GB2169185A

GB2169185A - Anti-fouling article

Info

Publication number: GB2169185A
Application number: GB08531581A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zaphiro Hadjigeorgiou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-12-28
Filing date: 1985-12-23
Publication date: 1986-07-09
Also published as: GB2169185B; GB8531581D0; GB8432753D0

Abstract

An anti-fouling article for use with dogs comprises a container (12) having one end (14) closed and the open end provided with a lip (15). The container comprises a bag (13) which is extensible in use to collect material deposited therein. The container lip (15) is secured to a support (11) adapted with apertures (17) to receive straps from a saddle cloth in position, in use, on the dog's hindquarters. After use the aperture portions (17) are folded toward each other, whereby adhesive edges (18) make contact. The bag (13) is thus closed off and the apertures (17) form a handle to facilitate disposal of the article. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-fouling article The present invention relates to an anti-fouling article for use with dogs, which latter word is employed herein to include both the male and the female of the species.

The fouling by dogs of public footways and other public areas is an ever-increasing nuisance, indeed hazard; and has become a serious environmental problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means by which dog-owners are enabled to alleviate the problem, which means is both easy to use and to dispose of after use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-fouling article for use with dogs, comprising a container support member and an extensible container supported thereby; said container in its unused form being compact and substantially non-extended but in use being capable of expanding, unrolling, or otherwise extending so as to collect and retain material deposited into it; said container support member being adapted to receive, and/or being provided with, means for locating the container, in use, at an appropriate collecting position at the hindquarters of a dog.

Suitably, the extensible container unit in its unused form may be compact by virtue of being a substantially closed-up, concertina-like element.

Alternatively, it may be a substantially rolled-up, tube-like, element. Examples of other forms of the container are: A A container bag constructed in such a way as to be able to fold down to an almost flat surface in its unused condition.

A A container bag made up of suitably pleated material, which will make it possible for the bag to gather to such extent as to form an almost flat surface when not in use.

It will be understood that all these are merely examples of suitable extensible containers and the invention is not restricted only to those examples.

In a preferred form, the extensible container will be retained in its closed-up form by means of one or more retaining elements, for example strips, extending from the unit to the container support. In use, the retaining element(s) can either be broken before use or will be easily released or broken when material begins to be deposited into the container.

In this way compactness and neatness is achieved before use, but in use the container is readily releasable.

Very preferably, the extensible container will be made of a material which is liquids-proof. A synthetic plastics sheet or film is one example, such as the thin polythene or like material used for refuse bags.

In one embodiment of the invention the container support member is adapted to receive means for locating and retaining the container unit in an appropriate collecting position on the dog. For example, the extensible container comprises the central portion of a generally heart-shaped support member. The support member has at each side a cut-out portion capable of receiving, for example, an adjustable strap from means, for example a saddle like element, locatable on the clogs back/upper hindquarters.

In a preferred feature of the invention the container support member and/or the extensible container will be provided with means for effecting closure or sealing of the container after use. For example, in the embodiment referred to in the previous paragraph the generally horizontal upper portion of the heart-shaped support member can be provided with an adhesive strip (which may be covered by a tear-off protective strip, if desired). In this case, when the container has been used the whole article is then disengaged from the saddle (or other retaining means) and folded so that the two halves of the adhesive strip stick together. The container is then in a substantially sealed-off condition and the whole article is ready for disposal.

Of course, alternatively or additionally, other part or parts of the container support member may have adhesive strips or other closure means.

It must be emphasised that the container support unit, by virtue of its special construction can also provide a dog-owner with practical and hygienic means to be able to carry the container bag to a suitable place for disposal, after its use. For example, the construction of an aperture in either side of the container support member will form a handle when the container is sealed-off after its use.

In another aspect, the invention provides a saddle-cloth, or like member for resting, in use on the back or upper hindquarters of a dog; one or more means thereon, suitably straps, preferably adjustable, to act as a girth and one or more others (again suitably straps and preferably adjustable) to cooperate, in use, with the container-support member and locate the extensible container thereof in an appropriate collecting position.

Straps of a material such as that called "Velcro" are very suitable, being of a push-together self interlocking nature but easily separable after use.

Naturally, for all components, especially the saddle cloth, straps and container support member, suitably soft, non-irritant materials will be employed. Clearly, the saddle-cloth and straps are very preferably of a washable material for repeated use. Examples of such materials suitable for this purpose are as mentioned below; Cotton Wool Polyester It must be emphasised that these materials are only examples and that other materials of similar nature, in other words, soft, non-irritant and washable can be employed for the construction of these components.

In a further aspect, the invention provides an antifouling article as herein referred to and described, whenever packaged together with means for locating the container, in use, at an appropriate collecting position at the hindquarters of a dog.

Thus, for example, one or more of the aforesaid container support members and containers and one or more of the aforesaid saddle-cloth/strap members (or their equivalents) may be together in a single package or in separate units of a single package.

The invention will now be described, in a nonlimitative manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates, in perspective view, an extensible container and supporttherefor; Fig. 2 illustrates, in perspective view, the container in its extended form after use; Fig. 3 illustrates, in plan view, the underside of the container shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 illustrates, in plan view, a saddle-cloth member for co-operation with the container of Figs.

1 to 3 to correctly locate the container.

In the drawings like parts are given the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the anti-fouling article comprises a container support member 11 and an extensible container 12. The container comprises a concertina-like bag 13 which is open at its upper end and closed at its base 14. The bag is suitably of a plastics material.

The upper end of the bags has an outwardly extending lip 15 which is secured to the support member 11. The material of the latter is somewhat more rigid than that of the bag 13, for example, cardboard.

The container support member 11 is so shaped as to leave the open upper end of the container 12 substantially unrestricted.

Referring now to Fig. 3, two breakable or releasable strips 16 are affixed between the underside of the base 14 of bag 13 and the underside of support member 11. In this way in unused form the bag is kept compact, but in use can readily be extended.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the support member 11 is provided with two apertures 17. Support member 11 is also provided, around the outer upper edge 18 thereof, with an adhesive material, either exposable by a tear-off protective strip or of the direct contact type.

The apertures 17 provide a way by which the support member 11 can cooperate with means for locating the bag 13 in its correct position in use. The locating means is illustrated in Fig. 4 and comprises a saddle cloth 19 suitable for resting on the hindquarters of a dog. The saddle cloth 19 is provided with a girth 20 and two straps 21 to cooperate with the apertures 17 in the support member 11. Suitably the girth 20 and straps 21 are of a self-interlocking material such as that sold underthe name Velcro. The saddle cloth 19 is provided with a strip 22 of similar material for securing girth 20.

In use, saddle cloth 19 is put on the dog's hindquarters and the girth 20 adjusted and secured.

The straps 21 are passed through the apertures 17 on the support member 11 and are secured, whereby the bag 13 is kept in position to receive material. As material is received the strips 16 break and the bag 13 can then extend.

When material has been collected, the straps 21 are released and the support member 11 removed and then folded up to bring the two apertures 17 together. The adhesive portions 18 adhere, thereby closing off the bag and providing a handle for facilitating disposal.

Saddle cloth is removed and is, of course, suitable for re-use.

The usage of an anti-fouling article of this invention will contribute to the following: " Keep environment cleaner.

" Avoid accidents to children, sometimes very serious.

" Eliminate the necessity of having to designate special areas for dogs only.

o Facilitate and promote more acceptability of the dog animal, in society, and in domestic circle.

" Help dog owners to ensure their obligation to society is fully met with the minimum of inconvenience, by virtue of the article's practicability.

" Bring owners and non-owners of dogs closer together in loving the animal.

" Tackle the problem at source.

Claims

1. An anti-fouling article for use with dogs, comprising a container support member and an extensible container supported thereby; said container in its unused form being compact and substantially non-extended but being capable, in use, of expanding, un-rolling or otherwise extending, so as to collect and retain material deposited into it; said container support member being adapted to cooperate with, and/or being provided with, means for locating the container, in use, at an appropriate collection position at the hindquarters of a dog.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extensible container comprises a concertina-shaped bag.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container is retained in a substantially closed position by one or more breakable or releasable retaining elements extending from the container to the support member, which retaining element(s), in use, is/are broken or released to permit collection in the container.

4. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container support member and/or the extensible container is provided with means for effecting closure or sealing of the said container after use thereof.

5. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container support member is adapted to receive one or more locating straps from a saddle means which, in use, is located on the back or hindquarters of the dog.

6. An article as claimed in any preceding claim and substantially as herein described.

7. An article as claimed in any preceding claim and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An article as claimed in any preceding claim whenever packaged together with means for locating the container, in use, at an appropriate collection position at the hindquarters of a dog.