Patent Publication Number: US-2015068464-A1

Title: Portable drink container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is related to pet care, in particular to a portable nutritious water drink and container for animals, such as dogs and cats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Around the world pets fulfill a vital importance in the lives of many pet owners. Caring for pets has become an increasingly refined and necessary part of pet ownership. Today more than ever, pets are traveling with its owners on airplanes, automobiles, in addition to normal daily walks. 
     A solution to provide clean, nutritious, hydration for pets in a format that allows clean and efficient consumption on the go, has eluded those of ordinary skill in the art. Many attempts to solve this problem have been made but none have yet been able to provide a full solution to this problem. 
     Currently, some products exist that allow the pet owner to attach a tray to a water bottle in order to conveniently provide drinking water to its pets. This partial solution fails to provide a system allowing for the differing nutrition in needs between a pet and their owner. Further, this solution fails to provide a clean and efficient solution but instead requires the pet owner to fill a tray which commonly leads to spillage or splashing and waste not to mention this solution is much less mobile requiring many individualized steps and components to accomplish the task of hydrating a pet. 
     Other products involve attaching a nozzle device to the water bottle for the pet to drink from. This solution is not portable because the pet owner is required to carry multiple items (e.g. water bottle and tray or nozzle attachment etc . . . ) which cannot be easily discarded after use. 
     In addition, previous attempts fail to solve the problem arising when an adequate drinking supply is not available. Many owners allow their pets to drink from a near-by water source, such as a lake, pool, or water fountain. 
     These sources are unsanitary and pose health risks to the animals due to potential bacteria, harmful chemicals, and other toxins found in standing water. Thus the need to provide a convenient, portable, sanitary and nutritious drink that that is self-contained in an appropriate format has been long sought by those skilled in the art. 
     Prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions to overcome all of the limitations described above, and thus, solutions to overcome these limitations have long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of operating a container system for providing a hydrating liquid solution to a pet comprising including: providing a front side including a peripheral seal, the front side coupled to a back side and to peripheral sides for containing the hydrating liquid solution; and breaking the peripheral seal to expose the hydrating liquid solution from a top of the container system. 
     The present invention provides a container system for providing a hydrating liquid solution to a pet comprising including: a front side including a peripheral seal, the peripheral seal configured to be breakable to expose the hydrating liquid solution from a top of the container system; and a back side coupled to the front side and to peripheral sides for containing the hydrating liquid solution. 
     The present invention provides a portable container containing a nutritious drinking water that solves the problems of allowing pet owners a convenient and sanitary way to provide drinking water to their pets. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention can provide a sanitary and healthy drink solution to pet animals. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can to provide a container that allows pets to drink the water based solution in a normal licking fashion. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide an all in one drinking solution for pet animals. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide a container that is capable of being resealed to prevent spillage of the water based solution during transportation and to prolong the freshness of the drinking solution. 
     In another embodiment, the invention can provide a container and water based drinking solution that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is environmentally friendly when discarded. 
     The present invention further includes other aspects in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. These aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a container system in a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the container system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the container system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the container system of  FIG. 3  along the line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of multiple container systems of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a container system in a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a container system in a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a container system in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a method of operation of the container system in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention; however, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown greatly exaggerated in the drawing FIGs. Generally, the invention can be operated in any orientation. 
     In addition, where multiple embodiments are disclosed and described having some features in common, for clarity and ease of illustration, description, and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one to another will ordinarily be described with like reference numerals. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment, second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention. 
     For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the front side, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane. The term “on” means there is direct contact among elements. The term “processing” as used herein includes deposition of material, patterning, exposure, development, etching, cleaning, molding, and/or removal of the material or as required in forming a described structure. The term “system” as used herein means and refers to the method and to the apparatus of the present invention in accordance with the context in which the term is used. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a front view of a container system  100  in a first embodiment of the present invention. The container system  100  can be a disposable plastic container prefilled with a hydrating fluid solution. It is also contemplated that the container system  100  can be a resalable or reusable container for storage, transport and delivery of a hydrating fluid solution. 
     The container system  100  is contemplated to be used in the pet care industry. However, it is to be clearly noted that the container system  100  may be applied to other industries as well where a portable container containing a hydrating fluid solution, such as a nutritious water drink, would be beneficial. In the application of the pet care industry, each container system  100  may be manufactured in a way that is portable and can be stored and carried very easily. 
     The container system  100  is shown having a front side  102 . The front side  102  can be a resealable or disposable. The front side  102  can be a film or a structured lid. The shape of the front side  102  of the container system  100  can be roughly trapezoidal narrowing toward a top of the front side  102 . The container system  100  can be shaped to have an aspect ratio of more than 1:2 for some applications. 
     It has been discovered that the aspect ratio of more than 1:2 allows for easier storage and provides the unexpected benefit of allowing animals with narrow muzzles to have a higher consumption rate while simultaneously wasting less of the hydrating liquid solution contained therein. It has also been discovered that the shape of the container system  100 , narrowing near a top and widening near a bottom of the front side  102 , unexpectedly increases the consumption rate while simultaneously decreases the amount of liquid that is spilled or splashed out while an animal is drinking. 
     It is contemplated that the shape, aspect ratio, and amount of taper of the container system  100  can be directly correlated to the features of an animal such as a length and width of the animal&#39;s muzzle or tongue. The shape, taper, and aspect ratio of the container system  100  allows for animals to drink naturally by licking down into the container system  100  preserving the lateral movement of the tongue while providing a compact transportable container. 
     The front side  102  can include a peripheral seal  104  generally along a periphery of the front side  102 . The peripheral seal  104  can provide a water tight seal for the hydrating liquid solution keeping the hydrating liquid solution fresh and prevent spillage during transportation. 
     The front side  102  is designed to be opened only partially leaving some of the front side  102  attached to the container system  100  to act as a splash guard preventing the hydrating liquid solution from splashing out of the container system  100 . The front side  102  can further include markings  106  such as symbols  108 , logos  110 , and descriptions  112 . 
     The symbols  108  are depicted as a dog nose and tongue. Other manifestations are contemplated such as a cat tongue and nose, or other animal facial features. The symbols  108  can over hang the peripheral seal  104  of the front side  102 . 
     The symbols  108  are shown overhanging the peripheral seal  104  at multiple points. The symbol  108  depicting the dog tongue is shown overhanging the peripheral seal  104 : along a right portion of the front side  102  near a root of the dog tongue, along a bottom left portion of the front side  102  near a tip of the dog tongue, and along a left portion of the front side  102  near a middle section of the dog tongue. 
     The symbol  108  depicting the dog nose is shown overhanging the peripheral seal  104  along a left top portion of the front side  102 . The symbols  108  extending beyond the peripheral seal  104  can be used as a quick or easy opening mechanism. The symbols  108  overhanging the peripheral seal  104  can be pulled on to release the front side  102  from the container system  100  and to expose the hydrating fluid solution for use or consumption. 
     The front side  102  can be peeled off the container system  100  by pulling on one of the symbols  108  overhanging the peripheral seal  104  to allow the front side  102  to be partially unsealed from the bottom, left, or right side while remaining sealed on the along the same and other sides to accommodate or control the rate of consumption at which an animal can consume the hydrating liquid solution. Alternatively, the front side  102  can be completely removed from the peripheral seal  104  of the container system  100 . 
     The logos  110  can be centered on the front side  102  and placed between the symbols  108 . The logos  110  can extend over the peripheral seal  104  but are not depicted as extending beyond the peripheral seal  104 . In other contemplated embodiments, the logos  110  can extend beyond the peripheral seal  104  to provide an easy opening solution or can be fully contained within the peripheral seal  104 . 
     The descriptions  112  are depicted as contained fully within the peripheral seal  104  near the logos  110  and over the symbols  108 . The descriptions  112  can be used for easy classification, storage and use of the container system  100  when multiple container systems  100  of differing contents are used, stored, or transported. 
     The front side  102  further includes an integral hang tab  114  near the top of the front side  102  and exterior to the peripheral seal  104 . The integral hang tab  114  can be attached to a carabineer or used to store the container system  100  on a hanger. The integral hang tab  114  can also be folded down for a more compact transportation within a handbag or a backpack. 
     In typical use, an owner would carry one or more of the container systems  100  with the hydrating fluid solution of the present invention either by hand or have them placed in a separate carrying bag, such as a purse, for convenience purposes. When desired, the owner would simply place the container system  100  with the hydrating fluid solution of the present invention on the ground and remove the front side  102  either completely or partially if re-sealing of the container system  100  is desired. The pet would then simply drink the hydrating fluid solution by licking the contents contained in the container system  100 . When the pet is finished drinking, the owner would either throw the entire container system  100  away or re-seal it for future use if for instance the pet did not drink the entire hydrating fluid solution in one sitting. 
     It is also contemplated that the container system  100  with the hydrating fluid solution of the present invention may be sold in convenient locations where pet owners typically walk their dogs such as parks and recreational areas. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention would be sold in a vending type of machine that a pet owner could easily pay for and receive one or more of the container systems  100  with the hydrating fluid solution of the present invention. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that cities and entire states could pre-purchase a large quantity of the container systems  100  with the hydrating fluid solution of the present invention and provides them to pet owners for free. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown a side view of the container system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The container system  100  is shown having the front side  102  a back side  202  and peripheral sides  204 . 
     The front side  102  and the back side  202  are shown parallel to each other for ease of storage. The back side  202  can be flat to accommodate the use of the container system  100  on a flat surface such as the ground. The front side  102  is shown substantially larger than the back side  202  and overhangs the back side  202 . The front side  102  can be larger to ensure a proper water tight seal is provided. 
     The peripheral sides  204  are shown extending between the back side  202  to the front side  102  at an angle. The peripheral sides  204  widen as they extend toward the front side  102 . The front side  102  is shown overhanging the peripheral sides  204  even as the peripheral sides  204  widen toward the front side  102 . 
     The angle of the peripheral sides  204  can accommodate the tapered shape of an animal&#39;s tongue by providing more surface area near the front side  102  to wet the tongue and less near the back side  202 . The peripheral sides  204  can also be connected at angles less than  90  degrees to allow complete access for a tongue to consume all the hydrating liquid solution within the container system  100  and leaving no inaccessible areas of the container system  100 . 
     The top and bottom of the peripheral sides  204  meet the front side  102  with a continuous flat side without an edge or lip. It has been discovered that the absence of any purturbance as the top and bottom of the peripheral sides  204  meet the front side  102  unexpectedly reduces splash during drinking by eliminating oscillatory movement in the tongue of a drinking animal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown a back view of the container system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The back side  202  is shown circumscribed by the peripheral sides  204 . The peripheral sides  204  and the back side  202  are shown circumscribed by the peripheral seal  104 . 
     The back side  202  is shown as flat but it is contemplated that the back side  202  can be indented in the middle to provide greater stability when the container system  100  is set on an uneven or bumpy surface. 
     The peripheral seal  104  is shown with the front side  102  of  FIG. 1  completely removed in one drinking configuration. The symbols  108  of  FIG. 1  that were overhanging the peripheral seal  104  are no longer visible after the front side  102  was removed. The back side  202  is shown having an even higher aspect ratio than the front side  102 . The peripheral sides  204  have a greater slant near the top of the container system  100  than at the bottom. 
     The peripheral sides  204  can be slanted or tapered from the back side  202  to the front side  102  at differing slants to provide the most efficient access and to the hydrating liquid solution. The peripheral sides  204  are depicted having a greater slant (more lateral distance compared to the vertical distance) near the top, close to the integral hang tab  114 . The slant of the peripheral sides  204  near the bottom is less (less lateral distance compared to the vertical distance). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the container system  100  of  FIG. 3  along the line  4 - 4 . The peripheral sides  204  on the left and right side of the container system  100  are shown extending from the back side  202  to the front side  102 . Near the front side  102 , the peripheral sides  204  form a vertical lip  402  before contacting the front side  102  at a ninety degree angle. The peripheral seal  104  of the front side  102  can contact the vertical lip  402 . It is further contemplated that the peripheral seal  104  can be peripheral to the vertical lip  402 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown an isometric view of multiple container systems  100  of  FIG. 1 . The container systems  100  are shown stacked and demonstrate the ease of storage or the ease of transport. The container systems  100  can be identifiable as to the contents without unstacking when the markings  106  are not covered by the back side  202  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The unique shape of the container system  100  is shown by the ability to efficiently handle and categorize the container system  100  when stacked since the markings  106 , including the symbols  108  of  FIG. 1 , the descriptions  112  of  FIG. 1 , and the logos  110  of  FIG. 1 , are visible on the front side  102  of the container system  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown a front view of a container system  600  in a second embodiment of the present invention. The container system  600  can be a disposable plastic container prefilled with a hydrating fluid solution. It is also contemplated that the container system  600  can be a resalable or reusable container for storage, transport and delivery of a hydrating fluid solution. 
     The container system  600  is contemplated to be used in the pet care industry. However, it is to be clearly noted that the container system  600  may be applied to other industries as well where a portable container containing a nutritious water drink would be beneficial. In the application of the pet care industry, each container system  600  may be manufactured in a way that is portable and can be stored and carried very easily. 
     The container system  600  is shown having a front side  602 . The front side  602  can be a resealable or disposable. The front side  602  can be a film or a structured lid. The shape of the front side  602  of the container system  600  can be roughly trapezoidal narrowing toward a top of the front side  602 . The container system  600  can be shaped to have an aspect ratio of more than 1:2.5 for some applications. 
     It has been discovered that the aspect ratio of more than 1:2.5 allows for easier storage and provides the unexpected benefit of allowing animals with narrow muzzles to have a higher consumption rate while simultaneously wasting less of the hydrating liquid solution contained therein. It has also been discovered that the shape of the container system  600 , narrowing near a top and widening near a bottom of the front side  602 , unexpectedly increases the consumption rate while simultaneously decreases the amount of liquid that is spilled or splashed out while an animal is drinking. 
     It is contemplated that the shape, aspect ratio, and amount of taper of the container system  600  can be directly correlated to the features of an animal such as a length and width of the animal&#39;s muzzle or tongue. As an example, the container system  600  is configured to suit a longer narrower muzzle or tongue than the container system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The shape, taper, and aspect ratio of the container system  600  allows for animals to drink naturally by licking down into the container system  600  preserving the lateral movement of the tongue while providing a compact transportable container. 
     The front side  602  can include a peripheral seal  604  generally along a periphery of the front side  602 . The peripheral seal  604  can provide a water tight seal for the hydrating liquid solution keeping the hydrating liquid solution fresh and prevent spillage during transportation. 
     The front side  602  is designed to be opened only partially leaving some of the front side  602  attached to the container system  600  to act as a splash guard preventing the hydrating liquid solution from splashing out of the container system  600 . The front side  602  can further include markings  606  such as symbols  608 , logos  610 , and descriptions  612 . 
     The symbols  608  are depicted as a dog nose and tongue. Other manifestations are contemplated such as a cat tongue and nose, or other animal facial features. The symbols  608  can over hang the peripheral seal  604  of the front side  602 . 
     The symbols  608  are shown overhanging the peripheral seal  604  at multiple points. The symbol  608  depicting the dog tongue is shown overhanging the peripheral seal  604  along a right portion of the front side  602  near a root of the dog tongue and along a left portion of the front side  602  near a middle section of the dog tongue. 
     The symbol  608  depicting the dog nose is shown overhanging the peripheral seal  604  along a left top portion of the front side  602 . The symbols  608  extending beyond the peripheral seal  604  can, along with a pull tab  614  near a bottom of the front side  602 , be used as a quick or easy opening mechanism. The symbols  608  overhanging the peripheral seal  604  can be pulled on to release the front side  602  from the container system  600  and to expose the hydrating fluid solution for use or consumption. 
     The front side  602  can be peeled off the container system  600  by pulling on one of the symbols  608  overhanging the peripheral seal  604  or the pull tab  614  to allow the front side  602  to be partially unsealed from the bottom, left, or right side while remaining sealed on the along the same and other sides to accommodate or control the rate of consumption at which an animal can consume the hydrating liquid solution. Alternatively, the front side  602  can be completely removed from the peripheral seal  604  of the container system  600 . 
     The logos  610  can be centered on the front side  602  and placed between the symbols  608 . The logos  610  can extend over the peripheral seal  604  but are not depicted as extending beyond the peripheral seal  604 . In other contemplated embodiments, the logos  610  can extend beyond the peripheral seal  604  to provide an easy opening solution or can be fully contained within the peripheral seal  604 . 
     The descriptions  612  are depicted as contained fully within the peripheral seal  604  near the logos  610  and over the symbols  608 . The descriptions  612  can be used for easy classification, storage and use of the container system  600  when multiple container systems  600  of differing contents are used, stored, or transported. 
     The front side  602  further includes an integral hang tab  616  near the top of the front side  602  and exterior to the peripheral seal  604 . The integral hang tab  616  can be attached to a carabineer or used to store the container system  600  on a hanger. The integral hang tab  616  can also be folded down for a more compact transportation within a handbag or a backpack. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown an isometric view of a container system  700  in a third embodiment of the present invention. The container system  700  is shown having a front side  702  coupled to the container system  700  with a peripheral seal  704 . 
     The peripheral seal  704  is connected to peripheral sides  706 . The peripheral sides  706  can extend down away from the front side  702  vertically or can extend at a slant. The container system  700  is shown including a hydrating liquid solution  708 . The hydrating liquid solution  708  can comprise water and other nutrients, including vitamins that are specifically designed to hydrate pet animals, such as dogs and cats. 
     Along the peripheral sides  706 , a nozzle  710  can be included that allows the hydrating liquid solution  708  to be poured out without removing the front side  702  of the container. The front side  702  is shown partially opened and partially closed. The container system  700  can be shaped as a dog bone. It has been discovered that providing the shape of a bone unexpectedly allows for increased grip on the container system  700  when aggressively handling the container system  700 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown an isometric view of a container system  800  in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The container system  800  is shown having a front side  802  coupled to the container system  800  with a peripheral seal  804 . 
     The peripheral seal  804  is connected to peripheral sides  806 . The peripheral sides  806  can extend down away from the front side  802  vertically or can extend at a slant. The container system  800  is shown including a hydrating liquid solution  808 . The hydrating liquid solution  808  can comprise water and other nutrients, including vitamins that are specifically designed to hydrate pet animals, such as dogs and cats. 
     Along the peripheral sides  806 , a nozzle  810  can be included that allows the hydrating liquid solution  808  to be poured out without removing the front side  802  of the container. The front side  802  is shown partially opened and partially closed. The peripheral sides  806  of the container system  800  can include grip ridges  812  near a back side of the container system  800  for increased grip. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown a flow chart of method of operation  900  of the container system  100  in an embodiment of the present invention. The method of operating a container system for providing a hydrating liquid solution to a pet includes: providing a front side including a peripheral seal, the front side coupled to a back side and to peripheral sides for containing the hydrating liquid solution in a block  902 ; and breaking the peripheral seal to expose the hydrating liquid solution from a top of the container system in a block  904 . 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the container system, method, and apparatus of the present invention furnish important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects. 
     The resulting processes and configurations are straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. 
     Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.