GB2398996A

GB2398996A - Animal waste collection apparatus; walking sticks

Info

Publication number: GB2398996A
Application number: GB0401376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Garbett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-06
Filing date: 2004-01-22
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-22
Also published as: WO2004079098A1; GB0401376D0; GB2398996B

Abstract

FIGURE 1 shows an elongate member 2 such as part of a walking stick 1 comprising a tubular frustoconical end piece 4 releasably detachable to elongate member 2. End piece 4 has an open end which can be introduced over animal waste for collection thereof. Once the animal waste has been collected in end piece 4, the end piece can be detached from member 2 on depression of button 6 and said end piece can be thrown away. A new end piece 4 can be attached to elongate member 2 ready for collection of other animal waste. There may be an adaptor (A, Figure 6) between the end piece and the walking stick. Alternative end pieces of different sizes may be provided. The walking stick may be equipped with a light and/or an audible alarm. A grid of ribs may extend across the open bottom end of the end piece.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WASTE COLLECTION

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to waste collection and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with the collection and disposal of animal waste.

The problems involved with the collection and disposal of animal waste are well known and there have been many proposals made to combat these problems. Such problems are particularly acute in relation to dogs and it is estimated that more than 250,000 tons of lo dog waste are deposited throughout Great Britain each year. It is well known that if dog waste is allowed to remain in parks and open spaces it can be both unpleasant and a health hazard. Dog waste may cause problems to users of parks, play areas and sports grounds and, additionally, can carry and transmit disease more particularly to small children. In particular, there have been problems with the transmission of toxocariasis from dog waste, which condition can cause blindness. In order to combat such problems, dog owners have been encouraged to collect and dispose of the waste that may be deposited by their own pet dog or dogs, whilst out walking.

Indeed, many cities and towns now require pet owners to remove any waste produced by their pets or risk receiving a fine.

Various apparatus has been proposed for the collection and the disposal of animal waste, such as specially designed bags, receptacles or containers for the animal waste that may, for example, include a scoop for gathering up the animal waste and introducing it into the bag or container. Once the animal waste has been gathered up into the bag or container it is known for a closure panel to be positioned over the opening of the bag / container so that the animal waste may be maintained there-in ready for dispose], for example, in a waste bin.

It is believed that the collection and disposal of animal waste in this manner tends to be disadvantageous for several reasons. Firstly, whatever apparatus is utilised to collect the animal waste, in general, it results in the need for the dog owner to carry a bag containing the animal waste to a convenient disposal point such as a litterbin. In many instances, the dog owner may need to walk a considerable distance carrying a bag, which is evidently an animal waste collection bag containing animal waste, before being lo able to dispose of it in a hygienic manner. It is believed that the need for carrying such an animal waste bag on the person whilst out walking the dog, whether or not the bag actually contains animal waste, tends to be inconvenient. Additionally, carrying the animal waste bag on the person whilst it contains animal waste may also be relatively unpleasant. The person carrying the animal waste may feel uncomfortably conspicuous in such a scenario, in a manner which may be considered unnecessary, if alternative animal waste collection apparatus were used.

Indeed, there is a danger that the dog owner, having collected the animal waste into the purpose-designed bag or container, will, in any event, decide to dispose of the bag / So container in an unhygienic or dubious manner, for example, by leaving it in an inappropriate place rather than ensuring correct disposal in an organised waste collection bin.

Apart from the aforementioned problems in carrying the animal waste around in a collection bag or container and the problems involved in carrying one or more such empty bags or containers, there tends to be problems in the actual collecting or gathering of the animal waste into said bag or container. In many instances, the dog owner has to bend or stoop down to the animal waste to scoop it into said bag / container and this act, in itself, may be relatively unpleasant and carry a high degree of embarrassment for the dog owner. Additionally, where the dog owner is old or infirm, obviously, there could be a degree of difficulty in being able to perform such a task easily and discreetly. Once again, it is believed that such a task is all the more difficult to perform at night or in conditions of poor visibility. It is well known, for example, that dog owners often like to walk their dogs at night.

lo Quite apart from the aforementioned problems involved in the collection and disposal of animal waste, the animal waste collection apparatus itself may be relatively expensive, thus discouraging, for example, dog owners from utilising such apparatus, in any event.

It is believed that methods and apparatus currently utilised for the collection and disposal of animal waste have not been optimised and are less cost effective than need necessarily be the case.

Therefore, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide animal waste collection apparatus that at least alleviates one or more of the aforementioned, or other, problems associated with animal waste collection or to provide animal waste collection apparatus which is improved in at least some respect.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided animal waste collection apparatus comprising an elongate member or stick having a detachable, 2s hollow end piece arranged, in use, to collect or gather up animal waste in such a manner that the waste can be retained there-in ready for disposal on detachment of the end piece from the elongate member or stack.

Further according to this aspect of the present invention there is provided a hollow end s piece adapted for attachment to an elongate member or stick, said end piece being arranged, in use, to collect up or gather animal waste in such a manner that the waste can be retained there- in ready for disposal on detachment of the end piece from the elongate member or stick.

lo In one embodiment of the present invention the elongate member or stick may be a walking stick and said walking stick may or may not be of known or conventional form.

It is envisaged that the end piece may be of generally tubular cylindrical form and / or tubular- frustoconical.

Any convenient means may be provided for releasably attaching the end piece to said elongate member or stick, preferably in an easily detachable fashion. For example, one end of the elongate member or stick may be hollow and provided with a spring loaded button or catch biased to extend through a receiving hole or opening in a sidewall of said stick or elongate member. The arrangement may be such that said button/catch may so be depressed by a finger against said spring loading prior to introduction of the end piece onto the attachment end of the stick or elongate member at least until an inner surface or wall of the end piece engages the outer surface of the button retaining said button in a depressed state until registration there-of with a receiving hole or opening in the side wall of said end piece. In this manner, on registration of the button with the hole or opening in said end piece, said button may be urged to project there-through thereby retaining said end piece on said stick or elongate member until detachment is desired, by depressing the button once again and moving the end piece axially off the end of the stick or elongate member. Alternatively, the end piece may be a simple push fit on the elongate member or stick.

s It is envisaged that, where a waste collection end piece is to be employed with a conventional or known walking stick, an adapter may be used to connect an end piece of appropriate size to the free end of said walking stick. Said adapter may be arranged to cater for one or more particular size (either in width and / or length) of end piece.

lo It is envisaged in some embodiments of the present invention that the waste collection apparatus may be provided with means to attach end pieces of different sizes in order to cater for animals that deposit, in general, larger or smaller size (more particularly width) of animal waste.

Said disposable end piece/e may be of any suitable material such as plastics or bio- degradable materials such as biodegradable cardboard.

Whilst one end of said end piece/e may be open in order to receive the animal waste, the other end (connection end) of said end piecers, preferably, is/ are provided with an so interior seal or closure that may or may not be integrally formed (or moulded where appropriate) in order to prevent egress of the waste material from the connection end/s of the end piece/e to said elongate member or stick once said associated end piece has been detached from said elongate member / stick.

:5 The animal waste collection apparatus may be a purpose-made walking stick having a handle connected to an elongate member of hollow tubular form (possible of tubular aluminium) which may or may not have a diameter comparable to the diameter of the detachable end piece. In this manner, said end piece may appear to be merely an extension of the elongate member of the walking stick.

s In use, it is envisaged that the open end of the end piece may be positioned over one end of the animal waste to be collected and pushed thereover with the length of said animal waste being coaxial with the end piece, said animal waste being retained to said end piece by the viscous nature of the waste material itself.

lo Said open end of the end piece may have a wall thickness of about l mm and may be tapered to provide a relatively sharp edge in order to help cutting into and collecting the animal waste.

Preferably, the length of the said end piece will be in the order of 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30.5 cm).

In a further embodiment of the animal waste collection apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the open end of the end piece may be provided with animal waste retention means, for example, in the form of a one way flap valve or flexible membrane structure, e.g. a closure washer or seal having flexible (preferably sector shaped) flaps.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, means may be provided to draw the animal waste into said end piece. Said drawing means may be of any convenient form and may for example be via a pump action creating suction or by means of an electric motor.

Where an electric motor is provided and the animal waste collection apparatus includes a handle said motor is preferably incorporated into the handle. Preferably, the motor is arranged to drive or rotate an auger or Archimedean screw extending along the length of the detachable end piece and detachable there-with for disposal with the animal waste.

In practice, the open end of the end piece with auger may be positioned over one end of the animal waste and the motor operated (preferably by a button located in the handle where provided) to rotate the auger or Archimedean screw in order to cut into and draw the animal waste up into the end piece.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination lo of a walking stick and animal waste collection means.

Usually, the animal waste collection means will comprise a detachable end piece.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a walking stick, generally of conventional form and an adapter for at least one size of end piece for animal waste collection.

Further according to present invention there is provided animal waste collection apparatus comprising a plurality of animal waste collection end pieces differently sized for different sizes of animal waste, said end pieces being for attachment to an elongate member or stick. An adapter may be provided (which may be of universal form) for attachment of at least one of said size of end piece to a walking stick.

so The animal waste collection apparatus may incorporate a light and/or warning b''?:.er.

The light may be used to assist in the collection of animal waste in the dark or in poor lighting conditions and may be adjustable to point or be angled downwardly towards the ground and/or ahead if desired. Where a handle is provided on said elongate member or stick, said light may be provided on the handle.

Additionally, or alternatively a warning buzzer or alarm (for example a panic alarm) may be provided on the waste collection apparatus and, preferably, this alarm is located in said handle where provided.

The light and / or audible alamm may be detachable from the remainder of the waste s collection apparatus as a unit or may be integrally provided, for example in a handle.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, it is possible that a walking stick may be produced that does not have facility for collecting animal waste.

Therefore, in accordance with said further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking stick having a light and / or an audible alarm.

lo Preferably, the light and / or audible alarm is contained within or attached to a handle of the walking stick.

Preferably, a control button for the light and / or audible alarm is located at or near the handle.

Where a light is provided as aforesaid, preferably, the light is movable in order to direct a light beam in a selected direction.

Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the

following description and drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following simplified diagrammatic drawings in which: so FIGURE I shows a first embodiment of animal waste collection apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 show a detachable end piece of the animal waste collection apparatus shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 illustrates how the animal waste collection apparatus can be utilised to collect the animal waste of a dog; s FIGURE 4 shows a longitudinal cross section taken on line IV-IV of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 shows a view looking in direction of arrow A on FIGURE 2 incorporating a modification to the open end of said end piece; FIGURE 6 shows how a waste collection end piece in accordance with the lo present invention may be attached to a conventional walking stick by way of an adaptor; FIGURE 7 shows diagrammatically in longitudinal cross section animal waste collection apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; Is FIGURE 8 shows a handle of the waste collection apparatus incorporating a first modification; FIGURES 9 and 10 show a handle of the waste collection apparatus similar to FIGURE 8 but including an alternative modification including a light which is angled in one particular direction in FIGURE 9 and in an alternative direction in FIGURE 10, and FIGURE 11 shows a part-sectional, side view of a further embodiment of animal waste collection apparatus.

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, animal waste collection apparatus in the form of a walking stick 1 comprises a hollow tubular-cylindrical elongate member or stick 2 provided with a generally T shaped handle 3 at an upper end thereof and a detachable tubular frustoconical end piece 4 attached at the lower end of said elongate member or stick. Hollow end piece 4 is releasably attached to the elongate member or stick 2 and is shown completely detached therefrom in FIGURE 2.

lo As shown in FIGURE 1, the external diameter of the stick or elongate member 2 is generally comparable to the internal diameter of said end piece albeit that the end piece 4 itself is slightly flared or tapered to yield a frustoconical shape.

In this way, the end piece 4 is arranged to be generally perceived as an extension to the walking stick in such a manner that the animal waste collection facility to be described Is in relation with the end piece 4 may not be immediately apparent to the general observer.

It is to be appreciated that the detailed shape and dimensions of the end piece 4 will be arranged to suit and indeed it need not necessarily be tapered or frustoconical; it could be tubular cylindrical. Additionally, whilst the cross section of the end piece 4 is generally circular and the cross section of the stick or elongate member 2 is also generally circular and tubular cylindrical (see FIGURE 4) the cross section could be chosen to suit and could, for example, be a square or triangular tube if desired.

FIGURE 4 shows in more detail how the end piece 4 is releasably retained to the free end 2a of the elongate member or stick 2. The free end 2a of the elongate member or stick is provided with an internal V- shaped spring member S having one end 5a fixed to the internal walling of said elongate member or stick 2 and the other end Sb of the s spring is attached to a button 6 that projects from the interior of the elongate member or stick to the outside of said member / stick through appropriately sized receiving hole 2b.

As shown in FIGURE 4, button 6 also projects through receiving hole 4a in the side walling of the end piece 4. It is to be noted that end piece 4 includes an integrally moulded seal or stop wall 4b that, in use, will prevent the egress of animal waste from lo the upper end 4c of the end piece 4 once it has been detached from the elongate member or stick 2.

If it is desired to detach the end piece 4 from the elongate member or stick 2, button 6 may be depressed by hand and end piece 4 urged axially off the elongate member or stick 2 with the end 4c keeping the button depressed until detachment in a manner that should be generally selfevident. Equally, it is believed that the manner of attachment of a new, similar, end piece 4 onto the free end of the elongate member or stick 2 (whilst initially retaining the button 6 in a depressed position until the end 4c is located over the said button and until the button 6 is in registration with the hole 4a, allowing the end piece 4 to be retained to the elongate member or stick 2) should be generally self evident.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the general manner of use of the animal waste collection apparatus 1.

FIGURE 3 shows a man 100 and dog 101 having recently deposited animal waste 102 on the ground. The animal waste collection apparatus I (which is in the form of a :5 walking stick) can be directed towards the animal waste 102 such that the open end of the end piece 4 can be positioned over one end of the piece of animal waste and pushed over the entire length so that the longitudinal axis 103 of the piece of animal waste will be generally aligned with the axis 4d of the end piece.

The Applicant has tested such animal waste collection apparatus and has found that generally, owing to the viscosity and texture of the animal waste normally encountered, such waste will automatically be retained within the end piece 4 along with, in some cases, earth and soil on which the animal waste has been deposited.

Even so, it is quite important that the end piece 4 be suitably sized for the general size of waste created by a particular animal concerned. In other words, for large dogs larger lo diameters of end piece 4 will normally be employed. In this connection, the Applicant has found that suitable diameters of end piece may be 38mm, 32mm and 25mm to suit large, medium and small dogs respectively.

Moreover, it has been found that the thickness of the end wall of the opening of the end piece is ideally of about Imm thickness in order, if necessary, to cut into the waste is material to help in it's collection. Thus, the edge or rim e of the opening of the end piece 4 may be relatively sharp or chamfered (not shown) in order to help cut into the animal waste material.

It is believed that the manner of collection of the animal waste by the waste collection apparatus I is particularly important and convenient. The introduction of the open end of the end piece 4 over the piece of animal waste 102 such that the axis of the animal waste 103 is generally aligned with the axis of the end piece 4d allows the animal waste to be retained therein automatically by the inherent texture and viscosity of the animal waste itself. No separate scooping action is required to be performed by the other hand to scoop the animal waste into the open end piece 4; rather the animal waste l 02 is cut into by the rim or edge e of the opening of the end piece 4d so that the animal waste will be automatically retained within the end piece 4 in a compacted form. Where the animal waste 102 has been deposited on relatively soft ground often a portion of this ground or soil is also retained within the end piece 4 at the open end of the end piece covering the waste itself.

Whilst in most cases, the animal waste may be carried in the end piece 4 without any separate closure member being provided to close of the open end of said end piece, in some circumstances it may be desired that the open end be closed off after the animal waste has been collected.

lo Thus, a separate end cap ( not shown), for example of plastics or rubber, may be provided as a force-fit or resilient push fit over the opening of end piece 4.

Alternatively, a closure washer or seal 104 (see FIGURE S) may be provided consisting of internally directed flexible sector shaped flaps F that substantially closes off the open end of the end piece 4 when arranged in the same plane but which allows an opening to is be created under axial pressure of the animal waste itself. In this way, as the open end of the end piece 4 is pushed over the animal waste, the flaps F will deform inwardly at the centre of the closure 104 (from the circular outer rim of the closure) allowing the animal waste to enter the end piece but, once all the waste has entered the end piece, then the flaps will automatically close to close off the opening.

zo Thus, it is believed that the manner of collection of the animal waste is convenient in that the animal waste can be collected in the end piece 4 without stooping down or without using a second hand to scoop the waste into the open end.

Once the animal waste has been introduced into the end piece 4, it can be carried inconspicuously to a convenient disposal location without an observer knowing whether or not the walking stick end piece actually contains animal waste. Additionally, the untrained observer may not even realise that the walking stick has the secondary purpose of collecting animal waste, at all.

Once a disposal point has been reached, it is a relatively simple matter to detach the end piece, throw it away and replace with a new end piece ready for a new collection.

Thus, overall it is believed that the manner of collection of the animal waste is dramatically improved over known methods and the manner of carrying the animal waste to a convenient disposal point is also vastly improved, more particularly, since the casual observer would not even realise that animal waste is being carried at all.

lo The Applicant appreciates that the collection of animal waste in the aforedescribed manner may not be the most suitable for all types of waste and ground conditions. The collection of such waste may be more difficult more particularly in the case of very loose waste.

Accordingly, in order to cater more particularly for this type of waste, the Applicant has proposed a motor driven embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURE 7, which will be discussed later on in the present specification.

Moreover, the Applicant appreciates that dog owners often like to walk their dogs at night and animal waste collection can be more of a problem at night or in low light conditions. In order to alleviate this problem, the Applicant has proposed a modification no to the animal waste collection apparatus exemplified as the modified handle 3' of apparatus 1' shown in FIGURE 8. Handle 3' incorporates a detachable panic alarm P which is of known form and thus will not be described in detail. The panic alarm includes two lights L1 and L2 that may be controlled by an operating button B1 and a panic alarm buzzer Y operable by control button B2. Thus, the animal waste collection means 1' effectively includes a light to both shine the way ahead (Ll) and / or to shine downwardly (L2) in order to help in the location and collection of animal waste at ground level.

Furthermore, the animal waste collection apparatus 1' also includes the facility of a panic alarm to signal that the user is, for example, in distress or in trouble negating the need for the dog owner to carry a separate panic alarm if so desired. FIGURE 8 shows a readily available panic alarm P that could be attached to the handle of a conventional walking stick.

FIGURES 9 and 10 show a development of the idea shown in FIGURE 8 where a lo handle 3'' has been modified to include a purpose-made light L that in the position in FIGURE 9 can be directed ahead or which can be rotated to the position shown in FIGURE 10 about the hinge H in a manner that should be self-explanatory. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 3'' may include an audible alarm Y. If desired, a walking stick may be provided with a light and / or audible alarm, preferably, controllable by a button or buttons located at or near the handle, without an animal waste collection facility being provided at all.

The animal waste collection apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 includes a purpose- made tubular elongate member 1 and handle 3 to which end piece 4 may be attached.

However, it is possible that an animal waste collection facility be provided on a conventional or known form of walking stick.

Accordingly, FIGURE 6 shows (far bottom left) a conventional walking stick W connected to a lower end piece 4' (haying interior seal 4'b) by means of an adapter A. The adapter A includes an upper hollow collar portion Al that can be pushed over the lower solid end of the walking stick W and retained thereto by a push-fit. The adapter includes a lower portion A2 of appropriate (wider) diameter on which the end piece 4' can be located in a manner previously described in relation to FIGURES 1 and 4 of the drawings.

FIGURE 7 shows diagrammatically a modified waste collection apparatus 500, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, comprising an end piece 501 incorporating an auger or Archimedean screw 502 that can be rotated through coupling 503 by means of an electric motor M (that rotates connection rod or spindle 504 on operation of control button 505) having the dual function of providing a handle lo for the waste collection apparatus 500. Alternatively, the motor M could be positioned at any suitable location e. g. at M'.

Thus, in practice, the open end of the end piece 501 can be introduced onto animal waste and the auger 502 rotated by pressing control button 505 to activate motor M in order to rotate the auger. In this way the auger 502 can draw the animal waste into the end piece 501. This arrangement is useful, more particularly where the animal waste is generally loose or retains a considerable degree of liquid.

It is to be noted that, advantageously, the design of end piece is such that it may be produced very inexpensively and have a low retail cost (e. g. 3 pence) as a throw-away item. This low cost being very much cheaper than purpose-made waste collection bags so may be an encouragement to dog or pet owners to attend to collection and proper disposal of their pet animal's waste.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention offers many improvements, at least some of which might be patentable individually or in combination. Any individual feature as aforementioned or as shown or implicit herein or combinations thereof, or functions or methods appertaining thereto, may be patentably inventive and any specific term as used herein should not be construed as unnecessarily or unduly limiting; the scope of such a term should extend to, or may be replaced or supplemented by, any equivalent or generic expression. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

lo Whilst embodiments of the present invention have been described in which the button/catch and spring means is provided on the elongatemember/stick adapter and the receiving hole in the end piece, it is possible that said button/catch and spring means is instead provided on the endpiece and the receiving hole on member/stick /adapter. In such a scenario, the end piece would usually fit inside the elongate Is member/stick/adapter. However, usually such an arrangement would not be preferred since it may increase the cost of the end piece.

Furthermore, the adapter and associated end piece could be fashioned as a single (preferably integral) unit without button or catch and receiving hole, so that the end piece is a single push fit on the end of the elongate member or stick.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided an adapter for releasable attachment of at least one size of end piece to an elongate member or stick, said end piece being utilisable for collecting or gathering up animal waste.

FIGURE 11 shows a part-sectional side view of a further embodiment of animal waste collection apparatus 600 including a disposable bag/liner 601 temporarily attached to the outside of end piece 602 and extending around and inside the end piece. The right hand end of FIGURE 11 is shown in section.

The bag 601 can be releasably attached to the outside of the end piece 602 by any suitable means such as an elastic band or by the internal resilience of the bag. The end piece 602 can be used as in previously described embodiments except that the bag 601 acts as a liner which can be easily removed therefrom with animal waste. The end of the lo bag 601 may be tied and carried to a disposal point to enable the end piece 602 to be used again. It is possible that the end piece 602 can be used on its own without any elongate member or stick for support and may be provided with a handle (not shown).

Additionally, the internal surface of the end piece 602 may be textured whether for use with or without the bag 601 to better retain the animal waste or bag better in position in the end piece.

Therefore, further according to the present invention there is provided a hollow end piece or member for collecting animal waste, the end piece/ member being arranged, in use, to collect up or gather animal waste in such manner that the waste can be retained therein ready for disposal, preferably on detachment of a bag or liner in the end piece/member.

The Applicant has made some further modifications to the waste collection apparatus in accordance with the present invention which will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following simplified diagramatic drawings in which: FIGURE 12 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of animal waste collection apparatus; FIGURE 13 shows an end view of animal waste retaining means of the collection apparatus shown in FIGURE 12, and s FIGURE 14 shows an opposite end perspective view of the animal waste retaining means shown in FIGURE 13.

Referring to FIGURES 12 told of the accompanying drawings, animal waste collection apparatus 700 is in the form of an end piece similar to end piece 4 shown in FIGURE 2 lo and which may similarly be attachable to elongate member or stick 2 as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

End piece 700 has modifications over and above end piece 4. Instead of providing a closure washer or seal 104 (see FIGURE 5) to close off the open end of the end piece 700, instead, animal waste retention means in the form of grid G is provided. Grid G is advantageous in many respects.

Grid G has horizontal and vertical cutting ribs 701, 702, 703, 704 having relatively sharp outer edges 701a, 702a, 703a, 704a which diverge in the axial direction (see FIGURE 14) so that the ribs themselves are generally V-shaped in cross-section. The grid G has an integral, peripheral ring 705 supporting the ribs 701 to 704, to create a sturdy structure. The peripheral ring 705 is introduced into the open end of the end piece 700 as a push or force fit to give strength to the structure and to prevent the ribs themselves deforming as the grid G is introduced into the end piece 700. The grid G allows the animal waste material being collected to be cut into and pushed between the holes in the grid defined by the ribs 701 to 704 in such a way that, once the animal waste is inside the end piece, it will be retained therein by the thickened inner surface of the v-shaped ribs 701 to 704, in a manner which should be self evident from the drawings. The peripheral ring 705 has a fairly substantial axial length 705a to provide a strong and very reliable fit of the grid G in the open end of the end piece 700.

In this manner, the same size of end piece 700 can be used for all sizes and shapes of animal waste rather than providing an end piece with a small aperture for smaller dog waste. Thus, this design obviates the need for several different sizes (diameter) of end piece to suit different dogs.

It is believed that this design of end piece 700 with grid G is advantageous over an open end piece with smooth inner surface that may not be suitable in all instances for collecting dog waste.

The end piece 700 is provided with additional advantageous features.

A pair of diametrically opposed tapered fins F (only one shown in FIGURE 12) is provided on the outside surface of the end piece. The purpose of these fins F is to allow end pieces 700 to be stacked in telescopic manner without binding tightly to each other during packaging. Thus, end pieces 700 could be packaged together in telescopic manner for sale to the consumer in packs of any desired number, for example, ten. In this way, the end pieces 700 could be readily easily separated from one another.

Additionally, the end piece 700 is provided with a number of peripheral holes 706 near an opposite end of the end piece 700 but before inner stop wall (not shown but similar to stop wall 4b in end piece 4-see FIGURE 4). The peripheral holes 706 are provided to ease the collection of waste material in the end piece 700 by allowing an air flow in the end piece 700 from behind the animal waste material and out of the holes. It is envisaged that the holes 706 will be small enough to allow air otherwise trapped in the end piece 700 to escape through the holes but not big enough to allow the animal waste material to pass through the holes. It is envisaged that the diameter of the holes will be in the order of Imm.

The end piece 700 may be of polypropylene and could be scented (for example a lemon fragrance) and/or may be biodegradable.

It is to be noted that the design of grid G has only been perfected after a considerable amount of researched provides a very firm and reliable connection between the grid and end piece, whilst allowing the animal waste to be retained in the end piece in an extremely successful manner.

Furthermore, fins F or the like and/or holes 706 may be incorporated in any design of end piece in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. Animal waste collection apparatus comprising an elongate member or stick having a detachable, hollow end piece arranged, in use, to collect or gather up animal waste in such a manner that the waste can be retained there-in ready for disposal on detachment of the end piece from the elongate member or stick.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate member or stick is a walking stick.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the walking stick is of known or conventional form.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising an adapter to connect an end piece of appropriate size to the free end of the walking stick.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the adapter can be used to attach a plurality of different sizes of end pieces.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the end piece may be of generally tubular - cylindrical form and/or tubular frustoconical.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of the elongate member or stick is hollow and provided with a spring loaded button or catch biased to extend through a receiving hole or opening in a sidewall of said stick or elongate member.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said button/catch can be depressed by a finger against said spring loading prior to introduction of the end piece onto the attachment end of the stick or elongate member at least until an inner surface or wall of the end piece engages the outer surface of the button retaining said button in a depressed state until registration there-of with the receiving hole or opening in the side wall of said end piece.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims] to 7 in which the end piece is a push fit on the elongate member or stick.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with means to attach end pieces of different sizes.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said end piece/e is/are of plastics or big-degradable material.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of said end piece/e is open in order to receive the animal waste.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the other end (connection end) of said end piece/e is/ are provided with an interior seal or closure.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the interior seal or closure is integrally formed (or moulded where appropriate) with the associated end piece.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims being a purpose-made walking stick having a handle connected to an elongate member of hollow tubular form.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the elongate member is of aluminium.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim S or claim 6 in which the elongate member has a diameter comparable to the diameter of the detachable end piece.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or any claim dependent therefrom in which said open end of the end piece has a wall thickness of about lmrn.

] 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which the end piece is tapered to provide a sharp edge.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the length of the said end piece is in the order of 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30.5 cm).

21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the open end of the end piece is provided with animal waste retention means.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the animal waste retention means is in the form of a one way flap valve or flexible membrane structure.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the animal waste retention means is in the form of a grid.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the grid has tapered or vshaped cutting ribs.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or 24 in which the grid has a peripheral ring.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 in which the ring is a push fit into a open end of the end piece.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having holes to alleviate air being trapped in the end piece as animal waste is collected.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having release means in the end piece to allow a plurality of such end pieces to be stacked in telescopic fashion without binding.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 in which the release means comprising tapered projection, pips or fins.

30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having means to draw the animal waste into said end piece.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30 in which said drawing means is via a pump action creating suction.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30 in which said drawing means is by an electric motor.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 when dependent from claim 13 in which said motor is incorporated into the handle.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 or 33 in which the motor is arranged to drive or rotate an auger or Archimedean screw extending along the length of the detachable end piece and detachable there-with for disposal with the animal waste.

35. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 34 in which the motor is operable by a button located in a, or the, handle.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims incorporating a light.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36 in which the light is adjustable to point or be angled downwardly towards the ground and/or a head.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36 or claim 38 in which the light is provided on a, or the, handle.

39. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a warning buzzer or alarm.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 in which the baas er or alarm is located in a, or the, handle.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 40 in which the light and/or buzzer/alarm is detachable from the remainder of the waste collection apparatus as a unit.

42. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 40 in which the light and/or bu:zertalarm is/are integrally provided, for example in a, or the, handle.

43. A hollow end piece adapted for attachment to an elongate member or stick, said end piece being arranged, in use, to collect up or gather animal waste in such a manner that the waste can be retained there-in ready for disposal on detachment of the end piece from the elongate member or stick.

44. A combination of a walking stick and animal waste collection means.

45. A combination as claimed in claim 44 in which the animal waste collection means comprises a detachable end piece.

46. A walking stick, and an adapter for at least one size of end piece for animal waste collection.

47. Animal waste collection apparatus comprising a plurality of animal waste collection end pieces differently sized for different sizes of animal waste, said end pieces being for attachment to an elongate member or stick.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 47 comprising an adapter for attachment of at least one of said size of end piece to the elongate member or walking stick.

49. A walking stick having a light andlor an audible alarm.

50. A walking stick as claimed in claim 49 in which the light and/or audible alarm is contained within or attached to a handle of the walking stick.

S 1. A walking stick as claimed in claim 49 or 50 having a control button for the light andlor audible alarm located at or near, a or the, handle 52. A walking stick as claimed in claim 51 having said light movable in order to direct a light beam in a selected direction.

53. An adapter for releasable attachment of at least one size of end piece to an elongate member or stick, said end piece being utilisable for collecting or gathering up animal waste.

54. A hollow end piece or member for collecting animal waste, the end piece/ member being arranged, in use, to collect up or gather animal waste in such manner that the waste can be retained therein ready for disposal, preferably on detachment of a bag or liner in the end piece/member.