The present invention refers to a scratcher lounger in a form of a piece of furniture for pets, particularly cats, serving for scratching and resting.

Cat furniture made of corrugated cardboard is commonly known. Bodies of most of it are formed of frontally adhered to each other plurality of sheets of cardboard of identical outer edges and identical outline of possible openings. The first and the last layer are sometimes formed by similar means made of plywood or paperboard. Such a solution in a shape similar to a spacial letter„S" is presented in the specification of industrial design US D652179S1 /Cat scratcher/David Haaf.

A cat scratcher is also known from patent specification US 20060042560A1/Cat scratching apparatus/ Frank Novak. The body thereof in a front view resembles a letter "U" and it is formed by a corrugated cardboard container that holds in a position of mutual adhesion a plurality of corrugated strips filling thereof. All the strips are directed by their long sides towards one, horizontal direction. The short sides thereof, in two lateral zones are positioned horizontally, and in the lower, middle zone - vertically. Such a solution enables replacement of strips when they have been worn out due to scratching.

A scratcher of a flat, slightly curved upward shape is also known from patent specification US 8561575B2/Apparatus for dulling animal claws and methods of manufacturing the same/ Carole Ruffin. It contains uniform, adjacent, corrugated cardboard means, limited by their sides by similar means made of rigid material. All the layers are interconnected with three„pins" passing through the openings made in the layers. This solution also enables replacement of cardboard layers when they have been worn out.

An object of the present invention provides a new solution, improving comfort of use of corrugated cardboard scratcher loungers for cats.

A scratcher lounger according to the invention, comprising at least one outer layer, formed by frontally adjacent corrugated cardboard strips, which in some versions may be frontally adhered to each other. Corrugated layers of paper thereof are positioned such that the upper usable surface of the scratcher lounger discloses corrugated edges thereof.

The outer layer is typically finished at two opposite sides with edge laths positioned in parallel to the long sides of the cardboard strips. The laths may be formed by several frontally adhered to each other strips or may be made of distinct, more bend-resistant material.

The strips forming the outer layer are permanently joined by their long and/or short sides with the coupling means or plurality of coupling means. If the strips are joined with the means only by the long sides thereof, it is sufficient if it is pliable in a direction transversal to longer sides of the strips. The means may be made of, for example, two-layer corrugated cardboard with the corrugated layer directed downwards so as the stripes of this layer go in parallel to the strips. The simplest version of the coupling means are the very strings of glue, e.g. thermal, going transversely or crosswise to the strips. Such glue should be flexible enough and sufficiently tear-resistant. Each string of glue may contain a thin tie-rod set therein, preferably made of fishing line, significantly reinforcing the coupling means. Higher pliability, and even tensility of the outer layer is ensured by the coupling means made of flexible materials. It may be a sheet of flexible mesh or a plurality of flexible tie- rods. Flexible materials enable forming the coupling means that are joined simultaneously with long and short or only short sides of the strips. Preferrably, the flexible coupling means are joined to the sides of the cardboard strips with individual adhesive bonds that fasten separately and permanently each of the strips thereto. The scratcher lounger contains also suspension means the outer layer adjoins thereto, typically preceded by the coupling means or a plurality of the coupling means. The suspension means may be a uniform plate made of elastic substance. It may also be a honeycomb board, wherein this substance is distributed selectively. It may also contain separate shock absorbers, identical or different in shape, material and level of elasticity. In some scratcher loungers, and in particular in some of their zones, the upper surface of the suspension means or plurality of the suspension means may function, together with glue, as the coupling means. Then, the strips forming the outer layer are adhered directly to the suspension means or a plurality of the suspension means. The strings of glue may also contain tie-rods of a small cross section set therein. Some versions of scratcher loungers are provided with supports located at a suspension means level, along the cardboard strips. They may be formed of rigid profiles of quadrilateral, triangle, round or other cross-sections. They may also be formed of less bendable under load zones of the suspension means or plurality of the suspension means.

The scratcher lounger according to the invention contains at least one outer layer, wherein the upper wall serves cats for resting and scratching. Forming this layer of plurality of thin strips of corrugated cardboard, joining their sides with the coupling means or plurality of the coupling means and placing them on the suspension means or plurality of the suspensions means results in the outer layer to bend smoothly and elastically under the cat's weight. It adapts better to the body shape, distributing its weight on a larger surface.

If the strips forming the outer layer are not frontally adhered to each other, then in the in a position of mutual adhesion they are held by the coupling means or a plurality of the coupling means. If they are frontally adhered, these means reduce the probability of split of the strips under load. Preferrably, the coupling means is flexible and sides of the cardboard strip are joined thereto permanentny and separately with individual adhesive bonds. Under pressure of an animal body, the flexible coupling means become finely and segmentally extended, which significantly improves elasticity of the outer layer. Additional increase of its elasticity may be achieved by cutting cardboard strips with balers or paper cutters. Thus, the corrugated cardboard has become crashed and permanently deformed. The structural properties thereof are changing and it starts to perform as a spring. However, it entails reduction of thickness of the strips, which is in contrary to the cats' preferences. When choosing this technology, it is preferred to use non-typical, thickest types of three-layer cardboard which upon crushing obtain thickness similar to standard cardboard of higher flute. Cutting the strips with the balers or paper cutters gives in result also sharp edges, disliked by cats. It forces additional operation of their softening. Crushing and sharp edges may be avoided when the strips are cut with saws of different types. However, then, they retain rigidness of non-deformed, corrugated layer of the cardboard, slightly reducing elasticity of the outer layer. This technology allows initial adhesion of cardboard sheets into stacks, and then cutting into slices which may be used to make the outer layers. It accelerates the production process as it eliminates typically a time-consuming action of forming a layer from separate strips. However, it further reduces its elasticity. It allows, however, to limit the coupling means to two flexible tie-rods, joined permanentny with short sides of the strips, typically positioned vertically. However, high suspension means should not be applied then as it creates the risk for the strips to tear apart when under load. Two flexible tie- rods, jointed to short sides of the strips, forming a coupling means or part of a coupling means, also perform another significant function - they reinforce two opposite segments of the outer layer edge, in parallel to the edge laths, also being scratched by cats. Higher elasticity of the outer layer is favoured by relatively small width of the strips forming thereof. The best when the ratio of the strip width and thickness of the sheet it was cut of does not exceed 5:1. The necessity to improve durability of the scratcher loungers intended for larger and more energetic cats may force bigger width of strips, resulting in partial change in features, including reduction of elasticity of the outer layer. Slightly different properties of this layer may be obtained also by using the strips of the corrugated cardboard of a number of layers other than three. Narrow width of the strips improves elasticity of the outer layer, but reduces their individual mechanical strength. At a particular risk for permanent deformation are several last strips located on and in the vicinity of the edge. That is why the outer layers are provided with edge laths that reinforce extreme zones and prevent their deformation, including excessive inclination outwards by the strips located at the edges.

The edge laths are particularly important in the scratcher loungers wherein there are no rigid supports under the lateral zones of the outer layer and the thickness of the suspension means is relatively high. In such cases the laths should be manufactured from materials sufficiently resistant to permanent deformation.

One of the possible versions of realization of the edge lath is to adhere together several cardboard strips forming the outer layer. Then, they form a wider layer, additionally reinforced with glue. It is more resistant to permanent deformation than a single strip.

Such a version of the edge lath may be present in the scratcher loungers with low suspension means, or high but low at sides.

In some scratcher loungers the outer layer surrounds the supports and the suspension means therebetween, forming a closed circle. It is then devoid of visible edges, in parallel to the strips forming thereof. The edge laths facilitate then an operation of accurate closing of the circle formed by the outer layer.

If the suspension means present in the scratcher loungers are constructed in a form of a monolithic plate, e.g. upholstery foam, then even its lowest density results in quite low elasticity of the outer layer. It derives from the fact that the force applying from upwards on this means is distributed unequally but on the entire length of the strips it applies thereon. Lowering under pressure, they need to overcome relatively substantial resistance of the matter thereunder. Thus, it is preferably if in the plate constituting the suspension means there are empty zones, devoid of elastic substance.

This means may also contain plurality of the separate shock absorbers, identical or different in shape, degree of elasticity and material they were made of.

Some versions of the scratcher loungers according to the invention are provided with the supports located at a level of the suspension means, typically at the sides thereof and in parallel to the strips. The function thereof is to reduce and eliminate elasticity of selected zones of the outer layer. If they are only to limit elasticity of those zones, they should not be too hard. Then, they may be manufactured even from extremely elastic substance present in the suspension means. According to the arguments presented above, it is only necessary to ensure higher, in percentage, presence of this substance under the strips forming the zones of reduced elasticity. Different elasticity of the zones of the outer layer serves to obtain larger difference in levels between the lowest and the highest level where the parts of the animal body are being located. It is also important for comfort of use of the lounger. The necessity to totally eliminate elasticity of selected zones of the outer layer requires rigid supports. They are important mainly in the versions of the scratcher loungers forming replaceable inserts for more complex cat furniture. Stiffened lateral zones of this layer, due to the hard supports, remain at constant height, even under load. It results in that no apertures are formed therebetween and the segments of the furniture casing thereabove, which prevents the scratcher lounger from releasing itself therefrom. It is not only for aesthetic reasons, but above all to reduce probability of any animal body parts being pinched. Also, it eliminates possibility of creation of significant faults on the surface where the cat is resting. In the versions constituting replaceable inserts, the suspension means may be transferred into the furniture because it is subject to less wear than the outer layer being scratched by the cat. The replaceable insert contains then only the outer layer joined with the coupling means. It may also be devoid of edge laths because the edges of the outer layer are covered by segments of the casing. These segments take over the mechanical impacts, potentially harmful to the strips located in the extreme. In some sense, they perform the function of the edge laths. Such a solution reduces the cost of insert replacement.

Covering the majority of the walls of the scratcher lounger and exposure of the very top of the surface thereof allows to use suspension means in a form of mattresses with tight and flexible coatings, filled with gas or liquid. Then, the casing protects them from punctures by the cat's sharp claws. Physical properties of liquids, and even more gases, allow to use them to fill in the entire volume of the suspension means, whilst retaining high elasticity of the outer layer. Reduced running costs are also for the scratcher loungers with two opposite outer layers and coupling means because they have one joined suspension means and possible joined supports. Such a solution, similar to the version described above, wherein the outer layer surrounds the supports and suspension means. When the upper section of the outer layer have been worn out or one of the outer layers have been worn out, the scratcher lounger may be reversed to prolong its durability.

An advantage of the scratcher loungers according to the invention is surprising, both for people and an animal, high elasticity of the plates made of plurality of corrugated cardboard layers. It significantly increases comfort of use of the items belonging to a popular on the market group of cardboard furniture for cats.

An object of the invention in several exemplary embodiments has been depicted in the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows its general view in convergent perspective. It also shows in a circle an enlargement of the selected section disclosing arrangement of the corrugated layers of cardboard in the strips forming the outer layer. Fig. 2 presents the same item with the components positioned at a distance from each other. Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing presenting in enlargement the section of the outer layer, wherein the strips are joined by their long sides with the flexible coupling means by the individual adhesive bonds. For a better view of the drawing, the inner corrugated strips have not been shown. Fig. 4 presents also spaced components of the scratcher lounger of an external shape similar to the first exemplary embodiment. The layer and means contain however slightly different components. Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 present frontal views of other exemplary embodiments, and in Fig. 10, it is shown by a broken line a possible location of walls of the furniture that may constitute a casing for the scratcher lounger in the version close to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 4, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10 present exemplary embodiments with the rigid supports, whereas in the cases presented in Fig. 4, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 they have a rectangual cross-section and in Fig. 8 - round. Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 present versions of the scratcher lounger with the supports made of elastic material of a rectangular cross-section and cross-section of a section of a circle. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are the exemplary embodiments devoid of distinct supports. Their function is performed by lateral zones of the suspension means with increased concentration of foam therein.

Example 1.

In the first exemplary embodiment presented in the drawing, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the scratcher lounger comprising the outer layer 1 , formed by the strips 5 and limited on sides by the monolithic edge laths 6. It also has the one-part pliable coupling means 2 and the one-part suspension means 3 in a form of a frame, with internal, transversal bars. Its longitudinal, lateral bars constitute supports 4.

Example 2.

The second exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 shows the scratcher lounger of a shape similar to the previous one. The coupling means 2 contains six flat, flexible tie-rods. In the folded position, four of them couple with long sides of the strips 5, and two extreme ones with positioned vertically short sides. The suspension means 3 is formed of five separate bars located transversaly to the direction of arrangement of the strips 5. The supports 4 are rigid bars of rectangular cross-section. Fig. 10 depicts a similar, though not identical, exemplary embodiment as a replaceable insert placed in a more complex piece of cat furniture, wherein the walls are indicated schematically by a broken line. The outer layer adjoins to the suspension means 3 without intermediate of the coupling means 2 because it limits itself to two flexible tie- rods permanently coupled with short sides of the strips 5. In Fig. 10, one of the tie- rods is partly attached to a surface formed by these sides.

Example 3.

The third exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 5 shows the scratcher lounger, wherein the outer layer 1 and the coupling means 2, and the upper surface of the suspension means 3 are bent along a gentle curve such that their lateral zones are higher than the middle zone. The solution is devoid of the supports 4, and the thickness of the suspension means 3 is significantly high on the sides, thus the tougher edge laths 6 have been applied here.

Example 4.

The forth exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 6 shows the scratcher lounger, wherein the outer layer 1 and the coupling means 2, and the upper surface of the suspension means 3 fall downward at sides. This embodiment is devoid of typical supports 4. The suspension means thereof are formed of several foam bars positioned transversaly to the longitude of the strips 5. In the middle zones, these bars have round openings increasing elasticity of the middle zone of the scratcher lounger. Thus, their non-perforated lateral zones are slightly less elastic, so in some sense they act as rather soft supports 4. Each of the edge laths 6 is formed by several adhered to each other strips 5, located at a small distance from the ground.

Example 5.

The fifth exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 7 shows scratcher lounger of a shape similar to the previous embodiment. However, on its sides it has two supports 4 of a shape of a portion of cylinder, made of foam of higher density than the foam forming the suspension means 3. As previously, the edge laths 6 are adhered to each other by strips 5.

Example 6. The sixth exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 8 shows a scratcher lounger wherein two rigit supports 4 have a round cross-section. Both the outer layer and the coupling means 2 connected thereto surround the supports 4 and the suspension means 3 located therebetween, forming a closed circle.

Example 7.

The seventh exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 9 shows the scratcher lounger comprising two flat outer layers, each thereof is joined with the coupling means (2) thereof. It also contains two rigid supports formed of bars of a square cross-section with the suspension means 3 therebetween.