Abstract:
The present invention is an animal feeder that allows for continued feeding, over a multitude of days if desired, of a smaller animal and has the ability to exclude other larger animals from its interior. The animal feeder may be constructed from three separate parts and excludes other animals by way of a size-exclusionary opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to animal feeders, particularly to a device and system for a feeding system that is accessible to one smaller animal, but is exclusionary to another larger animal. In addition, the present invention may be composed of three main interlocking elements; one being a food container that allows a caregiver to place enough food to feed the smaller animal for multiple days, thereby easing the amount of effort needed to feed the smaller animal, another being a housing chamber that is equipped with a size-exclusionary opening, and the third component being a base unit that can receive the feeding container and housing chamber, if desired. 
         [0003]    2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Many animal feeders have attempted to address a multitude of issues that may arise. For instance, multiple patents have been issued for devices that alleviate the caregiver&#39;s need to fill a container with food for the animal on a daily basis (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,401,657, 4,248,175, and 3,763,826). Other prior art recites devices that preclude other animals from entering the eating domain of one animal (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,458,336 and 4,793,290 and U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0272584). The advent of small devices powered by radio frequencies to gain entry into a space, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,336, allows caregivers a high-tech and high-expense option when trying to separate different types of animals during the feeding process. 
         [0005]    Presently, no animal feeder exists that is self-sustaining, portable, size-exclusionary and inexpensive. There is a need for animal feeders that are cost-effective, easy to use, and allow caregivers to feed one animal in a secluded environment. The present invention addresses these needs. As will be seen from the subsequent description, the preferred embodiment of the present invention overcomes these and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Homes with multiple pets often have difficulty controlling feeding behavior of the individual pets. This is especially apparent where different animals have various dietary needs and/or preferences for their eating environment. For example, in homes where both cats and dogs reside, dogs are notorious for interfering with the cat&#39;s food and feeding environment. Meanwhile, it is not common for a cat to interfere with a dog&#39;s food. Many caregivers with both dogs and cats resort to feeding the animals in separate physical locations (rooms, counters, etc,) and at separate times, at much effort to the caregiver. A device that restricts access of larger animals to a smaller animal&#39;s food, and allows the caregiver to put enough food in the feeding system to supply the smaller animal with food, for a multitude of days if desired, would be advantageous. Such a device is not currently available. 
         [0007]    The present invention is an animal feeder that allows for continued feeding, over a multitude of days if desired, of a smaller animal and has the ability to exclude other larger animals from its interior. The animal feeder may be constructed from three separate parts and excludes other animals by way of a size-exclusionary opening. Alternatively, the feeder may be made as one contiguous piece. The feeder may be constructed of plastics, polymers, fiberglass, epoxies, resins, polycarbonates, molding compounds, glues, woods, metals and the like. 
         [0008]    Consequently, the animal feeder may be made up of three main interlocking parts. The first is at least one base member that sits on a floor or surface and receives the food container and may receive the housing chamber, if desired. Latches may be used to secure the base to the other main parts of the present invention. The second is a container that is adaptable for holding food, and may hold enough food to feed the smaller animal for many days. The container has at least one opening to release food to the animal and may have an upper door used to deposit the food therein. The food-loading door may be coupled to a spring or locking mechanism to prevent animal entry into the container. The feeding chamber may allow the animal access to food through gravity flow, which may be effectuated by a slope in the bottom portion of the food container, or alternatively, integrated into the base as an upper surface. Egress of food may be slowed by the presence of a flap in the opening that releases food to the animal. The third part is a housing chamber that connects to the base, forming an enclosure in which the animal is able to reside while feeding. This housing chamber contains an opening that allows the smaller animal entry to its food and prevents a larger animal from entering. An entry door that is large enough for the smaller animal to gain access to its food, but is too small to permit the entry of another larger animal, can cover the opening in the housing chamber. For example, the housing allows the entry of a house cat, but not a medium-sized domestic dog (i.e., Labrador retriever, German Shepard, Collie, etc.). The feeding container and housing chamber are adaptable to be received by the base member (or base members) to form one unit. Alternatively, the housing chamber will function adequately with no base member, while the food container does have a base member. Additionally, a food-retaining bowl may be added to the base, so that as the food flows out of the food container it fills the bowl, and prevents food from spilling into the remaining interior of the housing chamber. Still other modifications and positions of these elements may be implemented, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0009]    The present invention is very affordable and easy to use in comparison with newer exclusionary feeding systems that require special collars for the animal and the door to operate and reserves enough food to feed the animal for many days. The animal feeder of the present invention may be made of inexpensive, durable, and easy to maintain materials. The animal feeder may be fabricated in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate caregivers with different types of animals of different sizes. Additionally, the present invention provides a simple device that works without the use of mechanical or electrical parts, which are susceptible to breakage and expense. Moreover, the fabrication of the present invention is such that the feeder is portable and may easily be transported within the home, or to other areas where the animals may be. 
         [0010]    Positioning of the three main elements of the animal feeder of the present invention may be altered for customized use. For example, as stated above, the animal feeder functions properly with no base underneath the housing chamber. Furthermore, additional elements may be added. For example, a cover may be fabricated and placed over the housing chamber to reduce light in the housing chamber as is preferred by some animals. Such a cover also assists in creating a secluded environment that may be perceived as safer and comfortable for the feeding animal. Such a cover will also prevent larger animals from observing the feeding chamber and reduce the likelihood that they will disturb the feeding animal. Additionally, an extra chamber may be attached to the housing chamber so that an excluded animal is less likely to disturb the interior of the housing chamber, thus providing additional security and privacy to the feeding animal. 
         [0011]    One object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective, portable, and non-technical means for a caregiver with multiple animals to provide a smaller animal an area to feed without interference from a larger animal, for a multitude of days if desired. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an inviting area for a smaller animal to enter and eat without interference from a larger animal. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an animal feeder that allows a caregiver to deposit food that will feed the smaller animal for a multitude of days without need to replenish the food supply by the caregiver. 
         [0014]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an animal feeder that will contain food spills created by the animal, preventing such spills from spreading into the household. 
         [0015]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an animal feeder that can be easily cleaned by the caregiver. 
         [0016]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide an animal feeder that may be used within a home and be able to be transported with ease. 
         [0017]    Still other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The foregoing aspects and many of the accompanying advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional rendering of the animal feeder with the food container holding food from a side view, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional rendering of the animal feeder showing separation between the food container, housing chamber, and base unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rendering of the animal feeder not filled with food and illustrating the relationship between the base, food container and housing chamber, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c  are renderings of a base, food container and housing chamber, as seen from side ( FIG. 4   a ), front ( FIG. 4   b ), and top views ( FIG. 4   c ), according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are renderings of a base, food container and housing chamber, illustrating potential strategies for assembling the basic components of the invention, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a front cross-sectional view of the animal feeder, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates the addition of an opaque cover that fits over the housing chamber to allow privacy to the feeding animal, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rendering of an additional chamber that may be fitted to the housing chamber to prevent a larger animal from accessing the food-retaining bowl, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The detailed explanation of the present invention is described below. The described preferred embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustration and description; they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, modifications to described elements below may be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional side view of the animal feeder showing the food container with food, according to one embodiment of the invention. Similarly,  FIG. 3  shows the same view of the animal feeder, but without food to show the base element of the feeder. The animal feeder can be made of a variety of translucent or opaque materials including, but not limited to, plastics, polymers, fiberglass, epoxies, resins, polycarbonates, molding compounds, glues, woods, and metals. In one preferred embodiment, the animal feeder is made from plastic made by IRIS, USA. The basic elements of the animal feeder are indicated in  FIG. 2 . The housing chamber  101  consists of a top wall  102 , left side wall  103 , right side wall  104 , front wall  105 , and a size-excluding opening  106 , shown with an optional door, as is present in one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A fourth back wall  107 , may be present as in one embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, no back wall  107  of the housing chamber  101  is present. The top wall  102  may be affixed to the side walls  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  107  (when present) by a variety of permanent means that are well known in the art. Alternatively, the top wall  102  and the side walls  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  107  (when present) may be made as one piece, as in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c  show different views of the animal feeder.  FIG. 4   a  illustrates a side cross-section view of the feeder, while  FIG. 4   b  depicts a front view of the feeder.  FIG. 4   c  shows a top view of the animal feeder. Each view corresponds with the other Figures, and the numbering of elements is identical. 
         [0030]    The size-excluding opening  106  may be of various sizes appropriate to exclude the unwanted animal, but allow entry by the animal that is to eat the food therein. For example, in one preferred embodiment of the invention the opening is equipped with a size-excluding door  106  that is approximately 7 inches in height, and 6 inches in length. But, the invention can function properly, as is apparent to one skilled in the art, with no door, and only a size-excluding opening. A size-excluding door  106  may cover the opening, as in one embodiment of the invention, and may be affixed to the housing chamber  101  in a variety of ways, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In one preferred embodiment, the size-excluding door  106 , is affixed to the feeding chamber  101  at the topmost section in a manner that allows the door  106  to move freely into the housing chamber  101  when pressed by the animal, and out of the feeding chamber  101  as the animal exits the feeding chamber. Moreover, while  FIGS. 1-4  shows a size-excluding door  106 , affixed to the front wall  105 , as in the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the door, or a plurality of doors, may be affixed to any side wall of the feeding chamber  101 . 
         [0031]    The housing chamber  101  is shown in rectangular shape in  FIGS. 1-7  as in one preferred embodiment. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, other shapes may be implemented and have the same effect. As in the preferred embodiment, the feeding chamber  101  is approximately 13 inches in height, 16 inches in length, and 14 in width. As stated above, the feeding chamber  101  may be fabricated with a variety of materials. In one preferred embodiment, the feeding chamber  101  is made of IRIS, USA plastic because it is easy to care for, durable, and lightweight in nature. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the food container  108  can be a separate element that connects to the housing chamber  101  and base  117 . The food container  108  has a top wall  109 , right side wall  110 , left side wall  111 , front wall  112 , and back wall  113 . The top wall  109  may be affixed to the side walls  110 ,  111 ,  112 , and  113  by a variety of permanent means that are well known in the art. Alternatively, the top wall  109  and the side walls  110 ,  111 ,  112 , and  113  may be made as one piece, as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  b , and described further below, the food container  108 , housing chamber  101 , and base member  117 , may interlock with one another in various ways. 
         [0033]    The food container  108  has an opening in the top wall  109  equipped with a food-loading door  114 , for the caregiver to deposit food therein. The food-loading door  114  may be spring loaded or include a securing latch to keep the door  114  in the closed position, so as to further prevent tampering with the food contained therein by animals, as in one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The food container  108  will also contain an opening  115  at the bottom to allow for the food in the food container  108  to flow into the food-retaining bowl  118 . The food-retaining bowl  118  may be attached to the front wall  112  of the food container  108 , or be affixed to the base member  117  as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0034]    Additionally, the bottom of the food container  108  may be slanted  116  to provide a gravity-flow mechanism for the food to flow out of the opening  115  and into the food-retaining bowl  118 . Alternatively, the slanted floor  116  may be part of the base member  117 , as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in the preferred embodiment, the food container  108  is approximately 12 inches in height, 13 inches in length, and 6 inches in width. The food-loading door  114  is approximately 10 inches in length, and 4 inches in width. In this embodiment, the food container  108  is able to hold approximately 20 pounds of domestic cat food. 
         [0035]    Other dimensions and shapes for the food container  108  are contemplated, and do not depart from the scope of the present invention. As stated above, the food container  108  may be constructed from a variety of materials. In one preferred embodiment, the food container  108  is made of IRIS, USA plastic because it is easy to clean, translucent for monitoring food quantities, durable, and lightweight. 
         [0036]    As is apparent to one skilled in the art, the food-loading door  114  may be affixed to the food container  108  by a variety of means, including a hinged or flap mechanism that may be coupled with a latch to prevent entry by other animals. Additionally, a simple tongue-and-groove mechanism between the top wall  109  of the food container and the food-loading door  114  will accomplish the same goal (i.e. providing means for the caregiver to load the food container  108  with food and seal the food container to prevent entry by an animal). As is apparent to one skilled in the art other shapes and sizes for the food-loading door  114  may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. As in the preferred embodiment, the food-loading door  114  is approximately 10 inches in length, and 4 inches in width. 
         [0037]    As in the preferred embodiment, the slanted floor  116  is angled at about 30 degrees, and the opening  115  to the food-retaining bowl  118  is approximately 3 inches in height, and 6 inches in length. As is apparent to one skilled in the art, any fabrication that moves food down into the food-retaining bowl  118  through the opening  115  by gravity may be contemplated without departing from the scope of the present invention. The slanted floor  116  may be affixed to the side walls  110 ,  111 ,  112 , and  113  of the food container  108  by a variety of means that are well known in the art. As in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slanted floor  116  is generally constructed of the same material as the food container  108  or base  117 , IRIS, USA plastic. 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 , a base member  117  provides a bottom surface to the animal feeder. The base member  117 , as in one preferred embodiment, may be one continuous piece, with four raised edges that are adjacent to the walls  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  107  (where present, as in one embodiment) of the housing chamber  101 , and the walls  110 ,  111 ,  112 , and  113  of the food container  108  ( FIG. 2 ). The base member  117  may be made of one piece or may be made by sealing a bottom portion to the four raised edges. Such construction is well known in the art. In the embodiment where the base  117  is one continuous piece, the dimensions may be approximately 25 inches in length, 17 inches in width, and 3 inches in height for the raised edges. The dimensions of the base  117  are such that it easily receives the food container  108  and housing chamber  101  to create the present invention animal feeder. Additionally, the base member may have a slanted upper surface that is the slanted floor  116  when the food container  108  is placed on top of the base  117 , as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As stated above, the base  117 , like the other elements of the present invention, can be made of a variety of materials. As in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the base  117  is made of plastic because it is easy to clean, lightweight, and durable. Moreover, the base member  117  may be equipped with latches to secure the food container  108  and housing chamber  101 . 
         [0039]    Alternatively, the base member  117  may be comprised of two separate pieces  119  and  120  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  and consistent with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5   a  depicts the invention in the embodiment where one base member  117  is used to receive the food container  108  and the housing chamber  101 . In  FIG. 5   a  the slanted floor  116  of the food container  108 , and the food-retaining bowl  118 , are also labeled for reference. As in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5   b  the first base member  119  may have four raised edges and a top portion that is slanted  116 . In this embodiment shown in  FIG. 5   b , the slanted top  116  leads to the opening  115  that moves the food into the food-retaining bowl  118  when the food container  108  is filled with food, and the food moves down the container and into the food-retaining bowl  118  by gravity. The second base  120 , in  FIG. 5   b  is comprised of a bottom floor and three raised edges. As in one preferred embodiment, the height of the raised edges in either base member  117 ,  119 , or  120  is approximately 3 inches. The side not containing a raised edge, in  FIG. 5   b  on the second base  120  connects to the first base  119 , having the slanted top  116 , opening  115 , and food-retaining bowl  118  attached thereto. In this embodiment, the first base  119  is operable to receive the food container  108 , which is comprised of four side walls,  110 ,  111 ,  112 , and  113 , and a top wall  109 , containing the food-loading door  114 . Moreover, the second base  120  is operable to receive the housing chamber  101 , which in this embodiment is comprised of a front wall  105 , containing a size-excluding door  106 , a left side wall  103 , and a right side wall  104 , as well as a top wall  102 . The two base members  119  and  120 , connected to the food container  108  and housing chamber  101 , may then be connected together to form the animal feeder, as in one embodiment of the invention. Additionally, the invention is operable without the second base  120  such that the housing chamber rests on the floor or surface that the feeding container is on. This embodiment may be advantageous to the user as it then consists of fewer elements to construct the feeding container and may be more convenient for the user. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of the animal feeder, all elements are labeled in the same manner as described above. This view shows the character of the slanted floor  116 , in one preferred embodiment, and how the slanted floor  116  feeds into the opening  115  so that the food passing therethrough flows into the food-retaining bowl  118 . 
         [0041]    In addition to the description above, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a cover  121  may be fitted to cover the housing chamber  101 . Such a cover  121  can be useful to prevent distraction to the feeding animal, providing a sense of security and privacy to the feeding animal. This is especially advantageous where the feeding animal is a domestic cat. The cover  121  may consist of a front panel  122  that contains an opening that may be covered by a door  123  near the same size and shape of the size-excluding door  106 , as in one embodiment of the invention. Like the size-excluding door  106 , the opening and possible door  123  of the cover  121  permits the feeding animal entry and exit from the housing chamber  101 . The cover  121  may also have a left side  124 , right side  125 , top  126 , and back  127  panel. Alternatively, as in one embodiment of the invention, there is no back panel  127 . As in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover  121  is opaque in nature. The cover  121 , may be fabricated from many known elements such as natural or synthetic fabrics, plastics, epoxies, polymers, woods, metals, and the like. Moreover, it is contemplated that the cover  121  may be fabricated so that it is aesthetically pleasing to the caregiver. 
         [0042]    Moreover, an extra chamber  128  may be fitted to the housing chamber  101 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . This extra chamber  128 , is particularly advantageous where an excluded animal can use its head to enter the housing chamber  101  and access the food-retaining bowl  118 , or otherwise disturb the feeding animal. In this embodiment, the extra chamber  128  is made up of a front panel  129 , containing an opening with a possible door  130  that excludes a larger animal. The extra chamber  128  also includes a top panel  133 , and may include a bottom panel  134  as in one embodiment of the invention. Another embodiment of the present invention does not include the bottom panel  134  of the extra chamber  128 . 
         [0043]    The length of the left side panel  131  and right side panel  132  are such that a larger excluded animal cannot put its head, or other body part, through the extra chamber door  130  and reach the inner housing chamber  101  size-excluding door  106 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the extra chamber  128  is the same as that of the housing chamber  101  plus the base, approximately 16 inches. In this preferred embodiment, the length of the extra chamber  128  is approximately 8 inches. The opening with a door  130  of the extra chamber  128  approximates the measurements of the size-excluding door  106  of the housing chamber  101 . In a preferred embodiment, the opening and door  130  is approximately 7 inches in height, and 6 inches in length. The door  130  of the extra chamber  128 , like the size-excluding door  106  of the housing chamber  101  is attached at its topmost side. The door  130  retains the ability to swing inward to the housing chamber  101  when pressure is applied, and swing outward when the feeding animal exits the extra chamber  128 . 
         [0044]    Many means of attaching the door  130  to the extra chamber  128  are contemplated, and are similar to those means described above for the size-excluding door  106  and its attachment to the housing chamber  101 . In one preferred embodiment the door  130  is affixed to the extra chamber  128  by mechanism that allows the door to swing freely into and out of the chamber. Moreover, the extra chamber  128  may be fabricated with a variety of materials such as plastics, polymers, epoxies, natural and synthetic fibers, metals, or woods. In one preferred embodiment the extra chamber  128  is made of IRIS, USA plastic. This preferred embodiment allows for easy cleaning, is lightweight, and durable.