Portable device for collecting animal faeces

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable device for collecting animal faeces, comprising a body in the form of a telescopic or collapsible arm, an upper end designed as a handle, a lower end, and another body connected to the lower end by a hinge element, said other body comprising a perimeter element with an inner area designed to removably accommodate a bag, the perimeter element being provided with means for attaching or retaining the opening of the bag, and the hinge being designed to be fixed in at least two different positions and / or at variable angles.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] PORTABLE DEVICE FOR COLLECTING ANIMAL EXCREMENT

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention falls within the technical field of devices for cleaning or collecting waste, particularly animal excrement, and is primarily focused on use with pets and domestic animals.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Animal waste bags are widely used and known. They are carried by environmentally friendly owners and caregivers to collect waste manually. This is frequently seen in cities and has two fundamental drawbacks.

[0007] On the one hand, the need to bend down to reach the ground with one's hand, which is inconvenient and annoying for older people or those with mobility problems, while also bringing the olfactory organ closer and closer to excrement, with the unpleasant effect this entails.

[0008] And on the other hand, the need to directly handle the excrement with one's own hands, which although it takes place through the plastic of the bag into which one puts one's hand for collection, does not prevent physical contact with organic waste material, with an unpleasant texture and temperature, and which must also be carried between the hands until finding the nearest container or bin, which obviously is not always found immediately or at the point where the deposition and subsequent collection of the excrement occurred.

[0009] Known devices for facilitating this task come in various configurations.

[0010] For example, devices with a long articulated arm with a handle at one end equipped with an internal mechanism that activates a double shovel at the other end to collect excrement from the ground, which opens and closes in response to the

[0011] 1

[0012] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) user maneuver, but apart from the complexity, volume and weight of the device, it requires a prehensile effort from the user's hand, and has the main drawback that the excrement comes into direct contact with the scoop and therefore requires subsequent manual cleaning or otherwise it will accumulate germs and dirt that will give off a bad smell, resulting in unhygienic.

[0013] Another example consists of a short cylindrical body with a handle at the top and an internal mechanism that activates a series of elements arranged around the perimeter at the bottom end, articulated in the shape of a claw that expands and contracts to embrace and retain an excrement from the floor in its interior space, although this device has the main drawback that it requires the user to bend down to ground level in order to use it.

[0014] Finally, another example is a configuration of double articulated scissor-shaped arms, each with upper handles, and structures facing each other at opposite ends. A bag can be placed inside the arms to collect excrement from the floor. The main drawback of this device, apart from the size and bulk of its double tubular structure, is that it requires the use of both hands and arms at all times, which is impractical.

[0015] Examples of configurations of the type mentioned can be found in the prior art document US6227149.

[0016] However, these configurations have limitations or disadvantages in terms of size, volume, weight, simplicity or ease of use, cleaning, and especially because they are focused on collecting excrement from the ground once it has been deposited, and therefore with the present invention an alternative and advantageous configuration has been developed with which to overcome these drawbacks.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art mentioned above, by means of a portable device for collecting animal excrement consisting of, or comprising a first body in the form of a longitudinal, telescopic or foldable arm or pole, preferably of tubular structure, with

[0019] 2

[0020] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) an upper end configured to serve as a handle, and a lower end to which a second body is linked, comprising a perimeter element, with an open interior area, configured to be able to house and retain or removably fix a bag for collecting excrements by means of fixing, anchoring or retaining elements of a bag selected from among projections, pivots, projections, lugs, clips or the like, the joint between the arm or stick and the perimeter element being configured to be able to be fixed in at least two different positions, or at variable angles of inclination with respect to the plane in which the arm or body of the device is located, thus leaving the device as a whole configured to enable the collection of excrements before they are deposited on the ground,since the mouth of the device's bag can be inadvertently positioned near the animal's deposition area and below it, or even resting on the ground itself, such that the excrement falls into the bag and not on the ground, the bag being then removed from the device, which remains clean, and without the excrement coming into contact with the ground and therefore without any traces of dirt remaining on the latter, as occurs with manual removal or with devices of the state of the art.

[0021] Furthermore, the device may comprise a complementary mechanism, with an actuating element near the upper end or handle, and mobile elements arranged in correspondence with means for closing the opening of the bag previously fixed to the lower end of the device, so that the user does not have to intervene on the bag itself to close it, but only to remove it from the device once it is closed.

[0022] Additionally, the complementary mechanism may also incorporate means for remotely releasing the collection bag previously fixed to the perimeter element at the lower end of the device, such that the user does not need to intervene either to close the bag or to dispose of it in a container or bin, completely avoiding subsequent contact with the bag once it has been fixed prior to collecting the excrement.

[0023] The bag may comprise one or two straps near its mouth, which, when acted upon, close said mouth. The manner of fixing the mouth of the bag to the fixing elements of the perimeter element of the device may be such that one or more straps may be linked to said elements and therefore

[0024] 3

[0025] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) action of simply filling the bag and weighing the contents, the mouth would close at least partially, remaining attached to the device only by said tape or tapes, and the bag could be discarded without having to handle it open or touch anything other than the external tape.

[0026] The device may also incorporate mobile elements that are linked to the closing strap(s) of the bag, and that are connected to an actuating element in the first body of the device, which may be a button or pin that works by pressure or sliding, a trigger or similar, which allow the closing of the mouth of the bag by maneuvering the mobile elements, which in a first phase complete the closing of the bag and in a second phase can uncouple it from the device and let it fall by gravity, ideally into a waste bin or container, thus enabling full use of the device without physical contact with the bag once its use for the purpose of the device has concluded.

[0027] In the folded position, the device has reduced dimensions and weight, equivalent in length to the handle at the top end, so that it fits almost entirely in the palm of the hand and, for the same reason, in any small purse, handbag, or even pocket of the user. The perimeter element at the opposite end of the stick or arm can be removable and, in any case, is articulated to the end itself, so that it can be folded and form a single plane with the arm for storage, or it can adopt any angle with respect to the arm when an unfolded position and / or use of the device is required.

[0028] According to what can be deduced from the above, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art and provides an evolutionary alternative by means of an advantageously configured alternative device.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described below on the basis of schematic drawings, in which

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in the folded position;

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device in position.

[0033] 4

[0034] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) unfolded without the bag;

[0035] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device in the deployed position with the bag;

[0036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the perimeter element at the lower end of the device;

[0037] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of use of the device;

[0038] These figures contain numerical references that identify the following elements:

[0039] 1 arm or stick

[0040] 2 mango

[0041] 3 perimeter element

[0042] 4 interior area of ​​the perimeter element

[0043] 5 bags

[0044] 6 means of fixing or retaining the bag opening

[0045] 7 mouth of the bag

[0046] 8 lower end

[0047] 9 second body

[0048] 10 articulation element

[0049] MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the device object of the present invention comprises a first body in the form of a longitudinal, telescopic or foldable arm or stick (1), an upper end configured as a handle (2), and a lower end (8) to which a second body (9) is linked by means of an intermediate articulation element (10) between the aforementioned lower end of the first body and the second body.

[0051] The invention thus structured is characterized in that near the lower end (8) it incorporates in an articulated manner the second body, which comprises a perimeter element (3), with an open interior area (4), configured to removably house a bag (5), and because the perimeter element (3) comprises fixing or retaining means (6) for the mouth of the bag (7), the articulation between the arm or stick (1) and the perimeter element (3) being configured to be fixed in at least two positions.

[0052] 5

[0053] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) different and / or at variable angles of inclination with respect to the plane in which the arm or body (1) of the device is located, for which it may incorporate various means of retention in said joint, such as a threaded adjustment pin on one side that will allow any position to be fixed and released manually by screwing or unscrewing the pin, or a toothed crown fixed to the perimeter element at one point, and internally to the joint, which in this case will have corresponding grooves that allow, by maneuvering on the perimeter element, to successively lock and unlock the toothed crown in various adjacent positions.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the perimeter element has a shape selected from annular, elliptical, rectangular or circular, and said perimeter element is removable and / or foldable, in order to facilitate its transport or storage in the smallest possible space when necessary.

[0055] Furthermore, the perimeter element is interchangeable, as the device can be used for different animals depending on the volume or characteristics of the waste to be collected, by alternately connecting perimeter elements of different shapes and sizes to the first body as appropriate, or replacing it if necessary.

[0056] The first body, in the folded position, has an extension of at least the length of the handle or grip of the device, and the second body can be folded over the first body or remain parallel to it, so that when the device is not being used it takes up as little space as possible and can be stored in a bag, pocket or similar.

[0057] In an intended embodiment of the device, the minimum size of the inner area of ​​the perimeter element is 65 mm +- 20 mm in width and 65 mm +- 20 mm in height, or 65 mm +- 20 mm in diameter.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, the device will comprise a mechanism in its handle configured to close the opening of the bag, and / or to decouple the bag from the perimeter element, such that it will not be necessary for the user to come into physical contact with the bag to close it or dispose of it in a wastebasket or container once its use is complete, promoting hygiene and ease of use.

[0059] Considering that the nature of the present invention has been sufficiently described, as well as the

[0060] 6

[0061] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) way of putting it into practice and its industrial application, it is not considered necessary to explain it further so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, within its essence, it may be put into practice in other forms of implementation that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and to which it will also achieve the protection that is sought as long as its fundamental principle is not altered or modified.

[0062] 7

[0063] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable device for collecting animal excrement, comprising: - a first body in the form of a longitudinal, telescopic or foldable arm or stick (1); - an upper end configured as a handle (2); -a lower end (8); -a second body (9) linked to the lower end, -an articulation element (10) between the lower end and the second body, characterized in that in the vicinity of the lower end it incorporates in an articulated manner the second body, which comprises a perimeter element (3), with an open interior area (4), configured to removably house a bag (5), and because the perimeter element (3) comprises fixing or retaining means (6) for the mouth of the bag (7), the articulation between the arm or stick (1) and the perimeter element (3) being configured to be able to be fixed in at least two different positions and / or at variable angles of inclination with respect to the plane in which the arm or body (1) of the device is located.

2. Portable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the perimeter element has a shape selected from annular, elliptical, rectangular or circular.

3. Portable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first body, in the folded position, has an extension of at least the length of the handle or grip of the device.

4. Portable device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second body can be folded over the first body or remain parallel to it.

5. Portable device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perimeter element is removable, interchangeable and / or foldable.

6. Portable device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum size of the interior area of ​​the perimeter element is 65 mm +- 20 mm in width and 65 mm +- 20 mm in height, or 65 mm +- 20 mm in diameter.

7. Portable device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized 8 REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) because it includes a mechanism in its handle configured to close the opening of the bag.

8. Portable device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism in its handle configured to decouple the bag from the perimeter element. 9 REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

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