Inverted Funnel Bird Feeder Feed Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tube-type bird feeders become inoperable as the feed level drops below certain openings, rendering upper portions unusable by birds due to the design of prior art embodiments, which do not effectively utilize all feed, especially with inverted, truncated funnel members that fail to deliver feed to openings efficiently.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating inverted, truncated funnel members within the tubular feeder body, and in some embodiments, V-shaped skirts in clear plastic feeders, to maintain a feed level above the main supply, ensuring birds can access feed at various vertical levels by directing feed to openings through conical and cylindrical configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inverted, truncated funnel members are positioned in the tubular member to maintain feed level, then birds can feed at multiple vertical levels, but the feed on the skirts is not effectively delivered to the feed openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding levelsVSAvoidfeed delivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The skirts are inverted relative to conventional funnels, with the wider portion at the bottom and the narrower portion at the top. This inversion allows feed to accumulate on the outwardly extending skirts and be directed downward toward the feed openings, effectively delivering feed that would otherwise remain trapped on the funnel surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The skirts extend outwardly from the funnel body in a radial direction, creating a three-dimensional feed distribution structure. This outward extension provides additional surface area for feed accumulation and creates multiple delivery paths toward the feed openings, improving feed accessibility from different angles and positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the feeder body is constructed of mesh material with feed openings, then birds can cling and feed, but the upper portions become inoperable as feed level drops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird accessVSAvoidusable feed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The feeder is divided into multiple vertical zones by positioning several inverted, truncated funnel members at different heights within the tubular member. Each funnel segment maintains a local feed reservoir that can be accessed by birds independently, allowing different portions of the feeder to remain operational at different feed levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel members are pre-positioned at specific vertical intervals to anticipate and maintain feed availability at multiple levels. As feed is consumed from the main supply, the pre-positioned funnels ensure that feed remains accessible at upper levels, preventing the feeder from becoming inoperable before the main supply is depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8985052B1Bird feeder

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 SWEET CORN PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A bird feeder of the tube-type having a vertically disposed hollow body portion formed of a clear plastic material. The body portion has a plurality of inverted, truncated funnel members or baffles positioned therein in a vertically spaced-apart relationship which maintain a certain amount of feed at that level even though the main feed supply has dropped below that funnel member or baffle. The baffles direct feed to feed openings formed in the body portion.