Bird Feeding System

Abstract

To provide a device that allows birds to be fed on a bird feeding system while being observable, without causing feed to fall onto the ground and / or be provided to undesirable animals such as rodents and vermin. [Solution] The bird feeding system 1 of the present invention is characterized by the fact that scattered or dropped food is caught in the tray 9, making it difficult for birds to access it, thereby preventing birds using the bird feeding system from scattering or dropping food on the ground.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bird feeding system that ensures that scattered or dropped food does not fall to the ground but is collected in a tray that is inaccessible to birds, preventing the birds from scattering or dropping more food. [Background technology]

[0002] Bird feeding systems are generally known in the art and are used to feed and attract wild birds. These feeding systems use food to attract the birds.

[0003] Bird feeding systems are typically kept outdoors so that observers can watch the birds being fed.

[0004] Some bird feeding systems have trays, platforms, or collection devices that prevent the feed from dropping to the ground when scattered or dropped.

[0005] US Patent Application Publication No. 20090260576A1 discloses a bird feed capture device that can be attached to a bird feeding system below a feeding station to capture fallen or scattered feed and prevent it from falling to the ground.

[0006] However, birds can still access the bird feed, and during feeding, the birds may further scatter and drop the feed, still hindering the growth of vegetation below the bird feeding system. Additionally, some birds, such as sparrows, prefer to feed on the ground and intentionally scatter more feed to eat from the ground. The wasted feed not only feeds other pests, but also means more feed must be purchased and then collected from the ground, which is wasteful and / or troublesome for the bird feeder. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art and to present a device which allows birds to be fed on a bird feeding system whilst being observable, without the feed falling onto the ground and / or being available to undesirable animals such as rodents and vermin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This object is solved by a bird feeding system according to the independent claims.

[0009] In particular, this object is solved by a bird feeding system comprising a feed storage container, a feeding station, and a tray, the tray collecting scattered or fallen feed and at the same time preventing birds from accessing the scattered or fallen feed, the tray comprising a tray member and a separating device.

[0010] When the bird feeding system is in use, the tray covers the area below the feeding station, ensuring that scattered or fallen feed cannot substantially pass through the tray. By making the feed inaccessible to birds, scattered or fallen feed cannot be scattered or dropped again and does not fall to the ground, ensuring that the feed does not fall to the ground. If the feed is scattered on the ground, it can rot and decompose, making it unusable and producing an unpleasant odor.

[0011] Vegetation under bird feeding systems can grow better without animals scratching through feed scraps. By preventing unwanted animals such as rodents from eating feed scraps, this helps deprive such animals of a food source, allowing fewer people to feed the birds.

[0012] Furthermore, the system collects dropped feed which may be freely recycled without being wasteful and without requiring much work from the person feeding the birds, and at the same time scattered or dropped feed does not accumulate on the ground and does not require time spent cleaning up.

[0013] The trays allow for collection of feed and easy access to the feeder for the bird feeder, while at the same time providing protection against environmental conditions such as severe winds and heavy rain.

[0014] The tray member and the separating device may be made from a single component or may be separable from each other. The separating device prevents birds from accessing scattered or fallen feed.

[0015] If the tray member and the separating device form one component, the bulge and / or narrow side walls of the tray can prevent birds from accessing the feed. The birds cannot get through the narrow walls of the tray or are blocked by the bulge, preventing them from further scattering or dropping the feed. It is also conceivable that the tray could be so deep that birds could not enter it.

[0016] On the other hand, a tray and a separating device that can be separated have the advantage that the tray members can be attached separately and removably, so that the feed collected in the tray members is easily accessible to the person feeding the birds and can be re-fed to the feed storage container or disposed of.

[0017] The bird feeding system, in particular the tray, may comprise at least one bird perching device that allows the birds to perch during feeding. The bird perching device preferably surrounds the feeding station.

[0018] Bird perches allow birds to perch while feeding, making the bird feeding station more appealing. Additionally, bird perches allow observers to watch the birds eat.

[0019] It is desirable for a tray with perching devices to surround the feeding station because then the birds face the feeding station and turn their backs away from the feeding station to access the food therein, so droppings do not typically fall onto the bird feeding system. Therefore, the tray is preferably large enough that the desired bird instances can comfortably feed from the edges of the tray, and the edges of the tray are perching devices. This helps keep material costs to a minimum and creates a more compact bird feeding system.

[0020] Secondly, less droppings on the bird feeding system means less cleaning effort for the person feeding the birds, helping to minimize droppings getting mixed in with tray litter or dropped feed.

[0021] The tray or tray member of the bird feeding system is preferably removably attachable to the bottom of the feed storage container and / or feeding station using a locking and / or sliding mechanism.

[0022] A removably attached tray or removably attached tray member allows the bird feeder easy access to scattered or fallen feed. In particular, it is desirable for the tray member to be removable, as access to scattered or fallen feed is not hindered by the separating device and it can be removed or reused in an easier way.

[0023] It is particularly desirable for the tray or tray members to be attached by a locking and / or sliding mechanism, as this means that the bird feeder does not have to rely on tools to remove or attach the tray or tray members.

[0024] The separating device may be located between the feeding station and the tray member. The separating device may preferably comprise a funnel member or a grid member that, in use, is attached to the lower end of the feed storage container and / or the feeding station.

[0025] The grid elements as separation devices are particularly well suited to collecting scattered or fallen feed and preventing birds from accessing it, since they do not require much material. Therefore, the grid elements can be produced in an inexpensive manner and at the same time have only a small height when aligned horizontally between the feeding station and the tray elements. The use of grid elements allows the tray to have a small overall height, further saving material costs. The grid elements may also comprise different materials, such as wire, plastic, metal, or rope. The openings in the grid are preferably adapted to the feed used, so that debris can easily pass through the openings, but still be out of reach of the birds.

[0026] The funnel member can also prevent birds from accessing fallen or scattered food, and the tray collects fallen or scattered food.

[0027] In designs where collection in a small section or area of ​​the tray is desired, a funnel member is advantageous for collecting scattered or dropped feed.

[0028] By attaching the separator to the feed storage container between the feeding station and the tray member and / or the lower end of the feeding station, the distance between the feeding station and the separator is shortened. The shorter distance between the feeding station and the separator helps ensure that the feed ends up passing through the separator rather than simply scattering or falling out of the bird feeding station. The further vertically the separator is from the feeding station, the larger the area that must be designed to collect debris. Thus, in addition to the tray required for at least the bird perching device, material costs are further reduced, as opposed to, for example, an external separator below the tray member.

[0029] It is therefore particularly advantageous to arrange the separating device at least partly, preferably completely, inside or covering the tray member.

[0030] The tray may include at least one tray drain opening configured to allow drainage but to be too small to allow passage of feed, husks, or husks of the feed, particularly having a maximum diameter of 0.3 cm.

[0031] The drainage openings help to ensure that scattered and fallen feed does not remain damp or wet due to rain or dew, thus preventing the feed from spoiling and the tray from filling with water.

[0032] The feeding station may include at least one feeding port, preferably four feeding ports, to allow birds access to the feed.

[0033] The feed port provides an opening to the feed storage container that is wide enough to not become clogged with feed, hulls, and / or shells.

[0034] In particular, the diameter or width of the feeding port is 2 cm, so that the feed is preferably replenished when removed from the feeding port by gravity.

[0035] The feeding port further comprises a collection device for making feed available to the birds and at least one port drain opening that is small enough to allow water to drain but not large enough to allow feed to pass through, in particular, the diameter of the port drain opening is a maximum of 0.3 cm.

[0036] A feeding port with a sufficiently wide port drain opening helps prevent clogging due to humidity or interlocking of feed, husks, and / or shells. Additionally, preventing the feed from getting wet helps prevent spoilage, and therefore helps prevent birds from eating spoiled feed and becoming ill. It is also advantageous that the port drain opening is not too large to allow feed to pass through, in order to use as much feed as possible but not waste it.

[0037] The feeding port is preferably gravity-fed to ensure that the feed bin can be completely depleted of food after the feeding station is retracted into the lower end of the feed bin without requiring any effort from the person feeding the birds. The collection device allows the birds access to the feed and provides sufficient space and boundaries to allow the feed to be continuously replenished without wasting.

[0038] The bird feeding system may comprise a cover, which preferably has a generally convex shape and which is preferably attached to the top of the bird feeding system, more preferably to the top of the feed storage container, in use.

[0039] When in use, the bird feeding system can advantageously be protected against environmental influences by a cover.

[0040] The cover helps protect the bird feeding system from rain, thus preventing the food from spoiling. Additionally, protection from rain prevents the feeding station from getting wet. If the feeding station gets wet, food may get stuck in the feed ports, preventing the food from being replenished when it is used up, thus rendering the bird feeding system unusable. Furthermore, the cover may provide some shade for the birds, making them more comfortable and attracting them during hot days.

[0041] The cover is preferably mounted on the feed storage container and may at the same time act as a protective means for the feed storage container, which protective means must be in place in any case to protect the stored feed. Furthermore, the cover may provide protection against becoming a victim of birds of prey, thus making the birds feel protected and attracting more birds.

[0042] A generally convex shape is desirable because it does not require as much material while at the same time ensuring that liquids do not pool on top and erode the cover, extending the life of the bird feeding system.

[0043] The tray may have at least one upper edge, the upper edges of the tray member and the separator being, in use, spaced apart vertically from each other at a maximum distance of 1.5 cm, preferably with either the tray member or the separator surrounding the other.

[0044] A maximum clearance of 1.5 cm between the upper edge of the tray and the separator ensures that the tray height can be relatively small while saving on material costs. If the clearance were larger, the tray would have to be deeper to further limit access to the feed. This maximum height clearance allows for an overall compact design that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0045] On the other hand, a small gap between the upper edge of the tray and the separating device is advantageous because the birds can perch on the separating device in addition to the edge of the tray, which allows small birds to approach the feeding station while still providing the advantage that the small birds are visible to an observer due to the small height gap between the upper edge of the tray and the separating device.

[0046] The tray may horizontally surround the feeding station and preferably presents a circular or oval base area, the edges of the tray being curved outward from the centre of the tray, preferably forming a semicircle, to provide a surface for birds to perch or stand on and / or provide access to the feeding station.

[0047] A circular or oval base area surrounding the feeding station is advantageous because it allows multiple birds from multiple sides to approach the feeding station while still being visible to an observer.

[0048] The outwardly curved edges of the tray are another advantage: this design saves on material costs and provides a place for birds to perch or stand without the need for additional devices such as perches. Furthermore, the curved edges prevent the tray from becoming soiled or discolored. Bird dirt and droppings fall only onto the curved corners of the tray, rather than onto the sides of the tray, which is unsightly and more cleaning intensive.

[0049] The feed storage container may preferably have a cross section that decreases from top to bottom with the upper half being conical or hourglass shaped.

[0050] The cross section of the feed storage container is taken across the longitudinal axis of the feed storage container, which in the use position extends from the central top to the bottom.

[0051] The reduction in cross section from top to bottom offers the obvious advantage that more feed can be stored in the bird feeding system without the need to increase its height. This means that less time is required to refill the feed storage container and birds can be fed for a longer period of time, while featuring a more efficient design. On the other hand, it is advantageous if the feed storage container is designed to have a smaller cross section at its lower end when in use, as this leaves the birds with enough space to collect around the feed storage container. Therefore, there is no need to increase the base surrounding the feeding station. This further saves material and results in a more compact design.

[0052] The feed storage container may be at least partially made from a transparent or translucent material, and preferably comprises acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate plastic, or glass.

[0053] On the other hand, transparent or translucent materials offer an advantage to the person feeding the birds as they can see the fill level of the feed storage container.

[0054] On the other hand, this design may allow birds to recognize the food supply more easily and may therefore attract more birds.

[0055] The bird feeding system may comprise a hanging member, which may preferably comprise a fastening element for attachment to the cover and / or feed storage container through at least one hole in the cover and / or feed storage container, so that the tray is positioned approximately parallel to the ground when in use.

[0056] The hanging members have the advantage of elevating the bird feeding system from the ground, preventing unwanted animals such as rodents from accessing the bird feed. The elevated position also helps protect the birds from potential predators such as cats, thereby attracting more birds. The hanging members are also a very inexpensive way to achieve a bird feeding system elevated from the ground, since they require very little material, such as rope or coated wire and fastening elements. The hanging members also provide a means for adjusting the tray of the bird feeding system so that it is parallel to the ground. One way to achieve this is to attach the hanging members above the center of gravity of the bird feeding system, thereby automatically aligning the tray parallel to the ground. Another possibility is to attach the hanging members to several sides of the bird feeding system, which allows for adjustment of the bird feeding system.

[0057] If means for hanging members are not available, an additional pole could be considered for the bird feeding system as well.

[0058] The cover can preferably be removably connected to the feed storage container through holes for the hanging members, the cover is preferably slidable along the hanging members, and / or the cover can be provided with an opening device, preferably a flap, allowing access to the feed storage for refilling / emptying.

[0059] The removably connected cover and / or opening device allows easy access to the feed storage container, making it easier for the person feeding the birds to refill or empty the feed storage container.

[0060] A sliding mechanism along the hanging member would be desirable as it provides the advantage of securely locking the cover in place while at the same time eliminating the need for additional tools to slide the cover upwards and refill the feed storage container.

[0061] It would also be contemplated that the cover may simply be held in place by the hanging members or fastening means and gravity.

[0062] The tray, cover, and / or feeding station may comprise non-porous semi-rigid or rigid plastic, metal, glass, and / or wood.

[0063] Bird feeding systems need to be able to withstand environmental conditions for extended periods of time, while the materials used should be inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

[0064] Non-porous semi-rigid or rigid plastic, metal, glass, and / or wood meet these characteristics and are therefore advantageous for use in bird feeding systems.

[0065] In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0066] [Figure 1] 1 shows a side view of a bird feeding system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a perspective side view of a bird feeding system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 shows a perspective side view of a bird feeding system according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows a perspective top view of a bird feeding system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] Like reference numbers in the figures refer to like elements.

[0068] 1 shows a bird feeding system 1 according to the present invention, which comprises a hanging member 3, fastening elements 4, a cover 2, a feed storage container 5, a feeding station 6, a tray 9 with tray members 11, and several feeding ports 7. The bird feeding system is shown in an upright position, which is also its intended position of use. The bird feeding system 1 can be mounted by using the hanging member 3, which is attached through the fastening elements 4 to the cover 2 made of polystyrene plastic and the feed storage container 5 made of acrylic glass.

[0069] The fastening element 4 is realized by a bulge with a hole in the cover 2 and a hole in the feed storage container 5 .

[0070] The hanging members 3 are made from vinyl-coated stainless steel cables. The use of chains as hanging members may also be envisaged in different versions. The bird feeding system 1 can be attached to an elevated position, such as a branch, by looping or tying the hanging members 3. The cover 2 has a convex shape that protects the birds and feed from environmental influences and exhibits a spherical indentation with a base circle radius of approximately 10 cm. The maximum radius of the base region of the tray members 11 of the tray 9 is also approximately 10 cm. Furthermore, the sides of the tray are bent inward to form edges that provide additional stability against deformation and further feature rounded edges at the bottom of the sides.

[0071] As shown in Figure 1, the feed storage container 5 has a larger cross section at the top to provide storage space for the maximum amount of feed while still being compact.

[0072] At the lower end of the feed storage container 5, the cross section of the base area decreases conically to make room for birds to approach a feeding station 6 having four feeding ports 7 attached to the lowest part of the feed storage container.

[0073] The edges of the tray 9 are curved to form a semicircle to act as bird perching devices 14. In addition to the perching devices 14, the rounded edges act as a precaution against birds soiling the side walls of the tray.

[0074] 2 shows a perspective side view of the bird feeding system. It shows that the feeding ports 7 of the feeding station 6 are equipped with a collector 8 through which food is automatically fed by gravity through the openings of the feeding ports 7, which are wide enough to prevent clogging with feed, husks, and / or shells. Even if they become clogged with feed or wet feed, the birds can still eat the food, since the feeding station has four feeding ports 7. In particular, the openings of the feeding ports are equipped with a collector 8 consisting of two straight side walls, each 2 cm wide and directed approximately radially away from the feed storage container 5, connected to each other by a wall forming a semicircle, with a distance of 2 cm between the side walls.

[0075] 2 further shows that the tray 9 comprises a tray member 11 and a separator 10, both made from a plastic material. In this version, the separator 10 is a grid with a mesh size large enough for the food to pass through if scattered or dropped, and is placed inside the tray member 11. The mesh size is in particular 1 cm in size. The tray member 11 is deep enough so that birds cannot reach the food through the grid of the separator 10 and so that the food cannot be accessed by birds once it has passed through.

[0076] The separating device 10 is fixedly connected to the feeding station 6, but the tray member 11 is only removably attached to the feeding station 6 with a locking mechanism for easier removal and emptying.

[0077] The surface formed by the edges of the tray 9 and the grid of the separator 10 serves as a means for birds to perch and eat. The edges of the tray 9 are shaped with an outward-facing semicircle to act as perching devices 14 for the birds, similar to perches around the feeding station. The tray 9 has a circular base area that surrounds the feeding station, allowing multiple birds to perch and approach the bird feeding station 1 at the same distance from the station.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows the bottom of the bird feeding station 1 in a perspective side view, showing the fastening elements 4 of the cover 2, the feed storage container 5, the tray 9 and tray members 11, and the tray drain openings 12.

[0079] The tray 9 is provided with a number of tray drainage openings 12 which ensure that water does not accumulate in the tray and that feed that falls into the tray does not spoil or fall to the ground. The tray drainage openings 12 are essentially 0.3 cm in size and are aligned along a line extending outwards from the centre of the tray.

[0080] This embodiment of the bird feeding system 1 shows an upward conical ridge in the center of the tray member 11 supported by four diagonals. The diagonals help increase friction and allow the tray to rotate essentially 45° relative to the separator to release the latch and remove the tray. This conical ridge ends in a flat area used to receive the feeding station and connects to the feeding station via a locking mechanism. Figure 3 also shows the conical shape of the tray 9 with a curved upper edge that serves as a perching device 14 for the birds.

[0081] Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of a bird feeding system 1 having a top protective cover 2 (see Figure 1) with two fastening elements for receiving and fastening a hanging member 3, and a feeding station 6 with a feeding port 7 with a port drain opening 13. The port drain opening 13 allows water to drain from the feeding port 7 but is too small for feed to pass through. This prevents wet feed from clogging the feeding port opening and helps ensure that the feed remains edible.

[0082] FIG. 4 also features a conical ridge in the center of the tray member which provides a flat surface for receiving a locking connection to the feeding station 6 while at the same time providing stability to the tray member 11.

[0083] 4 also shows a tray 9 comprising a separator 10 and a tray member 11, featuring tray drain openings 12 in the tray member 11. The grates and perching devices 14 of the separator 10 can allow birds to both perch and rest and / or access the feeding station.

Claims

1. a bird feed storage container (5); a feeding station (6); a tray (9) for collecting scattered or dropped feed from the feeding station (6); A bird feeding system (1) comprising: the tray (9) prevents birds from accessing the food scattered or dropped from the feeding station (6); The tray (9) comprises a tray member (11) and a separating device (10). Bird feeding system (1).

2. characterised in that the tray member (11) and the separating device (10) are made from a single component or are separable from each other; The separating device (10) prevents the birds from accessing the scattered or fallen feed. A bird feeding system (1) according to claim 1.

3. The bird feeding system (1), in particular the tray (9), is characterized in that it comprises at least one bird perching device that allows birds to perch during feeding, The bird perching device preferably surrounds the feeding station (6). A bird feeding system (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The separating device (10) is disposed between the feeding station (6) and a tray member (11), the separating device (10) preferably comprises a funnel or a grid member which, in use, is attached to the lower end of the feed storage container (5) and / or the feeding station (6); A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. characterised in that the tray (9) or tray member (11) is removably attached to the bottom of the feed storage container (5) and / or the feeding station (6), preferably using a locking and / or sliding mechanism. A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the tray (9) comprises at least one tray drainage opening (12) which is configured to allow drainage but is too small for the passage of feed, husks or shells of feed, in particular the tray drainage opening (12) has a maximum diameter of 0.3 cm; A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the feeding station (6) is, in use, located substantially in the lower third of the feed storage container (5) and comprises at least one feeding port (7), preferably four feeding ports (7), allowing birds access to the feed; the feeding port (7) provides an opening to the feed storage container (5), the opening being wide enough not to be clogged with feed, husks and / or shells, in particular the diameter of the feeding port (7) is 2 cm, whereby feed is preferably replenished when removed from the feeding port (7) by gravity, the feeding port (7) comprising a collection device making the feed available to the birds, and at least one port drain opening (13); the port (7) drain opening is small enough to allow water to drain but not large enough to allow feed to pass through, in particular the diameter of the port (7) drain opening is a maximum of 0.3 cm; A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The bird feeding system (1) is characterized in that it comprises a cover (2), The cover (2) preferably has a substantially convex shape, The cover (2) is preferably attached, in use, to the top of the bird feeding system, more preferably to the top of the feed storage container (5). A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The tray (9) is characterized in that it has at least one upper edge, the upper edge of the tray member (11) and the separating device (10) are, in use, arranged at a maximum distance of 1.5 cm from each other in the vertical direction, and preferably the tray member (11) or the separating device (10) surrounds the other; A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. said tray (9) horizontally surrounds said feeding station (6) and is preferably characterized by presenting a circular or oval base area; the edges of the tray (9) are curved outwards from the centre of the tray (9), preferably forming a semicircle, to provide a surface for birds to perch or stand on and / or to provide access to the feeding station (6); A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. characterised in that the feed storage container (5) has a cross section that decreases from top to bottom, preferably with a conical or hourglass-shaped upper half, A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. characterised in that the feed storage container (5) is at least partially made from a transparent or translucent material, preferably comprising glass or acrylic glass. A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The bird feeding system (1) is characterized in that it comprises a hanging member (3), the hanging member (3) preferably comprises a fastening element (4) for attachment to the cover (2) and / or the feed storage container (5) through at least one hole in the cover (2) and / or the feed storage container (5), so that the tray (9) is positioned substantially parallel to the ground when in use; A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. characterised in that the cover (2) is removably connected to the feed storage container (5), preferably through holes for the hanging members; the cover is preferably slidable along the hanging member and / or the cover (2) is provided with an opening device, preferably a flap, allowing access to the feed storage for refilling / emptying. A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. characterised in that the tray (9), cover (2) and / or feeding station (6) may comprise non-porous semi-rigid or rigid plastic, metal, glass and / or wood. A bird feeding system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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