INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT: DESIGN PATENTS FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTS (APRIL–JUNE 2021)
Design patents protect any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. For the animal and pet industry, design patents are more popular than ever. In this Industry Snapshot, we take a look at the various types of animal product design patents that have been issued by the USPTO over the past few months. Inventors and businesses are encouraged to review these patents and consider whether their new products should be protected with a design patent.
Contents:
- What is a Design Patent?
- Pet Toys
- Pet Bowls and Feeding Devices
- Pet Carriers
- Pet Harnesses
- Pet Brushes
- Pet Medical Assistance Devices
- Pet Containment and Enclosure Devices
- Pet Waste
- Pet Training Devices
- Horse Tack and Associated Accoutrements
- Wild Animal Feeders
- Animal Habitats
- Pet Accessories
- Bull Riding Spurs
- Livestock Marking Tool
- Contact an Experienced IP Lawyer
What is a Design Patent?
A design patent protects any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. The term of a design patent lasts 15 years from the date of the grant. For more basic information about design patents, click here.
Pet Toys
Most homes with a pet cat or dog have chews or pet toys somewhere. Toys are commonly given as gifts and many pets accumulate several (too many?) toys over the years. As shown by the number of examples below, design patents for pet toys are quite popular.
For example, D919,900 was issued on May 18, 2021, for the ornamental design for the cylindrical shaped animal toy shown below.
Patented in D919,902 is an ornamental design for a cat toy. Issued on May 18, 2021, the patented design includes a rectangular 3D-structure with a flat bottom surface and a surface opposite that rises to a peak near the center of the rectangle. Shown below in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cat toy. FIG. 2 shows a flat configuration of the top surface of the cat toy. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the patented cat toy.
Patented in D919,901 is an ornamental design for a dog toy. Issued on May 18, 2021, the patented design has a circular shape with alternating sections, one section having rib-like projections along the side of the toy and the other section having a pattern of shapes along the upper and lower surfaces.
Patented in D917,799 is an ornamental design for a pet toy. The patented design, issued on April 27, 2021, is an ornamental design for the pet toy shown below in FIGs. 1, 4, and 7. As shown in the figures, the toy looks like a soccer ball, with a pattern of hexagons and pentagons, and a cow face.
Patented in D917,800 is an ornamental design for a pet toy having a roundball shape featuring a paw imprint surrounded by an octagon on one surface, and four finger-shaped indentations extending from alternating sides of the octagon. The features of the patented design, issued on April 27, 2021, are shown in the perspective and environmental views below.
Patented in D917,112 is an ornamental design for an animal toy. As shown in the perspective, top, and side views below, the patented toy resembles a taco. Issued on April 20, 2021, the toy taco has four slots corresponding to the placement of the terms “EASY,” “HARD,” “HARD,” and “MEDIUM” on the side of the taco shell.
D922,699 issued on June 15, 2021, for an ornamental design for the dog ball shown in the figures below. The ball features a symmetrical pattern of studs projecting from its surface.
D921,997 issued on June 8, 2021, for an ornamental design for the “carrot ball” shown in the figures below. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view, FIG. 2 shows a top plan view, and FIG. 4 shows a front view. The ball appears to have cavities that can be filled with pet food (e.g. carrots) or snacks.
D922,002 is directed to an ornamental design for a cat scratch pole. The patent issued on June 8, 2021. As shown in the figures below, the design patent for a cat scratch pole includes a base with a vertical pole projecting therefrom, the pole having a ball on a string for cats to play with. The base also includes a toy fish projecting from the surface of the base.
D922,003 issued on June 8, 2021, for an ornamental design for the pet toy shown in the figures below. The toy includes a rope that is inserted through a hollow wand on one end and through a cup on the other end.
D922,004 is directed to an ornamental design for the pet toy shown in the figures below. The design patent for a chew toy includes a pattern of surface cutouts that provide areas for a pet to chew on. The patent issued on June 8, 2021.
D922,005, issued on June 8, 2021, discloses an ornamental design for a dog chew toy, as shown in the figures below. The toy features a V-shape structure, and each of the two prongs is a chew.
Pet Bowls and Feeding Devices Pet Bowls and Feeding Devices
The Patent Office issued D919,195 on May 11, 2021, one of several recent design patents for pet bowls. Specifically, the patent is to an ornamental design for a multifunctional pet bowl. The design features a bowl with cat ears projecting from the upper rim surface and cat whiskers etched into the inner surface. The bowl is set on a block configured to tilt the bowl forward, and the block includes horizontal lines projecting from its front surface for the pet to paw at. Perspective, side, and top views of the patented pet bowl are shown below.
Patented in D918,487 on May 4, 2021 is an ornamental design for a slow feed bowl with a substantially rectangular exterior shape. As shown below, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the bowl. FIG. 4 shows a top view and includes the cross-sectional orientations for FIGs. 6 & 7. FIG. 9 is a front perspective view with pet food drawn in.
Patent D918,490, issued on May 4, 2021, provides an ornamental design for a pet bowl.
On May 4, 2021, the Patent Office issued D918,488, for an ornamental design for a pet bowl is provided, the pet bowl feature a generally circular shape, and ears projecting upward from the rim of the bowl.
Patent D918,489, issued on May 4, 2021, is for the ornamental design for a pet water fountain, as shown below. FIG. 1 shows a top, right perspective view; FIG. 5 shows a right side perspective view; and FIG. 7 shows a front view of the pet water fountain.
On June 22, 2021, the Patent Office issued D923,257 for an ornamental design for a feeder, as shown in the figures below.
D922,696 was issued on June 15, 2021, for an ornamental design for a waterer for animals. Perspective and bottom views of the waterer are shown in the figures below.
D922,000 issued on June 8, 2021, for an ornamental design for the pet feeder shown in the figures below. The pet feeder includes a height adjustable tray that can hold two bowls for feeding.
D921,999 issued on June 8, 2021, for an ornamental design for the pet feeder shown in the figures below. The feeding bowls are integrated into the tray and angled forward to make feeding easier for the pet. The tray also includes a lip for catching food that falls from the bowls.
Pet Carriers
Several design patents for pet carriers have been granted recently. For example, D920,589, issued on May 25, 2021, is to an ornamental design for a pet carrier. As shown in the figures below, the carrier features a top having a drawstring closing mechanism, a taller rear wall relative to the front wall, a shoulder strap, and a collapsible construction.
D920,588 was issued on May 25, 2021, for an ornamental design for a pet carrier. The carrier resembles a duffle bag with straps rising from either side to form a handle. The carrier includes a mesh top, sides, and end wall. The opposing end wall is the pet entrance, which includes a zipper for opening and securably closing the carrier.
D923,256 was issued on June 22, 2021, for an ornamental design for a pet carrier as shown in the figures below.
Pet Harnesses
D919,197 issued on May 11, 2021, is a design patent for a pet harness. The perspective and front views of the patent are shown in the figures below. The harness includes a loop on top for connecting to a leash, releasable and adjustable straps on the side, and an adjustable head hole.
D918,493 issued on May 4, 2021, for an ornamental design for a pet harness. As shown in the figures below, the harness includes adjustable shoulder straps, releasable and adjustable back straps, and loops on the back and the front of the harness for connecting to a leash.
D918,492, issued on May 4, 2021, is a design patent for a dog harness. The top, bottom, and perspective views of the harness from the patent are shown below. The harness features a single body component with two adjustable and releasable straps stemming therefrom.
Pet Brushes
Several design patents for a pet brush have been recently granted. For example, D919,198, issued on May 11, 2021, is a design patent for a cat brush. As shown in the patent figures below, the brush resembles the face of a cat.
In D919,199, the Patent Office issued an ornamental design for a pet brush. Issued on May 11, 2021, the patented brush includes top and bottom surfaces that sandwich a larger and similarly shaped middle portion, as shown in the perspective and side views below.
D923,259, issued on June 22, 2021, shows another ornamental design for a pet brush. Similar to the previous example, this design also includes top and bottom surfaces that sandwich a larger and similarly shaped middle portion, as shown in the perspective and side views below.
Patented in D917,798 is an ornamental pet hair remover. Issued on April 27, 2021, the patented hair remover has a solid cloud shape and openings therethrough in a pattern that mimics a paw print. The perspective and side views of the hair remover are shown below.
Pet Medical Assistance Devices
Issued on May 11, 2021, D919,200 is a design patent for a pet wheelchair. As shown in the figures below, the pet wheelchair includes a pair of wheels extending from a framework design to releasably attach to a pet.
A couple of design patents for pet nail clippers have recently been granted. For example, D918,494, issued on May 4, 2021, is a design patent for a pet nail grinder. As shown in the figures below, the handheld pet nail grinder includes a functional end where the nails are inserted and a cover for that end. The trunk of the device includes an on/off switch and a light for indicating status.
D923,886 was issued on June 29, 2021, for an ornamental design for a pet nail clipper. The front, rear, and perspective views of the design are shown in the figures below.
Patented in D916,399, issued on April 13, 2021, is an ornamental design for a tag for tissue biopsy, as shown in the figures below.
Pet Containment and Enclosure Devices
Several design patents for pet enclosures (e.g., kennels), animal carriers, and components have been granted recently. The enclosures generally have a pivotable door configured to move between open and closed positions, and the doors tend to be lockable in the closed position.
The ornamental design for a framed kennel door as shown below was patented in D918,495. FIG. 1 shows an environmental view of the kennel door. The front view of the door shows a cage mesh enclosed by a rentangular frame and a circular non-mesh area.
Some door assemblies are removeably secured to a framed enclosure using unique latches, such as the ornamental design for a clip for a door assembly of an animal enclosure shown in D917,791, which was issued by the Patent Office on April 27, 2021.
What if you have multiple pets that should be kept separate, or you want to separately store other items (like food) where your pet cannot get at them? Well, a divider panel for an animal enclosure might be what you need. In D919,193, the ornamental design for a divider panel for an animal enclosure shown in the perspective and side view figures below was patented on May 11, 2021.
D923,255 was issued on June 22, 2021 for an ornamental design for a pet enclosure, as shown in the figures below. The enclosure includes vented walls and a vented door on top secured with a zipper.
Pet Waste
On April 6, 2021, the Patent Office issued D915,693, which is a design patent for a pet toilet. As shown in the perspective and bottom view figures below, the design appears to mimic grass or nature in some respect.
Patent D919,903 issued on May 18, 2021 is a design patent for a dog waste-collection bowl. The perspective and top views of the bowl are shown below.
D922,006, issued on June 8, 2021, is a design patent for the clump sifting cat litter scoop. Shown in the figures below, the scoop includes an extended lip for scooping and slots within its basket for loose particles to fall through.
D923,887 is a design patent for a litter box. Issued on June 29, 2021, the ornamental design for the litter box includes a capsule shape with a face on one side having an opening for a cat entrance. Perspective, front, and side views of the design are shown in the figures below.
Pet Training Devices
The Patent Office has issued several design patents for pet training devices. For example, D917,114 issued on April 20, 2021, which is a design patent for an anti-barking device. As shown in the figures below, the device resembles a two-story house.
One thing to note about the patent above is the speed of prosecution. The inventor filed the application on September 3, 2020 along with a request for expedited examination via the Design Rocket Docket, and because no Office actions were issued, the application was granted only 7.5 months later.
Design patent D917,115 was issued April 20, 2021. The application for this patent was also included a request for expedited examination via the Design Rocket Docket, and issued after only 7 months from its filing date. The design patent is to an ornamental design for a dog training device, as shown in the perspective, front, and back views below.
D915,690 was issued on April 6, 2021. The design patent is for a pet collar and harness ID band, as shown in the figures below. FIG. 1 is a top view of the collar and harness ID band with the mounting straps wrapped around and secured to a collar; FIG. 3 is a side view of the same; and FIG. 5 is a top view of the same, with the mounting straps in a detached and open position.
D919,905 is a design patent for a dog training device. Issued on May 18, 2021, the patented design resembles a walkie talkie, and includes a rotatable button for adjusting the stimulation setting and an area (10) resembling a display screen.
Patented in D919,201 is another ornamental design for a dog training device. A perspective and back view of the patented design are shown below.
D922,698 was issued on June 15, 2021, a design patent for a dog leash. As shown in the figures below, the patented leash is retractable and includes a built-in stake that can be used to tie down the leash.
Horse Tack and Associated Accoutrements
As reported in a previous post, horses and other equine have been domesticated for a long time. Some estimate that the domestication of the horse happened around 4000 BCE. Since then, humans have invested significant efforts developing tack for equipping their horses. Let’s head on over to the tack room to find out which new designs for horse tack are being issued by the Patent Office.
D917,109 is a design patent for horse tack. Specifically, the patent, which issued on April 20, 2021, is for an ornamental design for a western saddle cinch. A perspective view of the cinch is shown below on the left and a front view is shown on the right.
The patented cinch features a middle portion that is offset from the cinch’s longitudinal centerline. The offset is represented by “X” in the figure shown below on the left.
The inventors state the centerline offset of the cinch (10) redirects the position of the saddle’s billet line (14), as shown in the image above on the right. Particularly, the offset allows the billet line to be set farther back (relative to existing cinches) from the front of the horse.
The Patent Office issued D919,898 on May 18, 2021, for an ornamental design for a horse racing blinker (sometimes called blinder). Blinkers are a piece of horse tack used to prevent the horse from seeing to the rear and sometimes to the side, which some believe help the horse stay focused on what is out in front of them (e.g., the racetrack) rather than what is in their peripheral view (e.g., the crowd). A perspective view of the patented blinker on a horse and without the horse are shown below.
Wild Animal Feeders
Although wild birds are not a typical “pet,” sources estimate that over 55 million Americans put out feed for birds each year—a number that continues to grow as more Americans become interested in creating their own backyard sanctuary. The wild bird feed market is estimated to be over $2 billion.
As previously reported, the Patent Office issued D917,792 on April 27, 2021, for the ornamental design for a birdfeeder, as shown and described in the figures below. Although broadly claimed, the birdfeeder appears to be specifically designed for hummingbirds because it features a small port (surrounded by the flower shaped ornamentation) for receiving a long skinny beak capable of reaching the liquid contained in the feeder.
On May 25, 2021, the Patent Office issued D920,593 for the ornamental design for the bamboo bird feeder shown in the figures below. The patented hexagon-shaped birdfeeder features a bamboo construction, which is known for sustainability and antibacterial properties. The birdfeeder also includes a transparent wall on one third having a bottom slot for releasing bird feed, and pegboard on another third with holes sufficient for small sized feed.
D921,998 is a design patent for a bird feeder accessory. Issued on June 8, 2021, the an ornamental design is for the perch shown in the figures below. The perch is designed to fit on a cylindrical bird feeder, as indicated with the broken lines in the environmental view.
Another design patent for a feeder, D920,594 for a deer feeder, was issued on May 25, 2021. The patented deer feeder features a covered feed tray that appears to be height adjustable, and legs coupled to a pair of feet having through-holes for fastening the deer feeder to a structure, as shown in the perspective and side views below.
Animal Habitats
On June 29, 2021, the Patent Office issued D923,883 and D923,884 for the ornamental designs for animal habitats shown below. These homes are specifically designed for bats, which tend to avoid sleeping in trees because that’s where its predators sleep. The bat habitats can be mounted around a property where mosquitos and other bugs bother the residents.
Find out more information about the bat habitats protected by these new design patents on the inventor's website.
Fish, snakes, spiders, lizards, and other animals are often kept in glass aquariums. You can get a design patent for aquariums. For example, D922,694 issued on June 15, 2021, for the ornamental design for an aquarium shown in the figure below. While most aquariums have a hyperrectangular shape, the disclosed aquarium features a hexagonal prism shape.
Cat trees are popular pet products because they allow one or more cats to play, scratch, and rest in their own area (and hopefully not scratch up your furniture). Shown below are perspective and side views from a new design patent for a cat tree. The patent issued as D920,599 on May 25, 2021.
D922,695, issued on June 15, 2021, is a design patent for a cat house. As shown in the figures below, this cozy looking house features a zipper for human access to the inside and a cut out serving as an entrance for the felines. FIG. 1 shows a front, left perspective view, FIG. 2 shows a rear, right perspective view, and FIG. 7 shows a top plan view.
D921,996 is a design patent for a pet bed, as shown in the figures below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. The patent issued on June 8, 2021.
Pet Accessories
Is your pet tracking dirt and mud inside your home? On April 27, 2021, the Patent Office issued D917,796, a design patent for pet boots. As shown in the figures below, the boots feature a strap that allows an animal paw to be inserted when open (left) and that allows an animal paw to be retained when closed (right).
Bull Riding Spurs
Bull riding spurs generally have a U-shaped frame, called a shank, and a rowel extending therefrom. On April 6, 2021, the Patent Office issued D915,691, a design patent for bull riding spurs that include a layered rowel in the shape of a butter knife, rather than a traditional rowel with radiating points. An image from the design patent (left) and a photograph of the actual spur (right) are shown below.
Livestock Marking Tool
D922,001, issued on June 8, 2021, is an agricultural design patent for a livestock marking tool. The tool has a cylindrical, telescoping shape. FIG. 1 is a front, left perspective view, FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, FIG. 6 is a top plan view, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view.
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