WO2010115221A1

WO2010115221A1 - Self-replenishing water bowl

Info

Publication number: WO2010115221A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2010/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Bertram Poole
Original assignee: Thomas Bertram Poole
Priority date: 2009-04-01
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2010-10-07

Abstract

The invention provides a self replenishing bowl (1 ), which has a reservoir component having sides a top and a base, and a dished bowl component (2) integral with the reservoir component (3) and having a common wall with the reservoir component, a first hole (6) in the common wall at a predetermined level above a lowest point of the bowl to allow liquid to flow from the reservoir into the bowl component, and a liquid tight lid (4) on the reservoir component to allow for filling of the reservoir.

Description

SELF- REPLENISHING WATER BOWL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a water bowl for use of domestic animals and especially useful as the bowl is automatically refilled in a very simple way from a reservoir as the water level in the bowl drops.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An ordinary water bowl must be replenished often and cannot easily be transported when already full. Each time it is needed, water has to be poured into it. If the animal is to be transported, the limited supply in the bowl itself combined with spillage results in the animal not getting enough clean water. This invention addresses these problems.

Existing water bowls which have reservoirs are either difficult or messy to operate or unbalanced and aesthetically displeasing. Some may also be difficult to clean and good hygiene is compromised.

Self refilling water bowls are commercially available and usually comprise a bowl component with an inverted reservoir component connecting to it. The outlet of the reservoir is so positioned that it is below the rim of the bowl. Water drains from the reservoir into the bowl until the level covers the inverted mouth of the reservoir.

Atmospheric pressure prevents further draining. As water is used and removed from the bowl, the water level in the bowl drops below the mouth of the reservoir and this water is replaced from the reservoir until the flow stops, as described above. These units do serve a purpose in that they provide a reserve quantity of drinking water. However, such units are quite difficult to operate without spilling water. They are generally unstable as the reservoir component must be above the bowl. It is therefore not possible to use such a unit when transporting an animal or in circumstances where the unit can be bumped or knocked over. Other inventions try to address the above shortfalls by way of mechanisms involving moving parts as well as outlet valves having a valve body, a valve seat in the body, and a valve member displaceable within the body to control the flow of water therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A self replenishing bowl according to the invention has a reservoir component having sides a top and a base, and a dished bowl component integral with the reservoir component and having a common wall with the reservoir component, a first hole in the common wall at a predetermined level above a lowest point of the bowl to allow liquid to flow from the reservoir into the bowl component, and a liquid tight lid on the reservoir component to allow for filling of the reservoir.

The liquid tight lid may, in use, form at least a portion of a base of the self replenishing bowl and engage the surface on which said bowl is placed.

An outward facing surface of the liquid tight lid may be made of a resiliently deformable slip resistant material, include a slip resistant profile, or be coated with a slip resistant coating so that, in use, said bowl is stable on the surface on which it stands.

Further the lowest portion of the bowl component is adjacent but spaced from the base of the reservoir and a second hole is provided in the lowest portion of the bowl, the arrangement being such that liquid can flow from the reservoir into the bowl when the liquid level drops below the first hole. Typically, an upwardly facing surface of the base of the reservoir is provided with ribs or protrusions in the region of the second hole.

The dished bowl component may be centrally located in the reservoir and the reservoir component surrounds the bowl component.

The first hole may be provided with a plug which can be pushed inwards to open the hole and which, when in position in the hole, seals the hole for ease of transportation of the self replenishing bowl.

The reservoir may have a raised perimetrically extending portion so that the height of the reservoir for that portion is higher than the height of the remainder of the reservoir. Thus, the sides of the reservoir for that portion may be higher than the sides of other portions thereof.

There may be a number of holes at different levels in the bowl component and these may be provided with plugs or nibs so that different drinking levels may be selected as well as so that the holes may be sealed for transportation of self refilling bowl of the invention with a filled reservoir.

A means of feeding additional water into the reservoir via a thin pipe may be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross section of the side elevation of the self refilling water bowl unit shown in the orientation required for use and in the envisaged operational state. Figure 2 is a cross section of the water bowl unit shown in the orientation required for filling the reservoir section.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the water bowl unit shown in the orientation required for storage after filling reservoir prior to use.

Figure 4 is a cross section of the water bowl unit showing the moment after stopper has been pushed into the reservoir thus opening the top inlet hole allowing water to flow into the drinking bowl section.

Figure 5 is a cross section of the water bowl showing operation at a time when water level in the reservoir is below the top inlet hole.

Figure 6 is a cross section of the stopper in place in the top inlet hole, the reservoir having been filled, and the unit being ready to be put into use.

Figure 7 is a cross section of the top inlet hole section immediately after the stopper has been pushed into the reservoir section thus opening the top inlet hole allowing water / liquid to pass from the reservoir to the drinking bowl section.

Figure 8 is a cross section of the proposed seal at bottom rim of unit between lid / base plate section and reservoir / drinking bowl section.

Figure 9 (a) and (b) are sketches of lid / base plate of unit indicating (a) raised bumps and (b) ridges, covering the area corresponding to the base of the drinking bowl section. The raised ridges or bumps (about 2-3 mm high) prevent the base of the bowl sticking to the lid / base plate of the unit as this would prevent water reaching the bottom hole in the drinking bowl section at a time envisaged in Figure 5. Figure 10 (a) is a perspective view of the self refilling water bowl unit with broken lines indicating the overall location of the parts of the unit as a whole;

Figure 10 (b) depicts the lid / base plate indicating the location of ridges thereon; and

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the self refilling bowl of the invention, wherein a portion of the reservoir is raised, in relation to the remainder thereof .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A self-refilling water bowl 1 is shown in Figure 1. This is primarily a water bowl unit for the use of animals with the particular advantage that the water bowl unit has a self contained reservoir which automatically refills the bowl as contents are used.

Thus, the unit comprises a drinking bowl section 2 with an integrated reservoir section 3. A separate "lid" or base plate 4 attaches to the reservoir 3 drinking bowl 2 section by clipping onto it with a watertight seal 5 which is integrated into the base plate 4 in the fashion of common watertight / airtight food or similar containers. The base plate 4 is made of a slip resistant material to enhance stability thereof in use.

In this embodiment, the seal 5 is at the bottom of the "container", as set out in Figure 8. The seal 5 must therefore withstand some water pressure as to ensure the unit does not leak. Further, the bowl section 2 has a small hole 6 in the common wall between it and the reservoir 3. The size and height of the hole 6 could be changed according to the level of liquid required in the drinking bowl section 2 and the speed at which refill is required. Prior to use, it is necessary to fill the reservoir 3 as per Figure 2. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to invert the unit and remove the "lid" or base plate 4 from the rest of the unit.

To be able to fill the reservoir 3 to the maximum, it is necessary to install a stopper 7 into the hole 6. This stopper 7 is inserted from inside the reservoir 3 with the front tip extending into the drinking bowl section 2. A tap 8 or other source is used to fill the reservoir 3. Once the reservoir 3 is full, the "Nd" or base plate 4 is clipped on to seal the unit and render the seal 5 waterproof.

Following this, the unit must be turned over, through 180 degrees, so that the base plate 4 is at the bottom of the unit as per Figure 3. The unit is now ready to be stored, transported or otherwise placed in a position for use.

When unit is transported or stored, it is not necessary to pour any water into the now empty drinking bowl 3. However, if the unit is to be used right away, and in order to get maximum use of the supply of reserve water, the drinking bowl 3 can be filled to a desired level at this stage.

In order to activate the unit, the stopper 7 is pushed back into the reservoir 3 by using a thumb or finger as indicated in Figure 6 and Figure 7. This action opens the hole 6.

If water was not poured into the bowl section 2, and once hole 6 is open, water flows through this hole into the drinking bowl section 2 until the water level reaches the height of the hole 6. If water was poured into the bowl 2, after filling the reservoir 3 in order to get maximum supply of water, then water will not flow through the hole until the water level in the bowl 2 drops below the height of the hole 6. Figure 4 shows the flow of water from the reservoir 3 into the drinking bowl 2 through the hole 6.

Once the water level in the reservoir 3 reaches below the height of the hole 6, water 10 will stop flowing into the drinking bowl 2. There would still be a reserve of water in the reservoir 3 and in order to access this reserve, it is necessary to have a hole 9 at the bottom of the drinking bowl 2. This hole is shown in cross section in Figure 5 where the water level in the reservoir 3 is clearly below the hole 6 and the atmospheric pressure can now equalise the water levels in the reservoir 3 and the drinking bowl 2. The result is that as water is drawn out of the drinking bowl 2, it is replaced from the reservoir 3 through the hole 9. This process will continue until all the water in the reservoir 3 and bowl 2 is used up.

In order for water to pass from the reservoir 3 to the drinking bowl 2 as shown in Figure 5, a small gap 10 must be available between the base plate 4 and the underside of the drinking bowl floor 11. In order to facilitate this gap, it is necessary to ensure a small separation between the two by means of small bumps 12 attached and moulded into the base plate 4. These bumps should cover the area where the underside of the drinking bowl floor 11 could come into contact with and stick to the base plate 4. A representation of these bumps 12 is shown in Figure 9 (a) and an alternative and to these would be ridges 13 as shown in Figure 9 (b).

Figure 8 shows a cross section of a proposed watertight seal which joins the base plate 4 to the rest of the unit. The joint has two components; a thickened and rounded edge 14 to the bottom end of the reservoir section 15 and a moulded cusp section 16 which snaps over and fits snugly and securely onto the rounded edge 14.

In addition, to ensure a waterproof fit, two rubber beads 17 are moulded into the cusp 16. To release the seal, the base plate 4 is simply pulled away from the rest of the unit by lifting one corner and pulling.

Figure 10(a) shows the drinking bowl 2 and reservoir 3 integrated unit in perspective to indicate the location of the holes 6 and 9 in the drinking bowl 2 and shows the reservoir 3 and drinking bowl 2 in relation to the base plate 4 as shown in Figure 10(b) where the location of the seal 5 and the moulded ridges 13 are shown. An advantage of being able to remove the "lid" or base plate from the rest of the unit is that this facilitates thorough cleaning of the entire unit, both inside and outside. Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the self refilling bowl 2 of the invention, wherein a portion 18 of the reservoir is raised in relation to the remainder thereof.

It will be appreciated that a drinking bowl according to the invention may take many different shapes without detracting from the principle of the invention which is to have a reservoir integral with the bowl. This invention uses the shape of a usual bowl and integrates a reservoir around the sides. This makes the unit very compact, stable and easy to fill and operate. The water in the reservoir is kept clean. The unit itself can easily be cleaned inside and out. Operation is quick and simple. The unit can be refilled at any time, even if not completely empty.

A unique feature is that the unit, when fully charged, can be moved around quite vigorously, and even turned upside down, without spilling the contents of the reservoir. This is very useful as a charged unit can be transported in almost any vehicle without spillage.

The unit has a low centre of gravity and when fully charged, it is very stable. The weight of the water, a low centre of gravity as well as its flared shape, prevent it tipping over. As the reservoir empties, the unit becomes lighter, but still retains its stability.

The subject of this invention is to make water available to domestic animals in an attractive and uncomplicated way. The main benefit is that pet owners could make up to 10 times the amount of water available to their pets using the same footprint as a usual water bowl.

The shape of the unit can take on an infinite number of forms and will work perfectly well as long as the basics remain the same. One shape could have a raised side and a lower side in order to allow smaller pets to get to the water without making the reservoir section too small. Some shapes can make the bowls easy to stack by fitting them into one another. These qualities could help in saving transport and storage costs and so allow the units to be affordable and easily available.

The present invention addresses the shortcomings of prior art by way of a simple and unique solution which includes the position of the reservoir around the bowl, the method of filling the reservoir, the position of the outlet holes as well as the stability of the unit are some of the aspects that make it a unique solution to providing a self refilling water bowl for general and domestic use. Because it is so basic and uncomplicated, it would be easy and inexpensive to make.

Claims

1. A self replenishing bowl according to the invention has a reservoir component having sides a top and a base, and a dished bowl component integral with the reservoir component and having a common wall with the reservoir component, a first hole in the common wall at a predetermined level above a lowest point of the bowl to allow liquid to flow from the reservoir into the bowl component, and a liquid tight lid on the reservoir component to allow for filling of the reservoir.

2. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid tight lid, in use, forms at least a portion of a base of the self replenishing bowl and engages the surface on which said bowl is placed.

3. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an outward facing surface of the liquid tight lid is made of a resiliently deformable slip resistant material, includes a slip resistant profile, or is coated with a slip resistant coating so that, in use, said bowl is stable on the surface on which it stands.

4. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lowest portion of the bowl component is adjacent but spaced from the base of the reservoir and a second hole is provided in the lowest portion of the bowl, the arrangement being such that liquid can flow from the reservoir into the bowl when the liquid level drops below the first hole.

5. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upwardly facing surface of the base of the reservoir is provided with ribs or protrusions in the region of the second hole.

6. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dished bowl component is centrally located in the reservoir and the reservoir component surrounds the bowl component.

7. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hole is provided with a plug which is displaceable inwards into the bowl to open the hole and which, when in position in the hole, seals the hole for ease of transportation of the self replenishing bowl.

8. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein the reservoir has a raised perimetrically extending portion so that the height of the reservoir for that portion is higher than the height of the remainder of the reservoir.

9. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of holes at different levels are provided in the bowl component and these are provided with plugs or nibs so that different drinking levels may be selected as well as so that the holes may be sealed for transportation thereof.

10. A self replenishing bowl as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a means of feeding additional water into the reservoir via a thin pipe.

11. A self replenishing bowl substantially as herein described and illustrated.

12. A new self replenishing bowl substantially as herein described.