Abstract
A pet feeding device (10) for supplying, opening and disposing filled containers (12), with a pusher for flattening or compressing empty containers In a method for supplying, opening and disposing filled containers, empty containers are flattened or compressed by a pusher.
Claims
1. Pet feeding device (10) for supplying and opening filled containers (12), with at least one pusher (56) for flattening and/or compressing and/or stacking in each other the empty containers.
2. Pet feeding device (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the pusher (56) contacting empty containers is removable.
3. Pet feeding device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bag (16) for accommodating empty containers, the bag preferably having means for closing the bag (16) before or during removal.
4. Pet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the bag (16) is closable by a cover (31).
5. Pet feeding device according to one of claims 3 to 4 wherein the means for closing the bag is a zip-lock.
6. Pet feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one pivoting means (14) for pivoting a container to be supplied about at least one substantially horizontal or vertical axis.
7. Pet feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one compartment accommodating containers (20) can be shifted.
8. Pet feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein full and empty containers (12) are storable in one and the same compartment (20).
9. Pet feeding device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers are, one by one, releasable from a compartment and/or allowed to enter a compartment by the force of gravity and an openable or widenable opening.
10. Pet feeding device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stamp for indenting and/or bending an edge (46) of the container (12).
11. Pet feeding device according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a lever (24) for biasing the lid (22) being opened in a direction opposite to the opening direction.
12. Method for supplying and opening filled containers, in which empty containers are flattened and/or compressed and/or stacked in each other.
13. Method for supplying and opening filled containers in accordance with claim 12, in which empty containers are accommodated in a bag (16), the bag (16) having means for closing the bag before or during removal.
14. Method for supplying and opening filled containers in accordance with claim 13 wherein the bag for accommodating empty containers is closed by means of a zip-lock.
15. Method for supplying and opening filled containers in accordance with one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the container to be supplied is pivoted about at least one substantially horizontal or vertical axis.
16. Method in accordance with one of claims 12 to 15, wherein at least one compartment accommodating containers is shiftable.
17. Method in accordance with one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the containers are, one by one, released from a compartment and/or allowed to enter a compartment by the force of gravity and an openable or widenable opening.
18. Method in accordance with one of claims 12 to 17 wherein an edge of the container is indented and/or bent before opening.
19. Method in accordance with one of claims 12 to 18 wherein a lid of a container being opened is biased in a direction opposite to the opening direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 schematically shows the general design of a pet feeding device;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a central part of the pet feeding device, having one pivoting axis, with a single container being released from a compartment;
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the part corresponding to that of FIG. 2 during pivoting;
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the same at the end of pivoting;
[0038] FIG. 5 shows the same after the empty container has been deposited in the compartment;
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a secondary package, accommodating containers;
[0040] FIG. 7 shows the secondary package of FIG. 6 during use;
[0041] FIG. 7a shows a bag filled with empty containers closable by a zip or bonding area;
[0042] FIG. 7b shows, a bag filled with empty containers closable with two embedded opposite strings;
[0043] FIG. 7c shows an alternative for closing the bag with a cover;
[0044] FIG. 8 shows means for releasing a single container;
[0045] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternative means for releasing a container;
[0046] FIG. 11 shows indenting a container lid;
[0047] FIG. 12 shows the part of the container also shown in
[0048] FIG. 11 after indenting;
[0049] FIGS. 13 and 14 show means for opening a container lid and biasing same in a direction opposite to the opening direction;
[0050] FIG. 15 shows means to bias the lever shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;
[0051] FIG. 16 shows a central part of the pet feeding device, having two pivoting axes, with a single container being released from a compartment;
[0052] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the part corresponding to that of FIG. 16 during pivoting;
[0053] FIG. 19 shows the same at the end of pivoting;
[0054] FIG. 20 shows the same after the empty container has been deposited in the compartment;
[0055] FIG. 21 shows a compartment having an empty container and a pusher for flattening the container;
[0056] FIG. 22 shows the pusher in action;
[0057] FIG. 23 shows the situation of FIG. 21 with the flattened container;
[0058] FIG. 24 shows a compartment having empty containers and a pusher for compressing the containers in itself;
[0059] FIG. 25 shows the pusher in action;
[0060] FIG. 26 shows the situation of FIG. 21 with the containers being nested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0061] As can be taken from the schematic drawing of FIG. 1, the pet feeding device 10 has, in the embodiment shown, a main part 28 having the general appearance of a part of a globe, and a platform 26. Since the containers containing pet food are presented essentially at the top of the main part 28, as will be detailed below, the platform 26 serves to allow the pet to reach this top area.
[0062] Essentially in the center of the main part 28, there is a compartment 20 containing containers 12, in the embodiment shown in the form of capsules. A pivoting means 14 is provided for pivoting about an essentially horizontal axis A and for delivering a single container from essentially the bottom of the device to the top. In FIG. 1, the pivoting means 14 is shown in an intermediate state. Moreover, it can be seen that it essentially comprises two arms 30, 32 and a bottom 34 for transporting a container 12.
[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 2, having one pivoting axis the containers 12 are essentially provided in an “upside down” state, and means are provided, as detailed below, for allowing a single container 12 to be engaged or gripped by the pivoting means.
[0064] As can be taken from FIG. 3, the pivoting means 14 brings the container 12 to the top of the device, which is shown in FIG. 4. As will be detailed below, the container is opened at this position so that the content of the container is accessible for the pet.
[0065] Afterwards, the container is allowed to enter the compartment 20 so that, due to the consecutive use of the filled containers, the compartment 20 is consecutively filled with empty containers, from the top thereof.
[0066] FIG. 6 indicates that the compartment 20 can be formed by a secondary package shown as a rectangular box in FIG. 6. In the initial state, the containers are stacked with a bag 16, which later serves as a waste bag, typically wrapped around the top or the sides of the secondary package.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, as soon as the first container to be presented to a pet, i.e. the lowest one in FIG. 6, has been emptied, the bag 16 is, together with the empty container 12, now being the uppermost, allowed to enter the secondary package. When all filled containers have been removed from the secondary package, the complete number of empty containers is in the bag, the bag being accommodated in the secondary package, and the bag can then be removed. A cover 31, that can be part of the device or being separate, closes the secondary package or its bag. This helps to contain odor or protect any ingress of insects. This is further enhanced with a seal 33 between the secondary container or its bag and the cover.
[0068] FIG. 7a shows the closing of the bag 16, filled with empty containers, before or during removal. In the embodiment shown, reference numeral 52 indicates a zipper or bonding area which can be provided in a top part of the bag 16, in order to close the bag before or during removal thereof. Consequently, any remaining pet food and/or odors can advantageously be kept in the bag.
[0069] FIG. 7b shows mechanisms to close the bag before or during removal, with two embedded, opposite strings.
[0070] FIG. 7c shows an alternative for closing the bag before or during removal in the form of a cover 18. However, this measure can also be applied during use of the device as alternative to the cover 31 in FIG. 7 in order, for example, to keep odors inside during use of the device.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows a first alternative of a mechanism to allow a single container 12 to be released from a compartment (from the bottom according to FIG. 6) or to be allowed to enter the compartment (from the top of FIG. 7). As can be seen in FIG. 8, the mechanism essentially has a plate 36 with a hole 38 wide enough to allow the container 12 to pass therethrough. Adjacent the hole 38, there is a recess 40 or a smaller hole 40 holding the container 12. Consequently, when the plate 36 and the container 12 are moved relative to each other in accordance with arrow B, the container can be allowed to be released from the compartment while the remaining stack of containers stays in the compartment.
[0072] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternative mechanism for removing a single container from the compartment. In this case, a so-called iris mechanism is provided having several, in the embodiment shown six radially movable members 42, which are displaced radially in order to provide a wide opening 38 as shown in FIG. 10, whereas the opening is a smaller opening 40 in the state of FIG. 9.
[0073] FIG. 11 shows a stamp 44 for indenting an edge 46 of a container 12. In an initial state, both the lid 22 and the edge 46 are in an essentially horizontal state, which is shown for the lid 22 in FIG. 12. This is because the lid 22 is radially shorter, so that the stamp only acts on the edge 46 of the container 12. Thus, the edge 46 of the container is plastically deformed and stays in the inclined state shown in FIG. 12. Corresponding to the width of the stamp 44 (as seen perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIGS. 11 and 12) a gap 48 is thus formed between the lid 22 and the edge 46 of the container 12, which can be used to reliably grip and open the lid as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0074] Alternatively, the lid 22 could be provided radially wider, so that the stamp 44 acts both on the lid 22 and the edge 46, which are, in an initial state, essentially horizontal. Since the lid 22 is made of an elastic material, it returns to its initial orientation even after the stamp 44 is removed, similarly as shown in FIG. 12.
[0075] As can be seen in FIG. 13, a protrusion 50 enters the gap 48, when the lid is to be opened, and removes the lid from the container, as can be seen in FIG. 14. This figure also shows a lever 24 for biasing the lid 22 in a direction (to the left in FIGS. 13 and 14) opposite to an opening direction (to the right in FIGS. 13 and 14), in order to minimize formation of wrinkles or similar deformations.
[0076] FIG. 15 additionally shows the lever 24 being biased in the described direction by means of a spring 52.
[0077] FIG. 16 shows the actuation principle releasing a container, similar as FIG. 2, but now with two pivoting axes 54 and a shiftable compartment. The containers are supplied in a position with the lid facing upwards.
[0078] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the actuation principle moving the container 55 anti-clockwise and clockwise upwards, similar as FIG. 3, but now with two pivoting axes and a shiftable compartment. The actuated container stays in a position with the lid facing upwards.
[0079] FIG. 19 shows the actuation principle with the pivoting means and the container in the top position, similar as FIG. 4, but now with two axes and a shiftable compartment.
[0080] FIG. 20 shows the actuation principle after the container has been disposed to the compartment similar as FIG. 5 but now with two pivoting axes and a shiftable compartment. Full and empty containers are facing the same direction.
[0081] FIG. 21 schematically shows a compartment 20, in which, in the situation shown, a single empty container 12 is accommodated. As can particularly be taken from FIG. 22, a pusher 56 comprising a rod 58 and a disc 60 is provided for flattening the container 12 as shown in FIG. 23. As schematically shown, the compartment 20 has essentially the same size in directions perpendicular to the rod 58 as the containers 12 to be accommodated. This also applies to the disc 60, so that the mentioned flattening of the container can be reliably achieved.
[0082] FIG. 24 schematically shows a compartment 20, in which, in the situation shown, two empty containers 12 are accommodated. As can particularly be taken from FIG. 25, a pusher 56 comprising a rod 58 and a disc 60 is provided for stacking the containers in each other as shown in FIG. 26. As schematically shown, the compartment 20 has essentially the same size in directions perpendicular to the rod 58 as the containers 12 to be accommodated. This also applies to the disc 60, so that the mentioned stacking of the containers can be reliably achieved.
