U.S. patent application number 12/348176 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for pet feeding system and method for collecting spilled food and water.
This patent application is currently assigned to TowerStar Pets, LLC. Invention is credited to Fernando Becattini, JR., Fernando Becattini, SR., Steve Arthur Copeland, Jay Richard Sobel.
Application Number | 20090241844 12/348176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41115205 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090241844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Becattini, JR.; Fernando ;
et al. |
October 1, 2009 |
PET FEEDING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING SPILLED FOOD AND
WATER
Abstract
A pet feeding system for separating spilled food from spilled
water comprises a housing which defines a contained feeding area
adapted to hold a food bowl, a water bowl, or both. The system is
capable of filtering spilled food from spilled water. A sloped
surface extends downward from a bowl region toward a perforated
collection region. A low portion of at least one wall has a segment
which is contoured inwardly toward feeding bowls, thus allowing a
pet to be closer to the bowls while feeding. A method for
collecting spilled food and spilled water from a pet feeding system
comprises separating the pet feeding system into a first reservoir
and a second reservoir, which are detachably coupled to each other;
collecting the spilled food from the first reservoir; and
collecting the spilled water from the second reservoir.
Inventors: |
Becattini, JR.; Fernando;
(Malvern, PA) ; Becattini, SR.; Fernando; (Devon,
PA) ; Copeland; Steve Arthur; (Barrie, CA) ;
Sobel; Jay Richard; (Toronto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P.O. BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482
US
|
Assignee: |
TowerStar Pets, LLC
Malvern
PA
|
Family ID: |
41115205 |
Appl. No.: |
12/348176 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12060641 |
Apr 1, 2008 |
|
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12348176 |
|
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61102550 |
Oct 3, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/51.5 ;
119/61.5; 119/61.57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 7/005 20130101;
A01K 5/0135 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/51.5 ;
119/61.5; 119/61.57 |
International
Class: |
A01K 1/10 20060101
A01K001/10 |
Claims
1. A pet feeding system comprising: a housing defining a contained
feeding area adapted to hold at least one bowl for containing food,
water, or both food and water, said housing comprising means for
filtering spilled food from spilled water.
2. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a base and the means for filtering comprise a plurality of
holes in the base.
3. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a base and the means for filtering comprise a single hole in
the base.
4. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the means
for filtering are integral with the housing.
5. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the means
for filtering are removable from the housing.
6. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a base with a surface, the surface having a bowl region and a
collection region; and the means for filtering comprise at least
one hole located only in the collection region.
7. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a base with a surface and the means for filtering extend
throughout substantially the entire base of the housing.
8. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a base with a surface and the means for filtering are
perpendicular or angled toward the surface.
9. The pet feeding system according to claim 8, wherein the means
for filtering comprise a perforated rib.
10. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a base with a sloped surface, the sloped surface having
a bowl region and sloping downward from the bowl region to the
means for filtering spilled food from spilled water.
11. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises a monolithic unit.
12. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises a plurality of units.
13. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises a first reservoir and a second reservoir.
14. The pet feeding system according to claim 13, wherein the first
reservoir and the second reservoir are detachably coupled to each
other.
15. The pet feeding system according to claim 13, wherein the first
reservoir is disposed on or above the second reservoir.
16. The pet feeding system according to claim 15, wherein the first
reservoir defines the contained feeding area, the contained feeding
area having a bowl region.
17. The pet feeding system according to claim 16, wherein the first
reservoir comprises the means for filtering spilled food from
spilled water.
18. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the first
reservoir has a first reservoir base and the means for filtering
spilled food from spilled water comprise a plurality of holes in
the first reservoir base, wherein the holes are sufficiently small
such that the spilled food remains in the first reservoir but the
spilled water passes through the plurality of holes to the second
reservoir, thereby allowing for separation of spilled food from
spilled water.
19. The pet feeding system according to claim 18, wherein the
plurality of holes are oval-shaped.
20. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the means
for filtering spilled food from spilled water further comprise a
trough.
21. The pet feeding system according to claim 20, wherein the
trough is removable from the housing.
22. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the first
reservoir comprises a first reservoir base and at least one wall
extending upwardly from the first reservoir base to define the
contained feeding area.
23. The pet feeding system according to claim 22, wherein the at
least one wall has a front section and a remaining section, the
front section comprising a low portion and at least one high
portion, and the remaining section comprising a high portion.
24. The pet feeding system according to claim 23, wherein a segment
of the low portion is contoured inwardly toward the bowl
region.
25. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the
second reservoir comprises a second reservoir base.
26. The pet feeding system according to claim 25, wherein the
second reservoir comprises at least one wall extending upwardly
from the second reservoir base.
27. The pet feeding system according to claim 26, wherein the
second reservoir comprises a drawer, wherein the drawer is
slideably movable relative to the first reservoir.
28. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the
second reservoir is disposed substantially entirely underneath the
means for filtering spilled food from spilled water.
29. The pet feeding system according to claim 17, wherein the bowl
region defines at least one opening adapted to receive the at least
one bowl for containing food, water, or both food and water.
30. The pet feeding system according to claim 29, wherein the at
least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening,
wherein the first opening is adapted to receive a food bowl and the
second opening is adapted to receive a water bowl.
31. The pet feeding system according to claim 30, wherein the first
reservoir has a first reservoir base with a surface and each of the
first and second openings has a periphery, wherein a peripheral
wall extends upwardly from the surface.
32. The pet feeding system according to claim 31, wherein the
height of each peripheral wall as measured from the surface varies
around its circumference to allow for a bowl to rest substantially
parallel to the surface on which the pet feeding system rests.
33. A pet feeding system comprising: a housing defining a contained
feeding area, said housing comprising means for filtering spilled
food from spilled water, wherein the housing defines at least one
opening in the contained feeding area, and at least one bowl is
disposed in the at least one opening.
34. The pet feeding system according to claim 33, wherein the
housing comprises a first reservoir and a second reservoir; the
first reservoir defines the contained feeding area and has a first
reservoir base; and the first reservoir further comprises a support
portion extending downward from the first reservoir base.
35. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the pet
feeding system rests on a floor and has a height above the floor of
about 50% to about 80% of the shoulder height or withers of the
pets for which the system is adapted for use.
36. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a base with a surface and the system further comprises
a removable liner on the surface.
37. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the pet
feeding system rests on a floor, the housing has a base, and the
system further comprises post legs coupled to the bottom of the
base, wherein the post legs hold the system above the floor so that
the base does not come into contact with the floor.
38. The pet feeding system according to claim 1 further comprising
a lid coupled to the top of the housing for closing the system and
for inhibiting access to the contained feeding area.
39. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the pet
feeding system rests on a floor, the housing has a base, and the
system further comprises removable legs coupled to the bottom of
the base for increasing the height of the contained feeding area as
measured from the floor.
40. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a base and the system further comprises non-skid
protective pads coupled to the bottom of the base.
41. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has a collar.
42. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing has handles.
43. The pet feeding system according to claim 33, wherein the at
least one bowl comprises a first bowl for containing food and a
second bowl for containing water.
44. The pet feeding system according to claim 43 further comprising
a food container disposed on or above the first bowl and a water
container disposed on or above the second bowl, wherein food is
gravity-fed from the food container into the first bowl and water
is gravity-fed from the water container into the second bowl.
45. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises: a base; and at least one wall having a front
section and a remaining section and extending upwardly from the
base; wherein the front section comprises a low portion and at
least one high portion and the remaining section comprises a high
portion.
46. The pet feeding system according to claim 45, wherein the means
for filtering comprise a filtering tray disposed above the base and
abutting the at least one wall, wherein: (1) the filtering tray is
adapted to have at least one bowl resting on or abutting the
filtering tray; (2) the filtering tray defines interstitial spaces;
and (3) the interstitial spaces are sufficiently small such that
the spilled food remains on top of the filtering tray but the
spilled water passes through the interstitial spaces onto the base,
thereby allowing for separation of spilled food from spilled
water.
47. The pet feeding system according to claim 46, wherein the
filtering tray is removable.
48. The pet feeding system according to claim 45, wherein (1) the
at least one wall further comprises an inner wall, an outer wall,
and an upper portion; and (2) the inner wall, the outer wall, and
the upper portion define a hollow space.
49. The pet feeding system according to claim 45, wherein the base
and the at least one wall comprise a single monolithic unit,
wherein the base defines at least one mold adapted to receive at
least one removable bowl for containing food or water.
50. The pet feeding system according to claim 49, wherein the at
least one mold is disposed at a location relative to the front
section such that an area of the base is exposed between the at
least one mold and the front section, wherein said area of the base
is sufficiently large to contain spilled food or water.
51. A pet feeding system comprising: a housing defining a contained
feeding area having a bowl region and a perforated collection
region for filtering spilled food from spilled water, wherein the
bowl region is adapted to hold at least one bowl for containing
food, water, or both food and water.
52. The pet feeding system according to claim 51, wherein the
perforated collection region comprises a trough.
53. The pet feeding system according to claim 52, wherein the
trough is concave and curves downwardly.
54. The pet feeding system according to claim 53, wherein the
perforated collection region comprises a single hole or a plurality
of holes.
55. The pet feeding system according to claim 51, wherein the
housing further comprises a sloped surface extending downward from
the bowl region toward the perforated collection region.
56. The pet feeding system according to claim 55, wherein the
housing comprises a first reservoir and a second reservoir, wherein
the first reservoir is disposed on or above the second
reservoir.
57. The pet feeding system according to claim 56, wherein the first
reservoir comprises the contained feeding area having the bowl
region and the perforated collection region and the sloped surface
extending downward from the bowl region toward the perforated
collection region.
58. A method for containing spilled food and spilled water from a
pet feeding system comprising the steps of: separating the pet
feeding system into a first reservoir and a second reservoir,
wherein the first reservoir comprises a bowl region adapted to hold
at least one bowl for containing food, water, or both food and
water; removing the spilled food from the first reservoir; and
removing the spilled water from the second reservoir.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the separating step comprises
lifting the first reservoir off of the second reservoir.
60. The method of claim 58, wherein the separating step comprises
detaching the first reservoir from the second reservoir.
61. The method of claim 58, wherein the separating step comprises
removing the second reservoir from underneath the first
reservoir.
62. The method of claim 58, wherein the separating step comprises
sliding the second reservoir out from underneath the first
reservoir.
63. The method of claim 58, wherein the first reservoir comprises
at least one bowl for containing food, water, or both food and
water, and the method further comprises the step of setting the
first reservoir on a surface, wherein the at least one bowl remains
substantially parallel to the surface.
64. The method of claim 58 further comprising the steps of holding
the spilled food and spilled water for safe disposal, re-use, or
both.
65. A pet feeding system comprising: a base; at least one wall
having a front section and a remaining section and extending
upwardly from the base to define a contained feeding area; and at
least one bowl for containing food and water disposed on, above, or
extending through openings in the base, wherein the front section
comprises a low portion and at least one high portion and the
remaining section comprises a high portion, wherein the top of the
low portion is above the top edge of the bowl.
66. The pet feeding system according to claim 65 further comprising
leg extensions.
67. The pet feeding system according to claim 65, wherein a segment
of the low portion is contoured inwardly toward the contained
feeding area.
68. A pet feeding system according to claim 65, wherein the height
of the high portion as measured from the base is sufficient to
contain substantially all of the spills and splashes in use.
69. A pet feeding system according to claim 65, wherein the pet
feeding system rests on a floor and the at least one high portion
has a height above the floor of about 50% to about 80% of the
shoulder height or withers of the pets for which the system is
adapted for use.
70. A pet feeding system according to claim 65, wherein the top of
the low portion is at least about one-quarter inch above the top
edge of the bowl.
71. A pet feeding system according to claim 65, wherein the base
defines a bowl region and a collection region, wherein said
collection region is closer to the front section than the bowl
region, and said base has a sloped surface extending downward from
the bowl region toward the collection region such that the
collection region is lower than the top edge of the bowl.
72. A pet feeding system comprising: a first reservoir and a second
reservoir, wherein the first reservoir comprises a bowl region
adapted to hold at least one bowl for containing food, water, or
both food and water, wherein the first reservoir is adapted to
contain spilled food and the second reservoir is adapted to contain
spilled water.
73. A pet feeding system comprising: a housing defining a contained
feeding area having a bowl region adapted to hold at least one bowl
for containing food, water, or both food and water and a collection
region, the housing having a base with a sloped surface for
directing water from the bowl region to the collection region,
wherein the collection region is adapted to contain a quantity of
water.
74. The pet feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing comprises a base and at least one wall extending upwardly
from the base, and the means for filtering comprise a filtering
tray disposed above the base and abutting the at least one wall,
wherein: (1) the filtering tray is adapted to have at least one
bowl resting on or abutting the filtering tray; (2) the filtering
tray defines interstitial spaces; and (3) the interstitial spaces
are sufficiently small such that the spilled food remains on top of
the filtering tray but the spilled water passes through the
interstitial spaces onto the base, thereby allowing for separation
of spilled food from spilled water.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/060,641, filed Apr. 1, 2008,
and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/102,550, filed Oct. 3, 2008. The contents of each of these
applications are incorporated by reference herein, in their
entirety and for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to pet feeding systems and
particularly to the containment of pet food and water within such
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pet owners, particularly dog and cat owners, have the
difficult task of maintaining a suitable place in their home where
pets can access food and water. Owners must frequently fill, empty,
and re-fill food and water bowls, as well as maintain a clean
feeding area. For many reasons, these responsibilities can be
time-consuming and inconvenient.
[0004] One common problem is that food and water spills often
create messes in the area surrounding feeding bowls. It is not
uncommon for pets to knock food and water out of their bowls onto
the surrounding floor and walls, or to spill and splash food and
water onto the floor and surrounding area while feeding. Pet owners
also create spills around pet feeding areas by accidentally bumping
the food or water bowls or by spilling food and water while setting
bowls on the floor. These spills, particularly water spills, can
damage floors, walls, and furniture. In addition, spilled matter
can adhere to a pet's paws or feet and be tracked around the house,
thereby widening the area that a pet owner needs to clean.
[0005] Another common problem for pet owners is that spilled water
often saturates spilled food, thus creating a soggy, unsanitary
mess. Upon drying, saturated pet food often hardens and adheres to
surfaces, making it more difficult to clean. The saturation of pet
food also prevents the owner from being able to collect the spilled
food for re-use, which creates an added financial cost.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide pet feeding systems
which keep spills contained, reduce property damage, prevent
spilled Water from saturating spilled food, and allow pet owners to
clean the feeding system in a few convenient steps. Among other
benefits, such feeding systems would save pet owners a substantial
amount of the time and cost that is normally required for routine
cleaning and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a pet feeding system for
filtering spilled food from spilled water. The pet feeding system
comprises a housing which defines a contained feeding area adapted
to hold a food bowl and/or a water bowl. The housing comprises
means for filtering spilled food from spilled water. For example,
in an embodiment, the pet feeding system has a sloped surface
extending downward from a bowl region toward a perforated
collection region.
[0008] The present invention also provides a pet feeding system
which includes a base, at least one wall having a front section and
a remaining section, and at least one bowl disposed on or above the
base. The wall extends upwardly from the base to define a contained
feeding area. The front section has a low portion and at least one
high portion and the remaining section has a high portion. The top
of the low portion is above the top edge of the bowl(s).
[0009] The present invention also provides a pet feeding system
which includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The first
reservoir has a bowl region adapted to hold at least one bowl for
containing food, water, or both food and water. The first reservoir
is adapted to contain spilled food and the second reservoir is
adapted to contain spilled water.
[0010] The present invention also provides a method for collecting
and containing spilled food and spilled water from a pet feeding
system. The method includes separating the pet feeding system into
a first reservoir and a second reservoir, which are detachably
coupled to each other. The first reservoir comprises a bowl region
adapted to hold at least one bowl for containing food and/or water.
In a preferred embodiment, the first reservoir is adapted to
contain spilled food and the second reservoir is adapted to contain
spilled water. Spilled food is removed from the first reservoir and
spilled water is removed from the second reservoir.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
second reservoir is disposed underneath the first reservoir. The
first reservoir has a filtering trough located adjacent the bowl
region. The filtering trough has holes which are sufficiently small
to permit spilled water to pass through the holes into the second
reservoir, while retaining spilled food in the first reservoir.
Thus, spilled food is separated from spilled water.
[0012] The present invention also provides a housing which defines
a contained feeding area having a collection region and a bowl
region. The bowl region is adapted to hold at least one bowl for
containing food, water, or both food and water. The housing has a
base with a sloped surface for directing water from the bowl region
to the collection region. The collection region is adapted to
contain a quantity of water.
[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary,
but not restrictive, of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various
features of the drawings are not to scale. Included in the drawings
are the following figures:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the left side of
FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the right side of
FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention without leg extensions;
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 9;
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 9;
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the left side of
FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the right side of
FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a top exploded view of the embodiment of
the present invention shown in FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom exploded view of the embodiment
of the present invention shown in FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention in which the means for filtering extend
throughout substantially the entire base of the first
reservoir;
[0031] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention in which the base of the first reservoir
comprises a plurality of sloped surfaces and the means for
filtering comprise a perforated rib;
[0032] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention in which the means for filtering extend
throughout substantially the entire base of the first reservoir and
the second reservoir comprises a drawer that is slideably movable
relative to the first reservoir;
[0033] FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention in which the means for filtering comprise a
removable trough;
[0034] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention in which the second reservoir comprises a
drawer that is slideably movable relative to the first reservoir
and is disposed underneath the means for filtering;
[0035] FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
post leg used to enhance the pest deterrent characteristics of the
present invention;
[0036] FIGS. 22a, 22b, and 22c illustrate three front views of
three embodiments of the present invention, each having post legs
as shown in FIG. 21;
[0037] FIG. 23 illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the
present invention having a liner;
[0038] FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of the housing of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 25 illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of the
housing of the present invention shown in FIG. 24;
[0040] FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-sectional view, along the line
26-26, of the embodiment of the housing of the present invention
shown in FIG. 24;
[0041] FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the housing of the present invention having the shape of a modified
oval;
[0042] FIG. 28 illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of the
housing of the present invention shown in FIG. 27 having the shape
of a modified oval;
[0043] FIG. 29 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention having a filtering tray;
[0044] FIG. 30 illustrates a rotated perspective view of the
present invention shown in FIG. 29 having a filtering tray;
[0045] FIG. 31 illustrates a top plan view of the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 29 having a filtering tray;
[0046] FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view, along the line
32-32, of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 29
having a filtering tray;
[0047] FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the
present invention having a filtering tray and a liner;
[0048] FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of the present invention having a filtering tray and a liner;
[0049] FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the filtering tray;
[0050] FIG. 36 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the
embodiment of the filtering tray shown in FIG. 35;
[0051] FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention having a double wall;
[0052] FIG. 38 illustrates a cross-sectional view, along the line
38-38, of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 37
having a double wall;
[0053] FIG. 39 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a monolithic
embodiment of the housing of the present invention having a double
wall and a base defining at least one mold;
[0054] FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the filtering tray having openings to fit around molds, such as the
mold shown in FIG. 39;
[0055] FIG. 41 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a monolithic
embodiment of the present invention having a base defining at least
one mold and a filtering tray;
[0056] FIG. 42 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the
housing of the present invention having a lid;
[0057] FIG. 43 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention having a gravity-fed food container and a
gravity-fed water container;
[0058] FIG. 44 illustrates a perspective view of several
embodiments of the housing of the present invention having a rolled
edge stacked on top of each other;
[0059] FIG. 45 illustrates a perspective view of several
embodiments of the housing of the present invention having a double
wall stacked on top of each other;
[0060] FIG. 46 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of the present invention having protruding mounts as means to
elevate feeding bowls;
[0061] FIG. 47 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention having a modified oval shape, a double wall,
and a raised interior base surface as means to elevate feeding
bowls;
[0062] FIG. 48 illustrates a cross-sectional view, along the line
48-48, of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
47;
[0063] FIG. 49 illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the
present invention in which the means for filtering comprise a
single hole; and
[0064] FIG. 50 illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the
invention with a collection region.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0065] The present invention is directed to a pet feeding system
which contains and safely holds spilled food and spilled water for
later re-use or disposal. Embodiments of the pet feeding system
filter spilled food from spilled water. While the pet feeding
system has principally been illustrated in the figures as having
one bowl for containing food and one bowl for containing water, the
invention contemplates a pet feeding system having no bowl, as well
as a system that has one bowl, or two or more bowls. As used
throughout, the term "bowl" includes any container which is adapted
to contain either food or water, or both food and water, in the
latter case preferably having a divider to separate the food and
water, and the bowl may be removable from the housing or integral
with the housing. The pet feeding system is intended to be used by
one or multiple pets (i.e., either sequentially or concurrently).
Any suitable material(s) may be used for the features of the
present invention. Preferably, the features of the pet feeding
system are made of material that is impervious to liquids, most
preferably plastic material, or alternatively wood, ceramic, or
metal (e.g., stainless steel). The system is intended for use by
dogs and cats, and could be configured in a variety of sizes, as
needed.
[0066] In reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of an embodiment of the invention. A pet feeding system 10
according to FIG. 1 comprises a housing 8 which defines a contained
feeding area 21 adapted to hold at least one bowl. In a preferred
embodiment, the housing 8 has a base 60 which includes a surface
26, and the contained feeding area 21 has a bowl region 22. The
bowl region 22 is adapted to hold one bowl or a plurality of bowls
for containing food, water, or both. As used herein, a "contained
feeding area" refers to any area defined by the housing that is
adapted to hold at least one bowl. As described in more detail
below with regard to the housing, a contained feeding area
according to the present invention is not necessarily defined by
any walls. However, in alternative embodiments, the contained
feeding area may be defined by multiple walls, only one wall, a
"ridge" of negligible height, or any number of multiple walls
and/or ridges of varying heights. The contained feeding area is not
intended for a pet to stand or walk around in.
[0067] The housing 8 of the pet feeding system 10 comprises means
for filtering 18 spilled food from spilled water, as shown in FIG.
2. The means for filtering 18 may comprise any one of the means for
filtering described herein, or any combination thereof. The means
for filtering comprise a single hole or multiple holes which are of
any size that is sufficiently small to prevent a significant amount
of spilled food from passing though the hole(s), while allowing a
significant amount of water to pass through the hole(s). Other
exemplary means for filtering include other systems for separating
spilled food from spilled water, such as the use of an aspirator to
draw spilled water from an area of the first reservoir 2 where only
spilled water is directed. It should be noted that, according to
the present invention, pieces of food that are smaller than a
filtering hole may pass through the hole(s), and small amounts of
water may not pass through the hole(s). For example, due to surface
tension, drops of water may cling to the base or to the edge of a
filtering hole.
[0068] The means for filtering can include a wide variety of
different devices for doing so. As shown in FIG. 2, such means may
include, for example, a plurality of oval-shaped holes 38 defined
by a portion of the base 60 that is adjacent to the feeding bowls
14, 15. As used herein, a "hole" refers to any type of opening
having any size or shape, including, for example, a slot,
perforation, interstitial space, or slit. Means for filtering can
alternatively include a single hole or a plurality of holes; can be
any shape, including, for example, a circle, oval, square, or
rectangle; can be defined by a portion of a surface 26 (as shown,
for example, in FIG. 2), or can be defined by an entire surface (as
shown, for example, in FIG. 16); can be parallel, perpendicular, or
angled toward a surface; and can be removable (as shown, for
example, in FIG. 19) from the feeding system or non-removable.
Examples of alternative embodiments of means for filtering spilled
food from spilled water include a trough, grid, mesh, tray, or rib
having a single hole (as in a drain) or multiple holes. Preferably,
the holes are oval and are disposed to have their longer axis
extending parallel along the longer length of a collection region,
as shown in FIG. 2, as holes having this configuration may be
cleaned more easily.
[0069] Embodiments of the present invention may comprise means for
filtering which are integral with the housing (as shown in FIG. 2),
means for filtering which are removable from the housing (as shown
in FIG. 19), or both. Means for filtering which are removable from
the housing are contemplated as being detachably coupled to the
housing. As shown in FIG. 2, the means for filtering 18 are
preferably defined by a portion of the base 60 that is adjacent to
the bowl region 22 within the contained feeding area 21. In an
alternative embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIG. 16, the
means for filtering 18 may extend throughout substantially the
entire base 60 of the housing 8. As illustrated in FIG. 17,
embodiments of the present invention may also comprise means for
filtering 18 which are perpendicular or angled toward the surface
26 of the bowl region 22 or toward a portion of the surface 26
adjacent to the bowl region 22. For example, the means for
filtering 18 may comprise a perforated rib 90, as shown in FIG. 17.
As illustrated in FIG. 19, other embodiments may include a
perforated rib 90 and/or a perforated collection region 24 that is
removable from the housing.
[0070] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the means for
filtering 18 comprise a perforated collection region 24. As used
herein, the "perforated collection region" refers to any region of
the feeding system 10 that comprises a single hole or a plurality
of holes for filtering spilled food from spilled water. The housing
8 of the feeding system 10 defines the contained feeding area 21
having the bowl region 22 and the perforated collection region 24.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 8 has a sloped
surface 26 which extends downward from the bowl region 22 toward
the perforated collection region 24. A primary objective of the
sloped surface 26 is to direct the flow of spilled water to the
perforated collection region 24. In the embodiments shown, spilled
water passes through the perforated collection region 24 into a
second reservoir 4. Thus, it is contemplated that spilled food and
spilled water are separated so that the spilled food stays dry and
suitable for re-use and the spilled water stays clean, and so that
a user can more easily collect the spilled food and water from the
pet feeding system 10.
[0071] As used herein, a housing according to the present invention
can be any structure which is adapted to hold at least one bowl. As
described in more detail below, a housing may be one monolithic
unit (i.e., formed as a single unit), or may alternatively include
a plurality of units, such as a first reservoir 2 and a second
reservoir 4, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
Although the housing 8 is predominantly illustrated in the figures
as comprising at least one wall 28 and a substantially rectangular
shape with angled corners, a housing 8 according to the invention
is also contemplated as having no walls, only one wall, a "ridge"
of negligible height, or any number of multiple walls or ridges of
varying heights. In alternative embodiments, walls or ridges are
further contemplated as having a variety of alternative shapes,
including, for example, curved, rounded, or straight. It is also
contemplated that alternative wall or ridge shapes bring about
alternative shapes of the pet feeding system, including, for
example, an oval, circle, pentagon, square, rectangle, or modified
oval with flattened sides, among others. It should be further
appreciated that various features of the system described below are
contemplated as having a variety of alternative shapes, preferably
shapes that correspond to the overall shape of the system.
[0072] The housing may comprise one monolithic unit (for example, a
single container or reservoir), or a plurality of units (for
example, at least two containers or reservoirs). The plurality of
units may comprise a combination of different types of units, such
as a reservoir disposed over a mat. As shown in FIG. 1, the
plurality of units may be easily coupled to each other.
Alternatively, the housing may comprise a plurality of units which
are not coupled to each other, such as a table-like reservoir
disposed over a mat or tray.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing 8 comprises a first
reservoir 2 and a second reservoir 4. The first reservoir 2 and
second reservoir 4 are detachably coupled to each other, with the
first reservoir 2 disposed above the second reservoir 4. As can be
appreciated, the weight of the first reservoir 2 and a proper
frictional fit are generally adequate to keep the first and second
reservoirs affixed to each other in use. In alternative
embodiments, the affixation of the two reservoirs may be made more
secure by latches, magnets, buckles, hooks, snaps, or other similar
means. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first
reservoir 2 comprises the contained feeding area 21 having a bowl
region 22, a sloped surface 26, and means for filtering 18 spilled
food from spilled water. The means for filtering 18 comprise a
trough 46 which has oval-shaped holes 38 that are small enough to
catch a substantial amount of spilled food (i.e. to prevent a
substantial amount of spilled food from passing through the holes
38), while allowing spilled water to pass through the holes 38.
While the shape of the holes in the preferred embodiment shown is
oval, other shapes can be used. Thus, the holes are sufficiently
small such that spilled food remains on the first reservoir 2 but
the spilled water passes through the holes to the second reservoir
4, thereby allowing for separation of spilled food from spilled
water. The surface 26 slopes downward from the bowl region 22
toward the perforated collection region 24. The trough 46, which is
disposed in the perforated collection region 24, comprises a
concave depression in the sloped surface 26, and has filter holes
38 which are defined in the depression. As shown in FIG. 49, the
means for filtering 18 could alternatively comprise a single hole
238 or slit which separates spilled food from spilled water. In a
preferred embodiment, the trough 46 is integral with the housing 8.
In alternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 19, the trough 46 is
removable from the housing 8. Thus, in embodiments where the trough
46 is removable, a user may detach the trough 46 from the housing 8
so that the trough 46 is no longer coupled to the housing 8, but is
entirely separated from it. Alternatively, there is no concave
depression, and one or more holes are located in any area where
spilled water may be directed.
[0074] The downward inclination of the sloped surface 26 can be any
angle suitable for causing any spilled water to flow to the
perforated collection region. The surface of the base could
alternatively have regions of varying slopes and slopes in
different directions. Preferably, the first and second reservoir
fit into one another in a way that provides an indication line 19
showing the angle of inclination, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. More
preferably, the angle of the indication line 19 has a similar or
even identical angle of the sloped surface 26. As illustrated in
FIG. 17, the feeding system 10 may alternatively comprise a
plurality of sloped surfaces.
[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the trough 46 is concave and
curves downward from its front to back such that its lowest point
would be along a center line which extends from left to right,
which would be across the perforated collection 24 shown in FIG. 2.
In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the trough
also curves downward from its left to right side; thus, there is
essentially a single low point, centered both from left to right
and front to back, to which spilled water would flow along the
trough (if the holes were not present), and that centered location
could be a suitable location for a single hole or drain. Such a
drain could also be located elsewhere.
[0076] As used herein, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first
reservoir 2 comprises a first reservoir base 60 and the second
reservoir 4 comprises a second reservoir base 44. In a preferred
embodiment, the first reservoir 2 comprises a first reservoir base
60 and at least one wall 28 extending upwardly from the first
reservoir base 60 to define the contained feeding area 21. The at
least one wall 28 preferably has a front section 5 and a remaining
section 7. The front section 5 comprises a low portion 30 and at
least one high portion 3a and 3b, and the remaining section 7
comprises a high portion 25. At least one bowl for containing food
and water is optionally disposed on, disposed above, or extends
through openings 40, 42 in the base 60. In the embodiment of the
feeding system 10 shown in FIG. 1, the first reservoir base 60 has
a sloped surface 26, and the at least one wall 28 extends upwardly
from the sloped surface 26. The surface 26 and at least one wall 28
of the first reservoir 2 substantially contain spills that occur
when in use by the pet or when the system 10 or bowls 14, 15 are
knocked into or bumped by a pet or person. In addition, a segment
12 of the low portion 30 is contoured inwardly toward the bowl
region 22. The contoured segment 12 permits a pet to stand in
closer proximity to the bowl region 22 than if the segment were
flat. Also, in comparison to a flat segment, the contoured segment
12 permits a user to hold the feeding system 10 more comfortably,
as a contoured segment 12 can rest more easily against the user's
body.
[0077] FIGS. 22a, 22b, and 22c illustrate pet feeding systems 10
with varying dimensions. The dimensions of the various features of
the pet feeding system 10 can vary over wide ranges and are
primarily based on the type and breed of the pets for which the
system is intended for use. It can be imagined that a system for a
large breed of dog would have significantly different proportions
from a system for a cat or small dog. For example, the feeding
system 10 shown in FIG. 22a would preferably be used by a
relatively small pet, the feeding system 10 shown in FIG. 22b would
preferably be used by a relatively medium-sized pet, and the
feeding system 10 shown in FIG. 22c would preferably be used by a
relatively large pet. As can be seen from comparing FIGS. 22a-22c
with each other, the ratio of heights of the first reservoir 2 and
second reservoir 4 need not be the same for the different
sizes.
[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 of
the pet feeding system 10 have a height above the floor of about
50% to about 80% of the shoulder height or withers of the pets for
which the system is adapted for use. This relative height provides
a close proximity between the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 of the pet
feeding system 10 and the head and shoulders of the pet while the
pet is feeding. Preferably, when the pet reaches into the contained
feeding area 21 to access food and water bowls 14, 15, the high
portions 3a, 3b, 25 of the system 10 surround the pet's head and
shoulders to create a containment area and a sense of protection.
The high walls minimize or prevent food and water dropped or
spilled from the pet's mouth from falling to the floor or splashing
or splattering onto surrounding walls or objects. The at least one
wall 28 of the feeding system 10 provides a physical barrier that
deters a pet from moving its head around while feeding. Because the
high portions 3a, 3b, 25 restrict the range of movement of the
pet's head, it is believed that a pet will be more likely to keep
its head, and therefore spilled food, over the feeding system 10.
Therefore, the high portions 3a, 3b, 25, and their proximity to the
low portion 30 are likely to reduce the chance of the pet bringing
its head outside of the feeding system 10 and dropping food or
water on the floor.
[0079] The high portions 3a, 3b, 25 of the feeding system 10 also
block the pet's vision, thus obstructing the pet's view of the
surrounding area and reducing visual distractions that may cause
the pet to move its head or leave the feeding area. The wall(s)
also create a physical barrier that inhibits pests, animals, and
people, including children, from approaching the feeding bowls.
Thus, the wall(s) may hinder pests, such as ants, from accessing
the food and water bowls, and also may provide a safety benefit in
the case of a small child or other person approaching a feeding
dog. Moreover, the system can be easily designed to contain a spill
of the entire contents of either or both of the food and water
bowl(s).
[0080] To identify how much of the at least one wall 28 should be
the low portion 30 versus the high portion 3a, 3b, 25, it is
helpful to envision a "best fit" circle to the pet feeding system
10. With regard to the "best fit" circle, the low portion does not
include the portions of wall between the low portion and the high
portions that rise up from the low portion. Preferably, in relation
to the "best fit" circle, the low portion of the pet feeding system
10 circumferentially occupies from about 85 degrees of the wall(s)
to about 40 degrees of the wall(s). More preferably, the low
portion of the pet feeding system 10 circumferentially occupies
from about 80 degrees of the wall(s) to about 50 degrees of the
wall(s). For example, if the shape of the pet feeding system 10 is
a square, the low portion can be the majority of the front wall. As
another example, in a circular embodiment of the invention, the low
portion can be the majority of the front quadrant of the circle. In
any embodiment, at least a portion of the front section comprises a
high portion. In different embodiments, the portions of wall
between the low portion and the high portions can be a 90 degree
step or can be inclined (and such portions are also part of the
"high portions" as used herein). Preferably, the portions of wall
between the low portion and the high portions begin to rise from
the low portion at no more than 85 degrees of the circumference of
the "best fit" circle.
[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 are
sufficiently high to contain substantially all of the spills and
splashes when the feeding system 10 is in use. For example, when
the pet is eating or drinking or in the event that the feeding
system 10 is bumped or kicked, and food and/or water splashes out
of the bowl(s), the food and/or water splashes up against the walls
but is substantially prevented from splashing over the high
portions 3a, 3b, 25 and out of the feeding system 10. As discussed
above, the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 preferably have a height above
the floor of about 50% to about 80% of the shoulder height or
withers of the pets for which the system is adapted for use, thus
providing a close proximity between the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 of
the pet feeding system 10 and the head and shoulders of the pet
while the pet is feeding. Because the high portions 3a, 3b, 25 are
relatively close to a pet's shoulders, the high portions 3a, 3b, 25
are sufficiently high to contain food and/or water that is dropped
from a pet's mouth while the pet is standing over the feeding
system 10.
[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the top of the low portion 30 is
above the top edge(s) of the bowl(s), most preferably at least
about one-quarter inch above the top edge(s) of the bowl(s). The
low portion 30 is preferably high enough above the bowl(s) so that
when the feeding system 10 is bumped or kicked, spilled food and/or
water is substantially prevented from splashing over the low
portion 30 and out of the feeding system 10. A number of factors
aid in allowing the low portion 30 to prevent or minimize food
and/or water from escaping the containment area, even though the
low portion 30 is lower than the high portions 3a, 3b, 25. These
factors include: (1) the fact that the bowl(s) may be disposed much
closer to the rear and side walls than to the low portion 30 of the
front wall such that food or water spilled or splashed from the
bowl(s) would have to travel further to escape over the low portion
30 of the front wall than over the high side or rear walls; (2)
when a pet is drinking while positioned over the low portion 30 of
the front wall, the majority of the splashes tend to occur in the
rearward direction; (3) if the system 10 is positioned with its
rear wall against a wall or cabinet, kicks or bumps will not come
from the direction of the rear wall which would cause a higher
splash over the front wall; and (4) as shown in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-8, for example, the trough 46 is configured to provide a
greater height difference between the surface 26 and the low
portion 30 of the front wall than the difference in height between
the low portion 30 and the top edge(s) of the bowl(s). Furthermore,
it is contemplated that when a pet stands in front of the low
portion 30, other animals may be blocked or discouraged from
accessing the contained feeding area 21, thus providing the pet
with a sense of protection and control over its food and water. In
a preferred embodiment, a perforated collection region 24 is also
lower than the top edge of the bowl, with a sloped surface 26
extending downward from the bowl region 22 toward the collection
region 24. The height of the low portion 30 relative to the
collection region 24 further prevents food and/or water that falls
into the collection region 24 from splashing over the low portion
30 and out of the feeding system 10.
[0083] In the embodiment of the feeding system 10 shown in FIG. 8,
the second reservoir 4 comprises at least one wall 46 and a second
reservoir base 44. Spilled water that passes through the filter
holes 38 of the first reservoir 2 lands in the second reservoir 4,
and is substantially contained by the second reservoir base 44 and
at least one wall 46. In an alternative embodiment, the second
reservoir comprises a base without any walls, such as a tray or
mat. In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the
second reservoir comprises a drawer that is slideably movable
relative to the first reservoir. Thus, a user can access spilled
water that has fallen into the second reservoir by sliding the
drawer out from underneath the first reservoir.
[0084] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the tops of the wall(s)
of the second reservoir 4 are sloped at an angle from back to front
substantially the same as that of the sloped surface 26 of the
first reservoir 2. As illustrated in FIG. 20, in an alternative
embodiment, the second reservoir 4 is disposed substantially
entirely underneath the portion of the first reservoir 2 having
means for filtering spilled food from spilled water (e.g.
underneath the filter holes 38 of the perforated collection region
24), without being disposed underneath the remaining portion of the
first reservoir 2 (e.g. underneath the bowl region 22). In this
embodiment, the second reservoir 4 may include a base that rests on
the floor, or a base that is suspended above the floor, as shown,
for example, in FIG. 20.
[0085] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the sloped surface 26 of
the bowl region 22 defines openings 40, 42 adapted to receive a
food bowl 14 and a water bowl 15. The openings 40, 42 have
peripheral walls 32, 33 extending upwardly from the sloped surface
26 for keeping the bowls 14, 15 level. The height of each of the
peripheral walls 32, 33 from the sloped surface 26 increases
inversely proportional to the downward slope of the sloped surface
26 so that the tops of the bowls 14, 15 remain substantially
parallel to the surface on which pet feeding system 10 rests. In
other words, each bowl 14, 15 has a radially outwardly extending
rim at its top, which rests on the top edge of the peripheral walls
32, 33, and the height of the peripheral walls as measured from the
surface 26 varies around its circumference to allow for the bowls
to rest substantially parallel to the surface on which pet feeding
system 10 rests. This keeps the bowls level and permits a user to
more easily place bowls in and remove bowls from the openings.
Preferably, each of the peripheral walls 32, 33 defines a space 35,
37 for a user's finger(s) or thumb so that each bowl 14, 15 can be
grasped more easily. Preferably, the height of the walls 32, 33 are
sized to permit the bottom of the bowls 14, 15 to be below the
plane of the sloped surface 26. The peripheral walls 32, 33 also
prevent food which has spilled onto the surface 26 from also
falling into the openings 40, 42 when the bowls are removed.
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first reservoir 2 has a
support portion 34. The support portion 34 preferably extends
downward from the bowl region 22 substantially enough and in a
configuration that allows the first reservoir 2 to rest
substantially level when placed on a flat surface and to ensure
that the tops of the bowls 14, 15 remain substantially level if a
user sets the first reservoir 2 down on a floor or surface with the
bowls still resting in the openings 40, 42, so that their contents
are prevented from spilling out.
[0087] In alternative embodiments of the present invention,
elevating means increase the height(s) of the contained feeding
area, bowl region, and/or feeding bowls 14, 15 relative to the
floor. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the feeding
system 10 has leg extensions 6 coupled to the bottom of the second
reservoir 4, which increase the heights of the first reservoir 2
and second reservoir 4 relative to the floor. The leg extensions 6
may be removable from the housing 8 or permanently attached to the
housing 8.
[0088] FIGS. 10-15 illustrate various views of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 9, which is substantially similar to the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, except that it does not include leg extensions 6. As
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, non-skid feet 106a-106d are adapted to
fit into the bottom of second reservoir 4. Although a frictional
fit for placing non-skid feet 106a-106d into second reservoir 4 is
shown, other ways to affix the non-skid feet to the second
reservoir can be easily accomplished. Non-skid feet 106a-106d can
be any known and suitable material, such as a rubber.
[0089] FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a post
leg 51 of the present invention. The post legs 51 are coupled to
the bottom of the base 60 and raise the feeding system 10 off the
ground (preferably by about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch). This deters ants
or other insects from climbing the walls of the feeding system 10,
because the walls do not come into contact with the ground when the
post legs 51 are attached. A post leg 51 preferably comprises a
non-skid foot 52 to help prevent the feeding system 10 from sliding
and creating scuff marks or abrasions on the owner's floor, and an
opening 53 which attach to posts 54 located on the underside of the
feeding system 10 (e.g., underneath the second reservoir 4, as
shown in FIG. 15). FIG. 22 illustrates three front views of three
embodiments of the present invention, each having post legs 51.
[0090] Alternative embodiments of the housing 8 of the present
invention may additionally include handles 9 and/or a collar 11, as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 4. In a preferred embodiment,
handles 9 are located on both the first reservoir 2 and the second
reservoir 4. The collar 11 deters pests from entering the contained
feeding area 21 of the feeding system 10, and provides an
additional handle for the owner, and its exaggerated size adds to
the overall aesthetic appearance of the pet feeding system 10. As
shown in FIG. 24, a rolled edge 128 may also be used to deter pests
from entering the contained feeding area 103, and also provides a
handle for the owner. Also, alternative embodiments include
non-skid protective pads 48, as shown in FIG. 8, which may prevent
the feeding system 10 from sliding or creating scuff marks or
abrasions on the owner's floor. The protective pads 48 can be
shaped to fit either the bottom of the second reservoir 4 or the
bottoms of the leg extensions 6.
[0091] FIG. 23 illustrates a top plan view of an embodiment of the
present invention having a liner 55 on the surface 26. The liner 55
is preferably solid and water-permeable, thus allowing spilled
water to seep through to the perforated collection region 24 and
ultimately to the second reservoir 4 for collection while capturing
spilled food and preventing the spilled food from touching the
surface 26 of the feeding system 10. The liner 55 is preferably
removable and conforms to the surface 26 of the feeding system 10.
For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the liner 55 fits around the
peripheral walls 32, 33 of the bowl openings 40, 42. The liner 55
enables an owner to clean messes off the feeding system 10 by
simply removing the liner 55 and disposing of it, or by removing
the liner 55 and cleaning it prior to placing it back into the
feeding system 10. This permits a user to avoid the more cumbersome
task of cleaning the surface 26 of the system 10. The liner 55 may
or may not have adhesive for helping to adhere it to the feeding
system 10.
[0092] Other embodiments of the pet feeding system 10 may include a
divider (not shown) between the food and water bowls. The divider
is a separating wall that helps to prevent water and food from
spilling or splashing into the other bowl. Additional embodiments
may also include a strainer (not shown) disposed within the water
bowl. The strainer permits a user to remove any spilled food that
has fallen into the water bowl by lifting the strainer out of the
water bowl and removing the spilled food from the strainer, rather
than emptying and replacing all of the water in the water bowl. A
deep water bowl (not shown) that is deeper than the food bowl is
also contemplated in alternative embodiments. This feature helps to
decrease the number of times that a user must re-fill the water
bowl, especially if a pet tends to consume a great deal more water
than food.
[0093] As illustrated in FIGS. 24-48, alternative embodiments of
the pet feeding system 110 have a housing which comprises a base
102 and at least one wall 108 having a front section 112 and a
remaining section and extending upwardly from the base. The front
section 112 comprises a low portion 118 and at least one high
portion 116 and the remaining section comprises a high portion. In
FIGS. 24-48, the means for filtering comprise a filtering tray 130
disposed above the base 102 and abutting the at least one wall. The
filtering tray 130 defines interstitial spaces 132 and is adapted
to have at least one bowl resting on or abutting it or extending
through the openings in the tray as shown in FIG. 40. The
interstitial spaces 132 are sufficiently small such that the
spilled food remains on top of the filtering tray 130 but the
spilled water passes through the interstitial spaces 132 onto the
base 102, thereby allowing for separation of spilled food from
spilled water. The filtering tray 130 is preferably removable.
[0094] FIGS. 27 and 28 show an alternative shape of an embodiment
of the invention, in which the corners of the pet feeding system
210 are substantially curved, forming, in effect, a flattened oval.
The at least one wall comprises a rear section 204, two side
sections comprising a first side section 206 and a second side
section 208, and a front region 212, all of which are substantially
flat. The curved corners may permit the pet feeding system 210 to
take up less floor space, and to require less material to
fabricate, than a substantially rectangular embodiment. The flat
sections allow the pet feeding system 210 to be more flush with any
surrounding walls, as opposed to a true oval or circle. It is also
contemplated that a system 210 in the shape of a modified oval is
less cumbersome to clean than a substantially rectangular
embodiment, and may be considered more aesthetically pleasing.
[0095] In alternative embodiments of the present invention,
elevating means increase the height of the bowls relative to the
floor. It has been reported that an elevated feeding position
provides some health and comfort benefits for certain pets. Such
elevating means can elevate the bowls themselves or elevate the
surface upon which the bowls rest or are adapted to rest, whether
that surface is the interior base surface 102a or a filtering tray
130. Elevating components are alternatively situated within the
contained feeding area 103 or outside of the contained feeding area
103. For example, FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of the invention in which means for elevating the
surface adapted to hold bowls is shown. In FIG. 46, a filtering
tray 130 adapted to hold feeding bowls is elevated above the
interior base surface 102a and rests upon protruding mounts 121
which extend from the walls. FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate a
perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an
embodiment of the invention in which the interior base surface 102a
is raised above the floor. This is achieved by providing an outer
wall 154 which has a greater height as measured from the floor than
the height of the inner wall 152 as measured from the interior base
surface 102a. Alternative embodiments having elevating components
outside of the contained feeding area 103 are contemplated as
having legs or support stands, among others. An additional way to
provide elevating means is illustrated in FIG. 41, in which the
height of the bottom of the mold 168 is raised so that the
removable bowl 170 is elevated. For example, this can be achieved
by configuring the relative lengths of the outer and inner walls of
the mold 168 appropriately.
[0096] FIG. 35 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a
filtering tray 130. It is contemplated that the filtering tray 130
comprises mesh, wire, or any material having a sufficient number of
perforations to keep spilled food separate from spilled water. Most
preferably, the filtering tray 130 comprises a screen or plurality
of cross bars 134 attached together at their junctures. As can be
appreciated, the interstitial spaces 132 are of any size that is
sufficiently small to prevent a significant amount of spilled food
from passing though the hole(s), while allowing a significant
amount of water to pass through the hole(s). FIG. 36 is a bottom
perspective view of the filtering tray 130. The filtering tray 130
is configured to allow for its top surface to be sufficiently high
above the interior base surface 102a to keep spilled food separate
from spilled water. Various designs, such as legs or supports, or
more preferably raised cross bars 136 that intersect to create a
grid, would allow for the top surface of the filtering tray 130 to
be sufficiently high above the interior base surface 102a to keep
spilled food separate from spilled water. The filtering tray 130 is
preferably removable and comprises handles 138. It is contemplated
that the handles 138 enable an owner to remove the filtering tray
130 to more easily retrieve spilled food from the top of the
filtering tray 130 and clean spilled water off of the interior base
surface 102a or liner 140 (as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34).
[0097] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 35, the
filtering tray 130 preferably comprises a peripheral wall 142. The
peripheral wall 142 extends upwardly from the periphery of the
filtering tray 130 to a height of at least 1/4 inch above the
filtering tray 130, more preferably to a height of about 1/2 inch
to about 11/2 inches above the filtering tray 130. The peripheral
wall 142 inhibits spilled food from falling off an edge of the
filtering tray 130 onto the interior base surface 102a or liner
140. In a preferred embodiment, the filtering tray 30 further
comprises a raised divider 146. The raised divider 146 is
substantially parallel to the front section 112 of the system 110
when the filtering tray 130 is abutting the walls of the system.
The raised divider 146 extends upwardly from the filtering tray 130
to a height of at least 1/4 inch above the filtering tray 130, more
preferably to a height of about 1/2 inch to about 11/2 inches above
the filtering tray 130.
[0098] As illustrated in the top plan view of FIG. 31, when set
inside the system 110, the raised divider 146 is a sufficient
distance from the front section 112 to inhibit the food bowl 120
and water bowl 122 from touching the front section 112, most
preferably in a range of about 1 inches to about 6 inches from the
front section 112. The raised divider 146 inhibits the bowls 120,
122 from sliding forward, and from being pulled forward, on the
filtering tray 130 and coming into contact with the front section
112. This further inhibits spills or splashes from soiling the
front section 112 of the system 110 and the surrounding floor.
Thus, spills coming out of the bowls 120, 122 are contained behind
the divider 146 on a back portion 148 of the filtering tray 130.
Some spilled food and water dropped by the pet may also fall onto a
front portion 149 of the filtering tray 130 between the raised
divider 146 and the front section 112.
[0099] In addition, the peripheral wall 142 alternatively defines
at least one gap, more preferably a first gap 144 and a second gap
145. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 35, the first gap 144 is
behind the divider 146 on the back portion 148 of the filtering
tray 130, and the second gap 145 is in front of the divider 146 on
the front portion 149 of the filtering tray 130. In an exemplary
embodiment, the filtering tray 130 is removed from the system 110,
and spilled food is collected from the top of the filtering tray
130 by tipping the filtering tray 130 at an angle to direct the
spilled food along the peripheral wall 142 and the raised divider
146 towards the gaps 144, 145 and pouring the spilled food off of
the filtering tray 30 through the gaps 144, 145.
[0100] FIG. 42 illustrates an embodiment of the housing of the
present invention having a lid 160 coupled to the top of the
housing. The lid 160 can be used for closing the feeding system 110
and for inhibiting access to the contained feeding area by, for
example, pets and children. The lid 160 is contemplated as being
either removable or non-removable. FIG. 43 illustrates a
perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a
food container 164 and a water container 166 disposed above the
food bowl 120 and water bowl 122, respectively. Food is gravity-fed
from the food container 164 into a food bowl 120, and water is
gravity-fed from the water container 166 into the water bowl 122.
Any known food and water containers can be used in the present
invention, such as timer-controlled systems.
[0101] FIG. 37 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
having a double wall 150. In the double-walled embodiment, the at
least one wall comprises an inner wall 152, an outer wall 154, and
an upper portion 156, and the inner wall 152, the outer wall 154,
and the upper portion 156 define a hollow space. FIG. 39
illustrates a monolithic embodiment of the housing of the present
invention having a double wall 150 and a base 102 defining at least
one mold 168 for containing food or water, or for containing a bowl
which contains food or water. Preferably, the at least one mold 168
is disposed at a location relative to the front section 112 such
that an area of the base 102 is exposed between the at least one
mold 168 and the front section 112. As with other suitable features
described in connection with one embodiment herein, this relative
placement of the mold or openings with respect to the front section
can be utilized in connection with other embodiments, such as the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8. The exposed area of the base 102 is
sufficiently large so that food and/or water dropped by the pet
lands on the exposed area of the base 102 and is contained by the
feeding system 110. Also, as shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, pet feeding
systems of the present invention are stackable on top of each
other.
[0102] The present invention provides a method for collecting
spilled food and spilled water from a pet feeding system 10. The
method comprises the steps of separating the pet feeding system 10
into a first reservoir 2 and a second reservoir 4; removing the
spilled food from the first reservoir 2; and removing the spilled
water from the second reservoir 4. In a preferred embodiment, the
separating step comprises detaching the reservoirs by lifting the
first reservoir 2 off of the second reservoir 4. Alternatively, the
second reservoir is removed from underneath the first reservoir.
For example, when using the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the
drawer-like second reservoir 4 is slid out from under the first
reservoir 2. In a preferred embodiment, the spilled food that is
collected from the first reservoir 2 is substantially dry and can
be saved for re-use, and the spilled water can be saved for safe
disposal; the spilled water that is collected from the second
reservoir 4 is substantially clean because it is substantially free
of spilled food, which decreases the need for frequent removal and
keeps spills more sanitary and less odorous and unsightly. A user
preferably holds the spilled food and spilled water for safe re-use
and/or disposal, thereby conserving spilled food and preventing
spilled food and water from causing damage to surrounding floors
and walls.
[0103] Preferably, the method for collecting spilled food and
spilled water includes a step of setting the first reservoir 2 down
on a floor or surface, after separating the first reservoir 2 and
second reservoir 4. As shown in FIG. 8, one embodiment of the first
reservoir 2 comprises a support portion 34. The support portion 34
causes the first reservoir 2 to fit snugly into the second
reservoir 4, as shown in its assembled position in FIG. 1, for
example. The support portion 34 also ensures that the first
reservoir 2 remains level if a user sets the first reservoir 2 down
on a floor or surface. As discussed above, in an exemplary
embodiment, the support portion 34 extends downward substantially
enough to ensure that the tops of the bowls 14, 15 remain
substantially level if a user sets the first reservoir 2 down on a
floor or surface with the bowls still resting in the openings 40,
42. In this way, if a user were to rest the first reservoir on the
floor or on a counter, with the bowls still in it, the bowls would
more securely stay in place. In addition, it may also be possible
to invert the second reservoir, then place it into the top of the
first reservoir for stacking purposes. In addition, it is also
preferable to size each reservoir to be capable of being stacked
individually, for shipping. In a preferred embodiment, the high
portions 3a and 3b of the front wall that are adjacent to the low
portion 30 form corners which provide a user with the option of
tilting or substantially inverting the first reservoir 2 so that
spilled food (or spilled food and/or water, such as may occur when
using the embodiment shown in FIG. 50, for example) is poured down
one of the corners and out of the top of the reservoir 2. The high
portions 3a, 3b, 25 that form the front corners cause the spilled
food and/or water to be concentrated into a relatively narrow
stream that can be easily poured out.
[0104] FIG. 50 illustrates an embodiment with a housing 8 which
does not include any filtering means. In this embodiment, the pet
feeding system comprises housing 8 which defines a contained
feeding area 21 having a bowl region 22 and a collection region
224. Bowl region 22 is adapted to hold at least one bowl for
containing food, water, or both food and water. As shown in FIG.
50, the bowl region is adapted to contain a first bowl 32 and a
second bowl 33. As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-15, housing
8 has a base 60 with a sloped surface for directing water from bowl
region 22 to collection region 224. Collection region 224 is
adapted to contain a quantity of water, such as by having a concave
area, as discussed in the embodiments in connection with perforated
collection region 24. Because there is no means for filtering,
however, collection region 224 simply stores the water for being
drained, or saved for re-use. While the same shape of the
collection region is shown as in the other embodiments, other
shapes can readily be contemplated.
[0105] Although illustrated and described above with reference to
certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless
not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various
modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the
invention. Therefore, many of the features of the invention
illustrated in the figures only in connection with one of the
embodiments, such as, for example, the food container 164 and water
container 166, may be adapted to be included in other embodiments
of the invention.
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