LITTER-FREE SELF-CLEANING HYDRAULIC TOILET FOR SMALL DOMESΗC ANIMALS USING ONLY WATER
The present invention is referring to an automatically self-cleaning hydraulic toilet for small animals (cats) using the pressure of the house-water to provide the necessary kinetic energy for the different operations of the apparatus.
The already existing toilets for cats, from the simplest to the most 5 sophisticated ones are using cat-litters. But the mixture of urine with the cat-litter induces malodor and respiratory problems to people and animals as well, due to the resulting chemical combinations.
The existing apparatus, in order to face the above problem, they use a sort of a comb, which takes off the solid cat waste and stores it in a special container and (0 feed it with new fresh cat-litter.
As for its cost, it varies from rather expensive to expensive, if we use cat-litter of superior quality In spite of all the above, the malodor does not disappear completely.
The above mentioned invention can be realized with two different types of 15 drainage:
A) In common drainage system of the house (free flow)
Type 1. Which does not need any waiting time between two consecutive uses. Type 2. Which needs some time interval between two consecutive uses. 2o B) In the drainage system of the W.C. or similar of the house.
Type 3. Which needs some time interval between two consecutive uses, as in type 2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above mentioned automatic self cleaning toilet for small domestic animals according to the present invention, is characterized by the fact that it works automatically without the need of any persons presence.
This toilet is not using cat-litters, is cleaned with water of the house network, collects the solid cat waste, pulps and liquefies it in types 1,2 and canalizes them to any drain of the house completely automatically. In type 3 the waste is not pulped and mashed, so the drain should be the W.C. drain or similar.
According to the invention, in type 1 , the apparatus uses alternatively as toilet both sides of a horizontal surface, which turns upside down after each use (type to 1 ), or one side only of a horizontal surface (type 2,3).
As soon as the animal leaves the toilet, a hydraulic system controlled by a time-switch/relay (XΔ1 ) is energized by an electric-valve, is cleaning (with water from the water supply network of the house) the used side of the apparatus (type 1 ) after having turned it upside-down. In this apparatus (type 1), the cleaned
\$ surface turns back in its initial position by means of springs. The rotation of the surface is based on the use of a mechanical guide (9), which provokes a rotation of the axis of the surface each time, by 180 degrees. After the cleaning of the dirty surface, the opposite surface is cleaned as well, by a similar to the first hydraulic system.
20 After the cleaning of the surfaces, the waste is gathered in a basin (10) in type (1 ), or from the drain-pipe (10) (Sheet4, fig.11-12) and (Sheet 5,Fig.15-16) where from it is guided to the exit of the apparatus (27), after being obliged to pass through, in all three types (1 ,2,3) from a special drain of the apparatus which is formed by a vertical wall-surface (23a) (Sheet 4, Fig.12-13) and (Sheet 5, Fig 15- 16) in order to prevent the malodor coming out from the drain to enter to the apparatus. The waste of the cat in types (1 ,2) is pulped by the masher/mixer (25) in the liquefaction room (23) before its exit from the apparatus.
In all three types, the pressure of the water is used for cleaning and a power source of 12V. DC&AC to operate the electric/electronic equipment of the
50 apparatus. The masher/mixer, which is also controlled by a similar to the mentioned above time switch/relay takes on the pulping of the waste of both cleanings (type 1 ), which is finally guided with the flow of the water of the apparatus to any drain of the house as in type 2 also. In type 3 of the apparatus the waste is not pulped, but is guided to a larger cross-section drain of the house.
5S In types (2,3), we use only one time-switch/relay, which in type (2) is energizing simultaneously the electric valve and the masher/mixer.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
COMMON FEATURES OF THE THREE TYPES a) It doesn't need any personal assistance in any phase of its function. As a result, the owner of the pet is totally free to deal with other occupations. b) It uses the water of the house network and a 12V. DC&AC current source for the operation and cleaning of the apparatus. " c) It doesn't use cat-litter at all.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE APPARATUS
TYPE 1 o a) It uses alternatively both sides of a rotating surface, as a toilet, avoiding wasting of time for cleaning between two consecutive uses of the apparatus. b) It doesn't need a special drain (that is of larger cross-section) for the solid waste of the cat, as it is pulped and liquified by a masher/mixer before its 5 exit from the apparatus.
TYPE 2 a) The cat uses only a horizontal solid surface as a toilet, therefore it needs some seconds for cleaning between two consecutive uses.
?4 b) It doesn't need any special drain of the house for the solid waste of the cat, as it will be pulped by a masher/mixer before its exit from the apparatus, as in type 1.
TYPE 3 z5 a) It uses a solid horizontal surface as a toilet, as in type 2, that is why it needs some seconds for cleaning between two consecutive uses. b) It uses as a drain, the same or similar to the W.C. of the house, that means of large cross-section, as the waste will not be pulped before.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REPRESENTATION OF DRAWINGS
Sheet 1 Fig 1 Plan of the apparatus
1. level 1
2. level 2
3. level 3 (basin)
4. sliding door, entrance /access to the apparatus.
Fig 2 horizontal section of the apparatus in the level of the axes of the 4 boards, before their rotation of 180 degrees. v o
Fig 3 horizontal section of the apparatus in the level of the axes after their rotation of 180 degrees.
Sheet 2 Fig 4 section of the apparatus in the level of the basin.
U Fig 5 section of the apparatus in the level of the pulping and liquefaction room.
Fig 6 transversal section A-A'fig.5.
-zo Sheet 3 Fig 7 transversal section B-B of the Figures 1-2-3.
Fig 7a operation of sliding aluminum frame (5) with the 4 boards on the 2-rail (15). if
Fig 8 details of the rotation of the 4 boards of 180 degrees.
Fig 9 hydraulic mechanism of transposition of the aluminum frame and the 4 boards.
$ Q
Fig 10 mechanism of stabilization of the axes on the thin sides of each one of the 4 boards of the apparatus.
Sheet 4 Fig 11 plan of the apparatus 1. level (1 )
3 ~ 2.level (2)
Fig 12 horizontal section below level(2)
Fig 13 transversal section of the apparatus.
Sheet 5 Fig 14 Plan of the apparatus
1. level(1)
2. Ievel(2) horizontal section below level(2)
AS Fig 15 Fig.16 transversal section of the apparatus
ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS TYPE 1
The apparatus is a self cleaning hydraulic toilet for small domestic animals (cats) which uses only water from the house network, it works automatically and does not need any persons presence. The apparatus is composed of: £ 1 ) One horizontal surface /toilet, which is composed from 4 rotating boards not touching each other, rotating around their axes of 180 degrees (so as their two sides be used alternatively), which are included within an aluminum frame (5) which is sliding, with the help of small wheels (5a) on top of 2 aluminum rails (15) (typel ). x ό 2) One sliding system of the aluminum frame (5) including within 4 boards, sliding from position (1) to position (2) in order to realize the 180 degrees rotation around their axes and to permit to the cat to use the ciean opposite sides of the 4 boards as toilet without any waiting time for cleaning the already used surfaces. 3) One micro-switch (MΔ1 ) (35) sheet 2 fig.4 being energized after the cat leaves the toilet and activates the first electric valve (HB1 ) through a set time-switch/relay (XΔ2) and another similar switch/relay, which activates a masher/mixer (12V-3A-AC)(25&25a) for the pulping and liquefying of the cats waste before its exit (27) from the apparatus t 0 (sheet3, fig.5)
4) From one spring system (34) which brings the aluminum frame (5) and the included within 4 boards, back in the initial position (1) by sliding them from position (2) to position (1 ) with the help of the rails.
5) From a third set time/switch (XΔ3) similar to the already mentioned 2 $ which activates the second electric-valve of the apparatus in order to ciean also the opposite sides of the 4 boards as well as for a second cleaning of the pulping and liquefaction room (23) from the shower (40).
6) A basin (10) which temporary collects the cat's waste and the water used for cleaning the used sides (types 1 ,2,3). At the basin (10) are
30 supported: a) the two rails (15), to help sliding the aluminum frame with the 4 boards, b) A water jet system through the tubes (16) and (17) of the electric- valves (HB1 ) and (HB2) for the cleaning of both surfaces of the toilet, y) the two surfaces (11) and (12) supporting the frame (5) and the 4 boards in positions (1 ) and (2) before and after their rotation and
3ι? before starting their cleaning, δ) the two micro-switches (MΔ1) and
(MΔ2) in position (35) and (36) for the two consecutive orders for cleaning the two sides of the toilet, ε) the surface (13) supporting the rotation mechanism of the boards, oτ) the hole (18) from which the cat waste and water used for it are drained from the basin(10) to the 0 pulping and liquidizing room (23) (typel ,2).
7) From a mashing and liquidizing room(23) before the exit of the waste from the apparatus.
The apparatus has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the dimensions of 4S which are considered as 65x36x25 cm. In sheet 1 fig.1 (level 1 ) we see the pian of
the upper part of the surface 65x36cm in the middle of which there is an opening of 42x30 cm, from which the cat should pass to its way to the toilet (level 2) which is 5 cm below the upper part of the apparatus indicated in the same sheet (1 ) by discontinuous lines, more analytically the apparatus is composed from 4 levels. £ The level (1 ) is the upper part of the apparatus, shown in (sheet 1 ,Fig1 ), through which the cat will pass in its way to the toilet (level 2)(Sheet 1 ,Fig2).
This is a horizontal surface which is composed of 4 non-touching between them boards and which are included within the aluminum frame (5) of indicative dimensions 50x30x1 cm. In the left part of the apparatus there is a sliding door (4) to which is the entrance/access to the interior. The 4 boards are rotating around their axes (6) (Sheetl , Fig. 2-3) on their smaller sides, which are penetrating through the two smaller sides, of the aluminum frame, having the length of 5 cm on the left side and 1 cm at the right side. The indicative sides of the boards are 48x6x1 cm. As the thickness of the boards is very thin, and we cannot fix the axes in their t middle, we use aluminum (π) (30) (Sheet 3,Fig10) of the same interior dimensions as the thickness of each board. Two same (l~l) (30) are fixed in the each smaller side of each board to hold in fixed positions the axes-screws (Sheet3, Fig.10), with rectangular heads, to retain fixed in each small side of each board (Sheet3, Fig.10). The 4 mentioned axes (6) from their left side (Sheetl , Fig.2-3) are penetrating inside the 4 corresponding fixed cylinder-grooves (7). On the side board of the basin (10), which temporarily collects the cats waste and which holds the sliding system of the aluminum frame (5) including the 4 boards, on top of the two aluminum rails (15), as well as the fixed surface (13) which holds the rotation mechanism of the 4 mentioned boards.
IS On the level 3 (Sheet2, Fig4) the basin (10) which temporarily collects the cats waste supports:
1) The two aluminum rails (15) on the top of which the aluminum frame (5) with 4 included boards is sliding from position (1 ) to position (2) with the help of small wheels (5a).
30 2) In the same level there are the perforated tubes (16) and (17) which are connected with one double electric valve (20) HB1 and HB2 (Sheet2, fιg5) and they are used for cleaning the opposite sides of the rotating surface (toilet).
3) The surface (13) supporting the 4 fixed grooved cylinders (7)
4) The two surfaces (11 ) and (12) supporting the aluminum frame (5) the 4 55 boards in the corresponding positions (1 ) and (2)
5) The two micro-switches (MΔ1) and (MΔ2) corresponding to the position (35) and (36).
6) Two springs (34) (Sheetl , Fig2-3) and (Sheet2, Fig6). The said basin (10) has a hole (18) from were the cats waste with the water used for this purpose are
4cl guided to level (4) to a special pulping and liquefaction room (23).
On level (4) there are:
1 ) The pulping and liquefaction room (23) of the cat's waste.
2) The masher/ mixer (25)(12V 3A AC) and its wings (25a) and their two 4 supporting branches (26).
3) The exit (27) of the apparatus from where the cats waste will be guided to the house drain.
4) The room (24) housing the electronic systems of the apparatus.
5) The double electric valve (20).
6) Pipes connected with the water network of the house (19).
7) Pipes transporting water from the first hydraulic valve (21). a) For the sliding of the aluminum frame (5) and the 4 boards from position (1) to position (2) £ b) For the initial cleaning of the first used surface of the toilet.
8) Pipes transporting water (22) from the second hydraulic valve (20) (HB2) for cleaning:
1 ) The opposite side of the surface (toilet) and
2) For a second cleaning of the pulping and liquefaction room (23) lo from shower (40).
9) Storeroom of the apparatus (28) for housing pipes, transformers (12V 3A AC, DC) cables, disinfecting and deodorant products,
10) Plastic baskets containing disinfecting products (39) {>* 11 ) Sliding door (29) giving access to the electronic automation (29) of the apparatus (Sheet 2,Fig5)
TYPES 2-3 o In both types the shape of the apparatus is the same, a rectangular parallelepiped whose dimensions could be smaller in length (and in height), because the rotation mechanism of the 4 boards doesn't exist in those types, as the horizontal level (toilet) is single and fixed in its left side. In (Sheet 4,Fig11 ) and (Sheet 5,Fig14) we see the two plans of those two types which are identical. The S cat will pass from level (1 ) and will sit on level (2), where it will leave its waste. As soon as the animal leaves the toilet, the cleaning will start, as we have already described before. The water for cleaning the surface (2) of the apparatus (toilet) will pass through the perforated tube (16) ejected to the dirty surface (2), the solid waste will be removed and collected by the drainpipe (10) and temporarily stored
3o in the room (23) on level (4) as in type (1 ), In types (2,3) the basin ((10) which existed in type (1 ) is replaced by the drain-pipe (10) (Sheet 4,Fig12-13), and (Sheet 5,Fig15-16).
In (Sheet 4,Fig13) and (Sheet 5,Fig16) we see the jet of the water through the perforated pipe (16), the microswitch (MΔ1) in position (35), the surface 2(toilet)
SS which somehow exalts, because it sits on springs, below which the microswitch (MΔ1 ) gives the order for starting the cleaning operation as soon as the cat leaves the toilet as in (type 1).
In level (4)(Sheet 4,Fig13) and (Sheetδ, Fig16), we see the course of the waste from the toilet (level 2) through the drain-pipe to the temporarily store room
10 (23), the vertical separating wall (23a) which prevents the malodor coming from the drain network of the house.
In type (2) (Sheet4, Fig13) we see the masher/mixer (25) and its wings (25a). In (Sheet 4,Fig 11 ) and (Sheet 5,Fig.15), we see the horizontal section of types (2,3) which differ only in the dimensions of their pipes which are considerably qς smaller in types (1-2), because the solid waste of the cat are pulped before their exit from the apparatus through tube (27) (Sheet4, Fig 12), while in the type (3) (Sheetδ, Fig15), the dimensions of the tubes are larger.
In (Sheet 4,Fig12) and (Sheetδ, fιg15) we see the electric valve (20), water pipes (19) of the network of the house, water pipes (22) of the apparatus, room
housing the electronics of the apparatus (24) and its sliding door (29), store room of the apparatus (28) and its sliding door (4), plastic baskets (38) containing deodorant and disinfecting products, plug of the apparatus (39).
OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS
TYPE 1
The cat is attracted to the apparatus by the smell of a substance mixed in the cleaning water of the toilet. When the cat gets used to it, we stop using it. The cat gets to the toilet from the upper part of it (level 1 ) and sits on top of the horizontal surface(2), which is formed by 4 boards, non touching each other (in level 1 ), and are included within the aluminum frame (5), on which the cat will leave its waste. After that, the 4 boards will rotate 180 degrees around their axis, in order to be cleaned with water from the house network, on their opposite surface, sheet 2, fig. (5).
The micro-switch (MΔ1 ) in position (35) is activated from a transformer l o (12V.3A DC), outside the apparatus, through the plug (39) The microswitch activates:
1 ) One timer/relay, which is set to a specific time, operates the hydraulic valves (20) (HB1) (12V 0.4A DC), branched to the house network( 19), supplying with water the apparatus for the preset time. >£ 2) One same as above timer/relay, activating a masher/ mixer (25), which puips and liquefies the cat's waste before their exit from the apparatus through the tube (27). The water supplied through the hydraulic valve (HB1 ) is flowing through the tube (21 ) to the plastic «T», which includes a cylinder-copper piston assembly (32) (sheet 3, fig.9). The water exerts a pressure on the piston (32a), which zo pushes the aluminum frame including the 4 boards from position (1 ) to position (2). The movement is achieved on the two aluminum rails (15), with the aid of the 4 small wheels (5a). Notice:
The rotation is achieved because the four axes (6) of the 4 boards (sheet 3, 1 fig.8) extrude by 5 cm. from the left side of the frame, round which they are rotating, each of them having a guide-pin (9) (sheet 1 ,fιg.2). Each guide-pin (9) enters in a grooved cylinder(7) following the groove (8) that makes each board travel the distance from 0 to 1 horizontally, from 1 to 2 making a rotation by 180 degrees and from 2 to 3 horizontally and finally stopping in position 2, the moment ^that cleaning of the first surface starts (sheet 3, fig.8).
Analytically, the following steps are followed starting from the right to the left, for each board:
Phase A: The guide-pin (9) is in rest-position of the boards «0» (sheet 3, fig.8, first position from the right). 5 Phase B: Starting of destabilization «0» and starting of rotation of the 4 boards.(sheet 3, fig.8, second position from the right). Phase C: End of rotation by 180 degrees of the boards. Phase D: Final stabilization position of the frame and the 4 boards before starting the washing of the apparatus (sheet 3, fig.8) first position left. The first phase corresponds to position 1 of the frame (sheet 1 , fig.2), while the 4th β phase corresponds to position 2 (sheet 1 , fιg.3), the final before starting the cleaning of the apparatus by the jet of water from the perforated tube (16) (sheet 2, fig.4).
During the movement of the frame from position 1 to position 2, the $ perpendicular exit of the «T», will be free, and the water will pass through the perforated tube 16 (sheet 2, fig.4) and will be splashed on the dirty surfaces that
have already turned upside down, in order to be cleaned for a predetermined duration, while the clean surfaces are on the top, ready for direct use. The water and the waste of the cat will be collected in the basin (10) (sheet 1 , fig.4) and afterwards they will pass through the exit (18) of the basin on the level (3), in the
S mashing room (23) (sheet 2, fig.5),in order to become a dirty, viscously liquid before they leave the apparatus(27). At the end of the time duration of time-switch (X/Δ1 ), the first electric valve will stop supplying with water the mechanism, thus the water pressure will drop and the frame with the 4 boards will return in position (1 ) with the aid of the two springs (34) (sheet 1 , fig.2-3) and (sheet 2, fig.6). to On the return of the frame (5) in its initial position (1 ), the micro-switch (MΔ2) in position (36) is energized and in his turn operates the electric valve (HB2) through the time-switch/relay (XΔ2) and starts the second cleaning of the other side of the apparatus and of the pulping room (23) with the shower (40).
As soon as the predetermined duration of the time-switch/relay (XΔ3) ends, all
I the operations are stopped, while the apparatus who is already in its initial position (1 ), is ready to be used from the start.
After each cleaning, the waste of the cat, together with the water used, are collected in the basin (10) on the level (3), below the level (2), and afterwards they pass through the exit (18) of the basin to the temporary drain and pulping room on
ZQ level (4). In that room the waste are pulped by a masher/mixer (25 &25a), which is energized by the micro-switch (MΔ1) at the start of the first cleaning and operates during all the duration of both cleanings, and they pass through the exit (27) to the common drain of the house, passing obligatorily by the perpendicular separating wall (23a) -siphon-in order to restrict the bad smell.
«*
TYPES 2-3
In both the above types the cat gets to the toilet from the upper part of it (sheet 4, fig.11 and sheet 5, fig.14 level 1) and sits on the stable, slightly inclined surface to (2), is the cat's toilet. This surface is fixed on the left part, and slightly exalted on its right as it sits on two springs , below which the micro-switch (MΔ1) is placed. As soon as the cat leaves the toilet, on type (2) of the apparatus, the micro-switch (MΔ1 ) in position (35) (sheet 4, fig.13 and sheet 5, fig.16), activates simultaneously the electric valve (HB1) and the masher/mixer (25), so as the
JJ waste of the cat carried by the drain-pipe (10) through the room (23) (sheet 4,fig.13),and (sheet5,fιg 16) after having been pulped by the masher-mixer(25 and 25a) in type 2, shall leave through the exit (27), after having passed obligatorily by the perpendicular separating wall (23a)-siphon- in order to restrict the bad smell of the drain of the house to pass to the apparatus.
4β In type (3), like in type (2), the micro-switch (MΔ1) will activate the electric valve (HB1 ), in order to start the cleaning of the toilet, the waste will follow the same procedure as in type (2), and will pass through the exit (27) of the apparatus, using tubes of larger cross-section (sheet 5, fig.16), because the waste in this case are not pulped.