Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/491,593, filed Jan. 25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,626, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/117,089, filed Jan. 25, 1999. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a feeding apparatus, and more particularly to a support structure for supporting a feeding vessel in an elevated position and providing a storage compartment for foodstuff.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It has been found that the health of a dog or other such pet, can be improved by providing a feeding position which is raised above the ground or floor. This reduces or eliminates the need for the dog to position its&#39; head downward during feeding. Among the benefits of an elevated feeding position are that the dog swallows less air during feeding. Moreover, dogs suffering from arthritis can feed with reduced pain. Overall, an elevated feeding position provides a more comfortable and convenient feeding position.  
           [0004]    While there are structures known in the prior art which provide an elevated position for a feeding vessel, these structures have many significant disadvantages. The disadvantages include feeding vessels which are fixed to the support structure, or feeding vessels which have curved bottom surfaces. These types of feeding vessels are inconvenient to fill with foodstuff, such as dog food or water. Moreover, such feeding vessels cannot be placed on the ground or floor for use separate from the support structure.  
           [0005]    Many of the prior art support structures rely upon the use of ballast material to provide stability (e.g., to prevent sliding). Moreover, some prior art support structures use detachable legs, which may become unstable during prolonged use. In addition, prior art support structures do not allow for stacking, so as to reduce the amount of space needed by a retailer to store the support structures.  
           [0006]    Another disadvantage of prior art support structures is that they do not provide a means for conveniently storing foodstuff in the feeding vessel prior to dispensing. Accordingly, additional space is required for food storage, since this foodstuff must be stored in its original packaging (e.g., a bag or box) or in a separate container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    According to the present invention there is provided a pet feeding system including a support structure and a detachable feeding vessel, wherein said support structure supports the feeding vessel at a position elevated above the ground or floor.  
           [0008]    An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the feeding vessel is detachable from the support structure.  
           [0009]    Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the detached feeding vessel may be place upon a generally flat surface and used for feeding a relatively small dog (e.g., a puppy) on the ground or floor.  
           [0010]    Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the feeding vessel can be easily and conveniently grasped for removal from the support structure.  
           [0011]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the feeding vessel has a raised back wall to prevent foodstuffs, such as dog food and water, from “splashing” out of the feeding vessel.  
           [0012]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system, wherein the support structure allows the pet to conveniently position itself close to the feeding vessels.  
           [0013]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system which eliminates the need for ballast material to provide stability.  
           [0014]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the support structure can be stacked for convenient storage.  
           [0015]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the support structure includes a storage compartment for conveniently storing foodstuff before dispensing in a feeding vessel.  
           [0016]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a pet feeding system wherein the foodstuff stored in a storage compartment thereof provides ballast for the feeding system.  
           [0017]    Still other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment and method of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the pet feeding system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the support structure of the pet feeding system;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the pet feeding system;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a detachable feeding vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the feeding vessels with the support structure of the pet feeding system;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 5 showing the engagement of one of the feeding vessels with the support structure of the pet feeding system;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 7A and 7B show cross-sectional views of pet feeding systems, as stacked; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the pet feeding system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIGS.  1 - 3  show a pet feeding system  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Pet feeding system  10  is generally comprised of a support structure  20  and one or more feeding vessels. In a preferred embodiment, the feeding vessels include a water dish  40   a  and a food dish  40   b.    
         [0028]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, support structure  20  is a unitary “one-piece” structure, preferably constructed using a blow molding process. Support structure  20  includes a top wall  22 , a downward extending side wall  26 , and a bottom wall  28 . Side wall  26  extends downward from top wall  22 , around the perimeter thereof. It will be appreciated that side wall  26  preferably has a height in the range of 4 to 12 inches; however other dimensions are also suitable. Bottom wall  28  also connects with side wall  26 , opposite top wall  22 . An internal storage compartment  50  is defined by top wall  22 , side walls  26  and bottom wall  28 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, storage compartment  50  has a volume sufficient to store approximately 40 lbs. of dry dog food. This stored foodstuff acts as ballast material to prevent the support structure from being easily moved by a pet. It should be appreciated that bottom wall  28  defines a bottom recess which facilitates the stacking of feeding systems, as will be described below in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B. Moreover, bottom wall  28  may be sloped, as best seen in FIG. 3, in order to conveniently collect foodstuff in one region of internal storage compartment  50 . A pair of cavities  24   a  and  24   b  are formed in top wall  22 . Cavities  24   a  and  24   b  are dimensioned to respectively receive feeding vessels  40   a  and  40   b , which are described in detail below. In a preferred embodiment, cavity  24   a  is a closed cavity, while cavity  24   b  is an open cavity. In this respect, cavity  24   b  has an opening which provides access to internal storage compartment  50  beneath top wall  22 . It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment cavity  24   a  may also be configured as an open cavity. Raised portion  25   a  and  25   b  are respectively formed adjacent to cavities  24   a  and  24   b , and act as locators and “stops” for feeding vessels  40   a  and  40   b . A channel  23  is formed in top wall  22  between cavities  24   a  and  24   b  (FIG. 5). Channel  23  acts as a “drip guard” to prevent liquid (e.g. water) in one feeding vessel from dripping into a feeding vessel containing dry food, or from dripping into storage compartment  50 . In addition, a raised portion may be formed around the circumference of cavities  24   a  and  24   b  to provide additional protection from dripping. Furthermore, a sealing surface  29  (FIG. 3) may be provided inside the upper end of cavities  24   a  and  24   b . Sealing surface  29  provides a seal around the side of a feeding vessel.  
         [0029]    Recesses  27  are formed at the lower end of the front and rear side walls  26  to accommodate a dog&#39;s paws or knees, as best seen in FIG. 1. This provides the dog with sufficient clearance to position itself close to the feeding vessels during feeding. Recess  27  also defines a handle surface  80  for manipulating support structure  20 .  
         [0030]    It should be appreciated that the lower surface of support structure  20  is suitably dimensioned to allow a plurality of support structures (with or without feeding vessels therein) to be stacked for convenient storage. As indicated above, a recess is formed in bottom wall  28  to accommodate stacking of feeding systems, as best seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 4, feeding vessels  40   a  and  40   b  take the general form of bowls. Feeding vessel  40   a  is preferably used to dispense water, while feeding vessel  40   b  is preferably used to dispense food. Feeding vessels  40   a  and  40   b  are generally comprised of a generally planar base  42  and a circular wall  44 . A lip  45  is formed along the upper edge of circular wall  44 . The rear end of circular wall  44  has a raised portion  46 , which acts as a “splash guard” to prevent the back splash of foodstuff, as the dog is feeding. As a result, the area surrounding the feeding system remains free of foodstuff, and less foodstuff is wasted. A notch  48  is formed in the rear of lip  45 . Notch  48  forms a handle, which allows a user to easily and conveniently grasp feeding vessels  40   a ,  40   b  during detachment from support structure  20 . It will be appreciated that since feeding vessels  40   a ,  40   b  have a generally planar base, they are suitable for direct placement on a generally flat surface, such as the ground or floor.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  4 - 6 , feeding vessels  40   a ,  40   b  may also include one or more retaining means  60  for securing feeding vessels  40   a ,  40   b  to support structure  20 . Retaining means  60  includes a retainer clip  62  and a ball detent or raised portion  64 . In a preferred embodiment a screw  66  attaches retainer clip  62  to the feeding vessel; however other means for attachment or integration of the retainer clip are also suitable. Retainer clip  62  is dimensioned to be received within slots formed adjacent to the cavity for receiving a feeding vessel. In particular, feeding vessel  40   b  is properly seated in cavity  24   b  by first locating the retainer clips  62  in respective locator slots  72 . This is carried out by moving retainer clips  62  downward into locator slots  72 . Feeding vessel  40   b  is then rotated to properly engage retainer clips  62  in retainer slot  70 . A detent  74  in retainer slot  70  receives raised portion  64  to provide a positive locking engagement. To remove feeding vessel  40   b  from cavity  24   b , feeding vessel  40   b  is rotated to disengage retainer clips  62  from retainer slots  70 . Then feeding vessel is lifted upward to remove retainer clips  62  from locator slots  72 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that dual motions are needed to separated the feeding vessel from the cavity. This significantly impedes a pet (e.g., dog) from separating the feeding vessel from the cavity and gaining access to the storage compartment.  
         [0033]    It should be appreciated that while only feeding vessel  40   b  and cavity  24   b  have been shown as having retaining means  60  and corresponding slots, feeding vessel  40   a  and cavity  40   a  may be likewise configured.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this regard a feeding system  10 ′ is shown having a similar configuration as feeding system  10 . One notable difference is that the position of the open and closed cavities have been reversed. Moreover, an attachable scoop  76  is provided. The handle  78  of the attachable scoop  76  includes a hook portion  81  which engages with a ledge  82  formed adjacent to the open cavity  24   b . Accordingly, the scoop  76  is conveniently stored beneath one of the feeding vessels  40   a , 40   b  and the feeding vessel  40   b  is mountable within the open cavity  24   b.    
         [0035]    The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. While the present invention has been illustrated with two feeding vessels, it should be appreciated that the feeding system of the present invention may be suitably configured with one or more feeding vessels. Moreover, while the support structure of the present invention has been illustrated as having the general shape of a dog bone, the support structure can take other suitable forms. In addition, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be adapted for use by animals other than dogs. In this respect, the height and size of the pet feeding system may be adapted for both smaller and larger animals. Furthermore, it should be understood that while the feeding vessels have been illustrated as being detachable, they may be integrated with the support structure in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

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