WO1996010907A1

WO1996010907A1 - Device sanitary-hygienic for the collection of the organic feces of animals

Info

Publication number: WO1996010907A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/003948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo Battistin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-07
Filing date: 1995-10-06
Publication date: 1996-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1997-04-07
Also published as: ITVI940144A0; ITVI940144A1

Abstract

A sanitary-hygienic device (1; 10; 101; 200) for the collection of the organic feces of the animals, particularly cats, comprises a substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) provided with at least one hole (5; 105; 204) communicating with a receptacle underneath (6; 60; 106; 206), said receptacle having the function to collect the organic dejection of at least one animal, situated on said substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) and above said communicating hole (5; 105; 204).

Description

DEVICE SANITARY-HYGIENIC FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE ORGANIC

FECES OF ANIMALS

The invention relates to a sanitary-hygienic device for the collection of the organic feces of animals, especially suitable for the collection of the organic feces of cats.

Those who posses domestic animals, particularly cats are fully aware that the collection of the feces produced by the daily dejection of those animals, constitutes a problem for which a satisfactory solution has not yet been found.

This problem is particularly felt by those persons who are in cohabitation with the animal in an apartment.

One of the systems most widely used for the collection of the feces consists in placing a tray or container with low sides on the floor.

The bottom of the tray is adequately covered with cat litter in which the cat effects its dejection. One disadvantage of this system is constituted by the fact that these trays require frequent cleaning, which often has to be performed immediately after dejection by the animal to avoid the diffusion of obnoxious odours throughout the area.

Another disadvantage of said system is the elevated consumption of cat litter inasmuchas as a considerable amount of litter on the bottom of the tray has to be replaced during every cleaning.

Furthermore, the utensils necessary for the cleaning, subsequently have to be washed or cleaned.

In an attempt to overcome these disadvantages, sanitary-hygienic devices have been realized consisting of a tray fitted with a rinsing system connected to the domestic water supply line. The jet is controlled by automatic sensors which come into effect every time the animal leaves the tray after dejection and washes the surface of the tray.

Devices of this type are rarely used, because they have a great disadvantage inasmuch as after each rinse, the surface of the tray remains wet for a considerable period.

It is a known fact that animals in general, and particularly cats, are not susceptible to a surface which has a minimum sign of dampness.

The scope of this patent is to eliminate all the disadvantages cited, by realizing a sanitary-hygienic device for the collection of the organic feces of animals of which the principal scope is to greatly reduce the cleaning frequency of the device itself. Another scope of the invention is to reduce the consumption of cat litter.

A further scope is that the cleaning of the device is accomplished without the usual washing process and without contact, by the operator, of the feces.

An additional scope is that the cleaning is accomplished without the use of any utensils.

The final scope is that the device as per invention impedes the diffusion of obnoxious odours.

The scopes described have been attained by the realization of a sanitary- hygienic device for the collection of the organic feces of animals, particularly cats, which, in accordance with the principal claim, is characterized in fact and is comprised of a substantially flat surface provided with at least one hole communicating with a receptacle underneath. This receptacle has the function of receiving the organic feces of at least one animal, situated on the substantially flat surface and above the afore mentioned hole. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, said substantially flat surface is supported around the perimeter by a frame resting on the floor or on any supporting surface with the hole communicating with the said receptacle, which in turn is held inside the frame resting on the same floor or on any supporting surface. On the substantially flat surface to which the cat has access, cat litter is spread. Advantageous is that the receptacle, in which the feces is retained, be lined with a disposable plastic bag, thus eliminating the necessity of cleaning the receptacle itself. Advantageous with an executive variation is that the device be fitted with an adjustable doser for the automatic distribution of the cat litter.

Also advantageous, in accordance with an ulterior executive form, is that the device in the invention be covered with a protective structure. Advantageous, the use of the device in the invention, besides reducing the cleaning frequency, also maintains the area cleaner and free from odours. Further advantageous, the device in the invention reduces the consumption of cat litter and eliminates the requirement for washing, therefore no cleaning utensils are necessary.

The scopes and advantages described become more evident during the description of a selected form of construction of the invention, which are indicative but not limited and are represented in the attached drawings, where: Fig. 1 is the sanitary-hygienic device of the invention illustrated with an axonometric view.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device in frg. 1 shown through section A-A. Fig. 3 is a different embodiment of the invention shown complete with litter doser.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of litter doser represented in fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a further embodiment of the invention illustrated as a cover. Fig. 6 is another different embodiment of the invention. As can be seen in fig. 1 and fig. 2; the sanitary-hygienic device in the invention is indicated completely in 1 and is comprised of a substantially flat surface 2, which, in accordance with the selected form of construction, is supported by lateral sides 3, which support the top section 32, consisting of lateral sides 1 , which are raised in respect to the flat surface 2. The bottom section 31 rests on the floor. Said section, top and bottom, illustrated in fig. 1 and fig. 2, are separate, so flat surface 2 rests on the prismatic frame of the bottom section 31 with sides 3. The sections can be joined together to form a single block with said flat surface 2. In the center of the substantially flat surface 2, a hole is formed 5 with conical collar 51 , attached to the flat surface 2. The hole 5 communicates with receptacle 6, centered and held in place by means of the conical collar 51 , which is coupled coaxially and internally with said receptacle 6.

Preferably the receptacle 6 should be lined with a disposable plastic bag 61, which is held in place between the rim of the receptacle 62 and the conical collar 61 of the flat surface 2. The zone 70, below the flat surface 2 and enclosed laterally by the sides 3 of the bottom section 31, can be utilized for the storage of disposable plastic bags or cat litter for replacement purposes. The utilization of the device in the invention will take place after the animal, in this case the cat, has been trained to use the device correctly, by exploiting its natural instinct to execute the same action always in the same mode and always in the same location. In fact, it is noted that the cat usually satisfies its corporal needs by evacuating in a shallow cavity scratched in the earth. It subsequently covers the excrement by scratching the same earth back into the cavity.

Taking advantage of this habit, the flat surface of the device, as can be seen in fig. 2, is covered with a layer of litter 21 , whilst a quantity of the same litter 63 is introduced into the receptacle 6, but taking care not to fill the receptacle. The receptacle 6 now represents a cavity 52, which induces the cat, when it needs to evacuate, to instinctively settle itself over the cavity, without feeling the necessity to scratch same.

On terminating evacuation the cat, obeying its natural instinct, utilizes the litter 21 , spread on the flat surface 2, to cover the excrement disposed in receptacle 6 and continues this covering operation, smelling occasionally, until such time as no odour is emitted from the excrement itself.

Next time the cat needs to evacuate, it settles itself once again over the cavity of the receptacle 6 and, on terminating evacuation, repeats exactly the same process of covering the excrement. This operation is repeated indefinitely, provided the cat finds the cavity 52 sufficiently deep enough for its needs.

It is sufficient therefore, that the cat owner checks the presence of litter on the surface 2, also the level of litter in the receptacle 6, so that cavity 52 is always present. Furthermore the owner must ensure that the receptacle 6 is emptied when necessary.

To perform the emptying function of receptacle 6, it is sufficient to remove the top section 32, lift the plastic bag 61 from the receptacle and replace it with a new bag. It can therefore be seen, based on the description, that the invention covers all the scopes pre-established.

Firstly the scope has been attained to realize a sanitary-hygienic device which considerably reduces the requirement for frequent cleaning of the device itself.

In fact, seeing that dejection is performed within the receptacle 6, the covering of the excrement with litter is autonomous and performed by the cat, therefore there is no dispersion of bad odours. The emptying of the receptacle is effected only when the receptacle is practically full.

Circumstantially the consumption of litter is automatically reduced.

It is also notable, for the cleaning of the device, that it is sufficient to remove the plastic bag when full and replace it, just the same process as is required by a normal dust-bin.

It is understood also that these operations can be performed without the use of any utensils.

A different embodiment of the invention is represented in fig. 3 and the device is indicated complessively in 10 and fitted with an automatic litter distributer 7. Said distributer 7 is shown in enlarged detail in fig. 4 and is composed of a fixed element 71 , secured to the flat surface 20 and a mobile element 72, both tubular in shape. They are located at the longitudinal end of the device, positioned vertically and coupled at one extreme, with mobile element 72 to rotate inside the fixed element 71.

Fixed element 71 is provided with two apertures 74 at one extreme and mobile element 72 is provided with two corresponding apertures 73 and 75. When mobile element 72 is inserted in fixed element 71 , it can rotate on its axis 77 in both directions, as per arrows 76, so the apertures 74 and 75 can be aligned and provide an adjustable exit 78 for the supply of litter contained in mobile element 72 on the flat surface 20. As the litter descends on to the flat surface 20, it is used by the cat to cover the excrement and, therefore, scraped into the receptacle 60. New litter continues to descend automatically from the apertures 78 on to the flat surface 20, until the supply, contained in mobile element 72, is fully exhausted. Mobile element 72 therefore has to be kept replenished by the owner.

A further embodiment of the sanitary-hygienic device in the invention, whether fitted with, or without the automatic litter distributer 7, is the provision of a protective cover, as represented in fig. 5. As can be observed, the device 101 is covered with a structure 102 and provided with an opening 103 for access by the cat on to the flat surface 104, where the hole 105 communicates with the receptacle 106 underneath.

The protective cover 102 may eventually be fitted with doors to facilitate the replenishment of litter. The executive variations described also attain all the scopes pre-established.

Another embodiment of the sanitary-hygienic device in the invention is displayed in fig. 6 and indicated complessively in 200. It is composed of a substantially flat surface 201 , with lateral border 203, raised in respect to the flat surface itself 201 , in which a hole 24 has been formed, communicating with a receptacle; in this case the toilet bowl of a standard W.C, which collects the feces.

In this example, the sub-surface of said 201 is fitted with pre-shaped inserts, which fit snugly into the rim of the W.C. bowl. Alternatively, instead of the receptacle being the toilet bowl of a standard W.C, the device may be adapted to fit the flat area of a turkish type toilet. Any further variations in the form of a substantially flat surface where there is a hole communicating with a receptacle underneath or, alternatively, variations to the form or dimensions of the automatic cat litter dispenser, or, further still, any variations to the form illustrated for the protective cover are all retained to be protected by this invention.

Claims

1) Sanitary-hygienic device (1; 10; 101; 200) for the collection of the organic feces of the animals, particularly cats, characterized in that it comprises a substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) provided with at least one hole (5; 105; 204) communicating with a receptacle underneath (6; 60; 106; 206), said receptacle having the function to collect the organic dejection of at least one animal, situated on said substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) and above said communicating hole (5; 105; 204).

2) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that said hole (5; 105; 204) through said substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) with a conical collar

(51) fixed to said substantially flat surface, protuding into the receptacle underneath (6; 60;106;206) and which is separate in respect to said substantially flat surface.

3) Device according to clε 1 or 2, characterized in that said substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104; 201) tted with lateral sides (3; 203) around the perimeter of said substantially fl. jrface.

4) Device according to claim 3) characterized in that said lateral sides (3) form part of the top section (32) and serve as lateral limits of surface (2; 20; 104) and part of bottom section (31), where they serve as a supporting element and rest on the bearing surface underneath.

5) Device according to claim 4) characterized in that said top section (32) and said lateral sides (3) present a profile, inclined on the inner surface to converge with the substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104) to which it is fixed.

6) Device according to claim 4) characterized in that the top section (32) and bottom section (31) are both formed with lateral sides (3), but are separate elements; said top section (32) appertaining to the flat surface (2; 20; 104) and said bottom section (31) appertaining to supporting frame underneath the flat surface (2; 20; 104).

7) Device according to claim 4) characterized in that said top section (32) and bottom section (31) and said lateral sides (3) form a monoblock, composed of a single side (3) which appertains also to said substantially flat surface (2; 20; 104).

8) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that it includes at least one litter distributer (7), composed of a fixed element (71), secured to the substantially flat surface (20), coupled with a mobile element (72), in which said cat litter is deposited for distribution. Said fixed element (71), being fitted with at least one aperture (74) aligned with a further aperture (75) formed in mobile element (72), said apertures to form an outlet (78) for the passage of litter on to the flat surface and adjustable by the rotation of the mobile element (72) in respect to the fixed element (71).

9) Device according to claim 8) characterized in that said fixed element (71) and said mobile element (72) present a cross section substantially circular in form.

10) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that inclusive protective cover (102) over said substantially flat surface (104) is provided with an opening

(103) for access to the substantially flat surface (104) which it covers.

11) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that said receptacle (200) serving to collect the organic dejection of at least one animal resting on said substantially flat surface (201 ) and above said communicating hole (204) is the toilet bowl (206) of a standard W.C.

12) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that said receptacle, serving to collect the organic dejection of at least one animal resting on said substantially flat surface (201 ) and above said communicating hole (204) is the flat area of a turkish type toilet.