CA1082251A - Disposable litter container - Google Patents
Disposable litter containerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1082251A CA1082251A CA344,800A CA344800A CA1082251A CA 1082251 A CA1082251 A CA 1082251A CA 344800 A CA344800 A CA 344800A CA 1082251 A CA1082251 A CA 1082251A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- plate means
- opening
- edge
- plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/12—Hand implements, e.g. litter pickers
- E01H1/1206—Hand implements, e.g. litter pickers for picking up excrements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
- E01H1/12—Hand implements, e.g. litter pickers
- E01H2001/122—Details
- E01H2001/1226—Details characterised by way of removing material
- E01H2001/126—Details characterised by way of removing material the implement being for single use but not glove-like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A disposable litter container is formed from a pliable bag, preferably a transparent PVC bag, provided with relatively stiff plates along each side of the bag opening, the plates facilitating the opening of the bag and the scooping of the litter into same, whereupon the plates are placed face-to-face to close the bag prior to its disposal. The invention provides the advantage of low production costs, convenient use, small size resulting in easy storage of a plurality of the containers, and the possibility of utilizing the product as a promotional piece for pet shops or the like.
A disposable litter container is formed from a pliable bag, preferably a transparent PVC bag, provided with relatively stiff plates along each side of the bag opening, the plates facilitating the opening of the bag and the scooping of the litter into same, whereupon the plates are placed face-to-face to close the bag prior to its disposal. The invention provides the advantage of low production costs, convenient use, small size resulting in easy storage of a plurality of the containers, and the possibility of utilizing the product as a promotional piece for pet shops or the like.
Description
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DISPOSABLE LITTER CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
:
The present invention relates to a disposable device for collecting and disposing of a litter particularly excrement dropped by an animal.
It is common for people to house, maintain and care for pets such as dogs at their residence. In urban areas, the excrements by pets result in inconvenience both to the caretaker and to the public. As a result, stiff bylaws have been passed in many cities which make it compulsory for a pet owner to collect and dispose of excrement by his or her pet.
~ large nu~er ofdifferent devices are kno~m for collectin~ and disposal of animal excrement.
PRIOR ART
In general terms, it is known to provide hand o~erable scoops or animal excrement collectors for collecting the excrements and disposing of same.
The known devices of this type can roughly be divided into two groups, of which the first group is of a more or less solid box-like structure which can be selectively opened or closed and either disposed of or eventually emptied and washed. The disadvantage of box-like devices is in relative di~ficulty of stora~e o~ the de~ices, relatively expensive manufacture and, if the product is ~-; sold in blanks, in a relatively complex assembly to form the box. When assembled,the device is bulky and inconvenient to carry around.
A typical example representative of the aforesaid -type of excrement collectors is described in U.S. patent 4,148,510 issued ~pril 10, 1979 to Patrick Black et al.
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` ~The device shown in the reference is a container formed from a pair of concave shell halves with each shell half having a small upper portion and a lower portion which is larger than the upper portion. The shell halves are resiliently urged to an open state and, when it is desired - to collect an excrement, the open box is placed with its opening downwards and closed by urging the two halves together. The device suffers from virtually all of the drawbacks mentioned above.
The second group of excrement collecting and disposal devices is definitely more advantageous, particularly when it is desired to produce a disposable device which is easy to store, for instance, in a handbag or the like, ; and which can be manufactu~^ed at a low cost, a prerequisite for disposable products of any kind.
Typical example of prior art related to the second group of the animal excrement collectors is described, for instance, in U.S. patent 3,806,984 issued April 30, 1974 to James R. Hilsabeck. The patent describes a portable animal excrement collector and disposal apparatus which comprises of a semi rigid support frame which defines an opening of a bag. The frame has a frontal member with an edge along one side for sliding along a planar surface beneath a volume of animal excrement, to permit the opening of the bag to be aligned with the excrement with the framing circumscribing the excrement. A handle is integral with the frame and projects from the frame at a position laterally offset from the edge. The handle is adapted to be grasped by an individual to permit the urging of the edge underneath the excrement to be collected. Not only is
DISPOSABLE LITTER CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
:
The present invention relates to a disposable device for collecting and disposing of a litter particularly excrement dropped by an animal.
It is common for people to house, maintain and care for pets such as dogs at their residence. In urban areas, the excrements by pets result in inconvenience both to the caretaker and to the public. As a result, stiff bylaws have been passed in many cities which make it compulsory for a pet owner to collect and dispose of excrement by his or her pet.
~ large nu~er ofdifferent devices are kno~m for collectin~ and disposal of animal excrement.
PRIOR ART
In general terms, it is known to provide hand o~erable scoops or animal excrement collectors for collecting the excrements and disposing of same.
The known devices of this type can roughly be divided into two groups, of which the first group is of a more or less solid box-like structure which can be selectively opened or closed and either disposed of or eventually emptied and washed. The disadvantage of box-like devices is in relative di~ficulty of stora~e o~ the de~ices, relatively expensive manufacture and, if the product is ~-; sold in blanks, in a relatively complex assembly to form the box. When assembled,the device is bulky and inconvenient to carry around.
A typical example representative of the aforesaid -type of excrement collectors is described in U.S. patent 4,148,510 issued ~pril 10, 1979 to Patrick Black et al.
.~ .
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.... . ~ , .
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` ~The device shown in the reference is a container formed from a pair of concave shell halves with each shell half having a small upper portion and a lower portion which is larger than the upper portion. The shell halves are resiliently urged to an open state and, when it is desired - to collect an excrement, the open box is placed with its opening downwards and closed by urging the two halves together. The device suffers from virtually all of the drawbacks mentioned above.
The second group of excrement collecting and disposal devices is definitely more advantageous, particularly when it is desired to produce a disposable device which is easy to store, for instance, in a handbag or the like, ; and which can be manufactu~^ed at a low cost, a prerequisite for disposable products of any kind.
Typical example of prior art related to the second group of the animal excrement collectors is described, for instance, in U.S. patent 3,806,984 issued April 30, 1974 to James R. Hilsabeck. The patent describes a portable animal excrement collector and disposal apparatus which comprises of a semi rigid support frame which defines an opening of a bag. The frame has a frontal member with an edge along one side for sliding along a planar surface beneath a volume of animal excrement, to permit the opening of the bag to be aligned with the excrement with the framing circumscribing the excrement. A handle is integral with the frame and projects from the frame at a position laterally offset from the edge. The handle is adapted to be grasped by an individual to permit the urging of the edge underneath the excrement to be collected. Not only is
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~the device relatively complex to produce but it is also most likely to be inconvenient in use as the edge which is to be forced underneath the excrement becomes inevitably soiled whereby a portion of the bag, when in a closed state, may still contain residuals of the excrement which results in considerable inconvenience for the user, Another example of a bag-type fecal waste container is shown in U.S. patent 4,138,153 issued February 5, 1979 to Jeffrey L, Brown.
In this patent, a self-contained fecal waste container is described which comprises a collapsible frame to which is .
secured a pouch. ~ike in the preceding U.S. patent 3,806,984, the frame forms the opening of a bag and is provided with a lower ledge directed to be pushed underneath the waste.
Accordingly, generally the same disadvantages as referred , to above are encountered. Moreover, the device shown in the Brown patent is designed for use with a long handle which is inconvenient to carry around when walking a dog or the like. A still further prior art device of the "bag" type is described in U.S. patent 3,850,467 issued November 26, 1974 to Leonard Gregory Johnson. This device basically consists of an enclosed bag from whose ; bottom protrudes a relatively stiff plate which is normally forced underneath the waste to be collected, whereupon the bag portion of the device is turned over the waste held on the plate. One part of the plate protrudes outwardly ;~
of the bag wnile the other part forming the handle protrudes inwardly of the bag prior to the use of the device. It is believed that the last mentioned device is closest to ~, a solution combining low manufacturing costs and convenience of use. However, the use of a single plate on which the excrement has to be held while the bag is being turned over _ 3 _ .
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to enclose the waste, may be a tricky operation, particularly for elderly persons,as the collected waste may fall off before being properly enveloped by the turned over bag.
It is believed that aue to the above drawbacks of typical prior art related to the present invention, none of the devices found a broad acceptance on the market with ; many pet owners still preferring the use of a simple plastic bag generally as described in ~ohnson but not having the plate to scoop the waste. The use of such bag, requires a very unpleasent operation of holding the excrement with only a thin bag wall between the user's hand and the waste.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to advance the art of the second "bag-type" group of waste collecting and disposal device by providing a device whose manufacturing cost is low enough to warrant the use of the device as a disposable collector. It is another object of the invention to provide a device of this type which is easier to use than the known devices of the type, while virtually avoiding the chance of inadvertent soiling ~ -~
of the hands of the person collecting the waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
'., In general terms, the present invention provides disposable litter container comprising, in combination:
a bag of pliable material; an opening at one end of the bag, the bag being otherwise completely closed; the opening including two longitudinal edges; a first generally stiff plate means including a generally straight inside edge and an outside edge, the plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near said opening, along one of said longitudinal edges; the inside edge of said first plate means . :
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forming one side of the opening; the outside edge of said first plate means being generally coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of said first plate means; second generally stiff plate means including an inside edge and an outside edge, said second plate means being secured to the exterior surface of said bag near the opening, along the other of said longitudinal edges; said second plate means including a generally straight inside edge forming the other side of said opening; the outside edge of said second plate means being coincident with a part thereof forming handle means ror manipulation of the second plate -means; flexible means at each end of said opening for allowing manipulation of said plate means to move said inside edges away from or towards each other to thus open or close said bag means.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, said first plate and said second plate ; means are each shorter than the respective longitudinal edges of the opening, the ends of each of said inside edges being spaced from the respective ends of the longitudinal edges of the slot, whereby a continuation of the opening is provided at each end of the plate means for allowing the movement of said inside edges away from each other to thus open said bag means. In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the said continuation of opening is ~olded inwardly to form a V-shaped bellows-like fold at each end of the inside edges. According to yet another feature of the present invention, only an inside area portion of each plate means, disposed adjacent .he respective inside edge, is secured to said bag, an outside " :
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area portion remote from the respective inside edge and coincident with said handle means being separate from the adjacent surface of the bag means, to facilitate the grasping of said handle means. In accoxdance with a further feature of the present invention, the bag is a transparent bag and at least a portion of the surface of at least one plate means facing the exterior surface of the bag is provided with markings such as promotional text or the like.
The manufacturing cost of the product is further reduced by providing that both plate means are of an identical size and configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment ,, .
, of the present invention, showing the bag in an open state;
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Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to the one of Figure 1 but showing a second embodiment of the ' container in a closed state;
Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view along section line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a partial view of one end of the opening of the bag of one embodiment of the present invention; and ; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing another embodiment of the present invention, the latter being the less expensive version.
~ DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
;~ Two basic embodiments of the present invention are shown in the enclosed drawings differing from each other .
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; merely by the type of bag (known per se).
Turning firstly to Figure 1, a bag 10 is shown of the type assuming, in flat condition, a generally rectangular contour defined by a bottom seam or weld 11 and two side seams - or welds 12, 13. It is to be emphasized at this point that the side welds 12, 13 are shown for convenience only and that the bag 10, if produced from a tubular semi-product, would only have the weld 11 and no welds 12, 13.
As mentioned above, the bag is made of a thin PVC. It defines a opening 14 at the bottom of the ' arrangement shown in Figure 1. The opening is defined ;
by two longitudinal edges 15, 16 of the bag. Adhesively secured to the exterior of the bag 10 is a first stlff plate l such that its inside edge 18 is generally coin-ciclent with the longitudinal edge 15 of the opening 14.
The plate 17 further has an outside edge 19 generally parallel with the inside edge 18. At the ends of the ~
first plate 17, the joinder between the respective end ~-edges of the plate and the outside edge 19 is beveled ; 20 at 20, 21. Figure 1 shows an inside area portion ~2 which is adjacent to the inside edge 18 and in which the p'ate 17 is adhesively secured to the exterior wall of the bag lOo The remaining portion 23 (Figure 3), which is remote from the inside edge 18, is referred to as an outside area portion. It is coincident with the exterior of the plate 17 and forms therewith what functionally amounts to handle means for grasping the plate with the thumb and fingers of one hand.
` The opposite or second plate 2~ is of structural `~ 30 .: :
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configuration identical to that of the flrst plate 11.
It has an inside edge 25 generally coincident with the longitudinal edge 16 of the bag 10, an outside edge 26, beveled end portions 27, 28, an inside area portion 29 and an outside area portion 30.
It will be appreciated that the bag shown in Figure 1 is indicated in an open position such that a part of , the respective ends of the longitudinal edges 15, 16 is disposed transversally of the opening 14. It also follows from the arrangement that the overall length of any of the two plates 17, 24 is shorter than the length of the edges 15, 16, the length of edges 15, 16 of coursel corresponding to the width of the bag as measured from the side seam 13 to the side `
seam 12. The length of plates 17, 24 is approximately 25cm while the width of the opening 14 shown in Figure 1 is approxi-mately 6cm. Thus, the total length of each of the longitudinal edges 15, 16, with the bag 10 in flat state is approximately ` 31cm. The measurements, of course, are arbitrary.
As mentioned above, it is within the scope of the ~ 20 present invention to utilize different kinds of bags, ; particularly the well known bags having inwardly turned sides as shown in Figure 4. Such bags are known to have two inwardly turned edge portions 31, 32 and a central fold 33 which is inwardly spaced from ends of the respective plates. The re-maining portion of such arrangements generally correspond to those of Figure 1 and are therefore referred to with the same reference numerals. The embodiment of Figure 4 is shown in a closed state in Figure 2 from which it can be seen that with the fold 33 disposed inwardly of the sides of the bag, the over-all length of plates 24, 17 is the same as the width of the ~ bag 10.
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Prior to the use, the device of the present invention can be stored within a small space as the bag and the plates generally occupy only the space negligibly greater than the space occupied by two plates facing each other. When a piece of litter is to be picked up, the bag is positioned as shown in Figure 1 with the respective thumbs of the user engaging the outside area portions 23, 30 and fingers engaging the ; surfaces underneath to grip the respective plate. The piece of litter is scooped inside the bag; then, the plates are placed over each other to arrive at the position shown in Figure 2, whereupon the bag with the litter inside can be discarded. When the plates 17, 24 assume the position of Figure 2, any potentially contaminated parts along edges 18, 25 are disposed safely inside the bag thus securing a clean disposal.
It will be appreciated that a great number of different modifications of the preferred embodiments may exist. Thus, it is not necessary, even though preferred, to have the length of the outside area portions 23, 30 the same as that of the 20 plate. Centrally located appropriate protrusions of the respective plates may suffice. Similarly, it is not necessary that the edges 15, 16 of the bag be generally coincident with the inside edges 18, 25 of the plates. In the preferred embodiments, the bag 10 is made of transparent plastic material such as PVC in order to make use of both surfaces of plates 17, 24 for display of promotional indicia as is shown in the drawings. The plates 17, 24 are made from cardboard. Needless to say, many other materials fall entirely within the scope of the present invention. It is readily conceivable, for instance, that the bag 10 may be made from kraft paper. Another readily conceivable arrangement is that of the bag being completely _g_ .' -~ ~15 22~
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adhered to the entire surface of the respective plates whereby the thumbs of the user would actually engage the plates with a portion of the exterior wall of the bag 10 disposed between the thumb and the plate. The plates may be provided with suitable means for adhesively holding same together in the state shown in Figure 2 to avoid accidental opening of the bag after the scooping of the litter and prior to disposal of the bag.
It is apparent from the above few examples that a great number of modifications of the preferred embodiments exists still falling within the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
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~the device relatively complex to produce but it is also most likely to be inconvenient in use as the edge which is to be forced underneath the excrement becomes inevitably soiled whereby a portion of the bag, when in a closed state, may still contain residuals of the excrement which results in considerable inconvenience for the user, Another example of a bag-type fecal waste container is shown in U.S. patent 4,138,153 issued February 5, 1979 to Jeffrey L, Brown.
In this patent, a self-contained fecal waste container is described which comprises a collapsible frame to which is .
secured a pouch. ~ike in the preceding U.S. patent 3,806,984, the frame forms the opening of a bag and is provided with a lower ledge directed to be pushed underneath the waste.
Accordingly, generally the same disadvantages as referred , to above are encountered. Moreover, the device shown in the Brown patent is designed for use with a long handle which is inconvenient to carry around when walking a dog or the like. A still further prior art device of the "bag" type is described in U.S. patent 3,850,467 issued November 26, 1974 to Leonard Gregory Johnson. This device basically consists of an enclosed bag from whose ; bottom protrudes a relatively stiff plate which is normally forced underneath the waste to be collected, whereupon the bag portion of the device is turned over the waste held on the plate. One part of the plate protrudes outwardly ;~
of the bag wnile the other part forming the handle protrudes inwardly of the bag prior to the use of the device. It is believed that the last mentioned device is closest to ~, a solution combining low manufacturing costs and convenience of use. However, the use of a single plate on which the excrement has to be held while the bag is being turned over _ 3 _ .
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to enclose the waste, may be a tricky operation, particularly for elderly persons,as the collected waste may fall off before being properly enveloped by the turned over bag.
It is believed that aue to the above drawbacks of typical prior art related to the present invention, none of the devices found a broad acceptance on the market with ; many pet owners still preferring the use of a simple plastic bag generally as described in ~ohnson but not having the plate to scoop the waste. The use of such bag, requires a very unpleasent operation of holding the excrement with only a thin bag wall between the user's hand and the waste.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to advance the art of the second "bag-type" group of waste collecting and disposal device by providing a device whose manufacturing cost is low enough to warrant the use of the device as a disposable collector. It is another object of the invention to provide a device of this type which is easier to use than the known devices of the type, while virtually avoiding the chance of inadvertent soiling ~ -~
of the hands of the person collecting the waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
'., In general terms, the present invention provides disposable litter container comprising, in combination:
a bag of pliable material; an opening at one end of the bag, the bag being otherwise completely closed; the opening including two longitudinal edges; a first generally stiff plate means including a generally straight inside edge and an outside edge, the plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near said opening, along one of said longitudinal edges; the inside edge of said first plate means . :
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forming one side of the opening; the outside edge of said first plate means being generally coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of said first plate means; second generally stiff plate means including an inside edge and an outside edge, said second plate means being secured to the exterior surface of said bag near the opening, along the other of said longitudinal edges; said second plate means including a generally straight inside edge forming the other side of said opening; the outside edge of said second plate means being coincident with a part thereof forming handle means ror manipulation of the second plate -means; flexible means at each end of said opening for allowing manipulation of said plate means to move said inside edges away from or towards each other to thus open or close said bag means.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, said first plate and said second plate ; means are each shorter than the respective longitudinal edges of the opening, the ends of each of said inside edges being spaced from the respective ends of the longitudinal edges of the slot, whereby a continuation of the opening is provided at each end of the plate means for allowing the movement of said inside edges away from each other to thus open said bag means. In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the said continuation of opening is ~olded inwardly to form a V-shaped bellows-like fold at each end of the inside edges. According to yet another feature of the present invention, only an inside area portion of each plate means, disposed adjacent .he respective inside edge, is secured to said bag, an outside " :
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area portion remote from the respective inside edge and coincident with said handle means being separate from the adjacent surface of the bag means, to facilitate the grasping of said handle means. In accoxdance with a further feature of the present invention, the bag is a transparent bag and at least a portion of the surface of at least one plate means facing the exterior surface of the bag is provided with markings such as promotional text or the like.
The manufacturing cost of the product is further reduced by providing that both plate means are of an identical size and configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment ,, .
, of the present invention, showing the bag in an open state;
. I .
Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to the one of Figure 1 but showing a second embodiment of the ' container in a closed state;
Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view along section line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a partial view of one end of the opening of the bag of one embodiment of the present invention; and ; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing another embodiment of the present invention, the latter being the less expensive version.
~ DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
;~ Two basic embodiments of the present invention are shown in the enclosed drawings differing from each other .
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; merely by the type of bag (known per se).
Turning firstly to Figure 1, a bag 10 is shown of the type assuming, in flat condition, a generally rectangular contour defined by a bottom seam or weld 11 and two side seams - or welds 12, 13. It is to be emphasized at this point that the side welds 12, 13 are shown for convenience only and that the bag 10, if produced from a tubular semi-product, would only have the weld 11 and no welds 12, 13.
As mentioned above, the bag is made of a thin PVC. It defines a opening 14 at the bottom of the ' arrangement shown in Figure 1. The opening is defined ;
by two longitudinal edges 15, 16 of the bag. Adhesively secured to the exterior of the bag 10 is a first stlff plate l such that its inside edge 18 is generally coin-ciclent with the longitudinal edge 15 of the opening 14.
The plate 17 further has an outside edge 19 generally parallel with the inside edge 18. At the ends of the ~
first plate 17, the joinder between the respective end ~-edges of the plate and the outside edge 19 is beveled ; 20 at 20, 21. Figure 1 shows an inside area portion ~2 which is adjacent to the inside edge 18 and in which the p'ate 17 is adhesively secured to the exterior wall of the bag lOo The remaining portion 23 (Figure 3), which is remote from the inside edge 18, is referred to as an outside area portion. It is coincident with the exterior of the plate 17 and forms therewith what functionally amounts to handle means for grasping the plate with the thumb and fingers of one hand.
` The opposite or second plate 2~ is of structural `~ 30 .: :
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configuration identical to that of the flrst plate 11.
It has an inside edge 25 generally coincident with the longitudinal edge 16 of the bag 10, an outside edge 26, beveled end portions 27, 28, an inside area portion 29 and an outside area portion 30.
It will be appreciated that the bag shown in Figure 1 is indicated in an open position such that a part of , the respective ends of the longitudinal edges 15, 16 is disposed transversally of the opening 14. It also follows from the arrangement that the overall length of any of the two plates 17, 24 is shorter than the length of the edges 15, 16, the length of edges 15, 16 of coursel corresponding to the width of the bag as measured from the side seam 13 to the side `
seam 12. The length of plates 17, 24 is approximately 25cm while the width of the opening 14 shown in Figure 1 is approxi-mately 6cm. Thus, the total length of each of the longitudinal edges 15, 16, with the bag 10 in flat state is approximately ` 31cm. The measurements, of course, are arbitrary.
As mentioned above, it is within the scope of the ~ 20 present invention to utilize different kinds of bags, ; particularly the well known bags having inwardly turned sides as shown in Figure 4. Such bags are known to have two inwardly turned edge portions 31, 32 and a central fold 33 which is inwardly spaced from ends of the respective plates. The re-maining portion of such arrangements generally correspond to those of Figure 1 and are therefore referred to with the same reference numerals. The embodiment of Figure 4 is shown in a closed state in Figure 2 from which it can be seen that with the fold 33 disposed inwardly of the sides of the bag, the over-all length of plates 24, 17 is the same as the width of the ~ bag 10.
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Prior to the use, the device of the present invention can be stored within a small space as the bag and the plates generally occupy only the space negligibly greater than the space occupied by two plates facing each other. When a piece of litter is to be picked up, the bag is positioned as shown in Figure 1 with the respective thumbs of the user engaging the outside area portions 23, 30 and fingers engaging the ; surfaces underneath to grip the respective plate. The piece of litter is scooped inside the bag; then, the plates are placed over each other to arrive at the position shown in Figure 2, whereupon the bag with the litter inside can be discarded. When the plates 17, 24 assume the position of Figure 2, any potentially contaminated parts along edges 18, 25 are disposed safely inside the bag thus securing a clean disposal.
It will be appreciated that a great number of different modifications of the preferred embodiments may exist. Thus, it is not necessary, even though preferred, to have the length of the outside area portions 23, 30 the same as that of the 20 plate. Centrally located appropriate protrusions of the respective plates may suffice. Similarly, it is not necessary that the edges 15, 16 of the bag be generally coincident with the inside edges 18, 25 of the plates. In the preferred embodiments, the bag 10 is made of transparent plastic material such as PVC in order to make use of both surfaces of plates 17, 24 for display of promotional indicia as is shown in the drawings. The plates 17, 24 are made from cardboard. Needless to say, many other materials fall entirely within the scope of the present invention. It is readily conceivable, for instance, that the bag 10 may be made from kraft paper. Another readily conceivable arrangement is that of the bag being completely _g_ .' -~ ~15 22~
..
adhered to the entire surface of the respective plates whereby the thumbs of the user would actually engage the plates with a portion of the exterior wall of the bag 10 disposed between the thumb and the plate. The plates may be provided with suitable means for adhesively holding same together in the state shown in Figure 2 to avoid accidental opening of the bag after the scooping of the litter and prior to disposal of the bag.
It is apparent from the above few examples that a great number of modifications of the preferred embodiments exists still falling within the scope of the present invention as recited in the accompanying claims.
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Claims (6)
1. A disposable litter container comprising, in combination:
(a) a bag of pliable material;
(b) an opening at one end of the bag, the bag being otherwise completely closed;
(c) the opening including two longitudinal edges;
(d) a first generally stiff plate means including a generally straight inside edge and an outside edge, the plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near said opening, along one of said longitudinal edges;
(e) the inside edge of said first plate means forming one side of the opening;
(f) the outside edge of said first plate means being generally coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of said first plate means;
(g) second generally stiff plate means including an inside edge and an outside-edge, said second plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near the opening, along the other of said longitudinal edges;
(h) said second plate means including a generally straight inside edge forming the other side of said opening;
(i) the outside edge of said second plate means being coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of the second plate means;
(j) flexible means at each end of said opening for allowing manipulation of said plate means to move said inside edges away from or towards each other to thus open or close said bag means.
(a) a bag of pliable material;
(b) an opening at one end of the bag, the bag being otherwise completely closed;
(c) the opening including two longitudinal edges;
(d) a first generally stiff plate means including a generally straight inside edge and an outside edge, the plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near said opening, along one of said longitudinal edges;
(e) the inside edge of said first plate means forming one side of the opening;
(f) the outside edge of said first plate means being generally coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of said first plate means;
(g) second generally stiff plate means including an inside edge and an outside-edge, said second plate means being secured to exterior surface of said bag near the opening, along the other of said longitudinal edges;
(h) said second plate means including a generally straight inside edge forming the other side of said opening;
(i) the outside edge of said second plate means being coincident with a part thereof forming handle means for manipulation of the second plate means;
(j) flexible means at each end of said opening for allowing manipulation of said plate means to move said inside edges away from or towards each other to thus open or close said bag means.
2. A disposable litter container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first plate means and said second plate means are each shorter than the respective longitudinal edge of the opening, the ends of each of said inside edges being spaced from the respective ends of the longitudinal edges of the slot, whereby a continuation of the opening is provided at each end of the plate means for allowing the movement of said inside edges away from each other to thus open said bag means.
3. A disposable litter container as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the said continuation of the opening is folded inwardly to form a V-shaped bellows-like fold at each end of the inside edges.
4. A disposable litter container as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein an inside area portion of each plate means disposed adjacent the respective inside edge is secured to said bag, an outside area portion remote from the respective inside edge and coincident with said handle means being separate from the adjacent surface of the bag means, to facilitate the grasping of said handle means.
5. A disposable litter container as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein said bag is a transparent bag and at least a portion of the surface of at least one plate means coextensive with the exterior surface of the bag is provided with markings such as promotional text or the like.
6. A disposable litter container as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein both plate means are of an identical size and configuration.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA344,800A CA1082251A (en) | 1980-01-31 | 1980-01-31 | Disposable litter container |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA344,800A CA1082251A (en) | 1980-01-31 | 1980-01-31 | Disposable litter container |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1082251A true CA1082251A (en) | 1980-07-22 |
Family
ID=4116144
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA344,800A Expired CA1082251A (en) | 1980-01-31 | 1980-01-31 | Disposable litter container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1082251A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0037355A2 (en) * | 1980-03-27 | 1981-10-07 | Paul Poutchits | Pick-up and disposal device for rubbish, particularly for animal faeces |
| US5282660A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1994-02-01 | Halling Martha G | Sealable container for sanitary collection of matter, particularly animal droppings |
-
1980
- 1980-01-31 CA CA344,800A patent/CA1082251A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0037355A2 (en) * | 1980-03-27 | 1981-10-07 | Paul Poutchits | Pick-up and disposal device for rubbish, particularly for animal faeces |
| EP0037355A3 (en) * | 1980-03-27 | 1982-04-21 | Paul Poutchits | Pick-up and disposal device for rubbish, particularly for animal faeces |
| US5282660A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1994-02-01 | Halling Martha G | Sealable container for sanitary collection of matter, particularly animal droppings |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |