Automatic litter device

Abstract

To provide a litter device for use by an animal that automatically removes animal waste from the litter.SOLUTION: An automatic litter device having a base and a chamber configured to hold litter and rotatably supported by the support base, the chamber including an ingress opening through which an animal can enter and exit the chamber, and a waste opening generally opposed to the ingress opening and configured such that animal waste enters the base through the waste opening upon rotation of the chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present teachings generally relate to a litter device for use by animals that automatically removes animal waste from the litter. [Background technology]

[0002] Automatic litter boxes can provide a means for pet owners (e.g., users) to effectively manage waste generated by one or more of their pets. These automatic litter boxes can be advantageous in automatically removing waste contents from the litter box, automatically collecting the waste for subsequent disposal, and storing the waste contents separately from the litter chamber so that they are not exposed to the surrounding environment, thereby preventing and / or reducing odors from the waste. Examples of some automatic litter boxes that can be particularly useful can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,463,881, 8,757,094, and 9,433,185, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0003] One challenge with automatic litter boxes is detecting the presence of an animal within the box and avoiding a cleaning cycle if an animal is present. One solution is a mass sensor that can detect changes in mass within the box. One such solution is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,757,094. Another known method is one or more sensors installed at or near the opening of the box. These sensors can provide a detection curtain along the entrance to the box and detect the movement of an animal as it passes through the curtain. These detection curtains may provide a narrow detection range that only detects the presence of an animal passing through the opening, may not be able to determine whether the animal entered or exited the box, and may not be able to detect the animal's physical presence within the box. Notwithstanding the above, there remains a need to develop a more accurate means for detecting the presence of an animal within the box, regardless of the animal's weight, and that has a detection range wider than just the entrance opening. For example, a young kitten being potty trained may not be heavy enough to trigger the mass difference required by a mass sensor.

[0004] Another challenge with automatic litter devices is determining when a waste storage area, such as a waste bin or waste drawer, is nearly full or full and therefore needs to be emptied. One or more sensors that may be used to detect waste in the waste drawer are typically installed in close proximity to or within the waste drawer. Because of their proximity, the sensors are susceptible to damage from litter, urine, and even waste through frequent use of the device by the animal. A need exists for providing accurate waste and waste level detection in the waste drawer while keeping the sensors away from the waste bin to avoid damage.

[0005] Another concern with automatic litter devices is odor control when large amounts of waste are allowed to collect within the device before the device needs to be emptied. Because the waste drawer may prevent used litter and animal waste from being exposed to the surrounding environment, pet owners may wait multiple days or even longer before cleaning the waste drawer. Thus, a need remains for providing odor control of waste stored within an automatic litter device over longer periods of time (e.g., consecutive days or weeks).

[0006] A challenge associated with automatic litter devices is their reliance on humans to refill them with clean litter. While the device may be capable of separating waste from unused litter, the device itself may run out of litter while still having the ability to collect waste. Lack of litter can lead to increased odor, animal discomfort or avoidance of the litter device, and even waste contacting and adhering to the interior surfaces. Therefore, a need exists for a method of dispensing litter more frequently into the litter device, allowing the device to be used for extended periods without human interaction. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present teachings relate to an automatic litter box device having: a) a base; and b) a chamber configured to hold litter and rotatably supported by the support base, the chamber including: i) an access opening through which an animal can enter and exit the chamber; and ii) a waste opening generally opposite the access opening, configured so that animal waste enters the base through the waste opening in response to rotation of the chamber, wherein the automatic litter box device includes one or more of: i) one or more sensors positioned adjacent to the access opening adapted to detect the presence of an animal in the chamber, the level of waste stored in a waste bin in the base, the level of litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; ii) a filtration system configured to reduce, eliminate, and / or prevent the accumulation of malodors in the base; and / or iii) a litter dispenser in communication with the chamber to transfer a portion of the litter to the chamber.

[0008] The automatic litter box of the present teachings provides one or more sensors that can be fixed proximate the chamber and the access opening. The one or more sensors can be one or more laser sensors. The one or more sensors can be mounted on a bezel mounted around the access opening. The one or more sensors can be capable of detecting the presence of an animal without relying on the mass of the animal. The chamber can be tilted relative to a vertical axis. The one or more sensors can detect the presence of an animal in the chamber due to the tilt of the chamber. The one or more sensors can detect the presence of waste, a specific level or amount of waste, or both. The one or more sensors can be aligned with one or more openings of the device and have a line of sight into the waste bin. The tilt of the chamber can allow the one or more sensors to have a line of sight into the waste bin through the waste opening as the chamber rotates during a cleaning cycle. The one or more sensors can be spaced apart from the waste bin. The one or more sensors can also be useful for detecting the position of the chamber during a cleaning cycle. The automatic litter box can include a filtration system. The filtration system may provide an active means, a passive means, or both, for the reduction or even elimination of odors accumulated in the base of the device. The automatic litter device may be compatible with or include a litter dispenser. The litter dispenser may be automated. The litter dispenser may be in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber of the litter device. The litter dispenser may place clean, unused litter inside the chamber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an automatic litter box according to the teachings herein; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded view of an automatic litter box according to the teachings herein; FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a rear view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a right side view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an automatic litter box with the hood removed in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a right side view of an automatic litter box with the bonnet and base removed in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a septum in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a septum in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates an upper chamber in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates a lower chamber in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 16] 4 illustrates a cross section of the automatic litter device along section AA of FIG. 3 in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 17] 4 illustrates a cross section of the automatic litter device along section AA of FIG. 3 in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 18] 4 illustrates a cross-section of a portion of an automatic litter box according to the teachings herein along section AA of FIG. 3. [Figure 19A] 18 illustrates a cross section of an automatic litter box according to the teachings herein along section CC of FIG. 17. [Figure 19B] 19B illustrates a filter system for the automatic litter device shown in FIG. 19A in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 20] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a chamber in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 21] 1 illustrates a filter in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 22] 4 illustrates a cross section of the automatic litter device along section AA of FIG. 3 in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 23] 1 is a perspective view of an automatic litter box according to the teachings herein; FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a rear view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a litter dispenser in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a litter dispenser in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 28] 26 illustrates a cross section of a litter dispenser along section CC of FIG. 25 in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a litter dispenser in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 30] 1 illustrates a litter dispenser and bonnet of an automatic litter device according to the teachings herein. [Figure 31] 1 illustrates a litter dispensing process according to the teachings herein. [Figure 32] 26 is a left side view of the automatic litter device with partial cross section taken along section CC of FIG. 25 in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 33] FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic litter device in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 34] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a distributor housing in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 35] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a dispenser housing holding a dispensing device in accordance with the teachings herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The descriptions and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the present teachings, their principles, and their practical applications. The specific embodiments of the present teachings described are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the present teachings. The scope of the present teachings should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and patent publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are possible, as can be gleaned from the following claims, which are also incorporated by reference herein.

[0011] <Toilet sand device> The present teachings relate to a device containing litter for use by animals. The device can be a litter device. The litter device can be an automatic litter device. The device can function to hold litter, separate used litter from unused litter, collect animal waste, remove animal waste, separate animal waste from litter, temporarily store animal waste, or any combination thereof. The device can have the ability to exchange used litter for unused litter. The device can be useful for one or more domesticated animals. The one or more domesticated animals can include one or more cats, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, dogs, ducks, goats, foxes, etc., or any combination thereof. The device can be compatible with one or more types of litter. The one or more types of litter can include clumping clay, non-clumping clay, silica gel crystals, recycled paper, pinewood, corn, wheat, walnut shells, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0012] The litter device includes a chamber. The chamber may function to accommodate clean litter, provide a space for the animal to enter, expel waste, or both. The chamber may have any size and shape that is capable of holding sufficient litter for the animal to use during waste removal, allows the animal to use the litter box comfortably, or both. The chamber may have a three-dimensional shape that is substantially spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, cuboid, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. Shapes that are substantially spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, and / or similar may be beneficial in providing for rotation of the chamber during a cleaning cycle, preventing litter and / or waste from collecting along one or more vertices, or combinations thereof. For example, the chamber may be shaped like a globe, sphere, football, egg, etc., or combinations thereof. The chamber may be rotatable during a cleaning cycle. The chamber may be rotatably supported by a base. The base may be disposed between the chamber and a surface on which the litter device rests. The chamber may have a generally hollow interior to accommodate one or more septa, liners, litter, etc. The chamber may include an access opening, a waste opening, or both. The chamber may have a generally hollow interior to accommodate one or more animals during use. The chamber may have a size that is capable of accommodating one or more animals of about 1 kg or more, about 2 kg or more, about 4 kg or more, about 8 kg or more, or even about 10 kg or more. The chamber may have a size that is capable of accommodating one or more animals of about 30 kg or less, about 25 kg or less, about 20 kg or less, or even about 15 kg or less. The hollow interior may form the volume of the chamber. The volume of the chamber may be about 16,000 cm. 3 Approximately 32,500cm 3 or more, and approximately 65,000 cm 3 The volume of the chamber can be about 150,000 cm or more. 3 Below, approximately 100,000cm 3 Below, approximately 85,000cm 3 Below that, and further to about 75,000 cm 3The chamber may have a volume usable by an animal that can fit through the access opening. The usable volume may be any volume such that the chamber can be used by an animal to excrete. The usable volume may be any volume such that an animal can enter the chamber, turn around, and move around. The volume of the chamber may be a usable volume, a total volume, or both. The usable volume may be the hollow interior of the chamber minus the volume occupied by litter and any components installed within the chamber. The total volume may be the actual volume of the hollow interior of the chamber. The chamber may be formed by a single piece or multiple pieces. The chamber may include one or more filter systems attached to it, in fluid communication with it, or both. The chamber may be formed by a single piece having a substantially spherical shape. The chamber may be formed by two or more pieces that fit together to form a substantially spherical shape. The chamber may be formed by an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

[0013] The chamber may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber and the lower chamber may fit together to form the chamber, the access opening, or both. The upper chamber and the lower chamber may fit together to form the shape and / or size of the chamber. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may form 25% or more of the chamber, 35% or more of the chamber, or even 50% or more of the chamber. For example, the upper chamber and the lower chamber may each have a substantially hemispherical shape. The hemispherical shapes may fit together to form a substantially spherical, ovoid, or other shape. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may house one or more filter systems. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may include one or more filter cavities. The one or more filter cavities may function as a filter housing. For example, the lower chamber may include a filter cavity on its underside. The underside may be the surface of the lower chamber that faces the waste drawer when the chamber is in its home position. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may include one or more flanges. The one or more flanges may be formed around one or more rims of the upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both. The one or more flanges may mate with one or more other flanges. For example, a flange on the upper chamber may align and mate with a flange on the lower chamber. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may have one or more cutouts, contours, etc. The upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both may have a cutout that forms a portion of the access opening. For example, the upper chamber may have a cutout that forms an upper portion of the access opening, and the lower chamber may have a cutout that forms a lower portion of the access opening.

[0014] The chamber may include an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation may serve as a relative axis about which the chamber rotates during one or more cleaning cycles. The axis of rotation may have any orientation such that the usable volume of the chamber increases, the litter has a conical rotation relative to the chamber, the litter funnels toward and through the screen and / or partition toward the rear of the chamber (e.g., away from the front opening), or both, a larger entry opening may be formed without litter spilling through the entry opening, the screen and / or partition may be placed further back in the chamber to create more interior space, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation 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 gravity, or both. The horizontal plane may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, parallel to a surface on which the litter device rests, or both. The axis of rotation of the chamber may form any angle with a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, or both, so long as one or more of the teachings herein are achieved. The rotational axis may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 88 degrees or less, about 85 degrees or less, about 80 degrees or less, about 75 degrees or less, or even about 70 degrees or less. The rotational axis may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 40 degrees or more, about 45 degrees or more, about 50 degrees or more, about 55 degrees or more, about 60 degrees or more, or even about 65 degrees or more. The rotational axis may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 40 degrees to about 88 degrees, about 55 degrees to about 80 degrees, about 40 degrees to about 85 degrees, or even about 60 degrees to about 75 degrees. The rotational axis may form an angle with the horizontal plane that is complementary to the angle with the vertical plane. The angled rotational axis may direct waste and / or clumps of litter, waste, or both toward a common location. The common location may be located toward the rear, bottom, or both of the chamber. The common location may be a partition, a screen, a waste opening, a waste bin, or any combination thereof. The rotating shaft may allow for using a single waste opening, directing waste towards the waste opening, transferring waste from the waste opening to a waste bin, or any combination thereof.

[0015] The angled axis of rotation, in conjunction with the frictional properties of the litter, can provide an angle of repose for the litter bed. The angle of repose can function to angle the litter away from the entry opening, to prevent the litter from spilling out of the entry opening, to make the entry opening as large as possible while keeping the litter within the chamber, or any combination thereof. The angle of the litter bed can be angled so that the litter is angled away from the entry opening. Angling away from the entry opening can mean that the depth of the litter near the entry opening is shallower than the depth of the litter farther from the entry opening (e.g., the litter depth increases as the distance of the litter from the entry opening increases). The angle of the litter bed can be any angle that reduces the ability of animals to accidentally move the litter outside the opening compared to a litter bed without an angle. Not being angled can mean being approximately perpendicular to a vertical plane, parallel to a horizontal plane, or both. The angle of the litter bed may form an angle with the vertical of about 89 degrees or less, about 88 degrees or less, about 87 degrees or less, or even about 85 degrees or less. The angle of the litter bed may form an angle with the vertical of about 70 degrees or more, about 75 degrees or more, or even about 80 degrees or more. For example, the angle of the litter bed may be from about 75 degrees to about 88 degrees, or even from about 80 degrees to about 87 degrees, with the vertical. The litter bed may rest on any surface of the chamber.

[0016] The chamber may include a liner. The liner may prevent direct contact between the litter and the interior of the chamber while the chamber is in the home position. The liner may cover some or all of the interior surface of the chamber. The liner may be of any size, shape, and / or configuration so that the liner contacts the litter within the chamber, retaining litter, waste, liquids, solids, semi-solids, or a combination thereof. The liner may be of any size and / or shape so that the litter placed on the liner can absorb, contain, clump, or a combination thereof, waste after animal defecation. The liner may have a shape that is substantially complementary to the contours of the chamber, upper chamber, lower chamber, or a combination 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 interior surface of the lower chamber. The liner may be fixed to the chamber, unattached, or both. The liner may be at least partially secured to the lower chamber. The liner may not be partially attached to any portion of the chamber. The lack of attachment allows the liner to move away (e.g., lower, sag) from the inner surface of the chamber during one or more cleaning cycles. This movement away, whether lowered or loosened, may allow waste material to temporarily adhere to the liner, causing it to sag and move toward the waste opening. One or more edges, a central region, or both may be secured to the chamber, may not include attachment to the chamber, or both. For example, the edges of the liner may be connected to the chamber, while the central region may not be attached. The unattached central region may lower and / or sag during a cleaning cycle, while the edges remain secured to the chamber. The liner may include a weight. The weight may work in conjunction with gravity so that the liner partially lowers during a cleaning cycle, or rests back in the lower chamber when in the home position, or both. The weight may be secured to the underside of the liner, may reside within it, or both. The weight may be located between the liner and the lower chamber.The weight can be placed in a weight cavity in the liner. The underside of the liner can include a weight cavity formed therein. The underside can be the side of the liner facing toward and adjacent to the lower chamber. The weight cavity can have a shape complementary to the shape of the weight. The weight cavity can be spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. The liner can be constructed of a suitable material. The material can be non-stick, liquid-impermeable, resistant to damage by litter, waste, liquids, solids, semi-solids, penetration, odor absorption, staining, or a combination thereof. The liner material can be rubber, plastic, synthetic material, natural material, or any combination thereof.

[0017] The chamber includes an access opening. The access opening allows one or more animals to comfortably enter and exit the chamber. The access opening can be any size and shape that allows one or more animals to enter and exit the chamber. The access opening can be any size and shape that allows litter to be substantially maintained within the chamber during animal entry, use, and / or exit, during one or more cleaning cycles, or any combination thereof. The access opening can have a profile shape and / or cross-section that is substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, diamond-shaped, etc., or any combination thereof. The profile shape can be viewed straight into the opening, perpendicular, or both. The access opening can have a profile shape that is symmetrical, asymmetrical, or both. An access opening that is circular, oval, etc., can provide a more comfortable and larger entry area, avoid sharp edges that could scrape an animal, avoid sharp edges that could catch litter as the animal exits the chamber, or a combination thereof.

[0018] The entry opening may form an opening surface. The opening surface may extend along the entry opening (e.g., along a surface extending from the top of the entry opening to the bottom of the entry opening). The entry opening, the opening surface, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane. The entry opening, the opening surface, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane of about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, even 15 degrees or more, about 18 degrees or more, or even about 20 degrees or more. The entry opening, the opening surface, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane of about 60 degrees or less, about 45 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or even about 25 degrees or less. The entry opening, the opening surface, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. As another example, the entry opening, the opening surface, or both may form an angle with a vertical plane of about 15 degrees to about 25 degrees (i.e., about 20 degrees). The angle of the entry opening, the opening plane, or both relative to the vertical plane may allow litter to be maintained within the chamber, may allow the entry opening to be as large as possible while maintaining litter within the chamber, may provide a larger internal surface area for the litter bed, may allow one or more sensors to have a line of sight to the interior of the chamber, or any combination thereof.

[0019] The access opening may include one or more axes. The one or more axes may help define the width, height, shape, cross-sectional area, or any combination thereof of the access opening. The one or more axes may include a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis may be substantially parallel to the opening plane, angled relative to a vertical and / or horizontal plane, extending from the top of the access opening to the bottom of the access opening, or any combination thereof. The top of the access opening may be defined opposite the bottom. The bottom may be defined as the portion of the litter device closest to the base. The major axis may define the height of the access opening. The minor axis may be substantially parallel to the opening plane, perpendicular to the major axis, parallel to a horizontal plane, extending from one side to the other, or any combination thereof. The minor axis may define the width of the access opening. The length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis may form a ratio. The ratio can be such that the animal can comfortably fit within the access opening to enter and exit the chamber, litter and waste contents remain within the chamber, or both. The ratio of the lengths of the major and minor axes can be about 1:3 or greater, about 1:2.5 or greater, about 1:2 or greater, about 1:1.5 or greater, about 1:1.2 or greater, or even about 1:1 or greater. The ratio of the lengths of the major and minor axes can be about 3:1 or less, about 2.5:1 or less, about 2:1 or less, about 1.5:1 or less, about 1.2:1 or less, or even about 1.1:1 or less. The axis of rotation can extend at an angle relative to the major axis, the minor axis, or both. The axis of rotation can be at an acute, perpendicular, or obtuse angle relative to the major axis, the minor axis, or both. The axis of rotation can be at an angle of about 60 degrees or greater, about 70 degrees or greater, or even about 85 degrees or greater relative to the major axis, the minor axis, the opening plane, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation can 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 major axis, the minor axis, the aperture plane, or any combination thereof. For example, the axis of rotation can be at an angle of about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees) relative to the major and minor axes.

[0020] The access opening has a cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area can be large enough to comfortably accommodate animal entry and exit into the chamber while maintaining litter and waste within the chamber. The cross-sectional area can be the cross-sectional area of ​​the profile shape of the access opening. The cross-sectional area can be measured along one or more planes parallel to the opening plane, major axis, minor axis, or combinations thereof. The cross-sectional area of ​​the access opening can be approximately 300 cm. 2 Over, about 500cm 2 More than 700cm 2 More than 900cm 2 Approximately 1,100cm 2 More than that, and about 1,200 cm 2 The cross-sectional area of ​​the access opening can be approximately 5,000 cm 2 Below, approximately 4,000cm 2 Below, approximately 3,000cm 2 Below, approximately 2,000cm 2 Below that, about 1,500 cm 2 The height of the entry opening along the major axis may 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 entry opening along the major axis may 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 entry opening may be defined at the entry opening by the inner surface of the chamber, the bezel, or both. The entry opening may include an entry lip.

[0021] The litter device may include a bezel. The bezel may function to define an access opening, provide aesthetic appeal to the front of the litter device, maintain litter within the chamber, seal any seams from the litter along the front of the device, seal pinch points at and / or around the access opening, house one or more sensors, house one or more control panels, etc., or any combination thereof. The bezel may have any shape, size, and / or form that provides a barrier for litter and / or other waste debris while not impeding animal access to and / or exit from the chamber. The bezel may have any size and / or shape for defining and / or surrounding the access opening. The bezel may have a shape that is complementary to, similar to, and / or the same as the access opening. The bezel may have a substantially circular and / or oval cross-sectional shape with an opening therein. The opening may define a portion of the access opening and may have suitable, similar, and / or the same dimensions as the access opening. The bezel can have a shape and size to conceal one or more rims, edges, or both of the hood, base frame, chamber, or combinations thereof. The bezel can have a shape and size to conceal the space between the chamber and the hood, the space between the chamber and the base frame, or both. The bezel can be formed as a single piece or multiple pieces. The bezel can include an inner bezel, an outer bezel, or both. The outer bezel can function to provide an aesthetically appealing bezel around the access opening, to conceal one or more components secured to the inner bezel, or both. The inner bezel can function to retain one or more electrical components, secure the bezel to the hood, secure the bezel to the base, or both. The inner bezel and the outer bezel can cooperate together to define a gap therebetween. The gap in the bezel can accommodate one or more sensors, electrical components, a control panel or components thereof, or any combination thereof. The inner bezel may be permanently and / or removably secured to the hood, base frame, outer bezel, or combinations thereof.The inner bezel, the outer bezel, or both may be secured to the outer bezel, the inner bezel, the hood, the base frame, or a combination thereof by one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), interlocking tabs, rivets, pins, etc., or a combination thereof. The inner bezel may be secured to the base frame and the hood. The inner bezel may be secured along cutouts that define access openings in the base frame and the hood. The outer bezel may then be secured to the inner bezel. The bezel may be constructed of one or more materials suitable for exposure to litter, excrement, moisture, odors, etc. Examples of materials that may be used are rubber, plastic, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof. The bezel may be made of the same or a different material as the hood, the base frame, or both. The inner bezel, the outer bezel, or both may include one or more mounts extending therefrom into the bezel gap, toward the opposing bezel, extending inside the bezel, extending outside the bezel, or combinations thereof. The one or more mounts may include one or more sensor mounts, control mounts, or both. The one or more sensor mounts may include one or more sensor substrates. The one or more sensor mounts may hold one or more sensors. The one or more sensor mounts may be located inside, outside, or both of the bezel. The one or more control mounts may house and / or hold one or more control panels and / or user interfaces. The one or more control mounts may be located inside, outside, or both of the bezel.

[0022] The chamber includes one or more waste openings. The one or more waste openings may function to allow waste, used litter, or both to be transferred from the chamber to the base, the waste bin, or both. The waste openings may be located anywhere within the chamber to transfer waste, used litter, or both from the chamber to the waste bin. The waste openings may be located anywhere within the chamber that is aligned with the waste bin during a cleaning cycle, offset from the waste bin while in the home position, or both. The waste openings may be formed as openings in the upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both. For example, the waste opening may be formed as an opening in the upper chamber such that the waste opening is substantially opposite the waste bin while the chamber is in the home position. The waste openings may have any shape suitable for quickly transferring waste from the chamber to the waste drawer during a cleaning cycle. The waste opening may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, diamond-shaped, etc., or any combination thereof. The waste opening may have a shape that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the waste bin. The waste opening may be located partially or completely on one side of the longitudinal plane of the device. The longitudinal plane may intersect with the 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, within, or both of the longitudinal plane. The horizontal plane may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane. The longitudinal plane may divide the litter device into lateral halves. The lateral halves may each comprise a portion of the bonnet, chamber, and base. The lateral halves may be substantially symmetrical and / or mirror images about the longitudinal plane. Substantial symmetry may further allow certain features, such as the waste opening, to be located on only 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 can be angled from the longitudinal plane by about 0° or more, about 5° or more, about 10° or more, about 15° or more, or even about 20° or more. The center of the waste opening can be angled from the longitudinal plane by about 45° or less, about 35° or less, about 30° or less, or even about 25° or less. The angle can be measured when the chamber is in the home position.The waste opening may be on one or more sides of the track. The waste opening may be located between the entry opening and the track. The waste opening may not overlap the waste bin while the chamber is in the home position. The waste opening may be substantially aligned with, overlap with, or both of the waste bin during a cleaning cycle. The waste opening may rotate about an axis of rotation during a cleaning cycle. The waste opening may rotate from the home position to a discharge position, to the home position, any position therebetween, or a combination thereof during a cleaning cycle. The discharge position may be a position in which the waste opening is adjacent to, overlaps with, or is substantially centered with the waste bin as the chamber rotates, or a combination thereof. The waste opening may rotate at an angle of about 130° or more, about 145° or more, about 150° or more, about 155° or more, or even about 160° or more relative to the discharge position during a cleaning cycle. The waste opening may rotate during a cleaning cycle relative to the discharge position by an angle of about 230° or less, about 220° or less, about 200° or less, or even about 180° or less. The waste opening may rotate a full circle (e.g., 360°) from the start of the cleaning cycle to the end of the cleaning cycle. Rotation of the waste opening may occur as the track rotates. Rotation of the track may rotate the chamber and the waste opening.

[0023] The chamber may include a rotational device. The rotational device may function to rotate the chamber about an axis of rotation, to rotate during a cleaning cycle, or both. The rotational device may be a track, gear, high-friction surface, raised area, toothed area, contact surface area, etc., or a combination thereof. The rotational device may be fixed to the chamber, integral with it, in rotational communication therewith, or a combination thereof. The rotational device may be located on the exterior, interior, or both of the chamber. The rotational device may be a belt, gear, sprocket, toothed assembly, roller, wheel, etc., or a combination thereof. The chamber may include a track around at least a portion of the exterior of the chamber. The base may include one or more rotational sources in rotational communication with and driving the rotational device.

[0024] The chamber may include a track. The track may function to rotate the chamber about the axis of rotation, cooperate with a drive source, or both. The track may have any suitable configuration for cooperating with and being driven by a drive source. The track may include a gear, be toothed, or both. The gear may be a spur gear, a helical gear, an internal gear, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the track may be a spur gear with protruding teeth evenly spaced around its periphery. The track may be located around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the chamber. The track may be located around a portion of the upper chamber, the lower chamber, or both. The track may surround the outer wall of the chamber. The track may be located anywhere along the outside of the chamber. The track may lie in and / or form a plane referred to as a track plane. The track plane may form an angle with respect to the opening plane, a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, or a combination thereof. The track plane may be substantially parallel to the opening plane. The track plane may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The track surface may be at an angle with respect to a vertical plane substantially similar to the opening surface. The track surface may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, or 15 degrees or more, about 18 degrees or more, or even about 20 degrees or more. The track surface may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 60 degrees or less, about 50 degrees or less, about 45 degrees or less, about 30 degrees or less, or even about 25 degrees or less. For example, the track surface may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 5 degrees to about 50 degrees. As another example, the track surface may form an angle with the vertical plane of about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. The track may be approximately concentric with the center of the chamber, a large circle, a small circle, or a combination thereof, or may be offset therefrom, or both. The track may be offset from the large circle of the chamber. The large circle may be defined as a circle that acts as the equator of the chamber, located around the largest diameter of the chamber, substantially parallel to the entry opening of the chamber, or a combination thereof. The great circle can be perpendicular to the upper and lower chambers or at the joint between them. The track can be offset from the great circle of the chamber. The track can be closer to the chamber's entry opening, the front, the back, or a combination thereof.The track may be spaced apart from the entry opening. The track may be located generally opposite the entry opening. The track may be spaced apart from the entry opening by about 45% or more, about 60% or more, about 70% or more, about 75% or more, or even about 80% or more of the total length of the chamber. The track may be spaced apart from the entry opening by about 95% or less, about 93% or less, about 90% or less, about 87% or less, or even about 85% or less of the total length of the chamber. The length of the chamber may be measured from the entry opening toward the rear, along the axis of rotation, or both. The track may be used to rotate the chamber around the axis of rotation during a cleaning cycle. The track may be used to rotate the chamber clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The track may be concealed by the hood, the base, or both. Hiding the track may avoid creating pinch points or unnecessary contact points for one or more animals, one or more humans, or both.

[0025] The litter device may include a bonnet. The bonnet may function to cover the track, cover the waste opening, provide an aesthetically appealing appearance, protect against one or more pinch points or contact points with one or more moving components, prevent contaminants (e.g., liquids, dust, fur, etc.) from entering the device (e.g., between the track and the drive source), or a combination thereof. The bonnet may partially or completely cover the track, the waste opening, or both while the chamber is in the home position, during a cleaning cycle, while in the discharge position, or any combination thereof. The bonnet may be stationary relative to the chamber as the chamber rotates, movable, or both. Having the bonnet stationary relative to the chamber may allow the bonnet to continuously cover the track, the waste opening, the pinch points, or a combination thereof while the chamber is moving. Having the bonnet stationary relative to the chamber may provide ease of manufacture, reliability in use, or both. The bonnet may have any suitable size and / or shape for covering and / or concealing the track, the waste opening, or both, for positioning over and / or around at least a portion of the chamber, or any combination thereof. The bonnet may have a shape substantially complementary to the contours of the chamber, the upper chamber, the lower chamber, or a combination thereof. For example, the bonnet may have a substantially hemispherical shape. The bonnet may be substantially solid, continuous, have one or more openings, discontinuous, etc., or any combination thereof. The bonnet may not include one or more openings. The one or more openings may align with the waste opening while the chamber is in the home position. The one or more openings may include a transparent cover. The transparent cover may allow light to pass through while remaining physically covering the waste opening. The one or more openings may allow natural light to enter the chamber interior. The bonnet may be secured to the base, bezel, litter dispenser, or a combination thereof.The bonnet may be permanently and / or removably secured to the base, base frame, bezel, litter dispenser, or a combination thereof. The bonnet may be pivotally engaged with the base, base frame, or a combination thereof. The bonnet may be secured to the base and / or base frame by one or more hinges, fasteners, or both. The one or more fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), interlocking tabs, rivets, pins, etc., or a combination thereof. The bonnet may be secured to the base and / or base frame on the opposite side of the access opening by one or more hinges. The bonnet may be secured to the base and / or base frame by one or more interlocking tabs that mate with the base and / or base and frame. The bonnet may be secured to the bezel by one or more interlocking tabs that mate with the bezel around the access opening. The bonnet may be attached to the bezel, base, base frame, or a combination thereof by one or more conductive fasteners. The one or more conductive fasteners may conduct current from the bezel, base, base frame, or a combination thereof to the bonnet. Flow of current through the one or more conductive fasteners may indicate that the bonnet is secured to the base, base frame, and / or bezel. Cessation of current through the one or more conductive fasteners may indicate that the bonnet has been removed from the base, base frame, and / or bezel. When the bonnet is removed from the base, base frame, and / or bezel, one or more cleaning cycles may be prevented, chamber rotation may be prevented, or both may be prevented. The bonnet may include one or more interlock sensors, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,094 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0333625, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] The litter device may remove waste during one or more cleaning cycles. The cleaning cycle may function to transfer waste from the chamber to a waste bin, waste drawer, base, etc., or any combination thereof. The cleaning cycle may function to rotate the chamber about an axis of rotation. During the cleaning cycle, the chamber may rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The direction of rotation may depend on the orientation of the septum, screen, or both.

[0027] The litter device includes a base. The base may function to support the chamber, house the waste drawer, house one or more electrical components, or any combination thereof. The base may have any size and shape that allows the base to support the chamber, house the waste drawer, and / or house one or more electrical components. The base may rotatably support the chamber. The base allows the chamber to rotate during one or more cleaning cycles. The base may be configured to rest on a surface. The surface may be any suitable surface for resting the litter device on. The surface may be a floor, a table, a platform, a 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.

[0028] The base may include a base frame. The base frame may have any size and / or shape for supporting the chamber, mating with the hood, housing a waste drawer, one or more electrical components, one or more filters and / or filter systems, resting on a surface, etc., or combinations thereof. The base frame may have a three-dimensional shape that is substantially spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, hemispherical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the base frame may have a first shape that is substantially rectangular and / or cylindrical extending into a second shape that is hemispherical. The base frame may have a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the waste drawer, the chamber, or both. For example, the first shape that is substantially rectangular and / or cylindrical may house the waste drawer, while the second shape may be hemispherical and house the lower chamber. The second shape may include a cutout. The cutout may have a shape complementary to the shape of the chamber, the access opening, the bezel, or both. The cutout may be located on the same side of the device as the access opening. The cutout may be substantially U-shaped. The base frame may be open-ended, secured to the bezel along the cutout, or both. The base frame may include a bottom. The bottom may be the closed end of the base frame. The bottom may be opposite the open end of the base frame, the chamber support, or both. The bottom may function to allow the base frame to rest on a surface. The bottom may have one or more features to conform to an uneven surface. The bottom may be substantially planar, flat, or in a single plane, or a combination thereof. The bottom may include one or more ridges, legs, or both. The one or more legs may be adjustable so that the litter device can rest horizontally on a surface. A drawer cavity may be adjacent to the bottom. The drawer cavity may function to house a waste drawer. The drawer cavity may be formed as a hollow interior within the base frame. The hollow interior may be complementary to, larger than, or both than the waste drawer. The drawer cavity may include a waste drawer track.The waste drawer track may provide a track along which the waste drawer slides when either opening or closing the waste drawer, maintains the alignment of the waste drawer, guides installation of the waste drawer into the drawer cavity, or any combination thereof. The waste bin may reside within the drawer cavity. The base frame may include a drawer opening. The drawer opening may be formed as an opening in the base frame. The drawer opening may be located on the same or a different side as the access opening, hinge, or a combination thereof. The drawer opening may have a cross-sectional shape substantially complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the waste drawer. The drawer cavity may be defined as a gap between the bottom of the base frame and the chamber support. The base frame may be in fluid communication with the filter system. The base frame may include one or more port openings. The one or more port openings may be located on the rear side, opposite the waste drawer front, opposite the waste drawer opening, opposite the entry opening, or a combination thereof. The one or more port openings may be closed by one or more port caps. The chamber support may provide support for the chamber, a seal between the chamber and the waste cavity, an opening between the waste opening of the chamber and the waste bin, separation of one or more electrical components and the waste drawer, support for a drive mechanism, or any combination thereof. The chamber support may rest between the first and second shapes of the base frame. The chamber support may have a shape substantially complementary to a portion of the chamber. The chamber support may function as an isolated mount, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,094 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0333625, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] The litter device includes a waste drawer. The waste drawer may function to collect waste, temporarily store waste, prevent waste-related odors from leaving the device, or any combination thereof. The waste drawer may have any shape and size that allows it to collect and temporarily store waste. The waste drawer may be located within the base, within a drawer cavity, between the chamber support and the bottom of the base, between the bottom of the base and the chamber, or any combination thereof. The waste drawer may be any size and / or shape that is capable of temporarily collecting and storing waste. The waste drawer, or a portion thereof, may have a three-dimensional shape that is substantially spherical, ovoid, cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the waste drawer may have a shape that is substantially rectangular and hollow. The waste drawer may slide within a plane. The waste drawer may be removably installed within the base. The waste drawer may be installed at least partially within the waste drawer cavity. The plane may be parallel to or offset from the horizontal plane. The 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 a portion of the forward-facing surface of the base (e.g., on the same side as the access 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 that is substantially complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the drawer opening of the base frame. The complementary shape may allow the drawer front to completely seal the drawer cavity when the waste drawer is installed within the drawer cavity. The drawer front may be fixed to the waste bin, may be integral therewith, or both. The drawer front may face forward relative to the waste bin.

[0030] The waste drawer may include a waste bin configured to hold used litter, waste, waste bags, or any combination thereof. The waste bin may have a hollow interior. The hollow interior may define a volume of the waste bin. The volume of the waste bin may be suitable for holding waste, used litter, or both for multiple days. The volume of the waste bin may be suitable for storing waste that accumulates over 1 day or more, 3 days or more, 5 days or more, or even 7 days or more. The volume of the waste bin may be suitable for storing waste that accumulates over 20 days or less, 15 days or less, 12 days or less, or even 10 days or less. The volume of the waste bin may be approximately 7,500 cm 3 More than 10,000cm 3 More than 12,000cm 3 More than that, and about 12,500 cm 3 The volume of the waste bin can be approximately 50,000 cm 3 Below, approximately 40,000cm 3 Below, approximately 30,000cm 3 Below, approximately 20,000cm 3 Below that, about 15,000 cm 3 The waste bin may include one or more seals. The one or more seals may allow for the retention of odors by the drawer cavity, the prevention of odors from escaping outside the litter device, or both. For example, the waste bin may include a rubber gasket around the periphery of the opening. The opening of the waste bin may be in fluid communication and / or alignment with the opening of the chamber support, in fluid communication and / or alignment with the waste opening, or a combination thereof. The opening of the waste bin may be in fluid communication with one or more filtration systems. The waste bin may be secured to one or more shoulders and / or handles of the waste drawer.

[0031] The litter device may include one or more steps. The one or more steps may allow an animal to comfortably enter and exit the chamber through the opening. The one or more steps may have any size and shape that allows one or more animals to enter and exit the chamber through the opening. The one or more steps may be on the same side of the device and the opening. The one or more steps may be part of the base, chamber, waste drawer, etc., or any combination thereof. The steps may have any shape, size, and / or configuration for facilitating animal entry and exit to the chamber, providing a handle for opening the waste drawer, cleaning excess litter from the animal's paws, or any combination thereof. The one or more steps may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, diamond-shaped, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the steps may have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately trapezoidal with rounded apexes. The cross-sectional shape may refer to a cross section that is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane. The one or more steps may extend outward, away from, or both from the waste bin, the drawer front, the base frame, or a combination thereof. The one or more steps may be permanently fixed to, removably fixed to, integral with, or both of the waste bin, the drawer front, the base frame, or a combination thereof. The one or more steps may be removable and / or fixed so that the one or more steps can be removed to discard litter and residue collected in the hollow interior. The steps may function as handles. The steps may include a recess, groove, thinner thickness, etc. to provide a handle. The recess, groove, or thinner thickness may be located opposite the top surface used for animal stepping. The top surface, the interior, or both may include a cleaning device. The steps may be at least partially hollow. The hollow interior may allow for the collection of loose litter from the cleaning device.

[0032] One or more of the steps may include a cleaning device. The cleaning device may function to remove any remaining litter from the animal's legs (e.g., feet) when the animal exits the chamber, before completely leaving the litter device, or both. By removing litter from the animal's feet, the cleaning device prevents litter and other unwanted residue from the animal's feet from leaving a trail of litter throughout the area surrounding the litter device. The cleaning device may have any configuration that removes litter from the animal's feet, is mountable on the step, is unobtrusive, or any combination thereof. The cleaning device may have a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the step. The cleaning device may have a shape complementary to at least a portion of the interior hollow portion of the step. The similar shape allows the cleaning device to completely cover the top surface of the step, be mounted within the step, or both. One or more of the cleaning devices may have one or more contoured surfaces. Contoured may mean ribbed, grid-like, wavy, grooved, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the surface opposite the step may be wavy and / or ribbed. The contoured surface may be beneficial in freeing litter, waste, and / or other debris from the animal's paws, collecting litter, waste, and / or other debris, or any combination thereof. For example, peaks in the contoured surface may contact the animal's paws and assist in removing litter, waste, and / or other debris. For example, valleys in the contoured surface may collect litter, waste, and / or other debris. The one or more cleaning devices may or may not include one or more openings. The one or more openings may allow litter to pass through, pass from the cleaning device into the hollow interior of the step, enter the interior of the cleaning device, or a combination thereof. The one or more cleaning devices may include mats, pads, screens, inserts, etc., or a combination thereof. The one or more cleaning devices may be made of any material capable of removing litter, other unwanted residue, or both, capable of withstanding exposure to litter and animal waste, or a combination thereof. The cleaning device may be constructed of rubber, plastic, polymer, natural materials, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof.The cleaning device may be made from the same or different material as the rest of the litter device. The cleaning device may be removable from the step. By being removable, the hollow interior may be exposed, such as for removing collected litter and residue. The cleaning device may be secured via one or more fasteners or may not include securing by one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), interlocking tabs, rivets, pins, etc., or combinations thereof. To avoid being attached by one or more fasteners, the cleaning device may rest on top of a rim and / or flange of the step, within one or more support surfaces protruding from the interior of the step, or both. By avoiding the use of fasteners, removing the cleaning device may be quick and simple for the user.

[0033] The litter device may include a partition. The partition may function to separate waste from litter, separate used litter from unused litter, or both. The partition may have any size or shape suitable for installation within the chamber and sieving litter during a cleaning cycle. The partition may be a single piece or multiple pieces. The partition may include a screen portion, a partition portion, a hinge, or a combination thereof. The partition may be installed within the chamber, fixed to the interior of the chamber (e.g., the upper chamber), integral with the chamber, or any combination thereof. The partition may be installed substantially opposite the lower chamber, the liner, or both. The partition may be aligned with the waste opening of the upper chamber, may partially pass through the waste opening, or both. The partition portion may include a partition opening. The partition may be aligned with the waste opening of the upper chamber, may partially pass through the waste opening, or both. The septum opening may be formed within a protrusion of the septum portion. The protrusion may create a funnel for guiding waste through the waste opening and into the waste drawer. The septum opening may be a hollow portion of the protrusion. The protrusion may be referred to as a neck. The protrusion (e.g., neck) may be located within the waste opening. The septum portion may be statically fixed within a chamber, such as an upper chamber. Thus, the septum portion may rotate with the chamber during rotation and remain fixed to the chamber. The septum may include a hinge. The hinge may connect the septum portion to the screen portion. The hinge may allow the ability to move the septum portion, the screen portion, or both relative to one another during one or more cleaning cycles, during rotation of the chamber, or both. The hinge may be fixed to, integral with, adjacent to, located between, or a combination thereof, the septum portion and the screen portion. The hinge can be a multi-component hinge (e.g., a butt hinge) or a single-component hinge. A single-component hinge can be a living hinge. The hinge can be made of any material that allows movement of the screen portion, the bulkhead portion, or both relative to one another.The movement may occur during the septum formation process, before and / or during installation of the septum in the chamber, during rotation of the chamber during a cleaning cycle, or any combination thereof. The hinge may also be formed to allow the screen geometry to be formed by a series of drawing operations on the septum to form it. The hinge may be made of the same material as the screen portion, the septum portion, or both. The hinge may allow the screen portion to be angled relative to the septum portion. The hinge may allow the septum to be installed and contoured to a shape substantially complementary to the interior of the chamber. The hinge may impart flexibility to the screen portion relative to the septum portion. The screen portion may be at an acute, perpendicular, or obtuse angle relative to the septum portion in the home position of the chamber, the natural resting portion of the septum outside the chamber, or both. The screen portion may be at an angle of about 90 degrees or more, about 120 degrees or more, about 140 degrees or more, or even about 150 degrees or more relative to the septum portion. The screen portion may be at an angle of about 180 degrees or less, about 170 degrees or less, or even about 160 degrees or less relative to the partition portion. The angle may be measured as the angle between the surface facing toward the 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 secured to the chamber only via the partition portion. The screen portion may move (e.g., swing) relative to the hinge, the partition portion, or both, and / or remain substantially stationary during a cleaning cycle, during rotation of the chamber, or both. The screen portion may include one or more openings, such as multiple openings. The screen portion may be ribbed, grid-like, corrugated, grooved, mesh-like, etc., or any combination thereof. The multiple openings may be sized to allow unused (e.g., clean) litter to pass therethrough while preventing waste, litter, clumps, clumps, and / or the like from passing therethrough. The plurality of openings in the screen portion may allow for sifting of the litter during a cleaning cycle to separate waste from unused litter. The partition may be constructed of any suitable material.The material may be non-stick, liquid-impermeable, resistant to damage by litter, waste, liquids, solids, semi-solids, penetration, odor absorption, staining, or a combination thereof. The partition material may be rubber, a polymeric material, a synthetic material, a natural material, or any combination thereof. The partition may be made of the same or different materials. For example, the living hinge, partition portion, and screen portion may be composed of the same material or materials.

[0034] The litter device may include one or more seals. The one or more seals may function to prevent odors from migrating from the base, the waste drawer, or both to the chamber, around the chamber, the exterior of the litter device, or any combination thereof. The one or more seals may include any seal that allows odors, liquids, waste, and / or litter to form a sealed joint between two or more surfaces. The one or more seals may include one or more mechanical seals. The one or more mechanical seals may include one or more adhesives, sealants, gaskets, compression fittings, plugs, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more gaskets may include one or more flange gaskets, O-ring gaskets, brush seals, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more seals may be located between one or more mating surfaces, at the interface of two or more surfaces, or both. The one or more seals may be part of the chamber, the base, the litter dispenser, the ventilation system, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more seals may be located between the mating surface of the waste drawer and the base. One or more seals may be installed between the mating surface of the waste bin and the chamber support. The one or more mating surfaces may be on the periphery of the waste bin where the waste bin contacts the chamber support, at the opening of the chamber support, or both. One or more seals may be installed 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 installed between the base frame and the waste drawer. One or more seals may be installed where the waste drawer mates with the drawer opening. One or more seals may be installed around the periphery of the drawer opening, on a complementary portion of the waste drawer, or both. One or more seals may allow movement of one or more components while preventing leakage while in a stationary position. One or more seals may allow the waste drawer to be removed from the base, the chamber to rotate, or both. The one or more seals may be composed of one or more sealing materials.The one or more sealing materials may include rubber, silicone, metal, paper, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, plastic polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0035] The litter device may include a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may function to rotate the chamber, drive the track, or both, generate the cleaning cycle motion, or a combination thereof. The drive mechanism may be any suitable mechanism for rotating and / or engaging the chamber, the track, or both. The drive mechanism may be engaged with, in rotational communication with, or both of the track. The drive mechanism may include one or more gears, pulleys, sprockets, cogwheels, belts, direct drives, motors, drive shafts, etc., or any combination thereof. The drive mechanism may include a drive source. The drive source may convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The drive source may be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. The power source may be an electrical outlet, direct current, alternating current, etc., or a combination thereof. The drive source may be a motor or other power source. The drive source may be an electric motor, a pneumatic power source, a hydraulic power source, another power source, or a combination thereof. The drive source may transmit or generate torque on the drive shaft. The drive source may include a drive shaft. The drive shaft may receive torque from the drive source, output torque, or both. The drive shaft may be in communication with the drive source. The drive shaft may be rotatably fixed to the drive source. The drive source, the drive shaft, or both may be in rotational communication with one or more gears. The drive source, the drive shaft, or both may transmit torque and / or drive one or more gears. The one or more gears may be configured to engage with and / or engage the track. The one or more gears may transmit torque to the track, drive the track, or both. The one or more gears may include pinions, spur gears, helical gears, internal gears, etc., or combinations thereof. The drive mechanism may be constructed of materials that are resistant to moisture, steam, odors, etc. Examples of materials that may be used are rubber, plastic, metal, ceramic, or combinations thereof. The drive mechanism may be partially or completely mounted within a base, a base frame, a chamber support, or combinations thereof. The drive mechanism may be physically separated from the drawer cavity to prevent litter and waste from contacting the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may reside within a pocket in the chamber support.The drive mechanism may reside in the chamber support, on the opposite side of the waste drawer, on the same side as the chamber, or both. The chamber support may be an isolated mount.

[0036] The automatic litter box may include one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may function to detect one or more conditions of the litter box. The one or more sensors may be located in any one or more portions of the litter box that allow the sensor to detect the presence and / or absence of one or more conditions of one or more components. The one or more sensors may be located adjacent to the access opening, located near and / or fixed to the drive source, located near one or more pinch points, a portion of the hood, a portion of the base, located or fixed within the chamber, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be located in or on the bezel. The one or more sensors may be located adjacent to the access opening, on the opposite side of the base, on the same side of the waste opening and the chamber, on the same side of the upper chamber and the chamber, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be located on a sensor substrate within the bezel. The angle of the opening plane relative to the vertical plane may result in one or more sensors being positioned above the litter, having line of sight to the litter, covering the hollow interior of the chamber, having line of sight to the hollow interior, or any combination thereof. Based on the sensed condition or conditions, the one or more sensors may transmit one or more signals to one or more controllers, processors, communication modules, computing devices, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be a single sensor or multiple sensors. The one or more sensors may include one or more, two or more, or even three or more sensors. The 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.The one or more sensors may be adapted to detect one or more conditions related to the mass of the litter device, a change in mass, or both; the presence of litter, the amount of litter, or both; the presence of waste, the level of waste, or both; the presence of light, light above, at, and / or below the lumen level, or a combination thereof; a connection between two or more components of the device (e.g., between the support base and the bonnet); the presence of one or more pinch conditions; the position of one or more of the chambers; the operating state of the motor; the presence of an animal in one or more portions of the litter device, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be adapted to detect the presence of an animal in the chamber, the presence of waste in a waste bin in the base, the level of litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be adapted to detect the presence of an animal in the litter device and in portions other than the chamber. The one or more sensors may be capable of detecting presence, measuring distance, measuring displacement, detecting position, or any combination thereof, relative to one or more components of the automatic litter device. The one or more sensors may include one or more mass sensors, capacitance sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, membrane sensors, radio frequency (RF) admittance sensors, conductivity sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, etc., or combinations thereof. The one or more laser sensors may include one or more conical laser sensors. The one or more conical laser sensors may include one or more wide-conical laser sensors, narrow-conical laser sensors, or both. The one or more sensors may include one or more waste sensors (e.g., indicators), presence sensors, optical sensors, interlock sensors, pinch detectors, position sensors, motor sensors (e.g., one or more laser sensors, distance sensors), or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may provide the functionality of multiple sensors. For example, the one or more waste sensors may be one or more presence sensors. One or more exemplary sensors may be discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,094, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0333625 and 2019 / 0364840, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] The litter device may include one or more waste sensors. The one or more waste sensors may function to detect a predetermined level, a real-time level, or both (e.g., contents) of waste in the waste drawer, the chamber, or both. The one or more waste sensors may be located anywhere within the litter device such that the one or more waste sensors can detect the level of contents in the waste drawer. The one or more waste sensors may be located on and / or within the base, the waste drawer, the chamber, the bezel, adjacent to an access opening, or a combination thereof. The one or more waste sensors may include a single sensor, multiple sensors, the one or more waste sensors may include one or more, two or more, or even three or more sensors. The one or more waste sensors may include five or fewer, or even four or fewer sensors. For example, the one or more waste sensors may include a single sensor. As another example, the one or more waste sensors may include two sensors. As another example, the one or more waste sensors may include three sensors. The one or more waste sensors may be any type of suitable sensor for detecting and / or monitoring the level of contents in a waste drawer. One suitable waste sensor is one or more laser sensors. Some suitable waste sensors and configurations may be one or more indicators such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,433,185.

[0038] Exemplary combinations of one or more waste sensors may include two or more infrared sensors facing each other, one or more laser beams, a combination of a laser beam sensor and an infrared sensor, or any combination thereof. One or more waste sensors may be located in, on, or adjacent to the waste drawer. Alternatively or additionally, to detect the presence of waste, one or more waste sensors may at least partially detect the presence of an animal in the waste drawer. One waste sensor may include a light beam transmitter and one waste sensor may include a light beam detector. The light beam transmitter may relay a light beam to the light beam detector so that the light beam is detected. The waste drawer may indicate that it is at least partially full when waste in the drawer interferes with the light beam to the extent that the light beam is no longer detected by the light beam detector. The presence of an animal in the waste drawer may be indicated when at least a portion of the animal interferes with the light beam to the extent that the light beam is no longer detected by the light beam detector.

[0039] Another example of a waste sensor may include one or more laser sensors secured near the chamber's entry opening, the interior top surface of the bezel, the interior top surface of the chamber opposite the waste drawer, or any combination thereof. The one or more waste sensors may be mounted on the bezel, a gap in the bezel, a sensor mount on the bezel, a portion of a sensor substrate, or any combination thereof. The one or more laser sensors may include one or more cone laser sensors. The one or more cone laser sensors may include a single or multiple cone laser sensors. The one or more cone laser sensors may include one or more wide-cone laser sensors, narrow-cone laser sensors, or a combination thereof. As an example, the one or more waste sensors may include two wide-cone laser sensors and one narrow-cone laser sensor. As another example, the one or more waste sensors may include one narrow-cone laser sensor. The one or more waste sensors may be disposed proximate to one or more presence sensors. For example, the one or more waste sensors may be disposed on the same sensor substrate as the one or more presence sensors. One or more waste sensors may be arranged with one or more presence sensors to form an array (line), cross, triangle, square, circle, etc., or a combination thereof on the sensor substrate. For example, a waste sensor may be installed between two presence sensors on the sensor substrate. One or more laser sensors may be arranged to have a line of sight to the waste drawer. One or more sensors may be installed on the top portion of the bezel (e.g., opposite the base) to have a line of sight to the chamber, the waste opening, or both. Line of sight may be enabled by the angle of the opening plane, the rotation axis of the chamber, or both. Line of sight may be enabled by the size and shape of the access opening. One or more sensors may have a line of sight across the waste drawer, the waste bin, the opening in the chamber support, the surface of the litter bed, or any combination thereof. One or more laser sensors may have a line of sight to the surface of the litter bed of the chamber when the chamber is in the home position. The one or more laser sensors may have a line of sight to the waste bin when the waste opening is aligned with the waste drawer. The chamber may rotate so that the waste opening is aligned with the waste drawer.This alignment can occur both during the cleaning cycle and when the chamber is in the discharge position.

[0040] The litter device may include one or more presence sensors. The one or more presence sensors may function to monitor the mass of the litter device, such as the mass in the chamber, the presence of an animal in the litter device, the level of litter in the chamber, or any combination thereof. The presence sensors may monitor mass, presence, litter level, or any combination thereof continuously, intermittently, or both. The presence sensors may be installed anywhere within the device so that any change in mass within the litter device, a change in the presence of an animal in the device, or both, can be detected. The presence sensors may be installed at locations within the device so that rotation of the chamber is prevented when additional mass beyond a predetermined mass is installed in the chamber, when an animal is detected in the chamber, or both. The predetermined mass may be a mass greater than the mass of litter in the unit, a mass set by a user, a mass equal to or less than the mass of an animal, or any combination thereof. The presence sensors may include one or more resistors, force sensors, switches, controllers, microprocessors, laser sensors, or combinations thereof. One or more presence sensors may be located anywhere within the litter device to detect the presence of an animal in the chamber, the level of litter in the chamber, or both. The one or more presence sensors may be located in the base, the chamber, the bezel, and / or adjacent to the access opening, or combinations thereof. The one or more presence sensors may include a single sensor, multiple sensors, one or more presence sensors may include one or more, two or more, or even three or more sensors. The one or more presence sensors may include five or fewer, or even four or fewer sensors. For example, the one or more presence sensors may include a single sensor. For example, the one or more presence sensors may include two sensors. As another example, the one or more presence sensors may include three sensors. The one or more presence sensors may be any type of suitable sensor for detecting the presence of an animal, the level of litter in the chamber, or both. One suitable presence sensor is one or more laser sensors. One example of a suitable presence sensor and configuration within the litter device may be a mass sensor, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,433,185.

[0041] The one or more presence sensors may include one or more laser sensors secured near the chamber entry opening, the interior top surface of the bezel, the interior top surface of the chamber opposite the waste drawer, or any combination thereof. The one or more waste sensors may be mounted on the bezel, a gap in the bezel, a sensor mount on the bezel, part of a sensor substrate, or any combination thereof. The one or more presence sensors may include one or more waste sensors, may be separate from, the same as, adjacent to, or a combination thereof. The one or more laser sensors may include one or more cone laser sensors. The one or more cone laser sensors may include a single or multiple cone laser sensors. The one or more cone laser sensors may include one or more wide-cone laser sensors, narrow-cone laser sensors, or a combination thereof. The one or more cone laser sensors may include two wide-cone laser sensors, a single narrow-cone laser sensor, or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more presence sensors may include two wide-cone laser sensors. As another example, the one or more presence sensors may include two wide-cone laser sensors and one narrow-cone laser sensor. One or more of the presence sensors may also be or function as one or more waste sensors. For example, a narrow-cone laser sensor may be both a presence sensor and a waste sensor. Alternatively, one or more presence sensors may not function as waste sensors. One or more presence sensors may be disposed proximate to one or more waste sensors. For example, one or more presence sensors may be disposed on the same sensor substrate as one or more waste sensors. One or more presence sensors may be disposed with one or more waste sensors to form an array (line), cross, triangle, square, circle, etc., or combinations thereof on the sensor substrate. For example, two presence sensors may have a waste sensor between them. One or more laser sensors may be disposed to have line-of-sight into the interior of the chamber, across the access opening, across all or most of the litter bed, or any combination thereof. Line of sight may be enabled by the angle of the opening plane, the axis of rotation of the chamber, or both. Line of sight may be enabled by the size and shape of the entry opening.The one or more sensors may have line of sight to a majority of the exposed surface of the litter. Line of sight over the exposed surface may allow the one or more sensors to detect the presence of an animal, the litter level, or both in a majority of any portion of the chamber. Line of sight over a majority of the exposed surface may allow for accommodating an uneven surface of the litter. The presence sensor may detect the presence of an animal entering and / or exiting the chamber by intercepting a beam at an entry opening, intercepting a laser above the top surface of the litter bed, and / or the like.

[0042] The one or more conical laser sensors may have a detection range of 0.1 m or more, 0.2 m or more, 0.3 m or more, or even 0.5 m or more. The one or more conical laser sensors may have a detection range of 5 m or less, 4 m or less, 3 m or less, 2 m or less, or even 1 m or less. The one or more conical laser sensors may have a detection range suitable for detecting a distance approximately equal to or less than the height of the litter device. The height of the litter device may be measured from the surface on which the device rests to the outer surface opposite the hood. It may be advantageous to have one or more conical laser sensors with a detection range suitable for detecting from the sensor substrate to the bottom of the waste drawer. The one or more conical laser sensors may operate at a frequency suitable for detecting the presence of an object spaced from the sensor itself. The one or more conical laser sensors may have a range frequency of approximately 1 Hz or more, 10 Hz or more, 30 Hz or more, 40 Hz or more, or even 50 Hz or more. The one or more cone laser sensors may have a frequency range of about 300 Hz or less, about 200 Hz or less, about 150 Hz or less, about 100 Hz or less, or even about 75 Hz or less. The one or more cone laser sensors may have a field of view that is substantially cylindrical, conical, or both. A cone field of view may be advantageous because it provides a wider field of view across the surface of the litter bed, within the waste drawer, within the chamber, or any combination thereof. The cone field of view may be about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, about 20 degrees or more, or even about 25 degrees or more. The cone field of view may be about 150 degrees or less, about 120 degrees or less, about 100 degrees or less, about 75 degrees or less, or even about 60 degrees or less. A wide-cone laser sensor may have a larger field of view than a narrow-cone laser sensor. A narrow-cone laser sensor may have a field of view of about 5 degrees or more, about 7 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more, or even about 12 degrees or more. Narrow-cone laser sensors may have a field of view of about 25 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less, about 17 degrees or less, or even about 15 degrees or less. For example, narrow-cone laser sensors may have a field of view of about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees. Wide-cone laser sensors may have a field of view of about 20 degrees or more, about 25 degrees or more, about 30 degrees or more, or even about 35 degrees or more. Wide-cone laser sensors may have a field of view of about 100 degrees or less, about 75 degrees or less, about 50 degrees or less, or even about 40 degrees or less.For example, the wide-cone laser sensor may have a field of view of about 20 degrees to about 50 degrees, or even about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees. The one or more cone laser sensors may include one or more time-of-flight (TOF) laser ranging sensors. A suitable sensor for the one or more cone laser sensors may include the time-of-flight sensor VL53L1X by STMicroelectronics.

[0043] The litter device may include one or more position sensors. The one or more position sensors may monitor the position of the chamber. The position of the chamber may be a home position, a discharge position, any position therebetween, a position during a cleaning cycle, or any combination thereof. The one or more position sensors may be any sensor capable of detecting the position of the chamber relative to the base, waste drawer, hood, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may include one or more Hall-effect sensors, laser sensors, etc., or combinations thereof. One or more exemplary position sensors and configurations within the litter device may be as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,185. The one or more position sensors may include, be the same as, be separate from, be adjacent to, or be a combination of one or more waste sensors, presence sensors, or combinations thereof. The one or more laser sensors may detect the rotation of the chamber. The one or more laser sensors may remain fixed and / or stationary relative to the chamber during a cleaning cycle. The one or more laser sensors may be fixed near the chamber entry opening, the interior top surface of the bezel, the interior top surface of the chamber opposite the waste drawer, or any combination thereof. The one or more laser sensors may include one or more conical laser sensors. The one or more conical laser sensors may include one or more wide-cone laser sensors, narrow-cone laser sensors, or a combination thereof.

[0044] The litter device may include one or more light sensors. The one or more light sensors may function to detect light levels within the litter device, around the exterior of the litter device (e.g., ambient light), or both. The one or more light sensors may be any sensor suitable for detecting light within the litter device, outside the litter device, or both. The one or more light sensors may be any sensor suitable for detecting a light indication below a predetermined lumen level. The one or more light sensors may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more lights. An indication of a light level below a predetermined lumen level may cause one or more lights within the litter device to turn on. The one or more light sensors may cooperate with one or more other sensors, such as a mass (e.g., presence) sensor. One or more lights within the litter device may turn on when a light level below a predetermined lumen level is detected by one or more light sensors and a mass above a predetermined mass level is detected by one or more mass sensors. Exemplary suitable light sensors and configurations within the litter device may be as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,185.

[0045] The litter device may include one or more interlock sensors. The one or more interlock sensors may detect a connection, a disconnection, or both, between the bonnet and the support base. The one or more interlock sensors may detect whether one or both sides, the retaining clips, or both are partially removed, fully removed, or both. The one or more interlock sensors may detect whether power is being supplied to the bonnet through one or more connection points to the support base. The one or more interlock sensors may include one or more low-current electrical sensors. One or more exemplary interlock sensors and configurations in the litter device may be as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,185.

[0046] The litter apparatus may include one or more pinch detectors. The one or more pinch detectors may detect the presence of one or more pinch conditions. The one or more pinch detectors may be located anywhere within the litter apparatus suitable for detecting one or more pinch conditions. The one or more pinch detectors may be positioned proximate any pinch point within the litter apparatus. The one or more pinch detectors may be located within the litter apparatus such that the pinch detector contacts the edge of the chamber, the waste opening, the support base, the bonnet, the waste drawer, any other component of the litter apparatus, or a combination thereof. One or more exemplary pinch detectors and configurations within the litter apparatus may be as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,433,185.

[0047] The litter device may include one or more motor sensors. The one or more motor sensors may monitor the function of one or more drive sources installed within the litter device. The one or more motor sensors may be any sensor capable of detecting the position, torque, temperature, speed, etc., or any combination thereof, of one or more drive sources (e.g., motors) within the litter device. The one or more sensors may include one or more position sensors, laser sensors, torque sensors, temperature sensors, speed sensors, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more motor sensors may detect one or more operating conditions of the drive sources. The one or more operating conditions may include the position, torque, temperature, speed, etc., or any combination thereof, of the one or more drive sources. The one or more motor sensors may cooperate with one or more processors and / or controllers to compare the one or more detected operating conditions with one or more predetermined operating conditions. The one or more predetermined operating conditions may be operating condition values ​​determined to be suitable for the one or more drive sources. If the detected operating conditions are outside of a range of acceptable predetermined operating conditions, the cleaning cycle may be stopped, the litter device may send an alert to the user, and / or the like.

[0048] The automatic litter device may include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may function to receive one or more signals, transmit one or more signals, control the operation of one or more components of the litter device, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be in communication with one or more sensors, drive mechanisms, control panels, user interfaces, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be adapted to receive, transmit, or both of one or more signals from one or more sensors, drive mechanisms, control panels, user interfaces, etc., or combinations thereof. The one or more controllers may be present within or in communication with the litter device. The one or more controllers may be mounted or fixed to the base, the chamber, or both. The one or more controllers may include one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, processors, storage media, or combinations thereof. One or more suitable controllers may include one or more controllers, microprocessors, or both, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,757,094 and 9,433,185.

[0049] <Cleaning cycle> The litter device may complete one or more cleaning cycles. The cleaning cycle may function to transfer waste from within the chamber into a base, a waste drawer, or a combination thereof. The cleaning cycle may function to separate clean litter (e.g., unused litter) from waste, used litter, clumps, clumps, or any combination thereof. The cleaning cycle may be initiated after one or more presence sensors detect that an animal has exited the chamber, that waste has accumulated in the chamber, that a user has initiated a cleaning cycle, or any combination thereof. The cleaning cycle may be initiated by rotation of the chamber. The chamber may be driven by a track, a drive mechanism, or both. The chamber may be driven by a track fixed thereto. The track may be driven by a drive mechanism. The chamber may rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The direction of rotation may be determined by the location of the partition, the screen portion relative to the partition portion, the waste opening, or a combination thereof. During a cleaning cycle, the chamber may rotate from the home position to the discharge position, from the discharge position to the home position, from the discharge position to the horizontal position, from the home position to the horizontal position, from the horizontal position to the home position, or any combination thereof. For example, a cleaning cycle may include rotating the chamber from the home position to the discharge position, from the discharge position to the horizontal position, and from the horizontal position back to the home position. Rotating from the discharge position to the horizontal position may include passing through the home position. The home position may be a resting position of the chamber suitable for an animal to use the litter device. The discharge position may allow waste to be transferred to the waste drawer. In the discharge position, the waste opening may be aligned with the waste drawer. The horizontal position may allow the litter to level itself along the bottom chamber, the liner, or both before returning to the home position.

[0050] The chamber may rotate around its axis of rotation. During a cleaning cycle, the chamber may rotate by about 10 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 50 degrees or more, 90 degrees or more, 100 degrees or more, 180 degrees or more, 205 degrees or more, 245 degrees or more, or even 270 degrees or more. The chamber may rotate by about 540 degrees or less, about 500 degrees or less, about 400 degrees or less, or even about 360 degrees or less. The chamber may rotate in a single direction or two directions around the axis of rotation. The chamber may rotate in a first direction, a second direction, or both. The first direction may be counterclockwise, clockwise, or both. The second direction may be clockwise, counterclockwise, or both. The second direction may be opposite to the first direction. The clockwise and counterclockwise directions may be determined by facing the entrance opening from the outside of the litter device. The chamber may rotate in either direction single or multiple times. The chamber may rotate in a first direction and then in a second direction. The chamber may rotate in a second direction and then in the first direction. The chamber may rotate in the first direction, then in the second direction, and then in the first direction again. The chamber may rotate in the first direction from a home position to and / or past an eject position, from an eject position toward the home position, from a horizontal position to the home position, or any combination thereof. The chamber may rotate in the second direction from an eject position to and / or past the home position, from an eject position to a horizontal position, from the home position to a horizontal position, or any combination thereof. For example, the chamber may rotate in a first direction from the home position to the eject position, then rotate in a second direction from the eject position to a horizontal position (e.g., past the home position), and then rotate again in the first direction from the horizontal position to the home position. For example, the chamber may rotate in a first direction from the home position to the eject position by about 160 degrees to about 220 degrees, or even about 180 degrees to 210 degrees. For example, the chamber may rotate from about 170 degrees to about 265 degrees, or even about 200 degrees to about 245 degrees in a second direction (e.g., opposite the first direction) from the discharge position to the horizontal position. For example, the chamber may rotate from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees, or even about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees in a first direction from the horizontal position to the home position.An example of how the chamber may rotate can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,757,094 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0333625, which are incorporated herein by reference. Another exemplary description of how the cleaning cycle may work can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0364840, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] During a cleaning cycle, the partition may sift the litter in the chamber. The partition may separate unused litter from waste. During a cleaning cycle, rotation of the chamber may cause the partition to rotate toward the litter. The screen portion of the partition may lead, while the partition portion of the partition may follow toward the litter.

[0052] During the start of a cleaning cycle, the chamber may rotate in a counterclockwise first direction from the home position to the discharge position, or any combination thereof. During this rotation, the waste opening and the partition may move closer to the waste drawer. Due to gravity, the litter may contact the partition. The litter may first contact the screen portion. In response to contact with the litter, the screen portion may first be positioned between the litter and the inner wall of the chamber. As the screen portion moves toward and into the litter, it may sift the litter to separate waste and other large particles from unused litter. Clean, unused litter may pass through the multiple openings in the screen portion toward the inner wall of the chamber. Waste and other large particles remain on the side of the screen portion facing toward the interior of the chamber. As the chamber continues to rotate in the first direction, gravity causes the waste to move from the screen portion to (e.g., slide over) the partition portion. When the waste opening and the septum opening are aligned with the waste bin in the discharge position, waste can be forced from the rest of the septum portion toward the septum opening, then through the septum opening and waste opening, and then into the waste bin. By separating the waste from unused litter during a cleaning cycle, it may be possible to force the waste toward the septum opening, the waste opening, or both, for disposal in the waste drawer, while the unused litter may be reusable.

[0053] After the cleaning cycle reaches the discharge position, the chamber may rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, clockwise, from the discharge position to the horizontal position, from the discharge position to the home position, or any combination thereof. As the chamber may rotate in the second direction, litter (e.g., unused litter) may move through a portion of the partition wall toward the screen. As the chamber rotates in the second direction, litter (e.g., unused litter) may move under the screen portion, between the screen portion and the inner wall of the chamber, through multiple openings in the screen portion, or any combination thereof. As the chamber rotates in the second direction, litter may move back and settle in the lower portion of the chamber (e.g., the lower chamber, the liner, or both).

[0054] During a cleaning cycle, the chamber may rotate in a second direction toward a horizontal position, past the home position toward the horizontal position, or both. The horizontal position may allow the litter to level itself with the lower chamber, the liner, or both. The horizontal position may allow the litter to overcome surface friction with the liner, the inner wall of the chamber, or both. The horizontal position may allow the litter to return to the angle of repose.

[0055] During a cleaning cycle, the chamber may then rotate in a first direction from a horizontal position back to a home position, which may allow the animal to use the litter device again.

[0056] The septum may function as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,094 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0333625, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] <Filter system> The present teachings also relate to filtration systems. The filtration system may function to prevent, reduce, neutralize, and / or even eliminate odors from air passing through the litter box. The filtration system may have any size, shape, and / or configuration to reduce or even eliminate odors associated with animal waste. The filtration system may be an active system, a passive system, or both. An active system may move air to reduce or eliminate odors. A passive system may absorb odors. Odor reduction may occur through eliminating odor-causing bacteria, filtering odors, cooling air to reduce odors, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may include one or more air circulation devices, filters, phototreatment devices, heat exchange elements, etc., or combinations thereof. The one or more phototreatment devices may be any energy source suitable for destroying odor-causing bacterial waste. Suitable phototreatment devices may include one or more ultraviolet lights. The one or more heat exchange elements may function to change the air temperature of the air within the filtration system, such as reducing the air temperature. Cooling the air may inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with malodors. The one or more heat exchange elements may include one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs). The one or more thermoelectric devices may include one or more Peltier devices. The one or more filters may include one or more physical filters. The one or more physical filters may be any filter suitable for absorbing malodors from the air as it passes through the filter. The 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 the litter device, fixed to the litter device, within the litter device, part of the exterior of the litter device, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may be installed between the chamber and the base, adjacent to the base, within the base, part of the chamber, outside the base, outside the chamber, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may be fixed to the chamber, the base, or both.The filtration system may be located generally opposite the waste opening of the chamber, adjacent to the waste bin, opposite the waste drawer opening, outside the base, adjacent to an outer wall of the base frame, or any combination thereof. The filtration system may not include, may include, may be part of, or a combination thereof, a ventilation system. The filtration system may include one or more housings, physical filters, caps, ventilation systems, ducts, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0058] The filtration system may include one or more housings. The one or more housings may function to house one or more components of the filtration system, may be fixed to one or more components of the filtration system, may be in fluid communication with the waste cavity and / or waste drawer, 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 the litter device, located outside the litter device, fixed to the litter device, or any combination thereof. The housing may be fixed to the chamber, the base, one or more ducts, or any combination thereof. The housing may be part of or separate from the chamber, the base, or both. The housing may be formed within the chamber. The housing may be formed as a recess in the wall of the outer chamber. The housing may be referred to as a filter cavity. The housing may be formed within the lower chamber. The housing may be located adjacent to the waste drawer, the waste bin, an opening in the chamber support, or any combination thereof. While the chamber is in the home position, the housing may be in fluid communication with the waste bin to allow odors to flow from the waste bin to the housing. The recess may provide a hollow cavity for storing one or more physical filters. The physical filters may have a shape substantially complementary to the hollow cavity, the filter cavity, the contours of a portion of the chamber, or any combination thereof. The housing may include a cap. The cap may close the recess and retain the filter within the housing. The cap may include multiple openings. The multiple openings may allow odors to enter the housing from the waste drawer and be absorbed by the one or more physical filters. The housing may be formed outside the litter device. The housing may be of any suitable shape for being positioned to the side of and / or adjacent to the base of the litter device. The housing may be in fluid communication with the base via one or more ducts.

[0059] The litter device may be attached to and / or include a ventilation system. The ventilation system may function 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 air from the litter device's waste drawer, base, or both, directing air toward the filtration system, directing air from the filtration system toward the litter device, or any combination thereof. The ventilation system may include one or more ducts, inflows, outflows, ports, air circulation devices, housings, or any combination thereof. The one or more air circulation devices may be located within the filtration system housing, may be separate from it, or both. The one or more air circulation devices may include one or more fans, air pumps, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more air circulation devices may move air from, to, or both one or more ducts. The one or more air circulation devices may be installed on one or more exterior walls of the housing, its interior, or both, ducts, or any combination thereof. The ventilation system may be connected to a part of the litter apparatus by one or more ducts.The ventilation system may be one or more ducts.

[0060] The ventilation system may include one or more ducts. The one or more ducts may function to provide a passageway for air and / or guide air to and / or from the litter device, to and / or from the filtration system, or any combination thereof. The one or more ducts may provide an outflow, an inflow, or both. The one or more ducts may have any shape, size, and / or configuration secured to the base, the filtration system, the housing, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more ducts may include a single duct or multiple ducts. The one or more ducts may include an inflow, an outflow, or both. The outflow may receive air from the base, the waste drawer, or both. The outflow may deliver air to the housing, the filtration system, the external environment, or any combination thereof. The inflow may receive air from the housing, the filtration system, or both. The inflow may deliver air to the base, the waste drawer, the external environment, or any combination thereof. One or more ducts may be in fluid communication with the base, the waste drawer, or both through one or more ports. The ducts may be connected to the base through one or more ports. The ducts may be installed within the ports, fixed, or both. The 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 through the filtration system and the interior of the litter device. In an exemplary closed-loop ventilation system, air may be circulated from the base, the waste drawer, or both, to an outflow duct, from the outflow duct to the housing for filtration, from the housing to an inflow duct, and from the inflow duct to the waste drawer. In an open-loop ventilation system, air is delivered to the external environment, the ventilation system may not recirculate air to the litter device, or both. The external environment may be any environment physically outside the litter device (e.g., the ambient environment), outdoors, or both. One or more ducts may be connected to one or more window openings, door openings, or even vent openings in a facility such as a home to allow ventilation to the outdoors. Open-loop ventilation systems may or may not include a filtration system.An open-loop ventilation system may include a filtration system to prevent odors from being released into the outdoor or surrounding environment. In an exemplary open-loop ventilation system, air may travel from the base, the waste drawer, or both, to an outflow duct, from the outflow duct to the housing for filtration, from the housing to an inflow duct, and from the inflow duct to the ambient or outdoor environment.

[0061] <Litter box dispenser> The present teachings further relate to a litter dispenser. The litter dispenser may function to store clean, unused litter, refill the litter device, the chamber, or both with clean, unused litter, extend the usefulness of the litter device without human intervention, or any combination thereof. The litter dispenser may have any size, shape, and / or configuration, such as being in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber, being secured to the litter device, the base, the bonnet, the chamber, or any combination thereof, being capable of transferring a portion of the litter stored therein to the chamber, being capable of storing litter, or any combination thereof. The litter device may include, be secured to, or not include a litter dispenser. The litter dispenser may be located generally opposite the access opening. By being opposite the access opening, the litter dispenser may not interfere with animal access, functionality with the partition and / or liner, or any combination thereof. A litter dispenser can be particularly useful in extending the usefulness of a litter device without human intervention. For example, the waste drawer can have a waste storage capacity greater than the litter capacity in the chamber. The capacity can be measured by volume, frequency of use by the animal, or even number of days. During a cleaning cycle, used litter is transferred to the waste drawer along with the animal's waste, and over time, the available litter can be used up. The available litter in the chamber can be used up before the waste drawer is full. Previously, human intervention was required to refill the chamber with new litter for continued use of the litter device by the animal. A litter dispenser can be particularly advantageous in reducing human intervention with a litter device. The litter dispenser can automatically deliver clean, unused litter to the chamber. The litter dispenser can deliver litter to the chamber when a certain amount of litter (e.g., volume, height, etc.) is reached in the chamber. The level of litter in the chamber may be sensed by one or more sensors, for example, one or more presence sensors, waste sensors, or both may sense the amount of litter in the chamber.The litter stored in the litter dispenser may be any type of litter suitable for use in a litter device. The litter dispenser may include a hopper, a lid, a dispenser housing, a dispensing device, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0062] The litter dispenser includes a hopper. The hopper may function to hold litter, multiple chamber volumes of litter, guide litter toward the dispensing housing and / or dispensing device, or any combination thereof. The hopper may have a shape that is generally cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, prismatic, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the hopper may have a shape that is generally trapezoidal prismatic, conical, etc. The shape may have a larger cross-sectional area adjacent to the rim and / or lid compared to a smaller cross-sectional area closest to the dispensing device. The hopper may have a tapered shape. The tapered and / or reduced cross-sectional area may assist in directing litter toward the dispensing device. The hopper may include single or multiple sidewalls (e.g., hopper walls). One or more sidewalls may include a shape complementary to one or more contours on the exterior of the bonnet, the chamber, or both. For example, a sidewall adapted to abut the bonnet may be concave. The concave wall may match the convex and / or rounded shape of the outer wall of the bonnet. The complementary shape may allow the sidewall to rest directly adjacent to and in contact with the bonnet. The sidewall may surround the hollow interior of the hopper. The sidewall may be fixed to and / or integral with the bottom wall of the hopper. The bottom wall may further define the hollow interior of the hopper. The bottom wall of the hopper may be opposite an opening, a rim, a lid, or any combination thereof. The bottom wall may be partially or completely disposed within the dispenser housing. The bottom wall may be generally flat, sloped, or a combination thereof. The bottom wall may have a shape that is substantially conical, pyramidal, etc., or a combination thereof. The bottom wall may slope toward the funnel, the opening, the dispenser housing, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The bottom wall may slope away from the opening, the rim, the lid, or any combination thereof.

[0063] The litter dispenser may include a lid. The lid may function to protect the litter in the litter dispenser, restrict access to the hopper, allow temporary access to the hopper, or any combination thereof. The lid may be removably secured to the hopper. The lid may rest on top of the hopper, partially on the hopper, or both. The lid may partially rest on the hopper adjacent to the rim. The lid may be secured to the hopper via one or more attachments. The one or more attachments may include a friction fit, a snap fit, a lock, a locking tab, a biasing device, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the periphery of the lid may have a snap fit with the periphery (e.g., the rim) of the hopper. As another example, the lid may include one or more locks that latch the lid to the hopper. The one or more biasing devices may include one or more springs. The periphery of the lid may fit partially or completely within the periphery of the hopper. The periphery may be at least partially defined by a rim around the opening. The lid's peripheral edge is inaccessible by resting it within the hopper and / or using one or more attachments to secure the lid. Accessibility may refer to an animal or child attempting to lift the cover by the peripheral edge with their teeth, paws, hands, and / or the like, out of curiosity or the like. Reducing accessibility may prevent one or more animals or one or more humans from accidentally or intentionally lifting the lid. The lid may have a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the hopper. The cross-sectional shape may refer to a view substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hopper, the horizontal plane of the litter box, or both. The cross-sectional shape of the lid may be square, rectangular, trapezoidal, oval, circular, crescent, triangular, etc., or a combination thereof. The lid may include an outer lid, an inner lid, or both. The outer lid and inner lid may cooperate together to form a lid, house one or more attachments, or both. The cover may be installed on opposite sides of and / or adjacent to one or more walls of the hopper. The lid may be disposed generally opposite the bottom wall. The lid may include a handle.

[0064] The lid may include a handle. The handle may function to facilitate lid removal, lid placement, or both. The handle may be integral with or affixed to any portion of the lid. The handle may be included as part of an outer lid. The handle may be centered or eccentric with respect to the lid. The handle may be centered to allow cooperation within one or more attachments. The handle may have any suitable shape that allows for placement, removal, or both of the lid relative to the hopper. The handle may be formed by one or more recesses, protrusions, or both in the lid. The lid may be formed by opposing recesses. The recesses may have any suitable shape to allow for gripping of the handle body. The recesses may have a cross-sectional shape that may be substantially D-shaped, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc., or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape may be viewed in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a horizontal plane, or both. The handle body may be a surface of the lid located between the recesses, protrusions, or both. As an example, opposing recesses may be spaced apart to form the handle body therebetween. The lid may be held in place by one or more latches.

[0065] The lid may include one or more locks. The one or more locks may be any lock suitable for holding the lid in place, preventing animals from removing the lid, allowing a user to intentionally remove and re-secure the lid, or a combination thereof. The one or more locks may be installed on the lid, the hopper, or both. The one or more locks may include one or more deflectable tabs with a snap fit, one or more spring-based locks, one or more threaded locks, etc., or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more locks may include a pinch-grip lock with one or more biasing devices. The pinch-grip lock may include one or more lid latches. The one or more lid latches may be installed at least partially within the cover, between the outer lid and the inner lid, or both. The one or more lid latches may protrude outside the cover and engage with the hopper. The one or more lid latches may engage with one or more latch retainers formed in one or more side walls of the hopper. The one or more retainers may be one or more openings, recesses, or both. The one or more latch retainers may be biased against the one or more latch retainers by one or more biasing devices. The one or more biasing devices may be any device suitable for biasing the lid latch toward the retainer, may have the ability to retract the latch due to the retainer, or may be both. The one or more biasing devices may include one or more springs. For example, a spring may be installed between two opposing lid latches. The spring may be compressed to allow the lid latch to disengage from the retainer. The spring may extend in a relaxed state to bias the lid latch against the retainer. One or more locks may be installed on the opposite side of the dispensing device.

[0066] The litter dispenser may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may function to separate a portion of litter from the hopper, retain litter within the litter dispenser, transfer a portion of litter from the hopper to the dispenser housing, to the chamber, or both, or a combination thereof. The dispensing device may be located in any portion of the litter dispenser suitable for separating litter from the hopper and transferring it to the dispenser housing, the chamber, or both. The dispensing housing may be located between the hopper and the chamber, within the dispenser housing, or both. The dispensing device may be configured to dispense a predetermined amount of litter from the hopper to the chamber. The dispensing device may include a drive source, a drive shaft, a hub, an insert, a paddle, etc., or a combination thereof. The dispensing device may be configured to rotate in a single direction, in multiple directions (e.g., first and second directions opposite each other), or both. The dispensing device may have a rest mode, a refill mode, or both. In the rest mode, the dispensing device may be held in a stationary position to retain litter within the litter dispenser. In the refill mode, the dispensing device may move to transfer litter from the hopper to the chamber during a refill cycle, which may be a period during which the dispensing device is moving to transfer a desired amount of litter to the chamber.

[0067] The dispensing device may include a drive source. The drive source may function to apply one or more dispensing forces, apply one or more restoring forces, move the dispensing device between one or more resting positions to one or more dispensing positions, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be in rotational communication with a drive shaft, a hub, an insert, a paddle, or a combination thereof. The drive source may drive the drive shaft, the hub, the insert, the paddle, or a combination thereof. The drive source may apply a torque in a first direction, a torque in a second direction, or both to the drive shaft, the hub, the insert, the paddle, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be a motor or other power source. The drive source may be an electric motor, a pneumatic power source, a hydraulic power source, another power source, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be in electronic communication with one or more power sources. The drive source may be in electronic communication with one or more sensors of the litter device. The drive source may be in electronic communication with one or more presence sensors. The one or more presence sensors may detect the level of litter in the chamber. If the detected litter level is lower than the required amount of litter, the drive source may initiate rotation of the drive shaft, hub, paddles, fins, or any combination thereof.

[0068] The dispensing device may include a drive shaft. The drive shaft may function to transmit torque from a drive source to a hub, an insert, a paddle, or a combination thereof. The drive shaft may be in rotatable communication with the drive source, the hub, the insert, the paddle, or any combination thereof. The drive source may rotate the drive shaft. By applying torque in a first direction, the drive shaft may rotate in a first direction. By applying torque in a second direction, the drive shaft may rotate in a second direction. The drive shaft may pass through the hub, the insert, the paddle, or a combination thereof. The drive shaft may be directly or indirectly engaged with the hub, the insert, the paddle, or a combination thereof. For example, the drive shaft may be rotatably engaged with and received in a hollow interior of the hub. The drive shaft may have a friction fit, a key fit, or the like with the hub. The drive shaft may have one or more engagement features that engage with one or more mating engagement features of the hub, the insert, the paddle, or any combination thereof. For example, the drive shaft may include one or more surfaces that are complementary to one or more surfaces in the hollow interior of the hub. The drive shaft may have flat and rounded surfaces around its circumference that align with complementary flat and rounded surfaces in the hollow interior of the hub.

[0069] The dispensing device may include a hub. The hub may function to engage the paddles, rotate the paddles, or both, along with the drive source and / or drive shaft. The hub may be located between the hopper and the chamber, within the dispenser housing, or both. The hub may be located within the dispenser cradle, adjacent to the dispensing opening, between the funnel opening and the dispensing opening, or combinations thereof. The hub may have any suitable shape for cooperating with the drive source, drive shaft, insert, paddles, or combinations thereof. The hub may have a shape that is generally cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, prismatic, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof. The hub may be hollow, partially hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. The hub may have a hollow interior. The hub may have a shaft cavity formed therein. The shaft cavity may extend partially or completely from one end to the opposite end of the hub. The shaft cavity may be generally centered with the entire dispenser, the hub, or both. The shaft cavity may have a shape complementary to the shape of the drive shaft. The shaft cavity may include one or more engagement features that engage, mesh, or align with one or more engagement features of the drive shaft. The hub may be configured to at least partially rotate in one or more directions, such as when driven by the drive source, the drive shaft, or both. The one or more directions may be opposite directions, a first direction, a second direction, or a combination thereof. The axis of rotation of the hub may be coaxial, concentric, or eccentric with the axis of rotation of the drive source, the drive shaft, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation may extend through the shaft cavity. The paddles may extend around the hub. The paddles may be integral with or fixed to the hub. The hub may have one or more paddle engagement features. The one or more paddle engagement features may function to mate with the paddles, the paddle fins, or both. The one or more paddle engagement features may include one or more paddles, fins, one or more channels, slots, brackets, hinges, etc. to allow attachment to both hubs, or any combination thereof. The one or more channels may be formed along at least a portion or all of the length of the hub.The one or more channels may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or even five or more channels. The one or more channels may include ten or fewer, eight or fewer, or even seven or fewer channels. The number of channels may be the same as the number of fins on the paddle. The one or more channels may be formed along the outer surface of the hub around the shaft cavity. The one or more channels may extend toward the shaft cavity, be in fluid communication with the shaft cavity, be spaced apart from the shaft cavity, or any combination thereof. The one or more channels may be parallel to the shaft cavity, follow the shaft cavity over the length of the hub, or both. Multiple channels may be formed radially around the hub. The multiple channels may be evenly spaced around the hub, unevenly spaced, or both. The one or more channels may have any suitable shape for receiving and / or engaging the paddle, fin, or both. The one or more channels may engage the ends of one or more fins on the paddle. The channels may have a shape that is substantially complementary to a portion of the paddle, such as the attachment end of the fin, the fin, or both. The channels may be V-shaped, T-shaped, etc., or combinations thereof. For example, the hub may include multiple radially spaced channels that are T-shaped slots along the length of the hub.

[0070] The dispenser may include a paddle. The paddle may function to transfer litter from the hopper to the chamber and from the funnel opening to the dispensing opening. The paddle may have any suitable size, shape, and / or configuration for transferring litter from the hopper to the chamber. The paddle may be configured to rotate to transfer litter during a refill cycle. The paddle may include one or more fins. The one or more fins may include a single fin or multiple fins. The one or more fins may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or even five or more fins. The one or more fins may include ten or fewer, eight or fewer, or even seven or fewer fins. The multiple fins may be separate from one another, attached to one another, integral with one another, or any combination thereof to form a paddle. For example, the paddle may have a rotating shaft having multiple fins radially protruding therefrom. The rotating shaft may be rotatably engaged with a hub, a drive shaft, or both. The rotating shaft may receive and mate with the hub, the drive shaft, or both. As another example, the paddle may include multiple fins fixed directly to the hub. The multiple fins may be useful for rapidly transferring litter from the hopper to the chamber, for controlling the amount of litter transferred, or both. One or more fins may be rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or a combination thereof. One or more fins may be flexible along their length. The flexibility of one or more fins may be advantageous in allowing the fins to scrape along the wall of the dispenser housing while rotating, maintaining contact with the dispenser housing to prevent litter from leaking from the hopper into the chamber, or both. The flexibility of the fins may also prevent clogging of the dispenser during rotation. One or more fins of the paddle may be fixed to or integral with the hub, the drive shaft, or both. Rotational motion of the drive shaft, the hub, or both results in rotation of the paddle, the fins, or both about the same axis of rotation. The one or more fins may be secured to the hub at attached ends, which may have a shape complementary to an engaging feature on the hub.The attached end may have a shape complementary to the channel in the hub. For example, the attached end may be "T" shaped. The attached end of one or more fins may reside within and engage with one or more channels in the hub. The opposite end of the attached end of one or more fins is a free end. The free end may contact the interior wall of the dispenser housing during rotation. One or more fins of the paddle may also be hinged to the paddle. One or more fins of the paddle may be hinged to the hub, stationary, or both. Stationary may refer to the fin moving with the hub while still remaining flexible. The height of the fin may be the distance from the attached end to the free end. The height of the fin may allow the free end to contact or not contact the wall of the dispenser housing. The fin may have a length. The length of the fin may be measured substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the dispenser, to the shaft cavity, or both. The length of the fin may be longer, approximately equal, or shorter than the length of the hub.

[0071] The litter dispenser includes a dispenser housing. The dispenser housing may function to house the dispensing device, guide litter toward the chamber, guide litter toward the chute, or any combination thereof. The dispenser housing may have a shape that is generally cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, prismatic, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the dispenser housing may have a shape that is generally trapezoidal prismatic, conical, etc. The dispenser housing may be open at both ends. The dispenser housing may have an open end that receives the bottom wall of the hopper. The dispenser housing may have an end that has a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the hopper. The complementary shape may allow the dispenser housing to receive a portion of the hopper, such as the bottom wall, a portion of the side wall, or both. The dispenser housing may have a larger cross-sectional area on one end as opposed to a smaller cross-sectional area on the opposite end. The shape of the hopper may be tapered. The dispenser may include a single or multiple sidewalls. One or more sidewalls may include a shape complementary to one or more contoured portions of the exterior of the bonnet, chamber, base, or any combination thereof. For example, a sidewall adapted to abut the bonnet may be concave. The concave wall may match the convex and / or rounded shape of the bonnet's outer wall. The complementary shape may allow the sidewall to rest directly adjacent to and in contact with the bonnet. The sidewall may surround a hollow interior of the dispenser housing.

[0072] The dispenser housing may include a dispenser mount installed therein. The dispenser mount may function to hold the dispensing device, allow movement (e.g., rotation) of one or more components of the dispensing device, direct litter from the dispensing device to the dispensing opening, or a combination thereof. The dispenser mount may have any suitable size, shape, and / or configuration for holding the dispensing device within the dispenser housing. The dispenser mount may include one or more cradles. The one or more cradles may function to hold one or more components of the dispensing device (e.g., cradles). The one or more cradles may allow rotation, prevent rotation, or both, of one or more components of the dispensing device. The one or more cradles may hold a drive source, a drive shaft, an insert, a hub, or any combination thereof. The one or more cradles may have a shape complementary to at least a portion of the contours of one or more components of the dispensing device. The one or more cradles may have a shape that is generally U-shaped. For example, the cradles may be U-shaped to complement the cylindrical shape of the drive source. The U-shaped cradle can hold the drive source relatively stationary while the drive source applies torque to the drive shaft. The distributor mount can include two or more mounting walls. The two or more mounting walls can function to hold one or more components of the distributor between them while allowing movement. The two or more mounting walls can be located adjacent to one or more cradles. The two or more mounting walls can extend from one side wall of the distributor housing to the opposite side wall. The two or more mounting walls can be spaced apart. The two or more mounting walls can be spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the length of a hub, a paddle, one or more fins, or any combination thereof. One of the mounting walls can include an opening. The opening can function to receive a drive shaft, a hub, or both therethrough. The mounting wall with the opening can be adjacent to one or more cradles. A portion of the distributor can be located between two or more mounting walls. The drive shaft, a hub, a paddle, one or more fins, or any combination thereof can extend from one mounting wall to the opposite mounting wall. The distribution outlet may be adjacent to two or more mounting walls, side walls, or both.The distribution outlet may be formed by two or more mounting walls, portions of two or more side walls, or both. The distribution outlet may be substantially hollow. The hollow interior of the distribution outlet may form a distribution opening. The distribution outlet may protrude beyond the hollow interior of the distributor housing. The two or more mounting walls, the two or more side walls, or both may be tapered such that the distribution outlet is funnel-shaped. The distribution outlet may be in fluid communication with a chute.

[0073] The litter dispenser may include a chute. The chute may function to direct litter from the dispenser, the dispenser housing, the dispenser opening, or a combination thereof into the chamber. The chute may have any size, shape, and / or configuration for disposing the dispenser housing in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber. The chute may be at least partially aligned with the axis of rotation of the chamber. The chute may include a chute housing, a chute inlet, a chute outlet, a chute opening, a chute slide, etc., or any combination thereof. The chute housing may connect the litter dispenser to the interior of the chamber. The chute housing may be substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the housing, centered, eccentric, or a combination thereof. Aligning the longitudinal axis of the chute housing so that it is substantially centered with the axis of rotation of the chamber allows the dispenser to dispense litter into the chamber at any time during a cleaning cycle, avoids interference with one or more internal components of the chamber, allows the chute housing to remain stationary as the chamber rotates, or any combination thereof. The chute, the chute housing, or both may be approximately parallel (e.g., at the same angle) to the axis of rotation of the chamber. The chute housing may be in fluid communication with the dispenser housing, the interior of the chamber, or both. The chute housing may receive the dispensing outlet, engage with it, or both. The chute housing may have any suitable shape for fastening to the dispenser housing and the chamber. The chute housing may have a shape that is approximately cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, prismatic, rectangular, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the chute housing may be substantially cylindrical. The chute housing may be hollow or partially hollow. The hollow interior may allow litter to pass therethrough. The chute housing may include a chute inlet. The chute inlet may function to be in fluid communication with the dispensing outlet of the dispenser housing. The chute inlet may protrude from the chute housing. For example, the chute inlet may protrude from a cylindrical wall of the chute housing.The chute inlet may have a shape complementary to the interior or exterior shape of the dispensing outlet. The chute inlet may receive the dispensing outlet therein. The chute inlet may be adjacent to, integral with, or fixed to the chute wall, or a combination thereof. The chute wall may be located within the chute housing. The chute wall may function to direct litter from the dispensing outlet, the chute inlet, or both, to the chute outlet, the chamber interior, or both. The chute wall may extend from the chute inlet to the chute outlet. The chute wall may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the chute housing. The longitudinal axis of the chute housing may extend along the length of the chute housing, the hollow interior, or both. The chute wall may be angled from the chute inlet to the bottom edge of the chute housing, the chute outlet, or both. The chute wall may be angled at about 100 degrees or more, about 110 degrees or more, about 120 degrees or more, or even about 130 degrees or more relative to the longitudinal axis of the chute housing. The chute wall may be angled at about 160 degrees or less, about 150 degrees or less, or even about 140 degrees or less relative to the longitudinal axis of the chute housing. The angle may be an angle facing toward the chute outlet. The chute outlet may be an open end of the chute housing. The chute outlet may be located within the chamber. The chute outlet may be located adjacent to the restricting wall of the chamber, spaced apart therefrom, or a combination thereof. The chute outlet, the chute slide, or both may cooperate with the restricting wall to form an opening to allow litter to be transferred from the chute into the interior of the chamber. The chute outlet, the chute slide, or both may cooperate with the restricting chamber wall to guide litter toward the bottom of the interior of the chamber (e.g., lower chamber, liner).

[0074] The litter dispenser may be composed of one or more materials. The one or more materials may be any material suitable for molding (e.g., casting) into separate components of the litter dispenser, for placing litter therein, or both. One or more materials of the hopper, dispenser housing, chute, or combinations thereof may be composed of a polymer system. The polymer system may be a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. The polymer system may be suitable for molding into one or more shapes of each portion of the housing. Polymer systems may include polyolefins, styrenes, acrylates, acrylonitrile, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and mixtures thereof. Such materials may be modified with several additives, such as fillers, elastomers, flame retardants, stabilizers, etc. The portions of the litter dispenser may be prepared by any process capable of forming the material into the desired shape of the housing and capable of performing the required function. Portions of the litter dispenser may be formed by injection molding, reaction injection molding, thermoforming, etc., or any combination thereof. Portions of the housing may be opaque, transparent, or a combination of both. For example, the hopper may be transparent to allow visual observation of the litter in the hopper. For example, the dispenser housing may be transparent to allow visual observation of the movement of the dispensing device. One or more other materials of the litter dispenser may be composed of one or more flexible materials. One or more paddles and / or fins may be composed of one or more flexible materials or materials suitable for the housing. One or more paddles and / or fins may be composed of any suitable material that is flexible, has elastomeric properties, or both. One or more paddles and / or fins may be composed of one or more viscoelastic elastomers, one or more rubbers, or both. Exemplary flexible materials may include polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0075] Exemplary Embodiments Any of the features described herein may be combined with or used in place of one or more features described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,757,094 and 9,433,185, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0333625 and 2019 / 0364840, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

[0076] FIG. 1 shows an automatic litter box device 1. The device 1 includes a chamber 10 and a base 12. Litter 5 is placed 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 assist in the rotation of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 is at least partially covered by a bonnet 14. The bonnet 14 is attached to the base 12. The chamber 10 is also rotatable relative to the bonnet 14 (e.g., the bonnet 14 may remain stationary while the chamber 10 rotates). The base 12 includes a waste drawer 16. As the chamber 10 rotates, waste within the chamber 10 can be transferred from the chamber 10 to the waste drawer 16. The waste drawer 16 includes a step 18. The step 18 may include a cleaning device 20. The device 1 includes an opening 22. Opening 22 may allow an animal to enter and exit chamber 10. The animal may use step 18 to facilitate access to chamber 10. Device 1 also includes a bezel 24. Bezel 24 is positioned around opening 22.

[0077] The device 1 may include a litter dispenser 200 (as shown in FIG. 23 ). The litter dispenser 200 (not shown) may contain additional litter 5 separate from the litter installed in the chamber 10. The litter dispenser 200 (not shown) may be in fluid communication with the chamber 10 such that the litter 5 can be transferred from the litter dispenser 200 to the chamber 10. The litter dispenser 200 (not shown) may be attached to the chamber 10, the base 12, or both. The litter dispenser 200 may release litter 5 into the chamber 10 when one or more sensors 52 (not shown) detect that the amount of litter 5 in the chamber 10 is below a certain level. The litter dispenser 200 (not shown) may stop or not release litter 5 into the chamber 10 when one or more sensors 52 detect that the amount of litter 5 in the chamber 10 is above a certain level.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows an automatic litter box apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 includes a chamber 10. A bonnet 14 is disposed around a portion of the chamber 10. An opening 22 is formed in the chamber 10. Inside the chamber 10 is a partition wall 32. A bezel 24 is disposed around the opening 22. An outer bezel 46 is the portion of the bezel 24 that is visible from the outside. The bezel 24 is secured to a base 12. The base includes a base frame 68. Located within and removable from the base frame 68 is a waste drawer 16. The waste drawer 16 includes a step 18.

[0079] 3 shows an automatic litter box device 1. The litter box device 1 includes a bonnet 14. The bonnet 14 covers an upper chamber 26. The upper chamber 26 is part of the chamber 10. The chamber includes an opening 22. The device 1 includes a step 18. The step 18 may allow an animal to comfortably enter and exit the chamber 10 through the opening 22. The step 18 includes a cleaning mechanism 20.

[0080] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the automatic litter box device 1. A bonnet 14 may cover the chamber 10. The bonnet 14 may be pivotally engaged with the base 12, such as by one or more hinges 70 (not shown). The chamber 10 includes an upper chamber 26 and a lower chamber 28. The bonnet 14 has a shape substantially complementary to that of the upper chamber 26. The bonnet 14 is also solid so as to cover a waste opening 30 formed in the upper chamber 26. A septum 32 is disposed within the chamber 10. A liner 34 is also disposed within the chamber 10. The liner 34 may be flexible. The liner 34 may include a weight 35. The weight 35 may reside within a recess (not shown) in the liner 34. The lower chamber 28 includes a filter cavity 56. The filter cavity 56 houses a removable filter 58. The filter 58 is retained within the filter cavity 56 by a filter cap 60. Secured to the exterior of the chamber 10 is a track 36. The track 36 is located opposite the opening 22 of the chamber 10. The track 36 is in the form of a ring gear having gear teeth formed around its periphery. The track 36 is rotatably engaged with a drive source 38. The drive source 38 is a motor 40 having a drive shaft 42 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 statically fixed to the chamber 10. Thus, rotation of the track 36 results in rotation of the chamber 10. Secured to the base 12 is a bezel 24. The bezel 24 includes an outer bezel 46 and an inner bezel 48. The outer bezel 46 is secured to and covers the inner bezel 48. The bezel 24 includes a sensor board 50. The sensor board 50 is mounted onto the inner bezel 48 and is located between the outer bezel 46 and the inner bezel 48. The sensor board 50 is mounted such that it faces the base 12, which includes the waste drawer 16. The sensor board 50 includes one or more sensors 52. The one or more sensors 52 may include one or more laser sensors 54. The base 12 includes a chamber support 62 and a base frame 68.The chamber support 62 rests within the base frame 68. The chamber support 62 houses the drive source 38. The chamber support 62 separates the waste drawer 16 from the chamber 10. The chamber support 62 helps form a drawer cavity 64. The waste drawer 16 resides within the drawer cavity 64. The waste drawer 16 is movable in and out of the drawer cavity 64 through a drawer opening 66 in the base 12. The waste drawer 16 includes a shoulder 18. The shoulder 18 may be usable as a handle. The shoulder 18 includes the cleaning device 20. The waste drawer 16 includes a waste bin 80. The waste drawer 16 also includes a seal 104. The seal 104 may be located around the periphery of the waste bin 80. The periphery may be defined by a rim or a flange. The base 12 may include one or more port caps 72 .

[0081] 5 shows an automatic litter box apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 includes a chamber 10 supported by a base 12. Covering the chamber 10 is a bonnet 14. The bonnet 14 is pivotally secured to the base 12. The bonnet 14 is secured to a base frame 68 via one or more hinges 70. The base frame 68 includes one or more port caps 72. The port caps 72 are located opposite a drawer opening 66 (not shown).

[0082] FIG. 6 shows an automatic litter box device 1. The device includes a base 12. Located within the base 12 is a waste drawer 16. The waste drawer 16 includes a step 18. The base 12 is secured to the hood 14 via one or more hinges 70. A bottom 74 of the base 12 includes a bottom ridge 76. The bottom ridge 76 may be useful for allowing a portion of the device 1 to rest on a surface such as a floor. The bottom ridge 76 includes a plurality of legs 78. The legs 78 may include a threaded shaft (not shown). The legs 78 may move relative to the bottom ridge 76. Movement of the legs 78 outward from the ridge 76 may allow the device 1 to balance on an uneven surface, such as a slope on a floor.

[0083] 7 and 8 show opposite sides of the automatic litter box device 1. The device 1 includes a chamber 10 supported by a base 12. A bonnet 14 covers the chamber 10, while another portion of the chamber 10 rests within the base 12. The bonnet 14 is secured to the base 12. The bonnet 14 is pivotally engaged with the base 12 via one or more hinges 70. The one or more hinges 70 are located opposite an opening 22. Located around the opening 22 to the chamber 10 is a bezel 24. The bezel 24 is secured to the base 12. The base includes a plurality of port caps 72. Opposite the port caps 72 is a drawer opening 66. A waste drawer 16 is located within the drawer opening 66. The waste drawer 16 includes a step 18.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows the automatic litter box 1 without the hood 14, while FIG. 10 also removes the base frame 68. The device 1 includes a chamber 10. While in the home position 81, the upper chamber 26 is mounted on top of a base 12. The base 12 includes one or more port caps 72. The base 12 also includes a waste drawer 16 having a step 18. The waste drawer 16 includes a waste bin 80. The waste bin 80 is mounted below the chamber 10. When the chamber 10 rotates during a cleaning cycle, the waste port 30 aligns with the waste bin 80, allowing waste to be transferred from the chamber 10 to the waste drawer 16. The cleaning cycle results in rotation of the chamber 10. The rotation of the chamber 10 is caused by rotation of the track 36. The track 36 is statically fixed to the chamber 10 such that rotation of the track 36 results in rotation of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 rotates about a rotation axis AR. The rotation axis AR forms an angle α with a vertical line represented by a vertical plane VP. The rotation axis AR forms an angle β with a plane P parallel to a surface 82. The surface 82 may be a floor on which the apparatus 1 is installed. The opening 22 extends along an opening plane OP. The opening plane OP forms an angle θ with the vertical plane VP.

[0085] 11 and 12 show the partition 32. The partition 32 includes a living hinge 84. The living hinge 84 connects a partition portion 86 to a screen 88. The living hinge 84 allows the screen 88 to be pivotable relative to the partition portion 86. The partition 32 includes a partition opening 100. The partition opening 100 is configured to align with the waste opening 30 (not shown). The partition opening 100 is formed in a neck 102 that extends through and engages the waste opening 30 (not shown).

[0086] FIG. 13 shows the upper chamber 26. The upper chamber 26 is shaped like a hemisphere. The upper chamber 26 includes a waste opening 30. The waste opening 30 may alternatively be located along any other portion or portion of the chamber 10, so long as the waste opening 30 is aligned with the waste bin 80 (not shown) for disposal of waste during a cleaning cycle. The waste opening 30 is substantially square-shaped. The upper chamber 26 includes a rim 92. The upper chamber 26 includes an opening rim 94. The opening rim 94 forms a substantially U-shaped cutout in the upper chamber 26. The opening rim 94 forms a portion of the opening 22.

[0087] 14 shows the lower chamber 28. The lower chamber 28 is shaped like a hemisphere. The lower chamber 28 includes a rim 92. The rim 92 of the lower chamber 28 is capable of mating with the rim 92 of the upper chamber 26. The lower chamber 28 also includes an opening rim 94. The opening rim 94 forms a U-shaped notch in the lower chamber 28. The opening rim 94 forms a portion of the opening 22.

[0088] FIG. 15 shows the base 12. The base 12 includes a base frame 68. Mounted within the base frame 68 is a waste drawer 16. The waste drawer 16 includes a waste bin 80 mounted within the base frame 68. The waste bin 80 is mounted between the bottom 74 and the chamber support 62. The waste drawer 16 also includes a tier 18. Mounted on the tier 18 is a cleaning device 20. The chamber support 62 includes an opening 96. The opening 96 opens to the waste bin 80. The chamber support 62 also houses some of the electrical controls 98 of the device 1. The electrical controls 98 include a drive source 38. The drive source 38 includes a motor 40 and a drive shaft 42. The drive shaft 42 is engaged with a gear 44, such as a pinion. The gear 44 meshes with and drives a track 36 (not shown).

[0089] FIG. 16 shows the interior of the automatic litter box device 1. The device 1 includes a chamber 10 and a base 12. The chamber 10 includes an upper chamber 26 attached to a lower chamber 28. The chamber 10 is substantially spherical or globe-shaped. The chamber 10 includes an opening 22 that leads to the interior of the chamber. An animal can enter through the opening 22 to use the litter 5 placed within the chamber 10. A liner 34 is also located within the chamber. Opposite the liner 34 is a partition wall 32. The partition wall 32 includes a partition wall portion 86 attached to a screen 88 via a living hinge 84. The partition wall 32 includes a neck 102 that forms a partition wall opening 100 (not shown). The partition wall opening 100 aligns with the waste opening 30 (not shown) in the upper chamber 26. In the home position 81, the bonnet 14 covers the waste opening 30. During a cleaning cycle, the chamber 10 rotates so that the waste opening 30 aligns with an opening 96 (not shown) in the chamber support 62. The waste opening 30 also aligns with the waste bin 80 so that waste can pass from the waste opening 30 to the waste bin 80. The waste bin 80 is part of the waste drawer 16. The waste drawer 16 includes a shoulder 18. The shoulder includes the cleaning device 20 mounted therein. The waste drawer 16 is mounted within the base 12. The base 12 includes a chamber support 62. The chamber support 62 houses one or more electrical controls 98. The one or more electrical controls 98 include a drive source 38. The drive source 38 includes a motor 40 and a drive shaft 42. The drive source 38 is in rotatable communication with the track 36 to effect rotation of the chamber 10 during a cleaning cycle.

[0090] FIG. 17 illustrates a sensing area within the automatic litter box 1. The device 1 includes a chamber 10 supported by a base 12. The chamber 10 is tilted such that its axis of rotation AR is not parallel to the surface 82. The axis of rotation AR forms an angle α with a vertical line represented by a vertical plane VP. The axis of rotation AR forms an angle β with a plane P parallel to the surface 82. The opening 22 extends along an opening plane OP. The opening plane OP forms an angle θ with the vertical plane VP. Due to the tilt of the chamber 10, one or more sensors 52 secured to the bezel 24 at the opening 22 can sense one or more conditions within the device 1. Specifically, due to the tilt of the chamber 10, the one or more sensors 52 are aligned with the litter box 5 and the waste bin 80. The one or more sensors 52 can be one or more laser sensors 54. The one or more laser sensors 54 can include one or more conical lasers. For example, two wide-conical lasers and one narrow-conical laser can be used together. The one or more sensors 52 may be capable of measuring the distance, level, amount, displacement, and / or even position of litter, waste, or both within the chamber 10, the waste drawer 16, or both. For example, the level or amount of litter in the chamber may be determined by a distance measured from one or more sensors 52 in the chamber to the top surface of the litter 5. One or more of the sensors 52 have an animal presence detection range 105. The animal presence detection range 105 covers a majority of the litter 5 in the chamber. One or more of the sensors 52 providing the animal presence detection range 105 may be one or more cone laser sensors, such as two wide-cone laser sensors, or even a combination of two wide-cone laser sensors and one narrow-cone laser sensor. The one or more sensors 52 have a waste level detection range 107. The waste level sensing area 107 can cover a surface area within the waste bin 80 of the waste drawer 16. The one or more sensors 52 providing the waste level sensing area 107 have a "line of sight" that aligns with the waste bin 80 when the waste opening 30 rotates to expose the waste bin 80 during a cleaning cycle.This line-of-sight alignment is a result of the tilt of the chamber relative to the vertical axis. When the chamber has its axis aligned with the vertical axis, the sensor has a detection range that looks out the opening as opposed to into the chamber. The one or more sensors 52 that provide the waste level detection range 107 may include a single narrow cone laser sensor. In addition to detecting the presence of an animal in the chamber 10, waste in the waste drawer 16, or waste level, the one or more sensors 52 may also provide detection of the position of the chamber 10 before, during, and / or after a cleaning cycle.

[0091] FIG. 18 illustrates a seal arrangement for the automatic litter box 1. The seal arrangement can be particularly beneficial in preventing odors from migrating from the base 12 around the chamber support 62 and around the chamber 10, and thus out of the automatic litter box 1. The seal arrangement can include multiple seals 104. The seals 104 can include any suitable mechanical seal for preventing the escape of liquids, odors, waste, and even loose litter. The multiple seals 104 can include one or more gaskets, such as one or more flange gaskets or one or more brush-type seals. The seals 104 can be located between the mating surfaces of the waste drawer 16 and the chamber support 62. For example, the seal 104 can be located around at least a portion of the periphery of the waste bin 80 where the waste bin 80 contacts the chamber support 62. As another example, the seal 104 can be located around at least a portion of the periphery of the opening 96 in the chamber support 62. The seal 104 may seal the gap between the chamber 10 and the chamber support 62. The waste bin 80 may have a ventilation system 106. The ventilation system 106 may be connected to the apparatus 1 through one or more ports 108. The one or more ports 108 may be covered by one or more port caps 72 when not connected to the ventilation system 106. The ventilation system 106 may function by removing air (e.g., odors) from the waste bin 80. The ventilation system 106 may include one or more filters, fans, and / or ducts to move air away from the apparatus 1. For example, the ventilation system 106 may further include one or more ducts adapted to connect to a window opening, door opening, or even a vent opening of the home so that odors from the apparatus 1 are vented outside the home.

[0092] 19A and 19B show a ventilation system 106 useful in the apparatus 1. The ventilation system 106 includes a plurality of ducts 112. The ducts 112 are connected to ports 108, via which the ducts 112 are in fluid communication with the waste bin 80. The ducts 112 provide an inflow 114 and an outflow 116. The outflow 116 draws air from the waste bin 80, while the inflow 114 pushes air through the filtration system 110 into the waste bin 80. The filtration system 110 may be an active system (e.g., moving air). The filtration system 110 may move air via one or more fans (not shown) to provide air circulation. The filtration system 110 may include one or more fans, filters, lights, heat exchange elements, and / or the like, which can reduce, neutralize, or even eliminate odors, such as odors associated with animal waste (e.g., urine, feces). Odor reduction can occur through eliminating odor-causing bacteria, filtering the odor, and / or cooling the air to further reduce odor.

[0093] One exemplary filtration system may be that shown in FIG. 19B . Filtration system 110 may include a connection to outflow 116 so that exiting air from waste bin 80 is routed through the filtration system. Filtration system 110 may include a connection to inflow 114 so that incoming air from waste bin 80 is treated by filtration system 110. Filtration system 110 may include one or more phototreatment devices 118. The one or more phototreatment devices 118 may be any energy source suitable for destroying odor-causing bacteria in waste. For example, the one or more phototreatment devices 118 may include one or more ultraviolet lights. 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 air passing through filtration system 110. Cooling the air may inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria in waste, thus helping to prevent odors. The one or more thermoelectric devices 120 may include one or more Peltier elements. The 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 air as the air passes through the filter. The 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 phototreatment device 118, the thermoelectric device 120, and the physical filter 122.

[0094] 20 shows a perspective view of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 includes an upper chamber 26 secured opposite a lower chamber 28. The upper chamber 26 includes a waste opening 30. The lower chamber 28 includes a filter cavity 56 suitable for receiving a filter 58. A filter cap 60 holds the filter 58 within the filter cavity 56.

[0095] FIG. 21 illustrates a filtration system 110. 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 that complements the profile of the chamber 10 (as shown in FIG. 20). The filter 58 may include one or more physical filters 122 (not shown). For example, the physical filters 122 may include zeolite, charcoal, nylon, wool, synthetic wool, silica gel, baking soda, or the like, or combinations thereof.

[0096] 22 shows the device 1 having a filtration system 110. The filtration system 110 is integrated into the chamber 10. The filtration system 110 resides adjacent to the waste bin 80. The filtration system 110 may be capable of absorbing odors and filtering air rising from the waste within the waste bin 80. The filtration system 110 may include one or more physical filters 122. The filtration system 110 may be the filtration system 110 described with respect to FIGS. 20 and 21.

[0097] 23 to 25 show the automatic litter device 1. The litter device 1 includes a chamber 10, a base 12, and a litter dispenser 200. The litter dispenser 200 is fixed to the chamber 10. The litter dispenser 200 is fixed to the bonnet 14. The litter dispenser 200 is installed on the opposite side of the opening 22 of the chamber 10.

[0098] 26 and 27 show a litter dispenser 200. The litter dispenser 200 includes a lid 208, a hopper 202, and a dispenser housing 230. The lid 208 includes a handle 234 formed therein. The lid 208 rests partially within a rim 236 of the hopper 202. The hopper 202 includes a hopper wall 206. The hopper wall 206 is adapted to face toward the chamber 10 (as shown in FIGS. 23-25) and the bonnet 14 (not shown). The hopper wall 206 has a shape that is substantially complementary to the exterior of the chamber 10 (more specifically, the exterior of the bonnet 14). Adjacent to and in communication with the hopper 202 is a dispenser housing 230. The dispenser housing 230 includes an opening 232.

[0099] FIG. 28 shows a cross-section of the litter dispenser 200 taken along line CC in FIG. 25. The litter dispenser 200 includes a lid 208. The lid 208 is partially positioned within a hopper 202. The lid 208 is positioned within a rim 236 of the hopper 202. The hopper 202 stores litter 5 within a hollow interior 204. The volume of litter 5 that can be stored within the hopper 202 is limited by the lid 208. A fill line 238 indicates the allowable volume of litter 5. The fill line 238 is located on the underside of the lid 208 so that the lid 208 can fully seat and engage with the hopper 202. The hopper 202 includes a funnel opening 240. The funnel opening 240 is located on the opposite side of the lid 208. The funnel opening 240 allows the hopper 202 to be in fluid communication with the dispenser housing 230. Dispenser housing 230 houses dispenser 220. Dispenser 220 includes a paddle 228. Paddle 228 includes a plurality of fins 242 around a rotating shaft 244. Dispenser housing 230 includes opening 232. Opening 232 allows litter 5 to exit therethrough and be dispensed into chamber 10 (not shown).

[0100] 29 is an exploded view of the litter dispenser 200. The litter dispenser 200 includes a hopper 202. The hopper 202 can be useful for storing litter 5 (not shown) before dispensing it into the chamber 10 (not shown). The hopper 202 includes a hollow interior 204 formed by a hopper wall 206. Useful for closing the hopper 202 is a lid 208. The lid 208 includes an outer lid 210 and an inner lid 212. The lid 208 includes a lid latch 214 having a spring 216. The lid latch 214 engages the hopper 202 to secure the lid 208 thereon. The lid latch 214 engages a retainer 218 by a latch. The latch retainer 218 is formed as part of the hopper wall 206, facing toward the hollow interior 204. The litter dispenser 200 includes a dispensing device 220. The dispensing device 220 includes a motor 222, a hub 224, an insert 226, and a paddle 228. The dispensing device 220 is installed within a dispenser housing 230. The dispenser housing 230 includes a dispensing opening 232. The litter dispenser 200 also includes an electrical connector 300. The electrical connector 300 allows electrical current to be transmitted to the motor 222.

[0101] FIG. 30 shows a partial exploded view of a portion of the litter device 1. The litter device 1 includes a bonnet 14. The bonnet 14 includes a distributor pocket 248 formed therein. The distributor pocket 248 is located generally opposite the chamber opening 22 (not shown). The distributor pocket 248 is substantially complementary to the hopper wall 206. The chamber pocket 248 includes a lip 246. The lip 246 is generally complementary to a wall offset 250 (as shown in FIG. 29) of the hopper 202. The chamber pocket 248 includes a chute casing 252. The chute casing 252 includes an opening 260. The opening 260 aligns with the chute 254 and the distributor opening 232 (not shown) so that litter 5 can be transferred from the distributor housing 230 (not shown) to the chute 254. The chute 254 is located within the chute casing 252. Chute 254 includes a chute entrance 256 and a chute exit 258. A chute slide 262 (not shown) is disposed within chute 254.

[0102] FIG. 31 illustrates the transfer of litter 5 from the litter dispenser 200 to the chamber 10 of the litter device 1. The litter 5 may initially be stored in a hopper 202 up to a fill line 238. The hopper 202 is placed above the dispensing device 220. Gravity may be able to provide a constant supply of litter 5 to the dispensing device 220. The hopper 202 is in fluid communication with the dispenser housing 230 and the dispensing device 220 via a funnel opening 240. The funnel opening 240 may allow the litter 5 to be transferred from the hopper 202 to the dispenser housing 230. The litter 5 may be dispensed onto and / or into the fins 242. A particular level of litter 5 in the chamber 10 may trigger the transfer of litter 5 from the litter dispenser 200 to the chamber 10. For example, one or more sensors 52 (not shown) may detect and / or measure the level of litter 5 in the chamber. Dispensing is triggered during a cleaning cycle. Motor 222 (FIG. 28) may be activated. Motor 222 may rotate paddle 228. Motor 222 may rotate paddle 228 through hub 224. Rotation of paddle 228 allows litter 5 located between fins 244 to communicate with and pass through opening 232 in dispenser housing 230. Upon exiting dispenser housing 230, litter 5 passes through chute inlet 256 of chute 254. Upon entering chute 254, litter 5 is directed through chute slide 262 to chute outlet 258. Chute outlet 258 is the gap between chute slide 262 and limiting wall 264. Limiting wall 264 is part of upper chamber 26. Upon exiting chute outlet 258, litter 5 is located within chamber 10.

[0103] Figure 32 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the litter device 1 along section CC in Figure 25. The litter device 1 includes a litter dispenser 200 fixed to both the bonnet 14 and the base frame 68.

[0104] Figure 33 is a front view of the automatic litter box device 1. Within the chamber 10 is a restricting wall 264. The restricting wall 264 is formed as part of the upper chamber 26. The restricting wall 264 is spaced from the chute slide 262 (as shown in Figure 31) and cooperates therewith to form the chute outlet 258 (as shown in Figure 31).

[0105] FIG. 34 shows the interior of the distributor housing 230. The distributor housing 230 includes a distributor mount 231. The distributor housing 230 includes a hollow interior formed by side walls 264. Within the hollow interior are two mounting walls 266. The two mounting walls 266 are spaced apart opposite each other. The two mounting walls 266 extend from one side wall 264 to the opposite side wall 264. One mounting wall 266 includes an opening 268. Adjacent to the mounting walls 266 is a cradle 270. The mounting walls 266 cooperate with the side walls 264 to form a distribution outlet 272. The distribution outlet 272 is hollow and forms the distribution opening 232. The two mounting walls 266 and the cradle 270 form the distributor mount 231.

[0106] FIG. 35 shows a dispenser 220 held in place by a dispenser mount 231. A motor 222 is held in place by a cradle 270. The motor 222 is in rotational communication with a paddle 228. The paddle 228 may include a plurality of fins 242. The fins 242 may be secured to a hub 224. The paddle 228 and hub 224 may be held in place by a mounting wall 266. The paddle 228 and hub 224 extend from one mounting wall 266 to the opposing mounting wall 266. The paddle 228 and hub 224 may be located adjacent to and / or above a dispense outlet 272, as shown in FIG. 34.

[0107] Unless otherwise indicated, any numerical value recited herein includes all values ​​from the lower value to the higher value in increments of one unit, provided that any lower value and any higher value are separated by at least two units. As an example, if a quantity of a component, property, or process variable value, such as temperature, pressure, or time, is specified as, for example, 1 to 90, preferably 20 to 80, and more preferably 30 to 70, intermediate range values ​​(e.g., 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc.) are intended to be within the scope of the teachings herein. Similarly, individual intermediate values ​​are also within the scope of the present teachings. For values ​​less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1, as appropriate. These are merely specifically intended examples, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the lowest and highest recited values ​​should be considered to be expressly set forth in this application in an analogous manner.

[0108] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of "about" or "approximately" in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, "about 20 to 30" is intended to encompass "about 20 to about 30," including at least the specified endpoints.

[0109] The terms "generally" or "substantially" when describing an angular measurement can mean about ±10° or less, about ±5° or less, or even about ±1° or less. The terms "generally" or "substantially" when describing an angular measurement can mean about ±0.01° or more, about ±0.1° or more, or even about ±0.5° or more. The terms "generally" or "substantially" when describing a linear measurement, percentage, or ratio can mean about ±10% or less, about ±5% or less, or even about ±1% or less. The terms "generally" or "substantially" when describing a linear measurement, percentage, or ratio can mean about ±0.01% or more, about ±0.1% or more, or even about ±0.5% or more.

[0110] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and patent publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term "consisting essentially" when describing a combination is intended to include the identified elements, components, ingredients, or steps, as well as such other elements, components, ingredients, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe combinations of elements, components, ingredients, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of, and even consist of, the elements, components, ingredients, or steps. Multiple elements, components, ingredients, or steps may be provided by a single, integrated element, component, ingredient, or step. Alternatively, a single, integrated element, component, ingredient, or step may be separated into multiple separate elements, components, ingredients, or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element, component, ingredient, or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, components, ingredients, ingredients, or steps.

[0111] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not limiting. Many embodiments, as well as many applications, other than the examples provided, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be determined without reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and patent publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, and should not be construed as indicating that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. An automatic litter box, comprising: a) a base; b) a chamber configured to hold litter and rotatably supported by said base, i) an access opening through which an animal can enter and exit the chamber; ii) a waste opening configured to allow animal waste to pass through the waste opening and enter the base upon rotation of the chamber; and The automatic litter box is i) one or more sensors located adjacent the access opening adapted to detect the presence of the animal in the chamber, the presence of the waste in a waste bin in the base, the level of the litter in the chamber, the position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; ii) a filtration system configured to reduce, eliminate, and / or prevent malodors within the base; and / or iii) a litter dispenser in communication with said chamber for transferring a portion of said litter to said chamber.

2. 2. The automatic litter box of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are one or more sensors capable of detecting presence, measuring distance, measuring displacement, detecting position relative to one or more components of the automatic litter box, or any combination thereof.

3. 3. The automatic litter box of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors may be one or more mass sensors, capacitance sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, membrane sensors, radio frequency (RF) admittance sensors, conductivity sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, etc., or combinations thereof.

4. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors are one or more laser sensors.

5. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors is a plurality of sensors.

6. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more conical laser sensors.

7. 7. The automatic litter box of claim 6, wherein the one or more cone laser sensors include one or more wide cone laser sensors, narrow cone laser sensors, or both.

8. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more sensors up to five sensors (eg 1 to 5 sensors).

9. The automatic litter device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the one or more sensors include two wide-cone laser sensors and one narrow-cone laser sensor.

10. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the automatic litter device includes a bezel around the access opening.

11. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors are mounted on the bezel.

12. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors are mounted in an upper portion of the bezel so that when aligned with a waste drawer, the one or more sensors have a line of sight to the chamber, the waste opening, or both.

13. 10. The automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors are located on the same side of the chamber (e.g. the upper chamber) as the waste opening.

14. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the waste drawer is removably mounted within the base.

15. 15. The automatic litter box of claim 14, wherein when the chamber is rotated to align the waste opening with the waste drawer, at least one of the one or more sensors has a line of sight to the waste drawer through the waste opening.

16. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more sensors has line of sight to a majority of the exposed surface of the litter so as to detect the presence of the animal in the chamber, the level of litter in the chamber, or both.

17. 10. The automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is an active system, a passive system, or a combination of both.

18. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is located between the chamber and the base.

19. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is fixed to the chamber.

20. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is located in the chamber generally opposite the waste opening.

21. 10. The automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is a passive system.

22. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system comprises a physical filter.

23. 23. The automatic litter device of claim 22, wherein the physical filter has a shape that is substantially the inverse of at least a portion of the chamber.

24. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is fixed to and located outside the base.

25. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system is part of a ventilation system configured to move air away from the automatic litter device.

26. 26. The automatic litter box of claim 25, wherein the ventilation system is connected to the base by one or more ducts to provide an outflow for air from within the base to move out of the chamber and the base.

27. 27. The automatic litter box of claim 25 or 26, wherein the ventilation system does not recirculate the air into the automatic litter box (e.g. the one or more ducts exhaust to the outside environment).

28. 27. The automatic litter device of claim 25 or 26, wherein the one or more ducts also provide an inflow so that air passing through the ventilation system returns from the exterior to the base.

29. The automatic litter device of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the one or more ducts are connected to the base via one or more ports in the base.

30. The automatic litter device of any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the ventilation system includes one or more fans, one or more air pumps, or both, configured to move air.

31. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the filtration system includes one or more of a phototreatment device, a thermoelectric element, a physical filter, or the like, or a combination thereof.

32. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber includes a track generally opposite the access opening for rotating the chamber about an axis of rotation.

33. 33. The automatic litter device of claim 32, wherein a drive source in rotatable communication with the track is housed within the base.

34. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the access opening has a cross section that is substantially circular, oval, elliptical, etc., or a combination thereof.

35. the track lies substantially in a plane defining a track surface; 35. The automatic litter device of any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the track plane forms an angle of about 5 degrees to about 50 degrees with a vertical plane to rotate the chamber about the axis of rotation.

36. 36. The automatic litter device of claim 35, wherein the track plane is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

37. The automatic litter device of any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the axis of rotation forms an angle of about 40 degrees to about 85 degrees with respect to the vertical.

38. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is configured to rotate on the base about a single axis of rotation such that the litter within the chamber has a relative conical rotation.

39. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the access opening has a cross section that is substantially circular.

40. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the litter dispenser is fixed to the chamber.

41. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the litter dispenser is in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber.

42. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the litter dispenser is located generally opposite the access opening.

43. 10. The automatic litter device of any preceding claim, wherein the litter dispenser includes one or more dispensing devices configured to retain litter within the litter dispenser during a rest mode.

44. 44. The automatic litter device of claim 43, wherein the one or more dispensing devices are configured to transfer a portion of the litter in the litter dispenser to the chamber during a refill cycle of the litter dispenser.

45. 45. The automatic litter device of claim 43 or 44, wherein the one or more dispensing devices include one or more paddles configured to rotate to move the litter during a refill cycle.

46. 46. ​​The automatic litter device of claim 45, wherein the one or more paddles include a plurality of fins projecting radially from a hub.

47. 47. The automatic litter device of claim 45 or 46, wherein the one or more paddles are in communication with one or more power sources.

48. 48. The automatic litter device of claim 47, wherein the one or more drive sources include a motor.

49. the one or more drive sources are in communication with one or more sensors; 49. The automatic litter device of claim 47 or 48, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect the level of litter in the chamber.

50. 10. An automatic litter device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more sensors or one or more other sensors are configured to detect the presence of an animal in the waste drawer.

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