Animal husbandry – Watering or liquid feed device – Fountains and troughs
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2001-08-21
Price, Thomas (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Watering or liquid feed device
Fountains and troughs
C222S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276299
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a device which, in use, is adapted to act as a combined container and drinking vessel and especially to such a device which can be used to provide for the needs of an animal (such as a dog) during the course of a journey.
The present invention will be described herein with particular reference to a combined water-container and drinking vessel for a dog, although it is not to be construed as being limited thereto.
When taking a dog on a journey, it has hitherto been necessary to provide a drinking bowl for the dog, together with a separate container for water. Furthermore, when providing the dog with water to drink under these conditions, it has been necessary to find a relatively level place for the bowl, open the container, pour water into the bowl and close the container. If required, the bowl then may need to be refilled from the container. When continuing the journey, both container and bowl must be retrieved and transported.
The Applicant has devised a combined container and drinking vessel which, in use, substantially avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a combined container and drinking vessel comprising:
(i) a closable container adapted, in use, to contain a liquid and having two opposed major surfaces, one of said major surfaces being substantially planar and the opposed surface containing a dished portion, the container moreover having at least one resiliently deformable portion;
(ii) means communicating between the interior of the container and the dished portion and adapted, in use, to permit a flow of liquid from the container and into the dished portion.
In use, deformation of the resiliently deformable portion compresses the volume of the enclosed container (i) and forces liquid, via the communication means (ii) into the dished portion.
Preferably, the enclosed container (i) is moulded from a deformable plastics material.
The resiliently deformable portion (which conveniently is integrally-moulded with the container and forms part of the container) may suitably be provided with a plurality of grooves or other indentations to facilitate deformation. Preferably, the grooves may be further defined by integrally-moulded ribs or other protuberances, so that the resiliently deformable portion of the container (i) acts in the manner of a “living hinge”.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resiliently deformable portion is located at one end of the container (i) and is operated by downward pressure on the surface of the container (i)which includes the dished portion and which, in use, will be uppermost. The surface of the container (i) used to operate the resiliently deformable portion may be provided with a portion adapted to be engaged by a hand or foot of a user.
The container (i) is provided with a filling orifice which may be closed by means of a screw-cap or the like, in a manner known per se.
The communication means (ii) may suitably comprise a pipe or tube which, in use, extends from a position within the container (i) and below the normal level of the liquid to a point outside the container (i) and in proximity to the dished portion.
Preferably, the tube may be secured in position by means of a grommet or the like.
Preferably, the end of the tube adjacent the dished portion is provided with means to control the flow of liquid through the tube, such as a tap, a cock or a valve (e.g. a non-return valve).
In use, the container (i) is filled with water via the filling orifice, which is then closed. When it is required to provide water for an animal to drink, the device is placed on the ground with the dished portion uppermost. The tap or cock (where fitted) is opened and the resiliently deformable portion of the container (i) is compressed by means of the hand (or foot) of a user. Water is forced from the container, via the tube, into the dished portion, from which the animal can then drink.
The device according to the present invention provides a convenient means for transporting water and dispensing it for an animal (e.g. a dog) to drink. It may conveniently be made of a plastics material having a generally smooth outer surface (for hygiene, ease of cleaning and safety). Moreover, the weight of the water in the enclosed container (i) provides a means of enhancing the stability, in use, of the device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3246807 (1966-04-01), Micallef
patent: 3874561 (1975-04-01), Zackheim et al.
patent: 4091965 (1978-05-01), Gebhard
patent: 4146154 (1979-03-01), Mastman
patent: 4581021 (1986-04-01), Landau et al.
patent: 4830222 (1989-05-01), Read
patent: 5809935 (1998-09-01), Kolterman et al.
patent: 5992702 (1999-11-01), Shapiro
Firstbrook & Doman LTD
Price Thomas
Wittenberg Malcolm B.
LandOfFree
Combined container and drinking vessel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Combined container and drinking vessel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Combined container and drinking vessel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2530037