WO2023214284A1

WO2023214284A1 - Method for reducing the amount of pet faeces on the ground

Info

Publication number: WO2023214284A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/054504
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel STONA
Original assignee: Stona Daniel
Priority date: 2022-05-01
Filing date: 2023-04-30
Publication date: 2023-11-09
Also published as: FR3134949A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of pet faeces on the ground, the method comprising the steps of: - obtaining a flat accessory having a circular shape made up of:  a sheet (1); and  a closing means (5, 11) for closing the sheet (1) which: 0 forms a loop around the periphery of the sheet (1), is rigidly attached thereto, and is movable relative thereto, two indentations (6, 7) being made in the periphery of the sheet (1) in order to create two gripping segments (8, 9; 12, 13) for gripping the closing means (5, 11); - placing the accessory flat on the ground; - filling the face of the accessory faced away from the ground; - grasping, raising, and subsequently bringing a first gripping segment (8, 12) toward, the second gripping segment (9, 13); - grasping the second gripping segment (9,13) without letting go of the first gripping segment (8, 12); - pulling on the two gripping segments (8, 9; 12, 13) in order to move the closing means (5,11) relative to the sheet (1) so that the accessory closes around its filling; this method being characterised in that the flat accessory having a circular shape has at least one holding means (10) rigidly attached to the sheet (1), which holding means extends from a face thereof from a point located away from the periphery of the sheet (1), in that the accessory is laid flat on the ground with the holding means (10, 16) on the ground side, in that the method further comprises a step of keeping the holding means (10,16) in contact with the ground and a step of applying traction to the two gripping segments (8, 9; 12, 13): after the step of grasping the first gripping segment (8,12), raising said segment and bringing it toward the second gripping segment (9, 13); each one of the steps above being performed while the holding means (10, 16) are kept in contact with the ground. The invention also relates to the flat accessory as mentioned above.

Description

METHOD FOR REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PET WASTING PRESENT ON THE FLOOR

The invention relates to a method of reducing the number of pet droppings, in particular dog droppings, present on the floor, using a flat accessory. The invention also relates to such a flat accessory.

Background of the invention

Human beings are pretentious. Victims of their speciesism, they often consider animals to be stupid. However, as the primatologist and biologist Frans de Waal demonstrates in his work “Are we too “stupid” to understand the intelligence of animals? » and Emmanuelle Pouydebat in “Animal Intelligence” or as many videos available on the Internet show, animals are clearly more intelligent than we imagine. They are therefore perfectly capable of performing very sophisticated acts.

The irony is that the underestimation of their intellectual capacities forces humans to engage in unrewarding, even humiliating tasks, such as that of picking up their dogs' excrement during a walk.

In order to help them in this last task, multiple poop bags have been designed. We can cite in particular those forming the subject of German utility model no. DE 83 22 943 or British patent application published under number GB 2 450 100.

In the aforementioned document No. DE 83 22 943 U, as indicated from the end of page 5 to the beginning of page 6, the edge of the leaf deploys when the leaf is lifted, under the effect of the weight of the excrement, and a container in the shape of pot is formed, which takes the shape of a bag when you continue to pull the string.

Then, as described on page 7, lines 11 and 12, the container placed in the form of a bag can be closed so as to be odorless.

Lines 19 to 21 on page 7 explain that the container can be carried using both ends of the string without risk of soiling.

In the aforementioned document No. GB 2 450 100, the procedure is as in DE 83 22 943 U (see page 1, last paragraph).

In Figures 4 and 5, it appears clearly in relief that the strings are raised before being pulled, the center of the bag thus remaining at a lower position than the strings which allows the bag to close on all of the excrement.

The European patent application published under number

EP 0 546 491 describes an object for collecting and eliminating animal excrement, in particular dog excrement, this object being flat and circular and comprising on its periphery elastic threads intended to be pulled to close the object in the form of a bag.

According to this document, once the bag is filled, the user proceeds as indicated in column 1, lines 65 to 68, he pulls on the strings 3 and 4 with his two hands in opposite horizontal directions in order to close the bag.

This is not indicated in the document, but it goes without saying that, as in the aforementioned document DE 83 22 943 U, the user must lift the bag from the ground so that the edges of the latter are higher than the center of the bag which bends under the weight of the excrement. The lifted bag can then be closed over the excrement. Because if the bag is not lifted, by pulling the string the user risks cutting the excrement and closing the bag, leaving part of the excrement outside the bag, which poses a problem. a serious risk of contamination. The user then grabs one of the strings and brings it towards the other string, as suggested in Figure 5 of DE 83 22 943 U.

In the US patent application published under number US2017/0370056 animal waste bags are proposed. Some, visible in Figures 9 to 12 of this document, have on their periphery a tab 34 with a hole 36 serving only, according to paragraph [0046], to grip the bag while it is removed from the bag dispenser , as specified in paragraph [0049].

It is also clear from paragraph [0043] that the tab 34 and its possible hole 36 do not intervene in the closing of the bag, this being sufficiently carried out by the sole traction on the strings.

This is all the more true since, as shown in drawing 23, when the user dips his hand inside the bag to grab animal droppings, the tab or ring is on the other side of the bag. wall of the bag and therefore comes into direct contact with the excrement.

To be able to use the tab 34 for a purpose other than extracting the bag from the bag dispenser, it would therefore first be necessary to turn it over, so that the tab 34 is inside, so that, once the user has grasped the excrement in his hand through the wall of the bag, he can turn the bag over, as is usually done, then pull on the strings.

This step of turning the bag is not described or even suggested in the document.

Furthermore, what else could the tab be used for, since the bag is effectively sealed using the strings alone, as indicated in paragraphs [0048] to [0055]? Thus, none of the aforementioned documents, even if they are combined with each other in every possible and imaginable way, makes it possible to solve the following problem: how to increase the cleanliness of public and private places?

Summary presentation of the invention

The main purpose of the invention is to increase the cleanliness of public and private places.

Until now, it has relied on the action of the owners alone.

The invention therefore consists of involving the pet animal. In fact, the task of collecting droppings can be lightened and above all made less disgusting.

Indeed, if the collection of animal droppings becomes a less repulsive operation, it will be carried out more often and the result will be greater cleanliness.

The invention is therefore a problem invention in the sense that the boards of appeal of the European Patent Office give to this expression, in particular in their decisions T2/83, T225/84 and T764/12.

The directives of the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) specify in this regard, in point 5.4 (page 99, May 2020 version), that “When the problem has never been posed in the state of technique, we then speak of a "new problem" or "invention of a problem", and it matters little whether the solution to the problem appears retrospectively banal and obvious. ".

Thus, the invention makes it possible, on the one hand, to spare humans who own a pet animal, a dog in particular, from an unrewarding task, namely, picking up the droppings of this animal, and, on the other hand, contribute to the cleanliness of public or private places, particularly urban ones.

According to the invention, this goal is achieved using a method in accordance with the following point 1:

1. Method for reducing the number of pet droppings on the floor, comprising the steps of:

- obtain a flat circular accessory composed of:

• a leaf,

• a means of closing this sheet which: forms a loop following the entire periphery of the sheet, is integral with it, is movable relative to it, two notches being provided in the periphery of the sheet to create two gripping segments of the closing means,

• at least one means for holding the sheet together, extending from one face of the sheet, from a point located at a distance from the periphery of the sheet,

- place the accessory flat on the ground with the holding means on the ground side;

- garnish the side of the accessory opposite the ground, generally with fecal matter, these being normally non-liquid;

- grasp a first gripping segment, lift it and bring it towards the second gripping segment;

- grasp the second gripping segment without releasing the first gripping segment,

- keep the holding means on the ground, - pull on the two gripping segments to move the closing means relative to the sheet so that the accessory closes as much as possible and preferably completely on its filling.

Advantageous characteristics of the method of point 1 above are indicated in the following points 2 to 10:

2. Method according to point 1, comprising the following additional steps, after the traction step on the two gripping segments:

- release the holding means,

- lift the garnished accessory by holding it by its gripping segments and

- possibly transport it and/or give it away.

3. Method according to point 1 or 2, in which the means for holding the flat accessory extends from the center of the sheet.

4. Method according to one of points 1 to 3, in which the holding means extends over a distance at least equal to the distance between a circle connecting the points of the cuts closest to the center of the sheet and the side of the closing means facing the center of the sheet and located outside the notches.

5. Method according to one of points 1 to 4, in which the means for holding the flat accessory is of elongated shape.

6. Method according to point 5, in which the means for holding the flat accessory has a hole, preferably in its center.

7. Method according to one of points 1 to 6, in which the two notches of the flat accessory are located at opposite ends of the sheet.

8. Method according to one of points 1 to 7, in which the sheet of the flat accessory has one end peripheral relative to which the gripping segments project.

9. Method according to one of points 1 to 8, in which the sheet of the flat accessory has a peripheral end and in which it also provides a step, prior to or subsequent to that of placing the accessory flat on the ground with the means of holding the side of the ground, of traction on the gripping segments, so that they move away from the peripheral end.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to the use according to the following point 10:

10. Use of a flat circular accessory composed of:

• a leaf,

• at least one holding means secured to the sheet, extending from one face thereof, from a point located at a distance from the periphery of the sheet, this holding means extending over a distance at least equal to the distance between a circle connecting the points of the cuts closest to the center of the sheet and the side of the closing means facing the center of the sheet and located outside the cuts, to reduce the amount of pet waste on the floor.

The invention also relates to a flat accessory of circular shape which can be used in particular for the implementation of the aforementioned method or for the aforementioned use.

Thus, the invention adopts a radically different approach from usual practice: instead of providing a bag for collecting droppings lying on the ground, the invention proposes that it is the animal, which, after having fitted an accessory, closes it this last.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following presentation which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent: [Fig. 1]: an accessory according to the invention which can be used to implement the method according to the invention, in top view;

[Fig. 2]: a variant of the accessory of Figure 1 in top view;

[Fig. 3]: the accessory of Figure 1 folded in two, in side view in section along A-A;

[Fig. 4]: the accessory of Figure 2 folded in two, in side view in section along B-B;

[Fig. 5]: a set composed of three accessories from Figures 1 and 3 arranged in series;

[Fig. 6]: a set composed of three accessories from Figures 2 and 4 arranged in series;

[Fig. 7]: a variant of the accessory according to Figure 1; And

[Fig. 8]: a variant of the accessory according to Figure 2. Detailed presentation of the invention

Accessory according to the invention

Such an accessory according to the invention is shown in Figure 1, where we can see that it comprises a sheet 1 having a peripheral end 4.

A closing means 5 follows the periphery of the sheet 1 while being movable relative to it while being integral with it. This is obviously the flat periphery, that is to say that located in the plane of sheet 1 and not around its very thin thickness.

The closure means 5 can be put in place by folding the initial peripheral end 2 towards the center of the sheet 1 and securing it in a known manner, for example by gluing, welding or partial fusion, on the core 3 of the sheet 1. The folding of the sheet 1 therefore creates a new peripheral end 4 and a space inside which the closing means 5 is then located. Alternatively, the closing means 5 can circulate through distributed perforations along the periphery of the sheet 1, as described in the aforementioned British patent application No. GB 2,450,100.

Preferably, the sheet 1 is a flexible excrement sheet, that is to say it can be easily deformed without breaking, in particular, to be wound around an axis, to be folded on itself or to form a container such as a sachet.

The sheet 1 can be made of substantially the same material as a conventional garbage bag, that is to say generally a plastic material such as polyethylene. Sheet 1 is normally made of a single thickness of material, except obviously between its peripheral ends 2 and 4. Two notches 6.7 are formed in the periphery of the sheet 1, generally between the peripheral end 4 and the initial end 2, thus forming two gripping segments 8.9 of the closing means 5. It is possible to provide more than two notches, but this risks making the production of the accessory more expensive and/or disturbing the user.

The two gripping segments 8,9 are preferably located at opposite ends of the flexible sheet 1. In Figure 1, the sheet 1 has a discoid shape, which is its preferred shape, but it could possibly be rectangular, in particular square , or even polygonal, octagonal or hexagonal, for example.

The closing means 5, sometimes called a "sliding link", is movable inside the peripheral space, can be one or more string(s) or strip(s) and can also be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene . Its mobility essentially consists of sliding along the periphery of the sheet 1, inside the aforementioned space, or, according to the aforementioned variant, inside said perforations.

The flat accessory comprises a holding means 10 located at a distance from the periphery of the sheet 1, preferably substantially in the center thereof. This holding means 10 is integral with the sheet 1, it is manufactured in one piece with the sheet 1 or has been fixed thereto in a known manner, for example by gluing, welding or partial fusion.

The holding means 10 can be made of the same material as the sheet 1.

It extends from one face thereof, from a point located at a distance from the periphery of sheet 1. Advantageously, the holding means 10,16 extends over a distance at least equal to the distance between a circle connecting the points of the notches 6,7 closest to the center of the sheet 1 and the side of the closing means 5, 11 facing the center of sheet 1 and located outside the notches 6,7. The advantage of this characteristic is that the holding means 10,16 can be more easily pressed against the ground.

The precision “located outside the notches 6.7” is due to the fact that in the variant of Figures 2, 6 and 8, the gripping segments 12 and 13 move away from the periphery 4 at the level of the notches 6 and 7, as explained below.

Preferably, the holding means 10,16 is of elongated shape.

The holding means 10,16 preferably comprises a hole 14, preferably in its center, which facilitates its holding on the ground and possibly its grip. Thus, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the holding means 10,16 can be U-shaped. The advantage provided by the hole 14 is that the latter can be crossed by one or more dog claws , when the means of means 10.16 is pressed to the ground by a dog's paw, as will be seen below.

It may be desirable, before using the accessory, to extract the gripping segments 8 and 9 by pulling them outwards, so that they move away from the peripheral end 4 and are easier to grip .

However, traction on the gripping segments 8 and 9 causes them to overflow from the sheet 1, deforming the latter, crumpling it and reducing its surface area. It is for this reason that a variant visible in Figure 2 has been provided, in which the length of the closing means 11 is greater than the perimeter of the flexible sheet 1, so that the gripping segments 12,13 extend beyond or protrude relative to the peripheral end 4 of the sheet 1. The gripping segments 12,13 being in outside the peripheral end 4, they are easier to grasp than the gripping segments 8.9 not pulled towards the outside of the sheet 1.

In Figures 3 and 4 are respectively shown the accessories of Figures 1 and 2, when one half of the sheet 1 is folded over the other half.

In Figure 5 is shown a series of several, in this case three, accessories of Figure 1, butt joints at the junction zones 15, obtained either by gluing or partial fusion of the ends 4 of two accessories adjacent, or by means of a little material added to one and/or the other of these ends.

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5, the only difference being in the length of the gripping means 12.13, greater than that of the gripping means 8.9.

The junction zones 15 are preferably equidistant from the gripping means 8.9 or 12.13.

It is possible to provide from the manufacturing of the accessories that they are thus linked to each other so as to be able to easily package them in the form of rolls.

Of course, the accessories must be able to be easily detached from each other, without being damaged or deformed. Method according to the invention

In order to reduce the number of pet droppings present on the ground, it is necessary to implement the method according to the invention, which comprises the steps consisting of:

- obtain an accessory according to the invention, available commercially, or by manufacturing it yourself or by having it manufactured by someone or by a company,

- place the accessory flat on the ground with the holding means 10 on the ground side; possibly extract the gripping segments 8,9, by pulling on them, so that they move away from the peripheral end 4;

- garnish the side of the accessory opposite the ground, preferably in its center, generally with fecal matter, which is normally non-liquid,

- grasp a first gripping segment 8 or 12, lift it and bring it towards the second gripping segment

9 or 13, in order to fold part of the garnished accessory over the rest of the accessory,

- grasp the second gripping segment 9 or 13,

- maintain the holding means 10 on the ground,

- pull on the two gripping segments 8.9 or 12.13 until the accessory closes on its filling, preferably completely, and

- possibly transport the garnished accessory by holding it by the gripping segments 8.9 or 12.13.

The first two steps are complex and therefore intended to be carried out by a human being, usually the pet owner.

The other steps are the work of the pet. Not being innate, they must be acquired during learning taking place within the framework of animal education. Animal education

For the invention to fully produce its effects, it requires the participation of the pet. This can only be acquired through appropriate prior education. Such preliminary education is relatively complex and must generally be done by a professional such as a dog trainer, who knows how to teach the animal the steps of the method according to the invention which are incumbent upon it. Although the owner of the pet is in principle capable of putting himself in the place of his companion and carrying out all of the steps of the method according to the invention himself, it is unlikely that his companion - of whom we do not know whether he will appreciate the spectacle - be able to imitate it without prior training.

This is why the use of a dog trainer seems essential, because only a dog trainer is capable of gradually making the pet understand

- that he must defecate on the accessory, preferably in its center, then

- grasp a first gripping segment 8 or 12 in its mouth, lift it and bring it towards the second gripping segment 9 or 13, to close the accessory on itself, then

- grasp the second gripping segment 9 or 13 in its mouth, without letting go of the first gripping segment 8 or 12, then

- maintain the holding means 10 in contact with the ground using a tab, then

- pull on the two gripping segments 8.9 or 12.13 until the periphery of the accessory closes as closely as possible on the excrement and

- possibly transport, give and/or bring to his mistress or master his gift, namely, the accessory containing the excrement, holding the gripping segments 8.9 and 12.13 in its mouth.

Of course, the animal can maintain the means of support

10 pressed against the ground before grasping the second gripping segment 9 or 13.

Obviously, the size of the accessory according to the invention is chosen according to the size of the pet: the larger the pet, the larger the surface of the accessory must be. A chihuahua needs accessories of different dimensions than accessories for Saint Bernard...

In order to encourage the animal to defecate on the accessory, it is possible to deposit an appropriate pheromonal liquid there which will act as a catalyst for defecation.

Preferably, the deposit is made in the center of the accessory.

This can be done for example using a vaporizer.

Suitable pheromones are available commercially but it is also possible to prepare pheromonal liquid beforehand by introducing a sample of fecal matter into a preferably non-odorous solvent (water, etc.). The suspension obtained is filtered. The filtrate can then be introduced into a spray bottle, similar to a bottle of perfume or hydroalcoholic gel, which the owner can then carry with them (for example in their handbag). Before each installation of an accessory on the ground, or possibly afterwards, the owner can apply, in particular by sprinkling or spraying, pheromonal solution on the face of the accessory, preferably in its center, with the aim of subsequently stimulate excretion. Conclusion

The diffusion and implementation of the method according to the invention will considerably reduce the number of animal feces on the ground, since the animal droppings will fall on the accessory according to the invention and will no longer come into contact with the ground.

In addition, the method according to the invention will prevent pet owners from having to contact their often expensively manicured fingers with a hot and soft material on a daily basis, and will spare them from inhaling the fetid exhalations of the latter.

Finally, the method according to the invention will be of service to the elderly - who constitute the main category of pet owners - by relieving them from stooping to carry out a thankless task from which they should be exempt due to their respectable age.

It goes without saying that the accessory and the method according to the invention can also be used by human beings, for example during walks in nature, wild campsites, etc., or by people who unfortunately do not have access to toilets (homeless people, people in developing countries, etc.).

Claims

- obtain a flat circular accessory composed of:

• a sheet (1),

• a closing means (5,11) of this sheet (1) which: forms a loop following the entire periphery of the sheet (1), is integral with it, is movable relative to it, two notches (6.7) being provided in the periphery of the sheet (1) to create two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) of the closing means (5.11),

- place the accessory flat on the ground;

- garnish the side of the accessory opposite the ground;

- grasp a first gripping segment (8,12), lift it and bring it towards the second gripping segment (9,13);

- grasp the second gripping segment (9,13) without releasing the first gripping segment (8,12);

- pull on the two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) to move the closing means (5.11) relative to the sheet (1) so that the accessory closes on its filling; characterized in that the flat accessory of circular shape has at least one holding means (10) secured to the sheet (1), extending from one face thereof, from a point located at a distance of the periphery of the sheet (1), in that the accessory is placed flat on the ground with the holding means (10,16) on the ground side, in that the method further comprises the step of maintaining the holding means (10,16 ) in contact with the ground and in that the traction on the two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) takes place: after the grip of the first gripping segment (8.12), its lifting and its bringing towards the second gripping segment (9,13); and while maintaining the holding means (10,16) in contact with the ground.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the following additional steps, after the traction step on the two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13):

- release the holding means (10,16),

- lift the garnished accessory by holding it by its gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) and

- possibly transport it and/or give it away.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the steps consisting of

- garnish the side of the accessory opposite the ground,

- grasp a first gripping segment (8,12), lift it and bring it towards the second gripping segment (9,13),

- grasp the second gripping segment (9,13) without releasing the first gripping segment (8,12),

- maintain the holding means (10,16) in contact with the ground and

- pull on the two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) to move the closing means (5.11) relative to the sheet (1) so that the accessory closes on its filling, are carried out by the pet.

4. Method according to claim 2 or claim 3 dependent on claim 2, in which the steps consisting of

- release the holding means (10,16),

- possibly transporting it and/or giving it away, are carried out by the pet.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the holding means (10,16) of the flat accessory extends from the center of the sheet (1).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the holding means (10,16) extends over a distance at least equal to the distance between a circle connecting the points of the notches (6,7) closer to the center of the sheet (1) and the side of the closing means (5,11) facing the center of the sheet (1) and located outside the notches (6,7).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the holding means (10,16) of the flat accessory is of elongated shape.

8. Method according to claim 7, in which the holding means (10,16) of the flat accessory comprises a hole (14).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the two notches (6,7) of the flat accessory are located at opposite ends of the sheet (1).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the sheet (1) of the flat accessory has a peripheral end (4) relative to which the gripping segments (12,13) project.

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the sheet (1) of the flat accessory has a peripheral end (4) and in which it further provides a step, prior to or subsequent to that of arranging the accessory flat on the ground with the holding means (10,16) on the ground side, traction on the gripping segments (8,9), so that they move away from the peripheral end (4 ) .

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which an appropriate pheromonal liquid is also deposited on the accessory, preferably in its center.

13. Flat accessory of circular shape, in particular for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 12, composed of:

• a sheet (1),

• a closing means (5,11) of this sheet (1) which: forms a loop following the entire periphery of the sheet (1), is integral with it, is movable relative to it, two notches (6.7) being provided in the periphery of the sheet (1) to create two gripping segments (8.9; 12.13) of the closing means (5.11), characterized in that it comprises at least one holding means (10) secured to the sheet (1), extending from one face thereof, from a point located at a distance from the periphery of the sheet (1).

14. Flat accessory of circular shape according to claim 13, in which the holding means (10,16) of the flat accessory extends from the center of the sheet (1) •

15. Flat accessory of circular shape according to claim 13 or 14, in which the holding means

(10,16) extends over a distance at least equal to the distance between a circle connecting the points of the notches (6,7) closest to the center of the sheet (1) and the side of the closing means (5 ,11) turned towards the center of the sheet (1) and located outside the notches (6,7).

16. Flat accessory of circular shape according to one of claims 13 to 15, in which the holding means

(10,16) of the flat accessory is elongated in shape.

17. Flat accessory of circular shape according to one of claims 13 to 16, in which the holding means

(10,16) of the flat accessory has a hole (14).

18. Flat accessory of circular shape according to one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the two notches (6,7) of the flat accessory are located at opposite ends of the sheet (1).

19. Flat accessory of circular shape according to one of claims 13 to 18, in which the sheet (1) of the flat accessory has a peripheral end (4) relative to which the gripping segments (12,13) make protrusion.