Patent Application
20140152030
The present invention relates to a disposable pet waste collector and method therefor, and, in particular to a disposable pet waste collector that allows picking up pet waste by covering and collecting it with a simple waggling motion.
In many areas it is unlawful to leave pet waste on the ground and it must be picked up and disposed of properly. Pet waste, can have adverse effects on health and the environment. Pet waste can carry bacteria, viruses and other microbes. If not removed from the ground it can be washed into storm drain systems and pollute local water sources by being carried into streams and rivers without being treated.
As noted above, dog excrement also presents a significant health hazard. It can contain bacteria and viruses hazardous to humans and other animals.
Unfortunately, presently available solutions are either cumbersome to use and/or carry or are not sanitary. For example, pet owners typically use a plastic bag inverted over their hand to grasp pet waste from the ground. Besides the obvious aversion people have to handling excrement, there is always the possibility that the plastic can rupture or already has a hole that will cause unwanted contact (i.e. bacterial pass-through) with the person's hand.
In contrast to available methods and devices, the present invention provides a solution that facilitates pet waste disposal without the need for using a hand to grasp the waste directly. Use of the method of the invention provides a safe and effective way for picking up pet waste.
A method of collecting pet waste using a disposable pet waste collector is disclosed including opening a flap coupled to a frame from a folded position of the frame to an operative position thereof to expose a collection opening in the frame; opening a bag attached to the frame so that the bag forms a receptacle protruding outwards from the collection opening; positioning the frame on a surface so that the collection opening is disposed over the pet waste; and waggling the flexible frame to collect the pet waste.
In one aspect, folding the flap results in it acting as a handle support and extension, which can also served as a scoop when torn from a perforated line along the hinge.
In another aspect, the frame is flexible allowing pet waste to be picked up using a waggling motion unique to this device.
While the novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated, along with other objects and features thereof, from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or components. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
The following disclosure describes several example embodiments and methods for pet waste collection. Several features of methods and systems in accordance with example embodiments are set forth and described in the Figures. It will be appreciated that methods and systems in accordance with other example embodiments can include additional procedures or features different than those shown in the Figures. Example embodiments are described herein with respect to a disposable pet waste collector. However, it will be understood that these examples are for the purpose of illustrating the principles, and that the invention is not so limited. Additionally, methods and systems in accordance with several example embodiments may not include all of the features shown in the Figures.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”
Reference throughout this specification to “one example” or “an example embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or various combinations of these terms means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
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In one useful embodiment, the frame may be substantially triangular having a rounded top, although other geometric shapes may be employed. Similarly, the flap may also be substantially triangular having a rounded top portion. The frame and flap may be manufactured using various techniques, such as die cutting. The frame and flap may advantageously be made from material including a biodegradable polymer, plastic, paper, card board, chip board coated with polylactide (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) or other coating materials and combinations thereof. The bag may advantageously be made from a biodegradable polymer, fabric, plastic, paper, polylactide (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) or the like and combinations thereof. The bag may be made using various techniques. In one example, the bag is made by heat sealing two sheets of material together around three sides, leaving an opening with an edge 22 (as shown in
Having described the disposable pet waste collector of the invention, methods for using the invention will now be described to promote further understanding of the invention. One useful method of collecting pet waste includes the steps of:
opening a flap coupled to a flexible frame from a folded position of the frame to an operative position thereof to expose a collection opening in the flexible frame;
opening a bag attached to the flexible frame so that the bag forms a receptacle protruding outwards from the collection opening;
positioning the frame on a surface so that the collection opening is disposed over the pet waste; and
waggling the flexible frame to collect the pet waste in the bag.
An alternate method of collecting pet waste includes the steps of:
detaching a flap coupled to a frame from a folded position of the frame to an operative position thereof to expose a collection opening in the frame;
opening a bag attached to the frame so that the bag forms a receptacle protruding away from the collection opening;
positioning the frame on a surface so that the collection opening is disposed proximate the pet waste; and
using the detached flap to collect the pet waste by moving it into the bag.
Alternatively the frame can be used as a scooper whereby the flap serves as a stopper.
The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles of the present invention, and to construct and use such exemplary and specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention may be carried out by specifically different equipment, and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment details and operating procedures, may be accomplished without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
