Animal-actuated feeder
US6446574B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K5/025
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An animal-actuated feeder (20) has a treadle (26) to be tread upon by an animal (36) desirous of obtaining food, a food compartment (24), a cover (30) with closed and open positions (32, 34) denying and granting access to the compartment (24), and linkage (28) to open the cover (30) when the animal (36) treads upon the treadle (26). A damper (88) is coupled to the cover (30) and dampens transit between open and closed positions (32, 34). A dish (106) having a mating lid (108) coupled to the cover (30) promotes the retention of the food in a palatable condition. A plurality of moat assemblies (118) serve as legs for the feeder (20) and inhibit crawling arthropods from gaining access to the food. A control unit (154) and latch (152) control the opening of the cover (30) in response to a tag unit (162) worn by the animal (36) treading upon the treadle (26).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.