Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to improved convenience in helping to improve environmental and animal health and comfort. The present disclosure relates to disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags, series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags, and the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a disposable reversible receptacle for picking up and disposing pet waste, wherein the disposable reversible bag further comprises a moistened wipe, which may allow a user to sanitarily wipe the pet and pick up the waste.

Description:
Dogs are great companions and for many of us, they share our same living, work, and travel spaces, such as our neighborhoods, cars, and homes. Dogs do not instinctively wipe their paws or rear ends. Unfortunately, they can bring into our homes unwanted fecal material and other soiled material. Residual fecal material on a dog&#39;s rear end can be irritating to a dog and can bring in unsanitary things into our shared spaces. It is not uncommon to see a dog rubbing their rear ends on the carpets in our homes or track unwanted things into our homes from their soiled paws. 
     Because many pet owners share the same living spaces with their pets, it may interest them to take responsibility for cleaning after their pets immediately after they have walked or defecated to prevent the potential spread of this mess throughout their homes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags and the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a bag for picking up and disposing pet waste, wherein the bag further comprises a wiping portion, which may allow a user to sanitarily wipe the pet and pick up the waste. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Currently, waste collection bags or even old grocery bags are the primary methods of picking up after a pet, and pet wipes may be separately available as an option for cleaning a pet. 
     Loizides (U.S. application Ser. No. 12/228,442 filed Aug. 13, 2008) relates to an “anti-bacterial wet wipe, reversible to plastic poop bag  10  [having] the design of a mitten/pouch  20  with a thumb insertion  24 ” may solve these issues. See para [0016]. In this application, “[t]he outside layer of the mitten/pouch  22 , contains the anti-bacterial/sanitizing solution. The inner scented plastic layer  26  once reversed inside out will aid in eliminating odors of the animal waste . . . . The adhesive tape/strip component  40 , will contain a strong adhesive compound to ensure that once the poop bag is turned inside out, that the animal waste collected will be adequately secured inside as to avoid any spill or seeping of animal waste collected.” See para [0016]. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The related art fails to provide a convenient and practical solution to the issue of wiping and collecting waste of a pet. The pet wipes are sold separately but present sanitary issues for the pet owner, who, by product design, makes direct contact with the wet wipe. The direct contact between the pet owner hand and the wipes creates multiple issues. The pet owner may not have a convenient way to hold the wipe to be able to effectively control the wiping. This may cause the wipe to slip increasing the chances of contact with the pet waste. 
     The wipes are generally consistent material throughout so that the entire wipe is wet. With no moisture barrier, waste cleaned off the pet may seep into the wipe into contact with the pet owner. After use, pet wipes must be placed directly into a garbage can or into another bag, such as the waste collection bags. If used in conjunction with waste collection, the pet owner may be juggling an open bag holding pet waste, pulling out a wipe, wiping the pet, and placing the soiled wipe into the bag. This system is not convenient and presents sanitary issues at multiple points. 
     Though the mitt may offer a combination of waste collection and wiping, it presents a new set of issues both in the use and in the manufacturing of the mitt that are not described, disclosed, or suggested. The mitt disclosure does not describe, disclose, or suggest an embodiment practical for manufacturing, use, or storage. The Loizides application does not describe, disclose, or suggest that the exposed outside layer with sanitizing solution may leak onto other surfaces and/or dry out. The application does not describe, disclose, or suggest that inner scented plastic layer may cause the waste odor concealing scent to rub off onto the pet owner&#39;s hand. The application does not describe, disclose, or suggest that the mitt, adhesive tape, and exposed sanitizing solution may also create waste and inefficiencies for the manufacturing process. 
     Therefore, what is needed, is a convenient way to collect waste and utilize a wipe to clean the pet. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an improved collection and wipe system, which allows a pet owner to accomplish both tasks utilizing the same mechanism, which may not require direct contact with the wipe. Further needed is a practical solution that allows for efficient manufacturing and convenient storage. Accordingly, the present disclosure also relates to an improved method of manufacture, which may allow the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag to be manufactured. 
     The present disclosure describes a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag and methods of manufacture. The disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag combines the functions of waste collection and wiping into a single embodiment. The present disclosure may allow for ease of manufacturing and storage. In some aspects, the pet wipe and waste collection bag may allow a pet owner to maintain control of the wipe, which may limit concern about waste or moisture seeping through the bag. In some embodiments, the wipe may be stored in a protected state, wherein the moisture may be sealed in and the wipe may be protected from unintended contamination. In some embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods of manufacturing, wherein multiple disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags may be manufactured as a series, which may allow for cost-efficient manufacturing. 
     The present disclosure describes a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag comprising a disposable reversible receptacle comprising an exterior comprising a pliable material of limited moisture permeability, wherein at least a portion of the pliable material comprises a moistened wipe, wherein the moistened wipe comprises an at least partially absorptive material moistened with a wipe solution; an interior configured to fit over a hand of a user, wherein the interior and the exterior share the pliable material; an unsealed end comprising an opening configured to accept the hand into the interior; and a sealed end distally located from the unsealed end. 
     In some embodiments, the disposable reversible receptacle may be stored in a reversed position, wherein the interior is located externally, and the exterior is located internally. In some aspects, the disposable reversible receptacle may be stored in a normal position, wherein the interior is located internally, and the exterior is located externally, and wherein the exterior further comprises a removable protective shield covering the moistened wipe. 
     The wipe solution may comprise an antibacterial solution. The pliable material may comprise a plastic. The pliable material may be manufactured from a tubular film. The at least partially absorptive material may comprise a spun lace nonwoven fabric. The at least partially absorptive material and the pliable material may comprise a biodegradable material. The exterior may further comprise a reactive agent capable of neutralizing and/or degrading pet waste. 
     The present disclosure describes a series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags comprising a plurality of disposable pet wipe waste collection bags, wherein the plurality of disposable pet wipe waste collection bags are detachably interconnected, each disposable pet wipe waste collection bag comprises: a disposable reversible receptacle comprising: an exterior comprising a pliable material of limited moisture permeability, wherein at least a portion of the pliable material comprises a moistened wipe, wherein the moistened wipe comprises an at least partially absorptive material moistened with a wipe solution; an interior configured to fit over a hand of a user, wherein the interior and the exterior share the pliable material; an unsealed end comprising an opening configured to accept the hand into the interior; and a sealed end distally located from the unsealed end. 
     In some aspects, the plurality of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags may be detachably interconnected in a consecutive manner, wherein a sealed end of a first disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag is detachably connected to an unsealed end of a subsequent disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag, and wherein an unsealed end of the first disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag is detachably connected to a sealed end of a prior disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. The plurality of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags may be stored as a roll or stack. 
     In some embodiments, the disposable reversible receptacles may be stored in a normal position, wherein the interior is located internally, and the exterior is located externally, and wherein the exterior further comprises a removable protective shield covering the moistened wipe. In some aspects, the disposable reversible receptacles may be stored in a reversed position, wherein the interior is located externally, and the exterior is located internally. The series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags may be manufactured in the reversed position. 
     The pliable material may comprise a plastic. The pliable material of each disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag may be manufactured from a tubular film. The reversible receptacle of each disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag may comprise a plurality of plastic sheets connected by a sealing process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, that are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an alternate exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a roll of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags. 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag worn by a user. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary method steps for utilizing a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary method steps for manufacturing disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates alternate exemplary method steps for manufacturing disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides generally for disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags and the manufacture thereof. 
     In the following sections, detailed descriptions of examples and methods of the disclosure will be given. The description of both preferred and alternative examples though through are exemplary only, and it is understood that to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, and alterations may be apparent. It is therefore to be understood that the examples do not limit the broadness of the aspects of the underlying disclosure as defined by the claims. 
     GLOSSARY 
     Interior: as used herein refers to the portion of a reversible plastic receptacle that may be in contact with a user&#39;s hand during use of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. 
     Exterior: as used herein refers to the portion of a reversible plastic receptacle that may be in contact with the pet or waste, in contrast to in contact with the user, during use of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. 
     Reversed Position: as used herein refers to a flipped configuration wherein the interior may be located in an external position and the exterior may be located in an internal position. Reversed position may contrasted to a normal position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , an exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  100  is illustrated. In some embodiments, a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  100  may comprise a reversible receptacle  110  with a moistened wipe  115  adhered to the exterior of the reversible receptacle  110 , wherein both the reversible receptacle  110  and the moistened wipe  115  may be disposable. In some aspects, the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag may be stored in a reversed position prior to use, which may limit loss of moisture, such as evaporation of sanitizing solution. In some embodiments, the reversible receptacle  110  may comprise a textured interior, which may allow a user to control the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag more easily. 
     The disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  100  may be of sufficient length and size to capture large messes and allow for easy tying of the bag, which may ensure secure containment of any odor, liquid, or solid mess inside the bag. Where the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  100  may be stored in a reversed position, the moistened wipe  115  may be contained on the inside surface of the bags and can be adhered on one or both sides of the inside surface of the reversible receptacle  110 . Mechanism to adhere the moistened wipe  115  to the reversible receptacle  110  may be physical or chemical, not limited to hot melt, pressure sensitive adhesives, tacks or grommets, suturing, adhesive tapes, or the like. In some embodiments, the moistened wipe  115  may be adhered to the reversible receptacle  110  through a heat sealing or thermoforming process. 
     Reversible receptacle  110  material may comprise, but not limited to, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, biodegradable materials, or similar pliable material with limited liquid, odor, moisture permeability. The material may be scented or unscented and may be variously colored, such as for aesthetic purposes. The moistened wipe  115  may be composed of but not limited to spun lace nonwoven comprising combinations of paper, polyester, viscose, cotton, etc. absorbable fabrics that may accept wipe solution. The moistened wipe  115  may comprise sufficient surface area, texture, and properties to allow a user to effectively wipe a pet. The moistened wipe  115  may be scented or unscented, as a moistened wipe  115  material may retain more scented liquid than scented plastics. 
     For example, moistened wipe  115  solution may comprise one or more of water, alcohol, bacteriocidal, germicidal, fungicidal components for to prevent microbial growth on stored wet wipes, glycerin, aloe Vera, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, mineral oil, or vitamin e. In some aspects, the wipe solution may be antibacterial. The wipe solution may cleanse, nourish, moisturize, and protect skin, and may further comprise surfactants and cleansing agents, which may reduce the amount of force required to effectively wipe the pet and may increase the comfort for the pet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , an alternate exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  120  is illustrated. In some embodiments, a seal layer  135  may protect a moistened wipe  125  from contamination or loss of moisture, for example. In some aspects, the seal layer  135  may comprise a removable protective shield, wherein the seal layer  135  may be peeled away from the reversible receptacle  130 , wherein the peeling may expose the moistened wipe  125 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C , an exemplary embodiment of a roll  140  of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags  145  is illustrated. In some aspects, the roll  140  may comprise a series of connected disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145 , wherein individual disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145  may be torn apart along perforations  147 . In some aspects, the consecutive disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags  145  may be connected sealed end to unsealed end. 
     Alternatively, not shown, a roll  140  may comprise a series of disconnected disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145 , wherein the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145  may be layered or stacked, wherein individual disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145  may be removed, wherein the removal may not unwind the roll  140 . In still further embodiments, multiple disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145  may layered and stored in a container, wherein a user may pull individual disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  145  from the container, similarly to a box of facial tissues. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1D , an exemplary embodiment of a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  150  worn by a user. In some embodiments, the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  150  may comprise a sealed end  170  and an unsealed end  165 , wherein a user may separate the unsealed end  165  and access the interior of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  150 . In some aspects, a user may place her hand  160  in the interior of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  150 , wherein the moistened wipe  155  may be located over her hand, allowing the user to control the wiping and waste collection. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , exemplary method steps for utilizing a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  are illustrated. At  210 , a pet  212  may leave collectable waste  214 , wherein a pet owner may prefer or be compelled to dispose of the collectable waste. At  220 , a disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  may be separated from a roll  222  at a perforation point  226 . 
     In some aspects, at  230 , where the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  may be stored in a reversed position, a user may use her opposite hand  234  to reverse the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  onto her wiping hand  232 , which may expose the moistened wipe  236 . In other embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  may be stored in a normal position, wherein a user may separate an open end of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224 , and slip the wiping hand  232  into the bag, wherein reversal of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  over the wiping hand  232  may not be necessary. In some such aspects, an additional step may be necessary to expose the moistened wipe  236  for use. At  240 , the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  may be sufficiently open to cover the wiping hand  232  and place the moistened wipe  236  in a convenient position for use. 
     At  250 , a user may wipe the pet  212  with the moistened wipe  236  on the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  utilizing the wiping hand  232 . At  260 , the user may collect the collectable waste  214  using the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224 . At  270 , the wiping hand  232  may continue to grip the collectable waste  214 , as the opposite hand  234  may pull the open end  272  of the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224  over the collectable waste  214 . At  280 , the user may tie the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224 , wherein the collectable waste  214  and soiled moistened wipe may be sanitarily contained within the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  224 , while keeping users hands  232 ,  234  clean throughout the process. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , exemplary method steps for manufacturing disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags  362  are illustrated. At  310 , adhesive agents  316  may be applied to a first sheet  312 . In some embodiments, the adhesive agents  316  may be applied by an adhesive applicator  314 , such as a spray, paint, or pouring mechanism. In some aspects, the first sheet  312  may be chemically treated with an adhesion promoter, such as through a gas bath. 
     At  320 , wipe material  322  may be placed proximate to the first sheet  312 . In some embodiments, the layers  322 ,  312  may be pressed together by passing the film through a roller or compressor. Pressure may be applied, which may ensure contact between the wipe material  322 , adhesive agent  316 , and first sheet  312 . The step at  320  may be repeated or duplicated at appropriate intervals in order to place one wipe material  322  smoothly adhered to the first sheet  312 . This solution may comprise but may not be limited to cleansing agents, antimicrobial agents, moisturizing agents, etc. In some aspects, the solution may comprise an active agent, wherein the active agent may neutralize and/or degrade pet waste. The solution may sufficiently saturate the wipe, wherein the saturation may allow the majority or entirety of the wet wipe to be useful to the end consumer. 
     At  330 , the wipe material  322  may be moistened with a sanitizing solution  334 , such as through a solution applicator  332 . In some embodiments, the step at  330  may occur separately, wherein the wipe material may be pre-moistened. At  340 , a second sheet  342  may be placed proximate to the first sheet  312 , wherein the second sheet  342  may cover the wipe material  322 . At  350 , a sealing mechanism  352  may seal portions of contact between the first sheet  312  and the second sheet  342 , wherein the sealing may create a series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags  362  comprising at least one sealed end along the borders and an unsealed end at one border. There may be a perforation after each heat sealed line on the film, thus as the end user tears the film at the perforation a single disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  362  with one open end and three closed sides is produced. In some embodiments, the first sheet  312  may comprise the same size as the second sheet  342 . Alternatively, the first sheet  312  may be smaller or larger than the second sheet  342 . 
     In some embodiments, the wipe material  322  may be adhered to the first sheet  312  through a heat sealing or thermoforming process. In some aspects, the wipe material  322  may be pre-moistened, and the steps at  310 ,  320 , and  330  may be substituted with a heat sealing process, wherein a heat or chemical treatment may secure the pre-moistened wipe material  322  directly to the first sheet  312 . 
     At  360 , the series of disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  362  may be rolled. This flattened product may now pass through a series of rollers  364  and/or folding apparatus, which may fold the product one to multiple times. After folding the bag roll the appropriate amount of times, the bag may be rolled into a tight roll, thus making a compact bag-on-roll end product, which may allow the end user to carry multiple disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  362 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , alternate exemplary method steps for manufacturing disposable pet wipe and waste collection bags  462  are illustrated. In some embodiments, a tubular film may be used, wherein combining and first sheet with a second sheet may not be necessary to create a pocket for the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag. At  410 , adhesive agents  416  may be applied to a tubular film  412 . In some embodiments, the adhesive agents  416  may be applied by an adhesive applicator  414 , such as a spray, paint, or pouring mechanism. In some aspects, the first sheet  412  may be chemically treated with an adhesion promoter, such as through a gas bath. 
     At  420 , wipe material  422  may be placed proximate to the tubular film  412 . At  430 , the wipe material  422  may be moistened with a sanitizing solution  434 , such as through a solution applicator  432 . In some embodiments, the step at  430  may occur separately, wherein the wipe material may be pre-moistened. 
     At  440 , airflow  442  may be applied to the tubular film  412 , wherein the airflow  442  may separate the tubular film  412 . At  450 , the tubular film  412  may be reversed, which may allow the disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  472  to be rolled in a reversed position. At  460 , a sealing and perforating mechanism  462  may create separate pockets, wherein each pocket may comprise a wipe material. At  470 , a series of sealed and perforated disposable pet wipe and waste collection bag  472  may be rolled. 
     CONCLUSION 
     A number of embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, they should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosures or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in combination in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
     Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. 
     Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. 
     Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order show, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure. Further, Any discussion of the prior art should in no way be considered as an admission.