GB2236132A

GB2236132A - Waste collector for gully grating

Info

Publication number: GB2236132A
Application number: GB9020264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mcgovern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-21
Filing date: 1990-09-17
Publication date: 1991-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-17
Also published as: GB8921332D0; GB9020264D0; GB2236132B

Abstract

The present invention provides a waste collector suitable for use on an apertured drain cover 8. The collector comprises a generally flat plate 1 having a plurality of pockets 3 depending from the underside thereof. The pockets 3 are formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the apertures 7 of an apertured drain cover 8 in use of the collector. The plate 1 also has an extended area formed and arranged for covering the rest of the drain 8. <IMAGE>

Description

WASTE COLLECTOR The present invention relates to a collector for catching and containing dog faeces.

Dog faeces are unhygienic, unsightly and an inconvenience to be found on streets, pavements, parks, footpaths and public places every day across the country. A system of fines exists to punish dog owners whose dogs defecate in public places, yet no provision is made, in terms of specific areas, where dogs may perform their duties in such a way as not to interfere with the general public's safety and hygiene.

It is an object of the present invention to provide dogs and dog owners with a device that may be found in many convenient public places and can be used by dogs in such a way as to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.

The invention seeks to provide a device that can be readily installed at an apertured drain cover such that the device can be used by dogs as a dog toilet.

The present invention provides a waste collector suitable for use on an apertured drain cover, which collector comprises a generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets being formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the apertures of said apertured drain cover, in use of the collector, said plate having an extended area formed and arranged for generally covering said drain cover.

In one preferred aspect the present invention provides a waste collector suitable for use on an apertured drain cover having a plurality of apertures which collector comprises a first generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside; and a second sheet having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets of said first plate being formed and arranged for fitting into a least some of the apertures of said apertured drain cover, in use of the invention, and said pockets of said second sheet being formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the pockets of said first plate, for at least one said first plate and said second sheet having extended areas formed and arranged for generally covering said drain cover, and said respective pockets of said first plate and said second sheet having drainage apertures therein formed and arranged to allow liquid waste matter through whilst substantially trapping and retaining excreta in said pockets whereby in use of the invention solid waste material excreted into said pockets of said first plate is substantially trapped and retained therein without substantially preventing the flow of water through said drain cover.

In another preferred aspect the present invention provides a waste collector suitable for use on a slotted drain cover, which collector comprises a generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets being formed and arranged for fitting into first slots of said slotted drain cover, in use of the collector, said plate having an extended area formed and arranged for generally covering said drain cover, said area including a paw support portion, adjacent at least one side of said plurality of pockets and disposable across other slots of said drain cover adjacent said first slots.

Thus with a waste collector of the invention, canine excrement can be collected in a convenient and economic manner with minimal disturbance to dog owners, other pedestrians, road users, or the drainage system.

The paw support portion conveniently has a multiplicity of small drainage apertures through the plate, said apertures being small enough to prevent a dogs paws from slipping down inside the slots of a drain cover.

Further said drainage apertures allow urine and other liquid matter such as rain to drain through the plate into the drainage system.

Conveniently, the plate and/or sheet has a plurality of small draining apertures formed and arranged into a pattern defining letters and/or numbers enabling the collector to identify and advertise itself and/or instructing dog owners how to use the collector.

The preferably flat profile of the plate (and the sheet if used) and the more or less concave shape generally used for gutters and drain covers define an entrance for rainwater therebetween so that the existing drain cover can maintain its function as a collector of rain water.

Preferably the pockets for trapping and holding excreta have smooth, rounded edges and corners to facilitate cleaning in addition to aiding the installation of the collector on drain covers. Another desirable feature of the pockets is a laterally outwardly extending projection means spaced from the plate, on at least one side of at least one pocket for engagement with the underside of the drain cover to retain said collector on said drain cover, in use of the collector, at least one of said pocket side and said projection means being resiliently displacable inwardly relative to said pocket during passage of the projection through a respective drain cover slot aperture, thereby providing releasable interlocking of the collector to the drain cover.

Conveniently the pockets of the sheet have projections means formed and arranged for interlocking with the plate.

Advantageously, the pockets of said first plate have drainage holes in close proximity to the underside surface of the plate, said drainage holes preventing overflow of solid matter in wet or rainy conditions by allowing excess water in the pockets to drain away into the drainage system.

Conveniently scrapers maybe provided in an extra pocket fitted towards one side of the plate, preferably filled with disinfectant, in order that excreta may be scraped off the plate's upper surface into the excreta pockets.

The pockets may comprise separately formed pocket elements detachably mounted in respective openings in the plate, in order to facilitate their removal from the plate e.g. for emptying and/or cleaning purposes.

Preferably the pockets and said plate are of one piece construction. The pockets and said sheet are also preferably of one piece construction. Where separately formed detachable pocket elements are employed said pocket elements have outwardly projecting flange means at their open ends, formed and arranged for engagement with the edges of the respective openings in the plate, so as to support said pocket elements whilst in use of the collector plate. Advantageously the pocket elements and/or the one-piece sheet may be of a light and flexible construction to facilitate their collection and/or disposal. Conveniently the pocket elements of said first plate are of a substantially rigid structure to facilitate washing and cleaning for instance by hose, brush or vacuum cleaner apparatus.

A further advantage of using detachable pockets on the first plate is that it enables large numbers of plates and separate pockets to be stored utilising a minimum of space.

Preferably, the first plate and desirably also the second sheet, are of a material that does not react adversely with chemicals found in dog faeces for example by corroding, and is a material that is readily disinfected, in addition to being durable. This material may also be brightly coloured so as to be visible from a distance to facilitate location thereof by users.

Desirably the depth and width of said pockets are made as large as possible relative to the physical dimensions of the apertures of a drain cover, in order that the capacity of said pocket is maximised.

The present invention also provides a method of dog faeces collection comprising the steps of providing a waste collector of the invention, suitable for use on an apertured drain cover which method involves the installation of the collector on an apertured drain cover, and allowing dogs to defecate into the pockets of the collector.

-The means by which dogs can use the collectors, generally involves positioning the dog with its paws on a paw support portion of the collector or on an adjacent area of pavement or roadway with its rear end over the pockets of the collector and allowing the dog to defecate into the pockets.

For hygiene and public health reasons it is desirable that the pockets are emptied, cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.

In order that said pockets may be cleaned efficiently, a multi-nozzle inlet suction apparatus is conveniently used, the nozzles being formed and arranged for simultaneous insertion into respective ones of the pockets of the collector to empty them.

In the case of a one-piece collector of the invention there may be used a flexible plastic film, for instance a cling film type material, which is placed over the collector, said plastic film being then used to contain and enclose excreta deposited thereon, whereupon said excreta are removed in said plastic film from the collector to allow disposal thereof in a suitable receptacle. Preferably a suitable receptacle is provided in close proximity to said collector which receptacle can be emptied, cleaned and disinfected at regular periods. More conveniently though there is used a two-piece collector of the invention, the second sheet being extracted from the first plate conveniently with the aid of a suitable tool and either disposed of in its entirety or cleaned out in a suitable central processing installation, and a fresh or cleaned second sheet being inserted into the plate.

A further advantage of the method of the present invention is that since many dog owners already let their dogs use the gutter for defecation purposes, they can readily change to using the collector of the present invention. Moreover, dogs, by nature, have a tendency to stop and show interest in areas where other dogs have defecated, this natural phenomenon encourages the use, by dogs, of the collector of the present invention.

Advantageously, the method of the invention ensures that a substantial proportion of dog faeces are deposited in specific predetermined areas where collectors are in use, thereby facilitating disposal of the excreta.

In a further respect the present invention provides a network of dog faeces collectors of the invention at predetermined locations where owners can take their dogs to defecate without being fined or causing offence, nuisance or discomfort to others, said collectors being installed on roadside drain covers.

In another respect the present invention provides a method of preventing drains becoming blocked or clogged up with litter and/or leaves for example, which method comprises the steps of: fitting a waste collector of the invention to a drain; allowing the pockets to become filled with litter etc; lifting said waste collector from said drain and disposing of the contents of said pockets; and replacing said waste collector on said drain.

In general the maintenance of the collector would be the responsibility of the local council or other body responsible for the drains and for public cleansing, however, private individuals could also have their own private collectors for use with an apertured drain cover on their own property, for instance in their garden.

Conveniently, the collector would be installed primarily on street corners having double yellow lines, the double yellow lines effectively prohibiting vehicles from stopping and blocking the drain from use, and also preventing the collector being driven over by a vehicle which could spread excrement all over the road. For safety purposes, the invention would preferably not be installed on main roads, where the volume of traffic may prove dangerous to both dog and owner.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of some preferred embodiments illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention and its relationship with a drain cover; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the drain cover and collector of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a two piece collector of the invention; and Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure I shows a plate 1 having through its structure, small draining apertures 2 and box shaped excreta pockets 3. The excreta pockets 3 are provided with drainage holes 4. An additional pocket 5 is provided acting as a container for scrapers 6, to wipe excreta on the surface into the excreta pockets 3.

The plate 1 and excreta pockets 3 are arranged to fit the slots 7 in a drain cover 8. The plate 1 overlaps the drain cover 8 whilst still allowing drainage water from the gutter 9 to enter the drain cover 8 but preventing dog paws from going down the slots in the drain cover 8 by being supported on a paw support portion 11 of the plate 1.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the collector in position over a drain cover 8 and the arrangement of the pockets 3.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus for example by having differently shaped excreta pockets the invention could be used on any type of drain not just gutter drains having slotted apertures.

Other alternative forms of the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 3 and 4 wherein like parts corresponding to those in the embodiment of Figs.

1 and 2 are indicated by like reference numbers.

Fig. 3 shows a waste collector of relatively lightweight construction having a plate 1 with a plurality of flexible reversible excreta pockets 3, for use with a separately formed support panel 12. The support panel 12 has a plurality of apertures 13 through which said excreta pockets 3 can extend, and align with the drain slots 7. An optional pocket 5 may be provided as part of the support panel 12 itself. Advantageously a spring clip 14 is provided on the support panel 12 to attach it to the bars 15 of the drain cover 8. The waste collector is also provided with clips 16 releasably to attach it to the support panel 12 to prevent it being blown away in windy weather conditions whilst allowing it to be removed readily and cleared or replaced as required.

In Fig. 4 the waste collector of the invention comprises an upper plate la with a plurality of excreta pockets 3a. The upper plate la and its pockets 3a are formed and arranged to extend into the upper portion of excreta pockets 3b of a lower plate lb. The lower plate lb is arranged to fit the slots 7 in the drain cover 8. The upper plate la is provided with a plurality of dimples 18 on the underside thereof so as to raise the upper plate la above the lower plate 1b so that rain water can run underneath into the pockets 3b. The arrangement of the plates la, lb is such that faeces (not shown) are trapped in the pockets 3a of the upper plate 1a and generally only liquid matter may pass through drainage apertures 4a in the bottom 20 of said pockets 3a to the lower plate pockets 3b. The lower pockets 3b are provided with a plurality of liquid drainage aperture 4b which are positioned above the bottom 20b of the pockets 3b so that any solid matter does not pass therethrough into the drainage system.

Claims

1. A waste collector suitable for use on an apertured drain cover, which collector comprises a generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets being formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the apertures of said apertured drain cover, in use of the collector, said plate having an extended area formed and arranged for generally covering said drain.

2. A waste collector suitable for use on an apertured drain cover having a plurality of apertures which collector comprises a first generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside; and a second sheet having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets of said first plate being formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the apertures of said apertured drain cover, in use of the invention, and said pockets of said second sheet being formed and arranged for fitting into at least some of the pockets of said first plate, for at least one said first plate and said second sheet having extended areas formed and arranged for generally covering said drain cover, and said respective pockets of said first plate and said second sheet having drainage apertures therein formed and arranged to allow liquid waste matter through whilst substantially trapping and retaining excreta in said pockets whereby in use of the invention solid waste material excreted into said pockets of said first plate is substantially trapped and retained therein without substantially preventing the flow of water through said drain cover.

3. A waste collector as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 for a slotted drain cover wherein the pockets are generally slot-form.

4. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said pockets have a depth of from 8 to 30 cms.

5. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said pockets are formed and arranged to substantially fill said apertures.

6. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said pockets have generally smooth rounded edges and corners to facilitate cleaning and installation of the collector on drain covers.

7. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said pockets of said plate have a laterally extending projection means to provide releasable interlocking of said plate onto said drain cover.

8. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said plate and said plurality of pockets are of a one-piece construction

9. A waste collector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said plate is of a generally self-supporting construction.

10. A waste collector as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims which collector is made of a plastics material.

11. A waste collector suitable for use on a slotted drain cover, which collector comprises a generally flat plate having a plurality of pockets depending from its underside, said pockets being formed and arranged for fitting into first slots of said slotted drain cover, in use of the collector, said plate having an extended area formed and arranged for generally covering said drain cover, said area including a paw support portion, adjacent at least one side of said plurality of pockets and disposable across other slots of said drain cover adjacent said first slots.

12. A waste collector substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of dog faeces collection comprising the steps of providing a waste collector according to claim 1, installing the collector on an apertured drain cover, and allowing a dog to defecate into the pockets of the collector.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 which includes the step of extracting the faeces from the pockets and transporting them to a central faeces disposal installation.

15. A method of dog faeces collection comprising the steps of providing a waste collector according to claim 2, installing the first plate on an apertured drain cover, with said second sheet on said first plate, allowing a dog to defecate into the pockets of said second sheet, removing said second sheet from said first plate, and installing a clean said second sheet on said first plate.

16. A method of dog faeces collection substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A network of dog faeces collectors according to claim 1 at predetermined locations where owners can take their dogs to defecate without being fined or causing offence, nuisance or discomfort to others, said collectors being installed on roadside drain covers.