Patent Application
20180352787
Various types of bird feeders are typically used for a common purpose, which is to feed birds and to attract birds to an area they may not otherwise go. For example, feeders are often located in residential backyards for the purposes of attracting birds for birdwatching. Feeders intended to attract specific types of birds are known in the art—for example seed feeders are commonly used to dispense specific types of seed to attract birds favoring that type of seed, while nectar feeder provide and dispense nectar—a liquid sugar mixture—are specifically intended to attract hummingbirds as the nectar is particularly attractive to that type of bird.
Nectar, however, is much more difficult to use and fill or re-fill than seed as the liquid is more prone to spillage than birdseed, and any spillage or overflow results in the sticky liquid covering the surrounding area. Furthermore, refilling a conventional hummingbird feeder with nectar typically involves mixing the nectar in one container (or buying a container of pre-mixed nectar) and transferring it to the feeder's container using a funnel, with the mixing and transfer processes increasing the risk of spillage and wasted product, and creating the need for further cleanup once the feeder has finally been refilled with nectar.
Thus, it can be seen that there remains a need in the art for an improved way of supplying nectar for use with a hummingbird feeder that minimizes the chances for spillage and wasted product, and that does not incur the downfalls associated with known types of feeders and refills.
Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention is provided here to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed-Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief, this disclosure describes, among other things, one or more embodiments of a nectar pouch for use with a hummingbird feeder.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a nectar pouch for use in conjunction with a hummingbird feeder attached to the pouch. The nectar pouch is a cylindrical shaped container extending between first and second ends, with a sealable opening at the first end and a closed second end. The sealable opening at the first end allows liquid nectar to flow from the pouch into an attached bird feeder, where the nectar is dispersed to feeding stations or nozzles positioned along the feeder. In one embodiment, the sealable opening comprises a threaded neck on the first end of the pouch and a similarly threaded cap that mates with the threaded neck. A tab is hingedly attached to the second, closed end of the nectar pouch, the tab movable between a folded position in which the tab lays essentially flat against the bottom surface of the nectar pouch, and an extended position in which the tab stands approximately perpendicular to the bottom surface.
In one aspect, the sealable opening allows the nectar pouch to be pre-filled with nectar and the opening then sealed for shipment. The unique shape and structure of the pouch allows it to be easily packaged for shipment and transport. The shape and structure of the pouch also allows for easy and effective display of the pouches in a retail setting. An end user can use the pre-filled pouch to supply nectar to a hummingbird feeder without requiring refill of an existing container on the feeder and without requiring mixing of nectar solution and/or the use of additional containers or fill equipment.
In another aspect, the nectar pouch includes a sealable opening at one end that allows liquid nectar to flow from the pouch into the bird feeder so that the bird feeder can disperse and dispense the nectar to feeding stations or nozzles positioned on the feeder. The opening of the pouch can be connected to the hummingbird feeder such that nectar can flow from the pouch to the feeder. The tab at the opposite end of the pouch allows it to be suspended from a structural support via a string, tie, chain, hook, or the like. When suspended, the pouch can support the hummingbird feeder attached thereto.
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:
The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein denote deviations from the exact value in the form of changes or deviations that are insignificant to the function.
Embodiments of the invention present a nectar pouch for use with a hummingbird feeder. Various features of the nectar pouch are disclosed and described.
Looking first to
The circular shaped neck 18 extends outwardly and upwardly from the first end 14, with the sloped wall 24 forming the neck tapering from a large diameter at its lower portion originating at the first end 14 of the main body 12 to a smaller diameter at its distal end. As best seen in
A shallow, flattened U-shaped tab 32 is attached to the base 22 covering the lower end of the main body 12 at the second end 16 of the pouch, with the longer edge 34 of the tab hingedly attached along the diameter of the base 22. Tab 32 can thus be moved from an extended position in which it extends outwardly from and approximately perpendicular to the base 22, as shown in
An elongated slot or aperture 36 formed in the tab 32 allows insertion of a string, chain, hook or other securement means to permit the nectar pouch 10 to be attached to and suspended from a structure.
It should be understood that the terms “top” and “bottom” as used herein with respect to the nectar pouch 10 are relative with reference to the particular orientation of the nectar pouch. For example, with respect to
Turning back to
Nectar pouch 10 is preferably formed from a clear, semi-rigid material, such as a plastic. Most preferably it is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The pouch may be made by molding, by attaching component pieces, or by combinations thereof. Tab 32 is preferably attached to the base 22 by welding, but may alternatively be adhered to the base using a flexible adhesive, or may be formed integrally with the base. It is foreseen that the pouch could also be made of pliable material. The pouch could also be constructed of translucent, colored, or tinted materials depending on the application.
Looking to
Turning to
Looking to
From the above, it can be seen that the nectar pouch of the present invention can be used, with the flap folded flush against the bottom of the pouch, to transport and store liquid nectar for hummingbird feeders in a conventional manner, with the pouch able to stand upright. Additionally, the pouch can be directly attached to a hummingbird feeder and, with the assembly inverted, the entire assembly can be suspended from the extended tab of the pouch. Thus, the pouch of the present invention eliminates the need to fill or refill a hummingbird feeder as the pouch is directly used with the feeder, and eliminates the need for additional hanging apparatus as the pouch as an integral tab that allows it to be directly hung or suspended as desired.
While the system and method of the present invention have been described herein with respect to an exemplary embodiment of a nectar pouch, it should be understood that features described are exemplary and not limiting. For example while the nectar pouch has been described as having a neck with threads for attachment to a cap and hummingbird feeder having similar corresponding threads, that other attachment means or mechanisms may equally be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the neck may be unthreaded, instead having an O-ring for press-fit insertion into a cap or hummingbird feeder having a corresponding mating fitting. These and other variations are within the scope of the present invention.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Identification of structures as being configured to perform a particular function in this disclosure and in the claims below is intended to be inclusive of structures and arrangements or designs thereof that are within the scope of this disclosure and readily identifiable by one of skill in the art and that can perform the particular function in a similar way. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
