Field of application
[0001] The present invention concerns a collection device, according to the preamble of
the independent claim.
[0002] The collection device according to the present invention is intended to be advantageously
used for collecting and for bagging filth from the ground and in particular for collecting
solid faeces of pets.
[0003] The collection device according to the invention is especially intended to be used
by owners of dogs or other pets for collecting solid faeces dropped, particularly,
in public areas.
[0004] Therefore, the present invention belongs to the field of devices for collecting faeces
of pets.
State of the art
[0005] Nowadays, faeces of pets are collected with hand shovels, like those that are used
at home for collecting rubbish, or with plastic bags with the use of gloves, or with
other material at hand and in most cases the filth is not collected but rather left
where it is. Through the experience of their daily routine, animal owners have become
dissatisfied, after picking up filth, concerning the feeling of dirtiness and poor
hygiene and the fear of unpleasant smells, probably related to the risk of getting
infections; the same also goes for the low practicality of classic shovels, which
once used become dirty, do not follow cleaning and hygiene standards, in addition
to the fact that they are inconvenient to clean. Therefore there is almost direct
contact with the filth, with the hands and often the feeling of unease and of being
dirty has led to the filth being left where it is, with the risk of even getting a
fine, due to the higher respect for the environment nowadays. Currently, on the market,
there are complex devices, such as a device with pincers, at one end, on the jaws
of which a collection bag is fitted and mounted at the end of a stick equipped with
a handle that acts upon the pincers for collecting the filth. This device has been
found, in practice, to be impractical, bulky to carry around and not effective when
collecting, with the risk of having to carry out the operation many times in order
to obtain a full cleaning.
[0006] A last recent finding is a suction device for collecting faeces in a bag. Such a
device has the drawbacks of being structurally complex and bulky. Moreover, when picking
up the filth, the front part of this device comes into contact with the faeces of
the animal thus becoming dirty and leading to a consequent inconvenience, since once
the collection operation has finished the device must be cleaned for hygiene purposes,
for a correct operation for the subsequent use.
[0007] Moreover, the suction device, in everyday use, leads to the impregnation of odours
and micro-filth inside the device itself.
[0008] Patent
FR 2839325 describes a further collection device of the known type, comprising a hollow containment
body that is equipped, at the front, with a front opening, and a drawing body which
is slidably inserted inside the containment body and that is able to be actuated to
come out from the latter through the aforementioned front opening, to draw the faeces
from the ground, and to go back into the containment body itself so as to deposit
the drawn faeces.
[0009] The collection device, moreover, comprises a holding stick that is mounted vertically
on the containment body and carrying, mounted at its upper end, a control lever, which
is connected to the drawing body, by means of a connection cable passing inside the
stick, and is able to be actuated by a user so as to move the drawing body itself.
[0010] In particular, the drawing body has the shape of a hollow box and is equipped, on
its bottom, with a lower opening, facing towards the ground, through which the faeces
to be collected are inserted inside it when the drawing body is extracted from the
containment body.
[0011] Operatively, in order to collect the faeces from the ground, the user must, by means
of the control lever, make the drawing body come out from the containment body, and
therefore rest the collection device on the ground with the drawing body positioned
above the faeces so as to insert them inside the drawing body through the lower opening
of the latter. Subsequently, the user must, by means of the control lever, make the
drawing body go back inside the containment body, so that the drawing body pushes
the faeces inside the containment body itself.
[0012] One drawback of the collection device described in patent
FR 2839325 comes from the fact that it is not practical to use, since it is necessary, in particular,
to make the drawing body move many times and to lift and rest the device back on the
ground so as to collect the faeces.
[0013] A further drawback of this collection device of the known type is related to the
fact that it is bulky and not easy to transport, in particular, since it requires
a holding stick to be transported and used.
[0014] A further drawback of this device of the known type is due to the fact that it is
constructively complex and costly to make.
Presentation of the invention
[0015] In this situation, the problem forming the basis of the present invention is therefore
that of avoiding the drawbacks shown above by devising a collection device that allows
the user to not come into direct contact with the material to be collected.
[0016] A further purpose of the present invention is that of devising a collection device
that makes it possible to freely bring animals to public and private places, feeling
perfectly at ease, since it is easy to use and handle, clean and hygienic.
[0017] A further purpose of the present invention is that of devising a collection device
that makes it possible to make the removal of faeces of a pet, needing to evacuate
in public areas, easy and convenient, also avoiding the risk of receiving fines for
having soiled the environment.
[0018] These and yet other purposes are achieved with a collection device, object of the
present invention according to the claims below.
Brief description of the drawings
[0019] The technical characteristics of the finding, according to the proposed purposes,
can be clearly seen in the content of the claims below and the advantages thereof
shall become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive
embodiment, of a collection device according to the finding, illustrated as an example
and not for limiting purposes, in the attached drawing tables, in which:
- figure 1 illustrates a collection device according to the present invention in a perspective
side view;
- figure 2 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
entry mouth of the containment body for fitting the bag, in a perspective side view;
- figure 3 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
entry mouth of the containment body, in a perspective front view;
- figure 4 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
containment body, in a perspective view from below;
- figure 5 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
inner body, in a perspective view from one side;
- figure 6 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
inner body, in a perspective sectioned side view;
- figure 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the inner body of the collection device
object of the present invention;
- figure 8 illustrates the collection device of figure 1 with some parts removed so
as to better highlight others;
- figure 9 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, concerning the
blade, in a perspective view from above;
- figure 10 illustrates the blade of figure 9 in a top side view;
- figure 11 illustrates a perspective schematic view of the collection device of figure
1 with some parts removed so as to better highlight others;
- figure 12 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1, relative to the
actuation motors of the blade and of the inner body, in a top side view;
- figure 13 illustrates the collection device of figure 1 in a longitudinal section
view;
- figure 14 illustrates a detail of the collection device of figure 1 concerning the
containment body, seen in a perspective view from above;
- figures 15 to 20 illustrate, in a schematic manner, successive operation steps of
the collection device of figure 1.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment
[0020] With reference to the attached drawings reference numeral 10 wholly indicates a collection
device that is intended to be advantageously used for collecting and bagging filth
to be removed from the ground and in particular for collecting solid faeces of pets.
The collection device 10 is especially able to be used by the owners of dogs or other
pets for collecting solid faeces that are dropped by the latter in public areas, like
for example in public parks, on the pavement, etc.
[0021] In accordance with the present invention the collection device 10 comprises a box-shaped
containment body 11, that is equipped with an end wall 12, with an entry mouth 13
and that is elongated in a main direction of extension A.
[0022] The end wall 12 has a recess 12a that extends from the entry mouth 13 parallel to
the direction of extension A.
[0023] The collection device 10 moreover, comprises an inner body 14 that is at least partially
housed in the containment body 11 to which the inner body 14 is mechanically connected
in a sliding relationship along the direction of extension A.
[0024] In other words, the inner body 14 is able to slide in the containment body 11. Advantageously,
the inner body 14 is slidably connected to the containment body 11 by means of guide
means that are placed between the two bodies 11, 14 themselves and that are suitable
for guiding the sliding of the inner body 14 parallel to the direction of extension
A. In particular, such guide means comprise at least one pair of longitudinal ribbings
44 (illustrated in the embodiment of figure 3) which project out from the inner surface
of the containment body 11 at opposite sides of the latter, project parallel to the
direction of extension A and are slidably inserted in homologous longitudinal grooves
43 (illustrated in the embodiment of figure 11) formed on the outer surface of the
inner body 14.
[0025] The inner body 14 is equipped with an inner cavity 15, with a front opening 16 and
with a lower opening 17, which is arranged above the recess 12a of the end wall 12
of the containment body 11 and extends along the inner body 14 from the front opening
16 parallel to the direction of extension A.
[0026] Moreover, the collection device 10 comprises at least one hatch 18a, 18b that is
hinged to the inner body 14 and that is able to close the front opening 16. Preferably,
in accordance with the preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated in the
attached figures, the collection device 10 comprises two hatches 18a and 18b that
face one another and that are each hinged to one side of the inner body 14.
[0027] The collection device 10 also comprises first motor means 19 to actuate the sliding
of the inner body 14 with respect to the containment body 11 parallel to the direction
of extension A of the containment body 11.
[0028] In particular, the first motor means 19 are able to actuate a sliding of the inner
body 14 with respect to the containment body 11 between a first position in which
the inner body 14 extends from the entry mouth 13 of the containment body 11, to a
second position in which the inner body 14 is housed inside the containment body 11.
[0029] In other words, operationally the first motor means 19 are able to selectively actuate
the extension of the inner body 14 from the containment body 11 or the drawing of
the inner body 14 inside the containment body 11.
[0030] The function of the inner body 14, as shall become clearer from what is described
in the rest of the description, is that of extending from the containment body 11
so as to collect filth and subsequently go back inside the containment body 11 to
collect the filth in the latter.
[0031] In accordance with the present invention, the collection device 10 also comprises
kinematic means 20 to actuate the hatches 18a and 18b and in particular to move the
latter between an open position, when the inner body 14 slides from the second position
to the first position, and a closed position, when the inner body 14 slides from the
first position to the second position.
[0032] In the closed position, the hatches 18a and 18b advantageously close the front opening
16 of the inner body 14, on the other hand, in the open position the hatches 18a and
18b are separated and the front opening 16 is free.
[0033] The collection device 10 moreover comprises a blade 21 that is mechanically connected
to the inner body 14. In detail, the blade 21 slidably engages, parallel to the direction
of extension A, the lower opening 17 of the inner body.
[0034] Moreover, the collection device 10 according to the present invention comprises second
motor means 22 to actuate the sliding of the blade 21 with respect to the inner body
14 parallel to the direction of extension A between a third position, in which the
blade 21 is distanced from the front opening 16 of the inner body 14, and a fourth
position in which the blade 21 is substantially in abutment on the lower edge of the
hatches 18a and 18b, wherein said hatches are in the closed position.
[0035] Preferably, the collection device 10 also comprises a bag 23, preferably made from
biodegradable material, which is housed in the inner cavity 15 of the inner body 14
and has a filling opening 24 that is mechanically fixed in a removable manner to a
front lip 25 of the blade 21 in a way such as to be closed by the blade 21 cooperating
with the hatches 18a and 18b when the blade 21 is in the fourth position.
[0036] The collection device 10, moreover, advantageously comprises means for closing the
filling opening 24 of the bag 23 which comprise:
- at least one string 26 that is mechanically associated with the filling opening 24
and is able to close it by throttling and
- a small winch 27 for winding the string 26, which is fixed to the containment body
11 and that can be actuated by third motor means 45 to pull the string 26 so as to
close the bag 23.
[0037] More in detail, the containment body 11 preferably has a tubular structure and is
advantageously equipped with a rear lid 28 on which the small winch 27 is fixed, so
that when the small winch 27 (actuated by the third motor means 45) has pulled the
string 26 and has thus closed the bag 23, the user can open the rear lid 28 and extract
the closed bag 23 from the collection device 10.
[0038] Moreover, the entry mouth 13 of the containment body 11 is advantageously provided
with a slit 13a in which to insert the filling opening 24 of the bag 23 and with a
convex portion 13b on which to fold back the filling opening 24 itself, so that, during
the extension of the inner body 14 from the containment body 11, i.e. when passing
from the second to the first position of the inner body 14, the hatches 18a and 18b,
which are open, insinuate between the bag 23 and the containment body 11 and slip
the filling opening 24 out from the entry mouth 13 bringing the filling opening 24
itself towards the filth to be collected.
[0039] The kinematic means 20 advantageously comprise a shaft 29 for each hatch 18a and
18b having one end that is articulated to the relative hatch 18a and 18b and mechanically
connected to the containment body 11 in sliding relationship with the sliding parallel
to the direction of extension A. The containment body 11 is preferably equipped with
two end stops 30a and 30b that are able to limit the sliding of the shafts 29 along
the containment body 11.
[0040] In particular, of these end stops 30a and 30b, the first one 30a, is able to block
the sliding of the shaft 29 with respect to the containment body 11 when the inner
body 14 is near to the first position, to close the hatches 18a and 18b.
[0041] The second end stop 30b is able to block the sliding of the shaft 29 with respect
to the containment body 11 when the inner body 14 is near to the second position to
open the hatches 18a and 18b.
[0042] Advantageously, the second end stop 30b is equipped with damping means 32, preferably
made up of a spring, that are able to dampen the stopping of the shaft 29 when it
reaches the second end stop 30b itself.
[0043] In other words, operationally the shafts 29 bring the hatches 18a and 18b into the
closed position when the inner body 14 is in the first position, i.e. when it is extended
from the containment body 11, and vice versa bring the hatches 18a and 18b into the
open position when the inner body is in the second position, i.e. when it is retracted
inside the containment body 11.
[0044] The kinematic means 20 preferably also comprise elastic elements 31, preferably springs,
for counteracting the passage of the hatches 18a and 18b between the open position
and the closed position, to stably keep the hatches 18a and 18b selectively in the
open position or in the closed position.
[0045] More in detail, the elastic elements 31 are advantageously able to stably keep the
hatches 18a and 18b in the open position while the inner body 14 slides from the second
position (in which it is retracted inside the containment body 11) to the first position
(in which it is extended from the containment body 11), and similarly are able to
stably keep the hatches 18a and 18b in the closed position while the inner body 14
slides from the first to the second position.
[0046] The first motor means 19 advantageously comprise a first reversible electric motor
33, that is fixed to the containment body 11 and is operatively coupled with at least
one first gear wheel 34 that is engaged with at least one first rack toothing 35 that
is mechanically fixed to the inner body 14. The first electric motor 33 is able to
be actuated to make the inner body 14 slide between the aforementioned first and second
position so as to actuate the extension and the retraction with respect to the containment
body 11.
[0047] The second motor means 22 preferably comprise a second reversible electric motor
36, that is fixed to the containment body 11 and is operatively coupled with at least
one second gear wheel 37 that is engaged with at least one second rack toothing 38
that is mechanically fixed to the blade 21. The second electric motor 36 is able to
be actuated to make the blade 21 slide between the third and the fourth position i.e.
to bring it in contact with the closed hatches 18a and 18b or to retract it, distancing
it from the latter. Preferably, moreover, the collection device 10 comprises light
emission means 39, preferably LEDs, to illuminate at the front of the entry mouth
13 of the containment body 11 so as to facilitate the collection of filth even in
poor lighting conditions, like for example in the evening or at night time.
[0048] Moreover, the collection device 10 advantageously also comprises:
- a control device 40 that is electrically connected to the electric motors 33 and 36
and to the light emission means 39 to control its operation;
- electric power supply batteries 200 that are electrically connected to the control
device 40, to the electric motors 33, 36, to the third motor means 45, and to the
light emission means 39 to electrically feed them.
[0049] The control device 40 is preferably also connected to the third motor means 45 of
the small winch 27, which advantageously comprise a third electric motor 46 that is
driven by the control device 40 so as to actuate the small winch 27 in the way that
shall be described in greater detail in the rest of the description.
[0050] Advantageously, the collection device 10 is equipped with a handle 41 that is fixed
to, or is integral with, the containment body 11, .said handle 41 preferably having
means 100 for indicating the charge level of the aforementioned batteries 200 fixed
to it, said indicator means 100 advantageously being made up of an array of LEDs.
[0051] The handle 41 is preferably equipped with a button 42 that is operatively connected
to the control device 40 so as to drive it.
[0052] Moreover, the containment body 11 advantageously has an upper seat 300 in which the
control device 40 and the batteries 200 are advantageously housed.
[0053] The containment body 11, the inner body 14 and the blade 21 are preferably made from
plastic material.
[0054] Advantageously, the collection device 10 also has a band 50 for supporting leashes,
fixed to the containment body 11.
[0055] The collection device 10, object of the present invention and described so far, mostly
in terms of its structure, is operationally intended to operate as shall be specified
in the rest of the description.
[0056] The collection device 10 is held by the handle 41, the bag 23 is fitted from the
entry mouth 13 with the fold of the bag 23 inserted in the slit 13a of the convex
portion 13b and in the front lip 25 of the blade 21, the rear lid 28 is opened and
the string 26 of the bag 23 is fitted in the small winch 27.
[0057] Then, the rear lid 28 is closed and the small winch 27 is pulled by the third electric
motor 46 so as to keep the bag 23 in place.
[0058] With particular reference to figures 15 to 20, in order to collect the filth S the
user places the collection device 10 on the ground in front of the filth S, then he
actuates the control device 40 (preferably through the button 42), which will start
up the two electric motors 33 and 36, which begin to push the inner body 14 outside
the containment body 11, and the blade 21.
[0059] By coming out from the containment body 11, the hatches 18a and 18b (carried by the
inner body 14) and the blade 21 hook the bag 23 accompanying it outside the containment
body 11 itself.
[0060] The inner body 14 is pushed out until its first position has been reached, in which
it has the maximum extension from the containment body 11. At this point, the shafts
29 close the hatches 18a and 18b and, in turn, also the bag 23.
[0061] The elastic elements 31 keep the hatches 18a and 18b of the inner body 14 in place,
when these begin to go back and collect the filth. The blade 21, that is suitable
for having an advancing movement that is behind with respect to the hatches 18a and
18b, continues to advance towards the closed hatches 18a and 18b, so that, while the
hatches 18a and 18b move back, the blade 21 moves forwards.
[0062] When the blade 21 goes into abutment against the hatches 18a and 18b, both the blade
21 and the hatches 18a and 18b begin to return together inside the containment body
11. Advantageously, the return movement of the inner body 14 and of the blade 21 inside
the containment body 11 is carried out in an automatic manner by the control device
40. In particular, after the containment body 14 has reached its first position (extended)
and after that the hatches 18a and 18b have been brought back into the closed position,
the control device 40 automatically actuates the two electric motors 33 and 36 so
as to bring the inner body 14 and the blade 21 back inside the containment body 11.
Before the complete return of the inner body 14 inside the containment body 11, the
shafts 29 actuate the opening of the hatches 18a and 18b, which occurs in a dampened
and slow manner so that, during the closing step, the bag 23 is not released too quickly
or does not become damaged.
[0063] At this stage, the control device 40 actuates the third electric motor 46 of the
small winch 27 that begins winding the string 26 of the bag 23, bringing the dirty
parts back inside the bag 23 itself and thus preventing it from getting dirty in the
subsequent removal of the bag 23 from the containment body 14.
[0064] Then the control device 40 drives the small winch 27 to release the string 26 and
the user can extract the bag 23 from the collection device through the rear lid 28.
[0065] In practice it has been seen how a collection device according to the finding reaches
the task and the proposed purposes.
1. Collection device (10)
characterised in that it comprises:
- a containment body (11) equipped with an end wall (12), an entry mouth (13) and
elongated in a main direction of extension (A), said end wall (12) having a recess
(12a) that extends from said entry mouth (13) parallel to said direction of extension
(A);
- an inner body (14) at least partially housed in said containment body (11) to which
said inner body (14) is slidably connected along said direction of extension (A),
said inner body (14) being equipped with an inner cavity (15), with a front opening
(16) and with a lower opening (17) which extends from said front opening (16) parallel
to said direction of extension (A);
- at least one hatch (18a, 18b) hinged to said inner body (14) and able to close said
front opening (16);
- a blade (21) engaging said lower opening (17), overlapping said end wall (12) and
slidably connected to said inner body (14) parallel to said direction of extension
(A);
- first motor means (19) to actuate the sliding of said inner body (14) with respect
to said containment body (11) parallel to the direction of extension (A) of said containment
body (11), between a first position in which said inner body (14) extends from the
entry mouth (13) of said containment body (11), and a second position in which said
inner body (14) is housed in said containment body (11);
- kinematic means (20) to actuate said at least one hatch (18a, 18b) between an open
position and a closed position,
- second motor means (22) to actuate the sliding of said blade (21) with respect to
said inner body (14) parallel to said direction of extension (A) between a third position,
in which said blade (21) is distanced from said front opening (16) of said inner body
(14), and a fourth position in which said blade (21) is substantially in abutment
on the lower edge of said at least one hatch (18a, 18b), with the latter being in
said closed position.
2. Collection device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a bag (23) housed in the inner cavity (15) of said inner body (14) and
having a filling opening (24) mechanically fixed in a removable manner to a front
lip (25) of said blade (21) and to the entry mouth (13) of said containment body (11).
3. Collection device (10) according to claim 2,
characterised in that it comprises closing means of the filling opening (24) of said bag (23) comprising:
- at least one string (26) mechanically associated with said filling opening (24)
and able to close it by throttling, and
- a small winch (27) for winding said string (26), fixed to said containment body
(11) and able to be actuated by third motor means (45) to pull said string (26) to
close said bag (23).
4. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises two of said hatches (18a, 18b) facing one another and each hinged to
a side of said inner body (14).
5. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims,
characterised in that said kinematic means (20) comprise, for each of said at least one hatch (18a, 18b),
a shaft (29) having an extremity articulated to said at least one hatch (18a, 18b)
and slidably connected to said containment body (11) parallel to said direction of
extension (A), said containment body (11) being equipped with two end sliding stops
(30a, 30b) for said shaft (29) of which:
- a first end stop (30a) able to block the sliding of said shaft (29) with respect
to said containment body (11) with said inner body (14) near to said first position
to actuate said at least one hatch (18a, 18b) closed;
- a second end stop (30b) able to block the sliding of said shaft (29) with respect
to said containment body (11) with said inner body (14) near to said second position
to actuate said at least one hatch (18a, 18b) open.
6. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said kinematic means (20) comprise elastic elements (31) for counteracting the passing
of said at least one hatch (18a, 18b) between said open position and said closed position,
to stably keep said hatch (18a, 18b) selectively in said open position or in said
closed position.
7. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said first motor means (19) comprise a first reversible electric motor (33) fixed
to said containment body (11) and operatively coupled with at least a first gear wheel
(34) engaged with at least a first rack toothing (35) mechanically fixed to said inner
body (14), said first electric motor (33) being able to be actuated to make said inner
body (14) slide between said first position and said second position.
8. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said second motor means (22) comprise a second reversible electric motor (36) fixed
to said containment body (11) and operatively coupled with at least a second gear
wheel (37) engaged with at least a second rack toothing (38) mechanically fixed to
said blade (21), said second electric motor (36) being able to be actuated to make
said blade (21) slide between said third position and said fourth position.
9. Collection device (10) according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises light emission means (39) to illuminate the front of the entry mouth
(13) of said containment body (11).
10. Collection device (10) according to claims 3, 7, 8 and 9,
characterised in that it comprises:
- a control device (40) electrically connected to said electric motors (33, 36), to
the third motor means (45) of said winch (27), and to said light emission means (39)
to control them;
- electric power supply batteries (200) electrically connected to said control device
(40), to said electric motors (33, 36), to said third motor means (45) and to said
light emission means (39) to electrically feed them.