Patent Publication Number: US-2009235871-A1

Title: Animal towel and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to towels and more particularly to towels and methods for cleaning and drying cats, dogs and other small animals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although towels are old in the art, simple, low cost towels have not been developed for cleaning and drying small animals such as dogs and cats that have been exposed to mud, dirt, snow, rain, baths, lakes and swimming pools. 
     One problem with cleaning and drying small animals is that they absorb large amounts of dirt, mud and water that soil surrounding objects. Another problem is that animals instinctively shake themselves when they are dirty and wet, casting off large amounts of dirt, mud and water on surrounding objects. Immediate action is required to prevent them from soiling objects, such as clothes, cars and homes. Another problem is that wet animals exude strong and offensive odors. Another problem is that a marketable animal towel needs to be low in cost. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,438 is exemplary of the prior art. The patent discloses a complex bag-like bathrobe, used among other things for drying. The bathrobe is prepared from inner and outer layers of water absorbent and impervious materials. Edges of an inner layer of a thick water absorbent cloth are sewn together to form a bag-like structure. An outer layer of a water impervious material, like plastic or leather, is connected to the inner layer with a zipper. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a towel for cleaning and drying pets, such as cats and dogs. A primary object is to provide an effective, low cost towel for cleaning and drying animals. Another object, in addition to the foregoing object, is to provide an animal towel that is easy to use. Another object, in addition to the foregoing objects, is to prevent the soiling of clothes, homes and automobiles. With the foregoing objects in mind, one benefit of the invention is that can be quickly applied. Another benefit is that it is relatively low in cost. Another benefit is that it is easy to use. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the towel is disposable and is comprised of an absorbent rectangular sheet of a non-woven fibrous material that covers the top and sides of an animal. At opposite ends of the sheet are openings for threading the sheet over the head and tail of the animal. The openings may be apertures or sheared cuts in the sheet. In a second embodiment, the towel is re-usable and is made of a woven cloth-like material or a relatively thin blanket of a non-woven fibrous material that is capable of multiple uses. The second embodiment also includes openings for threading the sheet over the head and tail of the animal. 
     In employing the teachings of the present invention, a plurality of alternate constructions can be provided to achieve the desired results and capabilities. In this specification, only several embodiments are presented for the purpose of disclosing our invention. However, these embodiments are intended as examples only and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     The foregoing features, benefits, objects and best mode of practicing the invention and additional benefits and objects will become apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment and the subject matter in which exclusive property rights are claimed is set forth in the numbered claims which are appended to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a small dog and animal towel according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the animal towel. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the animal towel. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the animal towel. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of a partially unraveled roll of animal towels. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the partially unraveled roll of animal towels. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the animal towel. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a third embodiment of the animal towel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, an animal towel is shown for cleaning and drying pets, such as cats and dogs after they have been exposed to water from snow, rain, baths, lakes and swimming pools. In a preferred embodiment, the towel is a disposable, easy to use towel made from a non-woven fibrous material. An important benefit is that it can be quickly applied. Another important benefit is that it is highly effective in preventing water, dirt and mud from soiling vehicles and homes. Still yet another benefit is that it is relatively low in cost. 
     The towel  20  is comprised of a highly absorbent rectangular sheet  21  for covering the top and sides of an animal  22 . The length  34  and width  35  of the sheet  21  are preferably adequate to extend over the animal&#39;s back and sides. The rectangular sheet  21  is made from a virgin or re-cycled non-woven absorbent material such as cellulose fiber but may be made from a non-woven absorbent recycled cellulose or synthetic fiber. The outer surface of the sheet may be coated or laminated with a water impervious material. 
     In a second embodiment, the towel  20  is re-usable and the rectangular sheet  21  is made of a virgin or re-cycled cloth-like material, such as woven cotton fibers, terry cloth, chamois, or a relatively thin rectangular blanket of non-woven fibers, by way of example, Ahlstrom SPUNLACE™. In either embodiment, the towel  20  may be treated with flea and tick powder and/or various scents to kill or ward off parasites and to mask musty odors from wet fur. 
     At one end of the towel  20  there is an aperture  25  for threading the towel  20  over an animal&#39;s head. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer portions of the aperture  25  may be sheared to provided outward extending radial cuts  26  to thread the towel  20  over various head sizes. At the opposite end of the towel  20  is an optional small aperture  23  for locating the towel  20  with respect to the animal&#39;s tail. In  FIG. 4 , an embodiment is shown wherein a small hook and loop fastener member  27  or an adhesive is used in place of the aperture  23 . In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , embodiments are shown wherein the apertures  23 ,  25  of  FIG. 2  are replaced with sheared cuts for threading the towel  21  over an animal&#39;s head and tail. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the sheared cuts  32 ,  33  are comprised of vertical cuts  37  and horizontal cuts  36  which intersect the mid points of the vertical cuts  37  at 90 degrees. In  FIG. 8 , the sheared cuts  38 ,  39  are comprised of horizontal cuts  40  having end points that intersect the mid points of the vertical cuts  37 . 
     The towel  20  may be used in several ways. One preferred way is to immediately cover the animal&#39;s back and sides with the towel  20  by threading the towel  20  over the animal&#39;s head and wipe the animal back and forth with the towel  20  to absorb water and remove mud and dirt. Thereafter, threading the towel over the animal&#39;s tail and allowing the towel  20  to continue to dry the animal. 
     A second way is to first absorb water and remove dirt and mud by wiping or patting the animal with the towel  20 . Thereafter, covering the animal&#39;s back and sides with the towel  20  by threading the towel  20  over the animal&#39;s head and tail and allowing the towel  20  to continue to dry the animal. 
     The present invention is intended to be sold in several sizes—small, medium, and large—for a range of animal sizes. With reference to  FIG. 1 , it is obvious that the towel  20  can be used as a poncho to protect an animal during inclement weather, such as rain and snow. 
     In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , we have shown a construction for marketing our invention. A roll of towels  30 , separated by perforations  31  on a folded strip, are on a stiff cardboard tube  29 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , towels  20  are separated from the strip by opening a folded portion of the strip and tearing the strip along a perforation  31  at an end of the roll  30 . The towel  20  may also be marketed in separate folded units. 
     Although only several embodiments of our invention have been illustrated, it will be understood that other embodiments are possible by changes in material, shape and arrangement in parts without departing from the scope thereof.