JP7461593B1 - Animal toilet - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the convenience when disposing of animal waste. [Solution] An animal litter box 1 includes a container body 102 that stores animal waste in a storage section 11, a fixed surface 107a that is provided at a position that divides the storage section 11 into upper and lower sections and has multiple through holes 121a, on which the animal waste and treatment material are placed, and multiple vertical movement parts (first group vertical movement parts 131a, second group vertical movement parts 132a) whose cross sections are formed to match the shapes of the multiple through holes 121a and at least a portion of which can be inserted into the multiple through holes 121a, and by moving the multiple vertical movement parts (first group vertical movement parts 131a, second group vertical movement parts 132a) to protrude upward from the fixed surface 107a, treatment material that has adhered to the waste or that has aggregated due to absorption of the waste is separated from unsoiled excess treatment material. [Selected Figure] Fig. 19

Description

The present invention relates to an animal litter box for disposing of animal waste.

Conventionally, when cleaning a pet toilet, the pet's excrement is scooped up with a shovel, which is a pet excrement disposal tool (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and the shovel is swung to sift out uncontaminated excess treatment material that has not adhered to the excrement or that has clumped due to absorption of the excrement through sieve holes formed in the scoop's receiving tray, and only the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has clumped and remains in the scoop is discarded. The amount of treatment material lost from the pet toilet due to disposal is then replenished with new material.

JP 2006-141293 A

In the conventional excrement disposal method using a shovel described in Patent Document 1, the scoop is shaken to sieve the clean excess material from the sieve holes formed in the scoop tray, and the waste is sieved into the scoop. Only the treated material that remained, adhered to, or aggregated with excrement was disposed of, which was extremely time-consuming.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above situation, and aims to provide an animal litter box that can improve convenience when disposing of animal waste.

The animal litter box of the present invention comprises a container body that stores animal waste in a storage section, a fixed surface that is provided at a position that divides the storage section into an upper and lower section and has a plurality of through holes, on which the animal waste and treatment material are placed, and a plurality of vertically movable parts whose cross sections are each formed to match the shapes of the plurality of through holes and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes, and by moving the plurality of vertically movable parts to protrude upward from the fixed surface, treatment material that has adhered to the waste or that has aggregated due to absorption of the waste is separated from excess unsoiled treatment material.6

Preferably, the shape of the plurality of through holes formed in the fixing surface is circular or polygonal.

Preferably, each of the multiple vertical movement parts is configured to be separable into upper and lower parts.

Preferably, the multiple vertical movement parts are configured so that each vertical movement part performs the same vertical movement motion during vertical movement, and the distance between the surfaces of adjacent vertical movement parts of the multiple vertical movement parts is 6 mm or more and 12 mm or less.

Preferably, the plurality of vertically movable parts are divided into two or more groups, and the vertically movable parts of each group are capable of vertically movable independently.

Preferably, the plurality of vertically moving sections include a first vertically moving section group and a second vertically moving section group, and the first vertically moving section group and the second vertically moving section group are each independent. It is configured so that it can move up and down.
The distance between the surfaces of adjacent vertically movable parts of the first vertically movable part group is 6 mm or more and 12 mm or less.

Preferably, the cleaning bar includes a cleaning bar, and the cleaning bar moves the agglomerated processing material in one direction of the container body in a state in which the vertical moving part lifts the agglomerated processing material upward from the fixed surface. move it.

The second animal litter box of the present invention comprises a container body that stores animal waste in a storage section, a first surface that is provided at a position that divides the storage section into an upper and lower section and has a plurality of through holes, on which the animal waste and treatment material are placed, and a plurality of penetration parts whose cross sections are each formed to match the shapes of the plurality of through holes and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes, and by moving the plurality of through parts and the first surface relatively, treatment material that has adhered to the waste or that has agglomerated due to absorption of the waste is separated from excess unsoiled treatment material.

The method of using the animal litter box of the present invention includes: a container body that stores animal excrement in a storage section; a fixing surface that is provided at a position that divides the upper and lower sections of the storage section, has a plurality of through holes, and on which the animal excrement and treatment material are placed;
In an animal litter box having a plurality of up-and-down moving parts, each of which has a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes, the plurality of up-and-down moving parts are moved to protrude upward from the fixed surface when the fixed surface and the upper ends of the plurality of up-and-down moving parts are flush with each other, thereby separating treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has agglomerated due to absorption of the excrement from unsoiled excess treatment material.

A second method of using the animal litter box of the present invention includes a step of placing the animal litter box in a state where the multiple up and down movement parts include a first up and down movement part group and a second up and down movement part group, each group being configured to be able to move up and down independently, such that an upper end of the first up and down movement part group protrudes upward relative to an upper end of the second up and down movement part group, and then placing the upper end of the second up and down movement part group in a state where it protrudes upward relative to an upper end of the first up and down movement part group.

Preferably, the animal litter box has a movable cleaning bar, and with the plurality of vertically movable parts protruding upward from the fixed surface, the cleaning bar is moved to remove the aggregated particles. It includes the step of moving the treatment material in one direction of the container body.

The animal toilet of the third aspect of the present invention includes a container main body for storing animal excrement in a storage part, a container body provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage part, and having a plurality of through holes, and a container body for storing animal excrement in the storage part. and a fixed surface on which the treated material is placed,
a plurality of vertically movable parts each having a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes, and at least a part of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of throughholes, the fixed surface and the plurality of vertically movable parts; and a second state in which the plurality of vertically movable parts are moved upwardly from the fixed surface.

Preferably, each of the multiple vertical movement parts is configured to be separable into upper and lower parts.

Preferably, the plurality of vertical movement sections include a first vertical movement section group and a second vertical movement section group, the first vertical movement section group and the second vertical movement section group being configured to be capable of moving up and down independently of each other, and further having a third state in which an upper end of the first vertical movement section group protrudes upward relative to an upper end of the second vertical movement section group, and a fourth state in which an upper end of the second vertical movement section group protrudes upward relative to an upper end of the first vertical movement section group.

The animal toilet of the present invention can improve convenience when disposing of animal waste.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal litter box according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of an animal litter box according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a first state of a front cross section of an animal litter box according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a first state of a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the right side cross-section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a third state of a front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a third state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view and a sectional view showing the 4th state of the front section of the animal litter box concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention. 11A and 11B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view showing the 5th state of the front section of the animal litter box concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a fifth state of a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view showing the 6th state of the front section of the animal litter box concerning the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a sixth state of a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right side cross-section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a first state. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fifth state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an animal litter box body according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning bar with disinfectant for an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembled state of a disinfectant-equipped cleaning bar for an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a first explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a second explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a reinforcement explanatory diagram of the structure of the third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a reinforced explanatory diagram of the structure of the third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 13A to 13C are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the lid of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a first explanatory diagram showing the operation of a disinfectant-equipped cleaning bar for an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a second explanatory diagram showing the operation of the disinfectant-equipped cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view showing a method of exchanging a disinfectant in a cleaning bar with a disinfectant for an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a first explanatory diagram showing an operation when discarding treatment material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement in an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a second explanatory diagram showing the operation for disposing of the treating material that has adhered to the excrement in the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention or that has flocculated due to absorption of the excrement. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams of a modified example of the upper case of the present invention. It is an explanatory view of the animal toilet concerning the 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view of the animal toilet concerning a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a first additional explanatory diagram of a cleaning bar for an animal litter box according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a second additional explanatory view of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a third additional explanatory diagram of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a fourth additional explanatory diagram of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a more advantageous example of the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a more advantageous implementation of the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an animal litter box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a first state of a front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a first state.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a second state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a third state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a third state.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a fifth state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a fifth state of a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of the front cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of the right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a right side cross section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a first state and an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first state.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right side cross-section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a fifth state.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a sixth state of a right side cross-section of the animal litter box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

<Configuration of the animal litter box of the first embodiment> As shown in FIG. 1, the animal litter box 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an upper case 3 and a lower case 4 that constitute a container body 2. , a joint part 5 for joining the upper case 3 and the lower case 4, a slit grid 6, a processing material separating part 7, and a receiving tray 8.

The upper case 3 is formed into a frame shape by front, back, left and right walls. The lower case 4 is formed into a dish shape. When assembled, the upper case 3 and the lower case 4 form the storage section 11 (see Figure 2) of the container body 102 that opens upward.

The tray 8 is detachably attached to the right side of the lower case 4. The slit lattice 6 is attached to the inside of the lower case 4, and its right side is placed above the saucer 8. As a result, the slit lattice 6 is provided at a position that divides the upper and lower parts of the storage section 11 (see FIG. 2), has a plurality of slits 21, 21...21, and is provided at the bottom of the storage section 11 (see FIG. 2). 12, and animal (for example, "cat") excrement and disposal materials (for example, "cat litter" and the same below) are placed thereon.

The treatment material separation section 7 is made of an elastically deformable material, has a cross-sectional shape (see Figs. 16 to 18) of a perfect circle, and is a first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 that can pass through each of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21; a second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 (see Fig. 4) that are made of an elastically deformable material, have a cross-sectional shape (see Figs. 16 to 18) of a perfect circle, and are a second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 (see Fig. 4) that can pass through each of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21; The system is composed of front guide plates 41, 42, 43, 44 and rear guide plates 51, 52, 53, 54 which guide the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32, and a drive unit (not shown) consisting of a motor, gears, rollers, belts, etc. which drive the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31, the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32, the front guide plates 41, 42, 43, 44 and the rear guide plates 51, 52, 53, 54.

A plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group, a plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group, front guide plates 41, 42, 43, 44, and rear guide plates 51, 52, 53 , 54 are guided by grooves, rails, etc., and driven by the drive section. The distance between the surfaces of adjacent rod-shaped members 31 of the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group, and the distance between the surfaces of the adjacent rod-shaped members 32 of the plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 of the second group. The interval is 8 mm, and the preferred range is 6 mm to 12 mm.

<Operation of animal litter box> The operation of the animal litter box 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 18.

4, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 show the first to sixth states in the front cross section A shown in FIG.

5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 show the first to sixth states in the right side cross section B shown in FIG.

The first state of the animal toilet 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a state in which the animal excretes excrement, and the animal is stopped.

In the first state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 4(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 4(b), the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 are positioned inside the multiple slits 21, 21...21 of the slit grating 6, and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are positioned directly below the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31, and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are in contact with the second group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31.

On the slit grid 6 located inside the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group, there are treated materials attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement, and uncontaminated excess. The processing material is placed.

16(a), the cross-sectional shape of the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 and the cross-sectional shape of the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are circular. The cross-sectional shape of the slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6 is an expanded shape that opens downward.

The diameters of the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are similar to the width of the upper and lower middle parts of the slits 21, 21...21 when no pressure is applied.

When the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group and the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group are inserted into the slits 21, 21...21, they are elastically deformed to form the slit. It becomes possible to pass through 21, 21...21.

In the first state, as shown in Figure 16 (a), the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the expanded shape of the multiple slits 21, 21...21.

In the first state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 5(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 5(b), the front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52 are in the lower, outermost position of the treatment material separation section 7, the front guide plate 41 and the rear guide plate 51 are in the lower, second outermost position of the treatment material separation section 7, and the front guide plate 43 and the rear guide plate 53 are in the upper, outermost position of the treatment material separation section 7. The front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 are in the upper, second outermost position of the treatment material separation section 7.

The second state of the animal litter box 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is the state following the first state, in which the treatment material separation section 7 is changed by the drive section after the animal has excreted waste.

In the second state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 6(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 6(b), the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 are positioned inside the multiple slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6 and engage with them, and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are positioned directly below the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 and are in contact with the multiple rod-shaped members 31, 31...31.

In the second state, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group are in contact with the expanded inner surfaces of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21. ing.

In the second state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7(a) and the cross-sectional view of FIG. The front guide plate 41 and the rear guide plate 51 move to a position closer to the inner side of the lower side of the processing material separating section 7. The front guide plate 43 and the rear guide plate 53 are located at the outermost position above the processing material separating section 7. The front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 are located at the second outermost position above the processing material separating section 7.

After this, a plurality of rod-shaped members of the second group are placed under the plurality of rod-shaped members 31 of the first group that are positioned inside and fitted into the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6. By moving the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group upward from the lower side of the slit grid 6 while the members 32, 32...32 are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 16(b), , the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group are pushed up from the inside of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6 by the force of pushing up from the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32. While moving the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 above the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, the plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 of the second group are moved from the lower side of the slit grid 6 to the inside of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21. Move and fit.

Thereby, the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group are replaced with the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group, and the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6 are replaced with the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group. and is formed on the bottom surface of the slit lattice 6 together with the slit lattice 6. The plurality of rod-like members 31, 31, . . . 31 of the first group that moves upward comes off the plurality of slits 21, rotates counterclockwise, and moves upward as shown in FIG. 16(b).

The third state of the animal litter box 1 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is the state in which the treatment material separation section 7 has been changed from the second state by the drive section, and the first group of multiple rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 have moved upward as shown in Figure 16 (b).

During this movement, the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 disengage from the multiple slits 21 and rotate counterclockwise while rising.

In the third state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 8(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 8(b), the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 move slightly above the multiple slits 21, 21...21 of the slit grating 6, and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 move upward and come into contact with and fit into the inner surfaces of the expanded shape of the multiple slits 21, 21...21 of the slit grating 6.

In the third state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 9(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 9(b), the front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52 are in the outermost position on the lower side of the treatment material separation section 7, and the front guide plate 41 and the rear guide plate 51 move upward from their inward position on the lower side of the treatment material separation section 7 by the amount of movement of the rod-shaped members 31, 31...31. The front guide plate 43 and the rear guide plate 53 are in the outermost position on the upper side of the treatment material separation section 7. The front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 are in the second outermost position on the upper side of the treatment material separation section 7.

The fourth state of the animal litter box 1 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a state in which the processing material separating section 7 is changed from the third state by the drive section.

In the fourth state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 10(a) and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10(b), the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group It moves upward by the height of the guide plate 52.

On the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group, the processing material that has adhered to excrement or has aggregated due to the absorption of excrement is separated from the uncontaminated excess processing material and placed. be done.

The plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group maintain the fitted state in contact with the expanded inner surfaces of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6.

Clean and excess processing material is placed on the slit grid 6 in which the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group are located inside the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 and fit therein. be done.

In the fourth state, as shown in Fig. 17, the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the cross section of Fig. 17 (front cross section A of Fig. 3). This causes uncontaminated excess treatment material to be further separated from the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has aggregated due to absorption of the excrement, and is dropped into the slit grating 6 into which the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 are fitted.

In the fourth state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 11(a) and the cross-sectional view of FIG. The rod-like members 31, 31...31 move upward from the moved position, and the front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52 move to the second outer position on the lower side of the processing material separating section 7. , the front guide plate 43 and the rear guide plate 53 move from the upper and outermost positions of the processing material separating section 7 to the lower and outermost positions of the processing material separating section 7 . The front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 are located at the upper second outer side of the processing material separating section 7.

The fifth state of the animal litter box 1 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is a state in which the processing material separation section 7 is changed from the fourth state by the drive unit.

In the fifth state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 12(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 12(b), the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 are at the highest position on the upper side of the front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52, and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 remain engaged with the slits 21, 21...21 of the slit grating 6.

In the fifth state, as shown in FIG. 17, the plurality of rod members 31, 31...31 of the first group rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the cross section of FIG. 17 (front cross section A of FIG. 3). As a result, uncontaminated excess processing material is further separated from the processing material that has adhered to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement, and the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the second group are fitted together. It is dropped into the slit grid 6.

In the fifth state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13(a) and the cross-sectional view of FIG. The front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52 are located at the second outer side of the lower side of the processing material separating section 7, and the front guide plate 43 and the rear guide plate 53 It is located at the outermost position on the lower side of section 7. The front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 move to the outermost position above the processing material separating section 7.

The sixth state of the animal litter box 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is a state in which the processing material separating section 7 is changed from the fifth state by the drive section.

In the sixth state, as shown in the oblique view of Figure 14(a) and the cross-sectional view of Figure 14(b), the first group of multiple rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 that have come to the upper side of the slit grating 6 move from outside the right side of the slit grating 6 to the lower side of the slit grating 6.

This causes the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement placed on the upper side of the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 or that has agglomerated due to absorption of the excrement to fall into the receiving tray 8.

The second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 remain engaged with the multiple slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6.

In the sixth state, as shown in Figure 18, the first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the cross-section of Figure 18 (front cross-section A of Figure 3).

In the sixth state, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 15(a) and the cross-sectional view of FIG. The front guide plate 42 and the rear guide plate 52 are at the second outer position below the processing material separating section 7, and the front guide plate 43 The rear guide plate 53 is located at the outermost position below the processing material separating section 7 , and the front guide plate 44 and the rear guide plate 54 are located at the outermost position above the processing material separating section 7 . It is in.

After this, in the seventh state, the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group in the first state and the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group are replaced, and the front guide plate 41, 42, 43, and 44 were replaced with front guide plates 42, 43, 44, and 41, respectively, and rear guide plates 51, 52, 53, and 54 were replaced with rear guide plates 52, 53, 54, and 51. state.

Next, the user removes the tray 8 from the lower case 4 and disposes of the excrement and processing material in the tray 8. This completes the disposal of excrement. Thereafter, by setting the tray 8 in the lower case 4 and scattering additional treatment material above the slit grid 6, it becomes possible to excrete the animal's excrement.

In this way, the steps shown in FIGS. 3 to 18 are executed cyclically while replacing the rod-shaped member, the front guide plate, and the rear guide plate.

<Configuration and effects of the first embodiment>
To summarize the structure and effects of the first embodiment, the animal toilet 1 includes a container body 102 for storing animal excrement in a storage section 11, and a container body 102 provided at a position dividing the storage section 11 into upper and lower parts. , a slit grid 6 having a plurality of slits 21, 21...21, on which animal excrement and disposal materials are placed; a plurality of filter members (a plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of a first group, a plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of a second group) that can be inserted into the plurality of slits, respectively; , by moving the upper side of the plurality of filter members to protrude above the slit lattice, treatment material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement is separated from uncontaminated excess treatment material. It is characterized by

The animal litter box 1 further comprises a container body 2 for storing animal waste in a storage section 11, a slit lattice 6 which is provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage section 11 and has a plurality of slits 21, 21...21, on which the animal waste and treatment material are placed, and a plurality of rod-shaped members (a first group of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31, a second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32, and a third group of rod-shaped members 33, 33...33) which are formed to match the shapes of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 and which can pass through the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, respectively. 2) and a receiving tray 8 detachably attached below the slit lattice 6 of the container body 2, in which the multiple rod-shaped members are passed from below the slit lattice 6 through the multiple slits 21, 21...21, and the multiple rod-shaped members that have reached the upper side of the slit lattice 6 are moved from the outside of the slit lattice 6 to the lower side of the slit lattice 6, thereby separating the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has agglomerated due to the absorption of the excrement from unsoiled excess treatment material and moving it to the receiving tray 8.

Further, the animal toilet 1 includes a container body 2 for storing animal excrement in a storage part 11, and a plurality of slits 21, 21...21 provided at a position dividing the storage part 11 into the upper and lower parts, A slit grid 6 on which animal excrement and processing materials are placed, and a first lattice formed to match the shape of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 and capable of passing through the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, respectively. A plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the group, and a second group each formed according to the shape of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 and capable of passing through the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, respectively. comprising a plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32, and a tray 8 removably attached below the slit lattice 6 of the container body 2, the plurality of slits 21 of the slit lattice 6, With the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group in contact with the lower side of the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group located inside the By moving the plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 of the second group upward from the lower side of the slit lattice 6, the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group are moved to the slit lattice 6. from inside the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 to above the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, and move the plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 of the second group to the upper side of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6. A first step of moving the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 from below into the inside of the plurality of slits 21, 21, . a second step of moving the rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 from outside the slit lattice 6 to the lower side of the slit lattice 6; A state in which the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group are in contact with the lower side of the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group located inside the slits 21, 21...21. By moving the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group upward from the lower side of the slit lattice 6, the plurality of rod-like members 32, 32...32 of the second group are moved, While moving the plurality of rod-like members 31, 31...31 of the first group from inside the plurality of slits 21, 21...21 of the slit lattice 6 to the upper side of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21, the plurality of rod-shaped members 31, 31...31 of the first group a third step of moving the slit lattice 6 from the lower side to the inside of the plurality of slits 21, 21...21; a fourth step of moving a plurality of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 of the group from outside the slit lattice 6 to the bottom side of the slit lattice 6, and the first to fourth steps are cycled. By carrying out this process, the treatment material attached to the excrement or aggregated due to the absorption of the excrement is separated from the uncontaminated excess treatment material and moved to the receiving tray.

In addition, in the animal litter box 1, the first group of rod-shaped members 31 and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 move while rotating around the longitudinal direction as the axis of rotation.

Because of this configuration, the animal litter box 1 of the first embodiment can automatically separate the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has coagulated due to the absorption of the excrement from unsoiled excess treatment material and move it to the tray 8, improving convenience when disposing of animal excrement. In addition, the first group of rod-shaped members 31 and the second group of rod-shaped members 32, 32...32 move while rotating around the longitudinal direction as the axis of rotation, thereby efficiently separating the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has coagulated due to the absorption of the excrement from unsoiled excess treatment material.

<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an assembled animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 shows an animal litter box body relating to a second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 20(a) is an oblique view seen from diagonally above the front right side, and Figure 20(b) is an oblique view seen from diagonally above the rear left side.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning bar with disinfectant for an animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the assembled cleaning bar with disinfectant for an animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a first explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 23(a) shows a first state of the animal litter box body, Figure 23(b) shows a second state of the animal litter box body, and Figure 23(c) shows a third state of the animal litter box body.

FIG. 24 is a second explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal toilet according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24(a) shows the first state of the animal toilet main body, FIG. 24(b) shows the second state of the animal toilet main body, and FIG. 24(c) shows the third state of the animal toilet main body.

Fig. 25 is a third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 26 is a reinforcement explanatory diagram of the structure of the third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a reinforcement explanatory diagram of the structure of the third explanatory diagram showing the operation of the filter of the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the lid of an animal litter box according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 28(a) shows a first state of the animal litter box body, Figure 28(b) shows a second state of the animal litter box body, and Figure 28(c) shows a third state of the animal litter box body.

FIG. 29 is a first explanatory view showing the operation of the cleaning bar with disinfectant for an animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 29(a) shows the third state of the animal litter box main body. , and FIG. 29(b) shows the fourth state of the animal litter box body.

FIG. 30 is a second explanatory view showing the operation of the cleaning bar with disinfectant for the animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 30(a) shows the fifth state of the animal litter box main body. FIG. 30(b) shows the animal toilet main body in the sixth state, and FIG. 30(c) shows the animal toilet main body in the seventh state.

Figure 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of replacing the disinfectant in a disinfectant-equipped cleaning bar of an animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 31(a) shows the eighth state of the animal litter box body, Figure 31(b) shows the state in which the disinfectant tank has been removed from the cabinet above the cleaning bar, and Figure 31(c) shows the state in which the disinfectant cap has been removed from the disinfectant tank.

FIG. 32 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating an operation when disposing of treatment material attached to excrement or aggregated by absorption of excrement in an animal litter box according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 32(a) shows the initial state of the operation when discarding the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement stored in the dust box 110 in the lower cabinet 104 or has aggregated due to absorption of the excrement, and FIG. 32(b) ) shows the first procedure of the operation when discarding the processing material, and FIG. 32(c) shows the second procedure of the operation when discarding the processing material.

Figure 33 is a second explanatory diagram showing the operations when disposing of treatment material that has adhered to excrement in an animal litter box or that has agglomerated due to absorption of excrement in the second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 33(a) shows a third procedure for the operations when disposing of the treatment material, Figure 33(b) shows a fourth procedure for the operations when disposing of the treatment material, and Figure 33(c) shows a fifth procedure for the operations when disposing of the treatment material.

<Configuration of the animal litter box of the second embodiment> As shown in Figure 19, the animal litter box 9 of the second embodiment of the present invention is composed of an animal litter box main body 101 and a cover 111.

The animal litter box body 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an upper cabinet 103, a lower cabinet 104, and an internal frame 105 that constitute a container body 102, and a split hook for joining the upper cabinet 103 and the lower cabinet 104. 106, a slit grid 107, a filter 108, a cleaning bar 109, and a dust box 110.

The upper cabinet 103 is formed into a frame shape by front, rear, left and right walls. The lower cabinet 104 is formed into a dish shape. When assembled, the upper cabinet 103, the lower cabinet 104, and the internal frame 105 form a storage section 112 (see FIG. 20) of the container body 102 that opens upward.

The dust box 110 is attached to the lower cabinet 104 in a removable manner from the right side of the lower cabinet 104.

The slit grid 107 is attached to the inside of the internal frame 105 and placed above the dust box 110. Thereby, the slit lattice 107 is provided at a position that divides the upper and lower parts of the storage section 112 (see FIGS. 20(a), 20(b), and 23(a)), and a plurality of slits 121 extending back and forth, 121...121, and covers the bottom 113 (see FIG. 23(a)) of the storage section 112 (see FIG. 20), on which animal (cat in the second embodiment) excrement and disposal materials are placed.

As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the filter 108 is composed of a first group of multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 and a second group of multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132, and the first group of multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 are arranged alternately side by side.

The first group of multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 are formed in a plate shape and have cross sections formed to match the shapes of the multiple slits 121, 121...121 of the slit grating 107, and the upper edges and middle portions are capable of being inserted into the multiple slits 121, 121...121, respectively.

The plurality of plate-like members 131, 131...131 of the first group and the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group have a thickness of 1.0 mm (more preferably 0.6 to 1 mm). .0mm). The interval between the plurality of adjacent plate members 131 of the first group and the plurality of plate members 132 of the second group is 7 mm, and is preferably in the range of 6 to 9 mm.

28, the first group of plate-like members 131, 131...131 are driven up and down by a drive unit 133 provided on the left side of the internal frame 105. The distance between the surfaces of adjacent first group plate-like members 131 is 7 mm, with a preferred range of 6 to 9 mm.

28, the second group of plate-like members 132, 132...132 are driven up and down by a drive unit 134 provided on the right side of the internal frame 105. The distance between the surfaces of adjacent plate-like members 132 of the second group is 7 mm, with a preferred range of 6 to 9 mm.

A lid 135 is provided on the upper part of the front wall of the internal frame 105, as shown in Figure 28. The lid 135 opens and closes in conjunction with the leftmost plate-shaped member 131 of the first group and the rightmost plate-shaped member 132 of the second group by left and right interlocking members 136, 137.

As shown in Figures 19 and 20, a sand brush 141 is provided at the front edge of the upper opening of the upper cabinet 103. An operating unit 142 is provided at the rear edge of the upper opening of the upper cabinet 103.

As shown in FIG. 19, the cover 111 is removably attached to the upper side of the upper cabinet 103. A notch 151 is formed in the left wall of the cover 111 for the cat to pass through.

As shown in FIG. 21, the cleaning bar 109 with disinfectant includes a cleaning bar front cabinet 161, a cleaning bar upper cabinet 162, a cleaning bar lower cabinet 163, a motor 164, a worm gear 165, a tire shaft 166, and a tire. 167, 168, a vibrator 169, a disinfectant tank 170, and a disinfectant cap 171.

A through hole 172 for attaching a vibrator 169 is formed in the center of the cleaning bar front cabinet 161. The vibrator 169 is connected to a disinfectant tank 170 as shown in FIG. 21, and sprays the disinfectant in the disinfectant tank 170.

As shown in Figure 20, the motor 164 is fixed to the inside of the cleaning bar lower cabinet 163 and a worm gear 165 is attached to the rotating shaft.

The tire shaft 166 is rotatably attached to the cleaning bar lower cabinet 163, and tires 167 and 168 are attached to the left and right sides. A gear groove is formed in the tire shaft 166, and this gear groove meshes with the worm gear 165.

With this structure, when the motor 164 rotates the rotating shaft, the worm gear 165, the tire shaft 166, and the tires 167, 168 rotate. The tires 167, 168 are arranged so as to be in contact with the internal frame, so that the cleaning bar 109 moves from rear to front as the tires 167, 168 rotate.

As shown in Figure 32(a), the dust box 110 has waste disposal paper 200 attached to the inside bottom surface, and a frame-shaped adjustment bar 181 is attached above the paper 200 in a detachable and slidable manner. A wall 191 is provided in front of the adjustment bar 181 to move the treatment material that has adhered to the waste or that has aggregated due to the absorption of the waste.

The dust box 110 is fitted with a rear door 182 and hooks 183, 184, 185, and 186 (see Figure 33 (b)) at the four corners for holding the paper 200.

The lower cabinet 104 is provided with a motor 187 for moving the adjustment bar 181, tires 188 and 189 for moving the adjustment bar, and a rotating shaft 190. A rotating shaft 190 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 187 . Tires 188 and 189 for moving the adjustment bar are attached and fixed to the left and right sides of the rotating shaft 190.

<Operation of the animal litter box> The operation of the animal litter box main body 101 with the cover 111 removed will be explained with reference to Figures 20 to 33.

The first state of the animal litter box body 101 is a state in which the animal excretes waste, and the animal litter box body 101 is in a stopped state.

In the first state, as shown in Figures 20(a), 20(b), 23(a), 24(a) and 28(a), the first group of multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 are arranged alternately, with their upper ends inserted into the multiple slits 121, 121...121 of the slit grating 107 and flush with the upper surface of the slit grating 107.

Treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or has agglomerated through absorption of the excrement, as well as unsoiled excess treatment material, are placed on the upper ends of the first group of multiple plate-shaped members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-shaped members 132, 132...132 and on the slit grating 107.

Meanwhile, the lid 135 on the front wall of the internal frame 105 is in a closed state, as shown in Figure 28 (a).

In the first state, the cleaning bar 109 is positioned at the rearmost position, as shown in Figures 23(a) and 28(a).

The second state of the animal toilet main body 101 is a state following the first state, in which the filter 108 is changed by the drive unit by operating the operating unit 142 (see FIG. 20) after the animal has excreted excrement. It is in a state where it is

In the second state, as shown in Figures 23 (b), 24 (b) and 28 (b), a first group of multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 and a second group of multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 protrude from the multiple slits 121, 121...121 of the slit grating 107 at different timings and move upward intermittently.

As a result, the upper ends of the multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 in the first group and the upper ends of the multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 in the second group rise while alternately switching positions. This movement efficiently sifts out uncontaminated treatment material from the upper ends of the multiple plate-like members 131, 131...131 in the first group and the upper ends of the multiple plate-like members 132, 132...132 in the second group, and drops onto the upper surface of the slit grating 107.

How the first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 are driven will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. The first group of plate-like members 131 has, for example, a rod-shaped first group drive rod portion 1131 at both ends in the front-rear direction (in FIG. (They are connected in the hatched part in FIG. 25, see also FIG. 26, and the same applies hereinafter). As shown in FIG. 27, the first group drive rod portion 1131 is connected to the end portion of the plate member 131 of the first group in the front and back direction, so that and operation) will be located outside the area. Further, the second group plate member 132 has a rod-shaped second group drive rod, for example, at both ends in the front-rear direction (in FIG. 1132 (joined at the hatched part in FIG. 25). This second group drive rod portion 1132 is connected to the end portion of the plate member 132 of the second group in the front-rear direction, and therefore is located outside the (existence and operation) area of the plate member 131 of the first group. I will do it. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25, the first group drive rod part 1131 and the second group drive rod part 1132 are also formed to be shifted in the vertical direction, so that both can be driven separately. By separately driving the first group drive rod section 1131 and the second group drive rod section 1132 in the vertical direction, the first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 are independently driven. (up and down movement). Note that the slit grating 107 is fixed and does not move. The first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 move separately in the vertical direction with respect to the slit lattice 107 that does not move.

Cat litter usually has a size of about several millimeters. When exposed to liquid (cat urine), multiple pieces of cat litter combine to form a large lump. It is an object of the present invention (this embodiment) to automatically remove this (large cat litter (hereinafter referred to as "cat litter lump")). As a method, cat litter is first placed on the upper plane of the slit grid 107, as shown in FIG. If there is no slit 121 formed in the slit lattice 107, a hole will be formed and the cat litter will fall down. To prevent this cat litter from falling down, the first group of plate-like members 131 and the second group of plate-like members 132 fill the slits at the slits 121, as shown in FIG. 24(a). Located in This makes it possible to form one flat surface and prevent the cat litter from falling. In this state, even if the first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 rise, the gap between the first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 Since the distance is sufficiently larger than the size of the cat litter (it is designed to be larger), most of the cat litter will fall onto the slit grid 107. Based on this premise, the behavior of the present invention will be further explained. In this state, when a cat urinates, a plurality of pieces of cat litter combine to form a lump of cat litter, which needs to be discarded. The cat litter mass formed at this time is formed so that the distance between each adjacent plate of the first group of plate members 131 is shorter than the general size of the cat litter lump formed at this time. design). Similarly, the second group of plate members 132 is formed so that the distance between each adjacent plate is shorter than the general size of the cat litter lump formed at this time. ). Then, even if only one of the first group of plate members 131 and the second group of plate members 132 rises, the cat litter mass can be lifted above the slit grid 107. On the other hand, cat litter that is not wet with urine will not be lifted up as described above and will remain in position on the slit grid 107. The present invention (see Fig. 21, Fig. 22, and especially Fig. 30) can remove only the cat litter wetted with cat urine by removing the cat litter lump lifted in this way with the cleaning bar 109 (see Fig. 21, Fig. 22, and especially Fig. 30). This is the most important point of the operating principle in this embodiment).

Then, a question arises as to whether the two groups, the first group plate-like member 131 and the second group plate-like member 132, are necessary, so this point will be explained. Indeed, the first group plate-like member 131 (or the second group plate-like member 132) alone can fulfill the minimum function. However, if only the first group plate-like member 131 is used, the cat litter that is just on the first group plate-like member 131 will be lifted up. Or, there is also cat litter that has adhered to the cat litter block in a small amount, and it is not economical to remove this cat litter as well. Not only is it not economical, but if the cat litter is consumed frequently, it will naturally be a hassle to replenish the cat litter. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to drop such cat litter into the slit grating 107, not only the first group plate-like member 131 but also the second group plate-like member 132 is provided, and by alternately moving these two groups up and down, the cat litter block is slightly rolled and the cat litter is dropped.

Note that depending on the shape of the cat litter, it is also possible to use only the first group of plate-like members 131 (the second group of plate-like members 132 is not provided). Or, the same applies if you are not concerned about consuming cat litter.

As shown in FIG. 28(b), the lid 135 on the front wall of the internal frame 105 is connected to the left end plate member 131 of the first group and the right end plate of the second group by the left and right interlocking members 136 and 137. It gradually opens in conjunction with the shaped member 132.

Furthermore, in the second state, the cleaning bar 109 is located at the rearmost position, as shown in FIGS. 23(b) and 28(b).

The third state shown in the animal toilet main body 101 is a state following the second state, in which the plurality of plate members 131, 131...131 of the first group of the filter 108 and the second group are This is a state in which the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 have reached their upper limit.

In the third state, as shown in Figures 23(c), 24(c), 28(c) and 29(a), the first group of plate-like members 131, 131...131 and the second group of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the filter 108 protruding from the multiple slits 121, 121...121 of the slit grating 107 stop at the upper limit of their movement.
In this state, the upper end surfaces of the plurality of plate-like members 131, 131 . . . 131 and the upper end surfaces of the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132 .

The treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has agglomerated due to absorption of the excrement is separated from unsoiled excess treatment material and placed on the first group of multiple plate-shaped members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-shaped members 132, 132...132.

On the upper surface of the slit grid 107, in a portion where the plurality of slits 121, 121, .

The cover 135 on the front wall of the internal frame 105 is in a fully open state as a result of the movement of the leftmost plate-shaped member 131 of the first group and the rightmost plate-shaped member 132 of the second group to their upper limits and the interlocking of the left and right interlocking members 136, 137, as shown in Figure 28 (c).

In addition, in the third state, as shown in FIGS. 23(c), 28(c), and 29(a), the cleaning bar 109 is located at the rearmost position, and the cleaning bar 109 is located at the rearmost position, and the cleaning bar 109 It is located behind the upper end surfaces of the members 131, 131...131 and the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group.

The fourth state of the animal litter box body 101 shown in FIG. 29(b) is a state following the third state, in which the cleaning bar 109 moves forward by operating the operating section 142 (see FIG. 20). Excrements on the upper end surfaces of the plurality of plate-like members 131, 131...131 of the first group and the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group are attached to excrement or are aggregated by absorption of excrement. The processed material is moved forward by the cleaning bar 109.

The fifth state of the animal litter box main body 101 shown in FIG. , 131...131 and the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group, the processing material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement is further moved forward by the cleaning bar 109. Moving.

The sixth state of the animal litter box body 101 shown in Figure 30 (b) is the state following the fifth state, in which the cleaning bar 109 moves further forward, and the treatment material attached to the excrement or agglomerated by absorption of the excrement on the upper end surfaces of the first group of multiple plate-shaped members 131, 131...131 and the second group of multiple plate-shaped members 132, 132...132 is moved further forward by the cleaning bar 109 and dropped into the dust box 110 (see Figure 28 (c)) through the lid 135 (see Figure 28 (c)) on the front wall of the internal frame 105.

The seventh state of the animal litter box body 101 shown in Fig. 30(c) is the state following the sixth state, in which the cleaning bar 109 moves backward. During this backward movement, the vibrator 169 sprays disinfectant onto the portions of the upper surface of the slit grating 107 (see Figs. 23(c) and 24(c)) where the plurality of slits 121, 121...121 (see Figs. 23(c) and 24(c)) are not formed, onto the first group of plate-like members 131, 131...131, and onto the second group of plate-like members 132, 132...132.

The eighth state shown in FIG. 31(a) of the animal litter box main body 101 shows the state when the disinfectant solution is replenished.

In the eighth state, the plurality of plate-like members 131, 131...131 of the first group and the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group are , are moved to the lowest position and are arranged alternately so that their upper ends are flush with the upper surface of the slit grid 107.

In the eighth state, the cleaning bar 109 is moved to a middle position between the front and rear by operating the operating unit 142 (see FIG. 20). To refill the disinfectant, the disinfectant tank 170 is removed from the upper cabinet 162 of the cleaning bar 109 as shown in FIG. 31(b), and the disinfectant cap 171 is removed from the disinfectant tank 170 as shown in FIG. 31(c), and the disinfectant tank 170 is refilled with disinfectant.

Figure 32(a) shows the initial state of the operation when disposing of the treatment material stored in the dust box 110 in the lower cabinet 104, which has adhered to the excrement or has agglomerated due to the absorption of the excrement.

As shown in FIG. 32(a), the adjustment bar 181 is in the forward position in the initial state of the operation when discarding the treatment material that has adhered to excrement or has aggregated due to absorption of excrement.

After that, as shown in FIG. 32(b), the motor 187 is driven by operating the operating section 142 (see FIG. 20), and the rotating shaft 190 and adjustment bar moving tires 188, 189 are moved to the left when viewed from the right side. By rotating the adjustment bar 181 backward, the wall portion 191 of the adjustment bar 181 causes the treatment material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement to be moved rearward. Thereafter, the motor 187 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, rotating the rotary shaft 190 and adjustment bar moving tires 188, 189 clockwise when viewed from the right side, and moving the adjustment bar 181 forward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 32 (c), pull out the dust box 110 from the lower cabinet 104 and remove the dust box 110 from the lower cabinet 104.

After that, as shown in FIG. 33(a), the adjustment bar 181 is taken out from the dust box 110.

After that, as shown in FIG. 33(b), the rear door 182 of the dust box 110 is opened, and the rear door 182 is directed diagonally downward to absorb the excrement attached to or absorbed from the rear door 182. Discard the treated material that has agglomerated.

After this, as shown in Figure 33 (c), the paper 200 is removed from the hooks 183, 184, 185, and 186 of the dust box 110 and replaced with new paper.

This completes the disposal of excrement.

Thereafter, the adjustment bar 181 is set in the dust box 110, the dust box 110 is set in the lower cabinet 104, and additional treatment material is sprinkled above the slit grid 107, thereby making it possible to excrete animal waste.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the upper case of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 34, a cover 333 can be provided further above the upper case 3. This cover 333 can be made removable. Further, the cover 333 may have an open front portion (a portion where the cat enters and exits), and may have a U-shape when viewed from above. Further, the sand blower 141 portion may be attached to the upper case 3 so that it can be used even if the cover 333 is removed.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention.

For ease of understanding, the following description will be given for the case of a cat (cat litter), but other animals are not excluded. In the second embodiment, the first group plate-like member 131 and the second group plate-like member 132 have a vertically long rectangular shape (as viewed from above). Similarly, the slit lattice 107 also has a vertically long rectangular shape (as viewed from above). However, with this shape, since it is long in the vertical direction, there is a risk of bending occurring near the center. In addition, there is a possibility that a large amount of cat litter that is not in a cat litter lump (not wet with urine and does not need to be evacuated) will be lifted up. Therefore, the slit lattice 107 can be changed to one with small round holes, as shown in FIG. 35. Hereinafter, since a round hole is opened instead of a slit, it will be referred to as a fixed surface 107a. Also, since it is a hole shape rather than a slit, it will be referred to as a through hole 121a. And the first group plate-like member 131 is not plate-shaped, but has a comb-like shape as shown in FIG. 36(a). Therefore, the plate-like member 131 of the first group is also written as the vertical movement part 131a of the first group. Similarly, the plate-like member 132 of the second group is not plate-like, but has a comb-like shape as shown in FIG. 36(a). It is written as the vertical movement part 132b of the second group. As a result, as shown in FIG. 35, the vertical movement part 131a of the first group and the vertical movement part 132a of the second group are adjacent to each other and alternately extend in the vertical direction of the paper surface of FIG. 35, and are arranged alternately in multiple rows in the left-right direction. The vertical movement part 131a of the first group and the vertical movement part 132a of the second group can be driven independently. Note that although it is described as a round hole, it does not necessarily have to be a circle, and it may be a triangle, a square, or a polygonal shape with more than one side (of course, it may be a regular polygon or a simple polygon). It also does not necessarily have to be a regular triangle, a regular square, or a regular polygonal shape with more than one side. In other words, a rectangle, an isosceles triangle, etc. are also acceptable. Furthermore, the holes may be elliptical, egg-shaped, star-shaped, etc., other than circles. In addition, the holes may be needle-shaped, tapered toward the top. In other words, the holes may be any shape.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment.

(As shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b), the cat litter mass Z is moved above the fixed surface 107a by the vertically movable portion 131a of the first group (or/and the vertically movable portion 132a of the second group). In this state, the cleaning bar 109 moves from the left direction in FIG. , see also FIG. 22).The tip rake portion 109c and the rake portion 109b have a tapered structure toward the tip (toward the left side of the paper in FIG. 36). The portion 109b protrudes toward the fixing surface 107a.Furthermore, the protruding angle of the tip rake portion 109c toward the fixing surface 107a is formed to be larger than that of the rake portion 109b.With such a structure, more effects can be achieved. The cat litter mass Z can be scooped up effectively and reliably. The rescued cat litter mass Z is held (placed) on the holding part 109a and moved to the left side of the paper in FIG. .

The behavior of the cleaning bar will be further described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 37 is a first additional explanatory view of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is a second additional explanatory view of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a third additional explanatory view of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 is a fourth additional explanatory view of the cleaning bar of the animal litter box according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 36, the lifted cat litter block Z is held on the holding portion 109a as shown in FIG. 37, and moves at least on the first group of vertical movement portions 131a. The direction of movement is toward the lid 135 in FIG. 28 (toward the sand duster 141 in FIG. 23). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 38, the cleaning bar 109 moves the cat litter block Z to the end of the lid 135. At this time, the lid 135 is opened as shown in FIG. 28(c) to allow the cat litter block Z to pass through. As a result, the cat litter block Z falls (passes through) the treatment material drop space 143 and is dropped into the dust box 110. At this time, the cleaning bar 109 and the holding portion 109a (scooping portion 109b, tip scooping portion 109c) move relative to each other as shown in FIG. 38, and the cleaning bar 109 can move to the end of the lid 135. After that, as shown in FIG. 39, the disinfectant (which may function as a deodorizing liquid or may contain a deodorizing liquid component in addition to the disinfectant) in the disinfectant tank 170 inside the cleaning bar 109 is sprayed. This disinfectant is sprayed onto the cat litter lump Z after it has fallen. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 40, the first group vertical movement part 131a and the second group vertical movement part 132a are lowered downward as shown in FIG. 39. In this state, the cleaning bar 109 moves above the first group vertical movement part 131a and the second group vertical movement part 132a. During this movement, the disinfectant (which may function as a deodorizing liquid or may contain a deodorizing liquid component in addition to the disinfectant) in the disinfectant tank 170 inside the cleaning bar 109 is sprayed. Finally, the cleaning bar 109 moves until it reaches the state of the cleaning bar 109 in FIG. 19. This makes it possible to efficiently remove the cat litter lump Z, and also to disinfect and deodorize it.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of a more advantageous example of the third embodiment.
FIG. 42 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a more advantageous implementation of the third embodiment.

Naturally, a circular hole is formed in the fixing surface 107a. A cylindrical member of the first group of vertically movable parts 131a or the second group of vertically movable parts 132a is inserted into this circular hole. However, a gap may inevitably occur between the two members. There is a risk that cat urine may enter through this gap before being absorbed into the cat litter. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 41, a waterproof sheet 1001 is stretched over the fixed surface 107a. Then, as shown in FIG. 42, an X-shaped notch 1011 is made in the portion into which the first group of vertically moving parts 131a or the second group of vertically moving parts 132a enters. The X-shaped cut 1011 is formed by a first cut 1011a and a second cut 1011b. By pushing up this X-shaped notch 1011, the first group of vertically moving parts 131a or the second group of vertically moving parts 132a moves upward (see FIG. 42(b)). By doing so, cat urine can be prevented from entering below the waterproof sheet 1001. Of course, since the waterproof sheet 1001 has slits 1011, it is not possible to prevent urine from entering for a long time, but if you prevent urine from entering for a short period of time, the cat litter will absorb the cat's urine. It is sufficient if it can be prevented for a while. Note that the shape of the notch 1011 is not limited to the X shape. For example, although the X shape is formed from two straight lines, the number may be three or more.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Regarding the plate-shaped members 131 and 132 in the second embodiment, and the columnar shape in the third embodiment, shorter rectangles are arranged alternately (131b) as shown in FIG. , 132b).

Up to this point, we have described an embodiment in which the first group of vertical movement parts 131a and the second group of vertical movement parts 132a move up and down, but the same effect can be achieved even if the fixed surface 107a moves in the opposite direction. Furthermore, there can also be a configuration in which both the first group of vertical movement parts 131a and the second group of vertical movement parts 132a and the fixed surface 107a move. Even in this case, the same effect can be achieved.

<Configuration and effects of embodiment>
The animal litter box 1 of this embodiment has a container body 102 for storing animal excrement in a storage part 11, and a container body 102 that is provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage part 11, and has a plurality of through holes 121a. A fixed surface 107a on which excrement and disposal materials are placed, and a plurality of vertically movable parts whose cross sections are each formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes 121a, and at least a part of which can be inserted into the plurality of through holes 121a. A first group of vertically movable parts 131a, a second group of vertically movable parts 132a), and a plurality of vertically movable parts (first group of vertically movable parts 131a, second group of vertically movable parts 132a) are fixed to a fixed surface. By moving the treatment material upward from 107a, the treatment material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement is separated from the uncontaminated excess treatment material.
With such a configuration, it has become possible to provide an animal toilet that can improve convenience when disposing of animal excrement.

Preferably, the shape of the plurality of through holes 121a formed in the fixing surface 107a is a circle or a polygon.
With this configuration, the shape of the multiple up and down moving parts (the first group of up and down moving parts 131a, the second group of up and down moving parts 132a) can be made to match the cat litter block Z.

Preferably, the plurality of vertically movable parts (the first group of vertically movable parts 131a, the second group of vertically movable parts 132a) are divided into two or more groups, and each group is independently vertically movable. is possible.
Since it has such a configuration,

Preferably, the cleaning bar 109 has a vertical movement part (first group vertical movement part 131a, second group vertical movement part 132a) which moves the agglomerated treatment material in one direction of the container body 2 while the vertical movement part (first group vertical movement part 131a, second group vertical movement part 132a) lifts the agglomerated treatment material upward from the fixed surface 107a.
With this configuration, it is possible to remove the agglomerated treatment material (cat litter clumps).

The second animal toilet 1 of the present invention has a container body 102 for storing animal excrement in a storage part 11, and a plurality of through holes 121a provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage part 11, A first surface (107a) on which animal excrement and disposal materials are placed, and a plurality of surfaces each having a cross section that matches the shape of the plurality of through holes 121a and at least a part of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes 121a. A plurality of penetrating parts (vertical moving parts 131a of the first group, vertical moving parts 132a of the second group) are provided. By relatively moving the first surface and the first surface, the treatment material attached to the excrement or aggregated due to absorption of the excrement is separated from the uncontaminated excess treatment material.
With such a configuration, it has become possible to provide an animal toilet that can improve convenience when disposing of animal excrement.

Since it has such a configuration, the animal toilet main body 101 of the embodiment can automatically separate the processing material that has adhered to excrement or that has aggregated due to absorption of excrement from the uncontaminated excess processing material. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience when disposing of animal excrement.

Furthermore, the animal toilet main body 101 of the embodiment has an upper end portion of the plurality of plate-like members 131, 131...131 of the first group, and an upper end portion of the plurality of plate-like members 132, 132...132 of the second group. By rising while alternating the top and bottom, it becomes. Due to this movement, clean processing material is removed from the upper ends of the plurality of plate members 131, 131...131 of the first group and the upper ends of the plurality of plate members 132, 132...132 of the second group. Since it can be efficiently sieved, dropped onto the upper surface of the slit grid 107, and reused, the convenience of disposing of animal excrement can be further improved.

The structure, system, materials, connection of each member, chemical substances, etc. of the present invention can be variously changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

The material can also be freely selected from metal, plastic, FRP, wood, concrete, etc.

For example, it is possible to combine two or more members into one, or conversely, it is also possible to configure one member from two or more other members and connect them.

Moreover, the above-described embodiments are merely two of the best modes currently available or modes close to them.
Furthermore, the order of tasks can be changed as appropriate as long as it has a desired effect.

<Definition, etc.>
The animal litter box of the present invention can be used to treat any kind of animal excrement.

An example of an animal in the present invention is a cat.

The animal toilet of the present invention can be effectively used in homes, zoos, research facilities, events, etc.

1...Animal toilet 2...Container body 3...Upper case 4...Lower case 5...Joint part 6...Slit grid 7...Processing material separation part 8...Saucer 9...Animal toilet 11...Storage part 21...Slit (through hole) ) 12...Bottom 31, 31...31...Plurality of rod-shaped members of the first group 32, 32...32...Plurality of rod-shaped members of the second group 41, 42, 43, 44...Front guide plate 51, 52, 53 , 54... Rear guide plate 101... Animal toilet body 111... Cover 102... Container body 103... Upper cabinet 104... Lower cabinet 105... Internal frame 106... Divided hook 107... Slit lattice (fixed surface) (first surface) 107a ...Fixed surface (first surface) 108...Filter 109...Cleaning bar with disinfectant 109a...Holding part 109b...Rake part 109c...Tip scoop part 110...Dust box 111...Cover 112...Storage part 113...Bottom part 121...Slit 121a... Through hole 131...First group plate-like member 131a...First group vertically moving part (vertical moving part) (penetrating part) 132... Second group plate-like member 132a... Second group vertically moving part (vertical moving part) part) (penetration part) 133... Drive part 134... Drive part 135... Lid 141... Sand removal 142... Operation part 143... Treated material falling space 151... Notch 161... Cleaning bar front cabinet 162... Cleaning bar upper cabinet 163... Cleaning Under-bar cabinet 164... Motor 165... Worm gear 166... Tire shaft 167, 168... Tire 169... Vibrator 170... Disinfectant tank 171... Disinfectant cap 181... Adjustment bar 182... Rear door 183, 184, 185, 186... Hook 187...Motor 188, 189...Adjustment bar movement tire 190...Rotating shaft 191...Wall portion 200...Paper 1001...Waterproof sheet 1011...Slit 1011a...First notch 1011b...Second notch 1131...First group drive rod portion 1132...Second group drive rod part Z...Cat litter lump

Claims (12)

A container body for storing animal waste in a storage section;
a fixing surface provided at a position dividing the upper and lower portions of the storage section, the fixing surface having a plurality of through holes, on which animal waste and treatment materials are placed;
A plurality of vertical movement parts each having a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes, at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes;
Equipped with
This animal litter box is characterized in that the plurality of vertically movable parts are caused to protrude upward from the fixed surface, thereby separating the treatment material that has adhered to the excrement or that has clumped due to the absorption of the excrement from unsoiled excess treatment material. The animal litter box according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the plurality of through holes formed in the fixing surface is circular or polygonal. The plurality of vertical movement parts are configured so that each vertical movement part performs the same vertical movement action during vertical movement,
The animal litter box according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the surfaces of the adjacent vertical movement parts of the plurality of vertical movement parts is between 6 mm and 12 mm. The plurality of vertically moving parts are divided into two or more groups,
The animal litter box according to claim 1, wherein the vertically movable parts of each group can independently move vertically. The plurality of vertically movable parts include a first vertically movable part group and a second vertically movable part group, and the first vertically movable part group and the second vertically movable part group each independently vertically move. configured to allow
The animal litter box according to claim 4, wherein an interval between surfaces of adjacent vertically movable parts of the first vertically movable part group is 6 mm or more and 12 mm or less. It has a cleaning bar,
The animal litter box according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning bar moves the clumped treatment material in one direction of the container body in a state in which the vertical movement portion lifts the clumped treatment material upward from the fixed surface. a container body for storing animal excrement in a storage part;
a first surface provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage section, having a plurality of through holes, and on which animal excrement and processing materials are placed;
a plurality of through parts each having a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes, and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes;
Equipped with
By relatively moving the plurality of through-holes and the first surface, processing material attached to excrement or aggregated due to absorption of excrement is separated from uncontaminated excess processing material. A toilet for animals. a container body for storing animal excrement in a storage part;
a fixed surface provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage section, having a plurality of through holes, and on which animal excrement and processing materials are placed;
a plurality of vertically moving parts each having a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes, and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes;
In animal toilets equipped with
From a state in which the fixed surface and the upper ends of the plurality of vertically movable parts are flush with each other,
By moving the plurality of vertically movable parts upward from the fixed surface, the processing material attached to the excrement or aggregated due to the absorption of the excrement is separated from the uncontaminated excess processing material. Features of how to use the animal toilet. The animal litter box includes:
The plurality of vertical movement units include a first vertical movement unit group and a second vertical movement unit group, each group being configured to be capable of moving up and down independently,
A method of using an animal litter box as described in claim 8, characterized in that it includes a step of placing the upper end of the first vertical movement group in a state where it protrudes upward relative to the upper end of the second vertical movement group, and then placing the upper end of the second vertical movement group in a state where it protrudes upward relative to the upper end of the first vertical movement group. The animal toilet is
Has a movable cleaning bar,
The method further includes the step of moving the cleaning bar to move the aggregated processing material in one direction of the container body while the plurality of vertically moving parts are moved upwardly from the fixed surface. A method of using the animal litter box according to claim 8. a container body for storing animal excrement in a storage part;
a fixed surface provided at a position dividing the upper and lower parts of the storage section, having a plurality of through holes, and on which animal excrement and processing materials are placed;
a plurality of vertically moving parts each having a cross section formed to match the shape of the plurality of through holes, and at least a portion of which can be inserted into each of the plurality of through holes;
Equipped with
a first state in which the fixed surface and the upper ends of the plurality of vertically movable parts are flush with each other;
An animal litter box characterized in that the plurality of vertically movable parts have a second state in which they protrude upward from the fixed surface. The plurality of vertically movable parts include a first vertically movable part group and a second vertically movable part group, and the first vertically movable part group and the second vertically movable part group each independently vertically move. configured to allow
a third state in which an upper end of the first vertically moving part group protrudes upward relative to an upper end of the second vertically moving part group;
The animal according to claim 11, further comprising a fourth state in which an upper end of the second vertically moving part group projects upwardly with respect to an upper end of the first vertically moving part group. Toilet for use.

Images