Pet feeder including a safety restriction device

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a pet feeding apparatus, and more particularly, to a continuous and gravity fed pet feeder including a safety restriction device to prevent pets from injuring or suffocating themselves when using the pet feeding apparatus.

[0003] Although there have been numerous pet feeders designed, many have proven to be hazardous to small pets. Pet feeders typically contain large inverted storage containers that gravity feed pet food into a base portion having a food bowl. By using these devices, pet owners have the convenience of feeding their pets less frequently as the food dispensing function is performed automatically; thus, pet owners can be away from their pets for longer periods of time.

[0004] In some instances, however, food containers will separate from the base portion for various reasons, often posing a hazard to pets. If a pet owner is not present to reassemble the device, small pets will often insert their heads into the storage container to eat the food located inside. Because the opening is large enough for pets to insert their heads, some pets are seriously injured and in some instances have died from suffocation.

[0005] The present invention prevents pets from inserting their heads inside such containers while also allowing food to gravity feed into a lower bowl.

[0006] The present invention comprises a pet feeding apparatus to dispense a constant supply of pet food for pets during extended periods of time. The pet feeding apparatus comprises a storage container for storing pet food, a base structure that includes a mounting structure to support and hold the storage container and a bowl to receive pet food as it is dispensed from the storage container exit. Food is gravity fed into the bowl from the container to maintain a minimum food level in the bowl for extended periods of time.

[0007] The present invention further comprises a restriction device that attaches to the storage container opening to prevent pets from inserting their heads inside the container in the event that a pet separates the storage container from the base structure mount. The restriction device comprises at least one restriction bar extending across the inner boundary of the restriction device. The present invention reduces the risk of suffocation or serious injury to the pet by preventing the pet from inserting its head inside the container. The restriction bar contains a V-shaped cross section or any other cross section suitable to prevent food from lodging on the restriction bar as food exits the container past the bar and into the lower bowl. The restriction device can be permanently attached or molded as an integral part of the container or it can be removable.

[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pet feeding device showing the food storage container, base structure and restriction device.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the safety restriction device.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the safety restriction device.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a section view taken along the line 4—4 of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a section view taken along the line 5—5 of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the safety restriction device having a semi-circular cross section.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top elevation view of the safety restriction device having multiple restriction bars.

[0016] Reference is now made to Drawings wherein like reference characters denote like or similar parts throughout the five figures. Referring to FIG. 1, a pet feeder generally identified by the numeral 10 includes a container 12, a base generally identified by the numeral 14 and a restriction device generally identified by the numeral 16.

[0017] Container 12 includes a lid 18, a storage area 20, and storage area opening 22. Pet food is deposited inside container 12 by removing lid 18 and filling storage area 20 with pet food. Container 12 preferably fabricated from a lightweight plastic material and is clear to enable pet owners to view the food level.

[0018] Base 14 includes a bowl 24 and a container support 26. Bowl 24 has an open top and is shaped to hold a supply of pet food so pets may eat therefrom. Support 26 is connected adjacent bowl 24 and supports container 12 when the container is mounted on a support opening 28. As best seen in FIG. 4, container 12 mounts onto support 26 by inserting a lip 30 extending from container 12 inside a support slot 32, which extends around storage area opening 22. This configuration permits container 12 to be easily removed from support 26 without using tools and with minimal force in order to clean or store the apparatus.

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, pet food gravity feeds from container 12 into bowl 24 via a ramp 34, which provides a passageway for food to travel from opening 22 to bowl 24 through support 26.

[0020] Restriction device 16 is positioned in storage area opening 22 and is detailed in FIGS. 2 and 3. Restriction device 16 is generally shaped as a ring having an opening 36 and includes an outer boundary 38, an inner boundary 40, a restriction bar 42 and a tab 44. When placed in opening 22, restriction bar 42 prevents pets from inserting their heads inside container 12 thereby reducing the risk of suffocation or serious injury. While only one restriction bar 42 is illustrated extending into opening 36 and across the diameter of the inner boundary 40, there may be multiple restriction bars extending across the diameter (not shown) or there may be multiple restriction bars extending across a chord length (i.e., extending from any two points on the inner boundary of the restriction device) of restriction device 16 (FIG. 7). A bar for purposes of this invention is defined not only to include straight pieces that are longer than are wider, but also any shaped piece that extends from inner boundary 40 into opening 36. Examples of various configured bars may include, but are not limited to bars with multiple curves or “turns”, “L” shaped bars, “C” shaped bars, etc. It should also be noted that any bar 42 configuration, or combination of bars 42 extending into and/or across opening 36 can be used as long as it prevents pets from inserting their heads inside container 12 while allowing food to empty from the container 12. Restriction bar 42 can be mounted as a cantilever so that it is supported on one end while having the other end extend while being unsupported toward the middle portion of opening 16. Furthermore, the restriction bar can extend out of the plane created by opening 16 in a direction toward container 12 or in a direction toward support 26.

[0021] In one embodiment, restriction bar 42 has a V-shaped cross sectional area (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) with the point end facing toward main storage area 20 (FIG. 1). This shape prevents food from lodging along the restriction bar as food exits container 12 into support 26. Alternate embodiments of the restriction bar may include any other shaped cross section that prevents food from lodging when food flows through restriction device 16 into support 26 and onto ramp 34, such as a half circle, as seen in FIG. 6. Restriction device 16 can be fabricated with a flexible metal or plastic material having sufficient strength to prevent pets from removing the restriction device from container 12 and inserting their heads inside the container.

[0022] Installation of restriction device 16 is performed while container 12 is empty by removing lid 18 (FIG. 1) and placing the restriction device inside the container. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, outer boundary 38 on device 16 is appropriately shaped and sized so that it snaps inside a slot 48 within container 12 to maintain a sufficient seal to prevent restriction device 16 from disengaging with container 12. Tab 44 is positioned so that it engages with a cavity 46 (FIG. 5) to prevent device 16 from rotating while it is positioned in slot 32. Alternatively, restriction device 16 can be permanently attached by gluing or the like to storage area opening 22, or device 16 can be integrally molded as part of container 12. Inner boundary 40 is appropriately sized so that sufficient clearance is provided to permit pet food to freely flow through restriction device 16 and into support 26.

[0023] In normal use and operation of the pet feeder, lid 18 is removed from container 12 and food is placed inside storage area 20 to the desired level. The food is gravity fed into support 26 by passing through safety restriction device 16 and over restriction bar 42. Food slides down ramp 34, which is located inside support structure 26. Ramp 34 deposits the pet food into bowl 24 where the pet can eat therefrom. This configuration provides pet owners the convenience of feeding their pets less frequently as this function is performed automatically. In the event that container 12 separates from support structure 26, restriction device 16 prevents a pet from inserting its head inside the container.

[0024] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.