Patent Publication Number: US-2017370056-A1

Title: Animal waste bag

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 62/355,521, filed on Jun. 28, 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to closeable waste bags, and, more particularly to closeable waste bags for animal waste. Most commonly used animal waste bags are bags for use with dogs. 
     Dog waste bags, commonly referred to as “poop bags,” are available to consumers under many different brand names and sold widely in venues ranging from large pet retailers to small boutique pet stores. The many brands of poop bags, while varying in design and composition, are generally similar in size and packaging. The most commonly used poop bags may be broken down into two models: those with handles, aka “t-shirt” bags, and those without handles (handleless bags). 
     A further problem with the existing handle and handleless poop bags is getting them open. The plastic material used for these bags undergoes pressure during the manufacturing process to maximize the number of bags on each roll. This pressure, combined with static electricity common to thin plastics, causes the various parts of the bag to stick together. Further, as indicated previously, each bag on a roll is separated from the next bag by small, tightly spaced perforations. When users attempt to tear one bag from the next, the tight perforations do not loosen completely and the top of the bag remains partially sealed. To open the bags whether they are t-shirt or handleless many users find it necessary to moisten their thumb and forefinger and rub the top of each bag until separation is achieved. 
     If a poop bag does not seal securely, users risk spillage and the emanation of a foul odor. The t-shirt and handleless models are both hard to seal securely, particularly while holding one or more dog leashes or wearing gloves. T-shirt bag handles are short and hard to manipulate. Users must tie and/or knot the handles very tightly, or else gaps will form around the handles. To seal handleless bags, users must knot the neck of the bag. This requires a certain dexterity and distracts users&#39; attention away from their pet and its leash. A poorly tied knot may unravel during transport. Frustrated users may even abandon attempts to tie a knot and discard the used bag without securing it. 
     Users should be able to carry used poop bags in a way that leaves both of their hands free to attend to the needs of their pet. T-shirt bags are easier to carry than handleless bags. Yet all t-shirt models have short handles. After a user ties the handles together to seal the bag, the handles become too short to be draped around a user&#39;s wrist-thus thwarting the ease and convenience of “hands-free” transport. As for handleless bags, users generally carry them by the knot in the neck of the bag, which again does not provide for hands-free transport. Further, the bag, having no handles, can easily slip from the user&#39;s hand. 
     Other waste bags, e.g. standard kitchen trash can garbage bags, also have disadvantages. Consider the common loop-ended drawstring bags. These bags seem to indicate that pulling each looped drawstring handle will fully close the bag. This is not the case. Specifically, this type of bag is designed with a “tunnel” at the top of the bag through which the drawstring moves. When users attempt to fully close the bag, it becomes apparent that the drawstring tunnel is stitched on both (opposing) sides of the tunnel. So the drawstring does not flow smoothly through the entire tunnel-rather, each side of the bag cinches independently. The result is similar to the t-shirt poop bag: even after a user firmly pulls the looped handles, a gap appears on either side of the top of the bag until users tie the handles tightly together (which sometimes is not achievable). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed towards an animal waste bag, e.g. a dog waste bag, that will securely contain the waste in the bag. The invention is further directed towards a waste bag that will be able to cinch tightly to secure the waste within the bag. 
     The present invention preferably comprises a bag made from a type of plastic that is commonly used for waste bags. The bag will further comprise two drawstrings made from a similar plastic, each drawstring encircling without obstruction the entire circumference of the bag within a “tunnel” around the top of the bag, with each drawstring having looped ends that protrude from two openings on opposing sides of the tunnel. 
     The present invention may also have a semicircular tab located on the bag. The present invention may further have an opening or hole located on the semicircular tab, e.g. a pull ring. 
     The present invention further includes kits and systems that include waste bags according to the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roll holding a plurality of bags according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front planar view of the roll shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a commonly used dispenser for the bags shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead view of a bag according to the present invention after being removed from a dispenser. 
         FIG. 5  is a side planar view of the bag shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows the bag of  FIG. 4  being unfolded. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 A- 7 A. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 B- 7 B. 
         FIG. 8  demonstrates the bag of  FIG. 6  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an arrangement of the bag of  FIG. 6 , wherein the location of the drawstrings is a different location. 
         FIG. 10  depicts the bag of  FIG. 9  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 11  depicts the bag of  FIG. 9  with an additional pull ring locates on the bag. 
         FIG. 12  depicts the bag of  FIG. 11  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 13  depicts of a bag of the present invention, being folded for storage prior to use. 
         FIG. 14  depicts the bag shown in  FIG. 14  in an unfolded position. 
         FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 14  taken along the line  15 A- 15 A. 
         FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 4  taken along the line  15 B- 15 B. 
         FIG. 16  depicts the bag of  FIG. 13  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 17  is a further arrangement of a perspective view of a roll holding a plurality of bags according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a front planar view of the roll shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a plurality of bags shown in  FIG. 17  in an unrolled arrangement. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a commonly used dispenser for the bags shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is an overhead view of a bag according to the present invention after being removed from a dispenser. 
         FIG. 21A  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of  FIG. 21  taken along the line  21 A- 21 A. 
         FIG. 22  is the bag of  21  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 23  is the bag according to the present invention further including cutout areas to assist the user in grabbing the animal waste. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a plurality of waste bags  10  according to the present invention. The bags are located on a roll  12 , as they would be when within a dispenser  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the bags  10  are separately stored on the roll  12 , with the first end  16  of a bag  10   a  overlapping the second end  17  of a bag  10   b . Such an arrangement is opposite of typical waste bags, wherein the first end  16  and the second end  16  would be directly attached. The arrangement allows for the bags  10  to be easily removed from a dispenser  14  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bags  10  are preferably in a folded relationship when within the dispenser  14 . This is further demonstrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , with the bag  10  folded along a central axis, preferably symmetrical. Because the bags are preferably not attached by perforations, the folded arrangement not only allows for a more compact and efficient storage minimizes snags and other issues associated with the prior art perforated bags, as the bags are stored and removed from the dispenser at generally the same width. 
     Once the bag  10  is removed from the dispenser  14 , the bag  10  will be unfolded, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The unfolded bag  10  reveals a pair of individual drawstrings  18  and  20 , which are located within a tunnel  22  that goes around the entire circumference of the bag  10 . Each of the drawstrings  18 ,  20  extend outwardly of the bag  10  at a respective end and form tabs  24 ,  26 , respectively, which will allow for the bag  10  to be cinched independently from two opposing directions. 
     For example,  FIG. 7A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the bag  10 , demonstrating that the drawstring  18  is attached to itself, thereby forming an independent continuous loop through the tunnel  22 , as noted with respect to  FIG. 6 . Drawstring  18  will be attached in a similar fashion, also forming an independent continuous loop through the tunnel  22 , as well, but having tab  26  located at an opposing position to that of tab  24 . 
       FIG. 7B  provides a cross-sectional view of the bag looking through the tunnel  22 , further demonstrating that the drawstrings  18  and  20  are independently positioned within the tunnel  22 . 
     Once the bag  10  is removed and unfolded from the dispenser  14 , the bag  10  can be used to hold animal waste. Once the waste is within the bag  10 , the drawstrings  18  and  20  can be pulled in opposite directions (depicted by arrows in  FIG. 6 ), thereby providing a securely fastened bag  10 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     It is understood that the present invention is directed towards waste bags that have two independently accessible and separate drawstrings located within the bag  10 . Provide such an arrangement is contemplated, it is understood that the arrangement would fall within the scope of the present invention. For example,  FIGS. 9 and 10  demonstrate an arrangement wherein the tabs  20 ,  22  of the drawstrings  16 ,  18  are centrally located on cut-outs  26 ,  28  on the bag  10 , with the tabs  16 ,  18  being the area of the drawstrings  16 ,  18  extending outwardly of the cut-outs  28 ,  30 . 
     Such an arrangement may also work together with a pull-tab  30 , which allows the user to provide upward and downward opposing forces, thereby securing the waste within the bag  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the pull-tab  32  may further comprise a pull ring  34 , which can assist the user in securing the bag. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has numerous advantages over the prior art. The advantages include one or more of the following aspects: to provide a double-drawstring bag that cinches closed with one pulling motion, that closes tightly with no gaps, that does not require tying or knotting for secure closure but which offers the option to do so, that has loops to serve as handles which facilitate bag closure and transport, that can be folded and packaged into a roll that fits into standard dog waste bags dispensers, that pulls smoothly out of a dispenser and separates easily from its predecessor bag, that is easy to open at the top with thumb and forefinger, and that can be manufactured using readily available materials and processes. 
     Further, from the description above, a number of advantages of the double-drawstring dog waste bag become evident: 
     (a) Easy to grip the end of the bag to pull it from a dispenser using the pull tab [or pull ring] at the bottom of the bag. 
     (b) Easy to remove bag from the dispenser because the bags on the roll are not attached to one another but instead overlaid on one another, so there are no perforations to tear. 
     (c) Easy to open because the extra thickness provided at the top of the bag by the drawstring tunnel makes it easy to separate the top by thumb and forefinger. 
     (d) When the bag is opened, the drawstring loop handles are immediately visible and easy to grasp. 
     (e) Seals easily and securely with one pulling motion. 
     (f) Seals tightly with no gaps at the top of the bag. 
     (g) Once the bag is closed, the loop handles are long enough to be draped around the wrist for hands-free transport. 
     (h) Can be manufactured economically using readily available materials and processes. 
     As discussed above, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an animal waste bag to efficiently secure waste within the bag. The following description provides further arrangements of waste bags  10  according to the present invention to achieve this goal. 
       FIG. 13  provides the waste bag  10  in an alternate arrangement for storing the bags prior to using the bags. As opposed to the roll of bags  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bags are arranged and folded individually, which allows for an easier way to separate the bags than in the prior art. The bags  10  can be stored and dispensed from the dispenser  14 , as previously noted in  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 14 , the unfolded bag  10  reveals a pair of individual drawstrings  18  and  20 , which are located within a tunnel  22  that goes around the entire circumference of the bag  10 . Each of the drawstrings  18 ,  20  extend outwardly of the bag  10  at a respective end and form a tab  24 ,  26 , respectively, which will allow for the bag  10  to be cinched independently from two opposing directions. 
     As previously discussed in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 15A  depicts a cross-sectional view of the bag  10 , demonstrating that the drawstring  18  is attached to itself, thereby forming an independent continuous loop through the tunnel  22 , as noted with respect to  FIG. 14 . Drawstring  18  will be attached in a similar fashion, also forming an independent continuous loop through the tunnel  22 , as well, but having tab  26  located at an opposing position to that of tab  24 . 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  provide cross-sectional views of the bag looking through the tunnel  22 , further demonstrating that the drawstrings  18  and  20  are independently positioned within the tunnel  22 . 
     Once the bag  10  is removed and unfolded from the dispenser  14 , the bag  10  can be used to hold animal waste. Once the waste is within the bag  10 , the drawstrings  18  and  20  can be pulled in opposite directions (depicted by arrows in  FIG. 14 ), thereby providing a securely fastened bag  10 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show the bags being stored prior to dispensing. As shown previously in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bags  10  are located on the roll  12 , as they would be in the dispenser (see  FIG. 13 ). However, as noted in  FIGS. 17 and 18  the bags are not arranged in a separate overlapping manner, but are designed to be stored as a singular sheet of bags  10 , separated by perforations  50 . A flap  52  is also shown on the bags  10 . The flap  52  is a distinct extension from the bag, preferably a semicircle shape. 
     In  FIG. 19 , the perforations  50  are shown between the bags, with the perforations  50  being aligned with the sides of connected respective bags  10 . The perforations also follow the contour of the flap  52  and are preferably non-linear, e.g. including a semicircle shape. The bags may also have a colored strip or area located along the side of the bag to help delineate one bag from another, particularly when removing the bags  10  from the roll  12 . 
     As demonstrated in  FIG. 20 , the bags  10  will be dispensed, as previously discussed. As one bag  10  is pulled from the dispenser  14  by the flap  52 , the bag  10  is pulled from the perforation  50  connected to the next bag  10 , leaving the flap  52  for the next bag. 
     The unfolded bag  10  is shown in  FIG. 21 . As describe above, the bag  10  has the flap  52  on one side of the bag, with a corresponding indent  54  located on the other side of the bag  10 . The bag  10  also includes a fold-over flap  56  at the top of the bag, similar to the tunnel  22  previously discussed, without the drawstrings. The fold-over flap  56  make it extremely easy to separate the top of the bag with the user&#39;s thumb and forefinger. As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 21A , the flap  56  extends inwardly into the cavity of the bag  10 . While the flap  56  is preferably loose from the bag  10  when folded over, it is possible that the flap  56  could also be secured, e.g. bonded to the bag itself. The user will seal the bag by tying a knot in the top. 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide an animal waste bag  10  that is more-user friendly than prior bags. For example, it is also contemplated that the above described bag  10  could also be designed such that it will be easier for the user when grabbing the animal waste.  FIG. 23  demonstrates such a design. The bag  10  is as described above, but has cutouts  60  located at the bottom of the bag  10  that generally correspond to a user&#39;s hand when inserted into the bag  10 . The cutouts  60  are located near the bottom of the bag  10  and follow the sides of the bags  10 . That is, the cutouts  60 , i.e. are not opens but contoured areas along the sides of the bag  10 . As shown, the contours  60  are semicircular indents, which aid in the bag moving inwardly around the animal waste when grabbed by the user. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.