GB2423913A

GB2423913A - Automatic pet feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2423913A
Application number: GB0504668A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Grundy
Original assignee: Reilor Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Reilor Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-07
Filing date: 2005-03-07
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Also published as: WO2006095145A3; GB0504668D0; WO2006095145A2

Abstract

The feeder comprises a casing, a tray 30 for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid 12 movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the tray and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the tray, a hinge element 24 mounted between the casing and the lid whereby rotational movement of the hinge element causes corresponding rotational movement of the lid in an opening or closing operation, a motor mounted in the casing, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling operation of the motor, the motor being arranged to cause rotation of the hinge element thereby to open the lid under control from the programmable timer mechanism. The feeder may further comprise two trays of differing depths which are inserted into the casing. The feeder may also be formed from a casing comprising upper 6 and a lower 8 portions with the lid mounted on the upper portion and at least one opening provided in the upper portion into which the tray is placed.

Description

AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER

The present invention relates to an automatic pet feeder.

Automatic pet feeders are known which comprise a casing having one or more removable trays for holding pet food. Each tray is covered by an openable lid, typically a hinged lid, which can be opened automatically in response to a timer mechanism. The lid can be manually closed by a user so as to cover the pet food and then opened either manually, or automatically at a predetermined later time using the timer mechanism.

Known pet feeders suffer from some tecFmical problems.

A first technical problem is that typically the hinged lid is provided with a catch mechanism and a biasing mechanism so that when a catch is released, controlled by operation of the timer mechanism, the lid is sprung up under the action of a bias from the biasing mechanism. Such a mechanism is not very durable and is readily liable to be subjected to wear or misuse, leading to malfunctioning of the pet feeder. For example the catch can become worn or the bias from the biasing mechanism can become reduced over time. There is a need for a pet feeder with a more reliable and durable opening mechanism for the lid.

Known pet feeders also suffer from the problem that the casing is shaped and dimensioned so as to receive a removable tray of a predetermined shape and dimension. The tray holds a preset volume of food. This means that the pet feeder has little versatility or flexibility, for example when pets of different ages or types are to be fed. For example, a kitten tends to consume less food in one meal than an adult cat. The manufacturer needs to make one model of pet feeder of one size or type of animal, for example cats, and another model of pet feeder of another size or type of animal, for example dogs. This increases manufacturing cost and complexity. There is a need for a more versatile pet feeder, from the standpoint of both the user and the manufacturer.

The present invention aims at least partially to solve these problems of known pet feeders.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a pet feeder comprising a casing, a tray for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the tray and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the tray, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid whereby rotational movement of the hinge element causes corresponding rotational movement of the lid in an opening or closing operation, a motor mounted in the casing, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling operation of the motor, the motor being arranged to cause rotation of the hinge element thereby to open the lid under control from the programmable timer mechanism.

Preferably, the motor is an electric rotary motor.

Preferably, the pet feeder further comprises a gear mechanism coupled to the motor to provide, on an output shaft of the gear mechanism, a reduced rotational speed and a higher torque than that of the motor.

Preferably, the pet feeder further comprises a clutch mechanism between the gear mechanism and the hinge element whereby the lid can be closed andlor opened by manual pressure applied thereto so as to release the clutch mechanism.

Preferably, the clutch mechanism comprises a first clutch assembly fitted to the output shaft, a second clutch assembly which engages the first clutch assembly, a first gear member fixed to the second clutch assembly, and a second gear member meshed with the first gear member and coupled to the lid.

Preferably, the second gear member is the hinge element.

Preferably, the first gear member is a pinion gear wheel and the second gear member includes an arcuate toothed rack.

Preferably, the first clutch assembly comprises a cylindrical part fitted to the output shaft and canying a first clutch disc and the second clutch assembly comprises a second clutch disc engaging the first clutch disc.

The pet feeder may further comprise a second undriven hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid.

Preferably, the timer mechanism is adapted to drive the motor so as to open the lid from a closed configuration with the electric motor being powered ON for a predetermined period of time, sufficient to cause the lid to be opened to a fully open configuration.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pet feeder comprising a casing, a compartment within -the casing for receiving a tray for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the compartment and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the compartment, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling opening of the lid, a first tray of a first depth and a second tray of a second depth, and the first and second trays being selectively and alternatively insertable into the compartment.

Preferably, the casing comprises a lower portion affixed to an upper portion, the hinged lid is mounted on the upper portion and an opening is provided in the upper portion into which opening either the first tray or the second tray can be selectively dropped and subsequently removed therefrom after use.

Preferably, the compartment is defined in both the upper portion and the lower portion of the casing.

Preferably, the programmable timing mechanism and any other mechanisms for controlling the operation of the pet feeder are disposed within the upper portion of the casing.

Preferably, the lower portion is removably affixed to the upper portion.

Preferably, when the first tray is received in the compartment a lower portion of the first tray extends downwardly so as to be within the confines of the lower portion of the casing and when the second tray is received in the compartment the second tray is accommodated within the upper portion of the casing and does not extend downwardly within the confines of the lower portion of the casing.

Preferably, two compartments are provided within the casing and two hinged lids are provided, each lid covering a respective compartment and the programmable timing mechanism is arranged to control the opening of each lid independently.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pet feeder comprising a casing, a compartment within the casing for receiving a tray for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the compartment and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the compartment, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling opening of the lid, and the casing comprises a lower portion affixed to an upper portion and the compartment is defined in both the upper portion and the lower portion of the casing, the hinged lid is mounted on the upper portion and at least one opening is provided in the upper portion into which opening a tray can be dropped and subsequently removed therefrom after use.

Preferably, the lower portion is removably affixed to the upper portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pet feeder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention with there being two movable lids, each covering a respective food tray and with the two lids being in a closed configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pet feeder of Figure 1 with one of the lids in an open configuration; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line A-A through the pet feeder of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a deep removable bowl for insertion into the pet feeder of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a shallow removable bowl for insertion into the pet feeder of Figure 1; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of part of the drive mechanism for opening and closing each respective lid of the pet feeder of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of another part of the drive mechanism, incorporating hinges, for opening and closing the lid of the pet feeder of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a pet feeder (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer casing (4) comprising an upper portion (6) affixed to a lower portion (8), the lower portion (8) being provided with plural feet (10) at each of its four corners for sitting the pet feeder onto a surface, such as a floor. The upper portion (6) is provided with two hinged lids (12,14) which are disposed in a side-by-side relation and the upper surfaces of the lids (12,14) are flush with the corresponding adjacent parts of the upper surface of the upper portion (6) of the casing (4).

Each lid (12,14) has a front edge (16,18) and a rear edge (20,22) and, as shown particularly in Figure 2, a pair of hinge elements (24,26) is affixed to an inside surface (28) of each lid (12,14) in the vicinity of its rear edge (20,22). The lids (12,14) can be moved between a closed position as shown in Figure 1 or an open position as shown for one of the lids (12) in Figure 2, by rotational movement of the hinge elements (24,26).

As shown in Figure 2, under each lid (12,14) is disposed a respective tray (30) within a respective compartment (31) in the casing (4). The tray (30) is removably fitted within an opening (32) in the upper portion (6) of the casing (4). The tray (30) can simply be dropped into the opening (32) and picked up and removed after use, for example for cleaning of the tray after use. The tray (30) has a bowl-like configuration, rectangular in this embodiment but other shapes may be used, defining a central cavity (34) into which pet food may be disposed.

Each lid (12,14) is independently operated by a programmable electronic timer mechanism (36). The timer mechanism (36) includes a time display (38) and a number of controls (not shown) for programming an opening time selectively for each of the lids (12,14).

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the casing is shaped and dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate selectively, according to the user's requirements, different trays (30) of differing depths in one or other of the.two compartments (31) covered by the respective lids (12,14). The compartments (31) are defined in both the upper portion (6) and the lower portion (8) of the casing (4). As shown particularly in Figure 3, the upper portion (6) and lower portion (8) of the casing (4) are shaped so as to be able selectively to accommodate within the opening (32) in the upper portion (6) a relatively deep removable tray (38) having a deep cavity (39) as shown in Figure 4, as a result of a lower portion (40) of the tray (38) extending downwardly so as to be within the confines of the lower portion (8) of the casing (4). Alternatively, a relatively shallow removable tray (42) having a shallow cavity (43) may be accommodated within the opening (32) in the upper portion (6) of the casing (4) which does not extend downwardly within the confines of the lower portion (8) of the casing (4).

Accordingly, by providing a casing (4) with a sufficient depth of the compartment (31) for receiving a removable tray (30), then removable trays of differing depth (38, 42) can be accommodated within the same casing (4). This means that the pet feeder (2) can be sold to a customer in combination with trays of differing depth (38, 42), either as a single package, or alternatively as optional components, which provides a very user friendly and versatile pet feeder as compared to known constructions.

Furthermore, by providing an arrangement where the relatively shallow tray (42) when received in the compartment (31) lies only within the confines of the upper portion (6) of the casing (4) and does not extend downwardly as far as the lower portion (8) of the casing (4), this provides the advantage that if the pet feeder (2) is sold in combination just with the relatively shallow trays (42), then the lower portion (8) of the casing (4) does not need to be provided by the manufacturer. Instead, the feet (10) are fitted directly to a lower edge (33) of the upper portion (6) or alternatively are fitted to a flat bottom plate (not shown) which is fitted to the lower edge (33) of the upper portion (6).

This provides a significant advantage to the manufacturer that different pet feeders for different animals accommodating different depth trays can be manufactured using a common upper portion (6) of the casing (4). This saves manufacturing costs. The upper portion (6) of the casing (4) accommodates all the working parts of the pet feeder, for example the hinge mechanism and the timing mechanism, and any power supply (such as a battery) and control electronics for the pet feeder,-and so the lower portion (8) of the casing (4) can be omitted if only shallow removable trays (42) are required for that particular model of pet feeder.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the hinge mechanisms (24,26) positively drive the lids (12,14) between the closed and opened positions, without any catch being provided on the front edge (16), for example, of the lids (12,14) and without any biasing mechanism causing opening of the lids (12,14).

In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, as shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7, a drive mechanism for operating the hinges is provided in the pet feeder of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the upper portion of the casing is provided with a mounting frame (50) which is concealed within the upper portion (6) of the casing (4), and along the lower edge (33) thereof beneath the hinge mechanisms (24, 26) and the timer mechanism (36). One half of the mounting frame (50) and its associated components for operating one lid (12) is shown in Figure 6, and the other half, together with its associated components assembled thereon, is provided in a mirror-image fashion on the other half thereof for operating the other lid (14). Fittings (51) fit the mounting plate (50) to the upper portion (6).

An electric motor (52) is mounted on the mounting plate (50) and secured thereon by a bracket (54) and screws (55). The electric motor (52) is an inexpensive rotary motor having a high number of revolutions per minute, typically about 10,000 revolutions per minute under no load conditions, and with very low torque. Such a motor (52) is inexpensive. A gear mechanism (56) is coupled to the electric motor (52) to provide, on an output shaft (58) thereof, a reduced rotational speed, typically about 10 revolutions per minute, but with a higher torque than that of the electric motor (52). The gear mechanism typically has a speed reduction ratio of from 500 to 1500, more typically about 1000.

A first clutch assembly (60) is fitted to the output shaft (58). The first clutch assembly (60) comprises a cylindrical part (62) having an axially directed opening (64) which is tightly press fitted over the shaft (58) so as substantially to prevent relative rotary motion therebetween. An annular first clutch disc (66) is fitted to the cylindrical part (62) and has a first clutch surface (68) on the side thereof which is remote from the electric motor (52).

When the electric motor (52) is driven, the first clutch disc (66) rotates therewith at a reduced speed but higher torque as determined by the gear mechanism (56). A second clutch assembly (70) comprises a second clutch disc (72) which is annular and is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical part (62) of the first clutch assembly (60). The second clutch disc (72) has a second clutch surface (74) which faces and engages the first clutch surface (68). An annular pinion gear wheel (76) is fixed coaxially to the second clutch disc (72), the pinion gear wheel (76) having a plurality of longitudinally directed gear teeth (78) on its outer cylindrical surface. A screw (80) and washer (82) are provided, with the screw (80) extending through the pinion gear wheel (76) and securely threaded into the cylindrical part (62) of the first clutch assembly (60) so that the two clutch assemblies (60, 72) and the pinion gear wheel (76) are assembled together, with the two clutch discs (66, 72) pressed together thereby limiting any relative rotation between the two clutch discs (66, 72). The entire clutch assembly is fitted to the mounting plate (50) via a bracket (84) and screws (85).

As shown in Figure 7, hinge (24) is a driven hinge which is rotationally driven by operation of the electric motor (52) and hinge (26) is an undriven hinge. Hinge (24) is substantially semicircular and is provided on at least a part of its outer semicircular edge (86) with an arcuate rack gear (88) comprising a plurality of gear teeth (90). The rack gear (88) engages with the pinion gear wheel (76). A pivot element (92) is fitted at the axial centre of the semicircular hinge (24) and a pivot bracket (94) receives the two opposed ends of the pivot element (92) so as to permit the pivot element (92) to rotate relative to the bracket (94) . The bracket (94) is fitted by screws (96) to the internal surface (98) of the upper portion (6) as shown in Figure 3. An upper radially directed face (100) of the semicircular hinge (24) is fitted to the inside surface (28) of the lid (12, 14), as shown in Figure 2. The undriven hinge (26) is shaped in the form of a quadrant and similarly includes a pivot element (102) which is received in a bracket (104), with the bracket (104) being fitted by screws (106) to the inner surface (98) of the upper portion (6). A radially directed upper surface (108) of the undriven hinge (26) is fitted to the inside surface (28) of the respective lid (12, 14) as shown in Figure 2. A similar hinge construction with associated motor, gearing and clutch is provided for the other lid (14).

When the lid (12,14) is in a closed configuration as shown in Figure 1, and then the timer mechanism (36) operates to drive the electric motor (52) so as to open the respective lid (12,14), the electric motor (52) is powered ON for a predetermined period of time, sufficient to cause the lid to be opened to its fully open configuration, for example as shown in Figure 2 for lid (12). This avoids the need for an expensive servomotor, for example. When the electric motor (52) is operating, the gear mechanism (56) is driven and the output shaft (58) is rotated so as to cause rotation of the first clutch assembly (60), the second clutch assembly (70) engaged therewith and corresponding the pinion gear wheel (76). Rotation of the pinion gear wheel (76) causes corresponding rotation about the required predetermined opening angle of the rack gear (88). The lid (12, 14) is thereby opened to enable a pet to eat food in the tray (30) revealed by opening of the lid (12, 14). After use, when the tray (30) has been removed, cleaned, replaced and filled with a new portion of pet food for a subsequent feeding cycle, the user manually pushes down the lid (12, 14) so as to rotate it about the hinges (24,26). This returns the lid (12, 14) to its closed position. The provision of the first and second clutch assemblies (60, 70) permits this manual closing operation (and also a manual opening operaton if this happens to be carried out by the user) to be achieved without requiring corresponding rotation of the gear mechanism (56) or the associated electric motor (52). The engaging force between the two clutch assemblies (60, 70) is selected so as to provide a sufficient positive drive during the opening of the lid (12, 140 in a reliable manner but not so high that the clutch force between the first and second clutch assemblies (60, 70) cannot readily be overcome by relatively light manual pressure applied to the lid (12, 14). Therefore it is unnecessary for a user to have to overcome the high torque of the gear mechanism (56) when manually closing (or opening) the lid. The provision of the clutch assemblies (60, 70) obviates this.

By providing a positive drive for opening the lid (12, 14) which is able to be overcome by a manual closing pressure, this avoids the need for any biasing means acting directly on the lid or an associated catch mechanism. Consequently, the hinge mechanism of the present invention is significantly more durable than those of known pet feeders. The gear mechanism (56) provides high torque which in turn permits a relatively inexpensive high rotational speed electric motor (52) to be employed, driven for a pre-selected period of time during the opening cycle.

In an alternative arrangement, the timer mechanism may be set up and controlled so as to be able positively to be able to close the lid by reverse operation of the electric motor for a predetermined period of time after a delay corresponding to a sufficient meal time for the pet.

Although the illustrated embodiment of the present invention has two lids, it will be apparent to the skilled person that the pet feeder may have only one lid, or more than two lids.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A pet feeder comprising a casing, a tray for holding pet food

disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the tray and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the tray, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid whereby rotational movement of the hinge element causes corresponding rotational movement of the lid in an opening or closing operation, a motor mounted in the casing, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling operation of the motor, the motor being arranged to cause rotation of the hinge element thereby to open the lid under control from-the programmable timer mechanism.
2. A pet feeder according to claim I wherein the motor is an electric rotary motor.
3. A pet feeder according to claim 2 further comprising a gear mechanism coupled to the motor to provide, on an output shaft of the gear mechanism, a reduced rotational speed and a higher torque than that of the motor.
4. A pet feeder according to claim 3 further comprising a clutch mechanism between the gear mechanism and the hinge element whereby the lid can be closed andlor opened by manual pressure applied thereto so as to release the clutch mechanism.
5. A pet feeder according to claim 4 wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a first clutch assembly fitted to the output shaft, a second clutch assembly which engages the first clutch assembly, a first gear member fixed to the second clutch assembly, and a second gear member meshed with the first gear member and coupled to the lid.
6. A pet feeder according to claim 5 wherein the second gear member is the hinge element.
7. A pet feeder according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the first gear member is a pinion gear wheel and the second gear member includes an arcuate toothed rack.
8. A pet feeder according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the first clutch assembly comprises a cylindrical part fitted to the output shaft and carrying a first clutch disc and the second clutch assembly comprises a second clutch disc engaging the first clutch disc.
9. A pet feeder according to any foregoing claim further comprising a second undriven hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid.
10. A pet feeder according to any foregoing claim wherein the timer mechanism is adapted to drive the motor so as to open the lid from a closed configuration with the electric motor being powered ON for a predetermined period of time, sufficient to cause the lid to be opened to a fully open configuration.
11. A pet feeder comprising a casing, a compartment within the casing for receiving a tray for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the compartment and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the compartment, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling opening of the lid, a first tray of a first depth and a second tray of a second depth, and the first and second trays being selectively and alternatively insertable into the compartment.
12. A pet feeder according to claim 11 wherein the casing comprises a lower portion affixed to an upper portion, the hinged lid is mounted on the upper portion and an opening is provided in the upper portion into which opening either the first tray or the second tray can be selectively dropped and subsequently removed therefrom after use.
13. A pet feeder according to claim 12 wherein the compartment is defined in both the upper portion and the lower portion of the casing.
14. A pet feeder according to claim 13 wherein the programmable timing mechanism and any other mechanisms for controlling the operation of the pet feeder are disposed within the upper portion of the casing.
15. A pet feeder according to claim 14 wherein the lower portion is removably affixed to the upper portion.
16. A pet feeder according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein when the first tray is received in the compartment a lower portion of the first tray extends downwardly so as to be within the confines of the lower portion of the casing and when the second tray is received in the compartment the second tray is accommodated within the upper portion of the casing and does not extend downwardly within the confines of the lower portion of the casing.
17. A-pet-feeder -according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein two compartments are provided within the casing and two hinged lids are provided, each lid covering a respective compartment and the programmable timing mechanism is arranged to control the opening of each lid independently.
18. A pet feeder comprising a casing, a compartment within the casing for receiving a tray for holding pet food disposed within the casing, a hinged lid movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the compartment and an open position in which the lid is raised so as to expose the compartment, a hinge element mounted between the casing and the lid, and a programmable timing mechanism for controlling opening of the lid, and the casing comprises a lower portion affixed to an upper portion and the compartment is defined in both the upper portion and the lower portion of the casing, the hinged lid is mounted on the upper portion and at least one opening is provided in the upper portion into which opening a tray can be dropped and subsequently removed therefrom after use.
19. A pet feeder according to claim 18 wherein the programmable timing mechanism and any other mechanisms for controlling the operation of the pet feeder are disposed within the upper portion of the casing.
20. A pet feeder according to claim 19 wherein the lower portion is removably affixed to the upper portion.
21. A pet feeder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.