Patent ID: 12213448

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention reduces or solves the problem associated with an environmentally safe and friendly way to dispose of pet waste is through the waste treatment facilities where it can be processed appropriately with minimal human interaction with the waste.

Referring toFIGS.1-4,FIG.1is a blow-up view,FIG.2is a cross sectional view,FIG.3is a top view, andFIG.4is a partial cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention that includes a pet waste disposal apparatus10having a basin or a waterproof open top container11with a first end11a, a second end11b, and a pair of sidewalls11c. The waterproof open top container11includes a floor surface and preferably a V-shaped floor surface12located within an interior of the open top container11with the V-shaped floor surface12sloping from the first end11ato the second end11bof the open top container11. The waterproof open top container11preferably is made of a durable, waterproof material that can withstand extreme temperatures

Pet waste disposal apparatus10includes a drain outlet13located on the second end11bof the open top container11. Drain outlet13is shown connected to the V-shaped floor surface12and an existing sewer pipeline14to facilitate the transfer of pet waste collected within the open top container11to the waste treatment facilities. Although not shown, drain outlet13may comprise a standard size hole that connects to a sewer drainpipe with the sewer drainpipe preferably including a P-trap located a short distance after the waste leaves the open top container11to prevent sewer gas from escaping. The drainpipe is then connected to existing sewer pipe14.

Pet waste disposal apparatus10also includes a pair of space apart support bars15located within the open top container11and connecting the side walls11cof the open top containers11. A water and weatherproof walking board16having a first end16a, a second end16band a top surface16cis shown supported on the pair of support bars15between the pair of sidewalls11cof the open top container11in a removably fixed condition. Although walking board16may be supported on the support bars15by a plurality of means, in the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2walking board16is shown supported on the pair of support bars15through the engagement of pair of notches located on an underside of walking board16with the corresponding pair of support bars15. The walking board of the present invention may comprise of a plurality of materials as long as the material is smooth, durable, water and weatherproof, preferably rigid, and can withstand extreme temperatures. An example of a suitable walking board includes a skid plate.

Pet waste disposal apparatus10also includes a first electrically driven roller18and a second electrically driven roller20. The first electrically driven roller18is located between the first end16aof the walking board16and the first end11aof the open top container11and supported at least partially within the open top container11by the pair of the walls11c. In the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2first electrically driven roller18are specifically shown supported at least partially within the open top container11by a receiving hole19and a U-Shaped slot19alocated on the pair of the walls11c.

Located between the first roller18and the first end11aof the open top container11is a pet waste inlet22for receiving pet waste therethrough when pet waste disposal apparatus10is in use.

The second electrically driven roller20is located between the second end16bof the walking board16and the second end11bof the open top container11and supported at least partially within the open top container11by the pair of the side walls11c.

In the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2second electrically driven roller20is specifically shown supported at least partially within the open top container11by a receiving slot21and an opened top21aslot located on the pair of the walls11c. A feature of receiving slots21and21ais that receiving slots21and21aallows for tension adjustment of second electrically driven roller20.

In regard to the rollers of the present invention, In the embodiment ofFIG.2, the first electrically driven roller18and the second electrically driven roller20are shown located completely within the open top container11. Although pet waste disposal apparatus10shows the use of two electrically driven rollers18,20, alternative embodiments of the present invention may include the use of more than 2 electrically driven rollers and at least one electrically driven roller and at least one free rotating or free moving roller.

The rollers are sized so that they expand the width of the open top container11. Although the rollers may vary in size depending on the size and specific request of the owners of pet waste disposal apparatus10, the rollers of pet waste disposal apparatus10normally range between 1-5 inches in diameter. Preferably, the rollers are made of a durable material which can withstand extreme temperatures and wet conditions and are adjustable and removable from the open top container11.

Pet waste disposal apparatus10further includes a rotating belt23having a waterproof artificial turf exterior surface24and an interior surface25. It is noted that turf exterior surface24may comprise a manufactured grass or lawn which is fashioned into rotating belt23. A feature of turf exterior surface24is that turf exterior surface24is durable and yet flexible. Preferably, the grass blades are of medium length and of a texture that is comfortable for dogs to walk on. Preferably, the turf exterior surface24is easy to clean and odor resistant.

In the embodiment ofFIG.2rotating belt23is shown tensioned mounted to the first and second electrically driven rollers18,20by the engagement of the inner interior surface25of the rotating belt23to the exterior surfaces of the first and second electrically driven rollers18,20and the top surface16cof the walking board16. The mounting fit of rotating belt23to pet waste disposal apparatus10may be adjusted through the tension adjustment of second electrically driven roller20.

Pet waste disposal apparatus10also includes an electrically driven cover plate26mounted, and preferably mounted, to a hinge27proximal the first end11aof the open top container11and moveable in an angular direction θ between a closed position and an opened position to allow the pet waste inlet22to receive pet waste28from the rotating belt23into the open top container11for pet waste collection. The electrically driven cover plate26is preferably made of a durable material that can withstand extreme temperatures. In the embodiment ofFIG.3the electrically driven cover plate26comprises a mesh on a metal framework to deter the dog from defecating in that area and allow for urine or feces to fall through into the open top container11.

FIGS.2and3also shows an optional cover plate35removably attached to the open top container11and located between the second electrically driven roller20and the second end of open top container11bwith cover plate35functioning to limit access to the interior of open top container11.

In order to clean and sanitize the rotating belt23pet waste disposal apparatus10includes a spray cleaning system29located within the open top container11with the spray cleaning system29having at least one sprayer for cleaning the waterproof artificial turf exterior surface24of the rotating belt23of pet wastes28while simultaneously directing pet waste28located on the V-shaped floor surface12of the open top container11through the drain outlet13of the open top container11and into the existing sewer pipe14to facilitate the transfer of pet waste collected within the open top container11to the waste treatment facilities. In the Embodiment ofFIG.2, spray cleaning system29is shown having a rotating belt cleaning sprayer30and a floor surface cleaning sprayer31. Although not shown the spray cleaning system of the present invention may include further sprayers for cleaning other areas within open top container11and may also be located at different regions areas within open top container11including but not limited to completely underneath the rotating belt23and on floor surface12. The spray cleaning system is preferably designed to be hooked up to an existing water supply through a leak-proof connection.

Pet waste disposal apparatus10also includes at least one motor32for powering at least one of the electrically driven rollers18,20, the electrically driven cover plate26, and the spray cleaning system29. In the embodiment ofFIG.3, the motor32is shown located on an exterior of the open top container11. It is noted that alternative embodiments of the present invention may include a separate motor for powering the at least one if not both of the electrically driven rollers18,20, a separate motor for powering the electrically driven cover plate26, and a separate motor for powering the spray cleaning system29.

FIG.3also shows an external control system33located on an exterior of the open top container11and connected to motor32with external control system33functioning to control and operate the electrically driven rollers18,20, the electrically driven cover plate26, and the spray cleaning system29.FIG.3also shows a power source34connected to motor32to provide the necessary fuel to power the operation of pet waste disposal apparatus10. Power source34may comprise of a variety source including but not limited the traditional power grids and alternative power sources including solar power and wind power.

Preferably, control system33comprises a remote-control unit and may include and also operate various safety features, such as but not limited to a weight sensor which will prevent motor32from turning on when there is a designated amount of weight on the walking board16, a mechanism of sensing pressure or movement on the rotating belt23, a motion detector, light sensors, weight sensor or other feedback mechanism which will turn off the motor and/or disengage the gear system under predetermined conditions.

The control system33also may operate a heating system and any other electronic mechanisms on pet waste disposal apparatus10. Although not shown, the heating system may comprise weather and waterproof heating elements located on or embedded within various components of pet waste disposal apparatus10and functions to prevent freezing when used in cold weather climates. For example, a heating system of pet waste disposal apparatus10may comprise heating elements that are mounted to mounted to pet waste disposal apparatus10in such a way as to prevent the rotating bely23, the spray cleaning system29or the motor32from freezing. Preferable locations for the heating element include but is not limited to the underside of the walking board16, under the V-shaped floor surface12of the open top container11, under a motor encasement for motor32, and around the walls of the open top container11.

The pet waste disposal apparatus10of the present invention may also include other options available to the potential users including but not limited to a place to attach a “pee hydrant” or “pee tree” to the pet waste disposal apparatus10, a waterproof coating of the rotating belt23, optional unit sizes of small, medium and large, a cleaning solution dispenser added to the spray cleaning system29, a variety of colors for turf exterior surface24.

In the general operation of pet waste disposal apparatus10, pets such as canines will defecate on the waterproof artificial turf exterior surface24of rotating belt23. A signal will be sent to motor32such as by control system33to rotate the electrically driven rollers18,20resulting in the rotation of rotating belt23. The rotation of rotating belt23will in turn signal for the angular movement of electrically driven cover plate26from a closed position to an opened position to allow the pet waste inlet22to receive pet waste28dropped from the rotating belt23into the open top container11for pet waste collection.

In order to clean off any residue pet waste that did not drop from rotating belt23spray cleaning system29is activated, which powers rotating belt cleaning sprayer30to shoot a continuous jet stream of water or a combined water and cleaning solution at the waterproof artificial turf exterior surface24of the rotating belt23to remove any remaining pet waste from waterproof artificial turf exterior surface24. The floor surface cleaning sprayer31of spray cleaning system29is also activated to shoot a jet stream of water or combined water and cleaning solution at the V-shaped floor surface12of the open top container11to simultaneously direct pet waste28located on the V-shaped floor surface12of the open top container11through the drain outlet13of the open top container11and into the existing sewer pipe14to facilitate the transfer of pet waste collected within the open top container11to the waste treatment facilities.

FIG.5is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a pet waste disposal apparatus36of the present invention having similar components to the pet waste disposal apparatus10ofFIGS.1-4. However, unlike the pet waste disposal apparatus10, pet waste disposal apparatus36includes an open top container37having a sloping floor surface38located within the open top container37and a vertical drop outlet drain39located on the sloping floor surface38with the vertical drop outlet drain39connectable to an existing sewer line40to receive fluids and pet waste within the open top container37with the sloping floor surface38angled to direct fluids and pet waste flow to the vertical drop outlet drain39, preferably by assistance of the force of gravity.

Referring toFIGS.6and7,FIG.6is a top view showing the open top container37of the pet waste disposal apparatus36ofFIG.5.FIG.7is a cross-sectional view showing the open top container37ofFIG.6taken at the lines7-7. As shown in the embodiment ofFIGS.6and7, the sloping floor surface38slopes or inclines from a second end37btowards a first end37aof the open top container37. Although the sloping floor surface38may comprise various shapes and configuration that facilitates the flow of the fluids and pet waste to the vertical drop outlet drain39, in the embodiment show inFIG.7the sloping floor surface38is shown having a V-Shape configuration and includes a U-shaped trough41extending and sloping from the second end37btowards vertical drop outlet drain39. U-shaped trough41operates to assist in the collecting and facilitating the flow of fluids and pet waste to the vertical drop outlet drain39.

FIGS.5and7also show the vertical drop outlet drain39located proximal a pet waste inlet43and preferably directly underneath the pet waste inlet43to reduce or limit the travel distance of the fluids and waste collected by the open top container37to the vertical drop outlet drain39.

FIG.6also shows a spray cleaning system located within the open top container37, the spray cleaning system including a pair of rotating belt cleaning sprayers44, which functions to clean a waterproof artificial turf exterior surface of a rotating belt of pet wastes while simultaneously directing pet wastes located on the sloping floor surface38of the open top container37through the vertical drop outlet drain39of the open top container37and a plurality of floor surface cleaning sprayers45, which functions to breakdown, and move fluids and pet waste to the vertical drop outlet drain39.

FIG.8is a top view showing of an alternative embodiment of an open top container46of a pet waste disposal apparatus of the present invention in which a vertical drop outlet drain47is located proximal midway between a first end46aand a second end46bof the open top container46. The open top container46includes a first V-shaped sloping floor surface48that slopes or inclines from the first end46aof the open top container46towards the vertical drop outlet drain47and a second V-shaped sloping floor surface49that slopes or inclines from the second end46bof the open top container46towards the vertical drop outlet drain47. The first V-shaped sloping floor surface48is shown including a V-shaped trough42extending and sloping from the first end46aof the open top container46towards vertical drop outlet drain47and the second V-shaped sloping floor surface49is shown including a V-shaped trough42aextending and sloping from the second end46bof the open top container46towards vertical drop outlet drain47. V-shaped troughs42aand42boperates to assist in the collecting and facilitating the flow of fluids and pet waste to the vertical drop outlet drain47.