Patent US3778097A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3778097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for retrieving litter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-03
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1992-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A device for retrieving litter has manually actuated positioning means connected to a litter receptacle holder and a pushing member adapted to be enclosed in an envelope releasably secured about the pushing member. Actuation of the positioning means causes coaction between a litter receptacle mounted in the litter receptacle holder and the enveloped pushing member, so that litter is forced into the litter receptacle and held in the litter receptacle by the pushing surface. While the litter is being held within the litter receptacle by the enveloped pushing member, the envelope is released from about the pushing member and reversed to envelop the opening of the litter receptacle. The litter receptacle can then be manually ejected into the envelope when the positioning means are actuated to move the pushing member away from the litter receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 P Dorzan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:36
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K23/00; E; E01; E01H; E01H1/00; E01H1/12; E01H1/1206; E01H2001/122; E01H2001/128; E01H2001/1293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of retrieving litter and the like comprising the steps of: enclosing a pushing surface in an envelope to prevent litter from contacting the pushing surface; inserting an apertured litter receptacle in means for holding a litter receptacle, with the aperture facing the pushing surface; moving apart the means for holding a litter receptacle and the pushing surface to position the litter receptacle and the envelope astride the litter to be retrieved; moving the pushing surface and the means for holding a litter receptacle toward each other until the envelope is in contact with and closes the aperture of the litter receptacle, so that the litter to be retrieved between the envelope and the litter receptacle will enter the aperture of the litter receptacle and be held therein by the envelope covered pushing surface; reversing the envelope to remove it from about the pushing surface and place it about the litter receptacle; ejecting the litter receptacle from the means for holding a litter receptacle into the envelope; closing the envelope about the litter receptacle to seal the litter receptacle and the litter therein within the envelope.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of retrieving litter and the like comprising the steps of: enclosing a pushing surface in an envelope to prevent litter from contacting the pushing surface; inserting an apertured litter receptacle in means for holding a litter receptacle, with the aperture facing the pushing surface; moving apart the means for holding a litter receptacle and the pushing surface to position the litter receptacle and the envelope astride the litter to be retrieved; moving the pushing surface and the means for holding a litter receptacle toward each other until the envelope is in contact with and closes the aperture of the litter receptacle, so that the litter to be retrieved between the envelope and the litter receptacle will enter the aperture of the litter receptacle and be held therein by the envelope covered pushing surface; reversing the envelope to remove it from about the pushing surface and place it about the litter receptacle; ejecting the litter receptacle from the means for holding a litter receptacle into the envelope; closing the envelope about the litter receptacle to seal the litter receptacle and the litter therein within the envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of retrieving litter and the like according to claim 1 further comprising, before the step of moving the pushing surface and the means for holding a litter receptacle toward each other, the step of securing the envelope in position about the pushing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of retrieving litter and the like according to claim 2, wherein the step of ejecting the litter receptacle from the means for holding a litter receptacle includes the moving of the pushing surface and the means for holding a litTer receptacle away from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of retrieving litter and the like according to claim 3, wherein the steps of spacing apart the litter receptacle holder and pushing surface consists of pivoting the pushing surface and the means for holding a litter receptacle about a common pivot point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of retrieving litter and the like according to claim 4 wherein the step of inserting the apertured litter receptacle in the means for holding a litter receptacle includes deforming the aperture of the litter receptacle to increase the area of the aperture adjacent the end of the pushing surface remote from the common pivot point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for retrieving litter and the like comprising: means to hold a litter receptacle; a pushing member having a pushing surface; means to position the pushing surface and the means to hold a litter receptacle in operative relation to allow the relative movement of the pushing surface and the means to hold a litter receptacle toward and away from each other, so the pushing surface can be brought to bear against a litter receptacle placed in the means to hold a litter receptacle; means to releasably secure an envelope about the pushing surface; and said means to hold a litter receptacle comprise: a plurality of support surfaces adapted to receive an apertured litter receptacle and hold the litter receptacle with the aperture of the receptacle in operative position to contact the pushing surface; and said means to hold a litter receptacle constructed and arranged so that a litter receptacle held in said holder will be removed by movement of the receptacle toward said pushing surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for retrieving litter and the like comprising: means to hold a litter receptacle; a pushing member having a pushing surface; means to position the pushing surface and the means to hold a litter receptacle in operative relation to allow the relative movement of the pushing surface and the means to hold a litter receptacle toward and away from each other, so the pushing surface can be brought to bear against a litter receptacle placed in the means to hold a litter receptacle; means to releasably secure an envelope about the pushing surface; and said means to hold a litter receptacle comprise: a plurality of support surfaces adapted to receive an apertured litter receptacle and hold the litter receptacle with the aperture of the receptacle in operative position to contact the pushing surface; and said means to hold a litter receptacle constructed and arranged so that a litter receptacle held in said holder will be removed by movement of the receptacle toward said pushing surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 6 wherein the positioning means comprise: a first arm connected at one end to the means to hold a litter receptacle; a second arm operatively connected at one end thereof to the pushing surface; means pivotally connecting the first and second arms at a point intermediate the ends thereof; and the other end of the first and second arms forming handle means to position the pushing surface and the means for holding a litter receptacle with respect to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 7 wherein the pushing member includes the means to secure an envelope about the pushing surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 8 wherein the means to releasably secure an envelope about the pushing surface comprise an aperture in the pushing member adapted to tuck in a portion of an envelope placed about the pushing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 9 wherein: the pushing member comprises the pushing surface; and at least one support member connected to the pushing surface; and the second arm is connected at one end to one of the pushing surface and a support member of the pushing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 7 wherein the means to hold the litter receptacle further comprise positioning means to properly position a litter receptacle within the means to hold the litter receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of support surfaces adapted to receive an apertured litter receptacle are spaced vertically and horizontally with the horizontal spacing larger than the vertical spacing so that when any cup-shaped litter receptacle is held within the plurality of support surfaces, the aperture of the cup will be elongated in the horizontal direction and compressed in the vertical direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 13 wherein the positioning means further comprise restraining means connected to one of the first and second arms and operatively associated with the other of the first and second arms to prevent excEssive relative movement between the first and second arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for retrieving litter and the like according to claim 13 wherein one of the first and second arms includes means for holding additional litter receptacles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |