GB2237973A

GB2237973A - Glove, mitt, or bag for picking up, inter alia, dog mess

Info

Publication number: GB2237973A
Application number: GB8925854A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anna Castorina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-11-15
Filing date: 1989-11-15
Publication date: 1991-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-15
Also published as: GB8925854D0; GB2237973B

Abstract

Dog faeces and other objects are picked up and disposed of hygienically by means of a glove (10) of flexible plastics material worn on the user's hand. The glove has captive closure means (22) at its open end (16), adapted to close the glove when inside out. While the object is being gripped by the gloved hand, the glove is folded forward off the hand so that it is then inside out, and is then closed. It preferably comprises two envelopes (12, 14), one inside the other. <IMAGE>

Description

A MANUAL PICK-UP DEVICE This invention relates to manual pick-up devices for the removal of objects from the ground.

Current concerns with care for the environment have led to growing public concern about the deposit of litter and other unwanted material. particularly in public places.

One notable example of this is the revulsion felt by many towards dog faeces. Tliis has led to a number of solutions being proposed. Maily local authorities now ban dogs from certain public places. Others have made by-laws making it illegal. for example to allow a dog to deposit faeces on grass verges of public roadways. At the same time, a number of devices have been put on the market which a person walking a dog may use to pick up any faeces as soon as tl, az- depositod These devices are in the form of instruments, such as scoor's cr tongs.In sone cases, the instrument is sold with a plastic bag or other container. in which the faeces may be deposited using the scoop or tongs, to be taken home or put in a litter this. All these devices have a number of disadvantages. If the dog is being led, the lead must be held in one hand, and the equipment for retrieving faeces also has to be carried. This typically means that the person walking the dog will have both hands occupied, an uncomfortable and cumbersome arrangement. In addition, a re-usable instrument such as a scoop or a tong-like device, once used, becomes dirty and has to be cleaned.Until it has been cleaned, it represents a hazard in that it may inadvertently Lie rubbed against the clothes of the person accompanying the dog, or against the dog itself, or indeed against other people. Thus to a great extent, such existing devices, while removing one health hazard, tend to create another.

There is a need for some means of removing dog faeces which can conveniently be carried on the person without discomfort or inconvenience, and which remove the faeces permanently from any danger of contact with any person, animal, or other object once the faeces have been picked up from the ground, with the faeces then being easily disposable in a suitable place such as a dustbin in such a way as not to create any further health hazard.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a manual pickup device for te removal of objects from the ground, in the form of a glove comprising at least one flexible envelope open at one end so that a user wearing the glove can pick up an object arid, while gripping the latter, fold the glove forward from its open end so as to turn it inside out to enclose the object and remove the glove, with the object inside it, from the user's hand, the glove having closure means arranged to close the open end when the glove is inside out.

The closure means are preferably captive, being carried by the envelope or envelopes at or adjacent the open end.

This avoids the provisicn of separate means for closing the glove, such as is currently provided with some types of pick-up instrument. Preferably the closure means is of a kind that allows the glove, folded inside out with dog faeces or other objects inside it. to be fully sealed. It is then quite safe to put the resulting pack in one's pocket, or in a shoulder bag for example, to be thrown away in the dustbin on reaching home, or put safely in a public litter bin.

Th invention may take numerous forms, a few of which will become clear from the following description of some embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a glove according to the invention before use seen in cross section so that the interior is visible; Figure 2 is ar; enlarged view of a detail of Figure 1, taken on the line II-II in Figure w; Figure 3 is a view of the same detail looking downwards on Figure 2 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the glove according to the invention in use Figure 5 shows the glove of Figures 1 to 3 after use; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing a modification;; Figure 7 is an outside view of a second embodiment of a glove according to the invention, before use; Figure 8 is a view shown partly in cross section taken on the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7; Figure 9 is an outside view of a third embodiment of a glove according to the invention, before use; Figure lfl is a cross section on a larger scale, taken on the line - in Fiur zl: Fir 11 shows a detail of Figure lO on a still larger scale: and Figure 12 shows gloves in one form according to the invention formed as a continuous lay-flat roll.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, a glove 10 comprises two flexible envelopes, namely a main envelope 12 and a secondary envelope 14. The main envelope is inside the secondary envelope, and both are open at the same end 16.

Each envelope is made of a polymeric material such as low density or high density polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.

They are joined together at the open end 16 in an overlapped joint 16 in which the two envelopes 1 and 14 are welded together as indicated at 20 in Figure 2. so as to define a wall portion having effectively the wall thirkriecs of both envelopes combined.

A captive closure means, here in the form of a drawstring 22, is provided adjacent to the open end 16. The di-awstring is threaded through holes formed through the whole thickness of tije overlapped joint 16, and terminates in two tails 24 which lie inside the main envelope 12.

In use (Figure 4), the user opens out the glove, puts a hand inside, and then picks up an object 26, such as dog faeces. She (or he) continues to grip the object 26 while then folding the glove forward as indicated diagrammatically in Figure 4 by the arrows, from its open end so as to turn the glove inside out. The same action removes the glove from the user's hand and safely traps the object within the secondary envelope 14. The drawstring is then pulled tight to close the open end, and the resulting package can be subsequently safely and hygienically disposed of.

Figure 6 shows a vari-tic,r, in which the holes for the drawstring 22 are formed only through the wall of the main envelope 12, the overlapped joint 18 being divided into two welded sections, both extending around the whole periphery of the glove as in Figure 2, with the drawstring between these two sections.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the main envelope 12 and secondary envelope 14 are again arranged with the former inside the latter, and are welded together in a continuous peripheral welded seam 30. As in Figures 1 to 3, the glove is shown in the folded flat condition in which it will normally be sold. The seam 30 is at the open end of the glove. but the inner or main envelope 12 is extended beyond this ts two integral flaps 32 Alternatively the two flaps may be continuous with each other, simply being then a tubular extension of the envelope wall.The outside of each flap 32 carries a strip of separable hook and/or loop type fastener material. for example that sold under the Trade F1ark VELCRC). The llooios and/or loops of these fasteners face outwards, so that when the glove is turned inside out it can be sealed simply by pressing the faster,el-s 34 together The third embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11 again has two envelope. 12 and 14. These are welded together at the open end 16 in an overlapped joint 18, with one side of the envelope 12, but not the other, being extended in a flap 40 carrying an outwardly facing coating of a suitable impact adhesive 42 protected by a removable paper strip 44.When the glove is turned inside out, the strip 44 is removed and the flap 40 turned over so as to seal the glove. As shown in Figure 11, the adhesive layer 42 is applied on the outwardly facing side of the flap 40.

Although the glove preferably consists of two envelopes to give added protecticn against contact of the user's hand with the object being picked up, for example if there is a danger of puncture of the outer envelope by gravel or other sharp objects, the glove may nevertheless consist of only a single envelope. In this case, it should be of a suitable stout material which is nevertheless flexible.

Figure 12 shows part of a continuous roll of singleenvelope gloves 50 which can be made by known manufacturing techniques and which have perforations 52 so that each glove can be removed when needed. Figure 12 shows the gloves 50 with a self-adhesive strip as in Figures 9 to 11, but fasteners 34 as in Figures 7 and 8, or any other suitable type of closure means, may be provided instead.

Where the glove consists f two envelopes. they need not be joined together in a continuous seam. They are however preferably joined together in some way, so that the inner envelope will not be pushed downwards when the hand is inserted in the glove.

The glove can be of any convenient shape, for example the generally hand-shaped form seen in Figures 1 and 7. The outer envelope may be of one shape and the inner envelope another. as for example seen in Figure 9. Where the closure means is provided on a flap or flaps, these may be formed on either envelope.

The envelopes may be formed from sheet material, with a peripheral seam as indicated at 60 in Figures 9 and 10.

Where this form of construction is used with a double envelope glove, both envelopes may be formed together by seaming together two webs of sheet material, to form a totally closed bag, which is then doubled in on itself by folding approximately in the middle as indicated in phantom lines at 62 in Figure 2.

Any suitable material may be used. Preferably the glove.

or at least one envelope, is opaque so that after use the contents, which may be offensive, cannot be seen. Where there are two envelopes, the material of one envelope need not be identical with that of the other. For example, the main envelope 12 may be made of thicker material than the secondary envelope 14. but the latter may be of a stronger material than the main envelope.

The glove may be supplied sterilised, in a suitable pack; it mav incorporate a deodorant or a perfume or a disinfectant, whicn may > be impregnated in known manner into the material of the envelope or of at least one of the envelopes. Alternativelv such substances may be provided within the space, 64 in Figure 1, between the two envelopes.

The envelope in direct cm tact with the user's hand, e.g.

the main envelope 12, arid if desired the secondary envelope 14 as well may be formed with a hollow projecting portion for the thumb, as in an ordinary glove; similar provision may be made if desired for each of the other fingers.

The glove can be made of a suitable bio-degradable plastics material. The material or materials need not be of plastics, or wholly of plastics: for example a polymercoated metal foil may be used.

The closure means can take any convenient form, those described above being merely examples. Other possible forms include a conventional tie in the form of a strip of material, for example plastics or wire-reinforced paper.

Such a tie is preferablv attached, e.g. at one end, to the inside of the main envelope so that when the glove is turned inside out the tie is revealed and can be used to close the open end. While the closure means are preferably captive, such a tie may for example be loose in the main envelope until the glove is inverted.

Claims

1. A manual pick-up device for the removal of objects from the ground, being a glove comprising at least one flexible envelope, open at one end so that a user wearing the glove can pick up an object and, while gripping the latter, fold the glove forward from its open end so as to turn it inside out to enclose the object and remove the glove, with the object inside it, from the user's hand, the glove having closure means arranged to close the open end when the glove is inside out.

2. A glove according to Claim 1 wherein the closure means are captive, being carried by the envelope or envelopes at or adjacent the open end.

3. A glove according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising two flexible envelopes one inside the other, each open at the same end.

4. A glove according to Claim 3, wherein the envelopes are joined together in a joint extending around the glove at or near the open end.

5. A glove according to Claim 4, wherein the joint comprises a continuous welded seam.

6. A glove according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the envelopes are overlapped at the joint to define a wall portion having a wall thickness of both envelopes combined, the closure means being arranged on the said wall portion.

7. A glove according to Claim 1 of Claim 2, comprising a single envelope having a flap extending one side beyond the other at the open end.

8. A glove accordion to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein one envelope is extended beyond the joint by a flap on at least one side.

9. A glove according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the closure means are at least partly carried by the flap or flaps.

10. A glove for the manual removal of objects from the ground, substantially as described in the foregoing description and substantially as illustrated in any one or more of Figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A glove according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the two envelopes are c,f different materials.

11. A glove according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the envelopes are of the same material.

12. A glove according to Claim 11, wherein the envelopes are formed from a single piece of material folded over at the open end.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A manual pick-up device for the removal of objects from the ground, being a glove comprising two flexible envelopes one inside the other, each open at the same end and joined together in a joint extending around the glove at or near the open end, so that a user wearing the glove can pick up an object and, while gripping the latter, fold the glove forward from its open end so as to turn it inside out to enclose the object and remove the glove, with the object inside it, from the user's hand, the glove having closure means arranged to close the open end when the glove is inside out.

3. A glove according to Claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a continuous welded seam.

4. A glove according to any one of Claims I to 3, wherein the envelopes are overlapped at the joint to define a wall portion having a wall thickness of both envelopes combined, the closure means being arranged on the said wall portion.

5. A glove according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein one envelope is extended beyond the joint by a flap on at least one side.

6. A glove according to Claim 5, wherein the closure means are at least partly carried by the flap or flaps.

7. A glove according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the two envelopes are of different materials.

8. A glove according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the envelopes are of the same material.

9. A glove according to Claim 8, wherein the envelopes are formed from a single piece of material folded over at the open end.