Patent ID: 7600487
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A top-fill liquid bird feeder for providing liquid nectar to hummingbirds, comprising: a liquid container configured to contain a volume of liquid nectar and having a sealable top opening and a bottom portion with a bottom opening; a cover adapted to engage said liquid container to close said top opening and create an airtight seal therewith; a liquid tray adapted to immerse said bottom opening in liquid to allow a vacuum created in an upper end of said liquid container to retain liquid in said container when the top opening is sealed by the cover, said tray including a vertically oriented cylindrical collar adapted to connect to said bottom portion of said liquid container, said cylindrical collar being axially closed at a lower end thereof by said liquid tray and having a vertically oriented cylindrical side wall with at least one liquid port located therein, said liquid tray including at least one feeding port through which hummingbirds can access the liquid nectar in said tray; and a valve mechanism adapted to close said bottom opening to enable said liquid container to be filled by removing said cover and adding liquid nectar through said top opening while, at the same time, blocking leakage of any remaining nectar still in said liquid container through said feeding port by said valve mechanism closure of said bottom opening, said valve mechanism including a rotatable member having a vertically oriented cylindrical side wall with at least one opening therein adapted to be selectively aligned and misaligned with said at least one liquid port in said cylindrical collar to respectively open and close said port upon rotation of said rotatable member around a vertical axis.