Food container compatible with automatic feeding assembly

Abstract

A container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base defining a food cavity wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more bonding features; b) a lid removably secured to the container base, where the lid comprises one of: i) an operative portion comprising a bottom surface of the lid exposed from one or more; ii) an operative portion extending beyond the container base such that the bottom of the lid is exposed, and comprising a reinforcing structure secured thereto; or iii) an operative portion extending away from the container base along with the reinforcing features of the one or more flanges secured thereto and configured to be engaged to peel the lid from the container base.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 341,962, filed on May 13, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a container with a removable lid for containing food. The present disclosure is particularly suitable for providing a container compatible with an automatic feeding assembly for opening the container to display the food therein for subsequent consumption. Background Art

[0004] Automatic pet feeders currently available on the market are generally compatible with dry food, which is also commonly referred to as kibble. Some automatic pet feeders available on the market are compatible with wet food, but not with the packaging of the wet food. For example, some automatic feeders include multiple separate compartments formed therein. The pet owner dispenses the wet food from a separate container or bag into the multiple compartments. The feeder then opens one compartment at a time based on a timer to allow the animal to eat the food in the compartment. Although these feeders are automatic, there are still some problems, including that the pet owner needs to open the packaging and dispense the food; once the food is placed in the feeder, the food cannot be sealed to prevent spoilage; the feeder can only be used to feed the animal for a limited time due to spoilage; and the feeder needs to be cleaned frequently because the wet food is directly in the supply compartment.

[0005] In the process of developing an automatic feeder that can cooperate with a container having a peelable lid, store multiple containers therein, automatically open the container by peeling the lid, and present the container to the animal for direct consumption of the food therein, it was discovered that there were many challenges with existing containers and their plastic or foil lids.

[0006] A common problem with containers with peel-away lids is that the lid often does not peel away completely and remnants of the lid remain adhered to the rim of the container base. While this may be merely an annoyance that can be resolved by manually removing the remnants when the lid is manually removed by the user, this can render the automatic feeder inoperative. Depending on the amount of lid material left on the container base, the animal may simply be annoyed that the remaining lid material is blocking their access to food in the container, or the animal may even be completely blocked from accessing food. Therefore, there is a need for a container with a lid that can be peeled away cleanly without leaving remnants of the lid attached to the container base.

[0007] Another problem discovered during the development of the automatic feeder is that a large amount of wet food can splash during the automatic delivery of food inside the feeder. Wet food for animals can be particularly smelly and can produce a strong, unpleasant odor once it has spoiled. Conventional containers require a lot of force to overcome the adhesion between the lid and the base of the container and then peel the lid from the base of the container, which can easily cause food to splash during the removal of the lid. Therefore, a container is needed that can reduce the amount of initial and / or terminal peeling force when removing the lid (e.g., starting the peel at the leading edge and / or completing the peel at the trailing edge) and help reduce splashing.

[0008] Another challenge in providing a container that is compatible with an automatic feeder is providing a container that can both store food therein (e.g., for transport, home storage, within a feeder) and yet be attractive for the pet to consume directly from. While many disposable containers exist today, pet owners often transfer the food from the container to a serving dish. Pets, most commonly cats, do not like to eat from certain shapes or types of feeding containers. For example, containers with sharp corners on the interior limit the animal's access to food, small container opening diameters prevent the animal's tongue from comfortably accessing the food, and sharp edges of metal cans or plastic bases can be felt by the animal's face. Therefore, there is a need for a container that is not only compatible with a feeding assembly, but is also attractive and comfortable for the animal to consume food directly from the container. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base defining a food cavity, the food cavity being configured to hold food therein; and b) a lid removably secured to the container base, wherein the lid comprises: i) an operating portion extending beyond the container base and configured to engage with a container opening structure for peeling the lid off the container base.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base defining a food cavity for holding food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more bonding features, the one or more bonding features being configured to provide one or more orientations for the container; b) a lid removably secured to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of the following: i) an operating portion comprising a bottom surface of the lid exposed from one or more flanges and / or one or more edges of the container base; ii) the operating portion extends beyond the container base so that the bottom of the lid is exposed (e.g., from one or more flanges) and comprises a reinforcement structure secured thereto; or iii) the operating portion, together with the reinforcement features of the one or more flanges secured thereto, extends away from the container base and is configured to engage with the container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container base.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base, the container base defining a food cavity for containing food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more bonding features, the one or more bonding features being configured to provide one or more orientations for the container; b) a lid removably fixed to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of the following: i) an operating portion, the operating portion comprising a bottom surface of the lid exposed from one or more flanges and / or one or more edges of the container base surface; ii) the operating portion extends beyond the container base so that the bottom of the lid is exposed (for example, from one or more flanges) and includes a reinforcing structure fixed thereto; or iii) the operating portion, together with the reinforcing features of the one or more flanges fixed thereto, extends away from the container base and is configured to engage with a container opening structure (for example, a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container base; c) one or more sealing members that removably secure the lid to the container base, wherein the one or more sealing members include: i) two or more opposing stress-rising features formed as part of the sealing member, which forms a concentration point and / or a tapered point at the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base defining a food cavity for containing food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more keying features, the one or more keying features being configured to provide one or more orientations for the container within a feeding assembly, an ammunition box, or both; ii) one or more lid reinforcement features, the one or more lid reinforcement features being fixed to the lid and configured to be removably attached to the remaining portion of the one or more flanges, rims, or both; b) the lid is removably fixed to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of the following: i) an operating portion that engages with a portion fixed thereto The lid reinforcement features of one or more flanges extend together away from the container base and are configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid from the container base; c) one or more sealing members, including: i) a first sealing member that removably secures the lid to the container base, wherein the first sealing member is located between the edge of the container base and / or one or more flanges and the lid, and is located around the opening of the food cavity, wherein the first sealing member includes: two or more opposing stress riser features formed as part of the sealing member, the sealing member forming a concentration point and / or a tapered point at the leading edge and the trailing edge; and d) a second sealing member that secures the lid reinforcement features of the one or more flanges to the operating portion of the lid so that the lid reinforcement features remain adhered to the lid when the lid is peeled from the container base.

[0013] The present invention provides a container suitable for an automatic feeding assembly. The container may be suitable for storing and sealing wet food therein. The container may include a removable lid. The lid may be configured to interact with the feeding assembly for peeling. The container may include an operating portion configured to cooperate with the container opening subassembly. The operating portion may provide consistent placement of the lid relative to the container opening subassembly. The container may include a lid reinforcement feature or structure. The lid reinforcement feature may help receive peeling forces and disperse peeling forces. The container may include one or more sealing members. The sealing member may have a stress riser feature. The stress riser feature may form one or more concentration points and / or tapered points near the leading edge and / or trailing edge of the lid. The stress riser feature may help guide the peeling force, requiring less peeling force than when there is no stress riser feature, or both. The stress riser feature may help reduce and / or eliminate the possibility of lid residue adhering to the base of the container, reduce splashing during initial opening and / or final peeling, or any combination thereof. The container may be relatively shallow and have rounded edges to provide a comfortable feeding experience for the animal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container in a closed configuration.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container in an open configuration.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container in a closed configuration.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container in an open configuration.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a left side view of the container.

[0019] Figure 6 is a top view of the container in a closed configuration.

[0020] Figure 7 is a top view of the container in the open configuration.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional image of the container.

[0022] Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the container base.

[0023] Fig.10 is a transparent top view of the container in a closed configuration.

[0024] Fig.11 It is a left side view of the container.

[0025] Fig.12 It is a stereogram of the feeding assembly.

[0026] Fig.13 is a perspective view of inserting the container into the feeding assembly.

[0027] Fig.14 is a perspective view of inserting the container into the feeding assembly.

[0028] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional view of inserting the container into the feeding assembly.

[0029] Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the loading position.

[0030] Fig.17 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the loaded position.

[0031] Fig.18 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the open position.

[0032] Fig.19 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the feeding position.

[0033] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the discard position.

[0034] Fig.21 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly in the rest position.

[0035] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the container opening subassembly.

[0036] Fig.23 is a cross-sectional view of a container opening subassembly having an open clamping gap (eg, open jaws).

[0037] Fig.24 is a cross-sectional view of a container opening subassembly having a closed clamping gap (eg, closed jaws).

[0038] Fig.25 is a side view of the container opening subassembly.

[0039] Fig.26 is a perspective view of the container opening subassembly.

[0040] Fig. 27 is a front view of the container box.

[0041] Fig.28 is a front view of the container box.

[0042] Fig.29 is a front view of the container box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The explanations and illustrations given herein are intended to familiarize others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical applications. The specific embodiments of the invention set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to these claims. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. Other combinations are also possible, as will be gathered from the following claims, which are also incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0044] container

[0045] The present invention relates to a container. The container can be used to store food therein, used as a dish for feeding animals, compatible with an automatic feeding assembly for automatically opening the container, compatible with an automatic feeding assembly for feeding animals, or any combination thereof. The container can seal food therein to extend the shelf life of the food and avoid the need for refrigeration.

[0046] Food can include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. Food can include wet food, dry food, or both. Wet food can include ground and / or chopped protein (e.g., meat), vegetables, grains, fruits, and / or similar foods served in liquid form or mixed with a liquid. Liquid can refer to water, broth, gravy, or other liquids. Dry food can refer to food that is substantially free of liquid, can be in the form of granular material, or both.

[0047] The container may include a container base, a lid, a sealing member, an identifier, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0048] The container may include a lid removably coupled to the container base.The container base may define a hollow cavity (eg, a food cavity) for accommodating food.

[0049] The container may have a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. The symmetry may be about an axis or plane that intersects the container base and the lid.

[0050] The container may include one or more locating features (e.g., keying features, alignment features, engagement features). One or more locating features may allow the container to be placed in the correct orientation in the feeding assembly. One or more locating features may include multiple locating features. Multiple locating features may allow a single correct orientation or multiple correct orientations in the feeding assembly. Features in the container may occur twice or more in the container to provide two or more "correct" orientations of the container in the container storage assembly. Features in the container may occur only once or in a specific pattern to provide only a single "correct" orientation of the container in the container storage assembly.

[0051] The container may have an open configuration, a closed configuration, a partially open configuration, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0052] The closed configuration can allow for the transport and storage of the container. Transport can refer to transporting the container from a production facility to a retail location, a user, a user's residence, and / or the like. Storage can refer to storage at any time between production and use, including storage within the feeding assembly itself. The closed configuration means that the lid of the container is positioned and sealed to the container base. In the closed configuration, the lid can cooperate with the cavity base to completely seal the cavity of the cavity base. In the closed configuration, the lid can be adhered or otherwise fixed to the flange and / or edge of the container base. In the closed configuration, a sealing member can seal the lid to the container base. In the closed configuration, the lid can be fixed to the edge and / or flange by a sealing member. Even after the container is in an open configuration, the container can be placed in a closed configuration. In other words, even after the container is opened, the container base can be resealed with the same lid that initially sealed the container.

[0053] The open configuration and / or partially open configuration can allow access to food in the container, direct consumption of food from the container (e.g., by an animal), access to food to be placed on a dinner plate, or any combination thereof. The open configuration can mean that the lid of the container is removed from the container base, thereby exposing its cavity. By exposing the cavity, the food stored therein can be accessed. The open configuration can mean that the lid and / or sealing member are disengaged from or otherwise separated from the container base. When the lid is removed from the container base, a portion or all of the sealing member can remain on the container base, the lid, or both. The open configuration can mean that the housing is at least partially opened to expose the food stored therein. The food can then be taken out of the housing, or the housing can be removed from the food. The open configuration can mean that the entire cavity of the container base is exposed. The partially open configuration can mean that only a portion of the cavity of the container base is exposed. In the open configuration, the lid can be completely separated from the container base or remain partially connected. After being separated, the lid can be allowed to be discarded separately from the container base. Keeping the portion attached may allow the lid to be reused to reseal the container base, or to be discarded with the container base, or both.

[0054] The container may cooperate with the feeding assembly to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration and / or a partially open configuration, and vice versa.

[0055] The user can manually move the container from the closed configuration to the open configuration and vice versa.

[0056] The container may include a container base. The container base may be used to store food therein. The container base may function as a dish for direct consumption by an animal. The container base may define an interior volume in which food may be placed. The food cavity may be defined by the interior volume. The container base may include one or more storage portions, rims, flanges, keying features, alignment features, engagement features, lid access features, lid reinforcement features, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0057] The container base may include a storage portion. The storage portion may define a hollow cavity for holding food. The storage portion may be the portion of the container that is consumed by the animal. The storage portion may define a volume within the container base that can store food. The storage portion may include one or more bottom walls, side walls, food cavities, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0058] The bottom wall may define a bottom surface of the container. The bottom wall may cooperate with the lid and one or more side walls to seal food stored in the container. The bottom wall may cooperate with one or more side walls to define a food cavity. The bottom wall may have one or more features for increasing the strength of the container, stacking with other containers, providing stability when placed on a surface, allowing easy removal from a stack, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0059] The bottom wall may have a punt formed therein. The punt may define a concave and / or indented portion of the bottom wall. The punt may be a depression upward, toward an opening defined by the rim, toward a lid, or any combination thereof. The punt may also allow the bottom wall of the container to provide space therein or thereon for one or more labels, identifiers, or other information.

[0060] The cross-sectional shape (parallel to the section of the longitudinal and / or horizontal plane) or the overall two-dimensional planar shape (viewed from top to bottom or from bottom to top) of the bottom wall is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal) and / or similar shapes. The two-dimensional planar shape of the bottom wall may be free of vertices or include vertices. The planar shape of the bottom wall may be the same or different from the cross-sectional shape or planar shape of one or more side walls, food cavities, edges, flanges and / or lids. The bottom wall may have one or more side walls extending therefrom.

[0061] One or more side walls may define the outer surface of the container base. One or more side walls may determine part, most or all of the volume and / or height of the container and / or container base. One or more side walls may extend from the bottom wall. One or more side walls may have a closed end and a free end. The closed end may be an end adjacent to the bottom wall. The free end may define the edge of the container base. One or more side walls may have or form a cross-sectional shape (a section parallel to the longitudinal and / or horizontal plane) or an overall two-dimensional planar shape (looking down from above or looking up from below), which is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal) and / or similar shapes. The two-dimensional planar shape of one or more side walls may be the same or different from the cross-sectional shape or planar shape of the bottom wall, food cavity, edge, flange and / or lid. The two-dimensional planar shape of one or more side walls may have no vertices or include vertices. The absence of any vertices may help the animal to access all the food in the container, and there is no or very little food stuck in the corner. The vertices can provide an overall shape that is easier to pack, provide a larger storage volume, and / or provide similar functionality. A circle with no vertices can provide a single sidewall, while a shape with two or more vertices can provide three or more sidewalls. The vertices in the base of the container can be rounded to alleviate food access issues.

[0062] One or more sidewalls can extend from the bottom surface at an angle that is substantially vertical, obtuse, or both. The angle can be the angle between the bottom surface and the sidewall measured in the food cavity. The angle can be about 90 degrees or greater, about 95 degrees or greater, about 100 degrees or greater. The angle can be about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, about 130 degrees or less, or even about 120 degrees or less. The angle can be about 95 degrees to about 120 degrees. One or more sidewalls can define a narrower food cavity diameter or width toward the base than toward the edge. This widening toward the opening can facilitate animal access to food in the food cavity.

[0063] The container base can have a radius of curvature where the bottom wall transitions to the side wall. The curved transition can eliminate sharp edges and corners, making it easier for the animal to obtain and eat all the food in the food cavity. The radius of curvature can refer to the radius measured inside the container base (e.g., from the food cavity) and / or from the outside of the container base. The radius of curvature between the inside and the outside can be the same or different. The radius of curvature can be about 1.5 mm or more, about 3 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, or even about 7 mm or more. The radius of curvature can be about 20 mm or less, about 15 mm or less, about 12.5 mm or less, or even about 10 mm or less.

[0064] The container base may have a radius of curvature such that the bottom wall is continuous with one or more side walls. One or more side walls cannot be defined as being separate from the bottom wall. In other words, the container base may have an overall shape that is concave, hemispherical, etc. (e.g., bowl-shaped).

[0065] The container base can be configured to be relatively shallow. Shallowness can be determined by the height of one or more side walls (e.g., from the bottom wall to the edge), from the outside of the bottom wall to the top of the container base (the upper surface of the edge, flange and / or side wall). Shallowness can allow animals to easily obtain food at the bottom of the container. The height of the container base can be about 1 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 3 cm or more, or even 4 cm or more. The height of the container base can be about 10 cm or less, about 8 cm or less, or even about 6 cm or less.

[0066] The container base can be configured to hold a certain volume of food. The volume can be about 20 ml or more, about 30 ml or more, or even about 50 ml or more. The volume can be about 100 ml or less, about 80 ml or less, or even 70 ml or less.

[0067] The container base may include one or more edges. The one or more edges may serve as the outer edge of the container base, one or more flanges, or both. The one or more edges may include one or more flanges or be separate from one or more flanges. The one or more edges may be located opposite the bottom wall, may be the free end of the side wall, or both. The one or more edges may directly contact the lid, adhere to the lid, or both contact the lid (e.g., when the container is in a closed configuration). The one or more edges may have or form a cross-sectional shape (a section parallel to the longitudinal and / or horizontal plane) or an overall two-dimensional planar shape (viewed from top to bottom or from bottom to top), which is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal), leaf-shaped, etc. The two-dimensional planar shape of the one or more edges may be the same or different from the cross-sectional shape or planar shape of the bottom wall, one or more side walls, the food cavity, one or more flanges, and / or the lid.

[0068] The edge may have a generally flat surface, a non-flat surface, or both. The edge may define the edge of one or more sidewalls. The edge may extend outward, inward, upward, downward, or any combination thereof relative to one or more sidewalls. The edge may extend laterally outward and / or approximately vertically from one or more sidewalls. Laterally outward may be approximately perpendicular to the vertical axis, parallel to the transverse plane, parallel to the flange plane, parallel to the horizontal plane, or any combination thereof. The edge portion that may extend outward from the top edge of the sidewall may be defined as the top surface and / or transverse portion of the edge. The edge may extend downward. The downwardly extending portion may be defined as the downwardly protruding portion of the edge. The edge may generally protrude outward (e.g., away from the sidewall, the vertical axis) and then generally protrude downward (e.g., generally parallel to the sidewall, the vertical axis). The edge may define or not define one or more flanges. One or more flanges may be defined as the edge portion that protrudes laterally outward from the sidewall, or the container base portion that protrudes laterally outward from the generally downwardly extending portion of the edge, or both.

[0069] The container base may include one or more flanges. One or more flanges may be used to provide a surface that can be adhered to the lid, cooperate with one or more container storage subassemblies, cooperate with one or more container handling subassemblies, cooperate with a container box, etc., or any combination thereof. The flange may extend from the storage portion. The flange may extend from one or more sidewalls, one or more edges, or both. The flange may extend from the edge of the container base and / or define the edge of the container base. The flange may be separated, fixed, and / or integrated with the edge of the container base. The flange may be a laterally outwardly extending portion of the edge. The flange may extend substantially laterally from the sidewall below the edge, from the downwardly protruding portion of the edge, below the top surface of the edge, or any combination thereof. In other words, the flange may be positioned along any portion of the height of one or more sidewalls and / or edges. The flange may be more biased toward the edge, the upper surface of the edge, and / or the upper surface of the sidewall. The flange may provide a surface for handling the container, adhering to the lid, supporting a sealing member, or any combination thereof. The flange may cooperate with one or more container storage subassemblies, container handling subassemblies, container opening subassemblies, container retaining subassemblies, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0070] The cross-sectional shape (a section parallel to the flange, longitudinal and / or horizontal plane) or the overall two-dimensional planar shape (viewed from top to bottom or from bottom to top) of the flange is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal), leaf-shaped, etc. The flange may have an asymmetric or symmetric shape about one or more planes. The flange may have an asymmetric shape including one plane of symmetry, two or more planes of symmetry. The flange shape may help with the orientation of the container.

[0071] The flange and / or edge can have a certain width. The width of the flange and / or edge can provide enough surface area for fixing to the lid, cooperating with the sealing member, cooperating with one or more parts of the feeding assembly, etc., or any combination thereof. The width of the flange and / or edge can be measured substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, from the edge facing the feeding cavity to the opposite edge facing the outside, or both. The width of the flange and the edge can be different or the same in value and / or structure. For example, the edge can be a flange, or the flange can be separated from the edge. If the edge and the flange are the same, they can share the same width. If the edge and the flange are different, they can have the same or different widths. The width of the flange and / or edge can be about 2 mm or more, about 3 mm or more, about 3.5 mm or more, about 3.8 mm or more, about 4 mm or more, about 4.5 mm or more, or even about 4.7 mm or more. The width of flange and / or edge can be about 250 millimeters or less, about 225 millimeters or less, about 200 millimeters or less, about 180 millimeters or less, about 150 millimeters or less, about 125 millimeters or less, about 100 millimeters or less, about 75 millimeters or less, about 50 millimeters or less, about 25 millimeters or less, about 15 millimeters or less, about 12 millimeters or less, about 10 millimeters or less, about 7 millimeters or less or even about 6 millimeters or less.The width of edge and / or flange can be basically consistent, different or both have.For example, the width of edge and / or flange can be basically consistent around most of periphery of storage portion and / or container base, but be different in the position adjacent to lid approaching feature, lid reinforcement feature, lid leading edge or its combination.

[0072] The flange and / or edge can define one or more overall dimensions of the container base and / or the container. The edge and / or outwardly facing surface of the flange and / or edge can define the outermost edge of the container and / or the container base. The flange and / or edge can define the width and / or length of the container and / or the container base. The width of the container and / or the container base can be the width across the widest part, the width perpendicular to the longitudinal plane, the width parallel to the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The length of the container and / or the container base can be the length across the longest part, the length parallel to the longitudinal plane, the length perpendicular to the transverse plane, the length parallel to the front plane, the length measured from the front (near the leading edge) to the rear (near the trailing edge), or a combination thereof. The width of the container and / or the container base can be about 75 millimeters or more, about 85 millimeters or more, about 90 millimeters or more, or even about 95 millimeters or more. The width of the container and / or container base can be about 130 mm or less, about 120 mm or less, about 110 mm or less, or even about 100 mm or less. The length of the container can be about 75 mm or more, about 90 mm or more, about 100 mm or more, or even about 105 mm or more. The length of the container can be about 150 mm or less, about 140 mm or less, about 130 mm or less, about 120 mm or less, or even about 115 mm or less.

[0073] The rim and / or flange can be substantially planar, non-planar, or both. The rim and / or flange can be substantially planar (e.g., upper surface, lower surface) and have one or more non-planar features formed therein and / or secured thereto. The rim (or its upper surface) can be substantially planar, while the flange can be substantially planar, can have non-planar features, or both. The non-planar features can include one or more keying features, engagement features, alignment features, lid approximation features, lid reinforcement features, and / or the like.

[0074] The flange may include one or more keying features, engagement features, alignment features, lid approximation features, lid reinforcement features, and / or the like.

[0075] The container may include or may not include one or more bonding features. One or more bonding features may be used to allow the container to be bonded to engage with a feeding assembly, a container box, or both. One or more bonding features may help a person to correctly orient the container, one or more parts of a feeding assembly to correctly orient the container, or even help one or more machines in an assembly process. One or more bonding features may be used to allow the container to be bonded to engage with a container storage subassembly, a container box, a container handling subassembly, a container holding subassembly, a waste collection subassembly, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more bonding features may be formed on and / or fixed to any suitable part of the container. One or more bonding features may be formed, include, and / or fixed to one or more edges, flanges, sidewalls, bottom walls, lids, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0076] One or more bonding features can be a profile change of one or more parts of the container base. One or more bonding features can include one or more concave parts, convex parts, protrusions, depressions, flat surfaces, straight edges, etc. or any combination thereof. One or more bonding features can include the overall shape of the flange, the two-dimensional shape of the flange, or both. For example, the cross-section or planar shape of the flange can be non-circular, without radial symmetry, or both. For example, teardrop-shaped, egg-shaped, circular with leaves, oval with blunt ends, etc., or a combination thereof. This shape can help provide a restricted correct direction and help to place it correctly. Exemplary bonding features can include one or more notches, convex pieces, rounded portions, and / or flat portions. Bonding features can be formed in the flange to avoid affecting the storage volume or shape of the storage portion of the container base. Bonding features can be formed in the flange to help the correct orientation of shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, circular) with more than one plane of symmetry. One or more bonding features can include one or more recesses formed in the flange.

[0077] One or more bonding features may include a single bonding feature or multiple bonding features. The bonding feature may be mirrored or not mirrored on the opposite part of the container. Mirroring can provide one or two or more correct directions for the container. For example, the mirroring of the bonding feature and the container base (e.g., flange) symmetrical about only one plane can only provide a single correct direction. For example, the mirroring of the bonding feature and the container base (e.g., flange) symmetrical about two or more planes can provide two or more correct directions. Multiple bonding features may include 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, or even 6 or more bonding features. Multiple bonding features may be the same or different from each other. One or more bonding features may have the same and / or different shapes and / or sizes as one or more other bonding features. For example, all bonding features may be notches. As another example, some bonding features may be notches, while others are straight edges. As another example, a single bonding feature may be the overall two-dimensional shape of a flange.

[0078] The one or more keying features may include, function as, or be independent of one or more alignment features, engagement features, lid approximation features, lid reinforcement features, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The container may or may not include one or more alignment features. One or more alignment features may assist in aligning the container within the container storage subassembly, the container box, the container handling subassembly, or both. One or more alignment features may assist in aligning the container within a hopper, a filling box, a shuttle assembly, a clamping assembly, a lifting wedge, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more alignment features may assist in maintaining the correct orientation of the container during movement within the feeding assembly, assist in loading the container, or both. One or more alignment features may prevent the container from rotating, shaking, or tipping over after being loaded into the container storage subassembly, the container box, the container handling subassembly, or any combination thereof.

[0080] One or more alignment features may include a profile change of a rim, flange, bottom wall, side wall, or any combination thereof. One or more alignment features may include one or more depressions, protrusions, planes, planar edges, rounded surfaces, rounded edges, or any combination thereof in a rim, flange, bottom wall, side wall, or any combination thereof. One or more alignment features may include a profile change of an upper surface, a lower surface, and / or a peripheral edge of a rim, flange, bottom wall, side wall, or any combination thereof. One or more alignment features may include one or more protrusions that extend laterally from the lid from the rim and / or flange of the container base, roughly parallel to the vertical axis, toward the bottom wall, or any combination thereof. One or more alignment features may be complementary in shape to one or more parts of a container storage subassembly, a container box, a container handling subassembly, or any combination thereof, or provide a shape complementary to one or more parts of a container storage subassembly, a container box, a container handling subassembly, or any combination thereof.

[0081] One or more alignment features may be located at one or more junctures with one or more components of the feeding assembly. One or more alignment features may be biased toward the rear of the container, the front of the container, the leading edge and / or trailing edge, the side of the container, or any combination thereof. One or more alignment features may be completely centered or off-center relative to the frontal plane, the longitudinal plane, or both. One or more alignment features may be mirrored or unmirrored relative to one or more other alignment features. One or more alignment features may be mirrored relative to one or more relative alignment features. One or more alignment features may be positioned relative to each other relative to the frontal plane, the longitudinal plane, or both.

[0082] One or more alignment features can cooperate with the bracket, one or more pairs of arms, or both. Cooperation can include engagement, pairing, providing friction surfaces, providing channels, providing complementary surfaces, or any combination thereof. For example, one or more alignment features can form a channel (e.g., a C-shaped channel) together with the sidewalls of the container and the bottom surface of the flange. For example, one or more alignment features can include two or more protrusions protruding from the sidewalls and forming grooves and / or channels around at least a portion of the container base. For example, one or more alignment features can include one or more depressions or protrusions forming grooves or channels in the bottom wall. The channel and / or groove can receive a portion of the bracket, one or more arms, a support plate (e.g., a support plate of a processing subassembly), or a combination thereof, and help to keep the container base in a fixed position relative thereto. For example, one or more alignment features can be a planar portion of a sidewall, most of which is curved. The planar portion of the sidewall can be aligned with the planar portion of the container processing subassembly, the container storage subassembly, or both.

[0083] The container may or may not include one or more engagement features. One or more engagement features may be used to engage with one or more components of a feeding assembly, a container box, maintaining the correct orientation and fixation of the container relative to the one or more components or both. One or more engagement features may be matched with one or more container storage subassemblies, a container box, a container handling subassembly, a container holding subassembly, or a combination thereof. One or more engagement features may be engaged with a bracket, a pair of arms, a support plate (e.g., a support plate of a container handling subassembly), a lifting wedge, or any combination thereof. One or more engagement features may be identical or different with one or more keying features, alignment features, or both.

[0084] One or more engagement features may provide a shape for receiving a portion of one or more container storage subassemblies, container handling subassemblies, container holding subassemblies, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more engagement features may be disposed in an edge, flange, bottom wall, side wall, or any combination thereof. One or more engagement features may be used to partially or fully receive one or more protrusions. One or more engagement features may be partially or fully complementary to one or more protrusions, or may not be partially or fully complementary to one or more protrusions. One or more engagement features may include one or more holes, depressions, grooves, and / or the like.

[0085] The one or more projections may include one or more pins, tabs, posts, hooks, and / or the like. The one or more projections may be part of a container storage subassembly, a container handling subassembly, a container holding subassembly, and the like. The one or more projections may extend from one of one or more brackets, arms, support plates (e.g., support plates of a container handling subassembly), lifting wedges, tracks, and / or any combination thereof. For example, the one or more projections may include pins protruding from one or more arms of a container handling subassembly, a clamping plate and / or support plate of a container handling subassembly, a bracket of a container handling subassembly, a lifting ramp of a container holding subassembly, or any combination thereof.

[0086] Exemplary engagement features may include a plurality of holes defined at predetermined locations through the rim and / or flange of the container base. These holes may receive corresponding pins protruding from the clamping plate and / or bracket of the container handling subassembly. The holes and pins may together maintain the correct orientation and fixation of the container base at various stages of the feeding cycle.

[0087] The container base may or may not include one or more lid access features. The one or more lid access features may be used to allow a portion of the lid to be accessible; allow a bottom surface of the lid to be accessible in addition to the upper surface; expose a portion of the bottom of the lid; allow a leading edge to be accessible; receive one or more components of a container opening subassembly; allow one or more components of a container opening subassembly to engage with the lid for subsequent removal; or a combination thereof. The one or more lid access features may protect the leading edge, the trailing edge, or both of the lid. The one or more lid access features may be provided at one or more locations on the container.

[0088] The container can be configured to have a single correct orientation or multiple correct orientations for being positioned in a feeding assembly and / or cooperating with a container opening subassembly. The lid can be formed so that the leading edge and the trailing edge can be resilient or non-resilient. For example, the container can have no plane of symmetry or only one plane of symmetry to provide a correct orientation, or two planes of symmetry to provide two correct orientations. A container with a single correct orientation can have one or more lids approaching features adjacent to and / or near the lid leading edge. A container with two correct orientations can have one or more lids approaching features adjacent to and / or near the lid leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0089] The one or more lid access features may include one or more recesses, one or more rim and / or flange depressions, one or more rim and / or flange blunt surfaces, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0090] One or more lid access features may include one or more recesses. One or more recesses may be used to protect and maintain the operating portion of the lid. One or more recesses may form a recess gap for accommodating a portion of the container opening subassembly. The recess may be defined by or coupled to the edge and / or flange of the container base. The recess may extend below the upper surface of the container base, below the flange plane, below the flange axis, below the main upper surface of the flange, or any combination thereof. The recess may be formed on the flange and / or edge of the container base. The recess may be formed as a depression, a recessed portion, and / or the like on the flange and / or edge. The recess may be away from the lid, away from the upper surface of the container base, away from the upper surface of the edge and / or flange, toward the bottom of the container, roughly parallel to the vertical axis of the container, or a combination thereof. The recess may be formed near and / or adjacent to the leading edge of the lid, the trailing edge of the lid, the stress riser feature of the sealing member, or a combination thereof. The recess may cooperate with the lid to define the recess gap. The pocket gap may be the distance between the pocket and the cover.

[0091] One or more lid access features may include one or more edge recesses. One or more edge recesses may be used to allow access to the lower surface of the lid in addition to the upper surface of the lid; may allow the leading edge to be contactable; may expose a portion of the lid relative to the container; may allow one or more components of the container opening subassembly to engage with the lid; or any combination thereof. One or more edge recesses may be formed in the edge and / or flange of the container base. One or more edge recesses may be formed near and / or adjacent to the leading edge of the lid, the stress riser feature of the sealing member, or both. One or more edge recesses may be recessed inward toward the vertical axis, the center of the container, the center of the edge and / or flange, or a combination thereof. One or more edge recesses may be formed as one or more cutouts and / or notches. One or more edge recesses may refer to localized areas where the profile of the edge and / or flange changes. One or more edge recesses may have a shape that is complementary or different from one or more components of the container opening subassembly. One or more edge recesses may have a shape that is complementary or different from one or more clamps, hooks, and / or the like. One or more edge recesses may have a shape with a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​one or more jaws, hooks, and / or the like. A cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​one or more jaws and / or hooks may allow them to have sufficient access to the lid for removal of the lid.

[0092] One or more lid access features may include one or more blunt surfaces (e.g., straight edges). In addition to the upper surface of the lid, one or more blunt surfaces may be used to allow the bottom surface of the lid to be accessible; may allow the leading edge to be accessible; may expose a portion of the lid relative to the container; may allow one or more components of the container opening subassembly to engage with the lid; or any combination thereof. One or more blunt surfaces may be formed in the edge and / or flange of the container base. One or more blunt surfaces may be formed near and / or near the leading edge of the lid, the stress riser feature of the sealing member, or both. One or more blunt surfaces may be formed as one or more straight edges of one or more edges and / or flanges, edges tangent to most of the profile, or both. One or more blunt surfaces may be formed as substantially flat and / or straight edges of edges and / or flanges. One or more blunt surfaces may be different from most of the peripheral profiles of edges and / or flanges. One or more blunt surfaces may be formed as cross-sections and / or two-dimensional planar shapes, thereby becoming straight surfaces. For example, one or more circles may have one or more straight edges formed therein. For example, a circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped and / or similar shape can be bent and / or narrowed to a straight edge to form a blunt surface. A blunt surface can be opposite to a circular surface. One or more blunt surfaces can refer to a local area where the profile of an edge and / or flange changes. One or more blunt surfaces can also define an exposed area of ​​the cover, which is referred to as an operating portion.

[0093] The container may or may not include one or more lid reinforcement features. The one or more lid reinforcement features may be used to reinforce the lid during removal of the lid from the container base, prevent the lid from tearing when peeling the lid from the container base, provide structurally sufficient structure to cooperate with the container opening subassembly, or any combination thereof. The one or more lid reinforcement features may serve as one or more keying features, provide consistent orientation of the lid, or both. Typically, when peelable lids are peeled from the corresponding container base, these lids tear, leaving a residue of the lid still adhered to the container base. This residue may hinder the animal from entering the food cavity to consume the food therein. This is particularly problematic for automatic feeding assemblies because the user may not be present to remove the residue of the lid.

[0094] The lid reinforcement feature can help distribute the peeling force to the periphery, the sealing member, and / or away from the centerline / longitudinal plane (e.g., when the lid is peeled from the container base). By distributing the peeling force outward, this reduces and / or eliminates the risk of leaving adhered lid residue on the container base due to incomplete peeling of the lid. The peeling force can be distributed outward during the initial movement of peeling, when the leading edge begins to peel, before reaching the midpoint of the peeling, before the peeling reaches the widest part of the container base, or any combination thereof. The lid reinforcement feature also helps to reduce the amount of force required to initiate peeling. This is compared to the force required when there is no lid reinforcement feature. This reduction in force can help reduce and / or eliminate splashing of food contained in the container base.

[0095] The lid reinforcement feature can help distribute the peeling force toward the sealing member, toward the centerline and / or the longitudinal plane, or both (e.g., when the lid is peeled from the container base). By distributing the peeling force inward, this reduces and / or eliminates the risk of the lid being completely peeled off and leaving adhered lid residue on the container base. The peeling force can be distributed outward during the later movement of the peeling, when the peeling begins to reach the trailing edge, after reaching the midpoint of the peeling, after the peeling reaches the widest part of the container base, or any combination thereof. The lid reinforcement feature also helps reduce the amount of force required to complete the peeling. This is compared to the force required when there is no lid reinforcement feature. This reduction in force can help reduce and / or eliminate splashing of food contained in the container base.

[0096] One or more lid reinforcement features can be used as a part of the lid, the container base or both. One or more lid reinforcement features can be arranged on the operating portion of the lid. The operating portion can be positioned toward and / or adjacent to the leading edge of the lid, a part (e.g., flange) of the lid and / or the container base, and the container opening subassembly can interact with the lid and / or the container base, or both interact. The operating portion can be located near one or more lid proximity features. The operating portion can be exposed by the lid proximity feature.

[0097] One or more lid reinforcement features can be formed as a part of the flange and / or edge or separated from the flange and / or edge. One or more lid reinforcement features can be a part of the edge and / or flange, which is configured to be separated from the remainder of the edge and / or flange. This can be referred to as a removable flange portion and / or a removable edge portion. For simplicity, the removable flange and the removable edge portion can be referred to as a removable flange portion. The removable flange portion and the remainder of the flange and / or edge can be planar or non-planar. The removable flange portion can be formed as a raised portion of the flange, can be flush with the edge or flange, can contact and adhere to the lid, or any combination thereof. The removable flange portion can be formed as an extension of the flange. In other words, the removable flange portion can be an extension of the flange, which provides a larger surface area than the remainder of the flange. The removable flange portion may or may not include any removal opening. The removal opening can be similar to the removal opening of the disclosed lid. If present, the removal opening of the removable flange portion may be aligned with the removal opening of the cover.

[0098] The removable flange portion can include a vertical extension. The vertical extension can limit a part of the removable flange portion, which is bent upward from the flange, toward the lid, toward the height identical with the top surface of the edge, or any combination thereof. The vertical extension can allow the removable flange portion to be formed as an elevated portion. The vertical extension can have a height of about 1 millimeter or more, about 2 millimeters or more, about 3 millimeters or more, or even about 4 millimeters or more. The vertical extension can have a height of about 20 millimeters or less, about 15 millimeters or less, about 12 millimeters or less, about 10 millimeters or less, about 8 millimeters or less, or even about 6 millimeters or less. The vertical extension can provide a transition between the flange (or its major part) and the removable flange portion.

[0099] The removable flange portion may include a lid contact portion. The lid contact portion may define a portion of the removable flange portion that directly contacts the lid, may be in direct contact with the operating portion of the lid, may be connected to one or more container opening subassemblies, etc., or any combination thereof. The lid contact portion may be in the same or different planes as the flange, the edge, or both. The lid contact portion may extend from the removable flange portion. The lid contact portion may define a portion of the flange and / or edge that has a profile different from the remaining portion of most of the flange and / or edge. The removable flange portion may include a removal opening therein. The lid contact portion may form a leading edge of the flange and / or edge. The leading edge of the flange and / or edge may coincide with the leading edge of the lid. The lid contact portion may have a length. The length may be measured from a separation point to a free end, from a separation feature to a free end, from an end closest to the container storage portion to an opposite end, from a vertical extension portion to an end of the lid contact portion, across a plane, across a plane that is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane and / or a transverse plane, substantially parallel to a flange plane, or any combination thereof. The length can be about 2 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 7 mm or more, or even about 10 mm or more. The length can be about 50 mm or less, about 30 mm or less, about 25 mm or less, about 20 mm or less, or even about 15 mm or less.

[0100] It is also conceivable that the lid reinforcement feature can be separated from the flange and / or the edge. In other words, the lid reinforcement feature can be fixed to the lid without being fixed to the edge and / or the flange. The lid reinforcement feature can include a lid contact portion. The lid reinforcement feature can have no vertical extension. The lid reinforcement feature can be located near the lid approach feature. The lid reinforcement feature can be located near the blunt surface of the edge and / or the flange. Even if the lid reinforcement feature is separated from the edge and / or the flange, the lid reinforcement feature can also be made of the same material as the flange and / or the edge (e.g., the same material as the container base).

[0101] One or more lid reinforcement features of flange can be removed by one or more separation features.Separation features can allow removable flange portion to be fixed to the remainder of flange and form one with it, while helping to easily remove when removing lid.Separation features can include one or more weak points, depressions, grooves, score lines, perforations and / or the like.For example, separation features can include score lines between the remainder of removable flange portion and flange portion.Separation features can be located near the vertical extension of lid reinforcement features and the remainder of flange and / or edge.Container opening subassembly can engage with removable flange portion and lid (e.g., handle, hook, etc.).When container base and / or lid are removed from lid and / or container base, separation features can be first subjected to peeling force before sealing member.Peeling force can cause separation feature to break, and causes removable flange portion to separate, while still adhering to lid.

[0102] The container base may be composed of one or more materials. The one or more materials may include one or more polymers, metals, etc., or a combination thereof. The one or more polymers may include one or more plastics. The one or more plastics may be biodegradable, non-biodegradable, or both. The one or more materials may include one or more food-grade plastics. The one or more plastics may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), etc., or a combination thereof.

[0103] The container may include a lid. The lid may be used to close or seal the container, to keep food within the container, or both. The lid may be shaped to be complementary to, similar to, dissimilar to, completely cover, or any combination thereof with the food cavity of the container base. The lid may be shaped to be complementary to, similar to, dissimilar to, completely cover, partially cover, or any combination thereof with the flange and / or rim of the container base. The lid may be adhered to the container base. The lid may be partially or completely removable. Removing the lid may convert the container from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

[0104] The edge of the lid that is first peeled off or otherwise removed from the container can be referred to as the leading edge. The edge of the lid that is last peeled off, remains adhered or otherwise removed can be referred to as the trailing edge. The peeling force can be applied from the leading edge toward and / or to the trailing edge.

[0105] The lid may be releasably coupled to the container base. The lid may be releasably attached to the rim and / or flange. The lid may be releasably coupled to the container base via a sealing member. The lid may or may not be reattached to the container base.

[0106] The lid can be shaped to completely cover the opening of the container base defining the food cavity therein. The lid can be shaped to cover the opening defined by the edge and / or flange of the container base. The lid can be shaped to cooperate with the container opening subassembly. The lid can be shaped to allow consistent presentation and positioning of the container box relative to the container opening subassembly, or both. The lid can be shaped to be repeatedly and approachably grasped, clamped, hooked, etc. by the container opening subassembly, the user, or both.

[0107] The lid can be shaped so that when the lid is presented to the container opening subassembly, it is presented in a consistent position with the leading edge facing the container opening subassembly. The cross-sectional shape (a section parallel to the upper surface, longitudinal and / or horizontal plane of the lid) or the overall two-dimensional planar shape (viewed from top to bottom or from bottom to top) of the lid is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal), leaf-shaped, etc. The shape of the lid can be asymmetric or symmetrical about one or more planes. The lid can have an asymmetric shape, including one plane of symmetry, two or more planes of symmetry. The lip shape can contribute to the orientation of the container in one or more components of the feeding assembly.

[0108] The lid may include an operating portion. The operating portion may provide a portion of the lid that is gripped, clamped, hooked and / or otherwise retracted to allow a peeling force to be applied to remove the lid. The operating portion may be a portion of the lid that extends beyond the container base, rim and / or flange. The operating portion of the lid may be a portion of the lid that is used to engage with the container opening subassembly. The operating portion may extend beyond most of the flange, but has a lid reinforcement feature that is fixed thereto. The operating portion may have a removable flange portion that is fixed thereto. The operating portion may have a lid contact portion that is fixed thereto. The operating portion may extend in the same direction as the flange, extend laterally from one or more side walls of the container base, or both. The operating portion of the lid may be formed as an extended tab. The operating portion may not be folded over the rim and / or flange, which is common in standard disposable food containers.

[0109] The lid may include a rigid engagement portion. The rigid engagement portion may be disposed on an operating portion of the lid. The rigid engagement portion may be the same or different from the lid reinforcement feature described with respect to the flange. The rigid engagement portion may be the same or different from the lid contact portion of the lid reinforcement feature. The rigid engagement portion may prevent the lid from collapsing or moving relative to the container base and / or the remainder of the lid. The rigid engagement portion may ensure that the lid protrudes away from the container base and that the operating portion may reliably engage with the container opening subassembly. The rigid engagement structure may protrude beyond the edge of the rim of the container base, may be a part of the flange, may be separate from the flange, may be an extension of the flange, or any combination thereof.

[0110] The length and / or shape of the operative portion may be the same or similar to the length and / or shape described for the lid reinforcement feature.

[0111] The operating portion of the lid may or may not include any removal opening. The removal opening may cooperate with one or more container opening subassemblies. The removal opening may be configured to receive a portion of the container opening subassembly therein. A portion of the container opening subassembly may be any portion that is configured to grip, grasp, hook or otherwise engage and fix the lid so as to subsequently remove the lid from the container base. The removal opening may receive hooks, posts, clamps and / or the like. The removal opening may have a shape that is complementary or non-complementary to a portion of the container opening subassembly. The removal opening may have a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., area) that is approximately equal to or greater than a portion of the container opening subassembly. A larger size may facilitate a portion to be inserted therein or passed through. The removal opening may be biased toward the leading edge. The removal opening may be located between the leading edge and the stress riser feature. If the operating portion cooperates with the removable flange portion of the lid, the removal opening of the operating portion may be aligned with the removal opening of the removable flange portion.

[0112] The lid may be made of one or more materials. The one or more materials may include one or more polymers, metals, etc., or a combination thereof. The one or more materials of the lid may be the same or different from the one or more materials of the container base. The one or more polymers may include one or more plastics. The one or more plastics may be biodegradable, non-biodegradable, or both. The one or more materials may include one or more food-grade plastics. The one or more plastics may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), etc., or a combination thereof. The one or more metals may include one or more food-safe metals. The one or more food-safe metals may include aluminum, copper, etc. The one or more metals may be formed as foil. For example, the lid may be made of aluminum foil. The lid may be formed as a laminate. For example, a PP-EVOH-PP laminate structure.

[0113] The container may include one or more sealing members. The one or more sealing members may be used to removably couple the lid to the container base, adhere the lid to the container base, permanently adhere the lid reinforcement feature to the lid, or any combination thereof. The sealing member may refer to a device that adheres the lid directly to the container base, an adhesive that is independent of the lid and the container base, or both.

[0114] One or more sealing members may include one or more welded joints, adhesives and / or the like. One or more adhesives may include one or more pressure-sensitive adhesives and / or hot melt adhesives. One or more adhesives may include polyvinyl acetate (PVA), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (VAE), vinyl acetate acrylate (VAA), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), metallocene, polyurethane reactive materials, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more welded joints may be produced by one or more welding methods. One or more welding methods may include ultrasonic plastic welding, vibration welding, laser welding, spin welding, infrared welding, hot plate welding, hot melt, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more sealing members may include one or more food-safe adhesives and / or connection methods.

[0115] The sealing member can be located on the edge, flange, lid or a combination thereof. The sealing member can be located around all or part of the edge and / or flange. In the case where the flange extends from the edge, the sealing member can be located on the upper surface of the flange. In the case where the flange is located below the edge, the sealing member can be located on the edge. The sealing member can also be located on one or more lid reinforcement features, such as a removable flange portion. The sealing member can be located between the container base and the lid. The sealing member can be located between the edge and / or flange and the lid. When the lid is removed (e.g., peeled off) from the container base, the sealing member can be completely disengaged, partially disengaged and / or remain attached to the container base and / or lid. The sealing member can include a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The first sealing member can be used to removably adhere the lid to the container base. The first sealing member can be located around the container storage portion. The first sealing member can be located between the main edge and / or flange portion and the lid. The second sealing member can be used to permanently adhere the lid to the lid reinforcement feature. The second sealing member can be located between the lid contact portion and the lid. The second sealing member can be located on the opposite side of the separation feature (eg, score line) as the first sealing member.

[0116] The shape of the sealing member can be substantially complementary to one or more parts of the lid, the container base or both. The shape of the sealing member can be substantially complementary to the cross section of the storage portion (e.g., sidewall, food cavity), edge and / or flange of the container base. For example, the shape of the sealing member can be substantially complementary to the storage portion and / or edge of the container, while its shape is different from the flange of the container base. The overall two-dimensional planar shape of the sealing member (looking down from above or looking up from below) is roughly circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangle, square, rectangle, polygon (e.g., pentagon, hexagon) and / or similar shapes. For example, if the container storage portion has a substantially circular planar shape or cross section, the sealing member can have a substantially circular planar shape or cross section. The sealing member can form one or more concentrated points and / or tapered portions. The shape can be lemon-shaped, rhombus-shaped, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0117] The sealing member may include one or more stress-rising features. The one or more stress-rising features may facilitate removal of the lid from the container base, may reduce splashing of food from the container base to the outside, require less force to begin peeling the lid from the container base at the leading edge (compared to a sealing member without stress-rising features), require less force to complete peeling the container at the trailing edge (compared to a sealing member without stress-rising features), and the like, or a combination thereof. Sealing at one or more concentrated points and / or tapered points (e.g., apexes) may provide one or more stress-rising features. The one or more stress-rising features may include a sharp edge (e.g., an apex) at an axial end of the sealing member. The sharp edge (e.g., an apex) may be disposed at a starting position (e.g., a leading edge) and / or an ending position (e.g., a trailing edge) where the lid is peeled from the container.

[0118] The container may include one or more tensioning features. The one or more tensioning features may be used to couple the lid to the container base. The one or more tensioning features may be located at one or more predetermined locations. The one or more tensioning features may be located on one or more outer edges of the lid. The one or more tensioning features may be located at a portion of the top edge at the outer edge of the lid. The one or more tensioning features may include one or more heat seal points, spot welds, adhesives, etc., or a combination thereof. The one or more tensioning features may be close to, adjacent to, on either side of, or a combination thereof, one or more stress riser features. The one or more tensioning features may be used in conjunction with and / or in place of a sealing member.

[0119] The container may include one or more identifiers. The one or more identifiers may be used to indicate one or more parameters associated with the container. The one or more identifiers may include one or more visual identifiers, signal identifiers, or both. The one or more visual identifiers may include one or more two-dimensional ("QR") codes, bar codes, color patterns, textures, surface reflectivity patterns, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more signal identifiers may include one or more radio frequency identification tags ("RFID"), near field communication ("NFC") tags, the like, or any combination thereof. The one or more RFID identifiers may be passive. The one or more identifiers may be disposed on one or more portions of the container. The one or more identifiers may be disposed on the exterior of the container. The one or more identifiers may be located on the exterior of the lid, on the exterior of one or more side walls of the container base, on the bottom wall of the container base, on the exterior of the housing, the like, or any combination thereof. The one or more identifiers may be placed on the container so that they can be accessed and read by an identification sensor. The one or more parameters associated with the identifier may include compatibility with the feeding assembly, the type of food in the container, the volume of the food in the container, nutritional values ​​associated with the food in the container, the brand or manufacturer of the food in the container, the date the food in the container was produced and / or packaged, the amount of time the food can be unsealed and exposed to ambient temperature before it begins to spoil, a shelf life, etc., or any combination thereof. The one or more parameters associated with the identifier may include one or more instructions to access one or more databases to retrieve information about the container or the food.

[0120] One or more portions of the container may define or be defined by one or more axes, planes, or both.

[0121] One or more axes may include a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, a longitudinal axis, a front axis, a transverse axis, a flange axis, etc., or any combination thereof. The vertical axis may extend through the container base and the lid, through the bottom of the container base and the cavity defined therein, through the bottom of the container base and the hole defined by the edge and / or flange, or any combination thereof. The vertical axis may be substantially perpendicular to the bottom, edge, flange, lid, or a combination thereof of the container base. The vertical axis may be substantially parallel to the sidewall of the container base. The front axis and / or the center axis may be a vertical axis, which is generally centered on the container, the container base, the lid, or a combination thereof. The horizontal axis may be generally perpendicular to the vertical axis. The horizontal axis may be substantially parallel to the bottom of the edge, flange, lid, the container base, or a combination thereof. The horizontal axis may intersect or not intersect with the vertical axis. The longitudinal axis may be a horizontal axis. The longitudinal axis may include the centerline of the container. The transverse axis may be a horizontal axis. The flange axis may be an axis substantially parallel to the majority of the surface area of ​​the flange. The flange axis may be generally parallel to or offset from the horizontal axis, the longitudinal axis, or both.

[0122] One or more planes may include flange planes, edge planes, lid planes, longitudinal planes, transverse planes, frontal planes, etc., or combinations thereof. The flange plane may be a plane defined by most of the surface area of ​​the flange (e.g., upper surface, the surface facing the lid). The flange plane may have a flange axis (e.g., parallel, non-intersecting) therein. The flange plane may be substantially parallel to the transverse plane, lid plane, or both. The edge plane may be a plane defined by most of the surface area of ​​the edge. The edge plane may be parallel to the flange plane, lid plane, and / or transverse plane. The edge plane may be the same as the flange plane or deviate from the flange plane. The lid plane may be a plane defined by most of the surface area of ​​the lid (e.g., the bottom or top surface of the lid). The lid plane may be roughly parallel to the flange plane or deviate from the flange plane. The lid plane may be parallel to the transverse plane, flange plane, or both. The frontal plane may be a plane passing through the container, the container base, the lid, or a combination thereof. The frontal plane may divide the container into a front portion and a rear portion. The frontal plane may define one or more symmetry planes of one or more components of the container. The front plane can be located between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the lid. The front plane can have a vertical axis and / or a front axis (e.g., parallel, non-intersecting) therein. The front plane can be approximately perpendicular to the flange plane, the lid plane, the longitudinal plane, the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The longitudinal plane can be approximately perpendicular to the transverse plane, the front plane, the flange plane, the lid plane, or a combination thereof. The longitudinal plane can divide the container into two sides (e.g., the left side and the right side). The longitudinal plane can have a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis, and / or a front axis therein, and / or be parallel thereto. The longitudinal plane can have a center line of the container therein (e.g., parallel to and located therein). The transverse plane can define the upper and lower parts of the container. The transverse plane can be formed between the lid and the container base, or can cut through the container base. The transverse plane can be perpendicular to the transverse plane, the longitudinal plane, or both. The transverse plane can be parallel to the flange plane, the lid plane, or both.

[0123] The container may or may not have a symmetrical shape. Symmetry may be symmetry about one or more planes. Symmetry may refer to symmetry about a frontal plane, a longitudinal plane, or any other plane of symmetry (e.g., any plane intersecting with the center point of the container). A container having only one plane of symmetry may have a correct orientation for interacting with a feeding assembly, removing a lid, or both. A container having two or more planes of symmetry may have two or more correct orientations for interacting with a feeding assembly, removing a lid, or both. Interaction with a feeding assembly may include placement and / or orientation in a container storage subassembly, a container handling subassembly, a container opening subassembly, a container holding subassembly, a container discarding subassembly, a waste collection subassembly, or a combination thereof, and / or relative to placement and / or orientation of these subassemblies. Interaction with a feeding assembly may include placement and / or orientation in a hopper, a container box, a gripper, a hook, a grab / fixed feature, a bracket, a lifting wedge, a container display opening, a disposal rod, a waste container, or a combination thereof, and / or relative to their placement and / or orientation. A single correct orientation can improve the accuracy of component interaction while reducing the complexity and cost of container design, manufacturing and / or transportation. Two or more correct orientations can reduce the likelihood of user loading errors. Loading errors can include incorrect orientations such that one or more features of the container intended to interact with one or more components of the feeding assembly cannot perform their functions and / or cannot work together.

[0124] Feeding Kits and Containers

[0125] A feeding assembly can be any device that contains and dispenses food for consumption by an animal. The food can include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. The food can include wet food, dry food, or both. Wet food can include ground and / or chopped protein (e.g., meat), vegetables, grains, fruits, and / or similar foods that are provided in liquid form or mixed with a liquid. The liquid can refer to water, broth, gravy, or other liquids. Dry food can refer to food that is substantially free of liquid, can be in the form of granular matter, or both.

[0126] The feeding assembly can be used to place food into a container, remove food from a container, or both. The feeding assembly can be used to retrieve or otherwise access a container in which food is stored, and enable an animal to access the food in the container. The animal can be any domestic animal. Domestic animals can include dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc., or any combination thereof. In a typical pet-owning household, domestic animals can include one or more cats, dogs, or both.

[0127] The feeding assembly may include one or more of the following features: a housing, a container storage subassembly, a container handling subassembly, a transport subassembly, a container opening subassembly, a container retaining subassembly, a disposal subassembly, a waste collection subassembly, a feeding area, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0128] The feeding assembly may include a housing. The housing may be used to accommodate and / or support various components of the feeding assembly, provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the feeding assembly, or both. The housing may include one or more bases, intermediate supports, support plates, top covers, etc., or any combination thereof. The housing may provide or define a feeding area.

[0129] The housing can provide a feeding area. The feeding area can be a part of the housing that provides a container and / or food to the animal so that the animal can approach for consumption. The feeding area can be located at any height of the housing. The feeding area can be provided on the base, intermediate support, support plate, top cover, or a combination thereof. The feeding area can be provided near (e.g., in front of) the base, intermediate support, support plate, top cover, or any combination thereof. The feeding area can be limited by a container display opening.

[0130] The feeding assembly may include a container storage subassembly. The container storage assembly may be used to temporarily place and store one or more containers therein. Placement may mean vertical stacking, horizontal stacking, radial stacking, mounting stacking, etc., or any combination thereof. The container storage subassembly may provide a single container stack or multiple container stacks. The container storage assembly may provide a single circular array or multiple circular arrays of multiple containers.

[0131] The container storage assembly may include one or more hoppers. The one or more hoppers may be configured to store a plurality of containers therein. The containers may be stacked or otherwise arranged in a row. The hopper may directly receive a container or receive a container box that accommodates a plurality of containers. The one or more hoppers may include more than one, more than two, or even more than three hoppers.

[0132] The container storage subassembly may include one or more restraining mechanisms. The one or more restraining mechanisms may be used to secure one or more containers within a hopper and / or container box; work against gravity; selectively release a container (e.g., when the container is ready to be used); or any combination thereof. The one or more restraining mechanisms may be located near one or more hoppers, partially disposed in one or more hoppers, near one or more hoppers, etc. The one or more restraining mechanisms may include one or more rollers, drive units, gears, pulleys, and / or the like.

[0133] The container storage assembly may include and / or be configured to removably receive a container box. The container box may be used to store multiple containers together as a group, allow multiple containers to be placed into the container storage assembly in a single loading step, allow multiple containers to be shipped together and then loaded together into the container storage assembly, provide a user with easy access to container loading, or any combination thereof. The container box may be used as a box for inserting multiple containers into the feeding assembly.

[0134] The feeding assembly may include a container handling subassembly. The container handling subassembly may be used to receive a container from a container storage subassembly, to fix a container during transporting the container to a feeding area, to fix a container in a feeding area, to fix a container base during removal of a lid, to transport a container to be discarded after use, or any combination thereof. The container subassembly may be configured to releasably engage one or more containers. The container handling subassembly may be configured to be arranged in or near the feeding area. The container handling subassembly may be configured to actively retrieve (e.g., grab) a container, place a container therein, or both. The container handling subassembly may be configured to actively release a container, place a container therein, or both. The container handling subassembly may include one or more shuttle assemblies, a clamping assembly, or both. The container handling subassembly may include one or more brackets, a holding support, a bearing, a through hole, a disposal rod, an arm, a plate, a base, an actuator, or the like, or any combination thereof.

[0135] The container handling subassembly may be coupled to the transport subassembly. The container handling subassembly may be fixed to or part of the transport subassembly. The container handling subassembly may be moved between multiple locations via the transport subassembly.

[0136] The container handling subassembly can be moved to one or more positions in the feeding assembly. The container handling subassembly can be moved to various positions to interact with one or more containers and / or other subassemblies. The one or more positions can include a loading position, an open position, a feeding position, a discard position, a rest position, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0137] The feeding assembly includes a transport subassembly. The transport subassembly can be used to cooperate with the container handling subassembly to move the container handling subassembly and / or the container, or both, between different positions in the feeding assembly. The transport subassembly can be used to transport the container to the container opening subassembly, the feeding area and / or the container discarding subassembly. The transport subassembly can be used to move the container handling subassembly to a loading position, an opening position, a feeding position, a discarding position, a static position, etc. or any combination thereof. The transport subassembly can be used to move the container handling subassembly and / or the container along one or more axes, one or more linear directions or both. The transport subassembly can move the container handling subassembly along a single axis, along three dimensions, along two axes and / or along three axes.

[0138] The feeding assembly may include a container opening subassembly. The container opening subassembly may be used to open the container, remove the lid, separate the lid from the container base, remove or at least partially open the housing, etc., or a combination thereof. The container opening subassembly may be referred to as a lid removal subassembly or a lid removal structure.

[0139] The container opening subassembly is configured to releasably couple to the lid, apply a pulling force to the lid, and remove the lid from the container base. The container opening subassembly can engage the lid and peel the lid from the container base when the lid and / or the container base are moved (e.g., by the transport subassembly, the container handling subassembly, or both). The container opening subassembly is configured to remove the lid from the container base while the container base remains stationary, to secure the lid in place while the container base is moved, or to move the lid away from the container base while the container base is moved away from the lid.

[0140] The container opening subassembly may include or comprise components that function as arms, knives, hooks, clamps, can openers, vacuum sources, jaws, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0141] The feeding assembly may include a container holding subassembly. The container holding subassembly may be used to secure the container in the feeding area, present the container in the feeding area, or both. The container holding subassembly may be coupled with one or more container handling subassemblies, transport subassemblies, portions of the housing, or any combination thereof, to prevent the container from moving in the feeding area, to facilitate presenting the container in the feeding area, or both. The container holding subassembly may include or be a lifting wedge, an arm, a track, a shield, or a combination thereof.

[0142] The feeding assembly may include one or more container discarding subassemblies. The container discarding subassembly may push the used container into the waste collection subassembly, cooperate with the container handling subassembly, cooperate with the transport subassembly, or any combination thereof. The container discarding subassembly may have a structure that cooperates with the moving path of the container handling subassembly. When the container handling subassembly is removed from the feeding position, in the discarding position, moves toward the static position, moves toward the loading position, etc., or any combination thereof, the container discarding subassembly may cause the container (e.g., the used container base) to be discarded from the container handling subassembly. The container discarding subassembly may be configured to remove or not interfere with the container in the container handling subassembly when moving to the feeding position. The container discarding subassembly may be positioned along the moving path of the container handling subassembly. The container discarding subassembly may be located on one side or both sides of the passage. One or more container discarding subassemblies may include two opposing discarding subassemblies on both sides of the passage. When the container handling subassembly advances to the feeding position, the container discarding subassembly may be configured to retract from the passage and / or the path of travel and avoid interfering with the container. The container discarding subassembly can be configured to extend into a passage and / or a path of travel to transfer a biasing force to the container handling subassembly, thereby pushing the container to be discarded. The container discarding subassembly can be located above, near, below, and / or adjacent to one or more waste collection subassemblies. The passage can be an intermediate support, a support plate, or a passage in both. The container discarding subassembly can include a mount, a plunger, a spring, an inclined plane, a lever, and / or the like.

[0143] The feeding assembly may include one or more waste collection subassemblies. The waste collection subassembly may be configured to collect one or more lids, container bases, food, and / or the like; collect one or more lids after removing the lids from the container bases; collect one or more container bases after giving the animal an opportunity to eat; collect residual waste; etc.; or any combination thereof. The waste collection subassembly may be easily accessible so that a user can easily access the waste contents within the waste collection subassembly for disposal. The waste collection subassembly may include one or more waste containers, openings, residual waste collectors, or both. The waste collection subassembly may include one or more waste containers, openings, removable lids, seals, trash bags, etc., or any combination thereof. The waste container may be configured to receive a lid, a container base, residual waste, or a combination thereof.

[0144] The feeding assembly can include one or more drive units. One or more drive units can be configured to drive the movement of one or more components of the feeding assembly. One or more drive sources can be associated with a container storage assembly (e.g., a restraining mechanism), a transport subassembly, a container opening subassembly, a container handling subassembly (e.g., a clamp), a removable lid (e.g., covering a container display opening), etc. One or more drive sources can be shared between different components, or can be a dedicated drive source. For example, a drive source associated with a transport subassembly can also be associated with a container opening subassembly. The drive unit can also be referred to as an actuator.

[0145] The feeding assembly may include one or more sensing devices. The one or more sensing devices may be used to sense the presence of one or more containers, obtain one or more parameters of one or more containers and / or container boxes, sense the position of one or more subassemblies, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices may generally be used to sense the state of one or more components in the feeding assembly. The one or more sensing devices may be in electrical communication with one or more controllers. The one or more sensing devices may include one or more identification sensors, container presence sensors, support position sensors, weight sensors, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0146] One or more sensing devices may include one or more identification sensors. One or more identification sensors may be used to read one or more identifiers and / or communicate with one or more identifiers. One or more identification sensors may be disposed near the container storage subassembly. One or more identification sensors may be disposed to observe one or more identifiers of one or more containers, or to form a connection with one or more identifiers of one or more containers, or both. One or more identification sensors may be used to obtain one or more parameters associated with a container and / or the food therein, to obtain access to a database or other resource library having one or more parameters associated with a container and / or the food therein, or both. One or more identification sensors may be any type of transceiver compatible with any identifier disclosed herein, capable of scanning or reading an identifier, capable of obtaining parameters associated with a container or the food therein, capable of instructing a controller where to obtain parameters associated with a container or the food therein, etc., or any combination thereof. One or more identification sensors may include one or more wireless radio frequency transmitters, barcode readers, QR code readers, near field communication transmitters (NFC), image sensors, etc., or any combination thereof. The identification sensor may be an optical sensor (e.g., a UV sensor, an IR sensor, a CCD camera, an electrical sensor, etc.). The one or more identification sensors may be compatible with one or more identifiers including a bar code, a QR code, a reflective feature, a scannable optical feature, an IR or UV visible printed feature, a raised or recessed feature, or a circuit (e.g., a resistive circuit), an NFC chip, an RFID, or any other visual, electronic, or electromagnetic indicator.

[0147] The feeding assembly can be connected to or include one or more power sources. The power source can be used to power one or more components of the device. The power source can be any typical power source used for consumer products. The power source can be an outlet, direct current, alternating current, etc., or a combination thereof. The device can accommodate an adapter for the power source, such as in the base of the feeding assembly.

[0148] The feeding assembly may include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may be used to receive one or more signals, send one or more signals, control the operation of one or more components of the device, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be configured to control the overall operation of the feeding assembly. The one or more controllers may communicate with one or more sensing devices, subassemblies, communication modules, other components, or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be suitable for receiving one or more signals from one or more sensing devices, subassemblies, communication modules, etc. The one or more controllers may be in electrical communication with one or more sensing devices, subassemblies, communication modules, etc.

[0149] Illustrative examples

[0150] The following figures and explanations are intended as illustrative examples. Features of one example may be combined with features of another example. For example, Figure 8-Figure 11 The bonding features of any graph in Figure 1-Figure 7 For example, Figure 1-Figure 7 The lid reinforcement features and operating parts of the container can be combined with Figure 8-Figure 11 Combine with any container in .

[0151] Figure 1-Figure 4 Container 16 is shown in closed configuration C and open configuration O. In closed configuration, lid 54 covers container base 52. In open configuration O, lid 54 is removed from container base 52. Lid 54 and container base 52 each include keying feature 188. Keying feature 188 can be defined as the overall peripheral shape (e.g., two-dimensional planar shape and / or cross section) of flange 77 and lid 54. Exemplary keying feature 188 can be overall teardrop shape, oval with blunt end shape, round with convex corners and / or similar shape. Flange 77 is spaced from rim 76. Lid 54 includes operating portion 201. Lid 54 includes extension tab 202. Extension tab 202 is operating portion 201. Extension tab 202 can include hook opening 204. Extension tab 202 can define leading edge 206 of lid. Opposite to leading edge 206 is trailing edge 208. The container base 52 may include a lid access feature 193 formed in the flange 77. A tensioning feature 194 (e.g., a weld) is adjacent to the lid access feature 193. The container base 52 may also include an extension tab 202. The extension tab 202 may also include a hook opening 204. The extension tab 202 may also be referred to as a lid reinforcement feature 203. The hook openings 204 may be aligned with each other. The container base 52 may include a score line 210. The score line 210 is located between the extension tab 202 and the remainder of the container base 52. The score line 210 allows the extension tab 202 to be disengaged from the remainder of the rim 76. The container base 52 includes a sealing member 198. The sealing member 198 includes a stress riser feature 196. The stress riser feature 196 is near the position where the leading edge 206 and the trailing edge 208 of the lid 54 are adjacent to the container base 52. The sealing member 198 includes a first sealing member 198a and a second sealing member 198b. The first sealing member 198a is located on the rim 76. The second sealing member 198b is located on the flange 77. The second sealing member 198 is located at the lid reinforcement feature 203.

[0152] Figure 5-Figure 7 Different plan views of the container 16 are shown in an open configuration O and a closed configuration C. The container 16 includes a container base 52. The container 16 includes the container base 52 to which a lid 54 is removably secured.

[0153] The container 16 includes a vertical axis VA. The vertical axis VA extends through the container base 52, through the opening defined by the rim 76 and / or the flange 77 and / or the lid 54. A transverse plane TP is substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis VA. The transverse plane is substantially parallel to the flange plane FP and / or the rim plane RP. The flange plane FP is defined by the upper surface of the flange 77. The rim plane RP is defined by the upper surface of the rim 76. A longitudinal plane LP extends from the front to the rear of the container 16. The longitudinal plane LP can define the centerline CL of the container 16. A front plane FRP extends from one side of the container 16 to the other side. The front plane FRP separates the front and rear of the container 16.

[0154] The container includes a height H, a length L, and a width W. The height H is measured parallel to the vertical axis VA. The height H is measured from the top to the bottom of the container 16. The length L is measured from the front to the back. The length L is measured parallel to the longitudinal plane LP. The width W is measured from one side to the other side. The width W is measured parallel to the front plane FRP.

[0155] The lid 54 includes an operating portion 201. The operating portion 201 may include or may not include a hook opening 204. The operating portion 201 may be oriented toward the container 16 and / or located at the front of the container 16.

[0156] The operating portion 201 may be fixed to the cover reinforcement feature 203. The cover reinforcement feature 203 may include a vertical extension portion 203a and a cover contact portion 203b.

[0157] Figure 8 A container 16 in a partially open configuration O and a container 16 in a closed configuration C are shown. The container 16 in the closed configuration C also has a larger storage capacity. The container 16 includes a container base 52 and a lid 54. The lid 54 is removable from the container base 52. The lid 54 can be removed by a peeling force PF. The container base 52 includes a rim 76. The rim 76 is formed with a flange 77. The container base 52 includes one or more recesses 180. The recesses 180 are formed as a part of the rim 76. The container base 52 includes one or more alignment features 182. The alignment feature 182 is formed as a part of the rim 76. The container base 52 includes an engagement feature 184. The engagement feature 182 is formed as a part of the rim 76. The lid 54 of the container 16 in the open configuration O includes an identifier 186. The container base 52 of the container 16 in the closed configuration C includes an identifier 186.

[0158] Fig. 9Container base 52 is shown. Container base 52 includes a vertical axis VA extending therethrough. Vertical axis VA is substantially centered on container base. Container base 52 includes rim 76. Rim 76 is formed as flange 77. Flange axis FA is defined by a majority of the surface of flange 77. Flange axis FA is substantially perpendicular to vertical axis VA. Flange axis VA is aligned with opposite recess 180. Flange 77 includes recess 180 formed therein. Recess 180 is formed as a depression or change on the surface of flange 77. Recess 180 protrudes downward in a direction substantially similar to vertical axis VA. Recess 180 protrudes away from axis A. Flange 77 includes keying feature 188 formed therein. Keying feature 188 defines a change in the outer contour of flange 77. Keying feature 188 includes one or more recesses 190. Recess 190 is recessed inward toward vertical axis VA. Keying feature 188 includes one or more straight edges 192. The straight edge 192 is substantially parallel to the axis A.

[0159] Fig.10 and Fig.11 Container 16 is shown. Container 16 includes container base 52. Container base 52 is closed by lid 54. Lid 54 is removably adhered to container base 52 by sealing member 198. Sealing member 198 includes stress riser feature 196. Container base 52 includes flange 77. Flange 77 includes recess 180 and alignment feature 182. Container 16 includes tensioning feature 194. Tensioning feature 194 is provided as part of lid 54. Container base 52 includes flat surface 200.

[0160] Fig.12 is a perspective view of a feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 10, a container storage subassembly 12, and a waste collection subassembly 14. The feeding assembly 1 provides a container 16 in an open configuration O. The housing 10 includes a base 18, an intermediate support 28, a support plate 20, and a top cover 22. The base 18 accommodates the waste collection subassembly 14. The support plate 20 includes a feeding area 32. The support plate 20 includes a container display opening 24. There is a guard 26 around the container display opening 24 and on the top of the support plate 20.

[0161] Fig.13 A method of refilling the feeding assembly 1 is shown. The feeding assembly 1 refills the container 16. The container 16 is in the closed configuration C. The container 16 is inserted into the container refill opening 34. The container refill opening 34 is formed in the housing 10. The container refill opening 34 is formed in the top cover 22. The container refill opening 34 is disposed at the top surface 22a of the top cover 22. The container refill opening 34 provides access to the container storage subassembly 12.

[0162] Fig.14A method of refilling the feeding assembly 1 is shown. The feeding assembly 1 refills the container 16. The container 16 is in the closed configuration C. The container 16 is inserted into the container refill opening 34. The container refill opening 34 is formed in the housing 10. The container refill opening 34 is formed in the top cover 22. The container refill opening 34 is provided at the side surface 22b of the top cover 22.

[0163] Fig.15 A method of refilling the feeding assembly 1 is shown. The feeding assembly 1 refills a plurality of containers 16. The plurality of containers 16 are each in a closed configuration C. The plurality of containers 16 are held together by a container box 40. The plurality of containers 16 are stacked together within the container box 40. The container box is inserted into the container refill opening 34. The container refill opening 34 is formed in the top cover 22. The container refill opening 34 provides access to the container storage subassembly 12.

[0164] Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container storage subassembly 12. The container storage subassembly 12 is filled with a plurality of containers 16. The containers 16 are in a closed configuration C. The containers 16 are held in place within the hopper 48. Near the hopper 48 is an identification sensor 138. The containers 16 are held in place by a restraining mechanism 50 (not shown). Near the container storage subassembly 12 is a container handling subassembly 42. The container handling subassembly 42 is shown in a loading position LP. In the loading position LP, the container handling subassembly 42 can be aligned with the container storage subassembly 12. The alignment can allow the containers 16 to be transferred from the container storage subassembly 12 to the container handling subassembly 42.

[0165] Fig.17 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container storage subassembly 12. The container storage subassembly 12 is filled with a plurality of containers 16. The containers 16 are in a closed configuration C. The container handling subassembly 42 is adjacent to the container storage subassembly 12 and is in a loading position LP. The container handling subassembly 42 is aligned with the hopper 48. A restraining mechanism 50 (not shown) pushes the container 16 into the container handling assembly 42.

[0166] Fig.18is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly 1. The container handling subassembly 42 moves from the loading position LP to the open position OP. The container handling subassembly 42 moves from the container storage subassembly 12 to the feeding area 32. The container handling subassembly 42 moves the container 16 in the closed configuration from the container storage subassembly 12 to the container opening subassembly 46. The container opening subassembly 46 engages the lid 54. In this example, the container opening subassembly 46 clamps the lid 54. As the container handling subassembly 42 continues to move toward the feeding area 32, the container opening subassembly 46 continues to secure a portion of the lid 54. By maintaining a portion of the lid 54 stationary while the container base 52 continues to move to the feeding area 32, the lid 54 is removed from the container base 52.

[0167] Fig.19 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly 1. The container handling subassembly 42 is located in, below and / or near the feeding area 32. The container handling subassembly 42 is in the feeding position FP. The container handling subassembly 42 includes the container 16. The container 16 is in the open configuration O. The lid 54 has been previously removed. The lid 54 is located in the waste collection subassembly 14. The lid 54 is located in the waste container 36 of the waste collection subassembly 14. The container handling subassembly 42 moves horizontally and vertically upward into the feeding area 32. The upward movement causes the container 16 to move upward into the container display opening 24.

[0168] Fig. 20 and Fig.21 is a cross-sectional view of the feeding assembly 1. The container handling subassembly 42 moves toward the trash subassembly 56. The trash subassembly 56 cooperates with the container handling subassembly 42. The container handling subassembly is in the discard position DP. The interaction between the trash subassembly 56 and the container handling subassembly 42 urges the container 16 into the waste collection subassembly 14. The container 16 falls into the waste container 36. After the container 16 is discarded into the waste collection subassembly 14, the container handling subassembly 42 stays in the rest position RP. The container handling subassembly 42 can wait in this position until the next container 16 in the container storage subassembly 12 is ready to be dispensed and provided to the animal for consumption.

[0169] Fig. 22 , Fig.23 and Fig.24The container opening subassembly 46 is shown. The container opening subassembly 46 includes a drive unit 64. The drive unit 64 includes a motor 66 and a drive shaft 68. The drive unit 64 can be configured as a threaded motor 64a. The drive unit 64 can be accommodated and supported by a drive support 92. The drive unit 64 can be mounted on a drive unit cover 95. A movable jaw 94 is rotatably engaged with the drive shaft 68. The movable jaw 94 is stationary relative to the stationary jaw 96. When the drive shaft 68 rotates, the movable jaw 94 can move closer to or away from the stationary jaw 96. The movement of the movable jaw 94 can cause the clamping gap 98 to become larger or smaller. The lid 54 (not shown) can be moved into the clamping gap 98. The lid 54 (not shown) can be clamped and fixed between the movable jaw 94 and the stationary jaw 96.

[0170] Fig.25 and Fig.26 A container opening subassembly 46 is shown. The container opening subassembly 46 includes a hook 220. The hook 220 is fixed to an arm 222. The arm 222 can be movable (e.g., rotatable) or stationary. The arm can be driven by a drive unit. The arm can be driven by a force applied by the container. The hook 220 interacts with a hook opening 204 of the container 16. The hook opening 204 can be formed in the container base 52 and / or the lid 54 (not shown).

[0171] Fig. 27 , Fig.28 and Fig.29 A container box 40 is shown. The container box 40 is configured to hold a plurality of containers 16 in a closed configuration C. The containers 16 are stacked vertically.

[0172] exist Fig. 27 1, one container 16 is stacked on top of another container 16. The lid 54 of the container 16 supports the container base 52 of the adjacent container 16. The container box 40 includes an outer wall 176. The outer wall 176 defines a hollow interior of the box 40. The container box 40 includes a bottom cover 178. The bottom cover 178 can be removable to allow the container 16 to be dispensed.

[0173] exist Fig.28 and Fig.29 1, the container 16 is supported by the container box 40. The container box 40 includes a plurality of slots 168. The slots 168 are formed in the outer wall 176. The slots 168 support the edge or flange 76 of the container 16. The slots 168 can be spaced apart to accommodate containers 16 of different volumes. For example, a container 16 with a larger volume can use only some of the slots 168, while a container 16 with a smaller volume uses all or different slots. Fig.28 and Fig.29 Compatibility with containers 16 of different volumes is shown.

[0174] Unless otherwise stated, any numerical value described herein includes all numerical values ​​from lower values ​​to higher values, and the increment is one unit, provided that there is at least 2 units of interval between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if the value of the amount of a component, an attribute or a process variable (such as temperature, pressure, time, etc.) is stated to be, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is meant that the value of the intermediate range (for example, 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc.) is within the teaching scope of this specification. Similarly, a single intermediate value is also within the scope of this teaching. For a value less than 1, a unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only specific examples, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the lowest and highest values ​​listed are considered to be clearly stated in a similar manner in this application.

[0175] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges include endpoints and all values ​​between the endpoints. "About" or "approximately" in relation to a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, "about 20 to 30" is intended to cover "about 20 to about 30", including at least the specified endpoints.

[0176] The terms "approximately" or "substantially" describing angular measurements may mean approximately + / -10 degrees or less, approximately + / -5 degrees or less, or even approximately + / -1 degree or less. The terms "approximately" or "substantially" describing angular measurements may mean approximately + / -0.01 degrees or more, approximately + / -0.1 degrees or more, or even approximately + / -0.5 degrees or more. The terms "approximately" or "substantially" describing linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately + / -10% or less, approximately + / -5% or less, or even approximately + / -1% or less. The terms "approximately" or "substantially" describing linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately + / -0.01% or more, approximately + / -0.1% or more, or even approximately + / -0.5% or more.

[0177] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The term "consisting essentially of ... " describing a combination should include determined elements, compositions, parts or steps, and other elements, compositions, parts or steps that will not substantially affect the basic and novel features of the combination. The term "comprising" or "including" is used to describe the combination of elements, compositions, parts or steps, and embodiments consisting essentially of or even consisting of elements, compositions, parts or steps are also considered herein. Multiple elements, compositions, parts or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, composition, parts or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, composition, parts or step can be divided into independent multiple elements, compositions, parts or steps. The disclosure of "one" or "one" describing an element, composition, part or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, compositions, parts or steps.

[0178] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Upon reading the above description, many embodiments and many applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in addition to the examples provided. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to these claims. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the appended claims is not a waiver of the subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventor does not consider the subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base, the container base defining a food cavity, the food cavity being used to contain food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more keying features configured to provide one or more orientations for the container; b) a lid removably secured to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of: i) an operating portion, the operating portion comprising a bottom surface of the lid that emerges from one or more flanges and / or one or more rims of the container base; ii) an operating portion extending beyond the container base such that a bottom portion of the lid emerges, for example, from the one or more flanges, and including a reinforcing structure secured thereto; or iii) an operating portion, the operating portion, together with the reinforcing features of the one or more flanges secured thereto, extending away from the container base and configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly), Used to peel the lid off the container base.

2. A container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base, the container base defining a food cavity, the food cavity being used to contain food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges comprising and / or forming one or more keying features configured to provide one or more orientations for the container; b) a lid removably secured to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of: i) an operating portion, the operating portion comprising a bottom surface of the lid that emerges from one or more flanges and / or one or more rims of the container base; ii) an operating portion extending beyond the container base such that a bottom portion of the lid emerges, for example, from the one or more flanges, and including a reinforcing structure secured thereto; or iii) an operating portion, the operating portion, together with the reinforcing features of the one or more flanges secured thereto, extending away from the container base and configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly), for peeling the lid off the container base; c) one or more sealing members that removably secure the lid to the container base, wherein the one or more sealing members include: i) Two or more opposing stress riser features formed as part of the sealing member forming concentration points and / or tapered points at the leading and trailing edges.

3. A container suitable for storing animal food, the container comprising: a) a container base, the container base defining a food cavity, the food cavity being used to contain food, wherein the container base comprises: i) one or more flanges, the one or more flanges including and / or forming one or more keying features configured to provide one or more orientations for the container within a feeding assembly, a cartridge case, or both; ii) one or more lid reinforcement features secured to the lid and configured to be removably attached to a remainder of the one or more flanges, rims, or both; b) the lid is removably secured to the container base, wherein the lid is configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid off the container, wherein the lid comprises one of: i) an operating portion extending away from the container base together with the lid reinforcement features of the one or more flanges secured thereto and configured to engage with a container opening structure (e.g., a subassembly) for peeling the lid away from the container base; c) one or more sealing members, comprising: i) a first sealing member that removably secures the lid to the container base, The first sealing member is located between the edge and / or one or more flanges of the container base and the lid, and is located around the opening of the food cavity, wherein the first sealing member comprises: two or more opposing stress riser features formed as part of the seal member, the seal member forming concentration points and / or tapered points at the leading and trailing edges; and ii) a second sealing member securing the lid reinforcement features of the one or more flanges to the operative portion of the lid such that the lid reinforcement features remain adhered to the lid when the lid is peeled from the container base.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container includes one or more sealing members that removably adhere the lid to the container base.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more sealing members have a shape that is substantially complementary to the food cavity, the rim of the container base, the flange of the container base, or a combination thereof.

6. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein The one or more sealing components include one or more stress riser features.

7. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein The one or more stress riser features are located near and / or at the leading edge, the trailing edge, or both of the cover.

8. The container according to claim 7, wherein: The one or more stress riser features allow for less pulling force to initiate and / or complete peeling of the lid from the container base than if the one or more stress riser features were not present.

9. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein The one or more stress riser features are one or more concentration points and / or tapered points of the sealing member.

10. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein The one or more stress riser features are one or more sharp edges (eg, apexes) at opposite axial ends of the sealing member.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more sealing members have a cross-sectional shape or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (eg, pentagonal, hexagonal), the like, or combinations thereof.

12. The container according to claim 11, wherein The sealing member has a cross-sectional shape or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, circular with convex corners, the like, or a combination thereof.

13. The container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The sealing member has a cross-sectional shape or a planar shape that is substantially lemon-shaped, diamond-shaped, or both.

14. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein The one or more sealing members are an adhesive separate from the lid and the container base, or a formed joint (eg, a welded joint) between the lid and the container base, or both.

15. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein The one or more sealing members include a sealing member that secures an operating portion of the cover to a cover reinforcing portion of the one or more flanges.

16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The container base includes a storage portion having a bottom wall and one or more side walls defining the food cavity.

17. The container according to claim 16, wherein The one or more side walls taper away from the bottom wall, such that a width of the food cavity toward the bottom wall is narrower than a width of the food cavity toward the edge.

18. The container according to claim 16 or 17, wherein The one or more side walls are angled with the bottom wall such that the one or more side walls form an angle that is perpendicular or obtuse to the bottom wall.

19. The container according to claim 18, wherein The angle is about 90 degrees or more and about 150 degrees or less.

20. The container according to claim 19, wherein The angle is about 95 degrees or more and about 120 degrees or less.

21. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The height of the container base is determined as the distance from the bottom wall to the edge of one or more side walls, the lid, or both.

22. The container according to claim 21, wherein The height of the container base is about 1 cm or more and about 10 cm or less.

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein The height of the container base is about 2 centimeters or more and about 7 centimeters or less.

24. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A radius of curvature exists where one or more of the side walls join the bottom wall.

25. The container according to claim 24, wherein The radius of curvature is about 1.5 mm or more and about 20 mm or less.

26. The container according to claim 25, wherein The radius of curvature is about 5 mm or more and about 15 mm or less.

27. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The bottom wall of the container base has a cross-sectional or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (eg, pentagonal, hexagonal), the like, or a combination thereof.

28. The container according to claim 27, wherein The bottom wall has a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, the like, or a combination thereof.

29. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more side walls of the container base have a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is substantially complementary to the bottom wall of the container base.

30. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein One or more side walls of the container base have a cross-sectional or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal), the like, or a combination thereof.

31. The container according to claim 30, wherein The one or more sidewalls have a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, the like, or a combination thereof.

32. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A concave bottom is formed on the bottom wall of the container base.

33. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more flanges surround the one or more side walls.

34. The container of claim 33, wherein: The one or more flanges project generally laterally outwardly from the one or more side walls.

35. The container of claim 34, wherein: The one or more flanges protrude from the rim or the one or more side walls.

36. The container of claim 35, wherein: The one or more flanges protrude from an upper surface of the rim or from below an upper surface of the rim.

37. A container according to claim 35 or 36, wherein The one or more flanges are separate from the rim or are part of the rim.

38. A container according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein The one or more flanges surround the entire perimeter of the one or more side walls.

39. A container according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein The one or more flanges are biased toward an edge of the container base, away from a bottom wall of the container base, or both.

40. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more flanges have a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is complementary, similar, and / or dissimilar to a cross-sectional shape or plan shape of one or more sealing members, the bottom wall, the one or more side walls, the cover, or a combination thereof.

41. The container according to claim 40, wherein The one or more flanges have a cross-sectional shape or a plan shape that is not similar to a cross-sectional shape or a plan shape of the sealing member, the bottom wall, the one or more side walls, or a combination thereof.

42. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more flanges include one or more lid strengthening features.

43. The container according to claim 42, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features include a portion of the one or more flanges adhered to the lid (eg, a bottom surface of the lid).

44. A container according to claim 42 or 43, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features are configured to distribute peel forces to the periphery of the lid, toward the sealing member, away from the centerline of the lid, toward the centerline of the lid, the like, or any combination thereof.

45. A container according to any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features are a portion of the one or more flanges, the one or more lid reinforcement features providing an extension that projects further away from the rim than a remainder of the flange.

46. ​​The container of claim 45, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features include a vertically extending portion, a lid contacting portion, or both.

47. A container according to any one of claims 42 to 46, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features are a portion of the one or more flanges that are elevated (eg, closer to the lid and farther from the bottom wall) compared to a remaining portion of the one or more flanges.

48. A container according to any one of claims 42 to 47, wherein The one or more lid reinforcement features are removable flange portions configured to be removed from a remainder of the one or more flanges.

49. The container according to claim 48, wherein The removable flange portion is integral and continuous with the remainder of the one or more flanges.

50. The container according to claim 48 or 49, wherein The removable flange portion is separated from the remainder of the one or more flanges by one or more score lines, perforations, grooves, points of weakness, the like, or any combination thereof.

51. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more flanges have a cross-sectional or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, leaf-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (eg, pentagonal, hexagonal), the like, or combinations thereof.

52. The container of claim 51, wherein The flange has a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, circular with convex corners, the like, or a combination thereof.

53. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one or more flanges have a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that narrows toward a leading edge of the cover, toward a removable flange portion, or a combination thereof.

54. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The container base is constructed from one or more food-grade materials (eg, food-grade plastic).

55. The container of claim 43, wherein: The container base is made of polyethylene terephthalate PET, high-density polyethylene HDPE, low-density polyethylene LDPE, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polypropylene PP, polystyrene PS, polycarbonate, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer EVOH, etc. or a combination thereof.

56. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The lid may be shaped to complement, be similar to, be dissimilar to, and / or completely cover the food cavity of the container base.

57. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The lid does not extend beyond most or all of the flange or flanges of the container.

58. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cover has a cross-sectional shape or plan shape that is complementary, similar and / or dissimilar to a cross-sectional shape or plan shape of the sealing member, the bottom wall, the one or more side walls, the rim, one or more flanges, or a combination thereof.

59. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cover has a cross-sectional or planar shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal (eg, pentagonal, hexagonal), leaf-shaped, the like, or a combination thereof.

60. The container of claim 59, wherein: The cover has a cross-sectional shape or a plan shape that is substantially circular, oval, egg-shaped, teardrop-shaped, circular with convex corners, the like, or a combination thereof.

61. The container of claim 60, wherein: The cover has a cross-sectional shape or a plan shape that narrows toward a leading edge of the cover, toward a removable flange portion, or a combination thereof.

62. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more flanges, the cover, or both have a rounded shape that forms a blunt surface at a leading edge of the cover.

63. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container has no symmetry, or is symmetrical about only one symmetry plane, or is symmetrical about two or more symmetry planes.

64. The container of claim 63, wherein: The container is symmetrical about a longitudinal plane extending through a leading edge of the lid to a trailing edge of the lid and intersecting the lid and the container base.

65. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A hook opening (eg, a removal opening) is located on the cover, one or more flanges, or both.

66. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The container includes one or more keying features.

67. The container of claim 66, wherein: The one or more keying features are configured to facilitate proper placement of the container within the feeding assembly, the container box, or both.

68. The container according to claim 66 or 67, wherein The one or more bonding features are associated with a unique geometry of the exterior of the container.

69. A container according to any one of claims 66 to 68, wherein The one or more keying features are one or more changes in the profile of the container base, the lid, or both, in one or more portions.

70. The container of claim 69, wherein: The one or more keying features include one or more recessed portions, raised portions, protrusions, depressions, flat surfaces, straight edges, etc., or any combination thereof.

71. A container according to any one of claims 66 to 80, wherein The one or more keying features may refer to the overall shape of the one or more flanges, the two-dimensional shape of the one or more flanges, or both (eg, a shape defined by a perimeter).

72. A container according to any one of claims 66 to 80, wherein The one or more keying features are formed in one or more rims, flanges, sidewalls, bottom walls, the cover, or any combination thereof.

73. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container includes one or more alignment features, engagement features, or both.

74. The container of claim 73, wherein: The one or more alignment features are configured to maintain the container in proper alignment during movement with the feeding assembly.

75. The container of claim 73 or 74, wherein: The one or more alignment features include a change in profile of a rim, a flange, a bottom wall, one or more side walls, or any combination thereof.

76. A container according to any one of claims 73 to 75, wherein The one or more alignment features include one or more recesses, protrusions, flat surfaces, flat edges, rounded surfaces, rounded edges, or any combination thereof in a rim, flange, bottom wall, side wall, or a combination thereof.

77. A container according to any one of claims 73 to 76, wherein The one or more engagement features are configured to engage with one or more components of the feeding assembly.

78. A container according to any one of claims 73 to 77, wherein The one or more engagement features are formed in a rim, a flange, a bottom wall, one or more side walls, or a combination thereof.

79. A container according to any one of claims 73 to 78, wherein The one or more engagement features include one or more holes, recesses, grooves, and / or the like.

80. The container of any one of claims 73 to 79, wherein The one or more keying features, alignment features, engagement features, or portions thereof are symmetrical, or mirrored about a plane of symmetry, or both.

81. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: One or more keying features, alignment features, engagement features or portions thereof are near, adjacent and / or located at the leading edge and / or trailing edge of the lid, or at opposite sides of the container defined by a longitudinal plane intersecting the leading edge and / or trailing edge, or at opposite front and rear sides of the container defined by a front plane, or any combination thereof.

82. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container base includes one or more recesses.

83. The container of claim 82, wherein: The one or more recesses are formed in one or more rims, flanges, or both, of the container base.

84. The container according to claim 82 or 83, wherein The one or more recesses are located below the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the cover.

85. A container according to any one of claims 82 to 84, wherein The one or more recesses together with the cover form one or more recess gaps defined as the distance between the recess and the cover.

86. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The container includes one or more identifiers configured to identify one or more parameters associated with the container, the food, or both.

87. The container of claim 86, wherein The identifier includes one or more visual identifiers, signal identifiers, or both.

88. The container of claim 87, wherein The one or more visual identifiers include one or more QR codes, bar codes, color patterns, textures, surface reflectivity patterns, etc. or a combination thereof; and The one or more signal identifiers include one or more radio frequency identification tags RFID, near field communication tags NFC, etc. or a combination thereof.

89. A container according to any one of claims 86 to 88, wherein The one or more parameters include compatibility with a feeding assembly, the type of food in the container, the volume of the food in the container, nutritional values ​​associated with the food in the container, the brand or manufacturer of the food in the container, the date the food in the container was produced and / or packaged, the amount of time the food can be unsealed and exposed to ambient temperature before it begins to spoil, etc., or any combination thereof; and / or The one or more parameters include one or more instructions to access one or more databases to retrieve information about the container or food.

90. The container according to any one of claims 86 to 89, wherein The one or more identifiers are located on and / or in the lid, the container base, or both.

91. The container of any one of claims 86 to 90, wherein The one or more identifiers are located on and / or in an outer surface (eg, upper surface), rim, flange, bottom wall, and / or one or more side walls of the cover, or a combination thereof.

92. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The food is wet food, dry food or both.

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