WO2023039655A1 - Device for collecting animal excrements - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for collecting animal excrements is configured in the form of a stick and comprises a handle (1), a rod element (2), control buttons (3), an electric drive unit (4), a lighting element (5), and a replaceable element (6) for collecting and retaining animal excrements. The electric drive unit (4), disposed in a separate housing (7), is mounted at the opposite end of the rod element (2) from the handle (1) and is configured to allow the removable installation and controlled rotation of the replaceable element (6) in a cavity provided on the free end of the housing (7) that is opposite from the handle (1). The electric drive unit (4) has, connected to an electric motor (8), a mechanism (9) for the controlled release of the replaceable element (6). The invention makes it possible to automate the controlled release of a replaceable element for collecting and retaining animal excrements and to protect a person from touching a used replaceable element.

Description

Animal faeces collection device

The claimed invention relates to devices for collecting animal waste and is intended for collecting animal feces, in particular dogs, from the surfaces of grassy lawns, earth, sidewalks, etc. The invention can be used by pet owners when walking dogs on the street or by public utilities, zoo workers when cleaning up areas from animal feces.

Today, there are a large number of pets in the world, in particular, dogs [1], while their owners need to regularly walk their pets on the street. In many countries, the rules for keeping pets require the collection of pet waste produced by them. The collection and disposal of animal feces is necessary, firstly, to maintain the cleanliness of public places where the animal walks, and secondly, since the excretions of animals contain a large amount of dangerous pathogenic microflora: parasites, helminths and other microorganisms harmful to human health. Infection of a person, especially children, can occur, for example, through the sole of a shoe or through direct contact with the ground. Uncleaned excrement in places where people stay can cause a variety of diseases [2].

In the modern world, there are many devices for collecting feces, such as disposable plastic or biodegradable paper bags, cleaning scoops, hygienic tongs, etc. [3]. The main disadvantage of such devices is the fact that in order to collect excrement from the surface of the earth, the cleaning person needs to lean down to the feces - the source of an unpleasant odor. At the same time, it can be uncomfortable for a person both psychologically and simply physically difficult to clean, especially in the presence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system or due to age restrictions. Also, for example, when using bags directly, a person has to tactilely contact with the unpleasant consistency of feces with his hands.

Known cane for collecting feces [4], containing an elongated body, a handle mounted on the upper end of the specified body, a bowl located on the basis of the specified body, the auger having blades mounted with the possibility of rotation inside the housing and being in working connection with a two-way motor, while said handle contains a battery for electrical power of the specified two-way motor, and said two-way motor is controlled by a switch for selectively rotating the screw inside the housing in a forward direction to collect feces moving along the said screw along the axis of rotation and then held inside said bowl, and in the opposite direction to release feces from said bowl. The disadvantage of the described device is that the auger in this design does not allow to "pull" all the feces from the required place into the device. Also, based on the analysis of the design, when using this device, it is difficult to regularly wash and disinfect the bowl, body and auger.

Also known is a device for collecting animal waste [5], made in the form of a cane, containing a handle, a rod element, control buttons, an electric drive unit, a backlight element and a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces. The end of the rod element is hollow and is provided with a spring-loaded button or latch, which is clamped with a finger when the replaceable element is attached and held pressed until it is aligned with the receiving hole in the side wall of the replaceable element. Once animal waste has been collected in the animal faeces collection and retention element, it can be detached from the shaft element by pressing a button and said replacement element can be discarded. Further, a new interchangeable element for collecting and holding animal feces can be attached to the rod element. The disadvantage of the device is that in order to unfasten the used replaceable element, a person has to contact with the replaceable element in which the collected animal feces are located, and also that the attachment and detachment of the replaceable element are labor-intensive. To carry out the process of replacing the element, due to the presence of a spring-loaded button or latch, a person must simultaneously use both hands: with one hand it is necessary to press the button - to squeeze it, and with the second - to remove the replaceable element. There is a need for additional fixation of the device, for example, by tilting a person to the device and resting on the ground, or by lifting the device up with his hands with its further interception, holding the device, for example, in the elbow bend. Based on the combination of common technical features, the above-mentioned device for collecting animal waste was chosen as a prototype for the proposed device for collecting animal feces [5].

Thus, the object of the invention is to develop a device for collecting animal feces, the design of which eliminates the disadvantages of similar devices from the prior art. The technical result, to which the invention is directed, is the automation of controlled detachment of replaceable elements for collecting and holding animal feces while avoiding tactile contact of a person with used replaceable elements and with minimal human energy consumption during device operation.

The problem is solved, and the technical results are achieved using the proposed device for collecting animal feces, made in the form of a cane, containing a handle, a rod element, control buttons, an electric drive unit, a backlight element and a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces. The problem is solved, and the technical results are achieved due to the fact that the electric drive unit is placed in a separate housing, installed at the end of the rod element opposite the handle, and made with the possibility of removable installation and controlled rotation in the cavity provided at the free end of the housing opposite the handle, a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces, while the electric drive unit is equipped with a mechanism for controlled detachment of the replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces connected to the electric motor. Thus, when using the device for its intended purpose, the user does not come into contact with the filled replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces.

In preferred forms of implementation, the control buttons are located on the handle and on the housing of the electric drive unit. This allows you to effectively operate the device even in the absence of a rod element and a handle.

In various preferred embodiments, the housing of the electric drive unit in the longitudinal direction is made of the upper and lower parts, while the lower part is formed by the outer and inner housings.

In a number of preferred forms of implementation, the outer and inner housings of the lower part of the electric drive unit are interconnected and contain sliding contacts located between them, made in the form of carbon brushes and circular conductive plates. Also in preferred embodiments, the outer housing of the lower part of the electric drive unit at the free end contains a cavity for accommodating the inner housing of the lower part of the electric drive unit, made with the possibility of axial rotation of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.

In alternative forms of implementation, the cavity for installing and controlled rotation of the replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces is made in the inner housing of the lower part of the electric drive unit.

The electric drive unit preferably includes a battery, two electric motors connected to it via an electronic board, installed in series and coaxially, one of the electric motors is configured to provide axial rotation of the inner housing with a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces in its cavity and is installed in the upper part of the housing of the electric drive unit, and the second electric motor is connected with the mechanism of controlled detachment of the replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces and is installed in the inner housing of the lower part of the housing of the electric drive unit.

In the preferred forms of implementation, the mechanism for controlled detachment of the replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces consists of an automatic switch connected to the electric motor, a limiter made in the form of a protrusion on the inner wall of the cavity of the inner housing of the lower part of the electric drive unit, a plate mounted on the motor shaft of the inner housing of the lower part drive unit connected to the shaft by a threaded connection and configured to move along the entire length of the shaft, latches fixed on the inner wall of the cavity of the inner housing of the lower part of the drive unit, designed to hold a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces and rotating within a certain sector relative to the axis of attachment to the wall and having a sliding connection with the plate by means of rods fixed in the plate and passing through the slot in the latch, springs, one end of each of which is fixed to the inner to the wall of the inner casing of the lower part of the electric drive unit, and the other end is attached to the latch.

In various forms of implementation, a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces contains a tubular body, on the side surface of which slots are made in the upper zone, the position, shape and size of which correspond to the position, shape and size of the latches of the controlled mechanism. detachment of the replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces, the upper blind cover installed in the housing cavity in the upper zone below the slots, and the lower cover installed in the housing cavity in the lower zone and provided with a cutout in the form of a sector of a circle with an arc of about 90°, while the bottom cover in the area of one of the cutout radii is connected to the top cover by a vertical wall installed from the side surface of the body, at least to the center of the bottom cover, and in the area of the second of the cutout radii it is provided with a guide element made in the form of an inclined towards the bottom base of the body plates. This design of the replaceable element allows you to effectively "pick up" from the surfaces and keep the feces of animals inside.

In the proposed design of the device for collecting animal feces, the rod element is preferably made telescopic and removable. This is done so that the height of the device can be adjusted according to the height of the user. At the same time, when the rod element is removed, the device retains its operability.

The present invention is further explained by a preferred, but not limiting, example of the claimed device for collecting animal feces with reference to the positions of the drawings, which clearly demonstrate the possibility of achieving the desired technical result. The drawings show schematically:

Fig. 1 - General view of the proposed device for collecting animal feces;

Fig. 2 - general view in section of the proposed device for collecting animal feces;

Fig. 3 is a fragment of the device for collecting animal feces according to FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragment of the device for collecting animal faeces according to FIG. 3 in the contact area;

Fig. 5 is a fragment of the device for collecting animal faeces according to FIG. 1 (block of the mechanism for controlled detachment of a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces) without a housing;

Fig. 6 is a general view of a replaceable element for collecting and holding animal feces.

On FIG. 1 shows a general view, Fig. 2 is a general sectional view, and in Fig. 3 - a fragment on an enlarged scale of a device for collecting animal feces, made in the form of a cane, containing a handle 1, a rod element 2, buttons 3 control, electric drive unit 4, lighting element 5 and replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces. At the same time, the electric drive unit 4 is placed in a separate housing 7, installed at the end of the rod element 2, opposite to the handle 1, and made with the possibility of removable installation and controlled rotation in the cavity provided at the free end of the housing 7, opposite to the handle 1, of a replaceable element 6 for collecting and retention of animal faeces. The electric drive unit 4 is equipped with a mechanism 9 connected with the electric motor 8 (shown in Fig. 2) for controlled detachment of the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces.

In the form of implementation shown in the drawing, the rod element 2 is made telescopic and removable.

Also presented in the drawing form of implementation of the button 3 control placed on the handle 1 and on the housing 7 of the block 4 of the drive.

In the form of implementation shown in the drawing, the housing 7 of the block 4 of the electric drive in the longitudinal direction is made of the upper 10 and lower 11 parts, while the lower part 11 is formed by the outer 12 and inner 13 housings.

The electric drive unit 4 includes a battery 14 connected to it through an electronic board 15 two electric motors 8, 16 installed in series and coaxially, while one of the electric motors 16 is configured to provide axial rotation of the inner casing 13 with a replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces in its cavity and is installed in the upper part 10 of the housing 7 of the electric drive unit 4, and the second electric motor 8 is connected to the mechanism 9 of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces and is installed in the inner housing 13 of the lower part 11 of the electric drive unit 4.

The outer casing 12 of the lower part 11 of the electric drive unit 4 at the free end contains a cavity for accommodating the inner casing 13 of the lower part 11 of the electric drive unit 4, made with the possibility of axial rotation of the inner casing 13 relative to the outer casing 12.

Also in the implementation form shown in the drawing, the outer 12 and inner 13 housings of the lower part 11 of the drive unit 4 are interconnected and contain sliding contacts 17 located between them, made in the form of carbon brushes and circular conductive plates (shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 4) . On FIG. 5 shows a fragment of a device for collecting animal feces - a block of the mechanism 9 for controlled detachment of a replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces without an inner case 13. with an electric motor 8 of the circuit breaker 18, a limiter 19 made in the form of a protrusion on the inner wall 20 of the cavity of the inner housing 13 of the lower part 1 1 of the electric drive unit 4, the plate 21 mounted on the shaft 22 of the electric motor 8 of the inner housing 13 of the lower part 11 of the electric drive unit 4 connected with a shaft 22 threaded connection and made with the ability to move along the entire length of the shaft 22, latches 23 fixed on the inner wall 20 of the cavity of the inner housing 13 of the lower part 11 of the block 4 of the electric drive, made with the possibility of holding a replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces and rotation in p within a certain sector relative to the axis of attachment to the wall 20 and having a sliding connection with the plate 21 by means of rods 24 fixed in the plate 21 and passing through the slot 25 in the latch 23, springs 26, one end of each of which is fixed on the inner wall 20 of the inner case 13 of the lower part 1 1 of the electric drive unit 4, and the other end is attached to the latch 23.

On FIG. 6 shows a general view of the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal faeces. In the form of implementation shown in the drawing, the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces contains a tubular body 27, on the side surface 28 of which, in the upper zone, slots 29 are made, the position, shape and size of which corresponds to the position, shape and size of the latches 23 of the mechanism 9 of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces, the upper blind cover 30 installed in the cavity of the housing 27 in the upper zone below the slots 29, and the lower cover 31 installed in the cavity of the housing 27 in the lower zone and provided with a cutout 32 in the form of a sector of a circle with an arc of about 90°, while the bottom cover 31 in the area of one of the radii 33 of the cutout 32 is connected with the top cover 30 by a vertical wall 34 installed from the side surface 28 of the housing 27, at least to the center of the bottom cover 31, and in the area of the second of radius 35 cutout 32 is provided with a guide element 36, made in the form of an inclined in the direction of the lower base 37 of the body 27 of the plate.

The inventive device for collecting animal feces works as follows. The user holds the device vertically by the handle 1 or by the housing 7 of the block 4 of the electric drive. The rod element 2 can then be removed and held device for the body 7 of the block 4 of the electric drive. The casing 7 of the block 4 of the electric drive in the longitudinal direction is made of the upper 10 and lower And parts, while the lower part 11 is formed by the outer 12 and inner 13 cases. In the inner case 13 of the lower part 11 of the block 4 of the electric drive, a replaceable element 6 is placed to collect and hold animal feces by the user's muscular strength, or by pressing on the replaceable element 6 with a device located vertically above it. At the same time, the replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces is made of a biodegradable material and contains a tubular body 27, on the side surface 28 of which, in the upper zone, slots 29 are made, the position, shape and size of which corresponds to the position, shape and size of the latches 23 of the mechanism 9 controlled detachment of the replaceable element 6 for collecting and retaining animal feces, the upper blind cover 30 installed in the body cavity 27 in the upper zone below the slots 29, and the bottom cover 31 installed in the body cavity 27 in the lower zone and provided with a cutout 32 in the form of a sector of a circle with an arc of about 90°, while the bottom cover 31 in the area of one of the radii 33 of the cutout 32 is connected with the top cover 30 by a vertical wall 34 installed from the side surface 28 of the body 27, at least to the center of the bottom cover 31, and in the area of the second of the radii 33 of the cutout 32 is provided with a guide element 36, made in the form of an inclined in the direction of the lower base 37 of the housing 27 pla mud. When the replaceable element 6 is attached to the inner casing 13 of the lower part 1 1 of the electric drive unit 4, the corresponding latch 23 falls into each slot 29. This occurs either immediately upon connection, if the slot 29 was directly under the latch 23, or when the rotation of the replaceable element 6 begins. This possible due to the constant pressure of the springs 26 on the latches 23, which in turn, with their free part, press on the inner part of the side surface 28 of the cavity of the housing 27 of the replaceable element 6. Due to the engagement of the latches 23 in the slots 29, the replaceable element 6 is fixed to collect and hold feces animals in the inner housing 13 of the lower part 11 of the block 4 of the electric drive, and it is also possible to rotate it together with the said housing 13.

If it is necessary to directly collect feces, the user holds the device vertically above them and presses once any of the control buttons 3, the control signal from which is transmitted to the electronic board 15. Further, electric current is supplied from the electronic board 15 to the electric motor 16 and its rotation begins. The electric motor 16 is connected to the inner housing 13 and provides its axial rotation together with the motor located inside its cavity. replaceable element 6 for collecting and holding animal feces. When the replaceable element 6 is rotated by means of a guide element 36, made in the form of a plate inclined in the direction of the lower base 37 of the body 24, the feces are "picked up" from the surface and move along the bottom cover 31 further inside the replaceable element 6 and, due to their viscous and sticky consistency, remain on walls of its interior.

After the collection of feces to stop the rotation of the replaceable element 6, the user repeatedly presses the control button 3 once. The control signal is transmitted to the electronic board 15. Further, from the board 15, the supply of electric current to the electric motor 16 is stopped, and it stops.

After that, the user approaches the waste collection site, presses the control button 3 twice, the control signal goes to the electronic board 15, as a result of which electric current is supplied to the electric motor 8 through the sliding contacts 17. The electric motor 8 starts to rotate the shaft 22 for a predetermined time. In this case, due to the presence of a threaded connection of the shaft 22 and the plate 21, the plate 21 and the rods 24 of the mechanism 9 of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element 6 move in the direction of the handle 1. In this case, part of the path from the entire length of the movement, the rods 24 freely pass through the slot 25 in the latch 23. Then, at a certain moment, the rods 24 reach the end of this slot 25 and exert pressure on the latch 23 itself in this part. The latch 23, which is fastened to the wall 20, begins to move relative to this fastening axis and rotates within a certain predetermined sector. In this case, the springs 26 are simultaneously compressed and the latches 23 are retracted from the slots 29 in the side surface 28 of the replaceable element 6. The latches 23 disengage from the slots 29, and the replaceable element 6 filled with faeces is itself disconnected from the device under the action of gravity. After that, the electronic board 15 independently, through sliding contacts 17, supplies electric current to the electric motor 8 in a reversed polarity. The electric motor 8 begins to rotate the shaft 22 in the opposite direction, thereby returning the plate 21 to its original position. The rotation of the electric motor 8 is stopped by opening the circuit between the sliding contacts 17 and the electric motor 8 by the automatic switch 18, which, when the plate 21 returns to its original position, touches the limiter 19 at a certain moment. Thus, the device after collecting animal feces remains clean and ready for reuse.

When operating the device, detachment of replaceable elements for collection and retention of animal feces occurs by automated control, while the user avoids tactile contact with the used replaceable elements.

The device can also be used in the dark, since it contains a backlight element 5, which is turned on by long pressing the control button 3. The control signal is applied to the board 15, which supplies electric current to the backlight element. The shutdown process is carried out by repeated long pressing of the control button 3.

Information sources.

1 . How many pets are there in the world? Internet resource "Arguments and Facts". [Electronic resource] - August 23, 2021 - Access mode: https://aif.ru/societv/nature/skolko vsego v mire domashnih zhivotnyh

2. What can you get from dogs? Internet resource FBUZ "Center for hygienic education of the population". [Electronic resource] - August 23, 2021 - Access mode: http://cgon.rospotrebnadzor.ru/content/63/2716

3. Cleaning up after the dog on the street. Internet resource Pet story. [Electronic resource] - July 29, 2021 - Access mode: https://petstory.ru/knowledge/dogs/dog-sage/ uborka-za-sobakoy-na-ul itse/

4. US Patent 7,900,644 publ. October 23, 2008

5. Patent GB 2398996 published. 09/08/2004

Claims

Claim 1. A device for collecting animal feces, made in the form of a cane, containing a handle (1), a rod element (2), control buttons (3), an electric drive unit (4), a backlight element (5) and a replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces, characterized in that the electric drive unit (4) is placed in a separate housing (7), installed at the end of the rod element (2) opposite to the handle (1), and is made with the possibility of removable installation and controlled rotation in the cavity provided on the free end of the housing (7), opposite the handle (1), of the replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces, while the electric drive unit (4) is equipped with a mechanism (9) for controlled detachment of the replaceable element (6) connected to the electric motor (8). ) to collect and hold animal faeces. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control buttons (3) are located on the handle (1) and on the housing (7) of the electric drive unit (4). 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (7) of the electric drive unit (4) in the longitudinal direction is made up of the upper (10) and lower (I) parts, while the lower part (11) is formed by the outer (12) and inner (13) cases. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer (12) and inner (13) housings of the lower part (11) of the electric drive unit (4) are interconnected and contain sliding contacts (17) located between them, made in the form of carbon brushes and circular conductive plates. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer housing (12) of the lower part (1 1 ) of the block (4) of the electric drive at the free end contains a cavity for accommodating the inner housing (13) of the lower part (1 1) of the block (4) electric drive, made with the possibility of axial rotation of the inner housing (13) in relation to the outer housing (12). 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity for installing and controlled rotation of the replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces is made in the inner housing (13) of the lower part (I) of the electric drive unit (4). 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric drive unit (4) includes a battery (14), connected to it through an electronic board (15), two electric motors (8, 16) installed in series and coaxially, with one from of electric motors (16) is configured to provide axial rotation of the inner body (13) with a replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces in its cavity and is installed in the upper part (10) of the body (7) of the electric drive unit (4), and the second the electric motor (8) is connected to the mechanism (9) of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces and is installed in the inner housing (13) of the lower part (11) of the electric drive unit (4). 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism (9) of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces consists of an automatic switch (18) connected to the electric motor (8), a limiter (19), made in in the form of a protrusion on the inner wall (20) of the cavity of the inner housing (13) of the lower part (11) of the electric drive unit (4), plate (21) mounted on the shaft (22) of the electric motor (8) of the inner housing (11) of the electric drive unit (4) connected to the shaft (22) by a threaded connection and made movable along the entire length of the shaft (22), latches (23) fixed on the inner wall (20) of the cavity of the inner housing (13) of the lower part (1 1) of the block (4) of an electric drive, made with the possibility of holding a replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces and rotating within a certain sector relative to the axis of attachment to the wall (20), having a sliding connection with the plate (21) by means of rods (24) fixed in plate (21) and passing through the slot (25) in the latch (23), springs (26), one end of each of which is fixed on the inner wall (20) of the inner casing (13) of the lower part (1 1) of the block (4) actuator, and the other end is attached to the latch (23). 9. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 8, characterized in that the replaceable element (6) for collecting and retaining animal feces contains a tubular body (27), on the side surface (28) of which slots (29) are made in the upper zone, the position, shape and size of which corresponds to the position, shape and size of the latches (23) of the mechanism (9) of the controlled detachment of the replaceable element (6) for collecting and holding animal feces, the upper blind cover (30) installed in the body cavity (27) in the upper zone below the slots (29), and a bottom cover (31) installed in the body cavity (27) in the lower zone and provided with a cutout (32) in the form of a sector of a circle with an arc of about 90°, while the bottom cover (31) is in the area of one of the cutout radii (33) ( 32) is connected with the top cover (30) by a vertical wall (34) installed from the side surface (28) of the body (27), at least to the center of the bottom cover (31), and in the area of the second of the radii (35) of the cutout ( 32) equipped guide element (36), made in the form of a plate inclined towards the lower base (37) of the body (27). 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod element (2) is made telescopic and removable.