Aquatic animal feeding assembly
US5138978A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A40/81
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to an assembly for the automatic feeding of aquatic animals, particularly fish, in an aquarium. In use the assembly is disposed atop an aquarium or atop an aquarium hood with an opening congruous with a passage of a feed chute contained in the assembly. The end-user fills each compartment of a train, mounted on a steeply sloping ramp, with particulate or flake-type feed of his or her choosing. The train is restrained, from sliding down and dumping its contents through an aperture in the ramp, by a string connected to a float in a reservoir suspended in fluid communication above an evaporation tray. Liquid that evaporates from the tray is replaced with liquid from the reservoir, causing the float to descend. As the float descends, the attached train is allowed to advance under gravity's pull. Upper surface of the ramp forms a bottom for the train; hence, as the train advances over the aperture the feed falls freely through the aperture, down the chute and into the aquarium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.