Patent ID: 6880873

Claim:
A vacuum pump for pet litter comprising: a housing; a litter container in the housing at one and thereof; a piston having a gasket and a piston rod in the housing which reciprocates between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the piston from the first position to the second position produces a vacuum in the litter container; means for urging the piston towards the second position; an elongate means coaxial with the piston rod and extending between the inside of the housing and the outside of the housing for moving the piston to the first position and charging the urging means; means for holding the piston at said first position; release means to inactivate the means for holding and thus permit the piston to move from the first to the second position; and the means for moving the piston comprising a cylindrical handle extending to the outside of the housing, the handle being reciprocal along an axis which substantially corresponds with that of the piston; a gripping member connected to the cylindrical handle, the gripping member releasably engaging the piston rod; the handle being movable between a first and second position whereby movement of the handle from the first position to the second position causes the gripping member to engage the piston rod to move the piston against the action of the means for urging from the second position of the piston to first position thereof.