Pet collar with collapsible bowl

A wearable collar device having an integrated collapsible bowl for containing water, food, treats and the like. The device can also be used to carry keys, bags, etc. The bowl is flattened during storage and use and can be expanded to contain liquids. The collar includes a body and a pair of opposed elongated ends adapted to be tied around a pet's neck. The ends allow the collar to accommodate a range of neck sizes. The bowl is defined by a sheet of material folded in a unique manner. The fold lines allow the bowl to be collapsed into a consistently flat form.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is directed to the field of pet accessories. More specifically, the application relates to a neck-wearable device including a collapsible bowl for containing water, food, treats, bags, keys and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wearable device having an integrated collapsible bowl for containing water, food, treats and the like. The device can also be used to carry keys, bags, etc. The device is intended to be worn by dogs, although other animal uses are envisioned.

The present invention provides a relatively flat collar having an integrated collapsible bowl. The bowl is preferably made of waterproofed fabric so that the bowl can contain a liquid once expanded into a bowl-form. The collar includes a body and a pair of opposed elongated ends adapted to be tied around a pet's neck. The ends allow the collar to accommodate a range of neck sizes.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fabric or sheet bowl is defined by a single sheet of fabric or sheet material which is folded in a unique manner. In one embodiment, the fold lines are relatively distinct fold lines in a fluid impervious fabric material allowing the bowl to be collapsed into a flat form. The fold lines importantly allow the sheet bowl to be returned to a flattened state in a consistent manner by preventing bunching of material, etc. The fabric or sheet bowl may be formed by folding a sheet of waterproofed fabric in a predetermined pattern to define a plurality of panels. The fabric bowl preferably can be repeatedly expanded into bowl form for use and subsequently collapsed into a consistent flat form for storage or use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a wearable device is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and designed numeral10. Device10is defined as a generally triangular body12having a pair of opposed elongated ends14. Ends14are adapted to be tied around a neck of the pet. A collapsible bowl20is included within body12. Bowl20has an open top22and closed bottom24(shown inFIG. 3).

Body12is preferably formed of washable fabric panels. A variety of fabrics or other flexible sheet-like materials can be used to fabricate body12. Body12includes a pair of fabric sheets which are sewn together to define a pair of sides. A single sheet of fabric could also be used to form body12. A plurality of different fabric materials could be utilized to fabricate body12. The fabric materials can be sewn or adhered together. Body12may define a plurality of different sizes. For example, body12can be made in large, medium and small sizes to accommodate different pet sizes. A hook and loop fastener16,18is used to secure sides of the body together at open end22. Alternative fasteners may be practicable to secure the sides together, including but not limited to zippers, snaps or multiple hook and loop fasteners.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the device10ofFIG. 1. The bowl20includes a plurality of folded panels.FIG. 4is a side view of the exterior of the folded bowl20(as depicted removed from the device10ofFIG. 1).FIG. 5is a bottom view of the folded bowl20ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6is the fabric sheet used to form bowl20ofFIG. 4. The sheet20is a clipped-corner square shape. The bowl sheet is preferably a waterproofed fabric, such as coated nylon. For example, bowl sheet20may be a PVC-backed nylon taffeta material. Other sheet materials may also be used to form bowl20. The sheet is folded in a unique manner to define bowl20. The fold lines may be heat-pressed to define relatively crisp fold lines in the fabric material. As used herein, the term “fabric” includes traditional fiber fabric materials and fluid impervious sheets, such as mylar, polyethylene, etc. Bowl20is folded along fold lines (A-W) (seeFIG. 7) to define a plurality of different panels.

A plurality of hidden panels70are defined when the panels are folded and formed into the shape shown inFIG. 4. The hidden panels70are covered by panels74when the bowl sheet is folded into form.

FIG. 7is another view of the fabric sheet used to form bowl20ofFIG. 4. The characters (A-I) shown inFIG. 7correspond to the characters (A-I) shown inFIG. 4. The panels define a plurality of shapes, including right triangle panels70, rectangle panels72, isosceles triangle panels74, clipped right triangle panels76, and central hexagon panel78. Central hexagon panel78includes a central fold line and is folded in half. The rectangular panels72are positioned on either side of hexagon panel78.

Hexagon panel78flattens out when the bowl is opened to provide a stable bowl base. The bowl fold pattern thus allows for a simple clean fold when closed and more stable bowl shape when opened. The fold pattern allows the various panels70,72,74,76,78to fold flat when closed as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The bowl sheet20is generally fan-folded, with various panels being folded over along fold lines (A-W). Panels70are “hidden” panels and are covered by panels74when the sheet20is folded into form.