Animal feeding station

Abstract

An animal feeding station including a base, and at least one compartment, wherein the at least one compartment is defined by a bottom portion, an inner surface of a sidewall, and a top lip, and wherein the at least one compartment is adapted to receive and contain a specially sized bowl.

Claims

1. An animal feeding station, comprising: a ground engaging substantially figure eight shaped base; a first compartment adapted to receive and contain a product, wherein the first compartment includes a bottom surface, a top lip, and a continuous inner sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface to the top lip to form an at least partially hyperboloid shaped bowl; a second compartment adapted to receive and contain a product, wherein the second compartment includes a bottom surface, a top lip, and a continuous inner sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface to the top lip to form an at least partially hyperboloid shaped bowl; and an anti-microbial topcoat applied to the base, the first compartment, and the second compartment, wherein the anti-microbial topcoat comprises silver ion.

2. An animal feeding station, comprising: a ground engaging substantially figure eight shaped base; a first compartment adapted to receive and contain a product, wherein the first compartment includes a bottom surface, a top lip, and a continuous inner sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface to the top lip to form an at least partially hyperboloid shaped bowl; a second compartment adapted to receive and contain a product, wherein the second compartment includes a bottom surface, a top lip, and a continuous inner sidewall extending upward from the bottom surface to the top lip to form an at least partially hyperboloid shaped bowl; wherein the animal feeding station is fabricated from a first component and a binding agent, wherein the first component comprises a plastic and the binding agent comprises cellulosic fiber; and wherein an anti-microbial topcoat is applied to the base, the first compartment, and the second compartment, and wherein the anti-microbial topcoat comprises silver ion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

(2) FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of an animal feeding station constructed in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of an animal feeding station constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a pair of disposable bowls releasably associated with the animal feeding station;

(4) FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top plan view of an animal feeding station constructed in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 of the drawings is a front elevational view of an animal feeding station constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

(6) FIG. 5 of the drawings is a side elevational view of an animal feeding station constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, one or more specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

(8) It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters.

(9) It will be further understood that FIGS. 1-5 are merely representations and/or illustrations of animal feeding stations. As such, some of the components may be distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity and/or image enhancement.

(10) Referring now to the collective drawings (i.e., FIGS. 1-5), animal feeding station 10 (e.g., a multi-compartment container) is shown as preferably comprising a unitary or single-piece station. As is best shown in FIG. 2, animal feeding station 10 is preferably disposed on a surface, such as a floor, and is adapted to releasably retain and/or contain this feeder's specially sized disposable bowls 50 (e.g., Dixie or Solo brand bowls, containers, etcetera) and/or other products, which, in turn, receive and retain one or more food products (e.g., dog food, cat food, etcetera) and/or liquids (e.g., water, milk, etcetera) in each of compartments 12.

(11) Animal feeding station 10 is preferably fabricated from a first component that is a strong and resilient material such as, for example, natural and synthetic polymeric resins, plastics, rubbers, paper, metals, glass, and composites, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, animal feeding station 10 is constructed from impregnated with and/or coated with a waterproof, water resistant, or otherwise fluid impervious material. It will be understood that some of the materials utilized to fabricate animal feeding station 10 may also be a food grade material or coating applied to the outer surface of animal feeding station 10. In some embodiments of the present invention, animal feeding station 10 is preferably fabricated from a material that may be substantially impervious to one or more of: high temperature environments, chemicals (e.g., alcohols, chlorine, surfactants, detergents, emulsifiers, etcetera), UV light, or combinations thereof that may be utilized to sanitize or sterilize animal feeding station 10.

(12) In another aspect of the present invention, animal feeding station 10 is preferably constructed from a disposable material such as paper, paper/plastic composites, and the like. The paper may be coated or impregnated with a waterproof, water resistant, or otherwise fluid impervious product to enhance the lifespan of animal feeding station 10.

(13) Referring once again to FIGS. 1-5, animal feeding station 10 preferably includes base 14 that is substantially wider than the diameters of compartments 12 and may be defined by an outer peripheral geometry. Base 14 provides a stable support for compartments 12 and is configured to at least partially contact a surface (not shown). In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer peripheral geometry of base 14 comprises a substantially figure eight shape, defined in part by the sidewalls of compartments 12, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Base 14 preferably includes a predetermined height that determines, in part, the height that compartments 12 are spaced away from a surface (e.g., floor) on which animal feeding station 10 is disposed.

(14) Each one of compartments 12 is preferably defined by continuous sidewall 16 that extends upwardly from and at a substantially parabolic angle from base 14 to form a bowl, well, and/or recess. In one embodiment of the present invention, animal feeding station 10 preferably includes two bowls disposed in spaced apart relationship. It will be understood that sidewall 16 includes inner surface 18 and outer surface 20.

(15) According to some embodiments of the present invention, sidewall 16 is a shape representative of at least a portion of a hyperboloid of one sheet extending between top lip 22 of sidewall 16 and base 14. Top lip 22 has a given diameter that defines the widest portion of compartment 12. According to the present disclosure, inner surface 18 is shaped to form parabolic side portion 24 and substantially flat bottom portion 26. It will be understood that in some embodiments inner surface 18 of compartment 12 may be substantially semi-circular and concave in shape such that the lowest point of compartment 12 is substantially axially aligned with central axis 28 of compartment 12. This configuration encourages products within compartment 12 to funnel towards central axis 28 of compartment 12 rather than clinging to inner surface 18 of sidewall 16.

(16) In some embodiments, animal feeding station 10 includes two compartments 12 disposed adjacent to one another. Compartments 12 may be identical in shape and size to one another or may vary in size and/or shape relative to one another. Sidewalls 16 of compartments 12 may at least partially intersect one another along midline 30 of animal feeding station 10 giving rise to the substantially figure eight shape of base 14. The substantially figure eight shape of base 14 defines arcuate portions 32. It will be understood that as the distance between compartments 12 increases, the thickness of the intersection point between compartments 12 may decrease, which in turn increases the depth of arcuate portions 32.

(17) Additionally, while animal feeding station 10 has been disclosed as comprising two adjacent compartments 12, animal feeding station 10 may include any one of a number of compartments 12 defined by sidewalls 16. As such, the outer peripheral geometry of base 14 may change depending on the number of compartments 12 of animal feeding station 10.

(18) Animal feeding station 10 preferably includes one or more anti-slip components designed to engage a surface that container 10 is placed upon, to prevent animal feeding station 10 from undesired movement relative to the same. In one embodiment, animal feeding station 10 may include a continuous or semi-continuous strip of anti-slip material disposed under the outer peripheral edge of base 14.

(19) Additionally, as is best shown in FIG. 2, compartments 12 of animal feeding station 10 may be adapted to releaseably receive a liner, such as bowl 50, that may be removed and replaced as necessary. Indeed, such a configuration enables a user to maintain animal feeding station 10 in a generally clean and sanitary condition without continuous and/or repetitive cleaning.

(20) In one embodiment of the present invention, animal feeding station 10 is preferably fabricated from and/or comprises a first component and an optional second component. The first component preferably comprises a plastic and/or thermoplastic and an optional binding agent, and the second component preferably comprises a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic rubber, and/or a thermoplastic elastomer.

(21) In one embodiment, the thermoplastic of the first component preferably comprises a poly(methyl methacrylate), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a polyamide, a polylactic acid, a polybenzimidazole, a polycarbonate, a polyether sulfone, a poly ether-ether ketone, a polyetherimide, a polyethylene, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyphenylene sulfide, a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyvinyl chloride, and/or a polytetrafluoroethylene.

(22) In accordance with the present invention, the binding agent of the first component preferably comprises sucrose, lactose, starch, cellulose, cellulosic fiber, modified cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose ether, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sugar alcohol, gelatin, and/or collagen.

(23) In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermoplastic of the first component (e.g., polypropylene) is present in a concentration ranging from approximately 50 percent by weight to approximately 95 percent by weight of the first component, and the binding agent (e.g., starch, cellulosic fiber) is present in a concentration ranging from approximately 5 percent by weight to approximately 50 percent by weight of the first component.

(24) In another aspect of the present invention, the ratio (by weight) of the thermoplastic to the binding agent ranges from approximately 10:1 to approximately 2:1 (and more preferably approximately 5:1 to approximately 3:1).

(25) The optional second component of animal feeding station 10 preferably comprises a styrenic block copolymer, a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanisate, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, a melt processable rubber, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, and/or a thermoplastic amide elastomer. Preferably, the second component (e.g., thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer) comprises a density ranging from approximately 0.75 g/cm.sup.3 to approximately 0.95 g/cm.sup.3, and more preferably comprises a density ranging from approximately 0.84 g/cm.sup.3 to approximately 0.89 g/cm.sup.3.

(26) Furthermore, the second component (e.g., thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer) preferably comprises a Tg ranging from approximately 35 degrees centigrade to approximately 75 degrees centigrade, and more preferably comprises a Tg ranging from approximately 40 degrees centigrade to approximately 60 degrees centigrade.

(27) Preferred second component thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers include, for example, ENGAGE 7270, ENGAGE 7277, ENR 7380, ENGAGE HM 7387, ENGAGE 7447, ENGAGE 7467, ENGAGE 8003, ENGAGE 8100, ENGAGE 8107, ENGAGE 8130, ENGAGE 8137, ENGAGE 8150, ENGAGE 8157, ENGAGE 8180, ENR 8187, ENGAGE XLT 8677, ENGAGE 8200, ENGAGE 8207, ENGAGE 8400, ENGAGE 8407, ENGAGE 8842, ENGAGE HM 7487, DOW VLDPE 1085, ENGAGE HM 7280, DOW VLDPE 1095, ENGAGE HM 7289, NORDEL IP 3720P, NORDEL IP 3745, and/or AMPLIFY GR 216.

(28) In accordance with the present invention, the first component and the second component may also optionally include one or more adjunct agents such as, a solvent (e.g., polar and/or non-polar solvent) an anti-microbial agent (e.g., anti-microbial component, layer and/or topcoat 34), a scent, and a colorant.

(29) In accordance with the present invention, anti-microbial agents comprise chemical compositions that at least substantially inhibit microbial growth and/or kill bacteria, fungi and/or other microorganisms. A plurality of inorganic and/or organic chemical compositions which display anti-microbial activity are suitable for use with the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable organic substances that possess anti-microbial activity are carboxylic acids, alcohols and/or aldehydes, most of which appear to act by protein precipitation and/or by disruption of microbial cell membrane.

(30) In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-microbial activity of suitable inorganic substances is generally related to the ions, toxic to other microorganisms, into which they dissociate. The anti-microbial activity of various metal ions, for example, is often attributed to their affinity for protein material and the insolubility of the metal proteinate formed. Metal-containing salts are thus preferred among the inorganic substances that act as anti-microbial agents.

(31) Metal inorganic salts, including simple salts of metal cations and inorganic anions like silver nitrate, are often soluble and dissociable and, hence, offer ready availability of potentially toxic ions.

(32) Metal salts or complexes of organic moieties such as organic acids, on the other hand, are often less soluble and, therefore, are less dissociable than the soluble metal inorganic salts. Metal organic salts or complexes generally have a greater stability with respect to extraneous organic matter, and anions present in the environment of the living cell than metal inorganic salts, but have less toxic potential by virtue of their greater stability.

(33) Silver ion is an example of a preferred metal ion which possess anti-microbial activity. To the best of Applicant's knowledge silver ions react with a variety of anions as well as with chemical moieties of proteins. Precipitation of proteins, causing disruption of the microbial cell membrane and complexation with DNA, is likely the basis of the anti-microbial activity. Silver ions in high concentration will form insoluble silver chloride and thereby deplete chloride ions in vivo.

(34) Anti-bacterials are antiseptics that have the proven ability to act against bacteria. Non-limiting examples of anti-bacterials suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include alcohols such as ethanol (20-99.sup.+%), 1-propanol (20-99.sup.+%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (20-99.sup.+%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly referred to as surgical alcohol. Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine) or some cationic surfactants (benzalkonium chloride 0.05-0.5%, chlorhexidine 0.2-4.0% or octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1-2.0%). Other common anti-bacterials include quaternary ammonium compounds known as Quats or QAC's, include the chemicals benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), cetylpyridinium chloride (Cetrim, CPC) and benzethonium chloride (BZT). Benzalkonium chloride is used in some pre-operative skin disinfectants (conc. 0.05-0.5%) and antiseptic towels. The anti-microbial activity of Quats is inactivated by anionic surfactants, such as soaps. Related disinfectants include chlorhexidine and octenidine.

(35) It will be understood that the first component and/or the second component may be single or double sidedly dip or spray coated with the anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and/or anti-viral agent, or alternatively one or both components may be impregnated with one or more of the aforementioned agents.

(36) Animal feeding stations 10 of the present invention may be injection molded, blow molded, cast, turned, or vacuum formed, among others, to create a container having one or more compartments for receiving and retaining a product.

(37) Moreover, to reduce the cost of manufacture, animal feeding station 10 may be fabricated utilizing vacuum forming processes where animal feeding station 10 is fabricated from a sheet of plastic drawn over a positive or negative mold of animal feeding station 10. Fabricating animal feeding station 10 via a vacuum molding process that utilizes a sheet of plastic having a given thickness ensures that the overall thickness of a substantial portion of animal feeding station 10 is uniform. Animal feeding station 10 may be constructed to be as lightweight as possible by varying the thickness of the sheet of plastic. It will be understood that manufacturers may balance a desired weight of animal feeding station 10 against a desired durability profile of animal feeding station 10 to arrive at a particular thickness that results in the desired container profile, keeping in mind that as the thickness of the sheet of plastic decreases, the strength of animal feeding station 10 may decrease.

(38) The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.