Patent ID: 8291862
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A top-fill hummingbird feeder comprising: a liquid container having a top end opening and a bottom end opening, said container being filled through said top end; a removable cap for sealing the top end opening; a sealing mechanism operatively connected to the bottom end opening, said sealing mechanism including a movable component coupled to a lower end of said liquid container and linearly movable with said liquid container, and a seal element positioned below said movable component; a feeding basin having a bottom wall and upwardly directed sidewalls, a connecting element attached to said bottom wall and having an outer wall projecting upwardly from said bottom wall, said connecting element being configured to be movably coupled with said movable component so that said movable component can move relative to said connecting element, said outer wall of said connecting element having mouth openings therein adjacent said fluid basin bottom wall, said feeding basin further having at least one feeding port in liquid flow communication with a fluid holding area inside said basin; and said sealing mechanism being activated by vertical movement of said liquid container and movable component so that, when said liquid container is pulled upwardly away from said basin, said movable component is moved to a first position relative to said connecting element in which fluid flow from the liquid container into said fluid holding area through the mouth openings is enabled and, when said liquid container and movable component are pushed downwardly toward said basin, said movable component is moved to a second position relative to said connecting element in which said seal element blocks said mouth openings and prevents fluid flow from the liquid container into said fluid holding area.