GB2258986A

GB2258986A - Automatic pet feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2258986A
Application number: GB9116800A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Harrison Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-08-03
Filing date: 1991-08-03
Publication date: 1993-03-03
Also published as: GB9116800D0

Abstract

A pot feeder comprises hoppers 1 for dry or semi-moist pet food which is dispensed by pockets 4 in a drum 3 driven by a geared electric motor 7. The action of the drum is controlled by an electronic circuit including a clock module 5 powered by its own battery 15 that can be set to trigger dispensing for up to three predetermined occasions in twenty four hours. The effective volume of pockets 4 can be varied by locating a chosen insert therein. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER This invention relates to a continuous action automatic pet feeder dispensing commercially available dry or semi-moist food.

Automatic feeders exist which either supply food to a trough for ad ttb feeding or alternatively dispense a pre-determined quantity of food for a limited number of times.

This invention will dispense at pre-selected times of the day a quantity of dry or semi-moist pet food for a period determined only by the size of the hopper fitted. It is designed either for continuous use where the pet-owner is present at irregular or short intervals, or for short periods where the pet is left unattended The accompanying drawing shows a specific example designed for feeding two cats, or alternatively one cat with two varieties of food, on up to three pre-selected tirnes each day for a period determined only by the size of the hopper and the frequency of its refilling.

Fig 1 shows the overall appearance.

Fig 2 shows a schematic representation of the invention.

Fig 3 shows an 'exploded view' to reveal the construction and working parts.

Fig 4 illustrates the control panel Fig 5 is a circuit diagram of the electronic components Referring to the drawing the device illustrated consists of two hoppers 1 containing food 2 to be dispensed surmounting a rotating drum 3 in which are cut two adjustable food collectors 4. The volume of food dispensed depends upon the size of these collectors and the present example is adjusted by means of varying sizes of block being inserted into the collectors in order to reduce their effective volume.

An electronic clock 5 is set by means of the switches 6 to show the time and up to three occasions in twenty four hours when the invention is to dispense food. This clock triggers by means of a suitable circuit described below an electric motor r which by way of gears and final belt and pulley rotates the drum. Food from the hoppers drops into the collectors when these are in the uppermost position, and is carried round until when in the lowermost position the food drops out and falls by way of the shoots 8 into the feeding bowls 9. A reed switch 10 is so positioned that when the drum is in this position a magnet 11 activates the reed switch and halts the motor. The cycle is repeated at the next pre-set time on the clock.

In order to prevent the drum from becoming jammed by particles of food the seals between the hoppers and the drum are of strip brushes 12.

In the example illustrated the clock unit is programmed by four press switches while the 'set-run' switch 13 is in the 'set' position to select one, two or three feeding times; the time indicated by the clock is also set. Once programmed the 'set-run' switch is put in the 'run' position and provided that mains power is supplied as indicated by the LED 14 food will be dispensed at the selected times. Since the clock is powered by its own battery 15 any temporary interruption in the mains supply will not affect the clock settings. Should the power be off at a pre-selected feeding time food will be dispensed immediately upon resumption of the power.

Claims

1 A continuous action pet feeder that will dispense at pre-selected times of the day a selected quantity of dry or semi-moist food for a period determined only by the size of the hopper supplied.

2 A continuous action pet feeder such that with the provision of an appropriate number of hoppers, food collectors and feeding bowls any number of individual animals can be fed.

3 A continuous action pet feeder such that with the provision of an appropriate number of hoppers, food collectors and feeding bowls more than one variety of food can be dispensed at each feeding time.

4 A continuous action pet feeder controlled by an electronic clock of low power consumption run by its own battery such that the feeder can be brought out of store and used for a brief period without the necessity to re-set feed times.

5 A continuous action pet feeder controlled by an electronic clock of low power consumption run by its own battery such that the feeder is unaffected by short breaks in the power supply and will resume normal functioning on resumption of the supply.

6 A continuous action pet feeder dispensing commercially available dry or semi-moist food having a uni-directional motor and anti-clogging seals between the hopper and the moving parts consisting of strip brushes.

7 A continuous action pet feeder that by adjustment of the size of the collectors allows for a variable but pre-selected volume of food to be dispensed.