Animal toilet

Abstract

To provide a toilet for an animal, which is appropriate for long-term use without reference to the growth of the animal.SOLUTION: A toilet 1 for an animal comprises a body container 10. The body container 10 has a bottom face part 12 and a lateral part 14. An effective area of the bottom face part 12 is variable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal litter box. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional animal litter box is described in Patent Document 1. The animal litter box described in this document includes a box-shaped main container (toilet container). An excrement treatment material made up of a plurality of granular bodies is laid in the main container. Animal urine excreted in the main container is treated by being absorbed by the excrement treatment material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-226503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The main container of animal litter boxes is available in a variety of sizes. Users (animal owners, etc.) usually purchase a main container that is appropriate for the size of the animal that will be using the animal litter box. This creates the problem of having to replace the main container with a larger one as the animal grows.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an animal litter box that is suitable for long-term use regardless of the growth of the animal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The animal litter box according to the present invention comprises a main container having a bottom and side surfaces, and the effective area of ​​the bottom surface is variable.

[0007] In this animal litter box, the effective area of ​​the bottom of the main container is variable. Here, the effective area refers to the area of ​​the effective region of the bottom (the region of the top surface of the bottom that is inside the sidewalls). If the effective area of ​​the bottom is variable in this way, the effective area of ​​the bottom can be increased as the animal grows, thereby making the main container larger. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an animal litter box suitable for long-term use regardless of the growth of the animal is realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an animal litter box according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the main container 10. [Figure 5] 10 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the main container 10. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the main container 10. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the member 20. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the member 20. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the member 30. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a granular material 40. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an end view for explaining the fixing means (fastener 52). [Figure 15]FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the packing 54. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a member 20 according to a modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a member 30 according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an animal litter box according to the present invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are end views taken along lines II-II and III-III in Fig. 1, respectively. The animal litter box 1 comprises a main container 10, a member 20 (first member), a member 30 (second member), and a plurality of granular materials 40. The main container 10 is box-shaped and has a bottom portion 12 and side portions 14. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the main container 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The main container 10 can be made of plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the main container 10. The effective area of ​​the bottom surface 12 of the main container 10 is variable. The effective area is the area of ​​the effective region of the bottom surface 12 (the region of the upper surface of the bottom surface 12 that is inside the side surface 14). In Fig. 4, the effective region of the bottom surface 12 is shaded. It is preferable that the maximum value of the effective area of ​​the bottom surface 12 is 1.5 times or more and less than 2 times the minimum value of the effective area.

[0013] The main container 10 has a member 20 and a member 30. The members 20 and 30 are fitted together so as to partially overlap in a plan view. However, the member 30 is horizontally displaceable relative to the member 20. That is, the member 30 is configured to be displaceable in the in-plane direction of the bottom surface portion 12 of the main container 10 relative to the member 20. The member 30 is displaceable in only one direction relative to the member 20. In FIG. 4, the displacement direction of the member 30 is indicated by an arrow.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 5, the effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12 can be reduced by displacing the member 30 in a direction toward the member 20 (to the left in Fig. 5). Conversely, as shown in Fig. 6, the effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12 can be increased by displacing the member 30 in a direction away from the member 20 (to the right in Fig. 6).

[0015] 7, 8, and 9 are a perspective view, a side view, and a plan view, respectively, of the member 20. FIG. 8 is a side view seen from the right side of FIG. 7. The member 20 has a bottom 22 (first bottom) and a side 24 (first side). The bottom 22 constitutes the bottom surface portion 12. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the bottom 22 has a shape surrounded by lines 22a (first line), 22b (second line), 22c (third line), and 22d (fourth line) in a plan view. The lines 22a and 22b are made up of line segments parallel to each other. The extension directions of the lines 22a and 22b are the same as the displacement direction of the member 30. The line 22c connects one end of the line 22a to one end of the line 22b. Line 22d connects the other end of line 22a and the other end of line 22b. In this embodiment, line 22c and line 22d are also parallel line segments. That is, bottom 22 has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0016] The side portions 24 are connected to the bottom portion 22 and form the side surface portions 14. The side portions 24 are provided only on the side of three of the four lines (lines 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) of the bottom portion 22 (lines 22a, 22b, 22c). No side portion 24 is provided on the side of the remaining line (line 22d). The bottom portion 22 and the side portions 24 are preferably molded integrally. In other words, it is preferable that the entire member 20 is molded integrally.

[0017] The member 20 has a cavity 26. The cavity 26 exists continuously from the inside of the bottom portion 22 to the inside of the side portion 24. The cavity 26 also connects to the outside of the member 20. Specifically, the cavity 26 connects to the outside of the member 20 on the side of the line 22d of the bottom portion 22. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the boundary between the cavity 26 and the outside is a U-shaped opening 28.

[0018] The thickness d21 (the dimension in the vertical direction in FIG. 8) of the cavity 26 inside the bottom portion 22 and the thickness d22 (the dimension in the horizontal direction in FIG. 8) of the cavity 26 inside the side portion 24 may be equal to or different from each other. The thicknesses d21 and d22 are, for example, 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The width w21 (the dimension in the horizontal direction in FIG. 8) of the cavity 26 is, for example, 20 cm or more and 40 cm or less. The height h21 (the dimension in the vertical direction in FIG. 8) of the cavity 26 is, for example, 10 cm or more and 30 cm or less. Furthermore, the length d23 (the dimension in the horizontal direction in FIG. 9) of the upper surface of the bottom portion 22 (the portion inside the side portion 24) is, for example, 20 cm or more and 30 cm or less.

[0019] 10, 11, and 12 are a perspective view, a side view, and a plan view, respectively, of the member 30. FIG. 11 is a side view seen from the left side of FIG. 10. The member 30 has a bottom portion 32 (second bottom portion) and a side portion 34 (second side portion). The bottom portion 32, together with the bottom portion 22, constitutes the bottom surface portion 12. The upper surface of the bottom surface portion 12 is constituted by the upper surface of the bottom portion 22 and a portion of the upper surface of the bottom portion 32 that does not overlap the upper surface of the bottom portion 22 (a portion that is visible in a planar view). As can be seen from FIG. 12, the bottom portion 32 has a shape surrounded by lines 32a (fifth line), 32b (sixth line), 32c (seventh line), and 32d (eighth line) in a planar view. The lines 32a and 32b are parallel line segments. The extension direction of lines 32a and 32b is the same as the displacement direction of member 30. Line 32c connects one end of line 32a to one end of line 32b. Line 32d connects the other end of line 32a to the other end of line 32b. In this embodiment, lines 32c and 32d are also made up of line segments that are parallel to each other. That is, bottom 32 has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0020] The side portions 34 are connected to the bottom portion 32 and, together with the side portions 24, form the side surface portion 14. The side portions 34 are provided only on three of the four lines (lines 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) of the bottom portion 32 (lines 32a, 32b, 32c). No side portion 34 is provided on the remaining line (line 32d). The bottom portion 32 and the side portions 34 are preferably molded integrally. That is, it is preferable that the entire member 30 be molded integrally.

[0021] The member 30 is inserted into the cavity 26 of the member 20. Specifically, the member 30 is inserted into the cavity 26 from the line 32d side of the bottom 32 through the opening 28 of the member 20. The member 30 may or may not have a cavity. In the former case, it is preferable that the cavity is not connected to the outside of the member 30.

[0022] The thickness d31 of the bottom 32 and the thickness d32 of the side portions 34 are approximately equal to the thickness d21 and the thickness d22 of the cavity 26, respectively. The width w31 and the height h31 of the member 30 are approximately equal to the width w21 and the height h21 of the cavity 26, respectively. However, the thicknesses d31, d32, width w31, and height h31 are designed to be slightly smaller than the thicknesses d21, d22, width w21, and height h21, respectively, so that the member 30 can slide within the member 20 while contacting the member 20 with almost no gap between them. In addition, the length d33 (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 12 ) of the upper surface of the bottom 32 (the portion inside the side portions 34) is preferably greater than half the length d23 of the upper surface of the bottom 22 and less than or equal to the length d23.

[0023] 1 to 3, a plurality of granular bodies 40 for treating excrement (mainly urine) are laid on the bottom surface 12 of the main container 10. Animals excrete onto the granular bodies 40 while directly standing on the granular bodies 40. Each granular body 40 has water-absorbing properties and absorbs excrement.

[0024] For the granular material 40 to be considered water absorbent, the water absorption rate measured by the following test must be 40% or more. First, 50 g of the granular material 40 (sample) is placed on a sieve with an inner diameter of 10 cm and mesh size of 1 mm. An empty beaker is placed below the sieve. Then, 30 ml of water is dripped onto the sample over 10 seconds using a syringe (a 60 ml syringe manufactured by Terumo Corporation) with an inner diameter of 3 cm and an inner diameter of 4 mm at the tip. After leaving it for 1 minute, the amount of water in the beaker is measured. The water absorption rate is calculated by subtracting the measured amount of water from the amount of water dripped (30 ml), and the ratio of this value to the amount of water dripped. In other words, if the amount of water in the beaker is 18 ml or less, the water absorption rate is 40% or more, and the granular material 40 can be considered to be water absorbent.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing granular bodies 40. The particle diameter of each granular body 40 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Here, the particle diameter of the granular body 40 is defined as the diameter of the smallest sphere that can contain the granular body 40. Each granular body 40 has a core 42 and a coating 44. The core 42 is formed into a granular shape. Examples of such granular shapes include a sphere, a cylinder, and an ellipsoid. The core 42 has the function of absorbing and retaining excrement. The core 42 is preferably made primarily of an organic material. Here, the "main material of the core 42" refers to the material that accounts for the largest weight percentage of the core 42 among one or more materials that make up the core 42. Examples of organic materials that can be used include paper, used tea leaves, plastics, and soybean lees.

[0026] Papers refer to materials mainly composed of pulp. Examples of papers include ordinary paper, as well as PVC wallpaper classification (paper obtained by classifying PVC wallpaper), fluff pulp, papermaking sludge, pulp sludge, etc. Examples of plastics that can be used include disposable diaper classification (plastic obtained by classifying disposable diapers). The bean curd refuse is preferably dried bean curd refuse.

[0027] The coating 44 covers the core 42. The coating 44 may cover the entire surface of the core 42, or may cover only a portion of the surface of the core 42. The coating 44 has the function of adhering the granular material 40 that has absorbed excrement together to form a mass. The coating 44 is also preferably made primarily of an organic material. The definition of the primary material of the coating 44 is the same as that of the primary material of the core 42. The coating 44 contains an adhesive material. Examples of adhesive materials that can be used include water-absorbent polymers, starch, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), and dextrin. Examples of water-absorbent polymers include acrylic water-absorbent polymers such as sodium polyacrylate.

[0028] The granules 40 can be formed, for example, as follows. First, the core material (material that constitutes the core 42) is granulated using a granulation device to form the core 42. As the granulation device, for example, an extrusion granulator can be used. Prior to granulation, the core material is subjected to pretreatment such as pulverization, kneading, and hydration as necessary. Next, a coating device or the like is used to attach a powdered coating material (material that constitutes the coating 44) to the surface of each core 42, thereby forming the coating 44. The coating material can be attached by, for example, scattering or spraying. Thereafter, post-treatment such as sieving (sizing) and drying is performed as necessary. In this manner, a plurality of granules 40 are formed.

[0029] The effects of the animal litter box 1 will now be explained. In the animal litter box 1, the effective area of ​​the bottom surface 12 of the main container 10 is variable. If the effective area of ​​the bottom surface 12 is variable in this way, the effective area of ​​the bottom surface 12 can be increased in accordance with the growth of the animal, thereby making the main container 10 larger. Therefore, an animal litter box 1 suitable for long-term use regardless of the growth of the animal has been realized.

[0030] Incidentally, one way to avoid having to replace the main container as the animal grows is to purchase a larger main container from the start, anticipating the animal's growth. However, the larger the main container, the greater the amount of granular material that will be placed therein. Therefore, making the main container as narrow as possible has the advantage of conserving granular material. Another advantage is that the space required for installing the main container can be kept small. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the main container 10 can be gradually enlarged as the animal grows, thereby achieving these advantages.

[0031] To flexibly accommodate the growth of an animal, it is advantageous to have a large range of fluctuation in the effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12. From this perspective, it is preferable that the maximum value of the effective area is 1.5 times or more its minimum value.

[0032] When the maximum effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12 is less than twice the minimum value, the main container 10 with a variable effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12 can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. In fact, in the animal litter box 1, the main container 10 is realized by combining two members (members 20, 30).

[0033] Members 20 and 30 have bottom portions 22 and 32, respectively, that constitute bottom surface portion 12. Member 30 is horizontally displaceable relative to member 20. In this case, the displacement of member 30 is directly linked to a change in the effective area of ​​bottom surface portion 12, and therefore, the effective area can be easily changed.

[0034] Member 30 is displaceable in only one direction relative to member 20. By limiting the displaceable direction to one direction in this manner, a configuration in which member 30 is displaceable relative to member 20 can be easily realized.

[0035] The members 20 and 30 are fitted together, which allows the relative positional relationship between the members 20 and 30 to be stably maintained.

[0036] The members 20 and 30 each have a side portion 24 and a side portion 34 that constitute the side portion 14. The side portion 24 and the side portion 34 are connected to the bottom portion 22 and the bottom portion 32, respectively. This allows the area of ​​the side portion 14 to be changed appropriately in conjunction with a change in the area of ​​the bottom portion 12.

[0037] Of the four lines 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d of the bottom 22, the side portions 24 are provided only on the sides of three lines 22a, 22b, and 22c. Furthermore, of the four lines 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d of the bottom 32, the side portions 34 are provided only on the sides of three lines 32a, 32b, and 32c. This allows the members 20 and 30 that combine with each other to form the box-shaped main container body 10 to be realized with a simple configuration.

[0038] When the bottom 22 and the side portions 24 are integrally molded, even if urine that the granules 40 were not able to absorb accumulates inside the main container 10, the urine can be prevented from leaking from the boundary between the bottom 22 and the side portions 24. Similarly, when the bottom 32 and the side portions 34 are integrally molded, even if urine that the granules 40 were not able to absorb accumulates inside the main container 10, the urine can be prevented from leaking from the boundary between the bottom 32 and the side portions 34.

[0039] The member 30 is inserted into the cavity 26 of the member 20. In this case, the effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion 12 can be changed by a simple operation of adjusting the insertion depth of the member 30 relative to the member 20.

[0040] A plurality of water-absorbent granular materials 40 are laid on the bottom surface 12 of the main container 10. In this case, the granular materials 40 absorb and trap the excrement, thereby reducing the foul odor of excrement that wafts around the main container 10.

[0041] Each granular body 40 has a core 42 and a coating 44 containing an adhesive material. This results in a mass of granular bodies 40 that have absorbed excrement, making it easier to remove only the used granular bodies 40 from the main container 10.

[0042] When both the core 42 and the coating 44 are made primarily of organic matter, the granules 40 can be made suitable for incineration. In this case, the used granules 40 can be easily disposed of as combustible waste, improving convenience for users.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. In the above-described embodiment, the main container 10 may have a fixing means for temporarily fixing the member 30 to the member 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , a fastener 52 can be used as the fixing means. In this example, the fastener 52 is a bolt. In FIG. 14 , a hole through which the bolt passes is provided in the side portion 24 of the member 20. The inner surface of this hole is formed with a female thread that engages with the male thread of the bolt. By tightening the bolt and pressing the tip of the bolt against the side portion 34 of the member 30, the member 30 can be fixed at any position relative to the member 20. Furthermore, by loosening the bolt and moving the tip of the bolt away from the side portion 34, the fixed state can be released. It is preferable that the fastener 52 can be tightened or loosened by hand, without using a tool such as a wrench. Providing such a fixing means can prevent the member 30 from accidentally shifting during use of the animal litter box 1. Furthermore, using the fastener 52 as the fixing means allows for a simple configuration.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the main container 10 may have a packing 54 interposed between the member 20 and the member 30, as shown in FIG. 15 . In this example, the packing 54 is provided along the edge of the opening 28 of the member 20. The packing 54 is made of, for example, rubber. By providing such a packing 54, even if urine that has not been absorbed by the granular material 40 accumulates in the main container 10, the urine is less likely to seep between the member 20 and the member 30.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the four lines 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d constituting the bottom 22 of the member 20 are all straight. However, as shown in FIG. 16, the line 22c may be curved. In FIG. 16, the line 22c is a curve that bulges outward from the bottom 22. In this case, there are no corners on the inner surface of the side 24, which has the advantage of making cleaning of the main container 10 easier.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the four lines 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d constituting the bottom 32 of the member 30 are all straight. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the line 32c may be curved. In FIG. 17, the line 32c is a curve that bulges outward from the bottom 32. In this case, there are no corners on the inner surface of the side 34, which has the advantage of making cleaning of the main container 10 easier.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the case where each granule 40 has a multi-layer structure (two-layer structure) consisting of a core 42 and a coating 44 has been exemplified. However, the provision of the coating 44 is not essential. That is, each granule 40 may have a single-layer structure consisting of only uncoated granules (core 42). [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Animal toilet 10 Main container 12 Bottom part 14 Side part 20 Component (First Component) 22 Bottom (first bottom) Line 22a (first line) Line 22b (second line) Line 22c (third line) 22d line (fourth line) 24 Side (first side) 26 Cavity 28 Aperture 30 Component (Second Component) 32 Bottom (Second Bottom) Line 32a (5th line) Line 32b (6th line) Line 32c (7th line) 32d line (8th line) 34 Side (second side) 40 Granules 52 Fasteners 54 Gasket

Claims

1. a main body container having a bottom portion and a side portion; The effective area of ​​the bottom surface portion is variable; the main container has first and second members, and a packing interposed between the first member and the second member; the first and second members have first and second bottom portions that constitute the bottom surface portions, respectively; The animal litter box is characterized in that the second member is horizontally displaceable relative to the first member.

2. The animal litter box according to claim 1, An animal litter box wherein the maximum value of the effective area is 1.5 times or more the minimum value of the effective area.

3. The animal litter box according to claim 1 or 2, An animal litter box, wherein the maximum value of the effective area is less than twice the minimum value of the effective area.

4. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The animal litter box, wherein the second member is displaceable in only one direction relative to the first member.

5. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The animal litter box, wherein the first and second members are fitted together.

6. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the first bottom has a shape surrounded by a first line, a second line, a third line, and a fourth line in a plan view, the first and second lines are parallel to each other, the third line connects one end of the first line and one end of the second line, The fourth line connects the other end of the first line and the other end of the second line.

7. The animal litter box according to claim 6, The third line is a curved line that bulges outward from the first bottom of the animal litter box.

8. The animal litter box according to claim 6 or 7, The animal litter box has a first side portion connected to the first bottom portion and constituting the side portion.

9. The animal litter box according to claim 8, The animal litter box, wherein the first side portion is provided only on the first to third line sides of the first to fourth lines of the first bottom portion.

10. The animal litter box according to claim 8 or 9, The animal litter box, wherein the first bottom portion and the first side portion are integrally molded.

11. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the second bottom has a shape surrounded by a fifth line, a sixth line, a seventh line, and an eighth line in a plan view, the fifth and sixth lines are parallel to each other, the seventh line connects one end of the fifth line and one end of the sixth line; The eighth line connects the other end of the fifth line and the other end of the sixth line.

12. The animal litter box according to claim 11, The seventh line is a curved line that bulges outward from the second bottom portion of the animal litter box.

13. The animal litter box according to claim 11 or 12, The second member is connected to the second bottom portion and has a second side portion that constitutes the side portion.

14. The animal litter box according to claim 13, The animal litter box, wherein the second side portion is provided only on the side of the fifth to seventh lines out of the fifth to eighth lines of the second bottom portion.

15. The animal litter box according to claim 13 or 14, The second bottom portion and the second side portion are integrally molded.

16. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the first member has a cavity communicating with the outside of the first member, The animal litter box has a second member inserted into the cavity of the first member.

17. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 16, The main body container has a fixing means for temporarily fixing the second member to the first member.

18. The animal litter box according to claim 17, The fixing means is a fastener.

19. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 18, The animal litter box wherein the gasket is made of rubber.

20. The animal litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 19, An animal litter box comprising a plurality of water-absorbent granular materials laid on the bottom surface of the main container.

21. The animal litter box according to claim 20, Each of the granular bodies is A core portion formed into a granular shape; The animal litter box has a covering portion that contains an adhesive material and covers the core portion.

22. The animal litter box according to claim 21, The animal litter box, wherein the core and the covering are both made primarily of organic matter.

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