Patent ID: 7891319
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
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 flow opening; a seal element adapted to close said top opening and with an airtight seal; a liquid tray configured to connect with said container bottom portion to allow liquid nectar from said container to flow into said tray through said flow opening so that a vacuum is created in an upper end of said liquid container to retain liquid in said container when the top opening is sealed by the seal element, said liquid tray having a cover and including at least one feeding port through which hummingbirds can access the liquid nectar in said tray; and a valve mechanism including a control member movable in a substantially horizontal plane to selectively open and close said flow opening through which liquid in said container flows into said liquid tray, closure of said flow opening by said valve mechanism enabling said liquid container to be filled by removing said seal element 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 flow opening when the vacuum in the upper end is lost upon removal of said seal element.