IP Library Granted Patent US 12,389,879
Granted Patent B2
US 12,389,879 · App. 18/481,022 · Granted Aug 19, 2025

Insect dispensing device

Inventors: Alexander Chirban (Wauwatosa, WI); Ernie Katris (Hawthorn Woods, IL)
Assignee: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
A01K5/0135A01K5/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,389,879
App. No.
18/481,022
Granted
Aug 19, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An insect dispensing device and a method of using the same to feed a pet. More specifically, an insect dispensing device comprising an inlet, one or more outlets, passageways between said inlet and each said outlet, and a mechanism for occluding or opening a selected combination of said passageways.

Claims (24)

1. An insect dispensing device comprising:

a plurality of first pieces each having a platform engaged to a hollow central shaft, said hollow central shaft portion having a perimeter and a height including an opening extending along a portion of said hollow central shaft perimeter and height; and

a hollow blocking piece configured to fit within said hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces, wherein said hollow blocking piece has a height and a perimeter, including an opening extending along at least a portion of said hollow blocking piece height and perimeter.

2. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said opening in said hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces extends along 10% to 50% of said perimeter of said hollow central shaft.

3. The insect dispensing device of claim 2 wherein said opening in said hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces extends along the entire height of said hollow central shaft.

4. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said opening in said hollow blocking piece extends along 10% to 50% of the perimeter of said hollow blocking piece.

5. The insect dispensing device of claim 4 wherein said opening in said hollow blocking piece extends along the entire height of said hollow blocking piece.

6. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said platform has a thickness and a plurality of openings extending through said thickness of said platform.

7. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of first pieces comprises 2 to 10 pieces.

8. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said openings in said hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces are aligned.

9. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said openings in said plurality of hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces are misaligned.

10. The insect dispensing device of claim 1 further including a shell having openings wherein said openings of said shell are in communication with one or more of said openings on said plurality of hollow central shaft portions.

11. The insect device of claim 10 further including a shell having an interior core portion that surrounds said plurality of platforms having one or more openings in communication with one or more of said openings on said plurality of hollow central shaft portions.

12. A method of dispensing insects comprising:

supplying a plurality of first pieces each having a platform engaged to a hollow central shaft, said hollow central shaft portion having a perimeter and a height including an opening extending along a portion of said hollow central shaft perimeter and height including a hollow blocking piece configured to fit within said hollow central shaft of said plurality of first pieces, wherein said hollow blocking piece has a height and a perimeter, including an opening extending along at least a portion of said hollow blocking piece height and perimeter;

positioning said opening on said hollow central shaft of said first pieces relative to said opening of said hollow blocking piece to selectively provide that said opening extending along a portion of said hollow central shaft is either open or closed.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said opening in said hollow central shaft extends along 10% to 50% of said perimeter of said hollow central shaft.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said opening in said hollow central shaft extends along the entire height of said hollow central shaft.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said opening in said hollow blocking piece extends along 10% to 50% of the perimeter of said hollow blocking piece.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said opening in said hollow blocking piece extends along the entire height of said hollow blocking piece.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said platform has a thickness and a plurality of openings extending through said thickness of said platform.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein said a plurality of pieces having a platform engaged to a hollow central shaft comprises 2 to 10 pieces.

19. The method of claim 12 further including a shell having openings wherein said openings are in communication with one or more of said openings on said plurality of hollow central shaft portions.

20. The insect device of claim 12 further including a shell having an interior core portion that surrounds said plurality of platforms having one or more openings in communication with one or more of said openings on said plurality of hollow central shaft portions.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2025
From: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY; FOUR PAWS PRODUCTS, LTD.; IMS TRADING, LLC; K&H MANUFACTURING, LLC; NEXGEN PLANT SCIENCE CENTER, LLC; T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.; WELLMARK INTERNATIONAL
To: TRUIST BANK
Reel/Frame 073604/0698 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2023
From: CHIRBAN, ALEXANDER; KATRIS, ERNIE
To: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065310/0039 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250113802A1 · Apr 10, 2025
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