Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
  • A01K5/001—Fodder distributors with mixer or shredder
  • A01K5/002—Fodder distributors with mixer or shredder with mixing or shredding element rotating on horizontal axis

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a mixing machine distributing products, in particular for feeding cattle, for preparing compost or the like.
• Document US Pat. No. 3,672,640 in particular discloses mixing machines formed by a bucket open on the top.
• This bucket contains a large diameter rotor which extends longitudinally between the end walls and which is partially enveloped by a rounded bottom in the form of a trough or cradle.
• This rotor mixes and mixes the products which it transfers progressively onto an endless screw arranged laterally, parallel to said rotor, and whose diameter is three to four times smaller than the latter.
• This lateral screw also extends between the two end walls of the bucket, and it is also partially wrapped by a bottom in the form of a trough or cradle; it achieves a continuous longitudinal movement of
• the dispensing orifice is located on either side of the horizontal plane passing through the axis of the mixing / dispensing screw. In this machine, the small side screw moves the products from top to bottom opposite the distribution hatch. This type of machine only performs mixing operations for products intended in particular for animal feed.
• the document EP-0498 543 describes a machine of the type described above, comprising a product cutting function thanks to the presence of a transfer and cutting screw, which makes it possible to incorporate products of the hay or straw in the bucket.
• This transfer screw the diameter of which is substantially the same as that of the aforementioned mixing / distribution screw, is arranged above the latter, turning in the same direction but with an inverted propeller pitch. It has knives on its periphery which allow to drive and cut hay or straw.
• Such machines combine a function of mixing products with a function of cutting the latter.
• Mixing machines distributing products for feeding cattle similar to that of document EP-0498 543 are also described in documents FR-2 820 952 and FR-2 820 953. In these machines, opposite the distribution hatch , the mixing / distribution screw moves the products from the bottom to the top.
• the cradle of the mixing / distribution screw best fits the lower part of the periphery of this screw, so as to optimize the mixing and handling of the products; for this purpose, the clearance between the screw cradle and the periphery of the screw is substantially constant, of the order of 10 to 20 mm, for example.
• the distribution flap extends the screw cradle so as to preserve the aforementioned clearance up to the horizontal plane passing through the axis of the screw (this structural configuration is not visible in Figures 1 of the two corresponding documents, since these two figures are cross sections of the machine not passing through the distribution hatch).
• the end of the mixing / dispensing screw has a short length with inverted pitch, to facilitate the recycling of products in the closed hatch position, and to optimize emptying, in the open hatch position.
• the effect of these jams results in a strong power requisition on the drive motorization of the mixing / distribution screw, in this case very often the motorization of an agricultural tractor. It is therefore necessary to use very powerful motorizations and very mechanical assemblies resistant, able to absorb the aforementioned stuffing phenomena, under penalty of causing stalling of the motorization and / or significant risk of breakage in terms of the mechanical drive of the members.
• the present invention relates to a mixing machine distributing products of the type described in documents FR-2 820 952 and FR-
• bottom comprises a section in the form of a cradle partially enveloping a large diameter mixing rotor which extends horizontally up to the end walls, which cradle is connected by an edge to a section in the form of a cradle partially enveloping a screw endless mixing / distribution, horizontal axis, which extends parallel to said rotor to move said products from one end to the other of the bottom, going towards a dispensing orifice associated with a movable hatch, which orifice is fitted on one of said side walls, and possibly on a part of said screw cradle, near one of said end walls of the bucket said screw without end of mixing / dispensing being rotated in a suitable direction to move the products from the bottom upwards facing the dispensing hatch, this machine being characterized by the fact that the inside face of the movable hatch, and possibly the portion of the screw cradle which is located opposite the dispensing orifice, are shaped so, from one of their lines parallel to the axi
• the line of the screw cradle or of the internal face of the hatch which constitutes the entrance to the evacuation section with progressive opening, is situated upstream from the median plane situated between said horizontal plane P and the vertical alignment.
• the axis of the mixing / distribution screw taking into account the direction of rotation of this screw.
• the entry of the evacuation section with progressive opening is located upstream of the vertical line of the axis of said mixing / distribution screw, always taking into account the direction of rotation of this screw.
• the line constituting the inlet of the evacuation section with progressive opening is located on the edge which connects the rotor cradle and the screw cradle, or near this edge.
• the discharge section at. progressive opening extends beyond the line corresponding to the intersection of the horizontal plane P passing through the axis of the mixing / distribution screw with the movable hatch.
• the mixing / distribution screw is surmounted by a transfer screw adapted to move the products longitudinally in the bucket, in a direction which is the opposite of that induced by said mixing / distribution screw, the hatch mobile having a curved interior profile adapted so as, in the closed position, to orient the products coming from said mixing / dispensing screw, towards said transfer screw.
• the lower end edge of the dispensing orifice is located substantially perpendicular to the axis of the mixing / distributing screw, and this orifice is associated with a movable hatch mounted to pivot, articulated around a horizontal axis located at its upper end edge, which hatch is associated with at least one actuating cylinder.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a distributing mixing bucket according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view along B-B of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along A-A of Figure 1;
• - Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 3, detailing the evacuation section with progressive opening of the bucket;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3, with the removable door in the open position;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a mixing distributor machine according to the invention, provided with an articulated distribution hatch;
• FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a bucket 1 in the form of a tank or box delimited by a bottom 2, side walls 3 and 4 and front end walls 5 and rear 6.
• the bucket 1 East mounted on a rolling chassis fitted with an arrow allowing it to be coupled to a tractor vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor; in an alternative embodiment, the bucket can be carried by a towing vehicle.
• the bottom 2 comprises two sections 7 and 8, each in the form of a trough or cradle. These two sections 7 and 8 have general shapes substantially in the portion of a cylinder whose radii are different.
• the radius of the section 8 is of the order of three to four times less than that of the section 7, and these two sections meet by forming an edge marked 9.
• the section 7 of the bottom 2 constitutes the partial envelope of a mixing rotor
• the section 8 of the bottom 2 partially envelops a screw 1 for mixing and dispensing the product, which extends parallel to the mixing rotor 10.
• This screw 11 has a diameter which is three to four times less than that of the rotor 10; its upper periphery is located substantially at the same level as the axis of the rotor 10.
• a second screw 12, called transfer screw, extends above the screw 11, parallel to the latter.
• This screw 12 has a diameter which corresponds substantially to that of the screw 11.
• the transfer screw 12 is equipped with teeth or knives 13 capable of cutting or shredding products of the grass, hay or straw type. These teeth or knives 13 advantageously cooperate with a system of counter knives 14 mounted on a longitudinal beam 15.
• the transfer screw 12 is advantageously associated with an upper flap 6, pivoting, articulated for example on the beam 15 to close or open the upper opening of the bucket.
• an orifice 17 is arranged at the side wall 3 and the bottom section 8 to ensure the distribution of the mixture of products.
• This dispensing orifice 17 has a generally square or rectangular shape; it extends over a width] and it is delimited by a lower border 17a and by an upper border 17b. In addition, it is arranged on either side of a horizontal plane P passing through the axis 11b of the mixing / distribution screw 11.
• This orifice 17 is associated with a movable hatch 18, here in the form of a sliding hatch operated by a jack 19.
• the screw 11 has a length 11 a whose pitch is reversed relative to the pitch of the rest of its length ( Figure 2).
• the flap 16 being in the open position, the products to be mixed are poured into the bucket 1 above the screw 12; this screw 12 directs the products towards the rotor 10 which performs their mixing.
• the rotor 10 propels the products towards the screw 11 and this screw 11 moves them from one end to the other of the bucket, from the rear to the front for example, as illustrated by the orientation arrows of the Figures 1 and 2.
• the hatch 18 being closed, in the pitch reversal zone of the screw 11, the product mixture is oriented against said hatch 18 and forced by the latter to go up towards the transfer screw 12 in view of its recycling in the bucket.
• This upper transfer screw 12 rotates in the same direction as the mixing / distribution screw 11, but the pitch of its propeller is reversed to circulate the products from the front to the rear of the bucket, for example (see orientation arrows of Figures 1 and 2), and thus to improve the mixing.
• the distribution of the product mixture is obtained by opening the hatch 18; the short length 11a of the screw 11, with inverted pitch, facilitates the exit of the products through the orifice 17.
• the rotor 10 and the two screws 11 and 12 are driven in rotation by an appropriate motorization, in particular by the motorization of the agricultural tractor associated with the machine.
• the wall which surrounds this screw 11 at the level of the distribution orifice 17 is shaped so as to gradually move away from the periphery of said screw 11 to define a section for discharging the product with progressive opening, this from a line located upstream of a line corresponding to the intersection of the horizontal plane P passing through the axis 11 b of the screw 11 with the movable hatch 18, and at least up to said horizontal plane P.
• the wall in question defining the shape of this evacuation section with progressive opening may consist only of the inner face of the movable hatch 18, or of this inner hatch face associated with the portion 8a of the screw cradle 8 which is located opposite the distribution orifice 17, between the lower edge 17a of this orifice 17 and the edge
• the progressive spacing defined above is understood in the direction of rotation of the mixing / distribution screw 11 (that is to say a direction ensuring the displacement of the products from the bottom upwards facing the hatch 18 ).
• the cradle 8 of the screw 11 may have an entirely conventional shape, best enveloping the lower part of the periphery of said screw 11; the spacing between the cradle 8 and the periphery of the screw 11 is then constant or substantially constant, of the order of 10 to 20 mm for example. In an alternative embodiment, this spacing may be slightly increasing, taking account of the direction of rotation of the screw.
• Figures 3 and 4 detail a possible embodiment of the above-mentioned progressive opening discharge section.
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the machine at the dispensing opening 17 associated with the movable hatch 18; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 3, illustrating the invention in detail.
• the cradle 8 follows the periphery of the screw 11 substantially up to at the line marked 20; then, from this line 20, the cradle 8a progressively departs from the periphery of the screw 11, to the lower edge 17a of the dispensing orifice
• the cradle portion 8a is spaced from the periphery of the screw 11 by a constant or substantially constant distance of the order of 10 to 20 mm; between the line 20 and the line formed by the lower edge 17a of the dispensing orifice 17, the distance between the portion of the cradle 8a and the periphery of the screw
• the interior face of the hatch 18 has a generally curved shape which, in the closed hatch position, continues to move away progressively from the turn of the screw 11.
• the clearance between the periphery of the mixing / dispensing screw 11 and the lower part of the hatch 18 is approximately 60 mm, and the corresponding clearance passes to approximately 240 mm at the upper part of said hatch 18 which.
• the profile of the cradle 8a and of the interior face of the hatch 18 is not concentric with the axis 11b of the screw 11, but eccentric; this profile is elliptical or substantially elliptical and, as explained above, it deviates progressively from the periphery of the turn of the screw in order to be continuously releasing, this of course with respect to the direction of rotation of the screw 11, identified by the orientation arrow 24.
• This particular configuration optimizes the handling of the mixture of products by the screw 11 and its delivery in the direction of the transfer screw 12. This thus greatly limits the phenomena of stuffing at the level of the screw.
• the opening of the hatch 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5, ensures the distribution of the product outside the bucket, in a conventional manner.
• the movable hatch 18 may be in the form of a curved flap, articulated at its upper edge about an axis 25 parallel to the axis of the screws 11 and 12.
• the hinged flap 18 is here again operated by means of a jack 19.
• the lower end edge of the dispensing orifice 17 is located downstream of the plumb line of the axis 11b of the mixing / distribution screw 11. As illustrated in FIG.
• the evacuation section with progressive opening 22 extends from a line marked 20 situated between the edge 9 and the vertical alignment of the axis 11b of the screw 11, to a level located beyond the horizontal plane P passing through said axis 11 b.
• the entrance to this section 22 can be located before or after this line 20 (in particular between the edge 9 and a zone located between the vertical axis of the axis 11b of the screw 11 and the line 23 of the horizontal plane P), and its outlet may be located before the upper edge 17b of said orifice 17 (in particular between this upper edge 17b and said line 23).
• the entry of this section 22 is located upstream of the median plane located between the horizontal plane P and the vertical alignment of the axis of the screw 11.
• the curved profile defining this section 22 with progressive opening advantageously consists of: 'a fixed part 8a extending the rotor cradle 7 and the curved internal face of the hatch 18.
• the curvature of the internal face of the hatch 18 can define this evacuation section 22 with progressive opening, the lower edge of the hatch 18 extending to a fixed portion of cylindrical shape centered on the axis 11b of the screw 11, or even extending to the aforementioned edge 9.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Birds (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
• Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Fodder In General (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34508537

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2003
  • 2003-11-18 FR FR0313455A patent/FR2862188B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-11-18 WO PCT/FR2004/002944 patent/WO2005048694A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-11-18 EP EP04805481A patent/EP1686847A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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