PET SANITARY FACILITY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pet sanitary facility, in particular a cat litter box, with a cuboid, tub-like base, and with a sieve for receiving a feces-binding litter, wherein the sieve essentially divides the base into a first upwardly open area and a second below it, wherein the second area is further equipped with at least one drawer in which litter components passing through openings in the sieve can be collected, and wherein the sieve is designed to be movable back and forth relative to the tub-like base.

[0002] Pet sanitary facilities are described in a wide variety of forms in the prior art. For example, utility model CN ​​216088198 U deals with such a pet sanitary facility in which a tray is swivelled to separate the litter contaminated with feces.

[0003] The CN 216452516 U uses a sieve in a cat toilet, which is arranged inside a drum-shaped and not cuboid-shaped tub.

[0004] Utility model CN ​​216533119 U uses a sieve that is additionally equipped with a type of shaking device. The shaking device can also tilt the sieve.

[0005] The utility model according to DE 20 2006 004 416 U uses a grid that is laterally offset. The automatic or semi-automatic cat litter box according to DE 693 17 876 T2 uses a transport device for moving a waste removal unit.

[0006] The closest known and generic prior art according to US 2004 / 0261727 A1 concerns a pet litter box that is easy to clean and reduces the time required to change the litter. This is achieved with a slotted sieve positioned above a tray, which is permanently mounted.

[0007] FR 3 046 028 A1 is a pet sanitary facility that uses a movable sieve. A hand shovel is also included.

[0008] Based on the prior art according to CN 216533119 U, it is noticeable that previous embodiments of such pet sanitary facilities do allow for a more or less effective sorting of litter contaminated with feces by means of a sieve. However, handling the sorted and feces-contaminated litter is not very convenient. Furthermore, only certain granular litters are suitable. The invention aims to remedy this overall situation.

[0009] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a pet sanitary facility in such a way that the handling and disposal of litter contaminated with feces is simplified compared to the prior art and can be carried out in a particularly convenient manner.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in a generic pet sanitary device, that the openings in the sieve are designed as elongated slots of a certain slot width, wherein the slots are arc-shaped, and wherein the slots are arranged in the transverse direction of the sieve with alternating curvature and are spaced apart from one another.

[0011] Furthermore, since the drawer can be easily removed from and reinserted into the enclosed area below the sieve, disposing of the fecal matter is particularly simple and convenient. This only requires emptying and, if necessary, cleaning at least one drawer. For this purpose, the pet litter box, specifically the tub-like base and the drawer, is typically made of plastic. However, the base can also be made of wood or a (rust-resistant) metal. Wood-plastic laminates, such as HPL (high-pressure laminate), are also conceivable and can be used for the tub and drawer.

[0012] In this case, for example, paper or particleboard is used, which is impregnated with melamine resin and pressed under pressure and, if necessary, temperature. Combinations are also conceivable in this context, such as plastic and metal or plastic-wood constructions pressed under high pressure, etc.

[0013] In contrast, the sieve is generally made of metal, usually stainless steel. This is particularly advantageous given that the pet sanitary facility according to the invention is typically combined with and equipped with a special feces-binding grit. That is to say, unlike the prior art, which often uses mineral-based grit granules such as bentonite or other clays, aerated concrete, or mortar particles porous through expansion (DE 20 2008 013 262 U1), the invention explicitly uses a grit that breaks down into a flour-like substance when exposed to liquid feces.

[0014] The flour-like substance is predominantly present in the form of small-grained conglomerates that pass through the openings in the sieve. These conglomerates consist of the mostly plant-based grit and liquid feces. In this way, the small-grained conglomerates collect in the drawer and can be disposed of particularly easily and effectively. It is also possible for solid feces to be retained by the sieve openings and thus removed, for example, with a shovel or other mechanical aid. It has proven particularly advantageous if the grit in question is plant-based. For example, the grit is typically made from wood or shrubs. Furthermore, it has proven particularly beneficial if the grit is pelletized or pelletized.

[0015] In principle, bedding material, such as animal litter in the form of wood pellets, wood shavings, plant shavings, etc., is known, as shown in utility model DE 20 2012 102 286 U1. However, the invention utilizes bedding material that breaks down into a flour-like substance upon contact with liquid feces and exists as small-grained conglomerates, particularly advantageously in conjunction with the described pet sanitary facility, and especially a cat litter box. The invention is based on the understanding that the bedding material in question, which is plant-based and available in the form of pellets, shavings, or chips, reduces its particle size upon absorbing liquid feces. This results in the flour-like substance that can easily pass through the openings in the sieve after absorbing the liquid feces.The drawer provided below the sieve is now able to collect these small-grained conglomerates with the liquid feces bound within them.

[0016] In contrast, solid feces remain on the surface of the sieve and generally cannot pass through its openings. This allows them to be easily separated from the plant-based grit still present. As a result, not only is a particularly cost-effective plant-based grit used, but a reliable separation of liquid and solid feces is also possible, and grit consumption is optimized and, in particular, reduced compared to previous technologies.

[0017] The liquid feces, along with the special plant-based grit in the form of small-grained conglomerates, are collected in the drawer after passing through the openings in the sieve and can be easily disposed of using the drawer. The same applies to the solid feces, which are retained on the surface of the sieve and cannot pass through the openings. These solid feces can be mechanically separated from the grit, for example with a shovel, and disposed of separately. This minimizes the consumption of grit and allows for the use of a particularly cost-effective and practically unlimited quantity of plant-based grit.

[0018] In addition, the pet sanitary facility according to the invention, in combination with the special litter, is particularly resource-efficient because the plant-based litter, based on pellets, chips, shavings or grains of wood or shrubs, is usually available locally for pet owners and, unlike, for example, mineral cat litter based on bentonite according to DE 20 2008 013 262 U1, does not have to be imported and processed.

[0019] Furthermore, such mineral-based litters absorb liquid feces internally and swell as a result, but do not disintegrate into a flour-like substance like the litter according to the invention. Therefore, such mineral-based litter particles cannot regularly be used in combination with the pet sanitary facility according to the invention, because they do not allow the described separation by the sieve, or rather, the mineral litter particles in question cannot regularly pass through the sieve openings.

[0020] This means that the openings of the sieve are sized and designed so that the plant-based litter used according to the invention, after absorbing the liquid feces and transitioning into a flour-like substance with small-grained conglomerates, can easily pass through the openings in question. For example, slot widths of only a few millimeters, particularly those below 5 mm and preferably below 2 mm, have proven especially advantageous. Generally, the described pet sanitary facility can also be coated with mineral litter, although this is not preferred.

[0021] The result is a pet sanitation system, and in particular a cat litter box, which, in combination with plant-based litter, provides cost-effective, convenient, and resource-efficient disposal of feces. For the first time, it is possible to easily and completely separate liquid and solid feces. The liquid feces transform the plant-based litter, which is typically in the form of pellets, shavings, chips, or similar, into a flour-like state or a flour-like substance with small-grained conglomerates. After absorbing the liquid feces, these contaminated litter particles can pass through the sieve openings. This allows the litter contaminated with liquid feces to be collected in the drawer below the sieve and disposed of by removing it.At the same time, solid feces remain on the surface of the sieve because they cannot pass through the slots in the openings. In fact, slot widths of less than 5 mm, and often even 2 mm or less, are observed at this point. This allows the solid feces to be easily separated from the grit spread on the surface.

[0022] All of this is achieved by using inexpensive and readily available plant-based litter, which is obtained, for example, from wood or shrubs and is often available as waste from sawmills, forestry operations, etc. This is where the main advantages lie.

[0023] According to the invention, the openings in the sieve are designed as elongated slots of the previously mentioned slot width. Such elongated slots offer the advantage over, for example, round openings that they are particularly effective at collecting the small-sized conglomerates of the plant-based bedding material contaminated with liquid feces and directing them into the drawer below. This process is further facilitated by the fact that, according to the invention, the slots are curved.The invention is based on the understanding that the curved shape of the sieve effectively removes small-grained conglomerates from plant-based litter contaminated with liquid feces. This is because the pet using the sanitary facility causes movement of the litter on the sieve, or such movement can be introduced into the litter by a user or other means. Furthermore, the curved design of the slots prevents the litter from becoming trapped and clogging them.

[0024] Furthermore, the design is such that several slots in the transverse direction of the sieve are spaced apart from one another. In addition, according to the invention, the slots are arranged in the transverse direction with alternating curvatures to facilitate the removal of the small-grained conglomerates after the granular material has passed through the liquid feces into the flour-like substance.

[0025] The previously described movements of the spreading material relative to the sieve can be further intensified by designing the sieve to be movable back and forth relative to the trough, according to the invention. For this purpose, a drive mechanism for the sieve can be provided. With the aid of this drive, the sieve can generally be moved back and forth in its longitudinal direction. In contrast, the arc-shaped slots run transversely to this longitudinal direction, i.e., in the transverse direction, thus ensuring particularly effective feeding of the small-grained conglomerates of the plant-based spreading material contaminated with liquid feces into the drawer below. The drive mechanism for the sieve generally has at least one eccentric connected to the sieve.

[0026] Furthermore, the drive can be configured to have variable speed and / or direction of rotation via a control unit. This allows the structure of the spreading material, such as the size of individual pellets, shavings, or chips, as well as its degree of contamination, to be taken into account by varying the speed and direction of rotation. It goes without saying that the motor, as part of the drive system, can be mains-powered in this context. A version with a battery is also conceivable.

[0027] The sieve is generally plate-shaped and made of metal. For hygiene reasons, a non-corrosive metal is typically used for its construction. As a result, the sieve with its slot-like openings can be easily and cost-effectively processed; for example, the openings can be created in a single-pass punching process. However, it is particularly advantageous for the sieve to be processed and the openings created not by punching, but by laser beams and / or water jets.

[0028] This eliminates any tooling costs and allows for the realization and implementation of individual designs and dimensions. Furthermore, the need for deburring the contours of the openings is eliminated, making it particularly easy and flexible to adapt and produce the pet sanitary facilities to different requirements.

[0029] As explained in the introduction, the base can be made of plastic, wood, metal, or even laminate. Furthermore, the drawer is generally equipped with side walls that are beveled inwards, at least on the top. This ensures that the small-grained conglomerates of the plant-based granules in the flour-like substance reach the bottom of the drawer with minimal residue and do not, for example, get stuck to the sides.

[0030] This is further aided by the fact that the drawer is equipped with a smooth and easy-to-clean surface. The angle of inclination achieved at this point is generally approximately 45°.

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a perspective overview of a pet sanitary facility according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a top view of the sieve used in this context, and Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the pet sanitary facility according to the invention. Fig. 1 in the form of a corner variant.

[0032] The figures depict and illustrate a pet sanitary facility, specifically a cat litter box. Its basic structure consists of a tub-like, cuboid base 1 and a sieve 2 inserted into or contained within this base. The sieve 2 serves to hold a feces-absorbing litter 3, which is only available in the Fig. 1 The sieve 2 essentially divides the base 1 into a first, upwardly open area 1a and a second, below it, closed area 1b.

[0033] The second area 1b of the tub-like base 1 is now equipped, according to the invention, with at least one drawer 4. This can be seen from the exemplary embodiments in the Fig. 1 and 3that the depicted variants are each equipped with two drawers 4, which are detachably inserted into the closed compartment 1b of the trough-like base 1. In fact, the individual drawers 4 can be removed from the closed compartment 1b, for example, to remove and dispose of grit 3 collected therein and contaminated with feces. The variant according to the Fig. 3 The open-top area 1a of the tub-like base 1 is equipped with an optional attachment 5, which prevents the cat entering the sieve 2 with the litter 3 on it from throwing the litter 3 over the edge of the open-top area 1a when "scratching".

[0034] Of particular inventive importance is the fact that the sieve 2 is equipped with slot-like openings 6. Through these slot-like openings 6, the litter 3, laden with feces, can pass into the drawer 4 or drawers 4 located below and is collected in the respective drawer 4. For this purpose, the litter 3 used according to the invention is a plant-based litter 3, which is generally in the form of pellets, shavings, chips, etc., and is spread onto the sieve 2. The individual pellets, shavings, chips, or the like can be made, for example, from wood, shrubs, straw, etc., and may originate, for example, from the waste of sawmills, horticultural businesses, agricultural operations, etc.The pellets used here can be pressed from wood materials into cylindrical strands, a few centimeters long, as is generally the case during pelleting. In any case, the spreading material used here has a grain size that is typically found in the... Fig. 2 indicated slot width S, which more or less clearly exceeds the slot-like openings 6 in the sieve 2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the slot width S is actually less than 5 mm and can even be 2 mm or less. The individual pellets, chips, shreds, or the like of the plant-based spreading material 3 are larger in size than the slot width S in question and, consequently, cannot pass through the openings 6 of the sieve 2 into the drawers 4 below in their dry and uncontaminated original state. However, as soon as the spreading material 3 absorbs liquid feces, it breaks down into a flour-like substance and small-grained conglomerates that absorb the liquid feces, with particle sizes generally smaller than the slot width S in question.

[0036] In this way, the small-grained conglomerates from the litter 3, which is contaminated with liquid feces and transforms into a flour-like substance, can collect in drawer 4 or the two drawers 4. This is because the plant-based litter 3, which has disintegrated into a flour-like substance and is contaminated with liquid feces, is able to pass through the openings 6 in the sieve 2 with slot width S. Thus, the plant-based litter 3 undergoes a reduction in particle size, namely through the absorption of the liquid feces, which are excreted, in particular, by a cat when using the depicted pet sanitary facility.

[0037] In contrast, in this example, solid feces deposited by the cat are retained by the openings 6 of the sieve 2. These solid feces can be easily separated from the uncontaminated litter 3, which is also retained on the surface of the sieve 2, using, for example, a shovel or other means. This allows the solid feces and the liquid feces to be effectively separated and disposed of separately, without wasting unnecessary litter 3.

[0038] For this purpose, the openings 6 in the sieve 2 are arranged according to the illustration in the Fig. 2 formed as elongated slots of slot width S. Furthermore, one can recognize from the Fig. 2 that the slots or openings 6 are arc-shaped. The design is further such that several slots or openings 6 are located in the Fig. 2 The slots or openings 6 are arranged in the transverse direction Q of the sieve 2, each spaced apart. Furthermore, the slots or openings 6 are arranged in the transverse direction Q with alternating curvature.

[0039] In this way, a particularly effective introduction of the spreading material 3, laden with liquid feces, into the drawer 4 or the two drawers 4 located below the sieve 2 is ensured. This is further enhanced by the fact that the sieve 2 can be designed to move back and forth relative to the trough 1. For this purpose, it is conceivable to use a drive 7 for the sieve 2. This drive 7 is located in the Fig. 2 indicated by a double arrow, and according to the exemplary embodiment, may ensure that the sieve 2 remains in its position in the Fig. 2The drive 7 is moved back and forth in the indicated longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, the drive 7 can have a motor and at least one eccentric connected to the sieve 2, which is not explicitly shown.

[0040] Furthermore, a control unit 8 is advantageously provided, with the aid of which the drive 7 can be configured to be variable with regard to its speed and / or direction of rotation. That is, the control unit 8 allows the drive 7 to be changed with respect to its speed or direction of rotation. Such a change will generally be made depending on the amount of spreading material 3 on the sieve 2 or also depending on the degree of contamination of the spreading material 3 by the feces deposited by the cat in the example case.

[0041] Instead of the described electric drive 7, a mechanical drive 7 can of course also be used. A cam with a gear reduction is conceivable here. Likewise, a mechanical drive 7 with, for example, an energy storage device in the form of a leaf spring can be used. The leaf spring can be wound similarly to a clockwork mechanism. In principle, combinations of a mechanical and an electric drive 7 are also conceivable and are covered by the invention.

[0042] It can be seen that sieve 2 is plate-shaped. Furthermore, for hygiene reasons, it is recommended that sieve 2 be made of metal, and in particular of a non-rusting metal. In contrast, materials such as plastic, wood-plastic laminates, and metals are suitable for both base 1 and the drawers 4 contained therein. Additionally, the drawer is often beveled inwards on the top side, typically at an angle of 45°.

[0043] The control unit 8 provided at this point, in conjunction with optical monitoring, can change the speed and direction of rotation of the drive 7 depending on the degree of soiling already described or the amount of spreading material 3. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control unit 8 could automatically feed the spreading material 3 onto the sieve 2. In addition, sensors (not explicitly shown) can be provided and installed, for example, on the underside of the sieve 2 or on the side of the trough 1 inside the unit. These sensors would measure the fill level of the spreading material 3, which is contaminated with liquid feces, in the respective drawer 4. Depending on the observed fill level, the control unit 8 can issue a message, a visual indication, or an audible signal.

[0044] It goes without saying that the plant-based grit 3 can, in principle, also be treated with additives, for example, chemical additives to increase the binding of liquid feces to the grit 3. These additives could also be odor-binding or even deodorizing agents that serve to improve the indoor climate.

[0045] Not shown is the further possibility that the optional attachment 5 can be extended even further upwards and either completely closed or designed with an opening. This prevents the discharge of feces or grit 3. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the described front door sanitary installation is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

[0046] Not shown is the further possibility of constructing the sieve 2 in two or more parts. For example, the sieve 2 can be composed of two sieve plates, each with openings 6, that can be moved relative to each other. This allows the openings 6 of the sieve plate containing the spreading material 3 to be closed by the sieve plate below it and opened again after a drying period. This is done with the help of the drive 7 and the control unit 8.

Claims

1. Sanitary facility for pets, more particularly cat toilet, with a cuboid, tray-like base (1) and with a screen (2) for receiving a grit material (3) that binds faecal matter, wherein the screen (2) essentially divides the base (1) into a first area (1a) that is open at the top and a second, enclosed area (1b) underneath it, wherein further the second area (1b) is provided with at least one drawer (4), in which grit particle components, reaching it through openings (6) in the screen (2) can be collected, and wherein the screen (2) is designed to be moveable back and forth in relation to the tray-like base (1), characterised in that - the openings (6) in the screen (2) are in the form of elongated slits of a certain slit width (S), wherein - the slits are arch-shaped in design and wherein - the slits are arranged in the transverse direction (Q) of the screen (2) with alternating curvature and at a distance from one another.

2. Facility according to claim 1, characterised in that an actuator (7) for the screen (2) is provided.

3. Facility according to claim 2, characterised in that the screen (2) is moveable back and forth in its longitudinal direction (L) with the aid of the actuator (7) .

4. Facility according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that in addition to a motor, the actuator (7) comprises at least one eccentric in connection with the screen (2).

5. Facility according to claim 2 to 4, characterised in that through a control unit (8) the actuator (7) is designed to be variable in terms of its speed and / or direction of rotation.

6. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the screen (2) is plate-like in design.

7. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the screen (2) is metallic, more particularly made of a non-rusting metal.

8. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the base (1) and / or the respective drawer (4) is / are made of plastic, wood, metal, a wood / plastic laminate.

9. Facility according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the drawer (4) is provided with side walls, which at least at the top are sloped inwards.

10. Facility according to claim 9, characterised in that side walls of the drawer (4) are sloped at an oblique angle of approximately 45°.

11. Combination of a sanitary facility for pets according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a grit material (3) that binds faecal matter characterised in that when in use, the grit material (3) is designed to be broken down into a mealy substance by liquid faecal matter.

12. Combination according to claim 11, characterised in that when in use, the grit material (3) is broken down by the liquid faecal matter into the mealy substance predominantly in the form of small-particle conglomerates that can pass through the openings (6) in the screen (2) of the sanitary facility for pets.

13. Combination according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the drawer (4) of the pet sanitary facility is designed to collect the small-particle conglomerates.

14. Combination according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the openings (6) of the screen (2) of the sanitary facility for pets are designed to hold back solid waste matter so that it can be removed from the screen (2).

15. Combination according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that the grit material (3) is produced plant-based from, for example, wood and / or shrubs and is present in the form of pellets, chips, trimmings.