US 11,871,726 B2 · Method of using a dog toy container, and a dog toy container

Abstract

A dog toy container can be used to store dog toys or consumable objects, such as chew toys, ropes, balls, stuffed animals, edible chews, bones, and other similar objects used to entertain or reward or please dogs. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A method of storing and accessing pet toys in a pet toy container, said pet toy container comprising:

a frame comprising wall portions configured and disposed to define a pet toy storage area therein;
said frame comprising an opening to permit access into said pet toy storage area by a pet;
a closure being configured and disposed to cover said opening;
said closure comprising a first end portion being affixed to said frame, and a second end portion being disposed opposite said first end portion and not being affixed to said frame;
a movement arrangement being connected to said closure;
said movement arrangement comprising a motor being configured to:
lift said second end portion of said closure away from said frame to uncover said opening and permit access to said toy storage area by said pet through said opening, and
lower said second end portion of said closure toward saidframe to cover said opening with said closure;
an activation arrangement being operatively connected to said motor;
said activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lift said closure and thereby permit the pet to access said pet toy storage area to either retrieve said pet toy from said pet toy storage area, or deposit another pet toy into said pet toy storage area;
and
said activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lower said closure andthereby cover said opening with said closure to close the pet toy container;
said method comprising the steps of:
a. showing said pet toy to said pet;
b. engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said closure to open said pet toy container;
c. placing said pet toy into said pet toy container;
d. engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said closure to close said pet toy container;
e. teaching said pet to engage said activation arrangement to and training said pet to lift and lower said closure using said activation arrangement;
f. instructing said pet how to lift said closure and open said pet toy container to permit removal or return of said pet toy from or to said pet toy container;
g. said instructing comprising instructing said pet how to lower said closure to close said pet toy container after said removal or return of said pet toy;
h. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement and thereby lifting said closure and open said pet toy container to permit said pet to remove said pet toy from said pet toy container;
i. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lower said closure and close said pet toy container;
j. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lift said closure and open said pet toy container to permit said pet to return said pet toy back into said pet toy container;
and
k. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lower said closure and close said pet toy container to store said pet toy.

22 more elements

Facts

Application

16/149,510Filed 2 Oct 2018 · continuation

Priority

26 May 2016

Published

US 2019/0098871 A14 Apr 2019

Granted

16 Jan 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

A01K 15/021
Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals: electronic…
A01K 5/02
Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks: automatic devices
A01K 15/025
Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals: toys…
B65D 25/54
Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers: inspection openings or windows

Family

Application62/341,756Us provisional application · filed 26 May 2016

Application15/597,773Parent of this continuation · filed 17 May 2017

Application15/824,284Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Nov 2017

US 9,832,974 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Dec 2017

US 2019/0098871 A1Pre-grant publication · published 4 Apr 2019

US 10,085,421 B1Parent of this continuation

US 11,871,726 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Method of using a dog toy container, and a dog toy container

Life of this patent

Method of using a dog toy container, and a dog toy container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14