WO2004091289A2

WO2004091289A2 - Animal feeding device

Info

Publication number: WO2004091289A2
Application number: PCT/GB2004/001632
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Thomas Sinclair; Victoria Halls
Original assignee: SINCLAIR ANIMAL AND HOUSEHOLD CARE Ltd
Current assignee: SINCLAIR ANIMAL AND HOUSEHOLD CARE Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-15
Filing date: 2004-04-15
Publication date: 2004-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2005-10-15
Also published as: WO2004091289A3

Abstract

The present invention, with reference to Figure 1, relates to an animal feeding device (20) and method for teaching and encouraging food foraging in domestic animals. The device (20) comprises one or more wall elements (22) arranged in the form of a hollow body for containing a food item. The hollow body has at least one opening dimensioned to be too small to allow entry of the head of a desired animal but large enough to allow entry of a limb of the desired animal. The present invention also relates to a modular system and method for teaching and encouraging food foraging in domestic animals using a plurality of the animal feeding devices (20) according to the invention.

Description

ANIMAL FEEDING DEVICE

The present invention relates to animal feeding devices, in particular to devices for feeding domestic animals such as cats.

Feeding bowls and dishes are well known in the art for feeding domestic animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters. They often take the form of shallow dishes to hold the animal food. Such bowls and dishes are designed to allow easy access to the food for the domestic animal .

These shallow dishes have the disadvantage that the animal is not stimulated or challenged when feeding. The food is immediately and readily available. This is of particular detriment to animals which are kept indoors for long periods of time and which can become bored.

The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art by teaching and encouraging food foraging, a natural instinct in most domestic animals. This is achieved, for example, by involving the domestic animal in locating the feeding device and then extracting food from it, requiring effort from the animal, stimulating it and helping to relieve boredom, and therefore helping avoid potential physiological and psychological problems associated with a lack of activity.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an animal feeding device for a domestic animal comprising one or more wall elements arranged in the form of a hollow body for containing a food item, the hollow body having at least one opening dimensioned to be too small to allow entry of the head of a desired animal but large enough to allow entry of a limb of the desired animal .

In this way, a portable, easy to use and adaptable animal feeding device is provided which provides feeding stimuli for an animal by requiring the animal to search for the location of the animal feeding device in which the food is placed and/or to retrieve the food stored within the animal feeding device.

In an alternative embodiment, the one or more wall elements may be arranged so as to form a hollow body having an external peripheral surface and one or more internal dividing walls.

So that food items may be located out of reach of the head of an animal the hollow body is preferably substantially elongate.

Preferably, the hollow body may have a first end and a second end and may have a substantially constant cross-sectional profile between the first and second ends. Provisions of a constant cross-sectional profile facilitates stacking of a number of feeding devices in an array.

Alternatively the hollow elongate body may have a first end and a second end and may have a variable cross-sectional profile between the first and second ends. Provision of a variable cross-sectional profile can enable the device to have a larger capacity whilst still retaining the required opening size to prevent entry of an animal's head.

In a further alternative, the cross-sectional profile of the hollow body between the first and second ends maybe displaced to follow a tortuous path therebetween. Provision of a tortuous path can be beneficial in increasing the difficulty with which food may be retrieved form the device .

Preferably the hollow body is cavernous.

To facilitate stacking the hollow body preferably has a polygonal cross-section.

Alternatively the hollow body may be substantially spherical.

In a preferred embodiment, the hollow body has a triangular cross-section.

Preferably, the hollow body is at least partially open along an apex of its cross-sectional profile. This enable like devices to be stacked together into an array by passing a wall element of one device through the open apex of an adjoining device. Furthermore, tools may be stored along the open apex when not in use .

In a further embodiment, the hollow body may have an opening extending at least partially along the length of one of its sides to facilitate location of food items within the hollow body.

Preferably, the device may further comprise attachment means for attaching the device to at least one like device or another object or surface. Arrays of the device may be constructed or the device may be located out of the immediate reach of an animal .

To facilitate secure attachment of devices the attachment means may comprise at least one projection and at least one recess provided on the hollow body, whereby in use the projection provided on the hollow body of one device is engageable into the recess provided on the hollow body of at least a second device to attach the at least two hollow bodies together.

So that the device may be located in areas that are hard to access the hollow body preferably comprises at least one suction device for engagement of the device by suction against another surface.

In an alternative embodiment, at least part of the exterior of the hollow body is formed with at least two projecting ribs with at least one recess therebetween, whereby in use the ribs of one device can be fitted into the recess (es) of at least a like at least second device to attach the two hollow bodies together.

Preferably, the projecting ribs and recesses form a dovetail joint when connected to a like at least second device.

Alternatively, the projecting ribs and recesses form a mortice and tenon joint when connected to a like at least second device.

In a further embodiment, the device may further comprise a casing into which in use a plurality of the device may be slotted to form an array.

In a still further embodiment, the hollow body preferably comprises at least two wall elements hingedly connected along an adjacent edge.

To ensure that the device may be securely closed, the hollow body preferably comprises detent means to secure an unhinged edge of one of the at least two hinged wall elements, to a further wall element of the hollow body.

To accommodate different sizes of animal the hollow body may be extendable in length.

Preferably, wherein the hollow body is extendable by telescopic means.

To enable the device to be extended the hollow body preferably comprises first and second parts, the first part having at least a portion dimensioned to form a sliding fit within the second part.

Preferably, the device further comprises detent means to secure the first part to the second part in a plurality of extension positions, ranging from an unextended state to a fully extended state. The device will remain at a chosen length until the user changes the relative positions of the first and second parts.

The device may further comprise a removable engagement member for engaging with a removable engagement member of one or more other like devices. The provision of engagement members enables the devices to be stacked in an array.

Preferably, the engagement member has at least one tongue element for engagement with at least one corresponding groove element of another engagement member.

More preferably, the at least one tongue element on a first engagement member of a first elongate hollow member is engageable with the at least one slot element on a second engagement member of a like hollow elongate member.

In an alternative embodiment, the one or more internal dividing walls may. be integral with the peripheral surface. Alternatively, the one or more internal dividing walls may be separate from the peripheral surface. Preferably, the one or more internal dividing walls may be removable from the peripheral surface.

To facilitate attachment and removal the at least one dividing element may be releasably engaged by one or more retaining element (s) provided on an internal surface of the peripheral surface.

In one embodiment the hollow body may comprise three dividing walls.

In an alternative arrangement, opposite edges of the dividing element abut opposite internal walls of the peripheral surface .

Preferably, the at least one dividing element engages with at least one like dividing wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the elongate hollow member is formed with at least one cross-sectional division to define two or more separate compartments. The cross-sectional division may be formed integrally during a moulding procedure.

So that the container may be located in areas that are hard to access the container preferably further comprises bracket means releasably engageable with the hollow body for attaching the hollow body to a surface or object. To facilitate location of food items with the hollow body the device may further comprise an insertion tool suitably dimensioned and shaped for insertion of food items into the hollow body.

Preferably, the insertion tool comprises a handle and a pusher member insertable through the at least one opening .

Preferably, the insertion tool further comprises a blade for cutting food items.

Preferably, the insertion tool further comprises a scoop member for positioning food items.

Preferably, the insertion tool is stored within the hollow body when the tool is not in use.

Alternatively, the insertion tool folds flat for storage .

Preferably, the hollow body comprises a textured exterior surface .

Preferably, the hollow body comprises a plurality of openings.

The present invention also provides a method of stimulating a domestic animal comprising the steps of providing an animal feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims and inserting a food item into the hollow body of the animal feeding device.

The method may further comprise the step of positioning the food item at a desired distance from the opening. The method may further comprise the step of placing the animal feeding device in a challenging location.

Preferably, the animal feeding device is located inside a building.

Preferably, the animal feeding device is releasably attached to a surface. The surface may be provided on an item of household furniture or on an item of cat furniture.

Alternatively, the animal feeding device may be located outside a building. The animal feeding device may be located on a surface provided on a wall or on a tree .

According to a still further aspect, the present invention further provides a method of designing an animal feeding device for a domestic animal comprising the steps of determining the animal for which the feeding device is to be designed, determining the size of the jaws of the animal and sizing the at least one opening in the feeding device to prevent the jaws form passing through the at least one opening and determining the size of a limb of the animal and determining the length of the hollow body of the feeding device such that the animal may access food within the hollow body through the at least one opening by using only a limb.

According to a yet still further aspect, the present invention provides an animal feeding device for a domestic animal comprising one or more wall elements arranged in the form of a hollow body for containing a food item, the hollow body comprising at least one opening, wherein the aspect ratio of the device is in the range 1.5 to 50.0.

Preferably, the animal feeding device has an aspect ratio in the range 3.0 to 5.0.

More preferably, the animal feeding device has an aspect ratio of 3.5.

A number of embodiments of the container according to the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the container of the first embodiment in an assembled state;

Figure lb is a perspective view of one side of the container in an unassembled state;

Figure lc is a sectional view of a resilient element connecting two sides of adjacent containers of the first embodiment together;

Figure Id is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the container being attached to the underside of a surface;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container in an unassembled state;

Figure 2b is an end view of a second embodiment of the container in an unassembled state;

Figure 2c is an end view of a second embodiment of the container at a first assembly stage; Figure 2d is an end view of a second embodiment of the container at an assembled stage;

Figure 3a is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the container in a closed position;

Figure 3b is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of the container in an open position;

Figure 3c is a sectional view of a suction device;

Figure 3d is a schematic elevation view of an array of containers according to the third embodiment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the third embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container having attached branding;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container having a roughened surface texture ,-

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a container having a ribbed surface texture;

Figure 8a is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the container;

Figure 8b is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment of the container illustrating the ribs and recesses in connection with a like container;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the fourth embodiment; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the container;

Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the container;

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of a container having a side access hatch;

Figure 13a is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the container in which the container length can be extended;

Figure 13b is an elevation view of the seventh embodiment of the container;

Figure 13c shows three schematic views of tongue designs according to the seventh embodiment;

Figure 14 shows the seventh embodiment of the container located on the underside of a table surface;

Figure 15 shows an alternative method for attachment together of the containers of the seventh embodiment ;

Figure 16a is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the container having studded infill panels;

Figure 16b is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the container having ribbed infill panels ;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the container being attached to the underside of a table surface or a piece of cat furniture;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the eighth embodiment;

Figure 19a illustrates a first cross-sectional profile of an infill panel;

Figure 19b illustrates a second cross-sectional profile of an infill panel;

Figure 19c illustrates a third cross-sectional profile of an infill panel;

Figure 19d illustrates a fourth cross-sectional profile of an infill panel;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the container;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the ninth embodiment;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the container;

Figure 23a is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the tenth embodiment;

Figure 23b is a schematic cross-sectional view of an array of the containers of Figure 23a along the line A-A attached to each other using resilient elements ;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of the container; Figure 25a is a perspective view of an array of containers according to the eleventh embodiment;

Figure 25b illustrates a locking mechanism to prevent the triangles of the eleventh embodiment sliding relative to each other;

Figure 26a is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of the container;

Figure 26b is an elevation view of an array of containers according to the twelfth embodiment;

Figure 26c is a cross-sectional view of the twelfth embodiment of the container illustrating the raised and recessed do-ϊvetailed locking members;

Figure 27a is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of the container in an extended position;

Figure 27b is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of the container in a retracted position;

Figure 27c is a partial plan view of the rubber mouldings of the thirteenth embodiment dovetailed together;

Figure 27d is an array of containers according to the thirteenth embodiment;

Figure 28 is an exploded view of a container according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a partially assembled array of containers according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 30 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 31 is a schematic side elevation of a container according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 32 is a schematic end elevation of a container according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 33 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 34 is a perspective view of a partially assembled form of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 35 is an exploded view of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 36 is a schematic side elevation view of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 37 is a schematic end elevation view of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 38 is a perspective view of an array of containers according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 39 is a perspective view of a partially assembled container according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 40 is a schematic side elevation view of a container according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 41 is a schematic end elevation view of a container according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 42 is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 43 is a perspective view of a partially assembled container according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 44 is a schematic side elevation view of a container according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 45 is a schematic end elevation view of a container according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 46 is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 47 is a perspective view of a container in a first of assembly according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 48 is a perspective view of a container according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention in a second stage of assembly.

Figure 49 is a perspective view of a container according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 50a illustrates perspective views from above and below of a first embodiment of a feeding tool ;

Figure 50b illustrates perspective views from above and below of a second embodiment of a feeding tool ;

Figure 50c shows two perspective views of a third embodiment of a feeding tool;

Figure 50d is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a feeding tool;

Figure 50e is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a feeding tool;

Figure 50f is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of a feeding tool having a cleaning sponge;

Figure 50g is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a feeding tool;

Figure 50h is a perspective view of a folding feeding tool;

Figure 51 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool with a detachable sponge.

Figure 52 is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures la-d. The container 20 of Figure la is assembled from three identical elongate, generally rectangular wall members 22, as shown in Figure lb, which are attached to each other along their long sides to form an elongate hollow body having a triangular cross-section profile. This elongate body is open at least at one end, and preferably at both ends .

Each long side of the rectangular members 22 has a castellated profile, the castellations so formed that a recess 24 on one wall member 22 can engage with a protrusion 26 on an adjoining wall member 22. For secure attachment of one member to another the recesses 24 are provided at each end with a raised portion 28 to ensure a push fit between adjoining wall members 22. Any number of recesses 24 and protrusions 26 may be used, although, for ease of manufacture, it is preferred that there are two or three protrusions 26 and two or three recesses 24 along each long edge.

It is intended that each assembled container 20 may be attached to another container. To facilitate this each wall member 22 is provided with a pair of through holes 30, adjacent to each short side. As shown in Figure lc a container 20 may be provided with rubber feet 32 which locate with a push- fit in the holes 30. Each foot 32 protrudes from the outer surface of the container 20 and can be located as a push-fit in a corresponding hole 30 in another container thereby to hold the containers together.

It is intended that the container 20 may also rest on these feet 32. Alternatively, the container 20 may be suspended from a surface, for example the underside of a table or a piece of cat furniture, i.e. furniture provided specifically for the use of a cat. Typically a pair of brackets 34 may be attached to a surface, each bracket 34 having a pin 36 and the pair of brackets 34 being spaced at a distance to allow the container 20 to be located between them, as shown in Figure Id. The container 20 is suspended by locating the pins 36 at an internal apex of the container 20. Alternatively, the brackets 34 may be in the form of mechanical fastenings, e.g screws, hook and loop fixings, or adhesive fastenings.

The shape and cross-section of the container 20 are such that an animal, for example a domestic cat cannot insert its head into the container 20 in order to eat food items placed inside it. However, the animal is able to insert a paw or paws into the container 20 to retrieve food placed inside. The shape and cross-section of the container 20 are such that the food can only be retrieved with relative difficulty, thus providing a stimulus for the animal. Any suitable food items may be used, although, for reasons of cleanliness, it is envisaged that dry food items are placed in the container 20.

The embodiment of the container 20 shown in Figure la is dimensioned such that an animal must retrieve food items placed therein in an indirect manner, using a limb to move the food items into a position such that they may be eaten. The dimensions of the container 20 are determined by the width of an animal's head and the length of an animal's limb. These dimensions provide a ratio, hereinafter called an 'aspect ratio¹, that may be generally applied to different sizes of container 20 for intended use by different sizes of animal. The aspect ratio is determined by dividing the length dimension of the container by the width dimension of the opening.

In the embodiment of Figure la the container 20 has an equilaterally triangular cross-sectional profile. It has been established that for a typical domestic cat the desired height dimension for the container 20 should lie between 70mm and 80mm. When the container 20 is provided with an opening at both ends the desired length of the container 20 is 240mm. Therefore, in this case the container 20 should have an aspect ratio of between approximately 3 and 3.5. This assumes that the cat can access the food items through both openings and hence that the food items are placed approximately at the medial position between the two ends. For a container 20 having a single opening the aspect ratio should be half of the above value. It is envisaged 20 that the aspect ratio of a container 20 may be defined by comparison between different criteria. This method of dimensioning the container 20 ensures that the feeding animal is stimulated during feeding.

In the embodiment of Figure la the container 20 has a constant cross-sectional profile between its first and second ends. However, it is envisaged that the cross-sectional profile of the container 20 may be varied. For example, the dimensions of the cross- sectional profile may vary between the ends of the container 20 and/or the shape of the cross-sectional profile may vary. Additionally, or as an alternative, the container 20 may have a curvilinear form between its ends as opposed to the rectilinear form shown in Figure la. It may be of further advantage to provide the container 20 with a tortuous curvilinear form to enable food items to be hidden within the container 20 itself. In a further alternative, the container 20 may have a cavernous form, for example as provided by a widening of the cross sectional profile between the two ends. Such variations to the form of the container 20 can be used to provide additional stimulus to a feeding animal . The shape and dimensions of the container 20 are such- that, provided the container 20 is made from an opaque material, the animal is unable to view the food items while they are being retrieved. This further contributes to the difficulty with which the food items may be foraged.

As an additional stimulus for the animal it is intended that the container 20 may be placed at different locations within, for example, a house or flat. In having to first search for the container 20 the cat is additionally stimulated. As the container 20 is relatively small and lightweight repositioning of it within a house or flat is straightforward.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 2a-d. The container, shown generally at 40 in Figure 2a, again comprises three elongate members 41. However, the container 40 is moulded in one piece, each member 41 is attached to its adjacent member 41 by a resilient hinge 43. The method of assembly of the container 40 is illustrated in Figures 2b, c and d. To assemble the container 40 the two outside members are folded inwards, as shown in Figure 2c, such that their free long edges contact each other. To retain the container 40 in an assembled form one outside member is supplied with one or more resilient catches 42 and the other outside member is supplied with one or more correspondingly shaped retention slots 44, as shown in both Figure 2a and 2d.

To improve contact between the container 40 and a surface on which it is placed, the container 40 may be provided with an overmoulded resilient layer 46 and/or resilient feet 48. These feet 48 may also engage with recesses 50 on an adjacent container in order to secure the two containers together, in the same way as described above for Figure lc .

As this embodiment of the container 40 is manufactured as a single component tooling costs are reduced and subsequently the container may be produced more cheaply. The product user also benefits as the container may be unfolded and stored flat.

Figures 3a-d show a third embodiment of the invention. The container 60 has a first member 62 having a V-profile_. and a second, substantially flat, member 63, joined to the first member 62 along a long side by a live hinge 64. To close the container the second member 63 is rotated about the hinge 64 so that it engages with the free long edge of the first member 62. To secure the second member 63 in a closed position one or more catches 66 on the second member 63 engage with complementary slots 68 on the first, member 62, as shown in Figure 3b. So that the container 60 may be attached to a surface it is provided with one or more suckers 70. The suckers shown at 70 in Figures 3a-d, are of a known type, having a bowl shape and a concave surface directed away from the container 60. Any suitable alternative form of sucker may be employed. The suckers 70 may be attached adjacent to each of the short sides. The suckers 70 may be formed as separate parts, to be located as a push fit in apertures in the container 60 for example, or they may be overmoulded to the container 60, as shown in Figure 3c. Figure 3d shows a schematic view of an array of four containers 60 attached together and to an underlying surface by suckers 70. As shown, each container 60 need only have a minimum of two suckers 70 to achieve an array of this sort. Figure 4 shows an array of four containers 74 attached to one another. The containers 74 are manufactured in substantially the same form as the containers 60 although with the addition of recesses 72 into which suckers 70 may locate. It should be noted that such suckers and recesses may also be applied to the containers 20,40,60 of the first, second and third embodiments and that arrays can be of any number of containers.

The array of containers shown in Figure 4 allows a larger quantity of food to be available in one place for the animal. Stacking of the containers means that the array requires less floor space than the same number of unattached containers. Also, the animal is faced with a number of different challenges when retrieving food from within the different containers. In addition, a different type of food may be placed in each container, thus giving the animal variety in its meal .

As shown in Figures 4,5,6 and 7 the containers may have different textures applied to them, in particular to their exterior surfaces. Texture is construed in this application to mean any form of surface finish applied to a part or a whole of a container. For example, the embodiment of Figure 4 is generally flat and smooth but has the addition of a branding badge 71 and suckers 70. Figure 5 shows a container with an attached branding badge 71 on a flat area, with longitudinally extending grooves or ridges on other areas, and rectangular suckers or feet. Figure 6 shows a container with a roughened surface so that an animal may scratch against the container, and with oval suckers or feet. Figure 7 shows a container with a ribbed finish extending across the walls of the container, and with circular, suckers or feet. These are of course just a few examples and many alternatives are possible.

Figures 8a and 8b show a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the container 80 has a one-piece triangular profile construction. At a first end the container 80 is provided with three fins 82 extending perpendicularly outwards from the external surface of the container. The fins 82 are in the form of triangular flanges around the perimeter of the container 80 having a larger cross-sectional profile than the main body of the container 80. Between the three fins 82 are two recesses 84, the recesses 84 extending back to the container 80. At a second end the container 80 is provided with two fins 86, having the same dimensions as the fins 82, and separated by a recess 88 extending back to the external surface of the container 80. To attach two or more containers 80 together, the fins 86 on the first container are located into the recesses 84 on a second container such that they engage with the fins 82, as shown in Figure 8b. For secure attachment the fins 82,86 and recesses 84,88 are dimensioned to provide a push fit, so that they have some resistance to disengagement, as shown in Figure 8b. Figure 9 an array of shows four containers 80 connected together in this manner.

Figure 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention in which fins 92 and corresponding recesses 94 cover the whole exterior surface of a container 90. Engagement of one container with another is again achieved by push fit interlocking of fins.

Figure 11 shows a sixth embodiment, in which interlocking between containers is facilitated by alternating wide but shallow fins 95 and recesses 96. The fins 95 and recesses 96 may be of uniform width, such that they form lap type joints, or may have tapered widths such that they form dovetail type joints, as shown by fins 97 and recesses 98.

To provide easy access to the interior of any of the containers for placing food items therein and for cleaning, they may be provided with a hatch 91 located in one side of the container and hinged about an apex of the container, as shown in Figure 12. The apex of the container is defined in this sense to mean the line of junction of the two upwardly sloping wall elements. It may equally refer to the line of junction between any two of the wall elements. The hatch 91 is provided with protrusions 93 which locate into recesses 99 in the container to secure the hatch 91 in a closed position.

A method for dimensioning a container to suit a chosen animal, by using an aspect ratio, has previously been described in reference to Figure la. This method enables containers to be sized in general terms but does not enable minor variations to be made to a container to suit individual animals of a particular type. Due to the differing sizes of the animals that may forage for food from the containers it is desirable to have a container which may be adjusted in length.

An adjustable length container is shown in Figures 13a-c. The container 100 has a first part 102 and a second part 104, the second part 104 intended to slide over at least part of the first part 102. The first part 102 comprises an outer section 106 of triangular cross section and an inner section 108 of smaller triangular cross section, dimensioned so as to be received within the second part 104 which has a constant triangular cross section of the same profile as outer section 106. When the container 100 is at a minimum length the first and second parts 102,104 abut each other, with the inner section 108 completely received inside the second part 104. To increase the length of the container 100 the first and second parts 102,104 are moved away from each other. To retain the container at a desired length the inner section _.108 of part 102 is provided with a resilient outwardly biased tongue 110 for releasable engagement with the second part 104. Provided on the tongue 10 is a raised portion 112 and provided through the second part 104 a number of correspondingly shaped slots 114. Engagement of the portion 112 into a slot 114 secures the first and section parts 102,104 together. To adjust the length of the container 100 the portion 112 and hence the tongue 110 can be pushed down so that the portion 112 disengages from the slot 114. Any suitable alternative detent mechanism may of course be used to retain the relative positions of the first and second parts 102,104.

Characters or symbols may be printed on to the tongue 110 to indicate the directions in which the first and second parts 102,104 may be moved to suit different sizes of animal.

Figure 14 shows a further development of this embodiment in which the containers 100 may be attached to the underside of a surface (in this case the underside of a piece of cat furniture) using a resilient clip 116 that provides a push fit with the container 100. Alternatively, the brackets may be in the form of mechanical fastenings, e.g screws, hook and loop fixings, or adhesive fastenings.

Figure 15 shows an alternative method for attaching containers together. A hollow triangular casing 116 is provided with a number of smaller triangular recesses 118 complementary to the cross - sectional profile of the containers to be fitted within it. In the embodiment shown, the containers 120 have a portion with a reduced cross section 122 that fits into one of the recesses 118 in casing 116. This enables the larger sections of the containers 120 outside the casing 116 to be substantially in contact with each other. The casing 116 can receive four containers 120, but larger casings able to receive more containers are of course possible.

The containers 130 shown in Figures 16a and 16b have a single piece body with recesses 136 into which infill panels 132 can be located. These infill panels 132 are provided with a textured surface, for example raised ribs or studs and may be manufactured by overmoulding rubber onto a injection moulded sheet.

Figure 17 shows the container 130 with one infill panel 132 removed so that two retaining clips 134 may be slid into the recess 136 to attach the container 130 to the underside of a surface.

Figures 18a and 18b show how the infill panels

132 may be used to connect containers 130 together. In Figure 18a infill panels 132 are provided at every recess 136, but as seen in Figure 18b, if preferred a minimum of 3 panels 132 may be used to join four containers 130, with no panels 132 being provided on the exterior of the assembly.

Figures 19a-d show alternative cross sectional shapes for the infill panel 132 which can be achieved with different manufacturing processes. Figure 19a is produced by overmoulded rubber, Figure 19b by injection moulding, Figure 19c by extrusion and Figure 19d co-extruded with rubber studs 133.

Figure 20 shows a container 140 typically formed by extrusion and having a lug 142 extending along two walls and a correspondingly shaped recess 144 extending along the third wall. Engagement of the lug 142 of one container 140 into the recess 144 of another secures the container together. Provided at the ends of the container 140 are identically profiled end caps 146, which may be of rubber to provide grip and soft edges. Figure 21 shows four containers 140 attached together by engagement of lugs 142 into recesses 144.

Figure 22 shows a container 150 with end parallel to caps 152 having holes 153 midway along each of the sides the wall elements of the container these holes having resilient bungs 154 for connection of adjacent containers, as shown in Figures 23a and 23b. Here four containers 150 are attached together by engagement of the resilient bungs 154 into the corresponding holes 153 of the adjacent containers 150.

The above described containers have been provided with closed cross sectional profiles. The container 170 shown in Figure 24 has a cross sectional profile that is open along the line of junction of two upwardly sloping wall elements, hereinafter known as the apex. The containers 170 are provided with feet 172 which both locate a container on a surface and also to another container 170. To engage the containers 170 together the sides of the container 170 may be flexed outwardly to enable one side of an adjoining container 170 to be slid into position. In this way tiers of containers 170 may be built up.

Figure 25a shows an array of containers 170 according to the eleventh embodiment. The array is assembled by sliding the free long edges of one container 170 past the free long edges of an adjoining container 170. When the sides of one container 170 are resiliently deflected to enable another container 170 to be attached a force is provided between the two surfaces . This force should be sufficient to retain the relative positions of the two containers 170. However, as an extra safeguard each container 170 may be provided with raised portions 174 and corresponding depressed regions 176, as shown in Figure 25b which connect to each other to prevent sliding.

Figure 26a shows a container 180 having a one piece body 182 and a cap at each end. A first end cap 183 is provided with a recessed dovetail feature 184 and a second end cap 185 is provided with a raised dovetail feature 186. The raised dovetail 186 on one container 180 is intended to engage with the recessed dovetail 184 on an adjoining container 180, and vice versa, to secure the containers 180 together. The recessed dovetail 184 is also further provided with a raised portion 187 to engage with a recessed portion 188 in the raised dovetail 186 as shown in Figure 26c. An array of containers 180 according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 26b.

Figure 27a shows a container 190 that is extendable in length which has arrow-shaped resilient mouldings 192 located around the exterior of a first part 194 and a second part 196 and clips 198 which adjoin with corresponding mouldings 192 on an adjacent container 190 to join the containers 190 together, as shown in Figures 27b and 27c. An array of the containers 190 is shown in Figure 27d.

Figure 28 shows a container 300 having a one piece body 302 and a cap at each end. A first end cap 304 is provided with a tongue 306 and a second end cap 308 is provided with a slot 310. The tongue 306 on one container 300 is intended to engage with the slot 310 on an adjoining container 300 and vice versa, to secure the containers 300 together. Both the tongue 306 and the slot 310 are further provided with a raised portion 312 to facilitate secure engagement of containers 300. A partially assembled array of containers according to this embodiment is shown in Figure 29, illustrating the method by which adjacent containers 300 are slotted together. Figure 30. shows a fully assembled array of containers 300.

Figure 33 shows an embodiment of the present invention which uses an alternative method to create a plurality of food containers. Instead of there being an array of individual containers the container 320 has a number of wall elements arranged to form a container having an external peripheral surface 322 of triangular cross-sectional profile into which dividing walls 324 can be slotted. Figure 34 shows a partially assembled container 320 in which there are three separate dividing walls 324. It is envisaged that greater or fewer numbers of dividing walls 324 may be provided. The external peripheral surface 322 is constructed from three peripheral wall elements 326, as shown in Figure 35. For low cost manufacture it is preferred that the wall elements 326 are identical. Each wall element 326 is generally rectangular in shape, with adjoining wall elements 326 being attached together along a long side e.g. 328. However, the short sides 330 may be provided with a curved profile as shown to provide a more tactile surface. Each wall element 326 is provided on one long side 328 with a recessed portion 332 and on the other long side 328 with a raised portion 334. Engagement of the raised portion 334 on one wall element 326 with the recessed portion 332 on an adjoining wall element 326 enables them to be attached together. Preferably, each long side is provided with sections of both raised profile 334 and recessed profile 332 in a conventional hinge type arrangement. In order that adjoining wall elements 326 may fit together one long side 328 of each wall element 326 is provided with the opposite profile to the other long side 328. It is further preferred that the profiles 332 and 334 may "snap- fit" together. Also provided on each wall element 326 are transverse retainers 336. When the shell 322 is assembled these retainers 336 retain the dividing walls 324 in position. In the embodiment shown, each wall element 326 is provided with two retainers 336, although it is envisaged that fewer or greater numbers of retainers 336 may be provided as desired. The dividing walls 324 are formed in one piece having three generally rectangular elements 338. These rectangular elements 338 are arranged such that they assume a Z- shaped end profile. Along one apex the dividing wall 324 is provided with an abutment portion 342 as shown in Figure 37. When the dividing walls 324 are in position within the shell 322 abutment portions 342 of adjacent dividing walls 324 abut each other, the profiles ensuring that they cannot move past each other. The other apex 344 is created by the junction of two rectangular elements 338 and as such has a V profile. This profile determines the internal profile of the retainers 336. Also provided on apex 344 and on end faces 346 and 348 are raised portions 350 which aid with engagement of the dividing walls 324 with the retainers 336.

The external surface of the shell 322 may be provided with ribbed areas 352 to aid handling of the container 320 and with feet 354 to improve contact between the container 320 and the surface on which it is placed.

Figure 39 shows a container 360 having a single piece construction with two wall elements 362, 364 rigidly fixed together in a V profile and a third wall element 366 hinged to wall element 362. The end, or short, edges of sides 362,364,366 have a curved shape which provides a more tactile surface. Preferably, the end edges have a smoothly curved convex shape. The free edge of side 366 is provided with tabs 368 which engage complementary into slots 370 provided on side 364 to maintain the container 360 in a closed position. Side 362 and side 366 are provided with raised fins 368. Each pair of fins 368 is spaced to produce a gap 372 sized such that an equally dimensioned adjoining fin 368 is a push fit between the pair of fins 368. In such a way adjacent containers 360 may be attached together by staggering each container in relation to another. An array of containers 360 attached together in this manner is shown in Figure 38.

Figures 42-45 show a container 380 having a similar construction to container 360 but having fastening strips 382 in place of fins 368. The fastening strips 382 are typically provided with hook and loop type fasteners.

Figure 46 shows a further embodiment in which a container 400 has an external shell 402 into which internal dividing sections 404 are placed to create triangular food storage areas 406. The shell 402 is moulded in a single piece and has gussets 408 at the internal surfaces of each apex such that a internal space 410, having a hexagonal cross sectional profile is created. To further divide this area three internal dividing sections 404 are provided. Each dividing section 404 is planar and has a generally rectangular shape. A slot 412 is provided in each dividing section, the slot 412 is positioned so that one end 414 is coincident with the centre of a short side of the dividing section 404 and so that it extends parallel to the long sides 416 to a point midway from each short side. The slot 422 has a bevelled edge profile and a width sufficient to enable two further dividing sections 404 to be located into it. Figure 48 shows the dividing sections 404 being located into the hexagonal space 410.

Figure 49 shows a container 420 moulded in a single piece and having a plurality of food storage areas 422. To enable the container 420 to be easily gripped it is provided with a plurality of grooves 424 along each side.

Figure 52 shows a container 430 moulded in a single piece and having an opening at each end and a single food storage area.

To facilitate the placement of food into a container a feeding tool may also be provided. Figure 50a shows a first embodiment of a feeding tool 200, the feeding tool 200 having an elongate handle 201 and a scoop 202 to carry food items to be placed in the container and a pushing surface 204 at a distal end to enable other food items to be pushed into a desired position inside the container. The feeding tool 200 has a profile to match the profile of the container, in this case the feeding tool 200 has a triangular profile. For low cost manufacture it is intended that the feeding tool 200 is injection moulded.

Figure 50b shows a second feeding tool 210 also having a scoop 212 and a pushing surface 214 but intended to be flat plate moulded.

Figure 50c shows third and fourth feeding tools 220 and 230 which have knife edges 222 and 232 to enable food items to be cut. The feeding tools 220 and 230 are also provided with flat pushing surfaces 224 and 234.

Figures 50d and 50e show injection moulded feeding tools 240 and 250 which act as push sticks only having pushing surfaces 242 and 252.

Figure 50f shows a feeding tool 260 which has a pushing surface 262 at one end and cleaning sponge 264 at the other end for cleaning the interior of a container.

Figure 50g shows a feeding tool 270 manufactured as a flat plate moulding and having a V-profile handle 272 with scalloped edging for comfort and knife edge 274. Use of the feeding tool 270 in a container is also illustrated.

Figure 51 shows a cleaning tool 280 having a plastic handle 282 and a removable cleaning sponge 284.

The feeding tools are preferably designed so that they may be stored within a container when not in use. For example, in the embodiments shown in Figure 24 and Figure 25a the feeding tools are provided with recesses along their handles so that the feeding tools may be slid between the free edges of the container 170. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 50h, the feeding tools may be designed to be folded flat for storage . In the above described embodiments, the container has a triangular cross-sectional. However, the cross- sectional profile of the container may be of any shape. Suitable alternative cross-sectional profiles include circular, square, hexagonal or other polygonal shapes. The cross-section of the container can be constant, or could vary in cross-sectional profile along the length of the container. The containers can be made out of any suitable material for example, plastic, for example polypropylene, porcelain, cardboard, or composite materials.

The containers described above may be attached together in other ways. For example, they may have a fastening strip attached to at least one external surface. The fastening strips may be magnetic or may make use of hook and loop fastenings, clips or other suitable means.

The skilled reader will appreciate that variations and modifications to the various embodiments described above are of course possible while still falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An animal feeding device for a domestic animal comprising one or more wall elements arranged in the form of a hollow body for containing a food item, the hollow body having at least one opening dimensioned to be too small to allow entry of the head of a desired animal but large enough to allow entry of a limb of the desired animal .

2. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more wall elements are arranged so as to form a hollow body having an external peripheral surface and one or more internal dividing walls.

3. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hollow body is substantially elongate .

4. An animal feeding device as claimed in any of claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the hollow body has a first end and a second end and a substantially constant cross-sectional profile between the first and second ends .

5. An animal feeding device as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the hollow body has a first end and a second end and a variable cross-sectional profile between the first and second ends.

6. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the hollow body between the first and second ends is displaced to follow a tortuous path therebetween.

7. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow body is cavernous.

8. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body has a polygonal cross-section.

9. An animal feeding device as claimed in any of claims 1,2 or 7, wherein the hollow body is substantially spherical.

10. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hollow body has a triangular cross-section.

11. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hollow body is at least partially open along an apex of its cross-sectional profile.

12. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body has an opening extending at least partially along the length of one of its sides.

13. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising attachment means for attaching the device to at least one like device or another object or surface.

14. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one projection and at least one recess provided on the hollow body, whereby in use the projection provided on the hollow body of one device is engageable into the recess provided on the hollow body of at least a second device to attach the at least two hollow bodies together.

15. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body comprises at least one suction device for engagement of the device by suction against another surface.

16. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the exterior of the hollow body is formed with at least two projecting ribs with at least one recess therebetween, whereby in use the ribs of one device can be fitted into the recess (es) of at least a like at least second device to attach the two hollow bodies together.

17. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the projecting ribs and recesses can form a dovetail joint when connected to a like at least second device .

18. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the projecting ribs and recesses can form a mortice and tenon joint when connected to a like at least second device.

19. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a casing into which in use a plurality of the device may be slotted to form an array.

20. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body comprises at least two wall elements hingedly connected along an adjacent edge.

21. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the hollow body comprises detent means to secure an unhinged edge of one of the at least two wall elements, to a further wall element of the hollow body .

22. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is extendable in length.

23. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the hollow body is extendable by telescopic means .

24. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the hollow body comprises first and second parts, the first part having at least a portion dimensioned to form a sliding fit within the second part .

25. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising detent means to secure the first part to the second part in a plurality of extension positions, ranging from an unextended state to a fully extended state.

26. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a removable engagement member for engaging with a removable engagement member of one or more other like devices.

27. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the engagement member has at least one tongue element for engagement with at least one corresponding groove element of another engagement member.

28. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the at least one tongue element on a first engagement member of a first elongate hollow member is engageable with the at least one slot element on a second engagement member of a like hollow elongate member .

29. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the one or more internal dividing walls are integral with the peripheral surface.

30. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the one or more internal dividing walls are integral with the peripheral surface.

31. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the dividing walls are separate from the peripheral surface.

32. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the dividing walls are removable from the peripheral surface.

33. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the at least one dividing wall is releasably engaged by one or more retaining element (s) provided on an internal surface of the peripheral surface .

34. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, comprising three dividing walls.

35. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein opposite edges of the dividing wall abut opposite internal walls of the peripheral surface .

36. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 2 onwards, wherein the at least one dividing wall engages with at least one like dividing wall.

37. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body is formed with at least one cross-sectional division to define two or more separate compartments.

38. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising bracket means releasably engageable with the hollow body for attaching the hollow body to a surface or object.

39. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insertion tool suitably dimensioned and shaped for insertion of food items into the hollow body.

40. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the insertion tool comprises a handle and a pusher member insertable through the at least one opening.

41. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the insertion tool further comprises a blade for cutting food items.

42. An animal feeding device as claimed in any of claims 39,40 or 41, wherein the insertion tool further comprises a scoop member for positioning food items .

43. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein the insertion tool is stored within the hollow body when the tool is not in use.

44. An animal feeding device as claimed in any of claims 39 to 43, wherein the insertion tool folds flat for storage.

45. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body comprises a textured exterior surface.

46. An animal feeding device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body comprises a plurality of openings.

47. A method of stimulating a domestic animal comprising the steps of providing an animal feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims and inserting a food item into the hollow body of the animal feeding device.

48. A method of stimulating a domestic animal as claimed in claim 47, further comprising the step of positioning the food item at a desired distance from the opening.

49. A method of stimulating a domestic animal as claimed in claim 47 or claim 48, further comprising the step of placing the animal feeding device in a challenging location.

50. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to any of claims 47,48 or 49, wherein the animal feeding device is located inside a building.

51. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to claim 50, wherein the animal feeding device is releasably attached to a surface.

52. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to claim 51, wherein the surface is provided on an item of household furniture.

53. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to claim 51, wherein the surface is provided on an item of cat furniture.

54. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to any one of claims 47,48 or 49, wherein the animal feeding device is located outside a building.

55. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to claim 51, wherein the surface is provided on a wall.

56. A method of stimulating a domestic animal according to claim 51, wherein the surface is provided on a tree.

57. A method of designing an animal feeding device for a domestic animal according to any preceding claim, comprising the steps of, determining the animal for which the feeding device is to be designed, determining the size of the jaws of the animal and sizing the at least one opening in the feeding device to prevent the jaws from passing through the at least one opening, and determining the size of a limb of the animal and determining the length of the hollow body of the feeding device such that the animal may access food within the hollow body through the at least one opening by using only a limb.

58. An animal feeding device for a domestic animal comprising one or more wall elements arranged in the form of a hollow body for containing a food item, the hollow elongate body comprising at least one opening, wherein the aspect ratio of the device is in the range 1.5 to 50.0.

59. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 58 wherein the aspect ratio of the device is more preferably in the range 3.0 to 5.0.

60. An animal feeding device as claimed in claim 58 wherein the aspect ratio of the device is 3.5.

61. An animal feeding device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings .