ES2408786B1 - AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETENTION, PRIMING AND CATCH OF LIVESTOCK IN FREEDOM. - Google Patents

Abstract

Automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom, which includes a fence (2) with a gate (6) with an automatic opening for the entry and exit of animals, and a conventional door (7) for personnel, with feeders (11) linked to an automated auger circuit that provides feed from a silo (14). Both the gate opening system (6) and the feed supply to the feeders (11), are controlled by a programmable automaton (17) that in addition to the motor drive (12 and 13) manages a sensor (18) photoelectric and a warning horn (19). The power supply of motors (12 and 13) programmable automaton (17) sensor and horn is carried out by means of electrical energy produced by photovoltaic solar panels (20) connected to a photovoltaic controller (21) and accumulation batteries (22).

Description

Automated enclosure for retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as stated in the present specification, refers to an automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom, which contributes to the function to which several advantages are destined in addition to innovative features inherent in its particular organization and constitution, which will be described in detail below and that represent a remarkable improvement for the scope of its application.

More particularly, the object of the invention is focused on an infrastructure consisting of an enclosure equipped with automation systems and powered by solar energy, intended to control, by means of its retention and priming, cattle that graze freely in mountain areas or similar, serving also for its capture, doing it through the use of the environment and conditioned reflexes, what is known as the "Pavlov reflex", having as main objectives the reduction or elimination, if possible, of the guide staff to animals to their accommodation and even feeders, avoid the need to close the properties to control the escape of animals, as well as to be able to conduct studies on the behavior of animals by managing a model based on a pattern of daily feeding .

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The scope of the present invention is part of the livestock sector, both extensive and semi-extensive or mixed, focusing on the industry dedicated to the manufacture and installation of infrastructure for the retention and feeding of livestock, particularly cattle (sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and the like).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, livestock from farms in extensive or semi-extensive is confined to two types of management: on the other hand in grazing-based systems, which require the presence of personnel pending livestock management, being the case of most cattle and goats in extensive regime; On the other hand, there are extensive livestock farms in completely enclosed properties, this being the typical system that is currently used in extensive cattle and pig farms, with the enormous cost of carrying out such fences, as well as the significant damages that these closures represent in the wildlife movement.

The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternative system that, in an automated way, allows the control of cattle in freedom, and to retain and prime it, avoiding the aforementioned drawbacks of the traditional systems existing so far.

As a reference to the state of the art, it should be noted that the existence of any other automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle or similar application invention that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics similar to those that are unknown is unknown. presents the one that is recommended here, and whose characterizing details are conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present specification thereof.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom that the present invention proposes is configured as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since, according to its implementation and in a restrictive manner, the objectives mentioned above, since this site is based on an innovative infrastructure that allows reconciling the use of the natural environment and creating synergies with the land, through the promotion of farms with free livestock, to:

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 prevent fires in the forest because the animals remove the combustible material from the surface (the pig is the only animal species that takes advantage of and eliminates the ferns because they feed on the rhizomes and make them disappear);

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 take advantage of underutilized organic materials and transform them into top quality products;

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 fertilize and aerate the soil, improving productivity and its rehabilitation;

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 assist in the conservation and management of land resources and water resources;

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and / or to contribute to the scenic beauty of the environment by giving it life and movement with live animals that take advantage of these natural resources.

For this, and already specifically, what the invention proposes is an installation configured as a cattle enclosure with the following elements:

A fence that delimits the enclosure itself, whose dimensions will depend on the species and the number of animals to which it is destined, which is configured from a bearing structure of posts stuck in the ground, either directly or on footings, which It supports a set of walls capable of preventing the transit of animals from outside to inside and from inside to outside.

This fence is equipped with two doors or access gates, one automated and intended to allow the controlled entry and exit of animals, and another to allow the entry of personnel to handle animals and other tasks of the farm.

Both the opening system of the cattle access gate inside the fence, as well as the food supply system to the feeders provided inside, are controlled by an automated management system, in which, in addition, the use of a horn as a provoking element of conditioned reflexes of the animals and make them come to the enclosure when it interests.

On the other hand, the power supply of the motors and automatisms is made from electrical energy produced by solar panels that are placed in the vicinity of the fence, allowing the installation to be completely autonomous and can be installed in remote mountain locations to which It is destined.

With all this, and taking advantage of the aforementioned Pavlov reflex, the enclosure that the invention proposes provides an innovative system for managing cattle without the need to make enclosures of large farms, since with said automated enclosure such management can be carried out and priming of animals with a minimum of personnel, as well as preventing their exit from the area where they are held for as long as necessary.

As essential advantages of the recommended site, the following can be listed:

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 It can be adapted to the characteristics of many family farms.

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 It is adaptable to the proposed exploitation modes for the Celtic swine breed of Galicia, therefore it will allow its recovery and dissemination while helping to establish the population dedicated to the exploitation of this livestock resource.

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 The current outdoor operating systems in pig huts in Galicia have already been tested. This system allows to optimize the achievement of labor reduction and optimize the use of natural resources with a minimized environmental impact.

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In the current context, the high value of raw materials used in the manufacture of concentrates makes production systems more expensive. This method makes it possible to use grazing more and better, reduce the use of concentrated foods and, therefore, reduce costs.

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 This type of management is in line with current regulations for animal welfare and the sustainable development of the natural environment.

In view of the foregoing, it is found that the automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now in its field of application, reasons that together with its practical utility, endow it with sufficient basis to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made of the enclosure object of the invention, and to help a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish it, the present descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in those that with illustrative and non-limiting nature have represented the following:

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Figure number 1.- Shows a plan view of an example of realization of the automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom object of the invention, its general configuration and the main parts and elements comprising as well as the disposition of them.

Figures 2-A and 2-B. - They show an elevation view of an embodiment of the walls of the enclosure with the entrance and exit door for cattle, showing, respectively, said door in closed and open position.

Figure number 3.- Shows an elevation view of another embodiment of the walls of the enclosure, in this case combining wood and metal.

Figure number 4.- Shows an elevation view of another section of the enclosure wall with the access door for personnel.

Figure number 5.- It shows an elevation view of the structure and the floor of the enclosure, showing in it the layered configuration of the posts and the grid incorporated in the ground for the collection of cattle droppings.

Figure number 6.- Shows a diagram of the electrical automation control system that incorporates the enclosure with the photovoltaic system that feeds it.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and according to the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be seen therein, which comprises the parts and elements described in detail below.

Thus, as observed in said figures, the invention consists of an enclosure (1) delimited by a fence (2) of varying dimensions and shape, both in height and perimeter size, depending on the species and number of animals to be allocated in each case, in any case able to retain these animals inside and prevent the free entry or exit of them, which is configured from a plurality of supporting posts (3), nailed directly to the terrain or on concrete footings (4), which support a set of perimeter walls (5) (figure 1).

The posts (3) are metal beams, angled in their upper part (figure 5), where metal sheets are incorporated, screwed together, forming a semi-cover (23) that covers part of the interior space. On the other hand, the side walls (5) can be formed by metal panels equally screwed to the posts (3) and which, preferably, are installed buried underground in the ground, or by wooden planks or by a combination of both (figure 3).

The fence (2) has at least two accesses, an automated opening gate (6) by means of a first motor (12) and composed of two horizontally foldable sheets, designed to allow controlled entry and exit of animals (figures 2-A and 2-B), and a conventional door (7) to allow the entry of personnel (figure 4).

The floor of the enclosure (1) is covered by grilles (8), whose measures will depend on the livestock species to be managed, which are incorporated on pillars (9) that, preferably, form a part of them to be suspended to a certain extent. distance above the ground, foils (10) of PVC or similar flexible material having been provided under said grilles (8) to protect the ground and collect the ejections of the cattle (figure 5).

The enclosure (1) has a plurality of feeders (11) for cattle, whose size will depend on the type of livestock and number of heads to handle. To automatically provide said feeders (11) of the feed that feeds the cattle, these are linked to an automated auger circuit (not shown) that, driven by a second motor (13), moves said feed from a silo (14) prefabricated, provided for that purpose on the outside of the fence (2), to said feeders (11).

Likewise, the enclosure (1) has a set of drinking fountains (15) whose position, dimensions and type will adapt the type of cattle and number of heads to be managed, said set of drinking fountains (15) being fed by a cistern (16) provided externally; either by gravity, placing the tank (16) higher than the drinking fountains (15), or by injecting pressure through a motor pump (not shown). Said tank (16), preferably, consists of a mobile assembly, which makes it possible to transport it for refilling.

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Both the opening system of the gate (6) for access to livestock inside the enclosure (1), as well as the feed supply system to the feeders (11), respectively driven by the aforementioned engines (12 and 13), are controlled by an automated system that, linked by means of the corresponding wiring, comprises a programmable automaton (17) also manages, at least, a photoelectric sensor (18), to automatically link its drive to the light changes and allow the cattle to be free during the day and collected at night in the enclosure, and a horn (19) for warning to cause the conditioned reflexes of the animals (Pavlov reflex) and make them come to the enclosure themselves when it sounds.

The electrical supply of the motors (12 and 13) as well as of said programmable automaton (17), of the sensor and of the horn, is carried out by means of electrical energy produced by photovoltaic solar panels (20) that are placed in the vicinity of the near (2), for which these, as shown in the scheme shown in figure 6, are connected to photovoltaic controller (21) and to accumulation batteries (22).

Finally, it should be noted that the fence (2) that delimits the enclosure (1) of the invention, and that as indicated is formed from perimeter posts (3) and perimeter walls (5), is preferably a removable structure and articulable which can be provided in any way, rectangular, such as the example shown, square, hexagonal, octagonal or the polygonal shape that is more convenient, both regular and irregular, to adapt it to the needs of each case.

Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it, stating that, within its essentiality, it may be carried out in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which it will also achieve the protection that is sought provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle .

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Claims (8)

1.- AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETENTION, PRIMING AND CATTLE OF LIVESTOCK IN LIBERTY, particularly applicable to cattle (sheep, goats, pigs, cattle…) and which, based on the capture of cattle by conditioned reflexes (Pavlov reflex) so that the animals go to the enclosure (1) by themselves, it is characterized in that it comprises a fence (2) of variable dimensions with at least one gate (6), of automatic opening by means of a first motor (12), for entry and exit controlled of the animals, and a conventional door (7) for the personnel, in whose interior it counts on a plurality of feeders (11) for cattle, linked to an automated circuit of augers that by means of a second motor (13) contributes feed from a silo (14); in which, both the gate opening system (6) and the feed supply system to the feeders (11), are controlled by a programmable automaton (17) which in addition to the motor drive (12 and 13) manages At least one photoelectric sensor (18) and a warning horn (19). 2. AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETENTION, PRIMING AND CATCH OF LIVESTOCK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply of the motors (12 and 13) of the programmable automaton (17) of the sensor and the horn, is carried out by electrical energy produced by photovoltaic solar panels (20) connected to a photovoltaic controller (21) and accumulation batteries (22). 3. AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETENTION, PRIMING AND CATTLE OF LIVESTOCK, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it also has an internal set of drinking fountains (15) fed by a tank (16) provided externally; either by gravity, placing the tank (16) higher than the drinking fountains (15), or by injecting pressure through a motor pump. 4.- AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETAINING, PRIMING AND CATCHING LIVESTOCK, according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the fence (2) is configured from a plurality of supporting posts (3), nailed directly to the ground or on concrete footings (4), which support a set of perimeter walls (5) formed by metal panels screwed to the posts (3) or by wooden planks or by a combination of both. 5. AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETAINING, PRIMING AND CATTLE OF LIVESTOCK, according to claim 4, characterized in that the posts (3) are metal beams, bent at the top and incorporate, bolted, metal sheets forming a semi-covered covering part of the interior space of the enclosure. 6. AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETENTION, PRIMING AND CATTLE OF LIVESTOCK, according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the hearth is covered with grilles (8) incorporated on pillars (9) being suspended some distance above the ground , sheets (10) of flexible material having been provided under said grids (8) to protect the soil and collect the ejections of the cattle. 7.- AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT FOR RETAINING, PRIMING AND CATTLE OF LIVESTOCK, according to any of claims 4-6, characterized in that the fence (2) of perimeter posts (3) and perimeter walls (5), is a removable structure and articulable which can be provided with any polygonal shape, both regular and irregular, to adapt it to the needs of each case. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application number: 201131720 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 10.25.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A01K3 / 00 (2006.01) E04H17 / 00 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

TO

WO 9619917 A2 (TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS FINANCE et al.) 04.07.1996, description: page 1, lines 9-19; page 5, line 29 - page 7, line 6; page 13, line 27 - page 14, line 36; page 16, line 22 - page 19, line 31; page 21, lines 4-14; figures. 1-7

TO

EP 0189954 A1 (LELY NV C VAN DER) 06.08.1986, description: page 2, lines 9-34; page 4, line 30 - page 5, line 10; page 5, line 34 - page 6, line 37; page 8, lines 28-37; page 11, lines 11-32; page 14, line 22 - page 15, line 16; page 19, line 23 - page 20, line 35; figures. 1-7

TO

US 5195455 A (VAN DER LELY ARY et al.) 23.03.1993, description: column 1, lines 30-40; column 2, lines 41-45; column 4, line 29 - column 6, line 2; column 8, line 21 - column 9, line 48; column 12, lines 3-20; figures. 1-7

TO

US 6147609 A (SPIES BILL) 14.11.2000, description: column 1, line 30 - column 2, line 25; column 4, line 41 - column 6, line 3; figures. 1-7

TO

CN 201393459Y Y (NAT UNIV DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY) 03.02.2010, Summary of the EPODOC database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN CN-200920064471-U; figures. 1-7

TO

US 5121711 A (AINE HARRY E) 16.06.1992, description: column 1, lines 5-9; column 2, lines 37-49; figures. 1-7

TO

US 2002092481 A1 (SPOONER DAVID NEAL) 18.07.2002, description: paragraphs [25-27]; figures. 1-7

TO

US 2011198548 A1 (WALKER JR JACK E) 18.08.2011, description: paragraphs [52-54,62-63]; figures. 1-7

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 07.02.2013

Examiner E. M. Pértica Gómez Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201131720 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) A01K, E04H Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131720 Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 07.02.2013 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-7 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-7 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131720  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

WO 9619917 A2 (TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS FINANCE et al.) 04.07.1996

D02

EP 0189954 A1 (LELY NV C VAN DER) 06.08.1986

D03

US 5195455 A (VAN DER LELY ARY et al.) 23.03.1993

D04

US 6147609 A (SPIES BILL) 14.11.2000

D05

CN 201393459Y Y (NAT UNIV DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY) 03.02.2010

D06

US 5121711 A (AINE HARRY E) 16.06.1992

D07

US 2002092481 A1 (SPOONER DAVID NEAL) 18.07.2002

D08

US 2011198548 A1 (WALKER JR JACK E) 18.08.2011

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The present invention relates to an automated enclosure for the retention, priming and capture of cattle in freedom, consisting of an enclosure equipped with automation systems and powered by solar energy, intended to control cattle grazing in freedom, doing so through conditioned reflexes, what is known as "Pavlov's reflex". Document D01 is considered the closest in the state of the art to the object of the invention claimed in claim 1 (references and comments in brackets correspond to this document). Thus, with respect to the characteristics described in claim 1, it discloses an automated enclosure for the retention, milking and priming of cattle, and that, based on the attraction of cattle through conditioned reflexes so that the animals come to the enclosure themselves, It comprises a fence (1) of variable dimensions with at least one gate (3), with automated opening for the controlled exit of the animals, in which, in one of the variants of the invention, it has a plurality of feeders (40) for cattle controlled by a programmable automaton (9) which, in addition to managing the gate opening system, controls a series of sensors (32d-g) and a warning horn (25). The claimed invention differs from the cited document in that the total automation of the system is not disclosed by incorporating a first engine for the automation of the input and output gates and a second engine to drive the feed supply from a silo and although said systems are also controlled by the programmable automaton (9) (see diagram 3) and it could be deduced from this the incorporation of electric motors to carry out said operation, it is not explicitly mentioned if the filling of feed to the feeders is done in a way automatic since it is mentioned in any case that the contribution of food is made in advance (description, page 15, lines 1 to 4), and, although we find in other documents of the state of the art, such as D02 an automated enclosure of similar characteristics to the previous one and that has a set of engines for the automation of the milking process and cleaning the feed supply system to the feeder is made by gravity, therefore the configuration of said enclosures mentioned in the prior art does not meet the characteristics as disclosed in claim 1. Additionally it is disclosed that the power supply of The motors are generated from solar panels (claim 2), that the set of drinking fountains is fed by an externally provided cistern (claim 3). Furthermore, constructive details of the enclosure are disclosed in claims 4 to 7. Documents D03-D08 only reflect the state of the art. Thus, documents D03 and D04, show different automated enclosures for priming or catching cattle by attracting them through conditioned reflections where the electrical energy system can be obtained from solar panels. Documents D05 and D06 show different areas of attraction and capture of cattle using the theory of conditioned reflexes. Documents D07 and D08 show various constructive details of enclosures for livestock retention. None of the documents found in the state of the art show an arrangement such as that described in claims 1 to 7 and therefore cannot be considered as prior. On the other hand, it is not obvious that, from said documents, a person skilled in the art could conceive of a similar enclosure, with the characteristics mentioned in said claims. The invention claimed through the content of claims 1 to 7 seems to bring obvious improvements over what is already known in the field of retention, priming and catching enclosures for cattle and therefore can be considered to be new, involves inventive activity and has industrial application in accordance with articles 6 and 8.1 of Law 11/86 of March 20 of Patents. State of the Art Report Page 4/4