Kibble Dispenser Rope Mediator for Pet Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current kibble dispenser products lack variety and fail to provide an engaging challenge for pets, leading to a need for innovative designs that slow kibble dispensing and require less frequent refilling.

Innovation Solution

A kibble dispenser with an elongated middle section and bulbous end sections, featuring a kibble access window covered by a rope, which requires pets to move the rope to access the kibble, incorporating a kibble storage cavity with a kibble insertion window and using durable materials like nylon or rubber for durability and challenge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If kibble dispenser uses simple opening design, then ease of operation is improved, but kibble dispensing speed increases and reduces challenge for pets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidkibble dispensing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A rope is introduced as an intermediary element between the pet and the kibble. The rope must be manipulated (pulled, tangled, unwound) to access the kibble, adding a intermediate step that slows dispensing while maintaining ease of use. The rope acts as a mediator that transforms a direct access problem into a controlled dispensing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If kibble storage cavity is small, then device complexity is reduced, but refilling frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage cavity sizeVSAvoidrefilling frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The kibble dispenser is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bulbous storage cavity for bulk kibble storage, an elongated dispensing section with the rope mechanism, and access points. This segmentation allows the storage cavity to be optimized for capacity while the dispensing section handles the challenge mechanism, resolving the conflict between storage size and refilling frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If kibble dispenser uses durable materials like nylon or rubber, then strength is improved, but difficulty of manufacture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies material parameters (nylon or rubber) that balance durability with manufacturability. These materials can be molded into the required shapes (bulbous ends, elongated middle section) using standard plastic injection molding techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the necessary strength and chew resistance for pet toys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10524450B1Kibble dispenser

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 HIMALAYAN DOG CHEW LLC

AI summary

A kibble dispenser may comprise an elongated middle section between first and second bulbous end sections. The middle section may comprise a kibble access window, and at least one of the first or second bulbous end sections may comprise a kibble insertion window. A kibble storage cavity inside the kibble dispenser may extend at least between the kibble insertion window and the kibble access window. A rope may be wrapped around the kibble dispenser, and secured at the first and second bulbous end sections, such that the rope passes over the kibble access window.