Pet Container

Abstract

A pet container comprising a container base and a container lid. The container lid includes a pivoting lid portion that can be used to teach pets to use the pet container.

Claims

1. A pet container, the pet container comprising: a container base, said container base comprising a base wall and a sidewall; a container lid positionable on said container base to form an interior cavity, said container lid including stationary lid portion and a pivoting lid portion; wherein said pivoting lid portion is rotatable relative to said stationary lid portion between a fully open position and a fully closed position when said container lid is connected to said container base, said stationary lid portion non-rotatabley connected to said container base and stationary relative to said pivoting lid portion when said pivoting lid portion is moved between said fully open position and fully closed position; and, wherein a pet can access said interior cavity of said pet container when said pivoting lid portion is rotated to an open position.

2. The pet container as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary lid portion includes a top wall and two sidewalls; and, said pivoting lid portion includes a top wall and two sidewalls.

3. The pet container as defined in claim 2, wherein said stationary lid portion includes a first top wall portion releasably connectable to a second top wall portion, and said pivoting lid portion includes a first top wall portion releasably connectable to a second top wall portion.

4. The pet container as defined in claim 1, wherein said container lid is releasably connected to said container base.

5. The pet container as defined in claim 1, wherein said container lid includes an opening actuator configured to releasably lock said pivoting lid portion in a closed position.

6. The pet container as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hinge assembly, said hinge assembly including a biasing arrangement to bias said pivoting lid portion in an open position.

7. The pet container as defined in claim 6, wherein said hinge assembly includes at least one surface structure used to adjust a degree of biasing of said pivoting lid portion.

8. The pet container as defined in claim 7, wherein said hinge assembly includes a plurality of surface structures, each of said surface structures used to adjust a degree of biasing of said pivoting lid portion, said hinge assembly including a mechanical spring that interacts with one of said surface structure to cause said biasing of said pivoting lid portion.

9. The pet container as defined in of claim 1, wherein the stationary lid portion and said pivoting lid portion both include a plurality of apertures to allow fresh air to circulated through said interior cavity of said pet container.

10. The pet container as defined in claim 1, wherein said container base includes a biasing strut that interacts with said pivoting lid portion to bias said pivoting lid portion to an open position when said pivoting lid portion is in a fully closed position.

11. The pet container as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary lid portion includes a handle recess and a handle that is connected in said handle recess, said handle is rotatably connected to the stationary lid portion so as to be rotated between an upright position and a tucked away position in said handle recess.

12. A method for using a pet container, the method comprising: providing a pet container, said pet container comprising a container base, said container base comprising a base wall and a sidewall; a container lid positionable on said container base to form an interior cavity, said container lid including stationary lid portion and a pivoting lid portion; an opening actuator and hinge assembly configured to enable said pivoting lid portion to move about a pivoting axis from a fully closed position to an open position when said opening actuator is actuated; wherein said pivoting lid portion is rotatable relative to said stationary lid portion between a fully open position and said fully closed position when said container lid is connected to said container base, said stationary lid portion non-rotatabley connected to said container base and stationary relative to said pivoting lid portion when said pivoting lid portion is moved between said fully open position and fully closed position; and, wherein a pet can access said interior cavity of said pet container when said pivoting lid portion is rotated to said open position; actuating said opening actuator to unlock said pivoting lid portion from said fully closed position; moving said pivoting lid portion from said fully closed position to said open position to enable a pet to access said interior cavity of said pet container.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, including the further steps of moving said pivoting lid portion from said open position to said fully closed position until said opening actuator locks said pivoting lid portion in said fully closed position.

14. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said stationary lid portion includes a first top wall portion releasably connectable to a second top wall portion, and said pivoting lid portion includes a first top wall portion releasably connectable to a second top wall portion.

15. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said hinge assembly includes a biasing arrangement to bias said pivoting lid portion in an open position.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein said hinge assembly includes one or more surface structures, each of said surface structures used to adjust a degree of biasing of said pivoting lid portion, said hinge assembly including a mechanical spring that interacts with one of said surface structure to cause said biasing of said pivoting lid portion.

17. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said container base includes a biasing strut that interacts with said pivoting lid portion to bias said pivoting lid portion to an open position when said pivoting lid portion is in a fully closed position.

18. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said stationary lid portion includes a handle recess and a handle that is connected in said handle recess, said handle is rotatably connected to the stationary lid portion so as to be rotated between an upright position and a tucked away position in said handle recess.

19. A method for using a pet container to train a pet to use the pet container, the method comprising: providing a pet container, said pet container comprising a container base, said container base comprising a base wall and a sidewall; a container lid positionable on said container base to form an interior cavity, said container lid including stationary lid portion and a pivoting lid portion; wherein said pivoting lid portion is rotatable relative to said stationary lid portion between a fully open position and a fully closed position when said container lid is connected to said container base, said stationary lid portion non-rotatabley connected to said container base and stationary relative to said pivoting lid portion when said pivoting lid portion is moved between said fully open position and fully closed position; and, wherein a pet can access said interior cavity of said pet container when said pivoting lid portion is rotated to an open position; positioning said pivoting lid portion in an open position; allowing time for a pet to adjust to staying in said pet container while said pivoting lid portion in a first open position; and, lowering said pivoting lid portion to said fully closed position and allowing time for a pet to adjust to staying in said pet container while said pivoting lid portion in said fully closed position.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the step of lowering said pivoting lid portion from said first open position to a second open position and allowing time for a pet to adjust to staying in said pet container while said pivoting lid portion in said second open position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate various embodiments that the invention may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangements of parts wherein:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a non-limiting pet container in accordance with the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the pet container of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 is a front elevation partially exploded view of the pet container of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the pet container of FIG. 1 wherein the container lid is in a fully open position;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a front elevation partial-exploded view of the pet container of FIG. 4 showing removed pet bowls and containers that can be optionally positioned in the pet container;

[0051] FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of an opening actuator of the pet container of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a side view of the pet container of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a side cross-section view of a mechanical strut of the pet container of area B of FIG. 7;

[0054] FIG. 9 is an enlarged top elevation view of the handle of the pet container of FIG. 1 in an upright position;

[0055] FIG. 9 is an enlarged top elevation view of a handle in an upright position in accordance with another pet container of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 10 is an enlarged top elevation view of a handle in an upright position in accordance with another pet container of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 11 is an enlarged top elevation view of the handle of FIG. 10 wherein the handle is in a tucked away position;

[0058] FIG. 12 an enlarged a top elevation view of the handle of FIG. 11 wherein the container lid is in an open position;

[0059] FIG. 13 is an enlarged exploded side-view of the hinge assembly of the pet container of FIG. 1; and,

[0060] FIG. 14 is a top elevation view of the pet container of FIG. 1 in a fully disassembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

[0061] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating at least one non-limiting embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, FIGS. 1-14 illustrate various non-limiting pet containers in accordance with the present invention.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, there is illustrated a pet container 100 comprising a container base 102 and a container lid 104. The container lid 104 is illustrated as being connected to the container base 102, thereby defining an interior cavity 106 in which a pet (not shown) can reside. The container lid 104 can be releasably secured and/or removable from the container base 102; however, this is not required. Thus, the pet container 100 of the present invention has a unique advantage in providing two conformations and uses within a single product: 1) when the container lid 104 is removed from the container base 102, the container base 102 can function as a traditional pet bed or litter box, and 2) when the container lid 104 is releasably secured to the container base 102, the pet container 100 can be used as a pet kennel, pet crate, litter box, pet bed, pet cage, pet carrier, etc.

[0063] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the container base 102 comprises a base wall 130, two sidewalls 132, 134, a front wall 136 and a rear wall 138. The base wall 130 is illustrated as being generally rectangular in shape and can have a generally flat upper surface; however, this is not required. The two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 extending upwardly from the top surface of the base wall, approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) and are connected at or near the peripheral edges of the base wall. The two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 are illustrated as being continuous through the corners. Furthermore, the two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 are illustrated as being continuous with the base wall 130. Generally, the container base is formed of a single material. For example, the container base can be formed of a molded or blow-formed piece of plastic material; however, this is not required.

[0064] The two sidewalls 132, 134, the front wall 136 and rear wall 138 are illustrated as being bowed radially outward such that the perimeter of the container base 102 is curved; however, this is not required. Additionally, the two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 are illustrated as tapering slightly outwardly from each other when moving upwardly from the base wall 130. As such, the area of the top, open end of the container base 102 is generally larger than the area of the base wall 130. The base wall 130, two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 define at least a portion of the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100. The top edge of the two sidewalls 132, 134, front wall 136 and rear wall 138 forms a coupling edge 103 of the container base 102.

[0065] The container lid 104 is illustrated as having a generally hemispherical shape and as being positionable on the container base 102. Thus, the container lid 104 is configured to partially or fully cover the base 102. At least a portion of the container lid 104 is configured to permit access to the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100.

[0066] The container lid 104 of pet container 100 further comprises a stationary lid portion 116 and a pivoting lid portion 118. In an open position (see FIGS. 4-5), the stationary lid portion 116 and/or pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 defines a shaped opening 101 which is sized to allow a pet to pass readily through the shaped opening 101 into and out of the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100.

[0067] The stationary lid portion 116 of the container lid 104 is illustrated as further comprising parallel, spaced sidewalls 120, 122 having arcuate peripheral edges 121, 123, respectively. The stationary lid portion 116 of the container lid 104 is illustrated as further comprising a top wall 124 connected approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) along the arcuate peripheral edges 121, 123 of the sidewalls 120, 122, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the stationary lid portion 116 can optionally be formed of two portions, namely a first top wall portion 126 and a second top wall portion 128. The first top wall portion 126 and the second top wall portion 128 are designed to be connectable. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, first top wall portion 126 is formed marginally continuous and approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) with the arcuate peripheral edge 121 of sidewall 120, and second top wall portion 128 is formed marginally continuous and approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) with the arcuate peripheral edge 123 of sidewall 122. As can be appreciated, the first top wall portion 126 and the second top wall portion 128 can have other configurations. The configuration of the first top wall portion 126 and the second top wall portion 128 in FIG. 3 provides the advantage in that when the pet container 100 is fully disassembled (see FIG. 14), the pet container 100 requires minimal amount of storage space.

[0068] During assembly, the connection edge 127 of the first top wall portion 126 and the connection edge 129 of second top wall portion 128 of the stationary lid portion 116 can be releasably connected together by one or more screws and/or bolts. See, for example, screws and/or bolts 181, 183, 185 in FIG. 2. The stationary lid portion 116 can then be positionable on the container base 102 such that the coupling edge 117 of stationary lid portion 116 couples on coupling edge 103 of container base 102. The stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104 can be releasable connected or permanently connected to the container base 102. The type of coupling arrangement is non-limiting. Such coupling arrangements can include a mechanical connection (e.g., screw, bolt and nut arrangement, pin connection, slot locking connection, etc.), adhesive, etc.

[0069] Generally, coupling edge 117 of stationary lid portion 116 corresponds in shape and size to the coupling edge 103 of the container base 102. The coupling edge 117 can include a coupling lip 119 around the perimeter of the coupling edge 117 of the stationary lid portion 116. The coupling lip 119 can be designed to fully engage with the coupling edge 103 of the container base 102.

[0070] The two sidewalls 120, 122 of stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104 are illustrated as including a plurality of openings and/or apertures 140 such that fresh air can circulate through the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100. The number, size, shape and location of the openings and/or apertures 140 on the stationary lid portion 116 is non-limiting. Generally, the size of the openings and/or apertures 140 on the stationary lid portion 116 are sized to inhibit or prevent an animal in the pet container 100 from passing through the openings and/or apertures 140.

[0071] As will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the two sidewalls 120, 122 of stationary lid portion 116 are illustrated as including pivot and/or connection arrangements 131, 133, respectively, to enable the container lid 104 to move relative to the stationary lid portion 116.

[0072] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104 is illustrated as optionally including a plurality of ridges, grooves, or other type of surface structures on the external surface of the top wall 124. The external surface of the top wall 124 of stationary lid portion 116 is illustrated as including six grooves 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205. The six grooves, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 can be used as surface structures to facilitate the connection between the two top wall portions 126, 128 of stationary lid portion 116. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, groove 200 can facilitate the connection of the first top wall portion 126 to the second top wall portion 128 via screw and/or bolt 181. Similarly, groove 201 can facilitate the connection of the first top wall portion 126 to the second top wall portion 128 via screw and/or bolt 183, and groove 202 can facilitate the connection of the first top wall portion 126 to the second top wall portion 128 via screw and/or bolt 185.

[0073] The container lid 104 is also illustrated as including a pivoting lid portion 118. The pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104 can include two parallel spaced sidewalls 142, 144, and a top wall 148. The top wall 148 is illustrated as further comprising a first top wall portion 146 connectable to a second top wall portion 147. The connection can be a releaseable or a permanent connection. The type of connection is not limiting (e.g., screw, adhesive, snap connection, pin connection, etc.). As best illustrated in FIG. 3, first top wall portion 146 is formed marginally continuous and approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) with edge 143 of sidewall 142, and second top wall portion 147 is formed marginally continuous and approximately perpendicularly (e.g., 85-95°) with edge 145 of sidewall 144. As can be appreciated, the pivoting lid portion 118 can be formed of more than two pieces or formed or only a single piece.

[0074] The two sidewalls 142, 144 are spaced about equal to or greater than the width of the container base 102 such that, when the pivoting lid portion 118 is positioned on the container base 102, at least a portion of the pivoting lid portion 118 fits over the stationary lid portion 116; however, this is not required.

[0075] The two sidewalls 142, 144 of pivoting lid portion 118 are illustrated as including pivot and/or connection arrangements 135, 137, respectively. The pivot and/or connection arrangements 135, 135 of the pivoting lid portion 118 are designed to interact with the pivot and/or connection arrangements 131, 133 of the stationary lid portion 116; however, this is not required.

[0076] The pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104 is illustrated as being releasably and/or pivotally connected to: 1) the container base 102, and/or 2) the stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104. Generally, the coupling edge 99 along the edges of the two sidewalls 142, 144 and the top wall 148 of pivoting lid portion 118 corresponds to the coupling edge 103 of the container base 102. The coupling edge 99 can optionally include a coupling lip 97 around the perimeter of the coupling edge 99 of pivoting lid portion 118. The coupling lip 97 is designed to fully engage with the coupling edge 103 of container base 102. Due to the configuration of the stationary lid portion 116 and pivoting lid portion 118, the width of the container base 102 is adjusted accordingly so that the coupling edge of the stationary lid portion 116 and pivoting lid portion 118 engages the coupling edge 103 of container base 102. As such, since the spacing of the sidewalls 142, 144 of pivoting lid portion 118 is greater than the spacing of the sidewalls 120, 122 of stationary lid portion 116 so that the pivoting lid portion 118 can move over the stationary lid portion 116 when the pivoting lid portion 118 is moved between the fully open and closed positions, the spacing of the coupling edge 103 of container base 102 on the sidewalls of the container base 102 for the pivoting lid portion 118 is greater than the spacing of the coupling edge 103 of container base 102 on the sidewalls of the container base 102 for the stationary lid portion 116. As can be appreciated, the reverse would be true if the pivoting lid portion 118 was alternatively configured to pivot inside the stationary lid portion 116.

[0077] The pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104 is also illustrated as including a plurality of openings and/or apertures such that fresh air can circulate through the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, an opening 211, 213 is provided in each of the two sidewalls 142, 144, respectively. Additionally, an opening 215 is also illustrated as being provided in the front wall 146 of the pivoting lid portion 118. One or more grates, rods and/or bar structures 212, 214, 216 can optionally be provided within one or more of the openings 211, 213 215, respectively, for the purpose of inhibiting or preventing a pet from exiting the pet container 100 through the openings 211, 213, 215. The grate structures 212, 214, 216 are illustrated as being fixedly and/or rigidly connected 1) within each opening 211, 213 215 and/or 2) to the walls 142, 144, 146 of pivoting lid portion 118. As can be appreciated, the number, size, shape and location of the opening in the pivoting lid portion 118 is non-limiting. As can also be appreciated, one or more of the grate structures can optionally be openable.

[0078] The pivoting lid portion 118 is illustrated as being pivotally connected to 1) the container base 102, and/or 2) the stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104.

[0079] In operation, the pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104 is operable to move between a fully open and a fully closed position. The pivoting lid portion 118 pivots about a pivot axis “A” and sits over the stationary lid portion 116 of the container lid 104. The pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104 can be designed to remain fully closed (see FIG. 1), remain partially open (see FIG. 7), and/or remain fully open (see FIG. 4). In an open position: 1) an interior surface of sidewall 142 of pivoting lid portion 118 is adjacent to the external surface of sidewall 144 of stationary lid portion 116; 2) an interior surface of sidewall 144 of pivoting lid portion 118 is adjacent to the external surface of sidewall 146 of stationary lid portion 116; 3) the interior surface of front wall 146 of pivoting lid portion 118 is adjacent to the external surface of a top portion of the arcuate top wall 124 of stationary lid portion 116; and 4) the interior surface of the top wall 148 of pivoting lid portion 118 is adjacent to the external surface of the bottom portion of the arcuate top wall 124 of stationary lid portion 116. In an open position, a pet can freely enter and/or exit the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100.

[0080] The container lid 104 of pet container 100 of the present invention is illustrated as including an opening actuator 225. The opening actuator 225 is optionally positioned at or near the rear edge 153 of the top wall 148 of the pivoting lid portion 118 of container lid 104. As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9, opening actuator 225 is illustrated as being an ergonomic quick release tab. The opening actuator 225 is designed to frictionally engage with the front edge 151 of the stationary lid portion 116 when the pet container 100 is in a closed position, thereby preventing the pivoting lid portion 118 from pivoting and moving to an open position over the stationary lid portion 116. When the opening actuator 225 is lifted, a portion of the opening actuator 225 can be caused to raise upwards so as to disengage the frictional engagement between the opening actuator 225 and the front edge of the stationary lid portion 116. When the opening actuator 225 is in engagement with the front edge of the stationary lid portion 116, the pivoting lid portion 118 is generally in the fully closed and locked position.

[0081] The opening actuator 225 is illustrated as including “LIFT” on its surface; however, other and/or alternative information can be provided on the opening actuator 225. As can be appreciated, the opening actuator 225 can be biased in a closed position. Such biasing can be by a flexible material (e.g., plastic material) as illustrated in FIG. 1 and/or by a spring. The opening actuator 225 can include one or more structures or materials to increase the friction engagement (e.g., ribs, rough surface, rubber or elastomer material, etc.). Alternatively, the opening actuator 225 can be configured to engage one or more surface structures on the stationary lid portion 116; however, this is not required.

[0082] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the pet container can optionally include a first pet bowl 160 and/or a second pet bowl 162. As can be appreciated, more than two bet bowls can be used. The pet bowls 310, 312 are illustrated as being connectable and removable to the container base via one or more pins. For example, pet bowl 160 is illustrated as including two pins 164, 164 connectable to corresponding apertures 166, 167 of the container base, respectively. Pet bowl 162 is illustrated as including a pin 168 connectable to aperture 169 of container base 102. Furthermore, pet bowl 162 is illustrated as including a removable bowl 170 which can optionally be removed from the pet bowl 162. As such, the removable bowl 170 can be easily and conveniently removed, filled and replaced back to the removable bowl 170. As can be appreciated, other or additional connection arrangements can be used for one or more of the bowls. The one or more pet bowls are illustrated as being located at the front interior end of the container base. As can be appreciated, one or more pet bowls can be located in other locations of the container base. The top edge of the one or more bowls is illustrated as being position flush with or below the top edge of the container base when connected to the container base. The size and/or shape of two or more of the pet bowls can be the same or different.

[0083] FIG. 13 is an exploded side-view perspective illustration of hinge assembly 200 that can optionally be used in the pet container 100 of FIG. 1. The pet container 100 includes a second hinge assembly 201 provided on a second side of the pet container 100 (see FIG. 4). Although only hinge assembly 200 will be described in further detail, it can be appreciated that the same description may apply to the second hinge assembly 301. Generally, the hinge assembly 200 is provided to facilitate movement of the container lid 104 to an open (FIG. 4) and/or closed (FIG. 1) position. Hinge assembly 200 is illustrated as including a mechanical spring 202 for the purpose of biasing the pivoting lid portion 118 in one of a variety of positions including a fully-closed, partially-closed, partially-open, and/or fully-open position. The mechanical spring 202 can optionally be used to bias the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 in an open position. The mechanical spring 202 is illustrated as including a coiled portion 204, a first extension 206 and a second extension 208. With continued reference to FIG. 13, pivot and/or connection arrangement 133 is illustrated as including a mount 210 and a support structure 233 having a plurality of support members (one of which is marked as 234) which define a cavity 235. The number of support members is non-limiting. Generally, the mechanical spring 202 is connectable to the pivot and/or connection arrangement 133 such that the coiled portion 204 of mechanical spring 202 seats over the mount 210. Furthermore, the mechanical spring 202 is connectable to the pivot and/or connection arrangement 133 such that the second extension 208 of mechanical spring 202 seats at least partially in the cavity 137 formed when support member 135 and connection arrangement 133 are connected together. The pivot and/or connection arrangement 135 of pivoting lid portion 118 can then be connected to the pivot and/or connection arrangement 133 of stationary lid portion 116. In doing so, the first extension 206 of mechanical spring 202 can be adjusted so as to contact one of three surface structures 171, 173, 175 of pivot and/or connection arrangement 135. As can be appreciated, the number of surface structures is non-limiting (e.g., 1, 2, 3 . . . 20, etc.). Thus, the pivoting lid portion 118 can be biased in one or more positions via mechanical spring 202. As such, in operation, when the opening actuator 225 is actuated (i.e., causing the opening actuator to move to an unlocked position, etc.), the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 springs back into an open position via mechanical spring 202, thereby allowing a pet to enter the interior cavity 106 of pet container 100. For example, when three surface structures are used, the surface structures in combination with the mechanical spring can cause the pivoting lid portion be biased such that the mechanical spring will cause the pivoting lid portion to rotate 30° about the axis A, rotate 60° about the axis A, or rotate 90° about the axis A. As can be appreciated, the spacing and/or number of the surface structures in combination with the type of mechanical spring can be used to cause the pivoting lid portion to be biased in any number of open positions (e.g., biased rotation of the pivoting lid at any position between 0-120°) when the opening actuator 225 is moved to the open or unlocked position. The pivoting lid portion can be removed from the stationary lid portion 116 to adjust the biasing position of the mechanical spring 202 as desired.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, the pet container 100 is illustrated as optionally including a mechanical strut 220. FIG. 8 is a zoomed-in view of the area B in FIG. 7. The mechanical strut 220 is generally provided so as to prevent the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 from closing with excessive force. This may be particularly useful, for example, if a pet residing in the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100 has its paws over the front wall 136 of container base 102 when the pivoting lid portion be being closed. The use of such a mechanical strut may prevent the pet's paws from being smashed between the coupling edge 99 of pivoting lid portion 118 and coupling edge 103 of container base 102. The mechanical strut 220 is illustrated as being mounted in a support bracket 222 of container base 102. The mechanical strut is configured to move up and down within the cavity of the support bracket 222. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the mechanical strut 220 can be biased by a biasing arrangement 223 (e.g., mechanical spring, gas spring, etc.) so as to push the pivoting lid portion 118 upwardly from container base 102 and to prevent the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 from closing with excessive force. The mechanical strut can also to alternatively be used to facilitate in the moving of the pivoting lid portion from the fully closed position to an open position when the opening actuator 225 is moved to an open or unlatched or unlocked position; however, this is not required. When the pivoting lid portion is in the fully open position, the top end of the mechanical strut extends above a top surface of said container base 102 as illustrate in FIG. 8. Generally, the mechanical strut is configured to cause the pivoting lid portion to move only partially to the fully open position (e.g., move 5-80% to the fully open position and all values and ranges therebetween). The hinge assembly 200, 201 are generally configured to bias the pivoting lid portion to a greater open position than caused by the mechanical strut. As such, the hinge assembly generally causes the pivoting lid portion to be lifted off of the end of the mechanical strut as the hinge assembly moves the pivoting lid portion to the biased open position; however, this is not required. As such, when the pivoting lid portion first begins to move from the fully closed position to an open position, the biasing from both the mechanical strut and the hinge assembly cause the pivoting lid portion to move to an open position. Thereafter, the hinge assembly causes the pivoting lid portion to continue moving to an open position after the point wherein the pivoting lid portion lifts off of the end of the mechanical strut. As can be appreciated, the mechanical strut can be configured to engage the pivoting lid portion at all times as the pivoting lid portion moves between the fully closed and fully open positions; however, this is not required.

[0085] As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, the container lid 104 optionally includes a handle 190. Generally, the handle 190 is connected to the container lid 104 of the pet container 100 for the purpose of facilitating movement of the pet container 100. The profile of the handle 190 is generally selected to be a low profile so as to enable the handle 190 to be tucked away and/or hidden when the container lid 104 is in the open position. The handle 190 is generally configured to be pivotally connected to the container lid 104; however, this is not required. As illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, the handle 190 is pivotally connected to the top wall 124 of the stationary lid portion 116 of the container lid 104. As best illustrated in FIG. 9-10, in a tucked away position (i.e., as the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 is rotated over the stationary lid portion 116 of the container lid 104), the handle 190 is moved into a cavity or recess 192 formed in the top wall 124 of the stationary lid portion 116 of container lid 104. Generally, the handle is positioned flush with or below the upper surface of the container lid when moved to the stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 12. In such a configuration, the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 can be freely rotated and moved over the handle when the pivoting lid portion is moved between an open and closed position without physical interference by the handle 190. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the handle can be optionally configured such that when the handle is in the raised position, the handle can function as a stop to prevent the pivoting lid portion from moving to an open position that would enable a pet in the pet container to escape the pet container; however, this is not required.

[0086] In operation, the pet container 100 can be used as a pet kennel or pet cage. A pet owner can place a pet into the pet container by: 1) actuating the opening actuator 225 (e.g., lifting the opening actuator), thereby allowing the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 to rotate about a pivot axis “A” to a partially or fully open position; 2) placing the pet into or allowing the pet to enter the interior cavity 106 of the pet container 100; 3) pushing down the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 such that the pivoting lid portion 118 rotates back down to the closed position; and/or 4) continuing to push the pivoting lid portion 118 down, thereby allowing the opening actuator 225 to engage the front edge of the stationary lid portion 116 to fully close and lock the pivoting lid portion in the fully closed position.

[0087] In operation, the pet container 100 can also be used as a trainer to encourage a pet to use the pet container 100 as a pet cage and/or pet kennel. The method can comprise the steps of: 1) providing the pet with the container base 102 without the container lid 104 such that the pet trusts and finds comfort in the container base 102 in a fully open position (i.e., an opening of about) 90°. Alternatively, the training can begin with the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid in an open or fully open position. If the pet training is begun without the pivoting lid, then step two is positioning the pivoting lid portion on the pet container and having the pivoting lid portion positioned in an open or fully open position. Once the pet is use to the pivoting lid portion positioned in an open or fully open position, the pivoting lid portion can be slightly lowered toward the fully closed position and allowing time for the pet to trust and find comfort in the pet container 100 while the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 is in the slightly more closed position. The pivoting lid portion can be continued to be moved to the fully closed position so that the pet gets use to being in the pet container while in the fully closed position. As such, over time, the pivoting lid portion 118 of the container lid 104 can be incrementally lowered towards a closed position based on the speed of training and acceptance of the pet to the pet container. Once the pet is used to the pivoting lid portion being in the fully closed position, the pet can be optionally trained to enter and exit an opening in the pivoting lid open (e.g., opening a grate structure, etc.).

[0088] When such a method is used, the pet can feel more comfortable with being inside the pet container 100 as the container lid 104 is gradually lowered. The amount of bias opening of the pivoting lid portion 118 can be set by adjusting the mechanical spring 202 (e.g., 30° rotation, 60° rotation, 90° rotation, etc.) when the opening actuator 225 is moved to the open position. As such, if the mechanical spring 202 is adjusted to cause the pivoting lid portion to rotate 30° when the opening actuator 225 is moved to the open position, the mechanical spring will cause the pivoting lid portion to rotate 30° about the axis A, thus causing the pivoting lid portion to move from a fully closed position to a partially open position. Thereafter, the pivoting lid portion can be manually caused to open further or be moved to a closed or fully closed position. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the fully open position is generally equal to a 90° rotation about axis A from the fully closed position.

[0089] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein. This invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be obvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.