Patent Publication Number: US-2023147025-A1

Title: Cidal Metal or Cidal Metal Alloy Pet Collar and Insert

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Like humans, dogs, cats, and other pets are susceptible to many germ-based illnesses and diseases. When injured, pets often resort to licking or biting open sores, which can further aggravate the injury and/or introduce harmful pathogens leading to further infection and illnesses. Elizabethan collars are often utilized to prevent pet wound licking and other self-harm by forming a barrier between a pet&#39;s head/mouth and the remainder of the pet&#39;s body without interfering with other life activities. 
     In conventional paper/carboard or woven fiber elizabethan collars, the utilized material may not always provide a physical barrier to water or blood. Rather, such materials generally exhibit wicking which actually promotes the penetration of water or blood. Even if a non-wicking or impermeable material such as plastic is used, water or blood can be splashed and the open collar can still be contaminated with environmental materials that then retain germs near the pet&#39;s face, mouth, and nose. Similarly, the construction of conventional elizabethan collars also vary considerably in air permeability. Thus, elizabethan collars also vary greatly in their ability to serve as a bather to air flowing in certain directions. 
     Most bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens can be eliminated or greatly reduced with the use of cidal (pathogen and microbe-killing) metals such as but not limited to copper, silver, gold, and related alloys such as bronze and brass. However, elizabethan collars that lack such materials cannot take advantage of such cidal properties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A collar for a pet includes a mesh collar body, the mesh collar body comprising a cidal metal or cidal metal alloy in which the cidal metal or cidal metal alloy is the major structural component of the collar. The mesh collar body extends from and around the neck of the pet to limit interaction of the pet&#39;s head or mouth with other parts of the pet&#39;s body. The mesh collar body allows air surrounding and within the collar to pass through the collar to provide cidal action, air purification, and self-disinfection. 
     The collar can be fashioned into an elizabethan collar in which the mesh collar body has a flat, truncated conical, or other shape. The invention can also be provided as a truncated conical insert for a conventional elizabethan collar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this invention, and its many advantages, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is front view of a pet wearing a collar according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a closeup perspective view of the collar of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is front view of a pet wearing an insert and an elizabethan collar according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a side exploded view of the insert and elizabethan collar of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a closeup perspective view of the insert positioned within the elizabethan collar of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of an insert for and elizabethan collar according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view of an insert for an elizabethan collar according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7 C  is a perspective view of an insert for an elizabethan collar according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG.  8    is front view of a pet wearing a collar according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, some reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding parts through several of the embodiments and figures shown and described. Variations in corresponding parts are denoted in specific embodiments with the addition of lowercase letters. Subsequent variations in components that are depicted in the figures but not described are intended to correspond to the specific embodiments mentioned earlier and are discussed to the extent that they vary in form or function. It will be understood generally that variations in the embodiments could be interchanged without deviating from the intended scope of the invention. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a front view of a collar  12   a  of the invention extending from and around the neck of a pet dog  10 . As best understood by comparing  FIG.  1    with the side perspective view of the collar  12   a  in  FIG.  2   , the collar  12   a  is an elizabethan collar having a mesh collar body  14   a  comprising a cidal metal or cidal metal alloy which forms the major structural component of the collar  12   a.    
     In this conceptual example of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the mesh collar body  14   a  is copper mesh having an approximate wire diameter of 0.0045 inches and width opening of 0.00555 inches with approximately 30.3% open area and with approximately 100×100 mesh per linear inch, such as item # 100×100 0.0045 cu or similar item available from the Belleville Wire Cloth Company of Cedar Grove, N.J. Although shown and described with this specific size, rigidity, grade, and other characteristics of the identified example copper mesh, it will be appreciated that most other meshes of cidal metal or cidal metal alloy can also be appropriately implemented within the contemplated scope of the invention. 
     In addition, although copper is shown and described in this conceptual example of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , it will be appreciated that meshes of other cidal metals or cidal metal alloys, such as but not limited to silver, gold, silver or gold alloys, brass, bronze, other copper alloys, or other such materials can also be implemented within the contemplated scope of the invention. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the collar  12   a , being an elizabethan collar, has a truncated conical shape. A neck hoop stiffener  16   a  is positioned around the neck of the dog  10 , with the mesh collar body  14   a  widening from the neck toward the top of the head of the dog  10  to create a barrier between the dog&#39;s head  18  with other parts of the dog&#39;s body  20 . Due to the truncated conical shape of the collar  12   a , a distal hoop stiffener  22   a  is provided having a larger diameter than the neck hoop stiffener  16   a.    
     Several stiffener rods  24   a  extend along the mesh collar body  14   a  from the neck hoop stiffener  16   a  to the distal hoop stiffener  22   a  to permit increased rigidity to the collar  12   a . Each of the stiffener rods  24   a , the neck hoop stiffener  16   a , and the distal hoop stiffener  22   a  are sufficiently rigid to maintain the truncated conical shape of the collar  12   a  while the collar  12   a  is attached to the neck of the dog  10 , and therefore each may be constructed of a rigid material such as stiff wire, bar, wood, or rigid plastic. It is also possible to construct each of the stiffener rods  24   a , the neck hoop stiffener  16   a , and the distal hoop stiffener  22   a  of a rigid material that is also a cidal metal or cidal metal alloy to enhance the overall cidal effectiveness of the collar  12   a.    
     Several snap connectors  26   a  are positioned (side connector snaps) along the mesh collar body  14   a  to connect the overlapping edges  28   a  of the cidal mesh collar body material. The snap connectors  26   a  can be unsnapped to allow the overlapping edges  28   a  to come apart when fitting the neck hoop stiffener  16   a  and collar  12   a  around the neck of the pet dog  10 . The snap connectors  26   a  also allow for easy fitting and securement once the collar  12   a  is in place. 
       FIG.  3    depicts a closeup perspective view of the collar  12   a  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    near the distal hoop stiffener  22   a . As best understood by comparing  FIG.  3    with  FIGS.  1  and  2   , when the collar  12   a  is positioned with the neck hoop stiffener  16   a  around the neck of the pet dog  10  and the mesh collar body  14   a  secured with the snap connectors  26   a  as shown in  FIG.  1   , both reciprocating and multidirectional movement of air occurs due to a combination of the pet dog&#39;s own respiration, air movement resulting from physical movement of the pet dog  10  itself, and from natural air diffusion. As shown in  FIG.  3   , linear, reciprocating, circular flowing and counterflowing air  30   a  passes through the mesh collar body  14   a . In the depicted example, as air interacts with the copper of the mesh collar body  14   a , the flowing air  30   a  is purified as it contacts the cidal metal material, killing microbes and pathogens. As shown, the flowing air  30   a  can also pass repeatedly through the collar body  14   a  due to breathing or movement by the pet dog  10 . This repeated interaction between the flowing air  30   a  and mesh collar body  14   a  creates a “scrubbing” effect on the flowing air. This interaction also allows copper ions to be drawn by the flowing air  30   a , diffused within and around the collar  12   a , and eventually drawn into the respiratory tract of the pet dog  10  for the benefit of additional cidal effects that are therapeutic and harmless to the animal. The cidal properties of the copper mesh collar body  14   a  also allow the collar  12   a  to self-disinfect. 
     Although shown and described as an elizabethan collar having a cidal metal or cidal metal alloy as the major structural component, it will be appreciated the invention can also be appropriately implemented as an insert to a conventional elizabethan collar within the contemplated scope of the invention. For example,  FIG.  4    depicts a front view of an insert  32   b  positioned within a conventional elizabethan collar  34  and positioned on the neck of a pet cat  36   b . The insert  32   b  and conventional elizabethan collar  34  extend outwardly from the neck of the cat  36   b  to prevent contact between the cat&#39;s head  38   b  and the rest of its body  40   b.    
     As best understood by comparing  FIG.  4    with the exploded view of the insert  32   b  in  FIG.  5    prior to insertion into the elizabethan collar  34 , the collar  34  is constructed of a conventional collar material such as paper, carboard, plastic, or woven fibrous material such cloth, fabric, or cotton. The extent to which the collar  34  forms a barrier to air or liquid flow will therefore vary greatly depending on the material utilized in the collar&#39;s construction. The insert  32   b  includes a mesh insert body  42   b  comprising a cidal metal or cidal metal alloy which forms the major structural component of the insert  32   b.    
     In this illustrative example, the mesh insert body is  32   b  is constructed of copper mesh having an approximate wire diameter of 0.0045 inches and width opening of 0.00555 inches with approximately 30.3% open area and with approximately 100×100 mesh per linear inch, such as item #100×100 0.0045 cu or similar item available from the Belleville Wire Cloth Company of Cedar Grove, N.J. Although shown and described with this specific size, rigidity, grade, and other characteristics of the identified example copper mesh, it will be appreciated that most other meshes of cidal metal or cidal metal alloy can also be appropriately implemented within the contemplated scope of the invention. 
     Comparing  FIGS.  4  and  5   , both the insert  32   b  and elizabethan collar  34  have truncated conical shapes allowing the insert  32   b  to fit within the collar  34  after insertion as shown in  FIG.  5   . Both the insert  32   b  and collar  34  also include snap connectors  26   b  and overlapping edges  28   b  allowing for fitting over the head  38   b  and attachment to the neck of the cat  36   b . Clips  44  at each insert opening allow for securement of the insert  32   b  once positioned in the collar  34 . The resulting gap  46  between the mesh insert body  42   b  of the insert  32   b  and the surrounding elizabethan collar  34  can vary considerably in size depending on the embodiment, but in many contemplated embodiments may be of sufficient size to allow at least a minute amount of airflow. It will however be appreciated that in other contemplated embodiments, the gap  46  will be very small or even virtually nonexistent if the mesh insert body  42   b  rests flush against the collar  34 . 
     Now comparing  FIGS.  4  and  5    with the closeup view of the elizabethan collar  34  and inserted and positioned insert  32   b  depicted in  FIG.  6   , linear, reciprocating, circular flowing and counterflowing air  30   b  passes into the elizabethan collar  34  and insert  32   b . The amount of air passing through the walls of the elizabethan collar  34  itself will depend on the chosen construction material of the collar  34 . However, assuming a fully or mostly air and liquid impermeable material such as plastic or coated paper, airflow  30   b  will be in through the open fronts of the insert  32  and collar  34 , passing through the mesh insert body  42   a  of the insert  32  and against the inside surfaces of the collar  34 . 
     The level of air flow between the inside surfaces of the collar  34  and insert body  42   a  will at least partly depend on the magnitude of the gap  46 . If there is a significant gap size, as shown in  FIG.  6   , then the linear, reciprocating, circular flowing and counterflowing air flow will include air flow  30   b  through the gap  46  as depicted in the figure. Even if the gap  46  is absent, air will flow over the copper cidal surfaces of the mesh insert body  42   b , and to at least some extent, through the elizabethan collar  34  to the insert body  42   b  if the collar  34  is constructed of an air-permeable material. If the collar  34  forms an obstruction to air flow, but nevertheless can wick or absorb liquids from the environment, the cidal copper of the mesh insert body  42   b  will nevertheless provide purifying cidal action both from direct contact with interacting air and liquids and from the release of copper ions into the flowing air  30   b , killing microbes and pathogens. The resulting flowing air  30   b  repeatedly passing through the mesh insert body  42   b  also creates a “scrubbing” effect on the flowing air and results in diffusion of copper ions within and around the collar  12   a , and eventually drawn into the respiratory tract of the cat  36   b  for beneficial cidal effects. 
     Although the insert of the invention has been shown and described as being copper mesh, it will be appreciated that meshes of other cidal metals or cidal metal alloys, such as but not limited to silver, gold, silver or gold alloys, brass, bronze, other copper alloys, or other such materials can also be implemented within the contemplated scope of the invention. It will be further appreciated that the use of any such cidal metal or cidal metal alloy meshes for the insert of the invention can be combined with use of elizabethan collars of any material or of any level of air or liquid permeability within the contemplated scope of the invention. 
     It will be further appreciated that modifications can be made to the invention to allow for enhanced adjustability or for the fitting of the invention to animals of varying sizes. A number of such contemplated adjustable embodiments are included in  FIGS.  7 A-B . For example,  FIG.  7 A  depicts an insert  32   c  of the invention having a mesh insert body  42   c  in which the overlapping edges  28   c  include buttons  48 , each button having multiple corresponding button holes  50  to allow for variable tightness of the insert  32   c  around the neck of a pet. As another example,  FIG.  7 B  depicts a similar insert  32   d  of the invention in which the overlapping edges  28   d  of the mesh insert body  42   d  include a VELCRO™ fastener which also allows for variable neck tightness. In a further example,  FIG.  7 C  depicts another insert  32   e  having multiple snap connectors  26   e  at the overlapping edges  28   e  that similarly allow for selective variations in neck tightness. 
     It will be further appreciated the invention can incorporate non-conically shaped collars or inserts within the contemplated invention scope. For example,  FIG.  8    depicts a front view of a pet cat  36   f  wearing a collar  12   f  according to one embodiment of the invention having flat plane-shaped collar body  14   f  of cidal metal or cidal metal alloy mesh. The collar  12   f  also includes stiffener rods  24   f  extending from a neck hoop stiffener  16   f  (not shown) around the cat&#39;s neck to a distal hoop stiffener  22   f  to provide stiffness and maintain the flat plane shape of the collar body  14   f . Despite the flat plane shape of the collar body  14   f , the collar  12   f  is sized to provide a barrier preventing contact between the cat&#39;s head  38   f  and the rest of the cat&#39;s body  40   f , thereby allowing less constriction of the head  38   f  while still providing many of the cidal benefits of conically-shaped collars. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described as utilizing cidal metal or cidal metal alloy mesh collars and inserts that are conically or flat plane-shaped, it will be appreciated that other collar and insert shapes are also possible within the contemplated scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also realize that this invention is capable of other embodiments different from those shown and described. It will be appreciated that the detail of the structure of the disclosed apparatuses and methodologies can be changed in various ways without departing from the invention itself. Accordingly, the drawings and Detailed Description of the Invention are to be regarded as including such equivalents as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.