Pan breeder feeder

Abstract

A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

1 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is formed in a shape of two intersecting circles; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       2 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough;   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion which is formed in a shape of two intersecting circles, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       3 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       4 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of two intersecting circles.   
   
   
       5 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member and a grill member, said grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of two intersecting circles, said grill member further defining at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said pan member.   
   
   
       6 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is formed in a shape of two intersecting circles; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of two intersecting circles.   
   
   
       7 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member and a grill member, said pan member having a base portion which is formed in a shape of two intersecting circles, said grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of two intersecting circles, said grill member further defining at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       8 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said rim member having a top portion which varies in vertical height relative to a bottom portion of said rim member without adjustment of said feeder.   
   
   
       9 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member and a grill member, said grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said rim member being formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said rim member having a top portion which varies in vertical height relative to a bottom portion of said rim member without adjustment of said feeder, said grill member further defining at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said pan member.   
   
   
       10 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member and a grill member, said pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member, said rim member having a top portion which varies in vertical height relative to said base portion of said pan member without adjustment of said feeder.   
   
   
       11 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member and a grill member, said pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining at least one till port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member, said rim member being generally formed in a shape of two intersecting circles, wherein one of said intersecting circles defining said rim member is generally positioned about a first portion of said base portion, and wherein said other one of said intersecting circles defining said rim member is generally positioned about a second portion of said base portion, wherein each of said two intersecting circles of said grill member has a center, and wherein said rim member has a side portion, said side portion of said rim member provided around said first portion of said base portion of said pan member being varied in radial distance relative to said center of said intersecting circle defining said first portion of said base portion of said pan member, said side portion of said rim member provided around said second portion of said base portion of said pan member being varied in radial distance relative to said center of said intersecting circle defining said second portion of said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       12 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of intersecting circles, said base portion having a region which is common to adjacent intersecting circles, wherein said region comprises less than half of an area defined by each of said adjacent intersecting circles, each of said adjacent intersecting circles have equal diameters of approximately thirteen inches and wherein centers of each of said intersecting circles are provided at a distance of approximately six inches relative to an adjacent intersecting circle; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       13 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a region which is common to adjacent intersecting circles, wherein said region comprises less than half of an area defined by each of said adjacent intersecting circles, each of said adjacent intersecting circles have equal diameters of approximately thirteen inches and wherein centers of each of said intersecting circles are provided at a distance of approximately six inches relative to an adjacent intersecting circle, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said pan member.   
   
   
       14 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       15 . A feeder assembly for use in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit, said feeder assembly comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of intersecting circles, said base portion having a region which is common to adjacent intersecting circles, wherein said region comprises less than half of an area defined by each of said adjacent intersecting circles, wherein a connection between said intersecting circles forming said base portion is generally rounded; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       16 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of intersecting circles, said base portion having a region which is common to adjacent intersecting circles, wherein said region comprises less than half of an area defined by each of said adjacent intersecting circles, wherein a connection between said intersecting circles forming said base portion is generally rounded, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       17 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       18 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of intersecting circles, wherein said intersecting circles define intersection points such that said base portion is not formed in a shape of a simple closed curve; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       19 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of intersecting circles, wherein said intersecting circles define intersection points such that said base portion is not formed in a shape of a simple closed curve, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       20 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       21 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said base portion having a region which is common to each of said at least two intersecting circles; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       22 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, said base portion having a region which is common to each of said at least two intersecting circles, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       23 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       24 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, wherein diameters of said circles are equivalent to one another; and   a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member.   
   
   
       25 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion which is generally formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, wherein diameters of said circles are equivalent to one another, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       26 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said feeder further comprises a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said pan member, said grill member defining said at least one fill port. 
   
   
       27 . A feeder comprising:
 a pan member having a base portion defining an outer feeding surface, an inner feeding surface and an inner rim member which separates said outer feeding surface from said inner feeding surface.   
   
   
       28 . The feeder as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said outer feeding surface is positioned lower than said inner feeding surface, and wherein said inner feeding surface is positioned lower than said inner rim member. 
   
   
       29 . The feeder as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said outer feeding surface is formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, and wherein said inner rim member is formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles 
   
   
       30 . The feeder as defined in  claim 29 , wherein said pan member further comprises an outer rim member, said outer feeding surface being positioned between said inner rim member and said outer rim member, said outer rim member being formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, wherein said outer rim member is positioned higher than each of said inner and outer feeding surfaces and said inner rim member. 
   
   
       31 . The feeder as defined in  claim 30 , further comprising a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said outer rim member of said pan member. 
   
   
       32 . The feeder as defined in  claim 30 , wherein said pan member further comprises an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion separating said inner feeding surface into at least two C-shaped portions, wherein a top of said upstanding portion is positioned below said outer rim member. 
   
   
       33 . The feeder as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said pan member further comprises at least two upstanding cone portions, each said upstanding cone portion being positioned between said upstanding portion and one of said C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface, wherein a lop of each said upstanding cone portion is positioned above said outer rim member. 
   
   
       34 . The feeder as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said pan member further comprises a plurality of fin members, each fin member generally extends from one of said upstanding cone portions, along one of said C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface, to said inner rim member, wherein adjacent fin members provided along one of said C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface separate said C-shaped portion of said inner feeding surface into a plurality of feeding pockets. 
   
   
       35 . The feeder as defined in  claim 30 , wherein said pan member further comprises a plurality of fin members, each fin member generally extends from said inner rim member, along said outer feeding surface, to said outer rim member, wherein adjacent fin members separate said outer feeding surface into a plurality of feeding pockets. 
   
   
       36 . The feeder as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said outer feeding surface is generally formed in an oval, racetrack or elliptical shape, and wherein said inner rim member is generally formed in an oval, racetrack or elliptical shape. 
   
   
       37 . The feeder as defined in  claim 36 , wherein said pan member further comprises an outer rim member, said outer feeding surface being positioned between said inner rim member and said outer rim member, said outer rim member being generally formed in an oval, racetrack or elliptical shape, wherein said outer rim member is positioned higher than each of said inner and outer feeding surfaces and said inner rim member. 
   
   
       38 . The feeder as defined in  claim 37 , further comprising a grill member having a rim member which is operatively associated with said outer rim member of said pan member. 
   
   
       39 . The feeder as defined in  claim 37 , wherein said pan member further comprises an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion separating said inner feeding surface into at least two generally C-shaped portions, wherein a top of said upstanding portion is positioned below said outer rim member. 
   
   
       40 . The feeder as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said pan member further comprises at least two upstanding cone portions, each said upstanding cone portion being positioned between said upstanding portion and one of said generally C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface, wherein a top of each said upstanding cone portion is positioned above said outer rim member. 
   
   
       41 . The feeder as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said pan member further comprises a plurality of fin members, each fin member generally extends from one of said upstanding cone portions, along one of said generally C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface, to said inner rim member, wherein adjacent fin members provided along one of said generally C-shaped portions of said inner feeding surface separate said generally C-shaped portion of said inner feeding surface into a plurality of feeding pockets. 
   
   
       42 . The feeder as defined in  claim 37 , wherein said pan member further comprises a plurality of fin members, each fin member generally extends from said inner rim member, along said outer feeding surface, to said outer rim member, wherein adjacent fin members separate said outer feeding surface into a plurality of feeding pockets. 
   
   
       43 . A feed distribution system comprising:
 a feed supply conduit configured to move feed therethrough; and   a feeder which is operatively associated with said feed supply conduit, said feeder comprising a pan member having a base portion defining an outer feeding surface, an inner feeding surface and an inner rim member which separates said outer feeding surface from said inner feeding surface, said feeder further comprising at least one fill port for receiving feed from said feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto said base portion of said pan member.   
   
   
       44 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 43 , said outer feeding surface is formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles, and wherein said inner rim member is formed in a shape of at least two intersecting circles. 
   
   
       45 . The feed distribution system as defined in  claim 43 , wherein said outer feeding surface is formed in an oval, racetrack or elliptical shape, and wherein said inner rim member is formed in an oval, racetrack or elliptical shape.