Automatic 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 of related applications> This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 733,811, filed on September 20, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This instruction relates to a feeder that can store the entire amount of food and dispense a predetermined fixed amount of food. A feeder may be particularly suitable for feeding one or more animals, such as household pets. [Background technology]

[0003] As is well known, food dispensers equipped with a rotary dispenser wheel are used to dispense a predetermined single-serving size of food. These food dispensers generally include a hopper that is in fluid communication with the rotary dispenser wheel. The rotary dispenser wheel typically has a core surrounded by several fins or vanes. The spaces between the fins or vanes may contain the single-serving size of food to be dispensed. The fins or vanes function to prevent both the food to be dispensed from the hopper from being dispensed and from moving. Exemplary food dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,964,355 and 7,597,219, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0004] One challenge associated with such food dispensers equipped with a rotary dispenser wheel is that they are not commonly used for feeding livestock. These types of dispensers may be used by humans for dry foods such as cereal, and the rotary dispenser wheel can be rotated with a manual knob. Humans can place a bowl or plate under the rotary dispenser wheel and rotate the wheel by hand to dispense food from the hopper. Another challenge presented by the rotary dispenser wheel is that the multiple fins or vanes surrounding the core present multiple components that can break or get clogged with food. Furthermore, some of these food dispensers do not have a single, integrated feeding area useful for animals, and incorporating a feeding area may result in a food dispenser that is too large for practical use in a home.

[0005] What is needed is a feeder that is useful for the animals being kept. It would be appealing to have a feeder that stores enough food for multiple servings. It would be appealing to have a feeder that is for multiple days. What is needed is an automatic feeder that dispenses food in predetermined amounts, at predetermined time intervals, at predetermined food levels, or a combination thereof. What is needed is a feeder that automatically dispenses food from the inside to the serving area. What is needed is a feeder that can monitor the food level, located inside, in the 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 possibility of clogging. It would be appealing to have a feeder that is large enough to provide space for feeding animals, yet small enough to fit in a small area of ​​the house, including on a counter. [Overview of the Initiative]

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

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

[0008] This disclosure also relates to a method for distributing hood in a feeder, in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0009] This instruction may provide a useful feeder for farmed animals. The feeder may include a chamber section having a hopper capable of storing several days' worth of food. The feeder may include a dispenser having a rocker body and one or more fins. The one or more serving cavities that form the size of a single serving of food to be dispensed may be determined by the distance between one or more surfaces of the rocker body and the fins. The dispenser may have a single fin. The fin may be flexible along its length. This can help to clear and prevent clogging of the fin, rocker body, food, or combination thereof. The dispenser may not rotate completely around its axis of rotation, but may oscillate back and forth between two dispensing positions and one stationary position. Restricting the rotation of the dispenser can help prevent clogging of food, fins, or both in the dispenser cradle, chute, or both. The feeder may include multiple sensors. The sensors can sense the presence, distance, quantity, or combination thereof of food in the hopper, chute, serving area, or combination thereof. Based on signals detected by one or more sensors, the dispenser may dispense or limit the distribution of food. Based on signals detected by one or more sensors, one or more status indicators may inform the user of the feeder's status. Furthermore, the feeder may generally have a serving area located below the hopper and integrated into the housing, resulting in a feeder that is large enough for animals to use comfortably while remaining compact enough for the living space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of the feeder as taught in this specification. [Figure 2] This is a rear perspective view of the feeder as taught in this specification. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the feeder as taught in this specification. [Figure 4]It is a bottom view of the feeder according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 5] It is a side elevation view of the feeder according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 6] is a rear elevation view of the feeder according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 7] is a front elevation view of the feeder according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of cross-section B-B in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of the feeder along cross-section A-A in FIG. 8. [Figure 10A] It is the dispenser of the feeder in the stationary position according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 10B] It is the dispenser of the feeder in the dispensing position according to the teachings of this specification. [Figure 11] It is an exploded view of the feeder according to the teachings of this specification.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] The descriptions and illustrations presented in this specification are intended to inform those skilled in the art of this teaching, its principles, and its actual applications. The specific embodiments of the teaching described are not intended to cover or limit this teaching. The scope of this teaching should be determined by reference to such claims, along the entire scope of the equivalents given by the appended claims. The disclosures of any papers and references, such as patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are possible as obtained from the following claims, which are hereby incorporated by reference into this written description in their entirety.

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

[0013] The feeder can include a housing. The housing can function as containing one or more components of the feeder, storing the food in the feeder, providing a serving area in the feeder, or any combination thereof. The housing can include a base portion, an intermediate portion, a chamber portion, or combinations thereof. The housing can be a single unitary part or multiple parts assembled together. For example, the base portion can be molded as part of the intermediate portion or attached thereto. The housing can include a chamber portion fixed adjacent to the intermediate portion. The housing can include an intermediate portion adjacent to and fixed to the base portion.

[0014] The housing may have a longitudinal axis extending through it. 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 midline plane and / or parallel to the midline plane. The housing may be substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the midline plane. Substantially and / or approximately may mean within an acceptable range 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 midline plane can divide the housing and / or feeder in half between the left and right sides. Substantially perpendicular to the midline plane is the cross section. The cross section may also have a longitudinal axis in and / or parallel to it. The cross section may intersect the midline plane at the longitudinal axis or deviate from the longitudinal axis. The cross-section allows the housing and / or feeder to be divided between a front and a rear section.

[0015] The feeder may include a base section. The base section may function to support the chamber section and / or intermediate section, provide a serving area, hold a feed dish, and house one or more power sources and / or drive sources, or any combination thereof. The base section may be positioned adjacent to the chamber section, the intermediate section, or both. The base section may be positioned beneath the chamber section, the intermediate section, or both. The base section may have a shape suitable for forming a feed cavity and allowing animals to at least partially access the feed cavity. The base section may be formed by an inner shell, an outer shell, a serving area, or a combination thereof. The base section may be substantially hollow to allow access to the feed cavity. The base section may have a shape that is approximately cubic, approximately cylindrical, approximately spherical, approximately conical, approximately cubic, approximately prismatic, approximately cubic, etc., or any combination thereof. The base section may have an approximately cubic shape. The base section 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 result in proximity to the feed cavity. Three walls may be located on two or more sides and the rear of the feeder. The absence of walls may be located at the front of the feeder. Two opposing side walls and a bottom wall may form a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The cross-section may be obtained parallel to the cross-section of the feeder. The base portion may be formed from one unified part or separate parts. 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 substantially opposite to and similar to that of the inner shell. The inner shell may be nested inside the outer shell. The inner shell may be placed at the bottom of the outer shell.

[0016] The base portion may include the bottom of the feeder. The bottom of the feeder may be suitable for resting the feeder on a surface. The bottom of the feeder can be located opposite the top of the feeder, opposite the cover of the feeder, or both. The surface on which the feeder is rested may include a floor, a table, a counter, or any other surface that animals can access and that is suitable for feeding. The bottom of the feeder may be substantially flat. A substantially flat bottom may be suitable for resting the bottom directly on a surface. The bottom of the feeder may include multiple legs. The multiple legs may protrude away from the bottom, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, away from the top of the feeder, away from the bottom wall of the base portion, or in any combination thereof. The multiple legs may include two or more legs, three or more legs, four or more legs, and even five or more legs. The multiple legs may be spaced around the bottom of the feeder. The multiple legs may be spaced close to the perimeter of the bottom. Multiple feet can be arranged at uniform or uneven intervals around the bottom opening and / or bottom cap of the base portion. Multiple feet can be integrated with the base portion, the outer shell, or both, or attached to them. The bottom of the feeder may include one or more non-slip surfaces. For example, if the bottom is substantially flat, the bottom may include multiple small rubber pads attached thereto. As another example, each foot may include a non-slip material (e.g., rubber) placed on it.

[0017] The base portion may include a base receptacle. The base receptacle may function to house one or more power supplies, communication modules, electrical connections, or a combination thereof. The base receptacle may be located in any part of the housing suitable for housing power supplies, communication modules, electrical connections, or a combination thereof. The base receptacle may have any suitable size and shape. The base receptacle may be located in the base portion, intermediate portion, chamber portion, or a combination thereof. The base receptacle may be located at the bottom of the base portion. Located at the bottom allows for easy access while concealing the base receptacle during normal use of the feeder. The base receptacle may be located under a supply cavity, serving area, chute, chute wall, or a combination thereof. The base receptacle can be accessed through a bottom opening. The bottom opening may allow for changing one or more power supplies (e.g., batteries), access to one or more power supplies for electrical connections (e.g., AC adapters), or both. A bottom opening can be formed at the bottom of the base portion. The bottom opening can be located within the perimeter of the bottom. The bottom opening may be covered by a bottom cap. The bottom cap may function to restrict 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 fastening mechanisms. One or more fastening mechanisms may include one or more threaded fasteners, tabs, snaps, or any combination thereof. The base receptacle, bottom cap, bottom opening, and / or combinations thereof can be located on the opposite side of the supply cavity.

[0018] A feeder may include a feeding cavity. The feeding cavity may function to house a serving area, a feeding dish, or both; to provide space for a chute to distribute food to the serving area, the feeding dish, or both; to provide space for animals to consume food; or any combination thereof. A feeding cavity may be formed in a gap within the housing. A feeding cavity may be formed by the gap between the chamber portion and the base portion. A feeding cavity can be formed between the intermediate portion and the base portion. For example, a feeding cavity may be formed in the gap between the lower shell of the intermediate portion and the serving area of ​​the base portion. A feeding cavity may be formed as an opening in the front, rear, side, or a combination thereof of the feeder. For example, a feeding cavity may be formed as an opening in the front of the housing that extends toward the rear of the feeder but does not pass through completely. A feeding cavity may include a feeding dish within it. The feeding cavity may have any suitable size that allows the animal's head to enter the feeding cavity at least partially and approach the food inside the feeding area, feeding tray, 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, and 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, and even about 250 mm or less. The width of the feeding cavity can be measured as the distance between opposing side walls of the base portion (e.g., opposing side walls of the inner shell).

[0019] A feeder may include a serving area. The serving area may function as a guide for food toward a feeding dish, hold the feeding dish, provide food in a manner accessible to the animal for consumption, or any combination thereof. The serving area may be formed by any part of the housing suitable for placing the feeding dish on it and allowing the animal to access it. The serving area may be formed by one or more parts of the housing. The serving area may be formed in the base portion. The serving area may be formed by multiple parts of the base portion. The serving area may consist of a serving wall, an outer dish, or both. Part of the serving wall may function to pour food from the chute toward the feeding dish. Another part may function as a hold for the feeding dish, receive food from the serving wall and / or chute, provide an area for consuming food, or a combination thereof. The serving wall may be positioned adjacent to the outer dish, between the outer dish and the chute, integrated with the outer dish, or a combination thereof. The serving wall may be formed integrally with the outer dish portion. The serving wall may be formed to extend over at least a portion of the outer tray. The serving wall of the serving area may function as an extension of the chute, have an inclined design, or both. The outer tray portion may have a shape opposite to the feed tray. The outer tray portion may function to hold the feed tray and allow for the removal of the feed tray (i.e., removal for cleaning the tray). The outer tray portion may be bowl-shaped. Bowl-shaped may mean having a substantially cylindrical outer wall that protrudes from the base wall of the tray opposite the open end. The serving area may be positioned toward the front region of the feed tray, or both, to facilitate the delivery of hood from the chute to the feed tray. One or more portions of the serving area may be inclined at an angle toward the front of the feeder with respect to the longitudinal axis, with respect to the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The angle of the serving area may be any angle suitable for facilitating the guidance of hood toward the front of the serving area.The angle may be approximately 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even approximately 100 degrees or more, with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the feeder. The angle may be approximately 150 degrees or less, approximately 140 degrees or less, approximately 130 degrees or less, or even approximately 120 degrees or less, with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the feeder. The angle may be the angle formed between the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the longitudinal axis, or cross-section, and the upward surface of a portion of the serving area (e.g., serving wall, plate base wall). The angle may also be the forward-facing angle of the feeder. One or more portions of the serving area may be angled at the same, steeper, or gentler angle as one or more other portions of the serving area or chute. For example, the outer tray of the serving area may be angled at approximately 90 to 100 degrees relative to its cross-section and inclined downward toward the front of the feeder, while the serving wall of the serving area may be angled at approximately 110 to 130 degrees relative to its cross-section and inclined downward toward the front of the feeder. The serving area may protrude at least partially beyond a portion of the housing surface, or it may be entirely contained within the housing. The serving area may protrude beyond the front, back, sides, or any combination thereof of the housing. The serving area may protrude outside the openings of the inner shell, outer shell, or both of the base portion.

[0020] A feeder may include a feeding tray. The feeding tray may hold food distributed from the chamber section, hopper, dispenser, chute, or a combination thereof, allow animals to approach to consume food in the tray, have a removable feeding surface, or function for any combination thereof. The feeding tray may be located at the front, rear, side, or a combination thereof of the feeder. The feeding tray may have a shape suitable for allowing animals to consume food from it. The feeding tray may have a shape suitable for resting on and / or inside the serving area, outer tray, or both. The feeding tray may have a shape at least partially opposite to the outer tray of the base section. The feeding tray may be nested inside the outer tray of the serving area. The feeding tray may have a shape that is substantially cylindrical, conical, cubic, rectangular, or a combination thereof. The feeding tray may be substantially bowl-shaped. The feeding tray may be located within the housing, projecting beyond the housing, or both. For example, the feed tray may protrude at least partially beyond the front, base, or both of the housing to facilitate access by animals. The feed tray may be angled to help tilt the hood forward within the feed tray, or to prevent hood from accumulating at the rear of the feed tray, or both. The angle of the feed tray may be about 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, 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 with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the feeder. The angle may be the angle formed between the upward surface of the feed tray (e.g., where the hood is placed) and the cross-section. The feed tray may be fitted with a lid. The lid may prevent access to the feed tray, allow access to the feed tray, or both. The lid may be movably attached to any part of the feeder to cover the feed tray and may be removable from the feed tray. The lid can be attached to the feeder by hinges, springs, linear actuators, or a combination thereof. The lid can communicate with the power source.The drive source may be the same as or different from the drive shaft of the feeder and the dispenser. Activating the drive source allows the lid to be opened, closed, or both. The lid may communicate with one or more sensing devices, a selection interface, or both. Activating the selection interface allows the lid to be opened, closed, or both. Activation of the selection interface can be completed by a user (e.g., a human). Detection of the trigger device by the sensing device can cause the lid to be opened, closed, or both. The trigger device may be a tag, barcode, or another sensor. The trigger device may be wearable by an animal. For example, a tag can be attached to an animal's collar. The trigger device and the sensing device can communicate with each other using Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, radio frequencies, etc.

[0021] The feeder may include a chamber section. The chamber section may be configured to hold the hood inside the chamber, to work with a dispenser and / or intermediate section to distribute the hood to a serving area, or both. The chamber section may be positioned adjacent to the intermediate section, the base section, or both. The chamber section may be positioned on top of the intermediate section, the base section, or both. Positioning it on top of the intermediate section, the base section, or both may allow gravity to facilitate the movement of the hood from the chamber section to the serving area. The chamber section may rest on top of the base section, the upper shell, or both. The chamber section may be supported by the base section. The chamber section 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 as a holder for hoods, a holder for multiple servings of hoods, a guide for hoods toward a dispenser, or any combination thereof. The hopper may have any suitable shape to hold multiple servings of hoods, guide hoods toward a dispenser, and allow access by one or more sensors and / or sensing towers, or any combination thereof. The hopper may have a shape that is approximately cubic, approximately cylindrical, approximately spherical, approximately conical, approximately cubic, approximately prismatic, approximately cubic, or any combination thereof. For example, the hopper may have a shape similar to a trapezoidal prism. The hopper may include one or more side walls. One or more side walls may project from the bottom wall of the hopper toward the top of the feeder, the open end of the hopper, a 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 inclined toward the sensing tower, the hopper opening, the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or any combination thereof. The bottom wall of the hopper may be inclined toward the sensing tower and continue to be inclined toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may be inclined downward toward the rear of the feeder from the front of the feeder, the side walls of the feeder, or both. The bottom wall can be inclined at any angle suitable for pouring the hood in the hopper toward the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may be inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the transverse plane, or both. The bottom wall may be inclined at an angle of about 100 degrees or more, about 110 degrees or more, or even about 120 degrees or more, with respect to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The bottom wall may be inclined at an angle of about 150 degrees or less, about 140 degrees or less, or even about 130 degrees or less, with respect to the transverse plane, the longitudinal axis, or both. The angle may be the angle facing the rear of the feeder. The bottom wall may have a shape substantially opposite to the adjacent surfaces of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall may have a shape substantially opposite to the upper shell of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall may rest on the upper shell of the intermediate portion. The bottom wall may include a hopper opening formed through it.The hopper opening may function to accommodate the sensing tower. The hopper opening can be centered around the sensing tower, vertical axis, cover, cover opening, or a combination thereof. The hopper opening can allow the hopper to be positioned on top of the sensing tower, detached from the sensing tower, positioned on the intermediate section, or a combination thereof. When the hopper is positioned in the intermediate section, the conical section of the sensing tower may be positioned within the hopper opening.

[0023] One or more side walls and bottom walls may define the hollow interior of the hopper. The hollow interior may function as an area for receiving and holding hood for storage before distributing it 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 the volume between the bottom wall, side walls, and the cover of the chamber portion. The volume of the hollow interior may be any volume suitable for holding hood for multiple servings, preferably several days' worth of hood. 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 located within it. The hollow interior may be in fluid communication with the dispenser cradle. The bottom wall may include a dispenser opening. The dispenser opening may be located near the dispenser cradle, in fluid communication, or adjacent to the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be positioned substantially above the dispenser cradle. The dispenser opening can be positioned between the sensing tower and the rear of the hopper. The dispenser opening allows the hood in the hopper to be transferred to the dispenser cradle, the dispenser, or both. The dispenser opening can be positioned 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 any portion of the housing suitable for covering the dispenser cradle, or it may be attached to it. The dispenser cover may be attached to both the intermediate portion and the chamber portion. The dispenser cover may be attached via one or more fasteners, snap-fits, adhesives, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cover may be integrated with one or more portions of the housing. For example, the dispenser cover may be formed integrally as part of the hopper. The dispenser cover may be located in any portion of the hopper that is positioned near the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover may be located adjacent to the 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 protrude downward from the rear side wall, bottom wall, or both of these walls of the hopper. The dispenser cover may have a shape substantially opposite to, or similar to, the cross-section of the dispenser cradle. The cross-section of the dispenser cover may be circular, square, triangular, elliptical, crescent-shaped, or a combination thereof. For example, the cross-section of the dispenser may be crescent-shaped or D-shaped. The cross-section can be obtained from a plane parallel to the transverse plane, the midline plane, or both. If the dispenser is located at the rear of the feeder, the cross-section of the dispenser cover can be obtained along a plane substantially parallel to the transverse plane of the feeder. The dispenser cover can snap-fit ​​with the middle section around the dispenser cradle. The dispenser cover can be located on the opposite side of the open end of the hopper, cover, or both.

[0025] A feeder may include a cover. The cover may function to protect the hood held within the feeder, prevent contaminants from entering the hopper, restrict access to the chamber section, allow temporary access to the chamber section, or any combination thereof. The cover may be removably attached to the hopper, sensing tower, or both of the chamber section. The cover may rest on top of the hopper. The cover may be secured to the hopper via one or more attachments. One or more attachments may include friction fits, snap fits, locking tabs, 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 inside the hopper, the perimeter edges of the cover are not easily accessible. Accessibility refers to animals or children attempting to lift the perimeter edges of the cover with their teeth, feet, hands, etc., out of curiosity or a desire for food in the hopper. Reducing accessibility to the perimeter of the cover can 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 one obtained substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hopper. The cross-sectional shape of the cover may be square, rectangular, elliptical, circular, triangular, or a combination thereof. The cover may be positioned opposite and / or adjacent to one or more walls of the hopper. The cover may be positioned generally opposite the bottom wall. The cover may accommodate 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 accommodate the sensing tower through them. One or more openings may be concentric with the sensing tower, hopper openings, longitudinal axis, or a combination thereof, or off-center from them. One or more openings may be sized such that any portion of the sensing tower can be placed therein.One or more openings can accommodate the upper end of the sensing tower, the cap of the sensing tower, or both. One or more openings can be formed in the cover handle.

[0026] A feeder may include a handle. The handle may function to facilitate the removal of the cover, the placement of the cover, the transport of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The handle may be part of the housing. The handle may be integrated with or attached to any part of the housing. The handle may be included as part of the chamber section, the intermediate section, the base section, or any combination thereof. The handle may be included as part of the cover. The handle may be attached to or integrated with the cover. The handle may be centered relative to the cover or off-center. The handle may be centered to allow it to be received, engaged, and / or locked against the sensing tower. The handle may have any suitable shape to allow the cover to be placed, removed, or both from the chamber section. The handle may be formed by one or more recesses, projections, or both in the cover or another part of the housing. The cover may be formed by an opposite recess. The recess may have any suitable shape to allow gripping of the handle body. The recess may have a cross-sectional shape that may be substantially D-shaped, rectangular, or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape can be obtained as a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the median plane, the transverse plane, or a combination thereof. The handle body may be the surface of a housing, such as a cover, positioned between recesses, projections, or both. For example, opposing recesses can be spaced apart from each other to form the handle body between them. An opening in the cover may be located within the handle. An opening in the cover may be located within the handle body. Part of the sensing tower may extend through an opening in the handle body. The cover can be locked in place by one or more locks.

[0027] The feeder may include one or more locks. One or more locks may be any lock suitable for holding the cover in place, preventing animals from removing the cover, allowing a user to intentionally remove and reattach the cover, or a combination thereof. One or more locks may be located on the cover, the sensing tower, the hopper, or any combination thereof. One or more locks may include one or more deflectable tabs with snap fits, one or more spring-based locks, one or more threaded locks, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more locks may include one or more pinch-grip locks with springs. One or more locks may be located near the opening of the cover, around the sensing tower, or both. 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 the cap and / or the upper end of the sensing tower.

[0028] A feeder may include an intermediate section. The intermediate section may function to house one or more components, connect the base section to the chamber section, or both. The intermediate section may function to house or include one or more electric components, drive sources, power supplies, sensors, electronics, sensing towers, control panels, dispensers, or combinations thereof. The intermediate section may be adjacent to the chamber section, the base section, or both. The intermediate section may be located between the chamber section and the base section. The intermediate section may be located between the bottom wall of the chamber section and the open end of the base section. The intermediate section may include a hollow interior. The hollow interior is sometimes called a mechanical cavity. The mechanical cavity may house one or more electric components, drive sources, power supplies, sensors, electronics, etc., or one or more parts of combinations thereof. The intermediate section may consist of a lower shell, an upper shell, or both. The hollow interior may be formed by a lower shell generally opposite the upper shell. The lower shell may be formed separately from or integrally with the upper shell. The upper and lower shells may have a clamshell fit that forms a mechanical cavity between them.

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

[0030] A feeder may include one or more sensing towers. A sensing tower may function as a sensing tower for sensing hoods within the chamber section, or in cooperation with a cover to prevent access to the hopper, or both. A sensing tower may be part of or attached to any part of the housing suitable for sensing hoods within the chamber section, cooperating with a cover, or both. A sensing tower may be placed within the hopper to sense the presence and / or quantity of hoods within the hopper. A sensing tower may be integrated with or attached to the chamber section, intermediate section, base section, or a combination thereof. A sensing tower may be attached to or integrated with the hopper (e.g., bottom wall), cover, upper shell, or a combination thereof. A sensing tower may extend upward from the upper shell, from the bottom wall of the hopper, or both, towards the cover. A sensing tower may pass through the hopper opening of the hopper. A sensing tower may extend downward from the cover towards the bottom wall, upper shell, bottom shell, or a combination thereof of the hopper. The sensing tower may be substantially coaxial with, centered on, or off-center to the longitudinal axis of the feeder. The sensing tower may have any shape suitable for holding one or more sensors, containing one or more electrical components, facilitating the insertion of hoods 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 toward the upper end of the sensing tower. The hollow portion of the sensing tower may communicate directly with the mechanism cavity of the intermediate portion. The sensing tower may be conical, cylindrical, cubic, prism-shaped, or a combination thereof. The sensing tower may have one continuous shape or a combination of different shapes along its entire length. The sensing tower may be conical and tapered toward the cover. The tapering may help to facilitate the insertion of hoods toward the dispenser. The sensing tower may be cylindrical. The sensing tower may have both a conical portion and a cylindrical portion. The conical portion can be positioned adjacent to the cylindrical portion.The conical portion may taper towards the adjacent cylindrical portion. A rounded cross-section obtained perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whether from the cylindrical portion, the conical portion, or elsewhere, may be beneficial for providing a continuous outer surface without sharp edges. A continuous outer surface of the sensing tower may allow the hood to move easily 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 upper end of the sensing tower opposite the upper shell. The sensing tower may include a cap. The cap may function in cooperation with the cover, house one or more sensors, house one or more status indicators (such as lights), protect one or more electrical components, restrict access to the sensing tower, or a combination of these functions. One or more status indicators within the cap may function with one or more sensing devices. One or more status indicators within the cap may indicate the state of the hood in the hopper, such as the fill level. One or more status indicators may have light and / or color visible through the cover cap. 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 the cylindrical portion of the upper end of the sensing tower. The cap may be held on the sensing tower by one or more threads, friction fits, snap fits, or any combination thereof. The cap may be at least partially located within the opening of the cover. The cap may engage with one or more locks of the cover. The cap may include one or more locking engagement features that engage with one or more locks of the cover.

[0031] A feeder may include one or more sensing devices. One or more sensing devices may function to sense the presence, distance, quantity, or combination thereof of hood in the chamber portion, intermediate portion, base portion, or any combination thereof. One or more sensing devices may be part of a sensing tower. One or more sensing device portions of a sensing tower may be referred to as one or more tower sensors, hopper sensors, etc., or both. One or more sensing devices may be mounted on 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 positioned at the top of the sensing tower, toward the top of the hopper, adjacent to the cover, or a combination thereof may be particularly beneficial in providing optimal sensing presence (i.e., line of sight) for the entire hopper. One or more sensing devices may be configured to sense the presence of hood in the chute, serving area, feed tray, or a combination thereof. One or more sensing devices configured to sense the presence of hood in the chute, serving area, feed tray, or a combination thereof may be referred to as one or more chute sensing devices, chute sensors, or both. One or more sensing devices may be positioned on a chute, serving area, serving wall, outer tray, supply tray, or a combination thereof. One or more sensing devices may be mounted on a drive source, drive shaft, adapter shaft, or a combination thereof. One or more sensing devices may be part of a control panel. One or more sensing devices that sense the presence or absence of a hood inside a chute, serving area, serving wall, outer tray, supply tray, or a combination thereof may be called one or more chute sensors. One or more sensors may be configured to transmit one or more signals based on the sensed hood to one or more control panels, processors, controllers, communication modules, computing devices, or a combination thereof.One or more signals from 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. One or more sensors may be any type of sensor suitable for detecting, monitoring, or both detecting the level of hood inside a hopper, chute, serving area, or a combination thereof. 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, conductive sensors, optical interface sensors, microwave sensors, or a combination thereof. Based on signals from one or more sensors, the control panel may present a status to the user, the drive source may initiate the rotation and distribution of hood by the dispenser, the rotation of the drive source or dispenser may be prevented, or any combination thereof. For example, if a chute dispenser senses that there is no hood in the feed tray, serving wall, or chute, signals from one or more chute dispensers may initiate the distribution of hood by the drive source and dispenser. As another example, if a chute sensor detects food in the chute, the signal from the chute sensor may prevent the dispenser from rotating. The presence of food in the chute may mean that the previous portion has not yet been consumed, and therefore no further serving of food is needed in the dispenser tray. As yet another example, if one or more sensors detect food in the hopper below a certain volume, no food in the hopper, or both, the signals from one or more sensors may result in one or more status indicators notifying the user to refill the hopper.

[0032] A feeder may include a dispenser cradle. The dispenser cradle can house a dispenser, work with the dispenser and / or chute to guide the hood to the serving area, or a combination of both. The dispenser cradle can be formed in any part of the housing suitable for housing the dispenser and for the dispenser to move the hood from the hopper section to the serving area. The dispenser cradle can be formed in the chamber section, the middle section, the base section, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle can be formed as part of the upper shell, the lower shell, or both. The dispenser cradle can be located in the front, rear, side, or combination thereof of the feeder. For example, the dispenser cradle may be formed as part of the upper shell at the rear of the feeder. The dispenser cradle may extend from the upper shell toward the bottom of the feeder. A dispenser may contain a dispenser within it. The dispenser cradle may have any suitable shape for holding the dispenser. The dispenser cradle may have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, elliptical, square, triangular, trapezoidal, or any combination thereof. The dispenser cradle may have a shape similar to a semicircle. The dispenser cradle may have a shape opposite to at least a part of the dispenser, such as the locker body. The cross-section of the dispenser cradle can be obtained perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder, parallel to the cross-section of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The dispenser cradle can be formed by the surface of the top wall. The dispenser cradle can be formed by a part of the top wall that is inclined at a different angle from the rest of the top wall. The dispenser cradle can be formed by one or more parts of the top wall called serving walls. One or more serving walls may be angled downward to form the cross-sectional shape of the dispenser cradle. One or more serving walls may face each other. One or more serving walls may have a roughly C-shape or U-shape.The serving wall may transition into a chute. At the lower end of the dispenser cradle, opposing serving walls can be separated from each other. The space between the serving walls is sometimes called the dispenser outlet. The dispenser outlet may be where the dispenser cradle fluidly communicates with the chute and transitions into the chute. The chute can be formed on the surface of the upper shell opposite the sensing tower.

[0033] A feeder may include a chute. The chute may function to guide the hood from the chamber section, hopper, dispenser, or a combination thereof to the base section, feed cavity, serving area, feed tray, or a combination thereof. The chute may communicate with the chamber section. The dispenser may be located between the chute and the chamber section. The chute may receive the hood from the dispenser. The chute may be attached to or part of the chamber section, intermediate section, base section, or any combination thereof. The chute may be attached to or formed integrally with one or more shells of the intermediate section. The chute may be integral with the upper shell. The chute may extend from the dispenser cradle, one or more serving walls, or both. The chute may be configured to guide the hood to the serving area. The chute may guide the hood toward the serving area, driven by gravity. The chute may include a chute wall, multiple side walls, and a chute opening. The chute wall may be located between two opposing side walls. The chute wall may face the serving area. The opposite side wall may extend from the chute wall. The opposing side wall may be roughly perpendicular to the chute wall. The chute wall and the opposing side wall may form a chute channel. The chute channel may have any shape suitable for passing food through, such as a C-shaped channel. There is a chute opening at the end of the chute channel. After being dispensed from the dispenser, food can move to the serving area through the chute channel and chute opening. The chute may be positioned at least partially above the serving area. The chute may be in contact with part 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, as a result, food can move through the chute wall and continue through the serving wall. The chute may protrude into the supply 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, toward the bottom of the feeder, toward the front of the feeder, toward the rear, or any combination thereof. The chute can be angled at the same or different angles as the serving wall, outer pan, supply pan, or a combination thereof. For example, the chute wall may be positioned at substantially the same angle as the serving wall. The chute can be angled about 90 degrees or more, 95 degrees or more, or even about 100 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, 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 with respect to the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the feeder. The angle may be the angle formed between the longitudinal axis, cross-section, or both of the longitudinal axis, or cross-section, and the upward surface of part of the serving area (e.g., the serving wall, the bottom wall of the pan). The angle may also be the angle toward the front of the feeder. The chute can extend from the posterior part of the upper shell toward the lower shell, beneath the lower shell, beneath the dispenser cradle, beneath the dispenser, or a combination of these.

[0034] The intermediate section may include a lower shell. The lower shell may function in cooperation with the upper shell to form a mechanism cavity suitable for housing one or more components therein. The lower shell may work in conjunction with the base section to form a feeding cavity. The lower shell may have any suitable shape for forming a mechanism cavity with the upper shell. The lower shell may be fixed to or integrated with the upper shell. The lower shell may be positioned between the base section and the upper shell. The lower shell may have one or more sections with a steeper slope than the slope of the upper shell. The slope may allow for the formation of a mechanism cavity large enough to house one or more components therein. The lower shell may resemble the shape of a partial bowl. The lower shell may have a cross-sectional shape similar to an L-shape, a C-shape, or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape may be parallel to the midline. The lower shell may slope downward from the hopper, control panel, or both at the front of the feeder toward the food chute, serving area, or both. The lower shell may form or include a control wall. The control wall can help control the flow of hood from the chute to the feed pan. The control wall may reduce the overall flow height of the hood from the chute, and as a result, the flow of hood may be delivered to the feed pan 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 in combination thereof. The control wall may be positioned in front of the chute (e.g., close to the front of the feeder). The control wall may be parallel, perpendicular, or at any angle between these with respect to the longitudinal axis, transverse plane, midline plane, or a combination thereof. For example, the control wall may project downward toward the serving area substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and transverse plane.

[0035] A feeder may include a control panel. The control panel may function to present the feeder's status to the user, or to allow any combination thereof, so that the user can select one or more functions and / or operations of the feeder. The control panel may be mounted on or part of any part of the housing. The control panel may be located in the base, middle, chamber, 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 part of the upper and lower shells, flanking at least the periphery of a part 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. A bezel may hold the control panel in place relative to the housing. A bezel may provide an attractive aesthetic for the control panel. The bezel may be held onto the housing by one or more fasteners, snap-fits, friction fits, adhesives, or any combination thereof. The bezel may include a bezel opening through it. 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 can be configured to allow a user to start, pause, and / or stop one or more operations of the feeder. One or more operations may include starting the dispenser rotation, stopping the dispenser rotation, powering on the feeder, powering off the feeder, or a combination thereof. The selection interface may communicate electrically with the dispenser, power supply, drive source, or a combination thereof. The selection interface may include one or more buttons, switches, levers, knobs, etc., or a combination thereof. The selection interface may communicate electrically with one or more status indicators, processors, controllers, communication modules, drive sources, etc., or any combination thereof. The selection interface may include one or more of the following: a power switch, a distribution button, a pause or stop button, etc., or a combination thereof. The power switch can switch the feeder on, off, or both. The distribution button can cause the drive source to drive the dispenser from one or more stationary positions to one or more distribution positions. The pause or stop button may cause the drive source to return the drive dispenser from the dispensing position to the stationary position, or to stop the dispenser from moving to the dispensing position and / or the stationary position, or a combination thereof. Selecting from the status interface may cause status indicators to light up, turn off, display information on a screen, or a combination thereof. A feeder may include one or more status indicators. One or more status indicators may function to inform the user of the feeder's status, function, operation, or a combination thereof. One or more status indicators may include one or more lights, screens, etc., or both. One or more status indicators may communicate electrically with the selection interface, one or more sensors, controllers, processors, communication modules, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0037] A feeder may include one or more controllers. 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. One or more controllers may communicate with one or more sensors, selection interfaces, status indicators, drive sources, power supplies, or a combination thereof. One or more controllers may be adapted to receive one or more signals from one or more sensors. One or more controllers may communicate with one or more sensors. One or more controllers may communicate electrically with one or more sensors. One or more controllers may interpret one or more signals from one or more sensors as one or more status signals. One or more controllers may reside in or communicate with the feeder. One or more controllers may be located in the base section, intermediate section, chamber section, or any combination thereof. One or more controllers may include one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or a combination thereof. One or more controllers may communicate with and / or include one or more communication modules. One or more controllers may include one or more processors.

[0038] A feeder may include one or more communication modules. These communication modules may enable the feeder device to receive and / or transmit one or more signals from one or more computing devices, be integrated into a network, or both. The communication modules may have any configuration that enables them 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, located outside the feeder. The communication modules may include one or more wired communication modules, wireless communication modules, or both. A wired communication module may be any module capable of transmitting and / or receiving one or more data signals via a wired connection. The wired communication modules may communicate via one or more networks via direct wired connections. Wired connections may include wired connections to local area networks via Ethernet ports. Wired communication modules may include PC cards, PCMCIA cards, PCI cards, etc., or any combination thereof. Wireless communication modules may include any module capable of transmitting and / or receiving one or more data signals via a wireless connection. One or more wireless communication modules can communicate over one or more networks via a wireless connection. One or more wireless communication modules may include Wi-Fi transmitters, Bluetooth transmitters, infrared transmitters, radio frequency transmitters, IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transmitters, or any combination thereof. A Wi-Fi transmitter may be any IEEE 802.11 compliant transmitter. Communication modules may be single-band, multi-band (e.g., dual-band), or both. Communication modules may operate on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or a combination thereof.The communication module can communicate directly with one or more other communication modules, computing devices, processors, or any combination thereof, via one or more networks, or both, or any combination thereof.

[0039] A feeder may include a drive source. The drive source may function by applying one or more distribution forces, applying one or more return forces, moving a dispenser between one or more stationary positions to one or more distribution positions, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be in rotational communication with a drive shaft, adapter shaft, dispenser, or any combination thereof. The drive source can drive the drive shaft, adapter shaft, dispenser, or a combination thereof in one or more distribution 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, adapter shaft, dispenser, or a combination thereof. The first direction of torque may be a first distribution direction, a second return direction, or both. The first direction of torque may result in the dispenser moving from a stationary position to a first distribution position, from a second distribution position to a stationary position, or both. The second direction of torque may be a second distribution direction, a first return direction, or both. The second direction of torque may result in the dispenser moving from a stationary position to a second distribution position, from a first distribution position to a stationary position, or both. The drive source may be a motor or other power source. The drive source may be an electronic motor, a pneumatic power source, a hydraulic power source, another power source, or a combination thereof. The drive source may be electrically communicating with one or more power sources.

[0040] The feeder may include a drive shaft. The drive shaft may function to transmit torque from the drive source to the adapter shaft, the dispenser, or both. The drive shaft may be rotatably connected to 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 with the dispenser directly or indirectly. The drive shaft may mesh with the adapter shaft. For example, the drive shaft may be rotatably engaged and received inside the hollow interior of the adapter shaft, and the adapter shaft may be rotatably engaged and received inside the 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 mesh within one or more grooves on the adapter shaft, dispenser, or both. The drive shaft may extend through the feeder's control panel. While the drive shaft passes through the control panel, the control panel does not have to rotate with the drive shaft, power source, adapter shaft, dispenser, or any combination thereof. For example, the drive shaft may have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the opening in the control panel. The drive shaft may be located in the chamber section, intermediate section, base section, or a combination thereof. The drive shaft may be located in the same or different sections of the housing as a power source. The drive shaft may be located in the mechanism cavity of the housing, dispenser cradle, or both.

[0041] A feeder may include an adapter shaft. The adapter shaft may function to transmit torque to the dispenser from a drive source, a drive shaft, or both. The adapter shaft may be rotatably connected to a drive source, a drive shaft, a dispenser, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can receive torque in a first direction, a second direction, or both from a drive source, a drive shaft, or both. The adapter shaft can transmit torque in a first direction, a second direction, or both from a drive source, a drive shaft, a dispenser, or a combination thereof to the dispenser. The adapter shaft can receive at least a portion of a drive shaft. The drive shaft may be coaxial with or off-center relative to the adapter shaft. The drive shaft may be positioned around the outside of the adapter shaft, or the drive shaft may be received inside the adapter shaft, at least partially hollow. The adapter shaft may be positioned inside or around a portion of the dispenser. The adapter shaft may be positioned at least partially within the shaft cavity of the dispenser. The adapter shaft may be centered or off-center relative to the shaft cavity. The adapter shaft may have one or more engaging features for rotational engagement, mating, and / or meshing with the drive shaft, dispenser, or both. One or more engaging features may include one or more splines, grooves, or both, or any combination thereof, around the outer and / or inner diameter, outer surface, inner surface, or both, resulting in a friction fit. One or more engaging features may also include a cross-sectional shape of the adapter shaft that results in rotational engagement. The cross-sectional shape may be triangular, square, elliptical, rectangular, D-shaped, B-shaped, V-shaped, or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape may refer to a cross-section of the adapter shaft obtained parallel to the midline plane of the feeder, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transfer shaft, or both. The adapter shaft may be positioned adjacent to the control panel. The adapter shaft may include a disk surface. The disk surface may protrude from the adapter shaft like a flange.The disk surface may project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transfer shaft. The disk surface may have a cross-sectional shape that is square, rectangular, elliptical, circular, or any combination thereof. The cross-sectional shape of the disk surface can be along a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transfer shaft. The disk surface may be adjacent to the control panel, the dispenser, or both. The disk surface can be positioned between the control panel, the drive source, or both and the dispenser. The adapter shaft may not be rotationally engaged or fixed to the control panel. The adapter shaft can be positioned in the chamber section, the intermediate section, the base section, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can be positioned in the same or different parts of the housing as the drive source, adapter shaft, dispenser, or a combination thereof. The adapter shaft can be positioned in the mechanism cavity of the housing, the dispenser cradle, or both.

[0042] A feeder may include a dispenser. The dispenser may function to separate a portion of the hood from the chamber portion, transfer a portion of the hood from the chamber portion to the base portion, or both. Dispensers may be particularly advantageous for hoods that are granular materials. The dispenser can be positioned in any part of the housing suitable for separating the hood from the chamber portion and transferring the hood to the serving area. The dispenser can be positioned between the chamber portion and the base portion, inside the intermediate portion, or both. The dispenser can be positioned within a dispenser cradle. The dispenser may be configured to distribute a predetermined amount of hood from the chamber portion to the serving area. The dispenser may include a rocker 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 the 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 the second direction can move the dispenser from a stationary position to a second dispensing position, from a first dispensing position to a stationary position, or both. The dispenser's rocker body can receive a drive shaft, an adapter shaft, or both through it.

[0043] The dispenser may include a rocker body. The rocker body may function to engage the dispenser with a drive source by rotation, to rotate one or more fins, to work with one or more fins to create a serving cavity, to work with one or more fins and / or the hopper surface to allow and / or restrict the access of food to the chute, or any combination thereof. The rocker body may be positioned between the chute and the hopper. The rocker body may be positioned within a dispenser cradle. The rocker body may have any suitable shape for coordinating the drive source, one or more fins, the hopper, the chute, or any combination thereof. The rocker body may be at least partially cylindrical. The rocker body may have a shape resembling roughly half of a cylinder. The rocker body may have a cross-section that may be D-shaped, crescent-shaped, W-shaped, or a combination 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 cross-section of the feeder, or a combination thereof. The cross-section may substantially resemble a D-shape or crescent. The locker body may be sized to be suitable for restricting entry 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 smaller than the width of the dispenser cradle. Still, the width of the locker body may allow the locker body to rotate within the dispenser cradle. The difference in width between the locker body and the dispenser cradle is smaller than the typical size of granular food material. The width of the locker body and dispenser can be measured as the overall width (e.g., diameter). The width of the locker body may be between approximately 80% or more, 90% or more, and 95% or more of the width of the dispenser cradle. The width of the locker body may be approximately 100% or less, approximately 98% or less, and even approximately 96% or less of 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 rocker body may have a hollow section. The rocker body may have a shaft cavity formed therein. The shaft cavity may extend partially or completely from one end to the opposite end of the rocker body. The shaft cavity may be located roughly in the center of the entire dispenser. The shaft cavity may be offset from the rocker body. The shaft cavity may be offset and distanced from the outer surface of the rocker body. The shaft cavity may be offset and distanced closer to the fins, fin channels, or both than the outer surface of the rocker body. The shaft cavity may contain a drive shaft, adapter shaft, or both disposed therein. The shaft cavity may have a shape that is inverse to the shape of the adapter shaft, drive shaft, or both. The shaft cavity may contain one or more engaging features that engage, mesh, or match with one or more engaging features of the drive shaft, adapter shaft, or both. The rocker body may be configured to rotate in at least partially one or more directions, such as when driven by a drive source, drive shaft, adapter shaft, or a combination thereof. One or more directions may be opposite directions, a first direction, a second direction, or a combination thereof. The axis of rotation of the rocker body may be coaxial, concentric, or off-center with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive source, drive shaft, adapter shaft, or any combination thereof. The axis of rotation may extend through a shaft cavity. The rocker body may have one or more fins protruding therefrom. One or more fins may be integral with the rocker body or separate from the rocker body. The rocker body may have one or more fin engagement features. One or more fin engagement features may function to mate with one or more fins. One or more fin engagement features may include one or more channels, slots, brackets, hinges, etc., or any combination thereof, for enabling one or more fins to be attached to the rocker body. Channels may be formed along at least part or all of the length of the rocker body.The channel can be formed along the outer surface of the rocker body closest to the shaft cavity. The channel can follow the shaft cavity along the length of the rocker body (e.g., parallel to it). The channel may have any suitable shape for receiving and / or engaging the end of a fin. The channel may have a shape substantially opposite to a part of the fin, such as the fin mounting end. The channel may be V-shaped, T-shaped, or a combination thereof. For example, the rocker body may include a fin channel, which is a T-shaped slot along the length of the rocker body. The fin channel can receive the mounting end of a fin therein.

[0044] A dispenser may include one or more fins. One or more fins may function to separate a portion of the hood from the chamber portion, prevent the hood from entering the dispenser, work with the rocker body to create a serving cavity, or a combination thereof. One or more fins may work with part of the rocker body to form a predetermined serving size within the serving cavity. One or more fins may include a single fin or multiple fins. A single fin may be advantageous in allowing the dispenser to distribute hood without needing to rotate a full 365 degrees. A single fin may be advantageous in having fewer fins that can be damaged or clogged over time and with feeder use, and having only one flexible component relative to the rocker body. A single fin may be beneficial in allowing the dispenser to rotate (e.g., oscillate) back and forth between a first and a second distribution position. One or more fins may be rigid, semi-rigid, semi-flexible, flexible, or a combination thereof. One or more fins may be flexible along the length of one or more fins. The flexibility of the fins may be advantageous in allowing them to slide along the serving wall of the dispenser cradle when moving to a distribution position, to push the hood towards the chute while moving toward a distribution position, or both. Flexible fins may also prevent the dispenser from jamming while rotating between one or more distribution positions. One or more fins may be attached to or integrated with the rocker body. The rotational motion of the rocker body causes one or more fins to rotate around the same axis of rotation. One or more fins may be attached to the rocker body at an attachment end. The attachment end may have a shape opposite to the engaging features of the rocker body. The attachment end may have a shape opposite to the channels of the rocker body. For example, the attachment end may be "T" shaped. The attachment end may be present in the fin channels of the rocker body and be able to engage with them. The opposite end of the fin from the attachment end is a free end. Fins may also be attached to the rocker body by hinges.Fins can be hinged, static, or both relative to the rocker body. Static means that the fins move with the rocker body while still maintaining flexibility. The height of the fins may be the distance from the mounting end to the free end. The height of the fins may allow the free end to contact or not contact the serving wall, part of the hopper, part of the shell, part of the chute, or a combination thereof. The height of the fins may be equal to or less than approximately half the width, radius, or both of the cross-section of the rocker body, dispenser, serving wall, or a combination thereof. Fins have a length. The length of the fins can be measured substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the dispenser, or both, 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. The length of the fins may be longer than, approximately equal to, or shorter than the length of the rocker body. The fins and rocker body may define one or more serving cavities.

[0045] One or more fins may be continuous or discontinuous. Continuous may mean that the fin is made of a single piece of material without any breaks (such as notches or cutouts) from end to end. Discontinuous may mean that the fin has one or more notches, cutouts, slits, etc., or a combination thereof. A fin may have one or more slits. One or more slits may provide flexibility to the fin while the material is still strong enough to allow the hood to be pushed out of the cavity (e.g., hopper) towards the chute. One or more slits help prevent damage to the fin, jamming of the fin during rotation between distribution positions, or both. One or more slits may extend partially, completely, or both from the free end to the mounting end, the axis of rotation, the dispenser body, the height of the fin, or a combination thereof. The height of the fin can be measured as the distance from the free end to the mounting end of the fin. One or more slits 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. One or more slits can extend for approximately 100%, 90%, 85%, or even 80% of the fin's height. For example, a fin can extend from the free end to the mounting end between approximately 60% and 90% of its height. As an example, a fin can extend from the free end to the mounting end between approximately 70% and 80% of its height. One or more slits can be positioned along any length of the fin. The length can be the distance of the fin parallel to the axis of rotation, from the front to the rear of the feeder, along the length of the mounting end, along the length of the free end, or any combination thereof. One or more slits can be positioned at approximately one-quarter, one-third, half, two-thirds, half, two-thirds, any distance between them, or a combination thereof. For example, one slit may be positioned at approximately half the length of the fin extending from the free end to the mounting end. One or more slits may have width. The width of the slit can be measured along the length of the fin (for example, parallel to the length).The width of the slit may be approximately 1% or more, 2% or more, 3% or more, 4% or more, or even 5% or more, than the total length of the fin. The width of the slit may also be approximately 15% or less, approximately 12% or less, approximately 10% or less, or even 8% or less, than the total length of the fin. The width of the slit may be smaller than the size of a typical pet food pellet. By making the width of the slit smaller than the size of a pet food pellet, the slit prevents the food from passing through and therefore remains in the hopper cavity, as opposed to being pushed towards the chute and serving cavity.

[0046] A dispenser may include one or more serving cavities. These serving cavities may function to define the size of a single serving of food delivered from the hopper to the serving area. A serving cavity may be a gap formed between the rocker body and a fin. The fin can 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 approximately 30 degrees or more, approximately 50 degrees or more, approximately 60 degrees or more, or even approximately 65 degrees or more. The angle between the fin and the adjacent surface of the rocker body may be approximately 110 degrees or less, approximately 90 degrees or less, approximately 80 degrees or less, or even approximately 75 degrees or less. The angle between the fin and the rocker body may be selected to result in a specific serving size of food distributed by the dispenser with each dispensing rotation. The serving cavity may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially V-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, or a combination thereof. The cross-section may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The cross-sectional shape may be along part or the entire length of the dispenser, rocker body, fin, or a combination thereof. When the serving cavity is rotated to the dispensing position so that it is closed by the serving wall, the serving cavity may have a serving volume. The serving volume may be any amount appropriate for feeding an animal. The serving volume may be about 0.0625 cups or more, about 0.125 cups or more, about 0.25 cups or more, and even about 0.5 cups or more. The serving volume may be about 2 cups or less, about 1.5 cups or less, and even 1 cup or less.

[0047] A dispenser may be configured to move between one or more dispensing positions and one or more stationary positions. One or more dispensing positions may function to deliver hood from inside the chamber to the serving area, block additional hood from entering the dispenser, or both. One or more stationary positions may function to prevent hood from being delivered from inside the chamber to the serving area. One or more dispensing positions may include a single dispensing position or multiple dispensing positions. Multiple dispensing positions may include two or more dispensing positions. Two or more dispensing positions may include a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position. The dispenser may rotate from a stationary position to one or more dispensing positions. The dispenser may rotate around 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 observed 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 observed from the rear of the feeder). The dispenser can rotate from the stationary position to the dispensing position by approximately 60 degrees or more, approximately 70 degrees or more, approximately 80 degrees or more, approximately 90 degrees or more, and even approximately 100 degrees or more. The dispenser can rotate from the stationary position to the dispensing position by approximately 170 degrees or less, approximately 160 degrees or less, approximately 150 degrees or less, approximately 140 degrees or less, and even approximately 130 degrees or less. The dispenser can return from the dispensing position to the stationary position. The dispenser cannot move from one dispensing position to another without first returning to the stationary position. In the stationary position, the rocker body can block the path from the hopper to the chute. In the stationary position, the fins may protrude into the hopper, into the chamber, outside the dispenser cradle, away from the chute, or a combination of these. In the stationary position, the fins may protrude into the hopper at an angle approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feeder.In the stationary position, the hood located within the hopper and closest to the dispenser can be stationary in the dispenser, in the rocker body, between the rocker body and the fin, in one or more serving cavities, or a combination thereof. In the distribution position, the dispenser body can be rotated so that the fin rotates away from the hopper and toward the chute. In the distribution position, the serving cavity can be rotated to come into direct contact with the chute. In the distribution position, the rocker body may be at least partially positioned above the dispenser cradle, obstructing at least some of the hood from entering the dispenser cradle, or both. In the distribution position, the fin may be positioned within the dispenser cradle, in contact with the serving wall, or both. The rotation from the stationary position to the distribution position results in the separation of the hood in the serving cavity from the hood in the hopper. As the fin rotates toward the serving wall, toward the chute, passes through the bottom wall of the hopper, and / or comes into contact with the serving wall, the fin separates the hood in the serving cavity from the hood in the hopper. As the dispenser rotates to the distribution position, the fins further obstruct additional food from entering the serving cavity. At the distribution position, food in the serving cavity falls into the chute due to gravity, the force applied by the fins, or both. After distributing food into the chute, the dispenser is rotated back to the stationary position. To return to the stationary position, the dispenser rotates in the opposite direction due to the drive source. For example, if the dispenser rotates in a first direction toward the chute and enters the first distribution position, the dispenser rotates in a second opposite direction toward the chute and returns to the stationary position. During the transition from the distribution position to the stationary position, the fins may or may not extend beyond the chute.

[0048] A feeder may consist of one or more materials. These materials may be any material suitable for being molded (e.g., into a mold) into separate components of the feeder, on which a hood is placed and then consumed, or both. One or more materials of the housing may consist of polymer systems. Polymer systems may be thermoplastic or thermosetting materials. Polymer systems may be suitable for molding into one or more shapes for each part of the housing. Polymer systems may include polyolefins, styrene resins, acrylates, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and blends thereof. Such materials can be modified with many additives, such as fillers, elastomers, flame retardants, and stabilizers. Parts of the housing can be prepared by any process that allows the material to be molded into the desired shape of the housing and perform the required function. Parts of the housing can be formed by injection molding, reaction injection molding, thermoforming, or any combination thereof. Parts of the housing may be opaque, transparent, or a combination of both. For example, the hopper may be transparent so that the hood inside the hopper, the movement of the dispenser in the dispenser cradle, or both can be visually observed. One or more other materials of the feeder may consist of one or more flexible materials. One or more fins may consist of one or more flexible materials or a material suitable for housing. One or more fins may consist of any suitable material that is flexible, has elastomer properties, or both. One or more fins may consist of one or more viscoelastic elastomers, one or more rubbers, or both. Example flexible materials may include polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or combinations thereof.

[0049] This disclosure relates to a method for dispensing hood from a feeder. The feeder may be a feeder as taught herein. The method may include moving a dispenser from one or more stationary positions to one or more, or two or more, dispensing positions. The method may include moving the dispenser from a stationary position to a first dispensing position, from a stationary position to a second dispensing position, or both. Movement from one or more stationary positions to one or more dispensing positions may be triggered by a user initiating dispensing, one or more sensing devices that sense the presence, absence, and / or a particular level of hood in a chute, serving area, serving wall, outer tray, supply tray, or a combination thereof, or any combination thereof. Movement may be prevented by a user preventing the dispenser from moving, by a particular level of hood detected by one or more sensing devices (e.g., chute sensors) in a chute, supply tray, serving area, serving wall, or outer tray, or by a combination thereof. As described herein, the components of a feeder as taught herein can work together to achieve hood dispensing. [Examples]

[0050] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. A cover 32 rests on top of the hopper 18. The cover 32 includes a handle 34. The handle 34 is formed by a recess 36 within the cover 32. The cover 32 includes an opening 104. A sensing tower 84 extends through the opening 104. The intermediate portion 20 is located adjacent to the chamber portion 16. The intermediate portion 20 includes a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42 and a status indicator 44. Located between the intermediate portion 20 and the base portion 14 is a feed cavity 22. The base portion 16 includes a serving area 24. The serving area 24 includes a feed tray 26. A chute 28 is located above the serving area 24. The chute 28 protrudes into the supply cavity 22. The chute 28 allows the hood 94 (not shown) to move from inside the hopper 18 through the chute opening 30 to the serving area 24.

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

[0052] Figure 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 opposing recesses 36. The recesses 36 have a substantially "D-shaped" cross-sectional shape. Between the recesses 36 is the handle body 46. An opening 104 is formed within the handle body 46. The sensing tower 84 extends through the opening 104. The feeder 10 includes a front section 48 opposite the rear section 50. In the front section 48, a serving area 24, including a supply tray 26, protrudes beyond the housing 12.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a bottom plan view of the feeder 10. The base portion 14 includes a bottom 52. The bottom 52 includes a number of feet 54. The feet 54 are spaced apart near the periphery of the bottom 52. The feet 54 are spaced apart around a bottom cap 56. The bottom cap 56 covers the bottom opening 58 of the base portion 14.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The base portion 14 includes a bottom 52. Protruding from the bottom 52 are several legs 54. The opposite side of the bottom 52 is a cover 32. The vertical axis A extends from the bottom 52 to the cover 32 along the length of the feeder 10. L This is the case. Vertical axis A L It is located between the front 48 and rear 50 of the feeder 10. The serving area 24 protrudes beyond the housing 12 of the front 48. The serving area 24 includes a supply tray 26. The serving area 24 and the supply tray 26 are aligned along the vertical axis A L and cross-section P T It is inclined at an angle α. Angle α may allow the hood 94 (not shown) to move toward the front part 48 of the feeder 10.

[0055] Figure 6 shows a rear elevation view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18 and a cover 32. The intermediate portion includes a dispenser cradle 60. The hopper 18 includes a dispenser cover 122.

[0056] Figure 7 shows a front elevation view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is substantially symmetric about the center plane P M The center plane P M is parallel and includes the vertical axis on which A L is located therein. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14, an intermediate portion 20, and a chamber portion 16. The chamber portion 16 includes a hopper 18. The intermediate portion 20 is disposed between the chamber portion 16 and the base portion 14. At the front portion 48 of the feeder 10, there is a control panel 40. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42 and a status indicator 44. A supply cavity 22 is formed within the base portion 14. The supply cavity 22 is a cavity formed between the intermediate portion 20 and the base portion 14. The bottom of the supply cavity 22 is defined by a servicing area 24. Angled towards the servicing area 24 from the rear portion 50 (not shown) is a chute 28 having a chute opening 30.

[0057] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the feeder 10 obtained along section B-B of FIG. 7. The feeder 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a base portion 14. The base portion 14 includes a bottom opening 58 covered by a bottom cap 56. The bottom opening 58 provides access to a base receptacle 64. The base receptacle 64 is formed as a recess in the base portion 14 that extends upwardly towards the chamber portion 16. Located above the base receptacle 64 is a part of the servicing area 24. The servicing area includes an angled servicing wall 65. The servicing wall 65 is related to the vertical axis A L and the cross-sectional plane P TIt is inclined at an angle β relative to the cross section P. T The vertical axis A located within it is L Parallel to and including it. The serving wall 65 is angled toward the front 48 of the feeder 10. The serving wall 65 is angled toward the bottom 52 of the housing 12. The serving wall 65 slopes toward the outer pan 67 of the serving area 24. The serving wall 65 extends to have an integrated end 65a. The integrated end 65a extends over the outer pan 67, part of the supply pan 26, or both. The integrated end 65a is connected to and integrated with an integrated lip 67b. The outer pan 67 includes the integrated lip 67b. The integrated lip 67b connects the outer pan 67 to the serving wall 65. The integrated lip 67b overlaps with the serving wall 65, including the integrated end 65a. The overlap allows the hood to move from the serving wall 65 to the serving pan 26. The integrated lip 67b receives the pan lip 26a of the supply pan 26. The pan lip 26a rests in the gap formed by the integrated end 65a and the integrated lip 67b. Located inside the outer pan 67 is the supply pan 26. The outer pan 67 and the supply pan 26 are inclined at an angle α toward the front part 48 of the feeder 10. The serving area 24 also includes a support portion 67a. The support portion 67a is integral with the outer pan 67. The support portion 67a is aligned along the vertical axis A L and cross-section P T It extends downward substantially parallel to the chute. The supply cavity 22 is formed between the serving area 24 and the intermediate section 20. The chute 28 extends downward toward the serving area 24. The chute 28 includes a chute wall 66. The chute wall 66 has a cross-section P T It is inclined at an angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to it. The chute wall 66 is inclined toward the front part 48, the serving area 24, and the bottom part 52. The chute opening 30 is formed between the control wall 112 and the serving wall 65. The chute 28 is formed as part of the intermediate part 20.

[0058] The intermediate section 20 includes a lower shell 20a and an upper shell 20b. The lower shell 20a includes a control wall 112. The control wall 112 protrudes downward toward the serving area 24, which includes the serving wall 65. The control wall 112 protrudes downward toward the bottom 52. The control wall 112 is located along the vertical axis A of the feeder 10. L It is substantially parallel to the vertical axis A of the feeder 10. The sensing tower 84 is part of the upper shell 20b. L The sensing tower 84 is roughly centered (for example, coaxially). The sensing tower 84 extends through the hollow interior 62 of the hopper 18 and the opening 104 of the cover 32. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110. The sensing tower 84 houses one or more sensing devices 86. One or more sensing devices 86 may be supported by a sensor bracket 87. The sensor bracket 87 may be located inside the sensing tower 84 and mounted inside it. One or more sensing devices 86 are located at the upper end 120 of the sensing tower 84. One or more sensing devices 86 may be located outside the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84 and exposed from there. One or more sensing devices 86 may be configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or quantity of a hood 94 (not shown) in 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 against the base 14. The lock 144 may also allow the hopper 18 to remain in place relative to the rest of the housing 12 even when the feeder is moving, during the distribution cycle, while animals are feeding, or if the feeder 10 is knocked over or moved by an animal or a person. By securing the hopper 18 with the lock 144, the feeder 10 can be lifted by the hopper 18 while remaining fixed to the rest of the feeder 10's components. The bottom wall 68b includes a lock channel 146. The lock channel 146 aligns with a lower lock channel 142. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the middle section 20. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the upper shell 20b. The lock 144 is located inside the lock channels 142, 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a lock cap 150. A bias device 148 is located between the cap 150 and the lock 144. The bias device 148 may be a helical spring. The bias device 148 may also be located between the cap 150 and the lock channel 146.

[0060] A mechanism cavity 82 is formed between the lower shell 20a and the upper shell 20b. Located within the mechanism cavity 82 is a drive source 80. The drive source 80 is mounted on a motor bracket 152. The motor bracket 152 may be mounted on the upper shell 20b. The drive source 80 may be a motor. The drive source 80 includes a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through a control panel 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 located adjacent to the control panel 114. The drive shaft 81 and the adapter shaft 116 extend into a dispenser housing 60. The dispenser housing 60 is enclosed by a dispenser cover 122. Inside the dispenser housing 60 is a dispenser 70. The dispenser includes a rocker body 72 to which fins 74 are attached. The fin 74 includes a slit 73 formed therein. The shaft cavity 76 is defined within the rocker body 72. The drive shaft 81 and adapter shaft 116 are located within the shaft cavity 76. The adapter shaft 116 is rotationally engaged with the rocker body 72. As a result of the rotation of the adapter shaft 116, the rotation axis A R The rocker body 72 and fins 74 rotate around this central point.

[0061] Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the feeder 10 along section AA of Figure 8. The feeder 10 includes a base section 14, an intermediate section 20, and a chamber section 16. The chamber section 16 includes a hopper 18. The hopper 18 includes side walls 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b tapers toward the sensing tower 84. The bottom wall 68b tapers further toward the dispenser 70. The bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18 rests on the upper shell 20b of the intermediate section 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 the dispenser cradle 60 formed therein. The dispenser cradle 60 has a substantially C-shaped profile (e.g., a 2D cross-section). The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile that is substantially opposed to a portion of the dispenser 70. The dispenser cradle 60 has a profile that is substantially opposed to the 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. Inside the dispenser cradle 60 is the dispenser 70. The dispenser includes a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 has a rotation axis A R The rocker body 72 includes a fin channel 75 within it. Located within the fin channel 75 are the mounting ends 77 of the fins 74. The mounting ends 77 are on the opposite side of the free ends 79. The fins 74 are positioned between the serving walls 90 of the rocker body 72. The distance between each serving wall 90 and the fin 74 forms a serving cavity 92.

[0062] Figures 10A and 10B show the movement of the dispenser 70 from the stationary position 96 (shown in Figure 10A) to the dispensing position 98 (shown in Figure 10B). In the stationary position 96, the fins 74 protrude into the interior of the chamber 62. In the stationary position 96, the fins 74 protrude from the chute 28. In the stationary position 96, the hood 94 rests between the fins 74 and the serving wall 90, and as a result, the hood 94 rests within the serving cavity 92. For the movement between the stationary position 96 and the dispensing position 98, the dispenser 70 rotates along axis A R It rotates around axis A. R As the fins 74 rotate around the axis, a portion of the hood 94 separates. This separation of the hood 94 occurs when the fins 74 pass the bottom wall 68b of the hopper 18. When the dispenser 70 rotates to the distribution position 98, the separated portion of the hood 94 remains located within the serving cavity 92. At the distribution position 98, the serving cavity 92 communicates with the chute 28, and as a result, the separated portion of the hood 94 is transferred from the serving cavity 92 to the chute 28. At the distribution position 98, the fins 74 prevent the remaining hood 94, along with the chamber interior 62, from entering the chute 28. To transition from the distribution position 98 back to the stationary position 96, the dispenser 70 rotates back in the opposite direction (for example, in the opposite direction to completing a full rotation around the axis of rotation). The dispenser 70 can rotate to a distribution position in the opposite direction (not shown). The dispenser 70 rotates in a first dispensing position, returns to a stationary position, then moves to a second dispensing position, and then returns to the stationary position. The second dispensing position can be substantially mirrored to the first dispensing position.

[0063] Figure 11 shows an exploded view of the feeder 10. The feeder 10 includes a base portion 14. The base portion 14 has a serving area 24 located therein. The serving area 24 includes an outer tray 67. The outer tray 67 is fitted to receive a serving tray 26. The base portion 14 includes an inner shell 124 located within an outer shell 126. The base portion 14 includes a bottom cap 56. The bottom cap 56 is received within the bottom 52 of the feeder 10. The base portion 14 also receives a number of legs 54. The base portion 14 includes a number of sleeves 102. Each of the sleeves 102 is fitted to receive a post 100. The sleeves 102 of the base portion 14 receive the posts 100 of the intermediate portion 20.

[0064] The intermediate section 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. The drive source 80 is located between the upper shell 20b and the lower shell 20a. The drive source 80 can be held in place by a motor bracket 152. Extending from the drive source 80 is a drive shaft 81. The drive shaft 81 extends through a control panel 114. The control panel 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 located within a rocker body 72. The rocker body 72 is part of the dispenser 70. The dispenser 70 also includes fins 74. A rocker cap (not shown) may also be received within the shaft cavity 76, or the shaft cavity 76 may be closed at one end as part of the rocker body. The rocker cap may be positioned on the opposite side of the adapter shaft 116 relative to the rocker body 72. The upper casing 20b and the lower casing 20a each include part of the control panel housing 130. A control panel 40 is located within the control panel housing 130. The control panel 40 includes a selection interface 42, a bezel 43, and a status indicator 44. Protruding from the upper casing 20b is a sensing tower 84. The sensing tower 84 includes a conical portion 106 adjacent to a cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes a cap 110 that rests on top of the cylindrical portion 108. The sensing tower 84 includes one or more sensing devices 86. The sensing devices 86 are located inside or adjacent to the hollow interior of the sensing tower 84. The sensing device(s) 86 can be held in place by a sensor bracket 87. The sensor bracket 87 is located inside the hollow interior of the 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 side walls 68a and a bottom wall 68b. The bottom wall 68b includes a lock channel 146. The lock channel 146 aligns with a lower lock channel 142. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the middle portion 20. The lower lock channel 142 is formed in the upper shell 20b. A lock 144 is located inside the lock channels 142 and 146. The lock 144 is held in place by a lock cap 150. A bias device 148 is located between the cap 150 and the lock 144. The bias device 148 may be a helical spring. The bias device 148 may also be located between the cap 150 and the lock channel 146. The hopper 18 includes a hollow interior 62. The hopper 18 also includes a dispenser cover 122. The cover 32 rests on the hopper 18. The cover 32 includes a handle 34. The handle 34 includes a handle body 46 having an opening 104 therein. The handle 34 includes a grip opening 134. The grip opening 134 allows a spring grip 136 to extend through it. The spring grip 136 is part of the cover lock 132. The spring grip 136 engages with a spring 138. The spring 138 is stationary within the cover lock body 140.

[0066] In any of the numerical values ​​described in the above application, if there is a difference of at least two units between any lower value and any upper value, all values ​​from the lower value to the upper value are included in increments of one unit. These are merely examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the listed minimum and maximum values ​​should be considered to be expressly described in the present 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 “about” used to describe angle measurements may mean approximately ±10° or less, approximately ±5° or less, and even approximately ±1° or less. The terms “approximately,” “substantially,” and “about” used to describe angle measurements may mean approximately ±0.01° or more, approximately ±0.1° or more, and even approximately ±0.5° or more. The terms “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about” used to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately ±10% or less, approximately ±5% or less, and even approximately ±1% or less. The terms “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about” used to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean approximately ±0.01% or more, approximately ±0.1% or more, and even approximately ±0.5% or more.

[0068] The term “essentially” used to describe a combination shall include any other elements, components, components, or steps that do not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the identified element, component, component, or step and the combination. The use of the terms “comprise” or “include” used herein to describe a combination of elements, components, components, or steps also intends an embodiment that essentially consists of elements, components, components, or steps.

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

Claims

1. It is a feeder, a) Base portion having a serving area, b) A chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to hold granular material inside the chamber, c) A dispenser configured to separate a portion of the granular material from the inside of the chamber and to transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, i) A locker body configured to rotate about a rotation axis of the locker body, and ii) One or more fins protruding from the rocker body, Includes, dispensers, d) A chute communicating with the chamber portion, wherein the dispenser is positioned between the chute and the chamber portion. e) One or more chute sensing devices positioned on the chute and configured to sense the presence, distance, and / or quantity of the granular material placed in the serving area and / or within the chute, f) Controller, Includes, The one or more shoot detection devices are configured to transmit signals to the controller. A feeder, wherein the controller is configured to prevent the dispenser from rotating to one or more distribution positions to further distribute the granular material when the chute is detected in the chute by the one or more chute sensing devices.

2. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser includes one or more serving cavities formed as the distance between one or more serving walls of the rocker body and one or more fins, and the one or more serving cavities are configured to receive a portion of the granular material.

3. The feeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the fins are flexible.

4. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more fins include one or more slits, notches, or combinations thereof to impart flexibility to the one or more fins.

5. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more fins are a plurality of fins or a single fin.

6. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more fins are hinged, static, or a combination of both with respect to the rocker body.

7. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more fins are adapted to prevent the granular material inside the chamber from entering the dispenser when in the distribution position.

8. The dispenser is configured to rotate between two or more dispensing positions and one or more stationary positions. The one or more of the aforementioned static positions are located between the two or more of the aforementioned distribution positions. A feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The feeder according to claim 8, wherein the one or more resting positions include a single resting position.

10. The two or more distribution positions include a first distribution position and a second distribution position, The dispenser rotates from the stationary position to the first distribution position by approximately 60 degrees or more and approximately 170 degrees or less in the first direction. The dispenser rotates from the stationary position to the second dispensing position by approximately 60 degrees or more and approximately 170 degrees or less in the opposite second direction. The feeder according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dispenser is in rotational communication with a drive source.

12. The feeder according to claim 11, wherein the drive source is a motor.

13. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the chute is angled toward the serving area.

14. The feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the serving area is inclined at a certain angle toward the front of the feeder.

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