WO2001074690A1

WO2001074690A1 - Food and treat dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2001074690A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/040411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Tsengas
Original assignee: Ourpet's Company
Priority date: 2000-03-31
Filing date: 2001-03-30
Publication date: 2001-10-11

Abstract

A food and treat dispenser that consists of an enclosed container (10) fabricated from a polymeric material having at least one opening (18, 20) to permit food or treats to be inserted into and removed from the enclosed container. If desired, a quick disconnect chain, rope or string (22) can be attached to the food and treat dispenser, or the food and treat dispenser can include a hook (24) to allow the food and treat dispenser to be carried, for example, around a user's neck or wrist or attached to, for example, a belt, belt loop, pet leash handle or pet collar.

Description

FOOD AND TREAT DISPENSER

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to new and novel improvements m an article dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to a food and treat dispenser that is portable, durable and lightweight and provides a convenient container and dispenser to carry, for example, food and treats, when walking, hiking or performing other physical activities, with or without pets .

When walking, hiking or performing other physical activities, with or without pets, it is often desirable to take along food or treats. It is currently necessary to carry such food or treats m a pants, shirt or jacket pocket, or m a bag, or perhaps m a back pack or fanny pack. These prior art methods have disadvantages which include being inconvenient, damaging the food or treats being carried and/or causing the container to become dirty due to food or treat "crumbs . "

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of a food and treat dispenser mat is lightweight and convenient and is capable of being operated using one hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a food and treat dispenser that is easy to load with food or treats and allows such food or treats to be easily dispensed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fooα and treat dispenser which can be carried on a user's belt or around a user' s necx and which is easy to clean and keeps the user's clothes clean.

These and other objects of the present invention are attained by a food and treat dispenser that consists of an enclosed container fabricated from a deformable polymeric material having at least one opening to permit food and treats to be inserted into and removed from the enclosed container. More preferably, the food and treat dispenser m accordance with the present invention is fabricated as an enclosed container having a base portion, an elongated central portion and a top portion. The top portion includes an opening to allow food and treats to be inserted through the opening into the enclosed container. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion also includes an opening to allow food and treats to be removed from the enclosed container. The elongated central portion has enlarged upper area wmch narrows into a throat which terminates at the bottom portion. If desired, a quick disconnect chain or string can be inserted through openings m the sidewall of the elongated body portion or through an eye formed m the container. Moreover, the food and treat dispenser may include a hook to allow the food and treat dispenser to be carried, for example, around a user's necK or wrist or attached to, for example, a belt, belt loop, pet leash handle or pet collar.

Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent m the following detailed description of the invention when considered m conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown m Figure 1, the other side elevational view being a mirror image thereof.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown m Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown m Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown m Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which, m conjunction with this detailed description, illustrate and describe a preferred embodiment of a food and treat dispenser m accordance with the present invention .

As shown m all of the drawings, food and treat dispenser is generally identified by reference number 10. Food and treat dispenser 10 is generally an enclosed container fabricated from a deformable polymeric material having at least one opening to permit food or treats to be inserted into and removed from the enclosed container. More particularly, food and treat dispenser 10 m accordance with the present invention is fabricated as an enclosed container having base portion 12, elongated central portion 14, and top portion 16, formed from a deformable polymeric material which has a memory so as to return to its original shape. An example of a material the food and treat dispenser 10 may be formed from is polyvmyl chloride ("PVC") . As illustrated m the drawings, food and treat dispenser 10 may be constructed as a one piece container, but it is to be understood that this is not essential to present invention.

In certain embodiments, top portion 16 includes opening 18 to allow food and treats to be inserted through opening 18 into the enclosed container and base portion 12 includes opening 20 to allow food or treats to be removed from the container 10. The embodiment illustrated m the accompanying drawing shows top portion 16 and base portion 12 formeα being relatively flat, althougn other shapes are contemplated, including but not limited to concave, domed or truncated portions, for example. Moreover, as illustrated m the drawings opening 18 is longer than opening 20, although this is not necessary, and openings 18 and 20 can be formed at various different lengths, as desired.

Elongated central portion 14 has a larger upper region and a narrow lower region which creates a funnel like shape which aids m directing the articles retained within container 10 toward opening 20 m base portion 12. In the preferred embodiment, base portion 12 is wider than the throat of central portion 14, to provide tabs for assisting the user m dispensing articles from opening 20.

Optionally, food and treat dispenser 10, may be equipped with only one opening, m either top portion 16 or base portion 12. In one embodiment, it is preferred to form an opening m base portion 12, to provide for easier dispensing of food and/or treats carried by food and treat dispenser 10. Furthermore, a variety of different opening configurations could be utilized, such as placing one opening m central portion 14 and one in top portion 16, or an opening in central portion 14 and one m bottom portion 12, for example.

Openings 18 and/or 20 are preferably a substantially "self- closing" aperture that closes upon release of pressure by the user. This keeps food or other articles from falling out of container 10, and allows for easier loading, retaining and dispensing of tne selected articles. Other types of openings are contemplated such as an opening having a plug or cap type closure .

If desired, quick disconnect chain, rope or string 22 can be inserted through openings 26 m the sidewall of elongated central portion 14, or an eyelet formed onto container 10. Alternatively, food and treat dispenser 10 can include hook 24 to permit food and treat dispenser 10 to be carried, for example, around a user's neck or wrist or attached to, for example, a belt, belt loop, pet leash handle or pet collar. Hook 24 may be formed from suitable metal or plastic materials including polypropylene or high density polyethylene, for example.

In use, the food and treat dispenser 10, of the present invention is held by a user m a variety of ways, such as around the user's neck or wrist, or may be carried on the belt, belt loop or other article of the user's clothing, for example. The user fills the food and treat dispenser through one of the openings, 18 or 20, as desired. To fill dispenser 10 or dispense the food and/or treats held within food and treat dispenser 10, the user squeezes the dispenser along the lateral sides of dispenser 10, adjacent the edge of opening 18 or 20. The squeezing force causes open 18 or 20 to open allowing for insertion of food and/or treats for retention within dispenser 10, or for dispensing of food and/or treats held within dispenser 10. Once the user ceases to squeeze dispenser 10, opening 18 or 20 closes and returns to its original shape. Although the present invention has been described above m detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, food and treat dispenser 10 m accordance with the present invention could be modified m various ways. Accordingly, the scope and content of the present invention are to be defined only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A food and treat dispenser comprising: an enclosed container body having a top portion, a central portion and a bottom portion; at least said central portion being made from a deformable material; and, at least one means for accessing the interior of said container oody, said access means being substantially closed to retain articles within said container body and selectively openable cy a user.

2. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 1, wherein sa d access means is selectively openable when inward pressure is applied to said container body.

3. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 1, wherein said deformable material comprises polyvmyl chloride

("PVC") .

4. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 1, wherein sa d top portion and/or said bottom portion is relatively flat.

5. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for carrying said food and treat dispenser .

6. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 5, wherein said carrying means consists of one or more of the following: a hook, a chain or a string.

7. A food and treat dispenser comprising: an enclosed container body having a top portion, a central portion and a bottom portion; at least said central portion being made of deformable material ; said top portion having means for accessing the interior of said container body, said access means being substantially closed to retain any contents within said container body and selectively openable by a user; and, said bottom portion having means for accessing the interior cf said container body, said access means being substantially closed to retain any contents within said container body and selectively openable by a user.

8. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 7, wherein said top portion access means is selectively openable when inward pressure is applied to said container body.

9. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 7, wherein said bottom portion access means is selectively openable wnen inward pressure is applied to said container body.

10. A food and treat dispenser in accordance with claim 7, wherein said deformable material comprises polyvmyl chloride

"PVC") .

11. A food and treat dispenser m accordance with claim 7, herein said top portion and/or said bottom portion is relatively flat .

12. A food and treat dispenser in accordance with claim 7, further comprising means for carrying said food and treat dispenser .

13. A food and treat dispenser in accordance with claim

12, wherein said carrying means consists of one or more of the following: a hook, a chain or a string.

14. A method of retaining and dispensing food articles comprising : filling an article container comprising an enclosed container body having a top portion, a central portion and a bottom portion; at least said central portion being made from a deformable material; and at least one means for accessing the interior of said container body; retaining said articles within said container as desired; and dispensing said articles from said container through said access means .