An automatic pet feeder, comprising a bowl with a plurality of compartments, a cover and a sensor, the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments, the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor, each location region having a first edge and a second edge, the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected, and the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.

An apparatus engageable with a container of pet food for preparing the pet food includes a water source, a water pump, and a water heater. The water pump causes a first amount of water to flow to the heater where the first amount is heated and then causes the heated first amount to flow into the pet food whereby the pet food is heated to a first temperature and moistened to a first moistness level. A timer monitors a first steeping period after the first amount has flowed into the pet food, then the water pump causes a second amount of water to flow to the heater. The second amount then flows into the pet food. The second amount is heated such that the pet food obtains a second temperature cooler than the first temperature and moistened to a second moistness level moister than the first moisture level. The timer then monitors a second steeping period after the second amount has flowed into the pet food and then actuates a ready indicator to indicate that the pet food is properly heated and moistened for serving.

An automatic pet feeder includes a base, a feed auger, a food container connected to the base, and a food dish connected to the base. The feed auger is disposed for rotating movement within the base. The base is configured to receive food from the food container through an opening and delivery food to the food dish using the feed auger.

One variation of a method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training with a training apparatus, includes: accessing a video feed of a working field; dispensing a first set of treats into the working field at a first frequency and outputting an audible reinforcer at a first volume level; estimating a first acclimation score representative of acclimation to dispensation of the first set of treats; in response to the first acclimation score exceeding a threshold acclimation, dispensing a second set of treats at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible reinforcer at a second volume greater than the first volume; estimating a second acclimation score responsive to the second set of treats; in response to the second acclimation score exceeding the threshold acclimation, the second frequency falling below a threshold frequency, and the second volume exceeding a threshold volume, verifying acclimation of the dog.

A pet feeding device (10) and method for supplying and opening filled containers (12) are presented, wherein a lid of a container being opened and/or folded back in a direction opposite to the opening direction is biased in a direction opposite to the opening direction.

Provided herein are mechanisms and methods for the automated distribution of active ingredients (whether oral or contact based) to wild and domestic animal populations as well as a method for monitoring animal activity and estimating consumption and/or application of such ingredients within the population through the utilization of the mechanisms themselves. The inventive device pertains to a manner of delivering either an active oral ingredient or active contact ingredient within a bait pellet or like substrate for ingestion or external contact and/or coating of a target population. The device allows for controlled access of such a bait pellet (or like substrate) for such a target population coupled with the ability to retain freshness thereof for multiple timed access events without the need for human involvement. A properly sized, configured, and automated delivery device is thus provided to meet these needs. Delivery components are also encompassed herein.

An automatic feeding device includes an accommodating container, a transmission channel, a valve unit, a sensor and an ejection unit. The transmission channel is disposed on bottom of the accommodating container. The transmission channel has an inlet portion, a central portion and an outlet portion. The central portion is between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The valve unit is disposed on the bottom of the accommodating container and adjacent to the inlet portion. The valve unit is switchable to allow feed inside the accommodating container for passing the inlet portion and entering the transmission channel. The sensor is disposed on the inlet portion and detects whether the feed passes the inlet portion, and further outputs a control command to switch modes of the valve unit. The ejection unit is disposed on the central portion and used to push the feed inside the transmission channel toward the outlet portion.

An animal feeder system includes a container having a hollow interior configured to receive a product therein. The container includes a selectively positionable closure member configured to control access to the product. An actuator assembly is coupled to the closure member. The closure member is in the open first position when a first daylight period occurs, and/or when an illuminance level of a surrounding environment is at least a predetermined illuminance threshold value, and/or during a first time period. The closure member is in the closed second position during precipitation, and/or when a second daylight period occurs, and/or when the illuminance level of the surrounding environment is less than the predetermined illuminance threshold value.

An automatic feeding device includes an accommodating container, a transmission channel, a valve unit, a sensor and an ejection unit. The transmission channel is disposed on bottom of the accommodating container. The transmission channel has an inlet portion, a central portion and an outlet portion. The central portion is between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The valve unit is disposed on the bottom of the accommodating container and adjacent to the inlet portion. The valve unit is switchable to allow feed inside the accommodating container for passing the inlet portion and entering the transmission channel. The sensor is disposed on the inlet portion and detects whether the feed passes the inlet portion, and further outputs a control command to switch modes of the valve unit. The ejection unit is disposed on the central portion and used to push the feed inside the transmission channel toward the outlet portion.

A feeder including: a) a base portion having a serving area; b) a chamber portion supported by the base portion and configured to retain a granular material within a chamber interior; c) a dispenser configured to segregate a portion of the granular material from the chamber interior and transfer the portion of the granular material from the chamber portion to the serving area, wherein the dispenser includes: i) a rocker body; and ii) one or more fins projecting from the rocker body; and wherein the feeder includes one or more of: i) the fin(s) are flexible; ii) sensing device(s) part of a sensing tower configured to sense the presence, distance, and/or amount of the granular material within the chamber portion; and/or iii) sensing device(s) configured to sense the presence, distance, and/or amount of the granular material within the serving area.