Abstract:
An animal scratcher includes a unitary scratching board and an enclosure sized to accept at least a portion of the scratching board. A scratching board blank includes a plurality of sections, each section mechanically connected to another section; and at least one cut defined in the blank. A method of making a scratching board includes obtaining a blank; preparing at least one cut in the blank; folding the blank such that at least one cut is exposed and such that at least one scratching face is formed; and restraining the scratching board such that the scratching board is prevented from unfolding.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/670,107, filed Jul. 10, 2012, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to pet products. More specifically, this disclosure relates to cat scratchers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Household pets provide companionship, but many also provide a source of stress for their owners. According to the Humane Society, there are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States, and thirty-three percent of US households own at least one cat. A common source of frustration is the innate desire in many pets to scratch. Particularly with household cats, the desire to scratch often leads to destroyed furniture and household objects, some of which may be of high value. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Disclosed is an animal scratcher including a unitary scratching board and an enclosure sized to accept at least a portion of the scratching board. 
         [0005]    Also disclosed is a scratching board blank includes a plurality of sections, each section mechanically connected to another section; and at least one cut defined in the blank. 
         [0006]    Also disclosed is a method of making a scratching board includes obtaining a blank; preparing at least one cut in the blank; folding the blank such that at least one cut is exposed and such that at least one scratching face is formed; and restraining the scratching board such that the scratching board is prevented from unfolding. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal scratcher assembly in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an animal scratcher assembly in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board of the animal scratchers of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the scratching board blank of  FIG. 3   a  being formed into the scratching board of the animal scratchers of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 4   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
           [0014]      FIG. 5   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 5   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
           [0016]      FIG. 6   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 6   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
           [0018]      FIG. 7   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 7   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
           [0020]      FIG. 8   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 8   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
           [0022]      FIG. 9   a  is a schematic view of a scratching board blank formable into a scratching board in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9   b  is a side view of a scratching board formed from the scratching board blank of  FIG. 9   a  in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Because of scratching, many pet owners experience a conflict between the love for their pets and the desire to maintain their personal possessions and furniture without damage. Various solutions to the problem have been introduced but are ineffective for various reasons. 
         [0025]    One solution is a cat scratcher. A cat scratcher is typically an array of corrugated cardboard or some other generally porous, somewhat stiff, and somewhat textured material. In a typical cat scratcher product, a scratcher board is formed by aligning cardboard pieces face-to-face for a desired thickness, laminating the cardboard pieces, and cutting the laminated sheets with a band saw to form the scratching boards with the corrugations of the cardboard (also known as “flutes”) exposed on a scratching face to create a generally flat, porous surface. In some manufacturing processes, individual strips of cardboard are first cut and then glued together in this configuration. Typically, these products are several inches thick, several inches wide, and several inches deep such that there is ample surface for scratching. Cat scratchers of this variety may be industrially made or homemade. Although some commercial products exist, most are indistinguishable from homemade products. In use, a cat-owner places catnip inside the corrugations. The cat will scratch the cat scratcher in an attempt to reach the catnip trapped inside the scratcher. In this way, the cat-owner directs the cat&#39;s natural and innate desire for scratching to a product that is designed to be scratched rather than to furniture or other valuables. Often, the introduction of a cat scratcher will reduce the cat&#39;s interest in scratching elsewhere in the home. 
         [0026]    However, cat scratchers of the current design are not typically commercially viable products and may be hazardous to cats. First, costs of manufacturing a cat scratcher are typically too high to justify a sales price that is attractive to buyers. A typical cat owner can usually find cardboard to cut and glue together with relatively little effort. A mass-producer will cut the strips of cardboard, align the strips in an array such that the corrugations are exposed, and use glue between each strip. Not only is such a configuration labor intensive, but it also includes glue as a secondary product that is usually ordered and purchased. The increased cost of production makes the commercial product relatively expensive, and many cat owners cannot justify the cost of such a product when it may be economically made at home. 
         [0027]    Second, many glues introduce hazards to cats such that it is not desirable to use a glued product around a pet. When cats scratch the cat scratcher, the product slowly wears down. Particulate glue between the individual strips may be hazardous to cats. Many cat owners may not wish to expose their cats to potential hazards of toxic glues found in many cat scratcher products. 
         [0028]    The current disclosure solves the problems of prior systems by providing an economically-produced cat scratcher product that is substantially free of glues and other hazardous materials and may be safely used to prevent destruction of household items by cats and other scratching pets. Disclosed are methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus related to a new and improved animal scratcher. 
         [0029]    One embodiment of an animal scratcher  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The animal scratcher  100  includes a scratching board  110  and an enclosure  120 . The scratching board  110  is made of corrugated cardboard in the current embodiment, although many different materials may be used in various embodiments of animal scratcher. The scratching board  110  of the current embodiment is a unitary board such that there are no separate and distinct pieces as may be found in prior designs. This provides several advantages, including easier manufacturability and safer end products. 
         [0030]    The scratching board  110  includes a first scratching face  122 . The first scratching face  122  is a face exposing the corrugations of the cardboard such that catnip or other desired materials may be placed inside the corrugations. The first scratching face  122  is exposed and is intended to be scratched by an animal. Orienting the scratching board  110  such that the corrugations are exposed not only allows catnip to be placed inside the scratching board  110  but also allows for the stiffest surface to be exposed, preventing easy destruction by the animal. A second scratching face  123  (not shown) may be disposed opposite the first scratching face  122  and may provide an alternative scratching face. 
         [0031]    A first side  124  is seen in  FIG. 1 . A second side  125  is not seen but is opposite the first side  124 . A first end  126  is also seen in  FIG. 1 . The first end  126  displays the sides of the corrugations. A second end  127  is not seen but is opposite the first end  126 . In the current embodiment, the scratching board  110  is substantially rectangular in cross-section, although various shapes may be used. One of skill in the art would understand that the current disclosure is not limited to one specific shape. 
         [0032]    The enclosure  120  is generally rectangular as well and includes a rectangular cavity  131  defined in a face  132  of the enclosure  120 . The scratching board  110  is designed to fit into the cavity  131 . In some embodiments, the scratching board  110  may be provided separately from the enclosure  120 , so the scratching board  110  of the current embodiment is designed to fit within a usual enclosure such as enclosure  120 . The enclosure  120  includes walls  135 , 136 , 137 ,  138  and a base  139 . In some embodiments, the enclosure  120  may be produced by another producer for use with another product. The scratching board  110  may be sized to industry standards such that it may be used with various enclosures such as enclosure  120 . 
         [0033]    Another embodiment of an animal scratcher  200  is seen in  FIG. 2 . The animal scratcher  200  includes the scratching board  110  and end cap enclosures  220   a,b . In the current embodiment, the end cap enclosures  220   a,b  each include a first wall  222   a,b , a second wall  226   a,b , a first side  224   a,b , and a second side  228   a,b . Fold tabs  232   a,b ,  234   a,b  fold over a cavity defined in the end cap enclosures  220   a,b , and securing tabs  235   a,b  folds into the fold tabs  232   a,b ,  234   a,b , respectively. The securing tabs  235   a,b  each include a cover portion  236   a,b  and a fold-in portion  238   a,b . Although the end cap enclosures  220   a,b  are shown in this particular configuration, various configurations may be found in various embodiments, including end wraps (such as plastic wrap), mechanical enclosures (such as boxes formed of various materials), bolts or studs fit into holes in the ends, rubber bands or other elastic measures, and adhesives, among others. In some embodiments, various applications of materials may be applied to the ends only or to the entire scratching board. For example, an adhesive may be applied to the ends of the scratching board  110  to maintain its shape but not to introduce adhesive to an area that may be scratched by an animal. In another example, a rubber band or other mechanical constraint may be placed around the scratching board  110  such that it retains the shape of the scratching board at more than one location. One of skill in the art would understand that various enclosures may provide the benefit of retaining the shape of the scratching board  110  and are intended to be included in the disclosure. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3   a  shows a schematic view of a scratching board blank  1110  as a blank before being formed into the scratching board  110 . The scratching board blank  1110  is a unitary piece of corrugated cardboard, though other materials may be used in other embodiments. The scratching board blank  1110  includes twenty-four sections  1002   a - x . For clarity of drawing, ellipses are used where repeated elements occur from one section  1002  to another. One of skill in the art would understand that the disclosure is substantially the same for each section and, thus, additional reference elements are omitted to provide clarity of view. Similarly, in other FIGs., ellipses are used for repeated elements to prevent cluttering of view and to avoid unclear disclosure. One of skill in the art would understand that the elements discussed and pointed out in the current disclosure are repeated even if reference identifiers are not included for every instance of such feature. 
         [0035]    The first section, section  1002   a,  includes a first end  1004 . A second end  1006   a  is seen for the section  1002   a.  Each section  1002   a - w  includes a second end  1006   a - w , respectively. The section  1002   b  includes a first end  1005   b  and the second end  1006   b . Each section  1002   b - x  includes a first end  1005   b - x , respectively, as seen with examples  1002   c  and  1002   w , shown in  FIG. 3   a . Final section, section  1002   x , includes first end  1005   x  and second end  1008 . First end  1004  and second end  1008  also define the ends of the scratching board blank  1110 . Between each first end  1005  and second end  1006  are various cuts, score lines, and attachments that allow the scratching board blank  1110  to bend more easily and to be formed into the scratching board  110 . 
         [0036]    Between each second end  1006   a - w  and each first end  1005   b - x , respectively, are a first cut  1010   a - w  and a second cut  1011   a - w , respectively. Each cut  1010 , 1011  provides the exposed surface such that the corrugations in the cardboard are exposed. Without the cuts  1010 , 1011 , the corrugations would not be visible on the scratching faces  122 , 123 . 
         [0037]    Various score lines can also be seen in the view of  FIG. 3   a . Score lines  1021   a ,  1023   a ,  1025   a ,  1027   a ,  1029   a ,  1031   a ,  1033   a ,  1035   a  are proximate to the first cut  1010   a  and second cut  1011   a  as shown. Between score lines are connector tabs  1022   b ,  1024   b ,  1026   b ,  1032   b ,  1034   b . The connector tabs  1022   b ,  1024   b ,  1026   b ,  1032   b ,  1034   b  are shown with reference to cuts  1010   b  and  1011   b  to prevent cluttering the view with reference to cuts  1010   a  and  1011   a . However, connector tabs  1022   a ,  1024   a ,  1026   a ,  1032   a ,  1034   a  are included proximate to and between score lines  1021   a ,  1023   a ,  1025   a ,  1027   a ,  1029   a ,  1031   a ,  1033   a ,  1035   a  as well, although they are not specifically called out in the figure for clarity of view. Similarly, score lines  1021   b - w ,  1023   b - w ,  1025   b - w ,  1027   b - w ,  1029   b - w ,  1031   b - w ,  1033   b - w , and  1035   b - w  are proximate the first cuts  1010   b - w  and the second cuts  1011   b - w , respectively, and connector tabs  1022   b - w , 1024   b - w , 1026   b - w , 1032   b - w , 1034 b-w are proximate score lines  1021   b - w ,  1023   b - w ,  1025   b - w ,  1027   b - w ,  1029   b - w ,  1031   b - w ,  1033   b - w , and  1035   b - w , respectively. Reference characters related to such features have been omitted from the view of  FIG. 3   a  because such characters would be substantially repetitive while cluttering the view of the figure. One of skill in the art would understand that the score lines  1021   b - w ,  1023   b - w ,  1025   b - w ,  1027   b - w ,  1029   b - w ,  1031   b - w ,  1033   b - w ,  1035   b - w  and connector tabs  1022   b - w ,  1024   b - w ,  1026   b - w ,  1032   b - w ,  1034   b - w  would be repeated for the junction of each section  1002   a - w  with another section  1002   b - x.    
         [0038]      FIG. 3   b  shows a side view of the scratching board blank  1110  in assembly to become the scratching board  110 . The scratching board blank  1110  is folded along each joint between one section  1002   a - w  with another section  1002   b - x , respectively, such that the folding resembles an accordion. Cuts  1010   a - w ,  1011   a - w  allow the corrugations of the cardboard to be exposed to form scratching faces  122 , 123 . A first side of section  1002   a  becomes the first side  124  of the scratching board  110  and a first side of section  1002   x  becomes the second side  125  of the scratching board  110 . Score lines  1021   b - w ,  1023   b - w ,  1025   b - w ,  1027   b - w ,  1029   b - w ,  1031   b - w ,  1033   b - w ,  1035   b - w  and connector tabs  1022   b - w ,  1024   b - w ,  1026   b - w ,  1032   b - w ,  1034   b - w  keep the sections  1002   a - x  mechanically connected together so that the scratching board  110  need not use glue or other adhesive to stay together. Instead, only a mechanical constraint-such as enclosure  120  or end cap enclosures  220   a,b —is needed to hold the sections  1002   a - x  from springing apart. In some embodiments, adhesive may be used on at least part of the scratching board  110  to prevent the sections  1002   a - x  from springing apart. 
         [0039]    Scratching board blanks  1110  of the current disclosure are cut using die cut patterns. Animal scratchers of prior designs are typically made using band saws, which may introduce hazardous materials such as heavy metals into the cutting environment. By die cutting, potentially hazardous materials are eliminated from the production process, thereby limiting the potential that an animal will be exposed to such hazardous materials upon use of the animal scratcher  100  or of the scratching board  110 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4   a  displays a schematic view of another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1210 . The scratching board blank  1210  includes sections  1002   a - x . First ends  1005   b - x  and second ends  1006   a - w  are included with each section as indicated elsewhere with reference to scratching board blank  1110 . The scratching board blank  1210  includes first cuts  1211   a - w  and second cuts  1212   a - w  each located between one section  1002   a - w  and another section  1002   b - x , respectively. Each cut  1211   a - w ,  1212   a - w  in the current embodiment is a double-diamond shaped cut. Score lines  1223   a - w ,  1225   a - w , and  1227   a - w  are seen, as are connection tabs  1222   a - w ,  1226   a - w.    
         [0041]    As seen in the side view of  FIG. 4   b , the scratching board blank  1210  may be formed into a scratching board  210  by folding along each joint between one section  1002   a - w  with another section  1002   b - x , respectively, as described previously with respect to scratching board blank  1110 . The side view of  FIG. 4   b  shows that, when assembled, a first scratching face  2222  includes a texture pattern of peaks and valleys corresponding with the shape of the cuts  1211 , 1212 . Although a flat line is seen from the side view representing first end  1004 , a second scratching face (not shown) includes a profile complementary to the first scratching face  2222 . In the current embodiment, the first end  1004  and the second end  1008  are included for several reasons. First, the first end  1004  and second end  1008  provide guidance for placement of the scratching board  210  into an enclosure—such as enclosure  120 —and provide the scratching board  210  a tight, square fit in the enclosure, whereas a textured surface may rock or tilt or may not be secured as easily within such an enclosure. Second, the first end  1004  and second end  1008  allow for easier manufacturing because the squared ends  1004 , 1008  allow simpler palletization. Palletization refers to the “squaring up” of a number of such scratching board blanks  1210  (or  1110 , or those disclosed elsewhere herein) such that they can be stacked, shrinkwrapped, shipped, or otherwise handled by machinery in a standardized way without the need for special machinery or handling procedures. However, in some embodiments, the square shape of the first end  1004  and second end  1008  may be omitted in favor of a texture. 
         [0042]    Another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1310  is seen in  FIG. 5   a . The scratching board blank  1310  includes cuts  1311   a - w ,  1312   a - w  as well as score lines  1323   a - w ,  1325   a - w ,  1327   a - w  and connection tabs  1322   a - w ,  1326   a - w . Each cut  1311   a - w ,  1312   a - w  in the current embodiment is a Christmas tree-shaped cut. A side view of a scratching board  310  formed from the scratching board blank  1310  can be seen in  FIG. 5   b . A first scratching face  2322  is seen to show the profile created by cuts  1311   a - w ,  1312   a - w.    
         [0043]    Another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1410  is seen in  FIG. 6   a . The scratching board blank  1410  includes cuts  1411   a - w  as well as score lines  1423   a - w ,  1427   a - w  and connection tabs  1422   a - w ,  1426   a - w . Each cut  1411   a - w  in the current embodiment is a wave-shaped cut. A side view of a scratching board  410  formed from the scratching board blank  1410  can be seen in  FIG. 6   b . A first scratching face  2422  is seen to show the profile created by cuts  1411   a - w.    
         [0044]    Another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1510  is seen in  FIG. 7   a . The scratching board blank  1510  includes cuts  1511   a - w ,  1512   a - w ,  1513   a - w  as well as score lines  1523   a - w ,  1525   a - w ,  1527   a - w ,  1529   a - w  and connection tabs  1522   a - w ,  1526   a - w . Each cut  1511   a - w ,  1512   a - w ,  1513   a - w  in the current embodiment is a rectangular shaped cut. A side view of a scratching board  510  formed from the scratching board blank  1510  can be seen in  FIG. 7   b . A first scratching face  2522  is seen to show the profile created by cuts  1511   a - w ,  1512   a - w ,  1513   a - w.    
         [0045]    Another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1610  is seen in  FIG. 8   a . The scratching board blank  1610  includes cuts  1611   a - w ,  1612   a - w  as well as score lines  1623   a - w ,  1625   a - w ,  1627   a - w  and connection tabs  1622   a - w ,  1626   a - w . Each cut  1611   a - w ,  1612   a - w  in the current embodiment is an oblong cut or eyelid-shaped cut. A side view of a scratching board  610  formed from the scratching board blank  1610  can be seen in  FIG. 8   b . A first scratching face  2622  is seen to show the profile created by cuts  1611   a - w ,  1612   a - w.    
         [0046]    Another embodiment of a scratching board blank  1710  is seen in  FIG. 9   a . The scratching board blank  1710  includes cuts  1711   a - w ,  1712   a - w ,  1713   a - w ,  1714   a - w ,  1715   a - w , as well as score lines  1723   a - w ,  1724   a - w ,  1725   a - w ,  1727   a - w ,  1728   a - w ,  1729   a - w , and connection tabs  1722   a - w ,  1726   a - w . Each cut  1711   a - w ,  1712   a - w ,  1713   a - w ,  1714   a - w ,  1715   a - w  in the current embodiment is round or circular cut. A side view of a scratching board  710  formed from the scratching board blank  1710  can be seen in  FIG. 9   b . A first scratching face  2722  is seen to show the profile created by cuts  1711   a - w ,  1712   a - w ,  1713   a - w ,  1714   a - w ,  1715   a - w.    
         [0047]    Each scratching board  110 , 210 , 310 , 410 , 510 , 610 , 710  is formed by bending each scratching board blank  1110 , 1210 , 1310 , 1410 , 1510 , 1610 , 1710 , respectively, along the various scoring lines and cuts as disclosed herein with respect to  FIGS. 3   a - 9   b . Each section  1002   a - x  is folded with respect to adjacent sections  1002   a - x  such that the sections  1002   a - x  fold back on each other. This arrangement is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 3   b . When the sections  1002   a - x  are folded such that their surfaces are aligned, the scratching board blank  1110 , 1210 , 1310 , 1410 , 1510 , 1610 , 1710  is transformed into the scratching board  110 , 210 , 310 , 410 , 510 , 610 , 710 , respectively. The scratching board  110 , 210 , 310 ,  410 , 510 , 610 , 710  may then be used with an enclosure such as enclosure  120 , end cap enclosures  220   a,b , or another type of enclosure as previously described. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the animal scratcher  100 , 200  (and various modifications to animal scratcher  100 , 200  as disclosed herein) or the scratching board  110 , 210 , 310 , 410 , 510 , 610 , 710  individually may be provided in a shrinkwrapped packaging. In some embodiments, the shrinkwrapped packaging may provide at least part of the enclosure. In various embodiments, catnip or other similar animal product may be provided within the packaging. Other packaging may also be used in various embodiments. 
         [0049]    This disclosure represents one of many possible assembly configurations. One skilled in the art will understand obvious variations of this disclosure are intended to be included, including variations of steps, combinations of steps, and dissections of steps, among others. Where materials are chosen for the elements of this assembly, similar material choices may also be used and would be obvious to one in the art. 
         [0050]    One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
         [0051]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. 
         [0052]    Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.