초록 ▼

A system which separates the pet excreta collection, storage and disposal functions wherein each individual component used to perform each of these functions is optimized for its intended purpose. The system of the present invention permits almost indefinite recycling of the substantially nonsorbent

A system which separates the pet excreta collection, storage and disposal functions wherein each individual component used to perform each of these functions is optimized for its intended purpose. The system of the present invention permits almost indefinite recycling of the substantially nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material used by the animal to bury its solid excreta. The combination of the present invention includes a porous filtering member exhibiting a pore size which will readily permit the granular litter material to pass therethrough, yet retain substantially all of the solid animal excreta coming in contact with the fitering member during the filtering operation. A protective member capable of substantially resisting damage when subjected to digging or clawing by animals is secured in superposed relation to and completely overlies the uppermost surface of the porous filtering member. The protective member includes means for forming an opening having a predetermined periphery in its uppermost surface when the protective member is lifted from the litter box to initiate the filtering operation. The filtering member is secured in underlying relation about the predetermined periphery of the opening formed in the protective member so that the filtering member is protected from damage due to digging or clawing by animals during the normal use cycle, yet substantially all of the nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material containing the solid animal excreta will pass through the opening and be filtered by the filtering member when the protective member is lifted from the litter box. The protective member further includes liquid sorbent means for sorbing liquid animal excreta so that the liqud animal excreta contained in the sorbent means can be removed from the litter box and disposed of along with the solid animal excreta retained on the filtering member when the filtering operation has been completed.

대표청구항 ▼

A self-contained animal waste collection system for use in a litter box, said system permitting almost indefinite recycling of the granular litter material employed therein without adverse effects, said system comprising in combination: (a) a predetermined quantity of substantially nonsorbent, noncl

A self-contained animal waste collection system for use in a litter box, said system permitting almost indefinite recycling of the granular litter material employed therein without adverse effects, said system comprising in combination: (a) a predetermined quantity of substantially nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material in which the animal may dig and/or bury its solids excreta for deposition into said litter box; (b) a porous filtering member having an uppermost surface and exhibiting a pore size which will readily permit the nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material to pass therethrough, yet retain substantially all of the solid animal excreta coming in contact therewith during the filtering operation on its uppermost surface; (c) a protective member for insertion into said litter box, said protective member having a predetermine substantially coinciding with said litter box and an uppermost surface which contacts the nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material contained in said litter box in use and which is capable of substantially resisting damage when subjected to digging or clawing by animals secured in superposed relation to and completely overlying said uppermost surface of said porous filtering member, said protective member including means for forming an opening having a predetermined periphery in its uppermost surface when said protective member is lifted from the litter box to initiate the filtering operation, said filtering member being secured in underlying relation about said predetermined periphery of said opening in said protective member so that said filtering member is protected from damage due to digging or clawing by animals during the normal use cycle by said overlying protective member, yet substantially all of the nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material containing said solid animal excreta which is located on said uppermost surface of said protective member will pass through said opening and be filtered by said filtering member when said protective member is lifted from said litter box; and (d) liquid sorbent means for absorbing liquid animal excreta underlying said quantity of nonsorbent, nonclumping granular litter material and secured to said protective member so that liquid animal excreta contained within said sorbent means is removed from said litter box and disposed of along with said solid animal excreta retained within said filtering member when said filtering operation has been completed.