Adjustable Supply Patents (Class 119/53)
  • Publication number: 20120210940
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a pet pantry having storage containers for pet-related equipment, accessories, medication, or other items, and also pet food storage and dispensing. The food dispensing mechanism allows for measured food dispensing, providing volume adjustment mechanisms to dispense a desired quantity of pet food. The food dispensing mechanism is a single movement handle or button dispensing the desired quantity of food. The pet pantry is also modular allowing for adjustments to a pet owner's specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Michael S. Mahle, Craig Rubino
  • Patent number: 8201520
    Abstract: Gravity flow animal feed dispensing apparatus includes feed supply tubes depending from a bottom wall of a feed storage hopper supported by a frame elevated above ground level. Feed dispensing tubes or a plate are connected to the feed supply tubes and flow control baffles and/or a flow control valve limit the dispensation of feed. A wildfowl embodiment of the apparatus includes an access control cage disposed about the feed dispensing member. The orientation of the feed supply tubes and dispensing tubes may be varied to provide access to feed by animals of various sizes and to provide for placement of the apparatus adjacent a confinement wall or fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Rick Meritt Investments, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rick Meritt
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110297092
    Abstract: An animal feeder has a feed hopper with side walls, end walls, a bottom assembly, and an open top. Moveable gates extend below the lower edge of the side walls and are slidably mounted upon the side walls. The bottom assembly includes a feed trough under the gate in communication with the feed hopper. An adjustment mechanism allows vertical adjustment of the gate relative to the feed trough and includes an upwardly extending rod connected at its lower end to the gate and at its upper end to one end of a crank lever. The crank lever is rotatable about a pivot provided in a bracket extending perpendicularly to the end walls of the feed hopper. A pair of handles extends through a pair of slots provided in an arcuate panel attached to the bracket. Rotational movement of the handle and crank lever cause vertical adjustment of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Roy Lato
  • Patent number: 8033248
    Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • 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: 7975648
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper 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 in a course movement to move the shelf from a low height for smaller animals to a raised height for the animal after they have grown. The shelf is also adjustable in fine movement to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The lever has two pivot positions on the plate providing the two course adjustments and two graduated scales for the fine adjustment each cooperating with a respective pivot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Crystal Spring Colony Farms Ltd
    Inventor: Jonathan Kleinsasser
  • Patent number: 7963250
    Abstract: An animal feeder which is adapted to simultaneously dispense feed and liquid onto a feed material receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Joey Rey Brehmer, John Philip O'Mara, Jamie Charles Brehmer
  • Publication number: 20110079180
    Abstract: A feed distribution system has a feed supply conduit and a feeder. The conduit is configured to move feed therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit defines a longitudinal axis. The feeder has a pan and first and second fill ports for receiving the feed moving through the conduit and for providing the feed to the pan. Each port defines a first opening at which feed flows into the port from the conduit and a second opening at which feed flows out of the port and onto the pan, wherein the first and second openings of each port define centers thereof. The center of the first opening of each port is provided along the axis of the conduit. The center of the second opening of each port is offset from the center of the first opening of each port and from the axis of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: CTB, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Patent number: 7891317
    Abstract: An animal feeder for supplying a feed to an animal of choice for feeding the animal of choice in an unprotected environment such as the outdoors. The feeder comprising a base for support the feeder on a ground surface, a support frame extending upwardly from the base and a hopper supported by the frame. The hopper having a storage reservoir for storing a supply of feed with a feed entry opening that is closeable to prevent exposure to the outdoors. The hopper further including a feed chute below the reservoir having an upper region sealingly joined to the reservoir and a lower region below the upper region that is sealingly joined to a feeding chamber. The feeding chamber having a bottom surface wherein the feed supply can move from the reservoir into the feeding chamber and rest on the bottom surface based on gravity alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Sean T. Bodenstab, Ronald W. Friesen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7798098
    Abstract: The animal feeder has an elevated container, a food distributor and a collector around the distributor. Feed placed in the container exits through the container lower opening and falls onto the distributor spinner plate. When activated, the spinner plate throws the feed into a bin of the collector. The feed falls from the collector bin into a conduit, where it travels to a trough. The collector is removably coupled to the feeder to allow the feeder to dispense feed either on the ground (without the collector) or into the collector trough. The length of the conduit is adjustable to allow the trough to bear on the ground. The collector bin is provided with a transparent hatch to allow access to the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Shawn C. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100180825
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper 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 in a course movement to move the shelf from a low height for smaller animals to a raised height for the animal after they have grown. The shelf is also adjustable in fine movement to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The lever has two pivot positions on the plate providing the two course adjustments and two graduated scales for the fine adjustment each cooperating with a respective pivot position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jonathan Kleinsasser
  • Patent number: 7730851
    Abstract: An animal feeder device comprises a trough to receive water and a feed shelf to support particulate feed thereon supported spaced above the trough for accommodating access to a head of one of the animals to the trough. A feed hopper directs feed onto the shelf through a plurality of discharge chutes corresponding to respective feeding stations along the trough. Water is supplied to the trough by a level control arranged to maintain water level in relation to the trough at a set point level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Uplands Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Waldner, Michael George Waldner, Robert Jake Waldner
  • Publication number: 20100107983
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Burnell Gates
  • Publication number: 20100043714
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Publication number: 20100031891
    Abstract: A device is provided for dispensing feed to feed troughs for animals such as cows. In one embodiment, the feed troughs are separate from the frame. Furthermore, the frame may be provided with a number of storage boxes for storing a supply of feed. The storage box has an outlet. The feed can be removed from the storage box via the outlet. The device furthermore comprises a conveying device for conveying feed from the storage boxes to respective feed troughs. The conveying device comprises a receptacle or container for temporarily accommodating feed. This receptacle is movable along a guide provided on the frame. The receptacle is movable from a position downstream of the outlet of the storage box to positions upstream of the respective feed troughs. The guide comprises at least two tracks, which extend substantially parallel to one another. As a result, a stable guide for the receptacle can be provided along which the receptacle is movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventors: Howard SIE, Lucien Eliza Niels VOOGD, Karel VAN DEN BERG
  • 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: 20090320763
    Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Publication number: 20090320762
    Abstract: A sow feeder mounted at the gate of a sow stall is disclosed. The sow feeder includes a roll feed transport mechanism located at a feed discharge opening of a feed hopper so that a sow may actuate the roll feed transport mechanism by upward pushing by the snout prior to eating feed material discharged into a feed collecting trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Jung Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20090314213
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Publication number: 20090255475
    Abstract: A bird feeder (10) comprising a receptacle (12; 16) for retaining a quantity of bird feed, an aperture (24) in the receptacle (12; 16) through which, in use, feed can be dispensed, and means (28) for selectively adjusting a dimension of the aperture (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: CRANSWICK PET AND AQUATICS PLC
    Inventor: Derek James Black
  • Publication number: 20090241840
    Abstract: An animal feeder and animal feeding system is provided that utilizes radio frequency identification technology to permit animals selective access to food. The animal feeder includes a universal base containing all of the necessary control electronics including a radio frequency transceiver and antenna. A given number of pre-defined codes are associated with sets of removable dishes and transponders. The transponders are arranged for attachment to an animal. All dishes and transponders in a given set are associated with the same code and can be used interchangeably. The dishes are sized and shaped to be fit into the base, and while a given dish is disposed in the base, the dish communicates or programs the control electronics with the pre-defined code associated with the dish. Therefore, when an animal wearing a transponder from the same set as that dish approaches the animal feeder, the control electronics recognize the animal and open a lid to permit access to the food contained within the dish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Frances Kay Mills
  • Patent number: 7587990
    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: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • Publication number: 20090223456
    Abstract: A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Lynn Hunter, James Carter, Furman O'Dell, Brian K. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20090223463
    Abstract: A pet house, for providing convenient and comfortable accommodation for a pet, includes a housing and a plurality of amenities. The housing includes a surrounding wall having a lodging room for the pet accommodating therein, and a side entrance communicating with the lodging room, and a roof frame, which is supported on the surrounding wall to define the lodging room within the surrounding wall and the roof frame. The amenities, including at least one of a solar power system, a power storage, a ventilating device, a dimmer light, an audio device, a remote intercommunication system, and an outdoors shading arrangement, is provided at said pet house for providing the comfort and convenience of said pet house so as to enhance the quality of living.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Shiuan Kuen Chem
  • Publication number: 20090223457
    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: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin, Harry R. Van Horn, III, Andrew Rausch
  • Patent number: 7584716
    Abstract: A feeder assembly includes a pan and an outer grill which is operatively associated with the pan. The outer grill defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the pan. First and second inner grills can be rotated to partially mask the apertures through the outer grill in order to effectively change the width of the apertures. The inner grills are connected to one another by interlocking fingers such that rotation of one of the inner grills causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction. The inner grills are rotated by a dial member which is secured to the outer grill and which, upon rotation thereof between predetermined positions, causes rotation of the one inner grill, which in turn causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, Charles R. Bird
  • 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: 7552697
    Abstract: A device for the feeding of poultry including a bowl device comprising a feed bowl, a cupola suspending the feed bowl, and a downpipe. The feed bowl is located beneath the downpipe and the cupola is formed from grid bars. The downpipe comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder encompassing the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is guided in a rotatable, a raisable and a lowerable manner on the inner cylinder. The bowl device includes at least one lifting stop for delimiting a lifting and lowering path of the bowl. The outer cylinder and the inner cylinder is comprised in each case of adjacent cylinder sections co-axial to each other, whereby face peripheral areas of the cylinder sections turned towards each other are connected to one another by bridging elements which bridge a gap area which corresponds to an interval distance between the cylinder sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Busse
  • 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: 7530328
    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: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: CTB IP, 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: 7523717
    Abstract: An animal feeder apparatus includes a food storage hopper which includes a top hopper portion and a bottom hopper portion. A food retainer assembly is attached to the bottom hopper portion, and the food retainer assembly includes a top retainer portion, a bottom retainer portion, and top-to-bottom connection means connected between the top retainer portion and the bottom retainer portion. The top retainer portion includes a top food passage channel, and the bottom retainer portion includes a bottom food passage channel. A timer-controlled food distribution assembly is attached to the bottom retainer portion in registration with the bottom food passage channel, and a stand is provided for supporting the food storage hopper, the food retainer assembly, and the timer-controlled food distribution assembly. The animal feeder apparatus of the invention can be used to attract wildlife at predetermined times that can coincide when a hunter or wildlife photographer is near.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher T. Nicholes
  • Patent number: 7500447
    Abstract: A device for dispensing and distributing food for aquatic fauna, which can be fitted in aquariums or containers for holding live fish, but also in tanks for turtles and terrariums in general or similar, this device comprising a tank and means for pushing the food towards an outlet, in which the tank (11) is positioned in a substantially horizontal direction and houses a pusher-mixer (12 which occupies the internal space of the tank and consists of a shaft (17), equipped with a plurality of sloping blades (18) all facing in the same direction as the direction in which the food is pushed towards the dispensing outlet (13), and in which this dispensing outlet (13) presents a substantially vertical opening for the discharge of the food in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ferplast SpA
    Inventor: Carlo Vaccari
  • Publication number: 20090056634
    Abstract: An animal feeder for supplying a feed to an animal of choice for feeding the animal of choice in an unprotected environment such as the outdoors. The feeder comprising a base for support the feeder on a ground surface, a support frame extending upwardly from the base and a hopper supported by the frame. The hopper having a storage reservoir for storing a supply of feed with a feed entry opening that is closeable to prevent exposure to the outdoors. The hopper further including a feed chute below the reservoir having an upper region sealingly joined to the reservoir and a lower region below the upper region that is sealingly joined to a feeding chamber. The feeding chamber having a bottom surface wherein the feed supply can move from the reservoir into the feeding chamber and rest on the bottom surface based on gravity alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Sean T. Bodenstab, Ronald W. Friesen
  • Publication number: 20080302306
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Jonathan Kleinsasser
  • Publication number: 20080257270
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Slankard, John M. Frankovich
  • Patent number: 7415941
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding and providing water to animals, such as cows or goats, comprises a framework having a central axis. A plurality of reservoirs are connected to a framework in its upper aspects and feeding troughs are disposed below the reservoirs. At least one metering device for metering feed or drink or both to the feeding troughs is provided between the reservoirs and feeding troughs. Each feeding trough has a sensor for identifying an animal feeding at the feeding trough. The metering device which delivers feed or water or both to the feeding trough is controlled by a computer memory to deliver selected fodder from the reservoirs to each feeding trough in accordance for the nutritional needs of the animal which is at said trough. The control of the fodder relates both to the speed that the animal is eating and to data stored in the memory as to the nutrition needs of that animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lely Research Holding AG
    Inventor: Karel van den Berg
  • Publication number: 20080178816
    Abstract: Gravity flow animal feed dispensing apparatus includes feed supply tubes depending from a bottom wall of a feed storage hopper supported by a frame elevated above ground level. Feed dispensing tubes or a plate are connected to the feed supply tubes and flow control baffles and/or a flow control valve limit the dispensation of feed. A wildfowl embodiment of the apparatus includes an access control cage disposed about the feed dispensing member. The orientation of the feed supply tubes and dispensing tubes may be varied to provide access to feed by animals of various sizes and to provide for placement of the apparatus adjacent a confinement wall or fence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Rick Meritt
  • Publication number: 20080134980
    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: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin, Harry R. Van Horn, Andrew Rausch
  • Patent number: 7370605
    Abstract: Gravity flow animal feed dispensing apparatus includes feed supply tubes depending from a bottom wall of a feed storage hopper supported by a frame elevated above ground level. Feed dispensing tubes or a plate are connected to the feed supply tubes and flow control baffles and/or a flow control valve limit the dispensation of feed. A wildfowl embodiment of the apparatus includes an access control cage disposed about the feed dispensing member. The orientation of the feed supply tubes and dispensing tubes may be varied to provide access to feed by animals of various sizes and to provide for placement of the apparatus adjacent a confinement wall or fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Rick Meritt
  • Publication number: 20080029036
    Abstract: A feeder for animals which consists of a feed storage tank equipped with at least one chute at its base, through which the feed falls due to the force of gravity, and a corresponding distribution tray arranged beneath the chute of the tank and whereon the feed coming from said tank collects; the feeder also comprises a supporting body for the distribution tray, an operating lever for said distribution tray and an articulated means for the joining of the operating lever to the aforementioned supporting body, the operating lever being arranged beneath the distribution tray, where it may easily be moved by an animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: ROTECNA, S.A.
    Inventor: Gener Romeu Guardia
  • Publication number: 20070289538
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a livestock feeder where feed in a hopper is diverted to a substantially flat surface through an adjustable opening. Livestock can access the feed on the substantially flat surface by pushing open a feed gate which returns to its initial position after the opening force has been removed. The feed gate prevents contamination of the feed by rain and prevents birds from entering the hopper and eating the feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Jefford Grant Sherriff, Leonie Gwendoline Sherriff
  • Patent number: 7275500
    Abstract: A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Daisy Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: W. Grady Fort, II
  • Patent number: 7228817
    Abstract: A device for feeding poultry kept in a barn, comprises at least one food supply tube (1) which is held above the floor of the barn such as to be able to be lowered or raised, with a series of branch openings, each provided with a dish device (2) hanging on the supply tube, comprising a dropping tube extending from the branch opening and a feeding dish (4) arranged below, the dropping tube with a spoked arrangement of lattice bars (5) forming the cup of the dish. The dropping tube comprises an inner cylinder (7) leading off from the branch opening and an outer cylinder (8) surrounding the inner cylinder, from which the dish hangs by means of the lattice bars, such as to be placed on the floor of the barn in the lowered state of the food supply tube. The outer cylinder runs on the inner cylinder such as to rotate, be raised or lowered and at least one stop is provided for limiting the raising and lowering stoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Busse
  • Patent number: 7209043
    Abstract: Pet sensing is accomplished by detecting pulsed infrared light reflected from a pet worn collar or harness devised of highly reflective material. To avoid false triggering, a dual set of infrared light emitting and detecting sensor units works in conjunction with logic circuitry for reliable activation of an electrically actuated access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: James Austin Anderson, II
  • Patent number: 7107932
    Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Patent number: 7100534
    Abstract: A feed metering device for distributing fodder or drink or both as feed to animals in metered portions. The metering device is provided with a feed unit for containing the feed. An entrance door provides access to the feed unit. A feed supplying device supplies a predetermined amount of feed to the feed unit for the animal which is to be fed at the feed unit as determined by an animal identification device which is disposed at the feed unit and detects an identifying transponder on the relevant animal. The feed unit and therefore the feed therein is measured by its angular displacement relative to the device otherwise. Specifically, rolls are provided to measure the amount of pivoting or rotation relative to the device otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lely Research Holding A.G.
    Inventor: Karel van den Berg
  • Patent number: 7100533
    Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Cole, Lionel L. Kreger, James R. Kraft, Philip Wilfong
  • Patent number: 7096822
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus comprises a frame being arranged to be supported to a suitable support structure, a stationary bowl member having an open bottom end being arranged to hold feed and a rotatable plate at the open bottom end of the bowl member. An adjustment mechanism being arranged for spacing the plate from the bottom end of the bowl member such that rotation of the plate releases the feed onto the plate for feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Gilbert Hofer