Rolling Dispenser Pet Toy for Extended Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys that dispense treats lack features to provide extended and varied interaction with animals, often being either too complex or not robust enough to withstand animal contact, while also being costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A pet toy design featuring a peripheral ring with a central rolling dispenser that continuously rotates, maintaining engagement with the ring to provide stability and allowing for selective treat dispensing through varying openings, which can be loaded through threads or openings, enhancing interaction and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a treat dispensing pet toy uses a complex mechanism to provide extended interaction, then the duration of play is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The toy is divided into distinct functional segments: a peripheral body structure and a central rolling dispenser. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while extending play duration through the rolling action that continuously dispenses treats.
Solution Approach 2:
The central dispenser is designed to roll continuously along the peripheral body, creating dynamic movement that extends play duration. This rolling mechanism is simpler than fixed complex mechanisms, as it uses basic rotational motion to keep the toy engaging for extended periods.
2Strength
If a treat dispensing pet toy uses robust materials to withstand animal contact, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the toy are made from materials appropriate to their function: the peripheral body uses durable material to withstand animal contact, while the central dispenser uses a simpler, less expensive material since it primarily rotates and dispenses treats. This local differentiation of material quality maintains strength where needed while reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a treat dispensing pet toy uses multiple openings for varied treat dispensing, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple openings are integrated into the central dispenser structure, combining the functions of different opening types (loading openings and dispensing openings) into a single component. This merging approach provides adaptability for various treat sizes and dispensing patterns without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pet toy offers extended and unpredictable treat dispensing, encouraging vigorous play while being robust and cost-effective, with the rolling dispenser providing a stable and entertaining mechanism for animals, promoting increased interaction and reward.
Implementation Method 1
The peripheral body has a ring shape with an interior curved engaging surface which engages an exterior spherical surface of the rolling dispenser. The curvature of the interior engaging surface allows the rolling dispenser to continuously roll or rotate, yet maintain engagement with the peripheral body.
Implementation Method 2
The treat dispenser dispenses treats by moving the dispenser in a way to gravity release treats from the interior hollow chamber of the toy.
Data Source
AI summary
A pet toy includes a ring shaped peripheral body and an interior dispenser. An interior curved engaging surface of the peripheral body engages an exterior spherical surface of the dispenser. A curvature of the interior engaging surface allows the dispenser to continuously roll or rotate, yet maintain engagement with the peripheral body when the peripheral body is displaced by contact. The dispenser is hollow thereby defining a chamber to receive treats. One or more dispensing openings are provided on the dispenser to selectively dispense treats. The openings can be sized to selectively dispense treats of various sizes and shapes. The invention further includes a method of dispensing treats from a pet toy and a combination comprising the pet toy and selected treats loaded within the chamber.