Dual-purpose container and diversion device for animals and a method for its manufacture
View Patent ↗A dual-purpose container and diversion device for animals is disclosed including a base having a perimeter, a lower surface and an upper surface, the base having a first tensile strength, and a sidewall having a lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, the sidewall having a second tensile strength. Dual-purpose device includes at least a first linear fault region in its overall surface, defining a first curve on the overall surface and a first mating feature and having a third tensile strength less than the first tensile strength and the second tensile strength. The dual-purpose device further includes a second mating feature defined in the overall surface. The dual-purpose device is convertible from a first configuration having an interior compartment of the device to a second configuration by fracture of the at least a linear fault region and joining of the first mating feature and second mating feature.
1. A dual-purpose container and diversion device for animals, the dual-purpose device comprising:
a base having a perimeter, a lower surface and an upper surface, the base having a first tensile strength;
a perimeter wall including a plurality of sides of the dual-purpose container, the perimeter wall having a lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein:
the perimeter wall has a second tensile strength;
the lower edge is attached to the perimeter of the base;
the lower surface of the base and the exterior surface of the perimeter wall combine to define an outer surface of the dual-purpose device;
the upper surface of the base and the interior surface of the perimeter wall combine to form an inner surface of the dual-purpose device; and
the inner surface and the outer surface combine to form an overall surface of the dual-purpose device;
at least a first linear fault region in the overall surface, wherein the at least a first linear fault region defines a first non-intersecting open curve on the overall surface, wherein:
the at least a first linear fault region has a third tensile strength;
the third tensile strength is less than each of the first tensile strength and the second tensile strength; and
the at least a first linear fault region defines a border of at least a first planar section of the overall surface;
at least a second linear fault region in the overall surface, wherein the at least a second linear fault region defines a second non-intersecting open curve on the overall surface, wherein:
the at least a second linear fault region has a fourth tensile strength;
the fourth tensile strength is less than the first tensile strength and the second tensile strength; and
the at least a second linear fault region defines a border of a second planar section of the overall surface;
wherein the dual-purpose device is convertible from a first configuration to a second configuration, and wherein:
the dual-purpose device is transformed to the second configuration by:
fracture of the at least a first linear fault region to transform the first planar section into a first flap;
fracture of the at least a second linear fault region to transform the second planar section into a second flap;
rotation of the first flap and the second flap into an interior compartment of the container; and
joining the first flap and the second flap to form a structural wall within the interior compartment.
2. The dual-purpose device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flap further comprises a first mating feature;
the second flap further comprises a second mating feature; and
joining the first mating feature to the second mating feature causes a first edge of the first flap to connect to a second edge of the second flap to form the structural wall.
3. The dual-purpose device of claim 2 , wherein:
a locally concave portion of the first non-intersecting open curve and a locally concave portion of the second non-intersecting open curve combine to form an opening in the structural wall.