Patent Publication Number: US-2012024925-A1

Title: Device for holding used dog waste bags

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/400,639, which was filed on Jul. 30, 2010 in the names of Sherry Caldeira and Theresa McClure, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to pet accessories and more particularly to devices that are used to facilitate the collection and disposal of solid dog waste. 
     The presence of uncollected dog waste in both public and private settings is typically considered unpleasant, obtrusive and highly undesirable. Accordingly, dog walkers are typically under a legal and/or moral obligation to routinely collect the solid waste left from their dogs and, in turn, dispose of the waste in a commonly accepted manner. 
     Dog waste bags are well known in the art and are commonly utilized to facilitate the collection and disposal of dog waste. Traditionally, a dog waste bag is generally in the form of a rectangular pouch that is open at one end, the bag being preferably constructed of a thin, biodegradable and/or flushable material for environmental purposes. As defined herein, dog waste bags represent both bags that are specifically designed for the collection and disposal of dog waste as well as similarly constructed bags that are designed for alternative purposes, such as plastic grocery and shopping bags. 
     In use, dog excrement is inserted into a dog waste bag through its open end. With the waste inserted, the open end of the bag is then enclosed (e.g., by tying the end into a knot) to secure the waste therein. Retained as such, the person walking the dog is then carries the enclosed bag to an appropriate location for disposal (e.g., a trash receptacle). During the transport period, the dog walker typically holds the used dog waste bag in one hand and the handle for the leash attached to the dog in the other hand. 
     Although well known in the art, the aforementioned method of disposing dog waste using one or more conventional dog waste bags suffers from a couple notable shortcomings. 
     As a first drawback, the aforementioned method often requires an individual to transport a used dog waste bag a considerable distance until such time that the bag can be discarded. Since both hands for the walker are typically required to handle the dog leash and the used dog waste bag, it has been found to be rather difficult for the dog walker to perform additional tasks during the transport period, such as operate a cellular telephone or access keys, which is highly undesirable. 
     As a second drawback, the aforementioned method requires an individual to directly handle a used dog waste bag for a prolonged period of time. As such, walkers often find the direct handling of a used dog waste bag for an extended length of time to be both unsanitary and unpleasant in nature. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device for holding used dog waste bags. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for holding used dog waste bags that, in combination with a leash, can be held using a single hand. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device for holding used dog waste bags of the type as described above which includes a limited number of parts, which is easy to use, which is durable in nature and which is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Accordingly, there is provided a device for holding a used dog waste bag, the device comprising (a) a first end, the first end including a bag retainer adapted to hold the used dog waste bag, (b) a second end shaped to define an opening, and (c) an intermediate section connecting the first and second ends, (d) wherein the second end is adapted to be releasably secured to the first end to form a closed loop with at least a portion of the bag retainer disposed in alignment within the opening in the second end. 
     Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIG. 1(   a ) is a top perspective view of a device for holding used dog waste bags, the device being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1(   b ) is a rear view of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ); 
         FIG. 1(   c ) is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ); 
         FIG. 1(   d ) is a section view of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   c ) taken along lines A-A; 
         FIG. 1(   e ) is a right end view of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ); 
         FIGS. 2(   a )-( c ) are a series of top perspective views of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ); the device being shown at various stages during the process of its mounting onto the handle of a retractable leash and its subsequent use in holding a dog waste bag; 
         FIGS. 3(   a )-( d ) are front perspective, top, right end and front views, respectively, of a clip for use in conjunction with the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ); 
         FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) are exploded front perspective and assembled front perspective views, respectively, of the clip of  FIG. 3(   a ) and the device of  FIG. 1(   a ); 
         FIG. 5(   a ) is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) being secured to the loop handle of a ribbon-style leash; and 
         FIG. 5(   b ) is a perspective view of the clip in  FIG. 3(   a ) securing the device shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) at a fixed intermediate location on a ribbon-style leash. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1(   a )-( e ), there is shown a device for holding one or more used dog waste bags, the device being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention rand identified generally by reference numeral  11 . As will be described further in detail below, device  11  is designed to be releasably retained onto a dog leash and, in turn, to hold one or more used dog waste bags, thereby limiting the number of items that a dog walker needs to carry by hand at any particular time, which is highly desirable. 
     Device  11  is preferably in the form of a thin, unitary strip of material approximately 8.5 inches in length that is preferably constructed out of a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or other similar material using conventional molding techniques. As can be seen, device  11  comprises a first end  13 , a second end  15  and a flexible intermediary section  17  connecting first end  13  and second end  15 . As will be described in detail below, device  11  is designed to be folded about itself through intermediary section  17  and releasably secured together at first and second ends  13  and  15 , thereby enabling device  11  to be hung on or otherwise secured to an object, such as a leash. 
     First end  13  of device  11  includes a generally rounded support surface, or base,  19  that includes a substantially flat inner surface  19 - 1  and a substantially flat outer surface  19 - 2 , base  19  being approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and approximately 0.15 inches in thickness. First end  13  additionally includes a bag retainer  20  formed base  19 . As will be described in detail below, bag retainer  20  is designed to releasably retain one or more used pet waste bags. 
     In the present invention, bag retainer  20  is represented as an enlarged projection  21  that protrudes up from flat inner surface  19 - 1  approximately 0.17 inches. As can be seen most clearly in  FIG. 1(   d ), projection  21  includes a cylindrical sidewall  23  approximately 1.75 inches in diameter and a flattened, generally circular platform  25  formed on the free end of cylindrical sidewall  23 . 
     Circular platform  25  is shaped to include a hole  26  that is dimensioned to fittingly receive a portion of a used pet waste bag, as will be described further below. In the present embodiment, hole  26  is represented as a pair of 1.4 inch linear slots  27 - 1  and  27 - 2  that transverse one another in a perpendicular relationship, slots  27  crossing at the approximate midpoint of circular platform to form a small, central, circular aperture. As seen most clearly in  FIG. 1(   c ), the inclusion of slots  27  serves to create four independently flexible fingers  29 - 1  thru  29 - 4  in circular platform  25 , each finger  29  having a rounded triangular, or wedge-like, configuration. As will be described further in detail below, the plurality of fingers  29  are designed to independently frictionally engage a dog waste bag with enough cumulative force to retain the bag coupled thereto. 
     Circular platform  25  is also shaped to define four, 0.5 inch wide, radially outwardly extending rectangular tabs  31 - 1  thru  31 - 4 , tabs  31  being equidistantly spaced apart from one another. A corresponding hole  32  is formed in base  19  beneath each tab  31  for molding purposes, as shown in  FIG. 1(   d ). As will be described further in detail below, tabs  31  are designed to releasably engage second end  15  in order to retain device  11  hooked, or clipped, onto to an object, such as a leash, in a closed clamshell-like configuration. 
     Second end  15  of device is in the form of an enlarged ring that includes a substantially flat inner surface  15 - 1  and a substantially flat outer surface  15 - 2 , second end  15  being approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and approximately 0.15 inches in thickness. As seen most clearly in  FIG. 1(   c ), second end  15  is shaped to define a central circular opening  33  that is approximately 1.73 inches in diameter. As can be appreciated, second end  15  is designed to stretch slightly to the extent necessary so that projection  21  can fittingly protrude through opening  33 . With projection  21  protruding through opening  33  in second end  15 , tabs  31  lie flush against outer surface  15 - 2  of second end  15  to retain device  11  in its closed configuration, as will be described further below. 
     Intermediary section  17  is in the form of a narrow connective strip that includes an inner surface  17 - 1  and an outer surface  17 - 2 , wherein outer surface  17 - 2  of intermediary section  17  lies in a coplanar relationship with both outer surface  19 - 2  of base  19  and outer surface  15 - 2  of second end  15 , as seen most clearly in  FIG. 1(   b ). Intermediary section  17  includes a pair of opposing outer sections  35 - 1  and  35 - 2  and a narrow vertical fold line  37  disposed therebetween. It should be noted that each of outer sections  35  has a reduced thickness of approximately 0.07 inches and fold line  37  has an even further reduced thickness of 0.05 inches. Consequently, it is to be understood that the reduced thickness of intermediary section  17  renders it more flexible than first and second ends  13  and  15 , with the highest degree of bendability in device  11  being situated within fold line  37 . 
     A plurality of spaced apart, horizontal gripping ribs  39  is integrally formed onto inner surface  17 - 1  of each outer section  35 , each gripping rib  39  extending upward from inner surface  17 - 1  approximately 0.03 inches. As will be described further below, gripping ribs  39  serve to frictionally engage opposing surfaces of the object onto which device  11  is mounted (e.g., a leash) to help retain device  11  fixed in place and thereby prevent sliding. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2(   a )-( c ), device  11  is shown at various stages during the process of its mounting on a retractable leash and, in turn, its subsequent use in holding a used dog waste bag in a hands-free manner. Specifically, in connection with the mounting, or clipping, process, device  11  is first disposed in its open position and is inserted through the rigid handle H of a retractable dog leash L, as shown in  FIG. 2(   a ). Device  11  is then folded about itself through fold line  37  so that first and second ends  13  and  15  are drawn towards one another. Second end  15  is then manipulated and stretched to the extent necessary so that projection  21  on first end  13  protrudes through opening  33  in second end  15 , with tabs  31  lying flush against outer surface  15 - 2  of second end  15  to retain device  11  in its closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2(   b ). 
     Having fixedly coupled device  11  to handle H of retractable dog leash L in the manner set forth in detail above, device  11  can then be used to hold a dog waste bag in a hands-free manner. Specifically, an enclosed dog waste bag B in need of proper disposal is pushed by force partially through the plurality of fingers  29  in platform  25 . Due to their slightly flexible nature, fingers  29  flex outward to the extent necessary so that central aperture defined therebetween is expanded to a sufficient size that enables dog waste bag B to partially protrude therethrough. Upon withdrawal of the manual insertion force, resilient fingers  29  are naturally biased to return to their original configuration. As fingers  29  return to their original configuration, each finger  29  applies a continuous frictional retention force on bag B, the cumulative force applied by fingers  29  onto bag B being of such magnitude so as to sufficiently retain bag B coupled to device  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2(   c ). As can be appreciated, additional used dog waste bags B can be similarly inserted through platform  25  and into engagement with fingers  29  to allow for the simultaneous retention of multiple bags by device  11 , which is highly desirable. 
     It is to be understood that device thereby enables a dog walker to indirectly secure one or more used dog waste bags to the rigid holder of a retractable dog leash. In this capacity, a dog walker is able to hold a leash and one or more dog waste bags with a single hand, thereby enabling the walker to use his/her other hand to perform additional tasks (e.g., operating a cellphone), which is highly desirable. Furthermore, it is to be understood that each of the used dog waste bags are temporarily retained a distance adequately away from both the walker and the dog, which is highly desirable. 
     It should also be noted that device  11  can be removed from handle H of retractable dog leash L by pulling first and second ends  13  and  15  apart from one another. Once opened, device  11  can be reattached to leash L or any other securable item, as needed. 
     It should further be understood that device  11  is not limited to securement to the rigid handle of a retractable dog leash. Rather, it is to be understood that device  11  could be similarly mounted onto other types of fixed items, such as a belt loop or alternative style dog leashes, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     For example, it is to be understood that device  11  could be similarly mounted onto the strap of a standard ribbon style dog leash without departing from the spirit of the present invention. To facilitate in fixedly mounting device  11  onto a more thinly constructed ribbon-style strap leash, an additional clip  111  is provided that is constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3(   a )-( d ), clip  111  is a unitary, rigid member that is preferably constructed out of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) using conventional molding techniques. Clip  111  has a generally inverted U-shaped configuration in transverse in cross-section and includes a pair of opposing, inwardly curved legs  113 - 1  and  113 - 2  that are formed onto a common rounded base  115  so as to provide clip  111  with a width W of approximately 1.1 inches and an overall height O of approximately 1.1 inches. 
     As seen most clearly in  FIG. 3(   c ), legs  113  are separated apart a spacing S of approximately 0.4 inches at their free ends. However, legs  113  have a slight inward curvature, thereby resulting in a reduction in the spacing between legs  113  away from their free ends. As can be appreciated, each leg  113  is capable of limited degree of outward flexion upon receiving a suitable separation force, the resilient, spring-like nature of clip  111  restoring legs  113  to their original configuration upon withdrawal of said force. 
     Clip  111  is designed to be releasably mounted onto outer surface  19 - 2  of intermediary section  17  to facilitate in the fixed securement of device  11  onto a thin strap or other similar dimensioned object, such as a ribbon-style dog leash. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), clip  111  is positioned directly above device  11  with intermediary section  17  in directly alignment between legs  113 - 1  and  113 - 2 . Through the application of a suitable downward force (as represented by arrow F in  FIG. 4(   a )), clip  111  is slid firmly over intermediary section  17  of device  11 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). 
     With clip  111  mounted on device  11  as set forth above, it is to be understood that opposing legs  113  apply a significant inward, spring-like force onto intermediary section  17  of device  11 . In turn, the inward force applied by legs  113  serves to clip, or pinch, intermediary section  17  tightly against the strap on which device  11  is mounted, the engagement of gripping ribs  39  against the strap thereby precluding longitudinal slidable displacement, which is highly desirable. As a result, clip  111  serves to fixedly mount device  11  in place on the strap to which it is coupled. Without use of clip  111 , it is to be understood that device  11  (as well as any used dog waste bags retained thereby) is more susceptible to slide along the length of the leash in the direction towards the dog attached thereto, which is highly undesirable. 
     Specifically, referring now to  FIG. 5(   a ), device  11  is being shown mounted on the closed, loop handle C of a traditional ribbon-style leash R. As can be seen, device  11  may be loosely secured to handle C. However, it should be noted that clip  111  enables device  11  to be secured to leash R at any location along its length in a fixed manner. In particular, referring now to  FIG. 5(   b ), clip  111  is being shown securing device  11  at a fixed intermediate location on leash R. In this manner, used dog waste bags retained by device  11  are spaced adequately away from both the leashed dog and the dog walker, which is highly desirable. 
     The embodiment of the present invention described above is intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to them without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it should be noted that device  11  is not limited to the particular style of bag retainer  20  shown herein. Rather, it is to be understood that any item capable of releasably retaining a pet waste bag (e.g., a clip, fastener, sharpened pin, tacky strip of material, etc.,) could be used in place of retainer  20  without departing from the spirit of the present invention.