Patent ID: 11944075
Assignee: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 18:
19. A top-fill hummingbird feeder, comprising:
a nectar container having a liquid flow opening at a lower end;
a feeding basin positioned below the nectar container for containing nectar accessed by birds through at least one feeding port; and
a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening of the nectar container and the feeding basin, the sealing mechanism having a float valve including:
a frame formed as an annular ring having a downwardly extending rim defining an open central area spanned by a bridge, and a flat upper surface extending radially outward from a top of the rim defining a lip;
a float seal removably received within an opening defined in the bridge of the frame for engaging with the liquid flow opening of the nectar container; and
a buoyant member formed as an annular ring and discrete from the frame and the float seal, the rim of the frame removably received through a central opening of the buoyant member such that an upper side of the annular ring of the buoyant member is captured by the lip and contacts an underside of the lip continuously about its circumference, wherein in a first position the float valve opens the liquid flow opening allowing fluid to flow from the container into the basin, and in a second position the float valve closes the liquid flow opening to prevent fluid flow from the container into the basin.