AU739741B2 - Automatic animal food dispenser - Google Patents

Description

PC1'/AUUU/UU'fOJ 1(6ceived 20 October 2000 AUTOMATIC ANIMAL FOOD DISPENSER This invention relates to a machine or device, the purpose of which is to reliably store ccwet"~ pet food (see Glossary) as well as "dry" (see Glossary) pet food, to be subsequently dispensed as required, therefore automatically feeding animals, referring to, but not exclusively to, the feeding of dogs and cats.

For many people who own pets, going away for a few days, or even having an engagement straight from work in the evening, presents a problem because their pet needs to be fed.

To organise neighbours or family, or to obtain the services of a kennel, is not always possible or practical.

Also, even when at home, the owner may find that to feed their animal(s) in the morning or evening, to be inconvenient, as these are typically the times of day when time is the most precious.

For some owners, they have a dog to protect their property from robbery. So it does not make sense to use a kennel when the owner is absent, being the time when the dog is needed most at home.

For some owners, to have their children fed the pet, can be a matter of some contention, and also it can result in some distasteful mess, that adds to the contention.

Therefore to have a pet fed automatically, with no mess, may be an attractive prospect.

It was found that the existing art for automatically feeding dogs and cats, may present na.a~~ ~lnrtn,,nrc-f +1m na -r -4t1er n-4+ 41' A lUaarr 4rmv Ar., Wil ~ll'Jl AJ1 L I. Lll~. V il ilA.~J dik Un Adl i a i Iy u J~l% granular food only, or automatically opening lid types (mechanical rotary timer) or rotary types using a rotary timer, which slowly expose a dish within a carousel, to the pet.

For example: in the case of gravity feed hopper types, the food is only of the dry variety, and as many owners feed their pets a diet based on "wet" food, this has the shortcoming of compromising the animal's normal diet and well being. A further shortcoming is, if an animal fills up on dry food alone, it must have a lot of water, which when taken may distend the animals stomach painfully and dangerously. There iZ" ~DED SKIELT iPEIJ1 J" ,t U vv -t Received 20 October 2000 2 exists prior art (US Patent 4733634, 5299529 and 4256054) that mixes water into the dry food to overcome this, however the food remains as that of the dry variety, compromising the animal's normal dietary intake, as mentioned.

For example, in the case of the types with slowly revolving carousels (such as Australian patent AU9664428), the devices have the shortcoming of not having a constant and reliable means of keeping wet food chilled. Also these devices have the shortcoming of not having a central food store, meaning that each feed has to be placed into the machine individually by the owner, so that it does not have any labour saving aspect. Further shortcomings are that the timers on such machines (if any) are coarse in their setting and operation (compared to digital timers). They are not flexible in choice for the owner in setting feed times, or duration between feeds. Also, other shortcomings are that they are placed on the ground, hence being subject to insect infestation, and these devices tend to be quite small, and so may not be appropriate for the use of larger animals, nor for extended reliance if the owner wishes to be absent for some duration.

For example: in the case of types with hinged lids (such as US Patents USD0312150 and US05483923, and Australian Patents Au7728925 and Au8538796), these devices have the shortcoming of not having a constant and reliable method of keeping the wet food chilled. Also, they have the shortcoming of not having a central food store, meaning that each feed has to be placed into the machine individually by the owner, so that it has no labour saving aspect. Further shortcomings are that the timers on such machines (if any) are coarse in their setting and operation (compared to digital timers). They are not flexible in choice for the owner in setting feed times, or duration between feeds. Also other shortcomings are that they are placed on the ground, hence being subject to insect infestation, and these devices tend to be quite small, and so may not be suitable for use by larger animals, nor for extended reliance if the owner wishes to be absent for some duration.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS INVENTION These problems are overcome by this invention, which will reliably store, chill and automatically dispense "wet" food. Also, it will be able to dispense dry food (biscuits), if desired. Pet food will be dispensed reliably from the storage sections of AMENDED SHEET iPEA/AU I It% uv\ Received 20 October 2000 the machine, which has to be loaded by the owner only once, therefore not having the requirement for each feed to be individually loaded by the owner for subsequent presentation of that food to the animal.

A primary objective of this invention is to provide an automatic pet feeder that will overcome the shortcomings of the existing art, as described. This invention will automatically dispense a pre-selected (but easily variable) volume of chilled wet pet food, according to the settings of a digital timer, as set by the owner. Similarly, dry food (biscuits) may be automatically dispensed. Thus an owner may possibly leave their pet for a number of days, in the knowledge that it will be fed as he wishes and not suffer the disadvantages of alternatives.

A secondary objective of this invention is that the food is loaded once as a unit, into the storage section(s), where it is kept cool to prevent putrefaction, for subsequent automatic apportioning by the machine, and finally dispensing from the machine, ideally straight into the animal's own feed bowl. This is labour saving for the owner, as once the machine is loaded, it may automatically feed an animal (depending upon the animal's size of appetite) for several days to a week (estimate).

A third objective of this invention is to bring about a result where the animal will receive a repeatable exact volume of food. The machine will consistently apportion a specific volume of wet food. (Of course the dry biscuit will be consistent in volume per biscuit). The owner simply has to select how many portions the animal will receive for it's morning feed and/or evening feed, and having done this, the feeds will U. IUeIILIcI414I al iiime ltIiereaerI (uniess ie owner aters ithe settlngs).

A fourth objective of this invention is to allow the owner great flexibility in what type of wet food may be used. In the present embodiment, the contents from cans and meat rolls, can be used, and they are commercially available everywhere. In addition, however, it will be possible for food parcels of a regular shape and size (like a pie), or even dishes, to be dispensed.

The invention consists of a housing, or enclosure, which in the present embodiment, has access to internal storage sections (one is a chilled section for wet food, the other is a section (not necessarily chilled) for dry food biscuits), through the use of a 4AMENDED

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fL J II-XUU vU'vi'-' Received 20 October 2000 4 lockable door that swings out widely, giving ample access to said storage sections, for the purpose of loading with food, or maintenance. Once the food is stored, the owner will have set the timer, to give the time for the feeding of the animal in the morning and evening, and also set via rotary switches, how many wet food portions should be dispensed for each, and also dry food portions (biscuits), thus providing a balanced diet. It may be that for example, that no wet food is wanted in the morning feed, in which case the rotary switch for wet food morning feed shall be simply sei to zero. The food shall automatically be dispensed thereafter according to those settings, unless of course the owner resets them. The machine will have a sensor in it for detecting when the food supply is getting low, assisting the owner to know when to replenish. The enclosure will, in it's current embodiment mount onto a vertical surface or in a stand, above the ground, allowing the food to dispense down directly into the animals feed bowl but this is not the essence of the invention.

To obtain a clearer understanding of the invention, please refer to the drawing Fig 1 side and front view; Fig 1 detail of chilled food storage section; Fig 2 detail of bracket and pusher mechanism (with sensors behind); Fig 3 detail of dry food (biscuit) storage section.

The drawing Fig 2 and 3 shows the machine, and it's fundamental components. The wet pet food (pet food rolls, or canned pet food) will be loaded into the chilled storage section The size of the chilled section can be of any size, (and is not the essence of the invention), needing only to suit the size of the food that is loaded into it, and the volume ofthe food to be stored. However, in this embodiment, it is about 80mm x 80mm, and about 400mm long. It may have an integral or adjacent section for storing dry biscuits (in this embodiment, an adjacent section, the reason for which is explained later). Depending upon the dispense mechanism, and how the food is presented to the dispense mechanism, the storage sections may by of any orientation. These sections shown are vertical, allowing gravity to assist in presenting and positioning the pet food, however the orientation of the storage sections are not the essence of this invention. The wet food section will be chilled by some method. The drawing shows the use of a Thermoelectric Module (Peltier effect) which shall keep the chilled section constantly and reliably cool, so as to SAMENDED SHEET

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Received 20 October 2000 keep the food from putrefying. Other cooling devices, (for example: such as a compressor and refrigerant type, using electricity or LPG), may be used, the objective being to provide a constant and reliable method of keeping the wet food section and it's contents cool. The heatsink and the fan are to increase the efficiency of the Peltier Module, which is the preferred method of chilling the wet food section in this embodiment, because it is of a low cost and is small and light. Also the insulation (t) around the storage section is to increase cooling efficiency, and it may include an insulated lid if necessary. The wet food will reside in the chilled section and remain there, resting on the cutting blade until the machine's internal electronic program signals for a portion of food to be dispensed. When this happens, the wet food catcher pusher (this is an especially designed dispenser mechanism) moves to the 6 o'clock position, the cutter blade powered by motor (I1) then moves away from the bottom of the section allowing the wet food to drop into the catcher pusher, where it is held. The cutter then moves back to it's original position, thus cutting the portion of wet food away from the section. The catcher pusher then rotates clockwise, depositing the portion of food through the open exit at the bottom of the machine. (It should be noted that the dispenser mechanism is as described in this embodiment of the machine, was found to be one method, and the variation of possible dispensing methods is not the essence of this invention. Indeed another method will be discussed later). If the programme set by the owner calls for twol\ portins, the cycleP reated0 etc.

The cabinet (body of machine) will have integral guides where the food exists This exit will have sensors to detect any intrusion in to the machine (for example, a cat's paw or a child's hand), to ensure that a person or animal cannot be harmed by the moving parts within the machine. The exit opening may or may not require a guiding chute, or slide, to direct the food into a bowl, or have the means to secure a pet's food bowl to it. These are not the essence of the invention and may be provided later if needed, or as options.

The enclosure will permit access to the storage sections and moving parts, through the front of the enclosure being a widely opening door. The door will be lockable and AMENDED SHEET

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Received 20 October 2000 6 also have a sensor to provide safety, preventing the moving parts activating while the door is open. Other sensors are utilised also to control the activation and movement of the moving parts. The dispensing mechanism as mentioned, is able to dispense food parcels from the chilled section. The food parcels will be individual parcels of food, of a regular size and shape that lend themselves to being dispensed, or dishes that may contain food which lend themselves to being stacked and dispensed. In order to do this the chilled section is fitted with a bracket (see Fig and the catcher pusher moves to the 12 o'clock position. Thus, when the food parcels are loaded, they sit on top of the catcher pusher until the machine signals to dispense. Then the catcher pusher moves clockwise, depositing the food parcel onto the bracket platform, then moves around to push it off the platform, then coming to rest in it's original position.

The section for dry food (biscuits) also has a dispensing mechanism, that may be motor actuated (per diagram) but may also be actuated by other means (for example, solenoid or linear actuator). In exactly the same way as the chilled section, it also can be preset to dispense a predetermined number of biscuits at a predetermined time.

The machine may also be triggered via a telephone line signal receiver so that the owner may feed his animal remotely, in the event that he has failed to set the timer. This may or may not be an option.

The timer can be set by the owner to determine the time that the machine dispenses food. It will display actual and set times, and may optionally display the temperature of the chilled chute. The controls allow the owner to determine the amount of food to be dispensed, and provides some other functions to test operation, provide an interim feed, signal that the machine is operable and if the chilled section requires refilling etc.

The Control PCB (printed circuit board) (g and j2) is the main control interface for the functions, and the interconnections between the component parts of the machine.

The machine is powered by electricity, and may be powered by either or both AC or DC power, supplied from mains or by battery. The control PCB will detect power failure, and provide a feed when power reconnects, if necessary. The Power Supply PCB (j 1) is to regulate and control some of the power requirements.

The body of the machine can be made from a number of different materials, such AMENDED SHEET

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Received 20 October 2000 7 as metal or plastic. It may have mounting lugs positioned to facilitate mounting onto a wall or some other appropriate mounting surface, or alternatively, it may be furnished with a suitable mounting stand.

Various modifications are possible that may give similar results, but were felt by the inventor to be inferior to the current embodiment. For example, the biscuit section can be possibly integral with the chilled chute, but this would lessen the cooling efficiency. Also, the catcher pusher could indeed be a cutting device also, with some variance to the motor control, however this would result in the wet food to be cut in a curve, and so be less aesthetically appealing, also the portions would be larger, which may be then too large for small animals (cats for example). Further, with an integral section for the dry food, the same catcher/pusher could be used to eject those biscuits, however then the owner would not be able to select varying portions of wet and dry food, as they would be with such an arrangement, always be the same.

Glossary: "Wet" food for domestic dogs and cats means the moist or semi moist food that is typically obtained from cans, or from the food rolls (or loafs) that are current state of the art, and commercially available. It may also include any other food that has a relatively high moisture content, and may begin to putrefy if not kept cool (eg: in a refrigerator). It is termed "wet" also, to distinguish it from "dry" pet food, which has a low mnoistul rnntent, and ran i-ep (nnt nutrefy ni)itpe wll for vxtnded periods without having to be kept cool. "Dry" pet food is usually obtained in sealed bags, as small particles, or may be larger in the form of biscuits.

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Claims (6)

1. 8. The Claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. An automatic feeding machine for animals, referring to in particular, but not exclusively, to the feeding of dogs and cats, comprised of an enclosure with a control panel, and storage sections within, at least one of which is to be chilled, which are to be loaded with and to hold the supply of food, a cooling device to keep the said chilled storage section chilled, at least one device for the retainment, sealing and cutting of the wet (see glossary page 7 )food from the chilled storage section, and at least one mechanism to receive ,apportion and dispense said wet food. 2. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1,further characterised by the machine enclosure allowing access by the owner to the food storage sections and moving parts, for the purpose of loading the food storage sections with food, or to inspect, clean and maintain. 3. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1, further characterised in that said control panel allows the owner to set the time via a digital timer, and to also set the times for the animal to be fed, and also set the amount of food to be apportioned by the machine from each storage section, for subsequent dispensing from the machine. 4. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as in claim 1 and claim 3, in which the control panel allows the owner to activate an interim feed for the animal, and to give diagnostic feedback to the machine owner, such as a "food empty" signal. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1 further ,.w1act ,oA by S-a o c zarcted.b. said food storage sections, that wIl centrally store food for subsequent apportioning and dispensing by the machine, as preset by the owner. 6 An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1 and 5, further characterised by at least one food storage section being kept cool by a constant, long term and reliable and power consuming cooling device, thus allowing the central storage of a volume of wet food (food with a moisture content such that it is subject to putrefaction unless kept cool) within the chilled section. 7. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1, 5 and claim 6 further characterised by the inclusion of a storage section, that may be integral with, or separate to the chilled storage section, for the storage of dry food (biscuits), for subsequent dispensing by the machine. AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU Received 20 October 2000 9 8. An automatic feeding machine for animals, per claim 1, further characterised by at least one device, which will normally retain the wet food within it's chilled storage section, also sealing it sufficiently to assist keeping it cool, and by it's subsequent movement, allow a portion of food to emerge from the chilled storage section, which by a further movement shall cut away said portion of wet food from the chilled storage section.
2. 9. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as claimed in claim 1, further characterised by a feature of the mechanism, which will determine the size of the wet food apportionment, prior to the apportioning achieved through the action of the device, which cuts said portion away from the central store. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as per claim 1 and 9,where the mechanism is further characterised by it's ability to dispense the wet food from the machine
3. 11. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as per claim 1 and 9 and 10, where the said mechanism is further characterised by it's ability to retain and dispense food parcels from the chilled section, where the food parcels are of a suitable size per the description page 4, 15-23..
4. 12. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as per claim 1, claim 5, and claim 11 further characterised by the possible retrofittable addition of a bracket to the chilled storage section, which allows the food parcels to be held in place, awaiting the motion of the before mentioned mechanism to dispense a food parcel from the machine.
5. 13. An automatic feeding machine for animals, as per claim 1, claim 5 and claim 7, further characterised by the food storage section for dry food biscuits, from which, said biscuits will be able to be dispensed by electro mechanical means, according to the settings of the owner.
6. 14. An automatic feeding device for animals, substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. APPLICANT: ALAN SPRINGETT 22 MAY, 2000 This revision 19 Oct 2000 ,S 1VAMENDED SHEET IPU-A/AU