WO1992008345A1

WO1992008345A1 - A device to collect and dispose of dogs' excrements or other refuse

Info

Publication number: WO1992008345A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/008276
Authority: WO
Inventors: Esther Burshtein
Original assignee: Esther Burshtein
Priority date: 1990-11-14
Filing date: 1991-11-06
Publication date: 1992-05-29
Also published as: AU1273792A

Abstract

The present invention is a disposable scooper. Several versions are presented: the preferred version comprises an elastic plate (10) with an H-like slit (12) that creates two opposing doors (14,16), and a bag (18) that passes through that slit. The refuse is collected into the bag through the doors that open when bending the plate. When released, the doors shut, and the kit with the refuse can be disposed of. Other versions utilize different types of containers for the refuse, different types of plates, or different methods of attaching the plate to the container.

Description

A DEVICE TO COLLECT AND DISPOSE OF DOGS' EXCREMENTS OR OTHER REFUSE

Background-Field of Invention

This invention relates to hygienic devices, especially to devices that are used to collect animals' excrements or other refuse. It also relates to scooping materials and to packaging.

Background-Description of Prior Art

In most cities there is a severe hygienic problem of dogs' excrements. Owners usually walk their dogs in public areas, where the dogs relieve themselves, creating a hygienic, sanitary and aesthetic nuisance. Municipalities and other local authorities are trying to fight this nuisance. Legislative efforts, requiring owners to clean up after their pets usually fail, mainly because there is no cheap, convenient and efficient device that can be used to collect the excrements and dispose of them.

The state of the art in excrements collection consists of heavy and cumbersome collecting devices (pooper scoopers), that must be carried by the owners during the walk, and require washing after use to remove offending residues. In addition, there exist on the market disposable collection bags with disposable cardboard scoopers that can serve the same purpose. These devices, however, are difficult to use without touching the excrements, and their cost is prohibitively high for most users. When municipalities collect this type of refuse, vacuum cleaners, which are carried on motorcycles or by persons on their backs, are sometimes used. This, however, is a very expensive solution, which is only effective within large spaces and on smooth surfaces.

Two patents in the packaging field are also related to the present invention: (i) Israeli Patent No. 53970, 29 September 1978 (attached), and (ii) United States Patent No. 4,871,093, 3 October 1989. Henceforth we refer to these devices separately as dispensing container type (i) and dispensing container type (ii), and collectively as dispensing containers. Dispensing container type (i) includes a soft and pliable container (e.g., a polyethylene bag) that passes through an H shaped slit in a thin elastic plate. The open part of the container is then turned over in such a manner that it wraps the plate and the closed part of the container. The material to be dispensed, usually seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds or pistachio nuts), is contained in the closed part of the bag, and dispensed through the opening created in the elastic plate when the user applies pressure to it. The rind of the seeds is then placed in the open part of the container, where it is collected without intermixing with the seeds.

Dispensing container type (ii) has a similar elastic slitted plate attached to the container in such a manner that actually it is one of the walls of the container. The container has no opening, and once the material inside is dispensed its function is complete.

Objects and Advantages

The main object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, hygienic, convenient and efficient device to collect and dispose of dogs' excrements. The invention can also serve for other types of refuse. Furthermore, the invention can serve to collect and contain useful materials. Since the major object is to collect refuse, however, we shall concentrate below on refuse collection and disposal.

The adventages of the present invention over existing devices are: convenient and clean operation, low price, compact size (before use), and disposability. Drawing Figures

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

Fig la shows an elastic slitted plate in closed position (top view).

Fig lb shows an elastic slitted plate in open position (end view).

Fig 2 shows a container.

Fig 3a shows an elastic slitted plate dividing a container to two sub-containers.

Fig 3b shows a device in closed position, where an open-ended sub-container is turned inside out, wrapping an elastic slitted plate and a close-ended sub-container.

Figs 3c and 3d show manipulating of a device to scoop refuse: surrounding, loading, and scooping.

Figs 3e and 3f illustrate refuse collection.

Fig 3g shows a device turned over, with collected refuse at the bottom.

Fig 3h shows a device containing refuse ready to be disposed of. Note that the user is protected from touching the dirty side of the open-ended sub-container.

Fig 4 shows a device where a container is attached to an elastic slitted plate in such a manner that it becomes a wall of the container.

Figs 5a and 5b show a device comprising a pliable sheet and an elastic slitted plate.

Figs 6a and 6b show a device comprising an elastic slitted plate and a container.

Reference Numerals

10 elastic slitted plate 12 H-like slit

14 door A 16 door B

18 container 20 open-ended sub-container

22 close-ended sub-container 24 open end

26 common wall 28 closed end

30 refuse 32 dirty side of open-ended sub-container

34 clean side of open-ended sub-container 36 thin pliable sheet Description of the Invention

The basic component of the present invention is an elastic slitted plate 10 (Fig la) used to scoop and collect refuse. This component is used with a container, e.g., a bag or a pliable sheet that can be wraped around the refuse and contain it.

Plate 10 should preferably be transparent or semi-transparent, to facilitate locating the device above the refuse. This is achieved by using a transparent material or a pattern of holes in an opaque material. Plate 10 may also be textured in various ways which provide strength and convenient handling. Plate 10 can be made out of any suitable material, or combination of materials, preferably plastic. Plate 10 need not necessarily be flat.

There are four major versions:

1. A kit comprising plate 10 and a pliable container (e.g., a bio-degradable plastic bag) that passes through slit 12 in such a way that the container is divided to two sub- containers 20 and 22 (Figs 1-3).

2. A unified device where a container is attached to plate 10 (Fig. 4).

3. A kit comprising plate 10 and a thin pliable sheet 36 (Figs 5a, 5b).

4. A kit comprising plate 10 and a separate container 18, e.g., a bag (Figs 6a, 6b).

Version 1 (Figs 1 to 3) is the preferred version. It comprises a soft and foldable container 18 whereto refuse 20 is to be collected, and plate 10. Bending plate 10 opens doors 14 and 16, which are formed by slit 12 (Fig lb). Releasing plate 10 closes these doors. Plate 10 is placed around container 18 (i.e., container 18 passes through slit 12), dividing it into two sub-containers (Fig 3a): open-ended sub-container 20 with one open end 24, and close-ended sub-container 22 with a closed end 28, both sharing common wall 26. Sub-container 20 is turned inside-out, wrapping plate 10 and sub-container 22. In this state, with wall 26 directed towards refuse 30, the device is ready to be used (Fig 3b). Bending wrapped plate 10 opens doors 14 and 16 (Fig 3c). Releasing plate 10 shuts these doors.

Description-Operation

To operate the preferred version, the device is held above refuse 30 with plate 10 at the bottom (Fig 3b). Bending plate 10 opens doors 14 and 16. Gradual closing of doors 14 and 16, while they are being pressed against the ground surrounding refuse, scratches refuse from the ground and scoops it up on doors 14 and 16 into the inner side of sub-container 22 (Figs 3c and 3d). When doors 14 and 16 are allowed to close fully, sub-container 22 is closed from all sides, fully containing refuse 30 (Figs 3e and 3f). Turning the device with plate 10 up, drives refuse 30 to the bottom of sub-container 22 (Fig 3g). If necessary, additional refuse may now be scooped at other locations (this is useful because some dogs tend to spread their excrements far apart). When all refuse is inside the device, sub-container 20 is turned over (outside in) from plate 10 (Fig 3h). Now all the outside parts of the device are clean. Dirty side 32 which touched refuse 30 is inside. The device can now be disposed of. Note that it is possible to slide plate 10 off container 18. for possible reuse -- it never touches refuse 30. Nevertheless, the cost of the plate is low, and for convenience it's recommended that it be disposed of along with the container.

The other versions are used in a similar manner. In version 2 (Fig 4) the device is placed over the refuse with plate 10 facing down. The doors are opened by pressing the sides of the container, and the refuse is collected into the device.

In version 3 (Figs 5a, 5b) sheet 36 is placed over refuse. Plate 10 scoops the refuse and at the same time wraps sheet 36 around it (Fig 5a). Plate 10 never touches the refuse directly, however. Sheet 36 then serves to contain refuse for disposal (Fig 5b). Plate 10 may also be disposed, or detached for reuse.

In version 4 (Figs 6a, 6b) the container is a separate unit (e.g., a bag), whereto refuse and plate 10 are collected for disposal. In this case plate 10 can be held inside the container and be manipulated through its walls (Fig 6b).

Comparison with Existing Dispensing Containers

Versions 1 and 2, as described above, are similar in construction to dispensing containers type (i) and (ii) respectively. The differences between the new devices and dispensing containers type (i) and (ii) are in the subject matter they address, the function, and the method of use, as follows:

1. THE SUBJECT MATTER: None of the above patents anticipates any general refuse collection purpose: dispensing container (i) is designed to contain only the rind of the seeds it dispenses in such a manner that the seeds are not intermixed with the rind. Dispensing container (ii) claims only to be a dispensing package.

2. FUNCTION: With these dispensing containers the main function is dispensing out material. In contrast, the main function of the present devices is scooping materials from the outside and keeping them in.

3. METHOD OF USE: In the dispensing containers the elastic slitted plate is used only as a flexible opening. In the present devices a similar plate, though usually larger, is also used, but the doors in the opening, which are manipulated directly by the user, are used also to scrape and scoop the refuse into the container.

Thus, the new devices constitute a new, different and unobvious use for these fabrications. This use is not obvious, because most artisans who are involved in creating pooper scoopers are not experts in dispensing containers, and because the size of the plate is so different for the new invention. In fact, one cannot scoop refuse by such a dispensing container of regular size, because the plate would be too small to manipulate. Furthermore, according to this inventor's experience, most people, including professional artisans, do not know how to use the present invention until it is explained to them (at which time it suddenly looks simple).

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention

Thus the reader will see that the invention provides a convenient (light and disposable), efficient and low-cost device to collect and dispose of dogs' excrements or other refuse.

My above description contains many specifications of the preferred version, and only few of the many variations possible. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using

(a) a collecting device with a closable opening wherethrough refuse is collected, and where said opening is closed unless force is applied to open it, and

(b) a means to contain said collected refuse.

2. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using dispensing containers.

3. A method as in claim 2, using dispensing container type i.

4. A method as in claim 2, using dispensing container type ii.

5. A device to collect and dispose of refuse, comprising a plate with a plurality of opposing doors, whose usual position is closed, such that

(a) said doors can be opened when placed around said refuse, and

(b) when closing, said doors collect and carry said refuse to the upper part of said device.

6. A device as in claim 5, where

(a) said doors are kept closed by spring action, and

(b) force against said spring action opens said doors.

7. A device as in claim 5, where said plate is thin, elastic, and has a slit such that

(a) bending said plate creates an opening of a plurality of doors, whereby refuse is collected, and

(b) releasing said plate shuts said doors carrying removed refuse on top of said plate for disposal.

8. A device as in claim 7, where said slit has an H-like shape creating two doors.

9. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 5 and a containing means, by

(a) surrounding said device by said means,

(b) placing the surrounded device above refuse, and (c) manipulating said device to collect refuse to the upper side of said device, inside said containing means, making possible disposal of said containing means and its contents.

10. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 7 and a containing means, by

(a) surrounding said device by said means,

(b) placing the surrounded device above refuse, and

(c) manipulating said device to collect refuse to the upper side of said device, inside said containing means, making possible disposal of said containing means and its contents.

11. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 8 and a containing means, by

(a) surrounding said device by said means,

(b) placing the surrounded device above refuse, and

12. A method as in claim 9, where said containing means is a bag.

13. A method as in claim 11, where said containing means is a bag.

14. A method as in claim 9, where said containing means is a pliable sheet.

15. A method as in claim 11, where said containing means is a pliable sheet.

16. A method as in claim 9, where said containing means is a box.

17. A method as in claim 11, where said containing means is a box.

18. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 5 and a foldable container with an opening, by

(a) passing said container through the doors of said device, thus dividing said container into a close-ended sub-container and an open-ended sub-container, (b) turning over said open-ended sub-container to wrap said device and close- ended sub-container,

(c) placing said doors above refuse with the closed end of said container facing up,

(d) manipulating said wrapped device to collect refuse to the upper side of said device, inside said close-ended sub-container, and

(e) closing said container by closing said doors with said refuse inside, for disposal.

19. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 8 and a foldable container with an opening, by

(a) passing said container through said H-like slit, thus dividing said container into a close-ended sub-container and an open-ended sub-container,

(b) turning over said open-ended sub-container to wrap said device and close- ended sub-container,

(c) placing said slit above refuse with the closed end of said container facing up,

(e) closing said container by closing the doors of said device with said refuse inside, for disposal.

20. A method to collect and dispose of refuse, using a device as in claim 8 and a pliable sheet, by ^'

(a) covering said refuse with said pliable sheet, and

(b) placing open doors of said device around said refuse and above said pliable sheet, with said pliable sheet preventing said device from touching said refuse directly, and

(c) scooping said refuse and part of said pliable sheet to the upper part of said device, thus wrapping said refuse by said pliable sheet at the same time.