GB2115737A

GB2115737A - Sanitary device for picking up animal excrement

Info

Publication number: GB2115737A
Application number: GB08203919A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Squire Bradbury
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-10
Filing date: 1982-02-10
Publication date: 1983-09-14

Abstract

A pair of jaws 3 are movable between a first position in which the jaws are separated and a second position in which the jaws are engaged, each jaw being provided with a respective hand grip 4 by which the jaw may be moved in use and a bag 7 which may be arranged in use to cover the jaws and may be further arranged to form a pouch between the jaws. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sanitary device The present invention relates to a sanitary device which finds particular but not exclusive use for the removal of deposits of animal excrement or other unsanitary matter from roads, pathways, parks or other places.

According to the present invention a sanitary device comprises a pair of jaws, movable between a first position in which the jaws are separated and a second position in which the jaws are engaged, each jaw being provided with a respective hand grip by which the jaw may be moved in use and a bag which may be arranged in use to cover the jaws and may be further arranged to form a pouch between the jaws.

Preferably the jaws are pivotally connected although connection may be by means of a spring or other flexible linkage.

A device in accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention incorporates two members, each member comprising a generally rectangular structure, one side of each rectangle comprising a jaw and the opposite side of the rectangle comprising a hand grip, the members being pivotally connected at locations on the sides of the structure intermediate each jaw and hand grip.

Preferably the bag is composed of a plastics material or of paper although any convenient material may be used.

Preferably each member comprises an elongate strip the ends of which are joined together to form a said rectangular structure. The ends of the strip may be conveniently secured by means of a dovetail joint, a respective sleeve or other means being disposed at least partially surrounding the strip in the region of the joint, thereby preventing the ends of the strip from separating. The said sleeve or other means is preferably composed of a flexible material which serves as a cushion for the hand grip. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the sleeve comprises an elongate plastics construction provided with a channel which engages the strip. The sleeve or other means may form a snap fit around the strip.

In use of the device a bag is inserted between the jaws and the mouth of the bag is folded over the exterior of the jaws. The device is held by the handles while the jaws are placed around a deposit of excrement.

The jaws are then closed by compressing the handles together, so that the deposit is enclosed within the bag which may be substantially removed from the jaws for disposal.

The invention will now be further described by way of an example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 illustrates a device in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a partially cut away view of part of the device.

The sanitary device shown in Figure 1 comprises two generally rectangular structures 1, 2 each of which comprises a jaw 3 and a hand grip 4 which is covered with a sleeve formed from a soft plastics material. The structures 1 and 2 are secured together by pivots at 6. The jaws 3 are arranged to move into ciose cooperation when the hand grips are brought towards each other.

A plastics bag 7 is placed in use between the jaws and the mouth 8 is folded over the outside of the jaws as shown.

Figure 2 shows a dovetail joint 9 used to connect the ends of a strip from which a rectangular structure 2 is formed. The joint is disposed under the plastics sleeve of a hand grip 4 which is shovvn partially cut away. The sleeve serves to prevent the joint from separating and may partially or completely encompass the strip 2.

In use of a device in accordance with the invention the bag is placed between the jaws and folded over the exterior of the jaws. The assembly may then be picked up by the hand grips and the bag placed over a deposit of excrement. The device is preferably of a size that both hand grips may be held in one hand. Closure of the jaws may be effected by moving the hand grips together, after which the plastic bag containing the excrement may be removed from the jaws for disposal.

1. A sanitary device comprising a pair of jaws movable between a first position in which the jaws are separated and a second position in which the jaws are engPged, each jaw being provided with a respective hand grip by which the jaw may be moved in use and a bag which may be arranged in use to cover the jaws and may be further arranged to form a pouch between the jaws.

2. A sanitary device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the jaws are pivotally connected.

3. A sanitary device as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating two members, each member comprising a generally rectangular structure, one side of each rectangle comprising a jaw and the opposite side of the rectangle comprising a hand grip, the members being pivotally connected at locations on the sides of the structure intermediate each jaw and hand grip.

4. A sanitary device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bag is composed either of plastics material or of paper.

5. A sanitary device as claimed in any of Claims 3 or 4, wherein each member comprises an elongate strip the ends of which are joined together.

6. A sanitary device as claimed in any preceding claim, incorporating hand grips composed of plastics material.

7. A device incorporating two lengths of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sanitary device The present invention relates to a sanitary device which finds particular but not exclusive use for the removal of deposits of animal excrement or other unsanitary matter from roads, pathways, parks or other places. According to the present invention a sanitary device comprises a pair of jaws, movable between a first position in which the jaws are separated and a second position in which the jaws are engaged, each jaw being provided with a respective hand grip by which the jaw may be moved in use and a bag which may be arranged in use to cover the jaws and may be further arranged to form a pouch between the jaws. Preferably the jaws are pivotally connected although connection may be by means of a spring or other flexible linkage. A device in accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention incorporates two members, each member comprising a generally rectangular structure, one side of each rectangle comprising a jaw and the opposite side of the rectangle comprising a hand grip, the members being pivotally connected at locations on the sides of the structure intermediate each jaw and hand grip. Preferably the bag is composed of a plastics material or of paper although any convenient material may be used. Preferably each member comprises an elongate strip the ends of which are joined together to form a said rectangular structure. The ends of the strip may be conveniently secured by means of a dovetail joint, a respective sleeve or other means being disposed at least partially surrounding the strip in the region of the joint, thereby preventing the ends of the strip from separating. The said sleeve or other means is preferably composed of a flexible material which serves as a cushion for the hand grip. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the sleeve comprises an elongate plastics construction provided with a channel which engages the strip. The sleeve or other means may form a snap fit around the strip. In use of the device a bag is inserted between the jaws and the mouth of the bag is folded over the exterior of the jaws. The device is held by the handles while the jaws are placed around a deposit of excrement. The jaws are then closed by compressing the handles together, so that the deposit is enclosed within the bag which may be substantially removed from the jaws for disposal. The invention will now be further described by way of an example with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 illustrates a device in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a partially cut away view of part of the device. The sanitary device shown in Figure 1 comprises two generally rectangular structures 1, 2 each of which comprises a jaw 3 and a hand grip 4 which is covered with a sleeve formed from a soft plastics material. The structures 1 and 2 are secured together by pivots at 6. The jaws 3 are arranged to move into ciose cooperation when the hand grips are brought towards each other. A plastics bag 7 is placed in use between the jaws and the mouth 8 is folded over the outside of the jaws as shown. Figure 2 shows a dovetail joint 9 used to connect the ends of a strip from which a rectangular structure 2 is formed. The joint is disposed under the plastics sleeve of a hand grip 4 which is shovvn partially cut away. The sleeve serves to prevent the joint from separating and may partially or completely encompass the strip 2. In use of a device in accordance with the invention the bag is placed between the jaws and folded over the exterior of the jaws. The assembly may then be picked up by the hand grips and the bag placed over a deposit of excrement. The device is preferably of a size that both hand grips may be held in one hand. Closure of the jaws may be effected by moving the hand grips together, after which the plastic bag containing the excrement may be removed from the jaws for disposal. CLAIMS

7. A device incorporating two lengths of elongate strip joined together by means of a dovetail joint at least partially enclosed by a sleeve.

8. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.