Abstract: This invention generally relates to animal feeders, an animal feeding monitor and a method of training an animal to use a feeder. An animal feeder may have a housing with an aperture for a food bowl and a door for covering the aperture. The feeder can further include a door mechanism to control movement of the door over the aperture and a sensor to detect when an animal has moved away from the aperture. The feeder is configured to be operable in a training mode wherein the door mechanism is operable to control the door to cover a portion of the aperture in response to the detection and to respond to one or more later detections by controlling the door to cover a portion of the aperture larger than the preceding portion.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, including: an ornament assembly comprising: a fluid pump therein, wherein the fluid pump comprises an inlet and a discharge; a control mechanism operatively coupled to the fluid pump, wherein the control mechanism controls the fluid pump; a power source operatively coupled to control mechanism; and at least a first aperture and a second aperture; the first aperture being connected to the inlet of the fluid pump and having a connection mechanism for connecting a fluid transfer device; and the second aperture being connected to the discharge of the fluid pump and having a connection mechanism for connecting a fluid transfer device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A game feeder has a hopper body for storing the feed material, a feed outlet, a funnel extending downwardly from around the feed outlet opening to a lower aperture, and a cylindrical feeder tube that extends from around the funnel to an upper perimeter that further from the hopper body than the funnel. A lower housing has an annular wall that extends upwardly to a lower perimeter, which may include an outwardly extending annular flange. Support struts in the form of rods connect the lower housing to the hopper body to support the hopper body above the lower housing, such that the upper perimeter of the feeder tube is adjacent but spaced from the lower perimeter of the annular wall of the lower housing, to form an annular feed discharge slot therebetween.

Abstract: A livestock feeder has a hopper, a feed outlet opening through the hopper for dispensing the feed, a feed trough operably positioned beneath the hopper for receiving the feed, and a broadcast spreader mechanism that includes a sling plate that is operably mounted to cover the feed outlet opening. The broadcast spreader mechanism has a motor for spinning the sling plate for broadcasting the feed outwardly when in operation. A retracting mechanism retracts the sling plate to uncover the feed outlet opening when the sling plate spins, so that the feed from the hopper falls downwardly into the broadcast spreader mechanism to be broadcast and dispensed. A tubular skirt surrounds the broadcast spreader mechanism for catching the feed as it is broadcast, and directing the feed downwardly into the feed trough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game feeder that successfully dispenses powdered forms of grain such as rice bran. The invention adds a semi-flexible cable that attaches by one end to the center of a spinning member of an existing feeder's dispensing mechanism. The cable extends upward through the center of the feed hopper so that the opposite end of the cable is located within a hollow center of the feed made within the feed hopper as the feed is loaded into the feed hopper. The flexible member preferably has a weight attached at its terminal end so that the cable and weight are swung around within the feed hopper as the spinning member rotates providing enough stirring action to the feed to cause it to move downward within the hopper, through the bottom opening of the hopper and to the automated feed dispersing mechanism.

Abstract: A dispensing system (200) for chewable pet toys (100) contains multiple toys and dispenses them at intervals determined by one or more modes of operation. A display (220) and keypad (400) are used to enter programming data into the memory of a microprocessor (315). When the system is in operation, the display indicates progress through the program, the mode of operation whether MANUAL, RANDOM, or BMOD (behavior modification), the time elapsed, and the number of toys remaining. At various times, sounds emanate from a loudspeaker (320), vibration emanates from a vibrator (328), light emanates from a light source (325), and odor emanates from an odor generator (327). Toys are dispensed down a ramp (225), at predetermined times, or at predetermined times modified by random numbers. Predetermined dispensations permit modification of the pet's behavior (BMOD). Random variations on a predetermined schedule of dispensations (RANDOM) prevent the pet from memorizing a schedule.