Abstract:
Devices and methods for collecting pet droppings into bags and disposing of them in a way that the user and equipment avoid contact with the droppings are disclosed. In one embodiment, the mouth of an open bag is placed over the dropping and elastic cords manipulated by a remote handle wrap around the waste bag and closes its opening to snare the droppings. In another embodiment, two jaws are configured for sideways movement and to close over the dropping by a remote handle. A collection bag is placed inside the jaws with its rim wrapped around the jaws in a way that closing the jaws ensnares the droppings inside the bag.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from provisional application No. 62/153,177 filed on Apr. 27, 2015. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices for picking up pet waste without requiring the user to come in contact with the animal waste. In another version, a longer handle enables the user to pick up the waste from a distance and without having to stoop over. 
     The devices are configured to avoid the risk of fecal contamination of the device or the user. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for picking up dog feces left on outside ground surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, grass, foliage or snow as well as indoor surfaces such as floors and carpeting, and collecting the waste remotely and without coming in contact with it. Furthermore, the devices may be utilized for picking up the feces of other domesticated and farm animals such as cats, rabbits, cows or horses as well as other hazardous or unpleasant materials e.g., nuclear, chemical, biological, medical or odiferous waste products. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pets provide a great deal of joy and companionship to persons of all ages, including the elderly and infirm. Many types of devices have been developed to facilitate pickup, removal, as well as disposal of fecal matter. Many of these devices are hand-held and require a user to have to bend down to the ground to pick up or scoop up the fecal matter using the device. For the elderly, the infirm and those with back problems, hand-held fecal matter pickup devices are a less than desirable solution. Moreover, any direct contact with waste material could result in illness. 
     A large number of patents and publications relate to pet waste scooping devices. Some of the embodiments comprise a pair of movable scoop jaws attached to a long handle configured to manipulate the jaws under the feces and actuate the jaws to entrap the waste. Bags are used with some of these devices; however, providing for mechanisms to cleanly close and remove such bags without feces contamination has been an issue and remains largely unresolved. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,431 relates to a device for removing canine fecal matter that includes a lobed knob connected by concentric tubes to a dual housing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,347 provides structures for orienting a container for scooping up waste, and various structures for sealing such a container. U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,188 teaches an animal waste scooper device comprising a hand grip on one end of a shaft and a scoop with an openable door and a removable bag at the opposite end. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,322 contains a claw having four arms in which a bag is placed. Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,537 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,111 use jaws arrangements encased by a bag. 
     Two embodiments of pet collection and isolation devices are presented for this invention. Both embodiments provide for the remote manipulation of the waste using a bag and closing the bag around the feces such that the user does not come in contact with the feces and the device remains uncontaminated. The first embodiment uses a cord ensnaring mechanism while the second provides a mechanism for moving jaws encased by a bag under the feces and closing the bag around them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a device for collecting and isolating pet droppings comprises: a ring assembly comprising an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring being configured for fitting inside and rotating inside the outer ring, the outer ring having an open section and the inner ring having an open section; a turning bar assembly attached to a top portion of the inner ring, the turning bar assembly creating a space above the ring assembly; a handle member attached to the bar assembly, the handle member being configured for turning the inner ring; a plurality of elastic cords, the each elastic cord having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each cord is attached to a groove at the bottom surface of the inner ring while the other end is attached to a groove disposed at the bottom surface of the outer ring, the cords being arranged in succession of one another; and a waste collection bag, the waste collection bag having a rim around an opening, the bag being held open by means of affixing the rim to a bottom portion of the device for collecting and isolating pet droppings, the waste collection bag having walls that occupy the space above the ring assembly, wherein turning the handle member is configured to actuate the turning bar assembly to rotate the inner ring inside the outer ring that in turn actuate the cords to twist around the mouth of the bag, pinching the mouth of the bag and closing the bag. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for collecting and isolating pet droppings comprises: placing a mouth of a bag over a surface onto which pet droppings were deposited; turning a handle member to actuate turning a ring containing a plurality of cords, wherein movement of the ring causes the cords to twist around and pinch the mouth of the bag under the pet droppings; snaring the dropping into the bag; and removing and disposing of the bag with the dropping. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a device for collecting and isolating pet droppings comprises: a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw and second jaw being attached at an upper end to hinged arms, the hinged arms being actuated by a piston in a manner that the piston, when pressed downward, pushes the first jaw sideways away from the second jaw and pushes the second jaw sideways away from the first jaw, and in a manner that the piston, when pulled upward, pulls the first and second jaws inwardly toward each other; and a bag wrapped from an outside of the first jaw and around the first jaw, rounding into an inner space between the first and second jaws and wrapping from the inner space to around the outside of the second jaw in a way that an inner space of the bag is disposed between the jaws and an opening of a bag is disposed at a bottom side of the jaws in a manner that placing an area between a widely spaced first jaw and second jaw over a surface onto which pet droppings are deposited and pulling the piston upwardly closes the jaws and the bag under the droppings causing the droppings to be ensnared and contained inside a closed bag; 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bag and cinching components of the pet waste collection and isolation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a first position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top perspective view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a first position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a rear view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a second position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3D  is a front view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a second position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3E  is a top perspective view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a second position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a bottom view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a first position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of an assembly of the ring components of the pet waste collection and isolation device of  FIG. 1  in a second position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  presents an exploded view of a pet waste collection and isolation device assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are side views of the pet waste collection and isolation device assembly shown in successive folded configurations according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6D-6F  are front views of the pet waste collection and isolation device assembly shown in fully folded configurations according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  show the pet waste collection and isolation device assembly in a ready to use mode in frontal, side and sectional views according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  show the pet waste collection and isolation device following the pickup of the droppings in frontal and side views according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show the pet waste collection and isolation device following the pickup of the droppings in sectional views according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  show the pet waste collection and isolation device in use mode in front sectional views according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 12-15  present components and a method of replacing the pet waste collection bag after use according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
     The present invention relates to a device for collecting solid animal waste deposited on various outdoor surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, grass, foliage or snow by canines and isolating the waste in a bag in a way that avoids contamination of the device and the user and keeps the user from coming in contact or in close proximity with the waste. While useful for collecting waste deposited by dogs in the course of their walk, the use of the device may extend to picking up waste of other pets such as from litter boxes, accidental droppings onto a carpet or floor, or from the environment of these pets. 
     Drawings  1 - 10  and  12 - 15  depict a first embodiment of the device while  FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate a second embodiment of the device for collecting and isolating pet waste. 
     The first embodiment of the device comprises an inner ring  11  adapted to fit inside an outer ring  12  in an assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The inner ring  11  is also adapted to rotate inside the outer ring  12 . Both the inner ring  11  and the outer ring  12  have about a 30-45 degree sections removed which creates openings in both rings. The two positions are shown in Figure set  3  and Figure set  4 . In the first position, the openings of the two rings  11  and  12  are aligned. In the second position, the inner ring  11  is turned about 90 degrees in a way that closes the opening of the outer ring  12 . 
       FIG. 2  shows one version for the bag  18  that will be used for entrapping and holding the waste. The bag  18  is made of a sturdy material similar to that of a ziplock bag that holds its shape when spread apart and in an open position, yet sufficiently pliable that the mouth can be closed by an outside twisting force applied to its walls. The lip of the bag  18  is placed around the outside of the loop assembly  20 . The loop assembly  20  contains a rim  19 , the bag  18  and a clip  13 . The bag  18  may be held up by an integral elastic band over a protuberance on the loop  20 . The second step may be to push the apex of the bag up through the loop  20  and everting it into the center of the capture envelope. The user would then attach a clip  13  to the cinch feature of the bag  18 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  show one version of the first embodiment of the assembly  30  for ensnaring the pet waste. Rotating bars  15  are attached to the inner ring  11  and a handle member  14  is attached to the rotating bars. Turning the handle member  14  actuates turning the inner ring  11  to achieve two main positions: 1) an open position in which the openings of the two rings are aligned, and 2) a closed position in which the inner ring  11  is turned between about a quarter turn and about half a turn counterclockwise sealing the opening of the outer ring  12 . The open position is shown in  FIGS. 3C-3E , while the closed position is exemplified in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a bottom view of the inner  11  and outer  12  rings. 
     A plurality of elastic snaring cords  16  are attached to the bottom side of the inner and outer rings  11  and  12 . One end of each cord  16  is attached to the inner ring  11  while the other end is attached to the outer ring  12  as shown in  FIG. 4A  configured in the open position of the ensnaring assembly  30 . Turning the handle  14  to render the assembly into the closed position reconfigures the snaring cords  16  to form only a very small opening in the center of the rings. In its open position, the device assembly is in a “ready to use” mode. With the bag  18  installed, the device would be placed over the pet waste; upon turning the handle member  14 , cords  16  move the bag walls to ensnare the waste and close the bag. Attachment of the cord ends to the ring bottoms may be accomplished by snapping the ends into grooves disposed on the ring bottom surfaces; however, other attachment means such as welded attachments also fall within the scope of the present invention. The cords are made of strong elastic or bungee material that has the ability to stretch and then relax. When in the closed position, the elasticity of the cords helps keep the solid waste snared up and within the bag until such time as the outer lip is cinched for secondary sealing. With this version, the device is compact and relatively easy to carry. However, the user needs to bend down to place the bag over the droppings and ensnare them by turning the handle member which is a negative. 
       FIG. 5  presents a second version of the first embodiment of the assembly  40 . A pair of hollow rods  22 A and  22 B are attached to one another across their lengths and attached to the turning bars  15  at one end and a handle member  25  is attached to the other end of the rods  22 A and  22 B. The rods  22 A and  22 B are segmented so that they can be folded as illustrated in  FIG. 6A-6F . The segments may be attached to each other through hinges or other attaching means that allow easy and quick assemble and disassemble. The handle member  25  has a grip opening  24  and may be collapsed over the folded segments of rods  22 A and  22 B to further compact the device when not in use and is being carried by the user. The bag loop assembly  20  containing the bag  18  is attached under the ensnaring assembly  30  such that the bag is spread open under the turning bars  15 . A wire or cable  17  is attached to the rim  19  and passes though one of the hollow rods  22 A and  22 B and coils inside the handle member  25 . The other hollow rod  22 A and  22 B incorporates a bungee or cable held in tension by a spring, aiding in self-assembly of the boom as it is extended. 
     Cable  17  is used for holding the rim  19  in place as the device is placed on the ground and the inner ring  11  is turned to actuate closing of the bag  18 . The handle member  25  contains a pull button  28  for the cable  17  and a spring loaded tension wheel  29  shown in  FIG. 7E  to maintain cable tightness when the rods  22 A and  22 B are folded. With this version, turning handle member  25  actuates the turning of rods  22 A and  22 B and rotation of the inner ring  11  relative to the outer ring  12  which results in toggling from the open to the closed position. Tab  23  attached to the handle member  25  may be used to maintain the device assembly  40  in a collapsed configuration. The lengths of the rods are configured to allow a person to operate the device  40  without bending down. The collapsible rods  22 A and  22 B allow the device to become compact when not in use, and also provide a conduit to manage a part of the bag closure process. 
     A series of LEDs  27  are disposed on a rim at the bottom of the outer ring for the purpose of illuminating the pickup area at night. The LEDs  27  are shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     The ready to use configuration of the device  40  is shown in  FIGS. 7A-7E . With the second version of the first embodiment, the pet droppings are picked up by placing the bag  18  in the open position on the ground  33  over the pet droppings then turning the handle member to actuate moving the inner ring  11  to the closed position depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8C  by turning bar assembly  15 . This results in pinching the bottom of the bag as the droppings  31  are snared into the bag as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     One mechanism for replacing the waste collection bag after use can be accomplished by the use of loop assembly  20 . A new bag may be fastened to the outer ring  12  through the rim  19  fastened to the outer ring  12  using clip  13 . 
       FIGS. 12-15  present another mechanism for changing the waste collection bag after the waste pickup. An expandable spiral coil  72  is attached to a top portion of turning bars  15  by way of a hook  74 ; however, other attachment means for the spiral coil to turning bar assembly  15  also fall within the scope of the present invention. The spiral coil  72  is manufactured of flexible material such as plastic or metal that can expand downward and laterally. The spiral coil  72  is wrapped over spare bag  71  made of a flexible material configured for downward and lateral expansion. The spare bag  71  and the spiral coil wrapped over it are configured in a compressed position above the installed and ready to use bag  18  as shown in  FIG. 12 . After the installed bag  18  is removed, the spiral coil  72  is pulled downward as shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . The bottom edge of the spare bag  71  has a pleat  75  that curves upward. The bottom of spiral coil  72  is wrapped around the pleat  75  in a way that pulling down on the spiral coil  72  expands the coil  72  both downwardly and laterally and to also move the spare bag  71  down and expand it laterally. As the last step, the pleat  75  of the spare bag is wrapped over the rim  19 . Thus, the spiral coil  72  functions to help hold in place, move and expand the compressed spare bag  71  into position for installation. Once the spare bag is installed, the spiral coil  72  is released and allowed to compress back to its original form. A new spare bag is then inserted inside the spiral coil. 
     The second embodiment  50  of a pet collection and isolation device is portrayed in  FIGS. 11A-11C . A piston  51  is configured to actuate jaws  62 A and  62 B by pressing on jaws actuator  53 . The piston  51  is encased in tube  52  and moves hinges  54 A and  54 B sideways when the user applies downward pressure on the piston  51  as illustrated in  FIG. 11B . Pulling the piston  51  upward closes the jaws  62 A and  62 B as illustrated by  FIG. 11C . A bag  55  shown by a dashed line is wrapped from the outside of the jaws  62 A and  62 B around the jaws  62 A and  62 B and in between them shown by the inner jaw portion  56  also shown by a dashed line. The piston  51  has a handle  59  and the user may hold the device  50  by handle  61  with his/her other hand for leverage. 
     To use the device  50 , the user would place jaws  62 A and  62 B spread apart over droppings  57  deposited on surface  58  as shown in  FIG. 11B . Pulling piston  51  upwardly causes the jaws  62 A and  62 B and the bag  55  to close over the droppings  57  and snare the droppings  57  inside the bag  56 . 
     The bag  55  is wrapped around the outside of the jaws  62 A and  62 B. The bag  55  may be made of a number of flexible yet strong materials including plastic, non-woven and paper. The bag  55  should be strong enough to keep its shape when fully spread open, yet sufficiently flexible for easy closing. The bag  55  may be secured to the outer wall of the jaws  62 A and  62 B by a number of means including using a rubber band and wrapping the bag  55  around a ring on the jaws  62 A and  62 B. 
     The device may further comprise illumination means attached to the bottom of the device for lighting the area of the droppings when it is dark outside. The illuminating means may use LEDs or other lighting devices. 
     Also within the scope of the present invention embodiments are the attachment of a strap for carrying the device and a storage pouch for carrying dog treats and whistle. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.