GB2501740A - Pet feeder with odour control means - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal feeding apparatus 2 comprising a flared base 1, an upper portion 6 having at least one air circulation vent 3, and odour control means. The base is preferably provided with a moat 4 to prevent spillages and means to prevent the apparatus from slipping during use. The vents may be opened automatically or may be weight activated. The odour control means may be a deodorizing element supported on a cradle (7, fig 3) beneath the upper portion. The odour control element may be assisted by an electric fan.

Description

A FEEDING APPARTUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to feeding apparatus, more particularly but not exclusively apparatus for feeding animals in a domestic environment.

Background

It is common for domesticated animals such as dogs and pets to be fed in a user's home. A variety of animal foods are available many of which emit a strong odour, particularly in a traditionally warm environment of a home which can be undesirable to some people.

Typically odour problems are overcome by removing a feed bowl once finished, however often an animal is encouraged to free feed, eating small amounts at regular intervals throughout a day and therefore the odour is present at all times.

Some feeding apparatus is adapted to include a lid and this can assist with controlling odour, however the lid provides places where food can become lodged, particularly if the lid is hinged which can mean an odour remains event when an animal has finished feeding. The equipment may also be difficult to clean and potentially unhygienic.

Other feeding apparatus has been developed that houses removable feed trays however this still does not overcome the problem of food spillage as although a feed bowl can be easily removed often the bowl supporting device will require cleaning to remove all food odours.

Feed bowls have also be designed with odour emitting means, however there is no way of controlling this process and therefore the scent may be permanent and equally distracting as a food odour or may also run out quickly due to constant exposure to the environment.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following; Granted United States patent US 7 856 944 (STAUFFER) discloses a pet food feeding dish comprising: a bowl having a generally upwardly facing concave portion having an upper edge; said concave portion having an upwardly facing impervious top surface throughout said entire concave portion; said bowl further including an impervious substantially convexly shaped bottom surface complementary to said concave portion; a rim extending along the periphery of said bowl at said upper edge; an outer wall secured to said rim, said outer wall surrounding said concave portion and extending downwardly from said rim to a position below said convexly shaped bottom surface; a housing secured to said convexly shaped bottom surface and including a side wall extending downwardly from said bottom surface, said housing including a main substantially hollow body portion formed by said side wall and said bottom surface, said main body portion having an open bottom, said housing further including a cap adapted to be removably attached to said open boftom for substantially closing the same; a plurality of apertures formed in one of said cap or side wall of said housing; odorous means contained within said housing for attracting a pet to food contained within said bowl, and a plurality of openings formed in said outer wall and passing therethrough, whereby odors from said odorous means can pass through said apertures and through said openings to the outside of said pet food feeding dish to attract a pet to the feeding dish.

United States patent application US 2008 190 372 (HORVATH) discloses a pet food tray comprising: a substantially planar horizontal surface having a top and a bottom; said horizontal surface having at least one opening for acceptance of a bowl; a bowl for insertion and removal from said at least one opening; said horizontal surface having a first edge and an opposing second edge; said horizontal surface having a third edge and opposing fourth edge; said first edge is joined to said third edge at approximately ninety degrees; said third edge is joined to said second edge at approximately ninety degrees; said second edge is joined to said fourth edge at approximately ninety degrees; said fourth edge is joined to said first edge at approximately ninety degrees; a front wall having a predetermined height perpendicularly secured to said horizontal surface first edge; a rear wall having a predetermined height perpendicularly secured to said horizontal surface second edge; a first side wall having a predetermined height perpendicularly secured to said horizontal surface second edge; a second side wall having a predetermined height perpendicularly secured to said horizontal surface fourth edge; and at least one leg secured to said horizontal surface bottom wherein said at least one leg raises said horizontal surface a predetermined distance above a ground surface.

Granted United States patent Us 7 073 461 (GONJET) discloses a dish for domestic animals, comprising a tray, at least one intemal dish to contain food and to be positioned inside said tray, a lid of shape and dimensions proportional to cover said tray, a hinge to raise said lid, an electronic circuit powered by batteries, a mechanical actuator and an infrared sensor positioned on the front portion of said dish and also powered by said batteries, that signals the presence of the pet near the dish and sends said signal to said circuit that, having received the signal from the infrared sensor, gives the command to the mechanical actuator to operate an appropriate hinged staff with said lid by way of said hinge to raise said lid to an open position, opening said lid up to an approximate 90 deg. angle with the base of the tray and keeping it in said open posilion until when the pet moves away, the signal from the infrared sensor ceases.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 369 032 (CLARK) discloses a lidded pet-food dish, wherein the lid is removable from the dish for feeding and is provided with means for absorbing odours emanating from foodstuffs contained in the dish when filled to the dish between feeds.

In contrast the present invention provides a means to allow a domestic animal or other self-feeding animal to feed itself without causing unnecessary disturbance, such as odours and/or spillages.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an animal feeding apparatus comprising a flared base, an upper portion having at least one circulation vent, and odour control means.

In preferred embodiments a majority or all of the upper and base may be moulded as a single part.

In some embodiments the apparatus is provided in or divisible into two parts, an upper and a base both available in a variety of sizes and dispositions. In such embodiments said upper is separate and moulded out of a durable, lightweight, water resistant material such as plastic, carbon or other glossy finished moulded material.

The upper includes at least one concave bowl in which solid food or liquids can be placed and an upper surface that is smooth with no sharp angles, only curved edges so that foodstuffs or liquid cannot become trapped and so that an upper can be easily cleaned.

In this form of embodiment the apparatus is therefore provided in two modular parts, the upper and the base providing advantages of said modular format such that the upper can be easily cleaned, and ideally the base enables capture of spillages. In summary said format presents an ability to make the apparatus more acceptable in a typical user's home or business.

In another embodiment the upper includes at least two concave bowls moulded into said upper, one being for foodstuffs and another for liquids such as water. Further embodiments may include other bowls, and ideally according to preference the user is enabled by the modular format to supply as many bowls as desired.

In the preferred embodiment and according to a second aspect *of the present invention the apparatus provides a moat around its base periphery, having a raised lip around the periphery edge that serves to catch any solids or liquids split from the bowl.

In the preferred embodiment and according to a third aspect of the present invention the upper is angled away from the base so that a rearmost portion in use is distal from the animal and is raised higher than a frontmost portion, reducing chances of food or liquids being forced out backwards out of the bowl whilst the animal is feeding or drinking.

In the preferred embodiment the base is comprised of equal or similar material to said upper. Where modular formats are in use it is envisaged the base is designed to receive and removably connect to the upper by means of clip fitting, interlocking means or by interlocking male and female pails, or friction or tolerance fit. For example at least one pin on an underside ol the upper may locate into an aperture on the base.

In the preferred embodiment and according to a fourth aspect of the present invention where the base contacts a surface or floor a portion of resilient anti slip material such as rubber, silicone or elastomer may prevent the apparatus from moving in use.

This portion may be a strip, feet, nubs or arrangement dispersed about floor contacting areas of the base or apparatus.

Alternatively the base may include at least one sucker pad or suction cup that attaches said feeding bowl to a surface.

In the preferred modular embodiments of the apparatus the base includes an integrated tray housing the odour control means.

In non-modular embodiments the means may be located or locatable in a suspended tray or cradle, close to the vent or vents.

It is envisaged a variety of types of odour control means may be used in varying embodiments, to include scented deodorising materials such as a gel freshener or materials that absorb and neutralise odour that emit minimal fragrance, being preferable so as not to discourage an animal from feeding or interfere with an animal's olfactory system.

In all embodiments it is preferable that said means may be replaceable or displaceable, in order to facilitate cleaning, replacement or deactivation.

Furthermore according to a fifth aspect of the present invention in addition or the alternative the vent may be directed upwards in order to ensure that the odour control means is vented or deodorising directed primarily upwards and accordingly out of the animal's air level.

It is envisaged that the vent or vents may be covered by a mesh or may comprise of a plurality of perforations, to prevent entry of food to the means or through the upper.

Typically therefore the vent is covered by an aerated mesh and comprised of a durable material suitable for repeated washing, such as plastic.

In preferred embodiments a plurality of vents may be included at various locations about the apparatus. It is envisaged that each group of vents or single vents may have independent means of opening and closing to facilitate control of the means, typically for example in controlling the amount of air to reach the means and consequently amount of scent or perfume to be emitted, preserving the odour control means when not required.

Said vents may be shaped for aesthetic purposes to any form such as to represent a paw print or bone.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention therefore the vent or vents can be opened and closed, thus controlling the amount of scent released. Typically this is facilitated by a sliding or hinged mechanism or flap contained in the upper.

In a further embodiment and according to a seventh aspect opening and dosing of said vents may be automatic and/or weight controlled, wherein when the feeding apparatus is loaded with food or fluid said vents are caused to open. As the weight in said feeding apparatus is reduced by an animal eating its food the vent or vents will dose.

In order to facilitate this it may is envisaged that the apparatus or upper is mounted on a spring or includes a resiliently deformable member connected to any vents wherein under pressure the spring is compressed or the member deformed and the vents are closed and as weight reduces said spring expands or the member reforms and in turn closes the vents.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention the apparatus or base includes electric provision or electric equipment. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus or base may include an electric fan that acts to draw in odour, through the vents or further aerations, so that odours are more quickly engaged with the odour control means.

In addition or the alternative the fan may serve to disperse scent or perfume, in order that the scent may be displaced upwards and away from the animal.

It is envisaged that the fan is battery powered and may be switched on and off.

Ideally it is switched on or activated by weight in the apparatus, at least one bowl or bowls.

In yet further embodiments the upper does not contain any moulded concave bowls and instead the upper comprises a flat surface suitable for accepting a users existing feeding device, wherein such a flat surface upper may provide a slip resistant surface to reduce movement of free standing feed devices. In some embodiments a fiat surface upper may include means of securing free standing devices to the upper such as sucker pads or magnets.

Other embodiments of the apparatus may be adapted for accepting a lifter tray.

In another embodiment an animal bed may be adapted to include circulation vents and odour control means, typically by being comprised of an adapted base and upper that form the animal bed.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus; Figures 2 show three side views of the embodiment; Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment; And Figures 4 show a view from above and below of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment provides apparatus to mask or prevent bad odours caused by pet food left in bowls, and to localise food mess.

The pictured embodiment is moulded 01 a piece with the upper (1) and base (2) integral, and the upper 1 with incorporation of an odour control vents (3) to mask bad odours commonly found at pet food bowls.

The embodiment includes a lipped edge or moat (4) to prevent food spillage onto surrounding floor areas and holds 2 bowls (5), wherein the bowls' arrangement prevents food being pushed over the back edge (6) when eaten.

A support tray or cradle (7) fits in with magnets to hold a gel freshener off the floor.

In other embodiments the cradle fits into place using tolerance fit male and female pieces.