An apparatus for feeding animals includes a hopper to store animal feed and a motor-driven spinner beneath the hopper, that radially spreads feed dropping from an opening in a bottom of the hopper. A timer control unit provides timer control of the motor, and includes an antenna that receives signals from a remote controller for remotely initiating a feed dispersal event and for remotely turning on a light on the feeder to selected levels of brightness including turning the light off. The apparatus may include a distribution adapter that has a first position, in which feed from the spinner is broadcast outwardly to an area surrounding the apparatus, and a second position, in which feed from the spinner is deflected downward to be distributed into troughs associated with the apparatus. The apparatus may further include housings that support the motor-driven spinner, and are configured to permit a directional deflector to be incorporated to provide a direction dispersion pattern that blocks a portion of 360° dispersion pattern of the spinner.

This present invention relates to a novel automated and timer-based livestock, game, animal or bird feeding station. The feeding station is configured to connect to a software application installed in a handheld electronic device or to a wireless communication remote through a wireless communication channel. The feeding station includes a timer configured to a timer value and a frequency at which the station dispenses the feed/corn. The feeding station also provides an alert to the software application indicating low volume of feed in the feeding station and an audible alert for livestock to indicate that a feed is ready. A central storage can replenish the feed in the storage area of a plurality of feeding stations.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a food delivery and feeding. An apparatus may comprise: a housing, the housing comprising a housing outlet; and a storage compartment contained within the housing the storage compartment configured to store a plurality of food items for feeding one or more pets. The storage compartment may comprise a storage compartment outlet and two rotatable wheels. The apparatus may also comprise an ejection device contained within the housing. The ejection device may be configured to eject one or more of the plurality of food items. Rotation of the two rotatable wheels causes the one or more of the plurality of food items to move from the storage compartment through the storage compartment outlet to the ejection device.

A feed timer and control system and method are disclosed. In practice, a feed and control system might include a memory that maintains a feeding schedule, which may include a first feed setting with a start time that is related to a sunrise time for a given location and a feeding duration time. The system may also include a switch that is configured to close a connection between a power source and a motor at the start time. In practice, the switch may remain closed for an amount of time that is the same or nearly the same as the feeding duration time. The memory and the switch may be located within an enclose at least partially defined by a housing component of the system. In operation, the switch may be electrically connected to the motor and the power source even though the motor and the power source may be located outside the enclosure at least partially defined by the housing component.

A smart collar to be worn by an animal includes an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of images, and a microprocessor in communication with the imaging device to receive the plurality of captured images in real-time. The microprocessor is configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: analyze the plurality of captured images, compare the plurality of captured images with stored images, recognize at least one of a person, an animal, and an object depicted in at least one of the plurality of images, identify a behavior of the animal, issue a corrective action, issue an approving action, and issue an alert to a user.

The present invention provides a self-serve, automated feed dispenser comprising a storage bin for the bulk free flowing particulate material; a conveying unit for conveying the bulk free flowing particulate material from the storage bin to an outlet; a user interface for selecting amount of said bulk free flowing material to be dispensed and optionally a means to input payment; and operation control means for operating the conveying unit in accordance with input from said user interface.

A pet feeder comprises a grain storage mechanism and a grain releasing mechanism; the grain storage mechanism is used for storing grain and provided with an outlet; the grain releasing mechanism is mounted on the grain storage mechanism at a position closed to the outlet; the grain releasing mechanism can deliver a grain in the grain storage mechanism to the outlet and close the outlet after the grain flows out from the outlet, so that the other animals such as roaches can not enter the grain storage mechanism from the outlet, thereby protecting the gain in the rain storage mechanism from waste and pollution.

Features are described for a pellet dispenser. The pellet dispenser be implemented as a complex molded unit to fit within the home cage of laboratory animals (e.g., hanging from a wall of the cage or inside a food hopper of the cage). The pellet dispenser may be contained within the cage or otherwise attached to the cage so as not to take up additional floor space in the cage which should be allocated for the small laboratory animal. The pellets may be gravity or screw drive fed towards an ejector port. At prescribed times during the day, a prescribed number of pellets may be ejected into the animal cage. Additional components of the pellet dispenser include an ejector (e.g., a linear actuator) and pellet hopper.

An automated game feeder that is virtually silent includes a hopper for holding feed, a bottom wall thereof defining a dispensing opening that, when open, allows feed to be dispensed. A dispensing gate is pivotally mounted to the bottom wall of the dispensing gate being operative to move, when actuated, between a closed configuration covering the dispensing opening and an open figuration allowing the feed to flow out of the hopper. A digital timer is electrically connected to the dispensing gate and programmable to determine when to open and close the dispensing gate. To maintain virtual silence, the deer feeder may include a linear actuator electrically connected to the dispensing gate and timer, the linear actuator having a servo motor that is very quiet when extending a rod configured to open or close the dispensing gate. When actuated, the linear actuator operates the gate according to an array of pivotal couplings.

An automatic animal feeder has two bowls and a base unit which accepts the bowls. Two lids are provided, one for each bowl, which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it or opened about a hinge means to allow access to the bowl. A lid control mechanism is capable of keeping either lid closed independently or opening either lid independently. A removable joining member is provided that links the two lids so that one lid cannot open unless the other lid can also open.