Abstract:
The apparatus of the present invention is a pet pantry having storage containers for pet-related equipment, accessories, medication, or other items, and also pet food storage and dispensing. The food dispensing mechanism allows for measured food dispensing, providing volume adjustment mechanisms to dispense a desired quantity of pet food. The food dispensing mechanism is a single movement handle or button dispensing the desired quantity of food. The pet pantry is also modular allowing for adjustments to a pet owner&#39;s specification.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This applications claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/012,157, filed Dec. 7, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an integrated pet food storage, retrieval, measurement, and dispensing system. It provides a convenient means for feeding pets, particularly, but not limited to, dogs and cats, while also storing pet supplies and accessories. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Increasingly, daily life has become considerably more fast-paced and activity driven. People welcome the chance to make a daily routine more convenient, and one&#39;s life a little easier. Dog owners are no exception. Pet foods and supplies have always presented challenges in both storage and use. Dog food, as an example, can be a nuisance to store and scoop out. Similarly, pet accessories and toys are easily misplaced or left lying around when not in use. 
         [0004]    Various storage products exist for pet food. Generally, these products consist of a plastic bin with a cover, sometimes with wheels making the bin portable. There are also products used to store pet supplies—mostly toys in a toy storage bin. Few combine food and supply storage in one entity. Some of these products provide a method for storing and raising pet food so it may be scooped. Other storage containers dispense food at a floor level. 
         [0005]    None have an automated, integrated system that provides a countertop height convenience of storing, measuring, and dispensing of pet food while also including storage compartments for pet supplies and accessories, some of which are child-resistant. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a device having refillable pet food storage chambers or multiple chambers that can automatically raise food within the chamber and automatically fills a food measurement compartment is desired. 
         [0007]    Further, a device that can measure and dispense certain volumes of food is desired. 
         [0008]    A device that contains a low food indicator or window and a removable liner for the food storage chamber is also desired. 
         [0009]    Moreover, a device that contains both food and accessory storage compartments with child-lock features is desired. 
         [0010]    Last, a device that is ergonomically designed including the above features with aesthetic appeal is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof an apparatus for pet food and pet-related item storage comprising: a food storage chamber; a means for raising food in the food storage chamber; a food measurement compartment; a food chute; a means for adjusting volume in the food measurement compartment; a food dispensing handle; a shut off cover; and a item storage compartment. 
         [0012]    More particularly, the invention includes a compression spring for elevating the food, and a dial and gear adjustment assembly for food measurement. 
         [0013]    In another form, the invention includes a method for dispensing pet food comprising the steps of: providing pet food in a food storage chamber; elevating food into a food measurement compartment; moving a food dispensing handle having a food chute release activator towards a food chute release; extending a shut-off cover; engaging the food chute release and the food chute release activator; and moving the food dispensing handle engaged with the food chute release to open a food chute. 
         [0014]    An advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus provides for storage of pet food that may optionally contain a removable storage liner, measuring of a desired quantity of pet food and then allowing for easy movement of a handle to dispense the measured quantity of pet food. 
         [0015]    A further advantage of the present invention is that the pet pantry contains multiple storage containing units to house pet related equipment, accessories, toys, medications, and other items, and can also have child resistant features. 
         [0016]    An even further advantage of the present invention is that the pantry can contain multiple storage and dispensing units within one pantry to house multiple types of food for owners having various types of pets requiring different types of pet food. 
         [0017]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the pet pantry is conveniently sized so that the food is dispensed at a level convenient for adults, and also can include a low food indicator to alert the pet owner to refill the food. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention prior to food dispensing; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with the food dispensing handle being engaged for food dispensing; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with the food dispensing handle engaged with the food chute release; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing food dispensing; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing the food dispensing handle returning to static position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing the food measurement compartment at full volume; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing the food measurement compartment being raise to lesser volume; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the present invention having two storage chambers and food chutes. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The example set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of the pet pantry  100 . The pet pantry  100  has a food chute release  1  that enables the food chute  3  to open and dispense food in the food measurement compartment  23 . The pet pantry  100  also has divider  15  running between the food measurement compartment  23  and storage compartments  6 ,  7 ,  8  and the food storage chamber  22 . It is also noted that the storage compartments  6 ,  7 ,  8  may be replaced with other units or toys for the pet. For instance, the pet pantry  100  may contain a scratching post or other devices attached in place of storage containers. While  FIG. 1  only depicts a single food storage chamber  22 , it should be noted that the pet pantry  100  may have multiple storage chambers for various types of pet food (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) either with multiple measuring compartments and chutes or with a single measuring compartment and chute operating between the storage chambers. Furthermore, the food dispensing handle  20  itself may have a lock to prevent undesired food dispensing along with various child resistant features to prevent tampering with the pet food and other items by young children. The divider  15  between the measurement compartment  23  and storage chamber  22  is adjacent to the food dispensing handle  20 , which is connected to the shut-off cover activator  21  and shut-off cover  2 , and also has a food platform stop  16  which is used to prevent further movement of an angled food platform  10  which is in the food storage chamber  22 . 
         [0031]    The food dispensing handle  20  further has a food chute release activator  19  that, as will be explained in fuller detail below, operates the food chute release  1  to dispense the pet food. The food storage chamber  22  may optionally contain a removable food chamber liner  11 . The removable food chamber liner  11  assisting in preventing unwanted debris or small food particles from falling below the angled food platform  10  in the food storage chamber  22 . The angled food platform  10  in food storage chamber  22  defines the lower end of the food storage chamber  22 . Under the angled food platform  10  is a compression spring  9 , which elevates the food in the food storage chamber  22 . At the top of the food storage chamber  22  is a food platform stop  16  used to prevent the angled food platform  10  from moving further upwards. The pet pantry  100  also contains a removable top storage console  17  and removable top storage console lid  18 . The storage console  17  and lid  18  are placed in this embodiment above the food storage chamber  22 . Furthermore, the storage console  17  and lid  18 , may have child resistance features so that children cannot easily access the contents of the storage console  17  so that pet medications or other potentially harmful substances cannot be accessed by children. Under the food measurement compartment  23  is a measuring housing  26  which contains mechanics for the food measuring capabilities. Though the food measurement compartment  23  and measuring housing  26  are shown separately, the measuring means and food measurement compartment  23  may be incorporated into a single housing or chamber. Below the measuring housing  26 , are three storage components  6 , 7 ,  8  that can house any pet related materials. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a frontal view of the pet pantry  100 . The frontal view shows the three storage containers  6 ,  7 ,  8  beneath the measuring housing  26 . The selector dial  5  is on the outside of the measuring housing  26 . Further, the pet pantry  100  has a food indicator  24  that shows the amount of food in the pet pantry  100 , thereby indicating the need for food in the food storage chamber  22 . The food indicator  24  is shown as a window into the food storage chamber  22 , however, it will be appreciated by those in the art that any number of devices can be used to indicate there is low food, such as a light or sound indicator triggered by the angled platform  10  reaching a certain height or weight. 
         [0033]    As will be explained below,  FIGS. 3-9  show one embodiment of the pet pantry  100 .  FIG. 3  shows the pet pantry  100  in the pre-dispensing position. The compression spring  9  raises the pet food  25  in removable liner  11  within the food storage chamber  22  above the food measurement compartment  23 , thereby allowing food to enter the food measurement compartment  23 . The food measurement compartment  23  is set to maximum volume as the food measurement compartment angled platform  14  is set on the bottom of the food measurement compartment  23 . The compression spring  9  automatically elevates the pet food  25  every time food is dispensed, thus the food is always ready for dispensing. It will be appreciated by those in the art that other methods of elevation may be substituted by the compression spring, such as a hydraulic system, a pulley system, through air displacement, or an electronic or battery operated mechanism automatically elevating the food  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the food dispensing handle  20 , shut-off cover activator  21 , and shut-off cover  2  are fully retracted. Further, the food chute release  1  and food chute  3  are in their retracted position. 
         [0034]    Moving to  FIG. 4 , the food dispensing handle  20  is drawn toward but not yet engaging the food chute release  1 . As the food dispensing handle  20  is pulled toward the food chute release  1 , the shut-off cover activator  21  moves and begins to extend the shut-off cover  2 . The food dispensing handle  20 , the shut-off cover activator  21 , and the shut-off cover  2 , are all spring-connected such that when the food dispensing handle  20  is released, the parts return to their retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , both the shut-off cover activator  21  moves and the shut-off cover  2  are partially extended as the food dispensing handle  20  is pulled toward the food chute release  1 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the food dispensing handle  20  is fully extended, which in turn causes full extension of the shut-off cover  2  via the shutoff cover activator  21 . When the shut-off cover  2  is fully extended, it prevents food  25  from entering the food measurement compartment  23 . The shut-off cover  2  also acts as a barrier from the food in the food storage chamber  22 , thereby allowing only the measured volume of food to be dispensed. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is engagement of the food chute release  1  and the food chute release activator  19  on the food dispensing handle  20 . The food chute release activator  19  is shown as notch in the food dispensing handle  20 , however, it will be appreciated by those in the art that this engagement can be substituted by many different connections such that these two elements can be releasably attached to each other for opening of the food chute  3 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the food dispensing handle  20  is lifted upward moving the food chute release  1 , which is still engaged to the food chute release activator  19 , upward as well. When the food chute release  1  is pulled upward a spring S 3  applies rotational pressure against the food chute  3  at the food chute release connector  4 , thereby opening the food chute  3  to dispense the pet food  25  in the food measurement compartment  23 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the food dispensing handle  20  is released and disengages the food chute release  1 , thereby closing the food chute  3 . Further as the food dispensing handle  20  returns to its retracted position, the shut-off cover  2  and its activator  21  return to their retracted position. Once the shut-off cover  2  is retracted food  25  from the food storage chamber  22  is allowed to enter the food measurement compartment  23 , so that the pet pantry  100  is ready for the next dispensing. The food  25  in the food storage chamber  22  is automatically elevated by force of the compression spring causing the food  25  in the food storage chamber  22  to enter the empty space within the food measurement compartment  23 . The food dispensing handle  20  is automatically returned to its downward and retracted position by springs S 1  and S 2 , each applying a force to retract the handle into its starting position. 
         [0038]    As will be appreciated by those in the arts, though the embodiment explained herein contains a single movement dispensing system, other methods can be used for food dispensing. With respect to the handle movement, the handle could require a push feature instead of a pull feature or even pushed or pulled from left to right or vice versa to activate the shut-off cover  2  and to open the food chute  3 . Moreover, the pet pantry  100  could have a push button feature for activating the shut-off cover  2  and cause the food chute  3  to open, thereby dispensing the food  25 . The push button feature could be either an electronic or manual button causing the chute  3  to open and the shut-off cover  2  to activate. Another dispensing mechanism could include a pedal feature operating in the same manner as the handle. Moreover, the food dispensing handle  20 , shut-off cover  21 , and food chute release  1  could all be integrated into unitary piece performing the same functions described above. 
         [0039]    Regarding the food dispensing action itself, other methods may be interchanged with the features described above. For instance, the food chute  3  could be opened in the opposite manner where the food chute release connecter  4  is attached to the top of the food chute  3  releasing the bottom of the food chute  3 . Alternatively, the food chute  3  could be placed on the side or other convenient location of the pet pantry  100 . As another measure, the food chute  3  could be within the food measurement compartment and would allow for the food  25  in the food measurement compartment  23  to fall to the bottom of the pet pantry  100  into container or a lower area for easy dispensing. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a measuring means which includes a food measurement selector dial  5 , the food measurement selector dial adjustment gear  12 , food measurement compartment lift mechanism  13 , and food measurement compartment angled platform  14 . The food measurement selector dial  5  is used to set the volume of food to be dispensed and subsequently raises or lowers the food measurement compartment angled platform  14 . The food measurement selector dial  5  moves the food measurement compartment angled platform  14  by using the food measurement selector dial adjustment gear  12  and the food measurement compartment lift mechanism  13 .  FIG. 8  shows the angled platform  14  in its lowest position, thereby providing for dispensing of the maximum volume of food. As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the selector dial  5  is turned to select a desired quantity of food that is less than the largest volume of food, then the selector dial  5  engages the selector dial adjustment gear  12  and the lift mechanism  13  to move the angled platform  14  upward. Other methods of volume measurement may include electronic or battery operated mechanisms to lift the platform to the desired volume or may alternatively include a lift mechanism. Furthermore, the food measurement selector dial  5 , may alternatively be replaced with an electronic touch screen or knob or bar for use with other lift mechanisms. 
         [0041]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
       Parts List 
       [0000]    
       
           100  Pet Pantry 
           1  Food Chute Release 
           2  Shut-Off Cover 
           3  Food Chute 
           4  Food Chute Release Connector 
           5  Food Measurement Selector Dial 
           6  Storage Compartment 
           7  Storage Compartment 
           8  Storage Compartment 
           9  Compression Spring 
           10  Angled Food Platform 
           11  Removable Food Chamber Liner 
           12  Food Measurement Selector Dial Adjustment Gear 
           13  Food Measurement Compartment Lift Mechanism 
           14  Food Measurement Compartment Angled Platform 
           15  Divider 
           16  Food Platform Stop 
           17  Removable Top Storage Console 
           18  Removable Top Storage Console Lid 
           19  Food Chute Release Activator 
           20  Food Dispensing Handle 
           21  Shut-Off Cover Activator 
           22  Food Storage Chamber 
           23  Food Measurement Compartment 
           24  Low Food Indicator 
           25  Food 
           26  Measuring Housing 
         S 1  Spring 
         S 2  Spring 
         S 3  Spring