Cat litter box

Abstract

To provide a toilet for cats that can be readily cleaned without using cat sand.SOLUTION: A toilet for cats to be installed upward of a drain hole formed at a floor surface includes: a circular excrement receiving pan including a circular drain part provided with a plurality of through-holes, an annular frame body provided so as to abut on a peripheral edge of the drain part and extend from the peripheral edge, and a side wall provided in an outer edge of the annular frame body; and a grip part installed to the circular excrement receiving pan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cat litter box. [Background technology]

[0002] Cat litter boxes are commonly made with so-called cat litter, which is made primarily from zeolite, bentonite, silica gel, paper, soy pulp, etc. Cat litter can be cleaned by removing the litter that has hardened with urine, and some types also have deodorizing properties, making it easy to dispose of cat feces and urine.

[0003] However, cat litter needs to be replaced regularly, which is an economic burden in the long run, and it is not environmentally friendly because the cat litter itself becomes waste. Furthermore, cat litter disposal methods vary from city to city, and each main ingredient has its own disposal method, making disposal complicated. While some cat litter can be flushed down the toilet, there are issues with clogging drainage pipes and the capacity of septic tanks.

[0004] Examples of pet toilets that do not use cat litter include a cat toilet bowl consisting of a flushing unit that is directly connected to the water supply and a cat toilet seat (see Patent Document 1), and a two-tier flushing toilet for small animals (see Patent Document 2), which has a tray with a mesh bottom for collecting feces placed on top of the box body, and a urine and excrement collection tray on the lower level with multiple small holes for discharging water and a sloping surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-201620 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-154830 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cat litter box that can be easily cleaned without using cat litter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In the course of intensive research to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present invention focused on the tendency of cats to be interested in circles, and discovered a circular cat litter box that, when placed over a drain, encourages cats to use the litter box habitually and allows urine to be discharged through the drain, thereby completing the present invention.

[0008] That is, the present invention is as follows. [1] A cat litter box that is installed above a drain hole formed on the floor, A circular drainage section having a plurality of through holes, and an annular frame body that abuts against the periphery of the drainage section and extends from the periphery; a side wall provided on the outer edge of the annular frame; a circular waste tray having A grip portion provided on the circular feces and urine tray; A cat toilet characterized by being equipped with: [2] A cat litter box as described in [1] above, characterized in that it is provided with legs on the bottom surface of the feces and urine tray to form a gap between the feces and urine tray and the floor surface through which liquid can flow. [3] A cat litter box as described in [1] above, characterized in that the handle is arranged horizontally at the same height as the upper end of the side wall, and part of the outer periphery is ear-shaped with a straight line. [4] A cat litter box as described in [1] above, characterized in that the bottom surface of the feces and urine tray has one or more downwardly extending protrusions for engaging with the drain outlet. [5] The cat litter box described in [1] above, characterized in that the feces and urine tray has a sloped portion that slopes downward from the outside toward the drainage portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The cat litter box of the present invention eliminates the need for cat litter, making it economical. Furthermore, urine does not accumulate in the litter box, but instead flows directly into the drain, making it an excellent odor control device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cat litter box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of a cat litter box according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an embodiment in which a cover is further provided. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention is used when installed over a bathroom drain. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention when installed against a wall. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a cat litter box according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in a corner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The cat litter box of the present invention is a cat litter box that is installed above a drain hole formed on a floor surface, A circular drainage section having a plurality of through holes, and an annular frame body that abuts against the periphery of the drainage section and extends from the periphery; a side wall provided on the outer edge of the annular frame; a circular waste tray having A grip portion provided on the circular feces and urine tray; Any cat litter box characterized by the above features will suffice, and hereinafter this will be referred to as "the cat litter box in question."

[0012] (Excrement tray) The circular feces and urine tray is equipped with a circular drainage section and an annular frame that abuts the periphery of the drainage section and extends from the periphery. When viewed from above, the central drainage section is circular, and the cat litter box itself is also perfectly circular excluding the handle.

[0013] The drainage section is the part that drains water when a cat urinates or when the cat litter box is flushed with water. When a cat defecates or urinates, the drainage section retains the feces and directs the urine to the drain outlet located below the cat litter box via multiple through-holes that run vertically. Since most of the urine is discharged through the drainage section and almost none remains on the cat litter box, urine-related odors, such as ammonia odor, are less likely to remain. Furthermore, by providing multiple through-holes, it is possible to collect feces while enhancing the drainage function.

[0014] The drain is circular, meaning that the outer edge is circular, making it easier for cats, who have a habit of preferring circular shapes, to access the cat litter box. The size of the drain can be, for example, within 30cm, 25cm, 20cm, or 15cm in diameter.

[0015] The shape of the through holes of the drainage portion is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a circle, an ellipse, a lattice shape, a rectangle, a trapezoid, a straight line, a curved line, or a combination thereof.

[0016] The frame is annular and abuts against the periphery of the drainage section, extending from that periphery. When a cat defecates or urinates, the annular frame retains the feces and guides the urine to the drainage section. All or part of the frame may be formed with a slope that slopes downward from the outside toward the center, and this slope can help urine on the frame flow into the through-holes of the drainage section.

[0017] Furthermore, the outer edge of the frame preferably has a side wall extending upward to prevent feces and urine from leaking from the cat litter box. The height of the side wall can be 1 to 4 cm, preferably 2 to 3 cm. The side wall is preferably provided vertically, but may extend outward at an angle of 80 degrees or less relative to the vertical. The side wall may also be provided with a roughly arc-shaped or L-shaped cover that covers the lower part of the side wall from its upper end. The lower part of the cat litter box is likely to become soiled with feces, urine, mold, etc. Therefore, by providing a cover, it is possible to visually hide the dirt at the lower part of the cat litter box when viewed from an angle.

[0018] (Convex part on the bottom) The bottom surface of the waste tray may be provided with one or more downwardly extending protrusions for engaging with the drain outlet. By inserting these protrusions into the drain outlet and engaging (engaging), it is possible to prevent the cat from touching the cat litter box and shifting its position from the top surface of the drain outlet. Furthermore, by providing two or more protrusions, the effect of engaging with the drain outlet is further enhanced and it is also possible to prevent the cat litter box from rotating.

[0019] The diameter of the protrusions is preferably 1 to 5 mm, which is large enough to fit into a typical drain hole. When multiple protrusions are provided, the diameters of the protrusions may be the same or different. Furthermore, when multiple protrusions are provided, the positions of the protrusions may be horizontally adjustable to accommodate various drain hole arrangements.

[0020] (gripping part) A handle is provided on the outer edge of the frame of the excrement tray. The number of handles may be one, or two, three, or four or more. The handle may be detachably attached to the frame. The handle allows the cat litter box to be held, making it easy to remove excrement from the cat litter box. Furthermore, when the cat litter box is used in a bathroom, the handle makes it easy to clean the cat litter box with water from the shower or a washbasin, thereby reducing the effort required for cleaning and minimizing the amount of water required for cleaning. At least one of the handles may have a hole, allowing the cat litter box to be hung on a wall when not in use or hung up on the wall using the hole.

[0021] Furthermore, at least one, and preferably two, of the handles may be ear-shaped. This shape allows the cat litter box itself to have a design that cat owners find visually appealing. The ear-shaped handle may also have a linear portion along its outer periphery. This linear portion prevents the cat litter box from shifting sideways or rotating, preventing the drain from shifting from above the drain outlet, when the cat litter box is installed against a wall. Two ear-shaped handles may be provided symmetrically, with a linear portion located on the outside of each handle. When two handles are provided, they may be symmetrically positioned with the same horizontal length relative to the upper end of the side wall, or they may be positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the upper end of the side wall. Positioning them at a predetermined angle prevents urine or water from remaining on the handle, thereby enhancing the anti-mold and anti-bacterial effects. By aligning the horizontal lengths of the upper end surfaces of the side walls and arranging them symmetrically, the cat litter box can be placed so that it touches the two cornered surfaces, which makes it possible to further prevent the cat litter box from becoming misaligned.

[0022] (leg) The bottom surface of the frame or the excrement tray may be provided with legs to form a gap through which liquid can flow between the bottom surface of the frame or the excrement tray and the floor surface on which the cat litter box is placed. The number of legs may be one, or may be two, three, four, five or more. The height of the legs may be 2 to 40 mm. If the protrusions are provided, it is preferable that the length of the legs is at least 2 mm shorter than the protrusions.

[0023] The drainage section, frame, side walls, gripping section, and legs may be made of stainless steel, plastic, rubber, silicon, carbon fiber, etc., and may be made of ivory or white. To prevent slippage from the floor, the legs may be made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, such as rubber or ABS-based elastic resin, or may have a finely textured surface to increase the coefficient of friction.

[0024] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. The examples are not limiting.

[0025] 1 to 3 are respectively a plan view, a bottom view, and a perspective view of a cat litter box 1 of the present invention. There is a circular plastic drainage section 12 with a diameter of 100 mm and a plurality of through-holes 11 in the center, and its periphery abuts against an annular frame 13. The frame 13 has a side wall 14 with a height of 250 mm in the vertical direction at its outer edge, and this drainage section 12, frame 13, and side wall 14 form a feces and urine receptacle 15.

[0026] Frame 13 is provided with gripping portion 22a with hole 21a, ear-shaped gripping portion 22b with hole 21b, and ear-shaped gripping portion 22c with hole 21c. Grip portions 22b and 22c have linear outer peripheries, and the linear portions are formed so as to extend horizontally relative to the upper end surface of side wall 14.

[0027] Four 5 mm thick legs 31 are provided on the bottom of the frame. These legs 31 create a gap between the frame 13 and the waste tray 15 and the floor on which the cat litter box 1 is placed. The formation of this gap allows urine that flows out of the through-holes 11 of the drainage section 12, or the cleaning liquid when the cat litter box is flushed with liquid, to flow into the drain without spreading along the floor.

[0028] Figure 4 is an AA cross-sectional view of the cat litter box 1 of the present invention. The frame 13 has an inclined portion that slopes downward from the outside to the inside. Two 20 mm long protrusions 32 are provided on the bottom surface of the drainage section 12, and are attached to 5 mm high legs 31 provided on the bottom surface of the frame 13. Figure 5 is a BB cross-sectional view of the cat litter box 1 of the present invention, showing an embodiment in which an arc-shaped cover 33 is attached to the side wall.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows how the cat litter box of the present invention is used when it is installed over the drain outlet of a bathroom, with the cat litter box of the present invention being installed above the drain outlet 41 of the bathroom.

[0030] 7 and 8 are conceptual diagrams of cat litter box 1 installed along the wall of a bathroom. As shown in Fig. 7, the straight portions of ear-shaped handles 22b are arranged along the wall, so even if a cat touches cat litter box 1, the cat litter box 1 is prevented from shifting sideways or rotating, preventing drain section 12 from shifting from above the drain outlet. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, if drain outlet 41 is located on the floor in a corner of the bathroom, aligning the horizontal lengths of handles 22b and 22c allows them to contact both of the two surfaces that form the corner, further preventing cat litter box 1 from shifting or rotating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Cat litter box 11 Through hole 12 Drainage section 13 Frame 14 Side wall 15 Manure tray 21a~c points 22a~c Handle 21c hole 31 feet 32 convex part 33 カバー 41 Drain

Claims

1. A cat litter box that is installed above a drain hole formed on the floor, A circular drainage section having a plurality of through holes, and an annular frame body that abuts against the periphery of the drainage section and extends from the periphery; a side wall provided on the outer edge of the annular frame; a circular waste tray having Two gripping portions provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the circular feces and urine tray; Equipped with The bottom surface of the feces and urine tray is provided with a plurality of downwardly extending protrusions for engaging with the drain outlet, and the protrusions have a diameter of 1 to 5 mm; A cat litter box characterized in that the handle portion is arranged horizontally at the same height as the upper end of the side wall, has an ear-shaped portion with a linear portion on its outer periphery, and the linear portion is formed so as to extend horizontally relative to the surface of the upper end of the side wall.

2. 2. The cat litter box according to claim 1, further comprising legs provided on the bottom of the tray to form a gap between the tray and the floor through which liquid can flow.

3. A cat litter box as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side wall has an approximately arc-shaped or approximately L-shaped cover that covers the side wall from the upper end downward.

4. 3. The cat litter box according to claim 1, wherein the waste tray has a sloped portion that slopes downward from the outside toward the drainage portion.

5. A cat litter box as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the convex portion can be adjusted horizontally to accommodate the arrangement of various drain holes.

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