GB2347062A

GB2347062A - Animal feeder toy

Info

Publication number: GB2347062A
Application number: GB9904260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William John Maskell; Grant Charles Taylor
Original assignee: Mars Inc
Current assignee: Mars Inc
Priority date: 1999-02-24
Filing date: 1999-02-24
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Also published as: GB9904260D0

Abstract

An animal feeder toy comprises a hopper (2) for articles, rotatable receptacle (4) for releasing one or more of the articles and an animal activated release mechanism 6, 8. The present invention provides an apparatus that encourages an animal to play with it and also rewards the animal with treats.

Description

ANIMAL FEEDER TOY This invention relates to apparatus for providing treats to animals and more specifically to an apparatus which does so whilst providing a toy that is both fun and amusing for an animal to play with.

There is always a need for methods and apparatus for entertaining animals.

In addition, providing a reward when the correct action has been taken is a good means of training animals. A combination of both of the above features would provide an amusing and educational toy for animals of all ages.

The advantages of such an apparatus over normal animal toys is that the animal will learn how to obtain a reward from the apparatus and, in so doing, the animal will have fun, thus making it keen to leam. This will facilitate the learning process in other situations.

The present invention provides an apparatus that will encourage animals to play with it. It will reward the animal with a treat or other such article when the appropriate movements to components are performed. A reward may or may not be provided every time the correct sequence of movements is made.

According to the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy comprising means for containing articles, means for releasing one or more of the articles and means for inducing their release.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for containing articles is sealable and resealable.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for containing articles is a hopper.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein means are provided for attaching the apparatus to a surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means of attachment comprises one or more suction cups mounted on the means for containing articles and/or the means for releasing articles. Other forms of attachment means can alternatively be used, such as screw fixings, hooking devices, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for containing articles comprises a channel located at the base of the means, providing passage between the means for containing articles and the means for releasing articles.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein a channel is provided between the means for releasing articles and the exterior of the apparatus.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for releasing articles comprises a receptacle capable of rotation movement.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the receptacle is located beneath the channel leading from the means for containing articles.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein an outer surface of the receptacle abuts against a surface of a housing preventing rotation in one direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the receptacle is spring biased against rotation so that it is biased into a position to receive one or more articles from the means for containing articles.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for inducing release of an article comprises means for suspension of a toy, and a toy. In further preferred embodiments, the toy suspended by the suspension means is a toy fish or mouse.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for suspension of a toy is substantially rigid.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein the means for suspension is attached to an inner surface of the receptacle, on the side opposite to the point of contact between the receptacle outer surface and the channel inner surface. In another embodiment, the attachment between the means for suspension and receptacle may be made using a ball and socket connection. This method of connection would increase the ease of assembly of the apparatus.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein movement of the animal toy and suspension means in an appropriate direction with sufficient force causes rotation of the receptacle against the spring bias to a position where release of the article or articles occurs.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an animal feeder toy, wherein release position is characterised by the opening of the receptacle being adjacent to the mouth of the channel between the means for releasing articles and the exterior of the apparatus.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the means for releasing objects and their connection with the remaining component parts of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings the animal feeder toy utilises a hopper 2 in which articles are contained, the articles being animal treats or other objects. The hopper 2 is tapered from top to bottom in order to facilitate the downward movement of the articles within it. The hopper 2 has a lid 10 that may be opened and resealed.

Such a lid prevents a cat or other pet gaining access to the articles within the hopper 2.

A channel 18 is provided between the hopper 2 and the article release mechanism 4. The channel is tapered from top to bottom in order to facilitate the downward movement of articles.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, as seen in Figure 1, the entire apparatus may be mounted upon a surface by pressing a suction cup 12 against such a surface. The suction cup 12 is preferably mounted on the rear wall of the hopper 2 and/or the rear wall of release mechanism 4.

In another preferred embodiment there may be provided a plurality of suction cups.

In accordance with the present invention, Figure 3 shows the article release mechanism 4 comprising an L-shaped receptacle 20 mounted upon an axle 14 in a housing 7, the receptacle being capable of rotation movement about the axle 14.

A spring 22 is provided to bias the rotation of the receptacle 20. A string 6, encased in plastic tubing, is attached to the receptacle 20 at one end, and an animal toy 8 is attached to its other end.

In one preferred embodiment, the toy 8 is a ball.

The L-shaped receptacle 20 is located so that an outer surface 20A of one arm abuts against a surface 7A of the housing 7. The overlap between surfaces may be small or large. The receptacle is biased by spring 22 so that it remains in this position unless a force is applied to overcome the spring bias.

The string 6 encased in plastic tubing is attached to the inner surface 20c of the other arm of the receptacle 20 (opposite the point of contact between the hopper channel 18 and receptacle 20). The string then trails over the edge of surface 20c and hangs vertically from there. A toy 8 is attached to the end of the string encased in plastic tubing.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment between plastic encased string 6 and receptacle 20 is made using a string knot.

Outlet channel 16 leading from release mechanism 4 to the exterior of the apparatus 1 is located in the housing 7 of the mechanism 4, so that when the receptacle 20 is caused to rotate against the spring bias to a position where the article or articles contained within may fall out, they do so. Channel 16 is shaped to facilitate movement of one or more articles from the mechanism 4 to the exterior of apparatus 1.

Operation of the apparatus 1 is described hereinafter. The whole apparatus 1 is mounted on a surface using suction cup or cups 12. The hopper 2 is supplied with one or more articles, preferably edible treats, which are enclose by lid 10. The shape of the hopper 2 causes the articles to move downwards so that one or more pass through channel 18 into receptacle 20 of release mechanism 4 which is in position to receive articles.

As an animal, such as a cat, plays with the toy 8 suspended by plastic encased string 6 and causes downward movement of the toy, a downward force is exerted on receptacle 20 through string 6, thus causing receptacle 20 to pivot about axle 14. As the open part of receptacle 20 aligns with the mouth of channel 16, the contents of receptacle 20 fall through the channel 16 to the exterior of apparatus 1, and hence the cat. Articles may or may not be delivered by the above process every time such a downward force is exerted on toy 8.

When the downward force is removed from toy 8, the spring 22 causes the receptacle 20 to retum to its receiving position, and one or more articles are caused to enter receptacle 20 by the designation and shape of hopper 2 and channel 18, unless receptacle 20 is still full.

Although the invention has been described as using a plastic tube encased string as a means of toy suspension, many other materials would be suitable for such a purpose. Also, toys other than those described are suitable for suspension from the apparatus.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An animal feeder toy comprising means for containing articles, means for releasing one or more of the articles and means for inducing their release.
2. An animal feeder toy as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for containing articles is sealable and resealable.
3. An animal feeder toy as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for containing articles is a hopper.
4. An animal feeder toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for attaching the apparatus to a surface.
5. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means of attachment comprise one or more suction cups mounted on the means for containing articles and/or the means for releasing articles.
6. An animal feeder toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for containing articles comprise a channel, located at the base of the means, for providing passage between the means for containing articles and the means for releasing articles.
7. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 6, wherein a channel is provided between the means for releasing articles and the exterior of the apparatus.
8. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein the shape of the channel is such that movement away from the channel entrance and towards the channel exit is facilitated.
9. An animal feeder toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for releasing articles comprises a receptacle capable of rotational movement.
10. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 9, wherein the receptacle is located beneath the channel leading from the means for containing articles.
11. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 10, wherein an outer surface of the receptacle abuts against a surface of a housing to prevent rotation in one direction.
12. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receptacle is spring biased into a position for receiving one or more articles through the channel in the means for containing articles.
13. An animal feeder toy as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for inducing release of an article comprises means for suspension of a toy, and a toy.
14. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for suspension of a toy is substantially rigid.
15. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claims 13 or 14, wherein the means for suspension is attached to an inner surface of the receptacle.
16. An animal feeder toy as claimed in claims 13 to 15, wherein movement of the animal toy and suspension means in an appropriate direction with sufficient force causes rotation of the receptacle against the spring bias to a position where release of the article or articles occurs.
17. An animal feeder toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.