1999-02-13|Manning Innovation Awards
HyperFeeder: Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with Concentric Perching Rings
Go Simon Sunatori, P.Eng., M.Eng.
Nomination Form completely filled out including required signatures.
A brief biographical sketch of the nominee including education, employment and other activities.
- Go Simon Sunatori, P.Eng./ing., M.Eng., F.N.A., was born in 1959, and is a Canadian Citizen. He obtained a Master of Engineering (Engineering Physics) degree from McMaster University in Hamilton (Ontario) CANADA in 1983. He received many scholarships.
- He worked at Northern Telecom Electronics Ltd. and Bell-Northern Research Ltd. (now Nortel Networks) for 11 years as a Member of the Scientific Staff. He acted as Senior Integrated Circuit Designer for the CMOS Standard Cell Library, as Senior Design System Integrator for the GaAs Cell Library, and as UNIX Systems Administrator. For his work and commitment, he earned a few awards. In 1985, he created an on-line news, information and discussion forum called CM4NEWS, for which he served as Editor-in-Chief and later as Editor Emeritus.
- As an Entrepreneur, he founded HyperInfo Canada Inc. in 1989 to pursue Research and Development on Information Processing and Publishing Technology as well as Electro-Magnetic Technology Applications. While serving as President and Chief Executive Officer, he has also functioned as Chief Designer/Engineer/Scientist/Technologist as well as Systems Administrator (Webmaster/Postmaster) and Publisher/Editor. In 1995, he set up "HyperInfo Knowledge Power Centre" on the Internet to offer Pay-For-Value Knowledge Services via E-commerce. Some of the websites he created were nominated for some Internet awards. The "HyperInfo Knowledge Power Centre" won the 1996 Canadian Internet Special Achievement Award for "Best Internet Publication (electronic)", and 1999 Golden Web Award. In 2002, he launched the NH3 Power Canada project.
- As a Computer Programmer, he has written UNIX and IBM mainframe software programmes, Apple Macintosh applications such as "HyperInfo Intelligent Knowledge Object Organisation System" and "Food Nutrition Knowledge Matrix", as well as CGI scripts.
- As an Independent Inventor, he has filed more than 40 solo patent applications in many fields. He has submitted inventions to the U.S. Department of Defense for Combating Terrorism Technology Research. Some of his inventions have appeared on the @discovery.ca programme on the Discovery Channel. He has been nominated for Manning Innovation Awards. He builds "HyperFeeder: Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with Concentric Perching Rings and a Transparent Globe", and ships them to places around the world.
- As an Educator, he joined the Faculty of the New York College of Advanced Studies in 2002 as an Adjunct Professor. He prepared college-level certification examinations. He conceived and published educational software called "HyperGames Centre".
- He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a Member of the Professional Engineers Ontario, a Life Member of the World Future Society, among others. In 2001, he obtained une attestation délivrée par l'Office de la langue française. In 2002, he became a Lifetime Fellow of the North American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has made numerous technical and social proposals in the spirit of absolute simplicity and ultimate consistency.
- Married with 3 children, he enjoys cross-country skiing as well as designing and building ice and snow structures for his kids. He makes his own wine from grape juice, makes yogurt, and grows and harvests Ginkgo biloba. He also dreams of living in a dome house. In 1997, he underwent an Excimer Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) to achieve a 20/20 vision.
A complete description of the innovation, together with a one-page summary.
HyperFeeder: Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with Concentric Perching Rings
- The HyperFeeder comprises a generally cylindrical food container, a substantially circular feeding platform, a removable cover, and a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal squirrel guard to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from gaining access to the seed or other food on the feeding platform. The spherical or ellipsoidal shape of the HyperFeeder provides aerodynamic characteristics, causing the air from the wind to form a laminar flow instead of a turbulent flow.
- A plurality of concentric perching rings permit both small and large birds to easily access the seed or other food on the feeding platform. The HyperFeeder has a means for water molecules to escape from the feeding platform. The removable cover may be inverted to feed water or other liquid to birds.
- The HyperFeeder can be best described in a conceptual drawing and a photograph of the craft product, as shown below respectively.
- The innovation is explained in detail in the marketing literature and the 2 patent applications attached.
If the innovation is patented, provide a copy of the patent. If a patent has been applied for and has not been issued yet, include a copy of the patent application.
- Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Device
- Patent Number .......... Canadian 2 196 225
- Status ................. Pending
- Bird Feeder Device with Multiple Concentric Perching Rings
- Patent Number .......... Canadian 2 253 774
- Status ................. Pending
Specific information on the development of the innovation from concept through to a complete product or process.
- The HyperFeeder was conceived in 1995 when Ellipsoidal Squirrel-Free Bird Feeder was submitted to the Discovery Challenge on the @discovery.ca programme on the Discovery Channel.
- In 1997, a project was initiated to develop a manufacturable squirrel-proof bird feeder device.
- The evaluation of conventional bird feeders with squirrel guards revealed that they are either ineffective due to the remarkable abilities of a squirrel or like ground animal in obtaining access to the seed or other food in a bird feeder, or are too complicated to be practical. The technological uncertainty was created by the unknown coefficient of friction, strength of materials, as well as the choice of alternative shape and size of the squirrel guard.
- Thus, a new approach to prevent a squirrel or like ground animal from gaining access to the seed or other food on the bird feeder was conceived. A number of squirrel guard configurations were developed, tested, and discarded in an effort to find one that would most efficiently deny a squirrel or like ground animal access to the seed or other food on the feeding platform.
- The first patent application entitled Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Device was made in 1997, and the second patent application entitled Bird Feeder Device with Multiple Concentric Perching Rings was made in 1998.
- The HyperFeeder has been in development and in real-life test over many years, incorporating numerous engineering refinements and continuous design improvements. Attached is a historical background of the HyperFeeder in chronological order.
- History <http://WWW.HyperInfo.CA/HyperFeeder/History.html>
An outline of the application or marketing results of the innovation.
- Squirrels never succeeded in beating the HyperFeeder in 3 years, except for 1 (one) occasion when there was a snow bank 1 metre high. Besides house sparrows, the HyperFeeder attracts blue jays, cardinals and chickadees every day.
- Since 1998, the HyperFeeder has been produced in the form of a craft product. For mass-production, a list of parts has been compiled, and several companies have been contacted for manufacturing as well as for marketing in a TV infomercial.
- The bilingual HyperFeeder website on the Internet was established in 1998 to market the craft product as well as to attract possible contracts.
A statement indicating the nature of the resources and the extent these resources were used in conceiving, developing and applying or marketing the innovation.
- An Apple Macintosh computer and HyperCard software were used in conceiving ideas and documenting the innovation.
- The Internet was used as the primary resource in patent search, literature review, and marketing the innovation.
- A home-based workshop was used in developing prototypes, and applying the innovation.
The details on the involvement of other individuals in conceiving, developing and applying or marketing the innovation.
- No other individuals are involved in conceiving, developing and applying or marketing the innovation.
Endorsements from individuals qualified to comment on the innovation's quality, application or marketing.
- a bird columnist at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper in Ottawa (Ontario) CANADA
- Thank you for the info about the HyperFeeder. Anything that is
squirrel-proof should be a big seller. I will mention it in next week's column.
- It looks most attractive and I wish you all success with the patent and the sale of a much needed feeder.
- Simon Sunatori, who lives in Hull, has designed an interesting squirrel-proof feeder. Designed as a craft, the kit includes a plastic globe that prevents squirrels from reaching the seeds. For more information, call 595-9210.
- a retired professional engineer in Rossland (British Columbia) CANADA
- Your bird feeder concept is very ingenious!
- a scientist in Nepean (Ontario) CANADA
- I checked out your bird feeder design. It looks interesting. When will it be available at Home Depot?
- a DomeHome discussion list moderator in Tennessee, U.S.A.
- It demonstrates tangibly that the dome shape is useful in other ways.
A statement of the economic or social benefits to Canada, or potential benefits, resulting from the application or marketing of the innovation.
- Bird-watching is one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in Canada, especially among ageing baby-boomers. The evidence of a great interest in bird feeders is found in the very large number of visits to the HyperFeeder website, especially from Canadians.
- A great number of Canadians already have bird feeders, but conventional bird feeders are not being used very much by their owners mainly because of the seed-eating squirrels, which are also numerous in Canada. Thus, the squirrel-proof HyperFeeder has a potential to make bird feeding a truly Canadian recreation, as ubiquitous as hockey is today.
- If the HyperFeeder is mass-produced in Canada, there will be a positive economic benefit to Canada, especially with an export potential.
Donation
[Go to]
[Mail any comments or suggestions to]
[Credit]
- Copyright © 1995 by HyperInfo Canada Inc.
- All rights reserved.
- Produced in Canada.
- ISBN 0-929105-04-4
- 2004-04-02T03:23:10,0
[Search/Recherche]
[Advertisement/Publicité]
