawings:

[0005] Figure 1 is a front elevation of an animal litter according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0006] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the animal litter from Figure 1 ;

[0007] Figure 3 is a side elevation of the animal litter from Figure 1 ;

[0008] Figure 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 from Figure 3;

[0009] Figure 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 from Figure 6;

[0010] Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 from Figure 1 , illustrating the flap door of the animal litter opened;

[0011] Figure 7 is a cross-section similar to Figure 4, illustrating an animal litter according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 8 is a cross section similar to Figure 6 of the animal litter from Figure 7;

[0013] Figure 9 is a cross section similar to Figure 4, illustrating an animal litter according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014] Figure 10 is a cross section similar to Figure 4, illustrating an animal litter according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an animal litter comprising:

[0016] an enclosure having an animal opening for allowing access to an animal therein;

[0017] a receptacle mounted in the enclosure for receiving a hydrophobic material therein and having a top opening for further receiving the animal and an opposite partially opened bottom for allowing draining liquid waste produced by the animal in the receptacle;

[0018] a reactor mounted in the enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the receptacle for receiving the liquid waste therefrom and for treatment of the liquid waste.

[0019] The receptacle defines an animal-receiving area with the enclosure therebetween.

[0020] In accordance to a more specific aspect of an animal litter according to the present invention, it further includes an airflow circulator mounted to the enclosure for forcing air from the animal-receiving area into the reactor.

[0021] It is to be understood that the expression liquid waste is not limited herein to urine but also include liquids comprised in solid wastes produced by the animal and any other form of liquid produced therefrom, including saliva for example. Indeed, as will become more apparent upon reading the following description, the airflow circulator contributes to removing humidity in the animal-receiving area, and thereby to remove liquid from the solid wastes for example, by circulating air between the animal-receiving area and the reactor.

[0022] The animal litter in accordance to the present invention includes treatment of liquid waste and provides for easy removal of solid wastes.

[0023] Since the material used in the receptacle is hydrophobic and since the airflow circulator contributes to the drying of solid wastes, the solid wastes are easily removable form the animal litter according to the present invention which makes the material reusable. The material can be periodically rinsed and disinfected as needed.

[0024] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non restrictive description of illustrated embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure.

[0026] Turning now to Figures 1 to 6 an animal litter 10 according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0027] The animal litter 10 comprises an enclosure 12, a receptacle

14 mounted therein having a top opening 16 for receiving the animal (not shown) and an opposite partially opened bottom 18 for allowing passage to liquid waste (not shown) produced by the animal in the receptacle 14, a bioreactor 20 located in the enclosure 12 below the receptacle 14 so as to be in fluid communication therewith for receiving the liquid waste therefrom and for promoting treatment of the wastes including their decay, and an airflow circulator 22. The animal can be a cat, a small dog or any other small domestic pet.

[0028] Each of these components of the animal litter 10 will now be described in more detail.

[0029] The enclosure 12 includes a bottom portion 24 and a cover

26 mounted on the bottom portion and releasably secured thereto via fasteners 28. As can be better seen in Figure 4, the cover 26 is so configured relatively to the bottom portion 24 so as to yield an odor sealed enclosure 12 when they are assembled. According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the fasteners 28 are omitted and the cover 26 is snugly fitted onto the bottom portion 24. Other securing means can also be provided between the cover 26 and bottom portion 24.

[0030] The cover 26 further includes a handle 30 and an opening 32 for allowing access to the animal in the litter 10. The bottom portion 24 is provided with four short legs 34, which can of course be omitted and so is the handle 30.

[0031] A flap door 34 is pivotably mounted to the cover 26 so as to automatically close the opening 32, thereby minimizing odor leak from the opening 32. The door 34 can take other forms and can also be omitted. The opening 32 is also not limited to the location and configuration illustrated in Figure 1. [0032] The bottom portion 24 of the enclosure 12 defines a liquid container 36 which is filled with liquid 38 that promotes the rapid decay of liquid waste (not shown) produced by the animal. The liquid container 36 together with the liquid 38 defines the reactor 20. According to the first illustrative embodiment, the reactor 20 is in the form of a bioreactor, wherein the liquid 38 is filled with well-known bacteria that promotes the decay of liquid waste. The bacteria are either seeded in the liquid or they simply appear naturally over time. Since such liquid and bacteria are believed to be well-known in the art and for concision purposes, they will not be described furtherin in more detail.

[0033] To better promote decay of the liquid waste, the liquid 38 of the bioreactor 20 includes mobile supports 40 in suspension in the liquid 38 which aims at increasing the productivity of the decay reaction as it is conventionally known. The carriers 40 can be for example of the ActiveCell™ type by Hydroxyl. Other carriers can of course be used. According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the carriers are integral to the container 36, such as protruding from the bottom thereof. Since these carriers only aim at increasing the productivity of the decay reaction, which could occur without such carriers, their use is optional.

[0034] The bioreactor 20 further includes a pump 42 which circulates the liquid 38 and the carriers 40 therein. As it is well-known in the art, stirring the liquid 38 and the liquid-waste in the bio-reactor 20 promotes decomposition of the liquid waste.

[0035] The intake 44 of the pump 42 is connected to a pipe 46 which is mounted in the bottom portion 24 of the container 12 adjacent its bottom surface 48. [0036] Of course, the pump 42 is configured so as to prevent the carriers 40 from entering therein. Either a screen (not shown) is used around the pump 42 or the intake of the pump is smaller than the smaller carrier 40.

[0037] A funnel 50 connects the receptacle 14 to the bioreactor 20 and more specifically to the pipe 46. For that purpose, the drain 52 of the funnel 50 integrally connects to the pipe 46 perpendicularly therefrom. The reactor 20 is therefore in fluid communication with the receptacle via the funnel 50.

[0038] The funnel 50 further first includes a peripheral skirt 54 which sits on an inner ring 56 protruding from the interior of the bottom portion 24 just above the reactor 20. An isolating wall 58 is peripherally connected to the skirt 54 integrally thereof to further secure the funnel 50 to the bottom portion 24 of the enclosure 12 and further provides a partial airproofed separation between the reactor 20 and the receptacle 14. The wall 58 includes a first hole to allow passage for the drain 52 as can be better seen in Figure 5.

[0039] As can also be seen on Figure 5, the funnel 50 is so configured and sized as to complement the bottom portion 20 and so as to snuggly fit therein. The funnel 50 is easily detachable to allow filling and emptying the bioreactor 20. More specifically, the funnel 50 is separable at the drain 52 and a seal 59 is provided thereabout to prevent odors from escaping from the bioreactor 50.

[0040] The receptacle 14 is in the form of a tray having a perforated bottom 18. The receptacle acts as a platform to support the animal in the enclosure 12 where the animal can relieve itself. The receptacle 14 defines an animal-receiving area 61 with the cover 26 therebetween. [0041] The receptacle 14 sits on the funnel 50 and engages the upper portion thereof in a snuggly fitted way. The receptacle 14 includes hydrophobic material 60. According to the first illustrative embodiment, the material 60 is in granular form and is, for example, spherical. The following hydrophobic material can be used: plastic, PVC or any polymeric material, Teflon™, polyethylene, ceramic, glass, rocks, etc. The granules 60 can be colored or not. The use of a hydrophobic material 60 as the litter substance prevents the liquid waste from clumping together with the material 60. It is also to be noted that the granular particles 60 are not limited to the spherical shape.

[0042] The tray 14 is further provided with handles (only one shown) to ease general handling thereof, for example to provide access to the funnel 50 and to the reactor 20.

[0043] The bottom 18 of the tray 14 can have any partially opened configuration allowing draining of the liquid waste produced by the animal into the funnel 50.

[0044] In operation, the gravity forces the liquid waste to flow through the granular material 60, then through the bottom 18 of the tray, down the funnel 50 and into the bioreactor 20 via the drain 52.

[0045] The air flow circulator 22 includes a two-part exhaust pipe 62 secured to the enclosure 12 outside thereof via a mounting bracket 64 and having its outtake 66 in the animal-receiving area 61 , where there may be odors caused for example by the animal wastes and its intake 66 in the bioreactor 50 above the liquid level, where the air is cleaner. [0046] The pump 42 together with the drain 52 can also be seen as being part of the air flow circulator 22 since, as the liquid 38 travels through the pipe 46, it creates a venturi effect which sucks in air from within the animal- receiving area 61. The positive pressure created in the bioreactor 20 pushes the air through within the cover portion 26 via the exhaust pipe 62.

[0047] The pipe 62 includes an air treatment system in the form of a filter 68 to improve the quality of the air. However, as a person skilled in the art will appreciate, a first treatment has already been applied to the air coming from the animal-receiving area 61 when it passed through the bioreactor 20.

[0048] The pipe 62 is detachable to allow removing the cover 26.

[0049] The litter 10 also comprises a flexible draining pipe 70 attached to the enclosure 12 via a mounting support 71 so as to be in fluid communication with the container 36. The draining pipe 70 is provided with a valve 72 and allows emptying the reactor 20. The pipe is connected to the bottom portion 24 of the enclosure 12 at the top level of the reactor 20 so as to act also as a liquid level indicator. The coupling of the draining pipe 70 with the enclosure 12 is of course sealed.

[0050] The wall 58 includes an aperture 74, closed by a cap 76, which allows for the refilling of liquid 38.

[0051] Other means to filled and empty the reactor 20 can alternatively or further be provided. [0052] For example, similarly to the funnel 50, the wall 58 can be made detachable so that the bottom of the enclosure 12, which forms the reactor 20, can be accessed.

[0053] The litter 10 is not limited to having a liquid-recuperation system as described above which includes a funnel. Also, the liquid can be recuperated under the receptacle 16 at any other position than at its center. More specifically, a slanted wall (not) can be provided with a drain, similar to the drain 52, positioned at the periphery for example of the enclosure.

[0054] Since the material 60 is hydrophobic and since the airflow circulator 22 contributes to the drying of the solid wastes, the solid wastes are easily removable form the litter 10 which makes the material 60 reusable. The material 60 can be periodically rinsed and disinfected as needed.

[0055] An animal litter according to the present invention is not limited to an airflow circulator as described with reference to the first illustrative embodiment. Indeed, as will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive descriptions of further illustrative embodiments, other means for forcing air from the animal-receiving area into the reactor and then back into the animal-receiving area can be provided.

[0056] Turning now to Figures 7 and 8 of the appended drawings, an animal litter 80 according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Since the animal litter 80 is very similar to the animal litter 10, and for concision purposes, only the differences between these two animal litters 10 and 80 will be described herein, [0057] The main difference between the animal litters 80 and 10 concerns the reactor 82 of the litter 80, which includes a removable recipient 84 slidably mounted in the bottom portion 24 of the enclosure 12 (see arrow 86 on Figure 8).

[0058] The litter 80 further does not include a draining pipe and a cap in the wall 58, such as the draining pipe 70 and the cap 76 in the first illustrative embodiment, since the recipient 84 can be emptied or filled via its top opening 88 when it is removed or at least partially removed.

[0059] In addition to the first sealed separation 59, the drain 52 of the funnel 50 includes a second sealed separation 90 allowing to selectively separate the drain 52 at the level of the top of the recipient 84.

[0060] The reactor 82 is further filled with a hypochlorite solution 92, yielding a chemical reactor which promotes the oxidation and stabilization of the liquid wastes. The reactor 82 can for example be filled with sodium hypochlorite or water including dry chlorine such as calcium hypochlorite.

[0061] The easy removing of the recipient 84 allows easy emptying of the liquid 92, for example in the toilet bowl. For that purpose, the recipient 84 can be provided with a cap at its bottom and/or a spout (both not shown).

[0062] Other liquids, such as those used for example in chemical toilet, can also be used or any other oxidizing substances. The pH of the liquid 92 can be acid so as to promote the formation of ammonium ions (NH₄). Of course, a liquid filled with bacteria, such as the liquid 38 can also be used. [0063] According to a further embodiment, a litter similar to the litter

80 is provided, with any of the following differences compared with the litter 80:

• The liquid in the reactor is a bioactive;

• The liquid in the reactor includes carriers such as carriers 40 in Figures 4 and 6;

• The recipient 82 is provided with a detachable screen (not shown) for retaining the carriers during the emptying of the recipient; and

• The recipient is a closed container (not shown) provided, for example with a handle for easy carrying. The top portion of such recipient includes a sealed aperture to allow passage for the drain 52.

[0064] An animal litter 94 according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 9. Since the litter 94 is similar to the litter 10, only the differences between these two litters will now be described.

[0065] The liquid recuperating system 96 of the litter 94, which operatively connects the receptacle 14 to the reactor 98 so that the reactor 98 is in fluid communication with the receptacle 14, includes a funnel 100 including a drain 102, which is not connected to a pump, but which extends adjacent the bottom 106 of the enclosure 12 and therefore in the reactor 98. More specifically, the drain 102 extends between 1.25 cm to 2.5 cm from the bottom 106. [0066] In addition to the two-part exhaust pipe 62, provided or not with air treatment capabilities, the air circulator 108 according to the third illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes an exhaust stack 110 at the top of the cover 112, an exhaust pipe 114 connected to the exhaust stack 110, and an intake pipe 1 16 connected to a first half of a split intake of the pump 104 which is immersed in the liquid 118 of the reactor 98, the second half of the split intake of the pump receiving liquid 1 18 from the reactor 98. A muffler 120, provided with air treatment capabilities, connects the exhaust and intake pipes 114 and 116.

[0067] In operation of the air circulator of the animal litter 94, odors caused for example by the wastes (not shown) produced by the animal in the receptacle 14 rises into the stack 110 and are sucked with air in the animal- receiving area 61 by the pump through a venturi effect (see arrows 122). The muffler 120 is provided to minimize any small whistle that can be produced by the venturi. Similar to the phenomena described with reference to the first illustrative embodiment, a negative pressure is then produced in the reactor 98, which forces cleaner air therein through the pipe 62 (see arrow 124).

[0068] The muffler 120 can either be an empty enclosure connecting the two pipes 114-116 or be filled with an air treatment substance such as activated carbon or other. Since such air treatment substances are believed to be well known in the art, and for concision purposes, they will not be described furtherin.

[0069] Turning now to Figure 10, an animal litter 126 according to a fourth illustrative embodiment will now be described.

[0070] Since the litter 126 is very similar to the litter 94, only the differences between the two litters 94 and 126 will be described hereinbelow. [0071] According to this fourth illustrative embodiment, the pump

104 is replaced by an air pump 128 secured in the stack 110 and by a diffuser 129 sitting at the bottom 130 of the reactor 132. The stack 110 is connected to the diffuser 129 via a pipe or conduit 134. The diffuser 129 is similar to those used in aquariums to oxygenate the water. However, it can take any form allowing bringing air from the pipe 134 throughout the reactor 132.

[0072] In operation of the air circulator of the animal litter 126, air with any odor from the animal-receiving area 61 is sucks in the stack 110 and then pushed into the pipe 134 by the air pump 128 (see arrows 136). Similar to the phenomena described with reference to the first illustrative embodiment, a negative pressure is then produced in the reactor 132, which forces cleaner air therein through the pipe 62 (see arrow 138).

[0073] According to a further illustrative embodiment of an animal litter according to the present invention (not shown), a combination of at least two of the air flow circulators illustrated with reference to the first, third and fourth illustrative embodiments are used.

[0074] It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the animal litters 10, 80, 94 and 126 described hereinabove, including:

• The reactor can be defined by a container filled with liquid which promotes the treatment of the liquid wastes that is independent from the enclosure including the receptacle and defining the animal-receiving area. Such a container would however be operatively connected to the receptacle so as to be in fluid communication thereto; The reactor can be located on the side of the receptacle, while being at the same level, above or below the receptacle;

The pumps 42, 104 and 128 can be mounted in or out of the enclosure;

The air treatment system in the pipe 62 can operate biologically, chemically and can include any of the following: activated carbon, peat, zeolite, calcium or sodium hypochlorite or any other material or substance promoting bacterial growth or oxydation;

The exhaust pipe can include an external air exhaust to completely or partially send the air coming from the reactor out of the enclosure, thereby creating a negative pressure in the cover which forces fresh air to enter by the trap door;

The opening in the cover can be automatically closed by other types of door, including a split curtain;

The opening that allows access to the animal in the litter can also be in the bottom portion of the enclosure; and

Various colors and shapes can be used for the enclosure and for the hydrophobic material. [0075] Furthermore, even though the enclosure has been described has a two-piece body, it can be assembled from many parts. The enclosure can further have other configuration allowing to receive and to put into functional relationship a receptacle, a reactor and an air circulator as described herein.

[0076] The enclosure 12 can be configured to selectively or permanently hide the various piping included in the litter 10, 80, 94 or 126.

[0077] A person skilled in the art would appreciate that whenever a pump has been described hereinabove in any one of the above-described illustrative embodiments at the intake or outtake of a conduit or pipe, it can be replaced by a fan or blower at the opposite side of the same conduit or pipe with more or less the same efficiency and vice-versa.

[0078] Also, even though the animal litters according to the illustrated embodiments have been described with a reactor located below the receptacle, its position relative to the receptacle may differ. However, when the reactor is not located below the receptacle, means are provided to force the liquid waste collected for example in the funnel below the receptacle into the reactor. Such means may include an air-lift pump or any air circulation means described above adapted for this specific task.

[0079] Even though the present invention has been described as an animal litter adapted for small domestic animals, it is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to use the above teaching to conceive an animal litter according to the present invention adapted for livestock such as, without limitation, rabbit and chicken, and for bigger animals. A paddock or pen can be conceived using the present teaching. [0080] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways, including any combination of features described hereinbelow with reference to the illustrated embodiments. For example, an animal litter according to the present invention can be equipped with any combination of the following: any of the above- described air-flow circulator; any type of reactor as described above and a recipient defined by the reactor that is or is not configured so as to be removable.

[0081] It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An animal litter comprising: an enclosure having an animal opening for allowing access to an animal therein; a receptacle mounted in the enclosure for receiving a hydrophobic material therein and having a top opening for further receiving the animal and an opposite partially opened bottom for allowing draining liquid waste produced by the animal in the receptacle; a reactor mounted in the enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the receptacle for receiving the liquid waste therefrom and for treatment of the liquid waste.

2. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reactor is located below the receptacle.

3. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a liquid-recuperation system so connected to both the receptacle and the reactor therebetween that the reactor is in fluid communication with the receptacle.

4. An animal litter as recited in claim 3, wherein the liquid- recuperation system includes a funnel provided with a drain extending in the reactor.

5. An animal litter as recited in claim 4, wherein the funnel is configured to complementary receive the receptacle thereon in a snugly fitted manner.

6. An animal litter as recited in claim 4, wherein the receptacle defines an animal-receiving area with the enclosure therebetween on the side of the receptacle opposite the reactor; the liquid-recuperation system further including an isolating wall for isolating air-tight the reactor from the animal-receiving area; the isolating wall including an aperture for allowing a sealed passage for the drain.

7. An animal litter as recited in claim 3, wherein the reactor is in the form of a recipient removably mounted in the enclosure and having a closed top; the liquid-recuperation system including a sealed separation for selectively separating the liquid-recuperation system at the level of the closed top of the recipient.

8. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reactor includes a liquid for the treatment of the liquid waste.

9. An animal litter as recited in claim 8, wherein the reactor is a bioreactor.

10. An animal litter as recited in claim 9, wherein the treatment of the liquid waste includes promoting decay of the liquid waste.

11. An animal litter as recited in claim 10, wherein the bioreactor comprises a mobile support in suspension in the liquid to increase productivity of the decay of the liquid waste.

12. An animal litter as recited in claim 8, wherein the reactor is a chemical reactor.

13. An animal litter as recited in claim 8, further comprising a draining pipe provided with a valve and being attached to the enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the reactor for selectively emptying the liquid in the reactor.

14. An animal litter as recited in claim 8, wherein the receptacle defines an animal-receiving area with the enclosure therebetween on the side of the receptacle opposite the reactor; the animal litter further comprising: an airflow circulator mounted to the enclosure for forcing air from the animal-receiving area into the reactor.

15. An animal litter as recited in claim 14, further comprising an isolating wall mounted in the enclosure between the reactor and the receptacle that provides an air-proofed separation between the reactor and the receptacle and a liquid-recuperation system so connected to both the receptacle and the reactor that the reactor is in fluid communication with the receptacle; the isolating wall including a first aperture therein to allow passage for at least a part of the liquid-recuperation system.

16. An animal litter as recited in claim 15, wherein the airflow circulator includes an exhaust pipe secured to the enclosure and having an intake in the reactor through a second aperture in the isolating wall and an outtake in the animal-receiving area.

17. An animal litter as recited in claim 16, wherein the airflow circulator further includes a pump connected to the liquid-recuperation system for creating a positive pressure in the reactor that forces air through the exhaust pipe.

18. An animal litter as recited in claim 17, wherein the liquid- recuperation system includes a funnel mounted in the enclosure under the receptacle; the funnel including a drain which is received in the first aperture of the isolating wall.

19. An animal litter as recited in claim 16, wherein the enclosure is characterized by having a top portion and a bottom; the top portion including an exhaust stack; the airflow circulator further including a pump having a first half of a split input in the liquid and a second half of the split input connected to the exhaust stack via a second pipe; the part of the liquid- recuperation system passing through the first aperture of the isolating wall extending adjacent the bottom of the enclosure so as to be at least partially immersed in the liquid; in operation, air with odors from the animal-receiving area rises in the exhaust stack and is sucked by the pump through a venturi effect; a negative pressure introduced in the reactor forces cleaner air through the exhaust pipe.

20. An animal litter as recited in claim 19, wherein a muffler is provided between the exhaust stack and the pump.

21. An animal litter as recited in claim 20, wherein the muffler is formed by a hollow body enclosing a portion of the second pipe cut in two so as to provide two loose ends thereof; the hollow body further including the two loose ends.

22. An animal litter as recited in claim 16, wherein the enclosure is characterized by having a top portion and a bottom; the top portion including an exhaust stack; the airflow circulator further including an air pump secured to the enclosure in the stack, a diffuser immersed in the liquid and a second pipe connecting the exhaust stack to the diffuser; the part of the liquid- recuperation system passing through the first aperture of the isolating wall extending adjacent the bottom of the enclosure so as to be at least partially immersed in the liquid; in operation, air with odors from the animal-receiving area rises in the exhaust stack and is pushed by the air pump through the reactor via the second pipe; a negative pressure introduced in the reactor forces cleaner air through the exhaust pipe.

23. An animal litter as recited in claim 16, wherein the exhaust pipe is provided with air treatment.

24. An animal litter as recited in claim 16, wherein the exhaust pipe includes an external air exhaust to send at least part of air travelling in the exhaust pipe out of the enclosure.

25. An animal litter as recited in claim 15, wherein the wall includes a second aperture closed by a removable plug for refilling the reactor.

26. An animal litter as recited in claim 14, wherein the airflow circulator includes a filtering system for filtering the air between the reactor and the receptacle.

27. An animal litter as recited in claim 14, wherein the airflow circulator being further for forcing air from the reactor at least partially back into the animal-receiving area.

28. An animal litter as recited in claim 27, wherein at least part of the air form the reactor is rejected out of the enclosure.

29. An animal litter as recited in claim 14, wherein the airflow circulator being further for forcing air from the reactor out of the enclosure.

30. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the enclosure includes a bottom portion and a cover removably mounted to the bottom portion.

31. An animal litter as recited in claim 30, wherein the animal opening is at least partially located in the cover.

32. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the treatment of the liquid waste includes at least one of decay, oxidation and stabilization of the liquid waste.

33. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic material is in granular form.

34. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic material includes at least one of a polymeric material, Teflon™, polyethylene, ceramic, glass and rocks.

35. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is in the form of a tray having a perforated bottom.

36. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reactor further includes a pump to circulate the liquid in the reactor.

37. An animal litter as recited in claim 1 , wherein the animal opening is automatically closed by a door.