WO2022255148A1

WO2022255148A1 - Animal toilet unit

Info

Publication number: WO2022255148A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/021120
Authority: WO
Inventors: 泰生山本; 真也金子
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2021-06-01
Filing date: 2022-05-23
Publication date: 2022-12-08
Also published as: JP2022184317A; CN117279497A

Abstract

This animal toilet unit comprises an animal toilet and an exterior box, the outer box is made of corrugated cardboard, houses the animal toilet, includes a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and an up-down direction in a housing state, and has an outer flap, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and an inner flap, the outer flap includes a one-side outer flap positioned on one side in the up-down direction and an other-side outer flap positioned on the other side, the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are positioned between the one-side outer flap and the other-side outer flap in the up-down direction, the one-side outer flap extends from the end on one side of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface, the other-side outer flap extends from the end on the other side of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface, the inner flap extends from the end on one side of the third side surface and is provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap in the housing state, and the inner flap has a display indicating that at least part of the inner flap is folded to the inside of the third side surface and to the other side of the end on one side of the third side surface, and that the one-side outer flap is provided to the one side of the inner flap, in order to put the animal toilet unit into a playing state.

Description

animal litter unit

The present invention relates to an animal toilet unit.

Conventionally, animals such as cats that are kept as pets excrete using animal toilets. It is known that animals such as cats tend to lose excretion habits when stressed, and that the stress of animals can be reduced by using playground equipment for animals and houses for pets. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a pet house using cardboard for packaging.

Utility Model Registration No. 3225833

As in Patent Document 1, when cardboard for packing is used, there is no need to prepare new playground equipment or a house for pets, but animals such as cats can jump on the cardboard for packing and play. , there was a risk that the cardboard could not support the animal's weight and collapse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to improve the strength of the sides of the exterior box in the state of play equipment to provide a safer play equipment for animals. That's what it is.

The main invention for achieving the above object is an animal litter box unit comprising an animal litter box and an outer box for housing the animal litter box, wherein the outer box is made of cardboard, and the animal litter box , and in the stored state in which the outer box is a closed space, it has a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction, an outer flap, a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, and an inner The outer flap includes a one-side outer flap positioned on one side in the up-down direction and a other-side outer flap positioned on the other side in the up-down direction. The second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are positioned between the one side outer flap and the other side outer flap in the up-down direction, and the one side outer flap includes the first side surface, the Extending from one end of at least one of the second side surfaces, the other outer flap extends from the other end of at least one of the first and second side surfaces, and the inner flap comprises: Extending from the one-side end of the third side surface, and provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap in the accommodated state, the animal litter box is used. At least a part of the inner flap is folded inside the third side surface and toward the other side of the one side end of the third side surface in order to make the toy state to be used as a toy for an animal to play. and that the one-side outer flap is provided on the one side of the inner flap.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification and accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the strength of the sides of the outer box in the state of play equipment, and to provide safer play equipment for animals.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an animal litter box 1; FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exterior box 100 that houses an animal litter box 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the exterior box 100 of an unfolded state. 4 is a diagram for explaining display M; FIG. It is a figure explaining the exterior box 100 of a playground equipment state. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A in a playground equipment state. FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged view of the DD cross-sectional view in FIG. 7A. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating modifications of the outer box 100 in a playground equipment state.

At least the following matters will become apparent from the descriptions of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
An animal litter box unit comprising: an animal litter box; and an outer box containing the animal litter box, wherein the outer box is made of cardboard, contains the animal litter box, and is a closed space of the outer box. In the stored state, it has a front-back direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction, and has an outer flap, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and an inner flap, and the outer flap is the One side outer flap positioned on one side in the vertical direction and the other side outer flap positioned on the other side in the vertical direction are provided, and the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the third side surface are provided. The four side surfaces are positioned between the one side outer flap and the other side outer flap in the up-down direction, and the one side outer flap is located on at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface. the other side outer flap extending from the other side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side side; and the inner flap extending from the one side end of the third side surface In the housed state, it is provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap, and is used as a toy for an animal using the animal litter box. For this purpose, at least part of the inner flap is folded inside the third side surface and toward the other side of the one side end of the third side surface, and the one side outer flap is folded to the inner side. The animal litter box unit is characterized by having an indication indicating that it is provided on the one side of the flap.

It is known that cats and other animals can be made to excrete properly by letting them play with playground equipment to relieve their stress. According to such an animal litter box unit, a person who allows an animal to use the animal litter box can recognize a method for putting the outer box containing the animal litter box into a plaything state, and the inner flap allows the plaything to be opened. Since the playground equipment with improved strength of the side surface of the exterior box in a state can be made, the animal can play with the safer playground equipment, the stress of the animal can be easily reduced, and the appropriate excretion of the animal is promoted. easier.

In such an animal litter box unit, it is desirable that at least one end of the inner flap is in contact with the inner surface of the exterior box in the playground equipment state.

According to such an animal litter box unit, the inner flap can support the first side or the second side, so that the strength of the sides of the exterior box can be further improved.

In this animal litter box unit, in the playground equipment state, the end of the inner flap on the first side surface contacts the first side surface, and the end of the inner flap on the second side surface contacts the second side surface. It is desirable to touch the sides.

According to such an animal litter box unit, since the inner flap supports the first and second side surfaces, the strength of the side surfaces of the exterior box can be further improved.

In this animal litter box unit, the inner flap includes a folding guide portion for folding the inner flap, and the folding guide portion is spaced apart from the one end of the third side surface by a predetermined distance. It is desirable to be

According to such an animal litter box unit, the inner flap can be easily folded, so it is possible to easily form an outer box with improved strength.

In such an animal litter box unit, it is desirable that, in the playground equipment state, a portion from the one end of the third side surface of the inner flap to the folding guide portion runs along the surface of the outer flap.

According to such an animal litter box unit, part of the inner flap extends along the surface of the outer flap, thereby improving the strength of the surface of the outer flap.

In this animal litter box unit, the inner flap has a one-side inner flap located on the one side and the other-side inner flap located on the other side, and the display includes the one-side inner flap at least part of the inside of the third side surface and to the other side of the one side end of the third side surface, and at least part of the other side inner flap is folded from the third side surface It is preferred that it is shown to be folded inwardly and towards said one side rather than said other end of said third side.

According to such an animal litter box unit, folding the inner flap on one side and the inner flap on the other side makes it easier to improve the strength of the sides of the exterior box.

In such an animal litter box unit, it is desirable that the one side inner flap and the other side inner flap are engaged in the playground equipment state.

According to such an animal litter box unit, it is easy to maintain the folded state of the one side inner flap and the other side inner flap, so it is easy to improve the strength of the sides of the exterior box.

In this animal litter box unit, the one-side inner flap has a one-side notch provided from the tip side toward the root side, and the other-side inner flap has a one-side notch portion provided from the tip side toward the root side. It is desirable that the other side notch portion is provided, and that the one side notch portion and the other side notch portion engage with each other in the playground equipment state.

In such an animal litter box unit, the one-side inner flap has an engagement bending guide portion for bending from the end on the root side of the one-side notch to the end on the tip side, and the engagement bending is performed. It is preferable that the guide portion is provided from the end on the root side of the one-side notch portion to the end on the first side surface side.

According to such an animal litter box unit, the one side inner flap and the other side inner flap can be easily engaged with each other by bending the tip of the one side inner flap with the engaging bending guide portion.

In this animal litter box unit, the one-side inner flap has an inner flap engaging opening penetrating in the thickness direction, or an inner flap engaging opening guiding portion for forming the inner flap engaging opening. Preferably, the other side inner flap is inserted into the inner flap engagement opening in the playground equipment state.

In this animal litter box unit, the sum of the length from the base to the tip of the one side inner flap and the length from the base to the tip of the other side inner flap is equal to the length from the one side end of the third side face. The one side inner flap and the other side inner flap are provided inside the one side end and the other side end of the third side surface in the playground equipment state longer than the length to the other side end is desirable.

According to such an animal litter box unit, it becomes easier to maintain the shape of the outer box in the housed state, making it easier to use as a playground equipment.

In this animal litter box unit, at least one of the first side, the second side, and the third side has a cut guide portion for forming a cut penetrating in a thickness direction, and the exterior box. a folding guide portion for folding a part of the inside of the exterior box, and a folding portion surrounded by the cut guide portion and the folding guide portion, and in the playground equipment state, the folding portion is It is preferable that the outer box is folded inside, and the inner flap is located closer to the third side than the folded portion.

According to such an animal litter box unit, it becomes easier to maintain the folded state of the inner flap, so it becomes easier to improve the strength of the sides of the exterior box.

In such an animal litter box unit, it is desirable that the inner flap and the third side face engage with each other in the playground equipment state.

According to such an animal litter box unit, it becomes easier to fix the inner flap to the third side surface, so it becomes easier to maintain the strength of the side surface of the exterior box.

In this animal litter box unit, the third side surface has a side engaging opening penetrating in a thickness direction or a side engaging opening guiding portion for forming the side engaging opening, In the above, it is desirable that at least a portion of the inner flap is inserted into the side engaging opening.

In this animal litter box unit, the third side has a cut guide portion for forming a cut that penetrates in the thickness direction, and a folding guide for folding a part of the outer box inside the outer box. and a folding portion surrounded by the cut guiding portion and the folding guiding portion, and the inner flap has an inner flap engaging opening penetrating in the thickness direction, or the inner flap engaging opening. It is desirable to have an inner flap engagement opening guiding portion for forming the folded portion so that the folded portion engages the inner flap engagement opening in the play equipment state.

In this animal litter box unit, the length of the inner flap in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the third side surface in the vertical direction, and in the playground equipment state, the inner flap extends along the vertical direction. and a portion along the surface of said outer flap.

According to such an animal litter box unit, the inner flap makes it easier to improve the strength of the sides of the exterior box.

The animal litter box unit has an extension that is continuous with the second side and extends along the inner surface of the third side, and the third side is continuous with the first side. , preferably not continuous with the second side surface but joined with the extension portion.

According to such an animal litter box unit, since the joint portion is a portion with high rigidity, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the third side surface provided with the inner flap.

In this animal litter box unit, the inner flap includes a pair of sheet portions, and a corrugated member sandwiched between the pair of sheet portions and having a corrugated cross section in the thickness direction, The apex of the corrugation of the molding member extends along the direction from the tip to the root of the inner flap, and in the state of the playground equipment, the folding line for folding the inner flap intersects the crest of the corrugation of the corrugated member. is desirable.

According to such an animal litter box unit, the rigidity of the folded inner flap can be further improved, so the strength of the sides of the exterior box can be easily improved.

At least one of the outer flap, the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side defines an opening extending through the thickness of the animal litter box unit. It is desirable to have an opening guide for.

According to such an animal litter box unit, since the outer box in the state of the playground equipment has an opening, the animals can enjoy the playground equipment more by expanding the variety of play.

In this animal litter box unit, when the opening is viewed from the front in the playground equipment state, the virtual penetration area extending in the thickness direction of the opening does not overlap the inner flap. desirable.

According to such an animal litter box unit, the inner flap can reduce the risk of obstructing the opening of the opening. easier to put inside.

In such an animal litter box unit, it is desirable that the opening is provided on a surface other than the third side surface.

According to such an animal litter box unit, it is possible to prevent interference between the inner flap and the opening that occurs when the opening is provided on the third side surface.

An animal litter box unit comprising: an animal litter box; and an outer box containing the animal litter box, wherein the outer box is made of cardboard, contains the animal litter box, and is a closed space of the outer box. In the stored state, it has a front-back direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction, and has an outer flap, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and an inner flap, and the outer flap is the One side outer flap positioned on one side in the vertical direction and the other side outer flap positioned on the other side in the vertical direction are provided, and the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the third side surface are provided. The four side surfaces are positioned between the one side outer flap and the other side outer flap in the up-down direction, and the one side outer flap is located on at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface. the other side outer flap extending from the other side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side side; and the inner flap extending from the one side end of the third side surface extended, provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap in the accommodated state, for use as a toy for an animal using the animal litter box; setting the inner flap along the surface of the one-side outer flap, providing the one-side outer flap on the one side of the inner flap, and providing the first side surface, the second side surface, or the third side surface The animal litter box unit is characterized by having an indication indicating that one of the side surfaces is the upper surface of the playground equipment.

It is known that cats and other animals can be made to excrete properly by letting them play with playground equipment to relieve their stress. Therefore, according to such an animal litter box unit, a person who allows an animal to use the animal litter box can recognize a method for putting the outer box containing the animal litter box into a playground state, and the inner flap allows the animal to use the litter box. , the play equipment with the strength of the first side, the second side, and the third side of the play equipment state improved, so the play equipment with any one of the first side, the second side, and the third side as the upper surface In this state, the animal can be allowed to play more safely, the stress of the animal can be easily reduced, and the appropriate excretion of the animal can be easily promoted.

===Embodiment===
<<<Contained animal toilet unit>>>
As an example of the animal litter box unit according to the present embodiment, an animal litter box unit in which an animal litter box 1 used by an animal such as a cat is housed in an exterior box 100 will be described. Target animals include, for example, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets. In this embodiment, an animal litter box 1 for cats will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an animal litter box 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an outer box 100 that houses the animal litter box 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the animal litter box 1 in use, and FIG. 2 is an exterior view of an exterior box 100 in which articles can be stored inside, and the animal litter box 1 is exterior. It is also a diagram showing a state in which it is stored inside the box 100 or a state in which it can be stored (hereinafter also referred to as a "stored state"). The animal litter box unit is in a housed state in which the animal litter box 1 is housed in the exterior box 100 in the state of being distributed as a product and the state of being sold at stores. The exterior box 100 in the housed state has a substantially closed cuboid shape.

<Animal toilet 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the animal litter box 1 has three directions which are perpendicular to each other, namely, the "front-rear direction", the "left-right direction", and the "up-down direction". The front-rear direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the animal litter box 1, and the side on which an entrance for animals is provided is defined as the front side. The horizontal direction is the direction along the width direction of the animal litter box 1 . The vertical direction is a direction along the vertical direction.

The animal litter box 1 of this embodiment has an upper container 10, a lower container 20, a tray 30, and a cover 40, and these members form the animal litter box 1 in use. The upper container 10, the lower container 20, the tray 30, and the cover 40 are each made of polyolefin thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. However, the material forming each member is not limited to this, and members formed of other resins or metal plates such as stainless steel plates and aluminum plates may be used. The four members can be freely disassembled and assembled with each other. For example, in the state of use, the lower container 20 is assembled under the upper container 10 in an overlapping manner. The lower container 20 accommodates a tray 30 on which an absorber (not shown) for absorbing excreted urine or the like can be placed. A cover 40 is assembled above the upper container 10 . Since each member can be disassembled from each other in this manner, cleaning work and the like are facilitated.

The upper container 10 is a substantially box-shaped member with an upper opening. Animals such as cats excrete on the upper surface side of the upper container 10 . The bottom portion 11 of the upper container 10 is a portion that constitutes the bottom surface of the upper container 10. The bottom portion 11 is provided with a plurality of holes through which urine and the like excreted by animals pass from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction. there is

When using the animal litter box 1, cat litter or other granular material is placed on the upper surface of the bottom 11, and animals such as cats excrete on the granular material. For example, an excrement treatment material made of particulate matter having a porous structure such as zeolite or silica gel is installed. In addition, since the granular excreta disposal material is placed on the bottom part 11, the animal can easily recognize that the bottom part 11 is a place to excrete. Note that the granular material does not necessarily have to be installed.

The lower container 20 is a substantially box-shaped member with an upper opening. The lower container 20 has a tray accommodating portion 25 that accommodates the tray 30 . An opening is provided below the edge on the front side, and the tray 30 is accommodated inside the lower container 20 by sliding the tray 30 rearward in the front-rear direction from the opening along the tray accommodating section. can be done.

The tray 30 is a flat box-shaped container with a shallow bottom in which an absorber that absorbs urine and the like is placed. The tray 30 is formed with an absorbent installation area for installing the absorbent. The absorber is a liquid-absorbent sheet member that absorbs urine excreted by animals such as cats, and is made of a liquid-absorbent material such as pulp fiber or superabsorbent polymer.

The cover 40 is arranged above the upper container 10 and the lower container 20 . The entrance/exit opening 41 is a portion that opens wide forward in the front-rear direction, and the animal can enter/exit the animal litter box 1 through the entrance/exit opening 41 . By providing a side wall portion around the entrance/exit opening 41, it is possible to prevent granular absorbents and excrement from spilling or scattering to the outside of the animal litter box 1 (upper container 10).

When an animal such as a cat excretes, it enters the animal litter box 1 through the entrance/exit opening 41 and urinates on the upper surface of the upper container 10 at the bottom portion 11 where the granular excrement disposal materials are placed. Excrete. Excreted urine falls downward through a plurality of holes in the bottom portion 11 while coming into contact with the excreta disposal material. Then, it is absorbed by the absorbent arranged below the bottom portion 11 and stored in the tray 30 . The user can use the animal litter box 1 cleanly by periodically replacing the absorber that has absorbed urine.

<Basic Configuration of Outer Box 100>
The outer box 100 has a three-layer structure in the cross section in the thickness direction, and has a sheet portion made of a pair of cardboards and a corrugated member made of corrugated cardboard sandwiched between the pair of sheet portions. It's a cardboard box. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outer box 100 in an unfolded state.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each surface of the outer box 100 has a substantially rectangular shape. In the accommodated state, the three orthogonal directions of the exterior box 100, namely, the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, are along the animal litter box 1 accommodated inside. The outer box 100 has a first side 101 , a second side 102 , a third side 103 , a fourth side 104 , outer flaps 105 and 106 , inner flaps 107 and 108 and an extension portion 109 . The "deployed state" of the outer box 100 refers to the state in which the outer box 100 in the accommodated state is unfolded and unfolded on all surfaces by removing all joints and fixings including the joints at the extending portions 109 .

As shown in FIG. 2, in the accommodated state, the first side 101, the second side 102, the third side 103, and the fourth side 104 are surfaces along the vertical direction, and constitute the side of the outer box 100. . The first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 have substantially the same shape and size and face each other, and the third side surface 103 and the fourth side surface 104 have substantially the same shape and size. , facing each other.

In the housed state, the outer flap 105 is located above each of the side surfaces 101 to 104 (one side in the vertical direction), and constitutes the upper surface (top surface) of the exterior box 100, and is a part that can be opened and closed. The outer flap 105 of this embodiment includes an upper outer flap 105A located on the first side surface 101 side and an upper outer flap 105B located on the second side surface 102 side. In the housed state, the outer flap 106 is located below each of the side surfaces 101 to 104 (on the other side in the vertical direction), and is a portion that constitutes the lower surface (bottom surface) of the exterior box 100 and can be opened and closed. The outer flap 106 of this embodiment includes a lower outer flap 106A located on the first side surface 101 side and a lower outer flap 106B located on the second side surface 102 side.

In the housed state, the inner flap 107 is positioned below the outer flap 105 along the surface of the outer flap 105 . The inner flap 107 of this embodiment includes an upper inner flap 107A positioned on the third side surface 103 side and an upper inner flap 107B positioned on the fourth side surface 104 side. In addition, in the accommodated state, the inner flap 108 is positioned above the outer flap 106 along the surface of the outer flap 106 . The inner flap 108 of this embodiment includes a lower inner flap 108A positioned on the third side surface 103 side and a lower inner flap 108B positioned on the fourth side surface 104 side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper outer flap 105A extends from the upper end (upper end) of the first side surface 101, and the lower outer flap 106A extends from the lower end (lower end) of the first side surface 101. ing. Similarly, the upper outer flap 105B extends from the upper edge of the second side surface 102, and the lower outer flap 106B extends from the lower edge of the second side surface 102. The upper inner flap 107A extends from the upper end of the third side surface 103, and the lower inner flap 108A extends from the lower end of the third side surface 103. The upper inner flap 107B extends from the upper edge of the fourth side surface 104, and the lower inner flap 108B extends from the lower edge of the fourth side surface 104. As shown in FIG.

In addition, each of the side surfaces 101 to 104 of the unfolded outer box 100 is continuous in the order of the third side surface 103, the first side surface 101, the fourth side surface 104, and the second side surface 102. Side 102 is discontinuous. An extending portion 109 is provided at an end of the second side surface 102 that is not adjacent (not continuous) to the fourth side surface 104, the upper inner flap 107B, or the lower inner flap 108B. The extending portion 109 is a so-called “overlap margin” that is continuous with the second side surface 102 . When the extending portion 109 is joined to the inner surface of the third side surface 103 using an adhesive or the like, a box state can be obtained. In the box state, the extending portion 109 extends along the inner surface of the third side surface 103. extension. When the exterior box 100 in the box state is viewed from the top side, the side surfaces 101 to 104 are rectangular, the inner flaps 107 and 108 are folded toward the inside of the side surfaces 101 to 104, and the outer flaps 105 and 106 are folded to the side surfaces. By folding 101 to 104 toward the inside, it becomes the outer box 100 (FIG. 2) in a box state. In addition, in the present embodiment, the extended portion 109 that is continuous with the second side surface 102 is provided and joined to the inner side surface of the third side surface 103, but this is not restrictive. An extending portion 109 continuous with the second side surface 102 may be joined to the outer surface of the third side surface 103 . Further, it may be provided with an extending portion continuous with the third side surface 103 , and the extending portion may be joined to the inner side surface or the outer side surface of the second side surface 102 . Furthermore, when the first side surface 101 and the third side surface 103 (fourth side surface 104) are not continuous, an extending portion is provided on either the first side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 (fourth side surface 104). The configuration may be such that the extending portion is joined to the inner surface or the outer surface of the one side surface 101 or the third side surface 103 (fourth side surface 104) on which the extending portion is not provided. Similarly, when the second side surface 102 and the fourth side surface 104 are not continuous, an extension portion is provided on either the second side surface 102 or the fourth side surface 104, and the second side surface 102 or the fourth side surface 104 extends. The extending portion may be joined to the inner surface or the outer surface of the side surface on which the portion is not provided.

<Regarding the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment>
The exterior box 100 can be used as a toy for a cat (animal) that uses the animal litter box 1 .
The exterior box 100 has an opening guiding portion L for forming the opening H. As shown in FIG. As the opening guiding portion L, the first side surface 101 has an opening guiding portion L1, the second side surface 102 has an opening guiding portion L2, and the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B have opening guiding portions L5a and L5b, respectively. have. Also, the upper

inner flaps

107A and 107B have an upper notch portion Ka, a folding guide portion Ga, and an engagement folding guide portion Gs. The lower

inner flaps

108A and 108B have lower notch portions Kb and folding guide portions Gb. The third side 103 also has an indication M. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the display M. FIG.

The third side surface 103 is arranged so that at least a part of the upper inner flap 107A is positioned inside the third side surface 103 and higher than the upper end of the third side surface 103 in order to put the outer box 100 into a cat's toy state. It has an indication M indicating that it is folded downward and that the upper

outer flaps

105A, 105B are provided above the upper inner flap 107A. The display M is also a display indicating that the outer box 100 can be put into a playground equipment state, and is also a display indicating a method for improving the strength of the outer box 100 . The display M of the present embodiment is provided over substantially the entire area of the third side surface 103 .

A display M is a display that can be visually recognized as an appearance of the exterior box 100, and is a display in which characters and patterns are printed on the third side surface 103 with ink or the like. Specifically, display M displays "The box can be used as a cat toy", indicating that the exterior box 100 can be used as a toy.
In addition, the display M describes the following as an "assembly method" for assembling the toy into a playground equipment state.
"[1] Open the outer flap,
Fold the upper inner flap toward the inside and downward along the guide line,
Set below the upper edge of the side.
Fold the lower inner flap toward the inside and upward along the guide line,
Set above the bottom edge of the side.
Then engage the upper and lower inner flaps. ”
"[2] Form an opening."
"[3] Close the outer flap,
Secure the outer flap with tape, etc. ”

In [1] of the assembly method, the portion of the upper inner flap 107A on the tip side from the folding guide portion Ga is folded toward the inner side of the third side surface 103 and the lower side of the upper end of the third side surface 103; And the letters and patterns indicate that the tip side portion of the upper inner flap 107B from the folding guide portion Ga is folded inside the fourth side surface 104 and below the upper end of the fourth side surface 104. . In addition, the portion of the lower inner flap 108A on the tip side from the folding guide portion Gb is folded inside the third side surface 103 and upward from the lower end of the third side surface 103, and the lower inner flap 108B is folded. It is shown that the portion on the tip side of the folding guide portion Gb is folded toward the inner side of the fourth side surface 104 and the upper side of the lower end of the fourth side surface 104 .

In [2] of the assembly method, letters and patterns indicate that the openings H1, H2, H5a, and H5b are formed along the opening guides L1, L2, L5a, and L5b.

Assembly method [3] shows that the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B are provided above the upper inner flap 107A, that is, the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B are closed from above the upper

inner flaps

107A and 107B. The letters and patterns indicate that the lower

outer flaps

106A, 106B are closed from the underside of the lower

inner flaps

108A, 108B. Further, it is shown that the outer flaps 105 and 106 are fixed with tape or the like to restrict opening and closing.

By carrying out [1] to [3] of this assembling method, the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment as shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the exterior box 100 in a playground equipment state. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. In FIG. 5, tapes and the like for fixing the outer flaps 105 and 106 are omitted.

The outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment is playground equipment for animals such as cats to play with, and by playing with this playground equipment, the animals can easily relieve stress. Conventionally, when animals such as cats feel stress, their excretion habits are likely to be disturbed, and there is a risk that they will not excrete properly, such as constipation or excretion in places other than animal toilets. It has been known. Therefore, there is a demand for playground equipment for animals to play with. By making the exterior box 100 for housing the animal litter box 1 of the animal litter box unit of the present embodiment into a toy state, a user such as an owner can install the exterior box 100 simply by preparing the animal litter box unit. Since it can be used as a playground equipment, there is no need to prepare a separate playground equipment for the animal, and the stress of the animal can be reduced and the excretion habit of the animal can be easily made appropriate while reducing the labor of the user. .

In addition, the outer box that houses a normal animal litter box, etc., has each inner flap along the surface of the outer flap, and it is possible to store the animal litter box, etc. in the space provided inside the outer box. and When an outer box with a space inside is used as a toy, the sides of the outer box may be deformed to some extent due to the weight of an animal such as a cat climbing on the toy or vibration due to movement of the animal. there were.

On the other hand, in the outer box 100 in the playground state of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The folded upper inner flap 107A is provided below the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B. That is, the upper inner flap 107A is folded toward the inside of the exterior box 100. As shown in FIG. As a result, when a force is applied from the upper part of the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment and the side surface of the outer box 100 is deformed, the bent upper inner flap 107A is bent against the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 adjacent to each other. Since the upper inner flap 107A presses and supports the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102, deformation of the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 is easily prevented, and the outer box 100 It can be made easier to improve the strength of

A user who visually recognizes the display M indicating that the upper inner flap 107A is to be folded can recognize that the bent upper inner flap 107A makes the toy with improved strength of the side surface of the outer box 100, and therefore the user can recognize that the toy becomes a toy with improved strength. Animals can be made to play in the outer box 100 in a safe toy state. An animal such as a cat that has played with the outer box 100 in a safer toy state can easily relieve stress and excrete appropriately. Note that not only the upper inner flap 107A, but also the upper inner flap 107B, the lower inner flap 108A, and the lower inner flap 108B are similarly bent toward the inside of the exterior box 100 in the playground equipment state, thereby pressing and supporting the adjacent side surfaces. Therefore, the strength of the outer box 100 can be improved. Also, in the following description, the upper inner flap 107A will be mainly described, but the same applies to the upper inner flap 107B, the lower inner flap 108A, and the lower inner flap 108B.

At least one end of the folded upper inner flap 107A is preferably in contact with the inner surface of the exterior box 100 in the playground equipment state. At the time of play equipment state, the bent end of the upper inner flap 107A can easily support the first side surface 101 or the second side surface 102, and the strength of the inner surface portion of the exterior box 100 which contacts can be easily improved. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the playground equipment state, the end of the upper inner flap 107A on the first side surface 101 side contacts the first side surface 101, and the end of the upper inner flap 107A on the second side surface 102 side contacts the first side surface 101. , the second side 10
touch 2. That is, when the playground equipment state is set, the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 facing each other are pressed against and supported by the upper inner flap 107A, so that the upper inner flap 107A and the first side surface 101 are supported. Since the space between the second side surface 102 and the second side surface 102 can be supported so as to be stretched, the strength of the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 can be easily improved.

In addition, it is preferable that the upper

inner flaps

107A and 107B have folding guide portions Ga, and that the lower

inner flaps

108A and 108B have folding guide portions Gb. The folding guide portions Ga and Gb are guide portions for folding the inner flaps 107 and 108, respectively.

The folding guide portions Ga and Gb of the present embodiment are substantially linear concave portions along the upper and lower ends of the third side surface 103 (fourth side surface 104), respectively, and extend from the inner surface of the exterior box 100 in the thickness direction. Compression processing is given toward. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the playground equipment state, the folding guide portion Ga provided on the upper inner flap 107A is separated from the upper end of the third side surface 103 by a predetermined distance. The leading end portion 107ae on the leading end side of the folding guide portion Ga is bent downward with the folding guide portion Ga as a folding starting point. The folding guide portion Gb provided on the lower inner flap 108A is separated from the lower end of the third side surface by a predetermined distance. It is folded upward with the folding guide portion Gb as the folding starting point.

In this manner, the folding guide portions Ga and Gb serve as folding starting points for folding the

inner flaps

107A and 108A, so that at least a portion of the

inner flaps

107A and 108A (tip portions 107ae and 108ae) are positioned inside the outer box 100. It becomes easy to bend toward the direction, and it becomes easy to improve the intensity|strength of the exterior box 100 of a playground equipment state easily. The folding guide portion is not limited to the concave portion formed by the compressing portion, and may be formed by slits, perforations, or the like, for example.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 7A, in the playground equipment state, the root portion 107ab from the upper end of the third side surface 103 of the upper inner flap 107A to the folding guide portion Ga is the surface of the upper

outer flaps

105A, 105B. It is preferable to follow FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A in a playground equipment state. In FIG. 7A, the portion of the upper inner flap 107A is hatched with dots for convenience. Since the base portion 107ab is along the surfaces of the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B, when the exterior box 100 is viewed from above, the overlapping portion of the base portion 107ab and the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B is formed by the base portion 107ab. Rigidity against force from above is improved. Therefore, since the strength of the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B of the outer box 100 in the playground state can be improved, damage to the outer box 100 can be more easily reduced.

In addition, in order to change the outer box 100 from the housed state to the playground state, as shown in FIG. Moreover, it is preferable that the third side surface 103 is folded above the lower end thereof. For this purpose, at least a portion of the upper inner flap 107A is folded inside the third side surface 103 and below the upper end of the third side surface 103 in the outer box 100, and at least a portion of the lower inner flap 108A is folded. is folded inside the third side surface 103 and above the lower end of the third side surface 103 . In this embodiment, the upper inner flap 107A is positioned inside the third side surface 103 and above the upper end of the third side surface 103 in the assembly method [1] of the display M provided on the outer surface of the third side surface 103. The characters and patterns indicate that the lower inner flap 108A is folded to the inside of the third side surface 103 and to the upper side of the lower end of the third side surface 103. FIG. In this way, by folding the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A toward the inside of the outer box 100 from both sides in the vertical direction, the upper inner flap 107A or the lower inner flap 108A alone is folded. Also, the strength of the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 of the outer box 100 can be improved more easily.

Furthermore, in the playground equipment state, it is more preferable that the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A, which are bent toward the inside of the outer box 100, engage with each other. By engaging the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A, the upper inner flap 107A can be easily maintained in the downward folded state, and the lower inner flap 108A in the upward folded state. easier to maintain. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the state in which the strength of the first side surface 101 and the second side surface 102 of the outer box 100 in the playground equipment state is improved.

In this embodiment, the engagement between the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A in the playground equipment state is the engagement between the upper notch Ka of the upper inner flap 107A and the lower notch Kb of the lower inner flap 108A. provided by agreement.

The upper notch Ka provided in the upper inner flap 107A is a notch that penetrates in the thickness direction and is linearly provided from the tip side of the upper inner flap 107A toward the root side. The lower notch Kb provided in the lower inner flap 108A is a notch extending through the thickness direction of the lower inner flap 108A in a straight line from the tip side to the base side. In addition, in the playground equipment state, the portion of the upper inner flap 107A closer to the first side surface 101 than the upper notch Ka is an upper first portion 107a1, and the portion closer to the second side 102 than the upper notch Ka is an upper second portion. 107a2, the portion of the lower inner flap 108A closer to the first side surface 101 than the lower notch Kb is a lower first portion 108a1, and the portion closer to the second side 102 than the lower notch Kb is This is the lower second portion 108a2.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the engagement between the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A is performed on the first side surface 101 side by the upper notch Ka and the lower notch Kb. 107a1 is arranged on the root side (third side surface 103 side) of the lower first portion 108a1, and on the second side surface 102 side, the lower second portion 108a2 is arranged on the root side (third side surface 103 side) of the upper second portion 107a2. ), the upper first portion 107a1 and the lower first portion 108a1 are overlapped, and the lower second portion 108a2 and the upper second portion 107a2 are overlapped. On the first side surface 101 side, the lower first portion 108a1 is arranged closer to the root side (third side surface 103 side) than the upper first portion 107a1, and on the second side surface 102 side, the upper second portion 107a2 is arranged on the lower side. It may be arranged on the root side (third side surface 103 side) of the second portion 108a2.

By engaging the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A in this way, it becomes easier to maintain the state in which they are folded, and it becomes easier to maintain the state in which the strength of the exterior box 100 is improved in the playground equipment state. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A are to be engaged with each other, the upper inner flap 107A is arranged to facilitate the engagement of the upper inner flap 107A with the lower inner flap 108A. However, it is preferable to have an engagement bending guide portion Gs as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6B. The engagement bending guide portion Gs is a portion for bending the portion from the root side end to the tip side end of the upper cutout portion Ka, and is a substantially linear concave portion. This concave portion is provided by compressing the outer box 100 in the playground state from the surface facing the inside in the thickness direction. The engagement bending guide portion Gs is provided in a portion (tip portion of the upper first portion 107a1) from the end on the root side of the upper notch portion Ka to the end on the first side surface 101 side. When engaging the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A in order to change the outer box 100 from the housed state to the playground state, the upper notch portion Ka of the upper first portion 107a1 of the upper inner flap 107A is opened. The portion from the root side end to the tip side end of the lower inner flap 108A is folded toward the third side surface 103 with the engagement bending guide portion Gs as a folding starting point, and the lower first portion 108a1 of the lower inner flap 108A is folded upward. By overlapping the first portion 107a1, the engagement state between the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A as shown in FIG. 7A can be achieved. By having the engagement bending guide part Gs, the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A can be easily engaged with each other, and the outer box 100 in a stronger playground state can be easily formed. can be done.

It should be noted that the engagement bending guide portion Gs is not limited to the concave portion formed by the pressing portion, and may be formed by slits, perforations, or the like, for example. Further, the engagement bending guide portion Gs is not limited to the upper first portion 107a1 of the upper inner flap 107A, but also the upper second portion 107a2 of the upper inner flap 107A, the lower first portion 108a1 of the lower inner flap 108, and the lower side. It may be provided on any of the second portions 108a2, or may be provided on all of them.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the sum of the length H107 from the root to the tip of the upper inner flap 107A and the length H108 from the root to the tip of the lower inner flap 108A is Even if the length to H103 is longer than H103 (H107A+H108A>H103), the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A are provided inside the upper and lower ends of the third side surface 103 in the outer box 100 in the playground state. It is preferable that
As a result, the outer box 100 in the state of play equipment can maintain the same rectangular parallelepiped shape as the outer box 100 in the housed state, so that it can be easily used as the state of play equipment.

As a method of providing the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A inside the upper and lower ends of the third side surface 103, for example, as shown in FIG. The difference (H107A+H108A-H103) between the sum of the height H107 and the length H108 from the root to the tip of the lower inner flap 108A and the length H103 from the top end to the bottom end of the third side surface 103 is the length of the top inner flap 107A. The length H107ab from the root to the tip of the root portion 107ab, the length H108ab from the root to the tip of the root portion 108ab of the lower inner flap 108A, and the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A overlap in the vertical direction. The sum (H107ab+H108ab+HAe) or less of the vertical length HAe of the portion is sufficient (H107A+H108A-H103≤H107ab+H108ab+HAe). Moreover, when the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108A do not have root portions 107ab and 108ab along the surfaces of the outer flaps 105 and 106, the length H107 from the root to the tip of the upper inner flap 107A and the length H108 from the root to the tip of the lower inner flap 108A, and the difference (H107A+H108A-H103) between the length H103 from the upper end to the lower end of the third side surface 103 is the upper inner flap 107A in the vertical direction. and the vertical length HAe of the overlapping portion of the lower inner flap 108A (H107ab+H108ab+HAe) or less (H107A+H108A-H103≤HAe). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the leading end portion 107ae of the upper inner flap 107A and the leading end portion 108ae of the lower inner flap 108A do not necessarily extend in the vertical direction, but are inclined at a predetermined angle. A lower inner flap 108A may be provided inside the upper and lower ends of the third side surface 103 .

In addition, as described above, it has an extending portion 109 that is continuous with the second side surface 102 and extends along the inner side surface of the third side surface 103 in the housed state and the playground equipment state. A third side surface 103 that is continuous with the first side surface 101 is not continuous with the second side surface 102, but is joined to the second side surface 102 by the extending portion 109 that functions as a "overlap margin". As a result, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the third side surface 103 that is continuous with the upper inner flap 107A. easier to improve.

As described above, the upper inner flap 107A is made of corrugated cardboard, and includes a pair of sheet portions S and a corrugated member W sandwiched between the pair of sheet portions. FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged view of the DD cross-sectional view in FIG. 7A. The apex of the wavy shape of the wavy member W extends along the direction from the tip to the base of the upper inner flap 107A. It is preferable that the folding line for folding the upper inner flap 107A intersects the apex of the wavy shape of the wavy member W in the playground state.
In the present embodiment, the folding guide portion Ga is used as the folding starting point, so the fold line of the upper inner flap 107A is the fold guide portion Ga. In other words, the folding guide portion Ga of the upper inner flap 107A intersects the apex of the wavy shape of the wavy member W forming the upper inner flap 107A. In general, corrugated cardboard easily deforms in the direction along the crests of the corrugations of the corrugated member W, and deforms in the direction crossing the crests of the corrugations of the corrugated member W. requires a stronger force than deformation in the direction along the crest of the corrugation. Therefore, the folding line (folding guide portion Ga) along which the upper inner flap 107A is folded intersects with the apex of the corrugated shape of the corrugated member W, thereby further improving the rigidity of the folded upper inner flap 107A. It becomes easy to improve the strength of the exterior box 100 in the playground equipment state.

The outer box 100 has an opening H penetrating in the thickness direction in at least one of the outer flaps 105, 106, the first side 101, the second side 102, the third side 103, and the fourth side 104. It is preferable to have an opening guiding portion L. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the first side surface 101 has an opening guiding portion L1 in the shape of a cat's face, the second side surface 102 has two rectangular opening guiding portions L2, an upper

outer flap

105A, 105B is provided with three circular opening guiding portions L5a and L5b, respectively. Each opening guide portion L is provided with a slit, a perforation, or the like, and a user, etc., presses the opening guide portion L in the thickness direction when making the housing box 100 into a toy state. By applying the force of , the opening H can be easily formed.
As the openings H, the opening guide portion L1 of the first side surface 101 is the opening portion H1, the opening guide portion L2 of the second side surface 102 is the opening portion H2, and the opening guide portion L5a of the upper outer flap 105A is the opening portion H5a. The opening guiding portion L5b of the outer flap 105B becomes the opening H5b. Since the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment has the opening H, the animals can play with more variations and enjoy playing with the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment.

As in the present embodiment, regarding the outer box 100 in the playground state having the opening H, when the opening H is viewed from the front, a virtual penetration area extending in the thickness direction of the opening H and an upper inner It is preferable that the flap 107A does not overlap. Moreover, it is more preferable that not only the upper inner flap 107A but also the virtual penetration area and the upper inner flap 107B and the lower

inner flaps

108A and 108B do not overlap. The opening H of the outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment is used for animals to put their hands and bodies into and play with. If the virtual penetration area overlaps the upper inner flap 107A when the opening H is viewed from the front, when the animal puts its hand or body into the opening H, the upper inner flap 107A will not move the animal's hand or body. may injure the Therefore, since the virtual penetration area and the upper inner flap 107A do not overlap, the possibility that the upper inner flap 107A becomes an obstacle in the virtual penetration area can be reduced, and the animal can safely put its hand or body into the opening H. It becomes easy to put it in, and it becomes easy to play using the exterior box 100 with peace of mind.

Furthermore, it is more preferable to provide the opening H on a surface other than the third side surface 103 that is continuous with the upper inner flap 107A. The opening H provided in the third side surface 103 is likely to be blocked by the upper inner flap 107A. Therefore, by providing a surface other than the third side surface 103 that is continuous with the upper inner flap 107A, animals can easily put their hands and body into the opening H and play with the outer box 100 as a toy.

<Modified example of outer box 100 in the state of playground equipment>
In this embodiment, the exterior box 100 is a playground equipment in which the upper inner flap 107A having the upper notch Ka and the lower inner flap 108A having the lower notch Kb are engaged. Not limited. 8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating modifications of the outer box 100 in a playground equipment state. Hereinafter, mainly different parts from the above-described embodiment will be described, and parts common to the configuration of the above-described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the like, and detailed description will be omitted. Also, some of the configurations of the outer box 100 of the above-described embodiment can also be applied to the following modified examples of the outer box 100 .

At least one of the first side surface 101, the second side surface 102, and the third side surface 103 includes a cut guide portion (not shown) for forming a cut that penetrates in the thickness direction, and the exterior box 100 (the first side surface 101, the 2nd side 102, third side 103) has a folding guiding part G3a for folding a part of the inside of the outer box, and a folding part F3a surrounded by the cutting guiding part and the folding guiding part G3a, and is in the state of a playground equipment. Then, the folded portion G3a may be folded toward the inside of the exterior box 100, and the upper inner flap 107A may be positioned closer to the third side surface 103 than the folded portion G3a. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the third side surface 103 includes a cut guide portion and a folding guide portion G3a. The folding part F3a is folded inside the exterior box 100.例文帳に追加By restricting the movement of the upper inner flap 107A with the folded portion F3a, the upper inner flap 107A can be easily maintained in a downward folded state, and the strength of the exterior box 100 can be easily improved. Note that the cut-in guiding portion may be a perforation line, a slit, or a portion to be cut off.

Also, the upper inner flap 107A and the third side surface 103 may be engaged with each other in the playground equipment state. It becomes easier to fix the upper inner flap 107A to the third side surface, and it becomes easier to maintain the state in which the strength of the exterior box 100 is improved.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the third side surface 103 has a side engaging opening E3b that penetrates in the thickness direction. can be anything. In addition, in the housed state, the third side surface 103 is not provided with the side engagement opening E3b, but is provided with a side engagement opening guide portion (not shown) for forming the side engagement opening E3b, and is in the play equipment state. , the side engaging opening E3b may be formed in the side engaging opening guiding portion. In addition, the side engagement opening guiding portion can be illustrated with perforations, slits, and cut-out portions.

Furthermore, the third side surface 103 has a cut guide portion (not shown) for forming a cut that penetrates in the thickness direction, and a part of the exterior box 100 (the third side surface 103) is folded inside the exterior box 100. The upper inner flap 107A has an inner flap engagement opening E7c that penetrates in the thickness direction good too. Then, in the state of the playground equipment, as shown in FIG. 8C, the cut-in guiding portion is passed through in the thickness direction, and the folding-in guiding portion G3c is used as a folding starting point, and the folding-in portion F3c is folded inside the exterior box 100 to engage the inner flap. The folded portion F3c may be inserted into and engaged with the opening E7c.

In addition, the length of the upper inner flap 107A in the vertical direction (the length from the tip to the base) is longer than the length of the third side surface 103 in the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 107A may have a portion 7d1 along the vertical direction and a portion 7d2 along the surfaces of the outer flaps 105 and . The strength of the first side surface 101, the second side surface 102, and the third side surface 103 can be easily improved by the upper inner flap 107A.

The upper inner flap 107A has an inner flap engaging opening E7e penetrating in the thickness direction, and as shown in FIG. It may be one to match. The state in which the upper inner flap 107A and the lower inner flap 108 are folded toward the inside of the outer box 100 can be easily maintained, and the strength of the outer box 100 can be easily improved. In the housed state, the upper inner flap 107A is not provided with the inner flap engagement opening E7e, and is provided with an inner flap engagement opening guide portion (not shown) for forming the inner flap engagement opening E7e, The inner flap engaging opening E7e may be formed in the inner flap engaging opening guiding portion when the play equipment state is set. In addition, the lower inner flap 108A has an inner flap engaging opening that penetrates in the thickness direction, and the upper inner flap 107A is inserted into the inner flap engaging opening of the lower inner flap 108A for engagement. good too.

===Other Embodiments===
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit and interpret the present invention. Further, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the outer box 100 is provided with an indication M for folding the inner flap 107 (108) and providing the outer flap 105 (106) outside the inner flap 107 (108) in order to make it a toy state. Although it is provided on the third side surface 103 of , it is not limited to this. It may be provided on any one of the first side surface 101, the second side surface 102, the fourth side surface 104, the outer flaps 105 and 106, and the inner flaps 107 and . Alternatively, as a separate member from the exterior box 100, a document showing the label M may be attached to the animal litter box unit as an assembly method manual.

In the above-described embodiment, the upper inner flap 107A, the upper inner flap 107B, the lower inner flap 108A, and the lower inner flap 108B are folded toward the inside of the exterior box 100 to form a toy state, but the present invention is not limited to this. . At least one of the upper inner flap 107A, the upper inner flap 107B, the lower inner flap 108A, and the lower inner flap 108B may be folded toward the inside of the exterior box 100. Thereby, the rigidity of at least one of the first side surface 101, the second side surface 102, the third side surface 103, and the fourth side surface 104 can be improved, and the strength of the exterior box 100 can be improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the upper outer flap 105 and the lower outer flap 106 are provided with a pair of upper

outer flaps

105A, 105B and lower

outer flaps

106A, 106B, respectively, and are configured to be opened and closed by so-called double doors. , but not limited to this. The upper outer flap 105 and the lower outer flap 106 may be formed as one member, and may be opened and closed by a so-called one-sided opening.

In the above-described embodiment, the side surfaces 101 and 102 and the outer flap 105 of the outer box 100 are provided with the openings H penetrating in the thickness direction. Also, a state in which a plurality of outer boxes having openings or outer boxes having no openings are stacked in the vertical direction may be used as a playground equipment state.

In the above-described embodiment, the outer box 100 in the playground state has the inner flaps 107 and 108 folded toward the inside of the outer box 100, but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer box 100 in which the upper inner flap 107A is along the surface of the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B and the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B are provided above the upper inner flap 107A, the first A state in which any one of the side surface 101, the second side surface 102, or the third side surface 103 is the upper surface may be regarded as a playground equipment state. In order to make this outer box 100 a toy state, the upper inner flap 107A is arranged along the surfaces of the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B, and the upper

outer flaps

105A and 105B are provided above the upper inner flap 107A. , and any one of the first side 101, the second side 102, or the third side 103 may be indicated as the top surface. With such an exterior box 100, a user such as an owner can obtain a playground equipment using the exterior box 100 simply by preparing an animal toilet unit. Playing with the exterior box 100 in the form of playground equipment facilitates the release of stress in animals such as cats, thereby facilitating appropriate excretion. Further, by forming the upper inner flap 107A so as to be perpendicular to the first side surface 101, the second side surface 102, and the third side surface 103, the upper inner flap 107A can It becomes easy to improve the strength of 103, and it is possible to strengthen the rigidity against the force applied from the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the user can recognize that the toy is a toy with improved strength, the animal can play with the outer box 100 in the state of the toy without worry.

Although the animal litter box 1 of the above-described embodiment includes the cover 40 as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 40 may be omitted. Also, in the animal litter box 1, the lower container 20 supports the upper container 10 and the tray 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lower container 20 may be omitted. Any animal litter box provided with at least the upper container 10 and the tray 30 may be used.

1 animal litter box,
10 upper container,
11 bottom,
20 bottom container,
30 trays,
40 cover,
41 access openings;
100 outer box,
101 first aspect,
102 second aspect,
103 third aspect,
104 fourth aspect,
105 outer flaps,
105A upper outer flap (one side outer flap),
105B upper outer flap (one side outer flap),
106 outer flaps,
106A lower outer flap (other outer flap),
106B lower outer flap (other side outer flap),
107 inner flap,
107A upper inner flap (one side inner flap),
107B upper inner flap (one side inner flap),
108 inner flap,
108A lower inner flap (other inner flap),
108B lower inner flap (other inner flap),
109 extension,
Ga folding induction part,
Gb folding guide,
Gs engagement bending guide portion,
Ka upper notch,
Kb lower notch,
H1, H2, H5a, H5b openings,
L1, L2, L5a, L5b opening guidance part,
M display

Claims

animal toilets,
An animal litter box unit for housing the animal litter box,
The outer box is
is cardboard,
In a housed state in which the animal litter box is housed and the exterior box is a closed space, the container has a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction,
It has an outer flap, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and an inner flap, and the outer flap includes one side outer flap located on one side in the vertical direction and a and the other side outer flap located on the other side,
The first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are positioned between the one side outer flap and the other side outer flap in the vertical direction,
the one-side outer flap extends from the one-side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface;
the other-side outer flap extends from the other-side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface;
The inner flap extends from the one-side end of the third side surface, and is provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap in the accommodated state,
In order to put the animal litter box into a toy state for use as a toy for an animal using the animal litter box, at least a portion of the inner flap is moved inside the third side surface and from the one end of the third side surface. and an indication indicating that the one-side outer flap is provided on the one side from the inner flap.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 1, comprising:
The animal litter box unit, wherein at least one end of the inner flap is in contact with the inner surface of the exterior box in the playground state.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 2, comprising:
In the playground equipment state,
an end of the inner flap on the first side surface is in contact with the first side surface;
The animal litter box unit, wherein the end of the inner flap on the second side surface is in contact with the second side surface.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The inner flap includes a folding guide portion for folding the inner flap,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the folding guide portion is separated from the one end of the third side by a predetermined distance.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 4, comprising:
The animal litter box unit is characterized in that, in the playground equipment state, a portion from the one end of the third side surface of the inner flap to the folding guide portion extends along the surface of the outer flap.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inner flap has a one-side inner flap located on the one side and the other-side inner flap located on the other side,
Said indication includes:
folding at least part of the one-side inner flap inside the third side surface and toward the other side of the one-side end of the third side surface;
At least part of the other side inner flap is folded inside the third side surface and toward the one side from the other side end of the third side surface,
An animal litter box unit, characterized in that:
An animal litter box unit according to claim 6, comprising:
The animal litter box unit, wherein the one side inner flap and the other side inner flap are engaged in the playground equipment state.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 7, comprising:
The one-side inner flap has a one-side notch provided from the tip side toward the root side,
The other side inner flap has a notch portion provided from the tip side toward the root side,
The animal litter box unit is characterized in that, in the playground equipment state, the one-side notch and the other-side notch are engaged with each other.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 8, comprising:
The one-side inner flap has an engagement bending guide portion for bending from the end on the root side to the end on the tip side of the one-side notch,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the engaging bending guide portion is provided from the end on the root side of the one-side notch portion to the end on the first side surface side.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 7, comprising:
The one-side inner flap has an inner flap engagement opening that penetrates in the thickness direction, or an inner flap engagement opening guide portion for forming the inner flap engagement opening,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the other side inner flap is inserted into the inner flap engaging opening in the playground equipment state.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The sum of the length from the root to the tip of the one-side inner flap and the length from the root to the tip of the other-side inner flap is greater than the length from the one-side end to the other-side end of the third side surface. long,
In the playground equipment state, the one side inner flap and the other side inner flap are provided inside the one side end and the other side end of the third side surface.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
at least one of the first side, the second side, and the third side,
a cut guide portion for forming a cut penetrating in the thickness direction;
a folding guiding part for folding a part of the outer box inside the outer box;
a folding portion surrounded by the cutting guide portion and the folding guide portion;
has
In the playground equipment state,
The folding part is folded inside the outer box,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the inner flap is located closer to the third side than the folding portion.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the inner flap and the third side face are engaged with each other in the playground equipment state.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 13, comprising:
The third side surface has a side engagement opening penetrating in the thickness direction or a side engagement opening guiding portion for forming the side engagement opening,
The animal litter box unit, wherein at least part of the inner flap is inserted into the side engagement opening in the playground equipment state.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 13, comprising:
The third aspect is
a cut guide portion for forming a cut penetrating in the thickness direction;
a folding guiding part for folding a part of the outer box inside the outer box;
a folding portion surrounded by the cutting guide portion and the folding guide portion;
has
The inner flap has an inner flap engagement opening that penetrates in the thickness direction, or an inner flap engagement opening guide portion for forming the inner flap engagement opening,
The animal litter box unit is characterized in that, in the playground equipment state, the folded portion is engaged with the inner flap engaging opening.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The vertical length of the inner flap is longer than the vertical length of the third side surface,
The animal litter box unit, wherein in the playground equipment state, the inner flap has a portion along the vertical direction and a portion along the surface of the outer flap.
17. An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
In the playground state,
Having an extension part continuous with the second side surface and extending along the inner surface of the third side surface,
The third aspect is
continuous with the first side;
An animal litter box unit that is not continuous with the second side surface and is joined with the extension part.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The inner flap is
a pair of seat portions;
A corrugated member sandwiched between the pair of sheet portions and having a corrugated cross section in the thickness direction;
with
The apex of the wavy shape of the wavy member extends along the direction from the tip to the base of the inner flap, and in the state of the playground equipment, the folding line for folding the inner flap is aligned with the apex of the wavy shape of the wavy member. An animal litter box unit characterized by intersecting.
An animal litter box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
At least one of the outer flap, the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side has an opening guiding portion for forming an opening penetrating in the thickness direction. An animal litter box unit characterized by:
An animal litter box unit according to claim 19, comprising:
In the playground equipment state,
An animal litter box unit, wherein, when the opening is viewed from the front, a virtual penetration area extending in the thickness direction of the opening does not overlap with the inner flap.
An animal litter box unit according to claim 19 or 20,
The animal litter box unit, wherein the opening is provided on a surface other than the third side surface.
animal toilets,
An animal litter box unit for housing the animal litter box,
The outer box is
is cardboard,
In a housed state in which the animal litter box is housed and the exterior box is a closed space, the container has a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, and a vertical direction,
It has an outer flap, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and an inner flap, and the outer flap includes one side outer flap located on one side in the vertical direction and a and the other side outer flap located on the other side,
The first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are positioned between the one side outer flap and the other side outer flap in the vertical direction,
the one-side outer flap extends from the one-side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface;
the other-side outer flap extends from the other-side end of at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface;
The inner flap extends from the one-side end of the third side surface, and is provided on the other side of the one-side outer flap and on the one side of the other-side outer flap in the accommodated state,
In order to use the animal litter box as a toy for an animal using the animal litter box, the inner flap is arranged along the surface of the one-side outer flap, and the one-side outer flap is provided on the one side of the inner flap. and any one of the first side, the second side, or the third side is the upper surface of the playground equipment.