Bagged Opposing-Leaf Scooper for Grass and Soft Faeces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pooper scooper devices are cumbersome, difficult to use discreetly, ineffective on soft or runny faeces, and often require multiple parts, making them costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A pooper scooper device with two opposing leaves that move relative to each other, featuring a slot or channel on one leaf to receive the other leaf's terminal region, allowing for secure bagging of faeces within a collection bag, even on challenging surfaces like grass, with a housing for disposable bags and actuating members for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a long handle with scoop device is used, then faeces collection effectiveness is improved, but device portability and discretion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefaeces collection effectivenessVSAvoiddevice portability and discretion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two main segments: a handle portion for user grip and a collection assembly portion for faeces collection. This segmentation allows the handle to be carried discretely while the collection assembly provides effective faeces collection capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collection assembly is designed to nest within or attach to the handle, allowing the entire device to be compact when not in use. The collection assembly can be stored within the handle or attached to it, enabling easy portability while maintaining collection effectiveness during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If disposable bags are used manually, then user protection from contact is improved, but psychological discomfort and sanitation risks remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser protection from faeces contactVSAvoidpsychological discomfort and sanitation risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary mechanism between the user and faeces: the collection assembly with its scoop or rake structure that gathers faeces into the bag without requiring direct hand contact. This intermediary tool eliminates the psychological discomfort and sanitation risks associated with manual bagging while maintaining user protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable scooper devices are used, then user protection is improved, but device maintenance burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser protection from faeces contactVSAvoiddevice maintenance burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection bag is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance of the bag portion. The handle and collection assembly can be easily wiped clean and stored, significantly reducing maintenance burden while maintaining user protection throughout the device's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parts are used in pooper scooper devices, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle and collection assembly are designed as integrated components that can be manufactured as a single unit or easily assembled. This merging reduces the number of separate parts, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining the necessary functionality for effective faeces collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260028787A1Pooper Scooper Device

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 OROURKE HUGH

AI summary

A re-usable pooper scooper device and a dog leash comprising same are disclosed. The pooper scooper device is easily manufactured, compact and less cumbersome to carry than those of the prior art, and is particularly useful for collecting faeces from challenging ground surfaces.