Small animal dishes

Abstract

To provide a small animal food bowl which hardly damages a slide part and a rail member.SOLUTION: An animal food bowl 1 includes a container 2 having an opening on an upper side, a slide member 3 detachably attached to the container 2, and a fixing member 4 for fixing the slide member 3 to a cage C1 for rearing a small animal. The container 2 includes a container body 21 and a rail member 22 which is arranged on a back wall 212 of the container body 21, and where the slide member 3 is attached and detached. A length dimension L1 of the rail member 22 is substantially the same as or longer than a height dimension H2 of the back wall 212. The slide member 3 includes a slide part 31 engaging the rail member 22. The slide part 31 engages to a range of equal to or more than 50% of the length of the rail member 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food bowl for small animals. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a small animal tableware comprising a container with an opening on the top side, a sliding member detachably attached to the container, and a fixing member for fixing the sliding member to a cage the small animal is kept in. The container is provided with a rail member for sliding the sliding member, and the sliding member is provided with a sliding portion that engages with the rail member.

[0003] However, the length of the rail member is much smaller than the height of the rear wall of the container, which reduces the engagement length between the rail member and the slide part, and there is a risk that the rail member or the slide part may be damaged if a small animal gets on the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-24335 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a small animal food bowl in which the slide portion and rail member are less likely to be damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The small animal food bowl comprises a container having an opening on the top, a sliding member that can be attached and detached to the container, and a fixing member for fixing the sliding member to a cage in which the small animal is kept. The container comprises a container body and a rail member that is arranged on the rear wall of the container body and to which the sliding member can be attached and detached, the length dimension of the rail member being substantially the same as or greater than the height dimension of the rear wall, and the sliding member having a sliding portion that engages with the rail member, the sliding portion engaging with at least 50% of the length of the rail member.

[0007] With this configuration, the engagement length between the slide portion and the rail member can be ensured, thereby increasing the strength of the slide portion and the rail member and making them less susceptible to breakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container for small animals according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the food bowl for small animals according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the food bowl for small animals according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view showing only the spacer of the small animal food bowl according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the spacer in this embodiment is attached and fixed to the cage. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the spacer in this embodiment is attached and fixed to the cage. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method for attaching a container to a sliding member in this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the food container for small animals according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of the food bowl for small animals according to the same embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] The tableware for small animals according to embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Note that in each figure (as well as Figures 10 to 12), the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios, and the dimensional ratios between the drawings do not necessarily match either.

[0010] 1, the small animal tableware 1 according to this embodiment is a tableware for feeding small animals. Examples of small animals include rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, but the tableware is not limited to any particular animal.

[0011] The cage C1 to which the small animal food dish 1 is fixed is, for example, a cage formed in a mesh shape by combining multiple metal wires. The cage C1 may also be a cage formed from a resin plate (for example, an acrylic plate) with multiple through holes.

[0012] The cage C1 may be provided with an obstacle C11 (see FIG. 7) that becomes an obstacle when attaching the small animal food dish 1 to the cage C1. The obstacle C11 is disposed, for example, at a height of about 100 mm from the bottom end surface of the cage C1. The thickness of the obstacle C11 is, for example, 20 mm. The obstacle C11 may be a guard member that prevents small animal waste from flying out of the cage C1.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the small animal dish 1 comprises a container 2 with an opening on the top, a sliding member 3 detachably attached to the container 2, and a fixing member 4 for fixing the sliding member 3 to the side wall of a cage C1 in which the small animal is kept. The small animal dish 1 is made of resin, but is not limited to this. For example, the small animal dish 1 may be made of wood, metal, or the like.

[0014] The container 2 includes a container body 21 having an opening on the upper side, and a rail member 22 to which the slide member 3 can be attached / detached. The container body 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view (see FIG. 4). The front wall 211 of the container body 21 has a shape that slopes forward (for example, a curved shape) in a side view. The height dimension H1 of the front wall 211 of the container body 21 is smaller than the height dimension H2 of the rear wall 212 of the container 2. This makes it easier for the pet to eat the food in the container 2 from the front wall 211 side. Note that the container body 21 is not limited to the above.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rail member 22 is disposed on the rear wall 212 of the container body 21. The rear surface of the rail member 22 is substantially flush with the rear surface of the container body 21 (rear wall 212). This allows the gap between the container body 21 and the cage C1 to be small when the small animal food dish 1 is attached to the cage C1. "Substantially flush" does not only mean that the respective planes are on the same plane, but also includes a step of 2 mm or less and an angular misalignment of 5 degrees or less. In this embodiment, the rail member 22 is disposed in the horizontal center of the rear wall 212, but is not limited to this.

[0016] The rail member 22 extends upward from the underside of the container body 21. With this configuration, the underside of the container 2 can also be supported by the slide member 3. This makes it possible to suppress shaking of the container 2 when the small animals are eating food, etc.

[0017] The vertical length dimension L1 of the rail member 22 (rail portion 222 described below) is substantially the same as or greater than the height dimension H2 of the rear wall 212 of the container body 21. "Substantially the same" does not simply mean that the dimensions are the same, but also includes a dimensional difference of 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the length dimension L1 is greater than the height dimension H2. That is, the rail member 22 protrudes upward beyond the rear wall 212. This ensures the length dimension L1 of the rail member 22. Furthermore, by having the rail member 22 protrude beyond the rear wall 212, increases in material costs and weight of the container 2 can be reduced compared to when the height dimension H2 of the rear wall 212 is substantially the same as the length dimension L1 of the rail member 22.

[0018] The rail member 22 includes a base portion 221 and a rail portion 222 that is supported by the base portion 221 and is engageable with the slide member 3. In this embodiment, the base portion 221 is formed in a substantially U-shape in a plan view. The front surface of the base portion 221 is disposed forward of the front surface of the rear wall 212, and the rear portion of the base portion 221 is connected to the rear wall 212. The rail portion 222 is formed in a substantially T-shape in a plan view. The front portion of the rail portion 222 is connected to the base portion 221, and the rear surface of the rail portion 222 is substantially flush with the rear surface of the rear wall 212. Note that the base portion 221 and the rail portion 222 are not limited to those described above.

[0019] The length dimension L1 of the rail portion 222 is substantially the same as the length dimension of the base portion 221, but is not limited to this. For example, the length dimension L1 of the rail portion 222 may be shorter than the length dimension of the base portion 221.

[0020] The slide member 3 includes a slide portion 31 that engages with the rail member 22 (rail portion 222), a stopper portion 32 that prevents the rail portion 222 from moving downward from the slide portion 31, a fixed portion 33 that is fixed by the fixing member 4, and a connection portion 34 that connects the slide portion 31 and the fixed portion 33. The stopper portion 32 is disposed at the lower end of the slide portion 31.

[0021] The slide portion 31 extends in the vertical direction. The slide portion 31 engages with 50% or more of the length L1 of the rail member 22 (rail portion 222). In this embodiment, the slide portion 31 is formed in a substantially C-shape in plan view, and engages with 80% or more of the length L1 of the rail member 22 (rail portion 222). This increases the strength of the rail member 22 and the slide portion 31. It also prevents the slide portion 31 from being disengaged from the rail member 22 due to mischief by small animals, etc. The slide portion 31 is not limited to the above.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the small animal food container 1 with the fixing member 4 omitted. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the fixed portion 33 is disposed above the sliding portion 31. In this embodiment, the fixed portion 33 is disposed above the rear wall 212 of the container body 21 when the sliding member 3 is attached to the container 2. The fixed portion 33 includes an abutting portion 331 that abuts against the cage C1 or a spacer 5 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, when fixed to the cage C1, and a male screw 332 that protrudes rearward from the abutting portion 331. Note that the fixed portion 33 is not limited to the above.

[0023] The abutting portion 331 is formed in a flat plate shape and is located behind the sliding portion 31 (for example, 10 mm behind). This allows the sliding member 3 to be fixed to the cage C1 with the obstacle C11 sandwiched between them, even if a thin obstacle C11 (see FIG. 7) is present between the cage C1 and the sliding portion 31. As a result, there is no need to fix the sliding member 3 to the cage C1 while avoiding the obstacle C11, and the small animal dish 1 can be placed in an appropriate position. The abutting portion 331 is substantially parallel to the rear wall 212 of the container body 21 when fixed to the cage C1. "Substantially parallel" does not necessarily mean "parallel," but also includes an angle of 5 degrees or less.

[0024] The length of the male screw 332 is preferably 20 mm to 40 mm. By making the length of the male screw 332 20 mm or more, it is possible to fix the male screw 332 to the cage C1 by sandwiching a spacer 5 (see FIG. 7). By making the length of the male screw 332 40 mm or less, it is possible to reduce the amount of the male screw 332 protruding from the cage C1.

[0025] The male screw 332 has a groove 332a extending along the length of the male screw 332 (from the rear end of the male screw 332 toward the abutment portion 331). In this embodiment, the groove 332a extends from the rear end of the male screw 332 to the vicinity of the abutment portion 331. The groove 332a is formed in a cross shape when viewed from the rear. By providing the groove 332a, in a cage C1 formed of wire, a wire extending horizontally and / or a wire extending vertically can be fitted into the groove 332a to fix the slide member 3 to the cage C1. Note that the groove 332a is not limited to the above. For example, the groove 332a may be a substantially I-shaped groove extending horizontally or vertically.

[0026] 3, the rail member 22 includes a first disengagement prevention portion 223 for preventing disengagement with the slide portion 31, and the slide member 3 includes a second disengagement prevention portion 35 that fits into the first disengagement prevention portion 223. In this embodiment, the first disengagement prevention portion 223 is a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the rail portion 222, and the second disengagement prevention portion 35 is a through hole into which the first disengagement prevention portion 223 is fitted. The second disengagement prevention portion 35 is disposed on the slide portion 31.

[0027] It should be noted that the first disengagement prevention portion 223 and the second disengagement prevention portion 35 are not limited to the above. For example, the first disengagement prevention portion 223 may be a through hole, and the second disengagement prevention portion 35 may be a protrusion that fits into the first disengagement prevention portion 223.

[0028] 1 and 3, the fixing member 4 fixes the sliding member 3 to the cage C1 above the rear wall 212 of the container body 21. In this embodiment, the fixing member 4 fixes the sliding member 3 to the cage C1 from outside the cage C1. The fixing member 4 is formed in a substantially low-profile cylindrical shape, and a female screw 41 is provided in a through-hole that passes through the fixing member 4. However, the fixing member 4 is not limited to the above.

[0029] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the small animal dish 1 is provided with a spacer 5 that can be placed between the sliding member 3 and the fixed member 4. The thickness dimension (length dimension in the front-to-rear direction) of the spacer 5 is smaller than the length dimension of the male screw 332. The thickness dimension of the spacer 5 is set appropriately depending on the thickness dimension of the obstacle C11, etc. The spacer 5 is not limited to the small animal dish 1, and can be used for small animal daily necessities that can be attached to the cage C1, such as a small animal litter box or a small animal drinking fountain.

[0030] In this embodiment, the spacer 5 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from behind and is disposed between the sliding member 3 and the cage C1, but is not limited to this. For example, the spacer 5 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may be disposed between the cage C1 and the fixed member 4 (see FIG. 8).

[0031] The spacer 5 has an insertion hole 51 through which the male screw 332 can be inserted. The insertion hole 51 is a circular through-hole that passes through the spacer 5. By providing the insertion hole 51, the male screw 332 can be inserted into the insertion hole 51 to attach the spacer 5. This makes it easy to attach the spacer 5.

[0032] In this embodiment, the spacer 5 has a fitting portion 52 that can be fitted into the groove 332a, and the fitting portion 52 is disposed in the insertion hole 51. In this embodiment, the fitting portion 52 is formed in a substantially cross shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the fitting portion 52 may be formed in a substantially I-shape. Note that the spacer 5 may not have the fitting portion 52.

[0033] 9, the container 2 can be attached to the slide member 3 by engaging the rail member 22 with the slide portion 31 from above the slide member 3. The cage C1 and the slide member 3 may be fixed together either after the container 2 is attached to the slide member 3 or before the container 2 is attached to the slide member 3.

[0034] [Embodiment 2] Next, the small animal tableware according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Description of the same configuration as the small animal tableware according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0035] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the small animal food bowl 1 according to this embodiment can hold linear food in the container 2. Examples of linear food include dry grass, raw grass, rice straw, and raw vegetables.

[0036] The container 2 includes a mesh portion 23 slidably attached to the container body 21. In this embodiment, the mesh portion 23 is formed by combining multiple metal wires and is formed in a shape that curves rearward in a side view. By making the mesh portion 23 curved, the opening of the container 2 can be narrowed upward. This makes it possible to prevent other linear bait from flying out from the top of the container 2 at the same time as the pulled linear bait when a small animal pulls it. The mesh portion 23 is located on the front side of the container body 21. The shape and size of the mesh of the mesh portion 23 are set appropriately depending on the type of small animal and linear bait. For example, the mesh portion 23 may be made of resin, wood, or the like.

[0037] The upper end of the front wall 211 of the container body 21 is positioned lower than the upper end of the net portion 23. In this embodiment, the height dimension H2 of the rear wall 212 of the container body 21 is substantially the same as the length dimension L1 of the rail member 22 (rail portion 222). The lower portion of the rear wall 212 is inclined downward and forward. With this configuration, the linear bait at the bottom of the container body 21 can slide forward along the rear wall 212. This makes it easier for small animals to eat the linear bait accumulated at the bottom of the container body 21.

[0038] The container body 21 includes a pair of grooves 214, 214 for attaching the mesh part 23, and a mesh fixing part 215 for fixing the mesh part 23. The grooves 214 are arranged on both side walls 213, 213 of the container body 21. The grooves 214 open at the upper end of the side walls 213 and extend to the lower sides of the side walls 213. The shape of the grooves 214 is set appropriately depending on the shape of the mesh part 23.

[0039] The net fixing part 215 is formed in a hook shape and is disposed at the bottom of the container body 21. The net part 23 has a protruding part 231 that protrudes downward. This allows the net part 23 to be fixed to the container body 21 by fitting the protruding part 231 into the hook-shaped net fixing part 215. Note that the container body 21 and the net part 23 are not limited to those described above.

[0040] When the slide member 3 is attached to the container 2, the upper end surface of the abutment portion 331 is substantially flush with the upper end surface of the rear wall 212 of the container body 21, and the male screw 332 is positioned below the upper end surface of the rear wall 212.

[0041] As described above, the small animal food bowl 1 of this embodiment comprises a container 2 having an opening on the upper side, a slide member 3 that is removably attached to the container 2, and a fixing member 4 for fixing the slide member 3 to a cage C1 in which a small animal is kept; the container 2 comprises a container body 21 and a rail member 22 that is arranged on the rear wall 212 of the container body 21 and to which the slide member 3 can be removably attached; the length dimension L1 of the rail member 22 is substantially the same as or greater than the height dimension H2 of the rear wall 212; the slide member 3 comprises a slide portion 31 that engages with the rail member 22; and the slide portion 31 engages with 50% or more of the length of the rail member 22.

[0042] This configuration ensures a sufficient engagement length between the slide portion 31 and the rail member 22. This increases the strength of the slide portion 31 and the rail member 22, making them less susceptible to breakage.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferable that the small animal food dish 1 is configured to include a spacer 5 that can be placed between the sliding member 3 and the fixed member 4, as in this embodiment.

[0044] According to this configuration, by disposing a spacer 5 between the sliding member 3 and the cage C1, the gap between the sliding member 3 and the cage C1 can be adjusted. This allows the small animal dish 1 to be attached to the cage C1 with the obstacle C11 sandwiched between the sliding member 3 and the cage C1, even if an obstacle C11 is present on the lower side inside the cage C1. As a result, there is no need to avoid the obstacle C11 when attaching the small animal dish 1 to the cage C1, so the small animal dish 1 can be placed in a position that makes it easy for small animals to eat food, for example. Furthermore, by disposing the spacer 5 between the cage C1 and the fixing member 4, the male thread 332 can be made less visible, improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the cage C1.

[0045] Furthermore, as in the small animal food bowl 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the sliding member 3 or the fixing member 4 has a male screw 332, the male screw 332 has a groove 332a extending along the length of the male screw 332, and the spacer 5 has an insertion hole 51 through which the male screw 332 can be inserted and an insertion portion 52 that can be fitted into the groove 332a.

[0046] According to this configuration, by fitting the fitting portion 52 into the groove 332a, it is possible to prevent the male screw 332 from bending toward the groove 332a when the male screw 332 is engaged with the female screw 41. This makes it possible to prevent the male screw 332 from bending and thereby preventing the male screw 332 from disengaging from the female screw 41.

[0047] Furthermore, as in the small animal food bowl 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the sliding member 3 has a fixed portion 33 that is fixed to the fixing member 4, and that the fixed portion 33 is positioned above the rear wall 212 when the sliding member 3 is attached to the container 2.

[0048] With this configuration, even if an obstacle C11 is present below and outside the cage C1, the small animal dish 1 can be attached to the cage C1 above the obstacle C11. This eliminates the need to avoid the obstacle C11 when attaching the small animal dish 1 to the cage C1, so the small animal dish 1 can be placed in a position that makes it easy for small animals to eat food, for example.

[0049] Furthermore, as in the small animal food bowl 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the container 2 has a mesh portion 23 that is slidably attached to the container body 21, the mesh portion 23 is positioned on the front side of the container body 21, and the upper end of the front wall 211 of the container body 21 is positioned at a lower position than the upper end of the mesh portion 23.

[0050] According to this configuration, linear bait can be placed in the container 2. This allows the container 2, which can hold linear bait, to be removed from the sliding member 3, and the container 2 can be removed from the cage C1 without removing the sliding member 3 from the cage C1. As a result, the container 2 can be easily removed, and for example, the container 2 can be easily cleaned.

[0051] Furthermore, the spacer 5 of this embodiment is a spacer 5 that can be used in small animal living supplies (small animal tableware 1) that has a male screw 332 with a groove 332a extending along the length of the screw, and is preferably configured to have an insertion hole 51 through which the male screw 332 can be inserted and an insertion portion 52 that can be fitted into the groove 332a.

[0052] According to this configuration, by fitting the fitting portion 52 into the groove 332a, it is possible to prevent the male screw 332 from bending toward the groove 332a when the male screw 332 is engaged with the female screw 41. This makes it possible to prevent the male screw 332 from bending and thereby preventing the male screw 332 from disengaging from the female screw 41.

[0053] The small animal dish 1 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, nor is it limited to the above-described effects. Furthermore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the small animal dish 1 without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it goes without saying that one or more of the configurations and methods according to the various modified examples described below can be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods according to the above-described embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, the fixed portion 33 has a configuration in which the male thread 332 and the fixing member 4 has a female thread 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, the fixed portion 33 may have a configuration in which the female thread and the fixing member 4 has a male thread. Furthermore, the fixed portion 33 may be fixed to the cage C1 by the fixing member 4 using other fixing means (for example, a snap fit). [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1... small animal dish, 2... container, 21... container body, 211... front wall, 212... rear wall, 213... side wall, 214... groove portion, 215... mesh fixing portion, 22... rail member, 221... base portion, 222... rail portion, 223... first disengagement prevention portion, 23... mesh portion, 231... protrusion portion, 3... slide member, 31... slide portion, 32... stopper portion, 33... fixed portion, 331... abutment portion, 332... male thread, 332a... groove, 34... connection portion, 35... second disengagement prevention portion, 4... fixing member, 41... female thread, 5... spacer, 51... insertion hole, 52... lattice portion, C1... cage, C11... obstacle

Claims

1. The apparatus comprises a container having an opening on the upper side, a slide member detachably attached to the container, and a fixing member for fixing the slide member to a cage in which a small animal is kept, The container includes a container body and a rail member disposed on a rear wall of the container body and to which the slide member can be attached and detached; the length of the rail member is substantially equal to or greater than the height from the bottom surface of the container body to the top surface of the rear wall; the slide member includes a slide portion that engages with the rail member, The slide portion engages with at least 50% of the length of the rail member.

2. The small animal dish according to claim 1 , further comprising a spacer that can be disposed between the sliding member and the fixing member.

3. the sliding member or the fixing member has a male thread; The male thread has a groove extending along the length of the male thread, The small animal food bowl according to claim 2, wherein the spacer comprises an insertion hole through which the male screw can be inserted and a fitting portion that can be fitted into the groove.

4. A container having an opening on the upper side, a sliding member detachably attached to the container, and a fixing member for fixing the sliding member to a cage in which a small animal is kept, The container includes a container body and a rail member disposed on a rear wall of the container body and to which the slide member can be attached and detached; the length of the rail member is substantially equal to or greater than the height of the rear wall; the slide member includes a slide portion that engages with the rail member, The slide portion engages with 50% or more of the length of the rail member, the slide member includes a fixed portion fixed to the fixed member, The fixed portion is positioned above the rear wall when the sliding member is attached to the container.

5. The container includes a mesh portion slidably attached to the container body, the mesh portion is disposed on the front side of the container body, The small animal tableware according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upper end of the front wall of the container body is positioned lower than an upper end of the mesh portion.

Images