Vacuum for animal feces

• US 5,771,531 A
• Filed: 11/19/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donna Swartz
• Original Assignee: Donna Swartz
• Inventors: Swartz, Donna
• Primary Examiner(s): OLEKSA, DIANA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US08/752,146
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 15/324, 15/344, 15/350, 15/352, 55/318, 55/350.1, 55/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 15/344
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1418 Impermeable dust collecting bags
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2878 Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/1206 for picking up excrements manure or urine pouches for animal husbandry A01K23/00

Abstract

A vacuum is described which includes a housing having first, second, and third openings, a vacuum motor connected to the first opening of the housing, an elongated tube connected by one end to the second opening of the housing, and a receptacle removably connected to the third opening of the housing. The vacuum is useful for the removal and disposal of animal feces.

Claims

1. A device comprising a housing having first, second, and third openings, a vacuum motor connected to the first opening of the housing, an elongated tube connected by one end to the second opening of the housing, and a receptacle removably connected to the third opening of the housing, wherein the third opening is positioned between said first and second openings and below said second opening, said housing including an empty space between said second and third openings so that material drawn through the elongated tube by the vacuum motor passes without obstruction into the receptacle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum motor is a wet/dry vacuum.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a C-shaped clip on an outer side that receives and holds the elongated tube when not in use.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the vacuum motor is powered by at least one rechargeable or disposable battery.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle is a bag.

6. The device of claim 1, which further comprises a shoulder strap.

7. The device of claim 1, which further comprises a light to illuminate dim or dark areas in front of the elongated tube.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum motor is removably connected to the first opening of the housing.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated tube is removably connected to the second opening of the housing.

10. A device comprising a housing having first, second, and third openings, a wet/dry vacuum motor connected to the first opening of the housing, an elongated tube connected by one end to the second opening of the housing, and a receptacle removably connected to the third opening of the housing, wherein the third opening of the housing is a circular rim and the receptacle includes screw-in threads for attachment to the circular rim.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the receptacle is lined with a disposable bag.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the bag is made of a water-tight, biodegradable material.

13. A device comprising a housing having first, second, and third openings, a wet/dry vacuum motor connected to the first opening of the housing, an elongated tube connected by one end to the second opening of the housing, and a receptacle removably connected to the third opening of the housing wherein the receptacle further includes a container containing water-absorbable particles that removably attaches to the receptacle.

14. A method of removing animal feces, comprising the steps of

providing a housing having first, second, and third openings, a vacuum motor connected to the first opening of the housing, an elongated tube connected by one end to the second opening of the housing, and a receptacle removably connected to the third opening of the housing, wherein the third opening is positioned between said first and second openings and below said second opening, said housing including an empty space between said second and third openings so that material drawn through the elongated tube by the vacuum motor passes without obstruction into the receptacle,

bringing the elongated tube in close proximity to animal feces and

activating the vacuum motor.