Abstrict A collapsible disposable cat litter box comprises a collapsible
closure means by which the used litter box can be sealed closed
quickly for easy disposal. The box comprises a moisture-proof enclosure
with collapsible closure means extending from the side walls of
the enclosure. The collapsible closure means includes two rigid
top panels and two foldable panels. The foldable panels are scored
so that they may be pushed inward to close the top of the litter
box quickly. The side panels also include a horizontal score line
so that the upper portion of the side panels may be folded down
to enhance the rigidity of the litter box.
Claims We claim:
1. A collapsible reclosable box, comprising:
(a) a generally rectangular bottom panel;
(b) a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the edges
of the bottom panel, the bottom panel and side walls forming an
enclosure; and
(c) collapsible closure means extending from the side walls, including:
(i) a first top panel, extending from one of the side walls,
(ii) a second top panel, extending from the opposite side wall,
(iii) first and second foldable panels, extending from the side
walls between the first and second top panels, and forming with
the first and second top panels an upward extension of the side
walls, the first and second foldable panels having score lines dividing
each foldable panel into a front portion, a central portion, and
a rear portion, the first and second foldable panels being substantially
parallel to the bottom panel when folded, with the central portions
folding inward on the enclosure, the first and second foldable panels
further having score lines dividing each foldable panel into an
upper and lower portion and constraining the upper portion of the
first and second foldable panels to fold downward on and overlap
the lower portion of the first and second foldable panels, said
upper portions extending substantially the entire width of said
foldable panels and being in contact at respective ends with the
adjacent side wall, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the collapsible
closure means, and
(iv) a tongue of substantially the same width as the first top
panel and extending therefrom for a sufficient distance to make
the first top panel substantially longer than the second top panel,
and so dimensioned as to be insertable in the space formed between
the second top panel and the foldable panels when the collapsible
closure means is folded to form a complete closure.
2. A box as in claim 1 further including means for providing a
moisture-proof enclosure around the interior of the litter box.
3. A box as in claim 1 further comprising means for securing the
folds of the upper portions of the side panels on the lower portions,
the means including positive-radius edges on the vertical edges
of the upper portions and slits defined in the corners formed by
the side panels and top panels, whereby the positive radius edges
lodge in the slits when the upper portions of the side panels are
folded downward.
4. A box as in claim 1 further comprising means for frictionally
securing the edges of the first and second foldable panels between
respective adjacent side walls.
5. A collapsible reclosable box, comprising:
(a) a generally rectangular bottom panel;
(b) a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the edges
of the bottom panel, the bottom panel and side walls forming an
enclosure;
(c) collapsible closure means extending from the side walls, including:
(i) a first top panel, extending from one of the side walls,
(ii) a second top panel, extending from the opposite side wall,
(iii) first and second foldable panels, extending from the side
walls between the first and second top panels, and forming with
the first and second top panels an upward extension of the side
walls, the first and second foldable panels having score lines dividing
each foldable panel into a front portion, a central portion, and
a rear portion, the first and second foldable panels being substantially
parallel to the bottom panel when folded, with the central portions
folding inward on the enclosure, the first and second foldable panels
further having score lines dividing each foldable panel into an
upper and lower portion and constraining the upper portion of the
first and second foldable panels to fold downward on the lower portion
of the first and second foldable panels, said upper portions extending
substantially the entire width of said foldable panels and being
in contact at respective ends with the adjacent side wall, thereby
enhancing the rigidity of the collapsible closure means, and
(iv) a tongue of substantially the same width as the first top
panel and extending therefrom for a sufficient distance to make
the first top panel substantially longer than the second top panel,
and so dimensioned as to be insertable in the space formed between
the second top panel and the foldable panels when the collapsible
closure means is folded to form a complete closure; and
(d) means for frictionally securing the edges of the first and
second foldable panels between respective adjacent side walls.
6. A collapsible reclosable cat litter box, comprising:
(a) a generally rectangular bottom panel;
(b) a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the edges
of the bottom panel, the bottom panel and side walls forming an
enclosure for containing a quantity of cat litter;
(c) at least an opposing pair of the side walls being of a height
low enough to permit easy ingress and egress of a cat, said walls
being characterized by an absence of cut-away portions for ingress
and egress;
(d) collapsible closure means extending from the side walls, including:
(i) a first top panel, extending from one of the side walls,
(ii) a second top panel, extending from the opposite side wall,
(iii) first and second foldable panels, extending from the side
walls between the first and second top panels and forming with the
first and second top panels an upward extension of the side walls,
the first and second foldable panels having score lines dividing
each foldable panel into a front portion, a central portion, and
a rear portion, the first and second foldable panels being substantially
parallel to the bottom panel when folded, with the central portions
folding inward on the enclosure, the first and second foldable panels
further having score lines dividing each foldable panel into an
upper and lower portion and constraining the upper portion of the
first and second foldable panels to fold downward on the lower portion
of the first and second foldable panels, said upper portions extending
substantially the entire width of said foldable panels and being
in contact at respective ends with the adjacent side wall, thereby
enhancing the rigidity of the collapsible closure means, and
(iv) a tongue of substantially the same width as the first top
panel and extending therefrom for a sufficient distance to make
the first top panel substantially longer than the second top panel,
and so dimensioned as to be insertable in the space formed between
the second top panel and the foldable panels when the collapsible
closure means is folded to form a complete closure; and
(e) means for frictionally securing the edges of the first and
second foldable panels between respective adjacent side walls.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates broadly to a reclosable, disposable box,
and in particular to cat litter boxes, especially a cat litter box
which is pre-filled with cat litter. The box serves as its own container
for the cat litter and is reclosable and disposable when the cat
litter is used up and must be thrown away.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a cat litter box which acts as a container
in which cat litter is sold, a commode for the cat, and a container
for disposing the used cat litter in a sanitary manner. In order
to carry out these three functions satisfactorily, such a cat litter
box must be inexpensive to manufacture, impervious to moisture,
and sufficiently durable so that the box will not be bent or torn
when a cat climbs in or out of it. It is also preferable that such
a cat litter box be collapsible to a closed position in which the
box itself is of a convenient shape for stacking, carrying in the
hands, or disposing in a trash can, while still being large enough
when in an opened position to accommodate a typical-sized cat. Further,
such a litter box should have side walls of a sufficient height
so that a cat will be unable to spill cat litter from it. Also very
important is the ability of the box to be easily collapsed securely
and re-closed when it is full. The extent of even indirect contact
with contaminated litter should generally be minimized. A person
wanting to reclose the box when it is full of contaminated cat litter
will be unwilling to put his hands very far inside the box in order
to close it. It is thus desirable to prove a collapsible, disposable
cat litter box which may be securely re-sealed as quickly and easily
as possible.
U.S. Pat. No. 4628863 to Eichenauer discloses a disposable cat
litter box in which a plurality of panels serve as both a wall around
the litter box and, when folded down, a cover for the litter box.
The end wall members in the upper portion of the litter box are
creased with diagonal score lines. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of
the reference, the end wall members with the diagonal creases fold
into generally triangular shapes at the top of the box when the
box is in a closed position. In order to unfold the box into its
open position, the triangles are first folded outward and then unfolded,
as in FIG. 2 of the reference. All of the side panels further include
a horizontal crease by which all of the panels are folded down to
enhance the rigidity of the side walls. To unfold this horizontal
crease so as to collapse the side panels down onto the litter, the
human user must reach down into the litter box, placing his hands
near the contaminated litter. To close the box, the user must reach
in to push the triangular portions outward. Even this small exposure
to the inside of the litter box is unsanitary.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible,
disposable cat litter box which further minimizes the necessary
contact with the area around the cat litter, which may be opened
and closed relatively quickly, and which provides a degree of rigidity
to prevent tearing and bending in use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible,
disposable cat litter box in which contaminated cat litter may be
disposed in a sanitary manner without requiring twist ties, tape,
or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a reclosable box, comprising a bottom
panel; side walls extending upwardly from the bottom panel, so as
to form an enclosure; and a collapsible closure means extending
upwardly from the side walls. The collapsible closure means includes
a first top panel extending from one of the side walls; a second
top panel, extending from a side wall opposite the side wall from
which the first top panel extends; and first and second foldable
panels, extending from side walls between the first and second top
panels. The first and second top panels and the first and second
foldable panels together form an upward extension of the enclosure
formed by the bottom panel and side walls. The first and second
foldable panels have an arrangement of score lines dividing each
foldable panel into a front wing, a central portion, and a rear
wing. The score lines are adapted to constrain the first and second
foldable panels to be folded substantially parallel to the bottom
panel with the central portions of each of the side panels folding
inward and beneath the front and rear wing portions. When the first
and second top panel and the side panels are folded inward, the
litter box is completely enclosed. The first and second foldable
panels further include horizontal score lines dividing each foldable
panel into an upper and lower portion. The horizontal score lines
permit the upper portion of the first and second foldable panels
to be folded over the remainder of the first and second foldable
panels, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the collapsible closure
means. A tongue extends from the first top panel and is so dimensioned
as to be insertable into bellows corners formed between the second
top panel and wings when the foldable panels and top panels are
folded downward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in
the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,
however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements
and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cat litter box of the present
invention in the folded position.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the cat litter box
of the present invention may be made.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cat litter box of the present
invention, partially folded.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the litter box of the present invention,
substantially completely open.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line 6--6 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the cat litter box 10 of the present invention in
its closed position. Litter box 10 includes two top panels 12 and
14 side walls 16a, 16b, 18a and 18b, and a bottom panel, in the
preferred embodiment created by an "all-flaps-meet" system,
partially shown as flaps 20a and 20b in FIG. 1. Top panel 14 is
secured to top panel 12 by a tab 15 which is preferably glued to
top panel 12 by a suitable adhesive, such as a hot-melt glue. The
cat litter box may be purchased with cat litter prepackaged therein,
or purchased empty and filled with bulk cat litter by the consumer
for purchasing economy. The outer surfaces of the litter box 10
may be decorated so that the litter box may serve as its own package.
The litter box 10 may further be shrink-wrapped with transparent
plastic or otherwise packaged for the convenience of the retailer
and consumer.
The litter box 10 is preferably constructed from corrugated board,
and may be assembled from a one piece blank, as shown in FIG. 2.
The flat blank of FIG. 2 is cut to shape and provided with the necessary
score lines in conformity with the design of the litter box which
will be described in detail below.
Flaps 20a, 20b, 21a, and 21b form the bottom panel of the cat litter
box 10 when the blank is folded together in a manner known in the
art as a regular slotted carton with an "all-flaps-meet"
bottom panel. Extending upwardly from the bottom panel is a plurality
of side walls 16a, 16b, 18a and 18b. When the cat litter box 10
is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 the top of the closed
box comprises top panels 12 and 14. Flaps 40 42 aid in holding
the box together upon manufacture and maintaining a substantially
continuous enclosure around the top panels and foldable side panels.
The flaps 40 and 42 may be attached to the adjoining area of paperboard
or corrugated board in the finished box by conventional means, such
as glue, staples, or tape.
FIG. 3 shows the cat litter box 10 in a partially open position,
showing the relationship between the top panels 12 14 and the foldable
side panels 22a and 22b. The side panels 22a, 22b and the top panels
12 and 14 form what is known in the art of carton manufacture as
"bellows corners". The vertical edges of the side panels
22a, 22b are generally continuously attached to the vertical edges
of top panel 12 and 14. Each top panel 22a and 22b is creased with
score lines to form three sections, central sections 24a, 24b; front
wings 25a, 25b; and rear wings 26a, 26b. The wings are generally
triangular in shape with one edge forming the vertical edge of the
side panel connected to the vertical edge of the adjacent top panel,
while the central section of each side panel is of a generally triangular
or trapezoidal shape. The score lines forming the creases between
the sections in each side panel constrain the side panels to fold
as shown in FIG. 3 where the central panels 24a and 24b fold inward
towards the interior of the box 10 while the wings 25a, 25b, 26a,
26b are folded between the central portions 24a, 24b and the top
panels when the box 10 is completely closed.
Extending from the top panel 12 is tongue 13. Tongue 13 is dimensioned
to fit snugly in the inside bellows corners defined by top panel
14 and front wings 25a and 25b, as can be seen clearly in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 shows the litter box 10 of the present invention in a substantially
completely opened position. The litter box 10 is placed in the open
position when used as a commode by a cat. The top panels 12 and
14 and the side panels 22a, 22b form a substantially continuous
upward extension of the side walls 16a, 16b and 18a, 18b. This upward
extension of the enclosure formed by the litter box 10 serves to
enhance the sanitary properties of the litter box, in that cats
tend to kick around the litter in the litter box when burying their
feces. By providing relatively high barriers around the top level
of the litter 50 the litter box will prevent contaminated litter
from spilling onto the floor.
A significant problem with litter boxes, particularly of the disposable
kind, is that disposable litter boxes are often made of paperboard
or corrugated board, which can be bent or torn as the cat climbs
over the sides of the litter box 10. Bends or tears in the sides
of the litter box may easily cause leaks.
To enhance the rigidity of the sides of the litter box 10 the
side panels 22a, 22b are further provided with horizontal creases
27a, 27b. These horizontal creases 27a, 27b are scored into the
side panels in addition to the score lines used to define the wings
25a, 25b, 26a, 26b. The horizontal score lines 27a, 27b define an
upper portion 28a, 28b for each of the side panels 22a, 22b. The
upper portions 28a, 28b are proportioned relative to the remainder
of the side panels so that, when the upper portions 28a, 28b are
folded inward and downward, the top edge of the side panels 22a,
22b (which point downward when the upper portions 28a, 28b are folded
over) is spaced a significant distance from the top level of the
litter 50. In this way, a person wishing to close the litter box
need not put his fingers near the contaminated litter. Also, the
relatively small upper portions give the litter box sufficient height
to prevent spilling of cat litter.
To hold upper portions 28a, 28b in place when folded over, the
vertical edges of the upper portions 28a, 28b may be formed into
positive radius curved edges 30 as shown in FIG. 5. When the upper
portions 28a, 28b are folded downward against the side panels 22a,
22b as shown in FIG. 4 the convex edges 30 of the upper portion
28a, 28b fit into slit score lines 32 provided at the intersection
of the side panels 22a, 22b with the top panels 12 and 14. If the
box is made of corrugated board, the slit score lines can be formed
by cutting through one layer of liner. Radiused edge 30 is received
and securely held in slit score line 32. The positive radiused edges
30 maintain upper portions 28a, 28b in the desired downward position
while adding a minimum of expense to the manufacture of the boxes.
Other means for holding down the upper portions 28a, 28b can be
used as well, such as forming distinct tabs in the vertical edges
of the upper portions 28a, 28b, to be received by slots cut all
the way through the corresponding portions of the side walls and
top panels, or such as force fitting edges 30 into the corner fold
at the intersection of side panels 22a, 22b. In the latter case,
edges 30 need not be radiused, and, if desired, slit score lines
32 may be omitted. Upper portions 28a, 28b may be made slightly
oversize to facilitate holding in the corner folds.
To close the box, the user first unfolds panels 28a, 28b upward
to make the side panels 22a, 22b inwardly foldable as in FIG. 3
and then inserts the tongue 13 underneath top panel 14 as the top
panels 12 and 14 close together. When the litter box is closed,
as in FIG. 1 and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 the tongue
13 serves to maintain the closure of the top panels 12 and 14 when
the litter box 10 is being carried, and also prevents contaminated
cat litter from spilling out of the box when the box is disposed
in a trash receptacle.
The cat litter box of the present invention is preferably made
moisture-proof by a moisture-proof coating 52 on the internal surface
of the box. Alternatively, a plastic liner may be disposed inside
the box 10 to prevent leakage of liquid through the box.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly,
reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to
the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. |