Abstrict An improved disposable, cat litter box waste receptacle assembly
with enclosure having a box tray (10) which in its use configuration
accepts and holds a litter latrine (14). A latrine privacy enclosure
cover (12) that has a cut out removable entry (16) is placed in
the box tray (10) and over the litter latrine (14). The entire box
assembly is made of recyclable paper products. Its interior surfaces
are moisture resistant. In its shipping-inverted configuration the
box assembly utilizes the box tray (10) as a top. The latrine privacy
enclosure cover (12) functions as a shipping and transport container
which houses a supply of litter latrines (14) each of which contain
a quantity of absorbent litter (24). The assembly includes a carrying
handle (18) and a closure device (20) which secure the assembly
and its contents while in transport. The assembly includes all of
the supplies required for its intended use.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly with enclosure,
comprising in combination:
a unitary upstanding open top rectangular box tray having a bottom
wall continuous with contiguous first and second opposed side walls
and third and fourth opposed end walls, said box tray being of a
predetermined size sufficient to accommodate a house cat and dimensioned
to fit closely adjacent to and approximately parallel while overlap
the side and end walls of an open bottom rectangular enclosure positioned
therein;
said open bottom rectangular enclosure having a top wall contiguous
with contiguous opposed side walls and opposed end walls, and a
cut out removable entry of sufficient size for entry by a house
cat on one of the end walls;
a plurality of rectangular moisture resistant open top litter latrine
assemblies each having a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls,
and a pair of opposed end walls, and dimensioned to fit approximately
adjacent to and parallel within the side and end walls of said open
bottom enclosure, each of said latrine assemblies having as its
contents a quantity of absorbent litter, said litter being held
in place by, a removable top sealing sheet, whereby, the litter
latrine assembly is self contained for use and disposal as a unit
after its contents are soiled by waste; and
retaining means for securing said box waste receptacle assembly
in a closed condition during shipping, storage, and transport; and
a handle mounted to, and positioned at the top of the enclosure
to facilitate carrying the assembly.
2. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
1 wherein said handle can be repositioned.
3. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
1 wherein said retainer comprises a strap adapted to encircle said
enclosure and said cap.
4. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
3 wherein said strap is adapted for reattachment to the assembly
to facilitate carrying and disposing of said assembly or its contents.
5. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
4 wherein said handle is incorporated in said strap.
6. A disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly with enclosure,
comprising in combination:
a unitary upstanding rectangular enclosure having a pair of opposed
end walls, a pair of opposed side walls contiguous with the end
walls, a bottom wall contiguous with the end and side walls, and
an open top, one of said end walls having a cut-out removable entry
of a predetermined size sufficient to allow passage of a house cat
into and out of said enclosure, and said enclosure being of a predetermined
size sufficient to accommodate a house cat entering, defecating
within, and exiting said enclosure;
a unitary rectangular cap having a pair of opposed upstanding end
walls, a pair of opposed upstanding side walls contiguous with the
end walls, a top wall contiguous with the end and side walls, and
an open bottom, the end and side walls of said cap being dimensioned
for snugly overlapping and frictionally retaining the end and side
walls of said enclosure adjacent the open bottom of said enclosure,
whereby said cap serves as a removable closure for said enclosure;
a plurality of rectangular, moisture resistant, removable-top,
absorbent litter-containing latrines dimensioned for stacked insertion
into said enclosure;
a releasable retainer for securing said cap to said enclosure during
storage and transport of the assembly, said cap upon release of
said retainer being removable from said enclosure for access to
and removal of the litter-containing latrines and upon inversion
of said enclosure serving as a box tray for receiving and retaining
one or more of the latrines within said enclosure; and
a handle mounted to, and positioned above said enclosure for carrying
said assembly.
7. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
6 wherein said retainer comprises a strap adapted for encircling
said enclosure and said cap.
8. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
7 wherein said strap is adapted for reattachment to the assembly
to facilitate carrying and disposing of said assembly or its contents.
9. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of claim
8 wherein said enclosure is sized for snug engagement of the litter-containing
latrines.
10. The disposable cat litter box waste receptacle assembly of
claim 6 wherein the cutout removable entry has an abrasive interior
surface which, with the cutout removed from the enclosure and positioned
adjacent the entry, serves to clean litter and waste from the paws
of a cat exiting the enclosure.
Description BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is a disposable cat litter box waste receptacle
assembly, with enclosure, constructed primarily from recycled materials,
and which includes a quantity of disposable litter latrines pre-filled
with a quantity of absorbent litter.
BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
The inconvenience, cost and effort of maintaining a cat litter
box is of concern to many owners, witness the number of patented
and trademarked devices which are designed to address the tasks.
Also of concern to present day humankind is the reality that recycling
and composting have become a necessity in order to protect and preserve
the environment. Cat litter waste receptacles have conventionally
been composed of plastic or polyinal and require the addition of
absorbent litter, usually clay based. In addition, repeated maintenance
and cleaning is required after they are soiled by waste before re-use.
They conventionally have not been designed to be disposed of, recycled
or composted.
Several inventors have created cat litter boxes which address one
or more concerns; but fall short of solving several. U.S. Pat. No.
4779567 to Smith (1987) discloses a disposable travel type pet
litter box; however, it is a single use device which must be maintained
by cleaning and refilled with litter in order to be reused. It requires
the use of a disposable bag liner, and does not provide a dome or
enclosure for an animal to enter for privacy, tidiness and odor
control.
U.S. Pat. No. 4732111 Runion (1987) shows a unit which includes
a disposable insert tray. Although this device is re-usable and
disposable; it requires refilling with a conventional litter material,
cleaning and maintenance for repeated use. The disposable tray is
of such construction that it would require a separate moisture proof
liner for extended and repeated use in order to prevent waste soilage.
Waste must be removed between litter refilling for extended use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5060849 to King (1990) is a dual purpose- home
and transportable disposable device. However, it to is limited to
single use. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5048465 & 5477812 (1990-91) to
Windmere is a self cleaning electromechanical litter box, constructed
of sturdy polyvinal plastic, and metal, and requires a motor, power,
a specially designed refuse collection bag, maintenance and refilling
with clumping litter exclusively. This device is complex, costly
and not intended to be recyclable or disposable.
Other inventions in this field range from simple plastic trays,
to disposable single use cardboard travel boxes, to prepackaged
disposable single use units which incorporate a plastic tray filled
with high quality anti-bacterial clay litter, such as the Johnny
Cat Toss Away.TM. First Brands Corporation, USA.
There are a multitude of innovative cat litter waste receptacles,
and several clever waste removal, cleaning and sifting devices or
systems. Such as the Self Cleaning Cat Box.TM. Roll To Clean Co.,
Canada. The polyvinal Sifting Cat Pan.TM. Van Ness Plastics, USA.
A Hooded Cat Box with air filter.TM. Doskocil Corp, USA. All of
which that were herein disclosed have inherent limitations. They
are of a permanent not disposable or recyclable nature, require
specially designed clay litter and bag liners, are costly, not ecologically
conscious in design, require separate maintenance operations to
remove waste, refill litter, and clean between soilings for extended
use, require separate packaging and supplies. Although innovative
and convenient, all cat litter waste receptacle devices heretofore
known suffer from one or more common disadvantages:
(a) The use of primarily polyvinal plastic construction results
in a permanent rather than disposable, recyclable, or compostable
product.
(b) Plastic products are expensive to manufacture.
(c) Recycling polyvinal is a complex and costly process.
(d) Plastic is not generally considered to be compostable or biodegradable.
(e) Many existing litter waste devices require special auxiliary
supplies for use. Such as a particular type of litter, bags or liners,
air filters, and even batteries or power supplies.
(f) Prior devices and systems are often costly, complex difficult
to use, and inconvenient to clean and maintain.
(g) The common exclusion of a latrine privacy enclosure on many
allows the soiled litter to be spread about during and after use.
Lack of such an enclosure allows excessive odors to escape and is
not attractive to cats. Felines tend to be attracted to and like
to enter boxes or enclosures.
(h) Clay litter is a physically heavy material to transport and
ship.
(i) Clay litter is not a recycled or recyclable product.
(j) Existing devices often require external packaging which unnecessarily
increase the cost of manufacture and requires separate disposal
of said packaging.
(k) Many units are intended for single use and must be disposed
of once soiled.
(l) Most designs for permanent type litter waste recepticles require
ongoing separate cleaning, refilling and maintenance operations
to be performed.
(m) Of the single use disposable units, many of which are constructed
of cardboard like materials, most of this type require auxiliary
supplies and are not moisture or odor resistant. Those not made
of cardboard tend to be disposable; but not recyclable or compostable.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:
(a) to provide a cat litter box waste receptacle assembly with
enclosure that is disposable, recyclable, and compostable,
(b) to provide a litter box not constructed of plastic or metal;
but primarily from paper based materials,
(c) to provide a litter box that is cost effective to recycle,
(d) to provide a litter box that is a complete assembly, not requiring
auxiliary supplies for use,
(e) to provide a litter box of simple design that is inexpensive,
is convenient to use, and easy to maintain,
(f) to provide a litter box that includes a latrine privacy enclosure
for tidiness, odor control, and which is attractive to cats,
(g) to provide a litter box assembly that includes a supply of
light weight absorbent litter material for convenience of use, easy
and cost effective shipping and transport,
(h) to provide a litter box that includes a supply of litter that
is a recyclable, and compostable product,
(i) to provide a litter box that includes a supply of litter that
is packaged in a quantity of sealed moisture resistant litter latrine
trays,
(j) to provide a litter box wherein the packaging is also the product,
(k) to provide a litter box which is designed for extended use;
but does not require the removal of waste, refilling of litter,
or cleaning as a separate operation of maintenance,
(l) to provide a litter box made of primarily paper based materials
which is complete for use with all necessary supplies, is designed
for extended us, and is moisture and odor resistant.
Further objects and advantages are:
(m) to provide a litter box that is not offensive to clean and
maintain,
(n) to provide a litter box that is convenient to use,
(o) to provide a litter box that is environmentally friendly,
(p) to provide a litterbox that is affordable.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from
a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my litter box assembly invention
positioned in its use configuration., that is exploded with cross
section.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of my litter box in its inverted-
shipping configuration.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the litter latrine assembly
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the litter latrine assembly in
shipping configuration.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the litter box assembly in its
use position, that is exploded with cross section.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 box tray
12 latrine privacy enclosure cover
14 litter latrine
16 cut out removable entry
18 carrying handle
20 closure device
22 latrine seal sheet
24 prepackaged absorbant litter
26 self adheasive deoderizing device
SUMMARY
This invention is a disposable, cat litter box waste receptacle
assembly with enclosure. The assembly includes a bottom box tray
which holds a litter latrine that is supplied with a quantity of
absorbent litter. The enclosure has a cut out removable entry, and
fits over the litter latrine and in the tray. The assembly is made
of recyclable materials. It is configured in such a way that the
assembly is also the packaging for shipping and transport and includes
the necessary supplies for its intended use.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT--DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 to 5
A typical embodiment of the present litter box assembly invention
is illustrated in FIG. 1 a perspective view of the litter box assembled
in its use configuration. In the preferred embodiment the box has
a box tray 10 made of a paper product or byproduct such as corrugated
or chipboard, which have interior moisture resistant surfaces. However;
said tray can consist of any other material that can be readily
recycled, such as
various laminated or extruded materials, fibrous materials, cloth,
wood products or byproducts, leather, metal, recyclable polyvinal
or plastic, etc. A latrine privacy enclosure cover 12 is similarly
constructed as is the box tray 10. A prepackaged litter latrine
14 with litter, is shown in place for use. A cut out removable entry
16 is shown in place functioning as an optional cat paw cleaning
device. A self adhesive deodorizing device 26 is shown in place.
In the preferred embodiment the assembled box FIG. 1 has approximately
parallel surfaces; the opposing top, sides and bottom form a shape
approximating a rectangular shaped cube. However; other shapes such
as oblong, round or rounded, or angular could be used.
FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the box in its assembled
for transport or shipping/inverted configuration. In this position,
the bottom tray 10 acts as a top. The enclosure 12 acts as a receptacle
and shipping- transport container. A cut out removable entry 16a
opening is shown in place, a carrying handle 18 and a closure device
20 or means for securing the assembly in a closed condition during
shipping are represented.
FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective view of the litter latrine 12.
Said latrine is similarly constructed as tray 10 and enclosure 12
with its interior surface being moisture resistant. A removable
latrine seal sheet 22 keeps the prepackaged absorbent litter 24
in place during shipping, transport and storage.
FIG. 4 is a perspective representation of the litter latrine assembly
14 a-f stacked for shipping. FIG. 5 shows a perspective exploded
view with cross section of the box assembly with the litter latrine
14 in both its shipping and use position.
In the preferred embodiment the entire box assembly, FIGS. 1-2-3-4-5
is constructed of paper products or by-products. However; the entire
assembly could be constructed from any other material that can be
readily recycled, such as various laminated or extruded fibrous
material, cloth, wood products or by-products, leather, metal, recyclable
polyvinal or plastic, etc.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT--OPERATION
FIGS. 1-2-3-4-5
The manner of using the box assembly is to open it by removing
the box tray 10 as shown in FIG. 2. Then the user takes out the
litter latrines 14 a-f shown in FIG. 4. One latrine 14 is opened
to expose the prepackaged absorbent litter 24 contained inside
by removing a latrine seal sheet 22 shown in FIG. 3. The user then
inverts tray 10 FIG. 1 inserts the opened latrine 14. The assembly
is completed by removing the cut out 16 from a latrine privacy enclosure
cover 12 and placing said cut out in front of the box tray, then
placing the enclosure 12 over the tray 10 and latrine 14 as shown
in FIG. 1.
To remove and dispose of the soiled latrine 14 FIG. 1 the enclosure
12 is removed and the entire latrine 14 is removed for disposal,
recycling, or composting. A replacement latrine 14 is then opened
and inserted as previously described. The enclosure 12 is then replaced.
Upon exhaustion of unused latrines 14 a-f FIG. 4 the entire box
assembly is disposed of, recycled, composted, and replaced with
new.
CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
Accordingly, it can be seen that the configuration and composition
of this litter box assembly can be used to easily, conveniently,
and economically to address the often unpleasant task of cat litter
box waste removal and maintenance, in an ecologically friendly manner
by a person of most any age.
The invention has additional advantages in that;
It is easily transported, stored and shipped.
It is lightweight for cost effective shipping.
While the description above contains many specificities, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention;
but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred
embodiments of this invention or as an exemplification of one embodiment.
Other embodiments and ramifications are possible within it's scope.
For example, variations of size, color, printing and additional
packaging.
Additional variations possible include construction materials,
quantities and physical qualities, such as; shape, size, weight,
strength or test, relationship or orientation of parts, specifications,
absorbency or moisture resistance.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by
the examples given or embodiments illustrated. |