US3646913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time-operated sequential dumping animal feeder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-09-11
•
Granted: 1972-03-07
•
Expires: 1989-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time is provided and includes at least one container for holding animal food and means for dumping the container at a predetermined time to cause the contents thereof to be discharged by gravity at a location accessible to the animal.
Inventors
- 👤 Chester W Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:50
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time, said apparatus comprising a frame, a container defining at least two isolated compartments separated by a liquid-impervious partition, each of said compartments being open adjacent one end of said container, a support for said container mounted on said frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, means on said rotatable support for mounting said container for pivotal movement from a position in which said one end of said container is normally uppermost to an inverted position at which Said contents therein are discharged, timer and motor means for rotating said support, means on said support for causing pivotal movement of said container at said predetermined time as said support rotates to invert said container sufficiently to cause the contents of said compartments to be discharged therefrom by gravity, and a receptacle mounted below said container and accessible by the animal to receive the contents of both of said compartments essentially simultaneously for intermixing in said receptacle incident to said inversion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals at a predetermined time, said apparatus comprising a frame, a container defining at least two isolated compartments separated by a liquid-impervious partition, each of said compartments being open adjacent one end of said container, a support for said container mounted on said frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, means on said rotatable support for mounting said container for pivotal movement from a position in which said one end of said container is normally uppermost to an inverted position at which Said contents therein are discharged, timer and motor means for rotating said support, means on said support for causing pivotal movement of said container at said predetermined time as said support rotates to invert said container sufficiently to cause the contents of said compartments to be discharged therefrom by gravity, and a receptacle mounted below said container and accessible by the animal to receive the contents of both of said compartments essentially simultaneously for intermixing in said receptacle incident to said inversion.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals, said apparatus comprising a frame, a shaft on said frame for turning about a substantially horizontal axis, a support secured to said shaft for rotation about the horizontal axis, time-controlled means for rotating said support at a predetermined time to cause a feeding operation, a spindle extending generally horizontally from said support and spaced from the axis or rotation thereof, a container suspended in free swinging relationship from said spindle and adapted to be advanced in a circular path as said support rotates, said container being open adjacent one end, and inverting means mounted on said rotatable support and spaced from said shaft for rotation about said axis and projecting laterally therefrom in spaced relation to said spindle, said inverting means being movable between a position spaced from said container and a position so as to be engaged by the lower portion of the leading wall of said container during the movement of said container incident to the rotation of said support to pivot said container about said spindle so as to invert said container and cause the contents thereof to be discharged.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for automatically feeding animals, said apparatus comprising a frame, a shaft on said frame for turning about a substantially horizontal axis, a support secured to said shaft for rotation about the horizontal axis, time-controlled means for rotating said support at a predetermined time to cause a feeding operation, a spindle extending generally horizontally from said support and spaced from the axis or rotation thereof, a container suspended in free swinging relationship from said spindle and adapted to be advanced in a circular path as said support rotates, said container being open adjacent one end, and inverting means mounted on said rotatable support and spaced from said shaft for rotation about said axis and projecting laterally therefrom in spaced relation to said spindle, said inverting means being movable between a position spaced from said container and a position so as to be engaged by the lower portion of the leading wall of said container during the movement of said container incident to the rotation of said support to pivot said container about said spindle so as to invert said container and cause the contents thereof to be discharged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said support is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced spindles, wherein a container is suspended from each of said spindles, wherein a inverting means is provided for each of said spindles, and whereby means are provided for rotating said support periodically a degree of rotation sufficient to effect the inversion of one of said containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for rotating said support comprises a motor and a timer for periodically energizing said motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said inverting means comprises a rod extending horizontally from said support in parallel relation to said spindle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said container includes a partition dividing said container into two compartments, each of which is open adjacent said one end of said container, and wherein said partition is so configured and disposed as to cause the contents of the respective compartments to be discharged successively rather than simultaneously when said container is inverted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said frame includes a housing enclosing said support effective to prevent access to said containers by the animal, wherein an opening is provided in one wall of said housing, wherein a receptacle is provided outside said housing accessible by the animal, and wherein an inclined trough extends from said receptacle to and through said opening, said trough including an upper portion disposed to receive the contents of said container incident to its inversion and adapted to direct same into said receptacle, said receptacle and trough being readily separable from said housing so as to facilitate cleaning thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said container includes means defining a pair of horizontally spaced openings adjacent its upper edge for receiving said spindle, wherein removable means are provided adjacent the outer end of said spindle to retain said container on said spindle during operation of said apparatus, and wherein a sidewall of said housing is displaceable to permit lateral movement of said containers onto and off of said spindle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |