Reward Dispenser for Pet

Abstract

A reward dispenser (10) is provided for dispensing an edible reward to a pet. The reward dispenser (10) comprises a reward pouch receiver (42) configured to receive a pouch (44) containing an edible reward for a pet, a dispenser outlet (14) and a peristaltic pump (32) positioned on a reward transfer path between the reward pouch receiver (42) and the dispenser outlet (14). The peristaltic pump (32) is configured to drive an edible reward from a said pouch (44) at the reward pouch receiver (42) to the dispenser outlet (14).

Claims

1. A reward dispenser for dispensing an edible reward to a pet, the reward dispenser comprising: a reward pouch receiver configured to receive a pouch containing an edible reward for a pet; a dispenser outlet; and a peristaltic pump positioned on a reward transfer path between the reward pouch receiver and the dispenser outlet and configured to drive an edible reward from a said pouch at the reward pouch receiver to the dispenser outlet.

2. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wireless controller associated with the peristaltic pump.

3. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least any one of an audio output element and a visual output element configured to activate upon activation of the peristaltic pump.

4. A reward dispenser as claimed claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the reward pouch receiver and peristaltic pump.

5. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing portion within which the reward pouch receiver is located and which has an openable lid.

6. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a retaining member releasably engagable with the housing for retaining a deformable conduit in place on the reward transfer path between the reward pouch receiver and the dispenser outlet.

7. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining member is slidably engagable with the housing any one of at and adjacent to the peristaltic pump.

8. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining member has an arcuate contact surface.

9. A reward dispenser as claimed claim 1, further comprising an onboard battery.

10. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser outlet comprises a dispenser port and a tray positioned below the dispenser port.

11. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser outlet is positioned on a top surface of the reward dispenser.

12. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pouch of any one of edible liquid and paste engagable with the reward pouch receiver.

13. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pouch comprises a deformable conduit positionable on the reward transfer path.

14. A reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a deformable conduit which extends along the reward transfer path between the reward pouch receiver and the dispenser outlet.

15. An interactive pet engagement system for at least any one of entertaining, training, and monitoring a pet, the system comprising: an interactive device configured to present at least one task for a pet; and a reward dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reward dispenser is activated in response to a result of an undertaking of the at least one task at the interactive device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an isometric representation of a first embodiment of a reward dispenser in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exploded representation of the reward dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a pictorial representation of a pouch and deformable conduit suitable for use with the reward dispenser of FIG. 1; and

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of an interactive pet engagement system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1 there is indicated a reward dispenser, indicated globally at 10, and which is suitable for dispensing a paste, liquid, or semi-liquid edible substance as a reward for a pet.

[0043] The reward dispenser 10 has a housing 12 having a dispenser outlet 14 thereon from which a reward can be dispensed. Here the dispenser outlet 14 is positioned so as to eject reward material from the housing 12 into a tray 16 located at one end of the housing 12.

[0044] A main body 18 of the housing 12 is closed via a lid 20, which can be opened via an engagement tab 22 at one end thereof. Here, the lid 20 comprises a majority of the upper surface of the main body 18 of the housing 12, and can be opened via lifting. However, the lid 20 could slidably engage with the main body 18, for instance, or could be hingeably connected.

[0045] In one side of the housing 12, there is provided a retaining member 24 which is releasably engagable with the housing 12. This retaining member 24 is dimensioned to slot or slide into the housing 12, and is configured to hold a deformable conduit associated with a pouch to be used in place inside the reward dispenser 10.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the full set of componentry of the reward dispenser 10. The housing 12 comprises the main body 18 formed from a lower housing part 26 and an upper housing part 28 which divide the main body 18 into upper and lower chambers, plus a dispenser unit 30 which comprises a dispenser port forming the dispenser outlet 14 and a tray 16 formed as a unitary component.

[0047] The main housing 18 contains a peristaltic pump 32, formed by a motor 34, a gear train 36 having a plurality of gears, which are located in the lower housing part 26 and a peristaltic drive member 38 which is located in the upper housing part 28. A drive shaft 40 which interconnects the gear train 36 and the peristaltic drive member 38 extends up through an aperture through the upper housing part 28.

[0048] The upper housing part 28 defines a reward pouch receiver 42 into which a reward pouch 44, such as that shown in FIG. 3, can be positioned, along with a deformable conduit 46, which may have a coupling 48 for engaging with the dispenser outlet 14 directly or indirectly. The reward pouch receiver 42 is here formed as a concave receptacle dimensioned to the size of a standard pouch of pet treat liquid or paste, and the reward pouch receiver 42 includes a throated portion 50 which receives a nozzle 52 of the pouch 44.

[0049] The upper housing part 28 is covered in use by the lid 20, with the connection of the engagement tab 22 via a fastener 54 shown in FIG. 2.

[0050] The upper housing part 28 also has a conduit-connection aperture 56 which interfaces with the dispenser outlet 14 when correctly aligned with the dispenser unit 30. Between the dispenser outlet 14 and reward pouch receiver 42 is provided a seat 58 for the peristaltic drive member 38, formed as a cylindrical member and on which the peristaltic drive member 38 sits. This defines a reward transfer path around on which a deformable conduit can be positioned for the peristaltic drive member 38 to act upon.

[0051] An opening 60 is provided on one side of the upper housing part 28 adjacent to the peristaltic drive member 38, into which the retaining member 24 is slidably engagable. Whilst the retaining member 24 is slidably engagable in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that alternative engagement mechanisms, such as clamping or detent latching, could be used. The retaining member 24 applies a force towards the peristaltic drive member 38 in use, so that peristalsis occurs on the deformable conduit 46 rather than the deformable conduit 46 being urged out of the way by the peristaltic drive member 38. The retaining member 24 has an arcuate contact surface 62 to achieve this.

[0052] The retaining member 24 has a pair of flexible latches 64 to lock it into place in the opening 60 and hold the arcuate contact surface 62 against the deformable conduit 46 in use. Alternatively locking mechanisms for holding the retaining member 24 in place are of course feasible and will be apparent to the skilled person.

[0053] The peristaltic drive member 38 has a pair of plates 66 between which are held pins 68 which hold peristaltic rollers 70 in place. Three such peristaltic rollers 70 are provided in the peristaltic drive member 38 of the present invention.

[0054] The content of the lower housing part 26 is also shown in FIG. 2. An onboard battery 72 is provided which provides power not only to the peristaltic pump 32, but also to an onboard controller 74. Whilst an onboard battery 72 is provided, to allow for a portable reward dispenser 10 to be made, it will be appreciated that a mains wired unit could be produced, or one which draws power from another device. For the present device, a charging port 76 is provided to recharge the onboard battery 72 as required.

[0055] The controller 74 may be provided with an audio or visual output element 78, such as a buzzer, which triggers when a reward is being dispensed by the reward dispenser 10.

[0056] The controller 74 is preferably a wireless controller, configured to at least receive commands from an external source wirelessly, for instance, via wireless internet or near field communications protocols. This allows the reward dispenser 10 to be used as part of an interactive pet engagement system 100 for entertaining, training, or monitoring a pet, such as that shown in FIG. 4.

[0057] The interactive pet engagement system 100 comprises an interactive device 80 with which a pet can interact, for instance, by performing activities indicative of cognitive or physical state, or purely for entertainment purposes. The interactive device 80 is here illustrated as being a console having a touchscreen 82. The interactive device 80 is designed to run programs for evaluating a cognitive and/or physical state of the pet, particularly whilst an owner is not present, and this may take the form of video games on the interactive device 80.

[0058] There is a wireless communicator onboard the interactive device 80 which is configured to transmit command signals to the reward dispenser 10 following performance of tasks by the pet at the interactive device 80. According to the command signals, edible liquid or paste 84 may then be dispensed from the dispenser outlet 14.

[0059] Whilst the present invention has been described as using a peristaltic pump, it will be appreciated that alternative drive arrangements may be feasible which can urge edible liquid or paste rewards from the dispenser outlet.

[0060] It is therefore possible to provide a means of dispensing a reward for a pet, which, instead of there being a solid reward dispenser, the mechanism of the reward dispenser is configured to drive edible liquid or paste rewards therethrough. This is cleaner and less likely to jam than reward dispensers known in the art.

[0061] The words comprises/comprising and the words having/including when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0062] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0063] The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.