Abstract:
A bird collar removably worn on a bird for protection from feather picking or other self-mutilations restricts a bird&#39;s neck movement and area of reach. The bird collar includes a collar body which is wrapped around the neck of the bird and fastened with a fastener and a removable insert which provides rigidity to the collar body and allows the collar body to be cleaned when removed. An inner odor eliminating substance is provided in close proximity to the surface of the collar body which is in contact with the bird.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to therapeutic animal collars, and in particular, to bird collar to prevent self mutilation from feather plucking or picking as the skin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many varieties and breeds of bird often resort to self-mutilation during times of stress, injury, sickness, or nervousness. This self-mutilation often manifests itself with obsessive feather plucking or repeatedly picking at the skin. While normal grooming behavior is expected among birds, obsessive self-mutilation due to any reason can lead to further injury or even death. 
     Presently, bird owners have been left with few options to prevent this type of self-mutilation problem. One (1) such solution is the use of an Elizabeth collar which is intended to prevent the bird from excessive scratching, pecking, or feather plucking by restricting what the bird can reach with its beak. The Elizabeth collar is generally shaped like a truncated cone to prevent an animal from biting or licking at its body or scratching at its head or neck while wounds or injuries heal. The collar is generally attached to the pet&#39;s usual collar or around the neck with strings or tabs passed through holes punched in the sides of the plastic. The neck of the collar is short enough to let the animal eat and drink. Unfortunately, birds generally do not take well to wearing the Elizabeth collar since it makes it difficult for the bird to hold its head upright or walk. These collars can also get stuck in the bars of a bird cage and cause the bird to panic resulting in further and devastating injuries. 
     Other types of therapeutic bird collars attempt to solve this problem by removing the outwardly extending cone of the Elizabeth collar. However, these solutions are also not ideal and suffer from various disadvantages and deficiencies related to design or utilization. Particularly, current collars are often very uncomfortable for the bird due to size and weight and are prone to filth which can give rise to disease. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of these disadvantages, the inventor has recognized a lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a new therapeutic bird collar to prevent self-mutilation due to obsessive behavior which can lead to further injury or death. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to provide a new and improved bird collar and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of one exemplary embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, a bird collar is provides that can include a generally rectangular collar body having an exterior surface, an interior surface opposite the exterior surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a closed side edge, an open side edge, and a hollow interior slot disposed between the exterior surface and the interior surface extending substantially between the closed side edge and the open side edge. An odor eliminating layer is disposed along an inner surface of the interior surface. An exterior surface fastener is disposed on the exterior surface adjacent to the open side edge. A generally rectangular resilient insert is removably coupled within the slot through the open side edge. The insert is a flat member suitably sized to be entirely inserted within the slot. The collar body and the insert, in combination, are adapted to form a cylindrical configuration when the closed side edge and the open side edge are brought together. A strap extends outwardly from the closed side edge and is configured to overlap the exterior surface about the open side edge. A strap fastener is disposed on an interior surface of the strap to matingly engage the exterior surface fastener when the collar body and the insert, in combination, are formed into the cylindrical configuration. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, the bird collar can also include a collar body that is fabricated of a soft fabric material. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, the bird collar can also include an insert that is fabricated of a semi-rigid metal material comprising sufficient flexibility along a longitudinal axis to form the cylindrical configuration and sufficient rigidity along a traverse axis to preclude bending. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, the bird collar can also include an insert that is fabricated of a semi-rigid plastic material comprising sufficient flexibility along a longitudinal axis to form the cylindrical configuration and sufficient rigidity along a traverse axis to preclude bending. 
     In accordance with features and aspects of another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, the bird collar can also include an odor eliminating layer formed of an odor and moisture absorbent material. In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present disclosure, the odor eliminating layer is formed of a fabric material containing particles of bamboo charcoal. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a bird collar, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bird collar; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cut-away perspective view of the bird collar depicted with an insert partially removed, in accordance with the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the bird collar taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  bird collar 
                 11  bird 
                 20  collar body 
                 21  exterior surface 
                 22  exterior surface fastener 
                 23  slot 
                 24  insert 
                 25  interior surface 
                 26  strap 
                 27  strap fastener 
                 28  odor eliminating layer 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of certain embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicting a bird collar, identified generally by reference to an apparatus  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the apparatus  10  generally provides support to the neck region of a bird  11  and prohibits the bird  11  from mutilating themselves due to injury or similar ailment. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates the apparatus  10  in use upon a bird  11 . The apparatus  10  generally includes a collar body  20 , an insert  24  removably coupled within the collar body  20 , and a fastening strap  26 . The apparatus  10  can be fabricated in various sizes to accommodate many different breeds of bird or domesticated fowl. The apparatus  10  is suitably sized to substantially encompass the neck of the bird  11 , generally below the throat and above the breast. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , the collar body  20  is a generally rectangular member preferably fabricated from a flexible and soft looped synthetic or natural fabric having an exterior surface  21  which is positioned away from the bird  11  and an interior surface  25  which is in contact with the neck of the bird  11 . The apparatus  10  is designed to wrap around the neck of the bird  11  and is secured in a generally circular closed position by the fastening strap  26  to form a generally cylindrical structure. The strap  26  is preferably also made of a soft flexible material. The strap  26  is affixed at one end to a closed perimeter side edge of the collar body  20  and includes a strap fastener  27 . The strap fastener  27  is disposed on an underside interior surface of the strap  26  to overlap and make contact with the exterior surface  21  of the collar body  20  when in the closed position. The strap fastener  27  matingly engages an exterior surface fastener  22  which is adhered, sewn, or otherwise affixed to an end portion of the exterior surface  21  of the apparatus  10  opposite the strap  26 . The fasteners  22 ,  27  are preferably hook-and-loop fasteners, yet other fastening devices can be utilized with equal benefit and is not meant to be limiting in any manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which more clearly show the relationship of the collar body  20  and the insert  24  as well as the various layers of the collar body  20 . The collar body  20  includes a slot  23  which enables insertion and placement of the insert  24 . An open perimeter side edge of the collar body  20  opposite the closed side edge includes an opening for accessing the slot  23 . The insert  24  is preferably a thin, flat generally rectangular length of flexible plastic or metal which provides rigidity to the apparatus  10  along a traverse axis. Once installed around a bird&#39;s neck, the apparatus  10  limits the range of motion of the bird&#39;s head and prohibits the bird  11  from reaching an area which may be irritated or bothersome which compels the bird  11  mutilate itself by pecking at its skin or pulling out its feathers. 
     The insert  24  is removed so the collar body  20  can be washed or cleaned when needed. The insert  24  is suitably sized slightly smaller than the width and length of the collar body  20  to enable proper placement and retention completely within the slot  23 . The insert  24  is routed against an odor eliminating layer  28  disposed within the collar body  20 . 
     The odor eliminating layer  28  fixed within the collar body  20  adjacent to and behind the interior surface  25 , thereby being in close proximity to the neck of the bird  11 . The interior odor eliminating layer  28  absorbs and eliminates odors caused by the bird  11 . The odor eliminating layer  28  extend the length of the collar body  20 . The odor eliminating layer  28  is preferably fabricated from a bamboo charcoal fabric, containing nano-particles of bamboo charcoal in its fiber. The bamboo charcoal fabric includes antibacterial and antifungal properties and well as being a deodorizing material. It can be appreciated that other breathable odor absorbing materials can also be used with equal benefit and is not meant to be limiting in any manner. 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the apparatus  10  can be installed and utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 . It can be appreciated that the steps required to utilize the apparatus  10 , as described, can performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; inserting the insert  24  completely within the collar body  20  through the slot  23 ; wrapping the apparatus  10  around the neck of the bird  11  with the interior surface  25  positioned against the bird  11 ; fastening the apparatus  10  in the closed position around the bird&#39;s neck with the fasteners  22 ,  27 ; enabling the odor eliminating layer  28  to absorb odors from the bird  11 ; removing the apparatus  10  from the bird  11  as desired; removing the insert  24  from the collar body  20  for cleaning as needed; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  to support to a birds  11  neck and prohibit the bird  11  from mutilating itself. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.