AU2013100638A4 - Animal feed blender and method of blending animal feed - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal feed blender 10 and method of blending involves a blender with an inlet 12 for supply of the feed to be blended, an outlet 14 for blended feed and a blending stage between the inlet and the outlet. The blending stage has a rotatable shaft 24 disposed in a blending passage 16, the shaft including a continuous or segmented flight portion 28 to supply the feed from the inlet to spirally arranged tines 26 on the shaft for blending, and a drive means 30,32 to rotate the shaft to effect blending. t44 \ I N (N.: I "N 1' N ~ '4' NNk 4,' -44" . 'Y N N~ ~ ~ '~ U ~ '4 ~ ~ N if~~'4'' N*$N '4444 NJI AN, U, '4 ~W' ~ '4" 1 <WN ttNI ( A 4 4N ~ j 4 N' ~ F'gtb ,? "'4 "".4 'N '4' \ N 4" K. N N44 4-'-. rf N / .~' , 'A' ~ '''I"''' ft 4, 4' A A, I"' ~ C .4' ,44 ";' IA~/ tN]44 N ' *'X 4 ' 2> N . 49"' 4 WY p -t '>4 '4 1,4 p N 4 ,, I U~> 4> N4 vi '~"> ' '~4h ~ ~V K >~ 4~~j £ / 41 4, U A' I ~>~' N j4, .44 p 4' / ~ """7£4' "4 .' ~, k I,

Description

1 ANIMAL FEED BLENDER AND METHOD OF BLENDING ANIMAL FEED FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an animal feed blender and method of blending animal feed. [0002] In particular, the present invention relates to an animal feed blender and method of blending animal feed specifically for dried plant stem or leaf based animal feed such as hay, straw, vetch, lucerne, fescue, green oats, barley or wheat stems, and/or clovers. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0003] Animal feed supplied to animals as fodder often consists of a dried mix of plant material. Hay and straw are typical examples of fodder. [0004] Hay is often used as a dried feed for grazing animals, such as cattle and sheep (ruminant animals) and horses (non-ruminant animals). Hay can be used to provide 100% of the feed supplied to animals (fodder) compared to the foraged food they might find themselves. [0005] The digestive system of ruminant animals can cope with the lower nutritional value of older fodder or poorer quality fodder. Whereas, the digestive system of non-ruminant animals requires higher quality fodder. [0006] Hay is typically formed of dried leaf, stem and unripe seed heads of grasses, cereal crops, fescue, lucerne, and sometimes legumes and clovers. [0007] Cereal crops, such as oat, barley and wheat may be cut when green to be used in hay. Hay typically has a higher dietary benefit and nutritional value for 2 animals than straw. However, straw can be provided as fodder, though is more suited to ruminant animals that are able to extract maximum nutrition over time from the lower nutritional value that straw provides. [0008] The nutritional components of hay can be varied by controlling the blend of plant materials in a particular batch of hay. The contents of the hay can be varied to suit particular animals, locations and availability of plant materials. [0009] It would therefore be desirable to provide improved equipment and/or control for hay and straw blending SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] With the aforementioned in mind, an aspect of the present invention provides an animal feed blender, the blender including an inlet for supply of the feed to be blended, an outlet for blended feed and a blending stage between the inlet and the outlet, the blending stage including a rotatable shaft disposed in a blending passage, the shaft including at least one blending member, and a drive means to rotate the shaft to effect blending. [0011] Advantageously, one or more forms of the present invention thoroughly mixes different grades of hay and straw. Aside from improved blending of the fodder, continuity of supply to the down-stream production line equipment can be maintained. [0012] It will be appreciated that rotation of the shaft may not only blend together feed supplied into the blender, but will also progress that feed through the blender to the outlet as the feed is blended. This provides for a continuous feed blending process. [0013] Speed of rotation of the shaft may be varied, and therefore the rate of supply of blended feed to the outlet and downstream equipment, by controlling 3 the drive means. Preferably drive is provided by an electric motor connected to the shaft, such as directly or through gearing. Other forms of drive may be used, such as hydraulic or pneumatic. [0014] The at least one blender member may include at least one member projecting from the shaft into the blending passage. Preferably the at least one member includes at least one tine, peg or blade projecting from the shaft. Preferably multiple tines, pegs or blades are provided on the shaft. [0015] According to one or more preferred forms of the present invention, multiple tines or pegs may be provided along at least a portion of the shaft. The tines/pegs may be provided in a spiral arrangement on the shaft. The spiral arrangement may be continuous in the sense that the tines/pegs are spaced along a substantial portion of the length of the shaft. Alternatively, the tines/pegs may be arranged spirally in sections, thereby providing gaps along the shaft between one section of tines/pegs and the next. [0016] The shaft may include at least one section of spiral flight(s). [0017] More preferably the at least one section of spiral flight(s) may include a section of continuous spiral flight(s), such as in the form of an Archimedes screw. Such spiral flight(s) may be formed of a continuous flight for the entire flight section. [0018] Alternatively, a section of segmented flight(s) may be provided. Segmented flights can assist in preventing blockages by providing the spaces between the individual flights. Preferably the segmented flights are provided by individual flights segments each encompassing 3600 around the circumference of the shaft. [0019] Preferably the continuous or segmented section of flight(s) may be provided adjacent the inlet to the blender to move the product quickly away from 4 equipment feeding the blender. This helps to maintain continuous processing of the feed. [0020] The feed product may be pre-teased by teasing equipment prior to feeding into the blender. [0021] Beneficially, consistency of the finished product through use of the blender allows different grades and different fodders (e.g. hay and straw or vetch) to suit an individual customer's needs and pricing points, as well as allowing different supplies of dried feed product given the location, time of year and availability and variability of supplies. [0022] Preferably a heavy duty shaft is utilised. Applications of the blender may utilise a shaft approximately 9 metres in length. [0023] The blender may be height adjustable through an adjustment mechanism. For example, one of more adjustable legs may be provided allow the entire passage (trough) to be raised or lowered to increase or decrease the intensity of the blending. The height adjustment may vary the height of one end of the blender compared to the other end, which may provide gravity assistance or resistance to blending process and therefore help control rate of supply of blended product to the outlet. [0024] One or more inspection locations may be provided on the blender to assist in the clearing of blockages should they occur. For example, should a blockage of product occur, an inspection hatch may be opened to access the blockage of product. [0025] A method of blending animal feed including the steps of: feeding animal feed material into an inlet end of a blender according to any one of the preceding claims, rotating a shaft in a passage, the shaft having tines or pegs, feeding the material to the rotating tines or pegs, blending the material to a 5 required consistency as the material progresses along the passage to an outlet, outputting blended material from the outlet. [0026] The method according to claim 9, including initially feeding the material for blending to a section of continuous or segmented flights to effect feeding the material to the tines or pegs in the passage. [0027] The method according to claim 10, wherein the continuous or segmented flights are on the same shaft as the tines or pegs and rotate therewith. [0028] The method according to claim 9 or 10, including controlling rate of output of blended material by controlling one or more of rate of rotation of the shaft and inclination of the shaft from horizontal. [0029] A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of blending animal feed including the steps of: feeding animal feed material into an inlet end of a blender according to any one of the preceding claims, rotating a shaft in a passage, the shaft having tines or pegs, feeding the material to the rotating tines or pegs, blending the material to a required consistency as the material progresses along the passage to an outlet, outputting blended material from the outlet. [0030] Preferably the material for blending may initially be provided to a section of continuous or segmented flights to effect feeding the material to the tines or pegs in the passage. [0031] Preferably, rate of output of blended material may be controlled by controlling one or more of rate of rotation of the shaft and inclination of the shaft from horizontal. Rate of output may be controlled by adjusting a height adjustment mechanism, such as adjustable legs or feet.

6 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0032] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0033] Figures 1 a and 1 b show respective left and right perspective views of an animal feed blender according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0034] Figures 2a and 2b show respective exploded left and right perspective views of an animal feed blender according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0035] Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section through the length of the animal feed blender according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0036] Figure 4 shows an end view from the outlet end of an animal fee blender according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0037] Figures 1 a and 1 b show respective left and right side perspective views of an animal feed (fodder) blender 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The blender shown is arranged and configured to blend dried plant material, such as hay, straw, vetch, lucerne etc. [0038] The blender 10 has an inlet 12, and outlet 14 and a blending passage 16. The blending passage is in the form of a closed trough incorporating a curved floor 18 and upright sides 20,22. A blender shaft 24 is disposed in the passage. [0039] The blender shaft includes a central shaft with blending members disposed therearound in a spiral arrangement. In the embodiment shown, the 7 blending members are provided by tines or pegs 26 disposed in a spiral pattern along at least a portion of the shaft. [0040] The feed end of the shaft also includes a section of solid flights 28. This section aids feed of the materials to be blended to the tined/pegged section of the shaft downstream in the passage, and helps to ensure that the feed materials do not backup and block the equipment feeding the blender, such as teasing equipment that loosens out and initially separates the feed materials for blending together. [0041] A drive motor 30 is mounted to one end of the shaft via drive coupling 32. The drive coupling can include gearing to vary the output speed and torque of the motor to suit the drive needs of the shaft, particularly when the motor is under load with materials being blended. Alternatively or in addition, a torque coupling may be provided between the motor and the shaft to absorb Start up resistance. The drive motor may be powered by hydraulics, pneumatics or electricity. [0042] The distal end 34 of the shaft is supported in a bearing carrier 36 supported b a bracket 38 above the outlet end of the blender. [0043] A number of inspection hatches 40 are provided along the upper surface 42 of the blender to aid access for clearing blockages or for maintenance on the shaft or tines/pegs. In addition, the inlet has a hood 44 with an access or inspection hatch 46. [0044] Figures 2a and 2b show respective exploded perspective views of the blender 10. The trough 18 of the passage includes trough sections 18a,18b18c... , the number and length of the trough sections depending on the specifications and application required for the blender.

8 [0045] The outlet end 14 of the blender includes a shaft carrier bracket 38 mounted to framing 48 forming the casing for the passage. The carrier 38 includes an upright support member 50 with a distal end holding the bearing carrier 36. [0046] It will be appreciated that the blender passage may be modular in the sense that the trough and sides, and preferably the shaft and tines/peg sections can be added to or shortened to vary the required length of the blender. The capacity and amount of blending can therefore be tuned to a particular specification. Rotation speed and angle of the shaft from horizontal can also be variables. [0047] The continuous solid section of flights at the inlet end of the blender helps to feed unblended materials to the tines/pegs as the shaft rotates, and thereof also helps feed those materials away from the inlet to prevent the equipment feeding the blender for becoming backlogged with material. This helps overall productivity. [0048] Height adjustment of one end of the blender relative to the other can help control blending speed and output capacity. Raising the outlet end relative to the inlet end slows output and causes the materials to remain longer in the blender, and therefore to be more thoroughly blended. The opposite effect results from lowering the outlet end with respect to the inlet end. Varying the speed of rotation of the shaft also affects linger time in the blender and output capacity. [0049] Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section through the blender 10. The segmented flight section can be seen on the shaft at the inlet feed end of the shaft. Flight segments 28a,28b,28c,28d,28e... can be seen. Each flight segment is a spiral extending 3600 around the shaft. The a break to the next adjacent flight segment etc. Alternatively, a continuous flight section may be used.

9 [0050] The tines/pegs are provided in a continuous spiral and spaced evenly around the shaft. However, tine/pegs segments similar to the flight segments may be employed, and/or unevenly spaced tines/pegs relative to one another may be provided. [0051] Figure 3 also shows the outlet end 14 raised relative to the inlet end 12, as described above. Adjustable feet or legs may be provided. Hydraulic lifting means may be employed to raise/lower one end relative to the other.. [0052] Figure 4 shows a view into the outlet end 14 of the blender. The arrangement of tines/pegs 26 can be seen spaced around and mounted to the shaft 24. [0053] Blending the animal feed to form blended hay, straw, vetch etc, is effected by controlling the blender. The shaft, and therefore the tines/pegs and flights, are rotated by the motor. Loose animal feed is supplied by teasing equipment into the inlet hopper. The flights ensure take-up of material and thereby initially feed the material to the tines/pegs and prevent the inlet getting backlogged by material. [0054] As the material is driven along the passage by rotation of the spirally arranged tines/pegs, and by low pressure applied by the flights pushing material forward, the tines mix together the different materials in the passage. Long and short strands of material are mixed together, different types of plant material are mixed evenly, to form an evenly blended fodder product. The blended product is fed to downstream processing equipment, such as a baler.

Claims (12)

1. An animal feed blender, the blender including an inlet for supply of the feed to be blended, an outlet for blended feed and a blending stage between the inlet and the outlet, the blending stage including a rotatable shaft disposed in a blending passage, the shaft including at least one blending member, and a drive means to rotate the shaft to effect blending.

2. The blender according to claim 1, the at least one blending member including multiple tines or pegs or blades arranged in one or more segments of spiral pattern about the shaft.

3. The blender according to claim 1 or 2, including at least one section of spiral flight(s).

4. The blender according to claim 3, the at least one section of spiral flight(s) including a section of continuous spiral flight(s).

5. The blender according to claim 3, the at least one section of spiral flight(s) being segmented flight(s).

6. The blender according to claim 4 or 5, the continuous or segmented section of flight(s) may be provided adjacent the inlet.

7. The blender according to any one of the preceding claims, including a height adjustment to raise or lower one of the inlet and outlet ends relative to the other.

8. The blender according to any one of the preceding claims, including one or more inspection hatches providing access to the passage. 11

9. A method of blending animal feed including the steps of: feeding animal feed material into an inlet end of a blender according to any one of the preceding claims, rotating a shaft in a passage, the shaft having tines or pegs, feeding the material to the rotating tines or pegs, blending the material to a required consistency as the material progresses along the passage to an outlet, outputting blended material from the outlet.

10. The method according to claim 9, including initially feeding the material for blending to a section of continuous or segmented flights to effect feeding the material to the tines or pegs in the passage.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the continuous or segmented flights are on the same shaft as the tines or pegs and rotate therewith.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, including controlling rate of output of blended material by controlling one or more of rate of rotation of the shaft and inclination of the shaft from horizontal. NAQRROGIN HAY PTY LTD WILSON STOCKFEEDS (TOCUMWAL) PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS UIP1415AUOO