초록 ▼

The invention features an animal carrier that is designed to more easily place an animal (e.g., a cat or dog) into the carrier. The carrier features a funnel that can be attached to the body of the carrier, that is sized to permit passage of the animal through the funnel, that is oriented to convey

The invention features an animal carrier that is designed to more easily place an animal (e.g., a cat or dog) into the carrier. The carrier features a funnel that can be attached to the body of the carrier, that is sized to permit passage of the animal through the funnel, that is oriented to convey the animal by gravity into the carrier, and that can be removed once the animal has been delivered into the carrier. The invention also features a retrofit funnel that is adapted to be securely attached to an opening of a standard animal carrier.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pet carrier for transporting a small, live pet animal comprising: a) a body defining a housing for the animal, the body comprising a substantially planar bottom portion connected to a substantially planar top portion by two side walls, a back wall, and a front wall, each of which are affixed at

1. A pet carrier for transporting a small, live pet animal comprising: a) a body defining a housing for the animal, the body comprising a substantially planar bottom portion connected to a substantially planar top portion by two side walls, a back wall, and a front wall, each of which are affixed at the periphery of said top and bottom portions and in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto, wherein said top portion or said back wall comprises a first opening sized and shaped to permit movement of said animal into said carrier and one or more of said side walls, back wall or front wall comprises one or more slits or holes to allow for air circulation,b) a funnel comprising a first open end in fluid communication with a second open end through a neck portion, said first open end being larger in diameter than said second open end, said second open end being adapted for attachment to, and detachment from, said first opening of said body, and said funnel being sized to permit passage of said animal through said funnel and being oriented to convey said animal by gravity into said carrier when said second end of said funnel is attached to said first opening of said body; and(c) a detachable or slidable cover sized and shaped to reversibly close or seal the first opening of said body when said second end of said funnel is disengaged from said first opening of said body to prevent egress of the animal from the interior of the carrier,wherein said animal is at least the size of a cat or dog and said carrier is used for transporting said live pet animal by hand. 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said first opening of said body is in said top portion. 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein said carrier further comprises a second opening in said front wall sized and shaped to permit movement of said animal into and out of said carrier, said second opening comprising a gate pivotally mounted in said second opening and capable of moving between an open and a closed configuration, said gate further comprising a latch for retaining said gate in a closed position and said front wall comprising a locking pin adapted to engage said latch to retain said gate in said closed position. 4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said first opening of said body is in said back wall. 5. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a handle affixed to an exterior of said top portion or to the cover. 6. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising one or more wall protectors affixed to an exterior of said carrier. 7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein said one or more wall protectors are affixed to said back or front wall. 8. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising one or more non-skid feet affixed to an exterior of said bottom portion. 9. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a substantially planar raised floor portion that is positioned above said bottom portion and that defines a space between said raised floor portion and said bottom portion. 10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein said raised floor portion is removable from said carrier. 11. The carrier of claim 9, wherein said raised floor portion comprises a plurality of holes or slits. 12. The carrier of claim 9 further comprising an access panel on at least one of said side walls, said front wall, or said back wall that is sized and shaped to provide access into said space between said raised floor portion and said bottom portion. 13. The carrier of claim 9, wherein said space between said raised floor portion and said bottom portion is between 0.5 and 3.0 inches in height along substantially the entire length of said carrier from back to front. 14. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising an insertion point at or near the bottom of said carrier that is sized and shaped to accommodate a human foot, wherein pressure can be applied to said insertion point to stabilize said carrier during insertion of said animal into said carrier. 15. The carrier of claim 14, wherein said insertion point comprises a recessed area or a substantially planar ledge on one or more of said side walls, said back wall, or said front wall. 16. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a liquid or solid dispensing device detachably fastened to an exterior portion of said carrier and comprising a spout that extends into an interior portion of said carrier for delivering said liquid or solid to said interior portion. 17. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a diffuser detachably fastened to an exterior portion of said carrier, wherein said diffuser comprises a mechanism for releasing a pheromone or aroma in the form of a spray, a mist, an aerosol, or a slow release matrix into an interior portion of said carrier. 18. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said animal is a cat, dog, rat, ferret, guinea pig, chinchilla, rabbit, chicken, raccoon, possum, or skunk. 19. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said funnel is sized from about five (5) to about thirty (30) inches in length end to end and has a diameter of about ten (10) to about thirty (30) inches at said first open end and a diameter of about five (50 to about twenty (20) inches at said second open end. 20. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said funnel comprises a substantially smooth interior. 21. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an insert, plug, or panel.