Abstrict A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior
of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate
or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the
feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The
insert also has a cavity for receiving a desiccant to absorb moisture
that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material to flow through
the outlet hole of the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage
of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging
the feeder or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily
and quickly trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of commercially
available drum type and pail type animal feeders. In a preferred
embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam material.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An insert for removable installation in the lower end of a generally
cylindrical animal feeder of the type having an interior diameter
adapted to contain particulate or granular animal feed, a flat bottom,
and a feed outlet opening in the flat bottom through which said
feed material passes, the insert comprising: a unitary truncated
generally conical shaped member having a top end with an outer diameter
for engaging the interior diameter of the feeder and a bottom end
for engaging the flat bottom of the feeder, and a circular vertical
wall portion extending downwardly from an underside of said conical
shaped member terminating in a bottom end lying in a horizontal
plane common with said conical shaped member bottom end; a cavity
formed in said generally conical shaped member for receiving a moisture
absorbing desiccant; and a central conical opening extending through
said conical member converging inwardly and downwardly from a larger
diameter at said top end and terminating in a smaller diameter opening
at said bottom end for directing particulate or granular feed into
the feed outlet opening; said circular vertical wall portion providing
support to said conical shaped member for supporting the weight
of feed material contained in the feeder and said insert providing
the flat bottom of the drum with a downwardly converging conical
flow path to allow substantially all of the particulate or granular
feed material to flow through the feed outlet opening.
2. The insert according to claim 1 wherein said conical shaped
member is formed of water resistant material that can be cut with
a knife to form selective smaller diameters for engaging interior
diameters of various size.
3. The insert according to claim 1 wherein said conical shaped
member is formed of polystyrene foam material.
4. The insert according to claim 1 wherein said conical shaped
member top end has a circumferential flange portion extending radially
outward beyond said circular vertical wall portion for engaging
the interior diameter of a larger animal feeder; said circumferential
flange portion is formed of a material that can be cut with a knife
to form selective smaller diameters for engaging interior diameters
of intermediate size; and said circular vertical wall portion outer
diameter is adapted to engage the interior diameter of a smaller
animal feeder when said circumferential flange portion is completely
cut away.
5. The combination of an animal feeder insert and a moisture absorbing
desiccant for removable installation in an animal feeder of the
type having an interior diameter adapted to contain particulate
or granular animal feed and a feed outlet opening in a bottom wall
through which the feed passes, comprising: a unitary insert adapted
to be received in the interior diameter of the animal feeder having
a top end adapted to be engaged on the interior diameter, a bottom
end adapted to be supported on the bottom wall, and a central conical
opening extending through said insert converging inwardly and downwardly
from a larger diameter at said top end and terminating in a smaller
diameter opening at said bottom end defining a flow path for directing
particulate or granular feed into the feed outlet opening; a cavity
formed in said unitary insert configured to receive a moisture absorbing
desiccant; and a moisture absorbing desiccant contained in said
cavity.
6. A flat bottom animal feeder, comprising: a generally cylindrical
drum or hopper having an interior diameter for containing particulate
or granular animal feed, a flat bottom wall, and a feed outlet opening
in the flat bottom wall through which said feed material passes;
a unitary truncated generally conical shaped insert removably installed
in said interior diameter having a top end with an outer diameter
engaged on said interior diameter, a bottom end supported on said
flat bottom wall, and a circular vertical wall portion extending
downwardly from an underside of said conical shaped insert terminating
in a bottom end lying in a horizontal plane common with said conical
shaped insert bottom end; a cavity formed in said generally conical
shaped insert for receiving a moisture absorbing desiccant; and
a central conical opening extending through said conical shaped
insert converging inwardly and downwardly from a larger diameter
at said top end and terminating in a smaller diameter opening at
said bottom end for directing particulate or granular feed into
said feed outlet opening; said circular vertical wall portion providing
support to said conical shaped insert for supporting the weight
of feed material contained in said drum or hopper, and said insert
providing said flat bottom wall of said drum or hopper with a downwardly
converging conical flow path to allow substantially all of the particulate
or granular feed material to flow through the feed outlet opening.
7. The animal feeder according to claim 6 further comprising a
moisture absorbing desiccant contained in said cavity.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to game and animal feeders, and
more particularly to a truncated generally conical shaped unitary
insert for removable installation in the lower end of a flat bottom
animal feeder that directs particulate or granular feed into the
feed outlet opening of the feeder and has a cavity for containing
a desiccant.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Game and animal feeders are well known in the art. A large number
of conventional animal feeders comprise a hopper in the form of
a cylindrical drum or barrel suspended or supported on legs a distance
above the ground. Some conventional game feeders have a flat bottom
wall with a hole through the center, and others may have a tapered
bottom wall or a conical spout located at the bottom of the barrel
or drum. Some conventional game feeders may also have an internal
or external dispensing mechanism at their lower end for intermittently
propelling the particulate or granular feed material (such as corn)
away from feeder and onto the ground. Game feeders are usually located
in the woods and are subjected to harsh weather conditions.
There are various models and sizes of game or animal feeders on
the market generally comprised of a drum (one of 3 diameters: 55
gallon diameter, 30 gallon diameter, and a 7.5 or 6.5 gallon pail
diameter), with a dispensing hole in the center of the bottom end,
typically 2-3 inches in diameter.
There are several patents that disclose various animal feeders,
none of which show or suggest an insert having all of the significant
advantages and utilitarian features of the present invention.
Oswald, U.S. Pat. No. 4841912 discloses an animal feeder that
includes a tank supported over a feed pan by a plurality of straps
projecting radially inwardly from the sidewall of the feed pan.
The tank has a funnel portion that directs the feed into a hollow
tubular valve which is adjustable to regulate the feed flow to the
pan. The tubular valve has cross beams mounted on a hub which is
supported on a bearing to allow rotation and thereby agitation of
the feed within the valve. An inverted funnel-shaped cone is supported
on the cross beams and protects the bearing from feed flowing through
the feeder.
Churchwell, U.S. Pat. No. 4945859 discloses a feeder which includes
a bucket with a conical section extending from the lower end of
the bucket to a discharge opening. A distributing assembly in the
interior of the conical section meters feed from the interior of
the bucket and conical section either by the action of wind against
a sphere or by an electrical feeding assembly.
Ayliffe, Jr. et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5233941 discloses an animal
feeder for use with a ground surface. The feeder includes a container
that contains granular animal feed and is supported on a plurality
of legs in an elevated position above the ground surface. An elongated
tube open at each end is secured to the container so that the open
upper end of the tube is open to the chamber and thus to the animal
feed contained therein. The tube extends generally vertically downwardly
so that the bottom of the tube is open to the ground surface. The
tube is dimensioned so that its lower end is spaced upwardly from
the ground surface by a distance such that animal feed from the
chamber flows downwardly from the chamber in a controlled fashion
and forms a pile on the ground beneath the tube and around the lower
end of the tube. The pile blocks the further flow of animal feed
through the tube until a portion of the animal feed on the ground
surface is eaten or otherwise removed.
Rahm, U.S. Pat. No. 5243930 discloses a demand driven animal
feeder including an elevated hopper containing granular feed having
a pair of downward extensions which decrease in cross-section downward
to an opening. A pair of funnels are pivotally mounted immediately
below these extensions and extend upward to bracket the extension.
The funnels are oriented vertically in axial alignment with the
large end up unless the funnel is disturbed. The small low ends
of the funnels extend downward next to the feed trough bottom. A
feeding animal can move a low end to either side and incline the
funnel from vertical. A planar metering plate is centrally mounted
within each funnel oriented such that it is horizontal when the
funnel is vertical. The metering plates are located immediately
below each extension, are slightly larger than the openings, and
do not extend completely across the funnel. Feed from the hopper
will build up on a horizontal plate surface rather than flow through
the funnel. When an animal displaces a funnel the plate is inclined
off horizontal to permit feed to slide off the edge through the
funnel into the trough.
Rovira Badia et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5351649 discloses an animal
feeder having a hopper provided with an adjustable dispensing valve
which is operated by an animal. The lower part of the hopper terminates
in a funnel forming a lower neck to which is attached a disciplining
body consisting of a one-piece plastic part with a lower chamber
in which a piston operates. The piston forms an integral part of
a metal sluice which pivots about an axle which can be removed in
order to disassemble the sluice. The sluice has a rear plate having
a forward movement, which is stopped by a vertically adjustable
rod, and a return movement, which is stopped by a projection of
the dispensing valve. An upper support for the rod consists of a
small box provided with an upper slot along whose edge are provided
reference marks which are pointed to by an indicator of a control
mechanism. A plate that receives the feed is removably attached
to a surrounding tubular body by means of a number of elastic tabs,
which are introduced into holes provided therein.
One of the major problems with conventional flat bottom animal
feeders that contain particulate or granular feed material are:
(A) a significant amount of the particulate or granular feed material
will accumulate on the flat bottom surrounding the feed outlet opening
and not be dispensed; and (B) when the particulate or granular feed
material on the flat bottom of the drum or hopper becomes wet, it
may spoil or rot and can damage the feeder as well as the dispensing
mechanism.
The present invention overcomes these problems, and is distinguished
over the prior art in general and these patents in particular by
a truncated conical insert for removable installation in the interior
of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate
or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the
feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The
insert also has a cavity for containing a desiccant to absorb moisture
that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material or collected
in the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage of the feed
material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging the feeder
or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily and quickly
trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of sizes of commercially
available drum type and pail type animal feeders. In a preferred
embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
insert for flat bottom animal feeders that will prevent accumulation
of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and
allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of
the feeder.
It is another object of this invention to provide an insert for
flat bottom animal feeders that has a cavity for receiving a desiccant
to absorb moisture that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material
or collected in the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage
of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging
the feeder or its dispensing mechanism.
Another object of this invention is to provide an insert for flat
bottom animal feeders that can be easily and quickly adapted to
fit the interior of a wide range of models and sizes of commercially
available animal feeders.
Another object of this invention is to provide an insert for flat
bottom animal feeders that can be easily and quickly installed in
the interior of the feeder without tools or fasteners.
Another object of this invention is to provide an insert for flat
bottom animal feeders that is sufficiently strong to withstand the
weight of a large quantity of particulate or granular feed material
contained within the feeder.
A further object of this invention is to provide an insert for
flat bottom animal feeders that is formed of rugged water and weather
resistant material.
A still further object of this invention is to provide an insert
for flat bottom animal feeders that is simple in construction, inexpensive
to manufacture, and reliable in operation.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to
time throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related.
The above noted objects and other objects of the invention are
accomplished by a truncated conical insert for removable installation
in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation
of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and
allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of
the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for containing a desiccant
to absorb moisture that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material
or collected in the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage
of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging
the feeder or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily
and quickly trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of sizes
of commercially available drum type and pail type animal feeders.
In a preferred embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an animal feeder in partial cross
section having a hopper with an insert in accordance with the present
invention installed in its lower end.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the insert shown from the bottom.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the insert installed in the
lower portion of the hopper.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown
somewhat schematically in FIG. 1 a game or animal feeder 10 having
a hopper 11 in the form of a cylindrical drum or barrel supported
on legs 12 a distance above the ground, a removable lid 13 for enclosing
the open top end of the hopper, and a feed outlet hole 14 in its
lower end through which particulate or granular feed material (such
as corn) contained in the hopper passes by operation of gravity
onto a dispensing mechanism 15 at the bottom end of the hopper that
distributes the feed material onto the ground. An insert 20 in accordance
with the present invention is installed in the lower end of the
hopper 11 above the feed outlet hole 14 in the bottom end of the
hopper or drum.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the insert 20 is a generally cylindrical
configuration having central conical portion 21 extending downwardly
and inwardly from a top end 22 and terminating in a bottom end 23.
The interior surface of the central conical portion defines a conical
opening 24 that tapers from a larger diameter opening at the top
end to a smaller diameter opening 21A at the bottom end. The outer
periphery 25 of the central conical portion 21 has an outer diameter
D1.
The underside of the central conical portion 21 has a circular
vertical wall 26 extending downwardly therefrom that terminates
in a bottom end 27 that is in approximately the same plane as the
bottom end 23 of the central conical portion. The outer periphery
28 of the circular vertical wall 26 is spaced radially inward a
distance from the outer periphery 25 of the central conical portion
21 and has an outer diameter D2 which is smaller than the diameter
D1 of the outer periphery of the conical portion. The upper portion
of the central conical portion 21 that extends outwardly beyond
circular vertical wall 26 defines a circumferential flange 29.
The inner surface of the vertical wall 26 is adjoined to the underside
of the central conical portion 21 by a horizontal portion 30. The
underside of the lower portion of the central conical portion 21
the inner surface of the vertical wall 26 and the horizontal portion
30 define a circumferential cavity 31 having a truncated triangular
cross section. The circumferential cavity 31 is sized to receive
one or more desiccant packets 32 as described hereinafter.
In a preferred embodiment, the insert 20 is formed of a water resistant
lightweight durable material that can be easily cut with a knife,
such as Styrofoam.TM. (a polystyrene foam) or other suitable material.
The outer diameter D1 of the central conical portion 21 is sized
to engage the interior surface 11A of the drum or hopper, and the
diameter of the smaller opening 21A at the bottom end of the central
conical portion is approximately the same or slightly smaller than
the feed outlet hole 14 in the lower end of the drum or hopper.
When the insert 20 is properly positioned, the smaller opening
21A at the bottom end of the central conical portion 21 is centered
over the feed outlet hole 14 in the lower end of the drum or hopper
11 and the bottom end 27 of the circular vertical wall 26 is engaged
on the bottom 11B of the drum or hopper radially spaced from the
feed outlet hole. The conical opening 24 defined by the interior
surface of the central conical portion 21 converges inwardly and
downwardly from the interior surface of the side wall of the drum
or hopper 11 to the feed outlet hole 14 thereby adapting the flat
horizontal bottom of the drum to have a converging conical flow
path which allows 100% of the particulate or granular feed material
to flow through the outlet hole 14. The circular vertical wall 26
provides support to the central conical portion 21 for supporting
the weight of the feed material contained in the drum or hopper.
Also, in a preferred embodiment, the insert 20 is configured such
that the outer diameter D1 of the central conical portion 21 is
sized to engage the interior surface of a larger drum such as a
55 gallon drum, and the outer diameter D2 of the circular vertical
wall 26 is sized to fit a smaller diameter drum or pail type feeder,
such as a 7.5 or 6.5 gallon pail. The outer diameter D1 of the central
conical portion 21 may be trimmed to a smaller diameter by cutting
away a portion of the circumferential flange 29 with a knife to
fit intermediate sizes, such as a 30 gallon drum. As represented
by dashed line in FIG. 3 when the entire circumferential flange
29 is cut away to the diameter D2 of the circular vertical wall
26 the circular vertical wall will engage the interior surface
of a 7.5 or 6.5 gallon pail type feeder. Thus, the insert 20 may
be easily adapted to fit inside most commercially available models
and sizes of feeders.
One or more moisture absorbing desiccant packets 32 shown somewhat
schematically, may be secured in the circumferential cavity 31 prior
to installing the insert in the drum or hopper, by taping it to
the inner surface of the cavity. Optionally, a suitable desiccant
packet may be made by placing "clumpable" cat litter in
the leg of an old pair of panty hose and tying the end in a knot.
When the desiccant 32 is used in the insert 20 two or three small
V's are cut in the outer wall of the cavity to provide allow air
flow passageways.
The moisture absorbing desiccant absorbs moisture that may otherwise
be absorbed by the feed material or collected on the bottom of the
drum or hopper and prevents sticking, clumping and spoilage of the
feed material. It also prevents wet feed material from damaging
the drum or hopper and its dispensing mechanism.
While this invention has been described fully and completely with
special emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it should be understood
that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. |