US20070264395A1

US20070264395A1 - Methods and apparatus for producing packaged companion animal food products to be distributed along with human food products

Info

Publication number: US20070264395A1
Application number: US11/745,282
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Adams; Carol Adams
Original assignee: Robert Adams; Adams Carol J
Current assignee: OVERBY FARM LLC
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2007-05-07
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: WO2006052901A3; WO2006052901A2; CA2586813A1

Abstract

Provided are methods and apparatus for providing a product at a fast-food restaurant, the method includes receiving an order from a customer, the order includes nutrition for a companion animal and nutrition for a human and filling the order with at least one item that is not for human consumption.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2005/040318 filed on Nov. 8, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/625,929, filed Nov. 8, 2004. The disclosure of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Fast-food restaurants have become a standard part of American culture. Such fast-food restaurants can be found at exits on freeways, scattered throughout large Metropolitan areas and on main streets in small towns. The development of fast-food restaurants has included not only counter service but drive-through service so customers need not leave their vehicles. When a customer orders from a fast-food restaurant, the order may include a meal specifically for children, a combination meal, or a healthy designed meal. Such meals and other offerings at fast-food restaurants are designed for human consumption and such establishments do not cater to the nutritional needs of companion animals.

SUMMARY

Provided are methods and apparatus for providing a product at a fast-food restaurant, the method includes receiving an order from a customer, the order includes nutrition for a companion animal and nutrition for a human and filling the order with at least one item that is not for human consumption.
Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the teachings, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings.

DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings, described herein, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.
FIG. 1 illustrates a process of providing a customer with a human consumable and non-human consumable food product.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package containing a companion animal meal according to some embodiments of the present teachings.
FIG. 3 is a perspective fragmented view of a package containing a companion animal meal according to some embodiments of the present teachings.
FIG. 4 is a perspective fragmented view of a package containing a companion animal meal and two nested bowls according to some embodiments of the present teachings.
FIG. 5 is a perspective fragmented view of a package containing a companion animal meal and two bowls according to some embodiments of the present teachings.
FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting a use of the package according to some embodiments of the present teachings.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present teachings provide methods and apparatus for providing meals for companion animals. The following description of some embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, applications, or uses. The description of specific examples are intended for the purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings. Moreover, the recitation of some embodiments having the stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features, or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features.
Fast-food restaurants are part of the American culture. Fast-food may be defined according to the American Heritage Dictionary as “inexpensive food, such as hamburgers and fried chicken, prepared and served quickly.” A fast-food restaurant is a restaurant characterized by food which is supplied quickly after ordering and by minimal service. The food may or may not be eaten quickly as well. Food in these restaurants is commonly cooked in bulk in advance and is kept hot or reheated to order. Many fast-food restaurants are part of restaurant chains or franchise operations which ships standardized food stuffs to individual restaurants from central locations. Such restaurants typically have standardized menus, packaging, advertising and the like. Many fast-food restaurants allow ordering at a counter with delivery at the counter after which the customer either eats in the restaurant or carries the order out of the restaurant. Many of these restaurants include drive-through ordering which includes ordering at a window or a communication device outside the restaurant from a motor vehicle and picking up the completed order from a window that is connected to the restaurant. Examples of fast-food restaurants may include, but is not limited to, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Subway, Carl's Jr., A & W, Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Tim Horton's, Church's Chicken, Hardee's, Jack in the Box, Long John Silver's, Popeye's Fried Chicken, Quizno's, White Castle, and the like. Although meals may be designed for certain human demographics such as children, such as, for example, McDonald's Happy Meal®, fast-food restaurants do not cater to the demographic of companion animals. Although many families would consider their companion animal a member of their family, the only place that families may procure nutrition while traveling, for example, on a vacation is at a pet store or grocery store. When a family goes to a fast-food restaurant, the restaurant may only provide nutrition for the family and not a nutritional item designed specifically for the needs of the companion animal.
Some embodiments of the present teachings provide for apparatus comprising nutrition and water for companion animals. A “companion animal” as used herein is an animal of any species kept by a human as a pet, or any animal of a variety of species that have been widely domesticated as pets, including dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis domesticus), whether or not the animal is kept solely or partly for companionship. In some embodiments, the companion animal may be a dog and in some embodiments, the companion animal may be a cat. In some embodiments, a companion animal may be a horse.
In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one bowl, a companion animal food and water. A bowl may be used as a container for the water that may be given to the companion animal. In some embodiments, an apparatus may be a package that holds the food and other items such as, for example, water, at least one bowl, a novelty item, literature and the like, within the package. In some embodiments, the at least one bowl may be part of the package. In some embodiments, the package and bowl are disposable. In some embodiments, the package may be used as a stabilization device for the bowl. Referring to FIG. 2, some embodiments of apparatus 10 includes a container 11 and a food 12 suitable for a companion animal. In some embodiments, a food 12 may be suitable for a dog. In some embodiments, the food 12 may be dog biscuits. In some embodiments, the food may be a dry dog food such as a kibble-based food. In some embodiments, apparatus 10 may include novelty item 13. Such a novelty item may be a ball or a Frisbee® to be used to play with the companion animal or a bandana to be used as an accessory on a companion animal. In some embodiments, the novelty item may be, for example, a toy, a prize, a sticker, a game, a puzzle, a bandana, a collar, a compact disc, a book, or combinations thereof and the like. In some embodiments, a novelty item may be, for example, a dog scarf, a throw toy, a ball, a chew toy, a chew bone, a dog chew rope, a dog chew toy, a sewn toy, a toy with a squeaky center, a dog tag, training tips, a training device, grooming tips, a grooming utensil, dog mints, and the like. In some embodiments novelty item may be replaced with a coupon. Such a coupon may be a redemption for a toy or maybe a discount on a future purchase.
With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, apparatus 10 contains a liquid 14 suitable for the companion animal to drink. In some embodiments, liquid 14 may be water. In some embodiments, container 11 has a hinge 15 so that the package may be opened and closed. In some embodiments, the top portion of the container 11 may be a bowl area 16 in which the liquid 14 may be poured so that the companion animal may drink from the bowl area 16. In some embodiments, container 11 may be made of a cardboard, a plastic or a blown foam material such as Styrofoam®. In some embodiments, container 11 may be made of a biodegradable material. Examples of such biodegradable materials may include polylactic acid (PLA). Such PLA products are available in many different formulations from companies such as Cargill Dow LLC and are marketed under the trademark, “NATURE WORKS.” PLA products typically substitute products from corn or other renewable resources in place of petrochemical materials.
Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, apparatus 20 comprises container 21 which holds the contents which includes a bowl 22, a container of liquid 23, a bag 24, which includes dog food 25 and a novelty item 26. Examples of a novelty item 26 can be any of those as discussed above. In some embodiments, novelty item may be replaced by a coupon. In some embodiments, container 21 may include stabilizers 27 so that bowl 22 can be placed in container 21 with stabilizers 27 at about 900 from the container 21, then the contents of the container of liquid 23 may be put in bowl 22 so that an animal can drink the liquid from the bowl 22 without knocking the bowl 22 over. In some embodiments, apparatus 20 may include a clean-up bag so that the pet owner can clean up excrement left by the companion animal. In some embodiments, at least one of container 21, bowl 22, container of liquid 23, bag 24, and clean-up bag may be made of a biodegradable material such as, for example, PLA, as described above. In some embodiments, for each one of the items described, a different formulation of PLA may be used and such formulation of PLA that may be appropriate for each of the items is well-known in the art.
Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, apparatus 30 comprises a first bowl 31, a second bowl 32, a container of liquid 33, companion animal food 34, novelty item 36, lid 37 and packaging sleeve 38. In some embodiments, the first bowl 31 may contain a container of liquid 33 and a novelty item 36 and the second bowl 32 nested within the first bowl 31. Once the contents have been removed from first bowl 31, water may be poured from container of liquid 33 into first bowl 31 and first bowl 31 containing water and the second bowl 32 containing companion animal food may be given to companion animal. In some embodiments, after companion animal has been fed, first bowl 31, second bowl 32, empty container of liquid 33, lid 37 and packaging sleeve 38 may be disposed. In some embodiments, at least one of first bowl 31, second bowl 32, container of liquid 33, lid 37, packaging sleeve 38 may be biodegradable. In some embodiments, a disposable system for use in feeding a companion animal includes a first bowl, a first container that has water in it, a second bowl nested in the first bowl, a second container that has companion animal food in it, a lid covering the second bowl and packaging holding the first bowl, the second bowl and the lid together. In some embodiments, the disposable system includes a novelty item. In some embodiments, packaging sleeve 38 may be replaced with a different packaging material such as a shrink wrap or other plastic wrap that is operable. In some embodiments, apparatus 30 may include a clean-up bag so that a pet owner can clean up excretement left by a companion animal. Example of novelty item 36 can be any of those as discussed above. In some embodiments, novelty item may be replaced by a coupon.
Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, apparatus 40 comprises a first bowl 41, a second bowl 42, a container 44 holding water, a bag 43 holding companion animal food and novelty item 45. In some embodiments, apparatus 40 can include the packaging sleeve and/or may be wrapped with a shrink wrap film or other plastic type product. In some embodiments, second bowl 42 closes and seals onto first bowl 41 such that contents (for example, container 44, bag 43 and novelty item 45) are enclosed between the first bowl 41 and the second bowl 42. Examples of novelty item 45 can be any of those discussed above. In some embodiments, novelty may be replaced with a coupon. In some embodiments, first bowl 41 and/or second bowl 42 includes stabilizers to help eliminate bowl from tipping as companion animal eats or drinks. In some embodiments, first bowl 41 and/or second bowl 42 may include a material on the outside surface such as a double-sided tape or Velcro® such that the bowl may be stabilized on a surface such as a table or carpet to help prevent the bowl from tipping while the companion animal eats or drinks. With reference to FIG. 6, some embodiments include the method of use of apparatus 40 which includes opening apparatus 40 by removing second bowl 42 from first bowl 41, opening bag 43 containing companion animal's food 49 and pouring it into first bowl 41, opening container 44 holding water 48 and pouring water 48 into second bowl 42 and serving the filled bowls to the companion animal. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a bottom bowl, a top bowl, a first container operably holding a portion of water, and a second container operably holding a portion of a companion animal food. The apparatus may include the bottom bowl contains the first container and the second container, the top bowl operably sealed to the bottom bowl. The apparatus may include a novelty item.
In some embodiments, many of the above items, such as bowls, bags and containers, may be produced from recyclable and biodegradable cardboard material or may be made of other non-recyclable or biodegradable material. In some embodiments, a bowl is capable of retaining a liquid. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a single bowl. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise two separate bowls or two bowls connected together. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise two bowls so that one bowl may be used for the serving of a liquid and the other bowl may be used for the serving of a food designed to be consumed by a companion animal. In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a food which may be one or more biscuits, it may be a dry dog food, it may be a dry cat food, it may be a wet or moist food for the companion animal or it may be a dry food to which a liquid may be added for moisture and/or gravy, and the like, or any such food that is fed to companion animals that may be known in the art. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a package that has a split box attached with a living hinge long enough to allow the top of the box to lie flat on a surface so that the bottom and top portions can be substantially level. In some embodiments, the living hinge may be treated with a sticky material so that the two portions of the box may be pushed together creating a more stable two bowl feeding tray. In some embodiments, the box may be made of a recyclable cardboard with inserts for each bowl and each bowl comprises a plastic such as, for example, a biodegradable plastic such as, for example, PLA or any biodegradable plastic. In some embodiments, the entire box may be made of plastic which may alleviate the need to utilize inserts.
Some embodiments may include a plastic open box similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 that may be sealed with a plastic see-through cover. In some embodiments, the cover may be peeled off so that the contents may be used and the bowl utilized. Some embodiments may include a plastic box without dividers that have all contents such as, for example, food, drink and/or novelty item packaged inside with a plastic heat seal cover over the fill box and the cover which may be peeled off to get to the contents and, after the contents have been removed, the plastic open box may be used as a bowl to serve water. In some embodiments, the plastic box may have two large areas that may be used as bowls and the contents may be spread between the two bowls. Some embodiments of the package may include a cardboard box such that the bottom of the box is nested into the top of the box. In some embodiments, a plastic insert may be added to the bottom of the cardboard box. In some embodiments, plastic inserts may be added to the bottom and the top of the cardboard box if two bowls are needed. In some embodiments, such inserts can be made of plastic and capable of retaining water or other liquids that may be consumed by a companion animal. In some embodiments, the nested box may be made of plastic instead of cardboard.
Referring to FIG. 3, some embodiments can include a box 21 that may be commonly found in the restaurant industry. In some embodiments, the box may be folded and used to hold the contents of an apparatus which may include water and companion animal food. In some embodiments, the package may be folded and used to hold the contents of any of the apparatus described above. In some embodiments, the packaging described for the apparatus above may be of any material known in the art for such applications may be used including paper, cardboards, plastic, polymers, glass, metallic foils, heat sealable materials, or the like. In some embodiments, the packaging comprises, but is not limited to, at least one biodegradable material. Examples of biodegradable materials may include, but are not limited to, recycled paper, cardboard, biodegradable plastics, PLA, combinations thereof and the like. In some embodiments, materials such as, for example, PLA, may be used to make rigid thermal forms. In some embodiments, rigid thermal forms may be used for the box and/or for the bowls. In some embodiments, PLA may be used to make biaxially orientated films that can be used as shrink wrap to cover a box. In some embodiments, PLA may be used to make biaxially orientated films that can be used as a bag to hold food or a bag to be used to collect companion animal excrement. In some embodiments, PLA may be used to produce bottles or other containers to hold water. In some embodiments, bottles or other containers such as a pouch, comprise a biodegradable material may be used to contain water to be served to the companion animal. In some embodiments, a biodegradable poop bag may be included in the apparatus. Uses of PLA are well-known in the art and are commercially available from sources such as Cargill Dow LLC (www.cargilidow.com/corporate/nw_pack_home.astp).
In some embodiments, the method includes providing nutrition to companion animal including providing the package containing the at least portion of companion animal food, water and a bowl, opening the package to access the at least portion of companion animal food, a portion of water and a bowl, then pouring the portion of water into the bowl, providing the portion of water to the companion animal and providing the portion of food to the companion animal. In some embodiments, the method includes pouring the portion of companion animal food into a second bowl. In some embodiments, the method includes opening a container that is holding a portion of water before the step of pouring the portion of water into the bowl. In some embodiments, the method includes opening a bag holding the portion of companion animal food before the step of providing the portion of companion animal food to the animal. In some embodiments, the method comprises throwing away or disposing of, at least one of, the package, the bowl, the container that held water, and the bag that held water, after the companion animal has eaten. In some embodiments, the method may also include using a novelty item to play with the companion animal.
In some embodiments, the apparatus may be available to the customer in a number of different locations. Examples of such locations can include restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, novelty stores, gift shops, gas stations, party stores, convenience stores, public warehouses, and the like. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be sold in a quantity such as, for example, six-pack, twelve-pack, twenty-four-pack or the like. In some embodiments, apparatus includes a coupon which may be redeemed during a future purchase. In some embodiments, a companion animal food may contain a bioactive ingredient to enhance a companion animal's health. In some embodiments, the bioactive ingredient may be, for example, a bioflavonoid, anthocyanide, a vitamin, glucosamine, chondritin, and the like. In some embodiments, the food supplier such as described above may offer apparatus in different sizes to accommodate small dogs and larger dogs.
Referring to FIG. 1, a fast-food restaurant providing products for human consumption, as well as products for non-human consumption, is illustrated. In some embodiments, fast-food restaurants may include a walk-up counter and/or may include a drive-through window. In some embodiments, a customer may order from menu 51, which includes foods for human consumption 52 such as, for example, burgers, chicken, french fries, kids meals, desserts, beverages and the like, and customers may order from a companion animal menu 53 located on the same menu board 51. In some embodiments, a customer may order from both human consumable menu 52 and non-human consumable menu 53. In some embodiments, a customer orders only for a companion animal from non-human consumable menu 53. In some embodiments, after ordering from menu 51, service resources in the fast-food restaurant 50 enter order into micro-processor 55, and an order is assembled from food area 56 which includes an area for human consumables 57 and an area for non-human consumables 58. In some embodiments, an order is placed in an order delivery system 60 such as, for example, a bag, bags, tray, plates, bowls and the like, and then may be delivered to the customer. In some embodiments, an order delivery system 60 may be a package such as a bag for delivery to customer. In some embodiments, micro-processor prints a receipt 61 which may be given to the customer after payment has been made. In some embodiments, a payment may be made using, cash, debit cards, credit cards, coupons, store credit, discounts, combinations thereof and the like. In some embodiments, receipt 61 may include information about both human consumable food and non-human consumable food purchased. In some embodiments, human consumable food may be, for example, a hamburger, a cheeseburger, fried potatoes, a soda, a coffee, a portion of chicken, a portion of fish, a portion of roast beef, and a pastry. In some embodiments, nutritional information for both the human and non-human food of the order may be included, for example, on the receipt, on packaging materials, in a brochure included with the order, on a website and the like. In some embodiments, nutritional information for both human and non-human food may be included on the receipt. In some embodiments, nutritional information for both human and non-human food may be included on the packaging material of the food and/or drinks of the order. In some embodiments, nutritional information for the human food follows FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) guidelines and the nutritional information for the non-human food follows AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. In some embodiments, the customer may carry out the order that has been delivered. In some embodiments, the customer and companion animal may eat the contents of the order in the restaurant at table 70. In some embodiments, the food is eaten by companion animal outside of the restaurant 50. In some embodiments, the food is taken in a vehicle and driven to another location so that it may be fed to companion animal and consumed by customer.
In some embodiments a method for providing a product at a fast-food restaurant, includes receiving an order from a customer, the order includes nutrition for a companion animal and nutrition for a human and filling the order with at least one item that is not for human consumption. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving money from the customer and providing a receipt. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the customer with at least one food item for human consumption. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the customer with a receipt which includes a printout of the at least one food item for human consumption and the at least one food item not for human consumption. In some embodiments, the method further comprises placing the at least one food item for human consumption and at least one food item for human consumption into an order delivery system. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving an order from a customer who is sitting in a vehicle and/or receiving the order via a communication device located outside of the fast-food restaurant. In some embodiments, the method further comprises delivering the order through a drive-up window.
In some embodiments, an improvement in a fast food restaurant comprises providing a customer a food designed to essentially provide proper nutrition to a companion animal. In some embodiments the improvement includes providing the customer a food designed to essentially provide nutrition for a human. In some embodiments, the improvement includes an apparatus comprising the food designed to essentially provide nutrition to a companion animal, a container of water, a novelty item, and packaging. The improvement may include an apparatus further comprising at least one bowl.
In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a companion animal food, a container of water, at least one bowl all of which are in a package. In some embodiments, an apparatus for use at a fast-food restaurant, may include a food suitable for a companion animal, a container of water, and at least one bowl. An apparatus may include a novelty item as discussed above. The apparatus may include packaging designed to hold the food, the container, the bowl, and the novelty item. In some embodiments, the at least one bowl may be part of the packaging. In some embodiments, apparatus is designed for consumption of the food suitable for a companion animal and the water, either on or off the premises of the fast-food restaurant.
In some embodiments, a method providing to a customer a companion animal meal and a human meal includes providing a menu comprising companion animal food and human food, ordering by the customer from the menu, receiving an order comprising a companion animal meal and a human meal, delivering the order and nutritional values for both the companion animal food and the human food, and receiving payment from the customer for the order. In some embodiments, the method includes a companion animal meal that has at least a portion of water, a portion of a companion animal food, and a bowl, as well as may have a novelty item. The method may include separately packaging the companion animal meal and the human meal in a material suitable for the delivering. Such suitable materials are know in the art and may include wraps such as plastic, paper, waxed paper and containers such as cardboard boxes, bags, clamshells, and the like.
In some embodiments, the fast-food restaurant provides a puppy snack. In some embodiments, a puppy snack may comprise dog biscuits or other treats that can be packaged in, for example, a plastic or PLA bag. In some embodiments, the customer may purchase a cup of coffee or other beverage, a pastry such as cinnamon roll, scone, slice of pound cake, bagel, and the like, and the apparatus in one order.
All literature and similar materials cited in this application including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and internet web pages, regardless of the format of such literature and similar materials, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose. In the event that one or more of the incorporated literature and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.
The examples and other embodiments described herein are exemplary and not intended to be limiting in describing the full scope of compositions and methods of these teachings. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of specific embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present teachings, with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a companion animal food, a container of water, at least one bowl and a bowl holder, the bowl holder operable as a delivery container for the food, the water, and the at least one bowl.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a novelty item, the novelty item inside the delivery container.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bowl may be used for at least one of the contents of the container of water and the companion animal food.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bowl holder comprise at least one stabilizing member.

5. A disposable system for use in feeding a companion animal, the system comprising:

a first bowl;

a second bowl, the second bowl nested in the first bowl;

a first container operably holding a portion of water;

a second container operably holding a portion of a companion animal food;

a lid covering the second bowl; and

packaging operably holding the first bowl, the second bowl and the lid together.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the packaging is a sleeve.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein the packaging is a wrap.

8. A system according to claim 5 further comprising a novelty item.

9. A system according to claim 5 wherein the companion animal is a dog.

10. A companion animal feeding apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a first container operably holding a portion of water;

a second container operably holding a portion of a companion animal food;

a first bowl having a first lip surface; and

a second bowl having a second lip surface, the second lip surface in contact with the first lip surface creating an internal volume, the internal volume containing the first container and the second container.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a novelty item contained inside the internal volume.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a coupon located at least one of inside the internal volume and on one of the first bowl and the second bowl.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising at least one stabilizing member on at least one of the first bowl and the second bowl.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a packaging sleeve.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the companion animal food is a dog food.

16. A kit for use at a fast-food restaurant, the apparatus comprising a food suitable for a companion animal, a container of water, and at least one bowl.

17. An kit according to claim 16 further comprising a novelty item.

18. An kit according to claim 17 further comprising packaging design to hold the food, the container, the bowl, and the novelty item.

19. An kit according to claim 16, wherein the at least one bowl is part of the packaging.

20. An kit according to claim 16, wherein the companion animal is a dog.

21. A method providing nourishment to a companion animal, the method comprising:

providing a package containing at least a portion of companion animal food, a portion of water and a bowl;

opening the package to access to the at least the portion of companion animal food, the portion of water and the bowl;

pouring the portion of water into the bowl;

providing the portion of water to the companion animal; and

providing the portion of food to the companion animal.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the package further comprises a second bowl.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein the package further comprises a companion animal toy.

24. A method according to claim 21 further comprising opening a container operably holding the portion of water before the step of pouring the portion of water into the bowl.

25. A method according to claim 21 further comprising opening a bag operably holding the portion of companion animal food before the step of providing the portion of companion animal food.

26. A method according to claim 21 further comprising purchasing the package from one of a grocery store, a coffee shop, a fast food restaurant, a restaurant, a novelty store, a gift store, and a gas station.

27. A method according to claim 21 further comprising receiving a human consumable food and the package containing at least a portion of companion animal food, a portion of water and a bowl as a single delivery.

28. A method according to claim 21, wherein the companion animal is a dog.

30. A method for providing to a customer a companion animal meal and a human meal, the method comprising:

providing a menu comprising human food and companion animal food ordering by the customer from the menu;

receiving an order comprising human meal and companion animal meal, the companion animal meal comprising at least a portion of water, a portion of a companion animal food, a novelty item, and a bowl; and

delivering the order and nutritional values for both the human food and the companion animal food.

30. A method according to claim 29 further comprising receiving payment from the customer for the order.

31. A method according to claim 30 further comprising providing a receipt comprising a line item and price for both the companion animal meal and the human meal.

32. A method according to claim 29 further comprising separately packaging the companion animal meal and the human meal in a material suitable for the delivering.