GB2120071A - Feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for feeding animals comprises feeding bowls and releasably connected to respective casings which mount lids 6A and 6B. Springs urge the lids 6A and 6B to open, but latches 3A etc. engage detents 18A etc. to keep the lids 6A and 6B closed. Either latch- releasing solenoids 8A or latch- releasing projections 29A carried by the output shaft 26 of an electric motor, release the latches 3A etc. The time intervals prior to the release of the latch 3A and between the release of the latches 3A etc. are adjustably determined by electronic timing circuitry arranged to supply to the solenoids or to coils to the motor pulses of electrical energy at those time intervals to energize the solenoids or the coils. A low voltage battery supplies the timing circuitry. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adeviceforfeeding animals According to the present invention, there is provideda device for feeding animals, comprising a compartmentfor containing food, a lid which closes said compartment, biassing means which urges said lidto open, latching means which maintains said lid closed, electrical driving means arranged to release said latching means to enable said lid to open under the action of said biassing means, electronic timing means arranged to supplyto said driving means a short pulse of electrical energyto operate said driving means, and a low voltage battery arranged to supply said timing means with electrical energy to operate said timing means.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for feeding animals, Figure 2 shows a fragmentary perspective view of the device, with parts removed and broken away, Figure 3 shows a fragmentary perspective view of parts ofthe device in a disconnected condition, and Figure 4 shows an electronic circuit diagram ofthe device.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the device comprises a series of casings, in this case two casings, each including a pair of side walls 1A, 1A', or 1 B, 1 B'.

Between the walls of each pair, the casing includes sheeting 7A or7B. Extending through both casings is a horizontal pivot axle 2 on which is turnably mounted in each casing a latch 3A or3B. Parallel to the axle 2 is a horizontal shaft 26 which is drivable by an electric motor 13 and has fixed to an end thereof a knob 27.

Fixed to the shaft 26 are radial projections 29A etc. in the respective casings and angularly spaced around the shaft 26. Also extending through both casings is a shaft 5which hinges respective lids 6Aand 6Bto their casings. The lids are biassed intotheiropen positions (shown in Figure 2 and shown for6Ain Figure 1) by torsion strings 5A and 5B. The lids 6A and 6B can be held closed by engagement ofthe latches 3A and 3B over detents 18A and 18B fixed to the underneaths of the respective lids.The latches 3A and 3B can be released from the detents 18Aand 18Bto enablethe lids gland 6B to open, either byturning the knob 27, or by operating the motor 13, to cause the projections 29A etc. fixed to the sh aft 26 to contact and turn the latches 3A and 3B on the axle 2 against the action of torsion springs 4A etc., into positions outofengage- mentwith the detents 18A and 18B. At the same end of the device as the knob27,there are provided on the sidewall I B' a start switch 20, a feed interval control knob 15 arranged to operate a feed interval time switch 19 (see Figure 4), an indicator lamp 16 arranged to indicate that the micro-electronic components shown in Figure 4 are operating correctly, and a push button 17 controlling the lamp 16. The micro-electric components are housed in an enclosure 14. niterna- tivelyto the motor 13, there can be provided in the respective casings solenoids 8A and 8B. Either respective coils 13A and 13B of the motor 13 orthe respective solenoids 8A and 8B are operated by the microelectronic timing circuit shown in Figure 4to release the latches 3A and 3B at pre-set intervals of time. The front faces of the respective vertical walls ofthe sheeting 7A and 7B are formed each with four sockets 9A or 9B for receiving plugs 1 OA etc. of respective feedings bowls 28A and 28B.The respective feeding bowls are also formed at their rear faces with respective projecting forks 11 A etc. arranged to embrace respective spring-loaded vertical stems 1 2A and 12Bthrough respective slots 21A and 21 B in the vertical walls ofthesheeting 7A and 7B. The forks 1 1A etc. are formed with recesses 22A etc. thereunderfor being engaged by respective widened parts of the stems 1 2A and 1 2B to hold the bowls 28A and 28B fixed relative to the casings. The bowls can be individually released from the casings by depressing the stems 1 2A and 1 2B againstthe action of their helical compression springs 23A etc.The parts ofthe lids 6A and 6B which are arranged to overlap the respective bowls 28A and 28B are provided with respective endless seals 25A etc. formed of foam plastics.

The micro-electroniccircuitshown in Figure 4 is supplied from a replaceable low voltage battery 30, having its voltage less than 24V, preferably between 6V and 1 2V. The micro-electronic circuit is designed to operatethe solenoids 8A an 8B or motor coils 13A and 13B in sequence from outputs 01 and 02, respectively, but is provided with further outputs 03 and 04 in case it is desired to provide a total of four solenoids, again operable in sequence.

A basic time interval is generated by an oscillator the frequency of which is governed bya network consisting of a capacitor CT and resistors RT1, RT2 and RT3 The oscillator is part of a time generator, divider anddecoderindicatedastheblock24. Itisconvenient to make the oscillatorfrequency high and divide down bya large ratio, because this makes it possible to use a lowcapacitanceforthetiming capacitorCT.The divider ofthe block 24 produces a series of binary outputs which are decoded to convert them to a series of output pulses occurring at equal intervals at the outputs 01 to 04.In Figure 4, the feed interval time switch 19 is set at a position P6, at which the four sequential outputs occur at intervals of 6 hours. With the switch 19 in positions P12 and P24, the intervals occurat 12 and 24 hours, respectively.

In operation, when the output 01 is energised, a transistorT1 is turned on,thus energising the solenoid 8A or coil 13A. To release the latch 3A,the solenoid 8A orcoil 13A needsto beenergisedforonlyafew milliseconds, and therefore the transistorT1 can be coupled to the output 01 by a capacitor C1. This capacitor in combination with resistors R11 and R12 has a suitably shorttime constant. The rating of the solenoid 8A can therefore be extremely high as it is never called upon to dissipate more than a fewjoules The drawing(sk originally filed wasiwere informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy. in a 6-hour interval.When the output 02 is energised, the output or by this time has become de-energised, and the solenoid BB or coil 1 3B is, via the corresponding items C2, C21, R22 and T2, energised in a fashion similarto that ofthe solenoid 8A orcoil 13A.The outputs 03 and 04 can be coupled to energise solenoids 8C and 8D, or coils 13C and 13D, if provided, in the same way, although such circuitry is not shown in the diagram.

When the start switch 20 is closed, the circuitry of the block 24will reset via a capacitor CR, SO ensuring thattimingalwaysstartsformzero. Diodes D1 and D2 are provided when solenoids 8A and BB are provided, for protection ofthe micro-electronic components against momentary high voltage induced by the solenoids.

The present device is a relatively cheap aid for pet owners and breeders operable from a standard low-voltage battery and providing opening ofthe bowls with feed at predetermined time intervals.

The whole device is a compact, integral unit without any access to the feed bowls by the animal, except on a timed basis. The control knobs 27 and 15 are round so that a cat cannotturn them. The provision ofthe seals 25Aetc. insulates the food from the ambient air.

The controls ofthe deviceconsistof:- (a) the opening mechanism knob 27 with a position Ofor starting of timing, a position 1 for opening ofthe lid 6A, and a position 2for opening ofthe lid 6B.

(b) the knob 15 indicating the interval between the opening ofthe lids when the operating mechanism knob 27 is setto 0. This time-setting knob can be arrangedto provide any interval from 6 hoursto 24 hours.

(c) the push button 17 and the LED indicator lamp 16, which button can be depressed to checkwhetherthe micro-electronic components are operating correctly.

The battery 30 providing driving powerforthe micro-electronic circuitry and the solenoids 8A and BB, or coils 13A and 13B, can be a PP9 battery which is sufficientfor about 500 hours of continuous operation and, with intermittent operation at weekends only, is sufficient for up to aboutsix months operation.

As will be appreciated, the device can have upto four bowls, but for most practical situations, two bowls should be sufficient.

Thefeeding compartment of each bowl and the degree of opening of its lid is such that morethan one cat can feed at any one time.

Although the casing and bowl parts shown can be made of metal, it is particularly advantageousfor them to be made of plastics.

CLAIMS (filed on 22-4-83) 1. Adeviceforfeeding animals, comprising a compartmentfor containing food, a lidwhich closes said compartment, biassing meanswhich urges said lid to open, latching meanswhich maintains said lid closed, electrical driving means arranged to release said latching means to enable said lid to open under the action of said biassing means, electronic timing means arranged to supplyto said driving means a pulse of electrical energyto operate said driving means, and alowvoltage battery arrangedtosupply said timing means with electrical energy to operate said timing means.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic timing means comprises time interval generating means and dividing means which greatly increases the time interval generated bysaidgenerat- ing means.

3. Adeviceaccordingtoclaim 1 or2,whereinsaid timing means comprises a device for use in adjusting the time interval before the supply of said purse to said driving means.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said driving means comprises a solenoid.

5. A device according to claim 1,2 or3, and further comprising a second compartmentfor containing food, a second lid which closes said second compartment, second biassing means which urges said second lid open, and second latching means which maintains said second lid closed, said driving means being arranged also to release the second latching meanstoenablethesecond lid to open underthe action ofthe second biassing means, and said electronictiming means being arrangedtosupplyto said driving means first and second pulses of electrical energy to operate said driving means to release the first-mentioned latching means after a firsttime interval and the second latching means after a second time interval from the release ofthe first-mentioned latching means.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said driving means comprisesfirstand second solenoids arranged to release the respective latching means.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said driving means comprises an electric motor and first and second latch-releasing members driven by said motor to release the respective latching means, said motor including first and second coils respectively operable by said first and second pulses.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, and further comprising, mounting the or each lid, a casing, the casing or casings having releasably connected thereto a bowl or respective bowls providing the compartment or compartments.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the releasable connection between the or each casing and the or its bowl comprises a spring-loaded catch releasably engaged with a detent.

10. A device according to claim 8 or9,wherein the releasable connection between the or each casing and the or its bowl includes a guide pin-and-socket arrangement.

11. A deviceforfeeding animals, substantially in accordance with any example hereinbefore described with referencetothe accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in a 6-hour interval. When the output 02 is energised, the output or by this time has become de-energised, and the solenoid BB or coil 1 3B is, via the corresponding items C2, C21, R22 and T2, energised in a fashion similarto that ofthe solenoid 8A orcoil 13A.The outputs 03 and 04 can be coupled to energise solenoids 8C and 8D, or coils 13C and 13D, if provided, in the same way, although such circuitry is not shown in the diagram. When the start switch 20 is closed, the circuitry of the block 24will reset via a capacitor CR, SO ensuring thattimingalwaysstartsformzero. Diodes D1 and D2 are provided when solenoids 8A and BB are provided, for protection ofthe micro-electronic components against momentary high voltage induced by the solenoids. The present device is a relatively cheap aid for pet owners and breeders operable from a standard low-voltage battery and providing opening ofthe bowls with feed at predetermined time intervals. The whole device is a compact, integral unit without any access to the feed bowls by the animal, except on a timed basis. The control knobs 27 and 15 are round so that a cat cannotturn them. The provision ofthe seals 25Aetc. insulates the food from the ambient air. The controls ofthe deviceconsistof:- (a) the opening mechanism knob 27 with a position Ofor starting of timing, a position 1 for opening ofthe lid 6A, and a position 2for opening ofthe lid 6B. (b) the knob 15 indicating the interval between the opening ofthe lids when the operating mechanism knob 27 is setto 0. This time-setting knob can be arrangedto provide any interval from 6 hoursto 24 hours. (c) the push button 17 and the LED indicator lamp 16, which button can be depressed to checkwhetherthe micro-electronic components are operating correctly. The battery 30 providing driving powerforthe micro-electronic circuitry and the solenoids 8A and BB, or coils 13A and 13B, can be a PP9 battery which is sufficientfor about 500 hours of continuous operation and, with intermittent operation at weekends only, is sufficient for up to aboutsix months operation. As will be appreciated, the device can have upto four bowls, but for most practical situations, two bowls should be sufficient. Thefeeding compartment of each bowl and the degree of opening of its lid is such that morethan one cat can feed at any one time. Although the casing and bowl parts shown can be made of metal, it is particularly advantageousfor them to be made of plastics. CLAIMS (filed on 22-4-83)

1. Adeviceforfeeding animals, comprising a compartmentfor containing food, a lidwhich closes said compartment, biassing meanswhich urges said lid to open, latching meanswhich maintains said lid closed, electrical driving means arranged to release said latching means to enable said lid to open under the action of said biassing means, electronic timing means arranged to supplyto said driving means a pulse of electrical energyto operate said driving means, and alowvoltage battery arrangedtosupply said timing means with electrical energy to operate said timing means.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic timing means comprises time interval generating means and dividing means which greatly increases the time interval generated bysaidgenerat- ing means.

3. Adeviceaccordingtoclaim 1 or2,whereinsaid timing means comprises a device for use in adjusting the time interval before the supply of said purse to said driving means.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said driving means comprises a solenoid.

5. A device according to claim 1,2 or3, and further comprising a second compartmentfor containing food, a second lid which closes said second compartment, second biassing means which urges said second lid open, and second latching means which maintains said second lid closed, said driving means being arranged also to release the second latching meanstoenablethesecond lid to open underthe action ofthe second biassing means, and said electronictiming means being arrangedtosupplyto said driving means first and second pulses of electrical energy to operate said driving means to release the first-mentioned latching means after a firsttime interval and the second latching means after a second time interval from the release ofthe first-mentioned latching means.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said driving means comprisesfirstand second solenoids arranged to release the respective latching means.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said driving means comprises an electric motor and first and second latch-releasing members driven by said motor to release the respective latching means, said motor including first and second coils respectively operable by said first and second pulses.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, and further comprising, mounting the or each lid, a casing, the casing or casings having releasably connected thereto a bowl or respective bowls providing the compartment or compartments.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the releasable connection between the or each casing and the or its bowl comprises a spring-loaded catch releasably engaged with a detent.

10. A device according to claim 8 or9,wherein the releasable connection between the or each casing and the or its bowl includes a guide pin-and-socket arrangement.

11. A deviceforfeeding animals, substantially in accordance with any example hereinbefore described with referencetothe accompanying drawings.