Abstract:
An eversible waste collection glove for collecting animal solid waste or excrement. The glove has a dimpled palm-side surface, so that the tactile sensation and thermal sensation of collecting animal solid waste or excrement is substantially diminished. The invention can be made with both a left- and right-handed thumb on the same glove, so that either hand may be used to collect animal solid waste. The glove may be constructed with a heavy ply on the palm-facing surface, so as to further reduce both tactile and thermal sensation.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field sanitary handlers for pet droppings. Specifically, this invention is a textured glove or mitten to dispose pet waste, while diminishing or eliminating tactile sensation. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    According to the American Humane Society, in the United States in 2015, over 54 million households have at least one dog. This means that approximately 44% of the United States households have at least one pet dog. In total, there are an estimated 78 million pet dogs in the United States, indicating a significant number of multi-dog households. The American Pet Products Association (“APPA”) estimates an even higher number of dogs in the United States: 83.3 million. 
         [0003]    On an annual basis, these dogs produce over 10 million tons of solid waste per year, or approximately 250 pounds per hound per year. Most urban and suburban dog owners have to clean up their dog&#39;s waste. Many municipalities have ordinances that require immediate removal of dog waste. Additionally, it is a common covenant in the bylaws of home owners associations, condo associations, and apartment complexes. 
         [0004]    A typical dog owner takes a plastic bag on walks, to pick up any solid waste that his or her dog may deposit. The waste is then deposited in a nearby trashcan, or the owner is forced to finish the walk, holding the bag. Collecting fresh solid dog waste is an unpleasant experience from both a smell and tactile point of view. Clearly, the smell is unavoidable. The tactile sensation is unpleasant because the current solutions for collecting solid dog waste are, typically, re-purposed plastic bags. The re-purposed plastic bags, whether originally for carrying groceries, bread, produce, or other items, allow substantial tactile information. Additionally, due to the thickness of the re-purposed bags, a substantial amount of thermal transfer occurs, also. Many of the re-purposed bags have unseen holes or slits, that only become apparent when the solid dog waste is collected by the unsuspecting owner. Clearly, there is a need for a better solution. 
         [0005]    Americans spent close to $60 Billion on their pets, annually. In 2012, the average spending, per dog, was almost $1,500 in the United States. Clearly, Americans love their dogs, and spend a considerable amount of money on their dogs. 
       PRIOR ART REVIEW 
       [0006]    There is a substantial amount of prior art that attempts to provide a better solution to the solid dog waste collection problem. The ideal solution will be something that was impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, can be everted (turned inside out), prevent tactile sensation, and can be sealed after use. None of the current solutions in the prior art are ideal. 
         [0007]    Most of the prior art for collecting solid dog waste obviously centers around a glove or bag. U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 704 , 670 , by named inventor Surplus, is entitled, “Glove bag” (“Surplus &#39;670”). Surplus &#39;670 teaches a plastic waste collection glove with an extra long arm portion or cuff. Surplus &#39;670 discloses a device that can collect solid waste and then be everted. The cuff portion has sealing strips that allow the glove to be sealed. Surplus &#39;670 is a relatively expensive solution, in that it has a substantial amount of excess material. Additionally, Surplus &#39;670 does not substantially diminish the tactile sensation of collecting solid dog waste. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,188, by named inventor Olson, is entitled, “Clean up device” (“Olson &#39;188”). U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,806 (reissued as RE35,814), by named inventor Olson, is entitled, “Clean up with cut resistant layer” (“Olson &#39;814”). Both Olson &#39;188 and Olson &#39;814 teach a glove inside a squarish bag, wherein the glove portion is heatsealed or otherwise partitioned off from the rest of the bag. Both Olson patents teach using a cut resistant layer in order to reduce the possibility of hand contamination. Both Olson patents teach that the outside of the pad should be padded in order to absorb moisture and reduce tactile sensation. Both Olson patents come with a drawstring. Olson uses a number of different materials, including padding, a cut resistant pad, a glove and a bag. It is not an inexpensive solution. Also, even though it is designed to be everted, the glove connected to the inside of the bag would substantially tend to hamper everting. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,733, by named inventor Lerner, is entitled, “Combined cleaning glove and disposal bag” (“Lerner &#39;733”). Lerner &#39;733 teaches an eversible cleaning mitt, with defined thumb and pinkie finger. The other three fingers are intended to go into a common fitting in the middle of the mitt. The palm of the mitt has a paper-towel-like surface, for cleaning. The paper-towel-like surface also minimizes tactile sensation when picking up waste. The mitt does not seal when everted. The mitt is not cheap, because the paper-towel-like surface would have to be glued or added to the glove as an after-process. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,766, by named inventor May, is entitled, “Glove-like disposal bag” (“May &#39;766”). May &#39;766 teaches a bag-glove with webbing between thumb and pointer finger, an external sanitizing agent, and draw string to secure to arm. May &#39;766 can be everted. May &#39;766 is not an ideal solution, because it relies on pads to be adhered to the palm and side of the glove. It also does not minimize tactile sensation. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,251, by named inventor Jacobs, is entitled, “Glove-like waste disposal system” (“Jacobs &#39;251”). Jacobs &#39;251 teaches a device that has both an inner and outer glove, designed to minimize tactile sensation. The inner glove is re-usable, while the outer glove is disposed after each use. Jacobs &#39;251 is relatively expensive, due to its redundant materials and complexity. The outer glove is eversible and sealable. 
         [0012]    Additional U.S. patents teach variations of the above. U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,694 teaches a nested bag over mitt to pick up multiple droppings. U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,961 teaches another embodiment of a reversible waste collection glove with tie. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,080 teaches a reversible, sealable waste collection glove. None of these inventions approach the above described ideal. 
         [0013]    None of these inventions have met with any type of substantial market acceptance, an indictment of the prior art considering the substantial annual spending on pets in the United States. The present invention attempts to overcome this problem, by offering a impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, eversible, sealable waste collection glove that insulates the user from both thermal and tactile sensation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention is a waste collection glove that is impermeable, sanitary, flexible, inexpensive, eversible, sealable and insulates the user from both thermal and tactile sensation. 
         [0015]    The glove can be made out of any common, useful plastic, such as HDPE, LDPE, or, polypropylene. Additionally, Oxo-biodegradable versions of both polyethylene and polypropylene can be used, as long as the formulation does not react too quickly with fecal moisture. 
         [0016]    In its first embodiment, the present invention is made from two sheets of material, one for the top side and one for the palm side. The top side sheet is relatively thin, in the 1-2 mil range (0.001″-0.002″). The palm side sheet is made with a relatively thick ply, in the 5-6 mil range. The palm side sheet is dimpled, to reduce tactile and thermal sensation. The top and bottom sheets are trimmed in a glove-like shape bonded using common processes such as heat sealing. The overall profile is large enough that the glove can be everted, after collecting waste. A drawstring is attached to the inside of the the glove, so that, when everted, the drawstring is on the outside. The drawstring opening is accessible from the top of the glove. 
         [0017]    In a second embodiment of the glove, the palm-side is fabricated from two-plies, one of which is of 5-6 mil material, and the other of which is of 1-2 mil material. The thicker ply is dimpled: The thinner ply is not. The smooth, thinner ply is placed on the inside of the glove, next to the user&#39;s hand. This configuration further reduces tactile sensation at the cost of an extra, thin ply of material. 
         [0018]    In a third embodiment of the glove, the top and bottom sheets would be trimmed to have both a left and right thumb, so that it can be worn on either hand. 
         [0019]    In a fourth embodiment of the glove, the top and bottom sheets would be trimmed to have both a left and right thumb, and the middle fingers would all be inserted in a common fitting, like the finger portion of a mitten. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    There are seven relevant drawings.  FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove;  FIG. 1B  is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user&#39;s hand inserted.  FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the top side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of the palm side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove;  FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of the palm-side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user&#39;s hand inserted.  FIG. 4  is an isolation view of the top side of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove;  FIG. 5B  is a side view of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with a user&#39;s hand inserted. standard guitar pick.  FIG. 3  is a back view of a standard guitar pick.  FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of the palm-side of a first embodiment of the waste collection glove with user&#39;s hand inserted, while the user begins removing the waste collection glove with the user&#39;s other hand.  FIG. 7B  is an isometric view of the waste collection glove, everted, so as to hold solid dog waste. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The following description represents the inventors&#39; current preferred embodiments. The description is not meant to limit the invention, but rather to illustrate its general principles and utility. Examples are illustrated with the accompanying drawings. A variety of drawings are offered, showing multiple views and multiple embodiments of the present invention, both with a user&#39;s hand inserted, and without a user&#39;s hand inserted. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  shows the palm side  6  of a right-handed waste collection glove  100 .  FIG. 1B  shows the palm side  6  of a right-handed waste collection glove  100 , with a user&#39;s hand inserted  20 .  FIG. 2  shows the top side  9  of a right-handed waste collection glove  100 .  FIG. 5A  shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove  100 .  FIG. 5B  shows the side of a right-handed waste collection glove  100 , with a user&#39;s hand inserted  20 . The right-handed waste collection glove  100  has a palm surface  6  and a top surface  9  joined at a seam  11 . Both the top surface  9  and the palm surface  6  have a plurality of finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and a thumb region  15 . 
         [0026]    The palm surface  6  is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface  6  is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface  9  is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface  9  is approximately 1-2 mil thick. 
         [0027]    The top surface  9  and the palm surface  6  are joined at a seam  11 , using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and a thumb region  15  can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces  6 ,  9  together and to form the plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and a thumb region  15 . Once formed and joined, the right-handed waste collection glove  100  has a plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and a thumb region  15 , into which a user&#39;s hand  20  can be placed. The waste collection glove  100  has a rim or flange  10  through which the hand is placed  20 . An optional drawstring  1  can be fabricated and joined to the glove. The drawstring  1  is formed so that it is accessible on the inner surface of the rim or flange  10 . In this way, the drawstring  1  is accessible when the waste collection glove is everted. 
         [0028]    The palm-surface  6  is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps  60  that protrude away from the top surface  9 . The bumps  60  on the palm surface  6  reduce the tactile sensation of the user&#39;s hand  20 . The bumps  60  on the palm surface  6  also improve gripping with the right-handed waste collection glove  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  shows the palm side  6  of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove  200 .  FIG. 3B  shows the palm side  6  of a second embodiment of the waste collection glove  200 , with a user&#39;s hand inserted  20 .  FIG. 4  shows the top side  19  of a second embodiment of a waste collection glove  200 .  FIG. 6  shows the side of the second embodiment of the waste collection glove  200 . The waste collection glove  200  has a palm surface  16  and a top surface  19  joined at a seam  21 . Both the top surface  19  and the palm surface  16  have a plurality of finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , a right thumb region  15 , and a left thumb region  7 . 
         [0030]    The palm surface  16  is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The palm surface  16  is constructed from either a single ply of approximately 5-6 mil thick material, or a two-ply construction wherein one ply is approximately 1-2 mil thick; and the other ply is approximately 5-6 mil thick. The top surface  19  is constructed from a thin sheet polymer, such as LDPE, HDPE, or polypropylene. The top surface  19  is approximately 1-2 mil thick. 
         [0031]    The top surface  19  and the palm surface  16  are joined at a seam  21 , using common industrial practices such as heat sealing. The plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and the thumb regions  15 ,  7  can either be cut into the material prior to heat sealing; or the heat sealer die can be used to simultaneously seal the two surfaces  16 ,  19  together and to form the plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and the thumb region  15 ,  7 . Once formed and joined, the second embodiment of the waste collection glove  200  has a plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and thumb regions  15 ,  7 , into which a user&#39;s hand  20  can be placed. The waste collection glove  200  has a rim or flange  10  through which the hand is placed  20 . An optional tie  1  can be fabricated and joined to the glove. 
         [0032]    The palm-surface  16  is dimpled, with a plurality of bumps  60  that protrude away from the top surface  19 . The bumps  60  on the palm surface  16  reduce the tactile sensation of the user&#39;s hand  20 . The bumps  60  on the palm surface  6  also improve gripping with the waste collection glove  200 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  show that the waste collection glove  100  can be everted. The typical features are notable: plurality finger regions  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ; a thumb regions  15 ; and a rim or flange  10 . The user grasps the rim or flange  10  using their free hand  30 , to remove their right hand  20 . By everting the waste collection glove  100 , any solid dog waste is bagged. The inner surface  50  is now on the outside. The inner surface of the glove can be treated with an antimicrobial agent. The string tie  1  can be tightened to seal the waste.