Pet protective collar with stays

A flexible pet protective collar having stays formed of a more rigid material than flexible sheets of the collar, the stays being disposed inside channels located at seams of the collar.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a pet protective collar, and in particular, some embodiments relate to a flexible e-collar with stays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When wounded or when a diseased site is present, many animals, for example cats and dogs will instinctively lick or bite at the site of the injury or disease. Repeated licking typically results in slower healing and increased risk of infection. Where animals have undergone a surgical procedure, licking further risks disruption of sutures placed to keep the surgical wound closed while the healing process proceeds. Disruption of a surgical wound is highly undesirable as it subjects the animal to the risk of serious or even fatal internal infections. In any case where a medication is applied, the animal tends to lick it.

As a result, a variety of approaches have been developed to prevent animals from licking or otherwise disturbing wounds or a diseased or injured area while they are healing. For example, one common approach is to use a protective collar known as an “Elizabethan collar” or “E-collar” as they are sometimes called. These collars usually are formed from flexible but relatively rigid materials such as sheets of plastic or cardboard, and are provided in a range of sizes in order to accommodate animals of different size. The E-collar is wrapped around the animal's neck and then secured in place as a means by which to prevent the animal from contacting or otherwise disturbing a wound or site of application of a topical medicament.

One example is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,057 (Agar), which discloses a method of using a cone-shaped collar made of a semi-rigid material that when secured forms a cone around the animal's neck and which prevents the animal from contacting a region on the animal to which a substance has been applied topically. However, while commonly used, traditional E-collars suffer from a number of limitations that detract from their usefulness.

For example, as discussed above, these collars are usually fashioned from relatively rigid materials. Consequently they are not adapted to folding and take up significant space when on a store shelf, or when stored by an animal owner after purchase and between uses. In addition, the rigid material tends to be uncomfortable for the animal to wear and it can break if bent too far. Further, the rigid material can shatter when subjected to cold temperatures. The rigid materials typically used in E-collars also make it difficult for the animal to eat or drink or get through tight spaces, and the pet is jarred if it bumps into something straight-on. The rigid E-collars can scratch furniture, knock things over and hurt a person. Also, the noise of striking something or even brushing against something can cause stress for the pet.

It is well known in the art that animals dislike the application of the E-collar and will attempt to remove it. This results in increased stress to the animal, and if removed, obviates the utility of the collar to prevent contact of an injured area by the animal, prolonging healing time and increasing the risk of serious infection.

A variety of protective collars have been described, some based on the traditional E-collar design, and others using other designs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,764 (Fick & Fair) discloses a cone-shaped E-collar with a custom fittable closure. The device improves upon the traditional collar in that it provides a “one-size fits all” capability. However, the Fick device still suffers from design limitations in that it is a rigid collar that animals dislike.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,814 (Moy & Moy) discloses a protective collar that avoids the cone-shape of the traditional E-collar. In the Moy device, the collar comprises a sheet of flexible material sized to cover the entire neck from the back of the mandible to the scapula. Thus, the movement of the neck is restricted such that the animal is prevented from licking or biting at wounds. However, the device is not useful in protecting irritation of injuries to the head as the close fitting design does not prevent pawing of an injury of the head or face.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,814 (Miller) discloses a donut shaped collar that is wide enough to prevent an animal from turning its head sufficiently in order to lick or chew at an affected area.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,222 (Bowen) discloses a foam sleeve that like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,814 covers a region of the animal's neck thereby preventing the animal from bending the neck in order to contact an affected area.

As discussed, the aforementioned E-collars are generally formed from rigid materials, such as plastic, that are uncomfortable and thus not well tolerated by animals. To overcome this problem, some collars have been disclosed that are formed from softer more compliant materials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,295 (issued to Lippincott) discloses a collar that comprises two side-by-side rings of soft material, with non-resilient medical padding sewn together along their inner margins. The rings are gathered to form radial pleats that interfere with the ability of the animal to chew or lick affected body parts. However, as the collar could conceivably be bent backwards from the head, it would be possible for an animal to paw at injuries in the head area, again limiting the overall usefulness of this type of collar. Also, a soft e-collar can be easily chewed by the pet due to the inside material being loose.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(1) In a variant, a protective collar that is effective as a veterinary restraint when fitted on an animal, comprises a layered assembly comprising: a first sheet comprising a flexible substantially non-resilient material having inner and outer arcuate edges extending between a first end and a second end of the first sheet, the inner and outer arcuate edges comprising single circular arcs, wherein the outer arcuate edge has a substantially greater radius than the inner edge; a second sheet comprising a flexible substantially non-resilient material and having a substantially similar shape to that of the first sheet; a flexible resilient padding layer, forming a generally similar shape to the first and second sheets located between said first and second sheets, such that when assembled the first and second sheets and the padding layer form the layered assembly having an outer arcuate edge and an inner arcuate edge and a first end and a second end. At least one stay is connected to one of the sheets, for preventing the sheet from folding, and the stay is effective to stiffen the overall shape of the collar. The first sheet and the second sheet and the padding layer between them are formed into the assembly by securing together the outer arcuate edges and the inner arcuate edges and the first and second ends of the first and second sheets. A closure is effective to secure the first and second ends of the protective collar, such that when the first and second ends of the protective collar are secured, a closed configuration is formed having an inner opening and an outer opening. The inner opening being substantially smaller than the outer opening. The outer opening is configured to encompass the wearer's head and the inner opening is configured to encompass a wearer's neck but not the head. The protective collar is sized and shaped to encompass both the wearer's head and neck on different parts of the restraint.

(2) In another variant, the protective collar further comprises: a plurality of radial stitching lines at least partially extending between the inner arcuate edge and the outer arcuate edge of the layered assembly, operative to effectively segment the collar into panels, and such that the stitches are further effective as fold lines in order to easily fold the collar for packaging or storage. At least one channel is disposed along a radial stitching line, and is configured to receive the stay.

(3) In a further variant of the protective collar, a plurality of channels contain a stay. The channels at least partially extend between the inner arcuate edge and the outer arcuate edge of the layered assembly.

(4) In yet another variant of the protective collar, the channels further comprise an opening disposed along the smaller circumference side of the collar.

(5) In still further variant of the protective collar, the channel openings to the channels having a closure mechanism for preventing the unintentional release of the stays.

(6) In a variant of the protective collar, the channel openings to the channels having a closure mechanism disposed inside the channel near the opening and completely across the opening.

(7) In another variant of the protective collar, disposed in front of the opening is a optional piece of loop material for partially occluding the opening to assist in preventing unwanted escape of the stay during use of the collar.

(8) In a further variant of the protective collar, the channels are formed on an outside surface of a sheet.

(9) In yet another variant of the protective collar, the channels are formed between the first and second sheet.

(10) In still a further variant, a protective collar that is effective as a veterinary restraint when fitted on an animal comprises: a flexible assembly having an outer arcuate edge and an inner arcuate edge and a first end and a second end; and at least one stay connected to the assembly and extending in a direction between the inner and outer arcuate edges, the stay formed of a material stiffer than that of the flexible assembly.

(11) In a variant, the protective collar comprises: a plurality of radial stitching lines at least partially extending between the inner arcuate edge and the outer arcuate edge of the assembly, operative to effectively segment the collar into panels, and such that the stitches are further effective as fold lines in order to easily fold the collar for packaging or storage; and at least one channel disposed along a radial stitching line, the channel being configured to house the stay.

(12) In another variant of the protective collar, a plurality of channels each contain a stay. The channels at least partially extend between the inner arcuate edge and the outer arcuate edge of the assembly.

(13) In a further variant of the protective collar, the channels further comprise an opening disposed along the smaller circumference side of the collar.

(14) In yet another variant of the protective collar, the channel openings to the channels have a closure mechanism.

(15) In still a further variant of the protective collar, the channel openings to the channels having a closure mechanism disposed inside the channel near the opening and completely across the opening.

(16) In a variant of the protective collar, disposed in front of the opening is a optional piece of loop material for partially occluding the opening to assist in preventing unwanted escape of the stay during use of the collar.

(17) In another variant of the protective collar, the channels are formed on an outside surface of a sheet.

(18) In a further variant of the protective collar, the channels are formed between the first and second sheet.

(19) In still another variant, a protective collar that is effective as a veterinary restraint when fitted on an animal comprises a layered assembly comprising: a first sheet comprising a flexible substantially non-resilient material having inner and outer arcuate edges extending between a first and second end of the first sheet, the inner and outer arcuate edges comprising circular arcs, wherein the outer arcuate edge has a substantially greater radius than the inner edge; a second sheet comprising a flexible substantially non-resilient material and having a substantially similar shape to that of the first sheet. When assembled, the first and second sheets form the layered assembly having an outer arcuate edge and an inner arcuate edge and a first end and a second end. At least one stay is connected to the assembly and extending in a direction between the inner and outer arcuate edges. The stay is formed of a material stiffer than that of the flexible assembly. The first sheet and the second sheet are formed into the assembly by securing together the outer arcuate edges and the inner arcuate edges and the first and second ends of the first and second sheets. A closure is effective to secure the first and second ends of the protective collar, such that when the first and second ends of the protective collar are secured a closed configuration is formed having an inner opening and an outer opening, the inner opening being smaller than the outer opening to provide a truncated cone shape.

(20) In a variant, the protective collar has a plurality of channels that each contain a stay. The channels at least partially extend between the inner arcuate edge and the outer arcuate edge of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.

Referring first toFIGS. 1,2and3, the present invention provides a protective collar1effective as a veterinary restraint when fitted on an animal. In this embodiment of the invention the protective collar1comprises a first exterior sheet10comprising a flexible material having inner and outer arcuate edges12and14respectively, the edges being generally concentric around a common center and extending between a first end16and a second end18. A second exterior sheet20(underneath sheet10inFIG. 1) also comprises a flexible material. The second exterior sheet20is substantially the same size and shape to enable creating the two sides of the collar with a space for a resilient padding layer22as shown inFIG. 2.

The resilient padding layer22, also of a generally similar shape to the first and second exterior sheets10and20, and is sized to be located between the first and second exterior sheets10and20as shown inFIG. 2. When assembled, the first and second exterior sheets10and20and the resilient padding layer30form a substantially at least semi-circular shape, as has been shown inFIG. 1. Actually, in order to allow a lot of size adjustability, it is somewhat greater than semi-circular.

The first and second exterior sheets10and20can be fashioned from a variety of materials including cloth, rubberized cloth, soft plastic and the like. Apart from the physical quality to provide a soft, flexible surface of the finished assembly, the first and second exterior sheets and the resilient padding between then, when formed into the in-use cone shape needs only to be sufficiently rigid and resilient to be self-supporting. The present invention uses materials that are soft and flexible and specifically avoids the use of rigid plastic sheet materials as is commonly found in traditional E-collars. In one particular, it may be desirable to select a soft-surfaced comfortable material for the inside of the collar adjacent to the animals head and neck, and a more rugged material for the outside of the collar. Also, the outside of the collar may be provided in a decorative motif, and may be made of material that is easily cleaned and/or that is resistant to staining.

The padding layer22may also be fashioned from a variety of materials. The material used in the padding layer22should be flexible enough to provide a collar that is softer and therefore more comfortable than traditional e-collar, yet is rigid enough to maintain the desired cone-like shape of the collar when worn by an animal and sufficiently resilient to return to its cone shape when bent. It is preferred that the first and second exterior sheets10and20be quite flexible with little resilience and resistance to bending, while the padding layer22be more resilient such that when they are formed into a unit and applied to an animal in a cone shape it will be sufficiently rigid to maintain its cone configuration yet will easily give when hit or pushed or bent and resilient enough to recover its cone shape. Foam plastic is a good material for use as the padding layer, and a wide range of resiliency, and thickness is available.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1,2and3the padding layer22comprises a layer of foam sandwiched between the first and second exterior sheets10and20, as shown inFIG. 2. Other materials such as non-woven sheets or like materials may be used to provide a soft sufficiently resilient and rigid padding layer. The first exterior sheet10and the second exterior sheet20are joined along their peripheries12and14by sewing.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1,2and3, using separate exterior sheets10and20, they are sewn together along the inner arcuate edge12and the outer arcuate edge14using conventional hem sewing techniques, using outer hem strips24and26as shown inFIG. 2, with the padding layer30inside. The padding layer22may be sewn-in along the inner arcuate edge or the outer arcuate edge, or just retained in the space, the latter being shown inFIG. 2. The outer hem strip24(and also hem strip26) can be made with a reflective surface or a glow-in-the-dark surface for safety and otherwise to easily spot the pet.

Stitching can be used to further strengthen the collar while still allowing it to easily bend on contact and also to provide folding points. Radially extending stitching28a,28band28ccomprising two parallel rows, provides some additional rigidity radially and also provides convenient folding points upon which the collar can be folded for storage or packaging, and further strengthen the integrity of the collar when in use. The preferred stitching is zigzag type or parallel rows of straight stitching that is of a selected width dimension such as about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch and they extend substantially fully across the width from the arcuate edge14to the arcuate edge12. Examples of collars folded for storage or packaging are shown inFIGS. 6-9dand are described below. It can be appreciated that the radial stitching lines are placed so that the collar will fold into at least approximately equal segments such that stitch28ais about at the center of the collar and stitches28band28care about half way to the beginning of the closure elements. That will allow it to be optimally folded for packaging or storage.

The invention further comprises a means of closure, effective to secure the ends of the protective collar, such that when the ends of the protective collar are secured, the collar forms a truncated cone with an inner opening30and an outer opening32as shown inFIG. 3. Various means of closure are suitable for use in the invention. In one embodiment hook and loop fastener strips such as Velcro products conveniently secure the ends of the collar to form the desired cone shape as shown inFIG. 3. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1,2and3, a plurality of first hook and loop strips34are on the exterior sheet10(facing up inFIG. 1), in the example, three strips34and three sets of tabs38and mating plurality of three second hook and loop strips36are on the exterior sheet20(facing down inFIG. 1). Also, downward facing tabs40are sewn onto the end16being fastenable to any pair of the tabs38, or any of the strips34. As shown inFIG. 1each end of the protective collar has three strips of fastener material34and36respectively. This allows the device to be sized appropriately to the animal by allowing a variety of engagement positions for greater or lesser opening neck fitting. Also, with the use of the tabs40, in addition to providing options for sizing, the edge16can be kept from protruding. As few as one strip on one side and two strips on the other side will allow for minimal size adjustability. Using the multiple closure position features, such as the plurality of hook and loop strips a fitted closure can be selected for mating alignment and matching of the outer and inner edges such as shown inFIG. 11. This can be referred to as normal or edge aligned fitting. Also, the plurality of strips and tabs allow for non-edge matched closure, such that for example, the strips may be crossed with respect to each other to be not evenly aligned, so that the shape of the cone can be adjusted, for example, to be narrower at the outside, or wider at the outside or similarly at the inside, such as shown inFIG. 10. This can be referred to as distortion fitting or personalized fitting. The user can conform the shape as desired to conform to the pet's head and neck shape and size. In yet another embodiment snaps are used to secure the ends of the collar.

To maintain the integrity of the collar, the invention provides for a means of securing the first and second exterior sheets to the resilient padding layer. In one embodiment the means of securing the first and second sheets and padding layers comprises laminating or otherwise adhering the padding layer onto at least one of the exterior sheets of flexible material. In another embodiment, the padding layer is laminated or adhered onto both the first and second exterior sheets. Securing the padding layer to the sheets further prevents the animal from separating the layers of the collar and either reducing the effectiveness of the collar or destroying it altogether. In a preferred embodiment the padding layer is laminated or adhered only to the exterior sheet that will be on the inside of the cone, when formed around the animal's head.

Another construction of the protective collar is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. It is similar generally to the form inFIGS. 1,2, and3, but is suitable for smaller sizes, and softer material. In this form a first exterior sheet40and a second exterior sheet42are sewn together at the outer arcuate edge44with a blind hem stitch while the inner arcuate edge46has a regular hem stitch with a hem strip48. Radial stitching50does not extend to the outer arcuate edge44or to the inner arcuate edge46but rather stops short of them leaving a space56adjacent the outer arcuate edge44. There can also be a space58adjacent the inner arcuate edge46. Ends60and62have near them fasteners such as strips of mating hook and loop fasteners64and68. Also a tab70can fasten either to one of the strips68or to a patch72. This construction is preferred for smaller sized protective collars in which a very light weight combination of materials is used such as for cats or kittens For example, the exterior sheets may be sheets of thin or cloth reinforced plastic sheet and the spaces56and58allow for easy bending. An inner padding52can be foam or other material as described above; and it may be adhered to the first exterior sheet or the second exterior sheet or both; preferable at least to the exterior sheet that will form the inside of the cone proximate the animal that is wearing it. This construction is preferred for smaller pets such as kittens. It is more easily flexed so as to make eating easier for the pet.

Conveniently, a number of neck closure means may be provided in order to provide the ability to fashion a protective collar capable of fitting different size animals. As shown inFIGS. 1,3and4, a series of loops54are sewn into the hem. These can be made of elastic material so as to stretch to accept the pet's normal collar. Alternatively, a string62or other elongated member can be applied through the loops and pulled comfortably around the animal's neck to keep the unit in place. In another embodiment, a drawstring sewn into the inner edge might also be useful to further secure the collar on the animal.

When placed on an animal, the inner opening30is adapted to fit securely around the neck of the animal, and the outer opening32is of sufficient size to prevent the animal fitted with the protective collar from contacting an area of the body to be protected. If desired, the inner arcuate edge of the collar may be lined with a softer material to increase the comfort of the collar.

Referring toFIG. 12, with the construction as described above, providing a bendable and resilient construction, sufficient to be self supporting, the protective collar can be folded outwardly along its outer margin to provide a cuff70. This will allow more freedom of movement for the pet's head giving the protective collar more variety of configurations for a wide range of pet sizes.

Notably, these constructions for a protective collar do not have to slip over the head of the pet, but rather can close around the neck.

The exterior sheet or sheets such as sheets10and20inFIG. 1can be made as spaces for advertising or personal messages by owners. Also the collar strip strung into the loops54can carry advertising or other types of messages. Such messages can relate to beneficial or charitable content or they can be commercial. The collar strip can be reserved with an area in which the owner can implement her own message

The invention further provides a method of using a pet protective collar as described above as a veterinary restraint. The method comprises placing a collar such as that described herein around the neck of an animal, and securing as described. Conveniently, the collar of the invention is suitable to protect an area from contact by the animal's mouth, and yet is comfortable enough to wear that the animal will tolerate the collar.

An additional feature of the invention lies in the ability to fold it into a small package for selling purposes or for the consumer to store it. One folding configuration is shown inFIGS. 7,8A through8D. This configuration is most suitable for smaller sizes with very easily flexed soft material such as the version described as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5. In this fold configuration the ends60and62meet and the fold points at56aand56bare together, the soft material being able to allow the fold points56aand56bto settle together. Another fold configuration is shown inFIGS. 6 and 9Athrough9B. This configuration is most suitable for larger sizes with less easily flexed material such as the version described and illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. In this fold configuration ends16and18meet and are held together by the tabs40and38fastening to a mating strip34while the fold points28aand28bare separate and the fold point28bis captured between close to the ends16and18.

The collar is thus suitable for use in a method of protecting a wound from a surgical procedure, an injury that is non-surgical in nature, or to prevent mouth contact of an area to which a topical medicament has been applied.

When applied, it is known that some animals will use their teeth to try to dislodge the collar. This is where adhering the inside layer to the padding is particularly useful because it prevents the animal from finding or creating a fold by biting.

The present invention is directed toward a pet protective e-collar10having stays150disposed at seams200of the collar. In a variant, referring toFIGS. 12-17, the collar10, is made of flexible material and is configured to fold at seams200. The seams200form a channel250sized and shaped to retain flexible stays150between a channel side280and the collar10. Optionally, the channel is disposed on an outside surface of one of the sheets of the layered assembly that forms the collar. Optionally, the channel may be formed between the sheets.

The stays150, shown for example inFIG. 17, are more rigid than the material of the collar10, are preferably somewhat bendable. For example, the material of the collar10may be made of nylon and the stays150may be made of bendable plastic. The stays, when connected to the collar have the effect of stiffening the overall shape of the collar and making it more difficult for the collar to be bent. Optionally, the stays are removable. Along the smaller circumference side300of the collar10, the channels have openings350to the channels250that are securable with a mechanism400, which in a preferred embodiment is hook and loop (Velcro) disposed inside the channel250near the opening350and completely across the opening.

In another variant, disposed in front of the opening is an optional piece of loop material450for partially occluding the opening350to assist in preventing unwanted escape of the stay150during use of the collar10. Loops500are also attached to the collar10in front of the opening along the circumference300of the collar10. The loops may also assist in preventing escape of the stays150.