Animal paw cleaning device

Abstract

An animal paw cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises a frame (4) whose upper face defines a friction surface (1) configured for the removal of dirt by the passage of the animal over said friction surface (1), a paw drying system (2), a disinfectant spraying system (3), and a power source.

Description

Animal paw cleaning device OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as the title of this descriptive document states, is a device for cleaning animal paws. It is an innovation that offers advantages previously unknown within current techniques. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the sector of current needs of life, particularly in the field of animal husbandry, poultry farming, beekeeping, fish farming, fishing and animals for breeding or reproduction, not provided for elsewhere; new varieties of animals, acquiring special relevance in the section of devices for curing or caring for animals, for example, scratching posts. STATE OF THE ART The present invention arose from the observation that, in homes where people and dogs live together regularly, these animals become an active part of family life, sharing spaces such as sofas, beds, and other indoor areas. However, after daily walks, whether on the beach, in the mountains, or on rainy days, the animal's paws often bring dirt, sand, or moisture into the home. In practice, this forces the owner to perform repeated cleanings or directly handle the animal to clean its paws, which is inconvenient and inefficient in the daily routine. This situation not only creates clutter but also makes it difficult to maintain adequate hygiene in the home. Accordingly, the present invention proposes an animal paw cleaning device that allows for the automatic removal of dirt, drying, and disinfection during the animal's regular access to the interior, facilitating coexistence and reducing the need for manual intervention by the user. Currently, there is no known existence of any animal paw cleaning device that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal or similar to those described in this descriptive report, as claimed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is the creation of an animal paw cleaning device that provides a notable innovation within its field of application in the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description. The invention relates to an animal paw cleaning device comprising a frame with an upper face defining a friction surface configured for the removal of dirt by the animal passing over said friction surface, a drying system configured for drying the paws after friction, and a spray system configured for applying a disinfectant product after drying, so that the hygiene process is carried out in an integrated manner during the animal's normal transit. This innovation solves the problems caused by dirt and moisture entering indoor spaces after pets' regular walks, allowing the cleaning process to occur automatically as they pass by, without the need for manual intervention or interruptions to the daily routine. This prevents the spread of mud, sand, or water and improves the overall cleanliness of the home environment. It is especially useful in homes, garden entrances, or high-traffic areas where keeping floors clean requires constant attention. Furthermore, it reduces the time spent on subsequent cleaning, improves the hygienic conditions of the living space, and makes it easier to live with pets without sacrificing everyday habits such as access to the interior of the home. The frame is designed to at least partially house the drying and spraying systems, so that the assembly forms a compact, integrated structural unit. This arrangement can improve the device's stability during animal movement and facilitate easy installation in high-traffic areas. Furthermore, the frame can have a low profile relative to the ground, generally less than 20 cm, making it easier for the animal to pass through the device without needing to significantly raise its legs or alter its natural gait. This improves the animal's acceptance and reduces the possibility of rejection or avoidance. In addition, the friction surface may include a plurality of raised, spaced-apart ridges configured to partially enclose the pads during contact. This configuration can increase effective contact with areas where dirt accumulates. Similarly, these raised areas may have a limited height relative to the base of the friction surface to allow partial penetration between the pads without causing discomfort. This dimensional relationship can help balance cleaning effectiveness and comfort during passage. The height will depend on the type of animal for which the device is intended, but is generally less than 2 cm. Furthermore, the friction surface can be made of a flexible, moisture- and dirt-resistant material, such as an elastomeric material, allowing it to adapt to different leg shapes and recover its shape after each use. This feature can extend the device's lifespan in humid or outdoor environments. Similarly, the friction surface may include flexible fibers arranged vertically with respect to its base, configured to act as gentle sweeping elements during passage. These fibers can facilitate the removal of fine particles without damaging the animal's skin. Additionally, the friction surface, drying system, and spraying system can be configured to act on a single point of contact with the animal, performing the different phases of the treatment during the same contact, although generally in successive stages (at least drying and spraying). This coordinated action can reduce the time required to complete the cleaning. Furthermore, the drying and spraying systems can be positioned beneath the friction surface, allowing them to operate through the surface during contact with the animal. This placement protects the active components from direct impacts and accumulated dirt. To achieve this, the friction surface includes perforations with nozzles for the passage of air and the sprayed product to the animal's hooves, facilitating the transmission of the flows generated by the internal systems. This promotes the uniform distribution of the drying and disinfection effects. Furthermore, the drying system may include side nozzles that generate airflow as the animal passes over it, helping to eliminate residual moisture after contact with the friction surface. This controlled airflow optimizes evaporation without causing discomfort. Furthermore, the drying and spraying systems can operate automatically using sensors such as pressure or presence sensors (photoelectric cells, for example) that detect the animal's presence. This automation can reduce user intervention and optimize energy consumption. Finally, the drying and spraying systems are electrically powered by a source such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a mains connection, allowing for different installation options. This energy versatility facilitates its use both indoors and outdoors. To use the animal paw cleaning device, the user should place it in an area where the animal regularly walks, such as a house entrance, and allow it to naturally walk across the friction surface. As the animal walks, the friction surface removes the dirt while the drying system activates and eliminates the moisture generated by the contact. The spray system then applies the disinfectant, completing the hygiene process without direct user intervention. Activation can be automatic via sensors, so the user only needs to ensure the system is powered and the disinfectant is refilled as needed. EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES To complete the description being made and in order to help in the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a figure in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented. Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the animal paw cleaning device. Figure 2 shows an aerial view of the animal paw cleaning device. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The animal paw cleaning device comprises a frame (4) whose upper face defines a friction surface (1) configured for the removal of dirt by the passage of the animal over said friction surface (1), and further comprises a drying system (2) configured for drying the paws after friction and a spraying system (3) configured for the application of a disinfectant product after drying, carrying out an automatic comprehensive cleaning during the natural transit of the animal and preventing the spread of moisture and debris into the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the frame (4) is essentially flat in configuration and at least partially houses the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3), with the elements being structurally protected, integrated into a compact assembly and facilitating their placement in areas of regular passage. Thus, the frame (4) has a low profile relative to the ground to allow the animal to pass without needing to significantly raise its legs, favoring natural transit, avoiding rejection by the animal and ensuring spontaneous repetition of use. Generally, the friction surface (1) comprises a plurality of protruding reliefs (5) separated from each other and configured to partially enter between the paw pads during support, generating a combing effect and dragging of adhered solid particles. In this preferred mode, the reliefs (5) have a limited height with respect to the base surface of the friction surface (1) to allow their partial penetration between the pads during support, maintaining the comfort of the animal and preventing the complete lifting of the sole of the paw. Typically, the friction surface (1) is made of a flexible material resistant to moisture and dirt, such as an elastomeric material, providing durability, controlled deformation capacity and ease of structural cleaning of the assembly. In another embodiment, the friction surface (1) comprises flexible fibers arranged vertically with respect to its base, generating an additional brushing effect that improves the removal of fine particles and residual moisture. In another preferred embodiment, the friction surface (1), the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) are configured to act on each single support of the animal, with cleaning, drying and disinfection taking place in a single continuous step. In this preferred embodiment, the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) are arranged beneath the friction surface (1), their effects being applied through it without interfering with the animal's movement. In the figure, they are located in different areas to perform their operations without interference. In this preferred embodiment, the friction surface (1) comprises perforations with nozzles for the passage of air and the sprayed product towards the animal's legs, allowing the uniform distribution of flow and product over the contact area. In this same preferred embodiment, the drying system (2) comprises side nozzles that generate an airflow directed towards the animal's legs as it passes, accelerating the evaporation of moisture and preventing subsequent dripping. In another preferred mode, the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) operate automatically by means of detection elements such as sensors, activating only in the presence of the animal and optimizing energy and product consumption. The drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) are electrically powered by a power source, such as a rechargeable battery or plug-in power, allowing installation in different locations and ensuring continuous operation. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. An animal paw cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises a frame (4) whose upper face defines a friction surface (1) configured for the removal of dirt by the passage of the animal over said friction surface (1), a paw drying system (2), a disinfectant spraying system (3), and a power source.

2. An animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (4) at least partially houses the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3).

3. An animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction surface (1) comprises a plurality of protruding reliefs (5) separated from each other.

4. An animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction surface (1) is made of an elastomeric material. 5.Animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction surface (1) comprises flexible fibers arranged vertically with respect to its base.

6. Animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) are arranged under the friction surface (1), which comprises perforations and nozzles for the passage of air and the sprayed product towards the animal's paws.

7. Animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying system (2) comprises side nozzles.

8. Animal paw cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying system (2) and the spraying system (3) operate automatically by means of sensing elements. 9.Animal paw cleaning device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the power source is a rechargeable battery.