Leash with Inline Article Dispenser

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for integrated article dispensers for leashes which provide greater handling and responsiveness. One embodiment is an apparatus is in the form of an article dispenser that includes a first end for coupling with a first tensile member, a second end for coupling with the second tensile member, and a rigid housing between the first end and the second end. The rigid housing defines an internal volume for storing articles, and that further defines an opening. In response to the article dispenser bearing a threshold amount of tension, a centroid of the article dispenser aligns within a threshold distance of being collinear with a force that generates the tension. While the centroid of the article dispenser is within the threshold distance of being collinear, rotation of the system about an axis of the forcer applies less than a threshold torque to the tensile members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system in the form of a leash with an integrated article dispenser, the system comprising:
 a first tensile member;   a second tensile member; and   an article dispenser disposed between the first tensile member and the second tensile member, the article dispenser comprising:
 a first end that is mechanically coupled with the first tensile member; 
 a second end that is mechanically coupled with the second tensile member; 
 a housing that is disposed between the first end and the second end, that defines an internal volume for storing articles, and that also defines a first opening which communicates between the internal volume and an exterior of the housing, wherein a dimension of the first opening corresponds with a dimension of the articles; and 
 a hatch at the housing that defines a second opening which communicates with the internal volume, 
 wherein the second opening and the first opening are disposed opposite each other, the first opening comprises an elliptical hole intersected by a slit, and the second opening comprises an elliptical hole. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a spindle that is disposed within the internal volume; 
 features defined by the housing that retain ends of the spindle while enabling the ends of the spindle to freely rotate; and 
 stored articles that are wrapped around the spindle. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the second opening permits access to the stored articles at a different radial position than the first opening, such that pinching the stored articles between the first opening and the second opening and rotating the stored articles causes the spindle to rotate. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the stored articles comprise sanitary bags, and the first opening has a length corresponding with a length of spindle occupied by each sanitary bag. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the housing comprises a cylinder. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the housing comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first end forms a loop that the first tensile member threads through, and the second end forms a loop that the second tensile member threads through. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first tensile member comprises a cord, and the first end defines a hole through which an end of the first tensile member is inserted; and 
 the second tensile member comprises a cord, and the second end defines a hole through which an end of the second tensile member is inserted. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the hatch is affixed to the housing via a hinge. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein:
 upon opening the hatch, the internal volume is exposed for receiving new articles. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the article dispenser is the sole entity that mechanically unites the first tensile member with the second tensile member. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first tensile member is removably attached to the first end via a mechanism selected from the group consisting of: buckles, clasps, hasps, buttons, and snaps. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first tensile member comprises a loop, wherein one end of the loop is fixedly attached to the first end, and another end of the loop is removably attached to the first end. 
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for use with a leash, the apparatus comprising:
 an article dispenser comprising:
 a housing that defines an internal volume for storing articles, and that also defines a first opening which communicates between the internal volume and an exterior of the housing, wherein a dimension of the first opening corresponds with a dimension of the articles; and 
 a hatch at the housing that defines a second opening which communicates with the internal volume, wherein the second opening has a shape distinct from a shape of the first opening, and the hatch is disposed opposite the first opening. 
   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use with a leash, the apparatus comprising:
 an article dispenser comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a housing that is disposed between the first end and the second end, that defines an internal volume for storing articles, and that also defines a first opening which communicates between the internal volume and an exterior of the housing, wherein a dimension of the first opening corresponds with a dimension of the articles; and 
 a hatch at the housing that defines a second opening which communicates with the internal volume, 
 wherein the second opening and the first opening are disposed opposite to each other, the first opening comprises an elliptical hole intersected by a slit, and the second opening comprises an elliptical hole. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a spindle that is disposed within the internal volume; 
 features defined by the housing that retain ends of the spindle while enabling the ends of the spindle to freely rotate; and 
 stored articles that are wrapped around the spindle. 
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the second opening permits access to the stored articles at a different radial position than the first opening, such that pinching the stored articles between the first opening and the second opening and rotating the stored articles causes the spindle to rotate. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the stored articles comprise sanitary bags, and the first opening has a length corresponding with a length of spindle occupied by each sanitary bag. 
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the housing comprises a cylinder. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the housing comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal.