Abstract:
Feeding dishes and methods of feeding a subject are provided. One aspect of the invention provides a feeding dish including: a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a subject. The method includes: providing a feeding dish including a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish, cooling the freezable dish, placing the food in the freezable dish, and placing the freezable dish in the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2011/035328, filed May 5, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/348,980, filed May 27, 2010. The entire content of this patent application is hereby incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many animals such as dogs and reptiles lack the ability to self-regulate their body temperature through sweating. Thus, such animals can be particularly vulnerable to warm weather. 
     Further, many pet owners leave a day&#39;s supply of food for their pets before leaving home for the day. Such food is vulnerable to spoilage, particularly during warm weather. 
     Moreover, many frozen or chilled foods such as ice cream, chilled soups, beverages and the like are undesirably warmed by room temperature dishes and/or human contact with the dish. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to cool food or maintain food at cold temperatures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Feeding dishes and methods of feeding a subject are provided. 
     One aspect of the invention provides a feeding dish including: a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish. 
     This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. The freezable dish can be a bowl or a plate. 
     The freezable dish can include an inner wall, an outer wall, and a freezable substance received between the inner wall and the outer wall. The freezable substance can be selected from the group consisting of: a liquid, a solid, a gel, and a slurry. The inner wall and the outer wall can be coupled to contain the freezable substance. The inner wall and the outer wall can be coupled by sonic welding. 
     The inner wall can be fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and metal. The outer wall can be fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and metal. 
     The freezable dish can include a flange adapted to rest on a portion of the base when the freezable dish is placed within the base. The base can include one or more gussets adapted to allow for removal of the freezable dish from the base. 
     The base can be substantially conical. The base can include one or more high-friction surfaces. The one or more high-friction surfaces can be selected from the group consisting of rubber, polychloroprene, silicone, and polyurethane. The base can be fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and metal. 
     The food can be selected from group consisting of a liquid, a solid, a gel, and a slurry. The liquid can be water. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a subject. The method includes: providing a feeding dish including a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish, cooling the freezable dish, placing the food in the freezable dish, and placing the freezable dish in the base. 
     This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. The subject can be an animal selected from the group consisting of: a dog, a cat, a rodent, a reptile, a horse, a cow, a sheep, a goat, a camel, a giraffe, a tiger, a lion, a bear, a deer, and a moose. 
     The step of cooling the freezable dish can include placing the freezable dish in a freezer. 
     The feeding dish can include a flange adapted to rest on a portion of the base when the freezable dish is placed within the base. The base can include one or more gussets adapted to allow for removal of the freezable dish from the base. 
     The feeding dish can include a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish. The freezable dish can include a flange adapted to rest on a portion of the base when the freezable dish is placed within the base. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a subject. The method includes: providing a feeding dish including a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish; cooling the freezable dish; placing the food in the freezable dish; and placing the freezable dish in the base. The freezable dish includes a flange adapted to rest on a portion of the base when the freezable dish is placed within the base. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a feeding dish including: a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish. The base includes one or more gussets adapted to allow for removal of the freezable dish from the base. 
     Another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a subject. The method includes: providing a feeding dish including a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish; cooling the freezable dish; placing the food in the freezable dish; and placing the freezable dish in the base. The base includes one or more gussets adapted to allow for removal of the freezable dish from the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  depict an exploded view, a side view, and a cross-sectional view of a feeding dish according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a freezable dish according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  depicts a method of feeding a subject according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions: 
     As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “food” includes any nourishing substance that is eaten or drunk. Foods include solids, liquids, gels, and slurries. For example, liquid foods can include water or dairy products such as milk or cream. Foods can be foods that are typically consumed by humans or can be foods that are typically consumed by animals. For example, foods can be wet or dry dog food. 
     As used herein, the term “animal” can include any organism in the kingdom Animalia. For example, the term “animal” can include animals commonly kept as pets (e.g., dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles, and the like), farm animals (e.g., horses, cows, sheep, goats, and the like), zoo animals (e.g., camels, giraffes, tigers, lions, bears, deer, moose, and the like), and the like. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Feeding dishes and methods of feeding a subject are provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a feeding dish  100  is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The feeding dish  100  generally includes a freezable dish  102  and a base  104 . 
     The freezable dish  102  can be any dish capable of holding food. For example, the freezable dish  102  can be a bowl, a plate, and the like. (As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, a plate is shallow dish and a bowl is a rather deep dish.) 
     The freezable dish  102  can have a variety of dimensions to accommodate a variety of foods and users. For example, the freezable dish  102  can have an internal diameter of between about 3″ and about 4″, between about 4″ and about 5″, between about 5″ and about 6″, between about 6″ and about 7″, between about 7″ and about 8″, between about 8″ and about 9″, between about 9″ and about 10″, between about 10″ and about 11″, between about 11″ and about 12″, between about 12″ and about 18″, between about 18″ and about 24″, and the like. The freezable dish  102  can have a internal depth of between about 1″ and 2″, between about 2″ and 3″, between about 3″ and 4″, between about 4″ and 5″, between about 5″ and 6″, between about 6″ and 7″, between about 7″ and 8″, between about 8″ and 9″, between about 9″ and 10″, between about 10″ and 11″, between about 11″ and 12″, and the like. 
     The freezable dish  102  can include an inner wall  106  and an outer wall  108 . The inner wall  106  and the outer wall  108  can be coupled together to define a cavity  109  adapted to receive and contain a freezable substance  111  as discussed herein. The inner wall  106  and the outer wall  108  can be the same, similar, or different materials. For example, one or both of the inner wall  106  and the outer wall  108  can be plastic, rubber, metal, and the like. For example, the inner wall  106  and the outer wall  108  can be formed from polymeric materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), copolyesters (e.g., PTCG and copolyesters available under the TRITAN™ mark from Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tenn.) polyphthalate carbonate (PPC), and the like. 
     The inner wall  106  and the outer wall  108  can be coupled in a variety of means include mechanical fasteners, welding (e.g., sonic welding), adhesives, the like. 
     The freezable substance can be one or more liquids, gels, solids, slurries, and the like. Preferably, the freezable substance has a high heat capacity and low thermal expansion. Suitable liquids include water, aqueous solutions (e.g., solutions of water and ammonium nitrate, calcium chloride, ammonium chloride), and like. Suitable gels can include glycerin, propylene glycol (such as those available under the BLUE ICE® trademark from Rubbermaid Incorporated of Atlanta, Ga.), hydroxyethyl cellulose (such as those available under the CELLUSIZE™ trademark from The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich.), silica gel, and the like. Preferably, the freezable substance is non-toxic. 
     Base  104  can have a variety of shapes. Preferably the dimensions of the bottom of base  104  are larger than the top of the base  104 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the base  104  can be substantially conical. 
     Base  104  can be fabricated from an upper member  110  and a lower member  112 . Upper member can be fabricated from a variety of materials such as plastics, rubbers, metals, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, base  104  can include one or more high-friction surfaces. For example, upper member  110  and/or lower member  112  can include non-skid polymers such as rubber, polychloroprene (also known as neoprene), silicone, polyurethanes (available, for example, under the SORBOTHANE® trademark from Sorbo, Inc. of Twinsburg, Ohio), and the like. In some embodiments, base  104  can include one or more weights (e.g., lead, rocks, plates, and the like) to further limit movement. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a freezable dish  200  according to one embodiment of the invention is depicted. The freezable dish  200  can include a substantially flat bottom portion  202  so that the freezable dish  200  can be used independently of base  104 . Freezable dish  200  can also include a flange  204  adapted to rest on a portion of the base  104  when the freezable dish  200  is placed within the base  104 . The relative dimensions of the freezable dish  200 , flange  204 , and base  104  can be configured such that the freezable dish  200  is substantially stationary when placed in the base and subjected to various force such as bumps from a dog&#39;s snout during feeding. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , base  104  can include one or more gussets  114  or other features that allow for easy removal of the freezable dish  102  from the base  104  for cleaning, freezing, and the like. 
     The feeding dish  100  described herein can be used for a variety of foods. For example, feeding dish  100  can be used for foods typically consumed by humans, animals, and the like. The foods can be in the form of liquids, solids, gels, slurries, and the like. Exemplary liquids include water, dairy products (e.g., milk or cream), and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a method  300  for feeding a subject is provided. 
     In step S 302 , a feeding dish is provided. The feeding dish can include a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish as discussed herein. 
     In step S 304 , the freezable dish is cooled. The freezable dish can be cooled to a variety of temperature achievable with conventional residential refrigerators. For example, the freezable dish can be cooled to between about −5° F. and about 0° F., between about 0° F. and about 5° F., between about 5° F. and about 10° F., between about 10° F. and about 15° F., between about 15° F. and about 20° F., between about 20° F. and about 25° F., between about 25° F. and about 30° F., between about 30° F. and about 35° F., between about 35° F. and about 40° F., between about 40° F. and about 45° F., between about 45° F. and about 50° F., and the like. 
     In step S 306 , food is placed in the freezable dish. 
     In step S 308 , the freezable dish is optionally placed in the base. 
     Simultaneous Use of Base and Freezable Dish for Feeding 
     In some embodiments, the base and the freezable dish can be used simultaneously for feeding. In such an embodiment, the freezable dish is removed from the base and placed on a surface. The same or different foods can be placed in the base and in the freezable dish. For example, the water can be placed in the freezable dish and pet food can be placed in the base or vice versa. 
     Rate-Limiting Feeding Dishes 
     In some embodiments, inner wall  106  of the freezable dish  102  and/or the upper member  110  of base  104  can include one or more obstructions extending into food-receiving regions of freezable dish  102  and base  104 , respectively. Such obstructions slow the subject&#39;s rate of eating, thereby reducing the likelihood of overeating and associated medical problems. Examples of suitable obstructions include protrusions, ridges, and the like and are described in U.S. Design Pat. No. D201,670 to Moore and U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,291 to Watts. 
     The obstructions can be complimentary such that obstructions in the base  104  mate with obstructions in freezable dish  102  when the freezable dish  102  is inserted into base  104 . The freezable substance can, in some embodiments, extend into one or more of the obstructions, thereby utilizing the additional surface area of the obstructions to promote heat transfer between the freezable substance and the food. 
     EQUIVALENTS 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The entire contents of all patents, published patent applications, and other references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.