Patent Publication Number: US-2006001281-A1

Title: Apparatus for the sanitary collection and disposal of animal waste

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/880,677, filed Jun. 30, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to pet accessories and relates more specifically to the sanitary collection of animal waste for disposal.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      The collection and disposal of animal waste has become a matter of increasing public concern. Accumulated animal waste that is generated in public places and is not properly disposed of creates an environmental hazard and is unsightly and unaesthetic. For this reason, pet owners that do not properly dispose of waste generated by their pets in public places are subject to fines in many cities.  
      Many devices have been developed to aid pet owners in the collection and disposal of animal waste, which can be a delicate and unpleasant task. Among these are a number of devices that are designed to hold a disposable bag beneath an animal in order to catch and collect waste. The disposable bags are removably anchored to the devices by various mechanisms. For instance, some bags include an elastic band that secures the bag around a portion of the device. Other bags may be tied around a portion of the device, or secured by a clamping mechanism that is coupled to the device.  
      While these devices are effective in collecting animal waste, removal of the disposable bags from the devices for disposal tends to be awkward and ungainly. For instance, bags may not easily detach completely from the devices, causing their contents to spill as users try to remove them. Moreover, the user may be subjected to unsanitary contact with the waste products as he or she attempts to remove the bag from the frame.  
      Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus for the sanitary collection and disposal of animal waste.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to be held beneath and/or behind an animal and comprises a frame having an inner perimeter defining an opening and an outer perimeter, at least two flanges coupled to the outer perimeter of the frame for securing a bag to the frame, and at least one leg coupled to the frame for supporting the frame in a spaced apart relation relative to a support surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus for animal waste collection according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of one embodiment of a bag adapted for use with the apparatus;  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position;  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of one embodiment of a hinge for coupling the handle to the frame;  
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the hinge of  FIG. 5  taken along line A-A′;  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus for animal waste collection according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatus for animal waste collection according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  having a bag deployed thereon for catching animal waste; and  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  being supported upon a support surface. 
    
    
      To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus  100  for animal waste collection according to the present invention. The apparatus  100  is configured to be held beneath and/or behind an animal, in order to catch and store waste for disposal. The apparatus comprises a handle  10 , having a first end  12  and a second end  14 , and a frame  20 . In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  is at least partially formed of a strong, lightweight and rust-resistant material such as aluminum.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The frame  20  is adapted to support a bag  30  for collecting animal waste. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the frame  20  is circular in shape; however, frame  20  may take any shape that allows the frame  20  to securely support the bag  30  for use. In one embodiment, a first side  22  of the frame  20  is lined with a layer  24  of Velcro® that extends around substantially the full perimeter of the frame  20 . In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a finite number of Velcro® segments  26   a - 26   d  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “segments  26 ”) are spaced at intervals around the perimeter of the frame  20 . Although four Velcro® segments  26  are illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of Velcro® segments  26  may be deployed on the first side  22  of the frame  20 .  
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of one embodiment of a bag  30  adapted for use with the apparatus  100 . The bag  30  is sized to be supported on the frame  20  of the waste collection device  100 . The bag  30  comprises an interior volume  32  for collecting animal waste and an open end  34  adapted for attachment to the apparatus  100 . In one embodiment, the bag  30  is formed of a disposable material that is economical to manufacture in large quantities, such as plastic. At least a portion of an outer perimeter  36  of the bag&#39;s open end  34  includes a Velcro® strip  38  that is adapted to engage the Velcro® layer  24  or segments  26  on the frame  20  of the apparatus  100 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the strip  38  is illustrated as encircling the full outer perimeter  36  of the bag  30 , any number of smaller Velcro® segments may be positioned around the outer perimeter  36  as well.  
      The Velcro® enables the bag  30  to be easily and securely attached to the frame  20  for use. Moreover, the Velcro® enables the bag  30  to be removed from the frame  20  with substantially less difficulty than that involved in removing similar bags from existing devices. A user may therefore easily dispose of animal waste without spilling or coming into unsanitary contact with the contents of the bag  30 .  
      In one embodiment, the handle  10  of the apparatus  100  is a telescopic handle comprising a plurality of concentric segments  18   a - 18   d  that may be extended or collapsed to adjust the length of the handle  10 . Although the apparatus  100  is illustrated as comprising four concentric segments  18   a - 18   d , those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of concentric segments may form the telescopic handle  10 . The first end  12  of the handle  10  is coupled to the frame  20 . In one embodiment, a hinge  40  couples the frame  20  to the first end  12  of the handle  10 .  
      In one embodiment, the hinge  40  is adapted to enable a user to vary an angle θ between the handle  10  and the frame  20 , e.g., so that the user may adjust the position of the apparatus  100  beneath and/or behind the user&#39;s pet. In one embodiment, the hinge  40  is configured to allow a user to fixably set the angle θ at one of a finite number of positions (e.g., a first position  42  and a second position  44 , illustrated in phantom). Furthermore, the hinge  40  enables the apparatus  100  to be collapsed and folded, e.g., for storage. A portion of the frame  20  opposite the hinge  40  may further include a latch  28  for locking the handle  10  in placed when the apparatus  100  is collapsed.  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the apparatus  100  in a collapsed position. As illustrated, the concentric segments  18   a - 18   d  of the telescopic handle  10  may be collapsed to shorten the length of the handle  10 . The handle  10  may then be rotated around the hinge  40  so that it folds over and lies flush against the frame  20 , thereby collapsing the apparatus  100  into a more compact form, e.g., for storage.  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of one embodiment of a hinge  40  for coupling the handle  10  to the frame  20 , and  FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the hinge  40  illustrated in  FIG. 5  taken along line A-A′. Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment, a portion  60  of the frame  20  that is coupled to the handle  10  (e.g., at the first end  12 ) is tubular or rounded in shape, and the remainder of the frame&#39;s circumference  21  is substantially flat in cross section. The first end  12  of the handle  10  ends in a substantially tubular section  46  that is adapted to house the tubular portion  60  of the frame  20 .  
      The tubular portion  60  of the frame  20  is substantially hollow and houses a button  48  that is adapted to project through a button hole  47  in the outer circumference of the tubular portion  60 . The button  48  is biased, e.g., by a spring  49 , to project outward through the button hole  47 . The button  48  is adapted to be engaged by a user to manually set the angle θ (e.g., in a manner similar to buttons used to open patio umbrellas), as described in further detail below.  
      The tubular section  46  of the handle  10  is substantially hollow and comprises one or more holes  62   a - 62   c  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “holes  62 ”) formed in the outer circumference thereof. The holes  62  are substantially collinear around a portion of the circumference, and each hole  62  is further adapted for concentric alignment with the button  48  in the tubular portion  60  of the frame  20 .  
      The holes  62  in the tubular section  46  of the handle  10  are adapted to engage the button  48  in the tubular portion  60  of the frame  20  in order to set and reversibly lock the angle θ between the handle  10  and the frame  20 . When the apparatus  100  is locked in a position, the button  48  will project through one of the holes  62  in the tubular section  46  of the handle  10 . To lock the apparatus  100  in an alternate position, a user pushes inward on the button  48 , thereby disengaging the tubular portion  60  of the frame  20  from the tubular section  46  handle  10 . The tubular portion  60  of the frame  20  and the tubular section  46  handle  10  are then rotated relative to each other until another hole  62  in the tubular section  46  of the handle  10  engages the button  48  and reversibly locks the apparatus  100  in another position.  
      Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the tubular section  46  of the handle  10  is illustrated as having three holes  62  (e.g., corresponding to three positions to which the apparatus  100  may be set), the tubular section  46  of the handle  10  may comprise any number of holes depending on the number of possible positions to which the apparatus  100  may be set.  
      In one embodiment, a frame  20  having a tubular portion  60 , such as the frame illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , has Velcro® disposed only on the flat portions of the frame  20  (e.g., not on the tubular portion  60 ).  
      Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the second end  14  of the handle  10  comprises a grip  16  for enabling a user to securely grasp the handle  10 . In one embodiment, the grip  16  comprises foam rubber, though in other embodiments the grip  16  may comprise any material that allows a user to establish a secure grasp on the handle  10 .  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus  700  for animal waste collection according to the present invention. The apparatus  700  is substantially similar to the apparatus  100  in structure; however, in place of Velcro® layers or sections, a plurality of clamps or clips  70   a - 70   e  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “clips  70 ″”) are spaced around the perimeter of the frame  72  in order to support a disposable bag  74 . The clips  70  are adapted to flip open (e.g., or outward from the frame perimeter, as illustrated in phantom at clip  70   d ) to allow a user to position a disposable bag on the frame  20 . When the clips  70  are closed, the clips  70  clamp the bag  74  securely to the frame  72 . Moreover, the clips  70  are easily disengaged for removal and disposal of the bag  74  and its contents. Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  shows five clips  70  coupled to the frame  72 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of clips  70  may be deployed to securely anchor the bag  74  to the frame  72 .  
       FIG. 8  is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatus  800  for animal waste collection according to the present invention. Like the apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the apparatus  800  is configured to be held beneath and/or behind an animal, in order to catch and store waste for disposal. The apparatus comprises a frame  80  having at an inner perimeter  81  that defines an opening  82  and an outer perimeter  83 . Although the frame  80  is illustrated as having a substantially circular or elliptical shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the frame  80  may have any shape that defines an opening capable of capturing animal waste. In one embodiment, the frame  80  is at least partially formed of a strong, lightweight and rust-resistant material such as aluminum or plastic.  
      The apparatus  800  further comprises at least two flanges  84   a  and  84   b  coupled to the outer perimeter  83  and extending outwardly therefrom. The flanges  84   a  and  84   b  are positioned substantially directly opposite each other such that the flanges  84   a  and  84   b  are adapted to respectively engage the handles of a bag (e.g., a disposable plastic bag such as those used to carry groceries). In one embodiment, the flanges  84   a  and  84   b  are substantially L-shaped.  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the apparatus  800  of  FIG. 8  having a bag  900  deployed thereon for catching animal waste. In one embodiment, the bag  900  is a disposable bag having at least two handles  90   a  and  90   b . In one embodiment of use, the handles  90   a  and  90   b  of the bag  900  are looped upward through the inner perimeter  83  of the frame  80  and over the frame  80  to catch the flanges  84   a  and  84   b  of the apparatus  800  (e.g., by hanging from the flanges  84   a  and  84   b  or by wrapping around the flanges  84   a  and  84   b ). Thus, the inner volume  92  of the bag  900  is aligned with the opening  82  of the frame  80 . In this manner, the bag  900  may be secured to the frame  80  so that when the apparatus  800  is positioned beneath or behind an animal, waste is captured in the bag  900  for disposal.  
      Referring back to  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the apparatus  800  further comprises a handle  85  extending outwardly from the outer perimeter  83  of the frame  80 . The handle  85  enables a user to manually position the apparatus  800  behind or beneath an animal to catch waste. In the embodiment illustrated, the handle  85  is short and substantially circular in shape; however, the handle  85  may have any shape that enables a user to securely grip the apparatus  800 .  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the apparatus  800  being supported upon a support surface  100  (e.g., the ground). As illustrated, in one embodiment, the apparatus  800  further comprises at least one leg  86  coupled to the frame  80  and extending at an angle substantially perpendicular thereto. The leg  86  is adapted to support a portion of the frame  80  in a spaced apart relation relative to the support surface  100 , so that a user can position the apparatus  800  behind or beneath an animal without having to hold on to the apparatus  800 . In the illustrated embodiment, the leg  86  supports the frame  80  in an angled position relative to the support surface, in conjunction with the flanges  84   a  and  84   b  which may double as additional legs for supporting the frame  80 .  
      The apparatus  800  thereby enables easy attachment and removal of the bag  900  from the frame  80  without spilling or subjecting a user to contact with the bag&#39;s contents. Moreover, the configuration of the frame  80  and flanges  84   a  and  84   b  allows the apparatus  800  to be used with common disposable bags (such as those used to carry groceries) that many users will have readily available (i.e., there is no need to obtain special bags for use with the apparatus  800 ).  
      Thus, the present invention represents a significant advancement in the field of animal waste collection and disposal. An apparatus is provided for enabling a pet owner to dispose of animal waste in a simple and sanitary manner. Bags for waste collection are attached to a support frame by two or more flanges that engage handles on the bag, thereby enabling easy attachment and removal of a bag from the frame without spilling or subjecting a user to contact with the contents.  
      Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.