Pet waterer and feeder assemblies

Abstract

Pet waterer and feeder assemblies are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a pet waterer and feeder assembly set includes a base, a first bottle, a second bottle and a bubbler assembly. The base includes a bottle supporting area and a bowl area. The first bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense water or other fluid into the bowl area. The second bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense dry or moist food into the bowl area. The bubbler assembly is removeably attachable to the first bottle and is configured to control flow of water or other fluid from the first bottle to the bowl area.

Description

PET WATERER AND FEEDER ASSEMBLIES BACKGROUND Priority Claim

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 544,903, filed October 19, 2023, entitled “Pet Waterer and Feeder Assemblies,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 921,658, filed October 21, 2024, entitled “Pet Waterer and Feeder Assemblies,” the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference and relied upon. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to pet waterer and feeder assemblies. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a pet waterer and feeder assembly set including one or both of a pet waterer assembly that dispenses water and a similar pet feeder assembly that dispenses food. Background Information

[0003] Pets are typically provided with food and water by putting the food and water into separate open bowls. Some pet feeders also dispense food and / or liquid from a storage container either manually or automatically. Conventional pet feeders include a storage area that is a container or a hopper and a bowl that is operatively connected to the hopper to receive food or other contents contained in the hopper. There is always a need for improved water and food providing assemblies for providing fresh water and fresh food to a pet. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides improved pet waterer and feeder assemblies for providing liquids and foods to pets. The improved pet waterer assembly is optimized to eliminate loud “glub-glub” noises and undesirable splashing of the water. The improved pet feeder assembly includes one or more parts that are interchangeable with the pet waterer assembly and fits compactly into a packaging container with the pet waterer assembly.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a pet waterer assembly including a base, a bottle and a bubbler assembly. The base includes a bottle supporting area and a bowl area. The bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area. The bubbler assembly is configured to attach to the bottle such that water or other fluid flows from the bottle, through the bubbler assembly, and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly is located within the bottle supporting area when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bottle includes a mouth on the lower side thereof when the bottle is attached to the base at the bottle supporting area, and the bubbler assembly includes a bubbler cap that attaches to the mouth.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly includes a plunger, the plunger includes a valve surface, and the bubbler cap includes a valve seat having one or more water opening that is opened and closed by the valve surface as the plunger moves with respect to the bubbler cap.

[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the plunger is sized such that when the bottle is lowered onto the base, the plunger is pushed upward by the contact with the base.

[0010] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly includes a grip, and the grip and the plunger are pushed upward by the contact between the grip and a bottom wall of the base.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly includes a filter configured to filter the water or other fluid as it passes from the bottle to the base.

[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly includes a valve seat having one or more water opening, and the filter is located above the valve seat when the bottle and the bubbler assembly are attached to the base.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bottle is a first bottle, and the assembly further includes a second bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense dry or moist food into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the assembly includes a distribution ring configured to attach to the bottle such that the dry or moist food can replace the water or other fluid in the bottle, and the dry or moist food flows through the distribution ring and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0015] A second aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a pet feeder assembly including a base, a bottle and a distribution ring. The base includes a bottle supporting area and a bowl area. The bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area. The distribution ring is configured to attach to the bottle such that dry or moist food flows from the bottle, through the distribution ring, and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0016] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bottle includes a mouth on the lower side thereof when the bottle is attached to the base at the bottle supporting area, and the distribution ring attaches to the bottle at the mouth.

[0017] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the base includes a ledge that supports one or more annular ring of the bottle when the bottle is attached to the base, and the distribution ring attaches to the mouth of the bottle such that the distribution ring is located below the ledge when the bottle is attached to the base.

[0018] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the distribution ring includes a circular ring surface with a straight bar extending from one side to an opposite side to form apertures on opposite sides of the straight bar.

[0019] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the assembly includes a bubbler assembly configured to attach to the bottle instead of the distribution ring to convert the bottle from a food dispenser to a water or other fluid dispenser.

[0020] A third aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a pet waterer and feeder assembly set. The pet waterer and feeder assembly set includes a base, a first bottle, a second bottle, a bubbler assembly and a distribution ring. The base includes a bottle supporting area and a bowl area. The first bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense water or other fluid into the bowl area. The second bottle is configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense dry or moist food into the bowl area. The bubbler assembly is removeably attachable to the first bottle and is configured to control flow of water or other fluid from the first bottle to the bowl area. The distribution ring is removeably attachable to the second bottle and is configured to control flow of dry or moist food from the second bottle to the bowl area.

[0021] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly is sized and shaped to be removeably attachable to the first bottle and the second bottle.

[0022] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the distribution ring is sized and shaped to be removeably attachable to the first bottle and the second bottle.

[0023] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the base includes a first base attached to the first bottle and the bubbler assembly and a second base attached to the second bottle and the distribution ring.

[0024] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the bubbler assembly and the distribution ring can be interchangeably attached to both the first bottle and the second bottle.

[0025] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the disclosed apparatuses and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a pet waterer assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates a side elevational view the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates another top perspective view the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a side elevational exploded view the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates a top perspective view the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates another top perspective view the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates another top perspective view the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0035] Figure 9 illustrates a close-up view the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 10 illustrates a top plan view of the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 11 illustrates a bottom plan view of the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 12 illustrates a side elevational view of the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 13 illustrates a side cross sectional view taken across lines A-A in Figure 10;

[0040] Figure 14 illustrates a side cross sectional view taken across lines B-B in Figure 10;

[0041] Figure 15 illustrates a side elevational view of the bottle of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0042] Figure 16 illustrates a close-up view of the bottle of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 17 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0044] Figure 18 illustrates a side exploded view of the bottle and the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0045] Figure 19 illustrates a top perspective view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 20 illustrates a side elevational view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0047] Figure 21 illustrates a side elevational exploded view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0048] Figure 22 illustrates a top perspective exploded view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0049] Figure 23 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0050] Figure 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0051] Figure 25 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0052] Figure 26 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0053] Figure 27 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 28 illustrates a close-up of a cross-sectional view of parts of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0055] Figure 29 illustrates a bottom plan view of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0056] Figure 30 illustrates a close-up of a cross-sectional view of parts of the bubbler assembly of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0057] Figure 31 illustrates a top perspective view of the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0058] Figure 32 illustrates a side plan view of the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0059] Figure 33 illustrates a bottom plan view of the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0060] Figure 34 illustrates a top plan view of the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0061] Figure 35 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0062] Figure 36 illustrates a side elevational view of the plunger of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0063] Figure 37 illustrates another side elevational view of the plunger of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0064] Figure 38 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the plunger of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0065] Figure 39 illustrates a top perspective view of the plunger of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0066] Figure 40 illustrates another bottom perspective view of the plunger of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0067] Figure 41 illustrates a side elevational view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0068] Figure 42 illustrates a side elevational view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0069] Figure 43 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0070] Figure 44 illustrates a perspective view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0071] Figure 45 illustrates another perspective view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0072] Figure 46 illustrates another perspective view of the grip of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0073] Figure 47 illustrates a top perspective view of the filter of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0074] Figure 48 illustrates a top perspective view of the filter cone of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0075] Figure 49 illustrates another top perspective view of the filter cone of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0076] Figure 50 illustrates a side elevational view of the filter cone of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0077] Figure 51 illustrates a side elevational view of the filter cone of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0078] Figure 52 illustrates a close-up view of the filter cone being placed on the bubbler cap of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0079] Figure 53 illustrates a close-up view of the bottle being placed on the base of the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1;

[0080] Figure 54 illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a pet feeder assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0081] Figure 55 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0082] Figure 56 illustrates an exploded side elevational view of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0083] Figure 57 illustrates another top perspective view of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0084] Figure 58 illustrates a side elevational view of the bottle of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0085] Figure 59 illustrates a top perspective view of the bottle of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0086] Figure 60 illustrates a close-up side view of the bottle of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0087] Figure 61 illustrates a bottom plan view of the bottle of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0088] Figure 62 illustrates a top plan view of the bottle of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0089] Figure 63 illustrates a top perspective view of the lid of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0090] Figure 64 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the lid of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0091] Figure 65 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the lid of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0092] Figure 66 illustrates a top plan view of the lid of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0093] Figure 67 illustrates a bottom plan view of the lid of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0094] Figure 68 illustrates a top plan view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0095] Figure 69 illustrates a side elevational view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0096] Figure 70 illustrates another side elevational view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0097] Figure 71 illustrates a top perspective view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0098] Figure 72 illustrates another top perspective view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0099] Figure 73 illustrates a bottom plan view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0100] Figure 74 illustrates a side view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54;

[0101] Figure 75 illustrates another top perspective view of the distribution ring of the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54; and

[0102] Figure 76 illustrates a packaging assembly with the pet waterer assembly of Figure 1 and the pet feeder assembly of Figure 54. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0103] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0104] Figures 1 to 53 illustrate an example embodiment of a pet waterer assembly 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The pet waterer assembly 10 includes a base 12, a bottle 14, and a bubbler assembly 16. The bottle 14 stores water and / or other fluid that flows from the bottle 14, through the bubbler assembly 16 and into the base 12 to be consumed by a pet. Figures 5 to 14 illustrate the base 12 in more detail. Figures 15 to 17 illustrate the bottle 14 in more detail. Figures 18 to 51 illustrates the bubbler assembly 16 in more detail.

[0105] Figures 54 to 75 illustrate an example embodiment of a pet feeder assembly 110 in accordance with the present disclosure. The pet feeder assembly 110 includes a base 12, a bottle 114, and a bottle ring 116. The base 12 can be the same or a similar device as included with the pet waterer assembly 10. The bottle 114 stores food that flows from the bottle 114, through the distribution ring 116 and into the base 112 to be consumed by a pet. Figures 58 to 67 illustrate the bottle 114 in more detail. Figures 68 to 75 illustrates the distribution ring 116 in more detail.

[0106] In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 10 is particularly configured to dispense water, and the assembly 110 is particularly configured to dispense food. In an embodiment, the assembly 10 and the assembly 100 have an identical base 12, and the bottle 14 and the bubbler assembly 100 are interchangeable with the bottle 114 and the distribution ring 116 using thesame base 12. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize from this disclosure that certain other parts of the assemblies 10, 110 are interchangeable, and the assembly 10 can include one or more components of the assembly 110 or vice versa.

[0107] Referring first to the illustrated embodiment of the pet waterer assembly 10, the base 12 includes a bottle supporting area 20, a diverging passageway 22 and a bowl area 24. The bottle 14 is attached to the base 12 at the bottle supporting area 20. The diverging area 22 includes two upright surfaces 25 that are not parallel to one another, but rather diverge from one another in a direction moving toward the bowl area 20. The bowl area 24 includes a splash lip 27 that reduces spillage of fluid or food over the upper edges of the bowl area 24. When the bottle 14 is installed to the base 12 at the bottle supporting area 20, water or other liquid moves from the bottle 14, through the bubbler assembly 16, into the bottle supporting area 20, through the diverging passageway 22, and into the bowl area 24. The bottle supporting area 20 further includes a ledge 26 and one or more attachment feature 28. The ledge 26 supports one or more annular ring feature at the mouth 31 of the bottle 14 when the bottle 14 is attached to the base 12 via the attachment feature 28.

[0108] As seen in Figures 15 and 16, the bottle 14 includes a container 30 having a mouth 31 where fluid exits, a first or lower attachment feature 32, and second or upper attachment feature 34 (also referred to as a circumferential protrusion or annular ring). The first or lower attachment feature 32 is dimensioned and shaped to attach to the bubbler assembly 16. The second or upper attachment feature 34 is dimensioned and shaped to attach to the base 12 at the bottle supporting area 20. As seen in Figure 16, in the illustrated embodiment, the first attachment feature 32 includes a circumferential thread that winds around the mouth 31 of the bottle 14, and the second attachment feature 34 includes an annular ring that partially or fully encircles the mouth 31 of the bottle 14. In alternative embodiments, each of the first attachment feature 32 and the second attachment feature can include a thread, an annular ring and / or another feature.

[0109] In the illustrated embodiment, the bubbler assembly 16 attaches to the bottle 14 via the first attachment feature 32 before the bottle 14 attaches to the base 12. The second attachment feature 34 then attaches to one or more attachment feature 28 of the base 12. The annular ring forming the second attachment feature 34 can have an outer diameter that is greater than thebubbler assembly 16 such that the bubbler assembly 16 fits down into the bottle supporting area 20 past the ledge 26 of the base 12 when the bottle 14 is attached to the base 12.

[0110] As seen in Figure 16, the second attachment feature 34 includes an annular ring 36 formed of one or more annular protrusions 37 and one or more gaps 38. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the second attachment feature 34 includes a pair of annular protrusions 37 and a pair of gaps 38. A pair of attachment features 28 on the base 12 are located one opposite sides of the bottle support area 20 so as to correspond with the pair of gaps 38 of the second attachment feature 34. The pair of gaps 38 are dimensioned to receive the attachment features 28 therein so that the bottle 14 can be placed into the base 12 with the annular ring 36 of the second attachment feature 34 resting on the ledge 26, as shown for example at Figure 53. To attach the bottle 14 to the base 12, the bottle 14 and base 12 are aligned so that the attachment features 28 enter the gaps 38, and then the bottle 14 is rotated with respect to the base 12 to secure the bottle 14 in place with the annular ring 36 of the second attachment feature 34 held axially by the attachment features 28. The annular ring 36 of the second attachment feature 34 is attached so that it rests on ledge 26. After rotating the bottle 14, the annular ring 36 of the second attachment feature 34 of the bottle 14 contacts or engages the ledge 26 while the attachment feature 28 prevents the bottle 14 from being lifted upwards unless rotated back to the initial position again. The bottle 14 is thus secured to the base 12 with the second attachment feature 34 resting on the ledge 26.

[0111] The base 12 and / or the bottle 14 can optionally include indicia and / or arrows to indicate the proper positioning of the bottle 14 relative to the base 12 for proper alignment of the base 12 and the bottle 14 during attachment of the bottle 14 to the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, one end of each of the attachment feature 28 and / or gaps 38 of the second attachment feature 34 include an end wall 39 that prevents the bottle 14 from rotating past a certain point, as seen for example in Figure 53.

[0112] Referring now to Figures 19 to 28, the bubbler assembly 16 includes a bubbler cap 40 (also referred to as a bottom cover of the bottle 14), a plunger 42 (also referred to as a valve), a grip 44, a filter 46 and a filter cone 48 (also referred to as a filter retainer). Figures 29 to 35 illustrate the bubbler cap 40 in more detail. Figures 36 to 40 illustrate the plunger 42 in more detail. Figures 41 to 44 illustrate the grip 44 in more detail. Figure 47 illustrates the filter 46 in more detail. Figures 48 to 51 illustrate the filter cone 48 in more detail. In use, the bottle 14 isfilled with water, and the bubbler assembly 16 is attached to the bottle 14 at the mouth 31 via the first attachment mechanism 32. Then the bottle 14 is attached to the base 12 via the second attachment mechanism 34 so that the bubbler assembly 16 is located between the bottle 14 and the base 12.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, the bubbler cap 40 includes a first side 50, a second side 51, a valve seat 52, a radial surface 53 extending radially outward from the valve seat 52, and a circumferential surface 54 for attachment to the bottle 14. The bubbler cap 40 further includes a plurality of apertures 55, 56, 57. As seen for example in Figures 34 and 35, the valve seat 52 includes a first aperture 55 (referred to as plunger opening 55) configured to receive the shaft 62 of the plunger 42 therein and one or more second apertures 56 (referred to as water openings 56) for water to flow through. The second apertures 56 are located around or radially outward from the first aperture 55 within the valve seat 52. The radial surface 53 also includes one or more third apertures 57 (referred to as bubble openings 57) for bubbles. The bubble openings 57 are located around or radially outward from the plunger opening 55 and the water opening 56. The bubble openings 57 are very small openings, for example, small enough to prevent water from flowing from the bottle 14 into the base 12 but large enough to allow air to pass therethrough into the bottle 14 causing tiny bubbles to form as the air leaves the tiny bubble openings 57 and passes into the bottle 14 as liquid is dispensed from the bottle 14 into the base 12.

[0114] In the illustrated embodiment, the bubbler cap 40 is configured to attach the bubbler assembly 16 to the bottle 14. The bubbler cap 40 includes a second attachment feature 58 configured to attach to the first or lower attachment feature 32 of the bottle 14. Here, the second attachment feature 58 includes a thread around the inside of the circumferential surface 54 which mates with the threads of the first or lower attachment feature 32 around the outer surface of the mouth 31 of the bottle 14.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the bubbler cap 40 further includes one or more filter attachment features 59 for attachment to the filter cone 48 containing the filter 46. As seen in Figure 36, the filter attachment features 59 are located on the radial surface 53 at a location radially outward from the valve seat 52. As seen in Figure 52, the outer lip 67 of the filter cone 48 fits into the filter attachment features 59 to attach the filter cone 48 to the bubbler cap 40 when the bubbler assembly 16 is attached to the bottle 14. More specifically, the outer lip 67of the filter cone 48 fits between the filter attachment features 59 and the portion of the radial surface below the filter attachment features 59.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 42 includes a radial valve surface 60, a shaft 62, and a grip attachment feature 64. The shaft 62 is located within the plunger opening 55 and translates axially with respect to the bubbler cap 40 to create a valve. More specifically, the combination of the valve seat 52, the water openings 56 and the valve surface form a valve, with the valve surface 60 moving within the valve seat to cover and uncover the water openings 56. The attachment feature 64 attaches to the grip 44.

[0117] In the illustrated embodiment, the center aperture 66 of the grip 44 snap-fits onto the grip attachment feature 64. When constructed, a person can pull on the grip 44 causing the valve surface 62 of the plunger 42 to cover water openings 56 within the valve seat 52. One of the bottle 14 or bubbler assembly 16 can then be rotated with respect to the other so that the bubbler assembly 16 is attached at the mouth 31 of the bottle 14. Water is retained in the bottle 14 while the bottle 14 is above the base 12 with the valve closed (water openings 56 closed by valve surface 60). Once the bottle 14 is placed on the base 12, the bottle 14 is rotated so that the second attachment feature 34 moves between the attachment features 28 and the ledge 26 of the base 12, as shown for example in Figure 53. Simultaneously, the grip 44 contacts the bottom wall of the base 12 beneath the bottle 14. The plunger 42 has a predetermined length such that when the water filled bottle 14 is lowered on to the base 12, the grip 44 and the plunger 42 are pushed upward by the contact between the grip 44 with the bottom surface of the base 12. Movement of the grip 44 and the plunger 42 releases water from the bottle 14 such that the water flows through the water openings 56 into the bottle supporting area 20, then between the diverging surfaces 22 and into the bowl area 24 of the base 12.

[0118] As water flows out of the bottle 14 and into the bowl area 24 of the base 12, the water pressure (weight of the water), the air pressure outside the bottle 14 and the air pressure within the bottle 14 above the water are all considered to prevent too much water from flowing out of the bottle 14 and into the bowl 12. Specifically, the bubble openings 57 are dimensioned such that they are micro-apertures designed to resist water flowing therethrough, but which allow air to flow therethrough into the bottle 14 to equalize pressure within the bottle 14 with the water pressure beneath the bottle 14 (within the bowl area 24 of the base 12).

[0119] In order to eliminate loud “glub-glub” noises, careful consideration has been given to the design of the bubbler assembly 16. Specifically, the design of the bubble openings 57 and the water openings 56 selectively covered by the valve surface 60 of the plunger 42 are carefully calculated. The bubbler cap 40 is essentially a micro-bubbler where the diameter of the bubble openings 57 is measured in microns. Without the illustrated design, as water flows out and is depleted, large air bubbles would flow into the bottle 14 and cause loud “glub-glub” noises and undesirable splashing of the water. Such noises can frighten a pet and are undesirable in a water dispenser for a pet.

[0120] The illustrated design utilizes Bernoulli’s Principle, Sphere Surface Tension, and the Ideal Gas Law to determine the height and radius at which the small bubble openings 57 must be located above a vessel outlet to prevent reverse flow at atmospheric pressure. Initially, the diameter and height of the bubble openings 57 above the water openings 56 in the bottom of the bubbler cap 40 are derived from calculated values. Thereafter, the values are optimized to determine the desired performance. Bernoulli’s Principle:     ^^0^ 1 / 2 ^^ ^^02^ ^^ ^^ℎ0ൌ ^^1^ 1 / 2 ^^ ^^12 ^ ^^ ^^ℎ1 Eq. 1.1^^0ൌ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ℎ ^^ 0 ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ℎ ^^ 0 ^^   SurfaceA stable bubble has surface tension force of: Δ^^ ^^ ^^ℎ ^^ ^^ ^^ൌ ^4∗ ^^^ / ^^ Eq. 1.2Δ ^^ൌ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^For apresent.Δ ^^ℎ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ℎ ^^ ^^ ^^ൌ ^2∗ ^^^ / ^^ Eq. 1.2.1 Relationship Between the Two Equations:

[0121] As waterchamber of the bottle 14. When the vacuum pressure (P1) becomes equal to the pressure of the surface tension of water in a hemisphere, air will enter through the bubble openings 57 (at point H1). The variation in the height determines the amount of pressure differential according to Bernoulli’s principle, and establishes the acceptable radius for the bubble openings 57.

[0122] Bernoullis equation (Eq. 1.1) may be simplified as follows:^^ ^^ℎ1 = ^^1− ^^0= Δ ^^ Eq. 1.3^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^02= 0, ^^12= 0, ℎ1 = 0 Substituting the Equation for surface tension, then gives:   ^^ ^^ℎ1ൌ ^2∗ ^^^ / ^^ Eq.1.4 This equation is valid for a large range of radius and heights, but reasonable process limitations of injection molding are contained to r > 0.030”. The maximum draining Pressure in the vessel, ^^1, is determined by utilizing the Ideal Gas Law, and measuring the water dispensed out of thespecified filter and outlet hole with no ventilation. This was utilizing the equation:^^ ^^= ^^ ^^ ^^ Eq.1.5 P = Pressure V = VolumeN = amount of substance R = ideal gas constant T = temperature Since n, R, and T are constant for the air in the bottle, the equation may be used proportionally as ^^0 ^^0= ^^1 ^^1 Eq.1.6 ^^0= ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^0= ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^1= ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^1= ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

[0123] Utilizing the simplified Bernoulli’s Equation (Eq. 1.3) allows ideal ℎ1value to be determined. Also, using (Eq.1.4) allows for the ideal r value to be determined. In the depicted embodiment, a value of r = 0.051”, and ℎ1=0.916" based on the size for best performance in terms of bubble size and flow. In the depicted embodiment, the bubble openings 57 are utilized equally spaced around the circumference of the bubbler cap 40 but note that the bubbler assembly 16 will perform as designed for several numbers of bubble openings 57.

[0124] In the illustrated embodiment, the filter 46 is located axially above the valve seat of the bubbler cap 40 within the filter cone 48. The filter 46 can include a standard water filter 14 that removes undesirable elements in the water, for example, elements contained in tap water. The filter cone 48 includes a plurality of longitudinal apertures 68 enabling water to flow therethrough as the water is filtered by the filter 46. The filter cone 48 also includes a protruding bottom lip 67 which attaches the filter attachment features 59 to secure the filter 46 to the bubbler cap 40, as seen for example at Figure 52.

[0125] Referring now to the example embodiment of the pet feeder assembly 100 shown in Figures 54-76, the pet feeder assembly 100 includes a base 12, a bottle 114 and a distribution ring 116. The base 12 is the same base 12 used by the pet waterer assembly 10 discussed. The bottle 114 and the distribution ring 116 can have a separate base 12 when a combined assembly 10, 110 is purchased, or a bottle 14 and a bubbler assembly 16 can be sold with a bottle 114 and a distribution ring 166 and used interchangeably with a single base 12.

[0126] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle 114 includes an upper opening 130, a mouth 131 where food exits into the base 12, a first or lower attachment feature 132, and a second or upper attachment feature 134.

[0127] The first or lower attachment feature 132 can include a thread dimensioned and shaped to attach to the distribution ring 116, although here the thread of the first or lower attachment feature 132 is not used and instead the illustrated distribution ring 116 clips to the outer edge of the mouth 131. The thread of the first or lower attachment feature 132 is still included in the illustrated embodiment, however, so that the bottle 114 can be used with a bubbler assembly 16 to convert the pet feeder assembly 100 to a pet waterer assembly 10 as discussed above.

[0128] The second or upper attachment feature 134 is dimensioned and shaped to attach to the base 12 at the bottle supporting area 20, as discussed above with respect to the second attachment feature 34. As seen in Figure 60, in the illustrated embodiment, the second attachment feature 134 includes an annular ring 136 that partially or fully encircles the mouth 131 of the bottle 114. The annular ring 136 can be the same or similar to the annular ring 36 discussed above.

[0129] In the illustrated embodiment, the distribution ring 116 attaches to the bottle 114 by clipping to the edge of the mouth 131 of the bottle 114. The second attachment feature 134 then attaches to one or more attachment feature 128 of the base 12. Similar to above, the annular ring 136 of the second attachment feature 134 has an outer diameter that is greater than the distribution ring 116 such that the distribution ring 116 fits down into the bottle supporting area 20 past the ledge 26 of the base 12.

[0130] Similar to the bottle 14, the second attachment feature 134 includes an annular ring 36 formed of one or more annular protrusions and one or more gaps. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the second attachment feature 134 includes a pair of annular protrusions and a pair of gaps. As with above, a pair of attachment features 28 on the base 12 are located one opposite sides of the bottle support area 20 so as to correspond with the pair of gaps of the second attachment feature 134. The pair of gaps are dimensioned to receive the attachment features 28 therein so that the bottle 114 (the annular ring 136 of the second attachment feature 134) rests on the ledge 26. To attach the bottle 114 to the base 12, the bottle 114 and base 12 are aligned so that the attachment features 28 enter the gaps, and then the bottle 114 is rotated with respect to the base 12 to secure the bottle 114 in place with the annular ring of 136 of the second attachment feature 134 held axially by the attachment features 28. The second attachment feature 134 is attached so that it rests on ledge 26. After rotating the bottle 114, the annular ring of the second attachment feature 134 of the bottle 114 contacts orengages the ledge 26 while the attachment feature 28 prevents the bottle 114 from being lifted upwards unless rotated again. The bottle 114 is thus secured to the base 12 with the second attachment feature 134 resting on the ledge 26.

[0131] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle 114 of the pet feeder assembly 110 is essentially identical to the bottle 12 of the pet waterer assembly 10 except that the bottle 114 of the pet feeder assembly 110 has an opening 130 cut in the top end thereof, with a lid 142 that removeably covers the opening 130 when placed on the top of the bottle 114. The bottle 114 of the pet feeder assembly 110 can have the same thread arrangement as the bottle 12 of the pet waterer assembly 110. The lid 142 can be easily removed from the bottle 114 so that fresh dry and / or moist food can be loaded into the bottle 114 while the bottle 114 is attached to the base 12. The lid 142 can thereafter be placed over the upper opening 130.

[0132] The distribution ring 116 fits to the mouth 131 of the bottle 114. The distribution ring 116 includes a circular ring surface 144 with a central straight bar 146 extending from one circumferential side of the ring to the opposite side. Food passing through the apertures 148 on each side of the central straight bar 146 is dispersed more evenly as it passes around the central bar 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the circular ring surface 144 includes a plurality of clips 149 which can be used to snap-fit the distribution ring 116 onto the mouth 131 of the bottle 116.

[0133] Figure 76 illustrates a pet waterer assembly 10 and a pet waterer assembly 110 snuggly packed to one another and positioned for shipping within a shipping container 30. As illustrated, the bottle 14 of the pet waterer assembly 10 fits into the bowl area 24 of the base 12 of the pet feeder assembly 100. Likewise, the bottle 114 of the pet feeder assembly 100 fits into the bowl area 24 of the base 12 of the pet waterer assembly 10. This packing arrangement with an assemblies 10 and an assembly 110 packed in a single shipping container 30 minimizes the volume of the shipping container 30 necessary to store and thereafter ship the paired pet waterer assembly 10 and the pet feeder assembly 110. Thus, the configuration shown reduces the shipping costs per unit and enables improved shelving space and shipping by allowing additional products to the stored and shipped in the same area or volume compared to previous or conventional devices.

[0134] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence ofthe stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and / or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, "including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.

[0135] The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[0136] The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware that is constructed to carry out the desired function.

[0137] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and / or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A pet waterer assembly comprising: a base including a bottle supporting area and a bowl area; a bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area; and a bubbler assembly configured to attach to the bottle such that water or other fluid flows from the bottle, through the bubbler assembly, and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

2. The pet waterer assembly of claim 1, wherein the bubbler assembly is located within the bottle supporting area when the bottle is attached to the base.

3. The pet waterer assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottle includes a mouth on a lower side thereof when the bottle is attached to the base at the bottle supporting area, and the bubbler assembly includes a bubbler cap that attaches to the mouth.

4. The pet waterer assembly of claim 3, wherein the bubbler assembly includes a plunger, the plunger includes a valve surface, the bubbler cap includes a valve seat having one or more water opening that is opened and closed by the valve surface as the plunger moves with respect to the bubbler cap.

5. The pet waterer assembly of claim 3, wherein the plunger is sized such that when the bottle is lowered onto the base, the plunger is pushed upward by the contact with the base.

6. The pet waterer assembly of claim 3, whereinthe bubbler assembly includes a grip, and the grip and the plunger are pushed upward by the contact between the grip and a bottom wall of the base.

7. The pet waterer assembly of claim 1, wherein the bubbler assembly includes a filter configured to filter the water or other fluid as it passes from the bottle to the base.

8. The pet waterer assembly of claim 7, wherein the bubbler assembly includes a valve seat having one or more water opening, and the filter is located above the valve seat when the bottle and the bubbler assembly are attached to the base.

9. The pet waterer assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottle is a first bottle, and the assembly further includes a second bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense dry or moist food into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

10. The pet waterer assembly of claim 1, comprising a distribution ring configured to attach to the bottle such that the dry or moist food can replace the water or other fluid in the bottle, and the dry or moist food flows through the distribution ring and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

11. A pet feeder assembly comprising: a base including a bottle supporting area and a bowl area; a bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area; and a distribution ring configured to attach to the bottle such that dry or moist food flows from the bottle, through the distribution ring, and into the bowl area when the bottle is attached to the base.

12. The pet feeder assembly of claim 11, wherein the bottle includes a mouth on a lower side thereof when the bottle is attached to the base at the bottle supporting area, and the distribution ring attaches to the bottle at the mouth.

13. The pet feeder assembly of claim 12, wherein the base includes a ledge that supports one or more annular ring of the bottle when the bottle is attached to the base, and the distribution ring attaches to the mouth of the bottle such that the distribution ring is located below the ledge when the bottle is attached to the base.

14. The pet feeder assembly of claim 12, wherein the distribution ring includes a circular ring surface with a straight bar extending from one side to an opposite side to form apertures on opposite sides of the straight bar.

15. The pet feeder assembly of claim 11, comprising a bubbler assembly configured to attach to the bottle instead of the distribution ring to convert the bottle from a food dispenser to a water or other fluid dispenser.

16. A pet waterer and feeder assembly set comprising: a base including a bottle supporting area and a bowl area; a first bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense water or other fluid into the bowl area; a second bottle configured to attach to the base at the bottle supporting area and dispense dry or moist food into the bowl area; a bubbler assembly removeably attachable to the first bottle, the bubbler assembly being configured to control flow of water or other fluid from the first bottle to the bowl area; anda distribution ring removeably attachable to the second bottle, the distribution ring being configured to control flow of dry or moist food from the second bottle to the bowl area.

17. The pet feeder assembly set of claim 16, wherein the bubbler assembly is sized and shaped to be removeably attachable to the first bottle and the second bottle.

18. The pet feeder assembly set of claim 16, wherein the distribution ring is sized and shaped to be removeably attachable to the first bottle and the second bottle.

19. The pet feeder assembly set of claim 16, wherein the base includes a first base attached to the first bottle and the bubbler assembly and a second base attached to the second bottle and the distribution ring.

20. The pet feeder assembly set of claim 16, wherein the bubbler assembly and the distribution ring can be interchangeably attached to both the first bottle and the second bottle.

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