Abstract:
A litter box containment system is disclosed. The system provides an extension or enclosure that adapts to an existing litter box, and increases the height of the sides, serving to keep in animal waste and litter. The system also provides for multiple possible entrances that provide easy access for an animal, while still providing extended protection against escaping animal waste and litter.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,740, filed Oct. 18, 2004 and is incorporated herein in its entirety, to the extent not inconsistent herewith. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an apparatus that can be adapted to and used together with a litter box to prevent an animal from depositing or dispersing liquid or solid waste beyond the perimeter of the interior of the litter box.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Some pets, due to their height or where they position themselves within the litter box, eliminate waste over the edge of the litter box, which waste is then deposited outside of the box. Various products have been introduced to address this problem. However, these products have shortcomings that make them unacceptable to some pet owners.  
         [0004]     One of the products available is the covered litter box, which consists of a litter box and an enclosure which attaches to the upper rim of the litter box and completely encloses it except for one entrance opening into the box. However, it is also known that there are certain problems associated with this type of covered box. The inner walls and bottom rim of the detachable cover can become soiled with waste, and must be cleaned from time to time. The large size and shape of the cover make it impractical for some pet owners to clean in a standard sized utility sink. While liners exist to protect the litter box pan, the enclosed cover has no disposable liner or means to attach a liner to the inner sides to provide for easy cleanup and maintenance. Furthermore, urine can collect in the transitional area where the cover rests on the litter box. It can then leak to the outside of the box through the transitional area, or when the cover is removed for cleaning. The litter within the litter pan should be changed or have the waste scooped out on a regular basis. When the litter box is enclosed by a cover, the cover must be removed in order to scoop waste out of the litter. If the cover is clamped to the frame, some of the clamping devices are difficult to disengage. The removal of the cover can be a cumbersome extra step which can be a deterrent to scooping out the litter on a regular basis. Furthermore, with the cover on the box, one cannot readily see if there is waste to be scooped out. The loss of this visual reminder can also be a deterrent to scooping the litter regularly. Cats are sensitive to odor and the concentrated odor contained within a covered litter box can be offensive to some cats to such degree that they stop using the litter box. Tall or large cats may find the covered box too confining, and some pets for unknown reasons do not want to enter them. Another disadvantage of the covered box is that because the location of the entryway into the box is fixed, and because the cover is rather high, there are limitations as to where the covered litter box can be oriented and placed within the house.  
         [0005]     An uncovered litter box is known which has relatively high, permanently attached sides. Such bulky shape does not allow easy cleaning in a standard sized utility sink. The currently available litter pan liners are sized for standard-height litter boxes, and may not fit the extra large or high-sided litter boxes. Some of these high-sided litter boxes also have an entry opening into the box which is higher than an average rim for the animal to step over. This can be a problem for young, small, injured, older, and less agile pets. Another product on the market has a detachable ‘lip’ that locks onto the upper rim of the litter box and extends out horizontally a few inches from the rim to catch stray litter. This attachment does not extend the sides vertically to effectively prevent waste from overshooting the litter box.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need to provide an apparatus that prevents animal waste and litter from escaping from the litter box, and also allows easy cleanup and maintenance, flexible orientation, and can provide side-barrier protection, even to a low-sided litter pan.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention pertains to a system that alleviates the problems mentioned above. The system comprises an open-topped containment, such as formed by a frame or walled containment enclosure, and could hold and support a disposable liner. The containment system is securely supported on or around a standard litter box. The Litter Box Containment System of the present invention may also be referred to as a “surround” or “litter box surround”.  
         [0008]     One aspect of the invention is to provide a surround for a standard litter box that alleviates the problems mentioned above, in particular overshooting the confines of the litter box by the animal and thus depositing urine, feces, or spray outside of the box. It also alleviates the problem of waste and litter being tossed outside the bounds of the litter box by an animal that digs vigorously in the litter. Another aspect of the invention is to provide an open top to allow easy access for scooping out litter. The shape of the surround is less bulky than that of a litter box cover, making it easier to clean in a small utility sink. A disposable liner can help keep the supporting elements of the surround clean and create a barrier to contain waste within the litter box. The bottom edge of a disposable liner, if used, hangs below the upper rim of the litter box, along the inside, to prevent liquid from dripping outside the litter box.  
         [0009]     Further, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a Litter Box Containment System that can provide side barrier protection to standard litter boxes. Spaces that require a small litter box, such as a cage in a shelter, can have the advantage of side-barrier protection added to a small litter box. If a small or injured animal requires a low-sided pan for ease of access, the litter box surround need not add height to the entry opening.  
         [0010]     Yet another aspect is to provide a Litter Box Containment System that does not confine the pet beneath a cover while using the litter box.  
         [0011]     Even further, another aspect of the invention is to provide a Litter Box Containment System that does not confine odors to an area within the box.  
         [0012]     The present invention provides a litter box surround that is adapted to fit the size and particular shape of most commercially available litter boxes. The surround extends the sides of a litter box above the normal height, while providing an optionally re-locatable entranceway. Providing a flexible entry location allows the litter box to be oriented according to the needs of the surroundings or the pet. The open top of this configuration allows the litter box to be placed where a covered box might not fit, as under a sink where a drain pipe might interfere with placement of a covered litter box.  
         [0013]     The Litter Box Containment System does not interfere with and helps to hold a standard bottom litter pan liner in place if such a liner is used. The surround system may be removed and placed back into a secure position on or around the litter box with ease.  
         [0014]     One embodiment of the present invention provides a frame manufactured from a resilient plastic material or the like. A disposable liner, manufactured from a fluid impermeable, pliable material such as plastic or vinyl can be used in conjunction with or as a component of the litter box surround system.  
         [0015]     Another embodiment of the present invention provides upright supports which securely engage the rim of the litter box. A disposable liner is attached to the upright supports covering their interior aspects, and creating a side barrier including an opening between two supports to provide an entranceway into the litter box.  
         [0016]     Another embodiment of the invention is made of solid side panels which allows the panels to function as a barrier without the optional liner. In this embodiment, the inside bottom edge of the panels can have a ledge that extends down below the upper rim of the litter box along the inside of the litter box far enough so that no waste can escape. In the embodiment which has solid side panels, the panels may be hinged or attached to each other at the corners or sides. The hinges may be those which allow total disassembly of the panels. Any known hinging or attachment means is contemplated.  
         [0017]     The surround system may be constructed in a manner to be a fixed size or in a manner to be variable in size by means of members or panels that are adjustable. The surround system may be constructed of separate components that attach together by some means of connection which would allow the litter box surround system to be stored or shipped in a disassembled or flattened form. It may be constructed of separate components that connect together for assembly, or are hinged or attached in a way that allows the surround system to unfold into a three-dimensional configuration.  
         [0018]     The attachment means for the liner may be any suitable known means of attachment such as, but not limited to, clamps, spring clips, magnetic fasteners, tethered bullet nosed fasteners, adhesive strips, tape, hook and loop material, or hooks. The liner also may be formed to drape over the top of the frame, upright supports, or panels.  
         [0019]     Standard litter box bottom liners are commonly placed in the litter box to keep the bottom of the box clean and provide easy disposal of soiled litter. The present invention, on the upper rim of the litter box, does not interfere with the use of standard litter box bottom liners which drape over the upper edge of the litter box. If the surround system is positioned over the standard litter box bottom liner, it helps to hold that liner in place. The side barrier liner for the litter box surround is part of the present invention and covers the inner sides of the surround and extends below the upper rim of the litter box. For the purposes of this summary, this type of liner is referred to as a “side liner.” However, an additional embodiment is contemplated that incorporates an overall protective liner that protects both the litter pan and the surround in one piece. For the purposes of this summary, this “overall” liner will also be referred to as a “full” liner. By providing a full liner, one has the option to use one liner instead of two, i.e. one for the bottom of the litter pan and one for the side surround. The full liner can provide at least one area which may be formed into an entry opening, such as a perforated area. The liner also may incorporate one or more preformed openings that can be left open, or can be closed, such as by sealing a flap with an adhesive strip or tape.  
         [0020]     The present invention can be manufactured to exactly fit the shape of the upper rim of a specified litter box, or it can be more generic in how it fits on the litter box. To accommodate variations in the curvature of the upper rim of various litter boxes, the surround system can incorporate a flat bottom surface which rests on top of the upper rim of the litter box, and which is held securely in place by means, such as but not limited to, flanges, ledges, or brackets that extend down from the bottom of the surround system, and extend below the upper rim of the litter box. If the lip or flange is on the inner wall of the litter box, it could be covered by the lower edge of the disposable liner to protect it from waste.  
         [0021]     Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are intended solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1A  illustrates one embodiment of a litter box surround positioned on a standard litter box without a liner.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the litter box surround on a standard litter box with a side liner extending down below the upper rim of the litter box.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  including a side liner covering the inner surface of the surround frame and extending down below the upper rim of the litter box.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  including a full liner covering the inner surface of the surround and the litter box.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment with a side liner covering the inner surface of the surround frame and extending below the upper rim of the litter box.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment with an overall liner covering the inner surface of the surround frame and the litter box.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the surround system including hinged solid side panels and a choice of entry openings.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the surround system including folding solid side panels.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the surround system with an adjustable size frame positioned on a standard litter box.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a corner support.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6B  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that uses the corner support of  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the present invention, comprising a frame  10  positioned on a top rim  13  of a commercially available litter box  12 . The height of the frame  10  is sufficient to prevent waste from being displaced out of the litter box  12 . One embodiment of the present invention provides a frame  10  including a plurality of upright members  20 , each of the upright members  20  connected to the adjacent upright member by a top horizontal cross member  16  and a bottom horizontal cross member  18 . The bottom cross member  18  is formed to engage with the rim  13  of the litter box  12  so as to be structurally stable on the litter box  12 . The bottom cross member  18  may be flat and include at least two corner brackets  22  extending down from a bottom cross member  18  which has no specific bottom profile. The corner brackets  22  serve to stabilize the surround on the rim  13  of the litter box  12 .  
         [0034]     In  FIG. 1B , the depicted embodiment shows a frame  10  with a releasably attached side liner  28  covering the inner surface of the frame  10  on three sides. One side is left unlined to create an entry opening  30 . This embodiment shows a plurality of upright members  20  which connect to adjacent upright members  20  by a plurality of bottom cross members  18 . In this embodiment, there is no bottom cross member  18  on the side of the frame  10  which has the entry opening  30 . Each of the upright members  20  has a fastener  24  located on the inner surface near the top of the upright member  20 . The side liner  28  extends downward from the fasteners  24  along the inner surface of the frame  10 . The bottom edge  27  of the side liner  28  hangs below the upper rim  13  of the litter box  12 . A plurality of brackets  22  extend down from the bottom cross members  18  far enough below the upper rim  13  of the litter box  12  to prevent the frame  10  from moving back and forth or side to side on the litter box  12 .  
         [0035]     As seen in  FIG. 2A , on the interior surface of the frame  10 , a side liner  28  is extended downward from the frame  10  into the litter box  12 . It is important that the bottom edge  27  of side liner  28  extends below rim  13  where the frame  10  meets the litter box  12 . This serves to prevent waste from escaping through the transition area  17  where the surround frame  10  meets the litter box  12 . Fasteners  24  may be used to attach the liner  28  to the frame  10 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  includes a removable side liner  28  that is fastened to the top cross member  16  such that the removable liner extends at the inside of the top cross members  16  down below the upper rim  13  of the litter box  12 , see also  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 2B  shows an overall, or full liner  26  which covers the entire inside surface of the litter box  12  and extends upward to form the liner  26  for the frame  10 . At least one opening  30  is provided in the removable full liner  26  as shown in  FIG. 2B .  
         [0036]     The frame  10  of  FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment with a side liner  28 , which is attached by a fastener  24  at upright member  14  which forms one side of the entry opening, and the side liner  28  continues around the inner surface of the frame  10  and attaches to the upright member  14  that forms the other side of the entry opening  30 .  FIG. 2A  shows that the side liner  28  has been draped in a manner to allow the frame opening  30  on the long side of the box to remain open, while the liner covers the optional frame opening  31  on the short side of the box. In this embodiment, frame  10  includes four upright members  20 , one positioned in each corner of the frame  10 . The bottom cross member  18  includes four corner brackets  22  for engaging with the rim  13  of the litter box  12  and stabilizing the frame  10 . It is also possible to use only two corner brackets  22  positioned diagonally from one another to provide stability (not shown). It is also possible to use stabilizing downward extensions  39  in locations other than the corners, see  FIG. 4A .  
         [0037]      FIG. 2B  shows that the removable liner  26  is fastened to the inside of the top cross member  16  with adhesive tape  23 . Fastener  24 , shown in  FIG. 2A  can be implemented by a variety of fastening means, including, but not limited to, clamps, clips, hook and loop fastener, or tape.  
         [0038]     As mentioned above, an opening  30  is provided for the pet to enter the litter box  12 . An opening  30  is provided in the frame  10  and an opening in the full liner  26  is formed by two vertical cut lines  34  or perforated vertical areas  34 ′ that can be pulled open. The opening can also be formed by a flap which can be left open or sealed closed with an attached adhesive strip along each vertical edge covered by a removable material that covers the adhesive strip if the flap is to be left open (not shown). The opening  30  may be left open by folding the liner over the box as shown in  FIG. 2B .  
         [0039]     As discussed, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the removable full liner  26  is a bag having a bottom which is dimensioned to cover the entire inner surface of the litter box  12  and which has sides that extend up to the top cross member  16  of the surround frame  10 , see also  FIG. 3B . This type of full liner  26  may be attached to the top cross member  16  in the same way in which the side liner  28  is attached, that is by clamping  24 , with adhesive tape  23 , or any other fastening means.  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the bottom  32  of the frame  10  may be formed to engage with the upper rim  13  of the litter box  12  in a secure manner. In another embodiment, the bottom  32  of the frame  10  may be manufactured with a ledge (not shown) that extends down below and along the inner or outer surface of the rim  13  of the litter box  12 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 3B  shows downward extensions  22  that extend below the rim  13  of the inner and/or outer surface of the litter box  12  to stabilize the frame  10  on the litter box  12 .  
         [0042]     Another embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  is contemplated, in which the present invention comprises a plurality of solid panels  40  attached in a serial manner to create walls that extend above the top of litter box  12 . The panels  40  can be permanently or releasably attached to the adjacent panel(s). This embodiment illustrates panels  40  connected by hinges  42 . At least one hinge  42  may include a removable pin  44  so that the plurality of solid panels  40  can be flattened. A liner can be attached by means of fasteners  24 . A plurality of stabilizing downward extensions  39  may be used to stabilize frame  10  on the litter box  12 .  
         [0043]     Yet another embodiment of the surround as shown in  FIG. 4B  may include solid side panels  46  which are permanently connected and can be secured on or around a litter box. In the embodiment shown, where the adjacent panels  46  attach, there is a vertical weakened area  48  that is suitable for folding the solid panel  46  at the area  48  to either form a surround, or to fold it flat. It is possible to use a disposable liner (not shown) such as  26  or  28  attached with fasteners  24  with the solid panel surround in a similar fashion as discussed regarding the other embodiments. The entry opening  30  into the box can be formed by one or more openings  30  in the solid panels  46 , or by having two of the panels  46  left unconnected, as in a three-sided embodiment such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1B .  
         [0044]     Another embodiment of the frame  10  shown in  FIG. 5  is contemplated in which the frame  10  is made of adjustable cross members  16  and  18 , thereby making frame  10  adjustable in size. The cross members may comprise adjacent parts of different thicknesses, such that the thinner part  51  fits into a hollow area within the thicker part  52 , and the parts  51  and  52  releasably interlock to a fixed position relative to each other by some means, such as a locking screw  55  which tightens against the inner part  51 . While this drawing showed a specific adjustment means, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are a variety of possible adjustment means that can be used without departing from the scope and purpose of the disclosed invention. The bottom cross members  18  have extensions  23  that curve around the litter box rim  13  to stabilize the frame  10  on the litter box  12 .  
         [0045]     Yet another embodiment of the surround is shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . A free standing upright support  60  can be secured in each corner of a standard litter box  12 . The bottom  64  of the support  60  has an L-shaped channel  62  that curves to fit the rim  13  and corner of the litter box  12 . The upright support  60  can have a means to secure it to or against the litter box  12 , such as an adjustment screw  55 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the upright support  60  has a fastener  24 , which is used to attach a removable liner  28  which is draped down from the fasteners  24  along the inner surface of the supports  60 . An entry opening  30  is formed by leaving one area between two supports  60  undraped by the liner  28 . The bottom  64  of the upright support  60  is formed in a manner to engage securely with the upper rim  13  of the litter box  12 .  
         [0046]     It is understood that the frame or panels of the present invention can be manufactured in many variations, including, but not limited to:  
         [0047]     Fixed in size, with permanently attached pieces;  
         [0048]     Adjustable in size so the user can customize the length, width, and/or height of the frame or panels by such means as telescoping horizontal and/or vertical members with a ratcheted or locking system or attachment to stabilize or fix the desired dimensions;  
         [0049]     or horizontal, vertical, or combination configuration of frame members that can be attached together at more than one point or configuration to allow for size adjustment;  
         [0050]     or varying sized horizontal and/or vertical members that can be attached together to adjust the length and/or width of the frame or panels.  
         [0051]     The frame or panels can be manufactured as one piece; or as multiple parts or pieces that may include hinges, may be adjustable in size, or may be detachable, to allow the frame or panels to be collapsed or folded for cleaning or in order to take up less shelf, storage, packaging, or shipping space.  
         [0052]     Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.