Patent Abstract:
A portable, foldable, and disposable pet waste removal device that can be used by pet owners and animal keepers to remove and dispose of their pets&#39; and animals&#39; solid waste. A pet waste removal device according to the present invention provides an easy-to-use, easy-to-carry, pocket-size device that can be used to pick up and dispose of the animal waste in a sanitary manner. The device allows the user to avoid any contact with the animal waste by touch or feel and also to avoid exposing the waste or its residuals to the outside environment after being contained in the device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/236,002, filed on Aug. 21, 2009 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a pet waste removal device, and more particularly, to a portable, foldable, and disposable pet waste removal device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    An inconvenient and potentially unsanitary aspect of caring for pets or other animals is the need to pick up and dispose of an animal&#39;s solid waste. Most notably, dog owners are familiar with the burden of picking up after a dog, either from one&#39;s own yard or while walking the dog. The task can be more burdensome while walking a dog because the dog generally does not leave its waste in an immediate vicinity of a garbage canister, and the owner is therefore required to carry the waste some distance in order to dispose of it. 
         [0004]    Pet owners often pick up and dispose of pet waste using a plastic bag. However, when a plastic bag is used, the pet waste can be felt through the bag, and bacteria may pass through the bag. Additionally, when a plastic bag is used to pick up animal waste, the waste may contaminate an outer portion of the bag which may subsequently be handled by the owner while carrying the bag to a trash receptacle. Other conventional devices for scooping and disposing of animal waste are not disposable and need to be cleaned, and still other conventional devices are not portable and, therefore, are not particularly suitable for walking a dog or other animal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a waste removal device provides for the sanitary collection of animal solid waste. According to another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a waste removal device is foldable, portable, pocket-sized, and disposable. According to still another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a waste removal device eliminates the need to feel or touch the animal waste, either directly or through a bag, in order to collect and dispose of the waste in a sanitary manner. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a waste removal device includes a base portion configured to scoop a waste product and hold the waste product thereon; a pair of side portions including respective first side portions extending from opposite sides of the base portion; and a closure portion extending from a rearward end of the base portion and extending between the side portions, wherein the side portions are connected to each other near distal ends thereof, and wherein the waste removal device is foldable between a closed state wherein the waste removal device is substantially flat and an open state wherein the first side portions extend upward from the opposite sides of the base portion and are spaced apart from each other to define an opening together with the base portion and wherein the closure portion extends upward from the rearward end of the base portion to close an end of the waste removal device opposite the opening. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the base portion is joined to the respective side portions at respective first fold lines and is joined to the closure portion at a second fold line, and the waste removal device is foldable at the first and second fold lines between the closed state and the open state. 
         [0008]    The base portion, the side portions, and the closure portion may include a substantially rigid material. The base portion, the side portions, and the closure portion may include cardboard. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the side portions further include respective second side portions, the first side portions are joined to the respective second side portions at respective first side portion fold lines, and the side portions are foldable at the respective first side portion fold lines between the closed state and the open state, and the side portions are connected to each other at the second side portions. The second side portions may include respective second side portion fold lines, and the second side portions may be foldable at the respective second side portion fold lines between the closed state and the open state. In one embodiment, the side portions are stapled to each other. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the closure portion includes a center portion and a pair of wing portions extending from opposite sides of the center portion, and the wing portions are joined to the center portion at respective closure portion fold lines, and the wing portions are foldable relative to the center portion at the respective closure portion fold lines between the closed state and the open state. In one embodiment, the wing portions are joined to the respective first side portions at respective wing portion fold lines, and the wing portions are foldable relative to the respective first side portions at the respective wing portion fold lines between the closed state and the open state, and the wing portions are substantially parallel to the respective first side portions when the waste removal device is in the open state. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the base portion is joined to the respective side portions at respective first fold lines and is joined to the closure portion at a second fold line, and the waste removal device is foldable at the first and second fold lines between the closed state and the open state, the closure portion includes a center portion and a pair of wing portions extending from opposite sides of the center portion, and the wing portions are joined to the center portion at respective closure portion fold lines and are joined to the respective first side portions at respective wing portion fold lines, and the wing portions are foldable relative to the center portion at the respective closure portion fold lines and are foldable relative to the respective first side portions at the respective wing portion fold lines between the closed state and the open state. The second fold line, the closure portion fold lines, and the wing portion fold lines may be perforated. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a waste removal device includes a scooper portion including a base portion configured to scoop a waste product and hold the waste product thereon; a pair of side portions extending upward from opposite sides of the base portion and spaced apart from each other to define an opening of the scooper portion together with the base portion; and a closure portion extending upward from a rearward end of the base portion and extending between the side portions to close an end of the scooper portion opposite the opening; and a bag portion coupled to the scooper portion. The scooper portion may be receivable in the bag portion. The waste removal device may be foldable into a substantially flat shape. The scooper portion may include cardboard. The side portions and the bag portion may be stapled to each other. 
         [0013]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a waste removal device including a scooper portion having a base portion, a pair of side portions extending from opposite sides of the base portion, and a closure portion extending from a rearward end of the base portion includes: unfolding the scooper portion from a folded state to an unfolded state wherein the side portions extend upward from the base portion and are spaced apart from each other to define an opening of the scooper portion together with the base portion; pushing the closure portion inward toward the opening to close the rearward end of the scooper portion; and scooping a waste product onto the base portion through the opening. Pushing the closure portion inward toward the opening to close the rearward end of the scooper portion may include folding the closure portion at a perforated fold line thereof. The method may further include opening a bag portion coupled to the scooper portion; inserting a hand inside the bag portion; and holding the scooper portion with the hand inside the bag portion. The method may further include inverting the bag portion and pulling the scooper portion into the bag portion while removing the hand from the bag portion. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment of the invention, a waste removal device is composed of two components that are attached to each other. The first component is a foldable shovel-shaped scooper that may be made of card-stock paper and is used to pick up the waste. The second component is a plastic bag that is used to cover a user&#39;s hand when using the device and contain the used scooper with the collected waste. The scooper is made of one piece of folded card-stock paper that, when it is unfolded, takes the shape of a shovel with two openings and two handles. The back opening has a foldable flap that folds upward to close it and hold the scooper in its final shovel shape. The front opening is used to pick up the waste. The two handles of the scooper are attached to the plastic bag and are used by the user to hold the device while picking up the waste. The whole device (the scooper and the bag) are foldable and disposable. The device will be available to the user in the folded condition. The device, in its folded condition, is designed to fit in a pocket of the user&#39;s garment. To use the device, the user will unfold the device, insert one hand into the plastic bag, hold the handles of the scooper, fold the back flap of the scooper upward to close its back opening, and proceed with picking up the waste by scooping and directing the waste into the front opening of the scooper. When the waste pick-up is complete, the user will use the other hand to remove the plastic bag from around the first hand that is holding the used scooper, reverse the bag in the process, and contain the used scooper inside the bag along with the collected waste. The user will then close the bag by tying the corners of its opening and dispose of the entire used device into an appropriate waste disposal container. 
         [0015]    Additional aspects and/or advantages of embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings, or may be obvious in view thereof to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail some exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pet waste removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in an open state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed state; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 1  shown in an unfolded state; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pet waste removal device according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the pet waste removal device of  FIG. 9  shown in a closed state; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing tasks of a method of using a pet waste removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view showing a task of the method of using a pet waste removal device of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a schematic view showing another task of the method of using a pet waste removal device of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view showing another task of the method of using a pet waste removal device of  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view showing another task of the method of using a pet waste removal device of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Some exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example for understanding of the invention and to convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , a pet waste removal device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base portion  20 , a pair of side portions  30  opposite each other, and a rear closure portion  40 . The base portion  20  forms the bottom of the pet waste removal device  10  and is configured to scoop a waste product and hold the waste product inside the pet waste removal device  10 . The side portions  30  extend from opposite sides of the base portion  20  and, in one embodiment, are connected to each other, such as near distal ends thereof. The closure portion  40  extends from a rearward end of the base portion  20  and extends between the side portions  30 . The pet waste removal device  10 , in one embodiment, is foldable between a closed position, or closed state, wherein the pet waste removal device  10  is substantially flat and an open position, or open state, wherein the side portions  30  extend upward from the opposite sides of the base portion  20  and are spaced apart from each other to define an opening  25  together with the base portion  20 . Further, in one embodiment, the closure portion  40  extends upward from the rearward end of the base portion  20  to close an end of the pet waste removal device  10  opposite the opening  25  when the pet waste removal device  10  is in the open position. 
         [0035]    The side portions  30 , in one embodiment, extend from opposite sides of the base portion  20  and are joined to the base portion  20  at respective side portion fold lines  33 . In one embodiment, the side portions  30  are foldable upward at the side portion fold line  33  relative to the base portion  20  for forming the opening  25  of the pet waste removal device  10 . The side portions  30 , in one embodiment, include first side portions  32  and second side portions  34 . The second side portions  34 , in one embodiment, are joined to the first side portions  32  at first side portion fold lines  35 , and the second side portions  34  are foldable relative to the first side portions  32  at the first side portion fold lines  35 . In one embodiment, when the pet waste removal device  10  is in the open position, the first side portions  32  are spaced apart from each other and extending upward from the base portion  20  to define the opening  25  together with the base portion  20 . In one embodiment, the side portions  30  further include distal side portions  36  joined to the second side portions  34  at second side portion fold lines  37 , and the distal side portions  36  are foldable relative to the second side portions  34  at the second side portion fold lines  37 . In one embodiment, when the pet waste removal device  10  is in the open position, the second side portions  34  extend toward each other, and the distal side portions  36  extend upward to form a handle of the pet waste removal device  10 . The side portions  30 , in one embodiment, are connected to each other at the distal side portions  36  using staples  12  or any other suitable fastener or connecting device. 
         [0036]    The closure portion  40 , in one embodiment, extends from a rearward end of the base portion  20  and is joined to the base portion  20  at a closure portion fold line  43 . Further, in one embodiment, the closure portion  40  is foldable upward at the closure portion fold line  43  relative to the base portion  20  for closing the rearward end of the pet waste removal device  10 . In one embodiment, the closure portion  40  includes a center portion  42  and a pair of wing portions  44  extending from opposite sides of the center portion  42 . Further, in one embodiment, the wing portions  44  are joined to the center portion  42  at respective closure portion fold lines  45 , and the wing portions  44  are foldable relative to the center portion  42  at the respective closure portion fold lines  45 . Also, in one embodiment, the wing portions  44  are joined to the respective first side portions  32  at respective wing portion fold lines  46 , and the wing portions  44  are foldable relative to the respective first side portions  32  at the respective wing portion fold lines  46 . 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is configured to be folded between an open position or state and a closed position or state. In other words, the pet waste removal device  10  may be configured to be folded and unfolded and, in one embodiment, refolded. For example, the pet waste removal device  10 , according to one embodiment, may be folded to a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The pet waste removal device  10  has a substantially flat shape when in the closed position and, as such, is more portable when in the closed position because it may easily and conveniently be carried in a pocket, a purse or other bag, or by hand. Moreover, the pet waste removal device  10  may be more easily packaged, shipped, and/or stored while in the closed position. For example, the pet waste removal device  10  may be fabricated and folded to the closed position before shipment. Further, a plurality of units of the pet waste removal device  10  may be folded to the closed position and packaged together in a box or other container. In one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is foldable to a left-hand side or a right-hand side, such that some units of a plurality of the pet waste removal device  10  may be folded to a left-hand closed position and packaged together with some units of the plurality of the pet waste removal device  10  that are folded to a right-hand closed position in order to save space. The pet waste removal device  10  is foldable to the open position for use in removing a pet waste product or other waste item. 
         [0038]    The pet waste removal device  10 , in one embodiment, is fabricated from a flat piece of material, as shown in  FIG. 8 . With further reference to  FIG. 8 , the various fold lines of the pet waste removal device  10  discussed above are shown in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , the second fold line, the closure portion fold lines, and the wing portion fold lines are perforated (depicted by a continuous dashed line), while the remaining fold lines are scored (depicted by an alternating dashed line). The perforated fold lines according to the above-described embodiment facilitate folding and/or maintaining the closure portion  140  in the upward, closed position. However, in other embodiments, the fold lines of the pet waste removal device  10  may have any other suitable configuration or combination thereof for facilitating folding of the pet waste removal device  10  between the closed position or the open position and/or maintaining the pet waste removal device  10  in either of such positions. 
         [0039]    According to one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is fabricated by folding the flat piece of material shown in  FIG. 8  at the various fold lines and subsequently connecting the side portions  30  to each other near distal ends thereof (e.g., at the distal side portions  136 ). The side portions  30 , in one embodiment, are connected to each other with staples  12 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto and, in other embodiment, the side portions  30  may be connected to each other by any other suitable fastener or other device. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the flat piece of material shown in  FIG. 8  from which the pet waste removal device  10  is fabricated may be cardboard or paperboard. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and, in other embodiments, the pet waste removal device  10  may be fabricated from any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the material may be a recycled material, such as recycled paperboard. Further, in one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is fabricated from a rigid, substantially rigid, or semi-rigid material suitable for folding and capable of holding its shape while containing a pet waste product. Additionally, in one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is fabricated from an inexpensive and/or degradable material such that the pet waste removal device  10  is disposable. In one embodiment, the pet waste removal device  10  is about four inches long and has an opening having a generally rectangular shape having a width of about 2.5 inches and a height of about 1.25 inches. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and, in other embodiments, may have any other suitable shape and size. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a pet waste removal device  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a scooper portion  110  and a bag portion  150 . According to one embodiment, the scooper portion  110  is configured the same or similar to the pet waste removal device  10  described above. In one embodiment, the scooper portion  110  includes a base portion  120  configured to scoop a waste product and hold the waste product thereon; a pair of side portions  130  extending upward from opposite sides of the base portion  120  and spaced apart from each other to define an opening of the scooper portion  110  together with the base portion  120 ; and a closure portion  140  extending upward from a rearward end of the base portion  120  and extending between the side portions  130  to close an end of the scooper portion  110  opposite the opening. Each of the base portion  120 , the side portions  130 , and the closure portion  140 , according to one embodiment, is the same or similar to the corresponding base portion  20 , side portions  30 , and closure portion  40  of the pet waste removal device  10  described above. Further, in one embodiment, the scooper portion  110  includes fold lines the same or similar to the fold lines  33 ,  35 ,  37 ,  43 ,  45 ,  46  of the pet waste removal device  10  described above. 
         [0042]    The bag portion  150 , in one embodiment, has a closed end  152  that is coupled to the scooper portion  110 , and an open end  154  opposite the closed end  152 . The bag portion  150 , in one embodiment, is fabricated from an inexpensive and/or degradable material such that the pet waste removal device  100  is disposable. For example, in one embodiment, the bag portion  150  may be a degradable plastic bag. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the closed end  152  of the bag portion  150  is coupled to the scooper portion  110  with staples  112 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto and, in other embodiment, the bag portion  150  and the scooper portion  110  may be coupled to each other by any other suitable fastener or other device. Further, in one embodiment, the staples  112  connect the side portions  130  of the scooper portion  110  to each other while coupling the bag portion  150  to the side portions  130 . According to one embodiment, the bag portion  150  is coupled to the scooper portion  110  such that the scooper portion  110  is receivable in the bag portion  150 , such as by inverting (i.e. turning inside out) the bag portion  150  while pulling the scooper portion  110  into the bag portion  150 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , the pet waste removal device  100  is shown in a closed position. Similar to the pet waste removal device  10  described above, the pet waste removal device  100  is foldable between a closed position or state and an open position or state. The pet waste removal device  100  is substantially flat and, as such, may be more easily carried or stored, such as in a pocket or purse, while in the closed position, and is foldable to the open position for use in removing a pet waste product or other waste item. The scooper portion  110 , in one embodiment, is foldable between the closed position and the open position in substantially the same manner as the pet waste removal device  10  described above. Further, in one embodiment, the bag portion  150  is neatly wrapped around the scooper portion  110  in the closed position and may be removably adhered to the scooper portion  110  with an adhesive device to prevent or substantially prevent the bag portion  150  from unraveling prior to folding the scooper portion  110  to the open position for use. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , a method  200  of using a pet waste removal device is shown. While the method  200  is described herein with respect to the pet waste removal device  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the method  200 , or at least some of the tasks thereof, may also be performed in using a pet waste removal device according to other embodiments of the present invention, such as the pet waste removal device  10  described herein. 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , in one embodiment, the method  200  includes a task  210  of unfolding a waste removal device. For example, in one embodiment, the scooper portion  110  and the bag portion  150  of the pet waste removal device  100  may be unfolded. More specifically, the scooper portion  110  and the bag portion  150  may be folded from the closed position shown in  FIG. 11  to the open position shown in  FIG. 9  for use. With further reference to  FIG. 13 , the method  200 , in one embodiment, includes a task  220  of pushing a rear closure portion (i.e. the closure portion  140  of the pet waste removal device  100 ) upward and/or inward toward the open end of the scooper portion  110  to close the rearward end for containing an animal waste product inside the scooper portion  110 . 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the method  200  includes a task  230  of inserting the user&#39;s hand inside the bag portion  150  of the waste removal device  100  through the open end  154  of the bat portion  150 . 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , in one embodiment, the method  200  includes a task  240  of holding the scooper portion  110  using the hand inside the bag portion  150  near the closed end  152  of the bag portion  150 . For example, the scooper portion  110  may be held at the connected portions  136  of the side portions  130 . With further reference to  FIG. 15 , the method further includes a task  250  of scooping an animal waste product  202  into the scooper portion  110 . In one embodiment, the scooper portion  110  is moved with a scooping motion to scoop the animal waste product  202  through the opening of the scooper portion  110  and onto an upper surface of the base portion  120  of the scooper portion  110  such that the animal waste product  202  is contained in the scooper portion  110 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , in one embodiment, the method  200  further includes a task  260  of pulling the scooper portion  110  into the bag portion  150  while pulling the hand out of the bag portion  150  through the open end  154  of the bag portion  150 . In one embodiment, the open end  154  of the bag portion  150  is held with a second hand while the first hand is pulled out of the bag portion  150 . Further, in one embodiment, the bag portion  150  is inverted, or turned inside out, while pulling the scooper portion  110  upward into the bag portion  150  and pulling the first hand out of the bag portion  150 . 
         [0050]    The method  200 , in one embodiment, further includes a task  270  of disposing of the pet waste removal device  100 , such as into a garbage canister or other suitable disposal area. In one embodiment, the open portion  154  of the bag portion  150  may be closed and tied for disposal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pet waste removal device  100  is disposed of with the scooper portion  110  having the animal waste product  202  contained therein contained within the bag portion  150 . In the method  200  of using a pet waste removal device described above, the user does not handle the animal waste product  202  directly or indirectly through the bag portion  150 . Moreover, in the method  200  described above according to one embodiment, because the bag portion  150  is inverted (i.e. turned inside out) when the scooper portion  110  is pulled into the bag portion  150 , an outer surface of the bag portion  150  which may have come into contact with the animal waste product  202  during scooping is reversed to the inside of the bag portion  150  for carrying and disposal such that the user may not inadvertently contact any portion of the animal waste product  202 . 
         [0051]    While in one embodiment, the method  200  of using a pet waste removal device may include each of the tasks described above and shown in  FIG. 12 , in other embodiments of the present invention, in a method of using a pet waste removal device, one or more of the tasks described above and shown in  FIG. 12  may be absent and/or additional tasks may be performed. Further, in the method  200  of using a pet waste removal device according to one embodiment, the tasks may be performed in the order depicted in  FIG. 12 . However, in a method of using a pet waste removal device according to other embodiments of the present invention, the tasks described above and shown in  FIG. 12  may be performed in any other suitable sequence. 
         [0052]    Although the drawings illustrate the invention as applied to removing and disposing of solid waste of a pet or other animal, it will be apparent that the novel aspects of the waste removal device of the invention may also be applied to other applications. For example, aspects of embodiments of a waste removal device described herein may be applied to removal and/or disposal of other materials which are not desired to be handled, such as hazardous materials. Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a waste removal device may incorporate or embody various combinations of the embodiments described above with respect to the shapes, sizes, and components of the device, as well as alternatives not described herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0053]    The preceding description has been presented with reference to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4