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 from

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/catcare/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. Which Cats Are At Risk for Getting Allergies? All cats can be at risk for developing allergies. Cats who develop allergies have usually been exposed to substances either airborne, in food, applied to their skin or transmitted by fleasthat they cannot tolerate. Overweight cats and those exposed to cigarette smoke can develop asthma. What Are Cats Allergic To? The following substances can cause allergic reactions in cats who are sensitive to them: Food Fleas and flea-control products Cleaning products

How Are Cat Allergies Diagnosed? Its important to see a veterinary dermatologist for an allergy test if your cat has itchy or irritated skin. Your cat might have an allergy to the chemicals in scented litter. If you suspect your cat has a food allergy, shell need to be put on a prescription or hydrolyzed protein diet. Are There Allergy Medications for Cats? Fatty acid supplements might help relieve your cats itchy skin. There are many shampoos that may help prevent skin infection, which occurs commonly in cats with allergies. Note: Do not give your cat medications unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Are Allergies and Asthma Related? Note: If your cat is overweight, this can trigger asthma, too. . Artifact Critique: How does the artifact provide validity, conflict, or the need for further research? What unique aspect does the artifact add to your overall research? This article is from the ASPCA a prominent pet organization. It is in charge of pets and their owners safety. It adds knowledge of allergens to our research. When it comes to health, there is heightened importance, both in humans and pets.

Source (APA format): 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 produce similar reactions. Both are caused by contact with a chemical. In contact dermatitis, the skin reaction is caused by a direct irritating effect of the chemical. In allergic contact dermatitis, repeated contact produces skin sensitization that results in an allergic response from subsequent exposure. Both types of dermatitis are rare in cats because their haircoat and their grooming 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 to your overall research? This article is from the WebMD. WebMD is a trustworthy disease website with good information on allegies and cats.It adds more 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.

Source (APA format): 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 a clumping agent to traditional cat litters to create the scoopable clay litters on the market. Cats often lick themselves after using the litter box, ingesting pieces of the litter. Quartz silica (sand), the other ingredient in most clumping litters, is a known carcinogen 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 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.

Source (APA format): 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 the infected, 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 pregnant woman 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 raw meat by their owners. Secondly, because oocysts become infective only after one to five days, exposure to the disease is unlikely as long as the cat's litter box is changed daily.The following recommendations will help cat owners expecting a child to reduce their risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

Source (APA format): unknown. (2012). Common Parasite Found In Cat Litter May Suicide Risk. Retrieved from http://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 study suggests. The likelihood of making a suicide attempt increased with the levels of parasite-fighting antibodies, suggesting that the stronger 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, the researchers 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, people undergoing 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 women who had previously experienced mental health problems.

Source (APA format): unknown. (2012). Cat Litter and Pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.justmommies.com/articles/toxoplasmosis-catlitter.shtml Artifact Summary: Changing cat litter puts you at risk for contracting an infection called toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women are advised to not change cat litter if at all possible.Toxoplasmosis is only a danger to your baby if you have an active infection during your pregnancy. Cats are carriers of the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Changing cat litter may expose you to the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. If a woman is infected with toxoplasmosis during her pregnancy, her baby is at risk of being infected as well. 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.

Source (APA format): unknown. (2012). Kitty litter may increase suicide risk.. Retrieved from http://www.articles.nydailynews.com/2012-0702/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 found to be infected with this parasite. These parasites are passed when one cleans the litter boxes. 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.

Source (APA format): Boyles, S.B. (2010). Cat Litter parasite raises suicide risk. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mentalhealth/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 cat 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 a product. Pregnancy is especially affected in this case.

Source (APA format): (2012). Study links cat litter box to increased suicide risk.. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/litter-box-parasitetoxoplasma-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 dirty cat 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 a product. Pregnancy is especially affected in this case.

Source (APA format): (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 are considered to be health threats. The dust produced from litters containing silica can coat the lungs of humans and animals and has been identified as a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Sodium bentonite is a toxin and has been implicated in the poisoning deaths of animals. 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.

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 efficient method of cleaning cat litter boxes. It has a manually or power driven crankshaft which imparts a movement force to a perforated sifting screen which scrapes along the bottom of the litter box, and disposes the waste in to a container.

Source (APA format): Simon, David A. (2012). Cat Litter Box. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Number: 20120255497 This litter box includes a tray that has a bottom wall and side walls. One of the side walls has an upper portion that is movable from a retrated positon to an upright position. There are bags in the tray, that each contain litter sand. It utilizes layers.

Source (APA format): Braddock, Roseita (1988). Corrugated Kitty Litter Box. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark 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 closed bottom, diverging walls and an open top bounded by a rim, a rack having a liquid permeable planar portion and a pluratiy of hangers incuding inverted- U bights which extend over the rim of the pan as so to suspend the rack.

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

Mechanical Cat Litter Box.

Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number: US4854267 A A cat litter box with a mechanism for screening and draining reusable cat litter. The box has an inner container with holes and holds the litter. It utilizes a sifting procedure.

Source (APA format): Janese Morris, Elva (2013). US8348315 B2. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number: US8348315 B2Click here to enter text.

A cat litter scooper design. It utilizes a realease and lock mechanism.

There have been many sick cat owners after cleaning their cats litter box. There are certain chemicals in the litter that can cause harm to cat owners who utilize the cat litter boxes. The overall way of manually cleaning a litter box is old fashioned. When being cleaned, a litter boxs contents spew into the air, which contain toxins. These toxins are dangerous and at times proven fatal to humans.

There have been many sick cat owners after cleaning their cats litter box. There are certain chemicals in the litter that can cause harm to cat owners who utilize the cat litter boxes. The overall way of manually cleaning a litter box is old fashioned. When being cleaned, a litter boxs contents spew into the air, which contain toxins. These toxins are dangerous and at times proven fatal to humans.

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 a present danger to cats and their owners. When? A cats litter box is cleaning times vary depending on the number of 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 almost effortless.

We did not receive any expert input. We never received a reply.

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 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 owners efforts while cleaning a cat litter 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 cheap method of cleaning. The Market We define our market, as that of cat litter boxes. The total market size is approximately 33% of the United States population, give or take. Competition We would compete directly with other different litter boxes and automated litter boxes alike. Alternatives to our product include having your cat as an indoor/outdoor pet. Our design is superior because of its layered design. 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 feel that 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 litters stink is a factor most cat litter owners gate. About 71.7% of our sample claimed this to be the biggest problem with their litter box. Our idea tries to abridge the stink of the litter box or the time spent with the stink (cleaning a litter box). The second problem found was the actual effort to clean a litter 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, and avoid 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 to get, 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 litter boxes are too small for big sized cats. Our design succesfuly addresses both. It is lightweight and it is open, so there 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 effort at all. While doing so, the owner is bound to clean the waste more often, and cats will have a clean litter box to use all t he 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 it though. 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 designs 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 extremely easy 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 with pet waste, and it has two users, the pet cat, and the human cleaner. There is nothing that would 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 innovational product, 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 than well off. The alternative of owning a cat that comes in and out of the house is the main 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 the giants that will be face include Purina, Automated Pet Products, and others that have 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 sure the 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 really subtracts from the original time that it takes to scoop away at a litter box