GB2261205A - Sealed container - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealed container comprises an inner container 1 and an outer casing 2 with handle 11 or carrying strap, a lid 5 forming an air-tight seal with a seating 6 on the outer casing. A base plate 4 and rim 3 support and position the inner container which is preferably tapered. The outer casing is preferably provided with a recess for locating a cycle-type battery lamp 14, held in place by a band 15. Scoops 10 (Figure 4) for removing dog faeces from fouled surfaces and which each comprise a handle and a removable blade of cardborad or thin plastics may be hooked over a rim of the inner container. A flexible liner 9 may be positioned within the inner container, the upper edge of the liner being folded over the rim of the inner container. <IMAGE>

Description

SEALED CONTAINER: ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND IMPROVEMENTS This invention embodies additional features and improvements relating to a sealed container as described in U K Patent Specification No 2196615 granted on 4th July 1990. These additional features and improvements are intended to increase the effectiveness of the sealed container in its primary role as a means of removal and disposal of dog faeces from fouled surfaces. The invention includes the addition of hand-held scoops designed specifically for use with the sealed container.

In keeping with increasing pressure on dog owners to remove and dispose of faeces from public places, receptacles are provided by many local authorities in parks, recreation grounds and other public open spaces. It is however generally accepted that such receptacles are not suitable for siting in residential and business areas. It is therefore not easy for dog owners to comply with the law in many urban areas.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable sealed container generally as described in U K Patent Specification No 2196615, but incorporating certain new features and improvements. One new feature is the provision of one or more hand-held "poop scoops" designed specifically for use with the said sealed container. The dog owner is thus provided with an effective means of removing dog faeces from places where receptacles for public use are not readily accessible. Faeces and soiled scoops can then be stored in a clean hygienic manner pending final disposal at the first convenient opportunity.

Unlike the container described in II K Specification No.2196615 the present invention provides an inner container body which is inserted into a separate outer casing, and an air-tight fitting lid which seats onto the outer casing. Means for carrying is provided by a hand or shoulder strap attached to the outer casing. The outer casing is tapered such that its base is wider than the lid seating, thus making for greater stability when the sealed container is resting on uneven ground. The outer casing is provided with a cut-out whereby a battery-operated lamp such as is used on bicycles can be carried, the lamp being retained by means of an elastic band. The removal of dog faeces at night is thereby facilitated.

Fitting inside the base of the outer casing there is preferably a base moulding to provide support and steadying for the inner container body.

Hand-held scoops are provided with means for hooking them over the upper rim of the inner container body such that the handle of the scoop is kept clean and clear of the foul contents of the container. Each scoop comprises two components: a moulded plastic handle and a separate replaceable blade. The blade may be made of permanent material such as thin plastic or of disposable material such as thin cardboard. Clips moulded integrally into the handles secure the blade, and up-turned sides of the handle impart a degree of curvature to the blade thereby contributing to its rigidity.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure l shows a section through a sealed container, in which a scoop is shown in its stowed position, and a cycle-type lamp in position.

Figure 2 shows an external view of the container, together with a plan view of the lid.

Figure 3 shows views of a scoop handle in third angle projection.

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a complete scoop with the blade clipped into the handle.

Referring to Figure 1, an inner container 1 is held by an outer casing 2 such that the supporting rim 3 forms an airtight seal between the two components. A base plate 4 provides further support and steadying for the inner container. A lid 5 having slightly tapered sides fits over a seating 6 on the outer casing to form an air-tight seal. The top of the lid has a handle 7 with finger recesses 8 each side. A flexible lining bag 9 is positioned inside the inner container body after the manner of U K Specification No. 2196615. A hand-held scoop 10 is shown in its stowed position, hooked over the upper rim of the inner container body. A carrying handle 11 is attached to the outer casing by means of rivets 12 and spacer bushes 13 such that the handle is free to swivel. A battery lamp 14 is held in place in a recess in the outer casing by means of an elastic band 15 encircling the inner container.

Referring to Figure 3, a scoop handle 16 comprises upturned sides 17 with folds 18 angled in order to impart a taper to the sides of the blade 21 in Figure 2. Clips 19 grip the blade. Hooks 20 enable the handle to be stowed on the rim of the inner container body.

Figure 4 shows the scoop assembled with a blade 21 clipped onto the handle.

The blade may be of either permanent material eg. thin plastic or disposable material eg. thin cardboard. Rigidity is imparted by the side ribs 22, their shape being imparted by the angled sides 17 of the handle.

Claims (23)

1 A container comprising an air-tight fitting lid, an outer casing with carrying means comprising a hand or shoulder strap, and a removable inner body in which may be installed a removable flexible liner, and on which may be attached one or more scoops for the recovery of dog faeces.

2 A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lid includes a downwardly-depending annular flange which seats over an annular seating on the upper outer edge of the outer casing, thereby forming an air-tight seal.

3 A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the inner body seats inside an annular opening formed by the upper inner edge of the outer casing such that the seating forms an air-tight seal.

4 A container as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the upper edge of the inner body protrudes above the upper edge of the outer casing sufficiently as to enable the upper edge of the flexible liner to be folded outwards and downwards over the protruding upper edge of the inner body.

5 A container as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the upper edge of the inner body comprises an outwardly protruding lipped rim.

6 A container as claimed in Claim 2 and Claim 5 wherein the lower surface of the lid is spaced from the upper edge of the inner body and the downwardly depending annular flange is spaced from the outer edge of the lipped rim.

7 A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the space bounded by the upper edge of the outer casing, the lower edge of the lipped rim of the inner body, and the inner face of the downwardly-depending annular flange of the lid is sufficient to accommodate several folds of the upper edge of the flexible liner.

8 A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the inner body is tapered inwardly towards its base, and the outer casing is tapered outwardly towards its base, whereby like items can be stacked one within another.

9 A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the inner body, outer casing, and lid are generally square in cross-section with radiused corners.

10 A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein carrying means is provided by a strap attached to two studs located on opposite sides of the outer casing, below the annular seating for the lid on the upper outer edge of the outer casing.

11 A container as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the lid includes a recessed finger-gripping formation on its upper surface to facilitate opening thereof.

12 A container as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the lid has two outwardly-extending tabs, each of which has a slot therein through which the strap passes.

13 A container as claimed in Claim 1 in which may be provided one or more scoops for the recovery of dog faeces.

14 A container as claimed in Claim 13 wherein each scoop comprises a handle and a removable blade.

15 A container as claimed in Claims 13 and 14 wherein the scoop handle is provided with one or more clips to grip the removable blade.

16 A container as claimed in Claims 13 and 14 wherein the scoop handle has angled side folds which impart rigidity to the removable blade.

17 A container as claimed in Claims 13 and 14 wherein the scoop handle has hooks to enable it to be suspended from the lipped rim of the container inner body.

18 A container as claimed in Claims 13 and 14 wherein the removable blade may comprise a sheet of thin plastic or cardboard.

19 A container as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the space between the outer edge of the lipped rim of the inner body and the inner face of the downwardly-depending annular flange of the lid is sufficient to accommodate the hooks of the scoop handles without contact with the inner face of the lid.

20 A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there may be provided an aperture in the outer casing whereby a suitably-shaped battery operated lamp may be inserted into the recess formed by the aperture.

21 A container as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the battery operated lamp is secured to the inner body by means of a loop of elastic material.

22 A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the inner body is of such a size and the lipped rim of such length round its outer perimeter, that the flexible liner may comprise a plastic bag of the type commonly used for wrapping loaves of sliced bread.

23 A container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.