Animal toilet and animal toilet set

Abstract

To provide an animal toilet and an animal toilet set in which an animal can come in and out without stress, that can suppress cat sand from scattering, and that is easy to be cleaned.SOLUTION: An animal toilet 10 includes: a toilet body 2 having a container shape for receiving excretion of animals; a hood cover 4 capable of being developed into a closure position in a dome shape covering an opening 2a of the toilet body 2 and being retractable in the open position where the toilet body 2 is opened fully; and an entrance 4a of animals provided in a front surface spaced from an opening position of the hood cover 4 developed into the closure position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet for animals and a toilet set for animals used by animals such as cats, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a toilet for cats, for example, the pet toilets disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known. The pet toilet of Patent Document 1 has a toilet body in the shape of a container and a hood body that covers the opening above the toilet body. The hood body has a fixed hood fixed to the toilet body and a movable hood provided movably with respect to the fixed hood. The fixed hood and the movable hood are formed of a resin with good moldability (for example, general-purpose synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), etc.).

[0003] When the movable hood of the pet toilet of Patent Document 1 is opened and overlapped on the fixed hood, the opening of the toilet body can be widened, making it easier to clean the inside of the toilet body. Further, the pet toilet of Patent Document 1 has a relatively large entrance and exit on the front surface of the movable hood so that a cat can enter and exit the toilet body with the movable hood closed. The entrance and exit has a shape like a partial cutout of the front surface of the movable hood.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since the movable hood with an entrance provided in Patent Document 1 is formed of resin, when the cat enters and exits the toilet body through the entrance with the movable hood closed, the cat's body rubs against the edge of the entrance, causing stress to the cat.

[0006] In the pet toilet of Patent Document 1, if the height of the lower edge of the entrance is lowered so that the cat can easily enter and exit the toilet body through the entrance, the cat litter is likely to scatter through the entrance. Conversely, if the lower edge of the entrance is raised to suppress the scattering of the cat litter, it becomes difficult for the cat to enter and exit.

[0007] The pet toilet of Patent Document 1 can open the front side of the opening of the toilet body by fully opening the movable hood, but cannot open the rear side of the opening of the toilet body provided with the fixed hood. For this reason, it is difficult to clean the rear of the conventional pet toilet.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an animal toilet and an animal toilet set that allow animals to enter and exit without stress, can suppress the scattering of cat litter, and are easy to clean.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] One aspect of the animal toilet of the present invention is a container-shaped Toilet main body for receiving animal excrement, By rotation, the toilet a hood cover that can be deployed in a dome shape at a closed position covering the opening of the main body and can be stored at an open position where the opening is fully opened, has a rotation center for rotating the shutter cover between a closed position and an open position, and an attachment member for detachably attaching the shutter cover to the toilet body, and an entrance for animals provided on the front surface spaced apart from the open position of the hood cover deployed at the closed position.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an animal toilet and an animal toilet set that allow animals to enter and exit without stress, can suppress the scattering of cat litter, and are easy to clean.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toilet for animals according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the hood cover of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1 is opened. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the hood frame of the hood cover of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a left mounting member for attaching the hood cover of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1 to the toilet body and its peripheral members. [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the mounting member in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front (arrow F6). [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a first modification of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet for animals in FIG. 7 cut along F8-F8. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a second modification of the toilet for animals in FIG. 1. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing a toilet for animals according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing the toilet body of the toilet for animals in FIG. 10.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet for animals 10 according to the first embodiment includes a toilet body 2, a hood cover 4, and a half cover 6. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the hood cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the hood cover 4 is stored in the open position.

[0013] The hood cover 4 covers the upper part of the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 in a dome shape when deployed in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, and fully opens the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 when stored in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The hood cover 4 can adjust its opening degree and can be arranged at any position that partially covers the opening 2a. In this specification and the claims, the "dome shape" means a shape in which the hood cover 4 bulges upward away from the toilet body 2 to form a relatively large space inside the hood cover 4 for an animal to enter.

[0014] This animal toilet 10 is a toilet used by relatively small animals such as cats kept at home, for example. In the following description, the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1 is defined as the front, the opposite arrow R direction is defined as the rear, and the vertical and horizontal directions are defined when the animal toilet 10 is viewed from the front (left side in the drawing).

[0015] The hood cover 4 can move from the rear to the front and deploy to the closed position, and can be folded at the open position where it moves from the front to the rear and disengages from the opening 2a. The rear end of the hood cover 4 is fixed to the edge of the opening 2a of the toilet body 2. The folded hood cover 4 can be stored at the open position behind the half cover 6 as shown in FIG. 2. The open position is below the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6.

[0016] The animal toilet 10 has an entrance / exit 4a of a size that allows an animal to enter and exit on the front surface of the hood cover 4 spaced apart from the open position when the hood cover 4 is deployed to the closed position as shown in FIG. 1. The entrance / exit 4a is a hole provided in the hood cover 4.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the toilet body 2 includes a lower container 1, an intermediate container 3, and a urine tray 5. The lower container 1 integrally has a bottom 12 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 14 that smoothly continues upward from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom 12. The bottom 12 is a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and the peripheral wall 14 is a substantially square tubular shape that slightly expands upward. The corners of the bottom 12 and the ridges of the peripheral wall 14 are smoothly curved. An insertion port 16 for inserting and removing the urine tray 5 is provided in front of the peripheral wall 14. The lower container 1 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example.

[0018] The intermediate container 3 integrally has a bottom 22 (intermediate member) and a cylindrical peripheral wall 24 that smoothly continues upward from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom 22. The inner edge of the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 that is away from the bottom 22 constitutes the opening 2a of the toilet body 2. The height from the bottom 22 to the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3 is lower than the height from the bottom 12 to the upper end 14a of the peripheral wall 14 of the lower container 1.

[0019] The bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 is a substantially rectangular plate shape with a slightly bulging central portion downward, and has a plurality of urine passage holes 22a in its central portion. The plurality of urine passage holes 22a have a size such that at least cat litter (excrement treatment agent) does not pass through. The corners of the bottom 22 and the ridges of the peripheral wall 24 are smoothly curved. The intermediate container 3 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example. The excrement treatment agent (cat litter) is, for example, wood chips, minerals such as zeolite, pulp, okara, and the like.

[0020] An annular flange portion 23 that extends substantially horizontally outward is integrally and continuously provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 that is away from the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3. A cylindrical hanging wall 25 that extends downward is integrally and continuously provided at the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 that is spaced outward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 24. That is, an annular groove 21 surrounded by the peripheral wall 24, the flange portion 23, and the hanging wall 25 is formed outside the upper end of the peripheral wall 24.

[0021] The peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3 has a shape and size that can be inserted and arranged inside the peripheral wall 14 of the lower container 1. The vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3 has a shape and size that can be arranged outside the peripheral wall 14 of the lower container 1. Therefore, when the intermediate container 3 is stacked inside the lower container 1, the upper end 14a of the peripheral wall 14 of the lower container 1 is inserted into the groove 21 of the intermediate container 3 and abuts against the lower surface of the flange portion 23.

[0022] In this way, with the intermediate container 3 stacked inside the lower container 1, the intermediate container 3 is positioned with respect to the lower container 1. In this state, the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 is arranged at a position above the bottom 12 of the lower container 1 and below the upper end 14a of the peripheral wall 14 of the lower container 1. That is, with the intermediate container 3 stacked inside the lower container 1, a space S is formed between the bottom 12 of the lower container 1 and the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3.

[0023] The intermediate container 3 has two left and right footrests 26R and 26L. The footrests 26R and 26L project integrally from the inner surface of the bottom 22 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 24 from the inner surface of the bottom 22 to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 24 on the left and right outside of the plurality of urine passage holes 22a in the bottom 22. One footrest 26R is provided at a position offset backward from the center in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate container 3 and on the right side of the urine passage hole 22a. The other footrest 26L is provided at a position offset backward from the center in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate container 3 and on the left side of the urine passage hole 22a.

[0024] The upper surfaces 26a of the two footrests 26R and 26L are arranged at an imaginary horizontal plane lower than the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3. On the inner surface of the peripheral wall 24, a reference line 24a indicating the upper surface position of the cat litter accommodated in the intermediate container 3 is provided. The reference line 24a is provided at a position lower than the upper surfaces 26a of the footrests 26R and 26L. The reference line 24a is provided at a position about 3 cm higher than the inner surface of the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 so that the depth of the cat litter becomes about 3 cm when the cat litter is put into the intermediate container 3.

[0025] That is, when the cat litter is filled up to the reference line 24a, the upper surfaces 26a of the footrests 26R and 26L are positioned above the upper surface of the cat litter. The shape, number, shape, area, etc. of the footrests 26R and 26L are not limited to this embodiment and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0026] The intermediate container 3 integrally has a holding plate portion 28 for holding the half cover 6. The holding plate portion 28 protrudes upward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3 and is provided integrally with the peripheral wall 24. The holding plate portion 28 is provided in a substantially U shape along the cylindrical peripheral wall 24 at the rear and both left and right sides of the peripheral wall 24. The outer surface 28a of the holding plate portion 28 is a surface that extends the outer surface of the vertical wall 25 upward. The holding plate portion 28 functions to support the outer surface near the lower end of the half cover 6 from the outside in a state where the lower end edge 6b of the half cover 6 described later is in contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 23.

[0027] The urine tray 5 is inserted into the space S between the bottom 12 of the lower container 1 and the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 through the insertion port 16 of the lower container 1. The urine tray 5 is formed in a container shape integrally having a substantially rectangular bottom plate 5a and a substantially square frame-shaped side wall 5b integrally provided on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 5a. Finger hooks 5c for the user to hook their fingers are provided at both longitudinal ends of the urine tray 5. The urine tray 5 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example.

[0028] The urine tray 5 faces downward from a plurality of urine passage holes 22a provided in the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 in a state of being accommodated and arranged in the space S through the insertion port 16 (for example, the state shown in FIG. 1). A urine absorption sheet (not shown) containing a polymer absorbent material, for example, may be placed on the urine tray 5.

[0029] Urine excreted by the animal on the cat litter passes through the cat litter, passes through the plurality of urine passage holes 22a, and flows out into the urine tray 5. The urine that has flowed into the urine tray 5 may be absorbed by the urine absorption sheet and the urine absorption sheet may be discarded together. Also, feces excreted by the animal on the cat litter are removed and discarded together with the surrounding cat litter. Note that the urine tray 5 has a bilaterally symmetric shape so that it can be used with the front and back reversed.

[0030] The half cover 6 is formed by bending a long plate made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene into a U shape. Since the half cover 6 is to be packed together with the lower container 1 in a box that is slightly larger in size than the lower container 1 when the animal toilet 10 is shipped, it may have a structure that can be divided and connected at the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The half cover 6 has a lower end edge 6b that abuts on the upper surface of the flange portion 23 provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3 in a state of being attached to the intermediate container 3 (for example, the state shown in FIG. 2). The half cover 6 has an upper end edge 6a that gently curves downward from the rear to the front of the intermediate container 3 in a state of being attached to the intermediate container 3. The front end of the upper end edge 6a is connected to the front end of the lower end edge 6b.

[0032] The half cover 6 has a central portion and both end portions that are approximately equally divided along its longitudinal direction. The central portion of the half cover 6 located behind the toilet body 2 is tilted so that the upper end edge 6a is located in front of the lower end edge 6b. That is, the rear portion of the half cover 6 is slightly tilted toward the inside of the toilet body 2. The both end portions of the half cover 6 located on the left and right sides of the toilet body 2 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to the flange portion 23 of the intermediate container 3, or may be slightly tilted inward.

[0033] The curtain cover 4 is detachably attached to the toilet body 2 via two attachment members 8R and 8L described later. Further, the curtain cover 4 is rotatably attached to the toilet body 2 via the attachment members 8R and 8L. Incidentally, the two attachment members 8R and 8L have a structure that can detachably attach the half cover 6 to the intermediate container 3 of the toilet body 2.

[0034] The awning cover 4 has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as the awning frame 32) and an awning cloth 34. The awning cover 4 also includes two rotating members 36R and 36L. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c is formed in a thin and elongated plate shape and is bent into a U shape. Then, the three awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c are respectively attached to predetermined positions of the awning cloth 34 described later by sewing.

[0035] The awning frame 32 includes a first awning frame 32a disposed at the foremost position, a second awning frame 32b disposed behind the first awning frame 32a, and a third awning frame 32c disposed behind the second awning frame 32b in a state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. FIG. 4 shows the arrangement positions of the awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c in a state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. In FIG. 4, for ease of viewing the structure of the left rotating member 36L, the illustration of the left mounting member 8L is omitted.

[0036] The first awning frame 32a is disposed overlapping the outside of the vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3 in a state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. Therefore, for example, when the rotation center of the awning frame 32 (that is, the mounting positions of the mounting members 8R and 8L described later) is at the center in the front-rear direction of the toilet body 2, the length of the first awning frame 32a is slightly longer than half of the total length of the cylindrical vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3. The rotation center of the awning frame 32 only needs to be approximately at the center in the longitudinal direction of the toilet body 2 and does not necessarily have to be arranged at the center.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, both ends of the first shutter bone 32a are each formed to be tapered and are fitted into the fitting recesses 36a of the two rotating members 36R and 36L. The rotating members 36R and 36L are each formed in a plate shape having a C-shaped hook portion 36b. For example, the fitting recess 36a for fitting the left end of the first shutter bone 32a is constituted by a groove provided within the plate thickness of the rotating member 36L adjacent to the hook portion 36b. The depth of the fitting recess 36a is substantially the same as the plate thickness of the first shutter bone 32a. In a state where the left end of the first shutter bone 32a is fitted into the fitting recess 36a (the state in FIG. 4), the surface of the rotating member 36L on the fitting recess 36a side and the surface of the first shutter bone 32a are substantially flush.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial enlargement of the left rotating member 36L and the left mounting member 8L, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the mounting member 8L in FIG. 5 as viewed from the front. In FIG. 5, the illustration of the first shutter bone 32a is omitted, and the vicinity of the left ends of the second and third shutter bones 32b and 32c is partially shown. The two rotating members 36R and 36L and the two mounting members 8R and 8L each have a bilaterally symmetric structure. Therefore, in the following description, regarding the mounting structure of the shutter cover 4, the structure on the left side will be described as representative, and a detailed description regarding the structure on the right side will be omitted.

[0039] The second shutter bone 32b is longer than the first shutter bone 32a, and both ends of the second shutter bone 32b are formed to be tapered. The third shutter bone 32c is longer than the first shutter bone 32a, and both ends of the third shutter bone 32c are formed to be tapered. For example, the left end of the second shutter bone 32b and the left end of the third shutter bone 32c are arranged within the notch of the hook portion 36b of the rotating member 36L as shown in FIG. 4. The plate thicknesses of the second and third shutter bones 32b and 32c are slightly thinner than the plate thickness of the rotating member 36L.

[0040] The second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c are formed to have appropriate lengths in order to sufficiently secure the internal space of the awning cover 4 and suppress the height of the animal toilet 10 to a predetermined height when the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. When the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c are arranged at appropriate positions in order to sufficiently secure the internal space of the awning cover 4 and suppress the height of the animal toilet 10 to a predetermined height. The second and third awning bones 32b and 32c may have the same length or different lengths. In the present embodiment, the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c are made to have substantially the same length.

[0041] The length of the second awning bone 32b and the arrangement angle in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position are set to values that can provide an entrance / exit 4a of sufficient size in the first portion 34a (FIG. 1) of the awning cloth 34 stretched between the first awning bone 32a and the second awning bone 32b when the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. For example, increasing the angle between the first awning bone 32a and the second awning bone 32b can increase the area of the first portion 34a of the awning cloth 34 and enable the provision of a relatively large entrance / exit 4a.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the left - right width of the entrance / exit 4a is set to approximately 190 mm at the widest part, the height from the lower edge to the upper edge of the entrance / exit 4a is set to approximately 200 mm, and the height from the lower end surface of the animal toilet 10 (the floor surface when the animal toilet 10 is placed on the floor or the like) to the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a is set to approximately 120 mm. Then, the angle of the second awning bone 32b with respect to the first awning bone 32a in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position is set to an angle that can form the entrance / exit 4a of the above - mentioned size. Note that the shape and size of the entrance / exit 4a only need to allow the animal to enter and exit, and are not limited to the size of the present embodiment and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0043] The length of the third awning bone 32c and the arrangement angle in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position are set to values such that the upper surface of the second portion 34b of the awning cloth 34 stretched between the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone is arranged substantially horizontally in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. If another awning bone of the same length is arranged between the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c, the portion of the awning cloth 34 between the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c will protrude upward, and the overall height of the animal toilet 10 will increase. That is, in order to sufficiently widen the internal space of the awning cover 4 and suppress the overall height of the animal toilet 10 to a predetermined height, it is effective to arrange the three awning bones 32a, 32b, and 32c at appropriate angles as in this embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left mounting member 8L integrally has a substantially disc-shaped outer portion 41, a substantially rectangular plate-shaped inner portion 42 spaced apart from the inner side (right side in the drawing) of the outer portion 41 and arranged parallel to the outer portion 41, and a cylindrical shaft portion 43 provided between the outer portion 41 and the inner portion 42. The mounting member 8L has an annular groove 44 on the outer side of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 43 between the outer portion 41 and the inner portion 42. The shaft portion 43 constitutes the rotation center of the awning cover 4 in the state where the mounting member 8L is incorporated into the animal toilet 10.

[0045] The mounting member 8L integrally has a holding portion 45 for holding the lower end edge 6b of the half cover 6 further inside the inner portion 42. The upper end of the inner portion 42 has a shape bent substantially at a right angle inward (right side in the drawing). The holding portion 45 is continuously and integrally provided at the upper end of the bent inner portion 42. A groove portion 46 for inserting the upper end of the holding plate portion 28 of the intermediate container 3 is formed between the inner portion 42 and the holding portion 45.

[0046] The holding portion 45 has a groove portion 45a for receiving the lower end edge 6b of the half cover 6. The groove portion 45a is provided extending downward from the upper end of the holding portion 45. Further, the holding portion 45 has a protrusion 45b protruding inside the groove portion 45a. The protrusion 45b protrudes from the inner surface on the inner side to the inner surface on the outer side of the groove portion 45a.

[0047] The mounting member 8L has an engaging claw 47 that protrudes further inward from the inner part 42. The engaging claw 47 is provided near the lower end of the inner part 42, spaced below the holding part 45. The distance between the bottom of the groove part 46 between the inner part 42 and the holding part 45 and the engaging claw 47 is set to be approximately the same length as the width from the lower edge of the vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3 to the upper edge of the holding plate part 28.

[0048] The awning cloth 34 is preferably formed of a thin, light, and highly stretchable material. Also, the awning cloth 34 is preferably formed of a material with excellent waterproofness and high moisture permeability. In this embodiment, a stretchable polyurethane film is laminated on a knit material, and a cloth material with a water pressure resistance of about 15000 mm and a moisture permeability of 15000 g / m2 / 24 h level is used as the awning cloth 34.

[0049] The awning cloth 34 is provided with an annular elastic member 38 at the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a provided in the first part 34a. The elastic member 38 is formed by annularly shaping a material with elasticity such as rubber, and is attached to the edge of the entrance / exit 4a in a slightly stretched state (a state where the ring is expanded).

[0050] Hereinafter, a method for assembling the animal toilet 10 having the above structure will be described. First, the intermediate container 3 is stacked inside the lower container 1, and the urine tray 5 is inserted into the space S through the insertion / removal port 16 to assemble the toilet body 2. At this time, a urine absorption sheet may be disposed inside the urine tray 5.

[0051] Also, three awning frames 32a, 32b, and 32c are attached to a predetermined position of the awning cloth 34, and an awning cover 4 with rotating members 36R and 36L attached to both ends of the first awning frame 32a is prepared.

[0052] Next, two mounting members 8R and 8L are attached to the holding plate part 28 of the intermediate container 3. At this time, the right mounting member 8R is opposed to the notch 29R (Fig. 3) provided on the right side of the holding plate portion 28, the upper edge of the holding plate portion 28 is inserted into the groove portion 46 of the mounting member 8R, and the groove portion 46 is engaged with the notch 29R. Then, the engaging claw 47 of the mounting member 8R is engaged with the lower edge of the vertical wall 25 below the notch 29R. Thereby, the mounting member 8R is fixed to the intermediate container 3.

[0053] Also, at this time, the left mounting member 8L is opposed to the notch 29L (Fig. 3) provided on the left side of the holding plate portion 28, the upper edge of the holding plate portion 28 is inserted into the groove portion 46 of the mounting member 8L, and the groove portion 46 is engaged with the notch 29L. Then, the engaging claw 47 of the mounting member 8L is engaged with the lower edge of the vertical wall 25 below the notch 29L. Thereby, the mounting member 8L is fixed to the intermediate container 3.

[0054] Furthermore, after this, the half cover 6 is attached to the toilet body 2 via the two mounting members 8R and 8L. At this time, the right notch 6R provided at the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 is opposed to the holding portion 45 of the right mounting member 8R, the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 is inserted into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 of the mounting member 8R, and the notch 6R is engaged with the bottom of the groove portion 45a. Thereby, a protrusion 45b protruding into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 engages with an engaging hole (not shown) provided at a distance above the notch 6R of the half cover 6, and the right side portion of the half cover 6 is fixed to the mounting member 8R.

[0055] Also, at this time, the left notch 6L provided at the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 is opposed to the holding portion 45 of the left mounting member 8L, the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 is inserted into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 of the mounting member 8L, and the notch 6L is engaged with the bottom of the groove portion 45a. Thereby, a protrusion 45b protruding into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 engages with an engaging hole (not shown) provided at a distance above the notch 6L of the half cover 6, and the left side portion of the half cover 6 is fixed to the mounting member 8L.

[0056] Finally, the curtain cover 4 is attached to the toilet body 2 via the two mounting members 8R and 8L. At this time, the hook portion 36b of the right rotating member 36R of the shutter cover 4 is inserted into the annular groove 44 of the right mounting member 8R, and the hook portion 36b is hung on the shaft portion 43 of the mounting member 8R. Then, the right ends of the second shutter bone 32b and the third shutter bone 32c are inserted into the annular groove 44 of the mounting member 8R in a state of being interposed in the notch of the hook portion 36b. Thereby, the right ends of the three shutter bones 32a, 32b, and 32c are rotatably attached to the mounting member 8R.

[0057] Also, at this time, the hook portion 36b of the left rotating member 36L of the shutter cover 4 is inserted into the annular groove 44 of the left mounting member 8L, and the hook portion 36b is hung on the shaft portion 43 of the mounting member 8L. Then, the left ends of the second shutter bone 32b and the third shutter bone 32c are inserted into the annular groove 44 of the mounting member 8L in a state of being interposed in the notch of the hook portion 36b. Thereby, the left ends of the three shutter bones 32a, 32b, and 32c are rotatably attached to the mounting member 8L.

[0058] Note that the rear edge of the third part 34c of the shutter cloth 34 behind the third shutter bone 32c is fixed to the rear vertical wall 25 and / or the holding plate portion 28 behind the intermediate container 3 via a fixing member (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, a fourth shutter bone (not shown) having rotating members 36R and 36L attached to both ends in the same manner as the first shutter bone 32a may be attached to the rear edge of the third part 34c of the shutter cloth 34, and this fourth shutter bone may be fixed behind the intermediate container 3.

[0059] Also, the animal toilet 10 may be provided with fixing claws (not shown) or the like for fixing the front edge of the shutter cover 4 to the toilet body 2. The fixing claws may be provided on the first shutter bone 32a disposed in front of the toilet body 2 in a state where the shutter cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, or may be attached to the front edge of the first part 34a of the shutter cloth 34.

[0060] When using the animal toilet 10, with the shutter cover 4 opened to the open position, cat litter is put into the interior of the intermediate container 3 through the opening 2a. The optimal amount of cat litter to be put in is an amount such that the upper surface of the cat litter reaches the reference line 24a of the intermediate container 3.

[0061] Next, the functions and effects of the animal toilet 10 according to the above-described first embodiment will be described. The animal toilet 10 of the present embodiment includes a cover 4 using a stretchable cover cloth 34. Therefore, even when the animal rotates inside the animal toilet 10 and the body contacts the cover 4 with the cover 4 deployed in the closed position, the cover 4 can be easily deformed, and problems that cause stress to the animal can be suppressed.

[0062] Also, by using the stretchable cover cloth 34, the cover cloth 34 is not easily loosened with the cover 4 deployed in the closed position, and the appearance of the animal toilet 10 can be improved. The material of the cover cloth 34 used in the present embodiment is excellent in waterproofing, so it is not easily soiled even when animal urine adheres. Further, since this material has high moisture permeability, the inside of the animal toilet 10 is not easily stuffy with the cover 4 deployed in the closed position to block the opening 2a, and the animal can use it comfortably.

[0063] Also, by using the stretchable cover cloth 34, even when the animal's body rubs against the edge of the entrance / exit 4a when the animal enters and exits the animal toilet 10 through the entrance / exit 4a, the edge of the entrance / exit 4a can be easily deformed, so it does not hinder the movement of the animal and can relieve the stress applied to the animal.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the cover cloth 34 is formed of a stretchable cloth material. However, by providing the above-described elastic member 38 at the edge of the entrance / exit 4a, a material with less stretchability can also be used as the cover cloth 34. That is, by attaching the elastic member 38 to the edge of the entrance / exit 4a, even with a cover cloth 34 having less stretchability, when the animal passes through the entrance / exit 4a, the elastic member 38 can expand and contract to easily deform the edge of the entrance / exit 4a. Therefore, even if the animal's body rubs against the edge of the entrance / exit 4a, problems that cause stress to the animal can be alleviated.

[0065] Further, by providing the elastic member 38 at the edge of the entrance / exit 4a, even the awning cloth 34 with little elasticity can be given tension in the first part 34a of the awning cloth 34, and the appearance of the animal toilet 10 can be improved.

[0066] Also, when the entrance / exit 4a is provided on the front surface of the awning cover 4 using the elastic awning cloth 34 as in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the entrance / exit is provided on the front surface of the cover formed of synthetic resin as in the prior art, the height from the floor surface where the animal toilet 10 is installed to the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a can be increased, and the scattering of the cat litter can be suppressed.

[0067] That is, when the entrance / exit 4a is provided on the front surface of the elastic awning cloth 34, even if the animal passing through the entrance / exit 4a contacts the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a, the lower edge is easily deformed and does not prevent the animal from passing through. Therefore, compared with the conventional case where the entrance / exit is provided in the resin cover, the height of the lower edge can be increased, and the effect of suppressing the scattering of the cat litter can be enhanced.

[0068] Further, by raising the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a, the feet of the animal are more likely to rub against the awning cloth 34, and when the animal exits the animal toilet 10 through the entrance / exit 4a, it is easier to scrape off the cat litter adhering to the sole of the animal's foot.

[0069] For example, as in the first modification shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the entrance / exit 4a provided on the front surface of the awning cover 4 is shifted to a position higher than that in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the height of the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a can be made higher than the height of the flange portion 23 of the intermediate container 3 of the toilet body 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, by making a cut 37 in the lower edge of the entrance / exit 4a, the effect of suppressing the scattering of the cat litter can be maintained, and the stress applied to the animal passing through the entrance / exit 4a can be further reduced.

[0070] Alternatively, as in the second modification shown in Fig. 9, a film-like lid member 39 that covers the entrance / exit 4a may be provided on the front surface of the awning cover 4. The lid member 39 can be formed of, for example, the same cloth material as the awning cloth 34. The lid member 39 can be attached to the awning cover 4 by fixing its upper end to a first portion 34a near the upper edge of the entrance / exit 4a. The lid member 39 has an outer peripheral edge that overlaps the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a when attached to the awning cover 4. The lid member 39 has a cut 39a extending vertically at the center in the left-right direction. The lid member 39 can be folded together with the awning cover 4 and stored at the open position together with the awning cover 4.

[0071] As in the second modification, by providing the lid member 39 at the entrance / exit 4a, it is possible to close all of the openings 2a of the toilet body 2 of the animal toilet 10 in a state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. For this reason, when the animal toilet 10 is placed in a living room or the like, the awning cover 4 can be deployed to the closed position so that the inside of the toilet body 2 is not visible, and the aesthetic appearance of the animal toilet 10 can be improved. Further, since the awning cover 4 can be closed to block all of the openings 2a, it is possible to suppress the problem that the odor generated from the animal excrement diffuses to the outside through the openings 2a.

[0072] Also, according to the present embodiment, when cleaning the excrement excreted by the animal in the cat litter in the toilet body 2, the awning cover 4 can be fully opened, making it easier for the operator to reach the back of the toilet body 2, and improving the workability during cleaning.

[0073] Also, according to the present embodiment, since the awning cover 4 is formed using the awning cloth 34, the number of molds to be prepared can be reduced compared to the conventional case where the cover is formed by resin molding, and the manufacturing cost of the animal toilet 10 can be reduced.

[0074] Also, as in the present embodiment, by forming the awning cover 4 using the awning frame 32 and the awning cloth 34, the total weight of the animal toilet 10 can be reduced, and the animal toilet 10 can be easily carried.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in a state where the awning cover 4 is stored in the open position shown in FIG. 2, the awning cover 4 can be stored and arranged below the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the problem that scattered cat litter enters the awning cover 4 arranged in the open position.

[0076] When the animal using the animal toilet 10 of the present embodiment is a cat, it is known that as a habit of the cat, there is a habit of scratching the cat litter with its feet and covering the excrement after excretion. In this case, if there is an awning cover 4 folded above the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6, there is a high possibility that scattered cat litter will enter between the folded awning cloth 34. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by storing the awning cover 4 in an open position lower than the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6, it is possible to make it difficult for the cat litter scattered through the opening 2a to enter between the folded awning cloth 34.

[0077] Next, the animal toilet 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The animal toilet 50 of the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as the animal toilet 10 of the first embodiment described above, except that the half cover 6 is eliminated and the structure of the toilet body 52 is changed, and the shape of the entrance 54 of the awning cover 4' is changed. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components that function in the same manner as those of the animal toilet 10 of the first embodiment described above, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11, the toilet body 52 has a structure in which an intermediate container 3' is stacked inside a lower container 1'. The upper edge of the lower container 1' and the upper edge of the intermediate container 3' are inclined downward from the rear to the front. That is, the opening 52a at the upper end of the toilet body 52 is provided on an imaginary plane inclined downward from the rear to the front.

[0079] The awning cover 4' has an entrance 54 in the first part 34a. The entrance 54 is connected to the front edge of the first part 34a. That is, the lower edge of the entrance 54 is open without being connected by the awning cloth 34. The first awning bone 32a is divided into two on the left and right, and the tip of each rotation is located at the left and right ends of the lower edge of the entrance 54. And the left and right lower edges of the entrance 54 are detachably fixed to the vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3' by snaps 56.

[0080] The animal toilet 50 of the present embodiment includes an awning cover 4' configured using a stretchable awning cloth 34 and has an entrance 54 on the front surface of the awning cover 4'. Therefore, it can achieve the same effects as the animal toilet 10 of the first embodiment described above. Moreover, since the animal toilet 50 of the present embodiment changes the shape of the toilet body 52 and omits the half cover 6, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0081] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, each embodiment and modification may be implemented in appropriate combination, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, if the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0082] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the toilet body 2 having a double structure in which the intermediate container 3 is stacked inside the lower container 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an animal toilet provided with a single-layer container-shaped toilet body (main body) without the urine passage hole 22a or the urine tray 5.

[0083] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the expansion and contraction member 38 is provided at the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an annular elastic member (not shown) may be provided at the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a. By providing the elastic member at the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a, even when the body of the animal passing through the entrance / exit 4a comes into contact with the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a, the elastic member can absorb the impact caused by the contact, and the problem of giving stress to the animal can be suppressed. Hereinafter, the invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended. [1] A toilet body in the shape of a container for receiving animal excrement, A shutter cover that can be deployed in a dome shape at a closed position covering the opening of the toilet body and can be stored at an open position that fully opens the opening, An animal entrance provided on the front surface of the shutter cover deployed at the closed position and separated from the open position, A toilet for animals having the above. [2] The entrance is a hole of a size through which an animal can enter and exit provided on the front surface of the shutter cover, and a telescopic member is provided at the edge of the hole, The toilet for animals according to [1].[[]END]] [3] The shutter cover has a cut at the lower edge on the main body side of the hole, The toilet for animals according to [2].[[]END]] [4] The shutter cover has a plurality of shutter bones and a stretchable shutter cloth, The toilet for animals according to any one of [1] to [3].[[]END]] [5] Further having a lid member that covers the entrance of the shutter cover, The toilet for animals according to any one of [1] to [4].[[]END]] [6] The lid member is a film having an outer peripheral edge that overlaps the peripheral edge of the entrance of the shutter cover, The toilet for animals according to [5].[[]END]] [7] The toilet body includes an intermediate member having a urine passage hole and a urine tray disposed opposite to the lower side of the intermediate member, The toilet for animals according to any one of [1] to [6].[[]END]] [8] The toilet for animals according to any one of [1] to [7], At least one of an excrement treatment agent and a urine absorption sheet used for the toilet for animals, A toilet set for animals comprising the above.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1…Lower container, 2…Toilet body, 2a…Opening, 3…Intermediate container, 4…Cover, 4a, 54…Entrance / exit, 5…Urinal tray, 6…Half cover, 8R, 8L…Mounting member, 10, 50…Animal toilet, 32a, 32b, 32c…Cover ribs, 34…Cover cloth, 36R, 36L…Rotating member, 37…Cut, 38…Expansion / contraction member, 39…Cover member.

Claims

1. A toilet body in the shape of a container for receiving animal excrement, A canopy cover that can be unfolded in a dome shape to a closed position covering the opening of the toilet body by rotation and can be stored in an open position where the opening is fully opened, A mounting member having a rotation center for rotating the canopy cover between the closed position and the open position and detachably attaching the canopy cover to the toilet body, An animal entrance provided on the front surface of the canopy cover unfolded in the closed position, separated from the open position, An animal toilet having the above.

2. The entrance is a hole of a size through which an animal can enter and exit, provided on the front surface of the canopy cover, and an elastic member is provided at the edge of the hole. The animal toilet according to Claim 1.

3. The canopy cover has a cut at the lower edge on the main body side of the hole. The animal toilet according to Claim 2.

4. The canopy cover has a plurality of canopy ribs and a stretchable canopy cloth. The animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Further having a lid member covering the entrance of the canopy cover. The animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The lid member is a film having an outer peripheral edge overlapping the peripheral edge of the entrance of the canopy cover. The animal toilet according to Claim 5.

7. The toilet body includes an intermediate member having a urine passage hole and a urine tray disposed opposite to the lower side of the intermediate member. The animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, and At least one of an excrement treatment agent and a urine absorption sheet used for the animal toilet, and an animal toilet set comprising the same.

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