Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
  • A01K5/02—Automatic devices
  • A01K5/0225—Gravity replenishment from a reserve, e.g. a hopper
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
  • A01K5/01—Feed troughs; Feed pails
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
  • A01K5/01—Feed troughs; Feed pails
  • A01K5/0114—Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a bulk goods dispenser system, and more particularly to a bulk goods dispenser system that includes a bulk goods carrier for use with a dispenser arrangement.
• the invention is particularly applicable to the dispensing of larger bags of pet foods (e.g., 15+ lb. bag of pet food); however, the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to dispense food from any size bag.
• the present invention is directed to a bulk goods dispenser system that can be used to facilitate in the dispensing of pet foods from a pet food bag.
• the bulk goods dispenser system typically includes a bulk goods carrier and a dispenser arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the invention typically includes a stand for use with the bulk goods carrier and/or the dispenser arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the invention is particularly applicable to the dispensing of large bags of pet foods (e.g., 15+ lb. bag of pet food); however, the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to dispense pet food from any size bag.
• the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to dispense other items that are stored in bags (e.g., flour, sugar, rice, grains, barley, beans, salt, coffee, cereal, cat litter, sand, charcoal, etc.).
• bags e.g., flour, sugar, rice, grains, barley, beans, salt, coffee, cereal, cat litter, sand, charcoal, etc.
• the bulk goods dispenser system includes a bulk goods carrier and a dispenser arrangement.
• the bulk goods carrier is designed to at least partially receive a bag or container of pet food.
• the size, shape, configuration and materials used to form the bulk goods carrier are non-limiting.
• the bulk goods carrier is designed to receive a front portion of a bag of pet food.
• the bulk goods carrier is designed to receive up to about 60 lbs. bags of pet food; however, the bulk goods carrier can be designed to receive larger or smaller bags of pet food.
• the bottom portion of the bulk goods carrier includes a cavity that is designed to receive and fully or partially encircle a front portion of the bag of pet food.
• the cavity is generally designed to receive from 5%-100% of the bag of pet food, typically about 5-80% of the bag of pet food, more typically about 5-60% of the bag of pet food, even more typically about 10-60% of the bag of pet food, still even more typically about 10-50% of the bag of pet food, and still yet even more typically about 10-45% of the bag of pet food.
• the shape of the cavity is non-limiting.
• the cross-sectional area of the top of the cavity is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the cavity.
• the size ratio of the cross-sectional area of the top of the cavity to the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the cavity is about 1.05-10:1, typically 1.1-5:1, and more typically about 1.1-3:1.
• the bottom of the cavity generally has one or more openings that allow the pet food in the bag of pet food to exit of the bottom of the cavity.
• the bottom of the cavity includes a single opening.
• the dispenser arrangement is typically located at or near the bottom of the cavity and is designed to receive pet food that flows through the one or more openings in the bottom of the cavity.
• the bulk goods carrier can optionally include a base flange that extends from one portion of the top of the cavity.
• the base flange when used, can be designed to support all or a portion of the bag of pet food that is not inserted into the cavity; however, this is not required.
• the base flange when used, can also or alternatively be used to facilitate in the insertion of all or a portion of the bag of pet food into the cavity; however, this is not required.
• the base flange when used, can include one or more handles that can be used to facilitate in the movement of the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the base flange, when used, are non-limiting.
• the base flange only partially encircles the bag of pet food when the front portion of the bag of pet food is positioned in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier.
• the base flange only encircles about 5%-90% of the bag of pet food when the front portion of the bag of pet food is positioned in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier, typically about 5%-75% of the bag of pet food when the front portion of the bag of pet food is positioned in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier, and more typically about 20%-60% of the bag of pet food when the front portion of the bag of pet food is positioned in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier.
• the base flange can optionally include one or more side flanges to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• the bulk goods carrier can optionally include a retainer arrangement that is designed to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier, and/or maintain the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the retainer arrangement are non-limiting.
• the retainer arrangement is positioned on the bulk goods carrier such that when the bag of pet food is fully positioned on the bulk goods carrier, the bag of food is positioned between the base flange and the retainer arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the retainer arrangement can be designed such that the retainer arrangement encircles less of the bag of pet food than the base flange when the front portion of the bag of pet food is positioned in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the base flange and the retainer arrangement can be designed such that the base flange is designed to support the full weight of the bag of pet food and the retainer arrangement is not designed to support the full weight of the bag of pet food; however, this is not required.
• the bulk goods carrier can optionally include a retainer band that is designed to partially or fully encircle a rear portion of the bag of pet food when the bag of pet food is fully inserted in the bulk goods carrier.
• the retainer band fully encircles a rear portion of the bag of pet food when the bag of pet food is fully inserted in the bulk goods carrier.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the retainer band are non-limiting.
• the retainer band is connected to the base flange; however, this is not required.
• the retainer band is designed to encircle the bag of pet food after the bag of pet food is fully inserted in the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the retainer band is designed to be positioned about the retainer arrangement after the bag of pet food is fully inserted in the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the bulk goods dispenser system includes the use of a stand that is used to support the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the size, shape, configuration and materials of the stand are not limiting.
• the stand can be designed to connect the bulk goods carrier to the stand to enable the bulk goods carrier to be pivoted between a load position and a dispensing position; however, this is not required.
• the bulk goods carrier is pivotally mounted to the stand such that the bulk goods carrier can be moved to a load position wherein the plane of the base flange of the bulk goods carrier (or longitudinal axis of the bulk goods carrier) is parallel to a floor surface upon which the base of the stand rests or non-parallel (e.g., ⁇ 60°, ⁇ 50°, ⁇ 45, ⁇ 3(7, ⁇ lCf, ⁇ 5, etc.) to a floor surface upon which the base of the stand rests.
• non-parallel e.g., ⁇ 60°, ⁇ 50°, ⁇ 45, ⁇ 3(7, ⁇ lCf, ⁇ 5, etc.
• the plane of the base flange of the bulk goods carrier (or longitudinal axis of the bulk goods carrier) is generally perpendicular to the floor surface or slightly off perpendicular by 0.1-25° (e.g., 0.1-15, 1-10°, 1-5, etc.).
• the bulk goods carrier is generally positioned above the floor surface in both the load position and dispensing positions; however, this is not required.
• the bulk goods carrier and/or the stand includes a pivot limiting arrangement that limits the pivot range of the bulk goods carrier when the bulk goods carrier is pivoted toward the load position and/or pivoted toward the dispensing position; however, this is not required.
• the stand can optionally include a retaining arrangement that is used to secure the bulk goods carrier in the dispensing position to inhibit or prevent the undesired movement of the bulk goods carrier from the dispensing position to the load position.
• the stand can optionally include one or more front and back legs that are designed to inhibit or prevent the stand from tipping backward and/or forward when 1) the bulk goods carrier is loaded with a bag of pet food while the bulk goods carrier is in the load position, 2) the bulk goods carrier is moved between the load position and the dispensing position, and/or 3) the bulk goods carrier is in the dispensing position and a bag of pet food is loaded in the bulk goods carrier.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the one or more front and back legs, when used, are non-limiting.
• the bulk goods dispenser system optionally includes a trough that is positioned below the dispenser arrangement and is designed to receive pet food that is dispensed through the dispenser arrangement.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the trough are non-limiting.
• the trough is pivotally mounted to the stand and is designed to pivot between a receiving position and a pour position; however, this is not required.
• the trough in the receiving position is designed to receive and retain pet food that is dispensed from the dispenser arrangement.
• the trough in the pour position is designed to pour the pet food that is located in the trough into a container such as a pet food bowl; however, this is not required.
• the trough and/or stand can include a limiter that limits the pivot range of the trough when the trough is pivoted toward the pour position and/or pivoted toward the receiving position; however, this is not required.
• the trough can include a front and back wall and two side walls; however, this is not required. In one non-limiting arrangement, the back wall has a greater height than the front wall; however, this is not required.
• the trough can optionally include a front tab or handle that can be used to facilitate in the pivoting of the trough.
• the dispenser arrangement is designed to control the flow of pet food through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the dispenser arrangement are non-limiting.
• the dispenser arrangement is connected to the base of the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the dispenser arrangement includes an open and closed position. The open position allows pet food in the bulk goods carrier to flow through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier. The closed position inhibits or prevents the flow of pet food through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier.
• one or more components of the dispenser arrangement are designed to pivot on the base of the bulk goods carrier between the open and closed position; however, this is not required.
• the dispenser arrangement includes a spout that is used to facilitate in directing the flow of pet food from the dispenser arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the spout can be designed to pivot between the open and closed position; however, this is not required.
• the dispenser arrangement is biased in the closed position; however, this is not required.
• a spring, elastic band, counterbalance arrangement, etc. can be used to bias the dispenser arrangement in the closed position.
• the disperser arrangement can optionally include a locking arrangement to inhibit or prevent undesired movement of the disperser arrangement from the closed position to the open position.
• the locking arrangement includes a lever or tab that can be move into and out of a locking position; however, other or additional arrangement can be used.
• a bulk goods dispenser system that includes a bulk goods carrier that includes a base flange that includes one or more side flanges to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• a bulk goods dispenser system that includes a bulk goods carrier that includes a retainer arrangement that is designed to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier, and/or maintain the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• non-parallel e.g., ⁇ 6( , ⁇ 5(T, ⁇ 45", ⁇ 3Cf, ⁇ 1(T, ⁇ 5, etc.
• the stand includes one or more front and back legs that are designed to inhibit or prevent the stand from tipping backward and/or forward when 1) the bulk goods carrier is loaded with a bag of pet food while the bulk goods carrier is in the load position, 2) the bulk goods carrier is moved between the load position and the dispensing position, and/or 3) the bulk goods carrier is in the dispensing position and a bag of pet food is loaded in the bulk goods carrier.
• FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system in accordance with the present invention wherein the bulk goods carrier is in the dispensing position;
• FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system in accordance with the present invention wherein the bulk goods carrier is in the load position;
• FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system in accordance with the present invention wherein the bulk goods carrier is in the dispensing position and includes a bag of bulk goods;
• Fig. 8 is a side plan view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of the bulk goods dispenser system of Fig. 7;
• Fig. 10 is an enlarged from elevation view of the dispenser arrangement that includes a locking arrangement in a locked position.
• a bulk goods dispenser system that can be used to facilitate in the dispensing of food products from bags or container.
• the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to facilitate in the dispensing of pet food products from large bags (15+ lbs.) of pet food.
• the bulk goods dispenser system is particularly applicable to the dispensing of large bags of food products, the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to dispense food products from any size bag.
• the bulk goods dispenser system is particularly applicable to the dispensing of pet food from large bags of pet food and will be described with particular reference thereto; however it will be appreciated that the bulk goods dispenser system can be used to dispense other food items and/or other material that are stored in bags (e.g., flour, sugar, rice, grains, barley, beans, salt, coffee, cereal, cat litter, sand, gravel, mulch, ground covering, fertilizer, seeds, granular pesticides, charcoal, deicing materials, cement, soil, etc.).
• bags e.g., flour, sugar, rice, grains, barley, beans, salt, coffee, cereal, cat litter, sand, gravel, mulch, ground covering, fertilizer, seeds, granular pesticides, charcoal, deicing materials, cement, soil, etc.
• the bulk goods dispenser system 10 is illustrated as being formed of three primary components, namely a stand 100, a bulk goods carrier 200 and a dispenser arrangement 300.
• the bulk goods dispenser system may optionally include a trough 400.
• Figs. 1-3 and 7-9 illustrate the bulk goods carrier in a dispensing position.
• Figs. 4-6 illustrate the bulk goods carrier in a load position.
• the bulk goods carrier is mounted to the stand and is designed to pivot on the stand between the load position and the dispensing position.
• the type of mounting arrangement is non-limiting.
• pivot pins 142 are used to pivotally secure the bulk goods carrier to the top portion of the stand; however, it can be appreciated that other or additional connection arrangements can be used.
• the stand is illustrated as having a tubular frame; however, this is not required.
• the stand is typically formed of a metal material; however, this is not required.
• the tubular frame is generally formed of a plurality of pieces; however, this is not required.
• the stand includes two back legs 110, 112 and two front legs 1 14, 116.
• the size, shape and configuration of the front and rear legs are non-limiting.
• the legs are designed to inhibit or prevent the stand from tipping over backward or forward when the bulk goods carrier is pivoted between the load position and the dispensing position.
• the rear legs are illustrated as being generally parallel to one another; however, this is not required.
• the rear legs can optionally be connected together (not shown); however, this is not required.
• the front legs are illustrated as being generally parallel to one another; however, this is not required.
• the front legs can optionally be connected together (not shown); however, this is not required.
• the bottom portion 120 of the frame is illustrated as extending upwardly from the legs.
• the legs can be connected to the bottom portion of the frame by many different means (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, adhesive, friction fit, solder, weld, locking arrangement, clip, etc.).
• the rear legs are connected to the bottom portion of the frame by adhesive, friction fit, solder, or weld 1 13.
• the front legs are connected to the bottom portion of the frame by bolts, screws or rivets 115.
• the bottom portion 120 extends upwardly in a direction that is generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the rear legs; however, this is not required.
• the two sections that form the bottom portion are illustrated as being generally parallel to one another; however, this is not required.
• the trough 400 is illustrated as being connected to the two sections of the bottom portion 120; however, this is not required.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the trough are non-limiting.
• the trough is generally pivotally connected to the bottom portion so that the trough can be pivoted between a pour position and a receiving position; however, this is not required.
• the trough includes a front wall 410, a back wall 412, two side walls 414, 416, a base 418 and a top cavity 420.
• the cavity is designed to receive material that is dispensed from dispenser arrangement 300.
• the back wall has a height that is greater than the front wall; however, this is not required.
• the two side walls have generally the same shape; however, this is not required.
• the top of the front wall can optionally include a tab 430 or handle that can be used to facilitate in pivoting the trough on the frame; however, this is not required.
• the tab or handle when used, can be positioned on other or additional locations on the trough.
• the trough is generally positioned under the dispenser arrangement and is spaced a sufficient distance from the dispenser arrangement so as to not interfere with the operation of the dispenser arrangement.
• the trough is generally mounted on the frame so as to be spaced above the floor surface upon which the front and rear legs rest when the trough is in the receiving position as illustrated in Fig. 2. Such spacing enables the trough to be pivoted on the stand.
• the trough is positioned on the stand such that the trough can be fully pivoted forward into the pour position without the trough contacting a floor surface; however, this is not required.
• the mid portion 130 of the stand is illustrated as bending rearwardly toward the rear legs; however, this is not required.
• the bend angle a is generally about 5-50° (e.g., 5-45, 5-30°, 15-30°, etc.); however; other bend angles can be used.
• the two sections that form the mid portion are illustrated as being generally parallel to one another; however, this is not required.
• the top portion 140 of the stand is illustrated as being formed of two generally straight sections that are generally parallel to one another; however, this is not required.
• the two generally straight sections are connected together at the top of the generally straight sections by a top cross bar 150.
• the bulk goods carrier 200 is designed to receive a front portion of a bag of pet food B.
• the bulk goods carrier can be formed of one or more pieces. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the bulk goods carrier 200 is primarily formed of two pieces, namely a top section 202 and a bottom section 204.
• the top and bottom sections can be connected together by any number of means (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, adhesive, friction fit, solder, weld, locking arrangement, clip, etc.).
• a plurality of bolts 206 is used to secure together the top and bottom sections.
• the top and bottom portions form the cavity 220 of the bulk goods carrier.
• the bulk goods carrier is designed to receive up to about 60 lbs.
• the bottom portion 210 of the bulk goods carrier generally includes cavity 220. Generally, a majority or all of the cavity is located in the bottom portion of the bulk goods carrier. Cavity 220 is designed to fully or partially receive the bag of pet food. The cavity is generally designed to receive from 5%-100% of the bag of pet food.
• the size, shape and configuration of the cavity are non- limiting. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, the cross-sectional area of the top of the cavity is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the cavity. The size of the cavity at the base of the cavity is smaller than the size of the cavity at the top of the cavity.
• the size ratio of the cross-sectional area of the top of the cavity to the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the cavity is about 1.05-10: 1.
• the cavity can have a generally funnel-type shape so as to facilitate in directing pet food from the pet food bag B to the top opening of the dispenser arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the cavity is designed to fully encircle the portion of the bag of food that is inserted into the cavity; however, this is not required.
• the bottom or base 230 of the bulk goods carrier has one or more openings that allow the pet food in the bag of pet food to exit of the bottom of the cavity.
• the portion of the base section 204 that extends from the location of connection of the top section to the base section forms the base flange 240 of the bulk goods carrier.
• the base flange forms the top portion 260 of the bulk goods carrier.
• a majority or all of the base flange is located in the top portion of the bulk goods carrier.
• the base flange is designed to support all or a portion of the bag of pet food B that is not inserted into the cavity.
• the base flange also is used to facilitate in the insertion of all or a portion of the bag of pet food into the cavity.
• the base flange includes handle 250 that is used to facilitate in the movement of the bulk goods carrier.
• the base flange include two side flanges 242, 244 to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• the length of the base flange is generally less than the length of the cavity; however, this is not required.
• the bulk goods carrier includes a retainer arrangement in the form of a wire loop 270.
• the retainer arrangement can have other configurations.
• the retainer arrangement is designed to facilitate in maintaining the bag of pet food in the cavity of the bulk goods carrier and also maintain the bag of pet food on the base flange and/or facilitate in maintaining the position of the bag of pet food relative to the base flange.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the retainer arrangement are non-limiting.
• the retainer arrangement is connected to the top section 202 and is designed to pivot relative to the top section; however, this is not required.
• the retainer arrangement can be connected to the top section in any number of arrangements.
• the retainer arrangement can be moved out of the way of the bag of food when it is loaded into the cavity of the bulk goods carrier. After the bag of food is properly loaded into the cavity, the retainer arrangement can be moved into a position that overlies a portion of the bag of food.
• the retainer arrangement is positioned on the bulk goods carrier such that when the bag of pet food is fully position on the bulk goods carrier, the bag of food B is positioned between the base flange and the retainer arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 8. Once the retainer arrangement has been positioned to overlie a portion of the bag of food, the retainer arrangement can be held in position by a retainer band 280.
• the retainer band is designed to fully encircle a rear portion of the bag of pet food when the bag of pet food is fully inserted in the bulk goods carrier as illustrated in Fig. 8.
• the retainer band causes the retainer arrangement to press against the bag B so as to clamp the top portion of the bag between the retainer arrangement and the base flange.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the retainer band are non-limiting.
• the retainer band is connected to the base flange.
• the two ends 282, 284 of the retainer band can be connected together in a variety of means (e.g., hook and loop fastener, clip, latch, etc.).
• a clip connector 286 is illustrated in Fig. 6 as the means to secure the two ends together.
• the bulk goods carrier includes means for limiting the range of pivot of the bulk goods carrier on the stand.
• One non-limiting means are side flanges 290, 292 on each side of the bulk goods carrier.
• the side flanges engage the top portion 140 of the stand when the bulk goods carrier is pivoted to the load position.
• the engagement of the side flanges with the top portion of the stand prevents the further downward movement of the bulk goods carrier.
• the bulk goods carrier in the load position is such that the plane of the base flange is parallel or non-parallel to a floor surface F upon which the base of the stand rests.
• the bulk goods carrier in the load position is non-parallel to a floor surface F at an angle ⁇ of about 5-60°.
• the cavity and base flange are oriented to make is easier for a user to load a bag of pet food B into the bulk goods carrier.
• a user merely needs to place the end of a bag of pet food on the base flange and then slide the bottom portion of the bag into the cavity of the bulk goods carrier.
• the bottom of the bag is opened prior to the bag being fully inserted into the cavity; however, this is not required.
• the wire loop 270 is positioned over the portion of the bag that extends from the cavity.
• the wire loop is then secured in position by the use of retainer band 280.
• the bulk goods carrier can then be pivoted by the user to the dispensing position.
• the bulk goods carrier is pivoted from the dispensing position to the load position, the retainer band is disconnected from the wire loop, the wire loop is lifted form the bag, and the bag is removed from the bulk goods carrier so that a new bag can be positioned in the bulk goods carrier.
• the side flanges can also be used to secure the bulk goods carrier in the dispensing position. As illustrated in Figs. 1-3 and 7-9, the side flanges can be used to engage a securing arrangement in the form of side paddles 500, 502 that are connected to the stand.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the side paddles are non-limiting. As can be appreciated, other or additional types of retaining arrangements can be used.
• the side paddles are connected to the top portion of the stand; however, this is not required.
• the side paddles can be connected to the stand by any number of means (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, adhesive, friction fit, solder, weld, locking arrangement, clip, etc.). As illustrated in Fig.
• a plurality of bolts 510 are used to secure together the side paddles to the stand.
• the side paddles are generally formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber, polymer material, etc.) that can be moved so that the side paddles can be secured and unsecured to the side flanges; however, this is not required.
• a flexible material e.g., rubber, polymer material, etc.
• the side paddles can include an angled front face 501, 503 that causes the paddles to bend backwards as the flanges of the bulk goods carrier engage the side paddles as the bulk goods carrier is moved to the dispensing position.
• the side paddles can be designed to maintain the bulk goods carrier in the desired dispensing position.
• the side flanges of the bulk goods carrier can be designed to engage the top portion of the stand, thereby creating a pivot limit to the bulk goods carrier; however, this is not required.
• the side flanges of the bulk goods carrier are entrapped between the top portion of the stand and the side paddles when the bulk goods carrier in the dispensing position.
• the side paddles can be grasped by a user and pulled back to allow the side flanges of the bulk goods carrier to pass by the side paddles so that the bulk goods carrier can be moved to the load position.
• the dispenser arrangement 300 is positioned below the bulk goods carrier.
• Figs. 1-3 illustrate the dispenser arrangement in the closed position and
• Figs. 7-9 illustrate the dispenser arrangement in the open position.
• the dispenser arrangement is designed to control the flow of pet food through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier.
• the size, shape, configuration and material of the dispenser arrangement are non-limiting.
• the dispenser arrangement is connected to the base of the bulk goods carrier and is designed to pivot between the open and closed positions.
• the arrangement in which the dispenser arrangement is connected to the base of the bulk goods carrier is non- limiting.
• the open position allows pet food in the bulk goods carrier to flow through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier, through the dispenser arrangement, and into the trough that is positioned below the dispenser arrangement.
• gravity causes the pet food to flow from the bulk goods carrier, into the dispenser arrangement, and then into the trough when the dispenser arrangement is in the open position.
• the closed position of the dispenser arrangement inhibits or prevents the flow of pet food through the one or more openings in the base of the bulk goods carrier.
• the dispenser arrangement is generally biased in the closed position; however, this is not required. Many different arrangements can be used to bias the dispenser arrangement in the closed position. As illustrated in Figs. 1-3, an elastic band 310 is used to bias the dispenser arrangement in the closed position.
• the biasing system is designed to enable a user to move the dispenser arrangement to the open position, and to then cause the dispenser arrangement to move back to the closed position when the user releases the dispenser arrangement; however, this is not required.
• the dispenser arrangement includes a spout 320 having a passageway 322 that is used to facilitate in directing the flow of pet food from the dispenser arrangement to the trough; however, this is not required.
• the shape, size and configuration of the spout are non-limiting.
• the dispenser arrangement includes a base body 330 that includes a top and bottom opening. The top opening is designed to receive pet food as the pet food flows through the one or more openings in the base or bottom of the bulk feed carrier.
• the base body can optionally include a cavity that can retain some quantity of pet food.
• the bottom opening is designed to align with the spout when the spout is moved to the open position, thereby allowing the pet food to flow through the bottom opening, into the spout and through the spout passageway and then out of the spout and into the trough.
• the opening in the spout and the bottom opening of the base body are not aligned, thereby preventing the pet food from flowing through the bottom opening.
• other arrangements can be used to control the flow of pet food through the dispenser arrangement when the spout is moved between the open and closed positions.
• the spout In operation, once the trough is filled with the desired amount of pet food, the spout is moved to the closed position and is held in the closed position by the biasing arrangement.
• the pet food in the trough can then be transferred to a pet food bowl by simply pivoting the trough such that the food in the trough spills into the pet food bowl.
• a bowl, bag, container, etc. can be placed under the spout and the pet food can be dispensed directly into the bowl, bag, container, etc. when the spout is moved to the open position.
• the trough can be used to catch any pet food that is spilled while dispensing the pet food.
• the dispenser arrangement can optionally include a locking arrangement that inhibits or prevents the undesired movement of the spout from the closed position to the open position.
• Many different arrangements can be used for the locking arrangement.
• One non-limiting locking arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 10.
• the locking arrangement includes a flexible tab 340 that is connected to the side of the dispenser arrangement. A portion of the flexible tab is positioned in a locking slot 360 that is formed in a portion of a side rim 350 on the dispenser arrangement.
• the spout is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position.
• the flexible tab is pulled out of the locking slot and the spout is then moved to the open position.
• the elastic band 310 causes the spout to move above to the closed position thereby causing the flexible tab to be repositioned in locking slot 360, thereby causing the spout to be again locked in the closed position.

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• 2014
  • 2014-04-07 MX MX2015014103A patent/MX366361B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-04-07 WO PCT/US2014/033127 patent/WO2014168853A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-04-07 BR BR112015025743-7A patent/BR112015025743B1/pt active IP Right Grant

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