Bag dispenser with associated scooper

Abstract

A bag dispenser includes a housing for storing a plurality of bags within an inner cavity thereof. The bag dispenser also includes a scooper associated with the housing. The scooper is configured to provide a frame over which a bag is placed to facilitate the collection of waste within the bag.

1 . A pet refuse bag dispenser, comprising: 
 a housing for storing a plurality of bags within an inner cavity thereof; and    a scooper associated with the housing and configured to provide a frame with which a bag is associated to facilitate the collection of waste within the bag.    
     
     
         2 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an aperture which permits access to the inner cavity, the bags being individually removable from the housing through the aperture.  
     
     
         3 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the scooper moves relative to the housing between a storage position and an operative position.  
     
     
         4 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the scooper pivots relative to the housing between the storage position and the operative position.  
     
     
         5 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the scooper is disposed about the housing in the storage position.  
     
     
         6 . The bag dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the scooper extends outwardly from the housing in the operative position.  
     
     
         7 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the scooper in a storage position.  
     
     
         8 . The bag dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the storage position retaining means includes an interference-fit detent in the housing for receiving a portion of the frame.  
     
     
         9 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the scooper in the operative position.  
     
     
         10 . The bag dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the operative position retaining means includes at least one interference-fit detent on the housing for receiving a portion of the frame.  
     
     
         11 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the scooper comprises a curved flange enveloping a portion of the housing in the storage position.  
     
     
         12 . The bag dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes means for limiting pivotal movement of the scooper beyond the operative position.  
     
     
         13 . The bag dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the pivotal movement limiting means includes at least one stop extending away from the housing, abutting against the scooper in the operative position.  
     
     
         14 . The bag dispenser of  claim 11 , including a hinge connecting the housing and frame which allows pivotal movement of the housing and flange relative to one another between the storage position and the operative position.  
     
     
         15 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a central aperture, and wherein placement of the bag over the frame allows waste positioned on a portion of the bag over the central aperture to bear down on the bag and cause the bag to invert as the bag moves through the central aperture.  
     
     
         16 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and frame are connected by a hinge having two apertures for receiving opposite ends of the frame.  
     
     
         17 . The bag dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the hinge includes a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the frame.  
     
     
         18 . The bag dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the stop includes a flange extending outwardly from the hinge and abutting against the housing in the operative position.  
     
     
         19 . The bag dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the housing includes a pair of interference-fit detents for retaining the frame in the operative position.  
     
     
         20 . The bag dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the housing includes at least one stop for limiting pivotal movement of the frame.  
     
     
         21 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , including means for folding the frame into two portions.  
     
     
         22 . The bag dispenser of  claim 21 , wherein the frame moves relative to the housing, the frame being movable to an intermediate position between a storage position and an operative position, and wherein the folding means provides pivot movement of the frame between the intermediate and operative positions.  
     
     
         23 . The bag dispenser of  claim 22 , wherein the frame pivots relative to the housing, the frame being pivotable to the intermediate position between the storage position and the operative position.  
     
     
         24 . The bag dispenser of  claim 22 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the frame in the intermediate position.  
     
     
         25 . The bag dispenser of  claim 22 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the frame in the operative position, the frame being removable from housing and subsequently unfolded and connected to the retaining means.  
     
     
         26 . The bag dispenser of  claim 25 , wherein the retaining means includes at least two interference-fit detents in the housing for retaining the frame, the frame held within the detents being pivotally movable relative to the housing.  
     
     
         27 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , including a removable closure for enclosing an open end of the housing.  
     
     
         28 . The bag dispenser of  claim 27 , wherein the closure includes an attachment means extending outwardly therefrom for connecting the dispenser to a leash.  
     
     
         29 . The bag dispenser of  claim 27 , wherein the closure includes means for retaining the scooper in a storage position.  
     
     
         30 . The bag dispenser of  claim 29 , wherein retaining means includes a detent associated with the housing for receiving a portion of the scooper in friction-fit engagement.  
     
     
         31 . The bag dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the scooper is integrally formed with the housing.  
     
     
         32 . The bag dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein the housing includes a closure, and the scooper extends outwardly from an end of the housing opposite the closure.  
     
     
         33 . The bag dispenser of  claim 32 , including means for attaching the bag dispenser to a leash.  
     
     
         34 . The bag dispenser of  claim 32 , including a window formed through a side wall of the housing for removal of bags therethrough.  
     
     
         35 . The bag dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein the housing includes a removable lid over an open end of the housing, and the scooper extends outwardly from a side wall of the housing.  
     
     
         36 . The bag dispenser of  claim 35 , including a window formed through the side wall of the housing for removal of bags therethrough.  
     
     
         37 . A pet refuse bag dispenser, comprising: 
 a housing including an inner cavity for storing a plurality of bags therein and an aperture which permits access to the inner cavity, the bags being individually removable from the housing through the aperture;    a scooper associated with the housing and configured to provide a frame with which a bag is associated to facilitate the collection of waste within the bag, the scooper pivoting relative to the housing between a storage position and an operative position and extending outwardly from the housing in the operative position;    means for retaining the scooper in a storage position including an interference-fit detent in the housing for receiving a first portion of the frame in friction-fit engagement;    means for retaining the scooper in the operative position; and    a removable closure for enclosing an open end of the housing, the closure including an attachment means extending outwardly therefrom for connecting the dispenser to a leash;    wherein the scooper is disposed about the housing in the storage position.    
     
     
         38 . The bag dispenser of  claim 37 , wherein the operative position retaining means includes a pair of interference-fit detents on the housing for receiving a second portion of the frame and retaining the frame in the operative position.  
     
     
         39 . The bag dispenser of  claim 38 , wherein the housing includes at least one stop for limiting pivotal movement of the frame.  
     
     
         40 . The bag dispenser of  claim 37 , wherein the housing and frame are connected by a hinge including a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the frame and two apertures for receiving opposite ends of the frame, and the stop includes a flange extending outwardly from the hinge and abutting against the housing in the operative position.  
     
     
         41 . The bag dispenser of  claim 37 , including means for folding the frame into two portions; wherein the frame pivots relative to the housing, the frame being pivotable to an intermediate position between the storage position and the operative position, the folding means providing pivotal movement of the frame between the intermediate and operative positions.  
     
     
         42 . The bag dispenser of  claim 41 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the frame in the intermediate position.  
     
     
         43 . The bag dispenser of  claim 41 , wherein the housing includes means for retaining the frame in the operative position having at least two interference-fit detents in the housing for retaining the frame within the detents such that the frame is pivotally movable relative to the housing; the frame being removable from housing, subsequently unfolded, connected to the retaining means.  
     
     
         44 . A pet refuse bag dispenser, comprising: 
 a housing including an inner cavity for storing a plurality of bags therein and an aperture which permits access to the inner cavity, the bags being individually removable from the housing through the aperture;    a scooper associated with the housing and configured to provide a frame with which a bag is associated to facilitate the collection of waste within the bag, pivoting relative to the housing between a storage position and an operative position, extending outwardly from the housing in the operative position, and comprising a curved flange enveloping a portion of the housing in the storage position;    a hinge connecting the housing and frame which allows pivotal movement of the housing and flange relative to one another between the storage and operative positions;    means for limiting pivotal movement of the scooper beyond the operative position including at least one stop extending away from the housing, abutting against the scooper in the operative position; and    a removable closure for enclosing an open end of the housing and including an attachment means extending outwardly therefrom for connecting the dispenser to a leash;    wherein the scooper is disposed about the housing in the storage position.