WO2021225531A1

WO2021225531A1 - Pet food dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2021225531A1
Application number: PCT/TH2020/000029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sharlie Ovrahim; Pornchai TATIYACHAITAWEESUK; Patcharee NAVALERSKASAMA; Darin PREAMPRECHA
Original assignee: Thai Union Manufacturing Company Limited
Priority date: 2020-05-08
Filing date: 2020-05-08
Publication date: 2021-11-11

Abstract

The present invention discloses a pet food dispenser (100) comprising an opener unit (300) configured to introduce an opening on a sealed receptacle (210) containing wet pet food therewithin; one or more dispenser units (400, 500) for releasing a predetermined amount of dry pet food and/or seasonings into the receptacle (210) through the opening; and a conveyor unit (600) for transporting the receptacle (210) to sequentially pass through the opener unit (300), the one or more dispenser units (400, 500) and then to an open section (106) where the pet foods can be served.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

PET FOOD DISPENSER

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a food dispenser, and more particularly to a pet food dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A multitude of pet food dispensers or feeders is commercially available. They range from simple manual devices to fully automatic and electrically driven devices that can be programmed and operated remotely. Pet food dispensers are often used by pet owners to assist feeding of their pets, especially when there is a number of pets to feed or when the owner is travelling.

One example of these pet food dispensers is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0099803, which disclosed a system for dispensing pet food comprising a chamber, a transport conveyor, a cutter blade and an extractor. When in use, the chamber dispenses a pet food pouch to the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor then transports the pet food pouch to the cutter blade where the pet food pouch is cut open. The open pet food pouch is then moved to the extractor to activate the extractor to lower onto the transport conveyor and extract the pet food pouch into a food tray. The empty pouch is then disposed into a trash tray by releasing a trapdoor.

Yet another example of the pet food dispensers is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0192620, which disclosed a system, a feeding device and a method that enables a terminal device of a pet owner to directly and/or indirectly communicate with the feeding device. The feeding device can monitor and/or feed a pet. The monitoring of the pet is performed by components of the feeding device that are in communication with a sensor worn by the pet, together with a cloud database that compiles and analyzes health and wellness information and food consumption data sent from the feeding device.

Still another example is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0995223, in which a dispenser apparatus equipped with a non-power consumption water dispenser and a power consumption pet food dispenser is disclosed. The water dispenser siphons water from a storage container to a water feeding bowl. Pet food is dispensed from a storage container by vibration, utilizing weight and time sensing components to control the amount of pet food to be dispensed at a predetermined period.

Further, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018/0303062 disclosed a robotic pet accompaniment system comprising a displacement subsystem controlled to cause displacement of the robotic pet accompaniment system over an underlying surface and a food dispenser controlled to intermittently dispense food on the underlying surface.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/9232769 disclosed an automatic wet pet food dispenser and method. The dispenser includes a cutting surface onto which at least one sealed container of wet pet food is securable and a cutting blade contactable with and movable with respect to the container placed on the cutting surface to cut open the container. When the container is opened, wet pet food falls out with the assistance of a container shaking mechanism.

For a variety of reasons, a pet owner often alternates feeding between dry pet food, wet pet food and a mixture thereof. A mixture of dry and wet pet foods is more preferred by the pet owner to ensure their pets receive adequate nutrition. Sometimes, seasonings are added for enhanced nutrition or health functions. Such mixture is usually prepared closer to feeding time to ensure food freshness, texture and taste and to minimise microbial contamination. However, the existing available pet food dispensers are designed to either deliver dry or wet pet foods only. They are not capable of dispensing dry and/or wet pet foods and optionally with seasonings in a single device.

Therefore, an improved pet food dispenser is desirable. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above problems.

The present invention describes a pet food dispenser comprising an opener unit configured to introduce an opening on a sealed receptacle containing wet pet food therewithin; one or more dispenser units for releasing a predetermined amount of dry pet food and/or seasonings into the receptacle through the opening; and a conveyor unit for transporting the receptacle to sequentially pass through the opener unit, the one or more dispenser units and then to an open section where the pet foods can be served.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pet food dispenser further comprises a waste collecting section where used or empty receptacle is transported from the open section to the waste collecting section by the conveyor unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pet food dispenser further comprises a receptacle cartridge where a plurality of the sealed receptacles is stored therewithin, and the receptacle cartridge is configured to release a sealed receptacle to the conveyor unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, each dispenser unit comprises a storage unit where the dry pet food and/or seasoning are stored therewithin, and an ejection mechanism to dispense the dry pet food and/or seasonings from the storage unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyor unit comprises a circular track; a rotatory wheel positioned above the circular track; a slot defined by a space between a first through hole on the rotary wheel and the circular track, the slot is sized to receive the sealed receptacle; and a second through hole sized to at least allow a removed portion from the opening of the receptacle to drop therethrough into the waste collecting section, wherein a rotation of the rotatory wheel about an axis pushes the receptacle to slide along the circular track. In one embodiment of the invention, the circular track includes a gap section to allow the used or empty receptacle to fall into the waste collecting section beneath.

In one embodiment of the invention, the food dispenser further comprises a user interface for receiving instructions from a user; and a control unit for executing the received instructions and managing the operations of the opener unit, the one or more dispenser units and the conveyor unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the user interface includes a display with one or more speakers for providing an audio and/or visual signal or message; a camera for image capturing; and a communication module for establishing a communication link between the user interface device and a user device.

The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the details may be effected by those skilled in the arts but without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pet food dispenser.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary receptacle cartridge of the pet food dispenser. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary opener unit of the pet food dispenser.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary opener unit of the pet food dispenser.

FIG. 5 shows one or more exemplary dispenser units of the pet food dispenser.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary conveyor unit of the pet food dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the drawings is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates generally to a food dispenser, and more particularly to a pet food dispenser capable of delivering a variety of pet foods offerings including wet pet food only, wet pet food with seasonings, a combination of wet and dry pet foods and a combination of wet and dry pet foods with seasonings.

The term herein “wet pet food” generally refers to pet foods having a moisture content of greater than 60% which is commercially sold in cans, pouches and plastic trays.

The term herein “dry pet food” generally refers to pet foods having a moisture content of below 20% which is also referred to as ‘kibble’ and is commercially sold in bags and paper cartons.

The term “seasonings” generally refers to any dry ingredients or combinations of dry ingredients intended to deliver a single or a plurality of functions including but not limiting to flavor, vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics and other general health functions.

The invention will now be described in greater details, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the automated pet food dispenser 100 as illustrated therein comprises internal and external components separated by a casing 105.

The internal components comprise a receptacle cartridge 200, an opener unit 300, one or more dispenser units 400, 500, a conveyor unit 600 and a waste collecting section 170.

Preferably, the receptacle cartridge 200 is configured to hold a plurality of sealed receptacles 210 and to release at least one receptacle 210 to the conveyor unit 600. For the purpose of illustration, the receptacles 210 herein are containers with wet pet food contained therewithin. Each receptacle 210 can be in the form of a can or a food tray with lid. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the receptacles 210 can also be in the form a flexible bag or any flexible or non-flexible vessels so long the wet pet food can be contained and sealed therewithin. As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacles 210 are stacked and stored within a space in the receptacle cartridge 200. At the bottom of the stack, a releasing mechanism 220 is provided to guide or release a receptacle 210 onto the conveyor unit 600. For example, the receptacle 210 can be released on the surface of the conveyor unit 600, with at least one slot 115 provided on the conveyor unit 600 for accommodating the receptacle 210 to be transported out from the receptacle cartridge 200.

The opener unit 300 is configured to introduce an opening on the released receptacle 210. An exemplary opener unit 300 is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the opening is introduced by removing a portion of the receptacle 210, such as a lid 316 of the receptacle 210. The opener unit 300 comprises a cutting blade 320 attached to an electrically driven body 310 through a linkage. The cutting blade 320 is retractable and extendable to reach the lid 316 and cause the lid 316 to rupture completely via its extension movement. Preferably, the opener unit 300 is provided with a piston 330 having one free end extending from the electrically driven body 310, through the linkage, to the surface of the cutting blade 320 and being contactable with the lid 316. The free end of the piston 330 can be attached with or made of a magnetic material to cause the lid 316 to adhere to the free end. In the event that the lid 316 is not made of a ferromagnetic material, e.g. metal, the lid 316 may be further attached with a magnetic strip 340. The adhered lid 316 can be removed from the piston 330, preferably by extending the lid 316 downwardly in a rapid motion followed by imposing a sudden stop to force the lid 316 to detach from the free end of the piston 330. Alternatively, the same purpose can be achieved by retracting the free end of the piston 330 to a level where its magnetic strength can no longer hold the weight of the lid 316.

Another exemplary opener unit 300 is depicted in FIG. 4. In this example, the opener unit 300 comprises a body 350 with a hook 360 engageable to a pull-tab of the lid 316. When the hook 360 is engaged with the pull-tab of the lid 316, a lifting movement of the hook 360 causes removal of the lid 316 from the receptacle 210. The lid 316 may be removed from the hook 360 by introducing a rapid swing motion or any other removal methods as described in FIG. 3.

Although the opener unit 300 described above is suitable for the receptacle 210 in the form of a container, a can, a food tray or the like with lid, it should be understood that the configuration of the opener unit 300 may be suitably modified for introducing the opening on the receptacle 210 in other forms, such as a bag, a pouch or the like.

The dispenser units 400, 500 is configured to release a predetermined amount of dry pet food and/or seasonings into the receptacle 210 through the opening introduced by the opener unit 300. Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary dispenser units 400, 500 is illustrated. Each dispenser unit 400, 500 includes a storage unit where the dry pet food or the seasonings are stored there within and an ejection mechanism 410, 510 coupled to an outlet of the storage unit for dispensing the dry pet food or the seasonings. The ejection mechanism 410, 510 can be an electrically driven valve that controls release of a pre-set quantity of the dry pet food or the seasonings.

The conveyor unit 600 is configured to receive the receptacle 210 from the receptacle cartridge 200 and to transport the received receptacle 210 to sequentially pass through the opener unit 300, the one or more dispenser units 400, 500 and an open section 106 of the dispenser 100 where the pet foods can be served and then to the waste collecting section 170. As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, the receptacle cartridge 200, the opener unit 300 and the dispenser units 400, 500 are positioned above the conveyor unit 600, while the waste collecting section 170 is located beneath the conveyor unit 600. The conveyor unit 600 comprises a circular track 610 and a rotary wheel 615 positioned above the circular track 610. The rotatory wheel 615 is provided with one or more through holes and preferably with two through holes 115, 116. A space between a first through hole 115 and the circular track 610 defines a slot sized for receiving the receptacle 210, whereby a rotation of the rotatory wheel 615 about a centre axis pushes the receptacle 210 to slide along the circular track 610. A second through hole 116 is sized to at least allow the removed lid 316 to drop therethrough into the waste collecting section 170. The circular track 610 is further provided with a gap section so that when the receptacle 210 reaches the gap section, the receptacle 210 will fall into the waste collecting section 170.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the waste collecting section 170 is preferably located beneath the conveyor unit 600 and in the form of an open-top chamber with a drawer. The drawer is slidable between a close position and an open position. Waste such as the used receptacle 210 and the removed lid 316 is collected in the waste collecting section 170. The collected waste can be removed or disposed of when the drawer is opened. In certain embodiment, the drawer can be entirely removed for periodic cleaning with detergents and disinfectants. In certain embodiment, a bag 620 can be fitted on the drawer so that the waste can be collected in the bag 620, like a trash bin.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pet food dispenser 100 further comprises a control unit to automate and manage the operations of the pet food dispenser 100. The control unit may include a processer connected to the receptacle cartridge 200, the opener unit 300, the dispenser units 400, 500 and the conveyor unit 600, so that execution of their respective operations can be instructed by the processer. Specifically, the control unit is configured to manage the receptacle release operation of receptacle cartridge 200, the lid removal operation and lid disposal operation of the opener unit 300, the dry pet food and seasonings dispensing operations of the dispenser units 400, 500, and the movements and timing of the conveyor unit 600. The control unit may further comprise a memory storage where user instructions can be pre-stored therein. Alternatively, the control unit can be wiredly or wirelessly linked to a user interface device 180 for managing the operations of the user interface and receiving the user instructions from a user.

As shown in FIG. 1, the external components include the open section 106 for providing the pet with an access to the dispensed pet foods; a non-powered water dispensing unit 150 for dispensing water upon suction of a tube by the pet; and the user interface device 180. Preferably, the user interface device 180 includes a display with one or more speakers for providing an audio and/or visual signal or message, a camera 190 for capturing images and a communication module for establishing a communication link between the user interface device 180 and a mobile device or a computing device. The communication link may be established via a communication network such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Infrared or the like, so that the user can access to the operations of the pet food dispenser 100 through the mobile device or the computing device. The display can also be a touch screen display for the user to have a direct access to the operations of the pet food dispenser 100 via the user interface device 180.

When in use, the conveyor unit 600 firstly rotates the rotatory wheel 615 to align the position of the slot 115 to the receptacle cartridge 200 so that the receptacle 210 can be received within the slot 115. Next, the slot 115 with the receptacle 210 is moved to the position of the opener unit 300 for the lid removal operation. Thereafter, the slot with the opened receptacle 210 is rotated to the position of a first dispenser unit 400 where the dry pet food is dispensed to the receptacle 210 through the opening. The receptacle 210 is then transported to a second dispenser unit 500 for receiving the seasonings. In certain positions after removal of the lid 316, for example, while the position of the slot 115 is aligned to the position of the first dispenser unit 400, the position of the through hole 116 is aligned to the position of the opener unit 300 so that the removed lid 316 can be ejected via the through hole 116 into the waste collecting unit 170 beneath. The precise alignment of the slot 115 and through hole 116 can be achieved by a number of ways such as the use of sensors which are strategically placed inside the pet food dispenser 100.

It should be noted that the sequence of the dispenser units 400, 500 is interchangeable and depending on system settings or user instructions. Further, the pet dispenser units 400, 500 can be controlled so that the pet food dispenser 100 can dispense wet pet food only, wet pet food with seasonings, wet and dry pet food and wet and dry pet foods with seasonings.

The pet foods are ready to serve when the receptacle 210 is transported to the open section 106. An audio and/or visual signal or message may be played to draw the attention of the pet to the pet food dispenser 100. In certain embodiment, the transport of the receptacle 210 to the open section 106 can be delayed to allow longer soaking time of the dry pet food in the wet pet food. This is particularly common for pets that either cannot eat hard dry pet food for health reasons or simply do not like the hard texture of dry pet food. After the pet food is consumed by the pet, the conveyor unit 600 rotates the used receptacle 210 to the gap section of the circular track 610 which causes the receptacle 210 to drop into the waste collecting section 170.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that the same is by the way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pet food dispenser (100) comprising: an opener unit (300) configured to introduce an opening on a sealed receptacle (210) containing wet pet food therewithin; one or more dispenser units (400, 500) for releasing a predetermined amount of dry pet food and/or seasonings into the receptacle (210) through the opening; and a conveyor unit (600) for transporting the receptacle (210) to sequentially pass through the opener unit (300), the one or more dispenser units (400, 500) and then to an open section (106) where the pet foods can be served.

2. The food dispenser (100) according to claim 1 further comprising a waste collecting section (170) where used or empty receptacle (210) is transported from the open section (106) by the conveyor unit (600).

3. The food dispenser (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle cartridge (200) where a plurality of the sealed receptacles (210) are stored therewithin, and the receptacle cartridge (200) is configured to release a sealed receptacle (210) to the conveyor unit (600).

4. The food dispenser (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each dispenser unit (400, 500) comprises a storage unit where the dry pet food and/or seasonings are stored therewithin.

5. The food dispenser (100) according to claim 4, wherein each dispenser unit further comprises an ejection mechanism (410, 510) for dispensing the dry pet food and/or seasonings from the storage unit.

6. The food dispenser (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveyor unit (600) comprises a circular track (610); a rotatory wheel (615) positioned above the circular track (610); a slot defined by a space between a first through hole (115) on the rotatory wheel

(615) and the circular track (610), and sized to receive the sealed receptacle (210); and a second through hole (116) sized to at least allow a removed portion from the opening of the receptacle (210) to drop therethrough into the waste collecting section (170), wherein a rotation of the rotatory wheel (615) about an axis pushes the receptacle (210) to slide along the track (610).

7. The food dispenser (100) according to claim 6, wherein the circular track (610) includes a gap section to allow the used or empty receptacle (210) to fall into the waste collecting section (170) beneath.

8. The food dispenser (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a user interface (180) for receiving instructions from a user; and a control unit for executing the received instructions and managing the operations of the opener unit (300), the one or more dispenser units (400, 500) and the conveyor unit (600).

9. The food dispenser (100) according to claim 8, wherein the user interface (180) includes a display with one or more speakers for providing an audio and/or visual signal or message; a camera (190) for image capturing; and a communication module for establishing a communication link between the user interface device (180) and a user device.