# US 8,464,660 B2 · Apparatus and methods for providing drinking water and/or entertainment for pets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,660 B2 - Document ID: US8464660B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/589,249 - Filed: 2009-10-21 - Published: 2011-04-21 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-21 - Applicants: Maria Louise Valeriano - Inventors: Maria Louise Valeriano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464660B2 ## CPC - A01K 7/06: actuated by the animal {(for poultry A01K39/0213)} - A01K 39/0213: {Nipple drinkers} - A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS ## Abstract 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the pump is operatively associated with a button that when pressed causes the pump to operate for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir. ### Claim 2 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, further comprising an elongate fluid conduit operatively associated with the pump and in fluid communication with the reservoir, the elongate fluid conduit having a sufficient length to extend into a liquid within the container, whereby the pump is operable for drawing liquid from within the container into an open end portion of the elongate fluid conduit, through the elongate fluid conduit, and into the reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongate fluid conduit comprises a tube or a straw. ### Claim 4 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the base includes a threaded portion that is threadably engagable to a threaded portion of the container, wherein the threaded portion of the base is configured for threaded engagement with a threaded spout or neck of a water bottle. ### Claim 5 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the base includes a threaded portion that is threadably engagable to a threaded portion of the container, wherein the threaded portion of the base is configured for threaded engagement with a threaded spout or neck of a commercially available water bottle from which a threaded cap has been removed. ### Claim 6 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the base includes a threaded portion that is threadably engagable to a threaded portion of the container, wherein the threaded portion of the base is configured for threaded engagement with a threaded spout or neck of a plastic water bottle from which a threaded cap has been removed. ### Claim 7 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, further comprising a ball within the reservoir, whereby a force applied to the ball for rotating the ball relative to the reservoir causes the ball to apply a downward force against a button operatively associated with the pump to thereby press the button to operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into the reservoir. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ball is configured to form a friction fit with one or more sidewalls of the reservoir, thereby inhibiting the ball from inadvertently dislodging from the reservoir. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ball is configured to form a seal generally between the ball and one or more sidewalls of the reservoir, thereby inhibiting leakage of liquid from the reservoir if the container is upended. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the ball is accessible to the animal such that the animal may lick the ball thereby applying the force for rotating the ball and for applying a downward force against the button. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ball is rotatably mounted within the reservoir such that the ball rotates relative to the reservoir when licked by the animal, whereby liquid from the reservoir adheres to an outer surface portion of the ball and becomes accessible to the animal when the outer surface portion of the ball is rotated from an initial position within the liquid within the reservoir to a second position accessible to the animal's tongue. ### Claim 12 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, further comprising a movable member within the reservoir and configured for applying a downward force against a button operatively associated with the pump to thereby press the button to operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into the reservoir. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the movable member is accessible to the animal such that the animal may lick the movable member thereby causing the movable member to apply a downward force against the button for pressing the button and operate the pump. ### Claim 14 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the apparatus is attached to a container configured to be positioned in an upright position within a cup holder of an automobile. ### Claim 15 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, wherein the pump is a push pump. ### Claim 16 An apparatus suitable for providing a liquid to and/or for entertaining an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir, where the container is a standard water bottle. ### Claim 17 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 base configured for engagement with a container; a reservoir; and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, for pumping liquid from the container into the reservoir when the container is upright and the base is engaged to the container, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the pump to be selectively activated by the animal to pump liquid from the container into the reservoir. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the method includes opening the bottle by unscrewing and removing a cap from the threaded spout or neck of the bottle, and then threadably engaging a threaded portion of the apparatus to the threaded spout or neck of the bottle from which the cap was removed. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The claim 20, wherein the bottle comprises a commercially available water bottle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The claim 21, wherein the bottle container comprises a plastic water bottle. ### Claim 23 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. ### Claim 24 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 includes a rotatable ball within the reservoir such that the ball rotates relative to the reservoir when licked by the animal, such that the ball applies a downward force against a button operatively associated with the pump to thereby press the button to operate the pump to draw liquid from the container into an open end portion of the fluid conduit, through the fluid conduit, and into the reservoir, and such that liquid from the reservoir adheres to an outer surface portion of the ball and becomes accessible to 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; and the method includes allowing the animal to lick the ball. ### Claim 25 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. ### Claim 26 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. ### Claim 27 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. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the liquid is water, and wherein adding one or more additives, powders, and/or substances to the water includes at least one or more of: flavor additive for enhancing the taste or appeal of the water to the animal; additive for enhancing the nutritional value or other health aspects of the water for the animal; medicine; additive for calming or sedating; and/or additive for reducing motion travel sickness for the animal.