Device for collecting and disposing of animal excrement

p0001DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL excrement

p0002The present invention relates to a device for collection and disposal of animal excrement, especially from pet excrement.

p0003When animals, especially pets that bury their excrement, such as cats, kept free range from people in rooms, especially in an apartment, so the animals is usually the performance of their necessities one with absorbent material, eg. As with hay. Sawdust or cat litter filled cup provided. After such counter-know education phase, the pet learns to use this filled with absorbent material shell for the performance of its necessity, in which it, following his natural instinct, scrapes a small depression in the absorbent material and then performed in its necessity. After the pet tries his excrement more or less successfully with the absorbent material, so the hay to cover the forecast shavings or cat litter.

p0004From this shell are periodically several times a day to remove part of the excrements and at least after every third day is the absorbent material to renew and thoroughly clean the bowl. If this is not done, in particular refuse cats are known to be very clean animals, the use of a contaminated excrement litter box even if they are otherwise used, the provided for them as a toilet with absorbing material GE filled Unlock the performance of their necessities to use.

p0005Further, it is disadvantageous in this extremely simple known litter box that the odor is insufficient because the droppings are not covered sufficiently in the rule. Due to the resulting business odors are also attracted flies, which is undesirable from a hygienic point.

p0006In addition, the removal of the excrement and cleaning of the shell not very animating activity. In addition, it is neces- sary that in a multi-day absence of the house keeper, when he can not take his pet, must be taken to ensure that a person during the absence of the owner shall provide for care of the pet, which then has to clean the litter box regularly.

p0007Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a further device of the type mentioned, the moghcht hygienic disposal of excreta achieved in a simple manner.

p0008This object is achieved by the device according to claim. 1 In the dependent claims, advantageous refinements of the invention are described.

p0009Erfmdungs ​​according Thus the device for collection and disposal of animal excrement comprises an access union for the pet area, which has a coverable with Streumateπal floor and a Entsorgungsoffnung through which contaminated litter material is wegspulbar by rinse water from the ground into a discharge channel. In this way, allowing the user, the device erfmdungsgemaße called for collection and disposal of animal excrement, hereinafter also briefly Tiertoi- lette to clean easily and to dispose of animal waste hygienically.

p0010So Erfmdungsgemaß is a device for the collection and disposal of animal excrement, hereinafter also briefly referred to as pet toilet, provided that enables the pet before carrying out his necessities, be so context forming nature pending scratching - need to satisfy, since the container to absorb droppings is covered with an appropriate bedding material, as in a conventional pet toilet. The hygienic and care-free operation of the device is ensured by the use of rinse water to clean the floor and Wegspulen the scattering material since on Thus, the pet toilet is cleaned after each use. The cleaning of the floor and the disposal of contaminated bedding material that occur after using the litter box by a pet, and the replacement of the spent Streumateπals with fresh litter material is controlled by the control device, so that the operation of the inventive device on the replenishment of the means for introducing Streumateπal limited.

p0011Since the feces immediately after each use of the pet - be toilet removed an odor is reliably prevented, while ensured the cleaning of the floor with rinse water a sanitary condition of the device.

p0012It is particularly expedient if the Entsorgungsoffnung rich soil located in the edge is. This results in an optimum in relation to Gest Official Large soil bedeckbare with a litter material soil surface, which allows the animal to fulfill its Scharrbedurfnis before do the necessities possible course.

p0013To avoid injury to the animal and to take away the fear of entering of the container as possible, it is provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in that the edge area of ​​the floor is covered by a side wall and the Entsorgungsoffnung and from one of the lower edge of the side wall the ground lying the slot is formed.

p0014To wegspulen reliably with feces contaminated litter material is provided in another embodiment of the invention, that a central region of the coverable with a litter material soil is separated from the Entsorgungsoffnung by a mound-like raised edge region extends at least through a ditch for water. This water is anfanglich jammed something in coils, whereby the Spuleffekt is improved. The ditch then ensures that in the envisaged for receiving Streumateπal range of soil dens after rinsing no water remains.

p0015Appropriately, it is provided in the inventive device that the bedeckbare with a litter material soil is at least partially movable to a disposal opening for litter material can be released, the bottom to release the disposal opening at least one base plate, which is movable by an actuator. It can either be displaced in parallel to itself or swivel the base plate or base plates.

p0016To prevent a pet during the disposal of their excrement and the refilling of fresh litter material enters the container and is injured, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention that by an actuator movable lid is positioned on the container, the between a closed position, in which it closes an access opening of the container, and an open position is movable back and forth, in which it releases the access opening. By closing the serving as pet toilet container with a lid or cover any supply is reliable operation of injury ruled out for the pet by or during the cleaning.

p0017In principle, it is possible to customize the device according to the invention in the simplest case so that a user regularly checks the Haustiertoi- lette and easily eliminated with feces contaminated litter material by operating a water rinse and then filling with new bedding material.

p0018A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is distinguished by the possibility that a sensor device to detect when an animal foot on the soil and left again, and means for introducing a litter material are provided, and that a control device as a function of output signals of the sensor device the flushing water and the introduction of litter material controls. On Thus, a maintenance-free operation of the inventive device, so the hygienic disposal of domestic ^ erex- krementen allows for several days without there may be a mild odor

p0019It is particularly advantageous if the means for introducing scattering material comprises a storage vessel with a fuel level sensor. This is used to determine the user in a simple manner whether the replenishing Streumateπal is required. In the simplest case the FuUstandssensor may be a viewing window but it is possible that a pressure sensor or an inductive sensor is used as a fuel level sensor which outputs a visual and / or acoustic warning signal, either directly or via the control device as soon as the filling level of the Vorratsbehalts below a certain level drops

p0020As a sensor for detecting an animal, a pressure sensor, an inductive sensor or an optical sensor may be provided. As optical sensors z. B. photocells or infrared sensors can be used. For special applications or appealing Warmefuhler, z. B. m shelters, a Videouber- monitoring with appropriate image processing are reindeer on the heat radiation of animals possible

p0021To wash away the contaminated with feces litter material is reliable, various embodiments of Spulwassereinlasses can be provided, particularly useful, however, is when a Spulwassereinlaß is formed of several Remigungsdusen from which rinse water exiting at high pressure. By using several Remigungsdusen the Spulwasserstrom on the floor to be cleaned, let spread particularly effective. In order to ensure a uniformly high con- stant Spulwasserdruck, is provided in a particularly advantageous development of the invention that a water tank is connected via a betatigbares of the shut-off valve controller with the Spulwassereinlaß In order always to refill after emptying the water reservoir that is provided in a practical embodiment of the invention that the water tank is connected via a feed valve with a water connection, over the water, preferably hot water from a general water or industrial water supply zufuhrbar is. The inlet valve may, as in a conventional one Spulkasten WCs be an inlet valve which is controlled fullstandsabhangig mechanically. However, it is also possible to provide a water container which can accommodate the multiple of water than is required for a one-time winding operation In this case, it is possible to Spulwas- serzumessung for a winding process by means of the shut-off valve be carried out by the control device, while the Fill the water tank can always be used when domestic water anfallt, so if for example, the rinse water of a washing machine is pumped.

p0022A simplest possible installation of the inventive device results when the container as a conventional toilet bowl can be placed, that the scattering material present in the container m the toilet bowl can be flushed through the Entsorgungsoffnung. In this case, advantageously, it is provided that the container in the toilet bowl is pivotable placeable.

p0023By placing of the container of the inventive device on a conventional toilet bowl, a particularly simple connection of the inventive device is achieved at public sewer because just the corresponding sewer connection of the toilet bowl is used. The pivotal mounting thereby ensures that the toilet bowl can still be used by its owner m the usual fashion

p0024In another embodiment of the invention provides that a subsequent to the Entsorgungsoffnung Fakahenbeseitungsem- is πchtung provided a Fakalienzerklemerer fr excrement and a pump for pumping out the Streumateπal and crushed Ex- increments with him leading Spulwassers which the water connection via a wastewater can be connected to a common sewer.

p0025This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the dimensions erfmdungsge- pet toilet can be installed independently of a toilet bowl.

p0026The invention is, for example, explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

p0027Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive shaped device for receiving and disposal of animal excrement,

p0028Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the erfmdungsgemaße apparatus illustrated in Figure 1,

p0029Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

p0030Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of part of the inventive apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention,

p0031Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view corresponding to Figure 4 showing another exemplary embodiment of the invention and

p0032Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of still another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

p0033In the various figures of the drawing, corresponding components are largely provided with the same numerals each other.

p0034As Figure 1 shows, the apparatus comprises erfmdungsgemaße for recording and Disposal of animal excrement an access union for the pet area, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment of ememBehalter 1 1 1 which has a coverable with a litter material base 1 12, a side wall 1 13 and a disposed in the edge region of the base 1 12 Endsorgungsoffnung 1 14 , The Entsorgungsoffnung 1 14 can extend substantially U-shaped around the central region of the base 1 12 around, on the scattering material can be applied. but it is also conceivable that only Entsorgungsoffnung m provide a limited peripheral portion.

p0035To wegspulen contaminated litter material reliably with feces, it is useful when a central region of the coverable with a litter material soil is 1 12 separated from the Entsorgungsoffnung by a mound-like raised rim zone, at least one drainage channel 1 12 "through which extends for water, such as in figure 2 is indicated, depending on the size and location of Entsorgungsoffnung 1 14, two or more drain grooves may be 1 12 "provided. This is achieved in particular that m can remain no water which provided for the reception of stray material portion of the bottom 1 12 after the coils.

p0036The side wall 1 13 which covers the edge area of ​​the floor 1 12, goes over into an outer wall 1 15 which forms a non Middle shown housing of an inventive shaped animal toilet, m which both a Abwassersammeibereich 1 16 of a discharge channel 1 17 and another for the loading - operation of the animal toilet required construction and controls can be accommodated. The housing of the inventive animal toilet can also be designed so that it can be placed on an ordinary toilet bowl. In this case, the toilet bowl is used as Abwassersammelbe- rich with attached exhaust duct.

p0037The area covered by the side wall 1 13 edge region 1 12 'of the bottom 1 12 is selected in relation to the width of the slit-shaped Entsorgungsoffnung 1 14 so that one hand contaminated bedding material with the aid of water can be reliably washed away with feces, but that the other hand, when an animal while performing his Notdurft his Scharrbedurf- nis enforcement, the scattering material is not wasted unnecessarily.

p0038For Wegspulen contaminated Streumaterial a Spulwasserem- is let provided which preferably one or more Remigungsdusen 1 18 comprises, which are connected via a feed valve 1 19 to a water reservoir 120th The inlet valve 1 19 may be operated in the simplest case by hand.

p0039Preferably, however, is when the inlet valve 1 19 is controlled by a controller 121, which determines by means of a supplied by a sensor 122. Sensor signal when an animal has the container 1 1 1 to enter and leave again. The sensor 122 may be a pressure sensor, however, it is also possible to provide an inductive sensor or to use light barriers or infrared sensors.

p0040In order to allow a maintenance-free operation over several days the toilet, a storage vessel 123 is provided with a FuUstandssensor 124, which is connected via a suitable valve device 125 with a purely schematically indicated Streumaterial inlet 126th

p0041The erfmdungsgemaße device operates as follows. After the filling rate of the Vorratsbehalters 123 with a litter material and switching on the control device 121,125 scattering material is first spread on the bottom 1 12 of the animal toilet via the controlled by the control device 121 valve means. Thus the animal toilet is ready for use. Once an animal, for example, a domestic cat, the covered with a litter material floor has 1 12 entered, this is detected by the sensor 122 of the controller. After perform their necessities the cat forsake the container 1 1 1, which in turn is detected by the sensor 122 of the controller 12. 1 Then, the inlet valve 1 19 is opened so that water from the water tank 120 through the Remigungsdusen 1 18 via the Bode is wound n 122 to remove the contaminated with feces litter material. The passes weggespulte Streumaterial on the waste water collection area 16 1 through the discharge channel 1 17 in a connected thereto general sewer.

p0042After the floor 1 was cleaned 12, is refilled via the valve device 125 fresh litter material.

p0043This process can be repeated as sufficient scattering material in the storage vessel is present is provided. The Streumateπalvorrat is monitored by the fuel level sensor 124th

p0044In order to trim the gleichmaßige distribution of scattering material on the floor 1 12, a Ruttelvorπchtung not shown in detail can be provided. In addition, it is also possible, thereby improving the cleaning process of the bottom, that the bottom is lowered ger the coil more or less or pivoted to enlarge the Spulwirkung

p0045In addition, the erfmdungsgemaße device for collection and disposal of animal excrement with the container 1 1 1 cover covering may be provided that during the Reimgungs- operation and refilling of litter material closes the bottom portion in order to exclude a risk of injury to animals as possible.

p0046With a suitable design of the connections for the Remigungsdusen 118 this can be connected to a conventional Spulwasserkasten. The discharge channel 1 17 can be connected either directly or via a commercially generally erhaltliche Fakalienzerklemerungsanlage to the general sewer.

p0047As Figure 3 shows another erfmdungsgemaße device for collection and disposal of animal excrement comprises a housing 10 whose upper in Figure 3 comprises a container part 1 1 having a coverable with a litter material Floor 12th The container 1 1 has an upper Zutπtts- opening 13 so that the interior is accessible to an animal, in particular pet if one shown in Figure 3 in its closed position Cover 14 has been moved with the aid of an actuator 15 along the arrow P in its open position. The bottom 12 of the m not the near-illustrated manner with a litter material is coverable, has a movable base plate 16, 17 from the m Figure 3 closing position shown m a shown dashed open position can be pivoted by means of another actuator, so that a Entsorgungsoffnung 18 is formed. The swiveling base plate 16 is articulated about a pivot 19 on a bottom frame plate 20

p0048The bottom frame plate 20 may, for example, is represented as shown in Figure 3 and 4, be truncated pressure sensors 21 and / or support elements 22 on the housing 10, the pressure sensors 21 thereby form a sensor means for detecting when a pet to enter the container 1 1 and again has left. To this end generated by the pressure sensors 21 output signals via signal lines 23 to a control device 24 are fed

p0049To put the erfmdungsgemaße device on a conventional toilet bowl 25, the housing 10 is pivotally mounted via a pivot joint 26 with a vertical pivot axis to a superstructure 27 To unintentional pivotal movement of the housing 10 from the operating position shown in Figure 3 is to prevent, are provided in the near non-illustrated manner stop and locking means

p0050Below the floor 12 includes a housing base 28 has an opening 29 which is opposite to the toilet bowl 25th

p0051A Spulwassereinlaß, through the rinse water to clean the floor 12 and the Wegspulen the scattering material through the Entsorgungsoffnung 18 zufuhrbar is formed of a plurality of Remigungsdusen 30, which are connected via a betatigbares by the control device 24 shut-off valve 31 to a water reservoir 32nd The water tank 32 is in turn connected via an inlet valve 33 which is controlled by a fuel level indicator 34 with a water connection 35, which in a general Common water or hot water supply can be connected so that the required water may be provided for the automatic cleaning of the floor. In particular, the water connection can be 35 connected to the washing machine connection in the bathroom.

p0052A means for introducing scattering material into the container 1 1 comprises a storage vessel 36 having an associated Fullstandsanzei- ger 37, which is connected via a signal line 38 to the control device 24th As a full-level indicator can be used in the simplest case, a viewing window. The storage vessel 36 is connected via a controllable shut-off element 24 by the control device 39 with Streumate- πal supply lines 40 that patronize material in the inlet openings 41 for scattering, which are provided in the wall of the container 1 the first It must be noted that the controller 24, the storage vessel 36 for scattering material and the water tank 32 together with the associated pipes are indeed shown of a block diagram outside the housing 10, that these components are, however, integrated m suitably in the housing 10th

p0053To make erfmdungsgemaße pet toilet in operation, the casing 10 is first placed with the attached collars 27 on a conventional toilet bowl 25th Subsequently, the storage vessel 36 is filled for scattering material with a corresponding scattering material supply and the water supply 35 is connected to a suitable water supply to perceive afford the water or hot water supply of pet toilet. As soon as the fuel level pointer 34 detects that the water tank 32 is filled, it causes the inlet valve 33 to interrupt the water supply. If an electrical fuel level indicator 34 is provided, a signal indicating the full state to the control device can be forwarded via a signal line 42 24 further

p0054Next, causes the controller 24 by opening the shut-off device 39 the introduction of stray material from the Vorratsbehal- ter on the floor 12 of the container 1 1. Now the pet toilet for use by an animal is ready and the lid 14 is opened so that the Zutrittsoffnung 13 of the bottom 12 is open and freely accessible for an animal.

p0055Because of the introduced scattering material is preferably a biodegradable litter material, has the pet m want the container 11 relieve himself, be the opportunity therefore to satisfy connected Scharrbedurfnis and then to relieve himself. After the pet has buried his excrement, it forsake the container 1 1. Entering of the container 1 1 by a pet is detected by means of the pressure sensors 21 that indicate an increased weight of the bottom 12th Once the pet has left the container 1 1, provide the pressure sensors 21 a the unloaded bottom 12 corresponding signal, so that the controller 24 recognizes that a pet has the container 1 1 enter and leave again.

p0056After a short period the Zutrittsoffnung 13 with the lid 14 for the pet to the shell during the subsequent cleaning process can not enter. After the lid 14 is joined GE, the pressure sensor output signal is checked by the control device 24 again in order to ensure that the container 1 1

p0057Subsequently, the base plate 16 is pivoted by means of the 24 controlled actuator device of the Steueremπch- 15 downward so that the Entsorgungsoffnung 18 is released, and the scattering material together with the excrement m fall the drain region of the toilet bowl the 25th Simultaneously, the bottom 12, ie the bottom frame plate 20 and the hinged floor plate 16 is cleaned with water from the Remigungsdusen 30 that exits with high pressure. The Remigungsdusen 30 are in this case arranged m a suitable manner so that a good Spuleffekt is achieved. To m to rewind the scattering material together with the feces reliably through the siphon of the toilet bowl 25 through the sewer, the drain of a corresponding amount of water is done receiving Water container as a gush.

p0058After completion of purification, the base plate 16 is pivoted back into its closed position to then refill fresh litter material from the storage vessel 36 into the container 1. 1 Simultaneously, the inlet valve 33 is opened by means of the level pointer 34 so that the water tank 32 is filled automatically from the water connection.

p0059Once fresh litter material was spread on the floor 12 of the container 1 1, the lid 14 is moved back to its release position so that the inlet opening 13 for the resumption of the pet toilet is be riding. Instead of the illustrated swiveling cover can also be a sliding cover are used.

p0060As shown in Figure 4, instead of a two swiveling base plates can be 16 'which cooperate wings like doors. In this way, a disposal opening can centrally provide the container 1. 1 In addition, the hinged door like arrangement of two swiveling base plates has 16 'has the advantage that, despite greater pivoting angle of the required to give away space requirements can be reduced.

p0061As Figure 5 shows, also linearly movable floor panels may "be provided by the respective linear actuators 17" 16 are operated instead of swiveling base plates. As actuators for pivoting and shifting all known types can be used by electric, magnetic and hydraulic actuators.

p0062Regardless of the design of the bottom 12 to the sensor device for detecting when a pet has the tank 1 1 to enter and leave again, be provided instead of the pressure sensors 21 and inductive sensors 21 ', which are mounted, for example, below the bottom frame plate 20th However, other suitable mounting places for, for example, outside or inside the container 1 1 in the wall are possible. Figure 5 shows an optical sensor device which can be configured for example as a light barrier 21 'or infrared sensor. In addition, it is also possible to detect the thermal radiation of a domestic animal.

p0063As Figure 6 shows, another erfmdungsgemaße device for collection and disposal of pet excrement below an opening 29 having Gehausebodens 28 a Gehauseerweiterung 10 'in a conventional Fakahenbeseitigungsanlage housed This comprises a known Fakahenzerklemerer 50, in a collecting means 51 while cleaning the floor 12, the scattering material is hmemgespult with velvet excrement. At the smaller Fakalienzer 50 closes via a pumping line 52, a pump 53, by means of which the rinse water is pumped wave tunnel along with the crushed feces and the litter material via a connecting piece 54 in the general wastewater. Incidentally, the operation of the pet toilet is done in the same manner as above according to FIG. 6

p0064The erfmdungsgemaße pet toilet allows the pet that is accustomed to bury their excrement, its necessities th to verπch- since it carries into account the natural Scharrbedurfnis the pet. Thanks to the automatic cleaning operation, the excrement of domestic animals are rinsed quickly after leaving in the general sewer, so that an odor is prevented and the litter box is always in a hygienic condition is on hold, so that pets, especially cats not using the litter box deny.

p0065With an appropriate dimensioning of Vorratsbehalters 36 and a fuel-efficient possible use of cluster material, a care-free operation of the inventive device is guaranteed over several days without further res.

p0066To facilitate the owners the control or supervision of the pet toilet, provides the fuel level indicator 37 of Vorratsbehalters 36 a corresponding signal to the control device, which provides on a suitable display unit, a material supply to the spreading corresponding display signal. Once the litter material stock has dropped below a certain level, an appropriate warning signal can be given by the controller 24 via a suitable signaling device

p0067The device erfmdungsgemaße let not only for livestock use apartments, but also wherever animals are kept by man m confined spaces, m which the animals can not defecate as in their natural environment.