FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bowls in general and in particular to bowls for pets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various types of pet bowls available in market. These bowls comes in various size,
shapes and colors. These pet bowls are made up of variety of material such as plastic,
ceramics and metal etc. The bowls made of different materials have various advantages and
disadvantages associated with them, e.g. Plastic pet feeding bowls come in variety of sizes,
shapes and colors. However, these bowls may not be suitable for many pets (e.g. dogs).
Bowls made of softer plastic can be easily chewed or scratched by dog, leaving places for
bacteria to grow. Additionally, some dogs may develop an allergy to the plastic, resulting in
a mild skin reaction on the chin or face.
Ceramic pet bowls are often decorated with variety of designs and may be handmade by
artists. However, ceramic dog bowls are fragile and can crack often. The cracked bowls
become unsafe for pets. Further the smaller crack are not easily visible and hence user may
have to inspect these bowls regularly for damage and such bowls can also harbor bacteria
easily. Stainless steel dog bowls are by far the most durable and are also dishwasher-safe
but are generally unattractive. Certain printed or decorated stainless steel bowls are
available in prior art but such bowls are prone to corrosion and scratches upon usage
moreover the stickers employed on bowl surface tend to flake out with regular washing.
Further, harsh effects of detergent used for washing the bowls also have adverse effect on
the lacquered finishing as well as on the printed stickers (specially ink based print stickers)
that results in degradation of bowl material.
Certain bowls optionally include features such as anti-skid element, to render the bowl slip
resistant. However the anti-skid element tends to become ineffective after some time of
usage and washing. Also, the anti-skid element is not able to perform well in various
weather conditions. Performance of anti-skid element becomes ineffective on
moistured/wet surface. The anti-skid element made up of rubber suffers leaching problem
thus making the bowl difficult to use comfortably.
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Hence there is a need for an improved bowl for pets, which overcomes the disadvantages of
prior art.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved bowl for pets and a process
for producing the same.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This invention is related to an improved pet bowl (10) which may be made up of a suitable
molding material selected from a group comprising ceramic, plastic, and metal. The
embellished Layer (35) comprises of sticker layer (30) which is applied immediately on
thoroughly cleaned outer surface (15) of the pet bowl (10) and lacquer layer (40). At least
one coat of the lacquer layer is applied on the outer surface (15) and sticker layer (30) of the
pet bowl (10). Additionaly, the bowl is provided with an effective antiskid element that is
attached with the bowl either permanently or removably on a part of the pet bowl surface
on which the pet bowl (10) rests.
Also the invention provides a method for manufacturing the pet bowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the pet bowl.
FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the bowl according to the present invention employed for
feeding pet animals.
FIG 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-layer embellished layer.
FIG 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bowl with anti-skid element removably attached on a
part on its surface.
FIG. 5 is plan and elevation view of the bowl with sectional front view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
16 The following detailed description sets out the preferred mode of performing the invention
presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting
sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by
reference to which in connection with the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may
be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. Other embodiments that
would readily be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended and deemed to fall
within the scope of the invention.
The present invention provides an improved pet bowl and method for producing the same.
The pet bowl of the present invention may be used for multiple purpose by the pet owner.
Preferably, the bowl of the present invention may be used for feeding pets
The pet bowl of the present invention comprises of:
a) molding material molded in desired shape termed herein as bowl (10) having
an inner surface (20) and an outer surface(l5);
b) an embellished layer (35) applied on the outer surface (15); and
c) an antiskid element attached optionally on at least one part of the pet bowl
surface, on which the pet bowl (10) rests.
FIG. 1 represents a cross-section of the pet bowl (10) developed according to the invention.
The pet bowl (10) as shown in this embodiment may be one wherein the pet bowl (10) may
be made of a suitable molding material such as selected from the group comprising ceramic,
plastic, metal. The desired shape of the bowl may be square shape, round shape, oval
shape, or any other suitable shape.
FIG. 2 represents the invention in accordance of the embodiment where an anti-skid
element (25) is attached with the bowl. Anti-skid element (25) may be attached
permanently or removably on the part of the bowl surface on which bowl rests.
FIG. 3 represents the embellished layer (35) applied on the outer surface (15) of the pet
bowl (10). The embellished Layer (35) comprises of sticker layer (30) which is applied
immediately on thoroughly cleaned outer surface (15) of the pet bowl (10) and lacquer layer
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(40). At least one coat of the lacquer layer is applied on the outer surface (15) and sticker
layer (30) of the pet bowl (10).
FIG. 4 represents a cross sectional view of the bowl with anti-skid element attached on a
part on the pet bowl surface and FIG. 5 is plan and elevation view of the pet bowl with
sectional front view.
Also the invention provides a method for manufacturing the pet bowl, the method
comprising;
a. Cleaning the outer surface of the pet bowl (10) with solvent to obtain a contaminant
free outer surface ;
b. applying a sticker layer (30) comprising at least one sticker, coated with adhesive, on
at least a part of the contaminant free outer surface of the bowl;
c. applying an lacquer layer (40) on at least a part of the outer surface (15) and sticker
layer (30); and
d. subjecting the pet bowl (10) for baking.
The outer surface (15) of the pet bowl (10) is cleaned by applying the solvent. Cleaning
may be performed by subjecting the pet bowl to a solvent bath for about 3-4 minutes.
The solvent employed for cleaning may include a biocide or germicide or a detergent.
The process of cleaning is very Important for effective coating. Cleaning helps in
removing all the dirt, dust, mild soot, airborne particles, strains, clutter on surface, water
spots and scales, chemical effects e.g. oxides, sulfides and carbonates, steel rust particles
etc and other form of contamination that may be present on the outer surface (15).
Removal of contamination enhances the adhesiveness of stickerls or other decorative
designs and lacquer on the pet bowl outer surface. Presence of any impurity or
contamination on the outer surface will affect the adhering quality of sticker layers and
lacquer layer adversely, resulting in peeling off of the stickerls and the lacquer layer on
usage of the bowl that will make the bowl unpleasant to look and use it further.
The solvent may be selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, ketones or
acids, naptha, xylene, toluene, acetone various ketones and others. The the solvent may
be chosen based on the lacquer material. Preferably, the solvent is such that it is
evaporated in minimum possible time.
At least one sticker having a adhesive coating may be applied manually or otherwise to
the cleaned outer surface (15) of the pet bowl (10). The stickerls as used in the sticker
layer (30) may be resin based (e.g. but not limited to epoxy resin based) Stickerls may be
of various sizes, shape and colors to give the bowl (10) an aesthetically pleasant look.
Sticker used may be plain or with 3D effect, waterproof, scratch resistant, flexible, UV
resistant and weather resistant, durable, soft, temperature resistant. The color of the
sticker does not change during baking. Also the sticker may have additional qualities such
as it may be non-toxic, safe and eco-friendly.
Moreover the adhesive used in the stickers possess dirt independent adhesiveness. it can
withstand the presence of contamination that may be left on the outer surface (15). The
adhesive used on at least a part of the sticker may be permanent or temporary. The
sticker may be permanently sticked on outer surface or may be changed by removing
simply from outer surface and then applying new sticker of the desired design.
The outer surface (15) of the pet bowl (10) and sticker layer (30) is coated with at least
one layer of lacquer (40). Preferably two-three lacquer coats are applied to the pet bowl
outer surface (15). Coating of more than one layers of lacquer (40) has other advantages.
The multiple coating enhances the inter lacquer layer bonding which results in improving
the lacquer layer characteristics such as stronger coating which is peel resistant.
The lacquer used may comprise tosilamidformaldegidhnaya resin and/or atsetobutirat
cellulose or its derivatives as the polymer component; which is dissolved in solvent. As
mentioned above the solvent may be selected from the group consisting of alcohols,
ethers, ketones or acids, naptha, xylene, toluene, acetone various ketones and others.
Preferably, the combination of ethyl acetate and butyl acetate is in such ration that the
rate of drying when the lacquer is coated onto the bowl takes minimal time. In addition
the lacquer may include plasticizers (such as dibutyl phthalate and camphor); pigments
(such as titanium dioxide), silicates (to control the consistency of the paint and prevent
* deposition of pigments), bismuth oxychloride ( salt to give mother of pearl effect) and
citric acid as stabilizing agent.
Preferably, the Lacquer is prepared in a manner such that the solid content thereof is less
than 10% to make it easy to coat on the outer surface (15). The inner surface of the bowl
may be left uncoated. The lacquer may be applied on the outer surface of the pet bowl
via at least one of painting, spraying, and electrophoresis.
Post coating, the pet bowl (10) as a whole is subjected for baking to obtain a well finished
and embellished pet bowl (10). Baking facilitates drying, uniformity and hardness of the
coatings. Moreover, the process of baking make embellished layer impervious to
corrosion, water, sweat, and chemicals etc, resistant to nicks, scratches and water marks
etc. Baking is performed at elevated temperatures such as 220 degree Celsius.
In order to use the pet bowl (10) of the invention for feeding pets, it may be provided
with an anti-skid element (25). The Antiskid element may be removably attached with
part of the pet bowl surface on which the pet bowl (10) rests, as shown in figure 2.
Anti skid elements (25) provided on surface of the pet bowl (10) do not let the pet bowl
(10) slip easily and do not let the material inside the pet bowl (10) (e.g. food/liquid) spill
off the pet bowl (10) when a pet tries to eatldrink from the pet bowl (10).
FIG. 4 represents the cross sectional area of the pet bowl (10) having anti-skid element
(25) removably attached to the part of the pet bowl surface on which the pet bowl (10)
rests.
Anti-skid element may be of various shape. The various shape of the antiskid element is
such that it fits on at least one part of the pet bowl surface which is in contact with other
surface on which the pet bowl (10) rests.
In one aspect of the Invention the antiskid element is permanently attached with the pet
bowl. In case when anti skid element is attached permanently, the anti skid element is
attached to the pet bowl immediately after the lacquer coating and the pet bowl (10) as
a whole is subjected to baking cycles. Baking process leads to the permanent adherence
of the antiskid element to the pet bowl.
Anti skid element (25) are mainly made up of resilient materials having slip resistance for
example but not limited to elastic rubbers. The anti-skid element (25) may be fabricated
from various materials such as rubber or plastic based material to substantially prevent
the pet bowl (10) from slipping, sliding or otherwise moving during use by the pet, and
further preventing scratching, scarring and annoying noises that may result from sliding
on a floor. The material used is of good yield strength and stability which does not
become unstable under various environments index variations.
The bowl (10) so obtained is aesthetically pleasing and has several advantages as
described here below.
ADVANTAGES:
An advantage of the pet bowl (10) developed as per the invention is that the pet bowl (10) is
corrosion resistant.
A further advantage of the bowl (10) of the invention is that it is substantially resistant to
dust accumulation. The lacquer coat envelopes the middle layer of sticker (30) and hence
any.dust particles that would otherwise settle between the edges of the sticker (30) and the
bowl (10) exterior surface is eliminated.
Yet another advantage of the bowl (10) of the invention is that the sticker (30) does not peel
off even after being subjected to regular use.
A further advantage offered by the inventive embellishment on the bowl (10) is that the
lacquer coating is very strong and permits use of ink-based sticker (30).
The antiskid element (25) provided is more stable and effective in performance under
various weather conditions.
The pet bowl of the present invention has invention has anti slip characteristic.
* Yet another advantage is that the bowl (10) is scratch resistant on account of the lacquer
coating.
.3. We claim:
A pet bowl comprising;
a) molding material molded in desired shape having an inner surface (20)
and an outer surface(l5);
b) an embellished layer (35) applied on the outer surface (15); and
c) an antiskid element attached optionally on at least one part of the pet
bowl surface, on which the pet bowl (10) rests.
The pet bowl of claim 1 wherein the molding material is selected from
ceramics, plastic or metal, preferably, stainless steel.
The pet bowl of claim 1 wherein the embellished layer further consists of
sticker layer and lacquer layer.
The pet bowl of claim 1 wherein the sticker is made up of resin material.
The pet bowl of claim 1 wherein sticker contain adhesive either permanent or
temporary on at least one part of the sticker and the stickers can be plain or
3D.
The pet bowl of claim 1 wherein lacquer layer is applied on at least a part of
the outer surface of the pet bowl and on the sticker layer.
The pet bowl of claim 4 wherein lacquer includes a coating made from a group
consisting nitrocellulose, cellulose derivatives and plasticizers.
A method comprising;
a.Cleaning the outer surface of the pet bowl (10) with solvent to obtain a
contaminant free outer surface ;
b. applying a sticker layer (30) comprising at least one sticker, coated with
adhesive, on at least a part of the contaminant free outer surface of the
bowl;
c.applying an lacquer layer (40) on at least a part of the outer surface (15) and
sticker layer (30); and
d. subjecting the pet bowl (10) for baking.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the solvent is selected from a group consisting
alcohols, ethers, ketones or acids, naptha, xylene, toluene, acetone various
ketones and others.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the lacquer is applied on the outer surface of
the pet bowl via at least one of painting, spraying, and electrophoresis.