Disposable animal bathing and grooming apparatus

Abstract

A disposable animal bathing and grooming apparatus for the hygienic cleaning of animals is provided. The apparatus may include a collapsible disposable container removably supported in an upright condition by a frame. The disposable container provides a cavity for receiving an animal, wherein a filter is provided along a lower portion thereof. The disposable container is configured to selectively capture and/or directedly discharge animal waste wherein the animal's body is fully accessible to direct contact during bathing/grooming. The disposable container provides an integrated pouch. The frame is movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration for easy storage. The disposable container may be collapsed into its pouch for disposal of all the animal waste deposited therein during the bathing and grooming process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 an upper horizontal frame; 
 a lower horizontal frame; and 
 a plurality of vertical members pivotally interconnecting the upper and the lower horizontal frames so that the frame is movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration have a planar orientation; 
   a disposable container extending from a lower portion to an upper portion so as to define a cavity, the upper portion providing an opening to the cavity, wherein a periphery of the upper portion removably attaches along the upper horizontal frame;   a restraint device connected to the upper horizontal frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration, wherein the restraint device is adapted to restrain an animal;   and a filter provided along the lower portion, wherein the filter fluidly communicates with the cavity, and wherein the filter is dimensioned and adapted to prevent solid animal waste of the animal from passing therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining member dimensioned to removably sandwich the upper portion of the disposable container along the periphery of the upper horizontal frame. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is movable between an open position and a closed position preventing fluid from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a void provided along the lower horizontal frame, wherein the void aligns with the filter. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pouch integrated into the disposable container, wherein the disposable container is collapsible into the pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sprayer holder connected to the upper horizontal frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of detachable connectors provided by each horizontal frame, so that each horizontal frame is movable between an operable configuration and a storage configuration separated into two separate portions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter attachment connected to an outlet of the filter, wherein the filter attachment captures liquids. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a suction ring provided by the filter attachment to create an airtight adhesion between the filter attachment and a supporting surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a drain hose connected to an outlet of the filter for directing flow therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump connected to an outlet of the filter for directing animal waste run-off to a desired location. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 an upper horizontal frame; 
 a lower horizontal frame; 
 a plurality of vertical members pivotally interconnecting the upper and the lower horizontal frames so that the frame is movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration have a planar orientation; and 
 a plurality of detachable connectors provided by each horizontal frame, so that each horizontal frame is movable between an operable configuration and a storage configuration separated into two separate portions; 
   a disposable container extending from a lower portion to an upper portion so as to define a cavity, the upper portion providing an opening to the cavity;   a retaining member dimensioned to removably sandwich the upper portion of the disposable container along a periphery of the upper horizontal frame;   a sprayer holder connected to the upper horizontal frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration;   a restraint device connected to the upper horizontal frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration, wherein the restraint device is adapted to restrain an animal;   a filter integrating into the lower portion, wherein the filter is movable between an open position and a closed position preventing fluid from passing therethrough, wherein the filter fluidly communicates with the cavity, and wherein the filter is dimensioned and adapted to prevent solid but not fluid animal waste of the animal from passing therethrough in the open position;   a void provided along the lower horizontal frame, wherein the void aligns with the filter; and   a pouch integrated into the disposable container, wherein the disposable container is collapsible into the pouch.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration have a planar orientation;   a disposable bag extending from a lower portion to an opening removably attached along an upper portion of the frame;   a restraint device connected to the upper portion of the frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration, wherein the restraint device is adapted to restrain an animal; and   a filter provided along a lower portion for the disposable bag, wherein the filter fluidly communicates there with, and wherein the filter is dimensioned and adapted to prevent solid animal waste of the animal from passing therethrough.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a retaining member dimensioned to removably sandwich a periphery of the opening along a periphery of the upper portion of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the filter is movable between an open position and a closed position preventing fluid from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a pouch integrated into the disposable bag, wherein the disposable bag is collapsible into the pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a sprayer holder connected to the upper portion of the frame so as to be adjacent to and upward relative to the opening in the upright configuration.