Pet water feeder

Abstract

A pet water feeder (10) comprising first container and second containers (12, 14) each for receiving a fluid and having a lower end to rest on the ground in use. An elongate receptacle (16) extends from the first container (12) to the second container (14) and has an aperture (22) in an upper side. Fluid contained within the first and second containers (12, 14) may flow into the receptacle (16) and is accessible by animals through the aperture (22). Each of the containers (12, 14) includes a widened foot portion (24) at the lower end thereof.

Description

[0001] “PET WATER FEEDER”

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pet water feeder for feeding animals.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005]

[0002] Pet water feeders are commonly used to feed animals. Such water feeders generally comprise an elongate vessel with an open top to allow access to the water in the vessel by the animal. As the water within such feeders will be used up over time, it is also common for some type of refilling system to be employed. Such systems allow water from a connected water source to top up the water within the feeder as required.

[0006]

[0003] The present invention relates to such a pet water feeder. The pet water feeder is designed to be of a simple and sturdy construction, and may include an integrated water filling system. The pet water feeder provides also effective storage of a suitable volume of water in a physically stable configuration.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008]

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pet water feeder comprising: a first container for receiving a fluid having a lower end to rest on the ground in use, an upper end and a first chamber in which the fluid is received, the first chamber extending from the upper end to the lower end of the first container; a second container for receiving a fluid having a lower end to rest on the ground in use, an upper end and a second chamber in which the fluid is received, the second chamber extending from the upper end to the lower end of the second container; and an elongate receptacle extending from the first container to the second container having an aperture in an upper side thereof, the receptacle connecting to the first and second containers at locations between the upper and lower ends thereof such that fluid within the first and second containers may flow into the receptacle; wherein each of the containers includes a widened foot portion at the lower end thereof.

[0009]

[0005] Preferably the foot portions of each of the first and second containers comprise widened sections of the containers tapering outwardly from adjacent the connection to the receptacle to the lower ends thereof.

[0010]

[0006] Preferably each of the foot portions comprises a truncated, rectangular based pyramid.

[0011]

[0007] Preferably the first container is provided with a filler mechanism connectable to a water source to fill the first and second chambers to a predetermined level.

[0012]

[0008] Preferably an inlet is provided in the first container having a connector to connect with the water source.

[0013]

[0009] Preferably the inlet is provided on a side of the first container opposite the receptacle.

[0014]

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the filler mechanism includes a float provided within the first container connectable to a valve to control flow of water into the first chamber.

[0015]

[0011] Preferably a plurality of tabs are provided extending outwardly from the first and second containers, each of the tabs including a hole to receive the end of a stake.

[0016]

[0012] Preferably one or more of the tabs is provided with a slot into an upper side thereof to receive one of the stakes.

[0013] Preferably upper ends of the first and second containers each include an opening to receive a removable cap.

[0017]

[0014] Preferably the openings are sized to allow access to the first and second chambers by a hand for cleaning and maintenance.

[0018] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

[0015] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0020]

[0016] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a pet water feeder in accordance with the present invention;

[0021]

[0017] Figure 2 is a side view of the pet water feeder of Figure 1 ;

[0022]

[0018] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pet water feeder of Figure 1 ;

[0023]

[0019] Figure 4a is a top view of the pet water feeder of Figure 1 ; and

[0024]

[0020] Figure 4b is a side cross sectional view of the pet water feeder of Figure 4a through the line A-A.

[0025] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0026]

[0021] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a pet water feeder 10 comprising generally a first container 12, a second container 14 and a receptacle 16 extending between the first and second containers 12 and 14.

[0027]

[0022] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 includes a lower end 18 and an upper end 19. The first and second containers 12 and 14 will in use be placed such that the lower ends 19 thereof rest on the ground. The first container 12 includes a first chamber 20 extending from the lower end 19 to the upper end 18. The second container 14 includes a second chamber 21 extending from the lower end 19 to the upper end 18. In the embodiment shown, each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 is generally tubular having a relatively thin outer wall formed from a suitable material, such as a plastic-based material.

[0028]

[0023] The receptacle 16 connects to the first container 12 between the upper and lower ends 18 and 19 and also to the second container 14 between upper and lower ends 18 and 19. The receptacle 16 is generally tubular in shape such that the receptacle 16 extends generally horizontally between the first and second containers 12 and 1 when the first and second containers 12 and 14 rest on the ground. The receptacle 16 also preferably comprises a thin outer wall formed from a suitable material, such as a plastic material. The first and second containers 12 and 14 and the receptacle 16 are preferably integrally formed.

[0029]

[0024] In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 16 is generally circular in transverse cross-section and includes an aperture 22 extending along an upper side thereof. The interior of the receptacle 16 is connected to the first and second chambers 20 and 21 such that water received into the first and second containers 12 and 14 may flow into the receptacle 16 such that the fluid is accessible by animals through the aperture 22.

[0030]

[0025] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 includes a foot portion 24 at the lower end 19 thereof. The foot portions 24 comprise widened sections of the containers 12 and 14. The foot portions 24 taper outwardly from adjacent the connection between the receptacle 16 and the containers 12 and 14 to the lower ends 19 of the containers 12 and 14. In the embodiment shown, the foot portions 24 each comprise generally a truncated, rectangular based pyramid in shape.

[0031]

[0026] The upper ends 18 of each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 include openings 26. The openings 26 comprise circular openings having a thread around an outer side thereof to receive a cap 28 which may be screwed onto the thread to close off the opening 26. The openings 26 are sized to allow access to the chambers 20 and 21 by a hand to allow for cleaning of the chambers 20 and 21 and maintenance.

[0027] The first container 12 is provided with a filler mechanism 30 connectable to a water source (not shown), such as a hose. An inlet 32 is provided in the first container 12 on a side thereof opposite the receptacle 16. The inlet 32 includes a connector 34, such as a standard snap-on hose connector, to connect to the water source.

[0032]

[0028] The filler mechanism 30 includes a float 36 provided within the first container 12 connectable to a valve 38. The float 36 is provided within the first container 12 between the upper and lower ends 18 and 19 thereof and is connected to the valve 38 such that, when the float 36 rises to a predetermined level within the first container 12, the valve 38 is closed to prevent further filling of the pet water feeder 10. The float 36 is located in the first container 12 such that the valve 38 will close once the water level has risen to fill a lower portion of the receptacle 16.

[0033]

[0029] The pet water feeder 10 is provided also with a plurality of tabs 40 extending outwardly from the first and second containers 12 and 14. Each of the tabs 40 includes a hole 42 provided to receive the end of a stake 46 which may be driven into the ground to secure the pet water feeder 10. In the embodiment shown, each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 is provided with a tab 40 extending outwardly from the lower end 19 thereof on a side opposite the receptacle 16. Further tabs 40 are also provided on lower ends 19 of each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 on sides adjacent the receptacle 16. The tabs 40 may also be provided with slots 44 extending into upper sides thereof also for receiving ground engaging stakes 46.

[0034]

[0030] In use, the pet water feeder 10 is placed in a suitable location where it may be accessed by animals and secured to the ground with ground engaging stakes 46. A hose is attached to the inlet and the filler mechanism 30 allows the first and second chambers 20 and 21 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 and the lower side of the receptacle 16 to fill with water up to a level where it is accessible through the aperture 22 in the upper side of the receptacle 16. The shapes of the lower ends 19 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 provides both a useful quantity of water storage and a distribution of weight adjacent the lower ends 19 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 to further stabilise the pet water feeder 10.

[0035]

[0031] The openings 26 in the upper ends 18 of the first and second containers 12 and 14 are provided for access to the chambers 20 and 21 and the filler mechanism 30 for cleaning and maintenance.

[0036]

[0032] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A pet water feeder comprising: a first container for receiving a fluid having a lower end to rest on the ground in use, an upper end and a first chamber in which the fluid is received, the first chamber extending from the upper end to the lower end of the first container; a second container for receiving a fluid having a lower end to rest on the ground in use, an upper end and a second chamber in which the fluid is received, the second chamber extending from the upper end to the lower end of the second container; and an elongate receptacle extending from the first container to the second container having an aperture in an upper side thereof, the receptacle connecting to the first and second containers at locations between the upper and lower ends thereof such that fluid within the first and second containers may flow into the receptacle; wherein each of the containers includes a widened foot portion at the lower end thereof.

2. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the foot portions of each of the first and second containers comprise widened sections of the containers tapering outwardly from adjacent the connection to the receptacle to the lower ends thereof.

3. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the foot portions comprises a truncated, rectangular based pyramid.

4. A pet water feeder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first container is provided with a filler mechanism connectable to a water source to fill the first and second chambers to a predetermined level.

5. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 4, wherein an inlet is provided in the first container having a connector to connect with the water source.

6. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 5, wherein the inlet is provided on a side of the first container opposite the receptacle.

7. A pet water feeder in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the filler mechanism includes a float provided within the first container connectable to a valve to control flow of water into the first chamber.

8. A pet water feeder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of tabs are provided extending outwardly from the first and second containers, each of the tabs including a hole to receive the end of a stake.

9. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 8, wherein one or more of the tabs is provided with a slot into an upper side thereof to receive one of the stakes.

10. A pet water feeder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein upper ends of the first and second containers each include an opening to receive a removable cap.

11. A pet water feeder in accordance with claim 10, wherein the openings are sized to allow access to the first and second chambers by a hand for cleaning and maintenance.

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