Pet Waste Tray

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus to collect pet waste. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved pet waste collection tray that prevents collected pet waste from falling off the tray when additional pet waste is collected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many pet owners use a combination of a tray and rake (or spade) to pick up their pet's solid waste (i.e., dog feces). The tray may be flat and surrounded by three walls. Namely, a back wall and two sidewalls that leave the front open to receive pet waste. Most commonly, a handle is attached to the rear of the back wall when the tray is fixed (e.g., the tray does not swing or move independently of the handle). The tray's front edge is usually flush with the most forward point of each sidewall.

The tray may include a vertical handle connected to the rear of the back wall to allow the owner to collect waste without bending over. The rake is usually used for uneven surfaces (e.g., grassy lawn) and the spade for flat surfaces (e.g. a kennel floor) to scrape waste onto the tray. The owner then dumps the waste into a bag, or other receptacle.

Many pet owners collect their dog's waste at the end of the day from a back yard (e.g., after work). By this time, a dog may have deposited feces at multiple locations in the yard.

A problem with this type of prior art tray is that when a first piece of solid waste has been collected and the tray is tilted forward to collect a second piece of solid waste, the first piece of waste often falls off the tray onto the ground. This is especially true when the waste is dry and cylindrically shaped, or when the surface that the waste is gathered from is uneven and requires the tray to be tilted almost vertically to get under the waste to prevent the waste from being smeared on the lawn.

Another problem with prior art pet waste collection trays is that when one rinses them with water from a garden hose, water mixed with pet waste often splashes off an interior tray wall and onto the user. Think of washing a spoon in a sink and having the water splash on you, but with much more water mixed with pet waste. Therefore, there remains a need for a pet waste collection tray that can be used to collect a second piece of pet waste without having an already collected first piece of pet waste falling off the tray, and that can be rinsed off without splashing a user with pet waste.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

To overcome the aforesaid deficiencies in prior art pet waste collection trays, disclosed is a pet waste collection tray apparatus that includes a ramp that extends from the front of the tray in a downward angle, relative to the top surface of the tray, so that a first piece of collected pet waste will not fall off the tray's surface when a second piece of pet waste is collected onto the tray. The ramp is preferably made of a unified one-piece construction with the tray, and be made of metal (e.g., aluminum), plastic, or other suitable material. The tray's back wall may include one or more holes to receive a stream of water from behind to rinse off the tray's surface without splashing feces on a user. A substantially vertical handle may be attached to the rear of the back tray wall when the tray is fixed (i.e., the tray moves when the handle is moved). However, the handle may be attached at a different angle, or at a different location on the tray.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a tray for collecting pet waste, the tray further comprising a top surface, a back, a front edge, and a downward angled ramp; wherein the ramp is of a one-piece unified construction with the tray and extends downward from the tray's front edge to hold the front of the tray higher than the back of the tray to prevent a first piece of collected pet waste from falling off the tray's top surface when a second piece of pet waste is collected onto the tray. Additionally, the tray's top surface may include a raised portion (e.g., a ridge, a bump(s), etc.) to prevent a first piece of pet waste from falling off the tray by blocking it when the tray is tilted forward to collect a second piece of pet waste. For example, the raised portion may include a “speed bump” like ridge that is substantially parallel to the tray's front. The ridge may be a singular solid length, a collection of lengths, or include staggered segments, a bump, or a pattern of raised bumps. The raised portion may be of a unified one-piece construction with the tray or be attached to the tray's top surface. Alternatively, or in combination with a raised portion, the surface may include one or more small cavities, indentations, pits, etc. to keep a first piece of collected waste from falling off the tray.

In an alternate embodiment, the invention comprises a ramp apparatus for a pet waste tray, wherein the ramp holds the tray's front higher than the tray's back end when the tray is on a flat surface to prevent a first piece of collected pet waste from falling off the tray when a subsequent piece of pet waste is collected. In this embodiment the ramp may not be of a one-piece construction with the tray, but instead is removably attachable to a pet waste tray's front edge by means of an engaging structure/mechanism (e.g. clamping, friction fit, screws, adhesive, etc.). Alternatively, the ramp may be of a unified one-piece construction with the tray. Further, the ramp may be made of the same or different material than the tray. For example, many fixed trays are metal, but the attachable ramp may be made of plastic or other suitable material.

In another alternative embodiment, the invention comprises a raised ridge for a substantially flat surfaced pet waste tray. The raised ridge is for the pet waste tray's top surface and is configured to prevent a first piece of pet waste, that has been collected onto the tray's top surface between the raised ridge and a back wall of the tray, from falling off the tray's top surface when a subsequent piece of pet waste is collected onto the tray's top surface. The ridge may be substantially parallel to the front edge of the tray to prevent collected pet waste from falling off the tray's surface when collecting a second piece of waste. The ridge may be located proximate to the front edge of tray and/or perpendicular to a side wall of the tray. In yet another alternate embodiment, the tray's surface may not be flat, but instead, in whole or in part, be folded/shaped to have ripples on it (e.g., like a RUFFLES® Original Potato Chips) to stop pet waste from falling off the tray when a second piece of waste is collected.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the invention comprises a back wall for a pet waste collection tray, wherein the back wall comprises a hole that is configured to receive a stream of water from behind the back wall (e.g., from a garden hose) to clean a surface of the pet waste collection tray and prevent water mixed with pet waste from splashing a user when the user cleans the tray. The hole(s) may be of a size (e.g., a diameter) large enough to accommodate a stream of water from a garden hose to allow the stream to substantially pass through the wall without the stream striking the back wall and/or the edges of the hole.

Other objectives and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated, and the manner described, that are within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a new pet waste tray and ramp.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the new pet waste tray and ramp in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a right-side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a left-side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an attachable ramp for a pet waste tray.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the ramp in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the ramp in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention solves the aforesaid problems by providing a new ramped tray for collecting pet waste that prevents a first piece of collected pet waste from accidentally falling off the tray onto the ground when a user collects a second piece of pet waste. These and other features, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to”, or other like phrases, shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended, or required, where such broadening phrases may be absent.

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of diverse ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the ramped tray apparatus 10. The tray 10 includes a ramp 12 that extends in a downward angle from the front 14 of the tray's 10 top surface 16. The ramp 12 preferably is of a one-piece unified construction with the tray 10. The tray 10 preferably includes two sidewalls 18 & 20, and a back wall 22. The back wall 22 may include at least one hole 24 to allow water from a garden hose (not shown) to pass through the back wall 22 and onto the top surface 16 of the tray 10 to rinse off any stuck-on pet waste (not shown) without splashing wastewater on the user. The hole 24 is preferably large enough to permit a stream of water from a garden hose to pass through the hole 24 without splashing a user but may be a different size/configuration (e.g., many small holes).

Additionally, or instead of a ramp 12, the tray 10 may comprise at least one ridge 26, or other upward protruding feature (e.g. one or more bumps 28) on the top surface 16 of the tray 10 to prevent a first piece of collected pet waste from falling off the surface 16 when a second piece of pet waste is collected. The ridge 26 may be created by affixing an object to the tray's 10 top surface 16 (as shown), by folding the tray 10 itself to create a ridge 26 on the top surface 16, other one-piece construction with the tray 10. The tray 10 preferably includes a handle 30 that is attached to the rear of the back wall 22.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the new pet waste tray 10. The tray 10 includes a downward angled ramp 12 that extends from the front 14 of the tray's 10 top surface 16. In a preferred embodiment, the tray 10 and ramp 12 are of a unified one-piece construction. The surface 16 is preferably surrounded by two sidewalls 18 & 20 and a back wall 22. The back wall 22 may include at least one hole 24 to allow a user to direct a stream of water from a garden hose through the hole 24 and onto the top surface 16 to clean it. A user may stand behind the tray 10 to rinse off the top surface 16, and since there is no wall opposite the back wall 20 a user can rinse the tray 10 without splashing dog feces onto him/herself. Alternatively, or in addition to a hole 24 in the back wall 22, a sidewall 18 & 20, or both, may include a hole (not shown) to rinse the tray 10.

The tray 10 may include a ridge 26, or other raised portion(s), such as a bump 28, to prevent a collected piece of pet waste from accidentally falling off the tray's 10 top surface 16 when a second piece of pet waste is collected.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the tray 10, including a handle 30, back wall 22 and at least one hole 24. The handle 30 may be attached to the rear of the back wall 22, or other part of the tray 10.

FIG. 4 shows a right-side view of the tray 10, comprising a ramp 12 that extends in a downward angle from the front 14 top surface 16 of the tray 10. The ramp 12 holds the front 14 of the tray 10 higher than the back 32 of the tray 10 (when resting on a flat surface), so that when pet waste is collected onto the top surface 16 of the tray 10, it will not fall off when a second piece of pet waste is collected. Additionally, the tray's top surface 16 may include a raised ridge 26, or other raised portion (e.g., a bump 28), to keep collected pet waste from accidentally falling off the tray 10 when additional pet waste is collected. The raised ridge 26 may be of a one-piece unified construction with the tray 10, or a separate apparatus attached to the tray's 10 top surface 16 (e.g., bolted or glued on). A handle 30 is preferably attached to the rear of the back wall 22 to allow a user to collect waste without bending over and/or manipulate the tray's 10 position to rinse off the tray 10 from behind, through a hole 24 in the back wall 22.

FIG. 5 shows a left-side view of the tray 10, comprising a ramp 12 that extends in a downward angle from the front 14 top surface 16. The ramp 12 holds the front 14 of the tray 10 higher than the back 32 of the tray 10, so that when pet waste is collected onto the top surface 16 of the tray 10 it will not fall off when a second piece of pet waste is collected. Additionally, the tray's top surface 16 may include a ridge 26, or other raised portion (e.g., a bump 28), to keep collected pet waste from accidentally falling off the tray 10 when additional pet waste is collected. A handle 30 is preferably attached to the rear of the back wall 22 to allow a user collect waste and/or manipulate the tray's 10 position to rinse the tray 10 from behind, through a hole 24 in the back wall 22.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the tray 10, comprising a handle 30 attached to the rear of the back wall 22. The back wall 22 may include a hole 24 useable to gush garden hose water (for example) through to clean the top surface 16 of the tray 10. The tray 10 further comprises a ramp 12 that is preferably integral to the tray's material and of a unified one-pieced construction with the tray 10 that extends in a downward angle from the tray's 10 front 14 to hold the front 14 of the tray 10 higher than the back 32 of the tray 10 when the tray 10 rests on a flat surface. The top surface 16 may include a ridge 26, or other raised portion (e.g., a bump 28, or collection of them), and be surrounded by two sidewalls 18 & 20 and a back wall 22.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the tray 10. The tray 10 comprises a ramp 12 that extends downward from the tray's 10 front that holds the front 14 of the tray 10 higher than the back 32 of the tray 10 to prevent a first piece of collected pet waste from falling off the tray 10 when a subsequent piece of waste is collected. The tray 10 includes two sidewalls 18 & 20 and a handle 30 that may be attached to the rear of the back wall 22. The back wall 22 may include a hole 24 that is used to direct a stream of water through (e.g., from a garden hose) to clean the tray 10. For example, a user can hold the handle 30 to turn the front 14 of the tray 10 away from the user and direct a stream of water through the hole 24 in the back wall 22 to rinse off the tray 10. The tray's 10 top surface (not shown) may additionally include a ridge 26, or bump 28, to prevent a first piece of collected pet waste from falling off the tray 10 when a subsequent piece of pet waste is being collected.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a removably attachable downward angled ramp 34 for a pet waste tray (not shown). The ramp 34 comprises an engaging structure 36 at the top end of the attachable ramp 34 that is preferably integral to the ramp's 34 material that holds the ramp 34 to a tray's front end via friction created by opposing pressure of a top 38 and bottom 40 lip. The ramp 34 may be easily attached to a tray's front edge by pushing a tray's front edge between the lips 38 & 40 and into the angled ramp's 34 groove 42. The ramp 34 will hold a flat tray's front higher than the tray's back to prevent a first piece of collected waste from falling off the tray when a subsequent piece of pet waste is collected.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the removably attachable downward angled ramp 34. The top of the angled ramp 34 comprises an engaging structure 36 that attaches to the front edge of a pet waste collection tray by way of friction created by the opposing pressure of a top 38 and bottom 40 lip.

FIG. 10 shows a left-side view of a removably attachable downward angled ramp 34, that comprises an engaging structure 36 at the top of the ramp 34 that attaches to a pet waste collection tray's front edge by pushing the tray's front edge into the ramp's 34 slot 42 and is held in place by way of friction created by opposing pressure of a top 38 and bottom 40 lip.

Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more, or different ones of the disclosed elements.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.