Abstract:
A bird feeder configured to provide a liquid phase food and a gelatinous phase food to a plurality of birds. The bird feeder further includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment operbaly coupled each having an interior volume configured to store a liquid phase food. The first storage compartment further includes a plurality of apertures facilitating access to the liquid phase food stored therein. A gelatinous phase food assembly is further included and attached to the bird feeder proximate the first storage compartment. The gelatinous phase food assembly further includes four containers operable to store and dispense gelatinous phase food to a plurality of birds. The four containers are supported by an inner support ring and an outer support ring. A cover extends over the bird feeder functioning the protect the gelatinous food assembly from environmental elements.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a wild animal feeder, more specifically but not by way of limitation a bird feeder configured to provide a plurality food in a plurality of different phases wherein at least one phase of food is provided to the birds is a substantially gelatinous material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of individuals provide structures, such as bird feeders, for birds and other animals that are configured to provide food for the animals. These structures are often located proximate a residence so as to attract a variety of birds for the purpose of viewing. Conventional bird feeders are configured to provide a food to a plurality of different birds. Typically, conventional bird feeders are configured to store and dispense bird seed or other granular type food wherein the bird feeder has at least one compartment accessible to the user to dispose the bird seed therein. The compartment of the bird feeder is often configured with an opening at the bottom of the compartment such that as the birds consume the food, gravitational forces will bias the food towards the opening. 
     Alternatively, other conventional bird feeders are configured to provide liquid food to bird species such as hummingbirds. These types of bird feeders consistent of at least one compartment operable to store a liquid wherein the compartment is accessible to birds via at least one opening wherein the opening is covered with a collapsible membrane that allows the bird to penetrate the opening with its beak and further function to retain the liquid therein. 
     One problem with conventional bird feeders is that conventional bird feeders lack the configuration to provide a generally gelatinous food substance to the birds. Conventional bird seed feeders cannot have disposed therein a subsequently gelatinous bird food as the gelatinous food will propagate the bottom of the feeder from the opening. Additionally, conventional bird feeders that are configured to provide a liquid phase food to birds have shown to be insufficient in delivering gelatinous phase food as the viscosity of the gelatinous phase food is too high for birds to extract from conventional liquid feeders that have a membrane over the opening that provides access to the storage compartment for the liquid phase food. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bird feeder that is configured to provide food for birds wherein the bird feeder is operable to provide food in a plurality of phases, more specifically but not by way of limitation, food in a substantially gelatinous phase. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder that is configured to provide food to at least one bird wherein the food is provided in a plurality of phases. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operable to provide food to at least one bird wherein the bird feeder is configured to store and dispense food that is substantially gelatinous. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operably configured to provide a gelatinous phase food to at least one bird that further includes a plurality of compartments to store the gelatinous phase food. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operably configured to provide a gelatinous phase food to at least one bird that further includes a means to protect the gelatinous phase food from its environmental surroundings. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operably configured to provide gelatinous phase food to at least one bird that wherein the plurality of storage compartments operable to store the gelatinous phase food are removable and can be operbaly connected to a conventional bird feeder. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operable to provide a gelatinous phase food to at least one bird that further includes a storage compartment operable to store and dispense a liquid phase food. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operable to provide a gelatinous phase food that includes a means to suspend the bird feeder from a suitable support structure. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder operable to provide a gelatinous phase food to at least one bird that is easy to refill. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the gelatinous phase dispenser of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a bird feeder  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1  the bird feeder  100  includes a base  2  that is generally modified conical in shape operably coupled to a storage compartment  5 . The storage compartment  5  is generally modified oval in shape being substantially hollow and is fluidly connected to the tube  10  proximate the first end  11  of the tube  10 . The tube  10  is generally cylindrical in shape and extends upward from the storage compartment  5 . A top  15  is releasably secured proximate the second end  12  of the tube  10 . The top  15  further includes a ring  20  operable to suspend the bird feeder  100  from a suitable support structure. 
     The base  2  is constructed from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The base  2  is generally modified conical in shape having an upper portion  3  that is at least narrower in diameter than the lower portion  4 . The base  2  is substantially hollow having an interior volume and functions to store a fluid substance such as but not limited to nectar for birds. While the base  2  has been illustrated herein as being typically conical in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the base  2  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes and still achieve the desired function as described herein. The base  2  further includes a plurality of apertures  7 . The apertures  7  are journaled through the wall  1  of the base  2  using suitable techniques. The apertures  7  function to provide access to the interior volume of the base  2  so as to allow withdrawal of the contents disposed therein by a bird. A membrane  14  is mounted adjacent to the aperture  7 . The membrane  14  is a generally elastic and collapsible material that functions to cover the aperture  7  and provide access to the aperture  7  for animals such as birds with beaks wherein the beak of the bird can penetrate the membrane  14  and the bird can access the interior volume of the base  2  so as to access the liquid phase food stored therein. While it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that four apertures  7  are journaled through the wall  1  of the base, those skilled in the art will recognize that the base  2  could have numerous different amounts of apertures  7 . 
     Extending outward from the base  2  are a plurality of support members  77 . The support members  77  are secured to the base  2  utilizing suitable durable chemical or mechanical methods. The support members  77  are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic or metal. The support members  77  are generally arcuate in shape and function to provide support for a bird while accessing the apertures  7 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the support members  77  could be formed in numerous different shapes and perform the desired function as described herein. 
     Hermetically sealed to the upper portion  3  of the base  2  is the storage compartment  5 . The storage compartment  5  is generally modified oval in shape having an interior volume configured to store a fluid therein. The storage compartment  5  is fluidly connected to the base  2  such that as birds withdraw the fluid present in the base via the aperture  7 , any fluid that is present in the storage compartment  5  will transfer to the interior volume of the base by gravitational force. While the storage compartment  5  is illustrated in the preferred embodiment herein as being generally modified oval in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the storage compartment  5  could be formed in numerous different shapes and still achieve the desired function as described herein. Additionally, while the storage compartment  5  in its preferred embodiment has a wall  6  that is generally translucent, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the wall  6  could be non-translucent. 
     Fluidly sealed to the upper end  19  of the storage compartment  5  is the tube  10 . The tube  10  is hermetically sealed to the upper end  19  of the storage compartment  5  and functions to transfer fluid into the storage compartment  5 . The tube  10  is generally cylindrical in shape having a passage  21  operable to transfer fluid through the tube  10  into the storage compartment  5 . The passage  21  is accessed via the opening  22 . The tube  10  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. Releasably secured to the tube  10  opposite the storage compartment  5  is the top  15 . The top  15  is operably coupled to the tube  10  utilizing suitable durable means such as but not limited to threads. The top  15  is removable to allow access to the opening  22  in order to allow a user to deposit fluid therethrough. This allows a user to fill the base  2  and storage compartment  5  while maintaining the bird feeder  100  in a substantially vertical position. The top  15  is modified conical in shape and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the top  15  could be formed in numerous different shapes and still achieve the desired function as described herein. A ring  30  is operably coupled to the top  15  utilizing suitable durable means. The ring  30  is generally annular in shape having an opening  31  operable to receive therein a suitable support structure to suspend the bird feeder  100  therefrom. The ring  30  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal or plastic. 
     A cover  40  is releasably secured proximate the second end  12  of the tube  10 . The cover  40  is generally half-dome shaped and functions to shield the lower portion of the bird feeder  100  from environmental elements such as but not limited to precipitation or sun. The cover  40  extends beyond the perimeter of the containers  65 . The cover  40  is configured such that it is placed proximate the second end  12  of the tube  10  during removal of the top  15 . The cover  40  is held in place proximate the second end  12  of the tube  10  utilizing suitable conventional methods such as but not limited to a retaining ring. The top  15  is releasably secured to the tube  10  superposed the cover  40  in order to releasably secure the cover  40  such that the bottom edge  41  of the cover is oriented in a substantially horizontal manner. While the cover  40  is illustrated herein as being generally half-dome shaped, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the cover  40  could be shaped in numerous different manners and still achieve the desired functionality as described herein. 
     As shown in particular in  FIG. 2 , the bird feeder  100  further includes a gelatinous food storage unit  50 . The gelatinous food storage unit  50  functions to provide store and provide access to birds a second phase of food that is generally gelatinous in phase. The gelatinous food storage unit  50  further includes an inner support ring  55  and an outer support ring  60  having a plurality of containers  65  intermediate thereto. The inner support ring  55  is generally annular in shape and is constructed of a rigid suitable material such as but not limited to metal. The inner support ring  55  has an opening  56  that functions to releasably secure to the base  2 . The inner support ring  55  is superposed the lower portion  4  of the base  2  and is frictionally engaged therewith so as to maintain its position. While no specific diameter of the inner support ring  55  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing an inner support ring  55  that has an opening  56  that is approximately seven inches in diameter. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the diameter of the opening  56  is constructed to correspond to the diameter of the lower portion  4  of the base  2  such that the diameter of the opening is at least slightly smaller than the diameter of the lower portion  4  of the base  2  so as to frictionally engage therewith as desired within the scope of the present invention. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the inner support ring  55  could be fastened to the base  2  utilizing a plurality of conventional fasteners. 
     The gelatinous food storage unit  50  further includes the outer support ring  60 . The outer support ring  60  is generally annular in shape and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic or metal. The outer support ring  60  in conjunction with the inner support ring  55  function to provide structural support for containers  65 . While no specific diameter of the outer support ring  60  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing an outer support ring  60  that is approximately thirteen inches in diameter. 
     The containers  65  are secured intermediate the inner support ring  55  and outer support ring  60 . The containers  65  are generally bowl shaped having an interior volume  66  configured to receive and retain a gelatinous food substance. While no specific gelatinous food substance is preferred, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the containers  65  are filled with jelly wherein the jelly can be accessed by birds for consumption. The containers  65  are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The containers  65  are secured to the inner support ring  55  and outer support ring  60  utilizing conventional mechanical or chemical methods. While no specific size of the containers  65  is required good results have been achieved utilizing containers  65  that are approximately three inches in width. While in the illustrations submitted herewith the preferred embodiment includes four containers  65 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the bird feeder  100  could be configured with as few as one container  65 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , a description of the operation of the bird feeder  100  is as follows. In use, a user will remove the top  15  from the second end  12  of the tube  10  in order to access the opening  22  of the passage  21 . The user will dispense a desired fluid into the tube  10  via the opening  22  wherein the fluid will travel through the passage  21  and into the storage compartment  5  and subsequently the base  2 . As the fluid fills the interior volume of the base  2  the fluid subsequently fills the storage compartment  5 . The user dispenses the desired amount of fluid into the bird feeder  100 . The user replaces the top  15  ensuring that the cover has been superposed the second end  12  of the tube  10  and is in the desired position. Following the dispensing of fluid into at least the base  2 , the user will at least partially fill the containers  65  with the desired gelatinous food substance such as apple or grape jelly. Ensuing the deposit of the desired gelatinous food into the containers  65 , the bird feeder  100  is suspended on a suitable support structure utilizing the ring  30 . As required, the user will refill the base  2  or the containers  65  with the liquid phase and gelatinous phase food respectively. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.