Abstract:
The disclosure describes a waste collection device that includes a sweep that includes a plate and a first handle, and a scoop that includes a receptacle and a second handle. The first handle is attached to the plate and the second handle is attached to the receptacle. The disclosure also describes a method of picking up animal waste that includes contacting the waste with the plate of a sweep and sweeping the waste into a receptacle of a scoop through an opening of the receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to collecting waste, e.g., the solid waste of an animal. 
     Animal and pet owners are often faced with the task of cleaning up the solid waste (e.g., feces) created by their animals. This task, although necessary, can be quite distasteful. The waste often has an unpleasant aroma and is not aesthetically pleasing. 
     A number of solutions have been developed to ease this task. These solutions range from professional services that, for a fee, will come and remove the feces from the desired area (e.g., a yard) to shovels and plastic baggies, which the user uses to pick up the feces. Shovels and two component collectors have been used for this purpose. When using a shovel, for example, the feces is visible on the surface of the shovel, and it is difficult to maintain one piece of feces on the face of the shovel when trying to pick up a second piece of feces. 
     Existing waste collection devices also are often heavy, cumbersome and difficult to operate. Frequently it is also difficult to empty the device. In one waste collecting device, a rake-like portion is used to push the feces into a receptacle generally configured in the shape of a dust pan. The feces often sticks to the tines of the rake. The dust pan typically cannot hold a large volume of feces, is difficult to empty, and feces can be seen from the top by the user looking down. These devices also are difficult to clean as the feces often sticks in the corners and surfaces of the dust pan. 
     There is a need for a light weight easy to use feces collector that can be easily emptied and hides the distasteful waste from view during the feces collection process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention features a waste collection device that includes a sweep and a scoop that includes a receptacle. In one embodiment, the scoop includes a cylindrical receptacle that includes at least one side wall and an opening, the at least one side wall defining the opening. 
     In some embodiments, the receptacle is of a construction such that when waste is disposed in the receptacle, it is not visible to a user standing upright, holding the handle of the receptacle and looking downward toward the receptacle. 
     In other embodiments, the opening of the receptacle defines a diameter of at least about 5 inches. In another embodiment, the opening of the receptacle defines a diameter of from about 5.5 inches to about 7.5 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the plate is in the shape of a polyhedron. In other embodiments, the plate is rectangular. In one embodiment, the plate includes a working surface and a major portion of the working surface is flat. 
     In another embodiment, at least one of the first handle and the second handle includes a shaft having a rectangular cross section. In other embodiments, at least one of the handle, the plate and the receptacle includes wood, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the first handle and the second handle includes a shaft having a height of at least 24 inches. 
     In another aspect, the invention features a method of picking up animal waste, the method including contacting the waste with the plate of a sweep, the sweep that includes the plate and a first handle, and sweeping the waste into a receptacle of a scoop through an opening of the receptacle, the receptacle that includes at least one side wall defining the opening, the scoop that includes the receptacle and a second handle. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one side wall forms a continuous side wall. 
     In another embodiment, the method further includes carrying the first handle in the hand of a user, resting a portion of the first handle against a first forearm of the user, and resting a portion of the second handle against a second forearm of the user. In some embodiments, at least one of the first handle and the second handle comprises a shaft having a rectangular cross section. 
     In another aspect, the invention features a waste collection device that includes a sweep that includes a continuous polygonal-shaped plate and a first handle that includes a longitudinal extent of at least 24 inches, and a scoop that includes a cylindrical receptacle and a second handle that includes a longitudinal extent of at least 24 inches, the receptacle that includes at least one side wall defining an opening and a back wall, the second handle being attached to the back wall of the receptacle. In some embodiments, at least one side wall of the receptacle is continuous. 
     The invention features a waste collection device that can be constructed to block the collected feces from the view of the user and to receive more than one feces deposit, which enables a more efficient waste removal process. The waste collection device can be used to remove feces from a grassy area without leaving a significant portion of the feces on the grass surface. 
     The handles of the device can be constructed to enable the handles of the collector to rest on the forearms of the user while the user walks around the area being cleaned, which facilitates and eases carrying the device. In such a position, the components of the device do not sway and swing while being transported. The handles of the device can also be constructed to enable the user to use and manipulate the components of the waste collection device with ease. 
     Other features and advantages will be apparent from the brief description of the drawings, from the following description of the preferred embodiments, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sweep of a waste collection device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the scoop of a waste collection device. 
         FIG. 3  is a plane view of the front of the scoop of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plane view of the side of the scoop of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plane view of the back of the scoop of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plane view of the front of the sweep of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a plane view of the side of the sweep of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a plane view of the back of the sweep of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a scoop of a waste collection device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a scoop of a waste collection device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a scoop of a waste collection device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the handle of the scoop of  FIG. 2  resting on the forearm of a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-8  depict a waste collection device  10  that includes a sweep  12  and a scoop  14 . The sweep  12  includes a plate  16  attached to a handle  18 , which is in the form of an elongated shaft, by screws  40 , which are held in place by nuts  41 . The scoop  14  includes a receptacle  20  attached to a handle  22 , which is in the form of an elongated shaft, by screws  40 , which are held in place by nuts  41 . 
     In use, the sweep  12  and scoop  14  of the waste collection device  10  are held in separate hands by a user. The user grasps the handles  18 ,  22  in each hand and moves the plate  16  of the sweep  12  against a piece of solid waste SW (e.g., feces) in a manner sufficient to transfer the waste to the receptacle  20 . The sweep  12  can be manipulated in any manner suitable for achieving the transfer of the waste SW into the receptacle  20  including, e.g., a sweeping, flicking and scraping motions, and combinations thereof. The plate  16  is pressed against the surface on which the waste SW lies near the location of the waste SW. In a grass yard, for example, the leading edge  26  of the plate  16  is pressed against the grass so as to press the grass down into the earth. The plate  16  is then flicked using a quick hand and wrist motion so as to dislodge the waste from the grass and send it sailing into the receptacle  20 . When carrying the waste collection device  10  from one waste location to another, the user can rest a portion of the handles  18 ,  22  on his or her forearms as partially illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     The receptacle  20  is dimensioned to easily receive waste from the plate  16 . The opening  28  of the receptacle  20  is sufficiently large to enable the waste to pass into the receptacle without being caught on the edge (i.e., rim) of the receptacle. FIGS.  2  and  3 - 5  depict an embodiment in which the receptacle  20  is in the form of a cylinder  30  that is closed on one end  32  with an end wall  34  and open on the opposite, waste receiving end  36 . The handle  22  of the scoop  14  is attached to the end wall  34  of the closed end  32  of the cylinder  30  through screws  40 . The opening  28  on the waste receiving end  36  of the receptacle  20  is circular. The side wall that forms the cylinder  30  of the receptacle  20  is continuous such that items contained within the receptacle  20  are not visible to a user holding the handle in his or her hand and standing upright and looking downward toward the receptacle. In other embodiments, the side wall can be discontinuous, e.g., the side wall can include openings of a variety of shapes including, e.g., slots (e.g., linear slots), circular, polygonal, elliptical, and combinations thereof. 
     Useful receptacles include an opening  28  for receiving waste that has a cross sectional dimension (e.g., a diameter) of at least about 4 inches, at least about 5 inches, at least about 5.5 inches, from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, or even from about 5 inches to about 8 inches. 
     For ease of reference, the receptacle  20  will be described as having one side wall; however, it is to be understood that the receptacle  20  can be defined by more than one side wall. The side wall that defines the opening  28  of the receptacle  20  and the end wall  34  preferably are sufficiently rigid so as to prevent complete collapse of the receptacle when the bottom surface of the receptacle is pressed against the surface on which the waste lies. The receptacle preferably is made out of a rigid material. In some embodiments, the side walls exhibit a degree of flex (e.g., bending). 
     The portion of the side wall of the receptacle that defines the opening (i.e., the rim) is preferably sufficiently thin so as not to interfere with the collection of the waste. The receptacle can optionally include a lip at the opening. If a lip is present, it preferably is constructed so as not to interfere with the smooth transfer of waste into the receptacle. The side wall can have any suitable thickness including a thickness of from about 0.01 inch to about 0.1 inch, from about 0.01 inch to about 0.08 inch, or even from about 0.03 inch to about 0.05 inch. 
     The plate  16  of the sweep  12  preferably is sufficiently rigid and inflexible that it does not bend significantly when encountering the resistance a typical animal solid waste would represent. The plate  16  includes a continuous (i.e., is free of visible openings), smooth flat surface (as determined by the touch of an individual). In other embodiments, the plate includes openings. Preferably the plate  16  is made out of a stiff, rigid material, suitable examples of which include metal (e.g., aluminum). The surface area of the working surface  32  (i.e., the side of the plate that faces the opening of the scoop in use and that is designed to contact the waste) of the plate  16  can be of any suitable dimension. The plate  16  preferably includes a sufficient amount of surface area on the working surface  32  thereof to move the waste from its resting position. Useful plate  16  dimensions include, e.g., a height of from about 4 inches to about 12 inches, from about 6 inches to about 10 inches, from about 7 inches to about 9 inches, or even about 8 inches, and a length of from about 2 inches to about 10 inches, from about 4 inches to about 8 inches, from about 5 inches to about 7 inches, or even about 6 inches. 
     The handles  18 ,  22  include an elongated shaft of sufficient rigidity to enable the sweep and scoop movements to be carried out and manipulated by the user with ease and effectiveness. The shafts of handles  18 ,  22  include two flat major surfaces  17   a ,  17   b  and two flat minor surfaces  19   a ,  19   b . In other embodiments, the surfaces of the shaft can be other than flat and can include at least a portion that includes components to aid gripping by the hand. Examples of useful gripping mechanisms include bumps, ridges (e.g., lateral ridges), elastomeric material (e.g., rubber and thermoplastic elastomer), and combinations thereof. The bumps can exhibit a surface that is smooth to the touch (e.g., rounded), or rough. The bumps can be of a variety of dimensions and shapes including, e.g., circular, elliptical, oval, pyramidal, polygonal, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the shafts are cylindrical or polyhedron in shape. 
     In one embodiment, the handles  18 ,  22  are of a height such that an end portion of each handle rests on the user&#39;s forearms while a major longitudinal extent of the handle extends downward, away from the user&#39;s hand and toward the ground.  FIG. 12  illustrates the handle  22  of the scoop  14  in the grasp of the left hand  23  of a user. The end portion  25  of the handle rests on the user&#39;s left forearm  27  and a major portion  29  of the longitudinal extent of the handle  22  extends downward, away from the user&#39;s hand  23 . The handle height can be selected based on the user&#39;s height. The handles  18  and  22  of the sweep  12  and the scoop  14  are preferably of a height sufficient to enable the user to remain substantially upright when collecting waste. Examples of useful handle heights include from about 30 inches to about 50 inches, from about 35 inches to about 45 inches, or even from about 35 inches to about 40 inches. 
     The handles  18 ,  22  are also dimensioned to rest comfortably in the user&#39;s hands. The handles  18 ,  22  can also be of any suitable length and width to enable the handle to fit within the grasp of a hand. Useful handles have a length of from about 1 inch to about 3 inches, from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, or even about 2 inches, and a width of from about 0.1 inch to about 1.5 inch, or even from about 0.15 inch to about 1 inch, or even from about 0.2 inch to about 0.5 inch. 
     In other embodiments, the handles include additional handle grip components to facilitate gripping and movement of the handle. Examples of handle grip components and enhanced gripping mechanism are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,118,145, 6,131,972, 7,216,403, 7,416,499, 7,418,892, D385,160, and D291,863 and incorporated herein. 
     The handles  18 ,  22  are attached to the plate  16  of the sweep  12  or the receptacle  20  of the scoop  14 , respectively, either directly or indirectly, e.g., other components can be positioned between the handle and the receptacle or plate. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6  and  8  illustrate handles  18 ,  22  that include holes  42  that extend through the width  44  of the handle  18 ,  22 . The holes  42  enable the sweep and the scoop to be easily stored on a hanging element, e.g., a nail or a hook. 
     The handles  18 ,  22  can be fabricated as a single unit with their respective plate and receptacle or as individual components that are then attached together. The handles  18 ,  22  can be attached to their respective plate and receptacle using any suitable mechanism including, e.g., mechanical devices (e.g., screws, nails, clips, staples, and male female connectors), adhesive compositions, sonic weld, thermal weld, and combinations thereof. 
     The receptacle, plate, and handles of the waste collection device can be made from a variety of materials. Preferably the material is sufficiently rigid such that the handles and plate will not flex significantly when encountering waste during the sweeping action. Useful materials include, e.g., wood, metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper, metal alloys and combinations thereof), graphite, plastic, composites, and minerals (e.g., rock, marble, granite, and combinations thereof), and combinations thereof. Useful plastics include, e.g., thermoplastic and thermoset polymers including, e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, elastomers, biodegradable polymers (e.g., polylactic acid-based polymers), compostable polymers, and combinations thereof. Useful composites include composites of polymer in combination with wood, fiber (e.g., cellulosic and polymeric), metal, glass (e.g., glass beads and glass bubbles), stone, silica, and combinations thereof, fiberglass composites, and combinations thereof. The handles, receptacle and plate can be made out of the same or different materials. 
     The waste collection device  10  is useful in a variety of environments including, e.g., yards, zoos, playgrounds, parks, feed lots, farms, and animal processing facilities. 
     In some embodiments, the waste collection device is a packaged article that includes the sweep and the scoop maintained as a unit with packaging. The packaged article can include any suitable packaging for maintaining the sweep and scoop as a unit including, e.g., clips, binders, rubber bands, ties, polymer film, cardboard, container (e.g., box or bag), adhesive composition and articles, and combinations thereof. 
     Other embodiments are within the claims. Although the receptacle is depicted as cylindrical, the receptacle (e.g., the walls and the opening of the receptacle) can define any of a variety of shapes including, e.g., sphere, ellipse, oval, polyhedron (e.g., cube, prism, pyramid, tetrahedron, pentahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, decahedron, parallelepiped (e.g., rhombohedron), and diamond), hemisphere, arcuate terminated cylinder, cone, frusto-conical cone, a body having opposed polygonal faces including, e.g., triangle, square, rectangle, rhomboid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, and octagon faces, a body exhibiting the shape of a gumdrop or a bell, a polyhedron (i.e., a geometric body with flat faces and straight edges), and combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a scoop  100  that includes a receptacle  110  in the form of a polygonal-shaped body defined by four rectangle-shaped side walls  112   a - 112   d  and a back wall  114 , and a handle  116  attached to the back wall  114  of the receptacle  110 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a scoop  120  that includes an arcuate truncated cone-shaped receptacle  122  that includes a rim  124 , which defines an opening  126  and a handle  130  attached at the apex  128  of the arcuate truncation of the receptacle  122 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of a scoop  140  that includes an arcuate truncated cone-shaped receptacle  142  that includes a rim  144 , which defines an opening  146  and a handle  150  attached to the rim  144  of the receptacle  142 . 
     Although the handles of the sweep and scoop are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11  as being flat and having a rectangular shape in cross section, the handles can exhibit any suitable shape in cross section including, e.g., circle, ellipse, oval, and arcuate. The perimeter of the handles can also define a variety of shapes including, e.g., sphere, hemisphere, ellipse, oval, arc, polyhedron (e.g., cube, prism, pyramid, tetrahedron, pentahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, decahedron, parallelepiped (e.g., rhombohedron), and diamond), arcuate terminated cylinder, cone, frusto-conical cone, a body having opposed polygonal faces including, e.g., triangle, square, rectangle, rhomboid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, and octagon faces, a body exhibiting the shape of a gumdrop or a bell, and combinations thereof. 
     Although the waste collection device has been described with respect to collecting animal waste, the collector can be used to collect a variety of waste products and other articles including, e.g., trash, leaves, rocks, twigs, fruit (e.g., apples, cherries, peaches, oranges, and plums), nuts, acorns, walnuts, buckeyes, horse chestnuts, shells, and combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments at least one surface of the waste collection device (e.g., the interior surface of the receptacle, the waste-contacting surface of the plate, and combinations thereof) can be coated with a composition that enables the easy release of the waste (e.g., feces) from the surface and easy cleaning of the receptacle (e.g., a non-stick coating). Examples of such coating compositions include fluoropolymers, one commercially available example of which is TEFLON polytetrafluoroethylene (which is commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.)), and silicones.