AU2004201716A1 - A metering and discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Description

23/04 2004 16:00 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA I1004

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant BARRY LINDON CYRIL JORDAN Invention Title; A METERING AND DISCHARGE

APPARATUS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:01 FAX 81 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 2 A METERING AND DISCHARGE

APPARATUS

TECHNICA.. FIELD S This Invention relates to a liquid and/or particulate metering and discharge apparatus, Spelfically the present invention may preferably be adaptd for use In a method or apparatus for channelling specific quantities of liquid or particulate to feed bins in a dairy milking shed.

Ib Reference throughout this specification will now be made to the present Invention being used to channel liquid or particulate to feed bins in a dairy mllking shed, but those skilled in the art should appreciate that other applications and uses are also envisioned for the present Invention and that the material being channelled could be any flowable material.

IS

BACKGROUND

ART

Dairy milking shed feeding systems are adapted to deliver feed to supplement the main diet of dairy animals. The majority of such feeding systems are adapted to supply feed during the normal milking of dairy animals, The milking process demands complex interactions between dairy anlrrals, machinery and human operators and in order to maximise the throughput and cost effectiveness of feeding and milking procedures much consideration must be had to design and layout of a dairy shed feeding system.

One commonly utilised design is a hernrigbone configuration which generally Incorporates a zig-zag design of two parallel sets of stalls which allow for the group milking of several cows at one time using pipeline type milking systems.

Such systems may Incorporate a alngle feed bin per set of stalls which Is adapted to provide the feed requirements for all cows being milked at one time.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:01 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 12006 3 Alternatvely, individual feeding vessels may be provided for each cow.

However, in either the single or multi bin configuration it becomes a requlrement to deliver and maintain feed to each stall position which generally increases the complexity and cost of equipment required.

Another commonly implemented feeding system is a rotary dairy milking shed feeding system. Such a system incorporates a rotary milking system having a raised rotating platform which is usually divided into a circular arry of stalls, where each stall is adapted to hold a single animal and an individual feed bin.

Each stall is also supplied with a set of milking cups so that as the platiorm rotates the cow is milked, and because the platform rotates a single feeder .(attahead to a feed source) may be used to fill each feed bin as it passes a fixed point. The feed bins therefore rotate under a fixed point to receive a fe;d allocation for each cow, where it is desired that all cows In a herd receive the IS same feed amount.

However, such feeding systems (whether herringbone or rotary) have a number of disadvantages which include the requirement for Intensive and often constant user intervention to ensure feed bins are filled with appropriate volumes of feed.

Moreover, human operators are often required to manualy monitor the quantities of feed dispensed and ensure the dose accuracy of dietary supplement; is maintained.

In addition, such systems often fail to provide operators with the ability to easily .S modify the quantity of feed dispensed into feed bins as the feed requirements of Individual cows or groups of cows change which causes wastage of feod and therefore enhanced feed costs. Furthermor, the feeding and milking operations of such systems are often disturbed by the unexpected actions or behaviours of the cows being milked.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:01 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4t IPAUSTRALLA 12007 4 A feed metering and discharge system which overcme, or at least went some way toward overcoming any or all of the above problems would be of ;dvantage.

Al references, Including any patents or patent applications cited in this S specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is niade that any reference constitutes prior art The discussion of the references states what their authore assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this (b reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, In New Zealand or in any other country.

It Is acknoWledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be IS attributed with either an exclusive or an Inclusive meaning. For the pul ose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning i.e. that it will be taken to mean an Inclusion of not only the listed components It directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or T.o 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a particulate .andfor liquid metering and discharge apparatus which will go at least some way towards addressing the foregoing problems or which will at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantage of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which Is given by way of example only.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:01 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA Q008 DISCLOSURE OP INVEN'TON According to one aspect of the present Invention there Is provided a articulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus for a dairy milking shed comprising a holding vessel adapted to retain a volume of particulate and/or liquid, the holding vessel having at least one discharge conduit adapted to channel particulate and/or liquid from the holding vessel, 0t a discharge valve adapted to control the flow of particulate and/or liqu d through said at least one discharge conduit and a control means adapted to activate the discharge valve,

IS

wherein, upon activation, the discharge valve is adapted to allow a voll ime of particulate and/or liquid to flow through the discharge conduit.

Preferably, at least one pariculate and/or liquid receptacle is provided to receive .a0 the particulate and/or liquid which flows from the at least one discharge conduit.

Preferably, a plurality of particulate and/or liquid receptacles are positicned around the perimeter of a platform associated with the dairy milking shad.

Preferably, the flow rate of particulate and/or liquid channelled through the discharge conduit is substantially constant.

Preferably, the discharge valve is adapted to prevent particulate and/or liquid being channelled into a particulate and/or liquid receptacle when the platform associated with the dairy shed stops rotating.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:02 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4r IPAUSTRALIA Ioog Preferably, the discharge valve is adapted to prevent particulate and/or liquid being channelled into a particulate and/or liquid receptacle when the platform associated with the dairy shad is reversed.

Preferably, a pump located between the holding vessel and the discharge conduit.

Preferably, a bypass conduit is located between the pump and the discharge conduit, said bypass conduit being adapted to allow pariculate and/or liquid flow So from the discharge conduit back to the holding veeel should the discharge valve be closed when particulate and/or liquid Is being channeled through the discharge conduit Preferably, sensing means are provided, to sense the position of particulate IS and/or liquid receptacles on the platform of the dairy shed.

Preferably, the particulate and/or liquid is animal feed.

Preferably, at least a portion of the animal feed Is molasses.

2M The present invention provides an apparatus for use In a dairy milking shed which is adapted to discharge metered quantities of a particulate and/or liquid from a holding vessel to a particulate and/or liquid receptacle, preferably in a controlled and efficient manner minimising degradation or loss of the ptliculate $S and/or liquid.

For the purposes of this specifloation a particulate may be defined as, hut need not be limited to a substance consisting of separate particles including fluids. The particulate and/or liquid material involved preferably being animal feed.

Preferably at least a portion of the animal feed is molasses. Molasses s a dietary supplement added to animal feed to improve the quality of dairy produce, COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:02 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IFAUSTRALIA 0010O "1 such as milk. Furthermore, molasses Is an Inexpensive source of enemy and, when fed appropriately to dairy animals results in the milk produced being cheap and therefore profitable, S However, any number of a variety of supplements may be added to the animal feed. For example, antibiotics, hormones and/or vitamins may be added to the feed where necessary. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that a variety of other additives are also envisioned to be added to the animal feed employed in conjunction with the present Invention and reference to the above only t throughout this specification should In no way be seen as lmiting.

The particulate ancmor liquid receptace(s) may be adapted to receive and retain a volume of animal feed. The receptacle(s) may be formed as a feed tin or bins.

A feed bin may be formed from a container having at least set two set:. of S1 opposing side walls and a base. Alternatively, such a feed bin may be formed from a single substantially circular side wall, and may also utilise a roof or cover and an opening.

Preferably the present invention may be employed within a rotary dairy milking 2o shed. A rotary dairy milking shed typically incorporates a raised circular rotating platform which Is divided Into a number of adjacent stalls, where each itall is adapted to hold a single animal and an Individual feed bin. Each stall is also supplied wfth a set of milking cups which rotate with the platform so that as the platform moves the cow may be milked. The feed bins move under a f xed point ZS as the platform rotates to receive a volume of feed from a feed out device located at the fixed point. The feed bins may be positioned along the perimeter of the platform associated with the rotary dairy milking shed.

Although the present Invention is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a rotary dairy milking shed it may be equally and effectively employed within a COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:02 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4, IPAUSTRALIA 0011 8 variety or different types and classes of mldking shed, and reference to a rotary dairy milking shed only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as imiting.

The holding vessel may be used to retain a quantity of solid and/or liquid material such as animal feed and may also be adapted to supply said animal The holding vessel may be formed as a hopper. The shape, design and oJnstruction of a storage hopper is a critical consideration, where these factors often influence the consistent flow and uninterrupted supply of the particulae and/or S0 liquid. However, in alternative embodiments the holding vessel may not be formed from a hopper. For example, the holding vessel may be formed from a vat a cistern, a silo, a tank or other container-like receptacles. Those sldled in the art should appreciate that other types of holding vessel are also ervisioned for the present Invention and reference to a hopper only throughout this specifcation should in no way be seen as limiting.

The hopper includes at least one discharge outlet adapted to provide a structure by which stored animal feed may exit the hopper. The at least one discharge outlet may be positioned at a location near the base of the hopper. However, in 2 altemative embodiments the discharge outlet may not be located near the base of the hopper. For example, n alternative embodiments the discharge outlet may be located toward the top or the middle of the hopper.

For the purposes of this specification a discharge conduit may be defined as, but 2s need not be limited to a pipe or channel adapted to carry a particulate rnd/or liquid material. The discharge conduit is adapted to channel feed from the hopper to the feed bins and Is connected to the discharge outlet of the hopper.

The discharge valve is adapted to control the flow of animal feed through the at least one discharge conduit A discharge valve may be connected to the COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:02 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA ~1 discharge conduit and be adapted to alternate between open or cosed positions to control the volume and/or flow of feed being channelled from the hopper via the dlscharge conduit to the feed bins. The flow rate of feed channell d through the discharge conduit may be controlled by the discharge valve to be eubstantially constant The prOvision of a discharge conduit and valve which provides a constant flow rate ensures that the delivery of a known volume of feed to the feed bins may be maintained, Such a discharge valve may be preferably adapted to receive electrical signals, (0 where such signals are adapted to control the operation of the discharqe valve and alternate it between open and closed oonfiguretions.

During rotation of the platform assocated with the rotary dairy milking ehod the discharge conduit may be adapted to aupply feed into the feed bins located IS around the periphery of the platform. By appropriately positioning the discharge conduit at a fixed point above the rotating platform (and such that feed bins pass under the discharge oonduit)' feed may be supplied into feed bins as the feed bins move under this fixed point.

0o Therefore, when the valve is in an open position, feed may be allowed to pass through the discharge conduit and into a feed bin positioned on the rotating platform, Similarly, when the valve is in a closed or sealed position feed may be prevented from passing through the discharge conduit into feed bins.

S The control means is adapted to activate the discharge valve by supplylrg electrical signals to alternate the valve between open and closed positiors, and as a consequence, control when feed is to be discharged into the individual feed bins moving past and below the discharge conduit. The control means may incorporate an operator console which allows an operator to Input commands to COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:03 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA I1013 control the opening and closing of the dioeharge valve. The operator console may be positioned prOximately with respect to the rotary platform.

The discharge valve may be activated to allow a speocM or predetermined Volume of feed to flow through the discharge oonduit and into a feed bin. To faciltate such a provision thea discharge valve may be activated by the controi means to open for a predetermined period of time, thereby ensuring a specitc volume of feed is dispensed from tile discharge conduit and Into a feecd bin. This period of time may be different for different feed bins, Furthermore, the control means may be adapted to operate automatics fly and without intervention from an operator such that the discharge valve may be held in an open position for a predeterined time period to deliver a specific or Predetermined volume of feel into inrvidual feaed bins. Altemrnatively, the oontrol means may be operated manually by an operator who is empowered to rnaintan the discharge valve In an open position for variable periods of time, therby delivering variable volumes of feed to feed bins positioned on the rotating platform.

2o As mentioned above, the discharge valve may be adapted to prevent feed being channelled into a feed bin when the platform associated with the rotary dairy shed stops rotating or is reversed. The platform may cease to rotate when, for example, an animal gets stuck entering or when leaving a stall located orn the platform. Similarly, emergency procedures will periodicaly require the pl;tform -S to stop rotating, As described above, electrical signals are required to power the dischargi, varve, which In turn Ia adapted to supply electrical signals to open and close the discharge valve. By configuring appropriate electrical components such s switches, electrical signals may be supplied to open the discharge valve only COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:03 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IAUSTRALA 121014 11 when the platform of the rotary dairy shed is rotating in the forward direcion, that is the platform has not stopped, nor is being rotated in the reverse diruction. In this way, when the platform stops rotating or is reversed the supply of electrical power to the discharge valve may cease, thereby causing the discharge valve to S close which will thereby prevent the discharge of feed from the discharge conduit into the feed bins. That Is, preferably the discharge valve Is of the nor.nally closed type.

A pump, such as gear pump, a centrifugal or rotating blade pump may be used to to pressurise and deliver feed from the feed hopper via the discharge conduit to the feed bins located on the platform. However, in alternative embodinents the present invention may not Include a pump, and may instead rely on a gravity feed mechanism adapted to supply animal feed under the influence of !ravity from the hopper to feed bins. Altematively, the pump may not be located IS between the feed hopper and the discharge conduit and may be located at any appropriate position within the hardware of the present invention.

As an increase in head pressure will be experienced bythe discharge valve and component seals if feed is being pumped through the discharge conduit when 2- the discharge valve is closed. The result of such excess head pressure may cause serious mechanical breakdown or damage to system component;.

Providing a bypass conduit adapted to channel feed discharged from the, hopper back to the hopper will alleviate the build-up of excess head pressure.

'S Furthermore, the provision of such a bypabe conduit also provides an agitation facility. That Is, the bypass conduit allows recycling of feed back to the opper to aid or facilitate the mixing of additives previously added to the feed independent of the aforementioned excess head pressure situation occurring.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:03 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA Sensing means enable the preent invention to Identify whether a feed bin is appropriately located under the discharge conduit prior to the release of feed.

Furthermore, such a sensing means or an additional sensing means may be adapted to sense the volume of feed Contained within a feed bin at a pecific S time.

Addtionally, a sensor may be adapted to sense the volumes and/or concentrations of additives such as molasses, vitamins or hormones within the feed. Furthmore, any of the above sensors may be adapted to output the t readings obtained to the control means which may then provide an indication to a user on a display for example. Such outputted values may be digital or analogue values, voltages or amplitude Values and such a provision may reduce reed wastage and provide useful data for operators to ensure the maintaininq of animal health and welfare,

(S

In a further preferred embodiment the sensor(s) may be integrated within a feed bin or on the discharge conduit For example, one sensor may be located on or In each feed bin and be adapted to sense, for example, feed consumed by a cow, whilst a second sensor may be located on the discharge conduit arid be adapted to sense the volume of feed initially supplied to a feed bin.

However, in alternative embodiments any number or variety of sensors nmay be used to obtain measurements (such as volumes and/or concentrations) of feed or additives. For example, such measurements may be obtained through the use of optical sensors, infra-red sensors, conductvity probes or biosenscrs appropriately set up and positioned to sense feed composition andor vol Jme.

Those silled In the art should appreciate that other methods are also ernisioned and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:04 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRAIA [Mole When used in a herringbone dairy milking shed a tube or pipeline may operate as the particulate and/or liquid receptacle adapted to contain a predelermined volume of feed. A plurality of lick-balls are typically displaced along the length of the tube or pipeline so that when an animal being milked licks or sucks on the lick-ball a volume of feed Is discharged into the animal's mouth.

The liquid containing tube or pipeline may preferably include or have assoclated with it at least one probe or sensor. Such a probe may be adapted to detect when the volume of feed within the tube or pipeline drops below a predetermined So level.

When the probe or probes detect that the volume of feed in the pipeline has dropped below a predetermined level a signal may be transmitted to a secondary controller, such as a float-less level controller, which then passes a further signal to the control means (discussed above). Alternatively, the signal may ILe passed directly to the abovementioned control means. When a signal is received by the control means indicating that the Volume of fluid in the pipeline has dropped below the required level it may be adapted to supply electrical signals to alternate the discharge valve between open and closed positions, and a consequence, control when feed is to be discharged into the feed pipel-ne of the herringbone feed system.

The present invention provides advantages over prior an metering and discharge systems.

2S The provision of an apparatus adapted to supply measured volumes of feed to feed bins within dairy sheds is of advantage. The ability to control the delivery Of feed using a single controller which is electrically connected to the rotating platform of a rotary dairy shed is advantageous. Furthermore, the added control over the amounts of feed discharged into feed bins In a milking shed, tha COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:04 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALA 017 14reduced labour costs, the samplicity of design and the low maintenance requirements of the present Invention are all of advantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: I0 ESaure I shows a schematic view of the particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention particularly useful ir a rotary type milking shed; and IS Fure shows a schematic view of the particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention particularly useful ini a herringbone type milking shed.

o BESST MODES POR gARRYING OIUT THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The particulate metering and discharge apparatus 1 shown includes a holding vessel formed as hopper 2 adapted to retain a volume of feed which contains molasses. Also shown is discharge conduit 3 which is adapted to channel feed from hopper 2 via discharge valve 4 to feed bins 5 which move relative o the 3 o discharge valve. The feed bins 5 are positioned around the peiphery of a platform 6 associated with a rotary dairy milking shed (not shown).

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:04 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 PAUSRALA IM018 To deliver feed from hopper 2 to the feed bins 5 the present invention utillaes pump 7 which is optimally located between the hopper 2 and the discharge condult 3. The pump 7 is used to pressurise and deliver feed from the feed hopper 2 via the discharge conduit 3 to the feed bins 5 which are located on or connected for rotation with the platform 6 of the dairy milldng shed.

By positioning an outlet portion 8 of discharge conduit 3 at a fixed point above the rotating platform 8 (and such that feed bins 5 pass under the outlet portion 8 of discharge conduit 3) feed may be supplied into feed bins as the feec bins I0 move under the outlet portion a.

A control means 9 is adapted to control the discharge valve 4. The cor trol means g supplies electrical signals via wires 10 to alternate the valve 4 between open and closed positions. Thus the control means 9 may control the periods in which feed is to be discharged into feed bins 5. Accordlingy, the discharge valve 4 may be activated by the control means 9 to open for a period of time, thereby ensuring a specific or predetermined volume of feed Is dispensed from the discharge conduit 4 into indMvdual feed bins 2o The control means 9 also incorporates an operator console 11 (connected to the control means 9 by conductors 14 and to the pump 7 by conductors 13) which provides operators with the ability to switch between manual and automatic feed delivery to the feed bins Thus, when operating automatically the apparatus may discharge feed 4wthout intervention from an operator so that the discharge valve 4 may be held in an open position for a predetermined time period to deliver a specific volumH of feed into individual feed bins S. Alternatively, the control means may be opertted manually by an operator who may be empowered to maintain the discharge valve COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:05 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH BACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA Q019 16 4 in an open position for variable peiods of time, thereby delivering vriable volumes of feed to feed bins 6 positioned on the rotating platform 6.

By associating platform 6 with control means 9 and discharge valve 4, the control means may be made aware of when the platform 6 s1 rotating in the f, rward direction (that is the platform has not stopped, nor is being rotated in the reverse direotion). Altematively, when the platform 6 stops rotatng or is revered, the supply of electrical power to the control means 9 may cease. In either case, the discharge valve 4 may be caused to close which will prevent the dischirge of to feed from the discharge conduit 3 into the feed bins 5 If the platform 6 ,ops or reverses.

A bypass conduit 16 Is adapted to allow feed to flow from the discharge conduit 3 back to the hopper 2 should the discharge valve 4 be closed while feed Is flowing from hopper 2. The effect of such a configuration ensures that an increase In head pressure will not be experienced by the discharge valve 4 and component seals when feed is pumped through the discharge conduit 3 when the discharge valve 4 is closed. The result of exoess head pressure may cause serous mechanical breakdown and/or damage to system components.

Furthermore, the provision of such a bypass conduit 15 will also provide an agitation facility allowing the recycling of feed to the hopper 2 thereby airing or facilitating the mixing of additives added to the feed.

2 Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus formed in accordance with an altemative embodrment of the present invention. The apparatus of Figure 2 Is similar to the apparatus of Figure 1 but has been modified for use Within a herringbone milking shed.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:05 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA ozo A partlculate and/or liquid reeptacle 20, which contains a volume of fluid 21, has a plurality of li-balls 22 displaced along Its length. One lic-ball 22 iS provided for each milking position in a herringbone milking shed.

The receptacle 20 may be in the form of a tube or pipeline and includer at least one probe or sensor 23 whlch detect when the volume of feed Within thepipeline drops below a predetermined level. When the probe(s) 23 detect th ~t the volume of fluid in the pipeline 20 has dropped below a predetermined level the probes 23 may transmit a signal to a secondary contoller 24, whloh is formed as a float-less level controller. The second contrller passes a further signal to the oontrol means 9, which operates In a manner Identical to the control means shown and described with respect to figure 1. That Is. it supplies electrdal slgnals to alternate the valve 4 between open and closed poeitions, and as a consequence, control when feed Is to be discharged, in this instance, inio IS pipeline 20 of the herringbone feed system. Alternatiely, the output signal of probe(s) 23 may be Input to control means 9 directly.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by wvy of example only and It should be appreciated that modificattons and additlons may Ibe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" i, used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the in ention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23

Claims (16)

1. 2. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one Particulate andfor liquid reccptace is provided to receive the particulate and/or liquid which flows frtm the at least one discharge conduit
2. 3. A partculate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus a: claimed In claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the holding vessel inoludes at Bsat one discharge outlet
3. 4. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparaus as caimed In claim 3 wherein the at leat one discharge outlet is positioped at a location near the base of the holding vessel. COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:05 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 PAUSTRALIA 1022 19 A partculate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as jofamed In any one of the preceding claime, wherein the discharge valve is able to be alternated between open and closed positions.
4. 6. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 5, Wherein, when the discharge valve Is in an open position particulate and/or liquid is able to pass through the discharge o-nduit.
5. 7. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus s claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein when the discharge valve is ifr a closed position particulate and/or liquid is prevented from passing through the discharge conduit.
6. 8. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge valve is activated to allow a predetermined volume of particulate and/or liquid to fow through the discharge conduit
7. 9. A pariculate and/or iquld metering and discharge apparatus a; claimed in claim 2, wherein the partlculate andor liquid receptacles are positioned around the perimeter of a platform associated with a rotary dairy milking shed. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed In claim 9, wherein the dischanre valve Is controlled to prevent PEirticulate and/or liquid being channelled from the discharge conduit wfien the platform associated with the rotary dairy milking shed stops rotating or is reversed. COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:06 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 PAUSTRALIA 121023 11, A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein during rotation of the platform the discharge conduit is able to channel particulate and/or liquid.
8. 12. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus .s claimed In any one of the preceding claims, wherein an operator console is provided which enables user input to the control means to thereby allow manual opening and closing of the discharge valve.
9. 13. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus &s claimed in any one of the preoeding claims wherein the liquid and/or partiulate channeled through the discharge valva is maintained at a su-~tantially constant flow rate.
10. 14. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a by-pass conduit between the discharge conduit and holding vessel adapted to allow particulate to flow back to the holding vessel when the dischargii valve is closed and particulate and/or liquid is being channelled through the discharge conduit. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed In claim 9, further including sensing means adapted to sense the position of particulate and/or liquid receptacles on the platform of the dairy shed.
11. 16. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the particulate and/or liquid is animal feed.
12. 17. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the animal feed is molasses. COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23 23/04 2004 16:06 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4, IPAUSTRA.LIA 024 21
13. 18. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pump located between the holding vessel and the discharge conduit,
14. 19. A particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus s.bstantlally as herein described With reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. A rotary dairy milking shed including the particulate and/or liqui, metering and disharge apparatus as claimed In any one of the preceding claims.
15. 21. A herringbone milking shed including the particulate and/or liquid metering and discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1.
16. 22. A herringbone milking shed as claimed in claim 21, wherein the particulate and/or liquid receptacle includes at least one probe cdapted to detent when the volume of particulate and/or liquid In the particulate and/or liquid receptacle drops below a predetermined level. Dated this 23rd day of April 2004. BARRY LINDON CYRIL JORDAN By His Patent Attoranys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia COMS ID No: SMBI-00720268 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:10 Date 2004-04-23