Nestable Cat Litter Box Screen Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cat litter box designs with pine pellet litter face issues of frequent cleaning due to sawdust creation from urine breakdown, as existing sifting holes in trays are shallow and fail to effectively contain odors.
Innovation Solution
A nestable cat litter box comprising a bottom collection box, a middle support shell, and an upper sift box with a unique screen pattern that separates discrete regions with intersecting cross members and parallel slits, allowing efficient separation of sawdust while preventing odor escape, and is designed for easy assembly and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shallow sifting holes are used in the tray, then the structure is simple, but the sawdust is not effectively contained and cleaning frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom screen is divided into multiple discrete screen regions separated by first intersecting cross members, with each region containing second intersecting cross members and parallel cross members creating a multi-level segmented structure that effectively contains and separates sawdust
Solution Approach 2:
The litter box employs a nested structure with an upper sift box containing the screen pattern, a middle support shell, and a bottom collection box, where each component fits within the other to create an integrated system that combines sifting and containment functions
2Ease of operation
If DIY boxes are created to sift sawdust, then sifting function is achieved, but sealing odors from the collection box becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sifting function and odor sealing function into a single integrated system where the middle support shell and bottom collection box work together to contain waste while the upper sift box performs sifting, eliminating the need for separate components
3Volume of moving object
If shallow trays are used for collection, then the structure is compact, but sawdust requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom collection box is nested within the middle support shell structure, creating a multi-level configuration that maximizes the collection volume for waste accumulation while maintaining a compact overall footprint suitable for home use
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design maintains a clean, dust-free environment and reduces the frequency of cleaning by allowing sawdust to be efficiently sifted into the collection box, minimizing odor release and extending the time between cleanings.
Implementation Method 1
an upper sift box removably attachable to the middle support shell. The upper sift box may be characterized as further including a bottom screen that has a plurality of discrete screen regions separated from one another by a plurality of first intersecting cross members that span across the bottom screen
Data Source
AI summary
An innovative nestable cat litter box is disclosed herein for use with pellet-type cat litter such as, for example, pine pellets. The nestable cat litter box comprises a bottom collection box, a middle support shell removably attachable to the bottom collection box, and an upper sift box removably attachable to the middle support shell. The upper sift box may be characterized as further including a bottom screen that has a plurality of discrete screen regions separated from one another and further sub-divided within each discrete screen by a plurality of first, second, and third intersecting cross members. In certain preferred embodiments, the depths of the first cross members are greater than the depths of the second cross members, and the depths of the second cross members are greater than depths of the third cross members.