Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HYGIENIC ASSEMBLY FOR USE BY CATS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of dis-
posable litter-containing devices which form a temporary
sanitary station Eor use by pets, and more particularly to
an improved construction in which individual units may be
assembled in a container equipped with a handle so as to be
compact and transportable.
The problems of relatively permanent type litter boxes are
ln well appreciated. Such devices are normally of open
pan-like configuration, which contain granulated clay,
sand, sawdust, or other absorbent product, usually called
"litter". The animal relieves itself upon the litter, and
in a natural procedure, it will bury the same before
leaving the area. While this behavior is in itself simple,
in essence, it brings to the owner a set of particularly
troublesome and difficult results.
This problem begins at the point of purchase of the absor-
bent product which is generally sold in bags weighing five
to ten pounds on average. These bags are often covered
with dust spreading by capillary action from the inside of
nearby bags, and are sometimes even penetrated.
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In order to prepare a new "litter" area, the housekeeper
must first dispose of the used litter in the tray, and then
proceed to clean the same. To do this, the tray must be
grasped along its edges, and dumped into a garbage can or
directly into garbage. Very often, all of the litter is
not disposed of in this manner, since some of the same will
stick to the inner surface of the tray, and require a
separate scrubbing procedure.
It is known in the art to provide disposable devices, which
normally include a container of disposable material having
some means for closing the same to enclose waste, so that
the problem of maintaining the permanent tray in sanitary
condition is avoided. Some oE these devices include a
permanent stand accommodating a disposable receptacle
therein, the receptacle being removed and replaced by a
fresh one at periodic intervals. Others feature a plastic
receptacle accommodating a charge of litter, both
receptacle and litter being discarded when the litter has
become soiled. For the most part, such prior art devices
have proven to be difEicult to use, too cumbersome, too
delicate, and too costly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of
an improved device of the class described in which the
above-mentioned disadvantages have been substantially
eliminated. The disclosed embodiment is in the form of an
assembly comprising a plurality of trays, with or without
litter, which are conveniently stacked prior to use to
facilitate their transport. Once separated each tray, the
shape and size of which may be varied, will include a
transversely extending shoulder wall extending around the
peripheral sides of the tray, and facing inwardly upon
which a heat sealed sheet which maintains the litter in
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position within the tray is attached. The sheet may be cut
out for use, or may be provided with a small tab enabling
its removal to expose the litter for use. The sheet is
placed at a given height inside the tray to provide a
cavity in which the litter is disposed. After use, the
tray is folded transversely to permit the ioining of the
opposite end edges together to form a box-like enclosure.
Means is provided to maintain the box closed, thereby
avoiding risks of accidental spillage and maintaining
conditions of optimum hygiene. To facilitate the folding
of the tray at the center to form the box, provision is
made for a pre-fold in the Eorm of a ridge at the bottom of
the tray as well as a structure in the form of accordian
bellows on the side parts of the box in either side of the
fold.
_RIEF DESCRIPTION OF _HE EMBODIMENT
In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the
specification, similar reference characters have been
employed to designate corresponding parts throughout -the
several views:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view
thereof showing a plurality of structures illustrated in
Figure 1 in mutually stacked relation.
Figure 3 is a similar fragmentary longitudinal sectional
view corresponding to that seen in Figure 2, but showing
the component elements in partlally separated condition.
Figure 4 is a top plan view showing an individual tray
element.
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Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view in perspective
showing the removal of a protective sheet to expose
compacted litter positioned therebeneath.
Figure 6 is a schematic side elevational view showing a
plurality of stacked litter units with a detachable
carrying handle.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view showing units in
stacked relation.
Figure 8 is a side elevational view showing a single unit.
lQ Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the unit of Figure 8
in partially folded condition.
Figure 10 is a side elevational view showing the element in
fully folded condition.
Figure 11 is a top plan view as seen from the upper portion
oE Flgure 10.
Figure 12 is an exploded view in perspective of a plurality
oE stacked litter units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT
In accordance with the invention, the device, generally
indicated by reference character 1 (Figure 2) is in the
form of a rectangular blank of material containing a
quantity of particulate litter 7 of known type. It
includes a bottom wall 2, a pair of side walls 8, and a
pair of end walls 9. The device is bounded by a continuous
upper edge 10 and a continuous lower edge 11. Each of the
side and end walls forms a continuous horizontal shoulder
12 disposed medially between the edges 10 and 11 beneath
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which is a rectangular recess 14 for the litter 7. Over-
lying the shoulder 12 is a flexible cover sheet 17 of
impervious material, the peripheral edge surfaces 18 of
which are secured either by heat sealing or an adhesive
(not shown) to the shoulder 12.
Figure 4 illustra-tes a plurality of preformed score lines
22 to facilitate folding of the device transversely after
the litter has been sufficiently soiled to warrant
discarding the entire device. Side areas 23 are also
suitabJy scored as at 25 and 26, the former showing a
series of fan-shaped folds, while the latter shows
continuations of the lines 22.
As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 12, a plurality of devices
can be conveniently stacked together for convenience in
carrying, to be separated individually as shown in Figure
12 prior to use. At the comple-tion of use, the device is
folded commencing as shown in Figure 9, to a completely
folded condition shown in Figure ]1, wherein the abutting
segments of the upper edge 10 are maintained in this
condition by sultable clips 28 oE ]cnown type. In the
alternative, the condition shown in Figure 11 may be
maintained by a strip of adhesive pressure-sensitive tape
(not shown).
I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the
invention limited to the precise details of structure shown
and set forth in this specification, for obvious
modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains.
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