WO2007045100A1 - Pet excrement collector - Google Patents

Abstract

A pet excrement collector, comprising a shaft having a handle at a first extremity thereof and having a second extremity pivotally connected to a frame having two segments pivotally connected to each other at respective extremities, the frame segments being adapted for removably holding a bag and wherein the frame is adapted to be collapsed around the shaft.

Description

PET EXCREMENT COLLECTOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/728,746 filed October 21 , 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a pet excrement collector.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the past, pet owners were not concerned with excrements produced by their pets. More recently however, there has been a trend to make pet owners responsible for their pet's excrements, with the passing of by-laws and regulations aimed at requiring pet owners to pick up and remove their pet's excrements. Quite simply, the public is no longer willing, in many jurisdictions, to put up with pet excrements fouling common public spaces such as parks and the like.

[0004] Many owners currently resort to reusing used thin plastic bags to pick up their pet's excrements. Such bags may be, for example, the typical grocery bag commonly given away with groceries in many supermarkets. However, this approach requires stooping over to pick and handle the excrements through the thin plastic bag and is both distasteful and not suitable in all cases, for example elderly pet owners or people having back problems. Often the used bags may have holes from their prior use. Holes are unsanitary as they may lead to direct contact with the excrements. Loose stools for example may be commingled with grass, or damp or wet conditions may interfere with the consistency of the excrements making it harder to pick up cleanly. Furthermore, most of these types of bags are not biodegradable and contribute to polluting the environment. Thus, various devices have been proposed to assist pet owners in keeping the public spaces free from pet excrements.

[0005] In the present specification, there is described a pet excrement collector designed to overcome the above-described limitations of the conventional techniques or devices.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention relates to a pet excrement collector, comprising a shaft having a handle at a first extremity thereof and having a second extremity pivotally connected to a frame having two segments pivotally connected to each other at respective extremities, the frame segments being adapted for removably holding a bag, wherein the frame is adapted to be collapsed around the shaft.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a pet excrement collector as described above, wherein to displace the frame from an expanded state to a collapsed state the frame is pivoted towards the shaft and then the frame segments are pivoted towards each other so that the segments are brought on opposite sides of the shaft, the shaft having mating portions engaging respective shaft segment indentations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] A non-limitative embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pet excrement collector according to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view, with partial transparency, of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 ; [0011] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 4 is a left side elevation view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 ;

[0013] Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector frame;

[0015] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame is folded towards the shaft;

[0016] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame is in a closed position;

[0017] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame is folded around the shaft which is partially retracted into carrying case;

[0018] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame and shaft are completely retracted into the carrying case, the carrying case being shown in an open position;

[0019] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame and shaft are completely retracted into the carrying case, the carrying case being shown in a closed position;

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector of Figure 1 in which the frame and shaft are completely retracted into the carrying case, the carrying case being shown in transparency; [0021] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector carrying case with a shoulder strap and the handle having an activation button;

[0022] Figure 14a is a perspective view of a bag for use with the pet excrement collector of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 14b is a perspective view of an alternative bag for use with the pet excrement collector of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 14a positioned on the excrements collector of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 16 is a perspective view, with partial transparency, of the bag of Figure 14a positioned on the excrements collector of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector carrying case with an optional soiled bag carrying compartment, the carrying compartment being shown in an open position;

[0027] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the pet excrement collector carrying case with the optional soiled bag carrying compartment of Figure 13, the carrying compartment being shown in a closed position; and

[0028] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a pet excrement collector including the carrying case, the soiled bag carrying compartment and a bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Generally stated, a pet excrement collector according to a non- limitative illustrative embodiment of the present invention may be used by pet walkers for the purpose of receiving and containing pet excrements in a disposable bag before they hit the ground. This avoids the pet walker from having to scoop the excrements off the ground, a task which is often not easy, the pet walker having to bend down, or pleasant to perform due to difficult to handle excrements consistency, smell, and/or ground condition. Although the main intent for the use of this product is directed towards canines, it may also be used for other types of animals.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the pet excrement collector 10 has a handle 20 which may be part of an optional carrying case 50. An extendable/collapsible (telescopic) shaft 30 connects the handle 20 to a frame 40 by way of an angled bracket 32 pivotally connected to a lower extremity of the shaft 30 via bracket hinge 34 and to the frame 40 via first frame hinge 44a. The frame 40, used for holding a bag (which may be seen in Figures 15 and 19), is composed of two segments 42a, 42b connected together at each of their extremities with frame hinges 44a and 44b.

Handle

[0031] The handle 20, which as mentioned above, may be part of an optional carrying case 50, may be made of a material allowing for a comfortable and ergonomic grip, such as, for example, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene or neoprene.

Shaft

[0032] The shaft 30 may be made of a strong lightweight material such as, for example, aluminum, glass fiber reinforced resins or carbon fibers and may comprise a number of extendable/collapsible (telescopic) segments, for example three segments 31a, 31 b, 31c, as best shown in Figure 2, in order to minimize its length for compactness in the collapsed position. In a fully extended position, the length of the shaft 30 may be approximately 80 to 90 cm. The segments 31a, 31b, 31c need not all be fully extended when the pet excrement collector 10 is in use, some of the segments 31a, 31 b, 31c may be only partially extended such that the overall length of the shaft 30 may be adapted for pet walkers who may be shorter in height such as, for example, children. Furthermore, this also allows the pet walker to adjust the length of the shaft 30 as a function of the pet size and personal preference. Referring to Figure 2, clamps 36, or other securing means, may be used in order to lock each shaft segment 31a, 31 b, 31c in its desired position, either in a partially or fully extended position as well as in fully collapsed position.

[0033] It is to be understood that other materials may be used in the fabrication of the shaft 30, that the number of segments composing it may vary and that its overall length may be less than 80 cm or more than 90 cm. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the shaft 30 may be of a fixed length, i.e. not extensible/collapsible, or that it may have hinges in between each segment so as to be foldable.

Bracket

[0034] The angled bracket 32 advantageously allows for an angle between 120 to 150 degrees to be formed between the shaft 30 and the frame 40. This serves to keep the frame 40 generally parallel to the ground so that it may be, along with the bag 60 as shown in Figures 15 and 19, optimally positioned for receiving pet excrements. This also allows the pet walker to hold the pet excrement collector 10 by the handle 20 in a comfortable position and to maintain a good line of sight for proper positioning of the frame 40 and bag 60 as well as keeping a reasonable distance from the pet. It is to be understood, however, that the angled bracket 32 may be set at other angles or that its angle may be manually adjustable.

[0035] Furthermore, the bracket hinge 34 allows the frame 40 to be folded over the shaft 30, as shown in Figure 7, the purpose of which will be further explained below.

Frame [0036] The main purpose of the frame 40 is to support the bag 60, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, for the purpose of collecting the pet excrements. It is to be understood, however, that the frame 40 may support other types of bags such as, for example, plastic groceries bags. The frame 40 is generally ellipsoidal in shape with a minor diameter of approximately 10 cm, a major diameter of approximately 15 cm and a height of approximately 1.5 cm. The ellipsoidal shape of the frame 40 allows for ease of positioning behind the pet while in use. It is to be understood that other shapes as well as other dimensions may also be possible. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment the frame 40 may have adjustable minor and major diameters so as to be adjustable in size to suit varying pet sizes.

[0037] The frame 40 is formed by two semi-ellipsoidal segments 42a and 42b, which are hinged together via a pair of hinges 44a, 44b, as best shown in Figure 6, with hinge 44a being connected to the angled bracket 32. Each frame segment 42a, 42b includes a pair of indentations 46a, 46c and 46b, 46d, respectively, each indentation 46a, 46c, 46b, 46d having a geometry complementary to that of the shaft 30.

[0038] Optionally, each frame segment 42a, 42b may be provided with respective grooves 48a, 48b, shown in Figure 1 , for receiving adhesive/friction insert 49a, 49b, respectively, which are shown in Figure 2.

[0039] The adhesive/friction inserts 49a, 49b may be, for example, rubbery material having a very high friction coefficient with the material of the bag 60. Once the bag 60 is inserted in position through the center of the frame 40 and folded over its rim, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the rubbery surface of the inserts 49a, 49b will aid in holding the bag 60 in position and restrict it from sliding through the frame 40, particularly once the bag is supporting the weight of excrements. These inserts 49a, 49b may be made, for example, of polyurethane, nitrile, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or other comparable material which is soft, flexible, and maintains its high friction co-efficient characteristic over time. It is to be understood that the number of inserts may vary or that they may cover a major portion of the surface of the frame 40 or even its entire surface. The inserts 49a, 49b may protrude above the surface of the frame 40, for example, by approximately 2 mm, allowing for the inserts 49a, 49b to act as physical stoppers and also dampen the sound made when the two frame segments 42a, 42b are collapsed for storage.

[0040] The frame hinges 44a, 44b allow the frame 40 to be collapsed in half for the purpose of being compact when in a stored position. Furthermore, the frame segments 42a, 42b may be designed with an over- the-center pivot point and spring allowing for the segments 42a, 42b to snap and hold in the open position, as well as in the closed, or stored position.

Disposable bag

[0041] The purpose of the disposable bag 60, illustrative embodiments of which are shown in Figures 14a and 14b, is to receive the pet's excrements during defecation and is intended to be disposed of once it has been used. The disposable bag 60 is preferably leak-proof, strong and durable enough to withstand the impact, weight, and moisture of the pet excrements being received by it. In the illustrative embodiments of Figures 14a and 14b, the disposable bag 60 measures approximately 18 cm wide by 28 cm tall, and may be made of a suitable biodegradable material such as, for example, biodegradable plastic or paper.

[0042] In the first illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 14a, the disposable bag 60 includes a drawstring 62 which is positioned near the lip 61 of its open end, which helps to hold the disposable bag 60 in place during use. Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, the disposable bag 60 may be inserted through the frame 40 with its closed end down over approximately three quarters of its height. The rim 64 of the bag 60 may then be flipped over the frame segments 42a, 42b such that it is supported by the frame 40. The disposable bag 60 may then be secured to the frame 40 by tightening the drawstring 62 around the frame 40 once it is flipped over it. The drawstring 62 also acts as a closing means allowing for the disposable bag 60 to be closed by the pet walker while the disposable bag 60 is still being supported by the frame 40, capturing the excrements and its odor in the bag 60. The drawstring 62 may further act as a handle allowing for the soiled bag 60 to be removed from the supporting frame 40 by the pet walker and tied shut without risk of the pet walker's hands coming into contact with the excrements. Once the soiled bag 60 is removed from the support frame 40 and closed shut via the drawstring 62, the soiled bag 60 is ready for disposal. As per the disposable bag 60, the drawstring 62 may also be made of a suitable biodegradable material such as, for example, biodegradable plastic or natural fibers.

[0043] In the second illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 14b, the drawstring 62 is positioned midway the disposable bag 60', in which case it is located below the frame 40 during use. Therefore the drawstring 62 is not used to help secure the disposable bag 60 in place over the frame 40 during use but is used to close the disposable bag 60 after use, entrapping the pet excrements in it before removal from the frame 40.

[0044] In a further illustrative embodiment (not shown), the disposable bag 60 may have a built-in tunnel for the drawstring 62 to slide through during the closing action, as is found on, for example, a shoe bag. It is to be understood that other dimensions are possible and that other suitable materials may be used for the bag 60 and the drawstring 62. It is also to be understood that other closing means may be used or that it may not have any closing means, i.e. no drawstring.

[0045] The soiled bag 60 may be either disposed of immediately in a nearby trashcan or inserted into an optional soiled bag carrying compartment 70, shown in Figures 17 and 18 and which will be further detailed below. Carrying case

[0046] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, the optional carrying case 50 serves to store and transport the collapsed frame 40 and shaft 30 of the pet excrement collector 10. The carrying case 50 includes a tube-like body 51 , having a closed end that may terminate into the handle 20, and an open end that may be closed using cover 52, which may be connected to the body 51 via hinge 53. The open end allows for the collapsed frame 40 and shaft 30 to be entered. It is to be understood that hinge 53 may be replaced by any other suitable retaining means such as, for example, an elastic band, a cord or a strap.

[0047] In the illustrative embodiment the carrying case 50 measures approximately 20 cm in length and has a generally ellipsoidal or rectangular cross-section forming an opening which is, for example, approximately 8 cm by 5 cm. It is to be understood that the dimensions and/or shape of the carrying case 50 may vary.

[0048] The carrying case 50 may be made of a plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. It is to be understood that other materials may be used as well.

[0049] The carrying case 50 may have an attachment which allows it to be clipped to the pet walker's belt or other garment for transporting the collapsed pet excrement collector 10 during a walk. This frees up the pet walker's hands for other needs during the rest of the walk.

[0050] The pet excrement collector 10 may also be transported using a shoulder strap 56, shown in Figure 13, connected to the carrying case 50 via guides 54a, 54b. The shoulder strap 56 may be detachable from the carrying case 50 if it is not desired by the pet walker. It is to be understood that the shoulder strap 56 may be replaced by any other suitable support such as, for example, a cord, belt, or an elastic band. Soiled bag carrying compartment

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, a soiled bag carrying compartment 70 may be added to carrying case 50. The soiled bag carrying compartment 70 includes a tube-like body 71 , having a closed end, which may be connected to the carrying case 50 by, for example, snapping onto the cover 52 of the carrying case 50, and an open end which may be closed using cover 72, such as a snap-on lid, which may be connected to the body 71 by cord 73. The open end allows for the storage of the soiled bag 60 into the body 71 of the soiled bag carrying compartment 70. When the cover 72 is snapped on the body 71 of the soiled bag carrying compartment 70, it forms a sealed container entrapping any possible odors or excrements leaks from the soiled bag 60. It is to be understood that the cord 73 may be replaced by any other suitable retaining means such as, for example, an elastic band, a hinge or a strap.

[0052] Once a soiled bag 60 is inserted into the body 71 of the soiled bag carrying compartment 70 the lid 72 is snapped on, concealing the soiled bag 60 for transport to a disposal point some distance away. This avoids the pet walker from having to carry the soiled bag 60 in his/her hand for any distance when a trashcan is not in proximity.

[0053] In the alternative embodiment, the soiled bag carrying compartment 70 has a cross-sectional shape that varies over its length to form a smooth and gradual transition from the generally rectangular or ellipsoidal cross-section of the carrying case 50 to its generally circular cross- section at its open end. The soiled bag carrying compartment 70 has a length of approximately 8 cm and an open end cross-section of approximately 10 cm in diameter. It is to be understood that the dimensions and/or shape of the soiled bag carrying compartment 70 may vary. [0054] The soiled bag carrying compartment 70 may be made of a plastic material such as, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. It is to be understood that other materials may be used as well.

Storing

[0055] To store the pet excrement collector 10, the frame 40 is first pivoted towards the shaft 30, using bracket hinge 34 as shown in Figure 7, and then closed around it, using frame hinges 44a and 44b as shown in Figure 9, the shaft 30 being nested within the complementary frame indentations 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d. The shaft 30 is then retracted into the carrying case 50 by collapsing the shaft segments 31a, 31 b and 31c such that the frame 40 and shaft 30 are completely located within the carrying case 50, as shown in Figure 10. The carrying case cover 52 may then be closed, as shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 shows a see-trough view of the carrying case 50 when the frame 40 and shaft 30 are stored therein.

[0056] When in the collapsed or stored position, the frame segments 42a, 42b may have a well defined spacing between them, other than the inserts 49a, 49b, allowing for a bag 60 to be pre-loaded for future use and avoiding it from being ripped, torn, punctured, perforated, or snagged in between the collapsed and folded over frame segments 42a, 42b.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, the extension of the shaft segments 31a, 31 b, 31c and frame 40 may be automated and activated by pressing a release button 22 advantageously located on the handle 20, as shown in Figure 13. The deployment mechanism may be modeled around that of a collapsible umbrella. The shaft segments beyond the first shaft segment 31a, namely shaft segments 31b and 31c, may each be spring loaded with a compression spring (not shown) while the bracket hinge 34 and frame hinges 44a, 44b may be spring-loaded towards the open position. When the pet excrement collector 10 is being collapsed in order to store it inside the carrying case 50, a latch (not shown) located in the center of the shaft segment closest to the handle 20, namely shaft segment 31a, may catch the shaft segment furthest from the handle 20, namely shaft segment 31a, through an opening (not shown) which is aligned and positioned relative to the latch. The inner walls of the carrying case 50 then keep the frame 40 from opening and the bracket hinge 34 from pivoting.

[0058] Pushing on the button 22 located on the handle 20 releases the latch and the springs in the shaft segments 31 b and 31c causing the shaft segments 31 b and 31c to extend, flipping open the hinged cover 52 due to the force exerted on it by the extension of the shaft segments 31 b and 31c. Once the frame 40 has come out beyond the carrying case 50, the spring- loaded bracket hinge 34 pivots the frame 40 away from the shaft 30 and the spring-loaded frame hinges 44a and 44b cause the frame 40 to open.

[0059] This allows for a very short deployment time when the use of the pet excrement collector 10 is required. This also allows for the deployment to be triggered and completed using only one hand, this is especially useful when the user is holding a leash with his or her other hand. Pre-loading a new bag 60 into the frame 40 and retracting the frame 40 and shaft 30 back into the carrying case 50 may be done manually prior to going for a walk with the pet.

[0060] Referring now to Figure 19, the pet excrement collector 10 is shown with all of the above described options present, namely the release button 22, the carrying case 50 with shoulder strap 56, the soiled bag carrying compartment 70 and a disposable bag 60 ready for use.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described by way of a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment and example thereof, it should be noted that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to the illustrative embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A pet excrement collector, comprising: a shaft having a handle at a first extremity thereof and having a second extremity pivotally connected to a frame having two segments pivotally connected to each other at respective extremities, the frame segments being adapted for removably holding a bag; wherein the frame is adapted to be collapsed around the shaft.

2. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a carrying case for storing the shaft and the frame in a collapsed state.

3. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft is telescopic.

4. A pet excrement collector according to claim 3, wherein the shaft can be partially deployed.

5. A pet excrement collector according to claim 4, wherein the shaft includes a lock to lock it into a partially deployed state.

6. A pet excrement collector according to claim 3, further comprising a deployment mechanism for deploying the pet excrement collector.

7. A pet excrement collector according to claim 6, wherein the shaft is spring loaded.

8. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein an angled bracket is provided between the frame and the second extremity of the shaft, the angled bracket allowing for an angle between 120 and 150 degrees to be formed between the frame and the shaft.

9. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein an angled bracket is provided between the frame and the second extremity of the shaft, the angled bracket allowing for a manually adjustable angle to be formed between the frame and the shaft.

10. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is generally ellipsoidal in shape.

11. A pet excrement collector according to claim 10, wherein the frame has adjustable minor and major diameters.

12. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein each of the frame segments include a pair of indentations having a geometry substantially complementary to respective mating portions of the shaft.

13. A pet excrement collector according to claim 12, wherein to displace the frame from an expanded state to a collapsed state the frame is pivoted towards the shaft and then the frame segments are pivoted towards each other so that the segments are brought on opposite sides of the shaft, the shaft mating portions engaging respective shaft segment indentations.

14. A pet excrement collector according to claim 1 , wherein each of the frame segments include an insert for holding the bag into position.

15. A pet excrement collector according to claim 14, wherein the insert is made of material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, nitrile and ethylene propylene diene monomer.

16. A pet excrement collector according to claim 14, wherein the insert is made of a high friction coefficient material.

17.A pet excrement collector according to claim 2, wherein the carrying case includes an attachment for attaching the pet excrement collector to a belt or other garment.

18. A pet excrement collector according to claim 2, further comprising a soiled bag carrying compartment connected to the carrying case.

19. A pet excrement collector according to claim 18, wherein the soiled bag carrying compartment forms a sealed container.

20. A pet excrement collector according to claim 18, wherein the soiled bag carrying compartment removably connects to a cover of the carrying case.