Patent Description:
The present application generally relates to litter boxes.

Litter boxes and their immediate environment may not always be neat. In particular, litter boxes tend to have relatively low edges, resulting in the litter spilling out of the litter box. To overcome this issue, some litter boxes are equipped with hoods, making them bulky. Moreover, litter boxes are conventionally made of rigid plastic, which makes their maneuvering quite hard, especially in a case in which the litter must be disposed of. It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to address issues related to the prior art. Document <CIT> discloses a waste disposal system which includes a generally rigid support skeleton defining an interior space configured to receive refuse and a flexible, bag-like member supported by, and enclosing therewithin the support skeleton.

It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a novel litter box. The invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>, dependent claims defining preferred embodiments.

Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a litter box comprising a body made of at least one flexible elastomeric material, the body having a wall defining a cavity with a top open end, the wall having a first minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less on a first side, the wall having a second minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more on a second side opposite the first side, handles being provided on opposite sides located between the first side and the second side.

Further in accordance with first aspect, the body defines for instance a pair of flaps between and extending higher than the first side and the second side.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the handles are for instance defined by a handle hole in each of the flaps.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, an eyelet forms for instance a periphery of each of the handle hole.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the eyelet is for instance made of a material different than a material of the body, the eyelet being molded to the body.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the eyelet is for instance defined by a thickening of a material of the body relative a surface of the wall surrounding the eyelet.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the top open end of the cavity is for instance delimited by a peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the peripheral edge is for instance arcuate without a vertex.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, at least one spout is for instance defined in the peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the spout is for instance in the second side at a location of the second minimum height.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the cavity is for instance defined by an inner surface of the body, the inner surface being edgeless from the peripheral edge into the cavity.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the litter box flares for instance from a bottom to the top open end.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the second minimum height is for instance between <NUM>% to <NUM>% higher than the first minimum height.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, the body is for instance molded polyethylene.

Still further in accordance with first aspect, a thickness of the molded polyethylene is for instance between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM> mils).

Still further in accordance with first aspect, a relative density of the molded polyethylene ranges for instance between <NUM> to <NUM> in comparison to that of water.

In accordance with a second aspect not part of the claimed subjectmatter, there is provided a litter box comprising a body made of at least one flexible elastomeric material, the body having a wall defining a cavity with a top open end, the wall having four generally upstanding wall portions contouring the cavity, a first wall portion having a first minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less, a second wall portion having a second minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more and being opposite the first wall portion, third and fourth wall portions being higher than the first minimum height and the second minimum height, the third and fourth wall portions being on opposite sides of one another and being located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

Further in accordance with second aspect, the third and fourth wall portions each define for instance a flap.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, handles are defined for instance by a handle hole in each of the flaps.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, an eyelet forms for instance a periphery of each of the handle hole.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the eyelet is for instance made of a material different than a material of the body, the eyelet being molded to the body.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the eyelet is defined for instance by a thickening of a material of the body relative a surface of the wall surrounding the eyelet.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the top open end of the cavity is for instance delimited by a peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the peripheral edge is for instance arcuate without a vertex. for instance.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, at least one spout is for instance defined in the peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the spout is for instance in the second wall portion at a location of the second minimum height.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the cavity is for instance defined by an inner surface of the body, the inner surface being edgeless from the peripheral edge into the cavity.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the litter box flares for instance from a bottom to the top open end.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the second minimum height is for instance between <NUM>% to <NUM>% higher than the first minimum height.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, the body is molded for instance polyethylene.

Still further in accordance with second aspect, a thickness of the molded polyethylene is for instance between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM> mils).

Still further in accordance with second aspect, a relative density of the molded polyethylene ranges for instance between <NUM> to <NUM> in comparison to that of water.

In accordance with a third aspect not part of the claimed subjectmatter, there is provided a litter box comprising a body having a wall defining a cavity with a top open end, the wall having four generally upstanding wall portions contouring the cavity, a first wall portion, a second wall portion being opposite the first wall portion, third and fourth wall portions being on opposite sides of one another and being located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, the third and fourth wall portions each defining a flap extending higher than the first wall portion and the second wall portion, handles being defined by a handle hole in each of the flaps, wherein the body is made of at least one flexible elastomeric material, the body being molded into open ended molded shape, the body being deformable in an elastic deformation range wherein the flaps are brought into contact with one another, the body providing a biasing force back to its open ended molded shape.

Further in accordance with third aspect, an eyelet forms for instance a periphery of each of the handle hole.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the eyelet is for instance made of a material different than a material of the body, the eyelet being molded to the body.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the eyelet is for instance defined by a thickening of a material of the body relative a surface of the wall surrounding the eyelet.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the top open end of the cavity is for instance delimited by a peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the peripheral edge is for instance arcuate without a vertex.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, at least one spout is for instance defined in the peripheral edge.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the cavity is for instance defined by an inner surface of the body, the inner surface being edgeless from the peripheral edge into the cavity.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the litter box flares for instance from a bottom to the top open end in the open ended molded shape.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the body is for instance molded polyethylene.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, a thickness of the molded polyethylene is for instance between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM> mils).

Still further in accordance with third aspect, a relative density of the molded polyethylene ranges for instance between <NUM> to <NUM> in comparison to that of water.

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the first wall portion has for instance a first minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less, the second wall portion having a second minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches).

Still further in accordance with third aspect, the second minimum height is for instance between <NUM>% to <NUM>% higher than the first minimum height.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG>, a litter box in accordance with the present disclosure is generally shown at <NUM>. The expression "box" is used herein as it is the commonly used expression to designate the recipient or receptacle designed to accommodate litter, to collect feces and urine from a pet (typically a cat or cats). Other expressions could be used, such as litter tray, pan, etc. Moreover, the expression "box" is not limited to known box shapes such as square or rectangular, nor does the expression "box" entail that a cover may be present, though a cover could be provided as an accessory in an aspect.

The litter box <NUM> of the present disclosure is made of a wall <NUM> molded into the shape of <FIG>, referred to as open ended molded shape, or other shapes. Accordingly, the litter box <NUM> may have a body defined by a single continuous wall <NUM> resulting from an injection molding process, with or without overmolding with other pieces. For example, in another aspect, the body of the litter box <NUM> may consist of an assembly of different walls into the shape of <FIG>. According to an aspect, the wall <NUM> consists of polyethylene, molded at a thickness of ranging between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM> mils), and more particularly between <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> mils). The litter box <NUM> may thus be of monolithic construction. The polyethylene may have a relative density ranging between <NUM> to <NUM> in comparison to that of water. This is an example among a few other materials that may be used, as materials such as rubbers and other elastomers such as polypropylene could be used as well. In selecting a material for the litter box <NUM>, the selection must be such that the litter box <NUM> is tear-resistant in spite of the weight of the litter with feces and urine clusters therein. This may or may not include reinforcement materials, for instance using overmolding or other techniques to add reinforcement materials. Such reinforcement materials may be at the handles as described hereinafter. The material must also be capable of elastically deforming for the litter box <NUM> to be carried, for example in the manner shown in <FIG>. In an aspect, the deformation from <FIG>, and back to <FIG>, is in entirely in the elastic deformation range. The elastic deformation allows the litter box <NUM> to generally regain the shape of <FIG>, when not being handled in the manner shown in <FIG>. Other names for this property include flexibility, compliance, resilience, etc. It also allows the litter box <NUM> to be stowed in tight volumes, by deformation of upper parts of the litter box <NUM>. The material therefore is deformable, a. , nonrigid, though it may not be substantially stretchable. The material has a sufficient thickness to have structural integrity, i.e., it retains the shape of <FIG> when not manipulated or in contact with environing objects. Moreover, the material may be waterproof, to retain liquids in the litter box <NUM>.

The litter box <NUM> has an inner surface 12A, in the concave side of the wall <NUM>, and an outer surface 12B, in the convex side of the wall <NUM>. A part of the outer surface 12B may form a bottom surface 12C, upon which the litter box <NUM> lies when standing upright in the manner shown in <FIG>. The bottom surface 12C may therefore be generally planar. The elastic deformation properties of the litter box <NUM> may allow the bottom surface 12C to conform to non-planar surfaces. Surface projections may also be formed in the bottom surface 12C, such as a plurality of side-by-side elongated ribs, among other possibilities. Such elongated ribs may define channels with the ground, to allow air circulation.

The generally upright portion of the wall <NUM> may have four different wall portions, two of which are illustrated as 13A and face each other, another one being 13B and yet another being 13C. Wall portions 13B and 13C face each other. The wall portions 13A (both), 13B, and 13C concurrently form the peripheral portion of the wall <NUM>. The litter box <NUM> therefore defines an open-ended cavity <NUM>, an opening of which faces upwardly when the litter box <NUM> is on the ground. A top peripheral edge <NUM> of the wall <NUM> delimits the cavity <NUM>. The top peripheral edge <NUM> may have different segments, such as a pair of handle segments 16A aligned with the wall portions 13A, a rear segment 16B aligned with the wall portion 13B, and a lower segment 16C aligned with the wall portion 13C. In the illustrated aspect, the pair of handle segments 16A project upwardly from a remainder of the top peripheral edge <NUM>, i.e., from the rear segment 16B and the lower segment 16C. Accordingly, a pair of upwardly oriented flaps or ears is formed, that may allow the handling of the litter box <NUM> in the manner shown in <FIG>, while keeping a user's hand(s) at a distance from the litter gathered in the litter box <NUM>, when the litter box <NUM> is manipulated in the manner shown in <FIG>. Handle holes <NUM> may consequently be defined in the flaps of the wall <NUM>, i.e., in the portions aligned with the handle segments 16A, to form integrated handles for the litter box <NUM>. According to an aspect, the handle holes <NUM> may be reinforced by the presence of a molded material (e.g., comolded, overmolded), in the form of an eyelet <NUM>, peripherally and inwardly positioned in the handle holes <NUM>. The use of such molding is such that a strong bond is formed between different compatible materials, resulting in an integrally formed component. Stated differently, comolded eyelets <NUM> may not be removed from the material of the wall <NUM> without ripping the material of the wall <NUM> and/or without tools. The eyelet <NUM> may be made of a material being more rigid than the material of the wall <NUM>, and/or have an increased tear resistance as the material surrounding the handle holes <NUM> may be exposed to greater stresses. For example, the material of the eyelet <NUM> may have lesser compliance capacity than the wall <NUM>, as the eyelet <NUM> does not require an elastic deformation range as large as the material of the wall <NUM>. Materials that may be used for the eyelets <NUM> include metals, etc. As also observed from <FIG> and <FIG>, the handle holes <NUM> may define a peripheral flange 18A being a local enlargement of the thickness of the wall <NUM>. The peripheral flange 18A may be part of the eyelet <NUM> if present, or may simply be a feature of the wall <NUM>. In an aspect, the eyelet <NUM> is not made from a different material than the remainder of the wall <NUM>, but has a greater thickness to increase tear resistance. The peripheral flanges 18A define an increased grasping surface in the handles of the litter box <NUM>. In the illustrated aspect, the litter box <NUM> has no edge between the inner surface 12A and/or outer surface 12B, other than at the top peripheral edge <NUM>, and at the handle holes <NUM>, due to the presence of continuous arcuate surfaces. It is also observed that the top peripheral edge <NUM> may be without a vertex. The continuous arcuate surfaces used for the inner surface 12A and the outer surface 12B may facilitate the cleaning of the litter box <NUM>. There may different surface finishes, such as embedded patterns on the outer surface 12B, a litter level line B in the inner surface 12A (e.g., a boundary B between glossy and matte finishes). The glossy part may form the bottom of the open-ended cavity <NUM>, and may have a lower coefficient of friction than the surface above the boundary B, to assist the litter in sliding down to the bottom of the open-ended cavity <NUM>. The glossy part may extend all the way up to a spout. In another aspect, the surface finish is uniform in and/or out of the litter box <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a spout(s) <NUM> may also be formed in the rear segment 16B and/or lower segment 16C of the peripheral edge <NUM>. The spout <NUM> may be an overmolded component, or may be a flange molded as another local enlargement of the material of the wall <NUM>. The spout <NUM> may project laterally away from the outer surface 12B, and may flare arcuately as shown, so as to guide a "flow" of litter out of the cavity <NUM> via the spout <NUM> when "poured" out in the manner shown in <FIG>. However, it is contemplated to provide the litter box <NUM> in an aspect without a projecting spout <NUM>, to rely solely instead on the deformation capacity of the litter box <NUM> for same to adopt a suitable spout shape in the manner of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, various dimensions are provided as an example of the size of the litter box <NUM>. These dimensions are provided as a non-limitative illustration, as other dimensions are possible. It is observed that the litter box <NUM> may be higher at the wall portion 13B than at the wall portion 13C, although this is an option. This may facilitate the entry of the litter box <NUM> by youngerr or older cats. Reference to height herein refers to a vertical axis when the litter box <NUM> is on the ground, as in <FIG> and <FIG>. In both cases, the height of the wall <NUM> at the wall portions 13B and 13C is such that a barrier is formed to maintain as much of the litter in the litter box <NUM>, in spite of movements of the pet. The pet in the cavity <NUM> must climb over the wall <NUM>, preventing litter from being dragged out of the litter box <NUM>. The greater height of the wall <NUM> at wall portion 13B, compared to the height at wall portion 13C, assists in forming the spout <NUM> closer to the handle holes <NUM>, with a narrower curve than on the opposite side of the litter box <NUM>, for an aspect with only one spout <NUM>, at the rear segment 16B. The lesser distance between the spout end and the handle formed by the handle holes <NUM> may indeed facilitate the manipulation of the litter box <NUM> in "pouring" the litter in the manner shown in <FIG>.

A male cat in average is about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM>,<NUM> inches) tall. As observed from the dimensions of <FIG> and <FIG>, the wall portion 13B is higher than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches), whereas the wall portion 13C is below <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches). As cats have a natural tendency to keep a line of sight with their surroundings, cats will naturally oriented themselves to face toward the wall portion 13C, with buttocks facing the wall portion 13B, so as to preserve the line of sight. Once cats are done littering, they have a tendency to bury their feces and urine clusters. Due to the anticipated orientation of the cat, the feces and/or urine clusters are adjacent the higher wall portion 13B, which forms a higher barrier against the burying debris, and against litter scattering. In an aspect, the lower wall portion 13C is <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less, <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less, <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less, depending on the average height of the cat type - the height value being determined from the lowest point, and thus regarded as minimum height -, such that the cat may more easily exit or enter the cavity <NUM>. In an aspect, the higher wall portion 13B is <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more, <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more, <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more, depending for instance on the average height of the cat type, the height value being at the lowest point. Accordingly, the wall portions 13A, having the handles, are higher than the lower wall portion 13C, and than the wall portion 13B. In an aspect, the lowest point of the higher wall portion 13B is at least <NUM>% higher than the lowest point of the lower wall portion 13C. In an aspect, the lowest point of the higher wall portion 13B is between <NUM>% to <NUM>% higher than the lowest point of the lower wall portion 13C. The percentage ratio is obtained by dividing the minimum heights by one another.

Referring to <FIG>, the deformation capacity and the open-end shape of the cavity <NUM> allows stacking of litter boxes <NUM> in a compact manner. Litter boxes <NUM> may be inserted one into another, with a spacing between adjacent litter boxes being a fraction of the overall height of a single litter box <NUM>. Therefore, the transportation and the stocking of the litter boxes <NUM> are efficient. According to an aspect, the litter box <NUM> flares from bottom to top.

Referring to <FIG>, a scoop <NUM> that may be used with the litter box <NUM>. However, the scoop <NUM> need not be limited to usage with the litter box <NUM> and vice versa. The scoop <NUM> has a handle <NUM> and a bowl portion <NUM> (a. , bowl, scoop portion). Strainer slots <NUM> are defined in the bowl portion <NUM> to allow loose litter to pass through and remain in the litter box <NUM>, while feces and clusters of litter are picked up by the scoop <NUM>. A hook <NUM> is defined in the handle <NUM>. The hook <NUM> is sized to receive therein a top end of the wall <NUM>, or like wall, in a stowed condition.

As another aspect, a hook or loop is provided on the handle <NUM>, for attachment to a hook attached to the litter box <NUM>. In an aspect, this hook is located at one of the handle holes <NUM>. In an aspect, a symmetry plane is vertical and passes through a middle of the wall portions 13B and 13C. The minimum heights of the wall portions 13B and 13C may be centrally located and thus may be in the symmetry plane.

According to an aspect, the litter box <NUM> has its body made of a flexible elastomeric material. The body is molded into the open ended molded shape of <FIG>. The body may then be deformed in an elastic deformation range wherein the flaps are brought into contact with one another, as on the verge of occurring in <FIG>, but with the body providing a biasing force back to its open ended molded shape of <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A litter box (<NUM>) comprising a body made of at least one flexible elastomeric material, the body having a wall (<NUM>) defining a cavity (<NUM>) with a top open end, the wall (<NUM>) having a first minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or less on a first side, the wall (<NUM>) having a second minimum height of <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) or more on a second side opposite the first side, handles being provided on opposite sides located between the first side and the second side.