Pet food product

Abstract

A pet food product (1) comprises: a container (8) including a cup-shaped storage part (11) in which pet food is stored, and a holding part (12) formed to extend in one direction outward away from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage part (11); and a sealing sheet (9) that seals an opening (11a) of the cup-shaped storage part (11) and is provided peelably from the opening (11a). A tab part (9a) for peeling the sealing sheet (9) is formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet (9) to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage part (11). On a plane on which the opening (11a) is located, at least a portion of the tab part (9a) is disposed within a range (R) of 180 degrees around a center (O), the range (R) being positioned on the opposite side of the holding part (12) with respect to a second straight line (L2) orthogonal to a first straight line (L1) along the one direction and passes through the center (O) of the opening (11a).

Description

Pet Food Products

[0001] The present invention relates to pet food products.

[0002] Known pet foods include snack pet foods intended to be given in limited amounts to pets for training, exercise, or as a reward. One such snack pet food product includes a container containing pet food, which is fed to a pet directly from the container while the pet holds the container by hand (Patent Document 1). In this pet food product, the opening of the cup-shaped container is sealed with a sealing sheet, and the sealing sheet is peeled off from the container when the pet is fed the pet food.

[0003] Patent No. 7108746

[0004] The sealing sheet of the pet food product in Patent Document 1 is releasably provided across the cup-shaped storage portion and the holding portion of the container, and a tab for peeling the sealing sheet is provided at an end extending from the opening of the cup-shaped storage portion along the holding portion. Therefore, when peeling the sealing sheet from the container, the tab located on the holding portion side is pinched and the sealing sheet is peeled from the holding portion toward the cup-shaped storage portion, and the entire sealing sheet is peeled off from the container.

[0005] Therefore, with the above-mentioned pet food product, the entire opening of the cup-shaped container is opened when feeding the pet food to the pet, and the pet eats the pet food in a short time, making it difficult to control the time it takes for the pet to eat. As a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult to spend a long time interacting with the pet while feeding the pet food as a snack.

[0006] The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a pet food product that allows easy adjustment of the time it takes for a pet to eat the pet food.

[0007] One aspect of the pet food product disclosed in the present application comprises a container having a cup-shaped storage portion in which pet food is stored and a holding portion formed extending in one direction from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion away from the outer periphery, and a sealing sheet that seals the opening of the cup-shaped storage portion and is provided so as to be peelable from the opening, and a tab for peeling the sealing sheet is formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet so as to protrude outside the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion, and on the plane in which the opening is located, at least a part of the tab is arranged within a range of 180 degrees around the center of the opening, perpendicular to a first straight line along one direction and on the opposite side of the holding portion with respect to a second straight line passing through the center of the opening.

[0008] According to one aspect of the pet food product disclosed herein, the time it takes for a pet to eat the pet food can be easily adjusted.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a pet food product of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a pet food product of an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a container of a pet food product of an embodiment from which a sealing sheet has been peeled off. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a container of a pet food product of an embodiment from which a sealing sheet has been peeled off. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a container of a pet food product of an embodiment. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the sealing sheet of a pet food product of an embodiment has been partially peeled off. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the sealing sheet of a pet food product of an embodiment has been further peeled off from the state shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating a tab portion of a sealing sheet in Modification 1. Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating a tab portion of a sealing sheet in Modification 2. Fig. 10 is a plan view illustrating a tab portion of a sealing sheet in Modification 3.

[0010] As used herein, the term "pet" refers to an animal kept by a human. In a narrower sense, a pet is an animal kept as a pet by its owner. Furthermore, the term "pet food" refers to food for pets.

[0011] <Example of Pet Food Product> An example of a pet food product disclosed in the present specification will be described.

[0012] (Mode 1) A pet food product includes a container having a cup-shaped storage portion in which pet food is stored and a retaining portion formed by extending in one direction from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion away from the outer periphery, and a sealing sheet that seals the opening of the cup-shaped storage portion and is provided so as to be peelable from the opening, wherein a tab for peeling the sealing sheet is formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet so as to protrude outside the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion, and on a plane in which the opening is located, at least a part of the tab is arranged within a range of 180 degrees around the center, perpendicular to a first straight line along the one direction and on the opposite side of the retaining portion with respect to a second straight line passing through the center of the opening.

[0013] (Aspect 2) Also within the scope, the pet food product of Aspect 1 is such that the gripping portion is positioned between the first straight line and the second straight line.

[0014] (Aspect 3) Also, within the range, this is the pet food product of Aspect 1, wherein the gripping portions are located on both sides of the first straight line.

[0015] (Aspect 4) Also, in the pet food product of Aspect 1, within the above range, the gripping portion is arranged on the first straight line.

[0016] (Aspect 5) In the pet food product of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, the outer peripheral edge of the sealing sheet is formed to extend outward beyond the outer periphery of the cup-shaped containing portion.

[0017] (Aspect 6) The pet food product is any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the cup-shaped storage portion has a circular outer periphery, and the gripping portion, when viewed in a plane, has a protruding length extending radially from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion's outer periphery by no more than 1 / 2 of the outer diameter of the outer periphery.

[0018] (Aspect 7) The pet food is the pet food product of any one of Aspects 1 to 6, which is a wet food for snacking.

[0019] (Configuration of pet food product) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a pet food product of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the pet food product of an embodiment.

[0020] 1 and 2 , a pet food product 1 of the embodiment includes a container 8 that contains wet food 7 as pet food, and a sealing sheet 9 that covers an opening 11a of the container 8. The container 8 has a cup-shaped storage portion 11 that contains the wet food 7, and a plate-shaped holding portion 12 that is formed and extends in one direction from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 away from the outer periphery.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the container 8 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment with the sealing sheet 9 removed. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the container 8 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment with the sealing sheet 9 removed. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the container 8 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the container 8 is made of, for example, a resin material. The cup-shaped storage portion 11 of the container 8 has a circular opening 11a, and the outer periphery 11b of the opening 11a is formed in a circular shape. The container 8 is formed with a flange 11c that protrudes radially from the opening 11a, circumferentially around the outer periphery 11b of the opening 11a. The base end 12a of the holding portion 12 on the cup-shaped storage portion 11 side is connected to a part of the flange 11c. The holding portion 12 has multiple recesses 12c formed on the upper surface of the tip end 12b on the side opposite the cup-shaped storage portion 11, and the recesses 12c function to prevent fingers from slipping when holding the holding portion 12.

[0023] 1 and 2 , the sealing sheet 9 seals the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 and is provided so as to be peelable from the opening 11a. The sealing sheet 9 is formed, for example, from a resin film, and is formed in a generally circular shape along the outer periphery of the flange portion 11c of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. The sealing sheet 9 is heat-sealed and bonded in an annular shape around the entire circumference of the flange portion 11c.

[0024] (Handle Portion of Sealing Sheet) A handle portion 9a for peeling off the sealing sheet 9 is formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet 9 so as to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. In the embodiment, the handle portion 9a is formed, for example, in a triangular shape, but the contour shape of the handle portion 9a is not limited thereto. On a plane P on which the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 is located, the handle portion 9a is arranged within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a, which is perpendicular to a first line L1 along one direction and is located on the opposite side of the holding portion 12 with respect to a second line L2 passing through the center O of the opening 11a. The position of the handle portion 9a within the range R here refers to the initial position in an unopened state in which the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 is sealed by the sealing sheet 9.

[0025] In this way, by positioning the gripping portion 9a in the range R located on the opposite side to the holding portion 12, when peeling off the sealing sheet 9 to feed the pet, it is possible to feed the pet from the cup-shaped storage portion 11 with the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 partially open, without peeling off the entire sealing sheet 9 from the container 8.

[0026] The opening 11a of the container 8 is opened by, for example, peeling the sealing sheet 9 away from the tab 9a or toward the holding portion 12 while pinching the tab 9a with fingers at the initial position in the unopened state (see FIG. 6). At this time, by peeling the sealing sheet 9 in stages, feeding can be performed while gradually increasing the opening amount of the opening 11a.

[0027] The gripping portion 9a in this embodiment is disposed between a first line L1 and a second line L2 within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a, and as an example, is formed so as to protrude in a direction forming a 45-degree angle with the second line L2 on the plane P on which the opening 11a is located (see FIG. 5). This allows the sealing sheet 9 of the pet food product 1 to be peeled off by easily gripping the gripping portion 9a with one hand while holding the holding portion 12 of the container 8 with the other hand.

[0028] In other words, for example, a right-handed user can hold the holding portion 12 with the left hand and easily pinch the tab 9a with the right hand to peel off the sealing sheet 9. Furthermore, since the tab 9a is located in a position that makes it easy to pinch while holding the holding portion 12, the opening amount of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 can be smoothly and easily adjusted.

[0029] Furthermore, after the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 is partially opened, the sealing sheet 9 in the embodiment can be returned to cover the opening 11a, and the tab portion 9a can be folded and hooked onto the flange portion 11c, which is the outer periphery 11b of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. Therefore, when feeding of the pet food product 1 is temporarily interrupted, the sealing sheet 9, which has been returned to cover the opening 11a, can be easily fixed to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the tab portion 9a.

[0030] Furthermore, on the plane P where the opening 11a of the cup-shaped housing portion 11 is located (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 2, the knob portion 9a has a protruding length C extending radially from the outer periphery of the outer periphery 11b of the cup-shaped housing portion 11, which is equal to or less than half the outer diameter D of the outer periphery 11b. In other words, the knob portion 9a satisfies C≦(D / 2). Here, the protruding length C of the knob portion 9a refers to the maximum length from the outer periphery of the flange portion 11c of the cup-shaped housing portion 11.

[0031] Forming tab 9a to this protrusion length C prevents tab 9a from interfering with handling operations during the manufacturing process of pet food product 1 and prevents tab 9a from becoming bulky inside a packaging box that contains multiple pet food products 1. Furthermore, forming tab 9a to an appropriate size prevents damage to tab 9a and prevents a deterioration in the quality of pet food product 1.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge of the sealing sheet 9 is formed to extend outward beyond the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion 11, i.e., the outer periphery of the flange portion 11c. This makes it possible to easily fold and hook the outer periphery of the sealing sheet 9 onto the outer periphery 11b of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. Therefore, when feeding is temporarily interrupted, in addition to fixing the sealing sheet 9 to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the tab portion 9a, the sealing sheet 9 can also be easily fixed to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the outer periphery of the sealing sheet 9.

[0033] In the embodiment, the container 8 has a circular opening 11a as an example, but this does not limit the shapes of the opening 11a, the cup-shaped storage portion 11, and the container 8 as a whole. The opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 may be, for example, elliptical or polygonal.

[0034] (Wet Food) In the embodiment, the wet food 7 is a pet food for snacking, and refers to a paste-like pet food that contains more moisture than dried dry food. The moisture content of the wet food 7 is typically 50% by mass or more, preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 65% ​​by mass or more, and particularly preferably 70% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the wet food 7.

[0035] (Pet food product in use) Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the sealing sheet 9 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment has been partially peeled off. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the sealing sheet 9 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment has been further peeled off from the state shown in Fig. 7.

[0036] 2 and 6 , in the pet food product 1 of this embodiment, for example, by peeling the tab 9a toward the center O of the opening 11a and opening about half of the opening 11a, the pet can be fed from the cup-shaped storage portion 11 with the opening 11a opened by about half. At this time, by overlapping the tab 9a peeled and turned over from the opening 11a with the unpeeled portion of the sealing sheet 9, the pet can be fed with one hand while holding the tab 9a with the fingers of the hand holding the holding portion 12. Therefore, pet food product 1 can be enjoyed while feeding with one hand and interacting with the pet with the other.

[0037] 7, with pet food product 1 of this embodiment, while feeding is being performed with opening 11a about half open, tab 9a can be further peeled back toward center O of opening 11a, and feeding can be performed from cup-shaped storage portion 11 when opening 11a is about three-quarters open. At this time, as described above, tab 9a that has been peeled back from opening 11a can be held down with the fingers of the hand holding holding portion 12 while feeding with one hand.

[0038] Finally, feeding is performed with the entire sealing sheet 9 peeled off from the opening 11a, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. By gradually increasing the opening amount of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped container 11 in this way, the time required for the pet to eat the wet food 7 from the cup-shaped container 11 can be adjusted appropriately, so that sufficient time can be ensured for interacting with the pet.

[0039] Although not shown, the pet food product 1 may have a scale marking on it, for example, on the sealing sheet 9 or on the upper surface of the flange 11c of the cup-shaped storage portion 11, which serves as a guide for the position at which the sealing sheet 9 should be peeled off in stages. By peeling off the sealing sheet 9 in accordance with the scale marking, it becomes easier to determine the amount of opening of the opening 11a.

[0040] Effect of the Embodiment As described above, in the pet food product 1 of the embodiment, the sealing sheet 9 sealing the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 has a tab 9a for peeling the sealing sheet 9 formed on the outer periphery thereof, protruding outward from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. On the plane P on which the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11 is located, at least a portion of the tab 9a of the sealing sheet 9 is disposed within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a, which is perpendicular to a first line L1 along the direction in which the holding portion 12 extends from the cup-shaped storage portion 11 and is located on the opposite side of the holding portion 12 from a second line L2 passing through the center O of the opening 11a. This makes it possible to gradually adjust the amount of opening of the opening 11a using the sealing sheet 9 without peeling the entire sealing sheet 9 from the container 8 when opening the opening 11a. Therefore, the pet food product 1 makes it easy to adjust the time it takes for the pet to eat the wet food 7. As a result, pet food product 1 allows for appropriate time to be spent with pets.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the pet food product 1 of the embodiment, when feeding is temporarily suspended, the sealing sheet 9 that has been returned to cover the opening 11a can be easily fixed to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the tab 9a.

[0042] Furthermore, in the sealing sheet 9 of the pet food product 1 of the embodiment, the gripping portion 9a is positioned between the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 within the range R. This allows the sealing sheet 9 of the pet food product 1 to be peeled off by easily gripping the gripping portion 9a with one hand while holding the holding portion 12 of the container 8 with the other hand.

[0043] Furthermore, in the pet food product 1 of the embodiment, the outer peripheral edge of the sealing sheet 9 is formed to extend outward beyond the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. This makes it possible to easily fold and hook the outer periphery of the sealing sheet 9 onto the outer periphery 11b of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. Therefore, when feeding is temporarily interrupted, in addition to fixing the sealing sheet 9 to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the tab portion 9a, the sealing sheet 9 can also be easily fixed to the cup-shaped storage portion 11 by the outer periphery of the sealing sheet 9.

[0044] Furthermore, in pet food product 1 of the embodiment, tab 9a of sealing sheet 9 has a protruding length C that extends radially from the outer periphery of outer periphery 11b of cup-shaped storage portion 11 on plane P where opening 11a of cup-shaped storage portion 11 is located, and is equal to or less than half the outer diameter D of outer periphery 11b. This prevents tab 9a from interfering with handling operations during the manufacturing process of pet food product 1 and prevents tab 9a from becoming bulky inside a packaging box that contains multiple pet food products 1. Furthermore, forming tab 9a to an appropriate size prevents damage to tab 9a and prevents a deterioration in the quality of pet food product 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the pet food in the pet food product 1 of the embodiment is wet snack food 7. Feeding pet food as a snack is particularly effective because it allows sufficient time for interaction with the pet.

[0046] Modifications 1 to 3 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Modifications 1 to 3, the same components as those in the embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Modifications 1 to 3 differ from the embodiment in the arrangement of the tabs of the sealing sheet 9.

[0047] (Variation 1) Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating the tabs of the sealing sheet 9 in Variation 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the pet food product 2 of Variation 1 includes a sealing sheet 9 having two tabs 9b, 9c.

[0048] In the first modification, two tabs 9b, 9c are arranged on both sides of the first straight line L1 within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. By arranging the tabs 9b, 9c on both sides of the first straight line L1 in this manner, it becomes possible to select and peel off either one of the two tabs 9b, 9c when peeling off the sealing sheet 9. This increases the degree of freedom when peeling off the sealing sheet 9 regardless of the user's dominant hand.

[0049] In addition, in variant example 1, when the sealing sheet 9 is peeled off using the two knobs 9b and 9c, when feeding is temporarily interrupted, the sealing sheet 9, which has been returned to cover the opening 11a, can be stably fixed to the cup-shaped storage section 11 by the two knobs 9b and 9c.

[0050] Furthermore, in variant example 1, by forming each of tabs 9 b, 9 c in a shape that resembles an animal's ear, it is possible to apply a design that resembles an animal's face to sealing sheet 9. For example, by applying a design that resembles the face of the pet for which pet food product 1 is intended to sealing sheet 9, it is possible to improve the distinguishability between pet food product 1 for dogs and pet food product 1 for cats.

[0051] As described above, according to variant example 1, as in the embodiment, the amount of opening of the opening 11a can be gradually adjusted using the sealing sheet 9 to adjust the time required for the pet to eat the wet food 7, and the degree of freedom when peeling off the sealing sheet 9 can be increased, allowing for designs to be applied using the sealing sheet 9.

[0052] (Modification 2) Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating a tab portion of a sealing sheet 9 in Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 9, a pet food product 3 in Modification 2 includes a sealing sheet 9 having a tab portion 9d.

[0053] In Modification 2, the knob 9d is disposed on the second straight line L2 within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped housing portion 11. In Modification 2, the knob 9d is formed in a triangular shape with the protruding length C being maximized on the second straight line L2. In the present disclosure, the form in which the knob is disposed in the range R also includes a form in which the knob 9d is positioned on the second straight line L2 and a portion of the knob 9d is positioned closer to the holding portion 12 than the second straight line L2, as in Modification 2.

[0054] In the second modification, as in the embodiment, the opening amount of the opening 11 a can be adjusted in stages by the sealing sheet 9 , thereby adjusting the time required for the pet to eat the wet food 7 .

[0055] (Modification 3) Fig. 10 is a plan view illustrating a tab portion of a sealing sheet 9 in Modification 3. As shown in Fig. 10, a pet food product 4 in Modification 3 includes a sealing sheet 9 having a tab portion 9e.

[0056] In the third modification, the handle 9e is disposed on a first straight line L1 within a 180-degree range R around the center O of the opening 11a of the cup-shaped storage portion 11. In the third modification, for example, the handle 9e can be used to create a design that resembles an animal's tail or the like.

[0057] As described above, in variant example 3, as in the embodiment, the sealing sheet 9 can be used to gradually adjust the amount of opening of the opening 11a, thereby adjusting the time required for the pet to eat the wet food 7, and the sealing sheet 9 can also be used to create a design.

[0058] Furthermore, as in Modification 3, when the tab 9e is arranged on the first straight line L1 within the range R, although not shown, the sealing sheet 9 may be extended toward the tip 12b of the holding portion 12 and adhered to the upper surface of the holding portion 12. In this case, even when the entire opening 11a is unsealed, the sealing sheet 9 is not separated from the cup-shaped containing portion 11, and a part of the sealing sheet 9 can remain attached to the holding portion 12, so that the container 8 and the sealing sheet 9 can be disposed of together.

[0059] The embodiments and modifications of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application can be embodied in other forms that include the aspects described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and are variously modified and improved based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0060] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Pet food product 7 Wet food (pet food) 8 Container 9 Sealing sheet 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e Handle portion 11 Cup-shaped storage portion 11a Opening 11b Outer periphery 11c Collar portion 12 Holding portion C Projection length D Outer diameter L1 First straight line L2 Second straight line O Center P Plane R Range

Claims

1. A pet food product comprising: a container having a cup-shaped storage section in which pet food is stored, and a holding section formed by extending in one direction from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage section away from the outer periphery; and a sealing sheet that seals the opening of the cup-shaped storage section and is provided so as to be peelable from the opening, wherein a tab for peeling the sealing sheet is formed on the outer periphery of the sealing sheet so as to protrude outside the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage section, and on a plane in which the opening is located, at least a part of the tab is positioned within a 180-degree range around the center, perpendicular to a first line along the one direction, and on the opposite side of the holding section from a second line passing through the center of the opening.

2. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein within said range, said pinching portion is disposed between said first straight line and said second straight line.

3. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein within said range, said tabs are arranged on both sides of said first straight line.

4. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein within said range, said tabs are arranged on said first straight line.

5. A pet food product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the sealing sheet is formed to extend outward beyond the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion.

6. A pet food product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cup-shaped storage portion has a circular outer periphery, and the length of the knob portion that extends radially from the outer periphery of the cup-shaped storage portion on the plane is not more than half the outer diameter of the outer periphery.

7. A pet food product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pet food is a wet food for snacking.

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