|
||||||||
Automatic Pet Feeder (PP Machine)Holds Australian and USA patents. (NOT available yet, under development, almost complete. A manufacturing / marketing partner is sought.)
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The machine is injection moulded plastic, approximately 370mm x 230mm wide x 160mm deep. Weight is approximately 2.5Kg (5 pds)
The existing design is suitable for dogs and cats in particular. It will hold over 2.5Kg of dry feed ( about 5.5 pds ). This will be enough feed for an average cat for about 2 weeks before refilling, and for a dog about half that time, but of course the size of the dog will vary this. The machine is designed to mount onto a wall, via a top plastic bracket that can be easily fastened, and also a bottom receptacle bracket . Hence the machine cannot be tipped over or upset by a pet (or a child). The feed simply dispenses from the chute at the bottom due to gravity. The owner should have a feedbowl (preferably non-slip) positioned underneath. HOW IT WORKS The machine is powered via an AC-DC plug in adaptor, so the machine is powered by safe DC voltage (12V). It plugs into the back of the machine. Dry kibble feed is put into the machine via the top opening, where it is stored within the body of the machine, until it is dispensed as required. That requirement is easily set into the machine, by pressing buttons on the control panel, as explained below…..( picture actual size being 95mm x 92mm.)
The keyboard is a flat type, with integral switches, similar to a common microwave oven. It has a large green LED clock display, which usually displays the time, again similar to a microwave. The clock is a 24 hour clock, as a safety measure for the pet. The switches have a slightly raised dome to provide tactile feel. EXPLANATION of BUTTONS: a) FEED BUTTONS. ( sun, moon, and two (2) “extra feed” buttons. Of course, the sun means morning feed, and the moon is evening feed. They work in exactly the same way. b) NUMBER OF PORTIONS BUTTON Each of the above feed times will have settings set. ( the portions are set at default size 1 (25grms/ ¼ cup), so 8 portions per day will be 200grms/ 2 cups, which is about right for a terrier sized dog). Note that a NIL (0) setting means that no feed will dispense. Many people do not feed a dog in the morning, so they set the morning feed time as “0” portions.
c) SIZE OF PORTION The size of portion can be left as the default Size 1, or selected. Size 1 is the standard (and smallest). Sizes range up to 5 (largest). Size 1 will dispense approximately 25grms (1/4 cup) per portion.
d) TEST FEED & SKIP BUTTON This button will enable the owner to dispense feed at any time (press once). It also is a convenient way to check that the machine is working correctly. To SKIP the next set feed, simply press the button twice. e) PP BUTTONS These are the “secret” buttons. These buttons, when pressed simultaneously, allow a setting to be changed./actioned.
f) TIME BUTTON: This is for the setting of the “real time”.
g) RECORD & PLAY BUTTONS: OPTIONAL. These are an optional feature, and are only on the “voice” machine version. They allow the owner to record 20 seconds of message (when the “record” button is pushed), which will play back when the machine dispenses food. The “play” button allows the owner to hear the recorded message. TO DISPLAY A SETTING: The relevant button should be pressed.
TO MAKE/ CHANGE A SETTING: If the owner wishes to adjust an existing setting, for example, the time of the evening feed, the moon should be pressed firstly to display the existing setting. Then the two PP buttons should be pressed simultaneously. The display will now show “SET”. Then the moon should be pressed, and held, once more, as the existing setting will count up to the new setting. Once the new desired setting is reached, the moon should be released. This sequence, , acts against accidental resetting of a machine by the random pawing of a dog, or the action of a small child. It should be remembered that once settings are made, the owner will usually leave those settings alone. The basic instructions will be labelled on the back of the machine for those owners who may forget how to work the controls. SAFETY: 1) POWER SUPPLY: a) The machine runs from a 12Volt power source. The AC to DC power wall mounted adaptor is approved by the regulatory authorities in b) The machine itself will not generate EMI, and although not as yet tested, is expected to pass the Australian Standards, which shall qualify it in other markets. 1. The 12 Volt DC Plug that connects into the machine, at the back, is a right-angle orientation, and one reason it is used is that it will resist being pulled out of the machine, particularly as the machine mounts flush up against a wall. 2. The event of power failure is covered through the use of a .8Ah 12V maintenance free battery. It will power the machine for about one week. This is an optional accessory. 3. The machine has internal memory back up. 4. Reverse polarity connection of all the power sources ( AC-DC adaptor, 9V battery, and back-up battery, although using polarised connectors, is still protected by diodes. 2) SETTINGS ARE NOT PRONE TO ACCIDENTAL CHANGES: The machine method for setting the feed programme, is such that it cannot (reasonably) be done by accident, by either a pet or small child. The machine uses a 24 hour clock, to prevent setting adjacent times.
3) THE MACHINE CANNOT BE SABOTAGED: All connectors and fasteners are chosen and utilised to remain securely mated. The backup battery that is owner fitted utilises a locking connector to prevent accidental disengagement. Although the other connectors are industry standard locking types, a glue will be used on connectors and fasteners to guarantee secure mating and to counter sabotage. The software will also internally log any events. 4) THE MACHINE’S WORKINGS POSE NO DANGER: The dispenser mechanism is the only moving part, and is not within finger distance. In any case, it is driven by a small 12V 100mA geared motor (slow moving at 30rpm). It has insufficient torque to cause any damage to fingers etc In any event, the machine would sense such a happening as an obstruction (or feed jam), and reverse direction, freeing whatever is caught. Continual jamming will switch ON the polyswitch (re-settable fuse), and so switch OFF the motor. Also, the mechanism has no sharp edges, and there is no shearing action, the hopper mouth having 17mm of soft rubber interface between it an the moving dispense mechanism. 5) THE MACHINE IS FIRMLY MOUNTED. The mounting bracket engages the machine with a pull out pin , which is designed to sit flush with the machines outer frame, and so is disguised. ( Note: one spare will be included/attached to the mounting bracket in the event of loss ).. However the machine is recommended to be additionally attached via a receptical part (also supplied) that should be mounted by two screws . A tab at the base of the machine drops into this just prior to the top being secured. So in this way both the top and base of the machine is secured, yet is easily removed by withdrawing the top pin. The machine is therefore securely attached, and cannot be tipped over and thus made inoperative. 6) THE MACHINE IS LARGELY VERMIN PROOF: Vermin, such as insects, are sometimes a problem for pet food. The machine is up off the ground, and so is protected somewhat.
Double sided tape may be utilised, by simply running it around the perimeter of the machine. A quantity of such tape may be a possible optional accessory for the machine owner.
7) THE MACHINE IS EASILY CLEANED: Cleaning the machine is easily done. Whilst mounted, the machine can have the hopper cleaned on the inside simply by putting a hand down onto the feed entry and wiping with a cloth. The bottom chute can be removed (slid out) to facilitate cleaning of the dispense mechanism area. However, it cannot be removed whilst mounted on the wall, as it can only be removed from the back side (this is a deliberate safety feature) so the machine would need to be dismounted to clean that area of the machine. This will take about 5 –10 seconds. 8) THE MACHINE IS WEATHER AND WATER RESISTANT The machine has no openings for rainwater water to ingress readily into the machine. The feed entry cover will not allow water to enter. The join of the front housing to the back section will have a protruding edge of about 3mm. However, the machine will be recommended for use under cover and out of the weather, so there is no possibility of water entering the machine. Of course, if water entered, the food would swell, and may not dispense reliably. It may be that the possible points of ingress could be sealed, but the writer thinks that this would be “a road fraught with litigation danger”, and feels that the machine simply should not be offered as weatherproof. 9) THE MACHINE IS LABELLED APPROPRIATELY: There are four labels on the front of the machine, to ensure correct operation and safety. (The large label is 270mm x 15mm).
a) The owner can see visually the level of food within the machine, negating the need for electronic sensors. Also, sensors can get dirty, and if they fail, the owner may seek redress. This is not a possibility with a simple window. b) As described in the technical adjunct, the machine will recognise and signal a dispensing error, until cleared by a successful programmed feed, or a test feed. 11) THE MACHINE IF JAMMED DUE TO LARGE PARTICLES, SHALL STILL DISPENSE. The machine has a limit in regards to the size of particles it can reliably dispense. 9mm particles are recommended as maximum (see label above). (9mm is a conservative recommendation). However, if it jams due to a situation where particles are a little too large, or some proportion of them are, it will still dispense food. Indeed, it will most likely dispense more than normal. Therefore, for such an occurrence , the pet shall still receive adequate food. (competition machines employing an auger system, will deliver no food if jammed ). Further, an error signal will display, to let the owner know that there was a problem with the last feed time. (please see technical notes) BENEFITS TO SOCIETY. The essence of the machine is to enhance the owners ability to enjoy the fulfilment of caring for their pet completely and responsibly, by ensuring that, no matter what happens, the pet will be fed regularly (on time) and in the correct volume. 1) It is known that pets are a now termed “companion animals” due to the benefit derived by the owners. For the frail or handicapped, the ability to care for a pet is facilitated by the machine. So now it is possible for more people to have such a benefit. 2) Further, due to today’s busy lifestyle, where people work in retail or tourism, and the work hours are not 9:00 to 5:00, the dispenser helps people to care for the pet. There are also those instances where city people use the gym before or after work, the machine can fill the times when the owner cannot physically be there to care for the pet. 3) It is known that such instances as mentioned above, can give cause for the owner to have the pet put into a dog pound, where unfortunately, many are destroyed. Therefore the machine can lessen this outcome. 4) Some pet owners are limited in their activities and travel because of a pet at home. They may wish to visit a relative, but cannot, due to such a complication. The machine will allow the pet to be left at home, in its own territory, with reliable provision of food, for a period of time. The owner simply has to ask that a person monitor the pet, at a time convenient to that person. 5) One of the reasons many people have a pet is to provide a degree of security for their home. When people go away for a short period, they may put the pet into a kennel, which of course means that the function of providing security is lost, when it is needed the most. BENEFITS TO THE PET: Pet dogs and cats are creatures of habit and are territorial. They like things to be according to established routine, and in an established territory. The machine can help towards this, and thus benefit the pet. 1) The machine is able to provide meals at exactly the same time each day, and also in the same volume as previous days. When we humans feed pets, it will not be with such regularity, nor will the volume be so continually exact .2) When utilising the machine, pets will not suffer anxiety about feed times, nor suffer a situation of too little, or too much food, which may be detrimental to it’s health. Particularly when children feed the pet, it may be often be presaged with a fight (between the children), and then the food may be at great variance each day. Who knows what the pet thinks, and how it affects the animal. Certainly it’s diet will be compromised. 3) In the event of the owner being unable to be at home, or in the event of a disaster ( September 11 is a good example) , the pet will benefit, and will be OK for some days (usually) until the owner (or someone) presents. 4) In regards to territory. We all have experienced the fear and anxiety of a pet being taken from it’s territory. This is most evident and extreme when taken to a kennel or to a vet. They seem to have a 6th sense. 5) Further, when using a kennel, precautions have to be taken, and there is a risk, of illness being acquired. This risk will be eliminated, if indeed the owner is comfortable with the pet simply staying at home. A person should be organised to monitor the pet during an absence however. SERVICE: The machine is solid state, with two moving parts. 1) The keyboard, which is a membrane switch, has a life of 300’000 operations. Typical useage over 10 years may be 1000 operations only. 2) The motor, which may have a life of 10’000 hours running, has a very low duty cycle in the machine. This duty cycle may typically be about 10 -30 seconds per day, so over 10 years, the total duty of the motor will be about 10 - 30 hours. Number of ON OFF switching is another limitation, but is most sufficient for the application. The dispensing mechanism will slide onto the motor shaft, each with the standard complementing male/female “D” section. It will be held by a industry standard circlip. Therefore, service due to wear will be negligable. As earlier mentioned, the machine is designed to resist any tampering. The pcbs will be tested before assembly, and the machine will be tested before final packaging. Therefore, the machine will have low possibility of error, other than through obvious and unauthorised tampering. REMARKS: Generally, existing like products from competitors have inferior characteristics………….. For example, other commercially available types are all auger feed machines that take many minutes to deliver the feed One takes 12 minutes to dispense 1 cup, whereas the PP machine takes about a few seconds! Generally other types have used unfriendly non-custom controllers, which are very difficult to use, and also would appear to be prone to accidental resetting, through, for example, a child playing with the buttons. Pet Portions has a dedicated custom made controller that was designed specifically for the application, which is intuitive, looks good, and protects the pet (and owner, and Pet Portions !) against the outcome of settings being accidentally lost. The Pet Portions machine protects against jamming (jamming occurring typically because of the food being too large), thus protecting the motor, and the circuit. The competition auger machines, if the motor jams, may not dispense food, may destroy the motor, AND void the warranty. With the PP machine, the pet’s welfare is protected as it will still dispense feed in the event of a typical jam, and display the ERROR on the LED display, as well as an audible signal, to inform the owner of a possible problem to consider and correct. Therefore, the owner’s investment in the machine (and his pet) is protected. The Pet Portions design is purpose built, safe, unique, and patented.
|
||||||||
| © 2005 Pet Portions |
