AU2006100788A4

AU2006100788A4 - Apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2006100788A4
Application number: AU2006100788A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Brauss; Kim Kech Meng
Original assignee: Mars Inc
Current assignee: Mars Inc
Priority date: 2005-09-16
Filing date: 2006-09-15
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-15
Also published as: DE202006013971U1; FR2890828B1; GB0518950D0; GB2430164A; FR2890828A1

Description

P001 Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: APPARTUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: SApparatus _The present application relates to an apparatus for providing a foodstuff to an animal comprising a base arranged to moveably support a foodstuff. The present 00 5 application also relates to a method of feeding an animal comprising allowing the 00 animal access to such an apparatus and also to a method of making such an apparatus.

Many companion animals are left alone during the day while their owners are at work or away for a night, or a weekend. This can cause many problems for the animal and also for the owner.

The animal may become bored. Lack of mental activity may cause the animal to become agitated. This can lead to behavioural problems, such as damage to furniture and to other objects in the owner's home. Boredom can lead to mental health problems in animals, such as depression, stress and hyperactivity.

The lack of physical activity during the day can cause the animal to put on weight and may lead to obesity. This is especially the case when the animal only has access to a small space while the owner is out.

Furthermore, the owner may feel guilt at leaving the animal on its own for long periods of time. This may result in the owner overfeeding the animal to attempt to compensate for leaving the animal alone, which may further contribute to obesity and associated health problems.

Many health problems are associated with obesity, particularly diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and joint problems, such as arthritis. Other problems include liver disease, kidney disease, respiratory problems and digestive problems.

Overweight animals have a greater anaesthetic risk during surgery. Cats may also experience skin problems, as obesity can prevent them from grooming themselves properly.

r. In the absence of quality time spent together, a bond between the animal and t owner may not form properly through lack of interaction between them, or an existing relationship may deteriorate.

00 00 Companion animals such as cats and dogs are descended from wild animals and instinctively hunt for their food. Cats in particular are known to play with their prey before consuming it.

Many pet owners are anxious about their animals becoming bored with their food, particularly if they are fed the same foodstuff for each of their meals everyday.

Owners may try and engage their cat or dog in play by throwing a treat-type foodstuff in the air or sliding it along the floor in order to encourage the animal to play with the food before consumption. However, once the owner has ceased to interact with the foodstuff, it will no longer move and will be of less interest to the animal.

Furthermore, many companion animals are fussy about their food and their owners are continually trying to find ways of enticing their animal to eat. Other animals are overweight and encouraging the animals to be active before consuming a foodstuff will help in reducing the weight of the animal.

Many pet owners feel guilty for leaving their animal at home during the day while they are out and when they are home, feel they do not have a strong bond with their pet animal. Therefore the provision of the apparatus according to the present invention to the pet animal may also assist in strengthening the bond between pet and owner.

The provision of a hard crunchy treat can assist in reducing dental plaque by abrasion of the teeth and gums, However, many animals may be reluctant to eat such a treat if it is merely just placed in front of them. By encouraging the animal to play and "hunt" for its food, it is more likely to consume it and gain the e associated health benefits.

Accordingly, it would be of benefit to provide a way of keeping an animal from becoming bored, engaged in activity and maintain interest in food. It would also oO 5 be of benefit to relieve the guilt of an owner and strengthen the bond between 00 owner and animal.

IDA first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for providing a foodstuff to an animal comprising a base arranged to moveably support a foodstuff. The apparatus of the present invention engages the attention of a companion animal and, at the same time, provide the animal with a reward of the foodstuff.

The apparatus of the present invention provides a way to entertain an animal while at the same time providing it with the foodstuff. As the foodstuff is moveably supported on the base it may be that the base remains static while the foodstuff moves, or that the base itself is moveable and therefore allowing the foodstuff to be moveable.

The base section may comprise a base portion and a support portion. This may be particularly so when the base portion is static and the support portion provides the moveable support for the foodstuff (for example where the support is a spring).

The support portion may be detachable from the base portion. Alternatively the base portion and the support portion may together form a single unit.

Preferably, the lower surface of the base is curved. The feature of the curved lower surface provides the moveability to the foodstuff. The curved surface may be provided to the base section by means of the shape of the base section. The base section may be a sphere, a cylinder, an egg shape or a segment thereof.

When the base section is spherical or a segment thereof, the base section is able to rock or "wobble" in any direction. This causes the foodstuff supported thereon to also move. When the base section is a cylinder or segment thereof the section

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base may move in only a side to side direction, in a "rocking motion". This would also therefore be the movement given to the foodstuff.

Additionally or alternatively the base section may comprise one or more wheels.

00 5 This would cause the base section to transverse along a surface when pressure is 00 exerted on it by the animal or the owner. This would enable the animal to chase the apparatus in order to obtain the foodstuff.

The base may be edible. The animal would still gain the enjoyment of playing with the foodstuff before consuming but also may consume the whole apparatus rather than the moveably supported foodstuff only. In this case, the base section would not be re-useable. The base section may be inedible and once the animal has consumed the moveably supported foodstuff, the base may then be re-used to moveably support any other foodstuff which the animal may then consume. In this embodiment, the base would be re-useable.

A second aspect of the invention provides a foodstuff having a formation configured for support on a base. Such a foodstuffmay comprise a support which is inserted into the base section of the first aspect of the invention. The support may be detachable from the foodstuff or may form a single unit with the foodstuff.

Alternatively, the foodstuff may comprise a particular shaped recess into which a protrusion on the base section, or a support attached to a base section, may be inserted in order to moveably support the foodstuff.

The foodstuff may be shaped to resemble the natural prey of an animal, such as a mouse, bird, rabbit, or a snake. Alternatively, it may be shaped to resemble a bone. Once the animal has indicated a preference to a particular shape, the owner may buy further foodstuffs in the shape preferred by the animal.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for providing a foodstuff to an animal comprising a base according to the first aspect and a foodstuff according to the second aspect. The foodstuff may be linked to the base by a support. The support may be a rigid or flexible pole. Such a pole may be a shaft or a spring. The support may be detachable from both the base and the foodstuff or may form a single unit with either the base or the foodstuff or both.

The shape of the base or the nature of the support or both may provide the O 5 moveability to the foodstuff.

00oO In a preferred feature of third aspect, the support is edible. The edible support IND may be provided together with the foodstuff to be replaced on the base once the animal has consumed the foodstuff and support.

A further feature of first and third aspects is the base section comprising a device which omits a noise when the apparatus is moved. Such a device may be a bell, a buzzer or a rattle. This serves to further engage the animal's attention when the apparatus is moved.

Preferably the apparatus of the first and third aspects is self-righting, meaning that the centre of mass is such that the apparatus rights itself when any force exerted on it (by the animal or owner) is removed. Therefore the apparatus returns to an upright position once it has been touched or moved.

In a further feature of the second and third aspect of the invention, the foodstuff provides a complete meal to an animal. In this embodiment the foodstuff provides the animal with one or more of its main meals. In such an embodiment, the foodstuff comprises all the nutritional requirements of the animal.

Alternatively, the foodstuff may provide a snack or a treat to an animal.

The foodstuffmay comprise any suitable food product. Such products may include biscuits, chocolate, or sweet or savoury confectionary. The skilled person would understand that any food product that is able to be placed on the mobile base may be used in the apparatus of the present invention. The food product is preferably dry or semi-dry and of a size suitable to be attached to the base section of the apparatus.

SThe foodstuff of the second and third aspects may be of any known in the art. The Sfoodstuff-is preferably a pet 'treat'. A pet 'treat' is not a complete diet, but a small biscuit or kibble that is generally used to reward the animal. A pet 'treat' may be OC 5 flavoured with chocolate, cheese, fish or meat or any other flavour enjoyed by the oO animal. In particular, if the animal is a cat, the treat may comprise catnip.

SThe foodstuff may be a dry or semi-dry product. Dry products include food which has about 5 to 15% moisture and is presented as biscuit-like kibbles. The foodstuff of the present invention encompasses any product which a companion animal may consume in its diet. Thus, the invention covers standard food products, as well as pet food snacks (for example snack bars, biscuits and sweet products). The foodstuff is preferably a cooked product. It may incorporate meat or animal derived material (such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, blood plasma, marrowbone etc, or two or more thereof). The foodstuff alternatively may be meat free (preferably including a meat substitute such as soya, maize gluten or a soya product) in order to provide a protein source. The product may contain additional protein sources such as soya protein concentrate, milk proteins, gluten etc. The product may also contain a starch source such as one or more grains (e.g.

wheat, corn, rice, oats, barely etc) or may be starch free. A typical dry commercial dog and cat food contains about 30% crude protein, about 10-20% fat and the remainder being carbohydrate, including dietary fibre and ash.

The size of the foodstuff may vary. It may be provided in a smaller size (approximately lcm to 2cm in length) to be provided to the animal as a snack or treat and not as a replacement to a main meal. Alternatively the foodstuff may be provided as a larger size (approximately 2cm to 10cm in length) and be substituted for a main meal for the animal, in order to make feeding time more interesting, exciting and interactive between the animal and its owner. More preferably, the foodstuff may be about 2cm to about 5cm in length to provide an animal, in particular a cat, with a small meal. To provide an animal, in particular a cat, with a large meal, the foodstuff may be about 5cm or more in length. The skilled person will appreciate that the size of the apparatus as a whole, and in particular, the size of the foodstuff will vary depending on the size of the animal to which it is provided. For example, if the apparatus provides a foodstuff to a large dog, the foodstuff may be about 15cm or more in length.

00 00 oO The animal of the present invention is not limited. Preferably the animal is a companion animal. Companion animals include the domestic cat and the IND domestic dog, as well as the horse, bird, rabbit and guinea pig. In the present text the terms "domestic" dog and "domestic" cat mean dogs and cats, in particular Felis domesticus and Canis domesticus.

Once the animal has removed and/or consumed the foodstuff, it may be replaced by another foodstuff and the base reused. The replacement foodstuff may include a support for attaching the foodstuffto the base. Alternatively, the support may be part of the base section and only the foodstuffmay be replaced.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for feeding an animal comprising allowing the animal access to the apparatus of the first to third aspects of the present invention. This aspect of the invention is particularly useful for those animals who are fussy about their food as it prompts the hunting instinct of the animal and encourages him or her to eat. The method of the fourth aspect also encourages activity in inactive and/or overweight animals and encourages them to bum energy before eating the foodstuff.

When the animal has been allowed access to the apparatus of a present invention, its attention may be engaged when the owner exerts and then removes pressure on the apparatus causing it to move and optionally make a noise. The movement will vary depending on the embodiment of the invention. The movement may be a wobbling, rocking or traversing movement.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method of making an apparatus for providing a foodstuff to a companion animal comprising attaching a foodstuff,

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said foodstuff having a formation configured for support on a base arranged to moveably support said foodstuff, to a base portion. Preferably the foodstuff is supported on the base by a rigid or flexible pole, which may be a shaft or a spring.

A pole may be edible. Furthermore, the base may be edible.

00 00 oO A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a package comprising one or more foodstuff according to the second aspect of the invention. This aspect is IND useful when the base is inedible and re-useable. Therefore, once the animal has consumed a foodstuff supported by the base, the owner may buy a package of one or more replacement foodstuff(s) to be supported on the base and the animal may again play with the apparatus and obtain the foodstuff.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which; Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention; In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, an apparatus comprises a base 12 on which a foodstuff 16 is supported by a rigid supporting pole 14. The base 12 is hemi-spherical to provide the moveability to the foodstuff 16. The base 12 can be manufactured by any suitable method, and from any suitable material known to the person skilled in the art. The hemi-spherical shape of the base 12 provides movement in any direction and the centre of mass is such that the apparatus 10 is self-righting. The supporting pole 14 which connects the base 12 with the foodstuff 16 is rigid and may be manufactured from an edible or inedible material. An example of an edible material may be any foodstuff suitable for the animal for which it is intended. An inedible material may be any non-toxic suitable material which would be known by the person skilled in the art, such as rigid plastic or wood. The supporting pole 14 is attached at one end to the base 12 at and the opposite end to the foodstuff 16. The foodstuff 16 is shaped to t resemble a mouse. It is appreciated by the skilled person that the shape of the foodstuff 16 may be any suitable for the animal for which it is intended. The 00 5 foodstuff 16 may be detached from the base 12 when sufficient amount of force is 00oO asserted by the animal. This force will not be too much that the animal will get frustrated by the apparatus 10 nor will it be too little that the foodstuff 16 becomes IND disconnected from the base 12 by a very low amount of force. The apparatus 10 is designed to be knocked and played with by the animal before the foodstuff 16 is detached by the animal for consumption. Alternatively, the animal may need to consume the foodstuff 16 whole if it is supported on the base 12 section (like a lollipop on a stick). The base 12 may be solid or hollow. It may contain a device for making a noise when the apparatus 10 is moved, for example a bell or a rattle.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 2, the supporting pole 14 is part of the foodstuff 16 and is therefore edible. When the animal has exerted enough force to remove the foodstuff 16 from the base 12 the mouse shaped foodstuff 16 and the supporting pole 14 will become disconnected from the base 12. The base 12 comprises a recess 18 into which the supporting pole 14 is inserted. The fit of the supporting pole 14 into the recess 18 is such that the supporting pole 14 and foodstuff 16 will not become disconnected from the base 12 until sufficient pressure or force is applied by the animal.

In a third embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 3, the apparatus comprises a base 12, which comprises a supporting pole 14. The foodstuff 16 is provided separately. The foodstuff 16 is configured such that it comprises a recess 20 into which the supporting pole 14 of the base 12 can fit. When the animal has exerted sufficient force on the apparatus 10 the foodstuff 16 will become disconnected from the supporting pole 14 in order that the animal may consume the foodstuff 16. The fit of the support pole to the recess 20 of the foodstuff 16 will be such that the foodstuff 16 will not become disconnected with minimal force and nor will it fit so securely that the animal may become frustrated Sat being unable to remove the foodstuff 16.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 4, the supporting pole 14, the base 12 and the foodstuff 16 are separate components of the apparatus 00 5 It is envisaged that the supporting pole 14 is edible and may be provided in 00 different flavours, as may be the foodstuff 16. Therefore the owner may "mix and match" the flavours of the supporting pole 14 and the foodstuff 16 depending on INO the preference of the animal. In such an embodiment the base 12 is provided with a recess 18 into which the supporting pole 14 may fit. If the supporting pole 14 is edible then this fit will be secure enough that the pole does not easily fall out but not so secure that it may not be removed by the animal. If this supporting pole 14 is inedible, then the fit of a supporting pole 14 into the core of the base 12 should be secure enough such that the foodstuff 16 may easily be removed from one end of the pole but the pole is not so easily removed from the base 12 in order to prevent the animal from ingesting the inedible supporting pole 14. The foodstuff 16 is provided with a recess 20 in order that it may be connected to the supporting pole 14. As with previous embodiments, the recess 20 is such that the foodstuff 16 does not easily fall off the apparatus 10 but also such that it may be removed by the animal without excess force.

A fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 5, provides an apparatus having a base 12 comprising a segment of a cylinder. The movement provided by such a base 12 is from side to side. As with previous embodiments the centre of mass is such that the apparatus 10 as a whole is self-righting. The supporting pole 14 in the fifth embodiment is a spring. This provides additional movement to the foodstuff 16 and therefore provides further entertainment to the animal. The spring is manufactured from a suitably durable material in order that the animal may apply force to the foodstuff 16 without causing the spring to break. The foodstuff 16 of the fifth embodiment is shaped to resemble a bird. The skilled person will appreciate that the foodstuff 16 may be formed into any suitable shape.

Claims

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a ground 00oO o00 5 engaging base portion and a support portion arranged to receive the foodstuff, r'- and wherein the base portion includes one or more of a spherical, cylindrical, egg-shape-like, or otherwise curved lower surface.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base is made from an edible material.
4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further including the foodstuff, wherein the foodstuff is shaped to resemble a body selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a bird, a rabbit, a snake, a bone or other item that attracts companion animal's attention, and wherein the foodstuff is secured to the support portion which is selected from the group including a pole, shaft or spring.
5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein either the foodstuff itself or the foodstuff and the base together provide to the companion animal a complete meal or a snack. DATED this 15th day of September 2006 MARS UK LIMITED WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA UIPi 132AU00