초록 ▼

Animal feeders that are resistant to depletion of the feed hopper due to undesired feeding by small birds and small animals as well as related methods are described. Exemplary feeders preferably comprise an enclosure surrounding a feed distributor and that comprises first and second portions. The en

Animal feeders that are resistant to depletion of the feed hopper due to undesired feeding by small birds and small animals as well as related methods are described. Exemplary feeders preferably comprise an enclosure surrounding a feed distributor and that comprises first and second portions. The enclosure prevents small birds and small animals from accessing the feed distributor and includes a gap through which the feed distributor directs feed. Moreover, the present invention provides animal feeders that eliminate the potential for feed to jam the feed distributor thereby allowing smaller, more economical motors to be used.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An animal feeder that can be operatively connected to a feed hopper and supported by a frame, the animal feeder comprising: a feed distributor having a top surface and a bottom surface;an enclosure enclosing the feed distributor that is operatively supported to be rotatable relative to the enclos

1. An animal feeder that can be operatively connected to a feed hopper and supported by a frame, the animal feeder comprising: a feed distributor having a top surface and a bottom surface;an enclosure enclosing the feed distributor that is operatively supported to be rotatable relative to the enclosure, the enclosure comprising stationary first and second portions that fully cover the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the feed distributor, the first and second portions of the enclosure each comprising an edge provided along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure, the edge of the first portion of the enclosure spaced from the edge of the second portion of the enclosure defining a gap that extends substantially all of the way along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure;a motor operatively connected to the feed distributor to rotate the feed distributor relative to the first and second portions of the enclosure on demand, the feed distributor configured to propel feed as can be provided from the hopper through the gap in substantially all directions from the enclosure when the feed distributor is rotated; anda plate secured to the bottom of the second portion for supporting the motor. 2. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the enclosure comprises a conical portion. 3. The animal feeder of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the enclosure comprises a chute for providing feed from the hopper to the feed distributor. 4. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the enclosure comprises a conical portion. 5. The animal feeder of claim 4, wherein the second portion of the enclosure comprises an opening for a shaft connecting the motor and the feed distributor. 6. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the enclosure each comprises a flange providing an edge that extends along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure. 7. The animal feeder of claim 6, wherein the flange of the first portion of the enclosure comprises an annular flange. 8. The animal feeder of claim 6, wherein the flange of the second portion of the enclosure comprises an annular flange. 9. The animal feeder of claim 1, wherein the feed distributor comprises a plate having a first swinging gate at a first end of the plate and a second swinging gate at a second end of the plate. 10. The animal feeder of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the plate of the feed distributor is spaced from the outside diameter of the flange of the first portion of the enclosure by between 3 and 5 inches. 11. The animal feeder of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the plate of the feed distributor is spaced from the outside diameter of the first portion of the enclosure by a distance sufficient to prevent animals from reaching the feed distributor. 12. An animal feeder that can be operatively connected to a feed hopper and supported by a frame, the animal feeder comprising: a feed distributor having a top surface and a bottom surface;an enclosure enclosing the feed distributor that is operatively supported to be rotatable relative to the enclosure, the enclosure comprising stationary first and second portions that fully cover the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the feed distributor, the first portion having a conical portion surrounded by a flange that projects from the conical portion and provides an edge along the perimeter of the first portion and the second portion having a conical portion surrounded by a flange that projects from the conical portion and provides an edge along the perimeter of the second portion, the flange of the first portion spaced from the flange of the second portion defining a gap that extends substantially all of the way along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure;a motor operatively connected to the feed distributor to rotate the feed distributor relative to the first and second portions of the enclosure on demand, the feed distributor configured to propel feed as can be provided from the hopper through the gap in substantially all directions from the enclosure when the feed distributor is rotated; anda plate secured to the bottom of the second portion for supporting the motor. 13. The animal feeder of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the enclosure comprises an opening for a shaft of the motor connecting the feed distributor. 14. The animal feeder of claim 12, wherein the flange of the first portion of the enclosure comprises an annular flange. 15. The animal feeder of claim 12, wherein the flange of the second portion of the enclosure comprises an annular flange. 16. The animal feeder of claim 12, wherein the first and second portions of the enclosure comprise sheet metal. 17. The animal feeder of claim 12, wherein the motor is provided within a housing. 18. The animal feeder of claim 12, further comprising a motor controller. 19. A method of distributing feed to animals, the method comprising: providing the feed to a hopper;directing feed from the hopper to a feed distributor enclosed by an enclosure, the feed distributor having a top surface and a bottom surface and being operatively supported to be rotatable relative to the enclosure, the enclosure comprising stationary first and second portions that fully cover the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the feed distributor, the first and second portions of the enclosure each comprising a flange providing an edge that extends along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure, the flange of the first portion of the enclosure spaced from the flange of the second portion of the enclosure defining a gap that extends substantially all of the way along the perimeter of each of the first and second portions of the enclosure; androtating the feed distributor relative to the first and second portions of the enclosure on demand with a motor supported by a plate secured to the bottom of the second portion, thereby propelling the feed in substantially all directions through the gap.