Abstract:
A device provides positive reinforcement and treats for a domesticated animal urinating in a predetermined location. The positive reinforcement includes a message from the owner. A treat is exposed after the owner&#39;s message is played to further reward the animal. Absorbent paper is used at the predetermined location for collecting the urine and activating the voice and treat bowl. After a preset time, the used absorbent paper is removed and new absorbent paper is provided automatically. Another version includes a device that uses a single sheet of absorbent paper.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to provisional application Ser. No. 61/097,931, filed on Sep. 18, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    Training a new puppy or dog to urinate in a pre-determined area in a house requires repetition and rewards. However, the owner may not be present at all times, or may work outside the home, preventing the owner from providing positive reinforcement and treats at the appropriate time. Therefore, a device that provides the positive reinforcement and a reward to the animal at the appropriate time is needed. Additionally, a device that provides the positive reinforcement and rewards multiple times without requiring intervention from the owner may also be needed. Such a device is presented. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to an animal reinforcing apparatus to reward a domestic animal for urinating in a predetermined location that includes a moisture sensing unit, and a container having a top, a base portion, and a compartmentalized tray, the compartmentalized tray for receiving at least one treat therein, the compartmentalized tray and the top capable of being rotated relative to one another upon receiving a signal from the moisture sensing unit to expose compartments in the compartmentalized tray through the top. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, the moisture sensing unit includes an absorbable sheet and least one pair of contacts, wherein upon a liquid being absorbed by the absorbable sheet the at least one pair of contacts become in electrical communication with one another to send a signal to the container. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the moisture sensing unit includes a first roller having a supply of an elongated absorbable sheet and a second roller for accumulating used portions of the elongated absorbable sheet. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the moisture sensing unit is a single pad removably attached to the base. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a motor is associated with the moisture sensing unit to rotate the second roller to move the used portion away from the contacts, thereby providing a new portion of the elongated absorbable sheet adjacent the at least one pair of contacts. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the invention is directed to container for presenting at least one treat to a domestic animal that includes a top having an opening therein, a base portion, a compartmentalized tray disposed under the top and in the base portion, the compartmentalized tray having at least two compartments for holding the at least one treat, the compartmentalized tray and top being rotatable relative to one another to align the at least two compartments with the opening in the top thereby allowing the domestic animal to retrieve the at least one treat therefrom. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to an absorbable pad device for a domestic animal that includes a length of absorbable material, a first roller for storing at least a portion of the length of the absorbable material, a second roller for storing at least a portion of the absorbable material after use by the domestic animal, a base extending between the first and second rollers, and a plurality of electrical leads formed on an upper surface of the base such that when the absorbable pad is wet an electrical connection is made between at least two of the plurality of electrical leads. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0011]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an animal reinforcing apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container of the animal reinforcing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the major components of the container of the animal reinforcing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a second exploded view illustrating one drive mechanism of container of the animal reinforcing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of one embodiment of a base portion of a container according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top view of another embodiment of a container according to the present invention with the top in an open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 6  with the top in a second position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 6  with the top in a third or closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the animal reinforcing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the animal reinforcing apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the absorbable paper removed therefrom and the contacts exploded therefrom; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the moisture sensing unit; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the moisture sensing unit; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a partial view of the drive end of the second roller and the drive mechanism; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a moisture sensing unit according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an animal reinforcing apparatus  20  has a container  22  and a moisture sensing unit  24 . As described in more detail below, the container  22  preferably includes a tray with a plurality of compartments for a plurality of treats, the controller for the animal reinforcing apparatus  20 , and a voice recording/playing module for recording and playing a message from the owner. One embodiment of the moisture sensing unit  24  preferably includes a base portion  26 , a first roller  28  for holding a supply of absorbable paper  30  and a second roller  32  for receiving the used absorbable paper  30 . The moisture sensing unit  24  also preferably has two tension bars  34 , 36  to hold the absorbable paper  30  flat against the base portion  26 . The first roller  28  is supported by supports  38 , 40  and second roller  32  is supported by supports  42 , 44 . Support  44  also includes a motor  46  to drive the second roller  32  to roll up the absorbable paper  30  after use, as described in more detail below. Electrical conductors  48  electrically connect the container  22  with the moisture sensing unit  24 , as described below. 
         [0028]    One embodiment of container  22  is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 2-4 . The container  22  includes a top  50 , a base  52 , and a tray  54  with a plurality of compartments  56 . The top  50  and the tray  54  are capable of being rotated relative to one another. In one embodiment, the top  50  rotates about the base and the tray  54 . In another embodiment, the tray  54  rotates within the base  52  and the top  50  is stationary. As illustrated best in  FIG. 3 , the top  50  has an opening  58  that preferably corresponds to the configuration of the compartments  56  to allow for a treat (not shown) to be presented to the domestic animal being trained. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  also illustrates that a drive motor  60  and the electronics  62  (preferably including a microprocessor) can be included in the base  52  of the container  22 . The drive motor  60  can be operatively coupled to the tray  54  or the top  50 , depending on whether the tray  54  or the top  50  is to rotate relative to the base. The electronics  62  also include a voice recorder and play module, preferably in a single module, that can record a message by the owner for the domesticated animal that will be played when activated by the animal urinating on the absorbable paper  30 . Such a voice recorder/play module are readily available from a number of vendors. The drive motor  60  preferably drives either the top  50  or the tray  54  enough to only expose the next compartment  56  when activated. While this is preferably done with the electronics  62  through the microprocessor, it can also be achieved by limit or micro switches. 
         [0030]    The owner may record the message by accessing the electronics on the inside of the container  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , on the side of the container  22 ′ in  FIG. 5 , or they may even be mounted on the underside of the container, protected from accidental activation, or animal “accidents,” etc. The controls  62 ′ on container  22 ′ include an on/off switch  62   a ′, a record button  62   b ′ for recording the message, a tray rotation button  62   c ′ for rotating the tray to fill up the compartments with treats, and a play button  62   d ′ to hear the recorded message. The speaker and microphone may be disposed in any convenient location on the container  22 ′. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the top  50  and the tray  54  are removable for easy cleaning by the owner after a number of treats are used or if there is an accident or other contaminants foul the container  22 . 
         [0032]    Another embodiment of a container  22 ″ is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 . Container  22 ″ is a single compartment unit with a top  50 ″ that rotates relative to the remainder of the container  22 ″. In  FIG. 6 , the top  50 ″ is in the closed position ready for use. The container  22 ″ also has a second portion  51 ″ that is exposed and includes the controls for the apparatus. Included are an on/reset switch  62   a ″, a record button  62   b ″, a microphone  64 ″ and a speaker  66 ″. A limit switch  68 ″ is present to stop the rotation of the top  50 ″ when the top  50 ″ pushes down thereon as it rotates.  FIG. 7  illustrates the top  50 ″ as it is rotating, but before the limit switch  68 ″ is activated.  FIG. 8  illustrates the top  50 ″ in open position to allow the animal to retrieve the treat  70 ″, illustrated as a dog bone, but any appropriate treat may be used. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the animal reinforcing apparatus  20  of  FIG. 1 . The container  22  is electrically connected to the moisture sensing unit  24  with electrical conductors  48 . The container  22  is also electrically connected to the motor  46  to drive the second roller  32  at the appropriate time by electrical conductors  70 . The base portion  26  and the other components of the moisture sensing unit  24  are preferably made from ABS plastic, but any appropriate material may be used. The base portion  26  preferably has a plurality of contacts  72  that are secured to a top surface  74  of the base portion  26 . More preferably, the plurality of contacts  72  are each secured in a corresponding cavity  76  in the base portion  26 . See  FIG. 10 . The plurality of contacts  72  are preferably made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and degradation from the animal urine and may be secured with mechanical and/or adhesives. The contacts  72  are preferably riveted to corresponding conductors on the bottom side (see  FIG. 12 ) of the base portion  26  as well as secured with an adhesive to prevent any urine from being trapped under the contacts  72  for hygienic reasons. The plurality of contacts  72  are generally flush with the top surface  74  of base portion  26 , but may also slightly extend above the top surface  74 . 
         [0034]    The base portion  26  preferably also has a liquid overflow portion  80 , which is preferably an elongated cavity that extends around at least a substantial portion of the base portion  26 . The liquid overflow portion  80  will retain any urine that is not absorbed by the absorbable paper  30 . The liquid overflow portion  80  may be a single cavity extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the base portion  26 , or may be more than one cavity and still fall within the scope of the present invention. See  FIG. 10 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the bottom  82  of base portion  26  also has a cavity  84  in which electrical conductors  86  are connected to the contacts  72  through the base portion  26  by the rivets  88 . As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , electrical conductors  86  are connected to alternating ones of the contacts  72  on the top surface  74  of the base portion  26 . The electrical conductors  86  are preferably made from self-adhesive copper tape, but may be made of any suitable, electrically conductive material. The electrical conductors  86  are soldered to the electrical conductors  48  to transmit a signal to the container  22 . The cavity  84  is preferably sealed to prevent contamination and to seal the electrical conductors  86 . 
         [0036]    A cross-section view in  FIG. 12  illustrates the relationship of the cavities  76 , 84  with the base portion  26 . Also illustrated is the liquid overflow portion  80  to retain any liquid not absorbed during use. 
         [0037]    The container  22  and more particularly the electronics  62  have a power supply to operate the container and electronics. The power supply may either be a battery (9V) or be plugged in with the appropriate transformer to operate the electronics and microprocessor. Thus, when an animal urinates on the absorbable paper  30 , the wet absorbable paper is in contact with at least two of the contacts  72  on the top surface  74 . The wet absorbable paper  30  allows for an electrical signal to pass between the adjacent contacts and, because of the arrangement of the electrical conductors  86  on the bottom  82  of the base portion  28 , completes a circuit and causes the recorder to play a message from the container  22  providing positive reinforcement for the animal urinating at the proper location. Preferably there is a delay of at about 5 seconds between the completed circuit and the start of the recorded message to allow the animal to finish before its attention is drawn to the container. A longer or shorter delay may be programmed into the electronics  62 . Subsequently, the electronics and in particular the microprocessor causes a treat to be presented in the opening  58  by rotating either the top  50  and the tray  54  relative to one another. The animal is then further rewarded with a treat. The electronics have yet another delay, preferably about one minute, and then the motor  46  drives the second roller  32  for a predetermined time (and therefore distance) to roll up the wet absorbable paper  30  and provide a new section of clean absorbable paper  30 . The apparatus  20  then resets itself and is ready for the next time. 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the motor  46  is operatively connected to a drive member  90  that has an elongated projection  92  that corresponds to an elongated channel  94  in the end of the second roller  32 . However, it should be noted that any configuration that allows for the motor  46  to drive the second roller  32  is acceptable. The illustrated configuration allows for easy change of the absorbable paper  30  when necessary. 
         [0039]    Another embodiment of a moisture sensing unit  24 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Moisture sensing unit  24 ′ has a base portion  26 ′ and is electrically connected to the container with electrical conductors  48 . In this embodiment, moisture sensing unit  24 ′ has a single piece of absorbable paper (not shown) that is placed on the top surface  74 ′ rather than having a roll of absorbable paper and associated structure to automatically replace the used absorbable paper. The base portion  26 ′ also preferably has a plurality of contacts  72 ′ that are secured to the top surface  74 ′ of the base portion  26 ′. Similarly, the plurality of contacts  72 ′ are each secured in a corresponding cavity  76 ′ and are preferably made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and degradation from the animal urine. The contacts  72 ′ may be secured with mechanical and/or adhesives, but are preferably riveted to corresponding conductors on the bottom side of the base portion  26 ′ as well as secured with an adhesive to prevent any urine from being trapped under the contacts  72 ′ for hygienic reasons. The plurality of contacts  72 ′ are generally flush with the top surface  74 ′ of base portion  26 , but may also slightly extend above the top surface  74 . 
         [0040]    The base portion  26 ′ also preferably has a liquid overflow portion  80 ′, which is preferably an elongated cavity that extends around at least a substantial portion of the base portion  26 ′. The liquid overflow portion  80 ′ will retain any urine that is not absorbed by the absorbable paper  30 ′. The liquid overflow portion  80 ′ may be a single cavity extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the base portion  26 ′, or may be more than one cavity and still fall within the scope of the present invention. The liquid overflow portion  80 ′ may preferably be wider and/or deeper than the liquid overflow portion  80  since there may be a chance that the animal urinates more than once before the owner changes the absorbable paper. 
         [0041]    As will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.