Fecal matter retrieval and disposal device and method of use

A fecal matter retrieval and disposal device for sanitary collection and disposal of fecal matter includes a pole and a plurality of bags. A plurality of jaws and a handle are hingedly engaged to a bottom and a top of the pole, respectively. An actuator engaged to the handle selectively motivates the jaws between open and closed configurations, with the jaws being biased to the latter. The bags are nested and can engage and encase the jaws. A first actuation of the actuator allows positioning of the plurality of bags over a fecal matter deposit. A second actuation motivates the jaws to the closed configuration to wrap the plurality of bags around the fecal matter deposit, allowing an outermost bag to be tied off. A third actuation motivates the jaws to the open configuration, whereupon the outermost bag containing the fecal matter deposit drops from the jaws.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to disposal devices and more particularly pertains to a new disposal device for sanitary collection and disposal of fecal matter. The present invention discloses a pole having a plurality of jaws and an actuator engaged at its ends. The jaws are configured to engage a plurality of bags. The actuator motivates the jaws first to open and then to close the bags sequentially around fecal matter, such that a fresh bag is used each time a collection of fecal matter is required.

The prior art relates to disposal devices for fecal matter, and in particular devices for collecting and disposal of pet waste. Prior art disposal devices for fecal matter generally comprise selectively closable jaws or scoops, which may be fitted with a bag. What is lacking in the prior art is a disposal device for fecal matter having a plurality of bags engaged to closable jaws, such that a fresh bag is available each time a collection of fecal matter is required.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a pole and a plurality of bags. A plurality of jaws is hingedly engaged to a bottom of the pole. A handle is engaged to a top of the pole and is configured to be grasped in a hand of a user. An actuator is engaged to the handle and is operationally engaged to the plurality of jaws. The actuator is positioned to selectively motivate the jaws between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The jaws are biased to the closed configuration. The bags are nested and are configured to engage the plurality of jaws so that the plurality of bags is engaged to and substantially encases the plurality of jaws. The actuator is configured to be actuated a first time to motivate the jaws from the closed configuration to the open configuration, positioning the user to position the plurality of bags over a fecal matter deposit. The actuator is configured to be actuated a second time to motivate the jaws to the closed configuration to wrap the plurality of bags around the fecal matter deposit, positioning the user to tie off an outermost one of the plurality of bags. The actuator is configured to be actuated a third time to motivate the jaws to the open configuration so that the outermost one of the plurality of bags containing the fecal matter deposit drops from the jaws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS.1through10, the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10generally comprises a pole12, which is tubular. The pole12comprises a plurality of nested sections14so that the pole12is selectively extensible. The plurality of nested sections14comprises an upper section16and a lower section18. The lower section18is selectively extensible from the upper section16.

A spring20is engaged to and positioned in the upper section16. The spring20is engaged to the lower section18and is compressed when the lower section18is positioned within the upper section16. A hole22is positioned in the upper section16proximate to a lower end24of the upper section16. A pin26, which is spring loaded, is engaged to and extends from the lower section18proximate to a lower limit28of the lower section18. The pin26extends through the hole22to fixedly position the lower section18within the upper section16. The pin26is configured to be depressed, such that the lower section18extends from the upper section16. The present invention anticipates other engagement means for securing the lower section18to the upper section16to prevent retraction, such as, but not limited to, threads, clips, and the like.

A plurality of jaws30is hingedly engaged to a bottom32of the pole12. Each jaw30comprises a plurality of segments34. The segments34are mutually hingedly engaged so that the jaws30are articulating. Each segment34is arcuate. As will become apparent, the segments34being arcuate enhances efficiency of the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10in collecting fecal matter deposits. The plurality of jaws30may comprise four jaws30, as shown inFIGS.1-3, or other number of jaws30, such as, but not limited to, three or five jaws30.

Each of a plurality of sleeves36is positioned over and is engaged to a tip38of a respective jaw30distal from the bottom32of the pole12. The sleeves36comprise one or more of rubber, silicone, and elastomer so that the sleeves36are resiliently compressible.

A housing40is engaged to and extends from the upper section16proximate to the lower end24of the upper section16. The housing40is bell shaped and thus is positioned for insertion of the plurality of jaws30as the lower section18is retracted into the upper section16.

A handle42is engaged to a top54of the pole12. An actuator44is engaged to the handle42and is operationally engaged to the plurality of jaws30. The actuator44is positioned to selectively motivate the jaws30between an open configuration, as shown inFIGS.7and9, and a closed configuration, as shown inFIG.8. The jaws30are biased to the closed configuration.

The actuator44may comprise a lever46and a cable48, or other actuating means, such as, but not limited to, linear actuators, motors, and the like. The lever46is engaged to an underside50of the handle42and is spring loaded so that the lever46is biased to a non-levered configuration. The cable48is operationally engaged to and extends between the lever46and the plurality of jaws30. The lever46is configured to be levered upon tightening of a grasp of a hand of a user upon the handle42so that the jaws30are motivated from the closed configuration to the open configuration. The lever46returns to the non-levered configuration upon loosening of the grasp of the user upon the handle42, concurrently with the jaws30being motivated to the closed configuration.

The fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10also comprises a plurality of bags52, as shown inFIG.4. The bags52are nested and are configured to engage the plurality of jaws30so that the plurality of bags52is engaged to and substantially encases the plurality of jaws30, as shown inFIG.7.

The handle42is configured to be grasped in the hand of the user to position the plurality of bags52over a fecal matter deposit. The actuator44is configured to be actuated a first time to motivate the jaws30from the closed configuration to the open configuration, positioning the user to position the plurality of bags52over a fecal matter deposit. The actuator44is configured to be actuated a second time to motivate the jaws30to the closed configuration to wrap the plurality of bags52around the fecal matter deposit, positioning the user to tie off an outermost one56of the plurality of bags52. The actuator44is configured to be actuated a third time to motivate the jaws30to the open configuration so that the outermost one56of the plurality of bags52containing the fecal matter deposit drops from the jaws30.

Each of a plurality of tabs58is engaged to and extends from a respective bag52proximate to an open end60of the respective bag52. The tab58that is engaged to the outermost one56of the bags52is configured to be grasped in digits of the hand of the user so that the user is positioned to separate the outermost one56of the bags52from the plurality of bags52. The outermost one56of the bags52thus is configured to be tied off.

A disc62is engaged to and extends arcuately from a lower limit64of the lower section18so that the disc62extends partially over the plurality of jaws30. A recess66extends into an outer surface68of the disc62and extends annularly around the disc62. A band70is engaged to an innermost one72of the plurality of bags52and extends circumferentially around the innermost one72of the bags52proximate to the open end60. The band70comprises elastic so that the band70is stretchable around the disc62. The band70engages the disc62upon rebounding and insertion into the recess66so that the plurality of bags52is engaged to the disc62.

The plurality of bags52may be sized so that a closed ends74of the bags52are positionable within the plurality of jaws30and extend to proximate to the bottom32of the pole12. A slot76extends radially into the disc62from a perimeter78of the disc62. The slot76is positioned for insertion of the closed ends74of the bags52so that the plurality of bags52is engaged to the disc62. Thus positioned, the plurality of bags52defines a cavity80within the plurality of jaws30. The cavity80is configured for insertion of the fecal matter deposit as the plurality of bags52is positioned over the fecal matter deposit.

The present invention also anticipates a coupler (not shown), which is engaged to the housing40or to the pole12and which is configured to engage a leash so that the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10is engaged to the leash. With the leash being engaged to the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10, the user would have both hands free to operate the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10.

In use, the fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10enables a method82of retrieving and disposing of fecal matter. The method82comprises a first step84of providing a fecal matter retrieval and disposal device10according to the specification above. A second step86of the method82is grasping of the handle42in a hand of a user. A third step88of the method82is actuating the actuator44a first time to motivate the jaws30from the closed configuration to the open configuration. A fourth step90of the method82entails positioning the plurality of bags52over a fecal matter deposit. A fifth step90of the method82is actuating the actuator44a second time to motivate the jaws30to the closed configuration to wrap the plurality of bags52around the fecal matter deposit. A sixth step92of the method82is tying off an outermost one56of the plurality of bags52. A seventh step94of the method82is actuating the actuator44a third time to motivate the jaws30to the open configuration so that the outermost one56of the plurality of bags52containing the fecal matter deposit drops from the jaws30. A fresh outermost one56of the plurality of bags52then is available for collecting the next fecal matter deposit.