Animal Waste Collection Apparatus

Abstract

A waste collection tool includes a handle and a housing. The housing is coupled to the handle and defines a central axis. The housing includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion defines a proximal opening disposed about the central axis. The distal portion is coupled to the proximal portion and defines a distal opening disposed about the central axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A waste collection apparatus comprising:
 a handle; and   a housing coupled to the handle and defining a central axis, the housing including:
 a proximal portion defining a proximal opening disposed about the central axis; and 
 a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion and defining a distal opening disposed about the central axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends in a direction transverse to the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the handle defines a first length, and wherein the housing defines a second length extending from the proximal opening to the distal opening, the first length being greater than two times the second length. 
     
     
         5 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an upper wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a lower wall opposite the upper wall and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first and second side walls each including a distal end at least partially defining the distal opening, wherein the distal ends define a convex arcuate shape extending from the lower wall to the upper wall. 
     
     
         6 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the handle is coupled to the upper wall. 
     
     
         7 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutter coupled to the distal portion of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an upper wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a lower wall opposite the upper wall and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the lower wall extending between the distal portion and the proximal opening in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lower wall includes a first proximal end at least partially defining the proximal opening, the first proximal end extending linearly in a direction transverse to the central axis. 
     
     
         10 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first side wall includes a second proximal end, the second side wall includes a third proximal end, and the upper wall includes a fourth proximal end, the second proximal end, the third proximal end, and the fourth proximal end collectively defining a sinusoidal pattern disposed about the central axis. 
     
     
         11 . A waste collection apparatus comprising:
 a handle extending in a first direction; and   a housing coupled to the handle and defining a central axis extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the housing including at least one wall surrounding the central axis.   
     
     
         12 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the handle extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis. 
     
     
         13 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wall forms:
 a proximal portion defining a proximal opening disposed about the central axis; and   a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion and defining a distal opening disposed about the central axis.   
     
     
         14 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the handle defines a first length, and wherein the housing defines a second length extending from the proximal opening to the distal opening, the first length being greater than two times the second length. 
     
     
         15 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an upper wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a lower wall opposite the upper wall and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first and second side walls each including a distal end at least partially defining the distal opening, wherein the distal ends define a convex arcuate shape extending from the lower wall to the upper wall. 
     
     
         16 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the handle is coupled to the upper wall. 
     
     
         17 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall of the proximal portion, an upper wall extending between the first side wall of the proximal portion and the second side wall of the proximal portion, and a lower wall opposite the upper wall of the proximal portion and extending between the first side wall of the proximal portion and the second side wall of the proximal portion, the lower wall of the proximal portion extending between the distal portion and the proximal opening in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         18 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the lower wall of the proximal portion includes a first proximal end at least partially defining the proximal opening, the first proximal end extending linearly in a direction transverse to the central axis. 
     
     
         19 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first side wall of the proximal portion includes a second proximal end, the second side wall of the proximal portion includes a third proximal end, and the upper wall of the proximal portion includes a fourth proximal end, and wherein the second proximal end, the third proximal end, and the fourth proximal end collectively define a sinusoidal pattern disposed about the central axis. 
     
     
         20 . The waste collection apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a cutter coupled to the housing.