GB2535771A

GB2535771A - System for the removal of animal waste material

Info

Publication number: GB2535771A
Application number: GB1503308.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Darren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2015-02-27
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Also published as: GB201503308D0

Abstract

A system 10 for the removal of animal waste material has an animal support surface 12, at least one portal 14 adjacent to or incorporated within the surface and extraction means 16 connected to the portal. The surface is adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon, and the system allows waste collected upon the surface to be removed by the extraction means, via the portal. The extraction means may be a vacuum or suction pump. The animal support surface may be provided with a emitting means 26. Also disclosed is an animal grooming apparatus that comprises a support surface with and adjacent or incorporated light emitting means.

Description

System for the removal of animal waste material

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the invention relate to a system for the removal of animal waste material, and an animal grooming apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Animal grooming tables are well known for providing animal groomers a surface upon which to groom animals, such as dogs. Typically, these tables provide a uniform surface for an animal to stand upon while said animal is being groomed. The surface may be adjustable in height to facilitate the grooming of animals of different sizes, and may include features to restrain an animal during grooming, such as a control post and noose. The grooming of an animal may produce waste material, such as hair, fur, animal dander, dirt, dust, pollen, mould spores, parasites and bacteria. These waste materials pose a potential risk to a person grooming an animal. Further, it can be difficult to clearly see the underside of an animal during grooming, particularly if the animal does not remain still, or if the animal has a dark, thick or long coat.

It is an object of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a system for the removal of animal waste, which may improve the efficiency of the removal of waste materials when compared to prior art arrangements. Further, it is an object of certain embodiments of the invention to provide an improved animal grooming apparatus. It is an object of embodiments of the invention to mitigate at least some of the disadvantages associated with prior art arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for the removal of animal waste material, the system comprising: an animal support surface adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon; and at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface, the portal being connectable to extraction means such that collected animal waste material is removable from the surface by the extraction means via the portal. This system may prevent or reduce the exposure of a person grooming an animal to animal waste material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for the removal of animal waste material, the system comprising: an animal support surface adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon; at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface; and extraction means connected to the portal and operable to remove collected animal waste material from the support surface via the portal. This system may prevent or reduce the exposure of a person grooming an animal to animal waste material.

Preferably, the animal support surface may include walling which at least partially extends around a portion of the support surface. The walling may assist in containing waste material upon the support surface.

In certain embodiments, the at least one portal may define an opening in the walling. A portion of the walling adjacent the portal may be greater in height than the remainder of the walling around the support surface.

The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface. Optionally, the light emitting means may be arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface. The light emitting means may provide uniform illumination of the underside of an animal supported upon the support surface.

Preferably, the light emitting means may be incorporated within the walling. The light emitting means may comprise one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").

The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise a connector for facilitating connection of the at least one portal to the extraction means. Optionally, the connector may comprise a tubular member. The animal support surface may slope downwardly toward the at least one portal.

In certain embodiments, the animal waste material may comprise at least one of the following: hair, fur, dander, dust, dirt, pollen, mould spores, parasites, bacteria, excrement, urine, and soiled animal bedding. Preferably, the extraction means may comprise a vacuum pump. Optionally, the at least one portal may be connected to the extraction means via a conduit.

The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise storage means for storing animal waste material extracted from the animal support surface. The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise a housing for storing the extraction means. The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise a frame for supporting the animal support surface. The frame may be configured to permit adjustment of the height of the animal support surface. The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise a foot pedal configured to switch the extraction means on and/or off.

In certain embodiments, the animal support surface may comprise a platform upon which an animal is placed to be groomed. In certain embodiments the animal support surface may comprise a surface of an animal enclosure. In certain embodiments, the system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise attachment means configured for attaching a cage to the animal support surface. The animal support surface may comprise the attachment means. The system of either of the above mentioned aspects may further comprise a cage for enclosing an animal supported on the animal support surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided animal grooming apparatus comprising: an animal support surface adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon; and at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface, the portal being connectable to extraction means such that collected animal waste material is removable from the surface by the extraction means via the portal. This apparatus may prevent or reduce the exposure of a person grooming an animal to animal waste material.

The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface. Optionally, the light emitting means may be arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface. The light emitting means may provide uniform illumination of the underside of an animal supported upon the support surface.

Preferably, the light emitting means may be in incorporated within the walling. The light emitting means may comprise one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").

The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise a connector for facilitating connection of the at least one portal to the extraction means. Optionally, the connector may comprise a tubular member. The animal support surface may slope downwardly toward the at least one portal.

In certain embodiments the animal waste material comprises at least one of the following: hair, fur, dander, dust, dirt, pollen, mould spores, parasites, bacteria, excrement, urine, and soiled animal bedding. Preferably, the extraction means may comprise a vacuum pump. Optionally, the at least one portal may be connected to the extraction means via a conduit.

The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise storage means for storing animal waste material extracted from the animal support surface. The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise a housing for storing the extraction means. The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise a frame for supporting the animal support surface. The frame may be configured to permit adjustment of the height of the animal support surface. The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise a foot pedal configured to switch the extraction means on and/or off.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided animal grooming apparatus comprising: an animal support surface; and light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface. The light emitting means may provide uniform illumination of the underside of an animal supported upon the support surface.

Preferably, the light emitting means may be arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface.

In certain embodiments, the animal support surface includes walling which at least partially extends around a portion of the support surface. Optionally, the light emitting means may be incorporated within the walling. The light emitting means may comprise one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").

The apparatus of the above mentioned aspect may further comprise at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface, the portal being connectable to extraction means such that collected animal waste material is removable from the surface by the extraction means via the portal. This apparatus may prevent or reduce the exposure of a person grooming an animal to animal waste material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a practical embodiment of an animal grooming apparatus in a system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs 1 to 3 illustrate a system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 comprises animal grooming apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes an animal support surface 12, a portal 14 and an extraction means 16. The surface 12 comprises a platform upon which an animal may stand to be groomed, for example shaved. Consequently, the surface 12 may collect waste material from the animal which is produced during grooming. The surface 12 includes a walling 18 which extends around the periphery of the surface 12. However, in certain embodiments, the walling 18 may not extend around the entire periphery of the surface 12, extending only partially around the periphery, for example along only three sides, of the surface 12. Further, the walling 18 may not be of uniform height. As shown in accompanying figures, the walling 18 includes a raised region 18a adjacent to the portal 14. The walling 18 may assist in containing waste material collected on the surface 12. Additionally, the walling 18 may reduce the likelihood of an animal slipping off the surface 12 when standing thereon. The surface 12 is supported by a housing 20 which houses the extraction means 16. It will be understood that the extraction means 16 need not be housed within the housing 20 and that the surface 12 may be otherwise supported, for example by a frame.

The portal 14 is provided adjacent to the surface 12 and is connected to the extraction means 16. The portal 14 is provided within the walling 18 such that the portal 14 defines an opening in the walling 18. By virtue of this arrangement, the extraction means 16 is operable to remove waste material, which may be collected on the surface 12, via the portal 14. It will be understood that in other arrangements, the portal 14 may be incorporated within the surface 12. Further, the exact location of the portal 14 is not limited to that shown in the accompanying figures, and the portal 14 may be provided at any suitable location adjacent to or integrated within the surface 12, for example in the centre of the surface 12.

The portal 14 is connected to the extraction means 16 by a conduit 22. A first end 22a of the conduit 22 is associated with the portal 14 and a second end 22b of the conduit io 22 is associated with extraction means 16. The conduit 22 may comprise a flexible hose, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. Further, the connection of the portal 14 to the extraction means 16 may be facilitated at the first end 22a by a connector 24 for connecting the conduit 22 to the portal 14. The connector 24 may comprise a tubular member. The connector 24 may project from the portal 14 at an angle, i.e. project downwardly, to facilitate connection the conduit 22. The connector 24 may be configured to engage with a feature, for example a hose, of a proprietary vacuum cleaner. In other embodiments, the portal 14 may be directly connected to the extraction means 16, i.e. there is no connecting conduit 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the extraction means 16 comprises a vacuum pump. The extraction means 16 may further comprise a waste receptacle.

Figs 1 and 2 show that the apparatus 10 further includes light emitting means 26. The light emitting means 26 is provided adjacent to the surface 12. In the illustrated embodiment, this arrangement is by virtue of the light emitting means 26 being incorporated within the walling 18. The walling 18 may be routed to include a recess 28 for housing the light emitting means 26. By housing the light emitting means 26 within the recess 28, the light emitting means 26 may be prevented from obstructing grooming and/or may be protected from an animal being groomed. In other embodiments, the light emitting means 26 may be incorporated within the surface 12, i.e. the light emitting means need not be incorporated within the walling 18. The light emitting means 26 extends around the periphery of the surface 12 so as to emit light inwardly, i.e. toward the centre of the surface 12. The light emitting means 26 may illuminate a region in space above the surface 12 when the apparatus 10 is in use. The light emitting means 26 may not extend around the entire periphery of the surface 10.

Indeed, as is shown in Fig. 1, the light emitting means 26 does not extend along a region of the walling 18 adjacent to the portal 14. In other embodiments, the light emitting means 26 may extend along only two sides of the surface 12. Of course, in other embodiments, the light emitting means 26 may extended around the entire periphery of the surface 12. The light emitting means 26 may comprise a strip of light emitting diodes ("LEDs"). LEDs offer a suitable, safe choice for the light emitting means 26, as they require a low voltage power supply. Therefore, if the light emitting means 26 comprising LEDs becomes exposed to water during grooming, there is reduced likelihood of the animal, or a person grooming the animal, receiving a harmful electric shock.

The apparatus 10 may further include additional features which are conventional within the field of animal grooming, for example a control post or frame and a noose (none of which are shown in the accompanying figures) for tethering an animal while said animal is being groomed.

In use, an animal to be groomed, such as a dog, is placed upon the support surface 12.

During grooming, waste material may fall from the animal and is subsequently deposited and collected on the support surface 12. To remove the collected waste material from the support surface 12, the extraction means 16 is switched on, thus initiating a flow of air from the portal 14 to the extraction means and causing suction at the portal 14. Consequently, waste material on the surface 12 adjacent to the portal 14 is extracted from the surface 12, by the force of suction, via the portal 14. The extracted waste may be retained in the extraction means 16. Waste material may be pushed towards the portal 14, the person(s) grooming the animal, to facilitate removal of the material from the surface 12. The surface 12 may slope downwardly toward the portal 14 to further facilitate removal of waste material, particularly liquids, from the surface 12. The extraction means 16 may be switched on/off so as to operate the extraction means selectively, or alternatively may be operated continuously during grooming of the animal. The extraction means 16 may be switched on/off by use of one or more switches (not shown) which may be provided adjacent to the surface 12. In certain embodiments, the extraction means 16 may be switched on/off by use of a foot pedal (not shown).The system and/or the apparatus 10 may provide an efficient means of removing waste material from the surface 12 during grooming. Further, the system and/or the apparatus 10 may prevent or reduce the undesirable exposure of the person(s) grooming the animal to waste material, which may include bacteria, parasites and allergens.

The light emitting means 26 may be switched on during grooming to illuminate the underside of the animal being groomed. The hereinbefore described arrangement of the light emitting means 26 may provide uniform illumination of the underside of the animal, which is not obtained by alternative means, such as angled lamp. This is particularly advantageous when grooming animals with a dark, thick or long coat. The light emitting means 26 may provide uniform illumination of the underside of the animal irrespective of the relative position of the animal, or the person(s) grooming the animal, to the surface 12, or whether the animal moves around the surface 12 during grooming.

An alternative embodiment of the invention includes an animal support surface comprising a surface of an animal enclosure (not shown), such as a cage for transporting or keeping animals, for example budgies or cats. In this alternative embodiment, a portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface may be selectively connectable to an extraction means for the removal of animal waste material collected on the surface. In use, the animal enclosure may be readily cleaned of waste material, which may include excrement, urine and soiled animal bedding, by virtue of the extraction means when connected to the portal.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention and many variations in details of the design are possible. For example, in certain embodiments, the animal support surface 12 may not include the walling 18.

Further, the portal 14 may be provided adjacent to the surface 12 without being incorporated within the walling 18. For example, in certain embodiments the portal 14 may be attached to the control post or frame. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the first end 22a of the conduit 22 may be configured so as to be attached directly to the surface 12, for example by virtue of a clamp, thereby providing the portal 14. While the portal 14 illustrated in the accompanying figures is circular, the portal 14 may be any suitable shape, for example square or rectangular. Further, in certain embodiments there may be more than one portal 14. In certain embodiments, the portal 14 may be provided within 30cm of the surface 12. In certain embodiments, the portal may be provided within 10cm of the surface 12. In certain embodiments, the portal may be provided within 5cm of the surface 12. As previously recited, the surface 12 may not be supported by the housing 20. Instead, the surface 12 may be supported by any suitable means, for example a frame. The frame may be configured to permit adjustment of the height of the surface 12 in manner which is conventional in the field of animal grooming. The light emitting means 26 need not be provided around the periphery of the surface 12 and may be alternatively provided, for example as one or more strips of light emitting means 26 transecting the surface 12, i.e. extending across the surface 12.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for the removal of animal waste material, the system comprising: an animal support surface adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon; at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface; and extraction means connected to the portal and operable to remove collected animal waste material from the support surface via the portal.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the animal support surface includes walling which at least partially extends around a portion of the support surface.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one portal defines an opening in the walling.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein a portion of the walling adjacent the portal is greater in height than the remainder of the walling around the support surface.
5. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the light emitting means is arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface.
7. The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the light emitting means is incorporated within the walling.
8. The system of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the light emitting means comprises one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").
9. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a connector for facilitating connection of the at least one portal to the extraction means.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a tubular member.
11. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the animal support surface slopes downwardly toward the at least one portal.
12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the animal waste material comprises at least one of the following: hair, fur, dander, dust, dirt, pollen, mould spores, parasites, bacteria, excrement, urine, and soiled animal bedding.
13. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the extraction means comprises a vacuum pump.
14. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one portal is connected to the extraction means via a conduit.
15. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising storage means for storing animal waste material extracted from the animal support surface.
16. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a housing for storing the extraction means.
17. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a frame for supporting the animal support surface.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the frame is configured to permit adjustment of the height of the animal support surface.
19. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a foot pedal configured to switch the extraction means on and/or off.
20. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the animal support surface comprises a platform upon which an animal is placed to be groomed.
21. The system of any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the animal support surface comprises a surface of an animal enclosure.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising attachment means configured for attaching a cage to the animal support surface.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the animal support surface comprises the attachment means.
24. The system of claim 21, 22 or 23, further comprising a cage for enclosing an animal supported on the animal support surface.
25. Animal grooming apparatus comprising: an animal support surface adapted to collect animal waste material from an animal supported thereon; and at least one portal adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface, the portal being connectable to extraction means such that collected animal waste material is removable from the surface by the extraction means via the portal.
26. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 25, wherein the animal support surface includes walling which at least partially extends around a portion of the support surface.
27. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least one portal defines an opening in the walling.
28. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein a portion of the walling adjacent the portal is greater in height that the remainder of the walling around the support surface.
29. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 28, further comprising light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface.
30. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 29, wherein the light emitting means is arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface.
31. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 29 or 30, wherein the light emitting means is incorporated within the walling.
32. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 29, 30 or 31, wherein the light emitting means comprises one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").
33. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 32, further comprising a connector for facilitating connection of the at least one portal to the extraction means.
34. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 33, wherein the connector comprises a tubular member.
35. The animal grooming apparatus of any of the claims 25 to 34, wherein the animal support surface slopes downwardly toward the at least one portal.
36. The animal grooming apparatus of any of the claims 25 to 35, wherein the animal waste material comprises at least one of the following: hair, fur, dander, dust, dirt, pollen, mould spores, parasites, bacteria, excrement, urine, and soiled animal 10 bedding.
37. The animal grooming apparatus of any of the claims 25 to 36, wherein the extraction means comprises a vacuum pump.
38. The animal grooming apparatus of any of the claims 25 to 37, wherein the at least one portal is connected to the extraction means via a conduit.
39. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 38, further comprising storage means for storing animal waste material extracted from the animal support 20 surface.
40. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 39, further comprising a housing for storing the extraction means.
41. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 40, further comprising a frame for supporting the animal support surface
42. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 41, wherein the frame is configured to permit adjustment of the height of the animal support surface.
43. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 25 to 42, further comprising a foot pedal configured to switch the extraction means on and/or off.
44. Animal grooming apparatus comprising: an animal support surface; and light emitting means adjacent to or incorporated within the support surface, the light emitting means being arranged around the support surface for emitting light inwardly so as to illuminate a region in space above the support surface.
45. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 44, wherein the animal support surface includes walling which at least partially extends around a portion of the support surface.
46. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 45, wherein the light emitting means is incorporated within the walling.
47. The animal grooming apparatus of any of claims 44 to 46, wherein the light emitting means comprises one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").
48. The animal grooming apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a frame for supporting the animal support surface.
49. The animal grooming apparatus of claim 48, wherein the frame is configured to permit adjustment of the height of the animal support surface.
50. A system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
51. Animal grooming apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.