TOP-FILL HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER WITH TWIST BOTTLE VALVE

Abstract

A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension at its other end, and a liquid tray having a well adapted to receive the bottleneck extension and at least one feeding port. The sidewall of the well is provided with at least one drain hole and the sidewall of the bottleneck extension with at least one port. The container and bottleneck extension are rotatable within the well to selectively align and misalign the port with the well drain hole to respectively open and close the drain hole upon rotation of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the bottleneck extension is fitted with a collar rotatable with the container. The collar is received in the liquid tray well and includes at least one port. A liquid flow path is formed in the liquid tray for each feeding port to reduce the volume of nectar in the tray at any given time.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A top-fill liquid hummingbird feeder, comprising: a liquid container for receiving hummingbird nectar having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension with an open bottom; a base assembly including a liquid feeding basin, a cover and an annular member, said liquid feeding basin including a well with an upwardly projecting generally cylindrical sidewall, said well adapted to receive and be secured to said bottleneck extension, said sidewall having at least one liquid port therein, said annular member being concentric with said well sidewall and having at least one liquid port therein; at least one feeding port in said cover; and said annular member being rotatable with respect to said well sidewall to selectively align and misalign said annular member liquid port with said well liquid port to respectively open and close said well liquid port and a corresponding liquid flow path from said container into said liquid feeding basin upon rotation of said annular member clockwise and counter-clockwise, closure of said well liquid port enabling said liquid container to be filled with nectar through said sealable top opening and opening of said well liquid port enabling liquid nectar to flow from said container into said liquid feeding basin.

22. The top-fill feeder of claim 21, wherein said base assembly includes a cutout and a stop adapted to move back and forth within said cutout to define a range of rotational movement.

23. The top-fill feeder of claim 22, wherein said stop is coupled to said annular member and is rotatable therewith.

24. The top-fill feeder of claim 21, wherein said well sidewall includes a plurality of liquid ports and said annular member includes a corresponding plurality of liquid ports that are adapted to simultaneously align and misalign with said plurality of well sidewall liquid ports as paired apertures for respectively opening and closing all of said plurality of liquid ports simultaneously upon rotation of said annular member.

25. The top-fill feeder of claim 21, wherein said liquid feeding basin is oriented to immerse said container open bottom in liquid from said liquid container, creating a vacuum in an upper portion of said container to retain liquid nectar therein.

26. The top-fill feeder of claim 21, wherein said annular member and said well sidewall are concentrically arranged in abutment or near abutment with one another.

27. A top-fill liquid hummingbird feeder, comprising: a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom portion with a bottom opening, said bottom portion formed as a bottleneck-shaped cylindrical extension; a liquid tray adapted to immerse said bottom opening in liquid, said tray including a well with a vertically oriented cylindrical sidewall adapted to receive said cylindrical extension of said liquid container in a generally vertical orientation, said well being axially closed at a lower end thereof by said liquid tray and said vertically oriented cylindrical sidewall having a drain hole located therein; at least one feeding port assembly in communication with said liquid tray; and an annular member concentric with said well sidewall and having at least one liquid port therein, said annular member port being adapted to be selectively aligned and misaligned with said drain hole in said cylindrical well sidewall to respectively open and close said drain hole upon rotation of said annular member container around a vertical axis.

28. The top-fill feeder of claim 27, wherein said cylindrical well sidewall includes a plurality of drain holes and said annular member includes a corresponding plurality of ports that are adapted to simultaneously align and misalign with said plurality of drain holes as paired apertures for respectively opening and closing a corresponding plurality of liquid flow paths simultaneously upon rotation of said annular member around said vertical axis.

29. The top-fill feeder of claim 27, wherein a range of rotational movement of said annular member is limited by a stop that is adapted to move back and forth within a cutout formed in the liquid tray.

30. The top-fill feeder of claim 29, wherein said stop is coupled to said annular member and is rotatable therewith.

31. The top-fill feeder of claim 29, wherein said cutout is formed in the sidewall of the liquid tray well.

32. The top-fill feeder of claim 29, wherein said annular member and said well sidewall are concentrically arranged in abutment or near abutment with one another.

33. A top-fill liquid hummingbird feeder, comprising: a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom portion with a bottom opening, said bottom portion formed as a bottleneck-shaped cylindrical extension; a liquid tray adapted to immerse said bottom opening in liquid, said tray including a vertically oriented cylindrical well adapted to receive said cylindrical extension and having a sidewall with a drain hole located therein; at least one feeding port assembly in communication with said liquid tray; and a sealing mechanism having a port, said sealing mechanism adapted to selectively align and misalign the port with said drain hole in said cylindrical well sidewall to respectively open and close said drain hole to control flow of liquid from said container into said liquid tray.

34. The top-fill feeder of claim 33, wherein said sealing mechanism includes a rotatable annular member, said port being formed in said annular member.

35. The top-fill feeder of claim 34, wherein said annular member and said well sidewall are concentric.

36. The top-fill feeder of claim 35, wherein said annular member and said well sidewall are fitted together in abutment or near abutment with one another.

37. The top-fill feeder of claim 36, wherein a range of rotational movement of said annular member is limited by a stop that is adapted to move back and forth within a cutout formed in the liquid tray.

38. The top-fill feeder of claim 37, wherein said stop is coupled to said annular member and is rotatable therewith.

39. The top-fill feeder of claim 35, wherein said cylindrical well sidewall includes a plurality of drain holes and said annular member includes a corresponding plurality of ports that are adapted to simultaneously align and misalign with said plurality of drain holes as paired apertures for respectively opening and closing a corresponding plurality of liquid flow paths simultaneously upon rotation of said annular member around a vertical axis.

40. The top-fill feeder of claim 33, wherein said well sidewall has inner threads for threaded engagement with external threads on said cylindrical extension.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a bird feeder constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of the bird feeder of FIG. 1, shown with the valve mechanism in a closed position;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of the bird feeder of FIG. 1, shown with the valve mechanism in an open position;

[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a bird feeder constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the bird feeder of FIG. 4, with the basin cover removed, shown with the valve mechanism in a closed position; and

[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the bird feeder of FIG. 4, with the basin cover removed, shown with the valve mechanism in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0031] FIG. 1 generally shows a sectional side view of a bird feeder 10, which generally includes a reservoir or liquid container 12 and a feeding basin 14. Liquid container 12 includes a sealable top opening 16 having a cover 18 adapted to seal the top opening 16. The cover 18 includes peripheral threads 20 adapted to engage the liquid container 12 and an O-ring seal 22 located to create an airtight seal.

[0032] Liquid container 12 includes a bottom end opening 24 formed by a bottleneck extension 26 of the lower end 12a of liquid container 12. Bottom end opening 24 and feeding basin 14 are oriented to immerse bottom end opening 24 in liquid from liquid container 12. This arrangement allows a vacuum created in the upper end 12b of liquid container 12 to retain liquid therein and automatically feed liquid into feeding basin 14 to the level of the bottom end opening 24.

[0033] Feeding basin 14 includes a vertically oriented, cylindrical well 30, which extends upwardly and is adapted to lengage cylindrical extension 26 of liquid container 12. Cylindrical well 30 is axially closed at its lower end by formation with feeding basin 14, but includes one or more drain holes 32 formed in the cylindrical side wall 34.

[0034] Feeding basin 14 further includes a cover 15 adapted to substantially close feeding basin 14 and limit access to any liquid contents thereof. Cover 15 includes a plurality of bird feeder ports 52 adapted to allow access by long-beaked hummingbirds while simultaneously preventing access by bees.

[0035] According to the first embodiment of the bird feeder 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the lower end 12a of the liquid-holding container has a bottleneck extension 26 that is closed at the bottom 24. The bottleneck extension 26 is adapted to be rotatably received in a generally vertical orientation within the upstanding cylindrical well 30 formed on the base of the feeding basin 14.

[0036] The well 30 on the feeding basin 14 has a cylindrical side wall 34 with at least one drain hole 32 therein in fluid communication with the liquid holding area of the feeding basin 14. The bottleneck extension 26 at the lower end 12a of the container 12 also has at least one port 42 formed in a side wall thereof. By rotating the container 12 clockwise or counterclockwise in its vertical orientation relative to the feeding basin 14, the port 42 can be made to align or misalign with the drain hole 32 in the feeding basin well 30 to allow or prevent fluid flow from the container into the basin, respectively.

[0037] Ports 42 in the side wall of the bottleneck extension 26 and drain holes 32 in the feeding basin 14 are oriented so that the ports 42 are immersed in liquid from the container 12 when the feeder is in use. This arrangement allows a vacuum created in the upper end 12b of the container 12 to retain liquid therein, while automatically feeding additional liquid nectar into the feeding basin 14 to bring the level up to cover the ports 42 as birds access the feeder.

[0038] The bottleneck extension 26 of the container 12 is preferably provided with a plurality of ports 42 that can be brought into and out of alignment with a corresponding plurality of drain holes 32 in the feeding basin well 30. When the ports and drain holes are misaligned, as shown in FIG. 2, the feeder is in a closed position such that additional fluid nectar is not allowed to flow from the container into the feeding basin.

[0039] Conversely, when the ports and drain holes are aligned, as shown in FIG. 3, the feeder is in an open position that allows the fluid nectar to flow from the container into the feeding basin as indicated by arrows 45. Once the desired fill level is reached, i.e., the ports are immersed in nectar, the vacuum seal in the top of the container prevents fluid in the feeding basin from flowing out through the feed ports.

[0040] A bird feeder 100 with an alternate valve mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6. In the second embodiment, the lower end 112a of the liquid-holding container 112 has a bottleneck extension 126 that is open at the bottom 124 and that is provided with external threads 127. The upper end 112b of the container has a sealable top opening 116 with a cover 118 adapted to seal the top opening 116. The cover 118 includes peripheral threads 120 adapted to engage the liquid container 112 and an o-ring seal 122 located to created an airtight seal. The cover 118 can be formed as a single piece, or may include a separate rim 140 and insert 141 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] The valve mechanism includes a separate cylindrical collar 150 having a substantially smooth outer wall 152 and internal threads 154 to engage with the external threads 127 on the bottleneck extension 126. When the collar 150 is threadedly engaged with and tightened onto the bottleneck 126, the bottleneck and collar are rotatable as a unit relative to the feeding basin 114. A single projection or stop 160 is formed on the outer wall 152 of the collar 150 which cooperates to define the range of motion of both the collar and the bottleneck to which it is secured as described hereinafter. A plurality of ports 156 are formed in spaced relationship around the collar 150 adjacent a bottom edge 158 thereof. When the collar is secured to the container 112 for rotation therewith, these ports 156 are positioned below the bottom 124 of the bottleneck extension 126 and therefore are not obstructed by the bottleneck extension.

[0042] The bottleneck extension 126 and collar 150 are adapted to be rotatably received in a generally vertical orientation within an upstanding cylindrical well 130 formed on the bottom 115 of the feeding basin 114. The upwardly extending well 130 is preferably integrally molded with the basin bottom 115, but it can be formed separately and then attached to the bottom 115 in any manner known by persons of ordinary skill in the art to be suitable for sealingly joining plastic parts.

[0043] The feeding basin 114 is preferably circular with a curved, upwardly directed base wall 78, and the well 130 is preferably located centrally therein. The well 130 has a cylindrical side wall 170 with an upper edge 172 having a cutout 174 formed therein that receives the stop 160 formed on the collar outer wall 152. The cutout 174 preferably extends around about sixty degrees of the upper edge 172 to define a range of movement through which the stop 160, and thus the container and the collar, may be rotated. A plurality of drain holes 132 are formed adjacent the bottom edge 175 of the well side wall 170 in spaced relationship to one another around the cylindrical well 130.

[0044] Projecting outwardly from the well side wall 170 and in sealing engagement with the bottom 115 of the basin 114 are a plurality of radially extending walls 176. The walls 176 are arranged in pairs with each pair forming a respective fluid channel 178 therebetween. Each fluid channel 178 is aligned and in fluid engagement with a respective drain hole 132 formed in the well sidewall 170. In this manner, nectar flowing from the container into the basin 114 is contained within the fluid channels 178 which have a smaller fluid holding capacity than that represented by the total volume of the overall feeding basin. Segmented portions 117 of the bottom 115 on either side of each of the fluid channels 178, by contrast, are not filled with nectar. The fluid channels 178 allow a minimal amount or volume of nectar to be dispensed from the container while still bringing the nectar level into close proximity with the feeding ports. As the container minimizes the nectar's exposure to air and other contaminants introduced through the feeding ports, reducing the dispensed volume of nectar keeps the nectar fresher for a longer period of time.

[0045] As shown, the feeding basin 114 further includes a cover 215 adapted to substantially close feeding basin 114 and limit access to any liquid contents thereof. Cover 215 includes a top opening 217 through which the bottleneck extension 126 of the container extends. The cover 215 also includes a plurality of bird feeder ports 52 with ornamental features such as simulated flowers 53 adapted to attract and allow access by long-beaked hummingbirds while simultaneously preventing access by bees. Perches 55 may also be provided as part of the cover and feeding basin assembly. The feeding basin 114 and cover 215 may be molded of suitable polymer material. When the feeder is assembled, the cover 215 and the base 114 are sealingly coupled to one another, such as by a threaded engagement or other known connecting mechanism, and the feeding ports 52 are each aligned above their respective fluid channels 178 to enable feeding hummingbirds to access the nectar therein.

[0046] Securing of the cover 215 to the feeding basin 114 traps the collar therebetween so as to vertically hold the collar in its position inside the well while yet allowing rotational movement therein. The cover 215 may be secured to the feeding basin by screws, threaded engagement, a snap fit, or other known method of attachment.

[0047] To assemble the feeder 100, the collar 150 is positioned in the well 130 with the stop 160 being received in the cutout 174, and the cover 215 is secured to the feeding basin 114 to thereby enclose the collar. The bottleneck extension 126 is then inserted through top opening 117 and, once the stop 160 has come into abutment with the clockwise-most edge 173 of the cutout 174, the bottleneck extension 126 of the container 112 is screwed clockwise into the collar 150 until tight. Once tightened, the container 112 and collar 150 may be rotated together as a unit, counter-clockwise and then clockwise in a back and forth rotation, through the range of rotational movement allowed by the stop in cooperation with the cutout. By rotating the container 112 and collar 150 clockwise or counterclockwise in a vertical orientation relative to the feeding basin 114 and cover 215 in this manner, the ports 156 can be made to align (FIG. 6) or misalign (FIG. 5) with the drain holes 132 in the feeding basin well 130 to allow or prevent, respectively, fluid flow from the container into the fluid channels 178 of the basin. According to the preferred embodiment shown, the container is configured to rotate about 60 degrees clockwise to reach the open position and then back about 60 degrees counter-clockwise to reach the closed position. Other degrees of rotation could be utilized without departing from this invention.

[0048] To remove the container from the basin 114, the container 112 is rotated counter-clockwise until the counter- clockwise-most edge 175 of the cutout 174 is contacted by the stop 160. In this position, continued rotational force applied on the container causes the bottleneck extension 126 to be unscrewed from the collar 150. Once the container is removed, cleaning of the feeder is facilitated.

[0049] The ports 156 in the side wall of the collar and the drain holes 132 in the feeding basin well are oriented so as to be immersed in liquid from the container 112 when the feeder is in use. This arrangement allows a vacuum created in the upper end 112b of the container 112 to retain liquid therein, while automatically feeding additional liquid nectar into the feeding basin 114 to bring the level in the fluid channels 178 up to cover the ports 156 and aligned drain holes 132 as birds access the feeder.

[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates the feeder 100 when the ports 156 and drain holes 132 are misaligned, placing the feeder in a closed position. In the closed position, additional fluid nectar is not allowed to flow from the container into the fluid channels 178 in the feeding basin. Conversely, when the ports 156 drain holes 132 are aligned as paired apertures, as shown in FIG. 6, the feeder is in an open position that allows the fluid nectar to flow from the container into the feeding basin. Once the desired fill level is reached, i.e., once the drain holes are immersed in nectar, the vacuum seal in the top of the container prevents fluid in the fluid channels from flowing out through the feed ports. The unique construction of the bird feeder in accordance with the present invention thus allows top-filling thereof without undesired dripping or spillage of liquid nectar.

[0051] The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the configurations of the preferred embodiments. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.