Abstract:
This invention is a cardboard box and interfitted cover that is upwardly pivotable, a plastic liner therewithin enclosing a quantity of litter, and means to tear open the liner to expose the litter to an animal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to household pet supplies. More specifically, it relates to litter boxes such as are used by cats or dogs for defecation purposes when kept housebound indoors. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     It is well known that conventional litter boxes for household pets comprise a pan and possibly also a removable cover made with an opening for the animal to enter; and a quantity of litter being kept in the pan which the pet owner must frequently replace so as to be fresh for the animal and not emanate an unpleasant odor within a home. Upon occassion the pan and cover must additionally be washed to be kept clean, as they are permanently kept, particularly if they become soiled by feces. All of this can be an unpleasant chore and is accordingly in need of an improvement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention, to provide a cat litter box that is disposable after prolonged use, thereby eliminating the chore of handling feces-laden litter and washing a soiled litter box. 
     Another object is to provide a throw away cat litter box which comes loaded with its own litter so to eliminate the chore of filling it with litter, and the box being made of inexpensive materials so that both are discarded together and easily replaced as needed. 
     Another object accordingly, is to provide a cat litter box which is more sanitary to handle, is more convenient, and saves time when making a change. 
     Other objects are to provide a throw away cat litter box which is simple in design, easy to use and efficient in operation. 
     These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown set up for operative use; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation view thereof as viewed on line 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified design of the invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof shown in a collapsed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 thereof, at this time, the reference numeral 10 represents a throw away cat litter box, according to the present invention, wherein there is a box member 11 and a cover member 12, each of which is made of cardboard material and includes a rectangular flat panel 13 and a relatively low flange or side wall 14 around all edges of the box member and three side edges of the cover as shown. The cover member is made to fit snuggly inside the box member when the litter box is in a closed position. The cover member is pivotable outwardly from the box member at its fourth side edge 15 where a pair of leaf spring units 16 serve to retain the cover member in an opened up position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     In the present invention a thin polyethylene plastic liner 17 is adhered to an inner side of the litter box and comprises a waterproof bag inside which a quantity of litter 18 is sealed for laying inside the box member when in use. The bag includes opposite folding panels 19 and an upper panel 20 therebetween having a pull strip 21 for ripping open the bag so as to be pulled toward opposite sides and form an entry for the animal. Each side portion of the panel 20 thus forms flaps to aid protecting the litter being kicked out by the animal. 
     Handles 22 may be included on the device for ease in opening up the box and cover members. The device is in closed position as shown in FIG. 5 when stacked on a retail store shelf or when being disposed. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5 wherein a modified design of the invention embodiment comprises a generally similar throw out cat litter box 23, except instead of including a pull strip 21 on the liner panel 20, it is provided with a circular perforation on the cover member for tearing out an opening 24 to be used as the entry for the animal. Removal of the circular cut-out to make the opening 24 includes that the tear out perforations extend through both the cardboard and liner in order to provide access to the litter. A hanging loose curtain may be included to cover the opening 24 and keep odors from getting out. 
     For use, the throw away cat litter box is set up by simply pivoting the cover member upwardly and tearing an access opening for the animal. For disposal, the cover member is simply pivoted downwardly and the device, thus collapsed, is thrown away. 
     While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.