Automatic feeding assembly

Abstract

A feeding assembly comprising: a) a container storage subassembly configured to retain a plurality of containers of a food in canned form and having an outlet; b) a container handling subassembly configured to retrieve and / or receive a container at a loading position at the outlet of the container storage subassembly and move the container to a cutting position in proximity to a container opening subassembly; and c) a container opening subassembly configured to separate a lid of the container from a body of the container while avoiding contact with the food stored within the container.

Description

Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOAUTOMATIC FEEDING ASSEMBLYCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63 / 751.144 as filed on January 29, 2025, 63 / 849,438 as filed on July 23, 2025, and 63 / 894,255 as filed on October 6, 2025, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present teachings relate to an automatic feeding assembly. The feeding assembly may be particularly beneficial in opening canned food and presenting to an animal for consumption.BACKGROUND

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

[0004] Elegant solutions for presenting wet food for consumption by an animal directly from the storage container are disclosed in PCT Publication Nos. WO 2023 / 220751 and WO 2023 / 220752 and International PCT Application Nos. PCT / US2024 / 045373 and PCT / US2024 / 056113 incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. These teachings are particularly beneficial for use with food stored in plastic containers and sealed with a peelable foil lid.

[0005] Pet food also comes in canned form. Most often these cans are three-piece metal food cans. The can includes a cylindrical body sealed at both ends by a bottom lid and top lid. The bottom lid and the top lid may be attached by double seaming to create a hermetic seal. The pieces may be soldered or welded for assembly. For typical manual opening, these cans may include a tab affixed to the top lid for peeling the top lid away from the cylindrical body.

[0006] Canned food presents a challenge, in that unlike peelable foil lids, the top lid does not have an exposed edge for grasping onto and peeling.

[0007] Typical can opening mechanisms often include a cutting blade or wheel which pierces into the can and thus comes into contact with food stored inside of the can. This contact is unsuitable for a repeatedly used automated mechanism due to bacterial growth from food remnants remaining on blade or other parts of the opening mechanism.

[0008] Another challenge is that often can opening mechanisms leave a sharp or jagged edge on the lid and / or can from the cutting. This sharp or jagged edge, if formed near the rim of the can may present aFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsharp edge unsafe for an animal to consume therefrom and pose a human injury risk during cleaning or disposal.SUMMARY

[0009] The present teachings may relate to a feeding assembly comprising: a) a container storage subassembly configured to retain a plurality of food containers in canned form; and b) a container opening subassembly configured to cut away a lid of the food container while avoiding contact with the food stored therein.

[0010] The present teachings may relate to a feeding assembly comprising: a) a container storage subassembly configured to retain a plurality of containers of a food in canned form and having an outlet; b) a container handling subassembly configmed to retrieve and / or receive a container at a loading position at the outlet of the container storage subassembly and move the container to a cutting position in proximity to a container opening subassembly; and c) a container opening subassembly configured to separate a lid of the container from a body of the container while avoiding contact with the food stored within the container.

[0011] The feeding assembly may include a container handling subassembly configmed to rotate amongst a plurality of positions within the housing, lift and / or lower a container, rotate a container to face upward and / or downward, or any combination thereof.

[0012] The feeding assembly may include a lid removal subassembly configmed to grip and / or otherwise remove a lid from a body of the food container after the lid has been cut away.

[0013] The feeding assembly may include a food removal subassembly configured to urge food from the container and into a serving receptacle.

[0014] The feeding assembly may include a waste collection subassembly configured to retain a plurality of used food containers therein. The waste collection subassembly may be included as part of or separate from the container storage subassembly.

[0015] The feeding assembly may include a serving subassembly configured to receive food from the container and present to an animal for consumption therefrom. The serving subassembly may provide for a plurality of serving receptacles such as to be used for a plurality of feeding events. The serving subassembly may be removable from a part of the housing to allow for easy access and cleaning.

[0016] The feeding assembly may include a weighing subassembly configured to weigh one or more portions of the feeding assembly. The feeding assembly may weigh the serving subassembly, or a portion thereof (e.g., serving tray) in isolation from the remainder of the feeding assembly.

[0017] The present teachings may relate to a method of using the feeding assembly of the present teachings.

[0018] The present teachings may provide an opening mechanism suitable for opening a can with no or limited contact with food stored within the container, thus reducing the risk of contamination and bacterial growth. The present teachings may provide a means for storing and presenting food for a number of feeding cycles. The present teachings may provide a means for urging food stuck within a container out of aFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcontainer and into a serving tray. Further benefits may be explained and / or gleaned from the present teachings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of a feeding assembly.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of a feeding assembly.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a feeding assembly.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a left side view of a feeding assembly.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a food container in a closed configuration.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a food container in an open configuration.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a food container in an open configuration.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an upper housing.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an upper housing.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of an upper housing.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an upper housing without a toolhead therein.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a container storage subassembly.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a front view of a container storage subassembly.

[0033] FIG. 15 is a close-up view of a bottom of a container storage subassembly.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a cross-section close-up view of a bottom of a container storage subassembly.

[0035] FIG. 17 is a cross-section close-up view of a bottom of a container storage subassembly.

[0036] FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a portion of a container handling subassembly.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a cradle of a container handling subassembly.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a cradle container handling subassembly without a deck.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of a cradle of a container handling subassembly.

[0040] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cradle of a container handling subassembly.

[0041] FIG. 23 is a top view of a serving subassembly.

[0042] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a serving subassembly.

[0043] FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a serving subassembly.

[0044] FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a serving subassembly without a lid.

[0045] FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a serving drawer in an open position.

[0046] FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a lower housing with a weighing subassembly.

[0047] FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of a lower housing with a weighing subassembly and without a platform.

[0048] FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective view of a lower housing.

[0049] FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly without an upper housing.

[0050] FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly without an upper housing and container storage subassembly.

[0051] FIG. 33 is a close up view of an interior of a feeding assembly without a toolhead.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0052] FIG. 34 is a top view of a feeding assembly without a portion of an upper housing and toolhead.

[0053] FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly without an upper housing and toolhead.

[0054] FIG. 36 is a top view of a feeding assembly without a portion of an upper housing and toolhead.

[0055] FIG. 37 is a front view of a container storage subassembly and lid removal subassembly.

[0056] FIG. 38 is a side perspective view of a container opening subassembly.

[0057] FIG. 39 is an opposing, side perspective view of a container opening subassembly.

[0058] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a container opening subassembly without a mounting member.

[0059] FIG. 41 is a side perspective view of a container opening subassembly.

[0060] FIG. 42 is a side perspective view of a container handling subassembly.

[0061] FIG. 43 is a cross-section through a rotary actuator of a container handling subassembly.

[0062] FIG. 44 is a cross-section through a rotary actuator of a container handling subassembly.

[0063] FIG. 45 is a cross-section through a rotary to linear actuator of a container handling subassembly.

[0064] FIG. 46 is a right view of a cross-section of the feeding assembly.

[0065] FIG. 47 is a left view of a cross-section of the feeding assembly.

[0066] FIG. 48 is a rear perspective view of the feeding assembly.

[0067] FIG. 49 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly.

[0068] FIG. 50 is a front perspective view of a feeding assembly without an upper housing.

[0069] FIG. 51 is an exemplar}' architecture of a feeding assembly .

[0070] FIG. 52 illustrates a potential travel path and feeding cycle.

[0071] FIG. 53 illustrates a potential travel path and feeding cycle.

[0072] FIG. 54 illustrates a potential travel path and feeding cycle.

[0073] FIG. 55 illustrates a potential travel path and feeding cycle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the present teachings, its principles, and its practical application. The specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the present teachings. The scope of the present teachings should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0075] Feeding Assembly

[0076] The present teachings relate to a feeding assembly. The feeding assembly may be any device that includes and dispenses food for consumption by an animal. The feeding assembly may provide a comfortable eating experience for an animal. The feeding assembly may store packaged food, automatically open packaged food, present food for consumption, collect waste generated from automatic feeding, or a combination thereof. The feeding assembly may be particularly useful in automatically opening a container of food sealed by a lid and dispensing the food therefrom. The feeding assembly may be useful in feedingFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOan animal over several days from a plurality of stored containers. The feeding assembly may be particularly useful in collecting waste associated with feeding an animal, sealing in odors associated with food waste, or both. The feeding assembly may be configured to retain a plurality of containers, dispense food therefrom for serving, or both. The feeding assembly may be an automatic, semi-automatic, or user-assisted feeding assembly.

[0077] The feeding assembly may be configured to reduce or eliminate a risk of cross-contamination and bacterial growth. The feeding assembly may open a container in a manner that reduces or avoids contact between an opening mechanism and the food in the container. The feeding assembly may urge food retained (e.g., stuck, adhered) within a container out of the container and into a serving receptacle.

[0078] The food may include any type of food suitable for consumption by an animal. Food may include wet food, dry food, or both. Wet food may include ground and / or shredded protein (e.g., meat), vegetables, grains, fruits, and / or the like served in or mixed with a liquid. A liquid may refer to water, broth, gravy, or other liquid. Dry food may refer to food substantially free of liquid, may be in the form of granular material, or both. The food may be stored within a container. The food may be sealed into a container by a lid.

[0079] The animal may be any domestic animal. A domestic animal may include a dog, cat, pig, rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, ferret, the like, or any combination thereof. In a ty pical pet-owning household, the domestic animal may include one or more cats, dogs, or both.

[0080] The feeding assembly may include one or more of a housing, toolhead, container storage subassembly, waste collection subassembly, container handling subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, food removal subassembly, serving subassembly, weighing subassembly, one or more sensing devices, a control system (e.g., controller, communication module, local or remote), the like, or any combination thereof.

[0081] Food Container

[0082] The present teachings relate to a container. The container may function to store food therein, be used as a serving dish to have an animal consume therefrom, have food dispensed therefrom into a serving subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. The container may include an off-the-shelf food container or a custom food container. The container may be a typical off-the-shelf metal food container in which animal food is stored and sealed to be shelf stable.

[0083] The container may include a body sealed at a bottom via a bottom closure and top via a top lid. The bottom closure and / or top lid may be attached to the body via a seam. The seam may be a double seam. The container may include a flange. The flange may define the rim of the container. The container may be a two-piece and / or three-piece can. The top lid may typically be removable via a pull-tab which is manually pulled. As an alternative, the top lid may be removable via a standard manual can opener. The container may have a shape which is cylindrical, prismed, hemispherical, conical, cuboidal, ellipsoidal, ovoidal, the like, or a combination thereof. Off-the-shelf containers for canned food may be cylindrical.

[0084] The container may be referred to as a food container. A container when fully sealed is in a closed configuration. A container, once opened, is in an open configuration. Open may mean a lid has been at least partially separated from the body.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0085] Ail unused container may refer to a container which remains sealed and unopened.

[0086] A used container may refer to a container which has been opened, a container body once the lid is removed, a lid once removed from the container body, or a combination thereof. A used container may have food removed therefrom, may have some or all food remaining therein, or a combination thereof.

[0087] Housing

[0088] The feeding assembly may include a housing. A housing may function to house and / or support various components of the feeding assembly, provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the feeding assembly, or both. A housing may include a lower housing, mid-cover, upper housing, or a combination thereof. A housing may provide for or define a feeding area.

[0089] A housing may be formed from any suitable material. Suitable materials may be easily cleaned, be suitable for contact with food, or both. Suitable materials may include plastics, polymers, metals (e.g., aluminum), alloys, any other suitable material, or a combination thereof.

[0090] A housing may define an internal volume within which at least some of the subassemblies and components of the feeding assembly may be disposed. The housing may be divided into various sections with each section housing (e.g., storing, retaining, covering) one or more of the subassemblies of the assembly.

[0091] A housing may support and / or house a container storage subassembly, container handling subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removable subassembly, food removal subassembly, waste subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0092] A housing may include one or more lower housings. A lower housing may function to support other housing components, provide a surface which rests on a supporting surface, house a serving subassembly, house a weighing subassembly, house a waste subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. A lower housing may have any shape, size, and / or coirfiguration to provide part of or the overall footprint (e g., length and width) of the feeding assembly. A lower housing may have a three-dimensional shape which is substantially or partially cuboid, cubed, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical, prismed. the like, or a combination thereof. The lower housing may function as a drawer housing and / or drawer support. The lower housing may be formed by a bottom wall and one or more side walls projecting upward from the bottom wall. The one or more side walls may include a rear wall, two opposing side walls, and / or a front wall opposing the rear wall. The lower housing may be free of a front wall or a portion thereof, and / or a top wall. Being free of a front wall or a portion thereof may allow the lower housing to function as a drawer housing. It is also possible that one or more of the other side walls may be the entry side for a serving subassembly and / or waste subassembly in drawer form. The exposed (e.g.. upper) edges of the one or more side walls may provide for a rim of the lower housing. The rim may function to have another portion of the housing, toolhead, and / or other support structures resting thereon. The interior of the lower housing may be hollow. The interior of the lower housing may include one or more subassemblies therein.

[0093] A lower housing may include one or more guide features. One or more guide features may function to align and guide insertion of a subassembly within the lower housing. A subassembly may include a weighing subassembly, waste subassembly, serving subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. OneFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOor more guide features may include one or more guide slides. One or more guide slides may include one or more rails, channels, bearings, rollers, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more guide slides may be simple channels and / or rails or more complex members, such as a telescoping slide. The one or more guide slides may be formed on, be part of. and / or be attached to one or more side walls and / or a bottom wall of the lower housing. A pair of side walls may function as or include one or more guide rails and / or channels.

[0094] A lower housing may include one or more resting supports. One or more resting supports may or may not be configured to adapt to uneven surfaces. One or more resting supports may include one or more feet, ridges, and / or the like. The one or more resting supports may be adjustable so that the device may rest level on a resting surface. The one or more resting supports may be located at the bottom surface (e.g.. bottom wall) of a base. The one or more resting supports may include a plurality of resting supports. The resting supports may be distributed about or close to a peripheral edge and / or comers of tire bottom surface.

[0095] A housing may include a mid-cover. A mid-cover may function to cover a lower housing, support one or more subassemblies, support a toolhead, support an upper housing, and / or the like. Amid-cover may rest atop a lower housing. Amid-cover may rest atop a rim of a lower housing. Amid-cover may conceal a majority of the interior of the lower housing. A mid-cover may be free of any contact with a serving subassembly and / or weighing subassembly. A mid-cover may function to bear the weight of a toolhead, an upper housing, one or more subassemblies affixed to a toolhead and / or the upper housing, or a combination thereof. Amid-cover may have a shape reciprocal, similar, and / or dissimilar to the top profile and / or cross-sectional (e.g., top view) shape of a lower housing. Amid-cover may have a cross-sectional (e.g., top view) shape which is substantially rectangular, square, circular, ovular, triangular, polygonal, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0096] A mid-cover may provide one or more openings providing access into the lower housing, serving subassembly, waste subassembly, or a combination thereof. One or more openings may include a display opening, dispense opening, or both. A display opening may be in a feeding area. A feeding area may be biased toward a front of the mid-cover, front of the feeding assembly, or both. A display opening may be in front of an upper housing. The mid-cover may have a depression fomred in the feeding area, with the display opening extending therethrough, or both. A feeding mat may removably rest within the depression. The feeding mat may provide a surface which is easily removable (e.g.. lift away) to be cleaned, collects splatters from an animal while eating at the feeding area, or both. A dispense opening may be below or aligned with a portion of an upper housing, concealed by an upper housing, or both. A dispense opening may be located at a dispense position of a container handling subassembly. A dispense opening may be located generally opposite a container opening subassembly.

[0097] A housing may include one or more upper housings. One or more upper housings may function to cover a bottom housing, cover a portion of a mid-cover, provide a feeding area, house a toolhead, retain one or more subassemblies therein, removably receive one or more subassemblies, the like, or a combination thereof. An upper housing may rest atop a bottom housing, mid-cover, or both. An upper housing may rest atop a toolhead. An upper housing may rest atop and / or receive a toolhead, one or moreFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsubassemblies, or both. An upper housing may function to conceal a toolhead, house a container handling subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, food removal subassembly, container storage subassembly, waste subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. An upper housing may have any size and / or shape suitable for defining a suitable height of the feeding assembly. The upper housing may have a height sufficiently tall to enclose about a toolhead, cooperate with a container storage subassembly and a desired storage quantity therein (e.g., a higher stack provides for a greater number of feeding cycles). The upper housing may cooperate with the mid-cover and / or bottom housing to define a feeding area. An upper housing may be smaller in cross-sectional area (e.g., top view) than a mid-cover and / or bottom housing such as to define a feeding area. A feeding area may be the area of a mid-cover and / or bottom housing exposed from and / or extending further than an upper housing. A feeding area may be in front of, beside, and / or behind an upper housing. A side in which the feeding area is biased toward and / or located may define a front of the feeding assembly. The upper housing may have a three-dimensional shape which is substantially or partially cuboid, cubed, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical, prismed, the like, or a combination thereof. The upper housing may be formed by a one or more side walls projecting downward from a top wall. The one or more side walls may include a front wall, two opposing side walls, and / or a rear wall opposing the front wall. The upper housing may be free of a rear wall or a portion thereof, and / or a bottom wall. Being free of a rear wall or a portion thereof may allow the toolhead to form a rear surface, a hopper compartment, or both. A toolhead may function to conceal tire interior of the upper housing. A container storage subassembly may form or complete a side wall, such as a rear wall, when inserted into the upper housing. It is also possible that one or more of the other side walls may not be present if the container storage subassembly is located on a side instead of the rear. The upper housing may be free of a bottom wall such as to provide a receiving end of an upper housing. The upper housing may be installed over a toolhead via the bottom end first. The exposed (e.g., upper) edges of the one or more side walls may provide for a rim of the upper housing. The rim and / or bottom of the upper housing may rest upon a midcover. The rim and / or bottom of the upper housing may rest within a reciprocal depression, cavity, and / or flange of the mid-cover. The rim and / or bottom of the upper housing may rest about a projection, flange, and / or cavity of the mid-cover. The rim and / or bottom of the upper housing may be about a base of a toolhead. The upper housing may support and / or expose a camera system, user interface, or both. A user interface may be exposed and / or mounted on a top wall, side wall, or both. The camera system may be exposed and / or mounted on a side wall, top wall, or both.

[0098] One or more portions of the housing may be movable or static relative to one or more other portions of the housing. Movable may mean having the ability to move, be repositioned, opened, removed, or otherwise displaced relative to another portion of the housing. Movability may allow for a user to access one or more portions of the housing. Access may provide for cleaning. Movability may be provided by one or more handles, latches, alignment features, removable panels, and / or the like.

[0099] One or more housing portions may be removably affixed to one or more other housing portions. One or more subassemblies may be removably affixed to one or more housing portions. Removable attachment may provide for an easy means of removal to access an interior of a housing portion, a portionFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOof a subassembly, or both. Removal or access may allow for cleaning of the components. An upper housing may be hingedly attached, latched, or otherwise removably affixed to the lower housing. A serving subassembly and / or waste subassembly may be slidably removable from the lower housing. For example, in the form of a drawer.

[0100] Toolhead

[0101] The feeding assembly may include a toolhead. A toolhead may function to support and / or house one or more components of the feeding assembly. The toolhead may provide a static fixture which supports one or more subassemblies thereon and may allow for their movement. The toolhead may provide a movable fixture which supports one or more subassemblies thereon and may generate their movement and / or allow for their movement. The toolhead may provide a movable fixture which supports one or more subassemblies, may generate movement of one or more subassemblies affixed to the toolhead, and / or may allow for independent movement of the one or more subassemblies relative thereto. The toolhead may have any size and / or shape such as to suitable support and / or house one or more container storage subassemblies, waste subassemblies, container handling subassemblies, container opening subassemblies, lid removal subassemblies, food removal subassemblies, user interfaces, controllers, sensing devices, the like, or a combination thereof. The toolhead may be located on and / or in a bottom housing, upper housing, or both. The toolhead may be located behind, beside, and / or in front of a feeding area. The toolhead may extend above a feeding area. A toolhead may be located above a bottom housing, serving subassembly, waste subassembly, or a combination thereof. A toolhead may removably support and / or fixedly support one or more subassemblies. Removably support may mean simple removable, such as via one or more latches, hinges, buttons, and / or the like. Fixedly support may be being integral, adhered, and / or fastened (e.g., via threaded fastener).

[0102] The toolhead may be a static fixture. Static may be relative to the housing. The toolhead may be statically affixed to an upper housing, mid-cover, or both. The toolhead may be located within an upper housing. The upper housing may be removable from covering the toolhead. The toolhead may be located within a depressed region of the mid-cover, a raised region of the mid-cover, or both. The toolhead may be statically affixed to a top of a mid-cover to provide a static fixture point for one or more subassemblies. For example, if a cradle is able to be moved about one or more axes and have linear motion, there may not be a need for the toolhead to be movable.

[0103] The toolhead may be a moveable fixture. The toolhead may provide for linear movement of one or more subassemblies. The toolhead may be affixed to the housing via one or more actuators. The toolhead may be affixed to the housing via one or more rotary to linear actuators. The toolhead may be affixed to the housing, such as to the lower housing and / or mid-cover via one or more guide rails, lead screws, or both. The rotary to linear actuator may provide for vertical movement of the toolhead. The vertical movement may raise and lower the toolhead. The vertical movement of the toolhead may result in vertical movement of one or more subassemblies affixed to the toolhead. The toolhead may move to allow for one or more subassemblies to cooperate with a container supported by the cradle. For example, a cradle may be rotatable about one or more axes but may be constrained from linear motion. In this instance, the toolhead havingFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOvertical movement provides for the vertical movement necessary for a cradle to reach each position, have clearance to align with a subassembly, and then get closer to the subassembly.

[0104] The toolhead may be located rearward of a feeding area, display opening, display depression, or a combination thereof. The toolhead may include a tower portion. A tower portion may extend vertically beyond a height of one or more subassemblies, a mounting portion, a chassis, or a combination thereof. A tower portion may function to house a container storage subassembly. The tower portion may include the hopper cavity. The tower portion may include the one or more guide channels and / or guide rails, latch openings, and / or the like for receiving, aligning, and / or engaging with the container storage subassembly. The tower portion may form a portion of a rear surface and / or close off a rear of an upper housing. The tower portion may provide a support or mounting structure for a user interface. The tower portion may facilitate placing a user interface at an upward facing and / or high point of the feeding assembly.

[0105] The toolhead may include a mounting portion. A mounting portion may function to support one or more subassemblies. A mounting portion may function to support one or more actuators of one or more subassemblies. A mounting portion may function to provide a static fixture point and allow movement of one or more subassemblies. A mounting portion may function to provide stability for one or more subassemblies. Amounting portion may be located adjacent to a tower portion. Amounting portion may be located between a tower portion and a feeding area. A mounting portion may include one or more mounting walls. The one or more mounting walls may be vertical, horizontal, or both. A mounting portion may have a container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, container handling subassembly, and / or food removal subassembly mounted therein. Amounting portion may have a drive unit and / or housing of one or more subassemblies mounted directly or indirectly thereto. A container handling subassembly may be mounted to both an upper housing and the toolhead. Mounting to both may provide the stability needed for the motion created by and / or received by the container handling subassembly. A chassis may extend from the mounting portion of the toolhead to the mid-cover of the housing. One or more sensing devices may be affixed to the mounting portion.

[0106] Container Storage Subassembly

[0107] The feeding assembly may include a container storage subassembly. A container storage subassembly may function to store one or more containers (e.g.. unused containers). A container storage subassembly may function to store containers in a position ready for retrieval by a container handling subassembly. A container storage subassembly may also function as a waste subassembly or in a similar fashion as a waste subassembly. A container storage subassembly may store one or more unused containers, used containers, container bodies, container lids, the like, or a combination thereof. A container storage subassembly may be located adjacent to the housing, within the housing, atop the housing, below the housing, the like, or any combination thereof. A container storage subassembly may be located behind a feeding area, adjacent a feeding area, or both. A container storage subassembly may be located on top. inside, adjacent to, and / or below a lower housing portion, mid-cover, upper housing portion, or a combination thereof. A container storage subassembly may be removable from a housing and / or toolhead. Removability may allow for replenishment of unused containers, removal of used containers, or both.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0108] A container storage subassembly may be configured to retain a plurality of containers of a food in canned form and having an outlet.

[0109] A container storage subassembly may store a plurality of containers in a linear and / or non-linear manner. A plurality of containers may be stored vertically, horizontally, or any angle therebetween, radially, the like, or a combination thereof. The container storage subassembly may be arranged such that its longitudinal axis, or longitudinal axis of an individual hopper, is parallel, perpendicular, or any angle therebetween relative to a vertical axis, longitudinal axis, or both of a feeding assembly. The container storage subassembly being generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the feeding assembly may allow for the overall assembly to have a shorter height as compared to when the container storage subassembly is generally parallel to the vertical axis of the feeding assembly. The container storage subassembly being generally parallel to the vertical axis of the feeding assembly may allow for the overall assembly to have a small flooring footprint. A non-linear or combination of different linear arrangements may include the container storage assembly storing containers such that they are curved, irregular, zigzagged, circular, helical, the like, or a combination thereof. The container storage subassembly may store the containers in a radial arrangement. For example, the container storage subassembly may include a rotary’ carousel which retains the containers in a radial arrangement. The container storage assembly may include helical storage arrangement. For example, the container storage subassembly may include an internal three-dimensional spiral ramp for the helical arrangement. The container storage subassembly may include a zig-zag arrangement. For example, the container storage subassembly may include a switchback or helix ramp which zig zags back and forth or sideways.

[0110] The container storage subassembly may include one or more hoppers. One or more hoppers may be configmed to store one or more (e.g., plurality) containers therein. The containers may be stacked or otherwise aligned in a column. A hopper may receive the containers directly or receive a container magazine holding a plurality of containers. One or more hoppers may include one or more, tw o or more, or even three or more hoppers. The one or more hoppers may include one or more unused hoppers, used hoppers, or both. An unused hopper may be configmed to retain one or more unused containers therein. A used hopper may be configmed to retain one or more used containers, used container bodies, used lids, a sleeve, the like, or a combination thereof therein. Aused hopper may be adjacent to, directly adjacent to. and / or distanced from an unused hopper. A pair of hoppers may be located adjacent to one another and share an overall same housing or body or be formed as separate units. There may be a same or different number of unused hoppers as used hoppers. A used hopper may share the same overall body and / or be formed in the same body as the unused hopper.

[0111] The one or more hoppers may each be defined by a hollow’ interior (e.g., channel, column) of the container storage subassembly. The one or more hoppers may include or be defined by the hollow interior. The hollow interior may have a shape substantially similar or dissimilar to the cross-sectional shape of a container. For example, the hollow’ interior may have a substantial circular cross-section to be reciprocal w ith the circular cross-section of the container. The hollow’ interior may extend along a portion or an entire length of the hopper. The hollow’ interior may extend from one end to another, from an inlet to an outlet,Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOfrom one access opening to another access opening, or a combination thereof. The bottom of the hopper may define an access opening. The access opening may be an inlet, outlet, or both. The top of the hopper may define an access opening. The access opening may be an inlet, outlet, or both. An access opening may allow for insertion and / or removal of one or more containers from the hopper.

[0112] In an unused hopper, the access opening at the bottom or the end facing closest to a container handling subassembly, may be an outlet. The outlet may allow for an unused container to transfer from the hollow interior of the hopper in and / or on to the container handling subassembly. The outlet of the unused hopper may also be an inlet. A user may insert one or more containers through the inlet. In addition to or as an alternative, there may be an opposing access opening as an inlet. In other words, an inlet opposite the outlet. A user may insert the containers at one end (e.g., top end) of the unused hopper and the container may be dispensed and / or retrieved at the opposing end (e.g., bottom end).

[0113] In a used hopper, the access opening at the bottom or the end facing closest to the container handling subassembly, may be an inlet. The inlet may allow for a used container, body, and / or lid to transfer from the container handling subassembly into the hollow interior of the used hopper. The inlet of the used hopper may also be an outlet. A user may remove one or more used containers through the outlet. In addition to or as an alternative, there may be an opposing access opening as an outlet. In other words, an outlet opposite the inlet. A user may remove the containers at one end (e.g., top end) of the used hopper while they arc automatically inserted at the opposing end (e.g., bottom end). Although, it is foreseeable that in the used hopper, it may be beneficial that the access opening which is the inlet is also the outlet such that gravity aids in removal of the used containers from the hopper.

[0114] The container storage subassembly may include one or more retaining mechanisms. The one or more retaining mechanisms may fmiction to retain one or a plurality of containers within a hopper, work against gravity, selectively release a container, the like, or any combination thereof. One or more retaining mechanisms may function to release a single container or a plurality of containers at once. One or more retaining mechanisms may be actuated by electricity, linear force, rotational force, and / or a biasing force. One or more retaining mechanisms may be located adjacent to, partially disposed in, in proximity to. and / or the like in one or more hoppers. The one or more retaining mechanisms may be adjacent to the one or more access openings at the bottom of the hopper. The one or more retaining mechanisms may be adjacent to an outlet of an unused hopper, an inlet of a used hopper, or both. The one or more retaining mechanisms may be any suitable member which is able to temporarily restrain a container from dropping due to gravity, but also be give way such as to allow for insertion and / or removal of a container into a hopper. The one or more retaining mechanisms may at least partially project into the hollow interior via a wall defining a hopper. The one or more retaining mechanisms may include one or more biasing members.

[0115] One or more retaining mechanisms may include one or more biasing members. One or more biasing members may function to support a bottom, rim, and / or flange of a container. One or more biasing members may at least partially reside and / or project into a hollow interior of a hopper. One or more biasing members may be deflectable. Deflection may occur when a container handling subassembly comes into a loading position, waste position, or both. Deflection may biasing one or more biasing members outward, away fromFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOthe hollow interior, away from container, or both. For example, when a container handling subassembly comes into the loading position, the container handling subassembly may deflect die biasing arms outward such that a container drops into the container handling subassembly. As another example, when a user places a single containers or a stack of containers at the bottom access opening of the unused hopper (e.g., outlet same as inlet), the pushing of the container(s) into the hopper and / or the pushing of the container storage subassembly onto the containers overcomes the biasing force and deflects the biasing members. In this manner, the unused hopper may be refilled and then the unused containers retained therein. Deflection may occur when a release latch is pulled.

[0116] The container storage subassembly may include a release latch. The release latch may allow for a user to deflect one or more biasing members. The deflection may allow for stored containers to be released from a hopper. For example, a release latch may deflect a pair of biasing members in a used hopper such that a stack of used containers (e.g.. bodies and lids) exits out of the inlet which is also an outlet with the aid of gravity. A release latch may be located on a front, side, and / or inwards facing portion of the container storage subassembly. The release latch may be concealed when die container storage subassembly is in place in the feeding assembly such as to prevent accidental release of a retaining mechanism. The release latch may be configured as a sliding switch, lever, button, and / or the like. A release latch may be configured to be activated manually be a hand of a user.

[0117] The container storage subassembly may include one or more sleeve inserts. A sleeve insert may function to protect the surfaces of the container storage subassembly from residue and waste from the used containers. A sleeve insert may function to prevent the residue from contacting and / or adhering to the interior of a hopper. A sleeve insert may provide an easy means of cleaning the hopper or maintaining the cleanliness of a hopper. A sleeve insert may be inserted into the used hopper, unused hopper, or both. A sleeve insert may be rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, or a combination thereof. A sleeve insert may be reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, the like, or a combination thereof. For example, a sleeve insert may be washable such that it can be removed, washed, and then reinserted before the hopper receives any containers. As another example, a sleeve insert may be disposable such that once the used hopper receives a plurality of used containers, the sleeve insert is pulled out with the used containers therein and they are disposed of. The sleeve insert may be recyclable such that once removed, the containers and the sleeve insert can be recycled. The sleeve insert may form the hollow interior into which the containers are inserted. The sleeve insert may conform and / or be formed to the shape of the hollow interior of a hopper.

[0118] The container storage subassembly may include one or more alignment features for removal and / or placement into the feeding assembly, such as into the housing and / or toolhead. One or more alignment features may function to retain a container storage subassembly engaged with the housing and / or toolhead. One or more alignment features may function to align a container storage subassembly into place in the feeding assembly, such as into the housing and / or toolhead. One or more alignment features may include one or more guide channels, guide rails, entry ramps, hard stops, end stops, funnel guides, lead-in chamfers, the like, or any combination thereof. One or more guide channels and / or guide rails may be formed at one or more sides and / or a front of the container storage subassembly. The one or more guide channels and / orFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOguide rails may receive and / or be received within one or more reciprocal guide rails and / or guide channels of the housing and / or toolhead. One or more guide channels may be formed along a height of the container storage subassembly. The one or more guide channels may receive and / or slide along one or more guide rails of the housing and / or toolhead. The one or more guide channels may extend along a portion or all of a height of the container storage subassembly. The one or more guide channels may include one or more grooves, channels, and / or other hollowed passageways. For example, the opposing sides of the container storage subassembly may each include a guide channel extending from a bottom toward the top of the container storage subassembly.

[0119] The container storage subassembly may include one or more retention features. One or more retention features may function to removably affix the container storage subassembly into the feeding assembly. One or more retention features may removably affix the container storage subassembly to a toolhead, housing, or both. One or more retention features may function to engage and / or disengage such as to affix a container storage subassembly and allow for removal of a container storage subassembly from the feeding assembly. One or more retention features may be formed at a front, bottom, side, rear, or any location suitable for engaging with a housing and / or toolhead. One or more retention features may include one or more retention latches. One or more retention latches may be actuated, biased, or both. Actuated may be actuated by an actuation mechanism (c.g., rotary to linear). Biased may mean spring drive. A retention latch may project outward (e.g., engage) when a handle of a container storage subassembly is pressed down. A retention latch may deflect inward (e.g., disengage) when a handle of a container storage subassembly is raised up.

[0120] Waste Subassembly

[0121] The feeding assembly may include one or more waste subassemblies. One or more waste subassemblies may be configured to collect one or more used containers, used bodies, used lids, food remnants, the like, or a combination thereof. A waste subassembly may be easily accessible such that a user may be able to easily access waste contents within the waste subassembly for disposal. A waste subassembly may be the same as, part of, distinct from, and / or separate from a container storage subassembly. A waste subassembly may be located above, beside, and / or below a container handling subassembly. A waste subassembly may be located above and / or below a container handling subassembly or portion thereof (e.g., cradle) when in a waste position. A waste subassembly may be located above, below, and / or within a lower housing, mid-cover, toolhead, upper housing, or any combination thereof.

[0122] A waste subassembly may be part of a container storage subassembly. A waste subassembly may be one or more used hoppers of a container storage subassembly.

[0123] A waste subassembly may be located within the housing, supported by the housing, or both. One or more waste subassemblies may be located within a lower housing, below a mid-cover, below an upper housing, below a toolhead, below a container handling subassembly (e.g.. when in a loading and / or waste position), the like, or a combination thereof. One or more waste subassemblies may be located below a container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, feeding area, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more waste subassemblies may include one or more waste receptacles. A waste receptacle mayFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOfunction to provide a hollow cavity which may receive the waste (e.g., container body, lid, residual food). One or more waste receptacles may have any size, shape, and / or configuration to be stored within the housing or form part of the housing. One or more waste receptacles may be a hollow interior of a waste drawer in a lower housing, may be supported in and / or on a waste drawer, or both. The waste receptacle, or portions thereof, may have a three-dimensional shape which is substantially spherical, ovoidal, cylindrical, cuboidal, conical, pyramidical, the like, or any combination thereof. A waste receptacle may be substantially static relative to a lower housing, may rotate to distribute waste therein, or both.

[0124] The waste receptacle may include or be a waste carousel. A waste carousel may function as a rotating waste receptacle. A waste carousel may function to uniformly distribute the waste collected from the feeding process, allow waste to build up for a longer period of time, allow for a shorter base (e.g.. shorter overall height) due to waste not piling up vertically in a single location, or any combination thereof. A waste carousel may be formed as a generally cylindrical container. A waste carousel may be rotatably supported by a waste drawer, base, or both. A waste carousel may be driven (e.g., rotated) by one or more drive units. A waste carousel may include a track. A track may be formed about a periphery, edge, or both of the waste carousel. A track may be formed about a downward facing edge of the waste carousel. A track may be formed as a crown gear, spur gear, or both. The track may be rotatably engaged with one or more gears.

[0125] The waste subassembly may include a waste drawer. A waste drawer may allow for easy removal and insertion into the housing, such as die lower housing. A waste drawer may reside within a drawer cavity. Movement of the drawer may be caused by pushing and pulling. A wall of a drawer may be used as a front, side, and / or rear panel to receive the pushing and pulling force. Generally, a waste drawer may slide along a substantially horizontal plane.

[0126] The waste drawer may rotatably support a waste receptacle in the form of a carousel. The waste drawer may include one or more pivots. A pivot may be a protrusion extending from the bottom surface of the waste receptacle. A pivot opening and / or cavity of a waste carousel may rest upon the pivot. The waste carousel may rotate about die pivot.

[0127] Container Handling Subassembly

[0128] The feeding assembly may include a container handling subassembly. A container handling subassembly may function to retrieve a container from a container storage subassembly, retain a container during transport within the feeding assembly, retain a container during dispensing of food therefrom, insertion of a used container into a waste subassembly, or a combination thereof. A container handling subassembly may function to cooperate with a container storage subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, food removal subassembly, waste subassembly, housing, serving subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. A container handling subassembly may be configured to retain one or more containers throughout various positions within a feeding assembly, releasably engage one or more containers, or both. A container handling subassembly may be configured to retain one or more containers in an upright orientation, inverted orientation, angled orientation, other non-upright orientations, the like, or a combination thereof.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0129] A container handling subassembly may be configured to retrieve and / or receive a container at a loading position at the outlet of the container storage subassembly and move the container to a cutting position in proximity to a container opening subassembly

[0130] A container handling subassembly may be located behind a feeding area, below a feeding area, above a lower housing, above and / or below a waste subassembly, above and / or below a container storage subassembly, below a container opening subassembly, below a lid removal subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. A container handling subassembly may be located in front, beside, and / or behind a container storage subassembly, waste subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, or a combination thereof. A container handling subassembly may be affixed (e.g., mounted) to a bottom housing, mid-cover, upper housing, toolhead, the like, or a combination thereof. A container handling subassembly may be located between a mid-cover and a mounting portion of a toolhead.

[0131] A container handling subassembly may include one or more cradles, rotation arms, main arms, support bodies, chassis, actuators, biasing devices, electrical connections, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0132] A container handling subassembly may include a cradle. A cradle of the container handling subassembly may be the portion of the container handling subassembly which receives and / or retains the container, applies a grip force to the container, or both. A cradle may include a deck, one or more retaining arms, a cradle opening, a frame, or a combmation thereof.

[0133] A deck may be a support surface upon which a container rests. A cradle opening may be formed as a depression and / or opening in a surface such as within a deck. The container may be received within the depression. A cradle may be formed as a space betw een a pair of retaining arms and above a deck. A bottom of a container may rest on the deck while a pair of retaining arms grip the exterior surface of the body of the container.

[0134] One or more retaining arms may grip a container. A grip force may change throughout different positions or tasks of the container handling subassembly. One or more retaining arms may include one or more, two or more, or even three or more. One or more retaining anns may include six or less, five or less, or even four or less. For example, the one or more retaining anns may be a pair of retaining arms or three retaining arms. The one or more retaining arms may be or form a claw, gripper, iris, and / or the like. At an opening position, the retaining anns may allow for the container to rotate in the cradle. The ability for the container to be rotated by the container opening subassembly may allow for an opening element (e.g., blade, cutter, piercer) to separate at least a portion of the lid from the container body. At a dispensing position, the retaining arms may apply a grip force which allows the container to be held upside down w ithout falling out of the cradle. The one or more retaining arms may release a grip force, such as when inserting and / or releasing a used container into a waste subassembly. A retaining arm may be configured to have an inside shape substantially reciprocal w ith and / or dissimilar to the outside surface shape of a container body. A pair of retaining arms may have an inward facing profde substantially reciprocal with at least a portion of the exterior of the food container. A retaining arm may have an inward facing surface having a curved or arcuate shape.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0135] A frame may function to support the deck, actuation mechanisms, or both. A frame may form a base of a cradle. A frame may function to receive a rotation shaft. A frame may be located adjacent to a platform. A frame may retain an actuation mechanism therein, in a channel, or both. A frame may include one or more reinforcement structures. One or more reinforcement structures may function to prevent deformation, support movement of the actuation mechanism, support or reinforce a drive source of an actuation mechanism, reinforce against the weight of a full container, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more reinforcement structures may include one or more ribs, gussets, areas of thicker material, the like, or a combination thereof. A deck may rest upon the frame or be located within the frame. A deck of a cradle may conceal a channel and / or one or more components retained by the frame.

[0136] The cradle may include one or more actuation mechanism s for the cradle . The one or more actuation mechanisms may function to move one or more retaining arms toward and / or away from one or more other retaining arms, increase or decrease a grip force on a container, or both. The actuation mechanism may cause the retaining arms to rotate, move linearly, or both. The actuation mechanism may include a rotary to linear motion actuator, linear to rotary motion actuator, rotation device, a biasing device, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more springs or elastic members may be affixed to the one or more retaining arms. The biasing force applied by a biasing device may be sufficiently strong to allow for a grip force which prevents an upside down container from falling while still allowing rotation at the cutting position. An actuation mechanism may include one or more rotary’ to linear motion actuators. An actuation mechanism may include one or more rack and pinions. An actuation mechanism may include one or more translation members. Each translation member may be affixed to and / or integral with a retaining arm. The one or more translation members may include a pair of translation members. A pair of translation members may be located opposite one another. The one or more translation members may be located below the deck, within or below a frame, in a channel of a frame, or a combination thereof. Each translation member may include a geared or toothed surface. The geared or toothed surface may engage with a gear. Rotation of the gear may drive movement of the translation member(s). A gear may be located between a pair of translation members, below a deck, within or below a frame, in a channel of frame, or a combination thereof. The actuation mechanism may move the retaining arms inward toward one another, outward away from one another, or both. Inward movement may create a grip force. Outw ard movement may release a grip force.

[0137] The cradle may include a shield. A shield may function to provide a removable cover which may be easily cleaned. Food may splatter onto the cradle during the feeding cycle, such as during container opening, lid removal, or movement to different positions. A shield may provide a protective barrier. The shield may be form fit or flexible. A shield may be removably attached to the cradle. A shield may be located over, at least a portion of. a deck, one or more retaining arms, a frame, or a combination thereof. A shield may be a silicone or other flexible material. The shield may snap on to, or otherwise removably engage w ith, the frame.

[0138] The container handling subassembly may be configured to move to one or more positions within a feeding assembly, move a container to various positions, or both. The one or more positions may include a loading position, cutting position, opening position, dispensing position, feeding position, w aste position,Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOthe like, or a combination thereof. One or more positions may be distinct, overlap, or be the same as one or more other positions. The one or more positions may be reached in any order, repeated, skipped, or combined depending on an operating mode and / or portion of a feeding cycle.

[0139] The loading position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for retrieval of an unused container. The loading position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly (e.g., cradle) in proximity to a container storage subassembly. In the loading position, the cradle may be located under an outlet of a container storage subassembly, such as under an unused hopper.

[0140] The cutting position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for an unused container to be cut, a lid separated from the body, or both. The cutting position may refer to when a lid is separated from a body. Separation may or may not mean removal. The cutting position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly in proximity to a container opening subassembly. In the cutting position, the cradle may be located adjacent to, below, and / or offset relative to a container opening subassembly.

[0141] The opening position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for a lid to be removed from a body of a container, replaced back onto a body of the container, or both. The opening position may refer to when a lid is removed from a body, distanced from the body, or both. The opening position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly in proximity’ to a lid removal subassembly. In the opening position, the cradle may be located adjacent to, below, and / or offset relative to a lid removal subassembly. The opening position may be the same as or different from a cutting position, dispensing position, or both.

[0142] The dispensing position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for food stored within a container to be transferred to a serving subassembly. The dispensing position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly in proximity' to a dispense opening, serving subassembly, or both. In the dispensing position, the cradle may be located over (e.g., above) a dispense opening, serving subassembly, or both. In a dispense position, the cradle may be placed over a serving receptacle.

[0143] The waste position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for a container (e.g.. lid. body, both) to be transferred to a waste subassembly. The waste position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly in proximity to a waste subassembly. In the waste position, a cradle may be located below, beside, and / or above a waste subassembly. In the waste position, a cradle may be located under an inlet of a container storage subassembly, such as under a used hopper. In a waste position, a cradle may be located over a waste receptacle.

[0144] The feeding position may be a position of the container handling subassembly which may allow for an animal to consume directly therefrom. The feeding position may place a portion of the container handling subassembly in proximity to a display opening, front of a feeding assembly, or both. In the feeding position, a cradle may be located below a mid-cover, below a display opening, or both.

[0145] A cradle may function to cooperate with one or more actuators and / or other components of the container handling subassembly to move a container to one or more positions within a feeding assembly. AFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcradle may have substantially linear movement along a single or a plurality of axes, substantially rotational movement along a single or a plurality of axes, or a combination thereof. A cradle may have substantially linear movement along only a single axis, a plurality of axes, move vertically within the feeding assembly, move horizontally within the feeding assembly, or a combination thereof. A cradle may have substantially rotational movement about only a single axis, a plurality of axes, about a vertical axis, about a horizontal axis, or a combination thereof. The overall travel path of the cradle may be linear, arcuate, circular, zigzagging, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0146] The container handling subassembly may include one or more actuators. One or more actuators may function to generate movement of one or more components of the container handling subassembly, provide for linear movement of a cradle, provide for rotation of a cradle, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more actuators may include one or more rotary actuators, linear actuators, rotary to linear actuators, linear to rotary actuators, or a combination thereof. One or more actuators may include one or more drive units. One or more drive units may include one or more drive sources, drive shafts, drive gears, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more actuators may cause rotation and / or linear movement of a support body, main arm, rotation arm. cradle, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more actuators may drive rotation of one or more driven gears, lead screws, and / or die like. One or more actuators may include a rotary actuator which rotates a support body, a rotary actuator which rotates a rotation arm, or both. One or more actuators may include a rotary' to linear actuator which rotates a lead screw. One or more actuators may be housed and / or supported by a chassis. One or more actuators may be supported by a chassis above a support body. One or more actuators may be housed and / or supported by a main arm.

[0147] The container handling subassembly may include a chassis. A chassis may function as housing for the container handling subassembly, the static fixture of the container handling subassembly, or both. A chassis may function to rotatably support one or more components. A chassis may function to rotatably support a support body, one or more actuators or portions thereof, one or more driven gears, a lead screw, the like, or a combination thereof. A chassis may have a main vertical support, base, and / or upper mount. Abase may project from a bottom of the vertical support. The base may extend rearward, toward a container storage subassembly, away from a feeding area, or a combination thereof. The base may extend underneath an upper mount. An upper mount may project from a top of the vertical support. The upper mount may extend rearward, toward a container storage subassembly, away from a feeding area, or a combination thereof. The upper mount may include one or more actuators housed therein and / or supported thereon. The upper mount may be opposite and distanced from the base. The base, vertical support, and / or upper mount may form a general C-shape. The distance between the base and the upper mount may form a cavity. The cavity may include a support body rotatably mounted therein.

[0148] The container handling subassembly may include one or more support bodies. A support body may function to provide for rotation of a main arm, restrict rotation of a main arm, provide for a linear movement path of a main arm. the like, or a combination thereof. A support body may include a bottom support, upper support, one or more guide rails, one or more driven gears, the like, or a combination thereof. A support body may also include and / or house a lead screw. A bottom support may be rotatably supported on a baseFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOof a chassis. An upper support may be rotatably engaged with a driven gear, rotatably supported by an upper mount, or both. An upper support may be opposite and distanced from a bottom support. One or more guide rails may extend between the bottom support and the upper support. One or more guide rails may include a single or a plurality of guide rails. One or more guide rails may include one or more, two or more, three or more, or even four or more guide rails. One or more support bodies may have one or more main arms affixed thereto. A main arm may be affixed to the one or more guide rails, between the bottom and upper support, or both. Rotation of the support body may result in rotation of a main arm, cradle, or both. An actuator may drive the driven gear w hich rotates the support body about a vertical axis. Rotation of the support body about the vertical axis may result in the main arm and cradle rotating with the support body. Rotation of the support body may move the cradle in a clockwise and counterclockwise position from a top view of the feeding assembly.

[0149] The container handling subassembly may include one or more lead screws. Extending through the support body may be a lead screw. A lead screw' may extend through a bottom support, upper support, or both. Rotation of the lead screw may be isolated from rotation of the support body and / or vice-versa. A lead screw may be in rotational communication with an actuator. The actuator may be housed within an upper mount. The lead screw may pass through and / or be engaged with a main arm. The main arm may include an opening therethrough. The opening may be threaded. The opening may be reciprocal w ith threads of a lead screw. The main arm may function as a drive nut relative to the lead screw. The main arm may be anti-rotationally constrained relative to the lead screw' by the one or more guide rails. An actuator may drive the lead screw. Rotation of the lead screw may result in linear movement of the main arm along die length of the lead screw.

[0150] The container handling subassembly may include one or more main arms. Amain ann may function to distance a cradle aw ay from die rotational axis of a support body, transfer motion from one or more actuators to a cradle, rotate with a support body, move linearly along a lead screw, or a combination thereof. A main arm may be supported by one or more guide rails, lead screws, or both. One or more lead screws may determine a vertical position of the main arm. One or more guide rails may restrict rotation of a mam arm relative to the support body. The main arm may include a plurality of openings therethrough. One or more openings may receive one or more guide rails therethrough. The openings which receive the guide rail(s) may function as bearings. One or more openings may receive one or more lead screw s. The one or more openings which receive a lead screw may be threaded, reciprocal with the lead screw, mate with the lead screw or a combination thereof. A main arm may have a rotation arm rotationally affixed thereto. A main arm may house an actuator. A main arm may house an actuator for a rotation arm.

[0151] The container handling subassembly may include one or more rotation arms. A rotation arm may function to transfer motion from a main arm to a cradle, rotate a cradle, or both. A rotation arm may be supported by a main arm. Arotation arm may extend between a main arm and a cradle. Arotation arm may be received in a cradle, such as in a frame. A rotation arm may be rotationally engaged with the cradle. A rotation arm may be rotationally engaged with and / or include a driven gear. An actuator may drive the driven gear. An actuator may be located w ithin the main ann, adjacent to the rotation arm, or both. TheFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOactuator may include a drive gear which may drive the driven gear. Rotation of the rotation arm may be about a horizontal axis. Rotation of the rotation arm may rotate the cradle such that it faces upward, downward, or both.

[0152] The container handling subassembly may include one or more biasing devices. One or more biasing devices may be configmed to cooperate with the food removal subassembly. One or more biasing devices may facilitate the main arm vibrating (e.g., shaking) along the support body when a vibration force is applied by the food removal subassembly. One or more biasing devices may provide for an axial preload, shock load reduction, tolerance absorption for varying container heights, end of travel detection or control simplification, rattle suppression, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more biasing devices may be part of a main arm, support body, chassis, or combination thereof. One or more biasing devices may be located within upper support, upper mount, and / or the like. One or more biasing devices may be located about one or more lead screws. For example, one or more biasing devices may be within a main arm about a lead screw. One or more biasing devices may be adjacent to one or more drive nuts. One or more biasing devices may include one or more springs. One or more springs may include a compression spring.

[0153] Container Opening Subassembly

[0154] The feeding assembly may include a container opening subassembly. A container opening subassembly may function to open a container, separate a lid from a body, or both. A container opening subassembly may function to cut metal; cut at a seam; cut below, at, or above a flange; or a combination thereof. A container opening subassembly may be configured to separate a lid from a body of a container while avoiding jagged edges, sharp burrs, or both. A container opening subassembly may be configured to separate a lid from a body such that the lid remains intact and may be placed back on the body. A container opening subassembly may be configmed to separate a lid from a body while remaining free of contact with food inside of the container.

[0155] A container opening subassembly may be configmed to separate a lid of the container from a body of the container while avoiding contact with the food stored within the container.

[0156] A container opening subassembly may include one or more components which function as a can opener. A container opening subassembly may include a top cutting can opener, safety can opener, side cutting can opener, the like, or a combination thereof. A safety can opener and / or side cutting can opener may avoid jagged edges, sharp burrs, or both; may allow a lid to remain intact and reusable; and may even avoid any direct contact with food stored within the container. Thus, the safety can opener and / or side cutting can opener may even reduce or eliminate a risk of contamination, bacteria build up. or both. For example, the blade may avoid the issue of the food contacting the blade during cutting, the food on the blade spoiling over time, and then the blade contacting fresh food again and introducing the bacteria into the fresh food.

[0157] A container opening subassembly may be located above, behind, and / or beside a serving subassembly. A container opening subassembly may be located above, below, beside, and / or behind a feeding area. For example, a container opening subassembly may be located behind and higher than a feeding area. A container opening subassembly may be located at least partially in front of, behind, beside,Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WObelow, and / or above a container storage subassembly. A container opening subassembly may be located along a travel path of a container handling subassembly. A container opening subassembly may be located in front of. offset, above, and / or below a waste subassembly. For example, a container opening subassembly may be located above a waste subassembly. As another example, a container opening subassembly may be located generally in front of and / or diagonally offset from a waste subassembly. A container opening subassembly may be located in a housing, toolhead, or both. A container opening subassembly may be located in an upper housing, lower housing, or both.

[0158] A container opening subassembly may be mounted (e.g., affixed) to a toolhead, housing, or both. A container opening subassembly may move toward a container and / or container handling subassembly; a container and / or container handling subassembly may move toward the container opening subassembly; or both. If the container opening subassembly is movable, movement of the toolhead may initiate movement of the container opening subassembly.

[0159] A container opening subassembly may function to cut metal about an inside periphery, outside periphery, or both of the body and / or lid. A container opening subassembly may cut through a lid, a body, a seam between or formed by a lid and body, or a combination thereof. A container opening subassembly may cut a top lid inside a seam and / or inside of the container body. A container opening subassembly may cut an exterior of the container body, at a scam, below the lid, above the lid, below a rim, at a flange, below a flange, or a combmation thereof. A container opening subassembly may undo a double seam betw een the container body and the lid. The container opening subassembly may pierce downward into the lid near its outer circumference. Tire container opening subassembly may pierce and / or wedge sideways into the container exterior, into a seam, into a flange, into a lid, or a combination thereof. The container opening subassembly may split and / or unroll a seam between a lid and container body. The container opening subassembly and / or container handling subassembly may rotate the container to cut about the interior and / or exterior periphery of the lid. The container opening subassembly may include a top-cut can opener, sidecut can opener, side smooth edge can opener, or combination thereof. The container opening subassembly may include one or more separation elements, drive wheels, drive units, mounting members, alignment features, and / or the like.

[0160] The container opening subassembly may include one or more separation elements. One or more separation elements may include a blade, cutter, wheel, wedge, unrolling element, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0161] The container opening subassembly may include a blade. A blade may function to pierce a surface of the container, cut the container, pierce into a seam, wedge into a seam, unroll a seam, the like, or a combination thereof. The blade may be configured to engage substantially horizontally with an exterior of a container, such as a body, below a rim, at a seam where a lid is crimped to the body, the like, or a combination thereof. The blade may be rotatably mounted inside of a mounting member. The blade may be rotatably mounted onto an axle. The axle may rotatably support the blade. The blade may rotate about the axle. At least a portion of the blade may be exposed outside of the mounting member. A portion of the blade may project through an opening in a face of the mounting member. The blade may be a circular blade, sharpFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOpoint, or both. The blade may be movable and / or static relative to the mounting member. The blade may be rotatable. The blade may be a circular blade which is rotatable. The blade may be sharpened, lightly sharpened, and / or smooth. The blade may be referred to as a cutting wheel. The blade may be driven by an associated gear and / or may be driven via rotation of the container. The container may be rotated via a drive wheel. In other words, a drive wheel may indirectly drive rotation of the blade. The blade may be configured to cut vertically, horizontally, at an angle therebetween, or a combination thereof. A blade may be horizontal or offset (e.g., tilted). A blade may be positioned such that its rotational axis is offset and / or parallel to a vertical axis of the container, container opening subassembly, feeding assembly, or a combination thereof.

[0162] The container opening subassembly may include a drive wheel. A drive wheel may function to grip onto a surface of the container, rotate the container, transfer torque to a blade, the like, or a combination thereof. A drive wheel may function to rest on a top surface of a lid, outside of the lid seam, outside tire lid rim, inside the container rim, inside the container, or a combination thereof. A drive wheel may contact an outer rolled lip of a lid, an upper edge of a double seam, or both. The drive wheel may not come into contact with food inside of the container, perforate or pierce the container, or both. A drive wheel may function to grip the lid seam, cause rotation of the container, cause the container opening subassembly to travel circumferentially about the container, the like, or a combination thereof. A drive wheel may have a rotational axis which is substantially transverse to the rotational axis of the blade. The drive wheel may reside outside of the mounting member. The drive wheel may be affixed to the mounting member via drive shaft. A portion of the blade may project through an opening in a face of the mounting member. A drive wheel may be located above and / or outside of the blade. The drive wheel and the blade together may grip or pinch the container. The drive wheel and the blade may pinch the run of tire container from opposing sides. The drive wheel may pinch from an inside of the container while the blade may pinch from the outside of the container. A drive wheel may have a peripheral surface suitable for creating increased friction force with the container. A drive wheel may be serrated, knurled, or both. The serrated and / or knurled texture may create tire increased friction force. The drive wheel may be rotated by a drive unit. Rotation may cause the wheel to push laterally, downward, or both. The drive wheel may push the container laterally causing tangential traction. The tangential traction results in rotation of the container. The drive wheel may follow the seam and / or rim of the container such as to drive rotation of the container.

[0163] A drive wheel may be configured to have horizontal and / or lateral play. The horizontal and / or lateral play may provide for a built-in tolerance for the drive wheel to self-align, adjust to variations in width of different containers, maintain pressure, provide smooth travel around the can, or a combination thereof. The horizontal and / or lateral play may be about 1 mm or greater. 2 mm or greater. 3 mm or greater, or even 4 mm or greater. The horizontal and / or lateral play may be about 8 mm or less, about 6 mm or less, or even about 5 mm or less. For example, the drive wheel may have horizontal and / or lateral play of about 3 mm to about 5 mm. Horizontal and / or lateral play greater than 1 or 2 mm is larger than typical manual can opener configurations which may have a bit of horizontal and / or lateral give, as these can rely on a user adjusting the can opener and / or can. It is useful having a larger horizontal and / or lateral play to allow for automation and variances that can occur inside the feeding assembly. The drive wheel may be a spring-Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WObased floating drive wheel, slotted or eccentric wheel mount or both. The drive shaft may include one or more biasing devices along and / or part of its length. The one or more biasing devices may include one or more washer springs.

[0164] The container opening subassembly may include one or more drive units. A drive unit may include one or more gears, shafts, drive sources, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more gears may include one or more spur gear, worm gear, helical gears, bevel gears, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more gears may be driven by one or more other gears, shafts, drive sources, and / or the like. One or more gears may be engaged (e.g.. mated) with one or more other gears and / or shafts. For example, one or more worm gears may be engaged with one or more worm shafts. One or more drive sources may include one or more electric motors. One or more drive sources may convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. One or more drive sources may create rotation. One or more drive sources may directly or indirectly cause rotation of a shaft (e.g., worm shaft), one or more gears, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more drive units may be affixed to a mounting member. A drive unit may reside within, outside of, or both the mounting member.

[0165] The container opening subassembly may include a mounting member. A mormting member may function as a housing for the container opening subassembly, may function to affix the container opening subassembly relative to a toolhead and / or housing, or both. The mounting member may be statically affixed relative to a toolhead and / or housing. A mounting member may house and / or support one or more blades, drive wheels, alignment features, gears, the like, or a combination thereof. The mounting member may be hollow inside to house one or more components of the container opening subassembly. The mounting member may include one or more openings on one or more faces. The opening(s) may allow for one or more components to at least partially project therethrough such as to enter the interior, be exposed to an exterior, or both.

[0166] The container opening subassembly may include one or more alignment features. One or more alignment features may function to provide a hard stop, a biasing force against a container, or both. The one or more alignment features may extend from a mounting member. The one or more alignment features may extend outward in a same direction as a drive wheel. The one or more alignment features may be adjacent to a drive wheel, aligned with a drive wheel, or both. A pair of alignment features may flange a drive wheel, a single alignment feature may extend about a drive wheel, or both. Apair of alignment features may be located at and / or above a rotational axis of a drive wheel. The one or more alignment features may include one or more posts, ribs, U or C-shaped projections, and / or the like. A lid and / or rim of a container may bump up against the bottom surface of the one or more alignment features when in the opening position.

[0167] Lid Removal Subassembly

[0168] The feeding assembly may include a lid removal subassembly. A lid removal subassembly may function to remove a lid from a body of the container once the lid has been separated (e.g., cut) from the body. A lid removal subassembly may be separate or part of a container opening subassembly. A lid removal subassembly may remove a lid via a grip force (e.g., mechanical gripping), suction force (e.g.. vacuumFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsuction), magnetic force, adhesive force, edge and / or bottom engagement (e.g., retention underneath), the like, or a combination thereof. A lid removal subassembly may include an end effector. The end effector may apply die grip force, suction force, magnetic force, adhesive force, edge and / or bottom engagement, and / or die like. The lid removal subassembly may engage with and retain a lid upon application of an engagement force. An engagement force may be generated via one or more mechanical actuators, vacuums, pumps, electricity, biasing devices (e.g., springs), the like, or a combination thereof.

[0169] The lid removal subassembly may be affixed to a toolhead, housing, or both. The lid removal subassembly may be affixed and supported by a toolhead. The lid removal subassembly may be located above a lower housing, behind a feeding area, or both. The lid removal subassembly may be located in the same footprint as, directly adjacent to. distanced from, and / or generally opposite a container opening subassembly relative to a path of travel of a container handling subassembly. The lid removal subassembly may be located generally above and / or aligned with a dispense opening, distanced from and / or opposite a dispense opening, or a combmation thereof, (e.g., relative to a path of travel of a container handling subassembly). The lid removal subassembly may be located in front, behind, besides, and / or distanced from on an opposite side of the container opening subassembly (e.g., relative to the front, rear, sides of the feeding assembly). All or a portion of the lid removal subassembly may be moveable, may remain static, or both. Motion may be relative to a toolhead, housing, or both. The lid removal subassembly may include an actuation mechanism, housing, gripper arms, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0170] The lid removal subassembly may include one or more gripper arms. One or more gripper arms may function to grip onto one or more edges, surfaces (e.g., top, bottom), or both of a lid. One or more gripper amis may function to apply and / or release a grip force onto a lid. One or more gripper amis may function similar to a claw to grip the edge of a lid. One or more gripper arms may close or come closer together to apply a grip force. One or more gripper amis may separate or spread further apart to release a grip force. One or more gripper arms may be driven by an actuation mechanism. The one or more gripper arms may include one or more pivot joints. A linear force applied to the gripper arms may result in the linear motion changing to rotational motion. A linear force applied to the gripper amis may result in the gripper arms rotating about a pivot joint. A linear force applied by a linear actuator may result in the gripper arms closing and / or opening via rotation about a pivot joint.

[0171] One or more gripper anns may include a single or a plurality of gripper arms. One or more gripper arms may include one or more, tw o or more, or even three or more gripper arms. One or more gripper arms may include six or less, five or less, or even three or less gripper arms. A plurality of gripper arms may be even spaced or unevenly spaced relative to one another. A plurality of gripper arms may be radially arranged about a center axis, longitudinal axis, and / or vertical axis of the lid removal subassembly and / or a center point betw een the plurality of gripper arms.

[0172] The lid removal subassembly may include one or more actuation mechanisms. The actuation mechanism may function to affix the lid removal subassembly to the toolhead, housing, or both. The actuation mechanism may function to drive the gripper arms closed and / or open. The one or more actuation mechanisms may include one or more electromechanical actuation mechanisms, biasing devices, cammingFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOmechanisms, ratchet mechanisms, the like, or any combination thereof. For example, one or more gripper arms may be retained in an open or closed position by a biasing device (e.g., spring). The gripper anns, a trigger, or other part of the lid removal subassembly contacting a surface of the lid may overcome and / or initiate a biasing force. The biasing force may open or close the gripper anns. One or more gripper arms may be driven by an electromechanical actuation mechanism. An actuation mechanism may include a linear to rotation actuator, linear actuator, rotational actuator, or a combination thereof. One or more gripper arms may be driven by an actuation mechanism. An actuation mechanism may include a linear to rotation actuator, linear actuator, rotational actuator, or a combination thereof.

[0173] The actuation mechanism may include a drive source. The drive source may include a motor, such as an electric motor. The drive source may be a linear actuator motor, rotation motor, or both. A linear actuator motor may convert rotational motion from an electric motor to a linear push-pull motion. The linear motion may be applied onto the one or more gripper arms. One or more ends of the one or more gripper arms may be affixed to one or more shafts of the actuation mechanism. Linear movement of the shaft may cause the ends of the gripper anns to be raised and / or lowered. The linear movement of the ends may result in the gripper arms rotating about one or more pivot joints. Rotation about the pivot joint may cause the opposing and / or free ends of the gripper arms to come closer together, spread further apart, or both. For example, upward linear movement of the linear actuator may pull the affixed ends of the gripper arms upward. This upward movement causes the gripper arms to rotate about their respective pivot joints such that the free ends of the gripper arms come closer together (e.g., closed position). For example, downward linear movement of the linear actuator may push the affixed ends of the gripper arms downward. This downward movement causes the gripper arms to rotate about their respective pivot joints such that the free ends of the gripper anns spread further apart (e.g., open position). The actuation mechanism may be at least partially affixed to a toolhead, housing, or both. The actuation mechanism may define the location of the lid removal subassembly due to its attachment to the toolhead, housing, or both.

[0174] The lid removal subassembly may include a gripper housing. A gripper housing may function to house and / or support one or more components of the lid removal subassembly. A gripper housing may function to provide one or more pivot joints for one or more gripper arms. A gripper housing may be statically affixed relative to a toolhead, housing, actuation mechanism, or a combination thereof. A gripper housing may also retain an actuation mechanism or be separate therefrom. A gripper housing may be substantially aligned with an actuation mechanism.

[0175] Food Removal Subassembly

[0176] The feeding assembly may include a food removal subassembly. A food removal subassembly may function to remove food from a container, facilitate food moving from the container into a serving tray, or both. A food removal subassembly may urge food out of the container. The food removal subassembly may remove food from a container while still avoiding contact with the food. Avoiding contact may prevent contamination and bacterial growth. Avoiding contact may mean direct contact with food, but may also include limited contact, indirect contact, transient contact, and / or isolated contact from subsequent feeding cycles. The food removal subassembly may urge food out of a container when the container is retained byFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOa container handling subassembly. The food removal subassembly may urge food out of a container via vibration, rotation, impulse, heat, pressure, puncturing, air injection, and / or even applying pressure directly to the food (e.g., poking). Vibration may include ultrasonic, subsonic horizontal, asymmetric vertical oscillation, the like, or a combination thereof. Rotation may be rotation of the container. Impulse may be of the container. Heat may be applied onto the container. Squeezing may be applied to the container, such as force applied to peripheral sides of the container. A container may be punctured at a bottom and / or sides. Air may be injected via the punctures. Food may be poked out. Vibration may provide a simple means of urging food out of a container without the need for any contact with the food.

[0177] The food removal subassembly may include a vibration source. A vibration source may function to drive vibration of a container handling subassembly, a main arm, a cradle, a container, or any combination thereof. Vibration may be transmitted to the main arm which then transmits the vibration to the cradle. The cradle, such as via the retaining arms may apply the vibration to the food container. A vibration source may include a motor. Exemplary motors may include an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) vibration motor, cammed motor, oscillating solenoid motor, or a combination thereof.

[0178] The vibration may be suitable for a number of different wet food types, from chunks in gravy to thick pates. Suitable vibration may include oscillation. The vibration may include a suitable frequency, amplitude, or both. The frequency may be about 30 hz to about 120 hz, about 40 hz to about 110 hz, about 45 hz to about 100 hz, about 50 hz to about 80 hz, about 60-70 hz (e.g., about 65 hz). The amplitude may be about 0 to about 10 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm, about 1 mm to about 6 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 5 mm, or even about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The vibration may be automatically adjusted based on the food type or may remain consistent across varying food types. The vibration may increase if food is not detected in the serving tray.

[0179] Vibration may continue for a certain predetermined time period, until a detected increase in weight in a serving tray is detected, or both. The weighing subassembly may measure a weight of a serving tray¬ prior to the container being turned upside down into a dispensing position. This may be an initial weight. The weighing subassembly may measure a weight of a serving tray before, during and / or after vibration by the food removal subassembly. This may be a latter weight. One or more controllers in communication with the weighing subassembly may determine a weight increase between an initial weight and latter weight. If the weight increase is above a predetermined threshold, it may be determined that sufficient food has been removed from the container and either stop or not reinitiate vibrating. If the weight increase is not above the threshold, vibrating may continue and / or be reinitiated. The predetermined threshold may be about 40g or greater, about 50g or greater, about 60g or greater, about 70g or greater, or even about 80g or greater. The predetermined threshold may be about 150g or less, about 130g or less, about 100g or less, or even about 90g or less. The predetermined threshold may7be a percentage of the food weight stored within the container, such as determined from one or more food identification processes (e.g., from scanning the container). The predetermined threshold may be about 50% or more, about 60% or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, or even about 90% or more. The predetermined threshold may7be about 100%Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOor less, about 95% or less, or even about 93% or less. A threshold of 95% to 100% may not be realistically feasible as even manual removal of food from a container leaves some residue behind.

[0180] Serving Subassembly

[0181] The feeding assembly may be free of a serving subassembly. The feeding assembly may present a container after opening such that the animal consumes directly therefrom. The container may be presented by and / or retained by a container handling subassembly while at a feeding area, in a feeding position, or both. For example, a container handling subassembly may place the container in alignment with a display opening in a feeding area.

[0182] The feeding assembly may include a serving subassembly. A serving subassembly may function to retain food for presentation to an animal for consuming therefrom, allow for easy removal from the feeding assembly for cleanup of food waste (e.g., old food, food remnants), enclose in malodors occurring from food (e.g., old food, fresh food), display food to an animal for a plurality of different feedings, the like, or a combination thereof. A serving subassembly may function to move food to a feeding area, from an empt ing and / or dispensing position into a feeding area, away from a feeding area, or a combination thereof. A serving subassembly may function to move food to be aligned with a display opening. A serving subassembly may function to move food away from a display opening. A serving subassembly may store uneaten food for later disposal and / or cleaning. A serving subassembly may function to prevent access to food, such as to an undesired animal or at an undesired time. A serving subassembly may cooperate with the container handling subassembly, food removal subassembly, container, lower housing, weighing subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0183] A serving subassembly may be located in a lower housing, in a housing separate from a lower and / or upper housing, or a combination thereof. A serving subassembly may be located below an upper housing, mid-cover, container storage subassembly, toolhead, container handling subassembly, container opening subassembly, lid removal subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. A serving subassembly may be a beneficial serving system in which one or more components are able to be easily removed, cleansed, and / or reinstalled. One or more components of the serving subassembly may be reusable, washable, dishwasher safe, recyclable, biodegradable, the like, or a combination thereof. The serving subassembly may include a serving tray, lid, one or more drive mechanisms, one or more serving containers, a serving drawer, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0184] The feeding assembly may include a serving tray. A serving tray may function to receive food from one or more containers, retain food for consumption therefrom, allow for easy cleaning after consumption, retain leftover food over a number of feeding cycles, the like, or a combination thereof. The serving tray may allow an animal to consume directly therefrom or support individual consumable serving containers or a consumable tray insert. A serving tray may include one or more serving receptacles, track, pivot portions, handles, serving containers, tray inserts, position sensors, the like, or a combination thereof. A serving tray may be easily cleanable. A serving tray may comprise one or more materials which are washable, dishwasher safe, or both. A serving tray may be easily removable from the feeding assembly to allow for cleaning (e.g., handwashing, dishwasher). The serving tray may be moveable. The serving trayFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOmay be moved rotationally, linearly, or both. The serving tray may be independently driven and / or co-driven with a lid. A serving tray may be in communication with a drive unit. The drive unit may be separate or same as the drive unit associated with the lid.

[0185] A serving tray may include one or more serving receptacles. A serving receptacle may be formed as a cavity suitable for being filled with food from a container, having an animal eat therefrom, or both. Each serving receptacle may be formed as a cavity, depression, pocket, and / or the like. Each serving receptacle may have a volume equal to or greater than a volume of the container, food stored within the container, or both. Each receptacle may be configured to have an animal comfortably eat directly therefrom. Each receptacle may provide for a shallow cavity, rounded surfaces, and / or be free of sharp corners. The one or more serving receptacles may include a plurality of serving receptacles. A plurality of serving receptacles may allow for a number of feeding cycles to occur before a serving tray needs to be removed for cleaning. The number of serving receptacles may be less than, equal to, or greater than the storage capacity of a container storage subassembly. One or more serving receptacles may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, six or more, or even eight or more serving receptacles. A plurality of serving receptacles may include fourteen or less, twelve or less, or even ten or less serving receptacles. The number may be sufficiently large to allow for a plurality of feeding cycles to occur before human intervention is required. The number may not be so large that tire spoilage of food remaining in serving receptacles after consumption and being moved away from a display opening does not create a significantly offensive odor, significant mold, and / or the like. A plurality of serving receptacles may be arranged in a serving tray in any suitable arrangement. The serving receptacles may be arranged to cooperate with the shape of the serving tray, the rotational method for the serving tray, or both. The plurality of serving receptacles may be radially arranged about a rotational axis of a serving tray, linearly arranged, in a plurality of arrays, in one or more zig zag patterns, the like, or a combination thereof. A cross-sectional shape of a serving receptacle may be any suitable shape for providing comfortable eating, maximizing utilized space of the serving tray, cooperating with the shape of the serving tray, or a combination thereof. A cross-sectional shape of a serving receptacle may be substantially triangular, circular, square, ovular, rectangular, other polygonal (e.g., pentagon, hexagon, octagon), rhombused, the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be substantially triangular with rounded corners.

[0186] The serving tray may include or be free of perforations. Perforations may promote the use of individual consumable serving containers or a consumable tray insert. Perforations may be formed within individual serving receptacles. Perforations may be formed at a bottom of individual serving receptacles. The perforations may create the issue of food passing through the serving tray when the consumable container and / or inserts are not used. In the alternative, the serving tray may be free of perforations. Solid serving receptacles may facilitate reusability of the serving tray.

[0187] The serving tray may include one or more serving containers and / or tray inserts. A serving container and / or tray insert may provide a disposable and / or reusable insert. A serving container may provide for an insert compatible with an individual serving receptacle. A tray insert may provide for an insert compatible with all of the serving receptacles and overall serving tray. A serving container may have a shapeFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsubstantially reciprocal with an individual serving receptacle. A tray insert may have a shape substantially reciprocal with the upper surface and serving receptacles of the serving tray. The individual serving containers and / or insert may rest within (e.g., nest) within the individual serving receptacle(s). The one or more serving containers and / or tray inserts may comprise one or more biodegradable, disposable, and / or recyclable materials. It is also feasible they are reusable and washable. The serving container and / or tray insert may extend the duration of time before the serving tray needs to be cleaned (e.g., washed) by a user.

[0188] After food is dispensed from a container into a serving receptacle, the serving tray may be rotated such that the freshly filled serving receptacle is aligned with a display opening.

[0189] The feeding assembly may include a lid. A lid may function to cover a serving tray, cover a plurality of serving receptacles, expose a serving receptacle, rest atop a serving tray, the like, or a combination thereof. The lid may have a shape which is reciprocal or dissimilar to the shape of the serving tray. A reciprocal shape and / or a shape which fully extends across a top of a serving tray may aid in covering most or all of the serving tray (e.g., serving receptacles), sealing in odors (e.g., leftover waste in serving receptacles), or both. The lid may have a cross-section (e.g., top view) shape which is circular, square, rectangular, ovular, triangular, other polygonal (e.g., pentagon, hexagon, octagon), rhombused, the like, or a combination thereof. A circular cross-section may facilitate smooth rotation of the lid. A lid may be easily clcanablc. A lid may comprise one or more materials which arc washable, dishwasher safe, or both. A lid may be easily removable from the feeding assembly to allow for cleaning (e.g., hand ashing, dishwasher). The lid may include one or more serving openings, handles, tracks, position sensors, pivot portions, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0190] The lid may include one or more serving openings. One or more serving openings may function to expose one or more serving receptacles of a serving tray. A serving opening may have shape substantially reciprocal with or dissimilar to a cross-sectional (e.g., top view) shape of a serving receptacle, display opening, or both. A serving opening may have a cross-sectional area smaller, equal, or larger than a cross-sectional area of a display opening, serving receptacle (e.g.. at uppermost cross-section), or both. A serving opening may be sized such as to not interfere with an animal’s access to food within a serving receptacle. A serving opening may function to align with a serving receptacle, display opening, dispense opening, or a combination thereof. For example, when a serving receptacle is at a feeding area, the serving opening may be aligned with tire serving receptacle and the display opening. Such alignment may provide an animal with access to food within the exposed serving receptacle. For example, when a serving receptacle is at a dispense position, the serving opening may be aligned with the serving receptacle and the dispense opening. Such alignment may allow for food to be dispensed from a container to pass through the lid and into a serving receptacle. Before, during, and / or after rotation of a serving tray for alignment of a freshly filled serving receptacle. The lid may rotate together and / or separate from the serving tray. A lid may rotate separately such as to close off access to a serving receptacle. For example, a lid may rotate to conceal a serving receptacle at a display opening (e.g., rotate serving opening off alignment with display opening and serving receptacle) when an undesired animal approaches a feeding assembly, after a time limit has passed, or both. The lid may rotate together with the serving tray. For example, from alignment with a dispenseFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOopening to a display opening (e.g., both serving receptacle and serving opening), the lid and serving tray may rotate together. In the alternative, the serving receptacle may first rotate to the display opening while the lid maintains the display opening closed, and then the lid may rotate to align with the display opening to expose the serving receptacle.

[0191] The serving subassembly may be free of a lid.

[0192] The serving subassembly may include or be free of one or more tracks. A track may function to receive torque, rotate a serving tray and / or lid about a rotational axis, cooperate with a drive unit, or a combination thereof. A track may have any suitable configuration for cooperating with and being driven by a drive unit. A track may include or be a gear, toothed, or both. A gear may be a spur gear, helical gear, internal gear, the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the track may be a spur gear with teeth evenly spaced and projecting about the perimeter. The track may mate and / or engage with one or more drive gears. For example, the track may engage with a drive gear. The track may engage with a drive gear affixed to the lower housing. The track may be located about at least a portion of, the entirety of, an exterior perimeter, an interior perimeter, or both of a serving tray, lid, or both. The one or more tracks may include a track for the lid and a track for the serving tray. A track may be located about a perimeter of the lid. A track may be located about the perimeter of the serving tray. As an alternative, the lid may rotate with the serving tray and only a single track may be employed on cither the lid or the serving tray. The track may be formed as part of a rim and / or flange about the exterior periphery of the serving tray, the lid, or both. A track of a lid may rest above a track of a serving tray. The track may be affixed to and / or integral with the body of the serving tray, lid, or both. The track may be used to rotate the serving tray, lid, or both about their respective rotational axis.

[0193] The serving subassembly may include one or more rotation hubs. A rotation hub may cooperate with a rotation mechanism. A rotation hub may be used in lieu of a track. A rotation hub may be a void, channel, or other cavity formed in a serving tray, lid, or both. A rotation hub may be engaged with a rotation mechanism. A rotation hub may receive and / or engage with a rotation mechanism. For example, a rotation hub may receive a drive shaft. A rotation hub may be a splined hub mated with a rotation shaft.

[0194] The serving subassembly may include one or more pivot portions to facilitate rotation about a rotational axis. A pivot point may function to receive a rotation hub, stabilize rotation of a serving tray and / or lid. or combination thereof. A pivot portion may be formed as an opening, shaft, boss, depression, or combination thereof. A pivot portion may be formed in a lid, serving tray, or both. A pivot portion may be centered and / or off-center with the serving tray and / or lid. A serving tray may include a rotation opening. A rotation opening may be centered in the serving tray. A rotation opening may receive or be received within a rotation hub, shaft, or both therein. A rotation opening may be formed in a shaft. A shaft may extend from an upper surface of the serving tray toward a bottom of the serving tray. The rotation opening may extend through the shaft. The rotation opening may facilitate rotation of the serving tray about the rotation hub. A lid may include a shaft. A shaft may extend downward and / or inward. A shaft may include a rotation opening formed therein. A shaft may extend into a rotation opening and / or shaft of a serving tray. For example, a rotation hub of a serving drawer, lower housing, and / or other base may project upward. TheFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOrotation hub may receive and / or be received within the shafts of both the serving tray and the lid. For example, the shaft of the lid may nest within the opening of the shaft of the serving tray and the shaft of the serving tray may nest within the rotation hub.

[0195] The serving subassembly may include one or more rotation mechanisms. One or more rotation mechanisms may function to rotate a serving tray, a lid, or both. One or more rotation mechanisms may include one or more drive units configmed to cooperate with a serving tray, lid, or both. One or more drive units may include one or more drive sources, drive shafts, gears, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more drive units may drive a serving tray, lid, or both from an off-center and / or centered position relative to the serving tray and / or lid. One or more drive units may be configured to cooperate with one or more tracks, one or more hubs, or both. One or more drive units may be off-center, centered, or both with one or more tracks, hubs, or both. One or more drive units may be shared between a serving tray and lid. One or more drive units may be dedicated to the serving tray while one or more other drive units may be dedicated to the lid. One or more drive units may be supported by a housing, toolhead, or both. One or more drive units may be affixed to a lower housing. One or more drive units may include a pair of drive units. A drive unit may include one or more gears (e.g., drive gears) engaged with one or more tracks. A drive unit may include one or more shafts engaged with one or more gears, drive sources, hubs, or a combination thereof. A drive unit may include one or more drive sources. One or more drive sources may include one or more motors (e.g., electric motor). A drive source may function to convert electric energy into mechanical energy . The drive source may be mounted to the toolhead, housing, and / or the like. One or more drive sources may be biased toward a rear of a lower housing. A first drive source may be biased toward one rear corner of the lower housing while another drive source may be biased toward another rear comer of the lower housing or the first and second drive source may be biased to a same rear corner of the lower housing. The one or more drive sources may be located in a gap formed between a wall of a lower housing and a platform of a weighing subassembly, serving drawer, or both.

[0196] The serving tray, the lid, or both may be rotated in one or two directions. One or more directions may include a first direction, second direction, or both. Rotation may function to move an empty serving receptacle to align with a dispense opening, a freshly filled serving receptacle to align with a display opening, a serving receptacle away from a display opening after being consumed therefrom and / or a duration of time passing, the like, or a combination thereof. Rotation may function to move a lid such that a serving opening is aligned with a serving receptacle and a dispensing opening, move a lid such that a serving opening is aligned with a serving receptacle and a display opening, move a lid such that a serving receptacle that is aligned with a display opening is sealed by the lid (e.g., the serving opening is moved away from alignment), the like, or a combination thereof.

[0197] The serving subassembly may include one or more handles. One or more handles may function to facilitate removal of one or more portions of a serving subassembly. One or more handles may facilitate removal of a lid from a serving tray. One or more handles may facilitate removal of a serving tray from a serving drawer, housing, or both. One or more handles may be formed in an exposed surface of the lid, serving tray, or both. One or more handles may be formed in an upper surface of a lid, serving tray, or both.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOOne or more handles may be formed adjacent to and / or align with one or more pivot portions. One or more handles may be formed at an end of a pivot portion of a lid. For example, a pair of indentations and / or openings may be formed at an upper end of a pivot portion of the lid. One or more handles may be formed adjacent to and / or flank a pivot portion. For example, a pair of openings may flank a rotation opening and / or shaft of a serving tray. One or more handles may be large enough for fingers to pass through, allow for a pinch or grip force to be applied, or a combination thereof. One or more handles may include one or more indentations and / or openings. One or more handles may have a cross-sectional shape which is substantially circular, ovular. D-shaped, square, rectangular, the like, or a combination thereof.

[0198] A serving subassembly may include an opening cover. An opening cover may function to conceal a serving receptacle when removed from alignment with a display opening, when exposed by a serving opening of a lid, when having residual food (e.g. waste) therein, or a combination thereof. A serving receptacle or one or more portions of a serving receptacle may be uncovered when a serving tray is in a resting position. This may be undesirable when the serving receptacle has already been used for dispensing food and retains leftover food therein. This leftover food may release odor into the ambient environment surrounding the feeding assembly. The serving opening may expose this serving receptacle or portions of serving receptacles when the serving opening is moved away from alignment with a display opening. For example, when a lid is rotated into to conceal another serving receptacle at a display opening, the serving opening may be rotated to be located over a previously used serving receptacle. An opening cover may be a cover which extends from a wall (e.g., side wall, base wall) of a serving drawer, a lower housing, or both. The opening cover may be configured to align with an exposed serving receptacle, serving opening, or both. The opening cover may be configured to not overlap with a display opening such as to not restrict access to food via the display opening. The opening cover may have a cross-sectional shape reciprocal or dissimilar to that of a serving opening, serving receptacle, or both. The opening cover may have a size and / or shape equal to or larger than the cross-sectional size and / or shape of a serving opening, serving receptacle, or both. An opening cover may extend over the serving opening, may form a loose seal with the lid, or both. For example, the opening cover may include a seal formed at its bottom.

[0199] A serving subassembly may include a serving drawer. A serving drawer may be configured to allow access, removal, and / or reinsertion of a serving tray, lid, serving container, tray insert, the like, or a combination thereof. A serving drawer may be configured to allow for cleaning of the serving subassembly. A serving drawer may be located below, adjacent to. and / or behind a display opening and / or feeding area. A serving drawer may be located within, below, above, adjacent to, in front of, and / or behind an upper housing, lower housing, or a combination thereof. A serving drawer may be located below an upper housing. A serving drawer may be located below a mid-cover. A serving drawer may be located inside, above, and / or below a lower housing. A serving drawer may be removably housed within a lower housing. A serving drawer may be located above and / or on a weighing subassembly. A serving drawer may rest upon a platform, one or more weight sensors, or both. The weight of the serving drawer may be monitored by a weighing subassembly.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0200] The serving drawer may include a base, front, and / or one or more side walls. The base may form a bottom of the serving drawer. The base may be the portion upon which a serving tray may rest on. The base may be the portion which rests upon a weighing subassembly. A front may form a front of the serving drawer. A front may be the portion a user is able to access to remove and / or insert the serving drawer. The front may include a handle for easy pulling and / or pushing. The front may serve as one of the side walls. One or more side walls may form the outer periphery of the serving drawer. The one or more side walls may include one or more guide slides affixed thereto and / or formed therein (e.g.. integral).

[0201] A serving drawer may be removably inserted into the housing (e.g.. lower housing). A serving drawer may be removably affixed to a weighing subassembly (e.g., platform). A serving drawer may be slidably removable from and / or insertable into the housing (e g., lower housing). The serving drawer may include or be free of one or more guide slides. One or more guide slides may include one or more rails, channels, bearings, rollers, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more guide slides may be simple channels and / or rails or more complex members, such as a telescoping slide. The one or more guide slides may be formed on or be one or more side walls and / or a base of the serving drawer. A pair of side walls adjacent to the front of the serving drawer may function as one or more guide rails. A serving drawer may be free of direct contact with the housing. A serv ing drawer may be located within the lower housing while being free of direct contact with the lower housing. A serving drawer may be located within the lower housing while being free of direct contact with a mid-cover, upper housing, or both.

[0202] A serving drawer may include a tray cavity. A tray cavity may be configured to retain the serving tray therein, allow rotation of the serving tray relative to the serving drawer, or both. A tray cavity may be a portion of the serving drawer reciprocal with a serving tray. A tray cavity may have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., top view) substantially reciprocal with or dissimilar to the cross-sectional shape (e.g., top view) and / or peripheral shape of a serving tray. A substantially reciprocal shape may restrict lateral movement of the serving tray while supporting rotation. A tray cavity may be defined by an outer lip. An outer lip may define the interior of the tray cavity, align a serving tray therein, and / or restrict lateral movement of a serving tray. An outer lip may be formed as a projection, such as a rib or flange, projecting from a base of the serving drawer. The outer lip may form a cross-sectional and / or interior peripheral shape substantially similar or dissimilar to the cross-sectional and / or peripheral shape of the serving tray. The tray cavity may include a rotation hub. A rotation hub may function as defining a rotational axis and / or pivot point of a serving tray, lid, or both. A rotation hub may function to limit lateral movement of a serving tray and / or lid. A rotation hub may be a projection, depression, opening, shaft, the like, or a combination thereof. A rotation hub may be a shaft-like projection extending upward from a base of the serving drawer. A rotation hub may be center and / or off-center in a tray cavity. A rotation hub may be centered within an outer lip. A rotation hub may include an opening extending through the shaft-like projection. The rotation hub may receive and / or be received within one or more pivot portions of a serving tray, lid, or both. The rotation hub may have a pivot portion of a serving tray and / or lid received therein. The serving drawer may include or be free of one or more drive units. The serving drawer may be configmed such as to expose one or more drive units affixedFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOto the lower housing. The serving drawer may allow the one or more drive units to access the one or more tracks.

[0203] Weighing Subassembly

[0204] The feeding assembly may include a weighing subassembly. A weighing subassembly may be configured to weigh one or more components of the feeding assembly. A weighing subassembly may function to weigh a serving subassembly, weigh a serving subassembly in isolation from a remainder of the feeding assembly, or both. A weighing subassembly may weigh a serving tray, including anything retained therein (e.g., food, serving container). A weighing subassembly may capture a weight of a serving tray prior to food being disposed therein, while food is disposed therein, after food is disposed therein, before an animal consumes therefrom, while an animal consumes therefrom, after an animal consumes therefrom, before rotating into a feeding position (e.g., presenting fresh food at a display opening), while rotating into a feeding position, after rotating into a feeding position, while in a feeding position, when rotating out of a feeding position, the like, or a combination thereof. A weighing subassembly may aid in determining a difference in weight values of food during the feeding cycle. The different weight values may be used to determine how much food was added into the serving tray, a comparison of the amount served versus the amount initially present in a container, how much an animal has consumed, how much and / or if food remains, if an animal has finished, and / or the like.

[0205] The weighing subassembly may include one or more weight sensors. One or more weight sensors may function to weigh a platform, serving tray, lid, serving subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more weight sensors may be located below a serving subassembly. One or more weight sensors may be located and / or part of a lower housing, platform, or both. One or more weight sensors may be affixed to an upper facing surface of tire lower housing, a bottom facing surface of a platform, a bottom surface of the lower housing, or both. One or more weight sensors may be evenly or unevenly distributed on a lower housing and / or platform. One or more weight sensors may be biased toward one or more corners and / or sides of a lower housing. One or more weight sensors may include a single or a plurality of weight sensors. A single weight sensor may be substantially centered below a serving subassembly, below aligned with a rotational axis of a serving subassembly, or both. A plurality of weight sensors may include two or more, three or more, or even four or more weight sensors. A plurality of weight sensors may include ten or less, eight or less, or even six or less weight sensors. A plurality of weight sensors, such as four, may allow for a substantially uniform distribution of a load thereon. For example, four weight sensors may be located on the bottom of the lower housing and biased toward its four corners. One or more weight sensors may include one or more strain gauges (incl. load cell), impedance sensors (e.g., capacitive-based weight sensor), hydraulic sensors, pneumatic sensors, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0206] The weighing subassembly may include a platform. A platform may function to have a serving subassembly resting thereon, aid in isolating the weight of the serving subassembly from the remainder of the feeding assembly, uniformly distribute the weight across one or more weight sensors, the like, or a combination thereof. A platform may be formed as a substantially planar surface resting atop the one or more weight sensors. A platform may be formed as a substantially planar surface resting below the servingFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsubassembly. The platform may have the serving drawer resting directly thereon. The platform may extend from a front of the lower housing toward a rear of the lower housing. The platform may allow for one or more other components of the lower housing to still be accessible by fonning a gap with one or more sidewalls of the lower housing. For example, one or more gears for driving one or more components of the serving subassembly (e.g., track, lid, serving tray) may be located within the gap.

[0207] The weighing subassembly may include one or more guide features. One or more guide features may be part of a platform or other surface facing toward a serving subassembly. One or more guide features may function to align and guide insertion of a subassembly within the lower housing, onto a weighing subassembly, or both. A subassembly may include a weighing subassembly, waste subassembly, serving subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more guide features may include one or more guide slides. One or more guide slides may include one or more rails, channels, bearings, rollers, the like, or a combination thereof. The one or more guide slides may be simple channels and / or rails or more complex members, such as a telescoping slide. The one or more guide slides may be formed on or affixed to an upper surface of a platform.

[0208] The weighing subassembly may capture the weight of a serving subassembly in isolation from the remainder of the feeding assembly. Isolation may be possible by avoiding anything but the serving subassembly contacting the platform (e.g., upper surface of platform, load bearing surface of platform). Isolation may be possible by having a gap between the remainder of the feeding assembly and any other surfaces of the serving subassembly. For example, the entire upper edge of the serving drawer may be distanced from any adjacent surfaces of a housing of the feeding assembly. As another example, die serving tray and lid may sit below any raised edges of a serving drawer such that no other components contact the serving tray and / or lid.

[0209] It can be envisioned that two or more of the subassemblies may be one in the same, may occupy a same or substantially similar footprint within the feeding assembly, or both. For example, a container opening subassembly may be in substantially a same area as the lid removal subassembly. In this manner, the container handling subassembly may have reduced travel during operation of the feeding assembly.

[0210] It can also be envisioned that a container handling subassembly may remain static through a number of steps of the process while one or more other subassemblies move relative to the container opening subassembly. For example, a container opening subassembly may move into position for cutting, the move, then a lid removal subassembly may move into position for removing a lid. dren move all while the container handling subassembly remains static.

[0211] It can be envisioned that the components of the feeding assembly could be inverted, such that containers commence the process upside down. For example, they may be stored in the container storage subassembly with the top lids facing downward. This may avoid the need for additional movements mechanisms.

[0212] Sensing Devices

[0213] The feeding assembly may include one or more sensing devices. One or more sensing devices may function to sense a presence of one or more containers, obtain one or more parameters of one or moreFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcontainers and / or container magazines (e.g., holder, carrier, sleeve, stack of containers), sense a position of one or more subassemblies, or any combination thereof. One or more sensing devices may generally function to sense a status of one or more components within the feeding assembly. One or more sensing devices may identify a position of one or more components of the feeding assembly. One or more sensing devices may identify an animal. One or more sensing devices may be in electrical communication with one or more controllers. One or more sensing devices may automatically transmit a signal, change in signal, or both to the one or more controllers. One or more sensing devices may include one or more cameras, identification sensors, container presence sensors, position sensors, weight sensors, counters, waste sensors, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0214] The one or more sensing devices may include one or more cameras. One or more cameras may function to identify the presence of an animal, a type of animal, and / or a specific animal. One or more cameras may function to record the activity of an animal at the feeding assembly. One or more cameras may be located in a front of a housing, above a feeding area, or both. One or more cameras may be located in the upper housing and above the feeding area. One or more cameras may be located in front of the container storage subassembly, between the container storage subassembly and the feeding area, or both. One or more cameras may function as provided for in PCT Publication Nos. WO 2024 / 196865 and WO 2024 / 196852, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Visually capturing an approved animal approaching and / or an unapproved animal departing may provide for automatically displaying a container, opening a container, dispensing food into a serving subassembly, opening a display opening, or a combination thereof. Visually capturing an approved animal departing and / or an unapproved animal approaching may provide for automatically disposing of a container, closing a display opening, or both.

[0215] The one or more sensing devices may include one or more animal identification sensors. One or more animal identification sensors may be used in lieu of or in conjunction with a camera. One or more animal identification sensors may function to detect a trigger device. Detection of a trigger device by a sensing device may display a container, open a container, dispense food, open a display opening, the like or a combination thereof. Detection of a trigger may correlate the food activity with a specific animal. A trigger device may be sensed by a sensing device upon entering a detecting range of the sensing device. A trigger device may be a tag, a barcode, a chip, a transceiver, another sensor, or die like. A trigger device may be wearable by an animal, embedded in an animal, or both. For example, a tag may be affixed to the collar of an animal. The trigger device and the sensing device may use Bluetooth, wi-fi, radio frequency, near field communication, and / or the like to communicate with one another. The sensing device configured to interact with one or more trigger devices may be located anywhere in the feeder. The sensing device may be located at or near the feeding area, the user interface, the upper housing, a front, a rear, a side, the like, or any combination thereof. Being near a feeding area may be optimal for forming a wireless connection with a trigger device. For example, the head of an animal may ty pically block or impede a connection being formed (e.g.. block the signal) when the trigger device is worn on a collar and the sensing device is located near the user interface and / or top of the feeding assembly (e.g., at or above an animal’s head height).Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0216] One or more sensing devices may include one or more identification sensors. One or more identification sensors may function to read and / or communicate with one or more identifiers. One or more identification sensors may be disposed proximate to the container storage subassembly, container handling subassembly, container opening subassembly, or a combination thereof. One or more identification sensors may be disposed such as to have a view of, form a connection with, or both one or more identifiers of one or more containers. One or more identification sensors may be retained in a bottom housing, below a container storage subassembly, behind a container opening subassembly, within or on a toolhead, in a container storage subassembly, above a container storage subassembly, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more identification sensors may function to obtain one or more parameters associated with the container and / or food therein, obtain access to a database or other repository having one or more parameters associated with the container and / or food therein, or both. The food databases may be provided by third parties, such as the food manufacturers. The food databases may be custom created. The food database(s) may include the size of the container, the weight of the container, the weight of the food therein, the type of food, an expiration date, nutritional values, and / or the like. The food database(s) may also store and / or link to food recall databases. One or more identification sensors may be any type of transceiver compatible with any identifier disclosed herein, able to scan or read an identifier, able to obtain parameters associated with a container or food therein, able to direct a controller as to where to obtain parameters associated with a container or food therein, the like, or any combination thereof. The one or more identification sensors may include one or more radio frequency transmitters, barcode readers, QR code readers, near-field communication transmitters (NFC), image sensors, the like, or any combination thereof. The identification sensor may be an optical sensor (e.g., a UV sensor, an IR sensor, a CCD camera, an electrical sensor, etc.). The one or more identification sensors may be compatible with one or more identifiers including a bar code, a QR code, a reflective feature, a scannable optical feature, an IR or UV visible printed feature, raised or recessed features, or an electrical circuit (e.g., a resistive electrical circuit), an NFC chip, an RFID, or any other visual, electric, or electromagnetic indicator.

[0217] One or more sensing devices may include one or more position sensors. One or more position sensors may function to detect a position of one or more subassemblies within the feeding assembly. One or more position sensors may function to detect the position of at least a portion of a container handling subassembly, serving subassembly, waste subassembly, container storage subassembly, or a combination thereof. One or more position sensors may function to detect if a container handling subassembly is stationed at the loading position, cutting position, opening and / or lid removal position, dispensing position, feeding position, disposing position, resting position, or somewhere therebetween. Any type of sensor suitable as a presence sensor may also be utilized as a position sensor. A position sensor may be mounted onto a board, into a motor, into a component, the like, or any combination thereof. A position sensor may include one or more photodetectors, limit switches, optical encoders, Hall effect sensors, potentiometers, capacitive position sensors, inductive sensors, magneto strictive sensors, proximity’ sensors, rotary encoder, linear encoder, or a combination thereof.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0218] By checking that a container handling subassembly is at a loading position, the position sensors acknowledge that the container handling subassembly is ready to receive and / or retrieve a container from a container storage subassembly. By keeping track of the position of the container handling subassembly throughout the feeding cycle, progression may be kept track of. along with any potential problems.

[0219] The serving subassembly may include one or more position sensors, position targets (e.g., contacts), or both. One or more position sensors may be configured to sense one or more positions of a serving drawer, serving tray, lid, or a combination thereof. One or more position sensors may be configured to sense proximity and / or placement of a position target. One or more position targets may be one or more components configured to be sensed by one or more position sensors, be associated with one or more positions of a serving drawer, serving tray, and / or lid. One or more position sensors may include one or more Hall-effect sensors, limit switches, reed switches, inductive proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, optical slots, encoders, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more position targets may include one or more non-contact or contact targets. One or more contacts may include one or more magnets, cams, tabs, flags, plungers, levers, posts, metal piece, a light reflecting or blocking surface, the like, or a combination thereof. For example, the serving tray and / or lid may include one or more magnets as targets thereon and / or therein. A lid and / or serving tray may include a magnet integrated and / or on the upper surface, lower surface, peripheral wall, track, the like, or a combination thereof. The magnet may be off-set from center and / or distanced from a rotational axis. The toolhead, lower housing, or both may include a Hall-effect sensor. The Hall-effect sensor may sense the magnet, the strength of the magnetic signal, or both to determine the position of the serving tray. As another example, one or more limit switches, inductive proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, optical slots, the like, or a combination thereof may be integrated into the lower housing. Upon insertion of the serving drawer into the lower housing, one or more contacts of the serving drawer may be detected by the one or more position sensors. The one or more contacts may be formed at a rear and / or sides of the serving drawer. One or more contacts may be formed at a rear and come into contact and / or be received within the one or more position sensors.

[0220] The feeding assembly may have one or more sensing devices as described in PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2024 / 056113 as filed on November 15, 2024; PCT / US2024 / 020406 as filed on March 18. 2024; and PCT / US2023 / 066997 as filed on May 15. 2023. all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0221] Control System

[0222] The feeding assembly may include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers may function to receive one or more signals, transmit one or more signals, control operations of one or more components of the device, execute one or more methods of operation, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be configured to control overall operation of the feeding assembly. The one or more controllers may be in electrical communication with one or more sensing devices, subassemblies, communication modules, other components, or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be adapted to receive one or more signals from the one or more sensing devices, subassemblies,Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcommunication modules, and / or the like. The one or more controllers may interpret one or more signals from one or more sensing devices as one or more status signals, parameters, and / or other information. The one or more controllers may automatically receive, interpret, and / or transmit one or more signals. The one or more controllers may include one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, processors, storage mediums, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may include one or more computing devices, processors, storage mediums, or any combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be in communication with one or more other computing devices, processor(s), storage mediums, or any combination thereof. A controller may be housed and / or supported by one or more portions of a housing. A controller may be located within and / or supported by a housing, toolhead, or both.

[0223] The one or more controllers may automatically control one or more operations of one or more components upon receipt of one or more signals or instructions. The one or more controllers may automatically execute a method of operating the feeding assembly. The one or more controllers may include one or more computer readable instructions stored therein or accessible thereby. The instructions may be the method of operating the feeding assembly.

[0224] A controller may be configured to receive a signal indicative of one or more parameters associated with a container from one or more identification sensors. The controller may determine the parameters directly from the information provided by the identification sensor and associated signal or may communicate via a network to obtain further information.

[0225] The feeding assembly may be in communication with or include one or more power sources. A power source may function to provide power to one or more components of the device. A power source may be any typical power source for consumer products. A power source may be an outlet, direct current, alternating current, the like, or a combination thereof. The device may house an adapter for a power source, such as in a base of the feeding assembly.

[0226] The feeding assembly may have a control system, communication system, or both as described in PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2024 / 056113 as filed on November 15, 2024; PCT / US2024 / 020406 as filed on March 18, 2024; and PCT / US2023 / 066997 as filed on May 15, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety- 10227] System Including Feeding Assembly

[0228] The feeding assembly may be incorporated into a system. A system may include a network, one or more computing devices in communication with the feeding assembly, or both. A system may be useful for allowing for remote control and / or monitoring of a feeding assembly. A system may include one or more feeding assemblies, computing devices, processors, storage mediums, databases, a network, communication modules, communication hubs, and / or the like. The feeding assembly may be incorporated into the system via one or more communication modules.

[0229] The feeding assembly may include one or more communication modules. The one or more communication modules may allow for the device to receive and / or transmit one or more signals from one or more computing devices, be integrated into a netw ork, or both. The one or more communication modules may have any configuration which may allow for one or more data signals from one or more controllers toFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WObe relayed to one or more other controllers, communication modules, communication hubs, networks, computing devices, processors, the like, or any combination thereof located external of the feeding assembly. The one or more 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. One or more wired communication modules may communicate via one or more networks via a direct, wired connection. A wired connection may include a local area network wired connection by an ethemet port. A wired communication module may include a PC Card. PCMCIA card. PCI-based module, the like, or any combination thereof. A wireless communication module 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 may communicate via one or more networks via a wireless connection. One or more wireless communication modules may include a Wi-Fi transmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, an infrared transmitter, a radio frequency transmitter, an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transmitter, cellular radio signal transmitter, Narrowband-Intemet of Things (NB-IoT) transmitter, the like, or any combination thereof. A Wi-Fi transmitter may be any transmitter compliant with IEEE 802.11. A communication module may be single band, multi-band (e.g., dual band), or both. A communication module may operate at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, the like, or a combination thereof. A cellular radio signal transmitter may be any transceiver compatible with any cellular frequency band (e.g., 500, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz) and / or network (3G, LTE, LTE Catl, LTE M, 4G, 5G). A communication module may communicate with one or more other communication modules, computing devices, processors, or any combination thereof directly; via one or more communication hubs, networks, or both; via one or more interaction interfaces; or any combination thereof.

[0230] The feeding assembly may have and / or be integrated into a system or network as described in PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2024 / 056113 as filed on November 15, 2024; PCT / US2024 / 020406 as filed on March 18, 2024; and PCT / US2023 / 066997 as filed on May 15, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0231] Method of Feeding with Feeding Assembly

[0232] The present teachings may relate to a method of feeding an animal with an automatic feeding assembly. The method may employ the feeding assembly as disclosed in the present disclosure. The method may include any of the following steps described herein, in any order, repeated, omitted, combined, and / or performed simultaneously. The steps may be performed based on an operating mode, configuration of the feeding assembly, and / or one or more sensed conditions. One or more steps may be performed automatically, semi-automatically. and / or with user assistance. One or more steps may be initiated based on one or more sensing devices (e.g., container presence, identification sensing, position sensing, animal identification) and controlled by one or more controllers, including local and / or remote controllers.

[0233] The method may include loading one or more imused containers into an unused hopper of a container storage subassembly. The containers may be loaded individually or as a plurality (e.g., a stack). The one or more containers may be loaded through an inlet at a first end of the hopper and later dispensed from an outlet at a second end or the same opening may function as both inlet and outlet. Loading may beFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOperformed by a user, by a removable container magazine, or by replenishing a removable container storage subassembly that is then inserted into the feeding assembly.

[0234] The method may include restraining an unused container at or adjacent to an outlet of the unused hopper with a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism may be configured to resist container motion in a first direction (e.g., resist gravity-assisted exit) while allowing motion in a second direction (e.g., insertion into the hopper). The retention mechanism may be actuated, biased, or both, and may be configured to temporarily hold one container or a plurality of containers.

[0235] The method may include moving (e.g.. rotating, translating, or otherwise repositioning) a container handling subassembly to a loading position such that a cradle aligns with the outlet of the unused hopper. Alignment may be vertical alignment, lateral alignment, or both. The loading position may be a distinct position or may overlap with another position depending on the mechanical arrangement.

[0236] The method may include biasing or otherwise moving the retention mechanism so that an unused container transfers from the unused hopper onto the cradle while the container handling subassembly is in the loading position. The transfer may occur via gravity, assisted by a biasing member, by a pusher / plunger, by deflection of retaining elements, and / or by the container handling subassembly contacting and displacing part of the retention mechanism.

[0237] The method may include lowering the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle away from the unused hopper after loading. This step may provide clearance for subsequent movement along a travel path. It is also possible this step may be omitted (e.g., if the geometry already provides clearance, or if other subassemblies move relative to the container).

[0238] The method may include moving the container handling subassembly and / or cradle to a cutting position such that the cradle and retained container are located at least partially underneath, adjacent to, and / or offset relative to a container opening subassembly. The cutting position may be a distinct position or may overlap with one or more other positions (e.g., an opening position or dispensing position).

[0239] The method may include raising the container handling subassembly and / or cradle such that the unused container comes into contact with one or more separation elements (e.g., a blade and / or spacer; a drive wheel and blade pair; or other separation elements configured to separate a lid from a body). It is also feasible that instead of raising the container, the container opening subassembly and / or toolhead may move toward the container.

[0240] The method may include piercing and / or engaging the lid, seam, flange, and / or body of the unused container with a blade or other separation element. Engagement may be at an outer periphery, at or near a seam, below a rim. and / or through or adjacent to a flange. Engagement may be configured to reduce or avoid contact with food stored within the container.

[0241] The method may include driving separation such that the lid becomes separated from the body (fully or partially). The separation may include cutting, unrolling a seam, splitting a seam, cutting around an interior periphery, cutting around an exterior periphery, or combinations thereof. Separation may be achieved by rotating a blade, rotating the container, rotating a drive wheel, or combmations thereof. TheFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcontainer may rotate within the cradle while the container opening subassembly may remain substantially stationary, the container opening subassembly may move about the container, or both.

[0242] The method may include lowering the container handling subassembly and / or cradle away from the container opening subassembly after separation. This step may be used to provide clearance before moving to another position, but may be omitted where clearance is otherwise achieved (e.g., by moving the opening subassembly away or by overlapping positions).

[0243] The method may include moving the container handling subassembly and / or cradle to a lid removal position such that the cradle and container are located at least partially underneath, adjacent to. and / or offset relative to a lid removal subassembly. The lid removal position may be distinct from the cutting position or may overlap with the cutting position and / or a dispensing position.

[0244] The method may include raising the container handling subassembly and / or cradle to the lid removal position such that the lid removal subassembly engages the lid. Engagement may occur via mechanical gripping, suction, magnetic force, adhesive force, edge engagement, bottom engagement, or combinations thereof. Engagement may be applied by an end effector and may be initiated by a trigger / contact event, an actuator, a biasing mechanism, or combinations thereof.

[0245] The method may include lowering the container handling subassembly and / or cradle away from the lid removal subassembly after the lid is engaged. This may allow the lid to be retained by the lid removal subassembly while the container body is moved to another location. This step may be omitted (e.g., if the lid removal subassembly moves relative to the container).

[0246] The method may include rotating the container handling subassembly and / or cradle such that an open end of the container faces downward and is aligned with a dispense opening of a housing and / or aligned with a serving receptacle. The dispensing orientation may be inverted, angled, or otherwise nonupright. It is also feasible that the container may be presented for consumption directly rather than dispensed into a serving receptacle, and this step may be omitted or modified.

[0247] The method may include applying vibration to the container, cradle, main arm, and / or container handling subassembly to urge food from the container. Vibration may be generated by a vibration source and may include oscillation and / or other vibratory modes. In addition to or as an alternative to vibration, food may be urged out via rotation, impulse, heat, squeezing / pressure on the container walls, puncturing with air injection, and / or limited / indirect / transient contact mechanisms, depending on configuration.

[0248] The method may include transferring food from the container into a serving receptacle of a serving subassembly. Food may pass through a dispense opening and into a serving receptacle. It is also feasible that the feeding assembly may be free of a serving subassembly and the animal consumes directly from the container, thus transferring may be omitted.

[0249] The method may include rotating the container handling subassembly and / or cradle such that the open end of the container faces upward. The container may now be considered a used container (e.g.. opened, partially empty, or empty). The used container may retain residue and / or remaining food depending on how much food was dispensed and / or consumed.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0250] The method may include moving the used container back toward the lid removal subassembly and urging the lid back onto the container body. Re-seating may be used to reduce odor, reduce spillage, facilitate handling of the used container, or combinations thereof. Re-seating may be partial or full and may not constitute resealing.

[0251] The method may include lowering the container handling subassembly and / or cradle away from the lid removal subassembly after lid re-seating. This step may be used to provide clearance for movement toward a waste position or other location.

[0252] The method may include moving (e.g., rotating / positioning) the container handling subassembly and / or cradle with the used container to a waste position such that the used container aligns with an inlet of a used hopper of the container storage subassembly and / or aligns with a waste receptacle of a waste subassembly.

[0253] The method may include raising the container handling subassembly and / or cradle toward the inlet and overcoming a retention mechanism at the inlet. Overcoming may include deflecting a biasing member, retracting a latch, pushing past a resilient feature, or other temporary displacement that allows entry .

[0254] The method may include inserting the used container (e.g., body alone; lid alone; or body and lid together) into the used hopper. The used hopper may include a sleeve insert to isolate residue from hopper walls. The used hopper inlet may also function as an outlet for later removal by a user.

[0255] The method may include rotating and / or translating a serving tray such that a serving receptacle containing dispensed food is aligned with a display opening in a feeding area. The serving tray may be driven by a drive unit and may rotate about and / or with a hub and / or track. A lid and serving tray may rotate together and / or they may rotate independently.

[0256] The method may include rotating the serving tray away from alignment with the display opening, rotating a lid to cover a serving receptacle, rotating a serving opening out of alignment with a display opening, or combinations thereof. This may reduce odor, limit access by an undesired animal, and / or restrict access after a time period.

[0257] The method may include weighing one or more portions of the feeding assembly using one or more weighing subassemblies when: one or more containers are added; food is dispensed; food is present in a serving receptacle; an animal is consuming; after consumption; and / or when a serving receptacle is concealed or no longer accessible. Weighing may include weighing a serving subassembly in isolation (e.g., via a platform and weight sensors), including dynamic weighing during dispensing, rotation and / or during vibration.

[0258] The method may include determining an amount of food present, added, consumed, and / or remaining based on weight. Determination may include comparing an initial weight to one or more later weights, applying thresholds, and / or using weight changes to infer whether sufficient food has been dispensed, whether consumption is occurring, whether a feeding event has ended, and / or whether food remains for later disposal.

[0259] In any of the method steps above, one or more subassemblies may share a footprint, be combined, or be separate; and one or more steps may be performed while the container handling subassembly remainsFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsubstantially stationary and one or more other subassemblies move relative thereto. Containers may be initially stored upright or inverted, and a serving subassembly may be present or omitted depending on configuration.

[0260] Illustrative Examples

[0261] Although various illustrative examples have been described separately with reference to individual figures for clarity, it is contemplated that features described or shown in connection with one illustrative example may be combined with features of other illustrative examples in different permutations and combinations. Such variations are intended to fall within the scope of the present teachings. The illustrative examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive unless clearly specified.

[0262] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 includes an upper housing 37, mid-cover 49, and a lower housing 39. The upper housing 37 may rest atop the mid-cover 49 and / or lower housing 39. The upper housing 37 and / or mid-cover 49 may be static relative to the lower housing 39 and / or may be movable (e.g., vertically) relative to the lower housing 39. The housing 3 supports a user interface 5. The user interface 5 may include one or more buttons 33, one or more lights 34, and / or a screen 35. The user interface 5 may be located on an upper surface of the upper housing 37. The housing 3 also provides for a feeding area 7. The feeding area 7 may be formed in or by the upper housing 37, mid-cover 49, lower housing 39, or combination thereof. The feeding area 7 may be a surface and / or portion of the housing 3 at a lower height and toward a front of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding area 7 includes a display opening 9. The feeding area 7 includes a feeding mat 8. The feeding mat 8 may surround the display opening 9 and / or further define the display opening 9. Presentable within and / or below the display opening 9 is a food container 100 (not shown). The feeding assembly 1 may include a camera system 67. The camera system 67 may be integrated into a front of the feeding assembly 1, above the feeding area 7. or both. The camera system 67 may be affixed to the upper housing 37.

[0263] The feeding assembly 1 includes a container storage subassembly 200. The container storage subassembly 200 may be removably affixed to the housing 3 and / or a component within the housing 3 (e.g., toolhead 18. not shown). The container storage subassembly 200 may be removably affixed to the upper housing 37 and / or a component within the upper housing 37. The container storage subassembly 200 may be removably affixed at a rear of the upper housing 37, rear of the mid-cover 49, opposite a feeding area 7, and / or any side of the upper housing 37.

[0264] The lower housing 39 may include a serving subassembly 800. The serving subassembly 800 may be located within an interior of the lower housing 39. The serving subassembly 800 may function to move and display a food container 100 (not shown) in the display opening 9.

[0265] The feeding assembly 1 may include a weighing subassembly 900. The weighing subassembly 900 may be located below or within the lower housing 39. The weighing subassembly 900 may function to weigh one or more portions of the feeding assembly 1. The weighing subassembly 900 may function to weigh one or more portions of a serving subassembly 800.

[0266] FIG. 6 illustrates a food container 100. The food container 100 is in a closed configuration C. The food container 100 includes a body 102. The body 102 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The body 102Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOis sealed by both a bottom lid 104 and a top lid 106. The top lid 106 includes a pull tab 108. The container 100 may have a flange 114. The flange 114 may define a rim 110. The top lid 106 is sealed to the body 102 via a seam 112. The seam 112 may be a double seam.

[0267] FIG. 6 also illustrates as an example where a cut 116 may occur according to the present teachings to allow for automated removal of the top lid 106. As can be seen, the cut 116 is on a side of the container 100. The cut 116 may occur at the seam 112 through the flange 114. The cut 116 location prevents a blade of a container opening subassembly coming into contact with the interior of the container and food stored therein. The cut 116 leaves the top lid 106 substantially intact. The cut 116 leaves at least a portion of the flange substantially intact such that the top lid 1 6 can be reseated or nested onto the body 102.

[0268] FIG. 7 illustrates how a food container 100 is typically manually opened via the pull tab 108. A user lifts the pull tab 108 to pull the top lid 106 away from the body 102. The food container 100 once unsealed is in an open configuration O. In the manual removal process, the top lid 106 is typically removed just within an interior periphery of the container.

[0269] FIG. 8 illustrates the food container 100 in the open configuration O. The feeding assembly 1 of the present teachings may be advantageous by cutting the top lid 106 away from the body 102.

[0270] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a portion of the housing 3. The portion of the housing 3 is an upper housing 37 and mid-covcr 49. The upper housing 37 may be statically or removably affixed to a toolhead 18. The upper housing 37 may function to house one or more toolheads 18 (not shown), one or more container storage subassemblies 200 (not shown), container handling subassemblies 400 (not shown), container opening subassemblies 500 (not shown), lid removal subassemblies 600 (not shown), and / or food removal subassemblies 700 (not shown).

[0271] The upper housing 37 may include a hopper compartment 43. The hopper compartment 43 may be formed in the upper housing 37, the toolhead 18, or both. The hopper compartment 43 functions to removably house a container storage subassembly 200 (not shown) therein. The hopper compartment 43 may be substantially reciprocal in shape to an exterior of the container storage subassembly 200 (not shown). The hopper compartment 43 may include one or more guide rails 45. One or more guide rails 45 may project into the hopper compartment 43. The one or more guide rails 45 may extend vertically along at least part of a length (e.g., height) of one or more interior side walls of the hopper compartment 43. The one or more guide rails 45 may be received within one or more guide channels 214 (not shown) of a container storage subassembly 200 (not shown). A latch cavity 47 may be formed in one or more interior side walls of the hopper compartment 43. The latch cavity 47 may receive a retention latch 210 (not shown). The retention latch 210 (not shown) when seated within the latch cavity 47 may function to retain the container storage subassembly 200 (not shown) affixed within the hopper compartment 43.

[0272] The upper housing 37 may include one or more handles 1 or latches. The handles 81 or latches may assist in releasing the upper housing from the lower housing or mid-cover 49. The upper housing 37 may be affixed to a toolhead 18 such that removal of the upper housing 37 also results in lifting of the toolhead 18 from the lower housing and / or mid -cover 49. This may provide access for cleaning the midcover 49 surface covered by the toolhead and / or upper housing 37.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0273] FIG. 12 illustrates a camera system 67. The camera system 67 is mounted between the toolhead 18 and a front of the upper housing 37.

[0274] The housing 3 includes a mid-cover 49. The mid-cover 49 may function as a cover which rests atop the lower housing 39 (not shown). The mid-cover 49 may include the feeding area 7. The feeding area 7 may be formed as a surface of the mid-cover 49 projecting generally perpendicular to the upper housing 37. The feeding area 7 may extend toward a front of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding area 7 may have the display opening 9 formed therein. The mid-cover 49 may include a depression 11 formed in the feeding area 7. The display opening 9 may be formed in the depression 11. A feeding mat 8 may rest within the depression 11. The feeding mat 8 may also include a display opening 9 formed therein. The id-cover 49 may include a portion (e.g., surface) located below the upper housing 37. The mid-cover 49 may include a dispense opening 51. A dispense opening 51 may allow for food from a food container 100 (not shown) to be removed from the container 100, pass therethrough, and be located into a serving receptacle 802 (not shown). The dispense opening 51 may be aligned with a lid removal subassembly 600 (not shown), a position of the container handling subassembly 400 (not shown), a food removal subassembly 700 (not shown), or any combination thereof.

[0275] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a container storage subassembly 200. The container storage subassembly 200 may also function as the w aste collection subassembly 300. The container storage subassembly 200 may include one or more hoppers 202. Each hopper 202 may be in the form of a column. A pair of hoppers 202 may be located adjacent to one another and share an overall same housing.

[0276] The hoppers 202 may include an unused hopper 203a and a used hopper 203b. The unused hopper 203a may function to store one or more (e.g., plurality) of unused containers 101a therein. The used hopper 203b may function to store one ormore (e.g., plurality) of used containers 101b therein. The containers 100 may be stacked within their respective hopper 202.

[0277] Each hopper 202 is defined by a hollow interior 204. The bottom of the unused hopper 203a may define an outlet 206. The outlet 206 of the unused hopper 203a may also function as an inlet 205. The bottom of the used hopper 203b may define an inlet 205. The inlet 205 may also function as an outlet 206. The top of each hopper 202 may also function as an inlet 205 and / or outlet 206. At or adjacent to the inlet 205 and / or outlet 206 there may be one or more retaining mechanisms 216. Either or both hoppers 200 may include a sleeve insert 207. The sleeve insert 207 is located within the hollow interior 204 of the used hopper 203b. The container storage subassembly 200 includes one or more guide channels 214. The guide channel(s) 214 are formed along a height of the container storage subassembly 200. The container storage subassembly 200 may include a retention latch 210. The retention latch 210 is formed at a front. The container storage subassembly 200 may include a release latch 211.

[0278] Located below' the container storage subassembly 200 is a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 is shown in two positions, the loading position LP and the waste position WP. In the loading position LP, the container handling subassembly 400 is aligned with an outlet 206 of die unused hopper 203a. In the waste position WP, the container handling subassembly 400 is aligned w ith an inlet 205 of the used hopper 203b.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0279] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate the retaining mechanism(s) 216 of the hoppers 202. The retaining mechanism 216 is located in proximity (e.g., adjacent) to the outlet and / or inlet 206, 205 of the hopper 202. The retaining mechanism 216 is configured to allow both entry and exit of a container via the inlet and / or outlet 205, 206. The retaining mechanism 216 may include one or more biasing members 218 projecting into the hollow interior 204 of the hopper 202. Each biasing member 218 may be configured to resist movement of a container 100 in one direction (e.g., support the container from dropping through inlet 205 and / or outlet 206) and allow for movement of the container 100 in another. The retaining mechanism 216 may be configured to support a bottom and / or rim of a container 100. The release latch 211 (not shown) may be in communication with the retaining mechanism 216, such as the one of the used hopper 203b. The release latch 211 may function to overcome a biasing force of the biasing member 218 to allow the container(s) 100 to be released. The release latch 211 may rotate and / or pivot one or more biasing members such that they retract away from the hollow ulterior 204 and release one or more containers 100.

[0280] FIGS. 18-22 illustrate a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 includes a cradle 402. The cradle 402 includes a deck 414 and a pair of retaining arms 416. The deck 414 may include or be covered by a shield 415.

[0281] Either or both retaining arms 416 may be movable relative to the other and / or to the deck 414. Actuation may be applied by one or more actuation mechanisms 424. Each retaining arm 416 may be affixed to or otherwise engaged with a translation member 418. Each translation member 418 may be configured to move a retaining arm 416. Each translation member 418 may be configured to move a retaining arm 416 toward and / or away from tire opposing retaining arm 416. Each translation member 418 may include one or more teeth 420 or otherwise be geared. Each translation member 418 may be engaged with a gear 422 (e.g., jaw gear). The teeth 420 and gear 422 may form or have a rack and pinion relationship. The translation members 418 and gear 422, or other mechanisms, may be referred to as an actuation mechanism 424. The actuation mechanism 424 may also provide for a grip force. The grip force may be the inward force applied by the retaining arms 416 to a food container 100 (not shown) resting within the cradle 402.

[0282] The actuation mechanism 424, retaining arms 416, deck 414, and / or shield 415 may be retained by a frame 426. The frame 426 may be part of the cradle 402. The frame 426 may include a frame channel 428. The actuation mechanism 424 may at least partially reside within the frame channel 428. The actuation mechanism 424 may include or be connected to a drive source 430. A drive source 430 may include a motor 432. The motor 432 may be affixed to an underside of the frame 426. The motor 432 may drive rotation of the gear 422. The frame 426 may be reinforced. An interior or a bottom of the frame 426 may include a reinforcement structure 440. The reinforcement structure 440 may include a plurality of ribs or similar.

[0283] The container handling subassembly 400 may be rotatable. The container handling subassembly 400 may be rotatable such that the cradle 402 may face upward or downward. The frame 426 may include a rotation opening 434. The rotation opening 434 may function to receive a rotation shaft 436 (not shown) or other rotating member.

[0284] FIGS. 23-25 illustrate a serving subassembly 800. The serving subassembly 800 is located within the housing 3. The serving subassembly 800 is located w ithin tire lower housing 39.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0285] The serving subassembly 800 includes a lid 804. One or more serving receptacles 802 may be located in or formed as part of a serving tray 806. The lid 804 may include a serving opening 808. The serving opening 808 exposes a serving receptacle 802. The lid 804 may include a track 810 about its perimeter. The track 810 may be driven by a rotation mechanism, such as a gear 812. The lid 804 may have an axis of rotation AR. The lid 804 may rotate about the axis of rotation AR. The lid 804 may include a handle 832. A handle 832 may include a pair of indentations or openings suitable for grasping (e.g., pinching, gripping) the lid 804 and lifting away from the serving tray 806.

[0286] As shown in FIG. 25, the serving subassembly 800 may include an opening cover 826. The opening cover 826 may extend from a side wall and / or base wall of the serving drawer 814, lower housing 39, or both. The opening cover 826 may be located such as to not overlap with the food opening 9, such as to not block access to food during feeding.

[0287] FIG. 26 illustrates a serving subassembly 800 with a lid 804 removed. A serving tray 806 is exposed. The serving tray 806 may be solid, perforated, or both. Perforations 830. if present, may be located at least on the bottoms of the serving receptacles 802 The serving tray 806 includes a plurality of serving receptacles 802. Each sewing receptacle 802 may be formed as a cavity or pocket. The sewing receptacles 802 are radially arranged within the sewing tray 806 (e.g., about the center, axis of rotation AR). For example, the sewing tray 806 may include serving receptacles 802 arranged in a linear fashion, plurality of arrays, zigzagged, or any combination thereof. A sewing container 828 may rest within each serving receptacle 802. A sewing container 828 may have an overall shape reciprocal with the shape of the serving receptacle 802.

[0288] The serving tray 806 may be independently driven from tire lid 804. The serving tray 806 includes a track 810. The track 810 includes a plurality of teeth. The track 810 is located about the perimeter of the serving tray 806. The track 810 is engaged with a rotation mechanism, such as a gear 812. The gear 812 which drives the serving tray 806 is separate from the gear 812 which drives the lid 804. The tw o gears are on opposing corners of the lower housing 39.

[0289] The sewing subassembly 800 includes a serving drawer 814. The sewing tray 806 and lid 804 rest on the sewing drawer 814. The serving tray 804 is removable from the sewing drawer 814. The serving tray 804 may include one or more handles 832. The handles 832 may include finger openings. The handle 832 may facilitate lifting away from the sewing drawer 814. The sewing tray 804 may include a pivot or rotation opening 834.

[0290] FIG. 1 illustrates a serving drawer 814 within a lower housing 39. The sewing drawer 814 is able to be slide in and out of the lower housing 39. The sew ing drawer 814 includes a drawer front 816 affixed to a drawer base 818. The drawer base 818 includes a tray cavity 820. The tray cavity 820 includes an outer lip 822. The tray cavity 820 includes a rotation hub 824. The rotation hub 824 may be received and / or be inserted within a portion of the sewing tray 806, lid 804, or both. The rotation hub 824 may be centered with an axis of rotation AR. The sewing drawer 814 may abut to and / or rest adjacent and / or in front of the one or more rotation mechanisms, such as the gears 812. The gears 812 may be affixed to the lower housing 39. Each gear 812 may be biased toward a corner, such as a rear corner, of the lower housing 39.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0291] FIGS. 28-30 illustrates a lower housing 39. The lower housing 39 houses or may function as a weighing subassembly 900. The weighing subassembly 900 includes a platform 904. The platform 904 is located above one or more weight sensors 902 and the bottom of the lower housing 39. The platform 904 is configured to have the serving drawer 814 resting thereon. The one or more weight sensors 902 are located betw een the platform 904 and the bottom of the lower housing 39. The weighing subassembly 900 includes one or more weight sensors 902. The weight sensor(s) 902 may include four weight sensors 902 arranged toward or at the corners or the lower housing 39.

[0292] A bottom 71 of the lower housing 39 defines the bottom surface of the feeding assembly 1. The bottom 71 may include one or more feet 73.

[0293] FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate a feeding assembly 1 with a portion of the upper housing 37 removed. The feeding assembly 1 includes a toolhead 1 . The toolhead 18 may function to house, support, and / or carry the container storage subassembly 200, the container handling subassembly 400, the container opening subassembly 500, the lid removal subassembly 600, and the food removal subassembly 700. The toolhead 18 may be static relative to the upper housing 37. Components move relative to the toolhead 18. The toolhead 1 may include a tower portion 77 adjacent to a mounting portion 79. The tower portion 77 may include a hopper cavity 43. The tower portion 77 may house (e.g., removably house) the container storage subassembly 200 therein. The toolhead 18 may support a chassis 474 of a container handling subassembly 400. The chassis 474 may be mounted to and extend between a mid-cover 49 and an upper surface of the mounting portion 79.

[0294] The toolhead 18 may include the user interface 5 affixed thereto. The user interface 5 may be affixed to the tower portion 77. The user interface 5 is located in front of a container storage subassembly 200 and / or hopper cavity 42.

[0295] FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrates perspective and top view7of a feeding assembly 1 with the upper housing 37 and toolhead 18 removed for better clarity.

[0296] The feeding assembly 1 includes a sensing device 21, such as an identification sensor (e g., barcode scanner. RFID scanner, QR code scanner). The sensing device 21 may scan data which may be compared against one or more food databases. The sensing device 21 may have a line of sight 65. The sensing device 21 is configured to be located in proximity to the container storage subassembly 200 (not shown). The sensing device 21 may be located adjacent to an outlet 206 (not shown) of the unused hopper 203a (not shown). The sensing device 21 may be configured to be in proximity to the container opening subassembly 500. The line of sight 65 may be located upon a container 100 at an outlet 106 at a loading position LP and / or within a container handing subassembly 400 at an opening or cutting position CP.

[0297] The feeding assembly 1 includes a container opening subassembly 500.

[0298] The feeding assembly 1 includes a lid removal subassembly 600. The container handling subassembly 400 is rotatable about an axis of rotation AR. The axis of rotation AR may be provided or defined by the master drive source 53. The container handling subassembly 400 is rotatable from the unused hopper 203a (not show n) to the container opening subassembly 500 and then to the lid removal subassembly 600. The feeding assembly 1 includes a food removal subassembly 700. Once a lid is removed from a foodFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOcontainer 100, the container handling subassembly 400 is rotated upside down. The food removal subassembly 700 applies vibration to the container handling subassembly 400. The vibration causes the food to exit the container 100, pass through a dispense opening 51. and into a serving receptacle 802 (not shown).

[0299] The toolhead 18 may include a drip tray 75. The drip tray 75 may be located below the container handling subassembly 400 and along its path of travel. The drip tray 75 may be removable to allow for easy cleaning.

[0300] FIGS. 35 and 36 provide for an alternative arrangement of components, such as within the toolhead 1 . In this instance, the lid removal subassembly 600 is located closer to the dispense opening 51 than to the container opening subassembly 500. In this view, a plurality of gripper arms 602 of the lid removal subassembly 600 are retaining a lid of a container 100 after removal.

[0301] FIG. 37 illustrates a close-up view of a container opening subassembly 500 and lid removal subassembly 600. The lid removal subassembly 600 includes a plurality of gripper arms 602. The gripper arms 602 are configured to open and close. The gripper arms 602 are supported by a gripper housing 608. The gripper arms 602 are alfixed to the gripper housing 608 via one or more joints 606. An actuation mechanism 610 may include a drive source, such as motor, and / or linear actuator, which drives opening and closing of the gripper arms 602. The gripper housing 608 and / or the actuation mechanism 610 or housing thereof may be the portion alfixed to the toolhead 18 (not shown).

[0302] FIGS. 38 through 40 illustrate a container opening subassembly 500.

[0303] The container opening subassembly 500 includes a mounting member 502.

[0304] The container opening subassembly 500 includes a blade 510. The blade 510 projects through an opening in a face of the mounting member 502. The blade 510 is a transverse angle relative to the vertical axis. The blade 510 is offset or tilted. The blade 510 is a circular blade 512. The blade 510 may be rotated or held static. Rotation may be caused by the container which it is cutting (e.g., container transfers torque) or rotated by one or more gears. The blade 510 may be rotatably mounted onto an axle 511.

[0305] Above the blade 510 is a drive wheel 514. The drive wheel 514 projects through an opening in a face of the mounting member 502. The drive wheel 514 is spaced from the blade 510. The drive wheel 514 is located above the blade 510. The drive wheel grips the exterior of the container, such as at the lid. The drive wheel 514 may have the ability to horizontally travel 516.

[0306] The drive wheel 514 is driven by one or more gears 506. The drive wheel 514 may be in rotational communication with a shaft 507. The shaft 507 may be rotated by a gear 506. For example, the shaft 507 may be rotationally affixed to a worm gear 522. The gear 506 may be driven by another gear 506. or even a shaft 507. For example, the worm gear 522 may be driven by a worm shaft 524.

[0307] FIG. 42 illustrates a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 includes a cradle 402. The cradle 402 retains a container 100. The cradle 402 is supported by a frame 426. The cradle 402 is affixed to a main arm 438 via a rotation arm 436. The main arm 438 extends from a support body 442. A support body 442 includes a bottom support 444, a plurality' of guide rails 446, and an upper support 448. The guide rails 446 extend between and comiect the bottom support 446 to the upperFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsupport 448. The support body 442 is housed within a chassis 450. The container handling subassembly 400 may include one or more alignment features 478, such as alignment pins for insertion into the housing 3and / or toolhead 18. The container handling subassembly 400 may include one or more electrical connectors 480, such as a magnetic connection. An electrical coimection 480 may allow for removal and insertion of container handling subassembly in the feeding assembly 1, such as for cleaning and maintenance. The container handling subassembly 400 may include a container bearing feature 482. The container bearing feature 482 may be configured to be movable into a hopper and retainer a container 100. such as before a restraint mechanism retains the container 100. For example, as a container handling subassembly 400 is retrieving an unused container 101a, the container bearing feature 482 may move into a hopper and underneath the subsequent unused container 101a to prevent it from dropping. The bearing feature 482 may retract once the cradle 402 removes the unused container 101a from the outlet and the subsequent container is able to drop onto the restrain mechanism.

[0308] FIG. 43 illustrates rotation of a support body 442. A first rotary actuator 452, 452a rotates the support body 442. The bottom support 444 is rotatably affixed to a base or bottom of the chassis 450. The upper support 448 is in rotational communication with a driven gear 454. The driven gear 454 is in rotational communication with the rotary' actuator 452. The rotary actuator 452 includes a drive unit 456. The drive unit 456 includes a drive source 458 (c.g., motor), drive shaft 460, and drive gear 462. The drive gear 462 drives rotation of a driven gear 454. As the top support 448 is in rotational communication with the driven gear 454, rotation of the driven gear 454 by the drive unit 456 results in rotation of the support body 442. Rotation of the support body 442 about its own rotational axis results in rotation of the main ami 438 and cradle 402 about the rotational axis of the support body 442. This rotational axis is considered the major rotational axis, first rotational axis, and / or vertical axis VA. Simply put, the cradle 402 is rotated about a vertical axis VA via rotation of the support body 442.

[0309] FIG. 44 illustrates rotation of a rotation arm 436. A second rotary actuator 452, 452b rotates the main ami 438 or a rotation arm 436 within and / or affixed to the main arm 438. A rotation arm 436 extends from the cradle 402 and / or frame 426 into the main arm 438, toward the support body 442. or both. The rotation arm 436 is in rotational communication with and / or includes a driven gear 454. The driven gear 454 is in rotational communication with the rotary actuator 452. The rotary actuator 452 includes a drive unit 456. The drive unit 456 includes a drive source 458 (e.g., motor), drive shaft 460. and drive gear 462. The drive gear 462 drives rotation of a driven gear 454. As the rotation arm 436 in rotational communication with the drive gear 454, rotation of the driven gear 454 by the drive unit 456 results in rotation of the rotation arm 436. As the rotation arm 436 is in rotational communication with the cradle 402, rotation of the rotation arm 436 results in rotation of the cradle 402. Rotation of the rotation arm 436 about its own rotational axis results in rotation of the cradle 402 about the rotational axis of the same rotation arm 436. This rotational axis is considered a minor rotational axis, a second rotational axis, and / or a horizontal rotational axis HA. Simply put, the cradle 402 is rotated about a horizontal axis HA via rotation of the rotation arm 436.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0310] FIG. 45 illustrates linear movement of a main arm 438. A rotary to linear actuator 464 provides for linear movement of the main arm 438. The rotary to linear actuator 464 includes a drive unit 456. The drive unit 456 includes a drive source 458 (e.g., motor). The drive source 458 provides for rotation of a lead screw 466. The lead screw 466 extends through the upper support 448 down and to or through the lower bottom support 444. The lead screw 466 is rotationally engaged with and reciprocal with interior threads 468 located in the main arm 438. The interior threads 468 may be part of a drive nut 470 inserted into the main arm 438. The main arm is anti-rotationally constrained relative to the lead screw 466 and / or support body 442 by one or more guide shafts 446. Rotation of the lead screw 466 along with the anti-rotation constraint by the one or more guide shafts 446 results in linear movement of the main arm 438 along the lead screw 466. The linear movement of the main arm 438 may be along a rotational axis and / or vertical axis VAof the lead screw 466. The linear movement of the main arm 438 results in linear movement of the rotation arm 436 and cradle 402.

[0311] As shown in FIG. 45. the main arm 438 may include a biasing device 472. The biasing device 472 may be located adjacent to the drive nut 468.

[0312] As shown in FIG. 45, there may be an electrical connection 476. The electrical comiection 476 may extend to the main arm 438. The electrical connection 476 may power a drive unit 456 in the main arm 438.

[0313] FIGS. 46 and 47 show opposing cross-sections of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 includes an upper housing 37 atop a mid-cover 49 which is atop a lower housing 39. The housing 3 forms an overall L-shape such as to provide for a feeding area 7. The feeding area 7 includes a display opening 9.

[0314] Underneath the feeding area 7 is a serving subassembly 800. The serving subassembly 800 is located below the mid-cover 49. The serving subassembly 800 is under the upper housing 37. The serving subassembly 800 includes the serving tray 806 covered by a lid 804. The serving tray 806 includes one or more serving receptacles 802. A serving receptacle is positioned under and aligned with the display opening 9. The serving tray 806 is located on a rotation hub 824. The serving tray 806 includes a rotation shaft 825. The rotation shaft 824 is seated in the rotation hub 824. The lid 804 includes a rotation shaft 825. The rotation shaft 825 of the lid 804 is seated in the rotation shaft 825 of the serving tray 806 and the rotation hub 824. The rotation hub 824 may be concentric with and / or define an axis of rotation AR of the serving tray 806 and / or lid 804. The serving tray 806 rests within and on a portion of a serving drawer 814. The serving drawer 814 is distanced from the mid-cover 49. There a clearance gap G between the serving drawer 814 and the mid-cover 49. There is a clearance gap G between the upper surface of the lid 804 and serving tray 806 to the mid-cover 49.

[0315] The feeding assembly 1 includes a weighing subassembly 900. The weighing subassembly 900 may be located below a serving subassembly 800, above, below, and / or within a lower housing 39, and / or above a support surface (e.g., ground, table, counter). The weighing subassembly 900 may include one or more weight sensors 902. The weighing subassembly 900 may include a platform 904. The one or more weight sensors 902 (not shown) may be located between the platform 904 and a bottom of a lower housing 39. The serving drawer 814 may be removably affixed to tire platform 904.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0316] Food is dispensed into a serving receptacle 802 from a food container 100. The food container 100 is retained by a container handling subassembly 400. The container 100 and container handling subassembly 400 may not be shown in an exact position which occurs during a feeding cycle, but shown for clarity in the cross-section view. The container handling subassembly 400 includes a cradle 402. The cradle 402 is affixed to a main arm 438. The main arm 438 is affixed to a support body 442. The container handling subassembly 400 may have multiple axes of rotation. One axis of rotation (e.g., vertical axis VA) of the container handling subassembly 400 (e.g.. support body 442, main arm 438) may be aligned, concentric, and / or offset from the axis of rotation AR of the serving subassembly 800. One axis of rotation (e.g., horizontal axis) of the container handling subassembly 400 (e.g., main arm 438, cradle 402) may be transverse and / or perpendicular to the axis of rotation AR of the serving subassembly 800.

[0317] Before removing a lid from the food container 100. the lid is separated (e.g., cut) from the body of the food container 100. The cutting is completed by a container opening subassembly 500.

[0318] A lid is removed from the food container 100 via a lid removal subassembly 600.

[0319] A food removal subassembly 700 applies vibration to the container handling subassembly 400.

[0320] The container opening subassembly 500, container handling subassembly 400 (or portions thereof), the lid removal subassembly 600, and the food removal subassembly 700 are all located in front of the container storage subassembly 200. These subassemblies arc affixed to the toolhead 18 and within the upper housing 37.

[0321] FIGS. 46-48 illustrate a detachment mechanism 57. The detachment mechanism 57 may allow for access to the lower housing 39. may allow access to a mid-cover 49, may allow for removal of the upper housing 37 and / or mid-cover 49 from the lower housing 39, ma allow for removal of the mid-cover from the upper housing 37, may provide full access into the interior of the lower housing 39, or a combination thereof. The detachment mechanism 57 may allow for an interior of the lower housing 39 and / or surface of the mid-support 49 to be accessible for a user to clean the interior. While the objective is to keep food maintained within the serving subassembly 800, it is foreseeable that with some foods, especially the less viscous foods (e.g., gravy-based versus pate) that there may be splashing from dispensing into the serving receptacle 802 or rotation of the serving tray 806. Thus, allowing clear access to a majority of the interior of the lower base 39 may provide an easy means of keeping the interior clean. The detachment mechanism 57 may include one or more tabs (e.g., snap tabs, friction fit), fasteners (e.g., screws), hinges, latches, the like, or a combination thereof. The detachment mechanism 57 may include a hinge 59. The hinge 59 may be formed by a rod 61 and one or more retaining holes 63. The hinge 59 may be formed at a rear, side, and / or front of the housing 3. The hinge 59 may be formed at a rear between the upper housing 37 and the lower housing 39. The upper housing 37 may include one or more retaining holes 63 (e.g., a single retaining hole) aligned with one or more retaining holes 63 (e g., two retaining holes) of the lower housing 39 to form a passageway. Arod 61 may extend through the retaining holes 63. A detachment mechanism 57 as a latch 58 mechanism is shown in FIG. 28. The latch 58 may retain the mid-support 49 to tire bottom housing 39. The latch 58 may be included in the bottom housing 39, such as along or on the side walls. The latch 58 may be released to allow for releasing of the mid-support 49.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0322] Also shown is a camera system 67. The camera system 67 is affixed to the upper housing 37 but may also be affixed to the toolhead 18. The camera system 67 has a line of sight over the feeding area 7.

[0323] FIG. 49 illustrates a feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 may include a bottom housing 39, mid-cover 49, and upper housing 37. The housing 3 supports a user interface 5. The housing 3 also provides for a feeding area 7. The feeding area 7 includes a display opening 9. Located around the display opening 9 is a feeding mat 8. Located below the display opening 9 is a food container 100.

[0324] FIG. 50 illustrates a feeding assembly 1. A portion of a housing 3 is removed. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container storage subassembly 200. The container storage subassembly 200 is removably affixed to the housing 3.

[0325] The housing 3 may house a toolhead 18. The toolhead 18 may be seated within the upper housing 43 and form the hopper compartment 43. The toolhead 18 may be statically affixed to the upper housing 43 or moveable within the upper housing 43. Vertical movement (e.g., linear translation) of the toolhead 18 may result in vertical movement (e.g., linear translation) of the upper housing 43 as a whole or it may move vertically within the upper housing 43.

[0326] The feeding assembly 1 includes a lower housing 39. The lower housing 39 may function as part of a waste collection subassembly 300 or be separate therefrom. Supported on the lower housing 39 is a container handling subassembly 400. Located above the container handling subassembly 400 is a container opening subassembly 500. Also located above the container handling subassembly 400 is a lid removal subassembly 600. The container opening subassembly 500 and lid removal subassembly 600 are supported by a mounting portion 79. The mounting portion 79 is configured to be raised and lowered relative to the lower housing 39 and / or container handling subassembly 400. For example, a drive shaft 15 may rotate and be converted to linear motion. The mid-support 19 may linearly travel along one or more guide shafts 17. This linear movement may allow for a container opening subassembly 500 and / or lid removal subassembly 600 to be moved away from a path of travel (e.g.. provide clearance) of the container handling subassembly 400.

[0327] FIG. 51 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the feeding assembly 1. The feeding assembly 1 may include a housing 3, container storage subassembly 200, waste subassembly 300, container handling subassembly 400. container opening subassembly 500, lid removal subassembly 600, food removal subassembly 700, serving subassembly 800, weighing subassembly 900, control system, the like, or a combination thereof. One or more subassemblies may be the same or dilferent as one or more other subassemblies. For example, a container storage subassembly 200 may also be a waste subassembly 300.

[0328] FIGS. 52-55 illustrate exemplary arrangements of the subassemblies within the feeding assembly 1 and travel paths of the container handling subassembly 400.

[0329] FIG. 52 illustrates the feeding assembly 1 in which the container 100 is presented for consuming directly therefrom. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 supports a container storage subassembly 200. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis AR. The container handlingFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOsubassembly 400 may rotate to a loading position LP and retrieve a container 100 from the container handling subassembly 200. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a cutting position CP at the container opening subassembly 500. At tire cutting position CP, the container opening subassembly may cut and separate the lid from the base of the container. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to an opening position OP at lid removal subassembly 600. The lid removal subassembly 600 may then remove and retain the lid from the base of the container. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to a feeding position FP. In the feeding position FP. the container 100 may be aligned with a display opening 9 and accessible for an animal to consume therefrom. Once the container 100 is rotated away from the lid removal subassembly 600, the lid may be dropped into a waste subassembly 300. The waste subassembly 300 may be located in a base of the housing 3. Once the animal is finished eating from the container 100, the container 100 may be manually removed or disposed into the waste subassembly 300.

[0330] FIG. 53 illustrates the feeding assembly 1 in which food from the container 100 is transferred into a serving receptacle for consumption by the animal. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 supports a container storage subassembly 200. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis AR. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a loading position LP and retrieve a container 100 from the container handling subassembly 200. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a cutting position CP at the container opening subassembly 500. At the cutting position CP, the container opening subassembly 500 may cut and separate the lid from the base of the container 100. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to an opening position OP at lid removal subassembly 600. The lid removal subassembly 600 may then remove and retain the lid from the base of the container 100. The opening position OP may be the same as the dispensing position DP. A dispense opening 51 may be located generally below the lid removal subassembly 600. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate about a different axis. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate the container to face downward. Food from the container 100 may fall through the dispense opening 51 and onto a serving subassembly 800. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate the container 100 to face upward. The lid may be placed back onto the base of the container. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to the waste position WP. The container handling subassembly 400 may then insert the container (e.g., both container base and lid) into the waste subassembly 300. The serving subassembly 800 may rotate the serving receptacle such that the food is rotated from the dispensing position DP to a feeding position FP. The food is rotated such that a serving receptacle is aligned with a display opening 9 and accessible by an animal for consumption therefrom. Once the animal is finished eating, the serving subassembly 800 rotates the serving receptacle away from the feeding position FP.

[0331] FIG. 54 illustrates the feeding assembly 1 in which food from the container 100 is transferred into a serving receptacle for consumption by the animal. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 supports a container storage subassembly 200. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 is configured to rotate about aFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOrotational axis AR. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a loading position LP and retrieve a container 100 from the container handling subassembly 200. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a cutting position CP at the container opening subassembly 500. At the cutting position CP, the container opening subassembly 500 may cut and separate the lid from the base of the container 100. The lid removal subassembly 600 may be in a similar footprint as the container opening subassembly 500. In other words, the opening position OP may be the same as the cutting position CP. Thus, the container handling subassembly 400 may not need to rotate to the lid removal subassembly 600 after the cutting. The lid removal subassembly 600 may then remove and retain the lid from the base of the container 100. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to a dispensing position DP at the dispense opening 51. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate about a different axis. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate the container to face downward. Food from the container 100 may fall through the dispense opening 51 and onto a serving subassembly 800. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate the container 100 to face upward. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate back to the opening position OP and the lid removal subassembly 600 to retrieve the previously removed lid. The lid may be placed back onto the base of the container. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to the waste position WP. The container handling subassembly 400 may then insert the container (c.g., both container base and lid) into the waste subassembly 300. The serving subassembly 800 may rotate the serving receptacle such that the food is rotated from the dispensing position DP to a feeding position FP. The food is rotated such that a serving receptacle is aligned with a display opening 9 and accessible by an animal for consumption therefrom. Once the animal is finished eating, the serving subassembly 800 rotates the serving receptacle away from the feeding position FP.

[0332] FIG. 55 illustrates the feeding assembly 1 in which food from the container 100 is transferred into a serving receptacle for consumption by the animal. The feeding assembly 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 supports a container storage subassembly 200. The feeding assembly 1 includes a container handling subassembly 400. The container handling subassembly 400 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis AR. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a loading position LP and retrieve a container 100 from the container handling subassembly 200. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate to a cutting position CP at the container opening subassembly 500. At the cutting position CP, the container opening subassembly 500 may cut and separate the lid from the base of the container 100. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to an opening position OP. The lid removal subassembly 600 may then remove and retain the lid from the base of the container 100. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate to a dispensing position DP at the dispense opening 51. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate about a different axis. The container handling subassembly 400 may rotate the container to face downward. Food from the container 100 may fall through the dispense opening 51 and onto a serving subassembly 800. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate the container 100 to face upward. The container handling subassembly 400 may then rotate back to the opening position OP and the lid removal subassembly 600 to retrieve the previously removed lid. The lid may be placed back onto the base of the container. The container handling subassembly 400 mayFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOthen rotate to the waste position WP. The container handling subassembly 400 may then insert the container (e.g., both container base and lid) into the waste subassembly 300. The serving subassembly 800 may rotate the serving receptacle such that the food is rotated from the dispensing position DP to a feeding position FP The food is rotated such that a serving receptacle is aligned with a display opening 9 and accessible by an animal for consumption therefrom. Once the animal is finished eating, the serving subassembly 800 rotates the serving receptacle away from the feeding position FP.

[0333] Unless otherwise stated, any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component, a property, or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is. for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that intermediate range values such as (for example, 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc.) are within the teachings of this specification. Likewise, individual intermediate values are also within the present teachings. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in Uris application in a similar maimer.

[0334] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about’’ or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

[0335] The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / -10° or less, about + / - 5° or less, or even about + / - 1° or less. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe angular measurements may mean about + / - 0.01° or greater, about + / - 0.1° or greater, or even about + / - 0.5° or greater. The terms “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / - 10% or less, about + / - 5% or less, or even about + / - 1% or less. The tenns “generally” or “substantially” to describe linear measurements, percentages, or ratios may mean about + / -0.01% or greater, about + / - 0.1% or greater, or even about + / - 0.5% or greater.

[0336] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of’ to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of, or even consist of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WO

[0337] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be detennined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:Claim 1. A feeding assembly comprising:a) a container storage subassembly configured to retain a plurality of containers of a food in canned form and having an outlet;b) a container handling subassembly configured to retrieve and / or receive a container at a loading position at the outlet of the container storage subassembly and move the container to a cutting position in proximity to a container opening subassembly; andc) a container opening subassembly configmed to separate a lid of the container from a body of the container while avoiding contact with the food stored within the container.Claim 2. The feeding assembly of Claim 1, wherein the feeding assembly is automatic.Claim 3. The feeding assembly of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the container opening subassembly is configured to cut an exterior of the body of the container, at a scam of the container, below a lid of the container, above a lid of die container, below a rim of the container, at a flange of the container, below a flange of the container, or any combination thereof.Claim 4. The feeding assembly of Claim 3, wherein the container opening subassembly is configured to cut at the seam of the container, at the flange of the container, or both.Claim 5. The feeding assembly of Claim 4, wherein the container opening subassembly is configured to cut dirough the seam, wherein the seam is formed by the lid and the body of the container.Claim 6. The feeding assembly of Claim 5. wherein the container opening subassembly is configured to cut through the seam such that the lid remains substantially intact.Claim 7. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container opening subassembly includes one or more separation elements, drive wheels, drive units, mounting members, biasing devices, aligning features, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 8. The feeding assembly of Claim 7, wherein the one or more separation elements includes a blade, cutter, wheel, wedge, unrolling element, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 9. The feeding assembly of Claim 8, wherein the one or more separation elements includes the blade.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 10. The feeding assembly of Claims 8 and 9, wherein blade is configmed to pierce a surface of the container, cut the container, pierce into a seam of the container, cut through the seam of the container, wedge into the seam of the container, unroll the seam, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 11. The feeding assembly of Claim 10, wherein the blade is configured to pierce into the seam and cut through the seam of the container to cut away the lid from the body of the container.Claim 12. The feeding assembly of Claim 11. wherein the blade is a circular blade.Claim 13. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the blade is configured to cut vertically, horizontally, at an angle therebetween, or a combination thereof.Claim 14. The feeding assembly of Claim 13, wherein the blade is affixed to a mounting member such as to cut horizontally or offset; andwherein a rotational axis of the blade is offset and / or parallel to a vertical axis of the container, the container opening subassembly, and / or the feeding assembly.Claim 15. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the container opening subassembly includes a blade;wherein the blade is a circular blade;wherein the blade is affixed to a mounting member such as to cut horizontally or offset; wherein a rotational axis of the blade is parallel to and / or offset from a vertical axis of the container, the container opening subassembly, and / or the feeding assembly; andwherein the blade is configured to pierce into and cut through the seam of the container formed between the lid and body to cut away the lid from the body of the container while the lid remains substantially intact.Claim 16. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 7 to 15, wherein the container opening subassembly includes the drive wheel, and wherein rotation of the drive wheel drives rotation of the container.Claim 17. The feeding assembly of Claim 16. wherein a container handling subassembly is configured to allow the container to rotate therein while supporting the container at the container opening subassembly.Claim 18. The feeding assembly of Claim 16 or 17, wherein a blade is substantially perpendicular, parallel, or otherwise offset relative to the drive wheel.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 19. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein the drive wheel is driven via a shaft in rotational communication with a drive unit.Claim 20. The feeding assembly of Claim 19, wherein the drive unit includes one or more gears, shafts, and / or drive sources (e.g., motors).Claim 21. The feeding assembly of Claim 20. wherein the drive unit is affixed to a mounting member of the container opening subassembly, a toolhead of the feeding assembly, and / or a housing of the feeding assembly.Claim 22. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the drive wheel is configured to have lateral movement to self-align (e.g., lateral play).Claim 23. The feeding assembly of Claim 21, wherein the container opening subassembly includes one or more biasing devices (e.g., springs) between the drive wheel and a drive unit.Claim 24. The feeding assembly of Claim 23, wherein the one or more biasing devices include one or more washer springs.Claim 25. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the drive wheel is a spring-based floating drive wheel, slotted or eccentric wheel mount, or both.Claim 26. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 16 to 25, wherein a rotational axis of the drive wheel is transverse to a rotational axis of the blade.Claim 27. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 16 to 26, wherein a blade is laterally distanced from the drive wheel to provide clearance for a rim of a food container to fit therebetween.Claim 28. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 7 to 27, wherein the one or more separation elements, drive wheels, drive units, mounting members, alignment features, and / or the like are affixed to and / or housed by a mounting member of the container opening subassembly.Claim 29. The feeding assembly of Claim 28. wherein the mounting member is affixed to a toolhead within the housing of the feeding assembly.Claim 30. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein die container handling subassembly is configured to engage a single container for cutting, opening, lid removal, food dispensing, having food presented directly therefrom, disposing, or any combination thereof.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 31. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to move a cradle to one or more positions within the feeding assembly;wherein the one or more positions include a loading position, cutting position, opening position, dispensing position, feeding position, waste position, tire like, or a combination thereof.Claim 32. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container handling subassembly includes a cradle configured to retain the container therein.Claim 33. The feeding assembly of Claim 32. wherein the cradle includes a container receptacle having a shape substantially reciprocal with an outer shape of the container.Claim 34. The feeding assembly of Claim 32 or 33, wherein the cradle includes one or more retaining arms configured to grip an exterior of the container (e.g., body, peripheral wall).Claim 35. The feeding assembly of Claim 34, wherein the one or more retaining arms include a pair of retaining arms opposing one another or three or more retaining arms which arc configured to come together.Claim 36. The feeding assembly of Claim 35, wherein the one or more retaining arms includes the pair of retaining anus.Claim 37. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 34 to 36, wherein the pair of retaining arms have an inward facing profile substantially reciprocal with at least a portion of the exterior of the food container.Claim 38. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 34 to 37, wherein the one or more retaining arms may be movable, static, or both.Claim 39. The feeding assembly of Claim 38, wherein the one or more retaining anns includes a pair of retaining arms and at least one or both retaining arms is moveable toward and away from an opposing retaining arm.Claim 40. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 34 to 39, wherein the container handling subassembly includes an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more retaining arms in the cradle.Claim 41. The feeding assembly of Claim 40, wherein the movement is linear, rotational, or both.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 42. The feeding assembly of Claim 40 to 41, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a linear actuation mechanism, a rotary to linear actuation mechanism, a biasing device, or a combination thereof.Claim 43. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 40 to 42, wherein the actuation mechanism is a geared actuation mechanism.Claim 44. The feeding assembly of Claim 43. wherein the actuation mechanism is a rack and pinion configuration.Claim 45. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 40 to 44, wherein each retaining arm is affixed to a translation member.Claim 46. The feeding assembly of Claim 45, wherein the translation member includes a linear gear portion engaged with a circular gear; andwherein rotation of the circular gear causes linear movement of the translation member which then results in linear movement of the associated retaining arm.Claim 47. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 40 to 46, wherein the container handling subassembly includes a drive source for driving the actuation mechanism; andwherein the drive source is located on an underside of a frame of the cradle.Claim 48. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 32 to 47, wherein tire cradle includes a frame which houses and / or supports the one or more retaining arms, deck, translation members, gears, drive sources, shield, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 49. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 32 to 48, wherein a deck is located above an actuation mechanism of the cradle to provide for a substantially flat surface for the container to rest upon while avoiding interference with the actuation mechanism.Claim 50. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to move a cradle linearly along one or more axes, rotate about one or more axes, or both.Claim 51. The feeding assembly of Claim 50, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to rotate about both one or more vertical axes and one or more horizontal axes.Claim 52. The feeding assembly of Claim 50 or 51, wherein the cradle is configured to rotate about a rotation shaft, a main arm, a support body, a horizontal axis, and / or a vertical axis; move linearly along aFiled at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOvertical axis, horizontal axis, or offset axis; or a combination thereof to move between one or more positions within the feeding assembly.Claim 53. The feeding assembly of Claim 52. wherein the cradle is configmed to be raised up and down (e.g., linear or rotational, rotational about a horizontal axis) such as to be closer or further from one or more tooling components, rotated about a horizontal axis such as to be rotated to face upward and face downward, rotated about a vertical axis such as rotate counter clockwise and / or clockwise, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 54. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 53, wherein the container handling subassembly includes and / or is driven by one or more drive units (e.g., drive source, shaft, gear).Claim 55. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 54, wherein the container handling subassembly includes a main arm;wherein the mam arm is affixed directly or indirectly to the cradle at one end; andwherein the mam arm is affixed directly or indirectly to a support body at an opposing end.Claim 56. The feeding assembly of Claim 55, wherein the container handling subassembly includes a rotation arm extending between the main arm and tire cradle and which is in rotational communication with the cradle.Claim 57. The feeding assembly of Claim 55 or 56, wherein the main arm includes a drive unit which drives rotation of the rotation arm.Claim 58. The feeding assembly of Claim 56 or 57, wherein the rotation arm rotates about a substantially horizontal axis such that the cradle is rotatable to face a container upward (e.g., upright) and downward (e.g., inverted).Claim 59. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 55 to 58. wherein the support body is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.Claim 60. The feeding assembly of Claim 59, wherein the support body is rotatably supported by a chassis of the container handling subassembly.Claim 61. The feeding assembly of Claim 59 or 60. wherein the container handling subassembly includes a drive unit configured to rotate the support body about the substantially vertical axis.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 62. The feeding assembly of Claim 61, wherein the support body rotates about the substantially vertical axis such that the main arm and the cradle are rotated about the substantially vertical axis.Claim 63. The feeding assembly of any of Claim 61 or 62. wherein the drive unit is affixed or mounted to a chassis which rotatably supports the support body.Claim 64. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 63, wherein the main arm coupled to the support body such as to have linear movement along the support body.Claim 65. The feeding assembly of Claim 64, wherein the container handling subassembly includes a drive unit configured to linearly translate the main arm along the substantially vertical axis.Claim 66. The feeding assembly of Claim 65, wherein the drive unit includes or is in communication with a threaded shaft (e.g., lead screw) and the main arm is in rotational communication with the threaded shaft.Claim 67. The feeding assembly of Claim 66, wherein rotation of the threaded shaft results in linear movement of the main arm along the threaded shaft.Claim 68. The feeding assembly of Claim 66 or 67, wherein the main arm includes an interior surface (e.g., interior threads) or drive nut configured to mate with the threaded shaft.Claim 69. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 68. wherein a main arm of the container handling subassembly includes one or more biasing devices configured to cooperate with a food removal subassembly.Claim 70. The feeding assembly of Claim 69, wherein the one or more biasing devices are located within the main arm, about the lead screw, adjacent to a drive nut, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 71. The feeding assembly of Claim 69 or 70, wherein the one or more biasing devices allow for the main arm to vibrate or shake upon application (e.g., direct or indirect) of a vibration force from the food removal subassembly.Claim 72. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 71, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to position the container at a cutting position adjacent to the container opening subassembly such a separation element is able to pierce and cut at a seam between a lid and a body of the container.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 73. The feeding assembly of Claim 72. wherein a pair of retaining anns apply a grip force sufficient to retain the container while allowing rotation of the container during cutting by the container opening subassembly.Claim 74. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 50 to 73, wherein the container handling subassembly includes:a) a chassis;b) a support body rotatably supported by the chassis;c) a lead screw;d) a main arm coupled to the support body and the lead screw; configured to rotate with the support body; and configured to be driven by lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw results in linear movement of the main support along the support body;e) a cradle affixed directly or indirectly via a rotation arm to the main arm opposite the support body;andf) one or more drive units;wherein the one or more drive units are operably connected to the support body such as to rotate the support body about a substantially vertical axis which also results in the main arm and the cradle rotating about the substantially vertical axis;wherein the one or more drive units are operably connected to the lead screw such as to rotate the lead screw about die substantially vertical axis which results in the main arm and die cradle moving linearly parallel to the substantially vertical axis; andwherein the one or more drive units are operably comiected to the rotation ann such as to rotate the rotation ann about a substantially horizontal axis which results in the cradle rotating about the substantially horizontal axis.Claim 75. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding assembly includes a food removal subassembly configured to facilitate and / or urge the food out of the container.Claim 76. The feeding assembly of Claim 75, wherein the food removal subassembly is configured to provide either directly or indirectly vibration of the container, rotation of the container, impulse of the container, heat applied to the container, pressure or squeezing of the container, puncturing of the container, poking or other direct force applied to the food stored in the container, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 77. The feeding assembly of Claims 75 to 76, wherein the food removal subassembly is configured to directly or indirectly vibrate the container to urge the food out of the container.Claim 78. The feeding assembly of Claim 77, wherein the vibration from the food removal subassembly is applied directly or indirectly to the container handling subassembly.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 79. The feeding assembly of Claim 78. wherein at least a portion of the food removal subassembly is configured to come into contact with a main arm of the container handling subassembly such that vibration from the food removal subassembly is applied to the main arm and transferred to the cradle and then to the container.Claim 80. The feeding assembly of Claim 78 or 79. wherein the food removal subassembly includes a vibration arm or body which is in contact with and / or affixed to the main arm.Claim 81. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 75 to 80. wherein the food removal subassembly includes a vibration source to create a vibration force which is transmitted to the container handling subassembly.Claim 82. The feeding assembly of Claim 81, wherein the vibration source provides one or more of the following:a) the vibration force with a frequency of about 30 hz to about 120 hz, about 40 hz to about 110 hz, about 45 hz to about 100 hz, about 50 hz to about 80 hz, about 60-70 hz (c.g., about 65 hz); and / or b) the vibration force with an amplitude (e.g., oscillation amplitude) of about 0.5 mm to about 8 mm.Claim 83. The feeding assembly of Claim 82, wherein the vibration source provides the frequency of about 50 hz to about 80 hz.Claim 84. The feeding assembly of Claim 82 or 83, wherein the vibration source provides the amplitude of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.Claim 85. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 73 to 84. wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to position the main arm in indirect or direct contact with the food removal subassembly and die cradle adjacent to and / or above a dispense opening of the feeding assembly such that the food removal subassembly is able to transmit a vibration force to the main arm and the vibration force is received by the cradle and the container.Claim 86. The feeding assembly of Claim 85, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to rotate the cradle above the dispense opening such that the container is inverted; and wherein a pair of retaining arms apply a grip force sufficient to retain the container while allowing inversion and vibration of the container.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 87. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding assembly includes a lid removal subassembly configured to remove a top lid. a bottom lid, or both from a container body once separated by the container opening subassembly.Claim 88. The feeding assembly of Claim 87, wherein the lid removal subassembly includes one or more gripper arms (e.g., plurality, pair, three or more).Claim 89. The feeding assembly of Claim 88, wherein a plurality of gripper arms are configured to expand and / or contract via a trigger, an actuation mechanism, a biasing mechanism, or any combination thereof.Claim 90. The feeding assembly of Claim 89, wherein the trigger is activated by compression, an actuation mechanism is activated by one or more actuators (e.g., drive units), and / or a biasing mechanism is activated by one or more biasing members.Claim 91. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 88 to 90, wherein the lid removal subassembly includes a gripper housing to which the one or more gripper arms arc movably affixed.Claim 92. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 88 to 91, wherein linear movement of at least part of an actuation mechanism results in rotational movement of the one or more gripper arms such diat they expand and / or contract.Claim 93. The feeding assembly of Claim 92, wherein the one or more gripper arms are rotationally affixed to a gripper housing.Claim 94. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 87 to 93, wherein the lid removal subassembly is located over a dispense opening, generally opposite a container opening subassembly, adjacent to or in close proximity to the container opening subassembly, between the dispense opening and the container opening subassembly, the like, or any combination thereof.Claim 95. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 87 to 94, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to position the cradle at an opening position such that the container, with the lid separated from the body, is aligned with the lid removal subassembly.Claim 96. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 95. wherein when the cradle is at the opening position, the lid removal subassembly is configured to lift the lid away from the body and / or the container handling subassembly is configured to have the body lowered away from the lid.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 97. The feeding assembly of Claim 95 or 96, wherein the lid removal subassembly is configured to retain the lid until the container handling subassembly moves the container back to an upright position and under the lid; and / orwherein the lid removal subassembly released the lid into a waste subassembly after removal.Claim 98. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 87 to 97, wherein the lid removal subassembly is mounted to a toolhead of the feeding assembly.Claim 99. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 87 to 98, wherein one or more gripper arms are configured to grip an edge, top surface, bottom surface, or a combination thereof of the lid.Claim 100. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly includes one or more hoppers with a hollow interior having an outlet, inlet, or both, wherein the hollow interior provides a storage area for the plurality of containers.Claim 101. The feeding assembly of Claim 100, wherein the one or more hoppers include a single hopper or a plurality of hoppers.Claim 102. The feeding assembly of Claim 100 or 101, wherein the one or more hoppers includes an unused hopper configured to retain a plurality of containers which are unused.Claim 103. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 100 to 102, wherein the one or more hoppers includes a used hopper configured to retain a plurality of containers which are used.Claim 104. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 100 to 103, wherein the one or more hoppers are configured to retain the plurality of containers in an arrangement which is linear, curved, irregular, zigzagged, circular, helical, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 105. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 100 to 104, wherein the one or more hoppers are columnar and configured to store the plurality of containers therein in a linear stack.Claim 106. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly includes one or more retention mechanisms for preventing the plurality of containers from exiting the hopper via the outlet and / or an inlet.Claim 107. The feeding assembly of Claim 106, wherein the one or more retention mechanisms are located at or adjacent to the outlet and / or the inlet of each of the one or more hoppers.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 108. The feeding assembly of Claim 106 or 107. wherein the one or more retention mechanisms are configured to cooperate with a container handling subassembly such as to selectively release and / or receive a single food container.Claim 109. The feeding assembly of Claim 108, wherein the one or more retention mechanisms are retractable upon a force applied by the container handling subassembly (e.g., cradle), the container, or both.Claim 110. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 106 to 109. wherein the one or more retention mechanisms include a retention latch which is retractable away from the hollow interior, the outlet, and / or the inlet.Claim 111. The feeding assembly of Claim 110, wherein the retention latch is in communication with a plunger such that linear movement of the plunger results in retraction of the retention latch.Claim 112. The feeding assembly of Claim 110 or 111, wherein the retention latch is driven or includes one or more actuation mechanisms which may be linear, rotary, spring-based, the like, or a combination thereof.Claim 113. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly rests above a lower housing and / or mid-cover of the feeding assembly.Claim 114. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly is removably affixed to a toolhead, upper housing, or both.Claim 115. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly is located rearward of a feeding area, display opening, or both.Claim 116. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein a housing (e.g., upper housing), toolhead, or both include a hopper cavity configmed to receive the container storage subassembly and which includes one or more guide rails and / or guide channels fonned in one or more walls or surfaces which cooperate with one or more guide rails and / or guide channels formed on the exterior of the container storage subassembly.Claim 117. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container storage subassembly is also a waste collection subassembly or separate from the waste collection subassembly.Claim 118. The feeding assembly of Claim 117. wherein the waste collection subassembly is located in a bottom housing of the feeding assembly.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 119. The feeding assembly of Claim 117, wherein the waste collection subassembly is a used hopper of the container storage subassembly.Claim 120. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to move the cradle into a waste position to place a used container at an inlet of the container storage subassembly.Claim 121. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding assembly is configured to display the food in the container for consumption therefrom or transfer the food from the container into a serving tray.Claim 122. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding assembly includes a serving subassembly configured to retain and present food to an animal for consumption therefrom.Claim 123. The feeding assembly of Claim 122, wherein the serving subassembly includes a serving tray with one or more serving receptacles.Claim 124. The feeding assembly of Claim 123, wherein the one or more serving receptacles includes a plurality of serving receptacles.Claim 125. The feeding assembly of Claim 124, wherein the plurality of serving receptacles are arranged radially about a center of the serving tray.Claim 126. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 123 to 125. wherein the serving tray is rotatable.Claim 127. The feeding assembly of Claim 126. wherein the serving tray is rotated by a rotation shaft, a track and gear, or another rotation source.Claim 128. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 123 to 127, wherein the serving subassembly includes a lid located atop the serving tray and the lid includes a display opening, wherein the display opening is configured to align and display a single serving receptacle.Claim 129. The feeding assembly of Claim 128, wherein the lid is rotatable.Claim 130. The feeding assembly of Claim 129, wherein the lid is independently rotatable from the serving tray.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 131. The feeding assembly of Claim 129 or 130, wherein the lid is rotated by a rotation shaft, a track and gear, or another rotation source.Claim 132. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 123 to 130, wherein a serving tray, a lid, or both include a track about a perimeter and the track is integral with or affixed thereto and the track includes a plurality of teeth.Claim 133. The feeding assembly of Claim 132, wherein the track is mated with a gear to drive rotation of the serving tray and / or the lid.Claim 134. The feeding assembly of Claim 133, wherein the serving tray and the lid each have their own track engaged with its own independent gear.Claim 135. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 122 to 134, wherein the serving subassembly is located within a lower housing, below a mid-cover, below an upper housing, or a combination thereof.Claim 136. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 122 to 135, wherein the serving subassembly includes a serving drawer.Claim 137. The feeding assembly of Claim 136, wherein the serving drawer includes the serving tray and lid thereon and is able to be removed (e.g., slid out) from a lower housing to access the serving tray and the lid.Claim 138. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 122 to 137, wherein the container handling subassembly is configured to move a cradle with the container therein into a dispensing position over a serving receptacle of a serving tray and rotate the cradle such that the container is inverted over the serving receptacle.Claim 139. The feeding assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding assembly includes a weighing subassembly.Claim 140. The feeding assembly of Claim 139. wherein the weighing subassembly is configured to selectively weigh the feeding assembly as a whole, a serving subassembly, a serving tray, a serving receptacle, a container of food, the like, or any combination thereof.Claim 141. The feeding assembly of Claim 139 or 140, wherein the weighing subassembly includes one or more load cells.Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOClaim 142. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 139 to 141, wherein the weighing subassembly is located between a serving subassembly and a lower housing.Claim 143. The feeding assembly of any of Claims 139 to 142, wherein the serving subassembly is isolated from a remainder of the feeding assembly except for the weighing subassembly such that the weighing subassembly is configured to substantially only capture a weight of the serving subassembly.Claim 144. The feeding assembly of Claim 143, wherein the serving subassembly rests upon a platform of the weighing subassembly; andwherein one or more weight sensors are located between the platform and a bottom of a lower housing.Claim 145. A method of feeding an animal with a feeding assembly comprising any of the following steps in any order or combination:a) loading one or more unused containers into an unused hopper of a container storage subassembly; b) a retention mechanism restraining an unused container at the outlet of the unused hopper from exiting the unused hopper via the outlet;c) rotating a container handling subassembly to a loading position such that a cradle aligns with the outlet of the unused hopper;d) biasing or otherwise moving the retention mechanism such that the unused container transfers from the unused hopper onto the cradle while in the loading position;e) lowering the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle away from the unused hopper; f) rotating the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle to a cutting position such that the cradle is located at least partially underneath a container subassembly;g) raising the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle to the cutting position such that the unused container conies into contact with a blade and / or a spacer;h) piercing the lid and / or a body of the unused container by the blade;i) driving rotation of the blade such as to cut and rotate the unused container within the cradle, separate the lid from the body of the unused container, or both;j) lowering the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle from the cutting position; k) rotating the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle to a lid removal position such that the cradle and the unused container is located at least partially underneath a lid removal subassembly; l) raising the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle to the lid removal position such that the lid removal subassembly grips onto the lid of the unused container;m) lowering the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle away from the lid removal subassembly;Filed at USPTO.gov on January 29, 2026Docket No. 1570.104WOn) rotating the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle such that an open end of the unused container faces downward and is aligned with a dispense opening of a housing;o) applying vibration to the unused container such that food within the unused container is urged out; p) transferring the food from the unused container to a serving receptacle, the food may pass through a dispense opening of the housing;q) rotating the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle such that the open end of the unused container faces upward and the unused container is now considered a used container;r) raising the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle back up to the lid removal subassembly such as to urge the lid back onto the body of the used container;s) lowering the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle away from the lid removal subassembly;t) rotating the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle with tire used container to a waste position where the used container is aligned with an inlet of a used hopper of the container storage subassembly;u) raising the container handling subassembly and / or the cradle up toward the inlet and overcoming a retention mechanism at the inlet;v) inserting the used container (c.g., body and lid) into the used hopper;w) rotating a serving tray such that the serving receptacle with the food is aligned with a display opening in a feeding area;x) rotating the serving receptacle away from the display opening, rotating a lid to cover the serving receptacle, or both;y) weighing one or more portions of the feeding assembly by one or more weighing assemblies when one or more containers are added, food is added to a serving receptacle, an animal is consuming from the serving receptacle, after an animal has finished consumption, once a serving receptacle is no longer accessible, or any combination thereof; and / orz) determining an amount of food present, consumed, and / or remaining based on weight.Claim 146. The method of Claim 145, wherein each step is automated.Claim 147. The method of Claim 145 or 146, wherein one or more steps may occur simultaneously.Claim 148. The method of any of Claims 145 to 147, wherein the method uses the feeding assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 144.

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