Patent ID: 12232483

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and a redundant description will be omitted.

FIG.1is an end view showing an embodiment of an animal toilet according to the present invention. An animal toilet1includes a body portion10, a drawer portion14, a partition portion20, a plurality of grains30, and a water-absorbing sheet40. The body portion10has a bottom face part10aand a side face part10b, and is in a box shape. In the present embodiment, the body portion10is in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. As a material of the body portion10, for example, plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene can be used.

The body portion10has a projecting part10cthat is provided so as to project from the side face part10btoward the inside of the body portion10. The projecting part10cmay be a projection or a projected rim. The projecting part10cmay be formed integrally with the side face part10b, or may be attached to the side face part10bafter being formed separately from the side face part10b. The projection length of the projecting part10c(the length in the direction perpendicular to the inner surface of the side face part10bprovided with the projecting part10c) is, for example, between 5 mm and 15 mm inclusive.

The drawer portion14is capable of being inserted in and extracted from the body portion10through an opening12formed in the side face part10b. The drawer portion14houses the water-absorbing sheet40. As a material of the drawer portion14, for example, plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene can be used.

The partition portion20is placed on the projecting part10c. The partition portion20is in a plate shape, and arranged in parallel with the bottom face part10a. The partition portion20is provided at a position apart from both the water-absorbing sheet40and the upper end of the body portion10. Thus, the partition portion20divides the inside of the body portion10vertically. That is, the internal space of the body portion10is divided into an upper space S1 and a lower space S2 by the partition portion20. The partition portion20is detachable relative to the body portion10. The partition portion20has a through hole22that allows urine to pass through the through hole22. As a material of the partition portion20, for example, plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene can be used.

The plurality of grains30are disposed in the body portion10. In the descriptions below, “plurality of grains30” refers to all of the grains30disposed in the body portion10unless otherwise indicated. The plurality of grains30are disposed in the body portion10in a state of being laid on the partition portion20. When the animal toilet1is used, the grains30directly receive excreted urine. The grains30have a water-repellent property. That is, the grains30have the property of not absorbing liquid such as urine at all, or hardly absorbing it.

The grains30having the water-repellent property require the water-repellent rate of 80% or more measured by the following test. First, approximate 50 grams of a plurality of the grains30(sample) are placed in a strainer. An empty beaker is set under the strainer. Then, 30 ml of water is dripped on the sample over 10 seconds using a syringe without a needle. After waiting 1 minute, the quantity of the water in the beaker is measured. The ratio of the measured water quantity with respect to the quantity of the dripped water (30 ml) shall be the water-repellent rate. That is, if the water quantity in the beaker is 24 ml or more, the water-repellent rate is 80% or more, and therefore the grains30are found to have the water-repellent property. For reference, the water-repellent rate of general water-absorbing cat litter, which is commercially available, is about 5%.

The grains30are each formed in a granular shape. Examples of the granular shape include a sphere, column, and ellipsoid. The particle diameter of the grain30is, for example, between 5 mm and 15 mm inclusive. As used herein, the particle diameter is defined as the diameter of the minimum sphere that can include the grain30. The grain30preferably contains an organic substance as its main material. As used herein, the main material refers to the material that accounts for the highest weight ratio in the grain30, out of one or more materials constituting the grain30. As the organic substance, for example, papers, used tea leaves, plastics, or bean curd lees can be used.

The papers refer to a material composed mainly of pulp. Examples of the papers include, in addition to ordinary paper, a vinyl chloride wallpaper classified product (paper obtained by classifying vinyl chloride wallpaper), fluff pulp, papermaking sludge, and pulp sludge. As the plastics, for example, a disposable diaper classified product (plastic obtained by classifying disposable diapers) may be used. The bean curd lees are preferably dried bean curd lees. These materials may be subjected to water repellency treatment.

The material(s) constituting the grain30may be only one material, or two or more materials. In the former case, the main material described above is the only material constituting the grain30. In the latter case, the grain30is made of a mixture of the main material and other material(s). Gypsum is an example of the other material. Adding gypsum can enhance the water-repellent property of the grain30. The quantity of gypsum is, for example, between 5 wt. % and 15 wt. % inclusive with respect to the entirety of the grain30.

The grains30can be manufactured by, for example, the following method. First, granules that will serve as the grains30are formed by granulating a granulating material (the material(s) constituting the grains30) with a granulation apparatus. As the granulation apparatus, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. The granules may be subjected to water repellency treatment as needed. The water repellency treatment can be performed by, for example, coating the surfaces of the granules with a water repellent agent. In the case where the water repellency treatment is not performed, it is preferable that crevices are prevented from forming in the granules as much as possible by increasing the pressure that is applied to the granulating material during granulation. This is because the crevices serve as a path through which moisture such as urine enters inside the grains30. Prior to the granulation, pretreatment such as pulverization, kneading, and adding water is performed on the granulating material as needed. Also, after granulation, posttreatment such as sieving (sizing), and drying is performed as needed.

The water-absorbing sheet40is disposed under the partition portion20. In the present embodiment, the water-absorbing sheet40is disposed in the body portion10in a state of being housed in the drawer portion14. The water-absorbing sheet40absorbs urine that has passed through the through hole22of the partition portion20.

When the animal toilet1is used, urine excreted on the grains30flows downward while winding its way through gaps between the adjacent grains30. The urine moves from the upper space S1 to the lower space S2 via the through hole22of the partition portion20, and then is absorbed by the water absorbing sheet40.

Hereinafter, referring toFIG.2toFIG.7, the constitution of each portion of the animal toilet1will be described in detail.FIG.2,FIG.3andFIG.4are, respectively, an end view, a front view and a plan view showing the body portion10. As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the opening12for inserting and extracting the drawer portion14is formed in the side face part10bof the body portion10. The opening12is located near the bottom face part10a, and in a horizontally long rectangular shape. The length in the horizontal direction (right/left direction inFIG.3) of the opening12is nearly equal to the breadth of the inside of the body portion10, and is, for example, between 20 cm and 40 cm inclusive. The length in the vertical direction (top/bottom direction inFIG.3) of the opening12is, for example, between 2 cm and 5 cm inclusive. Also, as shown inFIG.4, the projecting part10cis composed of a projected rim that is provided annularly over the entirety of the inner surface of the side face part10bin plan view in the present embodiment.

FIG.5is a perspective view showing the drawer portion14. The drawer portion14has a bottom board14a, a front board14b, a rear board14c, and a pair of side boards14d. The size of the bottom board14ais nearly equal to the size of the bottom face part10aof the body portion10. The front board14bhas nearly the same shape and size as the opening12. A grip15is attached to the front board14b.

FIG.6is a plan view showing the partition portion20. Also,FIG.7is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section taken along line VII-VII inFIG.6. A plurality of the through holes22are formed in the partition portion20. The plurality of through holes22are arranged two-dimensionally in the partition portion20. In the present embodiment, the plan shape of each of the through holes22is circular. The through holes22allow urine to pass therethrough. However, the through holes22do not allow the grain30to pass therethrough. That is, the through holes22each have such a size and shape that urine can pass through the through hole22whereas the grain30cannot pass through the through hole22.

The thickness t1 (first thickness) of the partition portion20in a surrounding part24around the through hole22is smaller than the thickness t2 (second thickness) of the partition portion20in a remaining part26that is the part other than the surrounding part24. The thickness t1 is preferably half or less of the thickness t2, and more preferably a quarter or less of the thickness t2. The thickness t1 is equal to the minimum thickness of the partition portion20. That is, the thickness of the partition portion20takes the minimum value in the surrounding part24. Also, the thickness t2 is equal to the maximum thickness of the partition portion20. That is, the thickness of the partition portion20takes the maximum value in the remaining part26. The thickness t1 is, for example, between 1 mm and 3 mm inclusive. Also, the thickness t2 is, for example, between 5 mm and 10 mm inclusive.

As can be seen fromFIG.7, the surrounding part24inclines downward toward the through hole22. In the present embodiment, the entirety of the surrounding part24inclines. The upper surface and the lower surface of the surrounding part24are parallel to each other. Although the surrounding part24inclines in this way, its thickness t1 shall be defined as the length in the vertical direction (the direction that is perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface of the remaining part26). The inclination angle α of the surrounding part24is preferably between 10° and 50° inclusive, and more preferably between 20° and 40° inclusive.

In the present embodiment, the entirety of the part of the partition portion20other than the through holes22has the thickness t1 or the thickness t2. In other words, the thickness of the partition portion20takes a constant value (t1) over the entirety of the surrounding part24, and another constant value (t2) over the entirety of the remaining part26. The partition portion20has the thickness t2 at the midpoint of adjacent two of the through holes22. As used herein, the midpoint refers to the middle point of the line segment connecting the centers of the two through holes22in plan view. Also, the upper surface of the surrounding part24is continuous with the upper surface of the remaining part26.

The surrounding part24is an annular region that surrounds the through hole22in plan view. InFIG.6, the outline (outer contour) of the surrounding part24is shown by a dotted line. The shape of the through hole22and the shape of the outline of the surrounding part24are similar to each other in plan view. The outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24is larger than the particle diameter of one of the plurality of grains30that has the minimum particle diameter. The outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24is preferably 1.5 times or more of the diameter d1 of the through hole22, and more preferably 2 times or more of the diameter d1. The area of the entire remaining part26is larger than the area of the entire surrounding parts24in plan view.

The diameter d1 of the through hole22is constant with respect to the thickness direction (top/bottom direction inFIG.7) of the partition portion20. Therefore, the inner surface of the through hole22is in a cylindrical shape. The diameter d1 is smaller than the particle diameter of one of the plurality of grains30that has the minimum particle diameter. The diameter d1 is, for example, between 2 mm and 4 mm inclusive. The length of the through hole22is equal to the thickness t1 of the surrounding part24.

The effects of the animal toilet1will be described. In the animal toilet1, the thickness t1 of the partition portion20in the surrounding part24around the through hole22is smaller than the thickness t2 of the partition portion20in the part other than the surrounding part24(the remaining part26). By thinning the partition portion20in the surrounding part24around the through hole22in this way, the length of the through hole22can be reduced. Thus, the through hole22becomes less likely to be blocked by urine, because urine adhering to the inner surface of the through hole22by the surface tension decreases. Accordingly, the animal toilet1in which the through hole22is unlikely to be blocked by urine is implemented.

In contrast, as shown inFIG.8, in a case where the thickness of the partition portion20is uniform (a case where the thickness of the surrounding part around the through hole22is equal to the thickness t2 of the remaining part), urine90adhering to the inner surface of the through hole22by the surface tension increases due to the length of the through hole22being large. Then, the through hole22becomes more likely to be blocked by the urine90. In this regard, according to the animal toilet1, it is possible to reduce the length of the through hole22as described above, and thereby make the urine90adhering to the inner surface of the through hole22by the surface tension decrease (seeFIG.9).

Incidentally, enlarging the diameter d1 of the through hole22can also be considered as a means for making the through hole22unlikely to be blocked by the urine adhering to the inner surface of the through hole22. However, there is a constraint that the diameter d1 of the through hole22should have such a size that the grain30cannot pass through the through hole22. Even though the diameter d1 is enlarged under the constraint, an effect enough to make the through hole22unlikely to be blocked cannot be obtained. In this regard, the animal toilet1adopts the means of thinning the surrounding part24to reduce the length of the through hole22. According to this means, the length of the through hole22can be reduced irrelevantly to the above-described constraint, and therefore it is possible to obtain an effect enough to make the through hole22unlikely to be blocked.

On the other hand, making the thickness t2 of the remaining part26larger than the thickness t1 of the surrounding part24is advantageous for securing strength of the partition portion20, compared to the case where the entirety of the partition portion20is thinned (the case where the entirety of the partition portion20has the thickness t1). Since an animal excretes in a state of directly getting on the grains30in the animal toilet1, the partition portion20is required to have sufficient strength.

Furthermore, the surrounding part24inclines downward toward the through hole22in the present embodiment. Thus, urine is unlikely to remain on the upper surface of the surrounding part24, and therefore the urine is easily guided to the through hole22. For this reason, the urine can move smoothly from the upper space S1 to the lower space S2. Moreover, in this case, a pocket P1 (a part with the dot pattern inFIG.9) is generated between the lower surface of the surrounding part24and the side surface26aof the remaining part26. Even in a case where a malodor is generated from urine accumulating in the lower space S2 (including urine absorbed by the water-absorbing sheet40), the odor can be caught in the pocket P1. Thus, the odor is restrained from leaking from the lower space S2 to the upper space S1 via the through hole22.

Making the inclination angle α of the surrounding part24large is advantageous for enhancing the effect of preventing urine from remaining on the upper surface of the surrounding part24and the effect of catching odors in the pocket P1. From this viewpoint, the a is preferably 10° or more, and more preferably 20° or more. On the other hand, if the a is too large, there is an adverse effect that dirt or the like is likely to accumulate in the upper end part of the pocket P1 due to the upper end part becoming sharp. From this viewpoint, the a is preferably 50° or less, and more preferably 40° or less.

In the case where the partition portion20is made of plastic, it is necessary for the partition portion20to have a certain degree of thickness in order to sufficiently secure strength of the partition portion20. Therefore, the animal toilet1is particularly useful, since the animal toilet1includes the partition portion20in which only the surrounding part24is thinned, leaving the remaining part26.

The smaller the thickness t1 of the surrounding part24becomes, the smaller the length of the through hole22becomes. From this viewpoint, the thickness t1 is preferably half or less of the thickness t2 of the remaining part26, and more preferably a quarter or less of the thickness t2. On the other hand, if the thickness t1 is too small, the partition portion20is likely to be damaged in the surrounding part24. From this viewpoint, the thickness t1 is preferably one-tenth or more of the thickness t2.

The thickness t1 of the surrounding part24is equal to the minimum thickness of the partition portion20. Reducing the thickness t1 as much as possible in this way is advantageous for making urine adhering to the inner surface of the through hole22decrease.

The thickness t2 of the remaining part26is equal to the maximum thickness of the partition portion20. Increasing the thickness t2 as much as possible in this way is advantageous for enhancing strength of the partition portion20.

A space28is present under the through hole22, the space28being surrounded by the side surface26aof the remaining part26and communicating with the through hole22(seeFIG.9). In order to avoid a situation in which the space28is blocked by urine adhering to the side surface26aby the surface tension, it is advantageous to enlarge the outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24. From this viewpoint, the outer diameter d2 is preferably 1.5 times or more of the diameter d1 of the through hole22, and more preferably 2 times or more of the diameter d1. On the other hand, if the outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24that has been thinned is too large, strength of the partition portion20is likely to be insufficient. From this viewpoint, the outer diameter d2 is preferably 3 times or less of the diameter d1 of the through hole22.

The outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24is larger than the particle diameter of one of the plurality of grains30that has the minimum particle diameter. This is also advantageous for preventing the space28from being blocked by urine. There is not a constraint that the outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24should have such a size that does not allow the grain30to pass therethrough, unlike the diameter d1 of the through hole22. Therefore, the outer diameter d2 of the surrounding part24can be sufficiently enlarged so that the space28will not be blocked.

The shape of the through hole22and the shape of the outline of the surrounding part24are similar to each other in plan view. Thus, the appearance of the partition portion20can be enhanced. Moreover, the structure of the partition portion20as a whole becomes simpler, and therefore the partition portion20is easy to form.

The area of the remaining part26is larger than the area of the surrounding parts24in plan view. Making the area of the remaining part26having the relatively large thickness larger than the area of the surrounding parts24having the relatively small thickness in this way is advantageous for enhancing strength of the partition portion20.

The entirety of the part of the partition portion20other than the through holes22has the thickness t1 or the thickness t2. In this case, the part of the partition portion20other than the through holes22is composed only of the part having the thickness t1 (the surrounding part24) and the part having the thickness t2 (the remaining part26). Thus, the structure of the partition portion20as a whole becomes simpler, and therefore the partition portion20is easy to form.

The inside of the body portion10is divided vertically by the partition portion20, and the plurality of grains30are disposed on the partition portion20. Thus, it is possible to separate the space (upper space S1) in which the grains30are disposed and the space (lower space S2) in which urine accumulates. For this reason, the grains30can be prevented from coming in contact with urine accumulating in the lower space S2.

The upper surface of the surrounding part24is continuous with the upper surface of the remaining part26. For this reason, the space28is present only below the through hole22. In this case, urine becomes less likely to adhere to the side surface26aof the remaining part26, because the surrounding part24protrudes like eaves above the space28(seeFIG.9). Thus, the space28can be effectively prevented from being blocked by urine.

The partition portion20has the thickness t2 at the midpoint of adjacent two of the through holes22. Making the thickness of the midpoint of adjacent two of the through holes22relatively large in this way is advantageous for securing strength of the partition portion20.

The partition portion20is placed on the projecting part10c. Thus, the partition portion20can be disposed detachably relative to the body portion10with simple structure. The detachable partition portion20makes it possible to wash the body portion10and the partition portion20separately in a state in which the partition portion20has been detached from the body portion10, and therefore the animal toilet1becomes easier to clean.

The water-absorbing sheet40is disposed under the partition portion20. Thus, urine accumulating in the body portion10can be confined in the water-absorbing sheet40. For this reason, it is possible to ease generation of malodors caused by the urine accumulating in the body portion10.

The toilet1is provided with the drawer portion14that is capable of being inserted in and extracted from the body portion10. Thus, used water-absorbing sheet40can be easily replaced with a new one.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the upper surface of the surrounding part24is continuous with the upper surface of the remaining part26. However, the upper surface of the surrounding part24and the upper surface of the remaining part26may not be continuous with each other as shown inFIG.10andFIG.11. InFIG.10, the lower surface of the surrounding part24and the lower surface of the remaining part26are continuous with each other. Also, inFIG.11, the upper surface of the surrounding part24and the upper surface of the remaining part26are not continuous with each other, and the lower surface of the surrounding part24and the lower surface of the remaining part26are not continuous with each other. In the case where the upper surface of the surrounding part24and the upper surface of the remaining part26are not continuous with each other, at least a part of the space28communicating with the through hole22is present above the through hole22. When the space28that has a larger opening than the through hole22is present above the through hole22in this way, urine is unlikely to remain on the upper surface of the remaining part26, and therefore the urine is easily guided to the through hole22. Thus, the urine can move smoothly from the upper space S1 to the lower space S2.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the entirely of the surrounding part24inclines. However, only a part of the surrounding part24may incline as shown inFIG.12. InFIG.12, only a part of the surrounding part24including the tip of the surrounding part24inclines downward toward the through hole22, and the other part of the surrounding part24does not incline and is horizontal.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the plan shape of the through hole22is a circle. However, the plan shape of the through hole22is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a polygon such as a rectangle, or an ellipse. In the case where the plan shape of the through hole22is not a circle, the diameter d1 of the through hole22is defined as the diameter of the minimum circle that can include the through hole22in plan view. The same shall apply to the plan shape of the outline of the surrounding part24. The plan shape of the through hole22and the plan shape of the outline of the surrounding part24may not be the same as each other (namely similar), and may be different from each other.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the partition portion20is composed of an independent member, namely the partition portion20constitutes the entirety of one independent member. However, the partition portion20may be composed of a part of an independent member, namely the partition portion20may constitute a part of one independent member. For example, the partition portion20may be composed of the bottom part of a box-shaped member.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the drawer portion14is provided. However, it is not essential to provide the drawer portion14. In the case where the drawer portion14is not provided, the water-absorbing sheet40is disposed directly on the bottom face part10a. In that case, the side face part10bis not provided with the opening12naturally.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the water-absorbing sheet40is disposed in the body portion10. However, it is not essential to dispose the water-absorbing sheet40in the body portion10. In the case where the water-absorbing sheet40is not disposed, the drawer portion14is also not provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Animal Toilet10Body Portion10aBottom Face Part10bSide Face Part10cProjecting Part12Opening14Drawer Portion15Grip20Partition Portion22Through Hole24Surrounding Part26Remaining Part26aSide Surface28Space30Grain40Water-Absorbing Sheet90UrineP1 PocketS1 Upper SpaceS2 Lower Space