US3885523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sanitary facility for animals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-19
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A sanitary facility for animals, and more particularly a litter box for cats includes a tray having a first portion defining a toilet area and a second portion having a mesh or screen thereover defining an entrance and exit path for the animal. A removable top enclosure portion is provided and a divider partially separates the first and second portions of the box so as to provide a limited passageway therebetween. A doorway is formed in the cover which is offset relative to said passageway so as to provide a tortuous entry and exit path between said door and said toilet area. This forces the animal to walk over the mesh or screen portion so as to prevent litter from being kicked or carried out of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A Coleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:13
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/01; A01K1/0107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A sanitary facility for animals comprising: a lower, relatively shallow tray member; a raised horizontal screen or mesh member extending across a portion of said tray and defining an entry and exist area, the remainder of said tray defining a toilet area for receiving litter; a top removable enclosure removably positioned over said tray, said enclosure having an entry and exit opening through at least one wall thereof, said opening extending above said screen or mesh member and being in communication with said entry and exit area of said tray; and means for preventing litter from being tracked out of said toilet area, including a divider member partially dividing the entry and exit area of said tray from the toilet area of said tray and defining a passageway between said toilet area and said entry and exit area, said passageway extending above the litter and screen or mesh member and being offset relative to said opening formed in said upper enclosure member so as to define a tortuous entry and exit path for the animal over said screen or mesh member and between said opening and said passageway, whereby any litter or the like picked by the animal is caused to fall on said screen or mesh member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A sanitary facility for animals comprising: a lower, relatively shallow tray member; a raised horizontal screen or mesh member extending across a portion of said tray and defining an entry and exist area, the remainder of said tray defining a toilet area for receiving litter; a top removable enclosure removably positioned over said tray, said enclosure having an entry and exit opening through at least one wall thereof, said opening extending above said screen or mesh member and being in communication with said entry and exit area of said tray; and means for preventing litter from being tracked out of said toilet area, including a divider member partially dividing the entry and exit area of said tray from the toilet area of said tray and defining a passageway between said toilet area and said entry and exit area, said passageway extending above the litter and screen or mesh member and being offset relative to said opening formed in said upper enclosure member so as to define a tortuous entry and exit path for the animal over said screen or mesh member and between said opening and said passageway, whereby any litter or the like picked by the animal is caused to fall on said screen or mesh member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said divider member extends substantially vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 2 wherein said divider member extends from at least the level of said screen or mesh member to the uppermost part of said enclosure member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 3 wherein said divider member is secured to said enclosure member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said divider member further has a plurality of apertures or openings therein so as to provide ventilation for said toilet area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said lower tray member is substantially rectangular and wherein said screen member is a rectangular member having its longer side extending fully across the shorter dimension of said rectangular lower tray member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 6 wherein said passageway is defined along the longer dimension of said screen or mesh member and the opening of the upper enclosure member substantially extends across the shorter dimension of said rectangular screen or mesh member, thereby forming a substantially L-shaped entry and exit path for the animal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 6 wherein said passageway is defined along the longer dimension of said rectangular screen or mesh member and said opening in said upper enclosure member extends along said longer dimension of said screen or mesh member, but on the opposing side thereof so as to define a substantially Z-shaped entry and exit path for the animal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said passageway and said opening are oriented so as to define a substantially L-shaped entry and exit path for the animal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said opening and said passageway are located so as to define a substantially Z-shaped entry and exiT path for the animal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said top enclosure is transparent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said divider is located to block said entry and exit opening to prevent material from said toilet area from being kicked out of the sanitary facility.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 1 wherein said opening extends upwardly from a level substantially corresponding to the level of said screen or mesh member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sanitary facility according to claim 13 wherein said passageway extends upwardly from a level substantially corresponding to the level of said screen or mesh member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |