Patent Application
20120153648
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waste disposal scoop to enable a user to dispose of pet waste by providing a disposable container including an adhesive strip to scoop, seal and dispose of the waste.
2. Description of Related Art
All pet owners understand the responsibility and great importance of taking care of their pets. The responsibilities include cleaning, feeding, sheltering and exercising the animal. One of the least enjoyed parts of caring for an animal is cleaning up their waste. Most pet owners consider this the most disgusting and foul part of caring for their pet. Conventional methods of disposal include using a shovel or a plastic bag. The shovel is usually large and awkward to manipulate and cannot usually be taken on walks with the pet. Alternatively, the plastic bag is easily transportable so it may be placed in a pocket for use during outdoor activities. The down side of the plastic bags is that the owner must use their hand to pick up the waste, thereby feeling the warmth of the feces and its softness. Also, most of the plastic bags are not biodegradable therefore creating excessive waste for the environment.
Some alternative animal disposal products have been developed, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,826 by S. E. Stoll discloses a dog refuse package wherein a bag includes a separate scoop to scoop the feces and then drop both the scoop and feces into the bag for disposal. This method is easy to use but it still utilizes a bag which the user must grasp for use. Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,419 by Eric R. Wantanabe discloses a disposable animal waste collector wherein the waste collector includes a scooping portion along the bottom to lift the animal waste and then a covering that slides from an upper portion to enclose the waste. The disposable animal waste collector also includes a handle to prevent the user from touching the enclosed portion. A problem with the disposable animal waste collector is that it utilizes two separate pieces for use making it non-functional if one of the pieces is missing.
It would be beneficial in the art to provide a receptacle to easily dispose of animal waste that is a singular unit to scoop and dispose of the waste. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a receptacle that is biodegradable to be environmentally friendly.
An object of the present invention is to provide a waste disposal scoop that comprises a scooping portion attached to a conical body portion to both scoop and accept animal waste in a single receptacle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste disposal scoop made from a material that is both recyclable and biodegradable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste disposal scoop that includes an adhesive strip to secure the enclosed animal waste within the waste disposal scoop.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a waste disposal scoop comprising a conical body, where the conical body extends between a base at a lower portion to a folded edge at an upper portion, a front flap attached to the folded edge, where the front flap folds to rest against the conical body, a back scoop attached to an opposing portion of the conical body from the folded edge, where the back scoop lifts an amount of animal waste to accept the animal waste into the conical body, and an adhesive strip attached to an end of the front flap, wherein the adhesive strip secures the front flap to the back scoop after the amount of animal waste is within the conical body.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
The present invention relates to a waste disposal scoop to enable a user to dispose of pet waste by providing a disposable container including an adhesive strip to scoop, seal and dispose of the waste. The waste disposal scoop comprises a generally conical shape so that the pet waste may be easily accepted and held within the receptacle. After use, the top portion of the waste disposal scoop is sealed with an adhesive strip to better contain the animal waste. The unique design of the waste disposal scoop decreases the smells, tactile sensations and diminishes heat transfer through the scoop when the user grabs the cone. The materials used for the waste disposal scoop are recyclable and biodegradable for responsible disposal, and are strong enough to be used in most outdoor environments including grass, concrete and sand. Overall, the waste disposal scoop makes collecting and disposing of pet waste easy and more environmentally responsible.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to
The base (14) may be formed after folding a bottom portion of the conical body (12) and pressing it against the conical body (12). The base (14) creates a bottom or a closure to keep the animal waste from sliding through the bottom portion of the waste disposal scoop (10). At an upper portion of the conical body (12) is the folded edge (16). The folded edge (16) creates a partition for a front flap (20). The front flap (20) hangs from the folded edge (16) and rests against the conical body (12).
Attached to an end of the front flap (20) may be an adhesive strip (22). The adhesive strip (22) may secure the front flap (20) to an opposing portion of the conical body (12). The opposing portion of the conical body (12) may be a back scoop (24). The back scoop (24) may be used to pick up or scrape the animal waste into the conical body (12). On each side of the conical body (12) may be a pair of side edges (18a, 18b). The pair of side edges (18a, 18b) may provide a gripping area for a user to place their hands. While grasping the side edges (18a, 18b) the user may adjust how wide the conical body (12) opens to accept the animal waste.
Referring now to
Alternatively, referring to
For storage purposes, the waste disposal scoop (10) may be pressed flat to create a stack by placing them one on top of the other. This enables multiple waste disposal scoops (10) to be stored together in a compact fashion. The user may then remove the individual waste disposal scoops (10) from the stack when needed for use.
To use the waste disposal scoop (10), first the user may press the side edges (18a, 18b) together so that the conical body (12) is in the open position. Second, the user may scoop the animal waste onto the back scoop (24) by sliding it beneath the animal waste. Third, the user may lift the back scoop (24) and allow the animal waste to slide into the conical body (12), coming to rest at the base (14). After the animal waste is inside the conical body (12), the user may fold the front flap (20) back against the back scoop (24), and secure the two together with the adhesive strip (24) to be disposed of in the closed position. Alternatively, the back scoop (24) may fold towards the folded edge (16), and the front flap (20) may be pressed and secured above the back scoop (24) to be disposed of in the folded position. Once sealed the waste disposal scoop (10) may be disposed of in a trash receptacle.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
