Interchangeable Bird Feeder Dispensers with Protective Shells

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bird feeding and watering devices lack flexibility in providing both food and water sources, often prioritize one over the other, and fail to protect water from elements, leading to contamination and safety issues, particularly in limited spaces.

Innovation Solution

A dual-purpose bird feeding apparatus with interchangeable dispensers that can serve as either food or water sources, protected from the elements, and designed for efficient space use, featuring a hanger with two dispensers that include a bottle with threaded ends and basins for easy conversion between food and water dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a birdbath is used to provide water to birds, then water is made available for drinking and bathing, but the water is exposed to elements causing evaporation, freezing, and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater provision capabilityVSAvoidwater availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a protective covering or enclosure that shields the water from environmental elements. This covering prevents evaporation by sealing the water surface, protects against freezing by insulating the water, and prevents contamination by blocking access from birds and debris while still allowing birds to access the water through designed openings or mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary protective structure between the water and the external environment. This intermediary element mediates the interaction between birds and water, allowing beneficial access while blocking harmful exposures to elements and contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a birdbath is used to provide water to birds, then water is made available for drinking and bathing, but the open water invites contaminants, algae formation, and mosquito breeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater provision capabilityVSAvoidwater contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering acts as a barrier that prevents contaminants, algae, and mosquitoes from accessing the water while still allowing birds to drink and bathe through controlled openings. This shell-like structure maintains water quality by isolating it from harmful external factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of open water exposure into a benefit by using the protective covering to create a controlled environment. The same structure that prevents bird access also blocks contaminants, algae, and mosquitoes, turning a potential harm (restricted access) into a benefit (clean water).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate bird feeders and birdbaths are used, then both food and water are provided to birds, but space requirements increase and maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient provisionVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the bird feeder and birdbath into a single integrated structure. This merging of functions allows both food and water to be provided in one location, reducing the total space required compared to separate units while maintaining full functionality for both feeding and watering birds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a multi-functional device that serves both as a bird feeder and a birdbath. This universal structure can provide different nutrients (food and water) through different dispensing mechanisms within the same apparatus, eliminating the need for separate dedicated units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a bird feeder and birdbath are provided in limited spaces, then both food and water sources are available, but the complexity of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the integrated feeder-birdbath into distinct functional segments or modules. Each segment handles a specific function (food dispensing, water dispensing, protection) independently, allowing for simpler construction of each component while achieving complex overall functionality when assembled together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9462791B2Liquid reservoir and bird feeder incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 WOODSTREAM CORP

AI summary

A nutrient dispensing apparatus for birds having a hanger and two interchangeable dispensers supported by the hanger. Each dispenser includes a bottle for holding liquid or solid nutrients, and at least one basin into which the liquid or solid nutrients, water and bird feed, for example, are made available to the birds. The user can change the configuration of the dispensers as desired to provide just liquid nutrients, just solid nutrients or both. The flow rates for dispensing of the nutrients are different for each nutrient alternative.