AU9333101A - Feed dispenser - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: PENDULUM DAIRY GATES PTY LTD Actual Inventors: Christopher John Larsen and Owen Maxwell Larsen Address for Service: CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia Invention Title: FEED DISPENSER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 22/11/01,td11731.cs,1 -2- This invention relates to a feed dispenser for animals and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a feed dispenser for rationing feed or grain to livestock especially cows, poultry, pigs, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a feed dispenser that is simple to operate and provides a reduced chance of mechanical breakdown.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feed dispenser that can be incorporated into a mechanical, or sophisticated electronically managed system.

With these objects in view the present invention provides a feed dispenser for animals, said feed dispenser including a feed holding means divided into at least two feed holding receptacles, said feed holding means adapted to be movable between at least two positions, a first position where one of said at least two feed holding receptacles can be filled from a feed supply whilst another of said at least two feed holding receptacles discharges any feed filled from said feed supply, and a second position where said another of said at least two feed holding receptacles can be filled from a feed supply whilst said one of said at least two feed holding receptacles discharges any feed filled from said feed supply.

Preferably said feed holding means pivots between said at least two positions. In a practical embodiment a locking means releasably retains said feed holding means at said at least two positions. Preferably said locking means is 20 electrically or mechanically actuated.

In one embodiment said feed holding means includes a pair of adjoining or abutting feed receptacles which pivot between said first and second positions, and a pair of stop members are provided to limit the pivotal movement of respective feed receptacles. Preferably said feed holding means includes a base, a pair of 25 opposing side walls and a dividing wall centrally located between said pair of opposing side walls and terminating on said base to form said pair of adjoining or abutting feed receptacles.

S°In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a feed dispenser made in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 2-2 shown in Fig. 1; 22/11/01,tdl 1731.spe,2 -3- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 3-3 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar view to that of Fig. 2 of a second embodiment of a feed dispenser made in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown a feed dispenser 10 for dispensing feed to livestock e.g. poultry, cattle, fish, pigs, etc. Feed can be provided using a screw conveyor (not shown) or other suitable feed supply means to a feed drop chute 12 for a particular animal or a designated area. For example, in a milking parlor, a drop chute would be made available to each milking stall, whereas for a chicken farm each drop chute may empty into a feeding area for a number of chickens. Feed dispenser 10 has a main collection chamber 14 having faces 16,18 and shaped sides 20,21. The upper most open end of faces 16,18 and shaped sides 20,21 can be attached to drop chute 12 by any convenient method e.g. welding, screw attachment or any other suitable method. In the embodiment shown, main collection chamber 14 is attached by welding together co-operating fitted necks at 22. Drop chute 12 has a tapered chute to provide a better control of feed into main collection chamber 14.

A feed holding device 24 is pivotally attached to faces 16,18 by an axle 26.

20 Feed holding device 24 in this embodiment includes a pair of semi-circular side plates 28,30 linked by a base web 32. A dividing wall 34 attached to base web 32 links side plates 28,30 to form a pair of feed receptacles 33,35 defined by dividing ooooo wall 34, its associated parts of side plates 28,20 and its associated part of base web 34. Axle 26 is radially offset from the mid point of the radial line through which it 25 passes to provide an overbalance state when feed holding device 24 is free. A pair of tangs 36,37 have been expressed from side plate 30. Each tang 36,37 provides a stop for the pin 42 of a solenoid 44. Accordingly, feed holding device 24 can pivot tl between two positions, namely, where pin 42 abuts tang 36 as shown, or where pin 42 abuts tang end 37. Solenoid 44 is preferably connected to an electronic controller (not shown) to selectively activate or de-activate the solenoid 44. The electronic controller can be part of a management system for a milking parlor where the cows are monitored e.g. by electronic ear tags, and solenoid 44 can be operated depending on the requirements of the monitored cow.

22/11/01,tdl 1731.spe,3 -4- In order to reduce noise and provide a movement limit stop, a pair of rubber dampers 46,48 are provided. A dispenser chute 50 collects any feed that bypasses feed holding device 24 from drop chute 12, and collects all feed that exits from feed holding device 24. A divider plate 51 will assist the smooth exit of feed from main collection chamber 14. A rubber multi-finger device 52 is attached to the end of dividing wall 34 to assist in collection of feed.

In use, the feed dispenser 10 will be in the position shown in Fig. 1. When feed falls through drop chute 12 it will gather in feed receptacle 33. Feed receptacle 33 will fill to a point where it cannot contain any more feed and its own mass stops any more feed falling down drop chute 12. The volume of feed receptacles 33,35 are predetermined to suit requirements and typically may receive 250 gm of feed. The electronic controller can, at a programmed time, activate solenoid 44. Pin 42 will be withdrawn from engagement with the tang 42. As feed receptacle 35 is empty and axle 26 is offset from the mid point of its radial line feed holding device 24 will overbalance and rotate counter clockwise to abut rubber damper 46. This pivoting action will result in the feed contained in feed receptacle 33 being emptied into dispenser chute 50. Pin 42 of solenoid will, when released, then abut tang 37 and prevent its return to its previous position. Feed from drop chute 12 will now start filling feed receptacle 35. Similarly, when feed receptacle 35 is full and solenoid 44 20 activated, feed will empty from feed receptacle 35 into dispenser chute Accordingly, as an example, three pulses to solenoid 44 will result in 750 gm of feed being dispensed to dispenser chute 50 through the oscillating nature of the operation of feed dispenser 10. The invention will provide a simple and accurate dosage of feed to be dispensed. As the emptying of the feed holding device 24 relies on a 25 gravity action, there is little mechanical breakdown for the feed dispenser The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described. Tangs 36,37 can be substituted by holes or other shaped protuberances or recesses. For S0 an unsophisticated operation, solenoid 44 can be replaced by a spring loaded pin which may use a mechanical retraction for the pin e.g. a manual pull cord. The shape and construction of feed holding device 24 can be varied to suit particular environments. Although the preferred embodiment shows two feed receptacles 33,35 the invention could include within its design further feed receptacles.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the same reference numerals used with respect to Figs. 1 to 3 have been used to indicate similar integers to 22/11/01,td1 1731.spe,4 avoid repetition of description. In this embodiment a pair of abutting feed drop chutes 12A,12B supply a pair of independently operable feed holding devices 24A,24B with feed. The feed may be different which allows a mixture of feeds to be delivered to the animals. Respective solenoids 44A,44B allow a precise control of feed delivery.

The invention will be understood to embrace many further modifications as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention, there having been set forth herein only the broad nature of the invention and certain specific embodiments by way of example.

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22/11/01,td11731.spe,5

Claims (8)

1. A feed dispenser for animals, said feed dispenser including a feed holding means divided into at least two feed holding receptacles, said feed holding means adapted to be movable between at least two positions, a first position where one of said at least two feed holding receptacles can be filled from a feed supply whilst another of said at least two feed holding receptacles discharges any feed filled from said feed supply, and a second position where said another of said at least two feed holding receptacles can be filled from a feed supply whilst said one of said at least two feed holding receptacles discharges any feed filled from said feed supply.

2. The feed dispenser of claim 1, wherein said feed holding means pivots between said at least two positions.

3. The feed dispenser of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a locking means releasably retains said feed holding means at said at least two positions.

4. The feed dispenser of claim 3, wherein said locking means is 20 electrically or mechanically actuated.

The feed dispenser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said feed holding means includes a pair of adjoining or abutting feed receptacles which pivot between said first and second positions, and a pair of stop members are 25 provided to limit the pivotal movement of respective feed receptacles.

6. The feed dispenser of claim 5, wherein said feed holding means includes a base, a pair of opposing side walls and a dividing wall centrally located S. between said pair of opposing side walls and terminating on said base to form said pair of adjoining or abutting feed receptacles.

7. The feed dispenser of claim 3, wherein said locking means includes a solenoid and a pair of projections on each feed receptacle, whereby 22/11/01,tdl 1731.spe,6 -7- engagement of respective projections with said solenoid define said first and second positions.

8. The feed dispenser of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of said feed holding means are provided which are associated with a respective one of a plurality of feed supplies. Dated this 2 2 nd day of November, 2001. PENDULUM DAIRY GATES PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE S S 22/11/01,tdl 1731.spe,7