Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
  • A01K1/01—Removal of dung or urine ; Removal of manure from stables
  • A01K1/0107—Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets
  • A01K1/0114—Litter boxes with screens for separating excrement from litter
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
  • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
  • A01K1/035—Devices for use in keeping domestic animals, e.g. fittings in housings or dog beds

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to domestic animal products.
• the present disclosure relates to a self- drying litter box.
• the typical well-known litter box used for domestic cats is in the form of a rectangular box-like container that is filled with litter material such as sand, clay, zeolite, diatomite, sepiolite, clumping litter material or biodegradable material, including paper.
• litter material such as sand, clay, zeolite, diatomite, sepiolite, clumping litter material or biodegradable material, including paper.
• a top level is configured to receive waste material from the animal, and the lower level is provided to receive the liquid waste from the top level.
• the top level acts as an odor barrier, or, in some other embodiments host a complex mechanism to dry the received waste material.
• most of these litter-boxes require the use of specific and/or proprietary litter materials. This causes problems for some cats that have to adapt to a new litter-box and to a new litter material.
• An object of illustrated embodiments is to provide an improved self-drying litter box.
• a self- drying litter box comprising:
• a tray-superposition arrangement having a lower tray and an upper tray; the upper tray being mounted onto the lower tray in spaced relationship so as to define an empty volume therebetween;
• the upper tray including a bottom defining a first surface capable of receiving first litter material and waste material thereon; the bottom of the upper tray being provided with apertures for allowing air circulating through the bottom of the upper tray;
• the lower tray being capable of receiving a portion of the first litter and waste materials that falls from the upper tray through the apertures;
• the tray-superposition arrangement having at least one ventilation opening for allowing at least one of a) the air circulating from the empty volume to outside of the tray-superposition arrangement, and b) the air circulating from the outside of the tray-superposition arrangement to the empty volume; [0012] whereby, in operation, the litter and waste materials in the upper and lower trays are dried by air circulating through the bottom of the upper tray and through the at least one opening.
• the at least one ventilation opening in the tray-superposition arrangement and the apertures in the bottom of the upper tray contribute to air circulating between the two trays and between the tray arrangement and outside thereof, which cause any waste material in the upper and lower trays to dry, limiting bacteria proliferation and the resulting odour. This increases the operational duration of the litter material.
• a self-drying litter-box comprising:
• a lower tray and an upper tray mounted onto the lower tray; both the lower and upper trays being capable of receiving litter material therein; the upper tray having a bottom provided with apertures therein for allowing air circulation between the upper and lower trays; the lower tray having a peripheral wall including openings for allowing air therethrough.
• a self-drying litter box comprising:
• a tray-superposition arrangement having a lower tray and an upper tray; the upper tray being mounted onto the lower tray in spaced relationship so as to define an empty volume therebetween;
• the upper tray including a bottom defining a first surface capable of receiving first litter material and waste material thereon; the bottom of the upper tray being provided with apertures for allowing air circulating through the bottom of the upper tray;
• the lower tray being capable of receiving second litter material and a portion of the first litter and waste materials that falls from the upper tray through the apertures;
• the tray-superposition arrangement having at least one ventilation opening for allowing at least one of a) the air circulating from the empty volume to outside of the tray-superposition arrangement, and b) the air circulating from the outside of the tray-superposition arrangement to the empty volume;
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self-drying litter box according to a first illustrative embodiment
• Figure 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a self-drying litter box according to a second illustrative embodiment
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a self-drying litter box according to a third illustrative embodiment
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a self-drying litter box according to a fourth illustrative embodiment
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a self-drying litter box according to a fifth illustrative embodiment; and [0033] Figure 7 is a cross-section similar to Figure 2 of a self-drying litter box according to a sixth illustrative embodiment.
• a self-drying litter box 10 for a cat (not shown) according to a first illustrative embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
• the litter box 10 is in the form of an arrangement of two superimposed upper and lower trays 12 and 14.
• the upper tray 12 includes a bottom 16, in the form of a screen, and a one-piece moulded peripheral wall 18.
• the enclosure 20 includes a rectangular recess 24 in one of the two smaller sides thereof, which defines an entry for the cat.
• the stand portion 22 of the peripheral wall 18 includes a shoulder at the end side of the wall 18 opposite the enclosure 20 yielding an enlargement portion 26.
• the enlargement portion 26 allows removably receiving a lower tray 14 having a greater surface than the bottom 16 under thereof and within the peripheral wall 18.
• Providing a lower tray 14 which is both larger and longer than the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12 allows recuperating in the lower tray 14 any matter falling from the upper tray 12 through the screen 16.
• the upper tray 12 being mounted onto the lower tray in spaced relationship yields an empty volume 27 between the lower tray 14 and the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12, under the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12.
• the stand portion 22 of the peripheral wall 18 is provided with rectangular ventilation openings 28, which are levelled with the empty volume 27 and that allow air circulating in and out of the empty volume 27.
• the lower tray 14 is generally rectangular and dimensioned to conform to the shape of the enlargement portion 26.
• the lower tray 14 has a small peripheral flange 30 so as to help contain matter therein during its handling.
• the lower tray 14 is access able by raising the upper tray 12.
• the upper tray 12 allows receiving litter material 32 on the bottom 16 within the enclosure 20.
• litter material 32 any type of litter material can be used, including silica gel, pine pellets, paper, clumping material, sand, etc.
• the screen 16 is configured so as to retain the litter material 32. More specifically, the dimension of the apertures in the bottom screen 16 is such as to minimize the passage of litter material therethrough while allowing passage to air and to waste in liquid form therethrough. Typically, the apertures are between about 0,25 mm and 0,75 mm in diameter. The apertures of the screen 16 is however not limited to this range.
• the screen 16 is also sufficiently rigid so as to support the weight of the animal for which the litter-box 10 is conceived. According to a further embodiment, the screen 16 is reinforced by a frame or another similar structure (not shown). [0045] According to the first illustrated embodiment, the lower and upper trays are made of a polymeric material, including the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12. The components of the litter box 10 may result from a moulding process. The bottom screen 16 can be positioned during such a moulding process or afterwards. According to the first illustrative embodiment, a peripheral groove 34 is provided on the inner side of the peripheral wall 18 to receive the screen 16.
• the inner side of the peripheral wall 18 includes a shoulder to receive the screen 16 thereon.
• the screen 16 is made of metal.
• litter materials 32 The surface of the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12 is covered with litter materials 32.
• the quantity of litter materials 32 should be sufficient to allow a cat to bury its waste as it is well-known to be a conventional habit for such an animal. More or less litter material can of course be used.
• the lower tray 14 allows receiving any of the first litter 32 and waste materials (not shown) that pass through the bottom screen 16 of the upper tray 12. This can happen by gravity or following pressure or friction in the enclosure 20, for example as a result of the cat trying to hide his waste as it is customary from such species. As such, litter material 34 may also be added in the lower tray 14. [0051] Since the upper tray 12 is configured to allow a limited portion of the waste material from the upper tray 12 to fall in the lower tray 14, a small quantity of litter material 34 can be added in the lower tray 14, for example sufficiently to minimize soiling of the surface of the lower tray 14.
• the litter box 10 requires less frequent washing than conventional litter box to provide the same comfort for his/her cat and him/her.
• the litter box 10 also requires adding less frequently litter materials 32 than conventional litter box.
• the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12 can therefore take any form that includes apertures to allow air circulation therethrough.
• the litter material 34 in the lower tray 14 can be different than the litter material 32 in the upper tray 12.
• the litter material in the lower tray may also be omitted.
• the litter box 10 is not limited to any distance between the bottom screen 16 and the lower tray 14, provided that such a distance is sufficient to promote air circulation between the bottom 16 of the upper tray 12 and the lower tray 14.
• the litter box 10 is not limited to the illustrated rectangular shape and can be round, oval, irregular, etc.
• the number, geometry and positions of the ventilation openings are different than those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as long as they promote air circulation under the upper tray.
• a self-drying litter box 40 according to a second illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 3. Since the litter box 40 is similar to the litter box 10, only the differences between these two litter boxes will be described herein for concision purposes.
• the lower tray 42 is in the form of a drawer slidably mounted to the upper tray 44 therein.
• the enlargement 46 of the upper tray 44 is adapted to snugly receive the tray 42. More specifically, a rectangular opening, which is complementary shaped to the width of the drawer 42, is provided in the enlargement portion 46.
• the drawer 42 as a width and a length sufficient to cover at least the surface of the screen 16.
• a self-drying litter box 50 will now be described with reference to Figure 4. Since the litter box 50 is similar to the litter box 10, only the differences between these two litter boxes will be described herein for concision purposes.
• the enlargement portion 52 of the upper tray 54 includes four elongated recesses 56 and 58 (only two shown), each extending on a respective side of the enlargement portion so as to define four corner legs 59 (only three shown) and four ventilation openings therebetween.
• ventilation openings in the stand portion of the upper tray 54 are omitted.
• one or more additional ventilation openings are further provided in the peripheral wall just below the screen 16.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a self-drying litter-box 60 according to a fourth illustrative embodiment. Since the litter boxes 60 and 10 are similar, only the differences therebetween will now be described.
• the stand portion 62 is provided with a peripheral flange 64 extending from within the peripheral wall 66.
• the flange 64 is inclined inwardly so as to define a funnel to guide in the lower tray 68 any waste and litter materials falling through the bottom screen 16.
• the enlargement portion 26 in the stand portion is omitted.
• the funnel 64 acts as a mean to insure that any material passing through the screen 16 falls in the lower tray 68.
• the lower tray 68 has a surface equal or smaller than the bottom 16.
• a funnel similar to the funnel 64 is provided on the litter box 10.
• FIG. 6 shows a litter box 70 similar to the litter box 10 that includes, as a difference, a motorized fan 72 inserted in a ventilation opening 74 levelled with the other ventilation openings 28.
• the fan 72 allows forcing the air circulation described hereinabove.
• the fan 72 can be energized for example using any conventional means, including batteries or connection to the power grid (both not shown).
• the distance between the bottom screen 16 and the lower tray 14 is sufficient to allow the fan 72 to be operatively received on the peripheral wall 18 so as to be registered with the volume 27.
• more than one fan 72 is provided.
• the fan 72 is removably mounted to any one of the ventilation opening 28 or more generally to the litter- box, inside or outside thereof, using a mounting bracket and/or a casing (not shown).
• a mounting bracket or casing can be configured so as to be clipped onto a ventilation opening 28 or fastened onto the peripheral wall 18 so as to be operative through the opening 28.
• the peripheral wall 18 includes a single opening that operatively receives the fan 72.
• the conventional fan 72 can be replaced by any air moving means such as, without limitation, a squirrel cage type of fan.
• a self-drying litter 80 according to a sixth illustrative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 7. Since the litter 80 is similar to the litter 10, only differences therebetween will now be described for concision purposes. [0074]
• the litter box 80 includes an upper tray 82 that is removably mounted onto a lower tray 84.
• the upper tray 82 is in the form of a rectangular box-like container having a bottom in the form of a screen 16 and four lateral walls 86-92 secured thereto.
• a short inwardly tapered skirt extends from the walls 86-92. The skirt allows easy mounting of the upper tray 82 onto the lower tray 84 in a snugly fitting relationship. Other mounting arrangement can be provided.
• the lower tray 84 is in the form of the stand portion 22 from
• Figure 1 provided with a bottom 94.
• the enlargement portion is omitted in the lower tray 84.
• the operation of the litter box 80 is similar to the operation of the litter box 10 from Figurel , and the bottom of the lower tray 84 can be accessed by raising the upper tray 82.
• the two trays 82 and 84 have similar rectangular shapes and sections. According to a further embodiment (not shown), the general shapes and/or sizes of the two trays 82 and 84 differ, apart from the top end section of the lower tray 84 and the lower end section of the upper tray 82 which are similar so as to be joined. [0080] According to still another embodiment (not shown), the two trays 82-84 include well-known coupling means to contribute improving their interconnection and stability.
• some or all of the apertures 28 are substituted by recesses in the peripheral wall of either one of the upper and lower trays 82 and 84 so as to define side opening with the peripheral wall of the other one of the upper and lower trays 82-84.
• the application of the litter boxes according to the illustrated embodiments is not limited to cat. They can be adapted as an animal litter box for other domestic animals such as dogs and rabbits.
• a ramp or a step can be provided on any side of the litter box to ease the entering of the domestic animal therein.
• a ramp or step could be provided with apertures or slits (not shown) to allow for air circulation and/or an embossed surface, grooves or any other means contributing to remove litter material attached to the animal paws when the animal exits the litter box.
• the ramp and litter box can be configured so that such litter material would fall in the lower tray;
• - drying, absorbent, adsorbent, deodorant products including without limitations essential oil, and/or disinfectant product or system, such as ultraviolet-based system
• disinfectant product or system such as ultraviolet-based system
• Such an additional element can be mounted or associated to a fan so as to improve its efficiency
• an activated carbon filter, peat or else can be further used to improve odour control.
• additional odour control means can be added to the natural ventilation or to any forced ventilation system added;
• the enclosure portion of the peripheral wall of the upper tray can be provided with height-adjustable elements
• the bottom screen of the upper tray can be in the form of a metal or plastic mesh or it can be made of any other material.
• the screen can be fixedly or removably mounted to the peripheral wall so as to be replaceable;
• each of the upper and lower trays can be made of plastic, or of any other material;
• the litter box can further include a cover, removably or fixedly mounted onto the upper tray.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
• Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50067317

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2012
  • 2012-08-10 WO PCT/CA2012/000753 patent/WO2014022903A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2012-08-10 EP EP12882842.3A patent/EP2882282A4/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2012-08-10 KR KR20157003327A patent/KR20150040291A/ko not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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