Patent ID: 8146533

Claim:
An apparatus that provides an edible substance to an animal, the apparatus comprising: a container configured to receive an edible substance, contain the edible substance during freezing of the edible substance, and be removable from the edible substance after freezing of the edible substance, the edible substance comprising a liquid; a support element configured to receive the edible substance after freezing of the edible substance and support the edible substance after freezing of the edible substance; a securing element, wherein: the securing element comprises a longitudinal member and a lateral member; the lateral member comprises a flat side; the flat side is configured to be supported by a bottom of the container across an entirety of the flat side during freezing of the edible substance; the lateral member is sized such that it is substantially the same length as the diameter of the bottom of the container; the securing element is configured to couple with the edible substance during freezing of the edible substance; the securing element is configured to secure the edible substance to the support element; and the support element is configured to allow the edible substance, during melting of the edible substance, to drain from the support element; and a mounting element configured to couple with the support element and secure the support element to a surface.