FR2644979A1 - Container for transportation, rest and giving birth, forming a sanitary tray for small pets - Google Patents

Abstract

The container for transportation, rest and giving birth for small animals is characterised in that the lower tray 1 includes successive edges or steps, the first widened peripheral edge holding, with the aid of a frame, a flexible plastic bag which is to contain the soiled litter, the tray being extended at its upper part by a second peripheral rim forming a guide in the longitudinal direction for a movable bottom 8 the upper face of which is covered by a grid 9 forcibly inserted into a third widened peripheral edge of the tray and comprising an opening to allow the movable bottom 8 to be pulled out and the soiled litter thus to fall into the flexible plastic bag 4.

Description

 The present invention relates to a transport enclosure for small domestic animals such as cats, which at the same time comprises a sanitary tray which makes the task easier for the evacuation of waste and excrement of the animal.

 There are already known droppings tanks which are more or less sophisticated and the bottom of which is generally constituted by a flexible disposable plastic bag. However, the animal finds it difficult to accept this solution and, as a result, these tanks have not had the expected commercial success (see in particular FR - A - 2 456 471 and 2 473 841).

 The present invention remedies. these drawbacks by creating a transport, rest and birthing enclosure for these small animals which includes a sanitary tray allowing the easy evacuation of the soiled litter and the replacement of a new litter without having complicated and messy handling to do.

 In accordance with the invention, the transport, rest and birthing enclosure forming a sanitary tray for small domestic animals comprising a container or lower sanitary tray having in section a substantially rectangular shape, tray which can be surmounted by a cover or bell suitable shape connected to the tank by fixing members either by force fitting or by various means, enclosure characterized in that the lower tank has successive peripheral edges or steps, the first peripheral edge now widened, using a slightly deformable frame, a flexible plastic bag to contain the soiled litter, the tray being extended at its upper part by a second peripheral rim forming a guide in the longitudinal direction for a movable bottom, the upper face of which is covered by a grid fitted with ' force in a third enlarged peripheral edge of the tank, one of the transverse faces of which es is pierced with an opening placed between the second peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge to allow the exit of the movable bottom and, therefore, the fall of soiled litter in the flexible plastic bag.

 Various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the detailed description which follows.

An embodiment of the object of the invention is shown, by way of nonlimiting example, in the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation in section of the transport enclosure comprising the sanitary tray.

 Fig. 2 is a transverse elevation in section corresponding to FIG. 1.

 Fig. 3 is a large-scale transverse elevation of half of the transport enclosure seen in section, with the shutter allowing the easy entry and exit of the animal.

 Fig. 4 is a plan view, on a smaller scale, of the lower part of the transport enclosure.

 Fig. 5 is a partial section on a large scale along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

 Fig. 6 is a partial view on a large scale in section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

 In fig. 1, the enclosure is essentially constituted by a reciter or lower sanitary tray I of substantially rectangular shape in plan and which has an enlarged peripheral edge 2 on which rests the periphery 3 of a flexible bag 4 which is intended to receive the litter soiled.

 The periphery 3 of the flexible bag 4 is held inside the container 1 by a frame 5 which, due to its dimensions and the constituent material, ensures perfect blocking of the periphery of the flexible bag 4.

 This frame is slightly elastically deformable.

 The enlarged peripheral edge 2 is extended at its upper part by a second enlarged peripheral edge 6 and finally ends in a third enlarged peripheral edge 7. A widening rim or step is thus formed which allows easy manufacture by molding from tray 1.

 The second peripheral edge 6 allows the sliding of a bottom 8 lengthwise on which is placed the litter intended for the animal, this litter being normally maintained by a grid 9 whose periphery 10, 10a in L gets stuck by elasticity on the movable bottom 8.

 In addition, this grid allows judicious distribution of the litter itself, thus ensuring maximum comfort # the animal.

 As can be seen in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, an opening 11 is provided on one of the side walls of the transport enclosure which allows the handle 12 to exit the movable base 8 which slides on the second peripheral edge 6 lower tray 1.

 In addition, it is easily possible to remove the grid 9 when the tray 1 is open as will be shown below.

 The outlet of the movable bottom 8 by sliding causes the litter L placed above this movable bottom 8 to fall by gravity to the flexible plastic bag 4 and it is thus possible, after removing the frame 5, to easily remove this flexible bag 4 for disposal with soiled litter.

 The tray 1 has, at its upper part, a peripheral rim 15 allowing the establishment of a top or bell 16 which is blocked by various locking members known per se.

 Pe more, there is provided on one of the sides 16a of the top 16 an opening 18 of large dimensions so that the animal can enter and exit easily from this enclosure.

 The opening IS is normally closed during transport by a flap 20 articulated at 21 on the lower part of the top or bell 16. Of course, the flap 20 has ventilation openings.

 It is also possible and in a manner known per se to hover inside the enclosure and in general under the top of the bell 16 a commercial deodorant absorbent cartridge.

 It is also possible to place during the transport of clean bedding .h inside the flexible bag 4 and to cover the grid 9 with a cushion which is removed regularly to allow the animal to do its needs during transportation.

 This transport enclosure allows easy handling of soiled litter without risk of contact with waste and without projection of the litter. In addition, due to the presence of an odor absorbing cartridge, the odors are considerably eliminated.

 Finally, it should be noted that the top or bell has r'g its upper part on the cover 16a in a recess 25 a grip handle 26 for the transport enclosure.

 The top cover or bell has on the outside a housing provided to receive a label bearing either the patronymic of the animal or a necessary mention during devon transport by plane, train, etc ...

 The top cover or bell has, in its upper part, outside, recesses 30 provided for receiving studs 31 located under the tray in order to allow possible embedding or stacking of the trays in shelves or other places of distribution.

 In general, the lower container or sanitary tray 1, the movable bottom 8, the grid 9, the frame 5 and the top or bell 16 as well as these various members are made of suitable plastic which can be easily washed and sanitized.

 In addition, the material is studied in order to provide thermal protection to the animal both in the cold season and in the hot season. Indeed, it is possible to also provide during the hot period additional ventilation by means of an auxiliary fan operating on batteries. In general, the top or bell 16 is made of a translucent or transparent material so that the animal placed inside the enclosure is not in the dark and is visible to its owner.

 Although this has not been described, it is easy to imagine the change of the flexible bag 4 when the soiled litter has been dropped therein since in this case, having cleared having removed the top or bell 16, one can easily clear the grid 9, the movable bottom 8, the frame 5 and therefore remove the flexible bag 4 filled with the used litter.

 The repair is carried out in the reverse direction indicated above.

Claims (4)

 1 - Transport, rest and farrowing enclosure for small domestic animals forming a sanitary tray comprising a container or lower sanitary tray (1) having in section a substantially rectangular elm, tray that can be surmounted by a cover or bell (16) appropriate shape connected to the tank tl) by fixing members either by force fitting 3, or by various means, enclosure characterized in that the lower tank (1) has successive edges or steps (2, 6 and 7), the first enlarged peripheral edge <2) now X using a frame (5) a flexible plastic bag (4) to contain the soiled litter, the container being extended at its upper part by a second peripheral rim forming a guide in the direction longitudinal for a movable bottom (8) whose upper face is covered by a grid (9) force-fitted into a third peripheral edge (7) enlarged from the tank (1) one of the transverse faces of which is perc ée an opening (il) placed between the second peripheral edge (6) and the third peripheral edge <7) to allow the exit of the movable bottom <8) and, therefore, the fall of soiled litter in the bag flexible plastic (4).  2 - enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover 116) surmounting the lower tank t1) has, on at least one of its side faces, an opening (18) allowing the entry and exit of the animal, this opening (18) being closed during transport by a flap (20) articulated on one of its sides, perforated flap to allow ventilation of the enclosure containing the animal.  3 - Enclosure according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is provided & inside the cover (16), on the one hand, a deodorizing cartridge inside the transport enclosure and, on the other hand, on the cover (16a) above or bell (16) a grip handle (26) housed in a recess (25) of the cover (16).  4 - Enclosure according to one of claims 1 ss 3, characterized in that the cover (16a} from above or bell (16) comprises mounting members (30) and (31).