Abstract:
A food and/or treat dispenser comprises an enclosed container having at least one aperture for insertion and dispensing of food stored therein. The dispenser comprises a top portion, a base portion and a central portion therebetween, wherein at least one aperture is provided in the top or base portion. The aperture is selectively openable and returnably resilient. A plurality of ribs are provided to facilitate selective opening of the aperture. The top and base portions include a perimeter encircling a concavity, the perimeter of a relatively flat configuration so that the top and/or base portions are positionable in a free standing configuration on a flat or planar surface. The dispenser may also include a variety of means for securing the dispenser to varying objects during transport or storage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/688,672 filed Oct. 20, 2003, which was a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/590,815, filed on Jun. 9, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,739. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to new and novel improvements in a food and/or treat dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to a food and/or treat dispenser that is portable, durable and lightweight, while also providing a convenient container and dispenser for carrying, food and/or treats while walking, hiking or performing other physical activities, with or without pets. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   While walking, hiking or performing other physical activities, with or without the company of a pet or pets, it is often desirable to take along food and/or treats to quench brief episodes of hunger. At present, it is necessary to carry such food and/or treats in the pockets of pants, shirts or jackets, in variously sized bags, sealed containers, or within a back pack or the ever popular fanny packs. These prior art methods have disadvantages, including inconvenience in storage and transport, damaging the food and/or treats during storage and/or transport, and the resultant uncleanliness from food and/or treat residue from any left behind crumbs. 
   Consequently, a need is felt to provide an improved food and/or treat dispenser that conveniently permits the insertion, storage and dispensing of food and/or treats upon demand. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved food and/or treat dispenser. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a an improved food and/or treat dispenser that is lightweight and convenient, and furthermore is capable of being operated using one hand. 
   It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a an improved food and/or treat dispenser that is easy to load with food and/or treats and allows such food and/or treats to be easily dispensed. 
   It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a an improved food and/or treat dispenser that is easily carried, attached to a user&#39;s belt or waistband, or about a user&#39;s neck via a chain or other similar means. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a food and/or treat dispenser Comprises an enclosed container fabricated from a relatively soft pliable polymeric material having at least one aperture to permit food and/or treats to be inserted into and removed from the enclosed container. In one preferred embodiment, the food and/or treat dispenser is fabricated as an integral one-piece enclosed container having a relatively flat top portion and a relatively flat base portion opposite thereto. The relatively flat top portion includes an aperture to allow food and/or treats to be inserted into and removed from the aperture and the integral one-piece enclosed container. The relatively flat base portion also includes an aperture to allow food and/or treats to be inserted into and removed from the aperture and the integral one-piece enclosed container. The aperture in the relatively flat top portion is preferably longer than the aperture in the relatively flat base portion. If desired, a quick disconnect chain can be inserted through openings in the sidewall of the elongated cylindrical or oval central portion. As an alternative to the quick disconnect, the dispenser may also include a hook to allow the dispenser to be carried about a user&#39;s neck or wrist or attached to a belt, belt loop, waistband, pet leash handle or pet collar. 
   Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a food and/or treat dispenser according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof; and 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view thereof. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   In the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which in conjunction with the detailed description, illustrate and describe a preferred embodiment of a food and/or treat dispenser  10  in accordance with the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , a food and/or treat dispenser  10  (hereinafter “dispenser”) is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  10  comprises an generally and substantially enclosed container fabricated from a relatively soft pliable polymeric material. The dispenser  10  comprises at least one aperture  18  to permit food and/or treats to be inserted into and removed from the enclosed container. 
   More particularly, the dispenser  10  is fabricated as an integral, one-piece enclosed container comprising a relatively flattop portion  12 , elongated central portion  14 , and a relatively flat base portion  16 . The top portion  12  preferably includes a first aperture  18  to allow food and/or treats to be inserted through the first aperture  18  into the integral one-piece enclosed container and removed therefrom. The base portion  16  preferably includes a second aperture  20  to allow food and/or treats to be inserted through the second aperture  20  into the integral one-piece enclosed container and removed therefrom. It is envisioned that the first aperture  18  has a greater length than the second aperture  20 , the difference in length provided so that the envisioned insertion of food and/or treats into the container is more easily accomplished in an a timely and efficient manner, without damage to the food and/or treats, and without damage to the first aperture  18  or injury to the user&#39;s hand and/or fingers. The shorter length of the second aperture  20  is also envisioned to provide greater control to the user while dispensing food and/or treats, because the shorter second aperture  20  prevents excessive dispensing of food and/or treats. The apertures  18  and  20  are returnably resilient, returning to a closed position or arrangement when the force or pressure is released from the lateral sides  26  and/or  28  of the dispenser  10 . 
   The top and base portions  12  and  16 , respectively, are similar in structure, differing only in dimension, thus description of one portion  12  or  16  serves as a representative description of the other portion  12  or  16 . The top and base portions  12  and  16  comprise a circular, oval or elliptical perimeter  22  encircling a concavity  24  in which the first or second aperture  18  or  20  resides in. For clarification, the concavity  24  of each portion  12  and  16  is defined as a concavity as if one is looking into the portions  12  and  16 , and not as relative positioning (because relative positioning would require one to be defined as a concavity and the other as a convexity). The arrangement of the perimeter  22  and the concavity  24  of each portion  12  and  16  allows for each end to freely stand on a level or planar surface, such as a table. The feature of a portions  12  and  16  capable of freely standing enhances the convenience and ease of use previously disclosed, positioning the dispenser  10  at heights above the influence of tampering by pets or children, thereby preventing damage to dispenser  10 , injury to pets or children, and crumbling of the food and/or treats placed therein. 
   The elongated central portion  14  is intermediate to the portions  12  and  16 , and may include a variety of configurations, provided that the first aperture  18  of top portion  12  is of a greater length than the second aperture  20  of base portion  16 . As such, it is envisioned that a number of tapered configurations may be provided to accomplish the proportionality desired between the first aperture  18  relative to the second aperture  20 . The envisioned configurations include the tapered configuration depicted in the figures, but also envisioned are bell-shaped and/or conically shaped dispensers  10 . The container comprises a front and rear wall and lateral sides, generally denoted as  26  and  28 , respectively, (all of which are integrally configured and without definitive demarcation between walls and sides) wherein the sides  26  and  28  include a plurality of ribs are provided at strategic locations adjacent to the top portion  12  and base portion  16 , respectively, for facilitating opening of the respective apertures  18  and  20 . Specifically, a first series of ribs  30   a  are positioned adjacently to the top portion  12  along the lateral sides  26  and  28 , wherein a user would place a thumb at one side  26  or  28 , and then the finger(s) at the opposite side  26  or  28 , and by applying sufficient force, the sides  26  and  28  collapse inwardly and result in opening of the first aperture  18 . A second series of ribs  30   b  are positioned adjacently to the base portion  16  along the lateral sides  26  and  28 , wherein a user would place a thumb and finger(s) in a similar manner as to the first series of ribs  30   a , and wherein application of sufficient force collapses the sides  26  and  28  and results in opening of the second aperture  20 . The incorporation of the ribs facilitates opening of the apertures  18  and  20 , while also providing points of grasping the dispenser  10  and insuring a secure hold thereon by a user&#39;s hand(s). 
   A number of means may be provided to secure the dispenser  10  to an object for facilitating easier transportation. Among the means envisioned, a biased clip wherein an end of the clip is affixed to the rear of the dispenser  10 , and an opposite end of the clip is free to move away from the dispenser  10 , providing space for a waistband, belt, belt loop, pocket or other similar material and/or apparatus. Other means envisioned include a tab  34  with an orifice  36  through which a hook  40  or wire might be inserted therethrough, and thus suspendingly securing the dispenser  10  (see  FIG. 1 ). Yet another means envisioned includes a chain  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the dispenser  10 , providing a quick disconnect mechanism and allowing for the chain  38  to be placed about a user&#39;s neck, wrist, arm, or another similarly useful mechanism. Yet another means envisioned includes a hook provided for attachment to a nail, edge, ledge or other similar mechanism. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user opens one of the returnably resilient apertures  18  and/or  20  by applying force or pressure to the lateral sides  26  and  28  of the dispenser  10  (as indicated by the directional arrows  13  and  17  of  FIG. 3 ). Upon opening of the aperture  18  and/or  20 , a quantity of food and/or treat is/are inserted through the aperture  18  or  20  and securely stored within the enclosed container of the dispenser  10 . Because the apertures  18  and  20  are returnably resilient, once user releases the force or pressure from the lateral sides  26  and  28 , the aperture  18  or  20  returns to a closed arrangement, thereby preventing egress of the food and/or treats placed therein. To dispense the stored food and/or treats, preferably, the user will apply force or pressure to the second series of ribs  30   b  in conjunction with the second aperture  20  (with a shorter length than the first aperture  18 ), thereby opening the second aperture  20  and allowing for a controlled amount of food or treats to egress from the container of dispenser  10 . 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.