GB2482142A

GB2482142A - Pet food dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2482142A
Application number: GB1012188.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Arthur Mugford
Original assignee: Company of Animals Ltd
Current assignee: Company of Animals Ltd
Priority date: 2010-07-20
Filing date: 2010-07-20
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Also published as: GB201012188D0

Abstract

A food dispenser 1 particularly suitable for dispensing animal food, comprises a frame 2 defining an axis of rotation 4, the axis of rotation being in use of the food dispenser substantially horizontal, and a closed container 3 for holding food. The container is supported by the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation and has a hole 7 through its wall. The container is biased so that when the container is in a rest position the hole is sufficiently vertically spaced from the lowest point of the container that food in the container is substantially retained within the container. In use of the food dispenser, the container is rotatable by an animal about the axis of rotation away from the rest position in order to dispense food from the hole in the container wall. The container is preferably biased by either unevenly weighting the container about the axis of rotation or by using a eccentric axis of rotation.

Description

FOOD DISPENSER

This invention relates to a food dispenser. The invention is particularly suitable for use as a food dispenser for dispensing animal food.

A known animal toy that is intended to dispense food comprises a ball with a hole in its surface leading to a hollow cavity in which dried food is received. An animal is encouraged to roll the ball around on the floor in order to dispense food from the cavity though the hole.

Another known animal toy that is intended to dispense food comprises a self-righting weighted container having a weight such as sand or water in the base and a ho'e in the upper portion above the base that leads to a hollow cavity in which dried food is received. An animal is encouraged to topple the toy so that food is dispensed from the cavity though the hole.

Limitations of these known toys are that they are easily misplaced, for example when they are rolled under furniture or other objects in an animal's environment. These known toys are also intended for use by smaller animals, for example, dogs and cats and are not optimally designed for other species of animals, for example, larger animals such as pigs and horses which have less dexterity. These and other limitations of the known animal toys are addressed by the present invention.

The present provides a food dispenser comprising: a frame defining an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being in use of the food dispenser substantially horizontal; and a closed container for holding food, the container being supported by the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation, the container having a hole through its wall; wherein the container is biased so that when the container is in a rest position the hole is sufficiently vertically spaced from the lowest point of the container that food in the container is substantially retained within the container, the container being, in use of the food dispenser, rotatable by an animal about the axis of rotation away from the rest position in order to dispense food from the hole in the container wall.

The food dispenser of the invention, which is suitable for all species of animals, particularly horses, dogs, cats and pigs, enriches an animal's habitat. An animal is encouraged to rotate the container about the axis of rotation in order to dispense food, such as dried animal food or treats, from the hole. The food dispenser may be refilled with food to enable its repeated use.

Preferably the biasing is achieved by the container being unevenly weighted about the axis of rotation so that the container is returned to the rest position when the food dispenser is no longer in use.

Preferably the uneven weighting of the container about the axis of rotation is provided by the container being eccentrically supported by the frame for eccentric rotation about the axis of rotation. In this configuration, the axis of rotation does not pass through the centre of the container and hence the container is rotatable eccentrically about the axis of rotation.

Alternatively the uneven weighting about the axis of rotation can be provided by a weight attached to or integrally formed with the container or formed by a variation in the thickness of the wall of the container.

Preferably the biasing of the container is such that, in the rest position, the container is biased with the hole generally upward, more preferably with the hole proximate to the top of the container. The biasing of the container ensures that food contained within the food dispenser is substantially prevented from escaping from the hole in the rest position of the container.

Preferably in the rest position, a line between the hole centre and the centre of gravity of the weight is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This prevents food escaping from the hole in the rest position an makes it more challenging for an animal to rotate the container sufficiently for food to be dispensed from the hole.

Preferably the container is rotatably attached to the frame at two attachment points on the wall of the container. This may be achieved by two separate attachment means or a single attachment means such as a metal rod or axle passing through the frame and the container.

Preferably the container is a ball. Where the container is unevenly weighted about the axis of rotation due to the container being eccentrically supported by the frame, the axis of rotation does not pass through the centre of the container and, in the rest position, the

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axis of rotation is preferably vertically spaced above the centre of the ball. Where the container is unevenly weighted about the axis of rotation by a weight or variation in the wall thickness of the container, the axis of rotation is preferably a substantially horizontal line passing through the centre of the ball between diametrically opposite points on the surface of the ball so that the ball spins uniformly about the axis of rotation.

Example embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention showing a first example biasing means and a first example frame configuration; Figure 2 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing a second example biasing means and the first example frame configuration of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention showing the first example biasing means of Figures 1 and 2 and a second example frame configuration; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing the second example biasing means of figure 3 and a third example frame configuration.

Figures 1 and 2 show a food dispenser 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention including a frame 2 and a container 3 rotatably supported by the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation 4 about which the container is rotatable relative to the frame. The frame can be rested on the floor or affixed to a floor, a wall, a structure such as a piece of furniture or even a ceiling.

"Frame" is used to denote any structure that is capable of defining an axis of rotation and rotatably supporting a container for rotation about the axis of rotation. The frame is preferably substantially rigid. The frame may, however, be made of a material such as plastic or rubber that provides sufficient rigidity to support the container but still has a degree of flexibility.

The container 3 is preferably a thin-walled hollow plastic ball such as the type marketed under the trade name "Boomer BallTM consisting of two identical hemispherical halves rotary moulded together or otherwise attached to provide a closed container. The ball has an outer wall 5 having inner and outer surfaces and defining a cavity 6 for receiving and holding food, for example animal food or treats. The provision of an interior partitioning wall within the container would enable the food receiving cavity to be a smaller portion of the total interior space defined by the wall of the ball.

A dispensing hole 7 through the wall 5 of the ball leads to the cavity 6 and allows the cavity to be filled with food. The hole also enables the food to be dispensed from the food dispenser. The hole may be of any size and shape provided that it allows the cavity to be filled and food to be dispensed. The hole can have a bevelled edge or include a funnel portion to aid with filling of the cavity. The hole 7 can alternatively be provided in a removable cover portion that is used to cover a larger filling hole in the wall 5 of the ball 3.

The hole can also have a cover which allows the hole 7 to be partially or fully closed.

The container may be of almost any shape provided that it is capable of having an axis of rotation and defining a cavity for receiving animal food. A particular advantage of the container being spherical, a more oblate shape having a continuously curved outer surface, or another shape including a curved portion proximate the dispensing hole 7, is that the food in the container is naturally funnelled towards, and out through, the hole when the hole is at or near the bottom of the container.

The container is biased into a rest position by a biasing means. The biasing means ensures that the weight of the container is unevenly distributed about the axis of rotation. A number of ways of biasing the container to obtain the uneven weighting are envisaged and examples are discussed below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Figures 1 and 2 show one method of biasing the container in which a weight 8 is affixed to the container e.g. by gluing or bolting it to the container wall and is considered part of the weight of the container. The weight provides unequal weighting of the container about the axis of rotation. The weight may be affixed to the inner surface of the wall so that the weight is within the cavity 6. The weight could alternatively be positioned on the outer surface of the wall of the ball or embedded within the wall. The weight is shown as a metal plate but could be of a wide range of different shapes and configurations. The weight may also be in the form of removable or pivotable cover plate to provide access to a larger hole (not shown) for bulk filling or washing of the container.

The weight 8 is positioned relative to the hole 7 such that when the container is in the rest position, the container is biased so that the hole is vertically spaced from the weight. This means that food contained within the container is substantially retained within the container in the rest position. It is preferable that in the rest position, no food is dispensed from the hole, in order to prevent the food dispenser from being emptied when not in use.

In its rest position, the ball is biased by the weight so that the weight is at the lowest point of the ball. The hole need only therefore be spaced a relatively small distance from the weight around the wall of the ball for it to be vertically spaced from the weight such that food is prevented from being dispensed from the hole when the ball is in the rest position.

Preferably in the rest position the container is biased so that the hole is sufficiently far around the wall of the ball from the weight so that the hole is generally upward, for example when the angular separation of the weight and the hole is greater than 90 degrees. In this configuration, the hole will be disposed in the wall of an upper hemisphere of the ball and the weight will be disposed on the wall of a lower hemisphere of the ball. More preferably, the weight is disposed generally diametrically opposite (that is, approximately 180 degrees round the wall from) the hole so that in the rest position, the weight and the hole are at polar opposite points on the wall and the hole is at the top of the container. In this preferred configuration, the ball must be rotated a maximum distance from the rest position for food to be dispensed from the hole, making it more challenging and enriching for an animal to use the food dispenser.

The frame 2 is preferably constructed from a pair of inverted U or V-shaped frame members 9 connected at their ends by a pair of cross members 10. The frame, which can be of metal, can be formed from a continuous length of round, oval, square or other section metal tubing that is bent and joined to form the illustrated shape. Alternatively the frame members and cross-members can be made from separate lengths of, for example, round, oval or square section metal tubing and welded or otherwise joined together. The frame can be painted to improve the appearance of the food dispenser and protect the metal.

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The frame can be made from other materials such as plastic or rubber that are capable of providing sufficient rigidity to rotatably support the container.

The illustrated shape of the frame is provided by way of example only. The frame can have a multitude of shapes and configurations whilst achieving the required purpose of defining an axis of rotation and rotatably supporting the container. Alternative frames can be formed from generally square, rectangular or trapezoidal shaped frame members.

Alternatively the frame can be formed as a base having upstanding tugs or poles which provide attachment points for the container.

The container 3 is rotatably attached to the frame at attachment points 11 and 12 positioned at diametrically opposite polar points on the wall 5 of the ball 3 such that the ball spins uniformly about its centre. The attachment points 11, 12 are positioned at or near the turning point or apices of each of the inverted U or V-shaped frame members 9. The attachment points could, however, be positioned elsewhere on the frame members 9, spaced from the apices.

The ball is connected to the frame by a single attachment means such as a metal rod passing through the ball along the rotation axis 4 rotating in bearings or sleeves mounted on the frame members. Alternatively, the ball is attached to the frame members by two discrete attachment means such as stub axles attached to the frame members, stub axles attached to the ball which rotate within bearing or sleeves mounted on the frame members, or conventional fixings such as bolts and spacers.

Figure 3 shows a further, preferred, way of biasing the container. In this embodiment, the container, shown as a ball, is eccentrically supported by the frame for eccentric rotation of the container about the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation does not pass through the centre of the ball. Instead, in the rest position of the container, the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to, and vertically spaced above, a horizontal line 13 passing through the centre of the ball so that the container is unequally weighted about the axis of rotation.

The uneven weighting of the ball is determined by the vertical separation between the axis of rotation and the horizontal centreline of the ball. In a preferred arrangement, the ball is supported so that, in the rest position, the ratio of the percentage of the weight of the container above and below the axis of rotation is approximately 40:60. This might for 4i example be achieved by positioning the or each attachment point approximately 10 to 20 degrees round the wall of the ball from the polar opposite points on the surface of the ball through which a horizontal centreline through the centre of the ball passes.

In other respects, the discussion of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 above is also relevant to the embodiment of Figure 3.

Alternative means for biasing the container includes providing a sand or water-filled compartment in or base to the container. The container could alternatively have, for example, a localised thicker wall portion, a relatively thinner upper portion and a relatively thicker lower portion, or a gradually thickening wall with distance from the hole. One or more resiliently deformable elements could also be provided to resist rotation of the container and urge it into the rest position. These may for example comprise springs or rubber blocks at the points of attachment. Combinations of the various biasing means could also be provided. The container of the embodiment of Figure 3 could, for example, also comprise a weight 8 at the bottom of the container to make it more challenging for an animal to dispense food from the container. Other biasing means and combinations thereof will also be apparent to the skilled person.

Figure 4 shows an alternative frame configuration according to a third example embodiment having a single frame member 9 and a single rotational attachment point 11 for the ball. The frame could be used to support a container biased by any of the aforementioned biasing means or a combination thereof. In other respects, the discussion of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 above is also relevant to the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows a further alternative frame configuration according to a fourth example embodiment in which each of a pair of frame members is composed of vertical container support portions 9 and horizontal support portions 10. In the figure, the container is shown as being unevenly weighted about the axis of rotation 4 due to it being eccentrically supported by the frame. The frame could also be used to support a container biased by any of the aforementioned biasing means or a combination thereof. In other respects, the discussion of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 above is also relevant to the embodiment of Figure 5.

In use of the food dispenser, the axis of rotation 4 is substantially horizontal. The container may be filled through one or both of the dispensing hole 7 and a bulk filling hole covered either by a removeable or pivotable weight 8 or another means for covering or filling the hole. In the rest position, the weight 8 is at the lowest point on the ball and the hole 7 is generally upward. In order to access the food contained within the ball, an animal is encouraged to rotate the ball away from the rest position around the axis of rotation so that the hole is positioned towards the bottom of the container in order to dispense food from the hole. When the ball is released, it returns to the rest position. The biasing effect of the weight makes it more challenging for an animal to rotate the ball into a food dispensing position and ensures that the ball is returned to the rest position to substantially prevent food being dispensed from the hole when the food dispenser is not in use.

Claims

Claims 1. A food dispenser comprising: a frame defining an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being in use of the food dispenser substantially horizontal; and a closed container for holding food, the container being supported by the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation, the container having a hole through its wall; wherein the container is biased so that when the container is in a rest position the hole is sufficiently vertically spaced from the lowest point of the container that food in the container is substantially retained within the container, the container being, in use of the food dispenser, rotatable by an animal about the axis of rotation away from the rest position in order to dispense food from the hole in the container wall.
2. A food dispenser according to claim 1 wherein biasing of the container is achieved by the container being unevenly weighted about the axis of rotation.
3. A food dispenser according to claim 2 wherein uneven weighting of the container about the axis of rotation is provided by the container being eccentrically supported by the frame for eccentric rotation about the axis of rotation.
4. A food dispenser according to claim 2 or 3 wherein uneven weighting of the container about the axis of rotation is provided by a weight attached to or integrally formed with the container or formed by a variation in the thickness of the wall of the container.
5. A food dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing of the container is such that in the rest position the container is biased with the hole generally upward.
6. A food dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the biasing of the container is such that in the rest position the hole is proximate to the top of the container.
7. A food dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the container is rotatably attached to the frame at two attachment points on the wall of the container.
8. A food dispenser according to claim 7 wherein the container is rotatably attached to the frame by two separate attachment means. * 4
9. A food dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the container is rotatably attached to the frame by a single attachment means.
10. A food dispenser according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means is a metal rod or axle passing through the frame and the container.
11. A food dispenser according to any of claims 4 to 10 where in the rest position, a line between the centre of the hole and the centre of gravity of the weight is substantially verticaland perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
12. A food dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the frame comprises at least one U or V-shaped frame member.
13. A food dispenser according to claim 12 wherein the or each attachment point is positioned at the turning point of the or each U or V-shaped frame member.
14. A food dispenser according to any of claims 4 to 13 wherein the weight is a metal plate removably attached to the container.
15. A food dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the container is a hollow spherical container.
16. A food dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
17. A food dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 3.
18. A food dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 4.
19. A food dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 5.