Animal Toilet and Animal Toilet Set

Abstract

To provide an animal toilet and an animal toilet set in which an opening of a toilet body can be fully opened and cat sand is hard to scatter even in a state of fully opened.SOLUTION: An animal toilet 10 includes a toilet body 2 having a container shape for receiving excretion of animals, a half cover 6 provided around an opening 2a of the toilet body 2, a hood cover 4 capable of being developed into a closure position in a dome shape covering an outer surface of the half cover 6 and covering the opening 2a of the toilet body 2, and capable of being accommodated in an opening position in the outside of the half cover 6 where the opening 2a is fully opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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, a toilet for pets disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The toilet for pets 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 that covers the rear side of the opening and a movable hood that covers the front side of the opening. The fixed hood and the movable hood are formed of synthetic resin.

[0003] The fixed hood is fixed in a U shape to the edge on the rear side of the opening of the toilet body so as to cover the rear side of the opening. The movable hood is provided so as to be movable between a closed position that covers the front side of the opening in a U shape and an open position that overlaps the outside of the fixed hood. When the movable hood is opened and overlapped with the fixed hood, approximately half of the front side of the opening of the toilet body is opened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The toilet for pets of Patent Document 1 can open approximately half of the front side of the opening of the toilet body by moving the movable hood to the open position, but cannot open the remaining half of the rear side of the opening of the toilet body provided with the fixed hood. For this reason, in the conventional toilet for pets, even when the movable hood is fully opened, it is difficult to clean the rear side of the toilet body.

[0006] In addition, when the movable hood of the toilet for pets in Patent Document 1 is fully opened for use, cat litter does not scatter from the rear side of the opening of the toilet body, but cat litter is likely to scatter from the front side of the opening. In the toilet for pets of Patent Document 1, with the movable hood fully opened, the hood is not arranged in about the front half of the entire circumference of the opening, so cat litter is likely to scatter beyond about the front half of the front edge of the opening and the front sides of the left and right edges of the opening.

[0007] 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 can fully open the opening of the toilet body and in which cat litter is difficult to scatter even when fully opened.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the animal toilet of the present invention includes a container-shaped toilet body for receiving animal excrement, and around the opening of the toilet body erected a having no part covering the opening half cover, and a hood cover that can be deployed in a dome shape to cover the outer surface of the half cover and cover the opening of the toilet body at a closed position, and can be stored at an open position outside the half cover that fully opens the opening.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an animal toilet and an animal toilet set that can fully open the opening of the toilet body and in which cat litter is difficult to scatter even when fully opened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the animal toilet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the animal toilet 10 includes a toilet body 2, an awning cover 4, and a half cover 6. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the awning cover 4 is stored in the open position.

[0012] The awning cover 4 covers the upper part of the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 in a dome shape when deployed to the closed position in FIG. 1, and fully opens the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 when stored in the open position in FIG. 2. The awning cover 4 can adjust its opening degree and can be arranged at any position that partially covers the opening 2a. The "dome shape" in this specification and the claims means a shape in which the awning cover 4 bulges upward away from the toilet body 2 in order to create a relatively large space inside the awning cover 4 for the animal to enter.

[0013] 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 viewing the animal toilet 10 from the front (left side in the drawing).

[0014] The awning 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 folded awning 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.

[0015] In the state of FIG. 1 where the awning cover 4 of the animal toilet 10 is deployed to the closed position, an entrance / exit 4a of a size that allows the animal to enter and exit is provided on the front surface of the awning cover 4 on the side opposite to the open position. The entrance / exit 4a is a hole provided in the awning cover 4.

[0016] 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 continuously extends upward gently 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 gently expands upward. The corners of the bottom 12 and the ridges of the peripheral wall 14 are gently curved. An insertion / removal 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.

[0017] The intermediate container 3 integrally has a bottom 22 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 24 that continuously extends upward gently from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom 22. The inner edge at the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 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.

[0018] The bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate with the central part slightly bulging downward, and has a plurality of urine passage holes 22a at its central part. The plurality of urine passage holes 22a are sized such that at least the cat litter (excrement treatment agent) cannot pass through. The corners of the bottom 22 and the ridges of the peripheral wall 24 are gently 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, etc.

[0019] At the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 away from the bottom 22 of the intermediate container 3, an annular flange portion 23 extending substantially horizontally outward is integrally and continuously provided. At the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 spaced outward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 24, a cylindrical vertical wall 25 extending downward is integrally and continuously provided. That is, an annular groove 21 surrounded by the peripheral wall 24, the flange portion 23, and the vertical wall 25 is formed outside the upper end of the peripheral wall 24.

[0020] 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. For this reason, 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.

[0021] In this way, with the intermediate container 3 stacked inside the lower container 1, the intermediate container 3 is positioned relative 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.

[0022] 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 across the inner surface of the bottom 22 from the left and right outer sides of the plurality of urine passage holes 22a in the bottom 22. One footrest 26R is provided at a position offset rearward 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 rearward from the center in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate container 3 and on the left side of the urine passage hole 22a.

[0023] The upper surfaces 26a of the two footrests 26R and 26L are arranged on 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.

[0024] 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 located above the upper surface of the cat litter. The arrangement positions, shapes, numbers, shapes, areas, etc. of the footrests 26R and 26L are not limited to this embodiment and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0025] The intermediate container 3 integrally has a holding plate portion 28 for holding the half cover 6. The holding plate portion 28 projects 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. In other words, the holding plate portion 28 is provided at a portion excluding the front side of the annular upper end of the peripheral wall 24.

[0026] The outer surface 28a of the holding plate portion 28 is a surface that extends upward from the outer surface of the vertical wall 25. That is, the holding plate portion 28 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 of the intermediate container 3. 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 and extraction 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, respectively. The urine tray 5 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example.

[0028] The urine tray 5 faces downward with respect to 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 and extraction 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 an animal on the cat litter passes through the cat litter and flows out into the urine tray 5 through the plurality of urine passage holes 22a. 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 an 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. The half cover 6 may have a structure that can be divided and connected at the center in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of being packed together in a box that is slightly larger than the lower container 1 when the animal toilet 10 is shipped.

[0031] An example of the connection structure of the half cover 6 is shown in FIG. 4. The half cover 6 illustrated in FIG. 4 has a structure that can be divided into two at the center in the longitudinal direction. Assuming that the half cover 6 is roughly divided into three equal parts in its longitudinal direction, it has a central portion and both end portions. The connection structure can be provided, for example, at approximately the center of the central portion along the longitudinal direction of the half cover 6. The connection structure may be provided at another part of the half cover 6, for example, at both end portions, or may be provided at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the half cover 6.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the left side portion 60L obtained by dividing the half cover 6 into two at the center in the longitudinal direction is provided with two insertion pieces 62L and 63L protruding from its right end 61L. One insertion piece 62L is provided above the right end 61L of the left side portion 60L in the illustration, and the other insertion piece 63L is provided below the right end 61L of the left side portion 60L in the illustration, spaced apart from the insertion piece 62L.

[0033] A cut portion 64L is provided between the insertion piece 62L and the right end 61L, and a cut portion 65L is provided between the insertion piece 63L and the right end 61L. A slit 66L extending in the short direction of the half cover 6 is provided at the upper edge of the left side portion 60L in the illustration. A slit 67L extending in the short direction of the half cover 6 is provided at the lower edge of the left side portion 60L in the illustration. The slits 66L and 67L are provided at positions spaced apart to the left of the insertion pieces 62L and 63L in the illustration, respectively.

[0034] The upper end of the slit 66L in the illustration is open at the upper edge of the left side portion 60L in the illustration, and the lower end of the slit 67L in the illustration is open at the lower edge of the left side portion 60L in the illustration. The length between the lower end of the slit 66L and the upper end of the slit 67L in the illustration is set to be slightly shorter than the length between the bottom of the cut portion 64L and the bottom of the cut portion 65L.

[0035] On one side, the right side portion 60R of the half cover 6 divided into two at the longitudinal center has two insertion pieces 62R and 63R protruding from its left end 61R. One insertion piece 62R is provided above the left end 61R of the right side portion 60R as shown in the figure, and the other insertion piece 63R is provided below the left end 61R of the right side portion 60R and spaced apart from the insertion piece 62R.

[0036] A cut portion 64R is provided between the insertion piece 62R and the left end 61R, and a cut portion 65R is provided between the insertion piece 63R and the left end 61R. A slit 66R extending in the short side direction of the half cover 6 is provided at the upper edge of the right side portion 60R as shown in the figure. A slit 67R extending in the short side direction of the half cover 6 is provided at the lower edge of the right side portion 60R as shown in the figure. The slits 66R and 67R are provided at positions spaced apart to the right of the insertion pieces 62R and 63R, respectively, as shown in the figure.

[0037] The upper end of the slit 66R as shown in the figure is open at the upper edge of the right side portion 60R as shown in the figure, and the lower end of the slit 67R as shown in the figure is open at the lower edge of the right side portion 60R as shown in the figure. The length between the lower end of the slit 66R and the upper end of the slit 67R as shown in the figure is set to be slightly shorter than the length between the bottom of the cut portion 64R and the bottom of the cut portion 65R. That is, the left side portion 60L and the right side portion 60R of the half cover 6 have a symmetric shape about the left - right direction.

[0038] When connecting the left side portion 60L and the right side portion 60R of the half cover 6, the right end 61L of the left side portion 60L is overlapped on the right side portion 60R (the front side of the paper), one insertion piece 62L of the left side portion 60L is inserted into one slit 66R of the right side portion 60R, and the other insertion piece 63L of the left side portion 60L is inserted into the other slit 67R of the right side portion 60R. Then, the lower end of the slit 66R of the right side portion 60R is engaged with the cut portion 64L of the left side portion 60L, and the upper end of the slit 67R of the right side portion 60R is engaged with the cut portion 65L of the left side portion 60L.

[0039] On the other hand, one insertion piece 62R of the right portion 60R stacked under the left portion 60L (the back side of the paper surface) is inserted into one slit 66L of the left portion 60L, and the other insertion piece 63R of the right portion 60R is inserted into the other slit 67L of the left portion 60L. Then, the lower end shown in the slit 66L of the left portion 60L is engaged with the cut portion 64R of the right portion 60R, and the upper end shown in the slit 67L of the left portion 60L is engaged with the cut portion 65R of the right portion 60R. In FIG. 4, the left portion 60L in the state of being engaged with the right portion 60R is shown by a broken line.

[0040] 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 toilet body 2 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.

[0041] As described above, the half cover 6 has a central portion and both end portions that are substantially divided into three equal parts 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. The half cover 6 is attached so as to overlap inside the holding plate portion 28.

[0042] 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. 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.

[0043] The awning cover 4 has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as 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 has a U-shaped curved configuration. And the three awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c are respectively attached to predetermined positions of the awning cloth 34 described later by sewing. The awning frames 32a, 32b, 32c are formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, for example.

[0044] 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, in order to facilitate viewing of the structure of the left rotating member 36L, the illustration of the left mounting member 8L is omitted.

[0045] The first awning frame 32a is disposed so as to overlap the outside of the vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3 (the outside of the opening 2a) in a state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. For this reason, 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.

[0046] Also, the first awning frame 32a has a length that does not interfere with the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6 when the awning cover 4 is stored in the open position shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the half cover 6 has a height and shape that allows the first awning frame 32a to exceed its upper edge 6a in order to enable the awning cover 4 to be stored in the open position, and is tilted forward at an angle that does not interfere with the awning cover 4. Note that the rotation center of the awning frame 32 may be substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the toilet body 2, and does not necessarily have to be arranged at the center.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, both ends of the first awning 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 awning 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 awning bone 32a. In a state where the left end of the first awning bone 32a is fitted into the fitting recess 36a (the state in FIG. 5), the surface of the rotating member 36L on the side of the fitting recess 36a and the surface of the first awning bone 32a are substantially flush.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a partial enlargement of the left rotating member 36L and the left mounting member 8L, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting member 8L in FIG. 6 as viewed from the front (in the direction of arrow F7). In FIG. 6, the illustration of the first awning bone 32a is omitted, and the vicinity of the left ends of the second and third awning bones 32b and 32c is partially illustrated. 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 awning cover 4, the structure on the left side will be described as a representative, and a detailed description regarding the structure on the right side will be omitted.

[0049] The second awning bone 32b is at least longer than the first awning bone 32a, and both ends of the second awning bone 32b are formed to be tapered. The third awning bone 32c is at least longer than the first awning bone 32a, and both ends of the third awning bone 32c are formed to be tapered. The second and third awning bones 32b and 32c have a U-shaped curved shape. For example, the left end of the second awning bone 32b and the left end of the third awning bone 32c are arranged within the notch of the hook portion 36b of the rotating member 36L as shown in FIG. 5. The plate thicknesses of the second and third awning bones 32b and 32c are slightly thinner than the plate thickness of the rotating member 36L.

[0050] The second tent pole 32b and the third tent pole 32c are formed to have appropriate lengths in order to sufficiently secure the internal space of the tent cover 4 and suppress the height of the animal toilet 10 to a predetermined height when the tent cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. The second tent pole 32b and the third tent pole 32c are arranged at appropriate positions in order to sufficiently secure the internal space of the tent cover 4 and suppress the height of the animal toilet 10 to a predetermined height when the tent cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. The second and third tent poles 32b and 32c may have the same length or different lengths. In the present embodiment, the second tent pole 32b and the third tent pole 32c are made to have substantially the same length.

[0051] The length of the second tent pole 32b and the arrangement angle in the state where the tent 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 of the tent cloth 34 (FIG. 1) stretched between the first tent pole 32a and the second tent pole 32b when the tent cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. For example, increasing the angle between the first tent pole 32a and the second tent pole 32b can increase the area of the first portion 34a of the tent cloth 34 and enable the provision of a relatively large entrance / exit 4a.

[0052] 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 tent pole 32b with respect to the first tent pole 32a in the state where the tent cover 4 is deployed to the closed position is set to an angle at which the entrance / exit 4a of the above - described size can be formed in the first portion 34a. 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 sizes of the present embodiment and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0053] 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 substantially horizontally arranged in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position. In the present embodiment, since the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c have the same length, the angle at which the second awning bone 32b is inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction and the angle at which the third awning bone 32c is inclined backward with respect to the vertical direction are made substantially the same.

[0054] If another awning bone (not shown) of the same length is arranged between the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c, the second portion 34b 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 upper surface of the second portion 34b of the awning cloth 34 between the second awning bone 32b and the third awning bone 32c substantially horizontally, and it is effective to arrange the three awning bones 32a, 32b, and 32c at appropriate angles to each other as in the present embodiment.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, 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 inside (right side in the figure) of the outer portion 41 and arranged in parallel with 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.

[0056] 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 figure). 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.

[0057] The holding portion 45 has a groove portion 45a for receiving the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6. The groove portion 45a is provided so as to extend 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 to the outer surface inside the groove portion 45a.

[0058] The mounting member 8L has an engaging claw 47 protruding further inside the inner portion 42. The engaging claw 47 is provided below the holding portion 45 and spaced apart near the lower end of the inner portion 42. The distance between the bottom of the groove portion 46 between the inner portion 42 and the holding portion 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 portion 28.

[0059] The awning cloth 34 is preferably formed of a material that is thin, light, and has high stretchability. Further, the awning cloth 34 is preferably formed of a material having excellent waterproofness and high moisture permeability. In the present embodiment, a stretchable polyurethane film is laminated on a knit material, and a cloth material having 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. The material of the awning cloth 34 is not limited to the material of the present embodiment, and other materials can also be used.

[0060] The awning cloth 34 is provided with an annular elastic member 38 at the periphery of the entrance / exit 4a provided in the first portion 34a. The elastic member 38 is formed by annularly forming a material having 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).

[0061] 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.

[0062] Next, prepare a canopy cover 4 by attaching three canopy ribs 32a, 32b, and 32c to a predetermined position of the canopy cloth 34 and attaching rotation members 36R and 36L to both ends of the first canopy rib 32a.

[0063] Next, attach two attachment members 8R and 8L to the holding plate portion 28 of the intermediate container 3. At this time, align the right attachment member 8R with the notch portion 29R (FIG. 3) provided on the right side of the holding plate portion 28, insert the upper edge of the holding plate portion 28 into the groove portion 46 of the attachment member 8R, and engage the groove portion 46 with the notch portion 29R. Then, engage the engaging claw 47 of the attachment member 8R with the lower edge of the vertical wall 25 below the notch portion 29R. Thereby, the attachment member 8R is fixed to the intermediate container 3.

[0064] Also, at this time, align the left attachment member 8L with the notch portion 29L (FIG. 3) provided on the left side of the holding plate portion 28, insert the upper edge of the holding plate portion 28 into the groove portion 46 of the attachment member 8L, and engage the groove portion 46 with the notch portion 29L. Then, engage the engaging claw 47 of the attachment member 8L with the lower edge of the vertical wall 25 below the notch portion 29L. Thereby, the attachment member 8L is fixed to the intermediate container 3.

[0065] Furthermore, after that, attach the half cover 6 to the toilet body 2 via the two attachment members 8R and 8L. At this time, align the right notch portion 6R provided at the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 with the holding portion 45 of the right attachment member 8R, insert the lower edge 6b of the half cover 6 into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 of the attachment member 8R, and engage the notch portion 6R with the bottom of the groove portion 45a. Thereby, the protrusion 45b protruding into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 engages with the engaging hole 6c provided spaced above the notch portion 6R of the half cover 6, and the right side portion of the half cover 6 is fixed to the attachment member 8R.

[0066] Also, at this time, the left cutout portion 6L provided at the lower end edge 6b of the half cover 6 is opposed to the holding portion 45 of the left mounting member 8L, and the lower end 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 cutout portion 6L is engaged with the bottom of the groove portion 45a. Thereby, the protrusion 45b protruding into the groove portion 45a of the holding portion 45 is engaged with the engagement hole 6c provided at a distance above the cutout portion 6L of the half cover 6, and the left side portion of the half cover 6 is fixed to the mounting member 8L.

[0067] Finally, the curtain cover 4 is attached to the toilet body 2 via the two attachment members 8R and 8L. At this time, the hook portion 36b of the right rotating member 36R of the curtain cover 4 is inserted into the annular groove 44 of the right attachment member 8R, and the hook portion 36b is hung on the shaft portion 43 of the attachment member 8R. Then, the right ends of the second curtain rod 32b and the third curtain rod 32c are inserted into the annular groove 44 of the attachment member 8R in a state of being interposed in the notch of the hook portion 36b. Thereby, the right ends of the three curtain rods 32a, 32b, and 32c are rotatably attached to the attachment member 8R.

[0068] Also, at this time, the hook portion 36b of the left rotating member 36L of the curtain cover 4 is inserted into the annular groove 44 of the left attachment member 8L, and the hook portion 36b is hung on the shaft portion 43 of the attachment member 8L. Then, the left ends of the second curtain rod 32b and the third curtain rod 32c are inserted into the annular groove 44 of the attachment member 8L in a state of being interposed in the notch of the hook portion 36b. Thereby, the left ends of the three curtain rods 32a, 32b, and 32c are rotatably attached to the attachment member 8L.

[0069] Note that the rear end edge of the third portion 34c of the curtain cloth 34 behind the third curtain rod 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 curtain rod (not shown) having rotating members 36R and 36L attached to both ends in the same manner as the first curtain rod 32a may be sewn to the rear end edge of the third portion 34c of the curtain cloth 34, and this fourth curtain rod may be fixed behind the intermediate container 3. In this case, the fourth curtain rod is disposed outside the rear vertical wall 25 of the intermediate container 3.

[0070] In addition, the animal toilet 10 may include fixing claws (not shown) for fixing the front edge of the curtain cover 4 to the toilet body 2 and / or fixing claws (not shown) for fixing the rear edge of the curtain cover 4 to the toilet body 2. The front fixing claws may be provided on the first curtain bone 32a disposed in front of the toilet body 2 in a state where the curtain cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, or may be attached to the front edge of the first portion 34a of the curtain cloth 34. The rear fixing claws may be provided on the fourth curtain bone when a fourth curtain bone is provided behind the toilet body 2, or may be attached to the rear edge of the third portion 34c of the curtain cloth 34.

[0071] As described above, the animal toilet 10 of the present embodiment can assemble the toilet body 2, the curtain cover 4, and the half cover 6 using the two mounting members 8R and 8L without using screws or the like. In other words, the animal toilet 10 of the present embodiment can detachably attach the curtain cover 4 and the half cover 6 to the toilet body 2, and can easily disassemble the animal toilet 10 as needed.

[0072] When using the animal toilet 10, with the curtain cover 4 opened to the open position, cat litter is put into the intermediate container 3 through the opening 2a. The optimal amount of cat litter to be put in is the amount such that the upper surface of the cat litter reaches the reference line 24a of the intermediate container 3.

[0073] Hereinafter, the functions and effects of the animal toilet 10 described above will be described. The animal toilet 10 of the present embodiment includes the half cover 6 having the above structure between the toilet body 2 and the curtain cover 4. Since the half cover 6 does not have a portion covering the opening 2a of the toilet body 2, by storing the curtain cover 4 in the open position behind the half cover 6 (FIG. 2), the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 can be fully opened.

[0074] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to facilitate the cleaning work inside the toilet body 2 with the awning cover 4 fully opened. During this cleaning work, since the half cover 6 functions as a partition member that separates the awning cover 4 from the inside of the toilet body 2, the inside of the toilet body 2 can be efficiently cleaned without the awning cover 4 getting in the way.

[0075] Moreover, when the half cover 6 is provided as in this embodiment, compared with the case where the half cover 6 is not provided, in the state where the awning cover 4 is stored in the open position and the opening 2a of the toilet body 2 is fully opened (the state in FIG. 2), the scattering of the cat litter can be suppressed. If the awning cover 4 is fully opened in a state where the half cover 6 is not attached (not shown), the height from the floor where the animal toilet 10 is installed to the upper end of the peripheral wall 24 of the toilet body 2 becomes insufficient, and the cat litter is likely to scatter in all directions around the toilet body 2.

[0076] In the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position (the state in FIG. 1), since the entrance / exit 4a is provided in front of the animal toilet 10, the height of the peripheral wall 24 in front of the toilet body 2 needs to be lowered to some extent so that the animal can easily exceed the entrance / exit 4a. For this reason, in this embodiment, the half cover 6 is provided only on the rear and both left and right sides of the toilet body 2, and not in front of the toilet body 2.

[0077] Regarding the scattering of the cat litter in the state where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position (the state shown in FIG. 1), it can be suppressed by setting the width of the entrance / exit 4a in the left - right direction to the minimum necessary size. That is, in the state of FIG. 1 where the awning cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, the front part of the peripheral wall 24 of the toilet body 2 is partially covered by the first part 34a of the awning cover 4 from both left and right sides. By providing the part of the awning cloth 34 that covers both left and right sides of the peripheral wall 24 in this way, the problem of the cat litter scattering outside through the entrance / exit 4a can be suppressed.

[0078] Also, regarding the scattering of the cat litter forward when the hood cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 8, it can be substantially eliminated by providing a film-like lid member 39 that covers the entrance / exit 4a on the front surface of the hood cover 4. The lid member 39 can be formed of, for example, the same cloth material as the hood cloth 34. The lid member 39 can be attached to the hood cover 4 by fixing its upper end to a first portion 34a near the upper end edge of the entrance / exit 4a. The lid member 39 has an outer peripheral edge that overlaps the peripheral edge of the entrance / exit 4a when attached to the hood 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 hood cover 4 and stored at the open position together with the hood cover 4.

[0079] By providing the lid member 39 at the entrance / exit 4a, when the hood cover 4 is deployed to the closed position, all of the openings 2a of the toilet body 2 of the animal toilet 10 can be closed. Therefore, when the animal toilet 10 is placed in a living room or the like, the hood cover 4 can be deployed to the closed position so that the inside of the toilet body 2 is not visible, improving the aesthetic appearance of the animal toilet 10. Also, since the hood 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.

[0080] Also, according to the present embodiment, since the half cover 6 is attached inside the holding plate portion 28 of the toilet body 2, it is possible to prevent the problem that the cat litter leaks out of the toilet body 2 through the lower end edge 6b of the half cover 6 regardless of the open / closed state of the hood cover 4. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the problem that the cat litter enters between the hood covers 4 when the hood cover 4 is stored in the open position (the state shown in FIG. 2).

[0081] Also, according to the present embodiment, in the state where the roof cover 4 is deployed to the closed position (the state in FIG. 1), since the half cover 6 partially overlaps the lower inner surface on the toilet body 2 side of the roof cover 4, cat litter does not come into contact with the inner surface portion of the roof cover 4 where the half cover 6 overlaps, and this portion does not get dirty. Since the half cover 6 is formed of synthetic resin, even if the half cover 6 gets dirty, it is easier to clean than the roof cloth 34 of the roof cover 4, and it is only necessary to wipe off the dirt.

[0082] Also, according to the present embodiment, since the central portion of the half cover 6 disposed behind the toilet body 2 is tilted inward, the cat litter hitting the half cover 6 can be effectively returned toward the inside of the toilet body 2, and the effect of suppressing the scattering of cat litter can be further enhanced.

[0083] Also, by disposing the central portion of the half cover 6 tilted inward, it is possible to make it difficult for the first roof rib 32a to contact the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6 when the roof cover 4 is moved to the open position, and it is possible to easily fold the roof cover 4 to the open position.

[0084] Furthermore, by tilting the central portion of the half cover 6 inward, a space can be provided in which an animal that has entered the toilet body 2 can hide inside the half cover 6, and a suitable space can be provided for a cat that prefers a dark and narrow place.

[0085] As described above, it is difficult to integrally mold the half cover 6 tilted inward with the toilet body 2. For example, when attempting to integrally mold the half cover 6 in a state where it is tilted inward from the rear portion of the flange portion 23 of the intermediate container 3, it becomes difficult to remove the mold. Therefore, in order to tilt the half cover 6 inward as in the present embodiment, it is effective to provide a half cover 6 separate from the toilet body 2.

[0086] Also, according to the present embodiment, since the roof cover 4 is detachable from the toilet body 2 and the half cover 6 is provided separately from the toilet body 2 and is detachably provided with respect to the toilet body 2, the animal toilet 10 can be easily disassembled. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, by making the half cover 6 divisible at the central portion, a plurality of parts of the disassembled animal toilet 10 can be collectively and compactly stored in a box that is slightly larger than the lower container 1, and the storage space for the animal toilet 10 can be made space-saving.

[0087] Also, according to the present embodiment, since the animal toilet 10 can be assembled using two mounting members 8R and 8L without using screws or the like, it is not necessary to provide screw holes or the like in the toilet body 2, and no protrusions such as screws protrude on the inner surface side of the peripheral wall 24 of the intermediate container 3 of the toilet body 2. Therefore, the assembly of the animal toilet 10 can be facilitated, and the problem that protrusions such as screws come into contact with the animal using the animal toilet 10 can be prevented.

[0088] Also, according to the present embodiment, a scoop (not shown) or the like can be hooked and stored on the upper edge 6a of the half cover 6.

[0089] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modification examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, each embodiment and modification example may be implemented in appropriate combination, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described 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.

[0090] In addition, 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 without a urine passage hole 22a or a urine tray 5. The invention described in the claims of the present application at the time of filing is appended below. [1] a container-shaped toilet body for receiving animal excrement, a half cover provided around the opening of the toilet body, a canopy cover that can be unfolded in a dome shape to cover the outer surface of the half cover and cover the opening of the toilet body at a closed position, and can be stored at an open position outside the half cover that fully opens the opening, a toilet for animals having the above. [2] The open position of the canopy cover is below the upper edge of the half cover, The toilet for animals of [1]. [3] The toilet body includes a holding plate portion that supports a part of the outer surface near the lower end on the toilet body side of the half cover from the outside, The toilet for animals of [1] or [2]. [4] The portion of the half cover facing the open position is tilted inside the toilet body, The toilet for animals of any one of [1]-[3]. [5] The toilet for animals of any one of [1]-[4], and at least one of an excrement treatment agent and a urine absorption sheet used for the toilet for animals, a toilet set for animals provided with the above.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1... Lower container, 2... Toilet body, 2a... Opening, 3... Intermediate container, 4... Awning cover, 4a... Entrance / exit, 5... Urine tray, 6... Half cover, 6a... Upper edge, 6b... Lower edge, 8R, 8L... Mounting members, 10... Animal toilet, 32... Awning frame, 34... Awning cloth, 39... Lid member.

Claims

1. A toilet body in the shape of a container for receiving animal excrement, A half-cover that does not have a portion covering the opening and is erected around the opening of the toilet body, A canopy cover that can be unfolded in a dome shape to cover the outer surface of the half-cover and cover the opening of the toilet body in a closed position, and can be stored in an open position outside the half-cover that fully opens the opening, A toilet for animals having the above.

2. The open position of the canopy cover is below the upper edge of the half-cover, The animal toilet according to Claim 1.

3. The toilet body includes a holding plate portion that supports a part of the outer surface near the lower end on the toilet body side of the half-cover from the outside, The animal toilet according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The portion of the half-cover facing the open position is tilted inside the toilet body, The animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. An animal toilet according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, And at least one of an excrement treatment agent and a urine absorption sheet used for the animal toilet, An animal toilet set comprising the above.

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