Rotatable Ball Liquid Dispenser for Pet Playful Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet lick devices fail to effectively stimulate the playful instinct of animals while delivering liquid consumables, and are often not reusable or durable against chewing.
Innovation Solution
A disk-shaped base with an elevated central hub and a rotatable ball mechanism that allows for controlled delivery of liquid consumables, adjustable to accommodate various pet sizes and prevent escape, ensuring continuous fluid contact and controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable ball mechanism is used to deliver liquid consumables, then playful stimulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical ball as the liquid delivery mechanism that rotates within a spherical chamber. This spherical geometry naturally facilitates playful interaction while maintaining structural simplicity. The ball's curvature allows it to roll freely when stimulated by the pet, providing tactile engagement and playful stimulation without requiring complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the pet's own licking and playful actions. The pet's movement and pressure on the ball cause it to rotate and dispense liquid automatically, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains device simplicity while achieving effective playful stimulation.
2Ease of operation
If the ball is made large enough to protrude through the opening for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the pet may be able to remove or destroy it
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is nested within a spherical chamber that provides structural containment. The ball protrudes through the opening enough for the pet to access and interact with it, but the chamber walls prevent complete removal. This nested arrangement allows the ball to be accessible for playful licking while being protected from destruction or removal attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber is constructed with materials that are difficult for pets to chew through or destroy, providing a protective shell. This durable enclosure maintains the ball's position and prevents removal while still allowing the ball to rotate and function properly during playful interaction.
3Loss of substance
If the chamber is sealed to prevent leakage, then loss of substance is reduced, but the liquid cannot be delivered to the pet
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery function is extracted from the sealed chamber through the ball mechanism. The chamber remains sealed to prevent leakage, while the ball that protrudes through the opening serves as the interface for liquid delivery. As the ball rotates during playful interaction, liquid is transferred from the sealed chamber to the ball surface and then to the pet, separating the containment function from the delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball acts as an intermediary between the sealed liquid chamber and the pet. It receives liquid from the sealed chamber through controlled contact, becomes saturated during rotation, and then transfers the liquid to the pet through licking. This intermediary mechanism allows the chamber to remain sealed while still enabling effective liquid delivery.
4Reliability
If the device is made durable and reusable, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into separate components: a durable base structure with the spherical chamber, a removable ball element, and a liquid refill system. This segmentation allows the main housing to be manufactured once as a durable, reusable component while the ball and liquid can be replaced or refilled. The modular design simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be optimized and produced independently.
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 solution provides a durable, reusable device that stimulates playful licking while ensuring controlled delivery of liquid consumables to pets of all sizes, maintaining fluid contact and preventing leakage, thus addressing the need for interactive and durable pet lick apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
The ball is supported within the chamber of the lower cap such that any liquid within the chamber may flow unrestrictedly around a lower portion of the ball, thus always maintaining the ball in fluid contact with the liquid consumable
Data Source
AI summary
A low-profile disk-shaped base member which is designed for placement on a ground surface or floor, where the base member includes an elevated central hub portion with an opening extending therethrough. A lower cap element is releasably connectable in sealed relation to the hub from the bottom of the base member to form a cavity or chamber below the central opening in the base member. The chamber houses a rotatable ball or spherically shaped liquid delivery mechanism within its confines which extends upwardly through the central opening in the base member. The chamber is adapted to store a liquid consumable product, such as a liquid supplement or treat, for controlled delivery to the pet as the pet licks the ball.