Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATED PET FEEDING MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention
This invention relates generally to automated machines and more particularly
to
machines that distribute pet food at preset intervals and in preset
quantities.
Background
The prior art shows a number of pet food distribution machines, each automated
to
varying degrees of complexity. Generally, these machines have a large
reservoir to
contain food and a mechanism, generally in the form of a paddle wheel or in
some
cases a screw conveyor, that distributes a set quantity of food. A timer also
allows for
the food to be distributed at preset times. Variations between the different
prior art
can be found in the different ways by which food quantities are measured. For
example, US patent 5,303,672 by Morris, US4,079,699 by Longmore and 5,873,326
by Dave have a rotating wheel having sections that can be blocked to control
the
amount. This system is very prone to pellets jamming the system and there is
only
one quantity available. while US patent 5,433,171 by Ewell uses weight as a
way to
measure quantities.
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US Patent 6,273,027 by Watson uses a geared motor that opens an opening, this
system is also prone to jamming.
US Patent 4,834,025 by Tum uses a tumbler and counterweight and requires
manual
adjustment as well as several trials and errors to get the right amount of
food.
US Patent 4,363,291 by Harmsen uses a worm screw which requires two disctinct
programming, one for the duration of rotation of the worm screw and one for
the
duration of the flow. There is no means to unblock potential jamming.
US Patent number 5,193,722 by Groya has a plurality of compartments but they
are
used for increasing the flow not increasing the quantity.
There is US patent 4,235,200 by Shay that, at first glance, appears similar to
this
instant application. Shay's invention provides a system for delivery of dry
food in
portioned amounts at regular intervals. It provides a system adaptable for
feeding
pets or livestock, for use in the home, in animal shelters, etc... A food
storage bin
feeds dry food to a food delivery chamber which holds one serving of food .
The food
delivery chamber pivots on a pin from a loading position (loading mode) to a
delivery
position (delivery mode). The chamber is held in the loading position by a
spring.
Upon the activation of a solenoid, the food delivery chamber is pulled down,
closing
the passageway from the food storage bin to the food delivery chamber, and
opening
the passageway to a feeding tray. The food in the food delivery chamber then
pours
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out to the feeding tray. The solenoid is activated by a timer so that feed
material is
delivered to the animals at regular intervals.
Similarities between the two inventions reside in a food delivery chamber that
periodically pivots into the delivery mode upon being pulled upon by solenoid
20. The
solenoid is affixed to housing 12 with its armature 60 connected by connector
means
62 to mounting assembly 44. During the loading mode, the solenoid is not
activated
and its armature is pulled to an extended position, as can be seen in FIG. 3,
by
retention spring 18 which is attached to housing 12 and mounting assembly 44.
When the solenoid is activated, the armature is drawn into a contracted
position, as
shown in FIG. 4, and in tum pulls the food delivery chamber into the delivery
mode.
When the solenoid is deactivated, armature 60 is released from its contracted
position and is pulled back to its extended position when retention spring 18
pulls the
food delivery chamber into the loading mode (see FIG. 3). The automatic animal
feeder remains in the loading mode until solenoid 20 is activated again.
That is where similarities ends as there are several important differences
between
Shay and this instant invention dealing with how the quantities are adjusted,
in Shay
the food delivery chamber 16 is sized to hold a single portion of food for a
particular
animal. To accommodate the larger or smaller portions of food required by
different
animals, the food delivery chamber has to be made larger or smaller
accordingly.
Alternatively, solenoid 20 may be actived more frequently to deliver greater
amounts
of feed from a food delivery chamber of a fixed size. In other words, if the
animal for
which the automatic animal feeder is intended is changed, or if the portion
size is to
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be changed for any reason whatsoever, the food delivery chamber with its
mounting
assembly needs to be changed. This is not a very practical feature.
Another difference resides in the discharge of food, Shay's system cannot
accomodate a variety of pellet size without making a change to the opening 36
which
is unchangeable. This lacking feature can cause jamming if the is not
compatible with
the size of the opening, for example, if the opening is 2.5 the width of a
pellet and 2.5
pellets want to pass side by side, the likely hood of jamming is very high as
3 pellets
want to pass where only 2 can fit. And, as already discussed, Shay can only
change
portion size by physically replacing food delivery chamber 16.
Another possible source of jamming resides in divider 58 pushing aside the
feed
which is between outlet 36 and receiving opening 38. This action can push the
feed
in hopper 14 and pack it in such a way that it is jammed in place and no
longer falls
by gravity alone. If the feed cannot be pushed, tehn tehre is jamming in the
opening
unless the solenoid is strong enough to crush the pellets and meanwhile, more
pellets have time to fall into the food delivery chamber 16 which skews the
desired
quantity.
There is therefore a need for a practical, efficient, safe and inexpensive
automated
pet feeding machine.
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PRIOR ART CAPABILITY AND MOTIVATIONS, AS HELPING TO SHOW
PATENTABILITY HERE
Even in hindsight consideration of the present invention to determine its
inventive and
novel nature, it is not only conceded but emphasized that the prior art had
many
details usable in this invention, but only if the prior art had had the
guidance of the
present invention, details of both capability and motivation.
That is, it is emphasized that the prior art had/or knew several particulars
which
individually and accumulatively show the non-obviousness of this combination
invention. E.g.,
a) The nature of an invention as being a "novel combination", in spite of
existence of
details separately, is especially significant here where the novelty is of the
plurality of
concepts, i.e., the use of a multiple tray system with two types of chute
blockers, one
for measuring quantities while the other provides customization according to
pellet
size used;
b) The matter of particular cost-factors, in a detailed form which provides
for an
affordably price point which makes the product more popular in the
marketplace;
c) The cost-factors involved in the maintenance of wooden decks with frequent
painting, staining or vamishing, replacing damaged or rotting planks, etc;
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d) The prior art has always had sufficient skill to make this instant
invention and more
than ample skill to have achieved the present invention, but only if the
concepts and
their combinations had been conceived;
e) Substantially all of the operational characteristics and advantages of
details of the
present invention, when considered separately from one another and when
considered separately from the present invention's details and accomplishment
of the
details, are within the skill of persons of various arts, but only when
considered away
from the integrated and novel combination of concepts which by their
cooperative
combination achieve this advantageous invention;
f) The details of the present invention, when considered solely from the
standpoint of
construction, are exceedingly simple, basically a plastic body with few simple
moving
parts, an electric motor and an electronics control PCB. The matter of
simplicity of
construction has long been recognized as indicative of inventive creativity;
g) Similarly, and a long-recognized indication of inventiveness of a novel
combination, is the realistic principle that a person of ordinary skill in the
art, as
illustrated with respect to the daimed combination as differing in the stated
respects
from the prior art both as to construction and concept, is presumed to be one
who
thinks along the line of conventional wisdom in the art and is not one who
undertakes
to innovate; and
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h) The predictable benefits from a novel automatic pet feeder having features
of non
blocking of food pellets, selection of food quantities and optimisation of
food delivery
according to pellet size would seem sufficiently high that others would have
been
working on this type of product, but only if the concepts which it presents
had been
conceived.
Accordingly, although the prior art has had capability and motivation, amply
sufficient
to presumably give incentive to the development a product and installation
method
according to the present invention, the fact remains that this invention
awaited the
creativity and inventive discovery of the present Inventor. In spite of ample
motivation, the prior art did not suggest this invention.
PRIOR ART AS PARTICULAR INSTANCES OF FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS
NOVEL PRODUCT AND INSTALLATION METHOD
In view of the general economic advantages, reliability advantages, feature
rich
advantages etc., of the present invention as an improved embodiment of the
prior art,
it may be difficult to realize that the prior art has not conceived of the
combination
purpose and achievement of the present invention, even though the need for
automated devices to simplify human existence is a known requested commodity
for
people nowadays who have less and less time for leisure and many things on
their
mind which requires automated processes as means of freeing one's mind for
other
things. Surely the need for automated pet feeders has been known for decades
and
the technology to achieve such results has been known for years and that the
various
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combination provided in this invention would have been desired and attempted
long
ago, but only if its factors and combination-nature had been obvious.
Other considerations, as herein mentioned, when realistically evaluated show
the
inventive nature of the present invention, a change in concept which the prior
patent
and other prior art did not achieve.
SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ARTS LACK OF SUGGESTIONS OF THE CONCEPTS
OF THE INVENTION'S COMBINATION
And the existence of such prior art knowledge and related ideas embodying such
various features is not only conceded, it is emphasized; for as to the novelty
here of
the combination, of the invention as considered as a whole, a contrast to the
prior art
helps also to remind of needed improvement, and the advantages and the
inventive
significance of the present concepts. Thus, as shown herein as a contrast to
all the
prior art, the inventive significance of the present concepts as a combination
is
emphasized, and the nature of the concepts and their results can perhaps be
easier
seen as an invention.
Although varieties of prior art are conceded, and ample motivation is shown,
and full
capability in the prior art is conceded, no prior art shows or suggests
details of the
overall combination of the present invention, as is the proper and accepted
way of
considering the inventiveness nature of the concepts.
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That is, although the prior art may show an approach to the overall invention,
it is
determinatively significant that none of the prior art shows the novel and
advantageous concepts in combination, which provides the merits of this
invention,
even though certain details are shown separately from this accomplishment as a
combination.
And the prior art's lack of an invention of an economical, easy to program,
adjust and
control automated feeder which is reliable because of its anti blocking
features which
unblocks food in the hopper; prevents jamming during passing from the hopper
to the
trays and into the bowl; measures quantities precisely; allows for easy
changing of
quantities; and allows for a variety of dry pellet food to be used with the
machine, all
without risk of jamming, which are goals only approached by the prior art,
must be
recognized as being a long-felt need now fulfilled.
Accordingly, the various concepts and components are conceded and emphasized
to
have been widely known in the prior art as to various installations;
nevertheless, the
prior art not having had the particular combination of concepts and details as
here
presented and shown in novel combination different from the prior art and its
suggestions, even only a fair amount of realistic humility, to avoid
consideration of
this invention improperly by hindsight, requires the concepts and achievements
here
to be realistically viewed as a novel combination, inventive in nature. And
especially
is this a realistic consideration when viewed from the position of a person of
ordinary
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skill in this art at the time of this invention, and without trying to
reconstruct this
invention from the prior art without use of hindsight toward particulars not
suggested
by the prior art.
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a practical pet feeding
machine.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a pet feeding machine
having
anti blocking features.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a pet feeding machine
that
prevents jamming during passing from the hopper to the trays and into the
bowl.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a pet feeding machine
that
measures quantities precisely.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a pet feeding machine
that allows
for easy changing of quantities.
A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a pet feeding machine
that allows
for a variety of dry pellet food to be used with the machine, all without risk
of
jamming.
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A final object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive pet
feeding
machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to do so, the invention has a very simple system for measuring and
distributing food quantities using the combination of an electric motor that
moves a
rod linearly and slidable panels to control the flow of food pellets into a
bowl. The
downward tilt motion of the food tray blocks any food from flowing out of the
hopper
during this step. A reverse rotation of the electric motor retums the food
tray to its first
position where the hopper's exit is liberated and a portion is once again
poured into
the food tray, ready for the next feed cycle.
Additionally, additional hopper modules can be purchased separately to
increase the
size of the hopper.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of
the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better
understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
better
appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be
described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended
hereto.
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In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to
the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it
is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other
structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the
present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as
including such
equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the
present invention.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of
novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity
in the
claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by
its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 Side elevation of the automated pet feeding machine set at the first
mode.
FIG. 2 Side elevation of the automated pet feeding machine set at the second
mode.
FIG. 3 Orthogonal view of the food tray with its servings vanes.
FIG. 4 Orthogonal view of the food tray and its partitions.
FIG. 5 Side elevation of the the automated pet feeding machine with its front
panels
taken out.
FIG. 6 Orthogonal view of the automated pet feeding machine with its
additional
hopper modules.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. I An automated pet feeding machine (10) has a housing (12), a removable
lid
assembly (14), a hopper (16), a chute (22) and a food tray (24). By lifting
the lid (18)
from the removable lid assembly system (14), a user can pour dry pet food (20)
into
the hopper (16). From there, the chute (22) allows some of the pet food (20)
to spill
into the food tray (24) where it will stay until a preprogrammed sequence on a
PCB
(25) activates a geared electric motor (26) which linearly moves a rod (27) by
way of
a wheel (28). The rod (27) tilts the food tray (24) around a rotational axis
(30)
downward from a first position into a second position where the pet food (20)
is
poured, via an exit aperture (29), into a pet feeding bowl (50). The use of
motors
transforming a rotational motion into a linear motion is well known and need
not be
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further discussed here. A number of variations of such known means can be used
as
part of this invention without going beyond its scope.
FIG. 2 The downward tilt motion of the food tray (24) stops any pet food (20)
from
flowing out of the hopper (16) during this step by way of a chute blocker
(31). Once
the PCB (25) orders a reversal of the rotation of the electric motor (26), the
food tray
(24) retums to its first position where the chute (22) is once again liberated
and a
portion of pet food (20) is again poured into the food tray (24), ready for
the next feed
cycle.
FIG. 3 The housing (12) has a window (34) through which one can see the food
tray
(24). Entry of food is regulated by slidable vanes (36) which can be slid open
one at
a time with each vane (36) giving out one portion. There is preferably one
less such
vane (36) as there are compartments (60) since it is assumed that at least one
compartment would always be used for a minimal amount of food (20) to be
delivered.
Because of this very simple use of vanes (36), precise food quantities can be
measured without resorting to electronic means of control which control
electomechanical means such as worm screws and other such devices seen in the
prior art. This increases reliability while reducing manufacturing costs. In a
preferred
embodiment, there are four compartments so that a user can easily divide
portions in
quarters. A main blocker (38) is used for controlling the flow according to
pellet size.
By sliding the main blocker (38), one can adjust the opening according to the
size of
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the pet food (20) pellets so that the portions can flow out into the
compartments (60)
easily without jamming and it also helps in making a similar amount of pet
food to fall
into each compartment (60). The main blocker (38) also diverts the action of
gravity
that would otherwise have the pet food (20) apply pressure on the food tray
(24)
which would necessitate a more powerful electric motor (26).
FIG. 4 The food tray (24) is subdivided into a plurality of compartments (60)
by
partitions (48). The food tray (24) also has a chute blocker (31) which stops
the pet
food (20) from escaping the from the hopper (16) while the food tray (24)
moves into
its second position. There are two fins (54, 54') extending perpendicularty
from the
rear of the chute blocker (31) that are positioned and configured so as to
eliminate all
possible jamming of food. The first fin (54) is positioned against the housing
(12) and
in line with the side of the food tray (24) while the second fin (54') is in
line with the
partition (48) which separates the first compartment (60') from the second
compartment (60"). When the food tray (24) moves from the first to the second
position, the fins (54, 54') push into the food (20) and actually create an
area where
the food is less packed which ultimately prevents jamming of the food (20) so
that it
can easily flow into the food tray (24) afterwards.
FIG. 5 Access to the food tray (24) is made easy through a removable window
(34)
as well as a removable bottom panel (56) which gives access to the electric
motor
(26) as well as the PCB (28) for easy servicing and cleaning since, over time,
fine
food powder can find its way there..
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FIG. 6 Additional hopper modules (40) can be purchased separately to increase
the
capacity for food (20) storage. The bowl (50) is releasably attached by
releasably
attachable means (58) to the rest of the pet feeding machine (10) so that the
food
(20) can spill into it properly and so that pets can't displace it while being
sufficiently
releasable for cleaning purposes.
The PCB (28) controls the following mode of operation: Upon first use or when
reprogramming, time of day is adjusted followed by a selection of feeding
time. A
time is selected by the user for at least one but preferably more feeding
times during
a full 24 hour day. The user can also override any preset feeding time by
pressing a
button that will immediately deliver a portion of pet food (20). There are of
course
more features that can be programmed as the cost of electronic components
allow to
upgrade features while keeping costs constant. These features are also
anticipated
by other automated pet feeders of teh prior art but the reliance of simple yet
efficient
mechnical systems in theis instant invention allows for a very simple and
inexpensive
PCB to complement the functionality of this device.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present
invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no
further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be
provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum
dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include
variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use,
are
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deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
exact construction
and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and
equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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