Patent Application
20240016124
This invention relates to collection of animal excretion devices. More particularly, it relates to collection of animal excretion devices not requiring the stooping of the collector.
Dog droppings are one of the leading sources of coli (fecal coliforms) bacterial pollution, Toxocara Canis and Neospora caninum helminth parasite pollution. One gram of dog feces contains over 20,000,000 E. coli cells. While an individual animal's deposit of feces will not measurably affect the environment, the cumulative effect of thousands of dogs and cats in a metropolitan area can create serious problems due to contamination of soil and water supplies. The runoff from neglected pet waste contaminates water, creating health hazards for people, fish, ducks, etc.
There are different ways to pick up dog poop one of which is a pooper-scooper, or poop scoop. This is a device used to pick up animal feces from public places and yards, particularly those of dogs. Pooper-scooper devices often have a bag or bag attachment.
Poop bags are alternatives to pooper scoopers, and are simply a bag, usually turned inside out, to carry the feces to a proper disposal area. Sometimes, the person performing the cleanup is also known as the pooper-scooper.
With the current options available for picking up dog excrement, all require a human to come in close proximity of the excrement possibly becoming in contact with it. This is a huge health risk as noted above. Contactless disposal would be of the upmost importance for a healthy way of disposal.
Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have an effortless way to pick up dog excrement without coming in contact with the waste. This device would have a long handle attached to an area containing a bag where the dog would go to the bathroom in. The area could be adjusted in different sizes depending on what is size needed. The device is configured to provide a sanitary and efficient manner to dispose of dog excrement.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
Referring now to
The device 10 includes an elongated portion 12 that extends between a first end 14 and a second end 16. The first end 14 includes a portion to facilitate holding the device 10, for example, a handle 18. The handle 18 can include various shapes configured to facilitate grabbing thereof. In some embodiments, the handle 18 may include various shapes, for example, oval, oblong, triangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, variable, and/or tapered. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 18 is the terminal portion of the first end 14 of the elongated portion 12 formed as a loop and fastened to itself with a fastener 13. In some embodiments, the elongated portion 12 may include materials such as, metal, plastic or other suitable material. The elongated portion 12 is configured to allow the user U to remain standing for collection of the animal excrement as the animal is in the excreting position. A ring 20 is attached to the second end 16 of the elongated portion. The ring 20 is configured to removably attach a bag 40 thereto.
Referring now to
Device 10 includes at least one (1) attachment mechanism 30, attached, affixed, or otherwise bonded to the ring 20. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 30 may include an integral connection, friction fit, pressure fit, interlocking engagement, mating engagement, dovetail connection, clips, barbs, tongue-in-groove or threaded. In the exemplary embodiment, the attachment mechanism 30 is a spring clip, wherein a portion thereof is affixed to the outer surface of the ring 20 such that the manipulatable jaws of the spring clip can be pivotably positioned as desired. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the attachment mechanism 30 comprises four (4) spring clips, equidistantly-spaced thereapart. A connector 32 is attached, affixed, or otherwise bonded to the outer surface of the ring 20, and can be generally shaped as a hook and can also be an extension of the ring 20 itself. The connector 32 is particularly configured to receive and secure the second end 16 of the elongated portion 12 thereto.
Referring to
The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user U in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. The device 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
