Feeder assembly for pouch food containers

Abstract

A feeder assembly having a cutter subassembly, drum subassembly, and / or cassette subassembly for dispensing food from a pouch style container. A method of dispensing food for consumption by a feeder assembly comprising: a) receiving a pouch into a drum subassembly while in a loading position; b) rotating the drum subassembly toward a cutter subassembly such as to be in a cutting position; c) cutting a portion of the pouch by the cutter subassembly; d) rotating the drum subassembly away from the cutter subassembly and toward a serving area; e) dispensing food from the pouch by the drum subassembly onto the serving area; f) advancing the food toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly by advancing the substrate; and g) optionally, retracting the substrate and any waste thereon from the feeding area and toward a take-up roller; and h) optionally, winding the substrate and the waste onto the take-up roller.

Description

FEEDER ASSEMBLY FOR POUCH FOOD CONTAINERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 596,004, filed on November 3, 2023, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for autonomously providing food to animals. The present disclosure may find use in dispensing food for serving, such as wet food from a pouch. The present disclosure may find use in automatic collection of any waste associated with the food, for example, leftover food remnants and a pouch.BACKGROUND

[0003] Many households include one or more pets, such as a cat or a dog. Among pets, cats are unique animals who form a strong social bond with humans, but at the same time, like to maintain their independence. A major concern with cats is timely feeding of the cats and providing them with a healthy mixture of wet food and dry food to maintain their health. Cats tend to be creatures of habit and prefer set feeding times and rituals. Cats may not prefer eating from certain shapes or types of feeding containers, such as, for example, bowls formed from gelatinous materials and may have trouble removing food from containers having sharp comers. Thus, there is a need for systems and methods to allow for timely, reliable, and healthy feeding of a cat, even when a caregiver of the cat is not available to prepare and present food to the cat, to maintain the physical and mental health of cats.

[0004] In the market today, there are automated feeders for dry foods. But these automated feeders usually hold the dry food in mass in a hopper, then segregate and dispense limited quantities into a serving area. These automated feeders are not compatible with wet food. The wet food is not suitable for being stored in mass within a hopper, both due to food consistency (e.g., sticking to side walls) and bacterial growth. The dispensing mechanisms are also not suitable for wet food. Thus, what is needed is a feeder assembly and system compatible with wet food.

[0005] In the market today, there are some automated feeders compatible with wet food. These automated feeders typically require a user to manually remove wet food from packaging and then dispose of the food into segregated serving areas. The feeder has a lid which closes and opens to provide access to the food stored therein. The lid or the base are sometimes designed as a carousel such that rotation causes one segregated serving area to be accessible while sealing the remaining segregated serving areas and then rotating to provide access to a subsequent segregated serving area. These automated feeders present a number of potential problems. Some of these problems include that the user (e.g., pet owner) still needs to prepare the food, the food is not sealed against spoilage, and components of the feeder assembly require frequent washing.

[0006] One common packaging type for keeping wet pet food fresh and shelf stable are pouches. These pouches typically require that a pet owner open the pouch, dispense the food into a serving dish, thendispose of the pouch. Once the animal has eaten food, the pet owner may then need to dispose of leftover remnants and wash the serving dish. For animals who prefer wet food over dry food, or who may require a balance of both wet foods and dry foods, this process can tie a pet owner to their home to feed their pet.

[0007] Thus, what is needed is a feeder assembly compatible with wet food containers in pouch form. What is needed is a feeder assembly capable of automating the dispensing of food from the pouch and disposing of the pouch. What is needed is a feeder assembly capable of collecting waste from the feeding cycle. What is needed is a feeder assembly which can be used for multiple servings over longer durations of time, and which can store waste therein. What is needed is a feeder assembly which can avoid the need to wash serving dishes used for the food.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a feeder assembly configured to present a food to an animal for consumption, the feeder assembly including: a) a cassette subassembly configured to have the food dispensed thereon on a substrate, wherein the cassette subassembly includes: i) one or more feed rollers which are wound with a clean supply of the substrate; ii) one or more take-up rollers which are wound with a used supply of the substrate; iii) the substrate which forms a serving area between the feed roller and the take-up roller, and wherein the serving area is configured to have the food dispensed thereon; and wherein the one or more feed rollers and the one or more take-up rollers are configured to rotate such as to advance the substrate to present the food and retract the substrate such as to be wound about the one or more takeup rollers.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a feeder assembly configured to present a food to an animal for consumption, the feeder assembly including: a) a drum subassembly including: i) a drum housing configured to rotate within the feeder assembly; ii) at least one inlet opening formed in the drum housing, configured to receive a pouch into the drum housing, and wherein the pouch is sealed when received; iii) one or more squeeze rollers within the drum housing and configured to rotate to squeeze and apply pressure to the pouch such as to squeeze the food out of the pouch and out of the inlet opening.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a method of dispensing food for consumption by a feeder assembly comprising: a) receiving a pouch which is sealed into a drum subassembly while in a loading position; b) rotating the drum subassembly toward a cutter subassembly such as to be in a cutting position; c) cutting a portion of the pouch by the cutter subassembly; d) rotating the drum subassembly away from the cutter subassembly and toward a serving area of a substrate of a cassette subassembly; e) dispensing food from the pouch by the drum subassembly onto the serving area; f) advancing the food toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly by advancing the substrate toward the feeding area; g) optionally, retracting the substrate and any waste thereon (e.g., food remnants, the pouch, the portion of the pouch when cut) from the feeding area and toward a take -up roller; and h) optionally, winding the substrate and the waste onto the take-up roller.

[0011] The present teachings may provide a suitable storage for a plurality of food pouches. The present teachings may provide a feeder assembly suitable for cutting open a food pouch and dispensing the food therefrom. The feeder assembly may dispose the food onto a substrate. The substrate may be in the form ofa paper roll or other food safe roll. The substrate may be useful in avoiding the use of serving dishes. The substrate may be able to be unwound from a feed roller to provide a clean serving area. The substrate may be able to be wound into a take-up roller to collect waste. The feeder may be able to dispense an empty pouch, separated portions of the pouch, or both with remnants of leftover food waste on the substrate. The waste may be able to be collected into the take-up roller. The take-up roller may seal in the waste and its resulting odors. The take-up roller may be able to be easily removed from the feeder assembly to remove the waste from the feeder assembly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feeder assembly.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feeder assembly.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a feeder assembly.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of a feeder assembly.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a feeder assembly.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of a feeder assembly.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a feeder assembly.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a left view of a feeder assembly.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a right view of a feeder assembly.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a frame subassembly.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a frame subassembly.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a drum subassembly.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drum subassembly.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of a drum subassembly.

[0026] FIG. 15A is a cross-section view of a drum subassembly receiving a full pouch.

[0027] FIG. 15B is a cross-section view of a drum subassembly squeezing a pouch.

[0028] FIG. 15C is a cross-section view of a drum subassembly with an empty pouch.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cutter subassembly.

[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cutter subassembly.

[0031] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cutter subassembly.

[0032] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cassette subassembly free of a paper roll.

[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cassette subassembly free of a paper roll.

[0034] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cassette subassembly.

[0035] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a cassette subassembly.

[0036] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a side cover subassembly.

[0037] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a side cover subassembly.

[0038] FIG. 25 is a cross-section view of a feeder assembly.

[0039] FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of a feeder assembly.

[0040] FIG. 27 illustrates a feeder assembly in a resting configuration.

[0041] FIG. 28 illustrates a feeder assembly in a loading configuration.

[0042] FIG. 29 illustrates a feeder assembly in a grasping configuration.

[0043] FIG. 30 illustrates a feeder assembly in a cutting configuration.

[0044] FIG. 31 illustrates a feeder assembly in a grasping configuration.

[0045] FIG. 32 illustrates a feeder assembly in a dispensing configuration.

[0046] FIG. 33 illustrates a feeder assembly in a dispensing configuration.

[0047] FIG. 34 illustrates a feeder assembly in a feeding configuration.

[0048] FIG. 35 illustrates a feeder assembly in a trashing configuration.

[0049] FIG. 36 illustrates a feeder assembly in a trashing configuration.

[0050] FIG. 37 illustrates a feeder assembly in a resting configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the present teachings, its principles, and its practical application. The specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the present teachings. The scope of the present teachings should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such 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 also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0052] Feeder Assembly

[0053] The present teachings relate to a feeder assembly. The feeder assembly may be a device which includes and dispenses food for consumption by an animal. The feeder assembly may store packaged food, automatically open packaged food, present food for consumption, collect waste generated from automatic feeding, or a combination thereof. The feeder assembly may be particularly useful in automatically opening a pouch of food and dispensing the food therefrom. The feeder assembly may be particularly useful in collecting waste associated with feeding an animal, sealing odors associated with food waste, or both. The feeder assembly may be configured to retain a plurality of pouches, dispense food therefrom for serving, or both. The feeder assembly may be at least partially automated. The feeder assembly may include a frame subassembly, drum subassembly, cutter subassembly, cassette subassembly, side cover subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. The feeder assembly may be configured to cooperate with a plurality of containers of food.

[0054] Food may be presented in a container. The container may seal food therein such that it is shelf stable for retail. The container may be rigid, soft, flexible, or a combination thereof. The container may be in the form of a pouch. The pouch may be any flexible food storage packaging which may be sealed. The pouch may be made from one or more layers of materials. The materials may be laminated. The materials may include aluminum foil, polyester, polyethylene, mylar, paperboard, the like, or a combination thereof. The pouch may be unsealed by cutting or otherwise opening the pouch. The food may be sealed within the pouch via typical means, such as welding or lamination. The pouch may include or be free of scoring lines for opening the pouch. The scoring lines may be located near a top edge. The pouch may be automaticallyopened by the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly may cut a top portion of the pouch exposing the food stored therein. A pouch, while sealed and prior to emptying, may be referred to as a full pouch. A portion of a pouch that is removed to unseal and / or open the pouch, such as a top portion which is cut off, may be referred to a separated portion. A pouch once opened may be referred to as an open pouch. A pouch once emptied of food may be referred to as an empty pouch.

[0055] The container may store food therein. The food may include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. Food may include wet food, dry food, or both. Wet food may include ground and / or shredded protein (e.g., meat), vegetables, grains, fruits, and / or the like served in or mixed with a liquid. A liquid may refer to water, broth, gravy, or other liquid. Dry food may refer to food substantially free of liquid, may be in the form of granular material, or both.

[0056] Drum Subassembly

[0057] The feeder assembly of the present teachings may include a drum subassembly. A drum subassembly may function to retain a pouch within the feeder assembly, dispense food from a pouch, dispense food onto a substrate, squeeze a pouch such as to dispense food therefrom, or a combination therefrom. A drum subassembly may cooperate with a pouch tray, frame subassembly, cutter subassembly, chute, or combination thereof. A drum subassembly may be configured to be static, rotatable, or both. A drum subassembly may be rotatable within a frame subassembly. The drum subassembly may be able to rotate toward the front, rear, or both of the feeder assembly. The drum subassembly may be rotatable in one or more directions. The drum subassembly may be rotatable in a first direction, opposing second direction, or both. The first direction may be toward the rear of the feeder assembly, toward a cutter subassembly, or both. For example, from the right-side view of the feeder assembly, the first direction may be a clockwise direction. The second direction may be toward the front of the feeder assembly. For example, from the right-side view of the feeder assembly, the second direction may be a counterclockwise direction. The drum subassembly may be able to rotate toward a cutter subassembly, cassette subassembly, or both. The drum subassembly may be able to rotate such as to orient the inlet and / or outlet opening. A drum subassembly may be able to move (e.g., rotate) into a loading position, cutting position, resting position, dispensing position, empty position, the like, or a combination thereof. The drum subassembly may include a rotational axis. The rotational axis may be concentric, off-center, or both with a drum housing. A drum subassembly may be located within an interior of a feeder assembly. A drum subassembly may be supported within a frame subassembly. A drum subassembly may be located below a pouch storage area, a lid, a pouch tray, the like, or a combination thereof. A drum subassembly may be located adjacent to a cutter subassembly. A drum subassembly may be located above, below, in front of, and / or behind of a cutter subassembly. A drum subassembly may be located between a cutter subassembly and a feeding area of a feeder assembly, a drum subassembly may be located over a cassette subassembly. A drum subassembly may be located over a substrate. A drum subassembly may include one or more drum housings, openings, squeeze rollers, drive gears, compressors, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0058] The drum subassembly may include one or more drum housings. A drum housing may function to house and / or support one or more components of the drum subassembly. A drum housing may house oneor more rollers, gears, or both. A drum housing may support one or more compressors. A drum housing may include one or more openings formed therein. A drum housing may include an inlet opening, outlet opening, or both. The drum housing may be configured to be rotated by one or more drive gears. The drum housing may include a drum rotation gear. A drum rotation gear may be configured to cooperate with a drive gear to rotate the drum housing. A drum rotation gear may be formed about an exterior, at one or more ends, or both of a drum housing. A drum rotation gear may be formed at one or both ends of a drum housing. A drum rotation gear may be statically affixed to a drum housing such that rotation of the drum rotation gear causes rotation of the entire drum subassembly. A drum rotation gear may include teeth on the interior, exterior, or both. A drum rotation gear may be formed as an internal gear. A drum rotation gear may be directly or indirectly engaged with a drive gear, such as a drum drive gear.

[0059] The drum subassembly may include one or more openings. One or more openings may function to allow a pouch to enter the drum subassembly, exit the drum subassembly, or both. One or more openings may allow for pouch waste to be easily dispensed. One or more openings may allow food to exit a pouch, drum subassembly, or both. One or more openings may include a single opening or a plurality of openings. One or more openings may include an inlet opening, outlet opening, or both. One or more openings may be formed in the exterior of the drum housing. A distance between one or more openings may form a path for a pouch. One or more rollers may be located between an inlet and outlet opening. An inlet opening may be located opposite an outlet opening. An inlet opening may function to receive a pouch. An inlet opening may be aligned with an inlet opening of a frame subassembly when the drum subassembly is in one or more positions (e.g., loading position). An inlet opening may allow for food to exit the pouch, drum housing, or both. An outlet opening may allow for a pouch to at least partially exit the drum subassembly. An outlet opening may allow for a bottom of a pouch to at least partially exit the drum housing when being squeezed and emptied.

[0060] The drum subassembly may include one or more pouch compressors. One or more pouch compressors may function to compress a pouch, cooperate with a cutter subassembly, cooperate with a chute, or a combination thereof. One or more pouch compressors may be located in proximity to one or more openings of the drum subassembly. One or more pouch compressors may be affixed to and / or integral with a drum housing. One or more pouch compressors may be located adjacent to an inlet opening. One or more pouch compressors may include a projection (e.g., flap) extending from the drum housing. One or more pouch compressors may project away from the drum housing. One or more pouch compressors may be static and / or movable relative to the drum housing. One or more pouch compressors may be affixed to a drum housing via a hinge. When a drum subassembly is rotated into a cutting position, a pouch compressor may lie on top of a cutting mat. When a drum subassembly is rotated into a cutting position, the top portion of a pouch may be sandwiched between the pouch compressor and the cutting mat. The pouch compressor may aid in applying pressure onto the pouch and keeping the pouch in place during cutting. A pouch compressor may come into contact with a portion of a chute door, apply force to a chute door, or both. A pouch compressor may come into contact and apply an opening force to a chute door when a drumsubassembly is rotated from a dispensing position to an empty position, from an empty position to a resting position or both. A pouch compressor may cause a chute door to open upon contact.

[0061] The drum subassembly may include one or more rollers. One or more rollers may function to apply pressure onto a pouch, move a pouch from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, from an outlet opening to an inlet opening, or a combination thereof. One or more rollers may be any suitable rolling mechanism configured to apply pressure to the pouch when rotating. One or more rollers may be referred to as one or more squeeze rollers. One or more rollers may include a pair of squeeze rollers. One or more rollers may include a front squeeze roller adjacent to a rear squeeze roller. The one or more rollers may be smooth, toothed, or both. For example, one or more smooth surfaced cylinders may be adjacent to one another and rotate in opposing directions. As another example, one or more toothed gears may be adjacent and mated to one another to work together to rotate in opposing directions. The one or more rollers may be one or more gears. The one or more gears may include one or more spur gears, helical gears, herringbone gears, the like, or a combination thereof. It is also possible that the one or more rollers may be configured as a rack and pinion gear. The one or more rollers may be driven by a drive gear. The one or more rollers may be directly or indirectly driven by a squeeze roller drive gear. One or both rollers may be geared to cooperate with a drive gear. One roller may be rotated by the drive gear and transfer torque to rotate the other roller. One or more rollers may be configured as a stepped gear. A stepped gear may allow for a roller to be mated with a drive gear and with another roller. One or more rollers may be located within the drum housing. The one or more rollers may be located between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The one or more squeeze rollers may rotate toward the inlet opening, outlet opening, or both. Rotation toward the outlet opening may cause movement of the pouch toward the outlet opening, gripping of a bottom of a pouch, squeezing of a pouch, or a combination thereof. Rotation toward the inlet opening may cause movement of the pouch toward the inlet opening, release of the pouch, allowing a pouch to exit a drum subassembly, or a combination thereof.

[0062] The drum subassembly may include one or more drive gears. One or more drive gears may function to drive one or more rollers, a drum housing, or both. One or more drive gears may rotate the drum housing. One or more drive gears which function to rotate a drum housing may be referred to as a drum drive gear. A drum drive gear may be configured as an internal or external gear. A drum drive gear may be indirectly or directly engaged with a drum rotation gear. One or more drive gears may rotate one or more rollers. One or more drive gears which function to rotate one or more squeeze rollers may be referred to as one or more squeeze roller drive gears. One or more drive squeeze roller drive gears may include a single drive gear. A single drive gear may transmit torque to one squeeze roller, then that squeeze roller may transfer torque to the other roller. For instance, when the squeeze rollers are gears. One or more squeeze roller drive gears may include two drive gears. Each drive gear may transmit torque to each of the squeeze rollers. For instance, when the squeeze rollers are smooth surfaced rollers. One or more squeeze roller drive gears may be located at one or more ends of the drum subassembly. One or more squeeze roller drive gears, drum drive gears, or both may be affixed to one or more side frames, side covers, or both. One or more squeezeroller drive gears, drum drive gears, or both may be affixed to part of a frame subassembly, side covers, or both.

[0063] Cutter Subassembly

[0064] The feeder of the present teachings may include a cutter subassembly. The cutter subassembly may function to open a pouch, cut at least a portion a of a pouch, or both. A cutter subassembly may cooperate with a drum subassembly to cut and open a pouch. A cutter subassembly may be static and / or movable within a feeder assembly. A cutter subassembly may rotate and / or axially move within feeder subassembly. A cutter subassembly may rotate and / or axially move within a frame subassembly. A cutting subassembly may move such as to provide clearance for and allow movement of a drum housing within the feeder assembly. A cutter subassembly may be supported within and / or by a frame subassembly. A cutter subassembly may rotate into a cutting position, resting position, or both. A cutter subassembly may be located toward a rear of a feeder assembly. A cutter subassembly may be located opposite a feeding area of a feeder assembly. A cutter subassembly may be located above a cassette subassembly, chute, or both. A cutter subassembly may be located under a lid. A cutter subassembly may be located adjacent to a drum subassembly. A cutter subassembly may be located above, below, in front of, and / or behind a drum subassembly. A cutter subassembly may be located between a drum subassembly and a rear of the feeder subassembly, between a drum subassembly and a front of the feeder subassembly, or both. The cutter subassembly may be movable, or have components moveable, between a resting position and a cutting position. The cutter subassembly may include any type of cutting mechanism for opening a container of food via cutting. The one or more cutting mechanisms may make use of a rotary blade, die cutting, laser cutting, shear blade, tearing via a score line, ultrasonic cutting, the like or a combination thereof. The cutter subassembly may include one or more cutter frames, support bars, translation rods, guide bars, gears, blade carriers, blades, cutting mats, mat supports, cutter position drivers, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0065] The cutter subassembly may include a one or more cutter frames. One or more cutter frames may function to support one or more components of the cutter subassembly, form an exterior of the cutter subassembly, or both. The cutter frames may function as a housing, mounts, or both for other components of the cutter subassembly. The cutter frames may be supported by a frame subassembly. The one or more cutter frames may include two cutter frames. The two cutter frames may be distanced from and opposing one another. The two cutter frames may include a right cutter frame and a left cutter frame. The cutter frames may be distanced apart and / or fastened to one another by one or more side frames, a support bar, a translation rod, a guide bar, a mat support, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0066] The cutter subassembly may include one or more support bars. One or more support bars may function to reinforce a cutter subassembly, affix a cutter subassembly to a frame subassembly, or both. A support bar may cooperate with one or more drivers to move a cutter subassembly. One or more drivers may cause rotation fore -aft movement, rotational movement, or both of the one or more support bars. By moving the support bar, the entire cutter subassembly may be moved fore -aft and / or rotated such as to move between a cutting position and a resting position. A cutter subassembly may be moveable toward and / or away from a drum subassembly. A cutter subassembly may move toward a drum subassembly to be in acuting position. A cuter subassembly may move away from a drum subassembly to be in a resting position. A support bar may be rotationally engaged with a cuter position driver. A support bar may include an opening. The opening may be threaded. The opening may include a cuter position driver therein. The opening combined with the cuter position driver may function to convert rotation of the cuter position driver into linear movement. A support bar may be located toward a rear of a cuter subassembly, opposite a translation rod, opposite a guide bar, opposite a mat support, the like, or a combination thereof. A support bar may extend between a pair of cuter frames (e.g., right cuter frame and left cuter frame).

[0067] The cuter subassembly may include one or more translation rods. One or more translation rods may be configured to cause movement of one or more blade carriers, blades, or both. One or more translation rods may be configured to convert rotary movement into linear movement. One or more translation rods may be threaded (e.g., threaded exterior). One or more translation rods may be one or more worm drives, lead screws, or both. One or more translation rods may be directly and / or indirectly driven. One or more translation rods may be driven by one or more gears. One or more gears may include one or more drive gears, intermediate gears, or both. Rotation of the one or more gears may result in transferring torque to and rotation of the translation rod. Rotation of a translation rod may result in movement of a blade carrier, blade, or both. A blade carrier, blade, or both may move axially along the translation rod. A translation rod may be located toward the front and / or center of a cuter subassembly, opposite a support bar, between a mat support and a support bar, the like, or a combination thereof. A translation bar may be located above and / or below a guide bar. A translation rod may extend between a pair of cuter frames (e.g., right cuter frame and left cuter frame). A translation rod may have one or more blade carriers, blades, or both mounted thereon. A translation rod may be mounted within an opening a blade carrier. A translation rod may be threaded with an opening of a blade carrier.

[0068] The cuter subassembly may include one or more guide bars. One or more guide bars may restrict rotation of a blade carrier, support axial movement of a blade carrier, reinforce a cuter subassembly, or a combination thereof. One or more guide bars may restrict rotation of a blade carrier about a translation rod. One or more guide bars may support axial movement along a translation rod. One or more guide bars may be located within one or more openings of one or more blade carriers. One or more guide bars may include one or more channels. One or more extensions of a blade carrier may extend into and / or be engaged with the one or more channels. The one or more extensions may be able to axially slide within the one or more channels. The one or more guide bars may extend between a pair of cuter frames. The one or more guide bars may be located below and / or above a translation bar. The one or more guide bars may be located adjacent to one or more mat supports, support bars, or both. The one or more guide bars may be located between the one or more mat supports and / or support bars.

[0069] The cuter subassembly may include one or more blade carriers. One or more blade carriers may function to hold one or more blades, move one or more blades, or both. One or more blade carriers may cooperate with one or more translation rods, guide bars, or both to convert rotary movement into linear movement. One or more blade carriers may have one or more blades affixed thereon. One or more blade carriers may be affixed to a translation rod, guide bar, or both. Movement of a blade carrier may result inmovement of a blade. A blade carrier may be affixed to a translation rod, guide bar, or both. A blade carrier may be configured to cooperate with a translation rod to convert rotary movement into linear movement. One or more blade carriers may be formed as a mount housing. A blade carrier may include one or more openings. One or more openings may be threaded, non-threaded, or both. The translation rod may pass through the opening. The translation rod may pass through a threaded opening. The translation rod may be engaged with interior threads of a blade carrier opening. Rotation of a translation rod may result in axial movement of a blade carrier. The blade carrier may move along the translation rod. The blade carrier may be prevented from rotating with the translation rod by a guide bar. A guide bar may pass through another opening. A guide bar may be engaged via a channel and a extension. For example, the blade carrier may include an extension which projects into a channel of a guide bar. The extension may be able to slide along the channel to allow for axial movement of the blade carrier while restricting rotation. The blade carrier may retain a blade. The blade carrier may rotationally support a blade.

[0070] The cutter subassembly may include one or more blades. One or more blades may be configured to cut open a pouch. One or more blades may be configured to be moved within the cutter subassembly. One or more blades may be configured to move axially, laterally, rotationally, or a combination thereof. One or more blades may move axially, laterally, and / or rotationally within the cutter subassembly. One or more blades may be configured to move axially and / or laterally along a translation rod. One or more blades may be retained by a blade carrier. One or more blades may be moved by a blade carrier. One or more blades may remain static and / or move relative to a blade carrier. One or more blades may rotate. One or more blades may rotate during axial movement. One or more blades may rotate when moving axially along a translation rod. One or more blades may include one or more rotary blades, dies, shear blades, or a combination thereof. One or more rotary blades may be one or more circular blades. A circular blade may rotate as the blade axially moves, applies force to the cutting mat, contacts the pouch, or a combination thereof. A circular blade may rotate as the blade contacts and axially moves along the cutting mat, contacts and cuts the pouch, or both. Rotation of the blade during cutting may allow for a longer lifespan of the blade before replacement is necessary, reduce friction when cutting the pouch, or both. One or more dies and / or shear blades may be one or more straight blades. During axial movement, a blade may come into a contact with a cutting mat, an opposing blade, or both. A blade may cooperate with a cutting mat, opposing blade, to compress and cut a pouch.

[0071] The cutter subassembly may include one or more cutting mats. A cutting mat may cooperate with a blade, compressor, or both for cutting a pouch. A cutting mat may provide a counter support. A cutting mat may be mounted onto a mat support. A cutting mat may be located between frame sides. A cutting may may be located adjacent to and / or below a translation rod, blade carrier, or both. A cutting mat may be located in proximity to a translation rod, guide bar, or both. A cutting mat may be configured to come into contact with a blade. A cutting mat may provide a surface material which absorbs cuts from the one or more blades. The cutting mat may be made from a material substantially similar to a self-healing cutting mat. The cutting mat may be made from one or more layers of vinyl. A cutting mat may have a length aboutequal to or larger than a width of a pouch. A cutting mat may be retained by a mat support. A cutting mat may be substantially planar.

[0072] In lieu of a cutting mat, there may also be one or more other blades opposing the blade. For example, a lower blade opposite an upper blade. This may be useful with rolling shears or straight shears.

[0073] The cutter subassembly may include one or more mat supports. A mat support may function to retain a cutting mat, reinforce a cutter subassembly. A mat support may statically hold a cutting mat in place. A mat support may connect opposing cutter frames. A mat support may extend between a pair of cutter frames. A mat support may be located opposite a support bar. A mat support may be located in front of a translation rod, guide bar, and / or support bar. A mat support may be located below a blade carrier. A mat support may include one or more planar surfaces. The one or more planar surfaces may provide a planar surface for a cutting mat, a pouch to rest on, or both. The one or more planar surfaces may include at least a planar upper surface upon which a cutting mat is located.

[0074] The cutter subassembly may include a cutter position driver. A cutter position driver may function to move a cutter subassembly, support bar, or both. Rotation of a cutter position driver may result in axial movement, rotational movement, or both of a cutter subassembly. A cutter position driver may function like a lead screw. A cutter position driver may include a threaded shaft. A cutter position driver may be engaged within an opening of a support bar. A cutter position driver may be mounted to the frame subassembly. A cutter position driver may be mounted to the rear of a frame subassembly. Rotation of a cutter position driver in a first direction may cause a cutter subassembly to move into a cutting position, move toward a drum subassembly, move toward a front of the feeder assembly, or a combination thereof. Rotation of a cutter position driver in a second direction may cause a cutter subassembly to move into a resting position, move away from a drum subassembly, move toward a rear of the feeder assembly, or a combination thereof.

[0075] The cutter subassembly may include one or more gears. One or more gears may function to drive one or more translation rods, other gears, or both. One or more gears may be a single or a plurality of gears. One or more gears may include a drive gear, intermediate gear, or both. A drive gear resulting in rotation of a translation rod may be referred to as a cutter drive gear. One or more gears between a drive gear and a translation rod may be referred to as an intermediate gear. A cutter drive gear may be configured as an internal or external gear. A cutter drive gear may be indirectly or directly engaged with an intermediate gear, translation rod, or both. One or more cutter drive gears may be engaged with an intermediate gear. An intermediate gear may be configured as an internal or external gear. An intermediate gear may be engaged with a cutter drive gear. An intermediate gear may be affixed to a translation rod.

[0076] Cassette Subassembly

[0077] The feeder of the present teachings may include a cassette subassembly. The cassette subassembly may function to present food thereon for an animal, to collect packaging waste from opening a pouch, to collect food waste after an animal is done eating the food, to seal odor from waste collected within the feeder assembly, or a combination thereof. A cassette subassembly may provide a simple means for providing a clean eating surface, removing a dirty eating surface, or both. A cassette subassembly may provide a simple means for easily removing waste collected and stored within the feeder assembly. Acassete subassembly may provide a simple means for sealing waste collected from a feeding cycle thus sealing in odors emanating from food waste. A cassete subassembly may be supported within a frame subassembly. The cassete subassembly may include one or more rollers, wheels, substrates, or a combination thereof. The cassete subassembly may include a feed roller, take-up roller, serving area, feed wheel, take-up wheel, substrate (e.g., paper roll, substrate roll), frame, guides, inlets, gears, the like, or a combination thereof. The cassete subassembly may be located below, above, and / or adjacent to the cuter subassembly. The cassete subassembly may function similar to a musical cassete with tape wound about two reels.

[0078] The cassete subassembly may include a serving area. The serving area may be a portion of the cassete subassembly which presents food to an animal for consumption. The serving area may be where food is dispensed. The serving area may be a clean portion of the substrate. The serving area may become a waste area. The serving area may be a portion of the substrate which receives food from a pouch, which receives food from a drum subassembly, or both. The serving area may be a portion of the substrate between the feed roller and the take up roller. The serving area may be above, below, in front of, and / or behind the feed roller and / or the take-up roller. The serving area may be moveable between the take-up roller and the feed roller. The serving area may be moved toward the feeding area, under the food opening, or both. The serving area may be moved away from the feeding area, away from the food opening, toward the take-up roller, the like, or a combination thereof. The serving area may be located below a drum subassembly, cuter subassembly, food opening, pouch holder, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The serving area of the substrate may be substantially planar, be provided with a concave surface, or both. A concave surface may aid in retaining liquid from a wet food within the bounds of the substrate, prevent dripping of the liquid off the edges of the substrate, or both. A concave surface may be formed via one or more components of a frame assembly. For example, one or more guides as disclosed herein may provide for the concavity.

[0080] The serving area may be substantially parallel and / or offset relative to the horizontal plane. Offset may be an incline. The serving area may be higher toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly and lower toward a take-up roller. The serving area may be inclined to encourage liquid to move toward the take-up roller, prevent liquid from moving toward and / or dropping off a front side of the substrate near the feeding area, or both. An incline may be about 1 degree or greater, about 2 degrees or greater, or even about 3 degrees or greater. An include may be about 10 degrees or less, about 7 degrees or less, or even about 5 degrees or less.

[0081] The cassete subassembly may include a substrate. A substrate may function to present food to an animal, have an animal consume therefrom, collect waste, or any combination thereof. A substrate may cooperate with and / or be part of a cassete subassembly. A substrate may be any suitable material for having food consumed therefrom, being unwound, being wound, or a combination thereof. A substrate may be easily inserted, removed, or both from the cassete subassembly, feeder assembly, or both. A substrate may be wound up in one or more rolls. A substrate may be wound up and extend between two rolls. A fresh substrate may be mostly wound into a feed roll and extend to a small portion wound into a take-up roll. Aused substrate may mostly or entirely be wound into a take-up roll. The one or more rolls may be separate from and / or be part of the feed roller, take-up roller, or both. A substrate may be wound about one or more tubes. A substrate may be free of one or more tubes. In other words, a substrate may be formed as a roll with a core or a coreless roll. The substrate may be rolled about one or more cores, into one or more rolls, or both. A substrate may be wound about a feed core, a feed roller, a take-up core, a take-up roller, or a combination thereof. A core (e.g., tube) and / or opening of a coreless roll may be located onto a feed roller, take-up roller, or both. The majority of the substrate may be wound about a feed core, into a feed roll, or both. A small portion of the substrate may be wound about a take-up core, a take-up roll, or both. A substrate wound into the rolls may function much like tape inside a musical cassette wound around the two reels. A substrate may be formed by paper, plastic (e.g., polymer), foil, the like, or a combination thereof. Exemplary paper may include butcher paper, parchment paper, wax paper, the like, or a combination thereof. A polymer may be a flexible polymer. A substrate may be a paper roll. A substrate when located in a cassette subassembly may be compressed under one or more guides, may extend between a feed roller and a takeup roller, be located above a food tray, the like, or a combination thereof. A substrate may function to move toward and / or away from the feeding area. A substrate may cooperate with one or more feed rollers, takeup rollers, or both.

[0082] The substrate may include one or more adhesives or have one or more adhesives added thereon. The adhesives may be located at one or more edges along the substrate. The adhesive may be provided normal to a direction of movement of the substrate. The edges may be the edges running along a length (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis, parallel to the direction of movement of the substrate). The adhesive may allow for unpeeling and peeling from the feed roller and / or take-up roller. The adhesive may be provide as part of the substrate when wound about the feed roller. The adhesive may be provided after being unwound from the feed roller and before being wound about the take-up roller. The adhesive may be or include a removable adhesive, repositionable adhesive, temporary adhesive, low adhesion adhesive, low- tack adhesive, the like, or a combination thereof. The adhesive may be beneficial in creating a seal about the exterior of the substrate, sealing in waste, sealing in odors from food in the take-up roll, or a combination thereof.

[0083] A cassette subassembly may include one or more rollers. One or more rollers may function to provide support for one or more portions of a substrate. One or more rollers may function to rotationally support a substrate. One or more rollers may be a spool. One or more rollers may have a substrate wound about it. One or more rollers may function as a core of a roll of substrate. One or more rollers may be received within a core and / or an opening (e.g., coreless roll) of a substrate. One or more rollers may retain clean and unused substrate. One or more rollers may retain used substrate and waste. One or more rollers may include one or more feed rollers, take-up rollers, or both. A cassette subassembly may include a feed roller. A feed roller may function to provide a clean supply of a substrate for which food can be presented thereon. The feed roller may include a feed core, feed roll, or both located thereon. A feed roller may be biased toward an end of the feeder assembly, centered in the feeder assembly, under a feeding area, toward a feeding area, toward a food opening, or a combination thereof. The feed roller may be in any suitablelocation that allows the cassette frame and take-up roller to cooperate with the feed roller to provide tension to the substrate and have it lie flat to provide a serving area. A cassette subassembly may include a take-up roller. A take-up roller may function to be wound up and collect a used supply of a substrate, collect packaging waste, collect food waste, or a combination thereof; provide an easy means of dispensing waste from the feeder assembly; seal in waste and odors into the roll; or any combination thereof. The take-up roller may include a take-up core, take-up roll, or both located thereon. A take-up roller may be biased toward a rear of the feeder assembly, away from a feeding area, away from a food opening, or both. A takeup roller may be located at an opposite end of the cassette subassembly as the feed roller. One or more rollers may be rotatably mounted to a cassette frame. One or more rollers may be inserted into one or more roller inlets of a cassette frame. The one or more rollers may rotate in one or two directions. A feed roller may rotate in a first direction and a second direction. A feed roller, take-up roller, or both may rotate in a first direction to move a substrate toward the feeding area, a serving area toward the feeding area, about the feed roller, toward a front of the feeder assembly, or a combination thereof. A feed roller, take-up roller, or both may rotate in a second direction to move a substrate away from a feeding area, about the take-up roller, toward a rear of the feeder assembly, or a combination thereof. A feed roller and take-up roller may rotate simultaneously, separately, or both. A feed roller and take-up roller may rotate simultaneously or separate in the first direction, second direction, or both. A feed roller and take-up roller may cooperate with one another much like reels rotating tape in a music cassette.

[0084] One or more rollers may include one or a plurality of feed rollers and a single take-up roller. A single feed roller may be beneficial in simplicity. A plurality of feed rollers may be useful in sandwiching (e.g., laminating) the waste when being collected and then being rolled into a single take-up roller. As a first example, food may be presented onto a single substrate provided by a single feed roller. Then, once ready to be rolled with waste, the substrate may be wound together about a single take-up roller. As a second example, food may be presented on a single, bottom substrate provided by a first feed roller. Then, once ready to be rolled with waste, a second feed roller may provide a top substrate on top of the bottom substrate and sandwich the waste therebetween. Both the top substrate and the bottom substrate may then be wound together around a single feed roller.

[0085] The cassette subassembly may include one or more wheels. One or more wheels may function to rotate one or more rollers, advance a substrate, retract a substrate, or a combination thereof. One or more wheels may be in rotational communication with one or more rollers. One or more wheels may be in rotational communication with one or more rollers via one or more gears. The one or more wheels may include a feed wheel, take-up wheel, or both. The cassette subassembly may include a feed wheel. A feed wheel may function to rotate a feed roller, advance a substrate, or both. A feed wheel may be in rotational communication with a feed roller. A feed wheel may rotate the feed roller such as to advance substrate toward the feed roller, toward a front of the feeder assembly, toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly, or any combination thereof. The cassette subassembly may include a take-up wheel. The take-up wheel may function to rotate a take-up roller, retract a substrate, or both. A take-up wheel may be in rotational communication with atake-up roller. Atake-up wheel may rotate the take-up roller to advance (e.g., retract)substrate toward the take-up roller, toward a rear of the feeder assembly, away from the feeding area of the feeder assembly, or any combination thereof. The one or more wheels may be configured as any suitable rotation mechanism. One or more wheels may be manual, automated, or both. An exemplary manual wheel may be a hand crank wheel. An automated wheel may include a motorized wheel, electric actuator, or both.

[0086] The cassette subassembly may include one or more gears. The one or more gears may be in direct or indirect rotational communication with a feed wheel, take-up wheel, feed roller, take-up roller, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more gears may function to transfer torque from one or more wheels to one or more rollers. One or more gears may include one or more drive gears, hub gears, the like, or a combination thereof. Between the feed wheel and feed roller, there may be a drive gear and / or hub gear to transfer torque from the feed wheel to the feed roller. Between the take-up wheel and take-up roller, there may be a drive gear and / or hub gear to transfer torque from the take-up wheel to the take-up roller. The feed wheel and take-up wheel may have their own or shared drive gears, hub gears, or both.

[0087] The cassette subassembly may include one or more guides. One or more guides may function to retain a substrate in place, apply tension to a substrate, provide concavity to the substrate, or a combination thereof. One or more guides may be part of a cassette frame. One or more guides may be referred to as one or more paper guides. One or more guides may project from a frame side. One or more guides may project inward toward an interior of the cassette frame. One or more guides may compress a substrate. One or more guides may apply pressure to the substrate to provide concavity to the substrate. The concavity may be beneficial to prevent liquid from the food and / or waste spilling over the edges of the substrate . The substrate may be sandwiched between one or more guides and one or more center supports, food tray, or both. One or more guides may hold a substrate substantially flush relative to a cassette food tray. By being flush, the substrate provides a flat serving area.

[0088] The cassette subassembly may include a cassette frame. A cassette frame may function to house and / or support one or more components of the cassette subassembly. A cassette frame may include one or more frame sides. The frame sides may be distanced and opposing one another. The space between the frame sides may function to support one or more components of the cassette subassembly. Cassette frame sides may include a left cassette frame side opposite a right cassette frame side. The cassette frame may include a cassette food tray. The cassette food tray may provide support for a substrate at a feeding area. The cassette food tray may be between the opposing frame sides, be biased toward a front of the cassette frame, or both. To hold reinforce the cassette frame, one or more center supports may extend between opposing frame sides. The cassette frame may function to support one or more wheels, rollers, or both. A cassette frame may rotatably support a feed wheel, take-up wheel, feed roller, take-up roller, or a combination thereof. A substrate may wrap at least partially about a cassette frame while also being wound about one or more rollers.

[0089] A cassette frame may include one or more roller inlets. One or more roller inlets may function to allow insertion, rotatably support, or both one or more feed rollers, take-up rollers, or both. One or more roller inlets may function to allow one or more feed rollers, take-up rollers, or both to extend between frame sides. One or more roller inlets may be formed in one or more cassette frame sides. One or more rollerinlets in one frame side may have reciprocal roller inlets in an opposing frame side. One or more roller inlets may be formed as one or more openings, channels, notches, or a combination thereof in one or more frame sides. The one or more roller inlets may be biased toward a front, rear, or both of the cassette frame. One or more roller inlets configured to support a take-up roller may be biased toward a rear of the frame support. One or more roller inlets configured to support a feed roller may be biased toward a front of the frame support.

[0090] Frame Subassembly

[0091] The feeder assembly of the present teachings may include a frame subassembly. A frame subassembly may function as a housing of the feeder assembly, to support one or more components of the feeder subassembly, support one or more pouches, or a combination thereof. The frame subassembly may support a drum subassembly, cutter subassembly, cassette subassembly, side cover subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0092] The frame subassembly may include a feeding area. A feeding area may function as the area of the feeder assembly in which food is presented for display and allows an animal to consume the food. The feeding area may include a food opening. The food opening may be an opening formed in one or more portions of the frame subassembly. The food opening may provide access to food displayed on a substrate, on a cassette subassembly, or both. The food opening may be formed as an opening in a frame access cover. The feeding area may be formed toward the front and / or side of the feeder assembly.

[0093] The frame subassembly may include one or more sides and / or panels. The frame subassembly may include one or more frame fronts, frame rears, frame sides, frame bottoms, frame access covers, the like, or a combination thereof. A frame front may define a front area, front panel, or both of the frame subassembly. A frame rear may define a rear area, rear panel, or both of the frame subassembly. A frame rear may be generally opposite a frame front. A frame front may be closer to the feeding area of the frame subassembly than a frame rear. One or more frame sides may define one or more sides of the feeding assembly. One or more frame sides may connect the frame rear and a frame front. One or more frame sides may include a left frame side opposite a right frame side. The frame sides may extend from the frame bottom to a top of the frame subassembly, such as a lid. A frame bottom may define a bottom of the feeder assembly which rests upon a support surface. The frame bottom may include and / or be free of one or more feet (e.g., plurality of feet). The frame bottom may be located opposite a top of the frame subassembly. The frame may be located opposite a lid. The frame subassembly may include a frame access cover. The frame access cover may be opposite the frame bottom. The frame access cover may define the feeding area. The frame access cover may include a food opening formed therein. One or more portions of the frame subassembly may include one or more openings to allow access for one or more components of the feeder assembly. One or more openings may be formed in one or more sides, a front, rear, and / or bottom.

[0094] The frame subassembly may include one or more openings. One or more openings may allow access into an interior of the feeder subassembly. One or more openings may include a cover opening, cassette opening, or both. A cover opening, cassette opening, or both may be formed in one or more frame sides. A cover opening, cassette opening, or both may be formed in the same or opposing frame sides. Acover opening, cassete opening, or both may be a single opening or separate openings. A cover opening, cassete opening, or both may be closed off by one or more cover subassemblies, components of the feeder assembly, or both. A cover opening may be closed off by a side cover subassembly.

[0095] The frame subassembly may include a lid. A lid may function to form a top of the feeder assembly, support one or more pouches, provide access into an interior of the feeder assembly for the one or more pouches, the like, or a combination thereof. The lid may be supported by one or more other portions of the frame subassembly. The lid may be supported by a frame front, one or more frame sides, a frame rear, the like, or a combination thereof. A lid may be located at an upper most portion of the frame subassembly. A lid may be located opposite a frame botom. A lid may include a pouch tray.

[0096] The frame subassembly may include a pouch tray. The pouch tray may function to store a plurality of pouches . A pouch tray may be any type of suitable storage mechanism able to store a plurality of pouches . A pouch tray may be formed at the top, rear, and / or side of a frame subassembly. A pouch tray may be supported on and / or integral with a lid. A pouch tray may be formed and / or defined by one or more flanges. The one or more flanges may function to support and / or retain one or more pouches within the pouch tray. The one or more flanges may be defined as one or more tray flanges. The one or more flanges may project from a lid. The one or more flanges may project upwards from the lid, opposite an interior of the feeder assembly, opposite a frame botom of the frame subassembly, or a combination thereof. The one or more flanges may form a shape suitable for holding a plurality of pouches. The one or more flanges may form a shape reciprocal with a stack of a plurality of pouches. The one or more flanges may form a shape which is substantially U-shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more pouches may transfer from the pouch tray into a drum subassembly, interior of the feeder subassembly, or both via an inlet opening. A pouch tray may include one or more automated mechanisms for moving one or more pouches toward an inlet opening, an interior of the feeder assembly, or both. A pouch tray may include an indexing mechanism and / or the like to advance one or more pouches. An indexing mechanism may include a cam indexer, Geneva drive, ratchet and pawl mechanism, stepper motor conveyor, walking beam indexer, linear actuator system, chain and sprocket system with detent mechanisms, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0097] The frame subassembly may include an inlet opening. An inlet opening may provide a pathway from a pouch tray and / or lid into an interior of the feeder assembly, toward a drum subassembly, or both. An inlet opening may be formed in and / or near a pouch tray. An inlet opening may be formed in a surface of the feeder assembly having the pouch tray. An inlet opening may be formed in the top of the feeder assembly. An inlet opening may be formed in the lid. An inlet opening may be biased toward one or more sides of the pouch tray, aligned with an inlet opening of a drum subassembly, or both. An inlet opening may be biased toward a front of the pouch tray, lid, or both.

[0098] The frame subassembly may include a chute. The chute may function to store a separated portion of the pouch, transfer a separated portion of the pouch, or both. The chute may be located between a cuter subassembly and a cassete subassembly, between a cuter subassembly and a drum subassembly, between a drum subassembly and a take-up roller, above a cassete subassembly, or a combination thereof. A chutemay be closed off by a chute door. A chute door may function to retain a separated portion of the pouch within the chute. A chute door may allow a separated portion of the pouch to exit the chute when engaged. A chute door may be located between a drum subassembly and a take-up roller. A chute door may be located between a cutter subassembly and a cassette subassembly. A chute door may be hinged. A hinge may allow a chute door to pivot. A chute door may be opened via a compressor. A compressor may rotate into contact with a chute door when rotated via the drum subassembly. Upon rotating into contact, the compressor may apply force onto the chute door such that it pivots about a hinge and opens the chute.

[0099] Side Cover Subassembly

[0100] The feeder assembly may include a side cover subassembly. A side cover subassembly may close off access into an interior of the frame subassembly, support one or more components of the feeder assembly, or both. A side cover subassembly may close a frame subassembly. A side cover subassembly may be removably affixed to the frame subassembly. A side cover subassembly may close off one or more openings of a frame subassembly. The side cover subassembly may include a cover panel. The cover panel may function to close off and / or complete one or more sides and / or panels of a frame subassembly. The cover panel may be mounted to a side frame. The cover panel may close off a cover opening. The cover panel may include one or more openings therethrough. The cover panel may support one or more drive gears. The cover panel may be affixed to one or more components of the feeder assembly. The cover panel may be mounted to the drum subassembly, cassette subassembly, or both. The side cover subassembly may support one or more drive gears.

[0101] Drive Gears

[0102] The feeder assembly of the present teachings may include one or more drive gears, wheels, or both. One or more drive gears, wheels, or both may be driven via and / or be one or more drive sources. A single drive source or a plurality of drive sources may be associated with the one or more drive gears. One or more drive gears may share a drive source with one or more other drive gears or may be independent. A drive source may convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, may transfer mechanical energy, or both. A drive source may be in electrical communication with a power source. A drive source may be a motor or other power supply. The drive source may be an electronic motor, pneumatic power supply, hydraulic power supply, another power supply, or a combination thereof. A drive source may transfer or produce torque in a drive gear, drive shaft, or both.

[0103] Automation

[0104] The feeder assembly of the present teachings may be automated. For automation of the feeder assembly, the feeder assembly may include one or more power sources, controllers, or both. A controller may include one or more processors, storage mediums, the like, or a combination thereof. A controller may be programmed with one or more methods for operating the feeder assembly. The controller may be in electronic communication with the one or more drive sources, drive gears, or both. The controller may be configured to initiate one or more steps of the method of operating a feeder assembly. The controller may be configured to automatically execute one or more steps of the method of dispensing food for consumption by a feeder assembly.

[0105] Method of Operating a Feeder Assembly

[0106] The present teachings provide for a method of dispensing food for consumption by a feeder assembly. The method may be particularly useful with the feeder assembly according to the teachings herein. The method may include: a) receiving a pouch, which is sealed, into a drum subassembly while in a loading position; b) rotating the drum subassembly toward a cutter subassembly such as to be in a cutting position; c) cutting a portion of the pouch by the cutter subassembly; d) rotating the drum subassembly away from the cutter subassembly and toward a serving area of a substrate of a cassette subassembly; e) dispensing food from the pouch by the drum subassembly onto the serving area; f) advancing the food toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly by advancing the substrate toward the feeding area; g) retracting the substrate and any waste thereon (e.g., food remnants, the pouch, the portion of the pouch when cut) from the feeding area and toward a take-up roller; h) winding the substrate and the waste onto the take-up roller; the like; or any combination thereof.

[0107] The method may include the feeder assembly being ready to initiate operation. The feeder assembly may commence in a resting configuration. The feeder assembly may have one or more pouches stored thereon or therein. The one or more pouches may be located on the top of the frame subassembly. The one or more pouches may be located on a lid. The one or more pouches may be located in a pouch tray. The one or more pouches may be full of food and sealed. The one or more pouches may be located behind an inlet opening. In the resting configuration, a drum subassembly may be in a loading position. In the resting configuration, the cutter subassembly may be in a resting position. In the resting configuration, a serving area is clean and free of food. In other words, a substrate is clean. To be clean, the substrate may be free of food, food remnants, packaging, or other waste.

[0108] The method may include one or more pouches advancing. Advancing may include toward an inlet opening of a frame subassembly, toward a drum subassembly, or both. When the one or more pouches are advancing, the feeder assembly may be in a loading configuration. In the loading configuration, one or more pouches may move in a pouch tray, toward an inlet opening, toward a drum subassembly, or a combination thereof. For advancing the one or more pouches, one or more indexing mechanisms may be implemented. The one or more pouches may be advanced such as to drop into an inlet opening of the frame subassembly, drop into a drum subassembly, received by the drum subassembly, or a combination thereof. Advancing of one or more pouches may be automated.

[0109] The method may include receiving a pouch, which is sealed, into a drum subassembly while in a loading position. In the loading position, the inlet opening of the drum subassembly may be aligned with an inlet opening of the frame subassembly. Alignment may mean that the inlet opening of the drum subassembly is directly below the inlet opening of the frame subassembly. In the loading position, the drum subassembly may be tilted. The tilting may be such as to align the inlet openings. Receiving a pouch in a drum subassembly may be automated.

[0110] The method may include the drum subassembly grasping onto a pouch. Grasping may include a one or more squeeze rollers partially rotating to grasp onto a bottom of the pouch once received with the drum subassembly. The one or more squeeze rollers may be a pair of squeeze rollers. Rotating of the oneor more squeeze rollers may result from one or more squeeze roller drive gears rotating. One or more squeeze roller drive gears may rotate one or both of the squeeze rollers. One or more squeeze rollers may transfer torque to another squeeze roller such as to also cause its rotation. The one or more squeeze rollers may rotate in opposing directions, toward an outlet opening of a drum housing, away from an inlet opening of a drum housing, or a combination thereof. A drum subassembly grasping onto a pouch may be automated.

[0111] The method may include rotating the drum subassembly toward a cutter subassembly such as to be in a cutting position. When the drum subassembly is rotated into a cutting position, the feeder assembly may be in a cutting configuration. A drum subassembly may be rotated by one or more drive gears. One or more drive gears may be one or more drum drive gears. Torque may be received by a drum rotation gear. A drum subassembly is rotated about a rotational axis of the drum subassembly, drum housing, or both. In a cutting position, the drum subassembly may be rotated to align a pouch with a cutter subassembly. In a cutting position, the drum subassembly may be rotated toward a rear of the feeder assembly. In a cutting position, the drum subassembly may be rotated such that the inlet opening of the drum subassembly may aligns with, pass, or both the cutter subassembly. In the cutting position, a pouch is rotated such that the pouch rests upon a portion of a cutter subassembly. A top portion of the sealed pouch may rest upon a cutting mat. The pouch may be sandwiched between a pouch compressor and a cutting mat. Rotating of a drum subassembly between positions may be automated.

[0112] The method may include cutting a portion of the pouch by the cutter subassembly. Cutting may include a blade being linearly moved along a translation rod of a cutter subassembly. A blade may move from a resting position to a cutting position, cutting position to a resting position, or both. In a resting position, a blade carrier and / or blade may be supported by a translation rod, guide bar, or both. In a resting position, a blade carrier and / or blade may be biased toward a frame side, left cutter frame, right cutter frame, or both. To move from the resting position into the cutting position, the translation rod may rotate. Rotation may result from one or more gears. Rotation may of the translation rod may cause a blade carrier, blade, or both to move axially. During rotation of the translation rod, a blade carrier may move along threads of the translation rod. The blade carrier may be constrained from freely rotating about the translation rod via a guide bar. The blade carrier, blade, or both may move from one cutter frame toward the opposing cutter frame. The blade carrier, blade, or both may move past the cutting mat, pouch, or both. As the blade passes over the cutting mat, the blade may cut through a sealed top portion of the pouch. The top portion of the pouch may be separated from the rest of the pouch. Once separated, the top portion of the pouch may be referred to as the separated portion of the pouch. After cutting the pouch, the cutter subassembly may move back to a resting position. The blade carrier, blade, or both may move back into a resting position. Cutting a pouch may be automated.

[0113] The method may include a separated portion of the pouch dropping away from the pouch. After being cut from the pouch, the separated portion may drop away from the pouch. The separated portion may drop away from the drum subassembly, cutter subassembly, or both. The separated portion may drop further into an interior of the feeder subassembly. The separated portion may drop toward a substrate . The separatedportion may be temporarily prevented from falling onto the substrate. The separated portion may drop down into a chute. The separated portion may be retained in a chute by a chute door.

[0114] After cutting and removal of the separated portion, the pouch may be open and unsealed. The pouch may be full of food. The feeder assembly may be considered to be in a grasping configuration as the drum subassembly moves away from the cutting position; from the cutting position to the loading position, dispensing position, or both; or a combination thereof. During rotation, the pouch is continued to be grasped at a bottom, opposite the open end, by one or more squeeze rollers. During rotation, the one or more squeeze rollers avoid applying pressure onto the food in the pouch such that the food is not squeezed outside of the pouch.

[0115] The method may include rotating the drum subassembly away from the cutter subassembly and toward a serving area of a substrate of a cassette subassembly. The drum subassembly may be rotated back from a cutting position into a loading position, a dispensing position, or both. The drum subassembly may be rotated back to the resting position, to a dispensing position, or both after the pouch has been cut and the separated portion has been removed from the pouch. The drum subassembly may rotate from the resting position past the loading position and into the dispensing position. The drum subassembly may rotate toward a front of the feeder assembly, away from the cutter subassembly, or both. In the dispensing position, the drum subassembly may be positioned such that an inlet opening is positioned over a serving area of a substrate. A drum subassembly may be rotated by one or more drive gears. One or more drive gears may be one or more drum drive gears. Torque may be received by a drum rotation gear. A drum subassembly may be rotated about a rotational axis of the drum subassembly, drum housing, or both. Rotating of the drum subassembly may be automated.

[0116] The method may include dispensing food from the open pouch. The food may be dispensed by the drum subassembly. The drum subassembly may be positioned in the dispensing position. The food may be dispensed onto the serving area. The serving area may be a clean portion of the substrate intended to be presented in a food opening. To dispense the food, the pair of squeeze rollers may rotate to push food out of the pouch such as to be dispensed. The pair of squeeze rollers may rotate away from an inlet opening, toward an outlet opening, or both. The pair of squeeze rollers may be rotated by one or more squeeze roller drive gears. The pair of squeeze rollers may rotate toward an outlet opening, away from the serving area, or both. The pair of squeeze rollers may rotate such as to move the pouch away from the inlet opening, toward the outlet opening, away from the serving area, or a combination thereof. During rotation, the squeeze rollers may apply pressure to the pouch and thus to the food. The pouch may be pulled through the pair of squeeze rollers while the food is pushed out of the pouch. The food may exit the pouch. The food may exit the drum subassembly via an inlet opening. The pouch may or may not partially exit the drum subassembly via the outlet opening. Dispensing of the food from the open pouch may be automated.

[0117] The method may include retracting an open pouch in the drum subassembly. The pouch may be retracted in a drum subassembly, pushed back toward an inlet opening, or both. The pouch may be returned toward an inlet opening to avoid the open end of the pouch passing by the squeeze rollers and thus food remnants coming into contact with the squeeze rollers. To retract the open pouch in the drum subassembly,the pair of squeeze rollers may rotate to push the push. The pair of squeeze rollers may rotate away from an outlet opening, toward an inlet opening, or both. The pair of squeeze rollers may be rotated by one or more squeeze roller drive gears. The pair of squeeze rollers may rotate such as to move the pouch away from the outlet opening, toward the inlet opening, or both. The retraction may occur while the feeder assembly is in a feeding configuration. Retracting the pouch may be automated.

[0118] The method may include presenting food. Food may be presented for consumption from the feeder assembly by an animal. The feeder assembly may be in a feeding configuration. The method may include advancing the food toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly. The food may be advanced by advancing a substrate toward the feeding area. The food may be advanced forward such as to be located under a food opening. The serving area of the substrate with the food may be aligned with the food opening. Once the food is located under the food opening, the food may be available for consumption by an animal. Advancing may include rotating a feed roller to cause advancement of the substrate toward the feeding area. A feeder roller may be rotated by a feed wheel. Torque may be transferred from a feed wheel to a feed roller via one or more gears. Presenting the food may be automated.

[0119] The method may include allowing food to remain on display for a predetermined duration. The predetermined duration may be a time frame which avoids the food spoiling, allows the food to still be alluring to an animal, or both. The predetermined duration may be a time which minimizes the amount of time the odor of food is able to emanate from the feeder assembly. The predetermined duration may be 30 minutes or greater, 45 minutes or greater, or even 1 hour or greater. The predetermined duration may be 3 hours or less, 2.5 hours or less, or even 2 hours or less. After food is presented, an animal has eaten at least some of the food, a predetermined duration has passed, or a combination thereof, the waste may be collected. Having food be on display for a predetermined duration may be automated.

[0120] The method may include collecting waste on the substrate. When collecting waste, the feeder assembly may be in a trash configuration. The method may include retracting the substrate and any waste thereon (e.g., food remnants, the pouch, the portion of the pouch when cut) from the feeding area and toward a take-up roller. Retracting may include a substrate moving back, away from a feeding area and being wound up toward a take -up roller. Retracting may include rotating a take-up roller to cause retraction of the substrate away from the feeding area. A take-up roller may be rotated by a take-up wheel. Torque may be transferred from a take-up wheel to a take-up roller via one or more gears. While the substrate moves back toward the take-up roll, any remaining food left on the substrate may travel with the substrate. Once retraction commences, the serving area on a substrate may be referred to as the waste area. The waste area may have remaining food thereon. The waste area may move toward the take-up roller, the rear of the feeder assembly, or both. Waste collection may be automated.

[0121] The method may include disposing of the empty pouch. Once emptied of food, an empty pouch may be collected by a substrate for disposal. A drum subassembly may remain rotated in a dispensing position or rotate back into a dispensing position during a trash configuration. A drum subassembly may be positioned such that the inlet opening may be located over a substrate. The waste area on the substrate may move underneath an inlet opening of the drum subassembly. The waste area move under the inlet openingas the substrate is retracted back toward the take-up roller. The empty pouch may be disposed of from the drum subassembly. The empty pouch may be disposed onto the substrate. The drum subassembly may release its grasp on the empty pouch. To release its grasp on the empty pouch, one or more squeeze rollers may rotate. The one or more squeeze rollers may rotate toward an inlet opening, away from an outlet opening, toward a substrate, or a combination thereof. The empty pouch may exit the drum subassembly via the inlet opening. The empty pouch may land on and / or near the waste rea of the substrate. Disposing of the empty pouch may be automated.

[0122] The method may include disposing of the separated portion of the pouch. The method may include disposing of the portion of the pouch cut away from the pouch when opened. The separated portion may be disposed onto the substrate. The separated portion may be disposed of together with an empty pouch, leftover food, or both. The separated portion may be disposed onto a waste area of a substrate. A drum subassembly may cause opening of a chute door to release the separated portion onto the substrate. After the drum subassembly disposes of the empty ouch, the drum subassembly may rotate from the dispensing position into an empty position. In the empty position, a pouch compressor may abut to, apply force to, or both a chute door. The force causes the chute door to rotate about a pivot hinge. The force causes the chute door to open such that the separated portion drops from the chute and onto the substrate. The separated portion may drop onto the waste area of the substrate, on and / or in proximity to the empty pouch on the substrate, on and / or in proximity to leftover food on the substrate, or a combination thereof. In this manner, the waste is all collected together in a limited surface area of the substrate. Disposing of the separated portion may be automated.

[0123] The method may include winding the substrate and the waste onto the take-up roller. Winding may include rotating a take-up roller to cause retraction of the substrate away from the feeding area, winding up of the substrate onto the take-up roller, or both. A take-up roller may be rotated by a take-up wheel. Torque may be transferred from a take-up wheel to a take-up roller via one or more gears. Rotating of the take-up roller may cause the empty pouch, leftover food, and / or separated portion to be wound up with the substrate. The empty pouch, leftover food, and / or separated portion may be wound up with the take-up roller. Winding up the substrate may be automated.

[0124] The method may include returning the feeder assembly back to a resting configuration such that it is ready to initiate operation. In the resting configuration, the drum is rotated back to the loading position. In the resting configuration, a clean serving area of the substrate is available and free of any waste thereon. In the resting configuration, the waste has been collected and wound up into the take-up roll.

[0125] The method may include emptying an old substrate, replacing a new substrate, or both. Once a substrate has been exhausted (e.g., depleted) from a feed roller, the substrate may be removed and replaced. Upon removal of a used substrate from a feed roller, the collected waste is fully removed from the feeder assembly. Removal may include removal of the take-up roller with the substrate wound thereupon, removal of an entire cartridge subassembly, or both. Replacement of a new substrate may include a new substrate wound upon a feed roller, replacement of an entire cartridge subassembly, or both. Replacement mayinclude taking clean substrate from a feed roller and initiating winding about a take-up roller. Replacement may include placing the substrate under one or more guides. Replacement may be a manual operation.

[0126] Illustrative Examples

[0127] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a feeder assembly 10. The feeder assembly 10 is configured to retain a plurality of pouches 1 and subsequently dispense food 2 therefrom for serving. The feeder assembly 10 includes a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 includes a feeding area 20. The feeding area 20 includes a food opening 22. Supported within the frame subassembly 12 is a drum subassembly 14. Also supported within the frame subassembly 12 is a cassette subassembly 16. Access into the interior of the frame subassembly 12 is closed off by a side cover subassembly 18.

[0128] FIG. 3 illustrates a subassembly exploded view of the feeder assembly 10. The feeder assembly 10 includes a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 supports a plurality of pouches 1. Housed within the frame subassembly 12 is a drum subassembly 14, cutter subassembly 24, and cassette subassembly 16. The frame subassembly 12 is closed via a side cover subassembly 18.

[0129] FIGS. 4 and 5 are a front and rear view, respectively, of the feeder assembly 10. The feeder assembly 10 includes a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 includes a lid 26. The lid 26 includes a pouch tray 28 formed therein. The pouch tray 28 stores a plurality of pouches 1. The lid 26 is supported on a frame front 30, opposing frame sides 32, 34, and frame rear 36. The frame subassembly 12 also includes a frame access cover 38. The frame access cover 38 defines the feeding area 20 and includes the food opening 22 formed therein. Beneath the frame access cover 38 and opposite the lid 26 is a frame bottom 40. Protruding from the side of the frame subassembly 12 is a portion of the cassette subassembly 16. The cassette subassembly includes a feed wheel 42 and a take-up wheel 44. Affixed to the frame rear 36 is a cutter position driver 71.

[0130] FIG. 6 is a top view of the feeder assembly 10. The feeder assembly 10 includes a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 includes a lid 26. The lid 26 includes a pouch tray 28 therein. The pouch tray 28 is formed with a tray flange 46. The tray flange 46 projects from the lid 26. The tray flange 46 is substantially U-shaped. Located within the pouch tray 28 is an inlet opening 48. The inlet opening 48 is biased toward a front of the pouch tray 28 and the lid 26. The pouch tray 28 and / or lid 26 may support an indexing mechanism or similar to advance pouches 1 forward into the inlet opening 48. At the front of the feeder assembly 10 is a feeding area 20. The feeding area 20 includes a frame access cover 38 with a food opening 22 formed therein.

[0131] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the feeder assembly 10. The frame subassembly 12 includes a frame bottom 40 and frame rear 36.

[0132] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the feeder assembly 10. The frame subassembly 12 includes a frame side 34. The frame side 34 defines a cover opening 35. Access into an interior of the frame subassembly 12 is closed off by a removable side cover subassembly 18. The side cover subassembly 18 includes a cover panel 108. Mounted to the cover panel 108 are drive gears 68. The cover panel 108 is also mounted to the drum subassembly 14. The frame side 34 also includes a cassette opening 50. The cassette subassembly 16 at least partially resides within the frame subassembly 12. The cassette subassembly 16 includes a take-uproller 52 driven by a take-up wheel 44. The cassette subassembly 16 includes a feed roller 54 driven by a feed wheel 42. The cassette subassembly 16 includes a cassette lock 56.

[0133] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the feeder assembly 10. The frame subassembly 12 includes a frame side 32. The frame side 32 includes a drum opening 58. Visible through the drum opening 58 is the drum subassembly 14.

[0134] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 consists of frame sides 32, 34 opposing one another; a lid 26 opposing a frame bottom 40; and a frame front 30 opposing a frame rear 36. The frame subassembly 12 also defines a feeding area 20. The frame subassembly 12 includes a frame access cover 38 with a food opening 22 formed therein. The lid 26 supports a plurality of pouches 1 (not shown). The lid 26 includes a pouch tray 28 formed thereon. The left frame side 34 includes a cassette opening 50 and a side cover opening 35 formed therethrough. The right frame side 32 includes a drum opening 58 formed therethrough.

[0135] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a drum subassembly 14. The drum subassembly 14 includes a drum housing 62. The drum housing 62 includes an inlet opening 48. The inlet opening 48 functions to receive a pouch 1. Opposite the inlet opening 48, there is an outlet opening 49 (not shown) formed in the drum housing 62. Adjacent to the inlet opening 48 is a pouch compressor 60. At an end of the drum subassembly 14 is a squeeze roller drive gear 64. The drive gear 64 is in rotatable communication with a pair of squeeze rollers 66. The squeeze rollers 66 include a front squeeze roller 66a and a rear squeeze roller 66b. The squeeze rollers 66 are geared such as to cooperate with the squeeze roller drive gear 64. At the same end of the drum subassembly 14 as the squeeze roller drive gear 64 is a drum rotation gear 68. The drum rotation gear 68 includes teeth on an interior as opposed to the exterior. The drum rotation gear 68 may be driven by the drive gear 68 (not shown) part of the side cover subassembly 18. The drum rotation gear 68 is statically affixed to the drum housing 62 such that rotation of the drum rotation gear 68 causes rotation of the entire drum subassembly 14.

[0136] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of a drum subassembly 14. A pouch 1 enters into the drum subassembly 14 via an inlet opening 48. The inlet opening 48 is formed in the drum housing 62. Adjacent to the inlet opening 48 is a pouch compressor 60. The pouch 1 is received and fed between a pair of squeeze rollers 66. The squeeze rollers 66 include a front squeeze roller 66a and a rear squeeze roller 66b. The pouch 1 then, at least partially, exits the drum subassembly 14 via the outlet opening 49. The outlet opening 49 is formed in the drum housing 62.

[0137] FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate the progression of emptying of a pouch 1 with a drum subassembly 14. A pouch 1 which is full F of food enters into the drum subassembly 14 via an inlet opening 48. The pouch 1 is received between a pair of squeeze rollers 66. As the squeeze rollers 66 rotate, the pouch 1 is squeezed and pushed toward the outlet opening 49. Upon squeezing, food 2 (not shown) exits from the interior of the pouch 1. The food is squeezed toward the inlet opening 48. The pouch 1 may partially enter into the outlet opening as pushed by the squeeze rollers 66. The pouch 1 may be returned toward the inlet opening 48. This may avoid food 2 (not shown) remnants coming into contact with the squeeze rollers 66 by the open end of the pouch 1 passing between the squeeze rollers 66. Or as analternative, once the pouch 1 is fed through the squeeze rollers 66, the now empty E pouch 1 may exit the drum subassembly 14 via the outlet opening 49.

[0138] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a cutter subassembly 24. The cutter subassembly 24 includes opposing cutter frames 70. The cutter frames 70 include a right cutter frame 70a and a left cutter frame 70b. The cutter frames 70 are joined and distanced apart by a support bar 72. The support bar 72 may also function to mount the cutter subassembly 24 into a frame subassembly 12 (not shown). The support bar 72 may also cooperate with a cutter position driver 71 (not shown) to move the cutter subassembly 24 for-aft toward and / or away from the drum subassembly 14 (not shown). Extending between the cutter frames 70 is a translation rod 74. The translation rod 74 may be directly or indirectly driven by a drive gear 68. For example, there may be one or more intermediate gears 76. Rotation of the drive gear 68 may result in transferring torque to and rotation of the translation rod 74. Rotation of the translation rod 74 results in axial movement of a blade carrier 78 and blade 80 along the translation rod 74. The blade carrier 78 is also supported by a guide bar 75. During axial movement, the blade 80 comes into contact with a cutting mat 82. The cutting mat 82 is supported by a mat support 84. During a resting position RP of the cutter subassembly 24, the blade carrier 78 and blade 80 rest adjacent to the left mounting frame 70, 70b.

[0139] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a cassette subassembly 16. The cassette subassembly 16 includes a cassette frame 86. The cassette frame 86 includes opposing cassette frame sides 88, including a left frame side and a right frame side 88a, 88b. Between the cassette frame sides 88 and biased toward the front of the cassette frame 86 is a cassette food tray 90. The cassette frame 86 also includes frame center supports 94. The cassette frame sides 88 include roller inlets 92. The roller inlets 92 are biased toward a rear and a front of the cassette frame 86. The roller inlets 92 are formed as channels or notches. The roller inlets 92 allow for a take-up roller 52 and feed roller 54 to be inserted into and extend between the frame sides 88. A takeup wheel 44 is in rotational communication with the take-up roller 52. A feed wheel 42 is in rotational communication with the feed roller 54. As an example, the take-up wheel 44 and feed wheel 42 each include a drive gear 68 toward an inward facing end. Each drive gear 68 is rotatably engaged (e.g., mating teeth) with a hub gear 96 of the take-up roller 52 and the feed roller 54. While the take-up wheel 44 and feed wheel 42 are shown as hand crank wheels 43, they may be driven by any suitable means (e.g., motor driven). Between the take-up roller 52 and the cassette food tray 90 is a pair of paper guides 97. The paper guides 97 are affixed to the cassette frame sides 88 and project inward toward the interior of the cassette frame 86.

[0140] FIG. 21 illustrates a cassette subassembly 16. The cassette subassembly includes a paper roll 98. The paper roll 98 may be referred to as a substrate. The paper roll 98 is wound about both the take-up roller 52 and the feed roller 54. In other words, the take-up roller 52 and feed roller 54 behave like spools. The paper roll 98 is compressed under the paper guides 97. The paper guides 97 aid in allowing the serving area 100 of the paper roll 98 to be substantially flush relative to the cassette food tray 90 and provide a flat serving area for food 2 (not shown). The paper roll 98 wraps about the cassette frame 86. The paper roll 98 wraps below and through the cassette frame center supports 94 (not shown).

[0141] FIG. 22 illustrates a partially exploded view of the cassette subassembly 18. The cassette subassembly includes the cassette frame 86. The take-up roller 52 and feed roller 54 are supported by the cassette frame 86. The take-up roller 52 and feed roller 54 cooperate together to support a paper roll 98.

[0142] FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate a side cover subassembly 18. The side cover subassembly 18 includes a cover panel 108. Affixed to the cover panel 108 is a drive gear 68. The drive gear 68 resides within an interior and mates with the drive gear 68 of the drum subassembly 14.

[0143] FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate opposing cross-section views of the feeder assembly 10. The feeder assembly 10 includes a frame subassembly 12. The frame subassembly 12 includes a lid 26. The lid 26 includes a pouch tray 28. Disposed on the lid 26 and within the pouch tray 28 are a plurality of pouches 1. The pouches 1 are full F. The pouches 1 are located behind an inlet opening 48 formed in the lid 26. Opposite the lid 26, the frame subassembly 12 includes a frame bottom 40. The frame subassembly 12 also includes a frame front 30 opposing a frame rear 36. The frame subassembly 12 defines a feeding area 20. The feeding area 20 is formed by the frame access cover 38 having a food opening 22 formed therein. Opposing sides of the frame subassembly 12 are defined by a right frame side 32 and a left frame side 34. The frame subassembly 12 further includes a chute 102 formed therein. The chute 102 is covered by a chute door 104. The chute door 104 includes a pivot hinge 110.

[0144] Mounted inside of the frame subassembly 12 is a drum subassembly 14. The drum subassembly 14 includes a drum housing 62. The drum housing 62 includes an inlet opening 48 opposite an outlet opening 49. Within the drum housing 62 are squeeze rollers 66. The squeeze rollers 66 include a front squeeze roller 66a mated with a rear squeeze roller 66b. The squeeze rollers 66 include a geared outer surface. The drum housing 62 also includes a pouch compressor 60. The pouch compressor 60 is located adjacent to the inlet opening 48.

[0145] Adjacent to the drum subassembly 14 and biased toward a rear of the feeding subassembly is a cutter subassembly 24. The cutter subassembly 24 includes opposing cutting frames 70. The cutting frames 70 include a right cutting frame 70a and a left cutting frame 70b. Mounted to the cutting frames 70 is a translation rod 74 and guide bar 75. The cutter subassembly 24 is shown in a resting position RP. In the resting position RP, a blade carrier 78 and blade 80 are biased toward the left cutting frame 70 and the left frame side 34. The cutter subassembly 24 also includes a cutting mat 82 mounted onto a mat support 84. Toward a rear of the cutter subassembly 24 is a support bar 72. The support bar 72 is affixed to a cutter position driver 71. Rotation of the cutter position driver 71 is configured to move the cutter subassembly 24 toward and away from the drum subassembly 14.

[0146] Beneath both the drum subassembly 14 and the cutter subassembly 24 is a cassette subassembly 16. The cassette subassembly 16 includes a cassette frame 86. The cassette frame 86 includes a left cassette frame side 88a and a right cassette frame side 88b. The cassette frame 86 includes a cassette food tray 90. The cassette food tray 90 is located under the food opening 22 of the frame access cover 38. The cassette frame sides 88 include roller inlets 92. The roller inlets 92 are formed as channels or notches into the cassette frame sides 88. The roller inlets 92 are configured to removably receive the take-up roller 52 and 1feed roller 54. The take-up roller 52 and feed roller 54 both include hub gears 96. The cassette subassembly 16 further includes paper guides 97. The paper guides 97 are mounted to the cassette frame sides 88.

[0147] FIGS. 27-37 illustrate operation of the feeder assembly 10, or an entire feeding cycle from start to finish.

[0148] In FIG. 27, the feeder assembly 10 is ready to initiate operation and in a resting configuration RC. One or more pouches 1 are located on the top of the frame subassembly 12, such as on the lid 26 and in the pouch tray 28. The one or more pouches 1 are full F with food 2 (not shown). The one or more pouches 1 may be located behind an inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12. The drum subassembly 14 is in a loading position LP. In the loading position LP, the inlet opening 48 for the drum subassembly 14 is aligned with the inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12. In other words, the inlet opening 48 of the drum subassembly 14 is located directly below the inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12. In the resting configuration RC, the cutter subassembly 24 is in a resting position RP. In the resting position RP, the blade carrier 78 and blade 80 are supported by the translation rod 74 and biased toward a side of the feeder assembly 10. As an example, the blade carrier 78 and blade 80 are biased toward a left cutter frame 70, 70b and left frame side 34. In the resting configuration RC, the paper roll 98 of the cassette subassembly 16 has been configured such that the serving area 100 is clean (e.g., free of food, food remnants, packaging, or other waste).

[0149] In FIG. 28, the one or more pouches 1 advance toward the inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12. When the one or more pouches 1 are advancing, the feeder assembly 10 is in a loading configuration LC. A variety of indexing mechanisms may be implemented, such as within or affixed to the pouch tray 28 and / or the lid 26. The pouch 1 closest to the inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12 drops and / or is received by the drum subassembly 14. The drum subassembly 14 is in the load position LP. In the load position LP, the drum subassembly 14 is tilted such that the inlet opening 48 of the drum subassembly 14 is aligned with the inlet opening 48 of the frame subassembly 12.

[0150] In FIG. 29, the feeder assembly 10 is in a cutting configuration CC. In the cutting configuration CC, the drum subassembly 14 is rotated into a cutting position CP toward the cutter subassembly 24. In other words, the drum subassembly 14 is rotated toward a rear of the feeder assembly 10. The drum subassembly 14 is rotated such that its inlet opening 48 is aligned with and even passes the cutter subassembly 24. The drum subassembly 14 is rotated such that the sealed top IT of the pouch 1 rests upon the cutting mat 82 of the cutter subassembly 24. The pouch 1 is sandwiched between the pouch compressor 60 and the cutting mat 82 such as to be statically retained in place. The cutter subassembly 24 moves from a resting position RP also into a cutting position CP and then back to the resting position RP. To move from the resting position RP into the cutting position CP, the translation rod 74 rotates and results in linear movement of the blade carrier 78 along the translation rod 74. The blade carrier 78 moves from one cutter frame 70 toward the opposing cutter frame 70 and past the cutting mat 82. For example, the blade carrier 78 may move toward the right cutter frame 70b and the right frame side 34 (not shown). When the blade 80 passes over the cutting mat 82, the blade 80 cuts through the sealed top IT of the pouch 1. The top IT of the pouch 1 is separated from the rest of the body of the pouch 1. The top IT of the pouch 1 then dropsdown into a chute 102. The top IT is retained in the chute 102 by a chute door 104. After the cutter subassembly 24 is moved into the cutting position CP and cuts the top IT of the pouch, the cutter subassembly 24 is moved back into the resting position RP. An open and unsealed pouch 1, O which is full F remains in the drum subassembly 14.

[0151] In FIG. 30, the feeder assembly 10 is in a grasping configuration GC. In the grasping configuration GC, a pouch 1 has been received by the drum subassembly 14. A pair of squeeze rollers 66 rotate such as to grasp a bottom IB of the pouch 1. Upon grasping the bottom of the pouch 1, the pouch 1 is secured to the drum subassembly 14. The squeeze rollers 66 may only grasp a small portion of the pouch, such as to not apply pressure to the food 2 (not shown) inside the pouch 1.

[0152] In FIG. 31, the drum subassembly 14 begins to rotate toward the dispensing position DP (as shown in FIG. 21). The squeeze rollers 66 continue to grasp a bottom IB of the pouch 1.

[0153] In FIG. 32, the drum subassembly 14 rotates to a dispensing position DP. In other words, the drum subassembly 14 rotates from the cutting position CP, past the resting position RP, to the dispensing position DP. To rotate into the dispensing position DP, the drum subassembly 14 rotates toward the front of the feeder assembly 10. In the dispensing position DP, the drum subassembly 14 is positioned such that the inlet opening 48 is positioned over the serving area 100 of the paper roll 98.

[0154] In FIG. 33, the feeder assembly 10 is in the dispensing configuration DC. In the dispensing configuration DC, the drum subassembly 14 is positioned in the dispensing position DP. At the start, squeeze rollers 66 are still engaged with the bottom IB of the pouch 1. The squeeze rollers 66 rotate away from the paper roll 98 toward the outlet opening 49. As the squeeze rollers 66 rotate, the pouch 1 is pulled through the squeeze rollers 66 while the food 2 is pushed out of the pouch 1. The food 2 exits from the inlet opening 48 ofthe drum subassembly 14 onto the serving area 100 ofthe paper roll 98. The pouch 1 partially exits the drum subassembly 14 through the outlet opening 49.

[0155] In FIG. 34, the feeder assembly 10 is in a feeding configuration FC. In the feeding configuration FC, the drum subassembly 14 remains positioned in the dispensing position DP. The squeeze rollers 66 reverse in direction and rotate toward the inlet opening 48. The pouch 1, now empty E, is returned toward the inlet opening 48. By returning the pouch 1 toward the inlet opening 48, the open end of the pouch avoids passing the squeeze rollers 66 and food remnants then also getting on the squeeze rollers 66. In the feeding configuration FC, the paper roller 98 is advanced toward the feeding area 20. The food 2 is advanced forward such as to be located under the food opening 22. Once the food 2 is located at the food opening 22, the food 2 is available for consumption by an animal.

[0156] FIG. 35 illustrates the feeder assembly 10 in a trash configuration TC. In the trash configuration TC, the paper roll 98 is moved back and wound up toward the take-up roller 52. While moving back toward the take-up roll 52, any remaining food 2 left on the paper roll 98 travels with the paper roll 98. In the trash configuration TC, the drum subassembly 14 may remain in the dispensing position DP or may slightly rotate back toward a resting position RP. The squeeze rollers 66 rotate toward the inlet opening 48 such as to release their grasp on the now empty E pouch 1. The pouch 1 exits the drum subassembly 14 via the inlet opening 48 onto the paper roll 98. Dispensing of the empty pouch 1, E may be timed such that the pouch 1may exit the drum subassembly 14 when any remaining food 2 passes under the inlet opening 48. Thereby, the pouch 1 may be dropped onto any of the leftover food 2 on the paper roll 98.

[0157] FIG. 36 illustrates the feeder assembly 10 in a separate step of a trash configuration TC. In the trash configuration TC, the paper roll 98 is moved back and wound on the take-up roller 52. As any remaining food 2 and the empty pouch IE approach the take-up roller 52, the drum subassembly 14 rotates toward the chute 102 into an empty position EP. In the empty position EP, the pouch compressor 60 abuts to and applies force to a chute door 104. Once force is applied, the chute door 104 opens such that the pouch top IT drops from the chute 102 and onto the paper roll 98. The opening of the chute door 104 is timed such that the remaining food 2 (if any) and the empty pouch 1 E are located generally under the chute 102. In this manner, the pouch top IT drops onto the empty pouch IE, and any leftover food 2. The pouch top IT, leftover food 2, and empty pouch IE form a pile or stack of waste 106. By consolidating the waste 106 as a stack or pile, a limited surface area of the paper roll 98 is utilized for waste 106. The waste 106 can all be gathered together and wound up into the take-up roll 52.

[0158] FIG. 37 shows the feeder assembly 10 returned back to the resting configuration RC. In the resting configuration RC, the drum subassembly 14 is rotated back to the loading position LP In the resting configuration RC, the serving area 100 of the paper roll 98 is free of any waste 106 thereon. The waste 106 has been collected and wound up into the take-up roll 52.

[0159] As can be seen, once the paper roll 98 has been exhausted from the feed roll 54. Removal and disposal of the take-up roll 52 provides for easy and mess free waste disposal.

[0160] The drive gears 64, 68 as illustrated may be driven by one or more drive sources. A single drive source or a plurality of drive sources may be associated with the drive gears. One or more drive gears may share a drive source with one or more other drive gears, or may be independent. A drive source may convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, may transfer mechanical energy, or both. A drive source may be in electrical communication with a power source. A drive source may be a motor or other power supply. The drive source may be an electronic motor, pneumatic power supply, hydraulic power supply, another power supply, or a combination thereof. A drive source may transfer or produce torque in a drive gear, drive shaft, or both.

[0161] Reference Number Listing

[0162] 1 - Pouch, 2 - Food, 10 - Feeder assembly, 12 - Frame subassembly, 14 - Drum subassembly, 16- Cassette subassembly, 18 - Side cover subassembly, 20 - Feeding area, 22 - Food opening, 24 - Cutter subassembly, 26 - Lid, 28 - Pouch tray, 30 - Frame front, 32 - Frame side (right), 34 - Frame side (left), 35 - Cover opening, 36 - Frame rear, 38 - Frame access cover, 40 - Frame bottom, 42 - Feed wheel, 43 -Hand crank wheel, 44 - Take-up wheel, 46 - Tray flange / rim, 48 - Inlet opening, 49 - Outlet opening, 50 - Cassette opening, 52 - Take-up roller, 54 - Feed roller, 56 - Cassette lock, 58 - Drum opening, 60 - Pouch compressor, 62 - Drum housing, 64 - Squeeze roller drive gear, 66 - Squeeze roller, 66a - Front squeeze roller, 66b - Rear squeeze roller, 68 - Drive gear, 70 - Cutter frame, 70a - Cutter frame, right, 70b- Cutter frame, left, 71 - Cutter position driver, 72 - Support bar, 74 - Translation rod, 75 - Guide bar, 76 - Intermediate gear, 78 - Blade carrier, 80 - Blade, 82 - Cutting mat, 84 - Mat support, 86 - Cassette frame,88 - Cassete frame side, 88a - Cassete frame side, left, 88b - Cassete frame side, right, 90 - Cassete food tray, 92 - Roller inlet, 94 - Cassete frame center supports, 96 - Hub gear, 97 - Paper guides, 98 - Paper roll, 100 - Serving area of paper roll, 102 - Chute, 104 - Chute door, 106 - Waste, 108 - Cover panel, 110 - Pivot hinge, F - Full, E - Empty, O - Open, LP - Loading position, CP - Cuting position, RP - Resting position, DP - Dispensing position, EP - Empty position, DC - Dispensing configuration, RC - Resting configuration, LC - Loading configuration, GC - Grasping configuration, CC - Cuting configuration, FC - Feeding configuration

[0163] Unless otherwise stated, any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component, a property, or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that intermediate range values such as (for example, 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc.) are within the teachings of this specification. Likewise, individual intermediate values are also within the present teachings. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

[0164] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

[0165] The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / - 10° or less, about + / - 5° or less, or even about + / - 1° or less. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / - 0.01° or greater, about + / - 0.1° or greater, or even about + / - 0.5° or greater. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / - 10% or less, about + / - 5% or less, or even about + / - 1% or less. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / - 0.01% or greater, about + / - 0.1% or greater, or even about + / - 0.5% or greater.

[0166] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. 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, or even consist of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. 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.

[0167] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:Claim 1. A feeder assembly configured to present a food to an animal for consumption, the feeder assembly including: a) a cassette subassembly configured to have the food dispensed thereon on a substrate, wherein the cassette subassembly includes: i) one or more feed rollers which are wound with a clean supply of the substrate; ii) one or more take-up rollers which are wound with a used supply of the substrate; iii) the substrate which forms a serving area between the feed roller and the take-up roller, and wherein the serving area is configured to have the food dispensed thereon; and wherein the one or more feed rollers and the one or more take-up rollers are configured to rotate such as to advance the substrate to present the food and retract the substrate such as to be wound about the one or more take-up rollers.Claim 2. The feeder assembly of Claim 1, wherein the one or more feed rollers include a single feed roller or a plurality of feed rollers and the one or more take-up rollers include a single take-up roller.Claim 3. The feeder assembly of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the substate includes an adhesive along one or more edges configured to create a seal when wound about the one or more take-up rollers.Claim 4. The feeder assembly of Claim 3, wherein the adhesive may be a removable adhesive, repositionable adhesive, temporary adhesive, low adhesion adhesive, low-tack adhesive, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 5. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is parallel to a horizontal plane or inclined from a feeding area of the feeder assembly down toward the take-up roller.Claim 6. The feeder assembly of Claim 1, wherein the feeder assembly includes a cutter subassembly configured to open a container retaining the food.Claim 7. The feeder assembly of Claim 2, wherein container is a pouch and the cutter subassembly is configured to cut open the pouch.Claim 8. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cassette subassembly includes one or more feed wheels, or other drive source, in rotational communication with the one or more feed rollers such that rotation of the feed roller advances the substrate toward the feed roller, toward thetake-up roller, toward a front of the feeder assembly, toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly, toward a rear of the feeder assembly, or any combination thereof.Claim 9. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cassette subassembly includes a take-up wheel, or other drive source, in rotational communication with the one or more take-up rollers such that rotation of the take-up roller advances (e.g., retracts) the substrate toward the take-up roller, toward the feed roller, about the take-up roller, toward a rear of the feeder assembly, away from a feeding area of the feeder assembly, toward a front of the feeder assembly, toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly, or any combination thereof.Claim 10. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is a paper, polymer (e.g., flexible polymer), the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 11. The feeder assembly of Claim 10, wherein the substrate is a butcher paper, parchment paper, wax paper, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 12. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the cassette subassembly is located below a cutter subassembly.Claim 13. The feeder assembly of Claim 12, wherein a chute is located between the cutter subassembly and the cassette subassembly.Claim 14. The feeder assembly of Claim 13, wherein the chute is configured to retain and / or transfer a separated portion of the pouch onto the substrate of the cassette subassembly.Claim 15. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeder assembly includes a drum subassembly.Claim 16. The feeder assembly of Claim 15, wherein the drum subassembly includes a drum housing with an inlet opening, and optionally, an outlet opening.Claim 17. The feeder assembly of Claim 15 or 16, wherein the drum subassembly when configured in a loading position is configured to receive the pouch via the inlet opening.Claim 18. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the drum subassembly includes one or more squeeze rollers configured to apply pressure onto the pouch.Claim 19. The feeder assembly of Claim 18, wherein the drum subassembly when in a dispensing position is configured to rotate the squeeze rollers such as to pull the pouch between the squeeze rollers and away from the inlet opening and thus apply pressure to the food such that the food exits the pouch.Claim 20. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the drum subassembly is rotatable within the feeder assembly.Claim 21. The feeder assembly of Claim 20, wherein the drum subassembly is rotatable within a frame subassembly of the feeder assembly, wherein the frame subassembly is a housing and / or enclosure of the feeder assembly.Claim 22. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the drum subassembly is rotatable toward a cutter subassembly, the cassette subassembly, or both.Claim 23. The feeder assembly of Claim 22, wherein rotation of the drum subassembly orients the inlet opening.Claim 24. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein a cutting subassembly includes one or more blades configured to cut the pouch.Claim 25. The feeder assembly of Claim 24, wherein the one or more blades are configured move axially along and / or relative to a translation rod.Claim 26. The feeder assembly of Claim 25, wherein the cutter subassembly includes a blade carrier which has the one or more blades affixed thereon and the blade carrier is affixed to the translation rod, and optionally, a guide bar.Claim 27. The feeder assembly of Claim 25 or 26, wherein the translation rod is a worm drive or lead screw.Claim 28. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 25 to 27, wherein the cutter subassembly includes a cutting mat.Claim 29. The feeder assembly of Claim 28, wherein the cutting mat is located below the one or more blades.Claim 30. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeder assembly includes a frame subassembly which is configured to function as a housing of the feeder assembly.Claim 31. The feeder assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeder assembly includes a storage area for holding one or more containers of the food.Claim 32. A feeder assembly configured to present a food to an animal for consumption, the feeder assembly including: a) a drum subassembly including: i) a drum housing configured to rotate within the feeder assembly; ii) at least one inlet opening formed in the drum housing, configured to receive a pouch into the drum housing, and wherein the pouch is sealed when received; iii) one or more squeeze rollers within the drum housing and configured to rotate to squeeze and apply pressure to the pouch such as to squeeze the food out of the pouch and out of the inlet opening.Claim 33. The feeder assembly of Claim 32, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers include a single roller cooperating with another surface or at least one pair of rollers cooperating together.Claim 34. The feeder assembly of Claim 33, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers include one or more tubes with smooth exteriors, one or more gears, or both.Claim 35. The feeder assembly of Claim 34, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers are the one or more gears, and the one or more gears include one or more spur gears, helical gears, herringbone gears, rack and pinion gears, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 36. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 35, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers are a pair of squeeze rollers (e.g., first or front squeeze roller and second or rear squeeze roller).Claim 37. The feeder assembly of Claim 36, wherein the drum housing also includes an outlet opening formed therein.Claim 38. The feeder assembly of Claim 37, wherein the outlet opening is located opposite the inlet opening and includes the one or more squeeze rollers therebetween.Claim 39. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 38, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers are rotatable away from the inlet opening, toward an outlet opening, or both to cause movement of the pouch into the drum housing, squeezing of the pouch, dispensing of the food from the pouch, or a combination thereof.Claim 40. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 39, wherein the one or more squeeze rollers are rotatable away from the outlet opening, toward the inlet opening, or both to cause movement of the pouch out of the drum housing, to avoid the one or more squeeze rollers contacting an open end of the pouch, or both.Claim 41. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 40, wherein the drum housing includes or is affixed to one or more drum rotation gears configured to receive torque and rotate the drum housing.Claim 42. The feeder assembly of Claim 41, wherein the one or more drum rotation gears are formed in an interior, exterior, or both of the drum housing.Claim 43. The feeder assembly of Claim 42, wherein the one or more drum rotation gears are formed on an exterior of the drum housing and located at one or both ends of the drum housing.Claim 44. The feeder assembly of Claim 42 or 43, wherein the one or more drum rotation gears includes teeth on an interior, exterior, or both.Claim 45. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 44, wherein the drum housing is configured to rotate among a plurality of positions within the feeder assembly, including a loading position, cutting position, resting position, dispensing position, empty position, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 46. The feeder assembly of Claim 45, wherein in the loading position, the drum housing is positioned such that the inlet opening of the drum subassembly is aligned with a storage area holding one or more pouches, an inlet opening of a frame assembly, or both such as to receive the pouch therein.Claim 47. The feeder assembly of Claim 46 or 47, wherein in the cutting position, the drum housing is positioned such that the inlet opening of the drum subassembly faces toward a cutter subassembly of the feeder assembly.Claim 48. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 46 to 48, wherein in the dispensing position, the drum housing is positioned such that the inlet opening of the drum subassembly faces toward a substrate, toward a cassette subassembly of the feeder assembly, faces downward, or any combination thereof.Claim 49. The feeder assembly of any of Claims 32 to 48 comprising any of the features singularly or in combination of Claims 1 to 31.Claim 50. A method of dispensing food for consumption by a feeder assembly comprising: a) receiving a pouch, which is sealed, into a drum subassembly while in a loading position;b) rotating the drum subassembly toward a cutter subassembly such as to be in a cutting position; c) cutting a portion of the pouch by the cutter subassembly; d) rotating the drum subassembly away from the cutter subassembly and toward a serving area of a substrate of a cassette subassembly; e) dispensing food from the pouch by the drum subassembly onto the serving area; f) advancing the food toward a feeding area of the feeder assembly by advancing the substrate toward the feeding area; and g) optionally, retracting the substrate and any waste thereon (e.g., food remnants, the pouch, the portion of the pouch when cut) from the feeding area and toward a take-up roller; and h) optionally, winding the substrate and the waste onto the take-up roller.Claim 51. The method of Claim 50, wherein a pair of squeeze rollers partially rotate to grasp onto a bottom of the pouch once received within the drum subassembly.Claim 52. The method of Claim 50 or 51, wherein a blade is linearly moved along a translation rod of the cutter subassembly from a resting position to a cutting position and back to the resting position to cut the portion of the pouch.Claim 53. The method of any of Claims 50 to 52, wherein the pair of squeeze rollers rotate away from an inlet opening of the drum subassembly to push food out of the pouch such as to be dispensed.Claim 54. The method of any of Claims 50 to 53, wherein a feed roller is rotated, such as by a feed wheel or other drive source, to cause advancement of the substrate toward the feeding area.Claim 55. The method of any of Claims 50 to 54, wherein a take-up roller is rotated, such as by a take-up wheel or other drive source, to cause retraction of the substrate away from the feeding area and toward the take-up roller.Claim 56. The method of any of Claims 50 to 55, wherein the pouch when empty is disposed from the drum subassembly on the substrate together with any leftover food.Claim 57. The method of Claim 56, wherein the separated portion of the pouch cut away from the pouch is also disposed together with the pouch and the leftover food.Claim 58. The method of Claim 57, wherein the take-up roller is rotated to cause the pouch, leftover food, and portion of the pouch to be wound up with the substate about the take-up roller.Claim 59. The method of any of Claims 50 to 58 incorporating the feeder assembly of any of Claims 1 to 49.Claim 59. The teachings - individual components, subassemblies, feeder assembly, methods of using individual components, subassemblies, and / or the feeder assembly as a whole, or any combination thereof - as substantially described and illustrated herein.

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