Automated food dispenser

Abstract

To provide a feeder useful for rearing animals.SOLUTION: Provided is a feeder that includes: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to retain a granular material within a chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to segregate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, wherein the dispenser includes: i) a rocker body; and ii) one or more fins projecting from the rocker body; and wherein the feeder includes one or more of: i) the fin(s) are flexible; ii) sensing device(s) part of a sensing tower configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and / or iii) sensing device(s) configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or amount of the granular material within the serving area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 733,811, filed Sep. 20, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present teachings generally relate to feeders that can store a total amount of food and dispense predetermined, fixed amounts of food. The feeders may be particularly suitable for feeding one or more animals, such as household pets. [Background technology]

[0003] As is known, food dispensers with a rotating dispenser wheel are used to dispense food of a predetermined serving size. These food dispensers generally include a hopper in fluid communication with the rotating dispenser wheel. The rotating dispenser wheel usually has a core surrounded by a number of fins or vanes. The gaps between the fins or vanes may contain the serving size of food to be dispensed. The fins or vanes function to both prevent the food to be dispensed from being dispensed and from moving out of the hopper. Exemplary food dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,964,355 and 7,597,219, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0004] One challenge associated with such food dispensers with a rotating dispenser wheel is that they are not commonly used to feed farm animals. These types of dispensers may be used by humans for dry foods such as cereal, and the rotating dispenser wheel can be rotated with a manual knob. A human can place a bowl or plate under the rotating dispenser wheel and manually rotate the rotating dispenser wheel to dispense food from the hopper. Another challenge presented by rotating dispenser wheels is that the multiple fins or vanes surrounding the core present multiple components that can break or become clogged with food. Additionally, some of these food dispensers do not include an integral feeding area that is useful for animals, and incorporating a feeding area may provide a food dispenser that is too large for practical use in the home.

[0005] What is needed is a feeder that is useful for captive animals. It would be attractive to have a feeder that stores food for multiple servings. It would be attractive to have a feeder that is a multi-day feeder. What is needed is an automatic feeder that dispenses food in a predetermined amount, at a predetermined time interval, at a predetermined food level, or a combination thereof. What is needed is a feeder that automatically dispenses food from the interior to a serving area. What is needed is a feeder that can monitor the level of food inside the interior, serving area, or both. What is needed is a feeder that can alert the user to the condition of one or more of the feeder, food, animals, or a combination thereof. What is needed is a feeder dispenser that reduces the chance of clogging. It would be attractive to have a feeder that is large enough to provide space for feeding animals, yet small enough to be placed in small areas of the home, including on a counter. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a feeder including: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to hold a granular material inside a chamber interior; and c) a dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, the dispenser including: i) a rocker body configured to rotate partially about an axis of rotation; and ii) one or more fins protruding from the rocker body, wherein a distance between the rocker body and the one or more fins is adapted to receive a portion of the granular material.

[0007] A feeder of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features in any combination: i) the one or more fins are flexible along a length of the one or more fins; ii) the one or more sensing devices are part of a sensing tower that extends at least partially through the chamber portion, the one or more sensing devices configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of granular material within the chamber portion; and / or iii) one or more chute sensing devices configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of granular material within the serving area.

[0008] The present disclosure also relates to a method of dispensing food in a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0009] The present teachings may provide a feeder useful for farm animals. The feeder may include a chamber portion having a hopper capable of storing several days' worth of food. The feeder may include a dispenser having a locker body and one or more fins. One or more serving cavities forming a serving size of the dispensed food may be determined by the distance between one or more surfaces of the locker body and the fin. The dispenser may include a single fin. The fin may be flexible along its length. This may help to clear and prevent clogging of the fin, the locker body, the food, or combinations thereof. The dispenser may rock back and forth between two dispensing positions and one resting position rather than rotating completely around an axis of rotation. Limited rotation of the dispenser may help prevent clogging of the food, the fin, or both in the dispenser cradle, chute, or both. The feeder may include multiple sensors. The sensors may sense the presence, distance, amount, or combinations of food in the hopper, chute, serving area, or combinations thereof. Based on signals detected from the one or more sensors, the dispenser may dispense food or limit the dispensing of food. Based on signals detected by the one or more sensors, one or more status indicators may inform a user of the status of the feeder. Additionally, the feeder may generally have a serving area located below the hopper and integrated into the housing, such that the feeder is compact enough for the living space, yet large enough for the animal to use comfortably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 7] 1 is a front elevational view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder taken along section A-A in FIG. 8. [Figure 10A] 1 is a dispenser of a feeder in a resting position according to the teachings herein. [Figure 10B] 1 is a dispenser of a feeder in a dispensing position according to the teachings herein. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a feeder in accordance with the teachings herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The descriptions and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint those skilled in the art with the present teachings, their principles, and their practical application. The particular embodiments of the present teachings described are not intended to be 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, such as patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are possible, as may be derived from the following claims, which are incorporated in their entirety, and which are also incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0012] A feeder may be any device that contains and dispenses food for consumption by an animal. The food may include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. The food may include solid food, semi-solid food, liquid, etc., or combinations thereof. The solid food may be in the form of a granular material. The animal may be any domestic animal. The domestic animals may include dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc., or any combinations thereof. In a typical pet-keeping household, the domestic animals may include one or more cats, dogs, or both. The feeder may include one or more of the following features: a housing, a base portion, a chamber portion, a hopper, a middle portion, a feeding cavity, a serving area, a feeding pan, a chute, a cover, one or more handles, a control panel, a dispenser, one or more sensors, a sensing tower, a driving source, a power source, or any combination thereof. The feeder may include a base portion, a chamber portion supported by the base portion, and a dispenser. The feeder may be front facing rear. The front of the feeder may be the side where the feeding cavity is exposed. The feeder may have a top facing bottom. The bottom of the feeder may be the portion of the feeder that rests on a surface during normal use of the feeder.

[0013] The feeder may include a housing. The housing may function to house one or more components of the feeder, store food within the feeder, provide a serving area within the feeder, or any combination thereof. The housing may include a base portion, a middle portion, a chamber portion, or combinations thereof. The housing may be a single, unitary piece, or multiple pieces assembled together. For example, the base portion may be molded with or attached to a portion of the middle portion. The housing may include a chamber portion adjacent to and secured to the middle portion. The housing may include a middle portion adjacent to and secured to the base portion.

[0014] The housing may have a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The longitudinal axis may extend from the bottom of the feeder through the top (e.g., the cover). The longitudinal axis may be centered or off-center with respect to the sensing tower, the opening in the cover, the handle in the cover, or any combination thereof. The longitudinal axis may be in the median plane and / or parallel to the median plane. The housing may be substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the median plane. Substantially and / or approximately may mean within a tolerance of about 1 degree, about 5 degrees, or even about 10 degrees. Substantially and / or approximately may mean about ±1% or more, about ±5% or more, or even about ±10% or more. The median plane may divide the housing and / or feeder in half between the left and right sides. Substantially perpendicular to the median plane are the transverse planes. The transverse planes may also have a longitudinal axis within and / or parallel to it. The transverse planes may intersect the median plane at the longitudinal axis or be spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. The cross section may divide the housing and / or the feeder between the front and rear portions.

[0015] The feeder may include a base portion. The base portion may function to support the chamber portion and / or the middle portion, provide a serving area, hold a feeding tray, accommodate one or more power sources and / or drive sources, or any combination thereof. The base portion may be disposed adjacent to the chamber portion, the middle portion, or both. The base portion may be disposed below the chamber portion, the middle portion, or both. The base portion may have a shape suitable for forming a feeding cavity and allowing at least partial access to the feeding cavity by the animal. The base portion may be formed by an inner shell, an outer shell, a serving area, or a combination thereof. The base portion may be substantially hollow to provide access to the feeding cavity. The base portion may have a shape that is generally cubic, generally cylindrical, generally spherical, generally conical, generally cubic, generally prismatic, generally cubic, etc., or any combination thereof. The base portion may have a generally cubic shape. The base portion may have one or more side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall, or any combination thereof. The base portion may have one or more, two or more, three or more, or even four or more side walls. The base portion may have a bottom wall connecting one or more side walls. The base portion may have a substantially cubic shape with only three side walls and a bottom wall. The absence of walls may provide access to the feed cavity. The three walls may be located at two or more sides and at the rear of the feeder. The absence of walls may be located at the front of the feeder. The two opposing side walls and the bottom wall may form a cross section that is substantially U-shaped. The cross section may be taken parallel to a transverse plane of the feeder. The base portion may be formed from one unitary piece or separate pieces. The base portion may include an outer shell. The outer shell may function as the exterior of the base portion. The base portion may include an inner shell. The inner shell may function as the interior of the base portion. The outer shell may have a shape that is substantially opposite and similar to the inner shell. The inner shell may be nested inside the outer shell. The inner shell may rest on the bottom of the outer shell.

[0016] The base portion may include a bottom of the feeder. The bottom of the feeder may be suitable for resting the feeder on a surface. The bottom of the feeder may be located opposite the top of the feeder, opposite the cover of the feeder, or both. The surface for resting the feeder may include a floor, a table, a counter, or any other surface accessible to an animal and suitable for feeding. The bottom of the feeder may be substantially planar. The substantially planar bottom may be suitable for resting the bottom directly on a surface. The bottom of the feeder may include a plurality of feet. The plurality of feet may project away from the bottom, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, away from the top of the feeder, away from the bottom wall of the base portion, or any combination thereof. The plurality of feet may include two or more feet, three or more feet, four or more feet, or even five or more feet. The plurality of feet may be spaced around the bottom of the feeder. The plurality of feet may be spaced around the periphery of the bottom. The multiple feet can be evenly or unevenly spaced around the bottom opening of the base portion and / or the bottom cap. The multiple feet can be integral with or attached to the base portion, the shell, or both. The bottom of the feeder can include one or more non-skid surfaces. For example, if the bottom is generally flat, the bottom can include a number of small rubber pads attached thereto. As another example, each of the feet can include a non-skid material (e.g., rubber) disposed thereon.

[0017] The base portion may include a base receptacle. The base receptacle may function to accommodate one or more power sources, communication modules, electrical connections, or combinations thereof. The base receptacle may be located in any portion of the housing suitable for accommodating a power source, a communication module, an electrical connection, or combinations thereof. The base receptacle may have any suitable size and shape. The base receptacle may be located in the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or combinations thereof. The base receptacle may be located at the bottom of the base portion. The bottom location may allow for easy access while still hiding the base receptacle during normal use of the feeder. The base receptacle may be located below the feeding cavity, the serving area, the chute, the chute wall, or combinations thereof. The base receptacle may be accessible through a bottom opening. The bottom opening may allow for changing one or more power sources (e.g., batteries), access to one or more power sources for electrical connections (e.g., AC adapters), or both. The bottom opening can be formed in a bottom of the base portion. The bottom opening can be disposed within a perimeter of the bottom. The bottom opening can be covered by a bottom cap. The bottom cap can function to limit access to the base receptacle, protect any components housed within the base receptacle, or both. For example, the bottom cap can prevent dust, liquids, and other contaminants from entering the base receptacle. The bottom cap can be secured to the bottom of the base portion by one or more securing mechanisms. The one or more securing mechanisms can include one or more threaded fasteners, tabs, snaps, or the like, or any combination thereof. The base receptacle, the bottom cap, the bottom opening, and / or combinations thereof can be disposed on opposite sides of the supply cavity.

[0018] The feeder may include a feeding cavity. The feeding cavity may function to house a serving area, a feeding tray, or both, provide space for the chute to distribute food to the serving area, the feeding tray, or both, provide space for the animal to consume the food, or any combination thereof. The feeding cavity may be formed in a gap in the housing. The feeding cavity may be formed by a gap between the chamber portion and the base portion. The feeding cavity may be formed between the middle portion and the base portion. For example, the feeding cavity may be formed in a gap between the lower shell of the middle portion and the serving area of ​​the base portion. The feeding cavity may be formed as an opening in the front, rear, side, or combinations thereof of the feeder. For example, the feeding cavity may be formed as an opening in the front of the housing that extends toward but not completely through the rear of the feeder. The feeding cavity may include a feeding tray therein. The feeding cavity may have any suitable size that allows the animal's head to at least partially enter the feeding cavity and access the food within the feeding area, feeding pan, or both for consumption. The feeding cavity may have a width that minimizes or prevents contact between the animal's whiskers and the surface of the housing while the animal is consuming the food. The feeding cavity may have a width of about 75 mm or more, about 125 mm or more, or even about 200 mm or more. The feeding cavity may have a width of about 1,500 mm or less, about 1,000 mm or less, about 500 mm or less, or even about 250 mm or less. The width of the feeding cavity may be measured as the distance between opposing side walls of the base portion (e.g., opposing side walls of the inner shell).

[0019] The feeder may include a serving area. The serving area may function to guide food towards the feeding tray, hold the feeding tray, present food in an accessible manner for consumption by the animal, or any combination thereof. The serving area may be formed by any portion of the housing suitable for placing the feeding tray thereon and allowing access by the animal. The serving area may be formed by one or more portions of the housing. The serving area may be formed in the base portion. The serving area may be formed by multiple portions of the base portion. The serving area may be comprised of the serving wall, the outer tray, or both. A portion of the serving wall may function to funnel food from the chute towards the feeding tray. Another portion may function to hold the feeding tray, receive food from the serving wall and / or the chute, provide an area for consuming the food, or a combination thereof. The serving wall may be located adjacent to the outer tray, between the outer tray and the chute, integral with the outer tray, or any combination thereof. The serving wall may be integrally formed with the outer tray portion. The serving wall can be formed to extend over at least a portion of the outer dish. The serving wall of the serving area may function as an extension of the chute, have an inclined design, or both. The outer dish portion may have a shape that is opposite to the serving dish. The outer dish portion may function to hold the serving dish and allow removal of the serving dish (i.e., removal for washing the dish). The outer dish portion may be bowl-shaped. Bowl-shaped may mean having a substantially cylindrical outer wall that protrudes from the base wall of the dish opposite the open end. The serving area may be positioned toward the front region of the serving dish, or both, to encourage delivery of food from the chute to the serving dish. One or more portions of the serving area may be inclined at an angle toward the front of the feeder, relative to the longitudinal axis, relative to the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The angle of the serving area may be any angle suitable to encourage directing food toward the front of the serving area.The angle may be about 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle may be about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, about 130 degrees or less, or even about 120 degrees or less relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle may be an angle formed between an upwardly facing surface of a portion of the serving area (e.g., a serving wall, a base wall of a dish) and the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both. The angle may be a front-facing angle of the feeder. One or more portions of the serving area may be angled at the same, steeper, or more gradual angle as one or more other portions of the serving area or chute. For example, the outer plate of the serving area may be angled at about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees relative to the transverse plane and slope downward toward the front of the feeder, while the serving wall of the serving area may be angled at about 110 degrees to about 130 degrees relative to the transverse plane and slope downward toward the front of the feeder. The serving area may protrude at least partially beyond a portion of the surface of the housing, or may be disposed entirely within the housing. The serving area may protrude beyond the front, back, sides, or combinations thereof of the housing. The serving area may protrude outside an opening in the inner shell, outer shell, or both of the base portion.

[0020] The feeder may include a feeding tray. The feeding tray may hold food dispensed from the chamber portion, hopper, dispenser, chute, or combination thereof, allow an animal access to consume the food in the tray, provide a removable feeding surface, or function for any combination thereof. The feeding tray may be located at the front, rear, side, or combination thereof of the feeder. The feeding tray may have a shape suitable for allowing an animal to consume food therefrom. The feeding tray may have a shape suitable for resting on and / or within the serving area, outer tray, or both. The feeding tray may have a shape that is at least partially opposed to the outer tray of the base portion. The feeding tray may be nested within the outer tray of the serving area. The feeding tray may have a shape that is substantially cylindrical, conical, cuboid, rectangular, etc., or combinations thereof. The feeding tray may be substantially bowl-shaped. The feeding tray may be located within the housing, protruding beyond the housing, or both. By way of example, the feeding dish may at least partially protrude beyond the front face, base portion, or both of the housing to facilitate access by the animal. The feeding dish may be angled to aid in tilting the food forward within the feeding dish, or to avoid food accumulating at the rear of the feeding dish, or both. The angle of the feeding dish may be about 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more, relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle may be about 130 degrees or less, about 120 degrees or less, or even about 110 degrees or less, relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle may be an angle formed between an upwardly facing surface of the feeding dish (e.g., where the food is placed) and the transverse plane. The feeding dish may be provided with a lid. The lid may prevent access to the feeding dish, allow access to the feeding dish, or both. The lid may be movably attached to any portion of the feeder to cover the feeding dish, and may be removable from the feeding dish. The lid may be attached to the feeder by a hinge, a spring, a linear actuator, or the like, or a combination thereof. The lid may be in communication with a drive source.The drive source may be the same or different as that which drives the feeder drive shaft and dispenser. The drive source may be activated to open the lid, close the lid, or both. The lid may be in communication with one or more sensing devices, selection interfaces, or both. Activation of the selection interface may open the lid, close the lid, or both. Activation of the selection interface may be completed by a user (e.g., a human). Detection of the trigger device by the sensing device may open the lid, close the lid, or both. The trigger device may be a tag, a bar code, another sensor, etc. The trigger device may be wearable by the animal. For example, a tag may be attached to the animal's collar. The trigger device and the sensing device may communicate with each other using Bluetooth, wi-fi, radio frequency, etc.

[0021] The feeder may include a chamber portion. The chamber portion may be configured to hold the food within the chamber, cooperate with the dispenser and / or intermediate portion to dispense the food to the serving area, or both. The chamber portion may be disposed adjacent to the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both. The chamber portion may be disposed on the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both. Disposing on the intermediate portion, the base portion, or both may allow gravity to drive the movement of the food from the chamber portion to the serving area. The chamber portion may rest on the base portion, the upper shell, or both. The chamber portion may be supported by the base portion. The chamber portion may include a hopper, a cover, a dispenser cover, one or more openings, or a combination thereof.

[0022] The chamber portion may include a hopper. The hopper may function to hold food, hold multiple servings of food, guide food towards a dispenser, or any combination thereof. The hopper may have any suitable shape for holding multiple servings of food, guiding food towards a dispenser, and allowing access by one or more sensors and / or sensing towers, or any combination thereof. The hopper may have a shape that is generally cubic, generally cylindrical, generally spherical, generally conical, generally cubic, generally prismatic, generally cubic, etc., or any combination thereof. For example, the hopper may have a shape that resembles a trapezoidal prism. The hopper may include a single or multiple side walls. The one or more side walls may project from the bottom wall of the hopper towards the top of the feeder, the open end of the hopper, the cover, or a combination thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper may be generally flat, sloped, or a combination thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper may be funnel-shaped. The bottom wall of the hopper may be sloped toward the sensing tower, the hopper opening, the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper may be sloped toward the sensing tower and continue to slope toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may be sloped downward from the front of the feeder, the side wall of the feeder, or both, toward the rear of the feeder. The bottom wall may be sloped at any angle suitable for pouring the food in the hopper toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may be sloped at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both. The bottom wall may be sloped at an angle of about 100 degrees or more, about 110 degrees or more, or even about 120 degrees or more, relative to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The bottom wall may be sloped at an angle of about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, or even about 130 degrees or less, relative to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The angle may be an angle facing the rear of the feeder. The bottom wall may have a shape that is substantially opposite to the adjacent surface of the middle section. The bottom wall may have a shape that is substantially opposite to the top shell of the middle section. The bottom wall may rest on the top shell of the middle section. The bottom wall may include a hopper opening formed therethrough.The hopper opening may function to receive the sensing tower. The hopper opening may be centered on the sensing tower, a longitudinal axis, a cover, a cover opening, or a combination thereof. The hopper opening may allow the hopper to be positioned on the sensing tower, removed from the sensing tower, positioned on the mid-section, or a combination thereof. When the hopper is positioned on the mid-section, the conical portion of the sensing tower may be positioned within the hopper opening.

[0023] The one or more side walls and the bottom wall may define a hollow interior of the hopper. The hollow interior may function as an area to receive and hold food for storage prior to dispensing to the serving area. The hollow interior may be defined by one or more bottom walls, side walls, or a combination of both. The hollow interior may be defined by a volume between the bottom wall, the side walls, and the cover of the chamber portion. The volume of the hollow interior may be any volume suitable for holding multiple servings of food, preferably several days' worth of food. The volume of the hollow interior may be about 5 cups or more, about 7 cups or more, or even about 10 cups or more. The volume of the hollow interior may be about 50 cups or less, about 40 cups or less, or even about 30 cups or less. The hollow interior may have a sensing tower disposed therein. The hollow interior may be in fluid communication with a dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may include a dispenser opening. The dispenser opening may be located near, in fluid communication with, or adjacent to the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be located substantially above the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be located between the sensing tower and a rear of the hopper. The dispenser opening allows food located within the hopper to be transferred to the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or both. The dispenser opening can be located adjacent to the dispenser cover.

[0024] The chamber portion may include a dispenser cover. The dispenser cover may function to cover the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be formed as part of or attached to any portion of the housing suitable for covering the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be attached to both the middle portion and the chamber portion. The dispenser cover may be attached via one or more fasteners, snap fits, adhesives, or the like, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cover may be integral with one or more portions of the housing. For example, the dispenser cover may be integrally formed as part of the hopper. The dispenser cover may be located on any portion of the hopper that is disposed near the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be located adjacent to a dispenser opening of the hopper. The dispenser cover may be located on the same side of the feeder as the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be located at the rear of the hopper. The dispenser cover may project downwardly from a rear sidewall, a bottom wall, or both of the hopper. The dispenser cover may have a shape that is substantially opposite or similar to the cross section of the dispenser cradle. The cross section of the dispenser cover may be circular, square, triangular, oval, half-moon, etc., or a combination thereof. For example, the cross section of the dispenser may be half-moon or D-shaped. The cross section may be taken in a plane parallel to the transverse plane, the median plane, or both. When the dispenser is disposed at the rear of the feeder, the cross section of the dispenser cover may be taken along a plane substantially parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder. The dispenser cover may snap fit with a middle portion of the periphery of the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be disposed opposite the open end of the hopper, the cover, or both.

[0025] The feeder may include a cover. The cover may function to protect the food held within the feeder, prevent contaminants from entering the hopper, limit access to the chamber portion, allow temporary access to the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The cover may be removably attached to the hopper of the chamber portion, the sensing tower, or both. The cover may rest on the hopper. The cover may be secured to the hopper via one or more attachments. The one or more attachments may include a friction fit, a snap fit, locking tabs, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the perimeter of the cover may snap fit with the perimeter of the hopper. The perimeter of the cover may fit at least partially or completely inside the perimeter of the hopper. Because the cover rests within the hopper, the peripheral edge of the cover is not easily accessible. Accessibility refers to an animal or child attempting to lift the peripheral edge of the cover with teeth, feet, hands, etc., due to curiosity, a desire for the food in the hopper, or the like. Reducing the accessibility of the perimeter of the cover may prevent one or more animals or humans from accidentally or intentionally lifting the cover from the hopper. The cover may have a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the hopper. The cross-sectional shape may refer to that taken substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hopper. The cross-sectional shape of the cover may be square, rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, etc., or combinations thereof. The cover may be disposed opposite and / or adjacent to one or more walls of the hopper. The cover may be disposed generally opposite the bottom wall. The cover may receive a portion of the sensing tower. The cover may include one or more openings. One or more openings may be formed in the cover to receive the sensing tower therethrough. The one or more openings may be concentric or off-center with the sensing tower, the hopper opening, the longitudinal axis, or combinations thereof. The one or more openings may be sized to allow any portion of the sensing tower to be disposed therein.The one or more openings can receive a top end of a sensing tower, a cap of a sensing tower, or both. The handle of the cover can have one or more openings formed therein.

[0026] The feeder may include a handle. The handle may function to facilitate removal of the cover, placement of the cover, transportation of the feeder, or combinations thereof. The handle may be part of the housing. The handle may be integral with or attached to any portion of the housing. The handle may be included as part of the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The handle may be included as part of the cover. The handle may be attached to or integral with the cover. The handle may be centered or off-center with respect to the cover. The handle may be centered to allow for receiving, engaging, and / or locking with the sensing tower. The handle may have any suitable shape that allows for placement, removal, or both of the cover from the chamber portion. The handle may be formed by one or more recesses, protrusions, or both in the cover or another portion of the housing. The cover may be formed by an opposing recess. The recess may have any suitable shape to allow for gripping of the handle body. The recess may have a cross-sectional shape that may be substantially D-shaped, rectangular, etc., or combinations thereof. The cross-sectional shape can be taken in a cross section substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, a median plane, a transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The handle body can be a surface of a housing, such as a cover, disposed between the recesses, the protrusions, or both. As an example, opposing recesses can be spaced apart from one another to form a handle body therebetween. The cover opening can be disposed within the handle. The cover opening can be disposed within the handle body. A portion of the sensing tower can extend through the handle body opening. The cover can be locked in place by one or more locks.

[0027] The feeder may include one or more locks. The one or more locks may be any lock suitable for holding the cover in place, preventing an animal from removing the cover, allowing a user to intentionally remove and reinstall the cover, or a combination thereof. The one or more locks may be located on the cover, the sensing tower, the hopper, or any combination thereof. The one or more locks may include one or more deflectable tabs with a snap fit, one or more spring-based locks, one or more thread locks, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more locks may include a pinch-grip lock with one or more springs. The one or more locks may be located near the opening of the cover, around the sensing tower, or both. The one or more locking portions of the cover may engage with one or more locking portions of the sensing tower. For example, a locking portion attached to the cover may engage with a cap and / or a top end of the sensing tower.

[0028] The feeder may include a middle portion. The middle portion may function to house one or more components therein, couple the base portion to the chamber portion, or both. The middle portion may function to house or contain one or more powered components, drive sources, power sources, sensors, electronics, sensing towers, control panels, dispensers, or combinations thereof. The middle portion may be adjacent to the chamber portion, the base portion, or both. The middle portion may be disposed between the chamber portion and the base portion. The middle portion may be disposed between a bottom wall of the chamber portion and an open end of the base portion. The middle portion may include a hollow interior. The hollow interior may be referred to as a mechanism cavity. The mechanism cavity may house one or more portions of one or more powered components, drive sources, power sources, sensors, electronics, etc., or combinations thereof. The middle portion may be comprised of a lower shell, an upper shell, or both. The hollow interior may be formed by the lower shell generally facing the upper shell. The lower shell may be formed separately or integrally with the upper shell. The upper and lower shells may have a clam shell fit therebetween that forms a mechanism cavity.

[0029] The intermediate portion may include an upper shell. The upper shell may function to support the chamber portion, the hopper, or both. The upper shell may function to house the dispenser. The upper shell may function to contain a sensing tower, a control panel, a dispenser cradle, a chute, or combinations thereof. The upper shell may have a shape suitable for being positioned adjacent to the hopper and cooperating with the hopper. The upper shell may have a shape substantially opposed to a base wall of the hopper. The upper shell may taper or slope from the front and side walls to the rear. The upper shell may have a sensing tower protruding therefrom. The upper shell may taper from the periphery towards the sensing tower. The upper shell may taper from the control panel towards the sensing tower, the cradle dispenser, or both.

[0030] The feeder may include one or more sensing towers. The sensing towers may function to sense the hood in the chamber portion, cooperate with the cover to prevent access to the hopper, or both. The sensing towers may be part of or attached to any portion of the housing suitable for sensing the hood in the chamber portion, cooperate with the cover, or both. The sensing towers may be disposed in the hopper to sense the presence and / or amount of hood in the hopper. The sensing towers may be integral with or attached to the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or combinations thereof. The sensing towers may be attached to or integral with the hopper (e.g., bottom wall), the cover, the upper shell, or combinations thereof. The sensing towers may extend upward from the upper shell, from the bottom wall of the hopper, or both, toward the cover. The sensing towers may pass through the hopper opening of the hopper. The sensing towers may extend downward from the cover toward the bottom wall, the upper shell, the bottom shell, or combinations thereof of the hopper. The sensing tower may be substantially coaxial, centered, or off-center with the longitudinal axis of the feeder. The sensing tower may have any shape suitable for including one or more electrical components therein, holding one or more sensors, facilitating the entry of the hood towards the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The sensing tower may be hollow, partially hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. Being at least partially hollow may provide space for one or more electrical connections to extend through the interior of the sensing tower towards the top end of the sensing tower. The hollow portion of the sensing tower may be in direct communication with the mechanism cavity of the middle portion. The sensing tower may be conical, cylindrical, cubic, prismatic, etc., or a combination thereof. The sensing tower may have one continuous shape throughout its length, or a combination of different shapes. The sensing tower may be conical and tapered towards the cover. The tapering may help facilitate the entry of the hood towards the dispenser. The sensing tower may be cylindrical. The sensing tower may have both conical and cylindrical portions. The conical portion may be disposed adjacent to the cylindrical portion.The conical portion may taper toward the adjacent cylindrical portion. A rounded cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whether from a cylindrical portion, a conical portion, or otherwise, may be beneficial in providing a continuous exterior surface without sharp edges. The continuous exterior surface of the sensing tower may allow the hood to easily move around the sensing tower as it moves toward the dispenser cradle. The sensing tower may have a free end. The free end may be the end of the sensing tower opposite the surface to which it is attached or integral. The free end may be the top end of the sensing tower opposite the upper shell. The sensing tower may include a cap. The cap may function to cooperate with the cover, house one or more sensors, house one or more status indicators (such as lights), protect one or more electrical components, limit access to the sensing tower, or a combination thereof. The one or more status indicators in the cap may function with one or more sensing devices. The one or more status indicators in the cap may indicate the status of the hood in the hopper, such as the fill level. The one or more status indicators may have a light and / or color visible through a cap on the cover. The cap may be located on the sensing tower closest to the cover, on the opposite side of the upper shell, on the free end of the sensing tower, or any combination thereof. For example, the cap may be located on a cylindrical portion of the top end of the sensing tower. The cap may be retained on the sensing tower by one or more threads, a friction fit, a snap fit, or the like, or any combination thereof. The cap may reside at least partially within an opening in the cover. The cap may engage with one or more locks on the cover. The cap may include one or more lock engagement features that engage with one or more locks on the cover.

[0031] The feeder may include one or more sensing devices. The one or more sensing devices may function to sense the presence, distance, amount, or combinations thereof of food in the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices may be part of a sensing tower. The one or more sensing device portions of the sensing tower may be referred to as one or more tower sensors, hopper sensors, etc., or both. The one or more sensing devices may be attached to the sensing tower at the top of the sensing tower, between the top of the sensing tower and the cap, within at least a portion of the interior of the sensing tower, or any combination thereof. One or more sensing devices located at the top of the sensing tower, toward the top of the hopper, adjacent to the cover, or combinations thereof may be particularly beneficial in providing optimal sensing presence (i.e., line of sight) of the entire hopper. The one or more sensing devices may be configured to sense the presence of food in the chute, the serving area, the feeding tray, or combinations thereof. The one or more sensing devices configured to sense the presence of food in the chute, the serving area, the feeding tray, or combinations thereof may be referred to as one or more chute sensing devices, chute sensors, or both. The one or more sensing devices may be located on the chute, serving area, serving wall, outer dish, serving dish, or combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices may be attached to the drive source, drive shaft, adapter shaft, or combination thereof. The one or more sensing devices may be part of a control board. The one or more sensing devices that sense the presence or absence of a hood within the chute, serving area, serving wall, outer dish, serving dish, or combination thereof may be referred to as one or more chute sensors. The one or more sensors may be configured to transmit one or more signals to one or more control boards, processors, controllers, communication modules, computing devices, or combinations thereof based on the hood being sensed.The one or more signals from the one or more sensors may be converted into one or more status signals by one or more control panels, controllers, processors, communication modules, computing devices, or any combination thereof. The one or more sensors may be any type of sensor suitable for detecting, monitoring, or both, the level of food within the hopper, chute, serving area, or combinations thereof. The one or more sensors may include one or more mass sensors, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, membrane sensors, radio frequency (RF) admittance sensors, conductivity sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, etc., or combinations thereof. Based on the signal from the one or more sensors, the control panel may present a status to a user, the drive source may initiate rotation and dispensing of food by the dispenser, rotation of the drive source or dispenser may be prevented, or any combination thereof. For example, if the chute dispenser senses that there is no food in the serving tray, serving wall, or chute, a signal from the one or more chute dispensers may initiate dispensing of food by the drive source and dispenser. As another example, if the chute sensor senses food in the chute, a signal from the chute sensor may prevent rotation of the dispenser. The presence of food in the chute may mean that no additional servings of food are needed in the supply tray because previous servings may not yet be consumed. As a further example, if one or more sensors detect food in the hopper below a certain volume, a lack of food in the hopper, or both, the signal from the one or more sensors may result in one or more status indicators that notify a user to refill the hopper.

[0032] The feeder may include a dispenser cradle. The dispenser cradle may house the dispenser, cooperate with the dispenser and / or chute to direct the food to the serving area, or function as a combination of both. The dispenser cradle may be formed in any portion of the housing suitable for housing the dispenser and for the dispenser to move the food from the hopper portion to the serving area. The dispenser cradle may be formed in the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle may be formed as part of the top shell, the bottom shell, or both. The dispenser cradle may be located at the front, back, side, or combination thereof of the feeder. For example, the dispenser cradle may be formed as part of the top shell at the rear of the feeder. The dispenser cradle may extend from the top shell toward the bottom of the feeder. The dispenser may include the dispenser therein. The dispenser cradle may have any suitable shape for holding the dispenser. The dispenser cradle may have a cross-sectional shape that may be circular, oval, square, triangular, trapezoidal, etc., or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle may have a shape similar to a semicircle. The dispenser cradle may have a shape that is reciprocal to at least a portion of the dispenser, such as the locker body. The cross-section of the dispenser cradle may be taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder, parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder, or combinations thereof. The dispenser cradle may be formed by a surface of the top wall. The dispenser cradle may be formed by a portion of the top wall that slopes at a different angle than the remainder of the top wall. The dispenser cradle may be formed by one or more portions of the top wall, referred to as serving walls. The serving wall or walls may be angled downward to form the cross-sectional shape of the dispenser cradle. The serving wall or walls may be opposite each other. The serving wall or walls may have an approximately C- or U-shape.The serving walls may transition into a chute. At the lower end of the dispenser cradle, the opposing serving walls may be spaced apart from one another. The space between the serving walls may be referred to as a dispenser outlet. The dispenser outlet may be where the dispenser cradle transitions into the chute in fluid communication with the chute. The chute may be formed on a surface of the upper shell opposite the sensing tower.

[0033] The feeder may include a chute. The chute may function to direct the food from the chamber portion, the hopper, the dispenser, or a combination thereof to the base portion, the feed cavity, the serving area, the feed tray, or a combination thereof. The chute may be in communication with the chamber portion. The dispenser may be disposed between the chute and the chamber portion. The chute may receive the food from the dispenser. The chute may be attached to or part of the chamber portion, the middle portion, the base portion, or any combination thereof. The chute may be attached to or integrally formed with one or more shells of the middle portion. The chute may be integral with the top shell. The chute may extend from the dispenser cradle, one or more serving walls, or both. The chute may be configured to direct the food to the serving area. The chute may direct the food toward the serving area under the urging of gravity. The chute may include a chute wall, a plurality of side walls, and a chute opening. The chute wall may be disposed between two opposing side walls. The chute wall may face towards the serving area. An opposing sidewall may extend from the chute wall. The opposing sidewall may be generally perpendicular to the chute wall. The chute wall and the opposing sidewall may form a chute channel. The chute channel may have any shape suitable for passing food therethrough, such as a C-channel. An end of the chute channel is a chute opening. After being dispensed from the dispenser, the food may travel through the chute channel and the chute opening to the serving area. The chute may be at least partially disposed above the serving area. The chute may be in contact with a portion of the serving area. The chute may be in contact with the serving wall. The chute may abut and / or overlap the serving wall. For example, the chute wall may overlap the serving wall, such that the food may travel through the chute wall and continue through the serving wall. The chute may protrude into the serving cavity.The chute can be angled at any angle suitable for the hood to overcome friction between the hood and one or more surfaces of the chute. The chute can be angled toward the serving area, downward toward the bottom of the feeder, toward the front of the feeder, away from the rear, or any combination thereof. The chute can be angled at the same or different angle as the serving wall, the outer dish, the serving dish, or combinations thereof. For example, the chute wall can be positioned at substantially the same angle as the serving wall. The chute can be angled at about 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, about 130 degrees or less, or even about 120 degrees or less relative to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both of the feeder. The angle can be an angle formed between an upwardly facing surface of a portion of the serving area (e.g., the serving wall, the bottom wall of the dish) and the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, or both. The angle can be a front-facing angle of the feeder. The chute can extend from the rear of the upper hull towards the lower hull, under the lower hull, under the dispenser cradle, under the dispenser, or a combination thereof.

[0034] The intermediate portion may include a lower shell. The lower shell may function in cooperation with the upper shell to form a mechanism cavity suitable for accommodating one or more components therein. The lower shell may cooperate with the base portion to form a feed cavity. The lower shell may have any suitable shape for forming a mechanism cavity with the upper shell. The lower shell may be secured to or integral with the upper shell. The lower shell may be disposed between the base portion and the upper shell. The lower shell may have one or more portions with a slope that is steeper than the slope of the upper shell. The slope may allow for the formation of a mechanism cavity large enough for one or more components to fit therein. The lower shell may resemble a partial bowl shape. The lower shell may have a cross-sectional shape similar to an L-shape, a C-shape, or the like, or combinations thereof. The cross-sectional shape may be taken parallel to the median plane. The lower shell may slope downward from the hopper, the control panel, or both at the front of the feeder, toward the food chute, the serving area, or both. The lower shell may form or include a control wall. The control wall may help control the flow of food from the chute to the feeding tray. The control wall may reduce the overall flow height of the food from the chute so that the flow of food may be delivered to the feeding tray in a controlled manner. The control wall may project downward, toward the base portion, toward the bottom of the feeder, toward the serving area, toward the serving wall, or combinations thereof. The control wall may be located in front of the chute (e.g., near the front of the feeder). The control wall may be parallel, perpendicular, or at any angle therebetween to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, median plane, or combinations thereof. For example, the control wall may project downward toward the serving area substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and transverse plane.

[0035] The feeder may include a control panel. The control panel may function to present a status of the feeder to a user, to allow the user to select one or more functions and / or operation of the feeder, or any combination thereof. The control panel may be attached to or part of any portion of the housing. The control panel may be located on the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The control panel may be located on the front of both the upper and lower shells. The upper and lower shells may have a control panel housing formed therein. The control panel housing may be a portion of the upper and lower shells that is opposed to at least a perimeter of a portion of the control panel, such as a bezel. The control panel may be located on the front, rear, side, top, or any combination thereof of the feeder. The control panel may include one or more selection interfaces, status indicators, a bezel, or any combination thereof. The bezel may hold the control panel in place relative to the housing. The bezel may provide an attractive aesthetic for the control panel. The bezel may be retained on the housing by one or more fasteners, a snap fit, a friction fit, an adhesive, or the like, or any combination thereof. The bezel may include a bezel opening therethrough. The bezel opening may provide access to one or more selection interfaces, status indicators, or both.

[0036] The feeder may include a selection interface. The selection interface may be configured to allow a user to start, pause, and / or stop one or more operations of the feeder. The one or more operations may include starting rotation of the dispenser, stopping rotation of the dispenser, powering the feeder on, powering the feeder off, etc., or combinations thereof. The selection interface may be in electrical communication with the dispenser, the power source, the drive source, or combinations thereof. The selection interface may include one or more buttons, switches, levers, knobs, etc., or combinations thereof. The selection interface may be in electrical communication with one or more status indicators, a processor, a controller, a communication module, the drive source, etc., or any combinations thereof. The selection interface may include one or more of a power switch, a dispense button, a pause or stop button, etc., or combinations thereof. The power switch may switch the feeder on, off, or both. The dispense button may cause the drive source to drive the dispenser from one or more rest positions to one or more dispense positions. A pause or stop button may cause the drive source to move the driven dispenser from the dispensing position back to the resting position, stop the dispenser from moving to the dispensing position and / or resting position, or a combination thereof. Selection from the status interface may cause a status indicator to turn on, turn off, display information on a screen, or a combination thereof. The feeder may include one or more status indicators. The one or more status indicators may function to inform a user of the status, function, operation, or combination thereof of the feeder. The one or more status indicators may include one or more lights, a screen, or the like, or both. The one or more status indicators may be in electrical communication with the selection interface, one or more sensors, a controller, a processor, a communication module, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0037] The feeder may include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may receive one or more signals, transmit one or more signals, control the operation of one or more components of the feeder, or function as a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be in communication with one or more sensors, a selection interface, a status indicator, a drive source, a power source, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be adapted to receive one or more signals from one or more sensors. The one or more controllers may be in communication with one or more sensors. The one or more controllers may be in electrical communication with one or more sensors. The one or more controllers may interpret one or more signals from the one or more sensors as one or more status signals. The one or more controllers may be present in the feeder or in communication with the feeder. The one or more controllers may be located in the base portion, the middle portion, the chamber portion, or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers may include one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or combinations thereof. The one or more controllers may be in communication with and / or include one or more communication modules. The one or more controllers may include one or more processors.

[0038] The feeder may include one or more communication modules. The one or more communication modules may enable the litter device to receive and / or transmit one or more signals from one or more computing devices, be integrated into a network, or both. The one or more communication modules may have any configuration that may enable the litter device to relay one or more data signals from one or more controllers to one or more other controllers, communication modules, networks, computing devices, processors, etc., or any combination thereof, external to the feeder. The one or more communication modules may include one or more wired communication modules, wireless communication modules, or both. The wired communication module may be any module that can transmit and / or receive one or more data signals via a wired connection. The one or more wired communication modules may communicate over one or more networks via a direct wired connection. The wired connection may include a wired connection of a local area network via an Ethernet port. The wired communication module may include a PC card, a PCMCIA card, a PCI card, etc., or any combination thereof. The wireless communication module may include any module that can transmit and / or receive one or more data signals via a wireless connection. The one or more wireless communication modules can communicate over one or more networks via a wireless connection. The one or more wireless communication modules can include a Wi-Fi transmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a radio frequency transmitter, an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transmitter, or the like, or any combination thereof. The Wi-Fi transmitter can be any IEEE 802.11 compliant transmitter. The communication module can be single band, multi-band (e.g., dual band), or both. The communication module can operate at 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz, or the like, or a combination thereof.A communications module may communicate directly with one or more other communications modules, computing devices, processors, or any combination thereof, via one or more networks, or both, or any combination thereof.

[0039] The feeder may include a drive source. The drive source may function to apply one or more dispensing forces, apply one or more return forces, move the dispenser between one or more resting positions to one or more dispensing positions, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be in rotational communication with the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The drive source may drive the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof in one or more dispensing directions, one or more return directions, or a combination thereof. The drive source may apply a first direction of torque, a second direction of torque, or both to the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The first direction of torque may be a first dispensing direction, a second return direction, or both. The first direction of torque may result in the dispenser moving from a resting position to a first dispensing position, from a second dispensing position to a resting position, or both. The second direction of torque may be a second dispensing direction, a first return direction, or both. A second direction of torque can result in the dispenser moving from a resting position to a second dispensing position, from the first dispensing position to a resting position, or both. The driving source can be a motor or other power source. The driving source can be an electric motor, a pneumatic power source, a hydraulic power source, another power source, or a combination thereof. The driving source can be in electrical communication with one or more power sources.

[0040] The feeder may include a drive shaft. The drive shaft may function to transmit torque from a drive source to the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. The drive shaft may be in rotatable communication with the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The drive source may rotate the drive shaft. By applying a first direction of torque, the drive shaft may rotate in a first direction. By applying a second direction of torque, the drive shaft may rotate in a second direction. The drive shaft may pass through the dispenser, the adapter shaft, or both. The drive shaft may engage the dispenser directly or indirectly. The drive shaft may mate with the adapter shaft. For example, the drive shaft may be received in rotational engagement within a hollow interior of the adapter shaft, and the adapter shaft may be received in rotational engagement within a shaft cavity of the dispenser. The drive shaft may have a friction fit with the adapter shaft. The drive shaft may have one or more engagement features that engage with one or more mating engagement features of the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. For example, the drive shaft may have one or more splines that mate within one or more grooves in the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. The drive shaft may extend through a control panel of the feeder. While the drive shaft passes through the control panel, the control panel may not rotationally engage the drive shaft, the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or combinations thereof. For example, the drive shaft may have an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening in the control panel. The drive shaft may be located in the chamber portion, the intermediate portion, the base portion, or combinations thereof. The drive shaft may be located in the same or a different portion of the housing as the drive source. The drive shaft may be located in a mechanism cavity in the housing, the dispenser cradle, or both.

[0041] The feeder may include an adapter shaft. The adapter shaft may function to transmit torque from the drive source, the drive shaft, or both to the dispenser. The adapter shaft may be in rotatable communication with the drive source, the drive shaft, the dispenser, or combinations thereof. The adapter shaft may receive a first direction of torque, a second direction of torque, or both from the drive source, the drive shaft, or both. The adapter shaft may transmit a first direction of torque, a second direction of torque, or both from the drive source, the drive shaft, the dispenser, or combinations thereof to the dispenser. The adapter shaft may receive at least a portion of the drive shaft. The drive shaft may be coaxial or off-center with respect to the adapter shaft. The drive shaft may be disposed about an exterior of the adapter shaft, or the drive shaft may be received within an at least partially hollow interior of the adapter shaft. The adapter shaft may be disposed within or around a portion of the dispenser. The adapter shaft may be disposed at least partially within a shaft cavity of the dispenser. The adapter shaft may be centered or off-centered with respect to the shaft cavity. The adapter shaft may have one or more engagement features for rotationally engaging, mating, and / or meshing with the drive shaft, the dispenser, or both. The one or more engagement features may include one or more splines, grooves, or both, or any combination thereof, about the outer and / or inner diameter, outer surface, inner surface, or both, that provide a friction fit. The one or more engagement features may also include a cross-sectional shape of the adapter shaft that provides a rotational engagement. The cross-sectional shape may be in the form of a triangle, a square, an oval, a rectangle, a D-shape, a B-shape, a V-shape, etc., or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape may refer to a cross-section of the adapter shaft taken parallel to the median plane of the feeder, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transfer shaft, or both. The adapter shaft may be located adjacent to the control panel. The adapter shaft may include a disk surface. The disk surface may protrude like a flange from the adapter shaft.The disk surface may protrude in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transport shaft. The disk surface may have a cross-sectional shape that is square, rectangular, oval, circular, etc., or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape of the disk surface may be taken along a cross section generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transport shaft. The disk surface may be adjacent to the control board, the dispenser, or both. The disk surface may be disposed between the control board, the drive source, or both, and the dispenser. The adapter shaft may not be rotationally engaged or fixed to the control board. The adapter shaft may be disposed in the chamber portion, the intermediate portion, the base portion, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft may be disposed in the same or different portion of the housing as the drive source, the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft may be disposed in a mechanism cavity of the housing, in a dispenser cradle, or both.

[0042] The feeder may include a dispenser. The dispenser may function to separate a portion of the food from the chamber portion, transfer a portion of the food from the chamber portion to the base portion, or both. The dispenser may be particularly advantageous for food that is a granular material. The dispenser may be located in any portion of the housing suitable for separating the food from the chamber portion and transferring the food to the serving area. The dispenser may be located between the chamber portion and the base portion, within the intermediate portion, or both. The dispenser may be located within a dispenser cradle. The dispenser may be configured to dispense a predetermined amount of food from the chamber portion to the serving area. The dispenser may include a locker body, one or more fins, a fin channel, a shaft cavity, or a combination thereof. The dispenser may be rotationally engaged with a drive source, a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or any combination thereof. The dispenser may be configured to rotate in multiple directions, such as a first direction and a second direction. Rotation in a first direction can move the dispenser from a stationary position to a first dispensing position, from a second dispensing position to a stationary position, or both. Rotation in a second direction can move the dispenser from a stationary position to a second dispensing position, from the first dispensing position to a stationary position, or both. The rocker body of the dispenser can receive a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or both therethrough.

[0043] The dispenser may include a locker body. The locker body may function to rotationally engage the dispenser with the drive source, rotate the one or more fins, cooperate with the one or more fins to create a serving cavity, cooperate with the one or more fins and / or hopper surface to allow and / or restrict food access to the chute, or any combination thereof. The locker body may be disposed between the chute and the hopper. The locker body may be disposed within the dispenser cradle. The locker body may have any suitable shape for cooperating the drive source, the one or more fins, the hopper, the chute, or combinations thereof. The locker body may be at least partially cylindrical. The locker body may be shaped approximately like half a cylinder. The locker body may have a cross section that may be D-shaped, half-moon shaped, W-shaped, etc., or combinations thereof. The cross section may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder, parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder, or combinations thereof. The cross section may substantially resemble a D-shape or a half-moon. The locker body may have a size suitable to restrict ingress into the dispenser cradle, or to allow only food within the serving area to pass through the dispenser cradle, or both. The locker body may have a width approximately equal to or less than the width of the dispenser cradle. The width of the locker body may still allow the locker body to rotate within the dispenser cradle. The difference between the width of the locker body and the dispenser cradle is less than the typical size of granular food material. The width of the locker body and the dispenser may be measured as an overall width (e.g., diameter). The width of the locker body may be between about 80% or more, 90% or more to about 95% or more of the width of the dispenser cradle. The width of the locker body may be about 100% or less, about 98% or less, or even about 96% or less than the width of the dispenser cradle. The locker body may be hollow, partially hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. The locker body may be substantially solid along its length.The locker body may have a hollow portion. The locker body may have a shaft cavity formed therein. The shaft cavity may extend from one end to an opposite end of the locker body, partially or completely. The shaft cavity may be generally centered over the dispenser. The shaft cavity may be offset relative to the locker body. The shaft cavity may be offset and distanced from an outer surface of the locker body. The shaft cavity may be offset and distanced closer to the fins, fin channels, or both than the outer surface of the locker body. The shaft cavity may include a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or both disposed therein. The shaft cavity may have a shape that is opposed to a shape of the adapter shaft, the drive shaft, or both. The shaft cavity may include one or more engagement features that engage, mate, or match with one or more engagement features of the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or both. The locker body may be configured to rotate at least partially in one or more directions, such as when driven by a drive source, a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or a combination thereof. The one or more directions may be opposite directions, a first direction, a second direction, or a combination thereof. The axis of rotation of the locker body may be coaxial, concentric, or off-center with the axis of rotation of the drive source, the drive shaft, the adapter shaft, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation may extend through the shaft cavity. The locker body may have one or more fins protruding therefrom. The one or more fins may be integral with the locker body or separate from the locker body. The locker body may have one or more fin engagement features. The one or more fin engagement features may function to mate with the one or more fins. The one or more fin engagement features may include one or more channels, slots, brackets, hinges, etc., or any combination thereof, to allow attachment of the one or more fins to the locker body. The channel may be formed along at least a portion or all of the length of the locker body.The channel can be formed along an exterior surface of the rocker body closest to the shaft cavity. The channel can be adapted to follow (e.g., parallel to) the shaft cavity over the length of the rocker body. The channel can have any suitable shape for receiving and / or engaging an end of the fin. The channel can have a shape that is substantially reciprocal with a portion of the fin, such as the attachment end of the fin. The channel can be V-shaped, T-shaped, etc., or combinations thereof. For example, the rocker body can include a fin channel that is a T-shaped slot along the length of the rocker body. The fin channel can receive the attachment end of the fin therein.

[0044] The dispenser may include one or more fins. The one or more fins may function to separate a portion of the food from a chamber portion, to prevent the food from entering the dispenser, to cooperate with the locker body to create a serving cavity, or a combination thereof. The one or more fins may function with a portion of the locker body to form a predetermined serving size within the serving cavity. The one or more fins may include a single fin or multiple fins. A single fin may be advantageous to allow the dispenser to dispense food without having to rotate a full 365 degrees. A single fin may be advantageous by having only one flexible component relative to the locker body with fewer fins that may become damaged or clogged over time and with use of the feeder. A single fin may be beneficial to allow the dispenser to rotate (e.g., rock) back and forth between a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position. The one or more fins may be rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or a combination thereof. The one or more fins may be flexible along the length of the one or more fins. The flexibility of the fins may be advantageous in allowing the fins to scrape along the serving wall of the dispenser cradle as it transitions to the dispensing position, push the food towards the chute while moving towards the dispensing position, or both. The flexible fins may also prevent the dispenser from jamming while rotating to or from the dispensing position or positions. The fin or fins may be attached to or integral with the locker body. Rotational motion of the locker body causes the fin or fins to rotate about the same axis of rotation. The fin or fins may be attached to the locker body at a mounting end. The mounting end may have a shape that is opposed to an engagement feature of the locker body. The mounting end may have a shape that is opposed to a channel of the locker body. For example, the mounting end may be "T" shaped. The mounting end may reside in and engage with the fin channel of the locker body. Opposite the mounting end of the fin is a free end. The fin may also be hingedly attached to the locker body.The fins can be hinged, static, or both relative to the locker body. Static refers to the fins moving with the locker body while still maintaining flexibility. The height of the fins can be the distance from the attached end to the free end. The height of the fins can allow the free end to contact or not contact the serving wall, a portion of the hopper, a portion of the shell, a portion of the chute, or a combination thereof. The height of the fins can be equal to or less than approximately half the width, radius, or both of the cross section of the locker body, dispenser, serving wall, or a combination thereof. The fins have a length. The length of the fins can be measured as the distance from the end of the fin closest to the rear of the feeder to the end of the fin closest to the front of the feeder, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the dispenser, or both. The length of the fins can be greater than, approximately equal to, or less than the length of the locker body. The fins and the locker body may define one or more serving cavities.

[0045] The fin(s) may be continuous or discontinuous. Continuous may mean that the fin is a single piece of material from end to end without breaks (such as cutouts or notches). Discontinuous may mean that the fin has one or more cutouts, notches, slits, etc., or a combination thereof. The fin may have one or more slits. The slit(s) may provide flexibility to the fin while still allowing the material to be strong enough to push the food out of the cavity (e.g., hopper) toward the chute. The slit(s) may help prevent damage to the fin, clogging of the fin during rotation between dispensing positions, or both. The slit(s) may extend partially, completely, or both from the free end to the attachment end, the axis of rotation, the dispenser body, the height of the fin, or a combination thereof. The height of the fin may be measured as the distance from the free end to the attachment end of the fin. The slit(s) may extend about 10% or more, about 25% or more, about 50% or more, or even about 60% or more of the height of the fin. The one or more slits can extend about 100% or less, about 90% or less, about 85% or less, or even about 80% or less of the height of the fin. For example, the fin can extend from the free end toward the mounting end between about 60% and about 90% of the height of the fin. As an example, the fin can extend from the free end toward the mounting end between about 70% and about 80% of the height of the fin. The one or more slits can be located along any length of the fin. The length can be the distance of the fin parallel to the axis of rotation, from the front to the rear of the feeder, along the length of the mounting end, along the length of the free end, or any combination thereof. The one or more slits can be located about one-quarter length, one-third length, half length, two-thirds length, one-half length, two-thirds length, any distance therebetween, or combination thereof. For example, one slit can be located about half the length of the fin extending from the free end toward the mounting end. The one or more slits can have a width. The width of the slit can be measured along (eg, parallel to) the length of the fin.The width of the slit can be about 1% or more, 2% or more, 3% or more, 4% or more, or even about 5% or more than the total length of the fin. The width of the slit can be about 15% or less, about 12% or less, about 10% or less, or even about 8% or less than the total length of the fin. The width of the slit can be sized to be equal to or smaller than the size of a typical pet food. By making the width of the slit smaller than a pet food granule, the slit does not allow the food to pass through and therefore remains in the hopper cavity as opposed to being pushed towards the chute and serving cavity.

[0046] The dispenser may include one or more serving cavities. The one or more serving cavities may function to define the serving size of the food delivered from the hopper to the serving area. The serving cavity may be a gap formed between the rocker body and the fin. The fin may be angled from an adjacent surface of the rocker body to form the serving cavity. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body may be acute, perpendicular, or obtuse. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body may be about 30 degrees or more, about 50 degrees or more, about 60 degrees or more, or even about 65 degrees or more. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body may be about 110 degrees or less, about 90 degrees or less, about 80 degrees or less, or even about 75 degrees or less. The angle between the fin and the rocker body may be selected to result in a particular serving of food being dispensed by the dispenser for each dispensing revolution. The serving cavity may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially V-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, etc., or a combination thereof. The cross-section may be taken substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The cross-sectional shape may be along a portion or the entire length of the dispenser, the rocker body, the fin, or a combination thereof. When the serving cavity is rotated to the dispensing position such that the serving cavity is closed by the serving wall, the serving cavity may have a serving amount. The serving amount may be any amount suitable for feeding an animal. The serving amount may be about 0.0625 cups or more, about 0.125 cups or more, about 0.25 cups or more, or even about 0.5 cups or more. The serving amount may be about 2 cups or less, about 1.5 cups or less, or even 1 cup or less.

[0047] The dispenser may be configured to move between one or more dispensing positions and one or more resting positions. The one or more dispensing positions may function to deliver food from inside the chamber to the serving area, block additional food from entering the dispenser, or both. The one or more resting positions may function to prevent food from being delivered from inside the chamber to the serving area. The one or more dispensing positions may include a single dispensing position or multiple dispensing positions. The multiple dispensing positions may include two or more dispensing positions. The two or more dispensing positions may include a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position. The dispenser may rotate from a resting position to one or more dispensing positions. The dispenser may rotate about an axis of rotation. The rotation of the dispenser may be initiated by a drive source. The dispenser may rotate in a first direction, a second direction, or both. The first direction may be clockwise (i.e., when viewed from the rear of the feeder). The second direction may be opposite to the first direction. The second direction can be counterclockwise (i.e., when viewed from the rear of the feeder). The dispenser can rotate from the rest position to the dispensing position by about 60 degrees or more, about 70 degrees or more, about 80 degrees or more, about 90 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more. The dispenser can rotate from the rest position to the dispensing position by about 170 degrees or less, about 160 degrees or less, about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, or even about 130 degrees or less. The dispenser can return from the dispensing position to the rest position. The dispenser cannot move from one dispensing position to another dispensing position without first returning to the rest position. In the rest position, the rocker body can block a path from the hopper to the chute. In the rest position, the fins can protrude into the hopper, into the chamber interior, outside the dispenser cradle, away from the chute, or a combination thereof. In the rest position, the fins can protrude into the hopper at an angle that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder.In the resting position, the food located in the hopper and closest to the dispenser can rest on the dispenser, on the rocker body, between the rocker body and the fins, on one or more serving cavities, or a combination thereof. In the dispensing position, the dispenser body can be rotated such that the fins rotate away from the hopper and towards the chute. In the dispensing position, the serving cavity can be rotated directly into contact with the chute. In the dispensing position, the rocker body can be at least partially positioned above the dispenser cradle, inhibit at least some of the food from entering the dispenser cradle, or both. In the dispensing position, the fins can be positioned within the dispenser cradle, in contact with the serving wall, or both. Rotation from the resting position to the dispensing position results in separation of the food in the serving cavity from the food in the hopper. As the fins rotate towards the serving wall, towards the chute, through the bottom wall of the hopper, and / or in contact with the serving wall, the fins separate the food in the serving cavity from the food in the hopper. As the dispenser rotates to the dispensing position, the fins further inhibit additional food from entering the serving cavity. In the dispensing position, food that is in the serving cavity falls into the chute by gravity, by force applied by the fins, or both. After dispensing the food into the chute, the dispenser is rotated back to the resting position. To return to the resting position, the dispenser is rotated in the opposite direction by the drive source. For example, if the dispenser is rotated in a first direction toward the chute to enter the first dispensing position, the dispenser is rotated in a second opposite direction away from the chute to return to the resting position. During the transition from the dispensing position to the resting position, the fins may or may not clear the chute.

[0048] The feeder may be constructed of one or more materials. The one or more materials may be any material suitable for being molded (e.g., cast) into separate components of the feeder, for a hood to be placed on and then consumed, or both. The one or more materials of the housing may be constructed of a polymer system. The polymer system may be a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. The polymer system may be suitable for molding into one or more shapes of each portion of the housing. The polymer system may include polyolefins, styrenics, acrylates, acrylonitrile, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and blends thereof. Such materials may be modified with many additives such as fillers, elastomers, flame retardants, stabilizers, etc. The portions of the housing may be prepared by any process that can mold the material into the desired shape of the housing and perform the required function. The portions of the housing may be formed by injection molding, reaction injection molding, thermoforming, etc., or any combination thereof. The portions of the housing may be opaque, transparent, or a combination of both. For example, the hopper may be transparent to allow visual viewing of the hood within the hopper, the movement of the dispenser within the dispenser cradle, or both. The other material or materials of the feeder may be comprised of one or more flexible materials. The one or more fins may be comprised of one or more flexible materials or may be comprised of a material suitable for the housing. The one or more fins may be comprised of any suitable material that is deflectable, has elastomeric properties, or both. The one or more fins may be comprised of one or more elastomers with viscoelasticity, one or more rubbers, or both. Exemplary flexible materials may include polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or combinations thereof.

[0049] The present disclosure relates to a method of dispensing food from a feeder. The feeder may be a feeder according to the teachings herein. The method may include moving a dispenser from one or more resting positions to one or more, or two or more dispensing positions. The method may include moving a dispenser from a resting position to a first dispensing position, a resting position to a second dispensing position, or both. The movement from one or more resting positions to one or more dispensing positions may be triggered by a user initiating dispensing, one or more sensing devices sensing the presence, absence, and / or a particular level of food in the chute, serving area, serving wall, outer dish, supply dish, or combinations thereof, or any combination thereof. The movement may be prevented by a user preventing movement of the dispenser, by a particular level of food detected by one or more sensing devices (e.g., chute sensors) in the chute, supply dish, serving area, serving wall, outer dish, or combinations thereof. As described herein, the components of a feeder according to the teachings herein may cooperate together to achieve the dispensing of food. EXAMPLES

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of feeder 10. Feeder 10 includes housing 12. Housing 12 includes base portion 14, mid-portion 20, and chamber portion 16. Chamber portion 16 includes hopper 18. Cover 32 rests on hopper 18. Cover 32 includes handle 34. Handle 34 is formed by recess 36 in cover 32. Cover 32 includes opening 104. Sensing tower 84 extends through opening 104. Disposed adjacent chamber portion 16 is mid-portion 20. Mid-portion 20 includes control panel 40. Control panel 40 includes selection interface 42 and status indicator 44. Located between mid-portion 20 and base portion 14 is feed cavity 22. Base portion 16 includes serving area 24. Serving area 24 includes serving tray 26. Chute 28 is located above serving area 24. The chute 28 projects into the feed cavity 22. The chute 28 allows a food 94 (not shown) to travel from within the hopper 18 through the chute opening 30 into the serving area 24.

[0051] 2 shows a rear perspective view of the feeder 10 without the chamber portion 16. The feeder 10 includes a middle portion 20. The middle portion 20 includes an upper shell 20b. The middle portion 20 tapers downwardly from the control panel 40 to a sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 extends upwardly and away from the base portion 14. The sensing tower 84 has a conical portion 106 that tapers upwardly to a cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110. The cap 110 is disposed on the cylindrical portion 108. The middle portion 20 includes a dispenser cradle 60 formed therein. The dispenser 70 is disposed within the dispenser cradle 60. The dispenser 70 includes a rocker body 72 and fins 74.

[0052] 3 shows a top view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a cover 32. The cover 32 has a handle 34. The handle 34 is formed by opposed recesses 36. The recesses 36 have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially "D-shaped." Between the recesses 36 is a handle body 46. An opening 104 is formed in the handle body 46. The sensing tower 84 extends through the opening 104. The feeder 10 includes a front portion 48 opposite a rear portion 50. At the front portion 48, a serving area 24 including a serving tray 26 projects beyond the housing 12.

[0053] 4 shows a bottom plan view of feeder 10. Base portion 14 includes a bottom 52. Bottom 52 includes a plurality of feet 54. Feet 54 are spaced apart about a periphery of bottom 52. Feet 54 are spaced apart about a bottom cap 56. Bottom cap 56 covers a bottom opening 58 of base portion 14.

[0054] 5 shows a side elevational view of feeder 10. Feeder 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 includes a base portion 14, a middle portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. Base portion 14 includes a bottom 52. Protruding from bottom 52 are a plurality of feet 54. Opposite bottom 52 is cover 32. Extending along the length of feeder 10 from bottom 52 to cover 32 is a longitudinal axis A. L Vertical axis A L The serving area 24 is disposed between the front 48 and rear 50 of the feeder 10. The serving area 24 projects beyond the housing 12 at the front 48. The serving area 24 includes a serving tray 26. The serving area 24 and the serving tray 26 are aligned along a longitudinal axis A. L and cross section P T 9. The angle α may allow the hood 94 (not shown) to move toward the front 48 of the feeder 10.

[0055] 6 shows a rear elevational view of feeder 10. Feeder 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 includes a base portion 14, a middle portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. Chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18 and a cover 32. The middle portion includes a dispenser cradle 60. Hopper 18 includes a dispenser cover 122.

[0056] 7 shows a front elevational view of feeder 10. Feeder 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 is oriented in a median plane P M It is substantially symmetrical about the median plane P M A L 1 includes a longitudinal axis along which the feeder 10 is located and is parallel to the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14, a middle portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The middle portion 20 is disposed between the chamber portion 16 and the base portion 14. At a front 48 of the feeder 10 is a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42 and a status indicator 44. A feed cavity 22 is formed within the base portion 14. The feed cavity 22 is a cavity formed between the middle portion 20 and the base portion 14. The bottom of the feed cavity 22 is defined by a serving area 24. Angled from a rear portion 50 (not shown) toward the serving area 24 is a chute 28 having a chute opening 30.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of feeder 10 taken along section BB of FIG. 7. Feeder 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 includes a base portion 14. Base portion 14 includes a bottom opening 58 covered by a bottom cap 56. Bottom opening 58 provides access to a base receptacle 64. Base receptacle 64 is formed as a recess in base portion 14 that extends upwardly toward chamber portion 16. Located above base receptacle 64 is a portion of serving area 24. Serving area includes angled serving wall 65. Serving wall 65 is oriented along a longitudinal axis A. L and cross section P TIt is inclined at an angle β to the cross section P T is the vertical axis A located within it. L Serving wall 65 is parallel to and includes serving wall 65. Serving wall 65 is angled toward front 48 of feeder 10. Serving wall 65 is angled toward bottom 52 of housing 12. Serving wall 65 slopes toward outer dish 67 of serving area 24. Serving wall 65 extends to have integral end 65a. Integral end 65a extends over outer dish 67, a portion of serving dish 26, or both. Integral end 65a is connected and integral with integral lip 67b. Outer dish 67 includes integral lip 67b. Integral lip 67b connects outer dish 67 to serving wall 65. Integral lip 67b overlaps serving wall 65 including integral end 65a. The overlap allows food to move from serving wall 65 to serving dish 26. Integral lip 67b receives dish lip 26a of serving dish 26. Dish lip 26a rests between the gap formed by integral end 65a and integral lip 67b. Located within outer dish 67 is serving dish 26. Outer dish 67 and serving dish 26 are inclined at angle α toward front 48 of feeder 10. Serving area 24 also includes support portion 67a. Support portion 67a is integral with outer dish 67. Support portion 67a is oriented along longitudinal axis A. L and cross section P T 2. Extending downwardly toward the serving area 24 is a chute 28. The chute 28 includes a chute wall 66. The chute wall 66 has a cross section P T Serving wall 65 is angled at an angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to front portion 48, serving area 24, and bottom 52. Chute opening 30 is formed between control wall 112 and serving wall 65. Chute 28 is formed as part of middle section 20.

[0058] The middle portion 20 includes a lower shell 20a and an upper shell 20b. The lower shell 20a includes a control wall 112. The control wall 112 projects downwardly toward the serving area 24, which includes the serving wall 65. The control wall 112 projects downwardly toward the base 52. The control wall 112 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the feeder 10. L The sensing tower 84 is a part of the upper shell 20b. The sensing tower 84 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the feeder 10. L The sensing tower 84 extends through the hollow interior 62 of the hopper 18 and through an opening 104 in the cover 32. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110. The sensing tower 84 houses one or more sensing devices 86. The one or more sensing devices 86 may be supported by a sensor bracket 87. The sensor bracket 87 may be disposed within and mounted within the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 are disposed at a top end 120 of the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 may be disposed outside of and exposed from the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84. The one or more sensing devices 86 may be configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of a hood 94 (not shown) within the hollow interior 62 of the hopper 18.

[0059] The feeder 10 includes a lock 144. The lock 144 may function to stabilize the hopper 18 relative to the base 14. The lock 144 may also allow the hopper 18 to remain in place relative to the rest of the housing 12 during feeder movement, during a dispensing cycle, during eating by an animal, or even if the feeder 10 is tipped or moved by an animal or human. By securing the hopper 18 with the lock 144, the feeder 10 may be lifted by the hopper 18 while remaining secured to the remaining components of the feeder 10. The bottom wall 68b includes a locking channel 146. The locking channel 146 aligns with the lower locking channel 142. The lower locking channel 142 is formed in the middle portion 20. The lower locking channel 142 is formed in the top shell 20b. The lock 144 is disposed within the locking channels 142, 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a locking cap 150. Located between the cap 150 and the lock 144 is a biasing device 148. The biasing device 148 can be a helical spring. The biasing device 148 can also be disposed between the cap 150 and the lock channel 146.

[0060] A mechanism cavity 82 is formed between the bottom shell 20a and the top shell 20b. Disposed within the mechanism cavity 82 is a drive source 80. The drive source 80 is attached to a motor bracket 152. The motor bracket 152 can be attached to the top shell 20b. The drive source 80 can be a motor. The drive source 80 includes a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through the control board 114. The drive shaft 81 extends into an adapter shaft 116. The adapter shaft 116 includes a disk surface 118. The disk surface 118 is disposed adjacent to the control board 114. The drive shaft 81 and the adapter shaft 116 extend into a dispenser housing 60. The dispenser housing 60 is surrounded by a dispenser cover 122. Within the dispenser housing 60 is a dispenser 70. The dispenser includes a rocker body 72 having fins 74 attached thereto. The fins 74 include slits 73 formed therein. A shaft cavity 76 is defined within the rocker body 72. The drive shaft 81 and an adapter shaft 116 are disposed within the shaft cavity 76. The adapter shaft 116 is in rotational engagement with the rocker body 72. Rotation of the adapter shaft 116 results in an axis of rotation A. R The rocker body 72 and the fins 74 rotate around this center.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the feeder 10 along section AA of FIG. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14, a middle portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The hopper 18 includes a side wall 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b tapers toward a sensing tower 84. The bottom wall 68b further tapers toward a dispenser 70. The bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18 rests on the upper shell 20b of the middle portion 20. The bottom wall 68b includes a hopper opening 69. The hopper opening 69 allows the hollow interior 62 of the hopper 18 to communicate with the dispenser cradle 60 and the dispenser 70. The upper shell 20b includes a dispenser cradle 60 formed therein. The dispenser cradle 60 has a substantially C-shaped profile (e.g., 2D cross-section). The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile that is substantially opposite to a portion of the dispenser 70. The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile that is substantially opposite to a rocker body 72 of the dispenser 70. The dispenser cradle 60 includes a cradle outlet 61. The cradle outlet 61 allows the dispenser cradle 60 to communicate with the chute 28. Within the dispenser cradle 60 is the dispenser 70. The dispenser includes a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 is oriented about an axis of rotation A. R . Rocker body 72 includes a fin channel 75 therein. Located within fin channel 75 are attachment ends 77 of fins 74. Attachment ends 77 are opposite free ends 79. Fins 74 are disposed between serving walls 90 of rocker body 72. The distance between each serving wall 90 and fin 74 forms a serving cavity 92.

[0062] 10A-10B illustrate movement of dispenser 70 from a rest position 96 (shown in FIG. 10A) to a dispensing position 98 (shown in FIG. 10B). In rest position 96, fins 74 protrude inwardly into chamber interior 62. In rest position 96, fins 74 protrude from chute 28. In rest position 96, hood 94 rests between fins 74 and serving wall 90 such that hood 94 rests within serving cavity 92. For movement between rest position 96 and dispensing position 98, dispenser 70 rotates about axis of rotation A. R Rotates around the axis of rotation A R Rotation of the fins 74 about the fins 74 results in a portion of the hood 94 being separated. Separation of the hood 94 occurs when the fins 74 pass the bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18. As the dispenser 70 rotates to the dispensing position 98, the separated portion of the hood 94 remains located within the serving cavity 92. In the dispensing position 98, the serving cavity 92 is in communication with the chute 28, such that the separated portion of the hood 94 is transferred from the serving cavity 92 to the chute 28. In the dispensing position 98, the fins 74 block any remaining hood 94, along with the chamber interior 62, from entering the chute 28. To transition from the dispensing position 98 back to the resting position 96, the dispenser 70 rotates back in the opposite direction (e.g., as opposed to completing a full rotation about the axis of rotation). The dispenser 70 can be rotated to the dispensing position in the opposite direction (not shown). The dispenser 70 may rotate in a first dispensing position, return to a resting position, then move to a second dispensing position, and then return to a resting position. The second dispensing position may be substantially mirrored to the first dispensing position.

[0063] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of feeder 10. Feeder 10 includes a base portion 14. Base portion 14 has serving area 24 disposed therein. Serving area 24 includes outer dish 67. Outer dish 67 is adapted to receive serving dish 26. Base portion 14 includes inner shell 124 located within outer shell 126. Base portion 14 includes bottom cap 56. Bottom cap 56 is received within bottom 52 of feeder 10. Base portion 14 also receives a plurality of feet 54. Base portion 14 includes a plurality of sleeves 102. Each of sleeves 102 is adapted to receive a post 100. Sleeves 102 of base portion 14 receive posts 100 of intermediate portion 20.

[0064] The middle portion 20 includes a lower shell 20a and an upper shell 20b. The lower shell 20a includes a control wall 112. The space between the upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a defines a mechanism cavity 82 when assembled. A drive source 80 is disposed between the upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a. The drive source 80 may be held in place by a motor bracket 152. Extending from the drive source 80 is a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through a control board 114. The control board 114 includes one or more chute sensors 128. The drive shaft 81 extends into an adapter shaft 116. The adapter shaft 116 includes a disk surface 118. The adapter shaft 116 resides within a shaft cavity 76. The shaft cavity 76 is disposed within a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 is part of the dispenser 70. Dispenser 70 also includes fins 74. A rocker cap (not shown) may also be received within shaft cavity 76 or shaft cavity 76 may be closed at one end as part of the rocker body. The rocker cap may be located on the opposite side of adapter shaft 116 relative to rocker body 72. Top shell 20b and bottom shell 20a each include a portion of control panel housing 130. Control panel 40 is located within control panel housing 130. Control panel 40 includes selection interface 42, bezel 43, and status indicator 44. Protruding from top shell 20b is sensing tower 84. Sensing tower 84 includes conical portion 106 adjacent cylindrical portion 108. Sensing tower 84 includes cap 110 that rests on cylindrical portion 108. Sensing tower 84 includes one or more sensing devices 86. Sensing device(s) 86 are located within or adjacent to a hollow interior of sensing tower 84. The sensing device(s) 86 may be held in place by a sensor bracket 87. The sensor bracket 87 resides inside a hollow interior of a sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 protrudes into the chamber portion 16.

[0065] The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The hopper 18 includes a side wall 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b includes a locking channel 146. The locking channel 146 aligns with a lower locking channel 142. The lower locking channel 142 is formed in the mid-portion 20. The lower locking channel 142 is formed in the top shell 20b. A lock 144 is disposed within the locking channels 142, 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a locking cap 150. Located between the cap 150 and the lock 144 is a biasing device 148. The biasing device 148 can be a helical spring. The biasing device 148 can also be disposed between the cap 150 and the locking channel 146. The hopper 18 includes a hollow interior 62. The hopper 18 also includes a dispenser cover 122. A cover 32 rests on the hopper 18. The cover 32 includes a handle 34. The handle 34 includes a handle body 46 having an opening 104 therein. The handle 34 includes a grip opening 134. The grip opening 134 allows a spring grip 136 to extend therethrough. The spring grip 136 is part of the cover lock 132. The spring grip 136 engages a spring 138. The spring 138 is resting within a cover lock body 140.

[0066] For any numerical value set forth in the above application, where there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any upper value, all values ​​from the lower value to the upper value are included in increments of 1 unit. These are merely examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the minimum and maximum values ​​recited should be considered as being expressly set forth in this application in a similar manner. Unless otherwise specified, all ranges include both the endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints.

[0067] The terms "approximately," "substantially," and even "about" to describe angular measurements can mean about ±10° or less, about ±5° or less, or even about ±1° or less. The terms "approximately," "substantially," and even "about" to describe angular measurements can mean about ±0.01° or more, about ±0.1° or more, or even about ±0.5° or more. The terms "approximately," "substantially," and even "about" to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios can mean about ±10% or less, about ±5% or less, or even about ±1% or less. The terms "approximately," "substantially," and even "about" to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios can mean about ±0.01% or more, about ±0.1% or more, or even about ±0.5% or more.

[0068] The term "consisting essentially of" to describe a combination is intended to include the identified elements, components, ingredients, or steps, as well as such other elements, components, ingredients, or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. Use of the terms "comprise" or "include" to describe combinations of elements, components, ingredients, or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, components, ingredients, or steps.

[0069] Multiple elements, components, ingredients, or steps may be provided by a single integral element, component, ingredient, or step. Alternatively, a single integral element, component, ingredient, or step may be divided into separate multiple elements, components, ingredients, or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element, component, ingredient, or step is not intended to exclude additional elements, components, ingredients, or steps.

Claims

1. A feeder comprising: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by said base portion and configured to hold a particulate material within the chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from within the chamber and to transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, i) a rocker body configured to rotate partially about an axis of rotation; and ii) one or more fins protruding from the locker body, the distance between the locker body and the one or more fins being adapted to receive the portion of the granular material; Including, a dispenser; Including, The feeder comprises: i) the one or more fins are flexible along a length of the one or more fins; ii) one or more sensing devices are part of a sensing tower extending at least partially through said chamber portion, said one or more sensing devices being configured to sense a presence, distance, and / or amount of said granular material within said chamber portion; and / or iii) one or more chute sensing devices configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or amount of the granular material within the serving area; A feeder comprising one or more of:

2. 2. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the one or more fins is a single fin.

3. 3. The feeder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more fins are hinged, static, or a combination of both relative to the rocker body.

4. A feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more fins are adapted to prevent the granular material inside the chamber from entering the dispenser when in a dispensing position.

5. the dispenser is configured to rotate between two or more dispensing positions and one or more resting positions; the one or more resting locations are located between the two or more dispensing locations; A feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The feeder of claim 5 , wherein the one or more resting positions include a single resting position.

7. the two or more dispensing locations include a first dispensing location and a second dispensing location; the dispenser rotates from about 60 degrees or more to about 170 degrees or less in a first direction from a rest position to the first dispensing position; the dispenser rotates from about 60 degrees or more to about 170 degrees or less in an opposite second direction from the rest position to the second dispensing position. A feeder according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A feeder according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is in rotational communication with a drive source.

9. 9. The feeder of claim 8, wherein the drive source is a motor.

10. 10. The feeder of claim 8 or 9, wherein a drive shaft engages the drive source and the dispenser.

11. The feeder of claim 10 , wherein the drive shaft and / or adapter shaft pass through and are rotationally engaged with the locker body.

12. The feeder according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the drive source is disposed within a mechanism cavity between the chamber portion and the base portion.

13. The feeder of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the locker bodies are configured to rotate partially in opposite directions.

14. A feeder according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is configured to stop rotating such that the one or more fins are prevented from passing over a chute.

15. A feeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a chute communicates with said chamber portion with said dispenser disposed therebetween.

16. 16. The feeder of claim 15, wherein the chute is integrally formed as part of one or more shells of the middle section.

17. 17. The feeder of claim 16, wherein the one or more shells include two or more shells forming a mechanism cavity therebetween.

18. 18. A feeder as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the one or more shells are part of an intermediate section located between the chamber section and the base section.

19. A feeder according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the chute is angled towards the serving area.

20. 20. The feeder of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the one or more chute sensing devices are configured to sense the presence, distance and / or amount of granular material disposed within the chute.

21. A feeder according to any preceding claim, wherein the serving area slopes at an angle towards the front of the feeder.

22. A feeder according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber portion includes a hopper configured to hold the particulate material and defining the chamber interior as a hollow interior.

23. 23. The feeder of claim 22, wherein the hopper includes a tapered bottom wall configured to direct the granular material toward the sensing tower, the dispenser, or both.

24. 24. The feeder of claim 23, wherein the bottom wall is angled toward the sensing tower, the dispenser, or both.

25. 23. The feeder of claim 21 or 22, wherein a sensing tower extends through the bottom wall and the hollow interior of the hopper.

26. A feeder according to any preceding claim, wherein the feeder includes a control panel having a selection interface and one or more status indicators.

27. 27. The feeder of claim 26, wherein the selection interface is in electrical communication with the dispenser and is configured to activate rotation of the dispenser, stop rotation of the dispenser, provide power to the feeder, or any combination thereof.

28. 28. The feeder of claim 26 or 27, wherein the control panel, the one or more sensing devices, or both, are in electrical communication with a communications module.

29. A feeder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cover is removably attached to a hopper of the chamber portion.

30. 30. The feeder of claim 29, wherein the cover receives and engages a portion of the sensing tower.

31. 31. The feeder of claim 29 or 30, wherein the cover is disposed on opposite sides of a bottom wall of the hopper.

32. 31. The feeder of claim 29 or 30, wherein the cover is locked in place by one or more locks.

33. 33. The feeder of claim 32, wherein the one or more locks include a pinch-grip lock configured to be disengaged from a handle of the cover.

34. A method of dispensing food with a feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 33.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the method includes moving the dispenser from one or more resting positions to one or more dispensing positions.

36. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more dispense locations include a first dispense location and a second dispense location.

37. 37. The method of claim 35 or 36, wherein moving the dispenser comprises rotating the dispenser about an axis of rotation.

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