GB2269305A - Feeding apparatus. - Google Patents

Abstract

Feeding apparatus for use in feeding very young animals, comprises a feeding unit 2 having an open front and comprising a feeding bowl, which effectively allows each animal to feed individually without distraction and competition from other animals in the litter. A plurality of units of the apparatus of the invention may be linked together to provide a transportable module with a feeding location for each member of the litter. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS AND NETHOD RELATING TO INPROVENENTS IN THE FEEDING OF VERY YOUNG ANIMALS This invention relates to the feeding of very young animals which will normally have passed the suckling stage and are weaned, that is are capable of taking solid or semi-solid food.

This specification is written with reference to small puppies but it applies equally well to the young of other animals, eg. cats, hamsters, rabbits, etc. Such animals may be bred as pets, or for specific purposes, eg. as sheep dogs, guard dogs, etc.

Even before a puppy is weaned it may have to withstand pressure from the other puppies in the litter to claim its fair share of the teats at suckling times. If this happens, the growth of that individual may well be restricted and it will be termed the 'runt' of the litter. Under such circumstances, especially where it is of high value, eg. a pedigree animal, the puppy can be bottle-fed by hand. This is usually practicable only because the suckling period is of relatively short duration.

During even these very early days, individual members of the litter will try and assert their dominance and the runt is likely to be forced into submission by its more powerful siblings. Dominance is particularly evident at feeding times where weaker members of the litter often fail to get their fair shares. One means for overcoming this is to provide individual bowls for each animal, but such a measure does not stop a dominant puppy from eating his food quickly and then moving on to share another bowl.

Another problem of such 'competitive' feeding is that a dominant animal will try and push the weaker one away from the food. Where there is access all round the circumference of a bowl, the dominant animal may often try to climb into the bowl to assert its claim. This, of course, can easily lead to the spread of disease among the litter.

The puppies may also require vitamin supplements or medication to combat disease. While individual treatment is possible, this is time-consuming and can be a struggle with reluctant puppies. It is much more convenient to include the treatment mixed in with the food, without interference from its siblings, the actual dosage taken by each puppy cannot be quantified.

A further point should be noted. Normal healthy puppies are very active and when the approach of food is seen, their enthusiasm reaches a peak, eg. barking, jumping into the air, crowing the gate into their pen, etc. Clearly, as the puppies grow older and particularly if they are of a large size of breed, eg. labradors, the logistics of carrying a tray with, say six bowls, to the pen, through the gate, closing it behind and actually placing the bowls on the ground without upsetting the food, are considerable. When using a tray, both hands are usually required so that neither is free to 'fend off' a particularly enthusiastic animal.

There is thus a need for a means to feed very young animals which:- (a) enables each animal to have its full allocation of food, and other supplements, (b) is hygienic, (c) is efficient in its use of labour and time, (d) allows the food to be delivered to the very young animals without risk of spillage.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for use in the feeding of very young animals comprising an openfronted chamber having a part adapted so that food or liquid may be placed therein: characterised in that: (i) the size of the opening in said open-fronted chamber is limited in relation to the size of the body of said very young animal; (ii) said apparatus is easily cleanable and sterilisable; and (iii) said apparatus is adapted to stand stably on a level surface.

According to a first variation of the invention, the chamber of the apparatus comprises two sides, a rear face and a base, said base being adapted to include said part in which said food or liquid may be placed.

According to a second variation of the invention, said part is a removable receptacle and said base is adapted so that said receptacle may be removably fitted therein.

According to a third variation of the invention, said removable receptacle is provided with an upstand extending around the greater part of the perimeter of said receptacle allowing access to the food or liquid therein only through the limited gap in said upstand along the lesser part of said perimeter.

According to a fourth variation of the invention, a stand is provided in or on which the apparatus fits to stand stably on a level surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the chamber consists of two sides, a rear face and a base with a hole in it into which the receptacle, eg. a bowl, may be placed. A round bowl is preferred as it is easier to clean. The corners between sides, rear faces and base, are preferably curved to facilitate cleaning and eliminate locations where food or dirt, which could harbour disease, could collect.

Where the animals are very young, or of a particularly small breed of species, the access to the food or liquid in the bowl is preferably further restricted by the use of an upstand extending round most of the perimeter. The gap in the upstand would preferably be a little wider than the head and shoulders of the size of animal expected to feed from such an adapted bowl.

According to a fifth variation of the invention, the apparatus of the invention is provided with attachments so that two or more units of said apparatus may be linked together into a single module.

According to a sixth variation of the invention, the means of linkage of two or more units of the apparatus of the invention into a module also includes a carrying handle.

In a preferred design, the attachments are fitted to the back of the rear face of the chambers so that two sets of the apparatus may be connected back-to-back to form a pair.

Preferably also the means of linkage will allow a number of pairs to be located together to form a matrix of the units.

Ideally, the means of linkage allows units of the apparatus to be assembled and separated at will to allow for each individual unit to be thoroughly sterilised, eg. by prolonged immersion in a suitable liquid. A further advantage of such means of linkage is that the appropriate number of units can be selected for any size of litter.

It is preferred that easily sterilisable, non-toxic, robust materials of construction are used. Such materials could be high quality polymers, eg. for the chambers, or stainless steel, eg. for the bowls.

For the clearer understanding of the invention, and to show how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a six unit feeding module according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one unit showing how a plurality of units may be assembled to give a feeding module.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a smaller size of bowl to fit a standard size of hole in a feeding unit.

Figure 4 is an elevation of a bowl with an angled base.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the outline of six very young animals feeding at a six unit module of the invention.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a bowl provided with an upstand 30 to limit access.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the bowl shown in Figure 6.

In this specification, the same reference numeral is used for identical components in all the figures.

Figure 1 shows how six individual feeding units 2 are arranged in a 3 x 2 matrix to form a six unit feeding module 1. The individual units 2 fit closely together so that there are no significant gaps between adjacent units 2. The module is readily transportable and a carrying handle 3 is provided.

Figure 2 shows the detail of the construction of the individual feeding units 2. It consists of two sides 4, a back 5 and a base 6. A hole 7 is provided in the base 6.

Base 6 is located above the surface on which the individual unit 2, or module 1 will rest by a plinth 8 and supporting members 9. Plinth 8 and supporting members 9 fulfill the dual role of providing a stable base on which one unit 2, or a module 1, can stand as well as providing a sufficiently deep recess so that a bowl 10 can be fitted neatly in hole 7.

Bowl 10 fits closely into hole 7 and rests with its rim 11 on base 6. The depth of bowl 10 would be such that it would hang clear of the surface on which plinth 8 and supporting members 9 were resting.

Ideally the feeding unit 2 would be made of a good quality polymer, eg. polypropylene. Such a material can be injection moulded permitting units to be produced quickly and relatively cheaply once the mould has been manufactured. This material of construction is suitable for the incorporation of a number of features which improve hygiene and make the feeding unit more 'user friendly'. Firstly sharp corners can be rounded, eg. between plinth 8 and base 6 - as indicated 12 - to reduce risk of injury to the undersides of the animal's necks.

Secondly, rounding of corners 13 between base 6, sides 4 and back 5 eliminates angles in which food could collect and harbour disease. Thirdly, a finger depression or hole 14 may be incorporated so that bowl 10 may be conveniently removed via a finger under rim 11. Depression 14 is located in one of the rear corners of base 6 so that it will be less accessible to the feeding animal; even if the animal does climb into the unit to investigate depression 14, it will have to stand in bowl 10 and so its own weight will act against any effort to lift the bowl.

Plinth 8 and faces 15 on sides 4 provide a rectangular front facade to the unit 2 so that when a plurality of units are assembled into a module 1 (Figure 1), the edges of faces 15 on adjacent units essentially abut each other thus eliminating gaps which could distract the animals as they approach to feed, or harbour dirt and disease.

In a preferred design, faces 4 and back 5 could be angled inwards towards base 6 so that, when a module 1 has been disassembled, individual units 1 can be stacked partly one inside each other. This has the advantage of reducing storage space, plus allowing several units 1 to be sterilised together in a single bucket of sterilising solution.

At the top of the back face 5 are four half hinges - two are upper halves 16 and two are lower halves 17. The half hinges 16, 17 are offset and project backwards from face 5 so that when two units 2 are placed back-to-back, the upper half hinges 16 of the one unit match up with the lower half hinges 17 of the other unit to form four cylindrical holes through which a locking member 18 may be passed. Member 18 may be of any suitable material, but non-corrodable, hygiene materials, such as aluminium or stainless steel tube are preferred.

Axial spaces 19 are provided between each adjacent pair of offset upper 16 and lower 17 hinges. A carrying handle 3 may be fitted into two adjacent axial spaces 19 and secured via member 18 which can pass through holes 20 in the lower parts of handle 3. Figure 1 shows a six unit feeding module 1 in which three pairs of units 2 have been assembled back-to-back via a member 18 with a central carrying handle 3. Spacers 21 are used to fill gaps 19 where a handle 3 is not required.

The outside diameter of member 3 and the inside diameters of holes 20 and the cylindrical holes formed by upper 16 and lower 17 hinges are such that member 18 is a push fit so that the assembled module 1 is a relatively robust construction well suited to being carried around, picked up and put down regularly. Reinforcing 22 at the rear of each unit 2 also touches the back of the adjacent back-to-back unit 2 so that, when module 1 is picked up off the ground, there is no tendency for the units to swing downwards and backwards towards each other and thus put extra strain on hinges 16, 17.

The term "half hinges" has been used to describe members 16 and 17, not because they act like hinges, but because the assembly of units 2 back-to-back about axial member 18 is reminiscent of the construction of a hinge.

Half hinges 16, 17 are only one means by which units 2 may be assembled into a module 1. Another method is to use members (not shown) with full circular holes, equivalent to holes 20 in handle 3 or spacer 21. With this type of method, the members (not shown) would be appropriately offset to give an assembly such as shown in Figure 1.

Shoulders 23 are incorporated on handle 3 and also on spacers 21. While shoulders 23 on spacers 21 improve the aesthetic appearance of the module 1 (Figure 1), they fulfil a specific function on handle 3. Shoulders 23 abut surfaces 24 so that handle 3 cannot rotate about member 18. This has two advantages. Firstly, handle 3 is always upright and ready for use. Secondly, there is no risk to handle 3 rotating around member 18 and 'falling down' into a feeding unit 2. If this happened, it could hit or distract, a feeding puppy. Perhaps even the noise of it hitting the back 5 of the feeding unit 1 might scare a nervous animal. In any event, it would upset the feeding pattern. A further point is that, if handle 3 did fall down, it might provide a means for an adventurous animal to climb up on to the top of module 2 and so descend into another animal's feeding area.

Spacers 21 may also fulfil another function. If the weight of bowls 10 and their contents is different in one back-to-back pair of units 2, eg. if one bowl 10 is full of water and the other one contains only a few light biscuits, or no bowl 10 is present, there will be a tendency for that pair of units 2 to swing out of the horizontal. This tendency may be counteracted if spacers 21 are a tight fit around member 18 as the frictional force between the surface of member 18 and the inside circumference of hole 20 will oppose any tendency to swing, with shoulders 23 and surfaces 24 acting as the paths through which the reaction forces pass.

Another method of stopping this tendency of unevenly balanced units to swing would be if member 18 did not have a round cross section but instead was, for example, square, rectangular or ribbed. In this case, half hinges 16, 17 and holes 20 would have an equivalent shape to provide a sliding push fit which would resist rotation about member 18.

Bowl 10 (Figure 2) is a full-sized bowl for a well-developed animal. Similar bowls 10A (Figure 3) are more appropriate for animals which have only just been weaned. In the example shown, rim 11 is the same size as on larger bowl 1, but a lip 11A is provided to fit hole 7 and so locate bowl 10A positively. As shown, bowl 10A is elliptical so that its contents will be more accessible to an animal facing into feeding unit 2. Other shapes and arrangements of bowls 10A are equally possible. Two bowls could also be provided within a single rim 11, eg. one for food and one for water or biscuits etc.

Figure 4 shows that the base 10B of a bowl 10 may be angled so that water, or sloppy foods, would collect in one part of the bowl and thus facilitate consumption. As shown, the corners 25 are rounded so that cleaning is easy and there are no angles for food and disease to lodge.

Bowls 10 and 10A would be made of a hygienic, easily cleaned and sterilisable material. This could be a high grade polymer, eg. polypropylene, or a metal, eg. stainless steel.

The method of use of the invention will now be described, again with reference to puppies.

At feeding time, a single batch of food is made up and individual portions placed in bowls 10, 10A. The bowls are placed in holes 7 with one bowl in each unit 2 of the module 1 (or as many units as there are puppies to be fed). If one, or all, require medication of vitamins, this can be mixed in with the food. Using handle 3, the module 1 is carried to the feeding area and placed on the floor.

The use of handle 3 allows module 1 to be carried in one hand, leaving the other free to open and close gates, fend off over enthusiastic puppies etc. The module 1 may be put down on the ground without risk of any bowls being upset and the free hand is available to direct the puppies to separate units 2. If one requires specific medication, etc, the free hand is available to ensure that this particular animal gets to the appropriate unit 2. Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic arrangement of feeding time for the six puppies 26.

The backs 5 and sides 4 of the feeding units 2 of module 1 are shown to emphasise how each puppy is "isolated" with his own food, yet still with his siblings. It will be noted that the width 27 between sides 4 is only a little larger than the width 28 of the puppies' bodies. It is thus impossible for two puppies to feed at the same bowl. It is clearly much easier for each animal to feed separately (Figure 5).

When an animal is feeding (Figure 5) sides 4 and back 5 prevent it from seeing other puppies and being distracted.

When feeding is over, the puppies can continue to develop together in a normal cannine environment. This is clearly beneficial and eliminate the neuroses which can occur if animals are bred and reared in isolation out of contact with their peers.

After feeding time, the module is removed using handle 3.

Bowls 10, 10A are washed and sterilised (if required). The rest of the module is cleaned, eg. by wiping down with a cloth soaked in sterilising solution.

Clearly the dimensions of the units 2 may be varied to suit different types of puppy, eg. Labrador or terrier etc, or different species of animal, eg. dogs, or cats, etc. As an example, the width 27 and depth 29 of the feeding unit 2 for a Labrador puppy would both be about 7-8 inches (175-200 mm), and the height from base 6 to surface 24 would be about 7 inches. Hole 7 would be sized to take a standard size 6 inch (150 mm) bowl. Puppies from the age of about 3 weeks, ie. just weaned, to 8-10 weeks would be expected to use the feeding module 1.

As stated, the width 27 of the unit 2 would be about 7-8 inches. At 8-10 weeks old, a Labrador puppy's shoulders would be about 4-5 inches (100-125 mm) across. Thus one could feed quite easily, but a second could not gain access once the first was feeding.

Surface 6 would be about 1.5-1.75 inches (38-44 mm) above the ground level so that the standard size 1.5 inch deep bowl would hang clear, or just touch the ground.

However, it may happen that a bitch and, say, her five puppies are all together in the same pen. All six could be fed at the same time by placing a larger 6 inch by 2 inch deep bowl in one of the six units 2. As module 1 is placed on the ground, the bottom of the larger bowl will touch first and the sides of this bowl will slide upwards through hole 7 as the module itself touches the ground. When the five puppies have been 'arranged' (Figure 5), the larger bowl can be removed and given to the bitch. Thus module 1 may also be used as a means to carry food for adult dogs, eg. the breeding parents, as well as to their offspring. Here, as hereinbefore mentioned, the free hand is extremely useful.

Though a range of sizes of units 2 can be produced for specific breeds or species, the apparatus of the invention may conveniently be adapted by restricting the access to the bowls 10 themselves. For example, a three week old Labrador puppy would not be big enough to stop an intruder from trying to eat at the same bowl 10 or 10A. Figures 6 and 7 show how an upstand 30 may be provided round the greater part of the perimeter of a bowl 10C or 10A (not shown) so that access is limited to that shown by arrow 31, eg. 3 inches (75 mm).

When in use, opening 31 would be at the open front of unit 2 to be accessible to the feeding puppies 26 (Figure 5).

Corners 32 and edges 33 are rounded to be 'user friendly' to both puppies and those who wash the bowls after use.

Examples of some designs of the bowls 10, 10A, 10B and 10C have been given but other designs are equally possible.

The person skilled in the art of breeding animals will readily appreciate the uses of the apparatus of the invention hereinbefore described and the related uses and variations of said apparatus in the context of animal breeding, all falling within the scope of this disclosure.

TERMINOLOGY 1. Feeding module 2. Individual feeding unit 3. Carrying handle 4. Feeding unit sides 5. Feeding unit back 6. Feeding unit base 7. Hole in feeding unit base 8. Plinth 9. Supporting members 10. Bowl 10A. Small Bowl 10B. Angled base of bowl 10C. Bowl with partial upstand 30 11. Rim of bowl 10 11A. Lip under rim 11 of small bowl 10A 12. Rounded corners 13. Rounded corners 14. Finger depression or hole 15. Faces on sides 4 16. Half hinges - upper 17. Half hinges - lower 18. Locking and supporting member 19. Axial spaces 20. Holes in lower part of carrying handle 3 and in spacers 21.

21. Spacer 22. Rear reinforcement 23. Shoulders 24. Surface 25. Rounded corner 26. Puppies feeding 27. Width of feeding unit 28. Width of puppies' bodies 29. Depth of feeding unit 30. Upstand 31. Width of opening in upstand 30 32. Rounded corners 33. Rounded edges

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for use in the feeding of very young animals comprising an open-fronted chamber having a part adapted so that food or liquid may be placed therein, characterised in that: (i) the size of the open-front of said open fronted chamber is limited in relation to the size of the bodies of said very young animals to be fed; (ii) said apparatus is easily cleanable and sterilisable; and (iii) said apparatus is adapted to stand stably on a level surface.
2. 2. Apparatus, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said open fronted chamber consists of two sides, a rear face and a base, said base being adapted to include said part in which said food or liquid may be placed.
3. 3. Apparatus, as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said part is a removable receptacle and said base is adapted so that said receptacle may be removably fitted therein.
4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous claims which is adapted to fit in/on a frame, or stand, when in use.
5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein attachments are provided to allow a plurality of units of the apparatus to be linked together.
6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the attachments are offset circular or part circular members through which a locking member is fittable.
7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 5 or 6 wherein the attachments are such that two units of the apparatus are linkable together back-to-back.
8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 5 or 6 wherein the attachments are such that two, or more, units of the apparatus are linkable together side-by-side.
9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 7 or 8 wherein the attachments are such that a plurality of units of the apparatus are simultaneously linkable together both back-to-back and side-by-side.
10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 5-9 wherein a handle is provided for the carrying of the linked units of the apparatus.
11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any previous claim wherein the apparatus is constructed of high quality, durable and robust materials.
12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 5-11 wherein the means of linking the units of the apparatus together is robust and suitable for regular daily usage over many years.
13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material of construction of the apparatus is a high quality polymer.
14. 14. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 3-13 wherein the receptacle is constructed from stainless steel.
15. 15. A method of feeding very young animals wherein each of said very young animals to be fed is provided with an individual feeding location.
16. 16. A method of feeding very young animals as claimed in Claim 15 wherein each of said very young animals must partly enter said individual feeding location so that it cannot see the activities of other animals in the group.
17. 17. A method of feeding very young animals as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the size of the access to the food at said individual feeding locations is such that only one of said very young animals can gain access at any one time.
18. 18. A method of feeding animals wherein individual bowls of food or liquid are transportable in linked units of the apparatus of the invention characterised in that: (a) the number of bowls transported is equal to, or less than, the number of said units of the apparatus linked together; and (b) the person transporting said linked units of the apparatus has one hand free for other requirements.
19. 19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the removable receptacle is provided with an upstand extending around the greater portion of the perimeter of said receptacle allowing access to the food or liquid therein only through the limited gap in said upstand along the lesser part of said perimeter.
20. 20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the attachments and/or the locking member and/or additional members interposed between said locking member and the apparatus of the invention are adapted to resist any tendency not to hang horizontally due to an imbalance in the weights of back-to-back units of said apparatus when linked as claimed in Claims 7 or 9.
21. 21. Apparatus, as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said two sides and said rear face of said open-fronted chamber are angled inwardly towards said base so that a plurality of units of said apparatus may be stacked one inside another to minimise the overall volume for the purpose of storage or immersing in sterilising solution.