Pet feeder

Abstract

Feeder (1) for animal feeding, especially for small animals and cage animals with • a feed container (10), wherein the feed container (10) has a first opening (30) a storage point (20), wherein the feed container (10) is pivotably mounted at the storage point (20), • a locking device (40), wherein the locking device (40) is designed and suitable to lock the feed container (10) in a first pivot position.

Description

[0001] The invention describes a feeder for animal feeding, in particular for small animals and cage animals, with a feed container, wherein the feed container has a first opening, a bearing point, wherein the feed container is pivotably mounted at the bearing point, a locking device, wherein the locking device is provided and suitable for locking the feed container in a first pivot position, and a method for using the feeder according to the invention. State of the art

[0002] Many pets and / or caged animals suffer from health problems as a result of an unhealthy and, above all, overly rich diet. Animals themselves cannot regulate their intake and usually consume all the food offered. This often leads to the food provided for a specific period being consumed very quickly. Of course, food can be given by hand. However, this disturbs the pet and / or small animal in its environment, as a hand in a cage or in the immediate vicinity can be perceived as disturbing. Furthermore, some animals are poisonous, dangerous, or simply prone to biting, or the owner may have a contact allergy, for example, to animal hair, and therefore prefer to avoid hand-feeding.

[0003] In the prior art, a wide variety of different feeders for pets, caged animals, or small animals kept in cages are known. Many of these feeders dispense an indefinite amount of food gradually from a reservoir.

[0004] Other feeders are sophisticatedly electronically controlled and, at pre-set intervals, grant access to feed containers that have been filled with a predetermined amount of animal feed. In these systems, doors are opened or feed containers are moved in front of openings via a timer.

[0005] All known feed dispensers suffer from the problem of either being elaborate, complicated and therefore expensive, or of providing uncontrolled amounts of feed.

[0006] It is therefore necessary to provide a feed dispenser that is easy to use, simple in its construction, allows for flexible dosing of the feed, and avoids direct contact between the animal owner and the animal during feeding.

[0007] It is also the task to provide a method and handling of the feed dispenser according to the invention that ensures controlled amounts of feed are made available to the domestic and / or small animal at flexibly determinable times without direct animal contact. Description of the invention

[0008] The problem is solved by means of the feed dispenser according to claim 1 of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0009] The feeder according to the invention for animal feeding, particularly for small animals and caged animals, comprises a feed container, the feed container having a first opening. The first opening serves for filling the feed container with feed and / or for removing the feed from the feed container. Furthermore, the feeder has a bearing point. The bearing point serves for mounting the feeder. In addition, the feed container of the feeder can be pivoted about a pivot axis of the bearing point. The feeder according to the invention also has a locking device, which is designed and suitable for locking the feed container in a first pivoted position.

[0010] The feeder according to the invention is ideally suited for dispensing feed stored in the feeder's container directly to an animal. This allows the amount and timing of feeding to be determined without having to interfere with the animal. This avoids any disturbance to the animal. Feeding dangerous animals, as well as feeding people with animal phobias or allergies, is also possible without problems.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises an adjusting element and a locking element. The adjusting element is suitable and designed to be locked in a position with the locking element. If the adjusting element and the locking element are separated, the position of the adjusting element can be changed.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the first pivot position of the feed container is designed and suitable for loading the feed container. In this pivot position, the first opening is oriented such that feed poured into the feed container cannot escape uncontrollably and / or unintentionally. This has the advantage that filling the feeder can be carried out in a very simple manner, since the locking device prevents the opening from moving in the first pivot position.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed container can be pivoted into a second pivot position. This second pivot position is designed and suitable for emptying the feed container. After releasing the locking device from the first pivot position, the feed container can be pivoted into the second pivot position. In this second pivot position, the feed container can then be emptied.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed container is oriented in the second pivot position such that feed contained in the feed container can slide and / or fall out of the first opening. The first opening is then located, for example, on the underside of the feed container when it is in the second pivot position. Furthermore, it is possible that the first opening is closed in the first pivot position and is in the open position in the second pivot position.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first opening is arranged on a side of the feed container facing away from the bearing point. By arranging the first opening on a side of the feed container facing away from the bearing point, the first opening can be easily pivoted along the pivot radius into a position in which the feed container can be emptied and / or filled through the first opening.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the first opening is located in a first pivot position of the feed container, wherein the first opening position is designed and suitable for storing animal feed stored in the feed container. In this position of the feed container, it is prevented that the feed can escape from the feed container.

[0017] In one embodiment according to the invention, the feed container can be pivoted into a second pivot position after the locking device is released. In the locked position, the locking device prevents the feed container from pivoting. After releasing the locking device, it is in a pivot position that allows the feed container to pivot. Thus, the feed container can be pivoted into the second pivot position.

[0018] In one embodiment according to the invention, the opening is located in a second pivot position of the feed container, wherein the second opening position is designed and suitable for allowing animal feed stored in the feed container to slide out of the feed container. This allows the feed to be released from the feed container to the pet in a timely and controlled manner through the first opening in the second opening position.

[0019] In a further development according to the invention, the locking device is movable in both the locked and open positions. In the locked position, the feed container is locked in its pivot position, while in the open position it can pivot. The locking device can be brought into the locked position in various pivot positions of the feed container. Thus, the feed container can be locked in different positions.

[0020] In one embodiment according to the invention, the feed container is pivotable in the open position of the locking device. The locking device is designed to be pivotable for this purpose. This allows the user to easily move the locking device from the open position to the locked position.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the locking device is designed and suitable for locking the feed container in the second pivot position. By locking the feed container in the second pivot position, the feed can be dispensed from the feed container without a user having to hold the locking device in the open position.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed container has a second opening, which is designed and suitable for filling the feed container with animal feed. The second opening of the feed container is positioned in the first pivot position such that the feed container can be filled through the second opening. For this purpose, the second opening is located, for example, in the first pivot position so that it is accessible to the user from the outside of the cage or the pet's enclosure.

[0023] The problem is further solved by means of the method according to claim 13 of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in dependent claims 14 to 18.

[0024] The inventive method (100) for providing feed for animal feeding, particularly for small animals and caged animals, comprises the following steps: loading a pivotably mounted feed container in a first pivot position, releasing a locking device, pivoting the feed container into a second pivot position, and emptying the feed container. The locking device is designed and intended to lock the feed container in a first pivot position. Furthermore, the second pivot position is designed and intended to empty the feed container. This simple method makes it possible to control the feeding of the pet with regard to the amount of feed and the feeding time.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, pivoting the feed container into the second pivot position tilts a first opening of the feed container such that feed contained in the feed container can slide out through the first opening. The pivoting is easily accomplished after releasing the locking device from the locked position to the open position. For this purpose, the first opening is arranged on the feed container such that pivoting the feed container from a first pivot position, in which the feed cannot escape, to a second pivot position, in which the feed can escape, opens the first opening.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed container is loaded in the first pivot position. The loading and / or filling of the feed container takes place in a position in which the feed cannot escape from the first opening of the feed container.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, loading takes place through the first opening of the feed container or the second opening of the feed container. The feed container can have one or optionally two openings through which loading can occur. In the case of two openings, loading preferably takes place through the opening through which emptying does not occur.

[0028] In one embodiment according to the invention, the feed container is pivoted back to the first pivot position after emptying. To allow reloading of the feed container after emptying, the feed container is pivoted back to the first pivot position after emptying, in which no feed can escape from the feed container.

[0029] In one embodiment of the invention, the feed container is locked in place again after returning to its first pivot position when empty. Locking it in the first pivot position allows the feed container to be refilled without it pivoting during loading. Furthermore, both hands can be used for loading, as one hand does not need to be occupied holding the feed container in its pivot position. Additionally, the first pivot position ensures that the feed placed in the container cannot immediately escape. Examples of implementation

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the feeder according to the invention and of the method according to the invention for feeding a pet are shown schematically simplified in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1: Animal housing with feed dispenser according to the invention Fig. 2 a: Feeder with food container in a first swivel position Fig. 2 b: Feeder with food container in a second swivel position Fig. 3a: Locking device in the locked position; Perspective 1 Fig. 3b: Locking device in the open position; Perspective 1 Fig. 3c: Locking device in the locked position; Perspective 2 Fig. 3d: Locking device in open position; Perspective 2

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a feeder 1 according to the invention, which is arranged in an animal enclosure 100. In this case, the animal enclosure comprises a base section 110 and an upper section 120. The base section can also be a tray of a small animal cage, while the upper section 120 then represents the mesh part.

[0033] The feeder 1 is arranged and mounted on the ceiling of the upper section 120 of the enclosure. The feeder 1 comprises a feed container 10, a bearing point 20 on which the feed container 10 is pivotably mounted, a first opening 30, and a locking device 40, which is designed and suitable for locking the feed container 10 in a first pivot position. In an optional embodiment, the feed container has a second opening 50. The second opening 50 is preferably arranged on the opposite side from the side on which the first opening 30 is located. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking device 40 comprises an adjusting element 41 and a locking element 42. The adjusting element 41 is designed and suitable for being locked in a position with the locking element 42.If adjusting element 41 and locking element 42 are separated, the position of adjusting element 41 can be changed.

[0034] The Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b shows the feeder 1 according to the invention in two different pivot positions. The feeder 1 is arranged on the top of an enclosure or cage for a pet. The feeder 1 comprises a feed container 10, which is pivotably mounted on a bearing point 20 at a first side. On the opposite side of the bearing point 20 is a first opening 30 of the feed container 10. Furthermore, a locking device 40 is arranged on the opposite side to the first side. The feed container 10 can be locked in a first pivot position by means of the locking device 40. The locking device 40 can switch between a locking position and an open position. In the locking position, the pivot position of the feed container 10 is locked, while in the open position, the feed container 10 can be pivoted.The feed container 10 has, in an alternative design form, a second opening 50 which is intended and suitable for loading the feed container 10 through the second opening 50.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 2a shows the feed container 10 in a first pivoted position. In this pivoted position, the bottom of the feed container 10 is horizontally aligned, so that feed stored on the bottom of the feed container 10 cannot slip. In the first pivoted position, the feed stored in the feed container 10 of the feeder cannot therefore escape from the feed container 10 uncontrollably.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 2b shows the food container 10 in a second pivoted position. In the second pivoted position, the bottom of the food container 10 is steeply inclined, so that food stored on the bottom of the food container 10 can slide down and pass through the first opening 30 from the food container 10 into the pet's enclosure and / or cage 100.

[0037] The inventive method for providing feed, particularly for small caged animals, comprises a total of four process steps. First, a pivotably mounted feed container 10 is loaded with feed in a first pivot position. In the second process step, a locking device is released. In the locked position, the locking device is designed and suitable for locking the feed container 10 in the first pivot position. After releasing the locking device, the feed container 10 is pivoted into a second pivot position. The second pivot position of the feed container 10 is designed and suitable for emptying the feed container 10. In the fourth process step, the feed container 10 is then emptied.By pivoting the feed container 10 into the second pivot position, the bottom of the feed container 10 is tilted in such a way that feed contained in the feed container 10 can slide down the bottom and out through the first opening 30 of the feed container 10. The first pivot position is intended and suitable for loading the feed container 10. In this first pivot position, the bottom of the feed container 10 is horizontally aligned so that the feed stored in the feed container 10 cannot slide down.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed container 10 has a second opening 50. The feed container can also be loaded or filled through this second opening 50. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the feed container 10 can also be locked in the second pivot position.

[0039] In the Fig. Figures 3a to 3d show the locking device 40 in different positions. Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b shows the front view of the locking device 40 in the locked and open positions, while the Fig. 3c and Fig. Figure 3d shows the side view of the locking device 40 in the locked and open positions.

[0040] Locking device 40 has an adjusting element 41 and a locking element 42. Optionally, a positioning element 43 can be arranged on the adjusting element 41 and / or the locking element 42. In this embodiment, the adjusting element 41 is designed as a rope or thread that is attached to the feed container 10. The locking element 42 of the locking device 40 is designed as a plate-shaped element that has a slot. In an optional embodiment of the invention, the slot tapers to a wedge shape. The adjusting element 41 of the locking device 40 can be inserted into this slot. Once the adjusting element 41 is inserted into the slot, it is locked there. This occurs, for example, by friction or alternatively by the positioning element. The positioning element is connected to the adjusting element 41 and has a wider cross-section than the slot. Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3c shows the locking device 40 with the adjusting element 41 and the locking element 42 in the locked position in a front view. For this purpose, the adjusting element 10 is inserted into the slot of the locking element 42 such that the adjusting element is held in the slot and thus movement of the adjusting element 41 is prevented. In the Fig. 3b and Fig. Figure 3d shows the locking device 40 with the adjusting element 41 and the locking element 42 in the open position from the side. The adjusting element 41 extends laterally from the slot of the locking element. In this open position, the adjusting element 41 can be moved, thus pivoting the feed container 10. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 feeder 10 feed containers 20 storage locations 30 First Opening 40 Locking device 41 Adjustment element 42 Locking element 43 Positioning element 50 Second Opening 100 dwellings, animal cages 110 Base area, bowl 120 Upper area, grid section

Claims

Feeder (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small animals and cage animals, comprising: • a feed container (10), wherein the feed container (10) has a first opening (30); a bearing point (20), wherein the feed container (10) is pivotably mounted at the bearing point (20); • a locking device (40), wherein the locking device (40) is provided and suitable for locking the feed container (10) in a first pivot position. Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pivot position of the feed container (10) is provided and suitable for loading the feed container (10). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the feed container (10) is pivotable into a second pivoting position, wherein the second pivoting position of the feed container (10) is provided and suitable for emptying the feed container (10), wherein the feed container (10) is oriented in the second pivoting position such that feed located in the feed container (10) can slide and / or fall out of the first opening (30). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening (30) is arranged on a side of the feed container (10) facing away from the storage location (20). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening (30) is located in a first pivot position of the feed container (10) in a first opening position, wherein the first opening position is provided and suitable for storing animal feed stored in the feed container (10). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small animals and cage animals, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed container (10) can be pivoted into a second pivot position after releasing the locking device (40), wherein the first opening (30) is in a second opening position in a second pivot position of the feed container (10), wherein the second opening position is provided and suitable for allowing animal feed stored in the feed container (10) to slide out of the feed container (10). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (40) is movable in the locked position and in the open position, wherein the feed container (10) is pivotable in the open position of the locking device (40). Feed dispenser (1) for animal feeding, in particular for small and caged animals, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (40) is provided and suitable for locking the feed container (10) in the second pivot position. Animal feeder (1) for feeding animals, in particular for small animals and cage animals, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed container (1) has a second opening (50), wherein the second opening (50) is provided and suitable for loading the feed container (10) with animal feed.

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