CA2040559A1 - Device for picking up excrement - Google Patents
Device for picking up excrementInfo
- Publication number
- CA2040559A1 CA2040559A1 CA 2040559 CA2040559A CA2040559A1 CA 2040559 A1 CA2040559 A1 CA 2040559A1 CA 2040559 CA2040559 CA 2040559 CA 2040559 A CA2040559 A CA 2040559A CA 2040559 A1 CA2040559 A1 CA 2040559A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- portions
- receptacle
- excrement
- closed position
- set forth
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920006238 degradable plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000206 health hazard Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A device for picking up animal excrement from the ground comprises first and second portions which each have raised edges and which are pivotable with a flap-like motion between an open position and a closed position in which they co-operate to define an excrement-receiving receptacle. The first and second portions scrape excrement off the ground in moving into the closed position of the receptacle. A
handle is mounted on the first and second portions providing the receptacle and a pulling bar is accommodated within the handle and connected to the first and second portions between side limbs of the handle whereby a pulling force applied to the pulling bar by a finger of the hand holding the handle causes the first and second portions to pivot towards the closed position of the receptacle.
A device for picking up animal excrement from the ground comprises first and second portions which each have raised edges and which are pivotable with a flap-like motion between an open position and a closed position in which they co-operate to define an excrement-receiving receptacle. The first and second portions scrape excrement off the ground in moving into the closed position of the receptacle. A
handle is mounted on the first and second portions providing the receptacle and a pulling bar is accommodated within the handle and connected to the first and second portions between side limbs of the handle whereby a pulling force applied to the pulling bar by a finger of the hand holding the handle causes the first and second portions to pivot towards the closed position of the receptacle.
Description
The present invention relates generally to a device for picking up and removing excrement such as animal excrement from the ground.
There are increasing calls Eor areas to which the public has ready access such as parks and the like to be kept free from animal excrement, in view of the health hazard that may be represented thereby.
With that aim in mind, German utility model No 82 17 117 discloses a receptacle for picking up and removing animal excrement on the ground, comprising two portions which have upstanding edges and which supplement each other in a closed position to provide a closed excrement receptacle. The two portions are pivotally connected in a flap-like manner so that they can be moved pivotably between an open position and the closed position of defining the excrement-receiving receptacle configuration. The edge region of the receptacle portions, which are remote from the pivotal connection in the closed position of the receptacle, have scraper edges to pick the excrement off the ground and convey it into the receptacle portions as the latter move from the open position into the closed position of the assembly. However that excrement receptacle suffers from the disadvantage that it can only be moved into the closed position by using both hands, while in addition the person using the receptacle is required to touch the receptacle portions with the hand.
According to the present invention t.here is provided a device for picking up excrement from a surface comprising: first and second portions which each have upstanding edge parts and which are co-operable with each other to define a closed receptacle for receiving excrement; means for pivotal mounting of the first and second portions whereby the first and second portions are movable rela-tive to each other in a f:Lap-like fashion between a first position in which with the:ir edge parts they supplemen-t each other to provide said closed receptacle and a second posit:i.on in which they are moved apart in an open position of sa:id re.ceptacle, -the edge part of at least one of said 2 ~
first and second portions which is disposed opposite the pivotal mounting of said first and second portions in the closed position of said receptacle comprising a scraper edge means operable to take excrement off said surface and convey it into the receptacle on passing over said surface when said first and second portions move from said second position thereof towards said first position thereof; disposed in the region of said pivotal mounting of said first and second portions a handle portion which is formed separately from said first and second portions providing said receptacle and which is fitted to said first and second portions and which has an opening therein; and a pulling bar portion formed separately from said first and second portions which provide said receptacle and having an insertion opening for insertion of a part of a hand carrying said device, said pulling bar portion being operatively connected to said receptacle and extending within said handle portion, the opening in said handle portion corresponding to the path of movement of the pulling bar portion thereby to permit the pulling bar portion to be pulled for actuation of the device to move the receptacle into its closed position.
As will becc,me more readily apparent hereinafter, a device for picking up excrement such as animal excrement from a surface such as the ground can be simple, quick and hygienie to operate. Furthermore the device for removing excrement from the ground in accordancewith the inven-tion ean be opera-ted by the use of one hand and without the person using the device having to touch the part of the device in whieh the excrement is actually accom~odated.
The invention further provides a blank for produeing a deviee for pieking up and removing exerement sueh as animal exerement by bending and fixing of the blank.
As will be appreciated and as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter froT a preferred embodiment, the fac-t that the first and second portions providing the excrement-receiving receptacle havè
upstanding edges means that the receptacle-forming portions are of a 5 configuration which is comparable to that of a bowl or dish for securely receiving excrement which is picked up by means of the device.
Furthermore, the fact that the receptacle according to the invention moves with a flap-like motion means that the device according to the invention can be used repeatedly by the user thereof such as the 10 owner of an animal producing excrement, so that such an animal owner only needs to carry a single such device for excrement collection purposes when taking the animal into a public place. The flap-like configuration and movement together with the scraper edge provided on at least one of the f irst and second portions of the device rnean that 15 there is no need to use an additional piece of e~uipment for picking up excrernent, such as a shovel or the like.
In order further to facilitate handling of the device according to the invention, the device may further include an arresting rneans for fixing it in the closed position of the receptacle. me device may also 20 include a spring for moving the first and second portions deflning the receptacle towards the open position thereof af-ter release of the arresting means, with the spring urging the first and second portions forming the recep-tacle away from each other. In that way the receptacle opens autornatically when the arresting means is released. In operation 25 of the device therefore, after the ends of the first and second portions, which are remote from the pivotal connection thereof, have been placed against thé surface such as the ground from which excrernent is to be picked up, the first and second portions defining the receptacle can be moved towards each other by pulling on the pulling 30 bar, thus overcoming the force of the above-mentioned spring. When that movernent occurs, the at least one scraper edge on the first and second portions of the receptacle pass over the ground, and thus pick up the excrement which in that way is accommcdated in the receptacle when the first and second portions of the receptacle have moved into the closed position thereof.
It will be noted at this point that when reference is made in this connection to a scraper edge, that is intended to mean that the edge of an upstanding edge part of at least one of the first and second portions defining the receptacle is of such a configuration as to permit the above-described mode of operation in which excrement is satisfactorily picked up by the device in the closure movement thereof.
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the first and second portions defining the receptacle of the device may be formed by folding and bending a single flat piece of material constituting a blank which corresponds to the portions for forming the receptacle and the elements for fixing same in the folded condition and on which the folding and bending lines are provided for producing the upstanding edge parts of the first and second portions defining the receptacle, and the pivotal connection therebetween. A11 the foiding and bending lines required on the piece of material which can be produced by stamping out of a flat web of for example cardboard are pre-formed by suitable embossing operations or by weakening the material at the appropriate lines, so that it is readily possible for the person wishing to use the device to make up the device from the flat blank by simple folding and bending steps. The fact that the device may be available to purchasers not just in the form of being ready for use but also in the Eorm of a blank which can be readily made into the device in its condition of being ready for use permits more rational storage both on the part of the manufacturer and traders and also on the part of the final consumer who may be offered a number of such blanks in a single pack. 'rhat may involve an ir~ortant factor in regard to ccmmercial dissemination of the device according to -the invention.
As the excrement-accorr~odatlng receptacle is generally added to ordinary refuse, in a preferred feature of the invention the device -`` 2 ~ 9 will be made from a degradable material such as plastic material or cardboard, thereby additionally taking account of environmental considerations.
An embodiment of a device according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the device with the receptacle in the closed position, Figure 2 is a view in longitudinal section through the Figure 1 device when in the open position, .
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating theinterior of the receptacle of the Figure 2 device in the open position, Figure 4 is a plan view of a piece of material forming a blank for producing the device according to the invention, and Figure 5 is a plan view of a pulling bar for the device according to the invention.
In the respective Figures of the drawings, the same or corresponding parts of the device are identified by the same reference numerals. That also applies in regard to comparison between the blank shown in Figure ~, and the device in its finished or assembled conditio.n as shown for example in Figure 1.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 through 3, a device according to the invention for picking up and removing excrement such as animal excrement from a surface such as the ground is formed by first and second port.ions 1 and 2 which are connected together by a hinge or pivot connection as indicated diagrammatically at 6'. The configuration of the connection 6' will be described in greater de-tail hereinafter with reference to Figure ~.
The portions 1 and 2 have upstanding edge parts 3", ~" and 5" which are connected together by a suitable push-in connection which will be ~ ~ L~6 ~
described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to Figure 4.
Provided on the edge part 4" of both of the portions 1 and 2 of the device are scraper edges 17 and 18 which are defined by the configuration of the respective edge part 4`'. Excrement on the ground for example can be picked up by means of the scraper edges 17 and 18 and conveyed into the receptacle defined by the first and second portions 1 and 2. It will be noted that the first and second portions 1 and 2 are of a bowl-like or dish-like configuration as a result of their upstanding edge parts. In order to pick up excrement in that way, the portions 1 and 2 have to be moved from an open position as shown for example in Figures 2 and 3 into the closed position as shown in Figure 1. For that purpose the device has an actuating rnember in the form of a pulling and holding bar which is shown in Figure 5 and the function of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Reference will be made at this point to Figure 4 showing that the illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention may be produced from the piece of material illustrated in Figure 4 by a stamping operation from a web of material which comprises preferably a degradable material such as degradable plastic material or cardboard.
The stamping operation involves forming folding and bending lines as well as bar portions and slots for bar portions to pass therethrough, which are required for producing -the device by folding.
The lines are desirably produced by virtue of being impressed into the material of the blank shown in Figure ~.
Extending transversely across the piece of material or blank shown in Figure ~ is ~ bending line 6' which, after the device has been assembled, provides the pivotal or hinged connection between the receptacle portions 1 and 2. If the shape of the receptacle when in the closed position thereof is compared to that of a pitched roof, then the pivotal or hinge connection ex-tends along the ridge line thereof.
Provided in the bending line 6' or the pivotal or hinged connection provided thereby is a sllt 10 through which, after assembly of the ~ 3 device, the T-shaped pulling bar 11 shown in Figure 5 is passed in such a way that its transverse portion 11' comes to lie in the interior of the receptacle defined by the portions 1 and 2. The transverse portion 11' has a slot-like opening indicated at 11" for a leaf spring 7 to be fitted therethrough; after assembly of the device, the ends of the leaf spring 7 bear against the wall portions formed by the parts 12 of the blank shown in Figure 4. That configuration of the leaf spring 7 can be clearly seen in Figure 3. The slit opening 11" is desirably so narrow that the leaf spring 7 can be clamped fast therein in such a way that it cannot slide or twist out of the proper position for it to operate in the correct manner.
Disposed on both sides of the line 6' extending transversely across the blank shown in Figure 4 are those regions from which the first and second portions 1 and 2 of the receptacle are folded together. As those regions are substantially the same, the same parts thereof are identified by the same reference numerals.
For the purposes of folding the piece of material together to provide the receptacle portions 1 and 2, the blank firstly has the fold lines 3', 4' and 5' which serve to form the upstanding edge configuration on the receptacle portions 1 and 2 from the parts 3", 4"
and 5" of the blank. For that purpose the above-mentioned parts are bent over at a right angle relative to the parts 12 delimited by the fold lines :3', 4' and 5' and the bend line 6'; after assembly of the device, the parts 12 form the bottom of the receptacle portions 1 and 2S 2.
Provided at the narrow ends of the parts 4" of the blank shown in Figure 4 are two projections 4"' which can be bent over by means of fold lines 4"" at a right angle relative to the parts 4". With t heir outwardly disposed end 4""' which is narrower in comparison with the area dlsposed directly beside the fold line 4"", the parts 4"' serve as a bar portion for insertion into the slits 3"' and 5"' provided on the parts 3" and 5" respectively. In that way -the parts 3", 4" and 5"
are fixed in their positlon for forming the edge parts 3, 4 and 5 of the receptacle portions 1 and 2.
A further bar portion 3"" and 5"" is formed on each of the t~o 5 parts 3" and 5" respectively, which belong to the region of the blank which is to the left of the central bending line 6' in the drawing, and which, after the operation of bending over the parts 3" and 5", correspond with the slits 13 and 14 provided in the region within the fold lines 3' and 5' respéctively which is to the right of the bend 10 line 6', in such a way that the bar portions 3"" and 5"" can be fitted into the slits 13 and 14. In that respect the bar portions 3"" and 5""
perform a dual function. As they can be reciprocated in the slits 13 and 14 respectively, they act as a guide means when the receptacle portions 1 and 2 are moved when the device is moved from its open 15 condition into its closed condition or vice--versa. They further act as an arresting means for the receptacle when in the closed condition.
For that purpose, they are bent over slightly laterally after attainment of the closed position in which they project entirely out of the slits 13 and 14, as shown in Figure 1. That is facilitated by 20 the edge incisions 15 and 16 which are to be found at the bases of the bar portions 3"" and 5"".
From the bar portions 3"" and 5"" a comparatively short edge 3""' and 5""' of the parts 3" and 5" extends towards -the central line 6'.
It acts as a restriction means in regard to the movement of the 25 receptacle portions 1 and 2 into the closed position in which that edge bears against the closed region of the fold lines 3', 5' which extends from the sllts 13, 14 towards the line 6'. The configuration of the edges 3""' and 5""' and the sllts 13 and 14 is so selected that in the closed position of the receptacle the upstanding edge regions 30 wh.ich are formed on the folded-together receptacle by the parts 4" of the blank overlap each other to just such an extent that excrement which has been moved into one or both of the receptacle portions 1 and 2 in the course of the closure ~ovement of the receptacle cannot fall out of the receptacle when in the closed position thereof. An import.ant consideration in regard to the introduction of excrement into the receptacle portions l and 2 is that the end edges 17 and 18 of the blank or the corresponding edge regions 4" apply a scraper effect to the surface from which the excrement is to be picked up, when the edges 17 and 18 are applied to the said surface, as the device moves from its open position into its closed position.
Therefore the thickness of the b]ank material ls desirably such that the assembled receptacle has on the one hand a sufficient level of stiffness in respect of shape, but on the other hand the thickness of the material in the region of the edges 17 and 18 is so slight that in the course of the scraper action of those edges excrement is appropriately carried into the receptacle portions 1 and 2.
As will be seen from Figure 4, the outwardly disposed edges of the parts 3" and 5" are inclined in such a way that after the receptacle portions 1 and 2 have been assembled, the height of the corresponding upstanding edge regions decreases towards the bend line 6'.
The device as described above is operated by virtue of the holding and pulling bar indicated at 11 in Figure 5, co-operating with a handle as indicated at 9 in Figure 2. Referring more specifically now to Figure 2, the handle 9 has first and second limbs 9' and 9", between which can be introduced a leg portion 11"' of the bar 11. The leg portion 11"' has a round opening 19 therethrough. In order for the device to be moved from the open posi.tion lnto the closed position of the receptacle, the leg portion 11"' of the bar 11 is pulled into the handle 9, ~or which reason the limbs 9' and 9" of the handle 9 have slit openings 9"' for for example at ]east one Ei.nger of a hand to be fitted therethrough. The opening in at least one of the limbs 9' or 9"
of the handle 9 corresponds to the path of movement of the bar 11, for actùation of the device.
In the course of the movement of the leg portion 11"' of the pulling bar 11 between the limbs 9' and 9" of the handle 9, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 2, the ends 9"" of the handle 9, which in the usual position of use of the device will be lower ends, are finally pressed against the wall regions of the receptacle portions 1, 2, which are immediately beside the pivot or hinged connection 6'; that results in movement of the receptacle portions 1 and 2 towards each other and thus mto the closed position of the receptacle. The force produced by the spring 7 is overcome by the pulling force applied to the pulling bar 11., ln actuation of the device.
So that the leaf spring 7 which is fitted through the opening 11"
in the pulling bar 11 is also additionally fixed in position perpendicularly to the line 6', U-shaped incisions 20 and 21 may be provided in the parts 12, as shown in Figure 4. The U-shaped incisions 20 and 21 permit small flap portions to be bent out of the plane of the parts 12 of the blank. The incisions 20 and 21 are so positioned that the flap portions are displaced relative to each other, that is to say they are on different sides of a center line which extends lengthwise through the blank. That can prevent the leaf spring 7 from pivoting laterally.
It will be appreciated that the above-described device and the blank for the production thereof have been set forth solely by way of example and illuctrat.lon of the princ.iples of the present invention and that various modifications and alterations may be made therein without thereby departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
There are increasing calls Eor areas to which the public has ready access such as parks and the like to be kept free from animal excrement, in view of the health hazard that may be represented thereby.
With that aim in mind, German utility model No 82 17 117 discloses a receptacle for picking up and removing animal excrement on the ground, comprising two portions which have upstanding edges and which supplement each other in a closed position to provide a closed excrement receptacle. The two portions are pivotally connected in a flap-like manner so that they can be moved pivotably between an open position and the closed position of defining the excrement-receiving receptacle configuration. The edge region of the receptacle portions, which are remote from the pivotal connection in the closed position of the receptacle, have scraper edges to pick the excrement off the ground and convey it into the receptacle portions as the latter move from the open position into the closed position of the assembly. However that excrement receptacle suffers from the disadvantage that it can only be moved into the closed position by using both hands, while in addition the person using the receptacle is required to touch the receptacle portions with the hand.
According to the present invention t.here is provided a device for picking up excrement from a surface comprising: first and second portions which each have upstanding edge parts and which are co-operable with each other to define a closed receptacle for receiving excrement; means for pivotal mounting of the first and second portions whereby the first and second portions are movable rela-tive to each other in a f:Lap-like fashion between a first position in which with the:ir edge parts they supplemen-t each other to provide said closed receptacle and a second posit:i.on in which they are moved apart in an open position of sa:id re.ceptacle, -the edge part of at least one of said 2 ~
first and second portions which is disposed opposite the pivotal mounting of said first and second portions in the closed position of said receptacle comprising a scraper edge means operable to take excrement off said surface and convey it into the receptacle on passing over said surface when said first and second portions move from said second position thereof towards said first position thereof; disposed in the region of said pivotal mounting of said first and second portions a handle portion which is formed separately from said first and second portions providing said receptacle and which is fitted to said first and second portions and which has an opening therein; and a pulling bar portion formed separately from said first and second portions which provide said receptacle and having an insertion opening for insertion of a part of a hand carrying said device, said pulling bar portion being operatively connected to said receptacle and extending within said handle portion, the opening in said handle portion corresponding to the path of movement of the pulling bar portion thereby to permit the pulling bar portion to be pulled for actuation of the device to move the receptacle into its closed position.
As will becc,me more readily apparent hereinafter, a device for picking up excrement such as animal excrement from a surface such as the ground can be simple, quick and hygienie to operate. Furthermore the device for removing excrement from the ground in accordancewith the inven-tion ean be opera-ted by the use of one hand and without the person using the device having to touch the part of the device in whieh the excrement is actually accom~odated.
The invention further provides a blank for produeing a deviee for pieking up and removing exerement sueh as animal exerement by bending and fixing of the blank.
As will be appreciated and as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter froT a preferred embodiment, the fac-t that the first and second portions providing the excrement-receiving receptacle havè
upstanding edges means that the receptacle-forming portions are of a 5 configuration which is comparable to that of a bowl or dish for securely receiving excrement which is picked up by means of the device.
Furthermore, the fact that the receptacle according to the invention moves with a flap-like motion means that the device according to the invention can be used repeatedly by the user thereof such as the 10 owner of an animal producing excrement, so that such an animal owner only needs to carry a single such device for excrement collection purposes when taking the animal into a public place. The flap-like configuration and movement together with the scraper edge provided on at least one of the f irst and second portions of the device rnean that 15 there is no need to use an additional piece of e~uipment for picking up excrernent, such as a shovel or the like.
In order further to facilitate handling of the device according to the invention, the device may further include an arresting rneans for fixing it in the closed position of the receptacle. me device may also 20 include a spring for moving the first and second portions deflning the receptacle towards the open position thereof af-ter release of the arresting means, with the spring urging the first and second portions forming the recep-tacle away from each other. In that way the receptacle opens autornatically when the arresting means is released. In operation 25 of the device therefore, after the ends of the first and second portions, which are remote from the pivotal connection thereof, have been placed against thé surface such as the ground from which excrernent is to be picked up, the first and second portions defining the receptacle can be moved towards each other by pulling on the pulling 30 bar, thus overcoming the force of the above-mentioned spring. When that movernent occurs, the at least one scraper edge on the first and second portions of the receptacle pass over the ground, and thus pick up the excrement which in that way is accommcdated in the receptacle when the first and second portions of the receptacle have moved into the closed position thereof.
It will be noted at this point that when reference is made in this connection to a scraper edge, that is intended to mean that the edge of an upstanding edge part of at least one of the first and second portions defining the receptacle is of such a configuration as to permit the above-described mode of operation in which excrement is satisfactorily picked up by the device in the closure movement thereof.
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the first and second portions defining the receptacle of the device may be formed by folding and bending a single flat piece of material constituting a blank which corresponds to the portions for forming the receptacle and the elements for fixing same in the folded condition and on which the folding and bending lines are provided for producing the upstanding edge parts of the first and second portions defining the receptacle, and the pivotal connection therebetween. A11 the foiding and bending lines required on the piece of material which can be produced by stamping out of a flat web of for example cardboard are pre-formed by suitable embossing operations or by weakening the material at the appropriate lines, so that it is readily possible for the person wishing to use the device to make up the device from the flat blank by simple folding and bending steps. The fact that the device may be available to purchasers not just in the form of being ready for use but also in the Eorm of a blank which can be readily made into the device in its condition of being ready for use permits more rational storage both on the part of the manufacturer and traders and also on the part of the final consumer who may be offered a number of such blanks in a single pack. 'rhat may involve an ir~ortant factor in regard to ccmmercial dissemination of the device according to -the invention.
As the excrement-accorr~odatlng receptacle is generally added to ordinary refuse, in a preferred feature of the invention the device -`` 2 ~ 9 will be made from a degradable material such as plastic material or cardboard, thereby additionally taking account of environmental considerations.
An embodiment of a device according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the device with the receptacle in the closed position, Figure 2 is a view in longitudinal section through the Figure 1 device when in the open position, .
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating theinterior of the receptacle of the Figure 2 device in the open position, Figure 4 is a plan view of a piece of material forming a blank for producing the device according to the invention, and Figure 5 is a plan view of a pulling bar for the device according to the invention.
In the respective Figures of the drawings, the same or corresponding parts of the device are identified by the same reference numerals. That also applies in regard to comparison between the blank shown in Figure ~, and the device in its finished or assembled conditio.n as shown for example in Figure 1.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 through 3, a device according to the invention for picking up and removing excrement such as animal excrement from a surface such as the ground is formed by first and second port.ions 1 and 2 which are connected together by a hinge or pivot connection as indicated diagrammatically at 6'. The configuration of the connection 6' will be described in greater de-tail hereinafter with reference to Figure ~.
The portions 1 and 2 have upstanding edge parts 3", ~" and 5" which are connected together by a suitable push-in connection which will be ~ ~ L~6 ~
described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to Figure 4.
Provided on the edge part 4" of both of the portions 1 and 2 of the device are scraper edges 17 and 18 which are defined by the configuration of the respective edge part 4`'. Excrement on the ground for example can be picked up by means of the scraper edges 17 and 18 and conveyed into the receptacle defined by the first and second portions 1 and 2. It will be noted that the first and second portions 1 and 2 are of a bowl-like or dish-like configuration as a result of their upstanding edge parts. In order to pick up excrement in that way, the portions 1 and 2 have to be moved from an open position as shown for example in Figures 2 and 3 into the closed position as shown in Figure 1. For that purpose the device has an actuating rnember in the form of a pulling and holding bar which is shown in Figure 5 and the function of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Reference will be made at this point to Figure 4 showing that the illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention may be produced from the piece of material illustrated in Figure 4 by a stamping operation from a web of material which comprises preferably a degradable material such as degradable plastic material or cardboard.
The stamping operation involves forming folding and bending lines as well as bar portions and slots for bar portions to pass therethrough, which are required for producing -the device by folding.
The lines are desirably produced by virtue of being impressed into the material of the blank shown in Figure ~.
Extending transversely across the piece of material or blank shown in Figure ~ is ~ bending line 6' which, after the device has been assembled, provides the pivotal or hinged connection between the receptacle portions 1 and 2. If the shape of the receptacle when in the closed position thereof is compared to that of a pitched roof, then the pivotal or hinge connection ex-tends along the ridge line thereof.
Provided in the bending line 6' or the pivotal or hinged connection provided thereby is a sllt 10 through which, after assembly of the ~ 3 device, the T-shaped pulling bar 11 shown in Figure 5 is passed in such a way that its transverse portion 11' comes to lie in the interior of the receptacle defined by the portions 1 and 2. The transverse portion 11' has a slot-like opening indicated at 11" for a leaf spring 7 to be fitted therethrough; after assembly of the device, the ends of the leaf spring 7 bear against the wall portions formed by the parts 12 of the blank shown in Figure 4. That configuration of the leaf spring 7 can be clearly seen in Figure 3. The slit opening 11" is desirably so narrow that the leaf spring 7 can be clamped fast therein in such a way that it cannot slide or twist out of the proper position for it to operate in the correct manner.
Disposed on both sides of the line 6' extending transversely across the blank shown in Figure 4 are those regions from which the first and second portions 1 and 2 of the receptacle are folded together. As those regions are substantially the same, the same parts thereof are identified by the same reference numerals.
For the purposes of folding the piece of material together to provide the receptacle portions 1 and 2, the blank firstly has the fold lines 3', 4' and 5' which serve to form the upstanding edge configuration on the receptacle portions 1 and 2 from the parts 3", 4"
and 5" of the blank. For that purpose the above-mentioned parts are bent over at a right angle relative to the parts 12 delimited by the fold lines :3', 4' and 5' and the bend line 6'; after assembly of the device, the parts 12 form the bottom of the receptacle portions 1 and 2S 2.
Provided at the narrow ends of the parts 4" of the blank shown in Figure 4 are two projections 4"' which can be bent over by means of fold lines 4"" at a right angle relative to the parts 4". With t heir outwardly disposed end 4""' which is narrower in comparison with the area dlsposed directly beside the fold line 4"", the parts 4"' serve as a bar portion for insertion into the slits 3"' and 5"' provided on the parts 3" and 5" respectively. In that way -the parts 3", 4" and 5"
are fixed in their positlon for forming the edge parts 3, 4 and 5 of the receptacle portions 1 and 2.
A further bar portion 3"" and 5"" is formed on each of the t~o 5 parts 3" and 5" respectively, which belong to the region of the blank which is to the left of the central bending line 6' in the drawing, and which, after the operation of bending over the parts 3" and 5", correspond with the slits 13 and 14 provided in the region within the fold lines 3' and 5' respéctively which is to the right of the bend 10 line 6', in such a way that the bar portions 3"" and 5"" can be fitted into the slits 13 and 14. In that respect the bar portions 3"" and 5""
perform a dual function. As they can be reciprocated in the slits 13 and 14 respectively, they act as a guide means when the receptacle portions 1 and 2 are moved when the device is moved from its open 15 condition into its closed condition or vice--versa. They further act as an arresting means for the receptacle when in the closed condition.
For that purpose, they are bent over slightly laterally after attainment of the closed position in which they project entirely out of the slits 13 and 14, as shown in Figure 1. That is facilitated by 20 the edge incisions 15 and 16 which are to be found at the bases of the bar portions 3"" and 5"".
From the bar portions 3"" and 5"" a comparatively short edge 3""' and 5""' of the parts 3" and 5" extends towards -the central line 6'.
It acts as a restriction means in regard to the movement of the 25 receptacle portions 1 and 2 into the closed position in which that edge bears against the closed region of the fold lines 3', 5' which extends from the sllts 13, 14 towards the line 6'. The configuration of the edges 3""' and 5""' and the sllts 13 and 14 is so selected that in the closed position of the receptacle the upstanding edge regions 30 wh.ich are formed on the folded-together receptacle by the parts 4" of the blank overlap each other to just such an extent that excrement which has been moved into one or both of the receptacle portions 1 and 2 in the course of the closure ~ovement of the receptacle cannot fall out of the receptacle when in the closed position thereof. An import.ant consideration in regard to the introduction of excrement into the receptacle portions l and 2 is that the end edges 17 and 18 of the blank or the corresponding edge regions 4" apply a scraper effect to the surface from which the excrement is to be picked up, when the edges 17 and 18 are applied to the said surface, as the device moves from its open position into its closed position.
Therefore the thickness of the b]ank material ls desirably such that the assembled receptacle has on the one hand a sufficient level of stiffness in respect of shape, but on the other hand the thickness of the material in the region of the edges 17 and 18 is so slight that in the course of the scraper action of those edges excrement is appropriately carried into the receptacle portions 1 and 2.
As will be seen from Figure 4, the outwardly disposed edges of the parts 3" and 5" are inclined in such a way that after the receptacle portions 1 and 2 have been assembled, the height of the corresponding upstanding edge regions decreases towards the bend line 6'.
The device as described above is operated by virtue of the holding and pulling bar indicated at 11 in Figure 5, co-operating with a handle as indicated at 9 in Figure 2. Referring more specifically now to Figure 2, the handle 9 has first and second limbs 9' and 9", between which can be introduced a leg portion 11"' of the bar 11. The leg portion 11"' has a round opening 19 therethrough. In order for the device to be moved from the open posi.tion lnto the closed position of the receptacle, the leg portion 11"' of the bar 11 is pulled into the handle 9, ~or which reason the limbs 9' and 9" of the handle 9 have slit openings 9"' for for example at ]east one Ei.nger of a hand to be fitted therethrough. The opening in at least one of the limbs 9' or 9"
of the handle 9 corresponds to the path of movement of the bar 11, for actùation of the device.
In the course of the movement of the leg portion 11"' of the pulling bar 11 between the limbs 9' and 9" of the handle 9, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 2, the ends 9"" of the handle 9, which in the usual position of use of the device will be lower ends, are finally pressed against the wall regions of the receptacle portions 1, 2, which are immediately beside the pivot or hinged connection 6'; that results in movement of the receptacle portions 1 and 2 towards each other and thus mto the closed position of the receptacle. The force produced by the spring 7 is overcome by the pulling force applied to the pulling bar 11., ln actuation of the device.
So that the leaf spring 7 which is fitted through the opening 11"
in the pulling bar 11 is also additionally fixed in position perpendicularly to the line 6', U-shaped incisions 20 and 21 may be provided in the parts 12, as shown in Figure 4. The U-shaped incisions 20 and 21 permit small flap portions to be bent out of the plane of the parts 12 of the blank. The incisions 20 and 21 are so positioned that the flap portions are displaced relative to each other, that is to say they are on different sides of a center line which extends lengthwise through the blank. That can prevent the leaf spring 7 from pivoting laterally.
It will be appreciated that the above-described device and the blank for the production thereof have been set forth solely by way of example and illuctrat.lon of the princ.iples of the present invention and that various modifications and alterations may be made therein without thereby departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (8)
1. A device for picking up excrement from a surface comprising:
first and second portions which each have upstanding edge parts and which are co-operable with each other to define a closed receptacle for receiving excrement; means for pivotal mounting of the first and second portions whereby the first and second portions are movable relative to each other in a flap-like fashion between a first position in which with their edge parts they supplement each other to provide said closed receptacle and a second position in which they are moved apart in an open position of said receptacle, the edge part of at least one of said first and second portions which is disposed opposite the pivotal mounting of said first and second portions in the closed position of said receptacle comprising a scraper edge means operable to take excrement off said surface and convey it into the receptacle on passing over said surface when said first and second portions move from said second position thereof towards said first position thereof; disposed in the region of said pivotal mounting of said first and second portions a handle portion which is formed separately from said first and second portions providing said receptacle and which is fitted to said first and second portions and which has an opening therein; and a pulling bar portion formed separately from said first and second portions which provide said receptacle and having an insertion opening for insertion of a part of a hand carrying said device, said pulling bar portion being operatively connected to said receptacle and extending within said handle portion, the opening in said handle portion corresponding to the path of movement of the pulling bar portion thereby to permit the pulling bar portion to be pulled for actuation of the device to move the receptacle into its closed position.
first and second portions which each have upstanding edge parts and which are co-operable with each other to define a closed receptacle for receiving excrement; means for pivotal mounting of the first and second portions whereby the first and second portions are movable relative to each other in a flap-like fashion between a first position in which with their edge parts they supplement each other to provide said closed receptacle and a second position in which they are moved apart in an open position of said receptacle, the edge part of at least one of said first and second portions which is disposed opposite the pivotal mounting of said first and second portions in the closed position of said receptacle comprising a scraper edge means operable to take excrement off said surface and convey it into the receptacle on passing over said surface when said first and second portions move from said second position thereof towards said first position thereof; disposed in the region of said pivotal mounting of said first and second portions a handle portion which is formed separately from said first and second portions providing said receptacle and which is fitted to said first and second portions and which has an opening therein; and a pulling bar portion formed separately from said first and second portions which provide said receptacle and having an insertion opening for insertion of a part of a hand carrying said device, said pulling bar portion being operatively connected to said receptacle and extending within said handle portion, the opening in said handle portion corresponding to the path of movement of the pulling bar portion thereby to permit the pulling bar portion to be pulled for actuation of the device to move the receptacle into its closed position.
2. A device as set forth in claim 1 and further including an arresting means for fixing it in its closed position.
3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said edge parts of at least one of said first and second receptacle portions include a side wall part having bar portions which in the closed position of the receptacle can be bent into a condition for fixing it in said closed position.
4. A device as set forth in claim 2 and further including a spring means for urging said receptacle portions away from each other to move the receptacle into its open position after release of said arresting means.
5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second receptacle portions are formed by folding and bending of a single piece of material constituting an elongate blank which corresponds to said receptacle portions and further portions for fixing same in the assembled condition, wherein the pivot hinge for said first and second portions comprises a bending line extending at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said blank.
6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle portions comprise a degradable material.
7. A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said receptacle portions comprise plastic.
8. A piece of material for production of a receptacle as set forth in claim 5 which was cut from a flat web of material in such a way that its blank corresponds to said receptacle portions and said further portions and on which folding and bending lines are pre-formed to produce the upstanding edge parts of the receptacle portions and the pivotal connection thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4013479.2 | 1990-04-27 | ||
| DE19904013479 DE4013479C1 (en) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-04-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2040559A1 true CA2040559A1 (en) | 1991-10-28 |
Family
ID=6405228
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2040559 Abandoned CA2040559A1 (en) | 1990-04-27 | 1991-04-16 | Device for picking up excrement |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0454074A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2040559A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4013479C1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2083332B1 (en) * | 1994-09-21 | 1996-11-16 | De Lazcano Saez De Graci Ortiz | EQUIPMENT FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL EXCREMENTS. |
| USD386840S (en) | 1996-06-17 | 1997-11-25 | Sturm Gary S | Dog waste collector |
| FR2775663B1 (en) * | 1998-03-04 | 2002-02-01 | Salih Arslan | FOLDABLE SHOVEL FOR GRANULAR AND POWDERY MATERIALS |
| ES1047078Y (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-07-16 | Rivera Garcia Mario | DISPOSABLE COLLECTOR OF EXCREMENTS OF COMPANY ANIMALS. |
| FR2846674A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2004-05-07 | Madeleine Henriette Bernet | Individual and disposable container for picking up solid and fluid excrement and waste comprises telescopic box with shutters that close when depressed |
| US7665780B2 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2010-02-23 | John Vollmer | Pet waste collection kit, device and method |
| ES2296538B1 (en) * | 2006-10-05 | 2009-03-16 | Ignacio Alvarez De Sotomayor Ybern | COLLECTOR-CONTAINER OF SOLID OR SEMISOLID WASTE. |
| WO2008040831A1 (en) * | 2006-10-05 | 2008-04-10 | Alvarez De Sotomayor Ybern Ign | Collector/container for solid or semi-solid waste |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4200319A (en) * | 1978-04-14 | 1980-04-29 | Herbert Cooper | Snap-closing container |
| US4247139A (en) * | 1978-10-10 | 1981-01-27 | Grieb Geoffrey E | Sanitary waste collector |
| DE8217117U1 (en) * | 1982-06-15 | 1982-11-18 | Fabritz, Gerhard, 4150 Krefeld | FOLDING BOX FOR TAKING DOG SCOT |
| DE3521997A1 (en) * | 1985-06-20 | 1987-01-02 | Muck Peter Dipl Ing Fh | Gripping device for taking hold of and carrying animal excrement |
| US4830419A (en) * | 1987-12-28 | 1989-05-16 | Watanabe Eric R | Disposable animal waste collector |
| DE8803914U1 (en) * | 1988-03-23 | 1988-05-05 | Haas, Walter, 6967 Buchen | Dog waste double container |
-
1990
- 1990-04-27 DE DE19904013479 patent/DE4013479C1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-04-16 CA CA 2040559 patent/CA2040559A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-24 EP EP91106557A patent/EP0454074A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4013479C1 (en) | 1991-01-24 |
| EP0454074A1 (en) | 1991-10-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |