Inventor Gareth hopes chute will solve dog mess problems
AS A nation, Wales has contributed its fair share of inventors to the world.
There’s Sir Pryce PryceJones, for example, who established the world’s first mail order business in Newtown. Or Edward George “Taffy” Bowen, who was instrumental in developing radar during the Second World War.
And there was Alfred Russel Wallace, who conceived of The Theory of Natural Selection and Evolution independently of Charles Darwin.
But we are also a nation of dog lovers.
Around 24% of the population are said to own one or more dogs, and now a man from Bridgend has combined our innate knack for concocting new devices with our fondness for our four-legged friends by designing a nifty new invention – a toilet for dogs.
It has been named the Doggy Chute and its creator, Gareth Maund from Kenfig, said that what started out as a practical solution to a personal problem could now help countless people across the world.
“Having a young family, I was conscious of the health issues that could occur by leaving dog mess around your garden,” says the inventor of his inspiration.
For example, the eggs from the round worm parasite in dog waste, which can lay dormant in the soil or grass for up to three years, can cause blindness in children in some extreme cases.
So he set about finding a way to dispose of dog waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
“After my dogs had fouled, I would clean up the mess and place it in the dustbin,” he adds.
“I then started to lift the inspection hatch on the sewer system depositing the waste directly into the mains.
“I struck on the idea of designing a sealed hatch which was integrated into the top of the inspection cover, so it would enable me to deposit the waste directly into the sewer system.
“From there the idea was born and in February 2008 the UK patent was applied for, and issued in February 2013.”
And so the Doggy Chute was born.
The Doggy Chute replaces an existing manhole cover in a domestic garden or drive, fitting into the existing framework.
A “poop scoop” is then used to collect the waste, which has a magnet built into it. This can be used to lift the hatch by touching the magnet built in to the cover.
After depositing the waste, it goes directly into the sewerage system, which Gareth says will be treated as part of the normal treatment process.
Gareth is now hoping that it can be installed in domestic places, such as communal houses where there are a lot of dogs in a small residential area.
In particular, he points out how easy it would be for the elderly and the disabled to use. It could also reduce the burden and cost on councils, by minimising the time spent clearing the waste and the landfill space needed.
“It’s a global problem,” he says, noting that while people are happy to spend money on treats and toys for their pets, they often forget another important aspect of caring for their animals.
“At Christmas, they estimate that we spend an average of £13.50 on each dog in presents. And although we love our pets, there is very little in the way of any sort of ideas that meets the need to solve the problem of dog waste.”
Having patented his idea, and received the confirmation that it is indeed unique – when a search report was issued on his application, they found only two other relevant ideas in the world which had “limited relevance and have no bearing on my invention” – he is now hoping to take the final step and release the Doggy Chute into the world.
“I am now looking to move the idea on, and will be looking for backing either in the way of private investment or crowdfunding,” says Gareth.