Sanitary pet box structure

• US 3,990,397 A
• Filed: 04/28/1975
• Issued: 11/09/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ralston Purina Company (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Henry E. Lowe Jr
• Inventors: Lowe, Henry E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chamblee, Hugh R.
• Application Number:
  US05/571,956
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 119/1
• US Class Current: 119/165
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0107 Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets

Abstract

A sanitary pet box structure having a container with a space therein for holding feces receiving material, and a pet support section adapted to seat on the container and having an elongated opening disposed over the space for the material. Along each side of the opening is a relatively flat area for supporting the respective front and rear paws of the pet, with said opening extending longitudinally with respect to the pet'"'"'s body. The unit preferably has inwardly and downwardly sloping sides so that the pet is forced to use the areas along each side of the elongated opening for the support of its paws and body. The support unit normally is used in conjunction with a container; however, it may be, in some instances, used in connection with a conventional toilet or commode.

Claims

1. A sanitary pet box structure, comprising a container having a generally open top and a space therein for feces receiving material, a pet support section having a means adapted to engage with the container, side panels connected to said means and extending downwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of said means at an acute angle, said side panels terminating in horizontal pet support strips spaced apart to define a relatively narrow elongated opening therebetween for communicating with said space within said container, whereby in use a pet'"'"'s paws are directed by said side panels to said support strips for supporting the pet directly over the opening.

2. A sanitary pet box structure as defined in claim 1 in which said container is generally rectangular in shape and said pet support section is adapted to seat on the upper periphery thereof.

3. A sanitary pet box structure as defined in claim 1 in which said pet support section includes end walls that are substantially vertical and are disposed adjacent the respective end of the elongated opening.

4. A sanitary pet box structure as defined in claim 1 in which the end walls of said pet support section are substantially vertical and are disposed adjacent the respective end of the elongated opening, and said opening extends from end wall to end wall.

5. A sanitary pet support structure for use with a container having a generally open top and a space therein for feces receiving material, comprising a means adapted to engage with the container, side panels connected to said means and extending downwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of said means at an acute angle, said side panels terminating in horizontal pet support strips spaced apart to define a relatively narrow elongated opening therebetween for communicating with said space within said container, whereby in use a pet'"'"'s paws are directed by said side panels to said support strips for supporting the pet directly over the opening.

6. A sanitary pet support as defined in claim 5 in which walls are disposed at each end of said elongated opening.

7. A sanitary pet support as defined in claim 5 in which said pet support includes end walls that are disposed adjacent the respective end of the elongated opening and are substantially vertical.

8. A sanitary pet support as defined in claim 5 in which end walls of said pet support are disposed adjacent the respective end of the elongated opening and are substantially vertical, and said opening extends from end wall to end wall.