EP1611290A1

EP1611290A1 - Canine hygiene kit

Info

Publication number: EP1611290A1
Application number: EP04742413A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nadine Guigon-Schoeff; Eugénie Schoeff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-07
Filing date: 2004-03-31
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Also published as: FR2853335B1; FR2853335A1; WO2004092484A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a canine hygiene kit, comprising at least one bag for collection of dog excrement, a bag carrier (20) with a housing of a generally flat form for containing at least said bag.

Description

The present invention relates to a dog cleaning kit. We know from international application WO 99/29596 a box of generally cylindrical shape, capable of containing a roll of sachets for collecting dog excrement, this box being provided with an opening making it possible to detach and distribute the sachets one by one. Such a housing is rigid, relatively bulky and uncomfortable for the dog.

Other devices aimed at facilitating the collection of canine excrement have been proposed in applications FR 2 504 354, FR 2 815 977, FR 2 815 978, WO 98/01375, WO 00/66838 and EP 0 619 944.

There is a need to benefit from a cleaning kit which is relatively economical to manufacture, aesthetic, practical to use and comfortable for the animal.

The invention meets this need with a canine cleanliness kit, comprising: - at least one sachet for collecting canine excrement, - a sachet holder comprising a generally flat housing to receive this sachet for at least collection.

Thanks to the flattened shape of the housing intended to receive the collection bag (s), the bag holder can be made of a flexible material such as leather for example and can be easily attached to the collar or leaves it without disturbing the animal, or be made in one piece with the collar or leash.

The bag holder can in particular be made so as to be crossed by a strap, for example a collar, a harness or a leash, and thus easily integrate with the collar, the harness or the leash of the dog. The integration of the bag holder with the collar is advantageous in the case where the dog is walking without a leash. Thus, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, the bag holder may include means for fixing to the collar, the bag holder may for example extend along the collar. The bag holder can alternatively be made so that it can be attached independently around the animal's neck.

Another subject of the invention is a collar or a leash equipped with a cleanliness kit as defined above, or even a leash and collar assembly comprising a bag holder capable of being fixed on one or the other. If necessary, the bag holder can optionally be fixed or not on the leash handle. Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a bag holder comprising:

- A generally flattened housing to receive at least one bag for collecting dog excrement, this housing having a first opening allowing the introduction of a refill comprising at least two bags and a second opening substantially opposite the first , allowing the bags to be taken one by one.

The first opening may be longer than the second opening.

The bag holder may further include a flap arranged to take at least two positions, namely a first position in which it closes access to the first opening and a second position in which it allows access to the first opening; The first opening can be closed after introducing a refill of sachets.

In a particular embodiment, the bag holder also includes a housing arranged to receive a spatula and, if necessary, at least one housing to receive a wipe or the like.

The bag holder can be made of a flexible material, in particular leather or fabric of a natural or synthetic material.

The bag holder can be made so as to be crossed by a strap.

The aforementioned housing can be defined by two sheets. The sheets can be assembled along their longitudinal edges. The sheets can be assembled by sewing, welding or gluing. One of the leaves may or may not form at least part of a collar or a leash.

The thickness of the bag holder, when it is not carrying bags, can be less than 1 cm, even less than 0.8 cm, or even less than about 0.6 cm. The width of the bag holder can for example be between 3 and 6 cm, or even between 4 and 5 cm, and its length between 10 and 20 cm, or even between 12 and 18 cm.

The ratio of width to length may for example be between 0.2 and 0.5, for example of the order of about 0.3.

The ratio of width to thickness can for example be between 5 and 10, for example between 6 and 9, or even between 7 and 8.

Another subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a refill comprising an envelope and, inside thereof, for example between two and ten sachets collection in the folded state, preferably between two and five sachets. The sachets can be folded so that removing one sachet makes it easier to extract the next sachet. This refill advantageously comprises an envelope having a frangible end, and a stiffened and / or tapered part facilitating the introduction into a corresponding housing of a bag holder. The bags may have a point formed by folding, which allows their easy introduction into the bag holder.

The subject of the invention is also, independently or in combination with the above, a refill comprising at least two superimposed sachets which each have a tip-shaped end. Each bag may have a point having a smooth outer face.

The subject of the invention is also, independently or in combination with the above, a method for recharging a housing of a bag holder, comprising the following steps:

- introduce a refill into the housing of the bag holder, the refill comprising at least two bags and a stiffened envelope,

- remove at least part of the stiffened envelope.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically in top view an example of a collar equipped with a bag holder according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial view from below of the collar of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 partially represents the bag holder after opening the flap allowing access to the housing receiving the bags, FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section according to IN-IN of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 represents in isolation and schematically a collection bag,

FIG. 6 represents in isolation, with cutaway, a refill intended to be introduced into the bag holder of FIGS. 1 to 4,

FIG. 7 illustrates the possibility of fixing a bag holder according to the invention on a leash, FIG. 8 illustrates the possibility of fixing the bag holder of FIG. 7 on a collar,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment of the bag holder, FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the production of a bag holder in one piece with a collar,

FIGS. 11 to 18 schematically represent a first method of folding the bags, and

- Figures 19 to 26 schematically illustrate a second method of folding the bags.

The collar 10 shown in Figure 1 is equipped with a bag holder 20 according to the invention.

This collar 10 comprises a strap 14 and quick couplers 11 and 12 known in themselves, arranged to cooperate by snap-fastening. Of course, it is not going beyond the ambit of the present invention when the collar is arranged to close otherwise, for example by means of a loop provided with a pin, or comprises a chain in place of the strap 14.

The collar 10 may also include, as illustrated, a loop 13 for adjusting its length. The bag holder 20 has first and second sheets 21 and 22 between which the strap 14 is engaged, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

The passage for the strap advantageously opens at each of the two longitudinal ends of the bag holder.

The bag holder 20 comprises, above the second sheet 22, a third sheet 23 which defines with the second sheet 22 a housing 24 making it possible to receive bags 50, such as that shown in FIG. 5.

The bags 50 can be packaged in a refill 30 shown in isolation in FIG. 6. This refill 30 comprises an envelope 33 and inside thereof a plurality of bags 50, for example between two and five. Each bag 50 has in the example considered, in the unfolded state, a generally rectangular shape, with sides whose dimension is for example between 15 and 35 cm. An adhesive clip 51 initially coated with a removable protective cover makes it possible to maintain the upper part of the bag folded against the lower part, once the sample has been taken. As a variant, the bags 50 can be devoid of adhesive fastening. The bags 50 are advantageously made from a biodegradable material.

The bags 50 are arranged in the folded state in the refill 30, which comprises for example a plastic envelope which may or may not be transparent and serve as an advertising medium, if necessary. It can for example be made of sufficiently resistant paper or cardboard.

The first sheet 21 is covered on its face opposite to the second sheet 22 by a fourth sheet 25, which defines with the first sheet 21 a second housing 26 allowing to receive a spatula 40. If necessary, an additional housing 45 can be produced. to accommodate one or more wipes.

The four sheets 21 to 24 are assembled along their longitudinal edges. In the example considered, the sheets 21 to 24 are made of leather and assembled by sewing, but they could, without departing from the scope of the invention, be made of plastic or fabric and assembled by welding, gluing or sewing. The collar itself can be made of leather, fabric, or any other suitable material.

The housing 24 has two openings, namely a first opening 24a making it possible to introduce the refill 30 and a second opening 24b, substantially opposite the first, making it possible to extract the bags contained in the housing 24 one by one. This second opening 24b is, in the example illustrated, in the form of a window cut from the third sheet 23. The width of the window 24b is slightly less than that of the bags 50 in the folded state so that that the bags 50 can be retained inside the housing 24 despite the sudden movements that the dog could make. The width of the window 24b is in the example illustrated less than that of the opening 24a. The window 24a can be closed after introduction of the refill of sachets.

The bag holder 20 comprises, on the external face of the third sheet 23, a first hooking means 26 and the second sheet 22 extends on the side to form a flap 27 comprising on its inner face a second hooking means 28, arranged to cooperate with the first attachment means 26 in order to hold the flap in place against the third sheet 23. The attachment means 26 and 28 are for example constituted by velcro strips, respectively with loops and hooks. Of course, we does not depart from the scope of the present invention when the hooking means are made otherwise, for example by means of a press button.

In what has just been described, the bag holder is engaged on the strap 14, but it is not outside the scope of the present invention if the bag holder is formed integrally with the strap 14, as is illustrated it in figure 10.

In this example, the strap 14 comprises a sheet 23 formed by an extension of the strap and intended to be folded down according to arrow F on the rest of the strap 14 and to be kept in the folded down state by sewing, gluing and / or welding, so as to define the housing 24 for receiving the bags 50. It further comprises a flap 27 also formed by an extension of the strap and intended to be folded detachably according to the arrow G on the sheet 23 to cover the at least partially the opening for introducing the refill. The flap 27 has on its inner face hooking means 28 arranged to cooperate with hooking means 26 arranged on the sheet 23 or elsewhere on the strap 14. The refill 30 may have a stiffened end through which it can be introduced in the housing 24, this end being arranged for example so as to form a point 32 facilitating its introduction. The envelope 33 of the refill 30 has a frangible part 31 allowing its opening by a simple pull exerted at its ends. As a variant, the envelope 33 of the refill 30 can be devoid of a frangible part, and include an open end from which the sachets it contains can protrude. The envelope 33 of the refill can be intended to be removed after introduction of the refill into the housing 24.

The bags can be folded so that they form a point, as will be explained later. The bags can be folded so that the tip has no free edge of the initial sheet.

In the example described, the point is triangular rectangle, when viewed from the front.

The collar 10 can be offered with the bag holder 20 already in place on the strap 14 or, as a variant, the bag holder 20 can be put in place by the user himself on the collar.

To introduce the bags 50 into the bag holder 20, the user opens the flap 27 and slides the refill 30 inside the housing 24. The frangible part 31 of the refill 30 appears in window 24b, and can be removed. Then, the user can optionally remove the rest of the envelope 33 from the refill 30. The user can then close the flap 27 so that the bags are retained in the housing 24. The bags 50 are taken out through the window 24b. Preferably, the bags 50 are folded so that the tongue 51 is present in the window 24b, which facilitates their extraction. The bags may not be integral, so that they can be taken one after the other for example. They can for example be independent, and in particular not be connected to each other by frangible parts. The distribution of the sachets can take place sequentially. The bags can for example be retained by friction between the sheets 22 and

23 of the bag holder, which is for example the case when the latter is made of leather and the untanned faces are on the side of the interior of the housing 24 containing the bags.

Likewise, the sheet 21 can be placed on the untanned side facing the interior of the housing containing the strap 14, so as to prevent the pouch holder from sliding on the strap.

In the example described, all the bags protrude from the housing 24 through the window 24b. They can thus be easily entered.

They advantageously have an apparent end when they are in place in the housing 24. It is thus not necessary to open the flap 27 to grasp a sachet. The sachets are advantageously made from a biodegradable material, which contains, in the example described, corn starch.

In the example of FIG. 1, the bag holder 20 is crossed by the strap 14 of the collar 10. It is not going beyond the scope of the present invention when the bag holder 20 is designed to be fixed on a harness, or alternatively on a leash, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this case, the bag holder 20 can be crossed by a strap 71 whose ends are connected, for example by means of quick couplers 72 and 73, respectively to a wrist strap 74 and to the rest of the leash 70. The latter is provided with a hook 75 to be engaged in a loop of a collar, not shown. The strap 71 can be detached, if necessary, to be fixed on a collar 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The collar 10 can be shortened by means of the adjustment loop 13 to take account of the length of the strap 71 . The bag holder is preferably fixed elsewhere than on the strap of a leash.

The bag holder can extend along the collar to which it attaches or be independent of the collar and attach around the animal's neck. Of course, the invention is not limited to the example which has just been described. Many variations can be made.

The bag holder may be given other shapes than that illustrated, depending on the size of the animal for example, and in particular a substantially triangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this figure, the bag holder 20 has two loops 29 allowing its attachment to the strap 14 of the collar 10, and a flattened housing of generally triangular shape for receiving the bags. Unlike the previous example, the upper end 24a of this housing is not closed by a flap. The bags are removed through the lower opening 24b.

The aforementioned housing, intended to accommodate one or more wipes, can be formed on the flap 27 or be superimposed on the housing 24, being produced on the sheet 23 or under the sheet 22, for example.

The bag holder may include figures, drawings, holograms or any other logo, embroidered or printed. The bag holder can also support various accessories, for example jewelry, stones, badges or charms. The bag holder can, in a particular embodiment of the invention, be perfumed, for example with a smell that attracts dogs, so as to promote the sale and use of the bag holder.

The bag holder can also include a bar code providing information, for example, on the identity of the dog, which can be used to identify the dog when the latter has lost its way. The bag holder may also include a chip comprising a transmitter and / or receiver, useful if the dog is lost or to keep it within a given perimeter.

The bag holder may include a device for interpreting barking, for example an electronic circuit comprising a microphone.

Independently or in combination with the above, the sachet holder can be made of a material, for example leather or fabric, identical to that in which a garment or fashion accessory is made, for example a coat, shoes or a bag, in particular a handbag, from the dog's owner, or in a material identical to that in which a dog's coat is made.

We will now describe examples of the method of folding the bags 50, and with reference to FIGS. 11 to 18, a first method of folding the bags 50. FIG. 11 illustrates a bag 50 laid flat, the dimensions of which are for example of the order of 22 cm x 27 cm, but it is not outside the scope of the present invention if the dimensions of the bag 50 are different, and if its surface is between 300 and 800 cm ² , or even between 400 and 700 cm ² , or even around 600 cm ² approximately.

FIG. 11 shows fold lines A and B parallel to a long side 82 of the bag and cutting the short sides 83 of the bag respectively to quarter and three-quarters of their length.

The ends of the bag are folded over the central part of the bag along the fold lines A and B, as illustrated in Figure 12.

The end parts of the folded bag are then folded down along fold lines C and D, parallel to lines A and B, so as to obtain the bag illustrated in FIG. 13.

Finally, fold the bag of Figure 13 in half along a line E parallel to lines A, B, C and D, to obtain the folded bag of Figure 14. The latter is of a length equal to the length of the large side 82 of the bag laid flat, and of a width equal to one eighth of the length of the short side 83 of the starting bag illustrated in FIG. 11.

Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if the bag is folded along the fold lines A, B, C, D and E in a different order, for example if we start by folding the bag along the line E then along lines A and B and finally along lines C and D. The bag is then folded along a line F extending diagonally to the preceding lines, which cuts the folded bag of Figure 14 in its middle O, as illustrated in Figure 15 and in more detail in Figure 16.

This line F is the diagonal of a square centered on the point O, the length of the sides of which is equal to the width of the folded bag of Figure 14, i.e. one eighth of the length of the short side 83 of the unfolded bag of FIG. 11.

The bag is then folded square and has two branches 80 and 81. The two branches 80 and 81 of the square are then folded down one on the other along the second diagonal G of the aforementioned square, so as to form the folded bag illustrated in FIG.

The latter is then of generally rectangular shape, of length substantially equal to half the length of the long side 82 of the unfolded bag of Figure 11, and of width equal to one-eighth of the length of the short side 83 of the unfolded bag of Figure 11.

The bag also has a pointed portion 85, corresponding to a quarter of the aforementioned square.

This tip 85 allows the bags 50 folded to be easily inserted into the envelope 33 of the refill 30, and to introduce this refill into the housing 24 of the bag holder, in particular by guiding the latter. In this case, the refill can for example be devoid of frangible parts 31.

The pointed part 85 of the bags 50 can for example protrude from the housing 24 through the opening 24b and allow the bag to be easily gripped by the user.

FIG. 17 illustrates the folded bag 50 when the branch 80 is folded away from the bracket on the branch 81 and in FIG. 18 the folded bag when the branch 81 is folded over the branch 80.

We see that the tip 85 is in Figure 18 in continuity with the rectangular part of the folded bag 50, while on the other side, that is to say on the face illustrated in Figure 17, the tip 85 forms an additional layer above the rectangular part of the folded bag.

It is preferable to place the sachets in the sachet holder with the face of the tip 85 illustrated in FIG. 18 on the outside side and the face of the tip 85 illustrated in FIG. 17 against the sheet 22, so as to that the rim formed by the tip 85 of the face illustrated in FIG. 17 does not catch on objects, which would cause the bag to come out of the housing 24.

A second folding mode has been illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 26, which can for example correspond to sachets intended to be used with the sachet holder illustrated in FIG. 9.

We define on the bag 50 spread flat, illustrated in Figure 19, fold lines H and I constituting the diagonals of a square side equal to the length of the short side 83 of the bag 50. A folding line J is also defined parallel to the short side 83 of the bag 50 and passing through the point of intersection of the diagonals I and H.

The sachet is then folded along these three fold lines H, I and J, bringing the two halves of the fold line J against each other, so as to form the fold illustrated in FIG. 20.

A folded sachet 50 is thus obtained composed of a triangular isosceles rectangular part 90 and a rectangular part 91, of length equal to the length of the short side 83 and of width equal to the difference between the length of the large side 82 and the short side 83, as illustrated in FIG. 21. The rectangular part 91 is then folded down over the isosceles right-angled triangular part 90, then the ends of the rectangular part 91 which project beyond the triangular part 90 over the triangular part 90 are folded down, as illustrated in figure 22.

A folded sachet 50 of triangular isosceles rectangle shape is then obtained.

The tips 93 with a 45 ° angle are folded over the tip 94 with an angle equal to 90 °, as illustrated in FIG. 23. A folded bag 50 of square shape is obtained, as illustrated in FIG. 24.

This square is then turned over and the tip 95 is brought back to the tip 96 as illustrated in FIG. 25, by sliding the tip 95 under the sheet 97 formed by the above-mentioned rectangular part 91. We then obtain the folded bag illustrated in Figure 26.

The bags in the folded state can have between 5 and 12 fold lines or even between 6 and 10.

Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if the bag 50 is folded differently from what has just been described.

Claims

1. Canine cleanliness kit, comprising:

- at least one sachet (50) for collecting dog excrement, - a sachet holder (20) comprising a housing (24) of generally flattened shape for receiving this sachet for collecting at least.

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (24) is dimensioned to receive between two and five bags (50).

3. Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each bag (50) has in the unfolded state a generally rectangular shape, with sides whose dimension is between 15 and 35 cm.

4. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag holder comprises fixing means (21, 22; 29; 71, 72, 73) on a collar (10).

5. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag holder is made in one piece with a collar, a leash or a harness.

6. Kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bag holder is made so as to attach independently around the neck of ranimai.

7. Canine accessory such as a collar, leash or harness equipped with a cleaning kit (20, 50) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Accessory according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bag holder is not fixed on the handle of a leash.

9. Bag holder (20) comprising:

- A housing (24) generally flattened to receive at least one sachet (50) for collecting dog excrement, this housing having a first opening (24a) allowing the introduction of a refill (30) comprising at least two sachets (50) and a second opening (24b) substantially opposite the first, allowing the bags to be taken one by one.

10. Bag holder according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a flap (27) arranged to take at least two positions, namely a first position in which it closes access to the first opening (24a) and a second position in which it allows access to the first opening (24a).

11. Bag holder according to any one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening (24a) is wider than the second opening (24b).

12. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the first opening (24a) is closed after introduction of a refill of bags.

13. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises a housing (26) arranged to receive a spatula (40), and if necessary, at least one housing for receive a wipe.

14. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it is made of a flexible material, in particular leather.

15. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that it is made so as to be crossed by a strap.

16. Bag holder according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two sheets (21, 22) between which the strap can be engaged.

17. Bag holder according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the passage for the strap opens at each of the two longitudinal ends of the bag holder.

18. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the housing (24) is defined by two sheets (22, 23).

19. Bag holder according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sheets are assembled along their longitudinal edges.

20. Bag holder according to any one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the sheets are assembled by sewing, welding or gluing.

21. Bag holder according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that one of the sheets forms at least part of a collar, a leash or a harness.

22. Bag holder according to any one of claims 9 to 21, characterized in that its thickness, when it is not carrying bags, is less than 1 cm, better less than 0.8 cm, better still less about 0.6 cm.

23. Refill (30) comprising an envelope (33) of generally flattened shape and, inside thereof, between two and ten sachets (50) for collecting canine excrement, in the folded state.

24. Refill according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two superimposed sachets which each have a tip-shaped end.

25. Refill according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an envelope (33) having a frangible end (31).

26. Refill according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that it has a stiffened part facilitating its introduction into the corresponding housing of the bag holder.

27. Refill according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the bags (50) have a point formed by folding.

28. Refill according to any one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that the bags in the folded state each comprise between 5 and 12 fold lines.

29. Refill according to any one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that each sachet has a tip having a smooth outer face.