POLLEN FEEDING SYSTEM FOR BEES

Abstract

A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for use with a container in which a pollen supplement for bees is stored, the cover assembly comprising a lid member and a cap member, the lid member configured to engage a top edge of the container at an upper opening thereof, the lid member having a slanted upper surface configuration to divert water from a top of the lid member, the lid member further having an opening to permit bees to enter the container through the lid member opening, the cap member being positioned over the lid member opening, the cap member being spaced apart from the lid member to permit a gap whereby bees may enter the container through the gap and the lid member opening.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 in which the cap member is removable from the lid member.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 in which a climbing element extends downwardly from the cover assembly by which bees can climb on the climbing element to exit from the container.

4. The cover assembly of claim 3 in which the climbing element comprises a rod element.

5. The cover assembly of claim 3 in which the climbing element comprises a plurality of vertically oriented finger elements.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 in which the lid member is configured with an annular channel for receiving the top edge of the container.

7. The cover assembly of claim 1 in which the lid member and cap member are configured in a shape of a flower face.

8. A container assembly for storing a pollen supplement for bees by which contents in the container assembly may be covered while permitting bees to access the contents, the container assembly comprising a storage container and a cover assembly, the cover assembly comprising a lid member and a cap member, the storage container removably receiving the cover assembly, the lid member configured to engage a top edge of the container at an upper opening thereof, the lid member having a slanted upper surface configuration to divert water from a top of the lid member, the lid member further having an opening to permit bees to enter the container through the lid member opening, the cap member being positioned over the lid member opening, the cap member being spaced apart from the lid member to permit a gap whereby bees may enter the container through the gap and the lid member opening.

9. The container assembly of claim 8 in which the cap member is removable from the lid member.

10. The container assembly of claim 8 in which a climbing element extends downwardly from the cover assembly by which bees can climb on the climbing element to exit from the container.

11. The container assembly of claim 10 in which the climbing element comprises a rod element.

12. The container assembly of claim 10 in which the climbing element comprises a plurality of vertically oriented finger elements.

13. The container assembly of claim 8 in which the lid member and cap member are configured in a shape of a flower face.

14. The container assembly of claim 8 in which the container assembly further comprises a support stand for supporting the container assembly at an elevated level above a support surface.

15. A feeding system for bees, the system comprising a liquid feeder portion and a pollen feeder portion, the liquid feeder comprising a container for storing liquid and the pollen feeder comprising a container for storing pollen, the liquid feeder container being in fluid communication with a dispensing tray, the pollen feeder container comprising a container assembly being adapted for connection to the liquid feeder container, the container assembly comprising a storage container and a lid member, the lid member being removable from the storage container, the lid member having a slanted upper surface configuration to divert water from a top of the lid member, the storage container defining a wall having a plurality of apertures in its side to permit access by bees into the storage container.

16. The feeding system for bees according to claim 15 in which the liquid feeder and pollen feeder are oriented in vertical relationship with each other, with a spout member at a first end of the liquid feeder being oriented downwardly for dispensing liquid into the dispensing tray, the pollen feeder container being adapted for connection to a second end of the liquid feeder.

17. The feeding system for bees according to claim 16 in which the dispensing tray defines a plurality of channels for receiving the dispensed liquid.

18. The feeding system for bees according to claim 17 in which the channels are arrayed concentrically within the dispensing tray.

19. The feeding system for bees according to claim 15 in which the storage container has an outwardly extending skirt member, whereby the skirt member and lid member are configured in a shape of a flower face.

20. The feeding system according to claim 15 in which the feeding system further comprises a support stand for supporting the feeding system at an elevated level above a support surface.

21. A combination pollen and nectar feeder system for bees comprising a pollen feeder component and a liquid feeder component, the pollen feeder and liquid feeder being assembled together in vertical relationship with each other, a lower end of the pollen feeder being adapted for engagement with an upper end of the liquid feeder, the liquid feeder receiving a support element at a lower end thereof for supporting the assembled pollen feeder and liquid feeder in raised elevation on a support surface, the pollen feeder being removable from the liquid feeder, the pollen feeder being adapted to receive the support element for supporting the pollen feeder in raised elevation on a support surface separately from the liquid feeder.

22. The combination pollen and nectar feeder system of claim 21 in which the pollen feeder and liquid feeder each comprise a cylindrical body, a lower end of the pollen feeder defining an annular flange adapted for engagement with the upper end of the liquid feeder.

23. The combination pollen and nectar feeder of claim 21 in which the support element is a rod member, a receptacle being provided in each of the lower end of the liquid feeder and the lower end of the pollen feeder for receiving the rod member.

24. The combination pollen and nectar feeder of claim 23 in which a peg member is provided at the upper end of the liquid feeder, the peg member being receivable within the receptacle in the lower end of the pollen feeder during engagement of the pollen feeder with the liquid feeder.

25. The combination pollen and nectar feeder of claim 21 in which the pollen feeder comprises a storage container and a cover assembly, the cover assembly comprising a lid member and a cap member, the storage container removably receiving the cover assembly, the lid member configured to engage a top edge of the container at an upper opening thereof, the lid member having a slanted upper surface configuration to divert water from a top of the lid member, the lid member further having an opening to permit bees to enter the container through the lid member opening, the cap member being positioned over the lid member opening, the cap member being spaced apart from the lid member to permit a gap whereby bees may enter the container through the gap and the lid member opening, the cap member being removable from the lid member, a climbing element extending downwardly from the cover assembly by which bees can climb on the climbing element to exit from the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the access lid assembly.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the access lid assembly.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation of the access lid assembly.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the access lid assembly with the cap member removed.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the access lid assembly with the cap member attached.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the access lid assembly.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the combination liquid and pollen feeder.

[0025] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the combination liquid and pollen feeder.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the underneath side of the pollen feeder component of the combination liquid and pollen feeder.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper side of the storage container of the pollen feeder component of the combination liquid and pollen feeder.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the storage container of the pollen feeder.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the dispensing tray for the liquid feeder.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing tray for the liquid feeder.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pollen feeder attached to the support element.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation of the combination liquid and pollen feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] An embodiment of the invention comprises a cover assembly for placement over a container of bee pollen substitute. One version of the cover assembly can be sized and adapted for placement over the top rim of a bucket in which pollen substitute is commercially provided. A preferred embodiment of the cover assembly is for use with a separate container in which an amount of bee pollen substitute is placed.

[0034] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of a container assembly 10 for receiving a supply of bee pollen substitute. A cylindrical container 12 is provided for holding a quantity of bee pollen. Cover assembly 14 is adapted for placement over cylindrical container 12 and keeps falling moisture, such as rain, from entering the container and keeps the bee pollen contents dry. The cover assembly also helps to keep wind from blowing away the pollen contents. Cover assembly 14 comprises a lid member 16 and a cap member 18. When cover assembly 14 is placed on container 12, lid member 16 rests on top of container wall 20 as shown in FIG. 3. A bottom surface of lid member 16 defines an annular flange 22 which engages against container wall 20 to hold lid member 16 in place. Lid member 16 has an outer periphery 17 of expanded diameter to cover and protect the contents of container 12. Lid member 16 has an opening 24 as shown in FIG. 4 which provides access to the interior of container 12 when cover assembly 14 is in place on container 12.

[0035] Cap member 18 is removably received on top of lid member 16. A series of legs 26 are formed on the underneath side of cap member 18 as shown in FIG. 1. Lid member 16 has corresponding apertures or sockets 28 for receiving legs 26 of cap member 18. Legs 26 enable cap member 18 to be spaced apart from a top surface of lid member 16 to create a gap 19 therebetween as shown in FIG. 2. This gap enables bees to enter underneath cap member 18 and then enter the interior of container 12 through opening 24 in lid member 16 when the cover assembly 14 is engaged with container 12. The top exterior surfaces of lid member 16 and cap member 18 are slanted downwardly to divert falling water from pooling on top of cover assembly 14.

[0036] Cover assembly 14 may be provided with a downwardly depending climbing element 30 to enable bees to crawl back up from the interior of container 12 after feeding on the pollen contents. Climbing element 30 comprises a cylindrical body 32 having a series of finger elements 34 which bees can cling to and climb on to crawl back out from the interior of container 12. A flange 36 is provided on the upper perimeter of climbing element 30 to support the climbing element on edge 38 of opening 24 in lid member 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The climbing element can have different configurations and any element that provides a climbing surface by which bees can access to exit the container will suffice.

[0037] The components of cover assembly 14 can be manufactured by 3-D printing which permits a substantial amount of creativity in designing the shapes of the lid member and cap member. In particular, cover assembly may be constructed to approximate the shape of a flower, with the outer periphery 17 of lid member 16 being configured in the shape of petals and the cap member 18 being configured as the central portion of a sunflower as shown in FIG. 7. Container assembly 10 can be supported in a raised position on the ground using support element 40 as seen in FIG. 6. A sleeve 42 is mounted on the side of container 12 to receive an end of support element 40. Sleeve 42 may alternately be mounted on an underneath side of container 12.

[0038] In another embodiment, a combination liquid and pollen feeder 50 is provided as shown in FIG. 7. The liquid can be nectar or any other source of sugar water.

[0039] Combination feeder 50 is comprised of liquid feeder 52 and pollen feeder 54. Pollen feeder 54 is stacked on top of liquid feeder 52 in a vertical arrangement and together they are supported in a raised elevation on a surface (such as the ground) by support element 56. A dispensing tray 58 is placed in fluid communication with liquid feeder 52 for receiving the liquid therefrom.

[0040] Pollen feeder 54 comprises container assembly 60 having a storage container 62 and a lid member 64 as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, storage container 62 has a relatively shallow profile and relatively small storage capacity. Storage container 62 has an annular flange 66 on an underneath side thereof as shown in FIG. 9 which can engage the cylindrical end of liquid feeder 52 for connection of pollen feeder 54 to liquid feeder 52. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper side of storage container 62 has a raised circumferential wall 68. A plurality of apertures 70 are placed in wall 68 to provide access points for bees to enter into storage container 62. The pollen generally has a granular, powdery consistency and will not readily flow out of the apertures 70 and so is substantially retained within storage container 62 until consumed by bees. Storage container 62 may have a floor 63 for retaining the pollen contents. Alternatively, storage container 62 may be provided without a bottom floor and pollen may simply be placed on the end surface of liquid feeder 52 and then covered by pollen feeder 54 as shown in FIG. 7. Lid member 64 is removably received by storage container 62 to keep the stored pollen contents dry. A plurality of leg members 72 are provided on the underneath side of lid member 64 and are received in holes 74 in the top of storage container 62. The leg members 72 enable there to be a gap between lid member 64 and storage container 62 to permit bees to access apertures 70.

[0041] Dispensing tray 58 is in fluid communication with liquid feeder 52 and receives the liquid whereby bees can feed directly from the dispensing tray. Bees tend to crowd together excessively when feeding which presents a hazard of drowning to the bees under the crush of bodies. To help minimize the space in which bees might overcrowd, dispensing tray 58 is provided with a series of smaller-dimensioned channels 76 which limit the access area in which bees will consume the fluid. Furrows 78 permit the fluid to flow through to all of the channels. Channels 76 may be configured in a concentric arrangement.

[0042] In another embodiment, the combination liquid and pollen feeder 50 as shown FIG. 7 may alternatively comprise a full size pollen container 82 for connection to liquid feeder 84. As shown in FIG. 15, a support element 86 is provided to support liquid and pollen feeder 80 in elevation on a surface such as the ground. Pollen container 82 is similar in structure and function to container 12 and cover assembly 14 heretofore described and shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, pollen container 82 is separable from liquid feeder 84. When separated, pollen container 82 receives support element 86 as shown in FIG. 14 for supporting pollen container 82 in elevation on the ground or other surface. Liquid feeder 84 may be provided with a peg member 88 at a top end thereof as shown in FIG. 15. The bottom end of pollen container 82 may be provided with a receptacle 90 for receiving peg member 88 when pollen container 82 is positioned on top of liquid feeder 84 to promote a secure engagement between pollen container 82 and liquid feeder 84. The corresponding dimensions of peg member 88 and receptacle 90 are approximately the same diameter as support element 86. When pollen container 82 is separated from liquid feeder 84 to stand independently therefrom as shown in FIG. 14, receptacle 90 receives the end of support element 86.

[0043] The components of the combination liquid feeder and pollen feeders can be provided as a kit for assembly into an integrated liquid and pollen feeder as shown in FIG. 7, and for separation of the components such that the pollen feeder can be used individually as shown in FIG. 14. When the liquid feed and pollen feeder are assembled together, the preferred embodiment comprises the storage container 62 having the shallow profile and smaller storage capacity. When the pollen feeder is used by itself, it is preferable to use the larger capacity pollen container 82. The support element is connectable to the liquid feeder and alternatively to the pollen container as heretofore described.

[0044] As required, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject matter are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosed subject matter, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the disclosed technology in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0045] Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to various particular embodiments, it is understood that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.