Reversible insert for bird feeder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10463025-B2
Application number	US-201414514196-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2014
Priority date	May 3, 2010
Publication date	Nov 5, 2019
Grant date	Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for attracting different types of wild birds, as chosen by a user. In one implementation, a top section is configured to engage a cap, and a bottom section positioned opposite the top section includes at least one feeding station. A supporting member extends vertically from the bottom section to the top section. The supporting member, the top section, and the bottom section forma frame. A reversible insert has an elongated body extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge has a plurality of ports, and the second edge one or more slots. The frame is adapted to receive the reversible insert in an orientation based on a size of the bird seed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for selectively dispensing bird seed, the method comprising:
holding a reversible insert with a frame in a first vertical orientation, the frame including a support member extending vertically between a top section and a bottom section having at least one feeding station, wherein a perch is positioned adjacent the at least one feeding station, the reversible insert having an elongated body extending between a first edge and a second edge creating a continuous cavity extending from the first edge to the second edge, the first edge disposed on an opposite end of the elongated body from the second edge, the first edge having a plurality of ports in the elongated body sized to dispense a first sized bird seed and the second edge having one or more slots in the elongated body sized to dispense a second sized bird seed different from the first sized bird seed, the first vertical orientation positioning the first edge of the reversible insert adjacent to the feeding station for the plurality of ports to dispense the first sized bird seed;
releasing the reversible insert from the frame based on a selection of the second sized bird seed for dispensing;
receiving the elongated body of the reversible insert inverted into a second orientation based on the selection, the frame receiving the elongated body of the reversible insert; and
positioning the second edge adjacent to the feeding station for the one or more slots to dispense the second sized bird seed.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
rereleasing the reversible insert from the frame based on a subsequent selection of the first sized bird seed for dispensing;
receiving the elongated body of the reversible insert reinverted into the first vertical orientation based on the subsequent selection, the frame receiving the elongated body of the reversible insert; and
repositioning the first edge adjacent to the feeding station for the one or more slots to dispense the first sized bird seed.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reversible insert is released from the frame by sliding.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top section is configured to engage a cap.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cap includes at least one of: a roof or a lid.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sized bird seed is small and the second sized bird seed is large.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body of the reversible insert is made from a transparent material.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a shape of the elongated body is at least one of: planar, contoured, or cylindrical.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the supporting member includes at least one of: a cage, a pair of opposing edge portions, or an elongated body.

Assignees

• Classic Brands Llc

Inventors

• Donegan Robert
• Carter James
• Krueger Bryan

Classifications

• A01K39/012 Primary

  filling automatically {, e.g. by gravity from a reserve} · CPC title