Patent Application
20170245463
A proper feeding apparatus is important for domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats, as well as other domesticated animals. When domesticated animals eat or drink, they usually place their faces in a bowl or dish containing food or water that sits on the floor. However, elevated feeders offer many benefits, such as comfort for older domesticated animals with arthritis, back, or neck problems, or conditions that make swallowing difficult, such as megaesophagus. They also help keep feeding areas cleaner, as, for example, a dog does not have to raise their head after drinking and thus keeps water off the floor. A foldable, raised feeding apparatus offers the additional benefit to the owner of the domesticated animal in that it can be folded up and stored in a small place.
The foregoing examples of related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the inventions described herein. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
One embodiment comprises a foldable animal sustenance receptacle apparatus having folded and unfolded positions comprising a wall mountable structure having a front face and a back face, and at least one receptacle platform, wherein the receptacle platform is operably attached to the front face of the wall mountable structure and extends out perpendicularly from the front face of the wall mountable structure when in the unfolded, horizontal position, wherein said platform can fold upward or downward to be partially flush or fully flush with said front face, and wherein said receptacle platform comprises at least one receptacle for food or water.
Another embodiment may further comprise a method for feeding a domestic animal, comprising providing a foldable animal sustenance receptacle comprising a wall mountable structure having a front face and a back face, and at least one receptacle platform, wherein said platform is operably attached to said front face and extends out approximately perpendicular from said front face when in the unfolded position, wherein said platform can fold upward or downward to be partially flush with said front face, and wherein said platform comprises a receptacle for food or water; moving said receptacle from the closed position to the open position and providing food or water in said receptacle; feeding a domestic animal and then returning said receptacle to the closed position for storage.
An embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a foldable animal sustenance system comprising: a walled platform, having a front face and a back face; and receptacle platform having at least one receptacle for holding food or water; wherein said receptacle platform is operably attached to said walled platform by a means of attachment; and wherein said means of attachment allows the receptacle platform to swing or rotate in a horizontal position, a vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position.
In addition to the example, aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by study of the following descriptions, any one or all of which are within the invention. The summary above is a list of example implementations, not a limiting statement of the scope of the invention.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, example embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a foldable animal sustenance receptacle system and methods for use. The system allows for elevated feeding for domesticated and wild animals including but not limited to mammals such as dogs, cats, cattle, horses, llamas, alpacas, pigs, as well as birds, such as chickens, turkeys, ostrich, ducks and others. Once the animal has completed eating or drinking, the system folds or swings on a hinge into a position out of the way for easy storage.
As will be discussed in more detail, the foldable animal sustenance receptacle system functions by providing at least one platform operably attached to a wall mountable structure, which may fold or swing upwards or downwards to be substantially flush with the front face of the wall mountable structure. The receptacle platform extends out approximately perpendicular to the front face of the wall mountable structure when in the unfolded or open position and allows for one or more receptacles, or containers, to be placed on or within the platform. As used herein, the phrase “open” refers to the receptacle platform in the unfolded, horizontal position, and “closed” refers to the receptacle platform in the folded, vertical position. The receptacles may be removable or fixed. The system may further comprise a means for support for the platform when in the open position. The back face may further comprise a means for attaching the foldable animal sustenance receptacle on a wall. The present disclosure also provides a method for feeding a domesticated animal.
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The shape of the foldable animal sustenance receptacle shown in
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, a variety of materials may be used to construct wall mountable structure and the receptacle platform of the foldable animal sustenance receptacle including but not limited to, wood, plywood, plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, metal, including but not limited to copper, bronze, steel and aluminum or others, stone, plastic, and fiberglass, fabric.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the size and shape of the foldable animal sustenance receptacle may be customized for the size and shape of the animal or animals, which the device is intended to be used for.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, while one receptacle platform is shown in
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the foldable animal sustenance receptacle may have one, two, three or more receptacles 106 within the receptacle platform. Bowls or other food bearing devices may be used as receptacles and the shape of the receptacles may vary depending on the shape of the silhouette and may include round, oval, square, rectangular, hexagons, pentagons and other shapes.
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Braces or legs (not shown in
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While a receptacle platform that rotates downwards from a vertical position is discussed in the flow diagram of
The following examples are provided to illustrate further the various applications of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention beyond the limitations set forth in the appended claims.
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While a cat is shown in
In another example, the receptacle platform of the present disclosure is attached to the interior wall of a barn, such as the wall of a stall, for use in feeding horses, dairy cattle or other livestock. In this example, the receptacle platform is attached directly to a wall and not to wall mountable structure. The means of attaching the receptacle platform to the barn wall may be a hinge or other means. The receptacle platform may be rotated from a vertical, closed position flush against the wall for easy storage to a horizontal, open position for animal feeding and watering.
In another example, the receptacle platform of the present disclosure is attached to the interior wall of an animal trailer, such as the interior wall of a horse trailer, for use in feeding horses, dairy cattle or other livestock. In this example, the receptacle platform is attached directly to a wall and not to the wall mountable structure. The means of attaching the receptacle platform to the interior wall may be a hinge or other means. The receptacle platform may be rotated from a vertical, closed position flush against the wall for easy storage to a horizontal, open position for animal feeding and watering.
In another example, one or more receptacle platforms of the present disclosure may be used in an animal kennel within an animal boarding facility. In this example, one or more receptacle platforms are attached to the interior wall of an animal boarding facility. In this example, the receptacle platform is attached directly to a wall and not to the wall mountable structure. The means of attaching the receptacle platform to the wall may be a hinge or other means. The receptacle platform may be rotated from a vertical, closed position flush against the wall for easy storage to a horizontal, open position for animal feeding and watering.
In another example, the receptacle platform of the present disclosure is attached to the interior wall, fence, or post of an animal feedlot for use in feeding livestock. In this example, the receptacle platform is attached directly to a wall, fence, or post and not to a wall mountable platform. The means of attaching the receptacle platform to the wall or fence may be a hinge or other means. The receptacle platform may then be rotated from a vertical position flush against the wall for easy storage to a horizontal position for animal feeding and watering.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.
This utility patent application claims the benefit of priority and is a Continuation-In-Part from U.S. Design Patent application Ser. No. 29/555,910 filed on Feb. 25, 2016, and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/571,380 filed on Jul. 18, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29555910 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 15367768 | US | |
| Parent | 29571380 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 29555910 | US |
