Abstract: A feeder for a domestic pet has a container for holding pet food, a housing, and a cover having a closed position to prevent access to pet food in the container and an open position. The housing has an open front, a base, respective left and right sidewalls and a rear wall coupled to the base and to the sidewalls. The container is located in the base. The rear wall extends upwardly from the base and forwardly to provide a roof for the housing and terminates in a forward edge at the open front. The open front is bounded by the forward edge of the roof, forward edges of the sidewalls, and a line joining bottoms of the forward edges of the sidewalls. This line is parallel to the forward edge of the roof but forwardly thereof. The sidewalls have intermediate portions thereof located at positions between the forward edge of the roof and the said line. These intermediate portions extend more forwardly than a plane containing the forward edge of the roof and the said line.

Abstract: In one arrangement, a pet detection system for domestic pets comprises a passive infrared detector. The passive infrared detector as two passive infrared sensors, one of which is covered, so that the covered sensor always detects ambient temperature. A difference between the sensors is indicative of a live object being detected. Also described is equipment for a domestic pet, such as a cat flap or a pet feeder, in which access is controlled by a pet detection system as aforesaid or by a pet detection system comprising a capacitive proximity detector. The respective pet detection system detects whether a live object is present, while a pet authorisation system determines whether the live object so detected is an authorised pet.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder has two bowls and a base unit which accepts the bowls. Two lids are provided, one for each bowl, which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it or opened about a hinge means to allow access to the bowl. A lid control mechanism is capable of keeping either lid closed independently or opening either lid independently. A removable joining member is provided that links the two lids so that one lid cannot open unless the other lid can also open.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder has two bowls and a base unit which accepts the bowls. Two lids are provided, one for each bowl, which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it or opened about a hinge means to allow access to the bowl. A lid control mechanism is capable of keeping either lid closed independently or opening either lid independently. A removable joining member is provided that links the two lids so that one lid cannot open unless the other lid can also open.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder includes a bowl, a base unit which accepts the bowl, a lid which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it, or opened about a hinge to allow access to the bowl, a lid control mechanism capable of keeping the lid closed, or opening the lid, the bowl including a profile on its outer surface, on the side furthest from lid hinge, and a base unit including a corresponding profile on its inner surface. The bowl profile and the base profile interlock when the bowl is positioned in the base unit, such that the side of the bowl with the profile is constrained against being lifted substantially vertically.

Abstract: An automatic pet feeder, comprising a bowl with a plurality of compartments, a cover and a sensor, the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments, the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor, each location region having a first edge and a second edge, the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected, and the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder includes a bowl, a base unit which accepts the bowl, a lid which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it, or opened about a hinge to allow access to the bowl, a lid control mechanism capable of keeping the lid closed, or opening the lid, the bowl including a profile on its outer surface, on the side furthest from lid hinge, and a base unit including a corresponding profile on its inner surface. The bowl profile and the base profile interlock when the bowl is positioned in the base unit, such that the side of the bowl with the profile is constrained against being lifted substantially vertically.

Abstract: An automatic pet feeder, comprising a bowl with a plurality of compartments, a cover and a sensor, the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments, the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor, each location region having a first edge and a second edge, the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected, and the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.

Abstract: A pet fountain comprises an upper bowl, a base including a lower bowl. The upper bowl can be secured to the base so that it is elevated above the level of the base. The lower bowl is sufficiently large to accommodate the upper bowl when the upper bowl is not secured to the base. The internal space of the lower bowl has at least one span that is slightly greater than the longest measurement across the upper bowl.

Abstract: A pet fountain comprises an upper bowl, a base including a lower bowl. The upper bowl can be secured to the base so that it is elevated above the level of the base. The lower bowl is sufficiently large to accommodate the upper bowl when the upper bowl is not secured to the base. The internal space of the lower bowl has at least one span that is slightly greater than the longest measurement across the upper bowl.

Abstract: An automatic pet feeder, comprising a bowl with a plurality of compartments, a cover and a sensor, the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments, the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor, each location region having a first edge and a second edge, the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected, and the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.

Abstract: A feeder is provided for animals selected from domestic pets, cage birds, chickens, fish and wild birds. The feeder has a hopper to hold a supply of dry feed. A chamber receives feed by gravity from a lower portion of the hopper, and has a discharge outlet at one axial end of the chamber. A passage is defined from and includes the chamber and extends to an opening at the distal end of the discharge outlet for discharge of feed from the feeder. An auger is mounted for rotation about an axis within the chamber. The auger is adapted as it rotates to move feed along the passage to be discharged at the distal end of the discharge outlet. A shutter is adapted to occlude the passage and is provided within the discharge outlet. The shutter is coupled to and rotates with the auger.

Abstract: A feeder is provided for animals selected from domestic pets, cage birds, chickens, fish and wild birds. The feeder has a hopper adapted to hold a supply of dry feed. A chamber is adapted to receive feed by gravity from a lower portion of the hopper, and has a discharge outlet at one axial end of the chamber. A passage is defined from and includes the chamber and extends to an opening at the distal end of the discharge outlet for discharge of feed from the feeder. An auger is mounted for rotation about an axis within said chamber. The auger is adapted as it rotates to move feed along the passage to be discharged at the distal end of the discharge outlet. A shutter is adapted to occlude the passage and is provided within the discharge outlet. The shutter is coupled to and rotates with the auger. The shutter has a forward edge and a trailing edge defined in relation to the direction of rotation. The discharge outlet is provided with an enlarged end portion.