Pet drinking aid device
First Claim
1. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
- (a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
(b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means; and
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container comprises an elastomeric sleeve extending from said cap, said elastomeric sleeve configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said fluid container.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pet drinking aid includes a cap defining an axial passage therewithin. Preferred embodiments of the cap include securing means for detachably securing the cap to a fluid container and an inwardly directed flange. The securing structure may include helical threads, an elastomeric sleeve or the like. The cap further includes a ball positioned within the axial passage of said cap and, in a preferred embodiment a biasing structure mounted relative to the cap within the axial passage. The biasing structure advantageously engages the ball to bias the ball toward the inwardly directed flange. The ball is preferably captured within the axial passage between the inwardly directed flange and the biasing structure, and the ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of the biasing structure. The biasing structure may include a compression spring, a foam member or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the biasing means is omitted and the cap includes an inwardly directed ridge extending from the cap'"'"'s inner surface at an axial location intermediate the first and second ends of the cap.
63 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
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(a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
(b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means; and
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container comprises an elastomeric sleeve extending from said cap, said elastomeric sleeve configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said fluid container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
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(a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and an inwardly directed ridge formed on an inner surface of said cap;
(b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means; and
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said compression spring includes a base that is mounted to said ridge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
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(a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
(b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said biasing means comprises a hollow foam member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
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(a) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and a washer mounted in said axial passage and positioned adjacent to said inwardly directed flange;
(b) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(c) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said washer is captured between said inwardly directed flange and a protruding member formed on an inner surface of said cap. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A pet drinking aid, comprising:
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(a) a cap defining an inner surface and an axial passage therewithin, said cap including;
(i) securing means for detachably securing said cap to a fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, (ii) an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap, and (iii) an inwardly directed ridge extending from said inner surface at an axial location intermediate said first and second ends;
(b) a first washer positioned adjacent said inwardly directed flange;
(c) a ball positioned within said substantially cylindrical passage; and
(d) a second washer engaging said inwardly directed ridge, said second washer configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said ball when said cap is in a vertical orientation;
wherein said ball is captured between said first washer and said inwardly directed ridge, and is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement relative to said cap. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. In combination:
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(a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage; and
(b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises;
(i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing mean in detachable engagement with said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
(ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means; and
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means to permit fluid to flow through said opening of said fluid passage opening of said fluid container and past said ball; and
wherein said securing means in detachable engagement with said fluid container comprises an elastomeric sleeve extending from said cap, said elastomeric sleeve configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said fluid container. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. In combination:
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(a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage; and
(b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises;
(i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and an inwardly directed ridge formed on an inner surface of said cap;
(ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange, wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said compression spring includes a base that is mounted to said ridge. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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40. In combination:
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(a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage; and
(b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises;
(i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap;
(ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said biasing means comprises a hollow foam member. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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42. In combination:
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(a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage; and
(b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises;
(i) a cap defining an axial passage therewithin, said cap including securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, and further including an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap and a washer mounted in said axial passage and positioned adjacent to said inwardly directed flange;
(ii) a ball positioned within said axial passage of said cap;
(iii) biasing means mounted relative to said cap within said axial passage, said biasing means engaging said ball to bias said ball toward said inwardly directed flange;
wherein said ball is captured within said axial passage between said inwardly directed flange and said biasing means;
wherein said ball is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement against the bias of said biasing means; and
wherein said washer is captured between said inwardly directed flange and a protruding member formed on an inner surface of said cap. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. In combination:
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(a) a fluid container including an opening for fluid passage; and
(b) a pet drinking aid, wherein said pet drinking aid comprises;
(i) a cap defining an inner surface and an axial passage therewithin, said cap including;
(aa) securing means for detachably securing said cap to said fluid container positioned adjacent a first end of said cap, (bb) an inwardly directed flange formed at a second end of said cap, and (cc) an inwardly directed ridge extending from said inner surface at an axial location intermediate said first and second ends;
(ii) a first washer positioned adjacent said inwardly directed flange;
(iii) a ball positioned within said substantially cylindrical passage; and
(iv) a second washer engaging said inwardly directed ridge, said second washer configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage said ball when said cap is in a vertical orientation;
wherein said ball is captured between said first washer and said inwardly directed ridge, and is capable of rotatable movement and limited axial movement relative to said cap. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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Specification