At a glance
| Patent number | CN208523497U (application CN201820600745) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Adjustable animal muzzle (可调式动物嘴套) |
| Patent owner | Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences |
| Inventors | Dong Chunguang and 10 co-inventors |
| Filing date | 2018-04-25 |
| Grant date | 2019-02-22 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (effective 2020-04-25, recorded 2021-04-09) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 3 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN208523497U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - an adjustable animal muzzle with an adjustable neck strap, a cone-shaped snout sleeve and connecting straps between the strap and the wide end of the sleeve. The key point: the sleeve is rolled from a trapezoid of material, with at least one row of snap buttons on the inside of one end and several rows of studs on the outside of the other, so the sleeve size can be set.
Claim 2 - each connecting strap is in two parts joined by hook-and-loop. Claim 3 - there are three connecting straps. Claims 4-5 - the neck strap passes through a buckle with a housing, a catch plate, a lever and teeth on the strap, so it can be set to any size.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2020 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Dog muzzles and pet buckles are sold widely in the US, and some designs are patented. Use your own styling and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Size range | Number of stud rows and sleeve length set to cover the breeds you target |
| Sleeve material | Nylon fabric, padded mesh, neoprene or soft TPU sheet |
| Fasteners | Metal or plastic snap buttons; hook-and-loop color and width |
| Neck strap | Ratchet buckle as in the patent, or a standard side-release buckle |
| Comfort | Soft binding on edges, padded nose bridge |
| Colors & branding | Brand colors, printed or woven logo, reflective trim |
| Packaging | Hang card, poly bag or retail box with a sizing guide |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Animal welfare - include clear instructions: supervised, short-term use only; check the fit; remove in heat or if the animal shows distress.
- Materials - use non-toxic, low-odor materials; avoid small parts that can come loose.
- Sizing guide - a snout-circumference chart on the packaging reduces returns.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target animals, sizes, materials and quantity.
- Design - pattern, stud spacing, buckle and strap details.
- Prototype - samples fitted on dogs of different sizes.
- Pilot run - small batch to check sewing, snaps and packaging.
- Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
This is a cut-and-sew product with standard snaps and hook-and-loop; only the ratchet buckle needs a small mold. Send us your target sizes, materials, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
