Abstract:
A pet litter box including a body defined by a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including a portion that is hingedly connected to other portions of the litter box to allow at least a portion thereof to be pivoted away from other portions of the body, the top including an opening for allowing a pet to enter an interior defined by the body of the cat litter box is provided.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/976,052, filed Oct. 27, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/518,477, filed Nov. 6, 2003, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to pets and pet care. More specifically, the present invention relates to cat litter boxes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to new and improved designs for pet litter boxes. The design and structure of the pet litter box provides many useful features to the pet owner. Although the pet litter box is in a preferred embodiment designed for cats, it should be appreciated that it can be designed for use with other pets.  
         [0004]     Generally, the pet litter box has a top and a bottom component. The top component preferably includes a hingeable portion with an opening for the cat to enter and exit.  
         [0005]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box comprising a body defined by a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion including a portion that is hingedly connected to other portions of the body of the litter box to allow at least a portion thereof to be pivoted away from other portions of the body, the top including an opening for allowing a pet to enter an interior defined by the body of the cat litter box.  
         [0006]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the litter box is designed for a cat.  
         [0007]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the opening is in the shape of a cat face.  
         [0008]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the top portion can be stored inside the bottom portion in a nestable fashion.  
         [0009]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the interior is defined in part by a bottom portion and the bottom portion includes at least eight textured portions.  
         [0010]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein an outer portion of the litter box includes a handle.  
         [0011]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box including at least one side vent and a charcoal vent.  
         [0012]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box including a friction snap to allow the portion that is hingedly connected to be removably secured to remaining portions of the body.  
         [0013]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cat litter box having a plastic body including a top and a bottom, the top and the bottom defining an interior therein including a bottom portion for receiving cat litter, at least a portion of the top of the body being hingedly connected to other portions of the body to allow a portion thereof to pivot, the pivoting portion including an opening for allowing a cat to enter and exit the pet litter box, and the cat litter box including at least one side vent and charcoal vent.  
         [0014]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the opening is in the shape of a cat face.  
         [0015]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the top portion can be stored inside the bottom portion in a nestable fashion.  
         [0016]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box wherein the interior is defined in part by a bottom portion and the bottom portion includes at least eight textured portions.  
         [0017]     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pet litter box including a friction snap to allow the portion that is hingedly connected to be removably secured to remaining portions of the body.  
         [0018]     An advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved cat litter box.  
         [0019]     Still further, an advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved design for a cat litter box.  
         [0020]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved plastic cat litter box.  
         [0021]     Still, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a cat litter box that has a fanciful design, such as an opening in the shape of a cat&#39;s face.  
         [0022]     Furthermore, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a cat litter box that is nestable with other cat litter boxes allowing the products to easily be stored at a retailer.  
         [0023]     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates various views of an embodiment of the cat litter box of the present invention and specifically an assembly of same.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates bottom views of the cat litter box of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates views of an embodiment of the lid of the cat litter box of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the top of the cat litter box of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates as A through F embodiments of the opening of the cat litter box of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates as A through F embodiments of the handle for the cat litter box of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates as A through F embodiments of vents for the cat litter box of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]     The present invention provides improved pet and cat litter boxes. Of course, it is known in the art to provide litter boxes so as to allow a sanitary area for a cat, or other small pet, to urinate and/or defecate. These litter boxes provide a structure in which to house cat litter or other absorbent material for receiving the pet waste.  
         [0032]     As set forth in  FIGS. 1-7 , various designs and embodiments of the cat litter box  10  of the present invention are provided. Generally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cat litter box has a top  12  and a bottom component  14 . The top component  12  further includes a part that is hinged. The hinged portion  16  allows one access to an interior of the cat litter box  10 . In the illustrated embodiments, the hinged top portion  16  includes an opening  18  for the cat, or other pet, to enter and exit.  
         [0033]     Preferably, the litter box is nestable. To this end, the top  12 , when not in use, can be inserted into the bottom  14 . This allows multiple litter boxes to be stacked on top of one another. The nestable feature provides a compact design for the retailer in stocking/dispensing the litter boxes to customers.  
         [0034]     Preferably, the front of the litter box  10  has a friction snap  20  to lock the top to the bottom. Thus, the pet can enter and exit the litter box  10  without the top portion opening. The top  12  of the litter box  10  is hinged to the remaining portions by, preferably, at least two hinges  22  to allow it to swing up.  
         [0035]     The litter box  10  defines an interior for receiving the cat litter. This interior includes a bottom portion  24  on which the cat litter is located. Preferably, the bottom  24  of the cat litter box  10  is textured. Preferably, there are a minimum of eight types of textured bottoms to prevent the cat litter from sticking to the bottom of the container.  
         [0036]     If desired, the bottom portion  24  of the cat litter box  10  can include a disposable liner (not shown). Also, in an embodiment, the inside bottom texture is chosen to reduce the cat litter from sticking to the bottom of the container which makes it easier to clean and to remove clumped cat litter. Preferably, the shape of the bottom piece has a waste and is not square or oblong.  
         [0037]     To reduce smell within the cat litter box  10 , side vents  26  are provided. The side vents  26  increase the air flow within and through the interior. Moreover, by being placed on the side they prevent cat litter from being kicked out by the cat. A variety of vents can be provided as illustrated in  FIG. 7  as A through F.  
         [0038]     In order to ensure that the top portion  12  of the cat litter box  10  is coupled to the bottom portion  14 , side locks  28  are provided in a preferred embodiment. The side locks  28  are preferably pressure side locks to removably lock or secure the top to the bottom.  
         [0039]     In order to allow the cat litter box  10  to be easily transported, preferably a handle  30  is located on the top of the litter box. The handle  30  is used to carry the litter box. Preferably, the handle  30  is molded to fit four fingers. In an embodiment, the handle  30  is molded to encompass a finger grip.  FIG. 6  illustrates a number of embodiments of the handle.  
         [0040]     The opening  18  of the cat litter box  10  is designed to allow the cat, or other pet, to be able to enter the litter box. A variety of different openings can be utilized.  FIG. 5  illustrates six embodiments of the opening A, B, C, D, E and F. For example,  FIG. 5C  illustrates the shape of a cat&#39;s face as the opening to the cat box.  
         [0041]     Preferably, located at the top of the litter box  10  is a charcoal vent  32 . The combination of the side vents  26  and the front opening  18  allow more efficient air flow for the charcoal. This is believed to result in a longer-lasting charcoal filter. In this regard, it is believed that the charcoal filter will only have to be replaced every month or two.  
         [0042]     By way of example and not limitation, the structure of the cat litter box can be as follows: 
        Top and bottom made of Polypropylene Plastic     Front portion top made of Clarified Polypropylene Plastic     Front Portion Hinged at 50% of the top of the Cat Box     Pressure Front Locks on the Hinged portion of the Top of the Cat Box.     2 Pressure Side Locks     Tunnel Opening:     Dimensions: 7″×7″    Rectangular Shape:     Dimension  20 ″× 15 ″× 16 ″    Litter Box Thickness:     0.08″    Recessed Handle with indentions for finger grips     4″×6″ Charcoal Filter vent in the top back portion of the Cat Box—Odor Control     6—Vent slots in a Sinusoidal Wave Pattern     3″×3″ Side Vents on either side of the top portion of the Cat Box     5—slots on each vent—Increase Air Circulation to make the Charcoal Filter more efficient.     Both Sides of the bottom of the Cat Litter box are curved in ½″    Exterior Texture     Pebble Pattern AMT-9330 or 9225     Embossed Logo and lettering slick Smooth Surface AMT-9485 0.0005″ Deep     Interior of Bottom Textured:     Plaid Pattern AMT-9220 0.003″ Deep or Slick, Smooth Surface AMT-9485 0.0005″ Deep     Anti-microbial Agent from Microban.        
 
         [0066]     If desired, the cat litter box can also include the following features: 
        Top and bottom made of Polystyrene, Polyester, Polyethylene Plastic or Clarified Polypropylene     Front portion top made of Styrene, Polyethylene, or Polypropylene Plastic     Front Portion Hinged at front, back or clam shell of the top of the Cat Box     No Pressure locks on the hinged portion.     2-4 Pressure Side Locks/Front Pressure locks     Round, Oval, Cat Face, Cat&#39;s Tail End, etc. Opening:     Dimensions: 6″-10″ in height and 6″-10″ in Width     Round, Octagon, Hexagonal Shape:     Dimension  14 ″- 24 ″ in Length, 14″-24″ in Width×14″-24″ in Height     Litter Box Thickness:     0.03″-0.15″    Recessed Handle with indentions for finger grips     Charcoal Filter vent in the top back portion of the Cat Box: 3″-8″ in Width and 3″-10″ in Length     3-10 Vent slots in a Sinusoidal Wave Pattern, straight, curved, zigzag, etc.     Side Vents on either side of the top portion of the Cat Box: 1″-6″ Length and 1″-6″ in Width     2-8 slots on each vent at an 1-180 Degree angle     Both Sides of the bottom of the Cat Litter box are curved in ⅛″-3″    Exterior Texture     Pebble Pattern AMT-9330 or 9225     Embossed Logo and lettering slick Smooth Surface AMT-9485 0.0005″ Deep     Interior of Bottom Textured:     Plaid Pattern AMT-9220 0.003″ Deep or Slick, Smooth Surface AMT-9485 0.0005″ Deep     Anti-microbial Agent supplied by Microban or Aglon     Anti-Sticking Agents like Teflon, Silicone, and Polydimethyl Siloxane     Anti-Staining Agents like Silicone and Polycarbonate     Biodegradable Agents like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)     Litter Mat Accessory     Specifically Designed Liner.        
 
         [0095]     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.