Charge Delivering Patents (Class 119/56.1)
  • Patent number: 11771055
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an intelligent push-pull anti-cockroach automatic pet feeder, including a feeder main body, wherein the feeder main body includes a base, a driving device is arranged in the base, a base cover is arranged on the base, a grain barrel is arranged above the base cover, a grain barrel cover is arranged above the grain barrel, a grain conveying trough is formed in the base cover, a grain conveying push block is slidingly arranged in the grain conveying trough, a grain toggling sheet is arranged above the grain conveying push block, a grain outlet is formed at a front side of the base corresponding to the grain conveying trough, a grain leakage-preventing blocking sheet is arranged at a front end of the grain conveying push block, an anti-cockroach sealing strip is arranged at a front end of the grain conveying push block, the top of the driving device and the grain conveying push block are connected to each other, a feeding basin is arranged on the front side of the base correspondi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Zhiqi Xue
  • Patent number: 11006614
    Abstract: The smart pet feeder includes a housing, and a grain storage component arranged in an upper part of the housing, a driving component arranged in a middle part of the housing and a throwing component arranged in a lower part of the housing; a rotating component is arranged in the housing, and the rotating component has a supporting column, the upper part of the supporting column is provided with a wheel, the lower part of the supporting column is provided with a driving gear, the bottom end of the supporting column is provided with a cam; the upper part is extended into the grain storage component, and the wheel is contained in the grain storage component; the driving gear is rotatably connected with the driving component, the cam is connected with the throwing component in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Silong Chen, Yunhao Chen
  • Patent number: 10959403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pet feeder, in particular, to a feeder having a remote control function, and more specifically to an entertaining feeder. In view of problems such as currently, pet hardly participates in an entire feeding process, so that the need of pet hardly matches manual feeding, and pet cannot obtain a sense of delight and a sense of achievement in the feeding process, an entertaining feeder is provided. Feeder is mainly formed by a feeding body and a controller, where feeding body mainly includes a food container provided with a food leaking hole, a bracket, and a food tray; and the controller mainly includes a control signal transmitter and a controller positioner. By using the controller formed by combining the controller positioner and the control signal transmitter, pet itself can be urged to operate control signal transmitter and trigger a control signal receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TONGFU MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yaomin Ma
  • Patent number: 10660304
    Abstract: The invention is a pet feeding device provides a feeding mechanism on a basis of fixed time and fixed amount of food for a pet. The pet feeding device includes a base and a rotatable tray. The base has a first opening and a second opening communicated with each other, and the second opening connects the base and an exterior environment. The rotatable tray having third openings is assembled to the base and rotates about an axis. The feed pellets received in the pet feeding device fall into the third openings with a rotation of the rotatable tray. In a process of rotation, the first opening covers portion of the third openings correspondingly in a unit time, and the feed pellets in the corresponding third openings drop out of the pet feeding device via the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng Huang, Shao-Chi Chuang, Tsung-Hsun Wu, Yao-Kai Chuang, Wei-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 10206822
    Abstract: The present device includes a rotor that is rotated around a cam drum and includes a plurality of units, each unit including: a mover that is guided by the cam drum and reciprocates in an axial direction of the cam drum by virtue of the rotation of the rotor; a first belt linked to the mover; a first pulley and a second pulley that rotate with the first belt wound therebetween; a pad that reciprocates in the axial direction in accordance with the reciprocation of the mover, while holding a sheet piece; a second belt linked to the pad; a third pulley and a fourth pulley that rotate with the second belt wound therebetween; and a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the second pulley to the third pulley and changes a rotation speed of the third pulley with respect to a rotation speed of the second pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 9750644
    Abstract: A device for transforming a continuous and controlled flow of absorbent material in granules into an intermittent flow for providing the material to a receiving member movable along a direction X, including a feed manifold, an outlet and a main body, placed between the feed manifold and the outlet, configured to cause the absorbent material to flow along a direction (Y?-Y?) coinciding with the respective axes of symmetry of the feed manifold, the outlet nozzle and the main body; wherein within the main body a movable element is housed, capable of moving alternately between a first and a second working position, such that when the movable element is in the first position, it forms a first accumulation chamber of the material, and a first discharge duct of the material, and when the movable element is in the second position, it forms a second accumulation chamber and a second discharge duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: FAMECCANICA.DATA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Diego Gualtieri, Albert Prous
  • Patent number: 9635835
    Abstract: A feeder basically comprises a housing having a feed compartment, a supplement compartment, a supplement conduit, a pump for moving the supplement through the conduit, a motor and an electrical source for energizing the pump and the motor; an external impeller driven by the motor for distributing the feed; and an external opening in the supplement conduit for directing the supplement towards the feed distributed by the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Mark West
  • Patent number: 9585364
    Abstract: A gravity-fed, animal feeding apparatus is equipped with a funnel, a food chute, and at least one feeding pan. The food chute of the apparatus preferably includes a transport tube configured to extend through a conventional chain-link fence gap via a diamond-shaped fitting, and terminate at the feeding pan disposed on the floor within the fenced pen area. The apparatus is configured to direct dry pet food fed into the funnel disposed on the exterior of the fenced pen area to the feeding pan on the interior of the fence. Gravity causes the food in the funnel to fall into the food chute, passing through the fence, and outputting the food to the feeding pan. The feeding pan is equipped with drainage holes to ensure that the dry food does not get wet, and that water does not collect in the feeding pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Jones
  • Patent number: 8936176
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Audubon Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Philippe Roe
  • Patent number: 8925485
    Abstract: An intelligent pet-feeding device is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, configured with at least one opening; a storage tank, for storing at least one kind of food while enabling each kind of food to be transported out of the frame from it corresponding opening; a communication module, capable of performing a wireless communication with an operator at a remote end; an imaging module, for capturing images and thus generating image signals accordingly; an audio transceiver module, for receiving and transmitting audio signals; and a central processing unit, electrically connected to the communication module, the imaging module and the audio transceiver module for processing signals received thereby and generated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yueh-Ju Pu, Ming-Chang Teng, Ching-Yi Kuo, Cheng-Hua Wu
  • Publication number: 20140209031
    Abstract: An animal feed dispenser includes a feeding tube for receiving a predetermined amount of animal feed from a spinner disk located at the bottom of an outlet in a housing. The feeding tube includes at least one opening through which animals may access the interior of the feeding tube. The opening may be closed by a movable closure flap so as to restrict access to the feeding tube. The motor for rotating the spinner disk and an actuator for moving the closure flap may be controlled by a suitable timer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BNR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Norris
  • Publication number: 20140130746
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes two feeder sections arranged end to end with a common hopper extension feeding individual hoppers above a shelf onto which feed can fall to be taken by the animal or dropped into a trough below the shelf. The height of the shelf is adjustable to change the feed rate by straps which are adjustable by a common longitudinal bar which is located at a selected adjustment position by meshing teeth. The portion of the lever is movable in a direction away from the plate a non-meshing position in which the bar can rotate around the pivot axis. A common water supply extends along both feeders and is heated by a common heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CRYSTAL SPRING COLONY FARMS LTD.
    Inventor: Jonathan Kleinsasser
  • Patent number: 8689737
    Abstract: A wildlife feeder having a hopper, a manifold, and a removed head at a removed end of the manifold. The hopper is designed to enclose particulate feed, such as corn, for dispensing through the manifold and head to wildlife. The head has a multiplicity of feed troughs and each feed trough has an angled top wall and an angled bottom wall, angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the manifold and a plane of a tabular floor of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: All Seasons Feeders, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell Gates
  • Patent number: 8656862
    Abstract: A device catering for the dietary needs of animals. Feed is stored in a hopper and distributed at intervals to the animal's feeding receptacle via an internal dispensing mechanism using a flexible rotor sealing against the walls of a housing to both meter the feed and seal against contamination. The quantities and delivery times may be set by the user. An optional weighting system can be provided to increase accuracy of delivered feed amounts. Optionally, the device may include a water delivery system. Water is provided by a plumbed domestic connection and is available to the animal at all times, except during the automatic change cycle. A pump is utilized to change the water several times a day, in an attempt to remove any contaminants that may affect the water quality that is required to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Navin Manickchan, Byron Biswah
  • Patent number: 8596218
    Abstract: An on-demand animal feed apparatus is provided comprising a receiving chamber, base tube and actuator. The receiving chamber comprises an upper section to connect to a feed supply, a lower section, and an intermediate section disposed between the upper and lower sections. A base tube is connected to the lower section of the receiving chamber and cooperates with the receiving chamber to define the feed reservoir. A lower portion of the base tube defines a discharge opening for dispensing animal feed. An actuator is disposed at least partially within the base tube and is configured to raise and lower in an axial direction in response to movement by an animal, thereby allowing the transfer of animal feed from the feed reservoir through the discharge opening. The lower section of the receiving chamber defines a relief area for the temporary displacement of animal feed when the actuator is raised or lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Beau William Brumbaugh, Harry Ronald Van Horn, II
  • Patent number: 8596219
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for feeding a pet in a manner that engages the pet and provides stimulation and exercise. Exemplary apparatus for dispensing animal food include a food hopper for containing animal food operatively connected to a food handler that launches a portion or ration of the animal food away from the unit in response to detecting a triggering action of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Miller
  • Publication number: 20130269620
    Abstract: A collapsible feeder, relating to a pet feeder, includes a top cover, a collapsible barrel body, a discharge port, a base and a food basin. The food basin is disposed at one end of the base, and the collapsible barrel body is disposed at the other end of the base. The top cover is disposed at the top of the collapsible barrel body. A bottom of the collapsible barrel body is higher than a rim of the food basin, and the discharge port forms an angle of 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal line of a bottom of the food basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: JIANGSU ZHONGHENG PET ARTICLES JOINT-STOCK CO.,LTD
    Inventor: Bin QIU
  • Publication number: 20130255580
    Abstract: A vernier adjustor for a conveyor system is provided. The vernier adjustor includes first and second longitudinal members moveable in slidable relation and a pin, the first and second longitudinal members each including a plurality of slots separated by respective first and second spacings. The pin is adapted for placement within an aligned slot pairing to fix movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member. The first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments less than the first and second spacings. In particular, the first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments substantially equal to the difference between the first spacing and the second spacing. Movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member provides an incremental tensioning of an endless belt associated with the conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: INNOVA-TECH SOLUTIONS CORP.
    Inventors: Paul M. Chellberg, John A. Radtke
  • Publication number: 20130233248
    Abstract: An improved manual portion control feeder includes a food delivery mechanism that is in communication with a food reservoir and which, when actuated, dispenses a predetermined amount of food from the reservoir into another vessel. Advantageously, the feeding apparatus further includes a feedback mechanism which, responsive to an actuation of the food delivery mechanism, provides at least one of an acoustic indication and a tactile indication that is representative of the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of food by the food delivery mechanism. The acoustic and/or tactile indication enables the feeding apparatus to remain disposed on, for example, a floor and alerts the user that a predetermined amount of food has been dispensed from the reservoir since the acoustic and/or tactile indications are detectable with relative ease. This enables an animal to be provided a predetermined amount of food with minimal attention being required of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: David Veness, Vasitha Obeyesekere, Melaney Northrop
  • Patent number: 8347817
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for feeding a pet in a manner that engages the pet and provides stimulation and exercise. Exemplary apparatus for dispensing animal food include a food hopper for containing animal food operatively connected to a food handler that launches a portion or ration of the animal food away from the unit in response to detecting a triggering action of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Miller
  • Patent number: 8100084
    Abstract: A system and method is described for determining, based on one or more variables, the appropriate amount of food to dispense in order to implement weight management individually tailored to one or more pets. Based on the one or more variables, a predefined weight of food is determined that should be dispensed in a container during a given time interval. If the current weight of the food within the container has reached a threshold weight, then no additional food is added to the container during the given time interval. However, if it is determined that the threshold has not been reached, then more food is added to the container. The process is repeated during the given time interval until the threshold is reached, and then optionally again for additional given time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michael T. Abramson
  • Patent number: 8096265
    Abstract: A motorized wildlife feeder provides a reliable flow of powdery feeds, such as rice bran, from a hopper to the ground. The hopper is partially formed by a funnel with a unique, eight-sided shape. The unique shape of the funnel is believed to provide reliable flow of powdery feeds, whereas typical funnels with round sides tend to plug when such feeds are used. Vibrators attached to the hopper assist the flow of feed from the hopper into a trough, where an auger moves the feed to a downspout and onto the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Todd Wisecarver
  • Patent number: 8091507
    Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Patent number: 8015944
    Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin, Harry R. Van Horn, II, Andrew Rausch
  • Patent number: 7984694
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes at least one fodder bin, a fodder mixing device, a control module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and an audio frequency device. The fodder bin is provided for storing and outputting fodder. The fodder mixing device is provided for controlling the output of fodder in the fodder bin. The control module is provided for controlling the operation of the animal feeder. The radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes at least one electronic tag and at least one reader. The electronic tag is tagged onto animals. The reader is installed at the control module. The audio frequency device is provided for inputting and outputting an audio frequency. The aforementioned elements constitute an animal feeder that can provide fodders to a specific animal, issue a calling audio frequency, and controlling a fixed quantity of different fodders outputted at a fixed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Claridy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Eng Wu, Jyh-Ren Yan, Horng-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20110067636
    Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin, Harry R. Van Horn, II, Andrew Rausch
  • Publication number: 20100307421
    Abstract: An animal feeding device for feeding animals, including wildlife, is disclosed. The animal feeding device includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment inside the first storage compartment. Both storage compartments have openings on the upper ends thereof. The first and second storage compartments have feed assemblies engaged to the lower end thereof, to provide a first feed from a first storage compartment to a first feed assembly, and a second feed from a second storage compartment to a second feed assembly. In this manner, two different types of feed may be poured into one device, but kept separate, a first feed, for example, in a first storage compartment, and a second feed in a second storage compartment. Moreover, a first and second feeding assembly can be engaged with the first or second storage means and below the first and second storage means to gravity feed the first feed to the first feed assembly and the second feed to the second feed assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Burnell Gates
  • Patent number: 7819083
    Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin, Harry R. Van Horn, II, Andrew Rausch
  • Publication number: 20100095895
    Abstract: A food dispenser for dispensing dry food, the food dispenser comprising: a food receiving module for receiving the food; a metering module for metering a quantity of the food to dispense, the metering module including an impeller having at least one arm defining a vane, the impeller being rotatably mounted in the metering module, the metering module also including a power drive unit operatively coupled to the impeller for selectively rotating the impeller; a discharge module operatively coupled to the output port for receiving the food from the output port and dispensing the food; an impeller rotation detector operatively coupled to the impeller for detecting a rotation of the impeller when the power drive unit is used to rotate the impeller. The metering module is configured and sized to discharge a predetermined quantity of the food when the impeller rotates over a predetermined rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Lalibertá
  • Patent number: 7647888
    Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided which can be selectively switched between a mode in which it operates as a flood-type feeder and a mode in which it operates as a shallow-fill type feeder with adjustable height pan walls. The feeder includes a feed tube assembly comprising a drop tube and a feed flooding tube. The drop tube is movable axially relative to the feed flooding tube, which rests on the feed pan. The drop tube and feed flooding tube have windows which are brought into and out of alignment by raising and lowering the drop tube. When the feed flooding tube window is opened, the feeder operates in a flood mode and when the feed flooding tube is closed, the feeder operates in a shallow-fill mode. In this second mode, the effective height of the pan wall can be adjusted to allow chicks and chickens access to the feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: The GSI Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Slankard, John M. Frankovich
  • Publication number: 20090314223
    Abstract: A pet trainer for dispensing pet training treats based on urine detection is described. The pet trainer comprises a pet diaper including urine sensing electrodes which produces a signal indicating the existence of urine to a treat dispenser operative to dispense a predetermined amount of the pet training treats under the control of a controller. The treat dispenser further comprises a dispenser arm including a dispenser cover which is to be opened to directly reload the treats into the treat dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Jaewon John Yuu, Jaehee Jay Yuu
  • Patent number: 7581512
    Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Patent number: 7549393
    Abstract: A two sided feeder for feeding animals as they grow from a first smaller size to a larger size includes a trough with a shelf mounted above the base of the trough with a feed hopper positioned for depositing feed onto the shelf and a water pipe formed from a rectangular tube and extending along the trough at a position underneath the shelf with a plurality of water nipples at spaced positions along the water pipe. A plurality of divider members are clamped on the pipe each between two of the water nipples such that the divider members together act to separate one side of the trough from the other side to prevent the passage therebetween of the animals when at the smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Crystal Spring Colony Farms Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Kleinsasser
  • Patent number: 7543548
    Abstract: This patent discloses a game feeder. The game feeder may include a container having bins and gates positioned at a bottom of the bins. The bins may include feed. Latches may be attached to the container to retain the gates in a closed position. The latches may be attached to cables. A tripper automatically may pull on a cable at a predetermined interval to move the latch attached to that cable. On moving the latch, the gate being held closed may swing open and the feed within that bin may fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: John Troyer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080251024
    Abstract: An assembly of a milking robot with a milking robot feeding place, such as a milking robot feed trough, and a device for gripping and displacing material, such as for example roughage and/or concentrate for animals. The device is provided with a gripper (2) for gripping, then displacing and subsequently supplying the material. The device comprises control means for displacing the gripper (2) to the milking robot and for controlling the gripper for supplying the material to the milking robot feeding place of the milking robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MAASLAND N.V.
    Inventors: Greorgius Rudolphius Bos, Karel Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 7204201
    Abstract: A regulating feeder for a horse, with a funnel shaped bottom, which may be attached to a feed delivery tube extending into the feed trough or toward a feeding surface. At the distal end of the feed delivery tube is at least one protrusion extending parallel to the axis of the feed delivery tube so that the lower end of the feed delivery tube may be positioned close to the feed trough and held away from the feed trough in the desired position. A stopper mechanism may be used to control the amount of feed that the animal may obtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Kelly Leombruno
  • Patent number: 7055536
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a livestock feeding device which unclogs blockage without the need for a workman to enter the feed dispensing area. The system includes at least two swiping arms which are positioned at a lower area of the feed system. The system is environmentally advantageous since workman entry into a hazardous area is reduced. The swiping arms are activated by an external motor which is turned on upon sensing of a clogged or blocked condition of the feed. The system applies to the feeding of hogs, livestock or other dispensing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Roger Smiley
  • Patent number: 7040250
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a size of a feed gate and a position of a brood gate of a feeder assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of increasing a size of a feed gate by increasing a distance between a distal end of a drop tube member and a pan member, and changing the position of a brood gate relative to the pan member by changing a distance between the brood gate and the pan member. These steps are achieved by either rotating only a grill member in a first direction relative to the drop tube member, or by manipulating only the grill member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Patent number: 6907843
    Abstract: A feed metering device for distributing feed (fodder or drink, or both) in metered portions to an animal. The device comprises a feed unit for receiving and containing said feed which includes an entrance opening that receives said feed from a feed supplying device, and which is rotatable about an axis. The amount of feed provided by the feed supplying device to the feed unit is governed by data from an animal identification device that identifies the animal that will consume the feed in the feed unit and a weighing device which determines the amount of feed remaining from the last feeding in the feeding unit and any added thereto by the magnitude of torque on a motor which rotates the closing device for the entrance opening of the feeding unit via a contacting roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Lely Research Holding AG
    Inventor: Karel van den Berg
  • Patent number: 6792890
    Abstract: A device (10′) for storing and dispensing feed (98) to an animal at predetermined times includes enclosure (12) including a plurality of compartments (16), each including a hinged downwardly opening bottom door (17) having a storage position for supporting feed (98) and an open position for dispensing feed (98), a latch assembly (120) including a latch (121) supporting its associated door (17), and a connector (142) for each compartment (16), movable from a storage position to a dispensing position. A connector release assembly (160) includes a trip (162) for disengaging each connector (142), including a movable ratchet bar (61) including cams (163) and rungs (63). Reciprocating assembly (70) includes solenoid (71) moving pull arm (73) for moving ratchet bar (61) and timer (101) for activating solenoid (71) at predetermined times. Down-stop (90) prevents reverse movement of ratchet bar (61). Up-stop (80) limits the upward movement of ratchet bar rung (63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Eugene C. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20040129229
    Abstract: An automated pet feeding machine has a very simple system for measuring and distributing food quantities using the combination of a solenoid, slidable panels and a biasing means to tilt a food measuring tray down from a first position into a second position where its content is poured into a pet's feeding bowl. The downward tilt motion of the food measuring tray blocks any food from flowing out of the hopper during this step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michel Blais, Michel Champagne
  • Patent number: 6758163
    Abstract: The bird feeder is a unique new birdcage attachment which provides bird owners the ability to automatically feed their birds at timed intervals. The unit could be manufactured in various sizes and colors and would consist of a hopper for storing birdseed, an exit funnel on the bottom, a user programmable electronic timing device, and a clear viewing panel on the side to determine when the seed reservoir had been depleted. The automatic feeder would also feature clamps or clips to make it easily attachable to the side of a birdcage. When the unit was enabled for feeding, birdseed would flow from the hopper, through the chute which would feature a motor driven rotating mill to ensure that the seed does not clump together, and out the exit funnel which is located above the bird's seed tray. The feeder would rely on battery power to drive the timer mechanism and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sternitzky
  • Patent number: 6715443
    Abstract: A feeder device for feeding animals with food product includes a housing divided into a plurality of compartments with individual pivotable bottom walls and an operating system mounted on the housing to control opening of the bottom walls to release the food product contained therein. The operating system includes a locking mechanism located adjacent each bottom wall to releasably secure it in a closed position. An opening mechanism successively activates the locking mechanisms and opens the bottom walls. A timer device including an electronic controller and a limit switch electrically coupled to the opening mechanism controls the operation of the latter at the beginning of a pre-determined time interval. The limit switch is activated by the opening mechanism and stops operation of the opening mechanism during the pre-determined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Andre Bernard
  • Patent number: 6626128
    Abstract: Feed dosing and regulating system for troughs comprising: a chassis and a body; at least one rod joined by its two ends to both vertical angular rods; at least one ramp which is moveable outwardly and inwardly, with its lower edge facing a feed support plate; at least one cam with a lower horizontal shaft, projecting on one side in cooperation with the corresponding lever and articulated higher up to a horizontal shaft joined to a pipe that can be moved vertically; a vertical shaft that can turn and can be slid inside the pipe and has an eccentric wheel fixed onto its lower end; at least one tilting flap on a vertical plane and situated inside the trough hopper; and a cover with a motor equipped with a lower projecting pin onto which the upper end of the vertical shaft can be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Rotecna S.A.
    Inventor: Gener Romeu
  • Publication number: 20030168015
    Abstract: A device (10′) for storing and dispensing feed (98) to an animal at predetermined times includes enclosure (12) including a plurality of compartments (16), each including a hinged downwardly opening bottom door (17) having a storage position for supporting feed (98) and an open position for dispensing feed (98), a latch assembly (120) including a latch (121) supporting its associated door (17), and a connector (142) for each compartment (16), movable from a storage position to a dispensing position. A connector release assembly (160) includes a trip (162) for disengaging each connector (142), including a movable ratchet bar (61) including cams (163) and rungs (63). Reciprocating assembly (70) includes solenoid (71) moving pull arm (73) for moving ratchet bar (61) and timer (101) for activating solenoid (71) at predetermined times. Down-stop (90) prevents reverse movement of ratchet bar (61). Up-stop (80) limits the upward movement of ratchet bar rung (63).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene C. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20030094139
    Abstract: A portable animal fluid dispenser (10) including a reservoir (12) and a container (14) detachably mounted to a side wall (22A) of the reservoir (12). The container (14) has an outlet in fluid communication with a passage (24) in the side wall (22A) and a closure (34) removably coupled to the passage (24). A carrier (16) is provided to attach the carrier (16) to an article worn by a person, for example a belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: H. Stanley Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6557490
    Abstract: A device 10 for storing and dispensing feed 98 to an animal at predetermined times includes enclosure 12 including a plurality of compartments 16, each including a hingedly attached, downwardly opening bottom door 17 having a storage position for supporting feed and an open position for dispensing feed, a latch assembly 20 associated with each compartment 16 including latch 21 supporting its associated door 17, and latch activation mechanism 40. Each latch 21, in its supported position, may rotate upward for upward re-setting passage of door 17. Latch activation mechanism 40 includes movable ratchet bar 61 including trips 64 for activating latches 21 and rungs 63. Reciprocating assembly 70 includes solenoid 71 for moving ratchet bar 61 and timer 101 for activating solenoid 71 predetermined times. Down-stop 90 prevents reverse movement of ratchet bar 61. Up-stop 80 limits the upward movement of ratchet bar rung 63. Right and left compartment latch assembly shafts 22, 32 are co-axial with one inside the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene C. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20020121244
    Abstract: A feed metering device provided with a feeding trough for containing fodder and/or drink, an entrance opening to the feeding trough, and a closing means for closing the entrance opening. A feed supplying device intermittently supplies a quantity of fodder and/or drink into the feeding trough. A detection device determines the quantity of feed in the feeding trough at a point of time after a supply of a quantity of fodder and/or drink and issues, in dependence of the result of the quantity determination, a signal for operating the closing means. Alternatively a clock determines the duration from a supply of a quantity of fodder and/or drink and issues, in dependence of the result of the determination of the duration, a signal for operating the closing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: LELY ENTERPRISES A.G.
    Inventors: Karel van den Berg, Howard Sie, Lucien Eliza Niels Voogd
  • Publication number: 20020117116
    Abstract: A wildlife feeder has a generally tubular, upright housing or base unit that is designed to remain permanently attached to its means of support, such as an upstanding post or an overhead hanger, while refillable feed cartridges are readily removed from the housing as need be for refilling or cleaning. In its preferred form, the housing has a pair of internal, upright retaining sockets at its opposite ends that receive a pair of cylindrical, transparent cartridges. The cartridges are open at the top and closed at the bottom, with dispensing ports in the sidewalls thereof. A pair of tall window openings at opposite ends of the housing provide both unimpeded visual examination of the feed level of the cartridges from remote locations and means for removing the cartridges from and reinserting them into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Larry L. Chrisco, Orval Lee Fick
  • Patent number: RE43953
    Abstract: This patent discloses a game feeder. The game feeder may include a container having bins and gates positioned at a bottom of the bins. The bins may include feed. Latches may be attached to the container to retain the gates in a closed position. The latches may be attached to cables. A tripper automatically may pull on a cable at a predetermined interval to move the latch attached to that cable. On moving the latch, the gate being held closed may swing open and the feed within that bin may fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: John Troyer, Jr.