NL2010856C2

NL2010856C2 - A pet litter.

Info

Publication number: NL2010856C2
Application number: NL2010856A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Thomas Vles
Original assignee: Poopypets B V
Priority date: 2013-05-24
Filing date: 2013-05-24
Publication date: 2014-12-01

Description

A pet litter

The present invention relates to a pet litter comprising a box, said box having a fixed lower portion for containing litter, and an expandable/collapsible upper portion having a first collapsed position and a second expanded position in which the fixed lower portion is at least partially enclosed, and wherein the expandable/collapsible upper portion comprises a roof panel, joined to the fixed lower portion by first- and second- folding walls, such that in the said expanded position, the first- and second- folding walls form opposing sides of the box

Such a pet litter is known in the prior art.

US 6,487,990 discloses a one piece disposable litter box comprising of a bottom member and two end panels with folding flaps along with two side panels forming a rectangle container along with a left and right folding side panels with cut-outs and a top member with latching handles and locking tab and a rear support privacy panel forming the collapsible hood. The litter box is die cut from one piece of integral cardboard sheet which when folded in an appropriate fashion results in a compact litter storage container. The litter box may be folded open and held there by the supporting privacy panel to provide an enclosed litter box with one end open and suitable for cats and other small mammals. By reversing this folding procedure the litter box may be returned to its prior dimensional.

Pet litters of the prior art suffer numerous disadvantages. Disadvantages of the pet litter of US 6,487,990 are that it cannot be opened in a restricted space as expanding and collapsing the box require that the side panels extend significantly beyond the perimeter of the base of the box; a locking tab is required to keep the litter box in the collapsed position, and; when in the collapsed position, the side panels substantially cover the top member meaning that over-complicated latching handles are required. Other disadvantages of pet litters of the prior art include: difficult and time consuming to expand/collapse; poor litter contain- ment, and; over-complicated designs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative to pet litters of the prior art and to overcome one or more problems thereof.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a pet litter comprising a box, said box having a fixed lower portion for containing litter, and an expandable/collapsible upper portion having a first collapsed position and a second expanded position in which the fixed lower portion is at least partially enclosed (preferably fully enclosed), and wherein the expandable/collapsible upper portion comprises a roof panel, joined to the fixed lower portion by first- and second- folding walls, such that in the said expanded position, the first- and second- folding walls form opposing sides of the box, wherein the first- and second- folding walls are foldable such that the expandable/collapsible upper portion is movable between the first collapsed position and the second expanded position in the manner of a concertina in a single motion by applying a pulling/pushing force to the roof panel away or towards the fixed lower portion of the box .

In the first collapsed position, the box is compacted for shipping and/or storage. In the expanded position, the box is suitably dimensioned to permit use of the pet litter by an animal for which the litter is intended.

An advantage of having an expandable/collapsible upper portion that expands/collapses in the manner of a concertina is that the perimeter of the box (with the box on a surface) remains constant. Thus if there is sufficient space for the pet litter to be placed, then there is sufficient space to expand/collapse the pet litter. Furthermore, as the expandable/collapsible upper portion is expanded/collapsed by applying a pulling/pushing force to the roof panel, a person expanding or collapsing the pet litter does not come into close contact with litter contained within the pet litter.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof panel is joined to the fixed lower portion by first- and second- folding walls only. Joining the roof panel to the fixed lower portion in this way greatly simplifies the overall design and the ease with which the expandable/collapsible upper portion ex-pands/collapses (and remains expanded/collapsed). It avoids the need for additional expandable/collapsible panels. Wherein the box further comprises front and rear panels, these do not need to be able to collapse/expand; rather they can be removed or folded out of the way before expanding/collapsing the upper portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof panel further comprises gripping means for a single hand, disposed centrally with respect to the roof panel. Advantageously, as with a concertina, the expandable/collapsible upper portion can then be expanded/collapsed with a single hand by pulling/pushing on the gripping means.

The number of times that the first- and second- side walls are concertina folded is preferably kept to a minimum. In a simple embodiment, the first- and second- folding walls have a fold at a point where they meet the roof panel (in a first direction), a fold at a midpoint of their height from the fixed lower portion (in an opposite second direction i.e. a horizontal inward fold at the midpoint of their height) and a fold at a point where they meet the fixed lower portion (again in the first direction). The first- and second- side panels are mirror images of each other.

In accordance with the previous paragraph, the height of the first- and second- side walls from the fixed lower portion, the width of the base and the width of the roof panel are preferably the same. This arrangement gives the maximum possible height of the pet litter for a minimum number of folds of the first- and second- side panels, whilst also allowing the pet litter to be properly and tightly closed to prevent loss of litter during shipping and/or disposal .

In a preferred embodiment, the box further comprises an entrance panel having an entrance for a pet and a rear panel, wherein the entrance panel and rear panel are hinged from the roof panel, to be foldable inwards and are configured relative to the first- and second- folding walls such that with the upper portion in the expanded position and said entrance panel and rear panel completely folded outwards (such that the entrance panel and rear panel form front and rear panels of the box), the entrance panel and/or rear panel lock the expandable/collapsible upper portion in its expanded position. Preferably, the entrance panel and the rear panel are hinged from the roof panel only, thus allowing them to be folded inward prior to collapsing or after expanding the expandable/collapsible upper portion of the box.

Such an arrangement is in line with a preferred object of the invention, namely that the pet litter should be ready for use in a maximum of three motions from the collapsed 'shipping' state. Pet litters of the prior art are typically complicated and time consuming to make ready for use .

Despite the simple arrangement, the expandable/collapsible upper portion is very resistant to accidental collapse and furthermore can withstand significant weight placed on top of the box.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear panel comprises a cut-out for a finger or a handle for facilitating opening and closing of the rear panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear panels have inward folding tabs extending the length of their edges that, with the litter in use, overlap with the side-walls.

It has been found that by providing such tabs the panels remain more resolutely in place, such as when a pet enters and exits the pet litter.

Preferably the inward folding tabs are folded along perforated lines. By folding along perforated lines, it has been shown that expanding and collapsing the box is facilitated .

In a preferred embodiment, the box is comprised of a single sheet of material. This greatly reduces the cost of manufacture since the box can be cut as a single piece and subsequently folded into the desired shape. The fold lines are preferably preformed using methods known to a person skilled in the art. Multiple types of fold may also be pre- sent.

In a preferred embodiment, the box is comprised of biodegradable material allowing the pet litter to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

In a preferred embodiment, the litter tray's bottom member comprises an internal tray, in line with the inner bottom dimensions of the bottom member. It has been found that by providing such an internal tray, dimensional stability is greatly improved and potential for leaking reduced.

Next to that the internal tray is configured with two slopes running along the length of the tray. Such slopes reduce the total amount of litter being required for optimal function.

In a preferred embodiment, the top member comprises a multitude of pre-perforated tabs, that are locking the top member to the bottom member, when used. Such an arrangement is in line with a preferred functionality, namely that the pet litter should not be able to leave the litter box in 'disposal' state.

The invention will hereafter be further elucidated with reference to the Drawings of Figures 1 to 3. The Drawings are not to be considered to limit the scope of the invention .

Fig. 1 shows a view of the pet litter of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a flattened view of the box of the pet litter, and;

Fig. 3 shows expansion/collapse of the pet litter

With reference to Figures 1, a preferred embodiment of the pet litter 1 of the invention is shown comprising a box 2, folded from a single sheet of material (see Figure 2), said box 2 having a fixed lower portion L for containing litter, and an expandable/collapsible upper portion U having a first collapsed position (shown in Fig. 3d) and a second expanded position (shown in Fig. 3a) in which the fixed lower portion L is at least partially enclosed. The expandable/collapsible upper portion U comprises a roof panel 3, joined to the fixed lower portion L by first- and second-folding walls 4,5 only, such that in the said expanded posi tion, the first- and second- folding walls 4,5 form opposing sides of the box 2. The roof panel 3 further comprises gripping means 6 for a single hand. The first- and second- folding walls 4,5 are foldable such that the expanda-ble/collapsible upper portion U is movable between the first collapsed position and the second expanded position in the manner of a concertina in a single motion by applying a pull-ing/pushing force to the roof panel, preferably to the gripping means 6 of the roof panel 3, away or towards the lower portion L of the box 2. As with a concertina, the roof panel 3 collapses onto the fixed lower portion with each of the first- and second- side walls 4,5 folding in a zig-zag underneath. The side walls 4,5 do not overlap when in the collapsed position.

The single sheet of material is dye cut and composed of cardboard. The cardboard has a thickness in the range of 1-3 mm, e.g. 1.5 mm. The dimensions of a base B of the box are 30x40 cm. The cardboard is 100 % biodegradable as is litter provided in the pet litter. The cardboard further has odour absorbing functionality, is light weight and has an anti-bacterial coating.

The gripping means 6 are embodied as circular cutouts centrosymmetrically disposed with respect to the roof panel 3 having a diameter suitable for a finger or thumb and spaced apart such that they can be gripped with a finger and thumb of the same hand.

The height of the first- and second- side walls 4,5 from the fixed lower portion, the width of a base B and the width of the roof panel 3 are the same and the first- and second- side walls have a single horizontal inward fold 7 at the midpoint of their height from the fixed lower portion. Thus a maximum height is achieved with a minimum number of concertina folds. The horizontal fold inward is along a double-creased line to facilitate folding.

The pet litter 1 further comprising an entrance panel 8 having an entrance for a pet 9 and a rear panel 10, wherein the entrance panel and rear panel are hinged from the roof panel 3 only, to be foldable inwards and are configured relative to the first- and second- folding walls 4,5 such that with the upper portion U in the expanded position and said entrance panel 8 and rear panel 10 completely folded outwards, the entrance panel 8 and/or rear panel 10 lock the expandable/collapsible upper portion in its expanded position .

The rear panel comprises a cut-out 11 (Fig. 2) for a finger for facilitating opening and closing of the rear panel. The cut-out is circular and is suitably dimensioned for a finger to pass inside. The cut-out 11 does not overlap with the cut-outs of the gripping means when the expandable/collapsible upper portion is in the collapsed position. Such prevents litter from being lost through the cut-outs.

The front and rear panels 8,10 have inward folding tabs 12 (Fig. 2) extending the length of their edges that, with the litter 1 in use, overlap with the first- and second-folding walls 4,5.

With reference to Figure 2, a plan/unfolded view of the preferred embodiment of the box 2 is shown. Solid lines represent cut edges; dashed lines represent folds along single creases; dashed lines with a single dot between each dash represent folds that are along a perforation, and; dashed lines with two dots between each dash represent folds along double creases. Such a combination of fold types has been shown to provide a pet litter that is particularly simple to expand/collapse, that does not require additional fixing means to keep it in the collapsed position, and that is aesthetically pleasing. It should be appreciated that this is only one way (albeit preferred) in which the sheet of material from which the box 2 is constructed could be cut and folded. The construction of the base part B is such that when formed into the box 2, there are no empty spaces between panels of the fixed lower part. This prevents leakage of litter granules, litter dust, and animal waste. A further advantage of the embodiment of Figure 2 is that forming the box 2 from the sheet of material does not require the use of glue or other joining means.

With reference to Figure 3: (a) shows the pet litter 1 in the second expanded position; (b) shows the entrance 8 and rear panels 10 being folded to collapse the litter 1; (c) shows the pet litter 1 being collapsed, and (d) shows the pet litter 1 in the first collapsed position.

Claims

A pet box (1) comprising a box (2), which box (2) has a fixed part (L) for holding waste, and an expandable / collapsible upper part (U) with a first collapsed position and a second collapsed position in which the fixed part (L) is at least partially surrounded, and wherein the expandable / collapsible upper part (U) comprises a roof panel (3) which is connected to the fixed part (L) by means of first and second folding walls (4) 5) such that in said expanded position the first and second folding walls (4, 5) form opposite sides of the box (2), characterized in that the first and second folding walls (4, 5) are foldable such that the expandable / collapsible upper part (U) is movable in a single movement in the manner of a harmonica between the first collapsed position and the second expanded position by applying a tensile force to the roof panel (3) in a direction away from or to the fixed part part (L) of the box.

Pet box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the roof panel (3) is connected to the fixed part (L) by only the first and second folding walls (4, 5).

Pet box (1) according to one or more of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the roof panel (3) further comprises gripping means (6) for a single hand, which is arranged centrally with respect to the roof panel.

Pet container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the first and second side walls (4, 5) of the fixed part (L), the width of a base (B) and the width of the roof panel (3) has the same value.

A pet bowl (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first and second side walls (4, 5) have a horizontal inward fold (7) halfway their height from the fixed part (L).

A pet bowl (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising an entrance panel (8) with an entrance for a pet (9) and a rear panel (10), characterized in that the entrance panel (8) and rear panel (10) from the roof panel (3) are hinged so as to be foldable inwards and configured with respect to the first and second folding walls (4, 5) such that with the upper part (U) in the expanded position and said entrance panel (8) and rear panel (10) folded completely outward, this entrance panel (8) and / or rear panel (10) confines the expandable / collapsible upper part (U) in its expanded position.

A pet box (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the entrance panel (8) and rear panel (10) only pivot from the roof panel (3).

A pet tray (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the rear panel (10) has a recess (11) for a finger or a handle to allow opening and closing of the rear panel (10).

A pet tray (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the front and rear panels (8, 10) have inward folding tabs (12) which lengthen the length of their edges and, with the tray (1) in use , overlap with the first and second walls (4, 5).

A pet tray (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the inward folding tabs (12) are foldable along a perforated line.

Pet box (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (2) is folded from a single material sheet.

A pet box (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (2) comprises biodegradable material.