Apparatus and method for collecting and disposing of pet waste

Abstract

An improvement to a pet waste disposal system is provided that utilizes a metered and dispensed chemical neutralizer dispense from a chemical cartridge into a portable mixing chamber to create a neutralizing chemical reaction that transforms a pet waste volume into a compostible waste product. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to pet waste collection and disposal devices and, more particularly, to an improvement to a pet waste disposal system that utilizes a metered and dispensed oxidizing agent to blend and chemically oxidize pet waste through incineration.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pet waste disposal systems using an oxidizing agent to blend and chemically oxidize pet waste through incineration exist. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,597, and related U.S. Pat. No. 9,039,053, each describes an apparatus and method for collecting and disposing of pet wastes. Such devices dispose of pet waste and the like without soiling one's hands, while eliminating bad odor and microbial contamination.

However, the commercial viability of such pet waste incinerators ranges from impractical to impossible by potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent when used to collect, neutralize and incinerate pet dog or cat feces. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration controls, sodium permanganate as a List II chemical because of its direct substitutability for potassium permanganate (a List II chemical) in the illicit production of cocaine. As such, controls exist for a cumulative threshold of 55 kilograms and 500 kilograms (respectively) for domestic and international transactions. As such, all transactions which meet or exceed these quantities (in a calendar month) are considered regulated transactions, subject to record keeping, reporting and/or import/export notification requirements. Additionally, chemical mixtures having greater than 15 percent sodium permanganate is similarly regulated.

Due to the regulatory and potentially criminal burdens associated with the use of such an oxidizer, both retail establishments and the supply chains supporting them are unwilling or unable to support a commercial product utilizing the oxidizing technology of the prior art.

However, contamination from dog or cat stools continue to pose an environmental contamination problem, especially in urban, and to some extent in suburban areas. Canine feces can transmit a number of different pathogens, including: Campylobacter spp. (Gram-negative bacteria); Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacterium); Salmonella spp. (Gram-negative bacteria); Yersinia spp. (Gram-negative bacteria); Cyclospora spp. (protozoan parasite); Cryptosporidium spp. (protozoan parasite); Roundworm (including hookworm and whipworm) (parasitic worm); Tapeworm (parasitic worm); and Toxoplasma spp. (protozoan parasite). As such, incineration or neutralization of such disease carriers continues to be an ongoing need.

Consequently, a need exists for the design, function and use of a apparatus and method for collecting and disposing of pet waste using an oxidizing agent or neutralizing agent pet waste collection systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pet waste collection system for chemically neutralizing disease vectors within animal feces.

Features of the present invention include providing a pet waste collection system that allows for collection of pet feces in a manner that mixes the same with an effective amount of a chemical neutralizer in a manner that is easily transported, easily stored, easily applied, and adequately introduces the effective amount of chemical into a chemical neutralization process chamber.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus is providing having a scooper assembly portion nesting with a container assembly portion. A chemical cartridge pack is retained within the container assembly portion. The scooper assembly portion forms a receiving chamber forming a front opening and a flanged scoop circumscribing and extending from the front opening in a manner that is adapted to provide a scoop structure for collection of pet feces from the ground or a litter box. A motor mechanism operatively connected to a mixing blade assembly for comminuting, diminuting or pulverizing any collected contents. A front opening mates with a rear opening to form a containment volume. A rear opening is formed for receiving the chemical cartridge that provides for the containment and controlled release of a pet waste chemical neutralizer.

The pet waste neutralizer comprising substantially a natural clay material, a chemical or enzymatic reagent, and an organic component all mechanically agitated to a fine and uniform blend of material. A clay component is a natural clay such as bentonite, lime, zeolite, phylosilicate, smectites, palygorskite, sepiolite, kaolinite, talc, montmorillonite, saponite, or hectorite clay. The clays comprise a natural, fine-grained (<2 micron) particles having a negatively-charged structure capable of freely exchanges positively-charged cations or products from the environment in a manner that provides the easy application of metered chemical neutralizer to neutralize the collected pet waste into a safe compostible product.

Additional methods for killing such pathogens may also be included, such as ultra violet light, heat, laser, etc. Further features, benefits and aspects of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus according to the preferred motorized embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chemical cartridge pack for use therewith;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the chemical cartridge pack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a scooper assembly portion for use therewith;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front top perspective view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a front bottom perceptive view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a front top perspective view of the cross sectional view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a front bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the chemical cartridge for use therewith;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view thereof, the bottom plan view being a mirror image;

FIG. 21 is a left side elevational view thereof, the right side elevational view being a mirror image;

FIG. 22 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus according to the preferred non-motorized embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the scooper side assembly for use therewith;

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of a collection side assembly for use therewith;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational of a scooper assembly portion for use therewith;

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 30 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 31 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 32 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 33 is a front upper perspective view thereof;

FIG. 34 is a front lower perspective view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a side elevational view of a collection assembly portion for use therewith;

FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 38 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 39 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 40 is front upper perspective view thereof;

FIG. 41 is a front lower perspective view thereof;

FIG. 42 is a bottom plan view of an assembled scoop assembly portion and collection assembly portion according to the preferred non-motorized embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view thereof

FIG. 44 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 46 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 47 is a front upper perspective view of the cross section of FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 is a front lower perspective view of the cross section of FIG. 44;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus according to a first alternate design of the present invention in which a top loaded chemical cartridge is utilized;

FIG. 50 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 51 is a partially exploded front cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 52 is a top cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 53 is a front elevational view thereof shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus according to a second alternate industrial design embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 56 is a partially exploded front elevational view thereof shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 57 os a top cross sectional view thereof; and

FIG. 58 front elevational view thereof shown in an open configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now throughout the FIG. 1 through FIG. 24, a pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus, generally noted as 10, is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is composed of a scooper assembly portion 12, a container assembly portion 14, and a chemical cartridge pack 16.

The scooper assembly portion 12 forms a receiving chamber 20 forming a front opening 22. A flanged scoop 24 circumscribes and extends from the front opening 22 and provides a scoop structure adapted for collection of pet feces from the ground or a litter box. The scoop 24 guides collected materials into the inner chamber 20. A motor mechanism (not shown) if further housed within the scooper assembly portion 12 and is operatively connected to a mixing blade assembly 26. The blade 26 is retained with a blade enclosure cap 28 secured by a threaded connector 29. The blade 26 may be rotated by the motor mechanism in order to comminute, diminute or pulverize any collected contents.

The scoop 24 is received into the container assembly portion 14 such that the front opening 22 may mate with a rear opening 40. The container assembly 14 seals with the scooper assembly 12 to form a containment volume. Opposite the rear opening 40 is a cartridge receiving opening 44 for receiving the chemical cartridge 16. A sealing door 46 can snap or otherwise seal closed the containment volume.

An upper handle 50 provides a grasping element at the apex of the assembly 10. The handle 50 may be formed of a first handle portion 50a formed extending from the upper surface of the receiving chamber 20 and a second handle portion 50b formed extending from the upper surface of the container assembly portion 14.

As shown in a motorized embodiment in FIG. 1 through FIG. 24, the blade 26 may be rotated by the motor mechanism in order to comminute, diminute or pulverize any collected contents. In an alternate configuration, a non-motorized embodiment may be provided with most of the same features and structure, but without the use of a motor. As shown in conjunction with FIG. 25 through FIG. 48, a similar configuration is provided in which the blade assembly 26 is non-motorized and fixed to or freely rotatable against an inner sidewall of the scooper side assembly with a secondary blade assembly 60 spaced linearly apart and fixed to or freely rotatable against an inner sidewall of the collection side assembly. The pair of blade assemblies can thereby function to in order to comminute, diminute or pulverize any collected contents upon a vigorous shaking of the combined closed assembly so as to agitate the contents repeatedly against the blades.

In either motorized or non-motorized configuration, the chemical cartridge pack 16 provides for the containment and controlled release of a pet waste chemical neutralizer. The pet waste neutralizer is provided comprising substantially a natural clay material, a chemical or enzymatic reagent, and an organic component all mechanically agitated to a fine and uniform blend of material. The clay component may be a natural clay, such as bentonite, lime, zeolite or other or similar phylosilicate including smectites, palygorskite, sepiolite, kaolinite, talc, montmorillonite, saponite, and hectorite clays. Such clays are natural, fine-grained (<2 micron) particles having a negatively-charged structure. Negatively-charged clay surfaces freely exchanges positively-charged cations or products from the environment. Clays harbor unique properties that are important for various pharmaceutical and which further makes them useful in the present applications. These include small particle size, large surface reactivity, the presence of ion-exchange behavior, swelling and sorption properties, rheological properties, viscosity and flow behaviors, solubility, thermal capacities, plasticity features, and optical attributes.

According to one preferred aspect of the present invention, the use bentonite or zeolite clays provide a particular advantage due to the natural lattice structure of crystalline shape at the molecular level. These materials further absorb ammonia or urea, present in pet waste, and may subsequently lead to their controlled release in a manner that could function advantageously as a fertilizer. Additional chemical reagents that have shown a beneficial effect include bentonite, biochar (activated carbon), lime, calcium hypochlorite, papain, bromelain, diatomaceous earth, calcium oxide, calcium chloride, sodium acetate (salt), hydrogen peroxide, cassia oil, epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). Further still other reagents may be used, such as magnesium chloride granules to speed up the exothermic reaction, citric acid to neutralize the smell of ammonia (generated from decaying matter), or zeolite granules for neutralizing odors

The chemical or enzymatic reagent may include antibiotics, antimicrobials or microbiocides. Antibiotics are low molecular weight products that kill or inhibit the growth of susceptible microorganisms. In contrast, antimicrobial agents are synthetically-derived or chemically-modified compounds that exhibit antimicrobial activity at low concentrations. Ideally, antimicrobial compounds will disrupt microbial-specific processes or structures so that host toxicity and adverse side effects are minimized. Microbiocidal agents are chemical or physical agents that kill microorganisms and viruses and may include compounds categorized as disinfectants, antiseptics, and sanitizers. Disinfectants are designed to kill microorganisms and viruses, but should only be used on inanimate objects, while antiseptics and sanitizers kill or neutralize bacteria and viruses on the skin and some mucosal surfaces. By way of example, and not meant as a limitation, the use of calcium oxide or calcium chloride can function as exothermal reactants that kill or neutralize such pathogens.

Additionally, the use of essential oils may be used to confirm natural antibacterial activity, and can be used to kill bacteria as well as to improve the smell of the soiled product. As shown below in Table 1, a list of essential oils (cassia oil, clove oil, lavender oil, Peru balsam oil, red thyme oil, and tea tree oil) is provided with their antibacterial effect. As shown in Table 2, the in vitro antibacterial activities of essential oils (Leptospermum oil, lemon myrtle oil, and tea tree oil) is shown. Table 3 shows the in vitro antibacterial activities of essential oil single compounds. Tables 2 and 3 indicate the following that all essential oils tested had strong antimicrobial activity against Campylobacter spp. with inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.001-1% (vol/vol). Further, among single compounds, terpinen-4-ol showed highest activity against Campylobacter spp., E. coli, S. typhimurium, and E. faecalis. Based on antimicrobial activity and potential commerciality, lemon myrtle oil, α-tops, and terpinen-4-ol are considerations for product development.

TABLE 1
Essential Oil	Additive	Medium	Bacteria	MIC	Reference
Cassia oil (Cinnamomum aromaticum;	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	0.2%	(10)
100% pure; Aura Cacia)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Cassia oil (Cinnamomum aromaticum;	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	0.2%	(10)
100% pure; Aura Cacia)	80		putida KT2440
Cassia oil (Cinnamomum aromaticum;	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Staphylococcus	0.2%	(10)
100% pure; Aura Cacia)	80		aureus SC-01
Cinnamaldehyde (from cassia oil)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	0.1%	(10)
(Sigma-Aldrich)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Clove oil (Szyygium aromaticum)	0.1% Tweer	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Clove oil (Szyygium aromaticum)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
	80		putida KT2440
Clove oil (Szyygium aramaticum)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Staphylococcus	1.2%	10)
	80		aureus SC-01
Eugenol (from clove oil) (Sigma-	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
Aldrich)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Lavender oil	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Lavender oil	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
	80		putida KT2440
Lavender oil	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Staphylococcus	5%	(10)
	80		atareus SC-01
Linalool (from lavender oil)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
(Sigma-Aldrich)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Peru balsam oil (Myroxylon	0,1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	2.5%	(10)
balsamum)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Peru balsam oil (Myroxylon	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	2.5%	(10)
balsamum)	80		putida KT2440
Peru balsam oil (Myroxylon	0,1% Tween	CAMHB	Staphylococcus	2.5%	(10)
balsamum)	80		aureus SC-01
Red thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	>5%	(10)
	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Red thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	2.1-	(10)
	80		putida KT2440	2.5%
Red thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris)	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Staphylococcus	0.8%	(10)
	80		aureus SC-01
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	5%	(10)
alternifolia)	80		aeruginosa PAO1
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca	0.1% Tween	CAMHB	Pseudomonas	2.5%	(10)
alternifolia)	80		putida KT2440

TABLE 2
	C.jejuni	C.jejuni			S.
	C338	3393	C. coli	E. coli	typhimurium	E. faecalis
Essential Oil	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	Reference
Leptospermum	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.06	0.25	0.25	(11)
oil
Lemon myrtle oil	0.01	0.01	0.007	0.06	0.125	0.125	(11)
Tea tree oil	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.03	0.03	0.125	(11)

TABLE 3
					S.
			C. coli		typhimurium	E. faecalis
	C. jejuni	C. jejuni	ATCC	E. coli	ATCC	ATCC
	C338	3393	43484	O26	14028	29212
Compound	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	(MIC %)	Reference
Terpine	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.5	(11)
n-4-ol
α-Tops	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.06	0.5	(11)
α-Bisabolol	0.5	0.125	0.5	2	>2	>2	(11)
α-Terpinene	0.25	0.125	0.125	>2	>2	>2	(11)
γ-Tops	0.25	0.06	0.25	>2	>2	>2	(11)
Cineole	0.25	0.25	0.25	1	2	>2	(11)
Nerolidol	0.5	0.5	1	>2	>2	>2	(11)
Broth microdilution assays (triplicate); Nutrient Broth No. 2 (Oxoid), microaerophilic or aerobic, 37° C.
Dilutions - ethanol/polyoxyethylene fatty glyceride (EtOH/PFG, 1/1 vol/vol) - increased solubility of test agents in
liquid medium without resulting in foam.
Tween 80 0.002% vol/vol included in all experiments.
α-Tops: α-Terpineol, Cineole, Terpinen-4-ol
γ-Tops: γ-Terpinene, α-Terpinene, Terpinolene

As further shown in Table 4, the in vitro antibacterial activity of clove oil is shown, and Table 5 shows the in vitro antibacterial activity of carvacrol, a compound from oregano oil.

TABLE 4
	C.jejuni	C.jejuni
	NCTC 11168	NCTC 1168
Essential Oil	MIC	MBC	Reference
Clove	200 mg/ml	800 mg/ml	(12)

		C.jejuni	C.jejuni
		108	81116
	Essential Oil	MIC	MIC	Reference
	Carvacrol (Sigma)	0.3-0.4 mM	0.3-0.4 mM	(13)

As shown in Tables 4 and 5, low concentration of clove oil (800 mg/ml) is bactericidal against Campylobacter jejuni and low concentration of carvacrol (0.3-0.4 mM) inhibits Campylobacter jejuni.

An organic component may include organic materials such as switchgrass, but can also include coconut husk powder, papain (i.e. papaya tree sap) or other sources of cellulose, tannin, cutin, and/or lignin.

The chemical neutralizer is contained within a generally cylindrical cartridge 16 having a selected volume for containing the oxidizer. The volume may be approximately 30 grams. The cartridge 16 may be formed around a selected designed guide tube for a standard size. The tube may be formed of a molded paper fiber pulp. Such standard volumes may be provided in increments in order to accommodate the incinerations of various standard volumes of feces (i.e. that for breeds of dogs that are toy, small, medium, large, etc. or the like).

The cylindrical cartridge 16 forms a guide tube that is terminated at one end with an radially extended flange or lip 50, and is sealed at the opposite end with a paper, foil, plastic or similar seal 52.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

In operation, the present invention and those design adaptations within the present inventions broad range of equivalents may be used with or adapted to an apparatus for pet waste disposal in which chemical oxidizers are introduce into a process chamber along with pet waste in order to chemically oxidize the pet waste through an exothermic reaction. The use the system, a user scoops a bolus of pet waste into the scooper assembly and connects the scooper assembly to the container assembly. A chemical cartridges for dispensing of chemical neutralizer is further inserted into the opposite end of the container assembly where is the sealed foil/paper/plastic end is removed in a manner that provides for fluid outflow into the process chamber. Additional ways to kill pathogens may alternately be utilized, such as ultra violet light, heat, laser, etc. in accordance the precent process and device. The chamber is sealed and the blade assembly is actuated with a control at the handle. The volume of pet waste is thereby combine and mixed with the chemical neutralizer and blended for an appropriate dwell time such that an exothermic chemical reaction is maintained in order for the selected pathogens within the waste to be rendered safe and thereby allowing the resultant to disposed of safely or used as a compost.

The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that a scope of the invention be defined broadly by the Drawings and Specification appended hereto and to their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is in no way to be limited only by any adverse inference under the rulings of Warner-Jenkinson Company, v. Hilton Davis Chemical, 520 US 17 (1997) or Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., 535 U.S. 722 (2002), or other similar caselaw or subsequent precedent should not be made if any future claims are added or amended subsequent to this Patent Application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for pet waste disposal comprising: a pet waste collecting and mixing system adapted to receive a standardized cartridge;a cartridge having a form factor for holding a chemical neutralizer;a receiving chamber for accepting said cartridge and releasing the chemical neutralizer into a process chamber of the pet waste collecting and mixing system;a portable waste collection receptacle comprising a first surface that has an opening for entry therein of feces and exit of ash or other combustion products;a carrying handle connected to said portable waste collection receptacle; andsaid receiving chamber mounted together with and in fluid communication with said waste collection receptacle;

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism adapted to comminute, diminute or pulverize any contents of said collection receptacle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said chemical neutralizer includes a natural clay material component mixed with an antimicrobial/antibacterial materials and in combination with absorbent organic material.

4. A pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus comprising: a scooper assembly portion nesting with a container assembly portion, wherein said scooper assembly portion forms a receiving chamber forming a front opening and a flanged scoop circumscribing and extending from the front opening adapted to provide a scoop structure for collection of pet feces from the ground or a litter box;said scoop received into the container assembly portion;a chemical cartridge pack for retention within said container assembly portion; anda motor mechanism housed within the scooper assembly portion and that is operatively connected to a mixing blade assembly;

5. The pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said chemical cartridge pack provides for the containment and controlled release of a pet waste chemical neutralizer.

6. The pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pet waste neutralizer comprising substantially a natural clay material, a chemical or enzymatic reagent, and an organic component all mechanically agitated to a fine and uniform blend of material.

7. The pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said clay component is selected from a group comprising: bentonite; lime; zeolite; phylosilicate; smectites; palygorskite; sepiolite; kaolinite; talc; montmorillonite; saponite; and hectorite clays.

8. The pet waste collection and neutralizing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said clay component comprises natural particles having an average grain size of less than 2 microns and having a negatively-charged structure capable of exchanging positively-charged cations or products from the environment.