Portable Sanitary Putrescible Material Collector Assembly

Abstract

A receptacle is pivoted to a handle so that it may assume both a horizontal position for accepting putrescible material from the surface on which it is lying, and a vertical position for compact storage and when removing the putrescible material. The handle is hollow and serves as a storage area for a sweepstick when the sweepstick is not in use. The handle bottom forms a tight fitting cover for the receptacle when vertical. Both the working end of the sweepstick and the interior of the receptacle are equipped with disposable sanitary coverings.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable janitorial-type small waste collection devices, and more particularly, to those used to collect the inconveniently disposed fecal droppings of pets.

Devices somewhat similar to the present invention are known, for example, for use in public places to remove cigarette butts and small pieces of paper from the floors. However, these devices are basically unsanitary and generally do not comprise an assembly; being merely a shovel and separate brush. For the domestic animal lover, these devices are not only unsanitary, but, in a very practical way, unsatisfactory, particularly for use when "walking" a dog or similar pet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of prior art devices have been corrected in the present invention. The present device is easy to use. A pet owner need not strain his back or stoop to the floor or sidewalk to collect the putrescible material, since both the receptacle and the sweeping means are at the end of long handles, thereby enabling the putrescible material to be collected while the user remains upright. The present device is easy to store, since the sweeping means are stored in the handle of the receptacle when the device is not in use, and the pivoted receptacle permits upright storage in a minimum of space. The present device is sanitary, since a disposable sanitary covering surrounds the working end of the sweepstick, and a disposable sanitary bag conforming to the interior of the receptacle is placed within and extends around the exterior lip or margin of the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly standing upright with a portion shown in phantom; and

FIG. 2 is a right side view partially in section and foreshortened of the device shown in FIG. 1; shown in alternate position on an environmental surface shown in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, a handle 10, waist-high and cylindrical in shape, is attached to a cover 11. Yoke members 13 of receptacle cover 11 are pivoted to receptacle 12 with pivot pins 14. A hollow space 15 inside the handle 10 serves as a storage space for a sweepstick 16. Sweepstick 16 at its working end 17 tapers to a wedge-shaped edge 20, broadest at its free end, which is covered by a disposable sanitary covering 18. In the preferred embodiment the covering 18 is a plastic bag or the like which can be disposed over the wedge-shaped edge 20 by inserting the edge into the large opening in a bag and which can thereafter be drawn inwardly about the sweepstick 16 and retained in any suitable fashion, as by means of a rubber band, twister or the like, so that the bag does not inadvertently come off and expose the working end 17. In this manner the assembly can be carried from place to place in a sanitary condition. The interior of the receptacle 12 is lined with a disposable sanitary bag 19, made of any suitable material, such as plastic or paper. The bag is constructed and arranged such that it is folded back upon itself about the outer margin 21 of the opening in the receptacle 12. With the bag so positioned, as shown in FIG. 2, it can be placed against an environmental surface, such as shown in phantom lines designated generally 23 and representing, for example, a sidewalk, for receiving material being swept from the surface into the bag or container.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of this assembly can be readily understood. A dog owner, for example, walking his dog along the city sidewalk, can easily carry the entire assembly in one hand. Once the dog defecates, the owner places the receptacle on its base 24 on the sidewalk and then pivots it forwardly about the lead edge 26 so that its front surface 28 assumes the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the portion of the bag 19 disposed about the outer surface of the receptacle 12 is sandwiched between the surface 28 and the sidewalk. He then removes the sweepstick 16 and the covering 18, and uses the working end of the sweepstick to sweep or push the fecal droppings of his pet into the bag 19. Having done so, he merely lifts the handle 10 of the device and, if necessary, guides the receptacle 12 as it rotates to the vertical position shown in FIG. 1. The sweepstick 16 can then be placed back in the hollow handle 10, and the covering 18 disposed about the working end so as to provide a sanitary assembly once again.

The fecal material is now held in a sanitary condition in a closed container by virtue of the clamping effect provided by the jaw-like action of the receptacle cover 11 and receptacle 12 clamping the bag 19 therebetween as shown in FIG. 1. Upon reaching a trash container, the dog owner can dispose of the bag by merely inserting his fingers between the outer surface of receptacle 12 and the portion of the bag which is wrapped about that outer surface, and lifting the bag, which can then be thrown into the trash container or tied closed and then thrown into the trash container. Alternatively, the owner can use the working end of the sweepstick 16 to remove the bag and dispose of it in the trash container.

Cover 11 and receptacle 12 form a closed container whenever receptacle 12 is in an upright position, as when carrying away putrescible material or when being stored. This feature is highly desirable since it minimizes spreading noxious odors about the home. Sweepstick 16 being stored inside handle 10 eliminates the problem of the two becoming separated inadvertently. Since the only parts that come into actual contact with the putrescible material are covered with sanitary coverings that are disposed of after each use, cleaning the assembly after each use is not required. Since the assembly is relatively simple in nature, it is envisioned that it possibly could be produced entirely from a plastic or other inexpensive material.

Although a specific form of the invention has been selected for illustration in the drawings and the above description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing this form of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

It will further be understood that the Abstract of the Disclosure set forth above is intended to provide a non-legal technical statement of the contents of the disclosure in compliance with the Rules of Practice of the U.S. Patent Office, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable sanitary putrescible material collector assembly comprising:

a. a handle;

b. a receptacle pivotally mounted thereto and having an open end;

c. a sweepstick for use in pushing articles into said receptacle, retained by said handle;

d. a liner detachably disposed within said receptacle and extending beyond the open end of said receptacle and about the outer portion of said receptacle forming said open end; and

e. a cover attached to said handle to engage said liner along that portion thereof which extends about said open end of said receptacle.