Apparatus and methods for refuse collection

Abstract

A pet refuse collection apparatus, and methods of use of the pet refuse collection apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first frame portion with refuse bag support members and a first handle, and a second frame portion with a refuse bag receptacle member and a second handle. The frame portions are crossed over each other at distal ends for enhanced usability. A sliding handle grip may be provided for securing the first handle and the second handle together. The apparatus can be maneuvered using the sliding handle grip. The methods include supporting a refuse bag with the support members, threading the bag through these members, and adjusting the support members and receptacle member using the sliding handle grip. This setup ensures secure holding and efficient collection of pet refuse. The invention provides a hygienic, efficient, and user-friendly solution for managing pet waste, improving convenience for pet owners.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pet refuse collection apparatus, comprising:
 a first frame portion comprising a first refuse bag support member, a second refuse bag support member, and a first handle, wherein the first refuse bag support member and second refuse bag support member are fixedly attached to a distal end of the first handle, and wherein the first refuse bag support member and second refuse bag support member are adapted to support a refuse bag;   a second frame portion comprising a receptacle member configured to provide additional support the refuse bag, and a second handle, wherein the receptacle member is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second handle; and   a sliding handle grip configured to secure the first handle and the second handle together to form a combined handle for the pet refuse collection apparatus, wherein the sliding handle grip can be moved along a length of the combined handle to control the pet refuse collection apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are interlaced or crossed over each other at their respective distal ends. 
     
     
         3 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member is interlaced with the receptacle member of the second frame portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member are adjustable using the sliding handle grip to accommodate different sizes of refuse bags. 
     
     
         5 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding handle grip can be moved, by a user, along the length of the combined handle for contracting and expanding the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member outward. 
     
     
         6 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sliding handle grip comprises a locking mechanism to fix a position of the sliding handle grip along the length of the combined handle. 
     
     
         7 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member are shaped into a trapezoidal loop. 
     
     
         8 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle member is shaped to conform to a shape of the refuse bag, providing a snug fit around the refuse bag. 
     
     
         9 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first handle and the second handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion. 
     
     
         10 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a first brace and a second brace, each of the first brace and the second brace fixedly attached to the first handle portion and the second handle portion, maintaining the first handle portion and the second handle portion at a set position relative to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixed handle grip positioned at a proximal end of the combined handle. 
     
     
         12 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed handle grip comprises a compartment for storing at least one of: spare refuse bags, gloves, or disinfectant wipes. 
     
     
         13 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed handle grip additionally comprises an LED light configured to illuminate the first refuse bag support member, the second refuse bag support member, and a surrounding area during use. 
     
     
         14 . The pet refuse collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding handle grip additionally comprises one or more buttons for operating a spring-loaded mechanism to adjust a position of the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of collecting pet refuse using a pet refuse collection apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a first frame portion comprising a first refuse bag support member, a second refuse bag support member, and a first handle, wherein the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member are adapted to support a refuse bag;   providing a second frame portion comprising a receptacle member and a second handle, wherein the receptacle member is fixedly attached to a distal end of the second handle, and the receptacle member is configured to provide additional support around the refuse bag;   securing the first handle and the second handle together using a sliding handle grip, thereby forming a combined handle for the pet refuse collection apparatus;   moving the sliding handle grip along a length of the combined handle to control a position of at least one of: the first refuse bag support member, the second refuse bag support member, and the receptacle member;   moving the sliding handle grip in a first direction along the length of the combined handle to contract the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member inward;   placing the refuse bag onto the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member;   moving the sliding handle grip in a second direction along the length of the combined handle to expand the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member outward to hold the refuse bag open, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction;   collecting pet refuse into the refuse bag;   moving the sliding handle grip in the first direction along the length of the combined handle to contract the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member inward to facilitate removal of a soiled refuse bag; and   removing the soiled refuse bag from the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising interlacing the first frame portion and the second frame portion at their distal ends. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising illuminating the first refuse bag support member, the second refuse bag support member, and a surrounding area using a light integrated on the pet refuse collection apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising operating a spring-loaded mechanism to adjust the position of at least one of: the first refuse bag support member, the second refuse bag support member, and the receptacle member using one or more buttons provided on the sliding handle grip. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting an angle between the first handle and the second handle to control and maneuver the pet refuse collection apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising storing spare refuse bags in a compartment integrated into the sliding handle grip. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sliding handle grip is configured to slide forward towards a distal end of the combined handle to contract the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member inward. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sliding handle grip is configured to slide backward towards a proximal end of the combined handle to expand the first refuse bag support member and the second refuse bag support member outward. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receptacle member is configured to tilt by sliding the sliding handle grip along the length of the combined handle. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising detaching at least one of: the first handle, the second handle, the first refuse bag support member, the second refuse bag support member, and the receptacle member to facilitate cleaning, replacement, or customization.