This invention relates to dispensers for containers, especially collection containers, and more particularly relates to dispensers for canine faeces collection bags.

In Australia today, it is believed to be appropriate for dog owners to collect dog droppings deposited by their dogs. In a leaflet entitled "Doggie Do - Do the right thing", published in 2003 by the Department of Primary Industries of the State of Victoria, Australia, it is stated that "Nowadays, it is accepted that cleaning up after dogs is part of being a responsible pet owner."

Furthermore, in many parts of Australia, it is mandatory for a dog owner to collect dog faeces. In The Courier-Mail newspaper, published in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 28 August 2004, there appeared a report, the headline of which read "On-the-spot fines slammed as doggie don't". The report noted that from 1 September 2004, dog owners in the Brisbane City Council area would face "...a $37.50 on-the-spot fine for not carrying a plastic bag, shovel, or pooper scooper device on walks."

Accordingly, it is common to see dog owners taking their dog for a walk, clutching a supermarket plastic bag in their hand, waiting for their dog to defecate, or with such a bag carried in a garment pocket. This is clearly an unsatisfactory manner in which to comply with one's responsibilities and with the law.

A similar situation may be found in other countries, in particular developed countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

DE 32 25 602 A1 and US-A- 5,174,620 describe similar apparatus, in which canine faeces are collected using collecting flaps which may be opened and then closed around the faeces, and which include a retractable leash able to be attached to the collar of a dog. Such apparatus is unwieldy and impractical.

SE 524 523 discloses a "Holder for bags to put dog faeces into". The holder is in the form of a bag, from which faeces collection bags are dispensed through an

opening in the body of the bag or though the neck of the bag. A loop of material around the neck of the bag may be attached to a leash. The holder of this document cannot be easily attached to and removed from a leash.

Finally, JP 9294497 describes a cylindrical carrying case in which canine faeces may be stored. Strings are attached to the case, for attachment of the case to a leash. Again, the described case cannot be easily attached to and removed from a lead.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus which will assist in the collection of dog droppings and be easily and removably attached to a dog lead or leash.

The invention may provide, in a broad aspect, a dispenser for containers, said dispenser being characterised by means to dispense said containers, and by attachment means adapted to releasably attach said dispenser to an article such as a lead or leash.

Preferably, said means to dispense containers includes a recess or cavity in the body of said dispenser, or a hollow body of said dispenser, in which one or more containers may be located for dispensing through a dispensing opening/closure.

Preferably, said containers are bags.

Preferably, said containers are a plurality of bags, each of which is removably attached to the adjacent bag.

Preferably, said attachment means is hook means, adapted to releasably attach said dispenser to a lead, leash or other article.

Preferably, said containers are collection containers.

More preferably, said containers are collection containers for the collection of dog faeces.

An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention, showing the dispenser in a non-dispensing configuration; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 , showing the dispenser in a dispensing configuration.

The dispenser 10 consists of a body 12, in which is a cavity 14, only part of which cavity 14 is shown in Fig. 2. At one end of body 12 is dispensing means 16, and at the other end of body 12 is an attachment means 18 in the form of a hook.

The dispensing means 16 includes a closure member 20, which is hinged to body 12 by hinge means 22. Lugs 24, 26 are intended to mate with recesses 28, 30 in body 12 to releasably secure the closure member 20 to body 12. It is intended that canine faeces collection containers be located in cavity 14. Preferably, the containers (not shown) are bags, preferably bags of plastics material, which bags may be sealable bags, more preferably of the type having clicking pinch and seal zippers, one example of which is marketed under the registered trade mark Ziploc. Preferably, the bags are arranged in a plurality of perhaps five or six, or any other number, such that adjacent bags are removably attached to each other. In that way, when the closure member is opened, the first bag visible may be withdrawn from the cavity and torn from its adjacent bag, for use.

Hook 18 has an enlarged outer end 32, which defines with body 12 a gap 34. Preferably, gap 34 is less than the width of an article, such as a lead or leash (not shown), which is intended to be received through gap 34 to be releasably retained in the space 36 between the reduced-width portion 38 of hook 18 and body 12. Preferably, the material of at least hook 18 is such that hook 18 is flexible enough to deform to allow the article to pass through gap 34.

In use, the dispenser 10 is hooked onto a dog lead or leash at the start of a dog walking exercise. When the dog has defecated, the closure member 20 of dispensing means 16 is opened, a bag extracted and removed form the adjacent bag, and the closure member is closed. The bag may then be used to collect the faeces, sealed (if the bags are sealable bags) and disposed of in a proper manner. At the end of the walk the dispenser may be left on the lead, or removed and stored elsewhere.

The dispenser 10 may be formed of any suitable material, although a preference may be for the dispenser 10 to be formed form a plastics material. The plastics material may be the type which allows the hinge 22 to be formed integrally. The dispenser body 12 may be formed as one moulding, either as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or in a form which would allow two halves to be subsequently welded together.

The attachment means may be other than a hook. The collection bags may take any suitable form. The dispenser may be used for any other suitable purpose, and in connection with any other animal, bird or the like which may be controlled by a lead or leash.

The entire contents of the specification of Australian provisional patent application no. 2004905373, filed on 20 September 2004, are hereby imported into this specification.

The claims form part of the disclosure of this application.