Patent Application
20170065136
A lightweight, portable vacuum system for the collection of animal feces having contact-free removal.
A number of prior art devices have been developed to address the animal feces and urine removal problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,355 entitled “Apparatus For Cleaning Up Animal Feces Deposits” discloses a method and apparatus for cleaning up an animal feces deposit from a situs. The device cleans up the feces by positioning an open-ended receptacle with its open end overlying and in close proximity to the animal feces deposit, providing a suction to pick up the animal feces deposit, and delivering the same into the interior of the receptacle for the receptacle to be removed from the device and discarded. This device, however, contains inherent problems relating to the removal of animal feces.
First, as the device is a very small hand held unit, the entire unit must be placed almost on the ground to properly align the nozzle opening with the feces. For a user unable to bend down due to leg or back problems, this device is useless. Also, for a user with eye sight or depth perception problems, aligning the nozzle opening with the feces will be a problem considering the device blocks the user's view from multiple angles. Second, the device requires a tube that must be attached and removed from the device multiple times during the operation of the device. For a user without sufficient hand strength, this would render the device useless. For the others, this step is an unnecessary inconvenience.
Lastly, the removal of the bag from the device presents difficulty. As illustrated, the bag is significantly larger than the diameter of the tube. Since the bag is removed through the tube, removing a bag full of feces can only be done a portion at time and the user must exercise care to prevent any feces from spilling out of the bag. If, due to the fullness of the bag it gets stuck on the rim of the tube, there is a good possibility that the bag may break causing a terrible mess within the device. Additionally, if the bag does get stuck, the user may be forced to use his or her hand to displace the feces and, thereby, dislodge the bag from being stuck to the tube. In either event, removing the bag from the device is cumbersome and creates potential problems during every use.
For example the vacuum and disposal system for the collection and disposal of animal feces disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,846 consists of a vacuum, a vacuum tube, a flexible hose, and an intake tube. The vacuum is created by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery and is used to create a suction through the vacuum tube, the flexible hose, and the intake tube to collect the animal feces. A cartridge is inserted into the intake tube to receive the animal feces collected. After collection, a slide mechanism, a bracket, a guide, a cable, spring loaded hinges, and a rotating support frame to enable the vacuum and disposal system to be converted into an unload position for the removal of the cartridge from the intake tube and the ultimate disposal of the animal feces. Alternatively, a compact vacuum and disposal system may be used in smaller areas.
The devices in the prior art address some of the issues however none disclose the easy removal of the collected waste without user contact, portability and the volume to accumulate a sufficient amount of waste.
The invention discloses a system for vacuuming waste, including but not limited to pet waste, having a motor module and a waste receiving module. The motor module has a body with an open receiving area having a perimeter, a motor, a removable battery in electrical communication to provide power to said motor, a vacuum tube receiving area and a handle. At least one motor module locking member is located proximate the open receiving area. Multiple bag hooks are spaced a predetermined distance from adjacent bag hooks along the perimeter, and spaced a predetermined location on said perimeter relative to said open receiving area. In one embodiment the bag hooks are positioned on an exterior side of the body and in another they are position on the interior of the body.
The waste receiving module has a receiving member with an open top perimeter dimensioned to receive the open receiving area of the body and at least one receiving module locking member, to interact with said at least one motor module locking member. In one embodiment one of the receiving module locking members and motor module locking member is a hinge and another of the receiving module locking members and motor module locking member is a clasp or the like
Disposable bags having at least one side, a closed base and an open top have a bag perimeter less than the open top perimeter of the receiving member. A drawstring channel, is proximate the bag open top with gaps exposing a drawstring within the channel. The drawstring has a length greater than the bag perimeter to form multiple bag loops. Channel gaps are positioned along the drawstring channel and spaced a predetermined distance from adjacent channel gaps equal to the predetermined distance of the bag hooks to receive said bag loops. The bag can have a height equal to or less than the height of the receiving module depending on the location of the vacuum receiving area.
In one embodiment the motor module and waste receiving module are rectangular with the vacuum tube receiving area recessed within the motor module. In another embodiment the vacuum tube receiving area is placed in the waste receiving module. The configuration of the vacuum can be other than rectangular based on manufacturing convenience. The vacuum tubes are removably affixed to the vacuum tube receiving area and can have removable attachments.
To maintain the bag in an open position, an insert dimensioned to be received within the bag can be used. The insert can have a number of configurations including at least two sides and a bottom, at least three sides or a bottom and manufacture from a material such as cardboard. The insert can have a height equal to, less than or greater than the height of the bag. In some configurations the bag has a suction collar on one of the sides having an inlet dimensioned to receive the suction tube. Alternatively the disposable bag has two layers separated by an insert.
As an alternative method of maintaining the bag in an open position multiple pairs of magnets can be used. One of each of the pairs of magnets being affixed to the waste receiving module and a second to the bag.
To use the vacuum system the motor module is opened and a disposable bag into the waste receiving module. The bag loops are placed on the bag hooks and the motor module locked to the waste receiving module. The suction tubes are inserted into the vacuum receiving area and the vacuum turned on. The waste is vacuumed and when completed, the motor module is opened. As the motor module is opened the bag loops are pulled by the bag hooks, causing the bag to close. The bag loops are then removed from the bag hooks and the closed bag disposed of without user contact with the vacuumed waste.
These and other objects, features, advantages and aspects of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
As used herein the term “magnet” shall refer to any material, hard or soft, that exhibits the properties of magnetism.
Collecting and disposing of animal feces and urine, especially for dogs, is an unwelcome task that, in many areas, must be undertaken frequently. The disclosed pet waste vacuum is a lightweight method to pick up and dispose of pet waste without concern of contact. Although designed for the picking up of pet waste, it can be used to pick up any material, such as spilled food or liquids from the ground without bending.
The disclosed vacuum can be manufactured from any easy to wash, light-weight non-porous material, although plastics and composites do add the advantage of being able to be manufactured in colors. It is advantageous, although not mandatory, to have all items capable of being sterilized to prevent the spread of disease in kennels. The size of the collection module can be based on quantity of waste to be picked up, smaller for home use and larger for kennels. The pet vacuum as illustrated in the Figures is only one configuration that would be applicable to the invention. For example, the handle can be eliminated and only a strap used to carry the unit. The top of the unit can be square or the perimeter of the unit round.
The motor module 102 contains the handle module 120 that consists of a shaped, preferably ergonomic, handle 122 and light 124. The light 124 is preferably LED or other efficient, high intensity lighting and angled to shine light onto the area contacted by the suction tube 252. The light bulb should be recessed within the light 124 to prevent breakage while still permitting easy replacement. Batteries to power the light can be stored behind the bulb or the light can be powered directly from the main battery 130. In this embodiment the light 124 is turned on and off by twisting the unit, however an on/off switch or button can also be placed in a convenient location.
A strap receiving loop 104 can be placed on either side of the motor module casing 126 to permit the addition of a carrying strap 105 illustrated in
The motor module casing 126 and motor module casing front plate 126A are preferably manufactured from a rigid, easy to clean plastic, resin, or other equivalent material. As the unit is carried, the material of manufacture should be lightweight and able to withstand being dropped. The motor module 102 as illustrated has a curved top, adjacent the handle module 120, and straight sides. The air vents 136 are placed on each side to prevent overheating. This is an example configuration and the top can be square or the entire unit round, oval or other design preferred by the manufacturer.
The battery 130 in this example is connected to the back of the motor module 102 and held in place by the battery locking member 132. In the preferred embodiment a rechargeable battery, such as used in power tools, is used to provide sufficient power while minimizing weight. As an alternative a number of D cell batteries can be used, however that would increase both size of the unit and weight.
The battery locking member 132 as illustrated is a snap on unit having flanges that interact with receiving areas within the motor module casing 126. This is a quick and easy method for the user to affix and remove the battery 130 for recharging. Other methods of removably affixing the battery, such as wing nuts, Velcro®, etc., will be known to those skilled in the art.
In this embodiment the on/off switch 128 is at the side of the motor module 102, easily accessible while holding the vacuum 100. Alternatively the on/off switch can be placed at the top of the handle module 120. Other locations for the placement of the on/off switch can be utilized depending upon the handle design.
Along the open, bottom edge of the motor module 102 are the bag hooks 138. In the illustrated embodiment there are two hooks on each of the four sides of the motor module 102, as more clearly illustrated in
The hooks 138, applicable to most applications, are about 0.5 cm wide, extend upward about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm and extend from the motor module casing 126 about 0.5 cm. The hooks 138 can be molded as part of the motor module casing 126 or, depending on material of manufacture, added subsequently. In some applications heavier duty hooks 138 can be required and will be known to one skilled in the art in conjunction with the teachings herein.
The suction tube(s) 252 are attached at the proximal end to the motor module 102 by the suction tube curved connector 256 that interacts with the suction tube receiving member 134. In this embodiment two suction tubes 252 are connected through use of the suction tube straight connector 254, although more or fewer suction tubes 252 can be used. At the distal end of the suction tube 252 the scoop attachment 260 has been attached.
The waste receiving module 202 has a periphery configured to interact with the motor module 102 with the motor module 102 resting on a locking rim 206. Alternatively, a locking rim can be placed within the motor module 102 with the edge of the waste receiving module 202 being inserted into the motor module 102. The interaction between the two units can have several designs which are well known in the art. The waste receiving module 202 and the motor module 102 are locked together through use of a draw latch 141. The draw latches 141, or locking dips, are used in a number of wet dry vac designs and are a convenient method to handle the release and securing of the waste receiving module 202 to the motor module 102. Examples of other methods of closure that can be used would be hasp latches, toggle latches, etc. and the draw latch illustrated herein should not be considered as the only method of achieving the result. Although the latch 141 is illustrated in the front of the vacuum 100, it can also be placed at the back of the unit with the hinge 280 (
In
The base plate 142, carrying the motor 148 and suction inlet sleeve 144, is connected to the motor module 102 through use of bolts (not shown) placed through the securing inlets 146 into the motor module 102. This is one method of assembly and others will be known to those skilled in the art.
Example attachments are also illustrated in
It is important that the suction receiving member 134 has sufficient length to extend close to the locking ridge 206 while not extending beyond the bottom edge of the motor module 102. The placement is such that the waste falls directly into the bag 152 while preventing inadvertent contact when removing the bag 152. The suction tube receiving member 134, while being removable from the suction tube receiving member 134 and adjoining suction inlet sleeve 144 must have a sufficient friction fit to prevent movement.
The air vents 136 are placed such that the motor 148 is prevented from overheating. The battery 130 is placed so as to maintain an outer periphery close to that of the waste receiving module 202 hinge assembly 280, maintaining the compactness of the vacuum 100. The motor module casing front plate 126 is designed to position the suction inlet sleeve 144 to direct the waste into the waste receiving module 202
The angle of the light 124 is also seen more dearly in this figure as is the interaction between the motor module casing 126 and the handle module 120. As noted, the design of the handle 122 is an example of a design and other configurations can be used. Additionally, although a rigid, non-porous plastic is ideal for the motor module 102, waste receiving module 202 and suction tubes 252 for cleaning purposes, it can be beneficial to the user to have the handle 122 slightly padded, or covered, with a easily cleanable material, such as rubber or polyurethane. Alternatively, the handle module 120 can be manufactured from a material lower on the durometer scale than the motor module 102 and waste receiving module 202.
As seen in this Figure, the base plate 142 is mounted to the underside of the motor module 102, placing the suction inlet sleeve 144 adjacent to, and aligned with, the suction inlet 135. It is preferable that the securing method permit the base plate 142 to be removed in the event the motor 148 requires replacement. This is easily done through bolts placed within the securing inlets 146 (
In the illustrated embodiment the motor module 102 is hingably connected to the waste receiving module 202 through hinge unit 280 and locked together through the front snap lock 141. Alternatively a second front locking flange 140 and front snap lock 141 can replace the illustrated hinge unit 280, making the motor module 102 completely removable from the waste receiving module 202.
In
One of the advantages of the disclosed design is the automatic closing of the bag upon removal of the motor module 102 from the waste receiving module 202. This is best accomplished by having all loops as part of a continuous drawstring as illustrated hereinafter. However, it should be noted that fewer bag loops can be part of the drawstring with the non-attached loops being removed by hand at the time of removal of the motor module.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In
The bags 150 must be seepage and tear resistant and being capable of holding the weight of a waste receiving module 202 full of fecal matter. In most applications, a thickness of between about 3 mil and about 6 mil is preferred, however for large units the thickness could need to be increased. The material is preferably a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, although other materials that meet the same requirement can be used.
In one embodiment the insert 150 is manufactured from a slick plastic and removed and reused. This however, can be objectionable to many people and therefore it is preferred that the insert 170 be manufactured from cardboard and disposable with each bag 150 use. The insert 170 has four sides and is a separate unit from the bag 152. Alternative insert combinations are disclosed hereinafter.
In the vacuum 400 illustrated in
In this embodiment the edge 454 and rim 456 of the waste receiving module 450 must be dimensioned to avoid contact with the bag hooks 420. Alternatively, the rim can be placed on the inside of the waste receiving module 450 and the motor module 402 sit within. The configurations required to affix one module to another are well known in the wet/dry vacuum art and the dimensioning can be determined in conjunction with the disclosure herein. It should be noted that the detailed bag design is not illustrated in this embodiment as bag designs are disclosed in greater detail hereinafter.
In
Also illustrated in this figure is an alternative closure in the form of a fold over 326 and adhesive tab 328. In this embodiment, to close the bag 320, the adhesive tab 328 would be peeled to expose the adhesive portion of the tab, the fold over placed over the opening of the bag 320 and secured by the adhesive tab 328. This method of closing bags is known in the art for closure of bagged items such as coffee, raisins, etc. Other closure methods as known in the art can also be used.
There are a number of designs, in addition to those noted above, that can be used for the cardboard insert into the bag 500 as illustrated in
In
In
In
The motor module 704 contains the battery 706, motor 708, handle 710 and light 712 as described heretofore. Due to the placement of the hose connector 722 into the waste receiving module 702, the motor module 704 can be any dimensions sufficient to hold all of the elements.
Alternatively, rather than having the entire side open as described in conjunction with insert 804, a notch 850 can be placed in a side panel 854. As illustrated in
In
The preferred embodiment for the bags herein is illustrated in
In
Alternatively, as illustrated in
As illustrated and disclosed heretofore the disclosed vacuum system enables users to collect waste, wet, dry or semi-dry, into an easy to dispose of bag without risking contact with the contents.
While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims (e.g., including that to be later added) are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language of the present invention or inventions should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example.”
While in the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in considerable detail, it will understood by those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62212733 | Sep 2015 | US |
