WO2018211520A1

WO2018211520A1 - An improved food mat/bowl holder/stand and a method of fabricating thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2018211520A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/050284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashish Padia
Original assignee: Ashish Padia
Priority date: 2017-05-15
Filing date: 2017-07-10
Publication date: 2018-11-22

Abstract

An improved food mat/bowl holder/stand and a method of fabricating thereof The present invention provides a food mat, which has means to fix a food bowl in it. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating said food mat. The food mat of present invention is usable as pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement. The said food mat and its in-built recess can be used as feeder, water bowl, bowl holder and bowl stand. At the same time, said mat can be used as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables.

Description

^'An improved food mat/ bowl holder/stand and a method of fa bricating thereof"

The following specification describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to the field of food mats.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of food mats.

Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a food mat, which has means to fix a food bowl in it.

The present invention also provides a method of fabricating said food mat.

The food mat of present invention is usable as a pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement. The said food mat and its in-built recess can be used as feeder, water bowl, bowl holder and bowl stand. At the same time, said mat can be used as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables.

Background of the invention:

There are several designs of food mats present in the market for pets and otherwise for general use as well.

Reference is made to the United States Patent number 8,534,225, by Vermeegen, dated September 17, 2013, titled ^'Pet feeding system.. This invention provides a pet feeding system for slowing the eating process of a pet, and simultaneously entertaining the pet. The pet feeding system includes a floor, retaining walls, and obstacles which form a food maze. The obstacles may vary, for example, in shape (e.g., as letters, words, geometric shapes, etc.), form (e.g., rigid structure, flexible fingers, etc.), size, height, etc. In addition, the obstacles may include structures to further slow a pet eating, such as tunnels, slides, ramps, etc. The pet feeding system may be fabricated of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, silicone rubber, natural rubber, metal, and ceramic. The present invention provides a pet feeding system, which is comprising: (a) a structure; and (b) a maze, wherein said structure comprises a floor and said maze comprises a plurality of obstacles formed within said structure, wherein the obstacles form text when viewed from above and at least one of said plurality of obstacles forms a space for holding pet food. The pet feeding system further comprises an integrated cup for holding water or wet food. The obstacles form one or more of tunnels, grooves and bowls. The pet feeding system comprises one or more connectors selected from the group consisting of puzzle edges, a channel configured to fit with a complimentary rail, lock and key features, hook and loop fasteners, interlocking fasteners, snaps, magnetic strips, adhesive and clips, for attaching with complimentary features of the one or more additional pet feeding systems.

The structure comprises a floor and said maze comprises a plurality of obstacles formed within said structure, wherein the obstacles are formed as three- dimensional geometric shapes and at least one of said plurality of obstacles forms a space for holding pet food. The three-dimensional geometric shapes selected from the group consisting of cuboids, spheres, eggs, ellipsoids, cylinders, cubes, quadrilateral frustums, platonic solids and tori.

Another reference is made to United States Patent number 7,051,675, by Mayer, dated May 30, 2006, titled ^'Automatic animal feeder.. This invention provides an automatic animal feeder, which includes a housing has a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall having an opening therein. A plurality of food delivery assemblies is positioned in the opening. Each of the food delivery assemblies includes a food drawer slidably positioned in the opening. The drawer is selectively extended inwardly or outwardly of the housing when a rod threadably coupled thereto is rotated. A motor is mechanically coupled to the driving rod. A processor is mounted in the housing and is electrically coupled to each of the food delivery assemblies for selectively turning on the motors. A first time control is electrically coupled to the processor for selectively inputting a time and date when each of a selected one of the food trays will be extended outwardly from the housing. A cooling assembly is mounted in the housing for selectively cooling an interior of the housing.

Another reference is made to United States Patent number 6,684,816, by Lippincott, dated February 3, 2004, titled ^'Pet areas mat.. This invention provides a pet areas mat for cleanliness where small animals eat, drink, are housed in a cage, or perform other functions, use of a litter box or litter pan. The mat is generally rectangular or oblong in shape and is constructed of a material that is absorbent on one side and laminated and non-absorbent on the reverse side, forming a moisture barrier. Stays are constructed on the mat by stitching, at various intervals, a binding to folds of the aforementioned material in a horizontal, vertical or concentrical pattern. The same binding is sewn on the perimeter of the mat. The stays and perimeter binding function to contain debris on, or in the general area of, the mat. The mat also absorbs liquids, the animal's drinking water and the animal's bodily fluids. The pet areas mat is very convenient for pet owners, as it is disposable and machine washable in cold water and must be air dried.

Another reference is made to US 6,596,374 B1, dated July 22, 2003, titled ^'DEVICE FOR SECURING OBJECTS.. This invention provides a device for removably securing a Wide variety of objects to different surfaces utilizing a partial vacuum. The device includes flexible material comprising one or more opening(s), wherein each opening is capable of forming a continuous seal with a portion of an object and the remaining material is capable of forming a continuous seal with a surface. The size of the opening and the size of the material can vary within the constraints that adequate material remains surrounding the opening to enable a continuous seal to be formed with a surface When an object is inserted into the opening. The device is used by inserting an object into an opening, thereby forming a continuous seal between the object and the opening and pressing the device against a surface; displacing air to create a partial vacuum in a manner that causes a continuous seal to form between the flexible material and the attachment surface; thereby removably securing the object to the surface.

Further reference is made to US publication number US 2008/0265108 A1 , dated October 30, 2008, titled ^'STAND.. This invention provides a stand for attaching a bowl to a surface. The stand includes a base with a first continuous side Wall extends from a first surface of the base to define a first suction cup. A second continuous side Wall extends from a second surface of the base to define a second suction cup. The second suction cup extends in an opposing direction from the first suction cup. The first continuous side Wall includes an inner face extending between the base and a first outer rim. The inner face has a first continuous raised ridge for defining a first cavity within the first continuous side Wall for securing the stand to one of the bowl and the surface. A handle can be provided for releasing the stand from one of the bowl and the surface.

However, none of the above discussed inventions provide a diner mat which has in-built space for fixing a bowl and having the suction feature at the same time. All the above discussed inventions are very complex in structure and functioning. The present invention overcomes all these drawbacks of prior art and provide a product which is simple in construction, simple in use and vet very effective in terms of features provided. The food mat of present invention is usable as a pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/ mixing bowl or any other such requirement. None of the inventions in prior art provide this flexibility of features and applications.

Objects of the invention:

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a food mat, which has means to fix a food bowl in it.

Another objective of the present invention also provides a method of fabricating said food mat.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat which is usable as pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat with in-built recess to be used as feeder, water bowl, bowl holder and bowl stand.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat which is used as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables.

Summary of the invention:

The present invention provides a food mat, which has means to fix a food bowl in it. The invention also provides a method of fabricating said food mat.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat which is usable as a pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food mat which is used as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables. Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 , 2 and 3 provide the overview of said mat cum bowl holder from various sides.

Statement of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides an anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect, and a method of fabricating the same, said mat comprising a two- layer base, an outer layer to work as mat and an inner/central layer with at least one cavity/socket to hold a bowl in place with suction lock, such that said mat securely holds any bowl and prevents movement of the same thus avoiding spillage of any food or water stored in bowl on the floor/surface/ground, such that when bowl is locked-in the mat, edges and sides of mat are raised above the surface level and no ants/insects are able to crawl into the same.

Detailed description of the invention:

It should be noted that the particular description with features, designs, components, construction, working and embodiments set forth in the specification below are merely exemplary of the wide variety and arrangement of instructions which can be employed with the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. All the features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by similar other or alternative features performing similar or same or equivalent purposes. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, they all are within the scope of present invention. Various modifications or substitutions are also possible without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that this specification has been described by way of the most preferred embodiments and for the purposes of illustration and not limitation.

The present invention provides a food mat, which has means to fix a food bowl in it. The food mat is fabricated from a dishwasher safe material.

The dishwasher safe material is selected from but not limited to silicon rubber, natural rubber and rubber blends. The product structure is preferably formed as a mat. The mat structure comprises a bowl/cup/round shaped recess for holding the food bowl.

The present invention also provides a method of fabricating said food mat.

The product is manufactured in any size/shape as per the requirement.

The food mat of present invention is usable as pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement. The product comprises a base, which is preferably a flat surface, with a holder in the middle for affixing a food bowl in it or for using the same as a cutting/mixing bowl.

The mat comprises a space/recess built in the shape of a bowl/cup/round for holding the food bowl. The periphery of this space/recess is fit around the periphery of the food bowl. The mat and corresponding bowl can be fabricated in any size as per the requirement.

The flat surface/mat is preferably made up of plastic material. The said plastic mat with a bowl holder in the middle is fabricated using plastic resin through plastic injection process with the help of injection molding machine. The plastic resin used for fabricating mat is made up of a material selected preferably from Polypropylene, ABS, LDPE, HDPE, Crystal, Acrylic, Nylon etc.

The base of the flat mat is made of an elastomer for providing anti-skid properties. The elastomer is selected from a material preferably a TPE, TPR, Siicon or rubber.

Once the plastic mat is ready, the same is kept on the mold for bonding plastic and elastomer together, which makes the mat anti-skid. This step is also done through injection moulding process such that the elastomeric resin flows on the plastic mat and gets bonded permanently

The bottom of the flat mat is kept hollow from the top and bottom. Once the bowl is placed on top and pressed towards the bottom, it creates suction effect and vacuum is created such that neither the bowl moves on mat, nor the mat moves on the plain surface once kept and affixed in this way.

The said food mat and its in-built recess can be used as feeder, water bowl, bowl holder and bowl stand. At the same time, said mat can be used as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables. In the space for bowls in said mat, once the bowl/cup is fixed, it is not easy to remove, especially by normal activity of animal when being used as pet bowl. The bowl is fixed removably, yet very tightly affixed and stable when in place inside the recess.

The bowl can be removed and easily washed before resupplying.

The steel bowl when affixed into rubber base component does not move and also locks in. This cannot be removed by normal activity of animal when being used as pet bowl. The product also is free of any sound as the steel bowl completely locks into the rubber component.

The product is anti-skid in nature. Since the bowl is fixed over the mat, even if while consuming or otherwise, some food or liquid is spilled by the animal, it is not leaked on the ground, and is spilled on the mat only. The diner mat is having sufficient size to retain the spilled food to avoid spillage on ground/floor.

While using this as a household item, if for example is being used as mixing bowl, then also the food does not spill over the floor or any other surface. The mat is of sufficient size to retain the spilled food.

The invention also provides a method of fabricating the food mat. The method comprises the steps of:

Suction food mat fabricating steps:

1 Plastic Mat which is hollow from the center or any side is made using plastic resin through plastic injection process with the help of injection molding machine, (plastic resin could be any material i.e. Polypropylene, ABS, LDPE, HDPE, Crystal, Acrylic, Nylon etc.)

2 After plastic mat is made its placed on the mold for bonding plastic and rubber together, which makes the mat anti-skid, this process is done again through injection process by which the elastomeric resin flows on the plastic mat and gets bonded permanently, the elastomer could be any material i.e. TPE, TPR, Siicon or rubber.

3 The rubber is hollow from the top and bottom, but when the stainless steel bowl is placed on top and pressed at the bottom, it creates suction and both mat and bowl gets suctioned, so the bowl does not move on the mat, which the mat also cannot be moved on the plain surface.

So accordingly, the present invention provides an anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect, and a method of fabricating the same, said mat comprising a two- layer base, an outer layer to work as mat and an inner/central layer with at least one cavity/socket to hold a bowl in place with suction lock, such that said mat securely holds any bowl and prevents movement of the same thus avoiding spillage of any food or water stored in bowl on the floor/surface/ground, such that when bowl is locked-in the mat, edges and sides of mat are raised above the surface level and no ants/insects are able to crawl into the same.

In an embodiment, said mat cum bowl holder removably secures the bowl such that as the bowl is pushed into cavity/socket, the vacuum generated by pushing the bowl into cavity/socket is of sufficient pressure to secure bowls of various shapes, sizes and weight.

In another embodiment, said outer layer is preferably made up of plastic.

In yet another embodiment, said inner/central layer is preferably made up of rubber.

In another embodiment, said at least one cavity/socket to hold the bowl in place comprises sufficient space such that when bowl is fixed into it with push effect, there remains an empty space underneath bowl and vacuum is created therein which keeps the bowl locked-in.

In yet another embodiment, said bowl when locked-in does not move and said outer layer acting as mat is raised slightly from the ground level with pressure of locked-in bowl.

In another embodiment, said mat has feature of suction lock when said bowl is fixed by push effect into said cavity/socket provided in the mat.

In a further embodiment, said mat is fixed immovable on ground once placed till the time bowl is removed.

In another embodiment, said bowl is made up of preferably stainless steel.

In yet another embodiment, said product is at least three times more cost effective than other similar products.

In a further embodiment, said mat is made up of thermoplastic elastomer at the bottom.

In another embodiment, said mat is fabricated preferably in rectangular shape. In yet another embodiment, said mat is fabricated preferably in oval shape. In another embodiment, said mat avoids spillage due to its shape and size while being used. In yet another embodiment, said mat cum bowl holder is used as cutting board as well as mixing bowl as and when required.

Adva ntages

I Food grade material so safe in use for storing or direct consumption

I Cost effective

I Not complex in use

I Ease of manufacturing/fabricating

I Extremely effective suction feature

I Completely anti-ant in nature

I Avoids spillage of food/water on the surface due to broad mat size

I Multiple purpose/application product which can be easily used as a pet food mat as well as a household food mat/cutting bowl/mixing bowl or any other such requirement

I Food mat and its in-built recess usable as feeder, water bowl, bowl holder and bowl stand

I Food mat usable as a chopping board also for cutting fruit and vegetables

Claims

I Claim:

1. An anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect, and a method of fabricating the same, said mat comprising a two- layer base, an outer layer to work as mat and an inner/central layer with at least one cavity/socket to hold a bowl in place with suction lock, such that said mat securely holds any bowl and prevents movement of the same thus avoiding spillage of any food or water stored in bowl on the floor/surface/ground, such that when bowl is locked-in the mat, edges and sides of mat are raised above the surface level and no ants/insects are able to crawl into the same.

2. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat cum bowl holder removably secures the bowl such that as the bowl is pushed into cavity/socket, the vacuum generated by pushing the bowl into cavity/socket is of sufficient pressure to secure bowls of various shapes, sizes and weight.

3. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer is preferably made up of plastic.

4. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner/central layer is preferably made up of rubber.

5. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one cavity/socket to hold the bowl in place comprises sufficient space such that when bowl is fixed into it with push effect, there remains an empty space underneath bowl and vacuum is created therein which keeps the bowl locked- in.

6. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bowl when locked-in does not move and said outer layer acting as mat is raised slightly from the ground level with pressure of locked-in bowl.

7. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat has feature of suction lock when said bowl is fixed by push effect into said cavity/socket provided in the mat.

8. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat is fixed immovable on ground once placed till the time bowl is removed.

9. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bowl is made up of preferably stainless steel.

10. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said product is at least three times more cost effective than other similar products.

11. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat is made up of thermoplastic elastomer at the bottom.

12. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat is fabricated preferably in rectangular shape.

13. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat is fabricated preferably in oval shape.

14. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat avoids spillage due to its shape and size while being used.

15. The anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mat cum bowl holder is used as cutting board as well as mixing bowl as and when required.

16. An anti-insect, surface-sealing mat cum bowl holder with in-built push and suction lock-in effect, and a method of fabricating the same, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying specification, any of the proceeding claims and drawings.