Pet drinking aid device

A pet drinking aid, comprising:

• (a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and an inwardly directed ridge formed on an inner surface of said cap;
• (b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said compression spring includes a base that is mounted to said ridge.

A pet drinking aid, comprising:

• (a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
• (b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said biasing means comprises a hollow foam member.

A pet drinking aid, comprising:

• (a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and a washer mounted in said axial passage and positioned adjacent to said inwardly directed flange;
• (b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said washer is captured between said inwardly directed flange and a protruding member formed on an inner surface of said cap.

A pet drinking aid, comprising:

• (a) a cap defining an inner surface and an axial passage therewithin, said cap including:
• (i) securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, (ii) an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap, and (iii) an inwardly directed ridge extending from said inner surface at an axial location intermediate said first and second ends;
• (b) a first washer positioned adjacent said inwardly directed flange;
• (c) a ball positioned within said substantially cylindrical passage;
• and
• (d) a second washer engaging said inwardly directed ridge, said second washer configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said ball when said cap is in a vertical orientation;
• wherein said ball is captured between said first washer and said inwardly directed ridge, and is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement relative to said cap.

In combination:

• (a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage;
• and
• (b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises:
• (i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing mean in detachable engagement with said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
• (ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means to permit fluid to flow through said opening of said fluid passage opening of said fluid container and past said ball;
• and
• wherein said securing means in detachable engagement with said fluid container comprises an elastomeric sleeve extending from said cap, said elastomeric sleeve configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said fluid container.

In combination:

• (a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage;
• and
• (b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises:
• (i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and an inwardly directed ridge formed on an inner surface of said cap;
• (ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said compression spring includes a base that is mounted to said ridge.

In combination:

• (a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage;
• and
• (b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises:
• (i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
• (ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said biasing means comprises a hollow foam member.

In combination:

• (a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage;
• and
• (b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises:
• (i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and a washer mounted in said axial passage and positioned adjacent to said inwardly directed flange;
• (ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
• (iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
• wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
• wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means;
• and
• wherein said washer is captured between said inwardly directed flange and a protruding member formed on an inner surface of said cap.

In combination:

• (a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage;
• and
• (b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises:
• (i) a cap defining an inner surface and an axial passage therewithin, said cap including:
• (aa) securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, (bb) an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap, and (cc) an inwardly directed ridge extending from said inner surface at an axial location intermediate said first and second ends;
• (ii) a first washer positioned adjacent said inwardly directed flange;
• (iii) a ball positioned within said substantially cylindrical passage;
• and
• (iv) a second washer engaging said inwardly directed ridge, said second washer configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said ball when said cap is in a vertical orientation;
• wherein said ball is captured between said first washer and said inwardly directed ridge, and is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement relative to said cap.