Patent ID: 12250919

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of example embodiments follows.

FIG.1shows an embodiment of a cage100according to the present disclosure. The cage100inFIG.1is depicted in a state of being cleaned. The cage100includes a basin102having a floor104and a wall perimeter106. Extending upward from the wall perimeter106is a wire mesh108. The basin102and the wire mesh108define an enclosure volume109. The basin102is shown as being clear to portray features and actions inside of the enclosure volume109more easily; however, the basin may be made of either a transparent or opaque material. When the cage100is not in a state of being cleaned, the enclosure volume109is sufficient to contain a small animal and materials114for the small animal, such as shavings. Since the cage100is shown inFIG.1in a state of being cleaned, the animal is not shown, as the animal would have been previously removed from the cage.

A user118can be seen inFIG.1moving materials114across the floor104toward the basin102such that the materials114pass through an opening120through the basin102. The opening120is shown inFIG.1as being located through the floor104of the basin102, but the opening120can also be located through the wall perimeter106or through a combination of the floor104and the wall perimeter106. The opening120may be covered by a panel defining a closed state. The panel is not shown inFIG.1.

It should be understood that the user118inFIG.1has previously translated the cage partway across a surface of a table134upon which the cage rests such that the portion of the basin102containing the opening120is directly above a trash can142, unobstructed by the surface of the table134. The cage100has a length and a width, or alternatively and respectively a major axis and a minor axis, with weight distribution biased toward a given side along the length toward the perimeter of the cage100at least while the panel is in an open state. Such a weight distribution may be used to help keep the cage stable and level while the portion of the basin102containing the opening120remains suspended above a portion of floor or a trash can142placed thereon, and unsupported by the surface of the table134. The weight distribution may be set by the inclusion of fixed ballasting elements attached to the basin102or another part of the cage100. It should also be understood that the user118inFIG.1has previously interacted with the cage100to transition the panel into an open state to reveal the opening120. The weight distribution may alternatively be set by inclusion of ballasting elements on the panel itself, such that the weight distribution of the cage100shifts as the panel is transitioned between the open and closed states. Mechanisms for transitioning the panel between the open state and a closed state are not shown inFIG.1.

A plurality of feet122can be seen inFIG.1extending downward from the floor104of the basin102external from the enclosure volume109. The feet122have a height dimension that positions the floor104above the surface of the table134to enable the user118to access the panel, or a control element mechanically coupled to the panel, to transition the panel between the closed and open states. The opening is of sufficient size to allow the user118to pass materials114therethrough. Materials passing through the opening120can be seen inFIG.1falling directly into the trash can142placed directly underneath the opening120. The trash can is shown as being clear to more easily depict the materials114entering and settling inside the trash can142. The trash can142may be replaced by any suitable receptacle for collecting the material114including used shavings and animal waste for disposal, including a garbage bag. The user118can be seen using a sweeper148, such as a broom or a brush, to help translate materials114toward the opening120.

FIG.2Ashows a cage200at a 45° angle such that most of the portion of the basin202external from the enclosure volume109is visible. The floor204and wall perimeter206are shown as defined by the basin202. The wire mesh208is shown extending upward from the wall perimeter206. The panel216is shown inFIG.2Adefining a portion of the floor204in a closed state. Alternatively, the panel could define a portion of the wall perimeter206in a closed state, or the panel could so define a combination of portions of the floor204and wall perimeter206. In some embodiments, the panel216may be at least partially removable from the basin202. For example, the panel216may have been attached to the basin202by one or more clips, latches, tabs, or hinges. The panel216, once at least partially removed, could then be reattached to the basin202.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.2A, the panel may be actuated by movement of a control element226. The control element may include a handle and a release button to prevent inadvertent transition of the panel216to an open state. In some embodiments, the control element may be connected to the panel via rods or wires running through a panel track228. A user118may slide the control element through one or more slots229cut in the panel track228. Moving the control element226away from the portion of the basin202containing the opening120would pull the panel along the panel track228, transitioning the panel to an open state. Likewise, moving the control element226back towards the portion of the basin202containing the opening120would push the panel along the panel track228, transitioning the panel to a closed state. In some embodiments, the control element226may be located internal to or external from the enclosure volume109.

Continuing to examineFIG.2A, a plurality of feet222can be seen extending downward from the floor204. In some embodiments, the plurality of feet222may include at least five feet222with a majority of the feet222positionally disposed along the length away from the given side toward which the weight distribution is biased. The phrase “a majority of the feet” allows for the possibility of a portion of a foot222extending over the center of mass such that “majority of the feet” is not treated as a countable or whole number. The plurality of feet222shown inFIG.2Aincludes six feet222, with four of the feet positioned within a half of the area of the floor204containing the panel216, away from the half towards which the weight distribution is biased. A combination of a location of the panel216, bias of the weight distribution, and positions of the majority of the feet may enable the cage to remain in a level orientation, with the floor occupying a plane that is parallel to the surface, while the cage is positioned with the panel in the open state such that the materials can flow freely through the opening without contacting the surface.

Also shown inFIG.2Aare a set of mechanical features246arranged to at least partially surround the panel216. Four mechanical features are shown, but other embodiments may use more or fewer of these mechanical features246. The mechanical features246may be shaped as hooks, or may be otherwise shaped to enable a garbage bag or other receptacle to be suspended therefrom and are separated by a distance sufficient to allow the garbage bag or other receptacle attached thereto to receive materials removed from the basin through the opening.

The feet222ofFIG.2Amay include a material or mechanism to enable the user118to more easily translate or rotate the cage across a surface. The material or mechanism may include a felt pad, or a caster, wheel, or ball transfer. The material or mechanism is not shown in the figure. The basin202may feature a rim adjacent to the opening120and extending outward beyond a surface of the basin202external from the enclosure volume109. The rim may extend toward a plane occupied by the panel216in the closed position. The rim may be positioned to close off any lateral space between the floor204of the basin202and the panel216when the panel is in the closed state. The rim also may facilitate transfer of material114to a receptacle located underneath the panel by stationarily sweeping material off of the surface of the panel216while the panel216is transitioned from the closed state to the open state.

The wire mesh208inFIG.2Aconnects to the basin204at a proximal edge266opposite a distal edge270of the wire mesh. The wire mesh may include a side door272. The side door may include a latch274. The wire mesh and the basin may be held together by an element such as a clip276or multiple clips. A panel latching mechanism278may be employed to prevent accidental transition of the panel216to the open state. Upon transition of the panel216to the closed state, a latching mechanism278may automatically engage, or the panel may be secured by passing a detent. The detent is not shown. A water bottle296for a small animal may be affixed to the cage in a manner in which the water bottle does not interfere with transition of the panel216or generally with cleaning the cage200. In addition, a canister of animal-safe cleaning wipes may be affixed to the cage200for convenience in sanitizing the interior of the cage following the removal of soiled materials114such as shavings from the cage200. The canister of wipes is not shown.

FIG.2Bshows a surface of the floor204of the basin202of the cage200external from the enclosure volume109. The view ofFIG.2Bis from directly below some embodiments of the cage200.

FIG.2Cshows a surface of the floor204of the basin202of the cage200internal to the enclosure volume109. A surface of the basin202facing the enclosure volume109may include a chamfered region262adjacent to the panel216, providing a downward slope towards the opening120to facilitate removal of materials114from the cage200through the opening120. A roof element268may attach to the distal edge270of the wire mesh. Fasteners for the roof element may include hinges280, a latch282, or any other fasteners known in the art and appropriate for use an animal cage. The cage200may include a small house284for the animal. A hay rack286may be attached to the cage200in a manner so as not to interfere with transition of the panel216.

FIG.2Dshows the cage200at an angle that reveals portions of the basin202both internal to and external from the enclosure volume109.

FIG.3depicts an embodiment of the cage300in an action of being raised from or lowered to a base for the cage300in the form of a cabinet334. Cabinet and table are herein used as interchangeable terms. The cage300may be lowered to the cabinet334during an act of assembly, and may be raised from the cage during an act of disassembly. The acts of assembly or disassembly do not need to be performed to clean the cage300, due to the presence of features described herein. A horizontal exterior surface or top surface of the cabinet334may include one or more vertical members336such as bumpers or guide fencing. The vertical members336may be positioned along an outer edge of the top surface of the cabinet to limit horizontal movement of the basin across or off of the top surface of the cabinet. Where previously described embodiments of the present systems included means for translating the cage across a surface to position a panel216above a receptacle142, the embodiment depicted inFIG.3does not require horizontal translation of the cage300due to features to be described subsequently.

The cabinet334inFIG.3includes a cabinet-top opening338disposed beneath an opening320through the basin202of the cage300to allow materials114removed from the basin202through the opening320through the basin202of the cage300to flow freely into a receptacle342such as a trash can or garbage bag. The basin202is not depicted inFIG.3but may be present. The receptacle342may be located internal to the cabinet334, or alternatively, between a number of legs of a table and beneath the surface of the table. Such positioning of the receptacle342uses space efficiently and promotes sanitary conditions within a room. A cabinet door388may further promote favorable conditions and keep the receptacle342hidden. The cabinet-top opening338may have a dimension matching the opening120through the basin202of the cage300. The receptacle342would have an in-take dimension that matches a dimension of the opening120.

Not shown inFIG.3, but present in some embodiments, is a sliding tray located below the cabinet-top opening338while in a retracted state to allow the receptacle342, while positioned on the sliding tray in the retracted state, to receive materials114removed from the basin202of the cage300through the opening320through the basin202. The sliding tray may be adapted to be translated to an extended state. The extended state may be defined by a location at least partially external to the cabinet334such that the receptacle342may be lifted off of the sliding tray without interference from any portion of the cabinet334.

The cabinet334may include drawers390, shelves, or any other means of storage known in the art. The cabinet may include casters392, wheels, or any other means of horizontal translation across a floor. A system398may comprise the cage300and the cabinet334.

FIG.4depicts an embodiment of a garbage bag440especially adapted for use with the cage200. The garbage bag440includes a plurality of loops494along an open edge of the garbage bag440. The loops494may be affixed to mechanical features246arranged to at least partially surround the panel216. When the panel216is in an open state, materials114may be moved through the opening120defined by the panel216in the open state such that the materials114fall directly into the garbage bag440. The garbage bag440would have a strength sufficient to withstand a predicted weight of the materials114while suspended from the cage200. The garbage bag440would have an in-take dimension that matches a dimension of the opening120.

FIG.5depicts an embodiment of a sweeper548especially adapted for use with the cage200. The sweeper ofFIG.5has bristles550connected to a shaft552at a sweeping end554. The shaft552may include a hook element556or curved section located at a hanging end558enabling the sweeper548to be affixed to the wire mesh208at the hanging end558of the sweeper. The hook element556may allow a user118to remove the sweeper548from the wire mesh208such that the user118may employ the sweeper548in translating the materials114toward the opening120.

In some embodiments, an integrated sweeper may be disposed inside the basin202. A handle may be located external from the enclosure volume190. A slot may be defined horizontally through part of the wall perimeter204of the basin202. The integrated sweeper may be connected to the handle by a member passing through the slot. The integrated sweeper may be operable by a user118by actuating the handle to move materials114contained within the basin202toward the panel216. The integrated sweeper may have a u- or v-shape that directs the materials114into the opening120when operated by the user118along a length of the basin202toward the panel216while in an open state. The integrated sweeper may have a length that extends across at least a portion of a width of the floor204of the basin202. The integrated sweeper may be able to be rotated by the handle from a plane parallel to the floor204of the basin202to at least 30 degrees above the plane. Provisions may be made to allow the integrated sweeper to cover a maximum area of the floor204of the basin202. Such provisions may include openings through the wall perimeter208. An integrated sweeper is not shown in the figures of the present disclosure.

The teachings of all patents, published applications and references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

While example embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the embodiments encompassed by the appended claims.