US3688744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic fish feeding apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-10
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1991-03-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically dispensing fish food at periodic intervals, said apparatus comprising a food reservoir having at least one discharge opening in the base thereof and a leveling block affixed to the inner wall of said reservoir directly above said discharge opening, a feed carrier plate having at least one opening thereon and being seated for rotation in said reservoir between the base thereof and the leveling block and in close tolerance therewith, said carrier plate being secured to the shaft of a motor to provide said rotation; and means for mounting the apparatus on the fish tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric S Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:23
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K61/00; A01K61/80; A01K61/85; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/80; Y02A40/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An automatic feeder apparatus comprising a feed reservoir for storing a quantity of food having at least one discharge opening in the base thereof; means for mounting said reservoir on an aquarium with said discharge opening communicating with said aquarium; a feed carrier plate seated for rotation in said reservoir having at least one opening therein for carrying a given quantity of food, said opening positioned to align with said discharge opening; a leveling block affixed to the inner wall of said reservoir directly above said discharge opening and spaced therefrom by approximately the thickness of said feed carrier plate; and synchRonous motor means attached to said reservoir and having a shaft extending therefrom through the center of said feed carrier plate and said reservoir, said feed carrier plate being secured to said shaft for continuously rotating said plate to place the opening in said plate in communication with said discharge opening to automatically dispense food into said aquarium at periodic time intervals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An automatic feeder apparatus comprising a feed reservoir for storing a quantity of food having at least one discharge opening in the base thereof; means for mounting said reservoir on an aquarium with said discharge opening communicating with said aquarium; a feed carrier plate seated for rotation in said reservoir having at least one opening therein for carrying a given quantity of food, said opening positioned to align with said discharge opening; a leveling block affixed to the inner wall of said reservoir directly above said discharge opening and spaced therefrom by approximately the thickness of said feed carrier plate; and synchRonous motor means attached to said reservoir and having a shaft extending therefrom through the center of said feed carrier plate and said reservoir, said feed carrier plate being secured to said shaft for continuously rotating said plate to place the opening in said plate in communication with said discharge opening to automatically dispense food into said aquarium at periodic time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said opening in said feed carrier plate does not exceed the diameter of said discharge opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said opening in said feed carrier plate is a U-shaped section cut from the outer edge of said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said opening in said carrier plate is wholly within the plate and is located at a distance from said shaft which is equal to the distance between said discharge opening and said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leveling block extends beyond each of the circumferential sides of said discharge opening by at least the length of the diameter of said discharge opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |