Food dosing assembly, dosing container and dosing method

Abstract

Title: Food dosing assembly, dosing container and dosing method. Dosing assembly (1) for dosing food comprising N bodies (10, 20, 30) including a base (10), the base (10) including a bottom, and a plurality of annular bodies (20), the N bodies (10, 20, 30) being separably assembled by cooperation of form between said bodies (10, 20, 30) by being stacked along an axis (x), so as to allow the formation of a container (100) for dosing food delimiting a cavity (50) intended to receive food, the container (100) being made up of C stacked bodies, taken from among the N bodies, stacked along the x-axis and separably assembled by cooperation of form between the C stacked bodies, C being any one of the integers between 2 and N, the C stacked bodies including the base whose bottom forms a bottom of the cavity and at least one of the annular bodies (20). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Food dosing assembly, dosing container and dosing method technical field

[0001] The invention relates to food dosing. The invention relates more particularly to the dosing of food for domestic carnivorous animals, especially dogs and cats.

[0002] The vast majority of dogs and cats eat kibble. Indeed, it is an inexpensive, reliable, and convenient food (easy to store, less perishable than wet food, a complete and ready-made diet). However, manufacturing kibble requires at least 20% starch. This starch provides a significant amount of calories. It is primarily converted into fat by the cat. Furthermore, kibble is made by dehydrating meat, fish, vegetables, and starches. Therefore, it has a lower water content compared to unprocessed foods. Thus, the recommended daily volume of kibble is very low compared to a diet of meat, vegetables, and starches, for the same nutritional value. For example, a homemade cat's ration is 250 grams, while it is 50 grams of kibble. To feed their pets, owners, as they do with their own food, rely on the volume of food.When feeding their pet kibble, they instinctively judge that the volume is too small and systematically give more than the dose recommended on the packaging.

[0003] However, given the relatively small weight of most domestic carnivores compared to our own, even a minor error in kibble portioning, if repeated over several weeks or years, has rapid and significant consequences on the animal's body fat. For example, an excess of 50 grams of kibble is equivalent to giving 250 grams of extra homemade food, or twice the recommended daily ration for a cat. It is estimated that between 30 and 60% of dogs and cats in France are overweight or obese. The health problems caused by excess weight are systematic, debilitating, sometimes very serious, costly, and burdensome for owners. The life expectancy of these animals is systematically reduced. This is therefore a major concern for veterinarians in order to preserve the health of their patients.

[0004] Therefore, the kibble must be precisely measured every day and throughout the animal's life. The kibble must therefore most often be measured with a certain degree of precision, to within 5 grams for cats.

[0005] The dose to be given to an animal depends on many parameters (the animal's current weight, its ideal weight, its physical activity, whether the animal is sterilized or not, whether it eats exclusively kibble or other food). Previous art

[0006] Currently there are several rationing techniques.

[0007] One technique involves using a scale. However, this technique is cumbersome on a daily basis and time-consuming.

[0008] The most common technique involves using a measuring cup from the pet food manufacturer, often sold with the bag of kibble. This technique is simple and quick, but prone to many errors. Indeed, a measuring cup is designed for only one brand of kibble.

[0009] There are also measuring cups adapted to different brands of kibble, with different markings for each brand. However, these cups have numerous horizontal markings, each corresponding to a mass p of a specific type of kibble from a given brand. Owners often find it difficult to locate the correct marking and frequently overfill, as they don't take the time to adjust the dose and there is no physical limit to how far they can fill the cup. Furthermore, even with care, there is always an error due to the near impossibility of maintaining a consistent level in a cup based on a horizontal mark only a few millimeters long.

[0010] More recently, automatic programmable dispensers have appeared. They constitute a practical and relatively reliable solution, but their cost is very high, they are bulky and difficult to transport, and they can prove difficult to adjust.

[0011] There is a need for a solution allowing the dosing of a predetermined adjustable quantity of kibble.

[0012] According to one aspect, a dosing set for dosing food is proposed comprising N bodies including a base, the base including a bottom, and a plurality of annular bodies, the N bodies being able to be assembled separably by cooperation of form between said bodies by being stacked along an axis, so as to allow the formation of a container for dosing food, the container delimiting a cavity intended to receive food, the container being made up of C stacked bodies, taken from among the N bodies, stacked according to Tax x and assembled separably by cooperation of form between the C stacked bodies, C being any one of the integers between 2 and N, the C stacked bodies including the base whose bottom forms a bottom of the cavity and at least one of the annular bodies.

[0013] According to one embodiment, one of the N bodies is a cover comprising a hood configured and arranged so that when the stacked C bodies include the hood, the cavity is closed.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each of the N bodies comprises a skirt including a generally cylindrical internal surface surrounding an axis of the body and / or a neck including a generally cylindrical external surface surrounding the axis of the body such that for each pair of a first body and a second body taken from among the C bodies stacked in the container of the container and being assembled in a demountable way by cooperation of form between the first body and the second body, the neck of the first body is received in the volume delimited by the internal surface of the skirt of the second body and the first body and the second body are assembled by cooperation of form between the neck of the first body and the skirt of the second body.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the internal surface of the skirt of the second body includes a first thread and the external surface of the neck of the first body includes a second thread cooperating with the first thread.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the skirt of the second body includes a first rib and the outer surface of the neck of the first body includes a second rib cooperating with the first rib so as to prevent a separation of the first body from the second body along the axis.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the skirt of the second body includes at least one first radial stop and the outer surface of the neck of the first body includes at least one second stop cooperating with the first radial stop so as to block the rotation of the first body relative to the second body at least in one direction around the axis when the first body is in a predetermined relative angular position with respect to the second body around the axis.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cavity is substantially cylindrical with rotational symmetry around the axis.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the annular bodies have an identical shape and dimensions.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the annular bodies are translucent.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a majority of annular bodies exhibiting the same color and at least one ring-shaped marker body exhibiting a second color.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the N bodies are configured so that an external surface of the container radially delimiting the container is substantially cylindrical.

[0023] According to another aspect, a container is proposed formed by assembly by cooperative shape of the C stacked bodies, stacked along the x-axis, the C stacked bodies being taken from the N bodies of the dosing set.

[0024] According to another aspect, a food dosing process comprises the following steps: • Stack the Cl bodies of the dosing assembly, the Cl bodies being without lids so as to form a first stack forming a first container delimiting a first open cavity, Cl being a natural number greater than 1 and less than or equal to N, • Weigh a predetermined mass of food, • Pour the predetermined amount of food into the first container, • Remove, from the first stack, each annular body not filled with food so as to obtain a second container delimiting a second cavity comprising C2 bodies where C2 is a natural number less than or equal to Cl, • Optionally, stack a lid on top of the second stack to obtain a container delimiting a closed cavity.

[0025] The proposed solution makes it possible to create a container whose capacity corresponds to the desired dose, which allows for rapid dosing without risk of exceeding the predefined dose.

[0026] It allows for easy, reliable, fast, precise and repeatable dosing of a predetermined quantity of food, for example kibble.

[0027] This promotes compliance, in the long term, with rationing by animal owners.

[0028] It is compact, easily washable and inexpensive and reusable.

[0029] It also allows for dosing and storing food for several meals, for example of the same day, while ensuring good preservation of the latter.

[0030] The proposed solution can follow an animal by adapting to each stage of its life: growth, adulthood, gestation, senescence, to each type of food and to its possible pathologies. Brief description of the figures

[0031] - Figure [Fig. 1] schematically represents in perspective a a set of bodies, according to a first embodiment, stacked along an axis so as to form a container, - Figure [Fig.2] schematically represents in cross-section along a plane P the container of Figure [Fig.1], - Figure [Fig. 3] schematically represents, more precisely, two annular bodies stacked consecutively along the axis, - Fig. 4 schematically represents in perspective an annular body of the whole of Fig. 1; - Fig. 5 schematically represents in cross-section a container according to another embodiment. Detailed description

[0032] The proposed solution relates to a food dosing set 1 comprising N bodies allowing the formation of a container 100 intended to receive food, an example of which is shown in [Fig. 1]. N is a natural number greater than 1.

[0033] In other words, food is intended to be stored in the container and more particularly in a cavity 100 delimited by the container 50.

[0034] One of the N bodies is a base 10 having a background 1 and several bodies taken from among the N bodies are annular bodies or rings 20.

[0035] In the non-limiting example of [Fig.1], N = 18.

[0036] The N bodies are assembled in a separable manner by cooperation of form between said N bodies 10, 20, 30 by being stacked along an x-axis so as to allow the formation of a dosing container 100, the dosing container 100 delimiting a cavity 50 intended to receive food, by assembly in a separable manner by cooperation of form of C stacked bodies taken from among the N bodies, the C stacked bodies being stacked along the x-axis, where C is any one of the integers between 2 and N.

[0037] In the non-limiting example of Figures 1 and 2, C = N.

[0038] The stacked C bodies comprise the base 10, a bottom 11 of which delimits the cavity 50 transversely to the x axis, and at least one of the annular bodies 20, said at least one annular body 20 surrounding the x axis.

[0039] In the non-limiting example of Figures 1 and 2, the C bodies comprise 16 annular bodies 20.

[0040] Each annular body 20 radially delimits the cavity 50.

[0041] The proposed solution also relates to the food dosing container 100 delimiting the cavity 50 intended to receive food, the container 100 being formed by assembly in a separable way by cooperation of shape of C bodies 10, 20, 30 stacked along the x axis taken from among the N bodies of the set 1, where C is any one of the integers between 2 and N.

[0042] This dosing assembly allows for the simple formation, by cooperation of form, without requiring additional elements, of a dosing container 100 by stacking and assembling C bodies taken from among the N bodies.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the C bodies are assembled solely by cooperation of form between the bodies.

[0044] The size of the dosing container 100, and more specifically its height, is adjustable according to the desired dose of food. This adjustment is made by selecting the number of containers to be stacked to form the container of the desired size. This adjustment is therefore easy and allows for precise, reliable, and reproducible dosing.

[0045] Furthermore, the container is demountable by separating the stacked bodies that form it, which allows it to be easily transported and stored.

[0046] According to one example, as shown in [Fig. 1] and 2, the N bodies 10, 20, 30 comprise a cover 30 including a hood 31 intended to delimit the cavity 50 transversely to the x-axis bodies stacked so that the cavity 50 is closed.

[0047] C is then a natural number between 3 and N.

[0048] The lid 30 allows to form a container 100 delimiting a closed cavity 50. This container protects the food from air and therefore from oxidation, particularly of essential fatty acids. This helps limit the loss of aroma and thus palatability. Furthermore, it protects the kibble from moisture, limiting spoilage. The solution also protects pet food from insects, for example. It is therefore possible to store several portions of food in the container, for example, for a single day, while ensuring proper preservation. The lid also allows for easy transport of the food.

[0049] The cavity 50 extends continuously, along the x-axis, from the first body of the stack, i.e. from the base 10, to the Ciem body of the stack in the direction of the stack along the x-axis.

[0050] The container 100 consists of a stack, in order along the x-axis, of the base 10 then at least one annular body 20 then the possible lid 30 of the assembly 1 of bodies 10, 20, 30.

[0051] The cavity 50 extends continuously along the x-axis from the base 10 to the possible cover 30 or to the annular body furthest from the base 20 along the x-axis, that is to say to the last annular body C stacked along the x-axis.

[0052] In [Fig.2], two bodies have been designated from among the N bodies 20. These two bodies comprise a first body 20a and a second body 20b from the set of C stacked bodies forming the container 50.

[0053] These two bodies 20a and 20b are two bodies stacked consecutively in the stack formed by the stacked C bodies.

[0054] In other words, the first body 20a and the second body 20b are assembled by cooperation of form between the first body 20a and the second body 20b.

[0055] According to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the N bodies 10, 20, 30, as well as the first body 20a and the second body 20b, comprises A skirt 29 comprising a generally cylindrical internal surface 29a surrounding an axis of the body xl and / or a neck 28 comprising a substantially cylindrical external surface 28a surrounding the axis of the body xl, such that for each pair of a first body 20a and a second body 20b taken from among the stacked bodies of the container 100 and assembled in a detachable manner by form cooperation between the first body 20a and the second body 20b, the neck 28 of the first body 20a is received within the volume delimited and radially surrounded by the internal surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b, and the first body 20a and the second body 20b are assembled by form cooperation between the neck 28 of the first body 20a and the skirt 29 of the second body 20b. This configuration allows for easy assembly of the bodies 10, 20, 30 to form the container 100.

[0056] This assembly is permitted or at least partially achieved, for each pair of bodies 20a, 20b of the stack forming the container 100, by inserting the neck 28 of the first body 20a into a volume delimited and surrounded radially by the skirt 29 of the second body 29 as we will describe in the rest of the text.

[0057] This configuration also limits the risk of food stored in the container becoming airborne and food escaping from the container.

[0058] The axis xl of each of the bodies 10, 20, 30 stacked and assembled so as to form the container 100 is substantially coincident with the x axis.

[0059] In the example of figures 1 to 4, each col 28 is annular.

[0060] It delimits and radially surrounds a cylindrical volume VC whose axis of the cylinder is the axis xl of the body.

[0061] By internal surface 28a of the neck 28, we mean the surface of the neck 28 which radially surrounds a free cylindrical volume VC intended to be part of the cavity 50 or forming part of the cavity in the stack.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical volumes VC delimited and surrounded by the internal surfaces 28a of the respective necks 28 have the same shape and the same dimensions perpendicular to the axis xl of each body.

[0063] Each body 10, 20, 30 comprises a main part 11, 21, 31, having a predetermined height hp taken along the axis xl of the body 10, 20, 30, on which, when the body has a neck 28, the neck 28 is axially projecting (i.e. along the axis xl of the body) in a first direction and, when the body has a skirt, on which an annular part of the skirt 29 is axially projecting (i.e. along the axis xl of the body) in a second direction.

[0064] By predetermined height hp, it is understood that the main part 11,21,31 has the same height over the entire circumference of the annular part.

[0065] When the body has a skirt 29 and a collar 28, the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0066] Each annular body 20 comprises a collar 28 and a skirt 29.

[0067] More specifically, each part taken from the main part 21, the collar 28 and the skirt 29 of each annular body 20 is annular.

[0068] Consequently, each annular body 20 comprises a main annular part 21 extending radially from the neck 28 to the skirt 29 and on which the neck 28 is axially projecting (i.e. along the axis xl of the annular body 20) in the first direction, and on which the skirt 29 is axially projecting in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0069] In the example of figures 1 to 4, as seen in [Fig.2], the base 10 comprises a main part 11 including the bottom 1la, and a neck 28. The neck 28 is projecting from the main part 11 along the axis xl of the base 10.

[0070] In the example of the figures, the lid 30 includes a main part 31 contiguous to the neck 28 of the last annular piece 20 of the stack 100 along the x axis so that the main part 31 closes the cavity 50 and the cavity 50 is globally cylindrical.

[0071] The cover 30 also includes a skirt 29 projecting on the main part 31 along the axis xl of the base 31 of the cover 30.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the main annular part 21 of each annular body 20 extends axially, along the axis xl of the corresponding body, the internal surface 28a of the neck 28 so that a surface formed by the internal surface 21i of the main annular part 21 and by the internal surface 28a delimited by the neck 28 is substantially cylindrical.

[0073] By internal surface 21i of the main annular part 21, we mean the surface of the main annular part 21 which radially surrounds a free volume intended to be part of the cavity 50.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the bodies have the following characteristics: - the neck height h28, taken along the axis xl, of the neck 28 of each of the annular bodies 20 or of each of the N bodies 10, 20, 30 is substantially the same, - the skirt height h29, taken along the axis xl, of the skirt 29 of each of the annular bodies 20 or of each of the N bodies 10, 20, 30 is less than or equal to the neck height h28, - the cylindrical volumes VC delimited and surrounded by the cylindrical parts of the respective necks 28 have the same shape and the same dimensions.

[0075] Thus, the annular bodies 20 are configured so that for each pair of a first annular body 20a and a second annular body 20b assembled in a stacked fashion along the x-axis by form cooperation between the neck 28 of the first annular body 20a and the skirt 29 of the second annular body 20b, the main part annular 21 and the neck 28 of the second annular body 20b extend the annular neck 28 of the first annular body 20a along the x-axis so that these two necks and the main annular parts 21 of the two annular bodies 20a, 20b define a substantially cylindrical surface delimiting and radially surrounding a cylindrical portion of the cavity 50 extending continuously, along the x-axis, along the necks 28 and the main parts 21 of each of the first and second annular bodies 20a, 20b.

[0076] In other words, the two bodies 20a, 20b are joined to each other.

[0077] More specifically, the main part 28 of the second body 20b is attached to the neck 28 of the first body 20a.

[0078] This configuration allows for the formation of a cylindrical cavity at least along the annular bodies, thus limiting the risk of food penetrating between the necks of the stacked bodies, which could make separating the parts difficult and be detrimental to precise food dosing. Cleaning the container is also easy and does not require disassembly.

[0079] In the non-limiting example of the figures, the main height hp, taken along the axis xl, of the main part 21 of each of the annular bodies 20 is substantially the same.

[0080] This allows for the easy assembly of any number of annular bodies 20 and easy dosing and easy adjustment of the height of the container.

[0081] Alternatively, the main parts 21 of different annular bodies have distinct respective predetermined heights.

[0082] According to one embodiment, each col 28 defines an internal surface 28a substantially cylindrical with rotational symmetry around the axis of the body xl.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the main annular part 21 and the neck 28 of each annular body 20 delimit and radially surround a first continuous internal volume VI substantially cylindrical with revolution symmetry around the axis xl.

[0084] Alternatively, the internal surface 28a is cylindrical but not rotationally symmetric. For example, it has an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. Various shapes are possible.

[0085] By external surface 29d of the skirt 29, we mean the surface of the skirt 29 radially delimiting the skirt 29 and radially surrounding the internal surface 29a of the skirt.

[0086] By external surface 1, 21e, 31e of the main part 11, 21, 31, we mean the surface of the main part radially delimiting the main part 11, 21, 31 and radially surrounding the possible internal surface 21i of the main part 21.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the main annular part 21 of each body having a skirt extends axially from the external surface 29d radially delimiting the skirt 29 and radially surrounding the internal surface 29a delimited by the skirt 29, so that that a surface formed by the external surface 21e of the main part 21 of the body and by the external surface 29d radially delimiting the skirt 29 of the body is substantially cylindrical.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the skirt height h29, taken along the axis xl, of the skirt 29 of each of the bodies having a skirt 29 is the same and is substantially equal to the neck height 28 so that the external surface formed by the external surfaces 29d of the skirts 29 of each pair of two consecutively stacked bodies and by the external surfaces 21e of the main parts of these two consecutive bodies are substantially cylindrical.

[0089] Thus, the main part 21 of the first body 20a is attached to the skirt 29 of the second part 20b.

[0090] These cylindrical surfaces can be of rotational symmetry or be a cylindrical surface whose cross-section has a different shape.

[0091] Thus, the external surface formed by the skirts and main parts of the container bodies is cylindrical.

[0092] This configuration allows a container in the form of a cup (which can be closed with a possible lid) to be mounted, having a substantially cylindrical external radial surface all along the annular bodies 20. This makes it easier to wash the cup.

[0093] In the non-limiting example of Figures 1 to 4, the main part 31 of the cover 30 is a plate extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis xl of the cover 30 and the main part 11 of the base 10 is a plate extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis xl of the base 10.

[0094] In the example of figures 1 to 4, each of these plates has a disc shape with ears O distributed radially around the axis xl.

[0095] In other words, each of the ears O forms a radial outgrowth on the disc.

[0096] Thus the cylindrical shape of the external surface of the container 100 is not of revolution symmetry.

[0097] In another example, the plates 11,31 are discs. This is the case, for example, when the external surface of the container is cylindrical.

[0098] Other forms are of course conceivable.

[0099] The container 200 of [Fig.5] differs from that of figures 1 to 4 only by the base 211 and by the lid 231.

[0100] In the embodiment of [Fig.5], the lid 231 has a main annular part 21, a neck 128 and a skirt 29.

[0101] The collar 128 differs from the collars 29 of [Fig. 1] in that it comprises an annular portion 128a extended axially away from the main annular portion 21 by a plate 128b intended to close transversely the cavity 250 delimited by the container 200 and intended to receive the food.

[0102] In the example of [Fig.5], the base 211 is identical to the cover 231 or has an identical shape and dimensions.

[0103] Alternatively, the neck height of the lid differs from the neck heights of the other parts. The base 211 then differs from the body only in the neck height.

[0104] Thus, this container delimits a substantially cylindrical cavity. However, unlike the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the external surface of the container, which radially and axially delimits the container, is not completely cylindrical.

[0105] Alternatively, an assembly may be provided comprising the lid of the example in Figures 1 to 4 and the base of the example in [Fig.5] or the base of the example in Figures 1 to 4 and the lid of the example in [Fig.5].

[0106] According to one example, the annular body set 20 comprises at least two annular bodies each having a main part having a length taken along the axis xl, the dimensions of the central parts of the two annular bodies differing only in their length.

[0107] In other words, the set of annular bodies 20 comprises at least two annular bodies differing in dimensions of the principal parts of the two annular bodies which will be defined later. Cooperation in form

[0108] We will now describe more precisely the cooperation of form between the bodies.

[0109] As previously stated, for each pair of a first body 20a and a second body 20b taken from among the stacked C bodies of the container 100 and being assembled in a demountable way by cooperation of form between the first body 20a and the second body 20b, the first body 20a and the second body 20b are assembled by cooperation of form between the neck 28 of the first body 20a and the skirt 29 of the second body 20b.

[0110] According to one example, each pair of a first body 20a and a second body 20b is assembled by cooperation of form between the external radial surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a and the internal radial surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b.

[0111] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, as seen in [Fig.3], the internal surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b includes a first gusset 29b and the external surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a includes a second gusset 28b cooperating with the first gusset 29b so as to prevent a separation of the first body 29a from the second body 29b along the x-axis.

[0112] According to one example, the internal surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b comprises a set of first ribs 29b distributed angularly around the x-axis and the external surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a comprises a set of second ribs 28b distributed angularly with the x-axis so that when the first body and the second body are stacked along the x-axis, these two bodies 20a, 20b are able to be in a first relative angular position in which the first ribs are angularly distant from the second ribs so that the two bodies 20a, 20b are free to move away from each other along the x-axis and a second relative angular position in which the first ribs cooperate with the second ribs so as to prevent a movement of the first body 20a from the second body 20b along the x-axis.

[0113] According to one example, the second relative angular position is the previously cited predetermined relative angular position.

[0114] In other words, in the second relative angular position, each first gadroon is opposite a second gadroon so that the second gadroon forms an axial stop preventing the first body 20a from moving away from the second body 20b along the x-axis.

[0115] Thus, the two bodies 20a, 20b are assembled by rotating one relative to the other around the stacking x-axis. This type of assembly is relatively easy.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the internal surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b and the external surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a are to block the rotation of the first body 20a relative to the second body 20b in at least one direction around the stacking x-axis in the second relative angular position.

[0117] According to one example, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the internal surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b includes at least one first radial stop 29c and the external surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a includes at least one second radial stop 28c1, 28c2 configured and arranged to cooperate with the at least one first stop 29c so as to block the rotation of the first body 20a relative to the second body 20b in at least one direction around the stacking x-axis in the second relative angular position.

[0118] In the non-limiting example of Figures 3 and 4, the inner surface 29a of the skirt 29 of the second body 20b includes a first radial stop 29c and the outer surface 28a of the neck 28 of the first body 20a includes two second radial stops 28c1, 28c2 configured and arranged to cooperate with at least one first stop 29c so as to block the rotation of the first body 20a relative to the second body 20b in at least one direction around the stacking x-axis in the second relative angular position.

[0119] More specifically, the stops are configured and arranged so that the first stop 29c is located radially between the two second stops 28c1, 28c2 in the second relative angular position.

[0120] According to one example, the first stop 29c is radially stopped between the two second stops 28c1, 28c2 in the second relative angular position.

[0121] Alternatively, the rotational locking is achieved within a radial operating clearance between the first stop 29c and each of the two second stops.

[0122] Alternatively, the internal surface of the skirt of the second body includes a first thread and the external surface of the neck of the first body includes a second thread cooperating with the first thread.

[0123] Thus, the two bodies are assembled by rotating one relative to the other around the stacking x-axis, and more precisely by screwing. This type of assembly is relatively easy.

[0124] Alternatively, the surfaces of the skirt of the second body and the external surface of the neck of the first body are configured, in particular dimensioned, so that these bodies can be assembled by force fitting of the neck 28 of the first body 20a into the skirt 29 of the second body 20b.

[0125] To this end, the inner surface of the skirt of the second body and the outer surface of the neck of the first body are substantially complementary. Alternatively, the skirt of the second body and the neck of the first body are configured so that these bodies can be assembled by elastic interlocking the neck 28 of the first body 20a into the skirt 29 of the second body 20b.

[0126] The proposed solution also relates to a food dosing method characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Stack the Cl bodies from the previously described dosing assembly 1, the Cl bodies being without lids so as to form a first stack forming a first container delimiting a first cavity which is opened, • Weigh a predetermined mass of food, • Pour the predetermined amount of food into the first container, • Remove from the first stack each annular body not filled with food so as to obtain a second container delimiting a second cavity comprising C2 bodies where C2 is less than or equal to Cl, • Optionally, stack lid 30 on the second stack to obtain container 100 delimiting the closed cavity 50.

[0127] When the process does not include a lid stacking step 30, the second container is the container and the second cavity is the cavity.

[0128] When the animal's nutritional needs change or need to be adapted to maintain its health, rings can be added (growth, increase physical activity, pregnancy...) or withdrawal (overweight, diet...) thus allowing for pragmatic and reliable dose modulation. Cl and C2 are natural integers.

[0129] The Cl bodies comprise the base 10 and at least one ring body 20.

[0130] According to an example, Cl is equal to N -1.

[0131] Alternatively, Cl is greater than 1 and less than Nl when the field set 1 includes a lid.

[0132] Alternatively, Cl is equal to N or Cl is greater than 1 and less than N when the body assembly is without a cover.

[0133] This dosing method makes it possible to simply ensure that the dosing error of a predetermined food is less than or equal to the mass of this food likely to be contained in the volume delimited by the neck of an annular body.

[0134] According to an example, the diameter of the volume delimited by the necks 28 of the N bodies is between 4 cm and 12 cm.

[0135] For example, this diameter is equal to 5 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm or 10 cm

[0136] According to one example, the neck height h28 of the is between 4 mm and 30 mm, by example between 4 mm and 12 mm.

[0137] For example, this height is equal to 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm, 9mm or 10mm.

[0138] According to an example, the number N of fields in the set is between 5 and 20, for example between 10 and 15.

[0139] For example, each annular body is dimensioned so that the neck 28 of the annular body delimits an internal volume between 10 ml and 50 ml.

[0140] According to one example, each of the bodies 10, 20, 30, or at least the ring bodies 20, is translucent or transparent. By allowing visualization of the food contained in the container, this facilitates the measurement of the food when it is necessary to identify the ring bodies filled with food.

[0141] According to one example, a majority of ring bodies having the same color and at least one reference ring body having a second color.

[0142] For example, a majority of ring bodies are colorless and at least one reference ring body is colored.

[0143] This allows for the assembly of a container storing a dose of food corresponding to several portions intended to be served to an animal in several stages, and for separating the portions two by two by a colored ring. Thus, the user can ensure that they are serving the correct portion by pouring a first portion of food from the container until food remains only up to the ring with the second color furthest from the base, then they can serve a second portion of food until food remains only up to the ring with the second color, which is the second the furthest one and so on down to the base. Depending on the animal and the feeding plan, the container can therefore be filled in the morning with a dose corresponding to the animal's needs over 24 hours for fractional administration.

[0144] According to one example, the bodies are made of plastic.

[0145] For example, they are made of recycled plastic.

Claims

Demands

1. A dosing assembly (1) for dosing food comprising N bodies (10, 20, 30) including a base (10), the base including a bottom (11), and a plurality of ring bodies (20), the N bodies (10, 20, 30) being separably assembled by cooperation of form between said bodies (10, 20, 30), by being stacked along an axis (x), so as to form a container (100) for dosing food delimiting a cavity (50) for receiving food, the container (100) being made up of C stacked bodies, taken from among the N bodies, stacked along the x-axis and separably assembled by cooperation of form between the C stacked bodies, C being any one of the integers from 2 to N, the C stacked bodies comprising the base whose bottom (11) forms a bottom of the cavity (50) and at least one annular bodies (20).

2. Dosing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein one of the N bodies is a lid (30) comprising a hood (31) configured and arranged so that when the stacked C bodies include the hood (31), the cavity (50) is closed.

3. Dosing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the N bodies comprises a skirt (29) including a generally cylindrical internal surface (29a) surrounding an axis of the body (xl) and / or a neck (28) including a generally cylindrical external surface (28a) surrounding the axis of the body (xl) such that for each pair of a first body (20a) and a second body (20b) taken from among the C stacked bodies forming the container (100) and being assembled in a detachable manner by form cooperation between the first body (20a) and the second body (20b), the neck (28) of the first body (20a) is received in the volume delimited by the internal surface (29a) of the skirt (29) of the second body (20b) and the first body (20a) and the second body (20b) are assembled by form cooperation between the neck (28) of the first body (20a) and the skirt (29) of the second body (20b).

4. Dosing assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the skirt of the second body comprises a first thread and the outer surface of the neck of the first body comprises a second thread cooperating with the first thread.

5. Dosing assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inner surface (29a) of the skirt (29) of the second body (20b) comprises a first groove (29b) and the outer surface (28a) of the neck (28) of the first body (20a) comprises a second groove (28b) cooperating with the first groove (29b) so as to prevent a separation of the first body (29a) from the second body (29b) along the axis (x).

6. Dosing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the inner surface (29a) of the skirt (29) of the second body (20b) comprises at least one first radial stop (29c) and the outer surface (28a) of the neck (28) of the first body (20a) comprises at least one second stop (28c) cooperating with the first radial stop (29c) so as to block the rotation of the first body (20a) relative to the second body (20b) at least in one direction around the axis (x) when the first body is in a predetermined relative angular position with respect to the second body around the axis.

7. Dosing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (50) is substantially cylindrical with rotational symmetry about the axis (x).

8. Dosing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular bodies (20) have identical shape and dimensions.

9. Dosing assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring bodies are translucent.

10. Dosage set according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a majority of ring bodies having the same color and at least one marker ring body having a second color.

11. Dosing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bodies (10, 20, 30) are configured such that an external surface of the container radially delimiting the container is substantially cylindrical.

12. Container formed by cooperative assembly of the C bodies stacked along the x-axis, the C bodies stacked being taken from the N bodies of the dosing set (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A food dosing method characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Stack the Cl bodies of the dosing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the Cl bodies being without lids so as to form a first stack forming a first container delimiting a first open cavity, Weigh a predetermined mass of food, Pour the predetermined mass of food into the first container, Remove, from the first stack, each annular body not filled with food so as to obtain a second container delimiting a second cavity comprising C2 body where C2 is less than or equal to Cl, Optionally, stack a lid (30) on the second stack so as to obtain the container (100) delimiting a closed cavity (50).

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