WO2017007625A1

WO2017007625A1 - "kitty cat can" exterior mounted litter box for in-door cats & kittens & other small animals

Info

Publication number: WO2017007625A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/039525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharon Louise Goddard IMEL
Original assignee: Imel Sharon Louise Goddard
Priority date: 2015-07-08
Filing date: 2016-06-27
Publication date: 2017-01-12
Also published as: CA3005221C; CA3005221A1

Abstract

Improvements in an exteriorly mounted cat litter station, called "Kitty Cat Can", mounts on the exterior of a building to create a bump-out toilet for cats, which live indoors. It is installed against an opening through a wall so cats can go back and forth without leaving the house. A hinged roof slops with long eave extensions and covers the screened slots at the top of the outer container for water tightness. This seamless unit mounts, held by its own weight, onto an integrated horizontal ledger hook which has been installed on the exterior of a dwelling. Openings in the back provide flexibility upon installation. A secondary high-walled reusable container fits snuggly inside and is held in place by the removable passage sleeve. Liner and sleeve stay in place for routine litter raking, although if more aggressive cleaning is desired, the sleeve and liner lift out completely.

Description

INVENTION TITLE

"Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box for In-Door Cats & Kittens & Other Small

Animals

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[Para 1 ] This application claims priority to US application 1 4/ 794,224 fi led on J uly 8, 201 5 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein .

TECHNICAL FIELD [Para 2] This invention relates to improvements in a cat litter box.

BACKGROUND ART

[Para 3] Many pet owners have in-door pets that don't travel outside of the house where the animal can permanently leave or become harmed by other animals that live around the house. There are other pet owners that do not want a house to smell li ke animals. The smell is often generated by a litter box which also takes up valuable space in a home.

Moving the litter box outside of a house often requi res the ani mal to exit the safety and security of the house. An option to satisfy these issues is to secure an enclosed litter box to the outside of a house and then cut a hole from the inside of a house into the enclosed exterior litter box. A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this / these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.

[Para 4] U.S. Patent Number 5,975,01 7 issued on November 2, 1 999 to Eddie M. Cameron discloses an Exterior Mounted Housing for Animal Litter Box. This patent has a housing that is mounted on the exterior side of a dwelling having a storage compartment for removeably holdi ng a litter box. A hollow open-ended tunnel interconnects the i nteriors of the dwelli ng and housing respectively. Whi le this patent discloses an exterior mounted litter box, access to the litter box is available from the side of the litter box and further includes an upper sleepi ng area that is not accessible for cleaning.

[Para 5] U.S. Patent Number 6,439, 1 61 issued on August 27, 2002 for Ronald E. Clemmons discloses an Exterior Litter box. This patent has a litter box enclosure mounted on or against an exterior wall of a structure includes a gated passage permitting a pet free access to and from a litter container. The litter box i n this patent is on a pivoting base whereby rotating the litter box empties the l itter into a col lection bag located under the enclosure and also creates plastic landfil l waste. This patent has minimal access for cleaning the interior of the enclosure. [Para 6] U.S. Patent publ ication 2003 /01 6801 7 was published on September 1 1 , 2003 for Jack Aldon Perelli et al., discloses a Cat Outhouse and Method for Using Same. The cat outhouse attaches to the exterior of a house and comprises a box-like shelter, a litter pan, and at least one pass-through door so that the cat can enter the l itter box from the inside of the house. While this cat outhouse allows for an exterior litter box, access to the litter box is with a side door, and further sits on the ground where water can flow into the outhouse.

[Para 7] What is needed is an outhouse for an indoor pet. The Ideal outhouse would be mountable to hang onto an exterior wall of a building were animals would be able to go in and out from where they l ive indoors. Animals would have the convenience of an outhouse to have the choice for privacy and a choice to keep their living space preferably clean and fresh. The outhouse should be seamless in appearance with a hinging roof that locks and slopes to shed water over protected ventilation. It should be roomy inside with high wal ls to discourage l iquid from being trapped in unwanted places. It should have a high walled removable litter liner that may be used over and over to ease landfill waste. The outhouse in this document provides a solution.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[Para 8] It is an object of the exteriorly mounted cat litter containment housing for the "Kitty Cat Can" to be an exteriorly mounted cat litter contai nment housing, or outhouse, for use by indoor cats, kittens, and other small indoor house pets, that live indoors.

Animals enter the exteriorly mounted cat litter containment housing from the inside of the home through an opening leading to the outside, but inside to the security of the "Kitty Cat Can" to use the toi let.

[Para 9] It is an object of the exteriorly mounted cat litter contai nment housing to have an angled roof with long eves. The angled roof with long eves allows rain to flow off the roof and away from the housing. This prevents rain from getting in or collecting on top of the enclosure, also it is less likely for debris to collect making easy maintenance.

[Para 1 0] It is an object of the exteriorly mounted cat litter containment housing to have a hinged top lid. The hinged l id allows the enclosure to be fully opened to al low access to the interior of the enclosure while the lid stays connected. Havi ng a lid that stays connected while open allows for ease of cleaning the containment enclosure and easy lid re-closing. The hinged lid provides access for servicing a l itter box within the enclosure.

[Para 1 1 ] It is another object of the exteriorly mounted cat l itter containment housing to have a high wal led removable interior liner container. The removable interior liner can be completely removed from the main outer container to invert as desired, and clean and dry for use indefinitely to help ease landfill waste.

[Para 1 2] It is another object of the exteriorly mounted cat litter contai nment housing to be removable from the exterior of a build ing. The enclosure is held onto the exterior of a building with an angled or tapered rail that retains the enclosure onto the house. By lifting the enclosure it can be easily removed from an exterior of a building for cleani ng and re- hung into its position in an instant.

[Para 1 3] It is stil l another object of the exteriorly mounted cat litter contai nment housing to offer one or a plu rality of access openings. The plurality of access openings in the back allows the entrance opening to be at either side of the enclosure. This al lows the enclosure to be placed as a left justified or a right justified orientation on a buildi ng.

[Para 14] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embod iments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[Para 1 5] FIG. l shows a view from an angle above peering down through the lid into the contai ner.

[Para 1 6] FIG. 2 shows a section view through the porthole area.

[Para 1 7] FIG. 3 shows a "Kitty Cat Can" mounted at about waist height and being used with the lid in the open position on the outside of a building that has a raised

foundation.

[Para 1 8] FIG. 4 shows a first preferred embodiment of the "Kitty Cat Can".

[Para 1 9] FIG. 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of the "Kitty Cat Can".

[Para 20] FIG 6 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from the house perspective.

[Para 21 ] FIG 7 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from an outside perspective viewing the "Kitty Cat Can" through an elevated lid.

[Para 22] FIG 8 shows another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from the house perspective.

[Para 23] FIG 9 shows another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from an outside perspective view.

[Para 24] FIG l 0 shows still another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from the house perspective without the lid.

[Para 25] FIG 1 1 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from an outside perspective viewing the "Kitty Cat Can" with the lid removed.

[Para 26] FIG l 2 shows an interior view of the "Kitty Cat Can" with the high walled inner container displaced from the outer container. [Para 27] FIG l 3 shows in interior view of the "Kitty Cat Can" with the high walled inner container nested within the outer container snugged into place and held with the porthole flange unit.

[Para 28] FIG l 4 shows a view of the porthole with a curtain. [Para 29] FIG l 5 shows a detailed view of the curtain.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Para 30] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI M ENTS

[Para 31 ] FIG . l shows a view from an angle above peering down through the lid into the contai ner and FIG . 2 shows a side section view through the porthole area. The exteriorly mounted cat litter containment housing consists of a series of parts which creates a high-walled container inside of a housing containment, for exterior use, which has a hinged lid with a locking latch 29, and an entry hole, which suspends itself by a mounting on an exterior wall of a building, creating a complete working unit. It may have sharp angle corners or rounded and may be stackable.

[Para 32] There is a main mounted outer containment box 26, which gets securely mounted and hung on a ledger receiving hook 33 on the outside of a building and it houses a high-walled inner container 25 open at the top to the inside of the outer box 26. The height of the walls is between 1 8 and 36 inches in height to allow enough space for the animal to comfortably turn around. The main mounted outer containment box 26 has a complimentary ledger receiving mount 34 that secures the receiving ledger or hook 33 to removably secure the containment box 26 onto a building. There is a sloped lid 28 with an inner rim 21 and a lid joint 27 which seats itself completely around the upper circumference of the main outer containment box 26 creating a seal under the lid, which prevents bugs and insects from entering the inside of the container 1 9. Below the lid joint 27 and inner lid wall at the top of the main outer box containment 26 are screened fresh air vent slots 23 located high up above the high walled liner 25, but below the lid joint 27, to allow air circulation which is designed to circulate air in and around inside the box and out to provide fresh air to the animals and to allow for odors to exit to the outdoors. The sloped lid 28 has an outer rim, or eve, a space away from the inner seating rim, which is long enough to pass over the air vent slots 23 , but still keep away from the box wall allowing air to enter, but not rai n. The long eve makes the containment rainproof.

[Para 33] A second box 25 is located just inside of the main outer containment box 26 and has high walls that come up just below the screened vent slots 23 leaving enough space between the outer box and the i nner box so it can lift out easily without friction. The inner box contai ner h old s cat litter and has built in handle cut-outs 24 at the top on each side to use during litter changes. The i nner box container has extra high walls which keeps the cat mess inside the container and less likely to be trapped in unwanted areas.

[Para 34] I n order for cats or small house pets to enter and exit this containment from the inside of a home or dwelling to inside of this container that is mounted outside of the building, there is a porthole cut out to create a short hall way between the indoors, and the container box outdoors. There is a two-piece porthole liner placed through the hallway cut out through the wall of the building that has a perpendicular flange at each end creating casings for a clean finish to the Porthole. An indoor portal overlap 30 seals the portal 32 to the inside of the building, while an exterior portal overlap 31 seals the portal 32 at the exterior porthole route 36. The porthole 36 overlap allows for adjustment of the thickness of the exterior wall of the bui ld ing, and may have a pin 51 to hold it in place if necessary.

[Para 35] FIG . 3 shows a "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9 mounted and bei ng used on the outside of a build ing with a raised foundation at about waist height. The lid 28 is shown in the opened position latched onto the l id hook 35 with the contai ner seal 27 showing under the lid in the up position. The fascial overhand 38 surrounds the walls of the outer enclosure when closed in the flanged down position and covers the screened slots. The porthole l iner 31 and route overlap 36 creates a seal, going through the wal l. Reg ular litter cleaning is done from the outside of the building standing next to the containment usually on a daily schedule. The high-walled litter container box 25 may be completely removed monthly for complete replenishment of litter. The complimentary ledge hook 33 and mount 34 are recessed and hidden in this view at the back of the unit. The screened slots 23 are shown on the side of the housing with the lid in the open position. The porthole passageway 36 is seen in the interior of the housing(s). The porthole flange 31 is in place for daily use on the exterior side of the container and holds the liner container in place. Once a month the flange 31 can be pulled out temporarily so the high-walled liner box 25 can lift out for thorough cleaning. After the cleaning is done, the box is lowered back into the main containment box and the porthole flange 1 is secured back into its place. Then clean litter is placed in the litter container box to start the use again. The "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9 is easy to install and service and allows the pet owner freedom to have a pet stay safely inside the house, but not have the mess and odors of a common litter box, or the unwanted furniture obstacles taking up valuable indoor space.

[Para 36] FIG. 4 shows a first preferred embodiment of the "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9 and FIG. 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of the "Kitty Cat Can" 1 8 and other contemplated shapes, but not limited to, and could also be textured material, seamed or jointed for shipping purposes, and various colors. These figures show the porthole access opening 70 and the floor approach 71 of the interior of the building.

[Para 37] FIG. 6 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9 from the house perspective, FIG 7 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9 from an outside perspective viewing the "Kitty Cat Can" through an elevated lid, FIG 8 shows another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from the house perspective, FIG 9 shows another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from an outside perspective view, FIG 1 0 shows still another image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from the house perspective with an optional port hole 40 and FIG 1 1 shows an image of the "Kitty Cat Can" from an outside perspective viewing the "Kitty Cat Can" with the lid removed and the optional porthole covered with the optional porthole cover plate 42.

[Para 38] FIG l 2 shows an interior view of the "Kitty Cat Can" with the inner container 25 displaced from, and lining up with the outer container 26, and FIG 1 3 shows in interior view of the "Kitty Cat Can" with the inner container 25 nested within the outer container 26. In figure 1 3, curtain or weather door 50 is shown to reduce air flow from the "Kitty Cat Can" into the house.

[Para 39] FIG l 4 shows a view of the porthole with a curtain 50 and FIG 1 5 shows a detailed view of the curtain. The curtain 50 is glued, bonded or hung 52 onto an expandable tension rod 5 5 having pins 56 that engage into holes 53 in the porthole 36. The curtain is preferably a heavy washable vinyl coated fabric for insulation and may have a weather strip edging 59 to improve sealing and insulation. Locking pin 51 fits through a hole in the porthole to maintain the position of the porthole 36 at the rear of the "Kitty Cat Can". A weight 57 may or may not be used to hold the curtain down. A magnet 58 can further be used to hold the curtain in position. The curtain 50 can be fabricated with a loose pocket to allow the curtai n to be removed for washing or it may be of a hard plastic material made easy for washing as well.

[Para 40] Once the "Kitty Cat Can" is i nstalled, a cat litter can be filled i nto the liner box. The litter is to be raked daily by lifting the lid to its catch position , and releasing the lid down to rest in the closed and latched position. Period ically the enti re in ner container can be removed by sl ipping out the porthole corridor 36 from the inside of the litter box and lifting out the removable l itter box container 2 5 to dump the contents and do a more thoroug h the maintenance cleaning. It can be cleaned i ndefinitely and no plastic bags or disposable containers are needed, which saves our landfills from abuse. The enclosure is made of high quality material and can be ultimately recycled. The material can include, but not be limited to plastic, wood or metal.

[Para 41 ] The lid 28 hinges 41 are attached to the house or on the box itself, depending on the model or series. It rests directly lined on top of the main box upper rim creating a seal with or without weather stripping in place to keep it safe from outdoor pests.

[Para 42] There are weather curtains that mount over the opening on the inside of the house that are soft and welcoming to pets. They can be washed and install much like a rod pocket curtain on a rod with brackets. They can have magnets or weights as well depending on which series, and climate the order will be placed for. Spring loaded tension rod and magnetized weather curtain available for exterior porthole.

[Para 43] In the corridor of the porthole is 32 / 36, a tray can be attached that contains short textured material to help with litter tracking prevention or the tracking material may be secured with adhesive.

[Para 44] How to make the enclosure

[Para 45] The "Kitty Cat Can" containment unit has 6 parts and 2 optional accessories to be constructed ; The outer containment box 26 or housing, with two portholes cut out options in the back and screened slots on three of the walls, ledger bar 33 , Inner litter container box 25 flanked with two handles and with two cut outs 52 and 53 that line up with the main outer box cut outs 40 and 43, two portal tubes with connecting overlaps or casings, interior 32 and exterior 36, sloped lid 28 with eave gaps on three sides between the inner lid wall and long fascia overhang 38, 1 cut out cover plate 42 to put over the un^¬ used porthole cut out that won't be selected. Accessory options include, but are not limited to Porthole curtain containing a rod and brackets, weather flap, and weather strip 59 with a mini spring tension rod 55/56 and magnetized weight 58 is shown in figures 1 4 and 1 5. [Para 46] Note* In order to use this product, an opening must be created in a wall of a building as would be created for a dog or cat door, but much smaller in comparison. The opening must not interfere with any of the building structure or fixture components.

[Para 47] To begin, a certain size small cut out must be made completely through a wall in an interior wall of a dwelling structure or house where it will not interfere with anything on the inside or outside of the building or anything inside of the wall. The first cut should be made only as deep as the drywall or plaster to examine if the wall location will be satisfactory and clear of any structural members or utility contents. Once the cut is determined to be clear the cut to the outside can proceed with an exploratory drill hole to make sure the area is clear on the exterior side of the opening. The area inside and out must be measured to make sure there is room for the unit. The area on the wall on the inside should be clear to allow about an inch more than the size of the #32 casing, fig.l 0, depending witch model, and on the exterior should allow at least an inch clearance on the sides and room for the lid to be raised up perpendicular to the unit at a 90% angle for when it is being serviced. The height up off the ground on the outside of the house will be determined from where the interior opening was chosen. It should be low enough for the cat to walk through and give about an inch or two for shoulder height clearance.

[Para 48] 1 . After the wall opening has been completed, construct the main outer containment box which will be the bottom half of the containment unit. Construct the box to have a bottom and high walls, that will all connect as one piece, but at least one side is flat to fit against the building, leaving the top open. On the top of the flat back side of the box, create a long recessed bar as long as the box and cut an angle downward at the bottom of the bar, to create the hook catch 34, which will be the opposite piece to the ledger hook 33 which angles up from where it is mounted on the house. [Para 49] 2. After the location has been selected and the cut out has been cut through the wall, there is a long ledger 33 bar that will be used to mount the "Kitty Cat Can" 1 9, shaped like a long straight angled hook that is mounted horizontally above the wall opening with the high sharp angle facing upward and outward. The ledger bar hook 33 is mainly long and rectangular with a sharp angled cut through a percentage of the upper portion of the ledger, facing upward and outward, creating the hook. It is almost as long as the piece that will soon to be mounted on it.

[Para 50] The hook catch 34 will be recessed into the flat rear uppermost area on the outside back of the main outer containment box 26, pointing downward, and will catch on the ledger hook 33 or mounted to the exterior wall of a building over the previously cut porthole that goes completely through to the interior. The outer edges of the back of the box will hold flush up against the building when mounted, leaving a little space behind the back of the box where the hook and ledger will not be visible from the exterior. Make two cutouts into the back of the outer box, one will be closed and one that will ultimately line up with the cut out made in the building. Make the box container at least large enough so that it will fit another high-walled secondary box, inside of it, large enough in size so that small animals will be able to come and go comfortably from the indoors to the exteriorly mounted container for use as their out-house, but small enough so that it will not cause interference on the outside of the building where it is being mounted.

[Para 51 ] The outer container 26 will be secured by a lid 28 hinged 41 at the back or side, depending on which model, so that it can open for daily litter raking and animal deposits removal. Cut two slots on each side, at the top of this outer box, near the upper most portions except for the back wall. The slots will be minimal in size and will not jeopardize the integrity of the upper frame of the container. At the slots in the upper portions of the outer contai nment box walls, cut to fit quality fine mesh screen to each slot, and adhere the screens to cover the slots with high strength permanent bond ing adhesive or insert the screens as manufactured.

[Para 52] 3. Make a high-walled container box 25 to fit just inside the outer box 26 with just enough room so the inner box 25 wil l be able to be pulled out of the outer box 26 without friction, drag or interface. Make the top of the inner high-walled container box 25 to start just below the screened slots on the outer box 26, and to be higher than the top of the porthole cut outs in the back wall of the outer containment box and deep enough below the cut outs, to allow for 2" to 3" of the cat litter material pl us adequate pan depth to discourage animals from racking the litter out the hole. Make handle slots 24 on the right and left side of the i nner contai ner box 25.

[Para 53] Make porthole cut outs in the back of the inner container box 25 to match the outer box porthole cut outs as shown i n figure 1 2. Now there should be two identical porthole cut outs in the inner container box, to precisely l ine up and match in size, height and shape, of the outer box porthole cut outs. There is a right and left set of porthole cut outs in the box and only one cut out set will be selected for use, either the right one, or the left one. The unused side will be covered with a plate when not i n use. This is an option that may be necessary in order to have some flexibility at installation to the building. When mounted onto the house at the ledger hook 33, al l the selected cut outs will line up evenly with the one that goes through the house. At installation when outer containment box 26, containing catch 34, drops into place on the hook 33 whether using the left or the rig ht passage entrance option, it must align up evenly through all cut outs. The ledger bar hook 33 is mounted Into studs on the exterior of the house, or building, at the correct distance above the porthole cut out that goes through the house so that when the outer main containment box 26 is mounted onto the ledger hook 33 , it rests against the house hung by the recessed upside down ledger bar hook (male counterpart to the hook catch), built into the back side of the outer containment near the top of the back wall. When attaching this main outer containment box 26 to the house onto the ledger bar hook, it pushes on above the hook and it drops down into place so it rests by its own weight as the drop is completed . No seams are visible on the outside of the box since the ledger mechanisms are recessed into the back wall of the containment.

[Para 54] When the outer box 26 locks into its resting place on the exterior wall ledger hook 33, the inner and outer cut outs of the box and house will align so you can see straight through into the dwelling. The whole containment," Kitty Cat Can", is capable of lifting off easily when necessary.

[Para 55] The main outer containment box 26 on the exterior needs to be located high enough above the floor plates and above the baseboard of the interior room leaving sufficient room for the casing flange to overlap the rough edges of the hole cut out. On the exterior of the house where the box will be mounted should not interfere with exterior equipment, activities, architecture or the ground.

[Para 56] 4a. Make a sleeve through the corridor porthole 32 from the inside of the house, covering all the insides of the wall and cut edges with a connected

perpendicular casing flange completely around the opening. When the interior sleeve 32 is slid into the wall hole, it will be stopped by the connected casing. The casing and sleeve is levered and secured i n place permanently while the "Kitty Cat Can" is in use.

[Para 57] 4b. Make a second exterior sleeve as a counterpart to the interior porthole corridor, a little bit smaller than the first porthole, which will slide inside from the opposite direction from the Litter box side of the box and has a flange that is located perpendicularly around the opening to create a casing on the inside of the removable high-walled container box 25 inside of the container 26. Once in place this porthole corridor becomes the walk way to and from the litter box. It also becomes an important seal that prevents litter, fesses and urine from escaping to unwanted areas.

[Para 58] 5. Make a sloped, hinged Lid 28 to encapsulate the containment. The lid 28 has a sloped inner frame wall that fits the main box precisely at the rim to create a seal on all sides at the top of the Main containment box to prevent insects from entering. Some modules may not need the inner lid wall, and the lid will sit flush and create the same bug resistant seal. The whole lid is sloped so that rain can drain off. The outer fascia 38 of the lid 28 is separated from the box 26 by a space, between the main lid wall, creating an eve. The eve is extra-long and hangs down vertically past the screen slots to allow air flow in and out of the containment but prevents water and rain from entering. The lid 28 is hinged 41 at the back or side, depending on the model (wall or under window mounts), allowing the lid to be opened up perpendicularly to catch on the exterior wall while / during daily cleaning. Then the lid 28 lowers back into place and locks securely to prevent pets from escaping.

[Para 59] 6. On the inside of the house, a decorative rod and curtain may be placed at the porthole entrance of the "Kitty Cat Can" for decoration and added insulation. On the exterior an insulated cover may be obtainable for colder climates.

[Para 60] How to use it:

[Para 61 ] Using the "Kitty Cat Can" Outdoor Litter box- A cat or small pet owner accesses and cleans pet a cat litter box from the outside of the home instead of the inside of the home. When it is time for daily cat litter box cleaning, one just goes outside to the "Kitty Cat Can" location, mounted on the exterior of the house in a strategic location, and stands next to the box. Then grabbing the latch 29 located on the front of the box's hinged lid 28, l ifts it up to hook temporarily, onto a hook 35 , installed on the house. The animal deposits are removed with your favorite litter scoop. After the cat droppi ngs have been removed the owner may refresh the box with the addition of fresh litter. Then the lid 28 will close down and the latch will lock so no animals are able to escape. The porthole on the inside of the house remains conti nual ly available for the pets to use at their convenience. Regular raking can be done once a day as desired, dependi ng on how many animals are using one box, and once a month the owner may desi re to do a thorough cleaning. To do a thorough cleaning, remove the porthole casing and sleeve from the outdoor side of the i nner container box 25 by sl id ing it out completely. Lift out the inner container box 25 , remove the old litter, clean and d ry the inner container box with soap and water, and put it back into its position inside of the outer contai nment box. Slide the porthole casing sleeve back into the porthole opening and refill the container with a bedding of fresh cat litter. Close the lid 28, ready for use by the indoor pets.

[Para 62] Thus, specific embod iments of a "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box for In-Door Cats & Kittens & Other Smal l Animals has been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[Para 63] The industrial applicability relates to a cat litter box. More particularly, the present "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box for In-Door Cats & Kittens & Other Small Animals allows an in-door pet to essentially exit through a wall and utilize a litter box that is mounted to the outside of the house.

Claims

CLAIM OR CLAIMS

[Claim 1 ] A "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box comprising:

an exterior enclosure; an interior enclosure that removably fits withi n said exterior enclosure; a lid that covers a top of said exterior enclosure; said lid being hinged to said exterior enclosure; said lid having a slope; a plu rality of vents that extend through said exterior enclosure and said interior enclosure; a plu rality of handle gri p openings that extend only through said interior enclosure; said exterior enclosure having a back surface with a recessed angled ledger receiving mount; an angled ledger receiver; an indoor portal overlap; an inner route overlap; said indoor portal overlaps with said inner route overlap, and wherein said indoor portal overlap and said inner route overlap provides access into said interior enclosure.

[Claim 2] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ]that

further includes a pressure joined connection between said exterior enclosure and it said lid.

[Claim 3] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ]that further includes a latch receiver whereby said latch receiver temporally holds said lid in an elevated orientation.

[Claim 4] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim 1 ] wherein said exterior enclosure, said interior enclosure and said lid is made from material selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood or metal.

[Claim 5] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim 1 ]wherein said recessed angled ledger receiving mount is temporally mountable onto said angled ledger receiver to mount said exterior mounted litter box on a building.

[Claim 6] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ]wherein said interior enclosure is removable from said exterior enclosure for cleaning of said interior enclosure without removal of said exterior enclosure from a building.

[Claim 7] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ] lid further includes a seal between said l id and said exterior enclosure.

[Claim 8] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ]wherein said lid overhangs said pl urality of vents.

[Claim 9] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accordi ng to [Claim l ]wherein said plurality of vents are screened.

[Claim 1 0] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box accord ing to [Claim

l ]wherein said indoor portal overlap and said inner route overlap have casi ngs at one end. [Claim 1 1 ] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim 1 0] wherein said indoor portal overlap and said inner route overlap are adjustable to different dimensions between said built-in eased ends.

[Claim 1 2] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

1 jwherein said exterior enclosure and said i nterior enclosure has a plural ity of access openings.

[Claim 1 3] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

1 2]wherein said plurality of access openings accepts said i ndoor portal overlap and said inner route overlap.

[Claim 1 4] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

1 2]further i ncludes an access cover or plate to cover an u nused access opening.

[Claim 1 5] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

l ]wherein both said exterior enclosure and said interior enclosure have side walls between 1 8 and 36 inches.

[Claim 1 6] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

l ]wherein said angled ledger receiver fits within said recessed angled ledger mount to prevent side-to-side movement of said exterior enclosure.

[Claim 1 7] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

l ]wherein said exterior enclosure is vertical ly removable from said angled ledger receiver.

[Claim 1 8] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim

l ]further includes a weather flap that covers access to said i nterior enclosure.

[Claim 1 9] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim l ]further includes a porthole curtain.

[Claim 20] The "Kitty Cat Can" Exterior Mounted Litter Box according to [Claim 1 ]further includes a winter cover that covers said lid and said exterior enclosure.