WO2000074496A1

WO2000074496A1 - Pet food parcel comprising wet food encased in dry food

Info

Publication number: WO2000074496A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan John Springett
Original assignee: Alan John Springett
Priority date: 1999-06-07
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: AUPQ080299A0

Abstract

A food parcel with an outer layer of 'dry' food and an inner core of 'wet' food.

Description

PET FOOD PARCEL COMPRISING WET FOOD ENCASED IN DRY FOOD

The present invention relates to a parcel of food, providing a middle section of "wet" food (see Glossary) for pet dogs and cats, this wet food being of the existing art, and also providing an outer covering, or crust, of "dry" food (see Glossary) for pet dogs and cats, this dry food being of the existing art. The size of the said food parcel is not the essence of the invention, though it will be of a size convenient for consumption by dogs and / or cats.

Problems faced by many people in the feeding of their pets are numerous. For example, presently many pet owners feed their animals "wet" foods, commercially available from cans or pet food rolls, and also "dry" foods, commercially available in granular or biscuit form. This means two separate types of food have to be purchased, stored and handled by the owner.

Further, the proportions of wet to dry food, when serving from two separate sources may often mean that the pet may not always receive the optimum mix consistently and reliably. This may be especially so if the owner's children feed the pet. This situation may compromise the pets dietary requirements and well-being. Further, the question "who's turn it is to feed the dog?" may often ignite some tension within an otherwise happy family.

Further, the action of feeding the pet can be distasteful to some, as the wet food can be found to be abhorrent to some humans due to it's appearance, consistency and smell.

Further, the mess sometimes created in the kitchen, particularly in the scooping of the wet food from the can of the wet food, may be a problem for some owners. If the children feed the pet, the parents/owners may very well have to clean up the bench and utensils afterwards if the children have not done so. A further problem is the time taken in serving the pet it's meal. As mentioned, cans need to be opened, bags of dry food need to be opened and put away, and often cleaning up, as mentioned, needs to be done.

A further problem in todays environmentally conscious society, is the disposal of the cans in the case of canned food being used as the wet food source. They are difficult

Substitute Sheet to squash, and take up a lot of room in the garbage tin.

It is the primary objective of the present invention to overcome these problems. That combines the existing art of wet food, to the existing art of dry food, into one convenient food parcel. A secondary objective is to provide a healthy and consistent mix of wet and dry food to the pet, through virtue of the wet and dry propositions of the food parcel always being the same.

A further objective is to remove the direct content with the wet food and the handling there of. The food parcel has a complete outside covering of dry food, so no cont- -act is made with the wet food.

A further objective is to make the feeding of the pet a task that will not create any mess in preparation or serving. The food parcels can be taken directly from the refrigerator and fed directly to the pet.

A further objective is making the task of feeding the pet much quicker. As ment- ioned, the food parcel or parcels in the case of a larger pet with a greater appetite, need only be taken directly from it's package (presumably in the fridge to prevent spoilage) and put directly into the pets feed bowl, or directly to the pet. This may now be a matter of seconds to perform this task. The further objective is to reduce the inventory of food that the owner may have to acquire and keep, as well as reduce the waste matter, caused by cans in particular, in todays environmentally conscious society.

A further objective is to provide a food parcel that may lend itself to be dispensed form a machine. Therefore, the present invention disclosed is a food parcel, consists of an outer casing of dry food, suitable for consumption by pets, referring to but not exclusively to dogs and cats, which is of a type within the existing art, and an inner core of wet food, again suitable for consumption by pets, which is of a type within the existing art. One method of how this invention could be made, for example, is to have, .the outer casing base mouled to shape and size, with a separate moulded lid to be attached after the wet contents are put into the base.

Substitute Sheet One embodiment of the present invention will be made clearer, by reference to the attached drawings Figure 1 (plan), Figure 2 (section), Figure 3 (perspective). Figure 1 shows a food parcel in plan, the dimensions are nominal and may vary. Figure 2 shows a food parcel in section, the dimensions are nominal and may vary. Figure 3 shows a food parcel in perspective, with a cutaway view. Shown is (a) the inner "wet" section, and (b) the outer case.

The advantages of the embodiment as revealed, is that it is of a size that would satisfy the appetite of a small pet (small dog or cat). Of course, a larger animal with a larger appetite may consume a number of food parcels rather than just one to satisfy it's appetite.

Further, the regular size and shape, as revealed, may provide benefits for manufacture and packaging, as well as being of a regular size & shape, that may lend itself to be stored into, and dispensed by, an automatic feeding unit.

Substitute Sheet Rule 26) RO AU

Claims

The CLAIMS defining the present invention are as follows.

1. A food parcel consisting of an outer casing of dry food, suitable for consumption by pets, referring to, but not exclusively to, dogs and cats, which is of a type such as the existing art, and an inner core of wet food, again suitable for consumption by pets.

2. A food parcel, as claimed in Claim 1, where the outer casing may require an inside coating of a moisture resistant material to prevent the possible ingress of moisture from the wet food of the inner core.

3. A food parcel, as claimed in Claim 1, where the outer casing may be of a variety of methods of manufacture, and construction, to achieve the described resultant food parcel.

4. A food parcel, as claims in claim 1, further characterised by the inner case of wet food being suitable for consumption by dogs or cats, or indeed other animals with a similar dietary requirement.

5. A food parcel, as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 and claim 3, further characterised by the outer casing of dry food being not necessarily only suitable for consumption by pets, but possibly suitable for consumption by other beings.

6. A food parcel, as claimed in claim 1, further characterised by the ratio of dry to wet food not being the essence of the invention.

Substitute Sheet ⁽Rul 2