EP1035257B1 - Animal waste collecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The animal waste collection assembly comprises a frame assembly that is generally square in shape and has attachment means for a plastic bag. An elongate handle (4,5) is provided to aid manipulation. A scoop/paddle assembly (1) is provided such that the fecal matter (16) can be shoveled into the bag. The scoop/paddle assembly includes plastic sheet retention hooks (81,82).

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for collecting animal waste, in particular canines, comprising a first element carrying a pallet or forming a handle or a gripping means provided with its end of a pallet or forming a pallet, and a frame bearing or associated with a bag, said frame being advantageously provided with or associated with a handle or a gripping means.

Many solutions have already been proposed to enable pickup animal waste.

Thus, it has been proposed to dog owners to return partially bag on one hand and then pick up the debris with the hand protected by the bottom of the bag. The use of such a bag is repugnant to many users and can only pick up very solid droppings.

Document US-A-3 830 423 discloses a foldable bag comprising a gripping means, the dejection being thrust into the bag by means of a shovel. The opening of the bag requires the placement of the feet on a support in contact with the ground and the application of a tensile force. The feet of the user of such a bag are therefore located near the dejection. In addition, the closing of the bag after use of the latter does not make it possible to to guarantee an accidental opening, or an unwanted passage of the excrement picked up from the bag in case of rollover of the bag. Such a bag must be considered a disposable bag.

Document GB-A-2 078 096 discloses a sleeve comprising its end means for fixing a frame having fixing studs of a bag. The frame does not close the bag between two uses successive. The bag once used must be discarded. Moreover the device is cumbersome. Finally, keeping the bag on the frame is done by means of at least a stud passing through the bag and turned towards the opening defined by the frame. The part of the stud passing through the bag will therefore come into contact with the droppings, which poses hygiene problems when placing a new bag on the frame.

Document US-A-3 810 670 discloses a device comprising a hollow handle provided at its end with a frame on which is mounted a bag. A handle carrying a pallet, the latter sleeve being able to slide in the hollow of the handle provided with the frame. It is not possible to close the bag on the frame, so that the bag is for single use.

The subject of the present invention is a device for collecting excrement to close the bag after use without risk of dirtying the frame and / or lose droppings in case of mishandling, and thus allowing successive uses of the bag during a walk. The device according to the invention thus allows a hygienic and easy use during the collection of manure. Finally, since it is possible to keep the bag closed during the walk, the device of the invention allows the user to keep the bag in the closed position on the frame until it is close to a trash can.

• un premier élément formant une palette ou muni ou associé à une palette, ledit élément étant par exemple un manche (avantageusement télescopique) ou un moyen de préhension muni à son extrémité, par exemple au moyen d'un système de fixation, tel qu'une pince, d'une palette, par exemple une palette à usage unique, par exemple réalisée en une matière biodégradable, en carton, etc.. et
• un cadre destiné à maintenir un sac ou maintenant un sac, ledit cadre étant avantageusement muni ou associé à un deuxième élément formant un manche (avantageusement télescopique) ou un moyen de préhension.

The animal waste collection device according to the invention comprises:

• a first element forming a pallet or provided or associated with a pallet, said element being for example a handle (advantageously telescopic) or a gripping means provided at its end, for example by means of a fastening system, such as a clamp, a pallet, for example a pallet for single use, for example made of a biodegradable material, cardboard, etc. .. and
• a frame for holding a bag or a bag, said frame being advantageously provided or associated with a second element forming a handle (preferably telescopic) or a gripping means.

The frame consists of two pieces each having substantially the shape of a U-shaped piece having a core carrying a lower flange and an upper flange, said parts being pivotally connected to each other so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position in which the souls of the U-shaped pieces are spaced from each other so as to define an opening between the souls and the wings of the pieces, and a closed position in which the souls, the lower wings and the upper wings are respectively adjacent to each other.
Preferably, the lower webs of the parts are interconnected by a first pivot and the upper webs of the parts are interconnected by a second pivot having a pivot axis coaxial with the pivot axis of the first pivot.

The bag advantageously covers all the edges of the frame, so that the frame is protected from any risk of dirt when picking up a dejection.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the U-shaped pieces forming the frame are adapted so that in the closed position a U-shaped piece is the space defined between the wings of the other U-shaped piece. This allows a closure correct bag mounted on the frame between two successive uses and therefore prevents you from accidentally putting your hand in the bag or losing part of the droppings when the bag is rolled over or when the bag falls device with the bag.

Advantageously, the frame is associated with a handle or a means of prehension, said handle or gripping means being articulated to the frame way to move relative to the frame between a position of use and a folded position in which the handle or means of gripping extends in the vicinity of the frame.

In a preferred form, each of the two pieces forming the frame, preferably each of the souls of the two pieces, presents means ensuring that the edges of the bag extend along the frame when pivoting preferably U-shaped parts forming the frame are adapted in the closed position, a first U-shaped piece is in the space defined between the wings of the second U-shaped piece. The soul of the second piece present on face, which is opposite to that turned towards the soul of the first piece in the closed position of the frame, fixing means for a bag, while that the soul of the first piece carries attachment means for the bag turned and located with respect to said core in the pivoting direction of the second piece to bring the frame into open position. This allows able to remove the bag from the frame in the closed position, since it is possible to remove the bag from the fasteners without having to open the frame. Such use is particularly hygienic, since it is possible to transport the bag closed position to a trash can and remove the bag out of the frame without have to open it.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the means for fixing the bag carried by the core of the second piece consist in less in two longitudinal attachment profiles that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pivot axis of the parts together, while the means for fastening the bag carried by the soul of the first piece consist of at least two buttons or profiles turned and located relative to said soul in the pivoting direction of the second piece to bring the frame into open position. The profiles are advantageously perpendicular to the axis of pivoting parts together. The use of profiles, in particular perpendicular to the pivot axis, ensures traction of the bag on its part extending between the profiles by covering the pivots, the part of the bag covering the part of the soul bearing the profiles being substantially not subjected to traction. The setting in traction is also better distributed, so the risk of tearing during the opening and closing operations of the frame are more limited.

The use of buttons or profiles turned towards the back of the frame allows also to keep part of the bag backwards and thus to ensure the cover of the frame by the bag.

As will be seen below, it is advantageous that the effort exerted by the buttons or profiles facing the back of the frame are exerted on a part of the bag on which substantially no effort is exerted by the profiles.

According to a detail of an advantageous embodiment, the pallet is provided with means for placing a protective film on at least a portion of the palette. Advantageously, the pallet comprises a means for carrying a film reel for covering at least a portion of the pallet, said means advantageously comprising a locking mechanism or brake. Such This mechanism is advantageous because it avoids unwanted movie. Such a pallet can be used with other opening devices of bag, or even alone for the collection of droppings. A possible object of the invention is therefore a pallet as such, this pallet presenting the great advantage to ensure proper protection of the part of the pallet used for the collection of the dejection. Once the pickup operation finished, the part of the film covering the pallet is torn off and is replaced by a part of clean film. A more detailed description of this palette will be given later in this memo.

The invention also relates to a particular bag for the device with fixing profiles on a core and buttons or profiles of fixation on the other soul.

This bag is a foldable bag between a folded position and an open position defining an opening corresponding substantially to the opening of the frame in the open position. It has a first substantially rectangular face, a second substantially rectangular face, a first side and a second side, said faces and sides being interconnected to form a bag having a closed bottom, folded sides on themselves and extending between the faces in the folded position of the bag, and an opening corresponding substantially to the opening of the frame in the open position. The first face has two parallel windows or means capable of forming two parallel windows, said windows being arranged to be engaged in the longitudinal profiles of the second part and being spaced from each other by a distance substantially corresponding to the distance separating the longitudinal profiles from each other. The second face has two holes or windows or means to form holes or windows arranged to be engaged in the buttons or profiles of the first part, said holes or windows or means able to form holes or windows being distant one of the other of a distance corresponding substantially to the distance separating the fingers from one another.
Advantageously, the holes or windows are located in a portion of the bag located at a distance less than a determined distance from the free edge defining the opening of the bag, while the slots or windows are located in a portion of the bag located at a distance greater than said distance determined from the free edge.

• utilisation hygiénique :

• possibilités d'usages successifs du sac sans risque d'émanation d'odeur ou de perte de déjections déjà ramassées ;
• lors du pliage du cadre, le volume du sac contenant les déjections est réduit ;
• manche du cadre, avantageusement télescopique, monté sur le côté du cadre ;
• le sac est bien fermé lors de la fermeture du cadre, une partie du sac étant par exemple coincée entre les pièces formant le cadre lorsque ce dernier est en position fermée ;
• transport aisé avec un manche muni d'une raclette, ledit manche étant engagé dans le creux du manche du cadre ;
• le sac et la pelle ou raclette peuvent être utilisés pour plusieurs opérations de ramassage lors d'une promenade ou randonnée ;
• possibilité de retirer le sac avec le cadre en position fermée ;
• les points de fixation du sac ne sont jamais en contact avec les saletés ;
• le cadre est protégé par le sac ;
• le sac n'est en position ouverte que lors d'une opération de ramassage ;
• la palette est portée par le cadre en position repliée ou porte le cadre en position repliée :

• la palette est munie d'un film de protection qui est jeté après une opération de ramassage de déjections, ceci assure une protection hygiénique de la palette ;
• etc.

One or more embodiments of the device according to the invention thus have one or more advantages chosen from:

• hygienic use:

• possibilities of successive uses of the bag without risk of emanating odor or loss of already collected faeces;
• when folding the frame, the volume of the bag containing the droppings is reduced;
• frame handle, advantageously telescopic, mounted on the side of the frame;
• the bag is closed when closing the frame, a portion of the bag being for example wedged between the parts forming the frame when the latter is in the closed position;
• easy transport with a handle provided with a squeegee, said handle being engaged in the hollow of the frame handle;
• the bag and the shovel or raclette can be used for several pickup operations during a walk or hike;
• possibility of removing the bag with the frame in the closed position;
• the attachment points of the bag are never in contact with the dirt;
• the frame is protected by the bag;
• the bag is in the open position only during a pickup operation;
• the pallet is carried by the frame in the folded position or carries the frame in the folded position:

• the pallet is provided with a protective film which is discarded after a waste collection operation, this ensures a hygienic protection of the pallet;
• etc.

Features and details of embodiments will appear from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un sac ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un autre sac ;
• la fissure 3 montre un cadre en position mi-ouverte ;
• la figure 4 montre le cadre de la figure 3 avec un sac ;
• la figure est une vue en perspective du cadre de la figure 4 en position ouverte;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe du cadre de la figure 5 le long des lignes VI-VI;
• les figures 7 et 7 bis sont une vue en perspective d'une palette selon l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe de la palette de la figure 7 le long des lignes VIII-VIII ;
• la figure 9 est une vue montrant l'utilisation du cadre et de la palette ;
• la figure 10 montre le cadre avec un sac en position fermée ;
• la figure 11 montre l'enlèvement du film de protection de la palette.

In these drawings.

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bag;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of another bag;
• crack 3 shows a frame in the half open position;
• Figure 4 shows the frame of Figure 3 with a bag;
• the figure is a perspective view of the frame of Figure 4 in the open position;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view of the frame of Figure 5 along lines VI-VI;
• Figures 7 and 7a are a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of the pallet of Figure 7 along lines VIII-VIII;
• Figure 9 is a view showing the use of the frame and the pallet;
• Figure 10 shows the frame with a bag in the closed position;
• Figure 11 shows the removal of the protective film from the pallet.

The bag 9 of FIG. 1 has a first rectangular face S1, a second rectangular face S2, walls S3, S4 extending between the faces S1, S2. The faces S1, S2 and the walls are interconnected to form a bag having a bottom F and an opening O and that in the folded position of the bag, the walls S3, S4 have a central fold P and extend between the faces S1, S2. The S1, S2 faces have fixing windows 36. The free edge 14 of the bag (defining the outlines of the opening O) is advantageously returned for forming a channel in which is placed a string 15 for closing the bag.

A more detailed description of the bag will be given later.

The frame of Figure 3 consists of two U-shaped pieces C1, C2. Each of the pieces consists of a vertical CA core bearing its ends two horizontal wings, namely a lower wing CI and a wing superior CS. The lower wings CI and the upper wings CS are respectively interconnected by a pivot 17 thus allowing the parts C1, C2 to pivot relative to each other with respect to an X axis passing through the axis of the pivots 17. The cores CA of the parts each carry two sections 100,101 for fixing the bag of Figure 1 or 2. The profiles carried by a are advantageously substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis X. A gripping means 4 is mounted on the frame. This gripping means 4 comprises is a slat pivotally mounted on the frame 8, more exactly on a wing CS of a part of the frame. Advantageously, a slat 5 is connected to pivoting at the free end of the slat 4, this slat 5 forming in position unfolded an extension of the batten 4. For the folded position, one pivots the slat 5 relative to the slat 4 to bring the slat 5 below the batten 4. Then we turn the latte 4 (with the latte 5 located below the latte 4) in below the wing CS of a part forming the frame 8.

Figure 4 shows the frame provided with the bag of Figure 1. The bag is engaged by the back of the frame and the portion of the adjacent bag of its free edge 14 is returned to at least partially cover the frame 8. The bag is held in position thanks to the engagement of the profiles 100, 101 in the windows 36 of the bag.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention, pallet which is advantageously used with a frame of the device according to the invention, particularly with a frame as shown in Figure 3. The pallet can however, be used with any bag or with devices to maintain a bag in the open position, or even as such.

The pallet 1 of FIGS. 7 and 7 bis has the general shape of a spatula 70 presenting a part forming a handle 71 and a portion 72 for the collection of dejection. The portion 72 has a front face 72A (face intended to push or lift the droppings) and a backside 72B. The front face 72A carries a means 73 intended to carry a coil 77 of a protective film 75. The film of protection is intended to cover the front face 72A of the portion 72 between its free edge 74 and the means 73, the free edge 74, and at least partially the face rear 72B. The free end of the film or the part adjacent to this end is attached to the rear face by a fixing means 76, in particular thanks to a self-adhesive band on both sides, the band with one side self-adhesive 76A intended to bear on the rear face 72B and another self-adhesive side 76B on which the film is glued in the vicinity of its free end.

The placement of the protective film is obtained by pulling on the film for unwind a film length out of the spool 77. As soon as the length of uncoiled film is sufficient to cover the front face, the free edge 74, and a part of the rear face 72B provided with the means 76, the film is applied so that it covers the free edge 74 and for the film to come into contact with the means 76 to secure it.

To avoid unwanted unwinding of the film, the means 73 carrying the reel is associated with a means of braking the unwinding of the film out of the coil and / or blocking the film after a stripping operation.

After using the pallet fitted with a protective film, take off the medium film 76. we shoot on the film to shoot a film length not yet used, the film portion used is separated from the film length not yet used (this operation is facilitated for example by the presence of perforations 79 or line (s) of weakening or cutting (s) in the film), we throw the part of the film used and detached from the film in a garbage can or in bag 9, and then attach a sufficient length of film to the pallet.

In the form shown in FIG. 7, the coil 77 is covered by a protective housing 80 which is articulated or pivoted (pivot axis 83) by compared to the pallet.

To collect excrement, we can for example maintain the wings bottom of the frame 8 near the ground and push into the bag 9, in particular towards its bottom 9 droppings 16.

After having pushed the droppings 16 into the bag S, we close the frame 8 of to close the bag 9. When this closure of the frame, the piece C1 is place in the space defined between the wings of the room C2. In the closed position, CA souls, the lower wings and the upper wings of the pieces are respectively adjacent to each other. When closing the frame, the bag is stuck between the pieces, this ensuring a good seal (risk substantially zero odor clearance, substantially zero risk of loss of excrement when transporting the bag mounted on the frame) and thus allowing several successive uses in a hygienic manner.

The pallet according to the invention, as described above, has on its rear face at least one means for attaching it to the frame or attaching the frame to the palette.

The use of profiles, in particular perpendicular to the pivot axis, makes it possible to ensure that the bag is pulled on its part extending between profiles by covering the pivots, the part of the bag covering the part of the soul bearing the profiles being substantially not subjected to traction. Setting traction is also better distributed, so that the risks of tearing during opening and closing operations of the frame are more limited. The use of buttons or profiles turned towards the back of the frame allows also to keep part of the bag backwards and thus to ensure the covering the frame with the bag during opening and closing the bag.

During an opening operation of the frame, the force exerted by the buttons or profiles 101 are exercised on a portion of the bag on which substantially none effort is exerted by the profiles 100. Figure 1 shows a specific bag for the frame of Figure 3. This bag is a collapsible bag between a folded position and an open position defining a opening O substantially corresponding to the opening of the frame 8 in position opened. It has a substantially rectangular first face S1, a second substantially rectangular face S2, a first side S3 and a second side S4, said faces and sides being interconnected to form a bag having a closed bottom F, the sides S3, S4 being folded on themselves and extending between the faces in the folded position of the bag, and an opening corresponding substantially to the opening of the frame in the open position. The first face S1 has two windows 36A parallel to each other, said windows being arranged to be engaged in the longitudinal profiles 100 of the second piece C2 and being distant from each other by a distance "d1" corresponding substantially to the distance separating the longitudinal profiles 100 one of the other. The second face S2 has two windows 36B arranged for to be engaged in the profiles 101 of the first piece C1, said windows being distant from each other by a corresponding distance "d2" substantially at the distance separating the profiles 101 from one another. Advantageously, the windows 36B are located in part of the bag located at a distance less than a distance "d3" determined from the free edge 14 defining the opening O of the bag, while the windows 36A are located in a portion of the bag located at a greater distance than said distance determined "d3" from the free edge.

FIG. 2 is a view of a bag similar to that of FIG. 1, but for which windows 36A and 36B are located at the same distance from the free edge 14.

Claims (10)

1. Device for collecting animal excrement composed of a first element forming or concerning or associated with a pallet (1), the said element presenting at least one sleeve (71) or a means of prehension for the manipulation of the pallet (1), and a frame (8) designed to bear a bag (9), the said frame being favourably fitted with or associated with a sleeve or a means of prehension (4), characteristic of which is that the frame (8) is made up of two pieces (C1, C2) each of which is approximately in the shape of a U presenting a core (CA) bearing a lower blade (CI) and an upper blade (CS), the said pieces (C1, C2) being joined in such a way as to be able to pivot around a fulcrum pin (X) between an open position in which the blades (CA) of the U-shaped pieces (C1, C2) are set apart the one from the other so as to define an opening between the core (CA) and the blades (CI, CS) of the pieces (C1, C2), and a closed position in which the cores (CA), the lower blades (CI) and the upper blades (CS) are respectively adjacent to one another.
2. Device following claim 1, characteristic of which is that the U-shaped pieces (C1, C2) forming the frame (8) are modified so that in a closed position, one U piece (C1) is located in the space defined between the blades (CI, CS) of the other U-shaped piece (C2).
3. Device following claim 1 or 2, characteristic of which is that the frame (8) is associated with a sleeve or a means of prehension (4), the said sleeve or means of prehension (4) being articulated to the frame (8) so as to be able to move with respect to the frame between a position for use and a folded up position in which the sleeve or means of prehension extends to the neighbourhood of the frame (8).
4. Device following any one of the preceding claims, characteristic of which is that each of the two pieces (C1, C2) forming the frame, preferably each of the cores of the two pieces, presents means (100, 101) that enable the edges of the bag to extend the length of the frame (8) when the U-shaped pieces are pivoting (C1, C2).
5. Device following claim 4, characteristic of which is that the U-shaped pieces (C1, C2) forming the frame (8) are adapted so that in a closed position, the first U-shaped piece (C1) is located in the space defined between the blades (C1, CS) and the second U-shaped piece (C2) and in such a way that the core (CA) of the second piece (C2) presents on its face, the one opposite the one that is turned towards the core (CA) of the first piece (C1) in the closed position of the frame (8), means of fixation (100) for a bag (9), while the core (CA) of the first piece (C1) bears means of fixing (101) the bag (9) turned and situated with respect to the said core in the direction of pivoting of the second piece (C2) towards the first piece (C1) to bring the frame (8) into an open position.
6. Device following claim 5, characteristic of which is that the means of fixing (100) the bag borne by the core (CA) of the second piece (C2) consist at least of two profiles fixed longitudinally that are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the fulcrum pin (X) about which the pieces (C1, C2) pivot, while the means of fixing (101) the bag borne by the core (CA) of the first piece (C1) consist of at least two knobs or turned profiles that are situated with respect to the said core in the direction of pivoting of the second piece (C2) towards the first piece (C1) to bring the frame into the open position.
7. Device following any one of the preceding claims, characteristic of which is that the palette is fitted with a means of placing a protective film (75) over at least a part (72) of the palette (70).
8. Device following claim 7, characteristic of which is that incorporated into the palette is a means of bearing a roll (77) of film intended to cover at least a part (72) of the palette.
9. Device following claim 8, characteristic of which is that the device (73) bearing the roll of film includes a mechanism for locking or checking.
10. Device following claim 6, characteristic of which is that the device includes another bag (9) a foldable bag (1) that enters a folded or an open position defining an aperture (O) corresponding approximately to the aperture of the frame (8) in the open position, in such a way that the bag presents an approximately rectangular first face (S1), an approximately rectangular second face (S2), a first side (S3) and a second side (S4), the said faces and sides (S1, S2, S3, S4) being connected to one another to form a bag presenting a closed bottom (F), sides (S3, S4) which when folded back on one another extend between the faces (S1, S2) in the folded position of the bag, and an aperture (O) which in the open position of the bag corresponds approximately to the aperture of the frame in the open position, in such a way that the first face (S1) presents two parallel windows (36B) or means suitable for forming two parallel windows, the said windows (36B) being arranged so they can be inserted into the longitudinal profiles (100) of the second piece (C2) and being distant the one from the other by a distance corresponding approximately to the distance separating the longitudinal profiles (100) from one another, in such a way that the second face (S2) presents two holes or windows (36A) or the means of forming holes or windows arranged to be inserted into the buttons or profiles (101) of the first piece, the said holes or windows (36A) or means suitable for forming the holes or windows being distant the one from the other by a distance corresponding approximately to the distance separating the buttons or profiles (101) from one another.

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