GB2236664A - Hygiene apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Hygiene apparatus for use in removing animal excrement for example comprises two blanks. A first blank forms a disposable scoop and has a scoop portion (1) and a handle portion (2). A strengthening medial foldline (5) extends throughout the handle portion and into the scoop. A second blank forms a carton which is substantially impervious to fluid. In use, waste matter is lifted by the scoop and the matter and the scoop are placed into the carton which can then hygienically be disposed of. <IMAGE>

Description

HYGIENE APPARATUS This invention relates to hygiene apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, it relates to apparatus for the hygienic disposal of offensive matter such as dog excrement and similar matter.

Dogs and other pets are frequently taken for exercise on public roads and pavements and to public parks and other spaces. Problems arise with the inevitable fouling of the environment by the dogs excrement and other waste matter. This can not only be offensive but also a health hazard. Previously scoops have been available for a dog owner to lift the excrement from a surface and to place it into a suitable refuse or disposal container. However, the scoops are generally made of a preformed plastics material and can be bulky, difficult to use and conspicuous to carry, thus deterring their use.

Furthermore, they are not intended as being disposable items and must be carefully stored or disinfected after each use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hygienic disposal apparatus which is itself disposable, more portable and less conspicuous in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a scoop comprising a folded blank, which blank has first and second portions separated by a neck, the first portion having a plurality of foldlines to form a handle and the second portion having side portions foldable with respect to a central portion to form side pieces of a scoop, wherein a foldline extends medially, along the length of the first portion and at least partially into the second portion.

In use, when the blank is folded to form a scoop the central foldline causes the scoop portion to be slightly curved and also imparts strength to it so that objects of a considerable weight can be lifted.

Preferably, the first portion is foldable such that equal sized portions at its respective side edges are foldable inwardly to meet with their main faces adjacent and parallel throughout their area to form a double layered strut bearing upon the medial foldline.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton blank comprising a central panel bounded by a plurality of rectangular side panels and connected thereto by foldlines, and respective web portions spanning the angular region between adjacent side panels, each web portion having a medial foldline such that when the side panels are folded upwards to form walls of a carton, each web portion is foldable upon itself, and means associated with at least two side panels for receiving folded web portions.

Preferably, the central panel is a rectangular panel and four side panels and respective web portions are provided.

The receiving means are preferably slots for receiving the folded web portions.

When in use, the web portions serve to enable the carton to have a structure which, due to having no gaps at its corners, is substantially impervious to fluids.

The carton may be provided with a lid which is connected on one side to an edge of one of the side portions remote from the centre panel and is provided with foldable flap portions on its remaining sides.

In yet-another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the hygienic disposal of animal excreta, comprising a blank for a scoop as described above and a blank for a carton as described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a blank for a scoop; Figure 2 shows a scoop folded from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a blank for a carton: and Figure 4 shows a carton folded from the blank of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1 a blank for a scoop is formed from rigid cardboard or a similar material.

The blank is divided into two portions 1 and 2 by two generally V-shaped cuts to form a neck 3 between them. Portion 1 forms the scoop and includes down each side a trapezoidal side piece 4 separated by a foldline from the remainder of the portion, which side pieces are folded upwards in use to form the sides of a scoop, as shown in Figure 2.

Portion 2, which forms the handle of the scoop, includes a central longitudinal foldline 5 which also extends a distance through neck 3 into scoop portion 1. Handle portion 2 is divided into three radially separated pairs of panels, 6a,6b, 7a,7b and 8a,8b, all separated by foldlines from adjacent panels. Referring to Figure 2 it is seen that when the handle portion is folded in operation, it is in effect folded onto itself such that the main faces of panels 8a and 8b meet in parallel alignment so that, in cross-section, the handle comprises two triangles having one common face. Portions 8a and 8b are arranged such that when the handle is folded and downward pressure is applied, with, for example, a hand, they bear on to foldline 5 and thus create a rigid supporting strut strengthening the handle and supporting it against vertical pressure.

Central foldline 5 which also extends a distance into the scoop portion causes the scoop to be strengthened and the end of the scoop portion nearest the handle to be angled at the fold. This in turn causes the other end of scoop portion to be slightly curved, as seen in comparison with the straight dotted line, and improves the scooping capabilities.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 a blank and a carton folded from the blank are shown, which carton is suitable for storing refuse collected by the scoop of Figure 2 or by any other means. The carton blank comprises a portion 9 which forms the base and sides of the carton and a portion 10 forming its lid.

Portion 9 comprises a central rectangular panel 11 bounded on all four of its sides by respective rectangular side panels 12a, 12b, 13a and 13b. Four closed cuts 18 are made in the sides 12 and/or 13, preferably two cuts in panel 13a, one cut in panel 12a and one cut in panel 12b. Panels 12a and 12b form the sides of the container and panels 13a and 13b form its ends, although the carton could of course be square or need not even be a quadrilateral, a pentagonal or hexagonal configuration may be desirable for example. Spanning the spaces between each adjacent pair of rectangular panels 12 and 13 are respective web portions 14 which each comprise two equal sized triangles 14a and 14b separated by a foldline 15 which extends medially from the centre of the outside edge of the web to the point where it intersects a corner of centre panel 11.In the example, the web is shown as having an apex where foldline 15 intersects its edge, which is a preferred construction, but its edge surface could be straight or curved instead.

The lid portion 10 of the blank comprises a rectangular lid panel 16 of equal dimensions to bottom panel 11 and which is connected along one edge by a foldline to panel 13a. Flaps 17 are provided along each remaining edge of the lid panel and in use are tucked inside respective side panels 12 or 13 to hold the lid in place.

The carton is assembled as shown in Figure 4 by upwardly folding the side panels 12 and 13 and simultaneously pulling out foldlines 15 to draw the two portions 14a and 14b of each web into alignment such that they meet each other and their main faces lie parallel and adjacent one another. The cuts in the side portions, which have closed ends, form slots into which the web portions, once folded, can be inserted to retain them in place and thus hold the carton in its operative state. The slots could be provided at any suitable location but the arrangement shown in the example is particularly advantageous for securely holding the carton and preventing it from opening. The lid portion can then be folded over the base portion so as to lie parallel but spaced therefrom and flaps 17 can be tucked into place.

The combination of the scoop of Figures 1 and 2 and the carton of Figures 3 and 4 can provide a convenient apparatus for the removal of refuse such as animal excrement from any surface. In use, a user may be supplied with two disposable blanks, one for the scoop and one for the carton and will fold the blanks when required. The scoop is first used to lift the refuse which is subsequently placed, either with or without the scoop, into the carton, which is of suitable size for this purpose, and the lid closed. The carton including the refuse and also, if desired, the scoop, can then be safely and inoffensively disposed in a suitable refuse depository or disposal unit.

For further convenience, the carton blank may be folded flat on issue, so that it is a suitable shape for storage in a pocket, for instance, before use. This can be achieved by folding the blank along foldlines 19 which separate the side panels 12 from centre panel 11, and also separates web portion 14 from end panels 18, so that the side panels 12 meet behind centre panel 11. The flaps 17 are then folded inwards and the blank folded upon itself along foldline 20 which separates end panel 13a and its adjacent webs from centre panel 11 and side panels 12. A rectangular, folded, structure results which is of suitable size for storage in a pocket or handbag. The structure may be held together by tucking in top flap 17.

Claims (12)

1. A blank for a scoop, comprising first and second portions separated by a neck, the first portion having a plurality of longitudinal foldlines to form a handle and the second portion having side portions foldable with respect to a central portion to form side pieces of a scoop, wherein a foldline extends medially along the length of the first portion and at least partially into the second portion.

2. A blank as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the first portion is foldable such that equal sized portions at its respective side edges are foldable inwardly to meet with their main faces adjacent and parallel throughout their area to form a double layered strut bearing upon the medial foldline.

3. A scoop formed from a folded blank as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A blank for a carton comprising, a central panel bounded by a plurality of rectangular side panels and connected thereto by foldlines, and respective web portions spanning the angular region between adjacent side panels, each web portion having a medial foldline such that when the side panels are folded upwards to form walls of a carton, each web portion is foldable upon itself, and means associated with at least two side panels for receiving folded web portions.

5. A blank as claimed in Claim 4 wherein, the central panel is a rectangular panel and four side panels and respective web portions are provided.

6. A blank as claimedin Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein, the receiving means are slots.

7. A blank as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6 wherein, each web portion includes an apex at an edge of the blank and the foldline extends to the apex.

8. A blank as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, including a lid portion.

9. A carton formed from a folded blank as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 8.

10. Apparatus for the disposal of animal excreta comprising, a scoop as claimed in Claim 3 and a carton as claimed in Claim 9.

11. ~ A scoop substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. 't A carton substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.