Foldable Pet Litter Enclosure with Segmented Compartment Mat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pet litter and training facilities often result in litter or feces being kicked out or tracked through the house, causing mess and stress for pets and owners, as they lack effective containment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A foldable animal litter containing apparatus with an enclosed compartment and a mat for cleaning paws, which separates the litter box or pad from the entrance and exit, ensuring any mess remains contained and allowing easy cleaning and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an open litter box is used, then pets can easily access it, but litter and feces are kicked out or tracked through the house

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepet access to litter boxVSAvoidlitter tracking and mess
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The litter box area is segmented into distinct compartments: a litter box compartment, a bathroom compartment with grass patch or training pad, and an exit compartment with a mat. This segmentation allows pets to transition through controlled zones, reducing litter tracking while maintaining easy access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mat is introduced as an intermediary element in the exit compartment between the bathroom compartment and the outside environment. The mat captures litter and feces on pet paws, preventing mess from being tracked through the house while allowing pets to freely exit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If an enclosed litter box is used, then mess is contained, but pets may feel stressed and owners have difficulty cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelitter containmentVSAvoidcleaning access
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is segmented into multiple accessible compartments rather than a single sealed space. Each compartment can be accessed independently, allowing owners to clean the litter box or replace pads without moving the entire structure, while pets remain contained in the enclosed environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure incorporates dynamic elements such as removable walls or foldable panels that can be opened for cleaning access and then closed to maintain containment. This allows the structure to transition between enclosed and open states as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If a foldable structure is used, then shipping and storage are compact, but assembly and disassembly are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshipping compactnessVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The structure uses foldable panels and movable connections that allow easy assembly and disassembly through simple folding motions rather than complex fastening operations. This reduces the time and effort required while maintaining compact form for shipping and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure utilizes flexible or thin-walled panels that can be easily folded and collapsed, reducing the structural complexity needed for rigid assemblies. This allows quick setup and teardown without requiring multiple fastening steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11317599B2Foldable animal litter containing apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.05.03 VERMONT JUVENILE FURNITURE MANUFACTURING INC
  • US11317599B2 patent drawing
  • US11317599B2 patent drawing
  • US11317599B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A foldable animal litter containing apparatus is provided that is compact, and can be easily and quickly assembled by an owner. The apparatus includes a foldable cover having a first cover side, a second cover side, a third cover side, a fourth cover side, a cover top, and an open bottom, with an entrance defined in at least one of the cover sides. The apparatus also includes a foldable frame having at least two intermediary cross members located on a first side and a second side in a use position. The first side opposes the second side. The foldable frame supports the foldable cover. The apparatus includes a wall attached to the at least two intermediary cross members in the use position. The wall defines two internal compartments within the foldable cover in the use position and an internal pet opening between the two internal compartments.