WO2023039113A1

WO2023039113A1 - Refuse bag clips and methods of using same

Info

Publication number: WO2023039113A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/042973
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Philbin; JR. Scott GHERARDINI; Rhea BOVEE
Original assignee: She-It, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-09-09
Filing date: 2022-09-09
Publication date: 2023-03-16

Abstract

The present disclosure provides bag clips, such as refuse bag clips, leash devices including one or more bag clips, and methods of using same to secure bags, such as pet waste refuse bags. Clips consistent with the present disclosure removably attach to convenient carriers, such as a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, a carriage handle, or similar.

Description

REFUSE BAG CLIPS AND METHODS OF USING SAME

Claim

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/242,155, filed on September 9, 2021 , the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied upon.

Currently available technology requires pet owners and pet walkers to generally carry bags of pet waste after their pets excrete the waste during walks and excursions. Carrying waste bags is unsanitary, and subsequently limits pet walkers with only one hand to control the pet leash. A need persists for technologies that enable pet owners to carry pet refuse in a sanitary and convenient manner.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip comprising: a housing including a first aperture configured to pinch closed an open portion of a plastic bag; and a clip extending from the housing and configured to removably attach to a carrier.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip comprising: a retaining aperture defined in part by a cavity and a first aperture associated with the cavity; and a clip associated with the retaining aperture and configured to removably attach to a carrier, wherein the first aperture is configured to pinch closed and retain an opening of a plastic bag. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip comprising: a tubular clip portion comprising a cavity therethrough and a pinching guide associated with a cavity; and a clip portion associated with a side of the tubular clip portion and configured to removably attach to a carrier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a refuse bag clip consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged portion of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 show/s a right side view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a refuse bag clip consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a right side view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a sagittal cross-sectional view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows a rear view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of the refuse bag clip of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a bag clip consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a top perspective view of the bag clip of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 shows a side view of the bag clip of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a bag clip consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a top perspective view of the bag clip of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the bag clip of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a retractable leash device including a bag clip consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of the retractable leash of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 shows a top view of the retractable leash of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 24 shows a side view of the retractable leash of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a bag clip consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a side view of the bag clip of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a top view of the bag clip of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 shows an exploded perspective view of a bag clip consistent with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows an assembled perspective view of the bag clip of FIG. 28.

Detailed Description

In general, the present disclosure provides bag clips, such as refuse bag clips, and methods of using same to secure bags, such as pet waste refuse bags, to a carrier such as a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, a carriage handle, or similar. Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 -29, the present disclosure provides bag clips 10, such as refuse bag clips, leash devices 50 including one or more bag clips 10, and methods of using same to secure bags, such as pet waste refuse bags.

The bag clips 10 generally include a body portion 100 associated with a clip portion 200 and a retaining portion 300.

The clip portion 200 generally includes a curved portion 210 extending away from the body portion 100 and terminating in a clip body 215 extending downward from the curved portion 210. The curved portion 210 generally forms a gap 230 between the clip body 215 and the body portion 100, for example in which the carrier (not shown) may be removably retained. The gap 230 may be open (e.g., incomplete) or closed (e.g., complete).

In some embodiments, the clip body 215 terminates with a retention portion 220. The retention portion 220 may include a first protrusion 222 extending outwardly (e.g., away from the body portion 100) and/or a second protrusion 224 extending inwardly (e.g., toward the body portion 100).

The clip portion 200 may have a height h' that is the same as or substantially the same as the height h of the retaining portion 300. In other embodiments, the clip portion 200 has a height h' that is less than or substantially less than the height h of the retaining portion 300. In still other embodiments, such as those consistent with the embodiment specifically illustrated in FIGS. 1 -7, the clip portion 200 has a height h' that is greater than or substantially greater than the height h of the retaining portion 300.

The retaining portion 300 is configured to retain a portion of a bag, such as a plastic refuse bag. In some embodiments, the retaining portion 300 includes a cavity 310 defined generally by a first wall 330 extending from the body portion 100 and a second wall 340 extending from the body portion 100 and disposed generally opposite the first wall 330.

The first wall 330 includes a pinching guide or retaining aperture 332 configured to pinch close the open end of a bag, such as a plastic pet refuse bag. In some embodiments, the retaining aperture 332 has a generally V shape, optionally with the narrow end of the V shape is disposed generally opposite the top opening 305 of the cavity 310. In operation, forcing the open end of a plastic bag into the retaining aperture 332 bunches the bag together to substantially seal the bag closed.

The second wall 340 includes a slot 342 configured to receive a portion of the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the slot 342 is configured to pinch close a second portion of the bag, thereby forming two pinched or two substantially sealed portions in the bag. In other embodiments, the slot 342 is not configured to pinch close a second portion of the bag, but merely to accept a second portion of the bag. In some embodiments, the slot 342 includes a portion 342a that extends through at least a portion of the base 350.

In some embodiments, the retaining portion 300 includes a front wall 320 disposed at the distal ends of the first wall 330 and the second wall 340.

In some embodiments, the retaining portion 300 includes a bottom 350 disposed at the bottom ends of the first wall 330 and the second wall 340.

The cavity 310 may, in some embodiments, be sized and shaped to accept a knotted portion of the plastic bag. For example and without limitation, the cavity 310 may have a width and depth sufficient to accommodate a portion of the bag that has been knotted by an overhand knot, a square knot, a surgeon’s knot, a slipknot, or any similar type of knot.

The joint between the first wall 330 and the body portion 100 may include a contour 334, such as a chamfer or a curve.

The joint between the second wall 340 and the body portion 100 may include a contour 344, such as a chamfer or a curve.

The joint between the first wall 330 and the optional front wall 320 may include a contour 336, such as a chamfer or a curve.

The joint between the second wall 340 and the optional front wall 320 may include a contour 346, such as a chamfer or a curve. ln operation, forcing the open end of the bag into the cavity 310 cinches the bag closed (by operation of the bag interacting with the retaining aperture 332) and secures the bag without requiring the user to hold the bag with a hand.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip 10 comprising: a housing 300 including a first aperture 332 configured to pinch closed an open portion of a plastic bag; and a clip 200 extending from the housing 300 and configured to removably attach to a carrier. In some embodiments, the first aperture 332 is substantially V-shaped. In some embodiments, the first aperture 332 is configured to pinch closed an open portion of the plastic bag and to prevent the bag from releasing from the housing 300 in response to a force. In some embodiments, the force is a gravitational force. In some embodiments, the force is a pulling force of at least 1 G. In some embodiments, the pulling force is at least 2 G. In some embodiments, the pulling force is at least 3 G. In some embodiments, the housing 300 further includes a second aperture 342 configured to receive a portion of the refuse bag. In some embodiments, the housing 300 further includes a cavity 310 configured to receive a knotted portion of the refuse bag. In some embodiments, the knotted portion of the refuse bag includes an overhand knot or a square knot. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8-20, a refuse bag clip 10 consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to be removably associated with a leash, a pet collar, a belt, or a similar length of material. In such embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 generally defines a loop 230 through which the leash, pet collar, belt, or similar length of material may be passed. In such embodiments, the clip portion 200 may not include a retention portion 220, but may instead consist essentially or consist of a closed loop 210. In other embodiments (not shown in FIGS. 8-20), the clip portion 200 includes a retention portion 220 and is configured to slide over or around the leash, pet collar, belt, or similar length of material without the need to thread a portion of the leash, pet collar, belt, or similar length of material through the loop 230. In some embodiments, one face 330 of the housing 300 includes a first aperture 332 that has an opening width 332d that is narrower than a width of the first aperture 332 at some other point along the wall 332w of the first aperture 332. For example and without limitation, the first aperture 332 may adopt a generally diamond shape defined at least in part by a first retaining tooth 333 and a second retaining tooth 335 disposed generally opposite the first retaining tooth 333. In some embodiments, the widest point 332d' of the first aperture 332 is disposed between a relatively narrow opening 332d and a relatively narrow terminus 332d" located generally opposite the opening.

In some embodiments, the opposite face 340 of the housing includes a second aperture 342 that has an opening width 342d that is narrower than a width 342d' of the aperture 342 at some other point along the wall 342w of the second aperture 342. For example and without limitation, the second aperture 342 may adopt a generally diamond shape defined at least in part by a first retaining tooth 343 and a second retaining tooth 345 disposed generally opposite the first retaining tooth 343. In some embodiments, the widest point 342d' of the second aperture 342 is disposed between a relatively narrow opening 342d and a relatively narrow terminus 342d" located generally opposite the opening.

The present disclosure provides leash devices 50, such as retractable leash devices, including a refuse bag clip 10 as disclosed herein. For example and without limitation, FIGS. 21 -24 illustrate one embodiment of a leash device 50 including a refuse bag clip 10 as disclosed herein. In this example embodiment, the refuse bag clip 10 is associated with (e.g., affixed to or incorporated into) a side wall 522 of the housing 500 of the leash device 50. The housing 500 may include, in some embodiments, a handle portion 510 and a leash portion 520. In some embodiments, the housing 500 further includes a button 530, for example configured to release tension on the leash 540. In some embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 is associated with the leash portion 520 of the housing 500. In other embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 is associated with the handle portion 510 of the housing 500.

In some embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 is disposed at an angle a relative to the housing 500. For example and without limitation, the angle a may be defined by a refuse bag clip axis A10 and a housing axis Asoo- The angle a between the refuse bag clip axis A10 and the housing axis A500 may be determined to orient the opening of the cavity 310 of the refuse bag clip 10 in a generally upward direction relative to an orientation of the leash device 50 during normal intended use. The angle a may be acute, right, or obtuse. In some embodiments, the angle a is about 20° to about 160°, about 40° to about 140°, about 60° to about 120°, or about 80° to about 100°, for example about 20°, about 21 °, about 22°, about 23°, about 24°, about 25°, about 26°, about 27°, about 28°, about 29°, about 30°, about 31°, about 32°, about 33°, about 34°, about 35°, about 36°, about 37°, about 38°, about 39°, about 40°, about 41 °, about 42°, about 43°, about 44°, about 45°, about 46°, about 47°, about 48°, about 49°, about 50°, about 51 °, about 52°, about 53°, about 54°, about 55°, about 56°, about 57°, about 58°, about 59°, about 60°, about 61 °, about 62°, about 63°, about 64°, about 65°, about 66°, about 67°, about 68°, about 69°, about 70°, about 71°, about 72°, about 73°, about 74°, about 75°, about 76°, about 77°, about 78°, about 79°, about 80°, about 81 °, about 82°, about 83°, about 84°, about 85°, about 86°, about 87°, about 88°, about 89°, about 90°, about 91 °, about 92°, about 93°, about 94°, about 95°, about 96°, about 97°, about 98°, about 99°, about 100°, about 101 °, about 102°, about 103°, about 104°, about 105°, about 106°, about 107°, about 108°, about 109°, about 1 10°, about 11 1 °, about 1 12°, about 1 13°, about 114°, about 115°, about 116°, about 1 17°, about 118°, about 1 19°, about 120°, about 121 °, about 122°, about 123°, about 124°, about 125°, about 126°, about 127°, about 128°, about 129°, about 130°, about 131 °, about 132°, about 133°, about 134°, about 135°, about 136°, about 137°, about 138°, about 139°, about 140°, about 141 °, about 142°, about 143°, about 144°, about 145°, about 146°, about 147°, about 148°, about 149°, about 150°, about 151 °, about 152°, about 153°, about 154°, about 155°, about 156°, about 157°, about 158°, about 159°, or about 160°. In some embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 is affixed to the housing 500. For example and without limitation, the refuse bag clip 10 may be affixed to the housing using an adhesive, a fastener, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 is integrally formed as a portion of the housing 500. In some embodiments, the leash device 50 includes a single refuse bag clip 10. In other embodiments, the leash device 50 includes two refuse bag clips 10. In still other embodiments, the leash device 50 includes three or more refuse bag clips 10.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 25-27, the present disclosure also provides bag clips 10 configured to be attached to a retractable leash device (not shown), such as a Flexi New Classic leash, a Flexi New Comfort leash, a Flexi Xtreme leash, a Flexi Black Design leash, a Flexi New Neon leash, or a Flexi Vario leash. For example and without limitation, the bag clip 10 may include an attachment portion 200 configured to engage with (e.g., reversibly mate with) a slot in the housing of the leash device. In the example embodiment specifically illustrated in FIGS. 25-27, for example, the bag clip 10 includes an attachment portion 200 including a fin 210 and a spacer 211 disposed between the fin 210 and the rear face 360 of the bag clip 10. In some embodiments, the fin 210 includes a retaining feature 219, such as a detent, a divot, a tab, a protrusion, or other surface feature configured to engage with the slot of the leash device to further secure (e.g., temporarily secure) the bag clip 10 to the leash device.

Referring now to FIGS. 28-29, the present disclosure further provides bag clips 60 configured to store pet accessories, such as refuse bags or treats. In some such embodiments, the bag clips 60 include a bag retention portion 10 configured as described herein, and an accessory housing 600 configured to store pet accessories such as a roll of refuse bags or treats. In some embodiments, the bag clip 60 further includes an attachment portion 200 (not shown) configured to engage with (e.g., reversibly mate with) a slot in the housing of a leash device, similar to the attachment portion 200 described above with respect to FIGS. 25-27. In the example embodiment specifically illustrated in FIGS. 28-29, the accessory housing 600 includes two separable portions: a first portion 600A is affixed to the bag retention portion 10, while the second portion 600B is removable from the first portion 600A, for example to enable convenient loading of refuse bags or treats into the cavity 610 defined by the accessory housing 600. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the accessory housing 600 includes an orifice 630 through which the pet accessory can be removed from the cavity 610. In the example embodiment specifically shown in FIGS. 28-29, for example, the orifice 630 is disposed in the second portion 600B of the accessory housing 600. In some embodiments, a spindle 620 may be disposed in the cavity 610, for example to mate with an axle or central space of a roll of refuse bags.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip 10 comprising: a retaining aperture 300 defined in part by a cavity 310 and a first aperture 332 associated with the cavity 310; and a clip 200 associated with the retaining aperture 300 and configured to removably attach to a carrier, wherein the first aperture 332 is configured to pinch closed and retain an opening of a plastic bag. In some embodiments, the cavity 310 is elongated. In some embodiments, the refuse bag clip 10 further includes a second aperture 342 associated with the cavity 310 and disposed substantially opposite the first aperture 332. In some embodiments, the first aperture 332 is substantially V-shaped. In some embodiments, the second aperture 342 is substantially U-shaped or rectangular. In some embodiments, the cavity 310 is configured to receive a knotted portion of the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the knotted portion of the plastic bag includes a square knot. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a refuse bag clip 10 comprising: a tubular clip portion 300 comprising a cavity 310 therethrough and a pinching guide 332 associated with a cavity; and a clip portion 100/200 associated with a side of the tubular clip portion 300 and configured to removably attach to a carrier. In some embodiments, the pinching guide 332 is configured to substantially close and retain an open end of a plastic bag. In some embodiments, the tubular clip 300 further comprises a slot 342 associated with the cavity 310 and configured to receive a portion of the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the cavity 310 is configured to receive a knotted portion of the plastic bag. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle. In some embodiments, the clip portion 200 includes or forms a closed loop 230 configured to receive a portion of the carrier therethrough. In other embodiments, the clip portion 200 comprises or forms an open loop 230 configured to pass over or around a portion of the carrier. The clip portion 200 may extend the entire or substantially the entire height h of the rear face 360 of the tubular portion 300; alternatively, the clip portion 200 may have a height h¹ that is less than the height h of the rear face 360 of the tubular portion 300.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described herein by illustrating the results and advantages over the prior art, the disclosure is not limited to those specific embodiments. Thus, the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 . A refuse bag clip comprising: a housing including a first aperture configured to pinch closed an open portion of a plastic bag; and a clip extending from the housing and configured to removably attach to a carrier.

2. The refuse bag clip of claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is substantially V-shaped.

3. The refuse bag clip of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first aperture is configured to pinch closed an open portion of the plastic bag and to prevent the bag from releasing from the housing in response to a force.

4. The refuse bag clip of claim 3, wherein the force is a gravitational force.

5. The refuse bag of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the force is a pulling force of at least 1 G.

6. The refuse bag of claim 5, wherein the pulling force is at least 2 G.

7. The refuse bag of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pulling force is at least 3 G.

8. The refuse bag clip of any one preceding claim, wherein the housing further includes a second aperture configured to receive a portion of the refuse bag.

9. The refuse bag clip of any one preceding claim, wherein the housing further includes a cavity configured to receive a knotted portion of the refuse bag.

10. The refuse bag clip of claim 9, wherein the knotted portion of the refuse bag includes a square knot.

11 . The refuse bag clip of any one preceding claim, wherein the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle.

12. A refuse bag clip comprising: a retaining aperture defined in part by a cavity and a first aperture associated with the cavity; and a clip associated with the retaining aperture and configured to removably attach to a carrier, wherein the first aperture is configured to pinch closed and retain an opening of a plastic bag.

13. The refuse bag clip of claim 12, wherein the cavity is elongated.

14. The refuse bag clip of claim 12 or claim 13 further including a second aperture associated with the cavity and disposed substantially opposite the first aperture.

15. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the first aperture is substantially V-shaped.

16. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 12-15, wherein the second aperture is substantially U-shaped or rectangular.

17. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 12-16, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a knotted portion of the plastic bag.

18. The refuse bag clip of claim 17, wherein the knotted portion of the plastic bag includes a square knot.

19. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 12-17, wherein the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle.

20. A refuse bag clip comprising: a tubular portion comprising a cavity therethrough and a pinching guide associated with a cavity; and a clip portion associated with a side of the tubular clip portion and configured to removably attach to a carrier.

21 . The refuse bag clip of claim 20, wherein the pinching guide is configured to substantially close and retain an open end of a plastic bag.

22. The refuse bag clip of claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion further comprises a slot associated with the cavity and configured to receive a portion of the plastic bag.

23. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a knotted portion of the plastic bag.

24. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the carrier comprises a belt, a leash, a pet collar, a frame, a vehicle handle, a cart handle, or a carriage handle.

25. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 20-24, wherein the clip portion includes a closed loop configured to receive a portion of the carrier therethrough.

26. The refuse bag clip of any one of claims 20-24, wherein the clip portion comprises an open loop configured to pass over or around a portion of the carrier.

27. A leash device comprising a refuse bag clip of any one preceding claim.

28. The leash device of claim 27, wherein the leash device includes a housing, and wherein the refuse bag clip is associated with the housing.

29. The leash device of claim 28, wherein the refuse bag clip is integrally formed with the housing.

30. The leash device of claim 28, wherein the refuse bag clip is affixed to the housing by an adhesive and/or a fastener.

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