Patent Publication Number: US-2015068463-A1

Title: Pet treat dispenser system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is related to snack or treat dispenser product, in particular to a pet treat dispenser for use in the pet care industry but applicable to other industries where a snack/treat dispenser would be useful. 
     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, pet owners are leaving their pets at home without constant supervision while the owners travel or work. 
     A solution to provide pet owners with the ability to remotely care for the needs of their pets with the moment by moment discretion of a caring pet owner has eluded those skilled in the art. Many attempts to solve these problems have been made but none have yet been able to provide a full and complete solution. 
     One solution that has been developed is a dispenser with a timer that dispenses food at a certain time. This solution fails to provide for the individualized needs of a pet during different times of the day. For instance after a good exercise in the yard a pet may need two treats, but this system would only provide a standard predetermined quantity at predetermined intervals rather than when it is really needed. 
     Other solutions will refill a bowl as it drains. These solutions can over feed a pet leading to poor pet health. 
     Currently, there is not a pet treating dispenser of the present invention that can be remotely controlled/operated that solves the problem of allowing a pet owner to remotely provide a treat to his/her pet. Thus the need to allow pet owners to remotely take care of their pets has been long felt in the industry and has long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a dispenser system including: providing a housing including a front side; coupling a mechanism to the front side of the housing, the mechanism including a drive system and a storage unit; and connecting a circuit to the mechanism configured to dispense a consumable product contained in the storage unit after a remote command is received by the circuit. 
     The present invention further provides a dispenser system comprising: a housing including a front side; a mechanism, coupled to the front side of the housing, including a drive system and a storage unit; a circuit connected to the mechanism and configured to dispense a consumable product contained in the storage unit after a remote command is received by the circuit. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention can provide a pet treat dispenser that can be remotely controlled and operated. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide a pet treat dispenser that can be remotely controlled and operated via the internet or wirelessly via a phone or other remote input device. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide a pet treat dispenser that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide a pet treat dispenser that allows for auditory notifications to the pet when a treat is being dispensed. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention can provide a pet treat dispenser that is able to house and dispense a variety of different treats; 
     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 dispenser system in a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the dispenser system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the dispenser system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the dispenser system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the dispenser system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the dispenser systems of  FIG. 1  in a loading stage of operation. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the dispenser systems of  FIG. 1  in a ready stage of operation. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the dispenser systems of  FIG. 1  in a dispense stage of operation. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the dispenser systems of  FIG. 1  in a cleared stage of operation. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a dispenser system in a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a dispenser system in a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  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 (define system in a way that makes it useful for capturing front-end, back-end, or a combination). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a front view of a dispenser system  100  in a first embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser system  100  is shown having a front side  102 , a top side  104 , a bottom side  106 , a left side  108 , and a right side  110 . 
     The dispenser system  100  is shown having a view port  112  centered within a front panel  114 . The view port  112  within the front panel  114  can be any suitable size to allow a user to determine from an optical inspection how full the dispenser system  100  is and whether the dispenser system  100  needs to be refilled. 
     From the view port  112  a consumable product  116  can be seen filling over half of the view port  112 . The consumable product  116  can include nutritious snacks. The consumable product  116  can be arranged to dispense a certain kind of the consumable product  116  in a specific order. The consumable product  116  can be produced with a shape that is required to be used with the dispenser system  100 . 
     The front side  102  can also include a speaker  118  above the front panel  114  and aligned with the view port  112 . The speaker  118  can alert a pet that the consumable product  116  is being or is about to be dispensed. 
     Around the front panel  114  a housing  120  can be structured to form portions of the front side  102 , the top side  104 , the bottom side  106 , the left side  108 , and the right side  110 . The housing  120  can be formed from any suitable material such as injection molded plastic or a stamped metal. 
     The speaker  118  can include through holes or slits in the housing  120  along with the physical electromechanical speaker behind the housing  120 . The housing  120  can surround the front panel  114  and provide a mounting platform and structural support for the front panel  114 . 
     The housing  120  can include structural reinforcements  122  arranged to extend from the front side  102  to the top side  104 , from the bottom side  106  around to the left side  108 , and from the bottom side  106  around to the right side  110 . The structural reinforcements  122  of the housing  120  can add significantly to the rigidity of the dispenser system  100  allowing for less material to be used during production or allowing for the dispenser system  100  to operate in a broader band of environmental conditions. 
     Below the view port  112  near the bottom of the front panel  114  is a dispenser tray  124 . The dispenser tray  124  is configured to dispense the consumable product  116  individually when required. The dispenser system  100  can include a wireless connection  126  or a wired connection  128  that connects the dispenser system  100  to a network  130 . 
     The network  130  can be a telephone network, the internet, a local network, or a private network. The wired connection  128  can be any suitable wired connection including metal wire connections like rs232, usb, and cat 5 or 6, or can be a fiber optic connection. The wireless connection  126  can utilize the WiFi 802.11 standards, Bluetooth, or even a mobile phone signal. 
     The dispenser system  100  allows pet owners to remotely provide the consumable product  116  to their pets via the wireless connection  126  or the wired connection  128  to the network  130 . The pet owners can utilize an application native to their cell phones, a website, text, or even a remote control to signal the dispenser system  100  to load the dispenser tray  124  and dispense the consumable product  116 . 
     The dispenser system  100  enables pet owners to remotely care for the needs of their pets with human concern and judgment rather than simply relying on a timer. The dispenser system  100  can be powered by a standard wall outlet with a battery backup, with batteries alone, or even a wireless power source. 
     The dispenser system  100  is contemplated to be used in the pet care industry. However, it is to be clearly noted that the present invention may be applied to other industries as well where a remotely controlled/operated dispensing device is desirable. In one application in the pet care industry, each dispenser system  100  would be manufactured in a way that is relatively inexpensive and user friendly to operate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown a side view of the dispenser system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The dispenser system  100  is depicted showing the front panel  114  on a portion of the front side  102  with the dispenser tray  124  positioned within the front panel  114  and along a bottom part of the front panel  114 . 
     The housing  120  can be seen surrounding the front panel  114  and extending from the front side  102  back toward a back side  202 . As the housing  120  extends from the front side  102  toward the back side  202 , the housing  120  contacts a back plate  204 . 
     The back plate  204  can extend from the back side  202  toward the front side  102  and from the bottom side  106  to the top side  104 . The structural reinforcements  122  can be formed in both the housing  120  and the back plate  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown a bottom view of the dispenser system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The dispenser system  100  is depicted having the housing  120  contacting the back plate  204 . The structural reinforcements  122  are shown formed partially within the housing  120  and partially within the back plate  204 . 
     Forming the structural reinforcements  122  within the housing  120  and the back plate  204  has been discovered to improve the structural rigidity of the dispenser system  100 . The structural reinforcements  122  also provide the additional functionality of providing a compact form factor while housing important components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a top view of the dispenser system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The dispenser system  100  is depicted having the housing  120  contacting the back plate  204 . The structural reinforcements  122  are shown formed partially within the housing  120  and partially within the back plate  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown an exploded view of the dispenser system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The dispenser system  100  is depicted having the back plate  204  aligned with the housing  120  aligned with the front panel  114 . 
     Fasteners  502  are shown to align and connect the housing  120  with the back plate  204 . The fasteners  502  can be any suitable fastener and can include threaded or unthreaded mechanical fasteners, chemical fasteners (such as glue or epoxy), and can even include non-mechanical non-chemical magnetic fasteners. 
     Within the back plate  204  a circuit such as a circuit board  504  is shown mounted off center within the back plate  204 . The circuit board  504  can include many components required to drive, operate, communicate, signal, control, and regulate the dispenser system  100 . As an example the circuit board  504  can include a micro-controller or micro-processor, driver amplifiers, wireless or wired communication modules, DC stepper control modules, audio amplifiers, and timers. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other components can be included and are inherently required to allow the dispenser system  100  to function as described herein. 
     The circuit board  504  can also facilitate connection and communication with the network  130  of  FIG. 1  via the wireless connection  126  of  FIG. 1  or the wired connection  128  of  FIG. 1 . The circuit board  504  can include memory and instructions configured to perform the actions communicated from the network  130  by the pet owner. 
     The front panel  114  is shown as part of a larger mechanism  506 . The mechanism  506  can include the front panel  114  along with the dispenser tray  124 . Behind the front panel  114  the mechanism  506  also includes a storage unit  508  and a drive system  510 . 
     The storage unit  508  can be seen to include the consumable product  116  which can be viewed from the view port  112 . The storage unit  508  can be configured behind the front panel  114  and above the drive system  510 . The drive system  510  can be configured below the storage unit  508  and behind the dispenser tray  124 . 
     The dispenser tray  124  can be coupled to the drive system  510  and the storage unit  508 . The dispenser tray  124  can be loaded with the consumable product  116  from the storage unit  508  and be driven in and out to dispense the consumable product  116  by the drive system  510 . 
     The drive system  510  can include a motor  512  coupled to gearing  514 . The motor  512  can be a DC stepper motor or other suitable motor configured to control the motion of the dispenser tray  124 . The gearing  514  can be configured to provide smoother motion to the dispenser tray  124  or can be configured to provide mechanical advantage when moving the dispenser tray  124  with the motor  512  when lower power consumption is required. 
     The mechanism  506  can be communicatively coupled to the circuit board  504  through the housing  120 . The circuit board  504  can control the mechanism  506  with a communication path established through a connector  516  that can be in direct physical contact with the mechanism  506  when the dispenser system  100  is collapsed. 
     The mechanism  506  is further depicted including a load lock  518  in front of the front panel  114  and above the dispenser tray  124 . The load lock  518  can project outward when the storage unit  508  needs to be refilled with the consumable product  116 . When the load lock  518  is extended the load lock  518  does not obscure the view port  112  to provide the added functionality of seeing the amount of consumable product  116  within the storage unit  508  when the storage unit  508  is being filled. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown an isometric view of the dispenser system  100 s of  FIG. 1  in a loading stage of operation. The dispenser system  100  is depicted having the consumable product  116  being loaded into the storage unit  508 . 
     To facilitate the loading of the dispenser system  100  the mechanism  506  is extended out from the housing  120  to expose the storage unit  508  and provide clearance for the consumable product  116  to be loaded without contact with the housing  120 . 
     The consumable product  116  can be shown in a shape of a dog bone that correlates to the shape of the storage unit  508 . The consumable product  116  can be shaped in a way that is required for the mechanism  506  to properly move the consumable product  116  within the mechanism  506  and the storage unit  508 . 
     The load lock  518  is shown extended. The load lock  518  provides a handle or a grip to manually open or close the mechanism  506 . The load lock  518  can function as a primary method of moving the mechanism  506  in or out from the housing  120  during cleaning or loading, or it may be a backup method. It is contemplated that the mechanism  506  can be extended from the housing  120  with a remote command by the pet owner over the wireless connection  126  of  FIG. 1  or wired connection  128  of  FIG. 1 . 
     It is also contemplated that the load lock  518  can be utilized to move the mechanism  506  if the mechanism  506  is stuck or does not respond to the remote command by the pet owner. In typical use, a pet owner would open the mechanism  506  and fill the storage unit  508  with consumable product  116  of his/her choosing and close the dispenser system  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown an isometric view of the dispenser system  100 s of  FIG. 1  in a ready stage of operation. The dispenser system  100  can be placed in a low power standby mode to await an instruction from the pet owner. When the dispenser system  100  is in the standby mode the dispenser system  100  can monitor the wireless connection  126  of  FIG. 1  or the wired connection  128  of  FIG. 1  for an instruction. 
     The dispenser system  100  can further perform self-cleaning cycles or calibration cycles when awaiting a command to dispense the consumable product  116  of  FIG. 1 . It is further contemplated that the dispenser system  100  can report the level and freshness of the consumable product  116  to the pet owner over the wireless connection  126  or the wired connection  128  when awaiting a command or immediately after a command is received but before the dispense action is carried out. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown an isometric view of the dispenser system  100 s of  FIG. 1  in a dispense stage of operation. The dispenser system  100  is shown having the dispenser tray  124  in an extended position and containing the consumable product  116  for delivery to a pet. 
     As the dispenser tray  124  moves out the speaker  118  can create an auditory signal  802  to alert a pet that the consumable product  116  will be dispensed. The speaker  118  can be configured to generate the auditory signal  802  before, during, or after the consumable product  116  is dispensed. 
     The speaker  118  can be configured to generate the auditory signal  802  unique to the type of consumable product  116  being dispensed. It is further contemplated that the speaker  118  can generate the auditory signal  802  in a frequency range not perceptible to the human ear while simultaneously being perceptible to the pet. The auditory signal  802  may consist of any type of signal, including the pet owner&#39;s own voice which may provide a comfortable soothing feeling for the pet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown an isometric view of the dispenser system  100 s of  FIG. 1  in a cleared stage of operation. The dispenser system  100  is depicted releasing the consumable product  116  from the dispenser tray  124 . 
     When the dispenser system  100  receives a signal from the pet owner to open, the dispenser tray  124  will open, allowing the consumable product  116  to be dispensed, by either being pushed or dropped from the front panel  114 . The pet would then eat the treat. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , therein is shown an isometric view of a dispenser system  1000  in a second embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser system  1000  is shown having a front side  1002 , a top side  1004 , a bottom side  1006 , a left side  1008 , and a back side  1010 . 
     The dispenser system  1000  is shown having a view port  1012  centered within a front panel  1014 . The view port  1012  within the front panel  1014  can be any suitable size to allow a user to determine from an optical inspection how full the dispenser system  1000  is and whether the dispenser system  1000  needs to be refilled. 
     From the view port  1012  a consumable product  1016  can be seen filling the view port  1012 . The consumable product  1016  can include nutritious snacks. The consumable product  1016  can be arranged to dispense a certain kind of the consumable product  1016  in a specific order. The consumable product  1016  can be produced with a shape that is required to be used with the dispenser system  1000 . The front panel  1014  can slide or hinge open to refill the consumable product  1016 . 
     The front side  1002  can also include a speaker  1018  above the front panel  1014  and aligned with the view port  1012 . The speaker  1018  can alert a pet that the consumable product  1016  is being or is about to be dispensed. 
     Around the front panel  1014  a housing  1020  can be structured to form portions of the front side  1002 , the top side  1004 , the bottom side  1006 , the left side  1008 , and the back side  1010 . The housing  1020  can be formed from any suitable material such as injection molded plastic or a stamped metal. 
     The speaker  1018  can include through holes or slits in the housing  1020  along with the physical electromechanical speaker behind the housing  1020 . The housing  1020  can surround the front panel  1014  and provide a mounting platform and structural support for the front panel  1014 . The structural reinforcements  1022  of the housing  1020  can add significantly to the rigidity of the dispenser system  1000  allowing for less material to be used during production or allowing for the dispenser system  1000  to operate in a broader band of environmental conditions. 
     Below the view port  1012  near the bottom of the front panel  1014  is a dispenser port  1024 . The dispenser port  1024  is configured to dispense the consumable product  1016  individually when required. 
     The dispenser system  1000  allows pet owners to remotely provide the consumable product  1016  to their pets via a wireless connection or a wired connection to a network. The pet owners can utilize an application native to their cell phones, a website, text, or even a remote control to signal the dispenser system  1000  to eject the consumable product  1016 . 
     The dispenser system  1000  enables pet owners to remotely care for the needs of their pets with human concern and judgment rather than simply relying on a timer. The dispenser system  1000  can be powered by a standard wall outlet with a battery backup, with batteries alone, or even a wireless power source. 
     The dispenser system  1000  is contemplated to be used in the pet care industry. However, it is to be clearly noted that the present invention may be applied to other industries as well where a remotely controlled/operated dispensing device is desirable. In one application in the pet care industry, each dispenser system  1000  would be manufactured in a way that is relatively inexpensive and user friendly to operate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , therein is shown an isometric view of a dispenser system  1100  in a third embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser system  1100  is shown having a front side  1102 , a top side  1104 , a bottom side  1106 , a right side  1108 , and a back side  1110 . 
     The dispenser system  1100  is shown having a view port  1112  centered within a front panel  1114  and wrapping around the front side  1102  to the right side  1108 . The view port  1112  within the front panel  1114  can be any suitable size to allow a user to determine from an optical inspection how full the dispenser system  1100  is and whether the dispenser system  1100  needs to be refilled. 
     From the view port  1112  a consumable product  1116  can be seen filling the view port  1112 . The consumable product  1116  is depicted as a liquid nutrient solution. It is contemplated that the consumable product  1116  can be liquid, semi liquid or be a liquid with suspended solids therein. The consumable product  1116  can be contained in a refillable package that can be dropped into the dispenser system  1100  without being opened. The front panel  1114  can slide or hinge open to refill the consumable product  1116 . 
     Around the front panel  1114  a housing  1120  can be structured to form portions of the front side  1102 , the top side  1104 , the bottom side  1106 , the right side  1108 , and the back side  1110 . The housing  1120  can be formed from multiple components and multiple different types and colors of materials. 
     The housing  1120  can surround the front panel  1114  and provide a mounting platform and structural support for the front panel  1114 . Structural reinforcements  1122  formed within the housing  1120  can add significantly to the rigidity of the dispenser system  1100  allowing for less material to be used during production or allowing for the dispenser system  1100  to operate in a broader band of environmental conditions. 
     Above the view port  1112  above the front panel  1114  is a dispenser port  1124 . The dispenser port  1124  is configured to dispense the consumable product  1116  at controllable doses when required. 
     The dispenser system  1100  allows pet owners to remotely provide the consumable product  1116  to their pets via a wireless connection or a wired connection to a network. The pet owners can utilize an application native to their cell phones, a website, text, or even a remote control to signal the dispenser system  1100  to dispense the consumable product  1116 . 
     The dispenser system  1100  enables pet owners to remotely care for the needs of their pets with human concern and judgment rather than simply relying on a timer. The dispenser system  1100  can be powered by a standard wall outlet with a battery backup, with batteries alone, or even a wireless power source. 
     The dispenser system  1100  is contemplated to be used in the pet care industry. However, it is to be clearly noted that the present invention may be applied to other industries as well where a remotely controlled/operated dispensing device is desirable. In one application in the pet care industry, each dispenser system  1100  would be manufactured in a way that is relatively inexpensive and user friendly to operate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , therein is shown a flow chart of method of manufacturing  1200  the dispenser system  100  in an embodiment of the present invention. The method of manufacturing  1200  the dispenser system  100  includes: providing a housing including a front side in a block  1202 ; coupling a mechanism to the front side of the housing, the mechanism including a drive system and a storage unit in a block  1204 ; and connecting a circuit to the mechanism configured to dispense a consumable product contained in the storage unit after a remote command is received by the circuit in a block  1206 . 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the dispenser 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 current 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.