Pet Waste Cleaning Device

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner device is provided that comprises an automated disposable container device configured to place an unused disposable container for collecting vacuumed debris. In accordance with some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device may be advantageous for collecting pet waste.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to portable vacuum cleaner devices, and in particular vacuum cleaner devices for collecting pet waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a portable vacuum cleaner device having a housing, a motor-fan unit, and an automated disposable container device.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a portable vacuum cleaner device having a housing, a motor-fan unit, a motor, a balloon bag exchanger device operatively connected to the motor, and a waste collection compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An understanding of embodiments described in this disclosure and many of the related advantages may be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vacuum cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an example operation of a vacuum cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a balloon bag exchanger device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a balloon bag exchanger device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

Inventor(s) for this application have recognized that, in accordance with some embodiments described in this disclosure, some types of pet owners and caregivers for pets would find it beneficial to have a portable cleaner device for collecting pet droppings and waste without collecting the waste by hand and/or may find it beneficial to have a portable cleaner device for collecting pet droppings and waste without having to bend down to pick up the waste.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner device comprises an automated disposable container device for storing multiple disposable containers.

In some embodiments, the automated disposable container device is configured to place a disposable container in the stream of suctioned material (e.g., pet waste, dust, debris).

In some embodiments, the automated disposable container device is configured to place a new disposable container in the stream of suctioned material after a previous disposable container is used. For example, the automated disposable container device may be configured to rotate a second disposable container into the suctioned air pathway after a first disposable container is used.

In some embodiments, a disposable container may comprise a bag, flexible balloon, or balloon bag.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner device comprises a housing containing a balloon bag exchanger device configured to store multiple balloon bags and to rotate a second balloon bag into the suctioned stream after a first balloon bag is used to collect vacuumed debris.

According to one embodiment, an example vacuum cleaner device is a slim portable rechargeable cleaner device, almost as slim as a walking cane. One proposed use of the example device is for getting rid of pet waste in a manner advantageous to dog walkers and other pet caretakers. For instance, the example device may replace the traditional way of getting rid of dog waste with a plastic bag and may help older dog owners who have difficulty bending down to pick up their dogs' waste.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example vacuum cleaner device 100 comprising at least one rechargeable battery 106 that powers an electric motor 108 for suction. As shown in the example, electric motor 108 is operatively connected to drive a suction fan 110 that generates a suction force sufficient for collecting solid waste such as pet waste.

According to some embodiments, just below the suction fan 110 of the example vacuum cleaner device 100 is an example balloon bag exchanger device 116. As depicted in FIG. 4, the balloon bag exchanger device 116 may comprise one or more respective bags in its one or more circular arms 124a-d.

Preferably, in accordance with some embodiments, the balloon bag exchanger device 116 is powered by a second electric motor 118 that is configured to make a number of short rotations equal to the number of arms 124a-d. For instance, if the example balloon bag exchanger device 116 comprises four arms, then the electric motor 118 would be configured to make four rotations, each a quarter of a circle. In each short rotation, an arm of the balloon bag exchanger device 116 would be placed in the stream of suction force (e.g., created by suction fan 110).

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the example vacuum cleaner device 100 may comprise a housing 102 and a power button 104 for starting and stopping electric motor 108 and/or electric motor 118. Vents 121 may provide for ventilation. The example vacuum cleaner device 100 may further comprise a waste compartment 112 for receiving used balloon bags from balloon bag exchanger device 116 (e.g., after the bags receive vacuumed waste). The example vacuum cleaner device 100 may further comprise a lid for disposing bags 114 for access to waste compartment 112 to remove any used bags. In one embodiment, the example vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises a wheel 120 to assist in moving the vacuum cleaner device 100 along the ground or floor. The example vacuum cleaner device 100 may further comprise an intake port 122 for receiving pet waste and other debris into the vacuum cleaner device 100.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example operation of the example vacuum cleaner device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the two arrows at the bottom of the device 100 indicate that the waste 123 is initially swept into the intake port or receiving opening 122, where it is sucked up. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, as the waste 123 shoots up, a bag 125 at arm 124a, positioned by the balloon bag exchanger device 116 in the path of the suction stream, traps the vacuumed debris 123. The force of the vacuumed debris 123 detaches the balloon bag 125 from its arm (e.g., arm 124a) and the balloon bag 126, containing the collected waste (not shown), is deposited in the waste compartment 112.

According to an example operation of the vacuum cleaner device in accordance with one or more embodiments, the balloon bag exchanger device 116 then makes a short rotation, positioning another arm with a fresh bag ready for the next use.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner device comprising: a motor; andan automated disposable container device operatively connected to the motor.

2. The vacuum cleaner device of claim 1, wherein the automated disposable container device comprises a balloon bag exchanger device.

3. The vacuum cleaner device of claim 1, wherein the automated disposable container device comprises a plurality of arms, each arm being configured to hold a respective disposable container.

4. The vacuum cleaner device of claim 1, wherein the automated disposable container device comprises a plurality of disposable containers.

5. The vacuum cleaner device of claim 1, further comprising: a waste compartment configured to receive used disposable containers.

6. The vacuum cleaner device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to activate the automated disposable container device to place a disposable container in a suction stream of the vacuum cleaner device.

7. A vacuum cleaner device comprising: a housing containing: a first motor;a suction fan operatively connected to the first motor;a second motor;a balloon bag exchanger device operatively connected to the second motor; anda waste compartment for receiving used balloon bags.