Patent Description:
What is desired is a system and method for feeding various animals, over time, several sealed cans of food. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods that address the above and other issues. <CIT> describes an automatic pet food dispensing apparatus, whereby the apparatus opens a container of pet food, extracts the food to a serving dish, and then disposes of the empty container in a pet food container disposing area. <CIT> describes a feeding device which has a feed mixing container with an agitator for mixing feed components and for circulating the feed components. <CIT> describes a pet feeding system that facilitates service of bowls by moving the bowls to a vertically enhanced position. <CIT> discloses a device that can be programmed to automatically dispense animal feed packaged in standard commercial trays. The feed is automatically emptied into the animal's dish.

The present disclosure is directed to feeding system that is configured to dispense canned foods.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a feeding system for dispensing canned food to animals, the feeding system comprising:
a housing that substantially forms an exterior surface of the feeding system, an inside the housing comprising:.

Further aspects and embodiments of the invention are as defined in the appended claims.

The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings of which:.

A short description of all figures will be added here.

The present application will now be described in greater detail by referring to the following discussion and drawings that accompany the present application. It is noted that the drawings of the present application are provided for illustrative purposes only and, as such, the drawings are not drawn to scale. It is also noted that like and corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numerals.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as particular structures, components, materials, dimensions, processing steps and techniques, in order to provide an understanding of the various embodiments of the present application. However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments of the present application may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures or processing steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present application.

It will be understood that when an element as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "over" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "beneath" or "under" another element, it can be directly beneath or under the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly beneath" or "directly under" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In the discussion and claims herein, the term "about" indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. For example, for some elements the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±<NUM>%, for other elements, the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±<NUM>% or ±<NUM>%, or any point therein.

As used herein, the term "substantially", or "substantial", is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a surface that is "substantially" flat would either be completely flat, or so nearly flat that the effect would be the same as if it were completely flat.

As used herein terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include those terms defined in the plural and vice versa.

Reference herein to any numerical range expressly includes each numerical value (including fractional numbers and whole numbers) encompassed by that range. To illustrate, reference herein to a range of "at least <NUM>" or "at least about <NUM>" includes whole numbers of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., and fractional numbers <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In a further illustration, reference herein to a range of "less than <NUM>" or "less than about <NUM>" includes whole numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., and fractional numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In yet another illustration, reference herein to a range of from "<NUM> to <NUM>" includes whole numbers of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and fractional numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc..

As used herein, the term "canned foods" or "can" refers to any metal or metal containing container (as well as plastic containers having a film covering) that contains an edible product and/or a pharmaceutical product. <FIG> is a top view of a lower tray <NUM> of an embodiment of a feeding system <NUM>, with elements vertically above the lower tray removed for explanatory purposes. A rear portion <NUM> of the lower tray is configured to contain various electrical elements (such as wiring, fuses, electrical receiving elements, transformers, etc.), various computing elements (such as a processor, memory, wireless transmitters, etc.), one or more motors and optionally one or more batteries.

The front portion <NUM> includes a panel <NUM> that is configured to slide in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The panel <NUM> can slide by being urged by a pole or other element that can contact the panel <NUM> and cause it to move. One example of this set up is panel <NUM> contacts two poles, one causing panel <NUM> to slide in one direction along arrow <NUM>, the other causing panel <NUM> to slide in a second, opposite direction along arrow <NUM>. Alternatively, a screw element can rotate and cause panel <NUM> to slide in each direction of arrow <NUM>.

Operably connected to the panel is a plurality of bumpers <NUM>. In this embodiment, three bumpers are shown, in other embodiments, two, four or more bumpers may be included. These plurality of bumpers <NUM> are configured to move to and from a center of the panel and are configured to contact an exterior surface of a can <NUM>. The plurality of bumpers <NUM> can vary in size and shape, and can move to accommodate varying sizes of cans.

In one embodiment, the plurality of bumpers <NUM> are rolling cylinders that extend vertically from the panel <NUM> and have a central pushing element connected to a gear (not shown) under the panel <NUM>. As the gear rotates, the central pushing element of each of the plurality of bumpers <NUM> move either closer together, or further apart depending on which direction the gear rotates. Each of plurality of bumpers <NUM> can include a sensor (not shown) that is configured to sense a pressure between each of the plurality of bumpers <NUM> and the can <NUM>. Based on the known location of each of the plurality of bumpers <NUM> and the pressure measured by the sensors, the feeding system <NUM> can determine the size of the can on the panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the panel <NUM> is in a first position, but in <FIG>, the panel <NUM> is in a second position. This second position allows access to the can <NUM> from outside the feeding system by, for example, a dog or cat. A cover (not shown) is typically vertically above the second position, but upon movement of the panel <NUM> from the first position to the second position, the cover opens. Alternatively, the panel <NUM> may be extended to the external part of the system so that it protrudes from the outer enclosure to present the contents of the can.

The cover can open in any suitable way, such as by receiving a signal from a processor, an app, a proximity sensor, a cloud based program, a facial recognition program or a schedule, to open or close at a specific time of day. In other embodiments the cover can be opened manually by a user, or a portion of the cover can be contacted, triggering the cover to move.

<FIG> is a side view of the bottom tray <NUM>. In this view the panel <NUM> and the plurality of bumpers <NUM> (without a can) can be seen. Vertically below the panel <NUM>, while the panel <NUM> is in the first position, is a lid receptacle <NUM>, configured to accept a plurality of lids <NUM>. Once a lid <NUM> is removed from the can, while the can is in the first position, as further described below, the lid <NUM> is held in position until after the panel <NUM> moves to the second position (as shown in <FIG>). The lid <NUM> then is released and falls vertically down into the lid receptacle.

A middle tray <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, which is another view of an embodiment and includes a cover <NUM> as mentioned above, in a front portion <NUM>. The front portion <NUM> also includes a can opener <NUM>, which is further discussed below. A rear portion <NUM> includes a full can receptacle <NUM> and an open can receptacle <NUM>. The middle tray <NUM>, and its operation, are more fully discussed below.

A front side view of the bottom tray <NUM> and the middle tray <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As can be seen a can opener <NUM> is located vertically above the panel <NUM> (panel <NUM>'s first position) and is located to interact with and remove a lid of a can (not shown).

Once a lid has been removed by the can opener <NUM>, the can opener <NUM> is configured to hold the lid for a period of time, for at least the time panel moves from the first position (<FIG>) to the second position (<FIG>). The lid can be held in position, against the can opener in any suitable way, such as through application of suction and/or magnetism or any other suitable mechanical means, such as by puncturing, a gripping arm, clamps, etc. Once the panel <NUM> is located at the second position in <FIG>, the lid is released from can opener <NUM> and falls vertically down towards the lid receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a left side view of the feeding system <NUM>. As can be seen, the full can receptacle <NUM> includes one or more full cans <NUM> (in this embodiment, for example, <NUM> cans). In this application, a "full can" refers to any suitable can, of any suitable size, that has a lid that can be removed with a can opener.

Optionally, the sides of the can receptacle <NUM> may contain moving bumpers under tension that assist with the refill of the cans by slowing the fall of the cans down the receptacle. In addition, these bumpers may be used to sense the size of the can and communicate such information to a processor of the feeding system <NUM>. Alternatively, the full can receptacle <NUM> and the open can receptacle <NUM> may be opened sideways to allow manual stacking and removal of cans, instead of having cans slide in and out from the top and/or bottom.

In <FIG>, the full can <NUM> is moved from the full can receptacle <NUM> onto the panel <NUM> by a motor (now shown) pushing (or pulling) the full can <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The bumpers <NUM> then move to contact the can, the can opener <NUM> then removes the lid, the panel <NUM> moves to the second position, and the lid is released from the can opener <NUM> into the lid receptacle <NUM>.

The panel in the second position is shown in <FIG>, which is a right side view of the feeding system <NUM>. In this position, the lid <NUM> can move, allowing access to an opened can <NUM> from outside the feeding system <NUM>. In this application, an "opened can" refers to any previously "full can", which has had a lid removed, regardless of the volume of contents within the opened can.

In <FIG>, at the very top of the open can receptacle <NUM> is a handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can be fixed, or it may fold down.

On the inside (or on top or around the proximity of the handle) of the handle <NUM> is a button <NUM>, which may be activated by a user's hand. The button <NUM> is operatively connected to a plurality of one way valves <NUM>, further described below. When the button <NUM> is pressed, each of the one way valves <NUM> will pivot upward, downward, sideways or retract in any way to allow the cans to exit the open can receptacle <NUM>.

Further, the open can receptacle <NUM> is connected to the feeding system <NUM> by a thread and screw interaction between the bottom of the open can receptacle <NUM> and the feeding system1. The open can receptacle <NUM> can be removed from the feeding system <NUM> by grasping the handle <NUM> and twisting it in a counter-clockwise direction as compared to the feeding system <NUM>. Alternatively, the open can receptacle <NUM> can be connected to the feeding system <NUM> by a locking mechanism that can be released when one or more buttons and or levers are pulls or pushed.

After a period of time (or by a time range programmed into the feeding system <NUM> or by a manual control through an application connected through the internet to the feeding system <NUM> or by a physical button on the feeding system <NUM>), the lid <NUM> is closed, and the opened can <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow <NUM>, into the open can receptacle <NUM>. Once in open can receptacle <NUM>, the opened can <NUM> is moved vertically upwards by a piston <NUM>, which extends (as shown in <FIG>) and contacts a bottom surface of the opened can <NUM>, causing the opened can <NUM> to move past one of the one way valves <NUM>. The piston <NUM> then retracts, while the opened can <NUM> is maintained vertically above the one way valve <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> Each of the one way valves <NUM> can be configured to be at any suitable location within the open can receptacle <NUM> and can be formed of any suitable material. Also, the number of one way valves <NUM> shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only, the feeding system <NUM> can include more or less of these one way valves <NUM>.

Once another opened can <NUM> is ready to enter the open can receptacle <NUM>, the next opened can <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow <NUM>, the piston <NUM> extends, the next opened can <NUM> is moved vertically upwards and contacts both the bottom surface of the first opened can <NUM>, and the one way valve <NUM>, causing the first opened can <NUM> to move upwards and be maintained by the next one way valve <NUM> (or by the next opened can <NUM>) and the next opened can <NUM> to be maintained above the first one way valve <NUM>. The piston <NUM> then retracts, so that the first opened can <NUM> and the next opened can <NUM> are both maintained within the open can receptacle <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. This process can be repeated for each volume of space the open can receptacle <NUM> can accommodate.

<FIG> provide a more detailed view of the movement of the next opened can <NUM> of the embodiment. In each of <FIG>, the upper panel is the right side view of the feeding system <NUM>, while the bottom panel is a top view of the middle tray <NUM> of the feeding system <NUM>.

In <FIG> an opened can <NUM> is already within the open can receptacle <NUM>. After a period of time, the next open can <NUM> is to be moved to the open can receptacle <NUM>. To effect this movement an arm <NUM> is rotated clockwise from a side of the middle tray <NUM>. This arm <NUM> can be any suitable size and shape, and can include no, one, or more joints. As can be seen from the top panel of <FIG>, the arm <NUM> is configured to pass vertically over the bumpers <NUM>, but still contact the next open can <NUM>. In another embodiment, a hooked element (not shown) can be driven to hook around the opened can <NUM> and pull the opened can <NUM> into the open can receptacle <NUM>. The hooked element can be placed either above or below the can <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the arm <NUM> at about half way through its travel distance, as it continued to rotate in the clockwise direction, with the next open can <NUM> moved from its original location on the panel <NUM>, towards the open can receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the arm <NUM> at the end of its travel distance, which causes the next open can <NUM> to move beyond the bumpers <NUM>, towards the open can receptacle <NUM>. At this point, a tab <NUM> extends vertically upwards towards the next open can <NUM>. The arm <NUM> can then be rotated counter-clockwise back to the position seen in <FIG>. Referring again to <FIG>, the tab <NUM> contacts a side surface of the next open can <NUM>, and then the tab <NUM> moves towards the open can receptacle <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the tab <NUM> has extended its travel distance and has caused the next open can <NUM> to enter the open can receptacle <NUM>, with assistance by one or more optional guides <NUM>. The tab can then return to the position seen in <FIG>.

Although not shown in the figures, the feeding system <NUM> can include several other elements, which can be incorporated in or near the feeding system <NUM> in any suitable way. Some examples of these additional elements include a display screen and manual and/or touch screen buttons for control of various elements of the feeding system <NUM>. In other embodiments, the feeding system <NUM> can include a camera and internet connection (wired or wireless) so that a user can access the camera from a remote location and view images or video of the feeding system <NUM> and its environment, including animals. This camera can be activated through an application or program, and can capture images and/or video at specified times or in response to a trigger (such as sensing of motion). Link can be established to activate the camera for live viewing, with or without the animal being present.

In addition to the camera, the feeding system <NUM> can include one or more speakers and one or more microphones to allow for capturing of sounds, as well as transmission of sounds from a user to the feeding system <NUM>. Recordings of sound and voice may be added as well to allow users to customize messages to the pets.

Through wired or wireless internet access, the feeding system <NUM> can update the user when a feeding has occurred and may provide additional data collected with the sensors. Type of data collected and sent to the user may vary depending on software and user settings. Such information may be delivered through a specific app developed for the feeding system, by text, email and or other social media or communication preferences that the user may set up. Such data may also be accessible through the display located physically on the feeding system or available on a website portal and stored on the cloud.

Although the feeding system <NUM> described above is configured to open cans of food, the feeding system <NUM> can include additional, accessible receptacles for the dispensing of various dry foods, snacks, can extension chutes and/or water.

Various sensors within the feeding system <NUM> may also be optionally configured to gather data about the humidity level inside and outside the feeding system <NUM>, temperature of the feeding system <NUM>, feeding pattern of the animal, such as amount eaten/wasted, preferred flavor of food, how many times the animal eats and exactly when they fed, among others.

Another embodiment of a feeding system <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. As can be seen, feeding system <NUM> is substantially circular (however any suitable shape housing and any suitable shape of the internal components could also be included) and can include several components. The feeding system <NUM> includes a suitable housing <NUM> formed of any suitable material (such as plastics, metals, glass, ceramic, rubbers, carbon based materials, and combinations thereof) and a base <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be formed of a single piece of material of a suitable shape, or several pieces of material that can be joined to each other in any suitable way. The housing <NUM> can include a housing opening <NUM>, through which a can can be exposed, as discussed below. The base <NUM> is configured to attach to and support the housing <NUM>, as well as support the other components within the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the feeding system <NUM> with the housing <NUM> removed. As can be seen, several components are supported by the base <NUM>, within the space enclosed by the housing <NUM>. A chute housing <NUM> is shown, which contains a can chute (discussed in more detail below). The other individual components visible in <FIG> are discussed in more detail below.

An enlarged view of the several components within the feeding system <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. One component is a can chute <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which is supported through a can chute support <NUM> to the base <NUM>. The can chute <NUM> can be at least partially or fully surrounded by a chute housing <NUM>. The chute housing <NUM> can support various other elements of the feeding system <NUM>, such as a control device <NUM>, which will be described below. The can chute <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material (such as plastics, metals, glass, ceramic, rubbers, carbon based materials, and combinations thereof), and can be rinsed and/or be washable by a user and/or dish washing apparatus.

<FIG> shows the can chute <NUM> alone, upon a removal from the chute housing <NUM> and the feeding system <NUM>. The can chute <NUM> includes a sealed can barrel <NUM> and a used can barrel <NUM>. Each of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> have a diameter that is dimensioned to contain any suitably sized can. In addition, one or both of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> can accommodate a spacer (not shown) that can extend around a diameter of a can if that can has a diameter smaller than the diameter of one or both of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> can be tapered, so that their diameter is smaller at one end as compared to the other. In another embodiment, the sides of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> may be composed of multiple panels which allows them to expand and contract to accommodate any sized cans, including multiple different sized cans all at once.

Each of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> have a length dimensioned to contain any suitably sized can. For example, each of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> can be dimensioned to contain <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more cans stacked vertically. Two non-limiting examples of suitable cans are <NUM> (<NUM> ounce) cans and <NUM> (<NUM> ounce) cans.

An example of the use of the can chute <NUM> is provided below. In this example the can chute <NUM> is completely empty of cans. As a first step, the can chute <NUM> is removed from the feeding system <NUM>. The feeding system <NUM> may include a lid (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) attached to the housing <NUM>, which substantially covers the can chute <NUM>. The user then pulls a portion of the can chute <NUM> vertically and out of the feeding system <NUM>. The user can then place a sealed can (not shown) into the sealed can barrel <NUM>, in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The sealed can then falls vertically down until it contacts a sealed can catch <NUM>. The sealed can catch <NUM> sufficiently supports each of the sealed cans added to the sealed can barrel <NUM>. A more detailed view of the sealed can barrel <NUM>, from vertically above is shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view of the underside of the lid <NUM>, in a closed configuration and in contact with housing <NUM>. A lid latch <NUM> maintains the lid <NUM> in contact with the housing <NUM>, by having a portion of the lid latch <NUM> in contact with a catch of the housing <NUM>. A user can cause the lid latch <NUM> to slide in the direction of arrow <NUM>, thereby disengaging the portion of the lid latch <NUM> in contact with the catch of the housing <NUM>. The lid <NUM> can then be placed in an open configuration, shown in <FIG>. The lid being in the open configuration shown in <FIG> allows for access by the user to the can chute <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the sealed can catch <NUM> can include a shock absorbing element, a curvature designed into the element, which can be configured to absorb at least some of the impact of adding cans in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The sealed can catch <NUM> is shown separately in <FIG>.

Another example of the use of the can chute <NUM> is also provided. In this example the used can barrel <NUM> has received one or more cans in the direction of arrow <NUM> and are resting on used can catch <NUM> (this receipt of used cans will be described in more detail below). A more detailed view of the used can barrel <NUM>, from vertically above is shown in <FIG>.

As a first step, the can chute <NUM> is removed from the feeding system <NUM> by a user. The user will open the lid <NUM> and pull the can chute <NUM> out by its handle <NUM>. The can chute <NUM> can then be held over a garbage receptacle, and a can release button <NUM> is pressed by the user. Pressing the can release button <NUM> causes release lever <NUM> to move vertically downward and contact used can catch <NUM>. This contact causes used can catch <NUM> to move horizontally away from the interior of used can barrel <NUM>, and the one or more used cans within the used can barrel <NUM> fall vertically down and out of the used can barrel <NUM>, in the direction of arrow <NUM>. Now that all used cans are removed, and used can barrel <NUM> no longer contains any used cans or lids. The user can load new sealed cans into the empty sealed can barrel <NUM> and the can chute <NUM> can be placed back into the feeding system <NUM>. The can chute <NUM> will slide into the can chute housing <NUM>. The can chute housing <NUM> may be straight or may be tapered at the bottom to guide the can chute <NUM> in with ease.

Referring again to <FIG>, can chute <NUM> can be seen, with the exterior of each of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM>, both visible below the can chute housing <NUM>. A can enters the interior of the feeding system <NUM> by exiting the bottom of the sealed can barrel <NUM> (in the direction of arrow <NUM> of <FIG>) onto a support arm <NUM> (which is further described, and illustrated, below), while the support arm is in a first position.

For exemplary purposes, and to aid in understanding, <FIG> is a graphical representation, although not to scale, to generally illustrate the five positions the support arm <NUM> can rotate to and be maintained at. For the purpose of clarify, all positions may be configured in any way to be before or after other positions and although only <NUM> positions are shown, there could be either more or less positions as needed. <FIG> is a top view of a representation of the feeding system <NUM>, with positions noted, although not to scale or meant to limit the actual location of any position of the support arm <NUM>. Typically, a can (not shown) travels from position "A", to position "B", to position "C", to position "D", to position "E", with these positions discussed below.

The first position "A" is vertically below a lower opening of the sealed can barrel <NUM>.

The second position "B" is generally where the sealed can has at least a portion of a lid of the sealed can removed.

The third position "C" is generally where the contents of the can, which has had at least a portion of its lid removed, are exposed to an exterior of the feeding system <NUM>. At this position "C", an animal can typically access these exposed contents.

The fourth position "D" is generally where the can, which has had at least a portion of its lid removed, and has been exposed to an exterior of the feeding system <NUM> for a period of time, is at least partially capped with a capping arm <NUM> (further described below).

The fifth position "E" is vertically below a lower opening of the used can barrel <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, as stated above, support arm <NUM> effects the movement of a can through the positions shown in <FIG>. Regarding the first position "A", which is vertically below a lower opening of the sealed can barrel <NUM>, a sealed can is released and becomes supported by support arm <NUM>. Before releasing the can, the support arm <NUM> can lift the entire number of cans within the sealed can barrel <NUM> to test for weight and thereby determine how many sealed cans are left within the sealed can barrel <NUM>. The support arm <NUM> will contain a weight measurement device to obtain this data, such as a load cell, discussed below. Alternatively, sensors within or in proximity to the sealed can barrel <NUM> will provide this data. A more detailed view of support arm <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, with the support arm <NUM> being in the vertical position it would be to begin supporting the sealed can.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the support arm <NUM> includes an elevation arm <NUM> and a support pad <NUM>. The elevation arm <NUM> is operably connected to an elevation screw <NUM> and is configured to pivot about a pivot within a support arm frame <NUM>. Elevation screw <NUM> is capable of being rotated by an elevation motor (elevation motor <NUM> of <FIG>, which is supported by can chute support <NUM>). The operation of the elevation screw is discussed below in regards to rotation being "clockwise" or "counter-clockwise" as an example. In other embodiments, the directions can be reversed using a differently threaded elevation screw <NUM> to achieve the same movements of the support arm <NUM>.

The clockwise rotation of elevation screw <NUM> by the elevation motor causes the elevation arm to move vertically downward towards the base <NUM> of the feeding system <NUM>, to a position shown in <FIG>. The elevation motor can stop rotation, making the elevation arm <NUM> any suitable height until an arm protrusion <NUM> is detected as being present by height sensor <NUM>.

The counter-clockwise rotation of elevation screw <NUM> by the elevation motor causes the elevation arm <NUM> to move vertically upwards, away from the base <NUM> of the feeding system <NUM>, to a position shown in <FIG>. The elevation motor can stop rotation, making the elevation arm <NUM> any suitable height until the elevation arm <NUM> is stopped because the height stop <NUM> reaches and is stopped by the top of the elevation screw <NUM>.

The support pad <NUM> is configured to support sealed and used cans, and includes an electronic weight sensing device, such as a load cell. The electronic weight sensing device is configured to send and/or receive signals from control device <NUM>, which will be described in more detail below. From signals received from the support pad <NUM>, the control device <NUM> can determine how much food is left in a can that has had at least a portion of a lid of that can removed.

From signals received from the support pad <NUM>, the control device <NUM> can also determine a weight of all cans in either sealed can barrel <NUM> or used can barrel <NUM>, by the support pad being placed under either barrel and caused to lift vertically upwards by the elevation screw <NUM> to support all weight of all cans in either barrel. As an example, from signals received from the support pad <NUM>, the control device <NUM> can determine how many sealed cans are within the sealed can barrel <NUM> by measuring a total weight of all cans present, and then divide that total weight by a predetermined, average sealed can weight.

Alternatively, a sensor (not shown) can be included on the interior of or in proximity to one or both of the sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> to optically or mechanically determine the height of cans in the barrel, thus determining how many cans are in each of the barrels. Optical sensors may be placed inside, at the top, at the bottom or around the sealed can barrel <NUM> and/or the used can barrel <NUM> to determine how many cans are in the barrels. The sealed can barrel <NUM> and the used can barrel <NUM> may or may not have cut outs that will allow sensors of this type to work even mounted outside of the barrels. Alternatively, one or more mechanical sensors may be placed inside the sealed can barrel <NUM> and /or the used can barrel <NUM> to detect how many cans are in the barrels. These sensors may be indented, lifted, pressed or otherwise manipulated by the cans or lack of cans to determine the fullness of each barrel.

Support arm frame <NUM> interacts through a suitable gear(s) with a rotation motor <NUM>, which causes support arm frame <NUM> (including support arm <NUM>) to rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise, between each position shown in <FIG>.

Both rotation motor <NUM> and elevation motor <NUM> are any electrical motors, either AC or DC, that are suitably sized to cause rotation of support arm frame <NUM> (with one or more sealed or used cans supported on support pad <NUM>) and also suitably sized to vertically lift <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more sealed cans stacked vertically within sealed can barrel <NUM> and used can barrel <NUM>.

Regarding the first position "A" of <FIG>, which is vertically below a lower opening of the sealed can barrel <NUM>, a sealed can is released and becomes supported by support arm <NUM>. To be in the first position, the rotation motor <NUM> has caused the support arm frame <NUM> and support arm <NUM> to rotate to be vertically below a lower opening of the sealed can barrel <NUM>. To aid in control of the sealed can from the sealed can barrel <NUM>, the elevation motor can cause the support arm <NUM> to extend vertically upward, to a position shown in <FIG>.

In this position a sealed can is released from the sealed can barrel <NUM> due to sealed can catch <NUM> moving, and allowing the sealed can to drop. The sealed can then lands on the support pad <NUM>. The support arm <NUM> (or another suitable portion of the feeding system <NUM>, such as within the sealed can barrel <NUM>, or near position "B" of <FIG>) can include a scanner (not shown). This scanner can be any suitable scanner, including optical scanners and laser scanners, that is capable of decoding data stored in a barcode, a QR code, or any equivalent scannable/detectable coding option used for tracking purposes on a can. This data can be received by the control device <NUM>, and will be described in more detail below.

Optionally, the support arm <NUM> (or another suitable portion of the feeding system <NUM>, such as within the sealed can barrel <NUM>, or near position "B" of <FIG>) can include a second scanner (not shown). This second scanner can be any suitable scanner or device (in conjunction with control device <NUM>) that is capable of determining if a sealed can is in the correct orientation (right side up, or the rolled lip and lid of the can is vertically further away from the base <NUM> of the feeding system than the bottom of the can).

Alternatively, during dispensing, the support pad <NUM> can catch the sealed can from the opening at the bottom of the sealed can barrel <NUM>. Before moving on to position "B" to open the can, the support pad <NUM> will be elevated slightly again and the can will rub against an edge detector <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The edge detector <NUM> can be located in any position between position "A" (including position "A") and position "B".

The edge detector <NUM> includes a blade <NUM> configured to catch on the rim of a can, as the can moves in the direction of arrow <NUM>. If the can was upside down, the lip of the lid of the can will catch on the blade <NUM> and the edge detector <NUM> will notify the control device <NUM>. As the rim of the can catches the blade <NUM>, the mechanism rotates so that blade protrusion <NUM> moves and is detected by blade protrusion sensor <NUM>. The blade <NUM> will not catch if the can is right side up, with the rim at the top. If the can is right side up, the sealed can can proceed to position "B".

If the edge is caught, the control device <NUM> will be notified by the blade protrusion sensor <NUM>, the sealed can can be caused to move to position "E", and placed into the used can barrel <NUM>. The process can then start over with a new can. The user can be notified of such an event by the control device <NUM>. In another embodiment, device can opener <NUM> can be configured to sense if the can is right side up. This may be determined from feedback received by the control device <NUM> of the grip of the blades of the can opener on the can or lack thereof. This may also be determined by the control device <NUM> from the amount of current drawn by the motor as the can opener <NUM> is operating on the can. The structure of the can opener <NUM> is further described below.

After receipt of the sealed can by the support arm <NUM> in position "A", and after clockwise rotation of elevation screw <NUM> to place the support arm <NUM> in the position shown in <FIG>, the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate counter-clockwise from position "A" to position "B" of <FIG>. At position "B" the elevation screw <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and sealed can thereon) is lifted vertically towards the can opener <NUM>. Alternatively, at position "B", the elevation screw <NUM> does not rotate and the can opener <NUM> moves vertically downwards.

As seen in <FIG>, which is an underside view of the can opener <NUM>, the can opener <NUM> includes a feed gear <NUM>, a cutter <NUM>, and lid extractors <NUM>. The feed gear <NUM> is moved by a can opener motor ( not shown ) that is on top or located anywhere within the feeding system <NUM> and is configured to contact and cause the can to rotate against the cutter <NUM>, such that the cutter <NUM> cuts through a side wall of the can. In alternative configurations, the feed gear <NUM> can contact and cause the can to rotate against the cutter <NUM>, such that the cutter <NUM> cuts through an upper surface wall of the can. In yet another embodiment of can opener <NUM>, a pinching mechanism (not shown) can contact and pinch a flap handle of a can, and peel the upper flap off of the can. The feed gear <NUM> is configured to move in the direction of arrow <NUM> through feed gear groove <NUM> by forwarding and reversing the direction the motor is turning. As shown in <FIG>, rotation of cam <NUM> (through the motor (not shown)) causes the cutter <NUM> to more in the direction of arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. Under any of the above embodiments, the can opener <NUM> results in a substantially dull upper metal edge of the can and a removed lid. As used herein, the removed lid refers to any material removed from the sealed can by the can opening process.

After the sealed can is opened, by any suitable method, the removed lid can be maintained by the can opener <NUM> until after the support arm <NUM>, and now opened can, have moved from position "B" of <FIG>. At that time, the can opener <NUM> can release the removed lid by utilizing the lid extractors <NUM> which will help push the lid out of the grip of the cutter <NUM> and/or feed gear <NUM>, so that the removed lid falls vertically down into a receptacle (not shown) which can later be removed by a user. Alternatively, the can opener <NUM> can maintain the removed lid until after the opened can has completed position "C", or after the opened can has completed position "D", both described below in more detail. In this alternative embodiment, the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate clockwise from either position "C" or position "D" back to position "B", and the removed lid is then released so that the removed lid falls vertically down onto the can, which has now been used.

After the sealed can has been opened at position "B", the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate counter-clockwise from position "B" to position "C" of <FIG>. At position "C" the elevation screw <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and opened can thereon) is lifted vertically towards a feeding opening <NUM>. The opened can is lifted to be below the feeding opening, <NUM>, partially exposed through feeding opening <NUM>, or offset a distance below the feeding opening <NUM>. At this time, an animal can access the contents of the opened can and eat at least a portion or all of the contents. Alternatively, the can can be extended outside of the housing <NUM> to present the food to the animal and then retracting back once finished or per scheduled settings.

During the time that access to the contents of the opened can is available, the support pad <NUM> can measure the weight of the opened can at various times, and transmit that information to the control device <NUM>, such that the weight of the can at the time of opening can be compared to the weight of the opened can over time. These weight measurements can be used by the control device to determine an amount of material remaining in the opened can, and can be used to restrict access to the opened can if the contents are being removed too quickly. Further actions undertaken by the control device <NUM> are discussed below.

The feeding opening <NUM> can include a lip that extends vertically downwards, which substantially covers the exposed edge of the opened can. Also, the feeding opening <NUM> can include an inclined portion, which extends radially from the feeding opening <NUM> and is inclined vertically downward towards the feeding opening <NUM>.

Optionally, the feeding opening <NUM>, when the opened can is not in position "C", can be covered with an opening cover <NUM>, which extends over the feeding opening <NUM>. The opening cover <NUM> can be maintained, when an opened can is not in position "C", in a closed configuration by the force of an elastic element (shown in <FIG>). To move the opening cover <NUM>, thus exposing the feeding opening <NUM>, instead of stopping at position "C", the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate counter-clockwise from position "B", past position "C" a distance, which is prior to position "D". At that time, the support arm <NUM> (and opened can thereon) is lifted vertically a predetermined distance by rotation, counter-clockwise, of the elevation screw <NUM>. Then, the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate clockwise back towards position "C", so that a portion of support arm <NUM> contacts an opening cover portion (shown in <FIG>) on a lower surface of the opening cover <NUM>. The rotation motor <NUM> continues to rotate clockwise, causing the opening cover <NUM> to move clockwise, exposing the feeding opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a portion of the opening cover <NUM>, from an underside perspective. From this view, the opening cover portion <NUM> that contacts the support arm <NUM> can be seen as extending from a surface of the opening cover <NUM>. In the configuration shown in <FIG> (and in <FIG>), the opening cover <NUM> is in a closed position, held by an elastic element <NUM> (such as a spring or an elastomeric element, or the like) between the opening cover <NUM> and a fixed portion of the feeding system <NUM>. Once the support arm <NUM> contacts the opening cover portion <NUM>, and forces the opening cover <NUM> to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction of <FIG>, the feeding opening <NUM> moves to substantially align with the housing opening <NUM>, thus exposing the can to outside of the housing <NUM>. Once the support arm <NUM> moves to position "D", the elastic element <NUM> causes the opening cover to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction of <FIG> so that feeding opening <NUM> is no longer substantially aligned with the housing opening <NUM> and the opening cover <NUM> itself is exposed through the housing opening <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>.

In another embodiment, the opening cover <NUM> can be moved through an additional motor (not shown) to expose the feeding opening <NUM>. In another embodiment, the opening cover <NUM> is moved as the support arm <NUM> rotates from position "B" to position "C" through contact between a portion of the support arm <NUM> and a portion of the opening cover <NUM>.

Under any of the above embodiments, once opening cover <NUM> is moved, at position "C" the elevation screw <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and opened can thereon) is lifted vertically towards a feeding opening <NUM>. In other embodiments, once at position "C", the feeding opening <NUM> is near enough to the can to allow for access to the can's contents without the support arm <NUM> moving vertically up or down.

After a predetermined period of time or amount eaten, the elevation screw <NUM> rotates clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and used can thereon) is moved vertically down and away from the feeding opening <NUM>. Then, the rotation motor <NUM> rotates and causes the support arm <NUM> to rotate counter-clockwise from position "C" to one of position "D" or position "E" of <FIG>.

If the rotation motor <NUM> rotates to position "D", the elevation screw <NUM> then rotates counter-clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and used can thereon) is lifted vertically towards the capping arm <NUM>. In other embodiments the support arm <NUM> remains stationary while the capping arm <NUM> is moved towards the support arm <NUM>. The capping arm <NUM> includes a ring <NUM> made of a substantially compliant material, such as an elastomeric material, that extends around the circumference of the capping arm <NUM>, which is configured to be elastically deformable upon contact with an exposed edge of the used can. Once contact is made between the ring <NUM> and the used can, a substantially air tight seal is formed between the contents of the used can and the environment around the feeding system <NUM>. In another embodiment, the capping arm <NUM> may be larger in circumference than the can and can be placed over the can without touching any part of the can.

Optionally, the capping arm <NUM> can also include one or more lights (shown in <FIG>) that are capable of at least partially limiting bacterial and/or mold growth on the contents of the used can. One example of these one or more lights is an ultra violet (UV) light and a light emitting diode (LED). The light may be used any time for any amount of time and may be programmable by the user.

A side cross-sectional view of the capping arm <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG> a used can C is shown as being in contact with a portion of the ring <NUM>. A light <NUM> is on an underside surface of the capping arm <NUM> and emits a light towards the used can C.

After a predetermined period of time, the elevation screw <NUM> then rotates clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and used can thereon) is lifted vertically away from the capping arm <NUM>. At this time, the rotation motor <NUM> can rotate counter-clockwise, back to position "C", or the rotation motor <NUM> can rotate clockwise, to position "E". If the rotation motor <NUM> rotates back to position "C", the used can can be exposed again through the feeding opening <NUM>. This process can continue multiple times, with the rotation motor <NUM> causing the used can to move from position "C", to position "D", to position "C", to position "D", etc. for a predetermined period of time or amount eaten or as per scheduling settings made by the user.

After a period of time or amount eaten or as per scheduling settings made by the user, the used can is caused to move into position "B" to pick up the lid and then to position "E" by the rotation motor <NUM>. Position "E" is vertically below a lower opening of the used can barrel <NUM>. Upon reaching position "E", the elevation screw <NUM> then rotates counter-clockwise and the support arm <NUM> (and used can thereon) is lifted vertically towards the bottom face of the used can barrel <NUM>. The elevation screw <NUM> will continue to rotate until the lower edge of the used can passes the used can catch <NUM>. After the lower edge of the used can passes the used can catch <NUM>, the used can is then supported by used can catch <NUM>.

If there are already one or more used cans present in the used can barrel <NUM>, the elevation screw <NUM> causes the used can just brought to position "E" to push vertically upwards the one or more other used cans already present in the barrel until the lower edge of the used can that was just brought to position "E" passes the used can catch <NUM>. After the lower edge of the used can that was just brought to position "E" passes the used can catch <NUM>, all used cans in the used can barrel <NUM> are then supported by used can catch <NUM>.

Optionally, an interior surface of the used can barrel <NUM> can include, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more vertical rails (not shown), which can be formed of any suitable material (such as plastics, metals, glass, ceramic, rubbers, carbon based materials, and combinations thereof). These vertical rails can extend a portion of the vertical length of the used can barrel <NUM>, or a majority or all of the vertical length of the used can barrel <NUM>. These vertical rails can aid in preventing an edge of a used can being caught, or cutting into a portion of the used can barrel <NUM> itself.

In another embodiment, a rotation motor <NUM>' can be located in the position shown in <FIG>, which through rotation of motor gear <NUM> causes the entire carousel <NUM> to rotate through interaction with motor gear <NUM> and teeth on the exterior circumference of carousel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the support arm <NUM> can be attached to the carousel <NUM> and the support arm <NUM> can rotate with the carousel <NUM> to the locations discussed above.

This alternative embodiment is shown in <FIG>, which includes the carousel <NUM> and support arm <NUM> separate from the other components of the feeding system <NUM>. In this embodiment, the elevation arm <NUM> is moved vertically upwards and downwards as in the first embodiment.

As used herein, the term control device <NUM> refers to all components in, on, or attached to an electrical board. Some components of the control device <NUM> can be in the location shown in <FIG> and/or some components of the control device can be located on control device <NUM>', also shown in <FIG>. In an example embodiment, the control device <NUM> can include one or more of a processor, a memory, a network interface, and/or an image sensor (e.g., a camera). The network interface can send and receive various signals, such as WiFi signals, Bluetooth® signals, etc. The control device <NUM> can be configured to receive various inputs from components of the feeding system <NUM>, or from other devices external to the feeding system <NUM>. Also, each of the actions received by or produced from the control device <NUM> can be processed locally, on the control device <NUM>, and/or, be transmitted to an external server, such as a cloud database, for processing.

In one example, the control device <NUM> can receive inputs from a mobile phone external to the feeding system <NUM>, where these received inputs can be processed by the processor of control device <NUM> to control operations of the components of the feeding system <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> is configured to receive signals from the electronic weight sensing device on the support pad <NUM>. The control device <NUM> can send a signal to the electronic weight sensing device to make a measurement and, then, the control device <NUM> can receive the output signal from the electronic weight sensing device at any time, such as when the support arm <NUM> is at any of positions "A", "B", "C", "D", and "E", or between these positions. These received signals can be used by the control device <NUM> to determine the amount of contents of each can that has been removed (eaten by an animal), over time. These signals can also be used by the control device <NUM> to determine if there is an increase in weight, which could indicate a foreign object has been placed in the used can, or if an animal has regurgitated in the used can. If the control device <NUM> does make this determination, an alert can be transmitted through the interface that a fault has been detected. If a fault is detected, the control device <NUM> can stop all movement of all elements within the feeding system <NUM> (to allow for a user to manually remove the used can) or automatically move the used can into the used can barrel <NUM>, and then retrieve a sealed can from the sealed can barrel <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the control device <NUM> can determine that when a remaining weight of a used can is below a threshold, the control device <NUM> can automatically move the used can into the used can barrel <NUM>.

Also, the control device <NUM> can send a signal to the electronic weight sensing device to make a measurement and, then, the control device <NUM> can receive the output signal from the electronic weight sensing device to determine a weight of all initial (or remaining) sealed cans in the sealed can barrel <NUM>. These received signals can be used by the control device <NUM> to determine the number of sealed cans in the sealed can barrel <NUM>, if any. The control device <NUM> can be configured to send an alert through the interface when the detected number of sealed cans is below a threshold, such as <NUM> sealed cans remaining, <NUM> sealed can remaining, <NUM> sealed cans remaining, etc. The control device <NUM> can check every time a can is dispensed from the sealed can barrel <NUM> so that the current number of sealed cans in the sealed can barrel <NUM> can be known to the user.

All such weight sensing signals can be stored by the control device and then later transmitted, through the network interface for storage in another location such as but not limited to the cloud or a local or external database.

The control device <NUM> can also receive rotational data from each of the elevation motor <NUM> and the rotation motor <NUM>. To determine the vertical height and the rotational orientation of the support arm <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> also transmits rotational data to each of the elevation motor <NUM> and the rotation motor <NUM>, causing these motors to move the support arm according to stored rules.

In one example, the control device <NUM> can be configured to operate support arm <NUM>, and optionally opening cover <NUM>, as discussed above, to expose the contents of an opened can through the feeding opening <NUM> for a period of time once motion is detected by a proximity sensor or by the camera of the control device <NUM>. The camera may be used as a proximity sensor or for recognition of different pets. The proximity sensor may also be a receiver of a signal from a device on an animal, such as an RFID chip on a collar of an animal or a microchip within the animal.

In another example embodiment, the control device <NUM> can be configured to run a machine learning model using images received from a camera (the camera of the control device <NUM>). The machine learning model can be stored in the memory of the control device <NUM>, and can be a classification model that can distinguish different animals accessing the feeding system <NUM>. In another embodiment, the process of recognition can be transmitted from the control device <NUM> to a cloud network and/or external server for recognition processing and data obtained from this process can be stored on the cloud network and/or external server, and/or transmitted back to the control device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A feeding system (<NUM>) for dispensing canned food to animals, the feeding system comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) that substantially forms an exterior surface of the feeding system, an inside the housing comprising:
an arm (<NUM>) configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to a plurality of positions, wherein the arm is configured to support a can (<NUM>);
wherein the plurality of positions comprises:
a first position "A" which is vertically below a lower opening of a sealed can barrel (<NUM>) of the feeding system; and
a second position "B" where a sealed can has at least a portion of a lid of the sealed can removed by a can opener,
characterised in that the plurality of positions further comprises:
a third position "C" where the contents of the can, which has had at least a portion of its lid removed, are exposed to an exterior of the feeding system through an opening of the housing such that an animal can typically access these exposed contents;
a fourth position "D" where the can, which has had at least a portion of its lid removed, and has been exposed to an exterior of the feeding system for a period of time, is at least partially capped with a capping arm (<NUM>); and
a fifth position "E" which is vertically below a lower opening of a used can barrel (<NUM>) of the feeding system.