Collar mounted bag dispenser

Abstract

A pet waste disposal bag dispenser comprises a compartment for holding a box of bags. The compartment can be secured to a pet collar or a belt by securing a flap on the compartment around the collar or belt. The compartment includes an opening providing access to the box of bags which itself includes an opening to the bags within the box. The opening can be covered by means of a second flap extending from the first flap. The flap arrangement allows access to the bags while still retaining the compartment on the collar or belt. Release of both flaps allows removal of the entire device from the collar or belt.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a dispenser for animal waste disposal bags. In particular, it relates to such a dispenser for use in association with a pet collar, leash or a belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An increasing pet population has created a serious sanitary problem relating to the disposal of animal feces. Many municipalities have passed ordinances requiring pet waste retrieval or removal by the pet owner. Some pet owners have taken to carrying plastic grocery bags and sometimes scoops and other tools for collecting and storing animal feces until a proper disposal site can be found. However, it is inconvenient to carry such items when walking or exercising a pet or when a pet simply accompanies its owner in other activities.

[0003] One device that has been proposed for retrieving pet wastes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,590 to Polding. It comprises a container that is permanently stitched to a pet leash. The container carries grocery bags and allows the temporary storage of bags containing collected waste. However, the refilling of the container with a new supply of empty bags is inconvenient.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple solution for pet owners to retrieve pet litter while managing outdoor activities when accompanied by pets.

[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a bag storage container that need not be carried by the pet owner.

[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a container that is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, and from which the bags may easily be dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a bag dispenser that releasably attaches to a collar, leash or a belt. It is compact, lightweight and may be secured to any part of the collar, leash or belt.

[0008] The dispenser is designed to carry a replaceable box of pet waste disposal bags. The box can be easily removed from the dispenser when it is empty and another box can be conveniently inserted into the dispenser. Corresponding openings on the box and on the dispenser permit easy access to the bags while the dispenser is mounted on a collar.

[0009] The dispenser according to the invention includes a compartment for retaining a box of bags, corresponding openings in the box and in the compartment permitting access to the bags, a two-part flap, the first part being releasably secured to a first part of the compartment so as to form a passageway through which a collar, leash or belt may extend, and the second part being releasably securable to a second part of the compartment so as to cover the bag dispensing openings. The first part of the flap may be opened to provide access to the bags while leaving the second part of the flap to retain the compartment on the collar, leash or belt.

[0010] The flap arrangement allows access to the bags while still retaining the compartment on the collar or belt. Release of both flaps allows removal of the entire device from the collar or belt.

[0011] In one aspect, the invention therefore comprises an attachment for a collar or belt having a compartment to retain a supply of bags and a flap extending from the compartment. One portion of the flap is releasably securable to the compartment for retaining said collar or belt between the compartment and the flap.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, there is an opening in the compartment, the flap extends from the compartment and a second flap selectively covers or uncovers the opening.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment the second flap extends from an end of said first flap, the compartment is generally rectangular and the first flap extends from one of the walls of said compartment.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, the second flap includes a slot for receiving an identification card.

[0015] A reflective strip may conveniently be secured to the second flap.

[0016] In another of its aspects, the invention comprises an attachment for a collar or belt for dispensing bags, comprising a generally rectangular compartment having a top, a bottom, a front and a back sides, an opening in said top providing access to the interior of said compartment, a first end of a first flap extending from said bottom and a second end of the first flap being releasably securable to said compartment for retaining said collar or belt between said back and said first flap. A second flap extends from said second end for selectively covering said opening and is releasably securable to said front of said compartment.

[0017] In another of its aspects, the invention comprises an assembly for dispensing waste disposal bags comprising the attachments described above and a generally rectangular box disposed in said compartment, said box holding a plurality of waste disposal bags and said box having an opening positioned to coincide with said opening in said compartment.

[0018] Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The preferred embodiment will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention as secured on a pet collar;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an end view of the dispenser;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser mounted on a collar with the first part of the flap open, providing access to the waste disposal bags;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser with the first and second parts of the flap fully open; and,

[0024] FIG. 5 is a view of the box of waste disposal bags to be used in association with the dispenser of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser 10 being fastened to a pet collar 12. The dispenser 10 is preferably (but not necessarily) made of nylon.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, the dispenser 10 comprises a generally rectangular compartment 14 having an opening 16 for receiving a box 18 of waste disposal bags 20. FIG. 5 illustrates a box 18 containing the waste retrieval bags for use with the invention. Box 18 is of a shape and dimensions corresponding to those compartment 14. It includes an aperture 35 to provide access to the bags 20. In FIG. 4, aperture 35 of box 18 is not visible. Only the bottom portion of box 18 is visible in opening 16.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, one wall 22 of the compartment 14 extends into a flap 24 comprising a first part 26 and the second part 28. Parts 26 and 28 are sufficiently long to allow part 26 to wrap around the back 30 of compartment 14 and to allow part 28 to wrap around part of the front 32 of compartment 14, as best illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, an aperture 34 is provided at the bottom of compartment 14. The location of aperture 34 corresponds to the location of opening 35 when box 18 is seated in compartment 14. This allows easy access to waste disposal bags 20 when the second part 28 of the flap is open or withdrawn.

[0029] Two pairs 36, 38 of hook and loop type fasteners are provided on dispenser 10. First pair of fasteners 36 is located on the second part 28 of flap 24 and on the front of compartment 14. It is used to secure the second part 28 of flap 24 to the front 32 of compartment 14 when it is wrapped around compartment 14. When part 28 is closed and secured to the front 32 of compartment 14, the waste bags 20 are covered and are protected from the elements.

[0030] Second pair of fasteners 38 is located on the first part 26 of flap 24 and at the back 30 of compartment 14. This pair of fasteners 38 is used to secure dispenser 10 on collar 12. In use, the collar (or leash or belt) 12 extends through the opening between the back 30 of compartment 14 and the first part 26 of flap 24. Fasteners 38 allow the dispenser 10 to remain secured to the collar 12 when the first pair of fasteners 36 are disengaged to access the opening 34 and waste disposal bags 20.

[0031] Box 18 can be easily replaced when the bags 20 have been used up by withdrawing box 18 from opening 16 of compartment 14 as indicated by arrow 40 in FIG. 4 and replacing it with a new box.

[0032] The second part 28 of flap 24 includes a slot 42 having a transparent plastic cover sheet. Slot 42 may be used to hold an identification card for the pet. A reflective strip 46 may also be affixed to the front of the second part 28 of flap 24 to enhance the visibility of the pet at night.

[0033] It will be appreciated that while the invention has been described by reference to the presently contemplated preferred embodiment thereof, certain modifications and variations thereto may be practised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An attachment for a collar or belt comprising:

a compartment for retaining a supply of bags; and,

a flap extending from said compartment, one portion of said flap being releasably securable to said compartment for retaining said collar or belt between said compartment and said flap.

2. An attachment for a collar or belt comprising:

a compartment;

an opening providing access to the interior of said compartment;

a first flap extending from said compartment, one portion of said first flap being releasably securable to said compartment for retaining said collar or belt between said compartment and said first flap; and,

a second flap for selectively covering or uncovering said opening.

3. An attachment as in claim 2 wherein said second flap extends from an end of said first flap.

4. An attachment as in claim 3 wherein said compartment is generally rectangular and said first flap extends from one of the walls of said compartment.

5. An attachment as in claim 3 or 4 wherein said first flap is releasably securable to a first side of said compartment and said second flap is releasably securable to a second side of said compartment.

6. An attachment as in claim 2 or 4 further comprising a slot in said second flap for receiving an identification card.

7. An attachment as in claim 2 or 3 further comprising a reflective strip secured to said second flap.

8. An attachment as in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said first flap is releasably securable to said compartment by means of hook and loop type fasteners and said second flap is releasably securable to said compartment by means of hook and look type fasteners.

9. An attachment as in claim 2 wherein said compartment is generally rectangular and said first flap extends from one of the walls of said compartment.

10. An attachment for a collar or belt for dispensing bags, comprising:

a generally rectangular compartment having a top, a bottom, a front and a back sides;

an opening in said top for providing access to the interior of said compartment;

a first flap a first end of which extends from said bottom and a second end of which is releasably securable to said compartment for retaining said collar or belt between said back and said first flap;

a second flap extending from said second end for selectively covering said opening and which is releasably securable to said front of said compartment.

11. An attachment as in claim 10 wherein the interior of said second flap includes a slot for holding an identification card.

12. An attachment as in claim 10 or 11 further comprising a reflective strip attached to said second flap.

13. An assembly for dispensing waste disposal bags comprising the attachment of claim 2, 3 or 4 and a generally rectangular box disposed in said compartment, said box holding a plurality of waste disposal bags and said box having an opening positioned to coincide with said opening in said compartment.

14. An assembly for dispensing waste disposal bags comprising the attachment of claim 9 or 10 and a generally rectangular box disposed in said compartment, said box holding a plurality of waste disposal bags and said box having an opening positioned to coincide with said opening in said compartment.

15. A bag dispenser comprising:

a compartment for retaining a box of bags;

corresponding openings in the box and in the compartment permitting access to the bags;

a two-part flap, the first part being releasably secured to a first part of the compartment so as to form a passageway through which a collar, leash or belt may extend, and the second part being releasably securable to a second part of the compartment so as to cover said openings.

16. An attachment as in claim 2 wherein said second flap extends from an end of said first flap, said first flap is releasably securable to a first side of said compartment and said second flap is releasably securable to a second side of said compartment, and said attachment further comprises a reflective strip secured to said second flap.

17. An attachment as in claim 3 wherein said compartment is generally rectangular and said first flap extends from one of the walls of said compartment, said first flap is releasably securable to a first side of said compartment and said second flap is releasably securable to a second side of said compartment and said attachment further comprises a reflective strip secured to said second flap.