CAT-PAN LITTER-LESS LINER PRODUCT AND METHOD

Abstract

A monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system and method for managing excreta of domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, performing tests for materials present in the excreta, indicating presence of such materials, and providing for secure and sanitary disposal, comprising an impermeable liner with an affixed absorbent pad having one or more incorporated indicator areas, where the indicator areas provide a level of indication ranging from a general overall level of concern in an alerting embodiment to a more detailed indication suitable for analysis by a veterinary practitioner in a diagnostic embodiment. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system and method does not contaminate, denature, or otherwise compromise the urine or stool excreta, and therefore provides a secure and pleasant means of containing, saving, and transporting any such samples which are thought to warrant further analysis.

Claims

1. A monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system for managing excreta of a domestic pet having a defined area for elimination, and for monitoring health as indicated by presence, absence, or concentration of components of interest, the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system comprising: (i) an impermeable liner adapted to cover the defined area for elimination in use, and further adapted to form a disposable bag after use, having a perimeter, an inner face, and an outer face; (ii) an absorbent pad affixed to said impermeable liner on the inner face, adapted to absorb pet excreta in use, and further adapted to be disposed of after use; and (iii) at least one indicator area incorporated into said absorbent pad, adapted to react to and indicate presence, absence, or concentration of components of interest; where, in use, said impermeable liner with said absorbent pad is placed to line the defined area of elimination, providing the pet with a place to urinate and defecate; where, in use, said impermeable liner with said absorbent pad prevents spilling of any excreta or other substance; where, in use, said indicator area provides a visual indication of abnormal levels of components of interest; and where, in use, the disposable bag formed from said impermeable liner with said absorbent pad is removed and disposed of without spilling any excreta or other substance.

2. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner.

3. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further adapted to allow recovery of pet excreta without degrading its utility for health analysis.

4. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a cat attractant incorporated into said impermeable liner.

5. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a cat attractant incorporated into said absorbent pad.

6. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising an odor-eliminating substance incorporated into said absorbent pad.

7. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a substance that reacts with pet excreta in such a way as to provide a visual indication of the presence of blood or other marker of poor health, incorporated into said absorbent pad.

8. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner adapted to be used as a tie strap for disposal.

9. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner adapted to be used for gathering of the perimeter of said impermeable liner about a rim of a cat pan.

10. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad system of claim 1, further adapted for collection of specimens of pet waste for veterinary analysis.

11. A monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method comprising: (i) providing a monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad, comprising: (a) an impermeable liner adapted to cover the defined area for elimination in use, and further adapted to form a disposable bag after use, having a perimeter, an inner face, and an outer face; (b) an absorbent pad affixed to said impermeable liner on the inner face, adapted to absorb pet excreta in use, and further adapted to be disposed of after use; and (c) at least one indicator area incorporated into said absorbent pad, adapted to react to and indicate presence, absence, or concentration of components of interest; (ii) placing said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad; (iii) providing the pet with a place to urinate and defecate; (iv) preventing spilling of any excreta or other substance; (v) removing said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad without spilling any excreta or other substance; and (vi) disposing said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad as the disposable bag without spilling any excreta or other substance.

12. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner.

13. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, further allowing recovery of pet excreta without degrading its utility for health analysis.

14. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a cat attractant incorporated into said impermeable liner.

15. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a cat attractant incorporated into said absorbent pad.

16. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising an odor-eliminating substance incorporated into said absorbent pad.

17. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a substance that reacts with pet excreta in such a way as to provide a visual indication of the presence of blood or other marker of poor health, incorporated into said absorbent pad.

18. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner adapted to be used as a tie strap for disposal.

19. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further comprising a band around the perimeter of said impermeable liner adapted to be used for gathering of the perimeter of said impermeable liner about a rim of a cat pan.

20. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad method of claim 11, where said monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad is further adapted for collection of specimens of pet waste for veterinary analysis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a first embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of a first embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of a second embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of an alerting embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention, in use, not showing any alert;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of an alerting embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention, in use, showing an alert;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of a diagnostic embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention, in use, not showing any results; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a diagnostic embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad of the invention, in use, showing results.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 provides an impermeable liner 1 onto which is fixed an absorbent pad 2 which incorporates at least one indicator area 3. The domestic pet eliminates onto the absorbent pad 2. The impermeable liner 1 prevents the excreta from passing through and soiling the underlying surface, and later will serve as a bag or envelope for either disposing of the waste or preserving it for further analysis, if warranted. The indicator area 3 or areas provide a visual indication of, variously, the presence, absence, or concentrations of one or more components detected in the excreta. Typical components of significance are known in the veterinary and medical arts, and are such as acids or bases, sugars, proteins, ketones, nitrites, blood, bilirubin, leukocytes, and others. In a more simple, alerting embodiment, the presence, absence, or abnormal concentration of a defined component or combination of components will cause a visual mark or symbol to appearin the nature of a litmus-test reaction. The visual mark could be some sort of symbol which would be understood to indicate whether or not further investigation into the health of the animal is warranted. The visual mark could be words of instruction. This alerting embodiment would be appropriate for lay persons, and would, ideally, suggest further investigation without causing undue alarm. In a more complex, diagnostic embodiment, the indicator area 3 is divided into more granular specific indicators 5 of the components and concentrations contained in the excreta. Such a diagnostic embodiment is appropriate for, as examples, a veterinary facility or a shelter having regular access to qualified diagnosticians and analysts.

[0030] When the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 is used with cats, it will likely be used in a cat pan, and it will negate the need for kitty litter, and therefore the disadvantages of kitty litter. When used with dogs, it will likely be used under conditions where the dog is confinedsuch as for examinationand the dog is more likely to use such a pad placed in a remote corner. The illustrations and examples are given with regard to cats but are applicable to dogs and other domestic-pet animals.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, showing a first embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 of the invention, the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 is meant to be placed into a standard cat pan, which is generally between one and two feet in each lateral dimension, covering an area of approximately two to three square feet, and a depth of from two to five inches. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 completely replaces and eliminates the use of kitty litter, which eliminates the purchase and handling of litter, the dust of litter, the scattering of litter and waste, and the contamination of cat excreta making it useless for health analysis.

[0032] The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 provides an impermeable liner 1 which fits into and over the sides of a cat pan. The impermeable liner 1 contains the cat waste, and forms a disposable bag after use. The impermeable liner 1 can have an elastic edge for gripping the rim of the cat pan. The impermeable liner 1 can be made from a sheet of rubber or plastic or of rubberized or plasticized paper or textile material.

[0033] Affixed to the center of the upward face or inner face of the impermeable liner 1 is an absorbent pad 2. The absorbent pad 2 absorbs cat excreta, which keeps the excreta from scattering. The absorbent pad 2 does not contaminate nor denature the cat excreta, which can be easily and conveniently be given a spot analysis when removing the cat-pan litter-less liner 10 after the cat has used it. The absorbent pad 2 is meant to be disposed of after use, contained within the disposable bag formed by the impermeable liner 1.

[0034] The absorbent pad 2 incorporates at least one indicator area 3, which provides the indications appropriate to either the alerting embodiment or diagnostic embodiment as treated above.

[0035] In use, the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 is placed to line the bottom and sides of the cat pan, providing the cat with a place to urinate and defecate. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 prevents spilling of any excreta or other substance from the cat pan. Periodically, the used monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 is removed and either disposed of or kept for analysis. The monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 can be removed and disposed of without spilling any excreta or other substance from the cat pan. During the removal and disposal process the cat excreta can be visually spot-checked for blood, parasites, or other indications of poor health.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, showing a second embodiment of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 of the invention, the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 can be provided with a strap or band 4 around the perimeter of the impermeable liner 1. Such a band 4 can be used as a tie strap when a used monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 is being disposed of. It can also be used to gather the perimeter of the impermeable liner 1 about the rim of the cat pan. The band 4 can be made of a similar material to the impermeable liner 1. The band 4 can also be made of an elastic material that will gather the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 about the rim of the cat pan.

[0037] The impermeable liner 1 or the absorbent pad 2 of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 can have an applied or incorporated substance that is attractive to cats. The absorbent pad 2 of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 can have an applied or incorporated substance that neutralizes odors without denaturing or contaminating the pet excreta.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in an alerting embodiment the absorbent pad 2 of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 incorporates at least one indicator area 3, and the indicator area 3 provides a simple indication with only two, or only a few states. An example of a two-state indicator could be an area which is colorless when the component or components of interest are either not present or are present only in normal or expected concentrations, and which becomes colored when the presence or concentration deviates from normal. A three-state or four-state indicator could change to different colors under different circumstances, providing a little more information. In use, the alerting embodiment provides a way to make a daily or frequent spot check of an animal's health, both by visual inspection of the excreta and by observation of the indicator area 3 which will indicate suspected abnormality or imbalance of otherwise hard to see components. If any abnormality is suspected, the excreta, which has not been contaminated or denatured, can be sealed within the impermeable liner and given to a veterinarian for further diagnostic testing.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in a diagnostic embodiment the absorbent pad 2 of the monitoring disposable litter-less domestic-pet pad 10 also incorporates at least one indicator area 3, and the indicator area 3 in turn provides more than one diagnostic segments 5, each of which can indicate the presence, absence, or concentration of a specific component of interest. This diagnostic embodiment will be useful in circumstances where a qualified diagnostician is available to interpret the information.

[0040] The absorbent pad 2 of the cat-pan litter-less liner 10 can have an applied or incorporated substance that reacts with cat excreta in such a way as to provide a visual indication of the presence of blood or other marker of poor health.

[0041] Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.