Animal enclosure apparatus, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

An animal enclosure apparatus adapted to be assembled entirely by a user from a single symmetrically-arranged foldable blank of biodegradable, disposable material. The enclosure apparatus is particularly suited for providing a sanitary kitty litter enclosure which shields the surrounding area from debris and odors. A flap is provided for opening a passageway for an animal to enter and exit the enclosure, and to close the passageway so that the apparatus is entirely sealed for disposal of the exhausted litter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to an animal enclosure apparatus 
formed from a single sheet of substantially stiff foldable material so as 
to be easily assembled by a user. More particularly, the invention relates 
to an animal enclosure apparatus particularly suited for use as a kitty 
litter apparatus defining a sanitary enclosure which prevents ordors and 
debris from escaping to the surrounding environment, and which may be 
easily and conveniently disposed of by a user. 
The terminology "kitty litter" as employed herein connotes a particulate 
material with moisture absorbing qualities commonly placed in a receptacle 
to provide a cat with a place to relieve itself. Many varieties of kitty 
litter are commercially available, some of which contain sand or ground 
clay, for example. 
2. Description of Relevant Art 
There is a growing tendency to keep household pets such as cats indoors 
most of the time in order to protect them from outdoor dangers such as 
passing cars, other animals, etc. A primary problem associated with 
keeping such pets indoors is the need to provide a litter area in which 
the pet can relieve itself without creating unsanitary or undesirable 
conditions for people whose living space encompasses the litter area. Even 
when pets are allowed outdoors on a regular basis, this same problem 
arises since it often necessary or desirable to provide a litter area for 
the pet for those times when it is indoors. 
The most commonly known means for providing a litter area for a household 
cat to relieve itself indoors is simply to place kitty litter material in 
a shallow box or other similar receptacle. However, such a typical 
arrangement presents a number of problems. Even though molisture absorbent 
litter material may be used, the accumulation of body waste in and on the 
material leads to unpleasant odors in the household area around the kitty 
litter box. The tendency of cats to bury their body waste leads to the 
unsanitary spread of litter meterial outside the box. Problems also arise 
in disposing of the exhausted kitty litter material. Removal of the dirty 
litter is unpleasant, and unless the box or other container is cleaned 
with a stron cleaning agent, unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions 
result. 
Known attempts to overcome some of the foregoing problems have generally 
taken the form of providing a disposable receptacle with self-contained 
closure means which permits disposing of the receptacle and exhausted 
litter together. Such devices are typically sold as a box-shaped unit with 
kitty litter already provided therein. Illustrative of such devices are 
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,082 issued Dec. 10, 1988 to 
Williamson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,563 issued Feb. 28, 1989 to Berry et al; 
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,103 issued July 11, 1989 to Brown. Some of such 
known devices are also provided with enclosing means for the animal using 
the device, e.g., the devices disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,792,082 and 4,846,103. 
A number of difficulties arise from the foregoing illustrative attempts to 
overcome the unsanitary and unpleasant conditions associated with kitty 
litter boxes. The foregoing devices are all designed for sale as a 
partially assembled unit complete with kitty litter therein. The units 
thus consume considerable shelf space, are generally heavy for the user to 
transport after purchasing same, and tend to be relatively expensive. 
Those units which provide enclosing means for the animal require assembly 
steps for forming the enclosure during manufacture, tend to be relatively 
complex in structure, and expensive, and must be at least partially 
disassembled by the user before disposing of the unit. 
There are also known various types of folding or knockdown box devices 
designed to be assembled and/or disassembled by a user, such as disclosed 
in U.S. Pat. No. 2,838,222 issued in 1958 to Papadopoulos and U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,105,627 issued in 1963 to Bowdoin. These devices comprise blanks 
with fold lines which permit a user to assemble the blank into a carton 
for storing or transporting items. Such devices are not generally suitable 
for use as a kitty litter apparatus because they are not designed to 
permit a pet to enter or exit from same, to comfortably accommodate a pet 
therein, etc. 
The present invention effectively overcomes the problems associated with 
providing a sanitary litter area for a household pet, while avoiding the 
difficulties encountered with known devices. The apparatus according to 
the invention is designed to be assembled by a user, form a fully 
collapsed state to a state ready for use, in a few simple steps. The 
assembled apparatus provides a very sanitary enclosure which virtually 
eliminates odors and debris normally associated with kitty litter boxes. 
The appratus is inexpensive, easy to transport, and conveniently disposed 
of without requiring disassembly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an animal enclosure apparatus, comprising a 
blank formed of a sheet of substantially stiff foldable material. The 
blank includes an oblong bottom wall portion, and opposite combined side 
and roof wall portions extending symmetrically outwardly from, and 
coextensively with, first and second relatively longer sides of the oblong 
bottom wall portion. The blank also includes opposite front and back wall 
portions extending symmetrically outwardly from, and coextensively with, 
third and fourth relatively shorter sides of the bottom wall portion. Fold 
lines are provided along the first, second, third and fourth sides of the 
bottom wall portion, and between the side and roof wall portions of the 
combined portions. Portions of the blank being folded upwardly at the fold 
lines in an assembled state of the apparatus such that the front, back and 
side wall portions are arranged in substantially vertical planes, the 
bottom wall portion is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane, and 
the roof wall portions are arranged in inclined planes extending upwardly 
and inwardly from the side wall portions, such that the apparatus defines 
a complete enclosure. 
In a preferred embodiment, the appratus of the invention comprises a 
disposable kittly litter enclosure apparatus for assembly by a user. The 
front and back wall portions each include bendable triangular flaps 
adapted to be folded inwardly so as to be disposed adjacent inside roof 
wall portions. The front wall portion includes a passageway dimensioned to 
permit a cat to enter and exit the apparatus, the passageway being defined 
by a flap adapted to be bend outwardly and downwardly to open the 
passageway, and back upwardly and inwardly to close the passageway when it 
is desired to dispose of the apparatus and its contents. Gussets extend 
between the side wall portions and the front and back wall portions, 
respectively, each gusset being foldable inwardly to define a closed 
corner portion in the assembled state of the apparatus. A handle portion 
is provided at the outer end of each combined side and roof wall portions, 
the handle portions being joined in the assembled state of the apparatus. 
The invention also provides a method of assembling an animal enclosure 
apparatus from a single blank provided with a series of wall portions and 
fold lines. The method comprises the steps of: upwardly folding, relative 
to an oblong bottom wall portion of the blank, opposite combined side and 
roof wall portions which extend symmetrically outwardly from, and 
coextensively with, first and second relatively longer sides of the oblong 
bottom wall portion; inwardly folding the roof wall portions relative to 
the side wall portions such that handle portions provided at the upper 
ends of the roof wall portions engage each other; connecting the handle 
portions together with suitable connecting means; and upwardly folding, 
relative to the bottom wall portion, opposite front and back wall portions 
which extend symmetrically outwardly from, and eoextensively with, third 
and fourth relatively shorter sides of the bottom wall portion. 
It is an object of the invention to provide a kitty litter enclosure 
apparatus adapted to be purchased by the user in an entirely collapsed, 
disassembled state, and assembled by the user in a few simple steps. No 
disassembly of the apparatus is required before disposal. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a sanitary enclosure for an 
animal which prevents odors and debris from contaminating the home area 
where the apparatus is located. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an animal enclosure 
apparatus with strength and stability features which permit disposal of 
the apparatus and its contents in its fully assembled state. A pet 
passageway flap of the apparatus serves the dual purpose of permitting the 
pet to enter and exit the enclosure and thereafter closing the passageway 
when it is desired to seal the apparatus for disposal. 
The above and further objects, details and advantages of the invention will 
become apparent from the following detailed description, when read in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to FIG. 1, the animal enclosure apparatus according to the 
invention is shown in its fully-assembled condition, ready for use as a 
pet sanitary litter enclosure or the like. The enclosure of FIG. 1 is 
assembled from a single blank integrally fromed form a single sheet of 
substantially stiff (shape retentive) foldable material, the blank being 
shown in FIG. 2. The material of the blank is desirably biodegradable and 
disposable, such as cardboard. In a preferred embodiment, the cardboard 
material comprises white pharmaceutical cardboard. The blank is adapted to 
be conveniently and quickly assembled into the animal enclosure of FIG. 1 
without requiring auxiliary fasteners or other means. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the blank of the invention includes a 
centrally-disposed oblong bottom wall portion 1 having first and second 
relatively longer opposite sides 2a, 2b and third and fourth relatively 
shorter opposite sides 3a, 3b. Projecting integrally and symmetrically 
outwardly from the longer sides 2a, 2b of bottom wall portion 1 are 
opposite combined side wall, roof wall and handle portions 10 and 15. Fold 
lines are provided along each of the sides 2a, 2b of bottom wall 1, 
between bottom wall 1 and the opposite combined portions 10, 15, 
respectively. The combined portions 10 and 15 are each provided with fold 
lines 11, 16, respectively, defining respective side wall portions 12, 17 
and respective roof wall portions 13, 18 of the combined portions 10, 15. 
The combined portions 11, 15 are further respectively provided with fold 
lines 14, 19 defining handle portions 15, 20, extending from roof wall 
portions 13, 18, respectively. The handle portion 20 is provided with a 
cut-out hand grip portion 20a, while the handle portion 15 is provided 
with a flap 15a adapted to matingly engage hand grip portion 20a as 
described below. The flap 15a is cut out in the shape of hand grip portion 
20a, with an upper fold line at which the flap 15a remains attached to 
handle portion 15. 
Projecting integrally and symmetrically outwardly from the shorter sides 
3a, 3b of bottom wall portion 1 are opposite back and front wall portions 
30, 35. Fold lines are provided along each of the sides 3a, 3b of bottom 
wall 1, between bottom wall 1 and the opposite back and front wall 
portions 30, 35, respectively. The back and front wall portions 30, 35 are 
provided with angled fold lines 31a, 31b and 36a, 36b, respectively, 
defining a pair of triangular corner flap portions 32a, 32b and 37a, 37b 
on the back and front wall portions 30, 35, respectively. The front wall 
portion 35 is also provided with a flap 38 defined by a U-shaped cut-out 
with a bottom fold line at which the flap 38 remains attached to front 
wall 35. 
As also shown in FIG. 2, four gusset portions 40 are respectively provided 
at the inside corner portions defined between the side wall portions 12, 
17 and the back and front wall portions 30, 35. Each of the gusset 
portions 40 is provided with central fold lines as shown, which permit the 
gussets 40 to be folded inwardly to define closed corner portions for the 
apparatus as will be described below. 
Illustrative suitable dimensions for the various portions of the blank, in 
one preferred embodiment, are as follows. The longer sides 2a, 2b of 
bottom wall 1 are each approximately 18", while the shorter sides 3a, 3b 
of bottom wall 1 are each approximately 15". The side walls 12, 17 are 
each 9 1/2" high (vertical direction), while the roof walls 13, 18 are 
each 13" high and the handle portions 15, 20 are each 3" high (vertical 
direction). The front wall 35 and back wall 30 each protrude outwardly 
from bottom wall 1 a distance of approximately 17". The hypotenuses of the 
gussets 40 each measure approximately 131/2". The overall height of the 
blank of FIG. 2 measure approximately 60", and the overall width is 
approximately 52". When assembled, the enclosure of FIG. 1 thus has a 
height to the peak of the roof of approximately 17", and a height to the 
top of the handle portions of approximately 20". 
Assembly of the blank to define the animal enclosure of FIG. 1 is 
accomplished primarily by folding portions of the blank upwardly about 
their respective fold lines. Indeed, folding about the respective fold 
lines is all in the upward direction with the exception of handle portions 
15, 20, which are folded outwardly (or downwardly). 
The user folds the rectangular back wall 30, front wall 35, and side walls 
12, 17 upwardly relative to bottom wall 1 to substantially vertical 
orientations, with the gussets 40 each being folded inwardly. Preferably, 
the insides of gussets 40 (i.e., the back sides in FIG. 2) are provided 
with self-stick adhesive, i.e., pressure-sensitive adhesive, so that once 
folded, the gussets will be be adhered in their folded-in positions. At 
this point, or at some other desired point, the user can place a desired 
quantity of kitty litter material within the enclosure. 
To complete assembly of the enclosure, the roof walls 13, 18 are bent 
relative to their respective side walls 12, 17 in an inclined direction 
toward each other, so that handle portions 15, 20 are disposed proximal 
each other. The handle portions 15, 20 are bent outwardly and their 
opposing faces, each provided with self-stick adhesive, brought into 
engagement. The flap 15a can then be folded through the cut-out 20a to 
further secure the handle portions 15, 20 together and define a mating 
hand grip portion for carrying the assembled enclosure. The corner flaps 
32a, 32b, and 36a, 36b are bent upwardly (inwardly) and positioned 
adjacent respective inside surface portions of roof walls 13, 18. 
The flap 38 on front wall 35 is folded outwardly and downwardly as shown in 
FIG. 1 to define a passageway 39 for an animal to enter and exit the 
assembled enclosure. When it is desired to close the enclosure for 
disposal, the flap 38 is bent back upwardly to close passageway 39. 
Adhesive means such as tape may be provided on or adjacent flap 38 to 
permit secure closing of the enclosure and to ensure that the soiled 
litter will remain contained therein for disposal purposes. 
The dimensions of the bank described above are well suited for 
accommodating a cat in the assembled enclosure, although the dimensions 
may be varied as desired to accommodate various sized animals. When the 
enclosure is used as a kitty litter area, it will protect the litter from 
being spread to surrounding area, particularly as the cat kicks up litter 
when burying its body waste. The enclosure also protects the surround area 
by effectively containing odors from the soiled litter. 
It is contemplated that the invention be marketed in its completely 
collapsed state, although for space saving purposes it may be desired that 
at the front and back walls 35, 30 be folded inwardly on bottom wall 1, 
the dimensions of the front and back walls permitting a folded overlapping 
arrangement thereof on bottom wall 1. Similarly, if desired, the roof 
walls 13, 18 can be folded in overlapping relation on bottom wall 1 for 
greater space saving. Alternatively, the blank can be left in an unfolded 
state. It is contemplated that the disassembled or collaped blank can be 
packaged so that the consumer may purchase a number of the blanks in a 
group. 
Because the invention is adapted to be sold as an easily-assembled blank 
without any pre-assembly by the manufacturer, it can be sold at a reduced 
cost. Further, because the blank is adapted to be sold in a disassembled 
state without kitty litter packaged therein, space, weight and cost 
savings are further realized. 
The symmetric design of the blank according to the invention provides a 
sturdy and stable construction in the assembled state, and simplifies 
assembly. When it is desired to dispose of the enclosure and its contents, 
the user has merely to close and affix the flap 38 in position over 
passageway 39 to entirely seal the apparatus. No disassembly of the 
enclosure is required for disposal, and the entire assembled closed unit 
can merely be carried out for trash collection. The symmetric and solid 
construction of the assembled enclosure ensures that it will withstand the 
weight of the soiled litter without breaking apart. 
While there have been described above what are at present considered to be 
the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that 
various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing 
from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated 
by the appended claims.