Pet litter box with frame components

Abstract

A frame assembly includes: a) a frame configured to surround an inlet opening of a pet litter device; and b) one or more attachments removably attached to the frame. A pet litter device has: a) a base; b) a chamber having an inlet opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain pet litter and is supported by the base; c) a frame located around the inlet opening; and d) one or more attachments removably attached to the frame.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 63 / 104,574, 63 / 104,604 and 63 / 104,625, each filed on October 23, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This instruction generally relates to a pet litter device for animal use that automatically removes animal excrement from pet litter. This instruction may be particularly useful in providing one or more easily removable attachments that work with the pet litter device and help attract the animal to and encourage continued use of the device. This instruction may also be helpful in reducing and controlling unpleasant odors that may emanate from a pet litter device that has previously been used by the animal to excrete waste. Background Technology

[0004] Automated pet litter systems provide pet owners (e.g., users) with an effective means of managing the excrement produced by one or more of their pets. These automated pet litter systems can facilitate: automatically removing excrement contents from the pet litter; automatically collecting excrement for subsequent treatment; and storing excrement contents separately from the pet litter chamber so that they are not exposed to the surrounding environment, thereby preventing and / or reducing the odor of excrement. Examples of some automated pet litter boxes that may be particularly useful can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,463,881; 8,757,094; and 9,433,185; U.S. Publication No. 2019 / 0364840; PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 029776 (published as PCT Publication No. WO 2020 / 219849A1); and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63 / 104,574, 63 / 104,604, and 63 / 104,625, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes and may be modified to include any features described herein.

[0005] The challenge with litter boxes is that domestic animals may tend to accumulate litter, excrement, and / or other debris on their paws, in their fur, and even push or pull the litter out of the litter box. For example, cats may tend to dig and bury their excrement after urinating. This digging action may push litter and other debris out of the litter box, may get litter stuck in the cat's paws, or both. While automatic litter boxes offer an excellent means of removing excrement from the litter box, it remains necessary to address animal behavior to help keep litter, excrement, and debris within the litter box rather than leaving traces around the consumer's home.

[0006] The problem with litter boxes is that some domestic animals may have difficulty getting inside to use them. Animals that have difficulty getting inside may be prevented from using the litter box or even refuse to use it. These animals may be small, old, or otherwise immobile. An animal may have difficulty jumping into the inner chamber or the middle step, stretching inwards, walking out and down from the inner chamber, or any combination thereof. For example, a kitten may not be tall enough to jump into the chamber or onto the middle step. As another example, older cats may suffer from arthritis, which can prevent them from stretching out and entering the litter box chamber.

[0007] Another challenge associated with domestic animals and their use of litter boxes is that some animals may not fully enter the litter box area before defecating. This can result in urine spraying outside the litter box or feces settling outside. It is necessary to entice the animal to fully enter the litter box so that any excrement is within its area.

[0008] A subsequent challenge associated with domestic animals is that they need to groom themselves before and / or after relieving themselves. Animals may leave the litter box and seek out fabrics in the consumer's home to stretch, scratch their bodies, rub their faces, scratch their paws, etc. This behavior can lead to domestic animals damaging the consumer's furniture. What is needed is a litter box that can attract some of this natural behavior before or after the animal relieves itself, and thus eliminate such behavior in other parts of the consumer's home.

[0009] Typical concerns for family pets and litter boxes include managing odors and bacteria that can accumulate around the litter box. Pet owners tend to use air fresheners, place litter boxes in areas of the home that are not frequently used, and may need to manually change the litter often. Odor and bacteria control is essential in litter systems.

[0010] What is needed is a means to retain pet litter, excrement, and debris within a litter box. What is needed is a means to groom an animal using a litter box. What is needed is a means to attract the animal fully into the litter box before it excretes. What is needed is a means to encourage the animal to use the litter box to address natural grooming behavior. What is needed is a litter box that can easily combine multiple features to address domestic animal behavior. What is needed is a litter box that allows one or more attachments to be removably attached. What is needed is a system that can be easily configured to meet the needs of different animals and families. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This teaching relates to a border assembly comprising: a) a border configured to surround an inlet opening of a pet litter device; and b) one or more attachments removably attached to the border.

[0012] This teaching relates to a pet litter device having: a) a base; b) a chamber having an inlet opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain pet litter and is supported by the base; c) a frame surrounding the inlet opening; and d) one or more attachments removably attached to the frame.

[0013] A pet litter device includes: a) a base; b) a chamber having an inlet opening, the chamber being configured to retain pet litter and supported by the base; and c) a filtration system configured to reduce, eliminate, and / or prevent odors, pet litter particles, and / or excrement particles.

[0014] This teaching relates to a pet litter device having: a) a base; b) a chamber having an inlet opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain pet litter and is supported by the base; c) a frame surrounding the inlet opening; d) one or more attachments removably attached to the frame; and e) a filtration system configured to reduce, eliminate, and / or prevent odors, pet litter particles, and / or excrement particles.

[0015] The pet litter device may include any combination of one or more of the following features: the inlet opening may have a cross-section that is substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof; the frame may have a shape substantially similar to and / or adapted to the shape of the inlet opening; the frame may have a substantially annular shape; the one or more accessories may include one or more pet litter guards, grooming parts, step aids, camera assemblies, scratching aids, attraction accessories, odor neutralizing systems, etc., or any combination thereof; the one or more accessories may include a mounting bracket; the mounting bracket may have a shape that is at least partially adapted to the shape of the frame; the mounting bracket and the frame may each include one or more The mounting bracket has mating features; one or more mating features of the mounting bracket can engage with one or more mating features of the frame, such that the mounting bracket is removably attached to the frame; the one or more mating features of the frame may include a groove; the groove may surround the inlet opening; the groove may be adjacent to the inner periphery and / or inner flange of the frame; the one or more mating features of the mounting bracket may include one or more retaining tabs; the mounting bracket may include a base member configured to rest on the inner peripheral surface of the frame; the inner peripheral surface of the frame may be the inner flange of the frame; the mounting bracket may include one or more front flanges; the one or more front flanges may engage with the base member. The mounting bracket may be integral with and project from the base member; the one or more front flanges may abut the front surface of the frame; the one or more front flanges may include one or more gripping portions thereon; the mounting bracket may include one or more rear flanges; the one or more rear flanges may be integral with and project from the base member; the one or more rear flanges may abut one or more flanges of the frame; the one or more rear flanges may abut the edge of the inner flange of the frame; the mounting bracket may include one or more walls; the one or more walls may be integral with and project from the base member; the one or more walls may be in substantially opposite directions as one or more flanges (e.g., one or more front flanges, rear flanges). The mounting bracket protrudes from the base member; the one or more walls may include one or more rear walls, hinge walls, or both; the one or more walls and one or more flanges may be continuous; the one or more rear walls and one or more rear flanges may be continuous; the one or more hinge walls may be located between one or more front flanges and one or more rear walls; the mounting bracket may include one or more through openings; the one or more through openings may pass through one or more base members, flanges, walls, or any combination thereof; the one or more through openings may be formed between the base member and the rear wall and in the base member and the rear wall; the mounting bracket may include one or more hinges; the one or more hinges may be at least partially located between two or more walls of the mounting bracket;The one or more hinges may be attached to at least one of the one or more accessories and / or a portion of at least one of the one or more accessories; at least a portion of the at least one of the one or more accessories may rotate about a portion of the hinge, the mounting bracket, or both; the one or more accessories may include one or more step aids; the one or more step aids may include inclined portions, which may include multiple steps, ramps, or both; one or more inclined portions of the step aid may be attached to the hinge of the step aid and may rotate about a portion of the hinge, the mounting bracket, the frame, or a combination thereof; the mounting bracket may have an interference fit with the frame. The attachments may include one or more grooming parts; the grooming parts may be attached to one or more mounting brackets; the grooming parts may be attached to one or more walls of one or more mounting brackets; the grooming parts may include one or more teeth, points, bristles, lint-absorbing materials, etc., or any combination thereof; the pet litter device may include a waste drawer; the waste drawer is located in the base and below the chamber; the pet litter device may include one or more sensors positioned adjacent to the inlet opening and adapted to sense the presence of an animal in the chamber, the presence of waste in the waste bin in the base, etc. The level of the pet litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; the one or more sensors may be located on the upper portion of the frame to allow line of sight into the chamber; at least one of the one or more sensors allows line of sight into the waste drawer via a waste opening in the chamber; when the chamber is rotated so that the waste opening aligns with the waste drawer, the at least one of the one or more sensors allows line of sight into the waste drawer via the waste opening; the pet litter device may include one or more mass sensors configured to sense at least one of the pet litter devices. The mass of a portion of the base; the one or more mass sensors are attached to one or more legs, lifting elements, or both of the base and / or a portion of one or more legs, lifting elements, or both of the base; the filtration system may be an active system, a passive system, or a combination of both; the filtration system may include one or more physical filters; the one or more physical filters may include one or more pre-filters, allergen filters, deodorizing filters, pathogen filters, etc., or combinations thereof; the one or more physical filters may be multiple physical filters; the filtration system may include a ventilation system configured to move air from the pet litter unit, move air around the pet litter unit, or both;The ventilation system may be configured to move air through one or more physical filters; the ventilation system may include one or more fans, one or more air pumps, or both configured to move the air; the filtration system may be located between the chamber and the base, in an external storage unit, in a frame, or any combination thereof; the filtration system may be attached to the external storage unit; the filtration system may be attached to the chamber, the base, the frame, or a combination thereof; the external storage unit may have the pet litter device located therein; the external storage unit may include one or more vents, one or more physical filters, and one or more ventilation systems; the external storage unit may be configured to be self-ventilated; the filtration system may be positioned substantially opposite the waste opening of the chamber; physical filters... The filter may have a shape substantially adapted to at least a portion of the chamber; the filtration system may be attached to the base and located outside the base; a ventilation system may be connected to the base via one or more ducts to provide an outlet in which air moves from inside the base to the chamber and outside the base; the ventilation system may not recirculate the air into the automated pet litter device (e.g., the one or more ducts are vented to the external environment); the one or more ducts may provide inlets such that air passing through the ventilation system moves from the outside back into the base; the one or more ducts may be connected to the base via one or more ports of the base; the filtration system may include one or more of a light treatment device, a thermoelectric device, a physical filter, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0016] This instruction provides one or more attachments compatible with the frame of a pet litter device to form a frame assembly. The one or more attachments may be compatible with mounting brackets that can be used as universal mounting brackets. The mounting brackets allow multiple attachments to be mounted to the same structure (such as the frame) without customizing the attachment method for each attachment. While removably attached to the frame, one or more attachments (such as pet litter guards) retain pet litter, excrement, and debris within the pet litter device. One or more attachments may include one or more grooming parts for grooming the animal, scratching aids, or both. One or more attachments (such as one or more pet litter guards, attracting aids, or both) may attract the animal during excrement expulsion and / or completely retain the animal within the cavity. One or more attachments may attract the animal's natural grooming behavior and transfer this behavior to the pet litter device. One or more attachments may be compatible with one or more other attachments, allowing the pet litter device to be customized and / or configured to the needs of the consumer and their pet. One or more attachments may be removably attached to the frame via one or more mounting brackets. One or more mounting brackets provide universal mounting features, allowing the mounting brackets to be removably attached to any part of the frame, thereby allowing customized placement of one or more attachments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a front view of a pet litter box.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a top view of the pet litter box installation.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a front view of the frame and accessories of the pet litter device.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a front view of the frame and accessories of the pet litter device.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of part of the border and accessories.

[0023] Figure 7 Is it like this? Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of a portion of the border section BB shown.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a front perspective view of an accessory used in a pet litter device.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a rear perspective view of an accessory used in a pet litter device.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a front view of an accessory used in a pet litter device.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of the attachments used in pet litter systems.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a rear view of the attachments used in pet litter systems.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a right-side view of an accessory used in a pet litter device.

[0030] Figure 14 yes Figure 10 The cross-sectional view of the attachment is taken from section CC.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a rear view of the frame and accessories of the pet litter box.

[0032] Figure 16 It is along Figure 15 The cross-sectional view of the frame and attachments of section DD.

[0033] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0034] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0035] Figure 19 This is a close-up perspective view of the hinge of an accessory for a pet litter device.

[0036] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0037] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0038] Figure 22 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0039] Figure 23 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0040] Figure 24 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0041] Figure 25 This is a front view of a pet litter box.

[0042] Figure 26 It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of a pet litter device with section AA.

[0043] Figure 27 This is a front view of a pet litter box.

[0044] Figure 28 This is a perspective view of a pet litter box installation.

[0045] Figure 29 This is an exploded view of a pet litter box.

[0046] Figure 30 This is a left-side view of the pet litter unit with the cover removed.

[0047] Figure 31 This is a right-side view of the pet litter unit with the cover and base frame removed.

[0048] Figure 32A The interior of the base of the pet litter device is shown.

[0049] Figure 32B As shown Figure 32A The filtration system of the pet litter device shown.

[0050] Figure 33 The filtration system of a pet litter device is shown.

[0051] Figure 34 The filtration system of a pet litter device is shown.

[0052] Figure 35 The filtration system of a pet litter device is shown.

[0053] Figure 36 A perspective view of a pet litter device is shown.

[0054] Figure 37 A perspective view of the chamber of a pet litter device is shown.

[0055] Figure 38 A passive filtration system is shown.

[0056] Figure 39 A pet litter device with a passive filtration system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0057] The explanations and descriptions provided herein are intended to familiarize others skilled in the art with the teachings, their principles, and their practical applications. The specific embodiments of the teachings set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. The scope of the teachings should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. All publications, including patent applications and publications, and all references are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Other combinations that may be derived from the following claims are also hereby incorporated by reference in this written description.

[0058] Pet litter box

[0059] This teaching relates to a device comprising pet litter for animal use. The device may be a pet litter maker. The pet litter maker may be an automated pet litter maker. The device may be used to hold pet litter, separate used pet litter from unused pet litter, collect animal excrement, remove animal excrement, separate animal excrement from pet litter, temporarily store animal excrement, or any combination thereof. The device may have the ability to replace used pet litter with unused pet litter. The device may be for use by one or more domestic animals. One or more domestic animals may include one or more cats, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, dogs, ducks, goats, foxes, etc., or any combination thereof. The device may be compatible with one or more types of pet litter. One or more types of pet litter may include clumping clay, non-clumping clay, silica gel crystals, recycled paper, pine wood, wheat grains, walnut shells, etc., or any combination thereof. The pet litter maker may include a base, chamber, cover, excrement drawer, frame, one or more accessories, one or more sensors, filtration system, storage unit, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0060] Pet litter dispensers include a chamber. The chamber serves to hold clean pet litter, provide space for the animal to enter and excrete waste, or both. The chamber can be of any size and shape, capable of: maintaining sufficient pet litter for the animal to use during excretion; allowing the animal to use the litter box comfortably; or both. The chamber can have a three-dimensional shape, which is substantially spherical, oval, cylindrical, cubic, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. A substantially spherical, oval, cylindrical, etc., shape can be beneficial in providing rotation of the chamber during cleaning cycles, preventing pet litter and / or waste from accumulating along one or more vertices, or combinations thereof. For example, the chamber shape may resemble a sphere, ball, soccer ball, egg, etc., or combinations thereof. The chamber can be configured to hold pet litter. The chamber can be supported by a base. The chamber may be able to rotate during cleaning cycles. The chamber can be rotatably supported by a base. The base can be located between the chamber and the surface on which the pet litter dispenser rests. The chamber may have a generally hollow interior to accommodate one or more partitions, linings, pet litter, etc. The chamber may include an entrance opening, an excrement opening, or both. The chamber may have a generally hollow interior to accommodate one or more animals during use. The chamber may be sized to accommodate one or more animals weighing approximately 1 kg or more, approximately 2 kg or more, approximately 4 kg or more, approximately 8 kg or more, or even approximately 10 kg or more. The chamber may be sized to accommodate one or more animals weighing approximately 30 kg or less, approximately 25 kg or less, approximately 20 kg or less, or even approximately 15 kg or less. The hollow interior forms the volume of the chamber. The volume of the chamber may be approximately 16,000 cm³. 3 Or larger, approximately 32,500 cm 3 Or even larger, or even around 65,000 cm 3 Or larger. The volume of the chamber can be approximately 150,000 cm³. 3 Or smaller, approximately 100,000 cm 3 Or smaller, approximately 85,000 cm 3 Or smaller, or even about 75,000 cm 3Or smaller. The chamber may have a volume usable by an animal that can pass through the entrance opening. The usable volume may be any volume that allows the chamber to be used by the animal to excrete waste. The usable volume may be any volume that allows the animal to enter the chamber, turn around in the chamber, and move within the chamber. The volume of the chamber may be the usable volume, the total volume, or both. The usable volume may be the volume of the hollow interior of the chamber minus the volume occupied by pet litter and any components located inside the chamber. The total volume may be the actual volume of the hollow interior of the chamber. The chamber may be formed from a single piece or multiple pieces. The chamber may include one or more filtration systems attached to, in fluid communication with, or both. The chamber may be formed from a single piece having a substantially spherical shape. The chamber may be formed from two or more pieces that fit together to form a substantially spherical shape. The chamber may be formed from an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

[0061] The chamber may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers may be fitted together to form a chamber, an inlet opening, or both. The upper and lower chambers may be fitted together to form the shape and / or size of the chamber. The upper chamber, lower chamber, or both may form 25% or more, 35% or more, or even 50% or more of the chamber. For example, the upper and lower chambers may each have a substantially hemispherical shape. Hemispherical shapes may be fitted together to form a substantially spherical, oval, or other shape. The upper and lower chambers may house one or more filtration systems. The upper and lower chambers may include one or more filter chambers. These filter chambers may serve as a filter housing. For example, the lower chamber may include a filter chamber on its underside. The underside may be the surface of the lower chamber facing the waste drawer when the chamber is in its original position. The upper and lower chambers may include one or more flanges. These flanges may be formed around one or more edges of the upper and lower chambers. The one or more flanges may mate with one or more other flanges. For example, the flange of the upper chamber may align and mate with the flange of the lower chamber. The upper chamber, lower chamber, or both may have one or more cuts, contours, etc. The upper chamber, lower chamber, or both may have cuts that form part of the inlet opening. For example, the upper chamber may have a cut that forms the upper portion of the inlet opening, while the lower chamber may have a cut that forms the lower portion of the inlet opening.

[0062] The chamber may include a rotation axis. The rotation axis may serve as the relative axis about which the chamber rotates during one or more cleaning cycles. The rotation axis may have any orientation such that the usable volume of the chamber is increased; the pet litter rotates in a conical shape relative to the chamber; the pet litter is conveyed toward the rear of the chamber (e.g., away from the front opening), toward and through a screen and / or partition, or both; a larger inlet opening may be used without pet litter overflowing; the screen and / or partition may be located further rearward within the chamber, thus creating more internal space; or any combination thereof. The rotation axis of the chamber may form an angle with a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, or both. The vertical plane may be substantially in the direction of gravity, parallel to the direction of gravity, or both. The horizontal plane may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, parallel to the surface on which the pet litter holder rests, or both. The rotation axis of the chamber may form any angle with a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, or both, such that one or more of the teachings herein are achieved. The axis of rotation may form an angle of approximately 88 degrees or less, approximately 85 degrees or less, approximately 80 degrees or less, approximately 75 degrees or less, or even approximately 70 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane. The axis of rotation may form an angle of approximately 40 degrees or greater, approximately 45 degrees or greater, approximately 50 degrees or greater, approximately 55 degrees or greater, approximately 60 degrees or greater, or even approximately 65 degrees or greater with respect to the vertical plane. The axis of rotation may form an angle of approximately 40 degrees to approximately 88 degrees, approximately 55 degrees to approximately 80 degrees, approximately 40 degrees to approximately 85 degrees, or even approximately 60 degrees to approximately 75 degrees with respect to the vertical plane. The axis of rotation may form an angle with the horizontal plane that is complementary to the angle relative to the vertical plane. An inclined axis of rotation may transport excrement blocks and / or pet litter blocks, excrement, or both, toward a common location. The common location may be located at the rear, bottom, or both of the chamber. The common location may be a partition, a screen, an excrement opening, an excrement container, or any combination thereof. The rotating axis allows for the use of a single excrement opening, conveying excrement toward the excrement opening, transferring excrement from the excrement opening to an excrement bucket, or any combination thereof.

[0063] The tilted axis of rotation, combined with the frictional properties of the pet litter, gives the litter bed a repose angle. The repose angle functions to keep the pet litter at an angle away from the inlet opening, preventing it from overflowing. The inlet opening can be as large as possible while simultaneously retaining the pet litter within the chamber, or any combination thereof. The litter bed can be tilted so that the pet litter is at an angle away from the inlet opening. An angle away from the inlet opening can mean that the depth of the pet litter near the inlet opening is less than the depth of the pet litter further away from the inlet opening (e.g., the depth of the pet litter increases with distance from the inlet opening). The angle of the litter bed can be any angle that reduces the animal's ability to accidentally move the pet litter out of the opening compared to a litter bed without an angle. No angle can mean approximately perpendicular to a vertical plane, parallel to a horizontal plane, or both. The angle of the litter bed can form an angle of approximately 89 degrees or less, approximately 88 degrees or less, approximately 87 degrees or less, or even approximately 85 degrees or less with respect to the vertical plane. The angle of the pet litter bed can be approximately 70 degrees or greater, approximately 75 degrees or greater, or even approximately 80 degrees or greater with respect to the vertical plane. For example, the angle between the pet litter bed and the vertical plane can be approximately 75 degrees to approximately 88 degrees, or even approximately 80 degrees to approximately 87 degrees. The pet litter bed can be placed on any surface of the chamber.

[0064] The chamber may include a coating. The coating may be used to repel liquids (e.g., urine), prevent pet litter and / or excrement from adhering to the inner surface of the chamber, or both. The coating may reduce friction between the pet litter and the inner surface of the chamber during cleaning cycles. The coating may provide hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, or even superoleophobic effects. The coating may enable one or more surfaces of the pet litter device to be water-resistant and / or even waterproof. The coating may be a hydrophobic coating. The coating may be part of the inner surface, outer surface, or both of the chamber, lining, or both. The coating may be part of any surface of the pet litter device that may come into contact with urine, feces, and / or pet litter. The coating may be applied during the manufacturing process, applied by the user, or both. For example, the coating may be applied during and / or after the molding and / or forming process. As another example, the user may spray the coating onto it. Suitable coatings may include those found in U.S. Publications 2014 / 0349061 and 2011 / 0303156, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0065] The chamber may include a liner. When the chamber is in its original position, the liner prevents direct contact between the pet litter and the interior of the chamber. The liner may cover part or all of the inner surface of the chamber. The liner may be of any size, shape, and / or configuration such that it contacts the pet litter and retains the pet litter, excrement, liquid, solid, semi-solid, or combinations thereof within the chamber. The liner may be of any size and / or shape such that it allows the pet litter placed upon it to absorb, encircle, clump, or combine thereof after the animal has excreted. The liner may have a shape substantially adapted to the contours of the chamber, upper chamber, lower chamber, or combinations thereof. For example, the liner may have a substantially hemispherical shape. The liner may be directly adjacent to and in contact with the interior of the chamber. For example, the liner may be in direct contact with the inner surface of the lower chamber. The liner may be attached to the chamber, not attached to the chamber, or both. The liner may be at least partially attached to the lower chamber. The liner may be partially not attached to any part of the chamber. During one or more cleaning cycles, non-attachment allows the liner itself to temporarily move away from the inner surface of the chamber (e.g., drop, loosen). This distance-maintaining movement, whether dropping or loosening, allows excrement temporarily adhering to the liner to loosen and move toward the excrement opening. One or more edges, central regions, or both may be attached to the chamber, not attached to the chamber, or both. For example, the edges of the liner may be attached to the chamber, while the central region may be unattached. During a cleaning cycle, the unattached central region may drop and / or loosen, while the edges remain attached to the chamber. The liner may include a counterweight. The counterweight may be used in conjunction with gravity to cause the liner to partially drop during a cleaning cycle, return to its original position in the lower chamber, or both. The counterweight may be attached to the underside of the liner, reside therein, or both. The counterweight may be located between the liner and the lower chamber. The counterweight may be located in a counterweight cavity within the liner. The underside of the liner may include a counterweight cavity formed therein. The lower side can be the side of the lining facing the lower chamber and adjacent to it. The counterweight chamber can have a shape adapted to the shape of the counterweight. The counterweight chamber can be spherical, oval, cylindrical, cubic, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. The lining can be made of a suitable material. The material can be non-stick; impermeable to liquids; resistant to damage, penetration, odor absorption, staining, or combinations thereof from pet litter, excrement, liquids, solids, semi-solids, or combinations thereof. The lining material can be rubber, plastic, synthetic materials, natural materials, or any one or a combination thereof.

[0066] The chamber includes an entrance opening. The entrance opening allows one or more animals to comfortably enter and exit the chamber. The entrance opening can be of any size and shape to allow one or more animals to enter and exit the chamber. The entrance opening can be of any size and shape to ensure that pet litter is substantially retained within the chamber during animal entry, use, and / or exit, during one or more cleaning cycles, or any combination thereof. The entrance opening can have a substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, rhomboid, or any combination thereof profile shape and / or cross-section. The profile shape can be straight, vertical, or both oriented towards the plane of the opening. The entrance opening can have a symmetrical, asymmetrical, or both profile shape. Circular, oval, or other similar entrance openings provide a more comfortable and larger entry area, avoid sharp apexes that could scratch the animal, avoid sharp apexes that could trap pet litter when the animal leaves the chamber, or combinations thereof.

[0067] The inlet opening may form an opening plane. The opening plane may extend along the inlet opening (e.g., along a surface extending from the top to the bottom of the inlet opening). The inlet opening, the opening plane, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane. The inlet opening, the opening plane, or both may form an angle of about 5 degrees or greater, about 10 degrees or greater, or even about 15 degrees or greater, about 18 degrees or greater, or even about 20 degrees or greater with a vertical plane. The inlet opening, the opening plane, or both may form an angle of about 60 degrees or less, about 45 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or even about 25 degrees or less with a vertical plane. For example, the inlet opening, the opening plane, or both may form an angle of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees with a vertical plane. As another example, the inlet opening, the opening plane, or both may form an angle of about 15 degrees to about 25 degrees (i.e., about 20 degrees) with a vertical plane. An entrance opening, the angle of the opening plane, or both relative to a vertical plane allows pet litter to be held within the chamber, allows the entrance opening to be as large as possible while holding pet litter within the chamber, provides a larger internal surface area for the pet litter bed, allows one or more sensors to allow line of sight into the chamber, or any combination thereof.

[0068] The entrance opening may include one or more axes. These axes help define the width, height, shape, cross-sectional area, or any combination thereof of the entrance opening. One or more axes may include a primary axis and a secondary axis. The primary axis may be substantially parallel to the plane of the opening, may be angled relative to a vertical and / or horizontal plane, and may extend from the top of the entrance opening to the bottom of the entrance opening, or any combination thereof. The top of the entrance opening may be defined opposite to the bottom. The bottom may be defined as the portion closest to the base of the litter device. The primary axis may define the height of the entrance opening. The secondary axis may be substantially parallel to the plane of the opening, perpendicular to the primary axis, parallel to a horizontal plane, may extend from one side to the opposite side, or any combination thereof. The secondary axis may define the width of the entrance opening. The lengths of the primary axis and the secondary axis may form a ratio. This ratio allows the animal to be comfortably accommodated within the entrance opening for entry and exit from the chamber, with litter and excrement contents retained within the chamber, or both. The ratio of the lengths of the primary axis to the secondary axis can be approximately 1:3 or greater, approximately 1:2.5 or greater, approximately 1:2 or greater, approximately 1:1.5 or greater, approximately 1:1.2 or greater, or even approximately 1:1 or greater. The ratio of the lengths of the primary axis to the secondary axis can be approximately 3:1 or less, approximately 2.5:1 or less, approximately 2:1 or less, approximately 1.5:1 or less, approximately 1.2:1 or less, or even approximately 1.1:1 or less. The axis of rotation can extend angularly relative to the primary axis, the secondary axis, or both. The axis of rotation can form an acute angle, a perpendicular angle, or an obtuse angle with the primary axis, the secondary axis, or both. The axis of rotation can form an angle of approximately 60 degrees or greater, approximately 70 degrees or greater, or even approximately 85 degrees or greater relative to the primary axis, the secondary axis, the opening plane, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation may be at an angle of about 120 degrees or less, about 110 degrees or less, or even about 95 degrees or less, relative to the main axis, the secondary axis, the opening plane, or any combination thereof. For example, the axis of rotation may be at an angle of about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees) relative to the main axis and the secondary axis.

[0069] The entrance opening has a cross-sectional area. This cross-sectional area is large enough to comfortably accommodate animals entering and exiting the chamber while retaining pet litter and excrement within it. The cross-sectional area can be the cross-sectional area of ​​the outline shape of the entrance opening. The cross-sectional area can be measured along one or more planes parallel to the plane of the opening, the main axis, the secondary axis, or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional area of ​​the entrance opening can be approximately 300 cm². 2 Or larger, approximately 500 cm 2 Or larger, approximately 700 cm 2 Or larger, approximately 900 cm 2 Or larger, approximately 1,100 cm 2 Or larger, or even about 1,200 cm 2Or larger. The cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet opening can be approximately 5,000 cm². 2 Or smaller, approximately 4,000 cm 2 Or smaller, approximately 3,000 cm 2 Or smaller, approximately 2,000 cm 2 Or smaller, or even about 1,500cm 2 Or smaller. The height of the inlet opening along the main axis can be about 20 cm or more, about 25 cm or more, about 30 cm or more, or even about 40 cm or more. The height of the inlet opening along the main axis can be about 75 cm or less, about 60 cm or less, about 55 cm or less, or even about 50 cm or less. The height and width of the inlet opening can be defined by the inner surface of the chamber, frame, or both at the inlet opening. The inlet opening may include an inlet lip.

[0070] Pet litter devices may include a frame. The frame may be used to define an inlet opening, provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the front of the pet litter device, retain pet litter within the chamber, seal any joints along the front of the device to block pet litter, seal any squeezing points at and / or around the inlet opening, accommodate one or more sensors, accommodate one or more control panels, removably hold one or more attachments, or any combination thereof. The frame may have any shape, size, and / or form such that it can provide a barrier for pet litter and / or other excrement residues without interfering with the animal's entry and exit from the chamber. The frame may have any size and / or shape for defining and / or surrounding the inlet opening. The frame may have a shape that conforms to, is similar to, and / or is identical to the inlet opening. The frame may have a shape that conforms to, is similar to, and / or is partially identical to the shape of one or more attachments, mounting brackets for attachments, or both. The frame may have a substantially circular and / or oval cross-sectional shape in which the opening is located. The frame may have a substantially annular shape. The opening may define a portion of the inlet opening and have a similar and / or identical size to fit the inlet opening. The shape and size of the frame may conceal one or more edges, corners, or both of the cover, base frame, chamber, or combinations thereof. The shape and size of the frame may also conceal the space between the chamber and the cover, the space between the chamber and the base frame, or both. The frame may include one or more surfaces, such as one or more front surfaces, flanges, mating features, openings (e.g., access openings), or any combination thereof.

[0071] The frame can be formed as a single piece or multiple pieces. The frame may include an inner frame, an outer frame, or both. An outer frame may be used to provide an aesthetically pleasing border around the inlet opening, concealing one or more components attached to the inner frame, or both. An inner frame may be used to hold one or more electrical components, attaching the frame to a cover, a base, or both. The inner and outer frames may cooperate to define a gap between them. The gap within the frame may accommodate one or more sensors, electrical components, control panels or components thereof, or any combination thereof. The inner frame may be permanently and / or removably attached to a cover, base frame, outer frame, or a combination thereof. The inner frame, outer frame, or both may be attached to the outer frame, inner frame, cover, base, or a combination thereof by one or more fasteners. One or more fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), interlocking tabs, rivets, pins, etc., or combinations thereof. The inner frame may be attached to both the base frame and the cover. The inner frame may be attached along a cutout defining the inlet opening in the base frame and the cover. The outer frame may then be attached to the inner frame.

[0072] The frame may include one or more surfaces. One or more surfaces may be used to provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior; seal one or more gaps between the chamber, cover, and / or base; provide one or more suitable features for removably attaching one or more accessories thereto; or any combination thereof. One or more surfaces may include a front surface, one or more flanges, one or more bevels, one or more grooves, or any combination thereof.

[0073] The border may include one or more front surfaces. The front surface may serve as the outer surface of the border. The front surface may be substantially flat, may be curved, may have one or more recesses formed therein, may have one or more protrusions extending therefrom, or any combination thereof. The front surface may surround an inlet opening. The front surface may define a portion of the inlet opening. The front surface may have an annular shape. The front surface may be integrally connected to one or more flanges. The front surface may have one or more flanges projecting therefrom.

[0074] The frame may include one or more flanges. An inner flange may project from the inner periphery of the front surface. The inner flange may be an inner peripheral surface of the frame. An outer flange may project from the outer periphery of the front surface. The outer flange may be an outer peripheral surface of the frame. The inner and outer flanges may project from the front surface in substantially the same direction. The inner and outer flanges may project toward a cover, base, chamber, rear of the pet litter device, or any combination thereof. One or more flanges may project at an angle less than, approximately equal to, or even greater than that perpendicular to the front surface. The outer flange may extend relative to the front surface at an angle of approximately 70 degrees or greater, approximately 80 degrees or greater, or even approximately 90 degrees or greater. The outer flange may extend relative to the front surface at an angle of approximately 150 degrees or less, approximately 140 degrees or less, approximately 130 degrees or less, or even approximately 120 degrees or less. The inner flange may extend relative to the front surface at an angle of approximately 50 degrees or greater, approximately 65 degrees or greater, approximately 75 degrees or greater, or even approximately 80 degrees or greater. The inner flange may extend relative to the front surface at an angle of about 120 degrees or less, about 100 degrees or less, or even about 90 degrees or less. The inner flange, outer flange, and front surface may form an annular channel shape. Channel shape may refer to a C-shaped channel. The front surface may transition to one or more flanges via one or more bevels, chamfers, fillets, edges, or any combination thereof.

[0075] The frame may include one or more mating features. One or more mating features may be used to mate and / or engage with one or more attachments. One or more mating features may be any feature suitable for temporarily and / or removably retaining one or more attachments on the frame. One or more mating features may include one or more recesses, protrusions, fitting features, and / or similar features. One or more mating features of the frame may be received and / or accommodated within one or more mating features of one or more attachments. One or more mating features may include grooves. One or more recesses may include one or more grooves. One or more mating features may be formed on one or more surfaces of the frame. For example, a groove may be formed on the front surface. The mating feature may surround a portion or all of the front surface. The mating feature may partially or completely surround an opening (e.g., an access opening), an inner flange, or both. The mating feature may be substantially adjacent to the inner periphery of the frame. The mating feature may be positioned substantially and / or directly adjacent to an inner flange, bevel, cavity, fillet, edge, or a combination thereof. The mating feature may be located on the front surface closer to the inner flange than the outer flange. The mating feature may have a size and / or shape adapted to one or more retaining tabs of one or more attachments. For example, a recess may receive one or more retaining tabs of an accessory to removably hold the accessory to the frame. The mating feature may have a shape that is substantially C-shaped, V-shaped, part of a streamlined body shape, part of a teardrop shape, square, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof (e.g., a 2D cross-section). The mating feature may be circular (e.g., without defined edges), square (e.g., with defined edges), or a combination of both. The mating feature may have a depth relative to the total thickness of the frame. The thickness of the frame may be measured as the distance from the front surface to the rear edge of the flange. The depth of the mating feature may be measured as the distance between the front surface outside the recess and the front surface at the recess. The depth of the mating feature relative to the thickness of the frame may be about 0.05% or more, about 1% or more, about 1.5% or more, or even about 2% or more. The depth of the mating feature relative to the thickness of the frame may be about 5% or less, about 4% or less, or even about 3.5% or less.

[0076] The frame can be made of one or more materials suitable for exposure to pet litter, excrement, moisture, smoke, etc. Examples of materials that can be used are rubber, plastic, metal, ceramic, or combinations thereof. The frame can be made of the same or different material as the cover, base frame, or both.

[0077] The inner frame, outer frame, or both may include one or more mounting members that extend from the frame and into a gap in the frame, extend toward the opposite frame, extend into the interior of the frame, extend to the exterior of the frame, or a combination thereof. One or more mounting members may include one or more sensor mounts, control mounts, or both. One or more sensor mounts may include one or more sensor plates. One or more sensor mounts may hold one or more sensors. One or more sensor mounts may be located inside, outside, or both of the frame. One or more control mounts may accommodate and / or hold one or more control panels and / or user interfaces. One or more control mounts may be located inside, outside, or both of the frame.

[0078] A pet litter device may include one or more attachments. One or more attachments may be used to assist an animal in entering and / or leaving the chamber, prevent and / or reduce the exit of pet litter and / or excrement from the chamber when the animal leaves (e.g., walks out), groom the animal as it enters and / or leaves, encourage the animal's desire to groom itself, monitor the animal's behavior, lure the animal into the chamber, promote a better posture for excretion within the chamber, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more attachments may be located on one or more parts of the pet litter device. One or more attachments may be located on the frame, chamber, cover, step, base, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more attachments may be removably attached to one or more parts of the pet litter device. For example, one or more attachments may be removably attached to the frame, chamber, cover, step, base, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more attachments may include one or more features for removably attaching to a part of the chamber. One or more attachments may be referred to as one or more removable attachments. Once mounted to the frame, one or more attachments may remain stationary and / or be movable. For example, one or more parts of one or more attachments may be rotatable. The accessories may rotate about hinges, mounting brackets, and / or the like. One or more accessories may include mounting brackets. One or more accessories may include and / or may be one or more pet litter guards, grooming aids, step aids, cameras, scratching aids, attraction accessories, odor neutralizing systems, or combinations thereof.

[0079] One or more accessories may include mounting brackets. Mounting brackets can be used to temporarily and / or permanently attach one or more accessories to a part of the pet litter device. Mounting brackets can provide a common mounting structure for attaching various accessories to the pet litter device (such as the frame). By having a common mounting structure, the pet litter device can be easily customized by consumers to meet the needs of their family and pets. Mounting brackets may be removably attached to the frame, chamber, cover, step, base, etc., or any combination thereof. Removable attachment means that the part can be attached to a part of the device, easily removed, and reattached multiple times. This allows consumers to mix and match accessories to work with the pet litter device, find the best placement for their animal, remove to clean accessories and / or the device, etc. One or more mounting brackets may be removably attached to a part of the pet litter device (e.g., the frame) by friction fit, snap fit, lock, latch, biasing device, mating feature, etc., or any combination thereof. Mounting brackets may have a shape that is partially and / or substantially adapted to one or more parts of the pet litter device (such as the frame and / or inlet opening). For example, mounting brackets may have a shape that is substantially adapted to the shape of the frame. Mounting brackets or a portion thereof may have a generally C-shaped, V-shaped, channel-shaped, or combination thereof shape. Mounting brackets may be formed as one or more pieces. Mounting brackets may include one or more base members, front flanges, rear flanges, walls, retaining tabs, mating clearances, or combinations thereof.

[0080] Mounting brackets may include one or more base members. Base members may serve as bridges between flanges, supports for features of accessories, a second layer of the frame, or other parts of the pet litter unit, or any combination thereof. Base members may rest directly on one or more parts of the pet litter unit. Base members may rest on the frame, a surface through which the inlet opening passes, or both. Base members may rest on the inner periphery of the frame, a surface defining the inlet opening, or both. Base members may rest on the inner flange of the frame. Base members may have a shape substantially similar to a part of the pet litter unit on which the base member rests. Base members may be curved, planar, or both. Curved shapes may be at least partially annular (e.g., crescent and / or sickle-shaped). Partially annular shapes may be adapted to the annular shape of the frame (such as the inner flange). Base members may have a width. Width may be measured as the distance between the front flange and the opposing rear flange. The width of the base member may be less than, equal to, or greater than the thickness of the frame, the total length of the inner flange of the frame (e.g., from the front surface to the edge), or both. The base member can be a bridging element between one or more front flanges and a rear flange, a bridging element between one or more front flanges and one or more walls, a bridging element between one or more walls, or any combination thereof. The base member may have one or more flanges, walls, or both integrally formed therewith.

[0081] Mounting brackets may include one or more front flanges. The front flanges serve to retain the mounting bracket to a portion of the pet litter device, support one or more retaining tabs, and cooperate with one or more rear flanges and / or walls to provide clamping force around a portion of the pet litter device, or any combination thereof. The front flanges may project from the base member. The front flanges may project from an opening (e.g., an inlet opening). The front flanges may project from the base member at an angle less than, approximately equal to, or greater than vertical. The front flanges may project from the base member at an angle of approximately 75 degrees or greater, approximately 90 degrees or greater, or even approximately 100 degrees or greater. The front flanges may project from the base member at an angle of approximately 130 degrees or less, approximately 120 degrees or less, or even approximately 110 degrees or less. The front flanges may be integrally formed and / or attached to the base member. The front flanges may rest on, abut against, and / or even engage with the front surface of the frame. The front flanges may have a height less than, approximately equal to, or even greater than the length of the front surface of the frame. The length of the front surface of the frame can be measured as the distance between the inner and outer flanges of the frame, the distance between the opposing edges of the defined inner and outer perimeters of the front surface of the frame, or both. The front flange may have a height of approximately 5% or more, approximately 10% or more, approximately 15% or more, approximately 20% or more, or even approximately 25% or more of the length of the front surface of the frame. The front flange may have a height of approximately 100% or less, approximately 75% or less, approximately 50% or less, approximately 40% or less, or even approximately 35% or less of the length of the front surface of the frame.

[0082] The mounting bracket may include one or more rear flanges. The rear flanges are used to hold the mounting bracket to a portion of the pet litter device, cooperate with one or more front flanges to provide clamping force around a portion of the pet litter device, or both. The rear flange may project from the base member. The rear flange may project from an opening (e.g., an inlet opening). The rear flange may project from the base member at an angle less than, approximately equal to, or greater than vertical. The rear flange may project from the base member at an angle of approximately 50 degrees or greater, approximately 60 degrees or greater, approximately 70 degrees or greater, or even approximately 75 degrees or greater. The rear flange may project from the base member at an angle of approximately 130 degrees or less, approximately 110 degrees or less, approximately 100 degrees or less, or even approximately 90 degrees or less. The rear flange may be integrally formed and / or attached to the base member, a wall, or both. The rear flange may be part of a wall extending from the base member. The rear flange may extend in substantially the same direction as the front flanges. The rear flange may rest on, abut, and / or engage with one or more flanges and / or edges of the frame. The rear flange may rest on, abut, and / or engage with the rear edge of the frame. For example, the rear flange may abut the edge of the inner flange of the frame. The rear flange may have a height less than, approximately equal to, or even greater than the height of the front flange of the mounting bracket. The rear flange may have a height of approximately 20% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 40% or more, or even approximately 50% or more of the height of the front flange. The rear flange may have a height of approximately 200% or less, approximately 100% or less, approximately 80% or less, approximately 75% or less, approximately 70% or less, or even approximately 65% ​​or less of the height of the front flange.

[0083] Mounting brackets may include mating gaps. These gaps are used to receive and engage a portion of the litter box. For example, a mating gap may receive a portion of a frame. The mating gap allows the mounting bracket to be securely attached to the frame. Mounting brackets may include base members. The mating gap can be the distance between one or more flanges. It can be the distance between one or more front flanges and one or more rear flanges, the distance between one or more front flanges and one or more walls, or both. The size of the mating gap allows the mounting bracket to have an interference fit (e.g., press fit, friction fit), snap fit, etc., with a portion of the litter box (e.g., frame). One or more mating features may cooperate with the mating gap to ensure the mounting bracket is securely attached to a portion of the litter box while also allowing for easy removal.

[0084] The mounting bracket may include one or more mating features. One or more mating features may be used to mate and / or engage with one or more parts of the pet litter device (e.g., one or more mating features of the frame). One or more mating features may be any feature suitable for temporarily attaching one or more attachments to one or more parts of the pet litter device. One or more parts of the pet litter device may include a frame, chamber, cover, base, etc., or combinations thereof. One or more mating features may include one or more recesses, protrusions, adapting features, and / or similar features. One or more mating features may include one or more features adapting to one or more mating features of the frame. One or more mating features of the mounting bracket may be received in and / or may accommodate one or more mating features of the frame. One or more mating features may include one or more retaining tabs. One or more protrusions may include one or more retaining tabs. One or more mating features may include a single mating feature or multiple mating features. One or more mating features may be formed at one or more ends of the mounting bracket. One or more mating features may be formed in the surface of the mounting bracket facing another part of the pet litter device. One or more mating features may be formed in the surface of the mounting bracket facing the frame. One or more mating features may be formed on the surface of a front flange (e.g., a rear surface) of a surface facing the frame (e.g., a front surface). One or more mating features of a mounting bracket may mate with one or more mating features of the frame. One or more protrusions of a mounting bracket may rest within one or more recesses of the frame. For example, multiple retaining tabs may rest within grooves in the frame. One or more mating features may have a shape substantially adapted to the shape of one or more mating features of the frame. One or more retaining tabs may have a shape substantially adapted to the shape of grooves in the frame. One or more mating features may have a shape substantially hemispherical, semi-teardrop, streamlined hemispherical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any combination thereof (e.g., a 2D cross-section).

[0085] Mounting brackets may include one or more walls. One or more walls may serve as supports for one or more other components of an accessory, one or more pet litter guards, and / or the like. One or more walls may extend from one or more members and / or flanges of one or more mounting brackets. One or more walls may be attached to one or more members and / or flanges of one or more mounting brackets, integrally formed with said one or more members and / or flanges, or both. For example, one or more walls may project from a base member. As another example, one or more walls may project from one or more flanges (e.g., a rear flange) and / or be extensions of one or more flanges. One or more walls may include a wall, a hinge wall, or both. A wall may be referred to as a rear wall. A wall may project from the base member in the opposite direction, the same direction, or both of the one or more flanges, other walls, or both. A wall may project from the base member in a direction substantially opposite to the front flange, rear flange, or both. A wall may project from a member (e.g., a base member) at an angle less than, approximately equal to, or greater than vertical. A wall may project from a member at an angle substantially complementary to the one or more flanges. For example, the angle at which a wall protrudes from the base member can be a supplementary angle to the angle at which one or more rear flanges protrude from the base member. The wall may protrude from the base member at an angle of about 130 degrees or less, about 120 degrees or less, about 110 degrees or less, or even about 105 degrees or less. The rear flange may protrude from the base member at an angle of about 50 degrees or more, about 70 degrees or more, about 80 degrees or more, or even about 90 degrees or more. A wall (such as a rear wall) may be continuous with one or more rear flanges. One or more walls may be located between one or more flanges and one or more other walls. For example, a hinge wall may be located between a front flange and a rear wall. One or more walls may be parallel to each other, protruding in the same direction, or both. One or more walls may have a shape that is at least partially adapted to all or part of the base member, inlet opening, frame, interior of a cavity, exterior of a cavity, cover, or any combination thereof. For example, one or more walls may have a shape that is partially adapted to the inlet opening and a portion of the base member. One or more pet litter guards may have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., 2D) that is substantially and / or partially shaped as a chord (e.g., D-shape), circle, rectangle, trapezoid, triangle (e.g., V-shape), or any combination thereof. One or more walls may have a height of about 5% or more, 7% or more, or even 10% or more of the total height of the inlet opening. One or more walls may have a height of about 25% or less, 20% or less, or even 15% or less of the total height of the inlet opening. Height may be measured as the distance from where the wall protrudes from the base member to the opposite edge of the wall.

[0086] The mounting bracket may include one or more hinges. One or more hinges may be used to temporarily move one or more portions of the attachment while holding the attachment on a portion of the pet litter assembly. One or more hinges may be attached to one or more attachments and / or as part of one or more attachments. One or more hinges may be located on any portion of the mounting bracket for attaching a portion of the attachment to the mounting bracket. One or more hinges may be attached to one or more members, flanges, and / or walls and / or supported by one or more members, flanges, and / or walls. For example, one or more hinges may be located between a hinge wall and the rear wall of the mounting bracket. One or more hinges may include one or more pivoting mechanisms. One or more pivoting mechanisms may form a pivot of the hinge. One or more pivoting mechanisms may include one or more pins. One or more pins may be pins, bolts, shafts, and / or the like. One or more pivoting mechanisms may be integral with and / or attached to the mounting bracket. One or more pivoting mechanisms may be located between a hinge wall and the rear wall. One or more pivoting mechanisms may be attached to a hinge wall, rear wall, base member, or any combination thereof; integral with a hinge wall, rear wall, base member, or any combination thereof; or both. One or more pivoting mechanisms may be located above, attached to, or even partially integral with a base member. One or more hinges may include one or more hinge plates. One or more hinge plates may be used to pivot about the pivoting mechanism. One or more hinge plates may be used to connect the hinge to one or more components of an accessory. One or more hinge plates may be attached to one or more portions of one or more step aids, camera assemblies, pet litter guards, scratching aids, and / or the like. One or more hinge plates may be located between one or more hinge walls, rear walls, or both of a mounting bracket; attached to one or more hinge walls, rear walls, or both of a mounting bracket; or both. One or more hinge plates may be rotatably attached to a pivoting mechanism. One or more hinge plates may include one or more joints or the like for receiving at least a portion of a pivoting mechanism passing through it.

[0087] Mounting brackets may include one or more through-openings. One or more through-openings allow pet litter and / or excrement accumulated on the mounting bracket to be easily repositioned into the interior of the chamber. One or more through-openings may be formed between one or more members, walls, flanges, or combinations thereof. One or more through-openings may be formed between one or more base members and one or more rear walls. One or more through-openings may be located between rear flanges. One or more through-openings may cause a discontinuity in the rear flange, rear wall, or both along the rear edge of the base member. One or more through-openings may have a height relative to the height of a wall (e.g., a rear wall). One or more through-openings may have a height of about 3% or more, 5% or more, 7% or more, or even 10% or more of the height of a wall (e.g., a rear wall). One or more through-openings may have a height of about 25% or less, about 20% or less, about 15% or less, or even 12% or less of the height of a wall (e.g., a rear wall). The height of the through opening should be high enough to allow pet sand that has accumulated on the base member to be easily transferred back into the chamber, but to prevent pet sand from the inside of the chamber from leaving the chamber through it.

[0088] One or more accessories may include one or more litter guards. One or more litter guards may be used to prevent and / or reduce the exit of litter and / or excrement from the chamber when the animal leaves (e.g., walks out). One or more litter guards may be positioned along and / or near the entrance opening. One or more litter guards may be attached to one or more mounting brackets, integrated with and / or included in one or more mounting brackets, integrated into a frame, integrated into the chamber, or any combination thereof. One or more litter guards may be one or more walls of one or more mounting brackets, attached to one or more walls, or both. Mounting brackets having walls (e.g., rear walls) may be used as litter guards. One or more litter guards may be positioned at the bottom and / or near the entrance opening. One or more litter guards may have a shape or part of a shape that is compatible or incompatible with at least a portion of the mounting bracket (e.g., base member), entrance opening, frame, interior of the chamber, exterior of the chamber, cover, or any combination thereof. One or more pet litter guards may have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., 2D) shaped as a chord (e.g., D-shape), circle, rectangle, trapezoid, triangle (e.g., V-shape), or any combination thereof. One or more pet litter guards may be removably or permanently attached. One or more pet litter guards may have a height suitable for retaining pet litter within the enclosure while allowing the animal to easily step over it when entering and exiting the enclosure. The height of the pet litter guard may be the same as or similar to the height of one or more walls. One or more pet litter guards may include or not include one or more grooming sections.

[0089] One or more accessories may include one or more grooming sections. One or more grooming sections may be used to groom an animal's fur, remove particles from the animal, or both. One or more grooming sections may remove particles (e.g., pet litter particles, excrement residue, dust, allergens) accumulated in and / or on the animal's fur, paws, and / or similar objects. One or more grooming sections may remove particles when the animal passes through, walks through, or passes over and through the grooming section; enters and / or exits the chamber; passes through the entrance opening; or any combination thereof. One or more grooming sections may be flexible, rigid, or a combination of both. One or more grooming sections may be flexible along their length, hinges, and / or flexures, where they encounter and / or abut against walls, mounting brackets, frames, chambers, bases, covers, and / or the like. One or more grooming sections may be stationary, movable, or both. One or more grooming sections may be made of one or more metals, polymers, and / or the like. For example, silicone and PVC may be used. One or more grooming sections may include one or more woven and / or nonwoven materials. For example, felt can be an available material. One or more grooming portions may include one or more teeth, bristles, and / or points. One or more grooming portions may resemble the teeth, bristles, and / or points of a comb, brush, etc. One or more grooming devices may extend inward toward the center of the access opening, chamber, or both. One or more grooming devices may extend inward toward the center of the access opening and away from the litter guard, mounting bracket, or both. One or more grooming devices may extend outward away from the exterior of the litter device, the interior of the chamber, or both. One or more grooming portions may be integrally, permanently attached, and / or removably attached to one or more mounting brackets, litter guards, borders, chambers, covers, bases, other surfaces of the litter device, or any combination thereof. One or more grooming portions may be positioned along one or more surfaces and / or edges of one or more mounting brackets, litter guards, borders, chambers, covers, bases, other surfaces of the litter device, or any combination thereof. One or more grooming portions may extend from the rear wall of the mounting bracket.

[0090] One or more accessories may include one or more scratching aids. One or more scratching aids may be used to facilitate grooming, stretching, and use of the pet litter device. Animals may wish to scratch before and / or after excrement. One or more scratching aids may satisfy this wish via a suitable scratching surface rather than other surfaces in the consumer's home (e.g., a sofa near the pet device). One or more scratching aids may be positioned along and / or near an entrance opening. One or more scratching aids may be attached to one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; integral with one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; and / or include one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more scratching aids may be one or more walls, flanges, or both of one or more mounting brackets; attached to one or more walls, flanges, or both of one or more mounting brackets; and / or integral with one or more walls, flanges, or both of one or more mounting brackets.

[0091] One or more scratching aids may include one or more scratching portions. The scratching portions may be configured to be exposed and usable by an animal. The scratching portions may include one or more materials suitable for scratching, attracting one or more animals to scratch, or both. Scratching may mean that an animal rubs its body against the scratching area to provide relief, comfort, or even leave a scent mark. Scratching may mean that an animal scratches its paws on the scratching portion, such as filing and grooming its paws. One or more scratching portions may be formed on and / or protrude from one or more portions of the mounting bracket. One or more scratching portions may be located on one or more front flanges of the mounting bracket. The front flange location may attract an animal to extend, groom, or rub its paws against the scratching surface before and / or after leaving the pet litter device. One or more scratching portions may extend rearward from the mounting bracket into the chamber, away from the base member and / or opposite or in any combination thereof. One or more scratching portions may be attached to one or more walls of the mounting bracket. One or more scratching portions may be attached to one or more rear walls of the mounting bracket. Extending away from the base member and into the chamber of the pet litter device, it attracts animals to rub a portion of their body against the scratching parts as they enter the chamber, before leaving the chamber, while inside the chamber, or in any case. The mounting bracket may have one or more scratching parts attached thereto. For example, the mounting bracket may include a front flange with scratching parts and a rear wall with scratching parts. The scratching parts may include or be composed of one or more materials for scratching. One or more materials may include one or more textured fabrics, teeth, points, bristles, or combinations thereof. One or more materials may include one or more polymers, organic materials, etc., or combinations thereof. One or more polymers may include silicone, nylon, and / or the like. One or more organic materials may include sisal, jute, other fibrous materials, etc., or any combination thereof. The scratching parts may be textured (e.g., ribbed, corrugated, etc.).

[0092] One or more accessories may include one or more step aids. One or more step aids allow animals to comfortably enter and exit the chamber via the opening. One or more step aids may be particularly beneficial in allowing one or more smaller animals (e.g., kittens), older animals, or animals with limited mobility to comfortably enter and exit the chamber with minimal jumping and / or stretching. One or more step aids may have any size and shape to allow one or more animals to comfortably enter and exit the chamber opening. One or more step aids may replace, cooperate with, or both of one or more steps attached to a waste drawer. One or more step aids may be located on the same side of the device as the entrance opening. One or more step aids may be attached to a frame, base, chamber, waste drawer, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more step aids may be removably attached to a frame. One or more step aids may include mounting brackets, be attached to mounting brackets, or be integrated with mounting brackets. One or more step aids may include hinges and / or be attached to hinges. The hinges allow the step accessor to easily rotate away from the waste drawer, allowing access to the waste drawer, cleaning of the sloping section, or any combination thereof.

[0093] One or more step accessories may include ramp portions. The ramp portion may include ramps, one or more steps (e.g., multiple steps), and / or the like. The ramp portion may be attached to a mounting bracket. The ramp portion may be rotatably attached to the mounting bracket. The ramp portion may be rotatably attached to the mounting bracket via one or more hinges. The ramp portion may be attached to one or more hinge leaves, joints, and / or pivot mechanisms. One or more compatible parts of the hinge may be attached to and / or integrated with the mounting bracket. One or more ramps, steps, or both may have any size, shape, and / or configuration to allow an animal to enter and / or exit the chamber. One or more steps may have a cross-sectional shape that is partially and / or substantially rectangular, square, trapezoidal, rhomboid, triangular, circular, semi-circular (e.g., crescent-shaped), or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape may refer to a shape substantially parallel to the ground, a horizontal plane, or other supporting surface. The ramp portion may have surfaces suitable for removing pet litter, excrement, and / or other debris from the animal's paws, such as when exiting the chamber. The inclined portion may have a surface with one or more contours. Contours can mean textured, ribbed, grid-like, corrugated, slotted, or any combination thereof. Contours may include peaks and valleys. Peaks are used to remove pet litter from an animal's paws upon contact. Valleys are used to collect pet litter, excrement, and / or other debris. The inclined portion can be cleaned by dusting and / or sweeping. The inclined portion can be cleaned by rotating it upwards and or into the chamber of the pet litter device. By rotating the ramp portion about a hinge, pet litter collected on the ramp portion can be set inside the chamber by gravity.

[0094] One or more accessories may include one or more camera components. One or more camera components can be used to monitor the behavior of one or more animals inside, outside, and near the pet litter device, or both. One or more camera components can be used to monitor the surrounding environment around the pet litter device. One or more camera components may be positioned along and / or near the entrance opening, one or more sensors, one or more sensor plates, etc. One or more camera components may include one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; attached to one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; and / or integrated with one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more camera components may include mounting brackets, cameras, swivel mounts, and / or the like. One or more camera components may be removably attached to the frame. One or more camera components may be attached to the frame along any portion that provides visibility into the chamber, the outside of the chamber, or both. One or more camera components may be mounted on the upper portion of the frame, the side portion of the frame, the bottom portion of the frame, or anywhere in between. Mounting to the upper portion of the frame provides observation of most of the interior of the chamber, above the pet litter bed, or both. Observation of the chamber can be optimal due to the chamber's tilted axis of rotation. The camera assembly may include a camera attached to a mounting bracket via a swivel mount. The mounting bracket may include one or more swivel mounts attached to and / or integrated with the mounting bracket. One or more swivel mounts may be attached to, and / or integrated with, one or more components, walls, and / or flanges. The swivel mounts may allow the camera to be easily rotated in multiple directions (e.g., up, down, sideways, angled, etc.). One or more cameras may include any camera capable of capturing continuous flow, discontinuous flow (e.g., slower frames per second), or both. One or more cameras may include any camera suitable for communication over the Internet (e.g., wireless communication via Wi-Fi). One or more exemplary cameras may include one or more cameras from Wyze, such as Wyze Cam v3 and WyzeCam, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0095] One or more attachments may include one or more lure attachments. One or more lure features may be used to encourage the animal to fully enter the chamber before excreting excrement. Full entry into the chamber significantly reduces the risk of urine spray and / or partial excretion of fecal matter outside the chamber. One or more lure attachments may be positioned along and / or near the entrance opening, positioned inside the chamber, or both. One or more lure attachments may be attached to one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; integrated with one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; and / or include one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more lure attachments may include one or more lure features. One or more lure features may be attached to one or more walls, flanges, or both of one or more mounting brackets; integrated with one or more walls, flanges, or both of one or more mounting brackets; or both. One or more lure features may include a single lure feature or multiple lure features. Multiple lure features may work together. One or more lure features may include one or more suspended lures, light-emitting devices, sound-emitting devices, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more suspended lures may be configured to hang at the entrance opening, inside the chamber, or both. The suspended lures may include one or more feathers, balls, etc. One or more animals may become curious and / or want to play with the lures, thus enticing the animals to enter the chamber completely. One or more light-emitting devices may emit one or more types of light into the interior of the chamber, or display one or more types of light on the inner walls of the chamber, or both. The light emitted by the light-emitting devices may be substantially stationary and / or movable. Animals may become curious about the light and enter the chamber completely. One or more light-emitting devices may activate when the presence of an animal approaching and / or entering the pet litter chamber is sensed. One or more light-emitting devices may be attached to a mounting, attached to a frame, or both. Alternatively, one or more light-emitting devices may be located on the same sensor plate as one or more sensors. One or more sound-emitting devices may emit one or more sounds from inside the chamber. One or more sound-emitting devices may be located within the chamber, the base, or both. One or more sound-emitting devices may be positioned towards the rear of the pet litter device. One or more sound-emitting devices may include one or more transducer speakers. Animals may be curious about the sound and its source, prompting them to fully enter the cavity to explore before excreting.

[0096] One or more accessories may include one or more odor neutralizing systems. One or more odor neutralizing systems can be used to neutralize any odors that may be generated from animal excrement. One or more odor neutralizing systems may operate prior to a cleaning cycle, after which excrement is placed in the excrement drawer. One or more odor neutralizing systems may be positioned along and / or near the inlet opening. One or more odor neutralizing systems may be attached to one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; integrated with one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof; and / or include one or more mounting brackets, frames, chambers, covers, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more odor neutralizing systems may be removably attached to a frame via one or more mounting brackets. One or more odor neutralizing systems may include an automatic sprayer, neutralizing fluid, a drive unit, a housing, a mounting bracket, a motion sensor, or any combination thereof. An automatic sprayer may include one or more nozzles. One or more nozzles may be used to spray neutralizing fluid onto the opening of the device, onto the surrounding environment of the pet litter device, or both. One or more nozzles may be in fluid communication with the neutralizing fluid. The neutralizing fluid can be any suitable air freshener liquid. This liquid may have a composition that reduces airborne bacteria to eliminate unpleasant odors. Ingredients may include ethylene glycol, alcohol, fragrances, etc. The housing may accommodate one or more nozzles, a drive unit, the neutralizing fluid, and a motion sensor. The housing may be attached to and / or integrated with a mounting bracket. The odor neutralizing system may be similar in function to and / or have similar components to Glade®'s Sense & Spray®, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The odor neutralizing system may use a spray device similar to the spray device described in 8,091,734, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0097] The chamber includes one or more waste openings. These openings allow waste, used pet litter, or both to be transferred from the chamber to the base, waste bin, or both. The waste openings can be located anywhere within the chamber, allowing waste, used pet litter, or both to be transferred from the chamber to the waste bin. The waste openings can be located anywhere within the chamber, aligned with the waste bin during a cleaning cycle, offset from the waste bin when in their original position, or both. The waste openings can be formed as orifices in the upper chamber, lower chamber, or both. For example, the waste opening can be formed as an orifice in the upper chamber, such that when the chamber is in its original position, it resides substantially opposite the waste bin. The waste openings can have any shape suitable for allowing waste to be rapidly transferred from the chamber to the waste drawer during a cleaning cycle. The waste openings can have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular, oval, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, rhomboid, etc., or any combination thereof. The waste opening may have a shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the waste bin. The waste opening may be partially or completely located on one side of the longitudinal plane of the device. The longitudinal plane may intersect with an axis of rotation, a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, or a combination thereof. The axis of rotation, the vertical plane, or both may be parallel to the longitudinal plane, lie within the longitudinal plane, or both. The horizontal plane may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane. The longitudinal plane may divide the pet litter device into side halves. Each side half may each include a portion of a cover, a chamber, and a base. The side halves may be substantially symmetrical and / or mirror-image with respect to the longitudinal plane. Substantialty may still allow certain features, such as the waste opening, to be located only on one side of the device. The center of the waste opening may be offset from the longitudinal axis by an angle. The center of the waste opening may form an angle with the longitudinal plane of approximately 0° or greater, approximately 5° or greater, approximately 10° or greater, approximately 15° or greater, or even approximately 20° or greater. The center of the excrement opening may form an angle of approximately 45° or less, approximately 35° or less, approximately 30° or less, or even approximately 25° or less with the longitudinal plane. This angle can be measured when the chamber is in its original position. The excrement opening may be located on one or more sides of the track. The excrement opening may be located between the inlet opening and the track. When the chamber is in its original position, the excrement opening may not overlap with the excrement bin. During a cleaning cycle, the excrement opening may be substantially aligned with, overlap with, or both of these positions with the excrement bin. During a cleaning cycle, the excrement opening may rotate about the axis of rotation. During a cleaning cycle, the excrement opening may rotate from its original position to an empty position, the original position, any position in between, or a combination thereof. When the chamber rotates, the empty position may position the excrement opening adjacent to, overlapping with, substantially centered on, or a combination thereof with the excrement bin. During the cleaning cycle, the excrement opening can be rotated to an angle of approximately 130° or greater, approximately 145° or greater, approximately 150° or greater, approximately 155° or greater, or even approximately 160° or greater to the empty position.During a cleaning cycle, the waste opening can rotate by an angle of approximately 230° or less, approximately 220° or less, approximately 200° or less, or even approximately 180° or less to the empty position. The waste opening can rotate a full revolution (e.g., 360°) from the beginning to the end of the cleaning cycle. The waste opening may rotate as the track rotates. The rotation of the track causes both the chamber and the waste opening to rotate.

[0098] The chamber may include a rotating device. The rotating device can be used to rotate the chamber about a rotation axis, rotate the chamber during a cleaning cycle, or both. The rotating device may be a track, gear, high-friction surface, raised area, toothed area, contact surface area, etc., or a combination thereof. The rotating device may be attached to the chamber, integral with the chamber, rotatably communicated with the chamber, or a combination thereof. The rotating device may be located outside, inside, or both of the chamber. The rotating device may be a belt, gear, sprocket, toothed assembly, roller, wheel, etc., or a combination thereof. The chamber may include a track surrounding at least a portion of the chamber's exterior. The base may include one or more drive sources that are rotatably communicated with and drive the rotating device.

[0099] Pet litter devices may include a cover. A cover may be used to cover the track, cover the waste opening, provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior, prevent one or more pressure points or contact points with one or more moving parts, prevent contaminants (e.g., liquids, dust, fur, etc.) from entering the device (e.g., between the track and the drive source); or combinations thereof. When the chamber is in its original position, during a cleaning cycle, in an empty position, or any combination thereof, the cover may partially or completely cover the track, waste opening, or both. When the chamber rotates, the cover may be stationary, movable, or both relative to the chamber. A stationary cover relative to the chamber allows the cover to continuously cover the track, waste opening, pressure points, or combinations thereof as the chamber moves. A stationary cover relative to the chamber provides ease of manufacture, reliability during use, or both. The cover may have any suitable shape and / or size for covering and / or concealing the track, waste opening, or both; located above and / or around at least a portion of the chamber; or any combination thereof. The cover may have a shape substantially conforming to the contours of the chamber, upper chamber, lower chamber, or combinations thereof. For example, the cover may have a substantially hemispherical shape. The cover may be substantially solid, continuous, have one or more openings, discontinuous, etc., or any combination thereof. The cover may have no openings or include one or more openings. When the chamber is in its original position, one or more openings may be aligned with the excrement opening. One or more openings may include a transparent cover. The transparent cover allows light to pass through while physically covering the excrement opening. One or more openings allow natural light to enter the interior of the chamber. The cover may be attached to a base, frame, pet litter dispenser, or combinations thereof. The cover may be permanently and / or removably attached to a base, base frame, frame, pet litter dispenser, or combinations thereof. The cover may be pivotally engaged with a base, base frame, or combinations thereof. The cover may be attached to a base and / or base frame by one or more hinges, fasteners, or both. One or more fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), interlocking tabs, rivets, pins, etc., or combinations thereof. The cover may be attached to the base and / or base frame via one or more hinges opposite the inlet opening. The cover may be attached to the base and / or base frame via one or more interlocking tabs, wherein the cover mates with the base and / or base frame. The cover may be attached to the frame via one or more interlocking tabs, wherein the cover mates with the frame around the inlet opening. The cover may be attached to the frame, base, base frame, or combinations thereof via one or more conductive fasteners. One or more conductive fasteners may conduct current from the frame, base, base frame, or combinations thereof to the cover. Current flow via one or more conductive fasteners indicates that the cover is attached to the base, base frame, and / or frame. The cessation of current flow via one or more conductive fasteners indicates that the cover has been removed from the base, base frame, and / or frame.When the cover is removed from the base, base frame, and / or frame, it prevents one or more cleaning cycles, prevents chamber rotation, or both. The cover may include one or more interlocking sensors, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,757,094 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0333625, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0100] Pet litter systems eliminate waste during one or more cleaning cycles. The cleaning cycle can be used to transfer waste from the chamber to a waste bin, waste drawer, base, or any combination thereof. The cleaning cycle can also be used to rotate the chamber about an axis of rotation. During a cleaning cycle, the chamber can rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The direction of rotation may depend on the orientation of the partitions, screens, or both.

[0101] The pet litter maker includes a base. The base can be used to support the chamber, house the waste drawer, house one or more electrical components, or any combination thereof. The base can be of any size and shape such that it supports the chamber, houses the waste drawer, and / or houses one or more electrical components. The base rotatably supports the chamber. The base allows the chamber to rotate during one or more cleaning cycles. The base can be configured to rest on a surface. The surface can be any suitable surface for placing the pet litter maker thereon. The surface can be a floor, table, platform, substantially flat surface, or any combination thereof. The base may include one or more base frames, waste drawers, drawer cavities, chamber supports, steps, electrical components, ports, filters, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0102] Pet litter devices include a waste drawer. The waste drawer can be used to collect waste, temporarily store waste, prevent waste-related odors from leaving the device, or any combination thereof. The waste drawer can have any shape and size that allows it to collect and temporarily store waste. The waste drawer can be located within the base, within a drawer cavity, between a cavity support and the bottom of the base, between the bottom of the base and the cavity, or any combination thereof. The waste drawer can be any size and / or shape that allows it to temporarily collect and store waste. The waste drawer or a portion thereof can have a three-dimensional shape, which is substantially spherical, oval, cylindrical, cubic, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the waste drawer can have a substantially cubic and hollow shape. The waste drawer can slide within a plane. The waste drawer can be removably located within the base. The waste drawer can be at least partially located within a waste drawer cavity. This plane can be parallel to or offset relative to a horizontal plane. A waste drawer may include a waste bin, a drawer front, a step, a handle, or any combination thereof. The drawer front may form all or part of the forward-facing surface of the base (e.g., the same side as the entrance opening). The drawer front may be aligned with the exterior of the base frame to conceal the drawer cavity. The drawer front may have a cross-sectional shape substantially adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the drawer opening in the base frame. When the waste drawer is located within the drawer cavity, the adapted shape allows the drawer cavity to be completely sealed by the drawer front. The drawer front may be attached to the waste bin, integrated with the waste bin, or both. The drawer front may face forward relative to the waste bin.

[0103] Pet litter systems may include one or more steps. One or more steps allow the animal to comfortably enter and exit the chamber via an opening. One or more steps may be attached to a waste drawer. One or more steps may serve as handles for the waste drawer.

[0104] One or more steps may include a cleaning device. The cleaning device can be used to remove residual pet litter from the animal's feet (e.g., paws) as the animal leaves the chamber, before it completely leaves the litter device, or both. By removing pet litter from the animal's paws, the cleaning device prevents pet litter and other unwanted residue from the animal's paws from being tracked throughout the area around the litter device. The cleaning device may cooperate with one or more grooming sections to remove pellets from the animal.

[0105] Pet litter devices may include partitions. Partitions can be used to separate excrement from pet litter, separate used pet litter from unused pet litter, or both. Partitions may have any size or shape suitable for placement within the chamber to sift pet litter during cleaning cycles. Partitions may be single or multiple pieces. Partitions may include screen portions, partition portions, hinges, or combinations thereof. Partitions may be located within the chamber, attached to the interior of the chamber (e.g., the upper chamber), integral with the chamber, or any combination thereof. Partitions may be permanently attached or removably attached. Partitions may include more or more attachment features. One or more attachment features may be reusable fasteners. One or more attachment features may include one or more tabs, clamps, threaded fasteners, and / or the like. One or more attachment features may cooperate with features inside the chamber to hold the partition in place. One or more attachment features may be partition portions of the partition or attached to partition portions. Partitions may be substantially located opposite the lower chamber, liner, or both. The partition may be aligned with, partially pass through, or both of the excrement opening of the upper chamber. The partition portion may include a partition opening. This opening may be aligned with, coaxial with, centered within, and / or even reside within the excrement opening. The partition opening may be formed in a protrusion of the partition portion. The protrusion may form a funnel to guide excrement through the excrement opening into the excrement drawer. The partition opening may be a hollow portion of the protrusion. The protrusion may be referred to as a neck. The protrusion (e.g., the neck) may be located within the excrement opening. The partition portion may be statically attached to the interior of a chamber, such as the upper chamber. Therefore, during rotation, the partition portion may rotate with the chamber and remain fixed to it. The partition may include a hinge. The hinge may connect the partition portion to a screen portion. During one or more cleaning cycles, rotation of the chamber, or both, the hinge may allow the partition portion, the screen portion, or both to move relative to the other. Hinges may be attached to, integral with, adjacent to, located between, or in combination with the partition and screen portions. Hinges may be multi-part hinges (e.g., butt hinges) or single-part hinges. Single-part hinges may be movable hinges. Hinges may be made of any material that allows movement of the screen portion, partition portion, or both relative to the other. Movement may occur during the partition formation process, before and / or during partition installation into the chamber, during chamber rotation during cleaning cycles, or any combination thereof. Hinges may also be configured to allow the screen geometry to be formed in direct demolding of the molded partition. Hinges may be made of the same material as the screen portion, partition portion, or both. Hinges may allow the screen portion to be angled relative to the partition portion. Hinges may allow the partition to be mounted and profiled to substantially conform to the interior of the chamber. Hinges may impart flexibility to the screen portion relative to the partition portion.The screen portion in its original position within the chamber, the naturally stationary portion of the partition outside the chamber, or both may form an acute, perpendicular, or obtuse angle relative to the partition portion. The screen portion may form an angle of approximately 90 degrees or greater, approximately 120 degrees or greater, approximately 140 degrees or greater, or even approximately 150 degrees or greater relative to the partition portion. The screen portion may form an angle of approximately 180 degrees or less, approximately 170 degrees or less, or even approximately 160 degrees or less relative to the partition portion. This angle can be measured as the angle between surfaces facing the pet litter bed, the lower chamber, the base, the interior of the chamber, or any combination thereof. The screen portion may not be attached to the chamber. The screen portion may be attached to the chamber only via the partition portion. During cleaning cycles, rotation of the chamber, or both, the screen portion may move (e.g., swing) and / or remain substantially stationary relative to the hinge, the partition portion, or both. The screen portion may include one or more openings, such as multiple openings. The screen section can have ribs, grids, corrugations, slots, mesh, or any combination thereof. The size of the multiple openings can be designed to allow unused (e.g., clean) pet litter to pass through while preventing excrement, used pet litter, clumps, large pieces, etc., from passing through. The multiple openings in the screen section allow pet litter to be sifted during cleaning cycles to separate excrement from unused litter. The screen section can cooperate with a deflector. The deflector can be used to control dust during cleaning cycles, ensure pet litter passes under the screen section when returning to its original position, push the screen upwards during cleaning cycles (such as when returning to its original position), or any combination thereof. The deflector can be located between the screen section and the interior of the chamber. When the chamber rotates from its original position to empty, the deflector can rest against the chamber wall. When the chamber rotates from the empty position to the original position, the deflector can be lifted away from the chamber wall. By moving away from the chamber wall, the deflector applies force to the screen section, thereby also moving the screen section away from the chamber wall. The partition can be made of a suitable material. This material can be non-stick; impermeable to liquids; and resistant to damage, penetration, odor absorption, staining, or combinations thereof from pet litter, excrement, liquids, solids, semi-solids, or combinations thereof. The partition material can be rubber, polymeric materials, synthetic materials, natural materials, or any one or a combination thereof. The partition can be made of the same or different materials. For example, the movable hinge, the partition portion, and the screen portion can be made of one or more of the same materials.

[0106] Pet litter dispensers may include one or more seals. One or more seals may be used to prevent odors from transferring from the base, waste drawer, or both to the chamber, the area around the chamber, the exterior of the litter dispenser, or any combination thereof. One or more seals may include any seal capable of forming a sealing joint between two or more surfaces to prevent odors, liquids, waste, and / or pet litter from passing through. One or more seals may include one or more mechanical seals. One or more mechanical seals may include one or more adhesives, sealants, gaskets, compression fittings, plugs, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more gaskets may include one or more flange gaskets, O-ring gaskets, brush seals, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more seals may be located between one or more mating surfaces, at the junction of two or more surfaces, or both. One or more seals may be part of the chamber, base, litter dispenser, ventilation system, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more seals may be located between the mating surfaces of the waste drawer and the base. One or more seals may be located between the mating surfaces of the waste bin and the chamber support. One or more mating surfaces may be located around the periphery of the waste bin, around the opening of the chamber support, or both, wherein the waste bin contacts the chamber support. One or more seals may be located between the chamber and the base. One or more seals may seal the gap between the chamber and the chamber support. One or more seals may be located between the base frame and the waste drawer. One or more seals may be located at the location where the waste drawer mates with the drawer opening. One or more seals may be located around the periphery of the drawer opening, around the corresponding portion of the waste drawer, or both. One or more seals may still allow movement of one or more components while preventing leakage when in a stationary position. One or more seals may allow the waste drawer to be removed from the base, the chamber to be rotated, or both. One or more seals may be made of one or more sealing materials. One or more sealing materials may include rubber, silicone, metal, paper, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), plastic polymers (such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene), or combinations thereof.

[0107] Pet litter devices may include a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can be used to rotate the chamber, drive the track, or both; generate a cleaning cycle; or a combination thereof. The drive mechanism can be any suitable mechanism for rotating and / or engaging with the chamber, track, or both. The drive mechanism can engage with the track, rotate in communication with the track, or both. The drive mechanism may include one or more gears, pulleys, sprockets, gears, belts, direct drives, motors, drive shafts, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0108] A pet litter device may include one or more odor neutralizers. One or more odor neutralizers may be used to reduce and / or eliminate odors, pathogens, or both emanating from within the pet litter device. One or more odor neutralizers may operate manually and / or automatically. One or more odor neutralizers may be designed to activate automatically based on sensed air quality, completion of a cleaning cycle, sensed animal leaving the pet litter device, or any combination thereof. One or more odor neutralizers may be attached to a frame, cover, base, step, chamber, external storage unit, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more odor neutralizers may be part of or separate from an odor neutralization system. One or more odor neutralizers may be attached to the interior and / or exterior of the pet litter device or any component thereof. One or more odor neutralizers may be permanently or removably attached to the litter device. One or more odor neutralizers may emit a spray upon activation. One or more odor neutralizers may contain one or more ingredients. The ingredients may include: nitrogen, water, cyclodextrin, alcohol, ethanol, hydrogenated castor oil, mineral oil, sodium dialkyl sulfosuccinate, sodium citrate, sodium borate, citric acid, sodium polyacrylate, benzisothiazolinone, butane, propane, fragrance, zeolite, charcoal, enzymatic bacteria (e.g., amylase, lipase, protease), etc., or any combination thereof.

[0109] A pet litter dispenser may include one or more decorative covers. One or more decorative covers may be used to alter the appearance of the pet litter dispenser. One or more decorative covers may be used to cover a lid, base, frame, litter dispenser, waste drawer, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more decorative covers may be formed to have a shape adapted to the shape of a lid, base, frame, litter dispenser, waste drawer, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more decorative covers may be provided in a substantially planar (e.g., flat) manner, or substantially similar in shape to one or more components of the pet litter dispenser. One or more decorative covers may be applied with a permanent adhesive, temporary adhesive, electrostatic (e.g., electrostatic adhesion), shape-fitting, etc., or a combination thereof. One or more decorative covers may include a pattern (design), and may be solid, or both. One or more decorative covers may be permanently attached to the pet litter dispenser, removably attached to the pet litter dispenser, or both. One or more decorative covers may be reusable, single-use, washable, or any combination thereof.

[0110] A pet litter box may work in conjunction with one or more external storage units. These external storage units may be used to conceal the pet litter box, provide a filtration system, provide additional storage, or any combination thereof. The external storage units may include any shape and / or configuration suitable for holding the pet litter box. The external storage units may include one or more walls, inlet openings, doors, vents, filtration systems, shelves, or any combination thereof. One or more walls may form a hollow interior. The external storage units may have sufficient area and total volume of internal space to house the pet litter box. One or more inlet openings may be formed in one or more walls. These openings allow animals to enter the interior of the external storage unit and access the pet litter box. One or more doors may be located in appropriate positions on one or more walls. These doors allow individuals (e.g., pet owners) easy access to the pet litter box. One or more vents may be formed in one or more walls and / or doors. These vents allow fresh ambient air to enter and / or exit the external storage unit. One or more shelves may be located inside or outside the external storage unit. These shelves may provide additional storage. One or more filtration systems may be located inside or outside the external storage unit. One or more filtration systems may be positioned adjacent to or near one or more walls. One or more external storage units may resemble cabinets, sideboards, pantry cabinets and lockers, benches, wardrobes, etc.

[0111] Automated pet litter systems may include one or more sensors. These sensors may be used to detect one or more conditions of the system. The sensors may be located in any one or more parts of the pet litter system, allowing them to detect the presence and / or absence of one or more conditions of one or more components. The sensors may be positioned adjacent to the inlet opening; near and / or attached to the drive source; near one or more extrusion points, a portion of the cover, a portion of the frame, a portion of the base; within or attached to the chamber; or any combination thereof. The sensors may be located within or on the frame. The sensors may be located on the upper portion of the frame. The sensors may be positioned adjacent to the inlet opening, opposite the base, on the same side of the chamber as the excrement opening, on the same side of the chamber as the upper chamber, on the bottom of the base, or any combination thereof. For example, the sensors may be located on a sensor plate within the frame. The angle of the opening plane relative to the vertical plane can result in one or more sensors being located above the pet litter, with line of sight to the pet litter, above the hollow interior of the chamber, with line of sight to the hollow interior, above the waste drawer opening, with line of sight to the waste drawer (e.g., via the waste opening), or any combination thereof. One or more sensors may be located on or near one or more legs and / or feet of the base. For example, one or more legs and / or feet of the base may include one or more mass and / or weight sensors. Depending on one or more conditions sensed, one or more sensors may transmit one or more signals to one or more controllers, processors, communication modules, computing devices, or any combination thereof. One or more sensors may be a single sensor or multiple sensors. One or more sensors may include one or more, two or more, or even three or more sensors. One or more sensors may include 15 or fewer, 12 or fewer, 10 or fewer, 9 or fewer, 8 or fewer, 7 or fewer, or even 5 or fewer sensors.

[0112] One or more sensors may be adapted to detect one or more conditions related to: the mass of the pet litter device, changes in mass, or both; the presence of pet litter, the amount of pet litter, or both; the presence of excrement, the level of excrement, or both; the presence of light, light at, equal to, and / or below lumen levels, or combinations thereof; the connection between two or more components of the device (e.g., a support base and a cover); the presence of one or more compression conditions; the location of one or more chambers; the operation of the motor; the presence of an animal within one or more parts of the pet litter device; or any combination thereof. One or more sensors may be adapted to sense the presence of an animal within a chamber, the presence of excrement in an excrement bin within the base, the level of pet litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof. One or more sensors may be adapted to sense the presence of an animal within the pet litter device and within parts other than the chambers. One or more sensors may be able to sense presence, measure distance, measure displacement, detect position relative to one or more components of the automated pet litter device, or any combination thereof.

[0113] One or more sensors may include one or more mass sensors, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, thin-film sensors, radio frequency (RF) admittance sensors, conductive sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, etc., or combinations thereof. One or more laser sensors may include one or more time-of-flight sensors. One or more laser sensors may include one or more tapered laser sensors. One or more tapered laser sensors may include one or more wide-tapered laser sensors, narrow-tapered laser sensors, or both. One or more sensors may include one or more excrement sensors (e.g., indicators), presence sensors, light sensors, interlock sensors, squeeze detectors, position sensors, motor sensors (e.g., one or more laser sensors, distance sensors), or any combination thereof. One or more sensors may provide the functionality of multiple sensors. For example, one or more excrement sensors may also be one or more presence sensors. One or more exemplary sensors may be described in U.S. Patent No. 8,757,094; U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2013 / 0333625 and 2019 / 0364840; and PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 029776 (published as PCT Publication No. WO 2020 / 219849A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0114] Cleaning cycle

[0115] The pet litter box can complete one or more cleaning cycles. A cleaning cycle can be used to transfer excrement from the chamber to the base, excrement drawer, or a combination thereof. A cleaning cycle can be used to separate clean pet litter (e.g., unused pet litter) from excrement, used pet litter, clumps, large balls, or any combination thereof. A cleaning cycle can be initiated after one or more presence sensors detect that the animal has left the chamber, excrement has settled in the chamber, the user has initiated the cleaning cycle, or any combination thereof. A cleaning cycle can begin with rotation of the chamber. The chamber can be driven by a track, a drive mechanism, or both. The chamber can be driven by a track attached to the chamber. The track can be driven by a drive mechanism. The chamber can rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The direction of rotation can be determined by the position of the partition, screen portion relative to the partition portion, excrement opening, or a combination thereof. During a cleaning cycle, the chamber can rotate from its original position to an empty position, from an empty position to its original position, from an empty position to a horizontal position, from its original position to a horizontal position, from a horizontal position to its original position, or any combination thereof. For example, a cleaning cycle may include rotating the chamber from its original position to an empty position, from an empty position to a horizontal position, and from a horizontal position back to its original position. The rotation from the empty position to the horizontal position may include passing through the original position. The original position may be a resting position of the chamber suitable for the animal's use of the litter device. The empty position allows waste to be transferred to the waste drawer. In the empty position, the waste opening may be aligned with the waste drawer. The horizontal position allows the litter to level itself along the bottom chamber, lining, or both before returning to its original position.

[0116] Filtration system

[0117] This teaching also relates to filtration systems. Filtration systems can be used to prevent, reduce, neutralize, and / or even eliminate odors in the air passing through a pet litter unit. Filtration systems may not prevent and / or reduce dust particles (e.g., from pet litter) from leaving the pet litter unit. Filtration systems can have any size, shape, and / or configuration to reduce or even eliminate odors associated with animal excrement, dust generated from the pet litter unit, or both. Filtration systems can be active, passive, or both. Active systems can be systems that move air to reduce or eliminate odors, reduce and / or prevent dust particles from leaving the chamber, or both. Passive systems can be systems that absorb odors. Odor reduction can occur by eliminating odor-causing bacteria, filtering odors, cooling air to reduce odors, or any combination thereof. Dust particle reduction can occur by directing a flow of particles in the air toward the interior of the pet litter unit. Filtration systems may include one or more air circulation devices, filters, light treatment devices, heat exchangers, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0118] One or more light treatment devices can be any energy source suitable for killing the bacteria in the excrement that cause foul odors. Suitable light treatment devices may include one or more ultraviolet lamps.

[0119] One or more heat exchange devices can be used to change the air temperature within the filtration system, such as by lowering the air temperature. Cooling the air can inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with odors. One or more heat exchange devices may include one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs). One or more thermoelectric devices may include one or more Peltier devices.

[0120] One or more filters may include one or more physical filters. One or more physical filters may be any filter suitable for absorbing odors from the air as air passes through the filter. One or more physical filters may be any filter suitable for capturing particles from pet litter. One or more physical filters may include one or more pre-filters, allergen filters, deodorizing filters, pathogen filters, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more pre-filters may be used to capture larger particles. Larger particles may include pet litter particles, finer dust particles from pet litter, smaller excrement particles that may be smaller than the sieve openings of the separator, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more allergen filters may be used to absorb and break down allergens. Allergens may include one or more proteins. These proteins may be part of pet dander and / or excrement material. One or more allergen filters may function by breaking down proteins. One or more deodorizing filters may be used to neutralize and / or remove odors from the air passing through them. One or more pathogen filters may be used to prevent pathogens from passing through. Pathogens may include bacteria and / or viruses. One or more pathogen filters may prevent pathogens larger than 0.3 μm from passing through. One or more pathogen filters may include one or more HEPA filters. One or more physical filters may include zeolite, charcoal, nylon wool, synthetic wool, silica gel, baking powder, etc., or combinations thereof. The filtration system may be part of, attached to, located within, or be part of the exterior of the pet litter unit, or any combination thereof.

[0121] Pet litter systems may include one or more filtration systems and / or be in communication with one or more filtration systems. The filtration system may be located between the chamber and the base, adjacent to the base, within the base, part of the chamber, outside the base, outside the chamber, part of the frame, adjacent to the frame, part of the step, part of the external storage unit, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may be attached to the chamber, frame, base, external storage unit, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may be positioned generally opposite the waste opening of the chamber, adjacent to the waste bin, opposite the waste drawer opening, outside the base, adjacent to the outer wall of the base frame, near the axis of rotation, adjacent to and / or around the inlet opening, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may not have a ventilation system, may include a ventilation system, may be part of a ventilation system, or a combination thereof. The filtration system may include one or more housings, physical filters, covers, ventilation systems, ducts, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0122] A filtration system may include one or more housings. One or more housings may be used to house one or more components of the filtration system, attached to one or more components of the filtration system, in fluid communication with a waste chamber, waste drawer, interior of a chamber, or a combination thereof. The housing may have any size, shape, and / or configuration suitable for housing one or more components of the filtration system. The housing may be located within, outside, attached to, or part of a step, part of an external storage unit, or any combination thereof. The housing may be attached to a chamber, base, one or more pipes, an external storage unit, or any combination thereof. The housing may be part of, or separate from, a chamber, base, frame, external storage unit, or combination thereof. The housing may be formed within a chamber, base, frame, external storage unit, or combination thereof. The housing may be formed as a space within a frame, such as the interior space of a frame. The housing may be formed as part of an external storage unit. The housing may be formed as a recess within the outer wall of a chamber. The housing may be referred to as a filter chamber. The housing may be formed in a lower chamber. The housing may be positioned adjacent to an opening of a waste drawer, waste bin, chamber support, or any combination thereof. When the chamber is in its original position, the housing may be in fluid communication with the waste bin to allow odors to flow from the waste bin to the housing. A recess may provide a hollow space to store one or more physical filters. The physical filters may have a shape substantially adapted to the contours of the hollow space, filter chamber, part of the chamber, or any combination thereof. The housing may include a cover. The cover may close the recess and retain the filters within the housing. The cover may include multiple openings. The multiple openings allow odors from the waste drawer to enter the housing and be absorbed by one or more physical filters. The housing may be formed on the exterior of the pet litter unit. The housing may be any suitable shape to be located next to and / or adjacent to the base of the pet litter unit. The housing may be in fluid communication with the base via one or more conduits.

[0123] Pet litter dispensers may be attached to and / or include a ventilation system. The ventilation system may be used to circulate air through one or more filtration systems, filters, or both. The ventilation system may have any size, shape, and / or configuration for ventilating from the dispenser's waste drawer, base, chamber, exterior, or any combination thereof; directing air to the filtration system; directing air from the filtration system to the pet litter dispenser; directing air from the pet litter dispenser to the external environment; or any combination thereof. The ventilation system may include one or more ducts, inlets, outlets, ports, air circulation devices, filtration systems, housings, or any combination thereof. One or more air circulation devices may be located within the housing of the filtration system, separate from the housing, or both. One or more air circulation devices may include one or more fans, air pumps, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more air circulation devices may move air from one or more ducts, direct air to one or more ducts, or both. One or more air circulation devices may be located within one or more exterior walls of the housing, ducts, frame, external storage unit, or any combination thereof; located inside the housing, ducts, frame, external storage unit, or any combination thereof; or both. A ventilation system can be connected to a part of the pet litter unit via one or more ducts. The ventilation system can consist of one or more ducts.

[0124] The ventilation system may include one or more ducts. One or more ducts may be used to provide a passage for air and / or direct air into and / or out of the litter box, into and / or out of the filtration system, or any combination thereof. One or more ducts may provide outlets, inlets, or both. One or more ducts may have any shape, size, and / or configuration to attach to the base, filtration system, housing, etc., or combinations thereof. One or more ducts may include a single duct or multiple ducts. One or more ducts may include inlets, outlets, or both. Outlets may receive air from the base, waste drawer, or both. Outlets may deliver air to the housing, filtration system, external environment, or combinations thereof. Inlets may receive air from the housing, filtration system, or both. Inlets may deliver air to the base, waste drawer, external environment, or any combination thereof. One or more ducts may be in fluid communication with the base, waste drawer, or both via one or more ports. Ducts may be connected to the base via one or more ports. Ducts may be located within ports, attached to ports, or both. One or more ducts may provide a closed-loop ventilation system, an open-loop ventilation system, or both. In a closed-loop ventilation system, air continuously circulates within the filtration system and the litter box. In an exemplary closed-loop ventilation system, air circulates from the base, waste drawer, or both to an outlet duct; from the outlet duct to the housing for filtration; from the housing to an inlet duct; and from the inlet duct to the waste drawer. In an open-loop ventilation system, air is delivered to the external environment, and the ventilation system may not recirculate air into the litter box, or both. The external environment can be any environment physically located outside the litter box (e.g., the surrounding environment), outdoors, or both. To allow ventilation to the outside, one or more ducts may be connected to one or more window openings, door openings, or even ventilation openings in a facility such as a residence. An open-loop ventilation system may or may not include a filtration system. An open-loop ventilation system may include a filtration system such that odors are not released to the outside or the surrounding environment. In an exemplary open-loop ventilation system, air moves from the base, waste drawer, or both toward the outlet duct; from the outlet duct toward the housing for filtration; from the housing toward the inlet duct; and from the inlet duct toward the surrounding environment or the outdoor environment.

[0125] Pet litter dispenser

[0126] This teaching also relates to litter dispensers. Litter dispensers can be used to store clean, unused litter; refill a litter dispenser, chamber, or both with clean, unused litter; expand the usability of a litter dispenser without human intervention; or any combination thereof. Litter dispensers can have any size, shape, and / or configuration for fluid communication with the interior of a chamber; be attached to a litter dispenser, base, cover, chamber, or any combination thereof; have the ability to transfer a portion of the litter stored therein into the chamber; have the ability to store litter; or any combination thereof. A litter dispenser may include a litter dispenser, be attached to a litter dispenser, or have no litter dispenser. Litter dispensers may be positioned generally opposite an inlet opening. By being opposite an inlet opening, litter dispensers may not impede the animal's entry or exit, the function of the partition and / or lining, or combinations thereof. Litter dispensers can be particularly useful in expanding the usability of a litter dispenser without human intervention. For example, a waste drawer may have a waste storage capacity greater than the litter capacity of the chamber. Capacity can be measured by volume, frequency of animal use, or even days. Because used litter is transferred to the waste drawer along with animal waste during cleaning cycles, available litter may deplete, fall below desired levels, or both over time. If the available litter level drops below a predetermined volume within the chamber, it may become too shallow. Too little litter may cause the animal to lose interest in the litter box. Too little litter may result in a larger portion of waste directly contacting the chamber, lining, or the inner surfaces of both. Additionally, the available litter in the chamber may be depleted before the waste drawer is full. Traditionally, human intervention would have been required to refill the chamber with fresh litter for the animal to continue using the litter box. Litter dispensers can be particularly advantageous in reducing human intervention in litter boxes. A litter dispenser automatically delivers clean, unused litter into the chamber. Once the litter level in the chamber reaches a certain amount (e.g., volume, height, etc.), the litter dispenser can deliver more litter into the chamber. The level of pet litter in the chamber can be sensed by one or more sensors. For example, one or more presence sensors, excrement sensors, or both can sense the amount of pet litter in the chamber. The pet litter stored in the pet litter dispenser can be any type of pet litter suitable for use with a pet litter device. The pet litter dispenser may include a hopper, a lid, a dispenser housing, a dispensing device, or any combination thereof. A suitable pet litter dispenser is disclosed in PCT patent application number PCT / US2020 / 029776 (published as PCT publication number WO 2020 / 219849A1), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0127] Illustrative example

[0128] Any feature described herein may be used in combination with or in lieu of one or more features described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,757,094 and 9,433,185 and U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2013 / 0333625 and 2019 / 0364840, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Any feature shown herein may be combined with another feature. For example, multiple attachments 130 may be assembled to a single frame 24. As another example, a pet litter device having a filtration system 110 may also include one or more attachments 130 mounted to the frame 24.

[0129] Figure 1 A pet litter device 1 is shown. Device 1 includes a chamber 10 and a base 12. Pet litter 5 is located within the chamber 10. The chamber 10 is supported by the base 12. The chamber 10 is rotatable relative to the base 12. The base 12 may include one or more components that facilitate rotation of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 is at least partially covered by a cover 14. The cover 14 is attached to the base 12. The chamber 10 is also rotatable relative to the cover 14 (e.g., the cover 14 may remain stationary when the chamber 10 rotates). The base 12 includes an excrement drawer 16. When the chamber 10 rotates, excrement within the chamber 10 can be transferred from the chamber 10 to the excrement drawer 16. The excrement drawer 16 includes a step 18. The step 18 may include a cleaning device 20. Device 1 includes an opening 22. The opening 22 allows an animal to enter and exit the chamber 10. The animal can use the step 18 to facilitate entry and exit from the chamber 10. Device 1 also includes a frame 24. Border 24 is located around opening 22.

[0130] Pet litter device 1 may include pet litter dispenser 250 (such as at least in Figure 23 , Figure 26 and Figure 36 (as shown in the image).

[0131] Figure 2 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. Device 1 includes a chamber 10. A cover 14 is located around a portion of the chamber 10. An opening 22 is formed in the chamber 10. A partition 32 is inside the chamber 10. A frame 24 is located around the opening 22. An outer frame 46 is the externally visible portion of the frame 24. The frame 24 is attached to a base 12 and a cover 14. An accessory 130 is attached to the frame 24. As shown, accessory 130 is a pet litter box guard. The base includes a base frame 68. An excrement drawer 16 is located within and removable from the base frame 68. The excrement drawer 16 includes a step 18.

[0132] Figure 3A pet litter device 1 is shown. The pet litter device 1 includes a cover 14. The cover 14 covers an upper chamber 26. The upper chamber 26 is part of a chamber 10. The chamber includes an opening 22. The device 1 includes a step 18. The step 18 allows an animal to comfortably enter and exit the chamber 10 via the opening 22. The step 18 includes a cleaning device 20.

[0133] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A frame 24 is shown. The frame 24 includes a front surface 168. The front surface 168 includes a recess 176 formed therein. An accessory 130 is attached to the frame 24. The accessory 130 is a pet litter guard 150. The pet litter guard 150 is removably attached to the frame 24 via a mounting bracket 184. Figure 5 As shown, the pet litter protection device 150 may include a grooming section 152.

[0134] Figure 6 A close-up view of an accessory 130 attached to a frame 24 is shown. Accessory 130 includes a mounting bracket 184. Frame 24 includes a front surface 168. An outer flange 170 extends from and around the outer periphery of the front surface 168. The outer flange 170 includes a chamfer 174. An inner flange 172 extends from and around the inner periphery of the front surface 168. The inner flange 172 includes a chamfer 174. A recess 176 is located between the inner flange 172 and the front surface 168. The recess 176 is located between the chamfer 174 and the front surface 168.

[0135] Figure 7 A cross-section of a portion of border 24 is shown. This cross-section is along... Figure 4 The section BB shown is cut from the front. Frame 24 includes a front surface 168. A groove 176 is formed in the front surface 168. Frame 24 includes an outer flange 170 and an inner flange 172. The front surface 168 transitions to the outer flange 170 and the inner flange 172 via a ramp 174.

[0136] Figures 8 to 12 Annex 130 is shown. Annex 130 is shown as a pet litter guard 150. Annex 130 includes a mounting bracket 184. Annex 130 includes a base member 154. A front flange 156 projects downward from the base member 154. A rear wall 158 projects upward from the base member 154. The rear wall 158 is opposite to the front flange 156. Annex 130 includes a through opening 160. The through opening 160 is formed between the base member 154 and the rear wall 158. The front flange 156 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 162. The retaining tabs 162 are formed on the rear surface 156b of the front flange 156. The rear surface 156b is opposite to the front surface 156a of the front flange 156. A rear flange 164 projects from the base member 154. The rear flange 164 extends from the rear wall 158.

[0137] Figures 13 to 14 Annex 130 is shown. Figure 14 Is along as Figure 10 The cross-section CC shown represents a cross-section of attachment 130. Attachment 130 is shown as a pet litter guard 150. Attachment 130 includes a base member 154. Attachment 130 includes a front flange 156. The front flange 156 projects downwards substantially orthogonally relative to the base member 154. The front flange 156 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 162. The retaining tabs 162 have a substantially streamlined semi-body shape (e.g., resembling a semi-teardrop). Attachment 130 includes a rear wall 158. A through opening 160 is formed between the base member 154 and the rear wall 158. The rear wall 158 includes a rear flange 164. The distance between the rear flange 164 and the front flange 156 defines a mating clearance 166.

[0138] Figure 15 The rear portion of frame 24 is shown. Frame 24 includes an attachment 130 attached to the frame. Attachment 130 is in the form of a pet litter guard 150. Frame 24 includes an inner flange 172. Attachment 130 includes a rear wall 158. The rear wall 158 includes two rear flanges 164. The rear flanges 164 abut the edges 178 of the inner flange 172. Attachment 130 includes a through opening 160. The through opening 160 provides an opening in attachment 130 above the inner flange 172.

[0139] Figure 16 A cross-section of a portion of the frame 24 that mates with Annex 130 is shown. This cross-section is along... Figure 15 The cross-section DD shown is taken. The frame 24 is located within the mating clearance 166 of the attachment 130. The attachment 130 includes a base member 154. The base member 154 rests on the inner flange 172 of the frame 24. The attachment 130 includes a front flange 156. The front flange 156 abuts against the front surface 168 of the frame 24. The front flange 156 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 162. The retaining tabs 162 are disposed within a recess 176. The recess 176 is formed on the front surface 168 of the frame 24. The rear wall 158 of the attachment 130 opposes the front flange 156. The wall 148 includes a rear flange 164. The rear flange 164 abuts against the edge 178 of the inner flange 172.

[0140] Figures 17 to 19A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes a frame 24. An accessory 130 is attached to the frame 24. The accessory 130 is a step aid 180. The step aid 180 includes a plurality of steps 182. The step aid 180 includes a mounting bracket 184. The steps 182 are pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket 184 via hinges 186. The hinge 186 includes a pin 187a and a leaf 187b. Through this pivotal mounting, the steps 182 can rotate upwards to allow access to the waste drawer 16. The mounting bracket 184 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the pet litter guard device 150. The mounting bracket 184 includes a base member 154, a front flange 156, and a rear wall 158. A hinge wall 188 is located between the rear wall 158 and the front flange 156. The hinge wall 188 protrudes from the base member 154. A hinge 186 is attached between the hinge wall 188 and the rear wall 158.

[0141] Figure 20 and Figure 21 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes a frame 24. An accessory 130 is attached to the frame 24. The accessory 130 is a camera assembly 190. The camera assembly 190 includes a camera 192 and a mounting bracket 184. The camera 192 can be pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket 184. The mounting bracket 184 may have a similar configuration and be attached to the frame 24, such as a pet litter guard 150 or a step aid 180.

[0142] Figure 22 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes a frame 24. An accessory 130 is attached to the frame 24. The accessory 130 is a scratching aid 194. The scratching aid 194 includes a mounting bracket 184. The scratching aid 194 includes a scratching portion 195. The scratching portion 195 is attached to the mounting bracket 184 and extends inwardly into the chamber 10. The scratching portion 195 is attached to the rear wall 158 of the mounting bracket 184.

[0143] Figure 23 and Figure 24 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes a frame 24. Multiple accessories 130 are attached to the frame 24. (Example...) Figure 23 As shown, Attachment 130 includes a step aid 180, a gripping aid 194, and a camera assembly 190. (As...) Figure 24 As shown, Attachment 130 includes a pet litter protection device 150, a scratching aid 194, and a camera assembly 190.

[0144] Figure 25A pet litter device 1 is shown. The pet litter device 1 includes an opening 22 framed by a border 24. An accessory 130 is attached to the border 24. The accessory 130 is an enticing accessory 196. The accessory 130 may include a mounting bracket 184. The enticing accessory 196 induces an animal 300 (not shown) to fully enter the interior of the chamber 10 before excreting any waste.

[0145] Figure 26 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes a frame 24 and a chamber 10. The pet litter box device 1 includes an accessory 130. This accessory can be one or more enticing accessories 196. The enticing accessories 196 may include one or more light-emitting devices 197 and / or sound-emitting devices 198. One or more enticing accessories 196 may include one or more mounting brackets 184 (not shown), which can be directly mounted on and / or within the frame 24, and / or can be mounted inside the chamber 10.

[0146] Figure 27 A pet litter box device 1 is shown. The pet litter box device 1 includes an opening 22 framed by a border 24. An accessory 130 is attached to the border 24. The removable accessory 130 is a scratching aid 194. An animal 300 can use the accessory to stretch and / or scratch. Each accessory 130 may include a mounting bracket 184. The animal 300 can access the scratching aid 194 when located outside the pet litter box device 1. The scratching aid 194 may cover a portion of the front surface 168 of the border 24.

[0147] Figure 28 A pet litter device 1 is shown. The pet litter device 1 includes a decorative cover 200. The decorative cover 200 is temporarily or permanently attached to the exterior of the litter device 1. The cover 200 can be attached to a cover 14 and a base 12.

[0148] Figure 29This is an exploded view of the pet litter device 1. A cover 14 covers the chamber 10. The cover 14 can be pivotally engaged with the base 12, for example, via one or more hinges (not shown). The chamber 10 includes an upper chamber 26 and a lower chamber 28. The cover 14 has a shape substantially adapted to the shape of the upper chamber 26. The cover 14 is also solid, such that it covers the excrement opening 30 formed in the upper chamber 26. A partition 32 is located inside the chamber 10. A liner 34 is also located inside the chamber 10. The liner 34 can be flexible. The liner 34 may include a counterweight 35. The counterweight 35 can reside within a recess (not shown) in the liner 34. The lower chamber 28 includes a filter chamber 56. The filter chamber 56 houses a removable filter 58. The filter 58 is held within the filter chamber 56 by a filter cover 60. A track 36 is attached to the outside of the chamber 10. The track 36 is positioned opposite the opening 22 of the chamber 10. The track 36 is in the form of a ring gear with teeth formed around its periphery. The track 36 is rotatably engaged with a drive source 38. The drive source 38 is a motor 40 with a drive shaft 42 that is rotatably engaged with a gear 44. The gear 44 meshes with the track 36, such that rotation from the drive source 38 is transmitted to the track 36. The track 36 is stationarily attached to the chamber 10. Therefore, rotation of the track 36 causes rotation of the chamber 10. A frame 24 is located around the opening 22. The frame 24 is attached to the base 12 and the cover 14. The frame 24 includes an outer frame 46 and an inner frame 48. The outer frame 46 is attached to and covers the inner frame 48. The frame 24 includes a sensor plate 50. The sensor plate 50 is mounted on the inner frame 48 and is located between the outer frame 46 and the inner frame 48. The sensor plate 50 is mounted such that it is opposite to the base 12 (including the waste drawer 16) (e.g., the upper portion of the frame and device 1 is opposite to the lower portion). Sensor plate 50 includes one or more sensors 52. Base 12 includes a chamber support 62 and a base frame 68. Chamber support 62 rests within base frame 68. Chamber support 62 houses drive source 38. Chamber support 62 separates excrement drawer 16 from chamber 10. Chamber support 62 facilitates the formation of drawer cavity 64. Excrement drawer 16 resides within drawer cavity 64. Excrement drawer 16 is movable into and out of drawer cavity 64 via drawer opening 66 in base 12. Excrement drawer 16 includes step 18. Step 18 may function as a handle. Step 18 includes cleaning device 20. Excrement drawer 16 includes excrement container 80. Excrement drawer 16 also includes a seal 104. Seal 104 may be located around the periphery of excrement container 80. The periphery may be defined by an edge or flange. Base 12 may include one or more port covers 72.

[0149] Figure 30 The pet litter device 1 is shown without the cover 14, while Figure 31The base frame 68 was also removed. The device 1 includes a chamber 10. When in its original position 81, the upper chamber 26 is located above the base 12. The base 12 includes one or more port covers 72. The base 12 also includes a waste drawer 16 with a step 18. The waste drawer 16 includes a waste container 80. The waste container 80 is located below the chamber 10. As the chamber 10 rotates during a cleaning cycle, the waste opening 30 aligns with the waste container 80, allowing waste to be transferred from the chamber 10 to the waste drawer 16. The cleaning cycle causes the chamber 10 to rotate. The rotation of the chamber 10 is caused by the rotation of a track 36. The track 36 is statically attached to the chamber 10 such that rotation of the track 36 causes rotation of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 rotates about an axis of rotation AR. The axis of rotation AR forms an angle α with a vertical plane represented by a vertical plane VP. The axis of rotation AR forms an angle β with a plane P parallel to surface 82. Surface 82 is the surface on which device 1 rests, such as a floor. Opening 22 extends along the opening plane OP. The opening plane OP forms an angle Θ with the vertical plane VP.

[0150] Figure 32A and Figure 32B A ventilation system 106 for use with device 1 is shown. Ventilation system 106 includes a plurality of ducts 112. The ducts 112 are connected to a port 108. The ducts 112 are in fluid communication with a waste bin 80 via port 108. The ducts 112 provide inlet 114 and outlet 116. Outlet 116 draws air from waste bin 80, while inlet 114 pushes air from filtration system 110 into waste bin 80. Filtration system 110 may be an active system (e.g., one that moves air). Filtration system 110 may move air via one or more fans (not shown) to provide air circulation. Filtration system 110 may include one or more fans, filters, lamps, heat exchangers, etc., capable of reducing, neutralizing, or even eliminating odors, such as those associated with animal excrement (e.g., urine, feces). Odor reduction can occur by eliminating odor-causing bacteria, filtering odors, and / or even cooling the air to reduce odor.

[0151] An exemplary filtering system could be as follows: Figure 32BThe system is shown. Filtration system 110 may include a connection to outlet 116 such that air exiting the waste bin 80 is delivered into the filtration system. Filtration system 110 may include a connection to inlet 114 such that air entering the waste bin 80 is air already treated by filtration system 110. Filtration system 110 may include one or more light treatment devices 118. The one or more light treatment devices 118 may be any energy source suitable for killing odor-causing bacteria in the waste. For example, the one or more light treatment devices 118 may include one or more ultraviolet lamps. Filtration system 110 may include one or more thermoelectric devices 120. The one or more thermoelectric devices 120 may be any device suitable for cooling the air passing through filtration system 110. By cooling the air, the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the waste can be inhibited, thereby helping to prevent odor. The one or more thermoelectric devices 120 may include one or more Peltier devices. Filtration system 110 may include one or more physical filters 122. The one or more physical filters 122 may be any filter suitable for absorbing odors from the air as the air passes through the filter. One or more physical filters 122 may include zeolite, charcoal, nylon wool, synthetic wool, silica gel, baking powder, etc., or combinations thereof. The filtration system 110 may have one, two, or all three of the following: a light treatment device 118, a thermoelectric device 120, and a physical filter 122.

[0152] Figures 33 to 35 An external storage unit 202 configured to retain and conceal a pet litter device 1 is shown. The external storage unit 202 includes a door 204 and a wall 206. An entrance 208 is formed in one of the walls 206. The entrance 208 allows an animal 300 (not shown) to enter the external storage unit 202 and use the pet litter device 1. The external storage unit 202 includes a filtration system 110. The external storage unit 202 may include multiple vents 210. The vents 210 provide inlets 114 for ambient air flow and outlets 116 for ambient air flow.

[0153] Figure 35 A filtration system 110 is shown. The filtration system 110 is adjacent to the wall 206 of the external storage unit 202. The filtration system 110 is in fluid communication with a vent 210. The filtration system 110 includes a filter 58. The filter 58 includes a pre-filter 58a, an allergen filter 58b, a deodorizing filter 58c, and a pathogen filter 58d. The filtration system 110 includes a ventilation system 106. The ventilation system 106 includes an air circulation device 212 (e.g., a fan). The air circulation device 212 generates an airflow through the filtration system 110. The air circulation device 212 draws air into the filter 58 for filtration via an inlet 114. The air circulation device 212 discharges the filtered air via an outlet 116.

[0154] Figure 36 An accessory 130 is shown mounted to frame 24. Accessory 130 includes an odor neutralizing system 214. Odor neutralizing system 214 includes a mounting bracket 184. Odor neutralizing system 214 can emit a spray 216.

[0155] Figure 37 A perspective view of chamber 10 is shown. Chamber 10 includes an upper chamber 26 opposite to and attached to the lower chamber 28. The upper chamber 26 includes an excrement opening 30. The lower chamber 28 includes a filter chamber 56 adapted to receive a filter 58. A filter cover 60 retains the filter 58 within the filter chamber 56.

[0156] Figure 38 A filtration system 110 is shown. The filtration system 110 may be a passive system (e.g., absorbing odors from ambient air). The filtration system 110 may include a filter 58. The filter 58 has an arcuate profile (such as...) adapted to the contours of the chamber 10. Figure 37 (As shown). Filter 58 may include one or more physical filters 122 (not shown). For example, physical filters 122 may include zeolite, charcoal, nylon, wool, synthetic wool, silica gel, baking soda, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0157] Figure 39 A device 1 with a filtration system 110 is shown. The filtration system 110 is integrated into a chamber 10. The filtration system 110 resides adjacent to a waste bin 80. The filtration system 110 may be able to absorb odors and filter air from waste located within the waste bin 80. The filtration system 110 may include one or more physical filters 122. The filtration system 110 may be related to... Figure 37 and Figure 38 The described filtration system 110.

[0158] List of reference numerals

[0159] 1 – Device, 5 – Pet Litter, 10 – Chamber, 12 – Base, 14 – Cover, 16 – Excrement Drawer, 18 – Step, 20 – Cleaning Device, 22 – Opening, 24 – Frame, 26 – Upper Chamber, 28 – Lower Chamber, 30 – Excrement Opening, 32 – Divider, 34 – Lining, 35 – Counterweight, 36 – Track, 38 – Drive Source, 46 – Outer Frame, 48 – Inner Frame, 50 – Sensor Plate, 52 – Sensor, 56 – Filter Chamber, 58 – Filter, 58a – Pre-Filter, 58b – Allergen Filter, 58c – Deodorizing Filter, 58d – Pathogen Filter, 60 – Filter Cover, 62 – Chamber Support, 64 – Drawer Chamber, 66 – Drawer Opening, 68 – Base Frame, 72 – Port Cover, 80 - Waste bin, 81 - Original position, 104 - Seal, 106 - Ventilation system, 108 - Port, 110 - Filtration system, 112 - Piping, 114 - Inlet, 116 - Outlet, 118 - Light treatment device, 120 - Thermoelectric device, 122 - Physical filter, 130 - Accessories, 150 - Pet litter guard, 152 - Grooming section, 154 - Base component, 156 - Front flange, 156a - Front surface of front flange, 156b - Rear surface of front flange, 158 - Wall, 160 - Through opening, 162 - Retaining tab, 164 - Rear flange, 166 - Fitting clearance, 168 - Front surface of frame, 170 - Outer flange of frame, 172 - Inner flange of frame, 174 - Bevel, 176 - Recess, 178 - Edge of inner flange, 180 - Step aid, 182 - Multiple steps, 184 - Mounting bracket, 186 - Hinge, 187a - Pin, 187b - Leaf, 188 - Hinge wall, 190 - Camera assembly, 192 - Camera, 194 - Scratching aid, 196 - Lure attachment, 197 - Lighting device, 198 - Sounding device, 200 - Decorative covering, 202 - External storage unit, 204 - Door, 206 - Wall, 208 - Entrance, 210 - Vent, 212 - Air circulation device, 214 - Odor neutralization system, 216 - Spray, 250 - Pet litter dispenser, 300 - Animal, AR - Rotation axis, OP - Opening plane, P - Plane, VP - Vertical plane, α - Angle, β - Angle, Θ- angle

[0160] Unless otherwise stated, any numerical value described herein includes all values ​​increasing by one unit from the lower limit to the upper limit, provided that there is an interval of at least two units between any lower limit and any upper limit. For example, if the value describing the amount, characteristic, or process variable (such as temperature, pressure, time, etc.) of a component is, for example, 1 to 90, preferably 20 to 80, more preferably 30 to 70, then intermediate range values ​​(e.g., 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc.) are intended to be within the teachings of this specification. Similarly, individual intermediate values ​​are also within the teachings of this specification. For values ​​less than one, one unit is considered as 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1, as appropriate. These are merely examples of specific intentions, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the listed minimum and maximum values ​​will be explicitly stated in this application in a similar manner.

[0161] Unless otherwise specified, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers in between. When combining ranges, the terms "about" or "approximately" apply to both ends of the range. Therefore, "about 20 to 30" is intended to encompass "about 20 to about 30," including at least the specified endpoints.

[0162] The terms "generally" or "substantially" used to describe angle measurements may mean approximately + / -10° or less, approximately + / -5° or less, or even approximately + / -1° or less. The terms "generally" or "substantially" used to describe angle measurements may mean approximately + / -0.01° or greater, + / -0.1° or greater, or even approximately + / -0.5° or greater. The terms "generally" or "substantially" used to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately + / -10% or less, approximately + / -5% or less, or even approximately + / -1% or less. The terms "generally" or "substantially" used to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately + / -0.01% or greater, approximately + / -0.1% or greater, or even approximately + / -0.5% or greater.

[0163] All publications, including patent applications and publications, and all references are incorporated by way of citation for all purposes. The term “consistent essentially of” used to describe a combination should include the identified elements, components, parts, or steps, as well as other elements, components, parts, or steps that do not substantially affect the fundamental and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, components, parts, or steps herein also considers embodiments that are substantially composed of or even solely of said elements, components, parts, or steps. Multiple elements, components, parts, or steps may be provided by a single integrated element, component, part, or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, component, part, or step may be divided into separate elements, components, parts, or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “an” used to describe an element, component, part, or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, components, parts, or steps.

[0164] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications, in addition to the examples provided, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by the full scope of the appended claims together with their equivalents. All disclosures in articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the appended claims is not a disclaimer of liability for such subject matter, nor should it be construed as the inventor not considering such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A pet litter box device, the pet litter box device comprising: a) Base; b) A chamber having an inlet opening, wherein the chamber is configured to retain pet litter and is rotatably supported by the base; c) A frame surrounding the inlet opening, wherein the frame conceals one or more gaps formed between the chamber and the base, wherein the frame includes a front surface and one or more mating features on the front surface, and wherein the front surface is the outer surface of the frame, wherein the one or more mating features of the frame include a groove at least partially surrounding the inlet opening, wherein the frame includes an inner periphery and / or an inner flange, and wherein the groove is adjacent to the inner periphery and / or the inner flange of the frame; d) One or more attachments removably attached to the frame, wherein the one or more attachments cover a portion of the front surface of the frame, wherein the one or more attachments include a mounting bracket, and wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more mating features that engage with one or more mating features of the frame such that the mounting bracket is removably attached to the frame, wherein the one or more mating features of the mounting bracket include one or more retaining tabs.

2. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the pet litter device includes a cover located above the chamber; and The border is concealed in one or more gaps formed between the chamber and the cover.

3. The pet litter device of claim 2, wherein the frame conceals one or more edges or margins of the base and the cover.

4. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the frame is attached to the base.

5. The pet litter device of claim 4, wherein the pet litter device includes a cover located above the chamber; and The border is attached to the cover.

6. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket and the frame have an interference fit, a snap-fit ​​fit, or both.

7. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening has a cross-section that is substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, or any combination thereof.

8. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the frame has a shape adapted to the shape of the inlet opening.

9. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the frame has a substantially annular shape.

10. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessories include one or more pet litter protection devices, grooming parts, step aids, camera assemblies, scratching aids, enticement accessories, odor neutralizing systems, or any combination thereof.

11. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket has a shape that is at least partially adapted to the shape of the frame.

12. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes a base member configured to rest on the inner peripheral surface of the frame.

13. The pet litter device of claim 12, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the frame is the inner flange of the frame.

14. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more front flanges.

15. The pet litter device of claim 14, wherein one or more front flanges are integral with and project from the base member of the mounting bracket.

16. The pet litter device of claim 14, wherein one or more front flanges are adjacent to the front surface of the frame.

17. The pet litter device of claim 16, wherein the one or more front flanges include one or more scratching portions thereon.

18. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more rear flanges.

19. The pet litter device of claim 18, wherein the one or more rear flanges are integral with and project from the base member of the mounting bracket.

20. The pet litter device of claim 18, wherein the one or more rear flanges are adjacent to one or more flanges of the frame.

21. The pet litter device of claim 20, wherein the one or more rear flanges are adjacent to the edge of the inner flange of the frame.

22. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket comprises one or more walls.

23. The pet litter device of claim 22, wherein one or more walls are integral with and protrude from the base member of the mounting bracket.

24. The pet litter device of claim 22, wherein the one or more walls project from the base member of the mounting bracket in substantially opposite directions as one or more flanges.

25. The pet litter device of claim 22, wherein the one or more walls comprise one or more rear walls, hinged walls, or both.

26. The pet litter device of claim 22, wherein the one or more walls and one or more flanges are continuous.

27. The pet litter device of claim 26, wherein one or more rear walls and one or more rear flanges are continuous.

28. The pet litter device of claim 22, wherein one or more hinge walls are located between one or more front flanges and one or more rear walls.

29. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more through openings.

30. The pet litter device of claim 29, wherein the one or more through openings pass through one or more base members, flanges, walls, or any combination thereof.

31. The pet litter device of claim 30, wherein one or more through openings are formed between the base member and the rear wall and in the base member and the rear wall.

32. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more hinges.

33. The pet litter device of claim 32, wherein the one or more hinges are at least partially located between two or more walls of the mounting bracket.

34. The pet litter device of claim 32, wherein the one or more hinges are attached to at least one of the one or more attachments and / or a portion of at least one of the one or more attachments.

35. The pet litter device of claim 34, wherein at least a portion of the at least one of the one or more attachments is rotatable about a portion of the hinge, the mounting bracket, or both.

36. The pet litter device of claim 34, wherein the one or more accessories include one or more step aids; and The one or more step aids include an inclined portion, which includes multiple steps, ramps, or both.

37. The pet litter device of claim 36, wherein one or more inclined portions of the step aid are attached to a hinge of the step aid and are rotatable about a portion of the hinge, the mounting bracket, the frame, or a combination thereof.

38. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the one or more accessories include one or more grooming parts.

39. The pet litter device of claim 38, wherein the one or more grooming portions are attached to one or more mounting brackets.

40. The pet litter device of claim 38, wherein the one or more grooming portions are attached to one or more walls of one or more mounting brackets.

41. The pet litter device of claim 38, wherein the one or more grooming portions comprise one or more teeth, points, bristles, hair-absorbing material, or any combination thereof.

42. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the pet litter device includes a filtration system.

43. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the pet litter device includes an excrement drawer.

44. The pet litter device of claim 43, wherein the waste drawer is located in the base and below the chamber.

45. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the pet litter device includes one or more sensors positioned adjacent to the inlet opening and adapted to sense the presence of an animal in the chamber, the presence of excrement in the excrement bin in the base, the level of the pet litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof.

46. ​​The pet litter device of claim 45, wherein one or more sensors are located on the upper portion of the frame to allow line of sight into the chamber.

47. The pet litter device of claim 45, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors allows line of sight into the waste drawer of the pet litter device via the waste opening of the chamber.

48. The pet litter device of claim 47, wherein when the chamber is rotated such that the excrement opening is aligned with the excrement drawer, at least one of the one or more sensors allows line of sight into the excrement drawer via the excrement opening.

49. The pet litter device of claim 1, wherein the pet litter device includes one or more mass sensors configured to sense the mass of at least a portion of the pet litter device.

50. The pet litter device of claim 49, wherein the one or more mass sensors are attached to one or more legs of the base and / or a portion of one or more legs of the base.

51. The pet litter device of claim 24, wherein the one or more walls project from the base member as one or more front and rear flanges in substantially opposite directions.

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