GB2612572A

GB2612572A - Cat-litter-tray assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2612572A
Application number: GB2113762.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Croker Lorraine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-05-10
Also published as: GB202113762D0

Abstract

A cat-litter-tray assembly 10 comprising a litter tray 12 for receiving cat litter and an enclosure 14. The litter tray 12 is removeable from the enclosure 14. The enclosure 14 has a one-way entrance 24 for permitting the cat to enter the enclosure. A first access aperture 30 is at the litter tray 12 for receiving the litter tray 12 therethrough. A tunnel 16 has a width which is less than that of the enclosure 14 and connects to the enclosure 14 for the cat to pass from the enclosure to the tunnel 16, and has an opening for the cat to exit therefrom. A removeable litter collection element 36 for collecting litter from feet of the cat is in the tunnel 16. A second access aperture 38 is at or adjacent to the litter collection element 36 for receiving the litter collection element 36 therethrough.

Description

Cat-Litter-Tray Assembly The present invention relates to a cat-litter-tray assembly, which may otherwise be referred to as a cat-faeces-and-urine-collection-box assembly.

Cats which are predominantly kept indoors use a litter tray in which to defecate and 5 urinate. A litter tray may also be termed a litter box. A litter tray typically has short or shallow walls to allow a cat to step inside, and is conventionally filled with cat litter which is a granular material which absorbs the urine and/or faeces deposited therein.

A used litter tray may be unsightly and have an unpleasant odour. Additionally, a cat can track litter out of the litter box after use, causing a mess.

Therefore, it is desirable to cover a litter box, to limit the sight and smell thereof. Further, it is desirable to reduce the possible mess caused by stray litter. However, a cat may need to be encouraged to use a covered litter box. Additionally, an owner may wish to conveniently provide enjoyment and stimulation for the cat.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cat-litter-tray assembly comprising: a litter tray for receiving cat litter; an enclosure which defines an interior space which receives the litter tray and which is for receiving a cat, the litter tray being removeable from the enclosure, the enclosure being configured to surround or substantially surround and cover or substantially cover the litter tray, having a one-way entrance for permitting the cat to enter the interior space from an exterior therethrough but for preventing the cat from exiting the interior space therethrough, and having a first access aperture at or adjacent to the litter tray, the first access aperture sized for receiving the litter tray therethrough; and a tunnel having a width which is less than that of the enclosure, a first opening at a first end of the tunnel at the interior space of the enclosure for the cat to pass from the interior space to the tunnel, a second opening at a second end of the tunnel which is distal to the interior space of the enclosure for the cat to exit the tunnel, a removeable litter collection element for collecting litter from feet of the cat, and a second access aperture at or adjacent to the litter collection element, the second access aperture sized to receive the litter collection element therethrough.

The enclosure prevents or reduces the impact of the unpleasant smell and/or sight of the litter tray. The removeable litter collection element collects stray litter from the cat's feet and thereby prevents this litter from being spread outside the assembly, for example around the home. The one-way entrance prevents the cat from exiting the assembly without first passing over the litter collection element. The use of the tunnel and one-way system through the assembly can increase a cat's enjoyment of using the assembly, since cats are known to enjoy moving through tunnels and small spaces. The access apertures allow for the litter tray and the litter collection element to be conveniently removed from the assembly and emptied, replaced or otherwise cleaned. Further, the tunnel having a narrower width than the enclosure minimises the footprint of the assembly, since the enclosure may need to be wide enough to accommodate the litter tray, whilst the tunnel may only need to be wide enough to accommodate the width of a cat. The narrowing may also encourage and funnel the cat into the tunnel.

Preferably, the litter collection element may comprise a gripping surface which has a high 15 coefficient of friction with the litter so as to retain litter thereon. The gripping surface encourages litter to be removed from the feet of the cat.

Advantageously, the gripping surface may comprise rubber.

Beneficially, the gripping surface may extend along at least a majority of the longitudinal extent of the tunnel. This reduces the risk of the cat not stepping on the gripping surface.

In a preferable embodiment, the litter collection element may comprise a cat-walkway with holes therein, the holes for receiving litter therethrough, and a removeable part received below the walkway for catching litter. The walkway acts as a filter, and litter falls through the holes in the filter. As such, litter would not be sitting on top of the litter collection element, where the cat would step. This can reduce the requirement for emptying or cleaning the litter collection element, which would be required more frequently if the litter did not fall away.

Optionally, the removeable part of the litter collection element may have the gripping surface. This can assist with keeping the litter on the removeable part.

Additionally, the tunnel may have a length equal or substantially equal to the length of 30 the cat.

Preferably, the one-way entrance may comprise a door or flap having a hinge mechanism which permits the door or flap to move inwards towards the enclosure and which does not permit the door or flap to move outwards of the enclosure.

Advantageously, the door or flap may have a hinge mechanism at a top edge thereof. In this way, the one-way entrance has the appearance of a cat flap. This can encourage cats to use the assembly, who may otherwise be unsure of the initially unfamiliar appearance of the assembly. Additionally, since the hinge is at the top, the door or flap would automatically close since it would fall to a closed position under the influence of gravity. This would prevent or limit the door from remaining open.

Beneficially, the door or flap may be spaced from a bottom of the enclosure. This can prevent or limit the door or flap impinging on the litter tray.

In a preferable embodiment, the one-way entrance may oppose the tunnel. As such, the cat has a straightforward path to move from the entrance to the tunnel via the litter tray.

Preferably, the tunnel may have a height which is less than that of the enclosure.

Additionally, the assembly may further comprise an air hole in a wall of the enclosure and/or tunnel. This can provide ventilation for the cat when in the litter tray.

Preferably, the air hole may have a grating.

Optionally, the air hole may have an air filter for filtering odours. This can prevent or limit the odours from the litter tray escaping to the exterior.

In a preferable embodiment, the assembly may further comprise a weighing device arranged to weigh the cat when the cat is in the assembly. This may allow for the owner to monitor the weight of the cat, and thereby check on the general health of the cat.

Additionally, the weighing device may be in the tunnel.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with 25 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side representation of an embodiment of a cat-litter-tray assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, interior components and a representative cat shown inside the assembly in dashed line; Figure 2 shows a front representation of the cat-litter-tray assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a top representation of the cat-litter-tray assembly of Figure 1.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown an embodiment of a cat-litter-tray assembly or device 10 comprising a litter tray 12, an enclosure 14, and a tunnel 16.

The litter tray 12 is a conventional litter tray 12 and has a base 18 and side walls 20. The 5 litter tray 12 is for receiving cat litter, which may be any kind of cat litter.

The litter tray 12 is received inside the enclosure 14. In other words, the enclosure 14 defines an interior space 22 which receives the litter tray 12. The litter tray 12 is removeable from the enclosure 14, and therefore the litter tray 12 is not fixed to the enclosure 14. The enclosure 14 is configured to surround or substantially surround and cover or substantially cover the litter tray 12. As such, the smell and sight of the litter tray 12 is limited when received in the enclosure 14.

The enclosure 14 is preferably dome-shaped, or substantially dome shaped, and therefore has a single curved side wall. The enclosure 14 may otherwise be referred to as "igloo shaped". However, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be considered, for example cuboidal shapes. The enclosure 14 may have a base, and in this case the litter tray 12 would be received on the base. Alternatively, the enclosure 14 may have an open bottom, and therefore the litter tray 12 may be positioned on the floor beneath the enclosure 14.

The enclosure 14 has a one-way entrance 24 for permitting the cat to enter the interior space 22 from an exterior therethrough but for preventing the cat from exiting the interior space 22 therethrough. The one-way entrance 24 preferably comprises a door or flap 26, as shown in Figure 2, having a hinge mechanism 27 which permits the door or flap 26 to move inwards towards the enclosure 14 and which does not permit the door or flap 26 to move outwards of the enclosure 14. The door or flap 26 is here hinged from a top side thereof, in a similar way to a cat flap mechanism. In this way the door or flap 26 will swing back to the closed position after use.

The door or flap 26 is preferably spaced from the bottom of the enclosure 14, and more preferably is spaced from the bottom of the enclosure 14 by at least substantially the height of a conventional litter tray 12. This prevents or limits the lifter tray 12 from 30 obstructing the door.

The one-way entrance 24 is preferably positioned so that it opposes the tunnel 16. In other words, the one-way entrance 24 is on a side of the enclosure 14 which is opposite or substantially opposite to a side of the enclosure 14 to which the tunnel 16 connects.

The one-way entrance 24 preferably includes a projecting portion 28 or entrance hall 5 which protrudes from the enclosure 14 and has a straight or flat portion at the top. This may allow for the door or flap 26 to be more conveniently fitted to the enclosure 14, which is otherwise curved.

There is preferably a first access aperture 30 at or adjacent to the litter tray 12 in a wall of the enclosure 14. The first access aperture 30 is sized to receive the litter tray 12 therethrough. Preferably the access aperture 30 is at the bottom of the enclosure 14. This permits the litter tray 12 to be slid out of the enclosure 14 so that the litter in the litter tray 12 can be cleaned or emptied.

The first access aperture 30 may be covered by a door or flap, preferably with a handle. As such, the flap can be lifted to permit the litter tray 12 to be removed. However, it will 15 be appreciated that a door or flap may not be used.

Although the enclosure is shown and described as having a round base, since it is a dome, it will be appreciated that a rectangular base portion, or at least one flat side on the enclosure, may be considered to allow for easier configuration of the first access aperture and/or attachment of the door or flap.

Additionally, to allow for the litter tray 12 to be more conveniently removed, the litter tray 12 may be mounted on sliders, runners, or have wheels, so that the litter tray 12 can be translated out of the enclosure 14.

The enclosure 14 preferably has a ventilation hole or air hole. The ventilation hole may be grated or meshed. Additionally, or alternatively, the air hole includes an air filter for 25 filtering odours from the enclosure 14. For example, a carbon filter may be used.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the tunnel 16 connects to the enclosure and has a width which is less than that of the enclosure 14. Thus, the transition from the enclosure 14 to the tunnel 16 represents a narrowing in the internal diameter of the apparatus. The tunnel 16 may have a semi-circular or substantially semi-circular cross-section, although other shapes may be considered. It will be appreciated that the tunnel 16 and enclosure 14 may be manufactured as separate pieces which are joined together, or may be unitarily formed as a one-piece.

The tunnel 16 has opposing first and second ends 32, 34. Preferably, both ends of the tunnel 16 are open. At the first end 32, the tunnel 16 is connected or otherwise positioned at the interior space 22 of the enclosure 14 so that a cat can freely pass from the interior space 22 to the tunnel 16. A second opening is at the second end 34 of the tunnel 16 which is distal to the interior space 22 of the enclosure 14. The second opening is for a cat to exit the tunnel 16.

Preferably both the first and the second openings are open or uncovered, which is to say that there is preferably no door or flap on or at the first and/or second opening. However, it will be appreciated that the second opening in particular may have a door or flap. In this case, preferably, the door or flap would be a one-way door or flap, as described for the entrance 24 of the enclosure 14, but permitting the cat only to exit the tunnel 16 and not to enter the assembly therethrough. A door or flap at the second opening of the tunnel 16 may cause the inside of the apparatus to be too dark, and therefore light holes or windows through walls or doors of the tunnel 16 or enclosure 14 may be present. Light holes or windows may be considered even if the second opening of the tunnel 16 does not have a door or flap 26.

The tunnel 16 may have a base or may have an open bottom.

The tunnel 16 further comprises a removeable litter collection element 36 for collecting litter from feet of the cat.

The removable litter collection element 36 preferably comprises a mat or a sheet with an upwards facing gripping surface which has a high coefficient of friction with the litter so as to retain litter thereon. The mat is positioned inside and preferably at the bottom of the tunnel 16. The gripping surface is formed of rubber, although it will be appreciated that other materials may be consider such as other elastomeric materials or plastic materials. The gripping surface may be textured to provide better gripping of the litter.

The removable litter collection element 36 preferably extends at least a majority of the way along the tunnel 16, and here extends substantially the length of the tunnel 16. 30 However, it will be appreciated that shorter removable litter collection elements may be considered.

The tunnel 16 further has a second access aperture 38 at or adjacent to the litter collection element 36. The second access aperture 38 is sized to receive the litter collection element 36 therethrough. This permits the litter collection element 36 to be conveniently removed from the tunnel 16 so that the litter collection element 36 can be cleaned. The second access aperture 38 may have similar or identical features to the first access aperture 30. The litter collection element 36 may be mounted on sliders, runners, or have wheels, so that the litter collection element 36 can be translated out of the enclosure 14.

Although not shown, it will be appreciated that the litter collection element 36 may be differently formed. For example, the litter collection element 36 may comprise a cat-walkway with holes therein, the holes for receiving litter therethrough, and a removeable part, such as a tray, mat or plate, received below the walkway for catching litter. In this case the cat walkway is not necessarily removeable from the apparatus and the second access aperture 38 is needed to be sized only to receive the removeable tray or mat therethrough.

The walkway may be a grid, grill, grating or surface with perforations supported so that a removable tray can be positioned thereunder. Wien a cat walks on the walkway, litter may drop from the feet of the cat to the removeable tray or mat received thereunder. It will be appreciated that the walkway may be formed from or coated with a material with a high coefficient of friction with the litter, for example rubber. This may assist with removing the litter from the feet of the cat and therefore to fall through the holes. Additionally or alternatively, the removeable tray or mat may be formed from a material with a high coefficient of friction with the litter so as to retain litter thereon, for example rubber. The removeable tray or mat may in fact be the same aforementioned mat.

The tunnel 16 or the enclosure 14 may have a weighing device, such as weighing scales or a weighing sensor, for weighing the cat as it passes through the assembly 10. The weighing device is preferably electronic and the assembly 10 may have an electronic display for displaying the measurement from the weighing device.

In use, a user may firstly fill the litter tray 12 with litter. A cat 40 may enter the enclosure 14 via the one-way entrance 24 by pushing open the flap 26 with its head. The cat 40 can then use the litter tray 12. The cat 40 would then, being unable to exit via the one-way entrance 24, move into the tunnel 16. Excess litter which is held on the feet of the cat 40 would be deposited on the litter collection element 36 and the cat 40 would exit the tunnel 16. The user can then change the litter in the litter tray 12 by removing the litter tray 12 via the first access aperture 30. Similarly, the user can remove the excess litter deposited on the litter collection element 36 via the second access aperture 38.

Whilst described as a cat-litter-tray assembly, it will be appreciated that other animals 5 other than cats may use the or a similar assembly, and therefore the invention may be described as simply a pet-litter-tray assembly. In this case the assembly may be appropriately dimensioned for the relevant animal.

It will be appreciated that the tunnel may not have a width which is less than that of the enclosure.

It will be appreciated that the litter tray may not necessarily be provided with the assembly, instead allowing for a pre-existing litter tray to be used with the assembly.

It will be appreciated that the tunnel may not have a second access aperture since, for example, potentially the litter collection element could be removed via the second opening of the tunnel.

It is therefore possible to provide a cat litter-tray device or assembly which has a covering with a cat litter tray therein, the covering having a one-way entrance. A tunnel provides an exit from the covering and has a removeable mat, tray, or plate for receiving excess litter from the cat's feet. The cat is therefore prevented from exiting the litter tray without first passing over the mat, tray or plate, which reduces the risk of cat litter being distributed across the home.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 1 A cat-litter-tray assembly comprising: a litter tray for receiving cat litter; an enclosure which defines an interior space which receives the litter tray and which is for receiving a cat, the litter tray being removeable from the enclosure, the enclosure being configured to surround or substantially surround and cover or substantially cover the litter tray, having a one-way entrance for permitting the cat to enter the interior space from an exterior therethrough but for preventing the cat from exiting the interior space therethrough, and having a first access aperture at or adjacent to the litter tray, the first access aperture sized for receiving the litter tray therethrough; and a tunnel having a width which is less than that of the enclosure, a first opening at a first end of the tunnel at the interior space of the enclosure for the cat to pass from the interior space to the tunnel, a second opening at a second end of the tunnel which is distal to the interior space of the enclosure for the cat to exit the tunnel, a removeable litter collection element for collecting litter from feet of the cat, and a second access aperture at or adjacent to the litter collection element, the second access aperture sized to receive the litter collection element therethrough.
2 A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, the litter collection element comprises a gripping surface which has a high coefficient of friction with the litter so as to retain litter thereon.
3. A cat-lifter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gripping surface comprises rubber.
4. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the gripping surface extends along at least a majority of the longitudinal extent of the tunnel.
A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the litter collection element comprises a cat-walkway with holes therein, the holes for receiving litter therethrough, and a removeable part received below the walkway for catching litter.
6. A cat-lifter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the removeable part of the lifter collection element has the gripping surface.
7. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel has a length equal or substantially equal to the length of the cat.
8 A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-way entrance comprises a door or flap having a hinge mechanism which permits the door or flap to move inwards towards the enclosure and which does not permit the door or flap to move outwards of the enclosure.
9. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the door or flap has a hinge mechanism at a top edge thereof.
10. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the door or flap is spaced from a bottom of the enclosure.
11. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-way entrance opposes the tunnel.
12. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel has a height which is less than that of the enclosure.
13. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an air hole in a wall of the enclosure and/or tunnel.
14. A cat-lifter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the air hole has a grating.
15. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the air hole has an air filter for filtering odours.
16. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a weighing device arranged to weigh the cat when the cat is in the assembly.
17. A cat-litter-tray assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the weighing device is in the tunnel.