FR2607663A1 - Modular disassemblable feeding trough for poultry - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispensing device of the feeding trough type intended for feeding young poultry. The invention relates to a device forming a feeding trough, consisting of independent elements assembled together by clip fastening: a plate 1 surmounted by a funnel 2, itself surmounted by a lid 4, form the receptacle containing the foodstuff, which falls freely through the opening made in the lower part of the funnel into the lower annular trough of the plate. An annular frustoconical barrier 3 fixed to the plate protects the foodstuff contained in the lower annular trough from any contamination. The elements, which are disassembled after use, can be sterilised easily, and stored in a minimal space. The invention finds one main application in any intensive rearing of poultry.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of devices for feeding poultry including chickens, guinea fowl, turkey poults, etc.

It concerns a feeder-type dispenser, the use of which is particularly recommended during the period from hatching to an age of around three weeks.

 In the current state of feeding techniques, existing equipment has characteristics which are sometimes in contradiction with an improvement in productivity. These include technical, health, food and functional drawbacks.

 We notice these drawbacks in some farms which use during the first weeks of poultry life makeshift food distribution methods such as unprotected trays, honeycombed egg cases, paper bags placed on the ground etc ... , or automatic feed distribution equipment with which all intensive poultry farms are provided but which have geometric and functional characteristics contrary to the needs and aptitudes of poultry of this age: the containers are too high and their number and their distribution in the building does not offer a sufficient surface, called "table surface", the young poultry are too little solicited.

Special materials have been studied such as the distributors which are the subject of French patents 70 05987, 76 20643, 79 17210. If these devices meet the anthropometric characteristics of young animals and their food needs, they generally have the following drawbacks. They do not have a food protection system (patents 70 05987 and 76 20643). Animals can therefore walk on the surface of the food, sleep there or deposit excrement. Furthermore, these devices are difficult to dismantle, which increases the time required for cleaning, sanitizing and storing them after use.

Finally, their size and geometry are such that the volume occupied by the materials stored is often of the order of 3 to 5 cubic meters.

 In order to remedy these various drawbacks, the object of the invention is to provide materials on the one hand which are better suited than to date to the aptitudes, actions and instincts of young poultry and which on the other hand allow easy cleaning and little storage space.

 The device according to the invention is characterized by snap-on elements which, when assembled, provide a storage volume for the feed and a protected table surface sufficient to feed 75 young birds in good conditions for 2 to 3 days. The shape of each of the elements of the device allows nesting minimizing the storage volume after use.

 Figure 1 shows, in perspective, in a preferred embodiment, a device in the assembled state.

 Figure 2 is a view showing a detail of the protective barrier.

 Figure 3 is a view showing a latching system.

 Figure 4 is a half-section view of the device in the assembled state.

 The assembled set, shown in the half section of Figure 4 consists of the plate (1) surmounted by the chimney (2) itself surmounted by the cover (4). The barrier (3) completes the assembly. The chimney and the plate are assembled using the system formed by the claw (21) of the chimney (2) and the light (12) of the plate (1). The barrier (3) and the plate (1) are assembled using the system formed by the claw (31) of the barrier (3) and the light (11) of the plate (1). Likewise, the cover (4) and the chimney (2) are assembled using an identical system.

 In Figure 2, we note the claw (31) of the barrier (3) which can, by rotation in the direction of the arrow, and after positioning in the light (11) of the plate (1), ensure the 'assembly. The openings (32) of the barrier (3) are made to ensure the passage of the heads of poultry alone, their body being retained outside.

 Figure 3 details the snap system. We see in the drawing the bosses (13) and (22) of the plate and the chimney.

 This system allows rapid assembly and disassembly of the assembly; the four independent elements minimizing the storage volume.

The assembly of the four parts is obtained in the following manner
Positioning of the claws of the barrier in the lights of the plate.

Attachment of the barrier and the plate, by simple rotation in a clockwise direction, of the barrier, the plate being maintained.

Then, position the claws of the chimney in the lights of the plate. Hanging of the chimney and the plate by simple rotation in a clockwise direction, of the chimney, the plate being maintained. Finally, and in the same way, hooking the cover and the chimney. The bosses forming prominence in the claws and the lights will cause the assembly a slight click signaling the correct positioning of the moving parts and will ensure, after assembly, a permanent retention in place and in any event an indémontabilité by poultry.

 The use of the feeder elements is progressive. On the first day, only the plate is used. From the second day, the barrier is used prohibiting the staining of food with excrement.

Similarly, the chimney forming a container with the plate, will be installed from the second or third day, as soon as the learning of consumption by poultry is carried out, the cover being necessary only after five or six days, at the age when the birds start to flutter.

 The container formed by the assembly of the plate and the chimney is wide open upwards facilitating its filling. The angle formed by the plate and the chimney allows the descent of the food whatever its density, its granular or pulverulent state, its water content within the usual limits. Its capacity minimizes the number of fillings and consequently the comings and goings of the personnel in charge of food. The rounded shape of the dish's augette allows efficient cleaning and sanitization.

 The food contained in the container freely descends into the trough of the plate. I1 is stopped in its descent when the scoop is sufficiently filled. The food consumed by poultry is constantly replenished.

 The barrier allows, in each of its openings, the passage of the head of a poultry and only one. Furthermore, these openings are deemed not to have sufficient dimensions to allow the passage of the body of the poultry. The lower strip has a dimension calculated so as to prevent food splashing out of the plate and minimizing waste.

 The lid of the feeder is provided at its top with an opening intended for gripping using a finger allowing the occasional movement of the assembly while facilitating transport.

 Each element has a shape and a dimension allowing storage in a stack. This is how 100 feeders will be stored on an area of less than one square meter over a height of less than 2 meters.

 The invention has application in all poultry farming.

Claims (7)

 1) Device serving as a starter feeder for poultry, characterized in that it is constituted by the combination of four independent elements assembled, namely a conical element called plate (1) whose walls converge upwards and whose the lower edges, folded outwardly upwards, form an annular trough containing the food, and a chimney-like element of frustoconical shape (2) diverging upward, forming with the plate (1) a container whose upper part forming the opening will, if necessary, be surmounted by a frustoconical cover (4), and by a frustoconical protection element called barrier (3).  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the assembly of the plate parts (1), chimney (2), cover (4) and barrier (3) is produced by means of the claws (21) of the chimney positioned in slots (12) of the plate (1) and of the cover (4) and by claws (31) of the barrier (3) positioned in slots (11) of the plate (1).  3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the assembly of the elements is kept blocked by bosses (13) and (22) forming prominence in the claws of the chimney (21) and of the barrier (t) and by bosses forming prominence in the lights of the plate.  4) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the angle made by the generator of the cone of the plate (1) with the vertical presenting to the food a sliding surface towards the augette of the plate (1) is preferably between 40 and 50 ".  5) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the smallest opening of the cover (4) is made in such a way that it allows gripping using a finger while preventing the passage of a poultry.  6) Device according to any one of claims from (1) to 5 characterized in that the angle which the generator of the barrier cone (3) makes with the vertical is between 40 and 50 "preventing poultry the possibility to walk on the food and sleep on the fence.  7) Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the dimensions of the lateral openings (32) of the barrier (3) prohibit the passage of the body of the animal and allow the passage of the head of the animal.