Wet pet food capsule and dispenser therefore

Abstract

A hermetically sealed capsule containing a plunger proximate one end of the capsule and a selectively openable dispensing orifice proximate the other end of the capsule, and an automatic dispenser for controlled actuation of the plunger to dispense wet pet food from the capsule.

Description

WET PET FOOD CAPSULE AND DISPENSER THEREFOREBACKGROUND

[0001] Automatic dispensers of dry kibble are well known and readily available. However, due to the vastly different flow characteristics and limited shelf-life of wet pet food once exposed to the environment, little effort has been made to provide automatic dispensers for wet pet food.

[0002] Hence, a longstanding need exists for an easy to use and easy to clean automatic wet pet food dispenser and disposable or recyclable wet pet food packaging suitable for use with such a dispenser.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A first aspect of the invention is a hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule. The capsule includes a hollow tube body, plunger, top cap, nozzle cap and wet pet food retained within the tube body. The hollow tube body defines an axial axis and an axially extending payload chamber, and has an axial length extending from a first end to a second end. The plunger is positioned proximate the first end of the hollow tube and is operable for axial travel along the axial length of the hollow tube body upon application of an axial force upon the plunger. The top cap hermetically seals the first end of the hollow tube. The nozzle cap is secured to the second end of the tube body and is manipulable between (i) a default rest position whereby the payload chamber is hermetically sealed, and (ii) an activated dispensing position whereby the payload chamber is exposed to the surrounding environment for dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber through the second end of the tube body upon axial translation of the plunger towards the second end of the tube body.

[0004] A second aspect of the invention is a dispenser for dispensing wet pet food from a hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

[0005] A first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention includes a filled capsule hopper, a spent capsule hopper, a controller, a capsule loader mechanism, a capsule opening mechanism, and a capsule dispensing mechanism. The filled capsule hopper is operable for holding a plurality of the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsules. The spent capsule hopper is operable for holding a plurality of spent wet pet food capsules after dispensing of the wet pet food from the capsule. The capsule loader mechanism is incommunication with the controller for (i) repositioning individual hermetically sealed wet pet food capsules from the filled capsule hopper into a dispensing zone, and (ii) repositioning spent wet pet food capsules from the dispensing zone to the spent capsule hopper. The capsule opening mechanism is in communication with the controller for manipulating the nozzle cap on each hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule positioned within the dispensing zone into the activated dispensing position to create an opened capsule. The capsule dispensing mechanism is in communication with the controller for effecting axial translation of the plunger on the opened capsule so as to effect dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber.

[0006] A second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention includes an enclosure defining an interior enclosed volume, a controller, a capsule loader mechanism, a capsule opening mechanism, and a capsule dispensing mechanism. The capsule loader mechanism is in communication with the controller for repositioning the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule from a filled capsule retention zone to a dispensing zone within the interior enclosed volume of the enclosure. The capsule opening mechanism is in communication with the controller for manipulating the nozzle cap on the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule positioned within the dispensing zone into the activated dispensing position to create an opened capsule. The capsule dispensing mechanism is in communication with the controller for effecting axial translation of the plunger on the opened capsule so as to effect dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber into a bowl positioned within the interior enclosed volume of the enclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the wet pet food dispenser wherein solid lines represent food flow and dashed lines represent information flow.

[0008] Figure 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wet pet food dispenser with the door closed and the filled capsule and spent capsule drawers closed.

[0009] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 2A with the door partially open and the filled capsule and spent capsule drawers open.

[0010] Figure 2C is a perspective view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 2A with the door closed and the filled capsule drawer removed.

[0011] Figure 2D is a perspective view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 2A with the door closed and the spent capsule drawer removed.

[0012] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 2A taken along line 3-3, with a filled capsule held in the dispensing zone.

[0013] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 3A with the bottom nozzle cap unsealed by the capsule opening mechanism.

[0014] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the wet pet food dispenser depicted in Figure 3B with the plunger actuation reciprocating Rod repositioned from the contracted rest position towards the extended dispensing position.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the capsule loader mechanism of the dispenser including a depiction of filled and spent capsules retained with the filled and spent capsule retention zones respectively.

[0016] Figures 4A-G are front views of the capsule loader mechanism depicted in Figure 4 through the various stages of capsule movement through a dispensing cycle, including pre-loading orientation of the capsule holder towards filled capsule retention zone (Fig. 4A), loading of a filled capsule into the capsule holder (Fig 4B), rotation of the capsule holder with captured filled capsule into dispensing orientation and repositioning of filled capsules retained within the filled capsule retention zone so as to accommodate loading of a subsequent filled capsule into the capsule holder (Fig. 4C) within the dispensing zone, retention of the captured spent capsule within the dispensing zone (Fig. 4D), rotation of the capsule holder with captured spent capsule towards the spent capsule retention zone (Fig. 4E), unloading of the captured spent capsule into the spent capsule retention zone (Fig. 4F), and repositioning of the spent capsule unloaded into the spent capsule retention zone so as to accommodate unloading of a subsequent spent capsule into the spent capsule retention zone (Fig. 4G).

[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the capsule loader mechanism of the dispenser including a depiction of fdled and spent capsules retained upon the conveyor.

[0018] Figure 5A is a top view of the capsule loader mechanism depicted in Figure 5 including a depiction of the filled and spent capsules retained upon the conveyor.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dispenser depicted in Figures 2A-D with the tabletop removed.

[0020] Figures 6A-G are perspective views of the dispenser depicted in Figure 6 through the various stages of bowl placement and movement from the serving area to the dispensing area (sequence A to G) and bowl movement from the dispensing area to the serving area with removal of the bowl for cleaning (sequence G to A).

[0021] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the base plate component of the dispenser depicted in Figure 6 with the tabletop removed and the bowl lateral translation linear actuator in the rest contracted position.

[0022] Figure 7B is a perspective view of the base plate component depicted in Figure 7A with the bowl lateral translation linear actuator in the actuated extending position.

[0023] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the base plate, bowl conveyor assembly and bowl depicted in Figure 6C taken along line 8-8.

[0024] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the capsule.

[0025] Figure 10 is a side view of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0026] Figure 10A is an enlarged cross-section view of the plunger end of the capsule depicted in Figure 10.

[0027] Figure 10B is an enlarged cross-section view of the dispensing end of the capsule depicted in Figure 10.

[0028] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the dispending end of the capsule depicted in Figure 10 sans nozzle cap with the plunger pushed near the dispensing end of the capsule.

[0029] Figure 12A is a perspective view of the plunger component of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0030] Figure 12B is a perspective view of another embodiment of the plunger component.

[0031] Figure 13 A is a perspective view of one scoring pattern on the top cap component of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0032] Figure 13B is a perspective view of another scoring pattern on the top cap component of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0033] Figure 13C is a perspective view of yet another scoring pattern on the top cap component of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0034] Figure 14A is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing end of the tube body and nozzle cap components of the capsule depicted in Figure 9.

[0035] Figure 14B is a perspective view of the dispensing end of the tube body and nozzle cap components depicted in Figure 14A after assembly but prior to dispensing.

[0036] Figure 14Bi is a cross-sectional side view of the dispensing end of the tube body and nozzle cap components depicted in Figure 14B.

[0037] Figure 14C is a perspective view of the assembled dispensing end of the tube body and nozzle cap components depicted in Figure 14B after initiation of dispensing.

[0038] Figure 14Ci is a cross-sectional side view of the dispensing end of the tube body and nozzle cap components depicted in Figure 14C.

[0039] Figure 15 A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a capsule having a tube body with circumferentially spaced dispensing openings in the dispensing end of the tube body and a nozzle cap with corresponding openings.

[0040] Figure 15B is a perspective view of the capsule depicted in Figure 15A with the nozzle cap rotated to close the capsule by misaligning the openings in the tube body and the nozzle cap.

[0041] Figure 15C is a perspective view of the capsule depicted in Figure 15B with the nozzle cap rotated to open the capsule by aligning the openings in the tube body and the nozzle cap.

[0042] Figure 16A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a sealed capsule having a tube body with a dispensing opening in the dispensing end of the tube body and a nozzle cap with a corresponding plug.

[0043] Figure 16B is a perspective view of the capsule depicted in Figure 16A with the nozzle cap pivoted away from the dispensing end of the tube body so as to remove the plug from the dispensing opening in the dispensing end of the tube body.

[0044] Figure 17 A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a sealed capsule having a tube body with score lines or lines of weakness in the dispensing end of the tube body and blunt puncture projections on the nozzle cap.

[0045] Figure 17B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the capsule depicted in Figure 17A taken along line 17-17.

[0046] Figure 18 A is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of a sealed capsule having a tube body with a compression breakaway feature in the dispensing end of the tube body prior to compression.

[0047] Figure 18B is a perspective view of the capsule depicted in Figure 18A after compression of the dispensing end of the tube body.

[0048] Figure 19A is an exploded perspective view of an adhesively applied foil sealed embodiment of a capsule.

[0049] Figure 19B is a mirror image of the capsule as depicted in Figure 19 A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONDefinitions

[0050] As utilized herein, the term “communication” is used expansively to include wired and wireless means for communicating electrical signals or data between devices.

[0051] As utilized herein, the phrase “wet petfood” means pet food containing at least 40% moisture.

[0052] As utilized herein, the phrase “linear actuator” is used expansively to include any mechanical device capable of effecting linear movement of an object, including specifically but not exclusively a lead screw, a solenoid, and a pneumatic or hydraulic piston.Nomenclature TableConstructionCAPSULE

[0053] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the capsule 100 is the container for the wet pet food to be dispensed in the dispenser 200. The capsule 100 includes a tube body 120, a plunger 140, a top cap 160 and a bottom nozzle cap 180. The tube body 120 has an axial length 120a, a radius 120r, an open plunger end 121 and a closed dispensing end 122. All components are preferably made of aluminum, which allows for recyclability without disassembly, but may alternatively be made with other materials such as steel, plastic, compostable material, or some combination thereof.

[0054] The capsule 100 can be fully recyclable without requiring disassembly or cleaning. All components of the capsule 100 can be made from aluminum and designed to stay assembled at all times. The capsule 100 can be designed to clear out sufficient wet pet food from the capsule 100 during the dispensing operation to allow safe recycling of the spent capsule 102 without the need for cleaning.

[0055] The capsule 100 facilitates the dispensing of a known quantity of wet pet food from the capsule 100 without weighing the capsule 100 during dispensing, such as by sensing the axial 120a distance the plunger 140 is driven into the tube body 120 during a dispensing cycle.

[0056] The capsule 100 can contain a single serving or multiple servings of wet pet food. In a preferred embodiment, the tube body 120 of the capsule 100 defines a payload chamber (i.e., the volume of the tube body 120 occupied by wet pet food) of between 20 and 1000 cm3.

[0057] The tube body 120 may have substantially any cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular, oval, stadium, square, rectangle, polygonal, splined, irregularly shaped, etc.) with circular preferred. The plunger end 121 of the tube body 120 can be left open to accommodate the plunger 140 and top cap 160 components of the capsule 100. The dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 is preferably closed (continuous material) but may alternatively be an open end that is sealed with a secondary part 123, such as a metal sheet crimped onto the tube body 120 or adhesive foil.

[0058] The interior surfaces of the tube body 120 can be coated with a food-grade epoxy but can also be coated with any other food-safe material, or uncoated if the material of the tube body itself is inert.

[0059] Referring to Figure 11 , the geometry of the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 should facilitate complete emptying of the wet pet food contents of the capsule 100 with minimal lingering wet pet food. The preferred geometry shape can vary based on the composition and texture of the wet pet food being dispensed. The cross-sectional shape of dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 should be matched to the cross-sectional shape of the plunger 140.

[0060] The tube body 120 can have features that facilitate attachment and retention of the other capsule components, such as annular grooves, detents, protrusions, or separately attached pieces.

[0061] Referring to Figures 17B and 19A-B, the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 can be fully closed with a score line or line of weakness 122Line on the dispensing end 122 to facilitate controlled opening of the dispensing end 122 for dispensing of wet pet food from the capsule 100 through an opening 129 created using the line of weakness 122Line. Alternatively, the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 can have a pre-formed dispensing opening 129 that is sealed off by another part 123, such as an adhesive applied foil, which can be punctured, ruptured or peeled away to open the capsule 100.

[0062] Referring to Figures 9, 10A, 11, 12A-B and 19A-B, the plunger 140 is preferably made of aluminum, but may alternatively be made with other materials such assteel, plastic, compostable material, or some combination thereof. The plunger 140 can be coated with a food-grade epoxy (but can also be coated with any other food safe material, or uncoated if using another material that is inert) at least on the convex side facing the wet pet food retained within the capsule 100. The plunger 140 should have a convex shape matched to an interior convex shape of the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 to maximize evacuation of food at the end of plunger 140 travel. The outer diameter of the plunger 140 should be sized for a sliding fit with the inner diameter of tube body 120. The sizing should also be selected to effect a squeegee-like cleaning action along the inside of the tube body 120 as the plunger 140 travels along the axial 120a length of the tube body 120, leaving the tube body 120 substantially free of wet pet food residue and in ready-to-recycle condition after dispensing is complete.

[0063] The plunger 140 is actuated for axial travel along the tube body 120 by a capsule dispensing mechanism 270 on the dispenser 200 such as a linear actuated rod 275. The plunger 140 can include a locking feature 145 that allows the plunger 140 to be releasably locked onto the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 during dispensing so as to allow the plunger 140 to be driven in both axial directions.

[0064] Referring to Figures 9, 10A and 19A-B, the top cap 160 is preferably made of aluminum, but may alternatively be made with other materials such as steel, plastic, compostable material, or some combination thereof. The top cap 160 is installed over the plunger end 121 of the tube body 120 to provide a hermetic seal after the tube body 120 is filled with wet pet food so as to preserve and extend the shelf life of the wet cat food, preferably even without refrigeration.

[0065] The top cap 160 can be installed by any convenient means known in the industry, including mechanical methods, adhesion, welding, etc. The preferred method is the double seam rolled crimp method commonly used for canned food products.

[0066] The top cap 160 should be designed to be removed or opened automatically by the capsule dispensing mechanism 270. To facilitate this, the top cap 160 can be scored or provided with a line of weakness 160Line to facilitate controlled penetration through the top cap 160, such as by a linear actuated rod 275. Alternatively, top cap 160 can have a preformed access opening 168 that is sealed off by another part 163, such as an adhesive applied foil, which can be punctured, ruptured or peeled away to provide access to the plunger 140.

[0067] Alternatively, the top cap 160 and plunger 140 can be combined into a single unitary part, such as by unitary formation, welding, etc. This combination can be installed on the plunger end 121 of the tube body 120 the same way as described above, including adhesive bonding of the combination to the tube body 120 to provide a hermetic seal. To open the capsule 100, the dispenser 200 can be provided with a mechanism (not shown) that cuts the perimeter of the top cap 160 or tears the perimeter of the top cap 160 along a score line or line of weakness in such a way as to separate the plunger portion 140 from the top cap portion 160. Once the freed plunger 140 is available, the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 can push the plunger 140 as previously described. While cutting, the dispenser could also reform the plunger portion 140 into a specific geometry. For example, it can create a flare (not shown) in the end of the plunger portion 140 to ensure a good fit between the plunger portion 140 and the tube body 120.

[0068] Referring to Figures 9, 10B, 14A-C including 14Bi and 14Ci, 15A-C, 16A-B, 17A-B and 19A-B, the bottom nozzle cap 180 is installed over the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120. Referring to Figures 9, 10B, and 14A-C including 14Bi and 14Ci, in one embodiment the bottom nozzle cap 180 includes one or more openings 188 that cooperate with a puncture feature 182 (e.g. , any device or projection effective for creating a dispensing opening 129 through the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 such as a puncturing sharp or a rupturing blunt projection) on the bottom nozzle cap 180 for creating a dispensing opening 129 in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 and allowing dispensing of wet pet food through the created dispensing opening 129 in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 and the opening(s) 188 in the bottom nozzle cap 180.

[0069] Referring to Figures 15A-C, in another embodiment, the bottom nozzle cap 180 includes one or more openings 188 that are radially 120r spaced from the center of the bottom nozzle cap 180. The bottom nozzle cap 180 is installed over and retained on the dispensing end 122 of a tube body 120 that includes matching openings through the tube body 120. The bottom nozzle cap 180 is secured in a closed position, such as via an adhesive, with the openings 188 in the bottom nozzle cap 180 and the dispensing openings 129 in the tube body 120 misaligning. The capsule 100 can be opened by the capsule opening mechanism 260 by rotating the bottom nozzle cap 180 relative to the tube body 120 until the dispensing openings 188 and 129 in the bottom nozzle cap 180 and the tube body 120 are aligned. The capsule dispensing mechanism 270 can also rotate the bottom nozzlecap 180 into a partially aligned position to control dispensing of wet pet food from the capsule 100 or a fully misaligned position to close the capsule 100.

[0070] Referring to Figures 16A-B, in yet another embodiment, the bottom nozzle cap 180 can include a plug 185, made of plastic, aluminum, or other suitable materials, operable for selective insertion into a dispensing opening 129 in the tube body 120. In the default closed position, the plug 185 on the bottom nozzle cap 180 plugs the dispensing opening 129 in the tube body 120. The bottom nozzle cap 180 can be moved away from the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 by the capsule opening mechanism 260 to remove the plug 185 from the dispensing opening 129 in the tube body 120 and open the capsule 100 for dispensing of its contents. The bottom nozzle cap 180 can be returned to its default position with the plug 185 reinserted into the dispensing opening 129 in the tube body 120 to close the capsule 100.

[0071] Referring to Figures 17A-B, in a still further embodiment, the puncture feature 182 on the bottom nozzle cap 180 is one or more blunt features used to apply controlled and localized pressure to a designated area(s) of the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 as the bottom nozzle cap 180 is actuated for rupturing an area of the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 along score lines or lines of weakness.

[0072] The bottom nozzle cap 180 is preferably made of aluminum, but may alternatively be made with other materials such as steel, plastic, compostable material, or some combination thereof. The bottom nozzle cap 180 is retained mechanically to the tube body for axial translation along the tube body 120 as between a default inactive position with the puncture feature 182 spaced from the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 and an activated dispensing position with the puncture feature 182 engaging and puncturing the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120.

[0073] In a particular embodiment, the bottom nozzle cap 180 is installed onto the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 with leaf spring snap features 184 that interface with an annular groove 128 on the tube body 120, placing the bottom nozzle cap 180 in the inactive default position. This inactive default position secures the bottom nozzle cap 180 in position for shipping and storage and spaces the puncture feature 182 on the bottom nozzle cap 180 from the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120.

[0074] Referring to Figures 18A-B, the capsule 100 could be constructed sans bottom nozzle cap 180. Instead, the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 can include a peel-away or rupturable adhesively applied foil seal over a pre-formed dispensing opening 129 in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120, or score lines or lines of weakness in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 which rupture under pressure to form a dispensing opening 129, created by either (i) axial 120a movement the plunger 140 towards the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120, or (ii) crimping or circumferential compression of the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120. The score lines or lines of weakness can be configured and arranged to provide controlled dispensing of wet pet food through the formed dispensing opening 129. The configuration and arrangement of the score lines or lines of weakness in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 could facilitate closing of the formed dispensing opening 129 after release of the force exerting the pressure or compression or upon increased compressive force.

[0075] The capsule 100 is preferably designed to safely, securely and hermetically retain perishable wet pet food and undergo customary sterilization so as to provide prolonged storage without the need for refrigeration prior to opening.

[0076] The capsule 100 is further designed to interface with a dispenser 200 for automatic dispensing of its contents. The capsule 100 includes several features that interface with mechanisms and features on the dispenser 200 to enable loading and storage of a plurality of filled capsules 101, selective conveyance, opening and dispensing of filled capsules 101, and storage of spent capsules 102.

[0077] The capsule 100 can be designed to minimize wet pet food residue during and after dispensing, and to eliminate the presence of contaminating wet pet food residue on internal dispenser 200 components. Specifically, the bottom nozzle cap 180 can be designed to create a specific controlled opening in the tube body 120, controlling exactly where and how the wet pet food in the capsule 100 is dispensed. The bottom nozzle cap 180 can also have coatings to improve cleanliness such as anti-bacterial, non-stick, etc.

[0078] The bottom nozzle cap 180 can also have features that interface with the dispenser 200 to further minimize wet pet food residue. With these features, the dispenser 200 can manipulate the bottom nozzle cap 180 in a number of different ways, such as pulling back the bottom nozzle cap 180 to its original axially spaced position, vibrate the bottom nozzle cap 180, twist the bottom nozzle cap 180, etc.

[0079] The dispenser 200 can also have features that interface with the capsule 100 in order to clean the capsule 100. For example, the dispenser 200 can include a capsulecleaning mechanism (not shown) such as a wiping mechanism (not shown) that cleans the bottom nozzle cap 180 between each dispensing. The dispenser 200 can also have a mechanism (not shown) to partially seal off the bottom nozzle cap 180 from the surrounding environment so as to prevent any wet pet food residue from drying out, dripping, or being exposed to the environment.DISPENSER

[0080] Referring to Figure 1 , the wet pet food dispenser 200 includes various functional components related to wet pet food storage and serving, as well as controller and power systems, conveniently retained within a protective enclosure 210. The enclosure 210 includes a door 212, a controller 230, a filled capsule retention zone 241 such as a drawer or hopper 241vi, a spent capsule retention zone 242 such as a drawer or hopper 242vi, capsule loader mechanism 250, capsule opening mechanism 260, capsule dispensing mechanism 270, and pet presence sensor 300.

[0081] The enclosure 210 rests upon and is attached to a base plate 220. These components are preferably secured together using a quick release mechanism to allow quick and easy detachment of the components to facilitate cleaning.

[0082] Referring to Figures 6 and 6A-G, the base plate 220 encompasses a bowl conveyor assembly 290, such as a linear actuator, for reciprocation of a bowl 280 between a dispensing area 225d within the enclosure 210 and a serving area 225s outside the enclosure 210.

[0083] A tabletop 225 can cover the bowl conveyor assembly 290. The tabletop 225 may be completely smooth and flat or may have features such as a longitudinal debossed marking to help guide users on where to place the bowl 280. The tabletop 225 can be easily cleaned, and should be easily removable from the balance of the base plate 220 for deep cleaning.

[0084] Lights or display elements (not shown) on the tabletop 225 can be provided to help guide a user on where to place the bowl 280 or indicate if there is something that needs attention. In one embodiment, these lights or display elements are located on, embedded within or provided underneath a transparent or translucent tabletop 225. Alternatively these lights or display elements may be provided on the carriage 286.

[0085] One embodiment of the bowl conveyor assembly 290 is a carriage 286 hidden underneath the tabletop 225 and having a magnetic connection to a magnetic element 282 onthe bowl 280 whereby linear movement of the carriage 286 effects coincident sliding movement of the bowl 280 along the surface of the tabletop 225. The friction coefficient between the bottom of the bowl 280 and the tabletop 225 should be low enough to facilitate smooth gliding of the bowl 280 along the tabletop 225. Such magnetic attraction allows the tabletop 225 to shield and prevent fouling of the bowl conveyor assembly 290 so as to facilitate cleaning of the dispensing and serving areas 225d and 225s. The magnetic attraction further assists in guiding users on placement of the bowl 280 back onto the tabletop 225 and inhibits jostling of the bowl 280 by a pet.

[0086] Referring to Figures 1 and 8, a weight sensor 284 for sensing and communicating the weight of the bowl 280 and any wet pet food in the bowl 280 to the controller 230 can be provided within the base plate 220, preferably carried on the carriage 286. The weight sensor 284 can report the amount of wet pet food dispensed into the bowl 280 when the bowl 280 is in the dispensing area 225d, and the amount of wet pet food consumed by a pet when the bowl 280 is in the serving area 225s.

[0087] Referring to Figures 1 and 6A-G, an access opening 218 is provided through the enclosure 210 for accommodating reciprocation of the bowl 280 between the dispensing and serving areas 225d and 225s. A door 212 can be provided over the access opening 218. Generally, the door 212 will be closed while the dispenser 200 is dispensing wet pet food, once a bowl 280 filled with wet pet food is fully presented within the serving area 225s, and when the bowl 280 is stored inside the enclosure 210 between feedings. The door 212 prevents pets from tampering with the operable components of the dispenser 200 and playing with the bowl 280 between feedings. The door 212 is also an environmental barrier, keeping out debris and insects and allowing the dispensing area 225d to be climate controlled. The door 212 also allows the dispensing area 225d to be fully isolated from the surrounding environment whereby the dispensing area 225d and the internal operable components of the dispenser 200 can be sanitized between feedings such as via UV light, air filters, or other such mechanisms without exposing the pet or user to hazards. The door 212 may be equipped with a seal (not shown) to contain any odors.

[0088] For safety, the door 212 preferably closes by a passive process. The door 212 can be opened with an electromechanical mechanism. This mechanism should be able to actively open the maintain the open state of the door 212, but preferably effects closing by simply releasing the door 212 and allowing the door 212 to closes via gravity. To help control the closing process, a mechanical damper (not shown) can slow down the closingmotion by countering the weight of the door 212. Such gravity induced closing prevents potential injurious pinching of a pet’s or human’s extremities located between the door 212 and the tabletop 225 during closing of the door 212 as the door 212 will simply stop dropping when it encounters the obstruction and complete the drop once the obstruction is removed.

[0089] Referring to Figure 1 , the capsule loader mechanism 250 interacts with capsules 100 located in a filled capsule 101 retention zone 241 such as a hopper or drawer 241vi, and a spent capsule 102 retention zone 242 such as a hopper or drawer 242vi. The capsule loader mechanism 250 transports filled capsules 101 from the filled capsule retention zone 241 into a dispensing zone 243, holds a filled capsule 101 in the dispensing zone 243 during dispensing of wet pet food from the filled capsule 101, and transports spent capsules 102 from the dispensing zone 243 to the spent capsule retention zone 242.

[0090] Referring to Figures 4 and 4A-G, one embodiment of the capsule loader mechanism 250 is an individual capsule grip conveyance mechanism 250vi which sequentially indexes individual capsules 100 through three positions: (A) loading, (B) dispensing, and (C) unloading. A secondary actuator (not shown) loads and unloads a capsule 100 in positions (A) and (C), as well as advances the remaining capsules 100. Advancement and loading may also be accomplished via passive elements driven by gravity.

[0091] Referring to Figures 5 and 5A, another embodiment of the capsule loader mechanism 250 is a conveyor 250V2 for serially indexed conveyance of filled capsules 101 in a single direction (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) into a dispensing zone, with spent capsules 102 retaining their position on the conveyor 250V2 but conveyed through the dispensing zone 243 as a fresh filled capsule 101 is conveyed into the dispensing zone 243. The conveyor 250V2 may be a linear open loop conveyor but is preferably a circular, closed loop carousel-type conveyor.

[0092] Referring to Figures 1 and 3A-C, a filled capsule 101 positioned in the dispensing zone 243 by the capsule loader mechanism 250 can be opened by a capsule opening mechanism 260 that axially 120a actuates the bottom nozzle cap 180 on the filled 101 capsule, creating a nozzle-like dispensing opening 129 in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120. The capsule opening mechanism 260 can be a standalone linear actuator, or integrated with the linear actuator for the capsule loader mechanism 250. When standalone, a linear actuator pushes the bottom nozzle cap 180 axially against the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120, while the plunger end 121 of the tube body 120 is supported by a fixed end-stop (not shown). When integrated, the end of the linear actuated rod 275 of the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 has an annular push block (not shown) that is located around and ahead of the distal end of the linear actuated rod 275, and attached via a relatively stiff compression spring (not shown). The push block contacts the outer rim of the plunger end 121 of the tube body 120, and actuates the tube body 120 against the bottom nozzle cap 180, which is supported by an end-stop (not shown) on the bottom. The stiffness of the compression spring is such that the linear actuated rod 275 doesn’t make contact with the plunger 140 on the filled capsule 101 until the bottom nozzle cap 180 has been fully actuated.

[0093] Once a filled capsule 101 is opened, the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 is actuated to dispense the wet pet food in the filled capsule 101. The distal end of the linear actuator rod 275 of the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 is translated towards the plunger end 121 of the tube body 120 until it breaks through the top cap 160 on the filled capsule 101 and contacts - in some embodiments locks onto - the plunger 140 on the filled capsule 101, after which it continues its axial translation so as to axially push the plunger 140 towards the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120. The depth of actuation of the plunger actuation reciprocating rod 260 determines the amount of wet pet food dispensed through the unsealed bottom nozzle cap 180 and into the bowl 280. A filled capsule 101 may be partially 103 or fully 102 emptied during each dispensing phase.

[0094] The bowl conveyor assembly 290 can longitudinally move the carriage 286 and hence the bowl 280 short distances during dispensing of wet pet food into the bowl 280 to help evenly distribute the wet pet food as it is dispensed into the bowl 280.

[0095] Referring to Figures 7A-B, the dispenser 200 can include a bowl lateral translation linear actuator 295 laterally move the bowl 280 short lateral distances off the carriage 286 during dispensing of wet pet food into the bowl 280 to help evenly distribute the wet pet food as it is dispensed into the bowl 280.

[0096] Alternatively, such longitudinal and lateral shifting of the bowl 280 relative to the wet pet food being dispensed from a capsule 100 can be achieved by longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the filled capsule 101 during dispensing.

[0097] A capsule cleaning mechanism (not shown) can be employed to remove food residue from the dispensing end 122 of a fully spent capsule 102. This mechanism consists of a wiper (not shown) which absorbs food residue. This wiper may be actuated linearly or rotationally past the dispensing opening 188 in the bottom nozzle cap 180 on the fully orpartially spent capsule 102. In one embodiment, the wiper is a user-serviceable part that can be removed and replaced with a new wiper. In another embodiment, the wiper is a re-usable part, intended to be washed by the user. In yet another embodiment, the wiper is part of the capsule 100.

[0098] Referring to Figure 1 , the dispenser 200 may be equipped with a pet presence sensor 300 such as a camera, radar, ultrasonic or infrared in communication with the controller 230. The pet presence sensor 300 detection can detect presence / absence of an object within the range of the sensor 300, presence / absence of an object in the general shape of a pet within the range of the sensor 300, presence / absence of an object moving within the range of the sensor 300 with or without sensing and communication of the direction of travel.

[0099] The dispenser 200 can include features and mechanisms for selective heating and cooling of capsules 100 retained within the dispenser 200 (not shown), such as powered thermal elements that heat or cool the capsules 100 within the enclosure 210 before, during or after dispensing. For example, the dispenser 200 can gently warm filled capsules 101 just prior to dispensing to a serving temperature to serve the wet pet food at an appetizing temperature. The filled capsules 101 can also be cooled to aid in food preservation or improve dispensing control by altering the flow mechanics. The capsules 100 can be constructed and designed and the dispenser 200 equipped with a heating / cooling element (not shown) to provide direct heat transfer to individual capsules 100 to increase efficiency. In particular, the dispenser 200 can be equipped with a mechanism to selectively and directly contact and cool a partially emptied capsule 103 retained within the dispensing zone 243 to refrigerate and preserve wet pet food remaining in the partially emptied capsule 103.BOWL

[0100] Referring to Figures 1, 4, 5A, 6A-G and 8, the bowl 280 is shaped to hold wet pet food dispensed by the dispenser 200 into the bowl 280 and present the wet pet food in the bowl for consumption by a pet.

[0101] Referring to Figures 6A-G, the bowl 280 is carried by the carriage 286 between the dispensing and serving areas 225d and 225s. This can be accomplished magnetically as described herein or mechanically such as by nesting, friction fit, snaps, bayonet locks, screw threads or the like.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the bowl 280 is magnetically secured to the carriage 286 with the bowl 280 constructed from a non-magnetic material such as plastic,ceramic, or a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum with a magnetically attracted bottom. This allows for precise control over the position of the bowl 280 on the tabletop 225.

[0103] The magnetic force between the bowl 280 and the 286 through the tabletop 225 is preferably selected to prevent a pet from easily removing the bowl 280 while allow easy removal by a human for cleaning.USER INTERFACE

[0104] Referring to Figure 1, a user can interface with the controller 230 via any of the various known user interface options 400, including specifically but not exclusively a web-enabled device such as a smartphone with an App or a computer with a web browser.

[0105] A user can establish and communicate any number of parameters to the controller 230, including specifically but not exclusively (i) frequency of feeding cycles, (ii) duration of each feeding period, and (iii) serving size measured by weight or volume. Alternatively, serving size can be measured by calories calculated from the caloric value per weight or volume of the wet pet food. Optionally, serving size can be determined and adjusted based upon the pet’ s weight as measured by the pet weight sensor 320 on the dispenser 200.Method of Operation

[0106] The dispenser 200 may operate in various user-selectable regimes, which can be customized by the user according to desired serving size and dispensing schedule.

[0107] Standard automatic feeding operation steps can include (i) sensor checks via controller 230 to prevent operation unless (A) a sufficient supply (e.g., at least one) of filled capsules 101 in the filled capsule retention zone 241, such as filled capsule drawer 241vi, are available for dispensing, (B) sufficient space is available in the spent capsule retention zone 242, such as spent capsule drawer 242vi, for acceptance and storage of a spent capsules 102, (C) the bowl 270 is present on the bowl weight sensor 276, and (D) door 212 is closed, (ii) advancement of a filled capsule 101 via capsule conveyance mechanism 250 from the filled capsule retention zone 241 into the dispensing zone 243, (iii) dispensing wet pet food from the filled capsule 101 advanced into the dispensing zone 243 into the bowl 280 located in the dispensing area 225d of the table top 225, (iv) activation of linear actuated rod 275 to push the plunger 140 on the filled capsule 101 in the dispensing zone 243 into the filled capsule 101 and thereby dispensing wet pet food from the filled capsule 101 out through the bottom nozzle cap 180 and into the bowl 280 located in the dispensing area 225d of the table top 225until the filled capsule 101 is empty or alternatively until the bowl weight sensor 276 signals the controller 230 that the desired amount of wet pet food has been dispensed into the bowl 280 leaving a partially emptied capsule 103, (v) opening of door 212, (vi) conveyance of bowl 280 and the wet pet food dispensed into the bowl 270 via actuation of bowl conveyance assembly 290 from the dispensing area 225d of the table top 225 through the open door 212 and into the serving area 225s of the table top 225, (vii) closing the door 212, and (viii) at any time after step (iv) advancement of the now spent capsule 102 via capsule conveyance loader 250 from the dispensing zone 243 to the spent capsule retention zone 242.

[0108] Optionally, the presence / absence of a pet proximate the serving area 225s of the table top 225, preferably after a preset pause to accommodate a pet’s discovery and consumption of the wet pet food in the bowl 270 positioned in the serving area 225s of the table top 225, can be sensed via pet presence sensor 300 and when absence is detected the controller 230 automatically (a) opens the door 212, (b) conveys bowl 270 via actuation of bowl conveyance assembly 290 from the serving area 225s of the table top 225 through the open door 212 and into of the dispensing area 225d of the table top 225, and (c) closes the door 212.

[0109] Generally, the dispenser 200 opens and dispenses wet pet food from a capsule 100 in two stages.

[0110] Referring to Figures 3A-B and 4A-C, in a first stage, once a filled capsule 101 is transported from the filled capsule retention zone 241 into the dispensing zone 243 by the capsule loader mechanism 250, the capsule opening mechanism 260 interfaces with the dispensing end 122 of the capsule 100 to open the dispensing end 122 in a manner that opens the dispensing end 122 of the capsule 100 without significant buildup of pressure in the capsule 100. In one embodiment, this is done by applying sufficient axial 120a force to the bottom nozzle cap 180 to overcome the force retaining the bottom nozzle cap 180 in the default inactive position (e.g., retention force of the leaf springs 184) so as to move the bottom nozzle cap 180 axially 120a along the tube body 120 from the default inactive position with the puncture feature 182 on the bottom nozzle cap 180 spaced from the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 into an activated dispensing position with the puncture feature 182 engaging and puncturing the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120. In alternative embodiments, opening of the filled capsule 101 may involve different motions and techniques such as rotation of the bottom nozzle cap 180 relative to the tube body 120. In alternative designs having no bottom nozzle cap 180, the dispenser 200 could be equippedwith a feature that creates the dispensing opening 129 in the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120.

[0111] Referring to Figures 3B-C, in the second stage, the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 interfaces with the plunger end 121 of the capsule 100 by opening or removing the top cap 160 and axially 120a driving the plunger 140 towards the dispensing end 122 of the capsule 100. In a particular embodiment of the capsule dispensing mechanism 270, a linear actuated rod 275 contacts and drives the plunger 140.

[0112] When only a portion of the wet pet food in a given capsule 100 is to be dispensed in a dispensing cycle, the plunger 140 can be stopped at any point. If desired, the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 (e.g., the linear actuated rod 275) can be locked onto the plunger 140 during dispensing to allow the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 to both push and pull the plunger 140 in both axial 120a directions. Pulling of the plunger 140 away from the dispensing end 122 of the tube body 120 creates a vacuum inside the tube body 120 effective for controlling dispensing of wet pet food from the capsule 100.

[0113] Once the plunger 140 bottoms out, the capsule dispensing mechanism 270 can be withdrawn, or unlocked / disengaged from the plunger 140 and then withdrawn from the tube body 120, leaving the plunger 140 in place.

Claims

We claim:

1. A hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule, comprising:(a) a hollow tube body defining an axial axis and an axially extending payload chamber, and having an axial length extending from a first end to a second end,(b) wet pet food retained within the payload chamber,(c) a plunger proximate the first end of the hollow tube operable for axial travel along the axial length of the hollow tube body upon application of an axial force upon the plunger,(d) a top cap hermetically sealing the first end of the hollow tube, and(e) a manipulatable nozzle cap secured to the second end of the tube body in a default rest position whereby the payload chamber is hermetically sealed, whereby the nozzle cap is manipulable from the default rest position to an activated dispensing position whereby the payload chamber is exposed to the surrounding environment for dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber through the second end of the tube body when the nozzle cap is in the activated dispensing position upon axial translation of the plunger towards the second end of the tube body.

2. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 wherein the payload chamber has a volume of between 20 and 1000 cm3.

3. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 containing a single serving of wet pet food.

4. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 containing multiple servings of wet pet food.

5. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 further comprising a line of weakness in the top cap for facilitating axial penetration through the top cap and axial engagement of the plunger.

6. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 wherein the nozzle cap is operable for travel in an axial direction towards the second end of the tube body from the default rest position to the activated dispensing position.

7. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 6 wherein the second end of the tube body is closed and the nozzle cap is operable to puncture the closed second end of the tube body when manipulated into the activated dispensing position.

8. The hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule of claim 1 wherein the nozzle cap is operable for rotation about the axial axis relative to the tube body from the default rest position to the activated dispensing position.

9. A dispenser for dispensing wet pet food from a hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule in accordance with claim 1, comprising:(a) a filled capsule hopper for holding a plurality of the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsules,(b) a spent capsule hopper for holding a plurality of spent wet pet food capsules after dispensing of the wet pet food from the capsule,(c) a controller,(d) a capsule loader mechanism in communication with the controller for (i) repositioning individual hermetically sealed wet pet food capsules from the filled capsule hopper into a dispensing zone, and (ii) repositioning spent wet pet food capsules from the dispensing zone to the spent capsule hopper,(e) a capsule opening mechanism in communication with the controller for manipulating the nozzle cap on each hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule positioned within the dispensing zone into the activated dispensing position to create an opened capsule, and(f) a capsule dispensing mechanism in communication with the controller for effecting axial translation of the plunger on the opened capsule so as to effect dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a bowl conveyor assembly in communication with the controller for effecting reciprocating movement of a bowl between a dispensing area during dispensing of wet pet food to capture the dispensed wet pet food, and a serving area for presenting the wet pet food dispensed into the bowl to a pet.

11. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the controller is programmed for user interface to allow a user to establish at least one operating parameter selected from timing of sequential dispensings of wet pet food from a capsule by the dispenser and an amount of wet pet food dispensed at each dispensing of wet pet food by the dispenser.

12. A dispenser for dispensing wet pet food from a hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule in accordance with claim 1, comprising:(a) an enclosure defining an interior enclosed volume,(b) a controller,(c) a capsule loader mechanism in communication with the controller for repositioning the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule from a filled capsule retention zone to a dispensing zone within the interior enclosed volume of the enclosure,(d) a capsule opening mechanism in communication with the controller for manipulating the nozzle cap on the hermetically sealed wet pet food capsule positioned within the dispensing zone into the activated dispensing position to create an opened capsule, and(e) a capsule dispensing mechanism in communication with the controller for effecting axial translation of the plunger on the opened capsule so as to effect dispensing of the wet pet food within the payload chamber into a bowl positioned within the interior enclosed volume of the enclosure.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 further comprising a bowl conveyor assembly in communication with the controller for effecting reciprocating movement of a bowl between a dispensing area within the interior volume of the enclosure during dispensing of wet pet food to capture the dispensed wet pet food, and a serving area exterior the enclosure for presenting the wet pet food dispensed into the bowl to a pet.

14. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the controller is programmed for user interface to allow a user to establish at least one operating parameter selected from timing of sequential dispensings of wet pet food from a capsule by the dispenser and an amount of wet pet food dispensed at each dispensing of wet pet food by the dispenser.

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