Waste collection device

Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Sanitary handler for pet droppings

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C015S104800

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260895

ABSTRACT:

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to novel, improved devices for collection of small deposits of solid waste. Devices of that character are particularly well suited for use in collecting feces left behind by pets, particularly dogs.
BACKGROUND
A continuing demand exists for a simple, inexpensive mechanical device which can be used to collect waste droppings left behind by pets. In fact, many communities now have regulations in place which require pet owners to clean up the wastes left behind by their pets, particularly in public places such as city streets and parks. It would be advantageous for pet owners subject to such regulations to have access to a simple device which enables the efficient and sanitary collection of such wastes.
Currently, in so far as I am aware, the majority of waste pick-up devices on the market generally require the operator to either bend down and stoop over to place a collection device near the waste, or to use both hands to manipulate the collection device. Several proprietors have recognized the need for a “no-stoop” type device that can be manipulated with a single hand, but unfortunately, such devices which are known to me have left something to be desired. Consequently, I have developed a novel waste collection device which enables single handed use, without stooping over, but which is superior to those earlier, somewhat similar devices known to me.
By providing a waste collection device operated by a single hand, it is possible to reduce the biomechanical stress and strain encountered, compared to users of prior art devices that have to bend over when collecting pet wastes. Therefore, my novel waste collection device enables the operator to efficiently manipulate the collection device, while avoiding musculoskeletal extremes of motion that might tend to cause stress and strain. This is particularly important to those with a limited range of motion, such as the old or infirm.
A few waste collection devices that are one-hand operable, and which provide some of the general capabilities desired, have heretofore been proposed. Those of which I am aware include those described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,715 issued to Casci on Aug. 31, 1975 for a Pickup Kit for Animal Droppings; U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,928 issued to Spangler on Apr. 8, 1980 for a Material Pickup Device; and Canadian Pat. No. 1,196,938 issued to Levesque on Nov. 19, 1985 for a Collector Bag for Waste on Ground.
The patent documents identified in the preceding paragraph disclose devices which do not provide a releasably affixable permanent waste collection container. Thus, they are inherently not well suited, as disclosed, for use of a plastic liner bag. Also, those prior art devices are, in general, unsuitable for picking up more than one pile of feces before they must be emptied. This is because most prior art devices have waste containers which lose their contents if opened to pick up a second set of droppings. In addition, in many prior art devices, the waste capturing force is moderated or limited by the force of a spring in a manner that is detrimental to manually increasing such waste pick-up-force. Such devices are undesirable on those occasions where additional raking pressure may be required. Finally, in so far as I am aware, waste collection containers in prior art products have not been removable for easy cleaning. The advantage of such a removable and cleanable waste collection container feature is important, and self-evident.
SUMMARY
I have now invented, and disclose herein, a novel, single-hand operable waste collection device for use in the sanitary collection of fecal matter from pets. My device does not have the above-discussed drawbacks common to those heretofore used waste collection devices of which I am aware. Unlike pet waste collection devices heretofore available, my waste collection device is simple to operate with one hand, even from a standing position. It is relatively inexpensive, and is easy to use with disposable waste collection bags. It has a waste collection container support which is easy to remove for inspection and cleaning, and is otherwise superior to the heretofore used or proposed waste collection devices of which I am aware.
My novel pet waste collection device differs from those earlier devices mentioned above in one respect in that I have now developed a waste collection device which is provided with a pair of long struts, each connected to a handle assembly. The first strut is fixedly attached to the handle assembly. At the lower end of the first strut, a waste collection container support is releasably affixed thereto. The second strut is pivotally attached to the handle assembly. At the lower end of the second strut, a rake is attached. The length of the first and second struts is such that the waste collection container support and rake interface at the ground, in a manner suitable so that the rake can urge a pile of feces into the mouth of the waste collection container support while the operator maintains a standing position. A handle, preferably designed to recess into the underside of the handle assembly, is configured with a lever arm connected to the second strut, so that once the collection device is positioned in a manner that the rake and the mouth of the waste collection container support are on opposite sides of a pile of feces, the handle can be squeezed to move the rake toward the mouth of the waste collection container support, to urge the feces into the open mouth of the waste collection container support and thence into the disposable bag.
When the rake nearly reaches the open mouth of the waste collection container support, and optional gravity latch engages the rake, holding the rake in the closed position. In this manner, spillage of the waste just collected can be avoided.
For continued, i.e., repeated operation of the waste collection device before emptying the same, the waste collection device is then lifted so that the struts are in a near horizontal position, with the rake vertically above the open end of the waste collection container support. In this manner, any waste sticking to the rake will normally fall by gravity into the disposable bag. Also, in this position, a gentle squeeze of the handle will release the gravity latch, and thus release the rake. A spring within the handle assembly then pushes the rake away from the container to an “open” position, and the waste collection device can be maneuvered into a downward, vertically extended, waste pick-up position, ready for pick up of the next pile of feces.
My novel waste collection device is simple, durable, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. It provides a significant measure of relief to the user from neck and back strain, by eliminating the need to bend over to operate a waste collection device, and thus it provides a significant improvement in pet waste collection devices.
SOME OF THE OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND FEATURES
From the foregoing, it will be apparent to the reader that one important and primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of novel, improved pet waste collection devices which provide a means to collect wastes with a single hand from an upright, standing position, while improving the efficiency of waste collection operations.
Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside in the provision of a pet waste collection device, as described in the preceding paragraph which:
is relatively simple, particularly in the waste capture and in the rake locking operation, to enable multiple waste pickups without the need to empty the device;
in conjunction with the preceding object, has the advantage that it can be easily used with disposa

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Waste collection device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Waste collection device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Waste collection device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2441914

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.