Waste pick-up and storage device

Abstract

The present invention is a waste pick-up and storage device for scooping solid and semi-solid pet waste. The device includes a bag portion and a scoop portion. In an embodiment, two scoops scoop the pet waste into the bag. In an embodiment, a portion of the scoop is detachable, and another portion is secured to the bag for providing support. The scoop is used to sweep the pet waste into the bag. The scoop portions can serve as handles of the device. In an embodiment, the device can be single-handed. The device can have a receptacle, a cover rotatably attached to the receptacle, and wherein the cover has a handle attached to a surface opposite the base of the receptacle. The waste pick-up and storage device is foldable to be flat, and can be made from a combination of flexible materials for the bag, and inflexible materials for the scoop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A waste pick-up and storage device comprising:
 a flexible receptacle having an opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface;   a first panel positioned on the outer surface of the receptacle such that a first portion of the first panel extends beyond the opening of the receptacle and a second portion of the first panel overlaps with at least part of the receptacle; and   a second panel positioned approximately opposite the first panel on the outer surface of the receptacle such that a first portion of the second panel extends beyond the opening of the receptacle and a second portion of the second panel overlaps with at least part of the receptacle;   wherein the first panel and second panel are attached to the outer surface of the receptacle by respective strips substantially parallel to the opening, the strip forming an axis of rotation about which the first panel and the second panel is rotatable.   
     
     
         2 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1  wherein the first portions of the first panel and the second panel each has a cut-out portion and the first panel; and
 wherein the strips by which the first panel and the second panel are respectively attached to the outer surface of the receptacle is located below the cut-out portions. 
 
     
     
         3 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1  wherein the first panel and the second panel each has a grip and the first panel and the second panel are each attached to the outer surface of the receptacle below the grip. 
     
     
         4 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is made of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is made of paper. 
     
     
         6 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the inner surface has an adhesive capable of at least partially sealing the receptacle opening. 
     
     
         7 . A waste pick-up and storage device comprising:
 a flexible receptacle having an opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface;   a first panel positioned on the inner surface of the receptacle, the first panel being attached to the receptacle by a first strip such that the first panel is rotatable about the first strip; and   a second panel positioned on the inner surface of the receptacle, the second panel being attached to the receptacle by a second strip such that the second panel is rotatable about the second strip.   
     
     
         8 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible receptacle further comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         9 . A waste pick-up and storage device comprising:
 a receptacle capable of being folded flat, having an opening, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, each side having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first side and the second side are situated opposite each other and are each taller than the third side and the fourth side;   a first panel positioned on at least part of the inner surface of the first side such that a portion of the first panel extends beyond the end of the third side and the fourth side and the portion of the first panel extending beyond the end of the third side and the fourth side is not attached to the inner surface of the first side;   a second panel positioned on at least part of the inner surface of the second side such that a portion of the second panel extends beyond the end of the third side and the fourth side and the portion of the second panel extending beyond the end of the third side and the fourth side is not attached to the inner surface of the second side;   wherein the third side and the fourth side each has a first crease, a second crease, and a third crease such that when folded form a “v” shape, the bottom of the “v” being closer to the bottom of the receptacle;   and wherein edges of the first and second panel have chamfer cuts such that the cuts fit in the “v” shape formed by the first, second, and third creases.   
     
     
         10 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the first side and the second side each has a cut-out portion and the first panel and the second panel are each attached to the inner surface of respective first and second sides below the cut-out portions. 
     
     
         11 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible receptacle further comprises a drawstring, such that the drawstring seals the opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The waste pick-up and storage device of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible receptacle further comprises a drawstring, such that the drawstring seals the opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . A method for picking up and storing an object without coming into contact with the object using a device having a receptacle and two panels rotatably attached to the receptacle, the method comprising:
 positioning the receptacle over the object with the two panels located approximately on either side of the object;   bringing the two panels towards each other and the opening of the receptacle such that the two panels lift the object onto the panels and angled towards the inside of the receptacle; and   inverting the receptacle to hold the object.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising at least one of: closing and sealing the receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a drawstring is movably attached to the receptacle for closing and sealing the receptacle.