Abstract:
An animal paw washing device is disclosed. The animal paw washing device includes an elongated container with a sidewall, an end wall and an open rim. The open rim is fitted with an elastic squeegee of conical shape. The elongated container is fitted with means to agitate a liquid so as not to require relative movement of the animal paw to the device to facilitate the cleaning action. The preferred method of agitation is an elastomeric bulb that, when squeezed, forces liquid through a series of orifices, creating jets of turbulent liquid directed at the animal&#39;s paw and lower leg.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from and incorporates by reference herein, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62062452, filed Oct. 10, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to cleaning devices for animal paws. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements to existing portable devices for cleaning of an animal&#39;s paws. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Animals&#39; paws often become dirty with mud or dirt during activities out of doors. It is often necessary to clean animals and their paws before allowing them to reenter the home or auto. 
         [0004]    Numerous devices have been devised that resemble large tray or pan structures with either manually or electrically operated scrubbing features. In recent times, smaller hand-held devices have been devised that clean one paw or leg at a time. These devices, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,391 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,408, have been developed to aid in cleaning animal paws. The devices are generally portable in nature and consist of elongated containers that are open on one end with enclosed bottoms to contain a cleaning agent such as water and/or detergent. 
         [0005]    These prior art devices require a portion of the container to fit relatively snug to the animal&#39;s leg and/or paw. Agitation of either the animal&#39;s leg or relative motion of the entire device creates a suction whereby the dirt and debris is pulled from the fur and crevices of the paw. Further, a close fitting flexible collar is often fitted at the entry/exit of the device to either squeegee the dirty cleaning agent from the leg/paw or create a seal to pull the agent via vacuum from the leg/paw during exit. The close fitting collar&#39;s actual fitment is dependent on the girth of the animal&#39;s leg. Consequently, the ability of the collar to seal well enough to create a vacuum is tenuous given the large variability in size of animal legs. 
         [0006]    Further, some devices also employ a mechanical means for scrubbing, washing, and cleaning animals&#39; paws. The scrubbing action is typically accomplished with an internal element such as a bristle brush, abrasive cloth material, or features on the sidewall of the container. The mechanical means for scrubbing is also via agitation of either the animal&#39;s leg or relative motion of the entire device to the leg by the user. 
         [0007]    The agitation of either the animal&#39;s leg or the actual device may prove awkward to the user and uncomfortable to the animal and cause fright. This is especially true if the device contains a scrubbing element. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable device for cleaning animal paws that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. More particularly, there is a need for a device that provides robust cleaning of the paw without awkward motions or mechanical scrubbing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention solves the above-described problems. More particularly, the present invention provides a device that produces robust agitation of a cleaning agent liquid or medication whilst maintaining a calm and motionless experience for the animal and user. 
         [0009]    The device is broadly comprised of a vessel with an elongated rigid cylindrical sidewall, an end wall, and an open rim. The end wall closes one end of the sidewall such as to allow the device to contain a liquid. Further, an inlet and/or outlet, is provided in the device that allows for the liquid to rapidly enter and exit in such a way as to provide a turbulent cleaning action. Said inlet and outlet may also be one and the same opening. The rim is positioned on the end of the sidewall opposite to the end wall and is sized and configured to receive the paw. The open rim is sized and configured by selecting the internal diameter of the rim based on the size of the paw such that the paw may freely move through the rim and into the device. 
         [0010]    The open rim is fitted with an elastic lip. The main purpose of the lip is to contain the liquid when the device is placed horizontally on a surface and to contain splashing liquid during agitation. The lip also contains an accordion shaped elastic entry that aids in squeegeeing excess liquid from the leg and paw upon exit. The lip is configured to impart a comfortable fit to the animal&#39;s leg without generation of a seal. The elastic entry is funnel shaped. In the event that the user would manually squeegee cleaning agent from the animal&#39;s paw or leg, the funnel shape would facilitate liquid reentry into the device as well as provide a guide for inserting the paw into the device. Alternatively, the elastic lip can be composed of multiple elasticized fabric layers that overlap one over the other such that an opening is realized in center for paw entry. The previously mentioned accordion shape would be in the form of an opening iris as the paw is inserted through the fabric. 
         [0011]    A removable lid may be affixed over the entry of the vessel to further contain the liquid for transport. Alternately, the liquid could be contained in the vessel via a plug inserted into either the open rim of the vessel or into the opening of the elastic accordion shape. 
         [0012]    In operation, the device is first partially filled with a liquid. The liquid may be a cleaning agent such as water, water with detergent, shampoo, or any other solution suitable for cleaning animal paws. In addition the liquid may be a medication for treating or cleansing a wound on the leg or paw. An animal paw is then inserted through the rim and into the liquid. Once the paw is inserted in the device, the user agitates the liquid via a manual squeeze bulb pump. 
         [0013]    The squeezing of the bulb rapidly expels the cleaning liquid from the bulb toward the paw and lower leg of the animal, while the subsequent release draws a portion of the liquid back into the bulb for a repeated cycle. This rapid movement of liquid through and around the crevices of the paw and lower leg creates agitation that aids in dislodging of dirt and debris. To further improve the agitation of the moving liquid, a series of orifices are positioned at the inlet-exit of the pump directly below the paw. As liquid is forced through the orifices, multiple small jets of liquid are created to impinge the crevices of the paw at a higher speed, improving the cleaning action. 
         [0014]    When the cleaning action is complete, the user withdraws the paw from the device. As the paw is withdrawn, an elastic squeegee with accordion folds removes the bulk liquid from the leg and surface of the paw. With the paw suspended over the device, the user may choose to further squeegee liquid from the animal&#39;s leg and paw manually with their hand. The funnel shaped elastic accordion will direct any squeegeed liquid back into the container. 
         [0015]    Once the user removes the paw from the device, he or she disposes of any remaining liquid by dumping the contents of the device into a drain or other receptacle. The device may then be stored without any further attention until its next use. 
         [0016]    By constructing the device as described herein, numerous advantages are realized over current portable paw washing devices on the market. The paw and leg can be cleaned without the physical contact of a scrubbing element such as a brush or abrasive cloth. Additionally, the device does not require a close fitment of the paw to the device walls or elastic collar to impart a vacuum. The device does not require awkward user movement of the device or the animal&#39;s leg. These and other important aspects of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0017]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device for cleaning an animal&#39;s paw constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device configured with a lid in the closed position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device configured with a lid in the open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the device during operational use; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of the device resting on a horizontal surface; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway view of another embodiment of the device wherein the inlet/outlet for agitating the liquid is located in the sidewall. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device wherein a drying feature is attached externally to the device. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Illustrated in the drawing figures, and particularly  FIG. 1  is, a device  100  for cleaning an animal&#39;s paw constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment and broadly comprises an elongated rigid cylindrical sidewall  101 , an end wall  103 , and an open rim  105 . The end wall  103  closes one end of the sidewall  101  such as to allow the device  100  to contain a liquid  113 . The rim  105  is positioned on an end of the sidewall  104  opposite to the end wall  103 . 
         [0028]    The rim  105  preferably has an elastic cap  102  with integral lip  117  as shown in  FIG. 4  to retain splashing liquid  113 . The cap  102  contains an elastic squeegee funnel of conical shape  108  with expandable accordion features  121  to guide the paw into the device  100  without catching or snagging. The funnel feature  108  collapses loosely around the animal&#39;s leg  115  to prevent splashing of the liquid  113 . The rim  105  is sized and configured by having an internal diameter selected based on the size of the paw such that the paw may freely move through the rim  105  and into the device  100 . The funnel feature  121  has the additional benefit of guiding any dripping liquid from the animal&#39;s paw  110  immediately after removal from the device  110 .  FIG. 6  depicts the rim lip  117  of the elastic cap  102  retaining liquid  113  while resting horizontally on a surface  116 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the elastic cap  102  adapted to receive a closable lid  128  to retain liquid within the device. The lid  128  has a tether  129  connecting it to the device  100 . It is within the scope of the invention that the tether can be permanently attached to device  100 , or alternatively, detachable from device  100 , or omitted completely. It is further envisioned that the rim  105  can be configured to receive the closable lid  128  with or without elastic cap  102  installed in device  100 . 
         [0030]    The side wall  104  preferably contains an elongated feature  107  near the open rim  105 . The elongated feature  107  accommodates the widened portion of the animal&#39;s leg  123  near the open rim  105 . The feature  107  has a substantially flat edge  122  for contact with a surface  116 . The flat edge  107  prevents device  100  from rolling when at rest on a horizontal surface. Likewise, the funnel feature  108  has additional geometry to form an area of relief  130  over feature  107  so as to accommodate the widened portion of the animal&#39;s leg  123 . The preferred embodiment has the sidewall  104  substantially round. Alternatively, the sidewall  104  could be constructed of multiple flat sides to accommodate the widening leg  123  whilst eliminating the possibility of rolling of the device  100 . Further, it is envisioned that the side wall  104  could also have an elliptical shape that might negate the need for the elongated feature  107  and is considered within the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]    The end wall  103  is configured with a port  106  for inlet and outlet of a liquid  113 . Attached to the port  106  is a bulb  102  that is used as both a handle and a pump by the user  112 . The bulb  102 , when squeezed would expel liquid through the port  106  and surround the paw and leg of the animal. When the bulb  102  is un-squeezed, the liquid is withdrawn back through the port into the bulb interior once again. The port  106  preferably contains a plurality of orifices  109  to impart turbulence in the liquid flow  114  produced by the rapid squeezing of bulb  102 . The turbulent flow  114  around the paw  110  is desirable for thorough cleaning of dirt and debris from said paw and lower leg  115 . The effect of turbulent flow for cleaning is akin to an agitator in a clothes washer. Other features may be employed in addition to, or instead of, the orifices  109  to increase agitation turbulence of liquid flow  114 . 
         [0032]    An alternative embodiment  120  is illustrated in  FIG. 7  in which the port  106  is located in the sidewall  104  of the device  100 . The port  106  preferably would impart turbulent flow through features such as the orifices  109 . 
         [0033]    An alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 8  in which a device  100  is fitted with a drying feature  124 . The drying feature  124  shown is an absorbent material such as cloth with an attachment point  125  near the device opening and a band  126  around the lower end of the device. The drying feature  124  forms a pocket  127  which would receive the animal paw for drying after washing. The drying feature is attached on device  100  in such a location as to be conveniently used immediately after washing so as to limit the mess of a wet or dripping paw on the user&#39;s floor. Alternatively, the drying feature could be a simple absorbent cloth similar to a golfer&#39;s towel with at least one attachment point to the device  100 . Further still, the drying feature  124  could be housed in a separate compartment similar to the elongated container  101 . 
         [0034]    The embodiments previously described are not exhaustive in respect to the various ways in which the liquid  113  can be agitated. Numerous methods can be employed to pump, propel or otherwise agitate the liquid. Some common methods that could be used but are not limited to: bellows, pistons, electric pumps, propellers, pneumatic pumps or forcing air through the liquid. As an alternative to a rigid sidewall  104  or end wall  103 , said walls could be flexible, all or in part, in such a way as to be compressed by the user to impart agitation to the liquid contained therein. It is also possible for the port  106  to be located in any number of locations, including on or near the rim opening  105 . All methods of agitating the liquid are considered within the scope of this invention. 
         [0035]    The sidewall  104  and end wall  103  may be constructed of any material that is capable of retaining a liquid, including a wide variety of plastics, metals, glass, or other common and inexpensive materials. Ideally, the material is transparent so as to monitor the cleaning process for completion. 
         [0036]    It is further envisioned that the device  100  may include multiple chambers which may include the same or fewer of the features described above for the purpose of providing multiple stages of cleaning or rinsing. The benefit of multiple stages being that the user would not have to stop, empty and refill a single chamber device for another stage of cleaning 
         [0037]    In operation, the device  100  is partially filled with the liquid  113 . The liquid  113  may be a cleaning solution, water, water with detergent, shampoo, or any other liquid suitable for washing or acting as a medication for the paw. The user then inserts the animal&#39;s paw through the rim  105  and into proximity of the liquid  113  near the end wall  103 . Once the animal&#39;s paw is inserted in the device  100 , the user agitates the liquid  113  via the bulb  102  with repeated squeezing and releases. 
         [0038]    After the paw is sufficiently cleaned, the user withdraws the paw from the device  100 . As the paw is withdrawn from the device  100 , the elastic squeegee  108  with expandable accordion features  121  squeegees excess water from the leg and paw. The user may choose to manually squeegee any remaining water from the paw while maintaining the device  100  near the paw and allowing remaining liquid draining from the paw to be guided back into the device  100  via the conical funnel  108 . The device  100  may then be moved to another paw for use or lid  102  removed and the device emptied of remaining liquid and refilled with clean liquid or stored later use. 
         [0039]    Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions may be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.