초록 ▼

A container for storing or delivering a consumable liquid or semi-solid to an animal, such as a human or domesticated pet, includes a receptacle for holding its contents and two or more openings. At least one opening is an elongated opening formed in the side of the walls of the container to allow l

A container for storing or delivering a consumable liquid or semi-solid to an animal, such as a human or domesticated pet, includes a receptacle for holding its contents and two or more openings. At least one opening is an elongated opening formed in the side of the walls of the container to allow lapping or licking of the contents by the animal, when the container is laid on its side. The opening in the walls is covered by a corresponding cover, which is affixed using adhesives, mechanical devices, or a combination thereof. The cover prevents spilling of the contents when in place. The container is manufactured so that the opening in the walls can be opened by manually removing the cover, either partially or completely. The cover may be reattached to the container using a fastening technique or device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A container for storing or delivering a liquid in a vertical or horizontal position, the container comprising: a base portion having a substantially circular cross-section with an integrated flat side;a surrounding wall connected to the base portion forming a hollow receptacle in which the liquid

1. A container for storing or delivering a liquid in a vertical or horizontal position, the container comprising: a base portion having a substantially circular cross-section with an integrated flat side;a surrounding wall connected to the base portion forming a hollow receptacle in which the liquid is capable of being retained in the container disposed horizontally on the flat side of the base portion;a top portion disposed at the end of the container opposite of the base portion having a first opening;a second opening formed in the surrounding wall on the side substantially opposite of the flat side; wherein the second opening is dimensioned to allow lapping access by an animal;wherein the second opening has an area larger than an area of the first opening;wherein the second opening is not formed in the base portion; and a removable cover configured to engage the container to close the second opening and retain the liquid within the receptacle; wherein the cover includes a rip tab and a perforated edge along a perimeter where the cover engages with the container. 2. A container for holding liquid therein, comprising: a base;walls formed with the base, shaping a hollow chamber as a receptacle for a liquid;a first opening disposed at a distal end of the base, allowing direct access to the hollow chamber;a second opening formed in the walls, allowing direct access to the hollow chamber, wherein the secondary opening has a larger area than the first opening to allow lapping of the liquid contents therein by an animal and wherein the second opening is in the same plane as the walls;a removable cover so dimensioned to fit over the secondary opening to prevent spilling of the liquid from the chamber; wherein the cover is alternately positionable from a first sealed position to a second unsealed position; andwherein the cover is substantially flush with the surrounding walls and is integrated in the surrounding walls when in the first position; anda graspable facilitator disposed on the cover to allow for manual positioning of the cover from the first sealed position to the second unsealed position. 3. The container of claim 2, further comprising: a hinge disposed between the cover and the walls, the hinge allowing the cover to be positionable from a first position to a second position; anda gasket positioned between the second opening and the cover to form a waterproof seal when the cover is in the first position. 4. The container of claim 3, further comprising: a locking member disposed on the surrounding walls;a receiving member disposed on the cover to receive the locking member to retain the cover in the first sealed position. 5. The container of claim 2, wherein the facilitator is fixed to an outer surface of the cover. 6. The container of claim 2, wherein the facilitator is graspable. 7. The container of claim 2, wherein the facilitator projects radially from an outer surface of the cover in the first sealed position. 8. The container of claim 2, wherein the container comprises one hollow chamber, allowing the liquid therein to flow unobstructed in the hollow chamber. 9. A container for storing or delivering a liquid, the container comprising: a base portion;a surrounding wall, connected to the base portion and disposed perpendicular to the base portion, shaping a hollow chamber suitable for holding the liquid, wherein the surrounding wall is comprised of at least two layers, an outer layer disposed the outside surface of the container; andan inner layer in immediate contact with the inside surface of the outer layer;a first opening formed from the surrounding wall disposed at an end of the hollow chamber distal to the base portion formed;a second opening formed in the surrounding wall accessing the hollow chamber and disposed between the base portion and first opening;wherein an area of the second opening formed in the outer layer is greater than the area of the first opening;wherein the area of the second opening formed in the inner layer is greater than the area of the first opening and smaller than the area of the second opening in the outer layer,a lip disposed along at least two opposite sides of the perimeter of the second opening formed from the surrounding wall wherein the area of the second opening formed in the inner layer is smaller than the area of the second opening in the outer layer;a removable cover, wherein the cover is matingly attachable to the lip to form a hermetic seal of the second opening and to be positioned with its outer surface flush with the outer surface of the outer layer of the surrounding wall. 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the area of the lip circumscribes the perimeter of the second opening. 11. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises: a gasket, positioned between the cover and the lip to provide a hermetic seal between the surrounding walls and the cover. 12. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises: an adhesive disposed on a side of the cover contacting the lip, allowing the cover to be positioned over the secondary opening to seal the contents of the container. 13. The container according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of at least partial perforations formed along a circumference of the cover, forming weakened portions of a bond between the cover and the outer layer of the surrounding wall. 14. The container according to claim 9, further comprising: one or more support elements disposable on the surrounding wall on a side of the surrounding wall substantially opposite of the second opening, whereby the one or more supporting elements stabilize the container to position the second opening in a substantially upwards position. 15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the support element is the cover. 16. The container according to claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises: a manipulable tab connected to the cover to allow the cover to be removed. 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the second opening has an area that is between about 4 to 50 times larger than the area of the first opening. 18. The container of claim 9, wherein the second opening has an area that is between about 2 to 200 times larger than the area of the first opening. 19. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover is comprised of substantially the same material as the surrounding wall. 20. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover is flush with the outer surface of the surrounding wall when positioned sealably on the lip. 21. The container of claim 9, wherein the surrounding wall with the second opening creates a semi-enclosed chamber. 22. The container of claim 9, wherein the cover is made of the same material as the surrounding wall. 23. A container for storing or delivering a liquid, the container comprising: a base portion;a surrounding wall, connected to the base portion and disposed perpendicular to the base portion, shaping a hollow chamber suitable for holding the liquid, wherein the surrounding wall consists of two layers, an outer layer disposed the outside surface of the container; andan inner layer in immediate contact with the inside surface of the outer layer;a first opening formed from the surrounding wall disposed at an end of the hollow chamber distal to the base portion formed;a second opening formed in the surrounding wall accessing the hollow chamber and disposed between the base portion and first opening; wherein an area of the second opening formed in the outer layer is greater than the area of the first opening;wherein the area of the second opening formed in the inner layer is greater than the area of the first opening and smaller than the area of the second opening in the outer layer,a lip disposed along at least two opposite sides of the perimeter of the second opening formed from the surrounding wall where the area of the second opening formed in the inner layer is smaller than the area of the second opening in the outer layer;a removable cover, wherein the cover is matingly attachable to the lip to form a hermetic seal of the second opening and to be positioned with its outer surface flush with the outer surface of the outer layer of the surrounding wall. 24. The container of claim 23, further comprising: a graspable facilitator projecting radially from an outer surface of the cover.