Patent ID: 6053124
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
Apparatus for dispensing granulated edible material to an animal upon demand by the animal, comprising:a housing having a tongue opening in a side thereof, the tongue opening being sufficiently large to permit a tongue of the animal to extend therethrough;a bin within the housing;a downwardly oriented chute in a bottom of the bin; anda dispensing assembly that is actuated by the animal, comprising:a stopper assembly including a stopper sized to close the chute when the stopper assembly is in a first position and to allow granulated edible material to flow through the chute when the stopper assembly is in a second position, andan actuating block affixed to the stopper assembly such that the actuating block is accessible to the tongue of the animal when the tongue extends through the opening in the housing and the tongue may move the actuating block such that the stopper assembly moves from the first position to the second position.