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Top-fill hummingbird feeder with float valve base closure mechanism

a top-filling, hummingbird technology, applied in the field of bird feeders, can solve the problems of food level, so-called “vacuum-type” feeders also have problems, attendant risks of spillage, etc., and achieve the effect of easy top-filling

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-09-09
WOODSTREAM CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable, consumer-friendly hummingbird feeder having a liquid-holding container or bottle with a large open top for easy top filling and cleaning of the container.
[0017]Another object of the present invention is to provide a hummingbird feeder in which the liquid-holding container or bottle does not have to be inverted after filling and which does not rely on a vacuum condition in the liquid-holding container or bottle to control the flow the nectar into the feeding basin.
[0022]Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hummingbird feeder in accordance with the preceding objects, which has components that can be easily manufactured from readily available and known materials and that can be easily assembled for ease and economy of manufacture and easily disassembled and reassembled for easy cleaning and which will be sturdy and long lasting in operation and use.

Problems solved by technology

This latter style of feeder suffers from the problem that it must be refilled very often, because the level of food is constantly being reduced by the feeding.
The so-called “vacuum-type” feeders also have problems.
Ordinarily, the consumer must invert the feeder in order to refill it, with the attendant risks of spillage, and requires a certain amount of manual dexterity to create the necessary vacuum.
Moreover, because a vacuum is required, these designs are limited to a single opening for filling and cleaning.
This opening is typically small, which restricts access to the interior of the container and makes it more difficult to effectively clean the container.
Additionally, vacuum feeders can corrode or be inefficient, permitting the nectar to leak and creating an increased risk of insect contamination.
However, such prior art hummingbird modular feeders suffer the same drawbacks as discussed above.

Method used

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  • Top-fill hummingbird feeder with float valve base closure mechanism
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  • Top-fill hummingbird feeder with float valve base closure mechanism

Examples

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first embodiment

[0044]As shown in FIG. 1, a top-fill hummingbird feeder in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The feeder consists of a reservoir bottle or liquid container generally designated by reference numeral 12, a feeding basin generally designated by reference numeral 14, and a sealing or valve mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 16. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the sealing or valve mechanism 16 includes a float valve 20 configured for engagement with the lower end of the liquid container 12.

[0045]The liquid container 12 has an upstanding neck 22 forming a large opening 24 at its upper end 13 for easy filling and cleaning of the liquid container. The bottom of the liquid container forms a generally cylindrical bottleneck-shaped extension 26 with external threads 28 so that it can be screw-threaded into the mating threads of a cylindrical wall 29 of an upwardly extending cylindrical well 30 of the feeding basin 14...

second embodiment

[0057]A float valve style hummingbird feeder in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3-6 and is generally designated by reference numeral 100. The feeder consists of a reservoir bottle or liquid container generally designated by reference numeral 112, a feeding basin generally designated by reference numeral 114, and a sealing mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 116 that includes a float valve 120 and a seal plate 122 configured for engagement with the lower end 132 of the liquid container 112.

[0058]A removable top or cap 150, secured in place such as by threads 154 that mate with corresponding threads 155 inside the cap, closes off the large opening 156 at the upper end of the liquid container 112 when the cap is tightened. The cap 150 is vented to prevent a vacuum condition and allow atmospheric pressure to act on the column of nectar being fed into the feeding basin from the container in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0059]The botto...

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Abstract

A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Description

[0001]This application is entitled to and hereby claims the priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 202,508 filed Mar. 6, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is related to the field of bird feeders and, more particularly, to top-fill hummingbird feeders.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]People who live in an area inhabited by hummingbirds frequently try to promote their presence by the use of hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeders differ from ordinary bird feeders because hummingbirds feed on nectar or simulated nectar, which are liquid, instead of the dry food consumed by most birds. Simulated nectar is typically formed from water sweetened with sugar or honey. In many hummingbird feeders, the nectar (or simulated nectar) is stored in a reservoir and conveyed to simulated flowers where a perch may be provided so that the hummingbird can land and, having a long, slender beak, insert it into t...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A01K39/024A01K39/04A01K39/022
CPCA01K39/02A01K39/04A01K39/024A01K39/0206
Inventor GAUKER, ANDREWKAMERY, CHRISTOPHER J.LUBIC, MARKO KONSTANTINCRUZ, ROBERT T.
Owner WOODSTREAM CORP
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