Abstract:
An assembly device for cleaning an animal&#39;s paw and assembly methods thereof are disclosed including a container adapted to retain a cleaning agent, the container defining an opening and including a side wall, a cleaning platform disposed in said container and defining a space between said cleaning platform and said container side wall, and a squeegee member substantially covering said opening.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a) claiming benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) of the filing date of the Provisional Application 60/654,933 filed on Feb. 23, 2005 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §111(b), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to improvements to traditional devices for cleaning an animal&#39;s paws and assembly methods thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The company and companionship of a pet such as a dog is invaluable. Human nature has a great need to have such pets close at hand and to allow them into our homes. However, such pets, particularly dogs, are notorious for tracking dirt inside the home and getting paw prints onto floors, carpeting, and furniture. Unfortunately, the soiling of a dog&#39;s paws is, for the most part, unavoidable given the necessity of allowing a dog outside for exercise and excreting bodily waste and, in some instances, the instinct in many breeds to thereafter scrape the earth as if to cover the waste with dirt. Inclement weather only exacerbates this problem. 
     Traditionally, pet owners have had to either bath their dogs or wash their paws by traditional means, for example with a wet towel or by placing the entire dog into a bathtub. Both are messy and involved processes. Bathing results in washing more dog than is dirty, and the wet towel process requires restricting movement of the dog (sometimes a monumental task in an of itself) while fetching and preparing the towel, carrying a dripping towel across the floor, and returning a wet and soiled towel to a wash basin thereafter. 
     In the past, devices have been used to wash only an animal&#39;s paws. Some such devices are adapted to fit over the paw, but are usually cumbersome, inefficient, and fail to adequately solve the above-mentioned problems. For example, some devices are sized to fit the animal&#39;s paw, requiring a person with pets of different sizes to purchase and store numerous devices. Some devices are not large enough to hold sufficient amounts of water, thereby requiring several trips to the tap to empty and refill the device. Some devices do not, by design, prevent tipping over, nor are they designed to allow adequate water to come into contact with the paw during the wash. Other devices also do not prevent splashing of the water (or other cleaning agent) when washing the paw or withdrawing it from the device. The problem of splashing is particularly keen given the unpredictable behavior of animals and the need to hold the device at an angle while cleaning the paw. A further issue not solved by other devices is removing the scrubbing element therein for cleaning or replacement in an easy way. 
     Notwithstanding the usefulness of the structures previously used for cleaning an animal&#39;s paws, a need still exists for a device providing a convenient and efficient one-size-fits-all means to clean the paw in a convenient, inexpensive way, to prevent tipping over, to hold sufficient water and allow it to adequately come into contact with the paw during the wash, to prevent splashing, and to easily remove the scrubbing element. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of at least one embodiment of the invention to overcome the foregoing exemplary shortcomings and problems. 
     It is another object of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a portable device constructed of durable materials for cleaning an animal&#39;s paws. 
     It is a further object of at least one embodiment of the invention to allow the cleaning of different sized paws in one device. 
     It is also an object of at least one embodiment of the device to store a sufficient amount of the cleaning agent and to provide adequate contact between the cleaning agent and the paw. 
     It is still a further object of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a means to minimize splashing while traveling to and from a water source, during wash, and when the paw is removed from the device. 
     Another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide an easy way to remove the scrubbing element for cleaning or replacement. 
     Yet another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to avoid tipping over. 
     In one embodiment of the invention a device for cleaning an animal&#39;s paw includes a container adapted to retain a cleaning agent, a cleaning platform within the container, and a squeegee member substantially covering the opening of the container. The cleaning platform defines a space between the cleaning platform and the container side wall. In another embodiment at least one scrubbing element is attached to the interior surface of the cleaning platform. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning platform includes a plurality of holes, and at least one scrubbing element is attached to at least one of the holes. In a further embodiment, the device includes a lid adapted to cover and seal the container opening. In yet another embodiment, the container includes a handle. 
     Still another embodiment of the invention defines a method for assembling the device for cleaning an animal&#39;s paws. The method includes the step of attaching the cleaning platform to the container. In another embodiment, the method includes attaching the squeegee member to the container. In yet another embodiment, the process includes attaching a lid to the container. In a further embodiment, the process includes attaching at least one scrubbing element to the interior surface of the cleaning platform. 
     In the following enabling description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration of the specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the following embodiments the apparatus and methods should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art and in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that structural changes based on presently known structural and/or functional equivalents may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing the container and cleaning platform. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded cutaway view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the cleaning platform. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of the flexible portion of a squeegee member. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the squeegee member illustrating a bottom perspective view of the flexible portion depicted in  FIG. 6  and a top perspective view of the girdle. 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled side view of a brush-shaped embodiment of a scrubbing element attached to the cleaning platform. 
         FIG. 9  depicts the scrubbing element embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the invention with the cleaning platform attached to the bottom of the container. 
         FIG. 11  is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the invention with the cleaning platform attached to the container side wall by posts. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, “substantially,” “generally,” “relatively” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. They are not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which they modify, but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic. 
     As used herein, the phrase “squeegee member” refers to a device made of a flexible material such as rubber, leather, or brushes, at least substantially covering the opening of the container and adapted to receive the paw, to minimize leaking and splashing of the cleaning agent, and to flexibly drag along the surface of the paw as the paw is withdrawn from the container to remove cleaning agent and dirt. 
     As used herein, the phrase “scrubbing element” refers to an apparatus constructed of materials suitable for scrubbing an animal paw to dislodge dirt and otherwise clean the paw, such structures including brushes, sponges, flexible combs and other abrasives. 
     The present invention is generally directed to devices for cleaning the paws of an animal, such as a pet dog, and methods for assembling the same. A paw cleaning device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , comprises a container  10  adapted to hold a cleaning agent  20  and a cleaning platform  50  inside the container  10 . In some embodiments, the platform  50  includes a scrubbing element  120  on which the animal&#39;s paw is cleaned (see  FIG. 5 ). The platform  50  is appropriately sized such that a space  60  is formed between the platform  50  and the side wall  40  of the container  10 . This space  60  promotes circulation of the cleaning agent  20 . A squeegee member  80  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) substantially covers the opening  30  of the container  10  and helps remove dirt and water (or other cleaning agent  20 ) when the paw is withdrawn from the container  10 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  also has a lid  150  sealing the opening  30  of the container  10  and a handle  140 . 
     Consistent with the invention, the container  10  can be of any shape or size sufficient to provide a reservoir for the cleaning agent  20  and room for the platform  50 . The cleaning agent  20  can be any material, preferably liquid or powder, suitable for cleaning an animal&#39;s paws, including water, soaps, disinfectants, and deodorants. As will be recognized by skilled artisans, cleaning agent  20  may be replaced by other substances if desired. 
     The cleaning platform  50  is located inside the container  10 . The platform  50  is sized to form a space  60  between the platform  50  and the side wall  40  of the container  10 . Water (or other cleaning agent  20 ) passes within this space  60 , the space  60  promoting circulation of the cleaning agent  20 . The platform  50  can be of any number of shapes and sizes. It can be hollow, tubular, or consisting of a single or plurality of flat surfaces. It can be opened or closed at the lower end  170  of the platform. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the lower end  170  of the platform  50  is open, thereby further promoting circulation of the cleaning agent  20  and providing a way for dirt and grime to fall away from the cleaning area and settle to the bottom  180  of the container  10 . The platform  50  can be constructed of porous material (see  FIG. 4 ) or include a number of holes  130  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  10 ,  11 ) which also promote circulation of the cleaning agent  20 . Further, the platform  50  can also be made of abrasive material to scrub the paw. 
     The platform  50  can be attached to the container  10  either fixedly or removably. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , the removable platform  50  has a collar  160  which rests upon and engages the upper lip  90  of the side wall  40  of the container  10 . The platform  50  can also be attached to the bottom  180  of the container  10  ( FIG. 10 ) or connected to the side wall  40  of the container  10 , for example by way of posts  190  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     To facilitate scrubbing of the paw, the cleaning platform  50  can include scrubbing elements  120 . Scrubbing elements  120  comprise structures suitable for cleaning or scrubbing the animal&#39;s paw, such as sponges, flexible combs and other abrasives. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  the scrubbing element  120  is a brush. In certain embodiments, scrubbing elements  120  are attached to the interior surface  110  of the cleaning platform  50 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , several brush-shaped scrubbing elements  120  are attached to some of the holes  130  in the platform  50 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a brush-shaped scrubbing element  120  with a foot  220  sized larger than the hole  130  in the platform  50  with all but the foot  220  passing through the hole  130 . Scrubbing elements  130  can be fixedly or pivotally attached to the platform  50  (for example, by adhesive, plastic melting, snap-fit, screwing, hinge or otherwise). The scrubbing element  120  can also be removable. 
     In certain embodiments, the animal&#39;s paw can be scrubbed by either the platform  50  or the scrubbing elements  120 . The container  10 , therefore, does not have to come into contact with the paw, and can be sized narrow or wide. A wider container  10  with a wider base  210  is less likely to tip over. 
     In certain embodiments, the scrubbing elements  120  surround the paw, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The scrubbing elements  120  can be flexible (brushes, for example), thereby accommodating paws of different sizes. Thus, the same platform  50  and scrubbing elements  120  can be used to clean both large paws and small paws in a “one-size fits all” manner. A scrubbing element  120  comprising a flexible sponge might accomplish this as well. Alternatively, cleaning platforms  50  can be constructed at different sizes to be interchangeable with the same container  10 . By switching the platform  50 , the same container  10  can be used to clean a variety of paw sizes. Alternatively, the scrubbing elements  120  can be interchangeable to fit different paw sizes, allowing use of the same container  10  and platform  50 . 
     After the paw is cleaned, it is withdrawn from the container  10  through a squeegee member  80  which substantially covers the opening  30  of the container  10 . The squeegee member  80  is constructed of a flexible material such as rubber, leather, or brushes, and flexibly drags along the surface of the paw to remove water (or other cleaning agents  20 ) and dirt. The squeegee member  80  also minimizes leaks and splashing of the cleaning agent  20 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate one embodiment of a squeegee member  80  constructed of soft rubber and formed with accordion-like folds, allowing the opening  200  in the squeegee member  80  to flexibly expand and contract. Flexibility of the squeegee member  80 , accommodates paws of varying sizes. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the squeegee member  80  consists of a flexible portion  85  and a girdle  70 . The flexible portion  85  fits into the girdle  70 , and the girdle  70  is attached to the container  10 , thereby allowing the flexible portion  85  to substantially cover the opening  30  of the container  10 . In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the girdle  70  is removably attached to the collar  160  of the platform  50 , however the girdle  70  can also be fixedly attached to the collar  160 . The squeegee member  80  or its girdle  70  can also be attached to the upper lip  90  of the side wall  40  of the container  10 . In  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  7  the flexible portion  85  of the squeegee member  80  is removably attached to the girdle  70 , however the flexible portion  85  can also be integrally formed with the girdle  70 . 
     In several of the illustrated embodiments, the container includes a handle  140 , thus making the paw cleaning device easier to carry and easier to use. Because of the squeegee member  80  substantially covers the opening  30  of the container  10 , the device can be turned on an angle with minimized risk of splashing. The handle  140  also makes it easier to perform a back-and-forth scrubbing movement while cleaning the paw. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the device also includes a lid  150 , which fits over, covers, and seals the opening  30  in the container  10 . The lid  150  prevents accidental spillage of the cleaning agent  20  during storage and transport and can also minimize unpleasant odors. 
     The invention also includes methods for assembling the paw cleaning device. According to an embodiment, the method comprises the step of attaching the cleaning platform  50  to the container  10 . According to further embodiments, methods also include the steps of attaching the squeegee member  80  to the container  10  and attaching at least one scrubbing element  120  to the interior surface  110  of the platform  50 . In certain embodiments, the step of attaching the squeegee member  80  to the container  10  includes attaching the squeegee  80  member to the cleaning platform  50  or, in another embodiment, attaching a flexible portion  85  of the squeegee member  80  to a girdle  70  and attaching the girdle  70  to the container  10 . 
     Given the foregoing, it should be apparent that the specifically described embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, variations and modifications to the invention should now be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art. These variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.