Nectar feeder access devices

• US 5,806,460 A
• Filed: 01/28/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Droll Yankees Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arnold G. Klein
• Inventors: Klein, Arnold G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US08/789,057
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 119/72, 119/57.8, 119/57.9, 119/52.3, 119/77
• US Class Current: 119/72
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/00 Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds A01K31/005, A01K31/06, A01K31/17 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/01 Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeedersA01K39/04 takes precedence; panfeeding systems, feeding pans A01K39/0125
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/0113 with means to prevent other animals or insects, e.g. squirrels or ants, from eating also
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/02 Drinking appliances A01K39/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 39/0206 Drinkers especially adapted for feeding hummingbirds

Abstract

A device for use on various nectar-type bird feeders, that prevents insect contamination. The device presents an effective physical barrier to the entry of insects, but is easily penetrated by the bill of a feeding bird. The device can be constructed to fit any of the currently available nectar feeder configurations or may be incorporated into feeders, specially adapted.

Claims

1. A restrictive access device for mounting at a feeder opening of a nectar type bird feeder, said access device including:

a. a barrier which, when said barrier is installed at said feeder opening, is in a first position which closes said feeder opening sufficiently to prevent insects from passing through said feeder opening, said barrier being movable to a second position by the pressure of a bird'"'"'s bill to permit nectar feeding, said barrier returning to substantially said first position when said bill is withdrawn; and

b. means to position said access device adjacent to said feeder opening, thereby positioning said barrier at said feeder opening when said barrier is in said first position.

2. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said access device includes an annulus having a center axis, and wherein said barrier includes a normally closed rosette of triangular flaps, each of said flaps having a base edge, two side edges and an apex, each said base edge connected to said annulus, each said side edge normally engaging said side edge of an adjacent flap when said rosette is closed, said apexes being at, approximately, said center axis of said annulus when said rosette is closed, said flaps being adapted to move to said second position with said apexes separating to open said rosette when a bird'"'"'s bill is thrust therein.

3. The restrictive access device of claim 2, wherein said triangular flaps are internally biased to said first position to form said normally closed rosette.

4. The restrictive access device of claim 2, wherein said access device includes means, separate from said flaps, for biasing said flaps to said first position to form said normally closed rosette.

5. The restrictive access device of claim 2, wherein said triangular flaps are formed integrally with said annulus.

6. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said barrier consists of a plurality of flexible filaments and means for holding said filaments in a predetermined pattern.

7. The restrictive access device of claim 6, wherein each of said filaments has a first and second end, and said means for holding said filaments is in the form of a loop, at least a portion of said first ends projecting into the interior space defined by said loop.

8. The restrictive access device of claim 7, wherein said positioning means is a plurality of clips secured to said filament holding means.

9. The restrictive access device of claim 7, wherein said access device includes an annulus, said annulus including said positioning means, said annulus further including means to hold said barrier adjacent to said filament holding means.

10. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said restrictive access includes an annulus, said annulus including said positioning means, said annulus further including a seating surface, and wherein said barrier is at least one flap, normally biased into contact with said seating surface of said annulus and adopted to swing to said second position in response to pressure from a bird'"'"'s bill.

11. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said restrictive access includes an annulus, said annulus including said positioning means, said annulus further including an opening, and wherein said barrier is at least one gate connected to said annulus, said gate normally being held in said first position by gravitational force to close said annulus opening, said gate being movable to said second position in response to pressure from a bird'"'"'s bill.

12. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said barrier is formed of a fluted resilient material, said fluted resilient material having a normally closed opening in the center thereof through which a bird'"'"'s bill may be projected and which, by virtue of being formed of resilient material, is biased to return to said closed position when the bird'"'"'s bill is withdrawn.

13. The restrictive access device of claim 12, wherein said fluted resilient material is a single piece of material.

14. The restrictive access device of claim 13, wherein said restrictive access device includes an annulus, said annulus including said positioning means, and wherein said fluted resilient material is formed integrally with said annulus.

15. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said barrier is formed of a web of pliable material having an opening therein, said restrictive access device including a biasing means secured to said web adjacent to said web opening to normally close said web opening, said biasing means yielding to permit said web adjacent to said web opening to move to said second position in response to pressure from a bird'"'"'s bill.

16. The restrictive access device of claim 15, wherein said restrictive access device includes an annulus, said annulus including said positioning means, and wherein said web is formed integrally with said annulus.

17. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said restrictive access device includes a cylindrical skirt portion, said skirt portion having an exterior surface adapted to fit with a conventional bee guard type feeder opening.

18. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said restrictive access device includes a support surface, and wherein said positioning means includes a contact adhesive secured to said support surface and covered by a protective backing to be removed immediately prior to installation of said restrictive access device.

19. The restrictive access device of claim 1, wherein said means to position said barrier over said opening includes means to secure said restrictive access device to the feeding end of a conventional inverted-type feeder tube.

20. The restrictive access device of claim 19, wherein said positioning means includes a means for relieving pressure over an inverted-type feeder food reservoir.

21. The restrictive access device of claim 20, wherein said restrictive access device further includes a breather tube adapted to extend to the air space over an inverted-type feeder food reservoir.

22. The restrictive access device of claim 21, wherein said restrictive access device includes a pressure relieving valve connected to said breathing tube.

23. The restrictive access device of claim 22, wherein said pressure relieving valve includes a check ball and an integral valve seat formed in said positioning means.

24. A nectar type bird feeder, said bird feeder including:

a. a housing for holding nectar, said housing including at least one feeder opening; and

b. a barrier, said barrier being installed at said feeder opening, said barrier having a first position which closes said feeder opening sufficiently to prevent insects from passing through feeder opening, said barrier being movable to a second position by the pressure of a bird'"'"'s bill to permit nectar feeding, said barrier returning to substantially said first position when said bill is withdrawn.

25. The restrictive access device of claim 24, wherein each said feeder opening is elongated in form and wherein said barrier comprises a pair of flexible wipers coming together at said feeder opening.