Abstract:
A device for transporting and storing solid animal waste collected from a self cleaning kitty litter box and replenishing litter within the box. Replacement litter storage is positioned above the box. A mechanism releases predetermined amounts of litter into the box during cycling of a rake that cleans the box. A collection member has a first position where it receives waste collected by the rake. The collection member is disposed between the storage member and the box and at a second position transfers the waste to the storage member. A drive mechanism is mounted to the collection member moves it between the first position and the second position. The combined members in conjunction with the self cleaning litter box provide a litter box that needs no maintenance over long periods.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/955,637 filed Sep. 18, 2001 now abandoned, which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/411,849 filed Nov. 17, 1999, which issued on Sep. 18, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,847. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the transfer and storage of solid animal waste, and replenishment of kitty litter, particularly as an attachment to a self-cleaning kitty litter box. 
     2. Background Art 
     With cats now becoming the most popular type of domestic pet, the use of kitty litter boxes continues to increase proportionally. Kitty litter boxes are normally made of plastic or similar material so that the cat&#39;s urine will not leak through the box. The box has placed in it one of any number of particulate kitty litter material meant to absorb moisture and odor from the cat&#39;s waste, as well as provide clumping agents so that the cat&#39;s liquid waste may solidify. These particulate materials are generally referred to as kitty litter. Cats also tend to bury their solid waste in the kitty litter. 
     General practice for most cat owners is to discard the kitty litter after an extended period of time. However, before the kitty litter has reached a state where it needs to be totally dumped, it is often necessary to periodically remove the cat&#39;s solid waste in order to prevent it from being kicked out of the litter box by the cat upon subsequent visits to the litter box, so that the cat or other animals do not step on the solid waste, thereby transferring it to other areas and causing a potential mess. 
     Many cat owners find the task of manually searching the kitty litter for solid waste to be obnoxious and burdensome. Thus, inventors have sought to devise ways of cleaning the solid waste automatically from kitty litter boxes. Patents showing devices for cleaning litter boxes include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,096,827; 4,180,804; 4,190,525; 4,325,325; and 4,325,822. More recently, the inventor&#39;s licensee has commercialized a self-cleaning litter box, covered by U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,465 and issued to the inventor of the present invention, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,812, which discloses a self-cleaning litter box. While such litter box is self-cleaning, the solid waste holder, when full, must be slid out of the housing so that the solid waste may be dumped. 
     When a cat owner is away for a significant period of time or is otherwise unable to dump the tray, the cat&#39;s solid waste may collect and overflow the tray, which is unsightly and potentially messy due to the cats kicking it from box, etc. In other embodiments of the self-cleaning cat tray, a sensor provided in cooperation with the lid may cause the unit to cease operating when the tray becomes filled to a pre-determined limit, such as when the lid is oriented away from its rest position. 
     Also, since in many self-cleaning options, kitty litter is dumped into the tray with waste, over a period of time, the amount of kitty litter for use by the cat is reduced. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device which is capable of accommodating a cat owner&#39;s absence or inability to dump solid waste from kitty litter boxes at intervals required by typical litter boxes. Further, there is a need for a device which cooperates with the dumping of solid waste from the kitty litter boxes to automatically replenish the supply of kitty litter in the box. Such device should also be compatible with current self-cleaning kitty litter box designs, should be easy to operate, easy to clean, easy to assemble, and easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object according to the present invention to provide a device adaptable to a kitty litter box for transferring waste from the kitty litter box while providing for the replenishing of kitty litter within the box. 
     It is another object according to the present invention to provide a device compatible with current self-cleaning kitty litter boxes for receiving and transferring waste therefrom and replenishing the kitty litter therein. 
     It is still another object according to the present invention to provide a self-cleaning kitty litter box which is adapted to remove the waste from the main kitty litter tray, receive the waste, and transfer the waste to a storage apparatus while replenishing the kitty litter. 
     It is yet another object according to the present invention to provide a device for transferring waste from and replenishing kitty litter into a litter box which is simple to operate, clean and assemble. 
     It is still a further object according to the present invention to provide a device for transferring waste from a kitty litter box and storing such waste under circumstances under which the cat owner is unavailable or unable to clean or remove the wasted from kitty litter at suggested or predetermined intervals while replenishing the kitty litter in the box. 
     In carrying out the above object and other objects of the present invention, a kitty litter replenishment device for use with a self cleaning kitty litter box that has a rake that periodically cycles through the kitty litter in the box to move waste and associated kitty litter to a waste collection area is provided, It includes a storage area for kitty litter to replenish kitty litter in the box, and a release mechanism for controlling when predetermined amounts of kitty litter in the storage area is released into the box. The predetermined amount of kitty litter is released with each cycle of the rake a device for transporting solid animal waste is provided. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a long-term kitty litter maintenance device for a self cleaning kitty litter box that has a rake that periodically cycles through the kitty litter in the box to move waste and associated kitty litter to a waste collection area is provided. It includes a waste storage device and a kitty litter replacement device that work together to allow a kitty litter box that can be used for long periods without little maintenance. It includes a collection member orientable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the collection member receives the waste. It also has a drive mechanism mounted to the collection member for moving the collection member between the first position and the second position. A large capacity storage member is included for receiving the waste from the collection member and storing the waste. In the first position, the collection member serves as the waste collection area for waste from the kitty litter box and in the second position, the collection member is disposed adjacent the storage member and transfers the waste to the storage member through its opening for storage. Also included is a storage area for kitty litter to replenish kitty litter in the box, and a release mechanism for controlling when predetermined amounts of kitty litter in the storage area is released into the box. The predetermined amount of kitty litter being released with each cycle of the rake. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, a kitty litter replenishment device for use with a self cleaning kitty litter box that has a rake that periodically cycles through the kitty litter in the box to move waste and associated kitty litter to a waste collection area is provided which includes a storage area for kitty litter to replenish kitty litter in the box positioned above the box and a release mechanism for controlling when predetermined but adjustable amounts of kitty litter in the storage area is released into the box. The predetermined amount of kitty litter is released with each cycle of the rake. The release mechanism releases the predetermined amount of kitty litter in response to abutment of a portion of the release mechanism by the rake in the course of movement during its cycle. 
     The above object and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device according to the present invention, illustrating both the rest position and the dumping position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention, illustrating the collection member in the dumping position; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention, showing the drive mechanism disposed in the housing in the first rest position and without the collection member and the disposal member; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of the device according to the present invention, showing the drive mechanism disposed in the housing in the second dumping position and without the collection member and the disposal member; 
     FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of the side elevational view of the second embodiment of the device showing the collection member in various positions, and also showing the device in association with a self-cleaning kitty litter box; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing of the second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in association with the funnel member; 
     FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the device according to the second embodiment showing the drive mechanism, and further showing the upper housing portion in phantom; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of the second embodiment with a partial lower portion of the housing, and further showing the assembly of the collection member thereto; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the disposal member of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the housing of a third embodiment device according to the present invention, in association with the funnel member; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the side elevation view of the third embodiment of the device showing the collection member in various positions and also showing the device in association with a self-cleaning kitty litter box; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the elements of the replenishing portion of the third embodiment of the device; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the kitty litter release mechanism of the third embodiment when the release member can receive kitty litter; and 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the kitty litter release mechanism of the third embodiment where the kitty litter can leave the release member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-4, shown therein is a first embodiment of a waste disposal assembly device  10  according to the present invention for transporting waste to a storage container. Assembly  10  is particularly suited for transporting waste from a kitty litter box  60 . More particularly, assembly  10  is adapted for use in association with a self-cleaning kitty litter box  60 , including but not limited to the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,465 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,812, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Kitty litter box  60  also includes the product LitterMaid™ manufactured by the Windmere Corporation of Miami Lakes, Fla., now Applica Incorporated, under U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,465. Kitty litter box  60  is generally shown in FIG. 1 in phantom. Such examples of litter box  60  apply equally to litter box  100  disclosed further herein. 
     Note that while various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, assembly  10  includes a housing  12 , a collection member  14 , and a disposal (or storage) member  16 . Disposal member  16  may include a disposable inner liner, not shown, to allow repeated use of disposal member  16 . With reference to FIGS. 2-4 (and as best shown in FIGS.  3 - 4 ), assembly  10  also includes a drive mechanism  18  which is mounted to collection member  14  and is operable to remove, lift, or otherwise transport the waste  64  which is collected in area  19  of collection member  14 . Drive mechanism  18  is best illustrated in FIG.  3  and FIG.  4 . As shown therein, drive mechanism  18  includes a motor  20 , and a drive shaft  22  affixed to motor  20  at one end. The other end of drive shaft  22  is received by a gearbox  24 . Gearbox  24  is operable to manipulate and operate a pair of transport (lifting) members  26 ,  28  smoothly between a first (rest) position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and second (dumping) position (as shown in phantom in FIG.  1  and also in FIG.  4 ), according to the present invention. 
     As further illustrated in FIG. 3, lifting member  26  is illustrated as being directly attached to gearbox  24 , while lifting member  28  is spaced apart from gearbox  24  by a shaft  30 , which is disposed between gearbox  24  and lifting member  28 . Shaft  30  is engaged with gearbox  24  at one end and lifting member  28  at its other end. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, gear box  24  is fixedly disposed within housing  12 . Lifting member  26  is mounted to gearbox  24  via a pin  32  which has an axis corresponding to the axis of shaft  30  and which allows lifting member  26  to pivot and move relative to gearbox  24 . (See FIG.  4 ). Preferably, shaft  30  is coaxially aligned with pin  32  so that lifting members  26  and  28  are operable to move in a synchronized manner. Each lifting member  26  and  28  includes a first lifting portion and a second lifting portion. Lifting member  26  includes first lifting portion  34  and second lifting portion  36  which are pivotably mounted to each other via pin  38 . Similarly, lifting member  28  includes first lifting portion  40  and second lifting portion  42  which are similarly pivotably mounted to each other at pin  41 . With reference to FIG. 1, the free ends of lifting members  26 ,  28  are pivotably joined to depending supports  48  by pins  45 . FIG. 3 illustrates drive mechanism  18  in a first, retracted (or rest) position. FIG. 4 shows drive mechanism  18  in a second, extended (or dumping) position. 
     While drive mechanism  18  includes those components shown in FIGS. 3-4 and described above, it is fully contemplated herein that drive mechanism  18  may include any number or variety of components which allow it to operate and manipulate assembly  10  in accordance with the present invention. Thus, in another embodiment, motor  20 , drive shaft  30 , and gearbox  24  may be centrally disposed between lifting members  26  and  28  such that a drive shaft similar to drive shaft  30  may extend laterally from gearbox  24  to its corresponding lifting members  26  and  28 . 
     FIGS. 2-4 illustrate drive mechanism  18  disposed within housing  12 . Note that housing  12  includes a pair of opposed side panels  44 ,  46 , a front panel  48  vertically oriented, a front angled panel  50 , and a front horizontal panel  52 . Angled front panel  50  has a pair of openings  54 ,  56 , through which may extend lifting members  26 ,  28 , respectively and more particularly, upper portion  36 ,  42  of each lifting member  26 ,  28 , respectively, when drive mechanism  18  is operable and is in a dumping position (shown in FIGS. 2,  4  and in phantom as shown by container  14 ′ in FIG.  1 ). 
     In keeping with the teachings according to the present invention, assembly  10  is operable to transport or remove waste  64 , preferably from a kitty litter box  60 . As shown in FIG. 1, housing  12  includes a pressure transducer or load sensor  62  for measuring or detecting pressure or load. Particularly, transducer  62  is disposed between collection member  14  and housing  12  and is cooperable with drive mechanism  18 . However, switch mechanism  62  may be disposed in any acceptable location which allows it to sufficiently measure the pressure or load of waste  64  in collection member  14  in order to actuate motor  20  for operating drive mechanism  18  according to the present invention responsive to the amount of collected waste. Switching member  62  is in communication with motor  20 , thereby actuating motor  20  and operating drive mechanism  18  as described heretofore in association with FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     Accordingly, collection member  14  is oriented to receive waste  64  therein. Waste  64  may be received by collection member  14  under any number of circumstances, including but not limited to device  10  being position adjacent self-cleaning kitty litter box  60  such that the waste  64  removed during the cleaning cycle of self-cleaning kitty litter box  60  is transported or otherwise disposed within collection member  14 . Housing  12  may include an opening  81  transversely disposed along its bottom portion for allowing it to fit or mate with self-cleaning kitty litter box  60 . 
     When switch mechanism  62  (or sensor) detects a threshold predetermined amount of pressure or load in collection member  14 , it actuates the electrical sequence and motor  20 . Alternatively, device  10  may be operated at predetermined intervals, such as being responsive to the number of cycles of the self-cleaning litter box  60  or the passage of time. Its operation may also be triggered by a switch mechanism responsive to the movement of rake  61  of litter box  60  as it proceeds through its cleaning cycle. Of course, it is fully contemplated that the switch or sensor may be triggered by any number of variables, such as sound, motion, etc. Each embodiment disclosed and contemplated herein may include an operator-activated switch, shown as a button  63 , may be included to allow manual operation as desired by the pet owner or other user. 
     When collection member  14  is in contact with housing  12  as shown in FIG. 1, drive mechanism  18  is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 3 in a first rest position. Collection member  14  is also affixed to housing  12  and pivotably moves relative to housing  12 . Particularly, collection member  14  is preferably mounted to housing  12  via pivot pin members  66  (FIG. 2) which are mounted to collection member  14  and are inserted through holes  68 ,  70  formed in housing side walls  44  and  46 , respectively. 
     With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, assembly  10  further includes a pair of brackets  72  and  74  mounted at one end to collection member  14 . The other end of brackets  72 ,  74  are attached to a lid  76  for storage compartment (disposal member)  16 . Lid  76  is pivotably attached to storage member  16  via hinge portions  78 . When drive mechanism  18  is in the first rest position, lid  76  is oriented so that it covers the upper opening  80  of storage compartment  16 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the dumping position, the raised angle of collection member  14  causes brackets  72 ,  74  to be raised at an angle, thereby correspondingly raising lid  76  from opening  80 , such that any waste  64  disposed in collection member  14  slides or rolls off collection member  14  and into storage container  16  for disposal. Note that the rear portion of collection member  14  is oriented adjacent to opening  80  of container member  16  when in the second dumping position. 
     In operation, activation of the motor  20  will cause rotation in gearbox  24 , in turn causing each first lifting portion  34 ,  40  of drive mechanism  18  to rotate about the axis of shaft  30  starting from the first (rest) position. Pins  38 ,  41  move in a path defined by a circle about the shaft axis. Both the shaft axis and pivot pins  66  of collection number  14  are fixed with respect to housing  12 . Thus, as pins  38 ,  41  move in a circular path about the shaft axis, second lifting portions  36 ,  42  are constrained by pins  45  to move drive mechanism  18  from the first (or rest) position shown in FIG. 3 to the second (or dumping) position shown in FIG.  4 . This causes collection member  14  to be moved from its lowered filling (rest) position shown in FIG. 1 to the second (dumping) position also shown in FIG. 1 by collection member  14 ′. to complete its cycle, pins  38 ,  41  continue about the circle until first lifting portions  34 ,  40  return to the first (rest) position, such that collection member  14  is lowered to the filling position. Motor  20  then stops. It is also contemplated that disposal member  16  (and  116  herein) may include a vacuum or other means of drawing waste  64  therein. 
     FIGS. 5-10 illustrate generally a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, designated as assembly device  110 . In order to illustrate the operation of device  110 , FIGS. 5-6 illustrate device  110  without a housing or drive mechanism. As shown in FIG. 5, device  110  may operate in association with a self-cleaning kitty litter box  100 . Device  110  includes a housing  112  (shown in FIGS.  7  and  8 ), a collection member  114  (shown in FIGS.  5  and  8 ), a storage member  116  (shown in FIGS. 5,  7  and  9 ), and a drive mechanism  118  (shown in FIGS.  7  and  8 ). Storage member may include a disposable inner liner, not shown, to allow repeated use of storage member  116 . 
     With reference to FIG. 7, drive mechanism  118  is illustrated in detail. Drive mechanism  118  includes a motor  120 , a control box  121 , drive member or chain  126 , and a plurality of drive and idler tooth sprockets  123 ,  125 , respectively. Drive mechanism  118  also includes a gearbox  124  which preferably includes a reduction mechanism. Further, drive mechanism  118  has a shaft coupling  127  and a motor coupling  122 . Drive mechanism  118  further includes a drive shaft  130  and driving bushings  141 . Each is joined to drive sprockets  123  and drive chain  126 . 
     As best illustrated in FIG. 7, drive mechanism  118  is preferably disposed within housing  112  and substantially enclosed by housing  112 . While drive mechanism  118  includes those components shown in FIG.  7  and described above, it is fully contemplated herein that drive mechanism  118  may include any number or variety of components which allow it to operate and manipulate assembly  110  in accordance with the present invention. Thus, in another embodiment, motor  120 , drive shaft  130 , and gearbox  124  may be centrally disposed between the pair of drive chains  126  such that a pair of drive shafts similar to drive shaft  130  may extend laterally from gearbox  124  to its corresponding sprocket  125 , or a single drive shaft passing through the gear box may be used. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, collection member  114  is mounted to drive mechanism  118 . Particularly, collection member  114  is mounted to each bushing  128 . More particularly, pins  115  of collection member  114  are received within openings  133  of bushings  128 . A tipping pin  117  is disposed on at least one side of collection member  114 , for the purposes described herein. 
     As illustrated, drive member  126  includes an arcuate portion  132  and linear portions  134 ,  136 ,  137 , and  138 . Of course, drive track  126  may have any shape or configuration allowing it to operate according to the teachings of the present invention. Housing  112  includes an upper housing portion  140  as shown in FIG. 6 and a lower housing portion  142  as shown in FIG.  7 . Particularly, upper housing portion  140  and lower housing portion  142  are preferably removably attached to each other so that drive mechanism  118  may be accessed for service and maintenance purposes. Upper housing portion  140  and lower housing portion  142  are attached together by way of typical mechanical fastening means such as a nut and bolt combination received through holes  155  and upper housing portion  140  and holes  157  in lower housing portion  142 ,, holes  155  and  157  being axially aligned with each other, when device  110  is assembled. Likewise with holes  145  of upper housing portion  140  and holes  147  of lower housing portion  142 . 
     With further attention to FIG. 6, upper housing portion  140  includes a pair of side panels  144  and  146 , a front vertical panel portion  148 , a front angled panel  150 , a first front horizontal panel  151 , and a second front horizontal panel  152 . Front angled panel  150  extends between horizontal panels  151  and  152 . Second front horizontal panel  152  includes an opening  154  for receiving a funnel member  156 , as shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6. Collection member  114  is disposed below opening  154  and funnel member  156 , and is otherwise covered by housing  112 . Housing  112  may include an opening  181  transversely disposed along its bottom portion for allowing it to fit or mate with self-cleaning kitty litter box  100 . 
     With reference to the schematic side view illustration of FIG. 5, in operation, as rake  102  of cat box  100  moves through its operating (cleaning) cycle, rake  102  activates a limit switch  104  near the end of its cycle deposits waste  164  into tapered funnel  156  which falls through housing opening  154  into collection member  114 . In a preferred embodiment, the actuation of limit switch  104  causes a timer to begin counting to a predetermined length of time prior to energizing motor  120 . Alternatively, as with the first embodiment of device  10 , a switch or transducer  162  in communication and cooperation with drive mechanism  118  may detect a predetermined load threshold actuating a switch in control box  121 , thereby actuating the electrical sequence for energizing motor  120 . Of course, in either embodiment, a predetermined delay may exist between the time the electrical sequence is triggered and the time the motor operates. A manual switch may also be provided to energize the motor. 
     In an embodiment where the electrical system of device  10 ,  110  is independent of the kitty litter box  60 ,  100 , when the load sensor  62  is triggered, it may preferably begin a predetermined delay period, thereby allowing the rake  61 ,  102  of litter box  60 ,  100  to return to its home or rest position in the litter box. Upon the rake&#39;s return to its home position, motor  20 ,  120  of device  10 ,  110  is energized, causing drive mechanism  18 ,  118  to move between the first position to the second position, and back to the first position, completing the cycle. As disclosed herein, cycling may be conditioned on lid  76 ,  176  being in a down or closed position upon storage container  16 ,  116 . 
     Upon being energized, motor  120  rotates motor shaft  122  which in turn causes gearbox  124  to provide movement to drive shaft  130 , thereby turning sprockets  123 . Sprocket  123  rotates thereby providing movement to drive chain  126 , causing drive chain  126  to move along its predetermined designated path as defined by track  131  in housing  112  (as shown in FIG.  6 ), which corresponds to the path of drive chain  126 , in the direction designated by arrow  129  in FIG.  8 . Such movement causes driver bushings  128  (which are attached to drive chain  126 ) and accordingly, collection member  114  (mounted to driver bushing  128 ) to move in an upwards direction (again, in the direction designated by arrow  129 ) thereby providing its assent towards the opening  180  of storage/disposal member  116  (as shown schematically by upward oriented arrows  185  in FIG. 5, and also in FIG.  8 ). Storage member  116  is best shown in FIGS. 5,  7  and  9 . 
     When driver bushing  128  reaches a designated position on drive chain  126 , tipping pin  117  contacts an abutment member  159  (or tilt member) mounted to storage container  116 , as shown in FIG.  5 . Upon contact and interference with abutment member  159 , tipping pin  117  is unable to continue its predetermined path and thus pivots collection member  114  relative to drive bushings  128  (on pins  115 ) such that the opening  119  of collection member  114  is oriented adjacent to storage member  116 , thereby dumping the contents of collection member  114  into storage member  116 . Such movement is illustrated schematically in FIG.  5 . Abutment member may also be disposed on housing  112  or any other location which serves to place collection member  114  in the proper orientation for transferring waste to storage container  116 . 
     Storage member  116  may have a lid  176  for providing a cover to opening  180  of storage member  116 . Lid  176  pivots on hinges  178  to storage member  116 . The forward edge  177  of lid  176  extends beyond front edge  186  of container  116 . Lid  176  is lifted upward and moves away from opening  180  at the appropriate part of the waste transfer cycle due to abutment of the collection member  114 ′ (see FIG. 5) with forward edge  177  of lid  176  such that the contents of collection member  114  may be transferred directly into storage member  116  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, as collection member  114 ′ is rotated and halted by abutment  159 . 
     Storage container  116  may also include a switch or a sensor  179  which detects when it is overfilled with waste  164  and halts the operation of device  110 , and/or provides a signal, audible, visual, or otherwise, to the pet owner. Specifically, switch  179  may be operable such that if it is not triggered (i.e., when lid  176  does not sit flush on opening  180  of storage container  116 ) after a predetermined amount of time, a signal is provided to motor  120  not to activate drive mechanism  118  until the storage container  116  is emptied or replaced. In the alternative, switch  179  may act as a confirmation that the unit is in an operable state, such that it may only allow the unit to operate if lid  76 ,  176  is sitting flush on its corresponding storage container  16 ,  116 . 
     As collection member  114  dumps its contents into storage member  116 , collection member  114 , simultaneously or a short time thereafter, contacts a second limit switch  165 , which may be in association with abutment member  159 , and which causes the motor to reverse, thereby causing drive chain  126  to move in a direction opposite arrow  129  of FIG. 8 or (by downwardly directed arrows  187  of FIG.  5 ), thus returning collection member  114  to its first position adjacent cat box  100  and disposed below funnel member  156 . 
     It is noted that devices  10  and  110  according to the present invention may be electrically connected with self-cleaning kitty litter box  100  in order to utilize the power source of the litter box  100 . In such a case, devices  10  and  110  are adapted to plug into an receiving member on litter box  100  for operation by the control and drive mechanisms and processor of litter box  100 . In the alternative, devices  10  and  110  may run off their own power sources, and therefore has separate control boxes for controlling the switching mechanisms and processing of the devices  10  and  110 , independently of kitty litter box  100 . 
     Waste transfer device  10 ,  110  may be in electrical communication or otherwise connected to kitty litter box  60 ,  100  by a cord or other suitable connector (not shown.) This allows the electrical system of waste transfer device  10  to act in association with the electrical system of kitty litter box  60 ,  100 . Thus, the waste device transfer system may then be trigger or alerted to operation by the movement of, for example and not limitation, the movement of rake  61 ,  102  of the kitty litter box (such as when the rake returns to its home or rest position in the kitty litter box.) 
     FIGS. 11-13 illustrate generally a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention designated as assembly device  210 . This embodiment corresponds to the second embodiment with the addition of a replenishing portion  288  to allow kitty litter  206  within the associated kitty litter box  200  to be periodically replenished. The storage portions of the third embodiment correspond to the elements and operation of the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, except that provision is made to support the replenishing portion of the device. 
     Thus, as best shown in FIG. 12, the third embodiment includes the collection housing  212  for drive mechanism  218 . The drive mechanism moves collection member  214  in a manner corresponding to that of the second embodiment. The housing also has an opening  254  for receiving funnel member  256 , as shown in FIG.  10 . The housing also has an opening  281  to allow mating with kitty litter box  200  on positioning pin  208 . 
     The back of the housing  212  is open so to allow placement of storage member  216  partially within the housing. 
     Upper housing portion  240  has a horizontal panel  251  with two screw holes  284  which are used to position and support the replenishing portion  288 . The housing also has a front panel  250  extending downwardly from the horizontal panel  251 . 
     The replenishing portion  288  has a housing  290 , top  291  and various additional members of a kitty litter release mechanism  292 . 
     As shown in FIG. 13, the housing has a steeply sloped front panel  294 , a more gently sloped rear panel  292  and a pair of inclined side panels  298 ,  300  to create a storage area  302  for kitty litter that is to be used to replenish the kitty litter in kitty litter box  200 . The panels are inclined so to direct the kitty litter to an opening  304  in the bottom of the storage area. Along the rear portion of opening  304  is a downwardly extending arcuate portion  306 . At one end of the opening, the housing includes pivot ring  308 . 
     Top  291  is provided for placement over storage area  302  so to enclose it. 
     Connected to the rear panel  296  are a pair of brackets  312  and a pair of downwardly extending columns  314 . When brackets  312  are aligned with the holes  284  of the collection housing, screws  315  can be used to join replenishing portion of housing  290  to collection housing  212 . Columns  314  are designed to align with the front panel  251  of the collection housing and bear most of the weight of the replenishing portion  288 . 
     The replenishing portion also includes a release mechanism positioned in housing opening  304 . It includes a pivotable kitty litter release member  316  and metering guard  318 . A second pivot ring  320  is joined to the housing by screws  322 . The metering guard and release mechanism are pivotally held between the two pivot rings. 
     Release member  316  have a pair of outer ends  336 . On the outer face of each of the outer ends is a pivot member  337  which fits within corresponding holes on the inner face of end caps  332  of the metering guard  318 . On the outside of each of the end caps  332 , there are pivot pins  333  designed to pivotably be held within pivot rings  302  and  320 . On the inner surface of each end cap is a nub  330  which is designed to fit within one of three indentations  334  on the outer surface of release member ends  336 . 
     As part of release member  316 , there are four parallel walls  317  extending between the outer ends of the release member so to define a plurality of litter receiving areas in the form of three elongated columns  319  passing through the release member. 
     The release member  316  includes abutment  324  whose purpose will be explained later. A return spring  326  extends from one of the abutment members  324  to a spring retaining portion  328  of the housing. 
     Operation of the third embodiment is described in relation to a kitty litter box where kitty litter  206  is placed within a kitty litter box  100  that provides for automatic cleaning of waste from the kitty litter. Clumping kitty litter is recommended. This type of kitty litter will clump together as the cat urinates so to allow cat waste in the form of urine to be also removed automatically. 
     Periodically, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,048,465 and 5,477,812, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein, a rake  202  is cycled through the kitty litter. The rake has a shaft  203  extending substantially across the kitty litter box. Extending downwardly from the shaft are a plurality of tines  205 , which move through the kitty litter collecting waste. The tines are moved up along the bottom of the kitty litter box until they dump collected waste into funnel  256  in a manner described with regard to second embodiment. In the same manner as the second embodiment, the waste is then transported to storage member  216 . Because some kitty litter will be lost from the kitty litter box and transported to the storage device  216  as a natural course of the cleaning process, over time the kitty litter in the box will be reduced. In the third embodiment, new kitty litter is periodically introduced into the kitty litter box during the process in which the kitty litter box is cleaned. 
     Specifically, in the embodiment shown, as shaft  213  of the rake moves along its cleaning process, it will, towards the end of the cycle, hit abutment  324  of the release member  316  while the release member is in a first at-rest position as dictated by spring  326 , as shown in FIG.  14 . In this position, the upper portion of channels  319  are open to the kitty litter storage area  302  and thus become filled with kitty litter, as shown in FIG.  14 . Kitty litter is prevented from passing through the columns by the arcuate rear portion  306  of the housing  290 . When rake shaft  203  contacts abutment  324  and continues forward, this acts to rotate the release member in a clockwise manner, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15. When it reaches its final dumping portion, as shown in FIG. 15, shaft  203  will have rotated release member  316  to a kitty litter release portion shown in FIG.  15  and the kitty litter retained within the columns is then dumped into the kitty litter box behind the tines. When the movement of the rake is reversed, spring  324  will cause the release member to return to its original position and thus be reloaded with kitty litter. 
     As the rake continues rearward toward the back of the kitty litter box, the tines will help distribute the new kitty litter rearwardly in the box. Thus, in each cycle of the kitty litter box when waste is removed, new kitty litter will be deposited within the kitty litter box to help replenish the box&#39;s kitty litter. 
     Although the volume of kitty litter to be retained within the columns  319  is intended to replace the normal amount of kitty litter to be collected so to maintain the box in basic equilibrium in terms of kitty litter supply, it is recognized the amount may need to be adjusted. To allow adjustment by the owner of the box, metering guard  318  is provided. It is normally maintained in a set radial position with respect to the release member by the placement of nubs  330  within one of three indentations  334  on each of the outer ends  336  of the release member. When the nub is in the first of the three indentations, the metering guard will not cover any of the upper portions of the columns, as shown in FIG.  14 . Thus, the kitty litter is free to enter into all three columns. However, if the second pivot ring  320  is loosened, finger tab  338  can be used to open the guard so that nubs  330  can be rotated into one of the other indentations  334 . If moved to the center indentation, the guard will cover the upper portion of the first column  319  so that only two of the columns may be filled with kitty litter, thereby reducing the amount of kitty litter that will be dumped into the kitty litter box during each cycle. To further restrict the amount of kitty litter being dumped, the nubs may be moved to the third indentation so that the guard will cover two of the three columns. 
     It is fully contemplated that the teachings according to the present invention may be operable as an attachment to a kitty litter box, or in the alternative may be integrally incorporated into a self-cleaning kitty litter box forming a single unit. In the integrated unit, the teachings according to the present invention would preferably take the place of the waste container that presently exists. It is also contemplated that the features shown and disclosed relative to one embodiment may be equally applicable to other embodiments. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.