Patent Publication Number: US-2018049426-A1

Title: Rolyns poop preventer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/376,724, filed Aug. 18, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pet training and lawn accessory method and device and, more particularly, to a pet training method embodying a lawn accessory device adapted for preventing pets from urinating and defecating on lawns. 
     The lawns of homes are commonly used by pets as locations for urinating and defecating, much to the chagrin to the home dweller. Preexisting methods and devices for prevention of such events are impractical, inconvenient, unaffordable, heavy, complex, and/or unsanitary. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a pet training method embodying a lawn accessory device for preventing pets from urinating and defecating on lawns, wherein the lawn accessory device is affordable, durable, and easy to use and maintain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a device for preventing pet animals from urinating or defecating on a surface area includes a container having a reflective plastic body defining a cavity for retaining a fluid; a base connected to a bottom portion of the body; and a plurality of legs extending from the base so that each distal end of said legs are between one to three inches below the bottom of the body. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the device includes a container having a reflective material body defining a cavity for retaining a salt water; a base connected to a bottom portion of the body; a neck extending from an upper portion of the body, the neck providing a neck opening communicating with the cavity; a cap dimensioned to removably engage the neck so as to provide a watertight seal of the neck opening; and a plurality of legs extending from the base so that each distal end of said legs are between one to three inches below the bottom of the body, wherein the plurality of legs is dimensioned to keep the container in an upright orientation while the plurality of legs is embedded in a grass-covered surface area. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, method of preventing pet animals from urinating or defecating on a surface area, includes the steps of providing a transparent container filling the container with water and Epsom salt; and supporting the container in an upright orientation on the surface area. In certain embodiments, said container is one of the devices described immediately above. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pet training method embodying a lawn accessory device for preventing pets from urinating and defecating on lawns. The device has a reflective body providing a cavity for retaining salt water. The body includes a base with a plurality of legs for maintaining an upright orientation of the device even on a supporting surface have lawn growth. When placed in such lawn growth, the reflective properties of the container filled with water within its cavity discourages dogs and other pets from entering the surrounding area. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention may include a pet training method embodying a lawn accessory device  50  for preventing pets from urinating and defecating on lawns. The novel device  50  may include a reflective container  10 . The reflective property may result from a transparent, semi-transparent and/or clear plastic material. In certain embodiments, the container  10  may be a clear plastic bottle measuring approximately 11 inches high and having approximately 5-inch diameter. The container  10  may have a base  13  dimensioned and adapted to stably support the container  10  in an upright position, as illustrated in the FIGS., along the supporting surface  20 , which may include a ground line providing grass and other growth (not shown) associated with lawns and yards. To wit, the base  13  may include a three or more (though only three are shown) legs  12  extending one or more inches beyond the base  13 /bottom portion of the body  24 , so as the ‘stand’ above or within such growth. 
     The container  10  may include a neck  22  extending from a body  24 , wherein the body  24  provides a cavity communicating with a neck opening  26  for removably retaining fluid  16  within the cavity, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The neck  22  may provide threading for securely engaging a cap  14  for providing a fluid-tight closure of the neck opening  26 . 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The novel device  50  disclosed above may be provided. A user may fill the cavity with water contain salt  18  to ensure the water remains clear. The salt  18  may be Epsom salt or the like. Then the user places the novel device  50  in the yard or lawn they want to keep free of pet urine and feces, as the presence of the brightly reflective salt water retaining novel device  50 , the inventor has discovered, discourages dogs and other pets from entering the area. The novel device  50 , colloquially known as ROLYNS POOP PREVENTER, is easy to set up and durable for years of effective use. Furthermore, the novel device  50  occupies the space or area in a non-descript manner, providing the feel of a low-profile lawn accessory. 
     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.