Abstrict A disposable cat litter box, preferably made of a single sheet
of corrugated cardboard treated to prevent leakage of moisture,
is formed so that when a closed box is opened for use, the top is
unfolded to the vertical on all sides to provide both end extensions
and side extensions. The end extensions include end flaps which
extend inward from their side edges, and tabs which have a pre-cut
periphery except for an uncut side and are located proximate the
end flaps. The side extensions fold downwards upon themselves, at
pre-formed longitudinal midlines, about the inwardly extending end
flaps of the end extensions, the end flaps providing support for
the side extensions. With the side extensions tightly folded downwards,
the tabs on the end extensions are rotated inward about their uncut
side, wherein subsequent release of the side extensions allows the
side extensions and inwardly rotated tabs to resiliently engage,
preventing further unfolding of the side extensions, and thus restraining
the side extensions in an upright position. The end extensions are
locked into their upright position by the embrasure of the side
extensions about the end flaps of the end extensions. The interconnection
of the side and end extensions establishes a continuous rigid wall
about the box. For disposal, the tabs are merely rotated to their
original flush positions within the end extensions, thus releasing
the side extensions and end extensions for refolding to their original
horizontal positions as the top of the box.
Claims I claim:
1. A disposable cat litter box, comprising:
a. a rectangular base having opposing side edges and end edges;
b. a pair of opposing sides extending upwards from said side edges
of said rectangular base; a pair of opposing ends extending upwards
from said end edges of said rectangular base; said sides and ends
being joined to form a box; each side and end having a top edge;
c. a pair of opposing side extensions continuing from said top
edges of said sides, which, when the box is in a closed position,
are folded at said top edges of said sides so as to form a top to
said closed box; and, when the box is in an open position, extend
upwardly to an approximate transverse midline, whereat each side
extension is folded approximately 180-degrees inward and downward;
d. a pair of opposing end extensions continuing from said top edges
of said ends, each end extension having opposing side edges from
which a pair of flaps extend; said opposing end extensions, when
the box is in a closed position, folding inwardly at said top edges
of said ends so as to lie beneath the top of the closed box; and,
when the box is in an open position, extending upwardly with the
flaps extending orthogonally inward;
e. said opposing end extensions additionally having a tab formed
therein proximate each of the opposing side edges of the end extensions;
said tabs being formed within said end extensions so as to rotate
inward; wherein, when the box is in a closed position, said tabs
remain flush with the end extensions; and, when the box is in an
open position, with the side extensions extending upwardly from
the sides, the end extensions extending upwardly from the ends with
said flaps extending inwardly, and the side extensions being folded
approximately 180-degrees over said flaps so as to embrace said
flaps therein, said tabs, when rotated inward, resiliently engage
and restrain said folded side extensions from unfolding;
f. said folded side extensions enclosing said end extension flaps
to maintain said end extensions in an upright position and said
side extensions being held in an upright folded position by said
end extension flaps and said inwardly rotated tabs, so as to form
a disposable cat litter box with a sturdy extended wall about its
perimeter.
2. The disposable cat litter box, as recited in claim 1 wherein
the opposing sides and opposing ends are slanted so as to extend
upwards and outwards from said side edges and end edges of said
rectangular base.
3. The disposable cat litter box, as recited in claim 1 wherein
said tabs have a periphery which is pre-cut except for an uncut
side the uncut side of said tab forming an axis of rotation for
said tab.
4. The disposable cat litter box, as recited in claim 3 wherein
said uncut side of said tab generally is more distant than said
pre cut periphery of said tab from said side edge of said end extension.
5. The disposable cat litter box, as recited in claim 1 wherein
the inward rotation of each tab formed within the end extensions
is about a vertical axis.
6. The disposable cat litter box as recited in claim 1 wherein
said 180-degree inward fold of said side extensions in the open
position of the box is formed by two adjacent 90-degree folds.
7. A disposable cat litter box, comprising:
a. a rectangular base having opposing side edges and end edges;
b. a pair of opposing sides extending upwards from said side edges
of said rectangular base; a pair of opposing ends extending upwards
from said end edges of said rectangular base; said sides and ends
being joined to form a box; each side and end having a top edge;
c. a pair of opposing side extensions continuing from said top
edges of said sides, which, when the box is in a closed position,
are folded at said top edges of said sides so as to form a top to
said closed box; and, when the box is in an open position, extend
upwardly to an approximate transverse midline, whereat each side
extension is folded approximately 180-degrees inward and downward;
d. a pair of opposing end extensions continuing from said top edges
of said ends, each end extension having opposing side edges from
which a pair of flaps extend; said opposing end extensions, when
the box is in a closed position, folding inwardly at said top edges
of said ends so as to lie beneath the top of the closed box; and,
when the box is in an open position, extending upwardly with the
flaps extending orthogonally inward;
e. said opposing end extensions additionally having a tab formed
therein proximate each of the opposing side edges of the end extensions;
each said tab having a periphery which is pre-cut except for an
uncut side, which uncut side is generally more distant than said
pre-cut periphery from said side edges of said end extensions, said
uncut edge forming an axis of rotation for each said tab; said tabs
being formed within said end extensions so as to rotate inward about
said axes of rotation; wherein, when the box is in a closed position,
said tabs remain flush with the end extensions; and, when the box
is in an open position, with the side extensions extending upwardly
from the sides, the end extensions extending upwardly from the ends
with said flaps extending inwardly, and the side extensions being
folded approximately 180-degrees over said flaps so as to embrace
said flaps therein, said tabs, when rotated inward, resiliently
engage and restrain said folded side extensions from unfolding;
f. said folded side extensions enclosing said end extension flaps
to maintain said end extensions in an upright position and said
side extensions being held in an upright folded position by said
end extension flaps and said inwardly rotated tabs, so as to form
a disposable cat litter box with a sturdy extended wall about its
perimeter.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to litter boxes for cats and more
particularly is concerned with a disposable litter box which may
be prepackaged with litter and discarded as a unit after use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cat litter boxes generally are nondisposable, shallow, open containers,
made of plastic or metal, into which several inches of litter material
have been placed. When the conventional nondisposable cat litter
box has been used sufficiently to become objectionable, the owner
or caretaker of the cat is faced with the unpleasant task of emptying
the contents of the litter box, cleaning the box itself, and refilling
it with litter, usually by pouring from a large sack. The maintenance
of a conventional cat litter box is an objectionable task, to be
avoided if possible.
Disposable containers have been previously designed, but have not
gained general popularity because of cost, and complexity in preparation
for use and disposal. Some disposable boxes include slots to open
and tabs to fit therein. If tabs are of the non-locking variety,
they are liable to come loose in use; if locking tabs are used,
they may be difficult to insert and defy unlocking when attempting
to dispose of a box with used and objectionable litter.
There exists a need for a disposable cat litter box which:
is capable of serving as an effective package or container for
the marketing of cat litter, to include both display and shipping;
can be prepared for use by the cat owner or caretaker with little
effort;
is structurally strong and reliable; and
can be quickly and easily prepared for sanitary disposal while
containing used cat litter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a disposable cat litter box which
is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs. The invention embodies
a box for cat litter which is compact and sturdy, has upwardly extending,
interconnecting sides for retaining the cat litter, and is simple
to assemble for use and disassemble for disposal.
Accordingly, the present invention includes a moisture resistant
box which, in closed pre-use form, may include cat litter. The box
preferably is formed of corrugated cardboard which has been treated
to prevent leakage of cat urine when in use. The box is formed of
a single flat piece, so as to, when assembled, have angled sides
to both reduce the amount of cat litter required and to avoid concentration
of waste at the bottom edges thereof. When the relatively flat closed
box is opened for use, the top is unfolded to the vertical on all
sides to provide both end extensions and side extensions which,
when interlocked, present a barrier to retain cat litter while the
box is in use. The end extensions have end flaps which extend inward
from their side edges, and tabs which are located proximate the
end flaps. Each tab is pre-cut about its periphery except for a
side located more distant from the side edge of the end extension.
The side extensions fold downwards upon themselves, at pre-formed
longitudinal midlines, about the inwardly extending end flaps of
the end extensions, the end flaps providing support for the side
extensions. Finally, with the side extensions tightly folded, the
tabs on the end extensions are rotated inward about the uncut tab
side, so as to be located adjacent to the downwardly folded side
extensions. Subsequent release of the side extensions allows the
side extensions to engage against the inwardly rotated tabs, preventing
further unfolding of the side extensions, and thus restraining the
side extensions in an upright position. The end extensions are concurrently
locked into their upright position by the embrasure of the side
extensions about the end flaps of the end extensions. The interconnection
of the side and end extensions establishes a continuous rigid wall
about the box.
Upon need for disposal of the cat litter, the tabs are merely rotated
past the side extensions to their original flush positions within
the end extensions, thus releasing the side extensions. The end
extensions and side extensions are then refolded to their original
horizontal positions to resume their function as the top of the
disposable cat litter box, allowing the closed box, with litter,
to be easily disposed of.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the disposable litter
box as closed for shipment, marketing, or storage.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a closed disposable cat
litter box containing litter, as seen at line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a closed disposable cat
litter box, as seen at line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a partially unfolded disposable
cat litter box.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an open disposable cat
litter box with side and end extensions locked for use.
FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the disposable cat litter
box as seen at line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 illustrates a partially broken away sectional view of the
disposable cat litter box as seen at line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the relationship between
the side extension and end extension prior to inward rotation of
the tab.
FlG. 9 illustrates a sectional view of the engagement of the inwardly
rotated tab of the end extension with the side extension, as seen
at line 9--9 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 10 illustrates a single flat sheet of cardboard which is cut
in a shape to form the disposable cat litter box, the dashed lines
being folding lines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown the preferred embodiment
of the disposable cat litter box 10. The box 10 may be marketed
with cat litter 12 enclosed therein, providing instant availability
without further handling. The box 10 when closed, includes a rectangular-shaped
base 14 two opposing side walls 18 20 two opposing end walls
22 24 and a top 26. The side walls 18 20 and the end walls 22
24 preferably are slanted, extending upwards and outwards at approximately
a 45-degree angle. The box 10 may be formed from a single sheet
30 of corrugated cardboard 16 which is moisture resistant, such
as obtained by waxing, at least for the base 14 side walls 18
20 and end walls 22 24. The side walls 18 20 and end walls 22
24 are mutually joined, such as by glued tabs 28 which extend from
the end walls 22 24 as best seen at FIG. 10 which illustrates
the flat single sheet 30 form of the box 10. Joined in folding relationship
at 32 to the side walls 18 20 respectively, are side extensions
34 36 which, when folded horizontally inward, form the top 26 of
the box 10. Likewise, end extensions 38 40 are attached In folding
relationship at 42 to the end walls 22 24 respectively. Each end
extension 38 40 has formed, at its side edges 44 a flap 48 folding
inwardly at 50. With the box 10 in the closed position, as in FIGS.
1 through 3 the end extensions 38 40 are folded horizontally inward
as seen at 46 beneath the side extensions 34 36 with the flaps
48 extending downward and inward to lie adjacent to the side walls
18 20.
To proceed from the closed position, as used for transport, storage
and disposal of the box 10 to the open position, tape 52 used
to hold the side extensions 34 36 together so as to form the top
26 is removed. The side extensions 34 and 36 are unfolded from
their horizontal closed position to an upright position. The end
extensions 38 40 are also unfolded to an upright position, the
flaps 48 now extending horizontally into the box 10 as seen at
FIG. 4. The end extensions 38 40 in an upright position above
the end walls 22 24 provide a significant addition to the height
of the end walls 22 24 above the layer of cat litter 12. The side
extensions 34 36 are then folded 180-degrees at 54 proximate the
middle of each side extension 34 36 so as to extend inward and
downward about the flaps 48. The side extensions 34 36 in such
folded position form an addition to the height of the side walls
18 20 above the litter 12 comparable to the height of the upright
end extensions 38 40. A double row of perforations 56 may be formed
on the inside 58 of each side extension 34 36 to aid in the formation
of the 180-degree fold 54 by utilizing two parallel 90-degree folds
60 spaced approximately 3/8-inch apart. Located proximate the side
edges 44 of the end extensions 38 40 are tabs 62 which are pre-cut
in the cardboard 16 about their periphery except for an uncut side
64 preferably vertical, which is located farthest from the side
edges 44. This construction allows the tab 62 to be pushed inward
from its original position 66 rotating about a vertical axis 68
at side 64 to an inwardly extending position 70. Due to the resilient
memory of box materials such as cardboard 16 the inwardly extending
tab 62 will have a tendency to return towards its original position
66 within the end extension 38 40. Likewise, the 180-degree longitudinal
fold 54 of side extensions 34 and 36 will have a natural tendency
to unfold. Thus, in assembling the box 10 for use, with the side
extensions 34 36 folded at 54 over the flaps 48 and held vertically
downward to become adjacent to themselves, as seen in FIG. 8 the
four tabs 62 are then pressed to an inwardly extending position
70. When the side extensions 34 36 are subsequently released, the
side extensions 34 36 will attempt to unfold and thus press against
the tabs 62 at 72 as seen in FIG. 9 attempting to further open
the tabs 62. Thus the resiliency of the inwardly extending tabs
62 will oppose the resiliency of the folded side extensions 34
36 resulting in the side extensions 34 36 being restrained in
their downward folded position. The end extensions 38 40 are concurrently
locked into their upstanding position by the embrasure of the side
extensions 34 36 about the end flaps 48 of the end extensions 38
40. The interconnection of the side extensions 34 36 and end extensions
38 40 establishes a continuous rigid wall about the box 10 retaining
the open configuration of the box 10 for use.
When the box 10 has been used and it is desired to dispose of the
box 10 and its contents, essentially the reverse proceedure is completed.
By pressing the side extensions 34 36 together about fold 54 the
tabs 62 are easily returned to their original positions 66 within
the end extensions 38 40. The side extensions 34 36 then are unfolded
and straightened out, thereby releasing the end extensions 38 40
to be refolded to their original horizontal closed position 46.
The side extensions 34 36 then are refolded at 32 to lay across
the box 10 and resume the form of top 26 which may be, if desired,
resecured for disposal.
FlG. 10 illustrates the pattern of a single flat sheet 30 of cardboard
16 which has been cut in a shape to form the disposable cat litter
box 10 the dashed lines indicating fold lines.
It is thought that the disposable cat litter box 10 of the present
invention and its many attendant advantages will be understood from
the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various
changes in form, construction and arrangement of the parts thereof
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore
described being merely an exemplary embodiment thereof. |