SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMFORTING AN ANIMAL

Abstract

An animal comfort accessory for use with an animal enclosure includes a cover configured to fit over the animal's enclosure to decrease noise and light for the animal in the enclosure. A scent blower moves air past a scent collector and delivers a soothing sent to the animal inside the enclosure. The scent blower and cover are contained in a pouch for convenient storage and travel. Additional accessories such as a speaker, camera, and video display may also be stored in the pouch and used with the animal to provide a comforting space for the animal.

Claims

1. An animal comfort accessory for use with an animal enclosure, the accessory comprising: a cover that is configured to fit over the enclosure; the cover having a scent portal; and a scent blower coupled to the cover about the scent portal, wherein the scent blower comprises a fan and at least one scent collector such that the fan propels the scent of the scent collector through the scent portal into the enclosure.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the scent blower further comprises a conduit.

3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the conduit is at least one of: coupled to the cover to surround the scent portal; comprised of a flexible tube; situated in a sleeve;

4. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the cover is coupled to the scent blower via at least one of snap connectors, hook and loop fasteners,

5. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the scent blower is at least one of: comprised of an air permeable chamber to contain the scent collector; comprised of an essential oil; positioned to be on top of the enclosure; detachable;

6. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the scent collector is an item of clothing that has been worn by a person that is known to an animal that is to be enclosed in the enclosure.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover has at least one of the following characteristics: has a thickness sufficient to materially dampen outside noises; is machine washable; further comprises a weighted fringe; is sized to fit a standard enclosure size.

8. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a pouch that is at least one of: coupled to the cover; foldable to be substantially contained within the pouch along with the scent blower; configured to contain a speaker; configured to contain at least one bowl.

9. The accessory of claim 8 wherein the enclosure has a top, a bottom, a front, and a back, and wherein the pouch is situated on the cover to be on the back top of the enclosure.

10. The accessory of claim 8 wherein the pouch is coupled to the cover by at least one of stitches, a hook and loop connector, snaps, a zipper, grommets, and an adhesive.

11. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the at least one scent collector is scented with at least one of the scent of a person that is known to an animal that is to be enclosed in the enclosure, lavender, vanilla, and an essential oil.

12. The accessory of claim 3 wherein the sleeve is detachably coupled to the cover.

13. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the fan is powered by an AC electrical connection, a battery, or photo voltaic power.

14. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a camera detachably coupled to the cover and in wireless communication with a network for monitoring within the enclosure.

15. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a wife extender.

16. A method for comforting an animal in an enclosure, the method comprising the acts of: providing a cover that is configured to fit over the enclosure; the cover having a scent portal; coupling a scent blower to the cover about the scent portal, wherein the scent blower comprises a fan and at least one scent collector having a scent; and propelling the scent of the scent collector through the scent portal into the enclosure.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing a conduit as a part of the scent blower to enclose the fan and the scent collector.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying an essential oil within the scent blower.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the scent blower is detachable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

[0034] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention draped about an enclosure

[0035] FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of an accessory with an upraised pocket according to one or more embodiments of the invention draped about an enclosure.

[0036] FIG. 3 depicts an overhead perspective view of the cover of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention spread out flat.

[0037] FIG. 4 depicts an overhead view of the scent portal on the cover of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 depicts an overhead perspective view of a sleeve of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention laid flat.

[0039] FIG. 6 depicts an overhead perspective view of the blower, conduit, and battery of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 7 depicts a side perspective view of the scent blower coupled to the cover of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 8 depicts a rear perspective view of the scent blower coupled to the cover of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 9 depicts an overhead view of the cover and scent portal according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 10 depicts a closeup perspective view of the scent blower of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 11 depicts an overhead view of the battery and switch of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 12 depicts a front overhead perspective view of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 13 depicts an overhead perspective view of an accessory according to one or more embodiments of the invention

[0047] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention.

[0049] It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0050] In one application of the invention, an animal comfort accessory 10 is provided. The accessory 10 is configured to fit about an animal enclosure such as a kennel 1, crate, or pet carrier. The accessory may be sized to be used with a standard sized enclosure. Common standard sizes include enclosures for animals weighing between 40 and 60 lbs (30″×24″), 80 and 100 lbs (42″×30″), 100 and 150 lbs (60″×36″), and 150 and 180 lbs (72″×36″). Standard sizes are also available for smaller (<40 lbs) and larger (>200 lbs) and are known to those having skill in the art. The accessory 10 is effective for any animal that has an affinity for a particular noise level or scent.

[0051] The accessory includes a cover 12 that is configured to fit about the kennel 1. The cover 12 may be made of a machine washable material and have a thickness sufficient to material dampen the noise inside the enclosure compared to the noise outside the enclosure when the cover 12 is placed on the enclosure. To help the cover 12 remain in place, the cover may comprise a weighted fringe 100 or straps (not shown) that secure the cover 12 in place about the enclosure.

[0052] The cover 12 includes an air permeable, breathable scent portal 14 that allows scent laden air to pass through the cover 12 into the enclosure. The scent portal 14 may include a screen 15 that allows air to pass through the scent portal 14 but prevents larger items to fall through the scent portal 14. A scent blower 16 couples to the cover 12 about the scent portal 14. The scent blower 16 comprises a fan 18 that selectively moves air past a scent collector 20. The scent collector 20 may be any item conveying a scent, such as an article of clothing that has been worn by a person that is familiar to the animal to be placed into the enclosure. For example, a dog's owner may use a shirt, blanket, or other personal item conveying the owner's scent as the scent collector. The scent collector may be supplemented by an additional scent element such as an essential oil such as lavender. Lavender is a scent that is known to calm dogs and other animals.

[0053] The scent blower may also comprise a conduit 22. The conduit 22 is a space through which air is blown by the fan 18. The conduit 22 may be a volume such as a flexible tube 25. The conduit 22 houses the scent collector 20 and contains the air moved by the fan 18 past the scent collector 20 carrying some of the scent from the scent collector 20. An air permeable housing 26 to contain the scent collector 20 and hold it in place may be provided. The scent collector 20 may be placed between the fan 18 and the scent portal 14 or the fan 18 may be placed between the scent collector 20 and the scent portal 14 and draw air past the scent collector 20, through the fan 18, and then through the scent portal 14 into the enclosure. The air permeable housing may be coupled to the conduit 22 or the fan 18 depending upon the configuration of the system.

[0054] The scent blower 16 couples to the cover 12 about the scent portal 14. The scent blower 16 may be coupled to the cover 12 by any connecting mechanism known to those having skill in the art, such as hook and loop, snaps, buttons, clips, ties, or other connectors. In a particular embodiment the conduit and fan are contained within a sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 comprises four hook and loop connectors 32 situated about the conduit 22 like the four points of a compass. The cover 12 comprises loops 34 through which the hook and loop strap may be threaded and affixed by contacting the hook section of the connectors 32 to the loop section of the connectors 32. When connected, the fan 18 moves air past the scent collector 20 through the conduit 22 and the scent portal 14 into the enclosure. The fan 18 may be controlled by a switch 17 and powered by an AC power source 40, a battery 19, a photovoltaic panel or other power source. The battery 19 may also power a speaker 21 such as a Bluetooth speaker that can play soothing noises to the animal within the enclosure.

[0055] The cover 12 may also comprise a pouch 30. The pouch 30 may share a portion of fabric that is integral to the cover 12 or may be sewn or otherwise coupled to the cover 12. The cover 12 may be folded to fit within the pouch 30 along with the scent blower 16. The pouch may also be sized and configured to house a speaker 21 such as a Bluetooth speaker and at least one bowl (not shown) such as a water or food bowl for more convenient portability. The pouch 30 may include elastic straps or slots to hold items more securely within the pouch 30. The pouch 30 may be closed with a zipper or other closing mechanism known to those having skill in the art.

[0056] In practice a user will be able to use the accessory enclosed within the pouch 30. The user opens the pouch and removes the scent blower 16 and any other items that may be held within the pouch 30 such as a speaker 21, food and/or water bowl or other item. The user then unfolds or removes the cover 12 from the pouch 30 and drapes the cover 12 about the enclosure placing the scent portal 14 where desired. The scent blower 16 may already have a scent collector 20 or the user may place a scent collector 20 in the scent blower 16. The user may then couple the scent blower 16 to the cover 12 about the scent portal 14. The fan 18 of the scent blower 16 is engaged to move air past or through the scent collector 20 and into the enclosure through the scent portal 14.

[0057] Additional items may be included with the accessory such as a camera and a display that will display an image of the user to the animal in the enclosure. Animal stress and anxiety may be alleviated by providing a comforting environment for the animal. Animals are frequently comforted by quiet, dark spaces in the presence of their owner. Embodiments of the invention provide a comforting environment in a standard animal enclosure by, for example, deadening alarming sounds, limiting light, and providing the comforting scent of the animal's caretaker. Other soothing sights, sounds, and scents may also be added if desired.

[0058] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications, or changes to, or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

[0059] Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.