WO1994028251A1

WO1994028251A1 - A container for the collection and disposal of excrements from animals

Info

Publication number: WO1994028251A1
Application number: PCT/DK1994/000204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torben Emil Sinkbaek; Kurt Neels Rehl
Original assignee: REHL ANETTE; SINKBAEK BENTE
Current assignee: REHL ANETTE; SINKBAEK BENTE
Priority date: 1993-05-25
Filing date: 1994-05-25
Publication date: 1994-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 1995-11-25
Also published as: DK9300264U3

Abstract

A container for the collection and disposal of faecal matter (5) from domestic animals, consisting of a bag (1) which is joined by welding to a scraper (2) attached to the bottom of the bag (1). The scraper is provided with a depression (3) and a sharp front edge (4). Both the bag (1) and the scraper (2) may preferably be made of a plastic material. Since the faecal matter (5) is collected on the scraper (2), the bag can be folded easily over the scraper (2) and faecal matter (5), whereupon the container and its contents may be disposed of in a refuse bin.

Description

A CONTAINER FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF EXCREMENTS FROM ANIMALS

Background to invention

The present invention relates to a bag for the collection and disposal of faecal matter from domestic animals.

The use of bags to collect and dispose of faecal matter from domestic animals, particularly dogs, is known. Collection may be accomplished using an implement of some type, such as a small scoop. A bag alone cannot be used to collect matter of a loose consistency, while a scoop or similar implement is difficult to use and requires frequent cleaning.

Bags designed exclusively to collect and dispose of faecal matter from domestic animals, specifically those designed for the collection and disposal of matter of different consistencies, are not known.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above problems, that is to provide a bag for the collection and disposal of faecal matter from domestic animals, which is easy to use and can be used regardless of the consistency of the matter.

This is achieved by means of a bag, characterised in that the bottom of the bag contains a flat scraper.

The use of the bag described in this invention enables faecal matter to be collected and disposed of in a reliable, hygienic and problem-free manner without using the hand to grip it. By inserting the hand in the bag and gripping the scraper, which is placed immediately behind the faecal matter to be collected, the matter may be collected on the upper surface of the scraper in a single forward movement. The free hand is then used to grip the mouth of the bag and pull it down over the forearm and scraper, enclosing the faecal matter in the bag which, together with its contents, can be disposed of in a refuse bin or other suitable receptacle.

The use of a bag with a scraper permits the collection of animal faeces which cannot be collected in an ordinary bag, since the scraper enables matter of a less solid consistency to be collected in this manner.

Description of drawings

The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the appended drawings, of which

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an unfolded bag in accordance with the present invention,

Figs. 2-4 illustrate the use of the bag shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a bag in accordance with the present invention, consisting of a bag 1 provided with a flat scraper 2. The bag 1 and scraper 2 may preferably be made of polypropylene, since the welding of this plastic is not dependent on the material thickness or the relationship between the dimensions of the components. The bag 1 and scraper 2 will normally be joined by a weld along the top of the scraper. However, the weld may also be located at the rear or at the underside of the scraper. Attaching the bag to the upper side of the scraper ensures that the bag is located flat against the ground and that it cannot be torn off in use. Other possible methods of attachment include gluing, snap fasteners etc. Gluing is practicable only if the scraper is made of another material, such as paper board, preferably with a coated surface. This is the case with the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, which will be described in detail later. An alternative material may be required, for example, by environmental and/or other considerations. The bag may also be made of another material, such as paper; however, this will limit both its clearness and durability.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the scraper is provided with a sharp end 4, the sharp edge of which should preferably be located in the same plane as the underside of the scraper. The figure shows, further, that the upper side of the scraper 2 is provided with a depression 3, which is designed to ensure that the faecal matter 5 (not shown in Fig. 1 ) can be collected in a reliable manner. The depression 3 is also used in instances in which the faecal matter is of less solid consistency. To further ensure safe collection of the faecal matter 5, the edge of the depression nearest the scraper end 4 is also sharp.

The scraper 2 may, instead of a depression, be provided with ridges to ensure that the faeces are collected in a reliable manner. Ridges should preferably be used in instances in which the scraper 2 is made of paper board, since this will provide the material with adequate stiffness, even when a lighter grade is used.

To alleviate unpleasantness when using the bag in accordance with the present invention, the scraper 2 and/or the bag 1 may be provided with a deodorant with an odour such as pine needles or eucalyptus. In addition to alleviating the nuisance which arises when using the bag, the deodorant helps to lessen any nuisance which may arise after disposal.

To ensure convenient use of the bag, the height of the bag should be between 350 and 450 mm, and the peripheral measurement between 500 and 1000 mm. The dimensions of the scraper 2 should be between 75x75 mm and 150x150 mm, and the thickness between 0.5 and 2.0 mm.

The use of a bag in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figs. 2-4. This applies to the embodiment of a bag 1 in accordance with the present invention as shown in Fig. 1. The method of use of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is similar.

As shown in Fig. 2, the front end 4 of the scraper is placed immediately behind the faecal matter 5 with the user's hand, inserted in the bag, gripping the rear edge of the scraper 2. The hand is then moved at a suitable speed along the ground to collect the faecal matter on the scraper 2.

Fig. 3 shows how the faecal matter 5 is collected in the depression 3 due to the action of moving the scraper 2 along the ground. The free hand is then used to grip the mouth of the bag 1 and to fold the bag inside out as the other hand is used to draw the scraper backward into the bag. The original inside of the bag 1 is now the outside and the faecal matter 5 is now enclosed in what was originally the outside. Because of its large volume, the bag can easily be folded inside out to enclose the scraper 2 and the faecal matter collected on it.

Fig. 4 shows the method of closing the bag 1 , preventing the escape of the contents or its odour when the faecal matter 5 has been enclosed in it. For this reason, as described above, it is practical to add a deodorant to the bag 1 and/or the scraper 2. The deodorant should preferably be applied to the side of the bag 1 which is outermost on completion of use.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a bag in accordance with the invention. This bag differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that the design of the scraper 2 is different. In this case, the scraper 2 is preferably made of thin paper board with a thickness of between 0.2 and 1 .0 mm. The scraper 2 is provided with a crease 6 extending from the rear edge 7 of the scraper adjacent to the bag 1 to a point 8 in the centre of the scraper. The scraper 2 is provided with two further creases 9, 10 extending at an angle from the said point 8 to the sides 1 1 , 12 of the scraper. This allows the scraper to be folded to form a depression 3 in the area 16 between the creases and in front of the point 8. The user achieves this by exerting downward pressure on the crease 6 with the thumb while pressing upward on areas 13, 14 with two other fingers. The action of the creases 6, 9, 10 creates a dustpan-shaped scraper 2. The two creases 9, 10 should preferably terminate at a distance 15 from the front edge 4 of the scraper, making the size of the area 16 suitable to ensure reliable use of the scraper 2.

The scraper 2 should preferably be provided with rounded corners 17, 18 at the rear edge to prevent the risk of damage to the bag and the consequent risk of escape of the contents.

The bag in accordance with the invention may, alternatively, also be used in other areas in which the collection of materials of different consistencies is required, for example in bakeries, hospitals and other premises.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A bag for the collection and disposal of faecal matter (5) from domestic animals, c ha ra cte r ised i n t hat the bottom of the bag (1 ) is provided with a flat scraper (2).

2. A bag in accordance with patent claim 1, c ha ra cterised i n that both the bag (1 ) and scraper (2) are made of a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

3. A bag in accordance with patent claim 1 or 2, c h a ra ct e ris ed in that the bag (1) and scraper (2) are joined together by welding.

4. A bag in accordance with patent claims 1-3, c h a ra cte ri s ed i n t h a t the central area of the scraper (2) is provided with a depression (3).

5. A bag in accordance with patent claim 1, c h a ra ct e ri s ed i n that the scraper (2) is made of a strong paper product, such as paper board, and is provided with a central crease (6) extending from the rear edge (7) of the scraper adjacent to the bag (1) to a point (8) in the centre of the scraper, and with two further creases, 9, 10 extending at an angle from the said point (8) to the sides (11, 12) of the scraper.

6. A bag in accordance with patent claims 1-5, c ha ra cte r i s ed i n t hat the dimensions of the scraper (2) are between 75x75 mm and 150x150 mm, and that its thickness is between 0.2 and 1.0 mm, and that the height of the bag in question is between 350 and 450 mm, and its peripheral measurement between 600 and 1000 mm.

7. A bag in accordance with patent claims 1-6, c ha ra cte r i s e d in that the end of the scraper (2) opposite to the bag (1 ) is a sharp edge (4) terminating in the same plane as the underside of the scraper (2).

8. A bag in accordance with patent claim 1, 2 or 5, c ha ra cte ris¬ ed i n t hat the bag (1) and scraper (2) are joined by gluing.

9. A bag in accordance with patent claims 1-9, c h a ra cte r i s e d i n t h a t the bag (1) and/or scraper (2) are provided with a deodorant.

10. Use of a bag in accordance with patent claim 1, c ha racterised i n t h a t the front, sharp edge (4) of the scraper (2) is pushed underneath the faecal matter (5), one hand being inserted in the bag (1 ) and used to grip the rear edge (7) of the scraper (2), until the faecal matter (5) is collected in the depression (3), whereupon the mouth of the bag (1) is gripped with the free hand and pulled forward in such manner that the scraper (2) and faecal matter (5) are enclosed in the bag (1), following which the bag is closed and disposed of.