EP2124532A1

EP2124532A1 - Animal waste collector

Info

Publication number: EP2124532A1
Application number: EP07733101A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leo Nithas Fynn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-23
Filing date: 2007-06-07
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Also published as: WO2008090300A1; GB0701215D0

Abstract

An animal waste collector includes a frame (1) formed of flexible material having a front face for placement against an animal, and opposite back face, an outer periphery, and an inner periphery defining a waste-receiving aperture (10). A pair of adjustable leg loops (2) and (3) are secured to spaced positions on the frame for attaching the waste collector to the animal. The front face of the frame is provided with a U-shaped shoe (20) which partially surrounds the waste-receiving aperture. The shoe has an outer groove (21), and the mouth of a folded bag (30) is inserted through the waste-receiving aperture and engaged in the groove (21) covering the shoe (20). The bag may be held in the groove by means of an elastic element (35) incorporated in the mouth of the bag.

Description

ANIWIAL WASTE COLLECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for collecting waste from an animal such as a dog.

BACKGROUND

The fouling of footpaths by excrement is a major problem. It is in the nature of animals such as dogs to deposit their waste material on the ground. Responsible dog owners pick up faeces left by their pets, but nevertheless, small quantities of unpleasant and potentially harmful material still remain on the ground. The owner also has the unpleasant job of carrying the material to a suitable disposal point.

Various devices have already been proposed for catching waste material before it touches the ground. However, in many such devices there is still a significant risk that some of the material will escape during removal from the animal. Furthermore, the hindquarters of an animal vary considerably in size and shape and an ill-fitting device can be both uncomfortable and unhygienic.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of animal waste collector which is both hygienic for the dog, in the sense that there is a low risk of waste material escaping and causing contamination, and comfortable for the animal providing full freedom of movement when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes an animal waste collector having:

- a frame having a front face for placement against an animal, and opposite back face, an outer periphery, and an inner periphery defining a waste-receiving aperture;

- a harness secured to the frame for attaching the waste collector to the animal; and

- a bag having a mouth portion for insertion into the waste-receiving aperture; characterised in that the front face of the frame is provided with means for holding the mouth portion of the bag with the bag passing through the waste-receiving aperture.

The means for holding the mouth of the bag preferably includes a shoe which at least partially surrounds the waste-receiving aperture. The shoe may have an outer groove which receives the mouth of the bag such that the bag substantially covers the shoe. The bag may be held in the groove by means of an elastic element, which may conveniently be incorporated in the mouth of the bag. The shoe is preferably U-shaped so that the animal's tail may pass through the aperture above the bag.

The harness preferably includes a pair of leg loops. The size of each leg loop is preferably variable. The leg loops may be directly secured to opposite sides of the frame. Each loop preferably has ends which are secured to spaced upper and lower positions on the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of an animal waste collector in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the frame part of the waste collector;

Figure 3 is a general view of a bag for use with the waste collector, including an inset sectional detail;

Figure 4 shows a dog which has been fitted with the waste collector, prior to use; and

Figure 5 shows the waste collector in use to receive waste matter expelled by the dog.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the waste collector, which is suitable for use by a male or female dog, includes a frame 1 and an attachment harness formed by a pair of leg loops 2 and 3.

The frame 1 is formed of a soft and flexible plastic material, e.g. Plastazote foam. The frame is generally planar with a front face 6 for placement against the rear end of the dog, and an opposite back face 7 (Fig. 2). The frame is generally oval with a vertical major axis A and a horizontal minor axis B. The frame has an outer periphery 8 and an inner periphery 9 defining an oval waste-receiving aperture 10. Towards the bottom of the frame, two tabs 11 and 12 project from opposite sides of the frame, containing respective slots 13 and 14, whilst the top of the frame is formed with two further slots, 15 and 16. The front face 6 of the frame 1 is provided with a U-shaped shoe 20 which may be formed of a similar or slightly stiffer material than the rest of the frame 1. The shoe extends around the lower portion of the aperture 10 and, as shown in Fig. 2, the outer periphery of the shoe is provided with a locating groove 21.

Returning to Fig. 1, the leg loops 2 and 3 are formed from strips of washable synthetic webbing, e.g. polypropylene. Each loop 2, 3 includes two lengths of webbing, 2.1 , 2.2 and 3.1 , 3.2, which are respectively secured through the slots 13, 15 and 14, 16. Each pair of strips can be joined by means of a releasable two-part moulded plastic snap connector 25, 26. The length of the loops can also be adjusted, either at the connectors or by incorporating separate length adjusters. The size of the loops can thus be changed to comfortably fit a particular dog. However the loops can also be resiliently expandable if desired, with or without the releasable connectors.

Fig. 3 shows a purpose-made bag 30 for use with the waste collector. The bag is formed from a tubular length of a thermoplastic material which is closed at one end 31 and open at the opposite end 32. The bag is heat-formed with circumferential folds 33 such that the bag is naturally collapsed from end-to-end in a concertina-like manner. The mouth of the bag is also turned back and heat-sealed to form a continuous sleeve 34 which encloses an elastic band 35, tending to restrict the mouth opening of the bag.

Before the waste collector is fitted to a dog, the closed end of the bag 30 is passed through the aperture 10 from the front face 6. The mouth of the bag is then stretched over the shoe 20 until the elastic band 35 contracts into the groove 21 , thereby securing the bag onto the shoe which the concertinaed bag projecting rearward from the frame 1. In this condition the bag lines the inner periphery 9 of the aperture 10 and covers the front shoe 20, extending across the aperture 10 at the top end of the shoe. The tail of the dog is inserted through the aperturelO in the gap between the top of the bag and the top of the frame, and the leg loops are fastened around the hind legs of the dog, as shown in Fig. 4. When correctly adjusted the leg loops gently pull the frame causing it to flex and closely conform to the rear of the dog. The frame is located by the tail of the dog whilst the bag is supported against the underside of the tail. It should also be noted that since the shoe 20 is covered by the bag it is prevented from making contact with the dog.

When the dog passes solid waste (or urinates in the case of a female dog) the waste material enters the bag, which expands in a rearward and downward direction due to the weight of the waste matter. It is important to note that since the bag covers both the inner periphery of the aperture 10 and the surface of the show 20 the bag prevents soiling of the harness and of the dog. The filled bag can be left in place until such time as it is convenient for the dog owner to remove the harness. The mouth of the bag can easily be disengaged from the shoe without contaminating the users hands the frame or the harness, allowing the bag and its contents to be disposed of.

The waste collector can be re-fitted with a clean bag ready for re-use. If necessary, the frame and harness can be washed and disinfected without deterioration.

The waste collector can be produced in different sizes, e.g. for large adult dogs or puppies. In the case of a smaller frame, the two slots at the top of the frame can be replaced by a single slot to receive both leg loops. The bags can be supplied with a liquid-absorbent gel for use by female dogs. It is possible that the waste collector could also be used by other animals.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any embodiment of the invention in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description places emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is sought for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An animal waste collector which includes:

- a frame (1 ) having a front face for placement against an animal, and opposite back face, an outer periphery, and an inner periphery defining a waste-receiving aperture (10);

- a harness (2, 3) secured to the frame for attaching the waste collector to the animal; and

- a bag (30) having a mouth portion (32) for insertion into the waste- receiving aperture; characterised in that the front face of the frame is provided with means (20, 21 ) for holding the mouth portion of the bag with the bag passing through the waste-receiving aperture.

2. An animal waste collector according to Claim 1 in which the means for holding the mouth of the bag includes a shoe (20) which at least partially surrounds the waste-receiving aperture.

3. An animal waste collector according to Claim 2 in which the shoe has an outer groove (21 ) which receives the mouth of the bag.

4. An animal waste collector according to Claim 3 in which The bag is held in the groove by means of an elastic element (35).

5. An animal waste collector according to Claim 4 in which the elastic element is incorporated in the mouth of the bag.

6. An animal waste collector according to Claim 2 in which the shoe is U-shaped.

7. An animal waste collector according to Claim 1 in which the waste-receiving aperture is of elongate shape.

8. An animal waste collector according to Claim 2 in which the frame and the shoe are provided by a unitary body.

9. An animal waste collector according to Claim 1 in which the frame is formed of flexible material.

10. An animal waste collector according to Claim 1 in which the harness includes a pair of leg loops (2 and 3).

11. An animal waste collector according to Claim 10 in which leg loops are directly secured to opposite sides of the frame.

12. An animal waste collector according to Claim 11 in which each leg loop has ends which are secured to spaced upper and lower positions on the frame.

13. An animal waste collector according to Claim 10 in which the size of each leg loop is variable.