Pet Fountain Diffuser

Abstract

A water diffuser is configured to extend from the discharge outlet of a pet fountain and to receive water from the outlet of the pet fountain's water pump. The the diffuser includes a perforate tubular diffuser section that can be releasably coupled or otherwise anchored to part of the fountain by a connecting or coupling section that may be tubular and imperforate. The diffuser can include an insert disposed within the diffuser that is dispensed or released into water flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a filter for removing contaminants from water flowing through the water. Where used together with an insert, the filter can be disposed within the diffuser upstream of the water treatment for filtering water flowing through the diffuser before treating the flowing water.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A diffuser for use in a recirculating pet water fountain, the diffuser comprising:
 an elongated tubular member having a connecting section configured to receive a volume of water from a water pump, and an elongated tubular perforated diffuser section having a shape memory and having a perforated sidewall configured to expel the volume of water from the elongated tubular member in a diffused configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the perforated sidewall of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section is comprised of a mesh or woven material in which perforations are formed along a length of the perforated sidewall and through which water can pass. 
     
     
         3 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein an interior of the perforated sidewall defines a chamber, and further comprising an insert that is received within the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises a water dissolvable water treatment medium. 
     
     
         5 . The diffuser of  claim 4 , wherein the water dissolvable treatment comprises one of a vitamin supplement, a mineral supplement, a dietary supplement, and a medicinal supplement. 
     
     
         6 . The diffuser of  claim 4 , wherein the water dissolvable treatment comprises an animal attractant. 
     
     
         7 . The diffuser of  claim 6 , wherein the animal attractant comprises one of a scent and a flavor. 
     
     
         8 . The diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the scent or flavor is water soluble. 
     
     
         9 . The diffuser of  claim 6 , wherein the animal attractant is water insoluble. 
     
     
         10 . The diffuser of  claim 9 , wherein the animal attractant is comprised of particles of catnip. 
     
     
         11 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises a water treatment dispenser. 
     
     
         12 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises one of a vitamin supplement, a mineral supplement, a nutritional supplement, a medicament, a medicine, a medical treatment, and an adjuvant. 
     
     
         13 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises a filter media. 
     
     
         14 . The diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the filter media comprises a fibrous filter. 
     
     
         15 . The diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the filter media comprises a chemical filter. 
     
     
         16 . The diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the insert includes a water dissolvable supplement and a filter media. 
     
     
         17 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the perforated sidewall is formed from a bi-axially braided material. 
     
     
         18 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the perforated sidewall is formed from a mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the perforated sidewall defines a filter that blocks or traps particulate contaminants from water flowing through the diffuser. 
     
     
         20 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting section has an imperforate sidewall. 
     
     
         21 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section is formable, such that an orientation of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section may be selectively altered. 
     
     
         22 . The diffuser of  claim 21 , wherein the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section is oriented so as to return the volume of water in the diffused configuration from the elongated tubular member to the pet fountain. 
     
     
         23 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser section is configured to aerate the volume of water. 
     
     
         24 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting section is configured to be releasably coupled to a discharge outlet of the pet fountain. 
     
     
         25 . A diffuser for use in a recirculating pet water fountain, the diffuser comprising:
 an elongated tubular member, the elongated tubular member comprising;
 a connecting section configured to receive a volume of water from a water pump, and 
 an elongated tubular perforated diffuser section extending from the connecting section, the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section being made from a mesh or woven material having a formable shape memory, the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section having a perforated sidewall having perforations that are disposed within the perforated sidewall and that are configured to expel the volume of water from the elongated tubular member in a diffused configuration, wherein a chamber is defined by an interior of the perforated sidewall; and 
   an insert received in the chamber.   
     
     
         26 . The diffuser of  claim 25 , wherein the insert comprises at least one of a water dissolvable water treatment, a water treatment dispenser, a vitamin supplement, a mineral supplement, a nutritional supplement, a medicament, a medicine, a medical treatment, an adjuvant, and an animal attractant. 
     
     
         27 . The diffuser of  claim 25 , wherein the insert comprises a filter media. 
     
     
         28 . The diffuser of  claim 27 , wherein the filter media comprises a fibrous filter. 
     
     
         29 . The diffuser of  claim 27 , wherein the filter media comprises a chemical filter. 
     
     
         30 . The diffuser of  claim 25 , wherein the mesh or woven material a bi-axially braided material. 
     
     
         31 . The diffuser of  claim 25 , wherein the formable shape memory of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section is oriented so to return the volume of water in the diffused configuration from the elongated tubular member to the pet fountain. 
     
     
         32 . A diffuser for use in a recirculating pet water fountain, the diffuser comprising:
 an elongated tubular member, the elongated tubular member comprising;
 a connecting section having a first end, a second end, an imperforated sidewall extending from the first end to the second end, and an internal fluid channel therein, the connecting section configured to receive a volume of water from a water pump at the first end and to transfer the volume of water through the internal fluid channel to the second end; 
 an elongated tubular perforated diffuser section extending from the second end of the connecting section, the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section comprising a first end in fluid communication with the second end of the connecting section, a second end, and a perforated sidewall extending from the first end to the second end of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section, the sidewall being formed of a mesh or woven material having a formable shape memory, a chamber being defined by an interior of the perforated sidewall, wherein the perforated sidewall has a series of perforations disposed within the perforated sidewall that are configured to expel the volume of water from the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section in a diffused configuration, and 
 insert received within the chamber, the insert comprising at least one of a filter media, a water dissolvable water treatment, a water treatment dispenser, a vitamin supplement, a mineral supplement, a nutritional supplement, a medicament, a medicine, a medical treatment, an adjuvant, and an animal attractant. 
   
     
     
         33 . The diffuser of  claim 32 , wherein the mesh or woven material a bi-axially braided material. 
     
     
         34 . The diffuser of  claim 32 , wherein the formable shape memory of the elongated tubular perforated diffuser section is orientated so as to return the volume of water in the diffused configuration from the elongated tubular member to the pet fountain.