US 4,827,874 A · Electrified pet dish

Abstract

An electrified pet feeding dish for preventing crawling insects from gaining access to the pet's food or water comprises a dish formed of electrically insulated material which has at least one pair of parallel electrically conductive strips secured to the side wall of the dish to completely encircle the dish and which are connected to a low voltage DC battery also secured to the dish. The strips of electrical conductive material are spaced apart sufficient to normally prevent completion of a circuit across the strips and for completion of a circuit across said strips through an insect's body as the insect attempts to traverse the strips when crawling up the side wall. The current passing through the insects body is sufficient to produce a sensation which will discourage further travel up the side wall. A pet or human who may come into contact with the strips will usually not feel the current, and even if the pet or human is wet, the current will produce only a slight tingling sensation. The electrical apparatus may also be provided in kit form to be installed on conventional dishes by the consumer.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electrified pet feeding dish to prevent crawling insects from gaining access to the pet's food or water comprising;

a dish formed of electrical-insulating material having at least one side wall portion surrounding a concave bowl portion for containing food or water,
at least one first strip of electrical-conducting material secured to the side wall of the dish to completely encircle the dish,
at least one second strip of electrical conducting material secured to the side wall of the dish to completely encircle the dish and spaced parallel to said first strip, and
a low voltage DC battery secured to the dish,
said first strip of electrical conducting material being connected to one terminal of said battery and said second strip of electrical conducting material connected to the other terminal of said battery by electrical leads, and
said first and second strips of electrical conducting material spaced apart sufficient to normally prevent completion of a circuit across said strips and for completion of a circuit across said strips through an insect's body as the insect attempts to traverse the strips.

3 more elements

Electrical apparatus adapted for installation on a pet feeding bowl to prevent crawling insects from gaining access to the pet's food or water comprising:

at least one first strip of electrical conducting material adapted to be removably secured to a side wall of the bowl to completely encircle the bowl,
at least one second strip of electrical conducting material adapted to be removably secured to the side wall of the bowl to completely encircle the bowl and spaced parallel to said first strip, and
a low voltage DC battery adapted to be removably secured to the bowl,
said first strip of electrical conducting material being connected to one terminal of said battery and said second strip of electrical conducting material being connected to the other terminal of said battery by electrical leads, and
said first and second strips of electrical conducting material being adapted to be installed on the side wall of the bowl in a spaced apart pattern sufficient to normally prevent completion of a low voltage circuit across said strips and for completion of a low voltage circuit across said strips through an insect's body as the insect attempts to traverse the strips.

2 more elements

The combination with a surface on which food or water is to be stored or used of

at least one first strip of electrical-conducting material secured to said surface to completely encircle the same,
at least one second strip of electrical conducting material secured to said surface to completely encircle the same and spaced parallel to said first strip, and
a low voltage DC battery secured adjacent to said surface,
said first strip of electrical conducting material being connected to one terminal of said battery and said second strip of electrical conducting material connected to the other terminal of said battery by electrical leads, and
said first and second strips of electrical conducting material spaced apart sufficient to normally prevent completion of a low voltage circuit across said strips and for completion of a low voltage circuit across said strips through an insect's body as the insect attempts to traverse the strips to enter said surface.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrified pet dish

Life of this patent

Electrified pet dish

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20