WO2003060239A1

WO2003060239A1 - Handheld device for collecting waste

Info

Publication number: WO2003060239A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/000115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Muscarnera
Original assignee: Jean-Pierre Muscarnera
Priority date: 2002-01-16
Filing date: 2003-01-15
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: FR2834735B1; FR2834735A1; AU2003216727A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a handheld device which is used for the collection and temporary storage of waste and which is intended, in particular, to enable dog owners easily to clear up their dogs' excrement. The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises two lateral walls which are fixed and articulated to a central element, said central element forming a bag holder. The bag holder comprises two elements which are used to receive a roll of pre-cut bags. The above-mentioned two lateral walls are shaped such that, when closed, they form a waste container and, in order to open said container, the user squeezes the upper part of the device with his/her fingers. When the pressure on the walls is released, the torsion spring, which is fixed to the central element, closes said walls again. The distal side of each wall forms the edge that is used to scrape the ground.

Description

MANUAL DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF WASTE

This invention is a manual device for collecting waste intended for dog owners allowing them to easily collect the excrement of their animal or their animals in order to preserve the cleanliness of the places in which they operate more particularly in urban areas.

In this area relating to cleanliness, the problem is not only technical, it concerns both the attitude of dog owners and the quality of the material resources made available to them to enable them to clean the premises.

Regarding the behavior of canine owners: it must evolve towards more respect for the environment because the situation becomes more and more difficult for many city dwellers.

This behavioral evolution can be helped by the provision of easy-to-use equipment, endowed with a specific concept, economical both in terms of acquisition and in use. This is the objective of this invention.

Today, there are different products available such as plastic bags and gloves, cardboard boxes, pick-up devices, etc., but the problem still persists.

The plastic bags and gloves create mechanical protection but do not eliminate this unpleasant tactile sensation when collecting this waste, moreover, they are not waterproof after their use which generates other problems both in storage and fragrant.

The collection with a cardboard box has advantages but creates other inconveniences, the advantages are that there is no tactile sensation during the collection of these waste because the walls of the box constitute a rigid mechanical protection nevertheless does not exclude the risk of direct contact with this waste.

These risks of soiling can be avoided but you should protect your hand with a plastic glove, i.e. take the glove, put it on, then take the box, collect it, then put the box down somewhere to remove the glove, then recover the box, taking care not to get dirty and to finally discard the set, either use some other protection to perform the same operations to obtain the same results, in addition, the tightness of these boxes is not insured.

This type of collection requires too many manipulations, therefore too long a collection time.

Individual collection devices with the exception of the shovel and broom are currently few or even non-existent on the market.

In this context, the invention provides a solution to this type of problem by eliminating the inconveniences already mentioned above and proposes an easy way to collect this waste.

Its easy, quick, clean use without direct contact with this waste for a lower cost should help dog owners to change their behavior towards this problem and allow them to overcome their reluctance to improve the cleanliness of the premises.

This device also allows temporary storage of waste before placing it either in a specific bin or a normal bin.

The waste bag is closed after use with the aid of its closure concept, which avoids problems of contamination of the receptacles and / or odor problems. The device according to the invention is a manual device for collecting waste, characterized by a housing having the form of a rectangular parrallelipiped whose upper and lower parts have a rounded shape.

This case comes in 3 sizes corresponding to the 3 sizes of dogs, namely: small, medium and large.

The dimensions of the boxes by way of example but not limitation adopted for the production of the prototypes are;

Small model: Total height 10.5 cm Length: 12 cm Width: 4σm

Medium model: Total height 11.5 cm Length: 15 cm Width: 5 cm

Big model :

Total height: 12 cm Length: 18 cm Width: 5.5 cm

Its reduced size due to its small dimensions allows easy transport of this device, as a result each dog manager can take it with him when the animal leaves and immediately clean the soiled soil.

At rest, this box is produced by 2 side walls connected to a central element which is the bag reservoir.

These walls are shaped so as to produce a container capable of receiving the waste, they also surround the bag reservoir and are held in the closed position using a torsion spring.

According to a preferred form, the upper part of each wall is produced so as to form a clamp which, under the pressure of the user's fingers and by a pinching movement, compresses the spring which allows the opening of the 2 side walls. The lower part of each wall is extended by a quarter of a circle, the distal edge of which forms the scraping edge.

The edges of these walls are shaped and dimensioned so as to create an overlap of approximately 5 millimeters between them to ensure the tightness of the container.

This box contains a bag reservoir composed of 2 elements: _ the central element (the upper element) on which the side walls and the torsion spring are fixed _ the shutter element (the interior element) accessible from 1 ' interior of the housing after opening the side walls is connected to the central element by 2 pins.

This tank allows the installation of a roll of pre-cut bags.

This roll of bags allows successive uses until the last bag and then replace it. Each bag has a bellows on each side, a double-sided adhesive strip located near its opening to ensure the final closure of the bag after use

The use of this device is very simple, fast and clean.

In order to increase the possibilities of using the device, it can be fixed on a specific rod, one of its ends of which is provided with 2 jaws serving as a clamp, the function of which is to actuate the walls of the housing, controlled remotely by a handle located at the other end of this rod.

This device will be made of plastic so light, easy to maintain, its purchase price will be low therefore accessible to many people, its cost of use will be lower because the bags have small dimensions. The invention and the advantages which it brings will be better understood thanks to the example of embodiment given below by way of indication but not limitation which is illustrated by the appended drawings: _ the figure N ° l represents in perspective a view of whole device in closed position

- Figure No. 2 shows in perspective an overview of the device in the open position without bag

- Figure N ° 3 shows in perspective an overview of the device in the open position with bag (Work Position)

- Figure No. 4 is a perspective view of an interior view of the device with the bag reservoir in the closed position

(without the roll of pre-cut bags)

- Figure No. 5 is a perspective view of an interior view of the device "bag container in the open position with the bag roll"

_ Figure N ° 6 shows in perspective the side walls of the housing

- Figure No. 7 shows in perspective the central element "upper element of the bag tank"

- Figures N ° 8 A and B show in perspective the interior element of the bag reservoir

- figure N ° 9 represents the torsion spring

- Figure N ° 10 represents the bag concept with its double-sided adhesive tape fixed close to its opening, its bellows and its printed marks

- Figure No. ll shows in perspective the device installed on its cane fitted with its clamp and its handle

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

This device is a rectangular parailelipiped presented in 3 sizes: small, medium and large corresponding to the 3 sizes of dogs.

Dimensions: PM Height: 10.5cm Length: 12cm width: 4cm MM Height: 11.5cm Length: 15cm width: 5cm

3 GM models Height: 12.5cm Length: 18cm width: 5.5cm These dimensions are those which have been adopted for the production of the prototypes, they are taken by way of example but not limiting.

This device is made up; 2 side walls (A and B) constituting the housing; a central element (C) being both the upper element of the bag reservoir and the support for the 2 side walls as well as the torsion spring; a closure element of the bag reservoir (D); a torsion spring (E) fixed on the central element whose function is to maintain the side walls in the closed position.

The side walls as well as the torsion spring are fixed to the central element by means of a pin (F).

This box is used with rolls of precut waste bags (G).

THE SIDE WALLS (A and B): (see drawing N ° 6) These 2 walls in the closed position constitute the housing.

Each wall is an element which is subdivided into 2 zones:

_ the upper zone; composed of a clamp (A 1 and B 1) whose functions are the gripping of the device as well as the opening and closing of each wall and a double yoke (A 2 and B 2) in the lower part of this same area for fixing the wall on one central element.

_ the lower zone; corresponds to the shape of the housing (A3). It begins at the top in the continuity of the upper zone with a rounded shape of a quarter circle (A 31 and B 31) whose radius is slightly greater than that of the central element (B), then is extended by a flat surface (A 32 and B 32) which is the middle zone of the housing then ends in the lower part with a quarter circle (A33 and B33) identical to the upper rounding. The flat surface (A32 / B32) and the lower part (A33 / B33) are flanked by 2 edges (A34et35 and B34et35) perpendicular to them to form a volume.

The distal edge of the lower part of the housing represents the scraping edge (A36 and B36) of the ground.

The dimensions of the wall A are slightly larger than those of the wall B to allow the wall B to fit into the wall A which allows the edges of the walls to overlap by a few millimeters to seal the container.

THE CENTRAL ELEMENT CONSTITUTING THE BAG RESERVOIR (C) (See drawing N ° 7)

Rectangular in base, it has a length slightly less than that of the side walls to allow it to fit into the middle of the side walls, its width is equivalent to the diameter of the upper part in the form of a semicircle constituting the reservoir to bags.

This element consists of a central part in the shape of a semicircle (C l) extended on each side by 1 flat surface and flanked by 2 sides (C2 / C3) to constitute a volume.

A double clevis (C 4) fixed and centered on the upper part of this element allows the fixing of the 2 side walls and the torsion spring.

Inside this element are made 2 pins (C5 / C6) located opposite one another and on the side allowing the fixing of the internal element of the tank (D). THE INTERIOR ELEMENT OF THE BAG RESERVOIR (D) (See Drawing N ° 8)

It has a rectangular base identical in shape to that of the upper element, its dimensions are slightly smaller so that it can be positioned inside the upper element.

It consists of a central strip (D 1) and 4 folded edges at right angles (D2 - D3 - D4 - D5).

This element has in its middle and over its entire length a longitudinal opening (D6) to allow the passage of the bags. Its 2 longitudinal edges each have a hole (D7- D8) facing each other, the function of which is the fixing of this element on the upper element using the lugs (C5 / C6).

A tab (D9) fixed on its outer face facilitates its opening and closing.

THE TORSION SPRING (E)

Its function is to keep the side walls of the housing in the closed position.

THE AXIS (F)

Connect the side walls and the torsion spring to

1 central element which is the bag reservoir.

THE GARBAGE BAG (G)

This box uses rolls of precut bags, each bag of which has a bellows (Gl - G2) on each side, a double-sided adhesive strip (G3) positioned over the entire width of one of the walls of the bag, as well as printed markings ( G 4) always on this same wall allowing good positioning of the bag on the housing in order to facilitate the use of this device. DESCRIPTION OF THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE DEVICE

The upper element of the bag reservoir (C) is the support for all the elements. It allows the fixing of:

_ The lower element of the tank (D) placed inside the central element and held in place by the 2 pins (C5 - C6) of the support which are positioned in the holes (D7 - D8) of the edges of this interior element.

_ side walls connected to the central element using double yokes (A2 - B2) positioned on the yoke of the central element (C4) in which the torsion spring (E) is placed. The walls are connected to the central element by an axis (F) to form an assembly.

The 2 side walls in the closed position form the housing (See Drawing N ° 1)

DESCRIPTION OF THE USE OF THE DEVICE

The use of this device is very simple.

PRELIMINARY

Before using this device, it is necessary to place a roll of bags inside the tank, which allows several successive uses without recharging.

To do this, take the housing in one hand by positioning the thumb on a clamp (Al or Bl) while the other fingers are placed on the other clamp (Bl or Al), then exert a pressure in a pinch movement to put in contact with these 2 clamp elements, which causes the 2 side walls to open (A - B) (See figure N ° 2) Then, while maintaining the pressure of the fingers on the pliers to keep the box open, the tab (D9) of the interior element (D) of the bag reservoir is grasped inside the box, which is pulled towards the to rotate it 90 ° (See figure N ° 4).

With this element open, a roll of pre-cut bags is placed inside it, taking care to pass the first bag through the central opening, then the bag reservoir is closed (see figure No. 5).

Then still keeping the walls of the box open, we then pull the bag to unroll it outwards to the marks printed on its walls which corresponds to the length necessary to wrap the box.

The marks of the bag reached, the pressure is released, the box closes, we then grab the walls of the bag which we return to the clamps, we re-enter the box again in the same way as before taking care to place the walls of the bag between the fingers and the clamp, pressure is again exerted on the clamp, the walls open and the housing is ready to be used. (See Figure N ° 3)

USE OF THE DEVICE

_ Place the open device on the waste to be collected _ Release the pressure on the clamp, the box closes by trapping the waste (s)

_ Then release the walls of the bag and turn them over while holding the case _ Remove the protection from the double-sided adhesive tape which is placed in the bag before it is closed completely _ Then close the bag permanently

Pickup is complete. This device also allows temporary storage of waste because if during collection the user does not have a specific bin for this type of waste or normal bin in the area in which he is to deposit this waste, he can then keep in this device temporarily.

When the collection is finished, the closed bag is removed from the device; for this, we press the pliers again to open the walls of the housing, we pull the bag outwards until the pre-cut that 1 'we stop at the scraping edges, we release the pressure on the pliers which closes the walls of the case and one tears the bag which one places in a dustbin.

The finished use: this device can be; be placed in its cover; has remained as is (unprotected)

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION OF THE DEVICE

This device should be manufactured in very large quantities because it concerns a lot of people both in France and abroad.

It should be distributed by mass retailers and by specialized stores.

Claims

1 _ Manual device for collecting waste from the ground, also allowing its temporary storage comprising

2 side walls (A and B) each provided with a scraping edge and fixed on a central element which is intended to receive a roll of precut bags, of a torsion spring fixed on 1 central element whose function is the maintaining the side walls in the closed position characterized in that the central element consists of 2 separate elements; an upper element and a lower element, the upper element being the support for the 2 side walls and the torsion spring and constituting the upper part of the reservoir, the lower element constituting the lower part of the reservoir being positioned inside the upper element and allowing, by moving relative thereto, the establishment of the roll of bags and thus closing the reservoir in the closed position.

The device is used with rolls of pre-cut bags (G).

2 _ Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises 2 side walls (A and B) shaped so as to produce a container capable of containing the waste after bringing these walls together.

3 _ Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that each wall (A or B) comprises in the upper part a clamp element (Al or Bl) and a double fixing yoke (A2 and B2) which allow under pressure fingers of the user opening and closing the walls. The lower part of each wall (A31 to 33 and B31 to 33) corresponding to the shape of the container is extended in the lower part (A33) by a quarter of a circle whose distal edge forms the scraping edge (A36 and B36), it is flanked by 2 edges (A34 / 35 and B34 / 35) folded at right angles. 4 _ Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a central element (C) being both the upper element of the bag tank and the support of the elements of the device, it is provided with a double yoke (C4 ) located on the upper part of the tank which allows the fixing of the side walls and the torsion spring.

Inside this element are made 2 pins

(C5 and C6) to fix the lower element of the tank (D).

5 _ Device according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that it comprises an inner element of the reservoir (D) perforated by a central opening (D 6) over its entire length and allowing the passage of the bags. The 2 longitudinal edges each have a hole (D7 - D8) to receive the pins (C5-C6) of the upper element of the tank (C).

6 _ Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a torsion spring (E) positioned in the double yoke of one upper element of the tank (C) whose function is to maintain the side walls (A and B) in the closed position.

7 _ Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is used with a roll of pre-cut bags (G) whose width is adapted to the dimensions of the housing. Each bag is provided with: a bellows (Gl - G2) on each side; a transverse double-sided adhesive strip (G3) located close to its opening, the function of which is to permanently close the bag after use; printed marks (G4) always on the same wall as that of the adhesive strip, their role is to position the bag correctly on the housing in order to facilitate the use of the device.