(19)

(11)

EP 1 044 439 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42 (21) Application number: 98960671.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G08B 21/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9825/626 (87) International publication number: WO 9928/881 (10.06.1999 Gazette 1999/23)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 04.12.1997 US 985027 (71) Applicant: Innotek Pet Products, Inc. Garrett,Indiana 46738 (US)	(72) Inventors: WESTRICK, Michael, D. Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (US) JOHNSON, Peter, F. Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (US) BRUNE, Scott, A. Leo, IN 46765 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und RechtsanwälteArabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)