Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Hitching or tethering
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2001-05-01
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Hitching or tethering
C119S795000, C119S858000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223695
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to leash assemblies and devices for collecting animal litter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pet refuse bag dispenser which is incorporated into a leash, that may be advantageously utilized to conveniently access a plastic bag into which animal litter may be placed when desired.
The rapid increase of urban population coupled with the increasing popularity of dogs and other pets has created a serious sanitary problem in connection with the disposal of animal litter, and particular canine litter. Because many animal pet owners have permitted their animals to deposit solid excrement on both private and public property, a number of communities have enacted ordinances requiring pet owners, under penalty of fine, to retrieve and dispose of lifter created by their pets.
It has been found that the willingness of pet owners to retrieve and properly dispose of animal litter is related to the ease, convenience and economy with which the litter may be handled in a clean and sanitary manner. While a number of devices have been proposed for the purpose of disposing of animal litter, they have suffered from various shortcomings. Some devices are not completely disposable and, therefore, require some degree of cleanup. Other types of devices, both of the disposable and reusable varieties, are awkward and/or conspicuous to carry. Moreover, some prior animal lifter collection devices are too expensive for everyday use.
One commonly accepted method for collecting and storing animal litter until a proper disposal site can be found involves the use of a disposable plastic bag. Some pet owners will simply place a plastic bag, such as a plastic grocery bag, in a clothing pocket for retrieval when needed. This method of collecting animal lifter presupposes, however, that the pet owner will always have access to and remember to grab a plastic bag prior to walking the pet. There have been proposals to provide devices which would store plastic bags within a container that may be worn by the owner or the pet. Each of these prior devices, however, suffers several disadvantages which the present invention is intended to overcome.
The retractable leash has been gaining popularity for the last twenty years and has taken its place as a permanent pet product. Some have recognized the desirability of providing an easy way to carry pet waste cleanup bags when going for a walk utilizing such a retractable leash. An example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,469. In that reference, a retractable leash is placed into an animal waste collecting device which incorporates its own handle, bag holder and flashlight. It is believed, however, that such an assembly involves apparatus and associated costs which are undesirable.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel pet refuse bag dispenser which is incorporated into or attached onto a retractable leash device to provide access to a roll of plastic bags when needed. The present invention fulfills this need and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a leash assembly comprising the combination of a pet refuse bag dispenser with a retractable leash. More particularly, the leash assembly is comprised of a housing defining a handle for the leash assembly and an interior compartment from which a leash extends. A generally tubular bag dispenser underlies the handle and includes a lid which permits access to an inner cavity in which a plurality of bags are disposed. The lid typically comprises a removable cap which is threaded over an open end of the bag dispenser.
The bag dispenser is either integrally formed with the leash handle or removably connected to a base of the handle. In leash assemblies utilizing the removable bag dispenser, a clamp is formed with or otherwise attached to the handle. The clamp has an open faced channel and opposing side grooves which slidingly accept a mating rail formed on a top portion of the bag dispenser. The bag dispenser is connected to the handle by sliding the rail into the grooves of the open faced channel until the rail is completely inserted and a frictional fit is formed. Likewise, the bag dispenser is removed from the leash handle by sliding the bag dispenser out of the side grooves.
In one embodiment, the plurality of plastic bags are rolled and detachably connected end to end. Means for centrally and rotationally retaining the roll of plastic bags within the bag dispenser are provided. Such means include a tubular axle about which the roll of plastic bags is wound, opposing axle guides about which the tubular axle and thus the roll of plastic bags rotate. One axle guide is formed with the lid, and the opposing axle guide is formed within an opposite end of the bag dispenser. A window is formed in a side wall of the bag dispenser so that individual plastic bags may be removed from the bag dispenser.
In another embodiment, the plurality of plastic bags are folded and contained within a cartridge which is frictionally fitted within the bag dispenser through the open end. A window is provided on a side wall of the cartridge which substantially aligns with the window of the bag dispenser so that the plastic bags may be selectively removed from the aligned windows.
In yet another embodiment, a cartridge containing a plurality of folded plastic bags is frictionally fitted within the bag dispenser through the open end of the bag dispenser. The cartridge has a tear away tab at its base, allowing the individual removal of the plastic bags from the cartridge through the open end of the bag dispenser.
In yet a further embodiment, the lid includes an aperture and a flexible membrane having slits substantially aligned with the aperture for the removal of the plastic bags from the bag dispenser through the slits in the membrane of the lid. The plastic bags are preferably rolled and detachably connected end to end.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Webster's Definition of “Lid”.*
Pooch Conquer the World, Take Your Pooch!, Accrafect Products, Inc., two pages.
Leash Luggage “Keep our community Doo-Dee free!”, Leash Luggage, two pages.
Edwards Mary
Edwards Timothy
Jordan Charles T.
Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelley LLP
Nelson Judith A.
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