Pet grooming tool and method for removing loose hair from a furry pet

• US 7,334,540 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2007
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Furminator (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Porter, David R., Porter, Angela L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US11/676,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20070119383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 119/625, 119/628, 119/613, 119/611, 119/608, 119/609, 119/618, 119/614, 119/616, 119/617, 119/623, 119/626, 119/630, 119/631, 119/632, 119/633, 30/342, 305/26, 301/95, 303/465.6, 303/55, 132/213, 132/213.1, 132/214, 132/215
• US Class Current: 119/625
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/002 Curry-combs; Brushes shearing sheep B26B19/24
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1093 Brush for use on animal A46B2200/1086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 21/16 involving blades with only one cutting edge B26B21/22 - B26B21/38 take precedence

Abstract

A pet grooming tool, for use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, is adapted for removing the loose hair from the pet. The grooming tool comprises an handle portion and a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion. The pet engageable portion includes a blade portion and a plurality of teeth. The blade portion includes a blade edge. The teeth extend from the blade edge. The blade edge is adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

Claims

1. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion, the handle portion having a recess;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the pet engageable portion being partially positioned within the recess of the handle portion;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

2. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

3. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the leading surface of the pet engageable portion is planar and is coincident with a plane, and the plane intersects the handle portion.

4. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the handle portion surrounds a portion of the pet engageable portion.

5. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

6. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

7. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

8. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

9. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 8 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

10. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

11. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 10 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

12. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 2;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

14. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion, the handle portion having a socket;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the pet engageable portion being partially positioned within the socket of the handle portion;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

15. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

16. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the leading surface of the pet engageable portion is planar and is coincident with a plane, and the plane intersects the handle portion.

17. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the handle portion surrounds a portion of the pet engageable portion.

18. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

19. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

20. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

21. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

22. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 21 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

23. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 22 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

24. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 23 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

25. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 14;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

26. A method in accordance with claim 25 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

27. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the leading surface being planar and coincident with a plane, the plane intersecting the handle portion;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

28. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

29. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein the handle portion surrounds a portion of the pet engageable portion.

30. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

31. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

32. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

33. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

34. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 33 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

35. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 34 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

36. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 35 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

37. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 27;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

38. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

39. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the handle portion extending to and beyond the leading surface;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

40. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

41. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein the handle portion surrounds a portion of the pet engageable portion.

42. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

43. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

44. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

45. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 39 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

46. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 45 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

47. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 46 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

48. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 47 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

49. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 39;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

50. A method in accordance with claim 49 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

51. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the leading surface being planar and coincident with a first plane, the trailing surface terminating at a second plane, the handle portion having a portion that lies between the first and second planes;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

52. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

53. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein the handle portion surrounds a portion of the pet engageable portion.

54. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

55. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

56. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

57. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 51 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

58. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 57 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

59. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 58 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

60. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 59 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

61. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 51;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

62. A method in accordance with claim 61 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

63. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the handle portion surrounding a portion of the pet engageable portion;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

64. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 63 wherein the handle is elongate about a handle axis and the handle axis is generally perpendicular to the leading surface.

65. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 63 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

66. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 63 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

67. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 63 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

68. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 63 wherein the tip to tip spacing between one of the teeth and another of the teeth adjacent said one of the teeth is between approximately 0.02″

to approximately 0.03″

.

69. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 68 wherein each tooth extends from the blade edge a length between approximately 0.08″

and 0.14″

.

70. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 69 wherein the grooming tool is devoid of any components adapted to be driven by an electrical power source.

71. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 70 wherein the leading and trailing surfaces intersect at an angle between approximately 30°

and 40°

at the blade edge.

72. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 63;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

73. A method in accordance with claim 72 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.

74. For use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, a pet grooming tool for removing the loose hair from the pet, the grooming tool comprising:

a handle portion;

a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion, the pet engageable portion including a blade portion and a plurality of teeth, the blade portion comprising a leading surface and a trailing surface defining a blade edge, at least one of the teeth extending from the blade edge, the leading surface being planar and coincident with a first plane, the trailing surface terminating at a third surface, the third surface being planar and coincident with a second plane, the third surface terminating at a fourth surface, the fourth surface being planar and coincident with a third plane, the third plane being parallel to the first plane, the second plane intersecting each of the first and third planes;

the blade edge being adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet as the pet engageable portion is moved in a first direction while the pet engageable portion is in engagement with the pet, the first direction being a direction in which the trailing surface trails the leading surface.

75. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 74 wherein the handle portion comprises a socket and the pet engageable portion is partially positioned within the socket of the handle portion.

76. A grooming tool in accordance with claim 75 wherein the teeth are partially bound by the third surface.

77. A method of removing loose hair from a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, the method comprising:

providing a grooming tool in accordance with claim 76;

placing the pet engageable portion in engagement with the pet;

pulling the handle portion in the first direction while maintaining engagement of the pet engageable portion with the pet to cause the blade portion to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.

78. A method in accordance with claim 77 wherein the leading surface is maintained generally perpendicular to the pet during the step of pulling the handle portion in the first direction.