Ant-Proof Pet Feeder

thingiverse

The main goal of this pet feeder is to prevent ants from getting into the pet's food. This design uses a 2L reservoir (an old soft drink bottle) filled with water to create a shallow moat that ants will not cross. If saltwater is used in the moat, slugs may also be deterred. This feeder is designed to print in three separate parts: the tray for holding the water (10.4cm x 20.6cm x 1.7cm), the bowl holder (13.2cm x 13.2cm x 3.3cm); and the bottle ring (11.7cm x 11.7cm x 3.5cm). You will need to provide your own bottle and bowl, which is about 12cm in diameter at the bottom of the tapered base and about 16.5cm in diameter including the rim. To assemble the feeder: Attach the bowl holder to the tray; slide the bottle ring onto the bottle; fill the bottle with water; then hold the tray upside down while attaching the bottle to the tray. Quickly flip the assembly upright, placing the bowl filled with food into the bowl holder. Important principles behind this design include atmospheric air pressure preventing water from escaping the bottle as long as the air inside is at very low pressure. As the water in the tray evaporates, the water level will lower and allow some air bubbles to enter the bottle, causing a small amount of water to flow out until the air pressure returns to very low pressure. The purpose of the bottle ring is to minimize deformation of the bottle over time as the reservoir empties. The ring helps maintain the bottle's shape during repeated cycles, keeping debris from blocking the water exit in the tray.