US3965868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laboratory mouse feeder
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1975-04-14
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Granted: 1976-06-29
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Expires: 1995-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A feed hopper for the cage of a laboratory mouse comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped feed chamber containing an open top. A wire mesh base screen is affixed to at least one front surface of the chamber, having a top portion of the wire screen fastened at an angle with respect to the plane of that front surface, and a bottom portion of the screen parallel to the plane of the open top of the feeder. Feed which is to be ingested by the mouse rests on the base wire screen which has been designed in such a manner that the weight of the feed is forced to collapse as the animal consumes the feed, thus providing a continual flow and availability of feed. Furthermore, the sides of the wire mesh openings are such that commercially available, autoclavable mash feed could be used. The mouse feeds by moving its tongue over the screen to pick up food particles thereon. The feeder is designed to restrict the entry of the animal into the feeder and thus prevent the contamination of the feed through feces or urine which would distort research results.
Inventors
- 👤 John Hunziker, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:06
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/02; A01K1/035; A01K1/0356; A01K5/00; A01K5/02; A01K5/0225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A feeding device and feed storage hopper for laboratory mice, comprising: wall means defining a chamber closed at its bottom holding a quantity of animal feed, said chamber having an upper portion, a lower portion, a feed inlet means at its upper portion and a feeding opening in its lower portion above the closed bottom; a generally V-shaped feeding means mounted in the feeding opening in the lower portion for allowing mice to feed, said feeding means comprising an upper and lower screen which project inwardly toward the center of said chamber and meet in the apex of the V, said upper screen being affixed in said feed opening at an inclined angle sufficient so that the weight of the feed thereabove forces a continual collapsing downwardly of the feed as it is comsumed from below, said lower screen being horizontally affixed in said opening below said upper screen and above said closed bottom, wherein a mouse can ingest the feed resting on said upper screen, said upper and lower screen having a mesh size sufficient to support powdered mash feed without going through its openings while allowing a mouse to feed therethrough; and partition means connected to said feeding means for preventing the mice from entering said feeder means thereby precluding contamination of the feed through feces or urine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A feeding device and feed storage hopper for laboratory mice, comprising: wall means defining a chamber closed at its bottom holding a quantity of animal feed, said chamber having an upper portion, a lower portion, a feed inlet means at its upper portion and a feeding opening in its lower portion above the closed bottom; a generally V-shaped feeding means mounted in the feeding opening in the lower portion for allowing mice to feed, said feeding means comprising an upper and lower screen which project inwardly toward the center of said chamber and meet in the apex of the V, said upper screen being affixed in said feed opening at an inclined angle sufficient so that the weight of the feed thereabove forces a continual collapsing downwardly of the feed as it is comsumed from below, said lower screen being horizontally affixed in said opening below said upper screen and above said closed bottom, wherein a mouse can ingest the feed resting on said upper screen, said upper and lower screen having a mesh size sufficient to support powdered mash feed without going through its openings while allowing a mouse to feed therethrough; and partition means connected to said feeding means for preventing the mice from entering said feeder means thereby precluding contamination of the feed through feces or urine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The feed hopper according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means attached to said wall means for mounting the hopper on the cage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The feeder hopper according to claim 1, wherein said chmber is substantially rectangular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A feed hopper according to claim 3, wherein said feeding opening is disposed in one wall of said chamber, and further comprising a second feed opening in the wall opposite said one wall, said second feed opening containing a second generally V-shaped feeding means mounted therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The feed hopper according to claim 1, wherein said feeding means is a wire mesh screen having openings of 1/16th of an inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A feed hopper according to claim 1, wherein said upper screen is disposed at an angle of 45°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A feed hopper according to claim 1, wherein said upper and lower screens constitute a unitary screen bent to a V-shape.
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) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |