Abstract: A pet feeder, particularly for pet dogs, including a storage container for storage of food and accessories and a removable feeding table which prevents access by the pet to the storage container when the pet is feeding and which is removable from the storage container only be vertically upward displacement. The feeding table is provided with a plurality of removable food and water bowls and with a splashboard along the rear and sides of the feeding table.

Abstract: A device for automatically dispensing animal food at predetermined times and in variable quantities comprises a hopper having a motorized feed auger that is actuated by a timer. The auger dispenses feed to a chute which terminates in a feed bin integral with the device. A water distributor also activated by the timer is used for wetting the food. A water drink-dispenser is also mounted above the feed bin.

Abstract: A feeder unit for animals, particularly pigs, provides feed in either wet or dry condition and comprises a trough and a shelf positioned above the trough with a water supply duct beneath the shelf for directing water through valves actuated by the pig into the trough. A hopper positioned above the shelf directs material continuously onto the shelf to be retained on the shelf by the repose angle. The pig can this either eat directly from the shelf the feed in dry condition or can brush the feed into the trough for mixing with water and eating in wet condition.

Abstract: An automatic livestock feeding apparatus having a hopper, a trough, a distributor for transferring feed from the hopper to the trough, and a feed level sensing device. The feed level sensing device includes apparatus for inducing vibration of the trough when the amount of feed present in the trough falls below a predetermined level. The sensing device further includes apparatus for detecting the vibration, thus indicating a low feed level condition. The feeding apparatus also includes a distributor control device which is responsive to the low level feed condition indicated by the feed level sensing device, and which activates other apparatus to cause the trough to be replenished with either a dry feed or liquid feed mixture. A counter display may included as part of the feeding apparatus to indicate the number of times the trough has been replenished. Additional control apparatus may be included to limit trough replenishing where ration feeding is desired.

Abstract: A combined animal feeder and waterer including a hopper (20) that stores a quantity of pelletized material and is partially closed at the bottom by a restricting plate (40). The restricting plate has an orifice (38) extending therethrough and offset from the center of the hopper (20). The orifice (38) extends downwardly and rearwardly into an agitation chamber (32) wherein a rotor (34) is disposed for agitating the pelletized material and disposing it outward through an orifice into a feeding bowl (16). A water reservoir (66) is included in the base and integral therewith and communicates with a drinking well (17) through an orifice (70). The orifice (70) is disposed in the lower portion of the interface between the reservoir (66) and the drinking well (17). A breathing hole (72) allows the water in the reservoir (66) to seek the same level as the water in the drinking well (17) by a gravity feed distribution system. The size of the drinking well (17) is small relative to the size of the reservoir (66).

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding livestock comprises a pan accessible to the livestock for feeding therefrom, a container for holding a quantity of feed comprising dry powdered feed material and a mixing chamber. A dispensing mechanism dispenses measured increments of the feed to the mixing chamber and a control valve is coupled with a water supply line for dispensing measured increments of water to the mixing chamber. A mixer is selectively operable for mixing the water with the feed to produce a fluid feed mixture for delivery into the pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simultaneous matched feeding apparatus. The apparatus includes two tube-like members containing liquids. The upper portions of the tubes are interconnected to allow air pressure in the upper portions of the tubes to equilibrate such that when one liquid is removed from one of the tubes, the other tube automatically dispenses a corresponding amount of another liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plant for the preparation of floated fodder, i.e. fodder in aqueous suspension made from humid grit or granulate and water with supplementary nutritional components and is based on a gastight high-rise silo comprising a central gravity shaft to which the grit is fed and from which the grit is extracted at the bottom via a conveyor facility. In accordance with the invention, a metering worm or screw opening onto a mixer is joined in gastight manner to the outlet of the bottom silo extractor, a second open mixer receiving supplementary nutritional components from containers which are not necessarily gastight, via individual metering worms or screws being situated in the water supply pipe or in the delivery pipe of the mixer.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus includes fodder supply means for supplying amounts of dry feed or fodder to one or more animal feeding places. The fodder supply means may be driven by a hydraulic motor, such as a double-acting hydraulic cylinder to which water or another aqueous liquid is supplied under superatmospheric pressure as driving medium. The aqueous liquid discharged from the hydraulic motor is distributed to the various feeding places, whereby the hydraulic motor is used as a metering device.The fodder supply means may comprise a number of supply ducts each having a lower outlet end located above and closely spaced from an opposite fodder supporting wall, and a reciprocatable fodder pushing means arranged therebetween. The fodder pushing means has leading edge portions defining a concave shape and a through-going relief passage extending between the bottom of the concave shape and the trailing edge portions of the pushing means.

Abstract: A pet feeder assembly characterized by a substantially rectangular pan, a lattice member engaged with the sidewalls of the pan, and a pair of feeding bowls engaged with apertures provided through the lattice member. The lattice member has interstices large enough to permit kibble and other large size particulate matter to fall into the collection pan.

Abstract: A novel poultry watering device, and a combined watering and feeding system are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the water device or station includes a support tube, at least one water-holding cup disposed for access by poultry, and water conduit means carried by the support tube and extending from a water line to the water-holding cup. In a second embodiment, the water conduit means is suspended from a pivoting clamp arrangement beneath a feed conveyor. The system includes a plurality of discrete feeder pan units connected to the feed conveyor and disposed to present feed to the poultry. The water line can conveniently be located generally adjacent the feed conveyor. A number of water dispensing stations of the type described are also provided. These water dispensing stations have their support tubes or clamps carried by the feeder conveyor. In this way, the water dispensing stations and feed pan units are all disposed at the same level.

Abstract: A device for watering and feeding pets such as birds includes a water filled container upon which a hydroponic device is allowed to float. The container is removably connected to a mesh like structure which allows the animals to feed upon the plants without being able to reach the seeds. The device may include a portion wherein the water is readily accessible for drinking by the animals, if desired.

Abstract: An improved animal feeding and watering device comprising a timer controlled, sectioned, rotatable storage bin situated over a chute that channels animal food into a feeding bowl and a drinking water delivery system comprising a water storage tank and float controlled valve to maintain a constant supply of water.

Abstract: A plurality of animals, especially swines or hogs, which are able to move freely in the same enclosure, are fed by means of an apparatus supplying fodder at a low rate to a number of separate feeding places (11) corresponding to the number of animals in the enclosure. These feeding places may be formed by a trough (10) in which the respective feeding places are defined by partition walls (12). The bottom of the trough is separated into a supply section (15) and an eating section (16). In order to satisfy the root instinct of the animals and thereby make it possible to reduce the fodder supply rate to the respective feeding places without causing the animals to become impatient so that they tend to change feeding place, the fodder is at least partly supplied to the supply section (15) which is shaped and/or arranged so that it is uncomfortable for the animals to eat the fodder directly from the supply section but more comfortable to root the fodder to the eating section (16) before eating it.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus includes a bunk, or trough for receiving solid feed and water and animal actuated hopper means disposed over the trough. The water dispensing function is provided by a plurality of valves having operators to be actuated, preferably, by the snout of an animal and which are configured and disposed to inhibit actuation by the animal at such times as the level of liquid in the bunk exceeds a predetermined depth. The feed dispensing function is provided by the simultaneous actuation of an elongated agitator, disposed on one side wall of the hopper and in a dispensing slot in the bottom of the hopper, and a grate, disposed above the agitator and adjacent the slot and the opposite side wall of the hopper, by an agitator arm connected to the agitator and the grate, and extending downwardly into the bunk for actuation by an animal. The agitator and the grate are pivotable about a common axis to provide different radii of oscillation.

Abstract: An automatic feeding device for animals includes a housing having multiple receptacles. Each receptacle is provided with a cover movable from a closed position to an open position. Each cover includes a latch for securing the cover in the closed position. The device includes an actuating mechanism for selectively releasing the covers. The actuating mechanism is in the form of a solenoid and a plurality of fingers connected to the solenoid. The fingers are arranged relative to each other such that, upon sequential actuation of the solenoid, the fingers sequentially engage and release the latches of the covers.

Abstract: Animal food dispensing apparatus is provided which includes a tray with a plurality of food receptacles therein, upper openings generally similar in configuration, and a cover positioned over the tray with an aperture generally like the receptacle openings in configuration and size. The cover is movable among a plurality of successive positions in each of which the cover aperture is in general registration with a receptacle opening, the cover being indexed among these positions by indexing apparatus. Apparatus is provided for selective delivery of liquid to the receptacles.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder, that is usually supplied with sweet nectar and hung from above, is provided with a liquid container above it. Water, plain or containing another substance, is placed in the container, preventing ants from crawling down and reaching the feeder. The container necessarily surrounds the element suspending the feeder; the opening of the container is sufficiently large to prevent the ants from reaching the edge of the container from the suspending element, and sufficiently small to render it difficult for the birds to reach the water. In one form, the container has a funnel at the top to catch additional rain which at least partially compensates for water evaporating from the container.

Abstract: A bird feeder stand adapted to support all types of feeders and planters having a water-filled base member supporting a vertically extending support post from the center thereof. The feeders are hung from cantilevered arms while their bottoms are supported from lateral movement by adjustable brackets slidable on the support post.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically supplying food and water to an animal wherein food is introduced into a food ring mounted on a rotatable carousel, the rotation thereof being controlled by a timer. Water is introduced at timed intervals through spray nozzles for both cleaning the food ring, after the animal has eaten, and moisturizing the food prior to being eaten.

Abstract: A nipple valve-type waterer is provided for a live stock watering system. This nipple valve comprises a generally cylindrical, tubular valve body of greater diameter than a tubular, water delivery manifold. The tubular valve body is provided in two valve body halves which interfit in surrounding relation with the manifold. The manifold is provided with a pair of coaxially aligned through openings, while a through axial bore in each tubular valve body half is coaxially aligned with one of these manifold through openings as the valve body halves are fitted in surrounding relation to the manifold. The nipple valve also provides a flow path for guiding water from the supply manifold to and through the valve body, and seals are carried in the valve body for preventing leakage between the manifold and the valve where they interfit.

Abstract: A novel feeding system and feeder unit for supplying feed to hogs and like animals is disclosed. The feeding system includes a plurality of the novel feeders, and a feed conveyor adapted to deliver feed to each feeder. Each feeder comprises an immobile pan, and superstructure affixed over and to the pan. A threaded shaft is journaled so as to extend upwardly from the pan. A rotor gate is journaled over the pan and is threaded on the shaft means. Under normal conditions, the rotor gate simply turns within the pan and agitates the feed being consumed by the hogs. However, when a latch is depressed, the threaded shaft is immobilized, and rotation of the rotor gate about the immobilized shaft acts to raise and lower the rotor gate relative to the pan. This relative motion adjusts the size of at least one feed-delivery gate space defined between the rotor gate and the pan.

Abstract: The animal feeder is adapted to protect the feed from insects. It comprises a bowl which, in use, is filled with water. An arm has an upper portion, adapted to support a feed bucket, and a lower portion secured to the bowl. The arm's lower portion, in use, is submerged in the water body contained within the bowl, and the arm's upper portion extends upwardly from the surface of the water.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus includes a bunk, or trough for receiving solid feed and water and animal actuated hopper means disposed over the trough. The water dispensing function is provided by a plurality of valves having operators to be actuated, preferably, by the snout of an animal and which are configured and disposed to inhibit actuation by the animal at such times as the level of liquid in the bunk exceeds a predetermined depth. The feed dispensing function is provided by the simultaneous actuation of an elongated agitator, disposed on one side wall of the hopper and in a dispensing slot in the bottom of the hopper, and a grate, disposed above the agitator and adjacent the slot and the opposite side wall of the hopper, by an agitator arm connected to the agitator and the grate, and extending downwardly into the bunk for actuation by an animal. The agitator and the grate are pivotable about a common axis to provide different radii of oscillation.

Abstract: A moated pet feeder of the type which combines a food bowl and a water bowl; the food bowl being surrounded by a moat cavity which fills with water flowing through a substantially horizontal passage connecting the moat cavity with the water bowl to thereby form a moat which ants and other crawling insects will not cross to gain access to the food in the food bowl.

Abstract: A method of feeding hogs is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing all the hogs with all the feed they care to consume for a limited feeding period of time, and thereafter denying all feed to all the hogs for a limited feedless period of time. Preferably, weaner hogs are provided with all the feed they care to consume during three separated, limited feeding periods of approximately two hours each per day. These feeding periods are alternated with three feedless periods during which all feed is denied to all the small hogs. This feeding regime is maintained until the hogs weigh approximately 100 pounds. Thereafter, two limited feeding periods are provided each day until the hogs reach market weight. In this way, hog weight gain per day is maximized and the amount of feed consumed per pound of hog weight gained is minimized.Apparatus for carrying out this feeding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A feline cage platform having a rectangular frame with sidewalls, end walls and top surface, the bottom edges of the walls being in a common plane forming a base on which the frame rests with the top surface having recess means for accepting and securely holding removable food and water bowls and mini-litter pan, wherein the mini-litter pan includes a means to prevent scattering of litter and a means for collecting a urine sample. Such a device is useful for total care of a hospitalized feline patient.

Abstract: An animal feeder comprising a storage container for storing consumable products such as animal food; a food dispenser for dispensing the product from the container; a feed tray for receiving the dispensed product; and a control system which is periodically operated when less than a predetermined amount of product is received by the trough to drive the dispenser which dispenses product to the tray until the predetermined amount of product is again received by the tray.

Abstract: The pet feeder comprises a cabinet structure having a sloping internal partition dividing the cabinet into an upper bin for receiving food and a lower chamber. A metering cylinder is secured under an opening in the partition for receiving food for a pet. This cylinder has a circumferential slot intermediate its upper and lower ends and cooperates with upper and lower paddles vertically spaced on a common shaft and circumferentially displaced so that the lower paddle covers the bottom of the cylinder when the upper paddle is to one side of the cylinder. Rotation of the mounting shaft for the paddles causes the upper paddle to enter the circumferential slot and the lower paddle to leave the bottom of the cylinder so that the amount of food between the circumferential slot and bottom of the cylinder is metered downwardly into the chamber. A food tray is provided for receiving the food and also a water tray with a float valve is provided with access openings to the exterior of the cabinet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for dispensing feed and water for livestock which includes a container arranged to receive the feed and water and is adapted to permit access to the feed and the water by the livestock for consumption. The system further includes a feed delivery means for dispensing feed into the container and water dispensing means for dispensing water into the container means. The water dispensing means includes a delivery portion extending into the container which houses a water level sensor. A control means is arranged to actuate the feed delivery means to dispense a controlled amount of feed into the container and is also arranged to actuate the water dispensing means to dispense water into the container through the delivery portion after actuation of the feed delivery means.

Abstract: A horizontal frame member is detachably securable at selectable locations along an upright support member. The frame member includes a parametric element which detachably holds a bowl, especially a conventional animal feeding dish.

Abstract: A compact, unitary pet dish especially useful during automobile or camping trips is provided which serves as both a pet food and watering station, and is designed to minimize water spillage during road travel. The dish preferably includes walls defining a water compartment and an exterior food-receiving cavity or recess in the top thereof. A combination watering cup and carrying handle is mounted on the exterior of one compartment wall and is in communication with the interior of the compartment through a selectively openable water flow aperture. An upright wall or partition is located within the water compartment adjacent and transverse to the water flow aperture and serves, along with the recessed, food cavity-defining walls, to dampen vibration-induced movement of water within the compartment. The aperture and watering cup are also cooperatively designed so that a vacuum lock is established when the cup is filled, in order to provide a constant supply of water without overflowing the cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying feed material to animals and poultry. The apparatus has a trough located below a hopper used to store dry feed material. A plurality of legs support the hopper on the trough. A tubular member for carrying liquid, as water, extends through the hopper and is joined to an outwardly directed lateral tubular extension. The tubular member and extension is used to dispense the liquid into the trough. A drive motor rotates the tubular member to distribute the liquid around the trough and discharge the dry feed material into the trough. A control having a sensor located in the trough is operable in response to the amount of feed material in the trough to control the supply of water to the tubular member and the motor that rotates the tubular member.

Abstract: An automatic device for feeding domestic animals with liquefied food. The device comprises a canister containing powder for preparing liquefied food, a feeder connected thereto, a tank containing liquid for preparing the liquefied food, a valve for opening and closing the tank, a mixer connected to the feeder and the valve to mix the powder and the liquid therein, a pipe for supplying the mixture of the powder and the liquid to feeding plates, a 24-hour program timer for setting feeding time and an electrical control circuit for working the feeder, valve and the mixer upon receipt of a signal from the program timer.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic feeding apparatus for animals and particularly for domestic cats. The apparatus operates to provide a constant supply of food and drink respectively in a food dish and a drinking vessel. The food is automatically supplied to the food dish by means of a hopper and the liquid passes from the liquid container through a special cap into a reservoir which is in communication with the drinking vessel. The liquid container is removably mounted in clips formed integrally with the hopper and the cap includes a pivotally mounted flap arranged so that the flap can be opened when the liquid container is inserted into the clips and the cap is pressed downwardly into the reservoir.

Abstract: A two-section bird-feeder unit mounted vertically on a support pole (portions of which support pole include a fill tube as hereinafter described, a reducing slip coupling as hereinafter described, and an oblong square brace suspending a catch jar as hereinafter described).

Abstract: The invention improvements are embodied in animal feeding apparatus including a storage tank for liquid and means for a supply of dry feed in overlying vertically spaced relation to a feed tray. The apparatus features improved controls triggered by the animals which feed from the tray. The storage tank for the liquid has a discharge opening in its bottom rimmed by dependent tube structure the lower extremity of which is continuously immersed in the liquid feed provided in the tray. A hollow valve structure is mounted in the tank to normally close and seal its discharge opening. Means in connection with the dependent tube structure trigger an automatic opening of said valve when the mixture in the tray drops to a predetermined level which is above the dependent extremity of the tube structure.

Abstract: This invention is an improved insect-proof animal feeder of the type which combines the food dish with the water dish, the food dish being supported on a pillar(s) which rises out of the water in the water dish. This improved feeder uses rectangular dishes with the food dish offset from center so that the support pillar may be shortened considerably still leaving room for the animal to drink from the lower water dish.

Abstract: The invention is made up of a container made of plastic or metal. The upper part of the container is a storage unit for feed. At the bottom of the storage unit is a small opening in which rollers are located close together and are energized to let the food pass between them. The rollers are counter rotated to slowly turn and dispense the food onto a tray which will at a given weight, adjusted by a control level located in the back, dump the dry feed into a dish outside of the container. This process is triggerred by a timer that by electricity will actuate the motor driven rollers to allow them to pass the food into the tray.As the tray is being measured, water is also being released, and if desired may mixed with the food. The water is at the same time also going into a separate water container for the purpose of drinking.

Abstract: Pet feeding apparatus including a plurality of food-containing tubes, each of which is opened at spaced time intervals by a trap door held closed by the retractable plunger of an electrical relay connected in electrical series to an electrical timer. Upon receiving a signal from the timer, the plunger of the relay is retracted to allow the trap door to open by gravity to dispense pet food in one of the food tubes. Simultaneously, a solenoid valve is opened for a fixed time interval to drain water from a water tank to mix with the pet food and to supply drinking water for the pet.

Abstract: The present invention is a feed and watering device for newborn poultry having a plurality of shallow feed pans integrally formed on a circular shaped base equidistant from the center of the base and adjacent each other. A plurality of interconnected watering troughs are also formed integrally with the base between adjacent feed pans. A tank, also integrally formed with the base, is provided with a float actuated valve for maintaining the water level in each of the troughs constant.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeding apparatus including a sensory mechanism comprising two sensors in the bottom of a feeding trough which sense the absence of food in the trough and activate a means for dispensing additional food into the trough.

Abstract: The compact new animal feeder deals out rations of loose dry or wet food by the turn of a handle. Turning backward the handle shuts off the supply. This assures measured rations every time. As the feeder has a measuring trough with a round inner surface, tumbling of dry food cleans the inside of the trough. By a resilient gate, crushing of hard food is avoided, and so is fine offal, which might jam the feeder.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus particularly suitable for feeding large dogs such as Great Danes, includes a table having angularly disposed legs which support the table top in a substantially braced position above a floor surface and at a feeding level which may be chosen with reference to the normal height of the animal to be fed. Container means located in the table top provides for holding a serving of dog food in a raised position. A cover element is formed with hinge means along one edge of the table top and is movable into a position to overlie the top. The cover element is recessed to receive the container means therethrough in an upwardly projecting position when the cover is closed, and portions of the container means are engaged between the cover and top so that no displacement of the container means takes place during the feeding period.

Abstract: A pet feeder which readily converts from a solid feeder to a liquid feeder. The feeder has only two physically distinct members; i.e., a feeding tray and a container which is adaptable to holding and delivering to the feeding tray either flowable solid or liquid material.

Abstract: For transportation and storage the device is made of detachable components which are easily assembled without use of special tools. Three platforms, preferably circular, are held horizontal by at least one vertical post fitting through holes in the platforms. Fastening means engaging the post or posts hold the platforms horizontal and vertically spaced. Surrounding the two lower platforms and supported by dowels in the edges thereof are wires which function as perches. Edgings around the lower platforms prevent the contents from falling to the ground. On top of the upper platform is a pan and depending from its lower surface is a circular skirt which protects the contents of the lower platforms from being washed away by rain. The plan on the top functions as a bird bath. One of the lower platforms contains bird seed and the other gravel or other items on which birds feed. A hummingbird feeder may hang below the lowest platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in feeding or watering confined animals comprising a bracket to hold one or more feed buckets on an elevated rail member for engagement by the chest of a feeding animal, the buckets being on the opposite side of the rail from the animal. The bracket includes hoop members to support the rims of feed buckets, hook members aligned with the hoop members to fit over the top edge of a rail member, and lip members extending from the hook members beneath the hoop members for supporting buckets from below, all being rigidly connected together.

Abstract: An anti-pest variable height pet dish having a central food bowl with a pet-operable lid and an annular moat-type water trough removably or fixedly mounted around the central bowl, the moat and bowl being elevatable by means of telescopic legs or a tapered sectional pedestal having removable sections.

Abstract: An automatic pet feed dispenser is provided in the form of a feed drum rotated about a vertical spindle by a motor. The drum is divided into bins by vertical radial panels between a hub and the drum. Each bin is closed at the bottom by a hinged sector panel held in a horizontal position by a support panel having a sector shaped opening over a chute. The hinged sector panels drop as they move into place over the chute which directs dry feed into a tray. At the same time preheated water is added to the feed tray from a metering chamber. A cam actuated switch turns on a thermostat controlled heater and a cam operated valve drains the water into the tray. A float valve refills the metering chamber from a reservoir.