Abstrict A disposable cat litter box comprising a single sheet of stiff
paperboard which is folded and perforated for assembly into an open
top, generally rectangular cat litter box is disclosed. The box
is prepackaged with cat litter and may be assembled to form a cat
litter box. The box preferably includes a horizontally extending
bottom attached to upwardly extending side and end walls. The side
and end walls having foldable portions which may be folded over
and sealed to define a substantially rectangular closed box. For
use, the upper portions of the side and end walls are unfolded and
positioned substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion. End
flaps on the side and end walls may be folded inwardly forming a
rigid perimeter defining an open, generally rectangular box. After
use, the side and end walls may be collapsed and folded over to
enclose the cat litter for disposal.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A disposable cat litter box, comprising:
(a) a sheet of corrugated paperboard material, the sheet folding
into a generally rectangular, open topped box;
(b) said sheet including bottom members adapted for folding along
a first transverse fold line extending across said sheet to form
a bottom portion of said litter box;
(c) wall members extending from said first fold line and being
adapted to be erected on folding perpendicular to said bottom portion;
(d) said wall members folding along vertically extending score
lines formed in said sheet and connecting to form a generally rectangular
open topped box;
(e) said wall members further including end flaps adapted for folding
along a double fold line extending across said wall members, said
double fold line enabling said end flaps to be folded and positioned
in planar contact with said wall member; and
(f) wherein said end flaps are extensions of said wall members
joined along parallel short and long perforations formed in said
sheet, said perforations being extensions of said vertical score
lines.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wall members include a
pair of oppositely facing end walls and a pair of oppositely facing
side walls attached to said bottom members, said end walls and said
side walls being joined along said vertically extending score lines.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said perforation means comprises
at least two sets of short perforations and long perforations spaced
from and parallel to each other, said sets of perforations being
separated by a straight cut formed in said sheet.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said end walls fold along a
second, transverse fold line extending across said sheet, said end
walls including a pair of angled perforations extending from corners
defined by the intersection of said vertical score lines and said
second fold line, said angled perforations defining end flap portions
which are foldable along said angle perforations to form an inverted
V-shaped end wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein one of said pair of oppositely
facing side walls includes a pair of lock tabs thereon, said lock
tabs being received in slot means formed in the other of said side
walls upon closing said side walls, said lock tabs being adapted
to lock said V-shaped end walls to a closed position.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said box includes a layer of
cat litter therein and said wall members are adapted to fold and
enclose the cat litter upon folding of said wall members to seal
the cat litter within said box, and said wall members defining a
relatively thin, substantially rectangular package upon closure.
7. A disposable cat litter box, comprising:
(a) a sheet of paperboard material;
(b) said sheet including bottom members adapted for folding along
a first transverse fold line extending across said sheet to form
a bottom portion of said litter box upon which cat litter may be
placed;
(c) end walls secured to and adapted to extend vertically from
said bottom;
(d) side walls secured to and adapted to extend vertically from
said bottom;
(e) said end walls and said side walls folding along vertically
extending score lines formed in said sheet and connecting to form
a cat litter box having an open top;
(f) end flaps secured to said end walls and said side walls at
a double fold line extending horizontally across said sheet, said
end flaps being joined along parallel short and long perforations
formed in said sheet, said perforations being extensions of said
vertical score lines;
(g) wherein said end walls and said side walls fold along a second
transverse fold line extending across said sheet enabling said end
walls and said side walls to be folded inwardly for closing the
litter box;
(h) means for sealing said inwardly folded side walls and said
inwardly folded end walls for forming a sealed cat litter box enclosing
the cat litter;
(i) means for unsealing said inwardly folded side walls and said
inwardly folded end walls to form the cat litter box; and
(j) means for resealing said end walls and said side walls for
disposal of the litter box.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said paperboard material is
coated with a moisture resistant sealant.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sealing means comprise
an adhesive applied to said inwardly folded side walls and said
inwardly folded end walls.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said end flaps are connected
along said short and long perforations upon initially sealing said
inwardly folded side walls and said inwardly folded end walls.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein upon unsealing said inwardly
folded side walls and said inwardly folded end walls, said end flaps
are separated along said perforations and folded inwardly to contact
said side walls and said end walls erected to form the open cat
litter box.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 including an outwardly extending
tab formed along the separated edges of said end flaps on separation
of said end flaps along said perforations, said tab being adapted
to lock said end flaps upon inwardly folding said end flaps to contact
said end walls.
13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said end walls include a pair
of angled perforations extending from corners defined by the intersection
of said vertical score lines and said second fold line, said angled
perforations defining end flap portions which are foldable along
said angled perforations to form an inverted V-shaped end wall.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein one of said pair of oppositely
facing side walls includes a pair of lock tabs thereon, said lock
tabs being received in slot means formed in the other of said side
walls upon closing said side walls, said lock tabs being adapted
to lock said V-shaped end walls to a closed position.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said end walls are rotated
outwardly enabling said side walls to fold inwardly along said second
transverse fold line and said end flap portion of said end walls
to fold inwardly along said angled perforations, said outwardly
rotated end walls subsequently being folded inwardly overlying aid
inwardly folded side walls for locking engagement with said lock
tabs.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said end flaps include a
longitudinal edge tapering toward the center of said end flaps and
terminating at the intersection of said angled perforations formed
in said end flaps.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cat litter boxes, particularly, a disposable
cat litter box which is prepackaged with cat litter.
It is conventional and well known in the prior art for households
having cats to provide a cat litter box for the cat, particularly
when the cat is a house pet residing primarily indoors. Consequently,
many devices have been designed to retain cat litter. Typically,
cat litter boxes are formed of a hard plastic material open at the
top and typically rectangular in shape. Cat litter is separately
packaged in a bag requiring that the cat litter be poured into the
litter box. After usage, it is necessary to discard the cat litter
and clean the litter box. This is a particularly messy and unpleasant
duty which must be repeated regularly. Therefore, many attempts
have been made to develop a superior and less time consuming system
for disposal of cat litter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4305544 to Noonan exemplifies prior attempts to
overcome the unpleasantness associated with clean up of cat litter
boxes. Noonan describes a disposable cat litter box formed of paperboard.
The box is substantially rectangular in shape open at the top and
closed at the bottom. The box is provided with a horizontally oriented
and inwardly extending border about the open end of the box to prevent
the loss of litter during usage. The litter box of Noonan is disposable
and specifically designed to receive cat litter but not to merchandise
cat litter. Thus, use of the Noonan litter box still requires that
cat litter be poured from a separate bag into the litter box. Cat
litter is a granular material which is easily spilled if care is
not taken when pouring it into the litter box. Also, sufficient
cat litter must be poured into the litter box to provide adequate
absorption during use; however, too much cat litter in the litter
box may result in cat litter being kicked out of the box by the
cat during use. It is, therefore, apparent that some care must be
exercised when placing cat litter from the bag into the cat litter
box insuring that an adequate amount, but not a surplus, of the
cat litter is used. The present invention provides a disposable
cat litter box prepackaged with cat litter for overcoming these
prior art difficulties.
The cat litter box of the present disclosure provides many advantages
over the prior art device for the manufacturer, retail stores and
the customer. Prepackaging cat litter in a thin package provides
many advantages to the manufacturer by reducing handling costs.
The thin rectangular box-like package of the present disclosure
stacks better than bags for transportation and reduces the risk
of damage associated with bags which may be easily torn. The ability
of the box of the present disclosure to be stacked enables accurate
counting of the boxes in a shipping load. Also, the cat litter boxes
of the present disclosure may be banded together in convenient size
lots for more efficient loading for shipment, thus further reducing
shipping costs.
The dual function of the cat litter box of the present disclosure
provides similar advantages to retail stores. The folded or collapsed
arrangement of the cat litter box is particularly suited for stacking,
taking up less shelf space than bags of cat litter. Broken cat litter
bags are eliminated. The dual function of the cat litter box of
the present disclosure also eliminates the need to stock both bags
of cat litter and cat litter boxes. The flat, thin rectangular package
shape of the cat litter boxes of the invention permit stacking anywhere
in the retail store which may be aesthetically displayed.
The advantages to the consumer are numerous. The prepackaged design
of the present disclosure eliminates purchase of both a bag of cat
litter and a cat litter box. The cat litter box of the present disclosure
is prepackaged with a predetermined amount of cat litter so that
each box may be used for approximately one week. The design of the
cat litter box enables the customer to easily carry two or three
boxes. When not in use, the boxes may be conveniently stored on
a shelf in the garage or the like. This eliminates purchasing a
20 or 25 pound bag of cat litter, a portion of which is to be periodically
poured into a cat litter box. The prepackaged design of the disclosed
cat litter box insures that the proper amount of cat litter is used,
thus eliminating measuring or waste of cat litter. Often times,
a small amount of cat litter is left in a bag which is not enough
for use in the litter box and is, therefore, discarded. The disclosed
litter box eliminates waste of cat litter.
The litter box of the present disclosure is provided with a large
open top area defined by the upstanding side walls forming the litter
box. A relatively large opening is preferred by cats. The side panels
or walls of the litter box extend above the level of cat litter
in the box a sufficient distance to reduce the amount of cat litter
which may be kicked over the sides of a cat.
The litter box of the disclosure may be conveniently closed and
locked for disposal. Closing the litter box reduces the odor associated
with litter boxes by sealing the litter box upon closure.
The litter box of the present disclosure is portable and reusable.
This is very convenient for travel. The litter box may be opened
and closed as required and moved from place to place until such
time as the litter box is ready for disposal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a disposable cat litter box formed
of paperboard which is coated with a waterproof material. The cat
litter box of the invention is prepackaged with a premeasured amount
of cat litter and closed to form a sealed, substantially rectangular
box which may be subsequently opened to form a cat litter box having
upstanding side walls extending from a substantially horizontal
bottom portion to form an open top cat litter box.
The cat litter box of the present disclosure assembles into two
forms, one being a folded and compact form and the other being a
fully deployed cat litter box. In the folded arrangement, the cat
litter box is folded into a relatively thin package containing cat
litter. In the deployed arrangement, the cat litter box unfolds
to define a large, rectangular bottom with surrounding, upright
walls on four sides. The side walls are reinforced lengthwise and
along the top edge of the side walls by foldable portions of the
side walls which may be folded inwardly and downwardly against the
side walls for strengthening the side walls and thereby defining
a stiff surrounding wall extending about the bottom of the cat litter
box. The surrounding wall extends a sufficient distance above the
level of the cat litter in the litter box to prevent the loss of
cat litter during usage. The litter box may be used for a period
of time, typically a week. After use, the cat litter box of the
present disclosure can be collapsed to enclose the cat litter and
fecal matter for convenient disposal. The litter box is provided
with locking tabs to hold the refolded ends in position to again
form a relatively thin package for disposal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages
and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood
in detail, a more particular desription of the invention briefly
summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof
which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not
to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit
to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cat litter box of the present
invention deployed for use;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cat litter box of the present
invention in partial deployment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cat litter box of the present
invention in the fully closed and packaged position;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank sheet of paper board scored and
perforated to assist in assembly of the cat litter box of the invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing in detail the score lines and
perforations joining of each of the side walls forming the cat litter
box of the invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing in detail an alternate embodiment
of the connection between each side wall of the cat litter box;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank sheet of paper board showing an
alternate embodiment of the cat litter box of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a top view of the cat litter box of the invention partially
closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings wherein
the disposable cat litter box of the present invention is generally
identified by the reference numeral 10. The cat litter box 10 is
prepackaged with a predetermined amount of cat litter 12. The cat
litter box 10 is preferably usable for holding cat litter therein
for use by cats or other domestic house pets, for example, rabbits
or small dogs. The litter box 10 includes a bottom portion formed
by bottom members 14 15 16 and 17 best shown in FIG. 4. Referring
now specifically to FIG. 4 the blank 18 of material forming the
litter box 10 is shown. The blank 18 is cut, perforated, scored
and otherwise shaped into the litter box 10. The bottom members
14-17 are substantially rectangular in shape and comprise the bottom
of the litter box 10. The bottom members 14-17 fold along the score
line 20 which is a machine formed crease extending across the paperboard
blank 18. The score line 20 defines the lower edge 22 of the cat
litter box 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. A second score line 24 is spaced
from the score line 20 and parallel thereto extending the full length
of the paper board blank 18. The score line 24 permits folding of
the side walls of the litter box 10 to enclose the cat litter 12
and defines the circumferential edge 26 of the litter box 10 shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. The space between the score lines 20 and 24 defines
the height of the litter box 10 in the closed or folded position.
The sides of the litter box 10 are defined by walls which may be
folded to form the closed container shown in FIG. 3 or erected to
form the opened litter box shown in FIG. 1. The surrounding wall
is formed by end wall members 28 30 and side wall members 32 34.
Each wall member includes a flap which may be folded inwardly to
reinforce and provide stiffness for the wall members in the erected
position shown in FIG. 1. End wall members 28 and 30 therefore include
end flaps 29 and 31 extending therefrom, respectively. Likewise,
side wall members 32 and 34 include end flaps 33 and 35 extending
therefrom, respectively. A pair of score lines 38 and 40 extending
the length of the blank 18 form a crease permitting the end flaps
29 31 33 and 35 to be double folded defining the uppermost peripheral
edge 41 shown in FIG. 1.
The cat litter box 10 is fabricated of paperboard material which
is coated with a sealant to make it waterproof. Thus, moisture in
the litter box 10 will not leak through the paperboard material.
When assembled, the bottom members 14-17 are overlapped to form
the bottom of the litter box 10. The overlapping surfaces of the
bottom members 14-17 are provided with glue or other type of adhesive
material for joining the bottom members together to form a leak-proof
bottom. Vertical score lines 42 formed in the blank 18 permit the
wall members to be folded towards each other to form the box-like
structure of the litter box 10. The flap 44 projecting from the
wall member 28 is adhesively joined along the vertical edge 46 of
the wall member 34 and end flap 35 shown in FIG. 4; thus forming
substantially the profile of the partially opened litter box 10
shown in FIG. 2. In the prepackaged form of the cat litter box 10
which may be found at a retail store, the side walls and end walls
of the litter box 10 are folded over and glued, thereby sealing
the litter box 10 completely enclosing the cat litter 12. Preferably,
glue is applied on the surface of the slotted end flap 33 in the
form of a bead 37 illustrated by a dark line in FIG. 4. A glue strip
39 is also applied to the folded end flaps 29 and 31 in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 8. When the walls of the litter box 10 are folded
over in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8 a lengthwise seal is formed
joining the overlapping end flaps together.
To open the litter box 10 for use, the folded end flaps 29 and
31 are pulled apart from the end flaps 33 and 35 along the glue
strip 39. Thereafter, the end flaps 33 and 35 are separated along
the glue bead 37 permitting the side and end walls of the litter
box 10 to be erected as shown in FIG. 2. When fully erected, the
end flaps 29 31 33 and 35 are folded 180.degree. to provide added
stiffness to the wall members 28 30 32 and 34 as best shown in
FIG. 1. The wall members 28 30 32 and 34 extend to the bottom
of the litter box 10 and consequently a specified height above the
level of the cat litter 12.
Attention is next directed to FIG. 5 which is an enlarged view
showing the perforated connection joining the end flaps 29 31
33 and 35. In the prepackaged assembly, the flaps are joined along
the perforations so that when the end flaps are folded over to close
the cat litter box 10 the cat litter 12 does not leak out. However,
upon deployment of the side walls to form the cat litter box 10
for use by a cat, the end flaps must be separated so that they may
be folded inwardly against the side walls as shown in FIG. 1. the
end flaps are separated along the small perforations 50 and 52 shown
in FIG. 5. The perforations 50 and 52 are offset from each other
and separated by a straight cut 54. A pair of large perforations
56 and 58 are spaced from and are parallel to the small perforations
50 and 52 respectively. Each pair of large and small perforations
defines a tab 60 and 62 therebetween. Separation between the end
flaps is along the small perforations 50 and 52. In FIG. 5 the
connection between end flaps 31 and 35 is shown in detail. Each
of the end flap corner connections is the same. The following discussion
is, therefore, equally applicable for each corner connection. The
large perforations 56 and 58 permit the tabs 60 and 62 to be folded
inwardly and out of the way as the flaps 31 and 35 are folded toward
the end walls 30 and 34 respectively. Space is limited at the corner
connection, thus folding the tabs 60 and 62 along the large perforations
56 and 58 permits the tabs 60 and 62 to be out of the way as the
flaps 33 and 35 are folded into position, thus preventing binding
at the corner junction. Right angle cuts 55 permit the flap 62 to
be folded against the end flap 35 and also permit the end flaps
31 and 35 to be folded over along the double fold defined by the
score lines 38 and 40.
In FIG. 6 an alternate embodiment of the corner connection is
disclosed. The embodiment of FIG. 6 is substantially identical to
the embodiment of FIG. 5; however, in FIG. 6 the flap 60 has been
eliminated. Thus, a gap 64 is provided between the end flaps 31
and 35. The gap 64 terminates at the straight cut 54.
Assembly of the cat litter box 10 occurs in the following manner.
First of all, the flap 44 is folded along score line 42 so that
it is substantially perpendicular to the wall member 28. Each of
the wall members is folded along the score lines 42 so that the
flap 44 is positioned to be adhesively joined to the wall member
34 along the edge 46 thus forming a substantially rectangular shaped
enclosure. The bottom members 14-17 which have been coated with
adhesive are folded along the score line 20 in an overlapping fashion
to form the bottom of the litter box 10. The bottom members 14 and
16 are folded inwardly first and contact adhesive is applied on
the back surface thereof. Likewise, contact adhesive is applied
to the bottom members 15 and 17 on the facing surface shown in FIG.
4 for connection to the bottom surface of the bottom members 14
and 16. The adhesive may be applied across the surface of the bottom
members or along the edges thereof as desired. The interior of the
litter box 10 is coated with a waterproof sealant material. A premeasured
amount of cat litter 12 is poured into the cat litter box 10. A
sufficient amount of cat litter 12 is used so that the cat litter
box may be used for approximately one week under normal usage conditions
and then discarded. Once the cat litter 12 has been poured into
the litter box 10 to a sufficient level, the litter box 10 is ready
to be closed for shipment.
At this point, the end wall members 28 and 30 are simultaneously
folded outwardly about the score line 24 and inwardly along the
angular perforations 70. Simultaneously therewith, the side wall
members 32 and 34 are folded inwardly about the score line 24 to
cover the cat litter 12. The end wall members 28 and 30 are then
folded over 180.degree. onto the end wall members 32 and 34 and
are glued thereto at 37 and 39 thereby closing the litter box 10
to form a relatively thin, substantially rectangular package for
shipment.
The cat litter box 10 is thus packaged in the foregoing manner
for distribution to the consumer. To assemble the cat litter box
10 for use by a cat or other household pet, the folded end wall
members 28 and 30 which are glued to the side wall members 32 and
34 are separated from the wall members 28 and 30 in the manner described
above so that the wall members may be erected as shown in FIG. 2.
The perforations 50 and 52 are then torn, thereby separating the
end flaps 29 31 33 and 35. At this juncture, the end flaps 29
and 31 are folded inwardly 180.degree. at the double fold defined
between the score lines 38 and 40. The side flaps 33 and 35 are
then folded inwardly 180.degree. to complete the assembly of the
cat litter box 10 as shown in FIG. 1. As each end flap is folded
against the end or side wall members, the tab 60 (FIG. 5) or tab
61 (FIG. 6) locks or extends into the slot or gap formed at the
corners of the litter box 10 where the slotted edges of the end
flaps come together. The tabs 60 and 61 thus perform a locking function
to hold the end flaps against its side wall members.
For disposal purposes, the cat litter box is disassembled and closed
in the following manner. The end flaps 33 and 35 followed by end
flaps 29 and 31 are initially unfolded and deployed upwardly to
the position shown in FIG. 2. Then, the side wall members 32 and
34 are folded inward above the litter 12 while the end wall members
are folded outward. The lock tabs 72 on the flap 35 are popped up
so that they extend through the slots 74 incorporated in the flap
33 upon closure thereof over the cat litter 12 as shown in FIG.
3. The end flaps 29 and 31 are folded along the perforations 70
and folded 90.degree. to the closed position shown in FIG. 3. The
pointed ends 76 of the folded end flaps 29 and 31 extend through
the locking tabs 72 to lock the end flaps in position as shown in
FIG. 3 for convenient disposal of the cat litter box 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 an alternate embodiment of the
litter box 10 is shown. The alternate embodiment of FIGS. 7 and
8 is substantially identical to the previously described embodiment
and therefore like reference numerals have been used to identify
the same or similar parts. The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 differs
in two important details. First, the longitudinal edge 79 of the
end flaps 29 and 31 is not straight but instead tapers slightly
toward the center of the flaps, terminating at the apex of the perforations
70. The taper is very slight, forming a very wide V in profile.
The other difference of note is the elimination of offset perforations
at the joinder of each end flap. As best shown in FIG. 7 the blank
80 of the alternate embodiment is provided with a single small perforation
81 adjacent to a parallel long perforation 82 spaced therefrom.
The end flaps are notched to form a small gap 84 terminating at
the straight cut 54 which separates the end flaps. The cat litter
box of FIG. 7 is deployed to form a litter box in substantially
the same manner as previously described. The end flaps are separated
along the small perforations 81 to be folded inwardly to the position
shown in FIG. 1. The tabs 88 fold at the large perforation 82 approximately
90.degree. allowing tab 89 to look into the slot 84. Closure of
the cat litter box 10 is likewise substantially the same with the
end flaps first being unfolded and the lock tabs 72 popped up for
extension through the slots 74. The end flaps 29 and 30 however,
when folded along perforations 70 include portions which overlap
as shown in FIG. 8. The overlap is such that the edges 86 and the
straight cut 54 defining the slot 84 come together to close the
slot so that leakage of cat litter is not permitted past the point
of overlap. The end flaps are then folded over and locked in the
locking tabs 72 as previously described and the cat litter box 10
may be discarded.
The dimensions of the cat litter box of the invention can be varied
in a relative manner. For instance, the bottom of the cat litter
box is typically in the range of 16-24 inches in length and has
a width between 12-16 inches. These dimensions, however, are only
typical, certainly not limiting. The erected side walls should extend
approximately six inches in height to provide an adequate barrier
to prevent cat litter from being easily kicked out by a cat. Again,
these dimensions are typical and can be varied over a wide range.
Preferably, the cat litter box of the invention is made of corrugated
paperboard stock. Needless to say, various weights and types of
sheet material can be used. Single wall corrugated paperboard material
is ordinarily the most desirable material.
While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow. |