Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pet litter organizer apparatus. In accordance with one embodiment, a receptacle for holding pet litter is provided. The receptacle has a base, a peripheral wall extending from the base, and an interior volume for receiving pet litter. The embodiment also includes a litter passage formed in the peripheral wall and configured to permit dispensing of pet litter from the interior volume through the litter passage. Additionally, the embodiment includes a dispensing mechanism movably coupled to the litter passage. The dispensing mechanism is adapted to regulate the flow of pet litter from the interior volume through the litter passage.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to pet accessories and, more particularly, to an organizational system for a pet litter box.  
         [0002]     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.  
         [0003]     Domestication of animals originated millennia ago. Archeologists have discovered evidence that dogs were first domesticated circa 5000 B.C. to assist people in hunting for food. Although domestication of cats occurred later in history, cats were domesticated, and even revered, in ancient Egypt over three thousand years ago. Indeed, Egypt had a feline goddess and all cats were considered to be demigods. While pets may not enjoy quite the same status today, these pets are a source of joy and companionship for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In some cases, pets are regarded as a member of the family by their owners.  
         [0004]     However, there are disadvantages associated with having any pet. While many people feel that these disadvantages do not outweigh the concomitant benefits of owning a pet, these disadvantages are not inconsequential. For instance, certain financial costs are incurred by many pet owners, including the purchase of food, toys, accessories, and in the case of many animals, veterinarian bills. In addition to these financial costs, owning a pet also typically requires a substantial expenditure of time and effort to care for the pet. This time and effort may be spent in a wide range of activities that vary depending on the pet. Such activities generally include feeding the pet, and may also include walking the pet, grooming the pet, and, unfortunately, disposing of pet waste.  
         [0005]     Many animals, such as cats, may be advantageously trained to use a pan or box containing pet litter. While a litter box reduces the frequency with which waste must be disposed by the owner, it does not eliminate the chore. First, the litter pan must be filled with litter. However, as many pet owners would appreciate most of the boxes and bags in which pet litter is sold are not well suited for dispensing a particular amount of litter. These litter containers can easily slip from an owner&#39;s grasp, causing pet litter to spill onto the floor. Further, the weight of these original containers can shift during dispensing of the litter, also resulting in litter spilled on the floor about the litter pan. Then, on a regular basis, the litter box has to be emptied of soiled pet litter and refilled with fresh pet litter. However, emptying the pet litter box is often worse than filling it. In addition to the odor associated with the soiled litter, the full litter box is often heavy, making it difficult to lift the litter box, hold open a disposal bag, and pour the contents of the litter box into the bag. Finally, the litter box has to be re-filled with fresh pet litter, which may again result in litter spilling on the floor about the pet litter box.  
         [0006]     To reduce the frequency with which the litter needs to be changed, scoopable pet litter has been developed and is available on the market. This type of pet litter is ordinarily formulated to clump about pet waste in the litter pan, allowing pet owners to remove the clumps from the litter box with a scoop. While this may reduce odors by removing the pet waste and heavily soiled litter, such litter does not ameliorate all of the inconveniences associated with a litter box. First, scooping waste from the litter box reduces the amount of litter remaining in the litter box. Consequently, as waste is removed from the litter pan, fresh litter must be frequently added to the litter pan to maintain maximum effectiveness. As discussed above, pouring pet litter into the litter box often leads to stray litter on the ground, requiring even further effort to clean. Additionally, using scoopable pet litter requires a pet owner to purchase multiple pet litter accessories, including a litter scoop and disposal bags.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the disclosed embodiments are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.  
         [0008]     Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a litter box organization apparatus and system. In one embodiment, a receptacle for holding pet litter is provided. In general terms, the receptacle has an interior volume for storing pet litter. In this embodiment, a litter passage is formed in the receptacle and is configured to permit pet litter to pass from the interior volume through the passage. The embodiment also includes a dispensing mechanism movably coupled to the litter passage. The dispensing mechanism is capable of regulating the flow of pet litter from the interior volume through the litter passage. Alternative embodiments may also include a litter pan for receiving pet litter dispensed from a litter receptacle and a base section capable of both receiving the litter pan and being coupled to the litter receptacle. Further, methods of operating and manufacturing such an apparatus are also provided.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary litter organizer system having a litter storage bin in accordance with the present techniques;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view illustrating an alternative placement of an air freshener of the exemplary litter organizer system depicted in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present techniques;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a plan view of the air freshener and that portion of the exemplary litter organizer system illustrated in  FIG. 1B ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base section and litter pan of the exemplary litter organizer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage bin of the exemplary litter organizer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a further perspective view of the exemplary storage bin illustrated in  FIG. 3 , depicting additional features of the storage bin;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a magnified view of the area indicated in  FIG. 4A , showing additional features of a storage bin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention:  
         [0017]      FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view of an exemplary air freshener that may be employed with a litter organizer system in accordance with the present techniques;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a side elevational view of the exemplary air freshener depicted in  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5C  is a bottom plan view of the exemplary air freshener depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating operation of the exemplary litter organizer system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the exemplary litter organizer system of  FIG. 1  illustrating an exemplary compact arrangement of the system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0023]     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary pet litter organizer system in accordance with the present techniques. The exemplary system may generally be referred to as the system or organizer  10 . The organizer  10  includes a base section  12 , a storage bin  14 , and a removable litter pan  16 . As discussed in greater detail below in reference to  FIG. 3 , the storage bin  14  may include one or more storage volumes accessible via a lid  18  and/or an aperture  20  of the storage bin  14 . Moreover, the lid  18  may be configured to hold a litter scoop  22 .  
         [0024]     The base section  12 , the storage bin  14 , the litter tray  16 , and the scoop  22  may be constructed of various materials. These components of the organizer  10  may be made of one or more durable materials that are easily cleaned, such as plastic. In one embodiment, these components also include a non-stick surface to permit easy cleaning of the components. However, other materials may be used in accordance with the present techniques. Further, the organizer system  10  may be formed in various shapes. Such shapes may be dictated by functionality and/or to improve aesthetic qualities of the system  10 .  
         [0025]     As will be discussed in further detail below, the exemplary storage bin  14  also includes a door  24  to permit the dispensing of pet litter from the storage bin  14  to the litter pan  16 . This configuration allows for pet litter to be poured into the storage bin  14  and occasionally dispensed into the litter pan  16 . As may be appreciated, pet litter typically is sold in boxes or bags of various weights and sizes. Often, these bags and boxes are unwieldy, and it can be difficult to pour a discrete amount from the bag or box into a litter pan. Thus, the organizer  10  is much more convenient for a pet owner. The owner can fill the storage bin  14  with a large amount of litter and then easily dispense the desired amount of pet litter into the litter pan  16 , without the hassle of lifting and pouring from the original container every time more pet litter is desired.  
         [0026]     Additionally, an air freshener  26  also may be provided. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the air freshener  26  is secured to a side of the litter pan  16 . However, as may be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the air freshener  26  also may be positioned at a side of storage bin  14  or some other location of the organizer  10 , such as the base section  12 . In  FIG. 1B , the air freshener  26  is shown coupled via a hinge  27  to the storage bin section  14 . In addition to coupling the air freshener  26  to the storage bin  14 , the hinge  27  also permits rotational movement of the air freshener  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1C . This movement allows the air freshener  26  to be folded against the storage bin  14  to permit the nesting of the storage bin  14  in the litter pan  16 , as discussed below with respect to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0027]     A perspective view of the base section  12  and the removable litter pan  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As may be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the base section  12  includes a front wall  28 , a rear wall  30 , and side walls  32 . Further, in this particular embodiment, the side walls  32  also include contoured handles  34  for lifting the base section  12 . The walls  28 ,  30 , and  32  generally define an inner cavity  36  adapted to receive the litter pan  16 .  
         [0028]     The litter pan  16  of the exemplary organizer  10  includes a front wall  38 , a rear wall  40 , side walls  42 , and a bottom surface  44 . These walls  38 ,  40 , and  42 , in addition to the bottom surface  44 , allow the litter pan  16  to receive and contain a quantity of pet litter. Advantageously, the walls  38 ,  40 , and  42  are of sufficient height (such as five inches) to accommodate a three-inch layer of pet litter within the litter pan  16  to reduce penetration of pet waste to the bottom surface  44 . However, at least one of the walls, such as front wall  38 , may be lower in height, such as four inches, to allow pets to enter and exit the litter pan  16  easily. The side walls  42  of the exemplary litter pan  16  also include handles  48 . The handles  48  may be helpful in inserting and removing the litter pan  16  from the cavity  36  of the base section  12 . While the handles  48  are formed integrally with the litter pan  16  in the illustrated embodiment, the handles could instead be formed separately and then be coupled to the litter pan  16 . Further, the base section  12  also includes indentations  46 , which are positioned proximate to the handles  48  when the litter pan  16  is inserted into the cavity  36 , to allow greater access to the handles  48 . Finally, in the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an attachment surface  50  of the base section  12  is provided. This attachment surface  50  includes a plurality of apertures  52  for receiving mating features of the storage bin  14  to couple the base section  12  to the storage bin  14 , as will be discussed in detail below.  
         [0029]     The bin section  14  of the exemplary organizer system  10  is depicted in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage bin  14  generally includes a front wall  58 , a rear wall  60 , side walls  62 , and a bottom surface  64 , which define an inner volume for storing pet litter and pet accessories. In the presently illustrated embodiment, the bin section  14  is translucent to allow the contents of the inner volume, including the amount of pet litter remaining in the bin section  14 , to be viewed. In the illustrated embodiment, an inner wall  66  divides the volume defined by the walls  58 ,  60 , and  62 , and bottom surface  64 , into two cavities  68  and  70 . The cavity  68  is adapted to receive and contain pet litter, while the cavity  70  is configured to store additional pet litter accessories. For instance, the cavity  70  may be used to store pet litter disposal bags, which may simply be plastic grocery bags, for disposing of pet waste scooped from the litter pan  16 . Moreover, the cavity  70  is capable of containing a variety of other pet accessories. For example, these additional pet accessories may include pet litter pan liners pet brushes, pet toys, or any other such accessory.  
         [0030]     As discussed below, pet litter may be dispensed from the cavity  68  to the litter pan  16  via a litter passage, such as litter chute or spout  72 , by opening the door  24  of the storage bin  14 , which is slidably coupled to the storage bin  14  in the present embodiment. The location of the litter passage, such as spout  72 , proximate the bottom of the storage bin  14  permits gravity to force litter through the litter passage. Also, the location of the litter passage on a side of the storage bin  14  permits the litter passage to be positioned close to the litter pan  16 , without inhibiting a pet from entering or exiting the litter pan  16 . Further, while the illustrated bin section  14  has a generally rectangular profile, other shapes are also envisaged in accordance with the present techniques. For instance, in other embodiments, the bin section  14  may instead have a generally cylindrical shape or some other desirable shape.  
         [0031]     The bottom surface  64  of the storage bin  14  also may include a flange  74  configured to mate with the attachment surface  50  of the base section  12  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Coupling of the base section  12  and the storage bin  14  via the attachment surface  50  will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Handles  76  are also provided on the side walls  62  of the exemplary storage bin  14 . These handles  76  allow for easy positioning and movement of storage bin  14  and may also aid in assembly of the organizer  10 .  
         [0032]     As discussed above, the storage bin  14  includes a lid  18 . The lid  18  permits access to the inner storage volumes or cavities of storage bin  14 , such as the cavities  68  and  70  discussed above. As shown in the present figure, the lid  18  may include a handle  80  to assist in opening and closing the lid. Further, the lid  80  and the storage bin  14  may include latching members  82  and  84 , respectively, for preventing inadvertent opening of the lid  80 . Still further, the lid  80  also may include a recess  86  for receiving and holding the litter scoop  22 . Accordingly, the inner wall  66  includes a recessed portion  88  to permit the portion of the lid  80  defining the recess  86  to fit within the cavity  70  when the lid  80  is closed. Additionally, the exemplary storage bin  14  includes indentations  90  and  92 , formed in the front wall  58  and the lid  80  respectively, to permit access to the accessory cavity  70  even when the lid  80  is closed.  
         [0033]     Additional features of the storage bin  14  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In particular, these figures are helpful in depicting various attachment features of the storage bin  14 . In  FIG. 4A , the storage bin  14  is illustrated without the lid  18  to permit hinges  96  to be illustrated. The hinges  96  are included on the rear wall  60  of the storage bin  14  to allow coupling of the lid  18  to the storage bin  14 . Further, coupling features, such as a locking post  98  and a guide post  102  as discussed below, are also illustrated on the bottom surface  64  of the storage bin  14 . These posts  98  and  102  permit coupling of the storage bin  14  to the base section  12 . A more detailed view of posts  98  and  102  is provided in  FIG. 4B . It should be noted, however, in an alternative embodiment, the storage bin  14  is configured to allow mounting of the storage bin  14  on a wall proximate to the base section  12 .  
         [0034]     In  FIG. 4B , the lower portion of the storage bin  14  is illustrated. A section of the flange  74  is cut away to allow the detailed features of posts  98  and  102  to be clearly depicted. In this embodiment, the flange  74  is adapted to fit around the attachment surface  50  of the base section  12 . Further, a locking post  98  and a guide post  102  are provided on each end of the bottom surface  64  of the storage bin  14 . The locking posts  98  and guide posts  102  are adapted to mate with the apertures  52  of the base section  12  to aid in proper alignment and assembly of the storage bin  14  and the base section  12 .  
         [0035]     The locking posts  98  additionally may prevent inadvertent uncoupling of the base section  12  and the storage bin  14  once assembled. To facilitate this additional functionality, a slit  100  allows compression of each locking post  98  upon insertion of the locking post  98  into the respective aperture  52 . Each locking post  98  includes a lip  01  that, in an uncompressed state, defines an outer diameter greater than the diameter of a respective aperture  52 . The compression of the locking post  98  causes the outer diameter of the lip  101  to decrease, permitting insertion of the locking post  98  into an aperture  52 . However, once inserted through the aperture  52 , the locking post  98  returns to its uncompressed form. As a result of this resiliency, the outer diameter of the lip  101  expands to its ordinary, uncompressed state. Moreover, once the locking post  98  is inserted into the aperture  52  and the outer diameter of the lip expands, the lip  101  cooperates with a portion of the attachment surface  50  proximate the aperture  52  to prevent inadvertent removal of the storage bin  14  from the base section  12 . For example, the locking posts  98  may prevent the storage bin  14  from uncoupling from the base section  12  upon contact by a pet or when being moved by a person. However, as may be appreciated, a sufficient upward force may be applied to the storage bin  14  to cause compression of locking post  98  and uncoupling of the storage bin  14  from the base section  12  without damaging the system  10 . Thus, the storage bin  14  may be removed from the base section  12  for easier cleaning or transport of the system  10 .  
         [0036]     Details regarding the air freshener  26  may be more clearly understood with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C . As may be seen in these figures, the exemplary air freshener  26  includes a front housing shell  104  and a rear housing shell  106 . In the present embodiment, the bottoms of housing shells  104  and  106  are wider than the tops, providing increased stability when mounted to the organizer  10 . Further, the air freshener  26  also includes front clips  108  and a rear clip  110  to allow attachment of the air freshener  26  to the litter pan  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . Moreover, rubber pads may be affixed to the clips  108  and  110  to prevent sliding or slipping of the air freshener  26  when mounted on the organizer  10 . While the present embodiment uses two front clips  108  and one rear clip  110  to secure the air freshener  26  to a portion of the organizer  10 , it should be appreciated that other clip configurations are possible. Indeed, other coupling arrangements beside clips may be used, such as the hinge  27  of  FIGS. 1B and 1C , in accordance with the present techniques. As may also be seen in the present illustrations, a hinge assembly  112  allows coupling of the clips  108  and  10  to the main body of the air freshener  26 .  
         [0037]     The various external components of the air freshener  26 , including housing shells  104  and  106 , the front clips  108 , the rear clip  110 , and the hinge assembly  112 , may be made of a rugged, durable material that is also easy to clean, such as plastic. The air freshener  26  also may have a non-stick surface that allows easier cleaning of the device.  
         [0038]     The housing shells  104  and  106  may also include an aperture  114  to allow air to flow through the air freshener  26 . Accordingly, a fan (not shown) may be provided within the air freshener  26  to promote such airflow. A tab  116  is also shown extending from the rear housing shell  106  to allow opening of the air freshener  26  for access to inner components. These inner components could include the fan mentioned above, as well as any cleaning element. In this embodiment, the cleaning element is capable of reducing ammonia concentration associated with pet waste in the litter pan  16 . For example, a carbon filter may be used. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning element is an ionic generator. Though the tab  116  is shown extending from the rear housing shell  106  in the present figures, it should be understood that the tab  116  could easily extend from the front housing shell  104  instead, while providing the same functionality.  
         [0039]     A power indicator, such as an LED  118 , also may be provided to indicate operation of the air freshener  26 . In the present embodiment, the LED  118  is provided on the front housing shell  10 , though other locations may be used in accordance with the present techniques. Additionally, the air freshener  26  may be powered in a variety of manners. This power may be employed to actuate internal components of the air freshener  26 , such as a fan or ionic generator. For example, a power inlet  120  may be provided to receive external power. The air freshener  26  may be adapted to receive DC power from an AC adapter through the power inlet  120 . However, other types of power may be utilized, such as that provided by an internal battery.  
         [0040]     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the organizer system  10  is depicted with a quantity of pet litter  126 . As described above, the storage bin  14  and the litter pan  16  are adapted to receive and contain pet litter  126 . However, as pet waste is removed from the litter pan  16 , such as via the scoop  22 , the amount of pet litter  126  in the litter pan  16  is reduced. Accordingly, as discussed above, the door  24  permits dispensing of a quantity of pet litter  126  from the storage bin  14  to the litter pan  16 . In particular, the door  24  of the storage bin  14  may be moved generally upwardly, in the direction shown by arrow  128 , from its closed position to an open position to permit dispensing of the pet litter  126  from the storage bin  14  to the litter pan  16 . Moreover, upwardly sliding the door  24  allows gravity to force an amount of pet litter  126  through the spout  72 , as generally indicated by arrow  130 .  
         [0041]     Additionally, the general contours of the various components of the organizer system  10  allow for nesting of the components, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . As discussed above, the litter pan  16  is adapted to fit within the base section  12 . Further, in the arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the air freshener  26  may be folded against a side of the storage bin  14  to reduce the aggregate profile of these two components. The storage bin  14  then may be nested inside the litter pan  16 . As discussed above, the litter pan  16  is configured to fit within the base section  12 . This nested arrangement offers several benefits, including providing a compact shape, which allows easier storage and transportation of the organizer  10 .  
         [0042]     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.