Vacuum attachment for removing animal feces
A vacuum attachment for collecting animal feces comprising a container with at least a first exterior opening fitted with a disposable cap assembly, at least a second exterior opening fitted with a connector to allow connection to a source of suction or vacuum providing sufficient suction force at the opening of an intake tube capable of intaking animal feces, and at least one interior structure that prevents at least a portion of an air-permeable bag from contacting at least a portion of an interior surface of the container or from being drawn into or obstructing airflow through the connector, wherein the disposable cap assembly releasably fits into the first exterior opening of the container and includes the intake tube, a collar, a sealing ridge on a perimeter of the cap assembly, an air-permeable bag securely and substantially air-tightly affixed to the collar, and an attachment fitting that securely engages a slot in the container.
The field of the present invention relates generally to animal-feces removal devices and more particularly, but not in limitation, to an attachment to a vacuum source for removing pet animal feces, such as from dogs, cats, and other pet animals, from paved surfaces and non-paved surfaces, for example, streets, sidewalks, lawns, gardens, trails, walk-ways, floors, carpeting, and rugs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAnimal feces can contain bacteria, for example, E. coli and salmonella, and parasites, for example, worms, and therefore can be a health hazard as well as unsightly and malodorous. On household yards, nature trails, streets, school grounds, and playgrounds, animal feces is a potential health risk to small children who, unknowledgeable of its danger to health, might pick up some feces out of curiosity, resulting in transmittal from the feces of a cause of illness or disease. However, children knowledgeable of the danger of feces to health, as well as adults, might accidentally or unknowingly step in or otherwise contact feces in such places or in other places. Also, animal feces in lawn or other mowed areas is subject to dispersal by a mower, resulting in an unnoticeable health risk in the mowed and adjacent areas as well as on portions of the mower. To minimize health risks from feces, it must be collected and properly disposed of. In addition, some municipalities fine pet owners who do not clean up the feces deposited by their pets in public areas.
There have been many approaches to cleaning up animal feces, including mechanical pick-up devices and suction devices, which utilize a source of vacuum to pull feces from a surface and into a collection element for subsequent disposal. Previous vacuum sources have included mechanically-based, electrically-based, and gasoline-based means. The vacuum sources are sometimes integrated with removal and collection means and can be portable. Although usually effective in removing feces from a surface, these approaches have failed to provide an inexpensive and convenient way to keep the removal device free from being contaminated with some part or residue of the removed feces. As a result, a fecally-contaminated fecal-removal device can become an unintentional health hazard during storage, especially if the device is stored, for example, in a garage or other location where children might pick it up to play with. One approach to minimizing or eliminating the associated health risk with these devices would be to thoroughly clean and disinfect the device after each use. However, that approach is expensive, messy, and time-consuming, usually resulting in not being done properly or frequently enough. Therefore, there is a need for a feces removal device that inexpensively, neatly, and conveniently minimizes or substantially reduces health risks from fecal residue on the device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn general and not by limitation, the present invention is a vacuum attachment for collecting animal feces comprising a container having a first exterior opening fitted with an inexpensive, replaceable, disposable fecal-matter collection assembly that includes a bag and a fecal-matter intake tube, and a second exterior opening to allow connection to a source of suction or vacuum providing sufficient suction force at the opening of the intake tube capable of intaking animal feces.
The present invention provides several advantages in use over previous fecal-collection devices. One advantage is that the present invention is an attachment readily attachable to common vacuum sources such as a general-utility vacuum, for example, one commonly known as a shop vac, or a wearable, gasoline-powered leaf/clippings blower motor having a suction input nozzle or port, which a pet owner might already have. Another advantage of the present invention is that one of its features is a disposable, integrated fecal-matter collection assembly, which includes a disposable collection bag and fecal-matter intake tube, so that the fecal-contaminated intake tube is also disposed of and does not remain as a potential health risk.
The same number in different figures represents the same element or equivalent functional element.
The present invention is a vacuum attachment for collecting animal feces comprising a container having at least a first exterior opening releasably fitted with a disposable, fecal-matter collection assembly and having a slot to releasably engage an attachment fitting on the collection assembly; at least a second exterior opening fitted with a connector to allow connection to a source of suction or vacuum providing sufficient suction force at the opening of an intake tube capable of intaking animal feces; and at least one interior structure that prevents at least a portion of an air-permeable bag from contacting at least a portion of an interior surface of the container or from being drawn into the connector, wherein the disposable collection assembly includes the intake tube; a collar; a sealing ridge on a perimeter of the collection assembly; an air-permeable bag; and an attachment fitting; and wherein i) the intake tube is in contact with a portion of an exterior surface of the collection assembly; has an exterior portion with an intake opening extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the collection assembly and an interior portion extending into, or through an interior surface of, the collection assembly; and is in substantially air-tight connection with the exterior surface of the collection assembly; ii) the collar surrounds a portion of the interior portion of the intake tube; iii) the sealing ridge is in substantially air-tight connection with first exterior opening of the container; iv) the bag has an opening securely and substantially air-tightly affixed to the collar, is disposed in the container's interior, and has a size and shape that do not allow the bag, when fully expanded, to completely fill the container's interior; and v) the collection assembly's attachment fitting is disposed so that it securely and releasably engages the slot on the container.
Although the geometry of the embodiment of container 10 in
Bag 14 is air-permeable so that the externally suction or vacuum provided at connector 15 induces substantial air flow into intake tube 13, then into and through bag 14, and through connector 15. The fabric of bag 14 is preferably an air permeable rayon or nylon and polyester blend that is water resistant and of a smooth texture to avoid intaken matter from sticking at the front of bag 14. Other materials such as air-permeable paper, woven or nonwoven fabric, or fine mesh may be used as long as they provide sufficient airflow therethrough but do not allow intaken fecal matter to pass through and reach the suction or vacuum source.
Bag end cap 25 helps hold bag 14 completely open in the center of container 10 during operation with an external vacuum source. Bag end cap 25 is not necessary, depending on the design of the bag, as shown in
Referring still to
After removal of feces 5 and/or other debris, vacuum source 23 is deactivated, and vacuum source tube 22 is disconnected from connector 15. Invention 1 is then stored in a suitable place until future use. Invention 1 being of various size capacities to meet residential or commercial use with the intent of assembly 11 to be a one-time use at predetermined intervals (IE: weekly). When air-permeable bag 14 (not shown) is full of collected matter or becomes so non-air-permeable that sufficient intake suction cannot be achieved, assembly 11 is disengaged from container 10 by reversing the previous engagement procedure and properly disposed of.
Although specific embodiments and uses of the present invention have been set forth herein, other embodiments and uses are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed.
Claims
1. A vacuum attachment for collecting animal feces comprising:
- a container with at least a first exterior opening fitted with a disposable cap assembly, a slot to releasably engage an attachment fitting on the cap assembly, at least a second exterior opening fitted with a connector to allow connection to a source of suction or vacuum providing sufficient suction force at the opening of an intake tube capable of intaking animal feces or small debris, an interior space and surface, and at least one interior structure that prevents at least a portion of an air-permeable bag from contacting at least a portion of an interior surface of the container or from being drawn into or obstructing airflow through the connector, wherein the disposable cap assembly releasably fits into the first exterior opening of the container and includes the intake tube; a collar; a sealing ridge on a perimeter of the cap assembly, an air-permeable bag; and an attachment fitting; and wherein i) the intake tube is in contact with an exterior surface of the cap assembly; has a portion exterior to the cap assembly having an intake opening; extends from the exterior surface of the cap assembly; has an interior portion extending into or through an interior surface of the cap assembly; and is in substantially air-tight connection with the exterior surface of the cap assembly; ii) the collar is in substantially air-tight connection with the cap assembly's interior surface, is not in contact with the container's interior surface, and surrounds the interior portion of the intake tube; iii) the sealing ridge is in substantially air-tight connection with first exterior opening of the container; iv) an opening of the bag is securely and substantially air-tightly affixed to the collar, is disposed in the container's interior, and has a size and shape that do not allow the bag, when fully expanded, to completely fill the container's interior space; and (v) the cap assembly's attachment fitting is disposed so that it securely and releasably engages the slot on the container.
2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the exterior portion of the intake tube is tapered.
3. The intake tube of claim 2 wherein the tapered portion has a shape substantially that of a frustum of a cone.
4. The intake tube of claim 3 wherein the shape of the frustum is substantially an asymmetric cone.
5. The attachment of claim 1 wherein an area generally comprising the opening of the intake tube is at an angle to the cap assembly's exterior surface not substantially greater than 90 degrees.
6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein a portion of the air-permeable bag distal from the collar comprises an end cap.
7. The attachment of claim 6 wherein the end cap further comprises a structure that prevents the end cap from substantially reducing airflow through the connector.
Type: Application
Filed: May 31, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2007
Inventor: Robert D. Reiling (Oakdale, MN)
Application Number: 11/443,979
International Classification: A47L 5/24 (20060101);