Automatic food dispenser

Abstract

A feeder comprising: a) a base portion having a supply area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to hold a granular material inside the chamber portion; c) a dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from the chamber portion and to transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the supply area, wherein the dispenser comprises: i) a rocker body, and ii) one or more fins protruding from the rocker body, and wherein the feeder comprises one or more of: i) the fins are flexible; ii) a sensing device portion of a sensing tower is configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and / or iii) the sensing device is configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of the granular material within the supply area.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of application number 201980062082.3 (corresponding to PCT application number PCT / US2019 / 051927) with a filing date of September 19, 2019, entitled “Automatic Food Dispenser.”

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0003] Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 733,811 filed September 20, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present teachings generally relate to a feeder capable of storing a full amount of food and dispensing a predetermined and consistent amount of food. The feeder can be particularly useful for feeding one or more animals, such as a household pet. BACKGROUND

[0005] Food dispensers with rotating dispenser wheels are known for dispensing food in a predetermined portion. These food dispensers generally have a hopper in fluid communication with a rotating dispenser wheel. The rotating dispenser wheel generally has a core surrounded by a plurality of fins or vanes. The distance between the fins or vanes can contain a portion of food to be dispensed. The fins or vanes are used to prevent food from being dispensed while moving the food to be dispensed from the hopper. Exemplary food dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,964,355 and 7,597,219, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0006] One challenge associated with such food dispensers with rotating dispenser wheels is that they are generally not used for feeding livestock. These types of dispensers can be used by humans for dry food, such as kibble, and the rotating dispenser wheel can be rotated by a manual knob. A human can place a bowl or dish under the rotating dispenser wheel and manually turn the rotating dispenser wheel to dispense food from the hopper. Another challenge with rotating dispenser wheels is that the plurality of fins or vanes surrounding the core have a number of parts that can break or become clogged with food. Additionally, some of these food dispensers do not have an integrated feeding area that can be used by an animal, and incorporating a feeding area can provide a food dispenser that is too large for practical use in a home.

[0007] What is needed is a feeder usable by a domestic animal. What is attractive is a feeder that stores multiple portions of food. What is attractive is a feeder that is a multi-day feeder. What is needed is an automatic feeder that dispenses food in a predetermined amount, at a predetermined time interval, at a predetermined food level, or a combination thereof. What is needed is a feeder that automatically dispenses food from an interior to a serving area. What is needed is a feeder that is capable of monitoring a food level that is located in an interior, in a serving area, or both. What is needed is a feeder that is capable of alerting a user to one or more conditions of the feeder, the food, the animal, or a combination thereof. What is needed is a dispenser of a feeder that reduces the chance of jamming. What is attractive is a feeder that is large enough to provide a feeding space for an animal while being small enough to fit in a small area of a home, including a countertop. SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a feeder comprising: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to hold a granular material within the chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, wherein the dispenser comprises: i) a rocker body configured to partially rotate about a rotational axis, and ii) one or more fins protruding from the rocker body, wherein a distance between the rocker body and the one or more fins is adapted to receive the portion of the granular material.

[0009] The feeder of the present disclosure can include one or more of the following features in any combination: i) the one or more fins are flexible along a length of the one or more fins; ii) the one or more sensing devices are part of a sensing tower that extends at least partially through the chamber portion, and wherein the one or more sensing devices are configured to sense a presence, a distance, and / or an amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and / or iii) the one or more chute sensing devices are configured to sense a presence, a distance, and / or an amount of the granular material within the serving area.

[0010] The present disclosure also relates to a method of dispensing food with a feeder according to the teachings herein.

[0011] The present teachings can provide a feeder that can be used by a domestic animal. The feeder can include a chamber portion having a hopper that can store a multi-day supply of food portions. The feeder can include a dispenser having a rocker body and one or more fins. One or more supply cavities that form a portion of food to be dispensed can be determined by a distance between one or more surfaces of the rocker body and the fins. The dispenser can have a single fin. The fin can be flexible along its length, which can help to unblock the fin, the rocker body, the food, or a combination thereof, and prevent clogging thereof. Rather than rotating entirely around an axis of rotation, the dispenser can swing back and forth between two dispensing positions and a single resting position. The limited rotation of the dispenser can help to prevent the food, the fin, or both from clogging in the dispenser cradle, the chute, or both. The feeder can include a plurality of sensors. The sensors can sense a presence, a distance, an amount, or a combination thereof of food in the hopper, the chute, the supply area, or a combination thereof. Based on a signal detected from one or more of the sensors, the dispenser can dispense food or can be restricted from dispensing food. Based on a signal detected by one or more of the sensors, one or more status indicators can inform a user of a condition of the feeder. Additionally, the feeder can generally have a supply area located below the hopper and integrated into the housing, such that the feeder is compact enough for a living space while being large enough for an animal to use comfortably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0013] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0014] Figure 3 is a top plan view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0015] Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0016] Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0017] Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0018] Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0019] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along section B-B of Figure 7 .

[0020] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along sectionFigure 8 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 1 taken along section A-A.

[0021] Figure 10A FIG. 8 is a dispenser of the feeder in a rest position in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0022] Figure 10B FIG. 9 is a dispenser of the feeder in a dispensing position in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0023] Figure 11 FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings herein, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art are anticipated to ponder modifications close to the present teachings. The embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the present teachings. The scope of the present teachings should be measured by the broadness of the claims hereinafter as well as the full breadth of equivalents to which those claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references (including patent applications and publications) are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0025] A feeder can be any device that includes and dispenses food for consumption by an animal. The food can include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. The food can include solid food, semi-solid food, liquid, etc., or combinations thereof. The solid food can be in the form of a granular material. The animal can be any domestic animal. The domestic animal can include a dog, a cat, a pig, a rabbit, a hamster, a guinea pig, a ferret, etc., or any combination thereof. In a typical pet-owning household, the domestic animal can include one or more cats, dogs, or both. The feeder can include one or more of the following features: a housing, a base portion, a chamber portion, a hopper, an intermediate portion, a feeding cavity, a serving area, a feeding dish, a chute, a lid, one or more handles, a control panel, a dispenser, one or more sensors, a sensing tower, a drive source, a power source, or any combination thereof. The feeder can include a base portion, a chamber portion supported by the base portion, and a dispenser. The feeder can have a front portion opposite a rear portion. The front portion of the feeder can be the side of the feeder in which the feeding cavity is exposed. The feeder can have a top portion opposite a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the feeder can be the portion of the feeder that rests on a surface during normal use of the feeder.

[0026] The feeder can include a housing. The housing can be used to house one or more components of the feeder, store food within the feeder, provide a serving area in the feeder, or any combination thereof. The housing can include a base portion, an intermediate portion, a chamber portion, or a combination thereof. The housing can be a single integral piece or multiple pieces that are assembled together. For example, the base portion can be molded with or attached to a piece of the intermediate portion. The housing can include a chamber portion adjacent to and attached to the intermediate portion. The housing can include an intermediate portion adjacent to and attached to the base portion.

[0027] The housing can have a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The longitudinal axis can extend from a bottom of the feeder through a top (e.g., lid) thereof. The longitudinal axis can be centered or off-center relative to the sensing tower, the opening in the lid, the handle in the lid, or any combination thereof. The longitudinal axis can be located within and / or parallel to a center plane. The housing can be substantially symmetric or asymmetric relative to the center plane. Substantially and / or approximately can mean within a tolerance of about 1 degree, about 5 degrees, or even about 10 degrees. Substantially and / or approximately can mean within about + / - 1% or greater, about + / - 5% or greater, or even about + / - 10% or greater. The center plane can divide the housing and / or the feeder in half between a left side and a right side. Substantially perpendicular to the center plane is a transverse plane. The transverse plane can also have a longitudinal axis located therein and / or parallel thereto. The transverse plane can intersect the center plane at or spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. The transverse plane can divide the housing and / or the feeder between a front and a back.

[0028] The feeder can include a base portion. The base portion can be used to support the chamber portion and / or the intermediate portion, provide a supply area, hold a feeding utensil, house one or more power sources and / or drive sources, or any combination thereof. The base portion can be positioned adjacent to the chamber portion, the intermediate portion, or both. The base portion can be located below the chamber portion, the intermediate portion, or both. The base portion can have a shape suitable to form a feeding cavity and allow an animal to at least partially enter the feeding cavity. The base portion can be formed from an inner shell, an outer shell, a supply area, or a combination thereof. The base portion can be substantially hollow to provide an entrance to the feeding cavity. The base portion can have a shape that is generally cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, cuboid, prismatic, cubical, or the like, or any combination thereof. The base portion can have a generally cubical shape. The base portion can have one or more side walls, a bottom wall, an upper wall, any combination thereof. The base portion can have one or more, two or more, three or more, or even four or more side walls. The base portion can have a bottom wall connecting one or more side walls. The base portion can have a substantially cubical shape with only three side walls and a bottom wall. No wall can provide an entrance to the feeding cavity. Three walls can be located on two or more sides and a rear of the feeder. No wall can be located on a front of the feeder. Two opposing side walls, along with a bottom wall, can form a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The cross-section can be taken parallel to a transverse plane of the feeder. The base portion can be formed from one integral piece or separate pieces. The base portion can include an outer shell. The outer shell can serve as an exterior of the base portion. The base portion can include an inner shell. The inner shell can serve as an interior of the base portion. The outer shell can have a shape that is substantially inverted and similar to the inner shell. The inner shell can be nested inside the outer shell. The inner shell can rest at a bottom of the outer shell.

[0029] The base portion can include a bottom of the feeder. The bottom of the feeder can be adapted to rest the feeder on a surface. The bottom of the feeder can be positioned opposite the top of the feeder, opposite the lid of the feeder, or both. The surface on which the feeder is rested can include a floor, a table, a counter, or any other surface to which an animal has access and is adapted to feed. The bottom of the feeder can be substantially planar. The substantially planar bottom can be adapted to rest the bottom directly on a surface. The bottom of the feeder can include a plurality of feet. The plurality of feet can project away from the bottom, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, away from the top of the feeder, away from the bottom wall of the base portion, or any combination thereof. The plurality of feet can include two or more feet, three or more feet, four or more feet, or even five or more feet. The plurality of feet can be spaced around the bottom of the feeder. The plurality of feet can be spaced near a periphery of the bottom. The plurality of feet can be uniformly or non-uniformly spaced around the bottom opening and / or the bottom cap of the base portion. The plurality of feet can be integral with or affixed to the base portion, the housing, or both. The bottom of the feeder can include one or more non-slip surfaces. For example, if the bottom is substantially planar, the bottom can include a plurality of small rubber pads affixed thereto. As another example, each of the feet can include a non-slip material (e.g., rubber) thereon.

[0030] The base portion can include a base container. The base container can be used to house one or more power sources, communication modules, electrical connections, or combinations thereof. The base container can be located in any portion of the housing adapted to house the power sources, communication modules, electrical connections, or combinations thereof. The base container can have any suitable size and shape. The base container can be located in the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or combinations thereof. The base container can be located in the bottom of the base portion. Being located in the bottom can facilitate access while also concealing the base container during normal use of the feeder. The base container can be located below the feeding cavity, the supply area, the chute, the chute wall, or combinations thereof. The base container can be accessible through the bottom opening. The bottom opening can allow for changing one or more power sources (e.g., batteries), accessing one or more power sources for electrical connections (e.g., an AC adapter), or both. The bottom opening can be formed in the bottom of the base portion. The bottom opening can be located within a periphery of the bottom. The bottom opening can be covered by a bottom cap. The bottom cap can be used to limit access to the base container, protect any components housed by the base container, or both. For example, the bottom cap can prevent dust, liquids, and other contaminants from entering the base container. The bottom cap can be secured to the bottom of the base portion by one or more fastening mechanisms. The one or more fastening mechanisms can include one or more threaded fasteners, tabs, snaps, and the like, or any combination thereof. The base container, the bottom cap, the bottom opening, and / or combinations thereof can be positioned opposite the feeding cavity.

[0031] The feeder can include a feeding cavity. The feeding cavity can be used to house a serving area, a feeding dish, or both, provide space for a chute to distribute food into the serving area, the feeding dish, or both, provide space for an animal to eat food, or any combination thereof. The feeding cavity can be formed in a gap in the housing. The feeding cavity can be formed by a gap between the chamber portion and the base portion. The feeding cavity can be formed between the intermediate portion and the base portion. For example, the feeding cavity can be formed in a gap between a lower shell of the intermediate portion and the serving area of the base portion. The feeding cavity can be formed as an opening in a front, a back, a side, or a combination thereof, of the feeder. For example, the feeding cavity can be formed as an opening on a front of the housing that extends toward a back of the feeder but does not go all the way through. The feeding cavity can include a feeding dish therein. The feeding cavity can have any suitable dimensions in which a head of an animal can at least partially enter the feeding cavity and can access food in the serving area, the feeding dish, or both, for eating. The feeding cavity can have a width that minimizes or prevents contact between a snout of an animal and a surface of the housing while the animal is eating food. The feeding cavity can have a width of about 75 mm or greater, about 125 mm or greater, or even about 200 mm or greater. The feeding cavity can have a width of about 1,500 mm or less, about 1,000 mm or less, about 500 mm or less, or even about 250 mm or less. The width of the feeding cavity can be measured as a distance between opposing side walls of the base portion (e.g., opposing side walls of the inner housing).

[0032] The feeder can include a serving area. The serving area can be used to direct food toward the feeding dish, hold the feeding dish, provide food for consumption by the animal in an accessible manner, or any combination thereof. The serving area can be formed by any portion of the housing adapted to have the feeding dish positioned thereon and accessible to the animal. The serving area can be formed by one or more portions of the housing. The serving area can be formed in the base portion. The serving area can be formed by portions of the base portion. The serving area can be comprised of a serving wall, an outer dish, or both. A portion of the serving wall can be used to funnel food from the chute to the feeding dish. Another portion can be used to hold the feeding dish, receive food from the serving wall and / or the chute, provide an area for consumption of the food, or a combination thereof. The serving wall can be positioned adjacent to the outer dish, between the outer dish and the chute, integrated with the outer dish, or a combination thereof. The serving wall can be integrally formed with the outer dish portion. The serving wall can be formed to extend over at least a portion of the outer dish. The serving wall of the serving area can act as an extension of the chute, can have an inclined design, or both. The outer dish portion can have an inverted shape of the feeding dish. The outer dish portion can be used to hold the feeding dish and allow removal of the feeding dish (i.e., for cleaning of the dish). The outer dish portion can be bowl-shaped. Bowl-shaped can mean having a substantially cylindrical outer wall that protrudes from a dish bottom wall opposite the open end. The serving area can be positioned to facilitate delivery of food from the chute into the feeding dish, toward the front area of the feeding dish, or both. One or more portions of the serving area can be angled at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, relative to the transverse plane, or a combination thereof, toward the front of the feeder. The angle of the serving area can be any angle adapted to help direct food toward the front of the serving area. The angle can be about 90 degrees or greater, 95 degrees or greater, or even about 100 degrees or greater, relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both, of the feeder. The angle can be about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, about 130 degrees or less, or even about 120 degrees or less, relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both, of the feeder. The angle can be the angle formed between an upward facing surface (e.g., serving wall, dish bottom wall) of a portion of the serving area and the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both. The angle can be the angle facing the front of the feeder. One or more portions of the serving area can be angled at the same angle, a steeper angle, or a shallower angle than one or more other portions of the serving area or the chute. For example, an outer dish for the serving area can be angled at about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees relative to the transverse plane and angled downward toward the front of the feeder, while a serving wall of the serving area can be angled at about 110 degrees to about 130 degrees relative to the transverse plane and angled downward toward the front of the feeder. The serving area can at least partially protrude beyond a portion of a surface of the housing, or can be entirely within the housing. The serving area can protrude beyond the front, the back, the sides, or a combination thereof, of the housing.The supply area can protrude outside of the opening of the inner shell, the outer shell, or both of the base portion.

[0033] The feeder can include a feeding dish. The feeding dish can be used to hold food dispensed from the chamber portion, the hopper, the dispenser, the chute, or a combination thereof, allow access to an animal to eat the food within the dish, provide a removable feeding surface, or any combination thereof. The feeding dish can be located in the front, the back, the sides, or a combination thereof of the feeder. The feeding dish can have a shape suitable for an animal to eat food therefrom. The feeding dish can have a shape suitable for resting on and / or within the supply area, the outer dish, or both. The feeding dish can have a shape that is at least partially inverted from the outer dish of the base portion. The feeding dish can nest within the outer dish of the supply area. The feeding dish can have a shape that is substantially cylindrical, conical, cubical, cuboid, or the like, or a combination thereof. The feeding dish can be substantially bowl-shaped. The feeding dish can be located within the housing, protrude beyond the housing, or both. For example, the feeding dish can at least partially protrude beyond the front, the base portion, or both of the housing to allow easy access by an animal. The feeding dish can be angled to help food slope forward in the feeding dish, avoid food accumulation at the back of the feeding dish, or both. The angle of the feeding dish can be about 90 degrees or greater, 95 degrees or greater, or even about 100 degrees or greater, relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be about 130 degrees or less, about 120 degrees or less, or even about 110 degrees or less, relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be the angle formed between an upwardly facing surface of the feeding dish (e.g., on which food is located) and the transverse plane. The feeding dish can have a cover attached thereto. The cover can prevent access to the feeding dish, allow access to the feeding dish, or both. The cover can be removably attached to any portion of the feeder to cover the feeding dish and removable from the feeding dish. The cover can be attached to the feeder by a hinge, a spring, a linear actuator, or the like, or a combination thereof. The cover can be in communication with a drive source. The drive source can be the same or different as the drive shaft and the dispenser of the feeder. The drive source can be activated to open the cover, close the cover, or both. The cover can be in communication with one or more sensing devices, a selection interface, or both. Activation of the selection interface can open the cover, close the cover, or both. Activation of the selection interface can be done by a user (e.g., a human). Detection of a trigger device by a sensing device can open the cover, close the cover, or both. The trigger device can be a tag, a barcode, another sensor, or the like. The trigger device can be wearable by an animal. For example, a tag can be attached to a collar of an animal. The trigger device and the sensing device can communicate with each other using Bluetooth, wi-fi, radio frequency, or the like.

[0034] The feeder can include a chamber portion. The chamber portion can be configured to hold food inside the chamber, cooperate with the dispenser and / or intermediate portion to dispense food into the serving area, or both. The chamber portion can be positioned adjacent to the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both. The chamber portion can be located above the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both. Being located above the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both can allow gravity to help move food from the chamber portion to the serving area. The chamber portion can rest on top of the base portion, the upper shell, or both. The chamber portion can be supported by the base portion. The chamber portion can include a hopper, a lid, a dispenser lid, one or more openings, or combinations thereof.

[0035] The chamber portion can include a hopper. The hopper can be used to hold food, hold multiple portions of food, direct food toward the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The hopper can have any suitable shape for holding multiple portions of food, directing food toward the dispenser, allowing access by one or more sensors and / or sensor towers, or any combination thereof. The hopper can have a shape that is generally cubic, cylindrical, spherical, conical, cuboid, prismatic, cubical, or any combination thereof. For example, the hopper can have a shape similar to a trapezoidal prism. The hopper can include a single or multiple sidewalls. The one or more sidewalls can protrude from a bottom wall of the hopper toward a top of the feeder, an open end of the hopper, toward the lid, or combinations thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper can be generally planar, sloped, or combinations thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper can be funnel shaped. The bottom wall of the hopper can be sloped toward the sensing tower, the hopper opening, the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper can be sloped toward the sensing tower and continue to slope toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall can slope downward away from a front of the feeder, a sidewall of the feeder, or both to a rear of the feeder. The bottom wall can slope at any angle suitable to funnel food in the hopper toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall can slope at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis, a transverse plane, or both. The bottom wall can slope at an angle of about 100 degrees or greater, about 110 degrees or greater, or even about 120 degrees or greater relative to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The bottom wall can slope at an angle of about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, or even about 130 degrees or less relative to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The angle can be an angle facing toward a rear of the feeder. The bottom wall can have a shape that is substantially inverted from an adjacent surface of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall can have a shape that is substantially inverted from an upper shell of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall can rest on the upper shell of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall can include a hopper opening formed therethrough. The hopper opening can be used to receive the sensor tower. The hopper opening can be centered on the sensor tower, the longitudinal axis, the lid, the lid opening, or combinations thereof. The hopper opening can allow the hopper to be placed over the sensor tower, removed from the sensor tower, placed on top of the intermediate portion, or combinations thereof. When the hopper is located on the intermediate portion, a conical portion of the sensor tower can be located within the hopper opening.

[0036] The one or more side walls and the bottom wall can define a hollow interior of the hopper. The hollow interior can function as an area to receive and hold food for storage prior to dispensing to the serving area. The hollow interior can be defined by one or more of the bottom wall, the side walls, or a combination of both. The hollow interior can be defined by the volume between the bottom wall, the side walls, and the lid of the chamber portion. The volume of the hollow interior can be any volume suitable to hold multiple portions of food, preferably for multiple days of food. The volume of the hollow interior can be about 5 cups or greater, about 7 cups or greater, or even about 10 cups or greater. The volume of the hollow interior can be about 50 cups or less, about 40 cups or less, or even about 30 cups or less. The hollow interior can have a sensor tower located therein. The hollow interior can be in fluid communication with the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall can include a dispenser opening. The dispenser opening can be located proximate to, in fluid communication with, or adjacent to the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be located substantially above the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be located between the sensing tower and the rear of the hopper. The dispenser opening can allow food located within the hopper to be transferred into the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or both. The dispenser opening can be positioned adjacent to the dispenser lid.

[0037] The chamber portion can include a dispenser lid. The dispenser lid can be used to cover the dispenser cradle. The dispenser lid can be formed as part of or attached to any portion of the housing suitable to cover the dispenser cradle. The dispenser lid can be attached to the intermediate portion and the chamber portion. The dispenser lid can be attached via one or more fasteners, a snap fit, an adhesive, or the like, or any combination thereof. The dispenser lid can be integral with one or more portions of the housing. For example, the dispenser lid can be integrally formed as part of the hopper. The dispenser lid can be located on any portion of the hopper proximate to the dispenser cradle. The dispenser lid can be positioned adjacent to the dispenser opening of the hopper. The dispenser lid can be located on the same side of the feeder as the dispenser cradle. The dispenser lid can be located on the rear of the hopper. The dispenser lid can project downward from the side wall, the bottom wall, or both at the rear of the hopper. The dispenser lid can have a substantially inverted or similar shape to the cross-section of the dispenser cradle. The cross-section of the dispenser lid can be circular, square, triangular, oval, half-moon, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the cross-section of the dispenser can be half-moon or D-shaped. The cross-section can be taken in a plane parallel to the transverse plane, the central plane, or both. If the dispenser is located at the rear of the feeder, the cross-section of the dispenser lid can be taken along a plane substantially parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder. The dispenser lid can have a snap fit with the intermediate portion around the periphery of the dispenser cradle. The dispenser lid can be positioned opposite the open end of the hopper, the lid, or both.

[0038] The feeder can include a lid. The lid can be used to protect food held within the feeder, prevent contaminants from entering the hopper, limit access to the chamber portion, allow temporary access to the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The lid can be removably attached to the hopper, the sensing tower, or both of the chamber portion. The lid can rest on top of the hopper. The lid can be secured to the hopper via one or more attachments. The one or more attachments can include a friction fit, a snap fit, a locking tab, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, a perimeter of the lid can have a snap fit with a perimeter of the hopper. The perimeter of the lid can be at least partially or completely fitted inside the perimeter of the hopper. With the lid resting within the hopper, the peripheral edge of the lid is not readily accessible. Readily accessible can refer to an animal or a child attempting to lift the lid with their teeth, claws, hands, or the like through the peripheral edge, such as for curiosity or desire for food within the hopper. By reducing the readily accessibility of the peripheral edge of the lid, one or more animals or people can be prevented from accidentally or intentionally lifting the lid from the hopper. The lid can have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the hopper. Cross-sectional shape can refer to a cross-sectional shape taken substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hopper. The cross-sectional shape of the lid can be square, rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, or the like, or a combination thereof. The lid can be positioned opposite and / or adjacent to one or more walls of the hopper. The lid can be positioned generally opposite the bottom wall. The lid can receive a portion of the sensing tower. The lid can include one or more openings. The one or more openings can be formed in the lid in order to receive the sensing tower therethrough. The one or more openings can be concentric or eccentric with the sensing tower, the hopper opening, the longitudinal axis, or a combination thereof. The one or more openings can be sized to allow any portion of the sensing tower to be located therein. The one or more openings can receive an upper end of the sensing tower, a cap of the sensing tower, or both. The one or more openings can be formed in a handle of the lid.

[0039] The feeder can include a handle. The handle can be used to facilitate removal of the lid, placement of the lid, transport of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The handle can be part of the housing. The handle can be integral to or attached to any portion of the housing. The handle can be included as part of the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The handle can be included as part of the lid. The handle can be attached to or integral to the lid. The handle can be centered or off-center relative to the lid. The handle can be centered to allow receiving, engaging with, and / or locking relative to the sensing tower. The handle can have any suitable shape to allow placement of the lid from the chamber portion, removal of the lid, or both. The handle can be formed by one or more notches, protrusions, or both in the lid or another portion of the housing. The lid can be formed by opposing notches. The notches can have any suitable shape to allow gripping of the handle body. The notches can have a cross-sectional shape that can be substantially D-shaped, rectangular, or the like, or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape can be taken at a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the center plane, the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The handle body can be a surface of the housing, such as the lid, between the notches, the protrusions, or both. As an example, opposing notches can be spaced apart from each other to form a handle body therebetween. The opening of the lid can be located within the handle. The opening of the lid can be located within the handle body. A portion of the sensing tower can extend through the opening of the handle body. The lid can be locked into place by one or more locks.

[0040] The feeder can include one or more locks. The one or more locks can be any lock suitable to hold the lid in place, prevent removal of the lid by an animal, allow intentional removal and re-attachment of the lid by a user, or a combination thereof. The one or more locks can be located on the lid, the sensing tower, the hopper, or any combination thereof. The one or more locks can include one or more deflectable tabs with a snap fit, one or more spring-based locks, one or more threaded locks, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more locks can include a pinch lock with one or more springs. The one or more locks can be located near the opening in the lid, around the sensor tower, or both. One or more lock portions of the lid can engage with one or more lock portions of the sensor tower. For example, a lock portion attached to the lid can engage with the cap and / or upper end of the sensing tower.

[0041] The feeder can include an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion can be used to house one or more components therein, connect the base portion to the chamber portion, or both. The intermediate portion can be used to house or include one or more motorized components, drive sources, power sources, sensors, electronics, sensor towers, control panels, dispensers, or combinations thereof. The intermediate portion can be adjacent to the chamber portion, the base portion, or both. The intermediate portion can be located between the chamber portion and the base portion. The intermediate portion can be located between the bottom wall of the chamber portion and the open end of the base portion. The intermediate portion can include a hollow interior. The hollow interior can be referred to as a mechanical cavity. The mechanical cavity can house one or more portions of one or more motorized components, drive sources, power sources, sensors, electronics, etc., or combinations thereof. The intermediate portion can be composed of a lower shell, an upper shell, or both. The hollow interior can be formed by the lower shell generally opposite the upper shell. The lower shell can be separate from or integrally formed with the upper shell. The upper and lower shells can have a clamshell fit, thereby forming the mechanical cavity therebetween.

[0042] The intermediate portion can include an upper shell. The upper shell can be used to provide support for the chamber portion, the hopper, or both. The upper shell can be used to house a dispenser. The upper shell can be used to include a sensing tower, a control panel, a dispenser cradle, a chute, or combinations thereof. The upper shell can have a shape adapted to be positioned adjacent to and cooperate with the hopper. The upper shell can have a shape that is substantially inverted from the bottom wall of the hopper. The upper shell can taper or slope from the front and sidewalls to the back. The upper shell can have a sensing tower protruding therefrom. The upper shell can taper from the outer periphery toward the sensing tower. The upper shell can taper from the control panel toward the sensing tower, the cradle dispenser, or both.

[0043] The feeder can include one or more sensing towers. The sensing towers can be used to sense food within the chamber portion, cooperate with the lid to prevent access to the hopper, or both. The sensing towers can be part of or attached to any portion of the housing adapted to sense food within the chamber portion, cooperate with the lid, or both. The sensing towers can be located in the hopper to sense the presence and / or amount of food within the hopper. The sensing towers can be integral to or attached to the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or a combination thereof. The sensing towers can be attached to or integral to the hopper (e.g., the bottom wall), the lid, the upper housing, or a combination thereof. The sensing towers can extend upward from the upper housing, from the bottom wall of the hopper, or both, toward the lid. The sensing towers can pass through the hopper opening of the hopper. The sensing towers can extend downward from the lid toward the bottom wall of the hopper, the upper housing, the lower housing, or a combination thereof. The sensing towers can be substantially coaxial with, centered on, or off-center from the longitudinal axis of the feeder. The sensing towers can have any suitable shape for including one or more electronic components therein, holding one or more sensors, facilitating the spillage of food toward the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The sensing towers can be hollow, partially hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. Being at least partially hollow can provide space for one or more electrical connections to extend through the interior of the sensing tower toward the upper end of the sensing tower. The hollow portion of the sensing tower can be in direct communication with the mechanical cavity of the middle portion. The sensing towers can be conical, cylindrical, cubical, prismatic, or the like or a combination thereof. The sensing towers can have a continuous shape over their entire length or a combination of different shapes. The sensing towers can be conical and tapering toward the lid. The tapering can help facilitate the spillage of food toward the dispenser. The sensing towers can be cylindrical. The sensing towers can have both a conical portion and a cylindrical portion. The conical portion can be positioned adjacent to the cylindrical portion. The conical portion can taper toward the adjacent cylindrical portion. A circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from the cylindrical portion, the conical portion, or a similar portion is beneficial in not having sharp edges and providing a continuous outer surface. The continuous outer surface of the sensing towers can allow food to easily move around the sensing towers while moving toward the dispenser cradle. The sensing towers can have a free end. The free end can be the end of the sensing tower opposite the surface to which it is attached or integral. The free end can be the upper end of the sensing tower opposite the upper housing. The sensing towers can include a cap. The cap can be used to cooperate with the lid, house one or more sensors, house one or more status indicators (e.g., lights), protect one or more electronic components, limit access to the sensing tower, or a combination thereof. The one or more status indicators within the cap can work with the one or more sensing devices. The one or more status indicators within the cap can indicate the status of food within the hopper, such as a fill level. The one or more status indicators can have a light and / or color visible through the cap at the lid.The cap can be located on the sensing tower closest to the lid, opposite the upper housing, at the free end of the sensing tower, or any combination thereof. For example, the cap can be located on the cylindrical portion at the upper end of the sensing tower. The cap can be retained to the sensing tower by one or more threads, a friction fit, a snap fit, etc., or any combination thereof. The cap can reside at least partially within the opening of the lid. The cap can engage with one or more locks of the lid. The cap can include one or more lock engagement features that mate with one or more locks of the lid.

[0044] The feeder can include one or more sensing devices. The one or more sensing devices can be used to sense the presence, distance, amount, or a combination thereof of food in the chamber portion, the intermediate portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices can be part of a sensing tower. The one or more sensing device portions of the sensing tower can be referred to as one or more tower sensors, hopper sensors, or both. The one or more sensing devices can be attached to the sensing tower at the upper end, between the upper end of the sensing tower and the cap, within at least a portion of the interior of the sensing tower, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices located at the upper end of the sensing tower, toward the top of the hopper, adjacent the cover, or a combination thereof can be particularly advantageous for providing optimal sensing presence (i.e., line of sight) of the entire hopper. The one or more sensing devices can be configured to sense the presence of food in the chute, the supply area, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices configured to sense the presence of food in the chute, the supply area, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof can be referred to as one or more chute sensing devices, chute sensors, or both. The one or more sensing devices can be located above the chute, the supply area, the supply wall, the outer dish, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices can be attached to the drive source, the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or a combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices can be part of the control board. The one or more sensing devices that sense the presence or absence of food in the chute, the supply area, the supply wall, the outer dish, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof can be referred to as one or more chute sensors. The one or more sensors can be configured to transmit one or more signals to one or more control boards, processors, controllers, communication modules, computing devices, or a combination thereof based on the food being sensed. The one or more signals from the one or more sensors can be converted to one or more status signals by the one or more control boards, controllers, processors, communication modules, computing devices, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors can be any type of sensor suitable for detecting, monitoring, or both detecting and monitoring the food level in the hopper, the chute, the supply area, or a combination thereof. The one or more sensors can include one or more mass sensors, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, film sensors, radio frequency (RF) admittance sensors, conductive sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, or a combination thereof. Based on the signals from the one or more sensors, the control panel can provide a status to a user; the drive source can initiate rotation and food dispensing by the dispenser; rotation of the drive source or the dispenser can be prevented, or any combination thereof. For example, if the chute dispenser senses that the feeding dish, the supply wall, or the chute is out of food, the signals from the one or more chute dispensers can initiate food dispensing by the drive source and the dispenser. As another example, if the chute sensor senses food located within the chute, the signals from the chute sensor can prevent rotation of the dispenser.The presence of food in the chute can mean that another serving of food is not needed in the feeding utensil because the previous serving can not have been consumed. As another example, if one or more sensors detect that the food in the hopper is below a certain volume, that there is no food in the hopper, or both, the signals from the one or more sensors can cause the one or more status indicators to notify a user to refill the hopper.

[0045] The feeder can include a dispenser cradle. The dispenser cradle can be used to house the dispenser, cooperate with the dispenser and / or the chute to direct food towards the serving area, or a combination of both. The dispenser cradle can be formed in any portion of the housing that is suitable to house the dispenser and allow the dispenser to move food from the hopper portion into any portion of the serving area. The dispenser cradle can be formed in the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle can be formed as part of the upper shell, the lower shell, or both. The dispenser cradle can be located in the front, the back, the sides, or a combination thereof of the feeder. For example, the dispenser cradle can be formed as part of the upper shell in the back of the feeder. The dispenser cradle can extend from the upper shell towards the bottom of the feeder. The dispenser can be included therein. The dispenser cradle can have any suitable shape for holding the dispenser. The dispenser cradle can have a cross-sectional shape that can be circular, oval, square, triangular, trapezoidal, or the like, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle can have a shape similar to a semicircle. The dispenser cradle can have an inverted shape of at least a portion of the dispenser, such as the rocker body. The cross-section of the dispenser cradle can be taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder, parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The dispenser cradle can be formed by the surface of the upper wall. The dispenser cradle can be formed by a portion of the upper wall that is tilted at a different angle than the rest of the upper wall. The dispenser cradle can be formed by one or more portions of the upper wall that are referred to as serving walls. The one or more serving walls can be angled downward to form the cross-sectional shape of the dispenser cradle. The one or more serving walls can be opposite each other. The one or more serving walls can have a generally C-shape or U-shape. The serving walls can transition into the chute. The opposite serving walls can be spaced apart from each other at the lower end of the dispenser cradle. The space between the serving walls can be referred to as the dispenser outlet. The dispenser outlet can be where the dispenser cradle fluidly communicates with the chute and transitions into the chute. The chute can be formed on the surface of the upper shell that is opposite the sensing tower.

[0046] The feeder can include a chute. The chute can be used to direct food from the chamber portion, the hopper, the dispenser, or a combination thereof to the base portion, the feeding cavity, the serving area, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof. The chute can be in communication with the chamber portion. The dispenser can be between the chute and the chamber portion. The chute can receive food from the dispenser. The chute can be attached to or a part of the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The chute can be attached to or integral with one or more shells of the middle portion. The chute can be integral with the upper shell. The chute can extend from the dispenser cradle, one or more serving walls, or both. The chute can be configured to direct food toward the serving area. The chute can direct food toward the serving area by way of gravity. The chute can include a chute wall, a plurality of side walls, and a chute opening. The chute wall can be between two opposing side walls. The chute wall can face the serving area. The opposing side walls can extend from the chute wall. The opposing side walls can be generally orthogonal to the chute wall. The chute wall and the opposing side walls can form a chute channel. The chute channel can have any suitable shape for food to pass therethrough, such as a C-shaped channel. At the end of the chute channel is the chute opening. After being dispensed from the dispenser, the food can travel through the chute channel and the chute opening into the serving area. The chute can be at least partially over the serving area. The chute can be in contact with a portion of the serving area. The chute can be in contact with the serving wall. The chute can abut and / or overlap the serving wall. For example, the chute wall can overlap the serving wall such that food can travel via the chute wall and continue via the serving wall. The chute can protrude into the feeding cavity. The chute can be angled at any angle suitable for the food to overcome friction between the food and one or more surfaces of the chute. The chute can be angled toward the serving area, downward to the bottom of the feeder, toward the front of the feeder, away from the back, or any combination thereof. The chute can be angled at the same or different angle as the serving wall, the outer dish, the feeding dish, or a combination thereof. For example, the chute wall can be positioned at substantially the same angle as the serving wall. The chute can be angled about 90 degrees or greater, 95 degrees or greater, or even about 100 degrees or greater relative to a longitudinal axis, a transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, about 130 degrees or less, or even about 120 degrees or less relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be an angle formed between an upwardly facing surface of a portion of the serving area (e.g., the serving wall, the dish bottom wall) and the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both. The angle can be an angle facing the front of the feeder. The chute can extend from the back of the upper shell toward the lower shell under the lower shell, under the dispenser cradle, under the dispenser, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The middle portion can include a lower shell. The lower shell can be used to cooperate with the upper shell to form a mechanical cavity suitable for containing one or more components therein. The lower shell can work with the base portion to form a feeding cavity. The lower shell can have any suitable shape for forming a mechanical cavity with the upper shell. The lower shell can be attached to or integral with the upper shell. The lower shell can be located between the base portion and the upper shell. The lower shell can have one or more portions with a steeper slope than the slope of the upper shell. The slope can allow the mechanical cavity to be formed large enough for the one or more components to fit therein. The lower shell can resemble a partial bowl shape. The lower shell can have a cross-sectional shape resembling an L-shape, a C-shape, or the like, or combinations thereof. The cross-sectional shape can be taken parallel to the central plane. The lower shell can slope downward from the hopper, the control panel, or both at the front of the feeder toward the food chute, the serving area, or both. The lower shell can form or include a control wall. The control wall can help control the flow of food from the chute toward the feeding dish. The control wall can reduce the height of the total food flow from the chute such that the food flow can be delivered into the feeding dish in a controlled manner. The control wall can protrude downward toward the base portion, toward the bottom of the feeder, toward the serving area, toward the serving wall, or combinations thereof. The control wall can be located at the front of the chute (e.g., closer to the front of the feeder). The control wall can be parallel, perpendicular, or at any angle therebetween with respect to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, the central plane, or combinations thereof. For example, the control wall can protrude downward toward the serving area that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the transverse plane.

[0048] The feeder can include a control panel. The control panel can be used to allow a user to select one or more functions and / or operations of the feeder, provide a status of the feeder to the user, or any combination thereof. The control panel can be attached to or part of any portion of the housing. The control panel can be located on the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The control panel can be located at the front of both the upper shell and the lower shell. The upper shell and the lower shell can have control panel housings formed therein. The control panel housings can be part of the upper shell and the lower shell that inverts at least the periphery of a portion of the control panel (e.g., a bezel). The control panel can be located at the front, the back, the sides, the top, or any combination thereof of the feeder. The control panel can include one or more selection interfaces, status indicators, bezels, or any combination thereof. The bezel can hold the control panel in place relative to the housing. The bezel can provide an attractive aesthetic for the control panel. The bezel can be held to the housing by one or more fasteners, a snap fit, a friction fit, an adhesive, or any combination thereof. The bezel can include a bezel opening therethrough. The bezel opening can provide access to one or more selection interfaces, status indicators, or both.

[0049] The feeder can include a selection interface. The selection interface can be configured to allow a user to initiate, pause, and / or stop one or more operations of the feeder. The one or more operations can include activating rotation of the dispenser, stopping rotation of the dispenser, powering on the feeder, powering off the feeder, and the like, or combinations thereof. The selection interface can be in electrical communication with the dispenser, the power source, the drive source, or combinations thereof. The selection interface can include one or more buttons, switches, joysticks, knobs, and the like, or combinations thereof. The selection interface can be in electrical communication with one or more status indicators, processors, controllers, communication modules, drive sources, and the like, or any combination thereof. The selection interface can include one or more of a power switch, a dispensing button, a pause or stop button, and the like, or combinations thereof. The power switch can turn the feeder on, turn the feeder off, or both. The dispensing button can cause the drive source to drive the dispenser from one or more rest positions into one or more dispensing positions. The pause or stop button can cause the drive source to return the drive dispenser from a dispensing position to a rest position, prevent the dispenser from moving to a dispensing position and / or rest position, or combinations thereof. Selection from the status interface can cause a status indicator to illuminate, turn off, display information on a screen, or combinations thereof. The feeder can include one or more status indicators. The one or more status indicators can be used to inform a user of a status, function, operation, or combinations thereof of the feeder. The one or more status indicators can include one or more lights, screens, and the like, or both. The one or more status indicators can be in electrical communication with the selection interface, one or more sensors, controllers, processors, communication modules, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0050] The feeder can include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers can be used to receive one or more signals, transmit one or more signals, control operation of one or more components of the feeder, or combinations thereof. The one or more controllers can be in communication with one or more sensors, selection interfaces, status indicators, drive sources, power sources, or combinations thereof. The one or more controllers can be adapted to receive one or more signals from one or more sensors. The one or more controllers can be in communication with one or more sensors. The one or more controllers can be in electrical communication with one or more sensors. The one or more controllers can interpret one or more signals from one or more sensors as one or more status signals. The one or more controllers can reside within or be in communication with the feeder. The one or more controllers can be located within the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers can include one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or combinations thereof. The one or more controllers can be in communication with and / or include one or more communication modules. The one or more controllers can include one or more processors.

[0051] The feeder can include one or more communication modules. The one or more communication modules can allow the waste device to receive and / or transmit one or more signals from one or more computing devices, be integrated into a network, or both. The one or more communication modules can have any configuration that can allow one or more data signals from one or more controllers to be relayed to one or more other controllers, communication modules, networks, computing devices, processors, etc., or any combination thereof, located outside of the feeder. The one or more communication modules can include one or more wired communication modules, wireless communication modules, or both. The wired communication modules can be any module capable of transmitting and / or receiving one or more data signals via a wired connection. The one or more wired communication modules can communicate via one or more networks via a direct wired connection. The wired connection can include a local area network wired connection through an Ethernet port. The wired communication modules can include a PC card, a PCMCIA card, a PCI card, etc., or any combination thereof. The wireless communication modules can include any module capable of transmitting and / or receiving one or more data signals via a wireless connection. The one or more wireless communication modules can communicate via one or more networks via a wireless connection. The one or more wireless communication modules can include a Wi-Fi transmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a radio frequency transmitter, an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transmitter, etc., or any combination thereof. The Wi-Fi transmitter can be any transmitter compliant with IEEE 802.11. The communication modules can be single band, multi-band (e.g., dual band), or both. The communication modules can operate at 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz, etc., or any combination thereof. The communication modules can communicate directly with one or more other communication modules, computing devices, processors, or any combination thereof, via one or more networks with one or more other communication modules, computing devices, processors, or any combination thereof, or both, or any combination thereof.

[0052] The feeder can include a drive source. The drive source can be used to apply one or more dispensing forces, apply one or more return forces, move the dispenser between one or more rest positions and one or more dispensing positions, or a combination thereof. The drive source can be in rotational communication with the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The drive source can drive the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof in one or more dispensing directions, one or more return directions, or a combination thereof. The drive source can apply a first direction torque, a second direction torque, or both to the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The first direction torque can be in a first dispensing direction, a second return direction, or both. The first direction torque can cause the dispenser to move from a rest position to a first dispensing position, from a second dispensing position to the rest position, or both. The second direction torque can be in a second dispensing direction, a first return direction, or both. The second direction torque can cause the dispenser to move from a rest position to a second dispensing position, from a first dispensing position to the rest position, or both. The drive source can be a motor or other power source. The drive source can be an electric motor, a pneumatic power source, a hydraulic power source, another power source, or a combination thereof. The drive source can be in electronic communication with one or more power sources.

[0053] The feeder can include a drive shaft. The drive shaft can be used to transfer torque from the drive source to the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. The drive shaft can be in rotatable communication with the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The drive source can rotate the drive shaft. The drive shaft can rotate in a first direction by applying a first direction torque. The drive shaft can rotate in a second direction by applying a second direction torque. The drive shaft can pass through the dispenser, the adapter shaft, or both. The drive shaft can directly or indirectly engage the dispenser. The drive shaft can engage the adapter shaft. For example, the drive shaft can rotatably engage and be received within a hollow interior of the adapter shaft, and the adapter shaft can rotatably engage and be received within a shaft cavity of the dispenser. The drive shaft can have a friction fit with the adapter shaft. The drive shaft can have one or more engagement features that engage one or more mating engagement features of the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. For example, the drive shaft can have one or more splines that mesh within one or more grooves of the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. The drive shaft can extend through a control panel of the feeder. The control panel can not be in rotational engagement with the drive shaft, the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof when the drive shaft passes through the control panel. For example, an outer diameter of the drive shaft can be less than an inner diameter of an opening of the control panel. The drive shaft can be located in a chamber portion, an intermediate portion, a base portion, or a combination thereof. The drive shaft can be located in the same or different portion of the housing as the drive source. The drive shaft can be located in the mechanical cavity of the housing, the dispenser cradle, or both.

[0054] The feeder can include an adapter shaft. The adapter shaft can be used to transmit torque from the drive source, the drive shaft, or both to the dispenser. The adapter shaft can be in rotatable communication with the drive source, the drive shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can receive torque in a first direction, torque in a second direction, or both from the drive source, the drive shaft, or both. The adapter shaft can transmit torque in a first direction, torque in a second direction, or both from the drive source, the drive shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof to the dispenser. The adapter shaft can receive at least a portion of the drive shaft. The drive shaft can be coaxial or off-center relative to the adapter shaft. The drive shaft can be located externally around the adapter shaft, or the drive shaft can be received within at least a partially hollow interior of the adapter shaft. The adapter shaft can be located within or around a portion of the dispenser. The adapter shaft can be at least partially located within a shaft cavity of the dispenser. The adapter shaft can be centered or off-center relative to the shaft cavity. The adapter shaft can have one or more engagement features for rotatably engaging, mating, and / or meshing with the drive shaft, the dispenser, or both. The one or more engagement features can include an outer diameter and / or an inner diameter that results in a friction fit, one or more splines, grooves, or both around an outer surface, an inner surface, or both, or any combination thereof. The one or more engagement features can also include a cross-sectional shape of the adapter shaft that results in rotational engagement. The cross-sectional shape can take the form of a triangle, a square, an oval, a rectangle, a D-shape, a B-shape, a V-shape, or the like, or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape can refer to a cross-section of the adapter shaft taken parallel to a central plane of the feeder, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, or both. The adapter shaft can be positioned adjacent to the control panel. The adapter shaft can include a disc surface. The disc surface can protrude from the adapter shaft like a flange. The disc surface can protrude in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The disc surface can have a cross-sectional shape that is square, rectangular, oval, circular, or the like, or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape of the disc surface can be taken along a cross-section generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The disc surface can be adjacent to the control panel, the dispenser, or both. The disc surface can be located between the control panel, the drive source, or both and the dispenser. The adapter shaft can not be in rotational engagement with or even attached to the control panel. The adapter shaft can be located in the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can be located in the same or different portions of the housing as the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can be located in the mechanical cavity of the housing, the dispenser cradle, or both.

[0055] The feeder can include a dispenser. The dispenser can be used to separate a portion of the food from the chamber portion, to transfer a portion of the food from the chamber portion to the base portion, or both. The dispenser can be particularly advantageous for food that is in the form of a granular material. The dispenser can be located in any portion of the housing that is adapted to separate the food from the chamber portion and transfer the food to the supply area. The dispenser can be located between the chamber portion and the base portion, within the intermediate portion, or both. The dispenser can be located within the dispenser cradle. The dispenser can be configured to dispense a predetermined amount of food from the chamber portion to the supply area. The dispenser can include a rocker body, one or more fins, a fin channel, a shaft cavity, or a combination thereof. The dispenser can be in rotational engagement with a drive source, a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or any combination thereof. The dispenser can be configured to rotate in multiple directions, such as a first direction and a second direction. Rotation in the first direction can move the dispenser from a rest position to a first dispensing position, from a second dispensing position to the rest position, or both. Rotation in the second direction can move the dispenser from the rest position to the second dispensing position, from the first dispensing position to the rest position, or both. The rocker body of the dispenser can pass through which receives the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or both.

[0056] The dispenser can include a rocker body. The rocker body can be used to rotationally engage the dispenser with a drive source, rotate one or more fins, cooperate with one or more fins to form a supply cavity, cooperate with one or more fins and / or a hopper surface to allow and / or restrict food from entering a chute, or any combination thereof. The rocker body can be located between the chute and the hopper. The rocker body can be located within a dispenser cradle. The rocker body can have any suitable shape for cooperating with a drive source, one or more fins, a hopper, a chute, or a combination thereof. The rocker body can have an at least partially cylindrical shape. The rocker body can have a shape similar to about one-half of a cylinder. The rocker body can have a cross-section that can be D-shaped, half-moon shaped, W-shaped, or the like, or a combination thereof. The cross-section can be taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the feeder, parallel to a transverse plane of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The cross-section can be substantially similar to a D-shape or a half-moon shape. The rocker body can have a size suitable to restrict entry into the dispenser cradle, allow only food located within a supply area to pass through the dispenser cradle, or both. A width of the rocker body can be about equal to or less than a width of the dispenser cradle. The width of the rocker body can still allow the rocker body to rotate within the dispenser cradle. A difference between the width of the rocker body and the dispenser cradle can be less than a typical size of a piece of kibbled food material. The width of the rocker body and the dispenser can be measured as a total width (e.g., diameter). The width of the rocker body can be between about 80% or more, 90% or more, to about 95% or more of the width of the dispenser cradle. The width of the rocker body can be about 100% or less, about 98% or less, or even about 96% or less of the width of the dispenser cradle. The rocker body can be hollow, partially hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. The rocker body can be substantially solid along its length. The rocker body can have a hollow portion. The rocker body can have a shaft cavity formed therein. The shaft cavity can extend partially or completely from one end to an opposite end of the rocker body. The shaft cavity can be generally centered with the entire dispenser. The shaft cavity can be offset relative to the rocker body. The shaft cavity can be offset from and spaced away from an outer surface of the rocker body. The shaft cavity can be offset and spaced closer to a fin, a fin channel, or both than the outer surface of the rocker body. The shaft cavity can include a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or both located therein. The shaft cavity can have a shape that is an inverse of a shape of the adapter shaft, the drive shaft, or both. The shaft cavity can include one or more engagement features that engage, mesh, or mate with one or more engagement features of the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or both. The rocker body can be configured to rotate at least partially in one or more directions, such as when driven by a drive source, a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or a combination thereof. The one or more directions can be opposite directions, a first direction, a second direction, or a combination thereof. An axis of rotation of the rocker body can be coaxial, concentric, or eccentric to an axis of rotation of the drive source, the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation can extend through the shaft cavity. The rocker body can have one or more fins protruding therefrom.One or more fins can be integral with or separate from the rocker body. The rocker body can have one or more fin engagement features. The one or more fin engagement features can be used to cooperate with the one or more fins. The one or more fin engagement features can include one or more channels, slots, brackets, hinges, etc., or any combination thereof, to allow the one or more fins to be attached to the rocker body. The channel can be formed along at least a portion or all of the length of the rocker body. The channel can be formed along an outer surface of the rocker body closest to the shaft cavity. The channel can follow the shaft cavity (e.g., parallel to the shaft cavity) along the entire length of the rocker body. The channel can have any suitable shape for receiving and / or engaging with an end of a fin. The channel can have a shape substantially inverse to a portion of the fin (e.g., an attachment end of the fin). The channel can be V-shaped, T-shaped, etc., or combinations thereof. For example, the rocker body can include a fin channel that is a T-shaped slot along the length of the rocker body. The fin channel can receive an attachment end of a fin therein.

[0057] The dispenser can include one or more fins. The one or more fins can function to separate a portion of the food from the chamber portion, prevent the food from entering the dispenser, cooperate with the rocker body to form the serving cavity, or a combination thereof. The one or more fins can function with a portion of the rocker body to form a predetermined serving amount within the serving cavity. The one or more fins can include a single fin or multiple fins. A single fin can be advantageous in allowing the dispenser to dispense food without having to rotate a full 365 degrees. A single fin can be advantageous because having only one flexible component relative to the rocker body, the fin is less likely to be damaged or clogged over time and use of the feeder. A single fin can be advantageous in allowing the dispenser to rotate (e.g., swing) back and forth between the first dispensing position and the second dispensing position. The one or more fins can be rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or a combination thereof. The one or more fins can be flexible along a length of the one or more fins. The flexibility of the fin can be advantageous in allowing the fin to scrape along the serving wall of the dispenser cradle when transitioning to a dispensing position, push the food towards the chute when moving towards a dispensing position, or both. The flexible fin can also prevent clogging of the dispenser when rotating to or from one or more dispensing positions. The one or more fins can be attached to or integral with the rocker body. Rotational movement of the rocker body causes the one or more fins to rotate about the same rotational axis. The one or more fins can be attached to the rocker body at an attachment end. The attachment end can have a shape that is an inverse of the engagement feature of the rocker body. The attachment end can have a shape that is an inverse of the channel of the rocker body. For example, the attachment end can be a “T” shape. The attachment end can reside with and engage in the fin channel of the rocker body. Opposite the attachment end of the fin is a free end. The fin can also be hingedly attached to the rocker body. The fin can be hinged, stationary, or both relative to the rocker body. Stationary can refer to the fin moving with the rocker body while still maintaining flexibility. The height of the fin can be the distance from the attachment end to the free end. The height of the fin can allow the free end to be in contact or not in contact with the serving wall, a portion of the hopper, a portion of the housing, a portion of the chute, or a combination thereof. The height of the fin can be about equal to or less than half of the width, radius, or both of the rocker body, the dispenser, the serving wall cross-section, or a combination thereof. The fin can have a length. The length of the fin can be measured as the distance from an end of the fin closest to the rear of the feeder to an end of the fin closest to the front of the feeder, substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the dispenser, or both. The length of the fin can be greater than, about equal to, or less than the length of the rocker body. The fin, together with the rocker body, can define one or more serving cavities.

[0058] The one or more fins can be continuous or discontinuous. Continuous can mean that the fin is a one-piece material from one end to the other end without any interruptions (e.g., cutouts or notches). Discontinuous can mean that the fin has one or more cutouts, notches, slits, or a combination thereof. The fin can have one or more slits. The one or more slits can provide flexibility to the fin while allowing the material to still be strong enough to push food from the cavity (e.g., hopper) toward the chute. The one or more slits can help prevent damage to the fin, clogging of the fin, or both during rotation between dispensing positions. The one or more slits can extend partially, fully, or both partially and fully from the free end to the attached end, the axis of rotation, the dispenser body, the height of the fin, or a combination thereof. The height of the fin can be measured as the distance from the free end to the attached end of the fin. The one or more slits can extend about 10% or more, about 25% or more, about 50% or more, or even about 60% or more of the height of the fin. The one or more slits can extend about 100% or less, about 90% or less, about 85% or less, or even about 80% or less of the height of the fin. For example, the fin can extend from the free end toward the attached end about 60% to about 90% of the height of the fin. For example, the fin can extend from the free end toward the attached end about 70% to about 80% of the height of the fin. The one or more slits can be positioned along any length of the fin. The length can be the distance of the fin parallel to the axis of rotation, from the front to the back of the feeder, along the length of the attached end, along the length of the free end, or any combination thereof. The one or more slits can be located at about a quarter of the length, a third of the length, half of the length, two-thirds of the length, ½ of the length, two-thirds of the length, any distance in between, or a combination thereof. For example, one slit can be located at about half of the length of the fin extending from the free end toward the attached end. The one or more slits can have a width. The width of the slit can be measured along (e.g., parallel to) the length of the fin. The width of the slit can be about 1% or greater, 2% or greater, 3% or greater, 4% or greater, or even about 5% or greater of the total length of the fin. The width of the slit can be about 15% or less, about 12% or less, about 10% or less, or even about 8% or less of the total length of the fin. The width dimension of the slit can be less than or equal to the size of a typical pet food. By making the width of the slit smaller than the granules of pet food, the slit does not allow the food to pass through and thus remains in the hopper cavity rather than being pushed toward the chute and supply cavity.

[0059] The dispenser can include one or more supply cavities. The one or more supply cavities can be used to define a serving of food to be delivered from the hopper to the supply area. The supply cavities can be gaps formed between the rocker body and the fin. The fin can be angled from an adjacent surface of the rocker body to form the supply cavities. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body can be an acute angle, a right angle, or an obtuse angle. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body can be about 30 degrees or greater, about 50 degrees or greater, about 60 degrees or greater, or even about 65 degrees or greater. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body can be about 110 degrees or less, about 90 degrees or less, about 80 degrees or less, or even about 75 degrees or less. The angle between the fin and the rocker body can be selected to result in the dispenser dispensing a particular supply volume of food with each dispensing rotation. The supply cavities can have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially V-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, or the like, or combinations thereof. The cross-section can be taken substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The cross-sectional shape can be along a portion of the dispenser, rocker body, fin, or combinations thereof, or along the entire length of the dispenser, rocker body, fin, or combinations thereof. The supply cavities can have a supply volume when rotated to a dispensing position such that the supply cavities are enclosed by the supply wall. The supply volume can be any volume sufficient to feed an animal. The supply volume can be about 0.0625 cups or greater, about 0.125 cups or greater, about 0.25 cups or greater, or even about 0.5 cups or greater. The supply volume can be about 2 cups or less, about 1.5 cups or less, or even 1 cup or less.

[0060] The dispenser can be configured to move between one or more dispensing positions and one or more rest positions. The one or more dispensing positions can be used to deliver food from the chamber interior to the supply area, to block additional food from entering the dispenser, or both. The one or more rest positions can be used to prevent food from being delivered from the chamber interior to the supply area. The one or more dispensing positions can include a single dispensing position or multiple dispensing positions. The multiple dispensing positions can include two or more dispensing positions. The two or more dispensing positions can include a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position. The dispenser can be rotated from the rest position to the one or more dispensing positions. The dispenser can be rotated about an axis of rotation. The rotation of the dispenser can be initiated by a drive source. The dispenser can be rotated in a first direction, a second direction, or both. The first direction can be a clockwise direction (i.e., when viewed from the rear of the feeder). The second direction can be opposite the first direction. The second direction can be a counterclockwise direction (i.e., when viewed from the rear of the feeder). The dispenser can be rotated about 60 degrees or more, about 70 degrees or more, about 80 degrees or more, about 90 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more from the rest position to the dispensing position. The dispenser can be rotated about 170 degrees or less, about 160 degrees or less, about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, or even about 130 degrees or less from the rest position to the dispensing position. The dispenser can be returned from the dispensing position to the rest position. The dispenser can not move from one dispensing position to another dispensing position without first returning to the rest position. In the rest position, the rocker body can block the path from the hopper to the chute. In the rest position, the fins can protrude into the hopper, into the chamber interior, out of the dispenser rocker, away from the chute, or a combination thereof. In the rest position, the fins can protrude into the hopper at an angle that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the feeder. In the rest position, food located within the hopper and closest to the dispenser can rest on the dispenser, on the rocker body, between the rocker body and the fins, in one or more supply cavities, or a combination thereof. In the dispensing position, the dispenser body can be rotated such that the fins are rotated away from the hopper and toward the chute. In the dispensing position, the supply cavities can be rotated to be in direct communication with the chute. In the dispensing position, the rocker body can be at least partially located above the dispenser rocker, block at least some food from entering the dispenser rocker, or both. In the dispensing position, the fins can be located within the dispenser rocker, in contact with the supply wall, or both. Rotation from the rest position to the dispensing position results in the separation of food within the supply cavities from food within the hopper. As the fins are rotated toward the supply wall, toward the chute, past the bottom wall of the hopper, and / or in contact with the supply wall, the fins separate the food of the supply cavities from the food in the hopper. The fins further block additional food from entering the supply cavities as the dispenser is rotated to the dispensing position. In the dispensing position, food located within the supply cavities falls into the chute via gravity, force exerted by the fins, or both. After food is dispensed into the chute, the dispenser is rotated back to the rest position.To return to the rest position, the dispenser is rotated in the opposite direction by the drive source. For example, if the dispenser is rotated in a first direction toward the chute and into the first dispensing position, the dispenser is rotated in a second, opposite direction away from the chute and back to the rest position. The fins can or can not pass the chute when transitioning from the dispensing position to the rest position.

[0061] The feeder can be composed of one or more materials. The one or more materials can be any material suitable for being shaped (e.g., molded) into individual components of the feeder, having food placed thereon and then consumed, or both. The one or more materials of the housing can be composed of a polymeric system. The polymeric system can be a thermoplastic or a thermoset material. The polymeric system can be a polymeric system suitable for being molded into one or more shapes of each portion of the housing. The polymeric system can include polyolefins, styrenics, acrylates, acrylonitrile, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and blends thereof. Such materials can be modified with a number of additives such as fillers, elastomers, flame retardants, stabilizers, and the like. The portions of the housing can be prepared by any process capable of forming the material into the desired shape of the housing and capable of performing the necessary functions. The portions of the housing can be formed by injection molding, reaction injection molding, thermoforming, or any combination thereof. Some portions of the housing can be opaque, transparent, or a combination of both. For example, the hopper can be transparent to visually see the food within the hopper, the movement of the dispenser in the dispenser cradle, or both. The one or more other materials of the feeder can be composed of one or more flexible materials. The one or more fins can be composed of one or more flexible materials or can be composed of the materials suitable for the housing. The one or more fins can be composed of any suitable material capable of deflecting, having elastic properties, or both. The one or more fins can be composed of one or more elastomers having viscoelastic properties, one or more rubbers, or both. Exemplary flexible materials can include polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or combinations thereof.

[0062] The present disclosure relates to methods of dispensing food from a feeder. The feeder can be a feeder according to the teachings herein. The method can include moving a dispenser from one or more rest positions to one or more dispensing positions, or two or more dispensing positions. The method can include moving the dispenser from a rest position to a first dispensing position, from a rest position to a second dispensing position, or both. The movement from the one or more rest positions to the one or more dispensing positions can be triggered by a user initiating dispensing, one or more sensing devices sensing the presence, absence, and / or a certain level of food in a chute, a supply area, a supply wall, an external dish, a feeding dish, or a combination thereof, or any combination thereof. The movement can be prevented by a user preventing movement of the dispenser, one or more sensing devices (e.g., a chute sensor) detecting a certain level of food in a chute, a feeding dish, a supply area, a supply wall, an external dish, or a combination thereof. As described herein, components of a feeder according to the teachings herein can work together to provide dispensing of food.

[0063] Exemplary embodiments

[0064] Figure 1 A front perspective view of a feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. A lid 32 rests atop the hopper 18. The lid 32 includes a handle 34. The handle 34 is formed by a notch 36 within the lid 32. The lid 32 includes an opening 104. A sensing tower 84 extends through the opening 104. Positioned adjacent to the chamber portion 16 is the intermediate portion 20. The intermediate portion 20 includes a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42 and a status indicator 44. Located between the intermediate portion 20 and the base portion 14 is a feeding cavity 22. The base portion 16 includes a supply area 24. The supply area 24 includes a feeding dish 26. Located above the supply area 24 is a chute 28. The chute 28 protrudes into the feeding cavity 22. The chute 28 allows food 94 (not shown) to be transferred from within the hopper 18 to the supply area 24 via a chute opening 30.

[0065] Figure 2A rear perspective view of the feeder 10 is shown without the chamber portion 16. The feeder 10 includes the middle portion 20. The middle portion 20 includes the upper shell 20b. The middle portion 20 tapers downward from the control panel 40 toward the sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 extends upward and away from the base portion 14. The sensing tower 84 has a conical portion 106 that tapers upward toward a cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110. The cap 110 is located on the cylindrical portion 108. The middle portion 20 includes the dispenser cradle 60 formed therein. The dispenser 70 is located within the dispenser cradle 60. The dispenser 70 includes the rocker body 72 and the fin 74.

[0066] Figure 3 A top plan view of the feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes the lid 32. The lid 32 has the handle 34. The handle 34 is formed by opposing notches 36. The notches 36 have a substantially "D-shaped" cross-sectional shape. Between the notches 36 is the handle body 46. An opening 104 is formed within the handle body 46. The sensing tower 84 extends through the opening 104. The feeder 10 includes a front portion 48 opposite a rear portion 50. At the front portion 48, the supply area 24 including the feeding utensils 26 protrudes beyond the housing 12.

[0067] Figure 4 A bottom plan view of the feeder 10 is shown. The base portion 14 includes the bottom 52. The bottom 52 includes a plurality of feet 54. The feet 54 are spaced apart near the periphery of the bottom 52. The feet 54 are spaced apart around a bottom cap 56. The bottom cap 56 covers a bottom opening 58 in the base portion 14.

[0068] Figure 5 A side elevational view of the feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes the housing 12. The housing 12 includes the base portion 14, the middle portion 20, and the chamber portion 16. The base portion 14 includes the bottom 52. Spreading from the bottom 52 are a plurality of feet 54. Opposite the bottom 52 is the lid 32. Spreading along the length of the feeder 10 from the bottom 52 to the lid 32 is a longitudinal axis A L . The longitudinal axis A L is located between a front portion 48 and a rear portion 50 of the feeder 10. The supply area 24 protrudes beyond the housing 12 at the front portion 48. The supply area 24 includes the feeding utensils 26. The supply area 24 and the feeding utensils 26 are angled at an angle a relative to the longitudinal axis A L and a transverse plane P T . The angle a can allow the food 94 (not shown) to move toward the front portion 48 of the feeder 10.

[0069] Figure 6A rear elevation view of the feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18 and a lid 32. The intermediate portion includes a dispenser cradle 60. The hopper 18 includes a dispenser lid 122.

[0070] Figure 7 A front elevation view of the feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is substantially symmetrical about a center plane P M The center plane P M parallel to and including a longitudinal axis A L located therein. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The intermediate portion 20 is located between the chamber portion 16 and the base portion 14. At a front 48 of the feeder 10 is a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42 and a status indicator 44. A feeding cavity 22 is formed within the base portion 14. The feeding cavity 22 is a cavity formed between the intermediate portion 20 and the base portion 14. A bottom of the feeding cavity 22 is defined by a supply area 24. Angled from a rear 50 (not shown) toward the supply area 24 is a chute 28 having a chute opening 30.

[0071] Figure 8 A cross-section of the feeder 10 taken along section B-B is shown. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14. The base portion 14 includes a bottom opening 58 covered by a bottom cap 56. The bottom opening 58 provides access to a base receptacle 64. The base receptacle 64 is formed as a recess in the base portion 14 that extends upwardly toward the chamber portion 16. Located above the base receptacle 64 is a portion of the supply area 24. The supply area includes an angled supply wall 65. The supply wall 65 is angled relative to the longitudinal axis A L and a transverse plane P T at an angle β. The transverse plane P T is generally parallel to and includes a longitudinal axis A LThe supply wall 65 is angled toward the front 48 of the feeder 10. The supply wall 65 is angled toward the bottom 52 of the housing 12. The supply wall 65 is sloped toward the outer dish 67 of the supply area 24. The supply wall 65 extends to have an integrated end 65a. The integrated end 65a extends over the outer dish 67, a portion of the feeding dish 26, or both. The integrated end 65a is connected to and integral with an integrated lip 67b. The outer dish 67 includes the integrated lip 67b. The integrated lip 67b connects the outer dish 67 to the supply wall 65. The integrated lip 67b overlaps the supply wall 65 including the integrated end 65a. The overlap allows food to travel from the supply wall 65 into the supply dish 26. The integrated lip 67b receives a dish lip 26a of the feeding dish 26. The dish lip 26a rests between the gap formed by the integrated end 65a and the integrated lip 67b. Located within the outer dish 67 is the feeding dish 26. The outer dish 67 and the feeding dish 26 are sloped at an angle a toward the front 48 of the feeder 10. The supply area 24 also includes a support 67a. The support 67a is integral with the outer dish 67. The support 67a extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A L and the transverse plane P T downward. Formed between the supply area 24 and the middle portion 20 is the feeding cavity 22. Extending downward toward the supply area 24 is a chute 28. The chute 28 includes a chute wall 66. The chute wall 66 is sloped at an angle Θ relative to a plane parallel to the transverse plane P T . The chute wall 66 is sloped toward the front 48, the supply area 24, and the bottom 52. A chute opening 30 is formed between the control wall 112 and the supply wall 65. The chute 28 is formed as part of the middle portion 20.

[0072] The middle portion 20 includes a lower shell 20a and an upper shell 20b. The lower shell 20a includes a control wall 112. The control wall 112 projects downward toward the supply area 24 including the supply wall 65. The control wall 112 projects downward toward the bottom 52. The control wall 112 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A L of the feeder 10. The sensing tower 84 is part of the upper shell 20b. The sensing tower 84 is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis A LThe sensing tower 84 extends through the hollow interior of the hopper 18 and the opening 104 of the lid 32. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110. The sensing tower 84 houses one or more sensing devices 86. The one or more sensing devices 86 can be supported by a sensor bracket 87. The sensor bracket 87 can be located within and attached to the interior of the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 are located at an upper end 120 of the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 can be located outside of and exposed from the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 can be configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or amount of food 94 (not shown) within the hollow interior of the hopper 18.

[0073] The feeder 10 includes a lock 144. The lock 144 can be used to stabilize the hopper 18 relative to the base 14. The lock 144 can also allow the hopper 18 to remain in place relative to the rest of the housing 12 during movement of the feeder, dispensing cycles, animal feeding, or even if the feeder 10 is knocked over or moved by an animal or person. By attaching the hopper 18 with the lock 144, the feeder 10 can be lifted by the hopper 18 while remaining attached to the rest of the feeder 10 components. The bottom wall 68b includes a lock channel 146. The lock channel 146 is aligned with the lower lock channel 142. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the middle portion 20. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the upper shell 20b. The lock 144 is located within the lock channels 142, 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a lock cap 150. Located between the cap 150 and the lock 144 is a biasing device 148. The biasing device 148 can be a coil spring. The biasing device 148 can also be located between the cap 150 and the lock channel 146.

[0074] A mechanical cavity 82 is formed between the lower shell 20a and the upper shell 20b. Located within the mechanical cavity 82 is a drive source 80. The drive source 80 is attached to a motor bracket 152. The motor bracket 152 can be attached to the upper shell 20b. The drive source 80 can be a motor. The drive source 80 includes a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through the control board 114. The drive shaft 81 extends into an adapter shaft 116. The adapter shaft 116 includes a disc surface 118. The disc surface 118 is positioned adjacent to the control board 114. The drive shaft 81 and the adapter shaft 116 extend into the dispenser housing 60. The dispenser housing 60 is enclosed by a dispenser lid 122. Located within the dispenser housing 60 is the dispenser 70. The dispenser includes a rocker body 72 having a fin 74 attached thereto. The fin 74 includes a slit 73 formed therein. A shaft cavity 76 is defined within the rocker body 72. The drive shaft 81 and the adapter shaft 116 are located within the shaft cavity 76. The adapter shaft 116 is in rotational engagement with the rocker body 72. Rotation of the adapter shaft 116 causes the rocker body 72 and the fin 74 to rotate about a rotational axis A R about the rotational axis A.

[0075] Figure 9 It shows along Figure 8 The feeder 10 has a cross-section AA. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14, a middle portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The hopper 18 includes a side wall 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b tapers towards the sensing tower 84. The bottom wall 68b further tapers towards the dispenser 70. The bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18 rests on top of the upper shell 20b of the middle portion 20. The bottom wall 68b includes a hopper opening 69. The hopper opening 69 allows communication between the hollow interior of the hopper 18 and the dispenser cradle 60 and the dispenser 70. The upper shell 20b includes a dispenser cradle 60 formed therein. The dispenser cradle 60 has a substantially C-shaped profile (e.g., a 2D cross-section). The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile substantially inverted with a portion of the dispenser 70. The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile substantially inverted with the rocker body 72 of the dispenser 70. The distributor cradle 60 includes a cradle outlet 61. Cradle outlet 61 allows the distributor cradle 60 to communicate with the spur groove 28. Within the distributor cradle 60 is the distributor 70. The distributor includes a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 includes a rotation axis A. R The rocker body 72 includes a fin channel 75. Located within the fin channel 75 is the attachment end 77 of the fin 74. The attachment end 77 is opposite the free end 79. The fin 74 is located between the supply walls 90 of the rocker body 72. A supply cavity 92 is formed between each supply wall 90 and the fin 74.

[0076] Figure 10A to Figure 10B The dispenser 70 is shown in the rest position 96 (as shown). Figure 10A (as shown) to the assigned position 98 (e.g.) Figure 10B The movement is as shown. In the rest position 96, the fin 74 protrudes inward into the interior 62. In the rest position 96, the fin 74 protrudes away from the inclined groove 28. In the rest position 96, the food 94 is placed between the fin 74 and the supply wall 90, such that the food 94 is placed within the supply cavity 92. In order to change between the rest position 96 and the dispensing position 98, the dispenser 70 rotates about the axis of rotation A. R Rotation. Fin 74 rotates around axis A. RThe rotation of the fin 74 causes the separation of a portion of the food 94. The separation of the food 94 occurs when the fin 74 passes the bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18. The separated portion of the food 94 remains within the supply cavity 92 when the dispenser 70 is rotated into the dispensing position 98. In the dispensing position 98, the supply cavity 92 is in communication with the chute 28 such that the separated portion of the food 94 is transferred from the supply cavity 92 into the chute 28. In the dispensing position 98, the fin 74 prevents the food 94 remaining in the chamber interior 62 from passing into the chute 28. To transition from the dispensing position 98 back to the rest position 96, the dispenser 70 is rotated back in the opposite direction (e.g., as opposed to completing a full rotation about the axis of rotation). The dispenser 70 can be rotated in the opposite direction (not shown) to the dispensing position. In this way, the dispenser 70 rotates between a first dispensing position, back to the rest position, then to a second dispensing position, then back to the rest position. The second dispensing position can be substantially a mirror image of the first dispensing position.

[0077] Figure 11 An exploded view of the feeder 10 is shown. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14. The base portion 14 has a supply area 24 located therein. The supply area 24 includes an outer dish 67. The outer dish 67 is adapted to receive a supply dish 26. The base portion 14 includes an inner housing 124 located within an outer housing 126. The base portion 14 includes a bottom cap 56. The bottom cap 56 is received within a bottom 52 of the feeder 10. The base portion 14 also receives a plurality of feet 54. The base portion 14 includes a plurality of sleeves 102. Each of the sleeves 102 is adapted to receive a post 100. The sleeves 102 of the base portion 14 receive the posts 100 of the middle portion 20.

[0078] The middle portion 20 includes a lower shell 20a and an upper shell 20b. The lower shell 20a includes a control wall 112. The space between the upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a defines a mechanical cavity 82 when assembled. A drive source 80 is located between the upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a. The drive source 80 can be held in place by a motor mount 152. Extending from the drive source 80 is a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through a control plate 114. The control plate 114 includes one or more bevel slot sensors 128. The drive shaft 81 extends into an adapter shaft 116. The adapter shaft 116 includes a disc surface 118. The adapter shaft 116 resides within a shaft cavity 76. The shaft cavity 76 is located within a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 is part of a dispenser 70. The dispenser 70 also includes a fin 74. A rocker cap (not shown) can also be received within the shaft cavity 76, or the shaft cavity 76 can be closed at one end as part of the rocker body. The rocker cap can be positioned opposite the adapter shaft 116 relative to the rocker body 72. The upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a each include a portion of a control panel housing 130. Located within the control panel housing 130 is a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42, a bezel 43, and a status indicator 44. Protruding from the upper shell 20b is a sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 includes a conical portion 106 adjacent to a cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110 that rests on top of the cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes one or more sensing devices 86. The sensing devices 86 are located within or near the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84. The sensing devices 86 can be held in place by a sensor mount 87. The sensor mount 87 resides within the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 protrudes into the chamber portion 16.

[0079] The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The hopper 18 includes a sidewall 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b includes a lock channel 146. The lock channel 146 is aligned with a lower lock channel 142. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the middle portion 20. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the upper shell 20b. A lock 144 is located within the lock channels 142, 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a lock cap 150. Located between the cap 150 and the lock 144 is a biasing device 148. The biasing device 148 can be a coil spring. The biasing device 148 can also be located between the cap 150 and the lock channel 146. The hopper 18 includes a hollow interior. The hopper 18 also includes a dispenser cover 122. The cover 32 rests on the hopper 18. The cover 32 includes a handle 34. The handle 34 includes a handle body 46 having an opening 104 therein. The handle 34 includes a grip opening 134. The grip opening 134 allows a spring grip 136 to extend therethrough. The spring grip 136 is part of a cover lock 132. The spring grip 136 is engaged with a spring 138. The spring 138 rests within a cover lock body 140.

[0080] Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower to the upper value inclusive of the integers within the range. These are only examples of the particular embodiments and are intended to be illustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the application as effective as if each and every specifiable number between the upper and lower values that are enumerated were incorporated in the specification. All ranges are inclusive of the two endpoints and all numbers between the two endpoints.

[0081] The terms "substantially," "essentially," and even "about" to describe an angle measurement can mean about + / - 10° or less, about + / - 5° or less, or even about + / - 1° or less. The terms "substantially," "essentially," and even "about" to describe an angle measurement can mean about + / - 0.01° or more, about + / - 0.1° or more, or even about + / - 0.5° or more. The terms "substantially," "essentially," or even "about" to describe a linear measurement, percentage, or ratio can mean about + / - 10% or less, about + / - 5% or less, or even about + / - 1% or less. The terms "substantially," "essentially," or even "about" to describe a linear measurement, percentage, or ratio can mean about + / - 0.01% or more, about + / - 0.1% or more, or even about + / - 0.5% or more.

[0082] The term "consisting essentially of to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of those elements, ingredients, components or steps.

[0083] Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Claims

1. A feeder comprising: a) a base portion having a supply area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to hold a granular material inside a chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the supply area; and d) a sensing tower extending at least partially through the chamber portion and comprising one or more sensing devices; wherein the one or more sensing devices are configured to sense a presence of the granular material within the chamber portion, a distance from the one or more sensing devices to the granular material within the chamber portion, and / or an amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and wherein the one or more sensing devices are located at or adjacent to an end of the sensing tower opposite the base portion.

2. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the chamber portion comprises a hopper configured to hold the granular material and define the chamber interior; and wherein the sensing tower extends through an entire length of the hopper.

3. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a rocker body configured to rotate about a rotation axis through an angle.

4. The feeder of claim 3, wherein the dispenser comprises one or more fins protruding from the rocker body, and wherein a distance between the rocker body and the one or more fins is adapted to receive the portion of the granular material.

5. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the chamber portion comprises a hopper configured to hold the granular material and define the chamber interior as a hollow interior.

6. The feeder of claim 5, wherein the hopper comprises a conical bottom wall configured to direct the granular material toward the sensing tower, the dispenser, or both.

7. The feeder of claim 6, wherein the bottom wall is angled toward the sensing tower, the dispenser, or both.

8. The feeder of claim 6, wherein the sensing tower extends through the bottom wall and into the hollow interior of the hopper.

9. The feeder of claim 5, wherein a lid is removably attached to the hopper.

10. The feeder of claim 9, wherein the sensing tower extends through the hopper from a bottom wall of the sensing tower to the lid.

11. The feeder of claim 9, wherein the lid receives and engages with a portion of the sensing tower.

12. The feeder of claim 11, wherein the lid is positioned opposite a bottom wall of the hopper.

13. The feeder of claim 9, wherein the lid is locked into place by one or more locks.

14. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the sensing tower is at least partially conical, prismatic, or both, such that it widens toward a bottom wall of the chamber portion. ​ 15. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices are attached to an upper end of the sensing tower, wherein the upper end is positioned opposite a bottom wall of a hopper of the chamber portion.

16. The feeder of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensing devices are positioned adjacent to a lid of the feeder, wherein the lid closes the hopper.

17. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices have a line of sight into a majority or an entirety of a chamber interior of the chamber portion.

18. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices comprise one or more mass sensors, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, film sensors, radio frequency admittance sensors, conductive sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, or combinations thereof.

19. The feeder of claim 1, wherein a chute is in communication with the chamber portion, and the dispenser is positioned between the chute and the chamber portion.

20. The feeder of claim 19, wherein the feeder comprises one or more chute sensing devices configured to sense a presence of the granular material within the supply area, the chute, or both, a distance of the granular material within the supply area, the chute, or both, from the one or more chute sensing devices, and / or an amount of the granular material within the supply area, the chute, or both.

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