Automatic Litterbox Central

Hi,

I'm new to this form, I've been watching Litterfree on Ebay for over a year now. I was hoping after they went out of business the prices would drop but they are holding about the same. When you build your clone I'd be interested to know if it works and if you'd sell them.

Thanks, Laura

Actually with them out of business, the usual is that the price goes up. I'm afraid that they didn't get into the market enough for that to happen. It's just not a widely known product, thus demand is weak. If they are able to resurface, I really think that this product will be successful with a few improvements that we've discussed in other threads.

I would incouarge the idea of building a self-washing litter box. You might stumble on to something that works better. If you find something that looks like it will work then patent lawyers will take care of the rest. I hear that the proccess can wear you down though. Beware!

Mr Bill:

How's it going on that contraption of yours? If you need a beta-tester, sign me up!

The ONE major thing, aside from the ideas you've already shared, that I think is necessary in yours or the LF boxes is an occupancy sensor like the LitterMaid. I have two cats (out of three) who were traumatized by the LF starting when they were in it just one time and they have refused to have anything to do with it since. Thus my original goal of never cleaning a litter box again had been thwarted!

Please.

Anyone can build something in their basement. If you've got the time and like to tinker, you can build a similar functioning device. The problem is time.

Pet-Centric committed resources to design an egnineering plan and established relationships with vendors to supply and manufacturer parts. Then defined a "well-oiled" assembly plan.

Out of a basement, I could build one and manufacturer its supplies, but it would easily take 200-300 man hours for the first one. After beta testing and getting all the bugs out of it. Now, that timeframes not too bad IF I quit work. But otherwise that translates into 6 months of hard after-work and weekend work (sorry family will have to go on hold). Each additional one would probably take 100 hours. Anyone who says "I can do it for less"; actually track your time, be honest, and let us know when you're done. We'll see.

Additionally, building a reliable unit is no small chore. That in itself means trying hundreds of iterations of different parts and materials until you get it right. Not to mention testing it with cats. Your test cat won't poop every minute so expect your beta cycle will be extended once again.

Anyone who is holding their breath to be a beta tester from some do it yourselfer, please make certain you keep oxygen close by. This is a forum and while we all agreed to use it at our own risk, we don't want anyone injured

Isn't Litterfree just a really small dish washing machine with plastic litter?

looknow12 wrote:Please.


Anyone who is holding their breath to be a beta tester from some do it yourselfer, please make certain you keep oxygen close by. This is a forum and while we all agreed to use it at our own risk, we don't want anyone injured

How could it be any worse than it is now? Injury from what??...bad smell??...we're already suffering from that now with all the other products out there. I say bring on all the do-it-yourselfers we can rather than hold our breath waiting for Pet Centric. If Mr. Bill, runs out of pep or time, the project could be picked up by other inventors, and when they run out of pep, pass it on again, and so on, until the product is finished. My LF has been collecting cobwebs too long. Of all the improvement suggestions, my strongest vote is on a quieter unit. Otherwise, the cats will never get near the thing long enough to notice any of the other improvements.
Go, Mr. Bill!!

Another thought, Mr. Bill, could be that if you make a working unit for your own cats, and find that you don't have the resources to manufacture one for sale, you could always sell just the plans. I bet a lot of do-it-yourselfers would love a crack at it (and another reason to give to their family for why they're hanging around at the local Home Depot again ).

I just hope hope hope hope hope that Pet-Centrix resurfaces. I just don't understand how it could have folded but then again I only know too well how businesses do fold.

I wish them luck and hope that they can bring about the necessary collateral to come back better than before.

In the case that they don't I would love to bring about the dream of recreating the LitterFree. If I am correct Patents have a 20 year shelf life in the US, I'm not sure about International patents, I'd have to look into that. I'll ask my room mate. She works for a Patent Law Office Firm.

I have a few ideas that would make the LitterFree better than ever and with the right marketing it would make LitterMaid look like last year's robot. Different colors to accent/coordinate the bathroom? Come one there are so many upper crust people who would buy it if it looked better!

If anyone is serious keep in touch with me because if Pet-Centric doesn't come back I'll be there in the next 20 years or so with plans of my own. Just PM me!

Ermin

I have had some contact with people at Petcentric. They are planning to bring the unit back on the market within the next 12 months, with major improvements promised, including addressing the noise issue as well as other technical problems.

The person primarily responsible for the design and construction of the unit is a very bright person with a lot of initiative, so I feel certain that Petcentric will be back with us fairly soon with a great product.

Don't count them out.

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!!! I'll trust in you and them. I just know this wonderful product couldn't be kept down for long.

It looked daunting at first but I really did set it up myself. I almost called my landlord but instead asked my roommate to borrow her wrench and minutes later I was arranging the hose so it would be winding around the bathroom everywhere.

The cats are a little suspicious but I think they'll come around. They've been inside and just need to make the necessary first move, bowel movement that is.

Again, I'll hold my breath. Until then, I'll treat these two LitterFree litterboxes I have like gold!!!

Ermin