Bag of wet pet food

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bag (4) for a wet pet food hood, the bag (4) being formed by two walls, the two walls being connected to each other over a part (28A) of their outer peripheral part (28), defining a volume for receiving the wet food hood therebetween, the two walls not being connected over another part (28B) of their outer peripheral part (28), this other part (28B) being configured to form a neck (26) for opening the bag (4), the neck (26) being deformable between an open position and a closed position. The walls of the bag (4) are provided on their inner surfaces with one or more internal welds (30) connecting the walls to each other inside the bag (4), the internal welds (30) being connected to each other to form a funnel (32) in fluid communication with the opening neck (26) of the bag (4) inside the bag (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates typically to the field of bags for wet pet food for small pets such as cats or dogs. Wet food includes, but is not limited to, pate food. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a bag for wet food and a device for discharging the food, the bag being installed therein.

[0002] In the field of devices for discharging pet food, food receptacles for controlling access of animals to wet food are known. For example, prior art solutions typically involve equipping an animal (e.g., a cat) with a collar around its neck or a microchip attached via an intradermal chip. The receptacle is equipped, for example, with a movable lid that blocks access to the food when closed. The receptacle comprises electronic control means for opening the lid and chip recognition means (e.g., a detection loop) connected to the control means. In this way, an animal approaching the receptacle with a chip attached controls the opening of the lid and thus controls free access to the wet food. However, a disadvantage of this type of receptacle is that the user has to manually refill it each time the food is discharged. Additionally, wet food oxidizes in about 4 to 8 hours, even if it is protected from the ambient air when removed from its package.

[0003] Accordingly, it is necessary to automatically and repeatedly discharge wet food (such as pate), while meeting the nutritional requirements of the animal, to make it easier for the user to go out due to their job. For this purpose, dispensers that automatically deliver a predetermined dose of wet food are known. For example, Patent No. 9,232,769 (B1) discloses such a wet food dispenser. The dispenser includes a food discharge unit and several bags of wet food arranged on top of the unit. The food discharge unit is provided with a casing, a receptacle arranged at the lower part of the casing, an electromechanical device arranged in the middle part of the casing for supplying food from the bag to the receptacle, and means for controlling the electromechanical device. Each bag is attached to the casing from the top and bottom via top and bottom holding clips provided on the casing. The electromechanical device includes a servo motor with a shaft mounted thereon, which is then connected to a belt / pulley system. The belt is connected to a movable arm via a connector passing through a channel in the casing. Accordingly, the arm with a rotating blade mounted on its free end is driven to translate along the channel by the action of the electric belt / pulley system. During operation, the arm with the blade cuts open one end of the bag of food pre-positioned in the casing, enabling the wet food to be discharged into the receptacle. However, a disadvantage of the food dispenser disclosed in this patent document is that it is necessary to consume the entire bag of wet food for each dose of food discharged. This leads to waste of food and overconsumption by the animal, weakening the autonomy of the device. A further disadvantage of such a dispenser is that it cannot guarantee bacteriological protection and antioxidant protection for wet food. The reason is that when the food container and the opening mechanism, and even the bag itself, remain in contact with air when opened, they themselves carry bacteria and germs, which are sources of bacteriological contamination.

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bag for wet pet food that enables the administration of an accurate amount of wet food suitable for animals and ensures a controlled and stable flow from the bag of wet food.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide a bag for wet pet food that ensures bacteriological and antioxidant protection of the wet food.

[0006] To achieve these objects, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a bag for wet pet food, which is compressed by an assembly for squeezing and / or pressing the bag so as to ensure automatic discharge of at least a part of the contents of the bag, the bag being formed by two walls, the two walls being connected to each other over a part of their outer peripheries, defining a volume therebetween for receiving wet food, the two walls not being connected to each other over another part of the outer peripheries of the two walls so as to form a neck for opening the bag, the neck being deformable between at least one open position and one closed position, the walls of the bag having, on their inner surfaces, one or more internal welds connecting the walls to each other inside the bag, the internal welds being connected to each other so as to form a funnel in fluid communication with the opening neck of the bag inside the bag.

[0007] According to the present invention, - the opening neck is a continuous lip, separable from each other to define an opening of the bag for a part of the contents of the bag to pass through, and forms a sealing barrier when tension is applied to the lip by applying a pulling force to at least one of the parts of the bag positioned laterally to the opening neck; - the neck is configured to exhibit different shaped linear cross-sections for at least two distinct open positions thereof, one of the open positions being referred to as "forced" and corresponding to a circular or substantially circular linear cross-section of the neck when a pushing force is applied to the neck. - The ratio of the width (LG) to the height (HG) of the head part is 1.5 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, and even more preferably equal to 2.5, when the head part allows the wet hood to pass through and is not in a tense state, i.e., not under tension, so as to ensure a uniform flow of the wet hood through the head part.

[0008] Advantageously, the head of the bag disclosed above has the technical feature of ensuring a smooth flow of the contents of the bag during use or utilization by means of the device for discharging the wet hood disclosed above. This avoids, for example, the formation of a wet hood jet that makes it impossible to control the amount of wet hood discharged.

[0009] This bag is also characterized by at least two "stable opening geometries or shapes" for enabling the adjustment of the rheology and / or the number of phases of the wet hood contained in the bag.

[0010] The "stable opening geometry or shape" of the bag head means that when a certain tension is applied to the part of the bag located on the side of the opening head, or conversely, when such tension does not exist, the configuration of the bag head maintains a stable state over time.

[0011] By way of mere illustration, the first, so-called forced opening position of the open position corresponding to the stable opening geometry of the head part corresponds to the position of the said or each block of the wet hood discharge unit intended to be used with this bag, and pushes in the corresponding part of the bag arranged laterally with respect to the head part.

[0012] To apply this pushing force, the corresponding block is moved towards the head part.

[0013] This forced opening position corresponds, for example, to a "fully open" head geometry and also to a circular or substantially circular linear head cross-section, the latter being reached when the position of the said at least one block is closest to the head part.

[0014] According to another illustration, another of these open positions corresponding to the stable opening geometry of the neck is called the normal open position of the bag, corresponds to the position of said or each block, and the corresponding part of the bag is not tensioned by the block arranged laterally with respect to said neck.

[0015] For example, this stable open position corresponds to a neck opening geometry in which the neck has a straight cat's eye cross-section.

[0016] In addition, such a funnel-shaped configuration enables the wet hood to be guided efficiently and fluidly towards the bottom of the bag having a smaller diameter, particularly towards the neck. This ensures a controlled and stable flow from the neck of the wet hood. Additionally, since the neck is deformable between an open position and a closed position, the interior of the neck (and thus of the bag) remains airtight except during the discharge period of the wet hood due to the closure of the neck. The contents of the open bag maintain a state of air shielding and bacteria shielding as the opening area of the neck is minimal, almost always sealed, and there is no residue falling due to gravity. This ensures efficient bacteriological protection and antioxidant protection of the wet hood. Also, the bag according to the present invention has no gasket, stopper, or movable attachment, there is no residue on the outside, there is no suction that sucks air into the inside of the bag, and it should be noted that the hood is either pushed out of the bag or remains protected inside the bag. A certain upright position of the bag also means that the wet hood closes the neck opening and prevents air from entering.

[0017] Advantageously, the neck is configured to selectively open and close by pushing or pulling at least one edge of the bag or a part of the bag positioned laterally with respect to the open neck.

[0018] This pushing or pulling can be carried out, for example, by an electric gripping element of this part of the bag located laterally with respect to the opening neck.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, when the neck allows the passage of the wet hood and is not in a tense state, i.e., not under tension, the ratio of the height (HE) of the funnel to the width (LG) of the neck is greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, the width (LG) of the neck is 1.5 - 5 cm, and the height (HG) of the neck is 0.5 - 3 cm.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, the opening neck is shaped to have a substantially elliptical or eye-shaped straight cross-section in another one of its open positions.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, it is provided with a nipple or a duckbill-shaped valve attached to the neck of the bag.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, each wall is formed from at least two layers and is designed to define a part of the wet hood receiving volume and includes at least one inner sheet made of a hood conforming material and an outermost layer formed from a film that blocks or absorbs UV rays.

[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet hood bag, the wall of the bag is made of a metallic material made of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy, or a plastic material made of polypropylene. The use of such a polypropylene material ensures that the bag can be recycled.

[0025] As an example, the bag is made of a single plastic material such as a thermoplastic, preferably a polyolefin such as polypropylene (PP).

[0026] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet food bag, when the bag is placed flat when empty, it has a substantially rectangular or pointed shape, or a diamond shape at its bottom, and the walls of the bag have at least two internal welds on the inner surface of the wall within the region of the wet food receiving volume, connecting the walls to each other inside the bag.

[0027] Preferably, these internal welds are arranged to form a "V" or "U" shape, and the internal welds are preferably arranged symmetrically around the central longitudinal plane of the bag.

[0028] Advantageously, each of these welds extends from the corresponding side edge of the bag to the neck, leaving a portion of the wet food receiving volume located in the upper part of the bag completely free.

[0029] Optionally, the height h of this free portion, i.e., the portion of the wall within the receiving volume without internal welds, is in that case at least 75% of the height H of the food receiving volume of the bag.

[0030] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet food bag, the bag has two internal welds arranged to form a "V" when placed flat and when the wet food is not filled, the two internal welds having a symmetrical configuration around the central longitudinal plane of the bag, and each internal weld extending in a direction forming an angle with the direction corresponding to the length of the rectangle formed by the bag.

[0031] Preferably, each of the angles is between 25 degrees and 35 degrees, preferably substantially equal to 30 degrees.

[0032] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet food bag, the bag comprises at least two orifices, more preferably at least five orifices, which are located in the upper part of the bag and are intended to engage with fastening elements so as to ensure the suspension of the bag.

[0033] By way of mere illustration, this bag has a substantially rectangular shape when laid flat and when the wet food is not filled, and the bag is provided with four orifices positioned at the four corners of the rectangle formed by the bag.

[0034] Preferably, the shape of each orifice is selected from the group comprising circular, oval, elongated by curving, elliptical, or oblong.

[0035] Advantageously, of the two orifices positioned at the upper corners of the rectangle formed by the bag, one orifice has an oblong shape, the length of the oblong orifice being oriented along the width of the rectangle formed by the bag, and the other orifice has a substantially triangular shape. Thus, such configured orifices facilitate the installation and retention of the bag at the position of the wet food discharge unit of the device for discharging the food.

[0036] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet food bag, each upper orifice positioned at the upper corners of the bag is vertically aligned with a corresponding lower orifice positioned at the lower corners of the bag and has a lateral variation of ±1 cm.

[0037] According to yet another embodiment of the wet pet food bag, it comprises a lateral portion of the neck and the bag located on both sides thereof, and at least two additional orifices are provided on both sides of the open neck.

[0038] Advantageously, each of these portions of the bag located laterally with respect to the head determines its gripping zone, and the lateral dimension or width of the bag is from 2 to 5 cm, more preferably from 3 to 4 cm, and its height is from 1 to 3 cm, more preferably equal to about 1 cm.

[0039] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for discharging a pet food hood, the apparatus comprising a casing including a hood receptacle and a wet food discharge unit, the wet food discharge unit being adapted to receive a removable bag of wet food, the wet food discharge unit being configured to ensure the holding and attachment of the bag, whereby the latter extends at least partially along the main axis, and the bag is provided with a head for opening the bag, the head being deformable at least between an open position and a closed position, provided at the lower part of the bag and arranged facing the hood receptacle when the bag is received in the wet food discharge unit, the wet food discharge unit - an electromechanical device for supplying wet food from the bag to the hood receptacle, - control means for the electromechanical device capable of controlling the delivery of wet food from the bag to the hood receptacle. According to the invention, the electromechanical device - at least one block including a gripping element for holding a portion of the bag disposed laterally with respect to the head, the gripping element being mounted for translational movement along an axis that is lateral or substantially lateral with respect to the main axis, at least one block, a position of the portion of the bag thus held corresponding to the head open position, and a motor for driving the gripping element in a displacement between the position of the portion of the bag thus held corresponding to the head closed position and the position for pulling the portion of the bag thus held, - when the electromechanical device comprises two blocks, the blocks being configured to hold a first portion and a second portion of the bag located laterally with respect to the head and positioned on both sides of the latter, - When the electromechanical device comprises at least one element for holding a second part of the bag that is laterally positioned relative to the head, and a single block for gripping a first part of the bag that is laterally positioned relative to the head, the first and second parts are positioned on both sides of the head. - The block, or the block and the holding element, are configured to enable selective opening and closing of the head, and pulling the first and second parts to a tensioned position ensures a tight closure of the head, thus guaranteeing bacteriological protection and antioxidant protection of the wet hood.

[0040] The present disclosure advantageously enables keeping the same opened bag in the wet hood dispensing unit for a longer time without changing the quality of its contents. Tests have shown that the same bag of 500 grams of wet food (2 nutrients) can be used in the hood dispenser at room temperature for 2 to 5 days after opening. There is no need to store the bag in the refrigerated compartment after opening.

[0041] Preferably, the casing comprises a one-piece die-cast aluminum shell.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the pet food dispensing device, the electromechanical device also comprises an assembly for squeezing and / or pressing the bag, the assembly for squeezing and / or pressing the bag defining a spindle along which the assembly moves to squeeze and / or press at least a part of the bag.

[0043] Preferably, the bag throttle and / or pressing assembly are two parallel electric rollers, each of the rollers being mounted so as to translate along the main shaft within the casing, extending transversely to the main shaft, and being held by squeezing between the rollers when the bag is received within the wet hood discharge unit, whereby the bag is intended to extend between the rollers and the neck of the bag extends below the rollers, comprising parallel electric rollers.

[0044] According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising the pet food discharge device described above and the bag of the wet pet food described above, wherein the bag of the wet pet food is installed within the device and received within the wet pet food discharge unit of the device.

[0045] According to the present invention, the terms "horizontal", "vertical" or "lateral", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "side" are defined with respect to the orientation of the food discharge device. In particular, in the present application, the term "vertical" refers to an orientation perpendicular to the horizontal line, while the term "horizontal" refers to an orientation parallel to the horizontal line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046] The present invention will be described in more detail by way of non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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[0047] FIGS. 1 - 3, 5, and 7 show an assembly 1 including a device 2 for ejecting a pet food 2 and a bag 4 of a wet pet food installed in the device 2. The device 2 is typically designed to eject food for small pets such as cats or dogs.

[0048] The hood discharging device 2 includes a casing 6, and inside the casing, at least one hood receptacle 8A, 8B, a wet hood discharging unit 10, a dry hood discharging unit 12, a scale, a data processing unit, and wireless communication means are arranged (for clarity, the last three elements are not shown). Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 7, 9, and 10, the hood receptacles 8A, 8B are arranged inside a drawer 14 movably mounted inside the casing 6, and the hood discharging device 2 further includes means (not shown for clarity) for controlling the movable drawer 14. Even more preferably, the hood discharging device 2 is connected to the data processing unit and further includes a camera 16 positioned on one side of the casing 6, typically on the front side 18 of the casing 6 (the front side 18 of the casing 6 defined as the side facing the animal when feeding is desired). Even more preferably, the hood discharging device 2 is connected to the data processing unit and further includes a light or acoustic indicator 19 for indicating the operation 2 of the device, positioned on one side of the casing 6, typically on the front side 18 of the casing 6. Even more preferably, the hood discharging device 2 is a loudspeaker (not shown for clarity), connected to the data processing unit and positioned on one side of the casing 6, typically on the front side 18 of the casing 6. Even more preferably, the hood discharging device 2 is connected to the data processing unit and further includes an interface (not shown for clarity) for manually controlling the device 2, positioned on one side of the casing 6, typically on the upper side 20 of the casing 6. The hood discharging device 2 further includes a series of servo motors and sensors, which are not disclosed in more detail herein. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, the casing 6 is preferably equipped with a door 21 pivotally mounted to the casing 6, which provides access to the inside of the casing 6 when opened.

[0049] In certain embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the hood discharge device 2 includes two hood receptacles 8A, 8B, namely, a first receptacle 8A for receiving a wet hood and a second receptacle 8B for receiving a dry hood. The first hood receptacle 8A is disposed opposite the bag 4 of the wet hood. The second hood receptacle 8B is disposed opposite the dry hood discharge unit 12 (the latter is a conventional dry hood discharge unit including a dry hood reservoir and is not disclosed in further detail below). Examples of dry hoods include (but are not limited to) dry kibble.

[0050] Each hood receptacle 8A, 8B is, for example, a removable and replaceable receptacle. The drawer 14 is movably mounted inside the casing 6 between an open position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) where the hood is accessible from the outside of the casing and a closed position (shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 9, and 10) where the hood is inaccessible from the outside of the casing 6. The movable drawer 14 is, for example, clipped to the opening of the casing 6. Thus, the movable drawer 14 can be unclipped from the casing 6 to facilitate cleaning of the entire drawer 14. Control means for the movable drawer 14 can control the opening and closing of the movable drawer 14. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the movable drawer 14 also includes another removable clam-catcher type receptacle 22. Such a "clam-catcher" type receptacle 22 collects residues of the wet hood that can fall from the bag 4 when the movable drawer 14 is in its open position or when the movable drawer 14 is in its translational movement between its open and closed positions. A scale (not shown), such as an electronic device scale connected to a data processing unit, is disposed within the movable drawer 14. Such a scale enables accurate measurement of the weight of each dose of the wet hood discharged (by the difference in weight of the contents of the drawer 14 before and after the drawer is opened) as well as the weight of the wet hood consumed by the animal.

[0051] The wet food dispensing unit 10 comprises an electromechanical device 24 for supplying wet food from the bag 4 to the first hood receptacle 8A, and means (not shown in the figures, but for example connected to or comprising a data processing unit) for controlling the electromechanical device 24. The control means for the electromechanical device 24 can control the delivery of wet food from the bag 4 to the first hood receptacle 8A. Examples of wet food include (but are not limited to) pate food. Preferably, the wet food dispensing unit 10 also comprises means 25 for fixing the upper part of the bag 4 inside the casing 6.

[0052] The bag 4 of the wet pet food is removably attached to the hood dispensing device 2 and received within the wet food dispensing unit 10 of the device 2. More precisely, as can be seen from FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8, the bag 4 of the wet food is held and fixed inside the casing 6, in particular via means 25 for fixing the upper part of the bag 4. The bag 4 is provided with a neck 26 for opening the bag 4, provided at the lower part of the bag 4. The neck 26 is deformable between an open position (shown in FIG. 14) and a closed position (shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 13), and is arranged opposite the first hood receptacle 8A when the bag 4 is received within the wet food dispensing unit 10. The neck 26 is configured to be selectively opened and closed by pushing or pulling at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4.

[0053] According to certain embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5-8, the bag 4 of the wet hood is formed by two walls (in particular, two substantially rectangular walls) that are joined together over a portion 28A of their outer periphery 28, defining a wet hood receiving volume therebetween. As shown in FIG. 6, the two walls are not connected at another portion 28B of their outer periphery 28, and this other portion 28B is configured to form a neck 26 for opening the bag 4. Thus, the neck 26 consists of two lips, each lip forming a separate wall of the bag, the two lips being spaced apart in the open position of the neck 26 (seen in FIG. 14), and the two lips being in contact with each other and extending parallel to each other in the closed position of the neck 26 (seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 13). Preferably, as shown in FIG. 14, the neck 26 has an eye-shaped cross-section in its open position. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the neck 26 has a substantially circular or oval cross-section in its open position.

[0054] The wall of the bag 4 is made of a metallic material made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy, or a plastic material made of polypropylene. The use of such a polypropylene material ensures that the bag 4 can be recycled. The wall of the bag 4 is provided with one or more internal welds 30 on their inner side, connecting the walls to each other inside the bag 4. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the walls of the bag 4 have two internal welds 30 on their inner surfaces, connecting the walls to each other inside the bag 4, and the two internal welds 30 are arranged so as to form a "V" shape when the bag 4 is placed flat and the wet hood is not filled. The two internal welds 30 have a symmetrical configuration around the central longitudinal plane of the bag (such a plane is a vertical plane that extends perpendicular to the extended plane of the rectangle formed by the bag when the hood is empty), and each internal weld 30 extends in directions D1, D2 that form angles a1, a2 with the direction corresponding to the length of the rectangle formed by the bag (this direction is also the vertical direction) when the hood is empty. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the angles a1, a2 is between 25 degrees and 35 degrees, preferably substantially equal to 30 degrees. The internal welds 30 are interconnected to form a funnel 32 inside the bag 4, which is in fluid communication with the neck 26 of the bag 4. Such a funnel shape makes it possible to efficiently and fluidly guide the wet hood towards the bottom of the bag 4, in particular towards the neck 26 having a smaller diameter. This ensures a controlled and stable flow from the neck 26 of the wet hood, regardless of the lowering height of the rollers 36A, 36B (see below) with respect to the bag 4.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the bag 4 of the wet hood is provided with four orifices 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D to enable the bag to be fixed within the wet hood discharge unit 10 inside the casing 6. The four orifices 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D are positioned at the four corners of the rectangle formed by the bag 4 when the bag is laid flat and the hood is empty. Two first "top" orifices 34A, 34B are positioned at the upper corners of the rectangle formed by the bag 4. One of these orifices 34A has an oval shape, and the length of this orifice 34A is oriented along the width of the rectangle formed by the bag 4. The other orifice 34B positioned at the upper corner of the rectangle formed by the bag 4 is substantially triangular in shape. Two further "lower" orifices 34C, 34D, which are typically circular, are positioned at the lower corners of the rectangle formed by the bag 4. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper orifices 34A, 34B are each aligned perpendicularly with the corresponding lower orifices 34C, 34D and have a lateral variation of ±1 cm. The lower orifices 34C, 34D are each spaced apart from the edge of the neck 26 by a distance, for example, of 2.5 cm to 5.5 cm, preferably substantially equal to 4 cm.

[0056] Preferably, as can be seen particularly from FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the bag 4 of the wet hood is provided with a seal 35 at its lower part to protect the neck 26 which projects downwardly below the neck 26. The protective seal 35 hermetically seals the neck 26 before the bag 4 is used and thus prevents any loss of the hood before the bag is positioned within the device 2. FIGS. 7, 8, 13, and 14 show the bag 4 in use within the device 2 (for discharging the wet hood), and the seal 35 is removed beforehand by the user to enable the neck 26 to function. The seal 35 is advantageously scored to facilitate tearing by the user.

[0057] As an example, after the bag 4 is opened and the seal 35 is peeled off, the neck portion 26 has a length of 16 mm to 24 mm, preferably substantially 20 mm. In its closed position, for example, the neck portion 26 has a width equal to 16 mm to 24 mm, preferably substantially 20 mm, and the width is measured in the thickness direction of the bag 4.

[0058] As a further example, when the neck portion 26 has a substantially circular cross-section in its open position, the diameter of the neck portion 26 is, for example, 11 mm to 15 mm, preferably substantially equal to 13 mm.

[0059] The electromechanical device 24 includes means 36A, 36B for squeezing and / or pressing the bag 4, and means 38 for clamping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4. The electromechanical device 24 further includes at least one motor or servo motor 40, for example an electric servo motor 40, connected to the clamping means 38 to enable its operation. Preferably, when the squeezing and / or pressing means 36A, 36B are rollers (see below), the electromechanical device 24 further includes two parts 42 for supporting the rollers 36A, 36B, and a further motor or servo motor (not shown) connected to the rollers 36A, 36B to enable their operation.

[0060] The clamping means 38 is mounted so as to be movable between a position where one edge 27A of the bag 4 is pushed towards the neck portion 26 (the position shown in FIG. 14 corresponding to the open position of the neck portion 26), and a position where the edge 27A of the bag 4 is pulled away from the neck portion 26 (the position corresponding to the closed position of the neck portion 26 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 13). Therefore, the clamping means 38 is configured to selectively open and close the neck portion 26 of the bag 4.

[0061] In the specific embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the clamping means 38 is means for clamping two opposing bottom edges 27A, 27B of the bag 4, and consists of two clamps 38A, 38B. Each clamp 38A, 38B has two leaves, one of which is pivotally mounted (e.g., by a hinge) relative to the other. Each clamp 38A, 38B is configured to clamp one of the lower edges 27A, 27B of the bag 4. Thus, the two clamps 38A, 38B are arranged on both sides of the neck 26 of the bag 4 when the bag 4 is held by the clamps 38A, 38B. At least one of the two clamps 38A, 38B is connected to an electric servo motor 40 (in the example shown in the figure, the first clamp 38A is connected to the electric servo motor 40). Thus, the first clamp 38A is mounted to move horizontally between a position where it pushes the edge 27A of the bag 4 towards the neck 26 and a position where it pulls the edge 27A of the bag 4 away from the neck 26, and the translational movement of the first clamp 38A exists in a plane substantially the same as the extension plane of the bag 4 when the hood is empty. As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 10, and 11, to enable efficient positioning and holding of the bag 4 in the clamps 38A, 38B (the lower orifices 34C, 34D are positioned at the lower edges 27B, 27A of the bag 4 held by the corresponding clamps 38A, 38B), each clamp 38A, 38B is provided with pins 44A, 44B designed to be inserted into one of the lower orifices 34C, 34D of the bag 4, for example, on the inner surface of one of its leaves. Preferably, each clamp 38A, 38B is provided with means 46 for locking the bag 4 in place in the clamps 38A, 38B, and such means 46 is, for example, a latch for locking the leaves of the clamp.

[0062] In certain exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-14, means 36A, 36B comprise two electric parallel rollers for squeezing and / or pressing bag 4. Each roller 36A, 36B extends in a lateral direction (preferably perpendicular) with respect to the vertical direction. Bag 4 extends between rollers 36A, 36B and is held by squeezing between rollers 36A, 36B, and the neck 26 of bag 4 extends below rollers 36A, 36B and faces the first hood receptacle 8A. The two parallel rollers 36A, 36B extend in the same horizontal plane when bag 4 is in the squeezed position. The electrification of the two rollers 36A, 36B is achieved via the following arrangement, shown for example in FIGS. 8-12, i.e., the ends of each roller 36A, 36B are received within two support parts 42, and each support part 42 is mounted to move vertically in translation along a vertical rail 48. The two support parts 42 are connected to each other via a horizontal cross-piece 50 spanning the back of rollers 36A, 36B, and each support part 42 extends in front of the horizontal cross-piece 50. The horizontal cross-piece 50 has a central opening 52 through which the auger 54 can pass. The auger 54 is mechanically connected to the servo motor shaft described above, together with rollers 36A, 36B. The opening 52 is dimensioned to match the diameter of the auger 54 and is threaded such that its internal thread engages the thread of the auger 54. In this way, when the servo motor is actuated, the auger 54 rotates, which in turn causes the assembly including the horizontal cross-bar 50, the support parts 42, and the rollers 36A, 36B to translate vertically, and this vertical translational movement takes place along the vertical rail 48.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12, each support portion 42 includes a first portion 56 for holding one of the two rollers 36A and a second portion 58 for holding the other roller 36B. Each support portion 42 extends in a substantially vertical plane. The first portion 56 of the support portion 42 is configured to form a pivotal connection of the roller 36A it holds. As shown in FIG. 12, the first portion 56 of the component 42 consists of, for example, a circular orifice into which one end of the first roller 36A is inserted. The second portion 58 of the component 42 is provided with an oval-shaped recess 60, which is in the first portion 60A of the recess 60 corresponding to the position where the rollers 36A and 36B approach each other or in the second portion 60B of the recess 60 corresponding to the position where the rollers 36A and 36B move away from each other, in response to the translational movement of the rollers 36A and 36B of the casing 6, and is configured to receive the second roller 36B. Thus, when a downward pressure is applied to the support portion 42, for example, through the action of a servo motor on the auger 54 (for pushing the wet hood below the bag 4), the second roller 36B rises from the second portion 60B of the recess 60 to the first portion 60A of this recess 60. This movement brings the second roller 36B closer to the first roller 36A. In the absence of pressure applied to the support portion 42, the second roller 36B returns to the second portion 60B of the recess 60, separating the rollers 36A and 36B from each other. The first portion 60A and the second portion 60B of the oval-shaped recess 60 are offset from each other vertically and horizontally. The length of the oval recess 60 can advantageously be oriented along an axis D3 inclined with respect to the vertical direction, in particular along an axis D3 forming an angle a3 equal to, for example, substantially 20 degrees, between 15 and 45 degrees with this vertical direction. Each support portion 42 is made of, for example, a plastic material.

[0064] In the specific embodiment shown in the figure, each of the two rollers 36A and 36B is preferably rotatably mounted about the main axis of the extension of each of the two support portions 42. Each of the two rollers 36A and 36B is mounted, for example, to rotate freely around a rod, which is then inserted into each of the two support portions 42.

[0065] The means 36A, 36B for squeezing and / or pressing the bag 4 presses the bag 4 to stepwise lower the wet hood contained in the bag 4 towards the bottom of the bag, thus applying pressure to the neck 26 of the bag 4 to ensure a good and controlled flow of the wet hood when the neck 26 is in its open position. Advantageously, regardless of the position of the rollers 36A, 36B, in order to control the flow of the wet hood and the uniform discharge of the dose, a linear regression method can be implemented in the data processing unit to control the movement (profile, speed, pressure, lowering height, etc.) of the rollers 36A, 36B. Thus, the wet hood discharge unit 10 is provided with at least one sensor (not shown, connected to the data processing unit) for measuring the vertical position of the rollers 36A, 36B. A slight upward and downward movement of the rollers 36A, 36B (over a very short length compared to the total lowering range of the rollers 36A, 36B) can be carried out by the control means after each delivery of a dose of the wet hood. This creates a slight play at the top of the bag 4 to facilitate the subsequent discharge of the wet hood. Means 38 for clamping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4 are used to control the opening and closing of the bag 4. The specific configuration of the wet hood bag 4 (and in particular its deformable neck 26), in combination with the presence of the electromechanical devices 24 of the means 36A, 36B for squeezing and / or pressing the bag 4 and the means 38 for clamping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4, enables the hood discharge device 2 according to the invention to administer an accurate amount of wet hood suitable for animals (in particular to deliver an accurately individualized dose of the hood, typically a dose of wet hood in the range of 10 g to 100 g).

[0066] Therefore, the means 38 for clamping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4 ensures a sealed (airtight) closure of the bag 4 when the device 2 is not being used by an animal (in particular, when no animal is recognized by the data processing unit - see below). As a result, the interior of the neck 26 (and thus of the bag 4) remains airtight except during the discharge period of the wet hood due to the sealing of the neck 26. Thus, the opening area of the neck 26 is minimal, is almost always sealed, has no residues (which would fall by gravity), and is completely enclosed inside the machine (not in contact with pets or insects), so that the contents of the open bag 4 remain in an air-shielded and bacteria-shielded state throughout the discharge process. This ensures efficient bacteriological and antioxidant protection of the wet hood.

[0067] In the particular embodiment shown in the figure, the means 25 for fixing the upper part of the bag 4 inside the casing 6 consists of a jaw mounted inside the casing 6. The jaw 25 extends over substantially the entire width of the rectangle formed by the bag 4 and comprises two leaves, one of which is pivotally mounted relative to the other (for example by a hinge). The jaw 25 is configured to constrict (or clamp) the upper part of the bag 4 over substantially its entire width. The surface of the jaw 25 that contacts the bag 4 is preferably covered by a rubber strip, and such a rubber strip (not visible in the figure) defines, for example, a saw-tooth-like tangle (not shown) to facilitate the constriction of the bag 4 by the jaw 25.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 11, the jaw 25 is provided, for example, on the inner surface of one of its leaves, with two pins 62A, 62B, which are each inserted into two upper orifices 34A, 34B of the bag 4, and are designed to enable efficient positioning and retention of the bag 4 in the jaw 25. For example, the outer leaf of the jaw 25 is provided with two openings corresponding to the shape of the pins 62A, 62B (and the two upper orifices 34A, 34B of the bag 4) to allow these pins 62A, 62B to pass through when the jaw 25 is closed. Preferably, the jaw 25 has means 66 for locking at least one (advantageously, two in the example of the embodiment shown in the figures) bag 4 in place in the jaw 25, and such means 66 is, for example, a latch for locking the leaves of the jaw 25.

[0069] The data processing unit is connected to the control means of the electromechanical device 24 and to the control means of the movable drawer 14. Alternatively, the data processing unit constitutes such control means. The data processing unit is further connected to wireless communication means. The data processing unit comprises memory means for storing a neural network. The neural network has already been trained using training data including data from at least one database containing images of animals (typically, images of cats). In this way, the data processing unit can detect the presence of a predetermined type of animal (e.g., the "cat" type) in front of the hood ejection device 2 (in particular, by means of obesity detection via the camera 16), and thus can initiate the hood supply sequence. Preferably, the data processing unit is configured such that each time the neural network recognizes an animal corresponding to a predetermined type of animal within the field of view of the camera 16, the data processing unit stores a photograph of the animal (taken by the camera 16) in its memory means. Recording such a photograph first makes it possible to inform the pet owner that the pet has been recognized by the device 2 and thus that the device 2 has triggered the ejection of the hood. In a second stage, anonymized photographs of the animal can be used to supply training data to the neural network.

[0070] The data processing unit is implemented, for example, in the form of a microcontroller or a printed circuit board (PCB) with integrated firmware. The firmware comprises, for example, an artificial intelligence module for storing the neural network.

[0071] The wireless communication means of device 2 can communicate with a (fixed or mobile) communication device and / or a remote server, and in particular, enable the setting of the hood dosage, the manual operation of the hood discharge, the reporting of various parameters, and the monitoring of parameters. Therefore, the wireless communication means of device 2 is configured to transmit and / or receive data to and / or from a mobile communication device and / or a remote server through a wireless network. The communication device is, for example, (but not limited to) a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer, and a dedicated web application for enabling the remote control of device 2 and the use of various parameter setting functions, reporting functions, and parameter monitoring functions is installed on them.

[0072] The camera 16 is configured to capture an image in front of the casing 6. Preferably, the camera 16 is an infrared camera. The infrared camera 16 is configured to provide a field of view of, for example, substantially 120 degrees.

[0073] The method of operating the hood discharge device 2 according to the present invention and in particular the method of discharging the wet hood, which is carried out by the wet hood discharge unit 10 of the device 2, will be described below. First, the user of the device 2 installs the bag 4 of the wet hood into the wet hood discharge unit 10 such that the neck 26 of the bag 4 extends opposite the first hood receptacle 8A. To do so, the user opens the door 21 of the casing 6, opens the clamps 38A, 38B, and the jaws 25, inserts the bag 4 between the rollers 36A, 36B from the bottom to the top, and then adjusts the bag 4 so that the pins 44A, 44B are inserted into the lower orifices 34C, 34D and the pins 62A, 62B are inserted into the upper orifices 34A, 34B. The user then closes the clamps 38A, 38B and the jaws 25, locks the latches 46, 66, and peels the seal 35 from the bag 4. As shown in FIG. 13, the neck 26 of the bag 4 is in its closed position and the means 38 for gripping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4 is in a position to pull the edge 27A away from the neck 26. The user then closes the door 21. First, the drawer 14 is in its closed position (shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 9, and 10).

[0074] The method of discharging the wet hood includes subsequent steps including activating control means of the electromechanical device 24 to control the discharge of the wet hood from the bag 4 to the first hood receptacle 8A. The activation of this control means is carried out manually, for example, by the user (via the manual control interface of the device 2 or remotely via the user's mobile communication device), or automatically by the data processing unit after an animal corresponding to a predetermined type of animal (e.g., a cat) is recognized by the neural network as being within the field of view of the camera 16. In the latter case, the data processing unit stores a photograph of the animal (taken by the camera 16) in its memory means.

[0075] The operation of the control means of the electromechanical device 24 moves the means 36A, 36B for wringing and / or pressing the bag 4 and the means 38 for clamping at least one edge 27A, 27B of the bag 4. In particular, at least one of the two clamps 38A, 38B (in this case, the first clamp 38A in the example shown in the figure) moves horizontally between a position (shown in FIG. 13) where the edge 27A of the bag 4 is pulled away from the neck 26 and a position (shown in FIG. 14) where the edge 27A of the bag 4 is pushed towards the neck 26. This movement of the first clamp 38A deforms the neck 26 from its closed position to its open position. Then, the two rollers 36A, 36B descend vertically inside the casing 6 at a vertical descent pitch. The descent length of the rollers 36A, 36B at this vertical descent pitch is predetermined (for example, through the implementation of a linear regression method within a data processing unit) and corresponds to the discharge of a predetermined dose of wet hood to the first hood receptacle 8A. Therefore, it should be noted that the descent length of the rollers 36A, 36B due to this vertical descent pitch can vary according to the vertical position of the rollers 36A, 36B within the casing 6.

[0076] When a predetermined dose of wet food is discharged into the first food container 8A (i.e., when the rollers 36A, 36B complete their vertical downward movement according to their vertical movement pitch), at least one of the two clamps 38A, 38B (in this case, the first clamp 38A in the example of the embodiment shown in the figure) moves horizontally between a position where it pushes the edge 27A of the bag 4 towards the neck 26 (shown in FIG. 14) and a position where it pulls the edge 27A of the bag 4 away from the neck 26 (shown in FIG. 13). This movement of the first clamp 38A deforms the neck 26 from its open position to its closed position. Additionally, the data processing unit activates the control means of the movable drawer 14 and then controls the movement of the movable drawer 14 towards its open position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). Then, the animal can access the discharged dose of wet food. In an embodiment of the present invention that automatically recognizes the presence of an animal within the field of view of the camera 16, therefore, each dose of wet food is extracted from the bag 4 only when an animal corresponding to a predetermined type of animal (e.g., a cat) appears in front of the device 2. If the animal does not eat all of its dose of wet food, the movable drawer 14 closes and the discharged wet food remains protected from oxidation and contamination.

[0077] In the context of the method steps detailed above, the discharge of dry food via the device 2 has not been discussed, but such discharge will, of course, subsequently activate the dry food discharge unit 12 via manual control by the user and / or via detection of the animal by the neural network to deliver a dose of dry food.

[0078] FIG. 15 shows a bag 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] This bag 50 has the following parameters. - HU is the "effective height" of the bag, corresponding to the height of the receptacle and measured between the bottom of the top weld of the bag and the top of the neck after the tab is opened. -HL is the free height of the receptacle and is measured between the bottom of the top weld of the bag and the starting point of the internal weld extending away from the side edge. -HE is the height of the funnel and is measured between the starting point of the internal weld extending from the side edge of the bag and the bottom of the neck after it is opened. -LG is the width of the neck and is measured in a plane flush with the closed bag. This is a width, not a diameter. -HG is the height of the neck and is measured between the height at which the internal weld is parallel to the edge of the bag and the bottom of the neck after it is opened. -LBS is the width of the welded strip.

[0080] The bag 50 of this wet pet hood preferably has values within the following ranges. -LG is 1.5 to 5 cm. -HG is 0.5 to 3 cm. The ratio of -LG to -HG is 1.5 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, and even more preferably equal to 2.5. The ratio of -HE to -LG is greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.

[0081] Advantageously, such values regarding the structure of the bag of the wet pet hood are found to ensure a uniform discharge of the wet hood contained within the bag when the latter is used with the hood discharge device of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wet pet food bag (4) is intended to be compressed by an assembly for squeezing and / or pressing the bag to ensure the automatic release of at least a portion of the contents of the bag, the bag (4) is formed by two walls, the two walls are connected to each other over a portion (28A) of their outer periphery (28), defining a volume between them for receiving wet food, and the two walls form an open neck (26) for opening the bag (4). Therefore, the two walls are not connected to each other across another portion (28B) of the outer periphery (28), the neck (26) is deformable between at least one open position and one closed position, the walls of the bag (4) have one or more internal welds (30) on their inner surfaces that connect the walls to each other inside the bag (4), and the internal welds (30) are connected to each other to form a funnel (32) inside the bag (4) that is in fluid communication with the open neck (26) of the bag (4), The neck portion (26) is a continuous lip that is separable from each other to define an opening in the bag through which a portion of the contents of the bag can pass, and comprises a continuous lip that forms a sealing barrier when tension is applied to the continuous lip by applying a pulling force to at least one of the portions of the bag positioned laterally on the open neck portion (26). - The neck portion (26) is configured to show different shapes of straight cross-sections for at least two distinct open positions, one of which is referred to as “forced” and corresponds to a circular or substantially circular straight cross-section of the neck portion (26) when a pressing force is applied to it, and A wet pet food bag (4) characterized in that, in order to ensure a uniform flow of the wet food through the neck, the ratio of the width (LG) to the height (HG) of the neck when the neck allows the wet food to pass through and when it is not under tension is 1.5 to 10, preferably 2 to 4, and more preferably equal to 2.

5.

2. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the neck allows the wet food to pass through and is not under tension, i.e., when not under tension, the ratio of the height (HE) of the funnel to the width (LG) of the neck is greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.

3. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the width (LG) of the neck portion is 1.5 to 5 cm and the height (HG) of the neck portion is 0.5 to 3 cm.

4. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the open neck portion (26) is molded to have a substantially elliptical or eye-shaped straight cross-section in another of its open positions.

5. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a valve in the shape of a nipple or a duck's beak attached to the neck of the bag (4).

6. A wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that each wall comprises at least one inner sheet formed from a food-compatible material and designed to define a portion of the wet food receptor product, and an outermost layer formed from a film that blocks or absorbs UV rays.

7. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the bag (4) is laid flat when empty, it has a substantially rectangular or pointed shape at its lower end, and the walls of the bag are provided with at least two internal welds (30) on the inner surface of the walls within a volume region for receiving the wet food, connecting the walls to each other inside the bag (4).

8. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the internal welded portion (30) is arranged to form a "V" shape or a "U" shape, and preferably the internal welded portion (30) is arranged symmetrically around the central longitudinal plane of the bag (4).

9. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the internal welds extends from the corresponding side edge of the bag to the neck, leaving the portion of the volume for receiving the wet food located in the upper part of the bag completely free.

10. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that the height h of the free portion, i.e., the portion of the wall within the receiving volume that does not have internal welds, is equal to at least 75% of the height H of the volume of the bag for receiving the wet food.

11. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two orifices (34A, 34B), more preferably at least five orifices, located in the upper part of the bag and intended to engage with fastening elements to secure the suspension of the bag.

12. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that the shape of each orifice (34A, 34B) is selected from the group including circular, oval, elongated by curving, elliptical, or oblong.

13. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 11, comprising bag portions located laterally to the neck portion and on both sides thereof, and provided with at least two additional orifices (34C, 34D) located on both sides of the neck portion (36).

14. The wet pet food bag (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the parts of the bag located laterally with respect to the neck portion determines its gripping zone, and its lateral dimension or width relative to the bag is 2 to 5 cm, more preferably 3 to 4 cm, and its height is 1 to 3 cm, more preferably equal to about 1 cm.

15. A device (2) for dispensing pet food, comprising a casing (6) including a food receptacle (8A) and a wet food dispensing unit (10), wherein the wet food dispensing unit (10) is adapted to receive a removable bag (4) of wet food, and the wet food dispensing unit (10) is configured to ensure the holding and attachment of the bag (4), so that the latter extends at least partially along the main axis, and the bag is provided with a neck (26) for opening the bag (4), the neck (26) is deformable at least between an open position and a closed position, is provided on the lower portion of the bag (4), and is positioned facing the food receptacle (8A) when the bag (4) is received in the wet food dispensing unit (10), and the wet food dispensing unit (10) is, - An electromechanical device (24) for supplying wet food from the bag (4) to the food receptacle (8A), - Includes control means for the electromechanical device (24) that can control the delivery of wet food from the bag (4) to the food receptacle (8A), The aforementioned electromechanical device (24) - A block comprising at least one gripping element for holding a portion of the bag disposed laterally relative to the neck, wherein the gripping element is mounted for translational motion along an axis that is lateral or substantially lateral relative to the main axis, and a motor for driving the gripping element in a displacement between a position for pulling the portion of the bag thus held, corresponding to the neck open position, and a position for pulling the portion of the bag thus held, corresponding to the neck closed position. - If the electromechanical device (24) comprises two blocks, the blocks are configured to hold a first portion and a second portion of the bag located laterally with respect to the neck portion, and are positioned on both sides of the latter portion. - If the electromechanical device (24) includes a single block for gripping the first portion of the bag located laterally to the neck, it includes at least one element for holding the second portion of the bag located laterally to the neck, the first and second portions being positioned on both sides of the neck, and Apparatus (2), characterized in that the block, or the block and at least one retaining element, is configured to allow selective opening and closing of the neck, and tensioning the first and second portions to a pulled position ensures a tight closure of the neck, thus ensuring bacteriological and antioxidant protection of the wet food.

16. The apparatus (2) according to claim 15, wherein the electromechanical apparatus (24) also comprises an assembly (36A, 36B) for squeezing and / or pressing the bag (4), the assembly (36A, 36B) for squeezing and / or pressing the bag moves along to define a spindle for squeezing and / or pressing at least a portion of the bag.

17. An assembly (1) comprising a pet food dispensing device (2) and a wet pet food bag (4) installed inside the device (2), wherein the pet food dispensing device (2) is as described in claim 15 or 16, the wet pet food bag (4) is as described in claim 1, and the wet pet food bag (4) is received inside the wet food dispensing unit (10) of the device (2).

Images