REUSABLE POUCH FOR THE COLLECTION, CONTAINMENT, AND TRANSPORT OF SOLID PET WASTE.

Abstract

The device is a reusable pouch for solid pet waste collection, containment, and transport that is pulled over the user's hand when being used. The impermeable pouch protects the user's skin and clothing during waste collection and can be sanitized after use; non-stick properties further improve ease of cleaning. This reusable pouch allows for solid waste to be securely contained and transported for disposal in desired locations, such as flushed down household toilets, composted, or other methods.

Description

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a reusable device for solid pet waste collection, containment, and transport that eliminates the use of disposable items such as bags, cartridges, or containers.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] To better appreciate the intended contribution of the device claimed, we explore some of the current state of the art, as well as the context of their uses. Responsible pet owners collect solid waste left behind by their pets, an act that is required by law in Canada and most developed countries in the world. Given the widespread practice of pet ownership, a staggering quantity of solid pet waste needs to be collected and properly discarded on a daily basis. While much more hygienic and socially/civically responsible than the alternative of not collecting pet waste, a large portion of responsible pet owners use disposable products to aid in their waste collection process. These products and the pet waste they have collected are usually discarded in waste receptacles along with other non-recyclable, non-compostable refuse; ultimately ending up in landfills to the detriment of our environment. This detriment is unnecessary and avoidable, since solid pet waste can be easily flushed down household toilets or composted, resulting in significantly less environmental impact. Thus, the challenge at hand, which this device seeks to address, is the convenient collection, containment, and transport of solid pet waste from the point of origin to the desired deposition destination.

[0003] Unfortunately, prior art in pet waste management have predominantly revolved around disposable items in various ways, often in conjunction with various apparatuses designed to position, carry, or contain such disposable items (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,470,440; 10,667,492; 10,787,778; 10,757,918). To a lesser degree, some prior art have explored eliminating disposable components from the pet waste management space. However, many of them may be deemed impractical, difficult to utilize in their prescribed fashion, or downright nonportable, making their application impractical during regular excursions with pets (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,002,319; 9,102,465; 3,796,188).

[0004] For the above reasons, the device being claimed--a reusable pouch--can be a practical alternative that both reduces the amount of disposables in the pet waste solutions space, and eliminates the unpleasant logistics surrounding the temporary storage of waste-filled containers in household and public refuse receptacles, which in turn require additional effort to remove when filled.

3. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An embodiment of the device generally comprises a durable and reusable pouch used for solid pet waste collection, containment, and transport. Said pouch can be worn on the user's hand during collection, and then inverted to securely contain the collected waste until the waste contents can be disposed of in desired ways; after which the device can be cleaned and reused.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention is hereby described with reference to accompanying diagrams. The description and accompanying diagrams should make apparent how one variation of the invention may be embodied in practice, and are intended for representative purposes. The description and accompanying diagrams should not be considered to be restrictive or limiting in any respect.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the device in its default and unused state.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the device about to be used, showing the device in relation to the user's hand and the solid waste to be collected.

[0009] FIGS. 3a & 3b are cross-sectional frontal views of an embodiment of the device during active waste collection.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an embodiment of the device after waste collection, with contents securely contained for transport.

[0011] FIGS. 5a & 5b are cross-sectional frontal views of an embodiment of the device being everted to dispose of its contents.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] With detailed reference to the drawings and their labelled components, particularly FIG. 1 through FIG. 5b, the device and its designed uses can be more clearly described and understood.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the device is in its default state. A depicts the open end of the pouch, and B depicts the closed pouch bottom. C depicts a cross-sectional view of the thin, flexible material that is impermeable and non-stick, properties which shield the user's skin and clothing and allow the user sufficient dexterity to grasp and collect solid waste. In the present configuration, the user-interface surface is oriented on the interior of the pouch, while the waste-contact surface is oriented on the exterior.

[0014] In FIG. 2, the device is about to be used. Arrow D indicates the direction of movement of the user's hand into the pouch. Arrow E indicates the direction of movement of the pouch--which encloses the user's hand, wrist, and forearm--toward the solid waste being collected, which is depicted by F.

[0015] In FIGS. 3a & 3b, the device is actively being used to collect solid waste. In FIG. 3a, arrow G depicts the direction in which the solid waste F is grasped into the waste-contact surface of the pouch by the user's hand operating inside the pouch. Arrows H depict the direction in which the user's fingers grasp the solid waste while shielded by the pouch. Arrows J depict the direction in which the pouch is peeled off, inverted, and removed from the user's hand once the solid waste is securely grasped. In FIG. 3b, the user has peeled off the pouch, such that the waste is contained within the pouch; the waste-contact surface, formerly oriented on the exterior of the pouch in FIGS. 1 & 2, is now oriented on the interior of the pouch. Symbol "I" is intentionally omitted to avoid ambiguity.

[0016] In FIG. 4, the device is actively being used to contain and transport solid waste F. K depicts the opening of the pouch in a closed configuration, held securely by a strap and fastener mechanism depicted by L. M depicts an additional fastener or attachment device which allows the pouch to be attached to a dog's leash handle, the user's belt loop, or other objects.

[0017] FIGS. 5a & 5b depict the device being everted to dispose of its waste contents once the strap and fastener mechanism (L from FIG. 4) has been undone. In FIG. 5a, arrows N depict the direction in which the opening of the pouch is peeled back to expose the waste-contact surface of the pouch. Arrow O depicts the direction in which the user's hand pushes to aid in the eversion of the pouch for the disposal of its waste contents. In FIG. 5b, the user orients the exposed waste-contact surface of the pouch downward to release the solid waste F into a receptacle of choice with the help of gravity, depicted by arrow P.

Claims

1. A reusable pouch for the collection, containment, and transport of solid pet waste; said pouch is thin, durable, and flexible with impermeable and non-stick surfaces. The pouch is worn over the hand, wrist, and forearm of the user, shielding the user from the solid waste while allowing the user sufficient dexterity to manually grasp the solid waste during waste collection. Once the waste is securely grasped, the pouch may be removed by inverting such that the collected waste is retracted into the pouch. The waste can be securely contained and transported in said pouch to the desired location for disposal, such as flushed down household toilets, composted, or other methods. After use, the pouch may be everted to expose the waste-contact surface, which can be sanitized; the material's non-stick properties further improve ease of cleaning.

2. The reusable pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch body includes features such as creases, folds, and ridges or other protrusions and prominences to improve its functions, such as enhancing ease of eversion, user dexterity, waste containment capabilities, and odor sealing capabilities.

3. The reusable pouch of claims 1 to 2, wherein the waste contact surface of said pouch may be further treated to increase non-stick, impermeable, and antibacterial properties to further enhance hygiene and ease of cleaning.

4. The reusable pouch of claims 1 to 3, wherein said pouch includes one or more drawstring channels and drawstrings, clasps, straps, or other fasteners, singularly or in combination. These features close and secure the opening of the pouch so as to securely contain waste contents within the pouch, as well as allow said pouch to be collapsed and stored, or to be fastened onto a leash handle, belt loop, or other object.