Methods for Selecting a Pet-Appropriate Product

• US 20070122531A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wellmark International Incorporated (Central Garden & Pet Company)
• Original Assignee: Wellmark International Incorporated (Central Garden & Pet Company)
• Inventors: Brown, Patrick, Considine, Therese
• Application Number:
  US11/550,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20070122531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/106
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/003 Devices for applying insecticides or medication A01K27/007 takes precedence; for veterinary purposes A61D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 50/40 for carnivorous animals, e.g. cats or dogs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/365 Containers, or parts thereof, simulating or being incorporated into other items, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building, dumb bells B65D81/363, B65D81/368 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for selecting pet-appropriate products such as pest control products by enabling the contents of an animal product package to be distinguished from another animal product package. The methods comprise providing an animal product package, wherein the animal product package is shaped characteristically of the animal, and enabling the contents of the package to be distinguished based upon the characteristic shape. As a result, the methods of the present invention advantageously reduce consumer confusion and error when choosing products for their pets which may cause harm or death if intended for use on another species.

Claims

1. A method for enabling the contents of an animal product package to be distinguished from another animal product package, said method comprising:

providing an animal product package, wherein said animal product package is shaped characteristically of said animal; and

enabling the contents of said package to be distinguished based upon said characteristic shape.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product package is shaped characteristically of an animal selected from the group consisting of a dog, a cat, a horse, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a hamster, a gerbil, a ferret, a bird, and a mouse.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product package is shaped characteristically of a dog.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said characteristic shape is a bone.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said characteristic shape is a dog'"'"'s face.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said characteristic shape of said animal product package enables distinguishing a dog product from a cat product.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product package is shaped characteristically of a cat.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said characteristic shape is a cat'"'"'s face.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said characteristic shape of said animal product package enables distinguishing a cat product from a dog product.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product package is shaped characteristically of a horse.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said characteristic shape is a horseshoe.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said characteristic shape is a horse'"'"'s face.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product is a member selected from a group consisting of a pesticide, a food or feed, a grooming product, a supplement, a drug or pharmaceutical, an animal health care product, and a give-away item.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal product is a pesticide.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said pesticide is an insecticide.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said insecticide is an insect growth regulator or an adulticide.