Interconnected Seed Tray Structure for Smoother Bird Feeder Seed Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bird feeders suffer from poor seed flow from the seed container to the seed tray, often due to the connection point being positioned above the base of the seed tray, creating a bulge that impedes seed distribution.

Innovation Solution

A bird feeder design with a connection point positioned below the seed tray, a funnel with an inward-sloping inner wall and longitudinal dividers for optimal seed flow, and a funnel-shaped upper ring to guide seeds into the container, reducing seed loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the connection point is positioned above the base of the seed tray, then the structural support is improved, but the seed flow is impeded due to bulge creation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidseed flow

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection point is inverted from the conventional position above the base to a position below the base of the seed tray. This inversion eliminates the bulge that impedes seed flow while maintaining structural support through the interconnected design of the funnel and seed tray assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the funnel has inward-sloping inner walls, then the seed distribution is optimized, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel incorporates inward-sloping inner walls with curved surfaces that guide seeds efficiently toward the seed tray. The curved geometry optimizes seed distribution by utilizing gravitational flow along the sloped surfaces, while the continuous curvature simplifies manufacturing compared to complex angular transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If the connection point is below the base of the seed tray, then the seed flow is improved by eliminating the bulge, but the structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseed flowVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel and seed tray are merged into an interconnected assembly where the funnel is releasably secured to the seed tray at the connection point below the base. This merging creates a unified structure that eliminates the bulge and optimizes seed flow while maintaining structural stability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12622418B2Bird feeder having interconnected seed tray

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 COTE PAUL L

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a bird feeder having a seed container, seed tray, cover and funnel to direct seeds onto the seed tray. The seed tray and funnel and engaged about a connection point, the connection point positioned below the base of the seed tray to improve the seed flow.