cat litter engineering portfolio presentation

7/28/2019 Cat Litter Engineering Portfolio Presentation

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Engineering Design and Development Janette, Robert Miroz

2013



PURINA TIDY CATS “THE BREEZE” ◦ Manufacturer: Purina Tidy Cats

◦ Quality Rating: Medium

◦ Special Features: Odor Absorbing

◦ Price: $50-$150



LITTER ROBOT◦ Manufacturer: Automated Pet Care Products

◦ Quality Rating: High

◦ Special Features: Automated Cleaning

◦ Price: $100-$150



LITTER GENIE◦ Manufacturer: Playtex Products LLC

◦ Quality Rating: Medium

◦ Special Features: Disposal System

◦ Price: $20-$50



Source (APA format):

Allergies . (2012). Retrieved fromhttp://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/allergies.aspx

Artifact Summary:

What Are Allergies?

What Are the General Symptoms of Allergies in Cats?

Sneezing, coughing (if the cat has asthma), wheezing

Itchy skin/increased scratching

Can Cats Be Allergic to Food?

Food allergies may show up in cats at any age. WhichCats Are At Risk for Getting Allergies? All cats can beat risk for developing allergies. Cats who developallergies have usually been exposed to substances— either airborne, in food, applied to their skin ortransmitted by fleas—that they cannot tolerate.Overweight cats and those exposed to cigarette smokecan develop asthma.

What Are Cats Allergic To?

The following substances can cause allergic reactionsin cats who are sensitive to them:

Food

Fleas and flea-control products

Cleaning products

How Are Cat Allergies Diagnosed? It’s important to see a veterinary dermatologistfor an allergy test if your cat has itchy or irritatedskin.Your cat might have an allergy to the chemicalsin scented litter. If you suspect your cat has a food allergy, she’llneed to be put on a prescription or hydrolyzedprotein diet. Are There Allergy Medications forCats?

Fatty acid supplements might help relieve yourcat’s itchy skin. There are many shampoos thatmay help prevent skin infection, which occurscommonly in cats with allergies.Note: Do not give your cat medications unlessprescribed by a veterinarian.Are Allergies and Asthma Related? Note: If your cat is overweight, this can triggerasthma, too. .

Artifact Critique:

How does the artifact provide validity, conflict, orthe need for further research? What unique aspectdoes the artifact add to your overall research?

This article is from the ASPCA a prominent petorganization. It is in charge of pets and theirowners’ safety. It adds knowledge of allergens toour research. When it comes to health, there isheightened importance, both in humans andpets.




Carlson, D. (2008). Contact dermitis . Retrieved from http://pets.webmd.com/cats/contact-dermatitis-cats

Artifact Summary:

Irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are two different conditions discussed together because they producesimilar reactions. Both are caused by contact with a chemical. In contact dermatitis, the skin reaction is caused by a directirritating effect of the chemical. In allergic contact dermatitis, repeated contact produces skin sensitization that results in anallergic response from subsequent exposure. Both types of dermatitis are rare in cats because their haircoat and theirgrooming habits protect the skin from sustained contact with chemicals. This is especially true for allergic contact dermatitis.

Artifact Critique:

How does the artifact provide validity, conflict, or the need for further research? What unique aspect does the artifact add toyour overall research?

This article is from the WebMD. WebMD is a trustworthy disease website with good information on allegies and cats.It addsmore justification in finding something that will keep contact dermatitis from humans when cleaning the litter box. Health is

very important in dealing with humans and pets alike.




unknown. (unknown). Dangers of Clumping Litter.

Retrieved from http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-dangers-of-clumping-cat-litter.html

Artifact Summary:

Clumping cat litters hold great appeal for cat-lovers because they are so convenient. Sodium bentonite is often added as aclumping agent to traditional cat litters to create the “scoopable” clay litters on the market. Cats often lick themselves afterusing the litter box, ingesting pieces of the litter. Quartz silica (sand), the other ingredient in most clumping litters, is a knowncarcinogen for both humans and household pets when inhaled.

Artifact Critique:

This article also refers to the health issues that arise with the constant and long contact between a human and cat litter. It isimportant that we curtail the contact as much as we can. Health is a very important factor when it comes to designing aproduct.




unknown. (2009). Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis.

Retrieved from http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/toxoplasmosis.html

Artifact Summary:

Not just cats

Cats get toxoplasmosis from eating contaminated raw meat, birds, mice or soil. Humans can contract toxoplasmosis from theinfected, undercooked meat of other animals, too.

Disease transmission

An understanding of the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and the role that cats play in disease transmission can allay

fears of cats' role in the disease.Because it's difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis directly to their caregivers, a pregnantwoman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat. First of all, only cats who ingest tissue cysts get infected.Within the feline population, this would be limited to outdoor cats who hunt and eat rodents, as well as cats who are fed rawmeat by their owners. Secondly, because oocysts become infective only after one to five days, exposure to the disease isunlikely as long as the cat's litter box is changed daily.The following recommendations will help cat owners expecting a child toreduce their risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.




unknown. (2012). Common Parasite Found In Cat Litter May Suicide Risk. Retrieved fromhttp://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/07/03/common-parasite-may-increase-suicide-risk/

Artifact Summary:

Women infected with a common parasite called toxoplasma gondii may be more likely to attempt suicide, a new studysuggests.

The likelihood of making a suicide attempt increased with the levels of parasite-fighting antibodies, suggesting that thestronger the infection, the larger the risk, the researchers said.

The study showed an association, but does not prove that toxoplasmosis infections might cause women to attempt suicide, theresearchers said.

A common infection

Toxoplasma parasites affect a third of people worldwide, and healthy people may develop no symptoms.

Infections are more concerning when they happen to people with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women, peopleundergoing cancer treatments, and people with HIV.

In total, 488 women in the study attempted suicide, 78 violently.

Additionally, the researchers found that women with toxoplasmosis were 25 percent more likely to attempt suicide than womenwho had previously experienced mental health problems.




unknown. (2012). Cat Litter and Pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.justmommies.com/articles/toxoplasmosis-cat-litter.shtml

Artifact Summary:

Changing cat litter puts you at risk for contracting an infection called toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women are advised to notchange cat litter if at all possible.Toxoplasmosis is only a danger to your baby if you have an active infection during yourpregnancy. Cats are carriers of the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Changing cat litter may expose you to the parasite thatcauses toxoplasmosis. If a woman is infected with toxoplasmosis during her pregnancy, her baby is at risk of being infected aswell.

Artifact Critique:

This article also refers to the health issues that arise with the constant and long contact between a human and cat litter. It isimportant that we curtail the contact as much as we can. Health is a very important factor when it comes to designing aproduct. Pregnancy is especially affected in this case.




unknown. (2012). Kitty litter may increase suicide risk.. Retrieved from http://www.articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-02/news/32512011_1_kitty-litter-parasite-suicide-risk

Artifact Summary:

Parasite commonly found in cat litter boxes may increase suicidal thoughts in women. 45,000 women in Denmark were foundto be infected with this parasite. These parasites are passed when one cleans the litter boxes.

Artifact Critique:





Boyles, S.B. (2010). Cat Litter parasite raises suicide risk. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20120702/cat-litter-parasite-may-raise-suicide-risk

Artifact Summary:

Women infected with the parasite are more likely to think suicidal thoughts. Infection can be passed on when dealing with dirty catlitters. The parasite is one of the leading causes of suicide rates going up.

Artifact Critique:

This article also refers to the health issues that arise with the constant and long contact between a human and cat litter. It is

important that we curtail the contact as much as we can. Health is a very important factor when it comes to designing a product.Pregnancy is especially affected in this case.




(2012). Study links cat litter box to increased suicide risk.. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/litter-box-parasite-toxoplasma-linked-higher-suicide-risk/story?id=16698365&singlePage=true#.UYiO_ZX_QVs

Artifact Summary:

Women infected with the parasite are more likely to think suicidal thoughts. Infection can be passed on when dealing with dirtycat litters. The parasite is one of the leading causes of suicide rates going up.

Artifact Critique:

This article also refers to the health issues that arise with the constant and long contact between a human and cat litter. It is

important that we curtail the contact as much as we can. Health is a very important factor when it comes to designing aproduct. Pregnancy is especially affected in this case.




(2006). Cat Litter Dangers. Retrieved from http://www.gcnm.org/catlitter.html

Artifact Summary:

Sodium bentonite and silica are two of the most common ingredients in clumping cat litters. Both of these ingredients areconsidered to be health threats. The dust produced from litters containing silica can coat the lungs of humans and animals andhas been identified as a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Sodium bentonite is a toxin and has been implicated in thepoisoning deaths of animals.

Artifact Critique:




Source (APA format): Arbogast, Joseph C .

(1998).Automatic or Semiautomatic Cat Litter Box . Washington, DC: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number: EP 0622987 This design relates to an

improved and efficientmethod of cleaning cat litterboxes. It has a manually orpower driven crankshaftwhich imparts a movementforce to a perforated siftingscreen which scrapes alongthe bottom of the litter box,and disposes the waste in toa container.



Source (APA format): Braddock, Roseita (1988). Corrugated Kitty

Litter Box . Washington, DC: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office

Patent Number: US4776300 A This is a collapsible, corrugated housing litter

box. Its collapsible feature makes it unique. Images/sketches: NONE



Source (APA format): Faust, Ann (1996). Cat litter

box with removable litter screen. Washington, DC: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number: US5515812

A This litter box is waterproof.

It has a pan with a closedbottom, diverging walls andan open top bounded by arim, a rack having a liquid

permeable planar portionand a pluratiy of hangersincuding inverted- U bightswhich extend over the rim of the pan as so to suspendthe rack.



Source (APA format): Morrow, Dan (1989).

Mechanical Cat Litter Box. Washington, DC: U.S. Patentand Trademark Office

Patent Number: US4854267

A A cat litter box with a

mechanism for screeningand draining reusable catlitter. The box has an inner

container with holes andholds the litter. It utilizes asifting procedure.



Source (APA format): Janese Morris, Elva

(2013). US8348315 B2.Washington, DC: U.S.Patent and TrademarkOffice

Patent Number:

US8348315 B2Clickhere to enter text.

A cat litter scooper

design. It utilizes arealease and lockmechanism.



There have been many sick cat owners aftercleaning their cat’s litter box. There arecertain chemicals in the litter that can causeharm to cat owners who utilize the cat litter

boxes. The overall way of manually cleaning alitter box is old fashioned. When beingcleaned, a litter box’s contents spew into theair, which contain toxins. These toxins are

dangerous and at times proven fatal tohumans.



Who?Cat Owners whose cats stay indoors and need to use a cat litter box.

Anyone who cleans it is prone to dangers of cat litter sand. Also,the cats are affected.

What?

Cat litter sand has many chemicals. Some are even toxic. This is apresent danger to cats and their owners.

When?

A cat’s litter box is cleaning times vary depending on the numberof cats you have and how many times you clean it in a month.

How?We found a way to curtail the amount of time the cleaner faces the

cat litter sand. We have also made the cleaning process almosteffortless.



We did not receive any expert input. We neverreceived a reply.



Executive summary

This year for our Engineering Design and development class, we have teamed up for a common cause and haveextended our efforts in creating an innovational product, hopefully we will succeed in our exploits by the end of the school year.

Business/Product or Service

As a group, we have decided to design a new cat litter box, in which a cat owner’s efforts while cleaning a catlitter box, will be curtailed. In curtailing the effort, we will curtail the amount of time spent in the presence of the dangerous toxins found in cat litter. Our design consists of cat litter box that will use a different yet cheapmethod of cleaning.

The Market

We define our market, as that of cat litter boxes. The total market size is approximately 33% of the United Statespopulation, give or take.

Competition

We would compete directly with other “different” litter boxes and automated litter boxes alike. Alternatives toour product include having your cat as an indoor/outdoor pet. Our design is superior because of it’s layereddesign. We have a competitive advantage in terms of pricing as well.

Risk/Opportunity

The greatest risks associated with our business today are not being able to meet our time requirenment. We feelthat we can overcome this risks, if we assert ourselves, and dedicate our best to the project as a whole.



Customer Needs

Based on survey results, a cat litter’s stink is a factor most cat litter owners gate. About 71.7% of our sampleclaimed this to be the biggest problem with their litter box. Our idea tries to abridge the stink of the litter box orthe time spent with the stink (cleaning a litter box). The second problem found was the actual effort to clean alitter box. Survey takers listed this a the second most annoying feature of cleaning a litter box.

Performance

Our cat litter box is successful in that it is a different approach to cleaning litter boxes. We utilize layers, andavoid the use of a scooper.

Target Cost Based on our research of the competition, the average price for an automated litter box is about $100. Our price

is about $30.

Materials

Our target material was plastic. We did make our litter box out of plastic. Plastic is a much cheaper material toget, and it is perfect for the kind of work the litter box will face.

Safety And Legal Issues

Size and weight of the litter can be an issue on both the cat an the owner. Soemtimes these “different” litterboxes are too small for big sized cats. Our design succesfuly addresses both. It is lightweight and it is open, sothere is no cat size discriminated.



Ergonomics

Our simple design is both cat friendly and human friendly. Our innovative design allows owners to clean oet waste with little or no effortat all. While doing so, the owner is bound to clean the waste more often, and cat’s will have a clean litter box to use all the time.

Aesthetics

Our design is very simple. We focused mostly on its function, and not really on aesthetics. It is not horrible when it comes down to itthough. It is not unpleasing, yet it does not try to please one aesthetically.

Operating Environment

The operating room of our design would be anywhere indoors. It is made of durable tough plastic and can fit anywhere one would like.

Global Environment Our design’s materials are eco friendly in that they can be recycled if the product were to be disposed of.

Service Life

Because of the materials chosen, our cat litter bo should have a good long service life.

Durability and Maintenance

Our simple design is based on different parts of the design as a whole. If it were to need some sort of maintenace, it would be extremelyeasy to replace with a new part. Maintenace would also include a full cleaning (with water, maybe soap) every 3 months or so.



Our project does not touch on ethics and

consequences much. Our product deals withpet waste, and it has two users, the pet cat,

and the human cleaner. There is nothing thatwould affect ethics



Executive Summary This year for our Engineering Design and development class, we have teamed up

for a common cause and have extended our efforts in creating an innovationalproduct, hopefully we will succeed in our exploits by the end of the school year.

The Industry Our industry is variable. There are more cats than dogs in the country, but not all

cats are indoor cats. If they were all indoor cats, the industry will be more thanwell off. The alternative of owning a cat that comes in and out of the house is themain enemy.

Market Analysis There are various different types of cat litter cleaning solutions. The market is

pretty competitive in terms of publicity and the corportaions faced. Some of thegiants that will be face include Purina, Automated Pet Products, and others thathave been in the business for a longer time.

Competitive Product Analysis REFER TO PAST AND PRESENT SOLUTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF PORTFOLIO



Incremental Testing Summary◦ For our design we had to make sure the litter sand

flowed through the drilled holes. We also made surethe shelves fit properly and if the water flowed

through or not.◦ Testing Start: 4/15/13

◦ Testing End: 5/7/13

◦ Purpose: This test will determine if our design reallysubtracts from the original time that it takes toscoop away at a litter box

cat litter engineering portfolio presentation

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