Pet grooming knot-removal tool

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a grooming tool for pets and methods of use thereof. The grooming tool of the present invention has a grooming tool head having two or more sides, with at least one side having structures that consist of (a) projections; (b) bristles or teeth, (c) a hook and / or loop carpeting structure, or (d) a combination of one or more of such structures. The projections of the grooming tool of the present invention may be comprised of multiple sections, each of which may have different shapes and / or size. The grooming tool head may have various shapes, including but not limited to shape having two lobes.

Description

PET GROOMING KNOT-REMOVAL TOOLRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 527,224, filed July 17, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporate herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a grooming tool for pets, as well as methods of using the grooming tool for various grooming purposes, including but not limited to loosening and untangling knots and matting within the pet’s fur, smoothing the fur, speeding drying time for wet fur, and increasing the shine of the fur.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Almost all pets having fur have grooming needs. While some furred pets require only bathing or basic brushing, a number of animals require more complex care. Most pets experience a natural cycle of fur loss and shedding. For animals with longer fur, this means that dead or loose fur can quickly become tangled around itself and attach to live hair and new hair growth. These tangles in the fur can quickly form mats, i.e., clumps and knots, that will further trap dirt, debris, and additional fur. Mats can cause discomfort to the pet as they pull attached hairs tight. The mats also may trap moisture, causing damage to the skin or even infection.

[0004] Combing through matted fur can be very difficult and often painful to the pet. Alternatives, however, are shaving the fur or cutting under the mat surface. This alternative is not only unsightly, but runs the risks of cuts and abrasions from the removal process as well as exposing the pets’ skin to the elements.

[0005] There is a need for a pet grooming tool that can effectively detangle matted fur. There further is a need for a pet grooming tool that can smooth the pet fur, restore shine, and speed drying time.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present disclosure relates generally to a grooming tool for pets and methods of use thereof. The grooming tool of the present invention has a grooming toolhead having two or more sides, with at least one side having (a) projections; (b) bristles or teeth, (c) a hook and / or loop carpeting structure, or (d) a combination of one or more of such structures.

[0007] In some embodiments of the invention, the projections may be mostly straight (“spike-like” projections) or may have one or more bends (“bent” projections).

[0008] The grooming tool has a head where the projections, bristles / teeth, and / or the hook / loop structure are attached. Any shape of the grooming tool head may be used. In some embodiments, the head has two lobes. In other embodiments, the head may be in the shape of more than two lobes. In other embodiments of the invention, the grooming tool head may be in the shape of a rectangle or square or other regular or irregular circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape.

[0009] In some embodiments of the invention, the grooming tool has a head having two sides. In other embodiments, the grooming tool head has more than two sides, such as a head with three sides, four sides, or more.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the pet grooming tool comprises a grooming tool head wherein the structures on at least one side of the grooming tool head comprise projections.

[0011] In some embodiments, the projections are spike-like projections. In some embodiments, the spike-like projections may be in the shape of a cone, a cylinder, or a pyramid. In some embodiments, there may be more than one section of the spike-like projection, with each section having a different shape and / or size.

[0012] In other embodiments of the present invention, the projections are bent projections. In some embodiments, the bent projections have one bend. In other embodiments, the bent projections have two or more bends. In some embodiments, the angle of at least one bend of the bent projections is less than 90 degrees; in other embodiments, the angle of at least one bend is more than 90 degrees but less than 170 degrees.

[0013] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the structures on at least one side of the grooming tool head have both projections and hook and / or loop carpeting structures. In other embodiments, the structures on at least one side of the grooming tool head have (i) bristles or teeth and (ii) hook and / or loop carpeting structures. Insome embodiments, the structures at least one side of the grooming tool head have projections, bristles or teeth, and hook and / or loop carpeting structures.

[0014] In one embodiment of the pet grooming tool of the invention, at least one side of the grooming tool head comprises bristles having ball ends. In a further embodiment, the grooming tool head comprises both bristles having ball ends and a hook and / or loop carpeting structures.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the pet grooming tool has a grooming tool head wherein each side of the head has different structures from the other side. In other embodiments, the pet grooming tool has a grooming tool head wherein at least two sides of the head have the same structures. In another embodiment of the invention, the pet grooming tool has a grooming tool wherein one side of the head has the same shape of structure as at least one other side of the head, but the structures on said sides differ in length, size, the pattern of the structures, and / or density.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the pet grooming tool has a grooming tool head having two sides, wherein one side of the head comprises bristles having ball ends and a hook and / or loop carpeting structure and the other side of the head comprises projections. In a further embodiment of this invention, the projections on the side opposing the bristles and hook and / or loop carpeting are bent projections. In still further embodiments, the side having bent projections also has hook and / or loop carpeting structures.

[0017] The present invention also includes methods of eliminating fur mats which include a lateral mat-removal method and at least two vertical mat-removal methods using the pet grooming tool of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings which correspond to the same.

[0019] FIGS. 1A - IF are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of the spikelike projections of the grooming tool of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bent projection of the grooming tool of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 3A - 3C are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of the shapes of the grooming tool heads of the present.

[0022] FIGS. 4A - 4C are photographs illustrating an embodiment of the pet grooming tool having two sides with a grooming tool head that is shaped to have two lobes

[0023] FIGS. 5 is a photograph illustrating another embodiment of the pet grooming tool having two sides with a grooming tool head that is shaped to have two lobes.

[0024] FIGS. 6A - 6C are photographs illustrating another embodiment of the pet grooming tool having two sides with a grooming tool head that has a rectangular head.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and photographs. The reference numerals used in the detailed description of the embodiment below correspond to the reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings.

[0026] The present invention encompasses embodiments of pet grooming tools. FIGS. 1A - IF, FIG. 2, and FIGS. 3A - 3C are exemplary, non-limiting examples of spike-like projections, bent projections, and grooming tool heads, respectively, of the pet grooming tools of the invention. FIGS. 4 - 7 are exemplary, non-limiting examples of the pet grooming tools of the inventions having a grooming tool head having two sides. Examples of pet grooming tools having a grooming tool having three sides are also contemplated, but not shown in figures.

[0027] The grooming tool of the present invention has a grooming tool head with two or more sides, with at least one side having (a) projections; (b) bristles or teeth, (c) a hook and / or loop carpeting structure, or (d) a combination of such components.

[0028] In some embodiments of the invention, the projections may be mostly straight and relatively pointed at the free end (“spike-like” projections) or the projections may have one or more bends (“bent” projections).

[0029] The projections of the tool allow the user to loosen and help undo knots and tangles in fur. The projections may be of any length that is sufficient to insert into a fur mat of a pet.

[0030] FIGS. 1 A - IF are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of the spikelike projections of the grooming tool of the present invention. Each spike-like projection example in FIGS. 1A-1F consists of a free end 10 and a base 12, where the base is attached to the head of the grooming tool. FIGS. 1A-1F provide non-limiting examples of spike-like projections. The projections may be in the shape of a cone, as indicated in FIG. 1A and FIG. IB. In FIG. 1A, the spike-like projection is in the shape of a cone and has a cross-section 14 that is circular, as indicated by the circle labeled x1A. In FIG. IB, the spike-like projection is in the shape of a cone and has a crosssection 14 that is elliptical, as indicated by the oval labeled as x1B.

[0031] In another exemplary embodiment, the spike-like projections are in the shape of a pyramid having a triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, or other regular or irregular polygonal cross section. An example of a spike-like projection in the shape of a pyramid is shown in FIG. 1C. The spike-like projection of FIG. 1C has a crosssection 14 that is rectangular, as indicated by the rectangle labeled as xlc.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the spike-like projection may be a cylinder, which is characterized by having the same size and shape of crosssection throughout the length of the projection. An example of a spike-like projection in the shape of a cylinder is shown in FIG. ID, where the projection has a cross-section 14 that is circular (x1D). Other embodiments of cylindrical spike-like projections may have an elliptical cross-section, a polygonal cross-section, or a cross-section that is irregularly circular, elliptical, or polygonal, i.e., lacking in symmetry among one or more axis (not shown).

[0033] In other embodiments, the spike-like projection may be comprised of a combination of one or more shapes. In other words, there may be one or more sections along the length of the projection where each section has its own shape and / or size.

[0034] In some embodiments, the spike-like projection may have a first section near the base that is a cylindrical, i.e., is not conical or pyramidal, and a second section that abuts the first section that is conical and tapers to the free end. Examples of such embodiments are shown in FIGS. IE - IF, where a circular cylindrical section (i.e.,having a shape such as FIG. ID) is combined with a circular conical section (i.e., having a shape such as FIG. 1A). In such figures, the circular cylindrical section starts at the base 12 and extends for some length L1before transitioning to the circular conical section having some length L2that continues to the free end 10. In FIG. IE, the diameter of the cylindrical section is the same as the diameter of the base of the conical section. In FIG. IF, the diameter of the cylindrical section is greater than the diameter of the base of the conical section. The invention contemplates spike-like projections having multiple sections, each of which may vary in shape, lengths, or cross-sectional size.

[0035] In another embodiment (not shown), the spike-like projection may be pyramidal from the base of the tool to a particular length of the projection and then be conical from said length to the free end of the projection. This combination creates a narrowed middle section. The combination would allow the user to penetrate the mat without breaking hair strands using the conical end, but the user would have the option to press the projection further into the mat and use the friction of the sides of the pyramidal shape to break and loosen more intractable fur.

[0036] As another embodiment (not shown), the projection may be conical from the base of the tool to a particular length of the projection and then be pyramidal from said length to the free end of the projection. This combination would allow the user to more quickly break up small mats using the angular edges of the pyramidal shape, but the user would have the option to press the projection further into the mat and use the rounded sides of the conical shape to more gently create openings in the mat.

[0037] In still other embodiments, the projection may have multiple sections of interspersed conical and pyramidal shapes, allowing the user to access smooth and angular surfaces of a variety of widths as the user works on eliminating the mats and knots.

[0038] It should be understood that for spike-like projections that have a combination of sections having one or more shapes, the lengths of each section can be the same or they may have different lengths. For example, in FIGS. IE and IF, L1is shorter than L2.

[0039] Similarly, a spike-like projection having multiple sections may have the same or different sizes of cross-sections. In some embodiments, the largest cross-section of one section of the spike-like projection may have the same size as the largest cross-section of one or more of the other sections, an example of which is shown in FIG. IE. In other embodiments, the largest cross-section of one section of the spikelike projection may have be greater than the largest cross-section of one or more of another section, an example of which is shown in FIG. IF.

[0040] While FIGs. 1A, IB, 1C, IE, and IF illustrate a sharp point at the end 10 of the spike-like projections, other embodiments have a blunted or rounded end 10.

[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, the spike-like projections, whether consisting of one section or more than one section, have a total length approximately 0.25” to 2.5”, while in other embodiments, shorter or longer projections may be included.

[0042] In some embodiments of the invention, the base of the spike-like projection has a greater cross-section than the free end of the spike-like projection. In other embodiments, the base of the spike-like projection may have a smaller cross-section than the free end of the spike-like projection; in other embodiments, the size of the cross-section of the base and the free end may be the same.

[0043] In some embodiments where the tool has bent projections, the projection will have only one bend. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bent projection of the grooming tool of the present invention having one bend wherein the projection is in the shape of a cylinder with a circular cross section. In FIG. 2, the length of the portion of the projection from the base 12 to the bend is indicated as bl1and the length of the portion of the projection from the bend to the free end 10 is indicated as bl2. The angle between the two portions of the bent projection shown in FIG. 2 is denoted as theta (0). In FIG. 2, the length of bl1is greater than the length of bl2. In other embodiments of bent projections, the length of the portion of the projection from the bend to the free end 10 is indicated as bl2

[0044] The shape of the bent projection may also be different than a cylinder, such as one of the shapes set forth in FIGS. 1A - IF as non-limiting examples, Further, in some embodiments where the tool has bent projections, the projection will have more than one bend (not shown).

[0045] The shape of the bent projection, whether there is one bend or more than one bend, may be different than a cylindrical cross section, such as one of the shapes setforth in FIGS. 1 A - IF as non-limiting examples. Additionally, each portion of a bent projection may have the same shape or two different shapes.

[0046] In embodiments of the present invention that have bent projections, the length of each portion before each bend (i.e., bl1, bl2, bl3...) may be the same or may differ. In FIG. 2, the length of bl1is greater than the length of bl2. In other embodiments of bent projections, the length of each portion may be the same or may vary. In a one-bend bent projection, bl1could be the same length as bl2or bl2could be greater than bl1. In a two-bend bent projection, bl1could be the same length as both bl2and bl3; two of the three portions should have the same length that is different than the third; or all three portions could have different lengths. The cross-sections of the portions of a bent projection may also differ in size.

[0047] With respect to bent projections, the angle between any two portions of the bent projection may be approximately 30-170 degrees. In other embodiments of the tool, the angle between two portions of a bent projection may be approximately 60-170 degrees, 60-90 degrees, 70-90 degrees, 80-0 degrees, 90 degrees, 70-100 degrees, 80- 110 degrees, 70-120 degrees, 90-120 degrees, 90-130 degrees, 100-120 degrees, 100- 130 degrees, 100-140 degrees, 110-130 degrees, 110-140 degrees, 120-140 degrees, 130-140 degrees, 135-145 degrees, 140-150 degrees, 145-155 degrees, 150-160 degrees, 155-165 degrees, 160-170 degrees, or 165-170 degrees. In FIG. 2, the angle G is approximately 140 degrees.

[0048] In other embodiments of the invention where the tool has bent projections (whether each such bent projection consists of one bend or multiple bends), the total length of the bent projection may be between approximately 0.5” to 5”, while in other embodiments, shorter or longer projections may be included.

[0049] In addition to, or in lieu of, the spike-like projections and bent projections, the pet grooming tool of the present invention may also have bristles, teeth, or a hook and / or loop carpeting structure.

[0050] Any conventional bristles or teeth are contemplated. In some embodiments of the invention, the bristles will have ball ends, as shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4C, FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C.

[0051] In some embodiments, a hook and / or loop structure will be placed on the grooming tool head. This hook and / or loop structure may be placed on the same side asspike-like projections, bent projections, bristles or teeth, or may be the only structure on one or more sides of the grooming tool head. Combining a hook and / or loop carpeting structure with other structures is an embodiment that permits smoothing of the hair.

[0052] In some embodiments of the invention, the grooming tool has a head having two sides. In other embodiments, the grooming tool head has three sides, four sides, or more. The grooming tool head may be of any shape. Any combination of projections, bristles, teeth, and / or hook and / or loop carpeting structures also may be used on any side of the grooming tool head. In some embodiments, only one side of the grooming tool head has such structures while the other side(s) are bare. In one embodiment, a side may only have bristles. In another embodiment, a side may have bristles as well as a hook and / or loop carpeting structure. In a further embodiment, a side may have a combination of different shapes of projections. For each side of the grooming tool head, the height of the structures, or their cross-sectional width, may be the same or may vary.

[0053] For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the projections on the grooming tool will have a uniform length. In other embodiments, the projections will have different lengths. In further embodiments, one or more sides of the tools may have longer or shorter projections than another side of the tool. In doing so, the user can use the tool on a pet that has fur of different lengths and / or the user can use the tool with multiple pets.

[0054] In some embodiments, the grooming tool may include projections that vary in width, which will allow the tool to be used on mats that are both loose and tight - the wider projections can further open loose mats while the narrow projections can open up tight mats.

[0055] Any pattern of projections, bristles, teeth, and / or hook and / or loop carpeting structures may be used.

[0056] FIGS 3A - 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating non-limited, exemplary embodiments of the present invention showing one side of the head of the grooming tool, each having a different shape for the head and different structures.

[0057] In FIG. 3A, the grooming tool head is in the shape of two lobes. The two- lobe shape can lessen drag during the grooming process. Additionally, the user can tip the two-lobe grooming tool head to one side to allow one lobe to tackle narrow mats or use the full width and both lobes for larger mats. Each lobe may have differentstructures, allowing the user to detangle the fur without turning the grooming tool to another side of the grooming tool head. In some embodiments, the connecting portion between the lobes may have a different structure than on either lobe or may remain bare. In FIG. 3A provides a non-limiting example of the structures that may be present on a grooming tool head. In FIG. 3A, the right lobe 30 of the grooming tool head has bristles, each indicated by a closed circle; that vary in size, while the left lobe 32 has spike-like projections corresponding to the shape shown in FIG. IF and indicated by an open circle. The middle portion of the two-lobe grooming tool head FIG. 3A is bare. In other embodiments, the grooming tool head may have three lobes, four lobes, or more lobes (not shown). Any combination of projections, bristles, teeth, and / or hook and loop structures may be used on any side of the grooming tool head. For example, in some embodiments of the tool, the projections may be mixed in terms of their shape of the projections used on the sides of the tool. As a non-limiting example, one side of the tool, for example, may have primarily pyramidal projections while another side has primarily conical projections or projections that are a combination of pyramidal and conical shapes. Similarly, one side of the tool may have conical projections while another side has primarily pyramidal projections or projections that are a combination of pyramidal and conical shapes.

[0058] In FIG. 3B, the grooming tool head is in the shape of a square. The grooming tool head of FIG. 3B has spike-like projections in this embodiment which pyramidal, such as that shown in FIG. 1C, and which are indicated with a closed square. Hooks and loops are also present, indicated by wavy and swirled lines; hooks and / or loops can smooth the fur after detangling is completed.

[0059] With respect to hook and / or loop structures, the use of such a structure and its benefits for hair has been previously described in applications such as U.S. Patent App. Nos. 15 / 944,186 and 16 / 653,653; such uses and benefits are equally applicable for fur. Grooming tools of the present invention that include hook and loop structures, for example, may help smooth fur cuticles, increase fur shine, and / or speed the drying time of wet fur.

[0060] In FIG. 3C, the grooming tool head is in the shape of a rectangle and has bent-like projections, shown as bent lines in staggered rows.

[0061] FIGS. 4A - 4C, FIG. 5, and FIGS. 6A - 6C are photographs illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the pet grooming tools of the present invention.

[0062] FIGS. 4A - 4C, are photographs illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the pet grooming tool, where the head of the grooming tool has two sides and the head is in the shape of two lobes. In FIG. 4A, one side of the grooming tool having a two- lobed head is shown and has metal bristles ending in balls, a common bristle shape in the art. The side shown further includes a hook and look structure (shown as stripes). In FIG. 4B, the other side of the grooming tool is shown. On this side, a number of spike-like projections are attached to the base, each having a wider base than the free end. FIG. 4C is a photograph where both sides of the grooming tool are shown. The left side of FIG. 4C is a side view of FIG. 4A. It shows the bristles having ball ends and the hook and loop structure. The right side of FIG. 4C is a side view of FIG. 4B. As is more clearly seen in this figure, the spike-like projections have two sections analogous to the structure set forth in FIG. IF. Attached to the head is a cylindrical portion that extends from the base for a certain length; a conical portion having a smaller cross-section then extends from the cylindrical portion to the free end. The free end is blunted rather than having sharp point.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a photograph illustrating a second non-limiting embodiment of the pet grooming tool where the head of the grooming tool has two sides and the head is in the shape of two lobes. In FIG. 5, the left side shows thick bristles having ball ends as well as a hook and / or loop carpeting. The right side of FIG. 5 shows spike-like projections having two sections, which are analogous to the structure set forth in FIG. IE. The right side shows that, attached to the head at the base, is a cylindrical portion that extends from the base for a certain length and then a conical portion having the same cross-section as the cylindrical portion then extends from the cylindrical portion to the free end.

[0064] FIGS. 6A - 6C, are photographs illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the pet grooming tool, where the head of the grooming tool has two sides and is rectangular in shape. In FIG. 6A, one side of the grooming tool having a rectangular head is shown and has metal bristles ending in balls. The side further includes a hook and look structure (shown as stripes). In FIG. 6B, the other side of the grooming tool is shown. On this side, bent projections having one bend are attached to the rectangular head. The bent projections are uniform in width and cylindrical in shape, and each projection has the same angle between the portions of the bent projection. FIG. 6C is a photograph where both sides of the grooming tool are shown. The left side of FIG. CCis a side view of FIG. 6 A. It shows the bristles having ball ends and the hook and loop structure. The right side of FIG. 6C is a side view a bent projection, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. As is more clearly seen in this figure, the bent projections are uniform in width and cylindrical in shape, and each projection has the same angle between the portions of the bent projection.

[0065] In some embodiments, the grooming tool further includes a handle, strap, glove, or some other component by which the user may grasp the tool.

[0066] In some embodiments, the projections may have a full or partial coating. Such coatings may, as non-limiting examples, increase or decrease friction or create micro-abrasions and cuts to the fur strands that help weaken and break the fur caught in the mat. Coatings can be of any suitable material, including but not limited to metals or such coatings may be impregnated for strength or other properties, such as by including graphene. In some embodiments, bristles or teeth may be coated. Non-limiting examples of materials that may be used for coatings include but are not limited to Teflon / PTFE, silicone, epoxy, enamel, hard anodized aluminum, copper, natural stones, diamond coatings, and nanosilver.

[0067] The projections of the grooming tool may be of any material that is of sufficient firmness and rigidity to loosen and detangle matted fur. This includes, but is not limited to, metals, woods, polymers, ceramics, plastics, rubbers, and graphite compositions. In one preferred embodiment, the projections are metal.

[0068] The present invention also includes methods of eliminating fur mats. In one embodiment, the user may insert the projections into a matted area and pull the tool across the mat, generally parallel to the pet’s skin, helping push aside loose hair and debris. As an alternative to, or in addition to this lateral mat-removal method, the user may eliminate mats by moving the tool generally perpendicular or at an angle with respect to the pet’s skin. In one example of such a vertical mat-removal method, the user may push the tool downward, i.e., toward the pet’s skin (the “downward vertical mat-removal method”). In some embodiments, the downward vertical mat-removal method can be accomplished with a grooming tool that has projections that are smaller at the free end than at the base. Using the downward vertical mat-removal method, the user inserts the narrowest portion of the projections into the top of the matted area and pushes the tool through the mat until the wider portions of the projections have beeninserted into the matted area. This widens and opens up the mats gradually, reducing pet pain. In another example of a vertical mat-removal method, the user may insert the grooming tool at the pet’s skin and then pull the tool away from the pet’s skin (the “upward vertical mat-removal method”). In some embodiments, the upward vertical mat-removal method can be accomplished with a grooming tool that has projections that are smaller at the free end than at the base. Using this upward vertical mat-removal method, the user inserts the narrowest portion of the projections into the bottom portion of the mat and pulls the tool upward through the mat until the wider portions of the projections have been inserted into the matted area. This also widens and opens up the mats gradually. Often, the upward vertical mat-removal method can be used at the edges of a mat where it will be easiest to insert the projections at the level of the pet’s skin, can be used of the matted area and push the tool through the mat until the wider portions of the projections have been inserted into the matted area. A combination of the lateral mat-removal method and each of the vertical mat-removal methods can be used. Such methods can create openings within the mat and help divide the mat into sections that are easier to work with and release.

[0069] While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be practical and illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures, as well as to cover the use of materials have substantially the same desired properties set forth in this specification. Various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, aesthetic design, and final construction and details of the apparatus described in this application without departing from the scope of the inventive disclosure.’

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pet grooming tool, comprising a grooming tool head having two or more sides, wherein at least one side of the grooming tool head has a plurality of structures for removing knots and / or mats from the fiir of the pet, and wherein the structures comprise (a) projections; (b) bristles or teeth, (c) a hook and / or loop carpeting structure, or (d) a combination of one or more of structures (a), (b), and (c).

2. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein the grooming tool head has two sides.

3. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein the grooming tool head has more than two sides.

4. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein the grooming tool head is in the shape of two lobes.

5. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein the structures on at least one side of the grooming tool head comprise projections.

6. The pet grooming tool of claim 5, wherein the projections comprise spike-like projections.

7. The pet grooming tool of claim 5, wherein the projections comprise bent projections.

8. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein the structures on at least one side of the grooming tool head comprise both projections and hook and / or loop carpeting structures.

9. The pet grooming tool of claim 6, wherein the spike-like projections are in the shape of a cone, a cylinder, or a pyramid.

10. The pet grooming tool of claim 9, wherein the spike-like projections comprise more than one section.

11. The pet grooming tool of claim 7, wherein the structures on the grooming tool head comprise bent projections having one bend.

12. The pet grooming tool of claim 7, wherein the structures on the grooming tool head comprise bent projections having more than one bend.

13. The pet grooming tool of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the grooming tool head comprises both bristles having ball ends and hook and / or loop carpeting structures.

14. The pet grooming tool of claim 1, wherein each side of the grooming tool head has a different structure from at least one of the other sides.

15. The pet grooming tool of claim 2, wherein one side of the grooming tool head comprises bristles having ball ends and hook and / or loop carpeting structures and the other side of the grooming tool head comprises bent projections.

Images