Pet toilet

Abstract

To provide a pet toilet that prevents excreted urine from staying at an unintended position.SOLUTION: A pet toilet 1 has a substantially rectangular shape. The pet toilet 1 has: a partition part 20 that divides a toilet body 10 into an upper layer and a lower layer; a storage part 10C that stores an excrement treatment material, located on the partition part 20; and a guide wall 2 disposed to surround at the positions above the storage part 10C. The guide wall 2 has an entrance 2E formed by cutting out a portion of the guide wall. The partition part 20 has: a liquid-passage-possible part 21 that allows passage of urine; and a liquid-passage-impossible part 22 that lies around the liquid-passage-possible part 21 and disallows passage of urine. A total longitudinal length of the liquid-passage-impossible part 22 outside the liquid-passage-possible part 21 in the longitudinal direction is greater than a longitudinal length of the liquid-passage-possible part 21. At least an area of the liquid-passage-impossible part 22 that lies outside the liquid-passage-possible part 21 in the longitudinal direction tilts downward at an angle being equal to or greater than 12 degrees and equal to or smaller than 24 degrees.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet for pets. [Background technology]

[0002] Pet toilets used indoors to treat the waste of pets such as cats typically comprise a main container and a lattice-shaped urine passage portion that divides the main container into an upper portion and a lower portion.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an animal toilet having such a configuration, in which an absorbent placement section for placing an absorbent that absorbs excrement is provided on the lower side in the height direction, and the center position of the absorbent placement section is offset from the center position of the internal space in the longitudinal direction. The same document also discloses that the bottom surface that constitutes the internal space has an inclined section that slopes from its outer edge toward the urine passage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-83792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the animal litter box described in Patent Document 1, excreted urine has difficulty flowing toward the urine passage section and tends to accumulate in the inclined section, which results in a foul odor caused by the accumulated urine.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pet toilet in which excreted urine is less likely to remain in unintended locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a toilet for pets. The pet toilet preferably has a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that the pet toilet comprises a toilet body, a partition section dividing the toilet body into an upper part and a lower part, a storage section for storing excrement treatment material located on the partition section in the upper part, and a guide wall section arranged to surround the storage section at a position above the storage section. It is preferable that a part of the guide wall is cut out to form an entrance for a pet. The partition preferably has a liquid-passing portion through which urine can pass, and a liquid-impermeable portion which is positioned around the liquid-passing portion and through which urine cannot pass. It is preferable that the total length along the longitudinal direction of the liquid-non-passing portions located outward in the longitudinal direction of the liquid-passing portions is longer than the length along the longitudinal direction of the liquid-passing portions. It is preferable that at least a region of the liquid impermeable portion that is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction of the liquid permeable portion is inclined downward toward the liquid permeable portion. It is preferable that the inclination angle of the liquid-impermeable portion in the region is 12 degrees or more and 24 degrees or less. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a pet toilet is provided in which excreted urine is less likely to remain in unintended locations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical embodiment of a pet toilet of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic exploded state of the pet toilet shown in FIG. 1, and also shows the granular excrement treating material placed in the storage section. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view along the longitudinal direction when the guide wall portion and the partition portion are combined. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view along the width direction when the guide wall portion and the partition portion are combined. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view showing an embodiment when a cutout bottom surface and a standing wall portion at a doorway are viewed in cross section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view showing an embodiment of the entrance of a pet toilet and its vicinity in plan view. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic enlarged side view along the longitudinal direction of a pet toilet in another embodiment when a guide wall portion and a partition portion are combined. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. The pet toilet (hereinafter simply referred to as a toilet) of the present invention can be used for treating or collecting excrement from pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, etc. In this specification, the head and body length is the total length (body length) of a pet minus the length of the tail, and refers to the length from the tip of the head to the base of the tail.

[0011] 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a pet toilet. The pet toilet 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4 includes a storage section 10C for storing granular excrement treatment material P, and a guide wall section 2 arranged around the upper part of the storage section 10C. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the pet toilet 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view having a longitudinal direction X and a width direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The pet toilet 1 also has a height direction Z perpendicular to the XY plane. For convenience of explanation, the following explanation will be given assuming that the XY plane is horizontal and the height direction Z coincides with the vertical direction.

[0012] The pet toilet 1 of this embodiment includes a toilet body 10 and a partition 20 that divides the toilet body 10 into an upper part 10A and a lower part 10B. In addition, it is preferable to include a urine receiving tray 30 that is retractably accommodated in the lower part 10B from the viewpoint of ease of disposal of excrement.

[0013] The pet toilet 1 is provided with a storage section 10C for storing granular excrement treatment material P inside the toilet body 10. The toilet body 10 also has a guide wall section 2 on the top of the toilet body 10. The guide wall section 2 is arranged so as to surround the storage section 10C at a position above the storage section 10C. This forms a pet excretion space surrounded by the guide wall section 2 in the space above the storage section 10C. Note that the expression "surrounding" also includes a case where an entrance / exit 2E (described later) is formed in the guide wall section 2, resulting in a portion of the periphery having no wall.

[0014] The toilet body 10 is divided into an upper part 10A and a lower part 10B by a partition part 20 having a urine-passing part 21. The toilet body 10 has a storage part 10C formed on the partition part 20 in the upper part 10A, and a guide wall part 2 formed above the storage part 10C in the upper part 10A.

[0015] It is preferable that both the guide wall portion 2 and the storage portion 10C have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view having a longitudinal direction X and a width direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, similar to the shape of the pet toilet 1 in plan view. In addition, it is also preferable that the longitudinal directions X of the guide wall portion 2 and the storage portion 10C coincide with the longitudinal direction X of the pet toilet 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the toilet body 10 is equipped with a bottom forming part 3 that is open at the top and forms a bottom 3S that is placed on the floor surface, and a guide wall part 2. The guide wall part 2 and bottom forming part 3 that constitute the toilet body 10 together form the outer shape of the pet toilet 1, and have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with a width direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The corners of the substantially rectangular shape in plan view of both the guide wall part 2 and the bottom forming part 3 are chamfered.

[0017] The guide wall 2 in this embodiment has a shape with both the upper and lower surfaces open, and can be held on the upper part of the bottom forming part 3 by being placed or fitted from above the partition part 20 arranged on top of the bottom forming part 3. At this time, the guide wall part 2 is arranged around the upper part of the storage part 10C for excrement treatment material P formed by the partition part 20. The bottom forming part 3, the partition part 20 and the guide wall part 2 are each arranged so as to be freely attached and detached.

[0018] The guide wall 2 in this embodiment has an outer surface of the guide wall that constitutes a part of the outer surface of the pet toilet 1, and an inner surface of the guide wall 2 that faces the pet during excretion. The guide wall 2 extends in the height direction Z to separate the outside world from the inside of the toilet 1. The guide wall 2 has a predetermined thickness, which may be constant from the lower part to the upper part of the guide wall 2, or may gradually decrease upward. In the latter case, the outer wall surface of the guide wall 2 is inclined inwardly as it goes upward, while the inner wall surface from the upper part to the lower part may face the height direction Z or may be inclined inwardly as it goes upward. The guide wall 2 may be solid or hollow inside.

[0019] The guide wall 2 has one or more entrances 2E defined by cutting out a portion thereof. The entrances 2E are portions that serve as entrances for pets, formed to facilitate the pet's entry and exit from the pet toilet 1 when the pet toilet 1 is in use. The entrances 2E are defined by cutting out a portion of at least one of the wall 2x along the longitudinal direction X and the wall 2y along the width direction Y of the guide wall 2.

[0020] When the guide wall 2 of the pet toilet 1 is viewed in plan, the entrance 2E is preferably provided at a location located at at least one corner of the rectangular shape of the guide wall 2 so as to straddle the corner, and more preferably provided at each of two corners located at both ends of one long side of the rectangular shape as shown in Figures 1 to 4. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide wall 2 is formed in plan view line symmetry with respect to a longitudinal bisect line that extends along the width direction Y of the pet toilet 1 and bisects the toilet 1 in the longitudinal direction X. Similarly, in plan view of the pet toilet, it is formed in line symmetry with respect to the longitudinal bisect line.

[0021] When the entrance 2E is formed so as to straddle a corner, the entrance 2E is defined by cutting out a part of the wall 2x along the longitudinal direction X of the guide wall 2 and a part of the wall 2y along the width direction Y. This makes it easier to guide the pet into the toilet even if the guide wall 2 on the side not having the entrance 2E is disposed close to the wall surface of the installation location of the pet toilet indoors, etc., and also makes it easier for the pet to enter and exit.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the bottom forming part 3 constituting the toilet body 10 preferably has a volume capable of accommodating at least the bottom part of the partition part 20. An opening 11 that is substantially rectangular in side view is preferably formed on one side of the bottom forming part 3 in the toilet body 10. This allows the tray 30 to be inserted and removed from the toilet body 10 via the opening 11, and allows the tray 30 to be stored within the toilet body 10. In this embodiment, the opening 11 is formed on the long side on which the entrance / exit 2E is arranged.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the partition 20 is open at the top and has a bottom that is shallower than the bottom forming part 3 of the toilet body 10, dividing the toilet body 10 into an upper part 10A and a lower part 10B. In this embodiment, the guide wall part 2 located above the partition 20 mainly constitutes the upper part 10A of the toilet body 10, and the bottom forming part 3 located below the partition 20 mainly constitutes the lower part 10B of the toilet body 10, and the partition 20 allows the granular excrement treatment material P to be stored in the upper part 10A of the toilet body 10. In other words, the upper surface of the partition 20 is configured as a storage part 10C that stores the excrement treatment material P. It is preferable that the partition 20 is configured to be detachable from the upper part of the bottom forming part 3 of the toilet body 10.

[0024] The partition 20 has a liquid-passing portion 21 through which urine can pass and a liquid-non-passing portion 22 through which urine cannot pass. The liquid-passing portion 21 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the pet toilet 1 and the partition 20. The partition 20 in this embodiment has a shape that is point-symmetrical with respect to the centroid in a plan view. The liquid-passing portion 21 is rectangular in a plan view, and is located in the central region of the pet toilet 1 with an area smaller than that of the partition 20. Alternatively, the liquid-passing portion 21 may be arranged biased toward one end region in the longitudinal direction X or the width direction Y in a plan view.

[0025] The liquid passage section 21 is formed at the bottom of the partition section 20, and is configured in a mesh shape having a plurality of wires extending parallel to each other. Between the wires in the liquid passage section 21, there are spaces large enough that the excrement treatment material P and excreted feces do not fall, and urine can pass downward. In this embodiment, the liquid passage section 21 is formed in a planar shape along the XY plane.

[0026] When the partition 20 is viewed in plan, the non-permeable portion 22 is located around the permeable portion 21 and does not have a gap. It is preferable that at least a region of the non-permeable portion 22 located on the outer side of the permeable portion 21 in the longitudinal direction is inclined downward toward the permeable portion 21. From the viewpoint of reducing residual urine, it is preferable that this inclined region is formed in at least one of the regions located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and more preferably, it is formed in both of the regions located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction. It is also preferable that this inclined region is at least a region facing the inlet / outlet 2E. When the non-permeable portion 22 is inclined, the inclination angle may be the same or different in all of the non-permeable portion 22, or may be the same or different in both of the regions located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and the inclination angle of the non-permeable portion 22 located in the longitudinal direction X and the inclination angle of the non-permeable portion 22 located in the width direction Y may be different from each other. From the viewpoint of reducing retention of excreted urine, the liquid-impermeable portions 22 are preferably all flat, but may be concave, convex, or a combination of both, so long as they can be regarded as flat.

[0027] An embodiment of the inclination of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 in this embodiment is shown in Figures 3 and 4. As shown in the figures, it is more preferable that the region of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 located outside the longitudinal direction X of the liquid-permeable portion 21 is inclined downward from the outer edge of the partition portion 20 toward the liquid-permeable portion 21, and it is even more preferable that in addition to this region, both the region of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 along the width direction Y of the liquid-permeable portion 21 are inclined downward from the outer edge of the partition portion 20 toward the liquid-permeable portion 21, and it is even more preferable that all the regions of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 are inclined downward from the outer edge of the partition portion 20 toward the liquid-permeable portion 21. From the viewpoint of reducing residual urine, it is preferable that at least one of the regions of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 along the width direction Y of the liquid-permeable portion 21 is inclined, and it is more preferable that both of the regions along the width direction are inclined.

[0028] By slanting downward the region of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 located on the longitudinal outer side of the liquid-permeable portion 21, it is possible to prevent excreted urine from staying on the liquid-impermeable portion 22 and to easily guide the urine to flow toward the liquid-permeable portion 21. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of discomfort and odor caused by urine staying on the partition portion 20, and also to improve the convenience of post-treatment of excrement such as urine and feces. In addition, since a pet that enters the pet toilet will assume an unstable position in the inclined area, it is possible to prevent the pet from remaining in the inclined area of ​​the liquid-non-passing portion 22 and to easily guide the pet to the liquid-passing portion 21 side where the pet will assume a stable position. As a result, there is also the advantage that the pet can be easily guided to an appropriate excretion position in the toilet, making it easier for the pet to excrete without excreta leaking outside the toilet.

[0029] 3, the inclination angle θ in the region of the non-permeable portion 22 located outside the liquid-permeable portion 21 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 12 degrees or more, more preferably 13 degrees or more, even more preferably 14 degrees or more, and is preferably 24 degrees or less, more preferably 22 degrees or less, even more preferably 19 degrees or less. By setting the angle as above, the excreted urine is effectively guided to flow toward the liquid-permeable portion 21, improving the convenience of post-treatment of excrement such as urine and feces. In addition, the amount of urine remaining on the partition portion 20 can be reduced, thereby reducing the generation of unpleasant odors caused by excrement.

[0030] 3, the inclination angle θ is the acute angle formed by an imaginary extension line of the lower base of the liquid-passing portion 21 and an imaginary extension line of the liquid-non-passing portion 22 when the partition portion 20 is viewed from the side along the longitudinal direction X. This inclination angle θ needs to be satisfied in at least one of the regions located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and from the viewpoint of further reducing residual urine, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ be satisfied in both of the regions located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction. When the liquid-impermeable portion 22 has a curved surface, the inclination angle θ can be the smallest acute angle formed by an imaginary extension line of the liquid-permeable portion 21 and an imaginary line tangent to the lower outer surface of the curved liquid-impermeable portion 22. When the liquid-impermeable portion 22 is configured in a shape including a plurality of flat portions, the inclination angle θ is the largest acute angle formed by the flat portion and an imaginary extension line of the liquid-permeable portion 21, and it is preferable in terms of further reducing residual urine that all of the acute angles formed by all of the flat portions and the imaginary extension lines of the liquid-permeable portion 21 are within the above-mentioned range of the inclination angle θ.

[0031] 4, when the non-permeable portion 22 is inclined downward in a region other than the region located outside the longitudinal direction X of the permeable portion 21, the inclination angle θa, which is the acute angle in that portion, is preferably set to the same lower limit range as the inclination angle θ described above, from the viewpoint of improving the urine flow. There is no particular upper limit for the inclination angle θa, but 60 degrees or less is practical. By configuring in this way, urine is less likely to accumulate on the partition portion 20, which reduces the discomfort and odor caused by accumulated urine, and improves the convenience of post-treatment of excrement such as urine and feces.

[0032] It is preferable that the lengths of the liquid-passing portions 21 and the liquid-non-passing portions 22 in the partition portion 20 along the longitudinal direction X have a predetermined relationship. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, in a plan view or side view of the partition 20, it is preferable that a total length T2, which is the sum of lengths Ta, Tb along the longitudinal direction X of the non-passing portion 22 located on the longitudinal outer side of the liquid-passing portion 21, is longer than a length T1 along the longitudinal direction X of the liquid-passing portion 21. With this configuration, even if the dimensions of the pet toilet are enlarged to accommodate large pets kept indoors, urine is unlikely to accumulate on the partition 20 while ensuring sufficient excretion space for the pet, and discomfort and odor generation in the pet rearing environment can be reduced. This point is particularly advantageous when combined with the above-mentioned inclination angle.

[0033] 3, the lengths Ta, Tb of the liquid-non-passing portion 22 along the longitudinal direction X refer to the maximum lengths from one or the other outer edges 20f, 20g in the longitudinal direction X of the partition portion 20 to one or the other side edges 21f, 21g in the longitudinal direction X of the liquid-passing portion 21 in the liquid-non-passing portion 22 when the position where the liquid-passing portion 21 of the partition portion 20 exists is viewed along the longitudinal direction X in a plan view or a side view. Therefore, the total length T2 of the liquid-non-passing portion 22 along the longitudinal direction X may be calculated by subtracting the length T1 of the liquid-passing portion 21 along the longitudinal direction X from the length (total length) of the partition portion 20 along the longitudinal direction X.

[0034] From the viewpoint of achieving both an improved efficiency in guiding a pet to the central region of the toilet and an improved efficiency in passing excreted urine downward, the length T1 in the longitudinal direction X of the liquid passage section 21 is preferably 200 mm or more, more preferably 250 mm or more, even more preferably 300 mm or more, and is preferably 800 mm or less, more preferably 600 mm or less, even more preferably 400 mm or less.

[0035] The total length T2 of the liquid impermeable portion 22 along the longitudinal direction X is preferably 210 mm or more, more preferably 260 mm or more, and even more preferably 350 mm or more, and is preferably 810 mm or less, more preferably 700 mm or less, and even more preferably 600 mm or less. By having the total length T2 in such a range, it is possible to ensure a space where even a pet with a large head and body length can excrete freely.

[0036] The length Ta of one side of the non-passing portion 22 along the longitudinal direction X can be changed as appropriate according to the position and shape of the liquid passing portion 21, but is preferably 105 mm or more, more preferably 130 mm or more, and preferably 405 mm or less, more preferably 350 mm or less. The length Tb of the other side of the non-passing portion 22 along the longitudinal direction X is also preferably in the same range as the above-mentioned length Ta, provided that the above-mentioned total length T2 is satisfied. By setting the lengths Ta and Tb in such ranges, a space can be secured in which even a pet with a large head and body length can excrete freely.

[0037] The tray 30 is for collecting or collecting urine that has passed through the excrement treatment material P and the partition 20 and dropped downward. The tray 30 is thin and has a roughly rectangular shape in a plan view, and can be stored in the lower part 10B of the toilet body 10. The area of ​​the tray 30 in a plan view is equal to or larger than the area of ​​the liquid passage part 21 in the partition 20, and is smaller than the area of ​​the pet toilet 1 in a plan view, which is preferable from the viewpoint of facilitating accumulation of urine that has passed through the partition 20 and facilitating treatment or collection of urine.

[0038] In the pet toilet having the above configuration, the liquid-impermeable sections 22 located at both longitudinal end regions via the liquid-permeable section 21 are inclined downward at a predetermined angle toward the liquid-permeable section 21, so that excreted urine can be easily guided to flow toward the liquid-permeable section 21, thereby reducing the discomfort and odor caused by urine remaining on the partition section 20 and maintaining a good living environment for the pet owner. In addition, urine is easily moved downward via the liquid-permeable section, and solid waste such as feces remains on the partition section, so that urine and feces can be efficiently separated, improving the convenience of post-treatment of excrement. In addition, it is possible to make a pet that has entered the pet toilet from the entrance more aware of the instability of the pet's posture due to the inclination of the non-permeable portion, and it is possible to effectively guide the pet to the permeable portion where the pet is in a stable posture. As a result, it is possible to guide the pet to the central region of the toilet, which includes the region where the permeable portion is present, which is the appropriate excretion position within the toilet, and it is possible to make it easier for the pet to excrete in the appropriate excretion position without the excreta leaking outside the toilet. Furthermore, since the pet toilet has a planar shape that is roughly rectangular and long in one direction, even if a pet with a large head and body length such as a cat enters the pet toilet, the pet can excrete in a comfortable position along the longitudinal direction of the pet toilet without having to turn or bend its body in an uncomfortable position, ensuring sufficient excretion space.

[0039] As described above, the guide wall 2 has a portion cut out to define the entrance 2E, and it is preferable that a cutout bottom surface 2j is formed so as to extend inward from the lower end of the entrance 2E as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The cutout bottom surface 2j can function as a footrest for the pet, reducing the effort required for the pet to enter the toilet and making it easier to guide the pet into the toilet.

[0040] In addition to having the cutout bottom surface 2j formed, the guide wall portion 2 preferably further has a standing wall portion 2k rising upward from the inner edge of the cutout bottom surface 2j (see Figs. 1 to 6). By providing the standing wall portion 2k, scattering of the excrement treatment material P caused by the operation to the outside of the toilet 1 can be reduced, and the position of the pet toilet and the surrounding environment can be kept clean.

[0041] The cutout bottom surface 2j in this embodiment is flat and is smoothly and integrally connected from the lower ends of the cutout end surface 2f (hereinafter also referred to as the first cutout end surface 2f) of one wall portion that defines the entrance 2E and the cutout end surface 2g (hereinafter also referred to as the second cutout end surface 2g) of the other wall portion, and is formed to extend horizontally toward the inside of the pet toilet 1. The width of the cutout bottom surface 2j is approximately the same as the widths of both cutout end surfaces 2f, 2g.

[0042] In addition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the standing wall portion 2k in this embodiment is smoothly connected from the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom surface 2j and smoothly connected from the lower parts of both cutout end surfaces 2f, 2g. The standing wall portion 2k may rise along the vertical direction, or may rise at a predetermined inclination from the vertical direction. In either case, the standing wall portion 2k is located above a virtual plane on which the cutout bottom surface 2j exists. The height of the standing wall portion 2k may be a constant height at any position, or may be different heights instead.

[0043] From the viewpoint of preventing the upright wall portion 2k from becoming an obstacle when entering the pet toilet through the cutout bottom surface 2j and efficiently reducing scattering of excrement treatment materials P to the outside of the toilet 1, it is preferable that the upright wall portion 2k is inclined toward the inside of the toilet with respect to the vertical direction Z. One embodiment of a cross section of a pet toilet including the upright wall portion 2k is shown in FIG. In addition to reducing obstacles when entering the toilet and reducing the scattering of excrement treatment materials to the outside, from the viewpoint of ensuring a large excretion space, in a cross-sectional view of the vertical wall portion 2k, the angle θ5 (see Figure 5) between a virtual line along the vertical direction Z and the vertical wall portion 2k is preferably 5 degrees or more, more preferably 7 degrees or more, even more preferably 10 degrees or more, and is preferably 60 degrees or less, more preferably 50 degrees or less, even more preferably 40 degrees or less.

[0044] These notch end faces 2f, 2g and the notch bottom face 2j can be formed, for example, by bending the thin plate-like guide wall portion 2 toward the inside of the pet toilet 1 at the entrance 2E. Alternatively, the notch end faces 2f, 2g and the notch bottom face 2j can be formed, for example, by cutting out the thick guide wall portion 2. In either case, the standing wall portion 2k is preferably formed integrally with both notch end faces 2f, 2g and the notch bottom face 2j by a thin plate-like member.

[0045] When the entrance / exit 2E is arranged to straddle a corner, for example, and at least a portion of the wall portion 2y along the width direction Y in a planar view of the guide wall portion 2 is cut out, it is preferable that, in a planar view, the edge on the inner side of the toilet 1 that constitutes the entrance / exit 2E is positioned so as to overlap with the non-liquid-passing portion 22.

[0046] In detail, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the pet toilet 1 is viewed in a plane, it is preferable that the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom 2j and the edge (hereinafter also referred to as the innermost edge) e1 of the upper edge 2k1 of the vertical wall portion 2k be in a position overlapping with the liquid-impermeable portion 22, and it is more preferable that the upper edge 2k1 of the vertical wall portion 2k be the innermost edge e1.

[0047] In addition, in plan view, on the side where the innermost edge e1 of the entrance / exit 2E exists, the ratio of the length T3 along the longitudinal direction from the innermost edge e1 to the longitudinal periphery of the liquid-passing portion 21 (corresponding to the longitudinal side edge 21f in FIG. 6) to the length Ta (or length Tb) along the longitudinal direction X of the liquid-non-passing portion 22 is preferably 0.6 or more, more preferably 0.65 or more, even more preferably 0.7 or more, and preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.9 or less, even more preferably 0.85 or less. It is also preferable that the above ratio is satisfied at any of the innermost edges e1 formed at the entrance / exit 2E, and when there are multiple entrances / exits 2E, it is also preferable that the above ratio is satisfied at all of the entrances / exits 2E. With this configuration, even when the cutout bottom surface 2j is provided, the partition 20 in plan view has a sufficient area that is not hidden by the cutout bottom surface 2j, and a comfortable and wide excretion space can be secured for the pet regardless of the length of the pet's head and body. Furthermore, since the upper edge 2k1 of the standing wall portion 2k is the innermost edge e1, it is advantageous in that it is possible to effectively prevent the excrement treatment material P from scattering outside the toilet 1 while securing a wide excretion space.

[0048] From a similar viewpoint, the length T3 (see FIG. 6) along the longitudinal direction from the innermost edge e1 to the longitudinal peripheral edge of the liquid-passing portion 21 is preferably 90 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more, even more preferably 110 mm or more, and is preferably 400 mm or less, more preferably 300 mm or less, even more preferably 200 mm or less.

[0049] In the above explanation, for the sake of convenience, the entrance / exit 2E has been described as having a cutout bottom surface 2j and a vertical wall portion 2k as an example, but even if the cutout bottom surface 2j is formed and the vertical wall portion 2k is not formed, the above-mentioned configuration is applicable and the above-mentioned effects are fully achieved. For example, in an embodiment in which the cutout bottom surface 2j is formed and the vertical wall portion 2k is not formed, the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom surface 2j in plan view becomes the innermost edge e1 described above, and therefore, it is preferable that this inner edge 2j1 is located in a position overlapping the liquid-impermeable portion 22 in plan view. Even in this case, it is also preferable that the ratio of the length T3 to the length Ta (or length Tb) described above and the length T3 are each independently within the ranges described above.

[0050] In a side view or cross-sectional view, the height Ha (see FIG. 5) along the vertical direction from the upper surface of the partition 20 to the upper edge 2k1 of the standing wall 2k is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 55 mm or more, even more preferably 60 mm or more, and preferably 100 mm or less, more preferably 90 mm or less, and even more preferably 80 mm or less. In this embodiment, the partition 20 is configured so that the liquid-impermeable portion 22 is present vertically below the upper edge 2k1 of the standing wall 2k, so that the height Ha can be the height from the upper surface of the liquid-impermeable portion 22. This configuration can more effectively prevent the excrement treating material P from scattering outside the toilet 1. When the height Ha is configured to vary at each position by forming the standing wall portion 2k to have different heights or by inclining the liquid-impermeable portion 22 as described above, it is preferable that the height Ha falls within the above-mentioned range at every position.

[0051] From the same viewpoint, in a side view or a cross-sectional view, the height Hk (see FIG. 5) along the vertical direction Z from the upper surface of the cutout bottom surface 2j to the upper edge 2k1 of the standing wall portion 2k is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, even more preferably 20 mm or more, and is preferably 80 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less, and even more preferably 60 mm or less. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 2k has a constant height Hk over the entire area.

[0052] From the same viewpoint, in a side view or cross-sectional view, the length Hm (see FIG. 5) from the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom surface 2j in the vertical wall portion 2k to the upper edge 2k1 of the vertical wall portion 2k is preferably 11 mm or more, more preferably 17 mm or more, even more preferably 22 mm or more, and is preferably 88 mm or less, more preferably 77 mm or less, even more preferably 66 mm or less.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the pet toilet. In this embodiment, the height of the standing wall 2k is a predetermined height based on the distance from the upper surface of the partition 20. Specifically, in the case where the entrance 2E is provided so as to straddle a corner, at least a part of the wall 2x along the longitudinal direction X in the plan view of the guide wall 2 is cut out and has a cutout bottom surface 2j and a standing wall 2k, it is preferable that the height Hk of the standing wall 2k along the vertical direction Z decreases from the outside to the inside of the longitudinal direction X when the pet toilet 1 is viewed from the side along the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 7. This can further reduce the hindrance when the pet enters and exits.

[0054] In particular, from the viewpoint of further reducing hindrance when a pet enters and exits, and efficiently guiding the pet to the vicinity of the liquid passage portion 21, while at the same time reducing scattering and leakage of the excrement treating agent from the vicinity of the periphery of the partition portion 20 to a high degree, it is preferable that the vertical length Hk of the standing wall portion 2k is changed so that the vertical height Ha from the upper surface of the partition portion 20 to the upper end edge 2k1 of the standing wall portion 2k is constant at any position. The above-mentioned aspect in which the length Hk is changed may be further formed in the wall portion 2y along the width direction Y in a plan view of the guide wall portion 2, as necessary.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the pet toilet 1 is viewed along the longitudinal direction, the liquid-impermeable portion 22 of the partition portion 20 is inclined downward from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction X, and accordingly, the height of the standing wall portion 2k located vertically above the liquid-impermeable portion 22 decreases continuously or stepwise from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, in a side view, the side view shape of the upper end edge 2k1 of the standing wall portion 2k and the inclined shape of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 are formed to match each other.

[0056] In the case where the length Hk of the standing wall portion 2k along the vertical direction Z changes so that the height Ha is constant, the standing wall portion 2k may, for example, be in a state in which (i) the length Hm from the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom surface 2j to the upper edge 2k1 of the standing wall portion 2k is constant over the entire area, and the length Hk of the standing wall portion 2k along the vertical direction changes as the angle θ5 of the standing wall portion 2k changes, or (ii) the angle θ5 of the standing wall portion 2k is constant, and This can be either (i) a change in the length from the inner edge 2j1 of the surface 2j to the upper edge 2k1 of the vertical wall portion 2k, thereby changing the length Hk along the vertical direction of the vertical wall portion 2k, or (iii) a change in both the length Hm from the inner edge 2j1 of the cutout bottom surface 2j to the upper edge 2k1 of the vertical wall portion 2k and the angle θ5 of the vertical wall portion 2k, thereby changing the length Hk along the vertical direction of the vertical wall portion 2k. Of these, the embodiment (ii) is more preferable since it ensures a large excretion space while reducing the obstacles caused by the vertical wall portion 2k when a pet enters the toilet, making it easier for the pet to enter the toilet.

[0057] Regardless of whether the height of the vertical wall portion 2k is constant throughout or varies, in order to reduce hindrance to pets when they enter and exit, the height Ha of the vertical wall portion 2k along the vertical direction Z is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 55 mm or more, even more preferably 60 mm or more, and is preferably 100 mm or less, more preferably 90 mm or less, and even more preferably 80 mm or less.

[0058] When the cutout bottom surface 2j is formed, the height (not shown) along the vertical direction from the lower surface of the bottom of the toilet body 10 to the upper surface of the cutout bottom surface 2j at the entrance / exit 2E is preferably 160 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less, and even more preferably 140 mm or less, and 130 mm or more is realistic. With this configuration, it is possible to make it easier for pets to enter and exit even if they are elderly pets that have difficulty lifting their legs. In addition, it is possible to make it easier to ensure the inclination of the liquid-impermeable portion 22 in the partition portion 20, and to further reduce the retention of excreted urine on the partition portion 20. The above height can be changed, for example, by appropriately adjusting the height of the bottom forming portion 3.

[0059] When the pet toilet 1 has a cutout bottom surface 2j, the width W1 (see FIG. 5) of the cutout bottom surface 2j in a plan view is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and preferably 100 mm or less, more preferably 80 mm or less. The width of the cutout bottom surface 2j may be constant over the entire area, or may vary within the above-mentioned range. By setting the width within such a range, the pet's feet can be stably placed, and the pet can be efficiently guided into the toilet.

[0060] From the viewpoint of guiding the pet to a comfortable posture during excretion by making the pet aware of the inclination of the liquid-impermeable portion and improving the ease of entry and exit of the pet, the width (not shown) of the entrance 2E in plan view of the pet toilet 1 is preferably 150 mm or more, more preferably 175 mm or more, and preferably 300 mm or less, more preferably 250 mm or less, in any embodiment of the pet toilet 1. The width of the entrance 2E is the shortest distance between the first cutout end surface 2f and the second cutout end surface 2g in plan view of the pet toilet 1. In addition, when multiple entrances 2E are formed, it is preferable that the width of each entrance 2E is independently satisfied.

[0061] The maximum height H1 (length along the height direction Z, see Figs. 3 and 4) from the upper surface of the cutout bottom surface 2j at the entrance 2E to the upper end of the guide wall portion 2 is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 75 mm or more, and preferably 300 mm or less, more preferably 250 mm or less, and even more preferably 200 mm or less. It is more preferable that this maximum height range is satisfied on all of the long sides and short sides when the guide wall portion 2 is viewed in a plan view. With this configuration, it is possible to easily guide the pet to a predetermined excretion position, and it is possible to easily excrete the excreta without leaking outside the toilet when the pet excretes. In addition, the excreta can be excreted calmly without worrying about the surroundings. In addition, when the granular excreta treatment material P is stored in the toilet body 10 and used, it is possible to efficiently prevent the excreta treatment material P from scattering outside the pet toilet 1 due to the pet's movements.

[0062] The height H2 (length in the height direction Z, see Figs. 3 and 4) from the lower surface of the liquid passage portion 21 in the partition portion 20 to the upper end of the guide wall portion 2 is preferably 140 mm or more, more preferably 150 mm or more, even more preferably 160 mm or more, and preferably 350 mm or less, more preferably 300 mm or less, even more preferably 250 mm or less. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily guide the pet to a predetermined excretion position, and it is possible to easily excrete the excreta without the excreta leaking outside the toilet. In addition, the pet can calmly excrete without worrying about the surroundings. In addition, when the granular excreta treatment material P is stored in the toilet body 10 and used, it is possible to efficiently prevent the excreta treatment material P from scattering outside the pet toilet 1 due to the pet's movements. In particular, these effects are more prominent when the height H2 and the maximum height H1 satisfy the above-mentioned dimensional range.

[0063] In order to increase the storage efficiency of the granular excrement treatment material P in the storage section 10C, reduce unpleasant odors caused by excrement such as urine and feces, and further increase the convenience of post-treatment of excrement, the depth of the partition section 20, i.e., the length H3 in the height direction Z from the upper end of the partition section 20 to the bottom upper surface of the partition section 20 (see Figures 3 and 4), is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 70 mm or more, and is preferably 200 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less, and even more preferably 100 mm or less.

[0064] The external dimensions of the pet toilet 1 can be appropriately selected depending on the head and body length of the target pet and the size of the excrement treatment material P, but the length in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 610 mm or more, more preferably 660 mm or more, and preferably 1250 mm or less, more preferably 1200 mm or less. Similarly, the length in the width direction Y of the outer dimensions of the pet toilet 1 is preferably 210 mm or more, more preferably 260 mm or more, and is preferably 650 mm or less, more preferably 550 mm or less. Similarly, the height (length in the height direction Z) of the outer dimensions of the pet toilet 1 is preferably 75 mm or more, more preferably 125 mm or more, and is preferably 500 mm or less, more preferably 430 mm or less.

[0065] The head and body length of a pet for which the pet toilet 1 can be suitably used depends on the species of animal, but from the viewpoint of efficiently guiding the pet to the central area of ​​the toilet when excreting and of achieving space saving in the placement position of the pet toilet 1, it is preferably 400 mm or more, more preferably 450 mm or more, and preferably 1000 mm or less, more preferably 800 mm or less.

[0066] In order to balance ease of entry and exit for pets with large head and body lengths and securing space for the pet to excrete, it is preferable that the length of the longitudinal direction X of the partition be set to 120% or more and 200% or less of the pet's head and body length.

[0067] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the material of each component of the pet toilet 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is corrosion-resistant. From the viewpoints of light weight, ease of handling, and good moldability, it is preferable to use a material integrally molded from a general-purpose synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). It is more preferable to use a material whose surface is treated with a water-repellent or antibacterial treatment for each component of the pet toilet 1. To manufacture the pet toilet 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, for example, the guide wall portion 2, the partition portion 20, the bottom forming portion 3, and the tray 30 may be integrally molded independently from the above-mentioned resin, and then assembled by placing or storing them in a predetermined position.

[0068] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the excrement treatment material P may be, for example, a material used in the technical field as cat litter or toilet litter, without any particular limitation. As the excrement treatment material P, preferably, there may be mentioned a molded product containing one or more of the following components: wood flour obtained by crushing coniferous trees such as those of the cedar family, the pinaceae family, or the cypress family, crushed plant-derived materials such as pulp, a binder, minerals such as zeolite, salts such as zinc oxide, and glass. As the binder, any binder may be used without any particular limitation as long as it can solidify the crushed plant-derived materials and the components contained therein as necessary into granules, and for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene may be used.

[0069] The excrement treatment material P may be a granular material having a shape such as a cylinder, a sphere, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, etc. When collecting urine as a sample for a urine test, it is preferable to use an excrement treatment material P made of a material that does not affect or has little effect on the composition and characteristics of urine, from the viewpoint of improving the reliability of the urine test. It is also preferable to use a material that does not collapse in the presence of moisture when forming the excrement treatment material P.

[0070] A preferred embodiment of the method of using the pet toilet 1 described above will be described below. First, the tray 30 is accommodated in the lower layer portion 10B of the toilet body 10. Preferably, the partition portion 20 is placed on the bottom forming portion 3 to form the storage portion 10C on the partition portion 20. Preferably, an appropriate amount of granular excrement treatment material P is placed on the upper surface of the partition portion 20 to form a toilet bed for the pet toilet 1. After that, the guide wall portion 2 is placed on the bottom forming portion 3 to be arranged above the storage portion 10C formed in the upper layer portion 10A. If necessary, a urine absorbent such as a urine absorption sheet may be accommodated on the upper surface of the tray 30.

[0071] In this state, the pet enters the upper part 10A of the pet toilet 1, preferably through the entrance 2E, and excretes. The urine excreted from the pet passes through the liquid passage 21 in the partition 20 and flows down to the lower part 10B. The urine that flows down to the lower part 10B accumulates on the tray 30 or is absorbed and collected by the urine absorbent in the tray 30. The feces excreted from the pet remains on the upper part of the partition 20 or on the waste treatment material P. When cleaning up the pet's waste, the partition 20 and the tray 30 can be washed, or the waste treatment material P and the urine absorbent can be replaced with unused ones. The urine absorbent can be made of a raw material containing one or more components such as pulp fiber, clay mineral material, and polymeric absorbent material, which is formed into a sheet or plate shape. When the urine excreted from the pet is used as a specimen for urine testing, it is preferable to store nothing in the tray 30 in order to facilitate collection of the excreted urine. When using urine excreted by a pet as a specimen for urine testing, etc., the urine may be collected using a urine collection set, such as that described in JP 2020-80788 A, instead of the tray 30.

[0072] In addition, when using a pet toilet 1 that does not have a partition section 20, for example, an appropriate amount of excrement treatment material P can be placed in the storage section 10C inside the toilet body 10 to form a toilet floor for the pet toilet 1, and in this state, the pet can enter onto the excrement treatment material P to excrete.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the liquid passage portion 21 has been described as having a rectangular shape in plan view, but as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved, the corners of the liquid passage portion 21 in plan view may be chamfered, or the liquid passage portion 21 may have a geometric planar shape other than a rectangular shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon other than a rectangle. Further, in the present embodiment, the guide wall portion 2 has a shape in which the entire upper surface is open, but instead, a part or the entire upper surface may be covered and formed into a dome shape.

[0074] In addition, the opening 11 in this embodiment is formed on the long side where the entrance 2E exists in plan view of the pet toilet 1, and is configured to allow the tray 30 to be taken in and out in the direction along the width direction Y, but may be configured otherwise as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. In detail, the opening 11 may be formed on the opposite side of the long side where the entrance 2E exists, and is configured to allow the tray 30 to be taken in and out in the direction along the width direction Y, or the opening 11 may be formed on the short side of the pet toilet 1 in plan view or on the opposite side of the short side, and is configured to allow the tray 30 to be taken in and out in the direction along the longitudinal direction X. Further, in this embodiment, only one tray 30 is arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of trays 30 may be accommodated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Pet toilet 2 Guide wall 2j Cutout bottom 2k standing wall section 2E Entrance / Exit 10 Toilet body 10A upper part 10B Lower part 10C Storage section 20 Partition P Excrement treatment material X Longitudinal direction Y Width direction Z Height direction (vertical direction)

Claims

1. A pet toilet having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view having a longitudinal direction and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The pet toilet comprises a toilet body, a partition section dividing the toilet body into an upper layer section and a lower layer section, a storage section for storing excrement treatment material located on the partition section in the upper layer section, and a guide wall section disposed to surround the storage section at a position above the storage section, The guide wall portion has a pet entrance defined by cutting out a part of the guide wall portion, The entrance has a cutout bottom surface and a vertical wall portion, The cutout bottom surface extends horizontally from the lower end of the entrance toward the inside of the pet toilet, The vertical wall portion rises upward from an inner edge located on the inner side of the pet toilet at the bottom surface of the notch, and is inclined inwardly of the pet toilet from a base portion to a tip portion of the vertical wall portion, the partition portion has a liquid-passing portion through which urine can pass, and a liquid-impermeable portion that is located around the liquid-passing portion and through which urine cannot pass, a total length along the longitudinal direction of the non-liquid-passing portion located outside the liquid-passing portion in the longitudinal direction is longer than a length along the longitudinal direction of the liquid-passing portion; A pet toilet, wherein at least a region of the liquid-impermeable portion that is located longitudinally outward of the liquid-permeable portion is inclined downward toward the liquid-permeable portion, and the inclination angle of the region is 12 degrees or more and 24 degrees or less.

2. A pet toilet as described in claim 1, wherein the vertical height from the bottom surface of the pet toilet to the top surface of the cutout bottom is 160 mm or less.

3. The entrance is defined by cutting out at least a part of a wall portion along a width direction in a plan view of the guide wall portion, The pet toilet of claim 1 or 2, wherein, in a plan view, an inner edge of the entrance / exit is positioned to overlap with the non-passing portion, and, in a plan view, a ratio of a length along the longitudinal direction from the edge to a longitudinal periphery of the liquid-passing portion to a length along the longitudinal direction of the non-passing portion positioned longitudinally outward of the liquid-passing portion is 0.6 or more.

4. A pet toilet as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vertical height from the top surface of the partition portion to the upper edge of the vertical wall portion is 50 mm or more.

5. A pet toilet as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom surface of the cutout is formed by integrally connecting the lower ends of the cutout end face of one wall portion defining the entrance / exit and the cutout end face of the other wall portion.

6. The pet toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the entrances are formed.

7. The pet toilet of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the entrance / exit is defined by cutting out a portion of the wall along the longitudinal direction and a portion of the wall along the width direction at at least one corner of the guide wall when viewed in a plane, so as to span the corner.

8. A pet toilet as described in claim 7, wherein, when viewed from the side along the longitudinal direction, the height along the vertical direction of the upright wall portion decreases from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction.

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