Container apparatus and method

• US 20050115517A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triple Crown Dog Academy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Triple Crown Dog Academy Incorporated
• Inventors: Kroyer, David John, Benson, Harold Keith, Wolfe, Jerry Joe Jr., Dunn, Robert Troy, Gabriel, Jessy B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,555,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/707
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/025 Toys specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/026 Chewable toys, e.g. for dental care of pets

Abstract

A container apparatus and method includes an exterior form, with an outside and an inside, the exterior form surrounding an interior form with a compartment wherein the exterior form includes at least one space for containing items on the inside and wherein the compartment includes at least one space for containing items. At least one opening is provided in the interior form and at least one opening is provided in the exterior form.

Claims

1. A container apparatus comprising:

a) an exterior form, with an outside and an inside, surrounding an interior form with a compartment wherein said exterior form includes at least one space for containing items on said inside and wherein said compartment includes at least one space for containing items; and

b) at least one opening in said interior form and at least one opening in said exterior form.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein element a) further includes at least one raised element on said outside of said exterior form.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interior form is offset from a center location of said exterior form.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said interior form includes a funnel section for funneling items to said at least one opening in said interior form.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable cap for said at least one opening in said exterior form.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said removable cap is edible.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said items are edible.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said interior form includes at least one flap limiting the size of said opening.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said exterior form further includes an interior recess in combination with said interior form for receiving and retaining a removable cap.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said exterior form comprises two openings.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said interior form comprises two openings.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one opening in said exterior form comprises two openings and wherein said at least one opening in said interior form comprises two openings.

13. An animal treat ball comprising:

a) a ball, with an outside and an inside, surrounding an interior form with a compartment wherein the ball includes at least one space for containing animal treats on the inside and wherein the compartment includes at least one space for containing animal treats; and

b) at least one opening in the interior form and at least one opening in the exterior form.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein element a) further includes at least one at least partially circumferential raised element on the outside of the ball.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further including a sinuous raised edge on the exterior of the ball.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the interior form is offset from a center location of the ball.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one opening in the interior form includes a funnel section for funneling items to the at least one opening in the interior form.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a removable cap for the at least one opening in the exterior form.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the removable cap is edible.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the at least one opening in the interior form includes more than one flap limiting the size of the opening.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the removable cap is domed shaped.

22. An animal treat ball method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a ball with an exterior form, with an outside and an inside, surrounding an interior form with a compartment wherein the inside of the ball includes at least one space for containing animal treats and wherein the compartment includes at least one space for containing animal treats;

b) providing at least one opening in the interior form and at least one opening in the exterior form; and

c) inserting animal treats in the ball.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of installing a removable cap over the opening in the exterior form after inserting the animal treats.