The present invention pertains to the field of pet nutrition and accessories. More particularly, the present invention pertains to liquid nutritional supplements for dogs in the form of bottled beverages and an improved reusable bottle and bowl for the bottled beverage.
Nutritionists have long known that dogs, like humans, benefit from nutritionally complete diets. Essential vitamins for dogs include vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are stored in a dog's body fat, and water soluble B vitamins. Water soluble vitamin C is also beneficial to dogs, but can be manufactured by a healthy dog's own body. Essential minerals include calcium and phosphorus for bone formation and strength, magnesium for healthy metabolic, cardiovascular, muscle, and nervous system functioning, and salts such as sodium chloride and potassium for proper cellular functioning. Dog foods are commonly fortified with the aforesaid vitamins and minerals, but to varying degrees, and additionally some dogs require special or supplemental vitamins and minerals in their diets due to underlying medical conditions, an inability to absorb nutrients from food due to age, or to supplement an otherwise healthy dog's normal food and drink due to the dog's increased physical activity.
Currently, dog owners provide their dogs with supplements in pill or concentrated liquid form. Both types of supplements are normally added to the dog's food, or forced down the dog's throat. The inventor is a dog owner, and has experienced his dog rejecting food altered by the addition of a supplement not normally found in the food, as well as the unpleasant struggle of forcing his dog to swallow pills or other necessary supplements.
What is needed is a simple way to improve or enhance the diet of a dog using tasty drinks fortified with vitamins and minerals needed by the dog, for the purpose of treating a medical condition, or just for enhancing a healthy dog's diet.
The inventor also regularly walks his dog, and dislikes the inconvenience of carrying both a water bottle and a bowl in order to provide his dog with liquids while away from home. Dogs can learn to drink out of water bottles, but the process is messy and wastes a great deal of water.
What is also needed is a convenient liquid container capable of both storing and then serving the liquid contained therein.
The invention of the first part is a flavored beverage for dogs fortified with a mix of desired vitamins, minerals, and other supplements to aid in dog nutrition and health. The flavored beverage is administered to the dog in addition to, or in lieu of, water, and in one embodiment, the flavored beverage is administered to the dog according to the dog's weight, and in another embodiment, the flavored beverage can be given in lieu of water and without restriction.
The invention of the second part is a portable container with a hinged domed lid, the lid forming a serving bowl into which the liquid stored inside the portable container can be dispensed and then conveniently served to the dog.
The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:
a is a chart showing an electrolyte composition in a blood sample from a healthy dog (PRIOR ART).
a and 2b are side elevation, cross-sectional views of a portable container for holding and serving liquids,
The following is a list of reference labels used in the drawings to label components of different embodiments of the invention, and the names of the indicated components.
10 pet beverage
12 fruit and/or vegetable
14 water and/or other liquid
20 container
22 container portion
24 hollow interior portion
26 top end
28 neck
30 lid
32 storage or closed position
34 interior side of lid
36 serving position
38 hinge
40 cap
41 tab
A beverage according to the invention is an aqueous beverage 10 shown in a typical formulation in
In the formulation described in
The inventor also notes that dogs enjoy meat flavors, and meat broths may be substituted or used in addition to fruits and/or vegetables. In particular, one formulation of the beverage 10 shown is made without added sugars and uses a meat and/or vegetable flavored broth for a savory beverage.
In the case of fat-soluble essential vitamins A, D, E, and K, these can also be added to the beverage 10 in amounts appropriate for dogs however the quantity of beverage provided that the dog's ingestion is monitored and the beverage 10 is provided according to the dog's weight, age and general health. As these vitamins are stored in the body, allowing the dog unrestricted access to the beverage 10 enhanced with these vitamins may be dangerous.
The inventor also notes that the beverage 10 could also be provided as a frozen concentrate that is then mixed with an appropriate amount of water before providing the beverage 10 to the dog. As a frozen concentrate, the vitamins and antioxidants present in the fresh fruit/vegetables would not be lost by heat processing, and additionally, the dog would be treated with a nice cool refreshing beverage! In yet another advantageous embodiment, the frozen concentrate could be mixed with ice cubes in a blender, to make a frozen slushy treat for the dog with no known ailments or dietary restrictions.
A container according to the invention 20 is described in
In use, a desired quantity of liquid is poured into the container according to the invention 20 and the neck 28 is sealed by the cap 40. The lid 30 is pivoted to cover the cap 40. In some embodiments, the lid 30 rests against the top end 26 of the container portion 22, in other embodiments, the lid in the closed position 32 is secured to the container portion by a variety of securing means, such as tabs or with mating members formed into the lid and the container portion. When a user wants to provide a beverage to a dog, the user holds the container portion 22 in one hand, pivots the lid 30 into an open or serving position, removes the cap 40, and tilts the container portion 22 until a desired quantity of beverage pours into the opened lid 30. The user then either holds the container or positions the container on a level surface, and the dog drinks from the opened lid that is now serving as a bowl.
The container according to the invention 20 has many ergonomic benefits for the dog, including raising the level of the drinking bowl so the dog does not have to lower its neck all the way to the ground. This is known to be helpful for large dogs, as well as older dogs who may have arthritis or other conditions and find elevated drinking bowls to be more comfortable. The combined container-bowl according to the invention 20 is also convenient for the user, who has a single, dual use container that is sleeker and easier to carry and stow. All the necessary pieces cannot be lost or misplaced because they are attached to the container 20. In some embodiments, the container 20 includes a strap or other means for hands free carrying. In some embodiments, the container portion 22 is provided as a wide cylinder, such that the diameter of the cylinder is greater than the height, so as to prevent the container from tipping over when the lid is in serving position 36, and also to provide a larger serving bowl suitable for a larger dog, or to allow multiple dogs to drink from a single bowl at the same time.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present inventions. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the dog beverage described in
Reference is made to and priority claimed from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/968,656 filed on 21 Mar. 2014.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61968656 | Mar 2014 | US |