GB2180732A - Two tier cat tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A two tier cat litter tray which has two main trays 3 which have below them a closure plate 4 which can be pressed into an open position so that un-soiled cat litter can pass freely to the tray below through perforations 7, leaving behind all the soiled solid litter which can then be disposed of. The two trays sit on a dust tray 5 to keep the operation as clean as possible. The operation can take place as often as is necessary. Placed in the dust tray is a talc which when the trays are aggravated for emptying, a sweet smell will be released. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cat litter tray This invention relates to a two tier cat litter tray system.

Cat litter trays at present comprise of a deep sided tray to which is added a quantity of so called litter material. Difficulties are encountered in keeping the material in a hygenic condition and in seperating clean re-usable material from soiled material. Soiled litter is usually removed with a scoop, but it is often buried beneath the unsoiled cat litter, and an alternative is to throw away all the litter which is uneconomical.

The invention provides an animal litter tray assembly comprising a first tray comprising a perforated base surrounded by an upstanding wall which is in turn surrounded by an outer skirt.

A closure plate consisting of six bars rounded at the top. These fit securly beneath the perforations in the first tray, and are held firmly in the closed position with the aid of springs. The closure plate is then pressed into an open position to allow free flowing cat litter to pass to the tray below.

Both trays together sit on a dust tray into which a perfumed talc is placed.

A specific description of the invention will now be given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the two tier cat tray including the dust tray at the bottom.

Figure 2 shows the cat tray fully assembled.

Referring to the drawings in Fig. 1, the two tray assemblies which are formed from plastics materials and comprise of two deep sided trays 3 which are both surrounded by an outer skirt 12.

Each tray 3 has a base 6 which is ocelated and has perforations 7. A closure plate 4 is held underneath the tray 3. The closure plate consists of six rounded rods 17 joined with strengthening bars 13 to give rigidity. This is held in position below the perforations 7 causing them to be closed off. This closure plate 4 can be pressed into an open position by the operator depressing the handles 9, which fit securly inside their openings 11 on the upper tray 3.

The openings 11 contain two tapered dowels 8 on each tray. Onto each dowel is received the handles 9 through the hole 10.

These handles 9 are attached to the closure plate 4. Each dowel is covered with a spring 14 and a pressclip 15 which holds the closure plate 4 in a closed position.

An inner lip 16 attached to the inner wall of each tray 3 provides the tray with a secure fitting into its identical partner below or alternatively into the lower dust tray 5.

1. A two tier cat litter tray system sitting on a dust tray. Each tray has perforations. In use the upper tray is provided with a quantity of so called cat litter material. When it is desired to clean the tray, the lower closure plate is pressed into an open position, the arrangement is then gently shaken, and any remaining clean litter material falis through the perforations to be recieved into the lower tray. The top tray is now cleaned and placed below its identical partner.

2. The two tier cat litter tray system as claimed in claim 1 sits on a dust tray to collect any dust that may occur when the perforations are opened and the trays shaken. The dust tray may contain a talc or perfumed pad that will release an aroma, particularly when the trays are aggrevated as when emptying.

3. A two tier cat litter tray system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the lower closure plate is held in position with springs until the operator presses it into the open position to allow free flow of clean cat litter to the tray below.

4. A two tier cat litter system as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the perforations are of a size that will not allow any solid cat litter to pass through.

5. A two tier cat litter tray system as described in any preceding claim and as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cat litter tray This invention relates to a two tier cat litter tray system. Cat litter trays at present comprise of a deep sided tray to which is added a quantity of so called litter material. Difficulties are encountered in keeping the material in a hygenic condition and in seperating clean re-usable material from soiled material. Soiled litter is usually removed with a scoop, but it is often buried beneath the unsoiled cat litter, and an alternative is to throw away all the litter which is uneconomical. The invention provides an animal litter tray assembly comprising a first tray comprising a perforated base surrounded by an upstanding wall which is in turn surrounded by an outer skirt. A closure plate consisting of six bars rounded at the top. These fit securly beneath the perforations in the first tray, and are held firmly in the closed position with the aid of springs. The closure plate is then pressed into an open position to allow free flowing cat litter to pass to the tray below. Both trays together sit on a dust tray into which a perfumed talc is placed. A specific description of the invention will now be given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the two tier cat tray including the dust tray at the bottom. Figure 2 shows the cat tray fully assembled. Referring to the drawings in Fig. 1, the two tray assemblies which are formed from plastics materials and comprise of two deep sided trays 3 which are both surrounded by an outer skirt 12. Each tray 3 has a base 6 which is ocelated and has perforations 7. A closure plate 4 is held underneath the tray 3. The closure plate consists of six rounded rods 17 joined with strengthening bars 13 to give rigidity. This is held in position below the perforations 7 causing them to be closed off. This closure plate 4 can be pressed into an open position by the operator depressing the handles 9, which fit securly inside their openings 11 on the upper tray 3. The openings 11 contain two tapered dowels 8 on each tray. Onto each dowel is received the handles 9 through the hole 10. These handles 9 are attached to the closure plate 4. Each dowel is covered with a spring 14 and a pressclip 15 which holds the closure plate 4 in a closed position. An inner lip 16 attached to the inner wall of each tray 3 provides the tray with a secure fitting into its identical partner below or alternatively into the lower dust tray 5. CLAIMS

1. A two tier cat litter tray system sitting on a dust tray. Each tray has perforations. In use the upper tray is provided with a quantity of so called cat litter material. When it is desired to clean the tray, the lower closure plate is pressed into an open position, the arrangement is then gently shaken, and any remaining clean litter material falis through the perforations to be recieved into the lower tray. The top tray is now cleaned and placed below its identical partner.

2. The two tier cat litter tray system as claimed in claim 1 sits on a dust tray to collect any dust that may occur when the perforations are opened and the trays shaken. The dust tray may contain a talc or perfumed pad that will release an aroma, particularly when the trays are aggrevated as when emptying.

3. A two tier cat litter tray system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the lower closure plate is held in position with springs until the operator presses it into the open position to allow free flow of clean cat litter to the tray below.

4. A two tier cat litter system as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the perforations are of a size that will not allow any solid cat litter to pass through.

5. A two tier cat litter tray system as described in any preceding claim and as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 in the accompanying drawing.