Patent US4038944A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4038944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial bedding material for animals
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-12-22
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1995-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A reuseable synthetic plastic is provided for use as animal bedding and use in animal bedding systems to facilitate removal of excretory materials, the bedding comprising substantially impermeable hydrophobic elongate plastic pieces which can also be used in combination with means for disposing of the liquid excretory material.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J. Tucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:12
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/015; A01K1/0152; A01K1/0155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
Reusable synthetic plastic animal bedding being nonflammable and nontoxic, said animal bedding facilitating removal of liquid animal excretory material from the animal bed by permitting liquid excretory material to flow freely through said animal bedding while retaining solid excretory material comprising a plurality of elongate pieces of substantially impermeable hydrophobic synthetic plastic, randomly positioned relative to each other to form said bedding, whereby selected elongate pieces may be individually and readily removed from said animal bedding to facilitate said removal of animal excretory material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
Reusable synthetic plastic animal bedding being nonflammable and nontoxic, said animal bedding facilitating removal of liquid animal excretory material from the animal bed by permitting liquid excretory material to flow freely through said animal bedding while retaining solid excretory material comprising a plurality of elongate pieces of substantially impermeable hydrophobic synthetic plastic, randomly positioned relative to each other to form said bedding, whereby selected elongate pieces may be individually and readily removed from said animal bedding to facilitate said removal of animal excretory material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Animal bedding of claim 1 wherein said elongate plastic pieces have continuously varying thickness throughout the length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Animal bedding of claim 1 wherein the ratio of length to width of said elongate plastic pieces is at least approximately 40:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Animal bedding of claim 1 including in combination therewith a means for disposing of the liquid excretory material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the disposing means comprises a moisture absorbing or permeable surface on which said bedding is arranged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the disposing means includes a trough located below said bedding and a permeable support screen which covers said trough and which supports the bedding and the animal thereby allowing the liquid animal excretory material to flow freely into said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the disposing means includes at least one cage having a permeable support floor formed therein for supporting the bedding and the animal, a slanted drain pan into which the liquid animal excretory material filtering down from said cage is deposited, support legs for maintaining said cage in an elevated position relative to said slanted drain pan, and a trough positioned relative to said slanted drain pan to receive the liquid animal excretory material from said slanted drain pan whereby the liquid material which is deposited into said drain pan empties into said trough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 7 including a means for washing said slanted drain pan to facilitate the flushing of liquid animal excretory material into said trough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein at least two slanted drain pans and cages are mounted in vertical relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |