# US 11,109,567 B2 · Splash-guard system and method

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- Number: US 11,109,567 B2
- Document ID: US11109567B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/947,599
- Filed: 2018-04-06
- Published: 2019-10-10
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-06
- Applicants: Sherry Lynn Matheson
- Inventors: Sherry Lynn Matheson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11109567B2

## CPC

- A01K 5/0135: {with means for preventing or catching spillage}
- A01K 7/005: {Drinking bowls with anti-splash or anti-spilling features}
- A01K 5/0128: {Pet feeders including liners; liners therefor; Means for holding liners to pet feeders}
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

A splash-guard system; the splash-guard system includes a guard-member, a base-member, and a mat. The splash-guard system is useful for confining splashes or spills from a pet bowl to the splash-guard system such that a pet owner does not need to regularly clean the surrounding area of the pet bowl when a pet makes a mess when feeding. The splash-guard system serves to prevent constant cleaning and damage to the surrounding floor and walls.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of using a splash-guard system for feeding or watering a pet, the method consisting essentially of:
providing the splash-guard system consisting essentially of a guard-member including, a first-sidewall defining a first-interior-volume, said first-sidewall forming an external-flange around a bottom peripheral of said first-sidewall; a base-member positioned under said guard-member, said base-member including, a second-sidewall and a base defining a second-interior-volume, and an exterior-lip around a top peripheral of said second-sidewall opposite of said base; and a mat configured to provide a friction-surface,
placing said base-member on said mat,
fastening said mat to said base member via a fastener,
placing a pet bowl on said base of said base-member,
placing pet food or liquid within said pet bowl, and
placing said guard-member around said pet bowl, said external-flange providing a sealed connection surface with said exterior-lip.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member and said base-member each include a pair of handles attached to an exterior-side of said first-sidewall and said second-sidewall, respectively.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said pair of handles are located at two opposed locations.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member and said base-member comprise of light-weight material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member is configured to confine spills from said pet bowl within said second-interior-volume of said base-member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member and said base-member is rigid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said external-flange and said exterior-lip are integrally formed therefrom said first-sidewall and said second-sidewall, respectively.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said external-flange includes an L-shaped cross-section.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member includes a first-general-shape that dimensionally corresponds to a second-general-shape of said base-member configured to enable said external-flange to engage said external-lip.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein said first-general-shape and said second-general-shape are substantially three-dimensional rectangular.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a first-height corresponding to said first-sidewall is greater than a second-height corresponding to said second-sidewall.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing said mat from said base and reassembling the splash-guard system with another mat.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said guard-member, said base-member, and said mat comprise of a material that is reusable and washable.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said mat is generally rectangular.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said fasteners comprise of hook-and-loop strips.