Bird Feeder Seed Port With Removable Small Seed Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bird feeders are difficult to clean and fill, and they often fail to adapt to different types of seeds, requiring separate feeders for large and small seeds, which compromises their design and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A bird feeder design featuring a wide mouth opening, a hanger assembly, and a basin assembly with an optional small seed converter that includes teeth to narrow the openings for dispensing small seeds, allowing for easy filling and cleaning while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional bird feeders use small or obstructed openings for receiving seed, then the feeder can maintain a compact design and aesthetic appearance, but it becomes significantly difficult to fill without spilling seed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the filling operation into two distinct phases: a wide-mouth filling phase using a separate funnel device, and a normal operation phase with the original small opening. This segmentation allows the feeder to maintain its compact aesthetic design while enabling easy filling by temporarily introducing a filling aid that segments the filling process from normal seed dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a funnel device as an intermediary tool that temporarily bridges the gap between the user's hand and the small seed opening. This intermediary device with its wide mouth and tapered structure facilitates easy seed filling without requiring the feeder's opening to be permanently enlarged, thus maintaining both aesthetic appearance and filling ease
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bird feeders are designed for large seed, then the structure can be simple and robust, but it cannot adapt to attract birds that eat small seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the feeder dynamically adaptable by allowing users to interchange basin assemblies with different seed converter configurations. The basin assembly can be removed and replaced based on seed type requirements, enabling the feeder to adapt between large seed and small seed operations. This dynamic reconfiguration capability provides versatility without requiring complex integrated adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal feeder system where a single base feeder structure can serve multiple functions by accepting different basin assemblies. The standardized engagement interface between the reservoir and various basin assemblies allows one feeder to universally accommodate both large seed and small seed configurations, eliminating the need for separate specialized feeders
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional bird feeders use narrow openings for small seed dispensing, then they can dispense small seeds effectively, but they become difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the seed dispensing function from the basin assembly by using removable basin assemblies with detachable seed converters. This segmentation allows the small opening seed converter to be easily removed for cleaning or replaced with a different converter, making maintenance simple despite the precision-engineered narrow openings required for small seed dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention facilitates easy cleaning by allowing users to remove and discard accumulated seed and debris from the basin assembly, then recover and reuse the cleaned components. The removable basin and seed converter design enables complete disassembly for thorough cleaning, addressing the cleaning difficulty inherent in precision seed dispensing openings
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses and methods for facilitating filling and cleaning of bird feeders that are aesthetically pleasing and adaptable for attracting different types of birds. In one implementation, a bird feeder includes a port having a surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has a connecting portion configured to connect to a reservoir. The surface has one or more openings defined therein. A small seed converter is insertable into the port, and the small seed converter includes a plurality of teeth extending from an edge. The plurality of teeth are configured to narrow the one or more openings for dispensing small sized seed.