Abstract: A self-cleanable hairbrush for use on animals or humans is described that has a frame with strands stretched across it. In one embodiment, the frame is attached to the brush by a pivoting hinge and may be pivoted by the hinge to a position in which the frame is seated flat against a bristle-side of the brush, allowing the strands to slip between the bristles and the frame to be secured in place. As the brush is used, loose hairs, fur, or other debris may become entangled in the bristles. Releasing the frame and allowing it to swing up through the bristles gathers the entangled debris and removes it from bristles, allowing it to be disposed of. The frame and strands may then be re-seated against the bristle-side of the brush, leaving the brush cleaned and ready for re-use.

Abstract: An automated pet food dispenser is described that comprises a rotatable food chamber with multiple cavities to hold food for different meals, a base unit for supporting the food chamber, a rotary mechanism to rotate the food chamber relative to the base, and a timing mechanism that indicates feeding times. At feeding times, the rotary mechanism rotates the food chamber to position a selected cavity such that food stored in the cavity may drop out of an opening in the cavity, preferably through a chute or channel, and into a feeding station positioned below. A control unit in the automated pet food dispenser may be configured to initiate anti-jamming procedures if food becomes jammed and obstructs the rotation of the food chamber. In various embodiments, feeding times may be set to occur at fixed time intervals or may be set to occur at times set on a programmable clock on the base unit.

Abstract: An automated pet feeder is described that allows portions of pet food to be placed into cavities in a rotatable food bowl and to be made accessible to a pet at predetermined feeding times. A lid with an opening for exposing one of the cavities is positioned above the bowl. A base unit that supports the bowl is configured to rotate the bowl while the lid remains stationary and to monitor the position of the bowl. A timing mechanism controls rotation of the bowl and sequentially positions a next cavity under the opening at feeding times that may be set to occur at various time intervals or clock times that may be pre-programmed by a user. A sound system allows a user to record a voice or other sound recording that may be played at feeding times. In some embodiments, a reservoir may hold ice or an ice pack or other cooling material or apparatus to help keep the pet food fresh until it is made accessible, or the reservoir may be used to hold drinking water.