At a glance
| Patent number | CN207803161U (application CN201721775636) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Automatic drinking fountain for pets (一种宠物自动饮水器) |
| Patent owner | Guangdong Lin Sheng Intelligent Technology Ltd |
| Inventors | Xiao Jianglin |
| Filing date | 2017-12-18 |
| Grant date | 2018-09-04 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2027-12-18 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 45 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN207803161U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a pet automatic drinking trough comprising a water tank, a pressurized water pump installed inside the tank with its water inlet communicating with the tank’s inner space, a drinking water tray on the top surface side of the tank, and a water guide pipe whose bottom port connects to the pump’s water outlet and whose top port protrudes from the drinking water tray. It further includes a watering flower spraying device (shower head) socketed and/or inserted on the top end part of the water guide pipe to change the water outlet flow shape.
Claim 2 - the tank’s center recesses downward to form a storage tank; the drinking tray has an arc-shaped concave water storage pan portion nested in this recess and a disk edge overlapping the tank’s top surface. An accommodating cavity for a filter device sits between the pan and the storage tank. The tray has first water return outlets, and the storage tank groove has second water return outlets. The guide pipe extends upward from the pan’s center and then downward internally to connect to the pump.
Claim 3 - overflow ports are opened where the water storage pan portion meets the disk edge, connecting to the accommodating cavity. Claim 4 - a cabinet tapping pipe is mounted inside the tank wall; its bottom nozzle communicates with the exterior, and its top port communicates with the interior, positioned no higher than the overflow ports. Claim 5 - positioning sleeves on the storage tank bottom hold a photophore (light). The tank top has a ladder platform for the disk edge, with discharge openings and loophole arrays. Claim 6 - the water tank includes a water storage babinet and a case lid; the recessed storage tank is formed from the lid’s center, and the pump is packaged inside by the lid. Claim 7 - the watering flower spraying device includes a ship type seal cup with a water inlet on its bottom surface.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force there (until at most 2027-12-18, provided annual fees are paid). Because there is no US counterpart, the patent does not restrict making or selling this exact design in the United States. However, making or selling this design in China needs the owner’s permission while the patent remains active.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. The pet fountain category is heavily patented globally. Companies including LG Electronics Inc., Shenzhen Liyi99.Com, Ltd., Dongguan Jiasheng Enterprise Co., Ltd, and others hold later US or foreign patents citing this document in the pet hydration field. We strongly recommend a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of your specific shower head mechanism, pump layout, and tray nesting before starting tooling.
- Pump specifications. The patent describes a pressurized water pump but does not specify voltage, flow rate, or noise limits. These parameters must be set in design and confirmed on prototypes to meet US consumer expectations and safety standards.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | Volume to be confirmed in design based on target pet size |
| Shower heads | Mushroom, flower sprinkle, inclined drain, or custom geometries |
| Materials | Food-safe plastics for the tank, tray, and guide pipe |
| Pump | Voltage, flow rate, and cable length to be confirmed in design |
| Filter cavity | Dimensions sized to fit standard replacement carbon or foam filters |
| Lighting | Inclusion or exclusion of the photophore positioning sleeve |
| Colors | Tank and tray molded in brand-specific colors |
Things to plan for (US market)
- FDA 21 CFR - materials contacting the drinking water (tank, tray, guide pipe, shower heads) must comply with US food contact regulations.
- UL / ETL listing - the electrical pressurized water pump and power adapter must carry appropriate safety certification for US mains voltage.
- California Proposition 65 - plastics, pigments, and pump components must be screened for regulated substances.
- FCC Part 15 - if the pump motor or any added electronic controls emit radio frequency energy, FCC compliance may apply.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - define target capacity, shower head styles, pump requirements, and quantity.
- Design - engineer the tank mold, tray nesting geometry, guide pipe routing, and shower head interfaces.
- Prototype - 3D print or soft-tool samples to test water flow patterns, overflow routing, and pump noise.
- Pilot run - produce a small batch for durability testing, filter fit checks, and electrical safety validation.
- Production - injection molding for plastic parts, pump sourcing, assembly, and quality inspection.
Quantities & timeline
The water storage tank, drinking water tray, and interchangeable shower heads require dedicated injection molds. The pressurized water pump is typically sourced as a finished component and tested for compatibility with the guide pipe interface. Electrical safety testing and FDA material verification add time before mass production. Send us your target capacity, preferred shower head styles, pump voltage, estimated quantities, and timeline and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
