FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of animal feeders and, more particularly, to raised dog food bowls for taller dogs, having a food storage compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Veterinarians recommend a raised bowl for taller dogs. Many digestive problems in dogs are caused by taller dogs having to bend their head down to eat or drink. A raised bowl provides an ergonomically correct eating position for taller dogs. This elevated feeding position also alleviates pain for dogs suffering from arthritis.
While there are structures known in the prior art which provide an elevated feeding position, these structures have significant disadvantages. The disadvantages include animal feeders whose food storage containers are not sealed airtight from the surrounding environment. This lack of proper sealing exposes the stored food to bacterial contaminants, which results in a loss of freshness.
Additionally, feeders known in the prior art are also disadvantaged in that the food storage compartments are not completely sealed off from the food bowl. Users of these feeders run the risk of accidentally spilling food or water into the food storage compartment when they refill the food bowl.
Thus there is a need to provide an animal feeder that elevates the feeding bowl, provides an airtight food storage compartment and completely seals off the food bowl from the food storage compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a raised animal feeder with an integrated food storage container which seals airtight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the elevated dog food bowl according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the elevated dog food bowl;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the elevated dog food bowl;
FIG. 4 is another side view of the elevated dog food bowl;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the elevated dog food bowl;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the elevated dog food bow;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cover for the elevated dog food bowl;
FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of a sealing mechanism; and
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the elevated dog feed bowl.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the elevated dog food bowl 10 having an integrated storage region 32, which can be best seen in FIG. 6. A base 30 forms the storage region 32 and can hold multiple items such as dog food. A cover 20 can be positioned on top of the base 30. Latches 22 on the cover 20 releasably lock the cover 20 to the base 30 to provide an airtight seal between the cover 20 and the base 30.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the elevated dog food bowl 10. A container 40 is shown sitting within a depression 14. The container 40 is removable from the cover 20 to enable a user to clean and refill it without having to expose the food storage compartment 32 in the base 30. Indentations 12 in the cover 20 aid in removal of the container 40 when it is seated within the depression 14.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show varying side views of the dog food bowl 10 with the integrated food storage compartment 32. As can be seen in the figures, the base 30 and the cover 20 elevate a removable food or water container 40 off of the ground. Elevated dog food bowls are recommended for large dogs so they do not have to stoop to eat. Elevated dog food bowls aid in swallowing and digestion.
As can be seen from FIG. 5, non-skid rubber feet 24 can be affixed to or molded onto the bottom 34 of the base 30 to help prevent the base 30, cover 20, and container 40 from being pushed across the floor by a dog while he/she eats. The interior of the container 40 is hollow, and may retain a large quantity of dog food. The weight added by the dog food helps weigh down the elevated dog food bowl 10 and further helps to prevent the base 30, cover 20, and container 40 from being pushed.
As can be seen from FIG. 6, the container 40 sits within a depression 14 in the cover 20. When the container 40 is removed from the cover 20, the food storage compartment 32 in the base 30 remains fully enclosed by a planar member 20-1 formed in the cover 20, keeping the airtight seal intact. Depressions are formed within opposing sidewalls of the base 30 to form hand holds 18.
The top of the base 30 has a vertical protrusion 26 which interlocks with a depression 28 in the bottom of the cover 20. The vertical protrusion 26 and depression 28 combine within a tight tolerance, using a “tongue in groove” design to form an airtight seal. The outside edge of the vertical protrusion 26 is slightly angled in order to lead the vertical protrusion 26 into the depression 28 in the bottom of the cover 20.
FIG. 7 shows the container 40 seated in the cover 20. The container 40 is preferably formed from stainless steel. Stainless steel dog food bowls are recommended by veterinarians since they do not harbor bacteria and are easy to clean.
FIG. 8 shows a close-up view of an exemplary latch 22. The sealing function provided by a mechanism such as a latch is used to further enhance the airtight seal and keep the dog food in the storage region 32 fresh. As the exemplary latch 22 is swung closed, a ramp-like feature 16 on the exemplary latch 22 engages the hand-hold 18 on the base 30 and draws the cover 20 down until it touches the base 30. This forcing of the cover 20 onto the base 30 ensures that the seal is airtight. Alternative forms of a sealing mechanism may include a rotatable latch, a twist lock mechanism, or interlocking threaded fasteners between the cover and the base.
FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the invention in which the base 30 and cover 20 are completely detachable from each other. In another embodiment of the invention, the cover 20 is connected by a hinge to the base 30 and the container 40 is removably attached to cover 20 while in the depression 14. This allows for the cover 20 to act as a cap for the base 30, while also preventing the container 40 from falling out when the cover 20 is opened.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.