IP Library Granted Patent US 9,004,007
Granted Patent B2
US 9,004,007 · App. 14/507,037 · Granted Apr 14, 2015

Nectar feeder having a float with rounded bottom

Inventors: Jesse Faunce (Raynham, MA); Barry D. Colvin (Rehoboth, MA); Rolf Richter (East Greenwich, RI)
Assignee: Aspects, Inc.
A01K39/0206A01K39/024
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,004,007
App. No.
14/507,037
Granted
Apr 14, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A nectar feeder for hummingbirds is disclosed. The feeder includes a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed. A spout depends from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon. A base tray positioned below the container and contains nectar feed. A vertical member extends from the base tray. A float engages at least one vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray. The float also includes a rounded bottom surface to further help stabilize it on the liquid feed to prevent leaking. The float has a stopper therein positioned below the spout. In operation, the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

Claims (17)

1. A nectar feeder for birds, comprising:

a container configured and arranged to store nectar feed, the container having a top end and a bottom end, the container further having a spout depending from the bottom end of the container with an exit port defined thereon,

a base tray positioned below the container, the base tray further configured and arranged to contain nectar feed therein;

a float positioned between the container and the base tray, the float having a stopper therein with a substantially flush surface positioned below the spout and a bottom nectar feed engaging surface; the bottom nectar feed engaging surface of the float being of a substantially rounded profile; and

whereby the nectar feed flows through the container and into the base tray until the float rises to a level where the stopper engages the exit port on the spout to prevent fluid from flowing into the base tray.

2. The nectar feeder for birds of claim 1 , further comprising:

a vertical member extending form the base tray; the float engaging the vertical member to prevent substantial independent lateral movement of the float within the base tray.

3. The nectar feeder of claim 2 , wherein a bottom surface of the outer peripheral edge of the skirt engages a top surface area of the base tray.

4. The nectar feeder of claim 2 , wherein the vertical member is integrally formed with a top surface of the base tray.

5. The nectar feeder of claim 2 , wherein there are two spaced apart vertical members.

6. The nectar feeder of claim 5 , wherein the two spaced apart vertical members are reciprocal of one another.

7. The nectar feeder of claim 2 , wherein the float includes a surface defining a hole through the float, which engages the vertical member.

8. The nectar feeder of claim 2 , wherein the float includes two surfaces defining two reciprocal holes through the float.

9. The nectar feeder of claim 1 , further comprising a base tray cover connected to an outer wall of the base tray, the base tray cover defining at least one feed port for access by a bird, a perch positioned along a surface of the base tray cover for the bird to rest while consuming the nectar feed, the base tray cover defining a base cover hole for receiving the container.

10. The nectar feeder of claim 1 , wherein a lower periphery of the container has a threaded area.

11. The nectar feeder of claim 1 , wherein the float has a diameter less than the diameter of the base tray.

12. The nectar feeder of claim 1 , wherein the float has a substantially hollow interior.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2014
From: FAUNCE, JESSE, MR.; RICHTER, ROLF, MR.; COLVIN, BARRY D., MR.
To: ASPECTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034220/0777 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 13927549 · Jun 26, 2013
Continuation In Part 13658946 · Oct 24, 2012
Continuation 13069142 · Mar 22, 2011
Continuation 12102638 · Apr 14, 2008
Provisional Application 60911941 · Apr 16, 2007
Related Publication 20150020742A1 · Jan 22, 2015