Microbe-inhibiting novelty articles for pets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a variety of pet novelties manufactured to limit or eradicate the proliferation of microbes upon their surfaces, in their interiors, or in their environment. A cooling garment for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property on an outer textile casing or within an inner filling. A restraining article for a pet includes a microbe-inhibiting agent or property incorporated within the material comprising the restraining article. A climbing or claw-scratching device includes a microbe-inhibiting agent in the fibers of the material and comprising its exterior, or on a material laminated to the inner surface of the exterior cover. A flaccid, liner-type separator for a waste product collecting receiver for a domestic animal includes a microbe-inhibiting thin material impervious to moisture for collecting the waste. A feeding entertaining article for a domestic or wild bird includes an outer cover, preferably including packed bird seed, a supporting substrate, and either the cover or liner having an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/043,014 filed Apr. 15, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to novelty articles, principally for domestic animals, and more particularly, to a novelty article having a microbe-inhibiting agent or property that substantially inhibits the proliferation of microbes on, within, or around the novelty article. The term “microbe” herein refers broadly to classes of bacteria, viruses, germs, molds, mildews, fungi, allergens, and other microorganisms. An article of the present invention provides both comfort and health benefits to both pets and people involved with the use of such an article.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Some conventional novelty articles for pets generally comprise a textile based outer cover and a filling material. Others include a single material, which is sometimes a laminate. The prior art amusement articles, however, do not include a microbe-inhibiting agent or property, and therefore, do not address the problems that can arise when microbes are allowed to grow or proliferate on, within, or around the articles.

[0006] A damp environment often encourages the proliferation of microbes. Because it is common for pets, especially dogs, to salivate upon, deposit partially digested food upon, urinate upon, or otherwise soil articles used to train, amuse, or cloth them; and because such articles are generally porous and absorbent, microbial proliferation is especially problematic. The fact that the articles can remain at favorable incubation temperatures (e.g., in a dog's mouth or close to a dog's body while sleeping) further aggravates the problem. These conditions can also make the articles attractive to other pests such as fleas and ticks. Pets using such articles, as well as their owners, can thus be exposed to an increased health hazard. The environment to which such articles are exposed is unique; and the difficulty in designing and developing a product which is efficacious, safe, non-toxic, and economical is not easy. This may explain why such articles for pets have not included a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

[0007] In warm climates, ambient heat can be highly uncomfortable for pets and, in some cases, even present a health risk. The fact that pets cannot indicate their discomfort to their owners further increases the problem. A useful article known in the art comprises a textile material which houses another material which provides cooling through an evaporative mechanism. This article is generally worn by the pet.

[0008] A preferred form of this article is a bandanna-type article which contains a gel material in granular form. The gel material must be able to absorb large amounts of water quickly, but release said water slowly. A preferred material is polyacrylamide granules. A preferred bandanna material is cotton or a polyester/cotton blend. Cotton tends to dry slowly, while polyester materials will dry more quickly. If desired, one can choose a cotton/poly blend ratio to contribute favorably to the cooling behavior.

[0009] These articles can also be soaked in water and then frozen (e.g., in a freezer). The frozen gel material will generally remain cold much longer than will ice. These articles can also be used with hot water to provide heating effect.

[0010] Unfortunately, the fact that these articles remain moist for extended periods of time renders them highly favorable breeding grounds for the proliferation of molds, fungi, bacteria, and other microbes. The prior art has been silent on this vulnerability of these otherwise very attractive articles.

[0011] Cotton is particularly susceptible to microbial proliferation, due both to the fact that it tends to dry slowly and to the fact that cotton is digestible by (and thus provides nutrition for) many microbes.

[0012] Restraining articles for pets are widely used and widely known in the art. Many restraining articles for pets are constructed from synthetic materials such a nylon, which possesses a moderate microbe-starving quality (i.e., microbes cannot generally digest nylon). Because restraining articles often become soiled with saliva and other bodily fluids, dirt, grass, etc., they often become susceptible to microbial proliferation. They would therefore benefit from microbe-cidal treatment or incorporation. In addition, restraining articles constructed from natural materials, e.g., leather, are popular; and even when “clean,” they are susceptible to microbial proliferation.

[0013] Scratching articles for pets, especially for cats, are widely known in the art. Pets, especially cats, like to dig their claws into them. These articles provide a surface for scratching, as well as an “anchor” for stretching. They can be freestanding (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,763), or they may be made for attachment to or leaning against furniture articles or the like (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,592,901, 5,619,953). In this latter case, it is often hoped that the cats will prefer to scratch the article rather than the furniture. The scratching surface is preferably made from a material into which the pet is inclined to dig or otherwise engage his/her claws. Carpeting and carpet like materials are popular, as are rope materials (especially sisal) wrapped around a core.

[0014] A pet's claws and paws can carry a variety of natural matter which can readily promote microbial proliferation. In addition the claws and paws can directly carry microbes. The surfaces of scratching articles are often ideal for harboring nutritive matter and microbes. In addition, such surfaces are generally difficult to clean. Thus scratching articles are susceptible to widespread microbial proliferation. Despite this fact, no scratching articles of the prior art are provided with properties so as to prevent this proliferation.

[0015] It is widely known that caged birds can be quite unsanitary. They are apt to defecate on just about anything. The bird's moist defecation is also know often to be especially unsanitary. Articles placed in a bird's cage, therefore, and even the cage itself, can be dangerously susceptible to microbial proliferation.

[0016] Bird cage liners are an accessory which would especially benefit from being provided with microbe-inhibiting qualities. The prior art addresses the problem of soiled liners by providing disposable liners which are intended to be discarded when they become excessively soiled. This is useful, but does not address the problem of intermediate soiling levels (it would be impractical to discard the liners several times a day).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] According to the invention, novelty articles for pets include body worn protective garments for partially covering a domestic animal including an inner filling adapted to cool the domestic animal. These articles include an outer textile casing having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. Alternatively, the inner filling itself includes the effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

[0018] According to the invention, a body worn protective garment article can include a granular gel for absorbing large amounts of water for temporary storage and then releasing smaller amounts of water for evaporation. Furthermore, the inner filling can include polyacrylamide granules. A preferred embodiment uses a microbe-inhibiting agent such as try-n-butyltin maleate, preferably present from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of the material comprising the protective garment. An alternative microbe-inhibiting agent is 3-trimethoxysilylpropylnethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, which is present in concentrations ranging 0.02 to 0.2% by weight of the material comprising the garment.

[0019] The outer textile casing for protective garment according to the invention can be cotton, a blend of cotton and polyester, or polyester.

[0020] According to the invention, a body worn protective garment can also include an inner filling having polyacrylamide granules interspersed within a microbe-inhibiting sponge. Preferably, the microbe-inhibiting sponge is 20 to 80% by weight of the inner filling.

[0021] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the protective garment includes an inner filling containing anti-microbial fiber and polyacrylamide granules. In a further embodiment, the anti-microbial fiber is acrylic having 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenol incorporated therein, preferably in concentrations from 0.05 to 0.7% by weight of the fiber.

[0022] A process for imparting microbe-inhibiting properties to a pet worn protective garment is also described according to the invention and includes the step of applying to or incorporating within at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling and effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. One embodiment of the process includes an application step comprising soaking the garment in a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property. Another embodiment includes an application step comprising spraying the garment with a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes an application step comprising incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further including a step of spinning fibers formed in a garment from the dope.

[0023] According to the invention, a body or appendage encircling collar or band can be constructed to surround and be supported by or worn by a domestic animal's neck, limb, torso, or other body part, or other body part and includes a material defining a shape in the form of a band, harness, or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal, wherein the material includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. According to one embodiment, the body or appendage encircling collar or band is made of nylon, and the microbe-inhibiting agent can be 3-trimethoxysilylpropylnethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. An alternative microbe-inhibiting agent is 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenol. A further embodiment includes leather as the material and tri-n-butyltin maleate as the microbe-inhibiting agent, preferably present in concentrations between 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of the material.

[0024] A further embodiment of a body or appendage encircling collar or band constructed to surround and be supported by or worn by a domestic animal's neck, limb, torso, or other body part includes an outer sheeting defining a shape in the form of a band, harness, or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal and a substrate, wherein a least one of the sheeting and substrate have an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

[0025] According to the invention, a process for imparting microbe-inhibiting properties to a pet worn collar or a band having the material defining the shape in the form of a band, harness, or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal includes the step of applying to or incorporating within the material an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In one embodiment, the collar or band is soaked in a solution containing the microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes the application step of spraying the collar or band with the solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes an application step including incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further including the step of spinning fibers for forming the collar or band from the dope.

[0026] According to the invention, a climbing or claw-scratching device for conditioning, developing, or entertaining a domestic animal includes an upright support, a layer of material mounted on the support whereby the domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon the layer of material, wherein the material includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In one embodiment of the invention, the material is carpet and the microbe-inhibiting agent is tri-n-butyltin maleate. Another embodiment includes a material of sisal rope and a microbe-inhibiting agent of tri-n-butyltin maleate. A further embodiment includes cotton rope as the material and tri-n-butyltin maleate as the microbe-inhibiting agent. Another embodiment includes carpet as the material and 3-trimethoxysilylpropylnethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride as the microbe-inhibiting agent.

[0027] A climbing or claw-scratching device according to the invention can include an upright support, an outer cover mounted to the support and defining a shape domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon, an inner liner between the outer cover and the upright support and secured to the outer cover, wherein at least one of the outer cover and inner liner includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes an inner liner comprising vinyl plastisol, which incorporates a microbe-inhibiting agent or property, preferably Vinyzene. An alternative embodiment includes an outer cover comprising carpet.

[0028] According to the invention, a process for imparting microbe-inhibiting agent or properties to a pet climbing or claw-scratching device includes a textured lamina mounted to a support and defining a shape that the domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon, and comprising the step of applying to or incorporating within the textured lamina and effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes an application step comprising soaking the textured lamina in a solution including microbe-inhibiting agent or property. Another embodiment includes spraying the textured lamina with a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property. Another embodiment includes an application step incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further comprising the step of spinning fibers for forming the textured lamina from the dope. The textured lamina may comprise carpet.

[0029] According to the invention, a flaccid, liner-type separator for a waste product collecting receiver for a domestic animals includes a thin material impervious to moisture defining a shape adapted to fit in a bottom portion of the waste product collecting receiver, such as a bird cage, for holding the waste product, wherein the material includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. A further embodiment includes the thin material having a tacky coating. Alternatively, the thin material may include a granular coating.

[0030] According to the invention, a feeding and retaining article for a domestic or wild bird includes an outer cover defining a shape that the bird may ascend, descend, crawl upon, or feed from, and a substrate, wherein at least one of the outer cover and inner liner have an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In one embodiment, the outer cover is packed bird seed. A preferred microbe-inhibiting agent is chlorine dioxide, preferably present in concentrations between 0.001 and 0.1% by weight. An alternative microbe-inhibiting agent is 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenol, preferably present in concentrations between 0.001 and 0.1% by weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a protective garment having an inner filling according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a body or appendage encircling collar or band having a substrate according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a climbing or claw-scratching device having an upright support and an inner liner according to the invention;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flaccid liner-type separator according to the invention; and

[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a feeding or entertaining article according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, novelty articles possessing microbe-inhibiting properties according to the invention are shown. As shown in FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention is a protective garment 10 including an outer textile casing 12 and an inner filling 14, which is adapted to cool the domestic animal as will be described further herein.

[0037] A second embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, is a body or appendage encircling collar or band 20 constructed to surround and be supported by or worn by a domestic animals neck, limb, torso, or other body part. The collar or band 20, in one embodiment of the invention, includes an outer sheeting 22, which envelopes a substrate 24, which, in turn, provides support to the collar or band 20. An embodiment not shown includes a unitary piece of material for forming the collar or band 20.

[0038] Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, is a climbing or claw-scratching device 30 for conditioning, developing, or entertaining a domestic animal. The claw-scratching device 30 includes an upright support 32 mounted to a base 34, both of which may include a layer of material 36 mounted on the exterior thereof. In one embodiment, the layer of material includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In an alternative embodiment, a inner liner 38 is then opposed between the exterior 36 and the upright support 32, in which case at least one of the outer cover and the inner liner includes an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention, wherein a flaccid, liner-type separator 40 for a waste product collecting receiver 42 for a domestic animal includes a thin material 44 including an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In an alternative embodiment, the thin material 44 includes a granular coating. In another embodiment, the thin material 44 includes a tacky coating.

[0040] Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, is a feeding and entertaining article 50 for a domestic or a wild bird, including an outer cover 52 having a shape that the bird may ascend, descend, crawl upon or feed from, and a substrate (not shown) for supporting the outer cover. In this embodiment, at least one of the outer cover and the substrate has an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property. In a further embodiment, the outer cover supports packed bird seed 54.

[0041] Microbe-Inhibiting Properties

[0042] The term “microbe-inhibiting” in the present disclosure subsumes all characteristics (and the means for imparting these characteristics) which cause the articles to be inhospitable to microbes. Distinctions may be made between three types of microbe inhibition: microbe-cidal, microbe-starving, and microbe-impenetrable.

[0043] Microbe-cidal refers to a property whereby microbes are actively killed or otherwise rendered ineffective. If a microbe comes within a sufficiently close range (direct contact, for some materials; within a “zone of inhibition” for others) of a microbe-cidal material, it will be killed or otherwise rendered ineffective. Microbe-cidal properties may be imparted to materials by a variety of means. A preferred means uses microbe-cidal agents during the manufacturing process of the materials and/or treats the materials with microbe-cidal agents. A number of preferred agents are disclosed below. For the microbe-cidal property to be durable, it is often preferred that the agents be bonded in some manner to the materials comprising the pet article. Such materials exhibit smaller zones of inhibition than materials containing non- or weakly-bonded agents, but the microbe-cidal property with regard to microbes coming directly into contact with the material can be more durable. Using agents which are insoluble or only sparingly soluble in water can also be a key element for durability.

[0044] Microbe-starving refers to a property whereby microbes are controlled or eliminated by deprivation of sources of nutrition. A material is said possess microbe-starving properties if microbes in contact with the material have difficulty acquiring the resources they need to survive. One can often provide or enhance a microbe-starving characteristic to a material by changing or altogether eliminating additives to the materials (e.g., plasticizers, fillers, or processing aids). Since adhered dust or liquids can provide nutrition for microbes, it is preferred that the material be provided with anti-adhesion properties (e.g., anti-static, low surface energy, etc.).

[0045] Microbe-impenetrable refers to the property of a material or coating whereby a microbe cannot pass through the material or coating. In this case, microbes may proliferate to some degree on a surface of the material, but such proliferation will be confined to the surface. Thus if an article is treated on its exterior by a microbe-impenetrable coating, microbes from the environment will not be able to pass into the interior of the article, will be limited in the degree to which they can proliferate, and can more readily be removed by washing. Appropriate placement of microbe-impenetrable materials is important to their effectiveness in providing the microbe-inhibiting property.

[0046] It is often efficacious to fight the battle against microbial proliferation on several fronts. Thus preferred microbe-inhibiting articles for pets will often possess combinations of microbe-inhibiting behavior. For example, when a particular component of an article is most susceptible to microbial attack, this component may be treated with both a microbe-impenetrable layer and a microbe-cidal agent, while the remainder of the article is treated with only the microbe-cidal agent. Further, an additive which serves as a resource for microbial growth may be important only for certain parts of the article. For example, plasticizers often act as an effective resource for microbial proliferation; and one can use the plasticizer only where the flexibility is needed, and then treat this area with an effective combination of microbe-inhibiting characteristics; and the remainder of the article, where the plasticizer was not used, may be less vigorously protected.

[0047] For durability, the microbe-inhibiting agents should not readily dissolve into the fluids with which they come into contact. This includes fluids associated with their use (saliva, urine, or other bodily fluids) as well as washing and cleaning fluids (the microbe-inhibiting activity should be durable to repeated home laundering). The insolubility may be an intrinsic characteristic of the agent-fluid combination, or it may be due to the fact that the agents are well-bonded to the materials comprising the article. Both types are included in the present invention.

[0048] Although both water-durable and non-water-durable microbe-inhibiting components may be used with effectiveness in the present invention, if a non-water-durable microbe-inhibiting component is used, the exterior of the exposed material should desirably be provided with water-repellent or otherwise water-insulating qualities.

[0049] In a preferred class of embodiments, microbe-inhibiting properties are conferred upon one or more of the materials comprising the pet article by treating the material with or otherwise incorporating into the material a microbe-inhibiting agent. This microbe-inhibiting agent is a chemical species or particle which imparts to the material an effective microbe-inhibiting property. The microbe-inhibiting agents will often function primarily through a microbe-cidal mechanism. The microbe-inhibiting agents are typically chemicals, polymers, solutions (solid or liquid), or particulates (which may possess their own microbe-inhibiting activity or may act as hosts for other microbe-inhibiting agents). These microbe-inhibiting agents may exist in a variety of forms and be held in a variety of hosts before being incorporated into the article. For example, they may be dissolved in a liquid; they may be incorporated in or comprise the totality of a particulate phase, either dry or suspended in a liquid; they may be included within a plasticizer compound; or they may be pre-incorporated into a material used in manufacturing the article (e.g., one may employ materials which already possess microbe-inhibiting properties).

[0050] Examples of chemical microbe-inhibiting agents for use in polymers may be found in Plastics Additives and Modifiers Handbook, pp. 338-350, J. Edenbaum, Ed., Chapman and Hall, Great Britain, 1996, and herein incorporated by reference.

[0051] The microbe-inhibiting treatment may be carried out at different points during the process of manufacturing the article or its component materials. For example, one may incorporate microbe-inhibiting agents in fibers or filaments as they are being manufactured, which microbe-inhibiting filaments can be used in the weaving of a webbing to comprise a pet collar, leash, harness, or other component of restraining article for a pet. One can also manufacture a microbe-inhibiting elastomeric-like material for use in a component of the article which is comprised of (e.g., molded) plastic. One can also treat (as by spraying or soaking) some or all of the materials after they are partially or completely manufactured (e.g., one may soak paper sheets or the rope which will be later cut and formed into rope-bones in a microbe-inhibiting treatment solution; or one may treat the external cover and/or the filling or some component of the filling of an article before their final assembly). Alternatively or in addition, one may treat (as by spraying or dipping) the pet article when it is finished or nearly finished its manufacture. It is often preferred to perform soak treatments under elevated temperatures and/or pressures.

[0052] Microbe-inhibiting agents may be incorporated into the constituent material(s) of a novelty article by admixing the agent or a carrier for the agent with the raw ingredients to the material (e.g., add a liquid containing the agent to the resin mix before injection molded a plastic article). In this case, the microbe-inhibiting agent is usually dispersed relatively uniformly throughout the final material.

[0053] In cases where surface attachment is desired, the use of adhesion promoters is preferred, particularly in conjunction with “raw” microbe-inhibiting agents, i.e., those which do not need to be in solution to work effectively.

[0054] In cases where a bonding agent is not used to attach the microbe-cidal functionality to the material of interest, or where such bonding is not entirely effective, it is often useful to diminish the rate at which the active microbe-inhibiting agent becomes de-activated. This may be done by inhibiting volatilization or adding stabilizers.

[0055] When the microbe-cidal agents are not bonded or are only weakly bonded to materials comprising the article, it is preferred to package the articles such that the effective shelf-life of the antimicrobial character is enhanced. For example, when volatilization of the antimicrobial agent is a problem, the packaging material can be made impervious to the volatilizing material.

[0056] It is useful to have a microbe-inhibiting agent at the surface of the article, as well as in the interior. The microbe-inhibiting agent at the surface can be effective in inhibiting the proliferation of microbes directly on the surface. If suitable microbe-inhibiting agents are present in the interior, they can migrate to the surface as the agent initially at the surface becomes displaced. This effectively constitutes a “time-release” of microbe-inhibiting agent. In this manner, the concentration of the agent may be maintained at a safe level, any odors associated with unduly high concentrations of the agent are avoided, and the period of effective microbe-inhibiting protection can be considerably prolonged.

[0057] The microbe-inhibiting agent may be applied in a liquid form (as dissolved in a solvent) and deposited on the surface of the article material. By choosing properly the liquid, material, environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure) and optionally any additives, the agent can be made to penetrate the material; and a “time-release” system may be obtained.

[0058] A “time-release” property may also be provided by incorporating the active agent in a separate material, optionally particulate, which releases the agent in a time-controlled manner. For example, one can saturate a particulate zeolitic material with a microbe-inhibiting agent and incorporate the zeolitic material into the pet article. Alternatively, one can use a textile chosen specifically for its time-release characteristics for a particular microbe-inhibiting agent; and this textile may be incorporated in the article.

[0059] If some form of heat-assisted disinfection of the articles is desired, it is important to use material-agent systems which do not degrade in the disinfection environment (e.g., washers, microwave, thermal ovens, etc.). The softening or decomposition temperatures of the polymers and chemical agents used, for example, must be higher than the disinfection temperature used.

[0060] Because the accumulation of undesired organic or inorganic matter may reduce the efficacy of microbe-inhibiting protection, the articles may be designed with materials which reduce the tendency for such accumulation. This may be accomplished by using low surface energy materials or applying a low surface energy coating; and/or by using anti-static materials or applying an anti-static coating. Non-hydrophilic materials (materials upon which water droplets form contact angles greater than about 30 degrees) are generally preferred to prevent the adhesion of such undesired matter.

[0061] Pets, especially dogs, often tear or otherwise damage or digest the articles which they use. It is therefore important that the materials be non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and effectively non-allergenic at the levels used in the articles. Some agents are non-toxic even at relatively high concentrations (e.g., triclosan, stabilized chlorine dioxide); other agents are non-toxic at relatively low concentrations, but become toxic at high concentrations (e.g., many unbonded quaternary ammonium compounds). If a article employs a time release property, one must ensure that the time-releasing materials do not contain concentrations of the agents which exceed those which can be safely eaten by the animal of interest. The pet should be able to eat the article without harm. Also, the treated materials should be non-skin-sensitizing, i.e., should not generally cause allergic or other undesirable reactions on the skin or other membranes of the pet or people who effectively come into contact with the materials.

[0062] Preparation of Materials

[0063] Unless otherwise stated, concentrations given herein are weight percentage.

[0064] Materials of the present invention may be made from natural animal products, including skin and fat-based materials, natural vegetable products, polymeric resins or solutions, fibers or threads, textile materials, foams, and other materials. At least some fraction of the constituent materials are to be provided with microbe-inhibiting properties.

[0065] In preparing microbe-inhibiting synthetic materials derived from polymers, the microbe-inhibiting agents are preferably added to the precursor material (e.g., into the resin mix for molded plastics or into the melt or spin dope from which fibers are spun). For natural materials, the microbe-inhibiting agents are preferably either impregnated into the materials via a spray or soaking treatment. Microbe-inhibiting agents or carriers with such agents can also be included in an admixture of natural and/or synthetic materials which are to be transformed into the finished article.

[0066] Phenol derivatives, especially 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenol (known, e.g., as Triclosan, Irgasan, Microban) are attractive and are preferred. Organotins, especially Tri-n-butyltin maleate (as in Ultra Fresh DM-50), are also attractive and preferred. Soak-treating in an aqueous solution containing stabilized chlorine dioxide is also preferred.

[0067] It is important to note that post-treatment methods involve importantly different considerations when one is using a “strongly-bonded” type of agent. In the “diffusing” or “non-strongly-bonded” case, one immerses or otherwise exposes the materials to a solution containing a particular concentration of the agent. Generally, the agent diffuses into the material until its concentration in the material is comparable to the concentration in the solution, i.e., the treatment level of the material is essentially proportional to the concentration of the agent in solution; and the agent concentration in the solution is the primary controlling variable. In typical treatments, the agent in solution is not appreciably depleted; and the amount of material exposed to the treatment solution is not carefully monitored and is not considered a primary variable of the treatment process.

[0068] In the strongly-bonded case, however, the agent usually does not diffuse into the material; rather, it chemically reacts with the surface of the material. Here one attempts to arrange conditions such that most of the “reactable” agent present in the solution reacts with and bonds to the surface of the material being treated. Knowledge of the amount of material being treated is thus crucial in determining the treatment level; and the material amount, along with the agent concentration in solution, are considered controlling variables of the treatment.

[0069] By the “amount of material,” one really means the “amount of reactable surface” of the material. For porous materials which can take up the solvent in their interiors (e.g., many natural materials such as cotton or rawhide, fabrics, foams, etc.), the mass of the material is often used as an indicator of the reactable surface area—i.e., one can specify an agent level in solution per unit weight of material being treated. For non-porous materials and/or materials which do not absorb the solvent being used (hard plastics, highly solvent-phobic materials), more direct knowledge of the reactable surface area is needed.

[0070] The preferred strongly-bonded agent for use in the present invention is 3-trimethoxysilylpropyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (as in Dow Corning 5700).

[0071] Another preferable microbe-inhibiting agent is known by the trade name, Intersept. It is a complex of polysubstituted imine salts and trialkyl phosphate esters with free alkylated phosphoric acid. It is relatively non-toxic; and it has been used as an antimicrobial finish on many building materials.

[0072] A further preferred type of microbe-inhibiting agent is typified by the MicroFree brand of particulates (available from DuPont). These particulates generally comprise a core particle (zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or barium sulfate) over which is coated a microbe-inhibiting active layer (silver, copper oxide, and/or zinc silicate). A barrier layer (to control the rate of release of the active component) and a dispersion coating (to facilitate dispersion of the particles in host materials) are included on top of the active layer. The particles range from about 0.3 &mgr;m to 1 &mgr;m in size. They can be incorporated into many resin systems for plastics processing, into the dope before fiber spinning, and into many coating systems for post-treatment. Good microbe-inhibiting efficacy can be imparted to various materials using these particles; and the resulting materials are generally non-toxic, very stable, and cost effective.

[0073] Other microbe-inhibiting agents may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] Cooling Articles

[0075] Cooling articles with microbe-inhibiting properties can be constructed by treating or otherwise forming the textile material with a microbe-inhibiting agent, by including a microbe-inhibiting agent in a carrier mixed with the water-retaining material, by including a microbe-inhibiting agent in the water-retaining material itself, or some combination of the foregoing.

[0076] A preferred means for constructing a cooling article with microbe-inhibiting properties is to treat the textile fabric with a microbe-inhibiting agent. Preferred agents for this application are the diffusing agent Tri-n-butyltin maleate, as in Ultra Fresh DM-50, at fabric pick-up about 0.05%-0.5%; and the strongly-bonded agent 3-trimethoxysilylpropyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, as in Dow Corning 5700 (at fabric pick-up about 0.02%-0.2%). The fabrics can be post treated via spray-treating or by using a padding system such as are common in the art of textile finishing.

[0077] Alternatively, microbe-inhibiting fabrics may be constructed by weaving, knitting, or otherwise forming the fabric from fibers which possess the desired microbe-inhibiting properties. In the case of natural fibers (e.g., cotton), it is preferred to treat the fibers by soaking or spraying; in the case of synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester), it is preferred to include the microbe-inhibiting agent in the dope from which the fibers are spun. Preferred microbe-inhibiting agents for natural fibers are Ultra Fresh DM-50 and Dow 5700. Triclosan is favored for synthetic fibers; it is included in the dope at concentrations between 0.001% and 1%, preferably between 0.004% and 0.7%.

[0078] These articles can also be soaked in water and then frozen (e.g., in a freezer). The frozen gel material will generally remain cold much longer than will ice. Alternatively, these articles can also be used with hot water to provide heating effect.

[0079] An example of constructing a microbe-inhibiting cooling bandanna for a pet is as follows. Treat a cotton fabric with Dow 5700 strongly-bonded microbe-inhibiting agent (obtained from Aegis Environments) so that the fabric pick-up is about 0.1%. Cut the fabric into an 18-inch square. Fold the fabric piece along a diagonal, yielding an equilateral triangle. Mark a line 1-inch from the long side (the base of the triangle). Fold the material on this line, and sew a line along the folded-up edge (which was the base of the triangle), thus forming a pocket with two open ends. Close one end of the pocket by sewing a line perpendicular to the edge of the pocket. Inject one tablespoon of polyacrylamide crystals (from American Cyanamid) into the open end of the pocket using a shotgun shell loader. Close the open end of the pocket by sewing a line perpendicular to the edge of the pocket. Sew strips of male and female Velcro™ on the long side such that the Velcro™ will engage when the base of the bandanna is curved to form a circle (i.e., the male piece is on the flip side and at the opposite end from the female piece). Before use, soak the bandanna in cool water until the gel inside swells substantially.

[0080] Alternatively, the bandanna can be made using a non-microbe inhibiting fabric (preferably cotton, or a polyester/cotton blend) and a microbe-inhibiting filling. The microbe-inhibiting filling may, e.g., be comprised of a mixture of a water retaining material and a microbe-inhibiting material. In this case, it is preferred that the microbe-inhibiting material work by a microbe-cidal mechanism and be of the diffusing type.

[0081] An example is a mixture of polyacrylamide granules (from American Cyanamid) interspersed in and around an antibacterial sponge material (from 3M). The sponge material can be in monolithic form, but it is preferably in a finely divided form. A preferred filling material is comprised of a mixture of the shredded antibacterial sponge material with the polyacrylamide granules. It is preferred that the weight fraction of sponge material be between 20% and 80%.

[0082] Another preferred filling is comprised of a finely divided polyurethane foam material containing Ultrafresh DM-50 (the monolithic material is available from Carpenter) and polyacrylamide granules. The preferred weight fraction of foam is between 20% and 80%

[0083] Another preferred filling is comprised of antibacterial fiber and polyacrylamide granules. A preferred fiber is acrylic in which 0.05%-0.7% triclosan has been incorporated at the time of manufacture of the fiber. Cellulose acetate in which 0.05%-0.7% triclosan has been incorporated at the time of manufacture of the fiber is also preferred. It is generally preferred that the fiber comprise between 0.3% and 4% of the entire containment volume in the pocket (the volume in the pocket can be estimated by filling it completely with a fine particulate matter (e.g., sand), pouring the fine particulate matter in a graduated cylinder, and then reading the volume directly from the graduated cylinder; the volume of the fiber can be estimated from the material density and the measured mass of the fiber). The polyacrylamide granules must be well-blended with the fiber.

[0084] Other microbe-inhibiting materials can be mixed with the water-retaining materials to impart an effective microbe-inhibiting property to the cooling articles. For example, one can mix polymer resin particles containing triclosan; one can also include a non-woven microbe-cidal filter material which has been incorporated with triclosan.

[0085] Cooling articles can also be constructed in forms other than bandannas, e.g., hoods, collars, harnesses, sweaters, boots, using the same principles as discussed for bandanas. The essential aspect is to treat or fabricate the structural material with a microbe-inhibiting agent, and/or to include a microbe-inhibiting agent or property in or around the water-retaining material.

[0086] Restraining Articles for Pets

[0087] Microbe-inhibiting restraining articles can be produced by post-treatment with microbe-inhibiting agents; fabrication from materials which exhibit microbe-inhibiting activity; or provision with features which make user-disinfection easier, as forming the articles to be microwaveable (e.g., containing no metal) or otherwise disinfectable. These articles may be comprised of plastic sheeting or other embellishments over-sewn onto a substrate material (as of cotton, nylon, polypropylene, plastic tubing). The substrate and/or the sheeting may be made to possess microbe-inhibiting activity.

[0088] It is preferred to construct leashes and collars/harnesses using a nylon webbing which has been treated with a strongly-bonded microbe-inhibiting agent incorporating a silane coupling agent, such as Dow Corning 5700 (at a webbing pick-up of about 0.02%-0.2%).

[0089] Diffusing agents can be used as well. In the case of restraining articles constructed from filament-derived materials (e.g., nylon webbing), it is preferred to incorporate a diffusing microbe-inhibiting agent into the filaments from which the webbing material is formed at the time of manufacture of the filaments, e.g., by including the microbe-inhibiting agent in the dope from which the filaments are spun. Triclosan, included in the dope at concentrations between 0.001% and 1%, preferably between 0.004% and 0.7%, is preferred.

[0090] For leather or other natural-material-derived restraining articles for pets, it is preferred to incorporate a microbe-inhibiting agent into the materials by a soaking or spraying treatment. Ultra Fresh DM-50, at fabric pick-up about 0.05%-0.5%, is preferred.

[0091] Scratching/Exercise Articles for Pets

[0092] One can construct a scratching post, e.g., which includes a carpet material in which the carpet material possesses microbe-cidal properties. The construction of such an article follows conventional practice but employs microbe-inhibiting carpet material in place of conventional carpet material. For example, it is preferred to use a microbe-cidal carpet material in which Ultra Fresh DM-50 has been used in the polyurethane finishing compound (e.g., from Carrington Carpet Industries).

[0093] A sisal rope or twine material which has been soaked in Ultra Fresh DM-50 (at a pick-up of about 0.05%-0.5%) is preferred. The rope is coiled around a core or otherwise attached to a surface according to ways known in the art.

[0094] If the microbe-inhibiting agent used is of the diffusing-type, there is an added benefit that an amount of the microbe-inhibiting agent will be transferred to the pet's claws upon scratching. This will tend to inhibit microbial proliferation on the pet's claws. Thus, if it is desired that the article promote microbial inhibition on the claws of the pet, then it is preferred to use a scratching surface in which a diffusing microbe-inhibiting agent is incorporated.

[0095] A preferred construction for a scratching article for a pet uses a carpet structure which includes backing comprising a fused vinyl plastisol, where the plastisol is incorporated with a microbe-inhibiting agent before it is fixed. A preferred agent is Vinyzene, which can be obtained through Morton International. The Vinyzene agent will diffuse appreciably before the plastisol is fixed, thereby being allowed to wick through the carpet fibers and other portions of the carpet structure. After fixing, the agent will still be capable of some degree of diffusive motion, but this will be minimal compared to that before fixing.

[0096] Alternatively, the fibers used in making the carpet can be pre-treated with a microbe-inhibiting agent. A preferred commercially available nylon fiber for constructing carpet for use in scratching articles for pets is available under the trade name Antron Lumena (manufactured by DuPont).

[0097] A preferred carpet material for use in a scratching article for a pet is comprised of a conventional carpet which has been treated with Sylgard antimicrobial agent (Dow Corning 5700). An aqueous solution of the agent may be applied to the carpet and allowed to dry. This agent is of the strongly-bonded type, however, so it will generally not be transferred to the pet's claws. The efficacy of this treatment is discussed in “New Antimicrobial Treatment for Carpet Applications,” McGee, J. B., et al., American Dyestuff Reporter, June, 1983. Prior Art in the area of microbe-inhibiting carpet and treatments is given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,679,859, 5,024,840, and 5,096,747.

[0098] Thus, while microbe-inhibiting carpet material is known, the intended application is generally prevent microbe-proliferation and degradation associated with trapped moisture. There is no previous suggestion that such carpet can be used to provide microbe-inhibiting scratching items for pets, and that such items can provide health and hygiene benefits to the pet.

[0099] Accessories for Birds

[0100] Birdcage liners of the present invention are intended to be disposable, but they additionally have microbe-cidal properties. The liners may be die-cut into standard shapes and sizes from a variety of microbe-cidal materials which are available in sheet form. Alternatively, materials in sheet form can be coated with a microbe-inhibiting agent or carrier for such an agent. For example, one can coat a paper material with a plastic material containing triclosan; or one can coat or include a plastic material which contains orgenerates chlorine dioxide.

[0101] It is often preferred that the materials possess a high coefficient of friction, so that debris tends to remain in the liner as the liner is removed from the cage. If the desired microbe-cidal liner base material does not have a high coefficient of friction, it may be coated with a tacky material. Alternatively, it may be coated with an adhesive and then sprayed with a granular material (e.g., sand).

[0102] Preferred materials for liners include Staph-Chek Linen (a coated fabric, available from Herculite Products, Inc., incorporated with Microban) and Buflon textile vinyl (fabric-backed vinyl made from PVC on a cotton backing, treated with Bio-Pruf) Other microbe-inhibiting plastic sheeting materials, especially vinyl-based sheeting materials, are also preferred.

[0103] Microbe-inhibiting paper materials are also preferred for use in making liners. Some art regarding the protecting of paper is discussed by S. Block in Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, Chapter 52, Lea & Febiger, 1991. Other art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,435.

[0104] Similar liners can be used for cages or aquariums for small mammals, reptiles, or other pets.

[0105] A great variety of bird toys and other diversion articles for birds are known in the art. These articles are commonly made from wood, cotton rope or other types of rope, plastic, metal, plaster, cementitious materials, packed bird seed or materials coated with bird seed, and other materials. Some of these materials, particularly the packed bird seed, wood, and cotton rope are particularly susceptible to microbial proliferation.

[0106] Preferred cotton rope used in bird articles is treated with Ultra Fresh DM-50 at a pick-up of about 0.05%-0.5%.

[0107] Because it is so susceptible to microbial proliferation, there is a vast prior art regarding the protection of wood against microbes. Some of this art is discussed by S. Block in Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, Chapter 52, Lea & Febiger, 1991. A preferred agent for treating wood for the present purpose is Ultra Fresh DM-50 at a pick-up of about 0.05% to 0.5%.

[0108] Packed bird seed is formed by ways known in the art. Under the present invention, it is preferred to incorporate chlorine dioxide (at concentrations between 0.001% and 0.1%) into the formulation before the packed bird seed is formed. Triclosan, at concentrations between 0.001 and 0.1% is also preferred.

[0109] It is often thought that cementitious materials are both microbe-impenetrable and microbe-starving. It is known, however, that concreteand other cementitious materials which are continually wet and in the presence of organic matter can support copious microbial growth, eventually corroding the material. Some of the art of protection ofthe long-term integrity of concreteand other building materials from microbial attack is discussed by S. Block in Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation, Chapter 52, Lea & Febiger, 1991; but there is no suggestion of using such protection to promote hygiene in derivative articles or for use in articles for pets.

[0110] Tributytin oxide, incorporatedin a carrier at the time of manufacture of the concrete, is a preferred microbe-inhibiting agent.

[0111] Other such agents include copper naphthenate, and pentachlorophenol.

[0112] Other accessories for birds, including perches, feeding articles, etc., can be made in the spirit of the present invention.

[0113] Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A body-worn protective garment to partially cover a domestic animal comprising:

an outer textile casing formed of a material defining a shape adapted to be worn about the body of the domestic animal;

an inner filling adapted to cool the domestic animal; and

at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

2. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the inner filling is a granular gel for absorbing large amounts of water for temporary storage and then releasing smaller amounts of water for evaporation.

3. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 2 wherein the inner filling includes polyacrylamide granules.

4. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the outer textile casing has a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

5. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the outer textile casing is cotton.

6. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the outer textile casing is a blend of cotton and polyester.

7. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the outer textile casing is polyester.

8. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the inner filling has a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

9. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 8 wherein the inner filling is a mixture of a microbe-inhibiting material and a water-retaining material.

10. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 9 wherein the microbe-inhibiting material includes a microbe-cidal agent.

11. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 2 wherein the inner filling includes polyacrylamide granules interspersed with a microbe-inhibiting sponge material.

12. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 11 wherein the microbe-inhibiting sponge material is 20 to 80 percent by weight of the inner filling.

13. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the inner filling comprises polyurethane foam including polyacrylamide granules.

14. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 13 wherein the polyurethane foam is 20 to 80 percent by weight of the inner filling.

15. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 1 wherein the inner filling comprises microbe-inhibiting fiber and polyacrylamide granules.

16. A body-worn protective garment article according to

claim 15 wherein the anti-microbial fiber is between 0.3 and 4 percent of a containment volume defined by as an interior of the outer textile casing.

17. A process for imparting microbe-inhibiting properties to a pet-worn protective garment having an outer textile casing formed of a material defining a shape adapted to be worn about a body of a domestic animal and an inner filling for cooling the domestic animal, comprising the step of applying to or incorporating within at least one of the outer textile casing and the inner filling an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

18. A process according to

claim 17 wherein the application step includes soaking the garment in a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

19. A process according to

claim 17 wherein the application step includes spraying the garment with a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

20. A process according to

claim 17 wherein the application step includes incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further comprising the step of spinning fibers for forming the garment from the dope.

21. A body or appendage encircling collar or band constructed to surround and be supported by or worn by a domestic animal's neck, limb, torso, or other body part, comprising:

a material defining a shape in the form of a band, harness or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal; and

the material having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

22. A body or appendage encircling collar or band according to

claim 21 wherein the material is nylon.

23. A body or appendage encircling collar or band constructed to surround and be supported by or worn by a domestic animal's neck, limb, torso, or other body part, comprising:

an outer sheeting defining a shape in the form of a band, harness or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal;

a substrate; and

at least one of the sheeting and substrate having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

24. A process for imparting microbe-inhibiting properties to a pet-worn collar or band having a material defining a shape in the form of a band, harness or collar for restraining or leading a domestic animal, comprising the step of applying to or incorporating within the material an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

25. A process according to

claim 24 wherein the application step includes soaking the collar or band in a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

26. A process according to

claim 24 wherein the application step includes spraying the collar or band with a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

27. A process according to

claim 24 wherein the application step includes incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further comprising the step of spinning fibers for forming the collar or band from the dope.

28. A climbing or claw-scratching device for conditioning, developing, or entertaining a domestic animal comprising:

an upright support;

a layer of material mounted on the support whereby the domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon the layer of material; and

the material having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

29. A climbing or claw-scratching device for conditioning, developing, or entertaining a domestic animal comprising:

an upright support;

an outer cover mounted to the support and defining a shape that the domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon;

an inner liner between the outer cover and the upright support and secured to the outer cover; and

at least one of the outer cover and inner liner having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

30. A climbing or claw-scratching device according to

claim 29 wherein the inner liner is vinyl plastisol including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

31. A climbing or claw-scratching device according to

claim 30 wherein the outer cover is carpet including the microbe-inhibiting agent.

32. A process for imparting microbe-inhibiting properties to a pet climbing or claw-scratching device having a textured lamina mounted to a support and defining a shape that the domestic animal may ascend, descend, crawl, or abrade its nails upon, comprising the step of applying to or incorporating within the textured lamina an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

33. A process according to

claim 32 wherein the application step includes soaking the textured lamina in a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

34. A process according to

claim 32 wherein the application step includes spraying the textured lamina with a solution including the microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

35. A process according to

claim 32 wherein the application step includes incorporating the microbe-inhibiting agent or property into a dope, and further comprising the step of spinning fibers for forming the textured lamina from the dope.

36. A process according to

claim 32 wherein the textured lamina includes carpet.

37. A flaccid, liner-type separator for a waste product collecting receiver for a domestic animal comprising:

a thin material impervious to moisture defining a shape adapted to fit in a bottom portion of the waste product collecting receiver for holding the waste product; and

the material having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

38. A flaccid, liner-type separator according to

claim 37 wherein the thin material includes a tacky coating.

39. A flaccid, liner-type separator according to

claim 37 wherein the thin material includes a granular coating.

40. A feeding and entertaining article for a domestic or wild bird comprising:

an outer cover defining a shape that the bird may ascend, descend, crawl upon, or feed from;

a substrate; and

at least one of the outer cover and the substrate having an effective amount of a microbe-inhibiting agent or property.

41. A feeding and entertaining article according to

claim 40 wherein the outer cover is packed bird seed.