Patent Publication Number: US-2007107670-A1

Title: Pet collar to reduce shedding

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an apparatus to reduce shedding in some pets such as dogs and cats. In particular the present invention provides a pet collar containing magnets to reduce shedding and improve circulation in the animal.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is well known that most breeds of dogs and cats are prone to shedding. When such breeds are kept as pets inside a home, cleaning up the hairs shed by the animals can become a tiresome chore for the pet owner. While regular coat brushing and grooming of the household pet is often recommended as a way to reduce shedding around the home, the brushing itself can become a tedious chore for the pet owner. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore alternative ways to reduce shedding in household pets such that the requirement for cleaning the home and brushing and grooming the pet is reduced.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a means to reduce shedding in pets such as cats and dogs.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a pet collar containing two or more magnets where the magnets are in close proximity to the jugular vein of the pet when worn.  
      A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pet collar where the position of the magnets may be adjusted as the collar size is adjusted.  
      Accordingly the present invention provides an apparatus for reducing shedding in pets. The apparatus comprises a collar of adjustable length to fit around the neck of a pet and two or more magnets fitted on the collar. The magnets are preferably fitted so that their position can be adjusted as the length of the collar is adjusted. Each magnet has its poles aligned and directed towards the jugular vein in the neck of the pet. Further, the magnetic field produced is sufficient to reduce shedding in pets by increasing the circulation of the animal. Preferably, the magnetic field strength for each magnet is in the range of 12,500 gauss. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pet collar according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 3  shows a corresponding bottom view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a preferred embodiment of a pet collar is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . As shown, the collar  10  has two or more magnets, and preferably three as shown,  30 ,  31 ,  32  fitted into the collar  10 , preferably equi-spaced along the length of the collar  10 . As shown, all of the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  have their poles aligned and facing the inside of the collar  10  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) so that the polarity of the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are directed towards the neck of the pet&#39;s jugular veins when the collar  10  is worn by the pet. The pet is typically a dog or a cat.  
      The magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are preferably of high strength, in the range of 5,000 to 15,000 gauss (preferably 12,500 gauss) sufficient to reduce shedding in pets by increasing the circulation of the animal. Magnetic field strengths below this range are not sufficiently effective. As an example, and not to limit the scope of the invention, the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are nickel magnets with chrome plating which have high field strength characteristics and greater resistance to demagnetization and corrosion as compared to traditional types of magnets. Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the collar  10  comprises a length of an outer strap  12  having an inner side  11 , outer side  13 , first side edge  19  and second side edge  21  and a liner  14  provided on the inner side  11  of the strap  12 . The outer strap  12  and the liner  14  may be fastened together by stitching along the first edge  19  and second side edge  21  of outer strap  12 , or by any other suitable means. By way of example, and not to restrict the scope of the invention, the outer strap  12  may be of woven nylon material to provide strength and resistance to wear. The outer strap can also be made from leather or a combination of suitable materials, such as, for example, leather and nylon. The liner  14  may be made of felt or cotton, or any similar material to provide a soft layer for the pet&#39;s comfort. Stitching has been found to be a cost effective way of fastening these materials together.  
      The collar  10 , in the embodiment shown, is provided with means to adjust its length to fit different sizes of pets. In the embodiment shown, collar  10  includes a releasable fastener adapted to releasably join each end of the collar  10  together. In the preferred embodiment, the releasable fastener comprises a two-piece interlocking plastic buckle  22 , 24 . At least one of the pieces  22  is adapted to slideably receive a looped end  16  of the collar  10 . In known manner, by threading a short length of the loop  16  through a loop buckle  20 , the size of the loop  16  can be adjusted to facilitate the length-adjustment of the collar  10 . A sliding ring  18  is provided to hold the looped end  16  together. Optionally, to connect the collar  10  to a leash (not shown), a second fixed ring  26  is provided.  
      As explained above, the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are distributed at intervals along the length of the collar  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , each magnet  30 ,  31 ,  32  is fitted between the outer strap  12  and the liner  14 . A first magnet  30  is located adjacent one end  23  of the collar  10  and preferably positioned so that the magnet  30  is able to be moved within a first pocket  15  formed between the liner  14  and outer strap  12 . A seam  28  is located at about the mid point  29  of the outer strap  12  and liner  14  to define one end of the first pocket  15  and movement of magnet  30  in one direction. The position of fixed ring  26  defines the other end of pocket  15  and movement of magnet  30  in the other direction. A second magnet  31  is positioned within the first pocket  15  formed between the liner  14  and outer strap  12  and is typically positioned adjacent seam  28 . The third magnet  32  is located within the loop end  16  of the collar  10  remote from the first magnet  30  and positioned so that the magnet  32  is able to be moved within a second pocket  17  formed between the liner  14  and outer strap  12 . The position of loop buckle  20  defines the one end of pocket  17  and movement of magnet  32  in one direction. Buckle piece  22  defines the other end of the second pocket  17  and movement of magnet  32  in the other direction. As loop end  16  is increased magnet  32  is moved within the second pocket  17  closer to buckle piece  22 . If the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are fixed in position, as the length of collar  10  is adjusted the magnets will not be positioned near the pet&#39;s jugular vein and the effectiveness will be reduced. In addition, if the position of the magnets is fixed it may be difficult to provide as wide a range of adjustment. By making the position of the magnets adjustable when the length of the collar is adjusted the effectiveness is maintained as magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are always positioned to be adjacent the jugular vein of the pet. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  are distributed at intervals such that when the collar  10  is worn around the neck of a pet, the magnets  30 ,  31 ,  32  one or more of the magnets will be adjacent the jugular vein of the pet even if the collar rotates on the neck of the pet. Three magnets are shown in the preferred embodiment by way of example only, and it is not intended that the apparatus of the present invention be limited to three magnets. Rather, it has been found that three magnets arranged in the manner shown are sufficient for the intended purpose of the present invention.  
      Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.