Abstract:
A device for separating clean litter from soiled litter comprising a receptacle with one inlet and two discharge outlets. Soiled animal litter enters the receptacle through the inlet and clean litter is separated out from the soiled litter. When the container is tilted in a first direction, feces exit the container through the first outlet and clean litter is retained in the receptacle. When the container is tilted in a second direction, clean litter exits the container through the second outlet and clean litter is retained in the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention concerns the field of pet waste management. 
         [0007]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0008]    In a prior art search directed to the subject invention, the following U.S. Pat. Nos. were noted: 7,987,990; 6,941,894; 6,401,660; 5,823,138; 5,749,317; 5,690,051; 5,673,648; 5,517,947; 5,515,812; 5,394,833; 5,325,815; 5,211,133; 4,848,607; 4,602,593; 4,003,522; 3,796,188; 3,315,807; 2,595,713; 2,289,002; 1,141,727; 1,070,601; 1,027,734; 990,911; 990,909; 790,572; 326,866; D 364,944 and D 359,832. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a receptacle with one inlet and two discharge outlets. Soiled animal litter enters the receptacle through the inlet and feces, together with soiled or clumped litter, are separated from clean litter. Feces and soiled litter are directed towards a first one of the outlets and unsoiled litter is directed towards the other, second, outlet. The container then can be tilted in a first direction with the result that feces and soiled litter exit the container through the first outlet. The container can then be tilted in a second direction so that clean litter exits the container through the second outlet. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device into which the contents of an entire pet litter container can be dumped. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which effectively separates soiled litter from clean litter. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which has a first outlet for dumping soiled litter into a suitable receptacle. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which has a second outlet for dumping clean litter into a suitable receptacle, such as a pet litter box, for reuse. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which simplifies the dirty job of cleaning pet litter. 
         [0015]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for cleaning pet litter which is faster and easier than current methods. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for cleaning pet litter which is more efficient than current methods. 
         [0017]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for cleaning pet litter which is more sanitary and less dirty than current methods. 
         [0018]    These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by persons skilled in the art who study the following description and the accompanying drawings which, although thorough, are merely illustrative of the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a device according to the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inside of the device, shown in cross-section, taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view corresponding with  FIG. 2  and showing the device tipped in a first direction. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view corresponding with  FIG. 2  and showing the device tipped in a second direction. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a separating screen suitable for use in the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a separating screen suitable for use in the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a separating screen suitable for use in the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another example of a device according to the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another example of a device according to the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another example of a device according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    A receptacle according to the present invention is indicated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1  and it comprises an inlet  12 , a first outlet  14  and a second outlet  16 . The container further comprises a first side wall  18 , a second side wall  20 , a front wall  22  and a rear wall  24 . A lip  26  at the top of the receptacle  10  provides handles  28 . The inlet  12  is defined by a first baffle  30  and a second baffle  32 . The first baffle  30  is spaced from the first side wall  18  to define the first outlet  14 . The second baffle  32  is spaced from the second side wall  20  to define the second outlet  16 . The first baffle  30  extends from the front wall  22  to the rear wall  24 . The second baffle  32  also extends from the front wall  22  to the rear wall  24 . The first baffle  30  slopes downwardly so that a first edge  34  adjacent to the first side wall  18  is closer to the lip  26  than a second edge  36  of the first baffle  30 . The second baffle  32  slopes downwardly so that a first edge  38  adjacent to the second side wall  20  is closer to the lip  26  than a second edge  40  ( FIG. 2 ) of the second baffle  32 . The second edge  36  of the first baffle  30  is closer to the lip  26  than the second edge  40  of the second baffle  32 . The second edge  36  of the first baffle  30  is spaced from the second baffle  32  thereby defining the inlet  12 . 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a receptacle bottom  42  extends from the first side wall  18  to a second side wall  20 . The receptacle bottom  42  also extends from the front wall  22  ( FIG. 1 ) to the rear wall  24 . A first screen  44  is supported within the receptacle  10  and extends between the front wall  22  and rear wall  24 . The first screen  44  is positioned between the receptacle bottom  42 , on the one hand, and the baffles  30  and  32 , on the other hand. A first edge  46  of the first screen  44  is spaced from the first side wall  18 . A second edge  48  of the first screen  44  is adjacent to an inner wall  50  which is spaced from the second side wall  20 . 
         [0031]    The inner wall  50  and the first side wall  18  define a second outlet passageway  52  which leads to the second outlet  16 . The inner wall  50  has an upper edge  54  which is adjacent to the first edge  38  of the second baffle  32 . The inner wall has a lower edge  56  which is spaced apart from the receptacle bottom  42 . 
         [0032]    The first screen  44  is supported in the receptacle  10  so that it has a serpentine shape so that the second edge  48  of the first screen  44  is higher, i.e., closer to the lip  26  then a central region  58 . This is a preferred embodiment. However, the first screen  44  may be supported so that it is generally planar. A screen support  60  may be provided on the rear wall  24  and corresponding screen support (not shown) may be provided on the front wall  22  so that the first screen  44  is supported in a serpentine shape, or flat, or any other desired configuration. If desired, the second edge  48  of the first screen  44  maybe supported on a screen support  62  provided on the inner wall  50 . 
         [0033]    A second screen  64  may be supported within the receptacle  10  in a manner similar to the way that the first screen  44  is supported. If a second screen  64  is provided, it should have openings that are smaller than the openings in the first screen  44 . 
         [0034]    A third screen  66  and a fourth screen  68  with successively smaller openings may be provided with the receptacle  10 . Additional screens (not shown) may be provided if desired. The screens should extend from the rear wall  24  to the front wall  22  so that material which enters the receptacle  10  does not pass between the screens and the front and rear walls  22  and  24 . 
         [0035]    A first outlet passageway  70  extends along the length of the first side wall  18  to the first outlet  14 . When the receptacle  10  is tilted to the position shown in  FIG. 3 , material which has been caught on the first screen  44  and additional screens, if any, enters the first outlet passageway  70 . With the assistance of gravity, material in the first outlet passageway  70  will exit the receptacle  10  through the first outlet  14 . Material which passes through the first screen  44  and successive screens, if any, pass into a litter containment region  72 . A litter containment baffle  74  separates the first outlet passageway  70  from the litter containment region  72 . When the receptacle  10  is tipped to the position shown in  FIG. 3 , material, i.e., clean litter, is retained within the litter containment region  72  and is prevented from entering the first outlet passageway  70 . Thus, clean litter in the litter containment region  72  is prevented from mixing with the soiled litter in the first outlet passageway  70 . When the receptacle  10  is tipped from the position shown in  FIG. 3  to the position shown in  FIG. 1 , clean litter remains in the litter containment region  72  and soiled litter has been discharged from the receptacle  10  through the first outlet  14 . When the receptacle  10  is tipped from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the position shown in  FIG. 4 , clean litter, with the assistance of gravity, enters the second outlet passageway  52  and exits the receptacle  10  through second outlet  16 . The receptacle  10  is now empty and is ready to be used again. 
         [0036]    A screen  76  shown in  FIG. 5  comprises a sifting screen  78  contained within a frame  80 . Portions of the frame  80  may be received within the inner wall screen support  62  and/or the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). The screen  76  may be provided in a flat configuration and caused to assume a serpentine shape by cooperation with the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). Alternatively, the screen  76  may be provided in a flat configuration and supported in the receptacle  10  in a flat configuration or another desired configuration. The screen  76  is suitable for use in the receptacle  10  and may be used in place of one or more of the screens  44 ,  64 ,  66  or  68 . 
         [0037]    A screen  82  shown in  FIG. 6  comprises a sifting screen  78  without a frame. Edge portions of the screen  82  may be received within the inner wall screen support  62  and/or the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). The screen  82  may be provided in a flat configuration and caused to assume a serpentine shape by cooperation with the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). Alternatively, the screen  82  may be provided in a flat configuration and supported in the receptacle  10  in a flat configuration or another desired configuration. The screen  82  is suitable for use in the receptacle  10  and may be used in place of one or more of the screens  44 ,  64 ,  66  or  68 . 
         [0038]    A screen  84  shown in  FIG. 7  comprises a sifting screen  86  and a sifting screen extension  88 . The screen  84  may be provided with a frame (not shown). The sifting screen extension  88  is not perforated and the screen  84  is preferred for use as the screen that is closest to the receptacle bottom  42  in the receptacle  10 . Portions of the screen  84  may be received within the inner wall screen support  62  and/or the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). The screen  84  may be provided in a flat configuration and caused to assume a serpentine shape by cooperation with the rear wall screen support  60  and/or the corresponding front wall screen support (not shown). Alternatively, the screen  84  may be provided in a flat configuration and supported in the receptacle in a flat configuration or another desired configuration. The screen  84  is suitable for use in the receptacle  10  and may be used in place of one or more of the screens  44 ,  64 ,  66  or  68  although, as indicated above, it is preferred to use the screen  84  so that it is positioned closest to the receptacle bottom  42 . 
         [0039]    Another example of a receptacle according to the present invention is indicated generally at  90  in  FIG. 8 . A handle  92  is provided on the receptacle  90 . The handle  92  makes it easier to control the receptacle  90  as it is being manipulated in the manner described above. Because of the nature of the invention, it is very important to be able to exercise control over the receptacles  10  and  90  whenever they are being manipulated. Additional handles may be included, as desired. 
         [0040]    Another example of a receptacle according to the present invention is indicated at  100  in  FIG. 9 . A receptacle bottom  102  extends from a first side wall  104  to a second side wall  106 . The receptacle bottom  102  also extends from a front wall (not shown) to a rear wall  108 . A removable lid  110  can be used to seal the top of the receptacle  100  when desired. 
         [0041]    The receptacle  100  has an inlet  112  near the top defined by a first baffle  114  and a second inlet baffle  116 . A first screen  118  is supported within the receptacle  100  and extends between the front wall and the rear wall  108 . The first screen  118  is positioned between the receptacle bottom  102 , on the one hand, and the baffles  114  and  116 , on the other hand. A first edge  120  of the first screen  118  is spaced from the first side wall  104 . A second edge  122  of the first screen  118  is adjacent to and may be supported on an inner wall  124  which is spaced from the second side wall  106 . 
         [0042]    The inner wall  124  and the first side wall  106  define a second outlet passageway  126  which leads to the second outlet  128 . The inner wall  124  has an upper edge  130  which is adjacent to an edge  132  of the second baffle  116 . The inner wall  124  has a lower edge  134  which is spaced apart from the receptacle bottom  102  to create an opening or inlet to the second outlet passageway  126 . 
         [0043]    The first screen  118  is substantially planar and is supported in the receptacle  100  so that the edge  120  is closer to the bottom  102  than the opposed edge  122 . The first screen  118  may be supported in this orientation in the container  100  by a rear wall screen support  136  and a corresponding screen support on the front wall. If desired, the second edge  122  of the first screen  118  may be supported by a screen support provided on the inner wall  124 . 
         [0044]    A second screen  138  may be supported within the receptacle  100 , between the first screen  118  and the receptacle bottom  102 , in a manner similar to the way that the first screen  118  is supported. If a second screen  138  is provided, it should have openings that are smaller than the openings in the first screen  118 . Additional screens may be provided and positioned between the inlet  112  and the receptacle bottom  102 . These screens, if any, should extend from the rear wall  108  to the front wall like the screens  118  and  138  so that material which enters the receptacle  100  through the inlet  112  does not pass between the screens and the front wall and the rear wall  108 . 
         [0045]    A first outlet passageway  140  extends along the length of the first side wall  104  to a first receptacle outlet  142 . When the receptacle  100  is tilted to the excrement discharge position shown in  FIG. 3  for the receptacle  10 , material which has been caught on the first screen  118  and additional screens, if any, enters the first outlet passageway  140 . With the assistance of gravity, material in the first outlet passageway  140  will exit the receptacle  100  through the first outlet  142 . Material which passes through the first screen  118  and successive screens, if any, fall into a litter containment region  144 . That material will be substantially excrement free litter because excrement in soiled litter that enters the receptacle  100  through the inlet  112  will be filtered out and will pass into the first passageway  140 . 
         [0046]    A litter containment baffle  146  separates the first outlet passageway  140  from the litter containment region  144  so that clean litter in the litter containment region  144  is separated from excrement in the first outlet passageway and vice versa. When the receptacle  100  is tipped to the excrement discharge position shown in  FIG. 3  for the receptacle  10 , material, i.e., clean litter, is retained within the litter containment region  144  and is prevented from entering the first outlet passageway  140 . Thus, clean litter in the litter containment region  142  is prevented from mixing with the soiled litter in the first outlet passageway  140 . 
         [0047]    When the receptacle  100  is tipped to the excrement discharge position, excrement will be discharged from the receptacle through outlet  142  and may be directed into a disposal device such as a waste basket lined with a sealable plastic bag. When the receptacle  100  is tipped from the position of the receptacle  10  shown in  FIG. 3 , to the upright position of the receptacle  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , clean litter remains in the litter containment region  140  after soiled litter has been discharged from the receptacle  100  through the first outlet  142 . A lateral litter containment baffle  148  helps to maintain clean litter in the litter containment region  144  when the receptacle is tilted to the excrement discharge position. Handles  150  on the second side  106  facilitate tipping the receptacle  100  to the excrement discharge position. 
         [0048]    When the receptacle  100  is tipped from the upright position shown for the receptacle  10  in  FIG. 1  to the litter discharge position shown for the receptacle  10  in  FIG. 4 , clean litter, with the assistance of gravity, enters the second outlet passageway  126  and exits the receptacle  100  through second outlet  128 . Clean litter may be directed from the outlet  128  into a litter box or the like. Handles  152  on the first side  104  facilitate tipping the receptacle  100  to the litter discharge position. After excrement and litter have been discharged, the receptacle  100  is empty and is ready to be used again. Alternatively, clean litter may be discharged more than once without discharging excrement. The lid  110  is especially important in this case. 
         [0049]    Another example of a receptacle according to the invention is indicated generally at  160  in  FIG. 10 . It corresponds generally with the receptacle  100  shown in  FIG. 9  with some differences which are described below. Inside the receptacle  160 , there is a first screen  162 , a second screen  164  and a third screen  166 . The screens  162 ,  164 , and  166  are curved with middle portions  168 ,  170 , and  172  that are lower, i.e., closer to a bottom  174  of the receptacle  160 , than first end portions  176 ,  178 , and  180 . The middle portions  168 ,  170 , and  172  are also lower, i.e., closer to the bottom  174  of the receptacle  160 , than second end portions  182 ,  184 , and  186 . 
         [0050]    A first vertical litter containment baffle  188  extends upwardly from the bottom  174  of the receptacle  160  and a lateral litter containment baffle  190  extends laterally from the baffle  188  towards a side wall  192  and downwardly from the baffle  188  towards the bottom  174  of the receptacle. The vertical litter containment baffle  188  extends above the lateral litter containment baffle  190  to the second end  188  of the screen  166 . 
         [0051]    A lid  194  for the container  160  is provided with a handle  196 . A gasket (not shown) may be provided on the underside of the lid  194  to engage the upper edge of the receptacle  160  to reduce odor around the receptacle. Alternatively, a gasket may be provided on the upper edge of the receptacle  160  to engage the lid  194  or the upper edge of the receptacle  160  to reduce odor. 
         [0052]    It will be appreciated that the invention, as it is described above, is subject to innumerable modifications which would not affect the essential character or nature or function of the invention and such modifications are to be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.