US3658036A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic time-controlled feeding apparatus for animals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-18
•
Granted: 1972-04-25
•
Expires: 1990-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An automatic clock-controlled feeder for releasing food progressively from food compartments to a dish available to an animal to be fed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Caracappa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An automatic clock controlled animal feeder and dispenser, comprising a stationary circular container symmetrical about a vertical axis and constructed to embody and define a plurality of radial compartments, each for receiving a predetermined quantity of food for an animal to be fed, and each compartment having a bottom flap or trap-door to permit the food to drop from the compartment; a post for supporting the circular container at an elevated level above ground; means on top of the post for supporting said food container; a dish disposed adjacent the bottom of said post, and available and open around its entire periphery to an animal to be fed; a movable time-controlled release means for opening each of said trap-doors in sequence to permit the food in each compartment to fall through the related trap-door space; and means supported on said circular container for guiding any falling food from said container into said dish.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An automatic clock controlled animal feeder and dispenser, comprising a stationary circular container symmetrical about a vertical axis and constructed to embody and define a plurality of radial compartments, each for receiving a predetermined quantity of food for an animal to be fed, and each compartment having a bottom flap or trap-door to permit the food to drop from the compartment; a post for supporting the circular container at an elevated level above ground; means on top of the post for supporting said food container; a dish disposed adjacent the bottom of said post, and available and open around its entire periphery to an animal to be fed; a movable time-controlled release means for opening each of said trap-doors in sequence to permit the food in each compartment to fall through the related trap-door space; and means supported on said circular container for guiding any falling food from said container into said dish.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A feeder and dispenser, as in claim 1, in which said time-controlled means serves to hold all said trap-doors closed until a predetermined time at which one compartment trap-door is permitted to open to release the contents of said compartment, with the doors supported to be freely movable in their own paths free of blockage by adjoining doors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A feeder and dispenser, as in claim 2, in which said time-controlled means may be set to open a predetermined number of compartments in sequence at predetermined time intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A feeder and dispenser, as in claim 1, in which said time-controlled means includes a notched disc for selectively releasing each trap-door when the disc is rotated to align the notch with each trap-door to be permitted to open, with each trap-door being supported so upon release it will be free to move to its full open poSition without interference by other doors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
An animal feeder and dispenser, as in claim 1, in which said means on top of the post for supporting said food container consists of a plate with a plurality of radial arms and an anchoring element to secure the plate to the top of said post; and means for releasably securing said circular container to said arms of said supporting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
An animal feeder and dispenser as in claim 4, in which said time-controlled means is disposed and supported centrally and co-axially on said circular container, and includes a shaft disposed and supported co-axially from said time-controlled means and said notched disc is secured to and supported on said shaft to be rotated by said shaft in a plane immediately beneath said trapdoors to hold all said trapdoors closed until said predetermined time when said disc releases a trapdoor, with the trapdoors hinged from their outer peripheries, to permit free movement of each door upon opening, without interference from a previously opened door, and without interference to a subsequently opened door.
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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) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |