SPILL RESISTING PET WATER VESSEL FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A one piece monolithic spill resisting water vessel made of a flexible material, intended for pets for use in a motor which solves the problems of water sloshing and spilling due to both vehicle motion and pet drinking mechanics, which fits in a vehicle cup holder. The functionality, flexibility, size, cost, simplicity, reliability, ease of use, hygiene, and robustness of the proposed designs are all advantageous.

Claims

1. A spill resisting water vessel for pets for use in motor vehicles with an inward facing, downwardly pointing annular rim surrounding the open periphery of the vessel to prevent unintended egress, ejection or spillage of liquids contained therein as a result of vehicle dynamic forces or pet drinking forces which is made of soft flexible material such as food grade silicone which will not injure a pet in the event of a collision between the pet and the water vessel and which advantageously permits the undercut annular rim of the vessel to be molded integrally with the vessel and the entire component removed from the mold without damage.

2. The spill resisting water vessel for pets of claim 1 which fits into a vehicle cup holder.

3. The spill resisting water vessel for pets of claim 1 which has a base portion of such a diameter as to fit within a typical vehicle cup holder with a transitioning deceleration shoulder which leads to a larger diameter upper portion which includes an inward facing, downwardly pointing annular rim surrounding the open periphery.

4. The spill resisting water vessel for pets of claim 1 which has a raised bottom portion of substantially convex profile which serves both as a settling dome to permit debris and detritus to fall to and collect in the circumferential low point created where the convex bottom meets the side walls of the vessel after the fashion of the similarly shaped bottom frequently found in wine bottles for the same purpose; and also as a false bottom which eliminates the necessity for the pet to insert their muzzle deeply into the vessel to drink.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a spill resisting water vessel embodying teachings of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a spill resisting water vessel embodying teachings of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel embodying teachings of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 4A shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel embodying teachings of the present disclosure with liquid contents being accelerated laterally;

[0043] FIG. 4B shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel embodying teachings of the present disclosure with liquid contents being accelerated laterally and following the contours of the return lip to be redirected into the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In conjunction with the included drawings, this detailed description is intended to impart an understanding of the teachings herein and not to define their metes and bounds. Several particular implementations, illustrating aspects of the present teaching, are presented in detail below. Some of the many possible variations and versions are also described.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure wherein the distinctive shape of the vessel may be plainly seen, particularly the flared rim 80, the projecting rim 70 at the front of the rim 70 and the flattened rim 60 at the rear of the rim 70. Also visible in this view is the deceleration ramp 130.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure wherein the asymmetrical form of flared rim 80 is clearly displayed including flattened rim 60 at the rear of rim 80, seen in this figure at the 12 o'clock position, and projecting rim 70, sin in this figure at the 6 o'clock position.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure wherein the distinctive cross sectional shape of the vessel 10 may be plainly seen including the raised bottom 20, asymmetrical rim 80 including projecting rim 70 and flattened rim 60, and the deceleration ramp 130 and return lip 90 leading to lip 50.

[0048] FIG. 4A shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure with liquid contents 100 being accelerated laterally which causes the liquid surface 110 to tilt at an angle relative to the horizontal, causing the forward edge, or edge pointing in the direction of the acceleration vector to climb vertically up projecting rim 70.

[0049] FIG. 4B shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure with liquid contents 100 being accelerated laterally which causes the liquid surface 110 to tilt at an angle relative to the horizontal, causing the forward edge, or edge pointing in the direction of the acceleration vector to climb vertically up projecting rim 70 and, upon continued climbing, to curve around return rim 90 until water drop 120 passes rim 50 and is redirected back into the interior of vessel 10.

[0050] Operation

[0051] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention is as follows:

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention which is so sized and shaped as to fit into a standard cup holder or drink holder as found in a typical motor vehicle. This provides a stable location to place the vessel where it is unlikely to tip or fall due to vehicle motion and where it is also within convenient reach of the vehicle driver and passengers and within reach of a pet to enable them to drink from.

[0053] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is manufactured out of food grade silicone to create a soft, flexible form which retains its shape, is hygienic, is dishwasher safe, and has no hard surfaces or edges which might possibly injure an animal if they were subjected to a sudden acceleration which causes them to collide with the vessel while drinking from or in close proximity to the vessel 10.

[0054] Additionally, spill resistant vessel 10 has been so designed as to incorporate asymmetrical features which both optimize spill resisting functionality and allow it to fit into the potentially restrictive space surrounding the cup holder or drink holder in some motor vehicles. For example, many cup holders or drink holders are located proximal to or integral with a center console or arm rest which has a vertical space immediately behind the cup holder or drink holder receptacle, thereby restricting the amount of space behind the receptacle. For this reason, flared rim 80 has been flattened in the vicinity of flattened rim 60 at the rear of the vessel 10 to allow it to fit in the space typically allotted to a cup holder or drink holder in a motor vehicle. Conversely, most motor vehicles have ample space forward of the cup holder or drink holder receptacle, so flared rim 80 has been extended on the front of vessel 10 to create projecting rim 70. These asymmetrical features also correspond to the inertial properties most likely to be experienced in the respective areas. For example, it is far more likely that a large, unanticipated deceleration will be experienced at the front of the vessel 10 as the result of emergency braking, than at the rear of the cup as a result of a rapid acceleration or jack rabbit start.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 4A which shows a cross section side view of a spill resisting water vessel 10 embodying teachings of the present disclosure with liquid contents 100 being accelerated laterally which causes the liquid surface 110 to tilt at an angle relative to the horizontal, causing the forward edge, or edge pointing in the direction of the acceleration vector to climb vertically up projecting rim 70 it may be plainly seen how flared rim 80 advantageously accommodates the increased volume of water in the elevated area of the rim due to such acceleration events.

[0056] Still referring to FIG. 4A it may be seen how deceleration ramp 130 serves to decelerate or slow down the advancing front of liquid 100 as it is accelerated towards projecting rim 70 by presenting both a decreased slope angle as well as an increased cross sectional volume to the advancing volume of liquid.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 4B it may be further seen how upon the continued acceleration driven forward and upward advance of liquid 100, the leading edge of liquid 100 continues to climb vertically up flared rim 80 until eventually it contacts return rim 90 which caused liquid 100 to roll back over on itself, effectively redirecting the acceleration induced energy of the advancing liquid back in the downward direction, thereby redirecting liquid 100 back into vessel 10 rather than continuing its advance outward and upward and eventually over the rim 50 of vessel 10, thereby causing a spill.

[0058] Similarly, still referring to FIG. 4B, when an animal, particularly a dog, drinks from vessel 10, the mechanics of drinking involve a dipping and retraction of the tongue which pulls water into the animal's mouth, but there is a fair amount of peripheral splashing and water displacement which also occurs. The proprietary geometry of the spill resisting vessel 10 including the flared rim 80, the deceleration ramp 130 and the return rim 90 advantageously reduce spillage due to splashing and sloshing which result from the mechanics of animal drinking. This is a further benefit of this design.

[0059] Variations

[0060] There are many possible variations of the implementations described above consistent with the teaching of the present disclosure. Variations include different sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and materials.

[0061] In the preferred embodiment, the vessel is made of food grade silicone, but could be made of other materials including rubber, plastic, metal, paper, cardboard or other materials. The vessel could be made to be disposable. The vessel could be configured to be placed somewhere other than a cup holder or drink holder, for example to sit on the floor or seat of a motor vehicle, or to be hung from any protruding object in a motor vehicle including an armrest, door handle, head rest, or other suitable structure. The vessel could also be designed to rest within a pet car seat or pet enclosure, or to be integrally formed with a pet car seat, or pet enclosure.

[0062] The vessel could include baffles or other flow disruption devices to aid in the deceleration and redirection of the liquid in an effort to reduced sloshing and spills.

[0063] The shape, profile, depth, and height of the flared rim could be varied or altered to further aid in the reduction of sloshing and splashing and the retention of liquid contents within the vessel.

[0064] The top rim of the vessel could be made to be raised higher in the front and/or sides in an effort to more effectively combat the greater acceleration forces of the liquid likely to be encountered in these areas.

[0065] Absorbent materials could be attached to or incorporated into or placed adjacent to the vessel in order to absorb any liquid which does find its way out of the cup.

[0066] In another embodiment, means could be incorporated into the vessel for heating or cooling the liquid contents, including a compartment within the hollow base which receives or contains an freezable element or ice, which would permit the user to place the empty vessel in the freezer for a period of time, then place it in a motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle with an elevated interior temperature and the thermal mass of the ice or ice pack or freezable element would cool and maintain the reduced temperature of the liquid contents for a period of time.

[0067] In yet another embodiment it would be possible to attach or incorporate a gas tight lid or sealing element to the vessel to make it spill proof for transportation or stowage.

[0068] In broad embodiment, the present invention is a spill resisting water vessel for pets for use in a motor which solves the problems of water sloshing and spilling due to both vehicle motion and pet drinking mechanics, which fits in a vehicle cup holder.

[0069] The several embodiments of the invention employ designs, materials, and manufacturing methods which are inexpensive and consistent with current manufacturing practices. The functionality, size, cost, simplicity, reliability, ease of use, hygiene, and robustness of the proposed designs are all advantageous

[0070] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.