Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02475881 2004-07-28
ANIMAL LITTER BOX
TECHNICAL FIELD
An animal litter box which is configured to urge an animal toward a desired
orientation in the litter box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Litter boxes are commonly used to provide animals such as cats, small dogs,
ferrets etc. with a relatively sanitary and secure location to urinate and
defecate.
A typical litter box includes a floor surrounded by a sidewall. In use, the
floor
of a litter box is typically covered with a layer of litter. The litter is
intended to absorb
moisture and suppress odour.
At a minimum, the height of the sidewall must be sufficient to contain the
layer
of litter which covers the floor. Preferably, however, the height of the
sidewall is also
sufficient to contain litter which may be stirred up by the animal during use
of the litter box and
urine which may be sprayed by the animal during use of the litter box. As a
result, the height
of the sidewall of a litter box may vary.
A litter box may also include a cover so that the litter box is enclosed.
Depending upon the height of the sidewall and upon whether the litter box
includes a cover, the
litter box may or may not include an entrance gap to facilitate ingress to and
egress from the
litter box.
Litter box covers tend not to be fully satisfactory for containing litter and
urine.
In many cases, litter and especially urine may infiltrate the joint between
the litter box and the
cover, causing leakage from the litter box. In addition, some animals exhibit
an aversion to
using a litter box which includes a cover.
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As a result, a relatively high sidewall is potentially more effective than a
litter
box cover for containing litter and urine within the litter box. A relatively
high sidewall,
however, typically requires that the litter box be equipped with an entrance
gap in the sidewall.
Unfortunately, the entrance gap constitutes an avenue for litter and urine to
exit the litter box.
It can therefore be very difficult to maintain cleanliness and hygiene outside
of the litter box in
the vicinity of the entrance gap, which is a problem associated with the use
of litter boxes
having entrance gaps.
The entrance gap problem may be exacerbated by a tendency of an animal to
walk into the litter box headfirst through the entrance gap and then to use
the litter box without
turning around. The problem also appears to be more noticeable in the case of
elderly animals,
particularly elderly cats, who sometimes exhibit a tendency to spray urine
upward, often
through the entrance gap.
The entrance gap problem could be reduced or eliminated if an animal using the
litter box could be urged to be oriented so that full advantage could be taken
of the relatively
high sidewall in order to contain litter and urine. In other words, if the
animal can be pointed
in an appropriate direction within the litter box, litter and urine will tend
to be thrown or
sprayed against the sidewall and not in the direction of the entrance gap.
There may be other reasons for wishing to position an animal in a desired
orientation in the litter box. As one example, it may be desirable to keep
certain areas of the
floor of the litter box relatively clean (such as the area in front of an
entrance gap) so that dirty
litter and animal waste does not become lodged in the animal's paws and become
tracked
throughout the environment outside of the litter box.
As another example, the litter box may be designed so that a certain area of
the
litter box is designated for the deposition of animal waste. Examples of such
litter boxes are
found in U.S. Patent No. 2,741,223 (Winborn), U.S. Patent No. 3,990,397 (Lowe)
and U.S.
Patent No. 4,271,544 (Hammond). In these circumstances, it may be desirable to
urge the
animal toward a desired orientation which will position the animal over the
designated area.
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As a result, there is a need for an animal litter box which is configured to
urge
an animal toward a desired orientation in the litter box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an animal litter box which is configured to
urge
an animal toward a desired orientation in the litter box.
The litter box is "configured" to urge the animal toward the desired
orientation
by providing the litter box with one or more "cues" which are associated with
the litter box and
which are selected and configured to urge the animal toward the desired
orientation.
A cue may urge the animal toward the desired orientation either by attracting
the
animal to the cue or by repelling the animal from the cue.
A cue may be associated with the litter box in any suitable manner. Preferably
the cue is associated with an interior of the litter box so that the cue is
perceptible by the animal
from within the litter box.
In a preferred aspect, the invention is an animal litter box comprising:
(a) a floor;
(b) a sidewall extending upward from the floor, the sidewall surrounding an
interior
of the litter box, the sidewall having an interior sidewall surface facing the
interior of the litter box; and
(c) a cue associated with a selected portion of the interior sidewall surface,
for
urging an animal toward a desired orientation in the litter box.
The cue may be comprised of any stimulus which is effective to influence the
animal, including a visually perceptible cue such as a light, a non-visually
perceptible cue such
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as heat or a sensation of warmth, a cue which is perceptible by touch, a cue
which is
perceptible by smell, an audible cue, some other form of sensory cue or a
combination of such
cues.
For example, the cue may be comprised of a visually perceptible irregularity
or
may be comprised of a discontinuity in the selected portion of the interior
sidewall surface.
The cue may also be comprised of a combination of visually perceptible
irregularities and
discontinuities.
A visually perceptible irregularity is visually discernible relative to the
interior
sidewall surface as an "irregularity" in the interior sidewall surface. A
visually perceptible
irregularity may be substantially flat and flush with the interior sidewall
surface or may be
three-dimensional.
A discontinuity may be visually discernible relative to the interior sidewall
surface, but also provides a three-dimensional disruption in the interior
sidewall surface.
Non-limiting examples of visually perceptible irregularities include a shape,
a
pattern, a colour or even a mirror associated with the selected portion of the
interior sidewall
surface. A visually perceptible irregularity may serve either to attract the
animal or to repel the
animal from the irregularity.
Non-limiting examples of discontinuities include a protrusion or a recess in
the
selected portion of the interior sidewall surface or a surface texture of the
selected portion of
the interior sidewall surface. A protrusion or recess may serve to alter the
spatial perception of
the animal with respect to the size of the litter box in the vicinity of the
discontinuity. In
particular, a protrusion may create an impression in the mind of the animal of
relative
confinement and crowding while a recess may create an impression in the mind
of the animal
of relative spaciousness. A surface texture may serve either to attract the
animal or to repel the
animal from the surface texture.
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In preferred embodiments the cue is comprised of a discontinuity in the
selected
portion of the interior sidewall surface. In a particular preferred embodiment
the cue is
comprised of a protrusion which extends laterally a protrusion distance toward
the interior of
the litter box. The protrusion represents a constriction or narrowing in the
dimensions of the
interior of the litter box which may cause the animal to position itself
within the litter box so as
to avoid the protrusion.
The sidewall has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the sidewall
is
typically connected with the floor of the litter box and defines a lower end
of the litter box.
The upper end of the sidewall defines an upper end of the litter box. A rim
may extend
laterally from the upper end of the sidewall in order to add strength and
rigidity to the sidewall.
The protrusion may be any size or shape within the selected portion of the
interior sidewall surface. The protrusion may extend for all or a portion of
the distance
between the upper end and the lower end of the sidewall. The protrusion may be
a uniform
shape and/or size or the shape and/or size of the protrusion may vary either
horizontally or
vertically.
The protrusion has a lower protrusion end and an upper protrusion end.
Preferably the protrusion is positioned so that it generally or substantially
coincides with eye
level for the animal which is intended to use the litter box. Preferably the
protrusion is
configured so that the protrusion distance varies in order to provide a
relatively smooth shape
and contour of the protrusion both horizontally and vertically.
In a preferred embodiment the lower protrusion end is above the lower end of
the sidewall and the upper protrusion end is adjacent to the upper end of the
sidewall.
Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment the protrusion distance at the lower
protrusion end is
less than the protrusion distance at the upper protrusion end so that the
protrusion is tapered
between the upper protrusion end and the lower protrusion end. This
configuration minimizes
the extent to which the protrusion will interfere with the cleaning of the
floor of the litter box.
In the preferred embodiment the greatest protrusion distance generally or
substantially
coincides with eye level for the animal which is intended to use the litter
box.
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The sidewall and thus the litter box may be any shape. For example the
sidewall
may be curved, may be made up of straight sides, or may include both curves
and straight
sides. The sidewall may be generally circular, oval or polygonal. Preferably
the sidewall is
generally polygonal.
The configuration of a cue will depend upon whether the particular cue is
intended to attract or repel the animal and will also depend upon the desired
orientation of the
animal within the litter box. If the objective is to prevent the throwing of
litter or the spraying
of urine in a particular direction, a cue should be selected and configured so
as to urge the
animal to position itself within the litter box in a direction which avoids
the particular
direction.
For example, the "front" of the litter box may be considered as the section of
the
litter box which serves as the point of ingress to and egress from the litter
box by the animal.
In one typical application of the invention, the objective may be to prevent
the throwing of
litter or the spraying of urine in a direction toward the front of the litter
box. As a result, a cue
may be selected and configured so that the animal is urged toward an
orientation in which a
rear end of the animal does not face the front of the litter box. A cue may
therefore in such
circumstances be selected and configured to repel the animal from an
orientation in which its
rear end faces the front of the litter box or may be selected and configured
to attract the animal
to an orientation in which its rear end does not face the front of the litter
box.
The sidewall is preferably comprised of a front wall at the front of the
litter box
and an opposing back wall at the back of the litter box. In a preferred
embodiment the sidewall
is preferably generally trapezoidal, so that the back wall and the front wall
are substantially
parallel but have different lengths. This configuration provides a secondary
stimulus for the
animal based upon the shape of the litter box, since the portion of the
interior of the litter box
adjacent to the longer wall will be relatively more spacious than the portion
of the interior of
the litter box adjacent to the shorter wall. This secondary stimulus may serve
to urge the
animal to align itself along a line which is parallel with the front and back
walls. Preferably the
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length of the back wall is greater than the length of the front wall so that
the animal is urged
toward the back of the litter box.
In a preferred embodiment the sidewall is further comprised of a left side
wall
and a right side wall, both of which extend between the front wall and the
back wall. A left
front corner of the sidewall is provided between the left side wall and the
front wall and a right
front corner of the sidewall is provided between the right side wall and the
front wall.
In the preferred embodiment, the left front corner and the right front corner
are
both curved or angled so that they provide oblique corners. The use of oblique
corners at the
front corners of the litter box enables the litter box to be placed in
relative close proximity to an
inward opening door while still permitting opening of the door. This feature
is enhanced by
providing the sidewall with a trapezoidal shape in which the length of the
back wall is greater
than the length of the front wall.
As indicated above, it may be a generally desirable objective to prevent the
throwing of litter or the spraying of urine in a direction toward the front
wall of the litter box.
Where the litter box is provided with an entrance gap in the sidewall at the
front of the litter
box, a more particular objective may be to prevent the throwing of litter or
the spraying of
urine in a direction toward the entrance gap.
In a preferred embodiment the litter box is provided with a relatively high
sidewall in order to effectively contain litter and urine. As a result, in the
preferred
embodiment the litter box is provided with an entrance gap in the front wall
to facilitate ingress
to and egress from the litter box by the animal.
A typical sidewall in a conventional litter box has a height of less than
about
five inches. As a result, a relatively high sidewall according to the present
invention may have
a height which exceeds about five inches. Preferably the relatively high
sidewall in the
preferred embodiment of the litter box has a height of between about six
inches and twelve
inches.
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The entrance gap may extend vertically for any portion of the height of the
sidewall of the litter box. Preferably the entrance gap extends vertically
from a lower gap end
which is above the lower end of the sidewall. The entrance gap may terminate
below the upper
end of the sidewall so that the sidewall defines an aperture comprising the
entrance gap.
S Preferably, however the entrance gap extends to the upper end of the
sidewall so that the
entrance gap coincides with a gap in the upper end of the sidewall.
A cue may be associated with any portion of the sidewall which will facilitate
urging of the animal toward the desired orientation. In preferred embodiments
the desired
orientation is an orientation in which the rear end of the animal does not
face the entrance gap
in the front wall of the litter box. The particular location of the cue
relative to the sidewall will
depend upon the desired orientation and upon whether the cue is intended to
attract or repel the
animal.
If the cue is comprised of a protrusion, the protrusion will tend to repel the
animal from an orientation in which the animal is aligned with the protrusion.
As a result, if
the cue is comprised of a protrusion the back wall of the sidewall is
preferably comprised of the
selected portion of the interior sidewall surface.
Any portion of the back wall may be comprised of the selected portion of the
interior sidewall surface. Preferably, however, the selected portion of the
interior sidewall
surface is aligned with the entrance gap such that the selected portion of the
interior sidewall
surface is substantially opposite to the entrance gap. By aligning the
protrusion with the
entrance gap and because the animal will seek not to align itself with the
protrusion, the animal
will be urged not to be aligned with the entrance gap.
If the cue is comprised of a recess in the interior sidewall surface, the cue
may
alternatively be located in the left side wall or the right side wall, since
the animal may be
urged to align itself with the recess in order to enjoy a more spacious
orientation in the litter
box.
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Other types of cues may be located in various positions relative to the
sidewall,
depending upon the effect of the cue on the animal and depending upon the
desired orientation
of the animal within the litter box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an animal litter
box
according to the invention, including a protrusion associated with the back
wall of the litter box
as a cue.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the litter box depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the litter box depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a back perspective view of the litter box depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the litter box taken along lines 5 - 5 of
Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of a first alternate embodiment of an animal
litter
box according to the invention, including the protrusion associated with the
back wall of the
litter box as the cue and showing a different shape of the walls of the litter
box as a secondary
stimulus.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment of an animal
litter
box according to the invention, including a recess associated with the left
side wall of the litter
box as a cue.
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Figure 8 is an elevation view of an interior sidewall surface of an animal
litter
box according to a third alternate embodiment of the invention, including a
shape associated
with the interior sidewall surface as a cue.
Figure 9 is an elevation view of an interior sidewall surface of an animal
litter
box according to a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention, including a
pattern associated
with the interior sidewall surface as a cue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an animal litter box which is configured to
urge
an animal toward a desired orientation in the litter box.
Referring to Figures 1 - 5, a preferred embodiment of the litter box (20)
includes
a floor (22) and a sidewall (24). The litter box {20) may optionally include a
litter box cover
(not shown).
In the preferred embodiment the litter box (20) is sized and designed for use
with cats, but the litter box may be used or adapted for use with other
animals.
The sidewall (24) extends upward from the floor (22). The sidewall (24) has a
lower end (26) which is connected with the floor (22) and has an upper end
(28) which defines
an upper end (30) of the litter box (20). The sidewall (24) surrounds an
interior (32) of the
litter box (20) and has an interior sidewall surface {34) which faces the
interior (32) of the litter
box (20).
The sidewall (24) preferably has a height which is relatively high in
comparison
with some conventional litter boxes. In the preferred embodiment the height of
the sidewall
(24) is between about six inches and about twelve inches. In particular, in
the preferred
embodiment the height of the sidewall (24) is between about ten inches and
about twelve
inches.
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The sidewall (24) slopes outward slightly along its height from the lower end
(26) to the upper end (28) so that the interior (32) of the litter box (20)
has a slightly smaller
area near the floor (22) of the litter box (20) than near the upper end (30)
of the litter box (20).
S In the preferred embodiment the sidewall (24) is comprised of a front wall
(36)
and an opposing back wall (38). The front wall (36) and the back wall {38) are
substantially
parallel, but the back wall (38) has a greater length than the front wall
(36).
In the preferred embodiment the sidewall (24) is further comprised of a left
side
wall (40) and a right side wall (42). The left side wall (40) and the right
side wall (42) have
substantially equal lengths but are not parallel.
As a result, in the preferred embodiment the litter box (20) in plan view has
a
generally trapezoidal shape, with the larger portion of the trapezoid being
adjacent to the back
wall (38) of the litter box (20).
In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall (24) is further comprised of
sidewall
corners (44), including a left front corner (46), a right front comer (48), a
left rear corner (50)
and a right rear corner (52). The sidewall corners (44) are oblique corners
and in the preferred
embodiment are radiused to provide a smooth transition between the corners
(44) and their
adjacent walls (36,38,40,42).
Referring to Figure 2, the combination of the trapezoidal shape of the litter
box
(20) and the oblique shape of the sidewall corners (44) enables the litter box
(20) to be placed
in relative close proximity to an inward opening door (not shown) while still
permitting the
door to be opened sufficiently to permit reasonable passage therethrough.
As indicated, in the preferred embodiment the litter box (20) is sized for use
with cats. As a result, in the preferred embodiment the distance between the
side walls (40,42)
is between about twenty inches and twenty four inches wide at the widest part
of the litter box
(20) and the distance between the front wall (36) and the back wall (38) is
between about
fourteen inches and about sixteen inches.
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The front wall (36) of the litter box (20) provides a point of ingress into
the litter
box (20) and a point of egress from the litter box (20) for an animal (not
shown) using the litter
box (20). Due to the relatively high sidewall (24), the front wall (36)
defines an entrance gap
(56) so that the animal can easily access the interior (32) of the litter box
(20).
The entrance gap (56) is comprised of a generally rectangular gap with
radiused
corners which is formed in the front wall (36). The entrance gap (S6) extends
vertically from a
lower gap end (58) which is located above the lower end (26) of the sidewall
(24) to an upper
gap end (60) at the upper end (28) of the sidewall (24) so that the entrance
gap (56) provides a
gap in the upper end (28) of the sidewall (24).
The entrance gap (56) is wide enough to permit the passage of the animal
easily
therethrough. In the preferred embodiment the width of the entrance gap (56)
is between about
five inches and about seven inches. The lower gap end (58) of the entrance gap
(56) is low
enough so that the animal can enter and exit the litter box (20) with ease,
but high enough so
that litter (not shown) covering the floor of the litter box (20) can be
contained within the litter
box (20). In the preferred embodiment the distance between the lower end (26)
of the sidewall
(24) and the lower gap end (58) is between about three inches and about six
inches, or more
particularly between about four inches and about five inches.
Referring to Figure l, in the preferred embodiment the upper end (28) of the
sidewall (24) is provided with a rim (62) which projects laterally from the
upper end (28) of the
sidewall (24) and preferably in a slightly upwards direction. The rim (62)
also projects
laterally from the entrance gap (56), and preferably in a slightly upwards
direction, so that the
rim (62) is continuous around the entire perimeter of the litter box (20). The
rim (62) adds
strength and rigidity to the litter box (20). In addition, the rim (62),
including the upward
direction of the rim (62) as it projects laterally from the upper end (28) of
the sidewall (24),
assists with retaining urine and litter in the litter box (20) during use. In
Figure 1, the rim (62)
is depicted as extending laterally away from the interior (32) of the litter
box (20).
Alternatively the rim (62) may extend laterally toward the interior (32) of
the litter box (20) so
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that the rim (62) can further assist in containing urine and litter within the
litter box (20),
particularly if litter is thrown upwards by the animal during use of the
litter box (20).
Finally, the rim (62) preferably includes a bead (63) or raised ridge thereon
which adds strength and rigidity to the rim (62) and further assists with
retaining urine and
litter in the litter box (20) during use. Preferably, the bead (63) is
continuous with the rim (62)
and extends around the entire perimeter of the litter box (20), including the
entrance gap (56).
The litter box (20) comprises at least one cue (64) which is associated with
the
litter box (20), which cue (64) is selected and configured to urge the animal
toward a desired
orientation in the litter box (20).
In the preferred embodiment the desired orientation is an orientation in which
litter is less likely to be thrown by the animal toward the entrance gap (56)
and in which urine
is less likely to be sprayed by the animal toward the entrance gap (56).
In the preferred embodiment the cue (64) is associated with a selected portion
(66) of the interior sidewall surface (34) so that the cue (64) acts as a
stimulus for the animal
when the animal is within the litter box (20).
The cue (64) may serve to attract the animal toward the cue (64) or to repel
the
animal from the cue (64).
In preferred embodiments the cue (64) is comprised of a visually perceptible
irregularity associated with the selected portion (66) of the interior
sidewall surface (34) and/or
a discontinuity in the selected portion (66) of the interior sidewall surface
(34).
A visually perceptible irregularity is a cue (64) which is visually
discernible by
the animal. A visually perceptible irregularity may be flat or generally flush
with the interior
sidewall surface (34) or may be three-dimensional. A discontinuity is a cue
(64) which may be
visually discernible by the animal, but which also provides a three-
dimensional disruption in
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CA 02475881 2004-07-28
the interior sidewall surface (34). A cue (64) comprising a discontinuity is
advantageous where
the animal has vision problems or where the litter box (20) is used at night
or in the dark.
Referring to Figures 1 - 5, in a preferred embodiment the cue (64) is
comprised
of a discontinuity in the selected portion (66) of the interior sidewall
surface (34). More
particularly, the discontinuity is comprised of a protrusion (68) which
extends laterally a
protrusion distance (70) toward the interior (32) of the litter box (20).
As depicted in Figures 1 - 5, the protrusion (68) has a generally rounded
shape
in order to provide a smooth transition relative to the interior sidewall
surface (34).
Alternatively, the protrusion (68) may have a shape and features which provide
a more abrupt
contrast with the interior sidewall surface (34) so that it is easier for the
animal to see and feel
the cue (64). For example, the protrusion (68) may include abrupt corners
and/or ridges.
In this preferred embodiment the back wall (38) is comprised of the selected
portion (66) of the interior sidewall surface (34) so that the protrusion (68)
is associated with
the back wall (38). The placement of the protrusion (68) on the back wall (38)
of the litter box
(20) provides a constriction or narrowing between the front wall (36) and the
back wall (38)
which urges the animal to align itself along a line which is parallel to the
front wall (36) and
the back wall (38), in which alignment the animal is not aligned with the
entrance gap (56).
Although the protrusion (68) may be placed at any position along the back wall
(38) in order to create the constriction effect between the front wall (36)
and the back wall (38),
the selected portion (66) of the interior sidewall surface (34) is preferably
aligned with the
entrance gap (56) so that the protrusion (68) is substantially opposite to the
entrance gap (56).
In this configuration the animal encounters the protrusion (68) as it enters
the litter box (20)
and is urged to turn to the left or to the right.
Referring to Figures 1 - 5, the trapezoidal shape of the litter box (20) may
provide a secondary stimulus for urging the animal to align itself along a
line which is parallel
to the front wall (36) and the back wall (38), since the wider portion of the
litter box (20)
constitutes an enlarged area which may be attractive to the animal.
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Figure 6 shows an alternate trapezoidal shape or configuration of the litter
box
(20) providing the secondary stimulus, while the protrusion (68), as described
above, provides
the cue (64). The alternate trapezoidal shape provides an enhanced widened
portion of the
litter box (20) which constitutes an increased enlarged area and thus may
further urge the
animal to align itself along a line which is parallel to the front and back
walls (36, 38).
Referring particularly to Figure 5, the protrusion (68) preferably extends
vertically from a lower protrusion end (72) which is above the lower end (26)
of the sidewall
(24) to an upper protrusion end (74) which is adjacent to the upper end (28)
of the sidewall
(24). This configuration minimizes interference by the protrusion (68) with
the cleaning of the
floor (22) of the litter box (20).
The vertical position of the protrusion (68) generally coincides with eye
level
for the animal so that the animal can sense the protrusion (68) as it enters
the litter box {20).
The protrusion distance (70) varies from the upper protrusion end (74) to the
lower protrusion end (72) so that the protrusion distance (70) at the lower
protrusion end (72) is
less than the protrusion distance (70) at the upper protrusion end (74). More
particularly, the
protrusion (68) is tapered between the upper protrusion end (74) and the lower
protrusion end
(72) to provide a smooth transition relative to the interior sidewall surface
(34). The
configuration of the tapering of the protrusion (68) is such that the greatest
protrusion distance
(70) generally coincides with eye level for the animal.
Referring to Figure 7, in a second alternate embodiment the cue (64) is
comprised of a discontinuity in the selected portion (66) of the interior
sidewall surface (34).
More particularly, the discontinuity is comprised of a recess (76) which
extends laterally a
recess distance (78) away from the interior (32) of the litter box (20).
As depicted in Figure 7, the recess (76) is associated with the left side wall
(40).
Alternatively, the recess (76) may be associated with the right side wall (42)
or with both the
left side wall (40) and the right side wall (42).
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CA 02475881 2004-07-28
The considerations applicable to the shape and configuration of the protrusion
depicted in Figures 1 - 6 apply equally to the shape and configuration of the
recess (76)
depicted in Figure 7.
Referring to Figure 8, in a third alternate embodiment the cue (64) is
comprised
of a visually perceptible irregularity associated with the selected portion
(66) of the interior
sidewall surface (34). More particularly the cue (68) is comprised of a two-
dimensional shape
(80) affixed to or formed in the interior sidewall surface (34).
As shown in Figure 8, the two-dimensional shape (80) is preferably formed in
the interior sidewall surface (34) and may be comprised of either a recessed
or a raised portion
(81) of the interior sidewall surface (34). The recessed or raised portion
(81) preferably
extends from an upper end (82), which is at, adjacent or in proximity to the
upper end (28) of
the sidewall (24), to a lower end (84). The lower end (84) of the recessed or
raised portion (81)
preferably extends to the lower end (26) of the sidewall (24) and across the
entire width of the
lower end (26), as shown in Figure 8, in order to facilitate the cleaning of
the floor (22) of the
litter box (20).
Referring to Figure 9, in a fourth alternate embodiment the cue (64) is also
comprised of a visually perceptible irregularity associated with the selected
portion (66) of the
interior sidewall surface (34). More particularly the cue (68) is comprised of
a two-
dimensional pattern (86) affixed to or formed in the interior sidewall surface
(34).
The shape (80) or pattern (86) may be selected to create an illusion of a
constriction which will have the same effect as the protrusion {68) of the
preferred
embodiment. Alternatively the shape (80) or pattern (86) may be comprised of a
geometrical
shape, image or other indicia which serves either to attract or repel the
animal.
Depending upon the effect that the shape (80) or pattern (86) has on the
animal,
such a cue (64) may be more advantageously associated with the front wall
(36), the back wall
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(38) or the side walls (40,42) so that the cue (64) serves to urge the animal
toward the desired
orientation.
In other alternate embodiments where the cue (64) comprises a discontinuity,
the cue (64) may be comprised of a surface texture associated with the
selected portion (66) of
the interior sidewall surface (34). In other alternate embodiments where the
cue (64) comprises
a visually perceptible irregularity, the cue (64) may be comprised of a colour
or even a mirror
which is associated with the selected portion (66) of the interior sidewall
surface (34).
In still other alternate embodiments, the cue (64) may be comprised of
something other than a discontinuity or a visually perceptible irregularity.
For example, the
cue (64) may be comprised of a light, heat or a sensation of warmth associated
with the
selected portion (66) of the interior sidewall surface (34), a sound
associated with the selected
portion (66) of the interior sidewall surface (34) or a smell associated with
the selected portion
(66) of the interior sidewall surface (34).
In the use of the invention, an animal will enter the litter box (20) through
the
entrance gap (56). Upon entering the litter box (20) the animal will sense the
cue (64) and will
be urged to act in response to the stimulus provided by the cue (64) by moving
toward the
desired orientation in the litter box (20).
Where the desired orientation is an orientation in which litter is not thrown
toward the entrance gap (56) or urine is not sprayed toward the entrance gap
(56), the result
will be that the sidewall (24) will contain any litter thrown by the animal
and any urine sprayed
by the animal.
Where the desired orientation is an orientation in which the animal is urged
to
position itself over a designated area in the litter box (20), the result will
be that the purpose of
the designated area will be fulfilled.
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