ES1294100U - Pet food container device (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Pet food container device (100), comprising: - a base frame (T), and - a bowl (1), connected to the base frame (T) and comprising a compartment (1v), a bottom (11) that defines the lower compartment (1v) and a side wall (10) that laterally delimits, totally or partially, said compartment (1v); characterized in that it includes quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) connected to the base frame (T) for coupling the food container device (100) with another adjacent food container device (100). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

pet food container device

field of invention

This utility model application refers to a pet food container device.

Background of the invention and technical problem

The food container devices for companion pets, according to the known technique, comprise a container or bowl inside which it is intended to introduce a food. The bowl may also be associated with a dispenser for containing the food and, if necessary, discharging the food into the bowl.

The term food refers indistinctly both to solid type foods, such as feed [croquettes, cookies, sticks or balls], or to liquid foods, such as water or milk.

In the event that a user has a plurality of pets, it is good practice for each animal to have a corresponding feeder or bowl or two corresponding bowls, one for solid food and one for liquid food. Therefore, the greater the number of pets, the greater the number of food container devices that the user must have in his home. These food containment devices are often placed scattered on the floor, creating clutter.

In addition, these devices have a somewhat reduced weight, which makes them quite susceptible to tipping or slipping in the event of light accidental impacts with them. Tipping or sliding of the device across the floor inevitably results in food being spread all over the floor. This type of experience is annoying and irritating for the user who will necessarily have to clean and/or dry the floor.

Object and brief description of the invention

The object of the present innovation is to conceive a pet food container device that can be connected with one or more pet food container devices in a stable manner in order to create an orderly structure that does not move easily in the event of accidental knocks. , which reduces the chance of food spilling and spreading on the floor.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a pet food container device that is inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

These ends are achieved according to the innovation with the features recited in the appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The pet food container device according to the innovation is defined by claim 1.

Description of the figures

For greater clarity, the description of the pet food container device according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which are merely illustrative and not limiting, in which:

Figure 1 shows, in axonometric view, a first construction version of the food container device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows, with an axonometric view, two food container devices of figure 1 coupled together.

Figure 2A shows, in axonometric view, the mode of operation with which a food container device is coupled to another food container device.

Figure 3 shows, plan views from the other side, four food container devices of Figure 1 coupled together.

Figure 4 shows, with an axonometric view, a second construction version of the pet food container device according to the invention.

Figure 4A shows the food container device of Figure 4, with the dispenser removed.

Figures 5 and 6 respectively show, with two axonometric views, two food container devices of figure 4 coupled together in two different positions.

Figure 5A shows, top plan views, the two devices of Figure 5.

Figure 6A shows, top plan views, the two devices of Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows, with an axonometric view, a plurality of food container devices of Figure 4 coupled together.

Figure 8 shows, in plan view from above, a detail of the food container device illustrating in particular the quick coupling/uncoupling means.

Detailed description of the invention and preferred embodiments

With reference to the attached figures, a pet food container device according to the innovation is described, indicated as a whole with the reference number 100.

The pet food container device (100) has been specially designed to be used in the supply of food to pets such as dogs and cats.

Figures 1 to 3 show a first construction version of the food container device (100) according to the invention, while figures 4 to 7 show a second construction version of the food container device (100) according to the invention.

Both embodiments of the food container device (100) share the fact that they include:

- a base frame (T), and

- a bowl (1), connected to the base frame (T) and comprising a compartment (1v), a bottom (11) that defines the lower compartment (1v) and a side wall (10) that laterally delimits, in the form totally or partially with said compartment (1v). Inside the compartment (1v) is where it is intended to deposit the pet food.

With particular reference to figures 1 and 2, in both embodiments of the invention a front part (F1), a rear part and two lateral parts are distinguished. The term front (F1) refers to the front part of the food container device (100) where the animal is usually placed to stand, with respect to the food container device (100), during the consumption of food stored in the interior of the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1).

Both embodiments of the food container device (100) have the particularity of comprising quick coupling / decoupling means (2, 3) connected to the base frame (T) to couple the food container device (100) with a food container device adjacent (100).

The food container device (100), or its component elements, are all preferably made of a plastic material.

Preferably, the food container device (100) comprises three quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) for coupling the food container device (100) to as many other food container devices (100). The quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) are located in particular on the two lateral sides (F3) and on the rear part (F2) of the food container device (100). In this way, it is possible to interconnect the food container devices 100 in different configurations with each other.

To better understand the different configurations in which two adjacent food container devices 100 can be attached to each other, the sagittal (Z) axis of the food container device 100 is defined as the axis through the device from forward (F1) backward (F2).

Therefore, two food container devices (100) can be hooked or attached to each other in three different ways:

a) a first form provides for the coupling of the two food container devices (100) by means of their quick coupling/decoupling means (2, 3) located on their lateral sides (F3); in this case the two food container devices (100) are side by side and their sagittal axes (Z) are parallel to each other (see Figure 5A);

b) a second form foresees the coupling of the two food container devices (100) by means of the quick coupling/decoupling means (2, 3) located in the two rear ones (F2); In this case, the two food container devices (100) will have the two sagittal axes (Z) coinciding with each other and each one will have the front (F1) oriented in the opposite direction with respect to the front (F1) of the other food container device ( 100) (see Figures 2 and 6A);

c) a third way consists in coupling [hooking] the two food container devices (100) to each other by means of the coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) located on one side (F3) of one and on the back (F2). ) of the other; In this case the devices food containers (100) will have the sagittal axes (Z) orthogonal to each other.

By increasing the number of food container devices (100), a user can attach them as he prefers. Two examples are shown in Figures 3 and 7.

Before describing in detail the conformation of the quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3), the two alternative embodiments of the invention are described below.

With reference to figures 1, 2, 2A and 3, in the first construction version of the food container device (100) according to the invention, the bowl (1) has a closed side wall (10). In particular, the side wall 10 has a substantially rectangular plan shape with curvilinear or rounded corners.

The base frame (T) consists of a perimeter base fin that extends to the base of the side wall (10) of the bowl (1).

Preferably, the base frame (T) and the bowl (1) are molded in one piece.

Alternatively, the base frame (T) and the bowl (1) can also be made in two separate pieces and coupled together. Such an arrangement would allow, in the event of damage to the base frame (T) or to the bowl (1), the replacement of only one of the two parts and not the entire food container device (100).

With reference to figures 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6 and 6A, in the second embodiment of the invention, the food container device (100) comprises, in addition to the base frame (T) and the bowl (1) before mentioned, also a dispenser (4) intended to contain the food inside and discharge, if necessary, a part of it in the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1).

In this case, the food container device (100) comprises a support body (6) having a seat (60) (see figure 4A) suitable for housing, at least partially, the dispenser (4) to support it in a manner stable that.

The dispenser (4) consists of a box body with vertical extension that can be inserted or removed from the seat (60).

The dispenser (4) may also comprise dispensing means (5) configured to move between:

- an opening arrangement, in which the food contained inside the dispenser (4) can freely exit the dispenser (4) and be poured into the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1); Y

- a closure arrangement, in which the food is kept inside the dispenser (4) and therefore the exit of the same food from the dispenser (4) is prevented.

In the preferred embodiment of the second embodiment of the food container device (100), the bowl (1) is not closed, but rather has a lateral opening. In other words, the side wall (10) is not closed on itself, but has an open section that defines said opening. The support body (6) also has an opening arranged in front of the opening of the bowl (1). The seat (60) and the compartment (1v) communicate with each other through a channel (c) that joins the two mentioned openings.

Referring to Figure 5, two dispensers are shown, one used to hold and dispense kibble (left) while the other to hold and dispense a liquid (right).

The dispenser (4), intended to contain and dispense croquettes, includes a passage (4P) that is obtained in a side wall of the dispenser (4) at a lower edge of the dispenser (4).

The passage (4P) of the dispenser (4) is intended to face the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1).

The dispensing means (5) in this case consist of a mobile dividing wall or mobile bulkhead (50) intended to block or not the passage (4P). When the mobile dividing wall (50) blocks the passage, it prevents the croquettes from leaving the dispenser (4), while when it does not cover it, it allows the croquettes to come out of the dispenser (4) which then flow into the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1).

The movable partition wall 50 preferably has a comb-shaped bottom edge.

Referring again to figure 5, the other dispenser (4) does not have any movable dividing wall (50) and is intended, as mentioned above, to contain liquid foods. This dispenser (4), intended to contain liquids, is also shown in Figure 4 and Figure 4A.

In this case, the dispenser (4) for liquids has a lower edge that is separated from the bottom of the seat (60) in such a way that it defines a hole for the passage of liquid food from the dispenser (4) towards the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1).

As is known, due to the laws of fluid statics as the animal consumes the liquid stored in the compartment (1v), the level of the liquid inside the dispenser (4) drops so that the liquid in the compartment ( 1v) always remains constant at the same level.

Preferably the bottom of the seat (60) and the bottom of the channel (c) are inclined towards the compartment (1v) in such a way that the food, coming out of the dispenser (4), precipitates and flows towards the bowl compartment (1). ).

With reference to figure 4, the base frame (T) comprises an annular fin that extends below the bowl (1) and the support body (6).

Also in this case, both the bowl (1), the support body (6) and the base frame (T) are all preferably made in one piece.

However, as for the first version, the bowl (1), the support body (6) and the base frame (T) can also optionally be made in separate parts that can be coupled together.

The quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) in their preferred constructional embodiment are described below.

First of all, the quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) are shaped in such a way that:

- allow the vertical movement of the food container device (100) with respect to the adjacent food container device (100); and

- they prevent the horizontal movement and therefore the withdrawal of the food container device (100) with respect to the adjacent food container device (100).

With particular reference to Figures 1, 4 and 8, the quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) comprise a male half (2) and a female half (3) side by side.

The male means (2) is intended to engage with a female means (3) of the quick coupling/decoupling means (2, 3) of the adjacent food container device (100).

The female means (3) is intended to engage with a male means (2) of the quick coupling/decoupling means (2, 3) of the adjacent food container device (100).

In particular, the male means (2) comprises a raised slider configured to present at least one slit or recess, while the female means (3) comprises a notch having two axial openings and a restricted access opening.

The quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) arranged on both sides (F3) are mirror images of each other with respect to the sagittal axis (Z).

Preferably, said notch has a trapezoidal cross-section with dimensions decreasing towards the narrow mouth, and the raised slider has a trapezoidal cross-section with dimensions increasing towards the outside.

In other words, said notch and said raised slider are ducktailed or dovetailed with sections that fit each other.

It should be noted that the fact of providing the coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) comprising male (2) and female (3) means placed side by side and the fact of providing that the quick coupling/uncoupling means ( 2, 3) of the two lateral sides (F3) are mirrored with each other, it allows to have an advantage in terms of versatility of the food container device (100).

In particular, this versatility can be appreciated when two food container devices (100) must be coupled with their sagittal axes (Z) orthogonal to each other.

The food container device 100 connecting orthogonally to the rear part F2 of another food container device 100, can be connected with the front F1 facing one side or the other. In other words, the rear food container device (100) can offer any of the sides (F3) to the rear part (F2) of the front food container device (100) without distinction.

Even if the attached figures show two or more food container devices 100 of the same construction version coupled together, two food container devices of different versions or one food container device 100 of different versions can also be connected to each other. the first construction version (shown in Fig. 1) and a food container device (100) of the second construction version (shown in Fig. 4).

Having provided the food container device (100) equipped with the quick coupling / decoupling means (2, 3) allows to obtain a more or less extended structure (depending on the number of food container devices (100)) that is orderly and which is stable to the point that, in the event of accidental impacts, it does not move (or does not move at all) and does not tip over, thus preventing the spilling and spreading of the food stored in the bowls.

Numerous detailed variations and modifications to the present embodiments of the innovation may be made within the purview of one skilled in the art, however, they will be within the scope of the innovation expressed by the appended claims.

By way of example, the dispenser (4), instead of comprising the box-shaped body, may consist of a conventional liquid dispenser (milk or water). In this case, the dispensing means (5) will comprise a tap having a valve that can be moved manually or automatically.

Claims (12)

1. Pet food container device (100), comprising: - a base frame (T), and - a bowl (1), connected to the base frame (T) and comprising a compartment (1v), a bottom (11) that defines the lower compartment (1v) and a side wall (10) that laterally delimits, in the form all or part of said compartment (1v); characterized in that it includes quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) connected to the base frame (T) for coupling the food container device (100) with another adjacent food container device (100). 2. Food container device (100) according to claim 1, comprising two or more quick coupling / decoupling means (2, 3) for coupling the food container device (100) with two or more food container devices (100). ). 3. Pet food container device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) are shaped such that: - allow the vertical movement of the food container device (100) with respect to the adjacent food container device (100); and - they prevent the horizontal movement and therefore the withdrawal of the food container device (100) with respect to the adjacent food container device (100). 4. Food container device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the quick coupling/uncoupling means (2, 3) comprise a male half and a female half placed side by side; in which: the male means (2) is intended to engage with a female means (3) of the quick coupling/decoupling means (2, 3) of the adjacent food container device (100); the female means (3) is intended to engage with a male means (2) of the quick coupling/release means (2, 3) of the adjacent food container device (100). 5. Food container device (100) according to claim 4, wherein: the male means (2) comprises a raised slider shaped in such a way that it has at least one slit; the female means (3) comprises a notch that has two axial openings and a restricted access opening. 6. Food container device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a dispenser (4) Food container device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the dispenser (4) comprises dispensing means (5) configured to move between: an opening arrangement, in which the food contained inside the dispenser (4) can freely exit the dispenser and be poured into the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1); Y a closing arrangement, in which the food is kept inside the dispenser (4). 8. Food container device (100) according to claim 7, comprising a support body (6), connected to the base frame (T) that has a seat (60) suitable for housing, at least partially, said dispenser (4) so that it can support it stably. Food container device (100) according to claim 8, in which the seat (60) of the support body (6) and the compartment (1v) of the bowl (1) communicate with each other. Food container device (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, in which the bowl (1) comprises at least one closed side wall (10) laterally delimiting said compartment (1v). Food container device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the bowl (1) and the base frame (T) are molded in one piece. Food container device (100) according to any of claims 8 to 10, in which the bowl (1), the support body (6) and the base frame (T) are made in one piece.