Rotatable Pet Toy With Ball Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys fail to provide a stimulating and educational experience that challenges an animal's cognitive abilities while ensuring safety and durability.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable molded receptacle with apertures that randomly eject and retract tennis balls, allowing animals to retrieve them, featuring a wind-up mechanism or battery-operated motor for rotation, and designed for multiple ball accommodation and various shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple static ball dispenser is used, then the device complexity is low, but the animal's cognitive engagement and amusement value are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a rotatable top portion that can be spun by the animal's paw. This dynamic element transforms a static ball dispenser into an interactive device requiring the animal to engage with the rotation mechanism, thereby enhancing cognitive engagement while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through straightforward mechanical components.
2Ease of operation
If the ball ejects completely from the aperture, then the animal can easily retrieve it, but the ball may be lost or swallowed completely creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the aperture and ball interaction such that the ball is prevented from completely ejecting. The aperture geometry and ball size relationship are configured to allow the ball to protrude sufficiently for retrieval while automatically limiting full ejection, thus preventing swallowing hazards before they can occur.
3Duration of action of moving object
If multiple balls are accommodated in the toy, then the amusement duration increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ball storage and dispensing mechanism into multiple independent apertures, each capable of holding and dispensing balls individually. This segmentation allows multiple balls to be accommodated in a simple modular fashion, extending amusement duration while maintaining ease of manufacture through repetitive, standardized aperture designs.
4Extent of automation
If the toy uses a battery-operated motor for rotation, then the rotation is automated and consistent, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the animal itself to power the rotation mechanism through its paw movements. The animal's natural interacting with the toy provides the rotational force, eliminating the need for battery-operated motors or other automated systems, thereby maintaining low device complexity while achieving functional automation through the animal's own actions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pet toy wherein a two-piece molded plastic encasement contains apertures that allow a ball or balls to protrude and extrude as a result of rotation of the top of the toy and fixed raised protrusions which naturally cause a ball to essentially “appear” and “disappear” and an animal must solve by attempting to retrieve the moving ball or balls.