GB2485839A - Expandable Fat Ball Feeder. - Google Patents

Abstract

A fat ball bird feeder which is expandable from a storage state. The feeder comprises a frame constructed from a steel spring 1 and includes a steel bar base 2. The feeder is provided with a plastic lid and with a hanging chain. In its collapsed state the feeder is easily transportable.

Description

EpandingFat Ball Feeder This invention relates to an Expanding Fat Ball Feeder with a hanging chain which can be compressed to a third of its original size.

When standard fat ball feeders with handles are shipped from overseas in cartons, each item takes up a certain amount of space in the box which results in a far lesser quantity being loaded onto the container. The sea freight cost is shared equally and added onto each item, which increases the items individual cost. This cost is then passed onto our customers who range from wholesaler traders to retailers, not just because of the sea freight costs, but because of inland transportation costs such as postage or pallet deliveries. The cost of this then reflects on how much the general public will pay for said item. Also when standard fat ball feeders are shipped from overseas they all carry their own carbon footprint.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a fat ball feeder with a hanging chain, which can be compressed to a third of its original height due to the spring design of the feeder.

The compressed fat ball feeder will mean that many more fat ball feeders can be loaded onto a container therefore drastically reducing the cost of individual sea freight as well as reducing each items carbon footprint.

This means that the individual price of each item will be reduced for both our customers and the general public.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1. shows a standard fat ball feeder with solid plastic handle.

Figure 2. shows an expandable fat ball feeder with chain, compressed according to the invention *:s.e Figure 3. Shows an expandable fat ball feeder with chain, fully expanded according to the invention. S. S...

S..... * .

* S. 0*0 2.

Further Details Please see figure 4. for points mentioned below. Please note hanging chain is not shown in this diagram.

A piece of steel is formed into the shape of a spring (1.). Three bars made from the same steel used to make the spring are welded to the bottom of the spring to form a base (2.).

Please see figure 5. for points mentioned below Two pieces of flat steel are formed into a circular shapes leaving a hole in the middle (3. & 4.). They are then welded to the underside of the top ring on opposite sides of the spring. This is where the hanging chain will be attached.

Please see figure 6. for points mentioned below. Figure 6 shows the plastic lid from underneath.

All parts of the lid on the fat ball feeder are formed from plastic.

There are two holes in the lid (5. & 6.). These holes correspond with the circular steel attachments (figure 5. -3. & 4.). These holes are so the hanging chain can be fed through the lid.

Figure 7 shows the plastic lid from side view.

Point 7 shows a raised bit of plastic. There are 6 of these underneath the lid.

In conjunction with point 7 is point 8 (These are 2 raised pieces of plastic). These raised parts of plastic are so the top ring of the spiral can lock into place under the * * r°: Figure 8 shows the hanging chain. ** **

*.: Figure 9 shows how the hanging chain connects to the feeder.

**s*** * * S.....

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1. A spring designed expandable fat ball feeder with lid and hanging chain.
2. 2. An expandable fat ball feeder according to claim 1, in which the lid secures to the top of the feeder.
3. 3. An expandable fat ball feeder according to claim 2, in which the hanging chain is secured to the sides of the feeder then through the lid.