Mesh material and pet toilet

Abstract

To provide mesh components with excellent maintainability. [Solution] A mesh member according to one embodiment is used for a pet toilet. This mesh member comprises a main body having a plurality of openings having a polygonal planar shape, the main body including an upper surface on which the pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface and defining the plurality of openings, a rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface, and a rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface, and in a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mesh member and a pet toilet.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a pet toilet provided with a mesh member for preventing scratching by a pet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a pet toilet including a bottom tray on which a sheet is placed and a cover member having a mesh member for preventing scratching that covers the sheet placed on the bottom tray from above. A zigzag rib for pressing and holding the sheet is formed at the lower part of the mesh member of this pet toilet, and a large number of polygonal meshes are formed along the zigzag rib in the mesh member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since this type of mesh member is repeatedly used, regular maintenance such as washing the dirt attached to the mesh member with water or scrubbing it with a brush is required. However, in the above-mentioned pet toilet, dirt easily accumulates in the meshes and the zigzag ribs, and there is room for improvement in the maintainability of the mesh member.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mesh member and a pet toilet with excellent maintainability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A mesh member according to one embodiment is used for a pet toilet. This mesh member comprises a main body having a plurality of openings having a polygonal planar shape, the main body including an upper surface on which the pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface and defining the plurality of openings, a rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface, and a rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface, and in a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more.

[0007] In the mesh member according to the above embodiment, an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface are formed between the upper surface and the inner surface of the main body, and between the lower surface and the inner surface. That is, the surface of the main body is not angular but smooth. Therefore, when a pet defecates on the mesh member, the excrement passing through the multiple openings moves from the top to the bottom along the smooth surface of the mesh member and falls. As a result, dirt is less likely to adhere to the mesh member, and the effort required for cleaning can be reduced. Thus, the maintainability of the mesh member can be improved.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the multiple openings has multiple corners, and when viewed from the thickness direction, at least one of the multiple corners may have an angle of 90° or more. By widening the angle of the multiple corners, dirt is less likely to accumulate in the corners, and the removal of dirt during cleaning can be made easier. Therefore, the maintainability of the mesh member can be improved.

[0009] In one embodiment, the inner surface may be curved when viewed from the thickness direction, such that multiple corners are rounded. Having a curved inner surface when viewed from the thickness direction helps to suppress the adhesion of dirt to the mesh member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface may be larger than the radius of curvature of the lower curved surface. By relatively increasing the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface, the movement of excrement from the top surface to the bottom surface can be promoted. Therefore, the adhesion of dirt to the mesh member can be suppressed.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mesh member may further include a first rib provided on the lower surface of the main body and a second rib provided on the lower surface of the main body that intersects with the first rib. By providing the first and second ribs that intersect each other, the strength of the mesh member can be increased.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first rib may extend linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and the second rib may extend linearly along a second direction perpendicular to both the thickness direction and the first direction. With zigzag-shaped ribs, dirt tends to accumulate in the gaps between the ribs. In contrast, by having the first and second ribs extend linearly, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the first and second ribs, and the removal of dirt during cleaning becomes easier. Therefore, the maintainability of the mesh member can be improved.

[0013] In one embodiment, the average area of ​​the openings adjacent to the first or second rib among the multiple openings may be smaller than the average area of ​​the openings spaced apart from the first or second rib among the multiple openings. By reducing the average area of ​​the openings adjacent to the first or second rib, the strength of the mesh member can be increased.

[0014] In one embodiment, a first locking portion is further provided on the outer edge of the main body in a first direction, and when viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion may be provided on the extension of the first rib. In this embodiment, when a load is applied to the upper surface of the mesh member while the mesh member is held by the first locking portion, the first rib can receive bending stress, thereby suppressing the curvature of the mesh member.

[0015] In one embodiment, a second locking portion is provided on the outer edge of the main body in a second direction, and when viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion may be provided on the extension of the second rib. In this embodiment, when a load is applied to the upper surface of the mesh member while the mesh member is held by the second locking portion, the second rib can receive bending stress, thereby suppressing the curvature of the mesh member.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first locking portion may include an upright portion rising upward from the outer edge of the main body in a first direction, and a flange portion extending outward in the first direction from the upper end of the upright portion. In this embodiment, when the mesh member is placed on the absorbent sheet, the outer edge of the absorbent sheet is pressed down from above by the flange portion. Therefore, the curling up of the outer edge of the absorbent sheet can be suppressed.

[0017] In one embodiment, the main body is formed in a rectangular shape with four corners when viewed from the thickness direction, and the main body may further include projections that protrude laterally from the outer edge of the main body at positions adjacent to the four corners. In this embodiment, when the mesh member is placed on the absorbent sheet, the corners of the absorbent sheet are pressed down by the projections. Therefore, the curling up of the absorbent sheet can be suppressed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the outer edge of the main body may have a wavy shape.

[0019] A pet toilet according to one embodiment comprises a bottom plate having a bottom surface and an outer edge surrounding the bottom surface, an inner frame disposed on the outer edge of the bottom plate, an upper frame disposed on the inner frame, and a mesh member disposed so as to overlap the bottom surface when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. The mesh member comprises a main body having a plurality of openings having a polygonal planar shape. The main body includes an upper surface on which the pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface disposed between the upper and lower surfaces that defines a plurality of openings. A rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface, and a rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface. In a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more.

[0020] As mentioned above, the above pet toilet design improves the maintainability of the mesh components.

[0021] In one embodiment, the mesh member may further include a first rib provided on the lower surface of the main body and extending linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and a second rib provided on the lower surface of the main body and extending linearly along a second direction perpendicular to both the thickness direction and the first direction. The linear shape of the first and second ribs makes it difficult for dirt to accumulate on the first and second ribs, and also makes it easier to remove dirt during cleaning. Therefore, the maintainability of the mesh member can be improved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mesh member further includes a first locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in a first direction and a second locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in a second direction, wherein, viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion may be provided on the extension of the first rib, and, viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion may be provided on the extension of the second rib. In this embodiment, when a load in the thickness direction is applied to the mesh member while the mesh member is held by the first and second locking portions, bending stress can be received at the first and second ribs, thereby suppressing the curvature of the mesh member.

[0023] In one aspect, each of the first locking portion and the second locking portion may include a standing portion that rises upward from the outer edge of the main body portion, and a flange portion that projects laterally from the upper end of the standing portion. In this aspect, when the absorbent sheet is disposed on the bottom plate portion and the mesh member is disposed thereon, the outer edge portion of the absorbent sheet is pressed from above by the absorbent flange portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the upward curling of the outer edge portion of the absorbent sheet.

[0024] In one aspect, the standing portion has a locking hole, and the upper frame portion further includes an inner peripheral convex portion that is formed along the inner edge of the upper frame portion and projects toward the bottom plate portion. The inner peripheral convex portion may project toward the fitting convex portion and have a locking projection that fits into the locking hole. By fitting the locking projection formed on the inner peripheral convex portion of the upper frame portion into the locking hole, the mesh member can be fixed to the upper frame portion. Therefore, when the pet gets on the mesh member, it is possible to suppress the mesh member from shifting with respect to the upper frame portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present disclosure, the maintainability of the mesh member and the pet toilet can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a pet toilet according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the main components of the pet toilet shown in FIG. 1 disassembled. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the pet toilet taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the bottom plate portion. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the middle frame portion. [Figure 7] It is a bottom view of the middle frame portion. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the upper frame portion. [Figure 9]This is a bottom view of the upper frame section. [Figure 10] This is a side view of the toilet unit. [Figure 11] This is a schematic plan view of the absorbent sheet. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 11. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing a magnified portion of the permeable mat. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of a mesh member from above according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the mesh member from below. [Figure 16] This is a side view of the mesh member. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified portion of the main body. [Figure 18] This is a bottom view showing a magnified portion of the main body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The drawings may be simplified or exaggerated in part for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0028] The following describes a pet toilet including a mesh member according to one embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a pet toilet 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the main components of the pet toilet 1 in an exploded view. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of Figure 3.

[0029] The pet toilet 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a pet excretion device. In this specification, pets broadly include vertebrates and invertebrates, and typically include companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. Typically, the pet toilet 1 is installed indoors for pets kept indoors and provides a space for excretion. Pet excrement is typically urine, but excrement also includes low-viscosity feces, saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pet toilet 1 comprises a toilet body 2, an absorbent sheet 3 having water absorption properties, a permeable mat 4 placed on the absorbent sheet 3, and a mesh member 5 placed on the permeable mat 4. The toilet body 2 holds the absorbent sheet 3, the permeable mat 4, and the mesh member 5.

[0031] In the following explanation, the stacking direction of the absorbent sheet 3, the permeable mat 4, and the mesh member 5 will be referred to as the "vertical direction Z," and the two directions perpendicular to the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the "width direction X" and the "depth direction Y," respectively. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the width direction X (first direction) is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toilet body 2, and the depth direction Y (second direction) is parallel to the short direction of the toilet body 2. Furthermore, the direction from the absorbent sheet 3 toward the mesh member 5 will be referred to as "upward," and the direction from the mesh member 5 toward the absorbent sheet 3 will be referred to as "downward."

[0032] The toilet body 2 is a device for holding the absorbent sheet 3, the water-permeable mat 4, and the mesh member 5. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet body 2 comprises a bottom plate portion 11, a middle frame portion 12 positioned on the bottom plate portion 11, and an upper frame portion 13 positioned on the middle frame portion 12. The bottom plate portion 11, the middle frame portion 12, and the upper frame portion 13 are formed, for example, by molding a thermoplastic resin and are flexible. As will be described later, the bottom plate portion 11, the middle frame portion 12, and the upper frame portion 13 are detachable from each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom plate portion 11 of the toilet body 2. As shown in Figure 5, the bottom plate portion 11 has a substantially rectangular bottom surface portion 21 with the width direction X as the longitudinal direction when viewed from the vertical direction Z, and an outer edge portion 22 surrounding the bottom surface portion 21. The bottom surface portion 21 has an upper surface 23 for placing the absorbent sheet 3. The upper surface 23 of the bottom surface portion 21 has an uneven shape. Specifically, the upper surface 23 has a plurality of recesses 23a that are recessed downwards and a convex portion 23b that are raised upwards. The plurality of recesses 23a are arranged in a two-dimensional manner along the width direction X and the depth direction Y. Each of the plurality of recesses 23a is formed in a square shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The convex portion 23b is formed in a grid shape that divides the plurality of recesses 23a.

[0034] The outer edge portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z, and is arranged to surround the bottom portion 21. Typically, the outer edge portion 22 is integrally formed with the bottom portion 21 from a thermoplastic resin. The outer edge portion 22 comprises a side wall portion 24 that rises upward from the outer edge of the bottom portion 21, an inner circumference portion 25 that extends outward from the upper end of the side wall portion 24, and an outer circumference portion 26 that extends outward from the outer edge of the inner circumference portion 25. The side wall portion 24 has the function of blocking urine excreted on the bottom portion 21 via the permeable mat 4 and the absorbent sheet 3. The side wall portion 24 may have a notch (not shown) for returning urine that has entered the fitting recess 27, which will be described later, back to the bottom portion.

[0035] The inner circumference portion 25 is provided on the outside of the side wall portion 24 and has an upper surface 25a positioned above the upper surface 23 of the bottom surface portion 21 (see Figure 4). The inner circumference portion 25 has a fitting recess 27 that is recessed downward from the upper surface 25a of the inner circumference portion 25. The fitting recess 27 is a substantially rectangular groove when viewed from the vertical direction Z and is formed in the region between the side wall portion 24 and the outer circumference portion 26. The bottom of the fitting recess 27 is positioned above the upper surface 23 of the bottom surface portion 21 and below the upper surface 25a of the inner circumference portion 25.

[0036] The outer periphery 26 is provided on the outside of the inner periphery 25 and has an upper surface 26a positioned above the upper surface 25a of the inner periphery 25. At a pair of ends of the outer periphery 26 in the depth direction Y, a notch 26b is formed in which a part of the outer periphery 26 is cut out toward the depth direction Y. A columnar connecting portion 28 is provided in the notch 26b. The connecting portion 28 extends in the width direction X, and both ends are connected to the outer periphery 26.

[0037] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the middle frame 12, and Figure 7 is a bottom view of the middle frame 12. The middle frame 12 has a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z, and is detachably attached to the outer edge 22 of the bottom plate 11. The middle frame 12 comprises an inner circumference 31 and an outer circumference 32 located outside the inner circumference 31. When the middle frame 12 is attached to the bottom plate 11, the inner circumference 31 of the middle frame 12 is positioned above the inner circumference 25 of the bottom plate 11, and the outer circumference 32 of the middle frame 12 is positioned above the outer circumference 26 of the bottom plate 11.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the inner circumference portion 31 has a fitting projection 33 and a fitting recess 34. The fitting projection 33 is formed along the inner edge of the middle frame portion 12 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from below. The fitting projection 33 protrudes downward (towards the bottom plate portion 11) from the lower surface of the middle frame portion 12. The fitting projection 33 is positioned opposite the fitting recess 27 of the bottom surface portion 21 and can be fitted into the fitting recess 27. When the fitting projection 33 is fitted into the fitting recess 27, the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12 are connected, and displacement of the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12 in the horizontal direction (width direction X and depth direction Y) is suppressed. The fitting recess 27 and the fitting projection 33 constitute a lower fitting structure 10 that restricts the relative movement of the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12.

[0039] The fitting recess 34 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the inner circumference 31. The fitting recess 34 is a substantially rectangular groove and is located outside the fitting projection 33 when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The depth of the fitting recess 34 (the distance from the upper surface of the inner circumference 31 to the bottom of the fitting recess 34 in the vertical direction Z) may be greater than the depth of the fitting recess 27 (the distance from the upper surface 25a of the inner circumference 25 to the bottom of the fitting recess 27 in the vertical direction Z).

[0040] One or more openings 37 may be formed at the bottom of the fitting recess 34 (see Figure 7). The multiple openings 37 are through holes that penetrate the middle frame portion 12 in the thickness direction (vertical direction Z), and allow urine that enters the fitting recess 34 to be discharged to the bottom surface portion 21.

[0041] The outer periphery 32 of the middle frame 12 has an outer periphery projection 35. The outer periphery projection 35 is formed along the outer edge of the middle frame 12. When viewed from below, the outer periphery projection 35 has a roughly rectangular shape and protrudes downward (towards the bottom plate 11) from the outer edge of the middle frame 12. As shown in Figure 4, the tip of the outer periphery projection 35 is positioned above the tip of the fitting projection 33 and below the bottom of the fitting recess 34. When the fitting projection 33 of the middle frame 12 is fitted into the fitting recess 27 of the bottom plate 11, the outer periphery projection 35 is supported on the outer periphery 26 of the bottom plate 11.

[0042] The central frame portion 12 has a pair of first central frame sides 12A extending in the width direction X and a pair of second central frame sides 12B extending in the depth direction Y. As shown in Figure 6, the length of the pair of first central frame sides 12A in the width direction X is longer than the length of the pair of second central frame sides 12B in the depth direction Y. The width w2 of the pair of second central frame sides 12B in the width direction X may be smaller than the width w1 of the pair of first central frame sides 12A in the depth direction Y.

[0043] The pair of first middle frame sides 12A have latches 38 for locking the middle frame portion 12 to the bottom plate portion 11. The latch 38 includes a latch body 38a extending downward from the outer edges of the pair of first middle frame sides 12A, and an extension 38b positioned inside the latch body 38a in the depth direction Y and facing the latch body 38a through a gap 38s (see Figure 7).

[0044] The latch body 38a has a first claw portion 38c and a second claw portion 38d. The first claw portion 38c protrudes inward in the depth direction Y from the inner surface of the latch body 38a. The second claw portion 38d protrudes outward in the depth direction Y from the outer surface of the latch body 38a. When the middle frame portion 12 is attached to the bottom plate portion 11, the connecting portion 28 of the bottom plate portion 11 is accommodated in the gap 38s, and the first claw portion 38c is locked to the connecting portion 28 by the elastic deformation of the latch body 38a. As a result, the middle frame portion 12 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 11.

[0045] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the upper frame portion 13, and Figure 9 is a bottom view of the upper frame portion 13. The upper frame portion 13 has a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z, and is detachably attached to the middle frame portion 12. The upper frame portion 13 comprises an inner circumference portion 41 and an outer circumference portion 42 located outside the inner circumference portion 41. When the upper frame portion 13 is attached to the middle frame portion 12, the inner circumference portion 41 of the upper frame portion 13 is positioned above the inner circumference portion 31 of the middle frame portion 12, and the outer circumference portion 42 of the upper frame portion 13 is positioned above the outer circumference portion 32 of the middle frame portion 12.

[0046] The inner circumference 41 of the upper frame portion 13 has an inner circumference projection 43 and a fitting projection 44 (see Figure 4). The inner circumference projection 43 is formed along the inner edge of the upper frame portion 13 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from below. The inner circumference projection 43 protrudes downward from the inner edge of the upper frame portion 13 toward the bottom plate portion 11. The inner circumference projection 43 has a locking projection 43p. As shown in Figure 4, the locking projection 43p protrudes laterally from the outer surface of the inner circumference projection 43. The locking projection 43p can be fitted into the locking hole 75 of the locking portion 70, which will be described later.

[0047] The fitting projection 44 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from below and is located outside the inner circumference projection 43. The fitting projection 44 is positioned opposite the fitting recess 34 of the middle frame 12 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper frame 13 toward the fitting recess 34. The fitting projection 44 can be fitted into the fitting recess 34. When the fitting projection 44 is fitted into the fitting recess 34, the middle frame 12 and the upper frame 13 are connected, and displacement between the middle frame 12 and the upper frame 13 in the horizontal direction (width direction X and depth direction Y) is suppressed. The fitting recess 34 and the fitting projection 44 constitute an upper fitting structure 20 that restricts the relative movement between the middle frame 12 and the upper frame 13.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, when the fitting recess 34 and the fitting projection 44 are fitted together, the lower end of the inner circumferential projection 43 is positioned below the lower end of the fitting projection 44. Furthermore, the maximum length of the fitting projection 44 of the upper frame portion 13 may be longer than the maximum length of the fitting projection 33. In one embodiment, the maximum length of the fitting projection 33 may be longer than the maximum length of the fitting projection 44.

[0049] The outer periphery 42 of the upper frame portion 13 has an outer periphery projection 45. The outer periphery projection 45 is formed along the outer edge of the upper frame portion 13. When viewed from below, the outer periphery projection 45 has a substantially rectangular shape and protrudes downward from the outer edge of the upper frame portion 13 toward the middle frame portion 12. As shown in Figure 4, when the upper frame portion 13 is attached to the middle frame portion 12 and the fitting projection 44 is fitted into the fitting recess 34, the outer periphery projection 45 of the upper frame portion 13 is supported on the outer periphery projection 35 of the middle frame portion 12.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the upper frame portion 13 has a pair of first upper frame sides 13A extending in the width direction X and a pair of second upper frame sides 13B extending in the depth direction Y. The length of the pair of first upper frame sides 13A in the width direction X is longer than the length of the pair of second upper frame sides 13B in the depth direction Y. The width w4 of the pair of second upper frame sides 13B in the width direction X may be smaller than the width w3 of the pair of first upper frame sides 13A in the depth direction Y.

[0051] A pair of first upper frame edges 13A have latches 46 for locking the upper frame portion 13 to the middle frame portion 12. The latches 46 extend downward from the outer edge of the first upper frame edges 13A. The latches 46 have openings 46a that penetrate the latches 46 in the thickness direction (depth direction Y). When attaching the upper frame portion 13 to the middle frame portion 12, the latches 46 slide along the outer surface of the latch 38 while elastically deforming so as to spread outward in the depth direction Y, and the second claw portion 38d of the latch 38 fits into the opening 46a of the latch 46. This fixes the upper frame portion 13 to the middle frame portion 12. Figure 10 is a side view showing the toilet body 2 in which the latches 46 of the upper frame portion 13 are fitted with the latches 38 of the middle frame portion 12, connecting the bottom plate portion 11, the middle frame portion 12, and the upper frame portion 13.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the upper frame portion 13 has an upper surface 47 that slopes downward (towards the bottom plate portion 11) from the outer edge to the inner edge of the upper frame portion 13. The upper surface 47 is a curved surface such that its angle of inclination increases as it approaches the inner edge of the upper frame portion 13. Because the upper surface 47 is sloped as described above, when pet urine falls on the upper frame portion 13, the urine can be allowed to fall along the upper surface 47 to the bottom plate portion 21.

[0053] In one embodiment, the upper surface 47 of the upper frame portion 13 may have an uneven shape. For example, on a pair of first upper frame sides 13A of the upper frame portion 13, a plurality of raised portions (protrusions) 48 extending in the depth direction Y are arranged at equal intervals along the width direction X. Similarly, on a pair of second upper frame sides 13B of the upper frame portion 13, a plurality of raised portions 48 are arranged at equal intervals along the depth direction Y. Between the plurality of raised portions 48, inclined surfaces (recesses) 49 are formed to direct urine toward the absorbent sheet 3. That is, on the upper surface 47 of the pair of first upper frame sides 13A, raised portions 48 and inclined surfaces 49 are arranged alternately in the width direction X, and on the upper surface 47 of the pair of second upper frame sides 13B, raised portions 48 and inclined surfaces 49 are arranged alternately in the depth direction Y. The inclined surfaces 49 are curved so as they move away from adjacent raised portions 48. In other words, since the lowest point is at the center of the width X or depth Y of the inclined surface 49, the urine on the upper frame portion 13 is collected at the center of the inclined surface 49 and guided to the bottom portion 21. Due to the alternating arrangement of the raised portions 48 and the inclined surface 49, the inner periphery of the upper frame portion 13 has a wavy shape.

[0054] The toilet body 2 holds an absorbent sheet 3 and a permeable mat 4. The absorbent sheet 3 is a thin, absorbent sheet placed on the bottom surface 21 of the bottom plate 11 to absorb pet urine. The absorbent sheet 3 has a roughly rectangular planar shape and dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the toilet body 2. For example, the absorbent sheet 3 has a length of 400 mm to 600 mm in the width direction X and a width of 300 mm to 500 mm in the depth direction Y.

[0055] Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent sheet 3. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 11. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the absorbent sheet 3 comprises a surface sheet 14 disposed on the surface side of the absorbent sheet 3, a back sheet 15 disposed on the back side of the absorbent sheet 3, and an absorbent body 16 disposed between the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15. The surface sheet 14 is permeable to liquids and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The surface sheet 14 is made of a resin film having a number of openings 14a that penetrate the surface sheet 14 in the thickness direction. Typically, polyethylene or polypropylene is used as the material for the resin film. The surface sheet 14 may also be made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric. Pet urine excreted on the absorbent sheet 3 moves to the absorbent body 16 side through the openings 14a formed in the surface sheet 14.

[0056] The backing sheet 15 is impermeable to water and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with substantially the same dimensions as the surface sheet 14. Examples of materials for the backing sheet 15 include a resin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminate formed by laminating a nonwoven fabric to the resin film, or a water-repellent nonwoven fabric. By placing the liquid-impermeable backing sheet 15 on the back side of the absorbent sheet 3, it is prevented that urine excreted on the absorbent sheet 3 leaks to the back side.

[0057] The absorbent material 16 is positioned between the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15 and absorbs urine that passes through the surface sheet 14. The absorbent material 16 has a roughly rectangular planar shape, is slightly smaller in dimensions than the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15, and is positioned in the center of the absorbent sheet 3. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the absorbent sheet 3 has an absorbent portion 3a where the absorbent material 16 is positioned between the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15, and a flap portion 3b where the absorbent material 16 is not positioned between the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15. The absorbent portion 3a is a roughly rectangular area positioned in the center of the absorbent material 16 when viewed from the thickness direction, and is partially joined to the surface sheet 14 by a hot melt adhesive HM. The flap portion 3b is a rectangular frame-shaped area where the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15 are bonded together without the absorbent material 16, and is formed to surround the absorbent portion 3a. That is, the flap portion 3b is formed along the outer edge of the absorbent sheet 3. Typically, as shown in Figure 12, in the flap portion 3b, the surface sheet 14 and the back sheet 15 are directly joined by a hot melt adhesive HM without the need for an absorbent 16.

[0058] The absorbent body 16 includes an absorbent core 17 containing pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and a core wrap 18 covering the surface of the absorbent core. As the pulp of the absorbent core 17, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate are used. As the SAP, for example, particulate or fibrous polymers based on starch, acrylic acid, or amino acids are used. The core wrap 18 is wrapped around the absorbent core 17 so as to cover at least a portion of the surface of the absorbent core 17.

[0059] The absorbent sheet 3 may further comprise a cover sheet 19. The cover sheet 19 is positioned between the surface sheet 14 and the absorbent core 17 and covers the surface of the absorbent core 17. The cover sheet 19 has a substantially rectangular planar shape and has substantially the same dimensions as the absorbent body 16 when viewed in the thickness direction. The cover sheet 19 is made of, for example, tissue or nonwoven fabric and is permeable to liquids.

[0060] The absorbent sheet 3 is placed between the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12 of the toilet body 2. When the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12 are connected via the absorbent sheet 3, as shown in Figure 4, the flap portion 3b of the absorbent sheet 3 is held between the fitting recess portion 27 and the fitting protrusion portion 33, and is held between the bottom plate portion 11 and the middle frame portion 12. By holding the flap portion 3b of the absorbent sheet 3, the absorbent material 16 is prevented from tearing and the SAP leaking from the absorbent sheet 3.

[0061] The permeable mat 4 is a thin sheet with a porous structure that allows water to pass through. The permeable mat 4 is held between the middle frame 12 and the upper frame 13 of the toilet body 2 and is used by being placed on the absorbent sheet 3. The permeable mat 4 has the function of allowing pet urine to pass through while preventing urine from flowing back up from the absorbent sheet 3. The permeable mat 4 is made of a foamed resin having an open-cell structure, such as urethane resin. Because urethane resin has high water resistance, by making the permeable mat 4 out of urethane resin, it is possible to use the permeable mat 4 repeatedly without replacing it. For example, as the urethane resin, an ether-based urethane resin with high tensile strength is used.

[0062] Figure 13 is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of a permeable mat 4 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the permeable mat 4 has a number of voids 4a that penetrate the mat 4 in the thickness direction. The opening shape of the voids 4a can be any planar shape, such as a circle, ellipse, or polygon.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2, the permeable mat 4 is placed on the absorbent sheet 3 for use. Note that if no load is applied to the permeable mat 4, it may be placed at a distance from the absorbent sheet 3. Urine excreted by the pet on the pet toilet 1 moves through the numerous pores formed in the permeable mat 4 to the absorbent sheet 3 and is absorbed by the absorbent sheet 3. At this time, the permeable mat 4 prevents the pet's legs from coming into contact with the absorbent sheet 3, thus preventing the absorbed urine from flowing back onto the pet's legs.

[0064] The mesh member 5 is detachably attached to the upper frame 13 and is positioned to overlap the bottom surface 21 when viewed from the vertical direction Z (thickness direction). Figure 14 is a perspective view of the mesh member 5 from above. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the mesh member 5 from below. Figure 16 is a side view of the mesh member 5 viewed from the depth direction Y. As shown in Figure 2, the mesh member 5 is positioned above the permeable mat 4 and has the function of preventing pets from scratching or biting the absorbent sheet 3 or the permeable mat 4.

[0065] The mesh member 5 comprises a mesh-like main body portion 50. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the main body portion 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with four corner portions 50c when viewed from the vertical direction Z. The main body portion 50 has a honeycomb structure or grid structure in which a plurality of cells C are arranged in two dimensions, defining a plurality of openings 50a. Each cell C of the main body portion 50 is a polygonal prism-shaped element that defines each of the plurality of openings 50a, and adjacent cells C are connected to each other. The plurality of openings 50a are through holes that penetrate the main body portion 50 in the thickness direction. The plurality of openings 50a move pet excrement downward (towards the absorbent sheet 3 side). The main body portion 50 may be made of an opaque material so that urine stains formed on the absorbent sheet 3 are less visible. For example, the main body portion may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene or metal.

[0066] Each of the multiple openings 50a has a polygonal planar shape. Each of the multiple openings 50a has multiple corners, and when viewed from the vertical direction Z, at least one of the multiple corners may have an angle of 90° or more. When viewed from the vertical direction Z, all of the multiple corners may have an angle of 90° or more. For example, some of the multiple openings 50a have a regular hexagonal planar shape. The angle of one corner of a regular hexagonal opening 50a is 120°. Compared to the case where the planar shape of the multiple openings 50a is circular, the strength of the main body 50 is increased by making the planar shape of the multiple openings 50a polygonal. The main body 50 may include multiple openings 50a of multiple polygonal shapes with different numbers of corners. For example, the multiple openings 50a may include openings 50a having square, pentagonal, and hexagonal planar shapes.

[0067] While not limited to these, the width of one side of the opening 50a as viewed from the vertical Z direction is, for example, 2.6 mm. The height of the opening 50a in the vertical Z direction (distance between the top surface 51 and the bottom surface 52) is, for example, 2.3 mm. The size of each opening 50a is, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm. By setting the size of the opening 50a to 5 mm to 10 mm, it is possible to prevent the fingertips of a pet's palm from entering the opening 50a. If the planar shape of the opening 50a is a regular polygon, for example, the diameter of the circle inscribed in the opening 50a is defined as the size of the opening 50a.

[0068] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the main body 50. As shown in Figure 17, each cell C of the main body 50 includes an upper surface 51 for the pet to sit on when defecating, a lower surface 52 provided on the opposite side of the upper surface 51, and an inner surface 53 positioned between the upper surface 51 and the lower surface 52. The upper surface 51 is an upward-facing surface and provides a defecation surface for the pet to sit on and defecate on. Typically, the upper surface 51 is a flat surface. The lower surface 52 is an downward-facing surface. Typically, the lower surface 52 is a flat surface. The inner surface 53 defines each opening 50a from the side. The inner surface 53 is oriented laterally and defines each opening 50a.

[0069] As shown in Figure 17, a rounded upper curved surface 54 is formed between the upper surface 51 and the inner surface 53, and a rounded lower curved surface 55 is formed between the lower surface 52 and the inner surface 53. The upper curved surface 54 connects the upper surface 51 and the inner surface 53 and is a curved surface that curves upward diagonally. The lower curved surface 55 connects the lower surface 52 and the inner surface 53 and is a curved surface that curves downward diagonally. In other words, the surface of the main body is not angular and is smoothly connected between the upper surface 51 and the inner surface 53, and between the lower surface 52 and the inner surface 53. Therefore, when a pet defecates on the upper surface 51 of the main body 50, the excrement passes through multiple openings 50a along the smooth surface of the main body 50, moves from the upper surface 51 to the lower surface 52, and falls toward the permeable mat 4. The fallen excrement permeates through the permeable mat 4 and is absorbed by the absorbent sheet 3.

[0070] In a cross-sectional view along the vertical Z direction, each of the upper curved surface 54 and the lower curved surface 55 has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more. The radii of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 and the lower curved surface 55 are less than or equal to the thickness of the mesh member 5 (the distance between the upper surface 51 and the lower surface 52). In one embodiment, the radii of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 and the lower curved surface 55 may be less than or equal to half the thickness of the mesh member 5. The radii of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 and the lower curved surface 55 can be obtained, for example, by cutting the main body 50 of the mesh member 5 along the thickness direction, measuring the radii of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 and the lower curved surface 55 multiple times using a microscope, and calculating the average value of the multiple measurements.

[0071] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 may be larger than the radius of curvature of the lower curved surface 55. For example, the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface 54 is 1 mm, and the radius of curvature of the lower curved surface 55 is 0.5 mm. That is, the upper curved surface 54 is a gentler curve than the lower curved surface 55. By relatively increasing the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface 54, excrement adhering to the upper surface 51 is made more easily moved towards the lower surface 52.

[0072] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, the inner surface 53 of each cell C may be curved in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Z so that multiple corners of each opening 50a are rounded. When viewed from the vertical direction Z, having multiple corners of each opening 50a rounded helps to prevent dirt from accumulating in the corners. When the corners of each opening 50a are rounded, the angle of the corner of each opening 50a refers to the angle formed by the straight lines along the straight portions of two adjacent sides that constitute the opening 50a.

[0073] In one embodiment, the mesh member 5 includes one or more first ribs 61 and one or more second ribs 62. In the embodiment shown in Figure 15, the mesh member 5 includes two first ribs 61 and one second rib 62. The first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62 are connected to the lower surface 52 of the main body 50 and protrude downward from the lower surface 52. In the portions where the first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62 are formed, the thickness of the mesh member 5 is greater than in the portions where the first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62 are not formed. Typically, the first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62 are integrally formed with the main body 50 from thermoplastic resin. The first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62 function as beams that reinforce the mesh member 5 and also function to prevent the absorbent sheet 3 from shifting by pressing it against the absorbent sheet 3 via the permeable mat 4.

[0074] As shown in Figure 15, the first rib 61 extends linearly in the width direction X. The second rib 62 extends linearly in the depth direction Y. That is, the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 intersect (are perpendicular to each other). This increases the bending strength of the mesh member 5 in the width direction X and the depth direction Y. In addition, because the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 are formed linearly, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the first rib 61 and the second rib 62, and dirt can be easily removed during cleaning. The first rib 61 may extend over the entire area of ​​the main body 50 in the width direction X, and the second rib 62 may extend over the entire area of ​​the main body 50 in the depth direction Y.

[0075] Figure 18 is a bottom view showing an enlarged portion of the main body 50. As shown in Figure 18, the shapes of the multiple openings 50a formed in the mesh member 5 may differ depending on the location. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the average area of ​​the openings 50a adjacent to the first rib 61 may be smaller than the average area of ​​the openings 50a spaced away from the first rib 61. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the openings 50a adjacent to the first rib 61 have a pentagonal planar shape, and the openings 50a spaced away from the first rib 61 have a hexagonal planar shape.

[0076] Similarly, the average area of ​​the openings 50a adjacent to the second rib 62 may be smaller than the average area of ​​the openings 50a spaced away from the second rib 62. For example, the openings 50a adjacent to the second rib 62 have a trapezoidal planar shape, while the openings 50a spaced away from the second rib 62 have a hexagonal planar shape (see Figure 14).

[0077] The outer edge 50e of the main body portion 50 may have a wavy shape. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the main body portion 50 has a pair of outer edges 50ex in the width direction X and a pair of outer edges 50ey in the depth direction Y. The pair of outer edges 50ex and the pair of outer edges 50ey constitute the outer edge 50e of the main body portion 50. The outer edge 50ex has a wavy shape with respect to the width direction X, and the outer edge 50ey has a wavy shape with respect to the depth direction Y. The shapes of the outer edges 50ex and 50ey correspond to the shapes of the inner periphery of the upper frame portion 13. The wavy shape of the outer edge 50e of the main body portion 50 allows the main body portion 50 of the mesh member 5 to fit snugly inside the upper frame portion 13, preventing the formation of a gap between the upper frame portion 13 and the main body portion 50.

[0078] Furthermore, the average area of ​​the multiple openings 50a adjacent to the outer edge 50e may be smaller than the average area of ​​the multiple openings 50a spaced away from the outer edge 50e. For example, some of the multiple openings 50a adjacent to the outer edge 50e have a pentagonal planar shape, while the multiple openings 50a spaced away from the outer edge 50e have a hexagonal planar shape (see Figure 14).

[0079] In one embodiment, the mesh member 5 is provided with a plurality of locking parts 70 for attaching the mesh member 5 to the toilet body 2. The plurality of locking parts 70 include first locking parts 71 provided on a pair of outer edges 50ex of the main body 50 in the width direction X, and second locking parts 72 provided on a pair of outer edges 50ey of the main body 50 in the depth direction Y. In the following description, unless there is a particular need to distinguish between them, the first locking parts 71 and the second locking parts 72 may be collectively referred to as locking parts 70. As shown in Figure 14, the locking parts 70 are provided on each side of the outer edge 50e of the main body 50.

[0080] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, the pair of first locking portions 71 provided on the pair of outer edges 50ex are located on the extension of the first rib 61. When viewed from the vertical direction Z, the pair of second locking portions 72 provided on the pair of outer edges 50ey are located on the extension of the second rib 62. In other words, the first rib 61 extends in the width direction X between the pair of first locking portions 71, and the second rib 62 extends in the depth direction Y between the pair of second locking portions 72. Note that each of the pair of outer edges 50ex may be provided with multiple first locking portions 71, or each of the pair of outer edges 50ey may be provided with multiple second locking portions 72. The first locking portions 71 and the second locking portions 72 have substantially the same structure.

[0081] As shown in Figure 16, each of the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 includes an upright portion 73 and a flange portion 74. The upright portion 73 is, for example, a resin plate. The upright portion 73 is connected to the outer edge 50e of the main body portion 50 and rises upward (diagonally upward) from the outer edge 50e. The flange portion 74 is, for example, made of resin and has a bifurcated shape. The flange portion 74 is connected to the upper end of the upright portion 73 and protrudes laterally. That is, the upright portion 73 of the first locking portion 71 rises upward from the outer edge 50ex, and the flange portion 74 of the first locking portion 71 protrudes outward in the width direction X from the upper end of the upright portion 73. The upright portion 73 of the second locking portion 72 is raised upward from the outer edge 50ey, and the flange portion 74 of the second locking portion 72 protrudes outward in the depth direction Y from the upper end of the upright portion 73. In other words, the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 have a shape that curves in the width direction X and depth direction Y, respectively, when viewed from the side. As shown in Figure 4, the flange portions 74 of the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 have the function of pressing down on the flap portion 3b of the absorbent sheet 3 from above.

[0082] As shown in Figure 16, the upright portion 73 has a locking hole 75. The locking hole 75 is a through hole that penetrates the upright portion 73 in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 4, a locking projection 43p formed on the inner circumferential protrusion 43 of the upper frame portion 13 can be fitted into the locking hole 75. By fitting the locking projection 43p into the locking hole 75, the mesh member 5 is fixed to the upper frame portion 13. In other words, the mesh member 5 is detachably attached to the upper frame portion 13.

[0083] When a pet sits on the mesh member 5 while it is fixed to the upper frame 13 at the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72, a downward load is applied to the mesh member 5, causing bending stress to occur in the mesh member 5. Here, the mesh member 5 can withstand bending stress through the first rib 61 extending in the width direction X between the pair of first locking portions 71 and the second rib 62 extending in the depth direction Y between the pair of second locking portions 72, thus suppressing the deflection of the mesh member 5.

[0084] Furthermore, the main body portion 50 may have a plurality of projections 56 provided at positions adjacent to the four corner portions 50c and projecting laterally from the outer edge of the main body portion 50. The plurality of projections 56 are connected to the lower surface 52 of the main body portion 50. As shown in Figure 15, some of the plurality of projections 56 project outward in the width direction X from a pair of outer edges 50ex of the main body portion 50. Some of the other plurality of projections 56 project outward in the depth direction Y from a pair of outer edges 50ey of the main body portion 50. The plurality of projections 56 have the function of pressing against the corners of the absorbent sheet 3 via the permeable mat 4 and holding down the corners of the absorbent sheet 3. This prevents the absorbent sheet 3 from curling up. Note that the amount of projection of the projections 56 may be less than the amount of projection of the locking projections 43p.

[0085] Next, the procedure for attaching the absorbent sheet 3 and the permeable mat 4 to the toilet body 2 will be described. Note that the mesh member 5 is assumed to be fixed to the upper frame 13 in advance. First, the latch 38 of the middle frame 12 is pushed outward in the width direction X by hand to release the engagement between the latch 38 and the connection part 28 of the bottom plate 11. Then, the middle frame 12 is lifted and removed from the bottom plate 11. Next, the absorbent sheet 3 is placed on the bottom plate 11 so that the flap portion 3b of the absorbent sheet 3 is positioned on the outer edge portion 22 of the bottom plate 11. Next, the fitting projection 33 of the middle frame 12 is fitted into the fitting recess 27 of the bottom plate 11, and the middle frame 12 is attached to the bottom plate 11. As a result, the flap portion 3b of the absorbent sheet 3 is sandwiched between the fitting recess 27 and the fitting projection 33. At this time, the absorbent sheet 3 is pressed against the fitting projection 33 while deeply embedded in the fitting recess 27, so a strong frictional force acts on the absorbent sheet 3, and the absorbent sheet 3 is firmly held in place.

[0086] Next, the latch 46 of the upper frame portion 13 is pushed outward in the width direction X to release the engagement between the latch 46 and the latch 38 of the middle frame portion 12. Then, the upper frame portion 13 is lifted and removed from the middle frame portion 12. Next, the permeable mat 4 is placed on the middle frame portion 12, and then the fitting projection 44 of the upper frame portion 13 is fitted into the fitting recess 34 of the middle frame portion 12 to attach the upper frame portion 13 to the middle frame portion 12. As a result, the outer edge of the permeable mat 4 is sandwiched between the fitting recess 34 and the fitting projection 44. At this time, the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 of the mesh member 5 fixed to the upper frame portion 13 come into contact with the permeable mat 4 and press downward. As a result, a frictional force acts between the mesh member 5 and the permeable mat 4, and the permeable mat 4 is firmly held in place.

[0087] Once the absorbent sheet 3 and the permeable mat 4 are attached to the toilet body 2, the pet toilet 1 becomes usable. When using the pet toilet 1, the pet steps over the relatively narrow second upper frame edge 13B and onto the main body 50 of the mesh member 5 to defecate. The pet's excrement passes through the multiple openings 50a formed in the mesh member 5 and falls onto the permeable mat 4. Of the excrement that falls onto the permeable mat 4, the liquid (urine) passes through the permeable mat 4 and is absorbed by the absorbent sheet 3. After defecating, the pet steps over the second upper frame edge 13B and gets off the pet toilet 1.

[0088] The absorbent sheet 3 has high water retention capacity and can be used multiple times. For example, the absorbent sheet 3 can absorb three days' worth of pet urine. Here, since the permeable mat 4 is placed on top of the absorbent sheet 3, even when used repeatedly, the urine absorbed by the absorbent sheet 3 is prevented from flowing back into the pet's legs.

[0089] Next, the procedure for replacing the absorbent sheet 3 will be described. When the pet urinates multiple times and the absorbent sheet 3 needs to be replaced, the latch 38 of the inner frame 12 is pushed outward in the width direction X by hand to release the engagement between the latch 38 and the connection part 28 of the bottom plate 11. Then, the inner frame 12 is lifted and removed from the bottom plate 11. Next, the used absorbent sheet 3 is replaced with a new absorbent sheet 3, and then the inner frame 12 is reattached to the bottom plate 11. In this way, the user can replace the absorbent sheet 3 without directly touching the permeable mat 4. Therefore, the absorbent sheet 3 can be replaced without getting your hands dirty.

[0090] When replacing the permeable mat 4, the permeable mat 4 can be removed individually from the pet toilet 1 by removing the upper frame 13 from the middle frame 12 in the reverse order of installation. In other words, the absorbent sheet 3 or the permeable mat 4 can be replaced individually from the toilet body 2, thereby improving the maintainability of the toilet body 2.

[0091] Although the mesh member 5 is used repeatedly, it requires periodic maintenance such as cleaning. To clean the mesh member 5, the upper frame 13 is removed from the middle frame 12, and the engagement between the locking projection 43p of the upper frame 13 and the locking hole 75 of the locking part 70 is released. This allows the mesh member 5 to be removed from the upper frame 13. The removed mesh member 5 is then washed with water or scrubbed with a brush to remove any dirt or waste attached to it. After cleaning, the mesh member 5 is reattached to the upper frame 13.

[0092] As described above, the mesh member 5 is detachable from the upper frame 13, so it can be easily removed from the upper frame 13 for cleaning. In addition, the mesh member 5 has an upper curved surface 54 and a lower curved surface 55 formed between the upper surface 51 and the inner surface 53 of the main body 50, and between the lower surface 52 and the inner surface 53. That is, the surface of the main body 50 is not angular but smooth. Therefore, when a pet defecates on the mesh member 5, the excrement passing through the multiple openings 50a moves along the smooth surface of the mesh member 5 from the upper surface 51 to the lower surface 52 and falls. As a result, dirt is less likely to adhere to the mesh member 5, and the effort required for cleaning can be reduced. Thus, the maintainability of the mesh member 5 can be improved.

[0093] Although various embodiments of the mesh member 5 and pet toilet 1 have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modified forms can be constructed without changing the gist of the invention. In other words, it should be noted that the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0094] For example, in the toilet body 2 described above, the fitting recess 27, fitting protrusion 33, fitting recess 34, and fitting protrusion 44 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the vertical direction Z, but the shapes of the fitting recess 27, fitting protrusion 33, fitting recess 34, and fitting protrusion 44 are not limited to a rectangular shape. For example, the fitting protrusion 33 and fitting protrusion 44 may be cylindrical pins, and the fitting recess 27 and fitting recess 34 may be holes with a circular planar shape that fit onto these pins. Multiple fitting recesses 27, fitting protrusions 33, fitting recesses 34, and fitting protrusions 44 may be arranged along the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11, the middle frame portion 12, and the upper frame portion 13, and the middle frame portion 12 may be attached to the bottom plate portion 11 and the upper frame portion 13 may be attached to the middle frame portion 12 by fitting the fitting protrusions 33 and fitting protrusions 44 into the fitting recesses 27 and fitting recesses 34, respectively.

[0095] In the toilet body 2 described above, the length in the width direction X of the pair of first middle frame sides 12A is longer than the length in the depth direction Y of the pair of second middle frame sides 12B. However, the length in the width direction X of the pair of first middle frame sides 12A may be shorter than the length in the depth direction Y of the pair of second middle frame sides 12B.

[0096] The mesh member 5 may have any number of first ribs 61 and a plurality of second ribs 62. For example, the mesh member 5 may have a plurality of first ribs 61 and a plurality of second ribs 62. Conversely, if the main body 50 has sufficient strength, the mesh member 5 may not have the first ribs 61 and the second ribs 62. Also, the mesh member 5 may have only the first ribs 61 or only the second ribs.

[0097] In the embodiments shown in Figures 14 and 15, the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 are formed in a straight line, but at least one of the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 may have a zigzag shape. Even if the first rib 61 and the second rib 62 have a zigzag shape, if the surface of the main body 50 is smooth, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of dirt to the mesh member 5.

[0098] Furthermore, the mesh member 5 does not necessarily have to have a locking portion 70 and a projection portion 56. The pet toilet 1 may not have an inner frame portion 12, and an upper frame portion 13 may be provided on the outer edge portion 22 of the bottom plate portion 11. In this case, the pet toilet 1 does not have to have a water-permeable mat 4.

[0099] The various embodiments described above can be combined in a non-consistent manner.

[0100] This disclosure includes the following:

[0101] [1] A mesh component used in pet toilets, It comprises a main body having multiple openings with a polygonal planar shape, The main body includes an upper surface on which the pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface, which defines the plurality of openings. A rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface. A rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface. In a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more. Mesh material.

[0102] [2] Each of the plurality of openings has a plurality of corners, The mesh member according to claim 1, wherein, viewed from the thickness direction, at least one of the plurality of corners has an angle of 90° or more.

[0103] [3] The mesh member according to [2], wherein the inner surface is curved when viewed from the thickness direction so that the multiple corners are rounded.

[0104] [4] The mesh member according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the lower curved surface.

[0105] [5] The first rib provided on the lower surface of the main body, A second rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and intersects with the first rib, A mesh member as described in any one of items [1] to [4], further comprising the above.

[0106] [6] The first rib extends linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, The mesh member according to [5], wherein the second rib extends linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the first direction.

[0107] [7] The mesh member according to [5] or [6], wherein the average area of ​​the openings adjacent to the first rib or the second rib among the plurality of openings is smaller than the average area of ​​the openings spaced apart from the first rib or the second rib among the plurality of openings.

[0108] [8] Further comprising a first locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, The mesh member according to [6], wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion is provided on the extension of the first rib.

[0109] [9] Further comprising a second locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the second direction, The mesh member according to [8], wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion is provided on the extension of the second rib.

[0110]

[10] The first locking portion is, An upright portion rising upward from the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, A flange portion extending outward in the first direction from the upper end of the upright portion, The mesh member described in [8] or [9], including the above.

[0111]

[11] Viewed from the thickness direction, the main body is formed in a rectangular shape having four corners, The mesh member according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the main body portion further includes projections that protrude laterally from the outer edge of the main body portion at positions adjacent to the four corner portions.

[0112]

[12] The mesh member according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the outer edge of the main body has a wavy shape.

[0113]

[13] A base plate having a bottom surface and an outer edge surrounding the bottom surface, A middle frame portion is positioned on the outer edge portion of the bottom plate portion, The upper frame portion is positioned on the middle frame portion, A mesh member is arranged to overlap the bottom surface when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, Equipped with, The mesh member comprises a main body having a plurality of openings having a polygonal planar shape, The main body includes an upper surface on which a pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface, which defines the plurality of openings. A rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface. A rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface. In a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more. Pet toilet.

[0114]

[14] The mesh member is A first rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and extends linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, A second rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and extends linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the first direction, The pet toilet described in

[13] further includes the following.

[0115]

[15] The mesh member is A first locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, A second locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the second direction, It further includes, Viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion is provided on the extension of the first rib, The pet toilet according to

[14] , wherein, viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion is provided on the extension of the second rib.

[0116]

[16] Each of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is The upright portion rises upward from the outer edge of the main body, A flange portion that protrudes laterally from the upper end of the aforementioned upright portion, Pet toilets as described in

[15] , including the following.

[0117]

[17] The upright portion has a locking hole, The upper frame portion further includes an inner circumferential protrusion that projects toward the bottom plate portion, The pet toilet according to

[16] , wherein the inner circumferential protrusion has a locking projection that fits into the locking hole. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 1...Pet ​​toilet, 5...Mesh member, 11...Bottom plate, 12...Middle frame, 13...Top frame, 21...Bottom surface, 22...Outer edge, 27,34...Fitting recess, 33,44...Fitting protrusion, 43...Inner circumference protrusion, 43p...Locking projection, 50...Main body, 50a...Opening, 50c...Corner, 50e,50ex,50ey...Outer edge, 51...Top surface, 52...Bottom surface, 53...Inner surface, 54...Upper curved surface, 55...Lower curved surface, 56...Protrusion, 61...First rib, 62...Second rib, 71...First locking part, 72...Second locking part, 73...Upright part, 74...Flange part, 75...Locking hole, X...Width direction (first direction), Y...Depth direction (second direction).

Claims

1. A mesh component used in pet toilets, It comprises a main body having multiple openings with a polygonal planar shape, The main body includes an upper surface on which the pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface, which defines the plurality of openings. A rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface. A rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface. In a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more. Mesh material.

2. Each of the aforementioned multiple openings has multiple corners, The mesh member according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, at least one of the plurality of corners has an angle of 90° or more.

3. The mesh member according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface is curved when viewed from the thickness direction so that the multiple corners are rounded.

4. The mesh member according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the upper curved surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the lower curved surface.

5. The first rib provided on the lower surface of the main body, A second rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and intersects with the first rib, The mesh member according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

6. The first rib extends linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, The mesh member according to claim 5, wherein the second rib extends linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the first direction.

7. The mesh member according to claim 5, wherein the average area of ​​the openings adjacent to the first rib or the second rib among the plurality of openings is smaller than the average area of ​​the openings spaced apart from the first rib or the second rib among the plurality of openings.

8. The first locking portion is further provided on the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, The mesh member according to claim 6, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion is provided on the extension line of the first rib.

9. The present invention further comprises a second locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body portion in the second direction, The mesh member according to claim 8, wherein, viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion is provided on the extension of the second rib.

10. The first locking part is, An upright portion rising upward from the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, A flange portion extending outward in the first direction from the upper end of the upright portion, The mesh member according to claim 8, including the mesh member according to claim 8.

11. Viewed from the thickness direction, the main body is formed in a rectangular shape having four corners. The mesh member according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes projections that protrude laterally from the outer edge of the main body at positions adjacent to the four corners.

12. The mesh member according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge of the main body portion has a wavy shape.

13. A base plate having a bottom surface and an outer edge surrounding the bottom surface, A middle frame portion is positioned on the outer edge portion of the bottom plate portion, The upper frame portion is positioned on the middle frame portion, A mesh member is arranged to overlap the bottom surface when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the bottom surface, Equipped with, The mesh member comprises a main body having a plurality of openings having a polygonal planar shape, The main body includes an upper surface on which a pet sits when defecating, a lower surface provided on the opposite side of the upper surface, and an inner surface positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface, which defines the plurality of openings. A rounded upper curved surface is formed between the upper surface and the inner surface. A rounded lower curved surface is formed between the lower surface and the inner surface. In a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the main body, each of the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.3 mm or more. Pet toilet.

14. The mesh member is A first rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and extends linearly along a first direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, A second rib is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion and extends linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the first direction, The pet toilet according to claim 13, further comprising:

15. The mesh member is A first locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the first direction, A second locking portion provided on the outer edge of the main body in the second direction, It further includes, Viewed from the thickness direction, the first locking portion is provided on the extension of the first rib, The pet toilet according to claim 14, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, the second locking portion is provided on the extension of the second rib.

16. Each of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is, The upright portion rises upward from the outer edge of the main body, A flange portion that protrudes laterally from the upper end of the aforementioned upright portion, A pet toilet according to claim 15, including the following:

17. The upright portion has a locking hole, The upper frame portion further includes an inner circumferential protrusion that projects toward the bottom plate portion, The pet toilet according to claim 16, wherein the inner circumferential protrusion has a locking projection that fits into the locking hole.

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