IP Library Granted Patent US 7,032,538
Granted Patent B1
US 7,032,538 · App. 11/023,069 · Granted Apr 25, 2006

Collapsible feeder

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,032,538
App. No.
11/023,069
Granted
Apr 25, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

A collapsible feeder for birds, squirrels and the like comprising a plastic feeder body having a base and rim at the lower end thereof and a cover selectively closing the upper end thereof. The feeder body has a plurality of collapsible corrugations defining annular members that allow the body to extend and contract into extended and collapsed positions. The lower end of the feeder body is provided with feed outlets to enable feed within the feeder body to pass outwardly therethrough onto the base inwardly of the rim. The feeder body may also have a plurality of small openings or feeding stations formed in the corrugations to enable birds or the like to gain access to the feed within the feeder body. Preferably, the feeder body defines an inverted frusto-conical shape, but may have a frusto-conical shape as well as other shapes.

Claims (43)

1. A collapsible feeder for birds and small rodents, comprising:

a collapsible plastic feeder body having upper and lower ends;

said plastic feeder body including a plurality of collapsible corrugations, said collapsible corrugations comprising lockable annular members that allow said body to extend, contract and lock into extended and collapsed positions;

said upper end of said feeder body defining a central feed fill opening;

a cover selectively closing said central feed fill opening;

and a disc-shaped base secured to said lower end of the feeder body;

said feeder body having feed outlets formed therein at its said lower end whereby feed in the feeder body may pass outwardly through said feed outlets onto said base.

2. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein an upstanding rim is provided on said base.

3. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein a hanger is pivotally secured to said upper end of said feeder body.

4. The collapsible feeder of claim 3 wherein said hanger is selectively removably secured to said upper end of said feeder body.

5. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein said feeder body is formed of a blow-molded plastic material.

6. The collapsible feeder of claim 5 wherein said plastic material is transparent.

7. The collapsible feeder of claim 5 wherein said plastic material is translucent.

8. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein feed openings are provided in at least some of said corrugations.

9. The collapsible feeder of claim 8 wherein said feed openings are slits.

10. The collapsible feeder of claim 8 wherein said corrugations include upper and lower wall portions and wherein said feed openings are formed in at least some of said lower wall portions.

11. The collapsible feeder of claim 8 wherein said corrugations include upper and lower wall portions and wherein said feed openings are formed in at least some of said upper wall portions.

12. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein said feeder body defines a frusto-conical shape.

13. The collapsible feeder of claim 1 wherein said feeder body defines an inverted frusto-conical shape.

14. A collapsible feeder for birds and small rodents, comprising:

a collapsible plastic feeder body having upper and lower ends;

said plastic feeder body including a plurality of collapsible corrugations, said collapsible corrugations comprising lockable annular members that allow said body to extend, contract and lock into extended and collapsed positions;

said upper end of said feeder body defining a central feed fill opening;

a cover selectively closing said central feed fill opening;

and a disc-shaped base secured to said lower end of the feeder body to close the same;

at least some of said corrugations having feed openings formed therein.

15. The collapsible feeder of claim 14 wherein a hanger is pivotally secured to said upper end of said feeder body.

16. The collapsible feeder of claim 14 wherein said feeder body defines a frusto-conical shape.

17. The collapsible feeder of claim 14 wherein said feeder body defines an inverted frusto-conical shape.

18. A collapsible feeder for birds and small rodents, comprising:

a collapsible plastic feeder body having upper and lower ends;

said plastic feeder body including a plurality of collapsible corrugations, said collapsible corrugations comprising annular members that allow said body to extend and contract into extended and collapsed positions;

said upper end of said feeder body defining a central feed fill opening;

a cover selectively closing said central feed fill opening;

and a disc-shaped base secured to said lower end of the feeder body;

said feeder body having feed outlets formed therein at its said lower end whereby feed in the feeder body may pass outwardly through said feed outlets onto said base.

19. A collapsible feeder for birds and small rodents, comprising:

a collapsible plastic feeder body having upper and lower ends;

said plastic feeder body including a plurality of collapsible corrugations, said collapsible corrugations comprising annular members that allow said body to extend and contract into extended and collapsed positions;

said upper end of said feeder body defining a central feed fill opening;

a cover selectively closing said central feed fill opening;

said lower end of said feeder body being closed;

said feeder body having feed outlets formed therein.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2020
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054398/0975 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2020
From: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054359/0567 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2017
From: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 043319/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 035861/0104 Recorded Jul 13, 2017
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043181/0195 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2017
From: ANTARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION; CALIFORNIA PLASTIC PRODUCTS, INC.; FI-SHOCK, INC.; PERKY-PET PRODUCTS, INC.; SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 043177/0044 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 30063/0055 Recorded Jun 28, 2017
From: ANTARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043031/0146 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2015
From: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 035861/0104 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 14, 2012
From: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
To: ANTARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 028783/0509 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2012
From: SWEET CORN PRODUCTS, LLC
To: WOODSTREAM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028774/0552 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: LUSH, RAYMON W.
To: SWEET CORN PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 028698/0846 →