Patent Application
20240417940
The present invention relates to animal waste tools. The present invention further provides an animal waste scooper having a bag roll opening disposed on the handle and comprises a spool oriented perpendicular to the handle, wherein the spool is adapted to support a roll of bags thereon for disposing of animal waste.
The task of picking up and disposing of animal waste, such as that of dogs or other pets, is a necessary and often unpleasant responsibility for pet owners. Various tools and devices have been developed to facilitate this process, aiming to minimize direct contact with the waste and maintain cleanliness. However, these existing devices have several limitations that can hinder the overall effectiveness and ease of use.
Many existing devices provide for attachment of a disposable bag or a roll of disposable bags directly to a leash. However, these devices do not provide assistance for picking up any waste, but instead require a user to insert a hand within the bag to then pick up the waste. Additionally, once the bag is full of waste, the user must carry the used bag until an appropriate receptacle is found to properly dispose of the used bag.
Some devices exist that allow for attaching a disposable bag to a holder or handle for assistance with receiving the animal waste. However, these devices require a user to catch the waste as the animal is defecating or, alternatively, do not provide an ergonomic angle for easily scooping the waste from the ground.
Furthermore, these devices do not provide an opening within the handle or tool for supporting a roll of bags, which can lead a pet owner to misplace or forget to bring a disposable bag when out with his or her pet. Because the roll of bags is not enclosed in a shell or dispensing container in one embodiment of the present invention, the user is able to immediately visualize the fullness of the roll of bags, thus making it unlikely to unknowingly run out of bags while outdoors with their pet. In addition, the simplicity of inserting the roll of bags into a spool provides further convenience and ease of use. Moreover, the need to hold a roll of bags while simultaneously operating the scooper can pose challenges in maintaining proper hygiene and ease of use. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device for picking up animal waste that addresses the aforementioned limitations, provides a user-friendly experience, and ensures efficient and sanitary waste collection and disposal.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements and methods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement for an animal waste scooper. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of animal waste scoopers now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new animal waste scooper wherein the same can be utilized for ergonomically picking up animal waste and supporting a roll of bags within the scooping device.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an animal waste scooper comprising a loop member formed by a rim and an open central area, wherein the open central area receives a disposable bag therethrough. A handle extends from the loop member, wherein the handle includes a depressed thumb area to guide placement of an open bag around the loop member when loading a new bag. In use, an operator tensions a new, open bag around the loop member. The tension secures the open bag to the loop member, wherein a user lightly presses the bag at the thumb area, maintaining the tension and securing the open bag to the loop member once the bag has been filled and exceeded a weight.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an animal waste scooper wherein the handle and loop member are disposed on a same plane for ergonomic maneuvering.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an animal waste scooper comprising a bag roll opening disposed on the handle, wherein the spool is adapted to support a roll of bags thereon.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an animal waste scooper comprising a tapered aperture having a keyhole shape disposed on the handle, wherein the tapered aperture can support a knotted bag therein for hands-free contact and hands-free walking.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved animal waste scooper that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for receiving and disposing of animal waste. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention. References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “first embodiment”, “second embodiment”, or “third embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the rim 1120 comprises bulbous lateral sides 1125 and an upper end 1135 that conforms to the curvature of the open central area 1130. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end of the rim 1120 comprises a thickness that is smaller than a thickness of the rim 1120 along the lateral sides thereof. This provides for an increased capability of the loop member 1100 to allow the rim 1120 to easily pass between the ground and the waste resting thereon, when scooping waste along the ground. The upper end of the rim 1120 is adapted to contact the ground and the waste when covered by the disposable bag. The upper end of the rim 1120 is thinner and narrower than the lateral sides and lower end thereof so the waste can quickly and easily pass over the upper end of the rim 1120 and sink into the disposable bag such that the waste is unable to roll or otherwise fall out of the bag once scooped. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim 1120 is rigid and non-flexible. In alternate embodiments, the upper end of the rim is capable of bending or flexing to allow the animal waste scooper to scoop waste on a hard surface, such as asphalt, stone, or brick.
The shape and size of the loop member prevents the need for an additional fastener, such as a clip or hook, to secure the disposable bag thereto. The tension of the disposed bag around the loop member holds the bag in place and prevents the bag from slipping until the bag becomes excessively weighted. For example, the shown embodiment is configured to receive and provide tension around an upper end of a standard pet disposable bag that is 9 inches in width and 13 inches in length, without any additional fasteners. However, in alternate embodiments, the loop member is sized to receive a disposable bag that is smaller or larger than the example provided. In some embodiments, the loop member is configured to solely support the disposable bag that is half full, whereas in alternate embodiments, the loop member is configured to solely support the disposable bag having up to 2 lb waste matter disposed therein. The ability for the loop member to secure the disposable bag with the tension of the bag disposed around the rim allows the animal waste scooper 1000 to be used to scoop multiple animal waste piles with a single bag. Additionally, folding the edge of the bag over the rim of the loop member protects the exterior of the disposable bag from contacting any waste and prevents the animal waste scooper 1000 from contacting the waste.
A handle 1200 extends from the loop member 1100, wherein the handle is configured to be grasped by the user during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 1200 is rigid and comprises a width smaller than a width of the loop member 1100, wherein the width is measured between the lateral sides of the animal waste scooper 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, the loop member 1100 comprises a substantially same depth as a depth of the handle, wherein the depth is measured between a first side 1450 and a second side 1460 of the animal waste scooper 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, the loop member 1100 and handle 1200 are monolithic in structure. In some embodiments, the loop member and handle are formed by injection molding the same material or similar formation process, to create the monolithic structure. In this way, the animal waste scooper 1000 comprises enhanced strength between the loop member and handle, which is beneficial when in use as the loop member is scraped or dragged along a ground surface to retrieve the animal waste.
In the illustrated embodiment, the loop member 1100 and the handle 1200 are disposed on a same plane. The benefit of having the handle 1200 and the loop member 1100 being disposed on the same plane is the ergonomic benefit for the operator. When holding the scooper 1000, the user's wrist and hand are able to maintain a straight, neutral position. Bent wrist postures are known to be stressful such as bending the wrist toward the palm, bending the wrist up and back, bending the wrist toward the thumb, and bending the wrist toward the little finger. Bending is quantified as the angle between wrist and forearm. Zero degrees is neutral. Any of these awkward wrist postures can lead to muscle, tendon, and nerve disorders, especially if combined with high repetition and forceful exertion. In some embodiments, the handle comprises a grip shape or cushioning therearound to provide additional comfort to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the animal waste scooper is light weight and easily portable, such that the handle is configured to fit within a pocket of a user or the scooper 1000 can be carried in purse or tote bag.
A bag roll holder forming a bag roll opening 1300 is disposed on the handle 1200 or between the handle and the loop member 1100, wherein the bag roll opening 1300 is configured to receive a roll of disposable bags therein (as seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first side 1320 of the spool 1310 comprises a flexible arm 1350 extending from an interior wall of the handle 1200, wherein the protrusion 1340 of the first side extends from the flexible arm 1350. A gap 1360 is formed between the interior wall of the handle 1200 and the flexible arm 1350. The protrusion 1340 of the first side 1320 comprises greater flexibility than the protrusion disposed on the second side 1330 due to the configuration of the gap and flexible arm. In this way, the roll of disposable bags can be easily inserted and removed from the spool 1310, by the movement of the flexible arm 1350 to offset the alignment of the protrusions 1340 when needed.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, a tapered aperture 1500 having a keyhole shape is disposed on the handle 1200 and configured to support a knotted bag therein for hands-free contact of a waste-filled bag. The tapered aperture 1500 comprises a slot 1510 extending from a rounded opening 1520, wherein the opening 1520 comprises a larger width than a width of the slot 1510. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral sides of the slot 1510 are parallel to lateral sides of the handle 1200, wherein the slot 1510 is disposed between the opening 1520 and the loop member 1100. In use, the knotted portion of the disposable bag is inserted through the opening 1520 and moved to the slot 1510, wherein the size of the slot prevents the knotted portion from passing therethrough.
In the illustrated embodiment, the animal waste scooper 1000 comprises a strap 1600 extending from a distal end of the handle 1200, wherein the strap 1600 extends from a strap aperture disposed on the handle 1200. The strap 1600 is configured to wrap around the wrist of the user for additional security to the user and further hands-free support.
Referring now to
The animal waste scooper 1000 is held such that the second side 1460 thereof faces upwards. The animal waste scooper 1000 is held by the handle and the loop member 1100 is dragged, scraped, or otherwise pulled along a ground surface, such that the rim 1120 is closest to the ground surface, to fill the bag disposed therein with animal waste. Once filled, a knot is tied at the upper end of the bag to securely close the bag. The knot of the bag 2100 is then inserted through the tapered aperture 1500.
In the illustrated embodiment, there is no need to apply excessive or any downward pressure against a ground surface when scooping due to the waste often being elevated on a grass or similar type surface. In a scooping or similar type movement, the loop member is positioned beneath the waste in order to scoop the waste into the disposable bag. In the shown embodiment, gravity is used to move the waste into the disposable bag, and no other feature is needed to push or otherwise move the waste into the receptacle for holding the waste once the waste is scooped. The device is configured to be used with any type of waste including pet waste and human waste.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
