Abstrict A new and improved cat litter scoop container comprises a holder
formed as a generally hollow box with an open front. The holder
has vertically positioned sidewalls and a vertically positioned
rear wall. The holder also includes a roof and a floor. A front
cover is formed in a long hollow shaped configuration with an upper
region and a lower region. The lower region has a generally linear
horizontal edge at its lowermost extent. The cover is contoured
to be positioned within the front edges of the sidewalls of the
holder in the operative orientation. A hinge is positioned between
the holder and front cover and is affixed to both. The hinge is
adapted to permit rotational opening and closing of the front cover.
Claims What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A new and improved cat litter scoop container comprising, in
combination:
a holder formed as a generally rectangular shaped hollow box, the
holder having a roof, a floor, a long rear wall, two long sidewalls
and an open front, the roof including a centrally located downwardly
extending semi circular shaped hook, the roof also including a centrally
located concave groove near its front edge, the sidewalls having
an upper extent and a lower extent, the lower extent of each sidewall
including a rounded frontwardly extending member, the approximate
center point of each member including a generally circular shaped
bore, the front edge of the floor including a short upwardly extending
ledge spanning its entire width and formed contiguously with the
sidewalls, the holder adapted to store a cat litter scoop in the
operative orientation;
a front cover, the cover having an upper region formed in a hollow
generally semi elliptical shaped configuration and a lower region
formed in a generally rectangular configuration, the uppermost extent
of the upper region including a short rearwardly extending peg at
its approximate center point, the peg including a semicircular shaped
impression at its furthest rearward extent, the lower region having
a rounded frontward surface, each side of the lower region including
a section having a smaller width than the remainder thereof, the
sections being contoured and adapted to be positioned within the
semi circular members of the holder, the smaller width sections
each including generally cylindrical shaped projections positioned
in the bores in the semi circular shaped members of the holder,
the projections and bores forming a hinge to permit rotational opening
and closing of the cover, the lower region having a short generally
linear front horizontal edge at its lowermost extent, the front
horizontal edge having a smaller thickness than the area thereabove,
the portions of the lower region having smaller thicknesses being
adapted to be positioned inside the holder in the operative closed
orientation, the lower region also including a plurality of generally
rectangular shaped holes on its rounded frontward surface, a rectangular
shaped bracket being affixed in a vertical orientation to each side
of the series of holes;
a replaceable charcoal filter being positioned within the brackets
of the cover behind the holes, the filter adapted to allow fresh
air into the holder while preventing odor from escaping; and
a scoop having a long planar rectangular handle and a wide generally
rectangular shaped shovel, the handle having an outboard end and
an inboard end, the outboard end including a an aperture near its
furthest extent, the shovel being formed in a generally rectangular
configuration with an outboard edge, an inboard edge, two parallel
side edges, an upper surface and a lower surface, the shovel including
a series of generally rectangular shaped apertures extending therethrough,
the apertures adapted to permit the siphoning of cat litter while
retaining waste products for disposal, the center point of the inboard
edge being affixed to the inboard end of the handle, the remainder
of the inboard edge being slanted away from the handle in an outboard
direction, the inboard edge and side edges of the handle including
a short sidewall extending from its upper surface, the height of
the sidewall being greater at the inboard edge than at the outboard
edge with a gradually decreasing height therebetween, the scoop
adapted to aid a user in removal of cat litter from a litter box.
2. A cat litter scoop container comprising:
a holder formed as a generally hollow box with an open front, the
holder having vertically positioned sidewalls and a vertically positioned
rear wall, each wall having an interior surface and an exterior
surface, the interior surface including an odor absorbing device
to prevent the escape of odors therefrom with the apparatus in the
closed orientation, the holder also including a roof and a floor;
and
a front cover formed in a long hollow shaped configuration with
an upper region and a lower region, the lower region having a generally
linear horizontal edge at its lowermost extent, the cover contoured
to be positioned within the front edges of the sidewalls of the
holder in the operative orientation, a hinge being positioned between
the holder and front cover and affixed to both, the hinge adapted
to permit rotational opening and closing of the front cover, the
apparatus adapted to store a cat litter scoop therein.
3. The container as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cover includes
a series of holes, a rectangular shaped bracket being affixed in
a vertical orientation to each side of the series of holes, the
odor absorbing device being a replaceable charcoal filter positioned
within the brackets behind the holes, the filter adapted to allow
fresh air into the holder while preventing odor from escaping.
4. The container as set forth in claim 2 wherein the roof includes
a downwardly extending semi circular shaped hook.
5. The container as set forth in claim 4 and further including
a scoop having a long planar rectangular handle and a wide generally
rectangular shaped shovel, the shovel having a flat outboard edge
and upturned inboard and side edges, the handle having an aperture
at its furthest outboard extent.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cat litter scoop containers and
more particularly pertains to storing the cat litter scoop in the
conveniently located, tightly sealed holder to prevent odors from
entering the surrounding living areas.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of sanitary containers is known in the prior art. More
specifically, sanitary containers heretofore devised and utilized
for the purpose of storing foul smelling objects and their associated
odors therein are known to consist basically of familiar, expected,
and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad
of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed
for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, the prior art discloses U.S. Pat. No. 3425587
to Duross an elongated hinged container and method of forming same.
U.S. Pat. No. 4733794 to Kent discloses a hinged plastic container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5076627 to Simon discloses a scoop for cat litter.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 263512 to Kawada discloses the ornamental
design for a litter scoop and sacker.
In this respect, the cat litter scoop containers according to the
present invention substantially depart from the conventional concepts
and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provide an apparatus
primarily developed for the purpose of storing the cat litter scoop
in the conveniently located, tightly sealed holder to prevent odors
from entering the surrounding living areas.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing
need for new and improved cat litter scoop containers which can
be used for storing the cat litter scoop in the conveniently located,
tightly sealed holder to prevent odors from entering the surrounding
living areas. In this regard, the present invention substantially
fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of sanitary containers now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides an improved cat litter scoop container. As such,
the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved
cat litter scoop container and method which has all the advantages
of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new
and improved cat litter scoop container comprising a holder formed
as a generally rectangular shaped hollow box. The holder has a roof,
a floor, a long rear wall, two long sidewalls and an open front.
The roof includes a centrally located, downwardly extending semi
circular shaped hook. The roof also includes a centrally located
concave groove near its front edge. The sidewalls have an upper
extent and a lower extent. The lower extent of each sidewall includes
a rounded frontwardly extending member. The approximate center point
of each member includes a generally circular shaped bore. The front
edge of the floor includes a short upwardly extending ledge spanning
its entire width and formed contiguously with the sidewalls. The
holder is adapted to store a cat litter scoop in the operative orientation.
A front cover has an upper region formed in a hollow generally semi
elliptical shaped configuration, and a lower region formed in a
generally rectangular configuration. The uppermost extent of the
upper region includes a short rearwardly extending peg at its approximate
center point. The peg includes a semicircular shaped impression
at its furthest rearward extent. The lower region has a rounded
frontward surface. Each side of the lower region includes a section
having a smaller width than the remainder thereof. The sections
are contoured and adapted to be positioned within the semi circular
members of the holder. The smaller width sections each include generally
cylindrical shaped projections which are positioned in the bores
in the semi circular shaped members of the holder. The projections
and bores form a hinge to permit rotational opening and closing
of the cover. The lower region has a short generally linear front
horizontal edge at its lowermost extent. The front horizontal edge
has a smaller thickness than the area thereabove. The portions of
the lower region which have smaller thicknesses are adapted to be
positioned inside the holder in the operative closed orientation.
The lower region also includes a plurality of generally rectangular
shaped holes on its rounded frontward surface. A rectangular shaped
bracket is affixed in a vertical orientation to each side of the
series of holes. A replaceable charcoal filter is positioned within
the brackets of the cover, behind the holes. The filter is adapted
to allow fresh air into the holder while preventing odor from escaping.
A scoop has a long planar rectangular handle and a wide generally
rectangular shaped shovel. The handle has an outboard end and an
inboard end. The outboard end includes an aperture near its furthest
extent. The shovel is formed in a generally rectangular configuration
with an outboard edge, an inboard edge, two parallel side edges,
an upper surface and a lower surface. The shovel includes a plurality
of generally rectangular shaped apertures which extend therethrough.
The apertures are adapted to permit the siphoning of cat litter
while retaining the animal waste products for disposal. The center
point of the inboard edge is affixed to the inboard end of the handle.
The remainder of the inboard edge is slanted away from the handle
in an outboard direction. The inboard edge and side edges of the
handle include a short sidewall which extends from its upper surface.
The height of the sidewall is greater at the inboard edge than at
the outboard edge, with a gradually decreasing height therebetween.
The scoop is adapted to aid a user in removal of cat litter from
a litter box.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of
the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable
of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not
be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as
a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems
for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.
It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including
such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not
familiar with patent of legal terms or phraseology, to determine
quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither
intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured
by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope
of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new
and improved cat litter scoop containers which have all the advantages
of the prior art sanitary containers and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and
improved cat litter scoop containers which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide new and
improved cat litter scoop containers which are of durable and reliable
constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide new
and improved cat litter scoop containers which are susceptible of
a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor,
and which accordingly are then susceptible of low prices of sale
to the consuming public, thereby making such cat litter scoop containers
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
new and improved cat litter scoop containers which provide in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to store the cat
litter scoop in the conveniently located, tightly sealed holder
to prevent odors from entering the surrounding living areas.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new
and improved cat litter scoop containers comprising a holder formed
as a generally hollow box with an open front. The holder has vertically
positioned sidewalls and a vertically positioned rear wall. The
holder also includes a roof and a floor. A front cover is formed
in a long hollow shaped configuration with an upper region and a
lower region. The lower region has a generally linear horizontal
edge at its lowermost extent. The cover is contoured to be positioned
within the front edges of the sidewalls of the holder in the operative
orientation. A hinge is positioned between the holder and front
cover and is affixed to both. The hinge is adapted to permit rotational
opening and closing of the front cover.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
cat litter scoop container constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken away front perspective view of the
cat litter scoop container.
FIG. 3 is a partially broken away side perspective view of the
cat litter scoop container.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cat litter scoop container
taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the hinge of the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front cover of the cat
litter scoop container illustrating the charcoal filter of the apparatus.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the
various Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1
thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved cat litter
scoop containers embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will
be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in FIGS. 1 through 5 that there
is provided a new and improved cat litter scoop container. The cat
litter scoop containers 10 in its broadest context, comprises a
holder 12 a front cover 38 a scoop 60 and a charcoal filter 64.
Each of the individual components is specifically configured and
correlated one with respect to the other to attain the desired objectives.
More specifically, the holder 12 has a roof 14 a floor 16 a long
rear wall 18 two long sidewalls 20 and an open front 22. The roof
includes a centrally located, downwardly extending semi circular
shaped hook 24. The hook is adapted to support a scoop thereupon.
The roof also includes a centrally located concave groove 26 near
its front edge. Note FIGS. 1 2 and 3.
The sidewalls have an upper extent and a lower extent. The lower
extent of each sidewall includes a rounded frontwardly extending
member 30. The members extend frontwardly a short distance. The
approximate center point of each member includes a generally circular
shaped bore 32. The bore extends into each member a short distance.
The front edge of the floor includes a short upwardly extending
ledge 34 spanning its entire width and formed contiguously with
the sidewalls. The ledge helps to ensure a tight fit with the cover
in the closed orientation. The holder 12 is adapted to store a cat
litter scoop in the operative orientation. Note FIGS. 2 and 3.
A front cover 38 has an upper region 40 formed in a hollow generally
semi elliptical shaped configuration, and a lower region 42 formed
in a generally rectangular configuration. The rearward open edge
of the front cover is adapted to fit snugly upon the front edge
of the holder. The uppermost extent of the upper region includes
a short rearwardly extending peg 44 at its approximate center point.
The peg includes a semicircular shaped impression 46 at its furthest
rearward extent. The peg is adapted to lock into the grove in the
roof of the holder in the closed orientation. To open the cover
the user simply pushes down on the uppermost extent to dislodge
the peg from the groove. Note FIGS. 1 and 3.
The lower region has a rounded frontward surface. Each side of
the lower region includes a section 50 having a smaller width than
the remainder thereof. The sections 50 are contoured and adapted
to be positioned within the semi circular members of the holder.
The smaller width allows the lower region of the cover to fit inside
the holder between the frontwardly projecting members. The smaller
width sections 50 each include generally cylindrical shaped projections
52 which are positioned in the bores in the semi circular shaped
members of the holder. The projections 52 and bores 32 form a hinge
to permit rotational opening and closing of the cover. Note FIG.
4. The smaller width provides sufficient clearance for the rotational
movement. Note FIGS. 1 and 3.
The lower region has a short generally linear front horizontal
edge 54 at its lowermost extent. The front horizontal edge 54 has
a smaller thickness than the area thereabove. The portions 50 54
of the lower region which have smaller thicknesses are adapted to
be positioned inside the holder in the operative closed orientation.
The smaller width provides sufficient clearance for rotational movement
of the cover within the holder. Note FIG. 1.
The lower region of the cover also includes a plurality of generally
rectangular shaped holes 56 on its rounded frontward surface. A
rectangular shaped bracket 58 is affixed in a vertical orientation
to each side of the series of holes. A replaceable charcoal filter
60 is positioned within the brackets of the cover, behind the holes
56. The brackets are configured to permit the easy removal and replacement
of a filter when necessary. The filter is adapted to allow fresh
air into the holder while preventing odor from escaping. Note FIGS.
3 and 5.
A scoop 64 has a long planar rectangular handle 66 and a wide generally
rectangular shaped shovel 68. The handle 66 has an outboard end
70 and an inboard end 72. The outboard end includes an aperture
74 near its furthest extent. The aperture allows the user to hang
the scoop on the hook in the holder after usage. The shovel is formed
in a generally rectangular configuration with an outboard edge 76
an inboard edge 78 two parallel side edges 80 an upper surface
82 and a lower surface 84. The shovel includes a plurality of generally
rectangular shaped apertures 86 which extend therethrough. The apertures
86 are adapted to permit the siphoning of cat litter while retaining
the animal waste products for disposal. The apertures are large
enough for litter to fall through but too small for the animal waste
to fall through. Note FIG. 2.
The center point 90 of the inboard edge is affixed to the inboard
end 72 of the handle. The handle and the shovel are comprised of
sturdy materials to ensure against bending or breaking of the apparatus
during use. The remainder of the inboard edge is slanted away from
the handle in an outboard direction. The inboard edge and side edges
of the handle include a short sidewall 92 which extends from its
upper surface. The height of the sidewall is greater at the inboard
edge than at the outboard edge, with a gradually decreasing height
therebetween. The sidewalls prevent the spillage of unsiphoned litter
when utilizing the apparatus. The scoop is adapted to aid a user
in removal of cat litter from a litter box. Note FIGS. 1 and 2.
One of the messiest problems with cleaning or changing a dirty
cat litter pan is what to do with the litter scoop when it is not
being used. Since it is dirty and smelly, most people want to keep
it out of the way but also want to keep it conveniently near the
litter pan. People often stick it back in the pan, lean it against
the wall next to the pan, or even toss it under the sink. The cat
litter scoop container is the perfect solution to this messy problem.
The apparatus is a plastic container designed to hold a litter
scoop when it is not being used. It is somewhat similar in appearance
to the containers for holding toilet bowl brushes. The cat litter
scoop container consists of four sections, a holder, a front cover,
a scoop and a charcoal filter. The front cover is pulled away from
the back section pulling forward on the top center region of the
front edge. A series of small vents is located across the lower
front region of the container to allow fresh air into the container.
A small replaceable charcoal filter behind the vents prevents odor
from escaping out into the room. The back section of the container
has a hook inside the top on which to hang the apparatus. With the
cat litter scoop containers, the scoop can be placed anywhere that
is convenient without the owner having to worry about the smell
and unsanitary condition of the scoop.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly,
no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation
will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described
in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of
the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of
the invention. |