Abstract:
Method and device for disposal of waste including, without limitation, human or animal waste. Disposal device includes a bag-like member coupled to an absorbent member. The bag-like member may be folded for compact storage prior to use and unfolded during use thereof. A method for collecting, removing, and/or disposing of waste utilizing the disposal device including the steps of: unfolding the bag-like member; inserting a hand therein; collecting waste with the absorbent member; inverting the bag-like member so as to effectively wrap the absorbent member and waste within the bag-like member; optionally sealing the bag-like member; and disposing of the disposal device, the waste contained within the disposal device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and devices for training pets and the disposal of waste. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for the sanitary collection, removal, and disposal of waste including, without limitation, human and animal waste. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention, a waste collection, removal, and/or disposal device is provided. This device includes a bag-like member, the bag-like member having an open end and an opposite closed end; and an absorbent member coupled to the bag-like member. 
         [0003]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for collecting, removing, and/or disposing of waste is provided. This method includes the steps of: inserting a hand through an open end of a disposal device; grabbing at least one of the absorbent member, the bag-like member, and combinations thereof; collecting waste; and inverting the bag-like member. In one aspect, the disposal device includes a bag-like member, the bag-like member having an open end and an opposite closed end; and an absorbent member coupled to the bag-like member. 
         [0004]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for collecting, removing, and/or disposing of waste is provided. This method includes the steps of: placing a disposal device on a surface accessible by an animal; allowing the animal to perform an action relative to the absorbent member, the action selected from the group consisting of urination, defecation, and combinations thereof; lifting at least a portion of the disposal device from the surface; grabbing at least one of the absorbent member, the bag-like member, and combinations thereof; and inverting the bag-like member. In one aspect, the disposal device includes a bag-like member, the bag-like member having an open end and an opposite closed end; and an absorbent member coupled to the bag-like member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a disposal device depicting the face of an absorbent member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a rear view of an absorbent member in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the disposal device of  FIG. 1  showing a folded bag-like member attached to the rear of the absorbent member; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a first side view of the disposal device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the bag-like member unfolded in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a second side view of the disposal device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  rotated ninety degrees relative to the view shown in  FIG. 3A  to depict a pair of handles in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an angled side view of the disposal device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the bag-like member unfolded in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a method of using a disposal device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower” and “upper” and “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
         [0014]    Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate aspects of the invention described by the plural of that term. As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, e.g., “an absorbent member” may include a plurality of absorbent members. Thus, for example, a reference to “a method” includes one or more methods, and/or steps of the type described herein and/or which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure. 
         [0015]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods, constructs and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where there are discrepancies in terms and definitions used in references that are incorporated by reference, the terms used in this application shall have the definitions given herein. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicted are various views of a disposal device  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Disposal device  100  may be used for waste collection including, without limitation, collection of human and animal waste and the cleanup of other liquid spills and associated matter. In the depicted embodiment, disposal device  100  includes a disposable bag-like member  102  coupled to an absorbent member  104 . 
         [0017]    Bag-like member  102  includes open end  108  and closed end  110 . In the depicted embodiment, bag-like member  102  is made of a thin, water-proof/-resistant, biodegradable material such as polyethylene, however, alternate materials may be substituted including, without limitation, vinyl, latex, polypropylene, and cellophane. In the depicted embodiment, bag-like member  102  is an elongated tube having a substantially circular cross-section at its proximal end and two handles at its distal end. However, alternate shapes and alternatively shaped cross-sections may be substituted including, without limitation, triangular, square, rectangular, flattened, and the like. Also, bag-like member  102  may be formed with a varying quantity of handles or no handles at all. 
         [0018]    Also, in the depicted embodiment, bag-like member  102  has a diameter of approximately six (6) inches and a length of approximately twelve (12) inches such that the distal ends of handles  118  extend approximately to the user&#39;s elbow or upper forearm when a user&#39;s hand is fully inserted therein. However, bag-like member  102  and/or handles (when included) may be manufactured in many varying widths and lengths to fit a variety of users and/or to accommodate a variety of coverage options (i.e., extend to wrist with and/or without handles, extend above the elbow with and/or without handles) without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0019]    As best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the bag-like member of the depicted embodiment also includes a grip  120  at its closed end and internal to bag-like member  102 . In the depicted embodiment, the grip is in the form of an enlarged loop through which a user&#39;s hand may pass in order to provide the user with a better grip of the closed end of bag-like member  102  and its associated absorbent member  104 . However, grip  120  may be omitted and/or alternate grips may be substituted including, without limitation, smaller loops, tabs, or the like. 
         [0020]    In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, absorbent member  104  includes pad  112  and back  114  ( FIG. 1B ), both of which are substantially circular and have a diameter of approximately six (6) inches. However, alternate shapes and dimensions may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0021]    As depicted in  FIG. 1B , back  114  is a relatively thin sheet of plastic that is of substantially similar size and shape as pad  112  and is attached to pad  112  along its perimeter. Back  114  acts as a barrier to prevent liquids or other material absorbed or otherwise in contact with pad  112  from passing through absorbent member  104  into the interior of bag-like member  102 . This minimizes the potential that the hand of the user contacts the materials being handled by disposal device  100 . However, alternate methods of preventing such contact other than back  114  may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof including, without limitation, a chemical barrier painted on the interior surface of pad  112 . Or, alternatively, the end of bag-like member  102  coupled to absorbent member  104  may be sealed, thereby preventing passage of liquids or other materials into member  102 . In such a scenario, absorbent member  104  may include a pad  112  only. 
         [0022]    In the depicted embodiment, pad  112  is comprised of a material that can absorb and retain the material to be disposed. In the depicted embodiment, the pad material is a biodegradable material such as cellulose. However, alternate materials may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof including, without limitation, paper, algae, cotton, bamboo, hemp, cloth, gelatin, synthetic fiber/microfiber fabric (e.g., polyester/polyamide), sawdust, grain hulls, minerals, and magnesium carbonate. Also, non-biodegradable materials may also be utilized without departing from the scope hereof. Pad  112  may be multi-layered to allow separate layers for better absorption, retention of the liquid or other material being disposed, and for attachment to the bag-like member  102 , however, single layered absorbent members are also envisioned. 
         [0023]    In the depicted embodiment, pad  112  is saturated with a liquid such as a disinfectant, antibacterial, a cleaning agent, or the like to assist with cleaning of the surface from which material is being removed for disposal. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which varying types of liquids are substituted or no liquid is utilized without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , depicted are side views of disposal device  100 . The rear  114  of absorbent member  104  is coupled to bag-like member  102  via an adhesive, heat sealing, or other means known in the art, thereby leaving the outwardly facing surface  113  of pad  112  available for absorbing liquid. In the depicted embodiment, rear  114  is coupled to closed end  110  of bag-like member  102  but alternate embodiments are envisioned in which absorbent member  104  is coupled to other areas of bag-like member  102  including, without limitation, areas proximal to open end  108  of bag-like member  102 . 
         [0025]    In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, bag-like member  104  is collapsed and folded onto the rear side of disposal device  100  as shown in the rear view of  FIG. 2  for compact storage and transport. That is, bag-like member  104  is folded in a manner in which it extends a minimal distance from the rear  114  of absorbent member  104 . In the depicted embodiment, bag-like member  104  is folded into three pie-like pieces to facilitate storage, packaging, and transport. However, alternate methods of folding bag-like member may be substituted, or bag-like member  104  may remain unfolded, without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0026]    It should be noted that the present invention may be easily used as a training pad for pets. In this use, the absorbent member and its folded bag-like member are simply placed upon a floor or similar surface with the outwardly facing surface  113  of pad  112  facing up (or in the direction in which the pet will use the pad). After the pet urinates and/or defecates on the pad  112 , the waste may be disposed of by picking up the disposal device and following the method described below with regards to  FIG. 5 . As described above, the size of the pad and/or disposal device may be varied as needed to accommodate varying sizes of pets. 
         [0027]    Next, turning to  FIG. 5 , depicted is one method of disposing of waste in accordance with the present invention. First, at  502 , a person desiring to collect waste would first unfold bag-like member  102 . In a scenario in which disposal device is being utilized as a training pad, the disposal device may be first lifted from the ground or other surface to allow the bag-like member to be unfolded. 
         [0028]    Next, at  504 , a user places his or her hand  106  through open end  108  and into the interior of bag-like member  102  and grabs either the absorbent member or the bag-like member in an area in which control may be exerted over the absorbent member. In an embodiment incorporating a grip internal to the bag-like member, step  504  may also include grabbing or otherwise coupling the hand to the grip (e.g., sliding a finger or hand through the grip). 
         [0029]    Next, at  506 , the user then collects the waste to be disposed. This step may include, for example, positioning the outwardly facing surface  113  of pad  112  onto the liquid portion of such waste, if any, for collection thereof by allowing the liquid to be absorbed into pad  112 . Alternatively, or in addition to absorbing liquid waste, the user may optionally grab any non-liquid waste by wrapping pad  112  around such non-liquid waste. It should be noted that in an embodiment in which the disposal device is used as a training pad, this step may be omitted as, prior to step  502 , the disposal device is placed on the ground or other surface prior to creation of the waste and the waste is thereafter deposited onto the pad. However, in some training pad uses, it may be necessary to also collect waste if the animal was not able to completely locate all of the waste on the surface of the pad (i.e., the dry areas of the pad may be used to clean the area adjacent to the original training pad location). 
         [0030]    Thereafter, at  508 , the user inverts bag-like member  102  such that it surrounds absorbent member  104 . This may be done, for example, by grabbing the open end  108  of bag-like member  102  with the user&#39;s hand that is not holding absorbent member  104  and inverting bag-like member  102  such that absorbent member  104  and any associated waste is now inside of bag-like member  102 . Or, absorbent member  104  and any associated waste may be pulled into bag-like member  102 , thereby causing inversion of the latter. Regardless of how the bag-like member is inverted, absorbent member  104  and the collected waste is then contained within bag-like member  102 . Collected waste may include waste grabbed by the user during step  506  or it may include waste left on the pad by an animal prior to step  502  without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0031]    Then, at  510 , the inverted bag-like member  102  can optionally be sealed with a clasp, drawstring, flexible tie, tape, knot or the like to prevent leakage. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , handles  118  may be tied together to seal the contents of bag-like member  102  therein. Finally, at  512 , the device may be disposed of in an environmentally and sanitarily appropriate method. 
         [0032]    Although the disposal device is designed for the cleanup of liquid spills and associated matter, the disposal device may also be used for cleanup of non-liquid matter that is not associated with a liquid spill without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.