CA2173510A1 - Litter straining and reclaiming device - Google Patents
Litter straining and reclaiming deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2173510A1 CA2173510A1 CA002173510A CA2173510A CA2173510A1 CA 2173510 A1 CA2173510 A1 CA 2173510A1 CA 002173510 A CA002173510 A CA 002173510A CA 2173510 A CA2173510 A CA 2173510A CA 2173510 A1 CA2173510 A1 CA 2173510A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- litter
- litter box
- flange
- sieve tray
- box
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 210000002700 urine Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000012163 sequencing technique Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 abstract description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 abstract description 7
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000013872 defecation Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000027939 micturition Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 2
- 241001274216 Naso Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000052616 bacterial pathogen Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B7/00—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents
- B07B7/01—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using gravity
-
- 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, e.g. from stables
- A01K1/0107—Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets
- A01K1/0114—Litter boxes with screens for separating excrement from litter
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
Abstract
The invention is a litter straining and reclaiming device which provides a simple and quick and simple system for separating and disposing of feces and urine saturated clumps of litter while reclaiming the still clean litter for reuse. This is done by utilizing a manually removeable sieve tray recessed within an open faced litter box which sifts and separates the clean litter from the soiled litter when it is raised. the sieve is then placed in a second entirely identical litter box after which the combined sieve tray and second litter box are inverted and placed over and upon the first litter box containing the reuseable litter. The combined litter boxes and sieve tray and litter therein are then inverted to allow the reuseable litter to fall into the second litter box containing the sieve tray. After this combination is inverted, the originally used litter box is removed and can be stored upright under the combined refilled litter box and sieve tray. The identical litter boxes are equipped with a combination of guide cones and opposing recesses to provide a seal about the flanged perimeters of the litter boxes to prevent spillage when combined litter boxes are inverted. The flanged perimeters also provide a handle surface at both ends of the boxes. The invention may be constructed rectangularly or squarely. The invention can be constructed of plastic or of a suitable sheet metal. This invention allows for the conservation and recycling of reuseable litter while simplifying the removal of feces and urine saturated clumps of litter from the device and this invention provides a container for the purpose of defecation and urination by household pets, primarily cats.
Description
~ 2173510 BACKGROUND OF THE IN~ENTION
Litter boxes used most commonly for a domestic cats purpose defecation and urination are well known~ Known litter boxes are commonly constructed in the form of a plastic tray, 5 the sides having adequate height to contain litter while allowing the animal easy access, these litter boxes are known to utilize a plastic liner between the tray interior and the litter contained within 7 as well~
The difficulty that arsises with such litter boxes is that the 10 feces and urine saturated clumps or particles of litter are most commonly removed manually by using a small scoop which is dug through the litter to find and remove the undesirable contents therein~ This results in a time consuming and foul smelling task that is undesirable to many pet owners~
15 Another inherent shortcoming of this known litter box is the only alternate method of cleaning the litter box is the disposal of the entire contents therein and refilling it with unused litter~ This method of disposal results in the waste of reuseable litter material and often creates foul smelling 20 clay dust from the spent litter permeating the air when it is poured into a refuse container~
Several solutions have been created to simplify the cleaning of the litter box~ Most noteable, the known invention United States patent 5,012,765 to Naso, Barbaro, and Howard 25 May 1991 teaches the useage of two opposing litter boxes ~- 21 7351 0 slideably connected to an interposed screen mesh thereby allowing the still clean litter to fall away from the ussd litter box through a screen into the unused, empty litter box situated below~
5 The disadvantage to the Naso, Barbaro~ and Howard litter box system is that the full litter box containing the soiled litter is inverted above the screen mesh to allow gravity and shaking movement to separate the reuseable litter into the lower empty litter box~ but this process can result in 10 semi solid feces and urine saturated litter clumps being ground into the mesh thereby creating a fouled screen mesh requiring cleaning or becoming a source of foul odor and airborne germs unless properly stored when the screen mesh is not in use~
~lso, semi solid feces and urine saturated clumps of litter 15 can be ground through the screen mesh by grating action from any shaking motion and the weight of the litter above it, thereby defeating the purpose it was intended for~
further disadvantage to the Naso, ~arbaro, and Howard litter screening system is that when the opposing litter 20 boxes are separated after the screening of the litter is completed, the inverted litter box can still drop residual amounts of litter or soiled litter when either the upper litter box is slid off the combined lower refilled litter box and screen mesh or the combined upper litter box and 25 screen mesh is slid off the lower litter box~ These litter particles would fall aside from the lower litter box, as the ~_ 2173510 upper litter box is being moved aside from it, thereby littering the floor or requiring paper or such on the floor to catch 5pi llage~
The final disadvantage to the Naso, Barbaro 7 and Howard system 5 is that the sliding guide joining the opposing litter boxes and interposed screen mesh can become fouled with semi solid feces and urine which can be deposited along the side where the screen mesh and upper soiled litter box abut when the device is entirely inverted for cleaning and refilling~
10 ~nother litter box device as taught by Canadian patent 2,105,833 to Guindi March 1995 which utilizes a screening material located within a single litter box, this screening material having attached handles at either end attached thereto, this screen is removed upward through the litter 15 in order to catch and remove feces and urine clumped litter which is to be disposed of~
The disadvantage of this invention is that to replace the thin plastic screen it must be pushed back down through the unused, reclaimed litter by agitating the device horizontally in 20 order to again clean the litter box in the future~ As this is constructed of plastic it is~ like most plastic, either easily bent if it is flexible or easily broken if it is rigid, this being due to the invention not being secured along the length of its sides for strength and rigidity of shape to 25 properly recess through the reclaimed litter to the floor ~_ 2173~10 of the filled litter box~
Yet another invention for cleaning a litter box is taught by Canadian patent 2,071,358 to Schulein and Polson October 1993 which utilizes a disposable perforated liner which removes 5 urine clumped litter and feces while the reuseable litter passes through the perforations and back into the litter box~
The disadvantage to this invention is that though it saves reuseable litter which it is intended to do, the financial or ecological advantage is offset by discarding the perforated 10 liner~ ~s this invention is only used once~ the litter box has then been refilled with reuseable litter but is lacking another perforated liner thereby requiring the litter box to be manually scooped out after the next useage~ or discarding all of the reused litter at that time in order to apply another 15 liner~
SUMMf~RY OF THE INVENTION
The general object of this invention is to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device comprising a set of two identical litter boxes and a recessable sieve tray that will separate feces 20 and urine clumped litter from reuseable clean litter with a simple and effective means~
It is a further object of this invention to provide a pair of compatible identical litter boxes into which the emptied sieve ~_ 2173510 tray can be recessed within one and the combination of this opposing litter box and sieve tray be inverted and adjoined at the flanges of the open faced sides and sealingly aligned upon the other litter box containing the litter to be reused, 5 this alignment by means of guide cones and matingly compatible recesses located on the flanged end sides thereby allowing the entirety therof to be inverted to refill the opposing empty upper litter box containing the sieve tray with the reuseable litter from the previously cleaned litter box~
10 It is a further object of this invention to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device which can separate contaniments from the reuseable litter in such a manner as not to contanimate the air with feces or urine fouled clay litter dust that can carry microscopic organisms and cause 15 unpleasant odor~
It is a further object of this invention to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device which can contain the sieve tray recessed within its sides and base dimensions, which is filled with litter therein when in use, while this combination 20 of litter box and recessed sieve tray can set within the dimensions of the sscond identical litter box, thereby occupying a minimum of storage space~
In one of its aspects the invention provides~ a litter box comprising: a rectangular or square sieve tray constructed of 25 plastic or thin sheet metal and having slightly outwardly angled raised walls recessed snuggly within an open faced rectangular or square shaped litter box constructed of plastic or thin sheet metal, respectively, with slightly outwardly angled raised walls, respectively, in order to allow the sieve tray 5 base to set upon the surface of the surrounding litter box bottom surfacei whereupon the sieve tray flange sets upon the surface of the surrounding litter box flange. The bottom surface of the sieve tray is grated with openin~s of adequate size, uniform arrangement, and abundance to allow unsoiled litter to 10 sift through while preventing feces or urine saturated clumps of litter to fall back into the litter box being cleaned by the removal and sifting motion manually applied to the sieve trayi the grated openings may be of any adequate shape such as square 7 rectangular, or round and can be arranged in any adequate pattern 15 as to cover the sieve tray base. In order to refill the device the invention provides a second entirely identical litter box into which the previously removed and emptied sieve tray is then recessed therein. The second litter box with the emptied sieve tray contained therein is then inverted so the open faced 20 surface faces downwards, whereupon this combined second litter box and sieve tray is placed on top of the first litter box containing the reuseable litter~ ~ set of single raised guide cone and single depressed recess are located at one end of the first and second litter box flanges with a second set of single 25 raised guide cone and single depressed recess located at the opposite end of the two litter box flanges, the guide cones and recesses being in ioinable position when the flanges of the two ~_ 2173~10 litter boxes are adjoined about the perimeter with the flange of the sieve tray situated between. The guide cone and recess are located at an equal distance on either side of the center distance of the length of the flanged end on each end of the 5 two litter box flanges with the guide cone and recess being located in opposite sequence at the opposite end flange of the same litter box, this allows the litter boxes to be compatibly joinable with either litter box being turned 180 degrees from its former compatibly joinable position. The sieve tray flange 0 is provided with two passage holes at either end of the flange to permit the guide cones passage therethrough to be joinable with the recesses on the opposing side when the two litter box flanges are adjoined on either side of the sieve tray flange, the two passage holes on either side of the sieve tray 15 are of sufficient size to permit complete passage of the diameter of the guide cones, the two passage holes on either side of the sieve tray flange are located in the same position as to be aligned with the positions of the guide cones and recesses of the litter box flanges. The passage holes of the 20 sieve tray also allow complete recessability of the sieve tray within either of the two litter boxes by allowing the passage of the singular guide cone located at either flanged end of the litter box in use. The interconnecting guide cones and recesses provide an alignment around the four sides of the litter box 25 containing the reuseable litter and the inverted opposing litter box containing the recessed sieve tray to sealingly enclose the contents of the two joined litter boxes~ The joined flanges ~173~10 provide a handle at either end which is manually grasped to sealingly join the device together, and then the device is entirely inverted to allow the reuseable litter to fall into the litter box containing the sieve tray which became situated 5 facingly upright beneath the previously used litter box containing the reuseable litter when the joined unit was inverted~ After this refilling process is completed the upper emptied litter box is removed and can be placed with the open face side upwards and beneath the litter box with the recessed 10 sieve tray and litter contained therein; the dimensions and shape of the slightly outwardly angled sides permit either identical litter box to be recessable, one within the other, for compactness of storage, and the identical positioning of the guide cones and recesses of the flanges allow the guide cones 15 of the lower litter box to be joinable with the recesses of the upper litter box, in this position recesses are also provided for the guide cones by utilizing the hollow inner sides of the litter boxes guide cones, the hollow inner sides of the guide cones being identical in dimension and shape as the recesses, 20 guide cones are also provided by utilizing the outer sides of recesses, these being identical in dimension and shape as the guide cones~
In another of its aspects the invention provides: a litter straining and reclaiming device comprising: a litter cleaning and 25 recycling system as previously described of which the floor or bottom of the identical litter boxes have raised grate fillers 2i73510 ~i which are joinable with the grating pattern of the sieve traythereby creating an even level surface when the sieve tray is recessed within the litter box; the raised grid work being of equal height as the thickness of the sieve tray grated grid with 5 the grate fillers being of the same shape and compatible size to fill the openings of the grated bottom of the sieve tray~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention now follow with reference to the drawings in which:~0 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the litter straining and reclaiming device having the recesses sieve tray contained in the lower upright litter box with the second depicted inverted opposingly above~
FIGURE 2 is an end view of the litter straining and reclaiming device combined~ with the first litter box upright and below and the second litter box inverted opposingly above and the flange of the recessed sieve tray shown between the flanges of the upper and lower litter boxes~~0 FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectionalized end view of the interconnecting alignment guide cones, passage holes~
and recesses located on the end flanges~
FIGURE 4 is an overview of a single litter box containing the recessed sieve tray therein~
25 FIGURE 5a is an end view of a litter box variation containing ~ 2173510 the recessed sieve tray similar to that shown in Figure 4 as would be taken along cutting line 5 - 5.
FIGURE 5b is an end view of a single litter box with the sieve tray recessed therein as shown in Figure 4 and taken along cutting line 5 - 5~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBO~IMENT
detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention~ together with useful variations thereof, now follows~
Referring now to FIGURE 1 which shows a perspective view of the 10 litter straining and reclaiming device of which the litter box la, which is constructed of rib reinforced plastic or thin sheet metal, contains the sieve tray 2, constructed of a similar material, recessed therein. The combined litter box la and sieve tray 2 contains the litter material (not shown) for 15 use by a domestic animal) primarily a cat~
For compactness of storage space, the inverted opposing litter box lb, constructed of the same material as litter box la and sieve tray 2~ may be placed with the oPen face side upright as litter box la is shown in FIGURE 1 with the combined litter 20 filled sieve tray 2 recessed within litter box la jointly recessed within the second litter box lb (not shown)~
Litter box lb is shown inverted opposingly above litter box la containing sieve tray 2 in position to be combined with or ,, 2173510 removed from the combined litter box la and sieve tray 2~
When the feces and urine saturated clumps of litter are to be removed from the litter contained within litter box la and sieve tray 2, the sieve tray 2 is lifted upwards and slightly 5 shaken to allow reuseable litter particles (not shown) to fall through the grate holes 8 shown in FIGURE 4 located in the sieve tray 2 bottom grated grid 9 shown in FIGURE 4 thereby returning to the litter box 1a~
The remaining sieve tray 2 contents are then disposed of in a 10 refuse container, afterwhich the sieve tray 2 is placed within the opposing litter box lb and this combination is inverted and placed interconnecting end upon interconnecting end upon litter box la containing the reclaimed litter~
Whereupon litter box lb and sieve tray 2 are combined with 15 litter box la; the flange 3b of litter box lb, the flange 4 of sieve tray 2, and the flange 3a of litter box la form a joined flange which manually seal the combined litter boxes when the joined flanges 3b~ 4 and 3a are firmly grasped at both ends whereat functionable handle surfaces are provided~
20 The functionable handle sur~ace provided at either end of the litter box flanges 3a and 3b is located between guide cone 10a and recess 6a of flange 3a and guide cone 10b and recess 6b of flange 3bi the handle being either a flat surface as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, or the handle surface is a depressed fluted 25 surface (not shown) of sufficient length to accomadate an adult 2~73510 ~, hand, the fluted width being a portion of the outward width of the flanged end as is located on both end flanges of litter box la or lb, the fluted depressed depth being sufficiently adequate between the level plane of the flange and 5 the level of the fluted handle to provide accessability of adult fingers between the handle surface of both litter boxes la51b and the flange 4 of the sieve tray 2 interposed therebetween when the litter boxes la and lb are opposingly ioined.
To provide alignment and stabilitY resulting in a proper seal 10 litter box la flange 3a and the identical second opposing litter box lb flange 3b provide raised guide cones lOa on flange 3a and lOb on flange 3b at both ends of each litter box which are inserted within provided lowered recesses 6b on flange 3b and 6a on flange 3a respectively thereby providing interconnecting 15 stability and sealingly joined flanges when the litter boxes are opposingly joined with the flange 4 of the recessable sieve tray 2 interposed between; thereby preventing the combined device from sliding apart laterally and preventing spillage when the device is completly inverted during refilling the 20 sieve tray 2 with reuseable litter~
To provide passage of the guide cones lOa and lOb through the sieve tray 2 flange 4 a pair of passage holes 7 are located at both ends of the flange 4 as shown in FIGURE 4; to allow passage of the guide cones lOa 5 lOb the passage holes 7 are of adequate 25 width and shape to allow the guide cones passage therethrough;
to provide proper alignment the passage holes 7 are located at ~ 2i 7351 0 the same distances along the length of the end sides of flange qas the guide cones lOa,lOb and recesses 6a,6b are located on along the length of the end sides of flanges 3a,3b respectively~
Each set of guide cone lOa and recess 6a or guide cone lOb and 5 recess 6b are located on both ends of flange 3a and flange 3b respectively, each set of guide cone and recess is divided at an equal distance apart from the center of the length of the end of the flange the set is located on, thereby positioning the guide cones lOa or lOb to be in a joinable position with the 10 recesses 6b or 6a when litter box la and opposing litter box lb are opposingly joined at the flanges 3a,3b with the sieve tray 2 flange 4 interposed therebetween, the guide cones lOa,lOb and recesses 6a,6b are positioned in reverse sequence at the opposite end of the same litter box flange 3a,3b respectively, 15 thereby enabling the litter box la or opposing litter box lb to be rotated 180 degrees around on the open faced side plane from its previous opposingly joinable position to its secondary opposingly joinable position.
To refill the upper inverted litter box lb, herein also referred 20 to as the second litter box lb or the opposing litter box lb, and the recessed sieve tray 2 contained therein with the reuseable litter contained in the strained and cleaned litter box la the facingly combined litter box la and opposing litter box lb containing the recessed sieve tray 2 are grasped 25 together at the handles provided and entirely inverted allowing the litter to fall into the opposing litter lb and sieve tray 2, the litter straining and reclaiming device being ready for reuseafter removing litter box la~
~fter filling litter box lb, litter box la may be stored flanged face upwards beneath the combined litter box lb and sieve tray 2, 5 as the outwardly angled sides permit either litter box to fit one within the other with the coned outer sides of rècesses 6b being inserted within recesses 6a and guide cones 10a being inserted within the recessable inner side of guide cones 10b~ With the next cleaning the positions of the litter box 1a and opposing 10 litter box lb are reversed through the same procedure~ Either litter box la~lb may be lifted from the other and rotated 180 degrees around on the litter boxes base plane from its previously first joinable position to its secondary joinable position.
The dimensional references accorded by these descriptions 15 describe an apparatus of two litter boxes la,lb and sieve tray 2 which are of a rectangular shape with the flanged ends providing the surface location of the guide cones 10a,10b, recesses 6a,6b, and passage holes 7 at opposite ends of the litter box flanges 3a,3b and sieve tray flange 4 respectively, it is also 20 within the scope of this invention to provide the litter boxes and sieve tray in a square shape having the length of all four sides of the litter boxes equal, and the length of all four sides of the recessable sieve tray equal though marginally less thereby providing recessability within the litter boxes, and having the 25 guide cones, recesses, and passage holes located on the opposite flanged sides of the litter boxes or sieve tray respectively, ~ 21 7351 0 all other descriptions of the invention are as encompassed by the description in respect to a rectangular litter straining and reclaiming devic~e.
Referring now to FIGURE 2 which shows an end view of the litter 5 straining and reclaiming device depicting the combined litter box la and inverted opposing litter box lb adjoining the sieve tray flange 4 located between the upper flange 3b and the lower flange 3a.
Whereas the combined litter boxes laJ1b and sieve tray 2 are 10 positioned in a manner shown as to begin refilling the opposing litter box lb which contains the recessed sieve tray 2 therein, wherein the reuseable litter is contained in litter box la J by manually grasping the joined litter box la,lb flanges 3aJ3b with sieve tray 2 flange 4 interPosed therebetween 15 and inverting the combined device~ afterwhich the then upper litter box la would be removed to provide reuse of the then lower litter box lb containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein containing the reuseable litter, as previouslY described~
Whereas the combined litter boxes la~lb and sieve tray 2 are 20 positioned in a manner shown to be refilled the opposing litter box lb depicts the litter box having emptied the reuseable litter into litter box la containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein~ requiring the opposing litter box lb to be removed for useage of litter box la containing sieve tray 2 25 recessed therein containing the reuseable litter, as previouslY
2113~ 1 0 described~
Referring now to FIGURE 3 which shows an enlarged sectional view of the interconnecting guide cone lOa which is a raised impression of flange 3a, of litter box la, passing in an upwards 5 direction through a passage hole 7 of compatible size, shape, and alignment in flange 4 of sieve tray 2, and into the recess 6b, which is a lowered depression of flange 3b of opposing litter box lb; the combined interconnecting guide apparatus used in conjunction with guide cone lOb, which is an inverted raised 10 impression of flange 3b of the second littsr box lb, passing in a downwards direction through a passage hole 7 of compatible size, shape and alignment in flange 4 of sieve tray 2 and into recess 6a, which is a lowered depression of flange 3a of litter box lai these interconnecting 15 guide cones lOa,lOb, passage holes 7, and recesses 6a,6b are positioned such that each set of guide cone and recess on each flanged end is located at an equal distance apart from the center of the length of the flange 3a or 3b whereat a guide cone lOa or lOb is on one side of this center position and 20 recess 6a or 6b is on the other side, respectively, with the passage holes 7 being aligningly located in the flange 4 of sieve tray 2 to provide passage for the guide cones lOa,lOb~
The guide cone lOa inserted in recess 6b on the left side of the flanges 3a,3b shown in FIGURE 3 and the guide cone lOb 25 inserted in recess 6a on the right side of the flanges 3a,3b shown in FIGURE 3 are positioned in reverse se~uence at the opposite combined end flanges to provide either litter box 1a,1bto be turnable 180 degrees around on the open faced plane and be joinably combined in a second similar position~
Referring now to FIGURE 4 which shows an overview of 5 litter box 1a containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein and showing the grated grid 9 and grate holes 8 which provide reuseable litter to be siftingly strained back into litter box 1a after sieve tray 2 i5 lifted and slightly shaken after its removal through the litter and from the litter box lai it is 10 understood that the grate holes 8 may be in the square shape as shown and of adequate size to provide proper separation of the disposable feces and urine saturated clumps of litter from the reuseable litter particles and that the grate holes 8 are arranged in a suitable pattern as to provide a grated grid 9 15 which adequately encompasses the sieve tray 2 bottomi it is also understood that the grate holes 8 may be of suitable shapes such as circular, rectangular, or other holed shapes arranged in a suitable grated grid 9 pattern which can accomplish this same purpose.
20 The reversed positioning sequence of the guide cone 10a and recess 6a at the opposite ends of the same flange 3a is clearly shown 5 this reversal sequence of guide cone and recess in comparison with the opposite end of the same flange provides either identical litter box la,lb to be turned 180 degrees from 25 its joinable position with the other litter box and be in a secondary similar joinable position~
~, 2173510 Referring now to FIGURE 5a which is an alternate embodimentend view of litter box lc which represents an alternation to litter box la and opposing litter box lb as would be taken along cutting line 5 - 5 of FIGURE 4 which shows sieve tray 2 S flange 4 placed on litter box lc flange 3c and grated grid 9 of sieve tray 2 recessed upon the bottom of litter box lci the alternate embodiment of litter box lc is that the bottom surface of the litter box lc has raised grid fillers 11 which protrude into the grate holes 8 of the grated grid 9; this provides the 10 combined litter box lc and sieve tray 2 with an even surfaced floor upon which the litter is placed; it is understood that the dimensions and positioning of the grid fillers 11 are in aligned position and have the same shape as the positioning and shape of the grate holes 8 to provide total recessabilitY for 15 the sieve tray 2i it is also understood that the grid fillers 11 are similar in shape as the grate holes 8 but are slightly smaller to provide ease of recessability for the grated grid 9;
it is further understood that this variation of embodiment is provided by both first litter box and second opposing 20 litter box.
The guide cone lOc is shown protruding at the upper left side of the sieve tray 2 flange 4 for alignment useage when the identical opposing litter box is combined thereto.
Referring now to FIGURE 5b which is an end view of litter box la 25 containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein as shown in FIGURE 4 and taken along cutting line 5 - 5 showing sieve tray 2 flange 4 placed upon flange 3a of litter box la and sieve tray 2 recessedwithin litter box lai the grated grid 9 is shown adjoining the bottom of litter box la whereupon the interior of litter box la and sieve tray 2 i5 contained the litter (not shown)~ the 5 sieve tray 2 grate holes 8 provide passage of the reuseable litter when the sieve tray 2 is lifted and shaken to sift the reuseable litter through the grate holes 8 in order to separate the feces and urine saturated clumps of litter which remains within the sieve tray 2 being unable to pass through the 10 grate holes 8.
The guide cone lOa is shown protruding at the top left side of sieve tray 2 flange 4 to provide alignment with the opposins litter box lb when it is invertingly combined thereupon.
Various modifications such as the size and shape of the litter 15 straining and reclaiming device or various arrangements of the sieve tray 2 grate holes 8 or pattern of the grated grid 9 may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The above disclosure shall be interpreted as illustrative only and limited only by the scope of the invention 20 as defined in the following claims~
Litter boxes used most commonly for a domestic cats purpose defecation and urination are well known~ Known litter boxes are commonly constructed in the form of a plastic tray, 5 the sides having adequate height to contain litter while allowing the animal easy access, these litter boxes are known to utilize a plastic liner between the tray interior and the litter contained within 7 as well~
The difficulty that arsises with such litter boxes is that the 10 feces and urine saturated clumps or particles of litter are most commonly removed manually by using a small scoop which is dug through the litter to find and remove the undesirable contents therein~ This results in a time consuming and foul smelling task that is undesirable to many pet owners~
15 Another inherent shortcoming of this known litter box is the only alternate method of cleaning the litter box is the disposal of the entire contents therein and refilling it with unused litter~ This method of disposal results in the waste of reuseable litter material and often creates foul smelling 20 clay dust from the spent litter permeating the air when it is poured into a refuse container~
Several solutions have been created to simplify the cleaning of the litter box~ Most noteable, the known invention United States patent 5,012,765 to Naso, Barbaro, and Howard 25 May 1991 teaches the useage of two opposing litter boxes ~- 21 7351 0 slideably connected to an interposed screen mesh thereby allowing the still clean litter to fall away from the ussd litter box through a screen into the unused, empty litter box situated below~
5 The disadvantage to the Naso, Barbaro~ and Howard litter box system is that the full litter box containing the soiled litter is inverted above the screen mesh to allow gravity and shaking movement to separate the reuseable litter into the lower empty litter box~ but this process can result in 10 semi solid feces and urine saturated litter clumps being ground into the mesh thereby creating a fouled screen mesh requiring cleaning or becoming a source of foul odor and airborne germs unless properly stored when the screen mesh is not in use~
~lso, semi solid feces and urine saturated clumps of litter 15 can be ground through the screen mesh by grating action from any shaking motion and the weight of the litter above it, thereby defeating the purpose it was intended for~
further disadvantage to the Naso, ~arbaro, and Howard litter screening system is that when the opposing litter 20 boxes are separated after the screening of the litter is completed, the inverted litter box can still drop residual amounts of litter or soiled litter when either the upper litter box is slid off the combined lower refilled litter box and screen mesh or the combined upper litter box and 25 screen mesh is slid off the lower litter box~ These litter particles would fall aside from the lower litter box, as the ~_ 2173510 upper litter box is being moved aside from it, thereby littering the floor or requiring paper or such on the floor to catch 5pi llage~
The final disadvantage to the Naso, Barbaro 7 and Howard system 5 is that the sliding guide joining the opposing litter boxes and interposed screen mesh can become fouled with semi solid feces and urine which can be deposited along the side where the screen mesh and upper soiled litter box abut when the device is entirely inverted for cleaning and refilling~
10 ~nother litter box device as taught by Canadian patent 2,105,833 to Guindi March 1995 which utilizes a screening material located within a single litter box, this screening material having attached handles at either end attached thereto, this screen is removed upward through the litter 15 in order to catch and remove feces and urine clumped litter which is to be disposed of~
The disadvantage of this invention is that to replace the thin plastic screen it must be pushed back down through the unused, reclaimed litter by agitating the device horizontally in 20 order to again clean the litter box in the future~ As this is constructed of plastic it is~ like most plastic, either easily bent if it is flexible or easily broken if it is rigid, this being due to the invention not being secured along the length of its sides for strength and rigidity of shape to 25 properly recess through the reclaimed litter to the floor ~_ 2173~10 of the filled litter box~
Yet another invention for cleaning a litter box is taught by Canadian patent 2,071,358 to Schulein and Polson October 1993 which utilizes a disposable perforated liner which removes 5 urine clumped litter and feces while the reuseable litter passes through the perforations and back into the litter box~
The disadvantage to this invention is that though it saves reuseable litter which it is intended to do, the financial or ecological advantage is offset by discarding the perforated 10 liner~ ~s this invention is only used once~ the litter box has then been refilled with reuseable litter but is lacking another perforated liner thereby requiring the litter box to be manually scooped out after the next useage~ or discarding all of the reused litter at that time in order to apply another 15 liner~
SUMMf~RY OF THE INVENTION
The general object of this invention is to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device comprising a set of two identical litter boxes and a recessable sieve tray that will separate feces 20 and urine clumped litter from reuseable clean litter with a simple and effective means~
It is a further object of this invention to provide a pair of compatible identical litter boxes into which the emptied sieve ~_ 2173510 tray can be recessed within one and the combination of this opposing litter box and sieve tray be inverted and adjoined at the flanges of the open faced sides and sealingly aligned upon the other litter box containing the litter to be reused, 5 this alignment by means of guide cones and matingly compatible recesses located on the flanged end sides thereby allowing the entirety therof to be inverted to refill the opposing empty upper litter box containing the sieve tray with the reuseable litter from the previously cleaned litter box~
10 It is a further object of this invention to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device which can separate contaniments from the reuseable litter in such a manner as not to contanimate the air with feces or urine fouled clay litter dust that can carry microscopic organisms and cause 15 unpleasant odor~
It is a further object of this invention to provide a litter straining and reclaiming device which can contain the sieve tray recessed within its sides and base dimensions, which is filled with litter therein when in use, while this combination 20 of litter box and recessed sieve tray can set within the dimensions of the sscond identical litter box, thereby occupying a minimum of storage space~
In one of its aspects the invention provides~ a litter box comprising: a rectangular or square sieve tray constructed of 25 plastic or thin sheet metal and having slightly outwardly angled raised walls recessed snuggly within an open faced rectangular or square shaped litter box constructed of plastic or thin sheet metal, respectively, with slightly outwardly angled raised walls, respectively, in order to allow the sieve tray 5 base to set upon the surface of the surrounding litter box bottom surfacei whereupon the sieve tray flange sets upon the surface of the surrounding litter box flange. The bottom surface of the sieve tray is grated with openin~s of adequate size, uniform arrangement, and abundance to allow unsoiled litter to 10 sift through while preventing feces or urine saturated clumps of litter to fall back into the litter box being cleaned by the removal and sifting motion manually applied to the sieve trayi the grated openings may be of any adequate shape such as square 7 rectangular, or round and can be arranged in any adequate pattern 15 as to cover the sieve tray base. In order to refill the device the invention provides a second entirely identical litter box into which the previously removed and emptied sieve tray is then recessed therein. The second litter box with the emptied sieve tray contained therein is then inverted so the open faced 20 surface faces downwards, whereupon this combined second litter box and sieve tray is placed on top of the first litter box containing the reuseable litter~ ~ set of single raised guide cone and single depressed recess are located at one end of the first and second litter box flanges with a second set of single 25 raised guide cone and single depressed recess located at the opposite end of the two litter box flanges, the guide cones and recesses being in ioinable position when the flanges of the two ~_ 2173~10 litter boxes are adjoined about the perimeter with the flange of the sieve tray situated between. The guide cone and recess are located at an equal distance on either side of the center distance of the length of the flanged end on each end of the 5 two litter box flanges with the guide cone and recess being located in opposite sequence at the opposite end flange of the same litter box, this allows the litter boxes to be compatibly joinable with either litter box being turned 180 degrees from its former compatibly joinable position. The sieve tray flange 0 is provided with two passage holes at either end of the flange to permit the guide cones passage therethrough to be joinable with the recesses on the opposing side when the two litter box flanges are adjoined on either side of the sieve tray flange, the two passage holes on either side of the sieve tray 15 are of sufficient size to permit complete passage of the diameter of the guide cones, the two passage holes on either side of the sieve tray flange are located in the same position as to be aligned with the positions of the guide cones and recesses of the litter box flanges. The passage holes of the 20 sieve tray also allow complete recessability of the sieve tray within either of the two litter boxes by allowing the passage of the singular guide cone located at either flanged end of the litter box in use. The interconnecting guide cones and recesses provide an alignment around the four sides of the litter box 25 containing the reuseable litter and the inverted opposing litter box containing the recessed sieve tray to sealingly enclose the contents of the two joined litter boxes~ The joined flanges ~173~10 provide a handle at either end which is manually grasped to sealingly join the device together, and then the device is entirely inverted to allow the reuseable litter to fall into the litter box containing the sieve tray which became situated 5 facingly upright beneath the previously used litter box containing the reuseable litter when the joined unit was inverted~ After this refilling process is completed the upper emptied litter box is removed and can be placed with the open face side upwards and beneath the litter box with the recessed 10 sieve tray and litter contained therein; the dimensions and shape of the slightly outwardly angled sides permit either identical litter box to be recessable, one within the other, for compactness of storage, and the identical positioning of the guide cones and recesses of the flanges allow the guide cones 15 of the lower litter box to be joinable with the recesses of the upper litter box, in this position recesses are also provided for the guide cones by utilizing the hollow inner sides of the litter boxes guide cones, the hollow inner sides of the guide cones being identical in dimension and shape as the recesses, 20 guide cones are also provided by utilizing the outer sides of recesses, these being identical in dimension and shape as the guide cones~
In another of its aspects the invention provides: a litter straining and reclaiming device comprising: a litter cleaning and 25 recycling system as previously described of which the floor or bottom of the identical litter boxes have raised grate fillers 2i73510 ~i which are joinable with the grating pattern of the sieve traythereby creating an even level surface when the sieve tray is recessed within the litter box; the raised grid work being of equal height as the thickness of the sieve tray grated grid with 5 the grate fillers being of the same shape and compatible size to fill the openings of the grated bottom of the sieve tray~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention now follow with reference to the drawings in which:~0 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the litter straining and reclaiming device having the recesses sieve tray contained in the lower upright litter box with the second depicted inverted opposingly above~
FIGURE 2 is an end view of the litter straining and reclaiming device combined~ with the first litter box upright and below and the second litter box inverted opposingly above and the flange of the recessed sieve tray shown between the flanges of the upper and lower litter boxes~~0 FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectionalized end view of the interconnecting alignment guide cones, passage holes~
and recesses located on the end flanges~
FIGURE 4 is an overview of a single litter box containing the recessed sieve tray therein~
25 FIGURE 5a is an end view of a litter box variation containing ~ 2173510 the recessed sieve tray similar to that shown in Figure 4 as would be taken along cutting line 5 - 5.
FIGURE 5b is an end view of a single litter box with the sieve tray recessed therein as shown in Figure 4 and taken along cutting line 5 - 5~
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBO~IMENT
detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention~ together with useful variations thereof, now follows~
Referring now to FIGURE 1 which shows a perspective view of the 10 litter straining and reclaiming device of which the litter box la, which is constructed of rib reinforced plastic or thin sheet metal, contains the sieve tray 2, constructed of a similar material, recessed therein. The combined litter box la and sieve tray 2 contains the litter material (not shown) for 15 use by a domestic animal) primarily a cat~
For compactness of storage space, the inverted opposing litter box lb, constructed of the same material as litter box la and sieve tray 2~ may be placed with the oPen face side upright as litter box la is shown in FIGURE 1 with the combined litter 20 filled sieve tray 2 recessed within litter box la jointly recessed within the second litter box lb (not shown)~
Litter box lb is shown inverted opposingly above litter box la containing sieve tray 2 in position to be combined with or ,, 2173510 removed from the combined litter box la and sieve tray 2~
When the feces and urine saturated clumps of litter are to be removed from the litter contained within litter box la and sieve tray 2, the sieve tray 2 is lifted upwards and slightly 5 shaken to allow reuseable litter particles (not shown) to fall through the grate holes 8 shown in FIGURE 4 located in the sieve tray 2 bottom grated grid 9 shown in FIGURE 4 thereby returning to the litter box 1a~
The remaining sieve tray 2 contents are then disposed of in a 10 refuse container, afterwhich the sieve tray 2 is placed within the opposing litter box lb and this combination is inverted and placed interconnecting end upon interconnecting end upon litter box la containing the reclaimed litter~
Whereupon litter box lb and sieve tray 2 are combined with 15 litter box la; the flange 3b of litter box lb, the flange 4 of sieve tray 2, and the flange 3a of litter box la form a joined flange which manually seal the combined litter boxes when the joined flanges 3b~ 4 and 3a are firmly grasped at both ends whereat functionable handle surfaces are provided~
20 The functionable handle sur~ace provided at either end of the litter box flanges 3a and 3b is located between guide cone 10a and recess 6a of flange 3a and guide cone 10b and recess 6b of flange 3bi the handle being either a flat surface as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, or the handle surface is a depressed fluted 25 surface (not shown) of sufficient length to accomadate an adult 2~73510 ~, hand, the fluted width being a portion of the outward width of the flanged end as is located on both end flanges of litter box la or lb, the fluted depressed depth being sufficiently adequate between the level plane of the flange and 5 the level of the fluted handle to provide accessability of adult fingers between the handle surface of both litter boxes la51b and the flange 4 of the sieve tray 2 interposed therebetween when the litter boxes la and lb are opposingly ioined.
To provide alignment and stabilitY resulting in a proper seal 10 litter box la flange 3a and the identical second opposing litter box lb flange 3b provide raised guide cones lOa on flange 3a and lOb on flange 3b at both ends of each litter box which are inserted within provided lowered recesses 6b on flange 3b and 6a on flange 3a respectively thereby providing interconnecting 15 stability and sealingly joined flanges when the litter boxes are opposingly joined with the flange 4 of the recessable sieve tray 2 interposed between; thereby preventing the combined device from sliding apart laterally and preventing spillage when the device is completly inverted during refilling the 20 sieve tray 2 with reuseable litter~
To provide passage of the guide cones lOa and lOb through the sieve tray 2 flange 4 a pair of passage holes 7 are located at both ends of the flange 4 as shown in FIGURE 4; to allow passage of the guide cones lOa 5 lOb the passage holes 7 are of adequate 25 width and shape to allow the guide cones passage therethrough;
to provide proper alignment the passage holes 7 are located at ~ 2i 7351 0 the same distances along the length of the end sides of flange qas the guide cones lOa,lOb and recesses 6a,6b are located on along the length of the end sides of flanges 3a,3b respectively~
Each set of guide cone lOa and recess 6a or guide cone lOb and 5 recess 6b are located on both ends of flange 3a and flange 3b respectively, each set of guide cone and recess is divided at an equal distance apart from the center of the length of the end of the flange the set is located on, thereby positioning the guide cones lOa or lOb to be in a joinable position with the 10 recesses 6b or 6a when litter box la and opposing litter box lb are opposingly joined at the flanges 3a,3b with the sieve tray 2 flange 4 interposed therebetween, the guide cones lOa,lOb and recesses 6a,6b are positioned in reverse sequence at the opposite end of the same litter box flange 3a,3b respectively, 15 thereby enabling the litter box la or opposing litter box lb to be rotated 180 degrees around on the open faced side plane from its previous opposingly joinable position to its secondary opposingly joinable position.
To refill the upper inverted litter box lb, herein also referred 20 to as the second litter box lb or the opposing litter box lb, and the recessed sieve tray 2 contained therein with the reuseable litter contained in the strained and cleaned litter box la the facingly combined litter box la and opposing litter box lb containing the recessed sieve tray 2 are grasped 25 together at the handles provided and entirely inverted allowing the litter to fall into the opposing litter lb and sieve tray 2, the litter straining and reclaiming device being ready for reuseafter removing litter box la~
~fter filling litter box lb, litter box la may be stored flanged face upwards beneath the combined litter box lb and sieve tray 2, 5 as the outwardly angled sides permit either litter box to fit one within the other with the coned outer sides of rècesses 6b being inserted within recesses 6a and guide cones 10a being inserted within the recessable inner side of guide cones 10b~ With the next cleaning the positions of the litter box 1a and opposing 10 litter box lb are reversed through the same procedure~ Either litter box la~lb may be lifted from the other and rotated 180 degrees around on the litter boxes base plane from its previously first joinable position to its secondary joinable position.
The dimensional references accorded by these descriptions 15 describe an apparatus of two litter boxes la,lb and sieve tray 2 which are of a rectangular shape with the flanged ends providing the surface location of the guide cones 10a,10b, recesses 6a,6b, and passage holes 7 at opposite ends of the litter box flanges 3a,3b and sieve tray flange 4 respectively, it is also 20 within the scope of this invention to provide the litter boxes and sieve tray in a square shape having the length of all four sides of the litter boxes equal, and the length of all four sides of the recessable sieve tray equal though marginally less thereby providing recessability within the litter boxes, and having the 25 guide cones, recesses, and passage holes located on the opposite flanged sides of the litter boxes or sieve tray respectively, ~ 21 7351 0 all other descriptions of the invention are as encompassed by the description in respect to a rectangular litter straining and reclaiming devic~e.
Referring now to FIGURE 2 which shows an end view of the litter 5 straining and reclaiming device depicting the combined litter box la and inverted opposing litter box lb adjoining the sieve tray flange 4 located between the upper flange 3b and the lower flange 3a.
Whereas the combined litter boxes laJ1b and sieve tray 2 are 10 positioned in a manner shown as to begin refilling the opposing litter box lb which contains the recessed sieve tray 2 therein, wherein the reuseable litter is contained in litter box la J by manually grasping the joined litter box la,lb flanges 3aJ3b with sieve tray 2 flange 4 interPosed therebetween 15 and inverting the combined device~ afterwhich the then upper litter box la would be removed to provide reuse of the then lower litter box lb containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein containing the reuseable litter, as previouslY described~
Whereas the combined litter boxes la~lb and sieve tray 2 are 20 positioned in a manner shown to be refilled the opposing litter box lb depicts the litter box having emptied the reuseable litter into litter box la containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein~ requiring the opposing litter box lb to be removed for useage of litter box la containing sieve tray 2 25 recessed therein containing the reuseable litter, as previouslY
2113~ 1 0 described~
Referring now to FIGURE 3 which shows an enlarged sectional view of the interconnecting guide cone lOa which is a raised impression of flange 3a, of litter box la, passing in an upwards 5 direction through a passage hole 7 of compatible size, shape, and alignment in flange 4 of sieve tray 2, and into the recess 6b, which is a lowered depression of flange 3b of opposing litter box lb; the combined interconnecting guide apparatus used in conjunction with guide cone lOb, which is an inverted raised 10 impression of flange 3b of the second littsr box lb, passing in a downwards direction through a passage hole 7 of compatible size, shape and alignment in flange 4 of sieve tray 2 and into recess 6a, which is a lowered depression of flange 3a of litter box lai these interconnecting 15 guide cones lOa,lOb, passage holes 7, and recesses 6a,6b are positioned such that each set of guide cone and recess on each flanged end is located at an equal distance apart from the center of the length of the flange 3a or 3b whereat a guide cone lOa or lOb is on one side of this center position and 20 recess 6a or 6b is on the other side, respectively, with the passage holes 7 being aligningly located in the flange 4 of sieve tray 2 to provide passage for the guide cones lOa,lOb~
The guide cone lOa inserted in recess 6b on the left side of the flanges 3a,3b shown in FIGURE 3 and the guide cone lOb 25 inserted in recess 6a on the right side of the flanges 3a,3b shown in FIGURE 3 are positioned in reverse se~uence at the opposite combined end flanges to provide either litter box 1a,1bto be turnable 180 degrees around on the open faced plane and be joinably combined in a second similar position~
Referring now to FIGURE 4 which shows an overview of 5 litter box 1a containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein and showing the grated grid 9 and grate holes 8 which provide reuseable litter to be siftingly strained back into litter box 1a after sieve tray 2 i5 lifted and slightly shaken after its removal through the litter and from the litter box lai it is 10 understood that the grate holes 8 may be in the square shape as shown and of adequate size to provide proper separation of the disposable feces and urine saturated clumps of litter from the reuseable litter particles and that the grate holes 8 are arranged in a suitable pattern as to provide a grated grid 9 15 which adequately encompasses the sieve tray 2 bottomi it is also understood that the grate holes 8 may be of suitable shapes such as circular, rectangular, or other holed shapes arranged in a suitable grated grid 9 pattern which can accomplish this same purpose.
20 The reversed positioning sequence of the guide cone 10a and recess 6a at the opposite ends of the same flange 3a is clearly shown 5 this reversal sequence of guide cone and recess in comparison with the opposite end of the same flange provides either identical litter box la,lb to be turned 180 degrees from 25 its joinable position with the other litter box and be in a secondary similar joinable position~
~, 2173510 Referring now to FIGURE 5a which is an alternate embodimentend view of litter box lc which represents an alternation to litter box la and opposing litter box lb as would be taken along cutting line 5 - 5 of FIGURE 4 which shows sieve tray 2 S flange 4 placed on litter box lc flange 3c and grated grid 9 of sieve tray 2 recessed upon the bottom of litter box lci the alternate embodiment of litter box lc is that the bottom surface of the litter box lc has raised grid fillers 11 which protrude into the grate holes 8 of the grated grid 9; this provides the 10 combined litter box lc and sieve tray 2 with an even surfaced floor upon which the litter is placed; it is understood that the dimensions and positioning of the grid fillers 11 are in aligned position and have the same shape as the positioning and shape of the grate holes 8 to provide total recessabilitY for 15 the sieve tray 2i it is also understood that the grid fillers 11 are similar in shape as the grate holes 8 but are slightly smaller to provide ease of recessability for the grated grid 9;
it is further understood that this variation of embodiment is provided by both first litter box and second opposing 20 litter box.
The guide cone lOc is shown protruding at the upper left side of the sieve tray 2 flange 4 for alignment useage when the identical opposing litter box is combined thereto.
Referring now to FIGURE 5b which is an end view of litter box la 25 containing sieve tray 2 recessed therein as shown in FIGURE 4 and taken along cutting line 5 - 5 showing sieve tray 2 flange 4 placed upon flange 3a of litter box la and sieve tray 2 recessedwithin litter box lai the grated grid 9 is shown adjoining the bottom of litter box la whereupon the interior of litter box la and sieve tray 2 i5 contained the litter (not shown)~ the 5 sieve tray 2 grate holes 8 provide passage of the reuseable litter when the sieve tray 2 is lifted and shaken to sift the reuseable litter through the grate holes 8 in order to separate the feces and urine saturated clumps of litter which remains within the sieve tray 2 being unable to pass through the 10 grate holes 8.
The guide cone lOa is shown protruding at the top left side of sieve tray 2 flange 4 to provide alignment with the opposins litter box lb when it is invertingly combined thereupon.
Various modifications such as the size and shape of the litter 15 straining and reclaiming device or various arrangements of the sieve tray 2 grate holes 8 or pattern of the grated grid 9 may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The above disclosure shall be interpreted as illustrative only and limited only by the scope of the invention 20 as defined in the following claims~
Claims (20)
1. A litter straining and reclaiming device comprising:
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom, and a first open face which has a surrounding first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a surrounding second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a recessable sieve tray having four slightly outwardly angled walls, a grated grid bottom providing holes therein, and an open face which has a surrounding flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a first means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and said first guide cone and said first recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange;
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised second guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and said second guide cone and said second recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably between said first litter box and said second litter box, said first flanged open face and said second flanged open face facingly arranged, said first litter box and said second litter box interconnected by insertion of said first guide cones within said second recesses and said second guide cones within said first recesses;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box located at both end flanges of said sieve tray said flange, this being two passage holes in both said end flanges in said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cone and said second guide cone, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cone and said second guide cone and said first recess and said second recess;
a handle means for removing at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box from the other containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the areas provided on both said first end flanges between first said guide cones and said first recesses and the areas provided on both said second end flanges between said second guide cones and said second recesses.
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom, and a first open face which has a surrounding first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a surrounding second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a recessable sieve tray having four slightly outwardly angled walls, a grated grid bottom providing holes therein, and an open face which has a surrounding flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a first means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and said first guide cone and said first recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange;
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised second guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and said second guide cone and said second recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably between said first litter box and said second litter box, said first flanged open face and said second flanged open face facingly arranged, said first litter box and said second litter box interconnected by insertion of said first guide cones within said second recesses and said second guide cones within said first recesses;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box located at both end flanges of said sieve tray said flange, this being two passage holes in both said end flanges in said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cone and said second guide cone, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cone and said second guide cone and said first recess and said second recess;
a handle means for removing at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box from the other containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the areas provided on both said first end flanges between first said guide cones and said first recesses and the areas provided on both said second end flanges between said second guide cones and said second recesses.
2 A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 1 wherein the dimensions and material of said first litter box and said second litter box are identical;
wherein the surrounding said first flange of said first litter box is identical to the surrounding said second flange of said second litter box, wherein said first guide cone and said first recess are located at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of said end flange of said first flange and located in reverse sequence of position at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of the other said end flange of said first flange are identical to said second guide cone and said second recess located at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of said end flange of said second flange and located in reverse sequence of position at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of the other said end flange of said second flange.
wherein the surrounding said first flange of said first litter box is identical to the surrounding said second flange of said second litter box, wherein said first guide cone and said first recess are located at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of said end flange of said first flange and located in reverse sequence of position at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of the other said end flange of said first flange are identical to said second guide cone and said second recess located at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of said end flange of said second flange and located in reverse sequence of position at an equal distance apart on each side from the center length of the other said end flange of said second flange.
3. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 1 wherein the outer dimensions of said walls of said sieve tray and the area of said grated grid bottom are equal to the inner dimensions of said first litter box and the inner area of said first bottom;
wherein the outer perimeter lengths of said flange of said sieve tray are equal to the outer perimeter linear lengths of said first flange of said first litter box, and wherein the outer dimensions of said sieve tray and said grated grid bottom are equal to the inner dimensions of said second litter box said walls and said second bottom, wherein the outer perimeter lengths of said flange of said sieve tray are equal to the outer perimeter linear lengths of said second flange of said second litter box.
wherein the outer perimeter lengths of said flange of said sieve tray are equal to the outer perimeter linear lengths of said first flange of said first litter box, and wherein the outer dimensions of said sieve tray and said grated grid bottom are equal to the inner dimensions of said second litter box said walls and said second bottom, wherein the outer perimeter lengths of said flange of said sieve tray are equal to the outer perimeter linear lengths of said second flange of said second litter box.
4. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 2 wherein said handle on said first or said second litter boxes are provided by two lowered depressions of said first or said second flange, said handles centrally located on said end flanges of said first or second flange and being of adequate length linearly and lateral width on said first or said second flange to accommodate an adults hand, said lowered depressions protruding opposite and away from said flange of said sieve tray when said first and said second litter box said open faces are opposingly adjoined with said open face of said sieve tray interposed therebetween.
5. A litter straining and reclaiming device comprising:
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom , and a first open face which has a first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange:
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably between said first litter box and said second litter box, said first flanged open face and said second flanged open face facingly arranged, said first litter box and said second litter box interconnected by insertion of said first guide cones within said second recesses and said second guide cones within said first recesses;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box being located at both end flanges of said flange of said sieve tray, this being two passage holes located at both said end flanges of said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cones and said second guide cones, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cones and said second guide cones and said first recesses and said second recesses;
a handle means for adjoining at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box to the other containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the space provided between said first or said second guide cone and said first or said second recess on said first or said second end flange where said first litter box and said second litter box are opposingly faced to be combined and having said sieve tray recessed therein the upper inverted litter box, which is in a refillable position when the opposingly combined litter straining and reclaiming device is rotated, thereby transferring the reclaimed litter from the lower litter box into said litter box containing said sieve tray.
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom , and a first open face which has a first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange:
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably between said first litter box and said second litter box, said first flanged open face and said second flanged open face facingly arranged, said first litter box and said second litter box interconnected by insertion of said first guide cones within said second recesses and said second guide cones within said first recesses;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box being located at both end flanges of said flange of said sieve tray, this being two passage holes located at both said end flanges of said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cones and said second guide cones, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cones and said second guide cones and said first recesses and said second recesses;
a handle means for adjoining at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box to the other containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the space provided between said first or said second guide cone and said first or said second recess on said first or said second end flange where said first litter box and said second litter box are opposingly faced to be combined and having said sieve tray recessed therein the upper inverted litter box, which is in a refillable position when the opposingly combined litter straining and reclaiming device is rotated, thereby transferring the reclaimed litter from the lower litter box into said litter box containing said sieve tray.
6. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 1 and claim 5 wherein facingly opposed said first litter box and said second litter box with said sieve tray recessed therein are interconnected by a series of said first and said second guide cones inserted within a series of aligned said second and said first recesses providing the adjoined said first and said second flange with said sieve tray said flange thereby providing an aligningly sealed join as manual compressing pressure is applied combiningly to said first handle and said second handle located at both said end flanges.
7. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 6 wherein said reversed sequencing of said first guide cone and said first recess in relation to said first guide cone and said first recess at the opposite said end flange of said first flange and wherein said reversed sequencing of said second guide cone and said second recess in relation to said second guide cone and said second recess at the opposite said end flange of said second flange provides said first or said second flange to be aligningly adjoinable when opposingly faced to said second or said first litter box and is aligningly adjoinable when said first or said second litter box is rotated a 180 degree turn on the horizontal plane of said first or said second open face to be equally rejoinable.
8. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 3 wherein said grate holes of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray are of adequate size to permit the passage therethrough of particles of still reuseable litter whereas the size of said grate holes are to be of adequate size to prevent the passage of feces and urine saturated clumps of litter.
9. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 8 wherein said grate holes of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray are round in shape.
10. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 9 whereas said grate holes of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray are four sided in geometric shape.
11. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 8 wherein the arrangement pattern of said grate holes provides adequate uniform coverage of the majority of the area of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray.
12. A litter straining and reclaiming device comprising:
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom, and a first open face which has a surrounding first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a surrounding second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a recessable sieve tray having four slightly outwardly angled walls, a grated grid bottom providing holes therein, and an open face which has a surrounding flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a first means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and said first guide cone and said first recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange;
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised second guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and said second guide cone and said second recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably within said first or said second litter box, said first or said second litter box recessed within said second or said first litter box, said first litter box being recessed and interconnected within said second litter box with the outer side of said first recess inserted within said second recess and said second guide cone inserted within the inner side of said first guide cone at the combined said end flanges and in reverse sequence of joined arrangement at the opposite said end flanges, or said second litter box being recessed and interconnected within said first litter box with the outer side of said second recess inserted within said first recess and said first guide cone inserted within the inner side of said second guide cone at the combined said end flanges and in reverse sequence of joined arrangement at the opposite said end flanges;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box located at both end flanges of said sieve tray said flange, this being two passage holes at both said end flanges of said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cone and said second guide cone, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cone and said second guide cone and said first recess and said second recess;
a handle means for transferring at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the space provided between said first or said second guide cone and said first or said second recess on said first or said second end flanges wherein said first or said second litter box is stacked facingly upright within the other facingly upright litter box, which is the storage position for said first or said second litter box when it is not in use.
a first litter box having four slightly outwardly angled first walls, a first bottom, and a first open face which has a surrounding first flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter, a second litter box having four slightly outwardly angled second walls, a second bottom, and a second open face which has a surrounding second flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a recessable sieve tray having four slightly outwardly angled walls, a grated grid bottom providing holes therein, and an open face which has a surrounding flange projecting horizontally outward an adequate margin around the perimeter;
a first means for aligning said first litter box located at both end flanges of said first flange, this being a raised first guide cone and a lowered first recess located at one said end flange of said first flange and said first guide cone and said first recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said first flange;
a second means for aligning said second litter box located at both end flanges of said second flange, this being a raised second guide cone and a lowered second recess located at one said end flange of said second flange and said second guide cone and said second recess being located in reverse sequence at the opposite said end flange of said second flange, said sieve tray positioned recessably within said first or said second litter box, said first or said second litter box recessed within said second or said first litter box, said first litter box being recessed and interconnected within said second litter box with the outer side of said first recess inserted within said second recess and said second guide cone inserted within the inner side of said first guide cone at the combined said end flanges and in reverse sequence of joined arrangement at the opposite said end flanges, or said second litter box being recessed and interconnected within said first litter box with the outer side of said second recess inserted within said first recess and said first guide cone inserted within the inner side of said second guide cone at the combined said end flanges and in reverse sequence of joined arrangement at the opposite said end flanges;
a means for recessing said sieve tray within said first litter box or said second litter box located at both end flanges of said sieve tray said flange, this being two passage holes at both said end flanges of said flange, said passage holes providing passage for said first guide cone and said second guide cone, said passage holes aligningly positioned with said first guide cone and said second guide cone and said first recess and said second recess;
a handle means for transferring at least one of said first litter box or said second litter box containing said sieve tray recessed therein, this being the space provided between said first or said second guide cone and said first or said second recess on said first or said second end flanges wherein said first or said second litter box is stacked facingly upright within the other facingly upright litter box, which is the storage position for said first or said second litter box when it is not in use.
13. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 12 wherein the said first or said second litter box with said sieve tray contained therein, said first and said second guide cones being recessable within said first or said second recesses can be raised and turned in the upright position horizontally a 180 degree turn on the plane of said first or said second open face and lowered thereby being recessable in a secondary identical recessable position wherein said first guide cones are recessable within said inner sides of said second guide cones and said outer sides of said second recesses are recessable within said first recesses.
14. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 1, 2, and 5 wherein said bottom of said first and said second litter box provide a patterned arrangement of grate holes fillers of equal height as the thickness of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray, said grate hole fillers being of proper shape, size, pattern alignment and quantity to align and be inserted within the size, shape, patterned arrangement, and quantity of said grate holes of said grated grid bottom of said sieve tray.
15. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 1, 2, and 3 wherein said first litter box, said second litter box, and said sieve tray are made of molded plastic which is of sufficient thickness and is provided with ribbed reinforcement to provide an adequately rigid and durable device.
16. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 15 wherein said first litter box, said second litter box, and said sieve tray are made of thin sheet metal of sufficient thickness to provide a durable and rigid device.
17. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claims 1, 2, and 12 wherein said first litter box and said second litter box and said sieve tray said open faces, and said bottoms are generally rectangular in shape and having two said walls being of equal length and substantially shorter in comparison to the other two said walls of equal length.
18. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 17 wherein said first litter box, said second litter box, and said sieve tray said open faces, and said bottoms are generally square in shape and having four said walls being equal in length.
19. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 12 wherein said sieve tray recessed within said first or said second litter box is combiningly recessable within the other said first or said second litter box thereby utilizing a minimum of space for storage of said first or said second litter box when not in use.
20. A litter straining and reclaiming device according to claim 12 wherein said first or said second litter box is removable from the other said first or said second litter box and is turnable 180 degrees on the horizontal plane of said first or said second faced side to be identically rejoinable when said first or said second litter box is reinserted within the other litter box.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002173510A CA2173510A1 (en) | 1996-04-04 | 1996-04-04 | Litter straining and reclaiming device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002173510A CA2173510A1 (en) | 1996-04-04 | 1996-04-04 | Litter straining and reclaiming device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2173510A1 true CA2173510A1 (en) | 1997-10-05 |
Family
ID=4157906
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002173510A Abandoned CA2173510A1 (en) | 1996-04-04 | 1996-04-04 | Litter straining and reclaiming device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2173510A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6474262B1 (en) | 1999-10-13 | 2002-11-05 | Bradley L. Ceccon | Litter box |
| US10159215B2 (en) | 2017-01-12 | 2018-12-25 | Luuup Inc. | Pet litter tray, box, and system |
| USD839498S1 (en) | 2017-01-05 | 2019-01-29 | Luuup Inc. | Sifting litter box |
-
1996
- 1996-04-04 CA CA002173510A patent/CA2173510A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6474262B1 (en) | 1999-10-13 | 2002-11-05 | Bradley L. Ceccon | Litter box |
| USD839498S1 (en) | 2017-01-05 | 2019-01-29 | Luuup Inc. | Sifting litter box |
| US10159215B2 (en) | 2017-01-12 | 2018-12-25 | Luuup Inc. | Pet litter tray, box, and system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |