Abstract:
A disposable dog waste handling device includes a framework; and a flexible bag, attached to the framework, having a portion capable of lying flat under the dog to capture feces eliminated from the dog, the bag adapted to retain the feces when the device is lifted. The device may be operated by a user using one hand so that, when the user lifts an end of the framework, the bag retains the feces and the user does not feel the eliminated feces. The framework includes a strip of flexible material that forms a loop, and the bag may not detach from the material. The entire device is then thrown away.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/349,715, filed May 28, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to pet products and more specifically to a disposable dog waste bag. 
         [0003]    Existing dog waste removal products may require the user to manipulate bags or materials where the user may come in contact with the waste. The user may be required to use other equipment, or the user might feel the texture and temperature of the waste through the bag. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable to have a fully disposable dog waste handling device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes a framework; and a flexible bag, having a first portion capable of lying flat to capture feces eliminated from an animal, and having a second portion that attaches to the framework so that the bag retains the feces when the device is lifted. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, a disposable dog waste handling device includes a framework; and a flexible bag, attached to the framework, having a portion capable of lying flat under the dog to capture feces eliminated from the dog, the bag adapted to retain the feces when the device is lifted; wherein the device may be operated by a user using one hand so that, when the user lifts an end of the framework, the bag retains the feces and the user does not feel the eliminated feces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top-right perspective view of one embodiment illustrating use with a dog; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top-right perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating lifting of the bag after use; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a right-side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating a closed bag configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in the closed configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an exploded-right perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  being lifted by a user; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  after use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used in industry and include the best mode now known of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must be performed in that order. 
         [0017]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a fully disposable dog waste bag that may be placed under the dog while it goes to the bathroom, which then may be lifted and then thrown away. 
         [0018]    An embodiment of the present invention may provide a fully-disposable bag that has a built-in framework so the bag can be placed on the ground before a dog or other animal or pet goes to the bathroom. Embodiments of a bag can then be lifted using the framework so the entire unit can be disposed of without the person ever feeling the dog&#39;s feces or carrying a non-disposable framework or handle around afterwards. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a top-right perspective view of one embodiment illustrating use of the dog waste handling device  10  in use with a dog  22  is shown. In one embodiment, the dog waste handling device  10  may comprise a disposable bag  12 , a short frame stick  14 , a long frame stick  16 , and a pivot pin  18 . The fecal matter  20  eliminated by the dog  22  may be captured in the disposable bag  12 . The disposable bag  12  may consist substantially of plastic, paper, or other low-cost material. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in one embodiment, a shaped sheet of low-cost material may be used to create the disposable bag  12  portion of the dog waste handling device  10 . In one embodiment, frame sticks  14  and  16  may be used generally as frame work to form a disposable loop. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , embodiments of a disposable bag  12  may be cut into a shape and affixed to framework sticks  14  and  16  or other frame to provide a bag-type use. The disposable bag  12  may be used to hold the feces  20  once the dog  22  eliminates it. The disposable bag  12  may be made of plastic or a similar material suitable to form a low-cost bag. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the disposable framework sticks  14  and  16  or other frame may be used to give the dog waste handling device  10  a structure and weight. In a foldable embodiment, the device  10  can be opened using one hand, placed under the dog  22 , and closed with one hand. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the framework sticks  14  and  16  may be from three inches to twelve inches in length depending the size of the bag  12  as it may relate to the size designed for different size dogs  22 . In one embodiment, the disposable sticks  14  and  16  may be made from, by way of example and not by way of limitation, plastic or wood. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the disposable bag  12  may be affixed to the framework sticks  14  and  16  using adhesive or a similar method so as to allow the framework sticks  14  and  16  to open and close the dog waste handling device  10  as well as give it weight to allow the device  10  to be placed under the dog once opened. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, optional elements may include longer framework sticks  14  and  16  to give the dog owner comfort that their hand will be farther away from the dog  22  and feces  20  when they are placing the bag under the dog. Another optional element may include a seal on the top of the bag  12  so as to seal in the feces  20  while it is transported for disposal or if it is stored in a garbage can for a longer period of time. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, two longer framework sticks  16  may be connected to each other at one end. They may be connected with connectors (screws, rivets, etc.) or pivot pin  18  which allows for a single point hinge motion to take place. The other end of each of the long framework sticks  16  may be attached to a short framework stick  14  with the same connector device. In one embodiment, the unconnected ends of two short framework sticks  14  may be connected to each other making a four sided, kite-like shape. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the disposable bag  12  may be attached to the framework sticks  14  and  16  with an adhesive or by permanently sealing the disposable bag  12  around the framework sticks  14  and  16 , thus creating a bag-like shape and one disposable device. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , in a second embodiment, a waste handling device  30  may have a curved frame  32  made of a single, flexible piece of material, such as plastic formed into a long, thin strip, which retains the disposable bag  12 . The strip of material may be attached to itself at one end to form a generally teardrop-shaped loop. The device  30  may be operated utilizing one hand. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a user may grasp one end of the curved frame  32  using one hand, to lift the entire waste handling device  30  that contains the feces  20 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , once the waste handling device  30  has been lifted, the disposable bag  12  will retain the feces  20  so that the entire device  30  may be disposed of without the user&#39;s hand coming near the feces  20 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, a method for using a dog waste handling device  10  comprises transporting the device  10  when taking the dog  22  out for a walk and making sure the device  10  is in a place which is easily accessible to the user. This is because once the dog  22  shows that it is preparing to eliminate, there will not be much time to act. Once the dog squats, getting ready to eliminate, the method continues by the user&#39;s pulling out the device  10  with one hand. The user then places the bag  12  under the dog  22 . The user lays it on the ground in the best place that the user believes will catch the feces  20 . Once the dog  22  is finished eliminating, the user picks up the device  10 , thus retaining the feces  20  in the bag  12  and never having to feel the actual fecal material  20  through the plastic. The user disposes the entire device  10  in a trash receptacle, not having to reuse or carry any portion again. 
         [0032]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.