Device for picking up animal feces

A feces pick up device includes a sheet with a pair of finger holders. The sheet is bendable significantly easier in one direction than the other. Once feces has been picked up by the device, together they are deposited in a paper bag for disposal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to the general category of accessories 
for animal owners and, more particularly, to a device for picking up 
animal feces, usually that from a dog. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many cities and towns have ordinances which require the owner of an animal 
to pick up its droppings so that they do not litter sidewalks and parks. 
Variously designed shovels or scoops are common with the idea that once 
the feces is on the shovel, it may be dropped into a bag or other waste 
container. Such devices are not wholly satisfactory since the shovel is 
then soiled and can be quite unpleasant to carry home or to a place where 
it can be cleaned. 
Disposable, biodegradable scoopers are clearly more desirable. A recent 
model is made from semi-rigid paperboard and is formed with a centrally 
located hinge axis. A pair of plane-like walls extend away from the axis. 
Bottom walls extend from each of the plane-like walls toward one another 
and have serrated facing edges for scooping under the feces. Triangular 
side walls connect the plane-like and bottom walls. One side of the device 
fits inside the other side to capture and enclose the feces. A handle is 
attached on the outer side of each of the plane-like walls so as to allow 
a person to operate the device about the hinge axis. The problem with this 
device is that it is quite complex and, consequently, expensive, 
especially considering its purpose. The present invention, on the other 
hand, is very simple and, therefore, sufficiently inexpensive to be 
affordable by anyone needing it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate 
identical parts or features throughout the several views and, and 
referring more particularly to FIG. 1, a device for picking up animal 
feces in accordance with the present invention is designated generally by 
the numeral 10. Device 10 includes a sheet of paperboard 12 having a pair 
of finger holders 14 and 16 attached to the sheet with staples 18. 
Sheet 12 is generally rectangular. Of more importance, however, is that 
sheet 12 have a pair of opposite edges 20 which are preferably straight so 
that they readily cut under a piece of feces 22. Sheet 12 also includes a 
plurality of weakened lines 24 which are generally parallel with edges 20. 
As a result, the sheet is bendable arcuately about axes or a movable axis 
which is also generally parallel with edges 20. In addition, lines 24 are 
formed so that the bending of sheet 12 is significantly easier in one 
direction than the other. Furthermore, a sufficient number of lines 24 are 
present on both sides of each of finger holders 14 and 16 as shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 2 so that the fingers and thumb of the operator can readily 
push sheet 12 against the ground and control the bending of it so that 
edges 20 move toward one another and cut under feces 22. In this regard, 
sheet 12 has a first side facing the axis of the arcuate bend. The first 
side of sheet 12 is the side which receives feces 22. A second side of 
sheet 12 which is opposite the first side receives finger holders 14 and 
16. One of each of the pair of finger holders 14 and 16 is attached nearer 
to one edge 20 than the other. In this way, there is a finger holder on 
each side of the centerline of sheet 12 so that sheet 12 may be manuevered 
as indicated. Preferably, each end of finger holders 14 and 16 is stapled 
to sheet 12. Alternatively, the ends may be fastened with adhesive. In any 
case, finger holders 14 and 16 include sufficient paperboard so that they 
may extend somewhat outwardly from sheet 12 in order to comfortably 
receive a finger or thumb. 
In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3, parts or features which are 
similar to those described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by 
the same numerals, only the numerals are primed. Device 10' includes a 
sheet 12' with a pair of finger holders 14' and 16'. 
Sheet 12' is a rectangular piece of paperboard having a natural grain 
generally perpendicular to the axis of bending, i.e., in the general 
direction indicated by arrow 26. Such natural grain causes paperboard 
sheet 12' to assume a naturally arcuate shape. Sheet 12' also has a pair 
of opposite straight edges 20'. Because of the natural grain of sheet 12', 
there are no weakened lines similar to lines 24 of device 10. 
Nevertheless, sheet 12' bends arcuately about one or more axes generally 
parallel with edges 20', and it bends significantly easier in one 
direction than in the other. Sheet 12' has a first side facing the 
indicated axis, which side receives the feces. Sheet 12' also has a second 
side opposite the first side. Finger holders 14' and 16' are attached to 
the second side. Finger holder 14', for example, is made of flat 
paperboard cut to have a first set of opposite arcuate edges 28 and 30. 
Preferably 28 and 30 are semi-circular. In addition, finger holder 14' has 
a second set of straight edges 32 and 34 which are aligned generally along 
the same straight line. An end portion 36 and 38 near each of edges 32 and 
34 is preferably attached adhesively to the second side of sheet 12'. 
Finger holders 14' and 16' are located with respect to sheet 12' such that 
the arcuate edges of a particular one of finger holders 14' and 16' are 
farther from the nearer sheet straight edge 20' than are the finger holder 
straight edges for that particular finger holder. In the case of finger 
holder 14', edges 28 and 30 are farther from the nearer edge 20' than are 
straight edges 32 and 34. In this way, a person can place one or more 
fingers under the arcuate portion of finger holder 16' and can place a 
thumb under the arcuate portion of finger holder 14' thereby flexing the 
arcuate portions of each finger holder outwardly from sheet 12'. At the 
same time that the finger holders are flexing outwardly, force is being 
applied to opposite side portions of sheet 12' causing it to assume an 
even tighter arcuate shape. When the fingers and thumb are in place, sheet 
12' is readily controlled so that edges 20 may be placed on the ground and 
bent toward one another to scoop under a piece of feces. 
In the use of either embodiment, the animal owner places the fingers and 
thumb of one hand in the opposite ones of the finger holders of the 
particular device for picking up feces. The device is then placed so that 
the straight edges contact the ground and bend inwardly. As the hand is 
closed, the straight edges scoop under the feces so that it is captured. 
The feces and the picking up device are then either deposited in a trash 
container or deposited first in a paper bag and then in a trash container. 
The device and method of use particularly appropriate for thoughtful 
animal owners since the use of such device removes unpleasant waste and 
provides for a biodegradable disposition of it. 
Although the present invention is simple, it is understood that there may 
be equivalents. Consequently, any changes in size, shape, or any other 
feature is understood to be within the spirit and principle of the present 
invention to the full extent of the meaning of the claims which follow.