Abstract:
Embodiments of a portable and modular pet station include a mobile storage cabinet, an exterior surface, and a feeding unit. The mobile storage cabinet has at least one opening to access an interior storage space within the storage cabinet. The mobile storage cabinet has a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the mobile storage cabinet on an underlying surface. The exterior surface of at least one panel of the storage cabinet provides a mounting surface. The feeding unit is attached to the mounting surface of the exterior surface of the storage cabinet. The feeding unit includes at least one structural member to retain food in an accessible arrangement for access by an animal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/500,504, filed on Jun. 23, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Embodiments of a portable pet station are described. In one embodiment, the pet station includes a mobile storage cabinet with at least one opening to access an interior storage space within the storage cabinet. The mobile storage cabinet has a plurality of wheels to facilitate movement of the mobile storage cabinet on an underlying surface. The pet station also includes an exterior surface of at least one panel of the storage cabinet. The exterior surface provides a mounting surface. The pet station also includes a feeding unit attached to the mounting surface of the exterior surface of the storage cabinet. The feeding unit includes at least one structural member to retain food in an accessible arrangement for access by an animal. 
         [0003]    Embodiments of a pet feeding station are also described. In one embodiment, the pet feeding station includes a vertical mounting support structure, a feeding container, and a spill retention container. The feeding container is configured to couple to the vertical mounting support structure at a height to maintain the feeding container above and off of an underlying surface. The spill retention container is configured to couple to the vertical mounting support structure below the feeding container. The spill retention container is configured to catch substances that spill from the feeding container to substantially prevent the substances that spill from the feeding container from depositing on the underlying surface. 
         [0004]    Embodiments of a modular pet station attached to a wall are also described. In one embodiment, the modular pet station includes a plurality of receiving units. Each receiving unit is configured to mate with a corresponding mounting structure. The modular pet station also includes a feeding unit with a unit mounting structure configured to attach to at least one of the plurality of receiving units. The modular pet station also includes a storage space to store pet supplies. 
         [0005]    Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  discloses a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a modular pet station with a wall attachment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  discloses a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a modular pet station with multiple storage spaces. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  discloses a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a portable pet station. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station with a retractable feeding unit. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station with a retractable feeding unit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station with a debris catching unit. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station with a debris catching unit and a hood positioned over the debris catching unit. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  discloses a schematic view of one embodiment of a debris catching apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a debris catching apparatus. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
         [0017]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
         [0018]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0020]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0021]    While many embodiments are described herein, at least some of the described embodiments include a storage space for storage of pet supplies. In this description, references to a “storage space” may refer to any structure that may store or hold pet supplies, such as a drawer, box, or other attachment to a pet station. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  discloses a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a pet station  100 . The pet station  100  includes a feeding unit  102  and/or storage unit  104  that is suspended from a wall attachment  110  that is fixed to a wall  106 . The feeding unit  102  and/or storage unit  104  may be attached to the wall attachment  110  at one or more attachment points  108 . The station  100  may include a plurality of wall attachments  110  at different vertical levels on the wall  106  to increase the number of items that may be attached to the pet station  100 . The feeding unit  102  may be a food bowl, a water dispenser, or other device for providing food or water to a pet. Further, multiple feeding units  102  or storage units  104  may be attached to a single wall attachment  110  or dispersed between multiple wall attachments  110  to accommodate multiple pets of similar or diverse sizes. 
         [0023]    While the illustrated embodiment discloses a wall attachment  110  as an intermediary between the different attachments  102 ,  104  and a wall  106 , the different attachments  102 ,  104  may be attached to a wall attachment  110  or directly to the wall  106  at one or more connection points  108 . These connection points  108  may be points  108  along a recess in the wall  106  for hooking attachments  102 ,  104  to the wall. The attachment points  108  may also be a variety of holes at different horizontal and vertical points on the wall for inserting hooks, clips, or other forms of attachment mechanisms that may be used for holding and/or supporting various attachments  102 ,  104  for a variety of purposes. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  discloses a schematic diagram on one embodiment of a pet station  200 . The entire station  200  may be attached to a wall  106  or may be a stand-alone unit, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The pet station  200  may include one or more feeding units  202  attached to a plurality of recessions  206  at one or more connection points. The feeding unit  202  and connection points may share similar characteristics to the attachment units  102 ,  104  and connection points  108  discussed in relation to  FIG. 1 . The station  200  further includes a plurality of front  204  or side drawers  208  for storing different pet supplies, such as food, toys, and other objects. A bottom drawer  208  may also function as a waste disposal system, which will be discussed in greater detail with regards to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  discloses a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a portable pet station  300 . The station  300  includes a feeding unit  302  or other attachment that may be attached to the station at one or more connection points. The feeding unit  302  and attachment points may share similar characteristics to features discussed in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The pet station  200  may further include a plurality of drawers  304 ,  306  for storing different pet supplies. The drawers  304 ,  306  may be opened by pulling a handle  308  and opening a drawer  304  from the front and/or lifting a handle  310  and opening a drawer from the top  306 . Further, the pet station  300  includes a plurality of wheels  312  attached to the base of the pet station  300  to enhance the portability of the station  300  and accommodate different spaces or environments. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station  400 . The pet station  400  includes a feeding unit  404  that is part of a retractable drawer  402 . The retractable drawer  402  may be located at a higher or lower location, depending on the size of the pet, or may include multiple drawers with built in feeding units. Further, the drawer  402  may be removed and reinserted to the pet station  400  for cleaning and/or maintenance purposes. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station  410 . The pet station  400  includes a feeding unit that is retracted from a drawer or drawer space  414 . The feeding unit is connected to the drawer  414  by an extended horizontal support  412  which is connected to a vertical support  416  at a connection or pivot point  418 . The horizontal support  412  may be configured to adjust in height to accommodate a variety of pets by sliding the horizontal support  412  up or down in relation to the vertical support  416 . Also, the connection point  418  may pivot in different directions allowing the feeding unit to adjust vertically or horizontally with or without sliding the horizontal support  412  up or down the vertical support  416 . In other embodiments, another connection or pivot point may be located outward from the vertical support  416  along the horizontal support  412 , thereby creating multiple connection or pivot points, allowing greater flexibility and/or allowing for multiple feeding units to extend from the same drawer  414 . Similar to the feeding unit of  FIG. 4 , the feeding unit may also slide in or out of the drawer  414  by sliding the vertical support  416  horizontally inward or outward from the pet station  400 . Also, the feeding unit, individually or together with other parts of the drawer  414 , may be removed and reinserted for cleaning and/or maintenance purposes. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station  420 . The pet station  420  includes a feeding unit  424 , which may share many of the same qualities as the feeding unit described in relation to other embodiments. Additionally, the pet station  420  may include a debris catching device  426  for any food or debris. The debris catching device  426  may be placed, for example, below the feeding unit  424  for catching food or debris that falls from the feeding unit  426  while it is being used by a pet or other user. The debris catching unit  426  may be retractable to slide in or out of a space  430  of the pet station  420 . The debris catching unit  426  may have folding points  428  allowing the catching unit  426  to fold up and conveniently fit into the pet station  420 . While the space  430  may be used to store the catching unit  426 , it may also be used to receive any debris or waste that falls from the feeding unit  424 , to be stored away for later disposal. This would ensure that excess food or waste does not accumulate on the floor around the pet station  420 , and would prevent a constant need for cleaning around the base of the station  420 . The space  430  could then be cleaned at the owner&#39;s convenience in an efficient manner. Alternatively, the space  430  could include a drawer apparatus for removal and maintenance purposes, described in more detail with regards to  FIG. 8 . Any internal storage spaced located above the space  430  may be separated from the space  430  by a bottom panel which acts as a partition and support for items stored within the upper storage space. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a portable pet station  440 . The pet station  440  includes a feeding unit  444  that may share many of the same features as feeding units described in relation to other embodiments. The feeding unit  444  may be positioned over a debris catching unit  446 . The debris catching unit  446  may be a straight and/or retractable unit, and may share similar features to the debris catching unit discussed in relation to  FIG. 6 . Waste or debris may be directed to and collected into a space  450  for later disposal, and may additionally include a hood  448  positioned above the debris catching unit  446 . The hood  448  creates a shield for the opening to the otherwise enclosed space  450 , allowing access for debris or waste to enter the space  450 , while making access to the opening restricted from pets, children, pests, or other animals that may try to eat or extract waste from the space  450 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  discloses a schematic view of one embodiment of a debris catching apparatus  500  that may be used in conjunction with certain embodiments of the pet station, for example, as a drawer or wall attachment. The apparatus  500  includes a drawer frame  502  wherein a drawer  504  with a handle  510  may be conveniently inserted or withdrawn from the apparatus  500 . The drawer  504 , including parts within, may be withdrawn for maintenance or other purposes, and creates a convenient way for owners of the apparatus  500  to clean the drawer  504  or its discrete components. The drawer  504  includes a debris catching tray  506  for catching food or other waste, possibly falling from a feeding unit. The tray  506  may be retractable in or out of the drawer  504  or may include folding points  512  for folding the tray  506  and fitting more conveniently into the drawer  504 . Within the drawer  504  is an enclosed space  528  accessible at an opening  508 , through which food or other debris is directed as it falls onto the debris catching tray  506 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  discloses a side-view of one embodiment of a debris catching apparatus  520 . The apparatus  520  includes a drawer frame  522  wherein a drawer  524  with a handle  530  may be conveniently inserted or withdrawn from the apparatus  520 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drawer  524  includes a debris catching tray  526  that may slide in or out of the drawer  524 . The tray  526  directs excess debris or waste that may fall from a feeding unit into an enclosed space  528  accessible at an opening  508 , through which food or other debris is directed. The tray  526  may include a lip  534  located on the back and/or front of the tray  526  for decreasing the amount of debris that falls from the tray  526 . The tray  524  may move horizontally along a sliding mechanism  532  that may allow for the tray  526  to conveniently slide in or out of an opening  508  of the drawer  524 . The sliding mechanism  532  may utilize a variety of tools, such as bearings, rails, wheels, tracks and/or other devices for sliding the tray  526  in and out of the drawer  524  in a convenient way. The tray  526  may further be removed individually or together with the drawer  524  for cleaning and maintenance purposes. 
         [0032]    In the above description, specific details of various embodiments are provided. However, some embodiments may be practiced with less than all of these specific details. In other instances, certain methods, procedures, components, structures, and/or functions are described in no more detail than to enable the various embodiments of the invention, for the sake of brevity and clarity. 
         [0033]    Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner. 
         [0034]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.