CANINE SANITARY DEVICE

Abstract: A canine sanitary device worn by pet dog's to catch and retain the animal's waste products in a disposable plastic liner. A pouch (1) and trough (6) collect the dog's waste products. These waste products are held in a disposable liner (15) within the pouch (1). Adjustable side straps (2 and 3) attach the pouch (1) to a waist strap (4) which encircles the dog's waist and attaches to a belly piece (5). The belly piece (5) may be an integral part of the trough (6) and is used as a handling aid in applying the unit.

Description: CANINE SANITAHY DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD I is invention pertains to pet supplies and more particularly to sanitary devices which are worn b pet dogs to catch and retain the animal ' s waste products in a disposable plastic liner. BACKGROUND ART The problem of disposing of pet waste both indoors and in public areas has long been a matter of concern. Other devices exist which attempt to solve this problem, but each device suffers from its own particular drawbacks. Of primary importance among these drawbacks are the lack of a means to collect the animal' s urine, collection of urine in a separate container, use of elaborate and cumbersome means to attach the collection means to the animal, and lack of a disposable liner disposed within the collection means. A prior art search did not disclose any patents which incor- porate in a single device all the features of the present invention. The following U.S. patents were considered in the investigation and evaluation of the prior art relative to this invention. PATENT NUMBER INVΈNTOR ISSUE DATE 229,321 (Design) Francis Nov. 20, 1973 2, 141,970 Buckingham Dec. 27, 1938 2,173,356 Cross Sept. 19, 1939 3,090, 356 Andrisani May 21 , 1 3 3,656,459 Miasud Apr. 18, 1972 3,786,787 Weinberger Jan. 22, 1974 3,792, 687 E rman Feb. 19, 1974 3,817,217 Matuka, et al Jun. 18, 1974 3,875,903 Sarvary Apr. 8, 1975 4,095,562 Graham June 20, 1978 4, 103,645 Tyler Aug. 1, 1978 4,290, 386 Ξiriksson Sept. 22, 1981 The Francis patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection. The Buckingham patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection and also utilizes a harness consisting of an elaborate and cumbersome system of straps and buckles. The Cross patent discloses a device with no disposable liner in the collection means. The collection means consists of a pan which is non-flexible and cumbersome. The Andrisani patent discloses a device with a separate means for urine collection which requires a separate disposable liner and therefore added effort on the part of the person making use of the device. ϊhe Missud patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection and no holder means for the disposable bag. It would not be suitable for use on many dogs because of its inadequate attachment means. The Weinberger patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection. The Ehrman patent discloses a device having no holder means for "the disposable bag. It utilizes a comparatively elaborate harness to attach the bag to the animal. The Matuka patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection. The Sarvary patent discloses a device with no means for urine collection and no holder means for the disposable element. It utilizes a harness arrangement that is comparatively elaborate, employing a strap which attaches to a collar about the animal' s 5 neck. The Graham patent discloses a device of the pants type which utilizes one comparatively large container for collection of both feces and urine. It is awkward and cumbersome for the animal wearing it and is not suitable for smaller dogs. 10 The Tyler patent discloses a device of the pants type with no means for urine collection. The Eiriksson patent discloses a device wi h an elaborate harness structure. It has a separate means for urine collection which utilizes an absorbent napkin. The holder for the disposable 15 bag is a wire frame structure. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide 20 an improved Canine Sanitary Device which lacks the disadvantages of the aforementioned devices. That is to provide a simple device with a single means of collecting and holding both urine and feces, with the added advantage of trapping the female dog' s menstrual discharge as well. These waste products are held in a container that has a disposable liner, and which is secured upon the animal with a simple harness structure. These objects are attained in a strap-on pouch with a forward projecting trougfr that utilizes disposable plastic liners. Adjustable straps are provided, thereby allowing the unit to fit 30 dogs of various sizes. Hook and loop fasteners, such as Yelcro*, are used for adjustment means on a strap that encircles the dog' s waist to allow for ease in application and removal. Snaps are used where side straps attach to the waist strap since this connection is not changed once the unit is fitted to the dog. The snaps provide a 35 stronger connection than would hook and loop fasteners on the limited surface area where the two straps mate. A somewhat flexible belly piece is provided to attach the waist band to the trough. * Velcro is a trademark of Velcro USA, Inc. located in New York, N.Y. , U.S.A. C_v.PI This belly piece conforms to the underside of the dog, yet is firm enough to allow for easy handling when applying the unit to the dog. A disposable liner, especially fitted to the pouch and trough, allows the user to conveniently dispose of the collected waste. The liner is held in place with snaps around the perimeter of the pouch' s opening. The forward end of the liner may be folded over the forward end of the troug before the pouch end is snapped into place. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the rear portion of a dog wearing this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Canine Sanitary Device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a disposable liner according to this invention. FIG. 4 is a section perspective view of the Canine Sanitary Device showing the flap and snaps used to hold the liner in the pouch. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A clear understanding of this invention can best be attained by referring to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following description. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the Canine Sanitary Device consist of a pouch 1 which is held in place with side straps 2 and 3 ( 3 is not shown in FIG. 1 , but can be seen in FIG. 2) which attach to a waist band 4« -*■ trough 6 is provided to catch urine and also provides support for the pouch 1 by attachment to the waist strap 4 the belly piece 5 ( shown in FIG. 2) . The belly piece 5 is attached to the waist strap 4 " by "the hook and loop fasteners 7 on ei her side of the belly piece 5 and their corresponding hook and loop counterparts 8 on either side of the waist strap 4. A shorter trou i 6, not extending beyond the belly piece 5 in the forward direction, may be utilized on models for use by female dogs and the trough 6 as shown in FIG. 2 may be utilized on models for male dogs. The trou^i 6 as shown in FIG. 2 may also be used in a universal model which is suitable for either male of female dogs. FIG. 2 shows the Canine Sanitary Device removed from the dog. The belly piece 5 may be made as an integral part of the trough 6. The trough 6 is attached at its rearmost end to the pouch 1. The pouch 1 may be made of leather, vinyl, or any other durable and flexible material. Alternately, the pouch 1 may be made of a rigid material as an integral part of the trough 6. As shown in FIG. 4 a. flap 12 on the pouch 1 is provided with snaps 14 which mate to snaps 13 on the lip 18 of the pouch 1. These snaps 13 and 14 axe used to secure the liner 15 ( shown in FIG. 3) within the pouch 1. As shown in FIG. 3 the disposable liner 15 is shaped so that it may be fitted securely within the pouch 1 and the trough 6. The forward end of the liner 16 may be folded over the forward end of the trough 17. The snaps 14 on the pouch flap 12 are mated to- the snaps 13 on the lip of the pouch 18, thus securing the liner therebetween. The snaps 10 and 11 on the right and left straps 2 and 3 mate to the waist strap snaps 9 o the waist strap 4, thereby providing an adjustment to fit the device to a variety of dogs. In use the disposable liner 15 is placed into the pouch 1 and trough 6 as described above. The hook and loop fasteners 7 o either side of the belly piece 5 axe separated from the hook and loop fasteners 8 on the waist strap 4« The unit is held in place beneath the dog and the hook and loop fasteners 7 axe mated to their hook and loop fastener counterparts 8, on either side of the dog. The first time the Canine Sanitary Device is placed upon a particular dog it may have to be adjusted by re-fastening the appropriate snaps 10 and 11 on the right and left straps 2 and 3 to the appropriate snaps on the waist strap 4« Al hough the invention has been described in complete detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not intended that it " be limited to such details since modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore the Canine Sanitary Device as disclosed is intended to cover all equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the claims. This applies particularly to the use of the Canine Sanitary device to non-canine animals since this device may be well suited for use on other four legged pets. _C_VPI_ \. __ • /-.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A Canine Sanitary Device comprising: a) a pouch for collecting and holding canine waste products; b) a trou#ι connected to said pouch capable of collecting and channeling urine into said pouch? c) a disposable liner removably disposed within said pouch and said trough; d) an adjustable harness attached to said pouch and said tro__$ι for maintaining said pouch and said trough in place upon the dog. 2. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 1 wherein the pouch is made of a durable and flexibl e material. 3. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 1 wherein the pouch is made of a rigid material. 4. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 3 wherein the trough is an integral part of the pouch. 5. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 2 or 4 wherein the harness comprises. a) a waist strap which encircl es the dog' s waist and is removably connected to the trough; b) right and left side straps which are removably connected to the waist strap and which are connected to the pouch. 6. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim further comprising a belly piece which is attached to the trough and which is removably connected to the waist strap, 7. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 6 wherein the belly piece is an integral part of the trough. 8. A Canine Sanitary Device according to claim 7 wherein both the waist strap and the side straps are each provided with a plurality of snap connectors to allow for their relative adjustment and the waist strap is connected adjustably to the belly piece with hook and loop fasteners.

Inventors: LYNCH JOHN JOSEPH, LYNCH, JOHN, JOSEPH
Applicants: LYNCH JOHN JOSEPH, LYNCH, JOHN, JOSEPH
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01K23
IPC codes: A01K23