Apparatus and method for feeding an animal
A slow feeder includes a container for, in use, containing food for an animal. The container has a side wall through which a slot ( 26 ) is defined; and a feeding restrictor ( 6 ). The feeding restrictor ( 6 ) comprises a food-covering element through which at least one opening is defined for, in use, resting on top of the food such that the animal can access the food through the opening; a locating element which extends from the food-covering element through the slot; and a retaining element ( 34 ) extending from the locating element and movably engageable with an outer portion of the container. The engagement of the retaining element ( 34 ) with the outer portion of the container retains the restrictor ( 6 ) in the container.
1. A feeding apparatus comprising;
a container for, in use, containing food for an animal, the container having a side wall through which a slot is defined; and
a feeding restrictor;
the feeding restrictor comprising a food-covering element through which at least one opening is defined for, in use, resting on top of the food such that the animal can access the food through the opening;
a locating element which extends from the food-covering element through the slot; and
a retaining element extending from the locating element and movably engageable with an outer portion of the container.
2. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the outer portion of the container with which the retaining element is movably engageable is an outer surface of the side wall of the container.
3. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the retaining element encircles the container.
4. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the slot is one of a plurality of slots defined through the side wall of the container, and the locating element is one of a corresponding plurality of locating elements which extends outwardly through the slots.
5. A feeding apparatus according to claim 4 , in which the slots are spaced around the container, preferably being evenly spaced around the container.
6. A feeding apparatus according to claim 4 , comprising two slots positioned at opposite sides of the container.
7. A feeding apparatus according to claim 4 , in which the retaining element comprises a ring of a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the container, encircling the container and coupled to some or all of the locating elements.
8. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 in which the slot is, in use, vertically-oriented.
9. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the slot is, in use, inclined.
10. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the locating element comprises a rod extending through the slot.
11. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the retaining element extending from the locating element prevents the locating element being withdrawn from the slot inwardly into the container.
12. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the retaining element comprises a ring of a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the container, encircling the container and coupled to the locating element.
13. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the slot is open or is openable at an upper end of the slot, for insertion or removal of the restrictor.
14. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the slot is open or is openable at a lower end of the slot, for insertion or removal of the restrictor.
15. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the container is openable at a lower end of the container for filling with food.
16. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the size of a cross-section of the container varies with height and in which a spacing between the food-covering element within the container and the retaining element outside the container is sufficient to allow the restrictor to move along a full length of the slot or slots.
17. A feeding apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the side wall of the container is fabricated in two or more segments, the slot being defined between a pair of adjacent side-wall segments.
18. A method for feeding food to an animal, comprising the steps of;
providing a container having a side wall through which a slot is defined;
providing a feeding restrictor comprising a locating element and engaging the locating element with the slot, the locating element being coupled to a restraining element movably engageable with an outer portion of the container to limit tilting of the restrictor;
placing food in the container so that the restrictor rests on top of the food; and
allowing the animal to feed, through the restrictor, such that the locating element moves down the slot as the food is eaten.
19. A method according to claim 18 , comprising the step of placing food in the container through an opening at a base, or lower end, of the container.
20. A method according to claim 18 , comprising the step of positioning the restrictor on food contained in the container by inserting the locating element into an open upper end of the slot.
21. A method according to claim 20 , comprising the step of closing the upper end of the slot to prevent the restrictor from being removed upwardly from the slot.
22. A method according to claim 18 , comprising the step of encircling or surrounding the container with the retaining element.