Handheld Clamshell Animal Waste Collector with Rigid Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting animal waste are unpleasant and often lead to neglect or improper disposal due to the unsanitary nature of the task, as they require direct contact and handling of squishy fecal matter, which is undesirable and inconvenient, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A pocket-sized, handheld animal waste collector device with a clamshell configuration and separate compartments for storing spare bags and rigid cards, allowing for easy collection and containment of waste without direct contact, and facilitating proper disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible plastic bag is used to collect animal waste, then the waste can be contained, but the owner can feel the squishy texture of the waste through the bag and is exposed to odor and visual sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rigid or semi-rigid collection device with a flexible bag liner instead of using a simple flexible plastic bag. The rigid outer structure prevents the user from feeling the waste texture while the flexible liner conforms to the waste shape for effective containment. This combination resolves the contradiction by maintaining containment effectiveness while eliminating tactile and sensory exposure to waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid collection device acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the animal waste. Instead of directly holding a flexible bag that transmits sensory information, the user holds the rigid structure which blocks tactile feedback, odor, and visual sight, while the flexible bag inside performs the actual waste containment function.
2Reliability
If animal waste is collected in remote locations, then proper disposal can be achieved, but the task becomes more unpleasant and inconvenient due to lack of immediate disposal availability
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is segmented into a rigid outer structure and a removable flexible bag liner. This segmentation allows the user to easily remove and replace bags in remote locations without handling the waste directly. The rigid structure remains with the user while the soiled bag can be quickly detached and disposed of or stored, improving convenience in remote settings while ensuring proper disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows preliminary preparation by pre-attaching or pre-positioning replacement bags within the rigid structure before entering remote locations. Users can prepare multiple bags in advance, and when waste collection is needed in remote areas, they can quickly swap bags without complex operations, making the disposal process more convenient and reliable in field conditions.
3Reliability
If a compact animal waste collector is used, then waste can be enclosed, but the device requires multiple compartments and hinged covers which increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible bag liner from the rigid collection device as a separate, removable component. Instead of having a complex hinged cover system to enclose waste, the flexible bag itself forms the enclosure, and the rigid structure serves as a simple holder. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable waste enclosure through the bag's conforming properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a rigid container with moving parts (hinged covers) to enclose waste, the patent inverts the approach by using a flexible bag as the primary enclosure element and the rigid structure as the supporting framework. This inversion eliminates the need for complex hinged mechanisms while achieving reliable waste enclosure through the flexible material's ability to conform and seal around the waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact animal waste collector kit includes a hinged lid receptacle which is sized and shaped to be hand-held and support an animal waste bag; and an animal waste bag sized and shaped to fit over an open end of the hinged lid receptacle and in the hinged lid receptacle.