Telescoping Catch Vessel with Volumetric Scale for Animal Excrement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collecting animal urine or stool samples is challenging due to the small rim of standard sample cups, leading to unsanitary and unpleasant splashing, and difficulty in positioning the cup under squatting animals.
Innovation Solution
A catch vessel system with a collection vessel, volumetric scale, and extension handle designed to receive and measure animal excrement, featuring a 'V'-shaped bottom to reduce splash and a telescoping handle for easy positioning under animals, along with disposable sanitary liners for hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard sample cup with a small rim is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning under squatting animals and poor aim requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a telescoping handle that extends the collection vessel into a third dimension (vertical height), allowing the user to position the vessel underneath squatting animals from a standing position. This dimensional change transforms the collection process from a low-level manual positioning task to an elevated, more controllable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping handle provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the user to extend or retract the handle length according to the animal's size and positioning needs. This dynamic feature enables easy positioning for different animals without requiring multiple fixed-length devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a standard sample cup with a small rim is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to unsanitary splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The extended handle elevates the collection vessel above the ground level and potential splashing zones, creating vertical separation between the user's hands and the collection area. This dimensional separation reduces sanitary exposure to harmful factors while maintaining collection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended handle acts as an intermediary between the user and the collection vessel, allowing the user to maintain a greater distance from potential contaminants. This intermediary structure reduces direct exposure to unsanitary conditions during the collection process.
3Measurement precision
If a standard sample cup is used, then the measurement capability is insufficient, but the device complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collection vessel with an integrated volumetric scale, combining two previously separate functions (collection and measurement) into a single integrated device. This allows for precise excrement measurement without requiring additional separate measurement tools, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A catch vessel for animal excrement includes a catch vessel for animal excrement, the catch vessel including a collection vessel configured to receive and hold an animal excrement, a volumetric scale coupled to the collection vessel and configured to receive at least a portion of the animal excrement, the volumetric scale including a removable cover, an extension handle coupled to the collection vessel and the extension handle is configured to telescope between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The catch vessel for animal excrement is useful for collection of pet and animal excrement for testing.