Animal waste disposal system

An animal waste disposal system comprising:

• a housing having an area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a scoop disposed with said housing for removing animal's waste from said bed of particulate litter;
• a lateral drive mechanism coupled to said scoop for moving said scoop in opposite directions along a horizontal path above said area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a pivotal drive mechanism coupled to said scoop for pivoting said scoop by more than 270 degrees with respect to said housing;
• and
• a waste container disposed with said housing for receiving animal's waste collected by said scoop from said area for holding a bed of particulate litter.

An animal waste disposal system comprising:

• a housing having an area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a scooping device having a plurality of openings for separating animal waste from said particulate litter;
• a drive mechanism coupled to said scooping device for lowering and raising said scooping device, and for moving said scooping device laterally between a first position and a second position, wherein the distance from said first position to said second position is less than the entire length of said bed;
• and
• wherein said drive mechanism moves said scooping device in a first lateral direction from said first position to said second position after said scooping device has been lowered into said bed, and then moves said scooping device laterally from said second position to said first position after said scooping device has been substantially raised over said bed.

An animal waste disposal system comprising:

• a housing having an area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a sifting device having a plurality of openings for separating animal waste from said particulate litter;
• a drive mechanism for moving said sifting device over said area for holding said bed of particulate litter;
• a mechanism for vibrating said sifting device over said area for holding said bed of particulate litter to better separate said animal waste from said particulate litter;
• and
• wherein said mechanism for vibrating said sifting device operates by dragging a member connected to said sifting device against a member connected to said housing as said sifting device is moved with respect to said housing by said drive mechanism.

An animal waste disposal system comprising:

• a housing having an area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a waste-removing device movable over said area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a drive mechanism for moving said waste-removing device to remove animal's waste from said bed of particulate litter;
• a waste container positioned for receiving animal's waste removed from said bed of particulate litter by said waste-removing device;
• a retractable partition disposed with said housing;
• and
• a drive mechanism for moving said retractable partition across said area for holding a bed of particulate litter between a retracted position and an extended position.

An animal waste disposal system comprising:

• a housing having an area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• a waste-removing mechanism disposed within said housing for removing animal waste from said bed of particulate litter;
• an animal sensing device positioned adjacent to said area for holding a bed of particulate litter;
• and
• a wiper, attached to and moved by said waste-removing mechanism, for automatically wiping and cleaning said animal sensing device.