Abstract:
A device for picking up material, such as animal droppings, which includes a container defining a compartment and a slot. A flexible elongated member is provided, one end of the elongated member being fixedly attached to the container, and the other end of the elongated member being a free end. The elongated member is configured to form a loop outside of the compartment. The loop is movable between a first position, for generally surrounding the material, and a second position, wherein the loop is substantially inside of the compartment. Upon the loop being in the first position and positioned for encircling the material, the free end of the elongated member is pulled such that the loop and the material it surrounds is pulled into the compartment to the loop&#39;s second position. The device may then be disposed of in its entirety.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a device for collecting material, and in particular, animal droppings, and for allowing disposal thereof in a sanitary manner. 
     Disposal of pet waste is a problem which has been addressed by numerous devices in the past. Scoops, scrapers, pans, and related receptacles and containers have been provided for removing and disposing of animal waste, and in particular, animal droppings. Disposal of such waste is not only desirable, but has been mandated by many communities, which have enacted regulations requiring pet owners to dispose of droppings deposited by their pets on public sidewalks, streets, parks, etc. 
     Various devices have been patented for collecting and disposing of pet waste. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,419, issued to Watanabe, discloses a disposable animal waste collector having a handle for collecting and enclosing waste material. An advantage of this device is that it is disposable after it has been used for collecting waste. This means that no cleaning of the device is required after use, as is the case of reusable devices such as scoops, scrapers, pans, etc. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,236, issued to Vogt, discloses an animal droppings pickup device having a pull cord tab used in connection with a cover member and base portion for collecting waste. With this device, the droppings are wrapped as a package within a flexible sheet of material, the package itself being removable for disposal, with replacement sheets being available for subsequent uses of the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,519, issued to Kotlinski; U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,932, issued to Resch; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,888, issued to Gavin, et al., each disclose other disposable waste collection devices. The Kotlinski patent is foldable and includes a box for receipt of the waste, and the Resch patent discloses use of a bag for holding the waste. The Gavin, et al. patent discloses use of a sliding tray within a sleeve. 
     Another common device used for collecting animal waste is an ordinary food storage bag, such as a “baggie,” having a sealable flap, or preferably, a zipper-type closure means. When using such a device, the user would turn the bag inside out and, using the bag as a sort of glove or mitten, grab the waste and then invert the bag and seal it. While such a bag provides a relatively inexpensive and readily available device for use in collecting animal waste, many users are reluctant to touch and handle the waste in this manner, even though their hand is separated from the waste by the bag thickness. 
     While the foregoing animal waste collection devices are known, there still exists a need for a compact, disposable device which provides for effective retrieval and collection of animal waste, and the sanitary disposal thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved device and method for collecting material, such as animal droppings. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting animal droppings, and for allowing the sanitary disposal thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting animal droppings which is compact, and is easy to transport. 
     Yet another object of the present is to provide a device for collecting animal droppings which is disposable. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a scraping action during use for an improved collection of animal droppings. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting animal droppings which can become compactly nested with plurality of such devices for ease of transport. 
     More specifically, the present invention includes the elongated strap being made of a flexible material, such as plastic, and the container being triangular and constructed of a material such as paper, with the slot being at the apex of the container. 
     Generally, the present invention includes a device for picking up material, such as animal droppings, and includes a container defining an opening. A flexible, elongated member, is provided, one end of the elongated member being fixedly attached to the container. The elongated member is configured such it forms a loop with respect to the compartment, and the elongated member defines a free end such that upon pulling of the free end, the loop decreases in size and moves towards the compartment. The loop is movable between a first position, for generally surrounding the material, wherein the loop is substantially outside of the compartment, and a second position, wherein the loop is substantially inside of the compartment generally surrounding the material. The loop is movable from the first position to the second position by pulling on the free end of the elongated member. 
     More specifically, the present invention includes the elongated member being a generally flat strip made of plastic or a paper product, and wherein the container is generally triangularly shaped. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying specification and the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal droppings collector constructed in accordance with the present invention, and shown in use approaching animal droppings to be collected; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing use of an animal droppings collector constructed in accordance with the present invention, in use, wherein a strap or band of the device encircles animal droppings; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an animal droppings collector constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the animal droppings have been drawn into a compartment through pulling on the strap; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an animal droppings collector constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the device is being disposed into a waste basket after collecting animal droppings; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating construction of an animal droppings collector constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the strap or band has been affixed to a sheet of material having folds which allow the material to be folded to form a container; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating adhesive being applied to a flat portion of the sheet of material; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet of material having been folded along the folds thereof for forming the container; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the container of the animal droppings collector in final form, with a free end of the strap passing through a slot in the container. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The accompanying drawings and the description which follows set forth this invention in its preferred embodiment. However, it is contemplated that persons generally familiar with waste disposal devices will be able to apply the novel characteristics of the structures illustrated and described herein in other contexts by modification of certain details. Accordingly, the drawings and description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of this invention, but are to be understood as broad and general teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements or features throughout the various views, the animal droppings collector of the present invention is indicated generally in the figures by reference character  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 1 of the drawings, animal droppings collector droppings  10 , generally, is shown in use for collecting and allowing subsequent disposal of animal droppings  12  of dog  14 . Device  10 , generally, includes a container, generally C, and an elongated member, such as a flexible strip, strap, or band, generally B. One end  16  of band B is fixably attached within a compartment  18 , and the other, free end  20 , of band B passes through a slot (FIG.  2 ), generally S, of container C. The container C, when viewed from above, in one preferred embodiment, is generally a triangular shape, having side walls  22 ,  24 , a bottom wall,  26 , and two top wall portions  28  and  30 . 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a user U holding device  10  in proper form as device  10  is used to approach droppings  12 . FIG. 2 illustrates the bottom of container C being placed on the surface on which droppings  12  rest. The user would hold container C by an upstanding tab  34  and would hold container C stationary, preferably pressing downwardly slightly, such that the bottom wall  26  of container C is held against the surface. The free end  20  of band B, having already been inserted through slot S, is then held by the user, the band B forming a loop, generally L. Band B includes an upper edge  37  and a lower edge  38 , and the lower edge  38  of band B also preferably rests on the surface, such that as band B is pulled, in the direction of arrow  40  in FIG. 2, the lower edge  38  of band B would tend to scrape, or “squeegee” the surface. Continued pulling of free end  20  of band B causes loop L to shrink, such that loop L consequently encompasses, or “corrals” droppings  12 . Further pulling of free end  20  of band B causes the inner side  42  of loop L to contact droppings  12  and to scrape droppings  12  into compartment  18 , as shown in FIG.  3 . The direction of movement of loop L is shown by arrow  44  in FIG. 3, the movement of loop L being brought about by continued pulling of band B in the direction as shown by arrow  48 , also in FIG.  3 . 
     Band B is of a height approximately equal to the height of side walls  22 ,  24  of container C. Band B may be of a slightly taller height than side walls  22 ,  24 , such that there is a slight interference fit between band B and the ceiling portions  49   a  and  49   b  of top walls  28 ,  30 , respectively, and the floor  51  of bottom wall  26 , respectively, once loop L enters compartment  18  of container C. This interference fit causes droppings  12  to be essentially sealed and contained within compartment  18  once loop L is within compartment  18 . This allows for the user to hold device  10  by free end  20  of band B in order to dispose of device  10  in a waste basket, generally W, in its entirety, together with droppings  12  sealed within compartment  18 , as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Animal droppings collection device  10  could be made in various sizes and configurations, and it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the generally triangular configuration disclosed herein. For example, container C, although not shown, could be of a semicircular or rectangular shape, or some curved or irregular shape, if desired. Further, device  10  could also be sold in different sizes such that compartment  18  is properly sized to accommodate droppings from a particular animal. 
     Container C could be formed of a variety of different materials, but in one preferred embodiment, is formed of cardboard. Similarly, band B is preferably formed of plastic, such as polystyrene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), paper stock, cardboard, or some other suitable material. 
     Turning to FIGS. 5 through 8, the construction of device  10  will now be discussed. FIG. 5 illustrates a sheet of material, generally,  50  having been cut into a predetermined configuration, as shown in FIG.  5 . Projecting outwardly from one edge  52 , is an upstanding tab  34 , discussed above, and a fold over tab  54 , used to help retain device  10  in a constructed state. Sheet  50  includes fold lines  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 , and  68 , which define side walls  22  and  24 , bottom  26 , top wall portions  28  and  30 , and an adhesive tab  70 . 
     Band B includes end  16  which is affixed to side  24 , using adhesive, mechanical fasteners (not shown) or some other suitable fastening means. Edges  72  and  74  of side walls  22  and  24 , respectively, form slot S, once container C is ultimately constructed, as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates sheet  50  having been folded, at least partially, along fold lines  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 , and  68 , in the directions of arrows  69   a,    69   b,    69   c,  and  69   d.  Shown schematically is the application of adhesive  80 , using a tube of adhesive  82 . Adhesive  80  is being applied to adhesive tab  70 . It is to be understood that such adhesive  80  could be applied using automated means, and it is not limited to application tube  82 , which is shown for illustration purposes only. 
     As shown in phantom in FIG. 7, adhesive tab  70  could be provided with a self-adhesive layer  83 , having a disposal paper or plastic strip  84  which would be removed, in a conventional manner, in order to expose a line of adhesive. 
     FIG. 7 shows device  10  in a near complete state. Once folded in the direction of arrow  88 , the underside  90  (FIG. 6) of top portion  30  will contact the upperside  92  of top portion  28  along adhesive  80  to fix top portions  28  and  30  together. Fold over tab  54  will also be folded over in the direction of arrow  94 , and contacts adhesive on the upperside  92  of top portion  28  to affix fold over tab  54  to top portion  28 . When top portions  30  and  28  are connected to one another with the adhesive, slot S remains open at the end, or in the triangular embodiment of container C disclosed, at the apex  98  thereof. Band B may then be inserted in slot S in the direction of arrow  99 . 
     Free end  20  of band B includes beveled edges  100  which facilitate insertion of the free end  20  into slot S. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, free end  20  of band B has been inserted through slot S, to form loop L in band B. Upon pulling of free end  20  in the direction of arrow  102 , loop L will shrink in size, as discussed above, to the point where eventually it will be contained entirely within compartment  18  of container C. 
     Multiple units of device  10  can be packaged by simply nesting containers C within compartments  18  thereof. Alternately, devices  10  could be shipped flat, with use of self-adhesive strip, discussed above, and by the folding of band B. Once it became necessary to use device  10 , the cover strip  84  of self-adhesive strip  83  could be removed, and the container C quickly assembled. Alternately, the user would buy devices  10  pre-assembled, or assemble them in advance, and carry device  10  in a pocket or purse, for example, when taking the animal, or dog, out for a walk, to play, for exercise, etc. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that the animal droppings collection device  10  of the present invention provides an effective tool for collecting animal droppings without requiring the user to touch the droppings, or to actually feel the contours thereof. Also, the scraping action of band B, as loop L is drawn into compartment  18 , provides an effective cleanup of the droppings and collection into compartment  18 . Once loop L has been drawn into compartment  18 , the droppings are contained in compartment  18 , and the entire device, droppings and all, can be carried by the user by simply holding the free end of the device, which spaces the droppings well away from the user&#39;s hand. Then, the entire device can be disposed of in a wastebasket, or other appropriate disposal location. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is the economical and lightweight construction of device  10 , which should render it relatively inexpensive to produce and highly portable. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.