KITTY LITTER BOX

Abstract: The invention relates to a kitty litter box, comprising an assembly of a housing and a lining cooperating with the housing, in which the housing is formed as a first box (1) comprising a bottom, upright side walls and optionally a lid, and is designed for permanent use, and in that the lining is removable and that it is formed as a disposable second box of a size such that the second box can be accommodated in the first box substantially without play between the first and the second box.

Description: Kitty litter box The invention relates to a cat litter box, comprising an assembly of a housing and a lining cooperating with the housing. Such a cat litter box is disclosed in patent specification US-A-4, 788, 935. The known cat litter box is formed as a completely disposable assembly of a housing and contents for the housing. The contents of the housing comprise a half-product serving as packaging, which by unfolding becomes a box comprising a bottom plate and upright side walls. In one of the side walls an opening is provided for the cat. After the box has been folded out, a sleeve supplied therewith can be used to complete the cat litter box. The sleeve then functions as housing. After the cat litter box has been used, the box enveloped by the sleeve is returned to its original half-product condition, for which purpose the side walls are pushed from outside the sleeve, into the folded condition. The known cat litter box has several drawbacks. Firstly, manipulating the box in order to insert it into the sleeve when using the cat litter box for the first time as well as pushing back the walls of the box through the sleeve after it has been used, is rather akward. Secondly, there is a large amount of waste, since every time the box containing the excrements of the cat is discarded, the sleeve thus serving as waste disposal bag, also has to be discarded. Thirdly, the assembled known cat litter box consisting of a cardboard box and an enveloping flexible sleeve, does not stand very firmly when in use so that it can easily become a play ball for the cat. This has negative consequences with respect to the hygiene of the cat litter box. It is the object of the invention to provide a cat litter box without said drawbacks and with which further advantages can be achieved that will be explained below. The cat litter box according to the invention is characterized in that the housing is formed as a first box comprising a bottom, upright side walls and optionally a lid, and is designed for permanent use, and in that the lining is removable and that it is formed as a disposable second box of a size such that the second box can be accommodated in the first box substantially without play between the first and the second box. Readying the cat litter box according to the invention for use merely requires the simple measure of placing the second box into the permanent first box functioning as housing. After the cat litter box has been used, the second box may simply be removed from the housing of the cat litter box and discarded. This limits the amount of waste and due to the permanent character of the housing, the stability of the cat litter box according to the invention is ensured. Desirably, the housing has high side walls and a relatively low lid. This prevents the cat litter box becoming a play ball for the cat. Desirably the side walls of the second box are slightly tapered from the bottom upward. This facilitates easy placing and simple removal of the second box from the housing of the cat litter box. Desirably also, the second box is formed from a sheet of plastic or cardboard comprising a bottom plate coupled to which are the side walls. This makes it possible on the one hand to manufacture the second box conveniently and at low cost from, for example, recyclable or recycled cardboard, and on the other hand it makes it possible to bring the second box on the market in a manageable size. This latter aspect will be explained below. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that each of the side walls of the second box is firmly connected with its bottom plate via an intermediate portion and in that each of the intermediate portions extends substantially perpendicularly in relation to the bottom plate and is firmly connected with its adjacent intermediate portions. The upright intermediate portions together with the bottom plate form a receptacle for moisture that collects in the second box, without being able to seep through. It is further preferred that there are four side walls, of which two opposite side walls are substantially in straight alignment with first fold lines surrounding the bottom plate, and of which the other two side walls are somewhat wider in relation to the first fold line surrounding the bottom plate, and that at some distance from their side edges the said wider side walls have a second fold line, providing the wider side walls with flaps that can be directed toward the straight side walls. This embodiment makes it possible to form the box, when the same is unfolded such as to taper from the bottom plate upward, in conformity with the housing. The simple placing of the second box then allows the flaps to fulfil the function of seal between the adjacent side walls, which seal comes into action because due to the tapering of the housing said side walls and flaps are pushed toward each other. Advantageously the flaps are provided with lips that can project outward to clampingly couple the wider side walls to the straight side walls. To further promote a close fit between the side walls, the straight side walls are provided with notches in their side edges suitable for receiving the lips. To ensure that the transition between the adjacent side walls is sealed properly, it is favourable to have the lips substantially extending diagonally in the flaps. This makes the tapering shape of the second box more stable. A further desirable preferred embodiment is characterized in that the straight side walls are coupled with the long sides of the bottom plate and that approximately halfway up, they are provided with a third fold line extending parallel to said long sides; it being further desirable that the straight side walls near the edge furthest away from the bottom plate, are provided with a cut-out in the shape of the handgrip. One thing and another makes the second box in the cat litter box according to the invention much more manageable both before and after it has been used. It is further desirable that the interior of the second box be provided with a moisture-proof lining. This particularly serves the hygiene of the cat litter box according to the invention, since all the cat's moist excrements can be safely collected in the second box. In addition it is desirable that said second box be provided with cat-box litter such as granules or the like. The invention is also embodied in a sheet, suitable for forming a box as described above, and in a half-product formed from such a sheet, which half-product is also suitable for forming such a box that serves as part of the cat litter box according to the invention. The sheet according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a substantially rectangular bottom plate as well as intermediate portions which are adjacent to the bottom plate and separated from the bottom plate by first fold lines and side walls which are adjacent to the intermediate portions and separated by fourth fold lines, two opposite side walls extending in straight alignment with the first fold lines, and the other two side walls being wider in relation to the first fold lines. The half-product according to the invention is characterized in that the same comprises a bottom plate and adjacent to the bottom plate substantially upright intermediate portions, and side walls movably coupled to the intermediate portions, of which two opposite side walls can be moved toward the bottom plate between the upright intermediate portions, and the other two side walls can be placed upon the upright intermediate portions as lid. This half-product can form the basis for a finished second box for placing into the housing of the cat litter box, while also providing a sealed wrapping for the fouled contents of the second box by folding the same after removal from the housing, to obtain the original half-product . For the intended immediate employability as part of the cat litter box, the half- product should be filled, for example, with cat-box litter. A preferred embodiment of the half-product is characterized in that approximately at the halfway point, the side walls usable as lid are provided with third folding lines extending parallel to the bottom plate, and in that the portions of said side walls bordering to the third fold line and facing away from the bottom plate abut and extend parallel to the bottom plate. This makes the half-product into a convenient size while also being completely sealed. Desirably, the adjacent portions of the side walls are provided with a cut-out near the edge that is farthest removed from the third fold lines. This provides a hand grip to facilitate easy handling of the half-product. The invention is further embodied in an assembly of two such half-products, which assembly is formed by abutting two such half-products in mirror image. Such an assembly provides two half-products which, from a consumer's point of view may be conveniently applied in a standard shopping pattern, which is characterized in that the shopping is done once a week. In such a pattern, two half-products will meet the weekly requirement of two boxes to be used in the housing of the cat litter box. The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the drawings which In Fig. 1, shows the cat litter box according to the invention without and with the second box that is to be inserted into the housing of the cat litter box; In Fig. 2, shows the sheet according to the invention; and In Fig. 3, shows the assembly of to half-products according to the invention. Identical reference numbers refer to similar parts in the figures. With reference first to Fig. 1, a housing 1 of the cat litter box according to the invention is shown, in which one of the side walls is provided with an opening 4 serving as entry and exit for the cat. At the left in Fig. I the cat litter box is shown without a second box inserted therein, but with the lid 2, lifted of the housing 1. In the right-hand part of Fig. 1 is shown that a finished second box 3, made from a sheet or half-product is inserted in the housing 1. One of the side walls 11 of the second box 3 is provided with an opening 5 which corresponds to the opening 4 provided in the housing 1. As can be clearly seen in Fig. 1, the housing 1 is formed like a box with a bottom and upright side walls and is also provided with a lid 2. This housing 1 with lid 2 is designed for permanent use. The second box 3 is made to be removable from the housing 1 and is formed as a box of a size such that it can be inserted into the housing 1, avoiding any play between the housing 1 (the first box) and the second box 3. Fig. 1 also clearly shows that the side walls 8,11 of the second box 3 taper slightly from the bottom plate upward, to correspond with the side walls of the housing 1. With reference to Fig. 2 it is noted that the second box 3 is formed from a sheet shown in this figure and made, for example, of plastic or cardboard, comprising the bottom plate 6 and side walls 8,11 coupled to the bottom plate 6. Each of the side walls 8,11 of the second box 3 is connected with the bottom plate 6 via an intermediate portion 7. When the sheet has been brought into the form of the half-product or into the form of the finished box 3, each of the intermediate portions 7 stand substantially perpendicular in relation to the bottom plate 6, and all intermediate portions 7 are firmly inter- connected. Fig. 2 further clearly shows that there are four side walls 8,11, of which two side walls 8 are positioned opposite each other and which are substantially in straight alignment with first fold line 14 surrounding the bottom plate 6. In relation to the first fold lines 14 the surrounding the bottom plate 6, the other two side walls II are slightly wider, and at some distance from the side rims of said wider side walls 11, a second fold line 16 is provided in order to provide flaps 12 that can be directed toward the straight side walls 8. Said flaps 12 are further provided with outward projectable lips 13 for clampingly coupling the wider side walls 11 to the straight side walls 8. Fig. 2 further clearly shows that the edges of the straight side walls 8 have been provided with a notch 17, suitable to accommodate the lips 13, and that the lips 13 extend in the flaps 12 substantially diagonally. Especially this latter measure contributes to the desired tapering shape of the second box, when it is finished just before insertion into the housing 1. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the straight side walls 8 are coupled with the long sides of the bottom plate 6 and are provided approximately half-way up with a third fold line 18 extending parallel to said long side. At the side facing away from bottom plate 6, the straight side walls 8 are provided with cut-outs 19 shaped as handgrip 19. The function of the handgrip is particularly clearly shown in Fig. 3, representing the assembly of two half-products formed from the sheet according to Fig 2. The half-product formed from the sheet according to Fig. 2 is not further shown in the figures since for a person skilled in the art that shape is sufficiently clearly shown in Fig. 3. The half-product can be formed from the sheet according to Fig. 2 by bending the intermediate portions 7 more or less perpendicularly two the bottom 6 along the first fold line 14 and by bonding these by means of adhesive or the like. The side walls 8,11 are coupled to these intermediate portions 7, which together with the bottom plate 6, form a shallow tray. The wider side walls 11 are then bent toward the inside of the shallow tray after the flaps 12 have first been bent inward along the second fold lines 16. The side walls 11 then fit into the shallow tray formed by the bottom plate 6 and the upright portions 7. Said shallow tray can then the closed off by means of the side walls 8, by folding them toward each other until they practically abut to the third fold lines 18. The portions 10 of the side walls 8 fartherst removed from the bottom plate 6 then abut and can then together be folded toward one and the same side parallel to the bottom plate 6, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The above description of the invention is a typical exemplary embodiment of the cat litter box, the sheet and the half-product, and assembly according to the invention, without being limited thereto. Various modifications to the exemplary embodiment discussed are possible, all within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A kitty litter box, comprising an assembly of a housing (1,2) and a lining (3) co-operating with the housing (1,2), characterized in that the housing (1,2) is formed as a first box (1) comprising a bottom, upright side walls and optionally a lid (2) , and is designed for permanent use, and in that the lining is removable and that it is formed as a disposable second box (3) of a size such that the second box (3) can be accommodated in the first box (1,2) substantially without play between the first and the second box. 2. A kitty litter box according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (8,11) of the second box (3) are slightly tapered from the bottom (6) upward. 3. A kitty litter box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second box (3) is formed from a sheet (Fig. 2) of plastic or cardboard comprising a bottom plate (6) coupled to which are the side walls (8,11) . 4. A kitty litter box according to one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that each of the side walls (8,11) of the second box (3) is firmly connected with its bottom plate (6) via an intermediate portion (7) and in that each of the intermediate portions (7) extends substantially perpendicularly in relation to the bottom plate (6) and is firmly connected with its adjacent intermediate portions (7). 5. A kitty litter box according to one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that there are four side walls (8,11), of which two opposite side walls (8) are substantially in straight alignment with first fold lines (14) surrounding the bottom plate (6), and of which the other two side walls (11) are somewhat wider in relation to the first fold line (14) surrounding the bottom plate (6), and that at some distance from their side edges the said wider side walls (11) have a second fold line (16) to provide flaps (12) that can be directed toward the straight side walls (8) . 6. A kitty litter box according to claim 5, characterized in that the flaps (12) are provided with lips (13) that can project outward to clampingly couple the wider side (11) to the straight side walls (8) . 7. A kitty litter box according to claim 6, characterized in that the straight side walls (8) are provided with notches (17) in their side edges suitable for receiving the lips (13) . 8. A kitty litter box according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the lips (13) substantially extend diagonally in the flaps (12). 9. A kitty litter box according to one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the straight side walls (8) are coupled with the long sides of the bottom plate (6) and that approximately halfway up, they are provided with a third fold line (18) extending parallel to said long sides. 10. A kitty litter box according to claim 9, characterized in that the straight side walls (8) near the edge furthest away from the bottom plate (6), are provided with a cut-out (19) in the shape of the handgrip. 11. A kitty litter box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the second box is provided with a moisture-proof coating. 12. A sheet (Fig. 2) suitable for forming a box as described as part of the cat litter box according to one of the claims 1-11, characterized in that it comprises a substantially rectangular bottom plate (6) as well as intermediate portions (7) which are adjacent to the bottom plate (6) and separated from the bottom plate (6) by fiTrst fold lines (14) and side walls (8,11) which are adjacent to the intermediate portions (7) and separated by fourth fold lines (15), two opposite side walls (8) extending in straight alignment with the first fold lines (14), and the other two side walls (11) being wider in relation to the first fold lines (14) . 13. A half-product formed from a sheet according to claim 12 and suitable for forming a box as described as part of the cat litter box according to one of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the same comprises a bottom plate (6) and adjacent to the bottom plate (6) substantially upright intermediate portions (7), and side walls (8,11) movably coupled to the intermediate portions (7), of which two opposite side walls (11) can be moved toward the bottom plate (6) between the upright intermediate portions (7) , and the other two side walls (8) can be placed upon the upright intermediate portions (7) as lid. 14. A half-product according to claim 13, characterized in that the same is filled with, for example cat-box litter. 15. A half-product according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that approximately at the halfway point, the side walls (8) usable as lid are provided with third folding lines (18) extending parallel to the bottom plate (6), and in that the portions (10) of said side walls (8) bordering to the third fold line (18) and facing away from the bottom plate (6) abut and extend parallel to the bottom plate (6) (Fig. 3) . 16. A half-product according to claim 15, characterized in that the abutting portions (10) of the side walls (8) are provided with a cut-out (19) near the edge fartherst removed from the third fold lines (18) . 17. An assembly of two half-products according to one of the claims 13-16, characterized in that said two half-products abut in mirror image (Fig. 3) .

Inventors: BOEKEL PETRUS CORNELIS, BOEKEL, PETRUS, CORNELIS
Applicants: BOEKEL PETRUS CORNELIS, UNIC PLASTICS NEDERLAND B V, BOEKEL, PETRUS, CORNELIS, UNIC PLASTICS NEDERLAND B.V.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1, A01K23