Wall-Supported Animal Feeder Structure for Low-Spill Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional animal feeders often cause strain, movement, and food spillage during feeding due to their design, particularly affecting animals with physical characteristics or disabilities.

Innovation Solution

The design of the animal feeder includes a guided eating position, stability against vertical surfaces, and food retention features to minimize movement and spillage, using ergonomic shapes and protrusions to secure food in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional animal feeders are used, then animals can access food, but animals experience strain on body parts while eating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of eatingVSAvoidstrain on body parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feeder transitions from a conventional horizontal bowl to a vertical wall-mounted structure, changing the dimension of food access. Animals eat by pushing food forward along the vertical wall rather than reaching into a horizontal bowl, which eliminates strain on neck and body parts while maintaining food accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If conventional animal feeders are used, then food is provided to animals, but feeders move and spin during eating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to foodVSAvoidstability of feeder

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feeder is pre-configured with a vertical wall structure and food retention features before use. This preliminary design ensures that when animals push food during eating, the force is distributed along the vertical wall rather than causing the entire feeder to move or spin, maintaining stability during the eating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional animal feeders are used, then food is placed in the feeder, but food spills out during eating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood accessibilityVSAvoidfood spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical wall of the feeder incorporates specific local features such as textured surfaces or protrusions at strategic locations. These localized modifications create friction and physical barriers that prevent food from sliding off the front, while still allowing animals to access and push food forward easily, thus reducing spillage without compromising accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12507669B2Animal feeder

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 RATLIFF GARY

AI summary

An animal feeder may include a bottom having a curved edge and a straight edge opposite the curved edge; a front wall having a curved shape and a front height, the front wall directly connected to the curved edge; a rear wall having a flat shape and a rear height, the rear wall directly connected to the bottom, the rear height higher than the front height, the rear wall having an inside facing the front wall and an outside opposite the inside; a plurality of protrusions located on the inside of the rear wall; a first side wall connecting a first side of the front wall to a first side of the rear wall; and a second side wall connecting a second side of the front wall to a second side of the rear wall.