Abstract:
A birdfeeder that is easily packed, delivered, assembled and disassembled. The birdfeeder is comprised of eight ⅛″ thick, flat parts that lock together by taking advantage of gravity and friction created by the use of a keyed mortise and tenon connection, such as that common to wood construction at the turn of the century. The eight parts disassembled pack flat as a kit for shipping and stocking. Once received the birdfeeder kit is easily assembled &amp; disassembled, optionally without the use of tools or fasteners.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is in the field of animal feeding and more specifically in the field of bird feeding. 
     2. Related Art 
     A birdfeeder is an object that stores and provides food for birds. Birdfeeders can be found in both urban and suburban areas and are useful for feeding birds in a variety weather condition in many locations. Birdfeeders can serve to gather birds for watching or provide feed during harsh seasons that can make food scarce. Birdfeeders are frequently hung from a tree or bracket, or can be set atop an object like a post. Birdfeeders may be made from a number of materials and come in a variety of configurations depending upon the type of birdfeed and/or birds that are desired to be attracted to a particular location. 
     Common birdfeeder configurations may not lend themselves to be shipped in a cost effective manner because of their bulky size and/or heavy weight. Most birdfeeders are also made in conventional configurations that are not aesthetically progressive or interesting. Some birdfeeders may also require assembly when they are removed from their shipping box. This assembly generally requires the use of tools. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a birdfeeder that principally comprises a number of flat components. Typically, these flat components are easily packed, shipped, assembled and disassembled. These components optionally do not require tools and/or fasteners for assembly. The birdfeeder kit utilizes a variation of keyed mortise and tenon connections, such as those common to wood construction. 
     In various embodiments the invention includes a kit comprised of approximately eight rigid flat components made of solid construction. The components have a multitude of slots and openings that enable them to be locked together utilizing friction and gravity to form a birdfeeder. 
     In various embodiments some or all of the components of the kit are transparent, opaque or semi-opaque, rigid or semi-rigid, or some combination thereof. Surfaces of these components may be textured, imprinted, figured, colored or veneered. 
     Various embodiments of the invention include a system comprising: a pair of flat end panels each including a plurality of slots, the pair of flat end panels including at least one opening; a first side panel configured to slide into at least two slots of each of the end panels, and including at least one slot; and a second side panel configured to slide into at least two slots of each of the end panels and to slide into the slot of the first side panel, and configured to form a container, the container including the opening disposed adjacent to a troth formed by extensions of the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     Various embodiments of the invention include a method comprising: selecting a first end panel and a second end panel, each of the first end panel comprising a wide slot and a narrow slot; sliding a first side panel into the wide slot the first end panel; sliding the first side panel into the side slot of the second end panel; sliding a second side panel into the narrow slot of the first end panel, the narrow slot of the second end panel and a slot of the first side panel so as to form a v-shaped container, the v-shaped container comprising at least one hole configured to allow contents of the container to fall into a trough formed by the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     Various embodiments of the invention include a kit comprising: a plurality of flat panels each including slots, the panels configured to form a birdfeeder when assemble by sliding the panels into the slots; and packaging configured to hold the plurality of flat panels in a flat stacked geometry. 
     Various embodiments of the invention include a method comprising: receiving flat stock material; and cutting the receive flat stock material into a pair of flat end panels each including a plurality of slots, the pair of flat end panels including at least one opening configured to pass birdseed, a first side panel configured to slide into slots of the end panels, and including at least one slot, and a second side panel configured to slide into the slots of the end panels and to slide into the slot of the first side panel, and configured to form a v-shaped birdfeeder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding and simplicity, common numbering and lettering of elements within the illustrations is employed where an element is the same in different drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an assembled birdfeeder, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an end panel, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a tall side panel, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a short side panel, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a body-locking piece, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a roof piece, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a roof-locking piece, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a hanger piece, according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a method of assembling the birdfeeder of  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a method of manufacturing the birdfeeder of  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include a birdfeeder that comprises a plurality of interlocking pieces. These pieces are optionally cut from flat stock material. The use of flat pieces may allow the disassembled birdfeeder to be more easily packed, stocked and shipped, relative to birdfeeders of the prior art. The plurality of pieces interlock using slots and tabs. In some embodiments, these slots and tabs are configured such that the birdfeeder can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools and/or fasteners. For example, without the use of bolts, screws, rivets, clips or nails. The interlocking nature of the pieces may also make the birdfeeder easier to refill, relative to birdfeeders of the prior art. In some embodiments, the pieces are interlocked using a modified keyed mortise and tenon ‘keyed’ joint, such as those commonly found in wood construction in the late 1800s. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an assembled birdfeeder  100 , according to various embodiments of the invention. Birdfeeder  100  is comprised of a plurality of flat pieces configured to be interlocked together. These flat pieces are typically on the order of ⅛″ thick, although as described elsewhere herein their thickness may vary. The pieces of birdfeeder  100  may be classified into three groups, body pieces that are configured to form the body of birdfeeder  100 , locking pieces that are configure for locking pieces in place, and one or more support pieces configured to support the birdfeeder  100 . In alternative embodiments, locking pieces and/or support pieces are formed from round stock rather than flat stock. 
     The birdfeeder  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is optionally provided as a kit including at least the body pieces and the locking pieces. This kit is optionally packaged such that the body pieces are stacked together in a stacked parallel geometry. This geometry minimizes a thickness of the packaged kit. 
     The embodiments of birdfeeder  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are composed of eight flat parts. Birdfeeder  100  may be hung by a string  105  and a support piece from a tree, post, shepard&#39;s crook, or the like. In these embodiments the body of birdfeeder  100  includes six flat body pieces and two optionally flat locking pieces. More specifically, the body is composed of body pieces comprising two end panels  120 , a tall side panel  130 , a short side panel  140  and an optional roof piece  160 . These body pieces are held together by an optional body-locking piece  150  and an optional roof-locking piece  170 . Birdseed may be added to birdfeeder  100  by temporally removing roof piece  160 . A cavity formed by end panels, tall side panel  130  and short side panel  140  is configured to be filled with birdseed  101  (represented by a dotted line in  FIG. 1 ). When birdseed  101  is poured into the cavity of birdfeeder  100  some of the birdseed  101  will spill out of end panels  120  through one or more openings  119 . This birdseed  101  will fall into a v-shaped trough that is formed by one or more extensions  133  of tall side panel  130  and one or more extensions  143  of short side panel  140 . Birds may perch on extensions  133  and extensions  143  to feed on the birdseed held therein.  FIGS. 2-8  illustrate further details of the pieces of birdfeeder  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates end panels  120  that include a plurality of slots labeled  121  through  128 , and notches labeled  129 . End panels  120  further include one or more optional opening  119 . At least one of end panels  120  includes opening  119 . Opening(s)  119  is(are) the location at which birdseed spills from the cavity formed by the body pieces into the trough created by extensions  133  and extensions  143 . In some embodiments, a single opening  119  includes several holes. 
     Slots  121  and  123  through  128  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of parts  130 ,  140 ,  160 ,  170  and  180 . Slot  122  is characterized by a width approximately equal to a sum of the thicknesses of parts  150  and  130 . The interlocking of pieces and slots is optionally performed without tools and/or fasteners. 
     Optional hanger piece  180  (See  FIG. 8 ) is configured to fit into optional slots  128  of End panels  120  at slots  183  of hanger piece  180 . Tall side panel  130  (See  FIG. 3 ) is configured to fit into slots  121  and  122  of end panels  120  at slots  131  and  132 , respectively. Short side panel  140  (See  FIG. 4 ) is configured to fit into slots  123  and  124  of end panels  120  at slots  141  and  142 , respectively. Body-locking piece  150  (See  FIG. 5 ) is configured to fit into slots  122  of end panel  120  at slots  151  while disposed against tall side panel  130 . Slots  122  of end panels  120  are configured to receive both tall side panel  130  and body locking body-locking piece  150  to create a keyed mortise and tenon connection together with short side panel  140 . 
     Roof piece  160  (See  FIG. 6 ) is configured to fit into slots  125  and  126  of end panels  120 . Roof-locking piece  170  (See  FIG. 7 ) is configured to fit into slots  127  of end panels  120  at slots  171 . 
     Optional notches  129  are cut-outs placed in end panels  120  to serve as drip edges for water that runs down the edge of end panels  120 . One of the desired result of notches  129  is optionally that beads of water that run down the edge of end panels  120  from above notches  129  will be stopped or slowed by the notch. Typically, notches  129  are configured to reduce an amount of water reaching the troughs formed by extensions  143  and  133 . Notches  129  are optionally used to hang birdfeeder  100  using, for example strings, wires, or the like. 
     The thickness of end panels  120 , tall side panel  130  and/or short side panel  140  are typically 1/8″ in the embodiments discussed herein, however, in alternative embodiments one or more of these panels are approximately 1/16″, 3/16″, ¼″, 5/16″, ⅜″, 7/16″ ½″, or ¾″ thick, or some thickness between any pair of these values. Other pieces of birdfeeder  100  discussed herein may be of similar dimensions. 
     End panels  120 , tall side panel  130 , short side panel  140 , and/or optionally other pieces discussed herein may be made from plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic, metal, wood, or stone, clay, cloth, polymer, or the like. End panels  120 , tall side panel  130  and/or short side panel  140 , and/or other pieces described herein may be injection molded, milled, formed from flat stock, or the like. Different parts of birdfeeder  100  may comprise different materials, may be transparent or opaque to varying degrees, may be veneered, and/or may be textured or colored. Birdfeeder  100  is optionally constructed of material resistant to ultraviolet light. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates tall side panel  130  that includes an opening  134 , slots  131  and  132 , extensions  133 , and tabs  135  and  136 . Opening  134  is configured to receive a tab  145  of short side panel  140  thereby forming two of the three parts of a keyed mortise and tenon connection. Slots  131  and  132  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . End panels  120  are configured to fit into slots  131  and  132  of tall side panel  130  at slots  121  and  122  respectively. Tall side panel  130  is locked into place by friction and gravity and extensions  133  and tabs  136 . Extensions  133  of tall side panel  130  together with extensions  143  of short side panel  140  from the v-shaped trough. Birds can perch and feed on extensions  133  of tall side panel  130  together with extensions  143  of short side panel  140 . Tab  135  forms the bottom of opening  134 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates short side panel  140  that includes two openings  144  and  147 , slots labeled  141  and  142 , extensions  143  and tab  145 . Opening  144  is configured to receive tab  153  of body-locking piece  150  thereby forming the third of three parts, along with tall side panel  130 , of a keyed mortise and tenon connection. In this connection opening  144  is the mortise and tab  153  is the tenon. The tenon is locked into the mortise by body-locking piece  150 , which is configured to function as the key. Slots  141  and  142  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . End panels  120  are configured to fit into slots  141  and  142  of short side panel  140  at slots  123  and  124  respectively. Short side panel  140  is configured to be locked into place by friction and gravity and extensions  143  and slots  141 . The bottom of optional opening  147  sits at the interior juncture of tall side panel  130  and short side panel  140  when birdfeeder  100  is assembled. In some embodiments, the purpose of opening  147  is twofold. Firstly, opening  147  is configured to allow air to circulate on the interior of birdfeeder  100  when it is filled with birdseed. The additional air provided by the opening in short side piece  140  may assist in the drying of any water within the interior of the body of birdfeeder  100 . Secondly, any water that ends up on the interior of the body of birdfeeder  100  can filter through the birdseed and down to the location of opening  147  and ultimately out of the feeder. Opening  147  is optional or may be configured in another geometrical configuration or at another location on short side panel  140 . In typical embodiments, opening is less than ¼″, ⅛″, 3/32″ or 1/16″ thick. Opening  156  is optionally covered by a screen (not shown) configured to prevent birdseed from passing thorough opening  156 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates body-locking piece  150  that includes slots  151 , tabs  152  and  153 . Slots  151  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . End panels  120  are configured to fit into slots  151  of body-locking piece  150  at slots  122 . Body-locking piece  150  is typically locked into place by friction and gravity and tabs  152 . When assembled, tab  153  slides through opening  144  of short side piece  140  forming the locking piece and the third of three parts required for a keyed mortise and tenon connection. Body-locking piece  150  is optionally tapered in its thickness. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates optional roof piece  160  that includes slots  161  and optional recess  162 . Slots  161  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . During assembly roof piece  160  is fit into slots  125  and  126  of end panels  120 . Once slots  161  of roof piece  160  align with slots  126  of end panels  120 , roof piece  160  can be slid into place. At this juncture end panels  120  fit into slots  161  of roof piece  160  at slots  126 . Roof piece  160  is held into place by friction and gravity and the locking configuration of slots  126  of end panels  120  and slots  161  of roof piece  160 . Recess  162  is disposed to face in the downward direction as roof piece  160  is slid into place. Recess  162  is configured to function as drip edges, for example approximately ¼″ in width and 1/16″ in depth. Recesses  162  are placed in roof piece  160  for water that runs along the underside of roof piece  160  and toward the interior of the body of birdfeeder  100  where the birdseed is kept. In some embodiments, a desired result of recess  162  is that beads of water that run back in toward the birdseed storage location will be stopped or slowed. Recess  162  is optional or may be configured in another geometrical configuration or at another location on roof piece  160 . Recess  162  optionally includes a plurality of recesses. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an optional roof-locking piece  170  that includes slots  171  and tabs  172 . Slots  171  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . End panels  120  fit into slots  171  of roof-locking piece  170  at slots  127 . Roof-locking piece  170  is held into place by friction and gravity as well as tabs  172 . Roof-locking piece  170  is configured to lock roof piece  160  in place by maintaining a barrier to roof piece  160  sliding toward short side panel  140 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates optional hanger piece  180  that includes notch  181 , hole  182 , slots  183 , tabs  184  and opening  185 . Notch  181  and hole  182  are fashioned to received and hold a piece of string, cable, chain, line, pole, rod, or the like to serve the purpose of hanging birdfeeder  100  from a stationary object. A wire may be run through hole  182  and secured within notch  181  as well as tied a stationary object for hanging birdfeeder  100 . Hanger piece  180  is configured to be held in place by gravitational force due to the fixed end of the line above birdfeeder  100  on a stationary object and the weight of birdfeeder  100  filled or unfilled with birdseed. Slots  183  are characterized by a width approximately equal to the thickness of end panels  120 . End panels  120  are configured to fit into slots  183  of hanger piece  180  at slots  128 . Hanger piece  180  is locked into place by friction and gravity and tabs  184 . Opening  185  is decorative and optional. Opening  185  also assists as an alternate location for the user to pour birdseed into the body of birdfeeder  100 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the assembly of birdfeeder  100  in various steps, according to various embodiments of the invention. In alternative embodiments, the illustrated steps are performed in alternative orders. In a step  1 , one of end panels  120  is selected. 
     In a step  2  tall side panel  130  is disposed in contact with the end panel  120  selected in step  1 . End panel  120  receives tall side panel  130  at slots  131 . 
     In a step  3  tall side panel  130  is secured onto end panel  120  at slots  121  and  122  by sliding into these slots. Specifically, slot  131  of tall side panel  130  is slid into slot  121  of end panel  120  at the same time that slot  132  of tall side panel  130  is slid into slot  122  of end panel  120 . Tall side panel  130  is secured when it is pushed in a downward motion until the limits of the slots are achieved. Tall side panel  130  stays in place, for example, by virtue of the friction created between the parts as well as the gravitational force that acts on tall side panel  130  keeping it secured on end panel  120 . Tab  136  and extension  133  of tall side panel  130  also act to secure tall side panel  130  on end panel  120  by forming slots  131  and  132 . 
     In a step  4  the second end panel  120  is secured onto the opposite side of tall side panel  130 . Slot  131  of tall side panel  130  is slid into slot  121  of second end panel  120  at the same time that slot  132  of tall side panel  130  is slid into slot  122  of second end panel  120 . Tall side panel  130  is secured when it is pushed in a downward motion until the limits of the slots are achieved. Tall side panel  130  stays in place by virtue of the friction created between the parts as well as the gravitational force that acts on tall side panel  130  keeping it secured on second end panel  120 . Tab  135  and extension  133  of tall side panel  130  also act to secure tall side panel  130  on second end panel  120  by forming slots  131  and  132 . 
     In a step  5  short side panel  140  is disposed in contact with both end panels  120 . Slots  141  and  142  of short side panel  140  receive both end panels  120 . 
     In a step  6  short side panel  140  is secured onto both end panels  120 . Slots  141  of short side panel  140  are slid into slot  123  of end panels  120  at the same time that slots  142  of short side panel  140  are slid into slots  124  of panels  120 . As short side panel  140  is slid in a downward direction, tab  145  of short side panel  140  slides through opening  134  which is just above tab  135  of tall side panel  130 . Short side panel  140  is secured when it is pushed in a downward motion until the limits of the slots are achieved. Short side panel  140  stays in place by virtue of the friction created between the parts as well as gravitational force that act on short side panel  140  keeping it secured on end panels  120 . Tabs  146  and extensions  143  of short side panel  140  also act to secure short side panel  140  on end panels  120  by locking through openings  134  and  144 . 
     In a step  7  body-locking piece  150  is disposed adjacent to short side panel  140  and slots  122 . In a step  8  body-locking piece  150  is used to lock short side panel  140  and tall side panel  130  into place. Specifically, body-locking piece  150  is slid onto slots  122  of end panels  120  at corresponding slots  151  of body-locking piece  150 . As body-locking piece  150  is slid in a downward motion it is configured to pass through opening  144  of short side panel  140 . Body-locking piece  150  is secured when it is pushed in a downward motion until the limits of slots are achieved. Body-locking piece  150  stays in place by virtue of the friction created between the parts as well as the gravitational force that acts on body-locking piece  150  keeping it secured on end panels  120 . Tab  152  of body-locking piece  150  also act to secure it in place by forming slots  151 . End panels  120  together with tall side panel  130 , short side panel  140  and body-locking piece  150 , make up the body of the birdfeeder  100 . Once in place body-locking piece  150  secures the body of birdfeeder  100 . Once this body is secured, birdseed may be added, stored and/or delivered. 
     In a step  9  roof piece  160  as it is slid into place above the body of birdfeeder  100 . Recess  162  is disposed to face in the downward direction (toward the body). Roof piece  160  can be slid into end panels  120  from either side of birdfeeder  100 . Slots  161  of roof piece  160  are disposed to the sides of slots  125  of end panels  120 . 
     In a step  10  roof piece  160  is secured into place on end panels  120 . Roof piece  160  is slid into end panels  120  at slots  125  and  126  until slots  161  of roof piece  160  align with end panels  120 . At that point, roof piece  160  is slide onto end panels  120  as slots  161  are received by corresponding slots  126  of end panels  120 . Roof piece  160  is configured to stay in place by virtue of the friction created between the parts as well as the minimal gravitational force that act on roof piece  160  keeping it secure on end panels  120 . 
     In an optional step  11  hanger piece  180  is disposed relative to end panels  120 . Step  11  optionally includes inserting roof-locking piece  170  into slots  127  of end panels  120 . Roof-locking piece  170  is disposed such that slots  171  are facing in the downward direction. Step  11  optionally includes insertion of roof-locking piece  170  without use of hanger piece. 
     In a Step  12  hanger piece  180  is secured into place on end panels  120 . Hanger piece  180  is slid onto end panels  120  where slots  183  of hanger piece  180  correspond with slots  128  of end panels  120 . Hanger piece  180  is secured when it is pushed in an upward diagonal motion until the limits of the slots are achieved. Tabs  184  of hanger piece  180  also act to secure it in place by forming slots  183 . Friction created between the parts also act to secure hanger piece  180  in place. As described elsewhere herein, hole  182  and notch  181  accommodate a hanger, such as a string, etc. Hole  182  and notch  181  are typically disposed approximately over a center of mass of birdfeeder  100 . Hanger piece  180  is locked into place by virtue of the opposing forces of friction and gravity acting on birdfeeder  100  in a downward direction and a piece of secured string pulling hanger piece  180  in an upward direction. Step  12  optionally also includes securing roof-locking piece  170  into place on end panels  120 . Specifically, roof-locking piece  170  is slid into end panels  120  at slots  127  until slots  171  of roof-locking piece  170  align with end panels  120 . Roof-locking piece  170  is secured when it is pushed in a downward direction until the limits of slots are achieved. Roof-locking piece  170  secures roof piece  160  by virtue of its placement in slots  127  of end parts  120 . Roof-locking piece  170  blocks roof piece  160  from sliding beyond its location. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a method of manufacturing the birdfeeder  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments of the invention. This method includes cutting a flat stock material to produce panels and/or pieces discussed elsewhere herein. Cutting may be accomplished using a mill, laser cutter, saw, electronic discharge cutting machine, router, stamping machine, or the like. Multiple pieces are optionally cut at the same time by stacking the stock material and cutting the entire stack at once using the same cutting device. As such, several birdfeeder  100  may be cut in parallel. The steps illustrated in  FIG. 10  are optionally performed in alternative orders. In alternative embodiments, the cutting steps described herein are replaced by molding or other forming steps. More than one of the panels and/or pieces discussed herein is optionally cut from the same piece or multiple pieces of flat stock. 
     In a receive step  1010  a flat stock material is received. This flat stock material is of a thickness of desired parts of birdfeeder  100  and, as discussed elsewhere herein, may include a wide variety of materials. The received flat stock material may include one or multiple pieces. 
     In a cut end panels step  1020  the flat stock is cut to make end panels  120 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Different tools are optionally used to cut different elements of end panels  120 , and other parts discussed herein. For example, a mill may be used to cut opening  119  and a saw may be used to cut other elements. 
     In a cut short side panel step  1030  the flat stock is cut to make short panel  140 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In a cut tall side panel step  1040  the flat stock is cut to make tall side panel  130 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     In an optional cut body-locking piece step  1050  body-locking piece  150  is cut, optionally from the flat stock received in receive step  1010 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In alternative embodiments, body-locking piece is cut from material having a round shape, or the like. 
     In an optional cut roof piece step  1060  roof piece  160  is cut, optionally from the flat stock received in receive step  1010 . This cutting results in profiles such as those illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In an optional cut roof-locking piece step  1070  roof-locking piece  170  is cut, optionally from the flat stock received in receive step  1010 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In alternative embodiment, roof-locking piece is cut from material having a round shape, or the like. 
     In an optional cut hanger piece step  1080  hanger piece  180  is cut, optionally from the flat stock received in receive step  1010 . This cutting results in a profile such as that illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     In an optional package step  1090  one or more of the pieces and/or panels cut in the steps above are packaged as a birdfeeder kit. Those pieces and/or panels cut from the stock material received in receive step  1010  are optionally packaged in a flat parallel geometry, e.g., stacked flat together. The packaging may include a polymer film, cardboard, paper, foil, plastic, or the like. The packaging typically includes assembly instructions illustrating how to assemble birdfeeder  100  without tools and/or fasteners. The packaging is configured to hold the kit together. 
     Several embodiments are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations are covered by the above teachings and within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope thereof. For example, embodiments of the invention my include the use of force fitting, cryo-fitting, adhesives, or the like, or a combination thereof to secure assembly of the birdfeeder  100 . In some embodiments, roof piece  160  includes material disposed to cover the troughs formed by extensions  133  and  143 . This material is configured to shelter these troughs from rain. The assembly described herein may be adapted for alternative uses such as other types of animal feeders, shelters, fluid handlers, solid material handlers, or the like. 
     The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and or specific structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated.