Abstract:
A bird feeder that includes a bird feed holder having open top and bottom ends, a plurality of feeding ports disposed in a sidewall defining the holder, a plurality of perches each associated with an inlet of an associated feeding port and a removable base for engaging with the bottom end of the holder, the removable base having a closed position for sealing the bottom end of the holder so as to retain the bird feed therein and an open position in which the base is removed from the holder to enable access to the bottom end of the holder. One embodiment has a manually operated latch member supported by the base and supported for radial engagement so as to enable releasable securing of the removable base to the holder. In another embodiment a manually operated latch couples to a main body portion, the latch being supported for rotation with respect to the main body portion to releasably secure the base assembly to the housing. Also disclosed is a feeder support apparatus.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to a bird feeder and pertains more particularly to a bird feeder having a removable base. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The typical bird feeder available on the market has the base firmly attached to the bird seed container. This makes it difficult to clean the bottom end of the container housing. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bird feeder with a removable or releasable base so as to facilitate cleaning of both the base and the lower end of the bird feeder container or housing. 
         [0004]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable base for a bird feeder in which the base is held relatively firmly in place in its closed position and yet is relatively easy for the user to remove from the container housing. 
         [0005]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bird feeder with a removable base in which the base can be readily removed by a user but that is not able to be removed by an animal such as a squirrel. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved support structure for a bird feeder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a bird feeder that is comprised of a housing for storing bird feed therein, including one or more ports through which access is provided to the bird feed and having an open lower end and a base assembly adapted to close the open end of the housing. The base assembly has a main body portion adapted to fit within the housing at the open end of the housing so that the main body portion is rotatably fixed but removable with respect to the housing, and a manually operated latch coupled to the main body portion. The latch is supported for rotation with respect to the main body portion to releasably secure the base assembly to the housing. 
         [0008]    In accordance with other aspects of the present invention one of the housing and the latch has a first engaging member and the other of the housing and the latch has a second engaging member adapted to releasably engage the first engaging member upon positioning the first and second engaging members adjacent one another; one or more bird feed perches extends from the housing under a port; the bird feed port may comprise an insert releasably engaged with the housing, the insert having one of the first and second engaging members; the first engaging member may comprise a projection internally of the housing and the second engaging member may comprise a slot and ridge on the latch for capturing said projection; the main body portion may have an open bottom into which the latch is disposed, the latch including stops spaced apart to engage said projection at opposite open and closed positions of said latch; and the main body portion of the base assembly may have an annular rim adapted to sealingly engage the housing at the open end of the housing. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided the bird feeder comprises a housing for storing bird feed therein, including at least two ports through which access is provided to the bird feed; at least two bird feed port inserts, each insert adapted to be received in a corresponding port and each having a hood portion extending into the housing; and an interconnecting member for interconnecting the hood portions of the inserts to one another with a snap fit to secure the inserts within the housing. 
         [0010]    In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention each insert may further comprise a collar portion adapted to be positioned outside the housing and defined by an annular ridge that is urged against the housing wall about the port; each insert may further comprise a bird perch, formed on the collar portion, extending away from the housing and disposed under the port; and the interconnecting member may comprise a pair of resilient fasteners, one for each insert, each resilient fastener being adapted to be releasably secured to a receptacle formed in the hood portion of its corresponding insert. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a bird feeder that includes a bird feed holder having open top and bottom ends; a plurality of feeding ports disposed in a sidewall defining the holder; a plurality of perches each associated with an inlet of an associated feeding port; a removable base for engaging with the bottom end of the holder, the removable base having a closed position for sealing the bottom end of the holder so as to retain the bird feed therein and an open position in which the base is removed from the holder to enable access to the bottom end of the holder; and a manually operated latch member supported by the base. The manually operated latch member is supported for radial engagement so as to enable releasable securing of the removable base to the holder. 
         [0012]    In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention each feeding port may comprise a port member having the perch integrally formed therewith; the port member may further include a projection extending internally of the housing for locking engagement with said latch member; may include a plurality of port members circumferentially disposed about the holder and a like plurality of projections; the latch member may have a plurality of latch pieces, the same in number as the number of projections, and circumferentially disposed so that each latch piece is engageable with a projection; each latch piece may be depressable radially so as to disengage it from a projection; may include a stop over each projection; each projection may be an internal extension of a perch; and may include an interconnecting member comprising a pair of resilient fasteners, one for each port, each resilient fastener being adapted to be releasably secured to a receptacle formed in a hood portion of its corresponding port. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided a support apparatus for a bird feeder that comprises a plurality of support arms; an upright member; the plurality of support arms being constructed and arranged so as to extend radially from a base of the upright member; a ground engagement element extending downwardly from the base of the upright member and for engagement into the ground for support of the upright member; and means for attaching the bird feeder to the upright member. 
         [0014]    In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention the support arms are disposed in a symmetric pattern and are slid onto respective legs that extend radially from the base of the upright member, and the ground engagement element comprises a screw element fixed to the base of the upright member. The support apparatus may include end caps on the support arms, the upright member may be a hollow tube and the means for attaching may include a thumb screw for attaching a support pole to the bird feeder. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should now become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bird feeder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bird feeder base of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view directed at the bottom of the base; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the base as viewed from the bottom; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the bottom end of the bird seed container and the construction of one of the port members; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the port member of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view through the port member as taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view of the base of the feed container illustrating one of the port members in place and furthermore illustrating the base assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the base supported within the bottom end of the bird feed container; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the interconnecting member that is used for coupling together the port members; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the interconnecting member of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interconnecting member as positioned relative to the port member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view with the interconnecting member engaged with the port member; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view showing the interconnecting member as coupled with three port members; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view similar to that depicted in  FIG. 15  and illustrating the manner in which a port member may be released at the interconnecting member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the base assembly as engaged with the container; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view similar to that depicted in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  but showing the manner in which the latch member is released; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bird feeder in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a further embodiment of an interconnecting member; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interconnecting member of  FIG. 20  as used with a port member; 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is another cross-sectional view illustrating the interconnecting member of  FIG. 20  as used for connecting together two oppositely disposed port members; 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention in which the base assembly is removable by rotation; 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is an exploded perspective view of the base assembly; 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is a bottom view as observed along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  is a plan view as taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the base of  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 30  is a bottom view of the base of  FIG. 29  as taken along line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view through the base assembly of  FIG. 30  as taken along line  31 - 31 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 32  is a view like that illustrated in  FIG. 30  with the base assembly in its lock position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a support apparatus for a bird feeder in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 35  is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in which an arm of the support apparatus is engaged with the main support member; 
           [0051]      FIG. 36  is a partially cut-away plan view of the support apparatus of  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 37  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing further details; 
           [0053]      FIG. 38  is an illustration of the support apparatus of the present invention as engaged in the ground and as for supporting a bird feeder; 
           [0054]      FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  39 - 39  of  FIG. 38 ; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 40  illustrates the support apparatus of the present invention as used for supporting a bird feeder from the bottom thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]    A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-18 . In this embodiment the base is removably supported from the feed container. The base is removable by means of a set of latch fingers that are depressed in a radial direction to release the base from the bottom end of the feed container. The embodiment of  FIGS. 1-18  also illustrates the construction of the interconnecting member that is used for connecting together the separate port members. The preferred embodiment of the interconnecting matter is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0057]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which is a perspective view of a bird feeder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This feeder includes a container or holder  10  that is preferably constructed of a clear plastic material. The container  10  holds the bird seed or other type of bird feed. The container  10  is open at its top and bottom. A top or cover  12  is supported over the top end of the container  10 . The top  12  may be supported on a bale wire  14  that enables the top  12  to be slid up and down the wire. The top  10  is moved upwardly for the purpose of introducing seeds into the container and is illustrated in  FIG. 1  in its bottom closed position. 
         [0058]      FIG. 1  also illustrates the base assembly  20  of the bird feeder, along with a plurality of port members  30 . In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , three port members are used, each extending radially in the container and symmetrically disposed. For further details of each of the port members  30 , refer to  FIGS. 5-7 . Each port member is comprised of a collar  32 , a hood  34  and a perch  36 . The collar, hood and perch are preferably all integrally formed of a single piece of plastic. The hood  34  is adapted to pass through a circular aperture  11  in the side wall of the container  10 . The inner end of the hood  34  is provided with a passage  35  for receiving an interconnecting member. The collar  30  also supports the projection  37  and a stop  38 . The slits  13  and  15  in the sidewall of the container  10  are adapted to respectively receive the stop  38  and the projection  37 .  FIG. 5  shows the port member  30  exploded away from the container with the hood  34  in alignment with the aperture  11 .  FIG. 8  shows the port member  30  in place within the container with the stop end projection fitting within their associated slits.  FIGS. 9 and 10  also show the position of the port member as engaged with the container or holder  10 . 
         [0059]    As noted in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the projection  37  is integral with the collar  30  and essentially is an internal projection or extension of the perch  36 . As indicated in  FIG. 10 , the stop  38  defines a limit for the seating of the base assembly  20  in the bottom of the container  10 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the stop  38  bearing against a top wall of the base assembly. The projection  37 , as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is for engagement with the base assembly.  FIG. 10  illustrates the locked position of the base assembly. 
         [0060]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2-4  for further details of the base assembly  20 . The base assembly  20  is basically comprised of two components including the main base  22  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the latch member  24  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Refer also to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10  that illustrates these components. The main base  22  includes a circumferential base rim  23  and circumferential wall  25 . The top of the base  22  is formed by three tapered walls  26  each of which is in alignment with a port member and each of which has formed therein a slot  27 . The projection  37  on the port member is adapted to slidably engage in the slot  27 . The surfaces  26  are tapered so as to direct feed toward the port member. 
         [0061]    The latch member  24 , such as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  10  is comprised of a series of support legs  42  that are used for supporting the latch member from the base  22 . For this purpose there are provided a series of screws or bolts  44  and support posts  46 . The latch member  24  also includes three latch fingers  48 , each of which is adapted to engage with one of the projections  37 . In this regard, refer to  FIG. 10  which illustrates the end lip  49  of the finger  48  engaged with the projection  37 .  FIG. 10  shows the locked position of the base relative to the container  10 . 
         [0062]    The base is released from the container by means of depressing each of the three latch fingers  48 . One of the latch fingers  48  is illustrated in  FIG. 18  having been depressed in the direction of the arrow  51 . This disengages the end lip  49  away from the slot  27  allowing the base to be slid downwardly in the direction of arrow  52  in  FIG. 18 . The lip  49  is thus disengaged from the projection  37 . In  FIG. 18  the lip  49  is shown extending in the slot  27 . In an alternate embodiment the lip  49  may extend through a top slot above the wall  26 . 
         [0063]    Reference is now made to the interconnecting member  50  shown in further detail in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The member  50  is used to interconnect the three port members  30 . As such, the interconnecting member  50  has three sets of legs identified as a leg set  52 A,  52 B and  52 C. The interconnecting member  50  may constructed of a lightweight plastic material or a lightweight spring steel material and each of the separate legs is able to be partially deflected so as to engage with the hood portion  34  of the port member. More particularly and as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the leg set  52 A is shown as movable in the direction of arrow  54  to engage with the end passage  35  in the hood  34 . The leg set  52 A engages in the passage  35 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the main leg set  52 A engaged fully in the passage  35 . The pointed ends of each of the legs of the set  52 A provides a tight locked interengagement between the member  50  and the port member  30 . 
         [0064]    Refer now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 . This illustrates the manner in which the other leg sets  52 B and  52 C engage with the two other port members  30 .  FIG. 15  shows all port members interlocked with the interconnecting member  50 . One of the legs  55  of each set  52 B and  52 C has an engagement lip  56  that enables the port member to interlock with the interconnecting member. At the same time, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the leg  55  may be engaged by the user&#39;s thumb  58  to depress the leg  55  so that the port member  30  that is retained by the leg  55  can then be disengaged.  FIG. 16  shows the thumb  58  engaging the leg  55  and the port member  30  being partially withdrawn. 
         [0065]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 19-22  for an illustration of a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to that described in  FIGS. 1-18 . However, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 19-22 , only two port members  30  are employed. These port members are disposed in line with each other as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 22 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the construction of the interconnecting member  60  that is employed with this embodiment. This interconnecting member includes only two sets of legs, namely leg sets  62 A and  62 B. The leg set  62 A interlocks with the aperture  35  in the hood  34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 22  illustrates the other leg set  62 B engaging with the other hood  34 . The other leg set  62 B also includes the leg  66 , similar to the leg  55  depicted in  FIG. 16 . This is the leg that may be depressed by the user&#39;s thumb to release the interconnecting member, enabling the separate port members to be disengaged from the housing. 
         [0066]    Reference is now made to a third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 23-33 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the base is removable with the use of a rotatable latch member associated with the base.  FIG. 23  illustrates the bottom end of the feed container  70 . The top of the container may be the same as depicted previously such as in  FIGS. 1 and 19 . FIG.  23  also shows the apertures  72  for receiving the port member  74 . The port member  74  is substantially the same as the port member previously described, such as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The port member  74  includes a collar  75 , a hood  76 , perch  77 , a projection  78  and stop  79 . The inside end of the hood  76  may also include a passage for receiving an interconnecting member not specifically illustrated in this embodiment. 
         [0067]    The primary difference between the embodiment in  FIG. 23-33  and the first embodiment is that there is a different removable base  80 . Refer to  FIGS. 24-28  for further details of the base assembly  80 . The base assembly  80  includes a base member  82  and a latch member  90 . These two members may be intercoupled by means of a retaining ring  83 . 
         [0068]    The base member  82  includes a circumferential ring  84 , an upstanding wall  85  and tapered top surfaces  86 . Between the circumferential upstanding wall  85  and each of the top surfaces are three slots  87 . An internally threaded post  88  (see  FIG. 26 ) extends downwardly from the top surfaces of the base member. As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the post  88  also includes three longitudinally disposed ridges  89 . These ridges engage with a particular slot structure on the latch member as will be described hereinafter. 
         [0069]    The latch member  90  has a rim  91  that extends circumferentially. The latch member  90  is somewhat cup-shaped having internal shoulders  92  that define therebetween finger grips  94 . These finger grips are used to rotate the latch member  90  between locked and released positions. 
         [0070]    The base member  82  is meant to be engaged with the bottom of the container but is held nonrotatable. The latch member  90 , on the other hand, is adapted for limited rotation limited to the base member  82 . 
         [0071]    In order to interlock the base assembly with the bottom of the container in the embodiment that is disclosed, the interlocking occurs between the base assembly and the projection  78 . The projection  78  may be simply an internal extension of the perch  77 . The projection  78  is meant to fit within the slot  87  and is adapted for engagement with the latch member. For this purpose, the latch member  90  is provided on its rim  91  with three slots  95  disposed circumferentially in the same manner that the slots  87  are arranged. One side of the slot  95  is defined by a stop  96 . There is also a second stop  97  that will limit the amount of rotation of the latch member  90 . 
         [0072]    As depicted in  FIG. 24 , the bottom wall  98  of the latch member  90  has a substantially circular opening  99 . A detent arrangement is provided about the opening  99  including a small channel  100  and an arcuate channel  102 . The channels  100  and  102  are meant to engage with the post  88  of the base member, particularly with the ridge  104  on the post  88 . 
         [0073]      FIGS. 30 and 31  illustrate the latch member in its open position. In that position it is noted that the projection  78  passes through the slot  87  in the base member  82  and engages the slot  95  (see  FIG. 27 ) of the latch member  90 . In that position  FIG. 32  illustrates the position of the detents. The channel  100  is engaged with the ridge  104  (see  FIG. 30 ) of the post of the base member  82 . In that position the entire base assembly can engage with the base of the container. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate the rotation of the latch member by means of the arrows  105 . This action causes the lip of the rim  91  to capture the projection  78 . This is illustrated at  107  in  FIG. 33 . The stop  97  limits the extent of rotation of the latch member  90 . 
         [0075]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 34-40  for an illustration of a support apparatus that may be used with any of the different embodiments illustrated hereinbefore in  FIGS. 1-33 . In, for example,  FIG. 1  the bird feeder is provided with a hanger so that the feeder can be supported from above. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the bird feeder may be supported from its base by means of an apparatus such as shown in  FIGS. 34-40 . For that purpose the feeder is preferably provided with a receiving post at its base that is internally threaded as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0076]    Existing arrangements for supporting a bird feeder from the ground have not been effective, particularly for the placement of a bird feeder pole into the ground soil. This is particularly the case where the soil is rocky and it has thus been difficult to have an effective means for supporting a bird feeder from the ground. The present invention provides an effective way to secure a support with the ground. In this regard, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a upright base member that is equipped with extending arms that enable easy insertion of the support into the ground, as well as providing a stable platform for the base member once fully inserted. 
         [0077]    The support apparatus comprises a plurality of support arms  110 . Each of these support arms is of tubular metallic construction, although each of the arms could also be constructed of a rigid plastic material. The arms  110  could also be of solid construction for insertion into a leg of the main support structure. Each of the arms preferably includes an end cap  112  which may be a plastic piece fitted onto the end of each arm as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 34 and 35 . It is preferred to use an end cap to keep water or other debris from entering the tubular arm  110 . 
         [0078]    The other main component of the support apparatus of the present invention comprises a main upright member  115 . The member  115  may be constructed of metal or a hard plastic material and includes an upright post  118  and a plurality of legs  120 . Each of the legs  120  are relatively short in length, as depicted in  FIG. 35 . Each of the legs  120  has a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of an arm  110  so that the arms can be slid over the legs, such as to the position illustrated in  FIG. 34 . This fit is preferably a relatively tight fit so that the arms are held in place. A ground engagement element extends downwardly from the base of the upright member  115  and is for engagement into the ground for support of the upright member. This is illustrated in the drawings by the helical screw element  125 .  FIG. 38  shows the screw element  125  screwed into the ground  127 . The helical screw element  125  may be welded to the very bottom of the upright post  118 . 
         [0079]    The upright post  118  is also hollow, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . This is illustrated as supporting a feeder support post  130 . The bottom end of the post  130  simply fits inside of the support post  118 . A thumb screw  132  is illustrated threaded through the post  118  for tightly securing the bird feeder support post  130  in place. The top end of the bird feeder support post  130  may be threaded, as illustrated in  FIG. 38 , so as to thread with the base of the bird feeder. Alternatively, the top of the pole  130  may receive an adaptor in which case it need not be threaded. The adaptor may be of the type shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/832,051 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0080]    In  FIGS. 38 and 39  there is illustrated the bird feeder  140  and its associated base  142 . The bird feeder  140  and its base  142  may be substantially the same as illustrated in earlier embodiments in  FIGS. 1-33 . See, for example,  FIG. 10  and the threaded member  51 . The support post  130  may be made in different lengths depending upon the distance that one wishes to support the bird feeder above the ground level. 
         [0081]    The support apparatus illustrated in  FIGS. 34-40  is constructed with three support arms. However, in other embodiments of the present invention more or less than three arms may be employed. These arms are preferably symmetrically disposed so that there is a symmetric engagement with the ground surface. Initially the arms  110  are engaged with the legs  120 , and once assembled, the device is screwed into the ground by screwing the element  125  into the ground surface. It is preferred that this be done with the arms  110  attached to the legs  120 , as this will provide additional leverage in the screwing operation. Also, once fully screwed into the ground, as seen in  FIGS. 34 and 38 , the arms form a broad support structure for the upright member engaging against the ground surface and locking or bearing tightly against the ground surface. 
         [0082]    Also, there has been depicted arrangements in which one member engages into another, such as the arms  110  engaging over the legs  120 . In an alternate embodiment, however, the arms  110  can be dimensioned smaller so as to slide inside of the legs  120 . Also, the post  130  may be dimensioned to fit over the post  118  in which case the thumb screw would be on the post  130 . Other securing means may also be provided between the posts  118  and  130  including providing engaging threaded members. 
         [0083]    Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, in the embodiments disclosed herein, in one embodiment three port members are used, and in another embodiment two port members are used. In another embodiment of the present invention, greater than three port members may be aligned essentially in the same plane. In that instance the interconnecting member would then have four sets of legs. In the embodiment disclosed herein, it is also noted that port members are only provided at the bottom of the seed chamber. In other embodiments of the invention, the port members may be disposed, not only circumferentially as illustrated, but may also be disposed at different heights between the top and bottom of the container. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the port members may be provided only at locations above the base. For those port members disposed above the base the projection and stop are not necessary. In the case where no port member is provided at the base, instead of the port member that is illustrated, a simpler collar member may be provided without any port but including the perch and the inner extension from the perch to provide the projection for engagement with the base assembly. In still another embodiment of the present invention, all of the port members and perches may be disposed above the base, in which case there is provided only a collar member and an inwardly directed projection for engagement with the base assembly. This embodiment may also include the stop as illustrated herein.