Patent Application
20240141605
The present specification relates generally to pet waste collection and more specifically to a device and method for the hygienic collection of pet waste into dedicated disposable bags.
Although there are many emotional, physical and other benefits to pet ownership, pet ownership also comes with its downsides. One of these downsides is the need to clean up after one's pet, and more particularly, the need to collect, contain and dispose of pet waste.
Pet owners and pet caretakers are accustomed to collecting pet waste with disposable bags. The pet owner or caretaker carries the disposable bags with them when going outside with a pet. When the need arises, the pet owner or caretaker inserts a free hand into the disposable bag which acts as a barrier between their hand and the pet waste. Using their hand, they collect the waste into the bag which they then invert to contain the waste and tie off. While this method is common, it creates a need to carry two distinct items: clean bags and used bags filled with pet waste, until the used bags can be discarded. It also requires an individual to make contact, albeit through the bag barrier, with the pet waste. Further, this method allows the pet waste odour to escape the bag in between an individual collecting the waste and tying off the bag.
As an alternative to the aforementioned method, some individuals may not collect their pet's waste at all, leaving a smelly, soiled environment in their tracks, which can result in disputes with neighbours forced to tolerate the uncleaned waste or clean it up themselves.
Other methods and devices for collecting pet waste are more onerous or less effective than the bag and scoop approach described above, requiring multiple distinct tools, some of these tools cumbersome to use or carry, and/or requiring two-handed operation.
In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a collection device, including: a first half of a clamshell body and a second half of the clamshell body, each half being pivotally connected to each other and defining a hollow space therebetween; a first hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the first half of the clamshell body; a second hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the second half of the clamshell body; and at least one fastener configured to secure the collection device in a closed configuration, wherein a perimeter of the first half of the clamshell body abuts a perimeter of the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, the at least one fastener comprises a tie down strap spanning a length of the device parallel to the pivotal connection.
In some embodiments, the second half of the clamshell body comprises a first end proximate the pivotal connection and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the second end comprises an elongated lip.
In some embodiments, the device further includes a bag roll holder disposed within the hollow space and extending from the first half of the clamshell body or the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, the bag roll holder includes: a pair of substantially parallel tabs extending from the first half of the clamshell body or the second half of the clamshell body; and a removeable perpendicular rod connecting the pair of substantially parallel tabs.
In some embodiments, the bag roll holder includes: a pair of substantially parallel tabs extending from the first half of the clamshell body or the second half of the clamshell body; and a pair of projections, each projection extending from a medial face of one of the pair of substantially parallel tabs.
In some embodiments, the first half of the clamshell body, the second half of the clamshell body, or both comprise ergonomic grooves configured to receive one or more of a user's fingers.
In some embodiments, the first hand-anchoring mechanism and the second hand-anchoring mechanism each includes: a strap, having a first and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are each secured to an exterior face of the first half of the clamshell body or the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, the device further includes: a lip, extending from an exterior face of the first half of the clamshell body, the second half of the clamshell body, or both.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first hand-anchoring mechanism and the second hand-anchoring mechanism includes: a set of finger grooves disposed on an exterior face of the first half of the clamshell body, the second half of the clamshell body, or both and configured to receive one or more of a user's fingers.
In some embodiments, the at least one fastener, when securing the collection device in a closed configuration, extends through a closed loop extending from the first half of the clamshell body to a closed loop extending from the first half or the second half of the clamshell body.
In accordance with an aspect, a method of collecting waste includes: pivotally attaching a first half of a clamshell body to a second half of the clamshell body; securing a hand-anchoring mechanism to the first half of the clamshell body; and securing a hand-anchoring mechanism to the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, the method further includes releasably fastening the first half of the clamshell body to the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, the method further includes removably covering an interior of the clamshell body with a bag.
In accordance with an aspect, a method of collecting animal waste includes inserting a roll of collection bags into a collection device; without detaching a bag from the roll of collection bags, opening the bag and folding the bag over an exterior shell of the collection device; inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the collection device; opening the user's hand and thereby opening the collection device; enclosing the waste within the collection device.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: closing the user's hand; and unfolding the bag from the exterior of the collection device.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of fastening the collection device closed with an elastic fastener.
In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: tying the bag shut; and detaching the bag from the roll of collection bags.
In some embodiments, there is provided a waste collection device, comprising: a first half of a clamshell body and a second half of the clamshell body, wherein the first and second halves of the clamshell body are pivotally connected to each other and define a hollow space therebetween; a hinge connecting the first and second halves of the clamshell body; a first hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the first half of the clamshell body; a second hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the second half of the clamshell body; and at least one elastic fastener connected at opposite ends to at least one of the first half of the clamshell body and the second half of the clamshell body.
In some embodiments, there is provided a method of collecting pet waste, comprising: inserting a roll of pet waste collection bags into a waste collection device; without detaching a bag from the roll of pet waste collection bags, opening the bag and folding the bag over an exterior shell of the waste collection device; inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device; opening the user's hand and thereby opening the waste collection device; enclosing the pet waste within the waste collection device.
Other aspects and features according to the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:
The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features.
According to an embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
Waste collection device 100 comprises a first hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the first half of the clamshell body 110, and a second hand-anchoring mechanism, disposed on the second half of the clamshell body 120. The first hand-anchoring mechanism and second hand-anchoring mechanism may improve one-handed usability of waste collection device 100 by enabling a user to open and close waste collection device 100 by opening and closing their hand, anchored to waste collection device 100 by first hand-anchoring mechanism and second hand-anchoring mechanism. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first hand-anchoring mechanism and the second hand-anchoring mechanism comprises a strap, having a first and a second end, wherein the strap is secured at each of the first end and the second end to an exterior face of one of the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120, parallel to hinge 130. The strap may be secured to the exterior face of one of the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120 by a pair of loops 200 extending from one of the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120, as shown in
Waste collection device 100 further comprises at least one fastener 180 configured to secure the waste collection device in a closed configuration, wherein a perimeter of the first half of the clamshell body 110 abuts a perimeter of the second half of the clamshell body 120. According to an embodiment, at least one fastener 180 comprises a tie down strap spanning a length of waste collection device 100 parallel to hinge 130. At least one fastener 180 may comprise a pair of elastic fasteners, wherein each of the pair of elastic fasteners is connected at opposite ends thereof to the first half of the clamshell body and the second half of the clamshell body, and wherein the pair of elastic fasteners is configured, in a relaxed or unstretched position, to hold the first half of the clamshell body and the second half of the clamshell body in a closed configuration. Each of the pair of elastic fasteners may be connected to the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120 via a loop on each of the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120. The pair of elastic fasteners may be composed of ¼ inch elastomer cord. According to an embodiment, each of the pair of elastic fasteners may comprise at least one polymer terminator.
Waste collection device 100 may further comprise a bag roll holder 210 disposed within hollow space 140 and extending from one of the first half of the clamshell body 110 and the second half of the clamshell body 120, as shown in
Waste collection device 100 may be constructed from materials which provide sufficient mechanical strength and durability to perform reliably over time and withstand occasional accidental impact. According to an embodiment, waste collection device 100 may be constructed of aluminum, thermoplastics, or a combination of suitable materials. Manufacturing costs and weight may be considerations informing the choice of materials, construction technique and design choices of waste collection device 100.
According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of collecting pet waste, comprising inserting a roll of pet waste collection bags into a waste collection device; without detaching a bag from the roll of pet waste collection bags, opening the bag and folding the bag over an exterior shell of the waste collection device; inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device; opening the user's hand and thereby opening the waste collection device; enclosing the pet waste within the waste collection device.
Inserting the roll of pet waste collection bags into the waste collection device can help eliminate the need to carry the pet waste collection bags and the waste collection device separately and may thereby free up a user's hands or pockets. Inserting the roll of pet waste collection bags into the waste collection device also prepares the waste collection device for repeated use and reduces the steps required to collect pet waste with the waste collection device in the future. Opening the bag and folding the bag over the exterior shell of the waste collection device creates a barrier between the waste collection device and the pet waste to be collected, maintains the cleanliness of the waste collection device and also eliminates the need to transfer the pet waste from the waste collection device to a bag, streamlining the pet waste collection process. Folding the bag over the exterior shell of the waste collection device may keep a topmost portion of the bag clean so that a user of waste collection device can easily tie off the bag without soiling their hands. Inserting the user's hand into at least one of the first hand-anchoring mechanism and the second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device facilitates the one-handed use of the waste collection device by eliminating the need for a user to grip the waste collection device during use.
According to an embodiment, the step of inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device comprises sliding one or more of the user's fingers under a lip on a first half of the waste collection device and under a lip on a second half of the waste collection device. The lip serves to hold the user's hand against the waste collection device and maintain the waste collection device within the user's hand with minimal effort on the part of the user. According to another embodiment, the step of inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device comprises sliding one or more of the user's fingers under each of a strap on a first half of the waste collection device and a strap on a second half of the waste collection device. The strap serves to hold the user's hand against the waste collection device and maintain the waste collection device within the user's hand with minimal effort on the part of the user. The step of inserting a user's hand into at least one of a first hand-anchoring mechanism and a second hand-anchoring mechanism disposed on the waste collection device may alternatively comprise sliding one or more of the user's fingers into each of a set of finger loops on a first half of the waste collection device and a set of finger loops on a second half of the waste collection device. The set of finger loops serves to hold the user's hand against the waste collection device and maintain the waste collection device within the user's hand with minimal effort on the part of the user.
According to an embodiment, the method of collecting pet waste further comprises the step of closing the user's hand; and unfolding the bag from the exterior of the waste collection device.
The method of collecting pet waste may further comprise the step of fastening the waste collection device closed with an elastic fastener. Fastening the waste collection device with an elastic fastener eliminates the need for a user to hold the waste collection device closed to prevent the pet waste from falling out of the bag and the waste collection device. According to an embodiment, the method of collecting pet waste further comprises the steps of tying the bag shut; and detaching the bag from the roll of pet waste collection bags. Detaching the bag from the roll of pet waste collection bags enables the subsequent use of the waste collection device with a new bag from the roll of pet waste collection bags. According to yet another embodiment, the method of collecting pet waste further comprises the step of releasing the elastic fastener to open the waste collection device.
Additional embodiments will now be described.
In some embodiments, waste collection device 100 includes two halves of a clamshell body, two adjustable straps, an elastomer cord, and one spring hook. Spring hook can be omitted in some embodiments. Various sizes can be accommodated, for example, the waste collection device 100 can have an overall width, from side to side, of approximately 5¼ inches/133.3 mm; have a body that is approximately 3½ inches/88.9 mm from the hinged side to the opening side; and have a thickness of approximately 3 inches/76.2 mm.
The clamshell body is hinged at one long end to permit the two halves 110 and 120 to open and includes an overlap at the opposite end which provides a lip 150. Lip 150 can be used to facilitate scooping of waste.
Pair of loops 200 include elongated loops and smaller circular loops. Elongated loops for the adjustable straps are located on the sides of each half of the body, aligned perpendicularly to the hinge, and parallel to the side edges of each body half 110 and 120. Collocated with the elongated loops, at the opposite end from the hinge 130, are smaller circular loops. The smaller loops include an opening cut-out on one half of the body, which corresponds with a closed loop that is parallel to the open loop on the other half of the body. When the body is closed, these smaller holes align. In some embodiments, different shapes of the loops are possible and/or different configurations or orientations of pair of loops 200 are possible.
The outside of the clamshell body includes recessed geometry in the shape of four finger grooves 190 on each half, located close to the hinge 130 end of the body, with the length of the groove pointing towards the opening end of the body. These grooves are spaced to align with an average adult hand when the waste collection device 100 is held correctly.
The interior of the clamshell body is concave to provide space 140 for the animal waste to be stored. One half 110 or 120 of the clamshell body includes geometric features intended to hold a standard roll of bags (e.g., dog waste baggies) in place and permit the roll to rotate freely as the bags are used. In some embodiments, the other half of the clamshell body 110 or 120 does not include any further features aside from a corresponding hinge geometry which interfaces with the hinge geometry on the mating half of the body.
The adjustable straps are of a sufficient length to permit each strap to be woven between each of the elongated loops located on each side of each body half. The straps are to be affixed in such a way that when the user is holding waste collection device 100, one strap holds one half 110 or 120 of the body to the user's finger knuckles, and the other strap holds the other half of the body to the user's thumb. The user is able to adjust the tightness of the straps using hook and loop fasteners on the straps. In some embodiments, fasteners other than straps can be used.
Fastener 180 can be an elastomer cord, in some embodiments. The elastomer cord (bungee cord) is terminated on one end with a small loop of cord and a solid stop, which is fed through one of the smaller closed loops collocated with the elongated strap loops on one half 110 or 120 of the clamshell body. The opposite end of the elastomer cord is terminated in a solid stop with no cord protruding from the terminus. The small loop is large enough to permit the spring hook to loop through. The terminated end of the cord, with no loop, corresponds with the small circular loops on the body which have an opening cut out. This is to permit the end of the cord to be placed through the opening cut out so that the hard stop is up against the outside of the body loop, permitting the elastomer cord to act upon the loops on the body to pull and hold the clamshell closed when not in use.
The spring hook (carabiner) is passed through the loop at the end of the elastomer cord, which permits the user to attach the product to anything with a corresponding loop.
The clamshell body of the product can be manufactured by injection molding, and can be produced from a semiflexible, coloured polymer. Other materials can be used that meet threshold levels for cleanability, non-toxicity, and user safety.
Various sizes and materials for the straps can be used, for example, 1 inch/25.4 mm nylon or polyester strapping, with hook and loop fastener material to provide adjustability.
Various sizes and materials for the elastomer cord can be used, for example, ¼ inch/6.36 mm diameter elastomer cord (bungee cord), with polymer terminators at each end.
Various fasteners can be used, for example, in some embodiments, the spring hook is a low to medium-strength aluminum hook with a spring gate that supports the weight of the product and a reasonable payload, and does not support the weight of a human (e.g., not for climbing).
According to various embodiments, waste collection device 100 is configured to collect the fecal waste of a small to medium sized dog within the clamshell body, with a commercially available dog waste bag stored within the product, and transport said waste throughout the duration of a walk with the user's dog.
For example, in some embodiments, waste collection device 100 is used in three phases: 1) set-up; 2) collection; and 3) emptying, as follows.
At the set-up step, the user sets up waste collection device 100 by first inserting a roll of waste collection bags into the roll holder geometry of the body. The user then pulls the opening end of one bag towards the opening end of the waste collection device 100 until the perforations in the roll of bags are visible at the roll. The first bag is not detached from the roll, as the roll provides an anchor for the bad. The user then closes the body of the waste collection device 100 so that the end of the bag is protruding from the end opposite to the hinge. The open end of the bag is then inverted and rolled over the opening end of the waste collection device 100 so that the bag covers the outside of waste collection device 100.
At the collection step, to collect fecal waste, the user places waste collection device 100 into their hand, with the hinge end against the palm/heal of the hand, so that the fingers are over one side of the body, and the thumb is over the opposing side of the body. The adjustable strap should be over the fingers at the knuckles on one side of the body, and the strap on the opposing side of the body should be over the thumb. The user then adjusts the straps to be comfortable, but should permit the user to open the product by extending their hand open, pulling on the straps over the thumb and fingers.
The bag over the open end of the collector will limit the opening gape. The open end may then be placed over the fecal waste pile. The overlapping lip of the open end may be used to scoop up the fecal mater as the user closes the clamshell body.
Once the body is closed around the fecal matter, the elastomer cord may be employed to hold the body closed. Once the body is securely closed, the user may pull the bag from over the outside of the body to forward of the body, providing enough material to twist the end closed for clean transportation.
At the emptying step, to remove the collected waste, the user unclips the elastomer cord, which is latching waste collection device 100 closed, while holding the body of the product in the same manner as when collecting the feces. The user may then grasp the twisted opening end of the bag, open the product, and pull the bag out from the clamshell body towards the opening end of the product. As with setup, the user only needs to pull the bag out enough to observe the perforated separation of the next bag. Once the bag is pulled out far enough, the user may close the product and latch it with the elastomer cord. This should provide enough clamping force to separate the used bag from the new bag.
Once the used bag is retrieved from the product, the user may dispose of the used bag, then prepare the product for its next usage by rolling the opening end of the bag over the opening end of the product.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Section headings herein are provided as organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention set out in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63421833 | Nov 2022 | US |
