Pet feeding and weighing system

• US 8,148,651 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2010
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Judith M. Coppola
• Original Assignee: Judith M. Coppola
• Inventors: Coppola, Judith M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US12/683,790
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 177/25.16, 177/25.19, 177/126, 177/127, 177238-245, 177/262, 119/174, 119/51.01
• US Class Current: 177/25.16
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0114 Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays time-controlled A01K5/0291

Abstract

A pet feeding and weighing system for efficiently providing a weighing platform having one or more feeding bowls therein to allow for a pet to be weighed in a consistent manner when the pet returns for food or drink. The pet feeding and weighing system generally includes a platform having a feeding portion and a weighing portion extending therefrom, wherein the feeding portion includes at least one opening extending therethrough and at least one feeding container is positioned within the opening. A plurality of weight sensors are in communicative contact with the weighing portion and a local digital display responsive to the weight sensor indicates a weight applied upon the weighing portion of the platform over the weight sensor. The present invention may also include a controller having memory for storing and allowing the retrieval of past weight measurements along with their respective date and time taken.

Claims

1. A pet feeding and weighing device, comprising:

a platform having a feeding portion and a weighing portion;

wherein said feeding portion including at least one opening extending therethrough;

at least one feeding container positioned within said at least one opening;

at least one weight sensor in communicative contact with said weighing portion; and

a display responsive to said at least one weight sensor to indicate a weight applied upon said weighing portion of said platform over said at least one weight sensor; and

,

wherein a brim of said at least one feeding container is located above said platform and a bottom of said least one feeding container rests upon a floor surface below said platform.

2. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one feeding container is removably positioned within said at least one opening.

3. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening includes a first opening and a second opening.

4. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 3, wherein said at least one feeding container includes a first feeding container positioned within said first opening and a second feeding container positioned within said second opening.

5. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 4, wherein said first feeding container is adapted to hold pet food therein and wherein said second feeding container is adapted to hold drinking water therein.

6. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said display is comprised of a digital display.

11. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one weight sensor is comprised of a plurality of weight sensors.

12. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of weight sensors are each comprised of electrical load cells.

13. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening includes a rim extending from a peripheral edge below said platform.

14. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 1, including a transparent sleeve along an upper surface of said platform for holding a photograph.

7. A pet feeding and weighing device, comprising:

a platform having a feeding portion and a weighing portion;

wherein said feeding portion including at least one opening extending therethrough;

at least one feeding container positioned within said at least one opening;

at least one weight sensor in communicative contact with said weighing portion; and

a display responsive to said at least one weight sensor to indicate a weight applied upon said weighing portion of said platform over said at least one weight sensor; and

,

including a controller connected to said display, wherein said controller has memory for storing past weight measurements taken by said at least one weight sensor.

8. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 7, wherein said memory of said controller stores a date and time associated with each of said past weight measurements.

9. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 8, wherein said display selectively illustrates said date and said time along with each of said past weight measurements.

10. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 9, including a control button for retrieving a particular said past weight measurement from said memory to be illustrated upon said display.

20. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 7, wherein said at least one feeding container is removably positioned within said at least one opening.

15. A pet feeding and weighing device, comprising:

a platform having a feeding portion and a weighing portion;

wherein said feeding portion extends from said weighing portion along a common plane;

wherein said feeding portion including at least one opening extending therethrough;

at least one feeding container positioned within said at least one opening;

at least one weight sensor in communicative contact with said weighing portion;

a digital display located along said platform, wherein said display is responsive to said at least one weight sensor to indicate a weight applied upon said weighing portion of said platform over said at least one weight sensor;

a controller electrically connected to said display and said at least one weight sensor, wherein said controller has memory for storing past weight measurements; and

a control button electrically connected to said controller for retrieving a particular said past weight measurement from said memory to be illustrated upon said display.

16. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 15, wherein said at least one feeding container is removably positioned within said at least one opening.

17. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 15, wherein a brim of said at least one feeding container is located above said platform and a bottom of said least one feeding container rests upon a floor surface below said platform.

18. The pet feeding and weighing device of claim 15, wherein said memory stores a date and time associated with each of said past weight measurements.

19. A pet feeding and weighing device, comprising:

a substantially rectangular platform, wherein said platform has rounded corners;

a plurality of support members extending along a bottom side of said platform;

wherein said platform has a feeding portion and a weighing portion;

wherein said feeding portion extends from said weighing portion along a common plane and wherein said weighing portion has a substantially larger surface area than said feeding portion;

wherein said feeding portion includes a first opening and a second opening extending therethrough;

a first feeding container removably positioned within said first opening, wherein said first feeding container is adapted to hold pet food;

wherein said first feeding container has a brim located above said feeding portion of said platform and a bottom resting upon a floor surface below said base;

a second feeding container removably positioned within said second opening, wherein said second feeding container is adapted to drinking water;

wherein said second feeding container has a brim located above said feeding portion of said platform and a bottom resting upon a floor surface below said base;

a plurality of weight sensors in communicative contact with said weighing portion;

a controller connected to said plurality of weight sensors for receiving a weight measurement from said plurality of weight sensors;

wherein said controller has memory for storing past weight measurements taken by said plurality of weight sensors and an associated date and time of each of said past weight measurements;

wherein said plurality of weight sensors are each comprised of electrical load cells;

a control button connected to said controller for retrieving a particular said past weight measurement from said memory to be displayed; and

a digital display connected to said controller and responsive to said plurality of weight sensors to indicate a weight applied upon said weighing portion of said platform over said plurality of weight sensors and also to selectively illustrate a particular said past weight measurement.