Patents by Inventor Eric M. Engel

Eric M. Engel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6223688
    Abstract: In an exemplary form, the invention provides a liner for a litter box cover designed to rest on a litter box bottom. The liner comprises a sidewall for lining a substantial portion of a sidewall of the cover otherwise exposed to pet waste during normal operation. The sidewall comprises a fluid impermeable layer and an aperture for access by a pet. The liner further comprises at least one fastener for being held in position relative to the cover. The liner may include a top comprising a fluid impermeable layer attached to the liner sidewall around a substantial portion of a lateral periphery of the top. In addition to the fluid impermeable layer, the liner sidewall preferably includes a sorbent layer for absorbing pet urine and preferably a claw-resistant layer for protecting the sorbent layer. Using the foregoing liner for a litter box cover together with a liner for a litter box bottom achieves significant reduction in bacteria or odor buildup in a litter box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Eric M. Engel
  • Patent number: 6055935
    Abstract: In an exemplary form, the invention provides a liner for a cat box cover designed to rest on a cat box bottom. The liner comprises a sidewall for lining a substantial portion of a sidewall of the cover otherwise exposed to cat urine during normal operation. The sidewall comprises at least a fluid impermeable layer. The liner includes a top attached to the liner sidewall around a substantial portion of a lateral periphery of the top. In addition to the fluid impermeable layer, the liner sidewall preferably includes a sorbent layer for absorbing cat urine and preferably a claw-resistant layer for protecting the sorbent layer. The top of the liner comprises a fluid impermeable layer, and preferably also includes a sorbent layer and preferably a claw-resistant layer. Using the foregoing liner for a cat box cover together with a liner for a cat box bottom achieves significant reduction in bacteria or odor buildup in a cat box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Eric M. Engel
  • Patent number: 5850798
    Abstract: A liner for a cat box having sides extending upwardly from a bottom to a vertical height. The liner comprises a bag for placement in the cat box. The bag comprises a bottom portion for lining the cat box, and a contiguous top portion. A fluid-impermeable layer is placed within the box, located within the bottom portion of the bag and bonded to the bag. A sorbent layer is placed above the fluid-impermeable layer. A claw-resistant layer is placed above the sorbent layer and affixed to the fluid-impermeable layer so as to stiffen the affixed layers, whereby they tend to stay in place in the cat box. The top portion of the bag drapes over the sides of the box for a drape length and provides ballast for helping the liner to stay in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Eric M. Engel