IP Library Granted Patent US 8,109,237
Granted Patent B1
US 8,109,237 · App. 12/324,370 · Granted Feb 7, 2012

Device for actuating automated litterbox

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,109,237
App. No.
12/324,370
Granted
Feb 7, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

An improved automated litter box comprises a motorized comb or rake drive mechanism for removing clumps, a means for cycling the drive mechanism, and a cat proximity sensor for sensing the relative position of a cat about or within said litter chamber. The cat proximity sensor is capable of identifying the location of a cat outside the litter box or litter box or litter chamber. The cat proximity sensor comprises a passive or inductive transmitter for identification for modulating and demodulating a radio frequency (RF) signal; and an antenna for receiving and transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal.

Claims (29)

1. An automated cat litter box having a covered, deep, rectangular pan and a cleaning carriage at said pan's distal end comprising:

a waste drawer;

a rotatable grate vertically attached thereto;

a driving mechanism; and,

a cat proximity sensor for sensing the relative position of a cat about or within said litter chamber;

wherein said cat proximity sensor is capable of identifying the location of a cat outside the litter box or litter chamber.

2. The automated litter box of claim 1 , wherein said cat proximity sensor comprises:

a passive or inductive transmitter for identification for modulating and demodulating a radio frequency (RF) signal; and

an antenna for receiving and transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal.

3. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said waste drawer comprises:

a hingedly attached lid;

a tray sized to fit into said waste drawer; and

a disposable plastic cover or a lining placed over said tray,

wherein said tray can be lifted out of said waste drawer and the waste contents therein discarded by means of an outwardly extended handle positioned on said tray.

4. The automated cat litter box of claim 3 , wherein a rectangular indentation in the top edge of said drawer and a curved indentation on the edge of said lid form a window for said handle to fit through when said tray is positioned in said drawer and said lid is closed.

5. The automated cat litter box of claim 3 , wherein the length of said waste drawer travels along the width of said litter pan and the depth of said waste drawer approximates half the depth of said litter pan.

6. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said cleaning carriage rests on a lip of said litter pan by means of an engagement rail positioned at its opposite sides.

7. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said litter pan comprises a guiding rim that extends outwards from the interior sidewall of said pan.

8. The automated cat litter box of claim 7 , wherein said lip and said guiding rim guide said cleaning carriage during an automated cleaning.

9. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said rotatable grate comprises vertical or curved tines connected to a pivot rod.

10. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said pan shallows and curves at the end opposite where said carriage rests.

11. The automated cat litter box of claim 10 further comprising a ramp having horizontal ridges at said shallow end.

12. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 , wherein said driving mechanism is contained in a cabin positioned on the outside of said pan, but attached to and adjacent to said waste drawer.

13. The automated cat litter box of claim 12 , wherein a push lock release positioned on a top lid of said cabin provides access to a motor and mechanical elements used to drive said cleaning carriage.

14. The automated cat litter box of claim 13 , wherein said pins extend downwards from said frame traveling said length of said pan to elevate said cover so that said cleaning carriage can travel said lip during said automated cleaning.

15. The automated cat litter box of claim 14 , wherein a ventilation or a filter hole positioned on the top of said cover provides fresh air to the internal space created there between.

16. The automated cat litter box of claim 12 , wherein a hand crank positioned on the outside of said cabin provides means to manually drive said cleaning carriage.

17. The automated cat litter box of claim 2 further comprising four circular grooves at its corners, wherein pins positioned on the cover of said litter box snaps into said circular grooves to hold said cover in place.

18. The automated cat litter box of claim 17 , wherein said cover comprises a removable and a washable fabric cover held in position by a wire or a sturdy frame.

Assignments (10)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: COSMIC PET, LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 066380/0304 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2022
From: OUR PET'S COMPANY
To: COSMIC PET, LLC
Reel/Frame 061908/0645 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2021
From: CIBC BANK USA
To: COSMIC PET LLC (F/K/A HYPER PET LLC); PAWS MERGER PARENT, LLC; COSMIC PET BRANDS LLC (F/K/A HYPER PET BRANDS LLC); OURPET'S COMPANY; VIRTU COMPANY; SMP COMPANY, INCORPORATED; PET FUSION LLC; GRAC HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 057923/0356 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2021
From: CENTERFIELD CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.; CCP III-A, L.P.; CCP III-SBIC, L.P.
To: COSMIC PET LLC (F/K/A HYPER PET LLC); PAWS MERGER PARENT, LLC; COSMIC PET BRANDS LLC (F/K/A HYPER PET BRANDS LLC); OURPET'S COMPANY; VIRTU COMPANY; SMP COMPANY, INCORPORATED; PET FUSION LLC; GRAC HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 057923/0582 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2021
From: COSMIC PET LLC; COSMIC PET BRANDS LLC; PET FUSION LLC; OURPET'S COMPANY
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 058014/0652 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2021
From: COSMIC PET LLC; COSMIC PET BRANDS LLC; PET FUSION LLC; OURPET'S COMPANY
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057908/0871 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2021
From: COSMIC PET LLC; COSMIC PET BRANDS LLC; PET FUSION LLC; OURPET'S COMPANY
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057908/0895 →
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 28, 2019
From: OURPET'S COMPANY; VIRTU COMPANY; SMP COMPANY, INCORPORATED
To: CENTERFIELD CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.; CCP III-A, L.P.; CCP III-SBIC, L.P.
Reel/Frame 048725/0842 →
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 26, 2019
From: OURPET'S COMPANY; VIRTU COMPANY; SMP COMPANY, INCORPORATED
To: CIBC BANK USA
Reel/Frame 048701/0908 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2008
From: TSENGAS, STEVEN; O'TOOLE, MICHAEL
To: OURPET'S COMPANY
Reel/Frame 021899/0872 →