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US 8,464,660 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for providing drinking water and/or entertainment for pets
OwnerMaria Louise Valerianoinventor
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OwnerMaria Louise Valerianoinventor
Estimating the term…
Apparatus and methods for providing drinking water and/or entertaining to pets. The apparatus includes a base engaged with a container, a reservoir, and a pump for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright. The pump may be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir. A ball may be provided at least partially within the reservoir to rotate relative to the reservoir when licked by the animal to operate the pump and draw liquid from the container, through a fluid conduit, and into the reservoir. Liquid from the reservoir may adhere to an outer surface portion of the ball and thereby become accessible to and drinkable by the animal when the outer surface portion of the ball is rotated from an initial position within the liquid in the reservoir to a second position accessible to the animal's tongue.
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising:
A system including a water bottle having an apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal attached thereto, the apparatus comprising:
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable the animal to selectively operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into the reservoir, and wherein the method includes allowing the animal to selectively operate the pump, wherein the apparatus includes a straw or tube operatively associated with the pump, and wherein the method includes feeding the straw or tube through an opening of the container such that an open end portion of the straw or tube is in the liquid within the container.
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable the animal to selectively operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into the reservoir, and wherein the method includes allowing the animal to selectively operate the pump, wherein attaching the apparatus to the container including threadably attaching the apparatus to a threaded portion of the container, wherein the container includes a threaded spout or neck, and wherein threadably attaching comprises threadably engaging a threaded portion of the apparatus to the threaded spout or neck of the container, wherein the container comprises a bottle with water therein.
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable the animal to selectively operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into the reservoir, and wherein the method includes allowing the animal to selectively operate the pump, wherein attaching the apparatus to the container including threadably attaching the apparatus to a threaded portion of the container, wherein the container includes a threaded spout or neck, and wherein threadably attaching comprises threadably engaging a threaded portion of the apparatus to the threaded spout or neck of the container, wherein the apparatus includes an elongate fluid conduit operatively associated with the pump and in fluid communication with the reservoir, and wherein the method includes feeding the fluid conduit through an opening of the threaded spout or neck such that an open end portion of the fluid conduit is in the liquid within the container.
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, wherein:
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, further comprising positioning the container upright within a pet carrier after attaching the apparatus to the container, whereby the upright container may provide drinking water and/or entertainment to an animal within the pet carrier.
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, further comprising storing the container in an upright position within a cup holder of an automobile after attaching the apparatus to the container.
A method of providing a liquid to an animal and/or for entertaining an animal, the method comprising attaching an apparatus to a container including a liquid suitable for drinking by the animal, the apparatus including a pump and a reservoir that are in fluid communication with the container when the apparatus is attached to the container such that the pump is operable for pumping liquid from the container to the reservoir, further comprising adding one or more additives, powders, and/or substances to the liquid before attaching the apparatus to the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.