Position control of pet bowl

Abstract

An automatic pet feeder, comprising a bowl with a plurality of compartments, a cover and a sensor, the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments, the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor, each location region having a first edge and a second edge, the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected, and the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.

1 . An automatic pet feeder, comprising:
 a bowl with a plurality of compartments;   a cover; and   a sensor;   the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments;   the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor;   each location region having a first edge and a second edge;   the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected; and   the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.   
     
     
         2 . An automatic pet feeder, comprising:
 a bowl with a plurality of compartments;   a cover; and   a sensor;   the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments;   the bowl having location regions detectable by the sensor;   the motor being driven at a first speed until a location region is detected; and   the motor being driven in the reverse direction at a second, slower speed until the location region is again detected, stopping the motor.   
     
     
         3 . A pet feeder according to  claim 1  wherein the bowl features a band, and each location region comprises a gap or tab in the band. 
     
     
         4 . A pet feeder according to  claim 3  wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor, positioned to detect when a radiation source is visible through each gap in the band. 
     
     
         5 . An automatic pet feeder, comprising:
 a bowl with a plurality of compartments; and   a cover;   the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments; and   the cover being secured to the bowl by at least one resilient latch which engages with a corresponding aperture.   
     
     
         6 . A pet feeder according to  claim 5  wherein the cover and bowl interact to provide a pivoting engagement at a point substantially diametrially opposite the at least one resilient latch. 
     
     
         7 . A pet feeder according to  claim 6  wherein the pivoting engagement is provided by a hinge. 
     
     
         8 . A pet feeder according to  claim 5  wherein two resilient latches and two apertures are provided, positioned on the pet feeder substantially diametrically opposite each other. 
     
     
         9 . A pet feeder according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 there is included a user interface for programming the rotation; and   the user interface being rendered substantially inaccessible by the cover when the cover is fitted over the bowl.   
     
     
         10 . An automatic pet feeder, comprising:
 a bowl with a plurality of compartments;   a cover which may be removably fitted over the bowl being rotated relative to the cover to sequentially expose each the compartments; and   a user interface for programming the rotation;   the user interface being rendered substantially inaccessible by the cover when the cover is fitted over the bowl.   
     
     
         11 . A pet feeder according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the bowl has location regions detectable by the sensor   each location region having a first edge and a second edge   the motor being driven at a first speed until the first edge is detected   the motor being driven at a second, slower speed until the second edge is detected, stopping the motor.   
     
     
         12 . A pet feeder according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the bowl has location regions detectable by the sensor   the motor being driven at a first speed until a location region is detected   the motor being driven in the reverse direction at a second, slower speed until the location   region is again detected, stopping the motor.   
     
     
         13 . A pet feeder according to  claim 10 , wherein the bowl features a band, and each location region comprises a gap or tab in the band. 
     
     
         14 . A pet feeder according to  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor, positioned to detect when a radiation source is visible through each gap in the band.